Context: The days tend to blur into one with Covid, but there are signs of improvement. Yesterday, my husband made bread, we gratefully received our second batch of online grocery shopping, and I walked about 5o yards down the road, which was as much as I could manage. There was no traffic, and the light, waves and gulls gave a strange, dream-like quality to being out of doors. Afterwards, I was so tired that I fell asleep repeatedly.
Besilent before the Lord (Zechariah 2:13; NLT).
In the silence of my mind,
I praise you, Lord,
Who sets me free.
In the stillness of my heart,
I worship you
Continually.
In the darkness of my soul,
I seek your face
Unceasingly.
In the dying of my flesh,
I thirst
For your eternity.
I lift my hands to you in prayer. Ithirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain (Psalm 143:6; NLT).
Ithirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him? (Psalm 42:2; NLT).
Rosary news:
Following help I was given on Wednesday by a religious Sister, I made my first rosary with a centrepiece, which proved to be a game-changer. It’s holding together so far, with cautious, gentle handling:
Context: Last Saturday was a rare, blessed, unpressured day with no hospital appointments, and no building work taking place at home. I had breakfast in bed, followed by the luxury of a whole morning to write this prayer, which arrived soon after I woke up:
Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things (Ecclesiastes 11:5; NLT).
God: in stillness, silence, darkness;
Here, in yearning –
Our unknown.
God: in worship, wonder, rapture;
Here, in bliss –
Our stepping stone.
God: in nature, labour, service;
Here, in love –
Our source, our home.
God: in weakness, envy, anger;
Here, in sin –
Our cornerstone.
God: in conflict, terror, trauma;
Here, in carnage –
Our shalom.
God: in sickness, sorrow, anguish;
Here, in pain –
Our flesh, our bone.
God: in striving, yielding, dying;
Here, in all –
Our Lord, alone.
The LORD is our God, the LORD alone (Deuteronomy 6:4; NLT).
References
Stand in silence in the presence of the Sovereign LORD (Zephaniah 1:7; NLT).
God is love (1 John 4:8; NLT).
By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made (Genesis 3:19; NLT).
The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone (Psalm 118:22; NLT).
I want your will to be done, not mine (Luke 22:42; NLT).
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me (Psalm 23:4; NLT).
Yield yourselves to God (Romans 6:13; RSV).
Now yield and submit yourself to Him [agree with God and be conformed to His will] and be at peace (Job 22:21; AMP).
Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit (Matthew 27:50; NKJV).
The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NIV).
There is …one God and Creator of all, who is over all, who works through all and is within all (Ephesians 4:5-6; TIB).
Rosary-making news:
I’m longing for the arrival of some 1mm cord from the UK. This should hopefully thread through the wooden beads I’ve already bought. At present, I only have 1.5mm cord, which is too thick to go through them. Until the thinner cord arrives, I’m limited to making necklaces and bracelets, practicing barrel knots and threading a few beads by chewing the thread. Still, today I made my first ever equal-length sliding knots.
Context: Today’s blog arose from two lines which came to me recently:
Out of my darkness Comes radiant light…
This phrase describes the sudden upwelling of inspiration which generates my writing. I have never been able to put it into words before.
Because of its rhythm, I expected the couplet to become the start of a poem. However, this task soon proved to be beyond me, so instead I resorted to making notes about what I needed to express. To my surprise, these jottings became a short article outlining five distinct stages through which most of my blogs come into being. After some prayer and reflection, I feel fairly comfortable about sharing it:
In Jerusalem, near the Sheep Gate, there is a pool with five porticoes; its Hebrew name is Bethesda. The place was crowded with sick people – those who were blind, lame or paralyzed – lying there waiting for the water to move. An angel of God would come down to the pool from time to time, to stir up the water; the first one to step into the water after it had been stirred up would be completely healed (John 5:2-4; TIB).
1. Worshipping without words When worshipping without words, I rest in a womb-like space at the threshold between my conscious and unconscious minds. It’s warm, still, peaceful and dimly-lit, so I feel safe and comfortable there.
