tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75794124477663328642024-03-19T11:40:26.747-07:00Heart of LoveUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579412447766332864.post-19750597780422802932012-04-01T10:16:00.000-07:002012-04-01T10:16:04.004-07:00Immersion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98a3yoP_3q4R7b5OXF24-o98mp47zkrsA5SMBtnEqlKHN8cYOuU2DvuVajZuZU4S9niOZu5OLBxdkb1bbvcDCRYxehKtj3-grTjWRXwFdXTJthmb5eZSw2cWtwlgGsk9stjLU2-PcuEQ/s1600/trumpet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98a3yoP_3q4R7b5OXF24-o98mp47zkrsA5SMBtnEqlKHN8cYOuU2DvuVajZuZU4S9niOZu5OLBxdkb1bbvcDCRYxehKtj3-grTjWRXwFdXTJthmb5eZSw2cWtwlgGsk9stjLU2-PcuEQ/s320/trumpet.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">In order to find blessings in each day it is important to take time to enter into silent stillness </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">and immerse yourself in God's peace. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">This peace is truly not of the world, for it is a gift of </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">great depth which bears no apparent relationship to whatever chaos you may feel is going</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">on in your life or your body. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">To enter into a calm still space and find God blessing you is an </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">incredible wonder that can transfigure you and fundamentally change how you feel about </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">the whole day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">God's peace uplifts. It renews. It brightens . It upholds you through any trial. It touches </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">your heart and mind and helps you to see things anew with fresh eyes and open heart. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">reminds you of God's presence with you, it saves and refreshes your life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">One moment of peace and stillness can change the whole flow of your day and ultimately </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">your life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">And so we ask that we can always find the moment needed to immerse ourselves in His </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">energy, that we might bear the fruits of our time with Him. Amen.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579412447766332864.post-89685962067622621662012-03-31T03:57:00.000-07:002012-03-31T03:57:36.772-07:00Higher<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCUahi8UaHUfKdB3GvoNc1smkQubRMdlhtxIFyFbKLDDdv0p0EexAgtEI-dptCk_NR9btifAW8BVW1iYn8JTYm4pFSMKFNBKgOC4FdTZDHJCtE1vsIgDnB5VtoD0IRHFm9J30IPE_rXg/s1600/higher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCUahi8UaHUfKdB3GvoNc1smkQubRMdlhtxIFyFbKLDDdv0p0EexAgtEI-dptCk_NR9btifAW8BVW1iYn8JTYm4pFSMKFNBKgOC4FdTZDHJCtE1vsIgDnB5VtoD0IRHFm9J30IPE_rXg/s320/higher.jpg" width="142" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">When the world, perturbs, assaults, disturbs us, we must seek a higher perspective. God's light shines constantly, brings wisdom, discernment, truth. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Going higher can give greater vision and understanding. You can see from a wider different perspective.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">God's view is whole and complete. Ours is tiny and often subjective. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">When we do not know what to do, let us immerse ourselves in Gods light so that we can have clarity and insight illuminated for us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">God's light is pure and blesses all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let us ask to see things with greater perspective. Let us always seek a higher view, guided by God, blessed by the gifts of the spirit:wisdom, knowledge, discernment, love.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Amen</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579412447766332864.post-6839362228115183102012-03-30T07:40:00.004-07:002012-03-30T07:43:48.160-07:00Pure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UDq73ciQNUBMnUFqM6PKsTxyBm1X4eA_r0_4ZFyj0pEN3DqrGk4JLm05pqVEuJgvXwS0cz6K2iZMjC-Tg-ZE-6QrN5mXvprdignPlWGN2tw23uEtlYnzEitH1XZM8KDbalKzs1dco5E/s1600/pure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UDq73ciQNUBMnUFqM6PKsTxyBm1X4eA_r0_4ZFyj0pEN3DqrGk4JLm05pqVEuJgvXwS0cz6K2iZMjC-Tg-ZE-6QrN5mXvprdignPlWGN2tw23uEtlYnzEitH1XZM8KDbalKzs1dco5E/s320/pure.jpg" width="168" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Gods love is pure. It is total, absolute and utterly unconditional.His way is straight.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">There </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">is ease, clarity, wisdom in His way, for it has a flow that feels right and good, that uplifts </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">and strengthens us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">We can know the people of God by their actions and intentions: "<i>By </i></span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">their fruit you shall know them </i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">", is so true. There is no expectation or demand on </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">you. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is no condition of transaction. There is no game being played out to suit </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">someone's ego or power or status or image. Interactions are genuine. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Gifts are freely </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">given. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Relationships are healthy and open, not critical and controlling. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The people of the </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Spirit give freely of their love and leave you feeling touched in some indescribable way ;by</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">their goodness , wholeness, genuineness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The way of life is strewn with false relationship, with secret demands and hidden </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">expectations, with subtle compliance and disappointments. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ultimately it is only God in His </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">perfection, who sees all and knows all and can tell what is written in our hearts, who can</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">love us purely for who we are.