The Noontimes

Psalm 31:5: Into God’s Hands
Psalm 31:5: Into God’s Hands

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Psalm 31:5 – Into your hands I commend my spirit, for you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth.

We think of these as some of the last words Jesus spoke from the cross. We might want to use them frequently ourselves. In fact, we will want to use them each time a new burden falls upon our shoulders.

God says: Do not worry about bringing your problems to me. I am never on overload. I always have time to hear you. I will not lose my patience with you. I have eternal time on my hands and I love to hear you speak to me. I am happy when you are happy. I am sad when you are sad. This is a truth upon which you can always rely. I understand your tribulations. This is why I walk among you. I have already redeemed and rescued you, and I have paid a great price. Rest in that knowledge and in my love, and trust me.

As we say our daily prayers, let us commend ourselves to God; and may we experience the freedom of his redemption.

Click on the image above to reflect more on Those Hands.

A re-post from July 10, 2012.

Image from: https://www.markmallett.com/blog/those-hands/
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July 15, 2026
Psalm 32:11: Trueness of the Heart
Psalm 32:11: Trueness of the Heart

Tuesday, July 14, 2026

Psalm 32:11 – Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice in the Lord; shout for joy, all you who are true of heart.

Being true of heart is difficult, but once begun it is a practice we cannot give up.

God says: I come to walk among you in truth – a very special truth. It is the truth that will set you free. Once you begin to live in me and in this truth, you will feel uncomfortable living any other way because you will living in The Way.

May you find the true stepping-stones of The Way with greater ease and a lighter, freer heart.

Spend some time with The Narrow Gate reflection page at: https://thenoontimes.com/the-narrow-gate/

A re-post from July 9, 2012.

Image from: http://www.antarasdiary.com/photography-lovely-hearts/
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July 14, 2026
Psalm 34:7: Archangels
Psalm 34:7: Archangel

Monday, July 13, 2026

Psalm 34:7 – The Angel of the Lord encompasses those who fear him, and he will deliver them.

Guido Reni: Archangel Michael Defeats Satan

The angels are God’s messengers and envoys. The Archangels are Michael the Defender, Gabriel the Announcer, Raphael the Healer, and Lucifer the Beautiful One. Even among these special creatures we see both a willingness and an aversion to obedience.

God says: As special and as beautiful as the angels are, they do not compare to the radiance of the human race. I do not make them in my image. Only you, my beloved ones, have such privilege. My angels are constantly with you, guiding, protecting, communicating. Each of you has a special guardian of your own. There are also fleets of swift-winged creatures who come and go constantly with messages for you.

Gabriel
I do not want you to be fearful. I do not want you to feel alone and so I send them among you, even as I am among you. Do not be afraid. I am with you. My angels are with you. You are already delivered from the dark ones who would pull you into their world. Sleep well. Rise well. Go into the day tomorrow with a smile.

Raphael
Wishing you peaceful days and happy nights. May Michael defend you, Gabriel announce God’s word to you, Raphael heal you, and Lucifer stay far away from you. All this God does that you might be well.

For more on the Archangels click on the images, or go to: http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2011-09-29

A re-post from July 8, 2012.

Images from: http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2011-09-29 and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_%28archangel%29
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July 13, 2026

angels, Gabriel, Lucifer, Michael, Raphael
Psalm 138:8: God’s Promise
Psalm 138:8: God’s Promise

Sunday, July 12, 2026

Psalm 138:8 – The Lord will make good his purpose to me; O Lord, your love endures for ever; do not abandon the works of your hands.

God always keeps God’s promises.

God says: In the flutter and clutter of living, it is easy to become distracted by the necessities of getting through a day. I see how easy it is to become wrapped into the details and to forget your purpose. I am with you to carry you through those times when you cannot possibly keep track of the minutiae. You are special to me. You will never be without me. I will never let you drift alone. I will always be with you. You are a glorious gift, the work of my hands. You will endure forever in my love when you come to me.

May God’s promises bloom into miracles for you.

Spend some time with the Falling Down the Well page on this blog and consider how God has kept promises and formed miracles in your own life. https://thenoontimes.com/falling-down-the-well/

A re-post from July 7, 2012.

