simply waiting

Tomorrow – a turn of the calendar page. Another beat in the rhythm of the seasons.

This past Sunday ushered us into the season of Advent – a season of anticipation, expectancy and curiosity, promise and possibility. A season of assurance and waiting for the fulfillment of our hopes. It is during this season of Advent that we look to the coming of Emmanuel – God with us. For me, this will be a season of intentionality to practice the Presence – to live into and out of both the mystery and the reality of Christ in me, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27.) As I enter into advent practicing gratitude, might I be mindful of God’s goodness and abundant provision.


Welcome Advent with me by singing this hymn:

1. Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.

2. Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.

Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788

What is your hope this Advent season?

Simply breathe

Today I am simply grateful for the air that I breathe;
for the ability of my lungs to inhale and exhale;
For the oxygen that infiltrates my blood, making its way to the cells of my body to keep them healthy;
for the gift of life.


You know I like to keep things simple.
Since my last post, I’ve been trying to let go of so much perfomance in the practice of the spiritual disciplines and navigate through each day simply aware of God’s presence.
Today, (slow learner that I am) it struck me that my very breath could serve as a moment by moment reminder of God’s presence with me.

Michael W. Smith’s classic, BREATHE, is the song of thanksgiving that I am singing today:

this is the air I breathe
this is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me

this is my daily bread
this is my daily bread
Your very word spoken to me

And I, I'm desperate for you
And I, I'm I'm lost without you

this is the air I breathe
this is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me

this is my daily bread
this is my daily bread
Your very word spoken to me

And I, I'm desperate for you
And I, I'm I'm lost without you

And I, I'm desperate for you,
And I, I'm lost without you,

I'm lost without you,

I'm lost without you.

I'm lost without you.

I'm lost without you Lord,

this is the air I breathe
this is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me

this is my daily bread
this is my daily bread
Your very word spoken to me

And I, I'm desperate for you
And I, I'm lost without you.

Simply practicing God's Presence

Oh, Honey Girl is a slow learner! Back in the early days of this blog she had said, "I’m giving myself permission to start my practice with baby steps. If I trip up or fall, might I have the grace to get back up and pick up where I’ve left off. "

I have a confession to make – seems I’ve made too much of the spiritual disciplines and I’ve tripped myself up. Lately they’ve become more about performance than practice. In recent days I've had to toss out all of Richard Foster's references (gasp!)and solely practice the presence of God In an effort to keep things simple.
This practice, of God's presence, above all others has proved to be the single most important in my experience with these applications. It is both foundational and pivotal - all the other disciplines and practices hinge and build on this one practice.
Practicing the Presence of God stirs up in me an attitude of gratitude.

I’ve been reviewing this blog's origins. One of the original intents was to use this space as a Gratitude Journal. Might I share with you then, just a few things for which I am grateful at the close of this day?

I’m grateful for each new day and the grace to pick up where I’ve left off or get back up when I’ve tripped and fallen. I’m obliged to a friend – who, this morning reminded me that it’s a brand new day.

Over the past few days, I’ve been thankful for a wood burning stove which has kept the house warm after the furnace quit working.
Today I’m so appreciative that skilled technicians were able to come to the house to install a new furnace.

And now, I’m grateful for the gentle rhythm that comes in anticipation of restful sleep and another day tomorrow when I can simply be aware of God’s presence.

What are you grateful for today?