Happy Friday, Friends! We have entered the solemn season of Lent, and I hope that you are finding time to draw close to God.
Y'all, I absolutely loved this week lesson because I, too, love bees. I have two books about how to plant to attract bees, and what to do in your garden to feed and water them. Farrell's lessons she's learned as a beekeeper and how they can be applied to anyone's life are instructive and inspiring. Getting involved with any new activity takes courage. The imagery of finding "inner calm in the tension" while tending bees is a perfect lesson for how to approach and respond to situations in everyday life.
She shared one of her favorite salad recipes utilizing honey, "Sweet Nectarine, Pistachio, Basil, and Honey Mozza Salad." Did you try it? I assembled it for us earlier in the week, and it was a big hit! I found Chilean nectarines at Publix, and they were surprisingly good (I was concerned because they aren't in season).
Cherry tomatoes, nectarines, and fresh basil
I had to giggle at the recipe because it called for a bushel of tomatoes, and I substituted that for a pint.
Here is the scripture for the lesson:
I want to share a reflection this morning from my inbox written by Boltz Weber. It's a meditation about the beginning of Lent.
On Ash Wednesday we read from the prophet Joel:"Yet even now, says the Lord,return to me with all your heart."~Joel 2:12Which I take to mean, You mortal, you will die, you belong, heart and soul, to God.This is Lent to me. Lent is about spiritual exfoliation. Lent is about returning to God with all our heart.
I think this is a sweet lesson to focus on during Lent because I have always found Ash Wednesday a little disturbing and upsetting.
Do you have any thoughts about Ash Wednesday, Lent or the lesson you'd like to share?
Prayer Requests
- Pray for our military securing and protecting our southern border.
- Pray for Kitty's son Mike to get a job that uses his talents.
- Pray for the Americans displaced by the derailment (East Palestine, OH), fires (Maui and California) and Hurricane Helene (East Tennessee and Western North Carolina). Pray that they will receive the help they need to rebuild.
- Pray for Kitty's grandson Connor, that he will find a path to follow and good relationships.
- Pray for our daughter Shanley Belle as her post doc is coming to an end. She is in the midst of a job search. Please pray for God's guidance in her next step. UPDATE: She has had two job offers so far. Please continue to pray for guidance and discernment for her.
- Carla is running for Trustee for her local Village Board. The election is April 1st. Let's be in prayer that Carla can continue to be the change she wants to see in her village.
- Rita's daughters need our prayers. One is finishing up her masters this semester, and the other is having an especially hard time balancing work/school/home life. Pray for God's strength, patience and guidance as they each navigate their own course.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
As promised, the above is a photo of daffodils on our street. They are so pretty this year!
Happy Friday, Friends! How has your week been so far? Can you believe that this is the last day of February?
We had the best weekend in New Orleans, and I truly appreciate your travel mercy prayers for us.
I love the title of this week's lesson: "No Mud, No Lotus." The title comes from calligraphy art of Thich Nhat Hahn. You can order some of his art on his site HERE.
The point of this quote is that something beautiful, the lotus flower, emerges out of something not so delightful, mud. We all experience losses, heartbreak, meanness, and brokenness. These experiences allow us to appreciate the mountaintop moments, and they strengthen us.
I was particularly moved by this quote from the lesson:
You will discover an inner courage and an expansiveness of your faith in "the pits." This is rich ground for finding "our people"--those who truly love us and willingly enter the dark and messy to help us resurrect.~Page 44
You, Dear Friends, are "my people."
We have all experienced disappointment in fair-weather friends, those who weren't there for us when we needed them most. Instead of wasting our energy dwelling on them, we should focus on those who were there, who lifted us up. They are the balcony people in our lives.
Farrell also walks us through a meditation lesson based on her favorite verse for meditation, Psalm 46:10. Did you try the breathing/meditation?
I think my biggest obstacle to hearing God is being still. What about you?
Below is the other scripture from our lesson.
Please share your thoughts about the lesson and any prayer requests you may have in the Comments Section.
