Revue: God Talk

Scattered_Lynn Abbott_14x18Oil with copyright© 2018 Lynn Abbott

I remember the day we buried Dad as clearly as I do today’s events. When Mom and I returned from Dad’s memorial service, the indifferent phone clamored for our attention.

Exhausted and emotionally spent, we allowed the answering machine to pick up, and my father’s very familiar baritone, in an extremely matter-of-fact voice, stated, “Hello. This is Gene. I can’t come to the phone right now…”

Obviously not.

Needless to say, my mom and I both burst into hysterical fits of laughter, and we vowed to switch the message as soon as possible. A little comic relief? I’d say so. But it was more than that.

It was the inauguration of a new path, a significant shift in my spiritual journey.

Maybe, I’m a bit slow. I dunno. However, it seems that as I have grown older, God has used each new stage to draw me into deeper relationship with Him. I’m sure it is possible to meet God in that way without physically aging, but for me, the two have often gone hand-in-hand.

It was the inauguration of a new path, a significant shift in my spiritual journey.

And so it was that when my mother died a few years later, I didn’t have to wonder what God wished for me to discover as I journeyed through grief.

I already knew the answer even though I didn’t much like it.

Scattered_Lynn Abbott_14x18Oil with copyrightNeither Mom nor Dad could come to the phone. Both had gone where there is no cellular service. And I could no longer discuss my day, my decisions or my joys with my long-established, trusted advisory team.

God played His hand well. And like the title of Sheldon Van Auken’s book, I experienced “A Severe Mercy.”

A glimmer of God’s grace in grief.

Funny that. You and I have access, previously unimaginable, to the Sovereign of the Universe. With the rending of the temple curtain upon Christ’s death, Yahweh was no longer inaccessible.

No longer, for fear of death, must humanity depend upon imperfect, human high priests or wait for invitation into the throne room. Christ has not only called us “friends,” but also taught us to pray radically, “Our Father.”

Yet, I frequently found myself running to human counselors rather than to the Divine. And God is a “jealous” God, so to speak.

He wants all of me–heart and soul. In fact, my life-long spiritual journey has been all about that: giving God more of me.

And my parents’ deaths pushed me farther and higher.

In grief, I learned to “God Talk.”  Or at least, that’s what I like to call it.

You might be more familiar with the concept as a 17th Century monk named Brother Lawrence expressed it: “The Practice of the Presence of God.”

In his writings, Brother Lawrence describes the importance of conversing continually with God.  And indeed, it is a crucial shift for most of us.

Psychologists tell us that most of us “self-talk.” That talk is molded by our experiences, by others and by suggestions made by various external sources. And it’s pretty much constant. Incessant, actually.

Sometimes, self-talk yields positive results. Other times, it drags us down. It’s unpredictable like that. And those who preach positive thinking advise us to simply focus on the uplifting.

My life-long spiritual journey has been all about giving God more of me.

But God offers something better. Something more powerful. A gift of God’s grace, it frees me from self’s natural, limited point-of-view. It breaks the bonds of self-talk.

Paul describes it in three words, “Pray without ceasing.”

As a young person, I puzzled over that. It seemed impossible to pray continually. After all, I had to go to school and later to work. How could I pray without ceasing?

Yes, it is true that Christ sought out time and a quiet place to pray daily, to commune with Abba. And that’s certainly important.

Scattered_Lynn Abbott_14x18Oil with copyrightPrayer, however, encompasses so much more than that… Our Savior modeled that for us as well.  I think of His prayer just before He raised Lazarus. In that moment, He allowed those around Him to eavesdrop on His ongoing conversation with God, the Father, (John 11:41).

Indeed, while it is apparent that Jesus spent time apart in prayer, His conversations with His Father certainly did not cease when He left those quiet moments and began His day of ministry.

Without a doubt, He showed us that prayer is an ongoing conversation with our heavenly Father.

The same can be true in my life as well. As I read, memorize and meditate on what God says through His word, the conversation begins. But our dialogue need not stop when I turn to the tasks of my day.

As I “God Talk,” God’s Word saturates and transforms my mind (Romans 12:1,2).

Instead of talking to myself, I continually sit in the presence of the Eternal Counselor, the Everlasting Father, the Mighty God, the Prince of Peace.

And God’s Holy Spirit brings scripture to mind as I talk to Him about various decisions and events throughout my days.  I believe that such ongoing conversation with the Light of the World is what Paul meant when he exhorted, “pray without ceasing.”