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">May we feel loved, and guided and safe then in the knowledge that God's love is with us </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">and is pure and true. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">May we be guided by the fruits of the Spirit, which shine out from </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">people and inspire us. Amen.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579412447766332864.post-67234833318136775822012-03-29T10:04:00.001-07:002012-03-29T10:05:11.968-07:00Justice<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrivZEZb3XxofmI-r8KjBXnrNMsgNa78v0HR1Njw7X_Wg40d4ye4aZaavHmh9ukXoBOVi6Y2_gV1ioycbnJVHpbcqqWDczEFxgR6h6ISUgCXqzn7vyYiUhOk72ZiB92ME_pYQeHI16GzI/s1600/justicered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrivZEZb3XxofmI-r8KjBXnrNMsgNa78v0HR1Njw7X_Wg40d4ye4aZaavHmh9ukXoBOVi6Y2_gV1ioycbnJVHpbcqqWDczEFxgR6h6ISUgCXqzn7vyYiUhOk72ZiB92ME_pYQeHI16GzI/s320/justicered.jpg" width="179" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">God's justice is not always what we think it will be. God's justice is love, brings peace and restoration not punishment. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Oh how we long for justice for ME.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> How great is the need to put things right, to restore truth and integrity, right presentation and service. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">How great is the need for proper ME tests, biomedical treatments, search for a cure, accurate research, knowledgeable consultants, adequate care . </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">How great is the need for healing through the restoration of truth. Let us pray with all our hearts that this is not only possible but that God wills it so in our life time.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Amen.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579412447766332864.post-44794016405033752012012-03-28T10:06:00.000-07:002012-03-28T10:06:58.242-07:00Demands<div class="Body1"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkhx3jFgIPCNdGd0NQhg6ZQ31vhWCSSWuma_TgfH-dq7lWPhWL5z-9w1IfXtev3tZwhKVWxoRnKPxUJkSnMJmHYutQpQ_Y42AyCkbq18BtXNKZUDYpLpGBNIGd8UiBRl6jAwdc0o4m8o/s1600/demanding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkhx3jFgIPCNdGd0NQhg6ZQ31vhWCSSWuma_TgfH-dq7lWPhWL5z-9w1IfXtev3tZwhKVWxoRnKPxUJkSnMJmHYutQpQ_Y42AyCkbq18BtXNKZUDYpLpGBNIGd8UiBRl6jAwdc0o4m8o/s320/demanding.jpg" width="204" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Life places many demands upon us. It is not always easy or possible to comply with them. When demands become overwhelming let us place ourselves in trust and faith in Gods hands.</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Let us ask him for his Grace and help to see us through a demanding life. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let us find a still space and therein draw sustenance . </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let us believe in goodness that it will triumph over adversity and a way forward become apparent in all stressful situations we find ourselves in.</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Let us find Hope in the Lord that we might rise above all demands and find His Peace. Amen.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579412447766332864.post-44303300963970598152012-03-27T07:21:00.001-07:002012-03-27T07:21:49.702-07:00Endeavour<div class="Body1"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-_W0vS1fVyQUhRuAw3SqKAcowPcMeXqsqQ9iGZVGAlcs-5tuG1GCshGtyeI19gMk_23f2kHWw4waN8ghrxL23ddpHuJN2f6ktZlqocfyENB21KxUFfGenYy7PeeaPiHTilGYqDgsR7g/s1600/endeavour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-_W0vS1fVyQUhRuAw3SqKAcowPcMeXqsqQ9iGZVGAlcs-5tuG1GCshGtyeI19gMk_23f2kHWw4waN8ghrxL23ddpHuJN2f6ktZlqocfyENB21KxUFfGenYy7PeeaPiHTilGYqDgsR7g/s320/endeavour.jpg" width="212" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Every day we endeavour to rise above the confines of this illness. It is so all encompassing affecting our lives totally. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yet still we find meaning in love, meaning in hope,meaning in our relationship, comfort and support from others also on the edge with this illness.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">We dare to be our best selves and stay connected despite all the illness chucks at us to create separation.</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> It is not a meaningless empty space we live in. It is one of love, passion, perseverance, trust and Truth.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is a place where awareness brings compassion for ourselves and others like us. It brings political awareness, it brings a longing for justice and a need for hope. </span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is a shining place where God's light can dazzle us and shine through us. Amen.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579412447766332864.post-79267096736425266622012-03-26T13:01:00.000-07:002012-03-26T13:01:35.939-07:00Endless<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVhsaKERE_9mRU0uhLjB5KJ38gbJVukDyBOLyMljA3vhTRFaaBSyIjw7X2CyCXGjGCO46KJRm_yp5HDsiglozixGHV7qLWbtA0KMxFWzQIuKqKeTCBPdYbJgt4IQAQowb3sxQTMBht6I/s1600/endless.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVhsaKERE_9mRU0uhLjB5KJ38gbJVukDyBOLyMljA3vhTRFaaBSyIjw7X2CyCXGjGCO46KJRm_yp5HDsiglozixGHV7qLWbtA0KMxFWzQIuKqKeTCBPdYbJgt4IQAQowb3sxQTMBht6I/s320/endless.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><br />
<div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The love of God is endless and boundless. It is ever present, sparklingly beautiful, ever flowing, all enduring. What an incredible energy we receive when we find this love and receive it. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It flows, lifts, heals, upholds us. It is beyond words. It is unfathomable in its breadth and depth.</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> It is divine grace coming to touch us wherever we are in our lives, from the womb to our death and beyond, we are immersed in this love that is available to transform and work miracles of healing in our lives. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Praise God for the wonder of His love and the beauty and mystery of his creation that we incredibly are a part of. Amen</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579412447766332864.post-68699039607312053982012-03-25T13:20:00.000-07:002012-03-25T13:20:59.409-07:00Reason<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYrwde929N3imXMSQWhGDLo1MDEie3rAHuRcxBEq06xpSNMN3zIr130ATyhMcltyxerreDuDCGMp2B6hdLx2TsKNOa4LKt3lagU9hDHNh47_BjfiptFWTEOpUdUaL5MObZw1RJCMHbSQ/s1600/reasond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYrwde929N3imXMSQWhGDLo1MDEie3rAHuRcxBEq06xpSNMN3zIr130ATyhMcltyxerreDuDCGMp2B6hdLx2TsKNOa4LKt3lagU9hDHNh47_BjfiptFWTEOpUdUaL5MObZw1RJCMHbSQ/s320/reasond.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><br />