Prayer Requests
- Pray for our military securing and protecting our southern border.
- Pray for Kitty's son Mike to get a job that uses his talents.
- Pray for the Americans displaced by the derailment (East Palestine, OH), fires (Maui and California) and Hurricane Helene (East Tennessee and Western North Carolina). Pray that they will receive the help they need to rebuild.
- Pray for Kitty's grandson Connor, that he will find a path to follow and good relationships.
- Pray for our daughter Shanley Belle as her post doc is coming to an end. She is in the midst of a job search. Please pray for God's guidance in her next step.
- Carla is running for Trustee for her local Village Board. The election is April 1st. Let's be in prayer that Carla can continue to be the change she wants to see in her village.
- Rita's daughters need our prayers. One is finishing up her masters this semester, and the other is having an especially hard time balancing work/school/home life. Pray for God's strength, patience and guidance as they each navigate their own course.
I had the last of my doctors' appointments this week. I am hoping to rest a little and cook produce from our local farmer's market this weekend. What are your plans?
This is a latte I enjoyed in New Orleans.
Today I'm going on a field trip to a super cool vintage shop and the new Ballard Designs shop in downtown Birmingham with my bestie.
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Friday, Friends! How are you? Did you have a good week? Mine was much better, and I'm so thankful that I'm healthy. God is blessing me! I posted the watercolor of the daffodils (above) because the real ones are loving our wet weather and are popping up all over our neighborhood. It has been too rainy to go outside and take photos, but I will do so next week and share them on next week's post.
This week's lesson is entitled "Your Life Is Your Prayer." It's a sweet little lesson, and I enjoyed how she encourages us to pray. She talks about being honest and vulnerable, that "speaking our raw truths are the first lesson on how to pray (p. 39)." She also writes about centering prayers, and gives a short little lesson on how to begin this practice. (I admit that our church has centering prayer lessons and sessions, but I've never participated in them. Perhaps during the next cycle I will.) Her introductory lesson involves a "One-Word Prayer" exercise. Did you try this? Did you chose a word? My word was "stand." Let me explain why I chose this word.
In the Book of Ephesians, we are reminded to pray for each other. Here is the verse:
...praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints...~Ephesians 6:18
This verse comes at the end of the Armor of God passage.
As many times as I've read this, it never dawned on me that once we are "armored-up," we are to pray for each other! Also in this passage, we are encouraged to "stand firm."
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.~Ephesians 6:13
Here is another reason I chose the word "stand." Macina Wiederkehr writes about morning prayer in the prayer below. My Bible teacher Bettys sent it to me this week, and I want to share it with you.
I stand at my window and watch
one by one the stars leave me.
I am having tea with the dawn
the first ray of sun descending
into my teacup, into my heart.
The stream of the tea ascending
to the heavens, into God's heart.
The yearning in my heart
streaming to the heavens, into God's heart.
And God, standing in the heavens
watching the sun rise in my heart
leans down to breathe in
the rays of yearning
and names it morning prayer.
Sometimes my biggest challenge is enjoying our comfortable bed in the morning and not getting up when I should to pray. I definitely function better in the mornings, and mornings are quieter in our home than afternoons.
Below is the scripture for our lesson:
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Please share with me your thoughts about the lesson. Did you choose a word for the centering prayer exercise? Have you practiced centering prayers before?
Prayer Requests
- Pray for our military securing and protecting our southern border.
- Pray for Kitty's son Mike to get a job that uses his talents.
- Pray for the Americans displaced by the derailment (East Palestine, OH), fires (Maui and California) and Hurricane Helene (East Tennessee and Western North Carolina). Pray that they will receive the help they need to rebuild.
- Pray for Kitty's grandson Connor, that he will find a path to follow and good relationships.
- Carla requests that we pray for Trump's cabinet, and his picks will be confirmed quickly.
- Pray for our daughter Shanley Belle as her post doc is coming to an end. She is in the midst of a job search. Please pray for God's guidance in her next step.
