From Life's Window
POOH'S POINTERS
How to Ascend Without the Aid of a Baloon
By Charlene Hoskins
I can't resist a snow globe. Trouble is, the falling snow doesn't last for long. I have to shake it up again and again.
My mind is like that snow: it needs shaking up; otherwise, it will lie
there, flat. Here are 10 ways I've found to shake up this lazy mind, to
kick-start it. And then it begins; an almost tangible delight will
suffuse my soul. Usually it's a quiet delight, but at times it breaks
out in a burst of exuberance—like Pooh, with a touch of Tigger.1. Walk . . . a mile in the morning takes me under a cathedral of trees and a vault of sky. I think of the Creator; my heart warms to Him, upward.
2. Walk around . . . the neighborhood, a campus or the church property. Passing houses and office buildings brings people and events to my mind. I lift them up to the Lord.
3. Do the ABCs . . . a handy moniker for kick-starting praise by singing hymns (Amazing Grace, Be Thou My
vision . . . ) or reciting God's character (Almighty, Beloved, Consistent . . . ) Once I pondered prepositions to describe Him (above, before . . . near, with). Get creative!
4. Open the Bible . . . every day, and during sermons. "Your words were found," said Jeremiah, "and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart. . . . (Jeremiah 15:16)."
5. Watch videos . . . like Chariots of Fire, or Ben Hur or see the riveting portrayal of Jesus as a man of joy by renting the video series Matthew.
6. Journal . . . an occasional insight, short prayer, or poem just for the Lord. Scattered thoughts are harnessed and distilled from mind to pen to paper.
7. Keep a notebook . . . for letters and pictures. Pray over one or two a day. Your heart leans toward the lost.
8. Read . . . biographies of godly people, choice books on issues like justice or parenting, and even poetry that is richly spiritual. Classical poets like Christina Rossetti and George Herbert have much to offer.
9. Sing . . . by yourself or along with a CD. Once I added exuberant dance to my song—but first I closed the curtains!
10. Study . . . during your Bible reading, look up one or two words in a concordance or dictionary.
Did you know that "enthusiastic" means "in God" (Greek, en + theos)? Answer a question a day in a study booklet. Roots go down as the mind goes up.
On a recent trip overseas, we ate some extravagant meals. Roasted lamb and chicken, hot bread, succulent olives, and fruits filled the table. After one dinner my husband jumped up and broke into a mean belly dance! Your words were found, and I ate them . . . and they became for me . . . joy and delight.
Like Pooh Bear—with a touch of Tigger.
Charlene Hoskins serves with the USIMG in Indiana. She agrees with the author Annie Dillard: "The creator loves pizzazz."