Tag Archives: Rest

Rest Deeply

 Today’s Thursday 6/19/14 writing prompt:  share a special Bible verse currently touching your heart with rest and comfort?
Faith Barista

 

My favorite Bible verse has always been Luke 1:37.

“For with God nothing will be impossible.”  How could that not be a comforting verse?

The God of the universe, who loves me,  who wants me to know Him…for Him, nothing is impossible.

Not on my worst days, not on my best days, no matter what I am going through, nothing is too difficult for God.

He is a very present help in time of trouble. (Psalm 46:1)

I can rest deeply in that knowledge.

Could there be a better place to rest than in the shadow of The Almighty? The One who makes me feel safe and protected.

There are a lot of places that I could be in this whole wide world……but, none that is as comforting as being with Him.
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Rest Is Crucial For The Soul

My friend, Bonnie Gray, just launched her first book, finding spiritual whitespace-awakening your soul to rest.

When reading last night I came across the quote, “My soul isn’t designed to be cluttered. It longs for space to taste beauty. To breathe. It’s always wanted what God intended for me. My soul was designed for spiritual rest: spiritual whitespace”. (p.31)  I highlighted this passage, and marked it with a big “Yes”!

The words from her book have confirmed the feelings that I have had for quite awhile. In a world filled with fast paced schedules, and never ending to do lists, a soul craves rest. It is a struggle for me, the one who doesn’t know how to relax. Life tends to clutter, and I find myself in a never ending cycle of trying to get it all done. How can I be what God intends for me, if I don’t take the time to rest?

Rest isn’t lazy. Rest isn’t unnecessary. Rest isn’t weak.

Rest is crucial for the soul.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 NIV

Finding Spiritual Whitespace

Hot Tea and Old Movies

I think I am getting sick. Coughing. Chest congestion. Bummer. I really do not have the time or inclination to be sick. Mind over matter, right?

Life is sometimes that way. Just as I’m plowing through, getting things done on the list, trying to get ahead….boom… I’m sick and tired. And sick of being tired. Sigh.

I think that for today I’m turning off. Tuning out. Resting.

I might make myself a hot drink, wrap up in a blanket and watch old movies, like Steel Magnolias (which I just found on NetFlix).

 

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. “For My yoke is easy, and My load is light.”   Matthew 11:28-30 

Learn From Me

The mental list of things to do looms large, until my head feels heavy under the weight of all my thoughts. 102_2188

All the things that need to get done. All the stuff I worry about, stress over.

There is always something more.

Each day adds to the list.

Yet, God tells me not to worry. He is here.  What will worry add to my life?

And I know that, but most days I don’t live it.

Not really.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

Learn from me…….

Yes, Lord. Yes.

 

 

 

In Need Of Rest

English: Beeches, Moss Road Plantation The fie...

For the past week and a half, I’ve been off the radar so to speak.

Life got busy and I didn’t know whether I was coming or going on most days.

Do you ever have days like that? Or weeks? Months?

Life always tugs at us. The immediate and urgent takes over.

I, for one, find myself irritable and exhausted when I try to get everything done.

I want things completed, and I want things done right. Unfortunately, I, like so many other wives and mothers across this great country, feel if I don’t do the task(s) it won’t be done correctly.

I find myself faltering.

This is not what my heavenly Father calls me to do.

He does not want me struggling for perfection in a world that will always be broken and imperfect.

My focus has been in the wrong place.

What He really wants is for me to abide in Him. He will give me rest.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  Matthew 11:28  NIV

Rest.

That is what I really need.

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15:4  NIV

 

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Finding Rest

Spending my Saturday being renewed.

Finding rest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No schedule.

No to do list.

Just…being.

In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep tothose he loves. Psalm 127:2  NIV

Have a renewing Saturday, my friends.

 

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The Road That Leads Home

 

Home Driveway

 

I live down a country road.

There is not much traffic on the road. It is fairly quiet, most of the time.

After a short jaunt, or a long trip, it is always nice to see the road that leads to home.

Knowing I’m almost there…

 

This day I am reminded of another road that leads home.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20 NIV

I am just a pilgrim on a journey.

On the road.

On my way home.

 

 

 

 

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Relationship Is Important

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Image by wader via Flickr

At Faith Barista this week we are discussing the question, “How do you spend time with God and experience spiritual rest?”  Click on the Faith Barista graphic on my right side bar to find out how others experience rest.

All good relationships require communication. If I want to have a better marriage I need to spend time with my husband. We need to talk. Laugh. Cry. Be goofy…..together. If I want to maintain my friendships I have to find time to get together. Chat on the phone. Walk together. Talk together. If I want my relationship as a mother to be nurturing to my children, I need to take time to find out what is important to them. I email family and friends. We keep in touch. We reach out.  Without communication…without sharing… relationships die. Sometimes the death is long, slow and painful. Sometimes not.

I make time for the relationships that are important to me.

My relationship with God is no different. Some people would question me with, “How can you have a RELATIONSHIP with God? God is all about religion…and rules…and church.”  My reply is that God, and His son, Jesus are ALL ABOUT relationship. Yes, Jesus came to this earth in the form of man BECAUSE of relationship. God wants relationship with me, not because He NEEDS too, but because He WANTS too. Even though I have been a Christian for many, many years I am still in awe of the fact that the God of the Universe wants to know me….and even more importantly He wants me to KNOW Him.

Sometimes all I need to do, to experience spiritual rest, is to talk WITH Him, the one who knows me most intimately. I commune with the One who knows my heart.

Father,

I long for peace and rest

From You, who knows me best.

I stumble through my days

turning from Your gaze.

I am full of pride

thinking I can hide

all my stress inside

far from You.

Forgive me Father.

I am so stubborn.

I need rest.

Rest for my body.

Rest for my soul.

I need You.

Thank you for your provision for me.

As I draw close to You,

You draw close to me.

And I can rest in Your love.

Amen


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Peace Be Still

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Image by solidether via Flickr

Scheduling. Errands. Cleaning. Chauffeuring. Teaching. Cooking. Consulting.

Being everything to everybody.

Listening. Answering questions. Shaping lives.

So much to do, so little time.

I’m stressed…and tired.

There are days, even whole weeks, when I long for quiet.

It’s how God made me.

Need for physical rest

Longing for spiritual renewal

Calm, in the stress filled.

Peace in the anxiety driven.

Rest in Him.

 

Sometimes He calms the storm…other times He calms His child. (Song by Scott Krippayne)

 

This week we are discussing physical rest over at The Faith Barista Jam. Click on the graphic on my right side bar if you want to learn more!

 

 

 

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Just Plain Weary

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Image by CRASH:candy via Flickr

There are days when I am beyond tired.

I’m not just sleepy. I don’t need a nap.

My spirit is sagging. I am worn down and run ragged.

The race is long and the finish line is no where in sight.

I’m about to give up… or give in.

I am soul weary.

My weariness drives me to the only One who can give me the rest that I yearn for.

The One whose words are true.

The One who walks with me…and on days when I am too weary to walk on my own,

carries me.

Psalm 91:1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. —– My shelter.

Isaiah 40:31 But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. —   My renewal.

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. — My peace.

This month we are talking about rest over at Faith Barista. Click on the Faith Barista Jam graphic on my right sidebar to find out more.

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