- Carla is running for Trustee for her local Village Board. The election is April 1st. Let's be in prayer that Carla can continue to be the change she wants to see in her village.
- Rita's daughters need our prayers. One is finishing up her masters this semester, and the other is having an especially hard time balancing work/school/home life. Pray for God's strength, patience and guidance as they each navigate their own course.
- PRAISE: All of my tests have been fantastic this week. I am the healthiest I've been in many, many years. :D
- Please pray for travel mercies for Trip and me. We are in New Orleans for the weekend.
Whatever you're drinking standing at your window, I hope you are also praying for the saints in your life!
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Ricki Jill
Happy Valentine's Day, Friends! How was your week? Mine was not the best. I think I need a do-over. I rarely say that, but that's how I feel. I enjoyed this week's lesson entitled "The Two Stones." Farrell shares with us about the Ionian tradition that Pilgrims do involving two stones: one stone that represents something we need to throw away in order to "continue successfully on the life journey." Friends, I am clearly doing something wrong in this life because I need a whole bushel of stones, it seems. Maybe it's because of the challenges I've encountered this week. Viewed individually, none of them are that big of a deal....but it's like a death of a thousand cuts: They have all added up to almost push me over the edge. Almost.
Two stones, one representing things we need to let go of, and one that represents something we would like to take with us.
Two stones, a life transformed.~Page 34
The second stone represents something that will enrich our lives. Maybe it's a dream, hope, or any other desire. Farrell says she keeps hers displayed in her home as a reminder. I think it sounds like a great idea. Unfortunately, I did not have the time to find my two stones before the rains hit Central Alabama.
But I will not be thwarted. I will find them, keep one, and throw the other one into the lake in our community.
Stay tuned!
Farrell also talks about cairns she sees while walking on the Snake River levee in Jackson, Wyoming (one of my favorite places on Earth). There is a neighborhood about a mile from ours, and we have friends who live there. This community also has cairns to mark the community's walking trails that meander through the pretty trees and parks. Cairns are a Scottish tradition, a place where people stack stones usually as a memorial.
Cairns located in Mt. Laurel
So basically the gist of this lesson is finding something to live for, and once you find it, live it! Farrell chose a verse from Hebrews for this lesson, and it's perfect because it challenges us to rid ourselves of things that weigh us down, thus hindering us from running with endurance the "race" or life God has planned for us.
Another verse from this chapter in Hebrews is below, and I think it's an appropriate verse for our lesson and for Valentine's Day.
This lesson also included a recipe for meatballs. Did you try it? I usually don't make meatballs because my family prefers meat sauce. I made Farrell's recipe, and everyone loved it! It was an easy recipe: The sauce came together easily. The hardest part was making the meatballs. We had it last night, and there was plenty left over to freeze.
The sauce is bright in color because I took Farrell's advice and used a variety of cherry tomatoes, especially yellow and orange ones.
Did you enjoy this week's lesson? I would love to read your thoughts in Comments.
- Pray for our military securing and protecting our southern border.
- Pray for Kitty's son Mike to get a job that uses his talents.
- Pray for the Americans displaced by the derailment (East Palestine, OH), fires (Maui and California) and Hurricane Helene (East Tennessee and Western North Carolina). Pray that they will receive the help they need to rebuild.
- Pray for Kitty's grandson Connor, that he will find a path to follow and good relationships.
- Carla requests that we pray for Trump's cabinet, and his picks will be confirmed quickly.
- Pray for our daughter Shanley Belle as her post doc is coming to an end. She is in the midst of a job search. Please pray for God's guidance in her next step.
- Carla is running for Trustee for her local Village Board. The election is April 1st. Let's be in prayer that Carla can continue to be the change she wants to see in her village.
- Please pray for me because I'm having my mammogram next week and all my check-ups with my cancer team.
- Rita's daughters need our prayers. One is finishing up her masters this semester, and the other is having an especially hard time balancing work/school/home life. Pray for God's strength, patience and guidance as they each navigate their own course.
