Month: April 2025

Posted on in Aging, Art, Covid 19, Faith, Focus, Illness and Health, Just do it, Listen, Praise, Prayer, Rest, Trust

Do You Feel The Presence of the Holy?

Often we believers wonder if God is really present with us. Our musing is usually caused by not being able to FEEL His presence. This is especially true when we are ill. {I continue to ponder how strong the physical being is at blocking my faith and the truths that I know are always true regardless of how I feel. And I continue to fight to uphold the truth regardless of my feelings.}

Last week the terrible cold that Bob and I have been suffering through finally drove us to test for Covid. We had done every single thing we could imagine to fight this thing off and we were getting no better. No one was more stunned than Bob Dutina when the tests proved positive for Covid. We finally had contracted it. No fever, just a multitude of awful other symptoms. No wonder we could not just shake it off like a bad cold! We discovered we had the virus too late for antiviral medications.

In the Post Easter readings more than once this week I have come across the story from the “Walk to Emmaus” Luke 24: 13-35. Two disciples are walking along the way and talking about the arrest, beating, and crucifixion of Jesus. They are amazed at the stunning news the women brought that they saw the Risen Jesus – alive and walking the earth.

A stranger joined them on their walk and asked what they were talking about. They said he must be the only one coming from Jerusalem who did not know what had happened. They proceeded to fill Him in. It is only much later in the story that they realize they are with Jesus. They did not recognize Him. He was walking with them and listening to them tell His story.

Somehow I picture Jesus not in all white robes, but dressed just like the walking pilgrims.

Since that happened to two disciples who knew all about His life, death and resurrection, do you think perhaps it could happen to you? When have you wondered where is God? Does God not care what is happening to me? Have you been amazed to later find out that God was right there with you all of the time?

We have finally returned to our first church home at the Episcopal church. And this year I missed every single Holy Week Service including the Saturday Vigil and Easter Sunday because either Bob was sick or I was sick. And still, I was able to rejoice in all the Risen Christ has done for us. I could only do that by holding fast to what I have learned about my God. Hold fast the foundation of your faith, regardless of how you are feeling, regardless of what you can or cannot sense.

The writer of the letter to the Hebrews might be called the Hold Fast writer! The New Revised Version sometimes translates it Hold Firm.

Christ, however, was faithful over God’s house as a son, and we are his house if we hold firm the boldness and the pride inspired by hope.  Hebrews 3:6 NRSUE

For we have become partners of Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end. Hebrews 3:14 NRSVUE

Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. Hebrews 4:14 NRSVUE

 Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 NRSVUE

But test everything; hold fast to what is good 1 Thessalonians 5:21 NRSVUE

Hold fast, hold true, never let go. He is coming again in glory. Until then God is able to keep us in all of our ways.

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Art, Book quotes, Challenge, Collection of Quotes, Faith, Focus, Just do it, Obedience, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth

Reading, Collecting Prayers

With a study group I am currently re-reading When the Heart Waits by Sue Monk Kidd. She wrote in Chapter 2:

Waiting is the in-between time. It calls us to be in THIS moment, THIS season, without leaning so far into the future that we tear our roots from the present. When we learn to wait, we experience where we are as what is truly substantial and precious in life. We discover, as T. S. Eliot wrote, “a lifetime burning in every moment.”

The quote took me back to the Imagine Museum and my fascination with a piece of art called “The Precipice.”

The lighting is not always conducive to a good photo, but hopefully you get the idea. Sue Monk Kidd cautions us not to ‘lean so far into the future that we tear our roots from the present.’ Are you able to stay in the present moment in this way?

About the same time I copied this prayer from some source.

I pray now with the sixteenth century Spanish contemplative, Teresa of Ávila (1515-1582)*:

Lord, grant that I may always allow myself to be guided by You, 
always follow Your plans, 
and perfectly accomplish Your Holy Will… 
Help me respond to the slightest prompting of Your Grace, 
so that I may be Your trustworthy instrument for Your honour. 
May Your Will be done in time and in eternity 
by me, in me, and through me.

Yes, Father, that is what I desire most of all! Please Lord, grant this I pray.

HELP ME RESPOND TO THE SLIGHTEST PROMPTING OF YOUR GRACE. Yes, and Amen.

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Art, Faith, Memories, Nature, Thanks

The Ocean

I was delighted while in Florida one sunny day to just feel the ocean breeze and hear the waves. That is one thing that Ohio certainly does not offer! I really miss it. Oh well, landlocked except for the mighty Ohio river and several fishing lakes.

