It is amazing how you can forget the importance of just getting quiet. I was outside yesterday when my sweet little granddaughter came around the barn and asked me why I was just sitting and looking into the pasture and I told her "sometimes when I sit quiet it helps me clear my head". She climbed up on the fence and sat with me for a while and said "Grandma I think it is working, because I just remembered my favorite day in school this year." We just sat and talked as she reflected on her best day - Whether you are talking to God or just letting your mind empty it is imperative to the human spirit to quiet and reflect.
It was Samuel- when he was being trained by Eli to hear the voice of God. 'Speak Lord, for your servant is listening' - so many times we miss the mark because we fail to listen.
I feel closer to God when I am gardening. I feel God’s presence as the sunshine hits my body, as I listen to the birds chirping and the dogs barking, and as I smell nature’s scents. I can feel my stress being lifted from my shoulders.
Using the gifts God gave me makes me feel proud. When I am disconnected, being outside in nature always brings me back and my mind is cleared.
Thanks for a good chat about awareness and connecting. 🤗
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Graham. I found your opening recollections on being taught about sin as a child interesting. I remember struggling with grasping the notion of sin. Sometimes its was obvious to me as a child. and other times not. When I began to understand sin and its impact on my life was when it was explained in terms of the things I do or don't do that makes me feel farther from God.
Regarding "speak Lord your servant is listening..." it is often used as what Catholics call the Gospel Acclaimation ... a statement of intention as we are about to listen to God's Word. The whole acclaimation is "Speak Lord, your servant is listening. You have the words of everlasting life". The quotes are from 1 Samuel 3:9 and John 6:68 It's usually sung
Thank you for this inspiration as I ready myself for my evening reflection ... after midnight here in Calgary. I follow St. Ignatius style of guided meditation.
Chris' brother has just gone into palliative care as his battle with pancreatic cancer draws to a close. I always feel a very close connection with God in these times of suffering and sorrow.
I get a boost in my connection to God very often when I'm around children. I regularly babysit and when I'm with a child I feel God oozing from their little selves. The innocence, the awe, the joy, their eyes and smiles...It’s God presence...
I'm generally a quiet, contemplative person. I listen and observe. I love to sit on my front porch as I listen to nature, kids playing, and to God's messages.
I also enjoy driving out in the country and witnessing mountains, lakes, streams and the sky. These visual real life paintings remind me of how vast God's love is and infuses me with abounding gratefulness and closeness to our creator.
Thank you Graham for sharing your thoughts. They spark us to examine how we can relate to what you're saying in our unique way.
Wow, as I was listening to the live, it came to me why my anxiety, stress levels, have been so high the past few days….disconnect! Now to find my way back, just did an emotional release mediation to release those emotions, clear space. My mind has been all over the place..can’t keep focus, brain dump may be needed. Thanks for sharing the thoughts…an eye opener for me.
My church is the place I go to be with Nature by myself, while in nature, I pray and take time to listen so I can hear His voice and feel His presence, it is the stillness that I need as I recite the scripture “Be Still and Know That I am God” my prayers will not only be for myself but for the many people who are needing them. When I am stressed or get a uncomfortable feeling on what is going on in my life, I know it is time for my great escape with Nature and with my Horse.
Graham, I believe God is always by my side, even when my mind is busy with voices and worries about life. But it's during the peaceful, quiet moments of early morning that I find it easiest to shut out the noise, listen, reconnect, and feel His comforting presence.
