Sunday, May 29, 2011

Of books, quotes and the unhurried life

“On every level of life, from housework to heights of prayer, in all judgment and efforts to get things done, hurry and impatience are sure marks of the amateur,”Evelyn Underhill


It’s time for my summer fiction vacation and I’m starting with Dan Walsh’s book, “The Unfinished Gift.” I am already having a hard time putting it down, as it is very poignant. Dan is a fellow Word Weaver and I am looking forward to meeting him.

It’s times like this that I wish I could split into 2 people and be able to do what I need to do for my family and have one life to just read, read, read! I always remember when Mom Tinsley said nearly the same thing, but she wanted to be able to be a different person to be what she needed to be for her family (which I want to do also) and then another person to do her various charities and counseling work. Her daughter, Teresa said then, “I wish I could be 5 different people and they would all just have fun!”

I am also reading Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are and it is a keeper. There are so many beautiful quotes in this book that I wish I could copy them out for everyone to read. I had been thinking about how I at times am in such a hurry that I am not fully there for anything or anyone, even myself and she addressed those thoughts in what I read this morning.
She said it so well: Ann responding to the above quote by Evelyn Underhill says,
“The hurry makes us hurt.

And maybe it is the hurt that drives us on. For all our frenzied running seemingly towards something, could it be perhaps we are fleeing-------desperate to escape pain that pursues?

Whatever the pace, time will keep it and there’s no outrunning it, only speeding it up and pounding the feet harder; the minutes pound faster too. Race for more and you’ll snag on time and leak empty. The longer I keep running, the longer the gash and I drain, bleed away.

Hurry always empties a soul.” (Ann Voskamp)

Lord, help us to be fully aware of You and others this day and help us to give ourselves the gift of an unhurried soul. Let us be fully aware of those needs, hurts and the love that is right before us I pray.





Sunday, May 22, 2011

Can you name "One Thousand Gifts" from God?

I am reading this book by Ann Voskamp and love it. To be able to articulate words so beautifully is a dream of mine. Hopefully as we read books of this caliber we get fuel for our own fire. Lord Jesus give me Your flames of fire to write to inspire others and I will give you all the glory and credit as Ann has. What a work of art she is!


From Ann Voskamp, questions many who hurt ask:

Really, when you bury a child---or where you just simply get up every day and live life raw---you murmur the question soundlessly, No one hears, Can there be a good God? A God who graces with good gifts when a crib lies empty through long nights and bugs burrow through coffins? Where is God, really? How can He be good when babies die, and marriages implode, and dreams blow away, dust in the wind? Where is grace bestowed when cancer gnaws and loneliness aches and nameless places within us soundlessly die, break off without reason, erode away. Where hides this joy of the Lord, this God who fills the earth with good things and how do I fully live when life is full of hurt? How do I wake up to joy and grace and beauty and all that is the fullest life when I must stay numb to losses and crushed dreams and all that empties me out? One Thousand Gifts:


http://www.aholyexperience.com/ann-voskamp/

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Friday, May 20, 2011

It's All Good:)

Turning 60 wasn’t too bad at all when you have a great Lord and Savior, great husband and family. We overdid it, with food, the get-together last Sat. and more.



How can I say thank you for way too many blessings? I hope to pay my blessings forward for the rest of my life. I hope to look beyond my own and my family’s needs and help others. I want to proclaim the mercies of the Lord and His help, hope and kindnesses to me. Romans 8:28 and Psalm 27, my life verses add up to “It’s all good and if it isn’t yet, then it isn’t over yet.”

Monday, May 16, 2011

Who's To Blame? Daily Devotional | CBN.com

Who's To Blame? Daily Devotional CBN.com
It is so good to be reminded that our battles here, although seem in the form of flesh and blood or even family members are from the one who comes to kill, steal and destroy. There are no perfect families and we must put on the armor of the Lord to get through the day or even an hour sometimes. I loved the comparison of the 21st century bullet-proof vest. Excellent devotional as always!

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Fail Your Way Forward Daily Devotional | CBN.com

Fail Your Way Forward Daily Devotional CBN.com

I loved this word of encouragement especially where he writes: "God's plan, in God's time, with God's people always produces fruit, but that doesn't mean we won't stumble and fail our way forward. Our time in the desert is both necessary and ordained by God for it prepares us for His vision. The testing of our faith transforms us into a servant worthy of big dreams with bold outcomes. The trials demand we answer this question: “Will I trust God enough to see me through to the other side even when I can’t see the edge?” Isn’t that the question that haunts us as we breathe our final breath?"

Saturday, May 7, 2011

A Mother's Day Prayer

Lord Jesus I can only put my hopes and dreams in your hands; friends and family issues, all these I give to You. I can’t cope, deal, manipulate or change, create or run anything but somewhat of my own life and heart issues. I want a happy ending, wonderful relationships, warmth, love, affection and more. This seems unattainable at times, yet for You. I know You are a God of love and can do all things. Shine brightly Your life and light to me.
I pray for those who hurt as Mother’s Day approaches. Perhaps they have lost a dear child or are afraid that they may as they see things spiraling out of control in that child’s life. Perhaps Mother’s Day reminds them that they have no child to hold in their arms. Mother’s Day is really hard for those of us whose dear mother has gone on to be with the Lord, yet we know You called them to be close to You.

We thank You, dear Lord for this day and we will look for the good that You will give us. You give peace, love and joy when we stop and quiet our minds before You. In Jesus name I pray.