Support

My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:8

Golf tees. When I was a little girl, just starting to play golf, golf tees were predictable little tools. White wood, 2 inches long, pointy on one end, scooped out top, holders for your ball to rest on when teeing off. They held up your ball so your driver could get better contact. No choice, white 2 inches, usually free in the pro shop. Need I tell you in this day and age we have revolutionized the little tee into a complicated utensil that can cost more than casual change ?? First they added color, then logos, or your name if you had that big of an ego. Then the material changed, plastic or some such polymer. The simple scooped round top now has prongs...three prongs or four. They are three inches long or an inch and a half. There are as many choices as there are choices in deodorants. Good grief. You should see me trying to get my ball to sit still on a three inch, three pronged tee in the wind. It is not a pretty sight. Still, you need the support under the ball to complete a successful drive. A sturdy foundation on which your ball can rest.

OK, I know you know where I am going with this. Praise be we have the strong right hand of our Creator to uphold us. It is ageless and does not change. Same now as when I was a little girl. My soul clings to to it and rests in its support. Thanks be to God.

Prayer Friday

I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. Pslam 17:6

Today the smell of onions from the field down below is surrounding me as I write. I cannot see the onions fields from where I sit, but I know they are there by the essence of their odor.
My spouse left this morning for a short business trip, yet his "feel" is still here in the room with me. His essence is left behind to remind me of him.
When you pray know that the essence of that prayer is around you all day. Its "feel", its spirit and power is carried by the Holy Spirit through the heart of our Lord.
Mighty and Wondrous Creator, we are so blessed to be in your creation today. We praise and thank you for all you have given us, all you have taken away and all you have left with us. Please open our eyes, ears and hearts today so we can be aware of you at all times of the day. We want to live in your will. Thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit, who will not leave us. Please guide us to recognise those people you have put in our path today that need your love and help. We pray all of this in the name of our Christ, AMEN.

Essential Church

Let us not give up meeting together... Hebrews 10:25

The author of one of my favorite blogs, www.walkingwithfather , gave me a wonderful chance to ponder a very good question. If there was no Christian church in your area, what would be important to you in starting one up. I started thinking, what would I really miss not having? So I came up with my essentials: Risen Christ and Holy Spirit, prayer group, love and warmth shown to each other among gathers, Communion served weekly, outreach mission, a sermon and altar call, altar made easy for kneeling, music.
What about you? Let me know and go visit the Walker. He has a partial list for you to think about. Let him know what you think also. Even if you don't want to share, it is a good idea to mull over and his site is really good.
God bless you when you ponder (or mull if you are a better muller!).

Don't Lose It

Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. 2John 1:8

Yesterday I played in a golf tournament called the Orange Blossom Special. We had four player teams with the task of finishing the round with a ball marked with a large orange spot still in our possession. Each player had to substitute this special ball for their own every fourth hole. If you lost this ball your team was out of the major part of the competition. Talk about pressure! I mean we have water holes on this course people, desert terrain, sticker bushes, rabbit holes. You've seen nothing until you have seen 4 women over the age of...(OK that I won't tell, some of them read this blog!) wade into nasty water up to their shorts to find a stupid golf ball. Well, we finished the round with the orange ball, but we didn't win a reward. As Judy said, "we set our goal to low, we came in with the ball, but we forgot to score well with it"!
We came in with the ball, for one good reason...we protected it. We kept our eyes on it continually, we chased it down into difficult places, some of us didn't hit it too hard as we were afraid to hurt it.
In the passage above John is talking about losing what you have learned of God's truth to false teachers. Once God has led you to sense of peace and calm about a situation, or has helped you uncover an important truth through Bible study or a life lesson, protect it. Keep your eyes on it at all times so you don't lose it. If it starts to slip away from you chase it down in prayer and hold on to it in your heart.
We do it for a silly golf ball in a game. How much more important it is to do it for God's truth in real life.

Memorial Day

Lord of Grace and Mercy , please bless the souls and spirits of all those who served our country so bravely. We owe them our freedom to pray and congregate. Bless their families who miss them. Let us remember them in our hearts and not take in vain the privileges we have.
Keep safe all those traveling today.
In Jesus name, Amen.

Run Through the Door

After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. Revelation 4:1

When I was growing up, still in school, this weekend was always the best one in the year. It was the water shed of all weekends, it was off with the old on with the new. It was the end of the year for me, the start of summer. I am not a good enough writer to explain the absolute joy this weekend brought to me, the anticipation of great things to come. I knew there would be swimming every day, golf, picnics every Monday night, baseball games, being outside morning till night, running up to the neighbors, going to the lake, just days and days of freedom.
When I woke up this morning I actually had a glimmer of that same old feeling inside me. Not quite as strong as when I was 9 or 10 years old, but I could feel it. An excited feeling in my belly of things to come...swimming, visits and travel to family already scheduled, a bunch of golf tournaments, dinners with friends. This morning it was like a door was standing open and I was excited about getting up and running through it. Just like the old days...just get up and run through it, enter the summer full tilt.
In Revelations, John saw a door standing open in Heaven. That must have been an exciting feeling of anticipation. As above so below, I love that thought. The door to the Kingdom is here and open, we just have to go through. Run through with hope and joy at what we will find. Here in our lives on earth we get glimmers of what it is like in the Kingdom that is so near.
The door to summer is open, so is the door to the Kingdom.

