Category: Surrender

Posted on in Collection of Quotes, Faith, Praise, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Trust, Writing Life, Yield

Every Moment Holy Volume III

Are you familiar with a liturgy? One online sight says, “Liturgies help provide language for hard to articulate thoughts and feelings, and ways to respond accordingly. They are a dynamic form of prayer—acting as a dialogue between you and God, and all those participating. As you read a liturgy the words form you personally and alongside others.”

Douglas Kaine McKelvey has written and collected volumes of liturgies for every occasion imaginable. I first read this portion through the daily quote you can get through the Every Moment Holy app at https://www.everymomentholy.com/

Lord, I confess that all these words I love and lay before you were never mine, but always yours; truth itself is never mine but always yours.

Your truth is in every word and yet always beyond words, and so I ask, when I have finished writing that all I have said or tried to say, may gesture at last beyond itself towards you, that you will bring me and my readers to the brink of language itself, and beyond that brink into the wordless mystery of your true and loving presence. from Liturgy of Labor and Vocation, a Liturgy before Writing, by Malcolm Guite

Malcolm Guite is a living poet, author, professor and Anglican Priest. He has YouTube videos and has written at least seven books. How had I never heard of him before this? He sums up my heart beautifully.

I keep devotionals and liturgy books to help me focus upon my Lord and my King. There are innumerable things in life to distract us from the Kingdom. Any aide that works towards keeping my focus is valuable in the long run.

The EMH books are published through Rabbit Room Press. My first volume of Every Moment Holy was a gift from my friends Dan and Betty Cooksey. I do not own every volume but the selections in this volume drew my heart. This version of Every Moment Holy uses the work of over sixty authors, poets and songwriters and seven artists worked the accompanying prints. The Foreword alone is inspiring!

Here is information taken from the Rabbit Room Website https://www.rabbitroom.com/

Rabbit Room Press publishes works of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry that embody the mission of the Rabbit Room—cultivating stories that nourish Christ-centered communities for the life of the world. We believe in creating books that are beautiful both inside and out, books not limited to any specific genre or market but which adhere to a basic belief in the value of creative writing and storytelling. A well-written and well-made book can help to shape the world around it, and Rabbit Room Press is dedicated to creating such books and putting them into readers’ hands. When author, singer, and songwriter, Andrew Peterson, visited the Oxford home of C. S. Lewis in 2006, he returned to Nashville with a conviction that community nourishes good and lasting artistic work—and that creative work nourishes community. Soon afterward, the Rabbit Room was born with the mission to create and curate stories, music, and works of art to nourish the life of Christ-centered communities for the life of the world. 

If you are looking for fresh and even ancient inspiration in everything from changing diapers, to making coffee, preparing for death or welcoming a new child these collections have you covered. You can even find them used at some book sellers.

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Faith, Just do it, Listen, Nature, Obedience, Surrender, Yield

In The Quiet

The doe enters the yard with her twins, fawns still bearing their white spots. One is curious and inquisitive. The other stays close to mama.

I scan the two yards next to us. The rabbits are not to be seen. I proceed with my meditation and prayer time. I glance up half an hour later. Two lumps of brown in the distance. No, not mole hills. Binoculars reveal my large rabbit friends. So silent, just grazing. They too, listen to the gravel crunching on the roadway. No threat there. Just noise.

These creatures of the quiet draw my heart and mind. Where does that doe hide two long-legged babies? How does she corral that inquisitive one?

Where do those rabbits live when I cannot see them? Is there a clutch of bunnies some place? When will they be old enough to graze? Will I get to view them, also?

Lord, I want to be your woman of the quiet. Help me to sense every signal of Yours as to my activities and terms of stillness. Your call to me from Isaiah 30 is always life giving.

In returning and rest I am saved, in quietness and trust is my strength
In the presence of the Lord there is joy forevermore
Rejoice, rejoice in the Lord oh my soul.

Are you drawn to the quiet? How do you get there? Do you return to the quiet when things get hectic around you?

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord Acts 3:19 NIV

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

Cooking in Summer

I have been cooking every time I step outdoors. Twenty minutes of working in the garden and I am soaked as if God decided to baste me!

Did I show you the rose? Last year the deer kept eating the new shrub almost to the ground. I was not even certain it would survive the winter after that abuse. Yet here it was blooming large and glorious! And oh, the fragrance of an old fashioned tea rose.

“I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses”

This photo was from June 17 and it is a good thing I took a photo, because the next morning it was gone. Deer bit it off. Unbelievable!! None of the subsequent flowers were as large or as fragrant as that first one. So Bob had the idea we protect the shrub with berry netting. I put up the netting and refreshed the bars of Irish Spring soap. They were deterred! Next I noticed Japanese Beetles eating the flowers. I sprayed like crazy and removed any bugs I saw.

A week or 2 later, I noticed there was hole torn in the netting, perhaps by deer teeth?!? Bob and I spent just about 20 minutes the other evening replacing the berry netting around the rose bush.

You can see where the Japanese beetles have eaten leaves. I cut the remaining flowers and brought them indoors. By the time I came in the house every stitch of clothing was soaked. I am not exaggerating!

The same day, earlier in the day, I began cooking. We had visited the Country Market. I went to work making green beans and ham with potatoes. That required more than one boiling pot! My neighbor had commented, “Them’s some good beans!” so of course, I felt compelled to make him some more. Plus the price was down to .99 pound for fresh green beans!

