Some goals for June

 A new month, and time to set some goals!  Here are my goals for June.  As always, many of them are ongoing.

* Post in this blog as often as possible
* Post in my Christmas blog as often as possible
* Continue planning for family birthday gifts and crafting any handmade ones
* Continue reading through the One-Year Chronological Bible
*  Continue with the book Fix Your Focus for my Sunday Scripture series
* Continue studying and preparing for my ladies' Sunday School class 
* Continue through the wonderful Daily Grace Co. study of Habakkuk, Even If (this is intended to be a 3-week study; it has taken me months since I only work on it on Saturdays)
* Continue stocking my Etsy shop and continue selling vintage items
* Write at least 4 encouraging notes to friends and family
* Keep up with Flylady's zones of the week
* Attend a birthday party for our friends' children 
* Help and encourage my local daughter as I'm able
* Help prepare for two special events at our church
* Plan meals with a greater emphasis on healthy eating
* Possibly have some of our younger friends over for a meal and fellowship
* Attend a memorial service for a dear old friend
* Continue to help a widowed friend with the challenges of life in general
* Continue meeting with my young friend R. for discipleship
* Spend quality time at our little camp; plan some staycation time
* Get to bed by 8:30 each night we are at home
* Drink enough water each day
* Spend time with family visiting from out of state
* Continue with the habit of getting outdoors for the morning light
* Walk and/or exercise at least 4 times each week

HEALTHY HABITS FOR JUNE:  Drink more water/get more sleep/exercise daily/intermittent fasting/limit carbs/get morning light

And that is more than enough to keep me out of trouble this month!

Sunday Scripture

For Sunday Scripture posts currently, I'm using the Daily Grace Co. book Fix Your Focus. This is really not a Bible study as such, but more of a guide to help you fix your focus on God, His Word, prayer, gratitude, and spiritual growth, every week for 52 weeks.  I encourage you to follow along with us as we journal, look at Scripture, pray, and face the challenges of our weeks with our focus on Him.

This week's lesson was actually done by me the week of May 12, but I am working ahead of you readers.  So here goes!

🌿 WEEK-AT-A-GLANCE CHECKLIST is further on in each week's section. But since I am working on Fix Your Focus all week long, I find it works best for me to do this week-at-a-glance checklist first.  [Maybe you would like to use this same checklist if you are following along with us.]

This checklist offers us four points;  

* To make a plan for reading our Bibles and praying.

* To add any upcoming events to our calendars.

* To jot down a to-do list of tasks that must be completed this week.

* To make a note of our top three priorities for this week.

This last point is one that I need to pay special attention to every week.  I'm finding it so helpful!

 For this week, my top three priorities are:

1) Saturday's ladies and girls brunch at church -- preparing food, bringing items to decorate with.

2) Family -- sympathy cards to extended family; talking with my NV daughter; figuring out my son-in-law's birthday gift.

3) Service -- cleaning and other prep work at TWNE, plus preparing for a ladies' Sunday School class and blogging too.

🌿 The first actual prompt for each week is JOURNAL.  We are encouraged to take a few minutes to journal about our fears, joys, worries, desires and stressors concerning the week ahead.  [If you are following along with us, take a moment in a journal or notebook to do just that.]. Here's what I wrote on Monday, breaking it down into the suggested categories:

Fears: No real fears going into this week,.  Maybe a concern for my hubby's skin condition to improve..

Joys: It's always a joy to serve at TWNE and at church.  I find joy in teaching Sunday School and in blogging.  It's a true joy to spend time at our cottage.  And I'm looking forward to a joyous time at our ladies' brunch..  .

Worries: No real worries.  Just a concern that we are pursuing the best course in some matters.

Desires: That God will be glorified in the events of this week.  That believers will be edified and encouraged through Sunday School, one-on-one meetups, the brunch, and this blog.

Stressors: Tasks that won't stay done.  Irksome situations to deal with and work around.  Time constraints..

