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Showing posts from 2007

To be drawn by God

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His Dream

Through silver clouds his dream transcends all understanding an illusion or real, can it be now. In pain his dream touches deep within comforting broken places with love divine. In rest his dream calms, directs, guides and protects. his dream has come revealing truth, drawing travelers to drink from streams that bring life. an illusion or real, his story blows through time his hand reaches down from within a cloud of unknowing to those who believe in his dream.

Prayer Walk--Praying Among the Stones

What a great weekend at the Women in Focus retreat at Arlington Beach. As promised I will post the stones from our prayer path. I would like to share a few of my experiences, but it will need to wait until I have a good night sleep. It was wonderful to meet new women. A Stone of… Cultural Traditions God’s Solution... Walk the Narrow Road Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:13-14) Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6) Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.(Psalm 84:5)

Psalm 23

On Saturday I am leading a workshop at a ladies retreat on prayer walking. Here is a prayer incentive from Psalm 23 I have been preparing... Check out this video of a little girl and Psalm 23 Psalm 23 (NIV) “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.” Pray God will lead people into a period of spiritual renewal. Pray people will be set free from stresses that keep them running away from God and keep them caught in the web of being busy. Pray Jesus would break the addictive practices. Ask Christ to renew their desire for God. Thank God that He desires a relationship with His covenant-children. “He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters” Pray people will turn their hearts back to God. Pray people will experience the richness of God’s goodness, His protection and His provision. Pray people will rest in God’s love and trust Him completely. Praise and thank God for how He cares for all of His creation. “He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righte

A Closing Ramble

My head is completely full of words after new triumphs accomplished in spinning academic books around what has been the outcome of silence filled days in isolation closeness to God or distance at this point neither seem to be a final conclusion, all I can muster is to pound keys on my keyboard releasing weeks of anxious emotions soothe by returning to silence. Again, in stillness hidden words appear filled with celebration the end is here followed by creative beginnings to embrace again in silent isolation. I found a poem in the midst of all the information and words that are crammed in my mind! I finally have a weekend with no pressures...I am going to rest.

Finished

I have finally finished my paper! I am going to watch TV ! Something I never do but it will be different then having my nose in books. No, I won't watch TV. I will, however make something great for dinner. Sorry for not posting much over the last few weeks, hopefully I will find a poem and write it.

My Youngest

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One more

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My Favorite Picture

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Renae even laughed when she saw this one! Wonder who has who? A great picture for a poem. She looked lovely and so did my children.

New Beginnings

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Sacraments , blessings and miracles all within a week! My adopted daughter/friend (long story for another day) Sasha, had another baby on Friday morning August 31. I was her coach and was gifted the privilege of witnessing a new life being born. Teela Robin is now 13 days old, she is my youngest friend and is so tiny! Mom let me cut the umbilical cord; what a wonderful sacrament scene. The last few weeks have been very full. On Thursday my son and his wife are off to Scotland and then to Rome for three weeks. My job now is to pray hard for this new little life and new marriage, which both have just begun. Thank you God for these, sacraments, blessings and miracles. Ryan the new father, is awesome with this little one--another blessing. Well, back to reading which is long and hard, but very interesting.

To my son and his new wife

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“For two special children” was the expression written to the newly-to-be weds. These words opened a window letting tears flow within rows of cards. Words will never express what heart thoughts want to convey: May blessings full of rich life years be yours, not strife and confusion. May every moment be cherished, the excellent and unpleasant. May tomorrow be remembered forever as a day full of foundational blessings. To my son I will always love you and to my new daughter I pray we will share tears of joy and to both of you I will try to always be open to understand. God I ask always bless and keep these two special children.

A Prayer

Father thank you that you hear every heart prayer. Prayers that are not uttered, the silent ones that rise from the depth of a broken heart. Prayers that are full of anguish and despair followed with questions of why. Prayers of thanks for strength You generously give daily to make it through. Prayers of praise for who you are and thankfulness for the love you give each day. Thank you God again for hearing our prayers and that we can trust you will answer.

Another view from my favorite place to pray

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Preschoolers Thoughts on Aging

What a great day at the care home with all of the hugs and smiles as we exercised and did other activies. My friends at the home have truly gotten into my heart, they are all very interesting people who once had very active lives. It is an amazing gift, to love them all! I found a flicker site on how preschoolers precieve aging...If they looked at me (only in my fourties) I am sure I am old too! Check out the site

A New Friend

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My favorite place to pray--where a thin line to heaven is found.

