Category: Thanks

Posted on in Book quotes, Faith, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks

Happiness and Joy

In a recent Bible study on Philippians we discussed what is happiness and what is joy? There are times in life when the two or wrapped together and difficult to separate in just one category. I will give a few examples.

Her grin tickles me!

Leading a Philippians discussion I said, “Happiness is I had a birthday party with cake, balloons, and presents. All my favorite people came to celebrate.

“What is joy? Joy is a rich attitude in my spirit whether I have a birthday party or not. Joy is always made deeper by gratitude to God for another year of living and seemingly more to come. This joy outlasts any birthday party with all the trimmings. Bill Burke wrote ‘a joy not dependent on circumstances, but rather a relationship with Jesus.’

My friend has been gone to Florida much, much longer than she planned due to illness. Six+ months in fact. A few ‘Ewe sheep’ from the “Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23” book study decided to bless her with dusting, sweeping and a tiny bit of laundry before she arrived back in Ohio. We were tickled to do that together. It took all of about 45 minutes and led to deeper fellowship among us. That created happiness for us.

My same friend is due home in a couple days from this writing. I am almost overwhelmed with a deep and grateful joy over her homecoming. I can relate to Paul when he wrote about Epaphroditus in Philippians 2.

For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety.

Philippians 2:26-28

I have a taste of what the believers in Philippi experienced when they welcomed back Epaphroditus. She and her husband are coming home and I could not be more delighted! I will be so happy to see them. I will have to get accustomed to having someone IN their home, instead of an empty house across the street. I am ready to do just that!

Joy does not come from the ice cream cone company, not candy with almonds, not a talk show host or perfume. There is a common saying about ‘choose joy.’ Perhaps it should be find joy in God or choose gratitude or choose a positive outlook?

Ice Cream Cone Company

Delight, happiness, but also deep joy that the Lord is bringing them back to Ohio. I often get tangles in the yarn I crochet with. I do not even want to try to untangle these feelings. There has been deep joy as the Lord has walked with her through this nasty illness (no, not Covid, though she suffered that recently). She has known His presence and comfort in the dark hours of “alone-ness with sickness”. As many of you know I have a chronic pain condition. I have been able to encourage her through some of the things I have learned about coping, walking through the maze of medical decisions, trusting the Lord in the midst of no medical cure. Assured that He is comforting her and carrying her is the best blessing of all.

This neighbor only lived here 8-1/2 weeks before going to Florida. We became close, fast friends without even trying. Yes, we both now believe the Lord orchestrated our living across the street from one another. We are blessed to know each other. We are the same age, married the same amount of years, husbands are the same age. We both have a son and daughter. We have similar outlooks on our faith, though she is Catholic and I am protestant. The similarities go on and on.

So try to determine in your life where happiness flourishes and where it is in fact joy. https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/how-to-have-unshakeable-joy-like-paul.html says First, unshakable joy is rooted in Christ and what he has done for us. and Second, unshakable joy is rooted in the progress of the gospel. (see the link above for more details. Christ has done so much for us I could write until my fingers fall off and still not tell you all I have experienced of His power and working in my life. The progress of the gospel? Well the gospel has reached almost every single people group in the world. He is coming soon and we can trust Him to keep us until that day.

Joy unshakeable, joy unspeakable, joy beyond our wildest hopes and dreams. Let the Spirit of Christ dwell in you and lead you to His plan for the best you ever. Keep watching and yielding to Him!

Posted on in Challenge, Faith, Family, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks, Yield

The Daughters

On April 15, 2022 I wrote a post about daughters and dying to self. You can read that at https://wordpress.com/post/treasures-in-plain-sight.org/8594

I have since decided to adopt that headstone. Why not? My parents are buried across town. I have never gotten much from visiting burial sites, but this headstone calls to me with the reminder that I need to die to myself. There is this huge headstone with the family name. As far as I can tell there are no other graves around it except theirs. How sad. I would like to figure out how to clean it off from years of weather stains.

After I visited last time, I researched Mr and Mrs Daughter on line. There was very little revealed about them. Only the location of their graves.

W. P. Daughters was born 1855 and died 1914. Fannie M. Daughters was born 1859 and died 1915. Come to think of it, for all I know they might have been brother and sister? One listing had Fannie as Fannie M. Bennett Daughters. So unlikely they were brother and sister. Perhaps this might get me to the Clermont County court house records? I have been meaning to go for years since I learned of the purported divorce my mother had that it is rumored my father paid for so they could get married?

I do not want this to be the only legacy when I die. In fact, Bob and I do not have a grave site, unless of course the kids decide otherwise after we die. We purchased a brick with Dutina engraved on it at Sawyer Point Park, downtown Cincinnati. So if the kids or grand-kids feel a need to pay us tribute they can go for a walk in the park to find the brick. Column 30E. 16 paces towards stadium. 3 rows N from Drain #5. If you see power plugs you went too far.

