life: acoustic & amplified

poetry, quotes & thoughts about life

Archive for the category “Gratitude”

06 May 2013

we got it all

As fearful people we are inclined to develop a mind-set that makes us say: “There’s not enough food for everyone, so I better be sure I save enough for myself in case of emergency,” or “There’s not enough knowledge for everyone to enjoy; so I’d better keep my knowledge to myself, so no one else will use it” or “There’s not enough love to give to everybody, so I’d better keep my friends for myself to prevent others from taking them away from me.” This is a scarcity mentality. It involves hoarding whatever we have, fearful that we won’t have enough to survive. The tragedy, however, is that what you cling to ends up rotting in your hands.
– Henri Nouwen
http://www.henrinouwen.org

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Posted in attitude, awareness, Blessing, Choice, Encouragement, find art at pinterest, giving, Gratitude, inspiration, Letting Go, Life, Love, People, Relationships, soul and spirit, thankfulness | Leave a comment
05 May 2013

don’t worry. there’s plenty.

20130505-094811.jpgGod is a god of abundance, not a god of scarcity. Jesus reveals to us God’s abundance when he offers so much bread to the people that there are twelve large baskets with leftover scraps (see John 6:5-15), and when he makes his disciples catch so many fish that their boat nearly sinks (Luke 5:1-7). God doesn’t give us just enough. God gives us more than enough: more bread and fish than we can eat, more love than we dared to ask for.

God is a generous giver, but we can only see and enjoy God’s generosity when we love God with all of our hearts, minds, and strength. As long as we say, “I will love you, God, but first show me your generosity,” we will remain distant from God and unable to experience what God truly wants to give us, which is life and life in abundance.
– Henri Nouwen
http://www.henrinouwen.org

Posted in attitude, awareness, Blessing, Choice, Faith, find art at pinterest, giving, grace, Gratitude, Letting Go, Life, Love, receiving, Relationships, Thoughts | Leave a comment
04 May 2013

God Is awake

Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones. And when you have finished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake.
– Victor Hugo

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Posted in action, attitude, awareness, Becoming Yourself, beloved, Choice, courage, determination, Faith, find art at pinterest, Gratitude, Grieving, inspiration, Life, Love, Passion, Patience, People, Relationships, soul and spirit, thankfulness, Today | Leave a comment
03 May 2013

the power of choosing creative forces

As my sufferings mounted I soon realized that there were two ways in which I could respond to my situation – either to react with bitterness or seek to transform the suffering into a creative force. I decided to follow the latter course.

– Martin Luther King Jr.

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Posted in attitude, awareness, Change, Choice, compassion, courage, Encouragement, find art at pinterest, forgiveness, Gospel, Gratitude, Leadership, Letting Go, Life, soul and spirit, thankfulness, Trust, Uncategorized, Vulnerability, Winning | Leave a comment
29 Apr 2013

spring fling

In these early spring days
before their fullness
the trees have a light in their eyes,
the packed, swelling buds,
these delicate feathers and fingers,
(and the blossoms,
the crazy blossoms!)
and then the tiniest leaves,
little baby exclamation points,
raised eyebrows
freckling the changed woods.

To attain individuality
and courage and creativity
you don’t have to do some
outlandish thing.
Just let the beauty
of the Beloved
deep within
come out.

The birds
just can’t stop talking about it.

__________________
Steve Garnaas-Holmes
Unfolding Light
http://www.unfoldinglight.net

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Posted in Becoming Yourself, beloved, Choice, confidence, Encouragement, Faith, find art at pinterest, Glory, Gospel, Gratitude, Letting Go, Life, Love, nature, Seasons, soul and spirit, Spring | Leave a comment
28 Apr 2013

reflections on a day

We swim in abundance
This day is living
flowing with
intimacy
and abundance

As I reflect on this day
I am full
I went with $8
I gave $5
I was given $40
I shared $20
I left with riches
beyond description and measure
I am stronger because of you
I will never put gas in my tank again
without praying for that circle
of beautiful women
starting with Barbara’s entering, speaking, blessing,
passing hand to hand
that green gift for me
for the same abundance
to rain on them
every day
showers of blessings
running down into
their shoes in sloshy goodness
I have found it true that
there is always enough to share
giving and receiving
are the same act of healing