Our friend, Kathy, had suggested that while we were in Florida we check out the tiny coastal town called Dunedin. She even drove us through it during her auto tour. The town has a Scottish theme. Wikipedia says: “The name comes from Dùn Èideann, the Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland.”  Since Bob went to college in Scotland for a year we are usually interested in such places. Sadly, we would miss their annual Highland games and celebration. Bob is not a lover of window shopping, but he indulges me and finds a bench to rest upon or a sight to explore while I browse a shop.

The first shop was one I had already looked up online from Ohio, The Celtic Shop of Dunedin. I already knew they did not have the Tam O’Shanter that he wanted. In the window were some a Irish bone china items including a flower bud vase that resembled the tower at Glendalough. I browsed around. Found a dark green t-shirt that shows a tree roots in Irish colors and the tree in American colors. I loved it. They did not have my size, but I bought it anyway. If it does not shrink I will merely sleep in it! My deep purple hyacinth bloom rests in the tower vase today.

I had spotted another interesting shop. Business finished at the Celtic Shop I went back 2 doors to a tourist shop whose name I am having difficulty locating as I paid cash there! A pair of earrings on the rack caught my attention. They only had the one pair. If there had been more I would have bought a couple to have as gifts.

Ocean Wave

I was delighted at how well the artist captured the ocean wave! Yes, I now wear them often. The earrings reminded me of a children’s book we once purchased.

Being sad about leaving the seashore a young boy asks if he can take home one wave. The story regales the delight and then difficulty of living with a wave in the house. It is a great story. Once we got home I had to pull it out and read it again!

As we continued our Clearwater visit and went to a glass museum in nearby St. Petersburg called the Imagine Museum, Contemporary Glass Art. We both love glass art and are always amazed at what the artisans can come up with! There, to, we saw the fascination with the ocean.

photo by r m dutina, “Cabriolle” by K. William LeQuier

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we have a theme going here! My delight knew no bounds. I have the photo Bob took propped up against my monitor even as I type this. No I am not wearing the earrings right now. Such a lovely get away for us!

Posted on in Faith

More About Prayer

Intercession Under the Holy Spirit

There are situations where we are burdened to pray but words fail us. At times the enormity of a situation can overwhelm our limited comprehension.

In Romans, the writer Paul teaches us, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” Romans 8: 26-27

I have had experiences that I know in retrospect were caused by the Holy Spirit working to get my attention on behalf of someone else. For example, I will see a car just like that person drives. And then another identical vehicle. By the time a third one comes into view I know something is up. This is not just circumstance or happenstance. I take it as a call to pray on behalf of that person.

A call to pray can happen in any number of ways. I will remember the delicious walnut chocolate chip cookies she made and gave to me.  Then I will begin to wonder what she is doing now. I do not necessarily call that person. Some days I am not even able to make a call, but I can pray. I can lift the last difficult thing I knew she was going through. I can also ask the Metta Prayer, “May she be strong and healthy, peaceful and serene, may she know Your loving kindness and be happy.” There are likely a thousand versions of this prayer. The call might come with an urgency to pray or just a calm prodding. When the call comes to pray, I try to respond with obedience.

If someone asks me for prayer I do not always promise to pray about a certain appointment on a certain day or time. My calendar adherence is not that reliable. I can pray as I walk away from the conversation. I can ask the Holy Spirit to hold me accountable to do the praying at His chosen time and place. If someone asks me to pray for them, I pray for them.

Perhaps you keep a list of people to pray for and do that regularly. That is a wonderful practice! I ask that you also be sensitive to other times the Spirit may ask you to intercede on behalf of someone. Our creative God is unlimited in how to get our attention and obedience. May you be ever sensitive to the call to pray!

Posted on in Faith

The Maples

These giant trees grow side by side. Mostly in spring do I notice their drastic differences. The left one is all bloomed in red flowers and now turning out seeds. The right one has nothing is the way of spring growth. At first I begin to wonder if it might be dead. Giant of the wooded ones, alive or not? And then, just barely, spied only with binoculars, a couple tiny yellow/green buds are there. Barely seen with my naked eyes, it shows that spring has come to this huge tree, also.

Thus it is with Christians in their growth, too. Are we each bearing flowers, fruit and seed for the Kingdom? Though barely visible to others, if we are yielded to our King and Gardener the fruit will come in due season. Growing side by side with others it may seem one is early or the other late, but God knows the path of each and honors a life yielded to Him.

