Walking with God

To walk with God requires more grace and maturity of thought and habit than to fly or run.
Young Christians are apt to get impatient with the quietness and seeming slowness of riper
Christians. ...To go slow with God is one of the greatest arts in the deeper life of the Christian,
and one that it takes a long time to learn unless it is taught the soul by the Holy Spirit"

--George D. Watson, God's Eagles,

photo taken at Storrowton Village, West Springfield, MA
 

God is not Dead Nor Does He Sleep

 

As we approach Christmas, I have tried to write down my thoughts...

 

We've had a rough year, haven't we? One that could cause our hearts to sink

or make us cry our eyes out. Evil, with its tedious slash-and-burn methods,

is out there. But what I know this year is that I have been all the more drawn

toward bedrock belief in the goodness of God. I somehow do not feel at all

discouraged but evermore sure that God's love is stronger than

all that is tirelessly arrayed against it. He can carry us through

anything.

 

We only have to see, with the eyes of our heart, who our good God is--full of

Light and Life, His nail pierced Hands dripping with compassion and love. Evil's victories are short lived. We have been tricked into thinking that bad is stronger than good because it uses a hacker's force to accomplish its goals. God's ways are subtle, gentle, awe-inspiring and unexpected. The results of evil we see daily with our natural eyes, but may we learn to see how present the love and goodness of God is with the eyes of our hearts. Love and Goodness, God Himself, working through His people, is all around us. And if we dare to join His ranks, we shall see Him all the more.

 

2000 years ago a small package of God arrived on earth's doorstep. It was

such a small package. Wrapped in a bits of swaddling cloth. God made the announcement of His Son's coming not to the rich and famous, but to shepherds and star gazers, both of whom had time to look for the hidden and subtle, and the vast and deep.

 

The little package, from His very first moment a divine Pilgrim, at home only

in the Father's love, and in the arms of sweet mother Mary. His little Head never rested on pillowy satins, and His first night wasn't even inside the hotel, but out in the way back with the animal servants.

 

Goodness is always a threat and so, even after that, He could not find a place to rest--Foxes have dens and sparrows have nests but the Son of God never had a lasting place to lay His Head. He came unto those who were called to be His own but His own received Him not. He, who is our Eternal Home, was cast out to be received only by those who could see His Beautiful Goodness. Even those who simply looked like Him were murdered--little children killed by Herod hoping to extinguish Jesus among them, holy innocents caught up in the battle. To this day those who look like Him are murdered but their true eternal life is not taken, nor can it be.

 

Our year has been like that, hasn't it? Holy Innocents have again been slain. Yet, I believe more firmly in God's goodness and in the power of Goodness than I ever have for I see it coming to life in those around me who have given themselves to Goodness --God acting through His Own in acts of light, small and large, seen and unseen. God's goodness seen in kind smiles, in small gestures, in young teachers throwing themselves in front of bullets to protect their children, in one small hand reaching out to hold another's

in the night.

 

What can we do when darkness is all around? We can simply choose goodness.

 

 

Love and goodness are something to give one's life to, for they are what God is. God, with love and goodness, made the world and by that love and goodness the world will one Day once again be made a safe and glorious dwelling place--have no doubt about that! Love and goodness are quiet yet exceedingly powerful.

 

Good overcomes evil by what it is-- it vanquishes darkness by simply being light. There is no clash of two brute forces in this battle because this war is not waged that way. Love is another kind of force entirely, and does things in its own amazing way. Vengeance belongs only to the Lord, who will end our battle with evil with a proper show of the majestic force of Love at the End of Days. All that is God's--goodness alone is His Little Flock's wisest choice. Darkness knows its time is limited so it will do all that it knows to do, within its darkened self, to accomplish its purposes.

 

Jesus said, "the eye is the lamp of the body, and if your lamp is dark, how great a darkness that is" (Matthew 6:22-23). In JRR Tolkien's, The Hobbit, the shriveled Gollum lives in that darkness and eats of the dark forces of greed, jealousy, and lust for power. The light in his lamp has gone out, as it will for everyone who partakes of darkness. Conversely, the simple, everyday hobbit from Bag End may feel that he is no match for that which lays in the darkness.

