Prayer

TEACH ME TO PRAY

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Before beginning our day above everything we need to pray. But even that discipline will be useless and dry without the help of the Holy Spirit. When we go to our knees and quickly bring our needs as we see them we miss the moment for which prayer is designed to bring us.

There is a song that says, “There’s a garden where Jesus is waiting. And He asks you to come meet Him there.” He is the gentle Master waiting for us to hear what He has to say. Of how much more value will we be to those around us when we have heard from Jesus than when we simply repeat our morning prayers? How much more we will have to give when we have had a drink from the well of Bethlehem?

And David said with longing, “Oh, that someone would give me a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!” II Samuel 23:15

Retirement in 3 Chapters

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Just 6 months ago my wife and I decided to finally make the decision to retire and move to Florida. She had finished her chemotherapy and was recovering her strength. The sale of our business was finalized and the transition completed. Even our kids and grandkids were urging us to make the plunge. Everything seemed so right and we moved ahead with as much enthusiasm as we could towards a new and uncertain future. For the benefit of anyone in our position or who are thinking about retirement here are three chapters we have passed through. Some days have been great and some have been stressed and even traumatic.

Chapter One… Wahoo we’re in Florida! No more ice..no more snow…no more 4-5 long colorless months of barren cold landscapes!!

Chapter Two…oh noooo we’re in Florida! It’s 1200 miles to the nearest friend or family. Everybody seems to be trying to sell us something and the water tastes like someone washed their gym socks in it!

Chapter Three… Oh I see -God has been in Florida long before we came. He knows all the answers and has called this new place our home!

Peace in Confusing Times

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The God who we say we serve is the God of all peace. As we prepare our hearts before receiving communion we should also prepare our attitudes before rushing off to church. When this first half of St Francis’ prayer should becomes our own then the God of all peace will meet us there and do what only He can do!

Prayer of St Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.