We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness.
God is the friend of silence.
See how nature, trees, flowers, grass
grows in silence.
See the stars, the moon, and the sun
how they move in silence.
We need silence to be able to touch souls.
quote by mother Theresa
(photo from heart and soul photography used by permission)
Have you ever just sat in silence and listened to sounds around you.
Have you allowed yourself time to hear the birds in the air or
the wind rustling or the surf crashing waves off of jagged rocks.
Sending out ‘beautiful ‘sounds’ of nature and powerful lessons if we choose to listen.
I love to sit in the quiet of the day.
And just listen
to whatever is around me at the time.
I do believe God is found in silence.
We hear him when our chatter is silenced.
We hear him when our hearts are quiet.
We hear him when we feel restful in spirit.
Perhaps that is why He said, “Be still and Know that I am God.”
Being Still is the hardest part.
How is it for you?
Can you be still and know the quiet is good and nurturing to our souls? Be still and know that he is God (then listen to the silence).
The sky so blue with the flurry of clouds in the air… can you see it?
Can you see and use your imagination?
Perhaps angel wings?
I love to sit and look at the clouds and imagine images so big and unusual.
When I was a little girl this entertained me for long periods of time.
Have you ever allowed yourself to imagine?
For a moment… for a portion of time…
I see angel wings.. what do you see?
Linking up with Deidra at jumping tandem on Sunday
(picture by Larry O from Oregon)
When I see this picture it reminds me of the journey we all walk at some point in our lives where not knowing what will meet us at the top of the stairs becomes our question.
Some people would see it as a new adventure exciting and full of wonder and new experiences.
Others of us hold onto the railings with a bit of trembling and perhaps a bit of anxiety
as we take one step at a time while feeling the wind upon our face and perhaps the warmth of the sun on our back gathering courage as we step into an unknown.
Sometimes one step at a time is all we can do as we enter:
into a new challenge
into a new adventure
into a new heartbreak or a new healing.
Life is often a risk.
We don’t always know what waits for us as we journey into a different place.
We just have to be aware of the courage and strength we have within us to face the new ‘situation with a strong heart and brave spirit.’
Always taking one step at a time.
[photograph taken by Larry O – 2008 in Southern Oregon]
Today I was very frustrated.
As I tried to get blogger and google to work together it was increasingly getting me agitated. This blog is important to me and it felt like I was being defeated on all sides and angles. Finally after booting and rebooting and downloading I think it is fixed.
Thank you for your patience if you have received emails from me with my blog name and little content.
In the future it won’t be that frequent. Sorry.
From the rising of the sun to its setting
the name of the Lord is to be praised.
Psalm 113:3
A beautiful sunset on the Oregon coast.
It was a warm day and beautiful colors filled the sky
as we finished our trip before heading home.
We stood at the base of the cliff and watched the sun go down.
My husband took a series of pictures and we were in awe of the beauty.
the majesty and glory… that only God could paint.
Names and their meaning.
Following up on my last blog writing I thought I would share a few names and challenge you to look into your name and it’s meaning.
In the Old Testament and in the New Testament names were chosen with meaning and also changed into a new meaning depending on the circumstance surrounding the person and what God was doing with them.
Names are important and they give value.
Years ago when we were expecting our children it was a huge task to think of names that would
a) be nice and something we would enjoy saying over and over
b) be something that would follow them into adulthood as a professional person.
I cringe when I hear the names some of the famous people name their children and it makes me wonder ‘what were they thinking’ when they came up with that name.
It is rather shocking and sad that people do not spend the time to ‘think’ about the name of the most important people in their lives.
Our son was our first born.
We named him Christopher (which means Christ bearer) and Allen (which means harmony)
These names were both favorites of ours and meaningful as my husbands brother was ‘Allen’ and I loved Christopher Robin on winnie the pooh.
These names followed him and he IS a believer in Christ and is also musically inclined.
So the name ‘fit’ the child who is now a man.
Our daugher was our second to be born.
We named her Sarah (which means princess) and Kathleen (which means dear to my heart).
Both were favorites again for us.
I always loved the name Sarah in the bible and she was named after my sister Kathleen.
