ADVENT: 2ND SUNDAY December 7, 2014

waiting...

anticipating...

we relight the first candle of HOPE
adding this week's candle of PEACE ~
may you be blessed 
in your reflection and expectation 
of the coming of Peace
 this 2nd week of our journey to Christmas 
and may you live and pray with the Benedictus,
'guide our feet in the way of  Peace'
amen ~ come Lord Jesus...

Let me hear what ADONAI will speak,  for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful,  to those who turn to him in their hearts. Psalm 85:8 

Find each week's Advent  Scripture Readings Here  ~

• Isaiah 40:1-11
• Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
• 2 Peter 3:8-15a
• Mark 1:1-8

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Our #SONGSonSUNDAY selection for today's Advent post

features Moya Brennan singing

In The Bleak Midwinter

The lyrics were written as a poem  by English poet Christina Rossetti before 1872,

It was published posthumously in Rossetti's Poetic Works in 1904.  It became a Christmas carol after appearing in
The English Hymnal in 1906 with a setting by Holst.

Be sure to add your #SONGSonSUNDAY music links in the comments.  We look forward to hearing your  worship for the week!
Advent week 1 post with O Come, O Come Emmanuel found here.

Shalom as we journey toward Christ's coming this week...


* shared with - * Inspire Me Monday *
* Christmas Music Moves Me *
* Hope in Every Season * * FIND MORE FHC on PINTEREST | TWITTER | GOOGLE+ | GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | NETWORKED BLOGS *
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SONGS ON SUNDAYS: HEAR MY PRAYER by Moya Brennan 2/3/14

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~Welcome to SONGS on SUNDAYS for March ~ * Beginning a new month ! filled with possibilities and a Great variety of possible Themes . . . 
St Davids Day March 1st,

Lent beginning next  This week Wednesday 5th

[LENT continuing right through March]
plus St. Patrick's Day on the 17th .
Plenty of choices if you want to post to honour the event or in the case of LENT, to post SONGS on SUNDAYS relevant to your
spiritual LENTEN journey -
sharing music expressing
your appreciation of God's graces and blessings. *
Beginning the month  by taking the opportunity to feature a favourite IRISH
musician and singer, Moya Brennan, member of Clannad, and elder sister of Enya, singing a song reflective of my anticipated Lent journey ~
HEAR MY PRAYER
Add your SONGS on SUNDAYS link in comments
so we're able to pop by and have a listen ! You're welcome to add the button below to let others know { Just add a link back here to the current SONGS ON SUNDAYS post where you've commented  } * Using hashtag #SONGSonSUNDAYS also connects us  - TY!
* Hence I cannot be silent
and indeed I ought not to be,
about the many blessings and the great grace which the Lord has
deigned  to bestow upon me. SAINT PATRICK *

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Sharing

Gratitude for God's amazing BLESSINGS as we journey  together this week . . .
 Thank you for being part of SONGS on SUNDAYS! *

Previously on SONGS on SUNDAYS - February's SOS posts HERE  *  HERE  *  HERE  *  HERE

* And until I get a specific Finally!  Monday dancing now posted -
Join us at Marie's for Monday Music Moves Me 
It's a FREEBIE theme Monday post  [thank you to Music That Inspires from the Man Cave !] 
Will I did do better in the morning after all  !! With all the Monday Music to Move me -
what else can I expect !!

Thanks to Naila Moon for the great button and to all the hosting gals!!
Dance on over to Marie's for your
Monday Music connexn...


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linking with smallvictoriessunday, Sunday Community,  Scripture and a Snapshot, amazememonday,  katherine'scorner, hopeineveryseason,

Friday Five: Prayer

via * Today's Friday 5s from Rev Gal Jan : * At the beginning of this past week, I attended a conference on contemplative prayer entitled "Turning to the Mystics" at the 2013 Summer Institute at the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, TX. The speakers were James Finley, author and former novice of Thomas Merton; Mirabai Starr, author, translator, and speaker;  and Father Ronald Rolheiser, author and president of OST.  We were encouraged to regularly sit in quiet to come to realize our union with the Divine, who continually loves us into being.
*
So for this Friday Five, let us share about our prayer practices, whether silent or not: * { ~ My responses follow Jan's questions ~ }
*
1. How do you pray?