Seek first the Kingdom and its righteousness and everything else will be added to you. Matthew 6:33

Draw near to God and God will draw near to you. James 4:8

Posted on in Faith

Pope Francis

When we saw the national news broadcast on Easter Sunday they showed the Pope surprising his people with an Easter blessing. I commented to Bob on how ill he looked. I wondered aloud if they were basically keeping him alive with a strong steroid cocktail? His face was so swollen. I lifted him in prayer again. He looked as if he were suffering.-

Then Easter Monday we awoke to the news that he had died. May he rest in peace eternal with our God and our King. I mourn with the Catholic church. He was such a voice for the poor and the outcasts. He wanted to shun the church riches and displays of ostentatious flashiness. He thought his people should return to the love of the peasant King.

Embrace with tender affection the whole of humanity, especially the poorest, the weakest, the least important. Pope Francis

He tried throughout his life to model Saint Francis. The photo below is before he was so deathly ill.

In His honor and to the glory of Jesus will you try to live your faith, not only with words, but with your actions?

The app Lectio on Tuesday morning said, “I allow these prophetic truths spoken by a dying man (Pope Francis) to a worldwide audience of multiple millions to stir my own soul with praise now.

Dear brothers and sister, In the Lord’s Paschal Mystery, death and life contended in a stupendous struggle, but the Lord now lives forever. He fills us with the certainty that we too are called to share in the life that knows no end, when the clash of arms and the rumble of death will be heard no more. Let us entrust ourselves to him, for he alone can make all this new! (Revelation 21:5) Happy Easter to everyone!

Lectio also wrote, “I yield to the Lord today with a seven-word prayer taught to Pope Francis by his grandmother … ‘Jesus, make my heart more like yours. Jesus make my heart more like yours.’

Oh Father, grant this I pray for each of us!

Again I ask, in the Pope’s honor and to the glory of Jesus, will you try to live your faith, not only with words, but with your actions?

Posted on in Faith

Easter Celebration

He walked out of that grave.

He arose through the same power of the Holy Spirit that lives in you and in me.

He accomplished all that the Father asked of Him.

He lives forever to intercede for us at the Father’s right hand.

He knows our hearts and accompanies our way on this journey.

There is nothing too difficult for our Christ.

His glory far surpasses chocolate rabbits, lilies, and eggs. Though chocolate is especially tasty! Thank You Lord for that!

His mercies are new every morning.

He knows us better than we know ourselves.

He is not here. He is now within us!

Live large in us Lord and have Your own way in everything! “Grant that we, burning with your Spirit’s power, may be a people of hope, justice and love.”

Posted on in Challenge, Faith, Family, Just do it, Listen, Obedience, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks, Trust, Worship

Prayer for Others

I have been trying to compile a booklet of my writings to publish regarding prayer. I suddenly realized I did not have enough about intercession – praying for others. You are now my guinea pigs as I put these ideas out there first to you!

The dictionary says intercession is offering petitionary prayer to God on behalf of others. Also, acting as a mediator or standing in the gap before God on behalf of another. How often do you go to God on behalf of others? Is there an awkward feeling when someone asks you to pray for them?

Just like other forms of prayer, intercession takes some practice and should never actually feel comfortable. No one can assume to have the mind of Christ in its entirety. However, there are times when we glimpse the glory and power of our Savior. Intercessory prayer is asking for that intervention and movement of God in a given situation.

We ought never to forget that we have a Lord who is also our High Priest, and that this Priest is able to empathize with our weaknesses.*1  Knowing this High Priest, we can learn to come boldly to the throne of grace to find mercy and grace in time of need. Believing and practicing these verses can teach us to trust that we are heard when we pray and that the Lord cares about the needs of His people.

How to begin? Imagine someone brings a request to you. As an intercessor, you are required to listen closely when someone brings a request. Do not assume you know what they are asking for. After listening, start by clarifying what the person is asking for. It is perfectly fine to state something like “ I think I heard you say….” and then repeat back to the person their request.

Prayer does not change God’s mind, but it changes us. With every request there should be in us a yieldedness of being willing to accept that His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts.*2  The answer from on high might actually be different than what the person requests. We trust the highest and best God has to offer will come as we open ourselves to invite God into the situation. Stating as part of your prayer “Your Kingdom come; Your will be done” is always appropriate. This shows our willingness to come under the rule and reign of Christ.

One of the best teachers I ever heard on prayer demonstrated to his congregation how to put the method into practice. So here goes my attempt. Judy comes to you asking prayer for Aunt Lucy. Aunt Lucy is slipping mentally and has a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or Dementia. Judy tells you the family is upset and does not know what to do with her. Take a deep breath and slowly exhale. Wait upon God for direction. Listen for that still small voice perhaps giving you instruction, and then begin to pray, slowly and calmly.

