Dear Ones,
Hope you have a peace-filled day! Al is soon off to the dentist and later I will be going to my exercise class. This afternoon is crafts and tonight is Bible Study. In between we are going to pack the car as we leave for Kansas tomorrow morning. We want to get to Kurt’s in time to see Lily’s soccer game. Friday we are going to celebrate her graduation early!
Devotions from Judy’s heart
  We are surrounded by so much noise each day, as music is played loudly, phones are often ringing, and TV’s blaring etc. But in our noise-filled world how often do we go apart and find a quiet place…a place to regroup, a place to be still and a place to listen to the Lord’s voice? Some people are afraid of solitude for in those quiet times, we see the truth of who we really are. We get in touch with our ego and attachments and areas of our lives that may be out of balance and change is needed.
  I am reading John Michael Talbot’s newest book as I seek to know more how to be quiet before the Lord and to let go of my distractions and those things that put space between me and the Lord. Most of us are not like the desert fathers or the monks at the monastery that can spend large amounts of time in solitude, but we all can schedule times to go apart. That was the purpose of our retreat house, Canaan’s Rest, that we formerly had when we lived on the lake. It was frequented by pastors and other pilgrims desiring a quiet space to be with the Lord in solitude. Recently we reserved the guest room here and had someone come for 2 days of retreat. But perhaps it is good for all of us to take such times periodically to retreat with the Lord.
  Those times we spend in solitude, often are times that the muddy waters of our soul settle and we are able to see more clearly our own reflection and the truth of who we really; but we also see how much we are loved and where the Lord wants to take us next. It’s a time to be quiet and listen as we get rid of the garbage and let the agitated water of our souls settle. Then we see more clearly that our faces are more reflecting the likeness of the Lord.  “Come near to God and He will come near to you.” (James 4:8)
Let us be brave to want to seek the truth about ourselves and to know God in deeper ways!
Challenge for today: Find a new way to practice silence and solitude in your life.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy