DEARLY EMBRACED ...

I have many thoughts about my precious deer family and truly hope this upload of my video of them works so you too can deer-ly EMBRACE ... FREEDOM and the FULLNESS I've found

Only in Him

"BE STILL and KNOW

that HE is GOD"

I DO

God seems to know exactly how seeing any of our deer crew delights my soul and when I need a sweet reminder, all of a sudden, one of them appears ... and I know that God sees me, knows me and loves to delight me with these little ones. As I go out to bring them food (and all the other critters that rob what they can), I try to calmly near them and repeat this verse "be still..." 

They look just like this photo on this Character Booklet I treasure. I love that deer along with horses exemplify "attentiveness"... and  even like dogs, all 3 show their attentiveness by the use of their ears. After discovering my own loss of hearing, trying to get use myself to hearing aides now ... with years of seeing how the loss of hearing affected someone I observe closely, but now I experience this on a lesser degree, I too have learned that I need to lean in, and focus when someone is talking and be attentive, pay attention better. I find any other noise easily distracts me. I love how this booklet begins with clarifying "attentiveness vs. distraction".

"Attentiveness is showing the worth of a person by giving undivided concentration to their words."

The Hebrew word for 'attentive' is qashshab, which means "to prick up the ears," as in the action of a horse, donkey, deer, dog ... The Greek word for 'attentive' (I can't type out the Greek word pronounced (ek-KREH-mah-my) means "to hang upon the lips of a speaker; to listen closely." The Latin root of 'attentiveness' is tendere (I think that's like tender and I also see deer ... ok, I'm stretching that a little,or tend like a deer) however this Latin root means "to stretch or strain, as a horse straining forward."

I definitely have noticed how I need to do this intently to hear or listen now as I compensate for my loss of hearing, because I, like the other person, have a hard time adjusting so I tend not to put my hearing aides in ... until I really need them. Often I have to take them out because they bother me or the sounds I hear are way too loud. The reason is not their volume control, it's because by using them you train your brain (supposedly) what it needs to listen to and what isn't necessary noise. Of course, all the unnecessary ones, are the ones you hear very well and too loud. I'm very concerned currently with one of my fur babies, Chiqui with her loss of hearing and watching closely after treating her for a bacterial ear infection. The vet thinks it may be just stubbornness. (Hmmm?, I get that lesson too)

God places importance on hearing and attentiveness by the fact that the ear is the first of the five sensory organs to function in the womb and the last to stop functioning at death. Sadly, it took the loss of hearing for me to pay attention to the importance it plays but also I am now keenly aware of how hearing people don't realize how difficult it is for those who can't hear. You don't necessarily need to speak louder, but clear enunciation helps. It saddens me that many who can hear, don't. (Rev. 2:29: Mark 4:9; Matthew 13:9). I wonder how often I'm guilty of turning a deaf ear to God and His warnings. God has been teaching me how to hear Him better, even in a whisper ... yet there are so many times I don't think He hears me or I don't think I hear Him, then He gives me a sign.

God took the time long ago to help me be sensitive to loss of hearing, and fortunately I began learning sign while deaf students lived in our home. By His Holy Spirit, I began to flow to music with signs, I had not yet learned. 

You can see how these lessons apply to me from the animals, linguistics, signs to God's Word, as in -

Deuteronomy 30:10; Proverbs 1:8; 1 John 3:18-20; 1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Peter 2:13; Colossians 3:22

Also Jesus demonstrated ATTENTIVENESS as He listened to God, His earthly parents, His conscience, elders, rulers, and in His family business (employers) Matthew 20. We need to develop "spiritual ears" just like the deer by "being STILL.." and knowing God and balance attentiveness with alertness, discretion and love.

"Be swift to hear and slow to speak."

How I needed to learn this lesson very early in my life!

Isaiah 66:4 from Love God Greatly

... But GOD ...
who
dearly EMBRACED me 

anyways as

I EMBRACE Him

dearly and deerly

spending time with Him and seeking Him

for another Friday date

*many of these facts came from what I learned in this booklet, with my added spin to it.

