Welcome to the journey.

Tall-tree-&-Duane-web

Where are you in your spiritual journey?  I am somewhere in the middle.  I have history.  I have not arrived.

This middle passage of my journey comes after some lessons learned that grant perspective, context and foundation for the path forward.  But the goal remains on up ahead, beyond a bend, around which I cannot see.  From experience, no doubt many bends.

Like one beggar sharing with another beggar where to find food, I dare to share these posts.  I do not claim final answers.  Only discoveries, so far.

Perhaps sharing will aid other sojourners.  Perhaps you will share back, and my path and others’ will be that much more illuminated, and all our journeys will be enriched and furthered.

IMG_0919Journey with me.

 

 

 

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The Lord is my light and my salvation.  Whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life.  Of whom shall I be afraid?

When the wicked, even my adversaries and my foes, came upon me to consume me, they stumbled and fell.  Though an army company should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear.  Though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.

For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion.  In the secret of His tabernacle, shall He hide me.  He shall set me up upon a rock.DSC_9959.NEF

And now shall my head be lifted up above my adversaries round about me.  Therefore will I offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy.  I will sing, yes, I will sing praises unto the Lord.

Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice.  Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

When You said, “Seek my face;” my heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.”

Do not hide Your face far from me.  Do not put your servant away in anger.  You have been my help.  Do not leave me, nor forsake me, O God of my salvation.

Even if my father and my mother forsake me, the Lord will take me in and not forsake me.

Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a clear path, because of my adversaries.

Do not deliver me over to the will of my adversaries.  For false witnesses have risen up against me, and they breathe out cruelty.

I would have fainted, unless I had believed I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Wait on the Lord.  Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart.  Wait, I say, on the Lord.

Psalm 27

6 thoughts on “Welcome to the journey.

  1. David Aria

    Amazing story about the prison visit. Love the writing of course. Here is my favorite part:

    “There is interest in assisting the inmate mothers with maintaining contact at some level with their children after they reach the age of three and leave the facility.”

    Many of these children will never recover from the separation from their Mom. And many of those children will turn into criminals and create other burden on the society. It is in the interest of the people of Ukraine to open the doors to further this ministry. – my two cents. Dave 🙂

    Reply
  2. Matthew Jumper

    I look forward to your blog as we are brothers in Christ being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. May He make us more and more like Christ until we are glorified. Thank you for sharing with us!

    Reply
  3. Jim Pullaro

    Duane,
    Wonderful work you are engaged in.

    In my intercession for the American public, I will teach that our leaders need to be honest in their representation of the people, or they should be removed from office.

    I will exhort them to endeavor as if the outcome was totally dependent upon our efforts, and to pray as it was totally dependent upon the Lord.

    The delegation part I am going to speak to you about later.

    J

    Reply

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