Inspired by the Movies

On Friday, I had a movie binge night! I picked up two movies, “Miss Potter” and “Illusion.” I asked the manager of the store what his thoughts were on the movie "Illusion." His response was, “No one has rented it and he has not watched it,” this intrigued me to take a chance. I am glad I did, for the last two days the story has stayed with me and has had me musing over the plot. Donald Baines , a legendary Hollywood film director was on his bed dying as a young man interviewed him. As he was answering the questions, he started to have flash backs of the son he never knew, the offspring of a one-night stand. That night while sleeping he was given an opportunity to view different times in his son’s life. What captured my musings is how tapes run in our minds concerning what we perceive people are feeling towards us or saying about us when in reality the tapes are not true. Baines kept saying, “I did not say that!” or “I would never say that!” But his son thought since his fat

Christmas Music in August???

August and I am listening to Christmas music how strange! Yet, it seems right for the moment. My media player has been playing random songs, playing is Steve Bell - Feast of the Seasons. Here on the Prairies it has been raining for days. Today felt cold and it was good to use the stove instead of the BBQ. Fall always brings feelings of family, comfort, and enchantment; this is my favorite season. Oh night divine, oh night divine, that Christ was born! Amen.

Closure

Passage begins alone, yet within a sphere of care learning to walk through a delusion of emotions, questions, banks and lawyers, to land face down in exhaustion. In this place, invisible wings lift up covered in devotion, strength is poured out entirely enabling movement forward. Prayers are heard simply answered causing the Fathers heart to break crashing down tears, ministering angels surround, His spirit spreads peace to comfort broken hearts, closure comes unwanted but essential to move on. Mari you live so far away I can not see your face or give you a hug, but I can pray and cry tears of love. As this day unfolds, and Marius's body is viewed, my prayer is that God's love will be so thick, that all in the room will know without question that Jesus is there. God protect my friend and her children as they walk through the next few days.

Unseen Places

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Trust takes hold of my soul totally captivating every part one step at a time, slowly into warm waters of love to hear His whispers in tranquil dark places. He has the keys to a hidden abode that entices me to move towards unseen places… going farther into deep darkness mysteries unravel within caverns unlocking rusty antique locks that falsely hold me captive. Freedom from lies of unredeemed, to be swept away by His call escorted into depths unfathomable within center fires of burning love, that cover entirely, completely causing me to fall, to linger... to breathe in new life.

Whisper a Prayer

Windows break as fog burst through, drawing unanswered questions from aching hearts. All that can be done is to whisper a prayer through misty moments of luminous stillness. Love’s spirit is not easy to see always being poured out with a continuous flow to soothe. Layered pieces of broken glass, splintered, scattered across fields of glimmering green. Words from the old bluesman ring true, “He will be with you until the deal goes down.” Death’s sting is final on earth; love rises beyond what can be precieved, forever without end. All that can be done is to whisper a prayer through misty moments of luminous stillness.

Wise Words to Self

On a shore from a distant dream wispy memories flutter around surrounded completely by truth whispering softly to gently draw me in Live life well before walking through the unknowing cloud of mystery choosing a path that leads to eternity forever covered in love. In this daydream called life learn to care deeply, remembering it is not about you. Stand firm in what is truth believing with all your heart that love conquers all Reconciliation will be the end making right what was wrong letting peace win As in a twinkle all has changed nothing is the same except God’s unfailing love.

Heartbeat of the Cosmos

The fact that this new age is emerging reveals something basic about the universe. It tells us something about the core and heartbeat of the cosmos. It reminds us that the universe is on the side of justice. It says to those who struggle for justice, 'You do not struggle alone, but God struggles with you.' Martin Luther King, Jr. I had to post this quote today, it seemed to touch the core within me. August is truly here, the morning air has a crispness to it that yesterday morning did not have. It is very strange how the weather changes over night. Another meaning for the word august is: marked by majestic dignity or grandeur. The month of August does have these qualities on the Prairies, everything starts to turn colour, rich reds appear sprinkled with a deep golden. One more thought: It sure feels good to have finished my assignment on time and to know that through my struggle with injustice, God is with me. My youngest son and I watched a movie on Monday night titled, "

Done

It always feels great to push the send button after writing for days and 6,000 words latter! I am still dealing with being angry over injustice, however like pushing send concerning the essay I am doing the same with the pain pushing send. Only God can deal with this ache. One more paper to write before summer ends...I actually enjoyed writing this one and I made the deadline. Yeah! I might write a poem...later.

