Category: Yield

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

Forward Day by Day

I have read this quarterly booklet of devotions for many years. Decades even. Since I was about 15 years old, off and then on again. Most of my formation as a Bible learner was made by reading the Scriptures listed in the daily lectionary that Forward D-B-D prints in this tiny booklet.You can subscribe to a print edition or read it for free on-line.

“Forward Day by Day is a booklet of daily inspirational meditations reflecting on a specific Bible passage, chosen from the daily lectionary readings as listed in the Revised Common Lectionary or the Daily Office from the Episcopal Church’s Book of Common Prayer.

Published quarterly, the daily meditations are rich in substance and offer a wide range of witness and experiences. Each month’s meditation is written by a different author.

Inspiring readers since our first issue was published in 1935, Forward Day by Day remains a significant resource for daily prayer and Bible study to more than a half million readers and listeners worldwide.”

You can download the app for Apple products at https://apps.apple.com/us/app/forward-day-by-day/id561455965

They also posted this: Google has removed our Forward Day by Day app from the Google Play Store. Despite our adherence to all terms and long history on the Google Play Store, we are currently unable to satisfy Google’s verification requirements. We have been working for months to appeal this decision and continue to explore how to get the app back into Android users’ hands.

The author for the month of July, 2026 is Tina Francis. Both Bob and I have enjoyed her writing. Her bio reads: Tina Francis is a writer, photographer, and seminarian pursuing the priesthood int eh Episcopal Church. Born to South Indian parents, raise din Dubai, and shaped in Canada and Seattle, she carries many hones in her bones – an atlas of memory and migration.” Such an interesting woman!

Her is her entry for July 20.

Matthew 26:39b My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.

“In Gethsemane, the air is heavy with the scent of bruised grass and the metallic tang of fear. Jesus kneels, hands in the soil as if steadying himself against the weight of what’s coming. The moon spills a cold light over his back. It’s not the absence of faith that drives him to pray like this; it’s the abundance of it. He knows what obedience will cost.

“I have prayed this way. I have my own cups. Not crucifixion, but quiet devastations: the diagnosis that didn’t change, the apology that never came, the joy that slipped through my fingers no matter how tightly I closed them.

“Julian of Norwich wrote, “All shall be well,” but she never promised it would be painless. Surrender tastes less like peace and more like metal on the tongue. Maybe that’s the prayer here – not certainty, but consent: the willingness to let God close the distance between what we want and what will be. To say yes when we do not understand the story, only the storyteller.”

“Not certainty, but consent. To say yes.” I would add say yes, continually.

Posted on in Faith, Music, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Trust, Worship, Yield

Judgement Day

Awoke singing this. Memory from the past? Foretelling the future? Just a fact, Jack? Do not know, but it hangs in my brain this past week. 

Very Last Day
Peter, Paul and Mary
Everybody gonna pray on the very last day
Oh, when they hear that bell a-ring the world away
Everybody gonna pray to the Heavens on the judgement day

Oh-well, you can sing about the great king David
And you can preach about the wisdom of Saul
But the judgement falls on all mankind when the trumpet sounds the call
All equal and the same, when the Lord, He calls your name
Get ready, brother, for that day

Everybody gonna pray on the very last day
Oh, when they hear that bell a-ring the world away
Everybody gonna pray to the Heavens on the judgement day

Well, one day soon all men will stand
His word will be heeded in all the land
Men shall know and men shall see
We all are brothers and we all are free
Mankind was made of clay
Each of us in the very same way
Get ready, brother, for that day

Everybody gonna pray on the very last day
Oh, when they hear that bell a-ring the world away
Everybody gonna pray to the Heavens on the judgement day

Oh-well, the law is given and the law is known
The tale is told and the seed is sown
From dust we came into dust we'll go
You the know the Lord once told us so
Each brother takes his hand
Heed the meaning of the Lord's command
Get ready, brother, for that day

Everybody gonna pray on the very last day
Oh, when they hear that bell a-ring the world away
Everybody gonna pray to the Heavens on the judgement day

Written by: Noel Paul Stookey, Peter Yarrow
Album: In The Wind
Released: 1963
Posted on in Aging, Collection of Quotes, Faith, Illness and Health, Obedience, Prayer, Rest, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Trust, Yield

Collection to Calm and Bring Joy

A recent quote from the Calm app reads: “We do not need to be fixed. We try to use more force and the key is how to use less force. How to become more efficient rather than more effortful.” wrote Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen.

