New Every Morning

Today's Bible reading, at least one portion, was in the book of Lamentations.

Lamentations.  A word that many of us Lyme Fighters may not be familiar with, but certainly have personally done- lament.    The free dictionary online gives these definitions: la·ment (l-mnt)

v.la·ment·ed, la·ment·ing, la·ments

v.tr.

1. To express grief for or about; mourn: lament a death.

2. To regret deeply; deplore: He lamented his thoughtless acts.

v.intr.

1. To grieve audibly; wail.

2. To express sorrow or regret. See Synonyms at grieve.

n.

1. A feeling or an expression of grief; a lamentation.

2. A song or poem expressing deep grief or mourning

 

Can you relate?  I certainly can-

The selection today was out of Lamentations 3, verses 22-26, a fairly familiar passage.  I was reading it in the NIV this morning.
 ²² Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
²³ They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
²⁴ I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”

²⁵ The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
²⁶ it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.

 

The very first part, verse 22 caught me today.  because of the LORD's Great love we are not consumed, fo his compassions never fail.  In previous verses, the lament is made that many afflictions have come, even at God's own hand/allowance- and yet here is hope-  that we will not be consumed because of His great love.

 

Do you feel as if the afflictions and challenges you are facing are consuming you?  Here is the Word for you today-  His compassion will not fail you; you are greatly loved.  You may not feel that at the moment- but it is true nonetheless- and that is what greets you today:

-  in fact, they are new every morning,  He is faithful to us; His portion is ours today; we wait on him; we hope in him; we seek him; it is good.

 

Today holds glory-treasures.  Perhaps some of the treasures for you today are such things as hope, a new morning, new mercies, His love, His compassion...perhaps His expression of these things will come in mortal presence, an act of kindness, a gift of nature~  The important thing is to live expectantly (which is hope) for His revealing Himself to you today. 

 

                                                                 

“Earth's crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God,
But only he who sees takes off his shoes;
The rest sit round and pluck blackberries.”
― Elizabeth Barrett Browning


Blessings~

Supplies

Things are coming along here.  My dad is slowly improving- thank you for your prayers!  He is still living at our home, regaining his strength.

About every day there is either an RN (Registered Nurse), OT (Occupational Therapy), or PT (Physical Therapy) person here to work with him.  Many of the OT and PT aspects are applicable to Lyme recovery- and I am challenged to be more disciplined again with my own PT exercises.

I'd been going to PT, but life happens and  I've not been able to get back to it.  Meanwhile- I am doing his exercises along with him, and it is nice to have someone to do them with.

Here is a picture I took on my way out to the mailbox yesterday- what do you see there?  What is your first thought of this fall scene? Does it represent to you an ending, or a beginning?

                                

                                

Today, in my daily Bible reading schedule, 1 Timothy chapter 6 was read.  Verses 17-19 jumped out to me~ 

¹⁷ Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. ¹⁸ Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, ¹⁹ storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.

Many of us fighting Lyme are greatly depleted financially- adding to our angst.  Whatever our financial state pre-Lyme Fight, we know well what Paul is saying- it is easy to fix our hope on riches, but they are uncertain, and it can frankly be frightening to see the money go out so quickly, and in such large amounts- and us left helpless to do anything about it.

Paul urges us to put our hope in God- who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.  Even on bad days- if we look around with God's perspective, with His help- we can find something to enjoy.  The more we seek Him, and ask Him to show us- the more we see how indeed He has not only supplied us with things to enjoy- but He has richly done so.

I am seeing more and more things to enjoy-  perhaps not all things yet.  But, my level of expectation has increased:  What is He doing in this moment?  Where is He in this?  Who does He want me to get to know- to reach out to in this situation? 

For instance- at first glance, it may appear that the people that come to our home to tend to my dad is all about his improving health (which is important)-  but perhaps the LORD has other assignments in meeting these people- if not for now, maybe down the road; maybe there will be an opportunity to share  His love with them, encourage them...  Looking for whatever riches my King has hidden for me to find- and enjoy together with Him. 

Paul gives us some directions in the quest of these Heavenly Riches to enjoy: do good, be rich in good works, be generous and ready to share.  These, he says- will then store up a good foundation for us in the future (immediate and eternal)- SO THAT- we may take hold of that which is life, INDEED!

Oh but we crave life. We spend so many days in languish, bringing a glimmer of life into our day makes a gigantic difference! 

Today, may you see opportunities to continue building upon the good foundation-  and take hold of life.  Enjoy-  Ask the LORD to show you at least one thing today in which you can do good; ask Him to show you how you can be generous  (He is very creative; even if you feel you don't have anything to offer- He will show you something you can offer!)...

Doing these things, with thanksgiving- you will have something to enjoy today, and to delight in with the King of Kings~


Blessings! 