 

 

Yet, what we must realize is that everyday hobbits, you and I, are on a great adventure toward God--and we can and will be victorious by God's goodness! Let us march into His triumphant goodness and toward Light so pure that darkness has no chance. We are small, just like the small package that came to earth so many years ago, but we are God's small package if we so choose to be!

 

How clearly do I see this today! How clearly do I see that it all begins simply with our choice and the direction we point ourselves in. God takes it from there! In our selves we have no goodness or strength or courage but when we allow the Small Package of Christ, (who is eternally without measure) to enter our lives He brings with it all the goodness of God packed into something the size of a mustard seed and it begins to explode within us--into a Package whose height and depth and length we will never fully exhaust or explore! A great journey indeed begins!

 

 

Dear ones, during this timely Christmas,

trust in the goodness of God...but do more than that--give yourself over to it.

 

This great old hymn, I heard the Bells on Christmas Day, speaks of a great and present truth:

 

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play;
In music sweet their tones repeat,
“There’s peace on earth, good will to men.” 

 

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along th’ unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

 

But in despair I bowed my head,

There is no peace on earth I said,

for hate is strong and mocks the song

of peace on earth, good will to men.

 

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

“GOD IS NOT DEAD NOR DOES HE SLEEP"

For Christ is here; His Spirit near
Brings peace on earth, good will to men.”

 

When men repent and turn from sin
The Prince of Peace then enters in,
And grace imparts within their hearts
His peace on earth, good will to men. 

 

O souls amid earth’s busy strife,
The Word of God is light and life;
Oh, hear His voice, make Him your choice,
Hail peace on earth, good will to men.

 

Then happy, singing on your way,
Your world will change from night to day;
Your heart will feel the message real,
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Merry Christmas, good friends,

Rose-Marie

the hymn was written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
during a time of great loss during the Civil War, there
are many variations to the lyrics. 

Putting Away That Which Hinders

"Comrades in this solemn fight- this awful conflict with awful powers- let us settle it as something that cannot be shaken: We are here to live holy, loving, lowly lives. We cannot do this unless we walk very, very close to the Lord Jesus. Anything that would hinder us from the closest walk that is possible to us till we see Him face to face is not for us. We need to be sensitive to the first approach of the hindering thing. For the sake of the souls that may be stumbled if we turn even ever so little aside, for the sake of our Master's glory- dearer surely to us than all else- let us ask Him to show us whether in anywise we have been showing crooked patterns." - Amy Carmichael

(trees in a massive windstorm, Feeding Hills, MA)

If you want the fire of God, you must become the fuel of God

                      If you want the fire of God, you must become the fuel of God.
                                                                                          --Tom Tenney

photo taken in Cambridge, UK


 

 

You Cannot Be Too Gentle

“You cannot be too gentle, too kind. Shun even to appear harsh in your treatment of each other. Joy, radiant joy, streams from the face of him who gives and kindles joy in the heart of him who receives. All condemnation is from the devil. Never condemn each other. We condemn others only because we shun knowing ourselves. When we gaze at our own failings, we see such a swamp that nothing in another can equal it. That is why we turn away, and make much of the faults of others. Instead of condemning others, strive to reach inner peace. Keep silent, refrain from judgment. This will raise you above the deadly arrows of slander, insult and outrage and will shield your glowing hearts against all evil.” —St Seraphim of Sarov

photo taken in Belfast, Maine

Launch Out Into the Deep

Now when He had ceased speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch. (Luke 5:4)


photo taken in Breakwater Lighthouse at Rockland, Maine

The Lord Knoweth Them That Are HIs

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2 Timothy 2:9)

photo taken near Rockaway Beach, Oregon.

Refresh and Gladden My Spirit, O God!

O God! Refresh and gladden my spirit. Purify my heart. Illumine my powers.I lay all my affairs in Thy hand. Thou art my Guide and my Refuge. O God! Thou art more friend to me than I am to myself. I dedicate myself to Thee, O Lord.

 

Kiss the Wave

               "I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages." -Spurgeon

photo taken at Weekapaug, Rhode Island

Now is Christ Risen From the Dead! Easter Anthem 236

The Lord is ris’n indeed! Hallelujah!


