A crisp nippy night on the prayer trail! A call to be mindful and remember! #HonorWithAction

Dear Family of Love and pilgrims on our Journey!


Tonight was a crisp nippy night on the prayer trail! Thursdays seem to be one of the quieter nights and unusual  for this time of year.  I have started to notice that we are having many new family members who are homeless and hungry along with their pets on our route who are situating themselves by shopping centers! Please pray for them. It is way too cold for anyone to be asking for help during the winter weather albeit it is milder here than across the country. 

Today I had the privilege of viewing the National Vigil for the Victims of Gun Violence on the web live-streaming from Washington National Cathedral in Washington D.C. This was an emotionally power packed hour and 15 minute service. What made me cry and take notice was the fact that 32,000 persons have died by acts of gun violence since Sandy Hook a year ago. These precious lives were lost senselessly. Please pray that there is an end to violence of any kind. This is a call to be mindful and remember or as the Twitter hash tag has it : #HonorWithAction.As I am writing this I have come up with a few one line prayers that seem appropriate for tonight. Please add or adapt as you see fit.


Lord help us to be more loving to all of our family members especially those who are mentally ill.

We pray for better medications and treatments for mental illness.

We pray for better mental health services in our communities.

We pray for those who are on the streets tonight and haven't any place to call home.

Give us wisdom and compassion as we see our family members out and about.

We pray for and end to violence, hatred. any -Phobia, and disinterest. 

May we never be silent and may we always remember those who have died and those who have survived. 

May we continue to do justice, love mercy and continually walk with you O God!

Help us never to become cold, isolated, detached with our family members and neighbors. 

We pray for all animals out in the cold.

Help us to find better ways to serve our homeless, hungry and outcast family members.

Help us not to be afraid to smile or say "hello"

Watch over every family member this night  O Lord and guide them to shelter if they are outside. Make us continually to be mindful of each other and all those whom you send across our pathways.

Lord help us to love one another and continue to honor the promises we made a baptism and may we continue respect the dignity of every human being.

Help us to be beacons of hope, peace, love, and joy to a broken world as we approach the Manger  once again that is hope, peace, love, and joy. 

May we continue to hear your voice telling us to be still and know that you are God and your voice asking us to "Walk with me on our journey!" Amen.

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Dear Family that is all for tonight! Don't forget to use the self-care check up each day to see how you are doing body, mind, and spirit-wise. 

Remember- I love you, you matter, and each one of you is a precious gift from God made in God's image!  I also give thanks to God for each of you dear family members this day and always.

Love and peace of mind!

Sara

The most memorable song at the Vigil Service today was from Carole King

In the Name of Love

Blowin' in the Wind- Chad Mitchell Trio

Almost Mid Advent Praying in Place before Bed time

Dear Family of Love and Pilgrims on Our Journey,

Here are a few suggested prayers to pray before bed time the remainder of this season of Advent.

Let us take time before we rest to lay down our burdens and rest gentle in God's arms.


Unburden our bodies, minds, and spirits so that we may rest gentle in your arms O, Lord.

Calm our fears and help us to "Be Still and know that you are God."

We entrust all our family members to you Lord knowing that you are taking care of them while we rest.

We pray for all those who work while we sleep. We pray for the safety of all who work or are traveling in the night hours.

We pray for all ministers who travel to parishioners bedsides either at home or in hospital during the night hours. Keep watch over them and traveling mercies!

We pray for those who are ill or are in emergency rooms and those who minister to their needs.

We pray that we may continue to sow seeds of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love in the days ahead and always.

Give us the courage to be able to keep things simple and not be led by the holiday hype.

Help us to keep it real. 

Help us to be more loving and compassionate.

We pray for all those who continue to grieve and those who find the holidays difficult.

We pray for_______________________

We Offer our Thanksgivings for_________________

We cast our named worries____________________ to you that they may not trouble us this night and always!

We pray for all those who are in the Thin Places and know that they continue to be wrapped in your loving arms.

Lord help us to be rested enough to hear your words "Walk with me on our Journey" in the morning and respond with a loud and joyful "Yes!"

Loving God give us courage to walk with you on our journey to the Manger of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. 

Enliven our Spirits, Quicken our Steps, and Tenderize our hearts and hydrate us with the Water Of Life this night and always! Amen!


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Good night dear ones! I love you!

Sara

An almost Mid-Advent Check up! How are we doing body, mind, and spirit wise? Revised Version

Dear Family of Love and Pilgrims on our Journey!

In just one week we will be once again at the Manger of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love! So I thought it would be as good a time as any for us to have a check up on how we are handling stress and if we are keeping to our daily routine of unplugging and keeping focused on what matters most.

So here is your self-care check list! Ask yourself  these questions and pray about them tomorrow when we have our walking time.

Am I getting enough rest?
Am I unplugging and getting outside? If it is cold, bundle up and do it anyway!
Am I hydrating myself with the Living Water of Christ and feel it coursing through my veins?
Am I asking God to enliven my spirit, quicken my steps, and expand my heart to love more and more and have an expansive and giving spirit?
Am I letting the hype get to me?
Am I being supportive, loving and accepting?
Have I stood up to bullies or hatemongers and stood with the oppressed and the marginalized?
Am I reconnecting with the people that matter most to me ?
Am I allowing enough time to get from place to place and is my car a no phone zone? 
Am I alert to all of my surroundings both driving and shopping?                                   
Am I allowing God in more and more?
Am I eating at the right times and watching the carbs?
Am I doing some kind of physical fitness?
Am I keeping it simple?
How am I sowing seeds of Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy?
What have I been doing to make God's world a better place?
Am I seeing a family member (That is anyone) as someone made in the image and likeness of God?
Am I smiling more and not looking down on family member and seeing them as visible?
Am I at prayer and am I giving thanks and having an attitude of gratitude?

