…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. … And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4: 8 -9
What is my only comfort in life and in death? That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death—to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.
~Heidelberg Catechism
Instructions for living a life:
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.
~Mary Oliver
To do the useful thing, to say the courageous thing, to contemplate the beautiful thing: that is enough for one man’s life.
~ T.S. Eliot
A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.
~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
To live is so startling, it leaves little room for other occupations.
~Emily Dickinson
I believe in God as I believe that the Sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.
~ C. S. Lewis
Remember this. When people choose to withdraw far from a fire, the fire continues to give warmth, but they grow cold. When people choose to withdraw far from light, the light continues to be bright in itself but they are in darkness. This is also the case when people withdraw from God.
~ Augustine
Hello, sun in my face. Hello you who made the morning and spread it over the fields…Watch, now, how I start the day in happiness, in kindness.
~ Mary Oliver
The seed is in the ground. Now may we rest in hope while darkness does its work.
~ Wendell Berry
Nothing will sustain you more potently than the power to recognize in your humdrum routine the true poetry of life.~ Sir William Osler
But the effect of her being on those around her was incalculably diffusive: for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts, and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.
~George Eliot’s final sentence in Middlemarch
If the world were merely seductive, that would be easy. If it were merely challenging, that would be no problem. But I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.
~ E.B. White
Geese appear high over us, pass, and the sky closes. Abandon, as in love or sleep, holds them to their way, clear, in the ancient faith: what we need is here. And we pray, not for new earth or heaven, but to be quiet in heart, and in eye clear. What we need is here.~~ “The Wild Geese” Wendell Berry
Let it come, as it will, and don’t be afraid. God does not leave us comfortless, so let evening come.
~ Jane Kenyon from “Let Evening Come”
You can only come to the morning through the shadows.~ J.R.R. Tolkien
If you want to identify me, ask me not where I live, or what I like to eat, or how I comb my hair, but ask me what I am living for, in detail, ask me what I think is keeping me from living fully for the thing I want to live for. ~ Thomas Merton
This life therefore is not righteousness,
but growth in righteousness,
not health but healing,
not being but becoming,
not rest but exercise.
We are not yet
what we shall be,
but we are growing toward it.
The process is not finished
but it is going on.
This is not the end
but it is the road.
~Martin Luther
Ten times a day something happens to me like this – some strengthening throb of amazement – some good sweet empathic ping and swell. This is the first, the wildest and the wisest thing I know: that the soul exists and is built entirely out of attentiveness.
~ Mary Oliver
It is not your love that sustains the marriage —
but from now on, the marriage that sustains your love.
~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer
She has done what she could…
~Mark 14:8
What do you mean? Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good on this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?~ J. R. R. Tolkien from The Hobbit
Barnstorming 
I love this so much more that I can say! The flowers are exquisite; the poem gives me chills. I had read it before and remembered it but didn’t know the author; thanks so much for posting this today! I speaks to something in me I cannot name, and brings tears to my eyes. Thank you again for all the beauty, depth and wisdom you share with us on a daily basis.
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Cher–thank you for expressing what my soul was feeling about this incredible post, but didn’t know how to say it! And bless you, Emily, for sharing your personal dreams with the rest of us, speaking life and love to our spirits…and possibilities…what if…? !
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And it is Coleridge’s 248th birthday! Thank you for making his and my day with your kind and grace-filled words!
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Yes, Jo, I think dreams are sometimes meant to stir us to action. Thank you as well for helping me take that next step!
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Beautiful. I had a dream 2 nights ago that was one of my visions into heaven. I was walking down to the front pew of a church and as I turned to sit down, there was my dear Uncle Glenn. He looked so good, so healthy, much younger than when he passed away so many years ago As we hugged, I cried tears of joy in seeing him. So much love. As I stood, I saw my dear Uncle Bill a few rows back. I then woke up. So real, so awesome.
It’s been a number of years since I have seen loved ones in Heaven. They always look younger and so healthy. So much love.
Thanks for letting me share.
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Glorious, intricate design!
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Oh, man……(both senses – with and without comma)
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Powerful!
Like looking into a mirror through a time capsule.
Some dreams seem to be intended by our Indwelling Spirit to call our attention
to certain ‘unfinished business’ in personal relationships and other serious matters
that we have overlooked – or have been reticent to face.
We allow our souls – our consciences – to become immersed in the cacophony
of unimportant, unnecessary intrusions that blot out what is the most crucial need that we have:
That of listening to and really hearing His Voice, His Love and Care for us.
Not to be omitted here are the uniquely beautiful flowers that you have chosen to share
with us today. They are beyond any that I have ever seen.
I wonder if we will see them in our eternal promised home?
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I hope so too, Alice. Just seeing them on this side of the veil is heavenly!
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Appreciate both meanings!
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Both the flowers and us!
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So lovely, Laura! Won’t that reunion be something!
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