Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30;21
We are told to listen for the small, still voice. Do you have trouble hearing the voice of God? May I help?
I was just sitting out on the sun porch. The biggest of our three dogs let out a long, drawn out moan, so I put my book down to listen. Then I was aware of the sound of at least four different birds chattering way. Under that sound was the noise of a insect. Carrying all of that was a slight breeze. Then my sigh. It came to me so peacefully; I was listening to the sound of God. Not a big, loud shout, no trumpet...just God's voice in all of that.
Go out somewhere, filter out the bustle, listen. Just listen.
What you do about the experience is up to you, but do something. I smiled and came in to share it with someone I know God will send my way.
God bless you with peace and calm.
Showing posts with label peace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label peace. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Slow Down !!
Absolutely one of the most beautiful days is unfolding in front of me! The weather is glorious, the fields down in the valley are being irrigated, the sun is shining, birds all around, work done, tea sweet...I think this is a slow down day. I am going to look around today, slowly, and see all the wonders God has put around me.
Played golf two times so far this week, and it was good! Slowing down there has helped. I finally have some rhythm back in my swing. I have really worked on slowing down my back swing and then firing through to completion.. Worked on slowing down my getting ready for my putts, taking time to really observe how the green runs. Taking time to look at where my ball lies in the fairway. Slow down and observe...not just rush into a shot or a putt. Not so slow as to hold up those I am playing with, just more attention to detail and surroundings.
Off for some more tea, finish one of the ten books I have going ;), dead head some flowers, breath, look, listen, enjoy, praise, be grateful, love...
Played golf two times so far this week, and it was good! Slowing down there has helped. I finally have some rhythm back in my swing. I have really worked on slowing down my back swing and then firing through to completion.. Worked on slowing down my getting ready for my putts, taking time to really observe how the green runs. Taking time to look at where my ball lies in the fairway. Slow down and observe...not just rush into a shot or a putt. Not so slow as to hold up those I am playing with, just more attention to detail and surroundings.
Off for some more tea, finish one of the ten books I have going ;), dead head some flowers, breath, look, listen, enjoy, praise, be grateful, love...
Friday, March 6, 2009
Peace Train Starts Here
Whoever would love life and see good days.........must seek peace and pursue it. 1Peter 3:10-11
The peace train starts here with me. Whatever it is that is bothering me in the moment, I must make peace with it. Whether it is my weight, age, the economy, family, health, church, weather, barking dogs, bad golf shots, friends, work...whatever, I must seek peace, I must pursue it.
I think I am getting better at pursuing peace. Maybe it is age, maybe some things are not as important as they used to be, don't know. But I seem to be better able to put things into perspective these days. Prayer sure helps. Praying and finding my deep down, way in me peaceful and calm soul, then trying to let it become a part of my living in the moment. The train goes whether I want it to or not, it travels forward through this moment, I want to ride it in peace.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Prayer Friday
For all that are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. Romans 8:14
Loving Creator, Living Christ, Moving Holy Spirit
Lord that about says it all. Loving, Living, Moving...
Thank you for the opportunities You give me to know my true self and the true self of those around me. Please, forgive me for the times I get so into the world that I forget this.
May I live in Your peace and love today. May I remember that I am here to spread that peace and love with all that You put in my path. AMEN
Loving Creator, Living Christ, Moving Holy Spirit
Lord that about says it all. Loving, Living, Moving...
Thank you for the opportunities You give me to know my true self and the true self of those around me. Please, forgive me for the times I get so into the world that I forget this.
May I live in Your peace and love today. May I remember that I am here to spread that peace and love with all that You put in my path. AMEN
Friday, January 2, 2009
Prayer Friday Psalms 1
Happy is the man who has not followed the counsel of the wicked, or taken the path of the sinners, or joined the company of the insolent; rather, the teaching of the LORD is his delight, and he studies that teaching day and night. He is like a tree planted beside streams of water, which yields its fruit in season, whose foliage never fades, and what ever it produces thrives.
