"Faith"

In this first Sunday of Advent, We light a candle
for "Faith." We know that our faith comes from within.
Our faith is strengthened not by following an outer
star or written creed, but by listening to Spirit,
the "still small voice" that is within everyone of us.

We have peace, love, and joy as we listen to Spirit,
and we know Spirit is guiding us. We listen to that
guidance, and our faith is strengthened.

During this holiday season it is easy to get caught
up in all the lists and have to dos. Let us make a
decision to take time to listen, and strengthen our
faith.

Let us pray: Living, loving Presence, how grateful we
are for Your Presence always within us. Thank You for
Your guidance, and for the strengthening of our faith
that acting on Your guidance brings. We are so blessed.
Thank You, Spirit. Amen.

We welcome your comments, and are grateful also for
opportunities to pray with you. Thank you for your
love and support.

"Let Us Say Thanks"

John 11:4l,42 And Jesus looked upward and said, “Father,
I thank you for having heard me...you always hear me...”

Jesus is our example of how to live the thankful life.
When Jesus uttered the above words, it was before the
tomb of his friend, Lazarus. Jesus gave thanks.

We, too, can give thanks. Perhaps as we celebrate this
Thanksgiving we can take time to make a list of all that
we are grateful for. My challenge to you is to make a
list of as many things you are grateful for equal to the
amount of years of your age. Some of us will have longer
lists than others!

Let us pray:
Loving Presence, we say "Thank You," not because you
need our thanks, but because we need to say it. We
count our blessings, and are so grateful. We are so
blessed. Thank You, God. Amen.

The Grateful Road

"It is impossible to be bitter when one is grateful;
it is impossible to be unhappy when one is grateful;
it is impossible to be without hope when one is
grateful."

Chris H. Norman wrote the above in his book, "The
Grateful Road." He began writing this book after he
was diagnosed with ALS. The diagnosis came the day
before his 50th Birthday.

We each have so much to be grateful for in our
lives. May we each take time to take "the grateful
road," be thankful for even the bumps in the road,
and see where the road leads us.

Let us pray:
Sweet Holy Spirit, our desire is to travel "the
grateful road" and not to take anything in our lives
for granted. Thank You for Your presence with us on
the road, and for blessing us so abundantly.
Amen.

We welcome your comments, and are grateful also for
opportunities to pray with you. Thank you for your
love and support.

Peace and love,
Sandy

Give Thanks

"Give Thanks"
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the
will of God for you in Christ Jesus."
I Thessalonians 5:18

We are instructed in the above verse to give thanks
"in" all circumstances, not "for" all circumstances.
It is a reminder that no matter what we may be
experiencing in our life, that God is always
present. We can give thanks for that presence as our
comfort and guide.

Meister Eckhart, 13th Century mystic, said "God is
always at home, it is we who have gone for a walk."
God is always at home in us, even though we may feel
separate from God.
for.

Let us pray:
Living, loving Presence, we go within and connect
with You. Thank You that You are always present.
You are my comfort and guide. I am grateful. Thank
You, God. Amen.

We enjoy hearing from you, and we are grateful
for your love and support.

Peace and love,
Sandy