Category: Just do it

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Covid 19, Humor, Just do it, Thanks

Cluttered

Yes, I know this is a cluttered photo. I snapped it to share with my daughter. This is my “Christmas Cactus” true name Zygocactus. Mine usually blooms sometime during the winter. This being the year of Covid and doom and gloom, death all around, mine decided to bloom on November 13 and bore mostly DOUBLE blossoms and buds! Yes, I was amazed, surprised and thankful. By November 13 most of my garden flowers are long past blooming. I did have an occasional carnation and snapdragon, but no more bouquets like April-September!

That corner of our office is no longer cluttered. We have been going through the house like the Tasmanian devil cartoon character!

Ruthlessly throwing things out like notes from retreats I have taught in the past. The four drawer filing cabinet is down to one. I just need inspiration to finish that one! I looked at one thing in the office and realized I had not even touched it in a year. Away it went.

The basement is unrecognizable. We have pared down, given away and trashed many items. This is one of my husband’s dreams some true. He knows I call him “Mr. Tidy.” I am not nearly as tidy as him. So Mr. Tidy is enjoying this process. Now he is amazed, surprised and thankful. I am getting into it. Covid staying at home has done this weird thing to me!!

Know anyone who wants some vintage crochet patterns? Yikes.

Posted on in Humor, Just do it, Special Event

My Hilarious Husband

So in 2013 we were driving in the wilderness of Idaho and I was telling my husband about the Capacitar technique for reducing stress called “tapping”. [Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT; tapping acupressure points)]

My friend, Mrs. Hughes, taught me this.  I began tapping to demonstrate. Meanwhile, he was distracted by the GPS and drifted over the center line. When he noticed the center line he said, “Tap faster! Tap faster!”

Capacitar ends this exercise with reciting three times “In spite of the fact that I have this problem, I’m okay and I accept myself!”

Meanwhile I am reciting, “In spite of the fact that I have this problem (named Bob) I’m okay and I accept myself!

In spite of the fact that I have this problem (named Bob) I’m okay and I accept myself!”

Then we passed Hughes Road!

What a hoot! I wanted to call Mrs. Hughes from Idaho, but I could not stop laughing! And besides, there was no signal! Priceless 🙂

I have NO idea why this video is stuck on this unflattering image. It is worth listening to though!

Posted on in Faith, Just do it, Spiritual growth

Transparency with God

Sometimes we find it hard to bare our soul to God. This blown glass sculpture from Blenko glass reminds me of the importance of being transparent with Him. I wrote this during one of those times. I have always wished someone would set it to music. I hear the melody in my head, but have no skill to work it out!

 
Cry Then, Soul© 1996 by Molly Lin Dutina
 Somewhere in the knowing there is peace,
 Right there in the longing is a pull to draw near,
 Almost at the brink a hand reaches out to save,
 In response to the cry of our soul.
  
 Cry then, soul, out loud!
 Feel all your feelings.
 Declare to God every single thing.
 He's not repelled, He made you and
 He loves you.
 So speak with Him
 Through song or shouts of pain.
  
 Independence is the bane of our lives,
 Drawing near the bless`ed, chosen way;
 Narrow though it seems,
 Eternal vistas open forth,
 As we sacrifice with Holy trust and praise.
  
 Cry then, soul, out loud!
 Feel all your feelings.
 Declare to God every single thing.
 He's not repelled, He made you and
 He loves you.
 So speak with Him
 Through song or shouts of pain.
  
 Give Him all your shattered dreams and longings,
 Every vain attempt to take control;
 He alone is worthy of the powers we desire,
 He alone can save and make us whole.
  
 Cry then, soul, out loud!
 Feel all your feelings.
 Declare to God every single thing.
 He's not repelled, He made you and
 He loves you.
 So speak with Him 
 Through song or shouts of pain.

Psalm 139:1-5 (NIV2011)  You have searched me, LORD, and you know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.  You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.  Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely.  You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Faith, Just do it, Nature, Spiritual growth

Dispersal to Convergence

 Dispersal to Convergence ©1997 Molly Lin Dutina 
 
 As the sea anemone 
 does nothing of itself
 only opens to the water 
 flowing over and about it
 then closes - 
  
 So you are to rest 
 existing now as My being 
 -less focus on all doing
  
 I am always washing over you
 with truth, with love
 you have only to pull in
 your dissipated energies
 from dispersal 
 to convergence
  
 Focus on this stillness,
 these deep inhalations 
             of My Presence, 
                         of My Power,
                                     your restoration place.
  
 Let splashes of water
 be your call to join Me
 resting in convergent Love
  
Posted on in Book quotes, Faith, Family, Just do it, Spiritual growth

Promises and a Meaty Quote

From Streams in the Desert

“Beloved, God’s promises can never fail to be accomplished, and those who patiently wait can never be disappointed, for believing faith leads to realization. Abraham’s life condemns a spirit of hastiness, admonishes those who complain, commends those who are patient, and encourages quiet submission to God’s will and way.” – Unknown

Is that a meaty quote, or what? “His promises can never fail to be accomplished.” He is not a man that He should lie. He is faithful and powerful to do what He wills. Numbers 23:19

“Those who patiently wait can never be disappointed.” But wait! I have often been disappointed! Does that mean I am doing something wrong? Well, in my experience, most often my disappointments with God are because I have not waited long enough to see the fulfillment or I misunderstood the will or word of God.

“For believing faith leads to realization.” Do you have things in your life that you have had believing faith towards and then eventually you saw it come to pass? Do you, like David, review those things with joy and thanksgiving to inform your brain when your faith is weak? Speaking with a friend recently we stated that we see fruit from our faith walk most often in the rear view mirror or over our shoulder after the fact. Perhaps you have never listed the times that your faith has lead to realization? Maybe now is the time to review your walk and be reminded of the times this has occurred in your life?

