Category: Praise

Posted on in Aging, Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, medical treatment, Praise, Prayer, Rest

Routine?

It used to be that the most distasteful thing I had to endure regularly was when the insulin pen ran low. Then I would use one needle to inject the remaining fluid from the pen and endure another needle to inject the remaining dose out of a new insulin pen. That might sound petty since the needles are so tiny, but when you feared needles as a child of three years old, two needles, no matter how small, are at minimum a psychological challenge. Now even that routine will need to change. Seems the pharmacy can no longer stock the insulin pens I know as routine! Waiting to hear from Doc what to do next!

Then I twisted my knee on my good leg. The twist was bad enough that when I would try to stand I was grinding my teeth in pain. That made things so that I needed to use a wheelchair instead of the knee roller.

Oi, yoi, yoi – frustration, exasperation. A friend who is a retired physical therapist brought a raised toilet seat that was even higher than ours, and much easier to use. She taught me how to move so I could avoid that awful knee pain. Bob bought me a compression brace for my knee (which I am still wearing). Another friend brought me her fancy knee brace which the doctor approved. Two weeks later, yes my knee is better, but I do not quite trust it yet.

About the only routine I have right now is almost no routine. Bob has gotten in the habit of setting up the dining room table for me to drink coffee, read my devotions, etc. I am able to fix my coffee and get the milk out for it. He is kind to return it to the refrigerator for me.

From there the day is determined by who is coming over, what my to-do list looks like for them, whether Bob needs to go some place or not. He is exhausted from doing all the shopping, etc. My day is mostly determined by how much time I can tolerate having my surgery foot on the floor.

Do you recall the post I made not too long ago about an ordinary day?

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 Iron

Oh yes, that normal day of the not too distant past was a treasure indeed! I looked at my foot this morning and could not imagine how I will ever get it in a shoe again. But that too, will eventually become normal and routine.

Cherish what seems boring and normal and routine today. You never know when it will change as if a tsunami has hit your life!

Be willing to praise God regardless of the current circumstances. Years ago someone asked me how I was doing. I replied something like pretty good under the circumstances. They asked in what they likely thought was an encouraging voice, “What are you doing under the circumstances.” That truly was not helpful. To me a more Scriptural stance is to praise God in every circumstance.

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NRSVUE

I freely admit there have been a few times the last few weeks when I have lost sight of the presence of the Lord. Melted into a puddle of tears and some self-pity. But the Lord is always at my right hand and willing to comfort me if I will but reach out, upon the Trinity, place my trust there.

So even if you are not able to give thanks in all circumstances, at least circle back to knowing the Lord is with you and resume praise and prayer.

So just spoke with pharmacy and doctor’s office. I will need to learn how to use syringe and insulin vials as the back order is to at least Mid-August. After pharmacy sells me Rx I need to make an appointment with the RN for education on how to do this method.

Also, the child how hated stitches, just removed two pieces of black stitches from the top of her foot and her heel. Gross! And large!! I give thanks for the stomach to remove those stitches. I am grateful I live in a country where insulin is available to me. Whew!!

Posted on in Aging, Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Illness and Health, Marriage and Memories, Obedience, Praise, Rest, Spiritual discipline, Surrender, Thanks, Trust

Think on This One

Grateful living is important in the world because in our constant pursuit of more and better we can easily lose sight of the riches that lay right in front of us and within us. Guri Mehta

Are you in a constant pursuit of more and better?
Do you easily lose sight of the riches that are right in front of you?

I can do both of those things. I can be in constant pursuit of more and better, and likely do it with no conscious effort. So soaked in this American culture, asking where is the next great thrill? Where is the next thing I can afford to add to our collection of things? Things we cannot possibly take with us.

What about the things right in front of me? Can I realize there are riches? Not just compared to impoverished countries, but compared to my life decades ago. Yes, there was a time we barely scraped by with the funds Bob earned. We worked and scrimped and saved. Now we are both retired from earning wages and live off what we saved and what he inherited from his parents. Living conscious of our means we seek to not go into debt we cannot repay.

But what about the non-monetary things? The experience of living in close proximity with the neighbors who are both terribly ill makes us more aware of the treasure our love and marriage provide. They have five or six more years of marriage than we do, but in this day and age the longevity of our relationship is nothing to sneeze at. We are blessed.

I have always said, “Divorce is not an option. Murder maybe, but not divorce!” And yes, there are times when we each think of murdering the other. We have not changed each other over this half a century as much as we have adapted to one another. Yet, we are deeply blessed. Grateful living indeed.

As my chronic pain seems to increase and health challenges arise I want to see the life I have as one to be celebrated with gratitude. As evening falls and the physical problems seem to intensify I want to find a way to enter into acceptance of them and rest without trying to do battle. It has been said that we increase our suffering by resisting and wanting things to be different than they are. I know that to be true.