These should be enough to get us started even if you have to take a few of them each day!  No rush! Please do not hurry! We have all the time in the world. These will still apply after Christmas.

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Tonight's walk was beautiful crisp and clear! I was reminded again that we all have to be mindful of family members who are needy. Find out where the coat and blanket drives are. I'm falling in love with God even more this season. Whatever used to bother me is gone ! I know it has to do with this cyber ministry and pilgrimage that we are on together. God has me doing some amazing things as S/he is with you! We have to ask God for heart tenderizer and let God do the rest and allow God in. Ask God to have you let go of all things that are keeping you from doing what God is calling you to do! I remember once telling a story about the Beavers and God. It is this: Beavers dam up the Water of Life. We need to Stop being Beavers and not Dam up the Water of Life and let God and the Water of Life course through out veins and who knows what else might! So give the logs to those who need them to keep themselves warm and in order to build shelter.

Well that is my story and I'm sticking to it! I love you, you matter, and won't you continue to walk with me on our journey!

Love and peace of mind, Please don't be a beaver!

Sara

Music Sampler

A Renaissance Christmas - Riu, riu, chiu - The Boston Camerata

Claudio Monteverdi - Salve Regina | The Boston Camerata

Merry Christmas from The Renaissance

As I was a walking and praying......

Dear Family of Love  and Pilgrims on our Journey,

As I was walking and praying it came to me that we haven't talked about music this time of year! It is now ok by me to get out your Christmas Music and load up that iPod and MP3 Player! We can't fight it, so we might as well enjoy all the sounds of the holidays.  I have a playlist of albums that are good ones to walk to and play wherever you are. Sometimes, the sentimental music can depress one so beware. Sacred Christmas Music sings and speaks to the soul and we need to listen to what God is saying to us. I feel God and his loving presence in this kind of music. Yes, some of it is kind of what I call Princess Music! 

Tonight's walk was brought to you by A Baroque Christmas Album the cover looks like this! I highly recommend it!

I will post a few of the songs in the playlist section:

Anything by John Rutter is  good! I love to sing, so I like things that I can sing along with. Mannheim Steamroller is good if you are going to speed walk. Paul Winter of course is always in my head. Handel's Soulful Messiah is another goody. I prefer more sacred music for my walks but don't forget we all need to have fun so Michael Buble' will do as well. What ever can enliven your spirits, quicken your steps, and grow those loving heart muscles is good. 

The list is endless! Just check out Amazon! 

I also proved that I can walk on cold nights as long as I bundle up and get cozy! No Santa Suit though! 

I happen to like walking at night during this time just to see the lights and smell the outdoors. Take time to go outdoors if you can! 

I forgot to let you know that yesterday was You Matter Monday! Well you matter today and always as well.

Today is Thankful Tuesday! I'm thankful for you and especially all the unexpected things in my life. Take time to be thankful and make a list of the people who matter to you the most and tell them, like I am telling you!

Well Lovies! I have photos to upload music to link especially for you! I love you, you matter, and I give thanks to God for you this day. 

Love and peace of mind,

Sara

Playlist

Bach BWV 62 [Coro] Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland

Michael Praetorius: Puer natus in Bethlehem

Nun Lob Mein Seel

Playlist from Sunday's Drive to LA

Donkey Carol

Joy to the World -Arr John Rutter

Praying in place and getting rest!

Dear Family of Love and Pilgrims on our journey,

I am finally home from my 4 day driving trek that managed to total 753 miles! Yikes! I'm a bit tired and need a day of rest to get back in to the walking groove.  I am amazed that I have been able to do this! No, I'm not  God has been in the midst of all of this and all of this has been very good! My dad is even proud of me.
We will pray in place and walk tomorrow.

Lord God we pray for all who must drive for their jobs and take them far away from their families.

We pray for all those who continue to grieve  the loss of loved ones especially those who have died this time of the year.

We pray for all those who will be attending the service for Nelson Mandela tomorrow. We pray for the safety of all who attend especially those who are leaders of the many nations.

We pray for all those who are homeless, hungry, and lonely. Help us to never see them as invisible.

We pray and give thanks for all our family members tonight and their families too. 

We pray and give thanks for all the many blessings that you have bestowed up on us today.

We pray for all the hot spots in the world. May they find peace.

Lord we pray for those who have lost hope. Help us to be hope bringers.

Give us the courage to be peacemakers in a broken world Lord.

Lord we pray for______________________________

Lord we pray for the hopes of ________________________

Lord we pray for peace and the peace among nations and family members.

Lord help us sew seeds of hope, peace, joy and love as we continue to journey on to the Manger of Hope, Peace, Joy, and  Love. Amen.

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Well lovies, I need to get rest. I love you and hope that you all have had a blessed day. I Love you, you matter I and I give God thanks for you this day!

Love and peace of mind!

Sara