You might remember that when I made my last retreat the Lord gave me a couple passages of Scripture to cling to? One of those was as follows.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
I was blessed to hear Handel’s Messiah at the Cincinnati Symphony Music Hall last week with the magnificent May Festival Chorus. What a delight! Approximately 144 voices plus four soloists! I had never heard it performed live before. I told my friend who attended with me that I was unaccustomed to attending church at Music Hall!Being familiar with the Scripture passages that Handel used in his 1741 composition enhanced my enjoyment tremendously! (The lyrics were composed by Charles Jennens from King James Bible and the Book of Common Prayer.)
Now, a few days later, one melody is rolling around in my soul. It took me a while to identify and locate it among the many songs offered at the performance, but here it is! I have no idea what that instrument is behind the alto? Some sort of harpsichord/guitarish thing? It must be considered ancient. It was not used at the performance I attended.
I pray you enjoyed that snippet. Regardless, may you find rest in the arms of God this season.
“Macrina Wiederkehr, OSB (1939-2020), was a spiritual guide, popular retreat facilitator, and author who made her home with the monastic community of St. Scholastica in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The Benedictine traditions of deep listening to the word of God and hospitality toward all of life form the roots of her writing and retreat ministry. Wiederkehr is the bestselling author of ten books, including The Flowing Grace of Now, Seven Sacred Pauses, Behold Your Life, and The Circle of Life, which she coauthored with Joyce Rupp.” from Ave Maria Press
Macrina influenced my Christian formation through her writings. I was able to hear her in person once. It was delightful to be under her teaching that evening. I first read this poem a number of years ago and think of it every Advent. I had difficulty finding it this year. Guess I had best print it out for myself!! I used to have the book The Circle of Life where this poem was published.
O God of words, dear Word made flesh give birth to my thoughts change them into words that will help me Christmas up the lives of those I love, for I am weak and fragile scared and empty this year and still I feel You very near.
Jesus, I think I hear You coming I think I hear a sound that says you’ve cared your way into my life again. I think I see a light more lasting than the ones we hang on trees I think I see a world that’s splashed with God again so gospelled with his presence so covered with his love yet, lonely still …
O shoppers, dear shoppers put your carts away. Please put your carts away and search deep down within your hearts for gifts that will not rust or fade for where your treasure is there is your heart. (Matthew 6:19–21) O look into your God-splashed, gospelled hearts and see! See Christmas standing there waiting to be, not bought but given free.
We are Christmas shoppers, Lord We are shopping for a way to make your coming last O take the blind in us and hold it close O teach us how to see decorate our lives with your vision for Christmas, let us see!
O shoppers, dear shoppers hang lights in your hearts instead of on your trees for the One we’ve hung our hopes on has come, and now we’re free but only if we see.
Jesus, we long for Christmas-eyes. Please heal the blind in us for Christmas, eyes that see! Makrina Wiederkehr
Isn’t she amazing in her imagery and passion for Christ and the lost? I just love it! Addressing us directly, “Shoppers put your carts away!” “Dear shoppers hang lights in your hearts instead of on your trees.” May your God-splashed, gospelled hearts rejoice all through this season!
There is some advertisement on TV that has been playing this old song. It catches in my brain and then I can’t stop singing it. What does it say about our lives today?
I think there are few places where I can go where one can “give me land, lots of land under starry skies above, Don’t fence me in. Let me ride through the wide open country that I love, Don’t fence me in. Let me be by myself in the evenin’ breeze, listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees, Send me off forever but I ask you please, Don’t fence me in.”
Of course, there are the expressways through America. Come to think of it the song is probably being used by a car company.
Turns out the lyrics were a poem written by ” Robert Fletcher, a poet and engineer with the Department of Highways in Helena, Montana. Cole Porter, who had been asked to write a cowboy song for the 20th Century Fox musical, bought the poem from Fletcher for $250. Porter reworked Fletcher’s poem, and when the song was first published, Porter was credited with sole authorship. Porter had wanted to give Fletcher co-authorship credit, but his publishers did not allow it. ” Wikipedia
“After the song became popular, however, Fletcher hired attorneys who negotiated his co-authorship credit in subsequent publications. Although it was one of the most popular songs of its time, Porter claimed it was his least favorite of his compositions.” Wikipedia
I never want to forget that our United States of America is made up of so much land, and so varied in type and variety! We happened upon a television channel called Naturescape. We have been watching an episode entitled Death Valley. When we visited there we were amazed at the variety in the landscape. So VERY different from Southwest Ohio!
I was hoping I could catch the glow from the recent volcano eruption for you. The emphasis today was the Meteor shower which we were totally unable to see here due to cloudy conditions.