Number Our Days

In between my caregiving responsibilities for my dad, and managing my own protocol- and trying to do my family things (yes, not getting everything done), I have found the Daily Audio Bible a good way to surround my day with the Word~

Yesterday, in the reading-through-the-Bible in a year schedule, the reader read through two familiar Psalms, 90 & 91.

One of the many things I love about the Word is that even the familiar takes on a new tone, new color, new feel, new meaning... depending on life's season~

Out popped Psalm 90:12 " So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."
Oh, but I have felt my days numbered more acutely than ever in this Lyme Fight.  Each day is a precious gift; each day with any extra energy left beyond extistence is a jewel- and to be spent with careful consideration, making it count, making it of worth.  This is only achieved by operating in God's economy- and for this, wisdom is indeed needed.

In the MacArthur Bible Commentary, the 'heart of wisdom' notation states, "Wisdom repudiates autonomy and focuses on the Lord's sovereigny and revelation"

Is that my focus today?  Wisdom says- focus on the Lord's sovereignty and revelation.  Ah, but isnt' this an aspect of the Mystery about which we've talked earlier... With this God-lens, this wisdom- I look beyond myself, beyond circumstances, to see the moments revealed by God, with His illumination upon each scene- making each moment count according to His will~

Oh LORD, indeed, teach me to number my days- that I will get a heart of wisdom-  to see in each moment Your Light, Your Presence, Your Sovereingty, Your revelation~ 
Blessed be the Name of the LORD~

Blessings-

Article published

It was an honor to be invited to use my writing in the EFCA Update. 

They chose my writing on compassion-  Go to this link- scroll down to article. 
http://www.efca-update.org/

Of course- there is other good information on this site too!  (smile)

The audiences for this Update are pastors, church leaders, congregants (Evangelical Free Church of America).   The hope is to bring them into a renewed/greater appreciation for the afflicted in their congregation, and to promote thoughtful responses to those in need. 

Pray the LORD may use it so~

Blessings-

Our God Rains

No, the title does not have a typo.  I purposefully wrote rains, instead of reigns.  Not, of course, to infer that Our God doesn't reign-  He Does! 

It's just that I was going through the devotional reading for today and these verses popped out at me:

Jeremiah 14:22-22   (NASB)

²² Are there any among the ^[a]idols of the nations who give rain?
Or can the heavens grant showers?
Is it not You, O Lord our God?
Therefore we ^[b]hope in You,
For You are the one who has done all these things

 

He is Our Creator God.  He is Sovereign, in control of all things.  My favorite part is Jeremiah's conclusion, "Therefore we hope in You.."

 

Jeremiah's hope isn't if whether it will rain or not, or... or in thinking there is some other power(s) that are all powerful. 

 

Circumstances change all the time.  Especially with Lyme.  A constant with Lyme, is the inconsistancy! 

 

I am regularly needing to remind myself that only in God should I place my trust, my hope... not in the next treatment, the next doc appt, my family, my friends, my getting something accomplished... 

 

Only in God.

 

I am to take care of what He has placed in front of me today to take care of.  The rest is up to Him, in His time, His way.  My stability point of peace is in my trust in Him-  the deeper I trust (by knowing Him better and better), the more stable I become. 

 

Rest in Him Beloved~

 

Citizens

Been a lot going on.  I've been trying to keep up with the needs of my family lately, and so have been absent here.  Still things coming down the pike- so thank you for understanding.  (I'm at that 'thankful to be so much better', but not ready to be up to the rigorous 'normal life'.)

I've lately been getting back into the Daily Bible- where you read through the Bible in a year.  I found DAB online and got the app on my phone- with it, I can listen or read the daily selection at almost any time, as often as I wish.  Nice feature!  (http://dailyaudiobible.com/)

This past week, there have been readings from Philippians.  Always much in there to soak in!  This week a couple things struck me. 

One was the phrase 'Citizens of Heaven'. 

Philippians 3:19-21  New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁹ They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. ²⁰ But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. ²¹ He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.

What a great challenge- to keep in mind my true citizenship, and the eagerness for His return, for redemption...there is more to all this.  There is purpose to all this.  Even when things here are tough- in affect, I don't have to dwell on my present circumstance, but rather- remember my true dwelling place is with Him! 

The commentator of DAB yesterday was sharing his thoughts from a later passage in Philippians.  His thoughts were that the base of peace was joy.  I read it differently (although both are equally worthy).. I think that deep sense of peace, the kind we have in Christ Jesus, is the spring from which joy pours.   And how do we get there?   Paul give us his instructions in Phil 4:

⁴ Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! ⁵ Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

⁸ And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. ⁹ Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you

These are familiar words.  The commentator took verse 4 as the launch, that joy is the launch- I take it that Paul is setting up that about which he is going to explain.. In other words, he starts with joy, and then explains how to get joy (instead of starting with joy and getting the rest;make sense?)

