Category: Faith

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

Joan Chittister and Richard Rohr

At times I read devotional thoughts from both of the above authors. The first listed below in purple print is from Joan Chittister.

“Seek God, not where God lives,” write the Desert Monastics.

The search for God comes one day to the point where we know without a doubt that we are immersed in God. Bringing ourselves to finally recognize that is the essential task of life.

There is no such thing as “getting” God. The fact is that we already have God. God is not somewhere else. God is everywhere. God is here. With me. In me. Now. It is the awareness of that presence which life intends to teach us to cultivate.

Richard Rohr’s website Center for Action and Contemplation posted “What Do We Do with the Bible? Many Voices; One Text”

Carl McColman wrote “A mystical reading of the Bible sees it as a conversation with many voices chiming in. When we read the Bible to connect with those compassionate and just voices, it is not only the Bible that is saved, but we ourselves also become more whole.

“A mystical reading of Scripture can be a way for you to reconnect with the uncreated light that shines at the heart of those ancient words of wisdom and love.” Carl McColman, Read the Bible Like a Mystic: Contemplative Wisdom and the Word (Broadleaf Books, 2025)

I have been trying to read the New Testament with the ideas put forth in Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer. I have finished Mark and Matthew. To me this method is similar to mystical reading. Not trying to look up cross reference and words meanings as in Bible study, but absorb the Word, let it soak into me and do its work on God’s behalf. As Joan Chittister wrote, keep me aware Lord of that presence which life intends for me to cultivate.

Oh Lord, yes, make me more whole. Reconnect me with your uncreated light! Strengthen my awareness and open my eyes and ears to Your closeness, in me and with me. Amen.

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Faith, Focus, Listen, Music

Alexander Chapman Campbell

Piano music, how I love it! When I am writing there is nothing better than piano solo music in the background to keep me focused and moving along with bringing forward the thoughts of my heart. I also love it when I am crocheting, especially while learning a new pattern.

Amazon music lets me select songs for playlists. I came across this artist who I had used on a playlist in 2024? I had since forgotten him. Reintroduced to his music, I thought I would share it with you in case you also are a fan of piano solos? Here is just one of many compositions. Enjoy!

Posted on in Nature, Amazing Creations, Faith, Worship, Praise

The Big Storm

The January almost nationwide storm swept through our area with bitter cold and wind. In total, we had about seven inches of snow, which for us is unusual. Grateful it was not the possible twelve inches, which would have been over the top of my boots! As it was when I had to walk through the ditch at the edge of the driveway where the snowplow had piled it even higher, I almost fell. Yes, Lucky still requires walking even in this weather. She is faster though at tending to her business. Bob did fall in that snow this morning while returning with her from her morning constitutional. Later this morning we plan to run the car over that pile a few times and salt it in hopes of diminishing the depth there!

There has been a feeding frenzy at the bird feeders. The starlings are doing their best to empty the mealworm feeder as fast as they can. I did fill it extra full this time and if I am writing at my computer I try to frighten them off. They are larger than the bluebirds and get food other places. And they are cowards. One tap on the window and they usually take off. The bluebirds seem to know they are welcome! Of course, when I am not sitting here writing the starlings help themselves unhindered. The slate colored Juncos were so amusing jumping about on the surface of the snow. I wondered why they did not scoop up the fallen meal worms. Must not be to their liking.

I made a huge pot of chicken tortilla soup on Thursday. It makes so much we have plenty to share with friends and neighbors. I just had a text message from another neighbor asking if we would like some chicken tortilla soup? Hilarious! That makes three of us on the same street who made the same soup! It is filling and certainly warms you up!

It is snowing again now. The snow plow did not come through until late on Sunday afternoon. The shovelers our HOA hires arrived after the plow. Then the shovelers evidently came again during the night to remove some of the snowplow depth at the end of driveways. I doubt we will see the shovelers again unless these flurries develop into 2-3 inches. Not likely. The surface of our road is still white.

I had to wonder when it was snowing really hard where the bluebirds take shelter? It is not as if we see them huddled in a particular tree or shrub. They are not known for digging tunnels for shelter. Where were they? As the wind whipped the wind chimes into a continuous winter chorus where was the even tinier Carolina Wren?

Here are a few answers from https://www.birdwatchingdaily.com/beginners/birding-faq/how-birds-survive-blizzards/

  • Birds hide in dense evergreens, shrubs, tree cavities, or human structures
  • Many species huddle together to share body heat
  • They enter torpor, a nightly mini-hibernation, to conserve energy
  • Birds fluff their feathers to trap warm air increasing insulation
  • They forage intensely before a storm to build fat reserves
  • Window ledges and backyard shelters become crucial hiding spots
  • Some birds stay perfectly still for hours to preserve energy

We do not have evergreens on our lot. There is space under the deck though. I like the idea of a flock of bluebirds sheltering under my deck during a winter storm! 🙂 Maybe if I give up the garden that runs across the back of our lot I will opt for evergreens to replace the many annuals I usually put out?

photo by r m dutina

I did notice the pesky squirrels did not appear on Sunday until late afternoon.