“Father, we come into Your Presence with praise and thanksgiving that You are Who You are and You love us just as we are. We lift Aunt Lucy to You now. You know what the doctors have determined about her current state. We ask that You step into the situation and give Lucy and her family Your peace and comfort. Lucy must be frightened by all of this. Help her to cling to You and to trust You.

“Her family is bewildered by the changes that have come over her. Give them patience and wisdom as they deal with this current state of affairs. Guide and direct the decisions they must make on her behalf. You are the God of all comfort, and we come to You seeking Your highest and best in this situation of change and loss. Help each person adapt with Your grace and mercy to what is going on. Your kingdom come, Your will be done in these situations Lord. We look for You to manifest yourself in these various situations. And as You bring these things to pass, we will be careful to give you all of the glory. We ask all of this in the mighty Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Sit with the person for a moment and ask if there is anything else on their heart. Often your prayer will stir up something else they forgot to mention that is bothering them. If they share something take it right then to the Lord in prayer. Be certain to assure the person regarding confidentiality. We have a mandate on ourselves to lift others in prayer, but not to gossip about their needs.

I have had people mention that they could never be intercessors assuming they would just worry all the time about what happens to the person after they pray. We must learn that when someone brings a request that the request gets lifted to God and we are to leave it on the altar for the Trinity to deal with. We were never meant to carry the burdens of the world. Listen. Pray. Release. Move on.

If the Holy Spirit brings the situation to your remembrance, again then listen, pray, release. There have been a few times when the Lord wants me to pray and keep on praying. Believe me, if that situation occurs the Holy Spirit will not let me forget the instructions to continue! The Holy Spirit has been called the Hound of Heaven. The persistence of this Mighty One cannot be understated.

Intercession requires trust and faith. Trust that God is truly in charge, and we are not. We are called as intercessors to comfort the people of God.  Hebrews 11:6 say, “And without faith it is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” We have faith that God exists and God rewards those who seek Him. We do not dictate how God must answer but we hold as true the fact that God will answer .

Pray on!

*1 Hebrews 4:14-15 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 

*2  Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.  9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Book quotes, Faith, Listen, Nature, Thanks

Where You Live

Do you know where you live like this man does? I am always astounded when I learn that others around me are unaware of the bounty we are blessed with right in our neighborhood, county, state. As I age I seek to know more about the things around where I live. I think the quote below shows tremendous wisdom!

The earth is a living thing. Mountains speak, trees sing, lakes can think, pebbles have a soul, rocks have power.

HENRY CROW DOG

By wisdom the Lord founded the earth;
    by understanding he created the heavens.
20 By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth,
    and the dew settles beneath the night sky. Proverbs 3:19-20 NLT

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Challenge, Faith, Memories, Nature, Praise, Special Event, Thanks

My Treasure

The blog is entitled Treasures in Plain Sight. This day I found mine among many other treasures at Treasure Island, Florida.

(See the red pin on the map above.) Driving along the beaches in Florida, we found a nice place to park and walk the beach without too much exertion. There was a little boardwalk and then acres of flat sand to the water. Again, not many shells there. This was a wonderful sand sculpture someone had made.

We delighted in the sharks around the sculpture!

As you can see the day was glorious with sunshine, though seriously closer to summer temperatures  than what we had left in Ohio.  We walked to the water’s edge and back to the parking lot. While Bob used the facilities, I waited watching the crowd from a little ramp.

We had already seen damage from the recent hurricanes. I was  a little surprised to see one palm tree that was stripped of all foliage strapped to another thriving palm tree. And then, BOOM!, it caught my eye. A little green bird. As I watched it went into a nesting hole in the seemingly dead palm tree. Then out again, to perch right there.

Yes, the young lady is lovely, but so is the tiny bright green bird!

I found it online and here are the details from Audubon.

The https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/nanday-parakeet site says: Recognized by its black head (and formerly called Black-hooded Parakeet), this species was originally found in the central interior of South America, from southern Brazil to northern Argentina. It has been popular in the cage bird trade, and Nanday Parakeets escaped from captivity have established large feral populations around Los Angeles, in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, and along Florida’s southeastern coast. Smaller numbers are seen elsewhere, including other parts of Florida and near Phoenix, Arizona.

Of course, I always love a close up!!

What a treasure! I wanted to tell the lovely young lady about it, but then her boyfriend joined her and they were gone! For the remainder of the vacation anytime I saw a palm trunk without foliage I was on the lookout for the Nanday! Was not gifted to see another one. There was mighty praise to the Father for allowing me to see that one single bird! It literally made my day!

“You are worthy, our Lord and God,
    to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
    and by your will they existed and were created.” Revelation 4:11 NRSVUE