How do we become full of joy in the LORD?
a) let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do
b)Remember, the Lord is coming soon
c)don't worry- instead pray- about everything- Tell God what you need, and THANK HIM
d) THANK HIM for all He has done
e) fix you thoughts on what is: TRUE    HONORABLE    RIGHT   PURE   LOVELY  ADMIRABLE
f) think about things that are EXCELLENT and WORTHY of PRAISE

THEN, the GOD OF PEACE WILL BE WITH YOU!

Look again at verses 7 & 9-  then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds our understanding- this peace will guard our hearts and minds as we live in Christ Jesus!.... As we keep putting into practice all we are learning from Paul, Peace comes!

Oh what joy!   To me, joy comes out of these foundations.  I just have a difficult time starting out with joy- Joy is an emotion that must have a base from which to flow...and these verses give us that base... Ultimately- Peace with with God through practicing those things which we are implored to do.  Especially giving thanks, for all He has done.

It is fall. It is harvest time.  What have you sown?  What are you reaping?  In Christ, each new day brings a new planting season.  In these verses, Paul gives us many a good seed to plant into good soil, and to water, to grow....

Bless you-

Combating Battle Fatigue- with a little help from my friends...

Lyme Battlers can often feel helpless.

Lyme Battler's caregivers, family, friends, community can often feel helpless.

It is a VERY long road we are on.

Some people just plain abandon us along the way, some zip in and out along the way- waving to us as they breeze by...
Some walk alongside for a bit, some walk a long ways with us-holding our hand...

Some walk the WHOLE way...  (me with my primary caregiver, my husband)

In the Old Testament of the Bible- God gave Aaron to Moses, to hold up his arm when battle weary... He gave Jonathan to David, to encourage him, believe him... 

In the New Testament, we see even more community- the disciples, Paul and Barnabas, Paul and Timothy- many of the apostles meeting up with each other... and leaving letters for us today emploring us to encourage one another...

Do you have anyone to encourage you? 

Sadly we often have to be good self-encouragers!  And thankfully- we have the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, through Christ, who NEVER leaves us. 

Is there something you SO wish someone would do for you to encourage you?  Many times it can be a very simple thing- a phone call, a note, wearing a Lyme-awareness T-shirt...  Well, if no one is encouraging you today- YOU BE THE ENCOURAGER (smile).  Truly- you will be encouraged! 

A fellow Lyme Fighter and I were chatting and he was telling that he, as many of us do, was hoping that when he had to begin this rigorous discipline in eating, changing his eating habits- that his family, at least someone, would be willing to show support by eating the same way he had to now.  But no (really, who would unless they had to).

Made me think-  perhaps someone is reading this who would like some ideas as to how to encourage their friend/family member.  Here is a list of some practical things I came up with- 

- yes, buy a Lyme Awareness T-Shirt!  Wear it when you come to see your Lyme Battle pal, and any time you are out in public.  (we very much want to get the word out to others and can't get out enough to do it ourselves)

- Ok- so maybe you don't want to eat like we have to, but maybe you could join your Lyme Battler in eating like they have to for even just a day or week to show your support, to learn what it is like.

- My family hears my alarm on my phone go off these days and I hear, "Mommmm, your alarm is going of aagaainnn!"  (not angrily though)  My alarm goes off many times a day to keep me on schedule with my different meds/treatments/reminders (poor memory-  Love the device! Such a help!)...  
Perhaps to show your support- you can set your device alarms for the same times your Lyme Fighter pal has to set theirs.   You can get an idea of all they have to do in a day/night to keep kickin..as well as take the opportunity to pray for them each time that alarm sounds.
(btw- Lyme Buddies:  if possible, choose soothing, least irritating ring tones for those alarms- it is good for you, and those around you)

- Don't forget that even though your Lyme Fighter pal hasn't been able to go out with you to do something in ages-  your pal would still absolutely love it if you asked anyway!  And maybe once in awhile you can bring a little rememberance back to your pal, letting them know they were thought of and missed- and that you hope one day your pal can join you again. 

- Look for ways to adapt outings so that it may be possible for your Lyme Fighter pal to join in... or join her.

- If your Lyme Battle pal is room/house bound-  perhaps bring a nice new picture to look at (of something you know they enjoy), or a magazine subscription, or a throw/blanket/pillow, new soft/natural fabric socks... 

- Find a gluten free, sugar free (Stevia),   whatever-free snack to your pal....your effort in learning and knowing what they can have is wonderful

- If your Lyme Battle pal is up to it- bring over a movie to watch together.   Record a local highschool concert that they Lyme Battler may have had to miss- and replay it WITH them.


These are just a few ideas-   I'm sure you can think of more!  In fact- please do!  And share them in the comments area!  The more ideas, the better! 

Blessings-

Exodus 17:11-13  (NASB)

¹¹ So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand ^[a]down, Amalek prevailed. ¹² But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. ¹³ So Joshua ^[b]overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Therefore encourage one another and build