"...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!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, May 5, 2008
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.
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.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
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.
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.
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.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
