Be Still My Soul

 

Kyiv - photo from unsplash.com

Hello dear friend,

I am very glad that you dropped in to read my latest post. I hope that you are well!

As, in Wales, we are still buffeted by strong winds - though storm Eunice has moved on after creating mayhem I was so happy that, watching #Songs of Praise on the BBC, one of my most favourite hymns was sung:  Be Still My Soul - part of the classical piece, Finlandia.

Composed by Sibelius in 1899, in the, then, Grand Duchy of Finland, Finlandia became a symbol of Finnish nationalism. After The Winter War in 1939 - when almost half a million Soviet troops stormed Finland - the Finnish poet V.A. Koskenniemi, wrote the words used today. For more info on the music and culture of Finland please see: https://finland.fi/arts-culture/finlandia-by-jean-sibelius/

I have never been to Finland and I learnt all of the above online today. But I do, as I said, so love this hymn. 

Here is an extract of Be Still My Soul which you can either sing or say as a prayer. 

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on your side;

bear patiently the cross of grief and pain;

leave to your God to order and provide;

in every change, He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: your best, your heavenly friend

through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

And for a little extra peace in your soul, and in the world, try the following quick meditation.

1 minute meditation 

* Close your eyes and take a deep in-breath. As you breathe out feel the whole of your body relax. 

* Now say this prayer, or one of your own:

 "Dear Lord, please help me to feel that stillness in my soul, and to take it into my daily challenges, so that I may live in peace with everyone. And Lord, may Your Peace reign throughout the world.  I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen."

* When you are ready open your eyes and have a big stretch.

I'd love to hear your thoughts or feedback on this post.

God bless,

Teresa 

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

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I have been asking God for guidance and listening to His replies for many years. I share my methods in Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God.

Check out Pray Then Listen In UK / In US  / In Singapore / In New Zealand / In Australia

Available as a Kindle version or paperback! 

Set on the green and beautiful Greek island of Corfu in this novel I show the ever-present backstory of life, as I interpret the supernatural elements of our dilemmas and choices. 

I know, that no matter what your beliefs or experiences, you will surely recognize the tussles of my characters, as tussles in your own life....  Enjoy!

Click on the following links to check out my novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel In UK /  In US / In Singapore /In Australia / In New Zealand

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

You may like to see my blog on the Backstory of this novel

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

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Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

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

 

Up your leadership skills through Nehemiah

 

Hello dear friend,

Thank you  for dropping in today. I hope you are keeping well!

When a fellow Christian author asked me to review her new book I felt, as always, greatly honoured! 

From the USA, and a missionary in South Africa, it is great to connect with another author; living in a different part of the globe, but very much of the same heart for Christ. Here is my review.

An engaging, thought provoking, and informative read. This book goes way beyond a typical executive manual. Part memoir, liberally laced with biblical wisdom, the general principles of these leadership skills can be used as effectively in the home or place of worship, as in the workplace. The author turns the story of Nehemiah – who listens for, and carries out, God’s will, in order to achieve successful outcomes – into a step-by-step lesson on using the Bible as a blueprint for Christian living. If you need to lead someone then delve into these pages and learn how to do it God’s way.

I greatly recommend this book to you.

Let the important theme of the book sink into your heart with the following meditation.

1 minute meditation 

* Close your eyes and take a deep in-breath. As you breathe out feel the whole of your body relax. 

* Now say this prayer, or one of your own:

 "Dear Lord, please help me to discover Your will through the Scriptures, and to carry it out by the power of Your Holy Sprit. I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen."

* When you are ready open your eyes and have a big stretch.

With every blessing!

