The Prayer of Relinquishment -- Part 1

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The Prayer of Relinquishment -- Part 1

Years ago, I was captivated by A Man Called Peter, the story of Peter Marshall, the former chaplain to the Senate, as told by his wife, Catherine Marshall.  But it was Catherine herself that really drew my attention.  She had experiences with God that made me long for more than what my "camp" of Christianity had systematized.  So I began to read everything I could find about that fascinating woman.  And I searched for her writings, which at that time were few and far between...or so I thought. Though I couldn't seem to find much (that was before internet), I started to piece writings together and grew to love how she responded to the Spirit of God.

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Dust to Glory...a fresh reflection on Ash Wednesday

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Dust to Glory...a fresh reflection on Ash Wednesday

Enjoy this preview of one of our devotions in our manuscript, Glory in Disguise: Experiencing God in Our Every Day by Jan Loyd & Penny Mandeville.

Dust to Glory: Honoring a Sanctuary

… for you are dust,
    and to dust you shall return.
Genesis 3:19 ESV

These words, spoken every Ash Wednesday in many Christian churches, has taken on a new meaning for me since my 91 year old mom passed away.

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A Love Song to Jesus

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A Love Song to Jesus

When my husband John and I were seniors at the University of Arizona, the Carpenters were at the top of the music charts.   We embraced them as our group who sang our songs as we were "a-courting."  Their mellow sound and rich melodies fed our romantic feelings toward each other and toward life in general. At our wedding, we danced to, you may have guessed it, "We've Only Just Begun." Lyrics like "White lace and promises, a kiss for luck and we're on our way" made it the perfect song to start out a new marriage...or so we thought.

But as the years have rolled by and reality and maturity have set in, so has the realization that the romantic expectations of youth are so unrealistic and can only truly be fulfilled by an Almighty God.

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Valentines Day -- Loving and Being Loved

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Valentines Day -- Loving and Being Loved

Several years ago on Valentines Day, I ran to Kroger to pick up a few things.  As I got out of my car in the parking lot and walked across the lot to enter the store, I saw a man leaving, carrying a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers!   For some reason, it moved me to tears. Here was a middle-aged, short, stocky guy ... not romantic looking or attractive in any way.  And yet, I realized he was incredibly blessed because he LOVES someone.

Maybe she's a wife, a sweetheart, a daughter, a mother ... no matter, he has SOMEONE to love.

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My Friend God Sees Me, Loves Me, and Smiles ... and You too!

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My Friend God Sees Me, Loves Me, and Smiles ... and You too!

Much of my life I lived under the "frown of God," or so I thought. I wasn't a bad kid; in fact, I was quite religious and moral. But I wasn't perfect for sure. (For one thing, I was a terrible big sister, mean and self-centered toward my siblings.) But I knew God required perfection, so I was always working my way down a spiritual "to do list" of some kind (depending on the Christian group I was with. They each had their own, you know).

In fact even as Christian adult, I made up lists of my own to make me "spiritual," pleasing to God so that He would love me more and not frown so much . . .

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My Friend Leads: He's the Lord of the Dance

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My Friend Leads: He's the Lord of the Dance

My Friend Jesus is the Lord of the Dance. Many years ago He took my hand, when I was just a small child and invited me into His dance.

And so moment by moment, day by day, we dance together through my life. At times I may stumble, but He has me in His strong but kind and gentle grip. And so we keep on dancing together.

I would never change partners…I couldn’t, because He would never let me go. I am His and He is mine. We are friends and dance partners.

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Receiving My WORD in my Loneliness -- FRIEND!

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Receiving My WORD in my Loneliness -- FRIEND!

In the early morning hours of this New Year, in the throes of my loneliness, I received the WORD that has been simmering deep in my soul, warming my heart for days, weeks — no months, even years —- FRIEND!

I am a friend of God, but more importantly…HE is MY Friend!

I had been so convinced my word for this year was “Light/Revelation.” But then I remembered that this warming thought of Friendship with God was grabbing me everywhere and at all times. His Whispers have followed me for years:

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Receiving Your WORD for 2023

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Receiving Your WORD for 2023

Here we are again, friends. Another year has past, and for many it’s a time for the infamous “New Year’s Resolutions.” But several years ago I turned away from that initially hopeful, but later, dreaded “setting yourself up for failure,” tradition to a new thing altogether.

Resolutions are no temptation to me anymore. I’ve given up trying to change myself by my own self-effort. The indwelling Christ is my “Game-changer” and my “Life-changer.” And a few years ago, He brought a lovely “new thing” to my attention … the idea of a word for my year.

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Jesus, Joy of the Highest Heaven (A Children's Carol)

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Jesus, Joy of the Highest Heaven (A Children's Carol)

There's a song that's been going through my mind and heart these Advent days.  I even find myself bursting into a line of lyric here and there. The thoughts I love most in it are truths that have become more and more precious to me as I reflect Advent after Advent -- that our Emmanuel came to earth from heaven, not just to pay for our sins (as crucial as that is), but also to give us His divine eternal LIFE...deity indwelling our humanity.  We can become children of Almighty God!!!

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Darkness to Light: Disappointment to Hope

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And those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death,
Upon them a Light dawned.
Matthew 4:16 NASB

I love this verse…it makes me think of Jesus the Son of God, the Light of my world … not just at Christmas, but every day of my life.

And this Christmas, the darkness could flood in for me. John and I have COVID during this most anticipated time of the year. All kinds of missed celebrations and holiday concerts and most of all, extended times with our “treasured ones.”

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A Cappella "Mary, Did You Know?" Backstory and Song

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A Cappella "Mary, Did You Know?" Backstory and Song

Emmanuel … GOD with us! Jesus Christ, the Son of God became the Son of Man. This is Mystery without parallel.

No wonder this songwriter meditated for years to convey the depths of it all. Here is the backstory to what has become one of our current favorite Christmas songs … followed by a breathtaking performance.

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Balancing Acceptance and Hope: How to Make It through a CRISIS at the Holidays or Any Day

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Balancing Acceptance and Hope: How to Make It through a CRISIS at the Holidays or Any Day

Here I am with COVID just a week before Christmas. And I am living this message of acceptance and hope because of the Holy Spirit who lives in me.

Are you sick, struggling, away from loved ones, …? Why not reflect and receive from the Holy Spirit for your TODAY.

. . . The two things kept in balance are “accepting our present reality” and “holding on to hope” at the same time….

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FEAR NOT: Every Day of the Year

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FEAR NOT: Every Day of the Year

My Child...

Fear not...you are never alone for I am with you!

Fear not...you are never left out for you are one with Me !

Fear not...you are never condemned, but always accepted! I not only love you...I like you!

Fear not...you are always adequate with My adequacy...no matter how helpless and inadequate you feel!

Fear not...you are alive with my everlasting, indestructible life, no matter how dead you feel inside! I am your Life!

I AM in your "right here, right now," whether it be suffering in a hospital room or struggling over a wardrobe choice in your closet...and everything in between...I am with you!

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