I have discovered a new and exciting hobby of taking photos and sharing God’s Words as they inspire me to be in complete “AWE” of how great our God is! I hope you enjoy the photos.
ADVENT LOVE: FROM DETACH TO DEPEND
LOVE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE IN RELATIONSHIP(Thursday, December 22nd) Detach: to separate especially from a larger mass and usually without violence or …
ADVENT LOVE: FROM DETACH TO DEPEND
December 21st, 2022
The winter solstice is the longest night of the year, falls on December 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere and June 20 or 21 in the Southern. The winter solstice/the longest day of the year is also a service held at many churches on December 21st called Blue Christmas. This services is about comforting fellow Christians who are grieving and struggling to find joy and hope during the holiday season. The service provides a quiet and contemplative worship service honoring individuals who are experiencing grief and struggling with loss. These services usually draw relatively small, intimate crowds with soft lighting, calm soothing music, scripture readings and prayers.
Prayers for Deliverance from Enemies
“How long, O Lord? Wilt thou forget me for ever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long must I bear pain in my soul, and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; lighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him”; lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. But I have trusted in thy steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.”
The Divine Shepherd
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies; thou anointest my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”
Assurance of God’s Protection
“Hear my cry, O God,listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to thee, when my heart is faint. Lead thou me to the rock that is higher than I; for thou art my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. Let me dwell in thy tent for ever! Oh to be safe under the shelter of thy wings! For thou, O God, hast heard my vows, thou hast given me the heritage of those who fear thy name. Prolong the life of the king; may his years endure to all generations! May he be enthroned for ever before God; bid steadfast love and faithfulness watch over him! So will I ever sing praises to thy name, as I pay my vows day after day.”
Song of Trust in God Alone
“For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly moved. How long will you set upon a man to shatter him, all of you, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence? They only plan to thrust him down from his eminence. They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Men of low estate are but a breath, men of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath. Put no confidence in extortion, set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them. Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God; and that to thee, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For thou dost requite a man according to his work.”
The Inescapable God
“O Lord, thou hast searched me and known me! Thou knowest when I sit down and when I rise up; thou discernest my thoughts from afar. Thou searchest out my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou dost beset me behind and before, and layest thy hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it. Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend to heaven, thou art there! If I make my bed in Sheol, thou art there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there thy hand shall lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Let only darkness cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to thee, the night is bright as the day; for darkness is as light with thee. For thou didst form my inward parts, thou didst knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise thee, for thou art fearful and wonderful. Wonderful are thy works! Thou knowest me right well; my frame was not hidden from thee, when I was being made in secret, intricately wrought in the depths of the earth. Thy eyes beheld my unformed substance; in thy book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are thy thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. When I awake, I am still with thee. O that thou wouldst slay the wicked, O God, and that men of blood would depart from me, men who maliciously defy thee, who lift themselves up against thee for evil! Do I not hate them that hate thee, O Lord? And do I not loathe them that rise up against thee? I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”
All throughout these months
as the shadows
have lengthened,
this blessing has been
gathering itself,
making ready,
preparing for
this night.
It has practiced
walking in the dark,
traveling with
its eyes closed,
feeling its way
by memory
by touch
by the pull of the moon
even as it wanes.
So believe me
when I tell you
this blessing will
reach you
even if you
have not light enough
to read it;
it will find you
even though you cannot
see it coming.
You will know
the moment of its
arriving
by your release
of the breath
you have held
so long;
a loosening
of the clenching
in your hands,
of the clutch
around your heart;
a thinning
of the darkness
that had drawn itself
around you.
This blessing
does not mean
to take the night away
but it knows
its hidden roads,
knows the resting spots
along the path,
knows what it means
to travel
in the company
of a friend.
So when
this blessing comes,
take its hand.
Get up.
Set out on the road
you cannot see.
This is the night
when you can trust
that any direction
you go,
you will be walking
toward the dawn.
—Jan Richardson
from The Cure for Sorrow: A Book of Blessings for Times of Grief
~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.
ADVENT LOVE: FROM COMPETE TO COMMEND
LOVE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE IN OUR SERVICE(Wednesday, December 21st) Compete: to strive consciously or unconsciously for an objective (position, profit…
ADVENT LOVE: FROM COMPETE TO COMMEND
December 20th, 2022
When I look at my life I can see God’s hand throughout it. I see life as a tapestry, the weaving of lives, experiences, hopes and dreams. When we live by faith, often we can’t see where our paths will take us in life. If we allow ourselves the opportunities to sit with our thoughts and memories, to gaze at the roads we have traveled, patterns can emerge. I see a vast array of colors, patterns and textures of my life so far. I see the sprouting of friendships as they grow and blossom, even through the changes of seasons. I have had times of drought, fatigue and restlessness. I have experienced joy beyond measure, the kind that cannot be contained only felt.
I recently read a story called, “the story blanket,” after I read it, embers within me began to spark and this post was created.
