I Write Your Skin...A Poetessnyx/jakuper COllaboration

 

With quill against flesh
You write the essence of my existence
Each freckle and furrow
the sharps and flats
that create the melody of me
lyrics of life’s journey
delicately stretched
over each chord as my pulse hums for you
Each beat of my heart’s drum
crescendos
and decrescendos
singing sweetly of my world’s highs and lows
Your pen creates of me a masterpiece
only my ear can hear
only you know the notes
They are written in my soul
Drip your ink across my breast, love
and draw the rest of the mystery to the surface
Love birds await our tune
as our notes tinkle on the wind

Beneath what they all see
with quill against parched flesh
Only you know the story
Write the epitaph of my existence

Create the melody for me, baby
as you write my skin

.....

A special treat for you
I bring to you
designed to bring you comfort
as I try to relax you
and relieve you
from some of the stress.
When we are here like this
there is no rush
your body will get no less
than 100% of my attention
and focus

Closing the bedroom door
I can hear your heart
beating
in silent anticipation
as I move across the floor to where you lay
Making my way to the bed
as I have
many times before

Admiring your frame
smiling with desire as my left knee
divides your legs at the knee
positioning me
between your legs

Music on
Lights out

unplug the phone


A toast before we begin

The first time again
Inhaling
the scent of you
slowly
both of us so willing
feeling the mutual need
as anticipation beads a steady stream
of rapture about to begin

inhaling


exhaling

eyes closed
memorizing
every part of you
as you
ascend on me
closing the distance between us

the beats of your heart
connecting to every beat of mine
inhaling as excitement overtakes my being
warm tongue meets warm tongue
flesh meets anxious quivering flesh
in the darkness we mesh
for hours on end
like it was the first time

my eyes
rolling back in my head
sinking into euphoria until now unknown
overcome with emotion
with every touch
doors opening inside of me
that had never been opened before


Inhaling

intoxicated
drunk
upon feeling your heat
this warm satisfied feeling
comes over me

I can't hold back the tears
as I take you in again and again
emotionally
spiritually
physically

deeper into me

inhaling frantically
sweat-ed breaths
sealing the real between us
exhaling
frantically
laboring bodies
clashing
thrashing to and fro
around and round
up and down
in and out
hearts pounding
loudly
proudly
as invisible strings attach us
merging moves like claps of thunder
like the puppet I am with you
matching moves with you

every sign in my eyes
giving you the green light
to take me under
your spell

inhaling together
eyes dancing
sensually
as they meet
intensely dipping
melting the pain inside of you
healing parts of you
slipping into delirium
as I am renewed by you


in the back of my mind
afraid that if I keep staring
I will get lost in you
but, its too late

inhale

I've already gave up my space
between us it's now zero
exhaling
tears still trailing
as determined fingers continue blowing my mind
inhale
exhale
inhale
exhale
they dance
playfully
skillfully
across my skin
as you write my skin
touching every one of my nerve endings

knocking at my soul's door


Catching my breath

Inhaling
not knowing
what I was in for
but everything in me wanted this

thinking to myself

exhaling

I am so ready


touches speaking softer now
gently coming down from the high

savoring the way you made me feel

inhaling

finally
sensually united
appreciated
thoroughly satiated


I exhale

 

Happy New Years, baby!

 

 

 

 

Poetessnyx/jakuper (12/31/08)

DAILY OM.....The Way We Love

 

Choosing to Have a Mate or Being Single

 

The way we choose to love can be as unique as the way we choose to make a living, maintain our health, or entertain ourselves. Some choose to seek out a mate and enter into a partnership with a special individual, while others find immense satisfaction in staying single.

There is no right or wrong way to be in your life when it comes to deciding whether or not to be in a relationship, even though society tends to put an emphasis on romantic partnerships. Whether you choose to go through life as part of a romantic relationship or live as a single unit, there are benefits to both.

Feel free to be comfortable with whatever choice is right for you.  Choosing to be single is a wonderful way to spend time discovering yourself. You have more time and space to figure out what and how you want your life to be without having to keep someone else’s choices in mind.

Being single gives you the freedom to do what you want at a moment’s notice and the pride that comes with facing life on your own terms. Companionship, support, and affection can be found while spending quality time with friends, colleagues, and relatives.

There is also the fun that comes with being able to date many different people without having to make a commitment. Choosing to have a mate, on the other hand, brings with it an opportunity to share your life with another person. There is comfort in the knowledge that you are facing the world with someone as a united front. When life is challenging, you are in a position to strengthen, as well as give each other comfort.

There is also the inevitable transformation of self that comes from allowing another person to so intimately be a part of your life. 

Remember that what is right for one person may not be right for another, and people can transition between wanting to be with another person and wanting to be alone many times over the course of their lives.

Whether you seek out a mate or live the single life, embracing it fully will ensure that either choice is as fulfilling as possible for you.

What do you think?

