Category: Challenge

Posted on in Challenge, Collection of Quotes, Faith, Just do it, Listen, Obedience, Poetry, Rest, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks, Yield

Rumi and Church

During a church discussion this theme arose without the poem below being read. Bob and I had not yet watched the movie in reference.

One woman mentioned how the movie Moana in 2016 was a guide to her when in a distressful situation, again I was convicted with the certainty that God will use anything to help and guide us. I spoke of the power of Radical Acceptance, a book by a Buddhist psychologist. When I read portions of the book later in the week and this poem, the pieces fell into place.

The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
As an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

Radical acceptance, can mean entertaining unexpected visitors. Rumi says I am to meet them at the door laughing and invite them in. Things happen to all of us that are unforeseen and can knock us out of our orbit. Do we resist like a stubborn donkey? or yield to the reality of what is and move forward? I cannot say I am able to meet the unexpected at the door and laughing, let them in. But I will learn to with God’s help!

At this website https://fivefortheroad.com/lessons-learned-disneys-moana/She writes the theme of Moana is self discovery and finding your way. She goes on to say family is so important, it’s okay to fail, follow your heart, and be brave.

I would add that whoever or whatever shows up at your door, do as Rumi says and entertain them all! Find your way through any upheaval with the help of the Lord. He is a Good Shepherd and knows every situation before we do, and He is not surprised or taken aback by anything.

Unlike me, I have an unruffled Father!

“In returning and rest I am saved, in quietness and trust will be my strength.” Isaiah 30:15a adapted. Keep still.

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Just do it, Listen, Nature, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks, Yield

Braiding Sweet Grass

Ever since we traveled repeatedly to the areas of New Mexico I have been interested in American Indian life and lore. Actually, as a child my parents took us to Carlsbad Caverns National Park and that began my fascination. As we passed through Oklahoma and the plains states I became more aware of the Native Americans.

I recently came across this book Braiding Sweet Grass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. To me, she has such impressive titles to her credit! She is a mother, scientist, decorated professor, and enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. This is her second book. I saw it first in a national park bookstore. I was able to obtain it recently through our local library.

When we were in New Mexico I bought some braided sweet grass. It has several ceremonial uses. I have started to use it in the house only during spring and summer when we can have the windows open. I think it would be such fun to grow my own sweet grass and braid it. Have not explored that yet.

This section of the book links the lore to the science discussed in the video segment below. It just delights me!

In the old times, our elders say, the trees talked to each other. They’d stand in their own council and craft a plan. But scientists decided long ago that plants were deaf and mute., locked in isolation without communication. The possibility of conversation was summarily dismissed. Science pretends to be purely rational, completely neutral, a system of knowledge-making in which the observation is independent of the observer. And yet the conclusion was drawn that plants cannot communicate because they lack the mechanisms that animals use to speak. The potentials for plants were seen purely through the lens of animal capacity. Until quite recently no one seriously explored the possibility that plants might “speak” to one another.

There is now compelling evidence that our elders were right – the trees are talking to one another. They communicate via pheromones, hormonelike compounds that are wafted on the breeze, laden with meaning. …. The trees in a forest are often interconnected by subterranean networks of mycorrhizae, fungal strands that inhabit tree roots. Robin Wall Kimmerer

Once on a PBS show I learned about this fungi in the soil that makes it possible for trees to communicate with one another. https://www.pbs.org/video/fungi-help-trees-talk-pyxfdv/

The printed book, Braiding Sweet Grass, is 380-some pages long. I am not likely to finish it right now, but I wanted to bring it to your attention. Perhaps this sort of reading appeals to you, too? Maybe I will read it in full at a later time.

I think it would be absolutely delightful if communication between humans happen this way! Perhaps they do? There are times I will see a car that reminds me of someone. Sometimes I see that same sort of car 4 times in a single day. The first time I likely just think of that person. The second time I pray for them. The third and fourth time I am likely to text and ask if they are okay, letting them know I am lifting them in prayer. I firmly believe that God can use anything to further His kingdom. anything to get my attention and propel me towards obedience. Perhaps this a supernatural root system created between people through the power of the Holy Spirit? The Creator of the Universe could do that!! A supernatural root system between humans.

Irregardless of proof or no proof, yield to the Lord and do not neglect when the Holy Spirit puts someone on your heart or in your mind. We likely will never know this side of heaven the power of such obedience!

Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. James 5:16

Posted on in Challenge, Faith, Marriage and Memories, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Trust

Why is This Important?

Trust in him at all times, O people;
    pour out your heart before him;
    God is a refuge for us. Selah Psalm 62:8 NRSVUE

I came across this verse the other morning. It spoke to me loud and clear. We all long for someone to listen to us. Yes, I believe every single one of us does!

This verse tells us that God is wiling to be that listener. If we want to be heard we have an obligation to build a relationship with God. An obligation to pour our heart out before Him. An obligation to learn that God is indeed willing to be a refuge for us.

This morning as the hired help from the landscape company came through the neighborhood cleaning driveways and sidewalks with hand snow shovels, Bob pointed out that one of them was wearing a garbage bag as a coat. I was appalled to see it when he came into view. I had taken out granola bars for them as they were finishing our drive. I learned the last time we had a big storm that they really appreciate the snack. Yes, indeed, the young man was wearing a sweatshirt and a garbage bag. Current temperature 21 and still snowing. I had bought a winter coat through Walmart at an unbelievably low price intending to donate it to the local coat drive. In the meanwhile, I had also found a thermal vest to donate. In good conscious I could not let this man go down the street with just a garbage bag for weather protection. All the other men had on winter coats and hoods, etc. So I came in the house and with Bob’s blessing went outside with the new coat for him. He did not give much away with his eyes. It seemed to fit him well. I asked him to give me the garbage bag. It was heavy duty, landscaper grade, so I assume the company gave it to him. When some of the guys began laughing I hollered, “No teasing!” In retrospect I should have pointed to myself and said “Mamacita!”

Who knows? Maybe that man asked God for a coat this morning? What about you? Have you spoken with the Lord today? Will you pour out your heart before Him today? Have you ever experienced Him as your Refuge?

The morning I came across the verse from Psalm 62, I was listening to this melody. It moved me to pour out my heart to Him.

(I recently discovered Sheku, but more about that another time.)

I tell the LORD things I do not tell others. I am certain others get tired of hearing about the chronic pain I have. I even get wearied of writing it down. There is a kind of relief though in knowing that God knows, and hears, and cares about me. So I tell Him. Refuge.

Years ago we assisted teaching a class at church about marriage. One of the tools we used was a word list. It can be helpful in journaling also. There were headings such as mad, sad, glad, afraid, confused, ashamed, lonely, high energy, low energy, uneasy, secure/confident, affectionate, free-and-easy. Under each of those headings are as many as 35 other words to elaborate that feeling. This sheet is helpful in communicating with your spouse, but also when communicating with the LORD. Here is a link to a similar chart. https://www.hoffmaninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/Practices-FeelingsSensations.pdf

Difficult to read, I get it.

I have a friend who says her husband has difficulty communicating. I wonder if this chart would be helpful to him? Of course, for it to help one must be willing to use it. Getting familiar with these words can certainly be a huge help towards pouring your heart out to God. This is at least a starting place for us. I advise journaling either on paper or electronically. There is something about anchoring your heart in words that make the outpouring more concrete.

Trust in him at all times, O people;
    pour out your heart before him;
    God is a refuge for us. Selah Psalm 62:8 NRSVUE

Maybe even more difficult than pouring out your heart is the first line, “Trust in Him at all times.” If you kept a diary as a child, it might have looked like this.

As an adult it can be more challenging to trust that no one will read your words if you can lock your journal. Of course, with online cloud storage , passwords and private vaults in the cloud it is much simpler to keep your words private.

Why not begin now? Just write a line or two. Perhaps choose a few words from the feelings list?

Posted on in Challenge, Faith, Illness and Health

Inside Out

We have had a terrible cold going through our household. It is complete with all the nasty symptoms you never want to have from nose to throat to chest to headache to chills, no fever,etc. I find these times especially challenging. I do not know how to keep my primary focus upon God under these circumstances. I had one religious wise guy once ask “What are you doing under the circumstances?” Another groan for Christianity.

Never one, usually 5-6 tissues!

At the end of his life Saint Francis is quoted as saying, “I wish I had been more kind to Brother Ass.” That was his name for his own body.

I was reminded this morning of a poem I wrote in 1988. It is as follows Inside Out ©Molly Lin Dutina 1988

I want to live from the inside out,
Always within the center-down silence.
Having to struggle to get back to within
Is not the direction I choose. 