Teresa 

For more info please visit my website:www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk and my other blog: https://creativelivingforthebestyou.blogspot.com/

For further inspiration take a look at my book 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life, is a practical guide to joyful living which has already helped many through a crisis in their life.  To see the book trailer click on this link: 9 Days to Heaven

The book is available as a paperback from any good bookshop and many websites. Click here to buy the e-book on Amazon. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Days-Heaven-Make-Everlasting-Meaning-ebook/dp/B00AIR8CSC

Power of Love Shared in Words

 

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2

Hello dear friend,

Thank you for stopping by. Today, feeling emotionally raw - it is my late-mother's birthday - the day's reading in Our Daily Bread, a publication that has enriched my life for over twenty years, amazed and touched me. (https://odb.org)

Written by Xochitl Dixon, it featured David, a farmer, who, a few years before, had the rug pulled from under him when the bank repossessed his farm - worked by his family for decades. When he learned that the property was coming up for sale he moved heaven and earth to scrape together the finances to buy it back. 

"David arrived at the auction," wrote Xochitl, "and joined a crowd of nearly two hundred local farmers." Would his meagre bid be enough? "He placed the first bid, taking deep breaths as the auctioneer called for higher bids. The crowd remained silent until they heard the slam of the gavel."

I gasped as I read that last line! The implications:  the selflessness of David's fellow farmers as they chose to put "the needs of David and his family above their own financial advancement". It brought a tear to my eye. What a beautifully written dramatic story filled with hope and love. It lifted me up. It reminded me too, of the power of writing. 

I hope it lifts you too.  And, for my fellow writers, I hope it reminds you of your purpose...

For a little more inspiration in your life try the following quick meditation.

1 minute meditation 

* Close your eyes and take a deep in-breath. As you breathe out feel the whole of your body relax. 

* Now say this prayer, or one of your own:

 "Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to remember that it is Love, You, Who keeps the world turning. And I ask you to remind me of this often, even as You encourage me to show that Love to everyone I encounter. I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen."

* When you are ready open your eyes and have a big stretch.

With every blessing.

Teresa 

For more info please visit my website:www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk and my other blog: https://creativelivingforthebestyou.blogspot.com/

For further inspiration take a look at my book 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life, is a practical guide to joyful living which has already helped many through a crisis in their life.  To see the book trailer click on this link: 9 Days to Heaven

The book is available as a paperback from any good bookshop and many websites. Click here to buy the e-book on Amazon. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Days-Heaven-Make-Everlasting-Meaning-ebook/dp/B00AIR8CSC

 

FYI: If you grill with gas this blog post may save your life!

Hello dear friend,

Thank you for stopping by! I hope you are doing well.

I just wanted to pass on something about grilling with gas which could save your life. Many models of gas cookers with grills in an oven MUST only be used with the oven door OPEN. 

As a vegetarian I don't use my grill that much but I had a nasty wake-up call on the above the other day. I was grilling something, with the oven door closed, and noticed that the gas flame had gone out. Strange, I thought, and after a couple of minutes relit it. Same thing happened. Fortunately, as well as a smoke alarm I have a carbon monoxide alarm in the kitchen. When I heard an alarm I presumed it was the former, but no, it was the latter. 

I quickly opened the back door to let the carbon monoxide out. 

It was very worrying. My first thought was that the cooker was faulty. But when I did some research I discovered that the user, i.e. ME, was at fault, and not the appliance...

I was sorry to find the details of people who had died of this. In the cases I found, this had happened when the user had turned on the grill by mistake instead of the oven, and with the oven door closed. Here is a link for you to check this out for yourself. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8953703/Beko-gas-cooker-killed-five-people-carbon-monoxide-poisoning.html

I did not put a photo of a cooker as there are some that you can use with the oven door closed. But you must check that it is safe to do so before you, well, do so. 

When in doubt Always keep the oven door open when you grill. 

And when you are using a double-use oven always be very careful that you select the oven facility if that is what you need. 

After my experience I am also recommending a carbon monoxide alarm in the kitchen and everywhere else you have a gas appliance, such as a fire.

Please pass this on. You may save a life by doing so.

God bless

Teresa x

For info on my work please visit my website: www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk and my other blog: https://creativelivingforthebestyou.blogspot.com/

For further inspiration take a look at my book 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life, is a practical guide to joyful living which has already helped many through a crisis in their life.  To see the book trailer click on this link: 9 Days to Heaven

The book is available as a paperback from any good bookshop and many websites. Click here to buy the e-book on Amazon. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Days-Heaven-Make-Everlasting-Meaning-ebook/dp/B00AIR8CSC

Follow your dreams in 2022!