Good luck!!

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Challenge, Faith, Family, Memories, Music, Nature, Special Event, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks

A Lamb in Childhood

When I was a child my parents had a small farm and fishing lake in Loveland, Ohio. The lake was a pay lake called “Lake Cast-A-Line.” (It has since been drained to make a subdivision.) I can still remember being allowed to give a lamb a bottle of milk in the kitchen. That lamb was one messy eater, but I was delighted! I was perhaps 4 years old? Due to my Dad’s poor health we had to move by the time I was 5.

The milk was mixed from powder and perhaps explains why that scent draws me to this day?!

Has the Lord assigned someone to feed you? Here is your challenge: Have you thanked them?

Here is John Michael Talbot singing Psalm 23. I wore out the album, I bought the CD. I about wore that one out also. I listen to this collection regularly even today!

Trust in the Lord. He will keep you, feed you and shepherd you forever.

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 NIV

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 NIV
Posted on in Challenge, Faith, Poetry, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks, Yield

Thanks First ©2014 Molly Lin Dutina

It seems that thanks should run supreme
in our conversations with God.
There is always a need for sorry
but never enough thanks and praise.
Seven times a day* we are challenged
but do we praise even once?

We are a disobedient and contrary people*
told in Scripture not to worry about 
our life, our body*. 
Americans overfed, having long life, abundant clothing,
are undernourished in the things that matter,
eternal things that would give us never-ending joy.

So thank You, thank You, 
Holy God, 
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One.
You give us life and that more abundantly*.
You offer us Your very kingdom.

Help me be loyal to praise practice,
seeking first Your kingdom and righteousness.
Doing that, I receive all that is needed.
If I seek You, I will find you*
and be more satisfied than having
all the kingdoms of this world and their splendor*.

Psalm 119:164, Romans 10:21, Matthew 6:25-33, John 10:10, Jeremiah 29:14, Matthew 4:8

Well that about sums it up, don’t you think?

Posted on in Faith, Poetry, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks, Yield

Book Quotes and My Recent Prayers

There have been times the last few weeks when I was uncertain that I could take a deep breath. Wounding words have been flung at me with no explanation of their origin, seemingly no possibility of reconciliation that makes any healthy sense. Only texting offered. Most of us know you cannot resolve conflict with texting alone. I am always amazed at how the Lord can reach me even when I seem to be in a dark and dismal place. Recently (and often) He does it through the books I read.

Jodi Picoult wrote Wish You Were Here. This new novel is about life during the Covid pandemic, dreams and adventure, along with the horror of being a doctor treating Covid in NYC. In it she spoke of how land iguanas adapted to sea life. “Their lungs got bigger so they could take deeper breaths and sink deeper.”

Lord God, expand my lungs and help me to go deeper in prayer and center down silence, that peaceful place where You speak to my soul. I cannot change or fix the troubling situation, but I can draw nearer to You for comfort and wisdom and direction.

Again, Jodi wrote, “You can’t move forward without losing something.”

Perhaps lose the fantasy about what I wanted, the person I thought was under my roof? Get clear about the reality of who that person was and has become?

Letting go, letting go, letting go, like leaves that fall all around me in autumn. Nothing I can accomplish by clinging. Just let go and be at peace.

Each previous wounding episode I would say, “Take another step back, back away. Nothing more I can do here.” And so perhaps the time has come to truly step away and turn loose of all hopes, dreams, plans in relation to this person? In case you are wondering, Bob and I are just fine, thank you very much! 

Shores of Living Water© 2018 Molly Lin Dutina

At the shores of Living Water
Hear crickets there
Flow of Living Water invites me deeper,
Quieter
Center in pure love
You died to give me radiant love
Your Spirit pulls me from the rubble of death
With Your power You breathe life into me
Help me live to You
Invade me at a greater depth
Use me as Your singing bowl
Your love and power going forth
Like sound waves in every direction
Bring the world into vibrating harmony

You said all weary and
Heavy burdened should come to You
Here we are
Please rest us in Your Presence

Breathing in You
Breathing out me
Your oxygen of Life
My troubles unpacked
Burdens taken from my arms
Cares cast and put down

Embers of my faith
Blown upon
Rekindled
Ignited
A light in the darkness
And darkness cannot put it out

Your call 
eclipses physical pain, even emotional pain
Straightens my spine
In service to You
Anointing by eternal power
Holiness of God in broken vessel
Yet renewed day by day
As Living Water
I yield to Your flow
The “i” seeks lowest ground
You in ascendancy.
Posted on in Aging, Challenge, Faith, Music, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks

Lean Hard into Him

Have you had days when the same old same old seems to crush your spirit? Or days when you want to declare “Some old “S***, different day!” Each of us gets caught in the seemingly mundane go-round that I would not call merry. How to get away from that?

