Category Archives: Me and God Time

Humanity’s Longing for God

07 Tuesday Feb 2012

Posted by in God Time, Me and God Time

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In Theology class we read a lot of Theologians work.  We students, as our teacher tells us, are turning into Theologians too.  In class we read everything except for what we were assigned for homework, but that is ok, because I might not have ever read the excerpt by Mechthild of Macgeburg.  She was one of the most important women spiritual writers in the 13th century.  I am going to post this little conversation she wrote between God and the Soul.  As we read it in class it moved me and I felt God’s presence and knowing that He truly loves me and cares for me.  I’ve known this all along, but I thought I would share anyways.  You might have a totally different reaction, and that is ok.


God:  You are hunting desperately for the one that you love; tell me, what do you bring me, O my Queen?

Soul: Lord, I bring you my treasure; It is greater than the mountains; It is wider than the world, deeper than the sea, higher than the clouds, more brilliant than the sun, more numerous than the stars, weighing more than everything.

God: O image of my Godhead, ennobled by my own humanity, adorned by my Holy Spirit, what is your treasure called?

Soul: Lord, it is called my heart’s desire, which I have taken out of the world, kept to myself, and denied to all creatures.  Now I can bear this no longer.  Where, O Lord, shall I lay it?

God: Your heart’s desire you will lay nowhere other than in my own divine heart, and in my human breast.  There alone will you find comfort, and be embraced by my Spirit.

The Soul here has put her heart’s desire and trust in the hand of God.  She finds rest in Him.  Just as I find rest in Him and I receive God’s embrace that I may fully live.

Where is your heart’s desire? you know what to do… leave me a comment… whatever it may be.

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Things that soothe my Soul #1

11 Monday Jul 2011

Posted by in Me and God Time

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Elora, Ontario is a beautiful town.  If you haven’t been there, then you must go!  Places like this soothe (or sooth) my soul.  When I am down or exhausted or need to rejuvenate or be refreshed then all I need is a little place like this to be energized.  To relax in nature.  There are other things that sooth my soul.  I thought I would start out with this one.  I hope you enjoy the pictures.  If you are in the area, I do encourage you to visit.  If you aren’t, find a place like it and take time to enjoy and reflect while you are there, on wherever your heart and mind lead you.  

I could have sat at this picnic table all afternoon and evening and listened to the sounds of the falls and enjoyed the smells of the fresh air and admired the beauty.  These are views that sooth my soul and the times that I feel closest to God.  He imagined.  He created.  He delights in.  We admire.  We admire.  We give praise.

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Camping – The Beauty

09 Saturday Jul 2011

Posted by in camping, Me and God Time

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One thing that I enjoy about camping is being surrounded by God’s beauty.  God created something that is so marvellous and mysterious and creative and soul resting.  To be in the middle of nature – God’s creation – lifts me up.

I know there are many people who don’t enjoy camping or they enjoy nature but wouldn’t stay over night.  I am in a tent so I feel relatively safe.  I haven’t gone hardcore and gone out with a back pack and slept under the stars without the slight safety net of shelter – the tent.  Which let’s be honest – anything or anyone can get into a tent so it really isn’t that big of a safety net.  There are people all around you being loud and at times crazy and you just want to tell them to be quiet.  But there are so many good things about camping which I’ve already mentioned – the site – the campfire – the food – the storm – but most of all the beauty.

I don’t know how to express how I feel when I am camping but all things are good.

I swam out past the rope
As I was treading water I looked out all around me
Surrounded by God’s amazing creation
I gave him thanks for what he has done for me
For where he has brought me and where he is taking me
He is my source and my light and my life
All I can do is find beauty and mystery in what he has made

This part of the Series: Camping.  Check out more posts on camping here.

Back to God’s Country

04 Monday Jul 2011

Posted by in Div College, Me and God Time, Rest, Self Improvement, Update

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Heading back to the homeland – to God’s country – to a beautiful place that I miss and love.

I’m sure that most of us think that where we come from is God’s country, but the Maritimes are so beautiful.  Yes, I know I haven’t been out West yet to compare, but one day I will get there and I will probably still say that the Maritimes is God’s country.  Some might argue about which part specifically is the best, but I say it all is great and wonderful.

