Prayer Friday James 1:22

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22

Loving Creator, Living Christ, Strengthening Holy Spirit, please hear our prayer.
You have so blessed us with all that surrounds us, earth and heavens, family and friends, time and eternity. Thank you for the lives you have given us to see and enjoy all of your wonder.
Holy Spirit, guide me this day to live the Word. To look for and live in the kingdom. Help me take each minute as the time and place you want me to be. To look for you and your purpose in each situation. Help me to live as you plan for me to live, for you and your purpose. Amen

A Pondered Response

At www.snapthatpenny.blogspot.com we are asked to ponder what "you and your house believe on?". Well, when asked to ponder I cannot resist, as pondering is one of the things I do best!
We believe we were created by a mysterious, yet completely loving Creator who is active in our lives. ONE, whom if we listen to, will lead us into the life we were meant to live here in the natural world.
We believe material value takes the backseat to family love.
We believe forgiveness can be hard, but is entirely necessary if we are to survive together as a family, and a species.
We believe in good souls.
We pray.
I will pass on the question to you. Visit Snap for the beautiful pictures and thoughtful words.

Prayer Friday Psalm 65:9-13

You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it.
You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops.
You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.
The grasslands of the desert overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness.
The meadows are cover with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing. Psalm 65:9-13


Blessed Creator, Living Christ, Guiding Holy Spirit,
Hear my prayer.
Thank you for this week's rain. In the natural world, this Psalm fits like a glove. You have soften the soil, watered the pecan trees, wetted down the crops, filled the arroyos and river, greened the desert plants. My skin, nose, ears, eyes have felt the touch, smelled the moisture, heard the sounds and seen the wonder. Thank you.
Take me deeper into this Psalm to use it to water my soul and spirit. To soften me, level me. cover me, drench and crown me.
You flow in my life, I need your nourishing love. Thank you.
Amen

The Voice of God

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.

God's Instructions

I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart. Psalm 40:8



I have been away from the computer for a while, so the blog has fallen behind. I have thought of you often, but I couldn't get my list of priorities right!

Travel has taken me to Missouri and New York; our yellow pad list of to-dos has taken me to places in the yard and around the house I should have been to sooner; golf has been frequent; even some meetings thrown in and there you are. Or here I am.

Golf has been the site of some really good laughs. Two weeks ago I had the lowest round of golf I have ever had in many years. It was followed two days later by one of the highest scores I have ever recorded, well maybe not the highest, but close! 18 strokes higher! No kidding 18. Like one stroke a hole. Same person, same course, same clubs, same brand golf ball. Good grief. However, I know the problem. Concentration and focus. I was really focused on the game, all aspects of it, on my low round. No focus on the higher round. What was the difference? Circumstances. I had a task in front of me for the low round, I knew what I wanted to do, knew I could do it and I did it.

My task on life's journey this last two months or so has been to focus on turning my will over to my God. In a book I was reading I was faced with the realization that I was still scared to give my hands and feet and mouth completely over to God. I mean 100%, not just thinking about it, giving it lip service. I realized I still hold back, I still keep some of myself from complete surrender. I am sure this is familiar to most of us. I lack complete focus and concentration. So I am asking for the Holy Spirit's help. I am slowing down and trying to focus on each individual circumstance of my day. I have it written on my heart that wherever I am, whatever I am doing, I am in the right place for God to love me, to guide me. Now is the perfect time to surrender, not yesterday or tomorrow, not ten minutes ago or thirty minutes from now. Now, each breath. God loves me, God made me, God works in all things for good. If I focus, and listen to the instructions on my heart.

We have finally had some rain, the last few days. Just as the desert opened itself to the water, I am opening myself to the help of the Holy Spirit. Soak me Lord.

Prayer Friday Psalm 66:1

Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Psalm 66:1

Glorious Creator, Living Christ, Holy Spirit and Wisdom, Hear my joy!
We are so blessed with the beauty around us; the hills, mountains, the green and brown, water and desert, sky and sun, moon, stars. How can we not but shout with joy.
Please forgive us when we overlook or forget to thank You for these gifts.
This week I pray we may be bold enough, care enough, to witness to others the glory of your gifts. My we tell everyone you send us that we love You and know You are our God.
May we reflect Your love and care through our actions and words. Give us the words, Holy Spirit. Let us do no harm this week.
AMEN

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...