Hi Graham, great to catch the replay of your live. I don't get notifications live. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and reflections. I live in nature,and it is so reflective to just sit on my porch and listen to the beautiful sounds of nature, God's beautiful creations,and be thankful. My biggest connection is when I am in church participating in mass. One of the reasons why it is so important to me to go to church every Sunday. I know not everyone see it that way,and I am fine with that. Don't have to go to church to feel close to God,but that is what works for me, along with other things. Thanks again Graham, just listening to you speak your thoughts is reflective for so many of us here.❤️🙏🏻👏
Me too Kathleen. I love my church and all my friends there. When I am singing those hymns it gets me to the core. I have to attend church. If I have something on my heart I go to church in the afternoon and pray at the altar. Wow❤️🙏
I’m a daily walker! That’s the best time for communing with God! My favorite verse is “Be Still and know that I am God”! Life is so hectic at times, it helps to have a favorite verse to lean on♥️My thoughts and prayers these past few days though have been for the people in Texas & all that they are going through due to the massive flooding and the loss of life😔
I tend to feel a disconnect when life gets overly busy and the cares of the world get heavy. In those moments it helps me to picture God (I see Him as light) as right beside me whispering, "We're in this together. Just lean in." If I can take a few moments outside to breathe in all the parts of nature that touch my senses, I reconnect and agree with God that all I need to do is surrender. The poem I wrote for the last writing challenge about finding God in the silence expresses that feeling of getting quiet, listening and receiving reassurance that he's always with me. It feels like being wrapped in a warm blanket of love and peace. Thanks for sharing your thoughts to contemplate. Good reminder to take the time to reconnect today.
Beautiful reflection! I know that God always walks beside me, but there are special moments when His presence is stronger for me, such as listening to birds singing, walking on the beach, or being in silence.
You shared great thoughts in this chat while driving, Graham. By the way, do you have a self driving car? While you were talking to us you frequently were taking your hands off the wheel, gesturing to make a point. I kept wondering, "How can he do that & still keep in his lane in traffic?!" Haha! I wasn't totally distracted, though, and still was tuned into what you were saying.
The favorite Bible verse you had as a kid is one of mine too, Graham. It's from I Samuel 3:10. Samuel, who had been dedicated to the Lord in the service of God as a young boy and became a mighty prophet of Israel, was in the temple and heard a voice calling him, and he thought it was Eli the priest calling to him. He was told by Eli that it must be the Lord, so when Samuel heard the Lord calling him again, Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." So many lessons can be found in this verse to apply to my life. God is always with us and when he calls, listen & be ready to serve, act, do. My problem is I am more apt to come to God in prayer and plead, "Listen, God, for your servant is speaking!" Of course God wants us to come to him with our needs, but I think if we're going to have a close relationship to God, the "listening" part has to be at the top of the list. I feel close to God when I'm out in nature, even if it's just going for a walk in my neighborhood with my dog. I feel close to God when I'm digging in the dirt in my garden & I'm enjoying the fresh air and the beauty of his creation around me. I feel close to God when I am talking with a friend or neighbor in need and I am able to help them with my words or do an intentional & practical act of kindness for them. But I have also felt his loving presence and receive an answer from him when I have a heavy burden and I'm doing something mundane like vacuuming my carpet or mopping my floor. Many times in the Bible God has promised his people, "I will never leave you; I will never forsake you." His presence is always with me. His magnificence creation is all around me. If I have a need , he will answer yes if it's good for me, no if it's not and wait if the timing isn't right. My part is to listen, worship, trust and obey. Sounds easy, but of course it's not. the rewards are huge, though, when I do! Thanks, Graham. Abundant blessings to you always. Paola too.
Thanks Graham for the reflective drive time chat - it was 1 am EST so missed the live. The scripture reference “speak Lord your servant is listening” can be found at 1 Samuel 3:7 and is one of my favorites when I am faced with a situation beyond me and I don’t know what to do.
I really enjoy these fun drive chats. They are always interesting and thought-provoking discussions. Feeling disconnected for me comes when I get in the way of God, when I argue, fuss, lose patience, or throw a Linda temper tantrum. To get aligned and connected I normally go to my “praying” bridge in my backyard. It is there that I can breathe, listen for guidance and ask for peace. When I lose myself, ignore my wants and simply accept God’s peace I feel connected and complete. Thank you, Graham, for bringing us along on your drive. Continued blessings.
