Mantra or Manna?

The last post I did triggered a train of thought about the comparison/contrast between a MANTRA and the Old Testament MANNA. Doing a quick search, I found that a MANTRA is:  a sacred verbal formula repeated in prayer, meditation, or incantation, such as an invocation of a god, a magic spell, or a syllable or portion of scripture containing mystical potentialities.  

Putting it more succintly: a commonly repeated word or phrase.  A mantra is a motivating chant, like "I think I can, I think I can" repeated over and over.  It comes from a Sanskrit word meaning "a sacred message or text, charm, spell, counsel.”

The Gathering of Manna, Bernardino Luini, c 1520

MANNA was a daily provision from the hand of God that fed the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings.  It was collected in the morning.  Before the sun came up!  When the sun came up, the manna melted and was gone.   If held over for use the next day, it spoiled and became full of maggots!   .

And manna was to be gathered every day.  It didn't work to gather enough for two days and try to hold it over. When they did, it spoiled and became full of maggots! 

Manna for the Israelites was a necessity--they could not have survived in the wilderness without it!  Nor can we!  Our manna doesn't come in the form of physical food, but spiritual nourishment.   Jesus is the Living Manna - Bread from Heaven.  His Word, the Bible, is the Written Manna.  Both are meant to be gathered, ingested, and experienced daily. 

Mantras are recited; manna is received.
Mantras are formulaic; manna is food.
Mantras "invoke" spells; manna "imparts" life.
Mantras are limited to a few words; it takes 66 books in the Bible to contain the written manna.

To reduce MANNA to a MANTRA is to fall short of the spiritual nourishment God has provided for us!  

To treat MANNA like a MANTRA is to miss the spiritual health and vitality
necessary for life in the wilderness of our daily lives.
I want to continue to gather it early.

Before the sun comes up and the opportunity to gather it melts away in the busyness of life.

FRESH manna for me - not yesterday's MANTRA.

Roots

 No vacation is complete for me without a book or two to fill in

empty spaces of time.  Here I read as I wait for my husband to finish up a round of golf.

The scenery is spectacular.  The car radio is tuned to classical music.

The book is Speak What We Feel Not What We Ought to Say:  Four Who Wrote in Blood 

by Frederick Buechner.  The four are Chesterton, Hopkins, Shakespeare and Twain.

 From a sonnet of Gerard Manley Hopkins....

 ...Mine, O thou lord of life,

send my roots rain.

In the margin of my book, I pen it.  "Amen!"

In addition to the amazing field of phlox that met our view in Island Park last evening,
I was drawn to the various root formations...
"Roots" appears to have emerged as the word  summarizing

this year's vacation.  (Last year it was "fire".)

 Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done. (Colossians 2:7)

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit

in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established  in love may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses

knowledge--that you may be filled to the full measure of all the fullness of God.  (Ephesians 3: 16-19)

Rain

Four days ago I heard a farm expert on the radio
 say that if we didn't get rain within four days,

the crops would be lost.

Guess what?  This is Day Four.

I don't remember ever being this emotional about rain.

Thanksgiving is just spilling all over inside of me--

running over like the rain falling out of the gutters

that can't keep up with its volume.

 Never Be Discouraged
There is really nothing we need to know
or even try to understand
if we refuse to be discouraged
and trust God's guiding hand.
So take heart and meet each minute
with faith in God's great love
aware that every day of life
is controlled by God above.
And never dread tomorrow
or what the future brings.
Just pray for strength and courage
and trust God in all things.
And never grow discouraged
be patient and just wait.
For "God never comes too early
and He never comes too late.

--Helen Steiner Rice

 "Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act."
~ Psalm 37:7 ~

What Can You Do with People Like That?

• It was doubtful whether he would have been happy anywhere for he had a discontented nature.
• Discontented people are never popular with their neighbours and Mr. Arnold Dering was no exception to the rule.  He was unpopular with his own sort of people, who thought him disagreeable and conceited, and even more unpopular with the villagers.
• He did not enjoy life, nor did he add to the enjoyment of life, so nobody in Ashbridge was particularly sorry when he died.
• Leda was like Arnold who had asked and asked for sympathy but had never accepted it.  What could you do with people like that?

As far as I remember, I've not read any of this author's books before, but I'll be requesting the next two books in this trilogy from our inter-library system.  I enjoyed the simplicity of this book set in a small village in England by a Scottish-born writer.  It was a refreshing read with an insightful view of human nature.