OVERVIEW of my Journey EMBRACED -Part 2- HIS FULLNESS

EMBRACED

... Knowing God is Holding Me (You) Close

2019

Part 2: 

EMBRACING

the Fullness Found Only in Him

[devotions #27-48]

As you can tell by the length of this post, I've done the entire part 2 and will be adding as I go along rather than posting every week ... I truly want to focus on EMBRACING the Fullness Found Only in Him, so that's part of why I need to do this like this, otherwise how can it be fullness when I'm here and there. My daily life already is interrupted often enough even when I start and end my day with Him ... even my Friday dates set apart to spend time with God alone, by *people who don't get this and often I need to continue on Sat., still I try my best ... oh, and the *people are not the ones who don't believe in Jesus

The following are all the devotions and main scripture in Part 2. I am breaking them down into weekly groups, starting with the end of this week of only 3 days ... perhaps the titles of the devotions or the scriptures will help you embrace God's fullness too:

27. "What Holds the Key to Your Heart" Luke 18:22

28. "The Most Searched-for Answer" Acts 4:12

29. "If Only I Had ... " Psalm 19:7-8 ESV

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I love Lysa's short prayer (prompt) at the end of each devo!

30. "The Seduction of Satisfaction" Philippians 4:19

Originally this blog post was an entire overview of Part 2.

[I was going to cut it off right here and post what remains of the next part into 3 separate blog posts at the end of each week. At the end of the first week of July, I decided this,

at least for that week then chose to leave it as is here.] 

{but still copy and paste new blog posts}  <><><> JULY <1>

31. "The Pathway to Humility" Deuteronomy 8:3

32. "What are You Missing" Psalm 14:3

33. "Where Brokenness Runs Deep" Psalm 16:5-6

34. "Consumed by Cravings" Psalm 84:1-2

35. "Physically Overweight and Spiritually Underweight"

John 4:34

36. "An Undivided Heart" Psalm 73:26

<2>

37. "Shocked by My Own Advice" Matthew 7:13-14

38. "The Value of Emptiness" 2 Corinthians 12:9

39. "Satan's Plan Against You" 1 John 2:16

40. "When the End Goal Seems Too Hard" 2 Peter 1:5-6

41. "Replacing Old Lies with New Truths"Romans 8:38-9

42. "Turning North" Deuteronomy 2:2-3

43. "How Much will This Choice Really Cost Me?"

2 Corinthians 2:11
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44. "The Courageous Choice" Philippians 1:20

45. "Telling My Flesh No"  Ephesians 3:17-18

46. "Why Do I Have So Many Issues" Romans 8:1

47. "If Only We Knew" Hebrews 4:15-16

48. "The Real Peace We Need" John 20:19

Just like the first part of this journey, I will be back and add to this post as I read the devotions, so check back. If you subscribe to my blog and receive the posts in your email, you'll have to make your own journey over to my blog to catch my updates, because I'm sure that you don't get it mailed again (or if you do, my sincerest apologies). There are times I find some of these published by Lysa and I link to them, as some are now, so you can read with me that day. Basically, as I see it, Lysa's 100 devotions are really a compilation from her blog or Proverbs 31 Ministries. Being an avid reader of her writings, I probably have read most of them. However, reading these titles alone, I have already identified some that I know will inspire and encourage me all over again, even if I have read them before from her. Since this is already a lengthy post, when I have something that strikes me on any of these devotions, beyond what Lysa TerKeurst has written (like the quotes I shared)... or maybe because of what she has written impresses me and/or relates to me personally and God prompts me to share, I will.

Remember there is still a Part 3 and Part 4 yet to come.

This ends mid-July so I'll be writing Part 3 then.

Do any appeal to you? or stand out?

SIDETRACK but I'M still EMBRACING

This past week, I got a little sidetracked from Lysa's book  EMBRACED ... although I was still reading the devotions mentioned here and there are still 3 more to do to finish this week of Part 1: Embracing the Pursuit of Him and His Direction 

I came across or perhaps God purposefully directed me to this diversion to 'EMBRACE contentment' via yet another You Version reading plan, a sample of another book: *Love Life Again: Finding Joy When Life is Hard by Tracie Miles. Needless to say, I quickly gravated toward this concept of 'loving life again' and 'finding joy' - little did I know, God was opening my eyes, heart, mind and soul to more than 'loving life', He was drawing me to really be content by EMBRACING contentment, realizing that I "don't have to search for a different life in order to enjoy life" {this makes good sense} I "simply have to EMBRACE the one" I "have by putting Christ at the center and asking Him to help me enjoy life, despite life." Yes, this is what I definitely need to do! So I embarked on a new facet in my journey to EMBRACE and I'm choosing to love life and be content with mine.