Many ways.  Creatively.  With music, journalling, dancing, singing, creating, photography, listening, praying always - a heart position and attitude. With words?
Beginning with praise and acknowledgement of  God's worth.  Gratitude for who God is. Resting in God's Presence and waiting for Holy Spirit to direct my thoughts and responses. Listening.   "Adonai ELOHIM wakens Me morning by morning, He wakens My ear to hear as a disciple [as one who is taught]" Isaiah 50.4 * The requesting part, if there will be any, flows from there.  According to scripture, I have the mind of Christ in me, and Holy Spirit that knows what needs praying, so it's a choice to allow Holy Spirit to lead. What is on  God's heart?  Praying in agreement with that. When we know we pray according to God's will, we know God's answer is also ours. "We enter into a certainty of the outcome", as Graham Cooke says it in  Crafted Prayer from the Being With God series.
*

1 John 5.14 And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us.

15 And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him.

*
2. How has your idea of prayer changed over time?

Prayer is opportunity to spend time with God.  Being in God's Presence. Not a chore.  Not a requirement.  Rather a joy and delight that results from a relationship of love, worth and appreciation from and toward The One I adore. Not a quick port of call for when desperate or a slot machine to get something. Also not just a quick trip to the store with my shopping list . A time of enjoyment - another step in development of relationship. *
3. Do you ever sit in silent prayer? How does it go?

I do.  It goes Beautifully as I turn my heart's full attention on Yeshua Jesus in gratitude.   There's increased sense of Presence and intimacy. A deep and growing awareness of The One in whom my soul delights.
*
4. Do you have any difficulties and/or pleasures in prayer?

For me the difficulty is choosing to be intentional in prayer.  Not allowing it to stay at routine or given less than priority.  A valued place in my day and my life. Pleasures?  Much.  * 
Song of Solomon 5:16

"His voice and speech are exceedingly sweet; yes, 

He is altogether lovely [the whole of Him delights and is precious]. 

This is my beloved, and this is my friend...!"

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5. What is the best advice that helped you with prayer?

I am not an orphan.  I need not beg or hold back.  I am Christ's bride.  Pray like a bride.
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Bonus: Share something about prayer or an example of a prayer you like. *

* Praying scriptures is foundational.  Prayers of God who is author and initiator.   As we learn to still ourselves in God's Presence,  we sense the voice of Holy Spirit leading in prayer. Two excellent resources coming to mind, from Canadian author, Brad Jersak -   Can You Hear Me? Tuning in to the God Who Speaks * and the above mentioned Crafted Prayer by British author, Graham Cooke.  Rev Gals Thursday Prayer post example is one of many beautiful prayer resources. Highly recommended [prayed and enjoyed!]
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* What a fabulous opportunity to attend the conference, Jan. I am so pleased you had that opportunity and have inspired us with your 5 ?s regarding prayer. It sounds much in accord with Christine Valters Paintners' Abbey of the Arts, of which we monks in the world draw inspiration. Thank you for today's post!
* Your prayers are especially appreciated as I prepare for the journey to meet  my 1st wee grandson and spend a short while with the blessed parents!  * I haven't settled on transportation for my return and need wisdom provision for that.  * It's now Sunday and I'm  SO  Grateful to share God's provision of wisdom and transportation has been arranged! Awesome and Amazing - a direct flite at seat sale price! * TY Lord!
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How do you pray?  Insights you'd care to share?
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Shared at Faith Filled Friday [click to link directly]
Shared at Inspire Me Monday

follow the word ...

meaningful worship from my fave,
Maire Brennan [Moya pronunciation] Enya's elder sister ~
BE blessed!