Use your body (5/31)
“It Is Well”—Then Sings My Soul Saturdays (5/29)
You win—in His kingdom (5/28)
Not so bad after all—Friday’s Fave Five (5/28)
Good judgment (5/27)
What to look for in Prince Charming (5/26)
Wondrous Words Wednesday (5/26)
What’s on your nightstand?—May (5/25)
“New Hope for People with Alzheimer’s”—Book review (5/24)
The heart of the problem—Prov 4:23 (5/24)
“This Life”—Then Sings My Soul Saturdays (5/22)
Thursday is over—Friday’s Fave Five (5/21)
9 ways we quench the Spirit (5/20)
A growth spurt (5/19)
Collect Bible verses—Corner View (5/18)
Too much stuff? “When Organizing Isn’t Enough” (5/18)
Keep looking. Keep finding. (5/17)
Sing through sorrows (5/16)
“I’m Still Yours”—Then Sings My Soul Saturdays (5/15)
God-moments: Friday’s Fave Five (5/14)
If you’re discouraged with yourself (5/13)
Who do you think I am? (5/12)
Wondrous Words Wednesday (5/12)
Statues—Corner View (5/11)
“Forgotten God”—Book review (5/11)
A day in May (5/10)
In plain sight of my heart (5/10)
Curios—28 (5/9)
“Your Love Is Strong”—Then Sings My Soul Saturdays (5/8)
Moments in the events—Friday’s Fave Five (5/7)
How hot is your fire? (5/6)
Does today count? (5/5)
Wondrous Words Wednesday (5/5)
Garden—Corner View (5/4)
“Radical”—Book review (5/3)
Are you listening? (5/3)
“Plan B”—Book review (5/3)
“Savior, Please”—Then Sings My Soul Saturdays (5/1)
MAY 2010 Posts
Use your body
Put away from you crooked speech,
and put devious talk far from you.
Proverbs 4:24
I memorized the order of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-10) with this poem, working down the body, head to feet.
Proverbs 4:20-27 can also be learned using the body as a guide.
Let it start with your head…
- Listen to His words with your ears (Prov 4:20),
- and don’t let them escape from your sight (Prov 4:21),
- for they are life to your flesh (Prov 4:22),
- when you keep them in your heart (Prov 4:23).
Proverbs 4:24 continues…using your mouth:
- Straighten up, mouth! (Prov 4:24).
Stay away from the crooked edge of untruths. Keep a wide margin between you and words that deceive.
The next three verses will deal with eyes and feet.
To put his words in us—and keep them there—is a whole-body experience.
Use every part you can.
What helps you memorize scripture?
If it works, use it!
Join us each week at Joanne’s for Memory Monday.
“It Is Well”—Then Sings My Soul Saturday
The thoughts are the same. The lyrics are the same.
But Kutless sings it a little, well, differently.
So they caught my attention anew with it just when I needed it.
When I think my biggest problem is my circumstance or my overpacked schedule or my aching back, I need to remind myself—NO!
My biggest problem is my sin.
And that problem has been taken care of by Jesus’s blood.
So I can say and sing with confidence, like my grandma did (but slightly different), it is well with my soul.
You, too?
* * *
Visit the links at Amy’s for more inspirational songs.
It Is Well
Kutless
LYRICS
When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul
My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought
My sin not in part but the whole
Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more
Praise the lord, praise the Lord, O my soul
And Lord haste the day when my faith shall be sight
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend
Even so it is well with my soul
It is well with my soul
It is well with my soul
You win—in His kingdom
~ Thoughts from The Bruised Reed
by Richard Sibbes
13. Grace Shall Reign
Weakness, with acknowledgement of it,
is the fittest seat and subject for God
to perfect his strength in;
for consciousness of our infirmities
drives us out of ourselves
to him in whom our strength lies.
Do you ever wonder if Christ’s way is really the best?
It is.
His kingdom is the only one with a guaranteed victory.
6 reasons why his Kingdom wins:
1. Because Christ is its head, and he is over all (Romans 9:5)—including sin, death, hell, Satan, and the world. If he can overcome them in himself, he can overcome them in your heart and conscience.
2. Because when you encounter enemies, they fall before you because you have the Spirit in you.
3. Because Christ has committed his kingdom to the Spirit of truth—it abides forever—and you are born of that Spirit. “A little thing in the hand of a giant will do great things. A little faith strengthened by Christ will work wonders.”
4. Because you’ve already been promised the victory. And Christ always keeps his promises.
5. Because Christ has already begun ruling in his kingdom, and where he begins to rule, he rules forever.
6. Because Christ’s purpose in coming was to destroy Satan’s works, both for you and in you. That same Spirit which raised him is in his body—the church (you!).
When chaff strives against the wind,
or stubble against the fire,
when the heel kicks against the pricks,
when the potsherd strives with the potter,
when man strives against God,
it is easy to know on which side the victory will be.
The winds may toss the ship wherein Christ is,
but not overturn it.
The waves may dash against the rock,
but they only break themselves against it.