Hello dear friend,

Thank you for stopping by and wishing you a very Happy New Year! Hope 2022 brings you everything you are dreaming of, and, more importantly, brings you ever closer to God.

And to my fellow writers who have not yet been published - and to anyone who has a dream of doing / becoming something - I repeat what I used to say to those who told me that getting published was very difficult, implying it was almost impossible so I shouldn't bother: "Before any author was published they were an unpublished writer!" Their eyes would widen as their mouths clamped shut in the face of this irrefutable truth. And so, whatever your dream, I hope you find the courage to follow it! You could make that your New Year's Resolution...

I recently received my first issue of Woman Alive, a Christian magazine (see: https://www.womanalive.co.uk/) and was inspired by an article on New Year's Resolutions. The thing that grabbed my attention was the suggestion to ask yourself  "Why" you wanted to make each resolution. And that listing the reason would make it easier to keep on track. 

I grabbed a pen and immediately began my list, along with my reasons. It seemed the right thing to do. Perhaps you may want to give it a go yourself. Let me know how you get on, won't you? 

There is a strong possibility that, wherever you are in the world as you read this, you are surrounded by news of the Omicron variant! So many of my friends and family have it at present that it feels like a plague! But each of them - no matter what their age - has only mild symptoms, more like a cold that anything else, so let's hope for the best, eh. 

I don't know about you but, while keeping up with the latest news, I am trying to avoid being swamped by negativity. I watched some TBN, Christian TV, ( https://www.tbnuk.org/watch) recently and the preacher was reminding us that we are in charge of what we watch and listen to. She advised reading the Bible and reminding ourselves of the times in our lives that God has seen us through crises. And that God always keeps His promises to us as set out in the Bible. I thought that was a brilliant prompt! It got me thinking about some of the numerous situations Jesus has helped me through. Thank You Lord!

For a little inspiration in your life try the following quick meditation.

1 minute meditation 

* Close your eyes and take a deep in-breath. As you breathe out feel the whole of your body relax. 

* Now say this prayer, or one of your own:

 "Dear Lord, please help me to remember all that You have done for me in the past so that I can live with courage in the present. I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen."

* When you are ready open your eyes and have a big stretch.

With every blessing for 2022 and beyond!

Teresa 

For more info please visit my website:www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk and my other blog: https://creativelivingforthebestyou.blogspot.com/

For further inspiration take a look at my book 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life, is a practical guide to joyful living which has already helped many through a crisis in their life.  To see the book trailer click on this link: 9 Days to Heaven

The book is available as a paperback from any good bookshop and many websites. Click here to buy the e-book on Amazon. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Days-Heaven-Make-Everlasting-Meaning-ebook/dp/B00AIR8CSC

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St Padre Pio

 

Hello dear friend,

Thank you for stopping by. 

Today I am remembering a cold, dark November evening, two years ago, that was warmed and enriched by an event surrounding St Padre Pio. Our parish priest, Canon William Isaac had invited an Irish prayer group (see below) - who made their journey to Wales especially for us. They brought with them a glove worn by the saint to cover his stigmata wounds. A woman in the group shared a very moving personal experience of healing which she believed was brought about through the intercession of St Pio.

Often, I feel that time passes quickly. But it seems much longer than two years ago since that memorable event. We had no inkling then of the horrendous pandemic that was just around the corner. Also, our dear Canon William has gone to his heavenly home, and oh, how we miss him…

In my childhood I remember my late-father speaking about the holiness of Padre Pio, his stigmata, and the crowds that came to meet him. A friend confided more recently that she had, in her youth, received Holy Communion from Padre Pio. She didn’t remember many details except that the queue was very long. Just imagine being so blessed as to receive Holy Communion from a living saint. Now, that is a reason to say “Wow” I think you will agree.

