Adventures inspired by Ken, and listen for the Whispers

"Archer's Paradox" Chapter 10 of Whisper: How to Hear the Voice of God by Mark Batterson

"Broken can be beautiful. For it's in that brokenness that we find hope. It's in that hope we find healing. And it's in that healing that we are made more beautiful and stronger than ever before." ~ David Arms Artist 

Cloud of witnesses: "anybody and everybody who has influenced our lives... family and friends, coaches and teachers, and pastors and authors. To believe that any of those people are in our lives by happenstance is to grossly underestimate the sovereignty of God. He wants to use them to speak into our lives, and He wants to use us to speak into theirs” p.131 Whisper by Mark Batterson

Choice architects: "those who design nudges" p.162 Whisper by Mark Batterson

 source

"Every pleasure in its purest from is a gift from God." p. 172 Whisper by Mark Batterson 

"...For my strength is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9

"God's promptings...listening to those whispers and obeying them can turn an ordinary day into the adventure of a lifetime!" p.150 Whispers by Mark Batterson 

Inside the Lobster Trap Tree 

Joystick, Chapter 11, Whisper by Mark Batterson "Joy that doesn't deny reality, but does defy it... It's not just jumping for joy; it's dancing on disappointment." p. 171 Whisper by Mark Batterson

Kairos is qualitative. Ancient Greek term translated as the “right time” or “opportune moment”

 source

Life turns on a dime, and the dime is the decisions that change the trajactory of our lives forever. P.151

Mom & Me "Making the most of every opportunity " p. 149 Whisper and Ephesians 5:16

"Our weakness is actually our strength because that's where God's power is made perfect." ~ Mark Batterson summary of 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 He adds: "Our spiritual journeys are anything but linear. They are full of zigs and zags, ups and downs... Yet God never stops loving us through every season of life." p. 177 Whisper 

Psalm 90:12 Teach us to number our days...

"Quadruply sure Saul heard His voice." p. 159 Whisper by Mark Batterson

"Redeem the time" Ephesians 5:16

“Sometimes I do get to places just when God’s ready to have somebody click the shutter.” – Ansel Adams

 want a wonderful book! 

"...Uses the least qualified candidate to accomplish His plans and purposes. p. 157

"...Volume: [turn it up] on the still small voice of God and make sure He's the loudest Voice in our lives."  p. 167 Whisper: How to Hear the Voice of God by Mark Batterson

"When God gives the vision,  He makes the provision. " p.163 Whisper by Mark Batterson

EXegesis : literary genre: is a critical explanation or interpretation of a text. Traditionally, the term was used primarily for work with religious texts, especially the Bible.

Your obedience- whether it's praying,  serving or giving-- might just be somebody else's miracle." p. 162

Zipolite is a low-key beach resort on Mexico’s Pacific coast in the state of Oaxaca.

 photo by Ken Law

Matrix by Lauren Groff

 "All souls are limited in the circles of their own understanding." p. 146

Broom flower grows along the side of the road behind tennis courts at Meredith French broom, Genista monspessulana not far from one of my favorite trees 

Catalpa - I knew I could find a connection with Martha :)

"Everything spins and Marie is falling"

For Marie herself as abbess is the broom flower growing up through the abbey and it is her strength alone that holds it aloft." p. 101

Gems were but a few in this one, but I enjoy stay focused by creating lists like this

"It is her daughter's faith that shines brightly as a moon, the light of the darkening sky." p. 101

J

“Known suffering, redemption, resurrection, the horse, Marie believed, had become a kind of equine saint.”

“Nothing is all stark and clear any longer, nothing stands in opposition. Good and evil live together; dark and light. Contradictions can be true at once. The world holds a great and pulsing terror at its center. The world is ecstatic in its very deeps.”

"One day they will see the majesty she holds within herself and feel awe." p. 45

“Open your hands and let your life go. It has never been yours to do with what you will.”

"Patience, she tells herself. Strike in rage, and all that you have built in this place could collapse.

Q

Radiance bleeds from the day... p. 100

She can feel in her own skin their wonder

"Thus does power corrode the mind and the soul..." p. 230 “Those to whom God has given 

Understanding and eloquence must not be silent or hide their gift, but must return the gift so that it flowers under the admiration of others.”

