If I'm carrying a burden about something or someone, I do my best to pray and give it to God. Sometimes I have to do it multiple times because I keep taking it back. As far as what's fair, in our human economy, life is never going to feel fair, but in God's economy He has it all worked out and I have to trust Him with that. I think sometimes the key is not overthinking all of that but resting in His peace. It's not always easy to get there. Loved the mossy tree and squirrels on your walk today - I could tell you were back in Vancouver. Merry Christmas, everyone!
That initial image, of the tangle of dry branches, presented as you prayed was so meaningful to me.
I think that the last few years, especially in 2023, my life has been like this. A lot of work, a lot of extra activities, changes in social and cultural behavior that my area of work required adaptation to...
And things started to mix up confusingly, without me organizing, including or excluding them... I started assuming, assuming and it was suffocating me...
Until God says: ENOUGH. Renounce everything! Stay away from what has been “stealing” your time with me.
The image of the squirrel coming out of the tangle of branches and walking on that green grass, jumping up and down with joy at being free and breathing a cool, gentle breeze. WOW! This is what God does when we are tired and we go before Him and give Him all the weight, He gives us rest and joy!
As for the questions about being fair or unfair, they took me back to last week's walk, "good and evil" two forces that fight for control of our mind.
We belong to God by the right of creation! But, we have sold ourselves to sin and Satan believes he has the right to control us. This is why Paul speaks of the “inner war” – Romans 7: 18-19.
“The good I want to do, I don’t do, but the bad I don’t want to do I continue to do”
It's the flesh fighting the spirit, a daily battle in our minds.
I believe that everything is gained or lost based on what we let “nest” in our mind, including the way we communicate comes from this “mental archive”.
It is a fact that alone we cannot change or control what comes into our lives. I cannot change myself through my strength, but thank God, Jesus leads us in triumph, the Spirit of life that came into us has set us free.
It is the Holy Spirit of God who gives us the advice, and it is not advice to merely “advise” to go here or there. It is the advice to direct us, guide us, govern us!
Thank you for the walk, Happy Holidays everyone!
P.S.: I'm going on vacation, I probably won't follow the next walks in real time, I'll only return to participate in the community at the end of January.
Donny, towards the end when you asked about how we react or feel about fair or unfairness, I was brought back to scripture that I read this morning from Galatians 5:25-26(NIV) before I watched today's prayer walk. This scripture states, "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another." Verses 22-23 in Galatians chapter 5 speak about the fruits of the spirit. I believe the fruits of the spirit are essential to remain kingdom focused. God wants all authority over our lives: spiritual, emotional, social, vocational, physical, etc. I believe when we give full authority and totally submit to God, that's when we are kingdom focused, and we should be able to gain wisdom and discernment from God in how best to handle life's challenges. Of course, you and I know we're fallible and we will fail at this. I'm thankful for God loving me in spite of this and Jesus taking the burden of my sins to the cross and I'm forgiven.
I believe community is essential to our spiritual growth and maturity. We are meant to be in fellowship with one another and share one another's burdens through prayer, communication, etc.
Thank you again for this week's prayer walk. God bless you!
Unfortunately, I feel quite a bit of unfairness especiallyt this time of year. I see couples together and think, Why isn't my husband still here with me? Yesterday a couple girls in my cookie groups were saying "You would not believe what my husband is giving me for Christmas or My husband made me this for Christmas. Thats always tough for me. I miss him so much anyway but my first reaction is always unfairness.
Thanks for another beautiful prayer walk, Donny. I live in Western Washington, and mossy trees make me happy in the winter sunshine.
Your questions lead me to examine my response to my current situation.
Since my husband died, I now have responsibility for our farm. It is not a for-profit farm, but the cattle and horses don't know that. Here is where I need to find balance, and hand more over to God. I try to be the super responsible type. I need help with this farm, and my wonderful sons are close by and willing to help with whatever I need. I find myself micro-managing, handing over responsibility for decisions to them, then taking it back. I do the same thing with the burdens I hand over to God.
I guess being aware of that is the first step to lightening my load.
God's peace be with you all as we celebrate the gift of Jesus!
Bare one anther’s burdens. Go to God in prayer, lean on the everlasting arms, trust Him.