Prayer Time

Again he prayed,... James 5:18

Fridays are not a day in my date book that are marked for golf. Those days are Tuesday and Thursday, with others thrown in when I can. Friday is prayer group day. We meet at the church to pray for our church, country, friends, families, and any specific requests we have received. So maybe on Fridays we will take some time here to talk more specifically about prayer.
Over there on the right side I put a link to a site that will help you if you are new to prayer, www.Contemplativeoutreach.org. It is a place to go even if you have been a prayer all your life. When you get to the home page there will be a spot where you can click onto an explaination for centering and contemplative prayer. When I began my path into contemplative prayer, I found Father Keating and his writings. If you would like to or feel you are being led into a deeper prayer life this is a place to start.
My life has changed 360 degrees since I began to spend time open to God. Changed, as I am still and wait for the Love to come in.
Please remember if you need prayer or have a request, I am here. I will join mine with yours and if you want, I'll take it with me on Fridays.

Water In The Desert

They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. Isaiah 11:9.

Upon waking some mornings we find that the farm down in the valley has been irrigated. Today I tried to capture it for you. It is such a beautiful site, my pictures could never do it justice. The water comes from the Rio Grande river that flows about a mile from our house. The dry desert soaks up the water and the green plants thrive, later to be harvested. You can almost feel the land take in the moisture as it covers acre after acre.

This passage from Isaiah is the one about the branch from Jesse. The Spirit of the Lord rests on this branch. One day the knowledge of the Lord will cover the whole earth. If you need peace today, get your Bible and read Isaiah 11. I love to look at this view off our little hill and feel God's love and care soaking into me just as the desert soaks up the irrigation water. I pray I am as open to the "knowledge", to the closeness of my Creator, as the land here is to the water.

Someday the whole earth will know God. You don't have to wait until "someday", soak God up now, today.

Who Is LikeYou ?

Who is like you--majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? Exodus 15:11

5:27 am, this morning, he/she came back. Loud, insistent...the mocking bird. I didn't have to get up until 6:30, she didn't care. This bird saw the majestic, glorious, wonder of the morning and broke into song. Sang until 5:41. Twenty one minutes. Do I keep my praise going as loud and as long as 21 minutes. Do I go out on my patio for twenty one minutes and shout and sing to my Creator when I am overcome with the beauty of my surroundings, the majesty of the mornings here in southern New Mexico?
Nope. But then God didn't give me the abilities of the mocking bird. God gave me a smile and a voice to cheerfully say "Good morning" to say "Thank you" to say "I love you". The mocking bird has captured in his brain the songs he has copied from many other birds. I work on capturing in my heart the love God gives us at each breath, so I can pour it out like a song to wake people up to God's kingdom.

Do and Wait

Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And he will strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord. Psalm 27:14

Everything I do today let me do it through you, for you. That thought prayer just automatically came to me as I rolled over while waking up this morning. It followed me into the kitchen, making the bed, checking my e-mail. Always at the center of my mind. "Everything I do today let me do it through you, for you". Then during my devotional reading time the above passage from Psalms was presented. I'm on the second year of working through The Daily Reader for Contemplative Living, based on Father Thomas Keating's works. So I am to do and wait.
Seems backwards to me, what about you? First I pray do, then I'm guided to wait. Shouldn't I wait for God to show me what to do and then go do it? Am I being too reflective, too thoughtful about what this means? I don't think so. I think I had to see these two thoughts side by side and then pray about them.
What do they mean for me today? I think, after prayer, they mean I am not supposed to sit around today for some big revelation from God before I enter the day's living. I am to step out and live, aware that all I do and say should be done through and for my Creator, at the same time waiting for God to open the path as I go. Do, live; wait, listen.
Times such as this are what make this course I am playing so interesting and challenging. My attention needs to be on the little details, like do and wait. Because tomorrow it might be wait and do.