🌿 The next prompt is PRAYER. It was suggested that we use several prayer prompts to have a conversation with God about the week ahead.  [You can do the same.  Use the very same prompts for your own prayer.]

* Lord, You are ...in control of this week and all that it will hold.  You know all things and know each of my worries, joys, fears, desires, and stressors.  Not only do You know them all, but You are all powerful and all-wise and can work everything out for my eventual good and for Your glory.

* Lord, I feel ... tired.  A bit achy, like I've been doing too much.

* Lord, help me with ... the things on my plate this week.  Help me to be the best possible help to my husband during this trial with psoriasis.  Help me to use my time wisely.

* Lord, forgive me for ... times when I act in my own strength.  Times when I allow circumstances (or even people) to annoy me.

Make a note of four or five people you are praying for.  I listed a young couple who need God's direction, our former pastor grieving the loss of his wife, a friend grieving the loss of her mother, and a grandson not walking with God.

🌿 The next section in this helpful guide is SCRIPTURE MEDITATION.  I chose to first meditate on this week's Scripture, Psalm 145:18, using the SOAP method, and then answered several suggested questions.   [You can use your own preferred method to meditate on this verse, and answer the questions below for yourself.]

I had spent some time meditating on this verse in 2023, so I will be including some of that study here.

S= "The LORD is near to all those who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth." (Psalm 145:18)

O=  My Bible titles Psalm 145 thusly: "David's psalm of praise."  Scofield has given it the title "Praise to the gracious God."  All 21 verses of this psalm are filled with praise to God for all that He is and all that He has done and is doing. 

"It is David's, David's very own, David's favorite ... It is altogether praise, and praise pitched in a high key.  David had blessed God many a time in other psalms, but this he regarded as peculiar, his crown jewel of praise."

Spurgeon wrote concerning the Bible's title of Psalm 145 as "David's psalm of praise": 

Here in verse 18 David declares:

* The LORD is near to all who call upon Him in truth.

A cross- reference for "near" in verse 18 --  

"For what nation is there so great, that hath God as near unto them, as the LORD our God is, in all things that we call upon Him for?"  (Deuteronomy 4:7)

"Not only near by His omnipresence, but to sympathize and favor.  He does not leave praying men, and men who confess His name, to battle with the world alone... 'All' who place themselves beneath the shield of His glorious name by calling themselves by it, and by calling upon it in supplication, shall find Him to be a very present help in trouble." -- Charles Spurgeon

"The nearness or remoteness of a friend is very material and considerable in our troubles, distresses, wants, dangers, etc.  I have such a friend, and he would help me, but he lives so far off ... But it is not thus with you, O Christians!  who have a God so nigh unto you, who have the signal presence of God in the midst of you.  Yea, who have a God always standing by you."  --Thomas Brooks

A cross-reference for "truth" -- 

"God is a spirit; and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth."  (John 4:24) 

 "To call upon God in truth is, first, to repose an implicit confidence in the faithfulness of His promise, and to look for unlimited answers to prayer from the riches of His grace in Christ Jesus.  But it is also to feel our own urgent need of the things for which we supplicate, and to realize an earnest and unfeigned concern to obtain them." -- Thomas Dale, 1853

A= To help with my application of this verse, I answered the questions from Fix Your Focus:  

🌿 Reflect on what this verse tells you about who God is.

He is near to all who call upon Him in truth.  His name LORD is used here -- Jehovah, the self-existent One who always has been and always will be.

🌿 Think about what this verse tells you about who you are.

I am a person who is in need of help, who calls upon God and finds Him near because of my relationship with Jesus.

🌿 Throughout this week, consider how this verse should affect the way you live.  

I can call upon God at any time.  I can and should sense His nearness to me at all times.  I should keep short accounts with Him so I can call upon Him "in truth" at any time.

 Spurgeon wrote,  "To pray in truth, we must have a true heart, and the truth in our heart; and then we must be humble, for pride is a falsehood; and be earnest, or else prayer is a lie.  A God of truth cannot be nigh to the spirit of hypocrisy; this He knows and hates; neither can He be far removed from a sincere spirit, since it is His work, and He forsakes not the work of His own hands." 

