Defined as: a person whose personality is characterized by introversion: a typically reserved or quiet person who tends to be introspective and enjoys spending time alone.
So stand me up in front of the congregation, say a prayer over me, applaud .. NOT my cup of tea. Yet to be commissioned as a Stephen Minister I had to do just that. Our three priests and leader of Stephen Ministry and two other Stephen Ministers prayed over me as I knelt. Then there was a reception with cake and congratulations and it was all just difficult for me. The only easy thing was agreeing to serve the Lord through Stephen Ministry.
Pastor Roger is short so you can’t see him here. You can see the soles of my shoes!
Bob and I used to serve on a marriage ministry weekend and our friend Dan always told the people that God chose four introverts to speak to them. The word does say
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to abolish things that are, 29 so that no one might boast in the presence of God.1 Corinthians 127-29
The only thing I boasted about was thanking the Lord for getting me through it! We do serve an amazing God. This God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above ALL that we can ask or imagine. Ephesians 3:20 Verse 21 says to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
A friend gave me a devotional book for Christmas entitled Amazing Grace. It has a devotion for morning and evening. I am grateful she purchased it for me. I would not have been likely to do it as I own many devotional books. This one has been great! When I read the offering for the morning of February 16 I was deeply blessed. The author mentions being able to receive a sincere compliment.
“This is tricky for many of us, as we tread that fine line we’ve walked since little girls, the one between graciousness and fear of appearing vain.
“One of the many wonderful things about life in Christ is that we can cast this worry aside. Once we grasp that every good thing about us is a gift from him, we are free to appreciate being appreciated. Not only that, we also get to call attention to the awesome work he does through our weak places. Consider responding like this: “Thank you! Let me tell you, that was all God. My human side wanted to run for the hills. I can’t believe the courage he gave me to hang in there.”
I almost hollered AMEN! as I read this during breakfast. (I was afraid I would I make Bob choke on his toast!) I just knew I had to post it to you!
So try to remember this quote next time someone compliments you upon your work with God, for God. He alone is most worthy of all glory and praise, thanksgiving and honor! Revelation 7:12
I recently read a book entitled “The Dog That Talked to God.”It features a miniature Schnauzer. I knew one once. My friend Jeanne owned it and it was sweet, though yappy.
The book is Christian fiction. Not only does the dog talk to God, the dog talks occasionally to its master. That might be fun!!
More than halfway through the book the owner decided to sell her house and relocate. This was difficult for both her and the dog. Here is one conversation the two of them had.
Rufus stared at his front paws.
“I guess. Maybe. But I don’t like this change. I liked the way things were. Except for the cold. And the snow. And getting run over by cars. Other than that, I liked it. And there were no horses there at all. None at all.”
This time I bent to him, not to hear him, but to hug him tight to me.
We were both lost and alone and dislocated and we wanted what we had before and would never, ever get back.
“God did say to trust him,” Rufus added, his voice soft, almost a whisper. “I don’t know what that means exactly. But I think he will show us what he wants us to do. Right? He does that sort of thing, right?”
Does that sound familiar to your life experience? This was not just a cutesy book with a warm fuzzy message. This book, written from the perspective of a woman and her dog, written by a man which had me puzzled for a bit, is more like a meatloaf sandwich when you apply it to yourself. The woman is angry with God and has decided not to talk with God anymore. It is an age old human situation and this one is told in an interesting way. I went through that after my mother died suddenly. (We worked it out.)
My book has a copyright of 2012 so you can likely purchase it used through Abe Books or Thrift.
Recently our friend, Dan Cooksey posted this on his Monday funnies referring to Lucky.
Bob and I were sharing our joy over the photo. He began to wonder what if it said “Get a cat, they said, it will be fun they said.” What would happen if we had adopted a cat while Lucky was still living here. I reminded him that she has been known to curl up and sleep with a cat when other folks have housed her for us. He did not remember that.
With this being the traditional Valentine’s Day I thought I woudl share this with you.
The card sends this video with the melody of “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” playing during the unfolding images. The final drawing reminded me of our conversation. If you click the link above you can watch and listen to the greeting.
Let me just take this moment to thank you, all of you, who read this blog. Occasionally someone will comment on the material and that just blesses me no end. I keep writing and posting hoping that something I send will help you along in your journey, perhaps boost your intention regarding how you live and worship.
Saint Valentine is said to have ministered to the faithful amidst persecution in the Roman Empire. In that case I raise awareness today to the many people who are speaking out against injustice and persecution amid this supposedly free country. May we move past paper hearts and commercial celebration of love in to real love for one another. May we pray for those who are blinded by darkness and who try to dim the Light of Christ, the Light of the world, in the United Sates of America, North and South America and around the world. May the powerful love of Christ reign and overwhelm the darkness. May even those who are blinded by the dark side be made aware of how much God loves them and wants them with the Trinity. May verbal and electronic persecution by our leaders end. God bring peace on earth we pray.
For a week or perhaps 10 days, I got all complicated about my disciplines. We were having new flooring installed in the sitting/sewing room and in order to do that we basically dismantled the room. There was yarn and all manner of sewing things moved into the office. Writing in that space became more difficult as I could barely move my chair. Somehow that overflowed into my morning disciplines. Suffice it to say I lost my focus. It was easy to heap recriminations upon myself. But not productive!
The flooring is now installed. The contents of the room have been replaced and in their original order, sort of. I will have straightening to do for many hours in the future. When we moved the yarn holders (think cloth shoe pouches that hang from the closet pole) yarn and crochet thread went all over the place.
