Conversations with my Granddaughter (1)

Welcome, little one. This is your grampa. You may find the world very disorientating at this moment – filled with bright lights, loud noises and strange sensations. Not to worry, little one. After all my years here, your grampa still finds the world disorientating! But slowly you will learn to adapt and push all these disorientating distractions into the background.

Aside from me, you will notice that there are many giants around you. These are called people. As you grow, you will become one of these big people. But that will be many years from now. Your only concern now is drinking, sleeping and pooing. Not to worry, this is your present vocation. World domination can wait.

I am sure you are very familiar with the warmth, smell and heartbeat of one of these big people. You feel comfortable and safe with her. She serves you breakfast, lunch, dinner and all the snacks in between from her breasts. That’s your Mummy and she loves you very much. There is another big person who likes to carry you, cuddle you, kiss you and sometimes feed you with a bottle. You do not smell breast milk on him but however you like his smell. That is your Daddy. He loves you very much too. He also loves your Mummy very much.

Little one, you will learn how important love is and how wonderful it is to be loved by many people. There is much joy and hope in love. There are also other big people. As you are sleepy now, grampa will tell you about them another day. Say hello to your guardian angel for me. Sleep tight, little one (and don't let the bed bug bite). We will talk more later.

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Teach me to stop and listen

Teach me to stop and listen,

Teach me to center down.

Teach me the use of silence,

Teach me where peace is found.

Teach me to hear Your calling,

Teach me to search Your Word.

Teach me to hear in silence,

Things I have never heard.

Teach me to be collected,

Teach me to be in tune,

Teach me to be directed,

Silence will end so soon.

Then when it's time for moving,

Grant it that I might bring,

To every day and moment,

Peace from a silent spring.

Ken Medema 

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A Fundamental Step

As fundamental a step as we can take ... is learning to meditate

on Scripture—learning first to hear God's word, and let it

inform and take root in us. This may be extremely difficult, for

the churches have no courses on meditation, despite the fact that

it is an art that must be learned from those who have mastered

and despite the fact that the supreme task of the church is to

listen to the Word of God.

Elizabeth O'Connor

Online Reading Group reading Between Heaven and Mirth

What my online reading group is reading now.

Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. Introduction and Ch. 1
Jan.2 to 8. Ch. 2
Jan. 9 to 15. " A Study in Joy: Psalm 65" and Ch.3
Jan. 16 to 22. Chapters 4 and 5
Jan. 23 to 29 "A Study in Joy: The Visitation" and Ch. 6
Jan. 30 to Feb. 5. Ch. 7
Feb.6 to Feb. 12. Ch. 8
Feb. 13 to 19. " A Study in Joy: 1 Thessalonians" and catch up or read ahead
week:-)
Feb. 20 to 26. Ch.9 and Conclusion

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A Prayer for My Grand Daughter

A prayer for my granddaughter

LORD, we do thank you for this wonderful little girl,

given to us at the start of this new year.

May her mother be a fountain of love and joy,

from whom she draws nourishment and wisdom.

May her father be a pillar of strength and integrity,

from whom she draws dignity and humanity.

May her parents’ love for each other and for her provide a matrix,

in which she will grow in wisdom and stature,

and in favour with God and men.

May she always have passion in her heart and light in her eyes;

passion to give a purpose to her living,

and the light of aliveness to enjoy and appreciate life.

Protect her, O LORD, from the wiles of the evil ones,

and strengthen her to face her temptations.

May her cup overfloweth and help her to sail on the river of no regrets,

avoiding the rapids of resentment, bitterness and unforgiveness.

Give her good and faithful friends to keep her company,

and mentors and spiritual directors to guide her path.

Help her to develop the gifts and talents you have given her,

so that she will develop to her full potential as a person.

Guide her to develop a humility that comes from knowing you,

and to learn from her successes and failures.

Give her the persistence to strive for whatever is right and true,

and the courage to follow her passion wherever it may lead her.

LORD, let this precious little one come to know you,

as her Lord and Saviour, offering her life to the Father in service,

living her life in Christ, and becoming like Christ in the process.

May she bears the fruit of the Holy Spirit and,

let your light shine brightly in her so that she will draw others to you.

We humbly ask this in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen

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