Lord, I need your help to come to the place of rest in all of this. Your remind me in Matthew 11 “Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.” Yes, Lord, help me enter into your rest when it comes to evening pain and distress. Help me rejoice in your presence and great promises. I know you have promised to stay with me to the end. Be very present Lord, I pray.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”Matthew 28:19-20 NRSVUE

Posted on in Challenge, Faith, Just do it, Memories, Music, Praise, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Thanks, Trust, Yield

Every Day

I first heard about CeCe Winans many years ago when I worked at “Having The Courage To Change,” a housing center for women who were coming out of prison and/or drug and alcohol treatment. The women there loved her music and soon I did too!

Do you worship every day? If not, try this one.

All my life you have been so so good.

I’ve known you as a father. I’ve known you as a friend.

As the saying goes: “No god, no peace. Know God, know peace.”

I do not care how you worship. Do you know Jesus and have you spoken with him today?

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Challenge, Family, Joy, Memories, Nature, Poetry, Praise, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender

Mother’s Day

This year to celebrate Mother’s Day my daughter decided we should visit the butterfly show at our local Krohn Conservatory. We had not attended for several years. It was a warm and humid day. Just what the butterfly’s love. The title was Monarchs, but I was disappointed that there were not more Monarch butterflies present. In fact, I saw none, even in the hatching cages. The children however never disappoint me at such a display. They are always in wonder and delighted when a butterfly lands on someone and they can see it up close! I just love when a child declares, “He likes me!”

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same subject opened

The above is the Morpho, largest in the display. The butterflies suffer damaged wings mostly from being caught in the covers of the circulating fans. They are still lovely and majestic though.

One subject, moving around for another sip and another. I believe this is a Julia. We grew these “Mexican Sunflowers” once at the edge of our compost pile. They were very tall and draw hundreds of butterflies!

A child pointed out this transparent winged specimen. How lovely!

It was a hard angle to capture this beauty. Called a Glasswing from Central America !

They loved feeding on the dishes of cut fruit.

It was fun to put another butterfly memory in the books. Thanks, Em!

How many butterflies can you spot this week around your home?

Butterfly Living © Molly Lin Dutina 1982 
Butterfly living, now that's for me!
Glory bound and incredibly free!
Made to be a joy to Thee!
Strengthen me for wings of liberty.

For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 NRSVUE
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. Romans 8:2 NRSVUE
Posted on in Faith, Joy, Listen, Moving, Praise, Prayer, Thanks, Worship

Brad

Our church was gifted with a young priest for about 2-1/2 years. His name is Brad. He did all sorts of things that enlivened our faith and our walk. Recently it was time to tell him good-bye. He was given a job across the river in Northern Kentucky to be head rector at a church there.

On his last Sunday with us our Pastor, Roger, called all the kids up to lay hands on Brad and pray over him as he moves to his new church. Three of the kids are his very own children and one is a family friend.

It was a powerful moment. Have you ever had children pray over you? There is nothing quite like it!

I plan to forward the photos to Brad for his remembrance of that holy moment. By the way, folks at our church know that photos are taken during the service. There is not a problem posting these, especially since I am not naming the children.

Pray for the children. Pray for those moving into a new position of leadership in the churches. Pray for all church leaders. May the Lord bless us, his children and the sheep of his pasture.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands!
2     Serve the Lord with gladness!
    Come into his presence with singing!

3 Know that the Lord is God!
    It is he that made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
    and his courts with praise!
    Give thanks to him, bless his name!

5 For the Lord is good;
    his steadfast love endures for ever,
    and his faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100 RSV

Last week at church I kept thinking I could hear his voice among the congregation. Another parishioner told me she expected him to walk around the corner at any moment. We will miss him. We came to love him and that made letting go all the harder.

Posted on in Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Joy, Praise, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks

Think About This One!

“When we are grateful, we want to share, to reach out, to tell others of the goodness of our benefactor, to bring hope, healing and happiness to others.” M. Basil Pennington

When I go to the Convent for retreat there is always a card on the bed with quotes and a photo. This was one of the quotes on the card my last visit.

Benefactor is sort of an old fashioned term. Rarely do I think of God as my benefactor. Merriam Webster says a benefactor is someone or something that provides help or an advantage : one that confers a benefit.

Bless the Lord, O my soul;
and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
    who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the Pit,
    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good as long as you live
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103: 1-5 RSV

Oh yes, my benefactor has benefits. This is just a partial list. Read it again. Have you known any of these benefits? Do you bless the Lord’s holy name with any regularity? When was teh last time you reviewed the benefits the Lord offers you?