Then why does the enemy seem victorious?
1. Because you suffer. But don’t count sufferings as loss; God uses sufferings to conform you to Christ, “who conquered most when he suffered most.”
2. Because victory is by degrees. You may lose some battles, but the war has already been won for you.
3. Because God often works in opposites.
When [God] means to give victory, he will allow us to be foiled at first… when he means to make us glorious, he will abase us first….
When [man] is conquered by some sins, he gets victory over others more dangerous, such as spiritual pride and security.
4. Because Christ sometimes lets you fall so you’ll grow to stand stronger. “We take deeper root by shaking.”
Therefore, we should not be so discouraged with our weaknesses. Many waters cannot quench the flame of God kindled in the heart by the Holy Spirit.
Regardless of how it may look to you at times, you are victorious if you a citizen of Christ’s kingdom.
Grace shall reign!
So let us never give up, but, in our thoughts, knit the beginning, progress and end together, and then we shall see ourselves in heaven out of the reach of all enemies.
* * *
For more on Chapters 12 and 13, visit our reading group at Tim Challies’ blog.
COMING NEXT WEEK:
14. Means to Make Grace Victorious
15. Christ’s Public Triumph
Comments from reading group
Previous chapter reviews
Not so bad after all—Friday’s Fave Five
We have friends whose mother is at the same assisted living facility as my mom. They brought many from their church there last Sunday afternoon (and invited our family) for a gospel singing with the residents. It was incredible to see and feel the Christian love from people I didn’t even know, except through the common bond of Christ. Not only were the residents encouraged through their visit and songs, I was, too!
2. Glitch-free appointment
My sister and I took our mom to a doctor’s appointment on Tuesday that I had really been fretting about. The logistics alone seemed almost impossible for it to happen, but God paved the way that day for no glitches! I was very grateful.
3. Answered prayer
I’ve been praying about a particular situation for a long time, and this week I saw answers. It was the kind where you fall on your knees and cry “Thank you, thank you, God!” over and over. There’s still lots of pain involved in the answer, but I think it will prevent tons more pain down the road.
4. No cancer recurrence
Another answered prayer. On Wednesday I had a colonoscopy to discover that the cancer they found a year ago has not returned. Yea! I can’t believe how incredibly blessed I’ve been on this one. Moral: Catch things early when you can (I have to preach this to myself). Uncomfortable procedures now are so much easier and quicker than very much harsher treatments later.
5. Mama’s haircut
This may not sound big to you, but for 3 months we’ve been trying to get my mom to cooperate for a haircut with the beautician at her assisted living. Today when I saw my mom with her hair all in her eyes, I knew this had to be the day. So miracle of miracles, it all worked out. Wish I had a picture to show you. Thank you, Father!
* * *
Confession time:
I wasn’t going to participate in FFF this week because I was feeling too down.
But after seeking out five favorites (plus more that didn’t make this list), I realize that my week wasn’t as horrible as I thought it was, and actually contained quite a few miracles.
So thanks, Susanne, for encouraging us to choose gratefulness.
Join her and others for more Friday’s Fave Five to see what gratefulness to God can do for you!
Good judgment
~ Thoughts from The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes
12. Christ's Wise GovernmentGod will have no blind sacrifices, no unreasonable services (Isaiah 1:13), but will have us to love him with all our mind (Romans 12:2), that is, with our understanding part, as well as with all our hearts (Luke 10:27), that is, the feeling part of the soul.
~ RICHARD SIBBES
There’s only one way it’s possible—if you base your decisions on rock solid truth. It’s the only way not to be swayed by lies or selfishness.
The foundation for good judgment can’t be just your conscience. Or how you were raised. Or who you’re listening to.
Truth is truth, and error, error, and that which is unlawful is unlawful, whether men think so or not.
God has put an eternal difference between light and darkness, good and ill, which no creature's conceit can alter; and therefore no man's judgment is the measure of things further than it agrees to truth stamped upon things themselves by God.
Good judgment has to be founded on Truth. Truth then trains consciences and steers parents and guides mentors.
It has to start with Truth.
But it can’t end there. It’s not enough to just understand it. Truth also has to order our ways.
Christ sets up his throne in the very heart and alters its direction, so making his subjects good, together with teaching them to be good.
When Truth embeds himself in, he must work his way out in behaviors. Christ doesn’t just teach you better thought patterns for your brain; he also works on your heart to change your actions.
Other princes can make good laws, but they cannot write them in their people's hearts (Jeremiah 31:33). This is Christ's prerogative: he infuses into his subjects his own Spirit.
Upon him there does not only rest the spirit of wisdom and understanding, but likewise the spirit of the fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2).
The knowledge which we have of him from himself is a transforming knowledge (2 Corinthians 3:18).
The same Spirit who enlightens the mind inspires gracious inclinations into the will and affections and infuses strength into the whole man.
Where his Spirit of Truth is, mind and heart reside in sweet harmony. “Until then, truth does us no good, but helps to condemn us.” And vice-versa. A man with a good heart but no foundation of truth is not a wise man.