The quotes above described the character of the deceased husband of Caroline, the main character.  After reading them, I was inspired to examine my own character for any seeds, roots, or sprouts of discontent.

It's SO true! 

"Discontented people are NEVER popular with their neighbours."  

What CAN you do with people like that?

Your way of life should be free from the love of money, 

and you should be content with what you have. After all, he has said,

 I will never leave you or abandon you.  (Hebrews 13:5)

Broken Things

 First, it was the lid to one of my tureens...
Then it was the saucer.
Broken.
One due to haste and carelessness.
The other?  Clumsiness of age, I suppose.
I HATE it when this happens.

 I'm kinda waiting for the "other shoe to drop"!
I had to toss the saucer,
but I'm clinging to hope of finding a lid for the tureen.
My recent experiences with breaking things
reminds me of the One who mends and heals the brokenhearted--
regardless of cause..

"He is the healer of the brokenhearted. He is the one who bandages their wounds."

(Psalm 147:3)

And my response to Him?

I will serve Thee because I love Thee.

You have given life to me.

I was nothing before You found me;

You have given life to me.

Heartaches, broken pieces,

Ruined lives are why You died on Calvary.

Your touch was what I longed for.

You have given life to me.

(Words to the song I Will Serve Thee)

Have YOU dropped anything lately?
Come on.  Make me feel better!
More importantly,
Have you any broken pieces within yourself?
He died on Calvary for those broken pieces!  
Don't throw them away.  Take them to Him for mending.

Joy

"There is joy in serving Jesus," was her facebook post.

Sometimes that's all it takes. 
Just a phrase and my mind is called to attention.   
Joy!

Before I realized it, my fingers pranced across the keyboard typing out:  "Yes there is. And sometimes I think we serve like Jesus did--'for the joy set before Him' -- that is out there; yet to come." (Hebrews 12:2).

My point - if I had one - was that sometimes the joy isn't "there" in the sense of feeling it.
It is yet to come.

But it IS coming.

And sometimes, when it ISN'T "there", 
we're just encouraged to "Count it all joy" (James 1:2)



It's not very "spiritual", but I like this quote:   
"You have to sniff out joy.  Keep your nose to the joy trail."  (Buffy Sainte-Marie)  
So true.  So true.

Am I the Only One?

 Last week, I was quite certain the moles had eaten
the bulbs of all the "Surprise Lilies" except for THIS one.

This morning, to my great delight, I discovered them in ALL our flower beds

in various stages of blooming.

I couldn't help but think of Elijah (1 KINGS 19:9 -10).  Hunted down and hiding.  Alone.  Spending the night in a cave.  There the Lord spoke to him.  "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He replied, "I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."

Frequently I'm tempted to think that I am the "only one"!  I sometimes feel lonely and discouraged by the corruption and disintegration so prevalent in society all around me.  Discouraged by the apathy (some real, some imagined) even among my brothers and sisters in Christ!

Today, I'm reminded that such self-pity is a luxury I cannot afford!  First of all, it is a distortion of the truth and ignores the reality of God's presence and power.  Secondly, it diminishes my capacity to serve the Lord faithfully and joyfully.

In Elijah's case, God didn't pamper Elijah.  He ignored his self-pity and told him to get back into Kingdom work.  Then He told him there were 7,000 others who were prepared to remain faithful to God.  The Surprise Lilies in my flower beds speak to me this morning! 

"Get up!  Get to the work to which God has called you!  

You are NOT the only one left.  

There are fellow Christians at all stages 

of maturity prepared to remain faithful! "

Hallelujah!
I think from now on I'm going to call them "Hallelujah Lilies"!

Grandmas of a Certain Age

I wish you could have seen me on the 

caged ferris wheel with my granddaughter!

I'd worn a hat to cover my tired hair.

By the time the ride was over and we had ridden upside down

a few times too many,

my hat was under the seat.
I retrieved it as I left the cage
but it was difficult to retrieve my dignity.
I hope I never see the ferris wheel operator again!

(I should have known there was a reason

children who didn't meet a certain height indicator couldn't ride alone.

I'm thinking the height restriction ought to be expanded

to protect grandmas of a certain age!)