Indeed, as I meditate on the things Abba has told me in His Word, as I talk to Him about my concerns, my solitary self-talk is replaced with unceasing conversation with the Creator of the Universe. How amazing is that!

I’m not sure why it took me so long to see it. The book of Nehemiah gives hints of this deeper relationship.

Nehemiah, in fact, understood “God Talk” well. Despite his rise to prominence while in Persian captivity, he longed for his native Israel’s capital to be rebuilt. In prayer, he expressed heartbreak over Jerusalem’s wasteland.

Apparently, he wore his grief on his… face. One day, while Nehemiah performed his duties as royal cupbearer, King Artaxerxes noted his demeanor: “Why is your face sad though you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of heart.”

Nehemiah tells us that he was very much afraid. Without a doubt, that’s the understatement of the year. After all, Jerusalem had been conquered by Persia. Nehemiah’s life was literally in Artaxerxes hands.

God offers us something better. Something more powerful than our “self-talk.”

For this reason, Nehemiah scrambled to find a diplomatic way to express his heart. He began, “‘Let the king live forever. Why should my face not be sad when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, lies desolate and its gates consumed by fire?”

His respectful authenticity obviously earned Artaxerxes’ trust and the king responded in compassion. Nehemiah probably never anticipated what happened next: the king invited him to make a request.

Nehemiah’s gut reaction? He writes, “So I prayed to the God of heaven.”

Scattered_Lynn Abbott_14x18Oil with copyrightReading the passage carefully, I think I can safely conclude that Nehemiah did not drop to his knees before the banquet table or run to his room to pray. No, Nehemiah’s relationship with God extended even beyond his prayer closet. Yes, he practiced “God Talk.”

And the connection was clear.

So it is when I talk with Abba throughout each day’s journey. My Heavenly Daddy listens graciously to my unceasing chatter. Of course, our conversation wasn’t always as continual as it is now. It grew as I did. Grief fostered faith and drew me to God’s throne of Grace.

Before the journey is complete, I expect my life’s God Talk will grow deeper. One thing, however, is sure. In Christ, I may boldly dial direct. Abba never roams out of range. And I never need ask, “Can you hear me now?”

“When Thou didst say, ‘Seek My face,’ my heart said to Thee, ‘Thy face, O LORD, I shall seek,'” ~Psalm 27:8

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect,” ~Romans 12:1,2

94 thoughts on “Revue: God Talk

  1. Oh, Lynn!!! This is so beautiful.

    I know the God-talk well, and I’m thankful for knowing He is always nearby. I want to give Him more of my time and awareness in all things. One of my favorite scriptures I’ve found comfort in is when Nehemiah talks about those against him, and he pleads for the Lord, “Strengthen my hands.” I always find comfort and encouragement in that.

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    1. Of course, you do! We are truly “sisters” and so I would expect nothing less 🙂 🙂 I love that about Nehemiah! Poor guy… Sanballet and Tobias were such trouble-makers. I wrote a post about that, too. Will have to dust that one off and re-post it some time 🙂 Thank you so much for your wonderfully encouraging comments, dear T.R.! You are such an amazing person…so thoughtful and kind as well as a fantastic writer/blogger. God bless you greatly! ❤

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  2. This is so true Lynn 🙂 I haven’t had the chance to read Brother Lawrence’s stance on it but we tend to have a constant “talk” going on. Why not talk to the Almighty and watch things happen, for the better? I had written about it but nothing as beautiful as you did here. I love it. God bless you :):):)

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    1. Oh, Margaret… I need to go back and reread that post of yours! I love your writing! I’m always inspired and encouraged by your posts. Thank you so much for your kindness. With all your beautiful comments here, you have truly made my week! 🙂 ❤ ❤

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      1. hahaha, well sweet Lynn, my post was quite elementary compared to yours. Mine was more like, “See Jane run” “See Billy run” Your post on the other hand is comparable to a well written classic novel hehehe. It is title “Talking to myself” I think, I’d have to go back and dig through. It was last year sometime. That is a blessing to me, to have made your week. What a sweet thing to say :):)

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    1. I know, isn’t it? It’s so easy to get caught up in all the busy-ness of the day. Thank you for always being so authentic, Robert. Your writing and honesty truly encourage and inspire me to walk closer with God. God bless you greatly!

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  3. “One thing, however, is sure. In Christ, I may boldly dial direct. Abba never roams out of range. And I never need ask, “Can you hear me now?” This is going on my list of favorites. 🙂 I LOVE the account of Nehemiah! And I love the beautiful symbolism God gives us in the tearing of the curtain… from the top down, GOD himself removed the barriers. How gracious that what God desires from us are those things that are best for us! God bless you in a special way this week!

