I never knew...

how much I resisted 

until I  realized how much I was.

A jet echoed from above...I couldn't see it anywhere...

no proof, but I could hear it, 

it was louder than usual,

and it continued on for some time.

It makes me think of God.

I may not always see Him, but I can hear Him

& I know He's

here.

This morning, (as in most)

a letter formed from my Jesus notes.

I write as I hear...and in order of

how I receive the words from different sources.

I use * when I switch sources.

I thought I'd share today's.

My child,

Hope refers to the future. Wait patiently for Me to 

fulfill my promises.

If patience isn't a strong point,

remember that it is a fruit of the spirit.

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you.

Rejoice that you are in My company.

I am more creative than you can imagine.

Delight in this privilege of being with Me.

* Prayer is acceptance, knowing I will

become known to you in the nature around you.

In the people you meet, and the situations

you run into.

Receive Me with open hands, and with love.

* When you meditate on Me you will see life

from a different perspective.

Even your own personhood changes

because you learn to see all with My wisdom.

At first your frustration levels will be high,

but the pressures will dissipate as you sit with Me.

I accomplish all things for you.

I can fully help you with whatever concerns you.

Nothing can defeat Me.

I provide, protect, and deliver you from all harm.

True biblical meditation will transform your

spirit, emotions, and even your physical body.

Spend time focusing on Me.

I will provide a fresh outlook for your life,

and peaceful rest for your soul, despite the difficulties 

of the day.

Seek Me for every burden. Seek My perspective for all

that concerns you.

* I created  you and have good works that you are to

accomplish for Me-

assignments that require your unique mix, talents,

personality, experiences, and abilities.

I am Author and Finisher of your story,

and not the half has been told.

You have a very limited perspective of the plot,

and as long as you insist on forging your own path,

 I will not write My living will on your heart.

Once you acknowledge Me, I will show you

My viewpoint of your life-

what I'm accomplishing-

and guide you into wholeness, fruitfulness, 

and blessings.

Stop evaluating your worth and look to Me.

I continue to work in you.

* Hope makes your life a page turner.

Every good story has unexpected twists and

even the best hero might lose her way for a few chapters.

I write more chapters.

I have the power to turn the story around.

There's more to come.

* Check out everything, and keep only

what is good. (1Thes.5:21Msg.)

*Silence the voices that do not align with

with My messages.

Create space within your heart to hear what I am saying.

Eliminate junk mail, various voices (media, other's opinions) trying to sway you

one way or the other. 

* Practice peace. Learn to let stuff out.

You should always feel safe.

*Stop trying to control.

*Surrender to Me with complete and intimate trust.

I hear you. I see you. I know you.

I love you.

xoxo

 Jesus

be well...

xoxo

💝

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,

kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

"It's a persistent daily challenge--

trying to change your life for the better

without changing it."

"I am told to just be myself,

but as  much as I have practiced

the impression,

I am still no good at it."

 

In your simplicity...

...dwells your power.

'Silence means rest, rest of body and mind

in which you become available for 

Him whose heart is greater than yours.'

Give up control over your actions and thoughts,

allowing something creative to happen

not by you but to you.

Silence is that moment in which you not only 

stop the discussion with others

but also the inner discussions with yourself,

in which you can breathe in freely

and accept your identity as a gift.

It is in this silence that the Spirit of God

can pray in you and continue His 

creative work in you....

Without silence the Spirit will die in you

and the creative energy of your life will float 

away and leave you alone, cold, and tired.

Without silence you will lose your center and

become the victim of the many who demand

your attention.'