SUNDAYS WITH JOYCE

 

LOVE

 

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; hold to that which is good....Romans 12.9

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. John 13:34

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and a sound mind ..2 Timothy 1:7

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter seperateth very friends......Proverbs 17:9

Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would be utterly be contemmed......Song of Solomon 8:7

Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins......Proverbs 10:12

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.......Romans 5:5

For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. . . - Psalm 37:28

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. – 1 John 4:9-11

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. . .And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. - excerpts from 1 Corinthians 13:4-13

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. - John 15:12-13

'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD. - Leviticus 19:18

God Speaks to Each of Us


God speaks to each of us before we are,
Before he's formed us then, in cloudy speech,
But only then, he speaks these words to each
And silently walks with us from the dark:

Driven by your senses, dare
To the edge of longing. Grow
Like a fire's shadowcasting glare
Behind assembled things, so you can spread
Their shapes on me as clothes.
Don't leave me bare.

Let it all happen to you: beauty and dread.
Simply go no feeling is too much
And only this way can we stay in touch.

Near here is the land
That they call Life.
You'll know when you arrive
By how real it is.

Give me your hand.


- Rainer Maria Rilke

 

 

 

Opening Our Hearts To Love

Let us open our hearts
the way we open a book we love,
not as a check-book,
wanting to know your balance.
Your balance of love is full.
There never can be a debit.
This is what you must know.
Your heart is full of love.

It doesn't matter how much
or how little other people love.
It matters how much you love.
Stir love in your own heart
and to open it up the way you would a door
to the beloved house you were born in.

This heart is not only where you have lived
and loved, this is where you live and love now.
There is no life but of the heart.
And your heart is not meant to be a secret passage.
There is no code to get in except the code of love,
and that is an open book where the pages turn automatically.

There is no use in stocking your love.
You must take it off the shelves.
Love hoarded is not love.
Only love given is love.

There are not meant to be closets for love to hang in.
Love is to be exposed to the elements.
Your love is to enter other hearts
so other hearts become aware
of the love that is already there.

If your heart needs reprogramming,
reprogram it now.
Set it back to its original fullness.
There are no empty hearts,
only deluded ones.
Give your heart a briefing.
If it has been stalled, set it afire now.
Rev it up. Get it into gear. Let it go.
Let it race to other hearts and get them going.
Let your heart revolve around love.

SUNDAYS WITH JOYCE

 

A Christmas Gift For All!

 

1. Birth pangs......

Mark 13:8... For nation shall rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginning of sorrows.

2. Angels announced Jesus birth......

Luke 2:10-12... and the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

3. Israel gave birth to the Messiah......

Revelations 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

4. Worst sinners can be saved......

1 Timothy 1:15,16... This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

5. Eternal body made for us by God......

2 Corinthians 5:1... For we shall know if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

6. Grace was born.....

John 1:14-18... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’") And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known

7. A Free gift for all.....

Titus 2:11-13... For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

 

 

 

Grace Comes Unexpectedly

Grace comes unexpectedly
In barns on bitter nights,
Ultimately ordinary
Lest we claim our rights.
Invisible to those who see,
A veil to those who know,
No miracle or mystery
Descends to us below;
Just immanence immaculate
Awake within our sleep,
Salient as a centipede
Out strolling on a heap,
Not strange enough to keep.

 

 

For many of us this time of year can stir up a host of mixed emotions. For example, we might feel a tinge of nostalgia for past holiday celebrations, when times were simpler, or a sense of being let down due to the unmet expectations we have for ourselves and others. No matter what our feelings are, they are likely to be caused by an unrealistic sense of what the holidays should mean for us.

Rather than thinking of this season as a time for finding the perfect gift or hosting the best party, we can get so much more out of the holidays if we create a personal inventory of the things that matter most to us. With each item we add to our list, we can then set the intention to use this season as a time to consciously rejoice in and express our appreciation for the blessings we have.

The more we are able to let go of our traditional expectations for the holidays, the more open we will become to the bounteous spirit that lies within us. Our true enjoyment of this season will only come from looking within and reflecting on the deeper spiritual significance the holidays have for us. It is this spirit that will allow us to truly celebrate by sharing our greatest gifts—infinite love, peace, understanding, and joy—with those around us.

DAILY OM.....The World in a Bright Light

Grateful

Everyday is a blessing, and in each moment there are many things that we can be grateful for. The world opens up to us when we live in a space of gratitude. In essence, gratitude has a snowball effect.

When we are appreciative and express that gratitude, the universe glows a bit brighter and showers us with even more blessings.

There is always something to be grateful for, even when life seems hard. When times are tough, whether we are having a bad day or stuck in what may feel like an endless rut, it can be difficult to take the time to feel grateful.

Yet, that is when gratitude can be most important. If we can look at our lives, during periods of challenge, and find something to be grateful for, then we can transform our realities in an instant.

There are blessings to be found everywhere. When we are focusing on what is negative, our abundance can be easy to miss. Instead, choosing to find what already exists in our lives that we can appreciate can change what we see in our world. We start to notice one blessing, and then another.

When we constantly choose to be grateful, we notice that every breath is a miracle and each smile becomes a gift. We begin to understand that difficulties are also invaluable lessons.

The sun is always shining for us when we are grateful, even if it is hidden behind clouds on a rainy day. A simple sandwich becomes a feast, and a trinket is transformed into a treasure.

Living in a state of gratitude allows us to spread our abundance because that is the energy that we emanate from our beings. Because the world reflects back to us what we embody, the additional blessings that inevitably flow our way give us even more to be grateful for.

The universe wants to shower us with blessings. The more we appreciate life, the more life appreciates and bestows us with more goodness.

 

What do you think?

