Category: Spiritual growth

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, 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?

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

Prayers and Reality Right Next to Us

This prayer has been on Lectio 365 for several weeks. It’s impact hits me only occasionally. And then WHAM! it hits me just what we are praying.

Lord Jesus Christ, 
alive though you died, 
meet with me now, 
speak to me now, and 
grant me your peace, 
both here in these moments of prayer, 
and throughout the day to come. Amen

“Alive though you died.” Revelation 1:18 Did you catch that? We are speaking in prayer to the risen King. He died. He rose again. He dwells with us and lives in us through the Holy Spirit.

“Meet with me now.” Christ is able to do that.

“Speak with me now.” Nothing is too difficult for the King of kings. Jeremiah 32:17 Open my ears to hear you I pray.

“Grant me your peace.” Regardless of what this day or hour or week may bring, your peace please. That peace that is beyond all understanding. Philippians 4:7

Lord Jesus Christ, alive though you died. Yes, I truly believe this prayer and the outrageous claims of Jesus. After three days dead he did rebuild the temple of his body. Complete with scars inflicted by man upon his hands and feet and side. He came and was seen by the disciples. He ate meals with them, even cooked a meal for them on the beach! He showed them his scars beautified by the Father. And this same Savior is with us today, decades and centuries later.

The Collect for this past week at church read:

O God, you have prepared for those who love you
such good things as surpass our understanding:
Pour into our hearts such love towards you,
that we, loving you in all things and above all things,
may obtain your promises, 
which exceed all that we can desire;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, 
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Certainly gives us plenty of meat to ponder for our journey this week! “Loving you in all things and above all things.”Help me do just that Lord.

God is so good and wants to give good things to us. Matthew 7:11 NRSVUE

Seek him and you will find him when you seek for him with all of your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 NRSVUE He will not disappoint us.

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Challenge, Faith, Listen, Look, Nature, Obedience, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Traveling

A Weird Bear Encounter

Last year at Christmas Bob thought it would be fun to own a dash camera. I was unimpressed. He has enjoyed driving around town with it. Then he hit upon the idea of recording our time in the Smokys. I encouraged him, “Why not?”

On our last drive through Cades Cove, after the ranger comfort station, we got behind a car going 10 mph. He went 15 tops. We kept hoping he would use a pullout and let us and the huge line of cars behind us pass him. He did not.

We thought about flashing our lights, honking, putting on turn signal. We did not. Frustrated to 10th degree we tried to imagine was it their first time there and they were fascinated? Afraid they’d miss something? We imagined she was dying and this was the last time she would see this? Anything to keep our blood pressures down and try to find grace for these persons.

We got to the end of the Cades Cove Loop road and they signaled for campground then changed their mind. We groaned in agony fearing they would go this slow all the way back to Townsend.

screenshot of video recording

Then they turned into a picnic area to which we cried, “Let them!”

screenshot of dash cam video

We slowed at the yield sign. As we began to pull out on main road a bear cub jumped in front of our car. Bob missed him and saw another on the hillside.

We eventually decided there was such a long time since a car had gone past the mom probably decided it was safe to cross the road and then we broke through the clog. If we had not been delayed for so long behind that creeping slow car we would not have seen these cubs.

As we traveled down the main road we imagined conversations. “We were not planning on cub patties this evening.” “Really Ranger, we did not mean to hit him!” It was a close encounter of the kind we would not want. Imagine the car damage and THE PAPERWORK!!

How difficult is it to extend grace to someone who frustrates you? Whew! The Lord insists that we love as God loves us, that as we forgive we are forgiven. Matthew 6: 14-15 Have you ever had a frustrating experience that later you become thankful for?

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15 NIV

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35 NIV

Hoping you will cruise slowly through this day and take in all the sights!

Posted on in Faith, Family, Obedience, Prayer, Rest, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks, Worship

Convent of the Transfiguration

A recent prayer from the Sisters.

Holy God, the source and giver of all wisdom, 
in your love, give to each of us a hearing heart and 
the will to listen deeply for your guidance, 
that the decisions we make will honor you, 
and our life together give you joy 
as we serve, praying in your Name. Amen.