Not so the wicked; rather, they are like chaff that wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not survive judgement, nor will sinners, in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD cherishes the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked is doomed. Psalm 1
Loving Creator, Living Christ, wise Holy Spirit, Thank You for my being.
I am what You willed, may I learn to walk in that will.
May I study Your teachings, which I find all around me, all day.
May I be mindful of Your Presence all day.
I do not want to be chaff in the wind, I desire to be a producing being. A love producing being that brings Your peace and calm to my family, friends and the world.
Thank You for all You have given me, all You have taken away, and all I am left with.
AMEN
Not so the wicked; rather, they are like chaff that wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not survive judgement, nor will sinners, in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD cherishes the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked is doomed. Psalm 1
Loving Creator, Living Christ, wise Holy Spirit, Thank You for my being.
I am what You willed, may I learn to walk in that will.
May I study Your teachings, which I find all around me, all day.
May I be mindful of Your Presence all day.
I do not want to be chaff in the wind, I desire to be a producing being. A love producing being that brings Your peace and calm to my family, friends and the world.
Thank You for all You have given me, all You have taken away, and all I am left with.
AMEN
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Relax in The Presence
...and made him glad with the joy of your presence. Psalm 21:6
Two days of golf and I am done in. Hot, tired, stiff and very, very happy. The last two days I played with 6 of the nicest ladies I have ever played with. Funny and laid back. When I am in the presence of such nice people it makes my golf better. I was so relaxed and at ease, I couldn't help but play better golf. My swing was easy, I wasn't tense on my putts, it was like a dream. That is not to say my usual group is not fun nor nice, they are both. However, you tend to take that for granted and that is not right. I should never forget to always appreciate the regular weekly play group.
God blessed David and gave him joy in his presence. That's the way we should live every moment, blessed with the joy of being in the presence of our Creator. I tend to take that for granted, also. I forget how relaxed and peaceful it is to really be aware of God's presence. I get too busy, to focused on something else. Then I loose my peace, my calmness. But, you know the best part, God is always there waiting for us to wise up, waiting for us to remember where we are and in whose presence we are. Always there to fill us with peace and love. I will stop and remember that now.
Two days of golf and I am done in. Hot, tired, stiff and very, very happy. The last two days I played with 6 of the nicest ladies I have ever played with. Funny and laid back. When I am in the presence of such nice people it makes my golf better. I was so relaxed and at ease, I couldn't help but play better golf. My swing was easy, I wasn't tense on my putts, it was like a dream. That is not to say my usual group is not fun nor nice, they are both. However, you tend to take that for granted and that is not right. I should never forget to always appreciate the regular weekly play group.
God blessed David and gave him joy in his presence. That's the way we should live every moment, blessed with the joy of being in the presence of our Creator. I tend to take that for granted, also. I forget how relaxed and peaceful it is to really be aware of God's presence. I get too busy, to focused on something else. Then I loose my peace, my calmness. But, you know the best part, God is always there waiting for us to wise up, waiting for us to remember where we are and in whose presence we are. Always there to fill us with peace and love. I will stop and remember that now.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Dancing Carts
...hide me in the shadow of your wings... Psalm 17:8
When you live in the desert of the southwest you get used to sunny skies. As I look around me on this hilltop this morning there are maybe three or four puffy little clouds in the whole sky. It is funny on the golf course to watch the dance of the golf carts. That's what I call the scurry and maneuvering of the the cart drivers to find shade. Going from shot to shot, carts pull into the closest shade they can find. Sometimes it is just a pee wee suggestion of a shadow. Hard to find places of comfort and relief.
We are blessed that our Creator has big wide wings under which we can find peace and relief. Whether we are looking for a place to hide from "the wicked who assail me", or a loving embrace, it is always there. However, you need to look for it. You must seek it out and then put your attention and intention on the presence in which you find yourself. Give your mind, body and spirit over to the safety of the shadow.
If you have trouble finding this shadow of peace and comfort, start with centering prayer. Go to the site over under Links called Contemplative Outreach and click on the information it gives you on centering prayer.
