An Irish Blessing for Christmas
May God be with you
and bless you; May you see
your children’s children;
May you be poor in misfortune –
Rich in blessings;
May you know nothing but
happiness
From this day forward!
life: acoustic & amplified
poetry, quotes & thoughts about life
Archive for the category “power”
choose to be & do
In your deepest darkness
may the eyes of God
twinkle like stars.
May the sounds of the world
become song,
become angelic.
May you always hear,
like voices in the next room,
glory.
May God come,
whole,
into your life.
May you receive
the most holy gift
of wonder.
May God give you the courage
of the young mother
in the darkness.
May you hear the song
of the presence of God
within you.
May your ordinary life
be a sign of God’s nearness
to the lowly.
May all the refugee families
in your world
find shelter.
May you always ponder
the mystery of your dear,
umbilical life.
May the cries
of the Christ child
keep you awake.
__________________
Steve Garnaas-Holmes
Unfolding Light
www.unfoldinglight.net
God breathes stars – WOW!!!!
He breathed the word, and all the stars were born Ps.33:6 NLT
When I stand before the ocean, drive through the mountains, or see pictures taken in space of the great galaxies, the vast beauty above and beyond what we could imagine possible. It always puts my problems, and my place in this world, into perspective.
God is so much bigger than we can ever comprehend. I am humbled and amazed as I stretch my mind open and allow myself to broken open by God’s greatness. As I embrace the mysteries I will never understand in this lifetime. It fills me with wonder to recognize that in all of this vast beautiful universe, I am so small, yet I am here, at this very time and place on purpose – there are no accidental people. I am loved unconditionally – right now. This majestic energy who breathes stars and creates worlds cares so much that I will never be alone.
I think today of the ‘Wise Men’ following that mysterious star so long ago – they followed until they found Jesus. They didn’t have near as much information as we do today, yet they
were so in tune and open to what was happening.
There is a quote we see during this time of year, Wise Men Still Seek Him. We have been promised in Matthew 7:7, Seek and you shall find!
Following the star is just as relevant and just as exciting as it was over 2000 years ago.
I have found it true! I love that!
My Christmas Gift
This time of year is so busy – the strange this is that it seems to me the energy I most feel when I am out and 
about is frenzied, desperate and afraid of not meeting expectations. There seem to be so many expectations for this holiday.
As an adult, for the past 25 years or so, Christmas has been a strange and complicated time for me. I won’t go into a lot of details, but, trust me – it has not been easy. I used to wish I could just have ‘normal’ Christmases like those I saw around me – with a Christmas tree, lots of holiday buying and ‘stuff’. I thought I wanted that same frantic spirit I felt in others. Every year I would look forward to the day when I would have the Christmas that I wanted, and keep the hope alive that it would come.
Well, this year I am having the most wonderful Christmas Season I have ever had as an adult – and guess what? It has nothing to do with having lots of money or buying super amounts of gifts, or by having a full schedule of too many things to do. This year every little thing is a gift. It is cool to me that Chris and I ‘accidentally’ bought the biggest Christmas tree ever! It didn’t look that big at Costco! ha It is probably 10 feet tall and so beautiful! I love drinking my coffee in the early morning with only God and the lighted tree for company. It is a very special Christmas.
This Christmas I am experiencing Mary, the Birth of Christ and ‘The Fullness of Time’ in so many ways in my life. It is very personal. I am humbled and so grateful. I am giving thanks for all that has brought me to this place. I am wrapping each moment as a gift and I am full of gratitude for reaching home. Little things for me have, and will continue to be, miracles! Giving thanks makes for the most beautiful life in every circumstance.
In 1990, desperate for happiness, I reached out to God and declared it. I wanted happiness, love, peace, joy and I was willing to do what ever it took to get it. I was changed forever by the words of Jesus in Matthew chapters 5-7, and I began this crazy adventure which has been marked by loss, pain, tears, and years of wandering. Yet each step has been sacred and holy as I have given it to God – this is a continual process. I choose the way of the cross every day, and, by God’s grace, I will continue to choose it every moment.
We have freewill – a spiritual relationship is just like any other physical relationship. We choose how much we put into it, and how successful it becomes. I have chosen to give my all. I have chosen to give thanks no matter where I find myself. I have worked hard to accept all life has brought to me and to learn from it. I have chosen to keep my heart open and to allow healing. I have recognized a greater purpose in everything I have experienced and have acknowledged the many miracles that have been at every turn. I have known that many people may have meant me evil, but God only wanted to bring me all good things. Psalm 37 has been my guide and I have LIVED my faith. God has been so faithful and I am blessed beyond what I ever even knew was possible.
I have believed that I would come to this place and … here I am!!! It is a real ‘wow’ time for me and I am so glad to be able to share it with everyone who will listen this year.
What is even more wonderful for me to know isthis:
this is not some secret just for me – it is for everyone! All you have to do is say ‘yes’!
the greatest gift you can give, or get, is unconditional love
love doesn’t withhold, manipulate, play favorites, compete, hide, shut down, play games, or lie –
love simply gives. Then waits to receive with open heart and hands, it has no conditions or demands, but accepts, allows, supports, touches, tells the truth, commits, opens, and waits patiently.
Love simply loves, and, in so doing, love keeps growing – healthy and strong. Apply love to yourself first, and keep in mind – you can’t give someone something they don’t want. Which means sometimes you must remove people you love from your life. Loving people does not mean you allow yourself to be manipulated or mistreated…THAT’S NOT LOVE! As always, It is – what it is!!!
Thanks: the choice that keeps giving & changing our lives
My Christmas gift this year is a new iphone. One of the best things I like about it is an app from One Thousand Gifts (Thank you, Anne Voskamp, everything about you is a beautiful gift to us all). This app allows me to take a picture, write text and then save and upload my gift of the moment.
Not only am I creating a beautiful reminder list of all the amazing blessings all around me, I can my send my gift at this moment to Twitter or Facebook and share it with others. I can also go to Anne’s site and read the blessings of others. Everytime I click on the app I get a new quote to read to remind me of this thankful way of life I have chosen to take for the past 15 years. It is thrilling to me!!!!
Want to change your life? Want to be happier? Become aware of your blessings and the miracles all around you!
http://onethousandgifts.com/get-the-app
life: acoustic & amplified 