<div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today, both of us ill with the flu, making things unimaginably worse, so weak, so breathless, it's very, very hard. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Just the two of us trying to cope on our own.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Such is our vulnerability.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Just two souls trying to hold each other together, the virus hitting us on every level. Feeling our fragility. So important to focus on the Light of the world; it is a reason to find hope in this chaos. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">There often seems no rhyme or reason to the suffering we experience. Yet if we can find the confidence and the strength and the Trust to focus on love, to lift our eyes to the light of the world, we will find blessings and hope. For He will fill us and shine in us and we will be able to keep going , lifted by Him.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579412447766332864.post-13398390798506104022012-03-24T10:44:00.000-07:002012-03-24T10:44:58.565-07:00Centred<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8jXa7ISf-FcDnYAShFWAeCc1au9XTpTVEWxUcaHYDDpWhARuAZ8zmuvN_6aC0q017gqCNy4dAZUeSsiW81BVy5Vgvoxyo2Qsi2gt7GNVUVSkkm5FQU0yNt40k35PJGVYBI_gJmfGN_c/s1600/centre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8jXa7ISf-FcDnYAShFWAeCc1au9XTpTVEWxUcaHYDDpWhARuAZ8zmuvN_6aC0q017gqCNy4dAZUeSsiW81BVy5Vgvoxyo2Qsi2gt7GNVUVSkkm5FQU0yNt40k35PJGVYBI_gJmfGN_c/s320/centre.jpg" width="162" /></a></div><br />
<div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is so important to find your centre in the day, so that whatever comes you can cope. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Being centred helps you not lose your balance or sense of who you are when difficulties arise. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The deeper your awareness of your centre, the true you, the connected with God self, the more you find you can cope. The more ephemeral the outside world becomes. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The less likely it will harm and damage you.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Unfortunately, with ME you start each day within the centre of physical chaos. You are in effect chucked straight in ' at the deep end.' every day. It can be hard even to begin to find your centre, so physically dispersed , so cognitively impacted , you are. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">In these circumstances, it is a miracle that we can find God at all. And yet somehow we do. We go within. We find some aspect of centredness and we more than survive. We pray. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">We hope. We reach out. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">We keep going. We are love in a broken world.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let us thank God then, for this miracle of being. Let us thank Him for the strength, the Light,the Hope ,the Love , the inner peace and the centredeness He brings us. Amen</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579412447766332864.post-43558586450772829362012-03-23T11:33:00.002-07:002012-03-30T07:46:13.779-07:00Stillness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4fQla1kvAjIhLiueNToU5rzJ8KnH6zIChW25Dte_ZeIP65vOPHM2YQqKVlm-IxJemNND2YZuFlWUat-J6Lvx-2gCu1U8O7uxm_6b11qHfMhyphenhyphen73cS1qvUIOpVDWoURC93QoQfyOIGR7I/s1600/still.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4fQla1kvAjIhLiueNToU5rzJ8KnH6zIChW25Dte_ZeIP65vOPHM2YQqKVlm-IxJemNND2YZuFlWUat-J6Lvx-2gCu1U8O7uxm_6b11qHfMhyphenhyphen73cS1qvUIOpVDWoURC93QoQfyOIGR7I/s1600/still.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<div align="LEFT" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; page-break-after: auto; page-break-before: auto; page-break-inside: auto;"><br />
<div align="LEFT" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; page-break-after: auto; page-break-before: auto; page-break-inside: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stillness is how we survive, finding moments of stillness together. Finding hope in the stillness together. </span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; page-break-after: auto; page-break-before: auto; page-break-inside: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; page-break-after: auto; page-break-before: auto; page-break-inside: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Hope to carry on, hope to reach out in kindness and keep growing together</span><span style="line-height: 100%;">. Hope of finding a clear safe pathway ahead.</span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; page-break-after: auto; page-break-before: auto; page-break-inside: auto;"><span style="line-height: 100%;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; page-break-after: auto; page-break-before: auto; page-break-inside: auto;"><span style="line-height: 100%;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Stillness leads us to awareness of ourselves, to awareness of the beauty that surrounds us and to awareness of God with us.</span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; page-break-after: auto; page-break-before: auto; page-break-inside: auto;"><span style="line-height: 100%;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; page-break-after: auto; page-break-before: auto; page-break-inside: auto;"><span style="line-height: 100%;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Stillness is a blessing, if we can find that stillness inside our selves that is alive with life , that lights up who we are for us to see and know and ultimately so that others might see and know the truth of who we are, for we are love.</span></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579412447766332864.post-12924795903287269822012-03-22T13:12:00.000-07:002012-03-22T13:12:36.786-07:00Praising<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-9xeyA-c4Jbfql3ML0yYRNrTxFKkPgpQXd0iagQKSwEsadW-bMIF4CWzlmcSlHqbedaBlesf2_3strr6oQ4O-22tCATNbLNGpFrZEbPSkGNzIS-jFHRiwFsMzl07CecpvP3RaeXSuGM/s1600/praising.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-9xeyA-c4Jbfql3ML0yYRNrTxFKkPgpQXd0iagQKSwEsadW-bMIF4CWzlmcSlHqbedaBlesf2_3strr6oQ4O-22tCATNbLNGpFrZEbPSkGNzIS-jFHRiwFsMzl07CecpvP3RaeXSuGM/s320/praising.