Now is Christ risen from the dead,

And become the first-fruits of them that slept.

Hallelujah, and did He rise? did He rise?

Hear it ye nations! hear it, Oh ye dead!

He rose, He burst the bars of death

And triumphed o’er the grave.

Then I rose, then first humanity

Triumphant passed the crystal ports of light

And seized eternal youth.

Man, all immortal hail,

Hail heaven, all lavish of strange gifts to man,

Thine’s all the glory,

Man’s the boundless bliss.
______________________________
this is Sacred Harp Easter Anthem 236

Blessed Easter to YOU!

Babylon is Fallen

this is sung in the Sacred Harp style....in the first  part they are singing the tune by
means of phonetically written notes.  Then....

BABYLON IS FALLEN (2)

Hail the day so long expected,
Hail the year of full release.
Zion's walls are now erected,
And her watchmen publish peace.
Through our Shiloh's wide dominion,
Hear the trumpet loudly roar,
Babylon is fallen to rise no more.

Babylon is fallen, fallen, fallen
Babylon is fallen, to rise no more.

All her merchants stand with wonder,
What is this that comes to pass:
Murm'ring like the distant thunder,
Crying, "Oh alas, alas."
Swell the sound, ye kings and nobles,
Priest and people, rich and poor;
Babylon is fallen to rise no more.

Blow the trumpet in Mount Zion,
Christ shall come a second time;
Ruling with a rod of iron
All who now as foes combine.
Babel's garments we've rejected,
And our fellowship is o'er,
Babylon is fallen to rise no more.

From Sacred Harp
Tune: W. E. Chute, 1878

Drink, Dear Saint, of the Sweetness of God

      "But the believing soul longs and faints for God; she rests sweetly in the contemplation of Him. She glories in the reproach of the Cross, until the glory of His face shall be revealed. Like the Bride, the dove of Christ, that is covered with silver wings (Ps. 68.13), white with innocence and purity, she reposes in the thought of Thine abundant kindness, Lord Jesus; and above all she longs for that day when in the joyful splendor of Thy saints, gleaming with the radiance of the Beatific Vision, her feathers shall be like gold, resplendent with the joy of Thy countenance." --Bernard of Clairvaux on the Love of God






photo taken in Catskill, NY 

Perhaps they are not stars...

"Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy." --Eskimo proverb

photo taken at Smith College, Northampton, MA

Wait on the Lord, Be of Good Courage!

You can be in no circumstances in which the Lord can not help you, in which he will not help you, if you look simply to him, rest on him, and wait for him. For every condition in which you may be placed, there is a promise; by that promise the Lord stands pledged to appear for you and help you; he is ever ready to deliverer you; only he will have you believe his word, exercise confidence in him, plead the promise at his throne, and wait for its fulfillment. Wait, then, on the Lord at all times. Times will change, creatures will vary, but the Lord remains always the same. In youth and health, in manhood and prosperity, in old age and its infirmities, we should wait on the Lord. He will adapt his mercies to us, make all his goodness pass before us, and cause all things to work together for our good. He will never leave us, change his views of us, or withhold his tender mercies from us. He is faithful to his word, true to his character, and full of love to his people.

Whatever change there may be in creatures, there is no change in him. Health may give way to sickness, plenty to poverty, strength to weakness, and life to death, but he is the same. With him there is no variableness, neither shadow of a turn. Therefore, "wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord." 

--James Smith, Chelthenham, NY 1869 --from Grace Gems

photo taken at Smith College, Northampton, MA

Encourage Each Other in the Light

When I see  your light shining in the darkness, my heart 

leaps for joy! 

Let us encourage each other by letting

our light shine brightly in the darkness around us.

And when you feel tired and lost,

do as Christian did, as he made his way

to the Celestial City: just follow the Light. 

"Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Holding forth the word of life..."  (Philippians 2:14, 15, 16a)

photo taken in the chapel at Corpus Christi College,

Cambridge, UK on the Feast of Corpus Christi

The Perfect Gift

Sometimes the perfect gift is a cheery smile...