Let's spend this day walking under the shadow of God's wings, always mindful of being in the apple of our Creator's eye.
When you live in the desert of the southwest you get used to sunny skies. As I look around me on this hilltop this morning there are maybe three or four puffy little clouds in the whole sky. It is funny on the golf course to watch the dance of the golf carts. That's what I call the scurry and maneuvering of the the cart drivers to find shade. Going from shot to shot, carts pull into the closest shade they can find. Sometimes it is just a pee wee suggestion of a shadow. Hard to find places of comfort and relief.
We are blessed that our Creator has big wide wings under which we can find peace and relief. Whether we are looking for a place to hide from "the wicked who assail me", or a loving embrace, it is always there. However, you need to look for it. You must seek it out and then put your attention and intention on the presence in which you find yourself. Give your mind, body and spirit over to the safety of the shadow.
If you have trouble finding this shadow of peace and comfort, start with centering prayer. Go to the site over under Links called Contemplative Outreach and click on the information it gives you on centering prayer.
Let's spend this day walking under the shadow of God's wings, always mindful of being in the apple of our Creator's eye.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
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.
Friday, May 16, 2008
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.
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.
Friday, May 2, 2008
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.
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.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Strengthen me
"encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word." 2Thessalonians 3:17
I am home. I arrived Wednesday about noon to a loving husband and two happy dogs. My time with my friends was beautiful. We talked until we were worn out and then we talked some more. So when I got home I was very grateful to have a husband who encouraged me to relax and slow down. He fixed lunch, listened to my tales and then let me sit and ponder for a while. That was nice.
Yesterday, after doing the wash and some straightening, I headed to the course to hit some practice balls. Did I tell you it was windy? The weather report used the word breezy, I think they were trying to be nice. When I got up on the practice tee the wind was blowing so hard my sunglasses blew off my visor. Since it had been over ten days since I had practiced I decided to hit some balls anyway. When you play in the wind you have to hold steady and get your balance from the strength in your legs. You have to have a firm foundation, yet you cannot fight the wind. It is like a flow coming out of a solid foundation. You gage where the wind is coming from and adjust your aim. You also get a lot of sand and dirt in your hair! The better your swing is, the closer to the ideal swing, the better you can hit in the wind. If your swing is in the groove, the right path, the strength of your foundation will sustain you.
Through the fellowship of our retreat we gathered to us God's grace and strength. We filled ourselves with knowledge, wisdom and love. We gathered the"eternal encouragement and good hope" also mentioned in verse 17. When we are faced with life, our words and deeds will be enhanced as we look for the good. As we look for the correct path (as in grooving my swing) we will be strengthened and encouraged by the ideas, conversations, wisdom and love we found God infilling us with.
Out of the strength of our foundation, we can face the wind of life. We can aim for the good and flow with our Creator's love and eternal encouragement.
I am home. I arrived Wednesday about noon to a loving husband and two happy dogs. My time with my friends was beautiful. We talked until we were worn out and then we talked some more. So when I got home I was very grateful to have a husband who encouraged me to relax and slow down. He fixed lunch, listened to my tales and then let me sit and ponder for a while. That was nice.
Yesterday, after doing the wash and some straightening, I headed to the course to hit some practice balls. Did I tell you it was windy? The weather report used the word breezy, I think they were trying to be nice. When I got up on the practice tee the wind was blowing so hard my sunglasses blew off my visor. Since it had been over ten days since I had practiced I decided to hit some balls anyway. When you play in the wind you have to hold steady and get your balance from the strength in your legs. You have to have a firm foundation, yet you cannot fight the wind. It is like a flow coming out of a solid foundation. You gage where the wind is coming from and adjust your aim. You also get a lot of sand and dirt in your hair! The better your swing is, the closer to the ideal swing, the better you can hit in the wind. If your swing is in the groove, the right path, the strength of your foundation will sustain you.
