Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts

Tuesday, 22 April 2014

I listen

I listen 
in the dead of night
silence beckons
anxiety wains 
in moonlight dances.

I listen
at the break of dawn
choruses singing
revelation heard
as creation blooms.

I listen 
stark choices
reality biting
faith grows 
in daytime choices.

I listen
your voice 
exposed.

©Revdjo 22/4/14 






Tuesday, 1 April 2014

Lent 2014 - 31st March: swimming



I have always loved to swim. I wouldn't say I'm a particularly strong swimmer but I enjoy swimming up and down the pool. Today's simple pleasure is swimming. Sometimes we can feel that we are swimming against the tide. Sometimes we perceive the waves to be massive and much bigger than they actually are. Sometimes we can feel like we are drowning in life. Life can be hard and demanding. Following Jesus doesn't mean we will never face trials. Being a Christian isn't easy. Life isn't easy. Trusting Jesus is not always easy but yet he asks us to put out faith in him during these difficult times. 

When I am in the swimming pool I feel close to God. It has become a time of centering prayer for me. No need to speak words but just to be with God. As I swim I sense God around me. He is to my right and to my left keeping me safe, he is below me keeping me afloat, he is above me keeping a watchful eye, and he is before me guiding my way. Spending time in the water cleanses and refreshes me in a spiritual way. I leave my troubles on the side of the pool and I try not to take them home with me.

A simple pleasure to give thanks for - swimming. Jump in, the water is warm!

Monday, 24 March 2014

Lent 2014 - 24th March: Prayer


Today's simple pleasure is prayer. Some people get hung up on what words to use to pray, many dislike praying out loud. Prayer is simply talking to God. He doesn't expect us to use fancy long words only to be honest with how we are feeling. I have times when I stop and pray, such as before I go to sleep at night, but most of my prayer is on the go. Something comes into my mind and I have a conversation with God about it. If I'm annoyed, or angry, or sad, or happy I pray, wherever I am. Prayer is one of the simple pleasures of my faith.

Is there something you need to pray about? 

Thursday, 19 September 2013

The Mind of Christ

Baptist Church meetings are all about finding the mind of Christ. They are not a democracy where everyone votes in an expression of their opinion but rather a theocracy where we seek to find the mind of Christ and listen to what God says about any one issue. This was on my mind as I wrote this poem. Let me know if you like it. I always have difficulties in knowing if what I write is hitting the spot or not. 



The mind of Christ
Is always there.
We search in earnest
And see him there.

He's in the midst
He weeps with you.
Sorrow and pain
Are in his stare.

Look up to Jesus
Nailed to a tree.
forgiven sinner
that's you and me.

Watch, listen.
Understand.
We tread the path
on solid ground.

And pray we must
to seek his face,
With bended knee
Humility.

The mind of Christ
He's in the midst.
Look up to Jesus
Watch, listen
And Pray we must.

Revdjo 18/9/13

Friday, 19 July 2013

What helps you to pray?




I like things around me to make me think and, in turn, to pray. The above photo, and the one bellow, were taken in my study. So, what inspires you? What helps you to imagine and dream of possibilities yet to be? What helps you to pray?


I like to laugh as often as I can. Life really is too short to be grumpy, besides we use less muscles to smile then we do to frown. So sit for a moment, have a cup of tea, and think of the things that make you laugh. They are usually free! Perhaps its as simple as chatting with a friend?

Maybe it's nature that inspires you, maybe it's words, maybe you dream of possibilities when you sleep? I have said before, I am at my most creative late at night, normally before I drift off to sleep. This is also the time I am most relaxed and most receptive to God's voice. Yes, there are other times and in my quest to seek God's face I have found solace in quiet days (retreats from the outside world), and alone pottering in the garden, and just recently in the middle of the swimming pool where I felt God's still small voice says to me, 'I'm here.' God is all around us. It's a question of us connecting with him. So how do we do it? 

As I reflect on my sign that says 'sit long, talk much, laugh often' I wonder can I apply this to my prayer life? Have you tried pouring your heart out to God recently? Try it. Go on give it a go... Shout at him. Scream at him. Tell him how you feel. Jump up and down. Cry, laugh, but be honest, honest with your emotions. There is nothing like a heart wrenching prayer. God hears the cry of our heart. He is there, talk to him, he's waiting for that long chat and for you to tell him how you feel. And then listen... wait for him to respond. Feel his peace, the peace that passes all understanding.
 


Luke 12:22-31 NRSV

22 He said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. 30 For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

Wednesday, 19 June 2013

Insomnia and poetry


When I can't sleep I tend to write. I am naturally a night owl and feel more creative at night. Having recently come back from a holiday in Corfu full of late nights my body clock is completely out of sync. Tonight I watched the film insomnia with Al Pacino and Robin Williams. Pacino's character is a cop tying to solve a murder investigation that takes him to Alaska. Alaska has long daylight hours in the summer that extend into the night making sleep difficult. Pacino's character can't cope with this and goes around in a daze because of lack of sleep from insomnia. I go through stages of having difficulty sleeping. It's fine when I get there but drifting off is not always easy. I can't sleep without blackout blinds and complete silence. Ticking clocks are banned, snoring husbands are often jabbed in the side, and noisy neighbours exterminated. OK, well maybe not the last one but you get the drift. I call my preferred sleep pattern 'Jo time' which means sleeping about 2.00am and waking about 9.00am. I have been on extended Jo time which is fine for holidays and essay writing (I finished my last essay required for my Baptist minister accreditation recently) but not good now that I am back at work. Last night was my worse night sleep, if you can call it that, for a long time. When I was at college facing an essay deadline I would stay up all night writing, I wrote better and faster at night than in the morning, it made good sense to me. My husband is a lark and goes to work very early. He would be going to work and I would just be going to bed about 5.00am. We still laugh about that. This morning he was surprised to find me wide awake at 4.30am when he was leaving for working. Somewhat dazed from lack of sleep and extremely overtired but happily writing silly poems. 