I heard this at my most recent retreat and was arrested by the sentiment of a hearing heart. If you are a frequent reader of this blog you know I have been writing about listening and ears and the whole concept for a couple of months now.

A hearing heart.

The will to listen deeply for guidance.

Oh yes, and the strength to trust and obey what we hear!

Many religious institutions are in transition as fewer men and women seek to follow and serve God through ordination or monastic life. So I ask that you pray for these friends who have been so crucial and instrumental in my formation as a follower of Christ. You can meet them at the link below.

https://ctsisters.org/about/the-sisters/

Almighty and everlasting God, we pray you, bless your servants, the Associates of the Community of the Transfiguration. Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord, that we may know and do your will.  Guide, strengthen and protect us by your Holy Spirit, that we may walk in your ways all the days of our life and in the end be brought to life eternal, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Posted on in Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Focus, Listen, Look, Praise, Rest, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Thanks, Trust

Project Completed

It is not unusual when I complete a project to feel a release, a let down, perhaps a turning loose of the tension. When I was in retreat and folks around me were celebrating the publication of the book of poems, I was asking the Lord, “What next?”

Several times during the appointed times of prayer at the Convent we read Psalm 139. Verse 4 in the prayer book, which is verse 5 in most Bibles, struck me. The first time I just noted it. The second time I wrote it out. Now I have been doing some study through the Logos app regarding that verse.

The promises here are astounding. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Even though I do not feel your touch, your word assures me you lay your hand upon me. I am yours. I am never abandoned, never alone. You shall lead me and hold me fast.

Matthew Henry wrote: “Thou knowest me in every part of me: Thou hast beset me behind and before, so that, go which way I will, I am under thy eye and cannot possibly escape it. Thou hast laid thy hand upon me, and I cannot run away from thee.” Wherever we are we are under the eye and hand of God. Perhaps it is an allusion to the physician’s laying his hand upon his patient to feel how his pulse beats or what temper he is in. God knows us as we know not only what we see, but what we feel and have our hands upon. All his saints are in his hand which tenderly holds their aching head.

U wrote: In proportion as we are fully reconciled to God, and love Him, and rejoice in Him, it will become a cause of joy to reflect that our best Friend is never away from us, that our Protector’s hand is never removed, that the great observant eye of divine love is never closed. 

He continues, “We may judge as to our position before God by this test—is the thought of His constant observation of us a subject of joy or of dread? If we dread it, surely we have the old spirit of bondage still upon us. But if we rejoice in it, then we may know that we have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry, “Abba, Father.”  Spurgeon went on to take a military point of view with the idea of Beset me behind and before. My response was, “Really? Do we have to take that view?”

Nelson Study Bible said, “The purpose of His intimate knowledge of His servants is protective and helpful, not judgmental and condemning.”

Yes Lord, I believe this. You protect and help me. As I confess my sins you are faithful and just to forgive me my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) Therefore, I can rest in your encompassing care and closeness. You are my Abba, Father.

And the New Commentary on the Whole Bible by J D Douglas 1990 says,”laid thine hand upon me—This is the body language of blessing (Gen. 48:14, 17). This level of being known and accepted overwhelms the psalmist.”

For me there is nothing to fear in these verses, nothing to run from. Why would I not accept the hand of blessing from my God upon my head? We are known and loved. Do not be overwhelmed. Sit with your God and receive.

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Book quotes, Faith, Memories, Obedience, Praise, Prayer, Rest, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks, Writing Life

Mist on Mountains Will Pass; The Mountains Abide

We visited Great Smoky Mountains National Park last week. It was wonderful. Bob let me experiment with one of his cameras. I needed lots of coaching! When we created the cover for the book Poems we discovered that the iPhone photos I mainly take did not have enough dpi (dots per inch) to create a good book photo cover. So I set about learning a new skill. Tried to relax as I fudged the photo up then took it again, repeatedly.

