- 31
- Dec
- 2023
- Posted byThe Quiet Place
- inUncategorized
December 31, 2023.
The Seventh Day of Christmas
The Journey to an Epiphany
Sometimes, we just know. It is my feeling that when we know, from the core of our being, that something we have been told is not true, we are connected with The Holy Spirit, in such a way, that the guidance, the counsel, the comfort, the strength is flowing through us, creating an environment wherein we embrace The Wisdom of God. It has happened to me, and I know it has also happened to each of you. Still, there have been times when I pushed my inner guidance aside to follow the direction of another, or others. And they need not be individuals, looking to do harm. The advice, most often, will come from those intending to serve us well, by offering their knowledge or sharing their experience. And this is when we must turn our ears inward, and listen to the Voice, whispering from within. That guidance, coming from within, is specifically for each of us. And, when followed, sets all things straight, for us. Living the journey that is ours can be filled with temptations to shift paths and follow another as they journey. But in the quiet of night, when all things are still, and we are at rest, we will know, and with eagerness follow, not the ways of the world, but The Way of God, because The Holy Spirit of God will guide us so. We might never know what good was done as we followed The Way, but we can be sure we did what was ours to do.
On this seventh day of Christmas, 2023, the reading I have chosen is from Matthew 2:9.
The Reading
December 31, 2023
“After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.” Matthew 2:9
- 31
- Dec
- 2023
- Posted byThe Quiet Place
- inDaily Message
Look. Do you see the end, there, around the bend? It appears to be there, shining with a light, marking the place. Or, at least that is how it appears to you, at times. The truth is nothing ever ends. It changes form. That which is with you now, such as a season, or an occupation, only reforms and alters, changing shapes sometimes, but not ending, in the way you might think of an ending. One season, melting into another. One job, flowing into another. One decade, unfolding into another. Night, revealing day, in all its delights. And through it all I AM with you.
And The Holy Spirit says:
Even in the darkest of nights in one place, it is the brightest of days in another. Even in the coldest of winters in one place, it is the warmest of summer in another. It all flows together, as one creation continuing. And the continuing is happening in all you do. You cannot stop it. You cannot bring it to an end, for there is no end, around the bend, only creation continuing in another form. And it is the same with you.
- 30
- Dec
- 2023
- Posted byThe Quiet Place
- inUncategorized
December 30, 2023.
The Sixth Day of Christmas
The Journey to an Epiphany
Today I was thinking about all the times I eagerly awaited something or someone to come. As a child, of course, it was most often Christmas, or my birthday. As an adult it was some special someone to love, or visiting friends or relatives, or having friends or relatives visit me, or the birth of a child. And as the years passed it was a grand vacation, or even a much awaited concert. The anticipation was an important part of the mix, no matter what. Sometimes, I waited at home for the event or the person(s) to come. Often, I would make the journey for the visit. It did not matter which, there was always excitement in the air. Waiting, anticipation, and finally the hour, the fulfillment, the absolute joy. There will be times when the journey is brief. There will be times when the journey is long, and possibly even arduous. Along The Way there is always a chance we might meet others who will try to dissuade us from the original plan, offering suggestions, leading us from the path. But then, there is always the guidance from within. There is always The Light. We will make the most amazing journeys as we walk the Earth, if we will listen to the still, small voice within, watch for The Light, and follow The Star.
On this sixth day of Christmas, 2023, the reading I have chosen is from Matthew 2:7-8.
The Reading
December 30, 2023
“Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” Matthew 2:7-8
- 30
- Dec
- 2023
- Posted byThe Quiet Place
- inDaily Message
Wherever you find yourself, right now, is where you are. You are experiencing the present piece of eternity, with you. No matter gloom or joy, it is. So, look, and see all that is around you. You might be standing. You might be sitting, or even reclined. You might be comfortable, or not. You might be sick or well. Wherever you are is your place in the journey. But as all things change and continue, all things move on, even you. Embrace what you can from where you are and ask. The Holy Spirit dwells within you to guide and counsel you, so ask, “What is it You wish for me to know, today?”. And guidance shall be yours; comfort shall be yours; confidence shall be yours; strength shall be yours; because you shall know The Way and walk in it.
And The Holy Spirit says:
I AM within you. Speak, and I shall whisper, and you shall know The Way.
- 29
- Dec
- 2023
- Posted byThe Quiet Place
- inUncategorized
December 29, 2023
The Fifth Day of Christmas
The Journey to an Epiphany
When a loved one passes, during the season of Christmas, emotions, feelings, somehow resonate in a different way. It seems that this time of year magnifies that which we feel, takes us beyond what is considered to be the norm. And perhaps it is because we are remembering the Incarnation, (“the embodiment of a deity or spirit in some earthly form”) (Merriam Webster). Think on it. At Christmas we are commemorating The Incarnation, God became human, spirit became flesh. But we are all spirit, becoming flesh, when we are born upon Earth. When the time comes to each of us to return Home, then our flesh releases spirit. Ego ceases to hold its place. It is energy changing form. It is all holy, sacred, and sometimes more than we can comprehend fully. These feelings are with us at this time of year, especially when someone we love makes the passing. They are flesh releasing, unfolding, opening, returning wholly to spirit. This alone is cause for celebration. And we can add to that concept that we can become even closer to that person whom we miss for that very reason. They have returned to spirit, as we are celebrating Spirit becoming flesh. It can be a mystery, yet the answer is held, within each of us.
On this fifth day of Christmas, 2023, the reading I have chosen is from Matthew 2:3-6.
The Reading
December 29, 2023
“When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.” Matthew 2:3-6
- 29
- Dec
- 2023
- Posted byThe Quiet Place
- inDaily Message
Can you hear the wind, cascading down the side of the noble mountain? Can you see the waves, rising as a crescendo, before rumbling onto the shore? Can you feel the warmth, beaming from a midday sun, shining above, reaching below? If you can hear, and see, and feel, you know Me and My love for thee.
And The Holy Spirit says:
Every Earth experience can be the touch of God, if you allow it to be so.
- 28
- Dec
- 2023
- Posted byThe Quiet Place
- inUncategorized
December 28, 2023
The Fourth Day of Christmas
The Journey to an Epiphany
How often do we either hear of, or know, someone who has let all things go to follow a light, follow a dream, follow a star. It is exciting just thinking of their doing it, and making a go of it, growing every step along The Way. Somehow, in all the joy of another’s accomplishment, we seem to forget that we too can do it. We are all sent a light. We all can be led, by the still, small voice from within, reminding us that we can do it. Doubt clouds the possibility. Hesitation pulls us back into complacency. And before long that dream, that light, that star begins to fade into everyday tasks and chores. For me, this is a good time of year to have a reality check. What have I missed? I am sure there are many things. I can certainly name a few. But I do not want the past choices to dim the dream, the light, the star pointing me into tomorrow. All I really need to do is say, “yes” in the present, and off I will go on a great spiritual adventure. The possibilities are endless. What do you think about going with me? You also hold the light, the dream, the star; and if we let go The Holy Spirit within will lead us far. What will we find? I am sure what is revealed to each of us will be different in many ways, the same in some ways. But I am also sure that the journey will be well worth the effort. I do not know about you, but I am excited to see where The Spirit will lead me. Today my answer is, “Yes.” What about you?
On this fourth day of Christmas, 2023, the reading I have chosen is from Matthew 2:1-2.
The Reading
December 28, 2023
“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2