Grace Walk
Walk with Me and work with Me--watch how I do it.
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.
I won't try to lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.
Keep company with Me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.

-Matthew 11:29-30 The Message


Hidden Treasures
One of the most satisfying aspects of writing
is that it can open in us deep wells of hidden treasures
that are beautiful for us as well as for others to see.

-Henri Nouwen in Bread for the Journey

A Modern Day Psaltery
David wrote psalms to express
what was in his heart.
Seeing no need to hide what he felt,
he wrote with sincerity, and with no hidden agenda.
What he felt was never taken against him.
Pray, dear reader, discern my heart between the lines.
Dinah Maria Craik couldn't have said it better:
"Oh the comfort -- the inexpressible comfort
of feeling safe with a person --
having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words,
but pouring them all right out, just as they are,
chaff and grain together;
certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them,
keep what is worth keeping,
and then, with the breath of kindness
blow the rest away."

Monday, January 31, 2011

Joshua 4: Walking


photo source





After the death of Moses... the LORD spoke to Joshua... saying: “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses."
- Joshua 1:1-3




Whether you turn to the right or to the left,
your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying,
“This is the way; walk in it.”
-Isaiah 30:21




Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
- Isaiah 40:30-31




For we walk by faith, not by sight.
- 2 Corinthians 5:7




He has shown you, O man,
what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?
- Micah 6:8




And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.
- Genesis 5:24




See then that you walk circumspectly,
not as fools but as wise,
redeeming the time,
because the days are evil.
- Ephesians 5:15-16





It's hard to believe, but it's true... the first month of the new year has already gone by.

Today is the last day of January, and I name this month "WALKING."

God promised Moses that every place on which the sole of his foot treads upon is his, a promise that God repeated to Joshua, just as they were about to enter the promised land.

Although the promise was given to Joshua, it is a spiritual principle that works for everyone who takes God at His word. I take this promise to heart believing that before I can fully obtain my spiritual inheritance, there are battles to be fought and territories to be conquered.

Whether in the physical or spiritual realm, a battle can never be fought... or won... while one is sitting down.

It is really easy to waste time on things that have no eternal value or significance. The enemy is quite effective at distracting us, pulling us away from things that really matter to God... but a lot of times, the enemy is not always to be blamed.

Sadly, I must admit that I have allowed this to happen much too often in my own life. No one else is really to be blamed.

And so... this year I am making the promise to walk humbly with my God... to walk by faith and not by sight... to walk and not be faint... to walk as one who is wise, not unwise... to keep walking as He leads the way.


Walking with someone denotes walking in relationship with that person...

And for me, building a relationship means keeping my communication channels open to the one I want to relate to in a meaningful way.

It is easy to soar... and easy to run ... but sooner or later, the initial eagerness wanes... or tiredness sets in.

But walking gives such a beautiful picture of the life of faith... where one is not in a sprint or a hundred-meter dash but in a marathon, a contest of endurance.

Walking indicates consistency... regularity ... dependability ... loyalty.

Walking opens up such meaningful opportunities to take in the scenery, because when one walks, there is no pressure, no hurry... there is time for beauty, and there is room for interruptions.


Looking back on this month, I realize that I have covered so much ground just by walking!

Something I truly thank the Lord for!


Here are some pictures from my January 2011 photo diary:



JANUARY 1, 2011

After all the picture taking...
and the cleaning up of the dinner table...
after all the smoke from the firecrackers had cleared up,
and the noise of the revelry had died down
I sat down to look at our Christmas tree...

Christmas was Ernie's favorite season of all.

Quietly...gently...I thought of our past Christmases together
I looked at his favorite tree ornaments,
and a new one... an "E" with swarovski crystals
given by my sister...

I love you, Ernie... I always will.



I looked around our home...
to look at the tender memories
of this year's Christmas...
soon my grandchildren will grow up
the gifts will be used
and the holiday clutter will be swept away...
I just wanted to take a moment
and take it all in
for just one more time...



Only had a few hour's sleep
but something woke me up at around 5 a.m.
the sound of rain!

It had been very dry the past weeks...
and the rains fell right on New Year's day!
What a promise, what a message of hope!




JANUARY 5, 2011

My last day in Bacolod before I leave for Manila again...

cleaning up... last minute gardening...packing my suitcase
playing with my two dogs...

spending time with Matthew
gazing at sweet baby Elijah sound asleep in my arms...

sharing coffee and doughnuts at Starbucks with dear friends...

I took this picture of Trudi, Maggy, and me!

And this is Tofi, Maggy's 9 year old "ducksie"



JANUARY 6, 2011

Arrived in Manila...
Had lunch with friends Rosemarie and Tina...
such a wonderful time reconnecting...

