I'm using excerpts from Sacred Signposts on my main blog, ruthjleamy.com, this week. I thought I would repost the version of St. Patrick's prayer that I used in the book, so it is handy right here.
Christ, as a light
illumine and guide me.
Christ, as a shield
overshadow me.
Christ under me;
Christ over me;
Christ beside me
On my left and my right.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all powerful.
Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;
in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.
--Words attributed to St. Patrick, as used in Morning Prayer from Northumbria Community, Celtic Daily Prayer.
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Sunday, October 2, 2011
31 Days of Praying through the Psalms
I've adapted some of the daily Psalm segments from my last three books, and I'm posting a series on Psalms at one of my other blogs. Check it out at ruthjleamy.com every day this month. If you've read Sacred Signposts, you'll recognize the first ten days.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
What's Next?
If you finished studying Sacred Signposts, you might be looking for a new Bible study. I have a few suggestions.
If you just want a schedule of scriptures to read, turn to the back of your book and you'll find a schedule to read through Psalms in 60 days.
If you want to learn more about praying scripture, consider 31 Days of Praise or 31 Days of Prayer. Author Ruth Myers collected scriptures on various topics and phrased them as prayers. Each daily reading is only two or three pages long, and at the end it lists all the scriptures Ruth Myers used. If you use this in a discussion group, you might study three or four daily readings each week, and look up all the verses and talk about them. A leader could do a little prep work and find a few cross-references in her Bible to stretch the discussion time out a bit.
A great Bible study on prayer is Catherine Martin's Passionate Prayer. This is a 30 day devotional. For a group discussion, I recommend the Passionate Prayer Quiet Time Experience. This will have a little more homework than Sacred Signposts. You will look up a lot of scripture and read quotations from classic Christian authors. I highly recommend it.
If you want to learn about meditating on scripture and memorize a few incredibly encouraging verses, look at the Loving God with All Your Mind workbook, by Elizabeth George. I just finished using this workbook with a group of ladies at church, and we found we enjoyed it more when we did not use the DVD that can accompany it. There was plenty to think about and discuss in the workbook, and we wanted to spend our time in the Bible rather than watching the DVD. The DVD was an extra--it was not needed for the book. There is a longer version of this (not a workbook) but this one has more scriptures and is easier to discuss in a group setting.
If you'd like a book on the topic of praise, check out my Praise Patterns book.
In September I will have a new book available. The title is Only for my King: a Song of Service and Surrender. Its topic is serving God, and it will explore Biblical characters, historical Christians and contemporary Christians who served and surrendered to God.
If you just want a schedule of scriptures to read, turn to the back of your book and you'll find a schedule to read through Psalms in 60 days.
If you want to learn more about praying scripture, consider 31 Days of Praise or 31 Days of Prayer. Author Ruth Myers collected scriptures on various topics and phrased them as prayers. Each daily reading is only two or three pages long, and at the end it lists all the scriptures Ruth Myers used. If you use this in a discussion group, you might study three or four daily readings each week, and look up all the verses and talk about them. A leader could do a little prep work and find a few cross-references in her Bible to stretch the discussion time out a bit.
A great Bible study on prayer is Catherine Martin's Passionate Prayer. This is a 30 day devotional. For a group discussion, I recommend the Passionate Prayer Quiet Time Experience. This will have a little more homework than Sacred Signposts. You will look up a lot of scripture and read quotations from classic Christian authors. I highly recommend it.
If you want to learn about meditating on scripture and memorize a few incredibly encouraging verses, look at the Loving God with All Your Mind workbook, by Elizabeth George. I just finished using this workbook with a group of ladies at church, and we found we enjoyed it more when we did not use the DVD that can accompany it. There was plenty to think about and discuss in the workbook, and we wanted to spend our time in the Bible rather than watching the DVD. The DVD was an extra--it was not needed for the book. There is a longer version of this (not a workbook) but this one has more scriptures and is easier to discuss in a group setting.
If you'd like a book on the topic of praise, check out my Praise Patterns book.