( from  a Henry Nouwen reading)

some notes:

there is no randomness about your life

walk in the here and now

every moment is alive

ground yourself in truth and prayer

be still 

set aside a time for listening

blocking out distractions

reconnect with your soul

find the still-quiet place within you

a dream is planted there

discover what you want to do in this life

faithfully pursue it with integrity and hope

without this time

your soul becomes malnourished

set priorities 

and do the most important things first

stand in awe of the life around you

be merciful

learn to trust yourself

take care of yourself

simple awe is not complex

not expensive

sunrises & sunsets are free

live so much in awe of what's going on 

around you,

there's no time to live in judgement

of others around you

resist the distraction of comparison 

& criticism

be calm and quiet by yourself

fully awake & following with

close attention every move 

going on inside of you

seijaku (Japanese)

tranquility, serenity or active calmness

profound inner stillness and peace

maintaining a steady focused mind

a quality of quiet, even when noise is present

stay home with yourself

there's no shame in not having the answers

healing feels like finally finding a friend that understands

it might taste like the morning air that reminds you

of your freedom to breathe

when the mind gets quiet

something beautiful happens

you are most beautiful on the inside.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"In the end it's probably less important that you believe in God

than that there's a God who believes in you."

"I understand now that the vulnerability I've 

always felt is the greatest strength a 

person can have.

You can't experience life without feeling life.

What I've learned is that being vulnerable to 

somebody you love is not a weakness,

it is strength."

~Elisabeth Shue~

Passion becomes...

purpose when it redeems your pain.

morning notes...

concentrate on the present moment

this is where you are meant to live

fear only has the power you give it

hope works the same way

fear is usually a story you tell yourself

you can tell yourself a story of hope instead

Timothy 3:2-5

humbling verse

stand apart while everyone else 

is trying to stand out

don't rely on your own understanding

God is always available to you to 

strengthen, deliver, pardon, encourage,

guide, rescue, & bless you.

Stop pushing Him away.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"You do not have to be good.

You do not have to walk on your knees

for a hundred miles through the desert,

repenting.

You only have to let the soft animal of your body

love what it loves.

Tell me about your despair, yours, 

and I will tell you mine.

Meanwhile the world goes on.

Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain

are moving across the landscapes,

over the prairies and the deep trees,

the mountains and rivers.

Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean

blue air, are heading home again.

Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,

the world offers itself to your imagination,

calls to you like the wild geese,

harsh and exciting-

over and over announcing your place

in the family of things."

~Mary Oliver~

 

Thank You seems....

.... too small today.

I woke up this morning feeling a much bigger word,

 one I can't come up with.

 I need....something... more.

 I looked out the window as I filled the kettle for coffee, 

a Grosbeak landed in the back yard.

(rare)

I whisper a joyful "Thank You".

My kiddo still asleep in the other room,

here for work.

"Thank You for him."

Gary's relaxed in his recliner, coffee in hand, catching the news.

"Thank You for him too."

"Thank you for my people."

Sunshine and a fresh cool breeze, after all the storms.

Refreshing. Energizing. Restoring.

"Thank you for this clear & beautiful day!"

Charles Stanley? Or maybe it's Jr.?

A bright red cardinal

with a missus... 

without... 

tail feathers.

I whisper a "Thank You, for him, & that he survived

whatever misfortune took his tail."

I smile that he, the cat and my grand-dog all have nubby butts.

"Thank You for all the little things."

 Tears well up.

I take a deep breath &

  say "Thank You! For good news on 

the condition (stenosis) of my neck.

That I am okay."

"It should be fine as long as you'll need it to be!"

Surgeon says.

"There are options for pain...."

"Thank you,

I got this for now..."

He agrees.

Grosbeak:

Live in harmony with yourself

embrace who you are

forgive yourself

trust your instincts

meditate more

be kinder to yourself

Practice contentment

"Fear and doubt can keep you

from living your best life.

So you mustn't give them a place

in your mind."

~Grosbeak~

Notes:

the dawning of each new day is a gift

not to be taken for granted

the earth is vibrantly alive with blessings

slow your pace

learn to see

trust God fully in all areas of your life

vulnerability is not a sign of weakness

but of strength

happiness comes by living simply

to know that less is more

&

quality is better than quantity

if you search for the positive

your mind is calibrated to 

find it

be well...

xoxo

💖

"When A great moment knocks on the door 

of your life, it is very often no louder than

the beating of your heart,

and it is very easy to miss it."

"What we are is God's gift to us."

"Remember that you already are

what you are seeking."