The opening photo is from New Found Gap, elevation 5,048 feet. We had to travel there to see most of my favorite spring flowers. With global warming they had already bloomed and faded at the lower elevations. First photo is a hillside just covered by May Apples that were still in bloom.

Just before we arrived I had read this selection from The Edges of His Ways by Amy Carmichael: April 26

Sometimes we wake feeling “down,” and we feel like that all day long for no reason that we can discover, only it is so.
It is useless to try to feel different; trying does not touch feelings. It is useless to argue with oneself; feelings elude arguments. Be patient–feelings are like the mists that cover the mountains in misty weather. The mists pass; the mountains abide. Turn to your Father; tell Him you know that He loves you whether you feel it or not, and that you know that He is with you whether you feel His presence or not. “I beseech Thee,” said one long ago, “let the power of my Lord be great, according as Thou hast spoken, saying, . . .” I suggest that you ask the Holy Spirit to bring some “saying” of His to your mind that has helped you in the past. That saying wherein He has caused us to trust, “the same is my comfort in my trouble: for Thy word hath quickened me.”
Our Lord can enable us so to live that of our inward “toil and dejection” others see nothing.

photo by r m dutina

“The mists pass; the mountains abide.”

I do love the writing of Amy Carmichael! The Lord can enable us so to live that others see nothing of our inward toil and dejection. I am certainly not there yet, but it is a lofty goal. Amy Carmichael suffered “For most of her life, she suffered from a nerve condition called neuralgia, which caused chronic pain, fatigue, and migraines. Then, due to a spine injury, she was bedridden and in severe pain for the last twenty years of her life.” Today Neuralgia is defined “Neuralgia is the medical term for severe, shooting pain that occurs due to a damaged or irritated nerve. Neuralgia can affect any part of the body, causing mild to severe pain.”

Then a spine injury that left her bedridden for 20 years?!? I can hardly imagine. Yet she carried on her Christian ministry in India and wrote booklets that comfort us even to this day.

Lord, thank you for her life and writings. Thank you that she is no longer suffering with pain. Bless her memory I pray.

Posted on in Faith, Focus, Joy, Listen, Obedience, Praise, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Trust, Yield

Psalm 16 Repeats

Have you ever noticed a Bible verse repeating over and over again in your life?

In our recent readings for the Second Sunday of Easter we read Psalm 16. Verse 11 is especially meaningful to me.

“You show me the path of life.
    In your presence there is fullness of joy;
    in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 NRSVUE

When I skipped church as a young teenager and walked the paths in the park worshiping God, it seemed as if David’s experience was my experience, too.

In 1993 I attended a silent retreat. When Psalm 16 came up I felt led to take verse 8 with me and practice God’s presence as I walked the Convent grounds.

I keep the Lord always before me;
    because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Psalm 16:8 NRSVUE

The practice that day deepened my faith and my trust in this God who is always at my right hand. Isaiah 42: 6 verses a and b go along with this verse.

“I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness,
    I have taken you by the hand and kept you…”

When I attended the Jewish funeral service for our dear “Aunt Cloty Gutman” in May, 2002 they read this Psalm. I was deeply touched as I remembered again that we both shared trust in this God whom David extolled.

The path of life, fullness of joy, pleasures forevermore … why would I seek after anything else?

I learned early in life that the God of Jesus is Who I wanted to seek. After dabbling in things of the world and even tasting the occult, I realized that only Jesus is eternal. Only God Almighty is going on forever. That is Who I want to follow. That is Who I want as my leader.

Protect me, God,
for you are my refuge.
2 I said to Adonai, “You are my Lord;
I have nothing good outside of you.”
3 The holy people in the land are the ones
who are worthy of honor; all my pleasure is in them.

4 Those who run after another god
multiply their sorrows;
To such gods I will not offer
drink offerings of blood
or take their names on my lips.

5 Adonai, my assigned portion, my cup:
you safeguard my share.
6 Pleasant places were measured out for me;
I am content with my heritage.