 It is incredibly comforting and strengthening to know that God is always near to me.  I think one of the best ways to practice His presence and nearness is simply to speak with Him often: "Thank You, Lord!" when we see Him act or give wisdom; arrow prayers when we need help or guidance; words of praise and awe when we observe His glorious creation.

P= "Lord,  I am so thankful that You make it possible for us to know You and have a personal relationship with You!  I am thankful for  Your nearness to Your children and that I may speak to You at any time.  I pray that You will help me to be able to share with others how they also may have this relationship with You.  I pray also that You will help me to encourage other believers to cultivate the closeness to You that You want for all of us to have. Help my very life to be a hymn of praise to You.  I pray in Jesus' name, Amen."

🌿 GRATITUDE is the next prompt.  We were to reflect on the way God has shown His faithfulness to you over the past week and list five things we are thankful for.  [If you are following along with us, be sure to make your own list of five things!]. Here is my list:

1) Strength for busy days at TWNE.

2) A fun Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra concert that our granddaughter and friends played in.  

3) Meaningful study times in God's Word.

4) Supper out with family on Mother's Day

5) Getting together with my young friend R. last Monday.

🌿 SPIRITUAL GROWTH is the next prompt, and this week there's an emphasis on FASTING. We were to consider fasting from something this week in order to focus on our need for God.  What could we fast from?  What would be the duration of our fast? [And again, if you are following along, please think about this for yourself.]

   I chose to fast from sugar Monday through Friday.  I ordinarily do intermittent fasting anyway, and use the time gained by not eating breakfast in additional Bible study and prayer.

🌿 Lastly is a GOSPEL-CENTERED AFFIRMATION: 

The Lord is near; when I call, He hears.

We can take this encouraging thought into the coming week and communicate with God often!

Hodgepodge for May 28

 

Wednesday again ... and so it's time for the Wednesday Hodgepodge at From This Side of the Pond.  Joyce writes the questions, bloggers provide the answers!  Here we go ...

1. What's your favorite room in your house and why? 

I think that would have to be our  living room.  Some years ago we covered the old wallpaper and ceiling tiles  with beautiful wide pine boards (sawed by my husband) and have never looked back.  Yes, the room is wrapped in pine.  We love it and would like to do more rooms the same way.  We also have a family photo wall in this room that always brings a smile.  Below are several shots of our living room that show the pine boards.

In fall, with my fall flower lights on the picture window garland.

Christmas time, with a rag garland and silhouette ornaments of my Nevada grands

With Christmas decor and the tree

2. What's something that will instantly annoy you? 

 Silliness in children and pettiness in adults.  However, 1 Corinthians 13:5 reminds me that "love is not easily provoked".

3. May 28th is National Hamburger Day...will you celebrate? How do you like yours? If you're not cooking at home is there a favorite place you like to go for a burger? Did you ever work in a fast food  restaurant? 

We probably will be celebrating as we are eating a lot of hamburgers these days.   Usually without a bun.  I might add lettuce, tomato and mayo to it.  Occasionally cheese or some dill pickle slices.  We don't have one specific place to  go for a burger.  Some local diners, some casual seasonal eateries like this one: The Little Red Schoolhouse, which recently opened for the summer.  The restaurant part is essentially a tree house:

I have never worked in a fast food restaurant.

4. What are three scents you like? 

Lilac, orange, and lily of the valley. 

5. What do you miss most about being a kid? 

Having less responsibility.

Above are some of the farm fields I roamed in my childhood.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We had a lovely day with friends on Monday -- met for breakfast downtown, then went to our camp for the remainder of the day and enjoyed a late lunch, joined by our family from next door.  Just a nice relaxing time at the cottage, and a perfect day for it too.  (Photo is from several years ago.)

And that's the Hodgepodge for this week!

Sunday Scripture

 Yes, it's time for another Sunday Scripture!  As I explained several weeks ago, I'm making some changes to  my Sunday posts ... stepping away from the study of Psalms for awhile.  This is something God has placed on my heart to do, and I hope others are finding it as helpful as I am.

