Category: Trust

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 Book quotes, Faith, Focus, Listen, Music, Obedience, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Trust, Worship

Advent Began Last Sunday

Happy New Year! The church calendar begins all over again. We sang this in church last week and I honestly had never heard it. What a great song!

Refrain:
Lead me, guide me along the way;
For if You lead me, I cannot stray;
Lord, let me walk each day with Thee.
Lead me, O Lord, lead me.

1 I am weak, and I need Thy strength and power
To help me over my weakest hour;
Let me through the darkness Thy face to see,
Lead me, O Lord, lead me.

2 Help me tread in the paths of righteousness;
Be my aid when Satan and sin oppress.
I am putting all my trust in Thee,
Lead me, O Lord, lead me. [Refrain]

3 I am lost, if you take your hand from me;
I am blind, without Thy Light to see;
Lord, just always let me Thy servant be,
Lead me, O Lord, lead me. [Refrain]

The following quote is from a newsletter I get entitled Friends of Silence.

Light dwells deep within each of us
ready to radiate forth
as our will freely surrenders
in alignment with our soul's purpose.
We are here on Earth to lift and deepen
our own awareness and that of creation:
co-partners in the Divine Plan
for the divinization of all creation.
Seek within and find the Source
of Love and Light.
Shine in unity with all whose joy
is to co-birth as a light
in the world.  ~ Nan Merrill in LUMEN CHRISTI...HOLY WISDOM

This is how we are awaiting the second coming of Christ and preparing our hearts to celebrate the first coming in the flesh. We are blessed beyond measure and grateful to our Father.

Let every heart prepare Him room!

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.

Posted on in Art, Faith, Joy, Music, Obedience, Praise, Prayer, Special Event, Thanks, Trust

Why I Like Brandon Lake

This man is a young father to three boys. He is happily married and works really hard for the kingdom of God. He has gained much renown as a singer and songwriter. His performances delight millions of people, especially the young people. Yet, he made time to touch the life of this child and pray over her. His hat commemorates a recent album entitled King of Hearts. While posting this I listened to teh interview several times. I finally had to stop or begin weeping with joy.

Forty-five seconds to bring you this blessing today!

Here is the video and below the lyrics for King of Hearts. Song is 4-1/2 minutes

I saw the nails
I heard the hammer
King of the Jews
Carved into a wooden banner

Made you a crown
Bloodied your temple
You could have come down
But in silence we both trembled

You gave your life
I gave you nothing
You poured me grace
I poured you poison
But still you drank
My cup of shame

With all that I’ve done
Could I be forgiven
Is there still a way
To enter your kingdom
I’m just a thief
Beside a king
King of hearts

I looked to my side
I only had seconds
Please remember we met
When you’re seated high in Heaven

He spoke in a whisper
Looking deep in my eyes
Said son this time tomorrow
We will be in paradise

You gave your life
I gave you nothing
You poured me grace
That blood keeps on running
A love so great
You took my place

After all that I’ve done
I’ve been forgiven
Those scars made a way
To enter your kingdom
On golden streets
Beside a king

King of the poor
King of the lowly
King of the broken
King of the lonely
King of the hopeless
King of the gone too fars
King of hearts

King of the lost
King of the guilty
King of the misfits
King of the filthy
King of the critics
King of the brand new start
King of hearts

You gave your life
I gave you nothing
You poured me grace
That blood keeps on running
A love so great
You took my place

After all that I’ve done
I’ve been forgiven
Those scars made a way
To enter your kingdom
On golden streets
Redeemed and free
A beloved thief
Right beside his king
King of hearts

Posted on in Aging, Faith, Focus, Just do it, Listen, Obedience, Praise, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Trust, Worship, Yield

To Know You

These days when every old seasonal movie is shown on TV, there is an elf running around in an adult-sized costume hollering, “I KNOW HIM!!!”

During this season when some folks get the blues over lost times and memories of the past, I have a question. Those days when things seem blah remember this! Do you know Him? Not the merchandising one, the One who came to set us free!

10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, 11 if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:10-11 NRVUE

I have much to learn about those two verses. What about you?

23 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; 24 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 NRSUE

I will never fully understand or know the Almighty, but I make it the work of my life to learn more and more

28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to abolish things that are, 29 so that no one might boast in the presence of God. 30 In contrast, God is why you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 in order that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Cor 1:28-31 NRSVUE

That is enough to keep me pondering all the days of my life!! J B Philips did a New Testament translation that is often times refreshing.

