Moments

    Self-sufficiency comes with a price.   Several people we have had to come work on the place say that we have what everyone wants; a quiet place in the country.  However, nothing stops anyone from having it except a deep down "want it."  Out here in the country, you have to put out a lot of work and be able to figure things out. There is a lot to be done on your own and there are a lot of downsides to it. Most want the benefits of country living without paying the full price.  It is like the story of the husband listening to his wife playing the piano.  He remarks how beautifully she plays and he says he wished he could play like that.  She replies. "well obviously, not enough to practice at it." Most people don't truly pursue what they say they wish for. Most don't even try. I say all that to say this:  I count myself among those "I wishers." I say I am a triathlete but I haven't done one in years.  I say I want to do an ironman...

I Surrender All is the title of a haunting old song. Surrending all - Hard to do. Yet, it seems that the only way to victory in Christ, is through surrender of self.  What a task it is to overcome so much self-sufficiency; so much pride, so much arrogance, it seems we can't surrender because we get in our own way.  It can be hard to surrender if I think that if I just hang on, I might just win this one, all by myself.  Today, I went off to my prayer spot to pray for my sister who is having surgery.   Oh, I had my laundry list, my grocery list and personal wish list,  all ready for God.   I  my online order ready for God to  start shipment.   However, the p eace of the moment and the aggravating chatter of my own prayer thoughts, seemed to suggest that God was saying, "shut up!" And so I did. Releasing myself to the peace of the place and the intimate moment with God, I asked the Holy Spirit to come settle His peace in upon ...