Summer Thoughts

La Bala de las Caletitas - Lanzarote 

By Paul Collings

Mark 6:31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

No soul can be really at rest until it has given up all dependence on everything else and has been forced to depend on the Lord alone. As long as our expectation is from other things, nothing but disappointment awaits us. - Hannah Whitall Smith

Lord, I come before you ready to pour out my worries, anxieties, and fears at Your feet. I am claiming and declaring Your promises for blessings of peace and strength over my life. Bring peace into my soul that passes all worldly understanding and make me a light for others to see Your strength. Amen

Summer Thoughts

Volcano Skyline - Lanzarote by Paul Collings

Psalm 55:6 I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.

Rest time is not waste time. It is economy to gather fresh strength... It is wisdom to take occasional furlough. In the long run, we shall do more by sometimes doing less. - Charles Spurgeon

Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, that we may walk the paths of the Most High. And we shall beat our swords into ploughshares, and our spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation- neither shall they learn war any more. And none shall be afraid, for the mouth of the Lord of Hosts has spoken. Amen

Summer Thoughts

Bastion Beach - Lanzarote by Paul Collings

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. 

Once I knew what it was to rest upon the rock of God's promises, and it was indeed a precious resting place, but now I rest in His grace. He is teaching me that the bosom of His love is a far sweeter resting-place than even the rock of His promises. - Hannah Whitall Smith

O God, grant me serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference;
living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as a pathway to peace;
taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that You will make all things right if I surrender to Your will;
so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever in the next.

- Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)

Summer Thoughts

Beach House - Gracioso - Lanzarote 

by Paul Collings

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

He who cannot rest, cannot work; he who cannot let go, cannot hold on; he who cannot find footing, cannot go forward. - Harry Emerson Fosdick

A Prayer for Peace & Calm

May today there be peace within.

May you trust your highest power that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content knowing you are a child of God.

Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance.

It is there for each and every one of you.

Amen.

— Saint Teresa of Ávila

Summer Thoughts

Lanzarote Beach by Paul Collings

Isaiah 63:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

Our rest lies in looking to the Lord, not to ourselves. - Watchman Nee

Lord of lasting peace. Help me to accept your invitation to come empty and receive the rest I need. Help me to willingly release my fear, my worries, my agenda, and my to-do list. Ease the tension and replenish my body. Silence the voices of doubt and speak Your words of truth. Remove the heaviness of my day and pour out abundantly into my life. Fill me with Your peace, joy, and love. Fill me until the overwhelm is consumed by Your grace, and my life reflects the beauty of resting in You. Amen.

Summer Thoughts

Lanzarote Windmill by Paul Collings

Hebrew’s 4:9-11 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

Thou hast made us for Thyself, O Lord; and our heart is restless until it rests in Thee. - Augustine

Lord, show this sheep of yours where the still water is. You are the one who will restore my soul. You will prepare a table for me right in front of my enemies. God, let me stay in that place of solitude with you, where I can be refreshed. Amen

Summer Thoughts

Lanzarote Rock Pools by Paul Collings

"Come to me... I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Christ's invitation to the weary and heavy-laden is a call to begin life over again upon a new principle--upon His own principle. "Watch My way of doing things," He says. "Follow Me. Take life as I take it. Be meek and lowly, and you will find Rest."

- Henry Drummond

Loving Lord, in times of weakness and hour of need,

yours is the strength by which we carry on,

the shoulder we rest our head upon.

When our load is heavy and too much to bear,

yours are the arms stretched out to help us

the grace that we depend on.

In times of weakness and hour of need,

your voice is heard,

‘Come… find rest.’

This is grace divine,

the path we tread to wholeness

of body and spirit,

the path that leads to you,

and for which we offer our offering of praise. Amen