There is much music
In my fullness
There are symphonies
Playing in my soul
I thank each of you for
your life giving songs
my friends
my sisters

AL 4/27/13

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Posted in awareness, Blessing, Encouragement, Faith, find art at pinterest, friendship, Gratitude, Happiness, Love, Miracles, People, Relationships, soul and spirit, strength | Leave a comment
14 Apr 2013

joy in heaven

Brennan Manning
writing of grace
in his human broken frame
a ragamuffin
full if love and scars
he is now home with our Abba

God brought him to me
through Wyatt
in Florida
a weird and wonderful guy
who also brought me to
Henri Nouwen
and
John Eldridge
Wow!
that was a very strange and beneficial encounter

The words and calling
of Ruthless Trust
The Ragamuffin Gospel
the truth resounding
The Furious Love of God
Abba’s Child
The Wisdom of Tenderness
Above All

I read every word of his
I can get hold of
each echo in my heart
We are here to help each other
from one ragamuffin to another
Yes, he lived his calling
in a brave and wonderful way
finding intimacy and true relationship
through imperfection
just as I have

there is great joy in heaven
as he goes home
I am sure he is enjoying
the band greatly

4/13/13

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Posted in Becoming Yourself, beloved, courage, dark, Encouragement, Faith, find art at pinterest, forgiveness, Freedom, Glory, Gospel, Gratitude, Grieving, healing, home, inspiration, intimacy, Letting Go, Life, Love, Peace, People, Reflection, Respect, soul and spirit, Tenderness, thankfulness, truth | Leave a comment
12 Apr 2013
1 Comment

here to help each other

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Why doesn’t anyone tell you? That whenever you want to stick your head in the sand — is when you need to stick your hand out for help.

That fear only happens when you try to go alone. It’s why all the angels always come with light and say do not be afraid. It’s why He says I am always with you and I won’t ever forsake.

Burden is only a weight when borne alone. When the burden is borne together, by a Body, the burden becomes bond — soul strengthener.
– Ann Voskamp

Posted in action, Adventure, awareness, beloved, Encouragement, Faith, find art at pinterest, friendship, Gratitude, Love, People, Relationships, thankfulness
10 Apr 2013
1 Comment

dreaming of you

I gaze at the stars.
spring night air, and strange new sounds,
seep soft through open windows,
first night open for two seasons.
crickets and coyotes mix with dogs and cars
the occasional child crying,
bed time,
then the soothing sound of its mothers voice.
I lay on a hard mattress,
my neck hurts,
my head aches,
I wonder it’s not worse
with the stress of my wallet echo.
I have certainly gotten resilient
over these years.
I drift, soft with the night.
I think about the wonder
of this life I am living,
how much I have learned,
and how that is only
the surface.
the stars are fading,
the big dipper going to sleep.
my eyelids are getting heavy
time to find the dream answers
waiting on the other side
of my living
where anything can happen,
and it’s all really about me.

AL 4/9/13

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Posted in awareness, beauty, Dreams, find art at pinterest, friendship, Gratitude, Growth, healing, Letting Go, Life, Love, Miracles, Patience, People, perceptions
06 Apr 2013

After the game, the King and the pawn go into the same box. ~ Italian proverb

Being Humble and Confident

As we look at the stars and let our minds wander into the many galaxies, we come to feel so small and insignificant that anything we do, say, or think seems completely useless. But if we look into our souls and let our minds wander into the endless galaxies of our interior lives, we become so tall and significant that everything we do, say, or think appears of great importance.

We have to keep looking both ways to remain humble and confident, humorous and serious, playful and responsible. Yes, the human person is very small and very tall. It is the tension between the two that keeps us spiritually awake.

– Henri Nouwen

Home

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Posted in attitude, awareness, Becoming Yourself, Encouragement, Faith, find art at pinterest, Gospel, Gratitude, healing, inspiration, Life, Love, Patience, People | Leave a comment

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