Glorify the Lord, all you works of the Lord, *
    praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
In the firmament of his power, glorify the Lord, *
    praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

Glorify the Lord, you angels and all powers of the Lord, *
    O heavens and all waters above the heavens.
Sun and moon and stars of the sky, glorify the Lord, *
    praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

Glorify the Lord, every shower of rain and fall of dew, *
    all winds and fire and heat.
Winter and Summer, glorify the Lord, *
    praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

Glorify the Lord, O chill and cold, *
drops of dew and flakes of snow.
Frost and cold, ice and sleet, glorify the Lord, *
    praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

Glorify the Lord, O nights and days, *
    O shining light and enfolding dark.
Storm clouds and thunderbolts, glorify the Lord, *
    praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
The Book of Common Prayer Canticle 12, Morning Prayer Rite II

So regardless of your situation this winter I hope you too are able to glorify the Lord. Our church along with most others was closed this past Sunday. we look forward to seeing our church family again soon!

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Faith, Memories, Praise, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Thanks, Worship, Yield

The Elements

Remember science class and the idea of four elements from the Greeks? Earth, water, air and fire? Water has been important to me most of my life. When I was a child, I was drawn during the springtime to the stream in the farmer’s field next to our apartment building. The ocean has held a fascination ever since I first saw it and on every subsequent visit. The Pigeon Forge River in the Smoky Mountains is a favorite place of mine.

Recently at church on the first Sunday after Epiphany when we celebrated the baptism of Jesus and renewed our own baptismal vows. I was struck by the prayer “Thanksgiving over the Water.” It goes as follows.

We thank you, Almighty God, for the gift of water. Over it the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation. Through it you led the children of Israel out of their bondage in Egypt into the land of promise. In it your Son Jesus received the baptism of John and was anointed by the Holy Spirit as the Messiah, the Christ, to lead us, through his death and resurrection, from the bondage of sin into everlasting life.

We thank you, God, for the water of Baptism. In it we are buried with Christ in his death. By it we share in his resurrection. Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit….

Now sanctify this water, we pray you, by the power of your Holy Spirit, that those who here are cleansed from sin and born again may continue for ever in the risen life of Jesus Christ our Savior.

To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.

{I wanted to highlight that in blue, but I reserve that color for Scripture!}

Water, the element so many in America take for granted.

I wrote a prayer once and used it for a month or more. We had found a pottery container in a shop in Tennessee that was pinched at the top. The pinch formed two ‘spouts’. I would put some water in it each morning and pray as I poured it into the sink. Here is the prayer:

"Jesus, I pour out this water
before the undivided Trinity:
Let my living be this day
an offering and thanksgiving.
This day caress me.
This day possess me.
Open my ears and eyes
to Your Love for us."

Like water, the Trinity cannot be divided. As we become more aware of the love bestowed upon us from on high, we cannot help but love others better. Our very bodies are more than 50% water!

Jesus offered the woman in John 4 Living Water. He mentions it again in John 7. There are many mentions of the river of the water of life in Revelation 21 and 22.

What do you think of when you imagine water? Could you make taking a drink of water a prayer to the Trinity? Perhaps a time to remind yourself how we need God and each other?

Water is essential to our living. Can we be grateful daily and remember what an enormous gift water it to us? Will you give thanks as you bathe, wash, cook and clean today for the blessed gift of water? I pray so!

Posted on in Aging, Amazing Creations, Challenge, Faith, Joy, Memories, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks, Trust

Where is Your Trailing Beauty?

Bob let me purchase a two drawer filing cabinet recently. When we moved to this smaller house I disposed of a large 4 drawer cabinet and went to a filing box instead. That box was getting jam-packed and there was no more room in it. The filing drawer in my desk had the same issue. So, I have spent the last couple of weeks trying to move and organize files and then actually be able to FIND some of those items. It is a wonder that we collect so much stuff.

I am notorious for misplacing things. I recently filled out papers on what I wanted done about my burial service. Then I could not find the papers. Eventually decided I had thrown out the newest papers along with the old ones and had to begin again!

This brings me to ask, what did you do with the joy you collected during the holidays? Where is the peace you gathered from the Christmas services?

Whatever may be the tensions and the stresses of a particular day, there is always lurking close at hand the trailing beauty of forgotten joy or unremembered peace.

HOWARD THURMAN

Can you find that trailing beauty of forgotten joy? This is one reason I journal! Or your unremembered peace? Can you locate that easily?

Do you remember me writing about glimmers? I think Thurman was referring to some stronger joys and peace, but you could begin with those glimmers. Have you been keeping a glimmer journal? This thing that brings you delight? Something that makes you stop and smile.