Teach me, Lord, and help to know
how to grow from the peaceful
Sanctuary within.

Show me please where I can go
to refresh our love.
Give me attitudes 
that will unravel me
from the sin which
so easily entangles.

Make me one with You, Lord,
so I will know how to be close
to all that is around me.

Help me, Father
and be glorified in my life.





So I suppose part of the answer is that Jesus differs so much from me because my body can still be subject to sickness? I do not have an explanation for why humans are so mightily distracted by illness in the physical body. If anyone figures this out, please let me know!

Until then I still long to live from the inside out, in contrast to coughing my blowing my insides out! Stay well, y’all!

Posted on in Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Yield

A Book Returned

I loaned someone a book about 25 years ago. I lost track of where it went. (I maybe should write down who I loan to?) I usually put a sticker int he front of my books that reads: “Please return to Molly Dutina. She will eventually notice I am missing from her bookshelf, but she won’t have a clue who has me! (My phone number and then) no matter how long I’ve been gone.” She returned it recently. I do not know if she read it, hated or enjoyed it, no feedback. When I read books I own I usually mark a page number in the front cover with a few words that struck me at the time of reading. Here are a few of my notes inside my copy of God’s Joyful Surprise by Sue Monk Kidd, published 1987.

Page 67 “How strange that we tend to stand ankle-deep in the spiritual life even though the grounding depth of intimacy with God is the most nourishing experience of our lives and affirms our very being!“

Do you remember the Scripture about the depth of the water in Ezekiel 47, where the water was ankle deep, knee deep, waist deep and then swimming only deep? How strange we stand just ankle deep when the entire river is given to us.

Just the paragraph prior to the above quote Kidd wrote: “Though I wanted the safe, familiar world of before, I also wanted to follow the challenge of dwelling deep in God . . .in prayer . . in His presence. I could not choose; I could only sit on the fence with a foot in each pasture.”

She devotes the remainder of the book to how she found disciplines to help her explore and remain in that place of deep waters. So whereabouts are you? On the fence, ankle deep , or diving deep into the challenge of dwelling deep in God?

Is 2025 the year you finally dive into the river of God’s presence and learn to swim with Him? This book is a wonderful place to begin.

On page 208 she talks about the difference between ‘saying’ our prayers and the change of consciousness that helps us become prayer. “As we grow in the spiritual life, we come to think of Him as deep within us, in our thoughts, moods, feelings, aspirations. God flows inside us. He is our center. As we come to perceive God in this more intimate way, we are filled with a growing sensitivity to Him. We cannot separate ourselves from Him. “ Today this referred to as non-dualism.

Page 206 of my copy, which is 248 pages before the notes, she not only quotes Brother Lawrence, Paul on pray without ceasing, Jesus, and Augustine, but she dispels the notion that prayer without ceasing in not only for ‘super-Christians’ but for every Christian. “Ordinary people. Contrary people. People who dress children for nursery school, rush to work, stare at televisions, forget dentist appointments. People like us. Praying an unbroken prayer in not something to struggle and perspire over. It springs up inside us and becomes a way of life, as natural as breathing.”

She notes we are to prayer simultaneously with our daily activities, keep our mind in God, an attitude and attentiveness that permeates our lives. Our neighbors seem to rejoice in any opportunity to set off fireworks. It terrifies poor Lucky. I am hoping that this New Year when you hear or see fireworks you will be inspired to make 2025 the year when this desire is ignited within you.

Posted on in Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Listen, Praise, Prayer, Spiritual growth, Trust, Yield

Trying to Get You to Relate

Brother Lawrence wrote letters about his relationship with God. Not just church knowledge, not just prayer at set hours, but talking with the Living God as he went about his daily tasks. Do we do that?

Quoting Brennan Manning, Tyler Stanton in Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools wrote, Manning was an accomplished spiritual guide. Alone and undistracted, though, he was confronted by the gap between spiritual theory and actual experience. “The great divorce between my head and my heart had endured throughout my ministry. For eighteen years I proclaimed the good news of God’s passionate, unconditional love – utterly convinced in my head but not feeling it in my heart. I never felt loved.”Stanton goes on to tell the story of how Manning, ‘stripped of all distraction, activity, and busyness, on a mountain with nothing to dress himself up with – that’s where he knew the love of God.”

