| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Utahfarmgirl |
Posted - Mar 30 2008 : 2:31:23 PM
When my daughter, Chrissy, was very little she asked me a question. "Mom," she asked as we rode in the car. "Do you pray?"
I remember the answer was instant, before I had a chance to even think about it, "My whole day is a prayer." I said.
And then I explained to her, as well as I could to her little self, that I bring God into everything I do, day and night. We talk. He is interested when I make pie crust, guiding me when I deal with her brothers and her, and with their Dad.
It's a natural thing that just flows. And of course, before I go to sleep, I give thanks for all the things that happened that day. I ask for blessings on my list of prayer requests and blue or pink-or white-light those who need it. I really am never out of touch with God.
These days I give thank for another day of breathing!
Paul tells us in his letters, "Pray without ceasing". What does that mean? Are we to spend our days on our knees? No, Paul was using an Aramaic metaphor which means "stay close to God constantly throughout your day. Ask for his presence and wisdom to guide your day and then listen to what he says" AH! So easy to understand now!
In other words, make your whole day a prayer.
There is a place for formal prayer, of course. Jesus said, "where two or more are gathered in my name, I am there" How wonderful to invite his spirit into our midst to lend weight to our petitions and thanksgiving!
In saying "in my name" Jesus was using another Aramaic metaphor, which means "using my teachings". Every time he asked us to do something in his name, he was asking us to do it according to what he has taught us. Ah! This phrase has a different and enlightening meaning for us now. Whatever you do, when you choose to do it with love you are doing it in his name, according to his teachings.
In other words, truly being a Christian.
Happy Sunday!
love,
Patricia
Proud Farmgirl Sister #19
Rusty Chicks Chapter
check out my etsy site http://ThePlayfulFarmgirl.etsy.com
Today I choose faith not fear. |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| queenofdreamsz4u |
Posted - Apr 09 2008 : 11:57:02 AM
Thanks, Patty 
Stephanie
www.queenofdreamsz.blogspot.com
www.dreamkingdomdesigns.blogspot.com
www.dreamkingdomdesigns.com |
| Utahfarmgirl |
Posted - Apr 09 2008 : 11:45:45 AM
Tamara, God never said anything about a church. and neither did Jesus, really. All he said was "go and tell everybody the good news that death is not the end, that the Father is a just and loving and forgiving God!"
It's people (read men) that turned it into a church with a hierarchy, rules, and punishments for falling short of their rules.
I love your idea of homechurch and getting together with others. That is what the early Christians did. the Quakers and some Amish and Mennonites also do this. And the religions of the East are all about finding God within.
And here's another Aramaic nugget: the word for "worship" in the Aramaic means "welcome" so when you read that Jesus whent somewhere and the people worshipped him, it means he went somewhere and they welcomed him. Ah! What a difference. Come to my house and I will worship you, too!
love,
P
Proud Farmgirl Sister #19
Rusty Chicks Chapter
check out my etsy site http://ThePlayfulFarmgirl.etsy.com
Today I choose faith not fear. |
| corporatefarmgirl |
Posted - Apr 09 2008 : 11:26:29 AM
After our last move we stopped going to a "corporate church". I too believe that today's church is not what God intended. We have been involved with different church groups over the years. My disappointment lies in the man made doctrines and division. I am not being judgemental I just know that for us the traditional church is not where we are being called to go. So we homechurch, sometimes meet with friends and sometimes attend a Breathren church when we fill the need. I keep telling my extended family that God did not say GO TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY. We are to be in the spirit of worship at all times not just Sunday.
Looking forward to your musing
small farms give big benefits |
| Utahfarmgirl |
Posted - Apr 09 2008 : 11:13:19 AM
Guess what. I didn't subscribe to this thread, or erased it somehow and I haven't seen all your postings! Thank you so much for sharing. I think it's so important. When we see that others share our core beliefs - even if not our outward signs of it - I think it strengthens us.
Tamara, that's what I'm talking about exactly. Keeping the lines of communications open. Here's an interesting fact: The Jews of the Old and New Testaments likened praying to setting a trap for God's thoughts. Isn't that beautiful? They knew that God's thoughts were all around us every day all the time and we just had to make an effort to pull them in.
Angie, I, too, love M*A*S*H. Mike Farrell was a friend of mine when I lived in L.A. We worked together on a project for Gene Roddenberry hundreds of years ago, became friends, and put our efforts behind causes together. I was on the M*A*S*H set a lot. Fun place. Do you remember my most favorite episode: the wounded soldier who said he was Jesus. At first, everybody scoffed but the more he exhibited Christ-like behaviors and wisdoms (not miracles. Everday Christ-like behaviors) they began to really wonder. He gave a bit of wisdom that I cherish to this day. when someone asked him why God doesn't answer prayers, he said, God does answer every prayer. Just sometimes the answer is "no".
Fruits of the Holy Spirit coming up Stephanie and more Aramaic bits, too.
Elsewhere in this forum, I commented on Miss Wilma's actions being tithing and got off and running on why I don't have a church anymore - I don't believe the modern churches serve the community anymore. I believe what we ladies have in this and other threads is the modern church ~ sharing, loving, encouraging and so on.
OK, gotta go...got musings to write.
love,
Patty
Proud Farmgirl Sister #19
Rusty Chicks Chapter
check out my etsy site http://ThePlayfulFarmgirl.etsy.com
Today I choose faith not fear. |
| corporatefarmgirl |
Posted - Apr 09 2008 : 10:50:18 AM
Patty your musings are inspiratonal to me. I may not respond but that is because I put them in my heart and dwell upon them.
