Listening for God's voice - Lenten Course Week Five

  How do you know the voice is from God?

Listening for God’s Voice

A Lenten course based on Pray Then Listen, a heart-to-heart with God

Hello and welcome!

How are you getting along with your chosen Lenten path? I don't know about you but on one hand I can hardly believe that we are barreling towards Holy Week. But on the other, it seems like an age since I adopted my new Lenten practices as my small efforts to prepare to celebrate Easter. God is helping me through though, and I hope you are letting Him help you too. I find that carrying these things out can often lead me into keeping them in my life. For instance, joining the Divine Mercy prayer group has been so enriching that I plan to continue with it. How about you? Do you think you will stick to any of your Lenten observances permanently?  

This week I continue dipping into my prayer guide, Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God, to share more of my methods and experiences. As before I asked God what He wanted me to write about this week. I have used some direct  quotes (not highlighted), the other text is new.

Check out Pray Then Listen

Week Five – How do you know that the guidance is from God? 

In Pray Then Listen this comes in the section “The Two-Way Street of Prayer”

We have been together for four weeks and I've been sharing how God speaks to me to encourage you towards a more lively, deep, interesting and loving relationship with our Heavenly Father. But. As Blair Crawford, presenter of the wonderful radio programme, "Community Now!", asked me recently during the recording of a radio interview for Hope FM, "How do you know that the guidance is from God?" 

Good question! Here is my answer, starting with a Bible quote. 

Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God; for God is love."  

1 John 4:7-9

There we have it! God is Love and His ways are loving. So when you are inspired from a spirit of love this is always from God through His Holy Spirit - whether you have specifically prayed for guidance or not.   

Prayer for God to make His guidance clear 

Dear Heavenly Father, you know that this Lent I am trying to let you lead me more and more in my life, so when I ask for Your guidance Lord will you please help me to recognize it. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

As the week goes on say the above prayer often and listen expectantly, and watchfully, for God's guidance. As you are discovering He can impart this in many different ways. Try thinking of this as an exciting challenge! 

God may answer you like this:

When you are in trouble and pray and all of a sudden you feel calm and comforted - though nothing has changed: that comfort is from God. St Paul in his letter to the Philippians mentions this, "The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding..." (4:7) This has happened to me in the midst of some of my toughest tests, and that period of respite, no matter how short it was, helped me to carry on. Praise the Lord! 

If you have something similar to share or any questions this course is bringing up in your spirit please do let me know by using the Comments box below. And / or visit my website for more info or to contact me 

God bless,

Teresa 

 To check out Pray Then Listen in the UK

NEWS NEWS NEWS!

2nd May 23 

Update: I want to share some good news with you:

My debut novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel,  Christian fiction - Holidays-romance-suspense - recently launched which is set in Corfu and features characters from Wales, America and Ireland - I think you will love it! Find all the details and Backstory here.       

Look inside in UK   Look inside in US   Look inside in Singapore

Also, for more info about me please visit my website.  

Blessings, Teresa x

Lenten Course Week Four - Bring God into your daily tasks!

  Bring God into your daily tasks!

A Lenten course based on Pray Then Listen, a heart-to-heart with God

Hello and welcome!

I don't know about you but, as the weeks of Lent go on, I'm finding following my plan of action quite difficult, but I suppose that's the point isn't it. Through my, admittedly little, sacrifices I am trying to show my love of Christ and my solidarity with His Passion. Having joined the Divine Mercy prayer group again and heard of other people's much greater sacrifices than mine, cheerfully undertaken, I do feel a bit of a wimp. If you do too, let's just keep going for the best of reasons mentioned above! And let's keep asking God for His help as we keep listening expectantly for His voice

As before, this week I will continue dipping into my prayer guide, Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God, to share more of my methods and experiences. As always I will be asking God what He wants me to write about. Though the topics will be those covered in the book, and I will use some direct quotes (not highlighted), the other text will be new.

Check out Pray Then Listen

Week Four – Bring God into your daily tasks!

In Pray Then Listen this comes in the section “Christianity as a Lifestyle”

No matter what your age and situation, your day will doubtless be filled with tasks. Irrespective of your personal role in life, the most important thing for the practice of your Christian Faith, is to do everything with Love. In this way, as you work, God's spirit can work in you, and through you.

