Dear God –
Help me!
Help me to take care of my soul, to make nourishing it and my relationship with You a priority. Only then can I be an instrument of peace and love and joy for You. Only then can I dwell in the peace that is mine by Divine Right.
After spending some desperately needed time in the Silence this morning, I read today’s Daily Word – its message was synchronistic. Thank You, God!
Daily Word, Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Tranquility
I relax into the renewing peace and calm of God.
Just as I feel refreshed after a good night's sleep, I am rejuvenated during quiet times of reflection and communion with God. My time apart may be a quiet hour in a serene place or single moments focused on God in the midst of seeming chaos.
I turn inward to the place of peace that reveals God to me. I relax. With each moment of silence and with each calming breath, I am aware of the wholeness that I am. Cares slip away, and I am at peace.
In this season when winter nights grow longer and nature comes into its time of rest, I respond in kind. I relax into the renewing peace and calm of God. Tranquility is the blessing of my time apart, and I carry it with me through every moment of this day.
He said to them, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while."--Mark 6:31
Showing posts with label tranquility. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tranquility. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
The Good Shepherd
How is that so many of us human beings are easily able to move from experiencing and enjoying goodness to next feeling that it will not last or it will be taken away?
I have been studying Emmet Fox’s analysis of the 23rd Psalm, and it amazes me that any of us – moi included – carry this negative propensity. Where did it come from? I know: programming from parents and society. Well, I’m ready to be re-programmed. And, meditating on this psalm, is a great tool in helping achieve this.
Here’s just the beginning to inspire one and change thought patterns:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters.
“Lord” means “God”, and as Fox says, it is “my own knowledge of Truth, as that knowledge is the Presence of God in me, my indwelling Christ.” This Lord is my shepherd and he takes care of his sheep. Hence, the Lord will take care of me. Ahh... how sweet the thought.
If I really believe that “I shall not want”, then there is nothing for me to be afraid of. If the Lord/Shepherd is taking care of me, why would I be fearful anyway?
“Green pastures” symbolize an abundance of all good things that I need, and perfect all-around harmony in my life. “They are to be mine permanently and forever, and not merely as a temporary demonstration; that is why I may be said to lie down in them.” Again, a positive thought pattern I choose to internalize.
With “water” symbolizing the soul, the last phrase means that the power of God in prayer sets my soul at rest giving me perfect peace. And, when I have perfect peace, my demonstration must come. With perfect peace, what more could I yearn for anyway?
If I believe in an all-loving, all powerful, etc. God, why oh why do I think that He would not continue to take care of me? With the many blessings and miracles that have been showered upon me throughout my entire lifetime, and particularly in recent months, actually this last week, it is absurd for me to think that God would take me this far only to drop me into an abyss of lack of any kind.
I move forward strengthening my thought system that God is my Source, and only good – yes, only good –comes from this loving, omnipotent, Presence. This brings peace to my soul, tranquility to my life. I am so grateful.
I have been studying Emmet Fox’s analysis of the 23rd Psalm, and it amazes me that any of us – moi included – carry this negative propensity. Where did it come from? I know: programming from parents and society. Well, I’m ready to be re-programmed. And, meditating on this psalm, is a great tool in helping achieve this.
Here’s just the beginning to inspire one and change thought patterns:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters.
“Lord” means “God”, and as Fox says, it is “my own knowledge of Truth, as that knowledge is the Presence of God in me, my indwelling Christ.” This Lord is my shepherd and he takes care of his sheep. Hence, the Lord will take care of me. Ahh... how sweet the thought.
If I really believe that “I shall not want”, then there is nothing for me to be afraid of. If the Lord/Shepherd is taking care of me, why would I be fearful anyway?
“Green pastures” symbolize an abundance of all good things that I need, and perfect all-around harmony in my life. “They are to be mine permanently and forever, and not merely as a temporary demonstration; that is why I may be said to lie down in them.” Again, a positive thought pattern I choose to internalize.
With “water” symbolizing the soul, the last phrase means that the power of God in prayer sets my soul at rest giving me perfect peace. And, when I have perfect peace, my demonstration must come. With perfect peace, what more could I yearn for anyway?
If I believe in an all-loving, all powerful, etc. God, why oh why do I think that He would not continue to take care of me? With the many blessings and miracles that have been showered upon me throughout my entire lifetime, and particularly in recent months, actually this last week, it is absurd for me to think that God would take me this far only to drop me into an abyss of lack of any kind.