I was weighed down with concern over a few loved ones. The Lord reminded me that the Holy Spirit hovers over them 24/7. My concern is to be first and foremost to bless the Lord. My soul forgot and became entangled in the what-ifs and if-onlys. God reigns over this universe, even the universe of me and my loved ones. My job is to bless and exalt that same God.

How are you doing with recognizing your benefactor? As Pennington wrote, are you bringing ‘hope, healing and happiness to others’?

Posted on in Challenge, Faith, Memories, Praise, Thanks

Mahalo

Simply put mahalo means thank you. We saw it on the flap of garbage cans, seeming to say thanks for putting your trash here.

When we were in Hawaii I bought a sticker to remind me of this word. Recently I set up a new keyboard case for my iPad. When I affixed the sticker to the outside I noticed the wrapper said, “Mahalo means to be in the presence of the Divine.”

WAIT! That means so much more than a trash receptacle!!

“Mahalo means thank you in the Hawaiian language —a common word of gratitude that should be familiar to every person who visits Hawaii.
“According to the Pukui and Elbert Hawaiian Dictionary, mahalo (pronounced mah hah loh) can express gratitude, appreciation, or praise.” from https://collectionsofwaikiki.com/mahalo-meaning/

“The Cultural Roots of Mahalo

“Mahalo predates Western contact with Hawai’i. The word appears in the earliest Hawaiian-language dictionaries compiled by missionaries in the 1830s. Its roots connect to the broader Polynesian language family. In Maori (New Zealand), the cognate “maaharo” means to think or wonder. In Tahitian, “maharo” means to think or reflect.

“This linguistic connection reveals something about the original depth of mahalo. It is not just a transactional “thanks for the coffee.” It carries an element of reflection, of pausing to recognize what was given. The Hawaiian value of gratitude runs deep. In traditional Hawaiian culture, reciprocity was a core social principle. Receiving something obligated you to give back, and mahalo was the verbal acknowledgment of that cycle.

“The word also appears in the Hawaiian translation of Christian hymns and prayers, where it took on the additional meaning of praise and admiration. Missionaries translated “Give thanks to God” as expressions using mahalo, reinforcing the word’s association with reverence.” https://www.hawaii-guide.com/mahalo-meaning

“The word mahalo is more than just a thank you in Hawaiian thinking. It is a divine blessing on a spiritual level with a deeper meaning. This is used in everyday life and also on special occasions like the birthday of an elder or for sacredness like prayers or single-word blessings. Use this word respectfully.” https://thewordcounter.com/meaning-of-mahalo/

“A divine blessing on a spiritual level with a deeper meaning.”

So I utter, “Mahalo,” to you the readers of this blog. Your comments and encouragements promote me to write more. If it were not for you my writing might just be entombed in my private journals.

Mostly, Mahalo to our creator who does wondrous things beyond my imagining!

Posted on in Challenge, Faith, Listen, Music, Obedience, Praise, Prayer, Spiritual growth, Thanks, Trust, Yield

Abandoned

This has become to me a perennial song. Perennial typically describes things that are permanent, constant, or repeated. At times I am compelled to sing it. Sometimes multiple times in a row.

Me, too, Lord! I want what these lyrics speak. Here is the video followed by the lyrics (in case you don’t like jumpy words.)

Abandoned

Benjamin William Hastings

Somethin’ isn’t adding up 
This wild exchange You offer us 
I gave my worst, You gave Your blood 
Seems hard to believe 
You’re tellin’ me You chose the Cross? 
You’re tellin’ me I’m worth that much? 
Well, if that’s the measure of Your love 
How else would I sing?

But completely, deeply, sold-out, sincerely abandoned 
I’m completely, freely, hands-to-the-ceiling enamored 
My one-life endeavor to match Your surrender 
To mirror not my will, but Yours 
Oh, I’m completely, deeply, don’t-care-who-sees-me abandoned

Oh, I surrender all

I just can’t get over it 
What kind of self-control is this? 
When You had angels at Your fingertips 
But on the Cross You remained 
And I can’t repay that kind of love 
But I can praise with everything I’ve got 
Since death had all of it’s power robbed 
Then just like the grave

I’m completely, deeply, sold-out, sincerely abandoned 
I’m completely, freely, hands-to-the-ceiling enamored 
Oh, my one-life endeavor to match Your surrender 
To mirror not my will, but Yours 
Oh, I’m completely, deeply, don’t-care-who-sees-me abandoned

Oh, I surrender all 
I surrender all 
I surrender all

The whole of my heart, the best of my soul 
Each phase of my life, each breath in my lungs 
Consider it Yours, Lord 
Consider it Yours, Lord 
The failures I hide, the victories I don’t 
The battles I fight, each crown that I hoard

