I recently went to a silent retreat for a weekend. Once there, I noticed it was taking quite some time for my body and soul to unwind and slow down. Both finally matched the restful, tranquil and sacred place where I was. Why did it take so long for my body and soul to wind down? Like a car at 160 miles an hour, it took time to literally slow down my thoughts, the pace of my walking and my …
Category: Rest
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 My daughter and I went to Texas recently to visit my sweet sister who is valiantly and gracefully dealing with cancer. Because her immune system is weak, the doctor suggested she and her husband move to a more secluded place away from the college campus of Baylor. So, they are now living with dear, sweet, loving friends they have known since the mid-1980s. …
“Because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, [Jesus] said to [his disciples], ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.” Mark 6:31-32 …
Note: This blog was written nearly 10 years ago towards the end of 2009. I was thinking of writing about the need to slow down and found this old blog "on slowing down" in my draft outbox. God surely has a sense of humor. I suppose He's still working on this part of me. I once had a customer who was very slow about getting things done. At first, because of his slowness, I thought he didn't care, but I was wrong. …
My 40th high school reunion is coming up October 2019. Seeing familiar names on the reunion email, got me thinking about elementary and middle school. I began to reminisce about time gone by riding my bike to the park near our home and wandering through the nearby woods all day with friends Walt and Newman. ~ That same week a dear friend, David Gilley, died here in Atlanta. He and I had grown close and were collaborating on some …
I don’t know about you but when I have a little extra money in the bank I experience a certain kind of feeling that is quite unique. I feel a little lighter, a little bit freer, happier, more generous, safer, stronger, more at peace and more confident. I was thinking about this recently because I had just deposited a large customer check into my bank account. My feelings were almost euphoric. Maybe this euphoria or rush is part of …
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds (and hearts) are steadfast, because they trust in you. – Isaiah 26:3 (NIV, emphasis added) The word steadfast means ‘to lean, support, lay and rest’. If you want peace, the formula is pretty straight-forward. The verse says, that keeping your mind leaned on, rested on, supported by Him brings peace. When your mind and heart rests on your anxious, worrisome or stressful thoughts, you demonstrate a lack of trust in Him. I lived this …
It’s refreshing to live in a neighborhood with small children. Invariably, sometime around June lemonade stands emerge to serve thirsty adults and children on hot days. If you’re like me however, as a busy adult, I have no time for kids’ lemonade. As I drive by, I usually mumble, “I’m too busy for that”. And then there are the twins…two of the sweet children that live near us – Madison and Amanda. Both have beautiful smiles, are energetic and wave excitedly at me across our side …
Have you ever noticed that your personal happiness in your life & accomplishments here on earth is short lived? The “life” that our accomplishments give us – the joy they give us seems to wane rapidly. As a salesperson, the largest Purchase Order I ever landed was from Target, the retailer. I worked on it for weeks and weeks. And then I finally saw the Purchase Order come over the fax. It was for over $2,000,000! Wow. The commission was huge! Like really huge. …
Tired, worn out, frazzled, dazed, agitated, upset, disappointed….or even joyful and full of hope…want to take 6 minutes and simply rest before God and receive the love He has for you? I pray you enjoy the music, imagery and the holy scripture as you come near & receive God’s love. (Ideal conditions are a quiet room with headphones.) A Prayer of Giving and Receiving God’s Love from bill stark on Vimeo. …