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    1. Thank you, Linda!! That means so much to me! Yes, I love the book of Nehemiah. I can relate to it on so many levels! And like you, I love the symbolism of the torn curtain! Thank you with all my heart for your thoughtful words here! You greatly encourage me with your love and faith in our heavenly Father God! God bless you big time, Linda! ❤

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  4. Lynn!!!! THIS = 👌👏 #GodTalk
    Grief can send us into the prayer closet or out of it. I’m so glad you ran to Papa for comfort and strength. I absolutely love how you give us a personal story then blend it with stories from the Bible. You are a true talent and an amazing gift to the blogging world. ❤️ 💗

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    1. Oh, Eunice… you are way too good to me! Thank you for your very kind and generous encouragement. I’m so grateful for your friendship, and I’m so glad you are back from your hiatus! We all missed you…me especially! ❤ and hugs!!

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  5. Brother Lawrence——now why should I be surprised that you refer to Brother Lawrence?
    I was given this simple monk’s book years ago…it’s late after a long day that I’m coming to read your post— It has pricked my heart because I too have lived this tale– only difference is that my tale took place in a different state and different time…and you’re right —I too have learned and gained in my sorrow a deeper connection to God my Father…I will write more when the weariness of the day passes with a good night’s sleep…
    Thank you Lynn–and a huge hug!!!

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    1. Thank you, thank you, dearest Julie! Yes, our Father God knew that we would instantly connect… that we have shared a good many life experiences and that our thoughts and hearts bear a tremendous resemblance. You are such a wonderful friend and I am so grateful to have met you! God is so good and has blessed incredibly by introducing me to you. Sleep well, my dear friend! ❤ and hugs!

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  6. Definitely well written. It puts our relationship with our Father into a different perspective. We are in a constant chat session with him. There is no -see you later or goodbyes. Wisdom from the throne room is always at our disposal. Awesome. I’ve built that but there are times I forget it. Thanks for the reminder. I said once – since Bluetooth was invented I feel less foolish talking while no one else is in the car. I don’t look as crazy talking to myself (or praying) as I used to. Lol. God bless.

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    1. Love that, Beth! And so, I thank God for Bluetooth! 😉 I love how you phrase it: “We are in a constant chat session with Him.” What a wonderful thought and image! Thank you for your beautiful comment. Your words here speak so much wisdom and they inspire me. God bless you big time!

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  7. Well said Lynn, and we can see that King David also practised “God talk” because of his desire and joy that he found, being in the presence of God. And, of course, there are others. It is really amazing when you stop to think about it. And the vail that separated the Holy from the Holy of Holies was rent in two, from the top to the bottom, by God to us, when Jesus died and opened our access to the Father. Sometimes it leaves me speechless, that we meant and mean that much to Him. And that there can be silence with communion, internally, not only with words being spoken but also without words being spoken. Spirit to Spirit, where you know, that you know, that you know. We are indeed, currently, spiritual creatures within physical bodies, united with our Creator. Much grace and blessings to you and yours. – Bruce

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    1. Oh, yes! That’s beyond all doubt, Bruce! Thank you for mentioning David’s close communion with God. What another wonderful example of communing with God the book of Psalms are! And Amen and amen to all that you say in this inspiring comment, Bruce. I especially love what you say here: “We are indeed, current, spiritual creatures within physical bodies, united with our Creator.” You have expressed it so succinctly and eloquently. Thank you! And may God bless you and yours as you so greatly bless me, Bruce!

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  8. Very moving. Especially “He wants all of me–heart and soul. In fact, my life-long spiritual journey has been all about that: giving God more of me.”

    You write (and paint) beautifully Lynn. (How I remember these old phone boxes and stone buildings from my youth in Yorkshire).

    Bless you. X

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    1. I didn’t realize you grew up in Yorkshire. So beautiful. We lived in Surrey for a number of years… I don’t know if I ever mentioned that to you. And yes, I love the old phone boxes. Sigh they are rare now. I have often wondered if they might be re-purposed as internet hot spots… places of public access to the internet. They are such lovely booths that I hate to see them disappear altogether. Thank you for your incredibly kind words about my art and writing. You truly encourage me, and I am so very grateful. God bless you beyond all that you can imagine, Warren!