7 I bless Adonai, my counselor;
at night my inmost being instructs me.
8 I always set Adonai before me;
with him at my right hand, I can never be moved;
9 so my heart is glad, my glory rejoices,
and my body too rests in safety;
10 for you will not abandon me to Sh’ol,
you will not let your faithful one see the Abyss.
11 You make me know the path of life;
in your presence is unbounded joy,
in your right hand eternal delight. The Complete Jewish Bible

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

Listening and Prayer Requests from Others

When we listen to people, our own language softens. Listening may be the cardinal act of giving. Paul Hawken

Our church offers personal prayer once a month at all three services. This fell into disuse recently when the leader had to step down and no one stepped up to take his place. I wanted to join the prayer ministry. It was made clear to me that in order to do that I would need to take up the leadership and thereby ask the Lord to resurrect this important ministry to our church.

I prayed and I did take it on. March was our first time to present ourselves again to the congregation as available for prayer. I had two people who were willing to become intercessors. Before the training occurred for them one stepped back down.

We had a great training session via Zoom with my old friend Hawley Todd. For decades he lead the Episcopal Healing Ministries. He had worked with St. Timothy’s before regarding this ministry and knew a few of the folks who are still participating. Hawley had trained me many years ago, too. The training was on a Monday night. Six out of eight intercessors were able to attend. On Saturday night I got a message that one man was going to have to step away as his health would not permit him to participate. This was a great disappointment to him.

April was our second time to offer personal prayer. Sunday was bit chaotic. One person had planned to be out-of-town to see Grandkids that week. The person she was usually paired with was suddenly called out of town for family needs. So I prayed during that service with a person who was already scheduled to fill in.

The next service the same two of us prayed while a newly trained member “shadowed” us. She finally joined in when the second person came asking for prayer. The third service was covered by the pair that usually pray together. In all we had six people come asking for prayer.

Whew! All that to say this ministry is about listening. Listening to the suffering of our fellow parishioners. Listening to the Lord as we are guided what to say. I agree with Paul Hawken, “Listening may be the cardinal act of giving.”

Hawley cautioned us not to carry the concerns out of the church with us. He suggested that we go wash our hands before we leave. Washing, as a way of releasing those cares. I admit, I was so wound up by the time I left the church, I forgot to wash my hands. I did though when I got home!

This morning while reading Henri Nouwen’s book about the desert fathers and mothers, The Way of The Heart, he quoted Diadochus as writing, “Ideas of value shun verbosity. Timely silence, then, is precious, for it is nothing less than the mother of the wisest thoughts.”

In this sort of prayer we aim to listen to people, to pray what they ask us to pray and leave the rest of God. We try not to get carried away with the sound of our own prayers. We trust God to read the heart of the person before us and help us to put their request into words. We try to present them with the ‘cardinal act of giving.’

This is not the usual way of loving your fellow church goers. We do not ask, “How are you?” and then think about our response while they are still speaking. This means setting aside our self and our will and serving an other with attention and prayer.

Yes, there are certain phrases I use when I pray, but the most important thing is what the person expresses as their deepest need or thanksgiving. I agree with Diadochus. Ideas of value DO shun verbosity. Simplify your prayers and you will see what I mean.

May all those who request prayer from you be blessed with brevity and the attendance of our Lord who promised that where two or more are gathered in His name, He would be there. Matthew 18:20

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Faith, Joy, Just do it, Obedience, Praise, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Thanks, Trust

Plentitude

Here is a great quote:

Gratitude places you in the energy field of plentitude. Glow with gratitude and see how awe and joy will make their home in you. Michael Bernard Beckwith

Br. David Steindl-Rast shares this compelling invitation: “Imagine a society in which mutual trust has the leverage that our present social order accords to fear. Imagine a society in which mutual caring has the leverage that our present social order accords to egotism. If we reach the critical mass of grateful people, a surprising reorientation can take place.”

Brother David has amazing insights and goals that boggle my mind. I want to live in the world he imagines. Mutual trust, mutual caring and a critical mass of grateful people! Yes! Let’s do that instead of all the other nonsense politicians and reporters spend time upon.

Mutual Trust

Mutual Caring

Gratefulness.

Give those a try.