I am using the Daily Grace Co. book Fix Your Focus, which is really not a Bible study as such, but more of a guide to help you fix your focus on God, His Word, prayer, gratitude, and spiritual growth, every week for 52 weeks.  I encourage you to follow along with us as we journal, look at Scripture, pray, and face the challenges of our weeks with our focus on Him.

This week's lesson was actually done by me the week of May 5, but I will be working ahead of you readers.  So here goes!

🌿 WEEK-AT-A-GLANCE CHECKLIST is further on in each week's section. But since I am working on Fix Your Focus all week long, I find it works best for me to do this week-at-a-glance checklist first.  [Maybe you would like to use this same checklist if you are following along with us.]

This checklist offers us four points;  

* To make a plan for reading our Bibles and praying.

* To add any upcoming events to our calendars.

* To jot down a to-do list of tasks that must be completed this week.

* To make a note of our top three priorities for this week.

This last point is one that I need to pay special attention to every week.  I think it would be so helpful.  (The other three points are things that I'm consistently doing.) 

For this week, my top three priorities are:

1) Ministry -- serving at TWNE, planning and preparing for teaching Sunday School; Blogging, mentoring, discipling, encouraging.

2) Family -- praying for them all, especially some of the older grandchildren.  Attending a granddaughter's orchestra concert on Sunday.  A phone call with my NV daughter.

3) Health -- reading up on psoriasis, trying to limit sugar and grains; making sure to exercise daily; getting some extra rest.

🌿 The first actual prompt for each week is JOURNAL.  We are encouraged to take a few minutes to journal about our fears, joys, worries, desires and stressors concerning the week ahead.  [If you are following along with us, take a moment in a journal or notebook to do just that.]. Here's what I wrote on Monday, breaking it down into the suggested categories:

Fears: No real fears, I guess.  Concerns for grandchildren's health and safety.  Concerns for my hubby's health..

Joys: It's always a joy to serve the Lord in any and every way.  It'll be a joy to attend Julia's concert on Sunday and to celebrate Mother's Day with dinner out with local family..

Worries: See fears.

Desires: My main desire for this week is that God will be glorified in it.  I also desire to fit in a little more crafting time and to find time for homemaking tasks on Saturday.

Stressors: My hubby's health needs and how best to address them.  We're looking at dietary changes now and, though I understand. completely his wish to jump into those immediately, it threw a bit of a curveball into my meal planning for our time away from home this week.

🌿 The next prompt is PRAYER. It was suggested that we use several prayer prompts to have a conversation with God about the week ahead.  [You can do the same.  Use the very same prompts for your own prayer.]

* Lord, You are ... fully aware of all my fears, worries, and stressors.  You know each one and, because You are all-wise and all-powerful, I can trust You to work them all out.

* Lord, I feel ... a little bit overwhelmed and challenged by so much information and also by so much time away from home.  But the latter is just how it is this time of year in our lives.  Status quo.

* Lord, help me with ... everything on this list.  I can't do any of it in my own strength.  Help me to leave my worries and concerns in Your capable hands, trusting You to work each one out for our eventual good and for your glory.

* Lord, forgive me for ...  times when I worry and fear, especially concerning our grandchildren.  I know that Your Word commands me not to worry, and so often in Scripture we see your instruction to "Fear not".

Make a note of four or five people you are praying for.  I listed three grandsons facing various challenges and two friends who are grieving.

🌿 The next section in this helpful guide is SCRIPTURE MEDITATION.  I chose to first meditate on this week's Scripture, Matthew 7:12, using the SOAP method, and then answered several suggested questions.   [You can use your own preferred method to meditate on this verse, and answer the questions below for yourself.]

S= "Therefore, all things whatever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the law and the prophets." (Matthew 7:12)

O= This teaching is part of the Sermon on the Mount, recorded in Matthew chapters 5-7.  This verse is considered "The Golden Rule" and is repeated in Luke 6:31 -- 

"And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them."