”And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.“
Matthew 5:41 NKJV. When Peter was in the storm it was hard to see that Jesus was with him. It was the light surrounding Jesus that caught Peter’s attention. Jesus held out His hand out to Peter to come to Him. I have been through more than one storm and some of it I shared with you. You were shouldering much of your own but the light around you drew me to ask you for prayer. I wasn’t willing to share my burden with just anyone, only one who cared enough to. Just like Peter I was in a boat surrounded by a mighty storm. We both went to Jesus in prayer. My child was hurting and was surrounded by darkness. Jesus had her in a light I couldn’t see. There is a light in the distance and she is on her way out of the storm. You helped me with that mile but then helped with mile number 2. I was also praying for you and can see there is a light headed your way. Jesus uses willing hearts to help us on our journey. You will forever be in my heart and I can carry your burden through mile number two.
Dec 22, 2023·edited Dec 22, 2023Liked by Donny Mac
Thank you for this beautiful prayer walk, with all the greenery, it was refreshing. I find that the burdens that I carry that I cannot control the path to the solution are the hardest for me to let go of. I must rely on the promises of peace and rest. In dealing with burdens I try to focus on the internal me and not the external things that are beyond my control. I pray for guidance to let me see things clearly, to help make the wise decisions and the strength to move forward from things I cannot control. I have to block out the outside noise and sit in stillness for guidance of what I can do and to pray that God will guide others on the path they need to take. If I have a “why me” moment I have used something I learned from my Dad about putting things in perspective. There is always someone “luckier” than you but turn your thoughts to others who are less fortunate. I found this guides me or sometimes guilts me out of that moment into a moving forward attitude. I wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and thank you for the inspiration you gift to us each week. Continued blessings on your journey.
I'm actually dealing with a number of things, Donny, and I feel a bit like a juggler who has to keep each thing up in the air as it passes by. What I'm choosing to focus on at the moment, though, is something I really have no control over and, of course, therein lies the problem. It has to do with a close relative who is in his early 70's, and about a month ago learned that he is in the middle stage of Alzheimers. This came as a shock to him, and to all of us. Because he uses his mind as his primary way of earning a living and relating in the world, he has decided he doesn't want to just wait around until his brain "turns to mush". He has therefore been looking into programs in Switzerland, where it's legal to have assisted suicide. Now here's where it gets really tricky for me. At first, in my state of shock, I told him I'd support him, but with an acknowledgement of how painful that would be. In the past couple of weeks though, as a certified counselor and someone who has worked to get additional training in bereavement counseling, I'm asking myself some questions. I'm aware of some of what happens in the brain as it begins to deteriorate. What if what seemed logical at first is actually the result of the Alzheimers, itself? Though this relative has stated in the past that he's an atheist, what does that actually mean now? He's been including his wife in some of his emails but not in others. Has there been a change in his thinking? In hers? You see how I'm drifting further snd further down the rabbit hole here, and trying to deal with matters that aren't mine? Yet (here it comes), I feel like maybe I "should" try to at least do something. The thing is, I actually DO know better. I even know that God is the only one who can deal with this Pandora's Box. Yet, stubborn me, I keep resisting asking for help. I don't need to go into all the details from my childhood here that have led me to this place. What I need to do is make a decision ,once again, to ask God/Jesus to help me find my way through this. So I ask for your prayers with me, Donny, and those of the THC members who are part of these Prayer Walks, please help me to take down my walls of pride and fear...help me to trust that what needs to happen for the good of my relative WILL happen. Thank you 🙏
I have been in a state of unrest for over a year now. I live with one daughter. I was going to move into an apartment early 2023, but then rents went way up. I thought about a camper, a tiny house, renting with someone, but nothing worked out. Then my youngest daughter and her husband decided to build a tiny apartment in their basement. Well, each month, the move-in date gets moved back. It's hard to stay content when all your stuff is in storage. I am learning to remember what is important in life - and it's NOT things. I had a big house when I was married, then went to a small house (with 4 kids) and now to a bedroom at one daughter's house to the hopes of 400sq. Feet apartment. But, I know I am in God's hands and His ways are better than mine. I also know if He takes care of the sparrow, He will take care of me. Thanks for these prayer walks!