2. Light and movement Then, without warning, a brilliant light bubbles up from the total darkness of my unconscious mind, stirring the previously still surface of my consciousness. Intense brightness, warmth and love overwhelm me. I don’t know how long this moment lasts, because I’m not aware of anything beyond it, though I suspect it’s just a few seconds.
3. Inspiration, insight and words This light brings a spiritual insight that is new to me, though it wouldn’t necessarily be new to others. I experience a moment of intense personal learning and inner healing. Discernible words quickly follow, rising up out of the darkness, though I neither hear nor see them. They simply take shape in my mind. Usually these words form the opening lines of a prayer; occasionally, an ending. They nearly always set the theme and rhythm for the whole piece.
4. Starting to write Revelling in God’s light and warmth, I’m often reluctant to break off in order to catch hold of what I’ve been shown. However, long experience has taught me that if I don’t write it down immediately, it will disappear from my memory. The moment for seeing and grasping each insight comes only once.
So I reach for my iPad or notebook, quickly scribbling the words, then sketching out the shape of the whole piece. Sometimes, as I’m writing down each line, the next appears from nowhere, then the next, and I simply write them down. This takes just a few minutes. Once the bare bones of the piece are safely on the page, I begin the much longer process of working to express exactly what I learned as clearly and briefly as possible.
Gradually, the whole piece takes shape. If possible, I prefer to finalise it on the day it arrives. However, this stage can sometimes takes longer, depending on how difficult it is to put what I experienced into words.
5. Finishing There is always a strong sense of relief and fulfilment when I finish encapsulating each experience securely, in writing. Along the way I will have searched out numerous Biblical quotations, so all that remains is to select a few of the most helpful, tag some key words, and choose an illustration. This completes the process of preparing to share the light which comes out of my inner darkness.
I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden wealth of secret places, so that you may know that it is I, Yahweh, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name (Isiah 45:3; LSB).
References
He uncovers deep things out of darkness (Job 12:22; NKJV).
Darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters (Genesis 1:2; KJV).
Beautiful words stir my heart (Psalm 45:1; NLT).
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer (Psalm 19:14; NLT).
Context: After about three hours of very concentrated writing in bed, I began to surface into awareness of my body and my surroundings. I was just saying (slightly self-pityingly), to God that I never have enough time to pray, and that even a lifetime isn’t nearly enough, when I saw how different this will be in heaven. There, I will have all eternity to lose myself entirely in worship, without any distractions or responsibilities.
Then, the very next moment, it came to me that when I’m worshipping here, on earth, I’m temporarily experiencing heaven, and sharing the bliss of unending oneness with God. This oneness is the same on earth as it is in heaven, so heaven is now. Today’s prayer hit me in an instant, like an arrow reaching its target. I scribbled it down, then had to get up and start engaging with the day. I still didn’t have enough time to pray undisturbed!
NB: Writing this sparked off another prayer, which I hope to post tomorrow, God willing.
In my heart, I am thirsty for you, the living God.
When will I see your face? (Psalm 42:2; CEV).
Not enough silence, And not enough stillness.
Not enough solitude.
Not enough time…
Suddenly: Heaven
Unbounded, united
In mercy and love:
I am yours, You are mine.
I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.
(Song of Songs 6:3; NIV).
Context: As soon as I start to pray, I often see what I have to write, yet, having scribbled it down and started to sort it out (which can take several hours), I then feel I should still be praying. This is a daily conflict. I’ve thought about asking for help with it, but didn’t expect anyone to understand.
Yesterday, I suddenly realised that this inner conflict comes from my childhood. Whatever I was doing, my mother never hesitated to criticise me, telling me what I should be doing instead. I lived in fear of her anger, and I could never relax, or lose myself in what I was doing.
Thus, I began to glimpse the possibility that it’s okay to do whatever I’m doing, without feeling I should actually be doing something else.
At the time of writing the above, I thought how helpful it would be to link it with a relevant prayer, but a rare, brief attempt to write one on my own came to nothing, as is always the case.
However, today, when I had just woken up, and wasn’t even thinking about this issue, the following mirror-image prayers suddenly came to me, encapsulating all I needed to learn:
1. I love you
I love you, Lord (Psalm 18:1; NLT).
I love you when I’m praying,
And I love you when I write.
I love you when I’m wrong, Lord,
And I love you when I’m right.
I love you when I’m busy,
And I love you when I’m still.
I love you when I’m well, Lord,
And I love you when I’m ill.
I love you when I’m serving, And I love you when I sin.
No matter what I’m doing, Lord,
I love you, God within.
2. You love me
God’s love toward us is great (Psalm 117:2; TIV).
You love me when I’m praying,
And you love me when I write.
You love me when I’m wrong, Lord,
And you love me when I’m right.
You love me when I’m busy,
And you love me when I’m still.
You love me when I’m well, Lord,
And you love me when I’m ill.
You love me when I’m serving,
And you love me when I sin.
No matter what I’m doing, Lord,
You love me, God within.
We know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love.
Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
(1 John 4:16; NIV).
Be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10; NLT).
Transfixed by God in stillness, Here I wait, for you are always near,
To share each prayer, and sigh and tear
Together.
Transfixed by God in silence, Now I worship wordlessly, and bow,
For you are with me, I and Thou,
My Saviour.
Transfixed by God in solitude,
I celebrate your perfect love,
Renewed, forgiven through your blood
Forever.
Transfixed by God in darkness, Lord, your Spirit hovers here, adored;
Though made of dust, I am restored
To wholeness.
Transfixed by God in perfect bliss, I cleave to you; we interweave: United, may I never leave
Your presence.
Let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.
(Hebrews 10:22; NLT).
Because of Christ and our faith in him,
we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.
(Ephesians 3:12; NLT).
We do not know how to pray as we ought. (Romans 8:26; NRSV).
You desire honesty from the womb (Psalm 51:6; NLT).
Prayer is sharing every thought, Sensation, feeling, word and deed
With God.
Prayer is sharing all our weakness, Judgement, sin and selfishness
With God.
Prayer is sharing stillness, silence, Darkness, need and loneliness
With God.
Prayer is sharing all our joys and sorrows,
Pain, fear, life and death
With God.
Prayer is listening, trusting, loving – Facing all we undergo
With God.
Yea, though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4; KJV).
References
Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17; NIV).
Pray about everything (Philippians 4:6; NLT).
Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge (Psalm 62:8; NLT).
Hello! A warm welcome to everyone who visits “Seeking God’s face”, and to all who follow here regularly. I pray for you all each day.
2. Home shrines
This blog brings a very simple message: to suggest that many people could find joy, comfort, support and self-expression through having a home shrine, especially those of us who are sick or disabled, and can no longer go to church.
3. My shrine
My shrine is in my bedroom, on the chest of drawers. In this room, I can close the door, and pray in private. The shrine has developed slowly over several years, having started with the large wall cross, a few flowers, a candle, and an incense burner.
Whenever I want to, I make changes to it, removing items that have served their purpose, and introducing others which are particularly significant for me at the time. As my faith becomes increasingly universal, I plan to incorporate relics from other faiths. Nothing is included out of a sense of obligation or pressure.
4. Personal spiritual practices
A home shrine offers an opportunity for the daily expression of personally meaningful spiritual practices. For example, I stoop to kiss the small wooden cross at the front, just as a priest kisses the altar before saying mass. Then I dip my fingers in the small bowl of holy water, blessing myself with the sign of the cross. Sometimes I do this in the Roman Catholic way, sometimes in the Russian Orthodox style, just as I wish.
Occasionally I light a candle or an incense stick, though I never leave these burning in my absence or whilst I’m asleep, in case of fire.
5. Prayers
My shrine includes two framed prayers which mean a lot to me. Their presence enables me to include them in my daily worship whenever I want to, and reminds me of the words, if I forget them.
The first is about the “little way” of Sainte Thérèse de Lisieux, whose name I took at confirmation (https://wp.me/p45bCr-acZ), whilst the second is a prayer for world peace (https://wp.me/p45bCr-aCa).
Sometimes I am able to stand in front my shrine to pray for a minute or two. However, when I’m too tired, unwell, cold, or lightheaded to do this, I simply begin praying there, then get into bed to continue whilst lying down. Last thing at night, it’s a pleasure to thank God for all my day has brought, both good and bad. Then I say goodnight, and settle down to sleep.
