Christmas quiet

Charles Blow, a single dad of 3 children shares his secret through the strain and drain of daily overload. He writes, “My mother taught me that you must allow yourself time to find stillness so you can be moved by it.” (Big Shoes to Fill, Reader’s Digest April 2014…first appearing in the New York Times.)

Time must be given to stillnessTime, real time in real minutes, must be given to stillness. In it and through it, attention can then be given to what moves us.

Quiet is a deep thing—a deep, deep well.

Drop the bucket.

Drop to your knees.

Drink.

Drink deeply my friend, for the road before us chases the horizon.

In the days before us, Jesus invites us to quiet. Chaos uncontained, unrestrained is deafening. Its drone drowns out what moves us, and deadens us to what we hold dear.

Christmas Quiet.

May it find a place in your heart.

And in your home.

How do you find yourself in the Father’s presence?

First time here?

Welcome! We’re a group that gathers around the theme, “There has to be a better way.” We’re finding it in the 4-word mission statement, “Run hard. Rest well.”

  • It’s a journey into the heart of God. It comes our way through an on-going exploration of four biblical rhythms that revive, replenish and restore: Sabbath Keeping, Sleep (and other simple stress-reducers), Stillness—personal retreat, and Solitude—personal retreat.
  • It’s an expedition that challenges us at every turn. It convicts us in deep, tender places. It alters our priorities and plans. It’s not for the faint of heart.
  • It’s adventure at its best – as we learn to run the race in a power not our own.

First time here?

4 thoughts on “Christmas quiet”

  1. Ahhh! It’s cold here. 39degrees. That’s nothing for some of you, but here in Texas it’s COLD. The cold grabs at my bones and causes pain. And I must be still, under the covers, layered up. I often wonder if God gave us winter for us to be still. The ground lies fallow under its winter blanket. That’s is how it seems, but under that blanket, God is working. Under the blanket of His love in my life, He is working on me. Will I rest, be still, and let Him. It may hurt. To God, my answer is YES!

    Reply
    • I think winter does speak to stillness. I was up at 12:30 putting another blanket on our bed — the chill would not leave me alone. My long-john went on a few weeks ago. But, yes! that is cold for Texas. My answer to God joins yours, Betty. Yes. Yes!

      Reply
  2. Greetings Brenda,I haven’t heard anything from you for some time and was wondering how things are.  Things are busy here as usual. Wanda is having another eye surgery and I am having a sleep study at the hospital next week.  I’m having  such a time staying awake.  My Rheumatologist  says this is urgently needed, so here goes!  How are things with the family?  I haven’t  heard anything but I pray often for guys!        Blessings, Steve Cunnington                                      

    Reply
    • Hi Steve! Hi Wanda!
      Just this week Josh and I were looking at photos and saw one from our first visit. Wow. I wonder how many units of Blood Josh got from you all together? And all the others you gave to so many people. What a gift. Life is kind of a loaded question. Watching God work over time in so many ways, but the work of grief is hard. My dad died a few weeks ago. Joe is wrestling with a host of intense medical challenges. Cleveland Clinic is trying to figure him out right now. Josh’s decline is wonderfully slow. Our days are precious. Working on getting our leaning Christmas tree up and figuring out from where a puddle keeps emerging in our storage room …. Sending my love and my prayers. Let me know how the sleep study goes. When is Wanda’s surgery?

      Reply

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