Can I do that? Just breathe and use less force in seeking change or comfort?

Another quote. The Danish writer Isak Dinesen wrote, “All suffering is bearable if it is seen as part of a story.”

A different experience had me re-imagine, recall if you will, a situation that brought me incredible delight. I remembered how sore my jaws were after smiling so hard on our wedding day.

September, 1970

I was instructed to apply that image when in distress. Molly, recall that joy when TMJ hits. (as part of having Fibromyalgia, temporomandibular joint pain (TMJ) can occur. It is usually short lived, i.e., a day or two.)

Linking TMJ and joy. Worth a try! This page from my Mary Engelbreit calendar expresses it well!

Art by Mary Engelbreit Quote by Manson Cooley

Another quote read, “The most valuable thing we can do for the psyche is let it rest, wander, live in the changing light of a room, not try to be or do anything whatever.” May Sarton

By the time this post is up I will know if a date has been scheduled for my revisionary left foot big toe surgery. Take out steel plate and 6 screws, clean it all up, remove any new arthritis, replace it all. Eight weeks NO WEIGHT BEARING. In other words, sit down, rest, wander in my mind, live in the changing light of a room and not try to go any where except on a knee scooter-roller whatever you call the contraption. Not try to do much of anything.

Doc told me a year ago I need to have it done as it did not heal correctly six years ago. I asked what if I don’t have it done? He said eventually you will not be able to walk. Well, I am having pain and spasms in that foot. Every night I must elevate it and even ice it.

Yep, seeking all the calm and joy I can store up for this adventure!

Not certain which book I was reading but it said, “How often we are headed in the wrong direction, fighting the wrong fight, battling with reality and losing. I thought of the aspects of myself that are like this woman and this man: how I strive over and over again ….”

“I am somewhat dismayed at how often we hang on where we need to let go and give up where we need to persevere.”

Lord my God give me wisdom to let go into your arms. Give me strength and courage to persevere when I feel like giving up. Help me entrust my life to my faithful Creator.

Posted on in Faith, Memories, Poetry, Yield

Theme on The D’s

Written many years go, but I did not date it.

Daring 
to do
differently
As she has
desired 
for decades
damaged but not decayed
She develops ...
and decides
to desire growth
and divine interaction
as a way of life.

Decrepit death tries
to devour
her delight
but no demon
in the depths
of hell 
can derail God 
as God determines
to deliver her.

As she differentiates delight from darkness
deceit, deception, duplicity all drop off
her diet is determined
by the choices and decisions
made in light of the Dayspring.
She of God's love
disdains the deadly darkness
digesting His desire for her
Donna diagnosed her
deviations and depression.

With depth of insight
she demonstrates
the degree of deep love
the Deity has for her.

She decorates her decorum
with daily doses of love and light
her dimensions decrease.
She learns to declare the glory
decry the falsehoods and decrease the lies in her life

Her life is a dual effort
her push dwarfed by Diety's pull
the dynamic of duality with Deity
demonstrates dominance in Donna's duel with darkness.

Diety's diamond
begins to shine
as she disperses holy light.
The drumbeat of time discloses a detainer.
The decree of God declares 
"the truth continues to set free
{even Donna}.  

From dementia and death
into delirious joy and 
deluxe diversity
of durable daily dozen
steps to wholeness.

Divinity she doth don
as she disentangles from the darkness
Detested dormouse role
does a duet with duty in the dustpan
disavowing her of dowdy and destructive ways
destined for the dump of
determinations unfit for disbursement
in the light of life.

Posted on in Challenge, Faith, Just do it, Memories, Music, Praise, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Thanks, Trust, Yield

Every Day

I first heard about CeCe Winans many years ago when I worked at “Having The Courage To Change,” a housing center for women who were coming out of prison and/or drug and alcohol treatment. The women there loved her music and soon I did too!

Do you worship every day? If not, try this one.

All my life you have been so so good.

I’ve known you as a father. I’ve known you as a friend.