We wish you could see how all this is working out for your benefit, and how the more grace God gives, the more thanksgiving will redound to his glory. This is the reason why we never collapse. The outward man does indeed suffer wear and tear, but every day the inward man receives fresh strength. These little troubles (which are really so transitory) are winning for us a permanent, glorious and solid reward out of all proportion to our pain. For we are looking all the time not at the visible things but at the invisible. The visible things are transitory: it is the invisible things that are really permanent. Philips 2 Corinthians 4: 15-18

One of my favorite artists, Stephanie Gretzinger, draws me back to this truth as I play the following song repeatedly. Written by Graham Kendrick it is full of eternal truths. I encourage you to also listen to it repeatedly. Layers upon layers of meaning.

Posted on in Aging, Challenge, Faith, Family, Memories, Rest, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks, Trust

Sixty-four Years Ago

My Dad died so long ago and my mom almost as long ago (fifty years ago). It is sad when one can no longer remember traits of a parent. I know stories about them, but the actual sound of their voice or personal traits, not so much. In this day and age of digital recordings, hopefully some of you might have a copy of your parent’s voice?

If not, how do you fill that gap? At age eleven or twelve when I realized that no one could replace my Dad, I began to pursue God. Even that lofty pursuit left holes and tears in the fabric of my living.

I have learned that the Trinity loves me tenderly like a mother, shields me daily like a father.

“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.” – Isaiah 66:13

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” – Matthew 23:37

The term “El Shaddai” translates to “God Almighty” or “the God who is sufficient.” It originates from ancient Hebrew, where “El” refers to God, and “Shaddai” is thought to denote strength or mountains, symbolizing power and stability. Some scholars suggest “Shaddai” comes from the root word “shad,” meaning “breast,” emphasizing God’s nurturing and protective qualities. https://biblicalchronology.com/what-is-the-biblical-meaning-of-el-shaddai/

One of the best loved Psalms declaring God’s protection is 91.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”

3 Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
    nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
    and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
    and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
    no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
    you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91 NIV

May you find nurture and protection, shelter and relationship in your fellowship with God.

Posted on in Aging, Amazing Creations, Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Listen, Look, Nature, Praise, Prayer, Rest, Special Event, Trust, Yield

My Full Stop during Retreat

As I mentioned yesterday in this blog “When I went to the Associates retreat over a week ago I was watching for my full stop. I consider the retreat a success when I finally put everything aside and come to a full stop before the Lord.” The ‘Providence of God’ is defined as the purposeful sovereignty of God. Sovereignty is the royal rank, authority, power.

My full stop came at an unusual time for me. I had decided to honor my need for rest, even if that need interfered with a scheduled convent prayer service or even the Eucharist. Saturday late morning I decided to lay down for a nap. I was looking out my window in the retreat house. The leaves on the tree were blowing, but not yet falling. I was reminded of Brother Lawrence.

Brother Lawrence is reported to have said: “That in the winter, seeing a tree stripped of its leaves, and considering that within a little time, the leaves would be renewed, and after that the flowers and fruit appear, he received a high view of the Providence and Power of GOD, which has never since been effaced from his soul. That this view had perfectly set him loose from the world, and kindled in him such a love for GOD, that he could not tell whether it had increased in above forty years that he had lived since.”

And then I realized:

Seeing this tree in autumn, knowing the changes it will endure as leaves fall and then are renewed, and after that the flower and fruit will appear, I see a high view of the Providence of God, which shall not be effaced from my soul. This view sets me free from the world, and kindles in me such love for God, that I can not tell whether it has decreased since my childhood times fifty years ago in Robison Park with God.

 Yes, my full stop. I then went peacefully to sleep.

God is able to grow these trees, to keep these trees through drought and storms, wind and hail, all of the seasons and even the insults of mankind. God is able to keep me, also, regardless of what comes my way. There have been so many events in 2025 that have been difficult and/or upsetting, yet I have been kept through all of them. There is such a love for God kindled in my soul. I am in awe.

Sit for a minute and reflect upon your year thus far. Remind yourself of all the many ways you have been kept. Be grateful and in awe.

 

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

A Look

Many people are credited with the wisdom about prayer that says, “I look at Him. He looks at me, and we are happy.”

St. Therese of Lisieux is quoted as saying, “For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.”

It is said about a farmer. It is said about an old man who went to church everyday and just seemed to be sitting in the pew. Finally the priest asked him what he was doing. He replied, “I look at Him. He looks at me, and we are happy.”

and we are happy

Have you tried this? Remember John Mark Comer wrote, “Because it’s here – looking at God, God looking at us, in love – that we are happy, that we are most free, content, at rest, at ease, grateful, joy filled and alive.”