Unless the LORD builds the house, 

Those who build it labour in vain. 

Psalm 127:1

I know many devout Christians who tell me things like, 'When I'm in the office, I can hardly wait for lunch break when I can spend some quiet time with our Lord'. And while, on one hand, that is wonderful, on the other I wonder why they are waiting to speak to Him. I advise them to stop compartmentalizing and invite God into their work. Try the prayer below, or one of your own, to do that too - no matter whether your tasks are at home or out in the world.  

Prayer for guidance with work 

Dear Lord, please come and partner with me in my tasks, and help me to work with love. Also, will You please guide me so that I do what You want me to. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

As the week goes on say the above prayer often and listen expectantly, and watchfully, for God's guidance. If this 'working with God' is new to you prepare to be astounded at how different and lighter all your tasks feel with His input. 

God may answer you like this:

In any week there could be a dilemma to mull over. I find that I can usually come up with a few solutions. When, though, I ask God which of them He favours, He often tells me of something I had not even considered, and which is the perfect answer. This never ceases to amaze me! When that happens I can hardly wait to get on my knees to thank Him! 

I would love to hear some of your insights and observations or any questions this course is bringing up in your spirit so please post them in the Comments box below. And / or visit my website for more info or to contact me 

God bless,

Teresa 

 To check out Pray Then Listen in the UK

NEWS NEWS NEWS!

2nd May 23 

Update: I want to share some good news with you:

My debut novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel,  Christian fiction - Holidays-romance-suspense - recently launched which is set in Corfu and features characters from Wales, America and Ireland - I think you will love it! Find all the details and Backstory here.       

Look inside in UK   Look inside in US  Look inside in Singapore

I wrote 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life as my personal evangelization effort.  

Check out 9 Days to Heaven In UK / In US / In Singapore / In Australia / 

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

Here is the link for the YouTube book trailer:  9 Days to Heaven 

Also, for more info about me please visit my website.  

Blessings, Teresa x

Lenten course Week Three - Be thankful for each new day!

 Be thankful for each new day!

Listening for God’s Voice

A Lenten course based on Pray Then Listen, a heart-to-heart with God

Hello and welcome!

I hope you continuing to listen for God’s voice in your daily Lenten challenges! I am confident that, even if you have never had such experiences before, you are growing in Faith through them. If you are already familiar with this kind of exchange, I hope that by making this an integral part of your Lenten observations, it is helping you to deepen your spiritualty. 

This week I will continue dipping into my prayer guide, Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God, to share more of my methods and experiences. As always I will be asking God what He wants me to write about. Though the topics will be those covered in the book, and I will use some direct quotes (not highlighted), the other text will be new.

Check out Pray Then Listen

Week Three – Be thankful for each new day!

In Pray Then Listen this comes in the section “Give Your Day a Good Beginning and End”

In my spiritual development workshops, when encouraging people to move into a deeper relationship with Christ, some people make the radical - for them - decision to pray in the morning. Something which many never even think of.

This is the day which the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

Now, before you dismiss this saying, “Teresa, I have not got time for prayers in the morning. I’m just too busy!” please know that, for me, this is more about making a choice to focus on Christ than spending extra time in prayer. Try this:

Be grateful, first of all, for waking up. Begin by opening your eyes and then rubbing your fingertips together. Follow with this prayer.

Prayer of Thankfulness

Hello Lord, thank You for the gift of a new day. Thank You too that I can see and hear and for my other senses. Please help me to use this day wisely. I ask this in Jesus’ Amen.

As the week goes on say the above prayer often and take note of how it helps you centre your whole day on Christ, reinforcing your awareness of His will in everything you undertake. Here is an example of me responding to God's will.

God may answer you like this:

God may give you a fresh insight into the familiar. This is a shining example of how to recognize that you are indeed hearing God’s voice. For instance, reading over the manuscript of Pray Then Listen I asked Jesus for His opinion on the section “Give Your Day a Good Beginning and End” as I wasn’t sure it was necessary. He spoke into my heart and told me that, on the contrary, it was the most important section of the book! That floored me! I’d been doing this for years but had not understood that it was the foundation of my close relationship with Him. 