6. Icons
Whether I’m just passing my shrine, or staying a little longer, I often touch each icon with love before I move on. My room also includes three large wall icons, hanging at just the right height to touch, hold gently with both hands, and kiss, as I whisper my prayers.
7. A very private place
Some people might scoff at these practices, judging them to be sentimental, foolish, pointless, or even idolatrous. However, for me the beauty of my home shrine is that it is a very private place where I can be honest with God without any kind offormality, using my own words, however few or many they may be. It’s also a very good place to “be still and silent” before God, for a few, precious moments.
8. A safe place….
Furthermore, my shrine gives me a “safe place” to return to in my imagination when I need extra support in the outside world. This grounding effect is enhanced by a holding cross, made in Bethlehem from the prunings of olive trees. When I received it, I blessed it at my shrine, then left it there overnight to absorb the essence of its peace and beauty.
9. …coupled with a holding cross
During the daytime, I wear this cross around my neck on a long cord, hanging beneath my clothes. When I need it, I discretely retrieve it with the cord. Visualising my shrine whilst holding my cross hidden in the palm of one hand, or clasped between both, is a great source of help, strength and comfort. I do this when I face traumatic events, flashbacks, unpleasant medical treatments, pain, strong emotions, interpersonal conflict, or feared situations. Despite its small size, this little cross powerfully re-connects me to the peace and safety of my shrine.
At night, I have a similar cross, but on a much shorter cord. Secured around my wrist, it stays in my hand whilst I am asleep. This cross is a tangible, comforting reminder of God’s presence each time I wake up.
10. Final words
It feels strange to share these very personal, central aspects of my life with you, yet it seems important to do so. The opportunities offered by home shrines for spiritual nourishment, and for direct, free self-expression before God are far too valuable to keep to myself.
May God bless you all each day.
With much love from Ruth xxxxx
References
1. Welcome
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them (1 Timothy 2:1; NLT).
3. My shrine
When you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private (Matthew 6:6; NLT).
5. Prayers
Should we accept only good things from the hand of God, and never anything bad? (Job 2:10; NLT).
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows (John 16:33; NLT).
Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you (Isaiah 30:20; NLT).
The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord (Job 1:21; CSB).
Be thankful in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18; NLT).
7. A very private place
Pray about everything (Philippians 4:6; NLT).
Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17; NIV).
You desire honesty from the womb (Psalm 51:6; NLT).
Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge (Psalm 62:8; NLT).
Be still and know that I am God! (Psalm 46:10; NLT).
Be silent before the Lord, all humanity (Zechariah 2:13; NLT).
8. A safe place…
You have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress (Psalm 59:16; NLT).
This I declare about the Lord: he alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him (Psalm 91:2; NLT).
9. …coupled with a holding cross
The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18; NLT).
When I wake up, you are still with me! (Psalm 139:18; NLT).
10. Final words
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; NIV).
You are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16; NLT).
1. Lord,
You’re just a breath away;
A pause, a stillness, every day;
A moment when I stop to say: I love you.
2. Lord,
You’re just a breath away;
A lull, a silence, every day;
A moment when my thoughts don’t stray: You love me.
3. Lord,
You’re just a breath away;
A hush, a darkness, every day;
A moment when I cease to pray: United.
4. Lord,
You’re just a breath away;
A rest, a oneness, every day;
A moment, Father, come what may: Completeness.
You are complete in Him (Colossians 2:10; BLB).
References
1. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person (Genesis 2:7; NLT).
Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10; NIV).
I love you, Lord (Psalm 18:1; NLT).
2. The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life (Job 33:4; NLT).
Be silent before the Sovereign Lord (Zephaniah 1:7; NIV).
He loves us with unfailing love (Psalm 117:2; NLT).
3. He himself gives to all people life and breath (Acts 17:25; NASB20).
Clouds and thick darkness surround him (Psalm 97:2; NIV).
Whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17; NIV).
4. When you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust (Psalm 104:29; NIV).
The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NIV).
Jesus said, “Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light” (Matthew 11:28-30; NLT).
I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him (Philippians 3:8-9; NLT).
