Category: Prayer

Posted on in Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Just do it, Obedience, Prayer, Rest, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Trust, Yield

Are You Practicing the Way?

I just realized I never posted this to let you know I was taking a week off. Oops. Well here is this blog entry very late!!

John Mark Comer has written a phenomenal book entitled Practicing the Way. I have been devouring it and trying to live into it. There is also a website that I found only recently https://www.practicingtheway.org/

Even if you have no intention of purchasing the book or borrowing it from your local library, I would encourage you to look a these materials. At the website practice materials are offered freely. Of course, there are also ways to contribute to the effort of getting the materials out.

There was a saying years ago that if you aim at nothing you are bound to hit it! That is especially true of our spiritual walk.

There are one or more areas where we might ignore the teachings of Jesus. The materials help guide us in contemporary ways to apply the teachings and grow in our own walk. I was familiar with the nine practices, but had never applied some of them to my walk consistently. In the New Year I hope to take this material and use it as my own. Hoping for a more fulfilling, God-honoring, lifestyle by bringing the practices into focus in my own life.

As we wind down 2025, I hope you will take some time to rest. We are truly a driven society and rarely allow our Shepherd to lead us into rest and solitude.

I will be taking the first week of January off from writing. I will also be studying materials for Stephen Ministry as I venture into again becoming a Stephen Minister. May your New Year celebration be blessed and warmly celebrated as we begin again to follow the Lord.

Start 2016 with a practice of resting in Christ. I did take that time off. Now I am back at writing, continuing to study Stephen Ministry materials and planning to work on two separate writing projects. All prayers appreciated!

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

My Favorite Recording is by The Haven Quartet

Have you heard and remembered this hymn?

1. Of the Father’s love begotten,
Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the source, the ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see,
Evermore and evermore.

2. At his word the worlds were framèd;
He commanded, it was done:
Heav’n and earth and depths of ocean,
In their threefold order one;
All that grows beneath the shining
Of the moon and burning sun—
[Evermore and evermore.] Aurelius Clemens Prudentius

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Faith, Family, Focus, Joy, Just do it, Listen, Look, Obedience, Praise, Prayer, Special Event, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks, Worship, Yield

A Thousand Lights

PBS reports that: “Jews across the religious observance spectrum — from Reform to Conservative to Orthodox — focus on the same theme of bringing light into the darkness and emphasizing that even a small, against-the-odds effort can have a transforming effect.” During their celebration of Hanukah they light a new candle each night on the eight branches menorah. As we mourn with the Jewish community in Australia over the murders and injuries there and beyond, I remember being awakened one night with a thought. Our life is to be like a thousand tiny lights of kindness.

How can you participate in this? Every tiny act of kindness that you do makes you a participant.

There was an elderly woman searching in the deep freezer at the grocery store among the frozen turkeys. She just wanted a small one. The one she had chosen did not have a tag on it. I was able to flag down an employee to help her get it weighed and tagged. He wanted me to follow him and I explained that he needed to carry the turkey and escort her slowly to wherever he was going as she was the one interested in the purchase.

There was someone in the same store using an electric shopping cart. She is tiny and seated. There is an item on a high shelf that she is interested in. I ask if I can reach it for her? She is grateful.

Just looking folks in the eye, greeting them with a smile and saying hello has become a practice that cheers many. Most older folks seem surprised that you see them and care. Every age is somewhat startled if you look them in the eye when you greet them.

A tiny thousand lights of kindness. Wishing a harried store clerk a good day. Telling them to take a deep breath while you find your credit card. Urging the world to slow down for one minute. Tiny light of kindness.

Yielding to a car in traffic and being genuinely glad about it.

Thanking the letter carrier for service. The last one I greeted was delivering mail in 13 degree weather. I asked how he stayed warm. He replied you just have to dress for the weather.

Giving the delivery man a home baked cookie when he brings your package to the door.

In the gospel of John we are told

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

The word light is used seven times in the first nine verses of John 1. In the passage above, a mere three verses, it is used four times. We are to pay attention to this idea. We are to shine the light God has given us. Shine and shine and then shine some more. No place does it say the light of the world got weary of shining and stopped. We too are called to this shine work.