Visions are not complete until they have been set down and stepped away from, turned this way and that in the hand." p. 101

W

X

Y

Z

I am... Inspired

Amazing ~ Psalm 139:14

Beautiful ~ Ecclesiastes 3:11

Created by God ~ Genesis 1:31

Devoted

Enough 2 Corinthians 12:9

Fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

Holy and blameless in His sight Ephesians 1:4

"I AM a child of God! I just wanted you to know." ~ Hannah Overcomer

Jesus' friend, therefore Joyous and free

Kind

Loved, Listening, "Learn[ing] to discern the voice of God in new ways." p. 62 Whisper: How to Hear the Voice of God by Mark Batterson

Made in His image

Nearer to God

Peaceful

Quickened in the Quiet

Redeemed

Saved

Thankful and Thriving

United

Valiant and daring...

Wanted

eXpectant and alert

"Your identity will be tied to whatever you give your heart to."

Zealous for God

Whisper by Mark Batterson

A still small voice... "Adam was once a whisper." p. 9

Be still / "Bravest Prayer" Chapter 1 

Calmness; Close, in order to hear. Creation is God's symphony." p. 23

Demanah: Hebrew word for "whisper". God whispers to us through Doors, Dreams, and Desires. p.62

"Every time you listen with greater attentiveness to the voice that calls you the Beloved, you will discover with yourself a desire to hear that voice longer and more deeply. " ~ Henri J.M. Nouwen, Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World

Father's voice

Goal of hearing the heavenly Father's voice isn't just hearing His voice; it's intimacy with Him." p.9-10.

"He stilled the storm a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed (Psalm 107:29)... His whisper is gentle,  but nothing is more powerful." p. 9

"I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me." Revelation 3:20

Jesus would stop a storm in its tracks with three words "Quiet! Be still!" Mark 4:3

1 Kings 3:9 Solomon asked for a discerning heart, which literally means a "hearing heart". 117

"Lean in toward a whisper... that's what God wants" p. 11

My Utmost for His Highest, August 13 The voice of the Spirit

No form of communication is more intimate. p.9

Nothing has the potential to change your life like the whisper of God." p.11

"Obey the whisper and see what God does." p. 11

"Prayer is the difference between the best we can do and the best God can do." p.18 He converses with us through Promptings, Pain, and other People. " p. 62

 "Quiet is a think tank of the soul." ~ George Hempton "The Last Quiet Places: Silence and the Presence of Everything," interview by Krista Tippett,  On Being, December 25, 2014

Revelation 3:20 "I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me."

Solomon wanted to hear the voice of God above all else...

That gesture was the genesis of Solomon's becoming the wisest man on earth p.117

Using one's breath without one's vocal cords whisper... Isn't that how God created Adam? p.9

 “Voice of the Spirit is as gentle as a zephyr, so gentle that unless you are living in perfect communion with God, you never hear it.” ~ Oswald Chambers

eXodus 14 eXplains how God created everything : with His voice! p. 21

"You are His beloved,  and He's especially fond of you. You just have to let Him live you." p. 23

"Zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:10-13

All My Life's A Circle....

"All my life’s a circle sunrise and sundown..." ~ Harry Chapin

Blessed with a full and lovely 

Circle of friends

Daybreak comes around

Found you a thousand times 

Guess you done the same / Then we lose each other

 listen here

I found you here again / The thought runs through my mind /

Just like a children’s game

Kairos  image source 

Lion King "Circle of Life" Love and Light streaming in from above

 listen/watch here

Mary Robert's Happy New Year Message to us inspired this entire post :)

Now no straight lines make up my life / All these roads have bends / There’s no clear cut beginnings / And so far no dead ends.

Our love is like a circle / Let’s go ‘round one more time.

Powell Dr. Park 8 Jan 2018 Peaceful 

Quiche 

Rolls through the nighttime /Till the daybreak comes around...

Seasons spinning ‘round again
The years keep rolling by...

"Unwinding" is one of the words in lyrics of Elton John's "Circle of Life" Love the idea of Upward spiral rather than a circle, such that it seems the same or similar,  but we gain perspective along the way.