Soul SIstahs LIVE! On BLOGTALK RADIO

Sundays With Joyce

 

FAITH

Psalm 23:6.....Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
James 1:6.....But he must ask in faith without any doubting,

for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.

Matthew 6:34.....Take therefore no thought for the morrow:

for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.


I Corinthians 16:13.....Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.


Psalm 1:6.....For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,

but the way of the wicked will perish.

Matthew 17:20.....For truly I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed,

you shall say to this mountain, "Move from here to there" and it shall move;

and nothing shall be impossible to you.


Psalm 71:1.....In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust;

let me never be put into confusion.

Psalm 62:8.....Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him,

for God is our refuge.

Romans 1:17.....For in the gospel a righteousness is being revealed,

a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

 

 

Faith is vitally important in the life of the Christian. It is by faith that you are saved; you are justified; cleansed, and look forward to the return of Jesus. Faith is where you please God, admit your dependence upon Him, and continually seek to rely upon Him and His grace. I would like to close by asking you these question: "What has faith changed in your life? What are faith’s evidences in your life? Is faith growing in your life?

Christmas Finish The Thought

 

 

1. What song describes your mood right now?

2. Would you rather hear, "I need you", 'I believe in you', or 'I want you"

3. What should you be doing right now, instead of filling out this questionnaire?

4. What is your favorite phrase to say when you forget something?

5. What do you question the most--religion, politics, friendship, or love?

6. Do you like surprises?

7. What is your favorite Christmas song?

8. What gift do you have enough of, and wish you wouldn't get again this year?

9. The child in me comes out at Christmas when I.............

10. Last Christmas I was..............

11. If you were a character in any Christmas program, which would you like to be..and why?

12. Christmas morning, the first thing I do is...................

13. What is the one thing about Christmas that you 'don't' like"

14. What is the best part of Christmas?

15. Spending time with....makes me feel good

16. I'm still waiting for them to explain.......to me

17. The best gift I got was........

18. The worst gift I got was............

19. I would really like a ...........for Christmas

DAILY OM....THE JOY OF BEING

 

Celebrating The In-Between Times

While celebrations are intended to honor life’s more momentous occasions, much of real life tends to happen during the in-between times.

While moving from one moment in time to the next is seldom considered a significant occurrence, it is during those in-between times that we are most in tune with life’s most profound, albeit simple joys.

Between birth and death, triumph and sorrow, beginnings and endings, we enjoy innumerable experiences that often happen unnoticed. These times are just as worthy of celebration.

The in-between times are seldom about landmark moments. How you choose to celebrate them or which moments you choose to celebrate is up to you. You may want to celebrate the simple facts that you are alive and that every day is a chance to spend time with the people you care about or do the work that you love.

Then again, when you look at the good that exists in your life, many reasons for celebrating the in-between times may become clear: a cup of your favorite tea, a beautiful sunrise, a good book, and the smell of fresh air can be reasons for celebration.

Celebrating the in-between times can be as easy as paying special attention to them when they do happen, rather than taking them for granted. It’s your focus of attention that can turn an in-between time into a celebration.

You can also pay homage to the in-between times by slowing down and allowing yourself time to look around and allow your heart and mind to take in all of your life’s wonders. Far too often, we can let those simple moments of awe pass us by. The in-between times are when life happens to us between the pauses that we take to honor our milestones occasions.

Without the in-between times, there would be no big moments to celebrate.

What do you think?

SUNDAYS WITH JOYCE

 

Watchfulness

1. Be careful how you live Ephesians 5:15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise

2. Keep a clear mind 2 Timothy 2:4,5 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier

3. Pay attention to what you hear Luke 8:18 Take heed , therefore how you hear; for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have

4. Do not let your heart turn away Deuteronomy 11:16 Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;

5. Listen carefully to the truth Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed tot he things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip

God said

You are beginning to get it.

You embrace what you want. You emphasize. You let go of what you don't want.

You don't need complaints any longer. You have sped past them. Of course, you could find them if you looked, but you don't look for them any longer.

You look for that which to praise. How simple this is, and yet what a discovery!

You have found the secret to living the life you love. Give up speculating about that which displeases you, and specialize in what uplifts your Being.

You dance the dances you choose, and you sit out the others.

You sing songs of love, and do not even mouth the other songs. You do not go along with them.

You have caught on to the fact that you write a script of your life.

No longer do you work on a tragedy.

No matter how eventful and interesting they may be, tragedy and melodrama are no longer your interest. You are looking for a different kind of story filled with a different kind of event.

You spend time on what you find attractive. You simply go past the pages that you are not interested in. They are not for you, and that is enough.

You don't owe them anything. You certainly don't owe them loyalty. You have graduated to the real gems.

Your life can be outstanding in joy. You know how to do it. You underscore the joy. You put it in bigger print.

If you have fallen into a pit, you refrain from going into great detail about its longitude and latitude. You don't memorize the pit, touch every groove and stone. You look up to the light of day above you, and you find a toehold and you climb out of the pit.

Even when your body is still stuck in the pit, you don't keep your mind there.

You travel on to the next oasis. You travel first with your mind, and this is how you pull yourself out of any dark pit. It truly is how you look at it.

What your fingers touch is not the truth. The truth is something else. What the facts are is irrelevant. Facts are to ignore because they are only there to surmount and not to be lodged in. Facts are insignificant. That's a fact.