One cry of my heart goes out in this song we learned years ago at the Vineyard. I pray it helps lift you, too.

The eternal God is your refuge,

    and underneath are the everlasting arms.

He will drive out your enemies before you,

    saying, ‘Destroy them!’

Deuteronomy 33:27
Posted on in Faith, Memories, Music, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks, Yield

Weeks in My Soul

For weeks this melody and parts of the lyrics have been rolling about in my soul. I could not track ti down. Totally cluueless what the title was. I have many old hymns on Cd and in my soul and when they surface I cannot always find them, even in a computer search. Finally, I found this one! My hymnal notes Ephesians 1:12 “That we … might be for the praise of His glory.”

Praise the Savior Lyrics by Thomas Kelly
Praise the Savior, ye who know Him!
Who can tell how much we owe Him?
Gladly let us render to Him
All we are and have.

Jesus is the name that charms us;
He for conflict fits and arms us;
Nothing moves and nothing harms us
While we trust in Him.

Trust in Him, ye saints, forever;
He is faithful, changing never;
Neither force nor guile can sever
Those He loves from Him.

Keep us, Lord, oh, keep us cleaving
To Thyself and still believing,
Till the hour of our receiving
Promised joys with Thee.

Then we shall be where we would be,
Then we shall be what we should be;
Things that are not now, nor could be,
Soon shall be our own.

Gladly let us give Him all we are and have. Trust repeated. Nothing can separate or sever us from Him. Keep us cleaving: adhere, cling, stick fast. Then we shall be – Oh Lord, transform us into Your likeness.

Adhere, cling, stick fast, like a tendril adheres a vine firmly

Why is it important to track down these glimmers of song? Almost every time the Holy Spirit is leading me to me a truth I need. I do not know why it sometimes takes longer to find the song than at other times? When I do find the song it is with rejoicing and praise that my God is bigger than me and smarter than me and knows what I need when I need it – often before I know!

This week Bob has gone to the Convent in Glendale for time away. As he pulled out of the driveway this song rolled through me again. I decided to search for it one more time. And there it was!! This is also special time for me to draw closer to the Lord while Bob is gone. The routines are broken up and Lucky and I are on our own. I am praying I will not waste this time, but “gladly render to Him all I am and have.”

Yes! Let us live for the praise of His Glory, always.

Posted on in Aging, Challenge, Faith, Memories, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks, Yield

Rest on Your Laurels

… means to be satisfied with one’s achievement, by implication enough so as not to expend further effort. Wikipedia: wise one of the earth says, “The term, dating from the mid-nineteenth century, alludes to the wreaths of laurel leaves use to crown the winner of athletic contests in ancient Greek and Roman times; the laurel today remains a symbol of victory.”

Mountain Laurels GSM

Still boasting about something God used you for?

Thus says the Lord: Do not let the wise boast in their wisdom, do not let the mighty boast in their might, do not let the wealthy boast in their wealth;  but let those who boast boast in this, that they understand and know me, that I am the Lord; I act with steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 NRSV

Some have made mission trips and saw the Lord move mightily and use them in significant ways. May all glory go to God. Some have never traveled far at all, yet the Lord often uses them frequently in the local store.

Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 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; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 NRSV

Matilda Kipfer said she was a simple woman, not wise. Being foolish by the standards of the world was fine by her because the Lord chose what is foolish to confound the wise.

Seems to me there was an image like this in my childhood Bible

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus (blessed be he forever!) knows that I do not lie.  In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of Damascus in order to seize me,  but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands. It is necessary to boast; nothing is to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 11:30 – 2 Corinthians 12:1

Most humans do not want to be seen as weak. Yet Paul tells us how he was lowered in a basket to escape a king who wanted to seize Paul. The Bible says it is better to be weak and a fool than to follow after things of the world. Let God be seen as strong and mighty, even at your own expense.

Did God do something mighty through your service? If so, we must remember we were God’s tool just as Balaam’s donkey was God’s tool. Numbers 22 tells the story of how Balaam was known as a professional prophet who traveled about and cursed military enemies for money. He was a seer for hire. His only power was words to put curses on others. (Isn’t the Bible full of interesting characters?) His donkey saved his life three times when the donkey saw the angel of the Lord blocking the path with a drawn sword. How do we know this? The third time it happened as Balaam beat his donkey with anger and the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth to speak!

Numbers 22:21-35 Donkey saves Balaam’s Life

Being corrected and saved by a donkey has to bring humility I would think. In the end of the story God had victory over the evil troops. No curses were allowed.

So what now? Give thanks for the ways God has used you in the past. What have you done recently with God? Have you found where He is working and joined His project? Or are you still telling others what He did long ago and far away? Has your laurel wreath withered and become only an old story? Do you know Jesus and have you talked with Him today? What are your marching orders from Him? Are you walking in obedience to His orders?