Valerie Lorimer Contemporary Arts from October 2015

Well, it seems like I’ve been here before / I can’t remember when / But I’ve got this funny feeling /

That we’ll all get together again. [SOMEday!]

Xmas wreaths

Zest being so near the yoga studio is a blessing and challenge.  Amazing aroma 

Fulfilling Work - this post inspired by a question in Wisdom Living by Boyd Bailey

Answering questions

Being present to and for others

Calling parents of students who have scholarship $$ waiting

Doing God's will

Earning a living wage and God's grace

Finding solutions

Growing spiritually ... God bless the work He assigns.

Honoring His plan for my life: Heavenly Father, lead me to Your work, and help me not to be distracted by other good work.

In Jesus' name, I accept the Lord's assignment. Amen 🙏

Joseph found favor because God placed him in his leadership role.

"Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." Colossians 3:24

Launching pad for the Lord to do good works through me.

Motivation behind my work: Making meaningful contributions to the community

"Never get over your gratitude to God for the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health to carry out your job responsibilities." p.166 Wisdom Living by Boyd Bailey

Opportunities to encourage Others

Psalm 90:17 "Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands."

Question that inspired this post: What brings you fulfillment in your work?

 listen/ watch here

Solving problems and Serving Christ wholeheartedly

Tracking down answers

Understanding what is needed most

"Vocational fulfillment flows from a heart engaged in a mission that means something to [me] and to the Lord...Vocational fulfillment is a faith journey that brings out the best in [me] and those [I] serve." ~ p. 162 Wisdom Living by Boyd Bailey

What brings you fulfillment in your work? "Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food." Isaiah 55:2

eXpanding skills and compassion ❤

Years of experience and more than three years here already

Zest for life

Epiphany: Another Chance to Let God ...

"I can't. He can. I think I'll let Him"  is how I remember hearing some people paraphrase the first 3 steps at 12step meetings years ago. Unfortunately, that became a heartbreaking 3-step "dance" and I'm so tired of it! Finally, through deeper reflection, prayer, and meditation (aka steps 4-12) and God's grace I "came to" again and discovered a nearly fatal flaw. The "I think" part of that mantra...Dad would call it "stinkin' thinkin' and it almost always is, especially when my mind is whirling with worry.

Admit I alone can do nothing. 

   But! with God, All things are possible

Came to believe in a power great than Jackie

Decided once and for all to turn my will and my life over to His care. Digging deeper for

Exact nature of where and how I keep "thinking"

Fearlessly searching and sharing honestly with trusted others

God, thank you for these Gems.

"How Can It Be" by Lauren Daigle

It's painful to wrestling with God.  Especially when you realize He's not even wrestling 🙄 that's one reason why "Let go. Let God" is much more effective.  🙏 

Jackie, trust me ~ God

Ken helps, Kerry and Bob help too

 

"Let us give Him our gifts, our faith, and our love." ~  The Christmas Star by Marcus Pfister 

 Mirror: I see myself in Mom and Mom in me and compassion for both of us rise to the surface

"Nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in toil.... from the hand of God,, for without Him, who can eat or find enjoyment?" Ecclesiastes 2:24-25

"Oh, the grace reaching out for me / How can it be, how can it be?" ~ Lauren Daigle

Patience / Perseverance  – Steadfast despite opposition or adversity; able or willing to bear; to Persist in understanding.

"Quiet before the Lord" p. 158 Wisdom Living by Boyd Bailey 

"Quiet and peace nestled over the land like a blanket. Inside the stable,  the Holy Child fell asleep, and the glorious Christmas Star blazed its beacon of hope over all." The Christmas Star by Marcus Pfister 

"Rest in the arms of Jesus... Come what may" ~ We Are Messengers listen here

Surrender to continual Spiritual awakening

Transforming Thoughts: BE Transformed by the renewing of your mind, through His word

Unless I turn it over and ask God for

Vocational Vision and...

Wisdom, I will not know His Will for my life and...

eXperience true freedom 

"You plead my cause, you right my wrongs / You break my chains, you overcome / You gave your life, to give me mine / You say that I am free."  ~ Lauren Daigle

Zagarenski's New Year magic message 

Feel Free (because you are!)

"And don't you look back."

"Cut the ties / Send a flare into the night / Say a prayer, turn the tide...