This verse starts with the word "Therefore" -- and, as always, we must ask ourselves what it is "there for".  In this case, the answer could be one of many reasons in the preceding teaching by Jesus.

It might refer to verses 7-11 which teach that God gives good gifts to His children; therefore believers should live by the golden rule out of their gratitude.  

It might refer to verses 1-6 -- that is, rather than judging others, we should treat them as we would want to be treated.

More likely, it may refer to the Sermon on the Mount in its entirety.  Expositor's Bible Commentary points out that there is a second reference to the law and the prophets in Matthew 5:17, almost like a bookend to this verse.

"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill."

This commentary notes that we could almost read Matthew 7:12 this way:

"Therefore, in light of all that I have taught about the the true direction in which the Old Testament points, obey the Golden Rule, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."

J. Vernon McGee feels that "therefore" is "the most important word in the Golden Rule.  It relates the Golden Rule to that which precedes it.  That is, it postulates on prayer.   It all comes together in one package.  Don't lift out the Golden Rule and say that you live by it.  Understand what the Lord is talking about.  Only as we 'ask, seek, and knock' are we able to live in the light of the Golden Rule."

A= * Reflect on what this verse tells you about who God is.

He cares about how His people treat one another,  He has a specific way in which He wants us to do this.  He doesn't leave it up to us to guess, or to figure it out on our own.  He spells it out.. 

* Think about what this verse tells you about who you are.

I'm a person in need of God's instruction on how to live life.  Treating others as I would want to be treated does not come naturally to me.  I would never have thought of this principle on my own.

* Throughout the week, consider how these verses should affect the way you live.

Simply put, I should treat others as I would have them to treat me.

J.C. Ryle wrote, "The Golden Rule is like a 'pocketknife' always ready to be used, even when there is no time to ask for advice.  Treat them like you would like to be treated, Jesus says!  Jesus thus provides a rule we can use in thousands of specific cases to determine what righteousness looks like."

The online commentary Precept Austin advises: "Begin to apply in the power of the Spirit the 'Golden Rule test'.  As yourself whether the action you think is beneficial to others is actually one you would want to receive yourself.  Such actions might just change your interactions for the better and for God's glory!"

P= Lord, I'm so thankful for the clear instruction and teaching in Your Word that helps us to see so clearly how You would have us to live!.  There is no ambiguity in Your Word.  This rule for life in Matthew 7:12 is so clear, so simple -- and yet sometimes it is a challenge for us to follow it.  Our own humanity and selfishness gets in the way. I pray that You will help me to begin applying the "Golden Rule test" to my daily interactions this week.  I praise You for all that You will do, in Jesus' name, Amen."

🌿 GRATITUDE is the next prompt.  We were to reflect on the way God has shown His faithfulness to you over the past week and list five things we are thankful for.  [If you are following along with us, be sure to make your own list of five things!]. Here is my list:

1) Teaching a ladies' Sunday School class again, and having a full classroom for our first week!

2) Strength for cleaning at my volunteer job.

3) The blessing of being part of my grandchildren's lives and getting to help celebrate their birthdays.

4) The privilege of prayer an the blessing of seeing prayers answered.

5) The joys of fellowship with other believers.  God is so good to provide this for us!

🌿 SPIRITUAL GROWTH is the next prompt, and this week there's an emphasis on REST. We were to make a plan to intentionally rest this week.

It's after the fact as I write this, but we had an overnight at our little camp and a leisurely morning there.  We also took naps (unapologetically) one or two days.

🌿 Lastly is a GOSPEL-CENTERED AFFIRMATION: 

Following the example of Jesus, I will do for others what I want others to do for me.

What a great challenge for all of us in the coming week!

A honey of a Hodgepodge

 

Wednesday again ... and so it's time for the Wednesday Hodgepodge at From This Side of the Pond. Joyce writes the questions, bloggers provide the answers!  Here we go ...