Next morning, Grandpa and another granddaughter walked the entire 

wet parade route passing out Hershey Hugs

and information about our church's heart and ministry.

We'll ALL be back to normal after a

Sunday afternoon nap!

Two other "grands" walk with friend, Carol.

I'm so thankful there is not an age or height requirement

to come to Jesus!  He welcomes the "little ones"

in-betweeners, the old and infirm.

"Then the Lord will save everyone who asks for his help." Acts 2:21

Solutions

I've solved (at least temporarily) two puzzling situations in my life this morning.  Since going to the hot-air popper, this large blue pan was constantly on my countertop.  (It's REAL place was awkwardly and inconveniently nestled toward the bottom of a stack of bigger and smaller bowls.)  This morning I decided to store it in my oven which is NOT getting a lot of use right now and is near the popper!

The second dilemma has taken a little more thought.  It is how and if  to add Twitter to my on-line experiences.  In order to do it, I've defined my purposes broadly this way:  Blogging - to develop and utilize my God-given gifts and creativity to His glory, learn from others, and bless as many people as I can in the process.  Facebook - connecting and communicating at a more personal level.  Twitter - to be mentored by godly people whom I respect. (I will not use it primarily to connect and communicate information but more to "receive".)  I have ventured into Pinterest.  Still trying to define my purpose there and determine whether or not to develop my "presence" there... 

Now I'm eager to continue the use of this amazing technology with renewed commitment, purpose and wisdom.  These decisions have been stimulated by the line I've placed under my Life and Godliness blog header:  Keeping it Sane, Simple, and Sacred.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight,

O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.  Psalm 19:14

Have you solved any puzzling situations lately?

Are you working on any?

Real Power Comes from God

How do YOU light YOUR "outside"?

Our supermarket occasionally runs a "special" - buy 10 for $10/Get the 11th free. These lights were included.  Yesterday I purchased six of them and five other items.

I have an appointment that will take me past the store this morning. I think I'll buy 11 more!  $.90@ is a great deal...and they looked SO good when the sun went down last night!

The Scriptures say, "God commanded light 
to shine in the dark." 

Now God is shining in our hearts to let you know that his glory is seen in Jesus Christ.  

We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored. 

The real power comes from God and not from us. 

2 Corinthians 4:6-7

Oh, for HIS light to shine out from me today!

A Full One

Last night's sunset

Yesterday was a full one. Our gas tank wasn't!

Hostess (L) & Host (R)

• Sunday School and Worship Service.
• Dinner at our favorite (and only) local restaurant with visitors to our church.
• A drive to Coldwater Lake.
• Lazy conversation, devotions, prayer and games with our "Home Connection" group (1/3 of those present seen here...)
• And on the way home--a first!  We ran out of gas.
• (Our gas gauge is broken.)  He thought he knew how much was in the tank.  He didn't.
• Thank the Lord for cell phones (ours and Bob's).
• Bob, one of our group, was traveling somewhere behind us.  We were able to contact him.  He brought us gas and we were able to make it to the next gas station.
• Nearing home, this is what we saw...

Oh.  About the Life Lesson of my previous post, 

"mine" was that I want to be like the black-eyed Susans--

beautiful (especially inwardly) AND beautifying.  

Inadvertently, I learned another Life Lesson!  

Many perspectives create beauty not unlike the multiple colors 

of the beautiful rainbow we saw last night.  

One color a rainbow does not make! 

Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort in love, any sharing in the Spirit, any sympathy, complete my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, being united, and agreeing with each other.  Don’t do anything for selfish purposes but with humility think of others as better than yourselves.  Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others. (Philippians 2:1-4)

Lifelong Learning

Recently I wanted to use the phrase lifelong learner in a post I was writing.  As I frequently do when I'm not sure how to spell a word or whether or not to hyphenate it, I entered it in the Google space at the top of my laptop screen.  In this case, I got sidetracked reading the first entry that came up:    "Knowledge is powerful and it can take you anywhere. Be a lifelong learner with persistence and a tenacious attitude about learning new information all the time...a lifetime of learning is a life not wasted."

It went on to give helpful suggestions of how to BE a lifelong learner, including:  Create and plan new learning projects.  Look for potential formal and informal learning opportunities.  Talk to new and interesting people  from a variety of backgrounds. Read books on diverse subjects.  Incorporate games and technology into your learning quest. Give up perfectionism understanding the goal is not to become an expert at every subject but to grasp general concepts of many. (Of course along the way, one might develop a more in-depth interest in one or more fields.)