Without Christ's Spirit the soul is in confusion, without beauty and form, as all things were in the chaos before the creation.
Head and heart.
God sets both aright in good judgment through Truth.
* * *
For more on Chapters 12 and 13, visit our reading group at Tim Challies’ blog.
COMING TOMORROW:
13. Grace Shall Reign
COMING NEXT WEEK:
14. Means to Make Grace Victorious
15. Christ’s Public Triumph
Comments from reading group
Previous chapter reviews
What to look for in Prince Charming
Little girls dream of splashy weddings. And lots of babies.
And their own Prince Charming.
According to Disney, he’ll be rich, charming, famous, and good-looking.
Wake up!
Reality teaches otherwise. There’s something much more significant about a real Prince Charming. And every grown woman should value it: servanthood.
When Jeff washed dishes last night at 9:30, I liked it. And before that, when he brought down a box of heavy schoolbooks from the attic for me, I was impressed. And before that, when he put in a full day’s work on the job so we’d have money in the bank, I admired him.
It works both ways, of course. If I’m a true daughter of Eve, I’m designed to be Jeff’s helper (Genesis 2:18). I’m to serve, too. Marriage creates multiple opportunities for both of us to practice it.
And practice it.
And practice it.
In sickness and in health.
For richer or for poorer.
Whether he’s famous and charming, or NOT.
God sent the model Prince Charming ready to serve (Mark 10:45). He overwhelmed us with it. Back then. Today. Tomorrow. Disney may not get it yet, and we may not even get it fully, but true greatness lies in true serving (Matthew 20:26-27).
The sweetest love excels at extravagant serving.
Maybe one day Disney will catch on.
* * *
Join the community at Holy Experience for four weeks as we considerThe Spiritual Practice of Holy Matrimony.
Do you admire those who serve?
Who has served you today? Whom have you served?
Wondrous Words Wednesday
Ben sent me out with a bang—8 more new words before I finished reading The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin last week.
1. emolument
(n) [ih-MOL-yuh-muhnt]
Definition—profit, salary, or fees from office or employment; compensation for services
Use—“Some of Mr. Whitefield's enemies affected to suppose that he would apply these collections to his own private emolument; but I who was intimately acquainted with him (being employed in printing his Sermons and Journals, etc.), never had the least suspicion of his integrity, but am to this day decidedly of opinion that he was in all his conduct a perfectly honest man, and methinks my testimony in his favour ought to have the more weight, as we had no religious connection.”
2. votary
(n) [VOH-tuh-ree]
Definition—a devoted follower or admirer
Use—“Critics attack'd his writings violently, and with so much appearance of reason as to diminish the number of his votaries and prevent their encrease; so that I am of opinion if he had never written any thing, he would have left behind him a much more numerous and important sect, and his reputation might in that case have been still growing, even after his death, as there being nothing of his writing on which to found a censure and give him a lower character, his proselytes would be left at liberty to feign for him as great a variety of excellence as their enthusiastic admiration might wish him to have possessed.”
3. merlon
(n) [MUR-luhn]
Definition—(in a battlement) the solid part between two crenels*
Use—“The battery was soon erected, the merlons being fram'd of logs and fill'd with earth.”
So then I had to look up:
*crenel
(n) [KREN-l]
Definition—the open spaces between the merlons of a battlement
Arghhh—I’m caught in a loop! Until I found this picture…now I get it.
(v) [kuh-LUHM-nee-eyt]
Definition—to make false and malicious statements about; slander
Use—“He complain'd to me that they were grievously calumniated by the zealots of other persuasions, and charg'd with abominable principles and practices, to which they were utter strangers.”
5. subaltern
(adj) [suhb-AWL-tern]
Definition—lower in rank; subordinate
Use—“While I was at the camp, supping one evening with the officers of Colonel Dunbar's regiment, he represented to me his concern for the subalterns, who, he said, were generally not in affluence, and could ill afford, in this dear country, to lay in the stores that might be necessary in so long a march, thro' a wilderness, where nothing was to be purchas'd.”
(n) [HOH-boi, OH-boi]
Definition—oboe
Use—“I was at their church, where I was entertain'd with good musick, the organ being accompanied with violins, hautboys, flutes, clarinets, etc.”
7. quarto
(n) [KWAWR-toh] 
Use—“Cave, it seems, judged rightly for his profit, for by the additions that arrived afterward they swell'd to a quarto volume, which has had five editions, and cost him nothing for copy-money.”
8. escritoire
(n) [es-kri-TWAHR]
Definition—writing desk
Use—“Is it possible, when he is so great a writer? for I see him constantly at his escritoire.”
* * *
Which words did you already know?
What’s on your nightstand?—May
Kindle update:
Having completed several books on my Kindle now, I’m happy to report I’m LOVING it.
If you have a Kindle yourself, or are thinking about getting one, bookmark A Kindle World blog. Andrys Basten is most helpful in providing info and links to free books.