If you have any questions or want to share your own insights from God or any observations please post them in the Comments box below. And / or visit my website for more info or to contact me 

God bless,

Teresa 

 To check out Pray Then Listen in the UK

Please note that the book is available everywhere in Paperback and E-book formats.

NEWS NEWS NEWS!

2nd May 23 

Update: I want to share some good news with you:

My debut novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel,  Christian fiction - Holidays-romance-suspense - recently launched which is set in Corfu and features characters from Wales, America and Ireland - I think you will love it! Find all the details and Backstory here.       

Look inside in UK   Look inside in US   Look inside in Singapore

Also, for more info about me please visit my website.  

Blessings, Teresa x

Lenten course Week Two - Love thy neighbour!

 Love thy neighbour 

Listening for God’s Voice

A Lenten course based on Pray Then Listen, a heart-to-heart with God

Hello and welcome!

I hope you are enjoying listening for God’s voice in your daily life! Throughout the coming weeks I will continue to dip into my prayer guide Pray Then Listen to share more of my methods and experiences. As I always do I will be asking God what He wants me to write about. Though the topics will be those covered in the book, and I will use some direct quotes (not highlighted), the other text will be new.

I wonder how you are getting on in your efforts to make Lent meaningful. In your spiritual preparation for Easter you may be doing something extra for God, or perhaps you are carrying out some form of denial.  No matter what you have chosen I’m sure that more than once you’ve wished it wasn’t Lent! I laugh as I write that; it’s human, and that is our sacrifice for Christ.

I do hope, though, you have been asking Jesus for His help and guidance to keep on going with that sacrifice. If you have, you will already be nearer in relationship to Him.

As I told you last week I have been asking God for guidance and listening to His replies and watching for His guidance for many years.

Check out Pray Then Listen

An example of me listening to God

Last Saturday, 4^th March I had a dilemma. I had thought to attend my first meeting of our parish Divine Mercy prayer group. But something was holding me back, including some social options for that afternoon. Feeling confused I asked God to show me what He wanted me to do. Then I sat down to read a booklet on Lent. That day’s reading opened with words about divine mercy. I chuckled. God’s guidance was crystal clear! I joined in with the group and had a wonderful time with prayer, singing and fellowship!

Week Two - Love thy neighbour 

In Pray Then Listen this comes in the section “Christianity as a Lifestyle”

Trying to be loving to everyone we meet can be difficult. Yet, in actively following Christ, we are not supposed to pick and choose.

You shall love your neighbour as yourself

Mark 12:31

As Christians we are therefore encouraged to be as loving and considerate as possible. It is good to remember that you are an ambassador for Christ, and to try to let that shine through as often as humanly possible.

That is sometimes very difficult to carry out, I know. But you could ask God, specifically during this week, to show you how you can do this even more than usual. Try the following prayer or one of your own to focus on this aim.

Prayer to become more loving to everyone 

Dear Heavenly Father, You have made it clear that You expect me to be loving to all. Please show me how to do that even more than usual this week. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen. 

As you go on with your week say the above prayer often and watch out for God’s help and guidance. I have discovered that God responds in many different ways. You have seen one way in the example above. 

God may answer you like this:

Often God speaks an answer into my heart. His words can arrive almost as a whisper, and are easy to miss. So start to listen expectantly and with great attention for His answers this week.

If you have any questions or observations please visit my website for more info or to contact me

God bless,

Teresa 

NEWS NEWS NEWS!

2nd May 23 

Update: I want to share some good news with you:

My debut novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel,  Christian fiction - Holidays-romance-suspense - recently launched which is set in Corfu and features characters from Wales, America and Ireland - I think you will love it! Find all the details and Backstory here.       

Look inside in UK   Look inside in US  Look inside in Singapore

ANOTHER OF MY BOOKS

 

I wrote 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life as my personal evangelization effort.  

Check out 9 Days to Heaven In UK / In US / In Singapore / In Australia / 

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

Also, For articles, plus more info about me and my work please visit my website.  (www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk)

Blessings, 

Teresa x

 

Listening for God’s Voice - Lenten course Week One

A Lenten course based on Pray Then Listen, a heart-to-heart with God

Perhaps as part of your spiritually joining Christ on the path towards His Passion, you have either given something up that you enjoy, or you are doing something that involves going that extra mile. Whatever you choose though, why not add a new and exciting dimension? Ask Jesus for His input and help!