1  May 20th is World Bee Day...what's something that's kept you 'busy as a bee' lately? 

Volunteering at TWNE as the campsite is readied for hundreds of teen and junior campers.

2. Do you like honey? What's something you make or enjoy that calls for honey? 

I like honey okay but it's not really a favorite of mine.  Probably my favorite thing to use honey in is a cough syrup made with elderberries and raw honey.

3. "Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body." Proverbs 16:24

What's a proverb you love, or one that speaks to you or has helped you in some way? 

The Bible is full of Proverbs, a whole book in fact, if that helps with your answer. The word proverb is defined as 'a short pithy saying in general use, stating a general truth or piece of advice'. 

Proverbs is a favorite book of the Bible.  Like many people, I've often read a chapter a day in Proverbs each month, which works out so well because there are 31 chapters of Proverbs.  Many verses are favorites, but I will choose Proverbs 4:23:

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."  

4. Tell us about a 'sweet' moment in your life recently that filled you with joy, gratitude, or peace. 

Probably Mother's Day, sitting in my daughter's living room and unwrapping some sweet and thoughtful gifts.  Joy and gratitude for sure.  And there was a moment where we were eating lunch on our deck, a rare occurrence since we've had lots of rain lately and we've been working away from home a LOT.  I settled back in my chair and breathed a deep sigh of peace and contentment.  Below, some views from our deck.

5. When you were a child, what did you want to 'be' when you grew up? How close did you come to that? 

When I was very little,  I wanted to be a ballerina.  Never got within any distance of that, not even one dance lesson.  In probably 6th grade or so, I wanted to be a writer.  Now I did achieve that one, with a number of kids' devotional books, a novel for teens, and a few published articles.  One thing I never wanted to be -- a teacher -- I did end up doing.  A few of my  devotional books for kids are pictured below.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Oh, let's see.  I'm doing a lot of thinking about fermented foods which are healthy for us in general and are recommended for my husband's skin issues.    Planning to start kombucha on Thursday!  I've made it in the past and have several scobys I can use to get started again.  I want to try fermented vegetables and maybe kefir too.

And there's this week's Hodgepodge!

Sunday Scripture

 Time for another Sunday Scripture!  As I explained several weeks ago, I've made some changes in  my Sunday posts ... stepping away from the study of Psalms for awhile.  This is something God has placed on my heart to do, and I truly hope others are finding it as helpful as I am.

I am using the Daily Grace Co. book Fix Your Focus, which is really not a Bible study as such, but more of a guide to help you fix your focus on God, His Word, prayer, gratitude, and spiritual growth, every week for 52 weeks.  I encourage you to follow along with us as we journal, look at Scripture, pray, and face the challenges of our weeks with our focus on Him.

This week's lesson was actually done by me the week of April 28, but I will be working ahead of you readers.  So here goes!

🌿 WEEK-AT-A-GLANCE CHECKLIST is further on in each week's section. But since I am working on Fix Your Focus all week long, I find it works best for me to do this week-at-a-glance checklist first.  [Maybe you would like to use this same checklist if you are following along with us.]

This checklist offers us four points:  

* To make a plan for reading our Bibles and praying.

* To add any upcoming events to our calendars.

* To jot down a to-do list of tasks that must be completed this week.

* To make a note of our top three priorities for this week.

This last point is one that I need to pay special attention to every week.  I've been finding it so helpful.  (The other three points are things that I'm consistently doing.) 

For this week, my top three priorities are:

1) Ministry to friends -- an afternoon helping our friend Terry with necessary home updates for her health and mobility issues.  Sending sympathy cards to grieving friends.  Hopefully talk with both J. and R. by phone.

2) Ministry at my volunteer job cooking for a small work crew -- lunches, dinners, and coffee breaks.  Possibly doing some cleaning as well.

3) Ministry to other women as I write blog posts and do Sunday School prep, as well as teaching my ladies' Sunday School class.