Do you have any plans for Valentine's Day or any special plans for the weekend?
We're going to our club tonight for dinner.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"Earning Feathers"
Good morning, Friends! How was your week? Can you believe that Valentine's Day is one week from today? Do you have any special plans? I have a dinner date with The Mister.
Did you enjoy this week's lesson? It was a tough one emotionally. I enjoyed Farrell's metaphor of the peacock eating thorns in order to create, or "earn," his beautiful feathers. I admit that I have a love/hate relationship with peacocks. My great-grandmother had them on her property, and facing a three to four feet tall hissing bird with massive plumage is downright frightening. I can remember running as fast as I could from the car to her front porch, praying that one of those scary birds would not round the corner of the house and run after me. I'm surprised a woman as practical as my great-grandmother would raise peafowl: they are strictly ornamental and inedible.
I also appreciated how she references Flannery O'Connor, one of my favorite Southern writers. I intentionally took classes in both undergraduate and graduate school just because her stories were on the syllabi. She often used the peacock as a symbol for Christ, and she suffered during her lifetime as she battled lupus. She fascinates me because she not only felt "freakish" from the ravages of lupus, but also because she felt like a freak for being a Catholic in the Rural Protestant Deep South. Most of her stories had a freakish character or two in them
This lesson is all about how we can live "soulfully" when the wheels come off the wagon. The bad always comes: No one is immune. Farrell's suggestion for how we should respond to life's difficult times is to minister to those who are struggling more than we are. Didn't you just LOVE her examples of how to help others as they suffer? This book is definitely becoming more of a reference book, isn't it! I will definitely refer to her Tips for Helping Others Through Suffering List.
When I was going through cancer treatment, cards meant more to me than anything. I displayed them on a rod in my art studio, and I would re-read them all the time. I received a couple on bad days, and I set them aside and opened them later. I kept all the cards and notes from that time as a reminder of the kindness of my friends, and how I, too, want to be an encourager.
Which one of Farrell's tips did you think was the best one?
Here are the Bible verses from this week's lesson:
Often times we are so overwhelmed with grief and sorrow we don't know how to pray. Below is a snippet from The Book of Common Prayer that you can pray or share with others.
Below is another share from my Bible teacher Betty. It is a quote from Joyce Rupp.
The Holy one has created each of usas a wonderful human beingwith something specialwe are meant to share with our world.Think of the simple yet significant thingsothers have done for youbecause they were donewith kindness and consideration.Recognize and accept the beautyof who you are in God's eyesand do something with love today.
Prayer Requests
- Pray for our military securing and protecting our southern border.
- Praise Report from Carla: The Wisconsin National Guard that was deployed to Iraq are home.
- Carla's parents appointments went well. They are pleased with their new doctor, and she is helping them feel better.
- Pray for Kitty's son Mike to get a job that uses his talents.
- Pray for the Americans displaced by the derailment (East Palestine, OH), fires (Maui and California) and Hurricane Helene (East Tennessee and Western North Carolina). Pray that they will receive the help they need to rebuild.
- Pray for Kitty's grandson Connor, that he will find a path to follow and good relationships.
- Carla requests that we pray for Trump's cabinet, and his picks will be confirmed quickly.
- Pray for our daughter Shanley Belle as her post doc is coming to an end. She is in the midst of a job search. Please pray for God's guidance in her next step.
- Please continue to pray for the victims of the tragic plane and helicopter collision in Washington, D.C.
- Carla is running for Trustee for her local Village Board. The election is April 1st. Let's be in prayer that Carla can continue to be the change she wants to see in her village.
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It has been a beautiful week here in Central Alabama. I have spring fever, and I want to do something spring-y. I might go to my favorite nursery today and see what's up.
Have a blessed weekend and week!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Friday, Friends! I hope you've had a wonderful week. Can you believe that this is the very last day of January? Here's to hoping that Punxsutawney Phil does not see his shadow Sunday. We have an Alabaster Al at the Birmingham Zoo. If Al doesn't see his shadow, yet Phil does, which pontificator should I believe?