Through the fellowship of our retreat we gathered to us God's grace and strength. We filled ourselves with knowledge, wisdom and love. We gathered the"eternal encouragement and good hope" also mentioned in verse 17. When we are faced with life, our words and deeds will be enhanced as we look for the good. As we look for the correct path (as in grooving my swing) we will be strengthened and encouraged by the ideas, conversations, wisdom and love we found God infilling us with.
Out of the strength of our foundation, we can face the wind of life. We can aim for the good and flow with our Creator's love and eternal encouragement.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Longing Fullfilled
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 12:12
We have longed for this time together for a year. It has been worth every minute of waiting. We have again stretched each other out of our comfort zone so that I can see seeds sprouting. The seeds we plant in each other will grow until next year.
I am turning the blog over to the Las Vegas sister for her take on this time of fellowship.
How to begin to understand such a blessing of fellowship... You couldn't plan to make such special friends. You couldn't dream of the different personalities, backgrounds, ages and tastes coming together to share the most intimate stories of our lives with full acceptance and love. Tonight we are thinking of eating ice cream with no judgment and guilt associated , just finger lickin pleasure as we had as little girls. Then the discussion turns to going home, our next year get-together and our hopes and plans in between. It has been like the most fun summer camp complete with arts and crafts, lovely treasures to take home to remind us of our time together.
I can only encourage other women to make a circle of 3 or 4 girlfriends and spend one or two or four days of uninterrupted time together. No matter how long you have been friends, even if it is a short time, the connection runs deep and propels you into a place of understanding that you could get no other way. We all owe it to each other.
We have longed for this time together for a year. It has been worth every minute of waiting. We have again stretched each other out of our comfort zone so that I can see seeds sprouting. The seeds we plant in each other will grow until next year.
I am turning the blog over to the Las Vegas sister for her take on this time of fellowship.
How to begin to understand such a blessing of fellowship... You couldn't plan to make such special friends. You couldn't dream of the different personalities, backgrounds, ages and tastes coming together to share the most intimate stories of our lives with full acceptance and love. Tonight we are thinking of eating ice cream with no judgment and guilt associated , just finger lickin pleasure as we had as little girls. Then the discussion turns to going home, our next year get-together and our hopes and plans in between. It has been like the most fun summer camp complete with arts and crafts, lovely treasures to take home to remind us of our time together.
I can only encourage other women to make a circle of 3 or 4 girlfriends and spend one or two or four days of uninterrupted time together. No matter how long you have been friends, even if it is a short time, the connection runs deep and propels you into a place of understanding that you could get no other way. We all owe it to each other.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Grace
We have done so not according to worldly wisdom but according to God's grace. 2Corinthians 1:12
We had about 5 to 6 hours of discussion today. It was beautiful. We discussed two of our books and got about half way through another. The deepest point for me was a time of prayer. As it is said, when three or more of you gather in my name...we gathered, we prayed and the Presence was with us. It was one of the most amazing gifts of grace I have been involved in. We truly were one. I hope tomorrow one of my soul sisters will tell you more.
When you look at yourself with no one else around, when you get into that quiet space of your soul you can find out so much. When you then take what you have learned and place it before your friends it can be scary. Not so today. I have very rarely felt so safe as I did today. God is so good to give us friends who make you feel safe. SO, the topics we discussed were meaningful, insightful, thought provoking. But the essence of our group had the sweet smell of love, the feel of trust, the touch of concern, the sight of beautiful faces, the hearing of the word.
Tomorrow.
We had about 5 to 6 hours of discussion today. It was beautiful. We discussed two of our books and got about half way through another. The deepest point for me was a time of prayer. As it is said, when three or more of you gather in my name...we gathered, we prayed and the Presence was with us. It was one of the most amazing gifts of grace I have been involved in. We truly were one. I hope tomorrow one of my soul sisters will tell you more.