This got me thinking about these verses in God's Word:  Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ  (2 Peter 3:18), and ...we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ,who is the head of his body, the church  (Ephesians 4:15). 

More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love Who died for me.

More about Jesus let me learn,
More of His holy will discern;
Spirit of God, my teacher be,
Showing the things of Christ to me.

Refrain

More, more about Jesus,
More, more about Jesus;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love Who died for me.

Old song - "More About Jesus".  Still the prayer of my heart - to be a lifelong learner.  Specializing in THIS field.   For this, I will incorporate many of the suggestions I mentioned at the beginning.  For this, I have an Awesome Teacher!

What are YOU learning these days????

Door Prize

Last Saturday I filled out the slip at the bottom of the last page of the Garden Walk brochure, tore it off, and put it in a box on the table in the last garden we visited.  To my surprise, yesterday morning I received a phone call informing me I was the winner of the door prize!

It  meant a 30 minute drive, but we got in the car later in the afternoon and made the trip! (I had no idea what the prize would be.)  Arriving at the Van Wert County Extension Office, I identified myself, extended my arms, and received it.

 Now, in all honesty, I'm not a REAL gardener.  Just a "wannabe".  So as I unpacked the prize, I guessed at some of the items.  By the time we arrived home, I had figured most of them out.  I'll have to grow into a few of them, and  I'll have to wait till next year to try out the hanging tomato planter.  I wonder if I'll EVER be a serious enough gardener to actually use the Quiver...

I may give a couple of them to a serious gardening friend this morning when I go over to help her weed her garden.  If we get some rain, she may have harvest enough to actually NEED the Harvester!

This whole experience reminds me of the gift of salvation!  Unexpected.  Free.  (I DID need to "sign up" for it and receive it.)  I didn't know all that salvation meant, and I still don't fully appreciate it--after all these years.  There are still aspects of it to acquaint myself with as I "work out" my salvation "with fear and trembling".  And there is much in my salvation to share with others....

I'm sure there are many other parallels to my door prize.  But they'll have to wait, since  I need to get an early start to get to my friend's garden! At 7:00 a.m. it's already 75 degrees with a forecast for 97.

Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you.

And now that I am away, it is even more important. 

Work hard to show the results of your salvation,

obeying God with deep reverence and fear.  (Philippians 2:12)

Mask or Megaphone?

Social media is either a megaphone or a mask.

It allows you to amplify who you are or hide who you are.

Choose wisely.  (John Acuff)

After discovering Jon Acuff's Blog (particularly reading through some of the posts under his "blogging" tab), I believe I will blog more intentionally.  I'm so excited about it that I interrupted my time there to let some of it soak in -- and to recommend this resource to anyone wanting to use the amazing technology we have available in an honest and effective manner.

Because of the kindness that God has shown me, I ask you not to think of yourselves more highly than you should. Instead, your thoughts should lead you to use good judgment based on what God has given each of you as believers.  (Romans 12:3)

Incidentally (or not so incidentally), isn't that first quote so true???

Peace Bridge

 As we left Buffalo yesterday, the Peace Bridge loomed in the distance.

Linking the United States and Canada,

the bridge carries not only cars but also a message--PEACE!

Years ago, The Navigators incorporated The Bridge
as part of their training in how to explain the plan of God
to rescue and save sinners.

As I remember, a diagram was included which pictured

Jesus as the "bridge" linking sinful man and a holy God.

Jesus IS our Peace Bridge!  

Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, 

we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.  

Romans 5:1

Where "Impromptu" Took Us

 The largest "Taste Of" in the United States was our first (and unexpected) pleasure.

To learn more about it, go to my thrifty style blog here.

 While at the "Taste of Buffalo" we stumbled on the tour of the historic

City/County Building.  From its observation deck, 

we could view 360 degrees of Buffalo!

 

After several blocks of walking and viewing

beautifully landscaped front yards,

we treated ourselves to ice cream!

I'll be loading some of my pictures of the gardens in my garden blog. 

Probably not tonight though...

Maybe the Quote of the Day was from the guide at the City/County Building.

When a young man asked why they built 

such a large building in 1929, she answered,

"They had great hopes."

I'll remember that for a long time!