She also clued me in to Amazon’s Top 100 free digital books, many of which are now on my Kindle waiting to be read.
Finished from April’s nightstand
1. Plan B ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
by Pete Wilson
We’re usually not happy with Plan Bs. But this book helps you not only quit grumbling about them, but grow your faith in God’s will in the process. (Read Chapter 1.)
2. Forgotten God ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
by Francis Chan
The “forgotten God” Chan talks about is the Holy Spirit. It’s a good “Holy Spirit 101” primer (even has a chapter by that title), and has Chan’s contagious enthusiasm and vulnerable honesty all in it. (Read Chapter 1.)
3. Radical ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
by David Platt
This one challenges you to go all out for God. Don’t settle for a dumbed-down version of Christianity. If you want to see God glorified, step out on a limb and watch what he can do. (Read Chapter 1.)
4. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
by Benjamin Franklin
It was fun to go back in time and read what Ben wrote about himself. You can see his wit, his intelligence, his can-do attitude. It took a little effort to read because of his vocabulary and writing style, but it was well worth it.I may even add it to Jenna’s reading list for next year. (Get the Kindle edition free.)
5. New Hope for People w/ Alzheimer’s & Their Caregivers ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
by Porter Shimer
It’s a depressing disease, but if you have a loved one with it, you owe it to them and to you to educate yourself on how to make the best of it. I recommend this book as a helpful resource.
6. I Will Carry You: The Sacred Dance of Grief and Joy ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
by Angie Smith
You will cry. I did. It hit very close to home for me (which is why I haven’t written a review yet…) Written by Angie Smith, wife of Selah’s lead singer, this book walks you through the pregnancy and death of their baby Audrey.
If you’ve lost a baby or have friends who have (and who hasn’t?), you’ll be blessed by reading this one. My counterpart-Lisa at “Lisa writes…” posted a great review yesterday at 5 Minutes for Books.
Continuing 
7. Worship Matters
by Bob Kauflin
I just started Part 3: Healthy Tensions, leading in to nine healthy tensions related to worship. Chapter 19 is Transcendent and Immanent.
8. The Bruised Reed
by Richard Sibbes
Next week I’ll finish this one with the Reading Classics group at Challies.com. I’ve been encouraged so much by grace through this Puritan writer’s sharing of scripture.
9. The Happiness Project
by Gretchen Rubin
May’s goal on Gretchen’s blog has been mindfulness. I’ve used it for scriptures I want to meditate on. The goals for each week have been:
Week 17: How mindful are you?
Week 18: Meditate on koans. (A “koan” is a question, story, or statement that can’t be understood logically.)
Week 19: Create cues for mindfulness
Week 20: Keep a food diary
Just started
10. Sheet Music
by Kevin Leman
This was a free download on Kindle, and because I’ve read other Leman books that have been good, I’m giving this one a go. So far, it’s been very interesting, and one that I might purchase for my daughters as a honeymoon present when that time arrives.
11. The Heart Mender
by Andy Andrews
It’s the only fiction book on my list, but I’m learning a lot of WW2 history as I read. German U-boats operated in the Gulf of Mexico? It will lead me to Google; just a matter of time.
And because I’m about to finish up a few, I’m looking forward to starting these…
Next up
12. A Severe Mercy
by Sheldon Vanauken
I confess I don’t really know what this one is about, but I’ve been hearing it highly recommended for several years. And since I never could find it in my public library, I finally gave up and purchased it. I’m counting on it being good.
13. Broken-Down House
by Paul David Tripp
I’ve been so patient with this on my shelf. I know it will be great because I’ve been reading excerpts for months. It’s about living holy despite living in a sinful world.
14. ? ? ?
by Jane Austen
I need YOUR help! I’ve got these on my Kindle. Which do you recommend I read first?
Sense and Sensibility or Emma or Pride and Prejudice
* * *
What’s a favorite book that you are reading this month?
“New Hope for People with Alzheimer’s and Their Caregivers”—Book review
The reality is the caregiver—whether he or she is a spouse, adult child, relative, or friend—is the single most challenged, misunderstood, and ignored participant in the care and treatment of a person with Alzheimer’s disease.
~ Porter Shimer
But what I’m really learning is, there is no figuring out this disease.
The most predictable aspect of Alzheimer’s disease is its unpredictability.
That noted, there are general guidelines that help. Most books I’ve read on Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) include not only guidelines, but also cover the gamut of diagnosis, treatments, research for cures, etc.
This one does, too. New Hope for People with Alzheimer’s and Their Caregivers by Porter Shimer is a great resource in all those areas.
But because my most immediate need is caregiving tips, I love this list within Shimer’s book:
The 10 Commandments of Effective Caregiving
1. Be ready to improvise
Not only is every day new to those with AD, it will also bring new challenges to you as the caregiver. Just because you were successful with one strategy one day doesn’t mean it will work the next time.
2. Expect the unexpected
We had prepped days in advance for Mama to have oral surgery last week—but when the morning of surgery arrived, it still couldn’t happen.
