Revitalize Your Church

Sheltering at home, I am reminded of Thomas Merton's "Thoughts in Solitude": My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, And the fact that I think that I am following your will Does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road Though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always Though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, For you are ever with me, And you will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen

 Are you groping for a blessing,  Never getting there?  Listen to a word in season,  Get somewhere!  Are you struggling for salvation  By your anxious prayer?  Stop your struggling, simply trust and --  Get somewhere!  Does the answer seem to linger  To your earnest prayer?  Turn your praying into praise and --  Get somewhere!  You will never know His fullness  Till you boldly dare  To commit your all to Him and --  Get somewhere! --  From Streams in the Desert

Behold us, Lord, a little space from daily tasks set free, and met within thy holy place to rest awhile with thee. Around us rolls the ceaseless tide of business, toil, and care; and scarcely can we turn aside for one brief hour of prayer. Yet these are not the only walls wherein thou may'st be sought: on homeliest work thy blessing falls, in truth and patience wrought. Thine is the loom, the forge, the mart, the wealth of land and sea; the worlds of science and of art, revealed and ruled by thee. Then let us prove our heavenly birth in all we do and know; and claim the kingdom of the earth for thee, and not thy foe. Work shall be prayer, if all be wrought as thou wouldst have it done; and prayer, by thee inspired and taught, itself with work be one.

I was facing a difficult day. Many issues demanded my attention, my schedule was packed full of appointments, and my energy level was low. The needs around me seemed overwhelming, and the phone rang off the hook. Realizing that I had not yet had my quiet time with God, I decided to escape from the office for a few minutes and find a place for solitude. A long time ago, I learned that if my soul is not anchored, I’m not much good for anybody. I drove to a beautiful lake, and spent some time centering my mind on my Creator. It seemed as if my Heavenly Father was speaking his love, strength and peace to my heart. Then, I read Psalm 25:5, which states, “My hope is in you all day long.” All day long! Just think! God is with me all day long – every single moment of every single day. All day long, he offers his peace. All day long, I can rest in his grace. All day long, He demonstrates his love and faithfulness. All day long, I can depend on Him. He never goes out to lunch, never takes a bre...

"Simply gazing at a daisy reveals the mind of God." -- James Bryan Smith

Sigurd Olson, the great naturalist and inspiring writer, with strong Hayward connections, had a cabin in northern Minnesota, which he affectionately dubbed, “Listening Point.” In 1956, after a long search for the perfect “get-away” spot, Sig happened upon the property one day, and instantly knew had found a treasure. A farm, seven miles south of Ely, had been condemned to make way for the airport. Seeing the land with eyes of the soul, Sig bought it, and built a rustic cabin where “we could just move in, spend a few hours, a night or two, or if in the mood, even a week, an outpost away from the phone and interruptions.” Surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of pristine nature, this place, overlooking Burntside Lake, served as a special “get-away” for Sig and his dear wife, Elizabeth. The 36 acres of property included a small beach, a quiet cove, and a prominent westward point of glaciated greenstone. The name “Listening Point” came in 1958 when their son, Bob and daughter-in-law, Yvo...

I went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in. -- John Muir