Great New Sites

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2Corinthians 9:7

While blog surfing this morning I came across a lovely site with beautiful pictures that caught my eye. Wonderful writing also, 33 Names of Grace. I put it over there on the right side for you to link to. While reading her blog I came across another exciting site, www.thehungersite. Maybe you have been there, I had not. I also listed it under links.
What a great site. It has pages for Hunger, Breast Cancer, Child Health, Literacy, Rain forest, and Animal Rescue. A goldmine of a site!! You can read about what is going on, donate and shop. Surely here we can find a place to give that is close to our hearts. If you are already giving to a favorite charity, maybe you can help by buying some of those birthday or Christmas gifts there. Hey, Father's Day is coming up. Go look.
Sorry about that reminder of Christmas shopping! If anybody responds that they have theirs done I will flip out.

Peace at all times

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. 2Thessalonians 3:16

Peace has not abounded in our house since Lucky the lost dog came home yesterday afternoon!! The other two dogs have welcomed him back with open paws and he has chased them round and round. He has found all his left behind toys and remembered how to sneak onto the bed when none of the rest of us are watching. The three of them have barked so much that I am about ready to put them all outside in the pen so I can think. So what is this about "peace at all times"? How can that happen? Surely this is one of those Bible quotes that sounds good, but is impossible to understand or have. Nope.
To me there are two levels at work here, one is superficial and the other is deep inside. It may look and sound chaotic around here on the surface, however there is a peace and calm deep down that was brought on by Lucky's homecoming. There is a deep well of gratitude and love that from which love flows up to the surface.
Sometimes peace fills both levels. This morning was my weekly prayer group gathering. It is peaceful on the surface and deep down at the same time. Peace, calm, love,all there to surround us as we talk and pray.
So, the next time it seems as if life and the noise and confusion that goes with it have you surrounded, just remember God gives you peace at all times. It is deeper than the surface. Take a breath and feel that peace that is available, always, flow through you.

Lucky Dog

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Jesus Christ. 1Thessalonians 5:16

What a day for thanks!! First the little one. Playing golf today I chipped one in for a birdy and parred the last hole, Yippee.
Now for the big ones...daughter got a new job in her company that she was hoping for. Next...one of our three dogs that had been missing for over a month was found at the dog shelter two hours ago. And as I write...it is raining. Daughter, dog and rain had been objects of prayer. The golf was added joy. I'm telling you, pray for the big and small. Nothing is beyond the care of our Creator. I am giving thanks for these blessings because I know God sees every little hair on our heads, every dog hair and every rain drop.
I am joyful, I pray continually and I give thanks in all circumstances. We are blessed with a Creator that loves us through and through. Good times and bad, Little and big, silly and serious. Praise the Lord.

Desert Beauty

God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:2

Don't tell me it doesn't bloom in the desert. Don't ask me to name these either! Few words today, just be aware of all that is around us.

Obscure Mountains, Obscure Awareness

"...that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith." 2Thessalonians 1:11

The wind is still with us this spring. Yesterday our ladies group hosted a city exchange golf tournament. The various ladies groups play at each others' courses about once a month. Lots of fun. The wind started to blow gently when we teed off on number 8, by the 11th hole we were being blown around pretty good. By the 16th we could hardly stand still to putt. It is fun to stand over your ball and watch it wiggle while you wonder if your putter will be able to make contact with it. You really have to concentrate, pay close attention to what you are doing, when you play in high wind. Widen your stance, swing easy.
The wind also obscures the view we have of the beautiful mountains that surround our valley. We usually have many amazing views from tee boxes and greens, but not yesterday. The blowing dust took care of those.
Do you ever feel as if your awareness of God is obscured, as if you are having trouble feeling God's presence around you? You just cannot see the work being carried out in your life. We all have times like that. Sometimes it only lasts a few hours, sometimes it is months. It has been called "the dark night of the soul". Well, I think the above Bible passage is very helpful at times such as these. Whether you are aware of it or not God is always there, working in every one of your acts and good purposes. If each act you do is done with love and attention to doing it right, God is right there. Daily tasks around the house or on the job, taking a walk or praying, God will be there. If your awareness is obscured, act as if it isn't.
The mountains are there whether I can see them or not. If I fly a plane I had better realize they didn't go away just because I cannot see them!

New Book On The List

The Spirit blows where she wills. John 3:8



Home safe and sound, again. We had a great visit with the California part of the family. I hope everybody had a beautiful Mother's Day. I thought a lot about my Mom who has crossed over. She was a true lady and a very special spirit who blew love through many a heart.



I started a new book. Well, new to me, it was published in 1995. Living Buddha, Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hanh, an exiled Vietnamese Monk. The forward is beautiful. It was written by Brother David Steindl-Rast, O.S.B. If you are familiar with Thomas Merton or Father Thomas Keating then you have probably heard of this Monk. I have practiced contemplative prayer for some time, and this book is a very soul filling discussion. The Holy Spirit is such a dear friend and teacher and this book shows that she blows for all people that will stop and listen.

