Category: Praise

Posted on in Faith, Focus, Listen, Music, Obedience, Praise, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks, Worship

Our Recent Church Service

The opening photo was by Dan Cooksey taken at The Notch in Colorado 2020.

This prayer below is taken from the Communion prayers at our church last Sunday. There are times when I am struck by the prayers and feel I must share them. I hope you are blessed by the sharing.

Holy One, we gather this day as one people, members of the same body, grateful for your many gifts and carrying the hope within us for a world filled with love. This vision was given by you, from the very beginning of your creation. You made the earth and all that lives on it. You inspired prophets and shepherds, widows and slaves, to seek liberation from all that oppresses. You led your people from the bondage of slavery in Egypt into the Land of Promise. Your redeeming work continued when, through the Virgin Mary, you became incarnate in Jesus Christ, so that through him we might experience the depth and width of your unquenchable love.

While Jesus lived among us he stood up for women and children, he touched the untouchable, healed the sick, and welcomed those who had given up hope of being included. Through him we see a path not only to our own freedom, but a path to the liberation of the whole world. He taught us that it will not be in the brutality of violence that our world will be saved. Rather, it will be in showing kindness to our neighbor, in standing up against injustice, in returning hate with love, in transforming one heart at a time. It will be in the simple but holy tasks of dining together, sharing bread and wine, truly seeing one another as beloved by you.

Those two paragraphs are a lot to be taken in! I could not comprehend it all in one reading. I could not absorb it by typing it out and then finding my typos. I may spend my remaining days trying to live into this prayer!

Too often we think we know exactly what God is saying to us and has said through the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. The indwelling Holy Spirit continues to show me there is more to learn. So much more.

How about you? Have you followed Christ for decades? Are you continuing to discover more about the Kingdom? Are you looking for direct and new insights. Have you shut the door on that idea? Brandon and William Benjamin sing “all that’s good is yours.” I so agree! Hope you will listen and follow the lyrics. There is more.

Our creative God put things into orbit and I am firmly convinced the Almighty continues to open our eyes to perceive and understand more and more and more.

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Art, Faith, Listen, Music, Praise, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Trust

Perspective

All glass. That photo above is made of glass and spaces. I find that difficult to comprehend. The Imagine Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida did not give us an explanation of how they created this.

Looking at the same piece, here you can see the glass fibers. Also notice the tunnel that goes through it. There were eight pieces, block-like that were placed side by side. From the end you could look through the tunnel.

The blue and brown rectangle to the left is another display. I do believe this is art. I just cannot fathom how they created it!

We saw a similar creation at the Cincinnati Art Museum once.

These are Native American symbols. There was a fan gently moving air over the display. The piece was as large as a wall! When the air moved there was a soft tinkling sound. Images with shadows, tube with light and space, all intriguing and beyond my understanding.

How my perspective on life has changed in almost 75 years of living! This I once thought I knew and understood when taken in different perspectives and experiences over time have changed dramatically.

What I do know for certain is that love and compassion are needed every place on earth. We are given the power to live in love through the Holy Spirit who inhabits those who embrace the death and resurrection of Christ. Others have learned love and compassion from other sources and I cannot comment on that. I just know we all need grace, love and compassion, a willingness for others to understand and accept us. God, give us eyes to see like You see, a heart to love like You love us! Unreservedly, grace-filled, unconditional love.

Look again at the images in this post. What do you see this time that you missed at the last glance? Perhaps it time to also look at others in the same way. We think we know people, but many times we miss their essence with our preconceived ideas of who they are. Those same people might be someone lovely we have missed altogether!

We are known intimately by God and loved.

"Not because of who I am, but because of what You've done,
Not because of what I've done, But because of who You are!"
Such wisdom in those words. God help us to live in such a way to bring honor to You.
Posted on in Amazing Creations, Faith, Memories, Nature, Praise, Rest, Thanks, Traveling

Under The Sea

I just love the underside of the ocean surface. Here is an an example why!

When we traveled to Cozumel many years ago I could have sat and just watched the underside of the waves for hours. Of course, I could not hold my breath that long, though the snorkel certainly helped! I was mesmerized by the sight.

How many other things upon the earth have we never seen or contemplated? What fascinates you?

Have you ridden in a plane recently? Bob caught this photo of the clouds for me when we recently flew to New Mexico. I was thinking of the underside of the waves and wanted to compare the water of the ocean and the water in the sky visually.

rmdutina

How wonderful our Creative God made all things!!

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 1 Timothy 6:7 NIV

rmdutina

Even on days when the ocean is dark and seems foreboding, God is with us. The One who spoke to waves and winds can still command our lives.

