Haiku My Heart: Autumnal Glory

autumnal glory… 

God’s rich palette of hues

feeding my spirit

 sharing with Rebecca's

Haiku My Heart

and 
Straight-Out-of-the-Camera
aka
S-O-O-C 
hosted by 
Gemma Wiseman
& Magical Mystical Teacher

Haiku My Heart: Cosmos' Last Hurrah

 cosmos’ last hurrah

now down, due to storm’s fierceness

spring will bring blooms ‘gain

love abounds 

at Rebecca's 

Haiku My Heart

Wordle #181: St. Therese de Lisieux

Wordle #181

Peering into the lives of the saints 

provides a connected and vital chain to our risen Lord.  

With that connection, 

my speech takes on a new importance 

in radiating no harm to others.  

For which of us broken humans 

needs a word (such as name-calling) or action 

that strips away any divinity that is left in us?  

Signs of help for us can be found in a poem 

from the likes of St. Therese de Lisieux.   

So let’s raise our goblets to St. Therese 

(who, even as she lay on the sheets of her bed) 

gave us a sense that we too can strive for holiness 

in ‘little ways’ as she did.

As my faithful readers can see, 

I've been drawn back to this place.

I won't be writing here on a daily basis,

but St. Therese and Mother Mary 

are whispering in my ear...

linking 

Wordle #181

to Brenda's

The Sunday Whirl

Faith in a Bottle's Last Post

Dear Readers,

I  will no longer be posting here.  
That does not mean that I won't write posts of a spiritual nature.  
I just cannot manage to give my full attention 
to this blog and Nonnie's Observations.
So, as of today, you will find me solely (and soulfully)
at Nonnie's Observations.
I am hoping that you will follow me there.
Lovingly,
Nonnie

Mondays with Mary: The Magnificat

The Magnificat
also known as
Canticle of Mary

My soul proclaims the greatness of the lord, 
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior 
for He has looked with favor on His lowly servant. 
From this day all generations will call me blessed: 
the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.
He has mercy on those who fear Him in every generation.
He has shown the strength of His arm, 
He has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, 
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, 
and the rich He has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of His servant Israel 
for He has remembered His promise of mercy,  
the promise He made to our fathers, 
to Abraham and his children for ever.

linking with pleasure
to 
Hettienne's
Mondays with Mary

Shadow Shot Sunday 2: At St. Francis

 I've stopped before the door,

delighting in the play of light and shadow,

I take my shot for posterity;

 then in I go to experience 

the delight of being fed by my Lord and Savior.

sharing with

Shadow Shot Sunday 2

hosted by

Gemma

John Newton and "Amazing Grace"

A Reflection on Today's Reading

 In our parish bulletin,

 the Reflection on today's scripture reading

refers to John Newton who wrote "Amazing Grace."

I found this so like the scripture verse

in Matthew 8:26 when the apostles' fear

became so great that they woke Jesus 

that I had to share it with my readers. 

Newton had been a slave trader and a drunk 

when a violent storm threatened to sink his ship 

with all those aboard.  

For the first time in his life, he prayed.

He was saved as were those on his ship. 

After that episode, he quit the slave trade

and spent the remainder of his life repenting, 

writing hymns, 

and eventually becoming a minister.

Remember this tale which sums up the grace 

given Newton by God whenever singing or hearing this hymn.

More details of his life can be found here and here.