AD is a progressive disease, a few more brain cells are destroyed every day, so you can’t predict what changes may show on any given day.
3. Be sensitive to sensibility
One of the last human traits eroded by AD is a sense of pride. When my sister and I helped my mom undress for the doctor last week, we kept assuring her, “We’re not looking.” That mattered to her.
Everybody wants and deserves to be treated with respect, regardless of their mental capabilities.
4. Assure security
Keep things simple—hugs, confirmations of love, feelings of safety. In complexity lies confusion, and in confusion lies the person’s anxiety and despair.
Mrs. B was anxiously roaming the halls in her bathrobe last week, looking for someone who knew the way to Somerville because it was almost time for her mother’s funeral. I told her I knew the way and would take her, so go get dressed.
That was all she needed; not to get to a funeral held decades ago, but assurance of being cared for. She wandered back to her room in peace.
5. Strive for peace
Even though they may seem childlike, people with AD can’t be treated like children. We train children to grow into independence; we care for people with Alzheimer’s to enjoy, with meaning, the moment they’re in.
That means that “giving in” to those with AD is sometimes more helpful than harmful. Redirect behaviors instead of reprimanding.
6. Sympathize—don’t patronize
There are many things my mom can no longer do alone, and she has to have help. When she’s aware of it, she hates it. So we try not to make her aware; we’re learning to keep our directions short when we’re guiding her through something, one step at a time, so she can feel accomplished rather than frustrated.
7. Pacify using the past
Because a person with AD has lost the glue to make short-term memories stick, dig into the past for conversation and activities. My mom still enjoys looking at photo albums together, and she surprises me by remembering names of people from long ago.
“It’s the present that poses the greatest challenge for people with AD,” says Daniel Kuhn, author of Alzheimer’s Early Stages. “Compared to that, the past is easy.”
8. Let less be more
It’s hard watching my mom try to zip her sweater. She fumbles and makes it look impossible. But as long as it’s not frustrating her, I try to keep hands-off and let her do it herself. Research suggests that people with AD respond better if we’ll loosen our grip sometimes to let them do what they’re able.
9. Make caregiving a family affair
Thankfully, I don’t have to imagine it any other way. I have three great siblings who all love and care for my mom as much as I do, and we each have the active backup of our spouses and children.
But for those who don’t have supportive family, be especially attentive to # 10…
10. Know when to ask for help
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, odds are that the person you’ve caring for is feeling overwhelmed, too.
“Caregivers need to realize that if a situation is becoming highly stressful for them, it’s also becoming highly stressful for their loved one. Caregivers often feel torn between doing what’s best for their loved one and doing what’s best for themselves, but really there’s very little difference between the two.” ~ Dr. Juergen Bludau
Visit the Alzheimer’s Association website and get the number for your local chapter (call 1-800-272-3900). Visiting the office in my city was immensely helpful. See what help is available for you and use it!
This book also contains a list of the 10 Most Difficult Behaviors (and what to do about them)—I’ll save that for a later post. And it also gives visiting tips from what looks like another helpful book, Visiting Mom, an Unexpected Gift: A Guide for Visiting Elders with Alzheimer’s by Sherry Bell.
If you were only going to read one book on Alzheimer’s, I don’t know which one I’d recommend, but this one by Shimer definitely makes my short list.
* * *
More books I recommend on Alzheimer’s Disease:
Learning to Speak Alzheimer’s by Joanne Koenig Coste
The 36-Hour Day by Nancy L. Mace and Peter V. Rabins
The heart of the problem—Proverbs 4:23
What I’m memorizing:
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
Proverbs 4:23
I was watching her feet. They were getting bigger. The nurses were watching, too. When they got worried enough, we took her to the doctor.
Turns out, it wasn’t a foot problem after all.
It’s a heart problem.
Mild congestive heart failure. Because her heart isn’t pumping efficiently, her kidneys aren’t getting enough blood to excrete salt and water like they should. Thus, fluid is building up in her feet and legs.
Instead of primarily dealing with edema, we now knew the real problem lay elsewhere.
Same with us.
Sometimes we put more attention on trying to cure our anger or impatience or worries, when the real problem is elsewhere.
It’s a heart problem.
Proverbs 4:23 says take care of your heart first.
It affects everything else.
How?
Look back to Proverbs 4:20, 21, 22. It starts with His words.
Read ahead in Proverbs 4:24-27. It turns into our actions.
* * *
Have you ever chased symptoms,
leaving the root problem untouched?
How did you figure it out?
Join us at Joanne’s for more Memory Monday.
“This Life”—Then Sings My Soul Saturdays
Do you ever feel like you weren’t made for this?
While I do love the life I’ve been given—it’s incredible—I still look around at situations and sufferings and struggles, and I know: there is better. There is more.
And more is on the way. For eternity.
But in the meantime, we’re to make Him shine where He has us.
I’m thankful I am where I am, but I really look forward to where I will be. And Who I will be with. For eternity.
