Author: rkcdlitt

I am but a mustard seed growing in strength

with the presence of the Holy Spirit.

When I open my mouth, I pray,

pray that God give me the words

to honor him and bring his Grace to others.

God, you have made me in the presence of people

who long for redemption, forgiveness, and comfort.

I live my life according to Your word.

Nothing can separate us from your word

I am the smallest seed, but I grow in God’s Love

to a productive shrub.

Be gracious to me; be gracious to us, Dear God

We love you and work to bring good to all

The Holy spirit strengthens us

Neither life nor death will keep us from

Bringing your grace to others.

Dreaming of God

”And he dreamed that there was a ladder^[b] set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.” Genesis 28: 12

I enter a thin space,

alone, in my home,

alone, except for God.

In my reverie, I picture

angels climbing up and down:

Jacob’s dream ladder.

God’s omnipresence knows

my every thought

before I receive it;

for He is always within me.

I cannot live solely by human nature;

the Holy Spirit offers me

eternal life, eternal salvation.

I live among the peoples of the world;

yet my disappointment and fretfulness

I am assuaged by the knowledge

that when by body returns to the earth,

my soul will be reaped by God

into eternal being and deliverance.

My dream of God is absolute!

The Undeniable God

 “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed,

for I am your God; I will strengthen you,

I will help you; I will uphold you

with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

I cannot hide from you;

You know when I retire;

You know when I rise;

You know my thoughts;

wherever I am.

Knowing this, I am comforted.

You search me Lord;

You know my heart,

and lead me in the way to perpetuity

I pour out my spirit to you.

I will not hide from You,

and am blessed by your presence.

I am deeply reflective on the writings of Thomas Merton:

Spiritual Refueling

“So, faith comes from hearing, and

hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17

The Holy Spirit guides us in our lives;

Our listening important, for

the Spirit speaks through others.

We must be open to the Holy Spirit

and transform ourselves

to listen; the Spirit counsels love;

God’s word comes to us

through the Holy Spirit.

Our Pride brings us trouble;

our pride is a big problem;

we talk a lot and listen poorly.

Our character must include patience;

patience brings hope;

hope is the love of God.

When we love god, we receive

Spiritual refueling.

Jesus, the Rejected Prophet

Jesus shunned by Nazarenes

and Pharisees, alike

rejected the rule of Rome

declared a blasphemer, yet

preached Mosaic law,

preached a loving God,

preached a healing God,

not a punishing god,

not a condemning god,

offered God the Creator,

loving all his children,

not just the Jews.

Jesus presented one eternal God!

Jesus presented God the Redeemer!

Jesus presented God the Lover!

May God teach us His ways,

allowing us to walk in His light.

God calls when we are not ready.

when we are not sure.

We are called to serve and bring aid;

we are called to comfort, to heal.

We are called to teach, to lead,

we are called to encourage, to welcome.

We are called to administer,

we are called to bring faith.

We are called to pray, to bring God’s healing touch.

We are called to serve the homeless.

We are called when we are prepared;

even when we are not sure,

we are called by God.

He is the lamp unto our feet

that lights our path.

Inhale the Breath of Life

Our breath renews our bodies,

renews our mentally

renews our spiritually.

During anxiety,

we inhale the love of God,

through and through.

God renews our life;

Our fears shortens our life.

Renewal is for all;

turn to God.

Jesus promises He

will be with us as we fear;

share our fear; Jesus is all ears

God has an open heart;

both await our breath.

all humanity breaths together

this makes us vulnerable

but gives us community,

God’s community.

We exhale fear and

inhale the life spirit,

life spirit fills our lungs;

life spirit fills our souls.

Or is it transfiguration?

We forage our life long,

for signs, for omens,

for portents from on high.

We are incomplete, only a half person,

searching for a soul mate.

God leads us, gives us

our soulmate; this  

completes our unification with Him.

God then celebrates our oneness,

yet we reject this guidance;

we wander through life

continually looking, searching.

For what? God’s grace?

God offers much, yet

man ignores His signs.

God sent Jesus to lead us back;

Jesus reminds us who we are.

Merely looking for signs is not enough!

Simple prayer is not enough!

Nothing in life is good without God;

listening for His voice,

following His lead,

brings returns us to oneness,

brings us our rejuvenation

of soul, of body, of life.

Our Room in God’s Mansion

“Everything that exists and everything that happens

bears witness to the will of God.” Merton

God continually works in our lives;

His love is in our hearts;

His direction is in our souls.

Through prayer, we are strengthened.

We are more vigilant and alert.

Without God, we have no lasting peace,

no lasting stillness, no lasting security.

God brings peace within our souls and hearts;

We seek no rewards for His love,

for His gifts are many.

We Love our neighbor.

We endeavor to do good works

to glorify God in heaven,

for our room in God’s mansion is our soul.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted

And saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalms 34: 18

I feel You! You are all around.

I cannot miss the feeling of your presence,

as my life is a joy to live.

I saw you in the face of my children,

when they were born.

I know you are with us,

when we pray in our church prayer corner;

Your comfort is warm;

Your grace is a blessing.

Why do I miss your presence,

when I am in pain and when I am lost,

when I have crossed into an unfamiliar place,

when I am depressed?

Why do I feel alone and abandoned?

Why do I think you are not

with me during these bad times;

why do I doubt your presence?

While on the cross,

Jesus asked why you had forsaken him;

this showed the humanity of Jesus,

the suffering side.

It is the human side of me that doubts.

It is the human side that loses faith.

It is my spiritual side that knows

You are always present in my life.