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Welcome to The Deacon's Bench!

Come on along, you and your mouse or your touch screen, and sit a spell.  Relax and enjoy a little bit of prayer and share.  It is my hope that by sharing some of my favorite prayers, pieces of inspiration, and just free-form prayers and messages, you will find moments of solitude, peace, and contemplation.  Have a seat.  Take a breather.  Refresh!

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He will cover you with his feathers.  He will shelter you with his wings.  His faithful promises are your armor and protection.  ~Psalm 91:4

Do you find as much peace in pictures of God’s creatures as I do?  The picture says it all, doesn’t it,  and the scripture of Psalm 91:4 offers us the strength and courage of God’s promise that sustains us.  I think it is best summed up in this prayer: 
                           

As storm clouds gathered, Father, I used to run for cover, panicked and picking a favorite escape.  None of them worked for long, dear God, and none of them kept me safe.  No more running then.  I see it clearly now.  Wherever I am standing is a special place, under the shadow of your sheltering wing.

 May God’s peace and protection envelope you always.  Pax vobiscum,  Deacon Sue

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"Ummm....I don't like to gossip, but I heard the Father telling the Son to tell the Holy Spirit to tell the Angels to protect you today, tonight and always!  It's in the Word.  Sssshhhh...Just say AMEN and pass it on!  Good Gossip from Above is the Greatest Word of All.  Have a blessed day, my friend.  Look back and thank God.  Look forward and trust God.  Look around and serve God.  Look within and find God!

Without God, our week would be:
Sinday, Mournday, Tearsday, Wasteday, Thirstday, Fightday, and Shatterday."

Creativity in a Compelling Message

I received another email that really struck me not only for its creativity, but also for the very messages it spoke.  A simple, but powerful, truth.  See if it speaks to you the same way or perhaps even in a different way.  How many messages can you find in a simple but beautifully crafted email from a friend?  Pax vobiscum, Deacon Sue.

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The Lessons of God's Nature

I often receive email from dear friends who know my love for animals and my faith.  I thought I might share a couple of the the lessons our winged and furry friends in nature have shared.  I hope you enjoy the slideshow as much as I did. (Just click the top left corner of the larger photo).  The opening caption of the email was "we don't all have to be alike to be friends".  I found myself thinking, "we can do the unexpected for a friend"...or, "the lessons of God's Nature, Love, are all around us."  Share your photos of God's love and better yet, share God's love.  Pax vobiscum, Deacon Sue.

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Sharing Daily Prayers

One of the things I love to do is start my day with a prayer approach that follows where we are in our Sunday readings for service and which speaks to me in music and message.  I found d365.org not long ago and love to start my day with its message.  For those of you who may not be aware, d365.org is a daily devotional sponsored by The Episcopal Church, The Presbyterian Church, and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.  Click the link to your left and see if this on-line blessing touches you each day as much as it does me...delivered right to your email inbox.  Pax vobiscum, Deacon Sue.

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Easter Prayer

This Easter Prayer was written anonymously and is one that strikes me with its simplicity, the message of hope, the renewal of hearts, and the wonder of sacrifice and forgiveness.  It also reminds me that our prayers need not be complex or complicated.  There is wisdom in approaching God, prayers, and life in general with simplicity.  May all of the blessings this Easter and always be simply with you.  Pax vobiscum, Deacon Sue.

Of all of God's gifts,
Easter shows us our fate
Forgiven we will rise
And pass through Heaven's gate

This Easter remember
The sacrifice of a Son
And through His resurrection
Eternal life we have won

This Easter I pray
That the love of God
Is resurrected
Reborn, renewed
Inside your heart
God Bless You!

~Anonymous~

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