Category: Challenge

Posted on in Challenge, Faith, Joy, Listen, Look, Praise, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks

Bored?

Are you tired of the day to day humdrum of life? This recent quote from Gratefulness.org reminded me how precious the humdrum can be.

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, savor you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow.

MARY JEAN IRION

Each year as Bob and I age we realize we have lost certain qualities of strength and health that we never even considered when we were younger. I am forever telling young folks they have NO IDEA how strong they are! The above quote made me wonder what am I taking for granted today that in all likelihood may be gone tomorrow, a mere memory?

Oh normal day, treasure that you are!

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Challenge, Faith, Poetry, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Trust, Yield

Poem

My poetry muse seems to flow in fits and starts. Here is a recent prayer/observation.

Absolute©MollyLin Dutina 2026

Mid-January and the trees are reduced to absolute sticks
Cypress needles have fallen
Other trees have shed leaves that are lodged in its branches
Yet Cypress is bare

Clump River Burch is stem with black scars
Nothing to show for its summer growth
Just another inch or so taller
Stems rise from common base area

A few oaks have held their dead leaves
In the winter wind they sound chilly
And out of place
Shrubs are all naked

And yet You promise to revive them come spring
Hold my barren soul Lord
I yield to You my bare scaffold of bony intentions
I wait in the arctic arena of winter

You are my source of life
The sap that fills my veins
Grow me into a plant that delights You
Hold me in this barren time

And when the season is right
Fill me with Your life and fruit
Shine Your light of life through me
Make me a bush on fire with Your love

For now, I rest in Your arms
Those everlasting arms of love
Attached to the unseen vine of life
Where my soul finds absolute meaning

We yield to the timing of the Almighty, we wait and hold fast to the promises.

Posted on in Challenge, Faith, Obedience, Praise, Prayer, Thanks

Even Rumi Knew

Rumi was an influential figure in Sufism, and his thought and works loom large both in Persian literature and mystic poetry in general. Today, his translated works are enjoyed all over the world. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rumi)

I have read portions of his work compiled in a book by Coleman Banks entitled The Essential Rumi. I find his work and wisdom quoted in so many places! He lived 1207-1273.

Recently Gratefulness.org posted

“Thankfulness brings you to the place where the Beloved lives.” Rumi

We could all benefit from more thankfulness and gratitude. It does our hears and minds good. Jesus gave thanks repeatedly in the Gospels. He took the five loaves and two fish and gave thanks. He thanked the Father for giving wisdom to the humble and lowly. And the Scriptures go on and on showing us how Jesus was thankful to the Father for the many blessings in life.

The Beloved, I read, as our Lord. God sent Jesus to redeem and save this world. Every person on earth needs the Beloved.

We are also called the Beloved of God. We are deeply loved, cherished and valued. Do you believe that about yourself? It is true. Utterly and amazingly true!

Sometimes I just quote online sources to save time!

The word beloved is also used repeatedly throughout the New Testament. A notable use of the word is at the baptism of Jesus. In this scene, all three Persons of the Trinity are revealed. God the Father speaks to the Son from heaven: “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22). Then the “Holy Spirit descended like a dove and rested on Him” (Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; John 1:32). God again calls Jesus “beloved” at the Mount of Transfiguration: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him” (Matthew 17:5). We can learn a little about the loving relationship shared by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit by God’s use of the word beloved. Jesus echoes that truth in John 10:17 when He says, “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again.” https://www.gotquestions.org/beloved-in-the-Bible.html

He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:5-6 NRSVUE

Glorious grace bestowed freely upon us in Christ, the Beloved. That gives me cause to be thankful and reside where the Beloved lives!

Sufi Whirling, the prayerful dance such as Rumi participated in

How might you participate more in thankfulness? It’s not just for turkey anymore 🙂

Posted on in Art, Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Listen, Look, Obedience, Praise, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Trust, Yield

Not An Engineering Lesson

I have been trying to apply myself to read through all of the Gospels, not as a study work, but just to absorb and pray the stories of Jesus afresh for 2026. Having finished Mark I am now in Matthew.

You have likely heard the Scripture story about the house built upon the sand?

24 “Everyone, then, who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall because it had been founded on rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!” Matthew 7:24-27 NRSVUE

I think all too often I have heard it like a lesson in engineering. If you look for images about that passage you are given house upon house built upon rocks or sand. It hit me this morning that Jesus was teaching that the ones who HEAR the words and ACT on them are wise. He compares the wise to a good engineer, but the lesson is even for those who cannot build anything. Hear and act: the continuous call to obedience. Hear the words and act upon them. How do you personally accomplish that?