Wholeness is true. Define wholeness then and not shards. If your life is glass, see through it, beloveds. See beyond.

This is how you learn to be a master of life.

You are matriculating in life and not its obstacles. You have signed up for life.

You have not enrolled in a course on obstacles. Obstacles are not even in the curriculum I ask you to consider.

Obstacles are incidental. They are not the making of you. They are not your course of study.

Just because they are in front of you is no reason to give them your all.

Perhaps you don't have to kick them or shove them out of your way. Perhaps you leap over them. Perhaps you find they are nothing at all, just a mote in your eye.

Perhaps they are not made of stone. Perhaps they are made of thought.

Change the constituents of your thoughts.

Change the configuration.

Leap, beloveds, leap.

Leap into the newness of a new day!

 

SUNDAYS WITH JOYCE

ANGELS

Hebrews 13:2.....Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.

Revelations 1:1 .....The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place; he made it known by sending his angel to his servant John

Revelations 22:6-7 .....And he said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true, for the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place." ^{7 "See, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."}

Mat 25:31 .....When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory.

 

Psalm 91:11 .....For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

Psa 103:20 .....Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, obedient to his spoken word.

Luke 1:12-15 .....When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. 13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. 14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Luke 2:10-11 ....But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see--I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.

 

 

 

About Angels

Because the heavenly host reminds that in everything, everywhere in life we have to do with the spiritual, the single most important thing any of us can do is pray. Because we are dealing with the spiritual whenever we deal with any aspect or dimension of life, the quintessential human act is prayer.

Because the angels bear witness to God, always pointing away from themselves to him whom they serve, the most angelic character the world has seen is John the Baptist. John lived only to point away from himself to Jesus Christ. John neither wanted nor expected an honorary degree nor a civic reception nor public recognition nor a special fuss made of him. He wanted only to direct everyone's attention away from himself to his Lord, saying, "He must increase and I must decrease".

Because the angels magnify the glory of God on earth, therefore the earth, the world, human history are never ultimately bleak. Evil-ridden, yes; pain-ridden, yes; incapable of saving themselves, yes. Nevertheless because "our great God and Saviour" (to quote Paul) cherishes his creation, and because the angels magnify God's glory on earth, God's glory in our world, God's glory in the midst of our history, our situation is never finally bleak. For that glory which the angels find everywhere we are given eyes to see here and there, and one day we too shall see it everywhere as the kingdom of God, hidden now, is made manifest to all.

When next you come upon the word "angel" you will know that either it refers to "the angel of the Lord", God himself acting as his own messenger, stamping himself unmistakably upon us and altering us forever after; or the word "angel" refers to that spirit-creature whose witness to God is unambiguous just because its service of God is unrelenting. Then you must think of the heavenly host, myriads of angels which surround us especially during those episodes when our own resources are slender and only the resources of him who sustained his Son will do for us. And then you must remember that wherever we struggle in life, our struggle is finally spiritual, and will be until that day when the earth is no longer troubled and the kingdom of God has eclipsed the kingdoms of this world for ever and ever.

Victor A. Shepherd

 

 

 

 

The magnitude of life is overwhelming. Angels are here to help us take it peace by peace. ~Levende Waters

While we are sleeping, angels have conversations with our souls. ~Author Unknown

Friends are kisses blown to us by angels. ~Author Unknown

It is not because angels are holier than men or devils that makes them angels, but because they do not expect holiness from one another, but from God alone. ~William Blake

I wear a coat of angels' breath and warm myself with His love. ~Emme Woodhull-Bäche

Angels have no philosophy but love. ~Adeline Cullen Ray

Angels are all around us, all the time, in the very air we breathe. ~Quoted in The Angels' Little Instruction Book by Eileen Elias Freeman, 1994

When we worship God, our angels add their prayers and turn our single voices into hundred-part harmony. ~Quoted in The Angels' Little Instruction Book by Eileen Elias Freeman, 1994

 

DAILY OM...Universal Timing

 

Life’s Natural Rhythm

Nature’s natural rhythms orchestrate when day turns to night, when flowers must bloom, and provides the cue for when it is time for red and brown leaves to fall from trees. As human beings, our own inner rhythm is attuned to this universal sense of timing. Guided by the rising and setting of the sun, changes in temperature, and our own internal rhythm, we know when it is time to sleep, eat, or be active.

While our minds and spirits are free to focus on other pursuits, our breath and our heartbeat are always there to remind us of life’s pulsing rhythm that moves within and around us.

Moving to this rhythm, we know when it is time to stop working and when to rest. Pushing our bodies to work beyond their natural rhythm diminishes our ability to renew and recharge. A feeling much like jet lag lets us know when we’ve overridden our own natural rhythm. When we feel the frantic calls of all we want to accomplish impelling us to move faster than is natural for us, we may want to breathe deeply instead and look at nature moving to its own organic timing: birds flying south, leaves shedding, or snow falling.

A walk in nature can also let us re-attune is to her organic rhythm, while allowing us to move back in time with our own. When we move to our natural rhythm, we can achieve all we need to do with less effort.

We may even notice that our soul moves to its own internal, natural rhythm – especially when it comes to our personal evolution. Comparing ourselves to others is unnecessary. Our best guide is to move to our own internal timing, while keeping time with the rhythm of nature.