 I thank God for the way He made you, distinct, special and 
     unique.  You were not made from a common mold.                                                                          - Erwin W. Lutzer    

it's snowing today, and my friends, the birds,

come closer....here is Mrs. Cardinal, eating

her favorite sunflower seeds.  She sings a happy

little songs when she finds them. 

On the Journey with Jesus!

The boat on the sea is one of the earliest Christian symbols for the church in its journey through the world. Just as the boat is tossed about by the waves so is the church pounded from all sides by worldly and spiritual forces hostile to the kingdom of God. In the midst of crises, Jesus comes to restore peace and harmony in His church. But He comes in a form and manner in which He is easily mistaken for the enemy. He comes in a way that makes many well-meaning Christians cry out in fear “It is a ghost!” (Matthew 14:26) as they try to keep Him out. But if we listen carefully we shall hear through the storm His soft, gentle voice whispering in the wind, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid” (verse 27). ....

May the Lord increase our little faith so that in all the storms of life we shall have our eyes and our trust constantly fixed on Jesus and His power and not on ourselves and our weaknesses

--Fr Munachi E. Ezeogu, CSSP (A Holy Ghost Father)

photo taken at the Abby Church of St. Edmunds, Bury St. Edmund, UK  

They Also Serve Who Only Stand and Wait

When I consider how my light is spent
Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,
And that one Talent which is death to hide
Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest He returning chide,
"Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?"
I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies, "God doth not need
Either man's work or his own gifts. Who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
Is kingly: thousands at his bidding speed,
And post o'er land and ocean without rest;


They also serve who only stand and wait."

--John Milton

this poem, called "On his blindness" written when Milton lost his sight and therefore,

felt himself somewhat, if not entirely useless,  reveals the profound

truth that it is not our gifting and how we use them that matters

but that we wait, before and for, God--(even if it makes you

feel like a potted plant.) :)

For some reason it always makes me cry.

You can hear it read, here:

http://www.sonnets.org/milton.htm#002

photo taken in St. Ives, UK

For the sake of
Your sorrowful passion,


Have mercy on us,
and on the whole world.


























photo taken at the Chapel of Corpus Christi College,
Cambridge, UK

I Drift Along in the Peace of God

I drift along, in the peace of God, knowing that I am His, and that He is, gloriously, mine.
I drift along, in the peace, in the deep peace of God.   


photo taken in St. Ives, UK

Enduring the Heat of Adversity

When it is hot in the kitchen of your life, and you don't feel you can eat what you are being
served. then endure the heat of adversity so  you will be able to say  "When He has tested me, I will come forth as gold” (Job 23:10).




photo taken in Granville, MA
"fresh organic chilies" :)

Each gift, however different, is equally beautiful and equally needed

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.  (Romans 11:4-8)


photo taken in Bury St. Edmunds, UK 

Enter Ye In At the Narrow Gate

Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many be they that enter in thereby (Matthew 7:13)

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way,.... And so, difficult to enter in at; and when entered, the way is unpleasant to the flesh to walk in, being hedged up on each side with afflictions and tribulations; and moreover, is like the "narrow place", or , "the strait place", as the Septuagint in Numbers 22:26 render it; in which the angel that met Balaam stood; and in which there was no turning to the right hand or the left; and such is the way to eternal happiness. The great encouragement to walk on in it is, because it is that way

which leadeth unto life: unto eternal life: it certainly leads thither; it never fails of bringing persons to it; believers in Christ, all that walk in Christ the way, though they are said to be "scarcely" saved, by reason of their afflictions and trials, they meet with in their way to the kingdom; yet they are, and shall be certainly saved: they shall be safely brought to glory; which will be an abundant recompense for all the troubles and sorrows that have attended them in their journey.

And few there be that find it; the way, and so consequently the life it leads to. "The gate is strait"; small and little, and so unobserved: there is but one way to heaven, and the generality of men neglect it. "The way is narrow", and so disagreeable; the company few, and not engaging. Men choose large gates, broad ways, and much company. The flesh loves to walk at liberty, unconfined, and uncontrolled, and with a multitude to do evil: hence, Zion's ways are thin of passengers; a small number, comparatively speaking, walk thereto, and will be saved; a remnant, a little flock, a little city, and few men in it. (Gill's Commentary on the
Whole Bible)


photo taken in Southington, CT

Jonathan Edwards: I Know Not How to Express...

