THE PORCH
A CHRIST-CENTERED
WEEKEND NEWSLETTER
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gentle conversation & calming snapshots
uplifting linkage & occasional surprises
for those who delight in doing life
in the company of kindred spirits
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Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27
John 14:27
It's so good to be back together with you, dear friends!
These are weekends I live for. A light calendar. Watching the coronation with my sister. Teaching on grief Sunday afternoon. This leaves time to putter, garden and walk, read and rest. And pray without ceasing.
More than ever, choosing purposeful hours of solitude and silence in God's calming presence is non-negotiable. For it's in the quiet spaces, free from all the clamor and crazy, that the Prince of Peace refreshes parched souls, refills empty cups, and prepares His worn out children for life in the company of others who are wounded, broken, and hurting like there's no tomorrow.
In this chaotic culture we find ourselves in, carving out quiet time is not negotiable any more. It has become the manna we need to survive. And yes, thrive.
If you're with me on this, go ahead and unplug from the constant barrage that pours from those screens. Gosh, it can be so blasted unmooring and addictive and harmful on so many levels (and I absolutely despise what it's doing to our grandchildren's generation). And be empowered to speak a kind, non-apologetic no thanks to whatever you can. So that you can say a confident yes to what God has waiting for you.
Because past experience reminds us that He'll have something that will require the best of who we are. We move forward well-prepared and equipped by the Lover of our souls to be His peace in the turmoil that swirls around us.
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May the Lord make His face shine upon us so that we may be His peace in this turbulent world,
Linda
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faithful blog hostesses
So much admiration for the late queen.
ReplyDeleteAnd I read your post with an open heart, ready to say NO to all the distractions that battle for my limited time and attention. Our ability to attend to anything is severely compromised…ðĐ
Uh, yes. Absolutely. Those days of crazed multi-tasking have slowly faded away. Life in each new season changes and how we approach the dailyness of it continues to evolve.
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Enjoyed the link to the pictures of Queen Elizabeth's life. So nice to see her enjoying moments throughout her life, just as we do. Coronation starts how early in the states??!!
ReplyDeleteMy sister and I will be up and ready to roll at 5 am with a big pot of hot tea and maybe some home-baked goodies in hand. This is a big thing for us ... kind of bittersweet because Dad would have LOVED every minute of the pageantry and would have provided a running commentary through the whole event. Maybe he's watching from on high?
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I am truly looking forward to the coronation ceremony this weekend, Linda, and I so enjoyed the photo collection marking the Queen's amazing life. It's not even the weekend, and I'm smiling already!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Yes, wasn't that a moving photo album? So many memories captured forever ...
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Good Morning Linda - I so appreciate your posts! I am currently going through a devotional - "40-Day Journey with Julian of Norwich" by Editor Lisa E. Dahill. Seeing the Julian meme and quote made me smile as I felt like it was the Lord this little book to me.
ReplyDeleteMay you have a blessed and restful weekend! PS - Don't forget to change your email on your newsletters ð
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I'm going to check out the 40 Day Journey devotional, friend. Thank you for mentioning it. And an even bigger THANK YOU for letting me know that the email address had somehow not been changed in the midst of the shuffle. It's taken me a good part of a week to update a zillion addresses.
DeleteYou've got a keen eagle eye, girl, and I appreciate you reaching out!
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I think it's working!
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Couldn't agree with you more, Linda, on the value of quiet time with God each day, especially first thing in the morning. During the years of motherhood and teaching school, those solitary moments helped set a grounded, strengthened, faith-filled attitude that empowered me through the day. (NOT that I attained perfection by any means! But taking the time to refresh my spirit made a huge difference.) Now in retirement, I enjoy the luxury of even longer times of solitude and silence in God's presence. It's the best part of my day.
ReplyDeleteRetirement gives us many gifts, yes! And I appreciate the gentle way you've reminded us that the increased time we're able to invest in solitude and silence in this season is sheer gift. Not a duty. Or yet another thing to check off our to-do list. A lavish gift He knew we'd need as we transition on ...
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May you have a refreshing weekend Linda. I already know mine will be full.
ReplyDeleteWhoever heard of a pastor with a free weekend, right?
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I am hoping for a resting/relaxing weekend! I hope you have one as well.
ReplyDeleteLet's plan on it! And hope for maybe 'more than we're asking or imagining.'
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Excellent.
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DeleteSuch words of wisdom: choosing purposeful hours of solitude and silence in God's calming presence is non-negotiable.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder
And thanks for the many ways you've guided us in this direction, Jean.
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Linda, your weekend plans sound lovely ... I hope they left you feeling refreshed and rested. I spent most of Saturday planting annuals in pots. It was hot and dirty work, but it was good to accomplish a task that I usually don't get to until later in May. Speaking of unplugging, I saw some gardening gloves the other day that had touch-screen fingers ... they made me laugh because when I'm working outside in my flowerbeds, my phone stays inside. :-)
ReplyDeleteGardening gloves with touch-screen fingers. Of course. Heaven forbid we spend even a few minutes in God's creation without needing our phones right by our sides ...
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Such gentle truth you've shared - how we all need it. The calls of social media and calendar appointments are never ending. I live in an area where I spend most of my time outside, as very much as possible, and I am thankful for our choice to live here. And like you said - living praying without ceasing is possible in this way! Blessings to you, hope you enjoyed a lovely weekend :)
ReplyDelete'I live in an area where I spend most of my time outside, as very much as possible, and I am thankful for our choice to live here.' Amen, Marilyn. I agree. And during these beautiful months where nature is beckoning, more than ever.
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"These are weekends I live for ... Watching the coronation with my sister ... And pray without ceasing."
ReplyDeleteI tried praying this weekend. God spoke to me and said, "Can't you leave me in peace? I want to watch the Coronation!"
God bless.
Well, I'm guessing you were front and center at the big day, right?
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Your weekend sounds lovely. I hope you enjoyed the coronation. It is important to know when to say no to things and not to try to take on too much.
ReplyDeleteI love this ... 2 Great Britain readers right in a row! That's making me smile this evening, friend. It's a small world after all.
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Always thrilled to see your post. Linda.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed watching the coronation - the attention to detail, timing, pomp and pageantry were incredible!
Loving and thanking you for your words of wisdom.
Hugs and blessings
Yep, it'll be quite awhile 'til we see that level of 'detail, timing, pomp and pageantry,' Veronica. You described it so well!
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Hi Linda!
ReplyDeleteHope you guys are well.
I enjoyed watching the coronation! You can find me showing up at all the royal events! ⛪ð
I enjoy the religious aspect, the history, the wacky traditions, and the cute royal kiddies!
I appreciated hearing more about the queen's faith at the time of her passing.
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Yeah, I thought the service was powerful in its liturgy and biblical truth. God's Word surely stands the test of time.
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Linda, it sounds like you had a nice weekend. I too enjoyed watching the coronation. Thank you for the blog visit. I hope you have a nice week.
ReplyDeleteIt's fun connecting with you, Julie. Your 'creative lifestyle' inspires me ...
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So true, Linda, we have to be intentional in cultivating quiet reflection. Thanks for the links for celebrating with our friends in England.
ReplyDeleteThese days, if I'm not intentional about something, it might not happen at all.
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Linda, I can't tell you how much I enjoy my quiet solitude times. I love these resources you included. Thank you so much for sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month my friend.
ReplyDeleteThank YOU for giving all us bloggers such a generous window of opportunity each month. Wow!
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