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Praise is easier on a happy sunny day. It is harder to engage with when struggle with existence on a daily basis.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Praise however lifts us up into the light, the love, the sweetness, the harmony, the goodness, the power of God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Praise can transform a difficult moment by reminding us of a higher reality and helping us to reengage with what is important God's love.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">God's love creates and holds us in this fragile moment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today, especially we give praise for the precious gift of life . We give thanks for the life of Emily Collingridge, who very sadly died on Sunday . She is greatly missed. So wracked with pain, yet so full of life and love Emily helped us both a great deal , she contributed so much to Stonebird. We were on the edge of giving up, if it had not been for Emily.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">We have found, over and over that it is those who suffer the most who reach out the most, those who really know are the most genuinely real.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Praise, praise, praise , praise for the powerful life of Emily Collingridge !!!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579412447766332864.post-91609771161255253362012-03-21T06:48:00.000-07:002012-03-21T06:48:06.656-07:00Praying<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40urw68A4ulv1c2VF0fVYCDo_Jt7bv64d2j91yXE9IlJ5hXcr3lcU6A73DPogHxcMe5fKFZDzopSARUBgOCpvg2Uvo13s3kpbdxLhgnhieRJ-2hE5-jnVWYisYFh7oJzi5JStIixGnxo/s1600/prayerblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40urw68A4ulv1c2VF0fVYCDo_Jt7bv64d2j91yXE9IlJ5hXcr3lcU6A73DPogHxcMe5fKFZDzopSARUBgOCpvg2Uvo13s3kpbdxLhgnhieRJ-2hE5-jnVWYisYFh7oJzi5JStIixGnxo/s320/prayerblog.jpg" width="299" /></a></div><br />
<div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Praying is so much more than words. Prayer is entering into stillness with the one who is Love and finding a connection .</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is to be touched by grace. It is to find that however tiny you feel your physical existence to be, your spiritual existence is far and wide and boundless.</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> No distance separates you from anyone. God and everyone is infinitely close in prayer. There is no separation only love flowing .</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> It is awesome and wonderful to be caught up in the incredible beauty of the presnce of God, the infinite stillness, the perfect prayer. No words are required. No thought is needed.</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Only being is experienced in perfection and purity.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">A moment's true prayer is absolute. It is healing. It is restorative. It is comforting. It is restful. Nothing is quite the same after you have known this true intimacy of connection. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Light of Love dances with you. Infills you, blesses you, transfigures you.. Transports you. And all can be seen afresh, once the intimacy of prayer has touched our hearts and minds. We are never alone again.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579412447766332864.post-86962077828398502152012-03-20T12:22:00.000-07:002012-03-20T12:22:10.269-07:00Reaction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStBdNnftyHX1mK2gDvjj9r4odq1S4FvWH6Un7vL-NwCBvTGokmgmNzlp2J3GmtSNO7WsuTvy6SnMVzNX_1O0-m2kQRR8rChh1KuwAAMUnotrLQQ1cEEJKZN2AG75YnIiGxTmV-lbqixo/s1600/reaction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStBdNnftyHX1mK2gDvjj9r4odq1S4FvWH6Un7vL-NwCBvTGokmgmNzlp2J3GmtSNO7WsuTvy6SnMVzNX_1O0-m2kQRR8rChh1KuwAAMUnotrLQQ1cEEJKZN2AG75YnIiGxTmV-lbqixo/s320/reaction.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><br />
<div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today has been very very difficult with both of us ill, one with the flu, the other with severe ME, plus knowing that it is only time before we both have flu.</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> An awful thought. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">On days like this we are reminded vividly of our almost total isolation from everyone.</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">We are reminded of how few people seem to care, one way or another, especially locally. We are very aware of neighbours , who go to church, chose not to want to know or get involved. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It makes us more aware of the total vulnerability of our situation. </span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">A strong reaction to days like this is a tearing sense of our own helplessness and poverty. On such days it feels as if things cannot get any worse, except actually they can, for today at least the continuing building work torment was not quite as extreme as other recent days. </span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our reaction on days like this could be to fall into despair ,but we do not go there , because days like this also remind us of the love we have for each other. That is what is important. That is what is real.</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> That is what lifts us and nurtures us and takes us forward beyond despair.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is important then when things go wrong or deteriorate, to take a moment to not panic, to not react badly or fearfully, despite this being the natural response.</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> It is time to draw close to peace and stillness, to seek healing and hope, to find blessings in the tiniest of things, such as watching a ladybird joyfully encounter the sunshine. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is time to be more loving, more caring, more compassionate to each other and to ourselves and Trust that God in His goodness will keep us safe and bring healing and untold blessings into our lives.</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Amen.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579412447766332864.post-71085850863976729162012-03-19T12:24:00.001-07:002012-03-19T13:05:20.495-07:00Shining<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLCErh3AnYkpbTYD31KylG5B1-XUZe3UpUwH_bb1p4i6MsgJ0sZOmkl2V9l3ZYqT0m7kwpffd8e-bP14Rztzlbz5kaQbddN05ScrQQEfN_sLsTmzhjp-ZZP3welLQJUn8N1zl412tKQU/s1600/shining.