* * *
“This LIfe” is one of my favorites from MercyMe’s newest album The Generous Mr. Lovewell. But it’s more than an album; it’s a movement to encourage people to love well.
Click around at Amy’s for more inspirational music on Then Sings My Soul Saturdays.
This Life
Mercy Me
LYRICS
This is not my home
(This is not my space)
Simply not my style
(This is not my place)
Can't get comfortable
(Can’t get settled in)
Simply don’t belong
(Can’t get used to this)
But I’m here right now
(I can hear You say)
Make the most of Me
(This won’t go to waste)
If I’m out of my mind
(Yeah it’s all for Christ)
If I’m making sense
(Then get it right)
Every moment is a chance
To let Your light break through
CHORUS:
This life (oh oh oh oh)
This life was meant to shine
This life (oh oh oh oh)
This life was meant to shine
I don’t have to stall
(I don’t have to wait)
Don’t have to bide my time
(Till I make my escape)
Cuz heaven’s in my heart
(I won’t settle for less)
I will lift Your name
(By the life I live)
Every moment is a chance
To let Your light break through
CHORUS
Hold your heads up high
This is our moment to rise
We were meant to shine
Not just survive
REPEAT
CHORUS
Thursday is over—Friday’s Fave Five
Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
Psalm 30:5
The beauty of some days is that they end.
We want pleasures to last forever; pain to end immediately.
Yesterday was one of those days. Nothing too awfully big happened, but enough did that I uttered throughout my day (no, begged is the more appropriate verb): “Please God! Some help here!”
And he came through.
1. “I don’t know what to do”
I said that about a million times yesterday. My mom’s nurses called me in the morning with some possibly, maybe, urgent health issues she had been developing over the past few days. What to do? What to do?
Getting to the right decision was the toughest part. But once we made it (thanks for the wisdom, God!), we just had to walk one step at a time.
2. Unfinished meals
Either the scales are wrong, or I’ve gained a pound or two this week. So it was lucky for me that both lunch and supper were constantly interrupted by phone calls yesterday. My lunch date with friends had to have been pretty miserable for them, but the ladies were great. In fact, so great that…
3. Substitute driver
…when I needed someone to take over a driving duty I had volunteered for, Kay stepped up to do it. Despite that it was way out of her way. Friends are blessings. That crisis was averted pretty easily (on my part anyway).
4. Ring, ring, ring
I received a lot of calls; I made a lot of calls. Most landed on answering machines. Some were to nonexistent numbers (user error); some were to phones with no service. Some had to be followed up with apologies (sorry, Jeff).
But all in all, without my cell phone, I can’t begin to imagine how much worse the day could have gone.
5. No electricity
So while I was waiting at the ER with my sister and mom, my daughter was at home alone in a storm. After it was over and I found out the electricity had gone out at our house, I felt bad.
But I felt worse when she told me she made it fine—because she lit candles. Yikes—my daughter at home at night in a storm with no electricity—and fire! Thankfully, she’s a very mature 15-yr-old, and she really did make it fine.
* * *
When my head hit the pillow last night, I was drained in every way (and my mom was tucked away relatively healthy back in her own bed).
In the end, all was well. God was still in control, and I didn’t have to be. When you find what you’re searching for, you stop looking.
I re-read Helen Steiner Rice’s poem this morning, “This Too Shall Pass.” If you haven’t lately, be blessed by reading it again.
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23
Did you have any days this week that you were glad when they ended?
(And don’t get me started on my Monday!)
Join Susanne for more Friday’s Fave Five.
9 ways we quench the Spirit
~ Thoughts from The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes
10. Quench not the Spirit
11. Christ’s judgment and victory
Do not quench the Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 5:19
But, um, what exactly does it mean to “quench the Spirit”?
In The Bruised Reed, author Richard Sibbes says it means deeply offending the merciful nature of Christ.
I define it as attempting to extinguish the breath of God, intentionally or otherwise, in ourselves or others.
If Christ himself won’t blow out a wick that’s at least smoldering (until he brings justice, Matthew 12:20), we sure have no business doing it ourselves.
How?
What do we do to douse the flame? Where do believers go wrong and hinder the Spirit’s work?
Here are nine ways Sibbes says it happens.
1. I’m too bad
We see our badness as bigger than his goodness.
But “none are damned in the church but those that are determined to be.” Christ is ready to welcome each of us, regardless of our past or present. Don’t allow your disbelief of the Spirit’s ability to reside in you be a hindrance to his work in you.
2. I deserve the worst
We can wrongly assume Christ wants us to suffer hell now before he brings us to heaven later.
But Christ desires to and does give us comfort even now, even here. Don’t turn it away.
3. I no longer want his mercy
We can turn our back on his gift and resist his grace so much that the fire goes out altogether.
There are those who take it on themselves to cast water on those sparks which Christ labors to kindle in them, because they will not be troubled with the light of them.
But God didn’t make us to damn us. The Holy Spirit knocks often at our hearts, willing to “kindle some holy desire” in us. Don’t keep refusing to answer.