Both names can be professional and when you hear them they sound good.
Often times when God would do something in someone’s heart he would go back and change their name to represent their ‘moment’ of change.
Names were always important to Jesus, remember when he said “Mary”… using her name so she could recognize it and recognize his voice.
When he called from the grave “Lazarus” he didn’t use a generic name he used the one who he wanted to address.
When he said “Lazarus come forth” can you imagine if he had not done that how many might have come forth?
I hope you are getting the message that whatever your name is…
It is yours and it is about you and it is important. Remember when it says in the bible at the NAME of JESUS every knee will bow and every tongue will confess He is Lord. It starts with a name. His name is beautiful. I would like to add yours is too.
In the Old Testament book of Exodus Moses said to the LORD,
“You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’
If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”
The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.
How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us?
What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”
And the LORD said to Moses,
“I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” Exodus 33:12-17
When I read this it seems that Moses had a good relationship with God.
It was bold of Moses to be challenging him to show and do things in order for Moses to understand the process ahead of him.
Can you even imagine challenging God?
I am not so sure I could do that.
Although at times my prayers have sounded like a challenge, and He heard and answered.
It is not my everyday normal approach to him.
I love the fact that God says, “I know you by name” that sounds like a personal relationship.
When we know someones name we have information about them.
Have you ever gone into a bank or a pharmacy and have the person helping you say Hi and use your name to acknowledge you?
It makes you feel important or remembered.
It give you the feeling of welcome and value.
It gives identity and a way to communicate.
When we know someones name they respond to us because it draws attention for them ‘to listen’.
(Just as grandparents or parents have to say the name of the child in order for the child to realize who is needing a discussion or correction)
I also love the promise that his presence will be with us and in that reassurance we can rest.
It sounds like a ‘soul rest’ and a knowing that everything will be alright because ‘my Father’ is handling it.’ After establishing all that Moses continues to the ask questions and challenge the intentions of God. God said to him, I will answer you because I am pleased with you, (you make me proud), and because I know you by your name.
(Moses name meant ‘drawn from the water’)
There is that promise again. He knows us by our name and loves us.
Isn’t that something wonderful to think about? He knows us by our name.
(I know I am repeating this a lot but it’s important for us to grasp)
In a personal way, he does not mistake us for someone else. He knows us for who we are and who we were meant to be.
It is awesome to think he is pleased with us and desires to know us in a more ‘personal way’.
More than anything I want to be teachable like Moses and find favor with God.
What do you want today?
Lord you sheltered us and provided a quiet place for us to rest and renew in.
We walked the warm sand and listened to the seagulls and heard the crashing waves.
We became fully aware of your presence and your workmanship and your beauty.
You are worthy to be praised
You are worthy to be honored
Great IS thy faithfulness
our most Holy and wonderful God.
{ picture from the southern Oregon Coast }
Joining Jumping Tandem on Sunday
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Philipians 4:13
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. ==================== Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow." Courage is not the absence of fear but it's taking action in the midst of it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A diamond is a chunk of coal that made good under pressure.
It's your heart, not the dictionary that gives meaning to your words. Matthew 12:34 (msg) version.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Below you will find a few of my favorite websites or blogs. They have given me encouragement and challenged me on this journey.
Ann Voskamp's blog A holy Experience This image of a bleeding heart represents a journey of healing from brokenness to wholeness. Some of my favorite books: One thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
Married over 46 years and entered into my 65th year of life.
I am a mother of two and grandmother of six and mom to two very spoiled kitties. I love to worship and encourage and of course write whenever I can find a topic or subject to share about.
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Thank you for visiting my blog.
I hope you find it encouraging and that it gives you
'Something to think about'. The vision for this is to challenge the reader into a new and different way of thinking. I appreciate and always value your comments. Having others walk alongside and join in the sharing is part of the process.
Thank you for joining me... on this journey. As we get encouraged ~ Lord help us to encourage others. "And the day came when the risk to remain a tight bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." Anais Nin my blog button The crosses are found on a beach at Winema Christian Camp on the Oregon coast.. a place to relax and find God in the process. My favorite place ....to rest and restore my spirit.
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