Have you ever attended a concert where the performer asked people to turn on their cell phone flashlight? Or they were given wristbands they were to light up at a certain time? Can you imagine if all of those people left that stadium with the conviction to shine the light God gave them to others around the world? You can help with this effort every single day of your life. If you no longer leave the house you likely still have conversations with others. Smile through your words and bring light and life to each situation.

PBS goes on to report: “A menorah is lit in each household and traditionally is placed where it can be seen from the outside, such as a doorway or windowsill, to symbolize the spreading of God’s light to all nations.”

A thousand tiny lights of kindness. “Even a small, against-the-odds effort can have a transforming effect.” Yes, that means each of us. Just as we celebrate Jesus, the Light of the world, at this time of year (and always) we are to be set on fire for the Kingdom good news! Many are credited with this saying, Saint Francis most notably.

Posted on in Challenge, Faith, Humor, Joy, Listen, Look, Music, Praise, Prayer, Thanks, Trust

Cincinnati Music Hall

When I went to hear the Messiah my friend who got me the tickets at a greatly reduced price had trouble getting the tickets to me. Finally she scanned the QR codes for each ticket and Bob said that was enough to get us in. I was privileged to take another friend who is visually impaired. She is legally blind and we were going at night to the area called Over The Rhine. Not a place two women should wander about at night alone, especially when the concert let out around 10 or so.

My plan was to park in the underground garage right across the street from Music Hall. Bob had provided us money for parking. I told my friend to wear good walking shoes as the street in front of music Hall has been returned to cobblestones. Last thing we needed was for either of us to turn an ankle! And the streetcar tracks run right through the middle of Elm Street where the Hall is located.

We arrived in record time. Pulling up the garage entrance I noticed the sign saying it was full. I was aghast! The attendant told me where the nearest garage was, (several blocks away). I thought, no that is not acceptable. Called Bob and he made a suggestion too. I asked him to be praying. We went around Washington Park and towards the front of the Music Hall. The lot Bob had suggested was also full. I was praying, “Lord …” Then I saw the sandwich board sign, “Valet Parking $20.” I told my friend that was what we would do.

When I pulled forward the man said he would like to park my car directly across the street on the road. He said when the performance let out all I had to do was tell the valet attendant that I was parked right there, get my keys and leave. There would be no waiting in line for them to fetch my car. I agreed it was a good plan.

We exited the car and made our way to the entrance. There are many stairs leading up to Cincinnati Music Hall.

So we slowly climbed the stairs. I would mention how many steps in each flight, when we reached a landing, etc. then the number of steps in the next flight. We made our way to the door with me hoping the QR codes were enough. They wanted to inspect my friend’s purse for security reasons. They skipped mine though. The ticket person scanned my phone and voila we were in!

We were in time to listen to the pre-concert lecture by three of the performers. Then we got a drink and waited in the foyer for the concert to begin. I asked my friend (who loves Hallmark Christmas movies) if she had ever heard of a God Wink? Recently on the Great American Movie channel I had watched a movie about God wink. The woman in the movie said she did not believe in coincidence. She called such happenings a God wink. I said the parking situation was a God wink. We both laughed and agreed! If I had been thinking ahead I might have realized that with 140+ performers and the orchestra members the parking lot would likely be full. I was glad I had not thought of that because it would have caused me to worry.

We were delighted throughout the performance. When the concert was over we were caught up in the movement of the crowd. I made certain we went slowly down those outdoor stairs. I was counting how many steps and mentioned the landings, etc. There was a line at the Valet parking booth. I noticed the attendants were all out getting cars. The key cabinet was open and people were matching their keys to their numbered tags. My number was #2. I reached in and got my keys. We waited at the curb, in the wind, for the Policewoman to stop traffic for the pedestrians. That’s when I noticed I had not closed my coat! We were able to stay within the crosswalk, which is paved smoothly, keeping us away from the cobblestones. Then we had to walk counter to the flood of pedestrians to get to the car. I hit the button on the key fob to open the doors. Got my friend seated and drew a sigh of relief.