This I know not how to express otherwise than by a calm, sweet abstraction of soul from all the concerns of this world; and sometimes a kind of vision, or fixed ideas and imaginations, of being alone in the mountains, or some solitary wilderness, far from all mankind, sweetly conversing with Christ, and wrapt and swallowed up in God. The sense I had of divine things would often of a sudden kindle up, as it were, a sweet burning in my heart; an ardor of soul, that I know not how to express.
... I walked abroad alone, in a solitary place in my father’s pasture, for contemplation. And as I was walking there, and looking upon the sky and clouds, there came into my mind so sweet a sense of the glorious majesty and grace of God, as I know not how to express. I seemed to see them both in a sweet conjunction; majesty and meekness joined together: it was a sweet, and gentle, and holy majesty; and also a majestic meekness; an awful sweetness; a high, and great, and holy gentleness.



photo taken on the far side of Pike's Peak...
near the Florrisant Fossil Beds,
Colorado

Where faith is there is courage, there is fortitude, there is steadfastness and strength. . . . Faith bestows that sublime courage that rises superior to the troubles and disappointments of life, that acknowledges no defeat except as a step to victory; that is strong to endure, patient to wait, and energetic to struggle. . . . Light up, then, the lamp of faith in your heart. . . . It will lead you safely through the mists of doubt and the black darkness of despair; along the narrow, thorny ways of sickness and sorrow, and over the treacherous places of temptation and uncertainty.


James Lane Allen



photo taken in Malvern, England

Be Still My Soul...We Rest on Thee, Our Shield and Defender

The Christian hymn, We Rest on Thee, was written by Edith G. Cherry around 1895 . This hymn is probably most well known as it was the last hymn sung by the Jim Elliot and the missionaries involved in Operation Auca before their deaths. From thence came the title of  Elisabeth Elliot's book about that incident, Through Gates of Splendor.:


We rest on Thee, our Shield and our Defender;

We go not forth alone against the foe;
Strong in Thy strength, safe in Thy keeping tender.
We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.
Yea, in Thy Name, O Captain of salvation!
In Thy dear Name, all other names above;
Jesus our Righteousness, our sure Foundation,
Our Prince of glory and our King of love.

We go in faith, our own great weakness feeling,
And needing more each day Thy grace to know:
Yet from our hearts a song of triumph pealing;
We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.
We rest on Thee, our Shield and our Defender:
Thine is the battle, Thine shall be the praise
When reigning in the Kingdom of Thy splendor;
Victors, we rest with Thee, through endless days.



this song is sung to the tune of a hymn we know
as "Be Still My Soul"

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.


Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.



 photo taken of Marci's beloved Barney,
in Wilmington, Delaware

Jonathan Edwards: the appearance of divine glory in almost everything...

The appearance of everything was altered; there seemed to be, as it were, a calm, sweet, cast, or appearance of divine glory, in almost everything.


God’s excellency, his wisdom, his purity and love, seemed to appear in every thing;
in the sun, moon, and stars; in the clouds and blue sky; in the grass, flowers, trees; in the water, and all nature; which used greatly to fix my mind.


I often used to sit and view the moon for a long time; and in the day, spent much time in viewing the clouds and sky, to behold the sweet glory of God in these things:

In the meantime, singing forth, with a low voice, my contemplations of the Creator and Redeemer. . .” - 

--Jonathan Edwards

photo taken in Wilmington, Delaware

Before You Were Born I Loved You!

more cardinal pictures:
this reminds me of the old "balance the bone on the dog's nose" trick....but he's
already enjoying his favorite black sunflower seed. Its amazing how sharp their
beaks are!
_______________________________
On the Love of Christ for us:

Before you were conceived I wanted you


Before you were born I loved you


Before you were here an hour I would die for you


This is the miracle of life.






- Maureen Hawkins

Snow Falling on Cardinal

We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls.”


--Mother Teresa
snow falling on cardinal at my window....

