Category Archives: Religion and Spirituality

Mercy…

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divine-mercy

Mercy the eyes searching down into the valley for any sign of return…

Mercy the eyes of love awaiting.

Mercy the ears attuned to the cry of souls drowning in their stench…

Mercy the ears of love listening.

Mercy the lips inhaling/exhaling the names of the lost ones…

Mercy the lips of love calling.

Mercy the feet trudging through the ditch to rescue the bondaged …

Mercy the feet of love running.

Mercy the arms of strength magnificent lifting in resurrection the lifeless souls…

Mercy the arms of love lifting.

Mercy the embrace of extravagant love wrapping the broken in wholeness and healing…

Mercy the embrace of love encircling.

Mercy the love that invites us home.

Lights to the Lost…Beacons to the Broken…

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Technicolor JOY…

image via devotionalchristian.com

Colorfully expressed through the uniqueness of who we were created to be.

Not a hippy-hoppy-happy indifference toward those around us.

A kaleidoscope of souls reflecting prisms of the light of truth…

WE ARE NO LONGER DEAD IN SIN.

But ALIVE in vibrant hope of new life…

Reflections of the Praise of His Glory…

Lights to the Lost…Beacons to the Broken…

Joy lived in Love

Yes, we are the Easter people and Hallelujah is our song!

image via fromtheheartofj

“May we shout for joy at your victory, raise the banners in the name of our God.” Ps 20:6

Living Water…

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Living water..

image via fromtheheartofj

image via fromtheheartofj

 

Flows forth from the one who believes.

YOU WHO BELIEVE are saturating the paths of those you cross.

YOU WHO BELIEVE are refreshing the tired feet of fellow sojourners.

YOU WHO BELIEVE are cooling the burn of the heavily burdened.

YOU WHO BELIEVE are cleansing the grime and dirt of the spirit of the world in the thoughts of the confused.

YOU WHO BELIEVE… streams of living water flow from you as you carry Christ within you.

YOU WHO BELIEVE…

 Go forth into your corner of the world becoming the gift of a gentle wave that readies hearts for a new springtime!

“Whoever believes in me, as scripture says; ‘Rivers of living water will flow from within him.’ “

Defiant Joy…

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What to do?…

in the mixed up, muck filled, muddled mess of the world?

in the darkening, dismal, disconnected, depressing days?

A friend whispered….

defiant joy…

defiant joy?

Ah Yes, DEFIANT JOY!…

image via fromtheheartofj

image via fromtheheartofj

 

challenging, daring, defying, commanding JOY!

bold, brazen, hardy, gutsy JOY!

resistant to the opposing force…

DEFIANT JOY!

“rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength” Neh 8: 10b

At the Gate of the Year…

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And I said to the one who stood at the gate of the year…

image via fromtheheartofj

image via fromtheheartofj

 

“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”

And he replied, “Go out into the darkness and put your hand in the hand of God.

That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”

Minnie Haskins

“For I am the Lord,  your God, who grasp your right hand.  It is I who say to you, “Fear not, I will help you.” Is 41: 13

May your journey ahead into the year 2013 always be hand in hand with God. Happy New Year! May God be forever praised!

Level Ground…

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I just got glasses…Been a bit strange wearing them.
image via fromtheheartofj

I feel very tall…everyone looks short…I feel like I’m walking downhill uphill.

Has made me think about Perspective.

“Let your nose point first to what you want to look at…then find the sweet spot where things that are blurry become clear, ” said Martha with the white hair.

Good advice. Don’t you think?

It’s not enough just to set your eyes on where you want to go…your body needs to move in the same direction.

And aren’t we all looking for that sweet spot – that God perspective – where things blurry become focused and clear?

I’m finding it takes some practice…and patience… intention… and good humor.

Hopefully in time the journey will no longer all seem downhill uphill.

It will become level ground.

“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.  May your kind spirit guide me on ground that is level. ” Psalm 143:10

An Irish Christmas Blessing…

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An Irish Christmas Blessing…

The Light of the Christmas star to you…

image via fromtheheartofj

image via fromtheheartofj

The warmth of home and hearth to you…

The cheer and good will of friends to you…

The hope of a childlike heart to you…

The joy of a thousand angels to you…

The Love of the Son and God’s peace to you.

image via fromtheheartofj

image via fromtheheartofj

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL…a bit late …but still in the Octave of Christmas!

God’s Peace, Love and Joy in abundance, Fromtheheartofj : )

 

Holy Innocents…

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image via fromtheheartofj

image via fromtheheartofj

We read in Matthew chapter 2 that when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, King Herod, fearing for his throne, ordered that all the male infants of Bethlehem be killed.  These children are regarded as martyrs for the Gospel.

A Prayer to the Holy Innocents

Holy Innocents, you died before you were old enough to know what life means, pray for all children who die young that God may gather them into His loving arms.

Holy Innocents, you were killed because one man was filled with hatred, pray for those who hate that God may touch their hearts and fill them with love.

Holy Innocents, you experienced a violent death, pray for all who are affected by violence that they may find peace and love.

Holy Innocents, your parents grieved for you with deep and lasting sorrow, pray for all parents who have lost young children that God may wrap a warm blanket of comfort around them.

Holy Innocents, those around you certainly felt helpless to prevent your deaths, pray for all who feel helpless in their circumstances that they may cling to God for courage and hope.

Holy Innocents, you who are now in Heaven, pray for all of us that one day we may join you there to bask in God’s love forever.

Amen.

(author of prayer unknown)