When you look at yourself with no one else around, when you get into that quiet space of your soul you can find out so much. When you then take what you have learned and place it before your friends it can be scary. Not so today. I have very rarely felt so safe as I did today. God is so good to give us friends who make you feel safe. SO, the topics we discussed were meaningful, insightful, thought provoking. But the essence of our group had the sweet smell of love, the feel of trust, the touch of concern, the sight of beautiful faces, the hearing of the word.
Tomorrow.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Abundance
"...and you brought us to a place of abundance." Psalm 66:12
Oh, my!! We just walked in from the grocery store. You talk about abundance...we have enough food for an army for 6 days. We shopped for only the first day and a half. And my sister just added "only four people!" Our storehouse is overflowing. We are prepared. There will be an abundance of good food for all.
There will be an abundance of all sorts of food. Food for thought, food for discussion, food for meditation, food for prayer, food for the soul. We will be given the exact amount of manna that each one of us needs, in the form we need it.
There will be an abundance of love. Love will flow out of the abundance God has put in our hearts for each other. There will be no way to suppress it. Love will be pressed down and then overflowing.
Our creator will have us situated in the very heart of abundance tomorrow night as we sit down to share our first meal together. Situated in the heart of study Friday morning. Most joyously the Spirit will place us in the very center of an never ending pool of love.
Oh, my!! We just walked in from the grocery store. You talk about abundance...we have enough food for an army for 6 days. We shopped for only the first day and a half. And my sister just added "only four people!" Our storehouse is overflowing. We are prepared. There will be an abundance of good food for all.
There will be an abundance of all sorts of food. Food for thought, food for discussion, food for meditation, food for prayer, food for the soul. We will be given the exact amount of manna that each one of us needs, in the form we need it.
There will be an abundance of love. Love will flow out of the abundance God has put in our hearts for each other. There will be no way to suppress it. Love will be pressed down and then overflowing.
Our creator will have us situated in the very heart of abundance tomorrow night as we sit down to share our first meal together. Situated in the heart of study Friday morning. Most joyously the Spirit will place us in the very center of an never ending pool of love.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Safe Trip
Howdy, I made it to Missouri. The sister and I are getting ready for the arrival of our friends. So far no sibling arguments! Kind of scary when you find us agreeing on every thing. I wonder why God made brothers and sisters as our closest biological ties and yet some some of the mightiest arguments occur between them. Bible stories are a case in point. Probably because we are two sides of the same coin. Fortunately my sister and I have had only little tiffs in our shared history. We are truly blessed.
We are so looking forward to the upcoming laughter, discussions, fellowship and meals. We know we will be stretched and lead to new levels of love and friendship.
Stay tuned. We will see you tomorrow.
We are so looking forward to the upcoming laughter, discussions, fellowship and meals. We know we will be stretched and lead to new levels of love and friendship.
Stay tuned. We will see you tomorrow.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Vast expanses
Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth? Tell me if you know all this. Job 38:18
We are home. Home to the desert. Home to the mountains. It was a great trip. The sea was calm and I did not get sea sick !! We saw some beautiful places and met some very nice people.
On this trip I was able to spend quite a large chunk of time on the deck watching the sea. I had my books with me, so I could read and then look out to sea, pondering and praying. I love vast expanses for pondering time. I grew up in Missouri surrounded by trees and hills. There were beautiful views, many actually breathtaking, but not the vast expanses of the ocean or my desert/mountain views.
I don't completely understand how this expansion of view can work so gloriously on my soul, but it sure does. I think as I look out over the sea or the spread of the desert or survey the huge mountains I register a feeling of the wonder of all the different types of vastness God created. They are so different. Then I look up at the sky and see another vast wonder. It is all made of the same physical waves and particles, but it is made visible to us in such different forms. Sky, mountains, desert, sea...me. When I let that work around and settle into my soul I become so peaceful.
It's a beautiful creation, made for us to ponder. Made for us to see. Made for us to take into our hearts and then expand ourselves. Stretch our love and peace and calm and prayers out over the whole of creation. Spread ourselves thin as we expand our love to cover all the vastness of God's creation.
We are home. Home to the desert. Home to the mountains. It was a great trip. The sea was calm and I did not get sea sick !! We saw some beautiful places and met some very nice people.
