I believe I am always divinely guided. I believe I will always take the right turn of the road. I believe that God will always make a way where to my mind there is no way. Norman Vincent Peale (1898-1993)
I believe.
Tag Archives: God
A Prayer for Patience
Dear God, it seems that the times I need the most patience are when I have the least. Help me to recognize that I first need to be patient with myself and my own shortcomings before I can be patient with others; that it is from these shortcomings that I am short with others. Remind me daily that your unending patience with me is a gift to treasure, to learn from, and to share when and where most needed. Amen.
Thoughts on Caregiving
To some of us, caregiving can become a daunting task, especially when it is a loved one who goes from a healthy independent person to almost completely helpless.
Patience is tried, sleep is denied, and nerves become frayed from the enormity of the responsibility.
But think of it another way.
It is an awesome responsibility we have been entrusted with; the caregiving of another human being. We should feel privileged that God deemed us capable and worthy of this task.
“In as much as you did it to the least of these my brethern, you did it unto me.” Matthew 25:40
Church Fun
The sole purpose of going to church is to worship, right? Yes. But, when the last hymn has been sung, the last “amen” uttered, and the last person has exited the sanctuary, the fun begins.
God has been served and will continue to be served as his people enjoy one another’s company in the C.E.H. (Christian Education Hall) after each morning service. It’s called fellowship.
This Sunday I had more fun than usual because I was on “coffee duty” in the kitchen with several other people. There was chatter and laughter as light-hearted conversation accompanied the preparation of ninety cups of coffee and sixty cups of tea. Even more fun was serving each person who came to the counter for their choice of beverage. “Just a half cup, please” or “Three quarters of a cup will be fine” or “Could you top that up a little more?” A young lad of perhaps twelve, smiling through his braces, said, “Coffee, please”. No fruit juice and cookies for him at the kid’s table!
It was even more fun because two of our members happily celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary, and two giant strawberry shortcakes were a tasty addition to the tea and coffee.
Yes, we go to church to worship God, but I know he likes his children to have fun, too. Proverbs 17:22 says a cheerful heart is like good medicine, and for me that is a prescription for church fun.
Real Love
Yesterday I had the privilege of visiting a couple still in love after sixty-one years of married life. They are a joy to behold.
That visit brought to mind a sentence from one of Robert Schuller’s books, Living Powerfully One Day at a Time. It reads as follows:
…the source of real joy is real love, which tears you from your own projects to care about someone else; bearing another’s burdens, sharing yourself with another person alone; truly being an instrument of God’s love.
Everything about this couple reflected God’s love, especially their love for one another which was so evident in every word and look that they shared.
I would be remiss in not mentioning another couple I know who have been married the same length of time and are truly devoted as well.
It was a blessing to have all four of these people and their real love touch my life on the same day.
Where is Love?
Love is always present in life, in all of our wonderful experiences—and even our tragedies. Love is what gives our days their deep meaning, it is what we are truly made of. Whatever we may call it—love, God, soul—love is alive and tangible, living within us all. Love is our experience of the divine, of sacred holiness. Love is the richness all around us. It is ours for the taking.
The above is an excerpt from Life Lessons by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross and David Kessler.
Where is love? Everywhere—let’s not lose sight of it. Give someone a hug right now and if there’s no one to hug, hug yourself, and feel the love.
A Year Without God?
There is a young man, Ryan Bell, a former pastor who is questioning his faith. In January of this year he decided to give up on God and try atheism for one year. His blog is called Year Without God.
I can’t even imagine going on a journey like that, and wonder if brave would be an apt adjective to describe him.
From what I understand, we can give up on God, but God doesn’t give up on us. I’m sure Ryan is on par with the prodigal son right now and I pray he doesn’t have to hit the pig sty before returning to his Father. I’ll be reading more about this young man and his struggle with his faith.
He says he’ll still be blogging at the end of the year and he’ll just change the name to Two Years Without God or A Year With God, depending on who wins the arm wrestling match.
My money’s on God. Even Solomon turned away from God at one time, but returned and wrote the book of Ecclesiastes to describe what he learned. I love that book.
Another Helpful Prayer
Ralph Waldo Trine (1866-1958) was known, among other things, as a New Thought author. Having said that, part of his education included Knox College. Of his many books, In Tune With the Infinite is the only one I have read and refer to often. It includes the prayer I am going to share today. This prayer has brought me much peace, courage and strength over the years. Take from it what you will.
My Father in Heaven, Infinite Spirit of life and love and wisdom and power, in whom I live and move and have my being, whence cometh my help, manifest Thyself in me. Help me to open myself to the highest wisdom, and insight, and love and power, that I may serve Thee and my fellow men and all my fellow creatures faithfully, and that I may have the divine guidance and care, and that all my needs be supplied.
Oh Christ within, enfold and lead me and reign supreme, that the one life that is my life, I may realize and manifest ever more fully. I am strong in the Infinite Spirit of life and love and wisdom and power. I have and shall have the divine guidance and care; for it is the Father that worketh in me–my Father works and I work. Amen.
Blessings.
God’s Advice
Working in Pastoral Care and as an Elder, and even just because of friendships, I am always searching for words of comfort and hope to relay to people who suffer some of life’s toughest tragedies, especially the loss of loved ones.
Yesterday I happened upon three bits of advice from three different sources, all from unknown writers. I’m sharing them here:
Although we grieve and hurt in a tragic situation, it still is not about us…it is about God.
Everything that happens in life is ultimately between God and the person involved in the happening.
Don’t let tragedy steal your trust in God.
I’m always thankful when timely tidbits come my way to share with those who may be in need of what I think of as God’s advice.
Herra Jumala
Only Finnish people will recognize this title, or perhaps linguists in general.
For me, these words are a wonderful discovery.
I heard them often when as a youngster, I lived with my Finnish grandparents.
My grandmother often used these words with great passion, and it seemed to me, in exasperation at times. For some reason I always thought she was swearing. Why would I think that? I have no idea because I know she was a devout Christian woman.
Upon investigating the Finnish language last night, I discovered the true meaning of Herra Jumala.
It means Lord God.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again…I love learning! TYG!
My Precious Life 