I believe that we when we are consious of our every day actions and focus on the task God has put before us, it allows us to have an opportunity for prayer; to pray without ceasing. When cooking I am thankful for the food and people I am cooking for, when in my garden I am praising him in my heart for all the good things he provides. The Lord will use these times to speak to each of us because not only are we praying but we are being still and listening to Him.
Keep up the musings PLEASE
small farms give big benefits |
| windypines |
Posted - Apr 09 2008 : 10:27:50 AM
I think your writings are interesting too. I like reading of the interesting things people think or do. My problem is that I can think it in my head, but can't get it to come out right in print!! duh
Michele |
| blueroses |
Posted - Apr 08 2008 : 3:31:25 PM
Hi Patricia,
Sometimes I'm not on the forum for days at a time, or more. I just read your first musing, and it was really interesting. I know that sometimes people don't respond when I write something and I think they must think I'm a dork, but there are all kinds of reasons - or - I really am a dork!! I thought it was really interesting that when translated from Aramaic, the words have a different or deeper meaning. Give us some more, please. Whenever you feel like it.
"You cannot find peace...by avoiding life."
Virginia Woolfe |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Apr 07 2008 : 4:49:54 PM
IN 1985, when Hurricane Kate came thorugh our area, I prayed, literally without ceasing for 5 hours. That was the first time that I can say with truth that I prayed without stopping. But it opened up something within me that has never stopped since. I am always in prayer deep within.
By the way, I really do not think we were favored by God that long ago night, but I know we did not have a tree down in our wooded acre yard, and all around us had trees through their roofs. By this wonderful gift, we were able to go and help others who had so much damage! We could let our yard go, and my hubby spent three days helping everyone else get the trees off of their homes and their driveways. God works in mysterious ways!
Farmgirl Sister # 31
www.blueskyjeannie.blogspot.com
Psalm 51: 10-13 |
| queenofdreamsz4u |
Posted - Apr 07 2008 : 1:16:54 PM
Of the Holy Spirit, Patty...
Hope, Mercy and Encouragement..I've always had the ability to pass on these gifts to others BUT to myself it's always been a challenge 
Stephanie
www.queenofdreamsz.blogspot.com
www.dreamkingdomdesigns.blogspot.com
www.dreamkingdomdesigns.com |
| britchickny |
Posted - Apr 07 2008 : 03:17:20 AM
I think that we have a very diverse group of farmgirls on this forum who appear to 'co-habit' very well when you consider how very unique & different we all are! You know, it seems that these days society is making us feel so afraid to be open about our beliefs because we might be considered intolerant or offend someone. I think that is a shame. Everyone, regardless of who, what, when ,where should be treated with respect and love BUT, that does not mean we should not feel insecure about sharing what we believe.
Freedom of expression and open communication make us all more understanding and loving of each other, even if we don't like what we hear! Hey, if I see something on TV that I don't like, well, onto the next show! (I watch a lot of M.A.S.H. re-runs! )
Okay, I'v rambled enough!
Happy Musings!
Angie (BritChickNY)
"Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance" JUDE 1:2 |
| Utahfarmgirl |
Posted - Apr 06 2008 : 5:23:00 PM
Woo hoo!! We're off to the races again! I know what you mean, Angie. I don't always respond either. I'm just concerned about being offensive. So, thanks for the encouragement. More musings tomorrow.
love,
Patricia
Proud Farmgirl Sister #19
Rusty Chicks Chapter
check out my etsy site http://ThePlayfulFarmgirl.etsy.com
Today I choose faith not fear. |
| emsmommy5 |
Posted - Apr 06 2008 : 4:05:36 PM
I enjoyed reading your musing. I would like it if you do it again! If people don't want to read, they won't. But don't be discouraged. Sometimes I just read, take it in, and really don't have a comment at that point.
Every path has its puddle. We have a choice - Turn around, walk around, or jump in and have fun! |
| britchickny |
Posted - Apr 06 2008 : 1:13:31 PM
Patricia, I don't think that people were not interested, perhaps they were just not sure how to respond. Sometimes people are 'afraid' of what others might think when it comes to faith. BUT, we should share it anyway right! I know that I will be reading the topics and quite often don't 'respond' at that time. Sometimes you are in the 'reading' mode and other times you want to throw in your 2 cents all over the place!
Thanks for being open and honest.
Angie
"Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance" JUDE 1:2 |
| Utahfarmgirl |
Posted - Apr 06 2008 : 11:52:29 AM
Spiritual gifts...sure, do you mean the Gifts of the Holy Spirit or gifts we bring with us to use in our lives here?
I had not planned on during any more musings because I don't think anybody cared about them. I didn't get any feedback on this last one so I didn't think anybody was interested in them but I can do one and send it to you privately if you want. I don't want to force anything down people's necks. I'm very sensitive about that.
love,
Patricia
Proud Farmgirl Sister #19
Rusty Chicks Chapter
check out my etsy site http://ThePlayfulFarmgirl.etsy.com
Today I choose faith not fear. |
| queenofdreamsz4u |
Posted - Apr 06 2008 : 10:59:39 AM
Thanks for the musings...very well put. Will you do a mini-musing on Spiritual Gifts.
My strongest gift is Encouragement.
Thanks, Steph |
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