Donny as usual this prayer walk hit home with me I got people at work that don't like me and do everything to make it hard on me and GOD knows I have been praying about it 🙏🙏 That's one the other one I have is I am having problems with my knee and praying that I don't have to have surgery cause first I won't have money for my bills and second I have lupus and my my aunt had lupus and had knee surgery and got infection in her leg and they had to take her leg from her knee down but I am praying about this the people at work doesn't really matter anymore cause I am more worried about my leg 🙏🙏 Donny please pray for me 🙏🙏 again thank you for what you do for all the prayers always praying for you 🙏🙏
Dec 20, 2023·edited Dec 21, 2023Liked by Donny Mac
Hi Donny ~ OMG that's one of the most beautiful places you've walked. The pond reminded me of the mystical pond in Kerry James's new tv series "The Way Home" where the Landry family is looking for answers. My so-called burden in life right now is an internal one -- one of FEAR. Although my husband & I are healthy "older" people, so many of our friends are losing their spouses. We attend funerals regularly now. Ugh! I know it's an eventuality so I am fearful about losing my husband. I find relief in reciting Isaiah 41:10 over & over: "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." How do you handle fear? ~ Jan xoxo
Dec 20, 2023·edited Dec 20, 2023Liked by Donny Mac
First off - this was such a beautiful walk this week nature's glory at its finest. I spent time reflecting on this one, because I spend so much of my time carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. I think for me it goes back to being able to control things in my own way, living through a lot of childhood trauma and coming out on the other side of that it is hard to rely on anyone or anything. So many times you want to leave it to God, but fear takes hold. That unconditional trust is hard to do when you have been disregarded for so long. However, I also look at my survival and ability to walk forward as the guiding hand from above leading me on. For myself I am in a constant battle with that realization and the fear that follows loosing the grip.
Your statement about entitlment (thinking you are owed from not only God but from the universe) is a hard reality for so many and honestly for me as well at times. In my life, nothing has ever come easily, I have watched so many flourish as I flounder. It is hard to see the other side of that, and not question why? This I assume is the definition of faith and hope - and trusting in the love of God.
I have worked really hard on my life and myself over these past couple years to stop asking why? and instead asking what is the guidance I am being given.
You have no idea how poignant & pertinent this is in my life right now! I’m a new subscriber so I’m all over the place with these prayer walks catching up. I watched this yesterday and it was so extremely revelatory to me. Sort of like peeling an onion a layer at a time! The questions are so simple as are the answers. About 10 min in the huge elephant I’ve been dealing with for most of my life was suddenly non existent just by my answering these questions HONESTLY & stopping the video and pondering. The TRUTH revealed has certainly made me free! Thanks Don!
If I'm carrying a burden about something or someone, I do my best to pray and give it to God. Sometimes I have to do it multiple times because I keep taking it back. As far as what's fair, in our human economy, life is never going to feel fair, but in God's economy He has it all worked out and I have to trust Him with that. I think sometimes the key is not overthinking all of that but resting in His peace. It's not always easy to get there. Loved the mossy tree and squirrels on your walk today - I could tell you were back in Vancouver. Merry Christmas, everyone!
That initial image, of the tangle of dry branches, presented as you prayed was so meaningful to me.
I think that the last few years, especially in 2023, my life has been like this. A lot of work, a lot of extra activities, changes in social and cultural behavior that my area of work required adaptation to...
And things started to mix up confusingly, without me organizing, including or excluding them... I started assuming, assuming and it was suffocating me...
Until God says: ENOUGH. Renounce everything! Stay away from what has been “stealing” your time with me.
The image of the squirrel coming out of the tangle of branches and walking on that green grass, jumping up and down with joy at being free and breathing a cool, gentle breeze. WOW! This is what God does when we are tired and we go before Him and give Him all the weight, He gives us rest and joy!
As for the questions about being fair or unfair, they took me back to last week's walk, "good and evil" two forces that fight for control of our mind.
We belong to God by the right of creation! But, we have sold ourselves to sin and Satan believes he has the right to control us. This is why Paul speaks of the “inner war” – Romans 7: 18-19.
“The good I want to do, I don’t do, but the bad I don’t want to do I continue to do”
It's the flesh fighting the spirit, a daily battle in our minds.
I believe that everything is gained or lost based on what we let “nest” in our mind, including the way we communicate comes from this “mental archive”.
It is a fact that alone we cannot change or control what comes into our lives. I cannot change myself through my strength, but thank God, Jesus leads us in triumph, the Spirit of life that came into us has set us free.
It is the Holy Spirit of God who gives us the advice, and it is not advice to merely “advise” to go here or there. It is the advice to direct us, guide us, govern us!
Thank you for the walk, Happy Holidays everyone!