What do you think?

 

DAILY OM...A Gift Of The Heart

Letting People Know You Love Them

 

It’s easy to take our feelings for granted and to assume that the people we care about know how we feel about them. But while those we love are often quite cognizant of our feelings, saying "I love you" is a gift we should give to our loved ones whenever we can.

Letting people know you love them is an important part of nurturing any kind of loving relationship. Few people tire of being told they are loved, and saying "I love you" can make a world of difference in someone’s life, take a relationship to a new level, or reaffirm and strengthen a steady bond. Everyone needs to hear the words "I love you."

Three simple words – I - Love - You. When you declare your love for someone you admit to them that you care for them in the most significant way.

It can be difficult to express your love using words, particularly if you grew up around people that never expressed their affection verbally. But you should never be afraid to say "I love you" or worry that doing so will thrust you into a position of excessive vulnerability. It is important to share your feelings with those that matter to you.

Part of the fulfillment that comes with loving someone is telling them that you love them. Besides, love exists to be expressed, not withheld.

If you love someone, let them know. Don’t be afraid of the strength of your emotions or worry that your loved one won’t feel the same way. Besides, the words "I love you" are often best said to another without expectation of a return investment. As each one of us is filled with an abundance of love, there is never any worry that you’ll run out of love if your expression of love isn’t said back to you.

Saying, "I love you" is a gift of the heart sent directly via words to the heart of a recipient.

Even though it may not always look that way, love from the heart is an offering that is always unconditional and given without strings attached. That is the true essence of the gift of "I love you."

What do you think?

DAILY OM.....The Day's Closing

Evenings

From the beginning of time, a richly colored twinge of dusk touching the eastern horizon, the lengthening of shadows, and the appearance of the evening’s first star have let us know that it was time to rest, relax, and retire from the pressures of the day.

For human beings and other living things that tend to be most active in daylight, evenings can be less hectic and more relaxing, as we prepare for sleep and spend quality time with our loved ones.

But evenings are about much more than dinner and the feel of a cool, soft pillow. Evenings are a wonderful time to catalog the events of the day without distraction, to revel in gentle solitude or silence, to end the day in serenity, and to commune with your inner self.

There are many ways to turn the evening into a nurturing and soul enriching experience. A simple stroll through the realms of dusk and darkness can show you two different worlds: one winding down and one just coming to life. In the evening, the sounds we humans make begin to diminish, and the sounds of earth’s more nocturnal creatures and nature itself become more apparent.

As night slowly falls, scents change, and the smell of the soil and greenery become magnified. Sky gazing in the evenings can be a meditative activity – one that reminds us that we are only one part of an infinitely complex and vast universe. Each night, the different phases of the moon show us the passage of time and the waxing and waning of life, as its glowing visage – whether in the shape of a circle, crescent, or a smile –bathes the world in an ethereal, wistful glow.

As crickets chirp and night birds cry out, evening rituals and routines can make your day feel complete, help you unwind from the day’s busyness, and pave the way for rejuvenating sleep.

Rituals and routines help you say goodnight to the present day, so you can look forward to the next one.

While the sun sets, try doing a series of stretches, lighting some candles, or watching the daylight fade. The soothing, natural beauty of each evening can be your backdrop, as you meditate, quiet your soul, and relax into the peace and stillness that can be found at day’s end.

What do you think?

Sundays With Joyce

THANKSGIVING

 

Psalm 9:1...

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.

 

Psalm 50:23...

The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;
to one who orders his way rightly
I will show the salvation of God!"

 

Psalm 92:1...

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praises to your name, O Most High

 

Psalm 100:4...

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!

 

Psalm 105:1-2...

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!

 

Philippians 4:6...

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God

 

 

 

 

In recent years, people have begun to call Thanksgiving by another name, Turkey Day. I have always found this name a bit peculiar. On other holidays like Columbus Day, George Washington's Birthday, and Memorial Day, we pay our respects to those we are remembering, but on Turkey Day we kill and eat them, rather like cannibals having a People Day.

There's a reason—a disturbing reason—for the name change. When people sit down before the great feast on Thanksgiving Day, they still sense that they ought to bow their heads and give thanks. Yet people today would rather forget God. They would like to suppress the feeling on Thanksgiving that God deserves their gratitude. So, they are trying to discard the name Thanksgiving and to forsake the traditions on this holiday which kept God at the center.

Why are so many ungrateful to God for His blessings? The fundamental reason is that we are too prosperous. After the exodus from Egypt, God told the nation of Israel that He was leading them to a desirable land already prepared for their habitation. It would be a land overflowing with milk and honey, a land filled with strong cities that others had built and with vineyards and with olive groves that others had planted. So, after occupying the land, they could expect a life of prosperity. But God warned them that with prosperity would come the danger of forgetting God. They would be tempted to look around at their wealth and say to themselves, "By our hands, by our labor, we have achieved this, we have built a good life for ourselves." They would take credit for what God had given them.

The same mentality exists in America today. We enjoy unprecedented prosperity, and yet we fail to recognize that its source is God. Why? We take our wealth for granted. We feel we deserve it. We imagine that we created it. It is a funny thing about human beings that they are more thankful when they are suffering poverty than when they are enjoying plenty.