Did you experience anything transcending as discussed in our lesson this week? Entitled "When Heaven Breaks Through," Farrell Mason explains how "transcendent moments hint of eternity, [and ] they offer a mystical awareness" (on page twenty-one). She also describes how the Celts believed in the existence of thin veils between our physical world and heaven. Ironically in my Bible class at church yesterday, we also discussed this same Celtic belief. We're studying Joyce Rupp's The Open Door, and this week's lesson was Chapter Five entitled "Standing On the Threshold." This chapter explores thresholds, or the liminal spaces "between our inner and outer space such as spirit and body." In Jubilee Time, Maria Harris reminds us that "the threshold is a place of the spirit, uniting the mundane with the mysterious, the commonplace with the awesome." It takes a willingness and sometimes courage to cross this threshold, and growth and wisdom will be waiting on the other side. I'm sure we've all experienced these transcendent moments, but I can't help but wonder how many we might have missed.
Farrell tells us that the secret to the art of transcendence is simple:
Seek God's face always. Fall in love with the life given and keep falling in love over and over again---with people, nature, food, new experiences, and music....Believe, believe, believe that a corner of heaven can be pulled down on your watch.Page 23
Here is this week's scripture:
I thought this was a very unusual translation of this verse. I also started reading several different translations, and I was fascinated by the differences. This one is my favorite version from the Modern English translation:
I called upon the Lord from my distress;the Lord answered me and set me in an open place.~Psalm 118:5
Farrell gives us a lovely list of music to nourish our souls in this chapter. I love Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons," and we all might be a little tired of Winter (plus it reminds me of Christmas), so I'm sharing Spring (La Primavera).
- Pray for our military and military families, and the Wisconsin National Guard deployed in Iraq.
- Pray for our military being sent to the southern border.
- Pray for Kitty's son Mike to get a job that uses his talents.
- Pray for the Americans displaced by the derailment (East Palestine, OH), fires (Maui and California) and Hurricane Helene (East Tennessee and Western North Carolina). Pray that they will receive the help they need to rebuild.
- Pray that God will extinguish the fires in California.
- Pray for the victims of the Nashville school shooting at Antioch High School.
- Pray for Carla's parents as they face health issue, including her father's blood pressure. Pray for Carla as she travels to help them (they live two hours away).
- Pray for Kitty's grandson Connor, that he will find a path to follow and good relationships.
- Carla requests that we pray for Trump's cabinet, and his picks will be confirmed quickly.
- Pray for our daughter Shanley Belle as her post doc is coming to an end. She is in the midst of a job search. Please pray for God's guidance in her next step.
- URGENT: Please pray for the victims of the tragic plane and helicopter collision in Washington, D.C. Wednesday night. I have no words!
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Happy Friday, Friends!
How was your week? Mine was busy with appointments, and I'm happy to report that I am doing very well, and I don't have any other appointments for about four weeks. :D
How did you like this week's lesson? I love its focus on hope. I have flagged it because I know I will want to revisit this one.
What does hope mean to you? To me, it means that even though we will have trouble in this world, Christ has overcome the world. Game over!
I enjoyed looking up and reading the scripture: What an encouragement it is to read about hope! Let's take a look at them:
"Hope"
George Frederic Watts
1886 (second version)
56" X 44"
oil on canvas
The subject in Watts' painting is playing the only string left on her lyre. She not only appears to be determined, but she also seems peaceful. I think hope requires determination, and it brings us peace.
Maintaining hope while suffering is a challenge, but it is essential to our spiritual growth:
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.~Romans 3:3-5
This is what it takes to make the recipe. It's a lot!
The veggies and spices in the pot
I didn't get a good photo of the soup itself because I lost my light. It was a hit, and I do think chicken soup is so good for fighting colds.
Prayer Requests
- Pray for our military and military families, and the Wisconsin National Guard deployed in Iraq.
- Pray for our military being sent to the southern border.