I, too, have great hopes.  I need to BUILD BIGGER!

 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. 

For we know how dearly God loves us,

because he has given us the Holy Spirit 

to fill our hearts with his love.  (Romans 5:5)

Impromptu

A dictionary will tell you that impromptu means "not prepared in advance" or 

something "suddenly or hastily prepared".  

But impromptu is actually a French word that comes from the Latin

in and promptus which literally means "in readiness".

This I learned at Cabin & Cottage this morning.  (You'll enjoy the rest of her post about hospitality, I believe...) The "impromptu" theme struck me; particularly since we are vacationing in a rather impromptu manner.  We have a destination in mind--but few details except the the name of the town and a general description of the possible garden walks we hope to experience.  Fortunately, both my husband and I are OK with this kind of travel.  We drive until we're hungry; stop when we're ready to turn in for the night.   Reservation-less, we can enjoy unexpected sights along the way and discover some off-the-beaten-path beauty.  In one sense, we are "not prepared in advance."  On the other hand, we are "in readiness".  Imprumptu in both senses of the word!

Fireplace at our convention site.

In the second sense, I think our journey heavenward is impromptu--in readiness, we have a general description of our destination.  But in reality, there are many "unexpected sites" to stumble on.  Cabin and Cottage says, "You have to be prepared to be spontaneous."

A prepared life spiritually offers excitement and spontaneous joys along the way to Heaven.  I'm enjoying our vacation so far....and I'm excited about the rest of my Heavenward journey, too!
 

Jesus said to his disciples, "Don't be worried!  Have faith in God and have faith in me. There are many rooms in my Father's house. I wouldn't tell you this, unless it was true.  I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together. You know the way to where I am going."  John 14:1-3

Don't Feel Sorry for Me!

 ^This is the scene outside our hotel window!

While my husband attended the morning's business session,

I found a Borders still open!  

I was thrilled to be able to use the little bit remaining on a gift card

for a good cup of coffee and a piece of coffee cake.

(Our local Borders went out of business.)

I got a lot of ideas out of this issue of Flea Market Style

before deciding to get my hair cut in the same mall Borders was in.

Yesterday we found two thrift stores,

and this morning before returning to the Sawmill Creek Resort

I found another!  (Go here for the details.)

Last night we heard a powerfully inspiring message

from our conference speaker, Rex Bullock--

Fan the Flame from 2 Timothy 1:1-7.

I'm really looking forward to tonight's message.

It's such a treat to be here!

Darkness

I sat leaning against the rails of our front sidewalk steps.  Just over a block away, red and blue lights flashed as emergency and law enforcement vehicles converged on a sad, dark scene.

I tried to pray, but found myself detached--unable to pray with the passion the occasion warranted.  Acknowledging and despising the distance in my heart between the tragic scene and my personal sense of security, I sat until the last lights pulled away in silence. 

Above the scene, a crescent-shaped moon hovered protectively.

We went to bed.  Late.  I slept.  But this morning I knew there were families who didn't sleep.  Who COULDN'T sleep.  God is working on my hard heart.  This morning I remember the darkness of the night.

The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin;
  The light of the world is Jesus;
Like sunshine at noonday His glory shone in,
  The light of the world is Jesus.

    Come to the light, 'tis shining for thee;
    Sweetly the light has dawned upon me;
    Once I was blind, but now I can see;
      The light of the world is Jesus. 

(from the gospel song "The Light of the World is Jesus")

You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.  No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.  (Jesus, in Matthew 14:14-16)

 "Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God."  (Bob Pierce)

God, Bless America

...a mug found at a thrift store

¹¹ Rescue me and deliver me
from the power of strangers,
      whose mouths speak lies,
      and whose strong hand
      is a strong hand of deception,
 ¹² so that^[a] our sons can grow up fully,
   in their youth, like plants;
   so that our daughters can be like pillars carved to decorate a palace;
 ¹³ so that our barns can be full,
   providing all kinds of food;
   so that our flocks can be
   in the thousands—
      even tens of thousands—in our fields;
 ¹⁴ so that our cattle can be loaded
   with calves;
   so that there won’t be any breach
   in the walls,
   no exile, no outcries in our streets!
¹⁵ The people who have it like this

are truly happy!

   The people whose God is the LORD

   are truly happy! 

(From Psalm 144, Common English Bible)