“Abraham’s life condemns a spirit of hastiness, admonishes those who complain, commends those who are patient, and encourages quiet submission to God’s will and way.”

Hebrews 8:11 reads: “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.”
He went, EVEN THOUGH he did not know where he was going. Do we have the same sort of quiet obedience? Dallas Willard taught that hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life in our day. The author of the quote above calls it a spirit of hastiness and says that Abraham condemns it. No hastiness, no complaining, be patient and quiet.

I have tried to keep myself in line with the remembrance that God calls me to Quiet, Gentle, Yielded, Peaceful Obedience to the Almighty. Holy Spirit help my life to be true to this call.

Posted on in Faith, Just do it, Nature, Poetry, Spiritual growth

Only Then ©2014 Molly Lin Dutina

Here at Siesta Drive I have my island of responsibility.
Even here I find it difficult
to push off the dock
into the quiet river of Living Water
for the renewal of my soul
stilling of my heart, quieting of my mind
floating in Your love
awaiting Your instructions and
anointing for this day.
 
I want to power up the boat
or maybe stay on the island
ordering about the mundane
resisting the holy and eternal.
Forgive me, again, my desiring
to be in charge and capable.
 
Take me to a quiet lagoon
            with jumping fish          
            elusive Great Blue Herons
            tree branches trialing their leaves at the water’s edge.

 
Anchor me in Your incredible center-down silence
wash over me with righteousness
grant me the kiss of peace
Your faithfulness and steadfast love
meeting me in holy embrace
of relinquishment to solitude.
 
Only then
            can I meet the mundane
            with correct vision
Your holy Kingdom first and foremost
            no matter what my activity might be.
 
So here at Siesta Drive if I will allow it
energy and solace I was hoping for at “The River”
may ebb and flow, around me, within, overflowing,
washing glaring, gaudy colors of importance
off the mundane,
letting those things fall back
into their proper place as incidental
like spoons tossed into the silverware drawer.
 
Posted on in Amazing Creations, Faith, Just do it, Music, Poetry

Incredible Bluebird

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that–and shudder.

James 2:19 NIV
Incredible Bluebird © 1991 Molly Lin Dutina


Incredible Bluebird!
Are you aware of your beauty?
As you ride upon your twiggy perch in the wind,
I watch in wonder and listen
as you speak to your mate.
 
“Aah!” I gasp as your colors burst forth in flight.
Unconscious of your beauty
yet cognizant of His call
you sing forth the praises
of God who made you.
 
Sing out, my soul,
in praise of God your Maker.
Take flight and rise,
above your deepest fears.
 
God is in charge,
and all the demons shudder,
as I rise to His call
soar upon His heights.
 
Even so, God’s company in heaven
gives a victory shout,
together
we rise upon our wings of faith.
 

This video is about 5 minutes long, but great images. Did not remember that Saint Francis is credited with the lyrics!

Posted on in Book quotes, Faith, Just do it

Amy Carmichael “Edges of His Ways”

I just love this devotional collected from the writings of Amy Carmichael (1867-1951). The other day I was thinking of this one and having trouble remembering the 3 – and then it showed up again.

The Three Sieves
“Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?
All of us who have tried to remember these three sieves, and have used them, know what a help they are. We are sorry when we ever forget them, and we are very grateful when we are reminded of them in time to keep us from saying something untrue, unkind, or unnecessary.

“Perhaps these three sieves will help to keep some words from being spoken that would grieve the Spirit of love and hurt someone whom our Lord loves.
Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?“

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Philippians 4:8 NIV

Posted on in Aging, Book quotes, Faith, Humor, Just do it, Memories, Spiritual growth

When Did You Last Act Like A Kid?

During a recent rain shower I saw a child playing in a water-filled ditch. As a mom I first checked, and no, there had not been thunder or lightning that day. My second thought was how delighted I was to see her and how she reminded me of myself at that age. Once I found a crawfish in a puddle and brought it home as a pet. It was about 3/4″ long. I put it in the bathroom sink with a little water while I tried to find a container for its home. My sister unstopped the drain, not noticing my pet and all was lost. I was sad and mad. Fast forward to today!

“Maybe what God really wants are grown-up kids who dance in the puddles, who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty, who dare to ask why a whole lot. Maybe we are far too proper. Maybe it’s time to take a page from Dainty doodlebug’s story and give in to the way we’re created to live—for our sake and for the gospel. Little else is as compelling and glorious as a giddy child, mud-covered and grinning, because they know how loved and safe they are even while thunder sounds in the distance.”

Embraced by Lysa TerKeurst

Giddy child of God, relax and enjoy creation again! Don’t those boots just remind one of Mike Powell?

“You were made from dust and to dust you shall return.”

Genesis 3:19

“Dance in the puddles, get your hands dirty, ask why a whole lot more.” Recently I had the opportunity twice in one week to counsel two different women on the fact that we are allowed to get angry with God. He can take it! He would much prefer we be genuine with Him than pretend some sort of proper piety. After all, He reads our hearts and knows our thoughts and our words before they cross our lips.

 You have searched me, LORD, and you know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.  You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.  Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely.

Psalm 139:104 NIV 2011

Why not make an effort this week to get real with God? And if you have the opportunity, try jumping in a puddle, just for fun!!

Posted on in Covid 19, Humor, Just do it, Social Distancing

HUMOR FROM MY FRIEND ROBB

This was in my email box the other day. For laugh out loud humor click on link below! Be certain to scroll all the way down to the snorkel! The gas pump, not so much.

https://www.naturalnews.com/2020-07-18-saturday-satire-when-walmart-required-customers-to-wear-masks-they-had-no-idea-this-would-happen.html