In September I will have a new book available. The title is Only for my King: a Song of Service and Surrender. Its topic is serving God, and it will explore Biblical characters, historical Christians and contemporary Christians who served and surrendered to God.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Gratitude
I need to apologize to the ladies studying Sacred Signposts at Lewis and Clark Bible church. I haven't posted anything for you lately! Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers even when I don't post.
I am thinking about the Gratitude chapter today: praising the all-powerful Lord who lived a meek and lowly life on this earth.
I bought a copy of Keith Getty's Piano Hymns for my husband. Yesterday I was trying to play the arrangement of "In Christ Alone" which is far beyond my limited musical abilities. I was sputtering about the key changes and how I really wanted it "just written like a hymn" -- and I didn't realize I was doing this audibly. Lydia was listening to me, however, and she politely pointed out that "Maybe that book is written for more skilled people, Mama."
I laughed and agreed with her.
Later I thought about the title of the song, and how thankful I am that I can stand and live and have a ministry "In Christ Alone." It's all about Him. Not me. Not my skill (or lack thereof). He is the reason I have anything to share with you. He is the reason I rejoice.
And suddenly I was humming a line from another song:
"And life is worth the living just because He lives."
I added this to the list at Thought Provoking Thursdays, hosted here.
I am thinking about the Gratitude chapter today: praising the all-powerful Lord who lived a meek and lowly life on this earth.
I bought a copy of Keith Getty's Piano Hymns for my husband. Yesterday I was trying to play the arrangement of "In Christ Alone" which is far beyond my limited musical abilities. I was sputtering about the key changes and how I really wanted it "just written like a hymn" -- and I didn't realize I was doing this audibly. Lydia was listening to me, however, and she politely pointed out that "Maybe that book is written for more skilled people, Mama."
I laughed and agreed with her.
Later I thought about the title of the song, and how thankful I am that I can stand and live and have a ministry "In Christ Alone." It's all about Him. Not me. Not my skill (or lack thereof). He is the reason I have anything to share with you. He is the reason I rejoice.
And suddenly I was humming a line from another song:
"And life is worth the living just because He lives."
I added this to the list at Thought Provoking Thursdays, hosted here.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
a little more about Faith
I received this in an e-mail from Dayspring and I thought it complemented the Faith chapter.
The Measure
You are my portion, O Lord. Psalm 119:57 AMP
Let the grace of the Lord be the measure of your sufficiency;
let the peace of the Lord be the measure of your quietness;
let the power of the Lord be the measure of your strength;
let the goodness of the Lord be the measure of your contentment;
let the love of the Lord be the measure of your service;
let the faithfulness of the Lord be the measure of your trust;
let the beauty of the Lord be the measure of your worship;
let the fullness of the Lord be the measure of your joy;
let the sovereignty of the Lord be the measure of your confidence;
let the promises of the Lord be the measure of your expectations;
let the coming of the Lord be the measure of hope.
--Roy Lessin
The Measure
You are my portion, O Lord. Psalm 119:57 AMP
Let the grace of the Lord be the measure of your sufficiency;
let the peace of the Lord be the measure of your quietness;
let the power of the Lord be the measure of your strength;
let the goodness of the Lord be the measure of your contentment;
let the love of the Lord be the measure of your service;
let the faithfulness of the Lord be the measure of your trust;
let the beauty of the Lord be the measure of your worship;
let the fullness of the Lord be the measure of your joy;
let the sovereignty of the Lord be the measure of your confidence;
let the promises of the Lord be the measure of your expectations;
let the coming of the Lord be the measure of hope.
--Roy Lessin
Saturday, April 2, 2011
praying for faith...and with faith
This is a prayer from my journal three years ago. My father's health was failing, and I was stressed. Praying through Scriptures -- using the words of Scripture and responding to them -- brought me so much comfort and strength. Praying this way really helped me to put my faith into words, and to trust in the reality of "Christ Over Me."
Praying with Psalm 22-24
Lift up your heads, you gates!
Rise up, ancient doors!
Then the King of glory will come in.
O King of glory,
Creator of heaven and earth,
Lord of love and mercy,
I invited You into my life
on a spring afternoon
when I was four years old.
Thank You for never leaving
even when I forget You're here
and try to carry all
my burdens alone.
Do not be far from me,
because distress is near
and there is no one to help.