I have also decided to review music by some of my favorite artists. Recently Benjamin William Hastings has been my artist to listen to. He caught my attention about three years ago with his song “That’s the Thing about Praise.” This same chapter in Matthew has the verse he wrote about with Cody Carnes in “Take You At Your Word.” The YouTube video has the lyrics. The opening artwork caught my attention as an apt descriptor of the narrow gate.

13 “Enter through the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. 14 For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13-14 NRSVUE

Hear and act. Choose the narrow gate, the hard road that leads to life. We are also promised life and that more abundantly! (John 10:10)

Posted on in Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Focus, Joy, Just do it, Obedience, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Thanks, Worship, Yield

A Prayer from Lectio 365

I recently heard this on the App Lectio 365.

You are wisdom, uncreated and eternal,   
the supreme first cause, above all being,    
sovereign Godhead, sovereign goodness,   
watching unseen, 
the God-inspired wisdom of Christian people.   
Raise us we pray, that we may totally respond    
to the supreme, unknown, ultimate, and 
splendid height of your words, 
mysterious and inspired…   
You fill to the full with most beautiful splendour   
those souls who close their eyes that they may see.

St Denis prayer from The Cloud of Unknowing , 
written anonymously in the fourteenth century.

If you have never used this app, I highly recommend it. No, I do not use it every single day, but I find it worthwhile practically every time I do use it.

The above prayer has kept me praising for several weeks now. I know it is from the 14th century, but it still applies to the God I worship in 2026! Scroll back to the top, then pray it instead of just reading it. When might you be finished praying this one?

The legend of Saint Denis is surrounded by fictional tales and a few facts. All I can be certain of is that if he indeed prayed like the prayer quoted above, he knew my God and how to draw me into a closer relationship with the Trinity.

The prayer is said to come from The Cloud of Unknowing, a powerful tome. “The medieval spiritual guidebook called The Cloud of Unknowing was written by an anonymous English monk. At the core is a mystical approach to Christian prayer, in which God is found not through rote knowledge, but through ‘blind love.’ It has been described as Christianity with a Zen outlook.” J.B. Hare

Saint Denis in his prayer is no less powerful. Come, Lord, and make us more like those who loved you then. Help us to totally respond to You! “You fill to the full with most beautiful splendour those souls who close their eyes that they may see.“

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Challenge, Faith, Joy, Listen, Music, Nature, Prayer, Rest, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Trust

Single Snowflake

Snow? Well, we are forecast to be in the high 60s later this week, so snow is unlikely. I am always amazed at how the air seems to change prior to and during/after a snowfall. The very air is charged with listening. Asking the web, “Does snow muffle sound?” this answer was written. “Freshly fallen snow significantly alters the acoustic environment. Its porous structure, composed of ice crystals and air pockets, effectively absorbs sound waves. This absorption reduces the reflection and transmission of auditory signals, creating a noticeable dampening effect on ambient noise.” Ha! Not just my imagination 🙂 Recently in church they played an instrumental version of “Still, still, still”. Do you know this song?

May you grow still enough to hear the stir of a single snowflake in the air, so that your inner silence may turn into hushed expectation.

BR. DAVID STEINDL-RAST

I love this Steindl-rast thought towards inner silence. Yes, Christmas has passed. The call to stillness continues throughout the year. Can you quiet your heart and mind this much? If not to the stir of a single snowflake perhaps to the quiet of a new fallen snow? The world will continue without our input or opinion for a few minutes. Practice, regardless of the weather. Next time it snows at your house go outside or open the door to experience this quietening effect of the crystals. It is good for your soul!

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

Are You Practicing the Way?

I just realized I never posted this to let you know I was taking a week off. Oops. Well here is this blog entry very late!!

John Mark Comer has written a phenomenal book entitled Practicing the Way. I have been devouring it and trying to live into it. There is also a website that I found only recently https://www.practicingtheway.org/

Even if you have no intention of purchasing the book or borrowing it from your local library, I would encourage you to look a these materials. At the website practice materials are offered freely. Of course, there are also ways to contribute to the effort of getting the materials out.

There was a saying years ago that if you aim at nothing you are bound to hit it! That is especially true of our spiritual walk.

There are one or more areas where we might ignore the teachings of Jesus. The materials help guide us in contemporary ways to apply the teachings and grow in our own walk. I was familiar with the nine practices, but had never applied some of them to my walk consistently. In the New Year I hope to take this material and use it as my own. Hoping for a more fulfilling, God-honoring, lifestyle by bringing the practices into focus in my own life.

As we wind down 2025, I hope you will take some time to rest. We are truly a driven society and rarely allow our Shepherd to lead us into rest and solitude.