I began, in part, by taking yesterday afternoon to go back to a place in my life where many days were filled with sheer joy and contentment along with hours of study and learning, where I set out to complete goals I had early in my life and I was setting the path my life would take. It was a few years before this place became a vital part of my educational and spiritual life that I was sidetracked to following a different part of my life personally and emotionally which cost me much and still is ... I needed to go back to that point in my life and as God only could have arranged it, it was Alumni weekend (not for my class year) but I still could come to the liturgical worship and picnic part.

My real intention was two part; to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding of this place with God again and the people (maybe make contact with one particular friend). Though I didn't find that friend (which makes sense since it wasn't our reunion year) God connected with me and introduced me to a new delightful, young professor in the Education Department. Sharing with her, stirred within me, some of the old me I liked, and that part loved children and education more than anything. How much different my life might have been, if only... I wasn't sidetracked.

My heart was in the right place, common interests seemed to be enough to make this connection and a lifelong decision, yet even with this, the enemy of my soul was on a course to deceive me, so I fell - hook, line and sinker. 

[If you don't know my personal life story by now, you more than likely have no idea what I'm talking about]. 

My point is, after all these many years, as with me, God will still go with you, back to those places and make life right. He will show you and go with you to learn to love life, with the good and bad choices and decisions, so that you can go forward and EMBRACE life and enjoy life ... yes, despite life, and no matter what life throws at you, He will bring you through it. He will bring good out of it, even still. He knows and He knew the path you would choose and all the detours and obstacles that might try to come between you and your relationship with Him, because this is what really matters! Your choice- with Him. 

With Jesus Christ at the center, His Spirit will help you, lead you, give you, restore you - your brokenness and your faith in Him. He never left you. Circumstances cause many ripples, and people seem to throw boulders in your path, but no person or circumstance has the power to take away your happiness or love for life so don't let them ... don't give permission, fight your true enemy! There's a war going on and a battle to steal your life and you from God's best. Our enemy's purpose is to kill, steal and destroy ... his goal is to keep us stuck in discontentment, without a will to overcome, win or press on.

"I boldly choose to deal with my unhappiness by EMBRACING contentment."

{... and "Embracing Contentment" was just the first chapter of *this book.}
There is so much more and even more in this chapter alone!
For right now, this is exactly where God wants me to be and seems to be what I need to work on as He pursues me, as I EMBRACE my pursuit of Him, in my life, through my life and despite my life. 
Then I came across this song, new to me, but not a new song  *striking chords within me

Just One Touch - Kim Walker Smith
that's all it takes to EMBRACE

MY 3rd WEEK 'EMBRACED' ...

EMBRACED

in June of

2019

Part 1: EMBRACING

the Pursuit of Him and His Direction

my 3rd week and a little more

... Knowing God is Holding Me (& You) Close

The first devotion for this 3rd venture is also the last one in the You Version (day 5) as I continue to EMBRACE Rest Reassured or in Lysa's book, it's ... #16 "Space to Exhale" [Isaiah 58:13-14], which begins with the word "Rest. ..." so clearly, the order of this day, falling on Sunday ... Sabbath ... is REST still, in fact the Bible verse tells us to keep from breaking the Sabbath and doing as we please on the Father's Holy Day, even if it's "father's day", our Heavenly Father should always come first.

So I will pause, for now, and continue the rest of this at another time ...

17. "Chasing Down our Decisions" Proverbs 27:12

18. "Read This Before Making that Decision" Isaiah 49:10;  Psalm 23:1-3(NKJV); Jeremiah 31:9(ESV)