In his hand are the depths of the earth;
    the heights of the mountains are his also.
5 The sea is his, for he made it,
    and the dry land, which his hands have formed.

6 O come, let us worship and bow down;
    let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! Psalm 95:4-6 NRSVUE

Posted on in Aging, Amazing Creations, Faith, Family, Memories, Music, Nature, Praise, Prayer, Rest, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Trust

Parents Love Song

When I was mourning my mother recently, nothing seemed to comfort me. Then I heard this song rolling through my soul. The first version I heard was done by Willie Nelson. He almost nailed it. It amazes me where comfort can come from!

Then I found what was likely their version from December 1951.

With someone like you, a pal good and true
I'd like to leave it all behind and go and find
Some place that's known to God alone
Just a spot to call our own
We'll Find perfect peace, where joys never cease
Out there beneath a kindly sky
We'll build a sweet little nest somewhere in the west
And let the rest of the world go by

As I listened repeatedly to the song, I realized that my sister has a sweet little nest, somewhere out in the west. She spends June into September there! And we have been privileged to stay there a time or two!

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4 NRSVUE

Posted on in Aging, Amazing Creations, Faith, Family, Humor, Memories, Praise, Prayer, Thanks, Worship

Births

The birth I told you about recently reminded me of my daughter’s birth. Fifty years ago today she came into the world. It is hard to grasp that number. I was in labor for 32 hours. Finally the doctor decided to do an emergency C-section. When I awoke they held her up for me to see. She was sticking out her tongue! (Of course, they had just popped a pacifier out of her mouth.)

She is a delight now, just as she was as a newborn!

Celebrating her daughter’s birthday this month, too!

When this woman turns on the joy there is no mistaking how she is feeling! She loves dogs.

For Mother’s Day her daughter took her to Puppy Yoga!

She is her Dad’s clone. They are so much alike I often wonder if I had anything to do with her birth! Emily is a joy and a blessing to us.

Happy Birthday, my dear!

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
    the fruit of the womb a reward. Psalm 127:3 ESV

Posted on in Faith, Obedience, Praise, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks, Writing Life

Life Beckons

Love this quote!

Life beckons us as a flicker. A tendril. A corner of darkness. A bell. A spark of the soul. And curiosity propels us to follow.

ROSE ZONETTI

That is how most of my writing begins. Something is dropped into my consciousness and I set out to follow the path it creates, to discover what is being said.

At Last!!

Finally have notice that the printing has begun!! So excited and humbled and grateful to God and Richelle, the Editor at Crown Publishing!

The book should be available this week through Amazon. I am somewhat amazed. Tired, too.

I will update the post as soon as I know how you can gain access to it.

So all you need to do is go to Amazon and type in Molly Dutina and the title Treasures in Plain Sight should come up! Or use this link to the page …. Treasures in Plain Sight: Growing Closer to Jesus in Prayer https://a.co/d/aYPZnXj

There is print edition as well as a Kindle version for $9.99. The photo show it as less because in my personal Amazon account I have shipping credits right now. Though the book lists for $12.00, please know I earn less than half of that. Any profit will be used for the next book or other Kingdom work.

Thank you for your prayers and support through this process!

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

Awoke with a Hymn Again

This morning pieces of this hymn were rolling about in my brain. I could not catch the title. I finally sat down to breakfast with a hymnal and began paging through it, trying to find the song. I suppose the Lord felt badly for me as eventually a phrase popped up. I put it into Duck Duck Go and the title came up. The hymnal I was looking in did not even have this song!! Grace and mercy, loving kindness extended to this old woman.

The lyrics here are slightly different than the hymnal I have. Text by Walter Chalmers Smith and traditional Welsh Hymn melody.

To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:17 RSVUE

The opening photo reminds me of “Thy justice, like mountains, high soaring above, Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.”

yes, rainbows!
Posted on in Amazing Creations, Faith, Music, Nature, Praise, Prayer, Rest, Surrender, Trust

Silhouette Delight

Remember the old song about silhouettes on the shade? You can click below to hear the song.

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=_h5YJZS7x_Q&si=fAAckGck4Ybj3-P7

It recently came to mind as spring leaf sprouts became true leaves. God is near at all times. The Almighty goes to incredible lengths to abide near us! David danced before God. Miriam danced before God. How about you?

