At this time of the year I love to watch my Christmas Cactus as its blooms increase every day! But it makes me a little sad to think that I will see this spectacular show only for a season. However, even when it is no longer blooming, it retains its healthy green leaves and the … Continue reading A Christmas Cactus Greeting
The Old Testament prophet Isaiah, in the midst of many other prophecies, foretells the birth of the Messiah this way: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Emmanuel.” Isaiah 7:14, Holy Bible, New International Version. Emmanuel means “God dwells … Continue reading The Emmanuel Who Dwells With Me: 2024 Christmas Devotional & Poem
My prayer for you today as you read these brief words is that you may be touched by VIGOR AND VISION. VIGOR as a strengthening of your physical and mental capacities. And VISION as a plan for moving forward to meet those goals. May you not only have a renewed sense of purpose, but may … Continue reading My Prayer for You Today
I feel this is one of the most important things I have ever written. Join me in hope...
The Holy Spirit troubles our hearts that we are missing something—like a puzzle piece needed to make the picture complete. And the Holy Spirit turns us around, so we are facing and going in a new direction. Whereas before we were following our own physical desires, through this new awareness we are brought to repentance … Continue reading The Reason I Have Hope: The Power of Pentacost (Part 4 of 4)
In his Pentacost sermon, Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and the miraculous event of ‘speaking in tongues’ occurred. One insight for ‘speaking in tongues’ as I interpret it is speaking a language or languages beyond one’s mother tongue. However, some persons do attest that they have experienced ‘speaking’ in a language which even … Continue reading The Reason I Have Hope: The Power of Pentacost (Part 3 of 4)
Pentacost is a New Testament event at which the power of the Holy Spirit became evident to many. See Acts chapters 1 and 2. Chapter and verse subdivisions of the Bible did not exist in the early Scriptures which were written on scrolls. Thus, knowing how much time elapsed between the events of verses 14 … Continue reading The Reason I Have Hope: The Power of Pentacost (Part 2 of 4)
Every book in the Holy Bible, in both the Old and New Testaments, speaks of the Holy Spirit. And yet, many do not understand the Holy Spirit’s personhood and work, even those who identify themselves with a particular church or denomination. There are so many verses of Scripture on this subject, it is difficult for … Continue reading The Reason I Have Hope: The Power of Pentacost (Part 1 of 4)
My upcoming blog series on the power of the Holy Spirit and how you can access this power should be ready to begin next week. Until then keep an uplifting song in your heart even when times are tough. Keep Watching for My New Blog SeriesConnie Carlisle Polley, 2024ConnieCarlislePolley.comNonnyDay.com
Watch for my upcoming blog series on the power of a universally available Triune God which can make a difference in your life and give direction to your life.
My "Rainbow Room," as I call it, has a window all the way up at the ceiling where a crystal hangs. When I walk into it I am always amazed and refreshed by the beautiful red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet patterns that sparkle on the walls. They have a dream-like quality which … Continue reading Illumination from My Rainbow Room
As I view my patio garden this morning, I'm reflecting on two 19th century American writers who spoke about the importance of the kindness we extend to those around us and the far-reaching effects of this kindness. Take Care of Your GardenKind hearts are the gardens,Kind thoughts are the roots,Kind words are the flowers,Kind deeds … Continue reading The Importance of Kindness
As I was searching for a real-life story for my blog series “Looking for Sunshine,” I came across that of Corrie Ten Boom. She was born April 15,1892 in Haarlem in the Netherlands. And died April 15,1983 on her 91st birthday in Placentia, California in the U.S.A. Corrie’s tenacity and resolve helped scores of Jewish … Continue reading DON’T THROW AWAY THE TICKET
With its soaring height, vibrant yellow color, and undulating pointed petals, what other flower in the plant kingdom is better suited to represent sunshine than the regal Sunflower? Its folklore abounds in many cultures including Greek, Chinese, and Native American. Take a moment now to visualize its beauty and reflect on its symbolism to add … Continue reading Hello Sunshine!