19. "Paralyzing Fear" 1 Peter 5:7; Isaiah 43:1; Romans 8:38-39

I recall back in the late 80's listening to a wonderful woman give a message and prayer call at an Aglow meeting if anyone needed prayer because of 'fear'. I was certain that this was not so, for me and even when someone asked me if I wanted prayer for that, I said "no, I don't have a problem with fear" - little did I know that I soon would find out (and am still discovering) just how much 'fear' I do struggle with ... accompanied with insecurity. In fact, I have recently experienced (as I did back then after this meeting) I have fear that indeed paralyzes me! PTSD - I have post tramatic stress disorder and I never fought in a military war but seem to battle spiritual wars frequently and am just learning better how to know the enemy, his strategies and how to use my spiritual weapon yet I still find myself weak at times and become paralyzed by fear, even certain sounds cause that fear to rise up within me (elevates my bp too, dealing with this currently). {sigh} so I've learned to battle on my knees and use verses from God's Word. Lysa's devotion just reminded me to use scriptures rather than cling to fear or let fear paralyze me, one of which is my Life Verse: 2 Timothy 1:7. I have also added deep breathing exercise along with ABIDE at night time to help me let go and sleep. Dr. Michelle Bengston has the perfect Rx of 40 Scriptures and sound advice, sent in my email (again) just in time 

20. "The Most Nonfrantic Woman I've Ever Met" Proverbs 22:1

21. "The Two Most Powerful Words" Matthew 3:17

22. "Analysis Paralysis" Romans 8:26-28

23. "Five Questions to Ask When Making a Decision" Luke 14:28-30 (NKJV)

... which only leaves 3 more devotions in Part 1  so I'm including them here also rather than another post with only these last ones

24. "God, I'm Worn Out" Psalm 142:3 NLT

25. "In the Flow" 2 Peter 1:3

26. "Practicing Wisdom" Proverbs 2:1-2; 4-5

*words in this color are Lysa's from in her book

I
EMBRACE
this quote as my favorite

..."Seeking to obey God in the midst of whatever circumstance I'm facing will position me to work in the flow of God's power."...Lysa T. #25

... however, if I reword the one in #21 that probably suits me better ... "When a woman lives with the stress of an overwhelmed schedule, she'll ache with the sadness of an underwhelmed soul." ... I would replace 'schedule' with "life", because even though I no longer have a busy schedule, my life daily often leaves me overwhelmed, but since that devotion focused on the "two most powerful words" as being "yes" and "no" as regards your schedule, that is why Lysa uses 'schedule', which is so true, that we need to know when to say yes or no. I still probably need to know when, but my stress has nothing to do with an overwhelming schedule. (sigh) For me, it might even be the stress of aging, which is overwhelming and not just my own aging ... I pray that my soul is well and not underwhelmed

so for this journey
I'm EMBRACING "Letting Go" from #19 if only ... whether it's fear or whatever  causing me unnecessary stress easier said than done
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Happy Father's Day, Abba! and to all the wonderful dads too

Missing our lil Papa Chimi! {his 3 daughters and I send him our love}

MY JOURNEY "EMBRACED"

Having traveled (read) this EMBRACED journey now for 7 days, I think I have come up with a plan (at least for this 2nd Week). If something in particular strikes me, or inspires me, I will post a blog, (of course, all of what Lysa TerKeurst writes seems to strike me or 'hit the nail on the head'-my head), but I'll try not to rewrite what she writes since you can read it for yourself and she does a much better job than I can, yet if there is a personal application that I'm compelled to share, you can be sure I will and I hope you won't mind. I really want to keep you abreast with all God does in this journey of being EMBRACED and all I EMBRACE while carefully moving forward and remaining somewhat accountable. This is my way to do that ... while reading, journaling, pondering ...

EMBRACED

in June of

2019

Part 1: EMBRACING

the Pursuit of Him and His Direction

my 2nd week

... Knowing God is Holding Me (You) Close

Before I begin, let me just go back to #7 "Preparing for Adventure" long enough to mention it was such a delightful day with Jesus (even without much sleep) ... abiding in Him with so many "wonderful things" in nature Friday that I can never take for granted, the sounds and sights, arranged by God, in our adventure ...and I pray He continues to dwell with me as the day, weekend and rest of this summer journey opens my eyes to ALL He has for me. And although the very first devotion and the third, more or less, encouraged us not to make our time with God a mere checklist, as this appears, I hope God uses this to spark a deep desire for you, in your own special way with Him, or maybe by acquiring this book too, to EMBRACE the Pursuit of God and His Direction for you uniquely so HE can hold you so close and prepare you for a beautiful, wonderful, powerful lifelong journey to know, love and serve God with all you are, and all you do (but mostly that you EMBRACE who you are because of who He is and all Jesus EMBRACED for us lovingly, obediently and willingly) so we can share an eternity with God. May we grow, be nurtured, planted firm and mature as we flourish in each step and moment toward our eternal life by His Holy Spirit through His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. If Friday was a only a glimpse into this, I can only imagine what is to come and how aMazing this Adventure is, and will be, but we must prepare and pray for others to prepare to meet Jesus!

