In case you couldn't see the verse quoted this morning, here it is in entirety:
"I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”
-John 16:33 (MSG)
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Prayer - from this day's rhythm
Here's a little bit from today's readings. It's something special to me that I could be camping out in scripture and reading in "themes" of spiritual practices, rhythms, etc. and somehow what goes on around my everyday world....that is what I see or am dealing with just might have exactly to do with where I 'happen' to be in my time with the Lord.
Today is no different. You'll see. Here it goes...
My Lenten Journey; Day 26
"In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.” -John 16:33 MSG
"But here, the Great Overcomer of a sin-filled and sin-sick planet, leads us THROUGH the pain, not around it, into great joy!" - My Children; Buddy Odom
"Prayer is simply keeping company with God." -Clement of Alexandria
"Prayer tomorrow starts today, or there is no prayer tomorrow." -Edward J. Farrell
"We do not create prayer, but merely prepare the ground and clear away obstacles. Prayer is always a gift, a grace, the flame which ignites the wood; the Holy Spirit gives prayer." -True Prayer; Kenneth Leech
"If we try to contemplate God without having turned the face of our inner self entirely in His direction, we will end up inevitably by contemplating ourselves." -Thoughts in Solitude; Thomas Merton
"The only way to pray is to pray; and the way to pray well is to pray much."
"We must pray not first of all because it feels good or helps, but because God loves us and wants our attention." -The Road to Daybreak; Henri Nouwen
.....and lastly here is another for this day,
"Painting cannot be taught," said Picasso once, "it can only be found." I think in many ways that is true of prayer as well." -Living Prayer; Robert Benson
Today, I sit and watch....and listen..an attempt to simply be in the presence of the Lord. To interact with God and His love for me - communion with my creator. Or really - a gain in what is a deep connection and promise to me, to my hopes, my soul, my longings that I was created for....conversation with Jesus Christ....an avenue Heavenward. I'm in. I belong. I am grateful - undeserving and absolutely thankful.
Maybe I can live my life with that gratitude in mind, today.
Blessings,
-ao
Today is no different. You'll see. Here it goes...
My Lenten Journey; Day 26
"In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.” -John 16:33 MSG
"But here, the Great Overcomer of a sin-filled and sin-sick planet, leads us THROUGH the pain, not around it, into great joy!" - My Children; Buddy Odom
"Prayer is simply keeping company with God." -Clement of Alexandria
"Prayer tomorrow starts today, or there is no prayer tomorrow." -Edward J. Farrell
"We do not create prayer, but merely prepare the ground and clear away obstacles. Prayer is always a gift, a grace, the flame which ignites the wood; the Holy Spirit gives prayer." -True Prayer; Kenneth Leech
"If we try to contemplate God without having turned the face of our inner self entirely in His direction, we will end up inevitably by contemplating ourselves." -Thoughts in Solitude; Thomas Merton
"The only way to pray is to pray; and the way to pray well is to pray much."
"We must pray not first of all because it feels good or helps, but because God loves us and wants our attention." -The Road to Daybreak; Henri Nouwen
.....and lastly here is another for this day,
"Painting cannot be taught," said Picasso once, "it can only be found." I think in many ways that is true of prayer as well." -Living Prayer; Robert Benson
Today, I sit and watch....and listen..an attempt to simply be in the presence of the Lord. To interact with God and His love for me - communion with my creator. Or really - a gain in what is a deep connection and promise to me, to my hopes, my soul, my longings that I was created for....conversation with Jesus Christ....an avenue Heavenward. I'm in. I belong. I am grateful - undeserving and absolutely thankful.
Maybe I can live my life with that gratitude in mind, today.
Blessings,
-ao
Friday, March 16, 2012
The North Spoon - thoughts from Andy O.: Is it a feeling...
The North Spoon - thoughts from Andy O.: Is it a feeling...: (This is a re-post of an old post from June 2009 – it’s good for me to read…again. Maybe the same is true for you?)
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Lenten Journey Day 14 - scripture readings
"Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end."
-John 13:1 (ESV)
His hour had come...His hour was known. He knew His time had come. His hour. Love. To the End.
"He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’”
-Matthew 26:18 (ESV)
"And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him."
-Mark 14:35 (ESV)
"And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him."
-Mark 14:35 (ESV)
"And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners."
-Mark 14:41 (ESV)
"Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always here." -John 7:6 (ESV)
"You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come.”
-John 7:8 (ESV)
"So they were seeking to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come."
-John 7:30 (ESV)
"And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified."
-John 12:23 (ESV)
The hour. His hour. Jesus glorified...for the Father's glory..for freedom to be achieved...for me...for you...good grief it was for access to God. His love is truly incomprehensible yet absolutely wonderful. I am undeserving. Somehow, I am grateful indeed.
-This was the scripture in my time this a.m. from Buddy Odom's book, My Children.
Blessings,
-ao
-John 13:1 (ESV)
His hour had come...His hour was known. He knew His time had come. His hour. Love. To the End.
"He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’”
-Matthew 26:18 (ESV)
"And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him."
-Mark 14:35 (ESV)
"And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him."
-Mark 14:35 (ESV)
"And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners."
-Mark 14:41 (ESV)
"Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always here." -John 7:6 (ESV)
"You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come.”