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLCErh3AnYkpbTYD31KylG5B1-XUZe3UpUwH_bb1p4i6MsgJ0sZOmkl2V9l3ZYqT0m7kwpffd8e-bP14Rztzlbz5kaQbddN05ScrQQEfN_sLsTmzhjp-ZZP3welLQJUn8N1zl412tKQU/s320/shining.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The sun is shining here today. How beautiful it makes everything look. The cold air is not so cold, the flowers glow , even the leaves are translucent as the light flows through them. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The garden is transformed. Even the rooms in the house are warmer and brighter for the sun shine.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Many days here though the sun does not shine. It still feels like winter and the cold wracks through us, no matter how many layers of clothing we wear. Yet everything in the garden is still growing, is still reaching for the light, even if the growth is invisible to the naked eye. </span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is a great spiritual lesson to be learned. Look below the surface. see the spiritual light shining, transforming everything, radiating hope and beauty in a seemingly barren existence. The whole garden is groaning, bursting forth with new life and growth, some visible, some below the soil, where we cannot see so easily.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">And so, like the garden, it is the same with us. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">We are still seeking God's light, still reaching out, yearning for His warmth in the most cold and barren places. We are waiting for His light to shine through us and transform us, even on the darkest days when we cannot see or feel His light shining in the world or in us, when we feel there is no growth, no movement, yet still His Light is shining.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">All we need do is seek Him with inner eyes and open heart, with Trust and faith that He is still with us. For His light is ever pure and shining for the whole of creation. And we can always shine His Light and make a difference in the world, even if we know it not, by looking up and knowing He is the Light of Life and all is really well.</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Then we will find that transformation and growth has happened even though we noticed it not and suddenly beauty is restored and the Light shines brightly in our </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">hearts . </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Amen. </span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579412447766332864.post-22091847004854411312012-03-18T12:33:00.000-07:002012-03-18T12:33:21.133-07:00Space<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFvuicEHFsL9qbdU4_kJqFtew7ac_cPrEFOorh3uP2-JJ6w22NiQxHLvoPROIgRtxn5e-PPzDqnYPRId5AnrEFvG1wExJo4aFdIey3l_2aLGi_8O0LHM8LiUModwq7Sm1vCDPISJ3JVA/s1600/space.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFvuicEHFsL9qbdU4_kJqFtew7ac_cPrEFOorh3uP2-JJ6w22NiQxHLvoPROIgRtxn5e-PPzDqnYPRId5AnrEFvG1wExJo4aFdIey3l_2aLGi_8O0LHM8LiUModwq7Sm1vCDPISJ3JVA/s1600/space.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">We all need space to collect our thoughts, take time to pray and be with ourselves and God, a space to rest to find renewal, a place hopefully of healing and clear sight. </span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">For the person with Severe ME space is a requirement that their health and life depends on.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The space required because the illness is so vast and all encompassing is a space that brings isolation from the world and results in true poverty: where everything worldly is removed slowly, day by day, year by year from the persons life.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">This space can be a place for healing, or feel like a prison, trapping and confining the person. </span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">With God though, we can find a deeper meaning to life, a connection with anyone anywhere in the world without travelling an inch, a space of spirit and blessing that touches every hurt and offers a degree of sustenance,hope and comfort, even though you do not get well, still healing can occur. </span> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The meaning of life, the meaning of unconditional love, these precious gifts can be found in the spiritual space that opens up, if discerned as such by the person who seeks to know God. </span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">This space can be welcomed into all our lives , for it is the space that we can only find by stillness and inner journey. It can lead us to an infinite space of wonder and gift.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> May we all seek and find this space this Lent. Amen.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579412447766332864.post-65498953774569407132012-03-17T07:51:00.000-07:002012-03-17T07:51:14.706-07:00Creativity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7IT5vbys4DI2nEvSq5a4GOA-Usa_CVEUfeynUGPwaSEhE9d_kVVE4FHbmF_raGVPavDFlY9nSehoGeKnpb_7UiS0IZl8c4HloO9bRR6j72oTLSdmgA95UmbPk3sBJokNRYqA-ddK1Co/s1600/creative.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7IT5vbys4DI2nEvSq5a4GOA-Usa_CVEUfeynUGPwaSEhE9d_kVVE4FHbmF_raGVPavDFlY9nSehoGeKnpb_7UiS0IZl8c4HloO9bRR6j72oTLSdmgA95UmbPk3sBJokNRYqA-ddK1Co/s1600/creative.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Creation is a vibrant ever growing ever- changing powerful experience. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The whole of the earth and everything in it is caught up in this creative , chaotic, unpredictable energy.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">To engage in any act of creation, whether art, music, gardening, painting, web design, cooking, to name a few, there is a constant choice of what to do next. Sometimes this is obvious, others you get caught up in the process and do not notice. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Many things can go wrong at any moment as well as go right. You can create beauty or ugliness with just one move, a wrong stroke of the brush, a wrong strum of a string, a wrong snip with the secateurs, a wrong piece of code. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">This can lead to harmony or distress.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The whole of life is actually a form of creation. Every single moment we can chose how we live it, whether creating peace and harmony or chaos and disturbance, whether we cope or give up, whether we react or respond. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Every response we have is a choice, even though we may not always feel it is. </span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">In ME the choices are pared back and at best simple, but more often than not they are very stark. Sometimes they are only about choosing life, choosing to keep on, even choosing not to do something leads to the pattern of the way you live your life.</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Each word can be kind or unkind. Each thought can be loving or harsh. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Each feeling can be expressed or suppressed. Each action can be considered or thoughtless.</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Each moment can be a moment of awareness or dullness.</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Each response can have a different outcome, much like creating a work of art can.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let us ask God then to help us grow in awareness of the choices we can make and the love we can pour into the lives we live. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let us ask for creativity to heal us and bless us and comfort our days. Let us find peace and beauty even in the centre of pain and chaos that is beyond our ability to control.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579412447766332864.post-41995318078795317322012-03-16T11:25:00.000-07:002012-03-16T11:25:48.661-07:00Breathing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjzZC8kT1DY5o5A32_J6QdbwZKhepvnoXOFAVeQKtzmHqgTEIy3P3mZbzyAsyNay2vT0sce-gKeVjBAj_9WMpVWe-d8V7mR6jYmwqKpdcIlM6wymVhr-9DC5bFbi7BtA-ryuxhdEEeKYw/s1600/breathe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjzZC8kT1DY5o5A32_J6QdbwZKhepvnoXOFAVeQKtzmHqgTEIy3P3mZbzyAsyNay2vT0sce-gKeVjBAj_9WMpVWe-d8V7mR6jYmwqKpdcIlM6wymVhr-9DC5bFbi7BtA-ryuxhdEEeKYw/s1600/breathe.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Breathing is such a natural part of life that the well person would not necessarily notice that they were doing it. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">For the person with severe ME breathing is not that simple.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Breathing can be a daily struggle; nothing can be taken for granted with Severe ME. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The carer too struggles for breath, to breathe life into the situation, to find new pathways to tread to keep hope alive.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The withered dry bones that the Bible refers to,could represent so easily, the carer and sufferer constantly fumbling with the attempts to find a cure, to get a service , to make a stand, to just get through each day. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Almost inevitably we find ourselves knocked back, knocked down time and again, having to pick our weary bones up off the ground. The miracle is that we do pick ourselves up, metaphorically speaking at least, that we do get through and more than just get through ,we live our life. </span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">New life, vision, determination, hope, these are all gifts of the Holy Spirit : the very breath of God giving us life, that protects us from despair, that gives us the strength, that breathes on us afresh every day, so that our dry weary bones may have life.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579412447766332864.post-29671660150771710532012-03-15T13:06:00.000-07:002012-03-15T13:06:43.739-07:00Living<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8zQ_o3vVXK4PZ2vDr-13HsfX-Jns7bqG8Xj5E5H1NB-roMJvj7Y2-Auc3WG3NZNteWwFkskj3Gnc6BgpQPFk_JWAq_GDhkje_AOAfkl9A7CDvQCUY4q2uuC3fr6dsoy-Nl5BfKgUn7gg/s1600/firelight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8zQ_o3vVXK4PZ2vDr-13HsfX-Jns7bqG8Xj5E5H1NB-roMJvj7Y2-Auc3WG3NZNteWwFkskj3Gnc6BgpQPFk_JWAq_GDhkje_AOAfkl9A7CDvQCUY4q2uuC3fr6dsoy-Nl5BfKgUn7gg/s320/firelight.jpg" width="221" /></a></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Life is essentially what God brings us. Yet we can get downtrodden by all that happens and slowly by degrees feel less and less alive inside. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">When we feel diminished, crushed, damaged by living, let us remember what St John said of Christ, that he was the Light. And that Light was the life of men.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">To live in a situation of oppression and constant suffering, we need to live fully in the moment, expressing all of ourselves, not just the compassionate, kind , caring side, but also the fierce , fighting, aware, </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">assertive , self- contained, courageous side of ourselves.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Truly our light can burn brightly, can shine through all eternity when we live as our true selves. In all our complexity , with both masculine and feminine traits integrating into a whole that is unique,beautiful, powerful, valuable.</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Let us chose to be our true selves this Lent and shine God's light by living as He meant us to. May we remember the Light of life who lives with us and feel blessed and safe. Amen.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579412447766332864.post-28340371726209033062012-03-14T11:23:00.000-07:002012-03-14T11:23:56.989-07:00Protection<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1f7fFFy5__yZ33p3lB6-1uXkH4fn5bZd86eZelO4BuL7aj8J4yVgGTCkujm401ZqswucoTMhSUrK4u6Rm16fpiUhcPj-VZRTaAamThAsdsXRf9bsbS6vaVqsWo2U8p3PgQEymc4b0WeY/s1600/birdprotection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1f7fFFy5__yZ33p3lB6-1uXkH4fn5bZd86eZelO4BuL7aj8J4yVgGTCkujm401ZqswucoTMhSUrK4u6Rm16fpiUhcPj-VZRTaAamThAsdsXRf9bsbS6vaVqsWo2U8p3PgQEymc4b0WeY/s320/birdprotection.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><br />