About St. Padre Pio of Pietrecina 1887-1968 

Born in Pietrecina, Italy he entered the novitiate of the Capuchin Franciscan Friars aged 16, ordained at 20. Praying before a crucifix on 20th September 1918, he received the stigmata - the five wounds of Christ - and was the first priest ever to have been thus blessed. News of this holy priest spread and he became the centre of pilgrimage for both the powerful and curious. He founded a hospital that cares for over 60,000 people a year.

 Prayer to St. Pio

Oh Jesus, full of grace and charity, victim for sinners, so impelled by Your love of us that You willed to die on the cross, I humbly entreat Thee to glorify in heaven and on earth St. Pio of Pietrelcina, who generously participated in Your sufferings, who loved Thee so much and laboured so faithfully for the glory of Your heavenly Father and for the good of souls. With confidence I beseech Thee to grant me, through his intercession, the grace of [tell what you need here] which I ardently desire.

Wishing you love and blessings.

Teresa  

For further info on St Pio see: https://saintpiofoundation.org

For more info on the Irish prayer group see: https://www.facebook.com/cappaghparishpadrepiogroup/posts

For more info on my work please visit my website: www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk and my other blog: https://creativelivingforthebestyou.blogspot.com/

For more inspiration check out my book 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life, is a practical guide to joyful living which has already helped many through a crisis in their life.  To see the book trailer click on this link:  9 Days to Heaven

The book is available as a paperback from any good bookshop or online bookstore. Click here to buy the e-book on Amazon. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Days-Heaven-Make-Everlasting-Meaning-ebook/dp/B00AIR8CSC

A book for writers and readers

 

Hello dear friend,

The title of this blog is Christocentric Choices and in this case this post is aimed at fellow Christian authors as well as fellow Christian readers. I can recommend this book to both.

Newly belonging to my local library (I lived in Greece for many years and am thrilled to be part again of this wonderful institution!) I am settling in by randomly picking books from the shelves of authors I have never read before. I chose The Memory Collector as the theme resonated with an idea of mine, from some years ago, to use as the premise for a novel of my own. (This premise was, in fact, entirely different to my own idea though - so, who knows, I may still use it one day.)

The book's story line is intriguing and centres on extreme hoarding and the damage it can do to those around you. It brings in family dynamics around this subject and the lasting impact it can have on lives. It is also a romance.

Though I enjoyed the book I do read avidly yet don't usually blog about it. What has inspired me to do so this time is that I see in it a blueprint for Christian authors like me to study how to write for mainstream readership while retaining our Christian integrity. It is peppered with whispers of God which form part of the characters and are underlined by Christian values. This includes the fact that the romance is refreshingly wholesome, and it is that aspect which, for me, makes it a good Christian read. 

As a Christian writer who always has the antennae out for a like-minded writer I did suspect that #Fiona Harper was one from those little clues: a word here, a reaction there, and so on. Then, as I read the Acknowledgements I came across this: "And, finally, all honour to my God and Saviour for being the master storyteller. I would not be where I am today without your strength, love and inspiration." Nice one Fiona!

If you want to bring your faith into your own work try the following quick meditation to help you.

1 minute meditation

* Close your eyes and take a deep in-breath. As you breathe out feel the whole of your body relax. 

* Now say this prayer, or one of your own:

* Dear Lord, I want to bring You into my whole life so please will You show me how to include You in my work. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

* When you are ready open your eyes and have a big stretch.

Wishing you all the best with that challenge. 

Love and blessings

Teresa 

For more info please visit my website: www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk and my other blog: https://creativelivingforthebestyou.blogspot.com/

For further inspiration take a look at my book 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life, is a practical guide to joyful living which has already helped many through a crisis in their life.  To see the book trailer click on this link: 9 Days to Heaven

The book is available as a paperback from any good bookshop or online bookstore. Click here to buy the e-book on Amazon. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Days-Heaven-Make-Everlasting-Meaning-ebook/dp/B00AIR8CSC