"Once we clearly acknowledge the soul, we can learn to hear it's cries. - Dallas Willard, Renovation Of The Heart."

It takes courage to pursue our dreams. It takes time and patience to unearth buried treasure. But I believe with all my heart that we must do both.

10.29.2010

seasons of change






This time of year just seems to replenish my soul.  

I get a renewed awareness of God, the Master Artist's work.

The colors, the smells, and the cool breezes awaken something deep within me.

Next we head into a time of thanksgiving and then the season of celebrating the birth of our King. 

Each year I try to not overload my schedule. I try to leave empty spaces to be still and be.

To be with the lover of my soul.  

Last weekend gave me a renewed passion to really slow down, take the time to read, meditate, 
immerse myself in God and His Word. 

And

To learn to listen.

One of His words to me during the weekend was:

Immerse

Immerse yourself in me.

And this from His word:

"As you learn more and more how I work you will learn how to do your work. Strength - you will 
have strength, not grim strength of gritting your teeth but glory strength." (from Col. 1:9-12 msg)

I learned something else this past weekend. Just as I have had in the past, a hard time accepting God's unconditional love for me, I have had a hard time believing God speaks directly to me. I have had the
mind set at times of, who am I that God would speak to me? 

I am his child, and His word says he will speak to and guide me.  

My belief, my faith is growing.

So as part of my learning to be still and listen better I pulled out a book I had previously read. "Listening Prayer, learning to hear God's voice and keep a prayer journal by Leanne Payne." 

Sometimes it takes me several readings before it gets into my thick skull. I think sometimes I'll read  
something and it is not God's timing for it. Then at a later time I'll read it a second or even third time and           
the light shines.  

God's light shines - because I am ready to change.

Be still and know that God is God
Be still and know that God
Be still and know
Be still
Be

Grace and Peace  


23 comments:

Denise said...

Such a beauty filled post.

Kate said...

Thanks for sharing -- great words of inspiration for all of us.

Bren Graham Thebeau said...

Oh I'd just love to fall into those pictures, you've really captured the brilliance that is fall. I feel the same way about this time of year.
Knew you would have a wonderful, meaningful time at the retreat. If only we would realize just how often He is talking because He has so much to say to us :-)

Erin Butson said...

you will have strength not, grim strength of gritting your teeth but glory strength." (from Col. 1:9-12 msg)
love this. your passion for being still for spending time is encouraging.xoxo

Just Be Real said...

Mary what awesome breathtaking pictures. Blessings.

jgr said...

A lovely message, as always and -- oh the glorious Fall we are having! Beautiful pics. Happy weekend to you

lori vliegen said...

your photos are beautiful.....and your message is even more so! you always know how to say it just the perfect way, mary. thanks, always, always, for sharing your insights with us!! happiness to you this weekend! xoxo, :))
p.s. i LOVE the Colossians Scripture.....i had to run and mark it in my Bible!! xoxo

S. Etole said...

What a great truth ... the MSG version of Col. 1 is very enlightening. Your photos are beautiful as well.

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

The pictures are just beautiful...we don't get that type of color here. Oh, I loved the Msg translation... not grim strength of gritting your teeth...that part is so me...thanks for the word today!

Nikki (Sarah) said...

these shots are so beautiful. I think there's no better artist then God....

Unknown said...

Mary your photos turned out beautifully...it's so true fall does bring a renewing of our souls, and for me this year has brought a huge desire to be in that quiet time more and more. I know being more faithful, and obeying his word is stronger in my soul. Thanks sis for all your encourgements and love!!! love you back.

The Charm House said...

Mary!! Dad came home from Augusta yesterday. Three long weeks and I am so exhausted. He is doing so much better and hopefully will have a full recovery. Today, I sat down at my "window chair" and just watched the birds and the trees for hours. Be Still and Know that God is God!!! I hope all is well with you and yours... I wanted to visit really bad this fall. It has been a very emotional year this year with the weddings, my grandmother passing and my daddy being so ill. I now need to pull myself back together and learn how to breathe again.
Love to you!
Yvette

Martha Lever said...

Oh my goodness, those pictures are fabulous, Mar! God paints new pictures every fall. I love fall too although we don't get a change of season in the fall which I miss so much down here. I am also knowing that God wants me to slow down and just be with Him. I always have a better day when I have done that. Have a great weekend, Mary.

julie king said...

very inspirational, mary. your header is lovely!!

Poetic Artist said...

Does God not make the most beautiful art..He is amazing..Thank you for the post.
I know other day I was sitting with my Bible and then I thought this book is amazing. That is not even the word. I was thinking I am holding the very words of my savior that he had it wrote down for me.. We do not realized how blessed we are.. Blessed my friend.
Love,
Katelen

Flora said...

What beautiful, breathtaking photos,my dh and I dream of retiring to such a wonderous place, thank you so much for sharing.
blessings,Flora

Buffy said...

A Beautiful message,one that I needed to hear. Those pictures are amazing!

Jane Farr said...

Wonderful post Mary. Thank you for making me pause to reflect and consider.

Sandra Hall said...

Wonderful pictures, wonderful words. x

Jennifer Richardson said...

Thank you, Mary,
for this post that is neosporine ointment
to my banged up soul.
What beautiful word
calling me to stillness.
Immerse.
Yes, that's what I will choose.
Thanks, lovely friend,
Jennifer

Unknown said...

Catching up on your last few posts today. Your words echo many in my life right now. Focusing on taking time to be still and listen. God is always talking we just need to listen.

Pat and Ken Miller said...

Hi Mary Mary, what a sweet time we had together. It thrills my soul to have "sisters sharing time" with our Father and hear how precious we are to Him and how He longs to "whisper" His words of love to us, His girls. In the beginning God created. . .In the beginning was the Word . . . Put the two together and we experience the Holy. Blessings to you. Pat aka Diva Donkey

CountryDreaming said...

You were truly blessed with some glorious color this fall. Love the hints of mist as well.