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As I fed my hungry spirit from the Word of God this morning, I pondered my progress for this period of time we call 2010, since my first Blog entry( scroll down.) I am pleased that I kept my promise to myself and God to read and “splash around” in the water of Life we call The Bible everyday. The Everyday with Jesus Bible has been my constant companion almost every morning for six months. I have established the habit now of reading the Word in increments so as to read through it in a year. Above everything else that seems to scream for my attention, this is my oasis; my island of peace before I set sail on the ocean of life each day. When I look back at the wake behind my sailboat, I am satisfied, knowing I’m making solid progress toward my goal – spending time consistently, regularly, with God. Nothing else completely satisfies. Nothing. No wonder Jesus is called ” The Rock” of my salvation.
I celebrated a birthday while I’ve been away from Blogging, so I, may, indeed, be “halfway home.” Even so, come Lord Jesus.”

Before the mist of morning
I must gather manna from You
Sustenance for this journey
Joy to see me through
Meditating on Your Truth
I read with spiritual eyes
Before the world obscures my view
And tries to tell me lies

I have come to realize how important quiet time is to my sense of reality in Christ. I don’t know why I get to a good, secure relationship going with Jesus CHrist and then let my reading of His Word slide.

I was on a speaking circuit for three days up in East Tennessee May 19-21 , and, using my Bible as a visual,  I ended up leaving it at my last stop. Consequently, I got out of my aquired, daily, disciplined habit of reading this “once through the Bible in a year” Bible and began randomly reading meditations.

Now, I must discipline myself again to meet with God every morning. I really do want to! I think this is why they call the Bible” the mirror of His Word.”   Through the Holy Spirit’s guidance, I find ( see)  my true self in God’s mirror. The Bible says,  ” what you behold, you become.”  My prayer  is my poem above.

Thank you, Jesus, for your Word. Your Word and only Your Word  is  truly a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. I can only know me through You. Then and only then can I share you as broken bread and poured out wine – which is what life in Christ is all about. Otherwise, as the Apostle Paul said in I Corinthians 13:1,  ”If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels and have not love, I have become a nosiy gong and a clanging cymbal.”  God forbid! Selah.

Mid- morning, May 1, 2010, the sky opened like Somebody turned the spigot on full force and let her rip for a day and a half. The results? The worst flooding Nashville, Tennessee and surrounding counties has experienced in the history of this state! (Thankfully, the flooding flowed right past our home. We are grateful to have been able to assist friends and neighbors who suffered loss.) 
Looking out our livingroom window, as the driving rain continued, I began to muse ( rainy days induce musing). It started with a comment from my husband, Bruce, who said, ” Imagine forty day and forty nights of this….” And so I did, but not exactly. Of course, I knew after forty days and nights we’d all be submerged, much like in the days of Noah. But upon further musing, I thought to myself,” It took one hundred twenty-five years for Noah to build the Ark. All through those years people laughed and scoffed at Noah. In fact, if I recall, they didn’t even know what “rain” was. They had only experienced “mist” rising from the ground.  But Noah kept building. And he built according to God’s exact specifications until he completed his task…………..just in time. It began to rain and it didn’t stop …..for forty day and nights. And only eight people made it into The Ark. Eight is the number of new beginnings.”

I liken Noah building The Ark to Christians building faith in God. Personally, it has taken me years to build my faith in God. And people have laughed and scoffed. It has taken me years  to believe what God says is true,  and that He will do as He says. My rain induced musing ( and The Holy Spirit)  led me to the following analogy:  the act of building my faith is like Noah building The Ark.  And The Ark is Christ Himself. And my faith in Christ is my Ark.  I, too, have built my Ark according to God’s specifications ( His Word – the Bible) and so when the storms of life assail me or satan comes in like a flood, I am in ( notice I didn’t say ” I get in“) my Ark and remain safe warm and dry. How do I remain safe and dry? The pitch ( or, tar) Noah used to seal the Ark and keep it from leaking on the inside I liken to the Blood of Jesus on the inside of my Ark. I smear the Word of God on the inside of me so that I spring no leaks.  I wonder if you read God’s word and allow Him to show you how to build your life  in Christ.  If not you can begin building your Ark today. He has an Ark just for you – made specifically with only you in mind.

My question for you is: R U in the Ark?? If not,  U can B.  Just repeat after me, ” Lord Jesus Christ, come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior. I turn from my ways and go your way. Teach me your ways. Help me to begin building my Ark according to your specifications so that I may be in You when the storms of life threaten to overflow and flood my life. Forgive my of my sins. Amen.