Sometimes "distress" seems closer to me
than You, Lord.
But You live within me
and no one -- and nothing --
can be closer than that.
The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I lack.
I'd like more money, Lord.
I'd like some assistance with the responsibilities
of being the only child of an ailing father.
I'd like to fly away to Ireland today.
But I have You, Lord,
and I have a loving husband
and children
and a house
and two cats
and thirty-seven varieties of tea in the pantry --
so, really,
I lack nothing.
He lets me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He renews my life;
He leads me along the right paths
for His name's sake.
Last week, Lord,
on a stressful day,
You provided refreshing green scenery
and precious amusing memories
to keep me company.
Even when I go
through the darkest valley,
I fear no danger,
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff --
they comfort me.
You are with me.
You comfort me.
Truly, Lord,
I lack nothing.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Only goodness and faithful love
will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
as long as I live.
Sometimes I feel that stress and exhaustion
and headaches pursue me --
but You promise that Your goodness and faithful love
will be with me every day.
(Psa. 24:7, 22:11, 23:1-6)
Praying with Psalm 22-24
Lift up your heads, you gates!
Rise up, ancient doors!
Then the King of glory will come in.
O King of glory,
Creator of heaven and earth,
Lord of love and mercy,
I invited You into my life
on a spring afternoon
when I was four years old.
Thank You for never leaving
even when I forget You're here
and try to carry all
my burdens alone.
Do not be far from me,
because distress is near
and there is no one to help.
Sometimes "distress" seems closer to me
than You, Lord.
But You live within me
and no one -- and nothing --
can be closer than that.
The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I lack.
I'd like more money, Lord.
I'd like some assistance with the responsibilities
of being the only child of an ailing father.
I'd like to fly away to Ireland today.
But I have You, Lord,
and I have a loving husband
and children
and a house
and two cats
and thirty-seven varieties of tea in the pantry --
so, really,
I lack nothing.
He lets me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He renews my life;
He leads me along the right paths
for His name's sake.
Last week, Lord,
on a stressful day,
You provided refreshing green scenery
and precious amusing memories
to keep me company.
Even when I go
through the darkest valley,
I fear no danger,
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff --
they comfort me.
You are with me.
You comfort me.
Truly, Lord,
I lack nothing.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Only goodness and faithful love
will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
as long as I live.
Sometimes I feel that stress and exhaustion
and headaches pursue me --
but You promise that Your goodness and faithful love
will be with me every day.
(Psa. 24:7, 22:11, 23:1-6)
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
a prayer
This didn't make it into the book. It's Patrick's prayer, with my own response to it. Do try this at home: write someone else's prayer, or a scripture verse, and insert your own responses. Use it as a structure, a signpost, a place to begin.
Christ, as a light illumine and guide us
Fill us with Your joy today, Lord, and direct our choices.
Christ, as a shield overshadow us
I ask You to protect us from discouragement and danger.
Christ under us
Lord we need Your strength and support.
Christ over us
Help us to trust You and praise You, our faithful Friend!
Christ beside us on our left and our right
Remind us of Your presence Lord, all day long.
This day be within and without us
Shape our inner attitudes and control our outward actions.
Lowly and meek, yet all-powerful
We pause to marvel at Your life, death and resurrection.
Be in the heart of each to whom we speak
Lord, plant Your truth in the hearts of everyone we meet today.
In the mouth of each who speaks unto us
Keep us tuned to Your voice, through whomever You choose to speak.
Christ, as a light illumine and guide us
Fill us with Your joy today, Lord, and direct our choices.
Christ, as a shield overshadow us
I ask You to protect us from discouragement and danger.
Christ under us
Lord we need Your strength and support.
Christ over us
Help us to trust You and praise You, our faithful Friend!
Christ beside us on our left and our right
Remind us of Your presence Lord, all day long.
This day be within and without us
Shape our inner attitudes and control our outward actions.
Lowly and meek, yet all-powerful
We pause to marvel at Your life, death and resurrection.
Be in the heart of each to whom we speak
Lord, plant Your truth in the hearts of everyone we meet today.
In the mouth of each who speaks unto us
Keep us tuned to Your voice, through whomever You choose to speak.
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