Six Word Memoir
My six word memoir:
She knew hope would rise again.
—Sue Kuenzi
My friend, Shannon, sent me this verse this morning:
Malachi 4:2
Amplified Bible
But for you who fear My name [with awe-filled reverence] the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go forward and leap [joyfully] like calves [released] from the stall.
“I like this word picture,” Shannon commented.
Grateful for beloved friends who encourage us with His wisdom and truth.
MR BLUE HERON AND I WATCH THE SUNRISE
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning, new every morning, great is Thy faithfulness, Oh, Lord...
What a sunrise! What a Creative God!
(Photos by Sue Kuenzi, © January 2010)
I took these pictures during my decade at Cinnamon Lakes.
God so faithfully met my needs during this challenging but very special time in my life. I wrote an earlier article about my life beside still waters, sharing some of the ways God moved powerfully in that era. Waking up to scenes like this one blessed me so much.
At night, or in some seasons of life, the world around us may appear to be shrouded in darkness.
But oh what wonders He displays in bringing forth a shiny new day!
Don’t give up!
When you wake up during a tough season of life, your mind may naturally gravitate towards an anxious thought or you may feel dread.
Instead of pulling the covers over your head, get up at a consistent time. Look eastward for signs of a new day arising.
Get natural light on your face.
Move your body. You’ll stimulate endorphins. As my OT friend says, “Motion is lotion.”
I love to watch the sunrise and often race out the door with my camera in hand.
Seize the day!!
By some miracle of grace, we receive a new day again and again, just like clockwork!
Did you know that interactive gratitude can turn on your relational circuits, making it easier to relate to God, others, and even yourself?
Pain turns off your relational circuits, while interactive gratitude (see earlier article on “the Five Bar”) and worship turn these crucial relational circuits on.
So rather than beginning your day in counterproductive ways (like scrolling or dwelling on whatever is worrying you), try getting up, catching the sunrise, and giving thanks.
As believers, we have the joy of meeting with our Savior who calls us Friends. (John 15)
He invites you to enjoy His Presence and love.
Nowadays my goal during rough seasons of life is simply to remain connected to Jesus. Through secure attachment with my Redeemer, I draw on His power, and entrust my concerns to His capable hands and loving purposes.
Besides, one thing we can count on in life is change.
As mentor Annabelle Brown used to remind me, “It came to pass, not to stay.”
Let Him accompany you through the joys and trials of this life.
Last night I didn’t sleep well due to neuropathy, so I finally listened to this interview with Tanner Olson.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Hu3ZPmUBo2EmaTh75AMrR?si=CFjkMt43RyyFKfSe4PQ5hw
In Kimberly Phinney and Tanner Olson’s conversation, they mentioned “the six word memoir.”
Try writing yours in the comments if you’d like!
GOD LOVES WRITERS AND HEARTS OVERFLOWING WITH A GOOD THEME!
For the choir director; according to the Shoshannim. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. A Song of Love.
My heart overflows with a good theme; I address my verses to the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
Psalm 45:1 (NASB)
“I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship…” (Exodus 31:3)
God, we praise You for the inspiration and gifts we have because of Your Spirit. Help us to be faithful stewards of the talents you have placed within us.
THOSE WHO LOOK TO HIM WERE RADIANT, THEIR FACES WERE NOT ASHAMED
Psalm 34:5 is from a beautiful passage. I especially love verses 4 and 5 below:
I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
6 This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Psalm 34
Feeling fearful?
Come to Him.
Seek His face. He hears you.
He delivered the psalmist from all of his fears.
A face attuned to the Redeemer reflects His radiance, much like the pink hues of the sunrise reflected on the lake.
Jesus invites us to the sacrament of the present moment.
Be here now.
“Traditions tell us where we have come from. Scripture itself is a better guide as to where we should now be going.”
― N.T. Wright
Spurgeon: "The bulk of Christians spend more time reading the newspaper than they do reading the Word of God."
Charles Spurgeon understood the challenges. Imagine what he would say about social media and this age of screen addictions!
Ask yourself:
Do we use technology effectively, or does technology use us?
"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8
"Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of human change."
-Bob Kerrey
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." ~ Romans 12:2
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. Psalm 14:1
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. ~ Proverbs 9:10
(Photo by Sue Kuenzi at Caliente Springs, California, © 2013)
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 3:13-14
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. ~ Psalm 118:24
(Photo by Sue Kuenzi, © 2013)
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. ~ Proverbs 12:19
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be on more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
Revelation 21:4
As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!
Galatians 1:9
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1
Psalm 43:4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:15
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed , because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
~ Lamentations 3:22-23
Great interview! Worth listening to this conversation between Kimberly Phinney and Tanner Olson:
Specific link to podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Hu3ZPmUBo2EmaTh75AMrR?si=CFjkMt43RyyFKfSe4PQ5hw
My six word memoir: She knew hope would rise again.
I recently completed my certification in Relational Spirituality with Dr Todd Hall.
Here’s some encouragement from him:
I’ve done six word memoir before. It seems to change, which is good I suppose.
Today it reads…
She continued on, her past dimmer.
She softened her heart and waited.