I will be taking the first week of January off from writing. I will also be studying materials for Stephen Ministry as I venture into again becoming a Stephen Minister. May your New Year celebration be blessed and warmly celebrated as we begin again to follow the Lord.

Start 2016 with a practice of resting in Christ. I did take that time off. Now I am back at writing, continuing to study Stephen Ministry materials and planning to work on two separate writing projects. All prayers appreciated!

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Nature, Obedience, Rest, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Trust

Phrases that Catch Your Attention

I get a message from the Daily Liturgy Quote. This one was addressing grief, but I apply it to my overall life.

“Be nearer now, O Christ, than I have ever known.”

Don’t we all need this to pursue our walk with joy? I need God every hour. The hours I do not think of God are the ones in which I am most likely to wander.

I was given Amazing Grace Devotional by Stephanie Sample as a gift this Christmas. So far, I am enjoying the entries immensely! She wrote a morning and evening devotion using the same Scripture verse. The entry for January 3 especially caught my attention when she said, “Like a sponge in the ocean, at once saturated and contained by his vastness, our lives are forever connected.”

As a sponge, we can soak up everything around us. We as Christians can choose which source we absorb from.

Sponge harvester

Thinking about natural sponges that are harvested from the ocean, I found they are being grown and harvested even today across the world. Looking up on Sponge on Wikipedia they wrote, “The sponge is an aquatic invertebrate with a soft porous body. There are as many as 18 species of sponges, with the wool sponge being the most desired because it is soft, durable, and not susceptible to odors or mildew. The yellow sponge is less durable, lasting a year, while the wire sponge is abrasive and often used for manufacturing. The bay sponge is known as the flowerpot sponge and grows a plant or seed.”

Wool sponge

Remembering back to when I used a synthetic sponge in the kitchen for almost every cleaning job, but especially washing dishes, I would get so angry when it turned nasty with moldy odor and mildew. I never knew until now that this natural sponge is not prone to mold and mildew!

Am I willing to become like a wool sponge this year? Like the most desired of all the variety of sponges? Sponges are still harvested and sold at Tarpon Springs , Florida, and sold as well at many other places. There is a road trip that would be fun for shopping!

But more in keeping with the devotional thought, “Like a sponge in the ocean, at once saturated and contained by his vastness, OUR LIVES ARE FOREVER CONNECTED. We are influenced and changed by God in us. We are protected through residing in him.” Thank you Stephanie Sample for reminding me I am protected through residing in God.

“Be nearer now, O Christ, than I have ever known.” And make me more conscious of your indwelling and purpose for my life throughout 2026 I pray. Hold me close and help me reside in you always. Amen.

Posted on in Challenge, Faith, Humor, Joy, Listen, Look, Music, Praise, Prayer, Thanks, Trust

Cincinnati Music Hall

When I went to hear the Messiah my friend who got me the tickets at a greatly reduced price had trouble getting the tickets to me. Finally she scanned the QR codes for each ticket and Bob said that was enough to get us in. I was privileged to take another friend who is visually impaired. She is legally blind and we were going at night to the area called Over The Rhine. Not a place two women should wander about at night alone, especially when the concert let out around 10 or so.

My plan was to park in the underground garage right across the street from Music Hall. Bob had provided us money for parking. I told my friend to wear good walking shoes as the street in front of music Hall has been returned to cobblestones. Last thing we needed was for either of us to turn an ankle! And the streetcar tracks run right through the middle of Elm Street where the Hall is located.

We arrived in record time. Pulling up the garage entrance I noticed the sign saying it was full. I was aghast! The attendant told me where the nearest garage was, (several blocks away). I thought, no that is not acceptable. Called Bob and he made a suggestion too. I asked him to be praying. We went around Washington Park and towards the front of the Music Hall. The lot Bob had suggested was also full. I was praying, “Lord …” Then I saw the sandwich board sign, “Valet Parking $20.” I told my friend that was what we would do.

When I pulled forward the man said he would like to park my car directly across the street on the road. He said when the performance let out all I had to do was tell the valet attendant that I was parked right there, get my keys and leave. There would be no waiting in line for them to fetch my car. I agreed it was a good plan.

We exited the car and made our way to the entrance. There are many stairs leading up to Cincinnati Music Hall.

So we slowly climbed the stairs. I would mention how many steps in each flight, when we reached a landing, etc. then the number of steps in the next flight. We made our way to the door with me hoping the QR codes were enough. They wanted to inspect my friend’s purse for security reasons. They skipped mine though. The ticket person scanned my phone and voila we were in!