I'm ready to be ...

8. "Interrupted by Jesus " Matthew 5:8; 1 Corinthians 2:9-10

My Interruption {Not today, but on Friday, midway through enjoying and delighting in my date day with Jesus, I was 'Interrupted' but not by Jesus ... I was interrupted by the enemy of our souls who wanted to rob me of my peaceful time with Jesus, unbeknown to me at the time, of course ... everyone gone in the household, and the house phone rings, so I answer ... and there began an afternoon of complete interruption by what I think may have been 2 scam calls. That's still to be determined. (Yes, it was scam! Sickening!I've now spoken with my grandson. He's OK  (that's what counts)} 
The first one by what seemed to be my oldest grandson, because he called me 'gramma' and other things said, then he was interrupted with someone telling him that his time was up for the call and he had to end it - I supposedly was his only call. Tragic circumstances in his story, but believeable to me for him. Then another call by someone supposedly his lawyer. And not in this state or from here
So I begin to investigate and wait for the call back to update me on everyone involved. I verified as much of the information as I could and checked with 3 other people, and a text/voicemail to our daughter, his mother (no response). Of course, before any of my other contacts, I asked God for His direction (perhaps I did not hear Him clearly), so I pursued the first person and what they suggested. All in all, I would have preferred being "Interrupted by Jesus" so I can't wait to see what Lysa's devotion is all about and still prayed for all involved, in case my 'interruption' was true and not a scam. [My advice: be aware of all avenues of scam and don't give out anyone else's names, numbers, etc. and pray at all times, even for the desperate people that do scams.] We'll see what happens-meanwhile
On to Lysa's devotion for today!

..."It is possible for God's Spirit to reveal to us the deep things of God"...(p.25) Embraced... Lysa TerKeurst

9. "If You're Feeling Overlooked and Unappreciated..." {always} 1 Samuel 16:7; Matthew 6:6-8

...“Overlooked by everyone else. Hand picked by God.” Lysa TerKeurst, Embraced

10. "I'm Scared to Pray Boldly" James 5:16

..."Prayer opens my spiritual eyes to see things I can't see on my own"... (p.31)

11. "Follow Me" Proverbs 3:5-6

..."The more we follow Jesus the more we fall in love with Him"... (p.33)

12. "Hearing God's Invitations" Isaiah 30:21

..."The one who obeys God's instruction for today will develop a keen awareness of His direction for tomorrow." ... (p.36)

13. "A Life with Extraordinary Impact"  Judges 3:31

..."If we are obedient to God in the midst of our ordinary lives, extraordinary impact is always possible."... (p. 39)

14. "Your Unique Calling" Ephesians 2:10

..."You were created to participate in God's divine activity"... (p.42-43)

15. "Rest and Reassurance" Matthew 28:11

..."I must do all I can do. Then trust God will do what only He can."...(p.44&46)

[I may ADD more scriptures throughout the week from the readings]

*words in this color are Lysa's from in her book

One of my favorite EMBRACED quote from these readings above

(very hard to choose only one)
 but I will, after I've read each devotion)

..."The more we follow Jesus the more we fall in love with Him" ... #11

 I inserted one highlighted quote for each devotion.
I included #15 because #16 is the last one back in the YouVersion plan.
quite possibly I will add what I EMBRACE(D) this week too

... I'm EMBRACING following His heart and I hope I am getting better at Following His *Instructions and His Example daily.

*B.I.B.L.E. = Basic Instructions Before Living Eternally or Believer's Instruction Before Leaving Earth I think those two are mixed up and it should be: Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth Believer's Instructions Before Living Eternally But I'm sure what I need most to EMBRACE is REST and REASSURANCE (esp.!) {I'll add these after the week is over and I prepare the next summary post}
Hopefully Embraced and Embracing, Peggy

A very special Happy and Blessed Birthday wish to Sue!

(in case her regular mailed card doesn't arrive by today)

I'm still not accustomed to regular mail delivery and the length of time it takes