 

 

'Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and I know each of us can think of things we don't have, but the challenge today, is to thank God for what we 'do' have.

Everyone who is able to read this this morning has something to be grateful for. Have you thanked God lately? The blessings we receive throughout the year, like our families, our health, good friends, old and new. Sunlight each day, the rain, the moon, tress, and the beauty all around us, that we take for granted. Consider our eyes, our arms, legs, and the ability to walk back and forth to work, and to play. To be able to hug our children, and talk to them. Ears to hear their cries, and laughter. The list goes on and on...

Let us take a moment in this season of Thanks and Giving, who makes it all possible.'

 

 

 

I’m Thankful for You

Thanksgiving is the appointed time
for focusing on the good in our lives.
In each of our days,
we can find small blessings,
but too often we overlook them,
choosing instead to spend our time
paying attention to problems.
We give our energy
to those who cause us trouble
instead of those who bring peace.
Starting now,
let’s be on the lookout
for the bits of pleasure in each hour,
and appreciate the people who
bring love and light to everyone
who is blessed to know them.
You are one of those people.
On Thanksgiving,
I’m thankful for you.
Happy Thanksgiving!

By Joanna Fuchs

SUNDAYS WITH JOYCE

 

WORD FOR TODAY

Wisdom

Acts 7:10..... And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.

Philippians 1:9..... And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgement:

Psalms 25:4; 27:10..... Show me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.

Colossians 1:9..... For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.

2 Timothy 2:7..... Consider that I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

Ephesians 6:19

..... Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,

James 3:13..... Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

James 3:17..... But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace- loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

2 Peter 1:5..... For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;

2 Peter 3:18 .....But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

 

 

 

GOD MOVES IN ...

God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill,
He treasures up his bright designs,
And works his sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence,
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a better taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his work in vain;
God is his own interpreter,
And he will make it plain.

William Cowper

 

'...God has a way about making our lives reflect His eternal plan. Even when we think we are in charge, He lets us know who is really running the show. His wisdom is unfolding in our lives every day. Take time to thank Him for bringing you through dangers unseen, and problems solved, in His time....'

 

 

Believe those who are seeking the truth; doubt those who find it./Andre Gide

One's first step in wisdom is to question everything - and one's last is to come to terms with everything./Georg C. Lichtenberg

We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future./George Bernard Shaw

I do not want the peace that passeth understanding. I want the understanding which bringeth peace./Helen Keller

These days people seek knowledge, not wisdom. Knowledge is of the past, wisdom is of the future./Vernon Cooper

Daily OM...What Lies Beneath

Why We Lash Out Each one of us has experienced situations where we’ve found ourselves lashing out at someone without meaning to. We later berate ourselves for losing control and feel guilty for treating the other person badly. And while it is human nature that our emotions and moods will get the better of us from time to time, we can learn to navigate our feelings and negotiate difficult situations without losing our center. Often, when we lash out, it is because we are having a difficult time containing the emotions that are coming up inside of us. We may be feeling overwhelmed, afraid, frustrated, stressed out, or angry. Having these feelings boiling up inside of us can be very uncomfortable, and it is natural to want to release them. But when we release our feelings from our body by directing them outward and toward someone else, they inevitably impact the "innocent bystander" to whom we are directing this energy. They not only get the brunt of our anger, frustration, or stress, but also they can actually experience this energy as a physical force hitting their bodies. When you find yourself in a situation where you are about to lash out at the person in front of you, try to center yourself by breathing slowly and deeply. A few slow inhales and exhales can help dissipate the intensity of your feelings before they escape you. Later, when you find yourself in a more reflective state, sit down for a moment; recall the feelings in your body just before and during your outburst; note where you feel sensations coming up in your body; and ask yourself if they are connected to any core issue or experience from your life. If nothing comes to mind, then revisit the situation again, exaggerating the details of what happened by indulging in outlandish "what if" fantasies. Exaggerating events after the fact can help expose the unconscious subtext behind your heated response. Understanding the motivation behind your reactions can help you avoid lashing out again when a similar situation comes up.  In learning to navigate around your emotions, you are giving yourself the tools to feel better the next time your emotions start to boil. In doing so, you will be taking care of yourself by alleviating your own uncomfortable feelings while respecting and protecting those around you. Call 1-877-2-DAILYOM (1-877-232-4596) to listen to DailyOM messages on your phone for free. What do you think?

Sundays With Joyce

 

Who is God to you?

 

God has many names throughout the Old and New Testament.

Abraham called on the name of the Lord (Gen. 12:8; 13:4).

The Lord proclaimed His own name before Moses (Ex. 33:19; 34:5).

Israel was warned against profaning the name of the Lord (Lev. 13:21; 22:2, 32).

The name of the Lord was not to be taken in vain (Ex. 20:7; Deut. 5:11).

The priests of Israel were to minister in the name of the Lord (Deut. 18:5; 21:5).

The name of God is called "wonderful" in Judges 13:18.

To call on the name of the Lord was to worship Him as God (Gen. 21:33; 26:25).

Salvation is through His name (John 1:12).

Believers are to gather in His name (Matt. 18:20).

Prayer is to be made in His name (John 14:13-14).

The servant of the Lord who bears the name of Christ will be hated (Matt. 10:22).

The book of Acts makes frequent mention of worship, service, and suffering in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 4:18; 5:28, 41; 10:43; 19:17).