We were in time to listen to the pre-concert lecture by three of the performers. Then we got a drink and waited in the foyer for the concert to begin. I asked my friend (who loves Hallmark Christmas movies) if she had ever heard of a God Wink? Recently on the Great American Movie channel I had watched a movie about God wink. The woman in the movie said she did not believe in coincidence. She called such happenings a God wink. I said the parking situation was a God wink. We both laughed and agreed! If I had been thinking ahead I might have realized that with 140+ performers and the orchestra members the parking lot would likely be full. I was glad I had not thought of that because it would have caused me to worry.

We were delighted throughout the performance. When the concert was over we were caught up in the movement of the crowd. I made certain we went slowly down those outdoor stairs. I was counting how many steps and mentioned the landings, etc. There was a line at the Valet parking booth. I noticed the attendants were all out getting cars. The key cabinet was open and people were matching their keys to their numbered tags. My number was #2. I reached in and got my keys. We waited at the curb, in the wind, for the Policewoman to stop traffic for the pedestrians. That’s when I noticed I had not closed my coat! We were able to stay within the crosswalk, which is paved smoothly, keeping us away from the cobblestones. Then we had to walk counter to the flood of pedestrians to get to the car. I hit the button on the key fob to open the doors. Got my friend seated and drew a sigh of relief.

I went around to my door, started the car, turned the seat warmers to high and looked around. The policewoman was motioning to me. I opened my window and she said, “I want you to cut your wheels and pull out while I have this traffic stopped.” I replied, “Okay!” She keep motioning and I was waiting for the pedestrians to get out of the way so I did not hit anyone. Before we knew it we were driving away for Music Hall and laughing. Totally caught up in all the God winks! What a wonderful evening!

My friend decided she wanted to return to Music Hall with her husband for a Pops concert the next week. She was going to be certain to tell him they should get there early and choose valet parking.

Watch for God winks in your life this season and give thanks!!

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Joy, Just do it, Praise, Prayer, Worship

Advent with Every Moment Holy

I looked through the featured liturgies from the daily reading I get from Every Moment Holy. Here is a small portion from the one entitled Entering the Advent Season  by Lanier Ivester

God-With-Us, be my peace 
as I embark upon this holy season.
Help me to carve out quiet for
communion with you
sheltered moments in which to contemplate
the earth-shattering gift of a self-giving Savior.
And where quiet cannot be found,
so tether me to your presence within that
nothing without would unravel my calm.

I love the images there. Help me carve out, not turkey or the ham or any other delight, but more so “carve out quiet for communion with” God.

“Sheltered moment and earth-shattering gift.” This writer understands what we are celebrating right now!

And so, with the confidence your people 
have carried since your first coming,
I look toward your second with
expectant love,
echoing the cry your church
has intoned through the ages:
Even so, come, Lord Jesus

Commenting upon the word Maranatha, Wikipedia says: Use in contemplative prayer

Based on the teachings of John Cassian, John Main recommended the recitation of Maranatha as “the ideal Christian mantra“, meaning “Come Lord”, repeated silently interiorly as four equally stressed syllables Ma-ra-na-tha: “Not only is this one of the most ancient Christian prayers, in the language Jesus spoke, but it also has a harmonic quality that helps to bring the mind to silence. Other words or short phrases could be used but he saw it as important that during the meditation one doesn’t think about the meaning or use the imagination.”[5] Other Christian authors and communities cultivate similar practices centered on this recitation, such as Pablo d’Ors, who also recommends it as one of the linkages (along with the breathing and the hands) for the practice of contemplative prayer.

I have read both John Cassian and John Main. Making Maranatha a prayer to focus upon your breath is very powerful. The focus is upon the four stressed syllables but also upon the plea of the word prayer Maranatha. Come Lord, be with us. Come Lord i your power and glory.

Hearing the Messiah reminded me of the song of the angels in Revelation 7:11-2

All the angels were standing around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before his throne, and worshiped God, 12 saying, “Amen! Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might, be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

If you recite nothing else this Advent I challenge you to recite Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power and might. These be to our God forever and ever. Amen!

And again in Revelation 5: 11-/13

 I looked, and I heard something like a voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders. The number of them was ten thousands of ten thousands, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who has been killed to receive the power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing!”

13 I heard every created thing which is in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be the blessing, the honor, the glory, and the dominion, forever and ever! Amen!”

Is this what you think about during Advent and Christmas? If not usually, try this with the ten thousands of ten thousands!

power 
wealth 
wisdom
strength
honor
glory 
blessing
dominion
thanksgiving
might
Even so, come, Lord Jesus, come!

Maybe I have to get this printed as a card for next year!!