Silent Cry's of Mercy

My heart is heavy concerning events that I can not even talk about because no one will understand or if I do tell, they will walk away leaving in the wake, a deeper pain of empty. I desire to walk in celebration not in the presence of grief. So... Here I am telling the world. How foolish is that! However, I continue to pray this will end...God have mercy. If not, I pray God will allow me to have greater amounts of His strength, grace and protection as I travel through the suffering. Thank you Lord, for the word picture of hiding self under the protection of Your wings; here is were I will place my hope... My heart is still crying silent cry's of mercy and I still have a paper due on Tuesday...LOL

Pain

“If one member suffers, all the members suffer . . .” 1 Corinthians 12:26a Pain entered into our midst causes were numerous Blame took hold but who do you accuse? God? yourself? of course not! Suffering is not easily understood no matter the reason only a few are willing to stop extending grace to feel outside of self. This world is full of anguish can you see it? can you hear it? are you willing to look into suffering? walking in grace means: looking at another deciding to see learning to listen letting go of self asking yourself… is the next step I take going to help another? Grace and love are never the easy way pain within another no matter how I hide it or avoid it still affects me teardrops are falling into stained glass bottles. 2007-07-29Robin Sloboda

Prayer Journey

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Last weeks prayer journey project sparked a new desire in those who participated, to journey out into their communities to impact them through prayer on a more regular basis. The blessing that has been given to me is that others have picked this up, have owned it and are going into communities praying with insight. Earlier today, a friend and I went out for our own journey, what a beautiful morning, God’s goodness was all around us. When I arrived home I looked up the word good in the dictionary, here is what Webster’s has to say: Good: effective, efficient, beneficial, valid, real, healthy or sound, enjoyable, pleasant, reliable, thorough, virtuous, devout, kind, dutiful, proper, correct, skilled, considerable, well. I believe, these words describe our God perfectly! We also enjoyed the benefits that come from walking and friendship… If you have not been out on a prayer journey into your community, why not try it? Ask God where to go, who to take, how to go and to open your eyes and

What I am Reading

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What I am Reading

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What I am Reading

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House Keeping

Finally, a name change along with a new music box and my favorite poetry stops. Changing the skin was considered, but the simplicity of this skin still works. A question asked in my devotional time today was: "What is my challenge today?" Here are my responses: Not to let emotions rule, but to seek God for guidance throughout this day. Stop procrastinating, write my paper and enjoy the process. Embrace the challenges that come today and walk in joy. Love and understand the difficult people in my life.

The Trees are Dying

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The response I get from many is it is a natural process, yes, that might be so, but it is an awful thing to see the forest dying. The land is groaning...

One more, but the trees are in the way!

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My heart was full of sadness , concerning the state of the forest in B.C. The mountain pine beetle has done a good job of killing many trees. I would love to write a poem reflecting how it affected me as we drove through hundreds of miles of dead forest. One thing for sure is it is a sign of the spiritual state of the times. The trees are showing the result; the tree to the left is revealing the start of the decay. Over the next six weeks writing on the blog will be very quiet and slow. I have been procrastinating to long concerning my papers (one is due July 31, and the other August 31)--they need to take priority and I desire to embrace the learning process. Summer has been very healing to my soul this year.

View: The Drive Home from B.C.

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Watch

"I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from my enemies… The LORD lives; and blessed be My rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted." ( Psalms 18:3,46) Watch signs all around, can you see? can you hear? do you care? she is a harlot among nations apathetic in nature, her heart is cold, her body asleep, supplications are only a whisper. let grace surround completely hedging in Shimon Peres to see truth, desiring good not corruption that has drawn others underground towards darkness. Keep Golan Heights, ancient Bashan , part of Israel – forever. “Peace, Peace,” they shout, when there is none to be found. Wake up, wake up, wash your eyes watch and pray, watch and pray. Fulignous colour looms over the sun, causing the silver moon not to shine, stars have lost there twinkle blinded by false light. Wake up, wake up, wash your eyes watch and pray, watch and pray. change is drawing near, hold the battle axe up high letting it shine forth

A Time of Healing

Recovery has been like a dream one moment all seems real wrapped entirely in normal then without warning invisible hands that heal escort deeper into warm tranquil waters of compassion, care, comfort, and calm releasing a time of rest from all that once had total focus to a place of lingering longer in a daydream. Where revival of being, begins… July 18, 2007 R.Sloboda

A musing from my deck...