I have been asking God for guidance and listening to His replies and watching for His guidance for many years.

Check out Pray Then Listen

An example of me listening to God

On 15^th January 17 while cooking Sunday dinner for my dad, with the pots boiling I stood at the open backdoor. When a shaft of sunshine broke through the grey cloud blanket I smiled and thanked God for that sunbeam. God the Father then told me, “Write a book and show people how to speak to Me!” 

Throughout the Lenten course I will show you how to draw nearer in relationship with the Holy Trinity through Pray Then Listen, a heart-to-heart with God - my work of obedience to that command.

Week One - Opening your heart to God

In this busy crazy world it is all too easy to forget that we are spirit as well as mind and body. Since the pandemic there has been an extra focus on mental health on top of physical health. Unfortunately, the secular world completely ignores the spirit and its need for nourishment.

I am sure you know that when you don’t put enough effort into nourishing your Faith, everything feels a bit washed out and pointless. The antidote to that feeling is to walk closely with God. And so, for the whole of this first week of Lent use the prayer below, or one of your own, to invite Christ right into the centre of your daily life. 

Prayer to move closer to Christ

Dear Lord Jesus,  

Please walk with me this week as I strive to grow in Love and keep up my Lenten observations. If I encounter obstacles and challenges please guide me through these.

I ask this in the same name of Jesus. Amen

As you go on with your week say the above prayer often and watch out for God’s guidance. This could arrive in any number of ways, so keep alert and open for God moving in your life.

God may answer you like this:

You may speak to someone, maybe that you hardly know, or even a stranger, and find yourself confiding a dilemma. Only to discover they’ve been there too and have some important advice to impart.  

If you have any questions or observations please visit my website for more info or to contact me

God bless,

Teresa 

To check out Pray Then Listen in the UK  

NEWS NEWS NEWS!

2nd May 23 

Update: I want to share some good news with you:

My debut novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel,  Christian fiction - Holidays-romance-suspense - recently launched which is set in Corfu and features characters from Wales, America and Ireland - I think you will love it! Find all the details and Backstory here.       

Look inside in UK   Look inside in US  Look inside in Singapore

You could also check out my other book...

I wrote 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life as my personal evangelization effort.  

Check out 9 Days to Heaven In UK / In US / In Singapore / In Australia / 

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

Also, for more info about me please visit my website.  

Again, blessings, Teresa x

Wishing you a Happy and Holy Christmas

 

Hello dear friend,

Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you are keeping well. 

Today, I simply want to wish you great blessings for the Birthday of Jesus!

Whatever you do, wherever you are, whomsoever you are with I hope that you will remember that the magic of the Christmas Day centres on the fact that God became Man. In doing that He showed us through His life and works how He wants us the live. Simply put He asks us to love one another...

It is the awe of that act - which was for our redemption - that makes this event, His birth, Christmas, so powerful and important. 

And so, while I hope that you enjoy Christmas Day with all its traditions and trappings, I do pray that first you go to church and taste the real Joy of the Day. Making that effort will enhance the whole experience. 

God bless and keep you today and always,

Teresa  

For more inspiration please check out my new prayer guide:

https://www.amazon.com/Pray-Then-Listen-Heart-Heart/dp/1789043697

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pray-Then-Listen-heart-heart/dp/1789043697

Please visit my  website for more info on my work and more articles: https://www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk/

NEWS NEWS NEWS!

2nd May 23 

Update: I want to share some good news with you:

My debut novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel,  Christian fiction - Holidays-romance-suspense - recently launched which is set in Corfu and features characters from Wales, America and Ireland - I think you will love it! Find all the details and Backstory here.       

Look inside in UK   Look inside in US  Look inside in Singapore

Also, for more info about me please visit my website.  

Blessings, Teresa x

Do your bit for COP27: Use less energy!

 

Sharm el Sheik

                                                                                                                                 Tea with the Bedouins

Hello dear friend,

Thank you so much for stopping by today! I hope you are doing well!

As I write, COP27 is taking place in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el Sheik - a place I visited for a travel feature. Swimming in the clear, warm Red Sea, spying, through the glass bottom of a small boat, shoals of colourful fish darting amid off-shore coral reefs, and taking tea with the Bedouins in their camp in the hills. Highly memorable and fun! But COP 27 is a very serious business and we pray for a good outcome. A real commitment to reducing the rise in global temperature.