Consider it Yours, Lord 
Consider it Yours, Lord 
All the glory forever, the grave that You won 
The praise of the Heavens, the kingdom to come 
Oh, consider it Yours, Lord 
Consider it Yours

I’m completely, deeply, sold-out, sincerely abandoned (hey!) 
I’m completely, freely, hands-to-the-ceiling enamored 
Oh, my one-life endeavor to match Your surrender 
To mirror not my will, but Yours 
I’m completely, deeply, don’t-care-who-sees-me abandoned

Oh, I surrender all

No, You’ll never leave me abandoned 
I surrender all

Written by: Cody Carnes, Benjamin William Hastings, Brandon Lake, Christopher Michael Davenport

I had to ask who is Christopher Michael Davenport?

“Grammy-nominated songwriter and worship leader Chris Davenport has been a quiet fixture within worship music for years.

“Through his contributions with UNITED like “Another In The Fire,” “Grace To Grace,” and “Seasons,” as well as collaborations with artists like Phil Wickham (Hymn Of Heaven), Brandon Lake (Too Good To Not Believe), and Cody Carnes (Be Glad), Chris has established himself as a unique, authentic, and influential voice within the worship community.” Now we all know more about him.

Make sure we never abandon God! “My one life endeavor to match your surrender…”

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Faith, Joy, Look, Nature, Praise, Thanks, Trust

Stars in Daylight

I was wondering aloud to Bob the other day about the stars when the sun rises and we can no longer see them. I am still pondering the wonders of the heavens several days later as I write this.

I am certainly not a master of astronomy, just a curious old woman. https://starrymaps.com/guides/daytime-star-map/ gave me a few answers.

“How we map a daytime sky

“Modern astronomy has mapped the position of every visible star with extraordinary precision. We know, down to the arc-second, where each star sits at any given moment from any point on Earth. This isn’t guesswork — it’s celestial mechanics, the same science that lets us predict eclipses centuries in advance.

“When you give us a date, time, and location, our software calculates the exact arrangement of stars above that place at that moment. It doesn’t matter whether it was noon or midnight, overcast or clear. The math doesn’t care about the weather or the sunlight. It cares about the geometry of Earth’s rotation and the stars’ positions — and those are always known.

https://starrymaps.com/guides/daytime-star-map/

Isn’t it amazing that even though we cannot see them the stars are there, above us, as we circulate around the sun.

“New research led by Sarah Caddy, a PhD candidate at Macquarie University, shows that this is possible. Caddy and her team have successfully captured one of the brightest stars during daytime observations, opening up new possibilities for astronomy.

“The first time I saw stars during the day was actually whilst hosting a group of primary school students at Sydney observatory,” said Caddy. “The kids really wanted to look through the telescope, so despite it being midday, we pointed it at the brightest star in the sky – Sirius. You can imagine my astonishment – and their excitement – when we could actually see it!” 

“I guess it takes that sort of childlike curiosity to explore things we would have previously discounted as impossible.”  https://www.spaceaustralia.com/news/seeing-stars-day

Sirius is about 8.6 light-years from Earth.

So I tried to read up about the movement of stars and other celestial things like planets. To tell the truth, the science is WAY beyond my comprehension. I do know that when ever I am able to stay awake past dark and the sky is clear I am fascinated with the stars and planets I see. I can only imagine how tremendous those creations appeared when there was no light noise created by mankind. One night in the mountains of Colorado we were able to see the Milky Way in its glory. Wow!

The book of Common Prayer says:

At your command all things came to be: the vast expanse of interstellar space, galaxies, suns, the planets in their courses, and this fragile earth, our island home. By your will they were created and have their being.

All glory to you, our mighty God! Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest!

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Faith, Joy, Look, Nature, Praise, Spiritual growth, Thanks, Traveling, Worship

May 17 Fathom His glory

I may have told you previously that my friend, Debby, gave me a copy of a book entitled Amazing Grace: A Morning and Evening Devotional by Stephanie Sample. I have been thoroughly enjoying this book. On May 17 the entry called Fathom His Glory reminded me of our recent trip to GSMNP.

It begins with Psalm 19:1-2 NIV

The heavens declare the glory of God;
    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
    night after night they reveal knowledge.

Imagine my joy reading this verse and then almost simultaneously remembering this sight!

Look into those woods. Saplings and full grown trees. See the many layers of creation there? The mountains are also layered. And the clouds; such a wondrous creation we live in! Part of me wonders why some creature did not eat the brown stalks during the winter. The green is soon going to outgrow those brown stalks. Declaration! Proclamation! Speech and knowledge without words.

If we lived in Tennessee I would want to return to this very spot in all four seasons to try to capture the glorious creativity of God.

What calls to your soul to notice the vast creativity of the Lord?