CHOOSE TO SHED???

Maybe 2018 is the year to shed "choose" as My One Word!

Hmm-m-m---"shed" conjures thoughts.
Remove the mask. Give up the pretense. On no---what will people think.

Yet, I'm already pondering which mask to shed first. Maybe normalcy. In the scheme of things, I don't seem as normal as everyone else I know in my age bracket.

We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don't maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don't twist God's word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to, can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God. (2 Corinthians 4:2, MSB)

That verse sounds like transparency without self-promotion. Oh how easy it is to type what might make me more acceptable to others. Hm-m-m, that might be one more trait to "shed"---putting the opinions of others about me, before God's opinion.
Please God, not man. (Galatians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 2:4) Shed the rest!
Bear with me in these inchoate entires as I find my identity in Christ alone & find my way to blogging in 2018.

WAITING---I'M NOT A FAN!

My One Word for 2017 was "choose." I definitely would not "choose" waiting.

But....sometimes we don't have a choice. Life chooses for us.

ARG-G-G--more waiting!

 Finally, 3 hrs later!

Grateful for Jeremiah 17:14 verse from brother, Bobby for my hubby.

Actually we need a lot of Isaiah 40:31 "waiting" over here---to gain strength and not grow weary as we begin 2018, not as we would have chosen.

Mother would have served us a double portion of black-eyed peas!

CHOOSE: CLOSURE

Closure---a sense of resolution or conclusion of an artistic work. Certainly, that's a stretch thinking my blog is an artistic work but I did want closure to these 2017 "Choose" entries.

But God..........had a an interruption in mind. So, plans of celebration were cancelled and my happy New Year "ears" remain in the "ready" position, tho not to be used this year.

Jeremiah 29:11 reminds me that God has a plan. And the last few days we have altered our plans as the Lord has directed our steps. (Proverbs 16:9) His choice for the way we would close out 2017.

CHOOSE: LESS THAN ORDINARY

Sometimes Dove "less than ordinary messages" are "spot-on," especially when they're tucked inside the "white and dark chocolate swirls" Yummy swirls, virtually impossible to find, unless one digs around for them in a mixed bag.

But....of the 9 spot-on yet, different chocolate messages I consumed, from sing aloud, solve arguments with a dance-off and quote your dad, the bookstore  one caught my fancy!

Actually go to a bookstore. Hmm-m-m-m.......Go to an actual bookstore. 

No matter how you say it, it's a "novel" idea!

So.... Today, I choose the extraordinary---a brick and mortar bookstore owned by locals!

CHOOSE: TIMELESS

Timless is a tough concept for a time compulsive one. Earlier time compulsive, blogs verify that malady as a part of my "make-up."

Ashley Bryan's clock in his Isleford, ME home.

Dear friend, Ashley Bryan tells me I need to learn to live on "island time." (John 10:10) As an Isleford, ME resident with only 20 year round neighbors, Ashley lives what he preaches, at least when he's on his island, population 65 in 2013. Since his best friend Soos died this year, I assume the population is now 64. (Psalm 90:12)

He lives well, wisely and humbly, even though he is is 94. (James 3:13)

Island time embraces "loving God supremely, serving others well" (Allen Bible Church) and living life moment by moment in His timing with a grateful heart. (Proverbs 27:1, Matthew 6:34) 

Timeless truth from an islander! (Psalm 16:11)

CHOOSE: NEARNESS

Growing up in the Methodist church in Hoptown, one tid-bit I recall is analogous with sitting near a roaring fireplace. If one doesn't feel the warmth, guess who moved away from the fire. Similarly if one doesn't feel the warmth of God's presence, guess who moved? Not God. He is Emmanuel, "God with us!"

Psalm 73:28 reminds us "it is good to be near God."

The verse continues, "I have made the Lord God my Refuge." Psalm 46:10 expands the thought giving understanding of the resulting strength that comes to one who chooses the nearness of God as a refuge. When I "move away" from that nearness, I suffer, as do others around me.

I know because I have chosen my own strength these past weeks and thus failed miserably! 

Control. Dread. Fear. Insensitivity. Ire. Irritability.  By-products of my own life when I move away from the warmth of His love,  

As a new year approaches, I hope to change my direction moving closer to Him.  May I allow that nearness of Him, to not only give me refuge but His strength as well. 

Nearness to Him is the essential for Christ-like living. 

CHOOSE: TEA-rrific TRIO

TEA-rrific trio, indeed!!!

New mug. "New to me" black tea. New Ann Voscamp book.

Such pleasures make it so easy to give thanks. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

For a tired, black tea loving, avid reader it's what was needed----a TEA-rrific trio just for me!

CHOOSE: TO CELEBRATE CHRISTmas!

They say "there's more snow up in Colorado" and Massachusetts but.....

we do have a magnificent sun rise!

A great reminder as we focus on the birth of the risen Son!

Merry Christmas from Memphis to wherever you are!

CHOOSE: TO LIGHT THE CANDLE OF LOVE FOR THE 4th SUNDAY OF ADVENT

FIRST EVANGELICAL CANDLELIGHT SERVICE 2017!

Children sharing the Greatest Love Story ever told with word and song! (John 3:16, KJV)

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.

A perfect way to "light" the flame of love in one's own heart....

And to pass it on---candle by candle,
into the hands of other believers.

Believers rejoicing in the One
who is the light, celebrating
His birth together!

Love and light
filling the sanctuary.

A sanctuary of God's Presence
In every heart!

Merry Christmas Eve!

CHOOSE: TO FIND THE SACRED IN THE ORDINARY

God's goodness is all around us.

Sometimes we just need to change our focus in order to see it. Even in the hard place or the ordinary. Those plain ole daily happenings. God is in every part of our lives.
In everything, He's there! (1 Corinthians 12:6)

Certainly this is the season to celebrate each and every ordinary events---remembering we are children of an extraordinary God!