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Speak UP!

9/20/2015

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Joy in the Morning                  

 

Do not worry beforehand about what to say.  Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit..

                                                   Mark 13:11 
Hello sweet Friend,

            Sue Monk Kidd, the author of The Secret Life of Bees and many other fiction and nonfiction works, was recently interviewed and she was talking about the three qualities of a writer.  She said, “One must have something to say, the ability to say it, and the courage to voice your authentic self.”

            Even after writing these devotionals for over five years, I still have insecurities about calling myself a writer.  When I sit down to put words onto the page, I so pray for wisdom.  When I teach, I pray for insight.  And when I preach, I always pray that my words will be acceptable to God.  I understand, at a gut level, that I am a vessel.  Exodus 4:12 has long been my comfort in these writing endeavors, “Now go; I will help you speak and teach you what to say.”  So I become still, I listen, and when I am filled, I understand that I am to pour my insights onto the page as Living Waters for others.  Long have I prayed, “Lord, use me.”   Now here is the hard part—the third part of Sue Monk Kidd’s formula for writers--the courage to voice your authentic self. 

            When we voice our Truth, it is risky.  Don’t we all long to be accepted, loved, and perceived as worthy? Yet, I urge you to continue to spread the Word of Jesus’ love.  It takes courage to tell details of your spiritual life, however, there is nothing more urgent than to share God’s word.  Ask God to use you.  Speak up!  Take a risk! Being a disciple is not for the faint of heart. God will give you the words.  Trust Him.                          Linda

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Your spiritual life on Facebook?

9/13/2015

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Joy in the Morning                      This is the day the Lord hath made;                                                             let us rejoice and be glad in it.

                                                   Psalm 118:24   
Hello Sweet Friend,

          One of my very, very favorite pastimes is to go for a walk in the early morning at Philippi Park.  The air is still coolish (for Florida in the summer), the bay is calm, and the trees sway blissfully in the gentle breeze.  This walking meditation has become part of my spiritual practice.  I sense God’s presence in a park as in no other place—my senses are heightened, my body relaxes, and I become one with nature.  As I become still, I am very aware of the sacredness of the moment.  I forget my to-do list, worries sink to the bottom of my consciousness, and my mind becomes clear and focused.  The present moment becomes a gift to be treasured—an offering from God’s own hand.

          I fret, that in our fast-paced culture, we tend to forget that we need to nourish our souls.  Our calendars oft become brutal task-masters urging us to do more and more of the urgent.  A cell call takes the place of communion with the Beloved.  A text message usurps our study of scripture.  Facebook has become our sacred text.  True, some Christians post blurbs about “If you prayed this prayer, type Amen and you will be blessed in 5 minutes.” Is that really your only connection with your Father?  A brief typed Amen in a comment box.  A glance at a picture of Christ as you scroll through the diary of your friend’s day.  Do you spend more time on the computer than on your knees? 

          Friends, I don’t want to be perceived as nagging—well, maybe I am.  I so want you to enjoy your day—your gift of joy-filled living only to be found in a personal relationship with our Savior. Make time in your day to be with HIM.                                                                                                               Linda

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