by Sharon O | Dec 1, 2014 | Uncategorized
Our tree is not up yet but this is what it normally looks like.
Things are happening at a slower pace this year.
That is just fine with me. I intend on making it more intentional.
Studying the story. Listening to the music.
Taking time for hot cups of tea and writing out cards.
Shopping has been done now a few days which allows for the season
to be focused on what it should be… a time of reflection.
I so enjoy this quiet especially with gentle music and soft lights.
Can’t do too many candles anymore because of allergies and new kittens who might not understand the dangers of a flame.
I can decorate simply and enjoy the peace this ‘holiday’ calls for.
I am reflecting on the Christmas story and all that it holds for us.
Reflect with me… on this first day of December.
Luke 2:1-20 the story of the beginning.
And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child
laying in a manger…vs 16
by Sharon O | Nov 27, 2014 | Uncategorized
From our house to yours…
(have no idea who took this picture, it just fits the day perfectly)
by Sharon O | Nov 25, 2014 | Uncategorized
As we are heading into a time of Thanksgiving I pray
we center into the meaning of not just the day of having turkey,
potatoes and cranberries and don’t forget the pie.
But the whole meaning of giving thanks.
I wrote about this before and I will continue to write about it.
Our pastor Milo was sharing on Sunday some thoughts on the Lord’ prayer.
It was after the disciples asked him the one question out of all the ones they could have come up with after traveling with him and watching him do so many signs and wonders and relationship training.
They asked a simple request of him.
They didn’t ask him to teach them to heal the sick or calm the waves.
They asked him the most profound question or request.
“Lord teach us to pray.” Luke 11:1
Now either they saw and experienced HIS prayers and
wanted theirs to be like his or they wanted something deeper.
Can you even imagine listening to Jesus pray to the Father
with such power and effective force and also such gentleness?
It’s a humbleness of heart and a knowing of his rightful place.
Jesus often withdrew from others to empower himself and rest.
He got alone to recharge. Luke 5:16, Matthew 14:2
He also prayed specifically not using all kinds of words
to clutter his prayers, he was direct and relational.
He knew who he was praying to. Matthew 6: 5,7
He was real with the Father in his praying and he also listened.
He also was very clear when he prayed. Matthew 6:9
The Lord’s prayer or the disciples prayer is not a ritual
but an an example for us to follow.
Beginning with adoration our father in heaven
hallowed (holy) is your name.
Then he moves to intervention your kingdom come.
Submission is next your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Provision is next give us this day our daily…
courage, strength, rest, hope, peace, truth, boldness,
whatever we need daily it might not just be bread.
Confession is next and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors
Direction is next lead us not into temptation
(remove us don’t let us near the edge of it).
Salvation is next deliver us from the evil one
Declaration is next for yours is the kingdom, the power,
and the glory for ever and ever. Amen and Amen.
Beginning with a declaration and ending with one.
So to review as our Pastor said:
Get alone, cut through the many unnecessary words,
be specific in your need. Be real.
Adoration, intervention, submission, provision, confession,
direction, salvation, and then declaration again.
Lord at this time of thanksgiving.
Teach us to pray not as a ritual thing we do before a meal
but from a heart condition that wants to seek and learn
what it is to walk with you and be aligned to what you want for us.
by Sharon O | Nov 23, 2014 | Uncategorized
Five minute Friday word prompt.
Notice.
dictionary.com says it is an announcement or something pending.
“as in a days notice.”
It is observation, perception, attention, information or warning.
It is to be aware of something.
I am moved to the thought of when my husband and I are out ‘shopping’ or walking around together I tend to ‘notice’ more things then he does.
I will say to him, “did you see that person over in the corner?”
and he will have no clue as to what I am talking about.
We are made differently.
I notice facial expressions or voice inflections.
I watch body languages.
He notices other things.
That is not wrong it is just the way we are made and why we are different than each other.
I will see a child and ‘notice’ the smile or the fear or the tiredness.
It is ingrained in us as women I think to notice things differently.
That is not bad it is just the way we are made.
On this season of Thanksgiving and heading in to the holidays.
I pray we ‘learn’ to notice something different, perhaps differently than our normal way of looking at life.
When we talk to someone, notice not just their words but what they are not saying within those words.
When we spend time with them, notice the body language
or the lack of it.
Children always show you how they really feel
if one pays attention and notices.
It is called listening from a place of ‘how do I learn’ rather than
‘what can I share’.
I see the definition a bit different then what the dictionary says.
I see it as Jesus did, when he saw Zacchaeus up in the tree.
(Luke 19:1-10)
Or the women at the well needing more
than just a drink of water. (John 4:28)
Or the leper pleading for healing. (Matthew 8:2)
Others walked by but Jesus observed and noticed those around him.
May we be like that more and more.
To see with eyes that are searching and the willingness to be bold.
Jesus said, “Zacchaeus come down from the tree
for I am coming to your house today.”
He noticed, and observed, and then gave information.
Lord help us to open our eyes and truly notice ‘those’ around us.
It is in the noticing where relationship can begin.
by Sharon O | Nov 21, 2014 | Uncategorized
This time next week many will be settling in to warm homes
filled with a variety of baked goods,
perhaps a fire in the fireplace and good conversation
with family and friends.
Our turkey is ordered and soon to arrive.
A fresh one this time from a local farm.
The menu is being planned and shopping lists are made.
It is a time for reflection and giving thanks.
We have so much to be thankful for even if we don’t feel it.
Thanks giving is a heart condition.
Learning to give thanks for everything.
The good moments and the not so good ones.
We grow and come out stronger during the hard times.
Thanks giving is a holiday yes but not really for one day of the year.
It is learning to give thanks with a grateful heart every day.
It is learning to say ‘for this I am thankful’.
Realizing how very blessed we are to be in the situation we are in.
I so remember the traditional dinner my grandmother used to cook.
It is not about fine crystal and beautiful china.
It is about relationships.
It is family and learning to truly appreciate each one who enters
our space and chooses to spend time with us.
This time next week there will also be many alone without family.
I pray we stop to remember them too.
In our moment of giving thanks.
by Sharon O | Nov 16, 2014 | Uncategorized
The word for the Friday writing prompt is Still.
Dictionary.com says it means to remain in place or at rest.
“to stand still.”
Also it is to be free from noise or sound, silent.
“to keep still about a matter.”
Also it is to be subdued or hushed sound.
“a still small voice.”
Also it is to be free from turbulence, peaceful, calm or tranquil.
“the still air.”
Mark 4:39 there is the story of Jesus and his disciples.
The water was rough and scaring everyone and Jesus stood
and told the waves to stop.
“He woke up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea,
Peace! be still!
The wind ceased and there was a dead calm.”
Psalm 46:10 tells us to,
“Be still, and know that I am God!”
He has the power to create stillness over any situation.
I think He is telling us over and over,
to quiet our restless hearts and be calm.
Be still… that is a profound difficult task for us sometimes.
We often feel we must do, we must keep busy,
we must not have idle moments.
Yet Jesus said, “Be Still.”
I think I like the remaining in place definition as it goes with my last two blog posts.
Be still and know…. remain in place
with no turbulence surrounding you.
Only the quiet peaceful knowing that He is God
He alone is the one who can give us ‘quietness of soul’.