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      1. Born in West Yorkshire to mixed race parents – Mamma Italiana, Father Polish, I quickly learned to handle myself in the ghetto of disparate souls that was quickly developing. We moved to West Sussex with our 3 beautiful daughters in ‘96 and even though we can’t honestly say we’ve enjoyed every challenge, GOD has proven Himself to be EXTREMELY FAITHFUL throughout. Having pieced together some of your ‘challenges’ I can see that you and your family have likewise gone through many hoops! So my prayer for you and yours is that GOD will make your hands like Velcro and that you won’t be able to let go! 😁 x

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      2. Oh, my goodness! We are “cousins!” My father was Polish… pure Polish. Grew up with all kinds of Polish traditions although he never taught my brother and I to speak Polish. Mom was born of English descent. I love your thoughts here! Yes, the circumstances may not always be to our liking, but Our God always exceeds our expectations! 🙂 Love the “velcro” image! You’re awesome! God bless you and yours beyond all that you can imagine! 🙂

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  9. I do not have to know your address or phone number on earth… I do not have to meet you in person… just by reading these lines I know that we are twin sisters in Christ! God bless you Lynn! May God give you, more of your heart’s desires as you delight in Him! Love, Lia…

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  10. You said: “Grief fostered faith and drew me to God’s throne of Grace.”

    You had parents who loved and cared for you, with whom you could talk, and they would listen. That was a gift, a blessing from God.

    Not everyone has that. I didn’t. My dad was an abuser. My mom, emotionally withdrawn. I had very few I could talk with besides God about what was truly going on inside of me. And, that was my gift, my blessing from God, because my grief began when I was but a young child, but it was what fostered faith in me and drew me to God’s throne of Grace.

    I learned early on about “God talk,” because most of the time, he was the only one I could really talk with about what was truly going on in my heart, and about how I felt about life. I learned early on about conversing with my Lord throughout my day, and not just in moments officially called “prayer time.” And, throughout my life, God has been the one who has always been there for me, always faithful, never too busy for me, always loving me, and caring for me.

    I had more grief to come in my life, too, but mainly it was not through physical death of loved ones, but rather through loss of love – lack of true caring, abuse, and rejection from others, etc. But, each one of these situations, if not right away, eventually fostered faith and drew me to God’s throne of Grace. So, they were God’s gift to me, too, his blessing in my life, that drew me to himself, and taught me that he was my all-sufficiency to meet me in my every need.

    Lynn, Thank you so much for what you wrote. I really connected with what you wrote, not coming from the same experience as you, though, but with the same result. We both experienced grief, in different ways, but, for both of us, it is what drew us closer to our Lord. That is awesome! Love you! Hugs!! Sue

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    1. Oh, Sue… I am so sorry for the heartache you have experienced! It breaks my heart to hear of it. Yet, I know that your relationship with Christ is truly deep and that is the good that God is able to bring even out of the worst of circumstances. I’m truly grateful that He did that for you!

      Yes, I count myself extremely blessed to have had such a close relationship with my parents. My father was bed-ridden from the time I was ten years old, and so he was home when I got home from school everyday. Thus, I had wonderful conversations with him, and he was delighted to have the company. Mom worked full-time to support us from that time forward and so she and I became a team…taking care of Dad and just managing life. She became my best gal pal. It was difficult for my parents… but a blessing for me. And I’m truly grateful for the special relationship that it cultivated for me with them. But I do know that many are not so blessed as I was. And I truly wish that were not so. I look forward to the day when Christ puts all things right again! Love and Hugs to you, dear Sue!

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      1. Lynn, God is absolutely sovereign over all that he has made. Before the creation of the world he knew you, and he knew me, and he had a plan for each one of our lives. I and you are wonderfully made by God. He formed us in the wombs of our mothers, which means he placed you and he placed me in the families we were to grow up in. It is not God’s will that we sin or that others sin against us, but he has allowed evil to exist, because he allowed us to exist, and so we will choose him by choice. He allows evil, too, to draw us to him, to even push us towards him. So, all of this was in God’s plan for my life and yours for your life so that we would become the women God created us to be for his purposes. So, all is good! Love and hugs to you, too, my dear friend!!

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  11. Great post, Lynn. “Without a doubt, He shows us that prayer is an ongoing conversation with our Heavenly Father.” To me, this is key, as prayer is generally a weak spot with me, especially long, set-aside times; my mind seems to wander. But to pray without ceasing … talking with God in an ongoing conversation throughout the day … THIS I can do. I am so glad God “allows” us prayer-challenged saints to do this. You’ve captured this truth perfectly!