I like the quietness and solitude I find at night when the rest of the world is still. The only sound being the neighbours cats bounding through the cat-flap to steal my cats' food. I feel closest to God during that time. This is often when he speaks to me, or at least this is when I hear his voice more clearly. 

Here are my silly poems written in the wee small hours, just for your amusement.


Sardines

The arch of the back.
The curve of spine.
She stretches her paws,
Her claws open wide

The roar of the fire.
The spitting of logs.
She opens her eyes,
Her body unties.

The sound of the can.
The smell of sardines.
She yawns and blinks,
Her nose twitches quick.

The call of her name.
The reality dawns.
She pounces once more,
Her tail leaves through the door.

The purr from the floor.
The look of delight.
She eats and eats,
Her yearning now ceased.

The head lifted high.

The cleaning of fur.
She returns to her seat,
Her home by my feet.


© revdjo 19/6/13






Sleep is elusive
 
Sleep is elusive
She hides in the night.
Is she under the bed covers
When I turned out the light?
I saw her at lunch time
About 2 o'clock.
She called out my name
But I couldn't stop.

Sleep is elusive
She hides in the night.
Is she under the pillow
When I ponder at night?
I caught a glimpse
But only a fraction.
I held out my hand
It was just a distraction.

Sleep is elusive
She hides in the night.
Is she laughing at me
When I try to unwind?
I poured her warm milk
I offered her wine.
I ran her a bath
But still she declined.

Sleep is elusive
She hides in the night.
Is she sleeping at your house
And playing around?
I gave her my heart
And my soul, my mind.
I offered her cream cakes
And toad in the hole.

I know that I'm desperate
And clutching at straws
But it's almost tomorrow
The birds beckon dawn.
She's all that I have,
She's all that I dream for.
Tell her I love her
I forgive her once more...

As long as she promises
To knock at my door.

Sleep is elusive
She hides in the night.
She's fickle that women
Who runs in the night.


© revdjo 19/6/13




Friday, 19 April 2013

Dear God

I came across this today written in my first year of training for ministry as we looked at the subject of worship. Previous to that I was working at a drop-in for young people which you can probably tell by some of the language I used to express myself. I can't say this is the best thing I have ever written but it made me smile so thought I would share it, well for a short time anyway!


Dear God

I love you.
I worship you.
I adore you.
I know you but I long to know you more.
Holiness is you, make me holy, make me more like you.
The world seems so full of sin,
It's difficult to know where to begin.
What do I want?
What do I need?
Do you agree or do I need to change my mind?
Forgive me for the times I moan.
Forgive me when I make you groan.
Build a hedge around you and I.
Keep me safe and free from sin.
Help me to walk close by your side
Closely with our hands entwined.

God your cool, your massive, your mine.
My Lord divine.


Wednesday, 13 March 2013

Eyes to see what is beautiful


I have a few people with pastoral needs on my heart this week. As I wrote this I was thinking not only of my need to stop for a moment but also of a young man who went into hospital on Monday for an eye operation - for new eyes!


Lord, open my eyes to see what is beautiful.
To cherish the moment of every new day.
Lord, open my ears to hear as for the first time
The dawn chorus of birds and quietness of morning.
Lord, open my heart to love those I meet.
To offer my hand in friendship and truth.
Lord, open my mind to know what is your will.
The desire to follow you every step of the way.

Let me not be too hasty, too noisy, too busy,
To make time to embrace you.

Lord, open my mouth and help me to praise you.

Revdjo 2013




Wednesday, 19 October 2011

Its been some time since my last confession

My first year of ministry has been rather hectic so I have not really had time to blog.  Hopefully I will get back in the swing of it again soon.  I was encouraged recently by one of my deacons telling me that her friend had been reading my blog and suddenly realized who I was.  At least I know my words have not been completely wasted. 

We had a great week of prayer a couple of weeks ago.  Everyone was encouraged to try as many sessions as they could and to try different ways of active praying, such as, praying through art, praying through walking, praying through music, and praying through writing.  Here is my contribution from the day on writing.  God does speak in some mysterious ways - here is my confession, however, I would point out I have never done drugs....!


Its been sometime since my last confession.
I don't know how long its been.
I know I missed the bus last week and shouted out and screamed.
If only I'd have been on time.
If only that man from number forty-nine hadn't made me read that sign.
What was he trying to tell me?
What was he trying to say?
'Keep off the grass' it read.
Its been sometime since my last confession.

Tuesday, 23 February 2010

Why do I avoid silence?


  

A rather haunting image of 'Silence'
by John Henry Fuseli (1741-1825) 



Dear God,

Speak gently in my silence.
When the loud outer noises of my surroundings
and the loud inner noises of my fears
keep pulling me away from you.
Give me ears to listen to your small, soft, voice saying:

'Come to me, you who are overburdended 
and I will give you rest...
for I am gentle and humble of heart.'

Let that loving voice by my guide.

Amen.

Why do I avoid silence?


From With Open Hands Henri J.M. Nouwen.

Sunday, 14 February 2010

Holding hands with God



As the rain hides the stars,
as the autumn mist hides the hills,
as the clouds veil the blue of the sky,
so the dark happenings of my lot
hide the shining of thy face from me.
Yet, if I may hold thy hand in the darkness,
it is enough. Since I know that,
though I may stumble in my going,
thou dost not fall.
(Celtic, unknown)


This prayer was posted by Living Wittily recently http://livingwittily.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/02/  

I like the idea of holding hands with God as I stumble in the dark.