Prayers for timone #11

from L. Easter
"God has Blessed You. May He keep you always with great faith to lead others in all the things you do."

"As I look back over my life, and I think things over, I can truly say, that I've been blessed. I've got a testimony."

I have great wisdom about our lives when we look back. We see more clearly how we messed up. What we don't always see is how God made a way. We stay so focused on the errors, the faults, the failures, that we miss that God brought us out. I've got a testimony is all about PRAISING GOD!!!! It's all about looking back and seeing NOT the faults, but the Grace and Mercy way that God moved us forward.

I didn't desire to be a leader. I like observing things, but I also don't like things to go wrong if I can do something about it. In speaking up, I was pushed forward. "What happened to the background Jesus???!!! I thought I was cool there." LOL!! NOT according to God.

So, "I've got a testimony." God will do it. Won't He will!!!

Prayers for timone #10

from O.Easter
"Dear God,
Thank you for your gift of Timone. Thank you for her contributions to the Church, the Tolton Program, and all she has taught.
Please continue to give her grace upon grace as she works to open people's minds to know you more deeply.
Please grant her good health and strength. All this I ask in Jesus' name."

I don't often think of myself as "gift". I struggle like many people with my value and worth. Then God's AMAZING grace washes over me and I realize I am made in the image and likeness of God and therefore, I am gift. I am working my way toward the understanding that my imperfections reflect not my shortcomings, but serve as reminders of how much I need God in my life.

These days, I'm working to invite God into my shortcomings instead of berating myself for their existence. When God is invited in, AMAZING GRACE transforms our shortcomings into ways to see more clearly, love more deeply.

Each of us is GIFT. Let's treat each other with the excitement that comes with giving and receiving a gift.

Blessings.

Prayers for timone #9

"timone, I pray that God continues to give you strength and eloquence to exemplify His Glory. Thank God for the gift that is you. And may the Holy Spirit continue to walk with you."

That's the thing: for God's Glory. How often do you get tripped up thinking that if's for your own glory? I know I have my share of failings, thinking that everything that is occurring in my world is all about me. Note: my world. Even my language has me speaking about me, myself and I, when I should be speaking about God's world.

The shift that needs to take place is that I don't shrink from glory, but that I proclaim it as God's Glory. I need to shine. I need to grow. I need to transform. Why? So that God's Glory can be revealed.

So,...I'm getting my mind right, cause my heart is already there.

Prayers for timone #8

from J. Reid
"Dear timone, I ask God for your blessings as you journey on to a new and exciting time in your life. I ask God that His presence always be felt and appreciated as you touch those that come into your life. Peace!"

God is so amazing!!! that even as we age, the journey can still be exciting and things can be new. I remember thinking, as a young girl, that when I made it into my 50s I had surely better have done all I wanted by then otherwise I'd be too old to do it. Now?? Well now that I'm in my 50s what is old? LOL!!

God is so amazing. This leg of the journey is awesome!! Well so were several of the previous legs. But I digress. This let of the journey is awesome!! God opened a door that I never saw myself entering. She clearly spoke words of encouragement and offered hospitality.

May we not limit God with our own imaginings.
May we open our hearts to God's workings.
May we walk boldly into the possibilities.
May we appreciate one another by saying so.
Then

            may we know PEACE.

The Applause of Leaves

I am currently at St. John's School of Theology and Seminary in Collegeville MN waiting for the start of the Co-Workers Retreat: Imaging the Ministry to start. Since I had about 3 hours, I decided to walk down to the lake. I left my phone in my room charging. I didn't take anything with me.

While sitting on a tree stump watching families play in the water, I became drowsy. I closed my eyes and allowed God total access to me. That's when I heard it: the applause of leaves. It was a beautiful sound. One I had not heard before. I sat so still, not wanting to interrupt and then it happened: total peace within. Once I acknowledged the peace, the sound was gone.
And on I sat,
marveling at the works of God,
praising God.

Below is the lake from my guest room window. Because I didn't take my phone with me, you don't get a view from outside.