Bonnie J Martin

Archives for February 2022

Whatever is True

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I have a small block of wood painted black with printed words tucked into a visible place in my closet. There is a framed collage covered in reminders from past writings of my own. There is a reminder that I am a daughter of the King.

Why do I tell you these things? Because of that message on that small block of wood. That message is where I land in my open page today.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:7-9

TRUE

HONORABLE

RIGHT

PURE

LOVELY

GOOD REPUTE

EXCELLENCE

WORTHY OF PRAISE

That little block of wood has become an excellence reminder for me to practice these things. I can become side-tracked too easily by junk that doesn’t belong in my mind and heart. Lately, I have been replacing that junk with this reminder. To think on things that are true. Consider that junk and ask if it is true. If it isn’t true, I can lay it down; it doesn’t belong to me. Keep moving. My heart and mind is guarded with peace.

Holding tightly to what is honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellence, worthy of praise. All of which, leads to that peace.

As you read each of those words, consider something in your life that you can apply each term. What do you need to remember today? Pick one and practice it. Pick another tomorrow, returning to previous terms and continue practicing.

Our relationship with God is just that; a relationship. He wants to be recognized by you on a moment by moment basis. No different than how your children or parents or friends are constantly in the thoughts you carry everywhere, more so is God. Only if you have a relationship with Him.

It doesn’t make everything bad in the world go away but it does shift my perspective and allows me to realign my focus. Thinking on these truths brings me into fellowship with my Creator.

Is there one here that resonates with you? Would you share?

The Open Page in Front of Me

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This open page is where I land this morning. If you followed along yesterday, you saw the same page. You can’t rush this. I started this book, Philippians, at some point in the past, laid it down, and have picked it backup. Do you find yourself doing the same thing?

It isn’t that these verses don’t hold my attention. Unfortunately, for me, I allow other things to jump in front of them. Sometimes it isn’t too unfortunate because it takes me to another set of verses and I become immersed in those. Immersion isn’t a bad thing when it comes to sinking into scripture.

You see my markings? I don’t claim to be a Bible scholar, although, I suppose anyone who studies the Bible could be considered a Bible scholar. I know far too little about it. I want to know more. So those markings are there to help me sink in and absorb the truths contained in these passages.

This particular Bible is called “The New Inductive Study Bible.” Within these pages, each book begins with instructions for study. There is no commentary in this Bible as you may find in others. There is a brief introduction along with the instructions. The instructions are suggestions for studying the specific passage in front of you.

I purchased this Bible at a Christmas Luncheon in Columbus, Georgia many years ago. Kay Arthur spoke at this luncheon and the ministry that she co-founded was represented. Precept exists to spread the gospel. You can find a plethora of Bible studies on their website. Go explore it!

As for this passage in front of me, pick a verse, any verse. Ask God to open your heart and mind to the Holy Spirit, if you are a believer. Read the verse. Read the verses preceding that verse. Read the verses following that verse. Read them again. Look at the words. Hear the voice of the writer. See the truths. Apply them to your life. Easier said than done? No. Do it.

Each time I open a page, I see something new.

If you aren’t a believer, go to Romans. Read and re-read the entire book. Then read it again. God, the Creator, gave His Son, Jesus Christ, to save you from hell. Hell is real. And it isn’t the worse thing you can imagine on earth. It is worse. How do I know? Because the wrath of God is promised for those that do not believe and follow Him. Read Romans and the rest of the Bible. Go to Revelation.

I’ll share more another time. Sit here for a while with an open page of your own.

I’m Up

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After taking care of necessities, I tiptoe to my kitchen. Coffee is next on my agenda. Yes, I am addicted to coffee. Yes, I am addicted to holding my warm mug of energy in my aging hands, finding comfort for some aches there. The warm liquid and I sit for a while before I have to really get going.

Purchased this little treasure from a little shop in Tennessee.

During that precious early morning time, with coffee mug in hand, I head to my office. This is a multi-purpose space. I spend quite a bit of time in this space.

Sweat drops of work cover this monstrosity.

The elephant in the room is the treadmill. There is a lot of history with that treadmill. It has been used by everyone in my household. It has stood the test of ten years of use. I used that treadmill during my training for my one and only half-marathon. Each one that gets on that treadmill has music in their ears. Mine happens to be Christian music. But I digress. Let’s get back to the rest of the room.

Go see Marian and Ned at http://www.dixiedreamsfarms.com/ for all kinds of soap, teas, spices, herbs, plants, friendship…..

Aloe plants line the top shelf of a bookcase. My husband would love for me to get rid of all the plants that I have collected over the years. We won’t talk about my back porch! These aloe plants have provided relief from my injuries sustained while attempting to cook. They bring life to the room. Yes, you are supposed to laugh.

I won’t show you everything but give you a quick list of stuff in this small space. It is a converted porch made sunroom. Filing cabinets. Shelves on the wall hold my small library. An old wooden desk that weighs as much as an elephant. A tall table I use as a desk for my computer work space. Two chairs and a rolling chair I use at my desk. Two walls of windows. A toy chest. Exercise stuff laden with dust. Pictures of my family. And most importantly, this is the room where Bible sits close by my work space.

I will share more later. Time to get ready for the rest of my day. Have a great day!

Good morning

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Hello.  What are you up to today?  Really!  What is on your agenda today?  What was the first thing on your mind when you opened your eyes this morning?  Or even before you opened your eyes?  Tell me in the comments.

My brain started waking up about an hour before my alarm was scheduled to sound.  That isn’t unusual for me.  I turned it off, knowing I wouldn’t go back to sleep.  But I stayed put.  I drifted in and out of consciousness until 30 minutes after it was to sound.  Once again, normal. 

I don’t stay put every day.  Some mornings I get up intentionally early.  (Like before the alarm sounds even when the alarm is set for an hour earlier than what I really need.)  These early mornings help me get ready for the day.

Tell me about your morning.