- Pray for Kitty's son Mike to get a job that uses his talents.
- Pray for the Americans displaced by the derailment (East Palestine, OH), fires (Maui and California) and Hurricane Helene (East Tennessee and Western North Carolina). Pray that they will receive the help they need to rebuild.
- Pray that God will extinguish the fires in California.
- Pray for the victims of the Nashville school shooting at Antioch High School.
- Pray for Carla's parents as they face health issue, including her father's blood pressure. Pray for Carla as she travels this week to help them (they live two hours away).
- Pray for Kitty's grandson Connor, that he will find a path to follow and good relationships.
- Carla requests that we pray for Trump's cabinet, and his picks will be confirmed quickly.
Coffee Time!
I hope y'all have a wonderful weekend and week. Please let me know if I need to update the prayer requests.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
My rex begonia is blooming! I broke apart our Christmas living centerpiece and replanted it in a pot that drains.
Happy Friday, Friends! How has your week been so far? I've had a strange week because a few things have come-up that I wasn't expecting. We all have weeks like that, don't we! My week started out at the doctor's office where I had all my stitches taken out. Then things started to get a little complicated on Tuesday. I had to miss out on a few things, but that's okay. I'm not complaining....I'm just happy that I have the good sense to always write in my planner in pencil and not ink!
The only things I accomplished on my original weekly chore list were feeding and caring for our houseplants and laundry. But we're expecting the coldest weather of the season next week, and we might have another winter storm. The timing of the precipitation is unclear at this point, so I'm planning on spending lots of time at home next week (the Good Lord willing). During last weekend's winter storm we lost power for about four hours. I hope we don't lose power next week!
What did you think about this week's lesson? The title is "Finding Eden," and I loved her story about the village in Southwest France where all the cottages are named rather than having house numbers. Her favorite was named "Eden," and there was a White Scottish Terrier who was the boss around there. Maybe it was a Westie like my sweet babies.
Finlay after his nap yesterday
At the end of the lesson we are invited to access our personal Edens by praying with beads. Do you pray with beads? I know many of y'all are Catholic; do you pray the rosary? I'm Episcopalian, and we don't pray the rosary, but I do know of people who pray with prayer beads. I admit that I have not tried it yet, but I want to this weekend. I did pray Farrell's prayers, and I thought they were so well-written. My favorite one of the seven is the last one:
"Loving God, I pray that today You would help me live a life that matters, one that increases love in the world and radiates joy."page 14
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Below is this week's Bible verse.
I love this verse! The Holy Spirit indeed dwells within us.
Jesus promised us the best helper, and he keeps his promises!
Please share your thoughts about this week's lessons in the comments section.
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Prayer Requests
- Pray for our military and military families, and the Wisconsin National Guard deployed in Iraq.
- Pray for Kitty's son Mike to get a job that uses his talents.
- Pray for a peaceful inauguration. I have friends traveling to Washington D.C. for it and a ball. Please pray travel mercies for those attending the rally, inauguration, and parties/balls.
- Carla asks that you pray for her Florida friends that lost so much during the hurricane and are still cleaning up and rebuilding... sadly they miscarried December 11th. They are devastated. They do have the blessing of family, friends and their sweet little girl who is 1 1/2 years old to help them during this time. I thank our prayer warriors to lift them up in prayer as well. Thank You!
- URGENT: There has been a shooting in a Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin. Please be in prayer for the victims, their families, and the school community. UPDATE: Carla's friend Elena's son attends the school that the shooting happened. They were reunited later that day.
- URGENT: Pray for the victims and their families of the terrorist attack in New Orleans. Pray that the enemies' plans for future attacks will be thwarted, and that God will help Patriot law enforcement who want to protect our country and her citizens.
- URGENT: Pray for fire victims in Southern California.
- With all the terrible things in the news, let's pray for each other's hearts, too.
- Pray for Carla's parents as they face health issue, including her father's blood pressure. Pray for Carla as she travels this week to help them (they live two hours away).
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Stay warm, friends!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
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