Now, you’re on your way to building your Ark. Congratulations!! U R in the Ark!! If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, please let me know.  I’ll be praying for you.

Usually when we think of  “togetherness” we think of being with someone, or a group of people in a way which implies “everyone is on the ’same page.’ Or perhaps that a particular person ” has it all together.”  But consider this word – togetherness –  in more of a spritual context than that of a fleshly or natural one.

I’m reminded of the book by Hannah Hurnard ” Hind’s Feet On High Places. ” A deer or “hind” ( in biblical vernacular) was created by God to be able to operate ( climb)  mountains with ease and precision. Once their front hooves reached the next cleft in the rocky mountainside they were automatically followed, in perfect coordination,  by their rear hooves thereby enabling them to scale those mountains and reach their desired goal. Their hooves worked together to help them achieve their desired result. The Bible says in the Book of Habakkuk 3:19 ” The Lord God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hind’s feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places. So, consider, if you will, our heart and our mind. Mathew 7:34 says” Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” If we say we desire a particular result with our mouth, but deep down in our heart we really don’t want to see it come to pass – we will ” not scale that mountain.” The way up this craggy mountain we call life can be tricky. But God promised in Habakkuk 3:19 and in 2Peter 2:3 that “ He HATH given us all things that pertain to Life and godliness.”  Now, it’s up to us to get our hearts and mind in one accord. And I’m not talking Honda, here. )  This is why in the scriptureProverbs 37:3-5  ” Delight thyself in the Lord and HE will give you the desires of your heart. The Hebrew definition  for the word ‘ Delight’  is ” to make oneself soft and pliable.” More on this later. I’m still working on my Forgiveness workshop for Ann Downing’s Middle Tennessee Women’s Retreat Apri 16-18. Please pray that stones of spite and rocks of resentment will be removed!! After all, Jesus rolled that stone away forever!  Selah.

I believe God, the Holy Spirit, speaks to us through our dreams. I didn’t always feel this way but since last night I am on a new journey.
Before we go there, here’s a short update. I cannot believe I have not written since January 27th. I have thought about writing – kind of like spending time with a friend, but these days I’m busy living my life – not writing about it as I used to do.
I have kept my vow to tithe 1/10 of my 24 hour day to God through spending time with Him in His Word and it has been beneficial in indescribable ways. Through this discipline and routine, all day long I sense a friendship with God. I’ve been reading and studying His Word so long that now I truly find fellowship with Him in it as the Holy Spirit brings alive the “hidden things ” of God to me. It’s wonderful!
As for “dreams” I awakened this a.m. earlier than usual and rather than fall back asleep, I felt the Lord quickening me to pay attention to what I dream. That’s all I know right now. And I will be paying attention. Instead of trying to fog-out in slumber I’m going to be aware of what the Lord is telling me. Wish i could be more specific, but how does one describe a hunch – maybe like C.S. Lewis who was a member of a group – The Inklings. I always had an inkling there was more to life than meets the eye. I was right. So was Lewis.

In an email this morning to my wonderful Aunt Janie, I mentioned I was working on my Forgiveness: Our Foundation For Freedom workshop presentation. As I continued to type, I stated that I would begin my presentation with Jesus’ words, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” I said, ”  the key word here is ‘they.’ ”  I figure “they” includes just about everybody. I said, ” having  been forgiven much I can…………and have………..and do forgive………..daily.”  But I have to practice. Have you ever practiced playing a musical instrument? If you continued to “practice” daily you could become perfect at playing that instrument- a virtuoso. Practicing forgiveness is a lifestyle.

Does unforgiveness harm the unforgiven one or ones? When one points one’s finger at someone, there are three of one’s own fingers pointing back at oneself.  And forgiveness is good for me mentally and physically.  It “clears out my sinuses,”  if you will,  keeps me free from ” congestion.” Ahhhhhhh, I can breathe freely! And you know, ” He whom the Son sets free, is free, indeed!” ( John 8:36)

Forgiveness – like love -  is a practice, a choice; a decision; an act of the will. We make these decisions daily, sometimes minute by minute.”    Forgiveness - like love -  is a work in progress…….so am I……..and so is my workshop presentation.

Come see me at Ann Downing’s Middle Tennessee Women’s Retreat, April 16-18, 2010. Go to my EVENTS icon on my website www.ldpatterson.com for more info.

God is so ingenious! He cares deeply about every aspect of our being – including our health. When I get a revelation from God about Jesus and the truth of who He is, and the reality of His death, burial and resurrection, I feel a surge of thankfulness and gratitude to God flow through my entire being. Be that as it were spiritually, I know that ultimately this effects my physical health (ahhhh, the endorphins of it all!!!) In my Everyday Bible reading ( yes, I’m still tithing my 1/10 of 24 hours to Him) I was reminded of 1 Cor 15:55 “O Death, where is your sting.” In Mark 16, Mark observes ” the stone – a huge, cumbersome boulder – has been rolled away.” Haven’t we had questions about “where we go when we die?” Haven’t we surmised that death is like “that great stone that blocks the path of human aspiration ” ( Selwyn Hughes) Death is a mystery – an enigma. Then came Resurrection Day ( sometimes called Easter) and the stone was rolled away! Death is no longer an abysmal cavern but a tunnel with light at the farther end. The stone that was rolled away that Ressurection Morning was not just the rock that sealed the tomb. Our Lord rolled back the mystery of death also ( Selwyn Hughes.) Glory to God!!!

This morning’s reading in my Everyday Bible is from the Old Testament chapter of Genesis 28: 20-21.  It tells the story of how Isaac’s son,  Jacob,  stole the Blessing from his brother, Essau, how Jacob continues in his wayward ways  “demanding ” – and thereby scheming – to make life work out his way. This spirit of “demandingness” is alive and well today. It’s called ” hubris.” It’s that spirit that says, ” Whatever it takes, whatever I have to do to win, I’ll do!” Webster’s Dictionary defines “hubris” as: transgression of the divine or moral law through ambition or one of the passions, ultimately causing the transgressor’s doom.” Although Jacob spoke of himself in terms of honesty ( Gen 30: 41-43) – ” my honesty will testify for me” – it was nothing more than above the waterline honesty. His mind was changed, but not his heart ( Selwyn Hughes quote.)

Gordon MacDonald in his book ” Ordering Your Private World” suggested reading ” The Man Who Could Do No Wrong ” – the autobiography of Rev. Charles Blair.  From the seeds of his impoverished childhood, Charles Blair labored to accrue ( whether wittingly, or unwittingly) buildings, money, ……more and more things. Despite souls who were saved and good that was done – he eventually and ultimately was brought to ruin by hubris.

Dear God, Thank you for citing so many examples in the Bible (and other sources)  of Demandingness (hubris) in truths You want me to learn.  Please make me mindful of this spirirt in every area of my life and help me from this day forward to be more like Jesus! Help me realize that the essence of greatness in God’s eyes is true humility – that my calling is  none other than to serve – not be served. In Your name I pray.  Amen.

I missed Blogging yesterday, but who says I have to do a daily blog! Undue pressure, for sure!

Yesterday’s luncheon meeting of Nashville Republican Women went swimmingly! Special guest speakers Phil Valentine, radio talk show host; Lee Beaman, president and CEO of Beaman Pontiac; Lynn Greer, Chairman, Davidson County Election Commission were enervating and informative regarding our political system citing the in’s and out’s of changing where we are to where we want to be as Conservative Republicans. Please click on Events on my Homepage ( www.LDPatterson.com) for information on Nashville Republican Women. I so enjoy this group!

You’d think I would have been tired after having gotten up at 5:30 a.m. yesterday and having a full day, at that; wonderful service of worship!! No, I simply could not fall asleep last night. Result?  I overslept, and after tithing my hour and twenty minutes ) I was recharged!  My original plan was to get up before my husband and fix him a good breakfast. One of my Christmas presents from him  – The Rise of The Southern Biscuit (PBS had a wonderful documentary( contents of book basically) highlights eatery’s throughout the south that specialze in their own fabulous biscuit creations. I’ve randomly choosen recipes from it to experiment with and to perfect the art of my own biscuit making. At any rate, no biscuits for Bruce’s breakfast, but, alas, at the end of my day which consisted of accepting 3 speaking engagements in N.E. Tennessee in May, sending the cover and content art design for my new CD being distributed by Tate Music Group back to them with suggestions( I’ll be blogging on this process, soon) banking and post office, I have my flour, butter, baking soda and salt mixture chilling in the ‘fridge waiting for Bruce to come home so I can pour the buttermilk in and make up a batch of Miss Mary Bobo’s Cornmeal biscuits. Date night, ( Wed’s) Bruce and I will go into Hillsboro Village. The Cabana is listed in TRSB and has fabulous sweet potato biscuits. I’ll keep you posted.  And It’s A Biscuit Monday, after all!