(6) It is at the name of Jesus that every knee will one day bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil. 2:10-11).

 

 

Jesus declares Himself throughout the New Testament as " I am… bread of life, I am… light of the world, I am… from above, I am… the door, I am… good shepherd, I am… resurrection and the life, I am… way, the truth and the life, I am… true vine, I am… Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty, I am… first and the last, I am… he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, I am… he which searcheth the reins and hearts, I am… root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star."

 

" Today's inspiration is totally different, because it's coming to me as a question of who we think God is.  I couldn't get around it, as a matter of fact, I was afraid to try to....

I woke up this morning thinking, and  listening to God talking to my spirit, asking me who do I think He is.  I thought of phrases like ...a friend..a way maker...Prince of Peace..a healer...a wheel in the middle of a wheel....a burden bearer...all knowing..and etc, etc.  The list went on and on.

Who do you say He is?  What do you want from God?  Whatever you want, he has it.  If we turn to Him, He will give us the desires of our heart.  Every word I have heard since waking, on the radio is about who God is.  We all should be able to tell someone who He is, and what He has done for you.  With faith, and Prayer..He can be everything we desire Him to be, and He will do everything we need Him to do in our lives.  He is still in charge.

I just want to leave you with this thought:  if we truly believe He is who we say He is, and communicate with Him, He can give us all that we want in this world..."

Daily OM...Avoiding Negative Vibrations

 

Taking on the Energy of Others

There are times when you may find that being around certain individuals or groups of people leaves you with feelings of discomfort. It may be that spending time with a particular friend feels draining or that dealing with a specific coworker exhausts you.

Being around toxic or angry people is also draining. And you may even find that being surrounded by a crowd of people lowers your energy levels rather than perks you up. This is not that unusual.

Each of us radiates energy and is capable of being influenced by the energy of other people. It is important to learn how to shield yourself, so you don’t unknowingly take on someone else’s energy.

 While some people know how to instinctively protect themselves from being adversely affected by energy, most of us need to discover and practice the technique that works best.

There are a number of ways to avoid being affected by people’s energy. Shielding is one preventative technique you can use. Center yourself and envision being enveloped in a cocoon of loving and protective light.

This protective layer should allow you to consciously regulate the energy around you. The intent to shield oneself is all you need for this technique to work. You can even create a trigger word to assist you in quickly creating a shield.

Say this word each time you create a new shield, until the word and the shield become automatically associated in your mind.

If you run into a person whose energy you find draining, you may want to cleanse your own energy field after your encounter. Sage, cold showers, singing, mineral water baths, spending time in nature, and a simple break to recharge are all ways to accomplish this.

While it is important to know how to shield yourself from energy, there are those energies that you may not want to shut out.

The energy of laughter from a newborn baby, the feeling of joy radiating from someone in love, and the frequency of calm emanating from an enlightened teacher are just some of the energies coming from others that you may want to have around you.

Call 1-877-2-DAILYOM (1-877-232-4596) to listen to DailyOM messages on your phone for free.

What do you think?

Sundays With Joyce

 

ENCOURAGEMENT

 

 

Deuteronomy 31:6. --- Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you

Matthew 11:28-30–---Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Philippians 3:13-14---Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6---Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Revelation 21:3-4---And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

John 16:7---But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

John 14:1-4---"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."

Galatians 6:9---Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Psalm 42:5-6a---Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

1 Peter 1:3---Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

 

 

 

 

 

By Faith Not By Sight

In waking I give thanks
In what’s not known
I have to trust, My Father
That yesterday’s pain is gone
For you’ve given me this day
For me to rejoice
To faithfully follow
To willingly hear your voice
For trials will come sometimes
And burdens I’ll have to bare
But you promised me father
To always be there
So I’m standing on that promise
No matter what I go through
And just in case I stumble
I’m depending on you
For you hold the master plan
And your path is always right
So today I’m embarking
By faith and not by sight

 

Author: Stephanie Storey Morant

 

 

"Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be."

"Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do."

"Nine tenths of education is encouragement."

Seeing Voices..... A SPII Weekend CHallenge

 

"Just because a man lacks the use of his eyes doesn't mean he lacks vision--Stevie Wonder"

 

Seeing voices
when I slowly stepp out
into the early morning Autumn air,
I bristle up against the elements
sunny, windy, and fair
....
taking a long deserved
nostalgic look
into the curious side of me
and the place inside my heart that you took

I find myself looking for the things
inside of you
that you try to hide from me,
hoping one day that you will confide in me
what makes you tick
what makes you happy
what makes you sick
what makes you cry

Leaves fall randomly against my face
as softly as the memories
of your smile
as softly as your voice
spoken
as softly as the hands I wish to caress
and the spells of silence
I wish were broken

Bristling up snugly
against the chill of the stirring air
wishing that carrying thoughts of you
inside of me long enough
will make you know how much I care

You are only a heart beat away
and even if I can't look into your eyes
I still want to stay
wherever you are at the end of the day

What is it that makes me fear
I ask my heart
Because my head has no idea

A woman's heart 
has always been a weakness for me
It is easy to find,

yet hard to keep

I replay your voice
over and over in my mind
I whisper your name into the air
into a wind I hope
is fair
and kind

I can't give up now...
after all the times I laid awake at night
dreaming of we

Can't you see
that this seems like to me
a surrendering of choice,
to make my own fate
to devise this scheme
to find you heart
to approach you
to bring you to me
and to successfully rescue you
....

from my dreams

jakuper (10/4/08)

DEAR LOVE...A SASSY 'LOVE LETTER' CHALLENGE

Dear Love,

My heart warns me against talking to you, because it would open up the same feelings that I have tried, unsuccessfully, to stave off for so very long. My heart has become my adversary, and yet my middle man, in the war that I have waged against you. You see, I do not deserve you. I do not trust you to do right by me. That's why we have so many problems.