Neighbors leave their porch lights on
Every night of the year
The maple leaves are finally large enough
To cast shadows on the window shade

The spring wind blowing all night
Showed fancy patterns at my side 
Each time I awoke the dance steps
Lulled me back to sleep

Mystery of nature
Here again you comfort me
If I observe or not the dance continues
Were the moves a fox trot or rumba

Another night the breeze
Was gentle as a caress
The dance was more like box step
Slow waltz of lovers unaware of other dancers

One night the storms rolled through
Tearing leaves from tender shoots
The yard was littered next morning
Debris of tango or jitterbug

					


			

							
			

		




			
				


	


		
	

		
		 		
	


	
		

					
	
			

				Posted on  in Amazing Creations, Challenge, Faith, Just do it, Listen, Music, Nature, Obedience, Praise			


							
Five Part Harmony
					


		

			

There is nothing like a spring morning to remind me of choral harmony. Recently I realized that The Cornell University app called Merlin was repeatedly picking up five birds singing simultaneously on Wednesday and Thursday and other days. There are times the singing sounds like a cacophony of voices, but there are also times when they seem to blend into five part harmony.





Once it found the voices of Carolina Wren, House Wren, Chipping Sparrow, American Robin and Northern Cardinal. Another morning House Finch, Blue Jay, Song Sparrow, Red-shouldered Hawk and Northern Cardinal.





Why does five part harmony amuse me? Remembering Revelation 7, I recently posted on my bathroom mirror the song of the angels: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” This is a reminder to me for when my mind wanders to lesser things. I try to return to this holy song being sung continuously, that I too, might join in the heavenly chorus. 





The angels surround the throne of God, the elders, the four living creatures and the ones wearing white robes. A countless multitude most likely singing in heavenly harmony to the Almighty God of our faith. I mean, as a former choir member, I have to wonder would they be likely to sing off key or out of harmony to the Host High?





After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”

11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying:

“Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!”

13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”

14 I answered, “Sir, you know.”

And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.


















The Scriptures are replete with references about singing praises to our God. Five birds singing in a harmony that heaven created and adores. Might we add our voices today towards the Holy One in constant adoration? What would your lyrics be today?













					


			

							
			

		




			
				


	


		
	

		
		 		
	


	
		

					
	
			

				Posted on  in Amazing Creations, Art, Challenge, Faith, Focus, Listen, Nature, Praise, Prayer, Rest, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Thanks, Trust			


							
Sleepless and Then Blessed
					


		

			

My mind was racing and I was sleepless. I asked the Lord to help me through it and these verses came to me. I looked them up using key words or phrases on the iPad mini, saved them to the i Cloud Notes and was able to get back to sleep after reading a few pages on the novel I had been reading earlier. I thought the verses might be a good reminder to some of you, so here goes. The trouble starts when I think I need to have the answers to the questions that trouble me.







And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,  singing,





“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
 and thanksgiving and honor 
and power and might 
be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” Rev 7:11-12







Ponder that for a moment. Angels around the throne, around the elders, and the four living creatures – I wonder how many angels it takes to surround that great company of beings? And the words they sing! BLESSING and GLORY and WISDOM and THANKSGIVING and HONOR and POWER and MIGHT be to our GOD. I do not think we can declare this too many times! I need not fret. Wisdom belongs to God first.





I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my eye upon you.





Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
    whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle,
    else it will not stay near you. Psalm 32:8-9





Do these sound familiar? Yes, I have posted these before, but I need to be reminded of them often. I am learning to trust that the Lord will instruct me, teach me, and counsel me. That also means the Lord thinks of me as instruct-able, teachable, and able to receive counsel. He has great faith in me. Do we have great faith in the Almighty One?









And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, 
your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 
“This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21





Have I waited? Have I listened? Am I willing to follow the instruction I am given? 









Years ago, when I was first beginning to tell relatives that I was writing Peggy, the wife of my Cousin Art, told me these verses. I was reminded in the night.


2  Then the Lord answered me and said:
Write the vision;
    make it plain on tablets,
    so that a runner may read it.
3 
For there is still a vision for the appointed time;
    it speaks of the end and does not lie.
If it seems to tarry, wait for it;
    it will surely come; it will not delay.
4 
Look at the proud!
    Their spirit is not right in them,
    but the righteous live by their faithfulness. Habakkuk 2:2-4





So when it comes time to give away the printed copies of the poetry, I am trusting that those who do not get a printed copy will be able to use the electronic copy I can send to any email address. As long as they open it in Microsoft Word, it should appear just like the printed copy. The tablets of Habakkuk have taken on a new form! 





And this picture also popped up that night seemingly out of no where.






Veteran in a New Field by Winslow Homer






The image shows a man cutting the harvest. One of the first art images the Lord used to speak to me was by Vincent van Gogh, entitled the Sower. There was more than one of these paintings. Here is the first I knew about. 










From the sower to the harvest. Wow. Such blessings for us all.