
Tag Archives: peace


The Loss of my Dog, Sam
It is with great sadness I must share that my beloved pet, friend, and baby boy, Sam, passed away this past Saturday afternoon. Friday night he began acting restless, then getting sick. We found out on Saturday morning he had hypothermia, an inoperable mass on his liver, and fluid in his abdomen. He became weak very quickly. We were able to take him home to hold him a few hours before we made the heart wrenching decision to put him down. I love you, Sam. We lost you too soon and will always miss you.

A Poem as I Grieve the Loss of My Dog, Sam
How do I understand the depth of my loss
And all it cost
My heart is heavy
Yet You keep me steady
My life has meaning, this pain has purpose.
You say, “Keep going. Don’t give up”
I lean in as You give me strength. Air to breathe.
You give me breath and life. Hope and help.
Be my breath, my life, Lord. Be my hope and help.
The Lord is My Pacemaker: A Version of the 23rd Psalm by Toki Miyashina
The Lord is my Pacemaker
The Lord is my pacemaker – I shall not rush.
He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals:
He provides me with images of stillness,
Which restore my serenity.
He leads me in ways of efficiency
Through calmness of mind, and His guidance is peace.
Even though I have a great many things
To accomplish each day, I will not fret –
for His Presence is here:
His timelessness, His importance will keep me in balance.
He prepares refreshment and renewal
In the midst of my activity,
By anointing my mind with his oils of tranquility.
My cup of joyous energy overflows.
Surely harmony and effectiveness
Shall be the fruits of my hours;
For I shall walk in His house forever.
A Version of the 23rd Psalm
by Toki Miyashin
Simplify, Slow Down, and Stay There
God gave me the theme of single mindedness this year – focusing on Him and keeping Him first. He wants me to simplify, slow down, and stay there. I have found some progress in this area, but the “staying there” part is hard! Distractions keep pulling me away – or I start searching in vain for the next “best thing” that will make my life better or fix it somehow. I must chose to remember that I already have enough. I have Jesus living on the inside of me. The closer I stay to Him and that truth, the closer I will stay to what He is calling me to do: Simplify, slow down, and stay there.
What is God calling you to do right now? Slow down to listen, obey, and then make the choice to stay in it…as long as it takes.