4. I’ll sin now and get forgiveness later
We wrongly reason that because Christ won’t quench the smoking flax, we’re free to do whatever we want with no consequences.
But we are warned not to try to take advantage of his mercy. Instead of looking for loopholes through his merciful nature, watch for ways he tends the flame to increase your godliness. He will preserve the grace he began in you if you won’t quench it.
What are some ways he keeps your flame alive?
- Through communion with other Christians
- Through communion with God through prayer, meditation, etc.
- Through words of others
For this reason the apostle knits these two together: `Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings' (1 Thess. 5:19-20). Nathan, by a few words, blew up the decaying sparks in David. Rather than that God will suffer his fire in us to die, he will send some Nathan or other, and something always is left in us to join with the Word, as of the same nature with it; as a coal that has fire in it will quickly gather more fire to it. Smoking flax will easily take fire. - Through the exercise of grace itself
Stir up the grace that is in you, for in this way holy motions turn to resolutions, resolutions to practice, and practice to a prepared readiness to every good work.
5. I’ll get mercy elsewhere
We insult him and hurt ourselves when we knock at any other door but his.
But who can be more tender over us than Christ? No one.
6. I mistreat his children
When we wound other people despite having been healed of our own wounds by Christ, we quench the Spirit.
But instead we should appeal to the mercies of God in Christ to keep us from hurting others, and thus putting Christ through new torments as well.
7. I fight within the church
We suppress the Spirit’s work when we divide the body of Christ.
What a joyful spectacle is this to Satan and his faction, to see those that are separated from the world fall in pieces among themselves!
Our discord is our enemy's melody.
But Christ longs for unity, for us to allow the grace and peace of God to rule in our hearts as one so his glory can be most fully seen.
8. I take advantage of the weak
We wrongly misuse our spiritual power when we take what we want from those who are weak, exposing their bruises.
But Christ would have us bring the bread of life to crying children, not take it from them. He counts the mercy we show in feeding his lambs to be mercy shown to himself.
9. I think mercy is for sissies
We are embarrassed that Christ stooped so low and we are ashamed that the gospel is so simple.
But the more Christ descends to exalt us, all the more should we love and magnify the goodness of God.
The heart of a Christian is Christ's garden, and his graces are as so many sweet spices and flowers which, when his Spirit blows upon them, send forth a sweet savor.
Therefore keep the soul open to entertain the Holy Ghost, for he will bring in continually fresh forces to subdue corruption.
* * *
For more on chapter 10 (and chapter 11, Christ’s Judgment and Victory, not reviewed here), visit Tim Challie’s group “Reading Classics Together.”
Download The Bruised Reed free online and read along with us.
COMING NEXT:
12. Christ’s Wise Government
13. Grace Shall Reign
Comments from reading group
Previous chapter reviews
How can we keep from doing it?
A growth spurt
We took Kandie to the vet yesterday for another round of shots. Three weeks ago she weighed 13 pounds. Now? 21 pounds.
The vet said she’s going through a fast growing spurt. In another 9 months, she’ll be full height.
Growth spurts are exciting. But they require extra care. Eat a healthy diet; get plenty of rest; exercise appropriately.
My Year of Breathing Deeply is about that.
While I can’t make myself grow any more than Kandie can will it on herself (only the Lord causes growth, 1 Corinthians 3:6-7), I can make sure that we’re both prepared for it.
For me, I’m breathing in His sustenance—deep gulps—and breathing out His praise. I’m logging them in a journal so I don’t take them for granted and forget to notice they’re happening. 
The inhales have come...
Through songs. Through ‘randomly’ bumping into a cousin. Through an extra 30 minutes of play here and there. Through an e-mail of encouragement. Through a Bible verse taking root.
The exhales come, too…
Opportunities to praise Him with friends. Mutual encouragement among sisters. Times when I could have gotten angry but didn’t. Stilted but sweet conversations with dementia sufferers.
The Spirit nurtures my growth—in harmony—my breathing in, breathing out.
A sacred rhythm.
The vet said that while Kandie’s bones may mature in a year, she won’t have full muscle growth and girth for another year after that. I think of lanky teenage boys whose bones outgrow their muscles. Not until their 20s do some of them catch up. They can look and feel awkward.
Perhaps my growth will be that way, too.
While my faith is being stretched in this season, I won’t gain full strength until a later one. My spiritual muscle may not catch up for awhile. I may look and feel awkward.
No matter. I trust the Growth-Giver.
Because He knows what He’s doing, I can breathe easy.
* * *
When’s the last time you’ve been through a growth spurt?
What did you learn?
“How we live in the Spirit”
Do you collect Bible verses?
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
Psalm 130:5
Memorizing scripture hasn’t come easy to me. It’s hard, repetitive work. And even after I think I’ve got one, it escapes quickly if I don’t use it.
But it’s one of the most beneficial spiritual disciplines I’ve ever undertaken. Not only does God use His words to bless me as I’m learning them, He also returns them to bless me later in unanticipated ways.