As the saying goes: “No god, no peace. Know God, know peace.”

I do not care how you worship. Do you know Jesus and have you spoken with him today?

Posted on in Art, Challenge, Faith, Joy, Listen, Look, Obedience, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Thanks, Yield

Trinity Sunday

Last Sunday we celebrated the Trinity at church. “O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” ends the collect for the day. The unfathomable, unknowable, ever present and loving God. We practice devotion and know some how that the Trinity is one.

Our Prayers of the People began with: “God who is unknowable and yet as close as our breath, help us to see you. ” Yes, God, open our physical eyes and the eyes of our heart to know and see and experience you.

I have been taken lately by tiny diagrams. The above was on our bulletin cover.

Using the Grateful Living challenge I have noticed that a tiny image is used in the corner of each daily practice. This little line drawing summarizes the challenge of the day. Oh I wish I could draw like that!

Superhero
Sharing joy
One playful joyful way to stand up
Share joy with others

And perhaps that is how our Trinity one God does things. Simple line drawings, opening doors for us to share with others. As humans we complicate almost everything having to do with God. Jesus taught us simplicity. Will we cling to that simple way of knowing, being known, loving and loving others?

May you know the Trinity as One. May you see the path before you as well lit and as something you can follow. Look to the One who loves you best and take the next step!

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Challenge, Faith, Just do it, Look, Memories, Nature, Obedience, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Trust, Worship, Writing Life, Yield

New Project

My new project entails gathering the object lessons the Lord has given me over the years to encourage me and keep me walking the road laid out before me. I will likely post of few of these during the coming months. The following is entitled “Called At the Beach To Write More.”

How does an object lesson usually come to you? Mine can jump up any time I call upon the Lord for guidance. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
    so I shall be saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:3 NRSVUE

While walking the beach in Florida we were searching for shells. I came upon this one. It is called Sunray Venus Clam.

It reminds me of lined paper. (College ruled is my favorite).

Then I came upon this one.

Atlantic Pen Shell

That got me thinking about ink wells, and fountain pens. Oh my, this was a call to write more!

Then the Lord answered me and said:
Write the vision;
    make it plain on tablets,
    so that a runner may read it. Habakkuk 2:2 NRSVUE

Years ago a cousin older than me gave me the above verse to hold to. I was not certain she heard right. Time has shown she evidently heard exactly right for me!

The shells comprised another confirmation that I am to write and keep telling what God is doing in my life and can do in the lives of others. I keep these shells around to remind me, lest I ever doubt the call again. Or for the times I get just plain lazy about it. Lord, prod me with the shells and forgive me for being lazy, I pray.

Posted on in Art, Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Look, Obedience, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Yield

The Veil

Often the veil and the curtain are mentioned in the Scriptures. I have had this on the brain for a couple of weeks. The veil usually refers to the lack of understanding among the Hebrew population regarding the Messiah. The curtain is the fabric that was hung between the courts of the temple and the Holy of Holies where humans, (and only priests) were only to enter once a year, on the day of Atonement.

When Jesus was hung upon the cross, as he died the curtain was torn from top to bottom in the Holy of Holies. Thereby signifying the full access of man to the Father, bought by the blood of Jesus, our sacrifice.

This quote reminded me of that and the need for us to see the value and significance of ‘each other’s human plight.’

My wish, indeed my continuing passion, would be not to point the finger in judgment but to part a curtain, that invisible shadow that falls between people, the veil of indifference to each other’s presence, each other’s wonder, each other’s human plight.

EUDORA WELTY

Jesus parted the veil between people and the Father. Jesus also parts the curtain between us and other humans if we are willing to see with his eyes, the eyes of compassion.

Eudora reminds me that when I point the finger at others there are more fingers pointing back at me.

Searching for this image there were SO many images of our President pointing his finger at others. Sad. “That invisible shadow that falls between people, the veil of indifference to each other’s presence and plight.” I fear this has infected the entire nation at this point.

Lord, may we learn to fold our hands in prayer to you, not pointing at others. Open our eyes and our hearts to the needs of our fellow persons. Break our hearts for what breaks Yours. Help us realize the access for good that you have given us through the sacrifice of Jesus. Use us for the good of others. Amen.

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 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.