-John 7:8 (ESV)
"So they were seeking to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come."
-John 7:30 (ESV)
"And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified."
-John 12:23 (ESV)
The hour. His hour. Jesus glorified...for the Father's glory..for freedom to be achieved...for me...for you...good grief it was for access to God. His love is truly incomprehensible yet absolutely wonderful. I am undeserving. Somehow, I am grateful indeed.
-This was the scripture in my time this a.m. from Buddy Odom's book, My Children.
Blessings,
-ao
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Inward turmoil, a prayer toward Spring LJD9
"I embrace a friend one day & judge him the next, I kiss the scriptures only to disregard the truths I know, & I stand to be noticed in my goodness by stepping on the faces of my brothers.
Apart from this One who was ultimately murdered on a cross, I have zero. You have zero.
My Lord, I know what is wrong. I am lost. Desolate. Broke. Empty. My wisdom is foolishness. My best is dark. Have mercy on me. Aid me to bow low this holy season to my own desires. Continue to awaken me to Your delight - forward to Jerusalem. Amen."
-My Children; Buddy Odom
This was from Day 9.
Today is the 2nd Sabbath in this Lenten Journey.
Blessings,
-ao
Apart from this One who was ultimately murdered on a cross, I have zero. You have zero.
My Lord, I know what is wrong. I am lost. Desolate. Broke. Empty. My wisdom is foolishness. My best is dark. Have mercy on me. Aid me to bow low this holy season to my own desires. Continue to awaken me to Your delight - forward to Jerusalem. Amen."
-My Children; Buddy Odom
This was from Day 9.
Today is the 2nd Sabbath in this Lenten Journey.
Blessings,
-ao
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Quiet Time Tweets
From my time with Jesus this a.m. Here are some things that stuck with me or welled up within me God's peace be with you. Here it goes:
"My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart;He is mine forever."
-Psalms 73:26 (NLT)
"For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
-1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV) #thxbetoGod
"Do not give your heart to that which does not satisfy your heart." -Abba Poeman
In closing,
Help me...to see with eyes from the heart..to hear with ears that listen from within..to look with a mind that is renewed. Take my heart & mold it. Teach me. #Belonging #thxBetoGod
Blessings,
-ao
"My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart;He is mine forever."
-Psalms 73:26 (NLT)
"For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
-1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV) #thxbetoGod
"Do not give your heart to that which does not satisfy your heart." -Abba Poeman
In closing,
Help me...to see with eyes from the heart..to hear with ears that listen from within..to look with a mind that is renewed. Take my heart & mold it. Teach me. #Belonging #thxBetoGod
Blessings,
-ao
Thursday, February 16, 2012
A simple word...out of this morning
If our hearts, being placed inside our chests w/the breath & love of God, perhaps a safe bet - the breath & love of God are deep within us all.
"But as for me, it is good to be near God.I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;I will tell of all your deeds."
-Psalms 73:28 (NIV84)
"Life is a journey of the heart that requires the mind - not the other way around." -John Eldredge
"The heart has its reasons which reason knows not of..." -Blaise Paschal
...we dont need to, long to, have to...go at it alone. We weren't intended to do so. #designed #madeforcommunity
Just a few thoughts, quotes...from my time in the Word, with Jesus this a.m.
Blessings,
-ao
"But as for me, it is good to be near God.I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;I will tell of all your deeds."
-Psalms 73:28 (NIV84)
"Life is a journey of the heart that requires the mind - not the other way around." -John Eldredge
"The heart has its reasons which reason knows not of..." -Blaise Paschal
...we dont need to, long to, have to...go at it alone. We weren't intended to do so. #designed #madeforcommunity
Just a few thoughts, quotes...from my time in the Word, with Jesus this a.m.
Blessings,
-ao
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Enjoy the Garden...
"Every day, when Adam and Eve walked by the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they had to remember they were never created to have it all. There is always something missing in life. This is, in fact, the mark of a created being, for only God is whole and complete, lacking nothing. The missing part of our lives can either drive us crazy to the point where we lose paradise by reaching for more than we currently possess, or it can become the best altar for our prayers, where we remind ourselves of our dependence on God. When we understand how dependent we really are, we become free to enjoy the rest of the garden, as well as the people inside it, without trying to make them our savior."
-Sacred Thirst; by Craig Barnes
-Sacred Thirst; by Craig Barnes
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Another moment
Today...after dropping off my son at school, I noticed the brightness of the sun. It was odd. It was beautiful really...it immediately reminded me of the grandeur of God. Immediately I began thinking...or was enabled by the Spirit of He who is alive within me...to consider the victory of Christ. He is the initiator of "success". He designed me...you..all of "this" that is present. The Light put on skin. He became one of His own and revealed a plan. This same "plan" was simply His version of a dramatic love story and the reality of a rescue plan.
A plan to rescue...me. Forever. That's the Promise of God.
This...today, was just one reminder of His truths. Be encouraged...you can face today. The love of God is real...and true...the warmth and light of the Designer abound!
Blessings,
-ao
A plan to rescue...me. Forever. That's the Promise of God.
This...today, was just one reminder of His truths. Be encouraged...you can face today. The love of God is real...and true...the warmth and light of the Designer abound!
Blessings,
-ao
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