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    1. Oh, it is easy for the mind to wander to the day or off on rabbit trails re: the things we pray about, isn’t it? I often need to walk around as I pray just so that I can keep focused… especially when I am tired. 😉 Yes, I am so thankful that we can maintain that ongoing conversation. Thank you, David, for your encouragement! Your comments are always so thoughtful and wise. I so appreciate you! God bless you big time, my friend!

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  12. Oh Lynn, so beautiful. We all need the reminder to continually be aware of our God’s presence and to converse with Him always. (I love the small book by Brother Lawrence.) I daily long for growing intimacy with Christ. Thank you for always pointing us there.

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    1. Oh, I’m so delighted that you know Brother Lawrence’s book as well! And you are truly a wonderful example of someone who knows Christ deeply! Thank you for encouraging and inspiring me to walk closer with Christ through your blog posts! ❤

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  13. Oh how blessed we are to be able to communicate with Almighty God in such a personal and direct way. Thanks to Jesus and His precious love for us, the doors have been opened, the curtain rent and we have direct access. I love your words and the painting is beautiful.

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    1. Amen! I’m so very thankful for all of what you say, dear Kathy! The account of the temple curtain being torn in two and our access to God being established because of Christ’s redeeming work has been a favorite of mine since I was eight or nine years old! What a privilege it is to call our Creator, “Abba!” It’s incredibly wonderful to me. Thank you for your beautiful and oh so kind words, Kathy! You are truly a blessing and a treasure! ❤ ❤

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  14. I love this, Lynn. God is using each stage in my life, too, to grow into a deeper relationship with Him. As I learn to trust Him more, I find myself whispering breath prayers to Him. I love that He is always available 24/7. I say Amen to this – “One thing, however, is sure. In Christ, I may boldly dial direct. Abba never roams out of range. And I never need ask, “Can you hear me now?” Again, I love your painting, too, especially its message of “Light Line.” 🙂 Love and hugs to you!

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    1. Thank you so much, dear Trudy, for your thoughtfulness! You are such an encouragement and blessing to me! I love that you share my experience of God’s using each stage to draw you closer to Him! Isn’t it wonderful how God just continually draw us? And I’m so glad that He’s available 24/7! I can’t imagine living without God! Love and hugs back!! 🙂 ❤

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  15. Thank you, Lynn, for this post.
    When my mom died eleven months after my dad, I asked a priest and friend of our family, “well, am I an orphan now?”, he said, “Yes, technically you are.” I knew he was being ornery and trying to lighten the moment, but immediately, I knew the truth and told him, “No, I am not. I have a Heavenly Father who loves me.” He agreed, of course. It took me quite a while, though, to not automatically head to the phone to call Mom when I had something new to share….The blessings of grief are real, though, and our Father continuously comforts and teaches us…. and your words are true and appreciated!

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    1. Oh, I so relate, Dorissa! It has been nearly ten years now since Mom died, and I think I’ve finally gotten used to the fact that both she and Dad are gone. Still miss them, of course. But I’ve gotten used to it, and of course, our Heavenly Father carries me just as He does you! Thank you so much for sharing your story with me, Dorissa! You encourage and inspire me. It’s so nice to know that you have thought and felt the same! ❤

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  16. Lynn you write so beautifully and this paints a picture with words. You are a gift! Thanks again for this beautiful piece. Abba is never too busy to pick up His phone whenever we dial❤️

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    1. Thank you so very much, Efua, for your thoughtfulness! Your words buoy my heart, and I am truly grateful for your friendship. I just spotted your next installment about the naming of your blog. It’s late here, but when I’m a little less sleepy, I’ll be right there to read. I can’t wait. Part One was so incredibly powerful. ❤ and hugs!

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    1. You betcha! So true, Mitch. I remember being frustrated one day–a long time ago–and announcing to God in my “toddler mindset” of that moment that I wasn’t speaking to Him… *rolling eyes* Worst few minutes ever… Didn’t last long. I was asking for forgiveness “pronto!” 🙂 Thank you so much for stopping by, Mitch! It means the world! God bless you greatly, my talented friend!

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    1. Oh, you, too, Dara! You are grieving? I will especially pray for you as I post my response here. Yes, I’m grateful that God can use our heartbreak to help us understand His love in incredible ways! May God bless you beyond all that you can imagine! ❤

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  17. Thank you for this inspiration. One of my goals is to practice the presence of God more and more. I must admit I fail miserably through out the day but the times when I tune in I am overwhelmed by the kindness and mercy of Jesus.