Dry your tears and wave goodbye." ~ Lyrics from "Burn the Ships" by for King & Country

Enough is Enough 

"Feel free!

Good advice for all of us in 2022!

Happy New Year!"

Indeed! I agree whole heartedly with

John Kincheloe's response to my request 

Ken and recently short-handed it all perfectly:

"Let that shit go" and Kerry has the shirt 

Mom

Namaste 🙏 

"Openness to the beauty of the present, whatever its shape, whatever its lack. Simplicity, clearly, leads to freedom of soul." ~ Sister Joan Chittister, Becoming Fully Human: The Greatest Glory of God

Photo by John Kincheloe new word for me: "barranca" a narrow, winding river gorge.

 "Question Marks...But I don't have to have all of the answers if You have my heart " ~  Tauren Wells 

 All Souls Jan 2, 2022

“Some days there won’t be a song in your heart. Sing anyway !” ~ Emory Austin

 Tauren Wells, Gary LeVox

"Until Grace"

“Vocational Wisdom" Principle #37 ""Follow Jesus First" pages 153-156 Wisdom Living by Boyd Bailey 

"Walking Free" by Micah Tyler

eXcellent eXcuses or move forward by faith? p. 154 Wisdom Living by Boyd Bailey 

"You gave your life to give me mine You say I'm free How can it be?" ~ Lauren Daigle 

Zach Williams "Less Like Me" listen here

Wisdom for Living by Boyd Bailey

 "Are you more anxious about what the Almighty thinks, or do you obsess over the opinion of others?" p. 115 Wisdom for Living by Boyd Bailey 

"Burn the Ships" by For King & Country listen here

“Culture sucks us in and urges us to spend not all we have but more than we have, so be on guard with a simple system for savings." p. 120 Wisdom for Living by Boyd Bailey

"Devotion to the eternal or the temporal cannot be a both/and, but is a choice of which one really captures your worship." p. 115 Wisdom for Living by Boyd Bailey

Enrichment: what Logan calls Misty's time spent sniffing around instead of walking 

"Financial Wisdom" Days 26-32 pages 101-134

 "Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back." Luke 6:30 ESV

"He longs for faithful ones who use their finances to draw lost souls to salvation, hurting people to healing, and who boldly pray, "Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven." p. 116 Wisdom for Living by Boyd Bailey 

"Indeed, if all you have left is a firm foundation of faith, begin building back God's big vision." p. 120 Wisdom for Living by Boyd Bailey

"Jesus says, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock" Matthew 7:24

Ken's class was just what I needed

"Lord makes promises He does keep - grace, forgiveness, joy, and contentment. " p. 115 Day 28 of  Wisdom for Living: A 40-day Devotional by Boyd Bailey

"Money need not become an idol in your family, rather, make it an agent for good in God's hands." p. 130 Day 31 of  Wisdom for Living: A 40-day Devotional by Boyd Bailey

"One who waters will himself be watered." Proverbs 11:25 ESV

"Question to ask is, 'Am I respectable?' " p. 142

"Remind me once again just who I am because I need to know." ~ Lauren Daigle "You Say"

  Ken sent this to me, when I needed it most.

“To be rich toward God is to be rich in good deeds, rich in generosity, and rich in relationships. p. 134 Wisdom for Living: A 40-day Devotional by Boyd Bailey

"Uncomplicated responsibilities... Uncomfortable... confidence... requires sacrificeand Unconditional commitment" pp. 145-153 Wisdom for Living: A 40-day Devotional 

“Vocational Wisdom" Days 33-40 pages 135-168

"Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, where by we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear [awe]." Hebrews 12:28

EXpose your faith to the poor [in Spirit] so you are liberated from wealth." p. 116 Wisdom for Living by Boyd Bailey

You Say by Lauren Daigle was playing as I drove to Ken's yoga class this morning, and he played it during class xoxo "I keep fighting voices in my mind that say I'm not enough... 🎶 The only thing that matters now is everything You think of me / In You I find my worth, in You I find my identity  Oh, I believe /  Taking all I have, and now I'm laying it at Your feet / You have every failure, God, You have every victory listen here

Zophar Speaks: Do you not know this from of old, since man was placed on earth, that the exulting of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless but for a moment? Job 20:4‭-‬5 ESV