The Familiar of My Childhood

When I was 12 years old I moved in with my older sister (by 15 yrs) and her husband and children. They were very active in a large Lutheran church in town and it became my second home. I knew every nook and cranny in that vast space and I loved everything about it.

The Lutheran church uses a lot of liturgy and hymns in their worship services. Some people would find liturgy boring, but for me it is familiar and comforting. Do any of you remember Katherine Koob who was one of the many Americans held hostage by the Iranians for 444 days back in 1979? She said that the liturgy and hymns she learned as a child are what got her through those terrible times. It made so much sense to me. The traditional liturgy used over and over again during my childhood became deeply ingrained in me and has gotten me through many tough times. In fact, even though I listen to and enjoy all kinds of worship and singing, when I hear the liturgy and hymns from my childhood I feel like I have "come home."

I know that I was blessed to have a church home during an important part of my growing up years. Now that I am homebound and unable to attend worship services, I realize how special it is to have that fellowship of believers. At this time in my life I find that fellowship on the radio, TV or internet. What a blessing!

Liturgy is defined as a ceremony, rite, ritual, etc. We all have those no matter what church we attend, and I expect that each of us turns to the familiar of our faith during the tough times. We could loosely define Spiritual Sundays as a form of liturgy itself. A weekly ritual for a growing number of us who wish to worship and inspire others with the written word. Whether I am listening to the liturgy of my childhood, hearing familiar hymns and scriptures, or reading the inspirational writings of others, I am able to find comfort and peace in the action. Worshiping our Lord "brings me home". May it be the same for you..

Please visit Spiritual Sundays at http://www.bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/

A Fresh Start

We are now in the first week of the first year of a new decade. ~2010~ Wow! A new beginning! A fresh start! A clean slate. We are able to look forward with anticipation to what lies ahead!

God has given all of us a fresh start too. As children of God, we have been made clean through the blood of Jesus Christ. Isaiah 1:18 says, "Come now let us reason together: though your sins are like scarlet, they are now white as snow, though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool."

We have an awesome God who forgives our sins, cleanses us, and provides us with a fresh start each and every day! What a precious gift.


Thanks to Charlotte and Ginger who provide us with Spiritual Sundays at www.bloggerspirit.blogspot.com. Visit them and be blessed.

Abundance

As I reflect on this past year, I remember with  gratefulness the many times God has walked with us through difficult circumstances. Cancer, surgery, Lyme, disability, a family crisis, and more have taken us to our knees in 2010 ~ right where we belong.  An abundance of blessings have taken us to our knees as well.  We have much to be thankful for, and I know all of you feel the same way.

Life can be messy, but it is also amazing, so as 2011 begins and our adventure continues, I pray each of you continue to be anointed with an abundance of love, joy, laughter, inspiration, and healing.  May God's grace be with you.

Happy New Year!

 

Thankful Thursday Thinking

From Jeremiah 29:11 (The Message)

"I know what I am doing. I have it all planned out~ plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for."

Today I am giving thanks for God's deep abiding love, for the miracles he performs in our lives, for the mountains He moves to accomplish His will and purpose. For being able to rest in the assurance of God having my life all planned out.

Today I am giving thanks for each of you who visit my blog and the many blessings I have received in your comments here and the postings on your blogs. I am giving thanks that God brought you into my life as part of His plan.

Today I give thanks that 2009 with all its medical challenges is coming to a close, and that no matter what the future holds, I know who holds the future!

I am rejoicing and claiming 2010 as a year of healing! I look forward to the journey with God.

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Shelter

This week we had our first big snow storm of the year. Between Tuesday afternoon and early Thursday morning nearly 11 inches of snow fell and winds were at 25-35mph with gusts up to 52mph! We stayed snug inside our warm and cozy home with little evidence that a storm was raging outside. If we opened the door a cold blast would come in along with stinging snow, but as long as we stayed inside our sturdy home we were safe.


Thinking about how safe and secure our home was, took me back to when we lived in The Philippines and went through a powerful typhoon. Our home was built from cement blocks that were then filled with wet cement. It was not going anywhere. The winds were fierce ~ over 120 mph and the rains were torrential. The electricity went out, and as we sat in the dark there was little evidence in our home of what was going on outside. The only evidence was the water that kept seeping in under our front door from the heavy rain. As long as we swept it back outside we were fine. Safe from harm.


Kind of like our relationship with God isn't it. Storms come into our lives. It is really not possible to avoid them, but as long as we stay sheltered in the arms of our Lord, we will be safe no matter what comes our way. Oh, sometimes "water" tries to seep into our stronghold ~ maybe fear over a diagnosis, worry when money is scarce, or despair when a loved one dies. The results of these and other heavy burdens may find their way in under our door, but as long as we use our faith and God's strength to sweep them back out, we will be safe. Protected by our Heavenly Father's steadfast love for us. He is and always will be our shelter in the storm.

Psalm 91:1 "He who dwells in the shelter of the most high, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust."

For more inspirational posts visit Charlotte and Ginger at Spiritual Sundays.
www.bloggerspirit.blogspot.com