As a journalist in Athens I interviewed a number of environmental activists. They had a common message: Don't expect THEM (whoever you consider Them to be) to do something about IT (whatever It is annoying you at the time) but instead take personal responsibility for whatever environmental issue you come up against. For instance, in Greece there were lots of complaints about the rubbish on the beaches. Some of this came from high winds and waves bringing in jetsam from boats - including lots of plastic bottles that had been dropped overboard by tourists and locals. The rest was left behind by visitors to the beaches. The message from the interviewees was: Take responsibility for your rubbish and either put it in a bin or take it home. You get the idea!

This winter, with Putin trying to senselessly annihilate Ukraine, the cost of fuel is eye-watering! Industry, businesses, and even schools are struggling. Then, we are worrying about heating our homes. But unless you are frail, for whatever reason, or have very young children, there are things you can do to keep yourself warm at home. Actually, central heating only became widespread in the UK in the 1980s, so I, for one, grew up without it. (See history of heating link below.) That meant that in the winter we dressed warmly - both inside and outside the home. I recommend it - both for comfort and doing your bit for saving fuel; saving the planet!

Of course, like everyone else, I became dependent on central heating to keep warm in winter. But when I began living in Athens the first winter was a shock. Yes, it does get cold there. But the apartments are set up for a warm climate so my flooring was marble one side and wooden the other = very cold in winter. Traditionally the Greeks lay rugs in winter (which are then collected by small companies in spring to clean and store until next winter). In many apartments the central heating is oil-fired, and centrally controlled. This meant that, in mine (and commonly), it was timed to come on for an hour each morning and evening. It was a shock to my system. I bought a fan heater as soon as possible and hung over it shivering. This is what many people are facing now in the UK. 

But let me tell you what happened next. I soon found ways to be warm again. I dressed warmly - both inside and outside the home. On top of that I bought a big fluffy dressing gown and a couple of hot water bottles. And if, for example, working at my desk in a draughty hallway, I felt chilled, I pulled on the dressing gown with a hot water bottle tucked inside it and drank a mug of steaming tea. And I was soon feeling toasty! Or, I simply got active. And the fan heater? It was consigned to a cupboard and I discovered it when I was packing up to leave, years later. Back in Wales I do the same thing: dress for the weather. I don't like my home too warm, it doesn't feel healthy. So I use my central heating with care. This way, I am also doing my bit for the planet...

My message to you is this: If you are fit and healthy it is amazing how quickly you can adapt to a cooler home, and even prefer it. Oh, and I popped into Primark and bought, what I now know is a Snuddie (see BBC news link below) and it is fantastically warm and snuggly!! And the savings in my energy bills as well as my contribution towards reducing the impact on the environment make me feel better all-round - including mentally! 

Try the following prayer to think this over;

Dear Heavenly Father, I don't like being cold but I do want to only use my fair share of the world's energy. So please will you help me to be creative about this, finding ways to be warm and contented this winter as the world faces many problems. And then, as I also save money doing this, please help me to help others in need. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Here's hoping you try this out for yourself. Let me know how you get on!

God bless

Teresa x 

PS When I read the Nehemiah Factors I learned that in South Africa it is the custom to wear coats at home in the winter. And nobody moans about it. (Sharon Nobuhle Williams's The Nehemiah Factors - see my blog "Up your leadership skills through Nehemiah" published February 22)

For more information on loving your neighbour check out my new prayer guide: 

https://www.amazon.com/Pray-Then-Listen-Heart-Heart/dp/1789043697

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pray-Then-Listen-heart-heart/dp/1789043697

Please visit my  website for more info and inspiration https://www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk/

https://www.myuniquehome.co.uk/the-history-of-heating-a-home/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-63553057

NEWS NEWS NEWS!

2nd May 23 

Update: I want to share some good news with you:

My debut novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel,  Christian fiction - Holidays-romance-suspense - recently launched which is set in Corfu and features characters from Wales, America and Ireland - I think you will love it! Find all the details and Backstory here.       

Look inside in UK   Look inside in US  Look inside in Singapore

Also, for more info about me please visit my website.  

Blessings, Teresa x