Rosemarie gave me many gifts
this leather bracelet was one of them:

If somebody's gonna be blessed, might as well be me!



JANUARY 7 - 16, 2011

Wonderful, refreshing time in Thailand

Obedient One and I arrive in Chiang Mai - January 7

A quick shot taken on our way to departure gate at Suvarnabhumi Airport - January 16

to view some of our pictures from that trip click here



JANUARY 17 - 21, 2011

The very next day after I arrived from Thailand,
Elijah House School of Prayer Ministry began...

For the next ten weekdays...
Everyday...Trudi and I traveled a long way to reach the school...

I believe the walking, the getting on public transportation
going up stairs and escalators...
getting off and on trains...
these were all a part of what God was doing...
building strength... endurance... determination
in our hearts!



Walk down the street from my house to the corner


Board jeepney (mini bus) up to main highway





Get off here and walk to train station


Routine security check before boarding trains

On board crowded train (Thank God for "only females" cars on our train system!)


A glimpse of Metro Manila from the train



Get off from train, then another queue to go through the turnstile


Can't resist a doughnut on the way down


View of the EDS Avenue from train station...
I'd rather be on the train than there!




Walk from train station to another jeepney stop






Get off here and start walking again




Almost there..


Finally!



Warm welcoming smiles await us...

Meet our facilitators:

Char and Ed


Becky


Gloria Roberts teaching on video


walking to a nearby mall after lunch



pausing to listen to live jazz music after coffee at the mall before going back to the school...


a page from our school manual



As another schoolday comes to an end...
it's time to retrace the steps we took in the morning
before we can reach home...


No escalator at this station... going up is harder than going down!


Here's our train



View of setting sun from train...
it's been a full day


Get off...


walk some more...


take a taxi...


wait for a green light... only a few minutes to go... then we're back home!




JANUARY 22 - 23, 2011


Weekend treats...
a sumptuous eat-all-you-can buffet breakfast
with friends at Shangri-la Hotel...
Sunday worship service with Obedient One at Victory...
followed by lunch at a Vietnamese resto...

A delightful weekend before another school week begins!


Breakfast, part one


Worship service at Victory


Vietnamese iced coffee at Pho Hoa restaurant



JANUARY 24 - 28, 2011

Another amazing week at Elijah House...

Music is such a wonderful companion when traveling!


Graduation Day



JANUARY 29 and 31, 2011


I conducted a Family Foundations Training for Ministry
the very next day, Saturday... and Monday...
Trudi was with me...
a beautiful time for us to witness more of God's healing hand
at work in our lives!
Such lovely people to be with...
Seeing them moving on from pain and woundedness
Embracing life...


Lunch break on Saturday


Lunch break on Monday


Isabella, Diana's 14 year old Jack Russel, begging for food


Luigi with more of Diana's dogs in their new haircuts



walking to train station (again!) from Diana's condo unit in Makati


At the Ayala MRT station - waiting for our turn to go through the turnstile



This has been an incredible month for me, Lord.
Thank You for being with me... for walking with me.
Thank You for all that I experienced these past 31 days!

20 comments:

Mari said...

What a full month you had! I really enjoyed all the verses you listed on walking.

Felisol said...

Dear Lidj,
What a great amount of field you have tracked down in just one month. Now the promises; all this is yours. I am amazed.
Your love, your energy, your willingness and the broad wingspan of your achtievities.
Thanks for taking time sharing your odyssey. It's encouraging, interesting and oh, so exotic.
Best words I sucked in today were,
"For we walk by faith, not by sight."
Lord, help me to do likewise.
From Felisol

Amrita said...

Your pictorial dairy is lovely Lidj

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

Wow Lidj! What a great report on your month. I'd say you are off to a marvelous start. Keep walking! It's what I am doing too, physically and spiritually. Forward march! :)

xo

Jackie said...

Wow, Lidj! I sooo enjoyed walking with you through your month! I felt as if I was there right along side you! What a blessed Jan you had!

We may have thousands of miles between us in the natural but in the Spirit there's no time or distance and together we're faith walking side by side as we follow Him!! One step at a time!

Have a wonderful weekend!

HE IS FAITHFUL!

Hugs!
Jackie

Nikki (Sarah) said...

looks like January was a great start to 2011....an indication of awesome things to come. And I'm with you Lidj...walking with Him....in Him...together..going where He wants...where He guides...that's the best. Love your gentle and sweet heart...

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

This is just awesome...I got caught at the smocked Christmas balls..I use to do those, I smocked...haven't seen them in years.

What an awesome month and just look at your walk...how encouraging.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today and commenting...I believe all truth comes from God no matter the vessel...so I totally agree with the comments on Covey, I just felt I needed to state I didn't share the same religious points of view...but I have gleaned truth through his writings for years.

Your post today just seems to go with your call to put your hand to the plow...wow! May your walk this year be more than you could have ever expected!
Blessings on the journey and thanks for sharing!

myletterstoemily said...

walking is such an apt word picture of
our relationship with the Lord and His
loves. i love the consistency and
dependability you mentioned. i also
love the simple one step after another.
and the faith it requires.

Sharon said...

What fun to walk with you through this last month. I loved looking at your pictures!

Isn't it wonderful to have friends to share our journeys with? And what could be better than knowing that we are ALWAYS walking hand in hand with Jesus?

GOD BLESS!

steveroni said...

What a trip! Lidj, I am tired out from all that walking! There is no story better told than one with photos...and you did January proud!

Your journey is one of spirituality.

You have so well and aptly named your children and their children.

I have given names to you and Ernie. Hope this is not hurtful: You are "Half-Moon Rising" and Ernie is "Half-Moon Risen". Again these names just now appeared to me, as it seemed. And they come from love (of what you do), and in NO way is there an intention to sound impertinent. Blessings.
PEACE!

Rebecca said...

"Whether in the physical or spiritual realm, a battle can never be fought... or won... while one is sitting down."

THIS is the thought I'll carry with me today (Saturday). Less "sitting down"; more "walking" for me!

I walked the entire post with you this morning. All so interesting....for some reason the scene around the table during the Foundations seminar struck me. I'm soaking in all the fellowship and camaraderie I can lately. The beauty of the room and the people in that particular picture capture my hearts longing and need this morning.

lioneagle said...

Hi Lidj -

Thank you for sharing your memorable and fun moments.

You glow, Lidj.

Your grandson has just grown - how precious.

So, I Begin this Journey...... said...

Lidj,
Loved this post.... what a great journal you shared from the month of January!
Your photos are beautiful~ thank you for sharing them with us.

I plan to walk with you if you don't mind. : )


Love,
Lis

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

A lot of walking, for sure! As I move into this new season of life, I'm trying to walk some each day... not fast, but at a steady pace. They tell me it will speed my healing, and although it's hard some days, I'm always glad for the discipline.

I think this applies spiritually as well... slow and steady, speeding the healing. Thank God for two willing feet and one willing heart which are capable of making the trek with him.

Blessings to you, friend, as you continue the walk this year.

peace~elaine

Patrinas Pencil said...

Dear Lidj
It has definitely been a steady pace for you. I'm so excited to hear that you went through yet another course with Elijah House. God is filling you with His very Presence and as you walk forward into the unknown...you can be assured that He walks right beside you. I am so blessed to know that He knows our every step...even before we put on our walking shoes. I would lose my way...for sure...without His leading step.

You are such a spiritual encouragement to many...especially to me. And I praise God for you.

blessings
Patrina <")>><

Sr Crystal Mary Lindsey said...

Hello Lidj,
You have walked a good walk..I know you miss Ernie and your walk without him. I would like to hug and comfort you..
All I can say is in your poem to him. He has finally arrived.
And yet, he is also in your heart and mind.
Dearest Lidj in church today the teaching was on being a servant to one another.. on this earth thats all we can be until we go home. And I know, thats what you are..
Much love from me to you.
Crystal xxx

Sandy, Sisters of Season said...

Dearest Lidj, Your life looks so exciting . . I hope to have that kind of life soon. You are so "adventurous", studying the word with friends, visiting some wonderful places and eating some fabulous food too. Your grandbabies are beautiful . . precious gifts from God. I know Ernie is so happy for you . . God Bless, Sandy:O)

Jennifer said...

Wow--that's a LOT of walking. No wonder you stay so slender! Those grandsons are growing up so quickly. Little Matthew isn't too little anymore. You're right though--we can't get much done sitting down. Walking with our Lord to stay in spiritual shape is such a wonderful analogy. Not sure if you celebrate Valentines' Day over there, but it is a small celebration over here. Know that you are very loved. :-)

Anonymous said...

I love how you said, "because when one walks, there is no pressure, no hurry... there is time for beauty, and there is room for interruptions." So perfect! I feel like I've come out of an emotional whirlwind of a year and everything has slowed down - to walk again, isntead of "stand." I like that! I need that!!

What a journey, but what an exciting, companion-filled, spirit-filled time you had! It fits perfectly with your theme of walking! I like how you defined that - for you - and how it speaks to where I am, too!

Be blessed dear friend!

Colleen said...

What a beautiful memorable journey Lidj! I love what you wrote about walking, as I am a walker in the physical sense and I can strive to be one in the spiritual as well!

Your photos and experiences you share for some reason just lift my heart up! The one thought I have when I see pictures of you is this: you are truly a beautiful woman, your smile radiates genuine love and peace and joy.

I'm thankful for the example you are.