I went on to cook the spaghetti squash. I am a diabetic married to a man who loves spaghetti. Well the sauce isn’t too bad but the carbs in spaghetti are not good for me. Spaghetti squash gives me a nice alternative!

half an empty squash shell
spaghetti sauce shreds – enough here for 3 servings

I usually freeze the squash into servings for myself. Having just made fresh pesto sauce I am certain we will be feasting on this soon!

Yes, I have been cooking in more ways than one! Hope you are finding ways to remain cool or at least cool off when you have been basted out of doors!

Posted on in Book quotes, Faith, Just do it, Obedience, Poetry, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Trust, Yield

Humility The Lost Virtue

I have been reading Joan Chittister’s book Wisdom Distilled From the Daily, Living the Rule of St. Benedict Today. In the chapter on humility she writes about both Benedict and Augustine.

Some place between these poles of extreme suppression and extreme selfishness, monastic humility provides a basis for human community and a basis for union with God. To Benedict the process is clearly the work of a lifetime. He calls it “a ladder of humility,” a climb with basic parts, a progression – not a leap- that involves the integration of both body and soul. “Our body and our soul are two sides of the ladder” he teaches. No dualism here just the simple, honest admission that each of us is grounded in something but reaching for God and each of us is attempting to bring the demands of the body and the hope of the soul into parallel, into harmony, into center. Against gravity and despite all the imbalances of our lives. Pulling body and soul together is the problem. It is also the project of life.

The tower and the ladder symbols were favorites with the ancients, but it was left to Augustine to give us that marvelous line: “Do you seek God? Seek within yourself and ascend through yourself.” If we are really seeking God, we have to start in the very core of our own hearts and motives and expectations. We can’t blame the schedule or the finances or the work or the people in our lives for blocking our progress. We have to learn to seek from within ourselves. We have to stop waiting for the world around us to be perfect in order to be happy.”

That is a load to think about! Body and soul. Spirit and seeking. Working with the ladder of humility. I pray this Sunday will start you on a journey of finding more humility in your walk. I hope you can descend within your own heart and discover the power of Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27) Christ is able to lead and guide us in all of our searching.

Inside Out © 1988 Molly Lin Dutina 

I want to live from the inside out,
always within the center-down silence.
Having to struggle to get back 
is not the direction I choose.

Teach me, Lord, and help me 
know how to grow 
from the peaceful
sanctuary within.

Show me please where 
to refresh our love.
Give me attitudes that will unravel me
from the sin which so easily entangles.

Make me one with You, Lord,
so I will know 
how to be close 
to all that is around me.

Help me, Father,
and be glorified in my life.

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 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 Faith, Listen, Music, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Yield

Another Hymn at 12:53 AM

I have not heard this in a church in many decades. It arose out of my soul and confirmed where my feet find solid ground. 

Jesus is all the world to me,
My life, my joy, my all;
He is my strength from day to day,
Without Him I would fall.
When I am sad, to Him I go,
No other one can cheer me so;
When I am sad, He makes me glad,
He’s my Friend.

Jesus is all the world to me,
My Friend in trials sore;
I go to Him for blessings, and
He gives them o’er and o’er.
He sends the sunshine and the rain,
He sends the harvest’s golden grain;
Sunshine and rain, harvest of grain,
He’s my Friend.

Jesus is all the world to me,
And true to Him I’ll be;
Oh, how could I this Friend deny,
When He’s so true to me?
Following Him I know I’m right,
He watches o’er me day and night;
Following Him by day and night,
He’s my Friend.

Jesus is all the world to me,
I want no better Friend;
I trust Him now, I’ll trust Him when
Life’s fleeting days shall end.
Beautiful life with such a Friend,
Beautiful life that has no end;
Eternal life, eternal joy,
He’s my Friend.

If you have not made Jesus your life, your joy, your all I encourage you to explore that option today.

Take care, brothers and sisters, that none of you may have an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partners of Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end.  Hebrews 3: 12-14 NRSUE

Posted on in Art, Faith, Just do it, Surrender, Thanks, Trust, Writing Life, Yield

Treasures in Plain Sight, Volume 1

Growing Closer to Jesus in Prayer.

I have been working with a professional editor through Crown Publishing to get my first book ready for distribution. I gasped last week when I open my email and there was the cover design and first draft.

photo by Jackie Palazzolo

Wow! I have gone over this material so many times I feel as if I almost do not see the words anymore. Proof reading is very difficult when it comes to your own work!! Bob, Kathy and Dana have joined me in the effort.

I vacillate between excitement and then wanting to go puke from tension. I do know the Lord has called me to this, so that calms me immensely! I just sent off 5 pages of notes with photos, etc. to the editor. She told me last week we are very close to publishing.

I still sit in amazement that this is truly happening! Please pray this book will reach the ones who need it. Pray the Lord will use it to his glory and honor. I ask that people be drawn to God through the words and photos.

Just pray for everything having to do with it. The work will be available through Kindle Direct Publishing. They will set the price. I am hoping it will be affordable to the ones who want it. The editor told me with the color photos it would cost more, but most of the photos would not work if Bob changed them to black and white.

I continue to place this project in God’s mighty hands. And I enter his rest, knowing he gave me the ideas to write about and the skill to write. Many years ago I was called to be his servant. May I represent him well.

See, the editor even has me using the proper non-capitalized pronouns for God. Old dog getting updated here. Old dog feeling older.

Here is the poem that goes with cover photo. Prayer©Molly Lin Dutina 1979

A prayer
prayed in truth and faith
through the Blood of Jesus
is as a drop of water
upon the river of life;
sending out endless
ripples and waves
throughout creation.

As the prayer is said
the answer begins movement.
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, 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.