Watch. Be amazed. Thank the Lord for this amazing land where we live!
I am asking prayers for one recently released from 3 months of therapy and coming to terms with losing custody of her two youngest children, needing AA, counseling, and medications to cope with addiction issues, and mental illness. This is a heavy load for any young woman.
This morning I was touched with this psalm which is similar to a psalm the Lord gave her mother a decade ago when she was recovering from alcohol addiction.
The Lord is a friend to those who fear him * and will show them his covenant.
My eyes are ever looking to the Lord, * for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
Turn to me and have pity on me, * for I am left alone and in misery. Psalm 25:14-16 BCP
God knows exactly what this woman needs to heal and walk in a sober and upright way. I believe our prayers can help lift her to wholeness and health. Obviously, she must choose that option for herself every single day of her life.
I also believe that we are to “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 NRSVUE
So please pray for this extended family member, that she may find her peace and healing in the arms of the Lord and walk with God in deliverance from the enemies of her soul, find ways to make peace and keep her sobriety, finding her health and source of life in the ways of God.
The Lord is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant. My eyes are always on the Lord, for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies. Turn to me and have mercy, for I am alone and in deep distress. Psalm 25:14-16 NLT
God is faithful and I believe nothing is impossible to Him with whom we have to do.
“O blessed Lord, you ministered to all who came to you: Look with compassion upon all who through addiction have lost their health and freedom. Restore to them the assurance of your unfailing mercy; remove from them the fears that beset them; strengthen them in the work of their recovery; and to those who care for them, give patient understanding and persevering love. Amen.“ Book of Common Prayer, #56. For the Victims of Addiction
Happy New Year! The church calendar begins all over again. We sang this in church last week and I honestly had never heard it. What a great song!
Refrain: Lead me, guide me along the way; For if You lead me, I cannot stray; Lord, let me walk each day with Thee. Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
1 I am weak, and I need Thy strength and power To help me over my weakest hour; Let me through the darkness Thy face to see, Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
2 Help me tread in the paths of righteousness; Be my aid when Satan and sin oppress. I am putting all my trust in Thee, Lead me, O Lord, lead me. [Refrain]
3 I am lost, if you take your hand from me; I am blind, without Thy Light to see; Lord, just always let me Thy servant be, Lead me, O Lord, lead me. [Refrain]
The following quote is from a newsletter I get entitled Friends of Silence.
Light dwells deep within each of us ready to radiate forth as our will freely surrenders in alignment with our soul's purpose. We are here on Earth to lift and deepen our own awareness and that of creation: co-partners in the Divine Plan for the divinization of all creation. Seek within and find the Source of Love and Light. Shine in unity with all whose joy is to co-birth as a light in the world. ~ Nan Merrill in LUMEN CHRISTI...HOLY WISDOM
This is how we are awaiting the second coming of Christ and preparing our hearts to celebrate the first coming in the flesh. We are blessed beyond measure and grateful to our Father.
Pilgrim Gnome saying “Raise your turkey leg high in thanks to God!”
When I cook a turkey or chicken I try to use the bones to make broth for gravy or soups. This year I had 2 turkeys to cook. If you have ever processed bones for broth, especially turkey bones, you know what a mess it can be. Turkey is very oily. First you simmer the bones and then strain them out of the broth. I did the first batch in the Crockpot for hours and hours. After I processed the first carcass I thought to myself, “Nope! I am not going to do the second one. That is enough.” After letting the broth chill I skim off any fat that has risen to the top. I then freeze the broth in Ball jars for future use. The house smells delightfully of turkey, turkey, turkey!
Then my son taught me that if I caramelize the bones in the oven and then simmer, the broth will be even better. Of course, I was challenged to try his method. I keep telling that young man he should write a cookbook!
Simmering with vegetables to reduce into a rich broth.
Of course, my son, the chef, was absolutely correct. The next batch of broth was stunning. Best gravy I have made in years.
We had a lively feast with a prayer of thanksgiving and much stuffing into mouths. Dressing, two kinds of sweet potatoes, gravy, butter rolls made from scratch, mashed potatoes, turkey and more turkey. The person bringing the corn pudding had to work so alas we had none of that. The pies were tasty as was the made from scratch banana sugar-free pudding. (Except the cookies in it were not sugar free.) Gourmet cookies that sent my glucose soaring, but oh yum. Those were dangerous!
Is there something you do traditionally with your turkey bones or other holiday meal? I encourage you to write it down for your family. They will eventually benefit from what you learn along the way!
I make a cream soup with wild rice and turkey. It ought to be outrageously good with this new broth!
So about all I had left to do was to make the pumpkin pies for the celebration. I also planned to make my almost sugarless pumpkin filling for my diabetic self. In case you are not aware, pumpkin pie filling is a custard that starts out incredibly runny and firms up as it bakes.