🌿 The first actual prompt for each week is JOURNAL.  We are encouraged to take a few minutes to journal about our fears, joys, worries, desires and stressors concerning the week ahead.  [If you are following along with us, take a moment in a journal or notebook to do just that.]. Here's what I wrote on Monday, breaking it down into the suggested categories:

Fears: More of a concern, I guess, that we are doing the best thing for my hubby's health issues.  I could fear, based on his description of his pain level, that this treatment isn't helping.  But I do think it is, and he's only been on this regimen a week.

Joys: It's a joy to serve others and always a joy to have a little part in the work God is doing at TWNE.

Worries: The condition my hubby is dealing with is not life threatening, but I could worry that the treatment will make things worse.  I could, but I do seek not to worry, as  I'm commanded not to and it accomplishes nothing.

Desires: To encourage and bless others, whether by a card, a phone call, cooking, cleaning, fellowship, or teaching.  To help even in a tiny way to advance God's causes and bring glory to Him.

Stressors: Time constraints, things left undone at home, limitations of aging, and my hubby's skin condition.

🌿 The next prompt is PRAYER. It was suggested that we use several prayer prompts to have a conversation with God about the week ahead.  [You can do the same.  Use the very same prompts for your own prayer.]

* Lord, You are ... so good and kind to allow us to serve You and Your people.  You are in full control of  this week and already know the opportunities and challenges it will hold.  You know all about the stressors and will help me in handling each one.  I know that You are able to expand my time and also to give me increased energy.

* Lord, I feel ... inadequate in my own strength for this week, but after a night at our camp I also feel rested and ready to get into the day and week.  I feel cautiously optimistic about my hubby's skin issues.

* Lord, help me with ... wise use of my time to accomplish all that You would have me to do today and in this week.

* Lord, forgive me for ... the times when I fail to trust You and fall into the sin of worry, and for times when I handle my stress and concerns in wrong ways like emotional eating.

Make a note of four or five people you are praying for.  I listed  a dear friend who has just lost his wife; another dear friend whose mother recently passed away; and an old friend dealing with serious health issues.

🌿 The next section in this helpful guide is SCRIPTURE MEDITATION.  I chose to first meditate on this week's Scripture, Psalm 85:2, using the SOAP method, and then answered several suggested questions.   [You can use your own preferred method to meditate on this verse, and answer the questions below for yourself.]

S= "Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of Thy people; Thou hast covered all their sin.  Selah." (Psalm 85:2)

O= The biblical heading for this psalm is "To the Chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah." 

C.I. Scofield titles Psalm 85 "A prayer for the returned exiles".  ESV titles the psalm "Revive us again."

Concerning God forgiving the iniquity of His people, Charles Spurgeon wrote, "Often and often had He done this, pausing to pardon even when His sword was bared to punish.  Who is a pardoning God like Thee, O Jehovah?  Who is slow to anger, so ready to forgive?"

Concerning God covering the sin of His people, Spurgeon added, "Thou hast covered all their sin.  All of it, every spot, and wrinkle, the veil of love has covered all.  Sin has been divinely put out of sight.  Hiding it ... covering it with the sea of the atonement, blotting it out, making it cease to be.  The Lord has put it so completely out of sight that even His omniscient eye sees it no more.

Cross-reference for "forgiven" and "covered" -- "Blessed is the man whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered."  (Psalm 32:1)

A= "God's people should live with a vibrancy that comes from the joy of their salvation.  Does your life still sparkle as it did when you came to know the Lord?  Pray that He will revive the church.  And pray that your testimony will bless others and glorify the Lord." -- Warren Wiersbe

"Every believer in Jesus enjoys the blessing of pardoned sin, and should regard this priceless boon as the pledge of all other needful mercies." -- Spurgeon

"The author of Psalm 85 praised [the] providence of God.  He knew how the Lord had provided for Israel in the past.  Now he called on God to deliver His repentant people from the present evil (v.4-7) and he confidently anticipated the answer to that prayer (v.8-13).

"Let's not doubt God's all-sufficient enablement.  He will carry us through life's darkest hours." -- Vernon Grounds in Our Daily Bread

To help with my application for this verse, I did the assignments suggested in Fix Your Focus for Luke 6:36.

* Reflect on what this verse tells you about who God is.

God is a forgiving God who has taken the initiative to provide a way for the iniquity of human beings to be forgiven.  He is able to cover all of the sin of His people -- and in fact to remove it from them as far as the east is from the west.

* Think about what this verse tells you about who you are.

I'm a person who needs to have my iniquity forgiven.  I'm incapable of dealing with my own sin; I must have God's forgiveness.

* Throughout the week, consider how these verses should affect the way you live.

As Wiersbe says, I should live with a vibrancy that comes from the joy of my salvation.  I should live with the joy, confidence and trust of one whose sins are forgiven.  He will not fail to give that which is good, and to set me in the way of His steps.

P= Lord, how I praise and thank You for forgiveness of sins!  I could never deal with my own sin and would be without hope.  But because of the salvation You provided through the death of Your Son, I've been set free from my sin!

"I pray that You will help me to live in a way that reflects the joy of my salvation to those whose lives I touch.  Help my testimony to bless others and bring glory to You, I pray in Jesus' name, Amen."

🌿 GRATITUDE is the next prompt.  We were to reflect on the way God has shown His faithfulness to you over the past week and list five things we are thankful for.  [If you are following along with us, be sure to make your own list of five things!]. Here is my list:

1) Getting to stay at our camp on the Monday night.  So, so thankful for God's provision.

2) Wisdom for finding a place where we could meet up with our young friend R. and her little ones.  God led us to a park in her town -- one she was already familiar with.

3) Safety in travel.

4) Strength for serving at TWNE.

5) The blessing of celebrating two grandchildren's birthdays on Sunday evening.  These young people are such a delight to us!

🌿 SPIRITUAL GROWTH is the next prompt, and this week there's an emphasis on SERVING. We were to consider our available resources and how we might serve someone in need this week.  [And again, if you are following along, please think about this for yourself.]

   I can spend additional time praying for -- and maybe reaching out to -- a friend who is devastated and immobilized by grief.  I can serve here at TWNE by cooking, cleaning, and lightening the load of the regular staff.

🌿 Lastly is a GOSPEL-CENTERED AFFIRMATION: 

In Christ, I am forgiven.

We can take this comforting thought into the coming week and be so thankful for it!

Late for the Hodgepodge

Somehow, it's Wednesday again ... and so it's time for the Wednesday Hodgepodge at From This Side of the Pond. Joyce writes the questions, bloggers provide the answers! My personal Hodgepodge post is going to be late; maybe a Thursday or even a Friday Hodgepodge.  Here we go ...

 1. What's something you're curious about right now? 

The link between psoriasis and diet.  I can honestly say this is something I've never thought about, but it's on my mind a lot these days as we try to learn more.  We may be limiting ice cream this summer.

2. If you could plan the perfect girl's weekend getaway, where would you go and what would be on the agenda? Do you have anything like this on your calendar in the next few months? 

It would likely be an autumn women's retreat at The Wilds of New England.  It would involve good food, fellowship, music, and lots of coffee.  Probably some ice cream too.  I have something like this on my calendar for September.

3. What's the most unique item in your refrigerator right now? 

An unopened package of chocolate cheese fudge sent to us by friends from Wisconsin.

(This is not the fudge; just a chocolate photo from Pixabay.)

4. In this season of your life, what do you find most challenging? 

How much more time everything seems to take.

5. Do you collect anything? If so why that? 

As Joyce mentioned in her post, sometimes if you have some themed items, people assume you collect that thing,   It is that way with me and strawberry themed items.  I have so many because people have made that assumption.  I do collect certain patterns of dishes, in particular Colonial Homestead by Royal.  The reason behind it is that these were the dishes my grandmother chose to put in her summer cottage on Ellsworth Pond.   I have told how I started collecting these in this post: A few of my green and white dishes.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

It's a busy season right now and I seemingly have no time for random thoughts.  I'm sure to think of one after I publish this.

And that's the Hodgepodge for this week!