On this trip I was able to spend quite a large chunk of time on the deck watching the sea. I had my books with me, so I could read and then look out to sea, pondering and praying. I love vast expanses for pondering time. I grew up in Missouri surrounded by trees and hills. There were beautiful views, many actually breathtaking, but not the vast expanses of the ocean or my desert/mountain views.
I don't completely understand how this expansion of view can work so gloriously on my soul, but it sure does. I think as I look out over the sea or the spread of the desert or survey the huge mountains I register a feeling of the wonder of all the different types of vastness God created. They are so different. Then I look up at the sky and see another vast wonder. It is all made of the same physical waves and particles, but it is made visible to us in such different forms. Sky, mountains, desert, sea...me. When I let that work around and settle into my soul I become so peaceful.
It's a beautiful creation, made for us to ponder. Made for us to see. Made for us to take into our hearts and then expand ourselves. Stretch our love and peace and calm and prayers out over the whole of creation. Spread ourselves thin as we expand our love to cover all the vastness of God's creation.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Hold Your Peace
Jesus...said to them,"Peace be with you." John 20:19
As I said yesterday, no golf. I have two days, yesterday and today, to get ready for another trip. This one is a cruise. As I get terribly seasick I am getting ready with some apprehension. I have tried every drug made by man from the time I was 3 years old to handle this problem. Maybe I'll lose some weight on this trip, instead of the opposite!
I am trying hard not to lose my cool. I have my check list and the one from the cruise line, both of which I am doing a good job following. They help to keep me from running around like a chicken with it's head off. So far so good. I haven't snapped at the husband nor yelled at the three dogs under my feet.
Jesus gives us peace for everyday of our lives if we will let him. His presence at our side can keep us centered and calm no matter what. I believe we have to ask for it and stay focused on it. Do I have a checklist for doing this? You better believe I do. I read my devotional every morning first thing. Then I go to my favorite blogs listed over there on the right side. These are followed by prayer. If I'm on a trip with no computer then I skip the blogs, which I hate to do. I gather my peace. Breathe it in and out. Then during the day when I get frazzled, I remember a word or phrase from the morning that God has placed in my mind. Breathe it in and out. I let God put me in God's kingdom, out of the hassle, problems and worry.
It works, trust me. Take Jesus' peace and live in it. Let it roll around you, let it fill you. Remember, God loves you more than you can ever understand. He gives you peace.
Please hold that peace until I get back and we talk again. In the mean time try those sites I have listed, but remember to come back here. I'll miss you if you don't!
As I said yesterday, no golf. I have two days, yesterday and today, to get ready for another trip. This one is a cruise. As I get terribly seasick I am getting ready with some apprehension. I have tried every drug made by man from the time I was 3 years old to handle this problem. Maybe I'll lose some weight on this trip, instead of the opposite!
I am trying hard not to lose my cool. I have my check list and the one from the cruise line, both of which I am doing a good job following. They help to keep me from running around like a chicken with it's head off. So far so good. I haven't snapped at the husband nor yelled at the three dogs under my feet.
Jesus gives us peace for everyday of our lives if we will let him. His presence at our side can keep us centered and calm no matter what. I believe we have to ask for it and stay focused on it. Do I have a checklist for doing this? You better believe I do. I read my devotional every morning first thing. Then I go to my favorite blogs listed over there on the right side. These are followed by prayer. If I'm on a trip with no computer then I skip the blogs, which I hate to do. I gather my peace. Breathe it in and out. Then during the day when I get frazzled, I remember a word or phrase from the morning that God has placed in my mind. Breathe it in and out. I let God put me in God's kingdom, out of the hassle, problems and worry.
It works, trust me. Take Jesus' peace and live in it. Let it roll around you, let it fill you. Remember, God loves you more than you can ever understand. He gives you peace.
Please hold that peace until I get back and we talk again. In the mean time try those sites I have listed, but remember to come back here. I'll miss you if you don't!
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