I move forward strengthening my thought system that God is my Source, and only good – yes, only good –comes from this loving, omnipotent, Presence. This brings peace to my soul, tranquility to my life. I am so grateful.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Awakening Along the Creek
Sitting on a rock alongside Tonto Creek near Payson, AZ, yesterday, I realized how easy it is for me to be in Nature and totally forget about the rest of my life, the rest of the world. Ahhh... Poof – they're gone!
That’s not to say there wasn’t any busyness going on. There was so much activity to observe in the creek that I could keep myself busy just observing for hours – blissfully so.
The water striders’ 3 pairs of legs reflected off the rock surfaces visible through the clear water. These fascinating creatures (I learned this morning via the Web) live on the surfaces of ponds, slow streams and other quiet waters; hence, they are sometimes called pond skaters and Jesus Bugs because they "walk" on water. There’s a reminder of Spirit!
Then there was the twig flowing downstream until it came up against some rocks. I thought it would just hang out there, not resisting, until something propelled it to move forward. Just waiting, with ‘patience’ and ‘joy’ to see where the flow would take it. What a concept for my own world.
Just focusing on the creek water flowing onward and onward, in and of itself a peaceful meditation, evoked the idea of the possibility of tranquility in my own life. What do I do or be to make it so?
I understand why many folks view Nature as their Higher Power. There is certainly wonder, creation, power, comfort, patience, and many of the attributes of my own conception of God that dwells there, externally and within.
I am grateful for this delightful and awakening experience in the woods, and know I’ll be spending more time with God in the form of Mother Nature.
That’s not to say there wasn’t any busyness going on. There was so much activity to observe in the creek that I could keep myself busy just observing for hours – blissfully so.
The water striders’ 3 pairs of legs reflected off the rock surfaces visible through the clear water. These fascinating creatures (I learned this morning via the Web) live on the surfaces of ponds, slow streams and other quiet waters; hence, they are sometimes called pond skaters and Jesus Bugs because they "walk" on water. There’s a reminder of Spirit!
Then there was the twig flowing downstream until it came up against some rocks. I thought it would just hang out there, not resisting, until something propelled it to move forward. Just waiting, with ‘patience’ and ‘joy’ to see where the flow would take it. What a concept for my own world.
Just focusing on the creek water flowing onward and onward, in and of itself a peaceful meditation, evoked the idea of the possibility of tranquility in my own life. What do I do or be to make it so?
I understand why many folks view Nature as their Higher Power. There is certainly wonder, creation, power, comfort, patience, and many of the attributes of my own conception of God that dwells there, externally and within.
I am grateful for this delightful and awakening experience in the woods, and know I’ll be spending more time with God in the form of Mother Nature.
Friday, May 22, 2009
The Pacesetter
In packing for our move, I’m finally getting to reread papers that I’ve held onto for years, traveling and just taking up space. My files have moved from Manhattan to Taos, several times around Santa Fe, and now have resided in the Phoenix area for almost six years.
I have much paper, for these came into my life before the computer and Internet were widely used.
It’s time to share these gems... Here’s one that can be found on the Internet.
Psalm 23: Japanese Version by Toki Miyashiro
The Lord is my pacesetter; I shall not rush.
God makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals:
God provides me with images of stillness, which restore my serenity.
God leads me in ways of efficiency through calmness of mind,
And God’s guidance is peace.
Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day, I will not fret.
For God’s presence is here.
God’s timelessness and all-importance will keep me in balance.
God prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity, by anointing me with oils of tranquility.
My cup of joyous energy overflows; surely harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruits of my hours.
For I shall walk in the pace and dwell in God’s house forever.
I have much paper, for these came into my life before the computer and Internet were widely used.
It’s time to share these gems... Here’s one that can be found on the Internet.
Psalm 23: Japanese Version by Toki Miyashiro
The Lord is my pacesetter; I shall not rush.
God makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals:
God provides me with images of stillness, which restore my serenity.
God leads me in ways of efficiency through calmness of mind,
And God’s guidance is peace.
Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day, I will not fret.
For God’s presence is here.
God’s timelessness and all-importance will keep me in balance.
God prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity, by anointing me with oils of tranquility.
My cup of joyous energy overflows; surely harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruits of my hours.
For I shall walk in the pace and dwell in God’s house forever.
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