Quiet and Still

 

Lost by David Wagoner

Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you

Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here,

And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,

Must ask permission to know it and be known.

The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,

I have made this place around you.

If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here.

No two trees are the same to Raven.

No two branches are the same to Wren.

If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,

You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows

Where you are. You must let it find you.

A Prayer For Every Day - November 20, my granddaughter Emma's birthday

"Eternal God, let me everyday anew be connected to you. May everything that I desire and do meet your approval. The love of Christ fills all my thoughts. Let all my strength take root in you. Amen."

The side bar comment on Jeremiah 26: 12-15 in the spiritual Formation Bible caught my attention. It is titled "Integrity at What Cost?"

Bill died at age 81, after a life of loving and serving God with great faithfulness. As you read this prayer found in Bill's Bible, note both your resistance and your affinity to these lines:

Lord, I am willing

to receive what you give

to lack what you withhold

to relinquish what you take

to suffer what you inflict

to be what you require."

Now from the same Bible the following comments on the parable of the judgment of the nations where there is the separation of the sheep and goats according to what they did and did not do to the Lord who was present in the needy around them. It is titled "A Heavenly Greeting".

Jesus reminds his followers that discipleship is about doing his work in his name. This parable inspired Christians of earlier times to list 'works of mercy.' Seven of these works deal with physical needs: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, harboring the stranger, visiting the sick, ministering to prisoners and burying the dead. Seven others deal with spiritual needs: converting the sinner, instructing the ignorant, counseling the doubtful, comforting the sorrowful, bearing wrongs patiently, forgiving injuries and praying for others. How have these works of mercy been part of your life? What type of things will God commend you for when you are judged?

From Dayspring Publishing: "You are victorious in Jesus. I am praying for you to remain strong and confident as you fight the good fight of faith knowing that He is your security.

Isaiah 54:17, "No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from me," declares the LORD."

"Whatever fascinates you will guide you, so pray that the only thing that'll fascinate you is God and God's marvelous glory." A.W. Tozer