finding peace

enter a sacred place
sit quietly
listen intently
believe
receive
go forth

 

 

my daily retreat

Wounded invisibly

Broken unfairly

Wandering daily

Seeking God’s healing

Forgiving and moving forward

Trusting God’s plan

My life-my world

Created by the master

Do not: fear, doubt, worry or neglect

GOD’S GOT MY BACK

Here on my deck, life is perfect in God’s word. As I pray and step into reality I take his word, his promises, his love and his truth and strength with me.

Pray and study to get life!

Today’s and yesterday’s devotions are crammed with God’s goodness. I can barely contain it!

 From THE UPPER ROOM:

“The mind governed by flesh is death, but the mind governed by the spirit is life and peace. “ Romans 8:6

“Life gives us many choices the choices we make about what to think shape our self-image, our personality, our view of the world, and our way of dealing with life’s difficulties…God’s love can overcome my despair.”

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16

“Prayer is something we all can do for the kingdom of God no matter our age or situation.”

 

From DAILY GUIDEPOSTS:

“He leadeth me beside still waters…HE RESTORETH MY SOUL” Psalm 23: 2-3

“Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10

“Sometimes we best commune with God by being quiet…by leaning back and abiding in God’s presence.

 From DAILY WORD:

“I create my own joy (through God)…joyfulness is a choice. I know my thoughts can affect my feelings.”

“God is the source of my safety. ..God assures all my needs are fully met, I am whole, protected and complete for as the Gospel some goes, ‘there is no spot where God is not.’ I am free.”

 

Trying to get a copy of The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath from the library. May have to order. She was a depressed creative writer who committed suicide. I have been so close so often and then devotions like those above change me completely. Where is the fine line between life and death? Could it be purpose? Did she not have a purpose? Do I? I know I do yet some days are so difficult. People have had much more difficult days than me and survived with their faith intact. Does Billy Graham ever feel down? Did Mother Teresa?  What is the secret? Prayer, scripture, support from other believers. Why is that still not enough some days?

 Lord, I am trying so hard to be faithful, strong and diligent in my belief. God, I know you are here with me. I know you have always been there and always will. I love you. I want to see you in every situation. I want to feel you with every emotion. I want to trust you with all my life. I want to listen for your guidance. I want to taste your goodness. I want to smell your sweetness. I want to share your love. I want your forgiveness. I want a new start at a new and better life.  Thank you for all the blessings and forgiveness already bestowed on me. I love you Father. Amen.

 

Early summer-like breezes freshen my spirit.

Blue skies calm my soul.

Sunshine lights my way.

God’s grace saves my life.

 

My Christmas Eve Devotional

As most of you know, it’s been a tough time for our family and friends over the past 5 years (from Dad’s stroke to his death and now to Mom’s dementia putting her in Carillon). GOD has stood strong with us every step of the way and despite doubt, fear and all the other emotions that try to hinder his presence in a life, we are still strong in our belief, love and the power of a loving healing heavenly Father.

 

I have devotions and prayer daily and this morning was particularly inspiring. Due to the cold/flu I’ve had, sleep has been a deficit but it has me up hours before or down after all the world sleeps. Many of my greatest “ah ha moments” come at these hours, often called the hour of the soul: I read three devotionals (Daily Word, Guide Posts and Upper Room) regularly , but with the holiday season I am also reading two devotionals specifically for the Advent season (Unity & GWU).

 

For each new year I also choose a focus word rather than a set of resolutions I will soon leave in the dust. This year’s is possibility and boy! Have we had possibilities. Even when I thought all possibilities are over turned I realize each day brings the promise of new possibilities. During all this my faith in the spirit, Son and Holy Father have had weak moments and moments of complete clarity (hint next year’s word is in there). Which brings me back to this morning’s word. I know we all have times of fear, sickness, doubt, pain, dread, anger, and confusion, to name a few, but God never leaves us. His Son never forgets us and His Spirit is always with us. We simply must pull it out of the deep crevice our soul tries to suppress in order to escape.

Lord, join me in having my family and friends find this non-end of possibility. Give us clarity in body, mind and spirit. Guard our trusting hearts. May we all feel the abundance in our lives along with peace, love, forgiveness and most of all your presence. May your divine power of heaven be our sustaining power here on earth and when we all join that celestial home, may we see why it was all worth it.

 

Daily life breaks or builds us. It robs or blesses us. It scares or comforts us. All the while, YOU never leave us. If we don’t feel your presence then it’s because we have left with no forwarding address, no contact info for a period of whiny pity parties. My husband always says someone somewhere has it worse. That is true!

 

So, LORD, we thank you for our abundance of love, joy, peace, sustenance, rest, time, forgiveness, prayers answered and awesome life itself.

 

In Christ’s name,

Amen

The beauty and blessings of autumn

Nothing satisfies me more than sitting on my deck with my Bible, my devotionals, my journal and a cup of coffee. This is heaven on earth.

Early light glistens on red maples and golden oaks.

Long autumn shadows dissect the green lawn in comforting patterns.

Cool breezes caress my fevered soul.

Grace comes at peaceful interludes like this morning.

Serenity is strong in quiet moments such as this.

Faith revives and hope grows when the body stills and the heart reboots.

Mercy is a gift when the spirit is at rest.

Devotional thoughts:

I am constantly reminded of what and who I have so why do I get so frustrated?



Paul in 2 Corinthians 4 says:


Do not lose heart.


Shine in the darkness.


Remember the treasures in clay vessels.


You are pressed but not crushed.


You are perplexed but not in despair.


You are persecuted but not abandoned.


You are struck down but not destroyed.


You are outwardly wasting away but renewed inwardly.


Ignore the temporary.


Focus on the eternal.


These gems are gleaned from The Upper Room, Guideposts and Daily Word. (Yes, I read them all each day in addition to scripture passages.)


Don’t fret over life’s speed bumps.


Do your job only and let God do His.


Like a baby learning to walk, don’t be discouraged at stumbling. Get up and try again and again…


Yet, I do fret and whine over perfection. So I should:


Just do it right from the start.


Listen the first time.


Question less and accept what is.


Avoid comparisons.


Cling to the source.


Practice gratitude daily (hourly maybe).


Live now!

Morning Devotions

As I take a deep breath and sit on my deck

with my Bible and my God, I find joy.

Challenges make me feel

unable to make it to the next day.

Somehow God continues

to give me the grace and faith to do it.

Morning Devotions

Lord, lend me Your hand that I may not stumble.

Give me Your love that I may not falter.

Offer me Your peace that I may not fear.

Supply me Your grace that I may not doubt.

Allow me Your hope that I may not give up.

In Your merciful name, Amen.