Why God?

Posted on February 1, 2021 by Marie

I’m thinking of a song that goes like this…

Where do I go when there’s nobody else to turn to?
Who do I talk to when nobody wants to listen?
Who do I lean on when there’s n o foundation stable?

Of course, the next line is – I go to the Rock. When Whitney Houston wrote this song she knew where to take every problem and frustration of our lives.

When we are having problems with the whys of life, with the endless irritations and annoyances God says, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest..” (Matthew 11:28) He knows that this life is hard. He knows we don’t have the answers. But, He also knows our hearts. He can and will answer when we go to Him.

I have a comfy chair in my office where I read His Word and contemplate each morning. There is a window from which I can see His beautiful creation. I look out at the beauty of His creation, the blue sky, the trees and fields that are different each season, and I quiet my mind. I let His presence flow over me. Sometimes I read His Word. Sometimes I pray. Sometimes I focus on all He’s given and done for me.

In these times of blessed stillness and knowing the uncertainties, irritations, and annoyances disappear. I am at peace!

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

This post is my response to Week 2 of 52-Week Devotional for Women by Deb Wolf.

All Things Are Full of God

Posted on September 3, 2013 by Marie

I came across this beautiful poem from more than a century ago. It spoke to my heart so I’ve added some pictures to the words. God bless you throughout this special day.

All Things Are Full of God

by: John Stuart Blackie (1809-1895)

All things are full of God. Thus spoke
Wise Thales in the days
When subtle Greece to thought awoke
And soared in lofty ways.
And now what wisdom have we more?
No sage divining-rod
Hath taught than this a deeper lore,
ALL THINGS ARE FULL OF GOD.

The Light that gloweth in the sky
And shimmers in the sea,
That quivers in the painted fly
And gems the pictured lea,
The million hues of Heaven above
And Earth below are one,
And every lightful eye doth love
The primal light, the Sun.

Even so, all vital virtue flows
From life’s first fountain, God;
And he who feels, and he who knows,
Doth feel and know from God.
As fishes swim in briny sea,
As fowl do float in air,
From Thy embrace we cannot flee;
We breathe, and Thou art there.

Go, take thy glass, astronomer,
And all the girth survey
Of sphere harmonious linked to sphere,
In endless bright array.
All that far-reaching Science there
Can measure with her rod,
All powers, all laws, are but the fair
Embodied thoughts of God.

Consider Psalm 8.

“All things are full of God” is reprinted from The Oxford book of English mystical verse. Ed. D.H.S. Nicholson. Oxford: The Clarendon Press, 1917.

Psalm 8

Posted on June 28, 2013 by Marie

Let’s look at another of David’s Songs. This one is dedicated to the director of music. That would lead me to think that it was either accompanied by instruments of the time or the words were set to music for use during worship.

This Psalm, gives me great peace when I need to be calmed down. Just knowing that God is in control makes life a little easier.

PSALM 8

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.

From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of Your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and stars, which You have set in place,

What is man that Your are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.

You made him ruler over the works of Your hands; You put everything under his feet;

All flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!

O Lord, mighty, majestic, all-powerful and all-knowing. Hear our prayers and praises. Forgive our pettiness and selfishness. Heal and restore as only You can. Help us all to love as You love. I lift this prayer before the Throne in Jesus’ Precious and Holy name.

I Believe

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Marie

I believe that Jesus is the One and Only son of God!

I believe that if I were the last person on this earth Jesus would have put Himself on the cross to save me!

I believe that God is God, the I AM, the Alpha and Omega, the Is, Was, and Is to come!

I believe that God can do anything and more!

Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18

I believe the Word is the living and breathing work of God!

I believe that God has purpose in and for my life!

I believe that when God looks at me He sees a beauty far beyond anything I can imagine!

I believe that the Spirit of God dwells in me!

I believe that Heaven and Hell are real places!

I believe that when my life on earth is over I will spend eternity with my Lord and Savior!

I believe that He is coming soon!

Worship Him in song I Believe

Ah, Lord God, my beginning and end, my One and Only, You have chosen and adopted me. I am in awe of Your love for me. Make me aware of Your purpose for my life. Come quickly, Lord Jesus in whose name I lift this prayer. Make it so!

Prayerful Acronyms

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Marie

Do you find it difficult to stay focused on God during your quiet time with Him? Does your mind wander to and fro with the cares of everyday living? Perhaps these suggestions will be helpful.

1) A place that is peaceful and set aside for your prayer time. I love summer because I can sit in our gazebo and enjoy Creation’s song while praying. In the winter my desk by the window is my choice. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16

2) A method that works for you. On your knees? Standing? Sitting? Journaling? Writing? That’s my method…writing. I find it easiest to write my prayers because I am totally focused. Do take time to reread your words and listen for God’s response. Write that down, too! Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker Psalm 95:6

3) An organized plan. P-R-A-Y or F-A-C-T-S or A-C-T-S Each of these acronyms is designed to focus on those areas that are used in Biblical Prayers. Matthew 6:8-14

P – Praise R-Repent A-Ask Y-thank You

F – Faith A-Adoration C-Confession T-Thanksgiving S-Supplication (The faith section of this acronym is about knowing God’s Word so well it can be used in our prayers.)

A-Acclimation C-Contrition T-Thanks S-Supplication

I’ve used ACTS for many years. It helps me to remember the actions I should be using in every prayer, whether in community or alone. Talk to Him daily. He loves hearing from us!

Worship in Song Pray On by Babbie Mason

Heavenly Father, may the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight. Thank You for the ultimate Sacrifice so that I can come before the Throne with a clean heart. Grant my petitions and those from others, too. You are my God and King. Hear my prayer, Oh, Lord! In the Precious Name of Jesus I ask You to make it so!