Tag Archives: challenges

Thoughts On Faith and Prayer: BEAUTY FOR ASHES

I will give them a crown to replace their ashes, and the oil of gladness to replace their sorrow, and clothes of praise to replace their spirit of sadness. Then they will be called Trees of Goodness, trees planted by the Lord to show His greatness. (Click to hear the message.)

To everything there is a season. | For Heaven’s Sake, Hurry Up and Die.

To my surprise the desire to return isn’t enough. Even with the best intentions to get up and go, I’ve been getting distracted. There’s always something to do. Or more rest to take. However, suddenly, over the last three weeks, there’s been and urgency to get to the church building. To be present during the songs and the sermons. To open myself up again. To return. To remember. To be enveloped by the healing songs of praise reverberating off the walls and ceiling of the sanctuary. To sing my hallelujahs and participate earnestly in corporate prayer. {Click link to read full post.}

ACAD – Blessings: Jeremiah 17

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise. Behold, they say to me, “Where is the word of the Lord? Let it come!” I have not run away from being your shepherd, nor have I desired the day of sickness. You know what came out of my lips; it was before your face. Be not a terror to me; you are my refuge in the day of disaster. Let those be put to shame who persecute me, but let me not be put to shame; let them be dismayed, but let me not be dismayed; bring upon them the day of disaster; destroy them with double destruction!

ACAD – Injustice: Job 5

God saves the needy from their lies and from the harm done by powerful people. So the poor have hope, while those who are unfair are silenced.

God hurts, but he also bandages up; he injures, but his hands also heal. He will save you from six troubles; even seven troubles will not harm you. God will buy you back from death in times of hunger, and in battle he will save you from the sword. You will be protected from the tongue that strikes like a whip, and you will not be afraid when destruction comes. You will laugh at destruction and hunger, and you will not fear the wild animals, because you will have an agreement with the stones in the field, and the wild animals will be at peace with you.

To God be the Glory

I didn’t think I had any appreciation for the darkness until I began to explore the illusion of my own invisibility. I could sit back and watch life happen to others. I could give myself time to sulk over my wounds. I could plan and fantasize about a more perfect tomorrow… thereby minimizing the triumphs and worries of today.

When did I begin to believe the lies about me? When did I first believe, like a memory, the false image of what my life would be? When did I stop appreciating my own power? When did I stop recognizing my own beauty? Wonder of wonders, I am here! Of all the impossibilities in the world, I have developed a voice that has cowed and destroyed demons attached to my life and banned them from my present and my future. Of all the unthinkable happenings in the world, a neglected and forgotten girl-child grew into a fiercely independent and productive woman who seeks to love and nurture those in her care. {Click to read the full post.}

I asked to be a lover…

I didn’t comprehend the magnitude of what I was asking. I thought I was ready to love. I thought I was ready for love to work through me. I thought all I needed to do was be a willing vessel… remain open… offer myself – my humanity – and my resources… and give what is needed when it’s needed. I thought the resistance to love would only be temporary – so short term as to be unremarkable. I thought the ugliest rejection I would encounter would be “no, thank you.” {Click the link to read full article.}

How many calories did I burn climbing this mountain?

I fell behind. At first I felt self-conscious for holding up the group. Then I realized I wasn’t holding them up. They were moving speedily forward like young goats. After that, I slowed down more and took deeper breaths. I rested for as long as I needed and moved only when I was comfortable doing so. I stepped aside to let people pass me. I took in the view and shared conversation with the woman lagging behind with me.

It’s the willingness that counts

In overcoming some challenges in relationships that my stubbornness has contributed to, I’ve noticed that the situations did not get better when I got my way or when the other person got theirs. For me, the situation always got better when I became WILLING to set aside my pride, my wants, my point of view,ContinueContinue reading “It’s the willingness that counts”

If you can’t move your mountain…

During a conversation with a friend recently, she mentioned how difficult it was to move the mountains in her life. My response: “if you can’t move your mountain, beautify it.” It was an automatic response. We both laughed. And we both pondered it. I’m still pondering…. I’ve learned that heavy lifting of any sort -ContinueContinue reading “If you can’t move your mountain…”