Morning songs rise with the sun announcing a new day is beginning along with this new day arises second chances... second chances for: healing relationships changing old habits learning new ones but most importantly learning to embrace the love of God the decision and choice is really all mine... r. sloboda At 6:30 on a mid July morning the air warm, the sun starting to wake up, my deck is beautiful and a wonderful sanctuary to experience the presence of God all around. The flowers Murray and I have planted just took off... we hardly spent much on them, but wow... have they decided they too love my deck! I simply love all the colors, and the spirit of life that radiates off of these plants. Off to work...I go...to love my special friends at the care home.

One World

Numerous worlds within one contain diverse faces each with a similar outline for life. Fascination with differences create room for wonder layered among a smile and twinkle. One life tries to understand and befriend others, only to experience walls of isolation from crowded places. Fear and anxiety, mixed with different cultures cause uneasy emotions. Community is a place to walk through walls that separate discovering purpose and significance. Linking many worlds within one, connecting cultures, breaking down fear, washing away anxiety, here hope is found for a dying world. July 16, 2007, R.S.

Prayer Walking Through the Internet

It has been over a year, since I have done research on prayer walking--must say there are many great sites these days compared to four years ago. I found an interesting site to help pray for Iran. Day one shows pictures of Iran accompained by a woman singing the lyrics below (Persian Worship Music.) Check it out --I was lead to pray immediately for this nation. The song is beautiful. My prayer is that many hearts in this nation will be open to recieve the good news of Christ. Lyrics to the song: Jesus, the bread and the spring of life Jesus, you are the bread and the spring of life You guide me to the truth and salvation You are the eternal son of God The only intercessor to the sinners O Jesus, you are my hope and my life You have kept me only through your grace There is nothing in me but iniquity It is you who heals the pain in my body and soul O Jesus, my beloved Jesus, Son of God Jesus, you are the light and the Word of God You are over and above the angels and the heavenly hosts A

A Name Change

I would like to change the name of this blog... I named it walking with Yeshua for several reason: Walking with Jesus was already taken. I wanted to be orginal. At the time I was prayer walking (still am in fact that is what my class is on in a week.) These reasons are still the same, however I feel it is time to change the title. Some ideas I am mulling over: walking in prayer walking in prayer with Christ walking closer following close following Him Uugh! I need to pray and perhaps an idea will come! Or I will just leave it be.

In the School of Prayer

From The Brothers Karamazov -- By Fyodor Dostoevsky “Do not forget to pray, my boy. If your prayers are truly sincere, every day a new fervor will appear, a new thought of which you were unaware before, and that will give you new strength. You will understand then that prayer is education. Remember this, too. Repeat to yourself every day and as often as you can: ‘O Lord, have mercy on all those who will appear before You today.’ For every hour, every second, thousands leave this world and their souls appear before the Lord, and no one knows how many of them leave this earth in isolation, sadness, and anguish, with no one to take pity on them or even care whether they live or die. And so your prayer for a man will rise to the Lord from the other end of the earth, although he may never have heard of you or you of him. But his soul, as it stands trembling before the Lord, will be cheered and gladdened to learn that there is someone on earth who loves him. And the Lord’s mercy will be ev

Musings on the Discipline of Writing

"The object of writing is to grow a personality which in the end enables one to transcend art." Lawrence Durrell -- Balthazar I purchased a new book yesterday titled "Echoing Silence" -- Thomas Merton on the Vocation of Writing--Edited by Robert Inchausti . Thomas Merton who is one of my favorite writers, (who I have spent many hours with over the years reading his journals.) I would like to share the first paragraph from this book: Thomas Merton began writing as a teenager in an effort to discover who he was and what he believed. This discipline transformed him from a self-confessed middle-class prig into a struggling bohemian artist seeking to forge in the smithy of his soul the uncreated conscience of his race. Writing as a discipline to understand self and to be transformed...I like this concept! I might still have a chance of being transformed as I continue to write. In Eugenia Price's book "Early will I Seek Thee, " I started reading the chapt

The Weather in Saskatchewan

Constant rain has been beating down unusual for the land of the living skies. Fantasies of warm estival breezes tease my mind! Long days of fuliginous color are teaching silence mixed with hope of brighter days head. I actually have the heater on in my study this morning; draught is the norm on the prairies in summer, not moisture! Well, it will be a great day to study for my class (I need to teach in two weeks). I need prayer! My cloudy head is just not into preparing and learning new approaches. I guess my mind is like the weather--soggy. A gift from the weather and God is that words are floating around within my totaly satuated mind! If anyone acually reads this babbling post, I pray you are having a very sunny day filled with joy! I love it...I just looked up babbling, one difinition is to murmur like a brook does when it flows over stones. rs

The Tree

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By Gregory Blakey I have been fascinated with trees for sometime. Here is a picture for thought from soul cafe' a daily writing site from Australia. I have been exploring soul cafe and do not believe or agree with some of their views or beliefs. However, from a Christian perspective what I do like about this picture is that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit we can go deeper into our heart and let Him reveal truth. I am in tune with the spiritual realm and can get so off track thank goodness God has given us His Spirit, the spirit of truth to keep me on the right path.

an easygoing day

My mood today is rather laid-back; surfing the net was in order ! For those of us called boomers check out Boomergirl .com There is an interesting article on is 50 the new 30?