This morning the bluebirds gathered in the barren oak tree out front and reminded me that the Starlings had emptied out the meal worm feeder yesterday. The snow was less deep than yesterday so I immediately grabbed a hat, got the meal worm bucket, and went to fill the feeder. The wind has been increasing all morning. The chimes have not stopped ringing for more than a moment. I stood in the shelter of our tiny porch and filled the feeder. hung it up for them to find. It did not take them long at all! They are filling their little bellies and I am delighting in their company. I can hold this trailing beauty. The next time I have difficulty sleeping I can recall it.

I think this a practice we can all get behind. You might want to copy the quote above and stick it on your bathroom mirror or place it in your wallet. We can each use reminders.

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Challenge, Faith, Just do it, Nature, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks, Trust

Darkness and Light

The opening photo was taken in Colorado, 2020 by our friend Dan Cooksey.

Our church offered the congregation the book, A Light Upon My Path, Daily Devotions for Advent & Christmas this year.

We enjoyed sharing selections at various mealtimes. I was reading the entry for January 6, Epiphany. The author for this entry, Laurie Brock, was contrasting navigational methods and mentioned, “I can think of nothing as inefficient as a star.” She went on to write about celestial navigation over the centuries. She pointed out that “One necessary part for celestial navigation by stars is darkness.”

She quoted that the Milky Way in “now NOT visible by 99 percent of people living in the United States and a third of the people living in the world because of all of our artificial light.” That is incredibly sad. We have been so eager to get rid of the darkness that we can no longer view the heavenly light easily.

Laurie made a good point that we need the darkness to see all of our God. Have you been comfortable with darkness? Can you try to enjoy this short season of diminished light now that we are moving towards the summer solstice when we have the longest day once again and the hours of light are increasing as we move towards it??

Some of our neighbors leave their outdoor lights on year round. When the birds are migrating I want everyone to turn them off as suggested by most of the naturalists. We have gone so far in demanding artificial light at night that our incessant lighting can mess up the migration routes.

A driving force behind the up to one billion birds killed globally each year by human-built structures is artificial light at night (ALAN), or light pollution. The new technology telling us so much about migration has also helped illuminate the magnitude of ALAN’s impact: For the September night that BirdCast predicted 594 million birds would be in the air, an overlaid map of light pollution showed the gauntlet those birds would have to pass through. “Suddenly the whole system of evolving to move at night is under potentially extreme pressure,” says Farnsworth, “pressure that birds would not experience otherwise, and it is creating chaos.” https://www.audubon.org/magazine/new-golden-age-observation-revealing-wonders-night-migration

Audubon goes on to point out that the migration numbers are huge and we are mostly unaware of the movement of these birds!

Light pollution, darkness, fear, finding our way we can learn about all of these things. Are we willing to change even one thing that we might know our God better? You are unlikely to be able to see the Milky Way from your neighborhood, but you can become aware of migration times, watch for the movement of God during the darkness of winter, and draw close to the Light of Life as you are called to bear that light.

We have responsibilities and we can honor God by honoring those responsibilities. I just ordered the stickers that go on the outside of the windows that show birds they should not fly there. Many birds crash into windows on houses because they think it is a clear path. Some of our stickers are getting old and losing their grip on the glass. This is one small thing we can do for the birds in the daytime.

Light, darkness, ours to behold. We need not fear the dark because we have the Light of Life with us.

 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:4-5 NIV

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

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 Faith

Christmas book Gift

Recently I was given a Kindle book from a friend. The title is “A Beautiful Year: 52 Meditations on Faith, Wisdom, and Perseverance” by Diana Butler Bass. I had never heard of her, but have read a couple of the entries. When I was praying through the book of Mark, I came upon the entry entitled Year-End Review. She is comparing Genesis with the opening passages in John.

John’s preamble: And the Word became flesh and lived among us. Then comes the ending of the beginning in Genesis: God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there’s an ending of the beginning of John: From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. Very good … grace upon grace. Matthew and Luke start their Jesus stories with birth narratives; Mark’s begins with the first actions in Jesus’s ministry. But John begins at the very beginning, before time, as things came into being, with the Word (breath) and Wisdom (spirit). This poetic Gospel insists that the beginning of Jesus was before his enfleshment: The One in the Cradle is also the One at the heart of the Cosmos. The baby Jesus is the Cosmic Christ. And the same God who brought creation from primeval chaos is, through the Christ, bringing new creation from the imperial chaos of this human-shattered world. The ever-creative God is still at work. And Jesus invites us to join in, extending his wounded hand to draw us into the dance.

I love this expansive thinking! “The One in the Cradle is also the One at the heart of the Cosmos. The baby Jesus is the Cosmic Christ.” Oh! how I wish we could get that message across to the Hollywood people who made famous the mocking of Christ with the guy who just prayed to the baby Jesus. Talladega Nights. Ugh what an awful mockery of many ways of prayer. I suppose it got laughs but the ignorance and blatant disregard for communication with the Cosmic Christ is offensive in so many ways.

May the world come to know the Cosmic Christ in 2026. Lord, forgive us our mockery we pray.