Category: Uncategorized

PRAYER

Googling online Biblical dictionaries for the word ‘prayer’ did not yield much success.

The easyenglish.bible defines ‘prayer’ quite simply as: “the words that we say when we talk to God.”

AI offered this definition: “The Bible defines prayer as a two-way communication with God, involving talking, listening, and acting in faith. It’s not just a one-time petition but an ongoing, intimate relationship. Key components include adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication, as modeled by Jesus in the Lord’s Prayer.”

I believe those are both great definitions. Have you viewed prayer simply as the times we talk to God? Prayer is merely sharing our hearts and thoughts through words with God at any time no matter where we are.

Do you talk to God continually throughout your day–from asking Him to help you say something comforting to someone you see struggling, to when you are in a hurry and need a convenient parking space to open up? Continue reading “PRAYER”

THE EAGLE REMINDERS

Do you ever feel like God’s spoiled child and wonder why He blesses you so much? Truth be told, I do! It’s the little simple ways I experience His presence that make me in awe of His goodness.

A perfect example is the other day when I was taking a walk in my neighborhood while soaking up the beautiful, warm fall day and taking time to commune with the Lord.

Walking up one road I heard a strange loud noise behind me. I have never heard anything like it before. I looked back and about two feet away I saw a second eagle working itself out of this metal culvert that was under the driveway. Their feathers and bodies moving back and forth against it made the strange noise that I heard. As the eagles emerged they both flew away in the opposite direction from where I was going.  I was in awe of seeing not one but two eagles so close up after them being on the ground! What are the chances that ‘ordinary me’ was walking by at just the perfect time to see such a sight?

Continue reading “THE EAGLE REMINDERS”

PERFECTLY IMPERFECT

A sweet friend, who knows that God sends me hearts in all different forms, sent me this picture.

 

 

I hope that you, too, can easily see the heart-shaped leaf that she noticed.

My friend’s message with the picture was insightful. She said,

“Yes there are holes and it is misshapen but it still holds blessings with more openings to flow through. Bless you, Christine.” Continue reading “PERFECTLY IMPERFECT”

A FORETASTE OF HEAVEN

 

Have you ever experienced something that made you think it might be like heaven? Time spent near bodies of water especially at a place on Lake Ontario is one of those places for me; it never grows old.

On a recent visit I was listening to the song “Sweet By and By” sung by The Grascals. Feel free to click the blue link to take a listen but make sure you come back to finish reading. One stanza talks about how the Father (God) waits to prepare our dwelling place. The refrain talks about meeting on the beautiful shore. It was the perfect song to make the phrase ‘a foretaste of heaven’ come to mind as I saw three things that I believe will be true of heaven. Continue reading “A FORETASTE OF HEAVEN”

LIGHTNING BUGS

At a recent visit to Lake Ontario I was mesmerized in the dark of night watching the numerous fireflies, better known as lightning bugs, flashing their lights everywhere. What a beautiful sight it was to see amidst the plentiful stars too.

 

Here are a few interesting facts about lightning bugs: Continue reading “LIGHTNING BUGS”

CONNECTED IN THE SILENCE

Do the words “a five-day silent retreat” sound like the last thing you want to do? I bet for most people it is. But, personally having experienced two of them, I admit they are my favorite kind of retreat.

The retreat starts with dinner and ends with lunch, where you can converse with people; all other meals are eaten in silence. The only other time you talk is once a day when you meet with your  spiritual  director for an hour, and you can respond as usual at the two services held daily. Continue reading “CONNECTED IN THE SILENCE”

BEHOLD

As the season of summer is upon us, what if we take more time to ‘behold’ all the things God has made in this world? Warning—it requires that we try to slow down a little and enjoy what is in front of us, taking time to soak in the beauty.

The Oxford Languages online dictionary defines ‘behold’ as “to see or observe (a thing or person, especially a remarkable or impressive one)” while a definition from the Merriam-Webster online dictionary is “to gaze upon.”

So if we are to ‘behold’ something, we should observe and gaze upon the impressive things that are in our path. Continue reading “BEHOLD”

THIN PLACES

‘Thin places’—it was a new-to-me term that I recently heard and found interesting. It is a concept in Celtic Christian spirituality, with one explanation of it being a time where the space between heaven and earth grows thin and we encounter the sacred. It is like the veil is lifted between them, and we see with our hearts God’s divine orchestrations. We can also view ‘thin places’ as moments of grace that renew us.

 

I love the truth of that quote that I totally agree with. I have gratitude for experiencing a few ‘thin places’ myself this past week. When I see God at work, it strengthens my faith even more and reminds me how much He loves me and us all.

 

Continue reading “THIN PLACES”

ENJOY THE NOW

It feels like my mind is always busy thinking, planning, reflecting, or racing in many different directions. I believe I have made some progress trying to just ‘enjoy the now,’ the gift that ‘the now’ is. It was something I had lots of practice with this past week.

My daughter and I drove her car, with 350 pounds of luggage, including her two saxophones, cross-country from New York State to El Paso, Texas, as she begins her three-year military band assignment there. The trip was about 2,200 miles and 32 hours with no traffic or stops. We had six days to get there, and I was glad to fly back home after, especially with an unexpected upgrade to first class for my first leg which was a first for me.

 

My first class breakfast box score!

 

How did I just ‘enjoy the now?’ Continue reading “ENJOY THE NOW”

SPECIAL FAMILY

Isn’t it beautiful how people come into our lives and become ‘family’ to us? And isn’t it true we might not know the ripple effect of our interactions with people—how God will use them? It was something that struck me last week while attending a wake, prayer service, and funeral for a sweet 90-year-old  lady I had the privilege of visiting every month or so for the last three years.

One of the definitions for the word ‘family’ per Merriam-Webster.com that I believe is quite fitting is “a group of people united by certain convictions or a common affiliation: fellowship.”

 

I first came to know one of this lady’s sons from my local church when I awkwardly went up to him, a stranger, and shared a book of mine back in 2021. Much to my surprise, a day later he took time to email me and share about the Holy Spirit in his life. That was the beginning of spiritual conversations for about six months before he became ill and died a little over a year after that first encounter. Continue reading “SPECIAL FAMILY”