Let me explain. Perfect love casts out all fear. Love forgives. Love understands. Love puts the other person's needs right up there with it's own. Love believes all things. Love is patient. Love is long suffering. Love is supposed to last forever, right? Well, you see...I didn't believe in you. I failed once again to see through my own limited vision, to how good we could have been for each other. But you came, once, twice, and for a unprecedented third time, looking for me. I ask myself every time, what do you really see in me? What is it that you see in me, knowing how imperfect I am, that you would keep on trying to change my whole outlook on life. You know I'm not going to do right. You know once I let you in, I'm going to expect you to be perfect. Why should you put up with my dysfunctional disposition when I would always hold back? I think you already know I might turn and run, once I fall deeply into you, because I don't ever expect you to be true to your word. My standards are pretty high when it comes to trusting my heart, mind, and body to you. Do you know what I'm giving up? Why should you listen to all my excuses about what you could bring into my life..won't be enough to keep a smile on my face, one day?

Love, I swear, if only I could believe in you....I know my whole life could be different. You got to admit, you play games, too. I mean, I looked for you, and it was hard, but you showed up. Several times. The first time, you accepted my excuse...I was too young. I was just out of high school, and trying to make something out of my life, to show my mother, who had died like weeks earlier, that I could be strong like she wanted me to. You took a back seat, but you always stayed with me.

When I thought I was grown enough to handle you, I presented my body to you. I gave my heart and soul to you. You gave it back. And I got mad at you, and told you I never would believe in you again. I took what you gave me..a son, and went about my way.

I know you tried to make up for how wrong that experience went, when you presented me with something that even I didn't know I wanted. You made a believer out of me, when you reached into my heart of hearts, and tried to fill a void that only you knew existed. You allowed me to meet the woman that was everything I wanted in a man. Even though we looked alike, were the same sex, and worked together, that didn't stop us from connecting in every way imaginable. At night, I lay on my bed, talking to you. Wondering why couldn't I have had it with him; and what are you trying to do...sending me everything I wanted...in a woman. Ohhh, we had many fights. You said yes. I said NO. She said Yes, and I kept saying NO. She wore me down, and my No became 'No way am I gonna miss this chance'. Love, you got to know that I always believed if you want love, you got to take a chance. (This would prove to be my Achilles Heel later on)

Love...You showed out! I did so many things I never thought I would do. I had so many firsts. I faced all kinds of opposition, taking on you. In her, I found a utopia. A coming out. A growth, spiritually, emotionally, and sexually. Which is why I always say, "feed the mind, the body, and the spirit" She fed all three. We grew up together. In that growth, I think things got a little too good to be true. It seems some people can become so happy that they look for something wrong. We went from my trying to be a poster child for gay rights, to her trying to just be normal, and be acceptable in her world. It became too hectic to keep up the reason for being happier than anyone we knew. Honestly Love...you showed off! lol Everyone was mad at us. We went under the radars for so long, that it seemed like everyone around us waged an all out war against us. Especially the happily married 'straight couples', the single men, single women, and her kids. You ain't supposed to be 'that' happy. Alas, you know what happened...yeah. But Love, I ain't mad at ya. It hurt like Hell....but it brought me to a place that I said I belonged. On the outside of love.

Obedient to my insecurities, and my failures, I learned to live without you. But, yes, I did see you standing there. I would often come out to play with you, but I knew, soon you'd have to leave me. I learned to accept that we were only playmates. I guess that was my downfall.

You see Love, you became to me a bliss that I courted, and was too afraid to obtain. You became a diversion from loneliness' pain. I would long for you when you were gone, but inside...deep where no one knows it but me...I miss you. Damn, I miss you. I learned to take whatever playtime you had to spend with me. I treasured each moment...I mean I had alot of them, too. Once a few years ago, I know you felt my pain, love, and you brought me so close to asking you to stay. but, you see...I have been through this. You come, it's good at first, we connect, we start out all cool, but Love...you flip the script too much for me to try to let you back in my life again. Every time I think I am close, or I don't want you to leave...I have to 'make myself' let you go.

Love, you see..I have learned to love you from afar. I know you're all that and a bag of chips, but...I can't have but one. One moment...when you mean everything to me. One moment when I would trade my heart, no..my life, if it would make you happy. One moment where I have eyes only for you. One moment when you are worth your weight in gold, and no one could tell me different. Nevertheless, I learned that these moments, while they are love, they are meant to experience in little doses. Yeah, I want the whole experience, but no longer do I trust it to last.

I respect you. I believe in you...but me and you....we always had a hard time getting along. And that's all good, too, because as much as I have tried to get away from you, you still move me...lol

You alright with me.  One of these days, I'm gonna do right by you....and you're gonna do right by me