<div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">We certainly all need protection. We are so easily hurt and wounded by careless actions and hurtful words, by what is left unsaid, by what is left undone. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">In so many ways we need protecting; we are so vulnerable in todays economy and political landscape.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">People with ME need protecting even more, for they are so easily misinterpreted and so much at risk from wrong treatment or neglect. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The carer too is vulnerable and needs to feel loved and safe as much as anyone.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">In this fragile state, in this fragile world, we humbly ask for Truth to guide us and love to live in us.</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> We ask that God's protection keeps us safe and we know we can fly to His protection whenever we feel afraid or unsafe.</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> We know that praise will lift us out of fear. We know His Word is love and His name is strength and our faith is a shield of protection against all that would harm us.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Praise God who in His Love and Mercy created us and surely knows how to protect and save us especially in our times of need. Amen.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579412447766332864.post-32004853993093530732012-03-13T12:57:00.002-07:002012-03-13T13:00:21.748-07:00Blessing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKS3GlCrneut8LLDYAjomDJTzd5VyB-yhc8hiwSlu5dWBUM-UQix7_AGA-BXzGYiryT8pvmnhBAbjskHdRyTQ9Az3kqtT5nmg_EwGiximnN9c4ZGVogQ_S8W5I0Sz7fjhY6ptFJzD6oo/s1600/blessing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKS3GlCrneut8LLDYAjomDJTzd5VyB-yhc8hiwSlu5dWBUM-UQix7_AGA-BXzGYiryT8pvmnhBAbjskHdRyTQ9Az3kqtT5nmg_EwGiximnN9c4ZGVogQ_S8W5I0Sz7fjhY6ptFJzD6oo/s320/blessing.jpg" width="235" /></a></div><br />
<div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Each day is an opportunity to bless the world and everyone in it. It is a day to reach out in kindness and love. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is a day that can pass leaving you feeling better or worse at the end of it.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">A blessing can be a spiritual prayer , an act of kindness, a smile that brightens up a moment and transforms a situation, it can be a moments peace, a generous action, a supportive word, a flower blooming bringing beauty to the world. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It can make a huge difference in the life of a person with ME or a person caring for someone, or indeed for any one: a moment's kind thought or word or action, an uplifting prayer, a thoughtful look, all can save the day and bring untold blessings.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you surround a person with loving thoughts, if you touch their heart , if you connect with them spiritually your life too will be blessed and changed. </span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">To get through a day with severe ME is a major achievement, to get through the day, blessing others is a courageous act, to give to others when you feel you have so little to give is a transcendant joy.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let us ask for the blessing of joy this day. Let us ask that we are enabled to bless others and accept the blessings of the day in whatever form they come. Amen.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579412447766332864.post-27113558115076305442012-03-12T12:38:00.000-07:002012-03-12T12:38:53.945-07:00Hopeless<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEltUV7HdHmQo0os4EYBSjTjfqGLrJ1j9s4VKY-fB9gn8CKVKsWI_dmNzLiEyqRHB55Pa7goc1mI__I9dT6n-zwHet-X6bJq6s1m3h-MToWWTSSi92KS8fqAChIITa24K04cAzmN7Oyc/s1600/hopeless.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEltUV7HdHmQo0os4EYBSjTjfqGLrJ1j9s4VKY-fB9gn8CKVKsWI_dmNzLiEyqRHB55Pa7goc1mI__I9dT6n-zwHet-X6bJq6s1m3h-MToWWTSSi92KS8fqAChIITa24K04cAzmN7Oyc/s320/hopeless.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><br />
<div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is a terrible place to be , where you feel hopeless. God gives us a light in our hearts where hope dwells.</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> It seems very dark with this hope diminished or extinguished. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The path with ME can be a desperate and difficult path. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It may feel as if doors are shutting and the options are fewer and fewer, yet in God we can find Hope, when all hope seems gone, when all roads seem empty, when light is fading, may we hold on with all strength to hope, not the hope of achievement nor the hope of getting somewhere, more, let us hold on to the hope of inner peace, of the sense of goodness, of life, of love in our lives, of remembering God is with us and we are not alone: that all things are possible with God, that miracles do happen and there is a way forward even if we cannot see clearly where or what it is.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is the Hope we strive for daily. This is the Hope which touches us. This is the Hope we hold on to when everything seems to go wrong.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let us ask always then for God's help to always find hope so that we do not feel hopeless in ourselves and lost from His Love, which is miraculous. Amen</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579412447766332864.post-39867724895349310372012-03-11T11:35:00.000-07:002012-03-11T11:35:32.077-07:00Reflection<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32v6FbmN75-X66Kk0jHQd_17bO4Jpn0rel5o3pNukQvhyoIe7iOjDY9yI27wuHYMKTqnU2pBts6aPwyKzNQdyN6dMZCNZSBT3rryRrS9MRPCrBOAQ_Y_L1eVhyphenhyphenmIT8cspdAL1WGxjelA/s1600/reflectioncloud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32v6FbmN75-X66Kk0jHQd_17bO4Jpn0rel5o3pNukQvhyoIe7iOjDY9yI27wuHYMKTqnU2pBts6aPwyKzNQdyN6dMZCNZSBT3rryRrS9MRPCrBOAQ_Y_L1eVhyphenhyphenmIT8cspdAL1WGxjelA/s1600/reflectioncloud.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">What sort of reflection do we shine in the world? With ME it is hard to have a reflection at all it feels sometimes, so hidden and unknown we are, in the world.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The illness makes you not who you want to be. It makes you physically unable to function. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It makes you unable to engage with normal ever day activity, events and people. It can twist the world into a very ugly place.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">So important to take time to be still and find truth. The act of actual spiritual reflection may itself be beyond the reach of the person with ME due to massive brain fog and depleted mental energy . </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The carer too may struggle to find the time for self reflection and spiritual awareness, so easily caught up in the business of the day.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yet there are great rewards to take space and enter into a reflective mind in whatever way is possible, even if that mind feels empty, yet still God is with you. Perhaps some ray of light might illuminate the fog, might show a path through busy ness , might fill the heart and mind with a peace beyond the world and deposit a word of wisdom, not previously known or sought after : the blessing of the day.