A Light Shines

the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. Matthew 5:16

Here we are in southern California, safe and sound. However, no sunny California skies for us until about five minutes ago. The clouds and mist have hung low over my daughter's house since Monday. When the sun broke through it made everything so bright and shiny. The backyard took on a whole nother look. The dogs knew something had happened and started chasing each other around the big tree (as if they needed an excuse !). It always amazes me how the light breaking through can instantly cheer you up. Just like that...cheerful!

Do you remember when you first felt the light dawn in you? Did your understanding of being filled with God's light come upon you slowly or did it hit you in a flash? Mine was like a warm flood running through my blood and an instant feeling of wonder and happiness. But, it didn't happen overnight. It was after a journey of reading and prayer; building faith and hope. It sure was worth looking for.

If you have the light, spread it. If you have not yet been filled, it's there, just keep the window open and look for it.

Grandchildrens' Children

But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents. 1Timothy 5:4

No golf this week, but that is OK. Spouse and I are going to take care of the youngest of our three grandsons in California. My children have repayed me a thousand times over by caring for their families. I have three of the best natured, loving grandsons God every placed in this world. They are ages 15, 13 and twelve. Even though they are separated by one half of the continent they care about each other, texting all the time to keep up with things. You can see what is important to my children by watching the way they care for their families. We are also blessed with two step granddaughters. They were welcomed into the family with love and open arms.

About five years ago I made a prayer journal for my family. I gave each person a page. On that page I wrote a Bible passage I had specifically chosen for them, my prayer request and any they had for themselves. When I would pray for them I would add notes, updates and results. It was an awesome experience. I am going to do another one this month.

Remember in your prayers to pray for your grandchildrens' children and those grands in the far far future. Also pray for those relatives of yours that prayed for you in the distant past. I love to think that a 6x grandparent prayed for me to know God years and years ago.

Forgot to say that this year I will add my daughter's best friend Leslie and her family to my book.

I'll keep in touch from California. Bless you.

Listen Untill You Feel It

and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. Deuteronomy 30:20

Usually I am awakened by the pyrrhuloxia that live around us. As I am originally from southwest Missouri I call them wanna be cardinals. Hope they don't mind, I say it as a compliment! However, the last few days one of our roadrunners has taken over the job. The roadrunner is the only bird which causes offense to our dogs. Roadrunners have a very distinctive voice, it is a slow, descending, low-pitched "coo-coo-coo-coo'. That doesn't really describe it correctly...it's as if they roll their coos...they vibrate. If you listen closely it can reverberate in you body, like a drum. Get the picture? That is, when the dogs let you listen.
That is how we should listen for God. In quiet prayer time let your heart and body get so still you can feel yourself drawing closer and closer to that feeling of warm love. Sometimes it will vibrate lightly. It takes time and doesn't always happen. But God is there in love that will move your soul. You have to listen or you won't hear. I know that sounds pretty obvious, but how many times do we really get still and listen. Drop the requests, the problems...just put your heart, mind and soul to the joy of listening for God. Let your love for God meet God's love for you...it will vibrate like the roadrunners coo.

You Have To Follow Through

But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22

One of the important parts of your golf swing is the follow through. You can choose the correct club, line up your shot, take the perfect back swing, left arm straight, apply the appropriate speed, pull the club downward, make solid contact with the ball and still have a really bad shot. Why? Because you forgot to follow through completely. You stopped short of the full swing. You need to follow through so that you are aimed at the target. Some times we think we are finished and we want to see how far the shot went or how close to the hole we ended up. Big mistake. Got to follow through. Finish the job you started when you sized up the shot and selected the club.
The Holy Spirit will fill you up with all the fruit mentioned in Galatians, but you have to follow through. You can pray and it will be given. You have to recognize the gift of fruit and then put it to use. Your finish is to pass it on to someone who needs it.
If you find it hard to love someone, you pray and ask the Holy Spirit to let you love that person with God's love as yours is not enough. The Holy Spirit will see you get a full measure of that love. Then you have to follow through, you have to give that love to your unlovable. You are filled with the Creator's unconditional love, but you have to apply it. How do I know? Been there done that. I can tell you if you follow though with your fruits of the spirit they work. Then you will be filled again and again.

Let the Joy Shine Out

But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy...Galatians 5:25



Only three out of our usual seven gals were here to play this morning. We only played nine holes because of the wind. We had some crazy shots into, through, around, under and over the gusts. There was a lot of laughter.

We have some good chances to talk about religion and spirituality while we play. Not too often, but now and then. Our group has some believers, some strong, some thin and some non believers. Our discussions can be interesting.

Other people should be able to recognize that we are believers by our general happiness and love for each other. So, when in your groups, remember to let your joy shine out. That way others will want what you have and usually ask "How do you stay so happy?" The Holy spirit will continue to fill you up as you pass on the laughter, joy and love. Open up and let the Spirit fill you, then pour it out.