I hope you are not sitting on your laurels and letting the Kingdom work fall to others. “Let those who boast boast that they understand and know Me.” “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” The Lord wants it known that He acts with steadfast love, justice and righteousness on the earth. Have you shared that message? As we gain a deeper understanding of Him let’s spread that knowledge every place we go. Perhaps He will use us to His glory! Meanwhile, let your laurels bloom and move on.

Posted on in Challenge, Memories, Music, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks

Did He Die In Vain?

Is there an area of your life where there is warfare? Once you become aware of the warfare and oppression are you doing anything about it? Are you feeling hopeless or ineffective against the darkness?

For in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have come to fullness of life in Him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of flesh in the circumcision of Christ; 12 and you were buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 having canceled the bond which stood against us with its legal demands; this He set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the principalities and powers and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in Him.

Colossians 2:9-15

Looking at the passage above you can read some of the mighty things the Father has done for you through Jesus/in Him. God raised you with Him (Jesus) from the dead. He made you alive together with Him (Jesus). You have resurrection power within you. Have you used it? Have you asked the Father how to use it to alter your circumstances? Jesus died to give us the Holy Spirit. If we are not using the Spirit in our lives did Jesus die in vain?

Warfare and oppression can feel like a wet, cold, gray blanket thrown over your mind and soul. Father has given us power to throw that off. One image is to push it back, away from you. When I become aware of a situation like that in my life, (and I am not usually aware the first few times it happens), when I become aware of a pattern of discouragement or negative thinking I have to bring myself to my senses. Inner conversation usually goes something like: “Wait a minute. I have been here before and I don’t like it! In the Name of Jesus I push that away. Father You promised to make me a new creation. Help me form my thoughts around Your word. By Your Spirit instruct and guide me, I pray.”

If I am having difficulty I go get my Bible or look up one on my phone. I especially like the Bible Gateway app as they offer many translations easily.

If I face a situation where others are at unrest, I must be careful not to give them advice but just go to prayer. I do the same prayer pattern: “In the Name of Jesus and by His blood I order that (whatever I sense, I sometimes just say darkness) out of this room. Holy Spirit comfort and guide that one. I pray peace over their soul. I ask the Spirit to bring them thoughts of life. Shower them with Living Water, Father. Fill this place with Your holiness I pray.” Then I start praising God for His Presence, Life, and Love and Holiness. I sing praise songs in my soul. Reiki people would say to focus all your positive energy upon the person.

If you are starting to think I might be nuts, read this.

His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Thus He has given us, through these things, His precious and very great promises, so that through them you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of lust, and may become participants of the divine nature.

2 Peter 1:3-4

Everything we need for life and godliness. Everything we need for spiritual warfare. His very great and precious promises. Through them we become participants of the divine nature. We need this stuff if we are to succeed as Christians and maintain our disciplines. This is part of our work in the Kingdom. This is powerful, holy and a gift to us.

In keeping with music week LOL imagine my surprise a few years ago when I heard this for the first time!

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=Vgr93X2_cJQ&feature=share

As Jesus said, “Go and do likewise!”

Posted on in Aging, Amazing Creations, Faith, Journal, Memories, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks, Traveling, Yield

2013 Flash of My Possible Future

From my Journal: 13-4-22 Woman at Porter’s Creek, Great Smoky Mountain National Park

Lady’s Slipper, Wild Orchid

On our hunt for Lady’s Slippers, I saw a woman at Porter’s Creek trail today with a walker that rolled and had a seat. At first sight, my thought was negative. Second thought was that her walk is HARDER than walking under my own pained power … but she was there to see the same sights as me.

Her progress was slow, but she was more cheerful than me when I stopped to speak with her. As we parted she asked the Lord’s blessing upon me. She posed the question, “Well, what else are we going to do?” We cope as best we can and go on with our lives.

Listen to me, O house of Jacob,

    all the remnant of the house of Israel,

who have been borne by me from your birth,

    carried from the womb;

even to your old age I am he,

    even when you turn gray I will carry you.

I have made, and I will bear;

    I will carry and will save.

Isaiah 46:3-4 NRSV

That was 2013. Today in 2022, I can still walk without a cane or walker, but the pain is stronger from the arthritis and fibromyalgia than previously. I am trying to move more. I do not stretch as much as I should. I have been given strong medication for when I have a flare and cannot bear it. I do not want that medication, but it is here if needed.

Praying I can be as cheerful today as she was as I get to walk the dog, see flower bulbs getting ready to bloom, wash windows! If living brings me a walker and limited mobility I want to be cheerful then, too!

So even to old age and gray hairs,

    O God, do not forsake me,

until I proclaim your might

    to all the generations to come.

Psalm 71:18 NRSV