Have you experienced that love? Do you walk with Him and talk with Him? Have you heard Him tell you that you are His own? You are a loved child, adopted into God’s family through the blood of Jesus – His sacrifice and offering of the gift of the Holy Spirit to your very self.

Stanton quotes Dane Ortlund as writing “He knows us to the uttermost, and He saves us to the uttermost, because His heart is drawn out to us to the uttermost.” In other words, no matter how deep the sin we have participated in, no matter how dark our loneliest place is, God is there loving us.

Eastern Orthodox Bishop Kallistos Ware wrote, “Christianity is not merely a philosophical theory or a moral code, but involves a direct sharing in divine life and glory, a transforming union with God “face to face.”

May this season of Christmas bring you closer than ever before to the Living Christ in your day-to-day life. A Franciscan priest, a 17th century French monk, an Eastern Orthodox Bishop, a contemporary Christian writer who helped begin an international prayer movement and a little old lady writing a blog in Ohio all are saying the same thing. If they are not wrong then what is holding you back from this intimate relationship with God?

As my mother taught me to sing, try this out for yourself.

His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Thus he has given us, through these things, his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of lust, and may become participants in the divine nature. 2 Peter 1:3-4 NRSV

“A transforming union with God, face-to-face.” Reach for it. Ask for it. Rest in it. I told God years ago that if the teachings of the New Testament and the promises were not for this century then I would quit seeking them. He is still teaching me how accessible those teachings and promises are for today.

Posted on in Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Just do it, Listen, Memories, Obedience, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Trust, Yield

Isaiah 30:15

Page 832 of the Book of Common Prayer has the prayer #59 For Quiet Confidence.

O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and
rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be
our strength: By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee,
to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou
art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

When we visited the National Cathedral I was delighted to find a small plaque on the wall with this very prayer on it. The photo of that plaque hung on my wall for many years.

Many, many years ago I chose Isaiah 30:15 as my ‘life verse.’ It reads:

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel:
In returning and rest you shall be saved;
    in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.
But you refused NRSVUE

I have returned to the prayer and verse countless times over the years. I am always stung by the last phrase, “But you refused” or “But you would not.” Oh Lord deliver me from being one who refuses.

There truly is strength in practicing this verse in your daily life. Here are a few ways. Returning and rest, quietness and trust. That hushes my speculations. Calms my rushing about. (maiden name was Rush!) There are so many applications. Try pondering this prayer and verse for 7 days. See what impact it has upon you! I often print things like this and carry them in my pocket throughout the day.

By the might of Your Spirit, LIFT US WE PRAY, to Your Presence where we maybe still and KNOW that you are God.

by the might of Your Spirit lift us we pray
Posted on in Art, Challenge, Cooking, Family, Thanks

Joys

Have I shared with you how much I like Wite-out? Not the fancy skinny applicators, but the old fashioned brush-on style. Bic makes it now. Took me forever to find it, but finally in the stationary aisle of a very, very large Kroger store. They call it correction fluid but I have found new uses for it.

We have electric sockets in our kitchen island. The plug on almost every one of my appliances is black. I get tired or figuring out, now does the plug go this way or that? So I plug in the appliance then mark what I see as the topside of the plug with a swipe of Wite-out. No more guessing on that mixer, crock pot, and air fryer!

One of the biggest objections we have to our new house is the lighting seems inadequate. When I go to plug in my iPad and keyboard at night it is almost impossible to see the placement socket. You guessed it! A little touch of Wite-out to outline the socket in white and voila-la! Easy to find and put that chord right in there.

Last summer Sister Corina taught the Journey Together in Stitches group how to do card stitching. I made intertwined hearts for a card for Bob. Then I researched other patterns on line. I found one that spoke to me of our son’s wife. It is a fairy sitting under a flower with 4 wings and golden hair. This pattern was one of the hardest things I have ever made. I almost gave up and threw it away several times. In the beginning I had to start completely over as the lower area did not look right. Then finally last week I was down to wire. Either finish it or pitch it. I got it finished. Here is part of the difficulty.

Pattern has a copy right that’s why I made it so small.

When you pierce the paper you wind up with a bunch of dots. If you see lines on this paper it is where I drew them to help me.

Then one is directed to sew with sewing thread from A to B, etc.

Here is the finished project that almost never was!

I was tickled that she seemed to really like it. I told Bob if I ever choose a pattern as complicated as this again to stop me and tell me, “NO!”