I thought of the Bible story of Joseph and the robe his father had made specifically for him. This was an ornate robe made of many colors. I just guessing here, but I believe that robe was made of cloth that had been part of the family, it had traveled with them and was part of the family. A tapestry of the family’s life and experiences. “Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colors.” —Genesis 37:3 (NKJV)
Click this link to view different bible translation of Genesis 37:3 https://biblehub.com/genesis/37-3.htm
Then, my thoughts took me to story of the birth of Jesus, in Luke 2:12 “And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” (NKJV)
Depending upon which translation you read, the word “swaddling” is also referred to as strips of cloth or bands of cloth. One thing I am certain of, the cloths were a tapestry all it’s own. And, now these simple strips of cloth…are the clothes of a King! Click this link to view different bible translation of Luke 2:12, https://biblehub.com/luke/2-12.htm
Lastly, I wanted to share my “blanket story” it is a blanket my aunt and cousin had made for me. It contains clothing my mom had worn to work and around the house. When I look at it I see more than a blanket, it’s a story of my mom. A tapestry of woven common cloths that I had previously seen my mom wearing. What a priceless gift given out of love. My mom passed away over ten years ago but she lives on in my memories and in every beat of my heart. She carried me, taught me, supported me, worried over me, and congratulated me on every success. She was my cheerleader in life and these memories as well as my blanket keep me warm and protected. My mom was a gift, God knew I needed her wisdom to prepare me for life.
When I scan other skies
for signs of hope,
and when I walk other paths
with a longing for home,
God of the exile,
lead me back
through my own door.
Tell me
my forgotten stories,
feed me
the words I have given away,
and draw my gaze
from the far horizon
that I may see the lights
in my own sky.
- Jan Richardson
Friends, thank you for visiting my blog today. Thank you for you patience as my posts are bit behind. I love sharing stories with you and I am so very thankful for you support and encouragement. May the PEACE of God surround you always~
~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.
I highly recommend listening to the story.
Elijah: a Pivotal Character
Elijah’s life and experiences metaphorically point to what God has done, is doing, and will do later in the story.
Elijah: a Pivotal Character
ADVENT LOVE: FROM DEFEND TO DIGNIFY
LOVE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE IN HONORING ONE ANOTHER(Tuesday, December 20th) Defend: to drive danger or attack away from; to maintain or support in the …
ADVENT LOVE: FROM DEFEND TO DIGNIFY
December 19, 2022
Have ever just needed a good massage? This past week I’ve suffered from headaches and a neck massage would have been so welcomed. My energy level has also been low so I didn’t even feel like treating myself to a relaxing bath of eucalyptus and lavender. I believe good self-care is very important, we should listen to our bodies because they do speak to us. The older I get, my body at times will even “yell” at me so I should pay more attention to what it is telling me. I guess in a way, I was needing hope for rest and recovery from my body aches. I indeed received hope, I had a friend praying for me and I made rest a priority for myself. No matter the calamities life throws at us, when we need hope, we find our HOPE is always in God!
“Happy is he whose help is the God of Jacob,whose hope is in the Lord his God.”
—Psalm 146:5—
Our bodies carry scars
not visible to the naked eye.
but they are there,
telling the stories
our lips hesitate to utter
of how we settled for less
than you longed for us
to know.
We hunger for the touch
that reminds us
we are in your image,
and we ache
for the tender knowing
that hallows flesh
and soul,
that honors the sacredness
of skin
and reminds us
we are whole.
- Jan Richardson
A Living Sacrifice
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Humble Service in the Body of Christ
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,
5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;
7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;
8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Love in Action
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
KNEADING HOPE
You contemplate the depths of your soul being kneaded by grace, like dough being kneaded into bread. Your soul is now a malleable lump kneaded by the hands of God. You see our soul being worked on, passing through His fingers…. All you see is His hand, as we see it in certain icons, emerging from a cloud in order to bless the saint standing below it. And now you are standing next to God, watching His hand as it kneads your soul.
— Archimandrite Aimilianos
To learn more about Archimandrite Aimilianos, click this link: https://orthodoxwiki.orgAimilianos_(Vafeidis)#:~:text=The%20Elder%20Archimandrite%20Aimilianos%20(Vafeidis,career%20as%20a%20foreign%20missionary.
Click here to read a blog I discovered called, “Needing God’s Kneading” https://blogs.ancientfaith.com/prayingintherain/2015/05/on-needing-gods-kneading/
Thanks for visiting, my heart is full 💟!
~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.
References:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps.146.5&version=RSV
Ps.146 Verses 5 to 5
ADVENT LOVE: FROM ENFORCE TO EMBRACE
LOVE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE FOR US(Monday, December 19th) Enforce: to urge with energy; constrain, compel Embrace: to hug; cherish, love; encircle, …
ADVENT LOVE: FROM ENFORCE TO EMBRACE
December 18th, 2022
Hello friends—
I am so sorry for the late posting. I was not feeling well last night and nearly overslept for work today. I hope you have had a beautiful Sunday, the fourth of Advent. Can you feel the excitement and anticipation of the coming week(?). As we progress through the week let us all be mindful of the precious gift God gave the world. I have provided some quotes about HOPE, LOVE, JOY and PEACE. May the peace of God fill you.
“Hope is like the sun.If you only believe it when you see it you’ll never make it through the night.”
— Leia Organa, The Last Jedi
Heb.11 Verses 1 to 3
“To love is to be vulnerable.”
— C. S. Lewis—
2Cor.12 Verses 9 to 10
“Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God.”
— Pierre Teilhard de Chardin—
Ps.16 Verses 11 to 11
“Peace begins with a smile…”
—Mother Teresa—
Prov.15 Verses 13 to 15
John.1 Verses 1 to 18
John.3 Verses 16 to 21
1John.4 Verses 7 to 21
Thank you for visiting my blog today. Blessing to you 💟
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
Romans 15:13
~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.
References:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre_Teilhard_de_Chardin
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother_Teresa
LOVE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
WHAT IS LOVE? Sunday, December 18th(Each day this week, we will be focusing on the difference Love makes in our lives.) You may wish to light the …
LOVE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
HOPE SEEKER 
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