Faith

If you keep praying for a thing, it shows that you have not got the faith. You need only go ask once and then go ahead in faith.
(David Spangler in Time For Joy, by Ruth Fishel, 25 July)
29 September 2015

Today

Lord, today I will allow myself to just be without judgment, without criticism. I will accept all that happens with love and gentleness.
(Ruth Fishel, Time For Joy, 26 July)
26 September 2015

Hannah Whitall Smith

Wherever there has been a faithful following of the Lord in a consecrated soul, several things have sooner or later followed.

• Meekness and quietness; 
• a submissive acceptance of the will of God;
• pliability in the hands of God;
• sweetness under provocation, calmness in the midst of turmoil and bustle;
• a yielding to the wishes of others and an insensibility to slights and affronts;
• absence of worry or anxiety;
• deliverance from care and fear.

God's glory and the welfare of His creatures become the absorbing delight of the soul.
(From The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith, found in, Flowers Along the Path by Esther Carls Dodgen, p. 127)
25 September 2015

I Come To The Garden

I come to the garden alone,

While the dew is still on the roses,

And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,

The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own,

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing!

And the melody that He gave to me

Within my heart is ringing.

(C. Austin Miles in Flowers Along The Path by Esther Carls Dodgen, p. 126)

24 September 2015

Pope's Visit September 2015

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,

Because He has anointed Me

To preach the gospel to the poor;

He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives

And recovery of sight to the blind,

To set at liberty those who are oppressed.

(God's Promises and Answers, Luke 4:18)

23 September 2015

The Pope's Visit

Arrival in Washington, DC

the afternoon of September 22, 2015

Lord, we are a hurt nation -- an angry nation struggling to maintain our values while still dealing firmly with those who hate us.  Guide our nation's leaders during these difficult times.  We trust in You and long for peace. Amen.
(Prayers From The Heart, Day 254)
22 September 2015

Fill Me With Comfort

Phlox and Black-eyed Susan

in our backyard

Father, my heart is breaking over the death of someone I love.

Fill me with Your comfort and the joy that comes 

from knowing that when death does come, 

You will be there to guide us home to You. Amen

(Prayers From The Heart, Day 245)

18 September 2015

Augustine of Hippo

Pink geranium in a pot

Growing under our carport awning

Father, You who are full of compassion,

I commit and commend myself unto You.

Be the goal of my pilgrimage,

and my rest by the way.

Let my soul take refuge from the 

crowding turmoil of worldly thoughts

beneath the shadow of Your wings;

let my heart find peace in You, O God. Amen

(Augustine of Hippo in, 

Flowers Along the Path 

by Esther Carls Dodgen, p. 116)

17 September 2015

Let Me Hear You Speaking

Coneflowers in our backyard

Popular with the yellow finches

O let me hear you speaking in accents clear and still,

about the storms of passion, the murmurs of self-will.

O speak to reassure me, to hasten or control;

and speak to make me listen, O guardian of my soul.

(Moravian Daily Texts - 2013, 15 September)

16 September 2015

Prioritizing

Tiger Lilies and Phlox in our backyard

Father, I really have a lot to do, and I'm not very good at multitasking. I need Your help each day as I organize the chores that need to be done. Show me how to prioritize my workload so that I can get things done in the most efficient manner, and let my work be pleasing in Your sight.
(Rachel Quillin, Everyday Prayers, p. 201)
15 September 2015

Pray For Each Other

Flowers in one of our front yard circles

Pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed.
(James 5:16 (MSG), in Daily Guideposts - 2014, 12 September)
14 September 2015

Your Presence

Cactus in bloom by our front porch

One thing I ask of You, Lord, one thing I see; to know Your presence day by day.
(Rick Hamlin in Daily Guideposts - 2014, 13 September)
13 September 2015

September 11, 2015

Lord, comfort those who will never forget, and bring Your peace to the nations of the world.
(Brigitte Weeks in Daily Guideposts - 2014, 11 September)
11 Sep 2015

Lord of the Storm

Almighty God,

Lord of the storm and of the calm,

of day and night, of life and death,

I pray that You will keep my heart steadfast upon Your faithfulness,

that I may continually see the miraculous in the world around me and

in the changed lives of those who have found the magnificent freedom in following You.

Amen

(Flowers Along The Path, Esther Carls Dodgen, p. 92)

1 September 2015