"Thou Shepherd of Israel and Mine" by Charles Wesley

 Thou Shepherd of Israel, and mine,
The joy and desire of my heart,
For closer communion I pine,
I long to reside where thou art:
The pasture I languish to find
Where all, who their Shepherd obey,
Are fed, on thy bosom reclined,
And screened from the heat of the day.



 Ah! show me that happiest place,
The place of thy people's abode,
Where saints in an ecstasy gaze,
And hang on a crucified God;
Thy love for a sinner declare,
Thy passion and death on the tree:
My spirit to Calvary bear,
To suffer and triumph with thee.



'Tis there, with the lambs of thy flock,
There only, I covet to rest,
To lie at the foot of the rock,
Or rise to be hid in thy breast;
'Tis there I would always abide,
And never a moment depart,
Concealed in the cleft of thy side,
Eternally held in thy heart.


--hymn "Thou Shepherd of Israel"

by Charles Wesley

Yea, the Sparrow hath found her house....

It's snowing here and this little one came to breakfast on my windowsill.
I'm thinking that it gives me great joy to provide food on a wintry day
to my little bird friends, I'm sure God enjoys providing for us in the same way.

"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." Psalm 84:3

And the Cream of All My Heart I Will Bring Thee

King of Glorie, King of Peace,

I will love thee:

And that love may never cease,

I will move thee.

Thou hast granted my request,

Thou hast heard me:

Thou didst note my working breast,

Thou hast spar’d me.

Wherefore with my utmost art

I will sing thee,

And the cream of all my heart

I will bring thee.

Though my sinnes against me cried,

Thou didst cleare me;

And alone, when they replied,

Thou didst heare me.

Sev’n whole dayes, not one in seven,

I will praise thee.

In my heart, though not in heaven,

I can raise thee.

Thou grew’st soft and moist with tears,

Thou relentedst:

And when Justice call’d for fears,

Thou disentedst.

Small it is, in this poore sort

To enroll thee:

Ev’n eternitie is to short

To extoll thee.

The Temple: George Herbert 1633

photo taken in cathedral at Ludlow, England 

"Try not to fear [bodily ills] and commit yourselves wholly to God, come what may. What does it matter if we die? How many times have our bodies not mocked us? Should we not occasionally mock them in our turn? And, believe me, slight as it may seem by comparison with other things, this resolution is much more important than we may think; for, if we continually make it, day by day, by the grace of the Lord, we shall gain dominion over the body. To conquer such an enemy is a great achievement in the battle of life. May the Lord grant, as He is able, that we may do this. I am quite sure that no one who does not enjoy such a victory, which I believe is a great one, will understand what advantage it brings, and no one will regret having gone through trials in order to attain this tranquillity and self-mastery.


--Theresa of Avila

photo taken near Rand, Colorado

Enjoy Me!

Just these two words He spoke
changed my life.

"Enjoy Me."

What a burden I thought I was to carry--
a crucifix, as did He.

Love once said to me,
"I know a song,
would you like to hear it?"

And laughter came from every brick in the street
and from every pore
in the sky,

After a night of prayer, He
changed my life when

                        He sang,
"Enjoy Me."

--from Theresa of Avila, "Laughter came from every Brick"
--Love Poems from God  edited by Daniel Ladinsky

photo taken at Magic Wings Butterfly
So. Deerfield, MA

Longing to See the Beauty of The Lord

Is longing for the Beauty the happiest place of all? Longing to gaze upon
the Beauty of the Lord and to seek Him, the place where all joy spills
from? Now matter how manifested, beauty is what sparks the romance
and we are the Bride pursued, the Lover pursuing, and known or
unbeknownst, He woos us in the romance of all time, beyond
time. I ache for the oneness.

--1000 Gifts,
Ann Voskamp

photo taken at Winterthur,
Wilmington, Delaware 

 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise;
God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.



 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--
and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are,


 so that no one may boast before him.


It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has
become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.


Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

( 1 Corinthians 1: 28-31)
 
 
(preacher in the marketplace, Abergavenny, Wales)

The Life of True Holiness ....

The life of true holiness is rooted in the soil of awed adoration.
It does not grow elsewhere.

--J.I. Packer

photo taken in Abergavenny, Wales
(roots growing on bark of a tree)