I went around to my door, started the car, turned the seat warmers to high and looked around. The policewoman was motioning to me. I opened my window and she said, “I want you to cut your wheels and pull out while I have this traffic stopped.” I replied, “Okay!” She keep motioning and I was waiting for the pedestrians to get out of the way so I did not hit anyone. Before we knew it we were driving away for Music Hall and laughing. Totally caught up in all the God winks! What a wonderful evening!

My friend decided she wanted to return to Music Hall with her husband for a Pops concert the next week. She was going to be certain to tell him they should get there early and choose valet parking.

Watch for God winks in your life this season and give thanks!!

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Joy, Just do it, Praise, Prayer, Worship

Advent with Every Moment Holy

I looked through the featured liturgies from the daily reading I get from Every Moment Holy. Here is a small portion from the one entitled Entering the Advent Season  by Lanier Ivester

God-With-Us, be my peace 
as I embark upon this holy season.
Help me to carve out quiet for
communion with you
sheltered moments in which to contemplate
the earth-shattering gift of a self-giving Savior.
And where quiet cannot be found,
so tether me to your presence within that
nothing without would unravel my calm.

I love the images there. Help me carve out, not turkey or the ham or any other delight, but more so “carve out quiet for communion with” God.

“Sheltered moment and earth-shattering gift.” This writer understands what we are celebrating right now!

And so, with the confidence your people 
have carried since your first coming,
I look toward your second with
expectant love,
echoing the cry your church
has intoned through the ages:
Even so, come, Lord Jesus

Commenting upon the word Maranatha, Wikipedia says: Use in contemplative prayer

Based on the teachings of John Cassian, John Main recommended the recitation of Maranatha as “the ideal Christian mantra“, meaning “Come Lord”, repeated silently interiorly as four equally stressed syllables Ma-ra-na-tha: “Not only is this one of the most ancient Christian prayers, in the language Jesus spoke, but it also has a harmonic quality that helps to bring the mind to silence. Other words or short phrases could be used but he saw it as important that during the meditation one doesn’t think about the meaning or use the imagination.”[5] Other Christian authors and communities cultivate similar practices centered on this recitation, such as Pablo d’Ors, who also recommends it as one of the linkages (along with the breathing and the hands) for the practice of contemplative prayer.

I have read both John Cassian and John Main. Making Maranatha a prayer to focus upon your breath is very powerful. The focus is upon the four stressed syllables but also upon the plea of the word prayer Maranatha. Come Lord, be with us. Come Lord i your power and glory.

Hearing the Messiah reminded me of the song of the angels in Revelation 7:11-2

All the angels were standing around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before his throne, and worshiped God, 12 saying, “Amen! Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might, be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

If you recite nothing else this Advent I challenge you to recite Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power and might. These be to our God forever and ever. Amen!

And again in Revelation 5: 11-/13

 I looked, and I heard something like a voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders. The number of them was ten thousands of ten thousands, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who has been killed to receive the power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing!”

13 I heard every created thing which is in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be the blessing, the honor, the glory, and the dominion, forever and ever! Amen!”

Is this what you think about during Advent and Christmas? If not usually, try this with the ten thousands of ten thousands!

power 
wealth 
wisdom
strength
honor
glory 
blessing
dominion
thanksgiving
might
Even so, come, Lord Jesus, come!

Maybe I have to get this printed as a card for next year!!

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Art, Faith, Joy, Listen, Music, Praise, Prayer, Rest, Special Event, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Thanks, Worship

Come Unto Me

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.

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Faith, Joy, Look, Praise, Prayer, Thanks, Traveling, Worship

Fences

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!

Another place of fascination is the telescope at Hilo, Hawaii. You can watch it daily. https://liveworldwebcams.com/subaru-telescope-live-webcam-hawaii/

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!

Posted on in Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Family, Illness and Health, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Trust, Yield

Your Prayers Are Needed

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

Posted on in Aging, Challenge, Faith, Family, Humor, Joy, Praise, Prayer, Surrender, Thanks

The Pre-Thanksgiving Shenanigans

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

In everything, not for everything.

Posted on in Aging, Challenge, Faith, Listen, Memories, Music, Prayer, Trust, Worship, Yield

Called Here Repeatedly

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.