It is amazing how you can forget the importance of just getting quiet. I was outside yesterday when my sweet little granddaughter came around the barn and asked me why I was just sitting and looking into the pasture and I told her "sometimes when I sit quiet it helps me clear my head". She climbed up on the fence and sat with me for a while and said "Grandma I think it is working, because I just remembered my favorite day in school this year." We just sat and talked as she reflected on her best day - Whether you are talking to God or just letting your mind empty it is imperative to the human spirit to quiet and reflect.
Robin, I needed to hear your story about your granddaughter. Thank you so much for sharing. Thank you.
It was Samuel- when he was being trained by Eli to hear the voice of God. 'Speak Lord, for your servant is listening' - so many times we miss the mark because we fail to listen.
I feel closer to God when I am gardening. I feel God’s presence as the sunshine hits my body, as I listen to the birds chirping and the dogs barking, and as I smell nature’s scents. I can feel my stress being lifted from my shoulders.
Using the gifts God gave me makes me feel proud. When I am disconnected, being outside in nature always brings me back and my mind is cleared.
Thanks for a good chat about awareness and connecting. 🤗
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Graham. I found your opening recollections on being taught about sin as a child interesting. I remember struggling with grasping the notion of sin. Sometimes its was obvious to me as a child. and other times not. When I began to understand sin and its impact on my life was when it was explained in terms of the things I do or don't do that makes me feel farther from God.
Regarding "speak Lord your servant is listening..." it is often used as what Catholics call the Gospel Acclaimation ... a statement of intention as we are about to listen to God's Word. The whole acclaimation is "Speak Lord, your servant is listening. You have the words of everlasting life". The quotes are from 1 Samuel 3:9 and John 6:68 It's usually sung
...
https://youtu.be/1d7xdELDST4?si=l7RWUCptYPoz-ewp
Thank you for this inspiration as I ready myself for my evening reflection ... after midnight here in Calgary. I follow St. Ignatius style of guided meditation.
Chris' brother has just gone into palliative care as his battle with pancreatic cancer draws to a close. I always feel a very close connection with God in these times of suffering and sorrow.
Blessings
I get a boost in my connection to God very often when I'm around children. I regularly babysit and when I'm with a child I feel God oozing from their little selves. The innocence, the awe, the joy, their eyes and smiles...It’s God presence...
I'm generally a quiet, contemplative person. I listen and observe. I love to sit on my front porch as I listen to nature, kids playing, and to God's messages.
I also enjoy driving out in the country and witnessing mountains, lakes, streams and the sky. These visual real life paintings remind me of how vast God's love is and infuses me with abounding gratefulness and closeness to our creator.
Thank you Graham for sharing your thoughts. They spark us to examine how we can relate to what you're saying in our unique way.
❤️🙏
Wow, as I was listening to the live, it came to me why my anxiety, stress levels, have been so high the past few days….disconnect! Now to find my way back, just did an emotional release mediation to release those emotions, clear space. My mind has been all over the place..can’t keep focus, brain dump may be needed. Thanks for sharing the thoughts…an eye opener for me.
My church is the place I go to be with Nature by myself, while in nature, I pray and take time to listen so I can hear His voice and feel His presence, it is the stillness that I need as I recite the scripture “Be Still and Know That I am God” my prayers will not only be for myself but for the many people who are needing them. When I am stressed or get a uncomfortable feeling on what is going on in my life, I know it is time for my great escape with Nature and with my Horse.
Graham, I believe God is always by my side, even when my mind is busy with voices and worries about life. But it's during the peaceful, quiet moments of early morning that I find it easiest to shut out the noise, listen, reconnect, and feel His comforting presence.