I challenge you to try practicing this for a full week. Spend several minutes every day simply looking towards the King of kings and letting the King look at you. Be at peace and be happy there. Then, as our weatherman is fond of saying, “Rinse and repeat.” Do it tomorrow and the next day and the next. This too is a valuable form of prayer!

“In returning and rest I am saved, In quietness and trust is my strength.” Isaiah 30:15a

Posted on in Book quotes, Faith, Just do it, Obedience, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Traveling, Trust, Worship

Reading a New to Me Book

I belong to a Monday night Zoom book discussion. The leader recently suggested we read Practicing the Way. Written by John Mark Comer, this book quotes some of my favorite authors: Brother Lawrence, Dallas Willard, Thomas Kelly, Madame Guyon and others.

Published January, 2024

There are YouTube video interviews, podcast interviews and many more resources. If you go to the website https://www.practicingtheway.org/ the resources for getting you started and keeping you inspired are numerous!

You might remember that the early followers of Jesus were said to be “The Way.” Jesus referred to himself as the way, the truth and the life. (John 14:6). In Acts the early followers are referred to as the Way. There are many references in the New Testament.

Quoting Karl Rahner, Comer writes,

“The Christian of the future will be a mystic or he will not exist at all.”

He goes on to say, “Mystics are just those who aren’t content to read books or hear sermons about this glorious reality; they want to experience this love and be transformed by it into a people of love. Because it’s here – looking at God, God looking at us, in love – that we are happy, that we are most free, content, at rest, at ease, grateful, joy filled and alive.”

When was the last time you spent time just BEING WITH God. Not asking for anything, but just spending time together? Thinking over this idea I realized that many of my retreat times with the Transfiguration Community have brought me to this place of resting in God, being with God, looking lovingly at God and knowing I am being seen by God.

Often when I go to the cemetery where Daughters go to die, the purpose is to remind myself that I am seen and heard and loved by God. I drop all the clutter that occludes this wisdom and rest there in God.

The best way for me to learn is taking notes and typing them up. I will be doing this the next few weeks. My goal is not to reproduce the book, but hopefully to interest you enough that you might explore it for yourself. At least you might glean some wisdom from the notes I share?

You have likely seen the bumper sticker that asks, “Do you follow Jesus this closely?” John Mark opens with sentiment that we might be “covered with the dust of our rabbi” meaning follow Jesus so closely that the dust he kicks up will be all over us. I think that is a great word picture! I pray it will be true of you, also. If I understand correctly he got the image from Rob Bell who got it from Hebraic teaching.

Posted on in Collection of Quotes, Faith, Marriage and Memories, Spiritual discipline, Thanks, Trust, Yield

Not Certain of Article Origin Though Grateful For Our Long Marriage!

Bob found this and printed it out to read to me at our anniversary dinner. I was looking for the source online since it says a Harvard study, but it only seemed to be on Facebook and Instagram? I decided it was worth sharing regardless of who first wrote it! We found these to be true for our marriage also.

1. A Harvard study of 724 couples who made it past 30 years revealed something surprising: what kept them together wasn’t love, s*x, or kids. It was the ability to tolerate the same things in each other—over and over again. The ones who divorced thought, “This habit drives me crazy, but I can fix it.” The ones who stayed accepted, saying: “This is who they are. They’re not changing.”

2. Long marriages rarely resolve every conflict. That’s a myth. Couples who lasted 30+ years didn’t dig forever into every hurt feeling. They learned to let go. Not suppress—but release. “You forgot again,” “You said the wrong thing again”—short-term couples turn that into a fight. Long-term couples let it slide. Because they chose peace over being right.

3 . The real skill of lasting couples? Quick emotional recovery. It’s not about never fighting. It’s about bouncing back fast. He snapped two hours ago—and now he’s hugging her. No pride. No “you go first.” In marriages that last, the winner isn’t the one who’s right—it’s the one who comes back first.

4. The strongest couples weren’t bonded by “we have everything in common”—but by “we face the world together.” A shared struggle: poverty, toxic relatives, building a business, even a shared hatred for the system. Anything that puts you on the same team—us vs. the world—builds the bond. Couples without an external pressure? More likely to crack from the inside.

5. And the biggest truth? Almost every long-term marriage had a point where they were ready to call it quits. Almost all of them. But they didn’t. Not because they couldn’t—but because they gave it more time. The most common answer: “I decided to do nothing. And six months later, things shifted.” Turns out, most marriage crises die off—if you just stop feeding them.

Certainly worth consideration! We had a delightful celebration and spent some of the time looking back in wonder and another part of the time planning where we would still like to travel! Then this song from long, long ago popped into my head.