P.S.: I'm going on vacation, I probably won't follow the next walks in real time, I'll only return to participate in the community at the end of January.
Donny, towards the end when you asked about how we react or feel about fair or unfairness, I was brought back to scripture that I read this morning from Galatians 5:25-26(NIV) before I watched today's prayer walk. This scripture states, "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another." Verses 22-23 in Galatians chapter 5 speak about the fruits of the spirit. I believe the fruits of the spirit are essential to remain kingdom focused. God wants all authority over our lives: spiritual, emotional, social, vocational, physical, etc. I believe when we give full authority and totally submit to God, that's when we are kingdom focused, and we should be able to gain wisdom and discernment from God in how best to handle life's challenges. Of course, you and I know we're fallible and we will fail at this. I'm thankful for God loving me in spite of this and Jesus taking the burden of my sins to the cross and I'm forgiven.
I believe community is essential to our spiritual growth and maturity. We are meant to be in fellowship with one another and share one another's burdens through prayer, communication, etc.
Thank you again for this week's prayer walk. God bless you!
Unfortunately, I feel quite a bit of unfairness especiallyt this time of year. I see couples together and think, Why isn't my husband still here with me? Yesterday a couple girls in my cookie groups were saying "You would not believe what my husband is giving me for Christmas or My husband made me this for Christmas. Thats always tough for me. I miss him so much anyway but my first reaction is always unfairness.
Thanks for another beautiful prayer walk, Donny. I live in Western Washington, and mossy trees make me happy in the winter sunshine.
Your questions lead me to examine my response to my current situation.
Since my husband died, I now have responsibility for our farm. It is not a for-profit farm, but the cattle and horses don't know that. Here is where I need to find balance, and hand more over to God. I try to be the super responsible type. I need help with this farm, and my wonderful sons are close by and willing to help with whatever I need. I find myself micro-managing, handing over responsibility for decisions to them, then taking it back. I do the same thing with the burdens I hand over to God.
I guess being aware of that is the first step to lightening my load.
God's peace be with you all as we celebrate the gift of Jesus!
Linda
Bare one anther’s burdens. Go to God in prayer, lean on the everlasting arms, trust Him.
”And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.“
Matthew 5:41 NKJV. When Peter was in the storm it was hard to see that Jesus was with him. It was the light surrounding Jesus that caught Peter’s attention. Jesus held out His hand out to Peter to come to Him. I have been through more than one storm and some of it I shared with you. You were shouldering much of your own but the light around you drew me to ask you for prayer. I wasn’t willing to share my burden with just anyone, only one who cared enough to. Just like Peter I was in a boat surrounded by a mighty storm. We both went to Jesus in prayer. My child was hurting and was surrounded by darkness. Jesus had her in a light I couldn’t see. There is a light in the distance and she is on her way out of the storm. You helped me with that mile but then helped with mile number 2. I was also praying for you and can see there is a light headed your way. Jesus uses willing hearts to help us on our journey. You will forever be in my heart and I can carry your burden through mile number two.
Thank you for this beautiful prayer walk, with all the greenery, it was refreshing. I find that the burdens that I carry that I cannot control the path to the solution are the hardest for me to let go of. I must rely on the promises of peace and rest. In dealing with burdens I try to focus on the internal me and not the external things that are beyond my control. I pray for guidance to let me see things clearly, to help make the wise decisions and the strength to move forward from things I cannot control. I have to block out the outside noise and sit in stillness for guidance of what I can do and to pray that God will guide others on the path they need to take. If I have a “why me” moment I have used something I learned from my Dad about putting things in perspective. There is always someone “luckier” than you but turn your thoughts to others who are less fortunate. I found this guides me or sometimes guilts me out of that moment into a moving forward attitude. I wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and thank you for the inspiration you gift to us each week. Continued blessings on your journey.
