simply surprised

Another turn of the calendar page - in the rythym of the seasons,
at the close of a grace filled decade, I find myself simply surprised by joy -
grateful for God's goodness and abundant provision .
This song by U2 just seems to sum it up: GRACE
Joy is the icing on the cake.

Where and when have you been surprised by joy?

Waiting,.. Watching,.. Still...

The season of Advent presses in.

"Winter solstice, when the sun seems to stand still in heaven,
watching for the Baby to be born." (1)

FIRST COMING
He did not wait till the world was ready,
till men and nations were at peace.
He came when the Heavens were unsteady,
and prisoners cried out for release.

He did not wait for the perfect time.
He came when the need was deep and great.
He dined with sinners in all their grime,
turned water into wine. He did not wait

till hearts were pure. In joy he came
to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.
To a world like ours, of anquished shame
he came, and his Light would not go out.

He came to a world which did not mesh,
to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.
In the mystery of the Word made Flesh
the Maker of the stars was born.

We cannot wait till the world is sane
to raise our songs with joyful voice,
for to share our grief, to touch our pain,
He came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice! (2)

(1) Lucy Shaw
(2) Madeleine L'Engle
from WINTER SONG - CHRISTMAS READINGS

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?

Keepin' it simple

In keeping with the Spiritual practice of simplicity, Honey Girl shares an old Shaker hymn with you:

'Tis the gift to be simple,
'tis the gift to be free,
'tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
It will be in the valley of love and delight.

Refrain:
When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed.
To turn, turn will be our delight,
'Til by turning, turning we come round right

'Tis the gift to be loved and that love to return,
'Tis the gift to be taught and a richer gift to learn,
And when we expect of others what we try to live each day,
Then we'll all live together and we'll all learn to say,

Refrain:

'Tis the gift to have friends and a true friend to be,
'Tis the gift to think of others not to only think of "me",
And when we hear what others really think and really feel,
Then we'll all live together with a love that is real.

Refrain:


I especially love the opening phrases from this old hymn -
'Tis the gift to be simple,
'tis the gift to be free -
Now, if I can only receive the gift....

a simple primer

In my last blog, Honey Girl invited you, dear reader, to consider implementing some spiritual practices that will help keep your heart beating in a regular rhythm of love to the ONE who is faithful and ever present in your life. I'm curious if you’ve taken any action on this or if you’re contemplating where to begin.

Some of you might even be wondering just what these spiritual disciplines are. Are you as put off by the use of the word,” discipline,” as I once was? Well, think of them as practices, then.

For those of you, who are not familiar with these practices, allow me to present you Richard Foster’s list from his classic book, CELEBRATION OF DISCIPLINE, which became my primer from which too learn about the disciplines – or practices.

Here, then, is Spiritual Discipline 101:

There are four Inward Disciplines:
Meditation, Prayer, Fasting, and Study.

The Outward Disciplines are comprised of these:
Simplicity, Solitude, Submission, and Service.

Then, there are the Corporate Disciplines consisting of:
Confession, Worship, Guidance and Celebration.

Something struck me as I exercised the Discipline of Study the other day - Foster allows for Celebration at the end of his list. Yet Jesus begins his ministry at a Celebration – the wedding in Cana.
Now I don’t think that it really matters which order any of these practices are to be implemented, but right now it makes good sense to take a look at Celebration. if you haven’t yet started a practice, what would keep you from beginning with this?

If you were to begin the practice of Celebration as a way to raise your awareness of God’s goodness and abundant provision in your life, what would that look like? I’d love for you to share it with me and those who visit Honey Girl’s Blog Spot – in keeping with Foster’s nod at Celebration being a “corporate” discipline.

Foster quotes Augustine in his chapter on Celebration – “The Christian should be an alleluia from head to foot!”
I love that! And it brings to mind the words of another good ol’ hymn
(you know I love old hymns)

Come, Christians, join to sing
Alleluia! Amen!
Loud praise to Christ our King;
Alleluia! Amen!
Let all, with heart and voice,
Before His throne rejoice;
Praise is His gracious choice.
Alleluia! Amen!

Come, lift your hearts on high,
Alleluia! Amen!
Let praises fill the sky;
Alleluia! Amen!
He is our Guide and Friend;
To us He'll condescend;
His love shall never end.
Alleluia! Amen!

Praise yet our Christ again,
Alleluia! Amen!
Life shall not end the strain;
Alleluia! Amen!
On heaven's blissful shore,
His goodness we'll adore,
Singing forevermore,
"Alleluia! Amen!"

At the very least, sing with me.
(In this way you will be celebrating and practicing a discipline all at the same time. ;o)

And remember to stay tuned for a book giveaway in the coming months that will celebrate a specific spiritual practice.

Until next time,
Grace and peace