Posts Tagged ‘Christian’
Timing
By Deanna Cook We all want good things to happen in our lives, but too often we want it now… not later. David was anointed king when he was a teenager and then he had to wait fourteen years. Abraham had to wait 25 years for the birth of his son Isaac. Noah had to wait 120 years from the time God told him to build the ark until the time of the flood actually occurred. They all had to wait on God’s timing and the time prepared them for the next phase in their lives. When God directs our paths, He sometimes leads…
Read MoreI Am Waiting
By Marilyn Muller I am waiting for a plane which will take me west after a ten days’ stay with my daughter Rachael, her partner Christian and Alexi, our 7-1/2-year-old grandson. The folks here are at least bilingual, two are at least trilingual, with some hints of at least two more languages being understood and spoken. Last year when I visited, Christian’s guideline was “English only used when Grandma’s present.” During this visit, the guidelines have been softened and I find myself listening to conversations in French, Russian, and a dash of English. Alexi, my grandson, has done his best to patiently explain any of the…
Read MoreLegacy
A stuffy senior’s residence may seem like a strange place to find some direction for my life, but as many Bible characters could attest, God can use all kinds of people, places, and events to get our attention. I volunteer at our local nursing home. I quite enjoy visiting with my elderly friends and hearing their stories. Several of them are just longing to have someone show interest in what they have to say. Some residents are eager to share some of their memories – stories of their family members, their accomplishments or their former work. Other residents feel they…
Read MoreWhen I Grow Up
By Arlene Manson Last fall, I finally got a permanent job after six years of term positions. The goal I was working for – a permanent job – had been achieved. And this past spring, I turned 50. At this point, my life has kind of settled. So, what or where do I want to go next? This period of life has put me in a reflective mood. Lately, I have been reading books on spiritual disciplines and the like. I am trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. I know that I want…
Read MoreIn Every Breath
By Esther Dupperon After 45 minutes of twisting, stretching, and bending we were told to lay on our yoga mats and relax. How wonderful. The instructor put on some music, led us through a breathing practice, and then through a guided meditation. I fell asleep. Since that time, I have participated in many meditations, some simple breathing and some lasting hours. Sometimes I fall asleep, sometimes I am unable to focus my mind or relax my body. Other times, I have had a sense of peace, relaxation, and a closeness to God. Meditation can be prayerful, relaxing or mindful. It always…
Read MorePrayer Journaling
By Ruth Pradzynski I remember several years ago at a Christian women’s meeting, the speaker challenged us: “If there was one thing that you could do that would make a difference in your spiritual life this year, what would it be? I challenge you to do that one thing.” I knew right away what my one thing would be: to have a daily quiet time with God. I had never done this consistently, and I thereupon set a goal, to have a quiet time with God, daily. And it truly transformed my life. I had always “not been good at”…
Read More