One to Consider Concerning Solitude

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C.S. Lewis wrote: "Only lazy people are busy."
Life has been full of strange events, all have lead me to a place of learning to grow in solitude and silence. Most of today was threaded with the shimmering cords of quietness and aloneness to experience being alive with no outside interruptions . As I consider the last date I posted on this blog, it made me aware of how this time of being alone with Jesus is creating a new thing in my heart. I actually did not touch the computer for three weeks, this is an amazing miracle for me. I pray that I will continue to be intentional about times of Sabbath . Today, I sat in a meditative garden all alone with my moleskine , pen and ink. It is rather interesting to listen, to really listen to the world around me. The trees had an unspoken language that was full of wisdom and grace. The fauna and flora swayed in the warm estival breezes that blew through the garden. To let all the noise and concerns of life flow away into the earth, opening my heart to receive the ancient song of life, boug

Robin's Musings

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Over the last few months’ I have become aware of how blessed I really am. Following are a few of my musings concerning gifts of blessing in my life for June 20, 2007. I have a husband who loves me, and four children who are teaching me how to really love, while living in this world. All of the dark areas of life where there are no easy answers have become places where my character is being shaped and formed. Sitting with Murray on our deck at night, sharing events from of our day. I have a son who is graduating, another son who is getting married, a daughter who is moving closer to home and another daughter who is learning how be an over-comer. Waking up with a song on my heart and in my mind that takes me to a place of praising God for who He is and what He has given to my family. My office, where wonderful things take form and come alive; I love the south window that allows the sun to kiss my soul. Homemade chicken noodle soup that brings comfort to the body. Watching my 18 year ol

The Riddle

Where’s an old women to go when the years Leave her alone with her sighs and her tears, Gray-haired and penniless, feeble and slow— Where’s an old women to go? What’s an old women to do when her kin Fail to remember that hands, worn and thin, Cared for them, slaved for them, all the years through— What’s an old woman to do? What an old woman’s reward for a life Given to others as Mother and Wife, Leaving her faltering, furrowed and scored— What’s an old woman’s reward? H. E. H. Reward...What is an old women's reward?

A Christmas Card from 1995

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I love it! Murray scanned it for me.

Blogs I am reading

Check this out! We are living our dreams...Boomer Babes Rock! I enjoyed this new blog. I was one of the first 100 people to check out the site. I know it will become a popular one. I am currently reading "Listen" Finding God in the Story of Your Life. Check out Keri Wyatt Kent's website with all of her books. I am interested in reading them all. I am reading at the moment Listen . I do recommend it!

Threaded with Grace

A meandering thought from robin... One thing I would really like to do in life is quilt. I had an interesting thought today, with all of the reading on learning how to move forward with wounds that come in life I have actually been learning to quilt. Let me explain through a prayer I wrote earlier: Thank you God for your grace that takes my pain and sorrow and mixes it with Your love. Then threads the wounded pieces of my heart together with grace creating within my heart a beautiful quilt of many shades. This quilt, that has covered my heart reminds me of Joseph's coat of many colors. Interesting. With all of the sorrow and pain I have experienced God has given me a heart of many colors. I am learning to guilt the pieces of my wounded heart back together through God's grace.

A nice pic

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I found this picture which was taken a few days before the storm. I do live in a beautiful city.

Snowed

Thank you Mom for inspiring me to post again. I will try to continue. Blizzard of 2007 I have never been through a snow storm as the one that hit on Wednesday. The whole city of Saskatoon shut down. The major told everyone to stay home. Honestly it was wild! I could not see my neighbour's home or the tree in front of the house. The snow fall here is unbelievable. I had two days inside...It was a holiday I longed for. I laid in bed all day on Thursday and read Leading with a Limp. What a good book. I did feel a bit down after reading it. I saw the weak points in my leadership but for some reason felt the book did not bring me back up to encourage me. Hopefully the second read will bring clarity. Check out these two youtube clips: First one then white Christmas . They are both incrediable . It was a day to remember.