For my reader’s who don’t know, my journey has a bend in the road and I am indeed heading back to God’s country in the fall.  It was not an easy decision to make.  It is going to be challenging and a lot of hard work.  The easy and safe road would be to stay here, but I have been called to do more and so I am off.  Where to exactly?

I’m heading back to school to get my Masters of Divinity at Acadia.  I’m excited about this as I will be closer to family (so close I will be living with my sister).  I can see my niece more often (very much looking forward to this).  I get to study full time again.  Something that makes me a bit nervous, but with the help of Christ I will make it through.  At this time in my life I need a bit of change and have the sense that God is leading me back to God’s country.

The program is 3 years.  So for these next few years, that is where I’ll be.  If you are someone I’m leaving behind in Ontario I want to take this time to tell you that Nova Scotia is an awesome place to take vacation!  Which means you will have to let me know you are coming so we can get in a visit!  For friends and family that I am coming back to – I will see you soon!

I don’t know where I will be after 3 years, but I do know that I want to encourage leaders in Children’s Ministry and encourage networking among this very important ministry to kids and their families.  It is so important that these amazing leaders have support among each other and know about the resources that can help them do ministry 100 times better.  From experience, I know how important this is and is a ministry in itself.

Yes, I am excited to go back to my family and friends in the Maritimes.  Yes, I am sad to leave my friends and church family that I have grown to know over the past 9 years here in Ontario.  No, I won’t go insane over the next 52 days trying to pack, finish things up at work, and try get everything done on my Ontario Bucket List (already have 2 things checked off)!

Don’t worry, I still plan to blog along the way!  I will have something new to blog about – going back to school!

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Morning Love

19 Sunday Jun 2011

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I’m visiting my wonderful friend, Kristin, and her family.  Although one is missing because he just got married last weekend!  Congrats!  Anyway, it is so peaceful at their house.  It is surrounded by woods and whenever you are by an open window you hear some wonderful noise of the outdoors.  Whether that is thunder while the sun is still shining bright or the sound of the crickets at night or the sound of the many birds chirping in the morning.

Mike and Ruth themselves make it very peaceful.  They are so kind and loving and have such tender hearts.  You can’t help but want to be around them.

I’ve discovered I love the porch in the morning.  There is a wonderful green love seat with two corduroy pillows.  Just perfect for the morning to hear and admire God’s creation, to read his word, pray, write a blog, read, drink tea or coffee and enjoy.  That’s where I am right now.  This is what I need.  A spot I can go to.  A spot I can be refreshed ever day and be in God’s mysterious creation.  I feel joy and peace and close to God in these places.  This makes me wish I had an apartment with a balcony, because I am sure I would be on it every morning.

The last two days I have enjoyed morning love on the green couch enjoying nature and the one who created it!  Where do you feel closest to God and/or find joy and peace in your life?

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Solitude and Silence

17 Thursday Feb 2011

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“The seeking out of solitary places was a regular practice for Jesus.  So it should be for us.”
 – Foster

Times Jesus found solitude:

  •  40 days in the desert (Matt 4:1-11)
  •  Before he chose the 12 disciples (Luke 6:12)
  •  Before John the Baptist’s death (Matt 14:13)
  •  After the feeding of the 5 thousand (Matt 14:23)
  •  After a long night of work (Mark 1:35)
  •  Jesus told his disciples to go to a lonely place after a time of preaching and healing (Mark 6:31)
  •  After the healing of a leper (Luke 5:16)
  •  with three disciples (Matt. 17:1-9)
  •  and I am sure there are more

Since Jesus did this and we are to be like Christ and have an attitude like him, we should do this too.  Let me tell you, it isn’t easy.  Well, maybe it is for you, but it wasn’t for me.  I don’t have a problem with being alone.  It was hard doing the listening part.  Being silent.  Yes, I have been silent before, but I am usually doing something while I have been silent.  So this time I had some silence and listening.  I didn’t do it for hours, but it did happen, and it was good.  

Also on my little retreat I did some much needed praying, reading, walking, admiring God’s creation, sleeping, soaking in the tub, singing, and drinking tea.  If you get a chance to go away, even just for the day or even a few hours, then take it and relax and enjoy God.

For more on Spiritual Disciplines a good resource is:
Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard J. Foster   

  

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