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    1. Well, I think you are pretty tuned in, Scott, because your posts truly exhibit God-given wisdom! But yes, I think we all can improve a lot when it comes to communing with God. I know I sure could do better. But of course, that’s what it’s all about… growing closer to God and more aware of Him everyday… and helping others to know Him, too. You regularly inspire me to do that, Scott. God bless you!

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      1. I appreciate you. It makes me joyful to know you. It is not like my worldly friends always clamoring for what they can get for themselves. I want to inspire you and you inspire me I want to encourage you and you encourage me. This is how Jesus is meant to work. Love building love not love getting stifled. But even though it is frustrating He pours His love on those who don’t deserve it as well which was me and is me.

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      2. Amen! So true, Scott. I’m so grateful for God’s grace… and glad that He bestows it on us as well as those people that I don’t always understand. What a blessing it is to have wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ! And I am so thankful to have met you, my brother. You truly are an encourager! God bless you greatly! Have a wonderful Friday and weekend. 🙂

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  18. Your art is simply mesmerizing! Thank you for the inspiration. I especially love the last paragraph. God always hears His children. 💙

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    1. Aww… thank you, Diana! That means so much to me! I have often wondered if God could use my art in the way that He can use my writing. It is so encouraging to me to know that the art resonates with you! Thank you, thank you for sharing that! It means the world! ❤ and hugs!

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  19. Wow. Wow. Wow.
    This was the first blog entry of yours that I have read. I can’t wait to read more! There aren’t many writers than can draw me all the way in so quickly. You have such a beautiful way with words. Even cooler, your post relates to where I am, spiritually, right now. I’m currently reading a book by Mark Batterson called Whisper. It’s a wonderful book about hearing the voice of God. I’m also learning to talk with Him throughout the day so, I loved how you talked about how prayer can be continual conversation. Like I said, I’m so glad I took the time to read and I can’t wait to read more!

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    1. Aww… thank you, Joni, with all my heart! I believe you just made my entire year with your wonderfully encouraging words!! I’m so grateful that this post resonated with you… especially since the journey has meant so much to me! I haven’t read Mark Batterson’s book Whisper yet although I love the thoughts that He writes/preaches in His work “Circle Maker.” Thanks for giving me the heads up about this newest book. I’m so delighted to meet you! We obviously are kindred spirits as it seems you have a heart for prayer and intercession. I can’t wait to read more of your blog as well. You are already a true blessing! ❤ ❤

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      1. I feel the same way; no coincidences! There are people who you just connect with out of nowhere. I think that’s so cool because they are God connections! Well, I’m a beginner and my writing won’t hold a candle to yours but I know I’m called to write and tell my story.
        Again, blessed to connect and will “talk” soon! 💗

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      2. Yes! No coincidences! You are a very special God-appointment! You and your blog are a bouquet from God to me! And I think you have a beautiful gift for writing; I’m so delighted and honored to be able to read your posts. Looking forward to “talking” more. God bless you beyond all that you can imagine, Joni! ❤ and hugs!

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  20. @lynnabbottstudios

    I am hardly what anyone would call a prayer warrior. When I read of Nehemiah praying for guidance or Gideon conversing with the Angel of the Lord, I scratch my head. Their courage came from somewhere. Because I too need it, I keep reaching for it.

    Thank you for your post, for sharing your grief and inspiration.

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    1. Thank you with all my heart, Wally, for re-posting this… this post talks about the kind of prayer and relationship with God that I am absolutely passionate about. So thank you and thank you again for helping me spread the Word! You’re the best. God bless you big time!

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  21. Thank you Lynn for your Heart touching Message and yes my Prayer Closet is my Heart too, many times a day I talk to my Abba Father and often to Jesus who reassures me when needed that I’m not alone and He Uplifts me and encourages me when the road gets rocky.

    Sometimes I just have to express my Love to Them in Song and now in the Morning I write down my Prayers too as I Pray for those in need, for my friends and my Blogging friends and anything else that needs Prayer including Thanking Them.

    I often ask God Lynn that my Love for Him and for others will be 100% and that if needed I will forgive others if they hurt me, remembering that Hurt people Hurt people, they may need healing or just to feel Loved as I have needed much more than once before.

    I never hear God audibly Lynn but He does answer my Prayers, sometimes in amazing ways and He often uses Scripture or Blogging Posts that others write, to confirm His answers.

    God Bless you Lynn today and everyday with His Love, Joy Hope Peace and Rest.

    Anne (Grannie Annie)

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