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span>Let us ask God then to help us be still inside a moment, then, so that we can reflect His love and grace in the world, not be so diminished by the ravages of illness that we feel we have no reflection at all, or worse, mirror back the cruelty, neglect and unkindness that we so often experience ourselves. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">May his blessing lead us to knew knowledge and awareness, touched by love. Amen</span><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579412447766332864.post-82935705801843534222012-03-10T11:32:00.003-08:002012-03-10T11:59:21.491-08:00Trials<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJQuoV9Sr1ES82ybavB6IWS8RYFRlSEpgNzUtDgc3qoB_vdV_cb-GwVxBG1XUJyafbFhdhblTLr0OLJXMXYJrrxjeFOqiAGysb8gQxN4m2OGqapsVra9R68rdJn-YZtSWhbemgzpVRHQ/s1600/trials.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJQuoV9Sr1ES82ybavB6IWS8RYFRlSEpgNzUtDgc3qoB_vdV_cb-GwVxBG1XUJyafbFhdhblTLr0OLJXMXYJrrxjeFOqiAGysb8gQxN4m2OGqapsVra9R68rdJn-YZtSWhbemgzpVRHQ/s1600/trials.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Trials come every day with Severe ME , for the person who has it does not have the energy or functional ability to deal with even the ordinary requirements of every day living. </span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Even getting dressed is a huge problem. Washing your hair , brushing your teeth, eating your breakfast, drinking anything, communicating, all are major challenges way beyond the ordinary recurrent every day reach of the person. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is hard to relate to their reality it is so physically crushed and tiny. Even living in the same space the reality of experience is not the same for the carer and the person with Severe ME. </span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">This can easily be forgotten. It can even be a trial how to exist together in the same space with such acute hypersensitivity and physical illness making huge demands on awareness, time and energy.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is where we need to turn to God, to find peace and stillness, to try and cope and make sense of a bizarre situation. Life can be come fragmented, disjointed, disturbing and discordant.</span><br />
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<div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let us turn then to prayer and communion with each other and the Lord and beg him to free us from distress and comfort us in our limitations, find blessings and hope and a way through the struggles to a brighter place of peacefulness - where connection is possible and we can rise above all trials. Amen.</span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579412447766332864.post-61798728302363544992012-03-09T11:22:00.002-08:002012-03-09T11:22:52.743-08:00Managing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisd7yk8AdbGnlq5HYNeNNbfixW9X81PgxupoJi3r7ChjhMS0h4QvIjpOcbZi8VhyphenhyphenKW2i16CQ75nK0Mwgd2teF9yKHwEIgrYQ02uWD82SoeMwJfju-DPsHwjwXHT_my-A5XwhZcjoyK4LI/s1600/managing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisd7yk8AdbGnlq5HYNeNNbfixW9X81PgxupoJi3r7ChjhMS0h4QvIjpOcbZi8VhyphenhyphenKW2i16CQ75nK0Mwgd2teF9yKHwEIgrYQ02uWD82SoeMwJfju-DPsHwjwXHT_my-A5XwhZcjoyK4LI/s320/managing.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It never really feels like we are managing. All day long is a constant dance with severe ME calling the tune. You want something. You cannot have it. You hope for something. You are disappointed. You demand you can do it. You still cannot do it. It just simply does not work like that. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">You cannot fathom out the beat, nor the rhyme, nor the reason , most of the time. Managing ME then is simply impossible really. </span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The best we can manage to do is not despair but leap over the hurdles thrown in the path of life by ME and all its complex symptoms and torments , in order to find moments of love, moments even of happiness, moments of calm , moments of inner peace and oneness.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">This then is our aim. To manage not to fall into the many traps of the day, set by the illness that can unhinge us and lead us away from stillness and flowing together . For this we need God, to rely on, to lead us and lift us and hold us and comfort us , to bless us and keep us safe. Amen</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579412447766332864.post-79026307708978187242012-03-08T11:08:00.000-08:002012-03-08T11:08:15.216-08:00Overloaded<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-svK7RRqRluJZiO3UY764ocJI43ZZLvkRPM-01cKG4ZvDgBwwcbG4bogDTSrrfWMMd29aZJPfG0TVhY7DNNca_Pg20EFWOnIHltU2c5UFWyK_Wy5nFcph-CyPUmkEtMTubiTRRKhl7C4/s1600/overloaded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-svK7RRqRluJZiO3UY764ocJI43ZZLvkRPM-01cKG4ZvDgBwwcbG4bogDTSrrfWMMd29aZJPfG0TVhY7DNNca_Pg20EFWOnIHltU2c5UFWyK_Wy5nFcph-CyPUmkEtMTubiTRRKhl7C4/s320/overloaded.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><br />
<div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Every day the person with ME is overloaded with the intense range of symptoms that jangle and rage through the body. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Any external pressure or stress, on top of an already physically stressed body can easily become too much to cope with, very quickly.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The person who lives for and cares for the person with ME is also overloaded, with all the worry of what to do and not to do, of how to get proper medical advice and appropriate treatment, with the constant anxiety and threat of deterioration, with a host of other things coming from the strains and stresses of living in the world and maintaining a household with and for the person, to name but a few.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The ME is unrelenting, it never goes away, it never slows down, it demands total focus, it can be utterly overwhelming. It is in this overloaded state that we come to God, not necessarily peaceful, not necessarily present, not necessarily focused on Him and yet needing His tranquility and solace, His comfort and consolation, His light, His wisdom, His healing balm, His power to transform, His hope to transfigure, His mercy to pour into all that needs healing, all that is unforgiven. </span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="Body1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is how we turn to Him today and ask for His blessing. Amen</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0