I'm actually dealing with a number of things, Donny, and I feel a bit like a juggler who has to keep each thing up in the air as it passes by. What I'm choosing to focus on at the moment, though, is something I really have no control over and, of course, therein lies the problem. It has to do with a close relative who is in his early 70's, and about a month ago learned that he is in the middle stage of Alzheimers. This came as a shock to him, and to all of us. Because he uses his mind as his primary way of earning a living and relating in the world, he has decided he doesn't want to just wait around until his brain "turns to mush". He has therefore been looking into programs in Switzerland, where it's legal to have assisted suicide. Now here's where it gets really tricky for me. At first, in my state of shock, I told him I'd support him, but with an acknowledgement of how painful that would be. In the past couple of weeks though, as a certified counselor and someone who has worked to get additional training in bereavement counseling, I'm asking myself some questions. I'm aware of some of what happens in the brain as it begins to deteriorate. What if what seemed logical at first is actually the result of the Alzheimers, itself? Though this relative has stated in the past that he's an atheist, what does that actually mean now? He's been including his wife in some of his emails but not in others. Has there been a change in his thinking? In hers? You see how I'm drifting further snd further down the rabbit hole here, and trying to deal with matters that aren't mine? Yet (here it comes), I feel like maybe I "should" try to at least do something. The thing is, I actually DO know better. I even know that God is the only one who can deal with this Pandora's Box. Yet, stubborn me, I keep resisting asking for help. I don't need to go into all the details from my childhood here that have led me to this place. What I need to do is make a decision ,once again, to ask God/Jesus to help me find my way through this. So I ask for your prayers with me, Donny, and those of the THC members who are part of these Prayer Walks, please help me to take down my walls of pride and fear...help me to trust that what needs to happen for the good of my relative WILL happen. Thank you 🙏
I have been in a state of unrest for over a year now. I live with one daughter. I was going to move into an apartment early 2023, but then rents went way up. I thought about a camper, a tiny house, renting with someone, but nothing worked out. Then my youngest daughter and her husband decided to build a tiny apartment in their basement. Well, each month, the move-in date gets moved back. It's hard to stay content when all your stuff is in storage. I am learning to remember what is important in life - and it's NOT things. I had a big house when I was married, then went to a small house (with 4 kids) and now to a bedroom at one daughter's house to the hopes of 400sq. Feet apartment. But, I know I am in God's hands and His ways are better than mine. I also know if He takes care of the sparrow, He will take care of me. Thanks for these prayer walks!
Donny as usual this prayer walk hit home with me I got people at work that don't like me and do everything to make it hard on me and GOD knows I have been praying about it 🙏🙏 That's one the other one I have is I am having problems with my knee and praying that I don't have to have surgery cause first I won't have money for my bills and second I have lupus and my my aunt had lupus and had knee surgery and got infection in her leg and they had to take her leg from her knee down but I am praying about this the people at work doesn't really matter anymore cause I am more worried about my leg 🙏🙏 Donny please pray for me 🙏🙏 again thank you for what you do for all the prayers always praying for you 🙏🙏
Hi Donny ~ OMG that's one of the most beautiful places you've walked. The pond reminded me of the mystical pond in Kerry James's new tv series "The Way Home" where the Landry family is looking for answers. My so-called burden in life right now is an internal one -- one of FEAR. Although my husband & I are healthy "older" people, so many of our friends are losing their spouses. We attend funerals regularly now. Ugh! I know it's an eventuality so I am fearful about losing my husband. I find relief in reciting Isaiah 41:10 over & over: "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." How do you handle fear? ~ Jan xoxo
First off - this was such a beautiful walk this week nature's glory at its finest. I spent time reflecting on this one, because I spend so much of my time carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. I think for me it goes back to being able to control things in my own way, living through a lot of childhood trauma and coming out on the other side of that it is hard to rely on anyone or anything. So many times you want to leave it to God, but fear takes hold. That unconditional trust is hard to do when you have been disregarded for so long. However, I also look at my survival and ability to walk forward as the guiding hand from above leading me on. For myself I am in a constant battle with that realization and the fear that follows loosing the grip.
Your statement about entitlment (thinking you are owed from not only God but from the universe) is a hard reality for so many and honestly for me as well at times. In my life, nothing has ever come easily, I have watched so many flourish as I flounder. It is hard to see the other side of that, and not question why? This I assume is the definition of faith and hope - and trusting in the love of God.
I have worked really hard on my life and myself over these past couple years to stop asking why? and instead asking what is the guidance I am being given.
You have no idea how poignant & pertinent this is in my life right now! I’m a new subscriber so I’m all over the place with these prayer walks catching up. I watched this yesterday and it was so extremely revelatory to me. Sort of like peeling an onion a layer at a time! The questions are so simple as are the answers. About 10 min in the huge elephant I’ve been dealing with for most of my life was suddenly non existent just by my answering these questions HONESTLY & stopping the video and pondering. The TRUTH revealed has certainly made me free! Thanks Don!
Susan