As I continue to think about my blog series “Looking for Sunshine,” I realize that instead of hoping or praying that light and warmth will fulfill my needs, how much better it would be to seek ways I can bring light and warmth to others. Mother Teresa, having been born August 26, 1910, and having … Continue reading CHANGING THE WORLD AROUND US
Whether it’s rain pounding down on your head, waters rising at your feet, or a flooded passageway in front of you that can’t be avoided, we all face those times in our lives when we feel frightened and alone. Navigating those waters begins with navigating those thoughts streaming into our brain. This series—Looking for the … Continue reading LOOKING FOR THE SUNSHINE
The months of May and June bring with them the celebration of Mother's Day and then Father's Day in the U.S.A. as well as many other countries throughout the world. As my family treated me this past Mother's Day with lots of flowers and foods plus a family get-together at my older daughter’s house, I … Continue reading Tell Mother I’ll Be There . . .
A few years ago my daughter Eve and I were fortunate enough to be able to travel to Spain and Portugal and have in our itinerary an added excursion by ferry to Morocco. To this day I can still envision the tea house in Tangier where we sat at a low table sipping hot sweet … Continue reading Hit the Refresh Button with Moroccan-Style Mint Tea!
The Easter season for me every year is a time of serious reflection as it was on Easter Sunday in 1999 that my husband at age fifty-two passed from this life into the next. Our three young adult children and I didn't see his death coming until there was a crisis moment when he ended … Continue reading Holy Ground: Hope & Encouragement on this Easter weekend
We all find ourselves suddenly thrust into darkness at some point: the home electricity goes out, our road trip is taking longer than anticipated, or more seriously, our close friend or family member has been snatched by death. A physical source of light can brighten the darkness in many instances. However, when a shroud covers … Continue reading Finding Our Way Out of Darkness
In sewing if you have a garment, household item, or something else made of a sewable material and it develops a hole--you'd better mend it quickly before the hole gets any bigger! You may have heard the saying, "A stitch in time saves nine." Beyond its literal meaning this quote advises us that our delay … Continue reading A Timely Stitch
For someone needing comfort from pain or for someone needing a friend, the words and music of American folk-rock artists Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel in Like a Bridge Over Troubled Water evoke calmness and a soothing balm. "When you're weary" . . . "like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down." … Continue reading Like a Bridge Over Troubled Water
"The Hole in My Heart" Poem by Connie Carlisle Polley The hole in my heart will never be filled Yet someday will be not so deep, not so fresh. Someday my body’s shivering deep chill With returning embrace and kiss will be met. So I’ll not lose hope even though I weep. Goodness will help … Continue reading The Hole in My Heart — a poem by Connie Carlisle Polley
We are living in such a rapidly changing world, with change occurring at warp speed. What if you were having lunch with a friend at a popular outdoor café and your dining partner vanished right before your eyes? What would be your explanation? “Maybe I’m not really having lunch; this must be a dream.” “I … Continue reading Exploring What Happens Next
It seems that when a bad or unfortunate event occurs, another happens. And perhaps even more than one. We need to remember we can't always control what comes into our lives. However, when we find ourselves the recipient of these downpours let's not be completely washed out. Instead let's accept help and strength from caring … Continue reading Coping With Life’s Circumstances
Good morning! Or whatever time of day it is for you! I’m sipping my black coffee and eating a banana—my usual way to nourish my body and start the day. I have been under the weather for a while and haven’t been able to write and post my blog at the usual time and day. … Continue reading A Vision for Your Future
Have you ever started out on a road trip knowing the highway you were going to take, but not quite sure how many miles you were going to travel, or exactly what would become your final destination? This was the kind of journey the “Magi,” or "Wise Men from the East” found themselves on as … Continue reading A Journey Full of Hope
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