Find His Presence

Hear the loon's mournful call in the distance,
Feel the hawk's graceful, slow dance with the wind,
Remember the night sky's luminaries
As they fade when another morning speaks,
And find His presence.

Hear thunder's rumbling call, "Storm Approaching!"
Feel wind's royal power command respect!
Recall the warning; listen to the wind
As darkness struggles to control and shout,
And find His presence.

Hear whispers in the night as angels sing,
Feel holy kisses as His angels pass,
Remember sweet songs of comfort and peace
As mercy makes a home within the soul,
And find His presence.

Hear gentle words offered without reason,
Feel the rhythm of glory-words that praise,
Recall holy words written on the heart
As the Living Word restores hope's voice,
And find His presence.

Hear the empty silence of loneliness,
Feel the wordless sighs of unspoken prayer,
Remember the promise of Perfect Love
As holiness seeks ordinary time,
And find His presence.

Hear the Holy Spirit summon, "Be still!"
Feel the solitude embrace calm's repose,
Recall the mystery and the majesty
As Grace falls softly and shelters the soul,
And find His presence.
~ dho 6/22/06

Be Faithful

In his book Everyday Simplicity, A Practical Guide to Spiritual Growth, Robert J. Wicks writes: People are not noble because they succeed or are applauded by others. Their lives are honorable and worthy of emulation because they are striving for what is good - no matter what the results! God asks us to be involved not because we are called to be successful, but because we are called to be faithful.

Let every detail in your lives - words, actions, whatever - be done in the name of Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.
Colossians 3:17 (The Message)

We live in a society that defines our worth by material possessions and worldly successes. Our involvement can easily be motivated by personal gain and recognition. The scriptures remind us that Jesus should be our motivation. We should be defined by our faithfulness. ~dho

On A Journey

May your life become one of glad and unending praise to the Lord as you journey through this world. ~ Teresa of Avila

Holy Father,
This day shouts Your beauty! I am humbled as I ponder Your Love. For it is so much higher and deeper, wider and stronger ~ more vast than my human mind can understand. How I long to love with such certainty, without conditions. How I long to love with such freedom, without restrictions. How I long to love with such magnitude, without measure. You seal my desire to love with the love of Christ, His signature already on my soul. Your love is Pure Grace!
There are times when the days are easy, like lazy afternoons at the beach. There are times when the days are busy, like a full day of essential tasks. There are times when the days are hectic, like fragmented chaos with infused intentions. Every day we choose to find You or to lose You in our ordered ways. You are the One who gives us the choice.
Refine us through the chaos. Renew us in the busyness. Restore us with easy times. Remind us of Your never-ending Love. In the name of Jesus, Amen. ~dho

I wonder what sort of tale we've fallen into?
~ J.R.R. Tolkein, The Lord of the Rings