Hi Graham, great to catch the replay of your live. I don't get notifications live. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and reflections. I live in nature,and it is so reflective to just sit on my porch and listen to the beautiful sounds of nature, God's beautiful creations,and be thankful. My biggest connection is when I am in church participating in mass. One of the reasons why it is so important to me to go to church every Sunday. I know not everyone see it that way,and I am fine with that. Don't have to go to church to feel close to God,but that is what works for me, along with other things. Thanks again Graham, just listening to you speak your thoughts is reflective for so many of us here.❤️🙏🏻👏
Me too Kathleen. I love my church and all my friends there. When I am singing those hymns it gets me to the core. I have to attend church. If I have something on my heart I go to church in the afternoon and pray at the altar. Wow❤️🙏
Yes! Like David in the bible playing music 🎶
I’m a daily walker! That’s the best time for communing with God! My favorite verse is “Be Still and know that I am God”! Life is so hectic at times, it helps to have a favorite verse to lean on♥️My thoughts and prayers these past few days though have been for the people in Texas & all that they are going through due to the massive flooding and the loss of life😔
I tend to feel a disconnect when life gets overly busy and the cares of the world get heavy. In those moments it helps me to picture God (I see Him as light) as right beside me whispering, "We're in this together. Just lean in." If I can take a few moments outside to breathe in all the parts of nature that touch my senses, I reconnect and agree with God that all I need to do is surrender. The poem I wrote for the last writing challenge about finding God in the silence expresses that feeling of getting quiet, listening and receiving reassurance that he's always with me. It feels like being wrapped in a warm blanket of love and peace. Thanks for sharing your thoughts to contemplate. Good reminder to take the time to reconnect today.
Beautiful reflection! I know that God always walks beside me, but there are special moments when His presence is stronger for me, such as listening to birds singing, walking on the beach, or being in silence.
You shared great thoughts in this chat while driving, Graham. By the way, do you have a self driving car? While you were talking to us you frequently were taking your hands off the wheel, gesturing to make a point. I kept wondering, "How can he do that & still keep in his lane in traffic?!" Haha! I wasn't totally distracted, though, and still was tuned into what you were saying.
The favorite Bible verse you had as a kid is one of mine too, Graham. It's from I Samuel 3:10. Samuel, who had been dedicated to the Lord in the service of God as a young boy and became a mighty prophet of Israel, was in the temple and heard a voice calling him, and he thought it was Eli the priest calling to him. He was told by Eli that it must be the Lord, so when Samuel heard the Lord calling him again, Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." So many lessons can be found in this verse to apply to my life. God is always with us and when he calls, listen & be ready to serve, act, do. My problem is I am more apt to come to God in prayer and plead, "Listen, God, for your servant is speaking!" Of course God wants us to come to him with our needs, but I think if we're going to have a close relationship to God, the "listening" part has to be at the top of the list. I feel close to God when I'm out in nature, even if it's just going for a walk in my neighborhood with my dog. I feel close to God when I'm digging in the dirt in my garden & I'm enjoying the fresh air and the beauty of his creation around me. I feel close to God when I am talking with a friend or neighbor in need and I am able to help them with my words or do an intentional & practical act of kindness for them. But I have also felt his loving presence and receive an answer from him when I have a heavy burden and I'm doing something mundane like vacuuming my carpet or mopping my floor. Many times in the Bible God has promised his people, "I will never leave you; I will never forsake you." His presence is always with me. His magnificence creation is all around me. If I have a need , he will answer yes if it's good for me, no if it's not and wait if the timing isn't right. My part is to listen, worship, trust and obey. Sounds easy, but of course it's not. the rewards are huge, though, when I do! Thanks, Graham. Abundant blessings to you always. Paola too.
Thanks Graham for the reflective drive time chat - it was 1 am EST so missed the live. The scripture reference “speak Lord your servant is listening” can be found at 1 Samuel 3:7 and is one of my favorites when I am faced with a situation beyond me and I don’t know what to do.
I really enjoy these fun drive chats. They are always interesting and thought-provoking discussions. Feeling disconnected for me comes when I get in the way of God, when I argue, fuss, lose patience, or throw a Linda temper tantrum. To get aligned and connected I normally go to my “praying” bridge in my backyard. It is there that I can breathe, listen for guidance and ask for peace. When I lose myself, ignore my wants and simply accept God’s peace I feel connected and complete. Thank you, Graham, for bringing us along on your drive. Continued blessings.