Do Not Pass Me By

Savior, Savior, hear my humble cry;

while on others Thou art calling;

do not pass me by.

(Moravian Daily Texts - 2013, 26 January)

31 January 2016

Praying Correctly

The one who prays correctly never doubts that the prayer will be answered, even if the very thing for which one prays is not given. For we are to lay our need before God in prayer but not prescribe to God a measure, manner, time, or place. We must leave that to God, for He may wish to give it to us in another, perhaps better, way than we think is best. Frequently we do not know what to pray as St. Paul says in Romans 8, and we know that God's ways are above all that we can ever understand.

(Martin Luther, Table Talk, in Flowers Along the Path, Esther Carls Dodgen, p. 278)

30 January 2016

Joy

Lord, help me find joy in the everyday responsibilities and duties of life and family.

(after Daily Guideposts - 2015, 19 January, Carla Hendricks)

29 January 2016

Something Happened

One of the experiences of prayer is that it seems that nothing happens. But when you start with it and look back over a long period of prayer, you suddenly realize that something has happened. What is most close, most intimate, most present, often cannot be experienced directly but only with a certain distance. When I think that I am only distracted, just wasting my time, something is happening too  immediate for knowing, understanding, and experiencing. Only in retrospect do I realize that something very important has taken place.

(Henri J. Nouwen, The Genesee Diary, found in Flowers Along The Path by Esther Carls Dodgen, , p. 276)

26 January 2016

Thinking Straight

Teach me to think straight, and not to take offense at criticism which is meant as loving guidance.
(One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 20 August)
25 January 2016

Troubles

Anyone who is having troubles should pray.

(James 5:13)

(Max Lucado, Grace For The Moment, Vol. II, 26 August)

24 January 2016

Begin the Day

Photo by: Mr. Dickie

Frostburg, MD

Begin the Day with God

Every morning, lean thine arms awhile

Upon the window-sill of Heaven,

And gaze upon the Lord …

Then with that vision in thy heart,

Turn strong to meet the day.

(Author unknown, 

in Flowers Along The Path 

by Esther Carls Dodgen,p. 272)

23 January 2016

Blessings

Photo by: Mr. Dickie

Frostburg, MD

Father, please help me recognize my blessings for what they are ─ a gift from You.
I pray for a thankful heart and the grace to always recognize Your hand in my life.
Amen.
(Especially For You, 16 March)
22 January 2016

Concern

One of Melva's Quilts

Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden.
(Corrie ten Boom,11 March)
21 January 2016

Calm My Restless Spirit

Calm my restless spirit.

Come Into Our Hearts

Come into our hearts, rescue us from darkness and sin so we may bear good fruit in your name.
(Moravian Daily Texts - 2013, 15 January)
19 January 2016

Taking A Stand

Lord, sometimes I have to take a stand, no matter what happens. When these times come, I pray that You will give me character and courage.
(Prayers From The Heart, Day 183)
18 January 2016

The Spiritual Life

The spiritual life is first of all a life. It is not merely something to be known and studied, it is to be lived ... We live as spiritual people when we live as people seeking God. If we are to become spiritual, we must remain human.
(Thomas Merton, 7 May, Peace Flowing Like A Gentle River)
12 January 2016

Good Stewards

Bountiful God, you have given us so much and we should want for nothing.
Help us to be good stewards of the land, water, and air which you have entrusted to us.
Amen.

(Moravian Daily Texts - 2013, 22 June)

10 January 2016

Difficult Times

Please help me through this difficult time.

(Rachel Quillin, Everyday Prayers, p. 203)

9 January 2016

Scripture

All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.
2 Timothy 3:16
(The Christophers, Three Minutes A Day, Vol. 41, 21 October)
8 January 2016

Spiritual Growth

Spiritual growth requires you to become aware of everything you are feeling, all the time.
(Gary Zukav and Linda Francis, Thoughts From the Heart of the Soul, p. 40)
7 January 2016

Saint Augustine

O Holy Spirit, descend plentifully into my heart. Enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling and scatter there Thy cheerful beams.

(St. Augustine, February 10th)

6 January 2016

Eight-five Percent

Photo By: Mr. Dickie

Falling Leaves at Anne Arundel Community College

Fall of 2015

I try very hard to go easy on the firm conclusions. These days I settle for feeling only 85% sure about most things, most of the time. I believe that is keeping me sane, and I also believe that it's keeping me human. In fact, I'm 85% sure of it.

(Elizabeth Gilbert, writer, in Words That Matter, by the Editors of The Oprah Magazine, page 101)

5 January 2016

Whatever You Ask For

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, 

believe that you have received it, 

and it will be yours.

(Mark 11:24 NIV)

4 January 2016

War & Peace

Be at war with your vices, 

at peace with your neighbors, and 

let every new year find you a better man.

(Benjamin Franklin)

3 January 2016

Angels

... it is the habit of angels to visit in moments of silent reading.

(Thomas Moore, Care of the Soul, p. 303)

2 Jan 2016

Happy New Year 2016

We have been given a gift of a new day, a new year -- a new life!
The past is truly past, and we look forward to this new year and our new growth -- which comes through living honestly, open-mindedly and willingly, one day at a time.

May I look forward to this New Year and live it one day at a time. May I not dwell on the past or future, but only on this day, Your gift to me.
(Anonymous, This New Day, 1 January)
1 January 2016