We actually found in our used frames a solid wood frame that seemed more fitting. Hardest gift of the 2024!!

Posted on in Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Just do it, Listen, Music, Obedience, Praise, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Worship, Yield

Food for Thought

My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together. Desmond Tutu

Isn’t that an interesting thought? Along with there is no we and them, just all human beings.

I pray you have calm and merry holiday preparations. Stay in touch with the humanity of others! Celebrate the coming of Christ both as a child and His return in glory!

“As I open my front door, remind me that I follow in the footsteps of others who have kept their eyes fixed on you.” From a Walk in My Neighborhood, Every Moment Holy Volume 3 Oh Lord, help me, help me keep my eyes fixed on You!

Rumi wrote, “There a thousand ways to kiss the earth.” How do you bow before the Majesty born to us? So many this to give thanks and praise for.

I cannot hear this song too often. I first heard it on a Christmas CD that Christ Tomlin recorded a few years ago. This year my heart just sings it again and again. No, I have not mastered the lyrics, but I made certain to find a recording that supplied them for you. Enjoy as you worship!

Written by Chris Tomlin, Jonas Myrin, Matthew James Redman

Posted on in Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Just do it, Listen, Memories, Obedience, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Yield

Using A Buddhist Bucket In A Christian Well

Once a woman came to our home. When she saw Bob’s copy of “Zen and the Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance” on the shelf she was immediately suspicious. The narrowness of her Christian belief system stunned me. As if Christ cannot handle other ways of thinking? I don’t know. I was just stunned. Good thing she never saw this title on the same bookcase! “Without Buddha I Could Not Be A Christian.”

Below is a talk by the theologian Doctor Paul Knitter given at the Faith and Life lecture series the Baldwin Wallace University located in Berea, Ohio just 12 miles from Cleveland. Paul was ordained in Rome in 1966, married in 1982 and taught undergraduates at the Xavier University for some 30 years.

I heard Paul Knitter speak at an Associates Retreat at the Convent of the Transfiguration. I bought his book. Wish I had put the purchase date in the front. Oh well. I recently pulled it off the shelf again as The Book of Joy reminded me that he is where I learned to use a Buddhist bucket in my Christian well. That refers to learning the power and importance of silence in my journey with the Trinity.

On Page 153 of his book, Dr. Knitter says “We need an additional Sacrament, the Sacrament of Silence. I believe we Christians need to receive this Sacrament regularly and frequently, as frequently as every day. (Fortunately, it’s a self-administered sacrament, so we don’t have to go to church.)

Page 154: To pick up the analogy used earlier in this chapter, Buddhism offers Christians a bucket that can draw up the mystical depths of the Cristian well. It provides a help, for some a decisive help, to realize and enter in the non-dualistic, or unitive, heart of Christian experience – a way to be one with the Father, to live Christ’s life, to be not just a container of the Spirit but an embodiment and expression of the Spirits, to live by and with and in the Spirit, to live and move and have our being in God. So I’m proposing a Buddhist means to a Christian end – Buddhist tools for a Christian project. Without Buddha I Could Not Be A Christian

I am going to stop copying the text now. I want you to give this some thought. I know this may be a lot to take in. I encourage you though to keep reading. Wouldn’t you like to find a means to deepen your ability to fulfill oneness with Christ? When I am in a retail place and they ask, “May I help you ma’am?” I always reply, “I need all the help I can get!” None of the things I have adapted into my prayer life from Buddhism have made me less of a Christ follower. I agree with Knitter, that learning about silence and stillness has made me better at following the Holy Spirit and walking with Christ. How do you accomplish stillness and silence?

The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue,
    to know the word that sustains the weary.
He wakens me morning by morning,
    wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.
5 The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears;
    I have not been rebellious,
    I have not turned away. Isaiah 50:4-5 NIV

I learned years ago I cannot open my own ears. At times I can barely yield myself to listening for the still, small voice of God! But God is my help and strength (Psalm 28). God shows me the way. When the chatter in my head proves daunting, I can choose to go to the Sacrament of Silence. I gently return again and again as often as it takes for 15 minutes. At times, I practice Psalm 131.

My heart is not proud, Lord,
    my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
    or things too wonderful for me.
2 But I have calmed and quietened myself,
    I am like a weaned child with its mother;
    like a weaned child I am content.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10