So when you come across a verse that means something to you, write it down on paper. Then intentionally make efforts to write it on your heart and capture it in your soul.
This is one collection you’ll never regret building.
Exodus 33:13-14 (NIV)
1 Samuel 2:2
1 Kings 17:13-14 (NIV)
2 Chronicles 15:7
Psalm 4:8
Psalm 73:28
Proverbs 31:30
Isaiah 26:3-4
Daniel 9:18
Zechariah 4:6
10 favorites from the New Testament
Luke 16:10-11
John 5:24
John 6:28-29
Acts 17:27-28
Romans 4:20-21
Ephesians 3:17-21
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NIV)
2 Timothy 2:13
Hebrews 4:16
Psalm 27
Psalm 34
Psalm 145
Isaiah 12
Isaiah 43
Matthew 5-7
John 1
Romans 12
Philippians 1-4
Hebrews 12
James 1
2 Peter 1
For a set of ready-made memory scriptures, I recommend Fighter Verses from Desiring God. They work great for Jenna and me to memorize during our school year.
Get their list of verses free. Or buy the pack of cards.
If you’d like additional free resources from the web on memorizing, visit Ann at Holy Experience.
It’s not about me perfecting the words.
It’s about the Word perfecting me.
So I keep plugging away at my memory verses,
a little at a time.
Progress is sometimes hard to measure,
and success, even harder.
But as long as I do at least a little,
it keeps the door open for God to do a lot.
* * *
More on Bible memorization
Too much stuff?
If you’re getting ready to toss stuff for spring cleaning, read this book first:
When Organizing Isn’t Enough:
SHED Your Stuff, Change Your Life
by Julie Morgenstern
It was one of my Top 9 Books of 2009.
Julie Morgenstern is an organizing expert and consultant. With an edge.
Whether intended or not, her writings touched my spiritual needs as much as my physical ones in my search for less chaos and more space in my life.
Morgenstern encourages you to find the theme of your current season of life. Common themes include: connections, creativity, freedom, wisdom, etc.
Part 1: Getting Unstuck
It’s about breaking free of the obsolete stuff in your life so you’ll have room for the important stuff.
She retells a Zen parable about a traveler who built a raft to cross a flood. Because it worked well in that situation, he kept the raft. And carried it around with him as baggage for the rest of his life.
What are the rafts you carry that you no longer need? Identify what weighs you down, whether it be objects, commitments, or habits. What distracts you or depletes your energy?
Part 2: Separate the Treasures
Treasures can be objects, but they can also be skills, schedules, habits. According to Morgenstern, a true treasure “will not generate mixed feelings—if there’s even a little negative energy mixed in, the item should stay with the trash.” [A tad too extreme for me, but a point worth considering.]
Some questions to ask yourself in distinguishing true treasures from maybe’s:
- What practical value does this item provide?
- If I just got rid of it, what would I miss about it?
- If it was taken away, would I try to re-create it?
- Is it invigorating to my life right now?
- As I think about my theme, does it vibrate with relevance?
Part 3: Heave the Trash
“Which has more value—this object or the free space for something new?”
Don’t just heave physical objects: look at unfinished tasks that weigh you down as well. That includes unnecessary schedule attachments and habit attachments.
In this section Morgenstern also includes “habit breakers”:
- for procrastination
(i.e., if it’s hard to start a project, try tackling the 2nd or 3rd step first) - for perfectionism
(i.e., take a break at the point of diminishing returns) - for chronic lateness
(i.e., create a cheat sheet for how longs things really take)
Part 4: Embrace your Identity
This section is a spiritual pep talk to trust yourself, have the discipline to deliver, and live in the moment.
From a distance, you recognize determined people by their achievements. But if you are lucky enough to be close to a determined person, you know that each achievement is made up of a million different tiny steps.
Determined people have an ability to face one moment at a time—to do battle with an individual obstacle as it comes up, without losing sight of the bigger goal….
Organizing isn’t about neatness; it’s about function. ...The key is to custom-design your system around your natural habits and the way you think so that it brings out your best self, rather than restricting you.
Part 5: Drive Yourself Forward
The last section encourages you to break your mold, experiment with your theme, and beware of the 30% slip (which is when you make progress, but then slip back into your old habits just a bit).
Morgenstern includes multiple real-life examples to show you exactly how this has worked. Those were beneficial to me. (And just so you know, her spiritual talk isn’t necessarily Christian talk.)
This is a book worth reading on many levels. If you combine it with Getting Things Done, which is a super-practical book, I can’t imagine the tornado that would ensue from your flurry of organization. (I read them separately, so I only experienced high but damaging winds blowing through.)
The more we understand our attachments, the more we can alter them into what they should be. And should not be. And live the life of real meaning that we’re intended to live.
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and rust destroy
and where thieves break in and steal,
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust destroys
and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21
* * *
I now follow Julie on Twitter @JulieMorgenstrn. Her tweets are usually links to helpful articles on organization and time management, such as this one.
Here’s a 5-minute clip about her SHED method:
LinkWithin