This morning, when I sat down in my prayer chair, I realized I’d left my tablet some place. Remembered I had used my iPad in the living room. I went to retrieve it and there was no charge left. Even the attached keyboard failed to have any power. So my approach to prayer centering was greatly disrupted. That was not all bad.
Looking for a way to firmly connect with the Spirit of God, I remembered all the times I did that without any electronic devices. Just me, the Book of Common Prayer, my Bible, perhaps a dictionary and a desire to know, and be known by my God. This was a masterful reset. I know I stepped away from my disciplines, not deliberately but a little shift here, a little shift there, a little anxiety here about Bob and the dog walking in icy weather, distraction by A B and C, and next thing I knew I was walking an unproductive path.
The meditation I listened to via my smart phone spoke about finding some breathing room. And that is what I have done this morning. I have some breathing room and a path forward to better union with the Trinity.
So hopefully, now I have regained some perspective. I once again have a renewed awareness of how easy it is to abandon the way of life that is so very good for me. I found myself stumbling about with the way of self in the world. It was not fulfilling. Just frustrating and like sawdust to my soul and spirit.
Father, thank you for showing me myself clearly. Help me above all else to hunger for and maintain my connection to you. You are the source of life. You are living water to me. Keep me and direct my ways to the glory of your name. Amen.
The Rule of Saint Benedict says, “Always, we begin again.”
Our house has been so dry we actually went out and purchased a humidifier!
You know you are in trouble when Husband is getting well and you are suddenly sneezing. And then the back of your nose, soft palate, whatever it is called, begins to burn. Yes, nasopharnyx set on fire! The next day when I progressed to 12 tissues in one hour I started taking Benadryl. Started using Aquaphor on my outer nose and upper lip every time I used a tissue. What a mess this is!
Slept on two pillows in order to breathe. Second night did not sleep well at all. Finally got out of bed at 5:20 AM drenched in sweat and gosh, I am sick. Fluids, Neti pot, sleep, nasal sprays, Tylenol. Cough drops, moisture drops anything that might help me feel better. Chicken tortellini soup. Menthol rub on sore neck glands. Glucose running high but that happens when Diabetics get sick.
This dreaded winter head-cold has hit me hard. Not certain how much writing will get done this week, but at least you know why now! It is so difficult to focus on the Lord and things like writing when I do not feel well. I keep praying for wisdom. I so often do not feel well, so I ought might have had this mastered by now?!?! Seemingly not.
Keep those tissues handy. And don’t catch this!!
The great thaw is supposed to begin tomorrow. I will believe it when I see it!
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!
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?
I have read portions of his work compiled in a book by Coleman Banks entitled The Essential Rumi. I find his work and wisdom quoted in so many places! He lived 1207-1273.
Recently Gratefulness.org posted
“Thankfulness brings you to the place where the Beloved lives.” Rumi
We could all benefit from more thankfulness and gratitude. It does our hears and minds good. Jesus gave thanks repeatedly in the Gospels. He took the five loaves and two fish and gave thanks. He thanked the Father for giving wisdom to the humble and lowly. And the Scriptures go on and on showing us how Jesus was thankful to the Father for the many blessings in life.
The Beloved, I read, as our Lord. God sent Jesus to redeem and save this world. Every person on earth needs the Beloved.
We are also called the Beloved of God. We are deeply loved, cherished and valued. Do you believe that about yourself? It is true. Utterly and amazingly true!
Sometimes I just quote online sources to save time!
The word beloved is also used repeatedly throughout the New Testament. A notable use of the word is at the baptism of Jesus. In this scene, all three Persons of the Trinity are revealed. God the Father speaks to the Son from heaven: “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22). Then the “Holy Spirit descended like a dove and rested on Him” (Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; John 1:32). God again calls Jesus “beloved” at the Mount of Transfiguration: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him” (Matthew 17:5). We can learn a little about the loving relationship shared by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit by God’s use of the word beloved. Jesus echoes that truth in John 10:17 when He says, “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again.” https://www.gotquestions.org/beloved-in-the-Bible.html
He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:5-6 NRSVUE
Glorious grace bestowed freely upon us in Christ, the Beloved. That gives me cause to be thankful and reside where the Beloved lives!
Sufi Whirling, the prayerful dance such as Rumi participated in
How might you participate more in thankfulness? It’s not just for turkey anymore 🙂
I have been trying to apply myself to read through all of the Gospels, not as a study work, but just to absorb and pray the stories of Jesus afresh for 2026. Having finished Mark I am now in Matthew.
You have likely heard the Scripture story about the house built upon the sand?
24 “Everyone, then, who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall because it had been founded on rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!” Matthew 7:24-27 NRSVUE
I think all too often I have heard it like a lesson in engineering. If you look for images about that passage you are given house upon house built upon rocks or sand. It hit me this morning that Jesus was teaching that the ones who HEAR the words and ACT on them are wise. He compares the wise to a good engineer, but the lesson is even for those who cannot build anything. Hear and act: the continuous call to obedience. Hear the words and act upon them. How do you personally accomplish that?
I have also decided to review music by some of my favorite artists. Recently Benjamin William Hastings has been my artist to listen to. He caught my attention about three years ago with his song “That’s the Thing about Praise.” This same chapter in Matthew has the verse he wrote about with Cody Carnes in “Take You At Your Word.” The YouTube video has the lyrics. The opening artwork caught my attention as an apt descriptor of the narrow gate.
13 “Enter through the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. 14 For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13-14 NRSVUE
Hear and act. Choose the narrow gate, the hard road that leads to life. We are also promised life and that more abundantly! (John 10:10)
Treasures in Plain Sight, A Christian Blog 