I was using my Kitchen aid mixer which I am still getting accustomed to.
A screw fell out of the mixer, but I was so grateful it did not go into the filling! I went to turn the mixer off and slid the switch the wrong direction. (See that sliding button above that says stir 2 4 6 8 10?) Wrong direction is 10!! Pumpkin filling flew everywhere as I turned the mixer to high instead of off. I had pumpkin filling splashed on my new lilac sneakers. Pumpkin down the cabinets. Later I found pumpkin on the dining room rug. Pumpkin all over the mixer itself. Pumpkin on the quilted pad under the mixer. Could I stay calm and grateful even then? Tough doing that.
I finally got the pies in the oven. Cancelled the plan for my filling. Geesh, what a mess!! I usually have too much filing for the two deep dish pie crusts. I use a baking bowl like my mother had for the left over. I figured no leftover with this mess. Much to my surprise there was some leftover!
They really were round though they look oval here!
After the pies baked I went to take a nap. When I awoke there was a leak from under our fridge. I thought maybe the door ice dispenser had a jam that had opened. Nope, too much water for that. I noticed the bottom ice maker had stopped making ice. Bob was able to pull this incredible heavy refrigerator/freezer out on its rollers. Yep! It was filthy back there. We cleaned that up, but still could not find the source for the leak. Bob watched a few repair videos and decided it was too much for him to deal with. We turned off the lower ice maker to see if that would help. Leak stopped.
Huge load of towels and laundry between the pie filling and the leak!
We bought a bag of ice for the celebration. WHAT A DAY!!
Our son came early to the celebration and offered to check out the freezer ice maker. We asked that he wait until after the celebration. He has learned so much in his job as an apartment complex maintenance person. He had never repaired this brand, but took a look after dessert was over.
In moments he had the back off the motor area. Then the ice drawer was out of the freezer, then the entire lower drawer. I do not know exactly how, but he got it working. We cleaned up the water from where the leak began during the testing. Another load or two of laundry from the dinner napkins, table cloths and towels.
I sent him home with lots of pumpkin pie! Oh what a relief it is not to need to call a repairman on a holiday! Thanks Jeff! You are the best!!
And yes, the pies were a hit!
in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV
We live near a funeral home and across the street from that is a pawn shop. The pawn shop has had this posted on their sign for several weeks.
“Gold is sky high. Cash in now.”
One day while driving past I glanced at the sign and glanced at the funeral home. The sign seemed in my glance to read, “God is sky high.” Then looking at the funeral home, “Cash in now.”
Grant us strength and grace, O God, that we might move through today folding in humble obedience to you, sensitivity of your Spirit, and in joyful expectancy of your coming kingdom." A Liturgy of the Hours Midday, Volume 1
That phrase ‘folding in humble obedience to you,’ that just brought me up short. Folding in humble obedience to you. Yes, Lord, I want to be that sort of obedient.
Have you ever tried to carry an unruly child, one kicking and screaming, squirming to get down out of your arms? God does not want us to be like that.
Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from your birth, carried from the womb; 4 even to your old age I am he; even when you turn gray I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save. Isaiah 46:3-4 NRSVUE
Even to old age and gray hair, (or no hair), God wants to be involved in our life.
Will we cooperate with those wishes?
Will we bend our heart in humble obedience, sensitivity to God’s Spirit, and in joyful expectancy of the coming kingdom? I hope and pray you will join me in this sort of yielding.
Do you have a song that pulls you into God’s presence? This is one of mine. The opening photo shows verse 3!
Based on Psalm 84.
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! 2 My soul longs, indeed it faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.
3 Even the sparrow finds a home and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. 4 Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise.
10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than live in the tents of wickedness. 11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; he bestows favor and honor. No good thing does the Lord withhold from those who walk uprightly. 12 O Lord of hosts, happy is everyone who trusts in you.Selah NRSVUE
For those of you having difficulty this holiday season for whatever reason, please reflect upon this part of the same Psalm.
In Psalm 84, we are introduced to the Valley of Weeping. In some translations, it is called the Valley of Baca, a Hebrew word that derives from bakah (baw-kaw), meaning to weep, bemoan, bewail, complain, make lamentation, and mourn with tears.https://reasonsforhopejesus.com/what-is-the-valley-of-weeping-baca-psalm-84/
5 Happy are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. 6 As they go through the valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength; the God of gods will be seen in Zion.
8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah 9 Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed.
We go through the valley of Baca, we do not reside there. Please know if you are having difficulty emotionally this season there are those who are praying for you as you go through that valley. God sees your tears and is moved to comfort you.
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