Image from: http://alookintomymind.wordpress.com/2012/04/22/gods-promises/
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July 12, 2026

God’s promises, God’s work
Psalm 30:13: My Heart Sings
Psalm 30:13: My Heart Sings

Saturday, July 11, 2026

Psalm 30:13 – My heart sings to you without ceasing; O Lord my God, I will give you thanks for ever.

In all circumstances, either sorrowful or joyful, give thanks to the Lord. He has done great things for me; he keeps his promises and fulfills his word.

God says: I do not let you down, I am with you always. I do not change my mind; I am constant love. I do not bully or neglect you; I wait until you move toward me, and then I run to greet you with an overflowing heart and open arms. My love takes you in, washes away anxiety, allays fears and sends away all that threatens you. If you rest in me you need nothing else. Trust me and sing with me.

Hoping that God’s lullabies take away all that terrifies you.

A re-post from July 6, 2012.

Image from: https://www.vecteezy.com/free-photos/woman-celebrating
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July 11, 2026

give thanks always, God’s love, sorrow anf joy
Connecting at Noon
Romans 8:38-39

Friday, July 10, 2026

If on any day you find the Noontime reflection does not speak to you or is not to your liking, you may want to explore ideas on the Connecting at Noontime page offered in the hope that you find a suggestion to feed the soul and strengthen your bond with and in Christ.

Our spiritual life is always about Call and Response. God creates and calls us. We listen, and then return God’s word. This blog is one small way for us to listen, to seek, to discern, to come together, to puzzle through and to respond in full voice to God’s mysterious and beautiful invitation to life in the Spirit. It is our daily visit with God that nourishes and sustains us. It is our persistent connecting with the one who created us that reminds us of who and why we are. It is our constant hope and our fervent prayer that buoy us up when the road is difficult. And it is Christ’s love for each of us that keeps us on The Narrow Way. Thank you for taking part in our Noontimes journey. We are creatures meant to travel together and, like Paul writing to the Romans, I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus the Lord.

On any given day, you may be looking for a different sentiment, thought, or path. If so, enter a word or words into the blog search bar or explore the blog pages. May you each know and experience Christ’s peace. May you seek and discover God’s Wisdom. And may you be fortified in the Love and Counsel of the Spirit. I hold each of you in prayer as always. S

Images from: https://www.shutterstock.com/search/12-noon?dd_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F and http://www.historyofwatch.com/clock-history/history-of-sundials/
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July 10, 2026
Psalm 33:11: The Designs of God’s Heart
Psalm 33:11: The Designs of God’s Heart

Thursday, July 9, 2026

Psalm 33:11 – The Lord’s will stands fast forever, and the designs of his heart from age to age.

God’s economy and mystery are difficult for the human mind to grasp; yet, still they are what they are, an eternal, inscrutable plan. We humans struggle, we reach for our potential, and we find it only through Christ. We make our own plans only to see that God has a better design. We plan for a day, a month, a year. God plans for eternity. God’s design is here and now. God’s design is always, for God plans from a heart that is good and whole and full.

God says: Just because you say you cannot see me does not mean that I am not with you. Just because you believe you cannot hear me does mean that I do not speak. Just because you feel alone does not mean that I do not carry you through the peril of your days. I love you still, no matter what you have done or not done. I love you always, no matter who you are or who you are not. I love you enough to have created you, to watch over you, to save you, to free you. For now and forever.

Wishing you the plans of God’s heart for today and all days.

A re-post from July 5, 2012.

Image from: http://bustedhalo.com/podcasts/are-we-ever-able-to-interfere-with-gods-plan
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July 9, 2026

God’s plan
Psalm 46:11: Be still . . .
Psalm 46:11: Be still . . .

Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Psalm 46:11 – Be still, then, and know that I am God.

God is everything. God is all. God is one. God is whole.

God says: In the clamor of your days it is difficult for you to hear my voice; yet still I speak. In the blur of daily activity it is difficult for you to feel my presence, yet still I am. In the haze of uncertain relationships and unsteady events it is difficult for you to know my love, yet still I wait for you. I will never leave you. I will never betray you. I will never change. If you seek something immovable, constant and true, seek me. I wait for you still.

Wishing you a peaceful evening on this day which may have been filled with much activity.

Image from: https://davidsthoughts.ca/2008/12/07/be-still-and-know-that-i-am-god-psalm-4610a/

A re-post from July 4, 2012.

To listen to the Steven Curtis Chapman song Be Still and Know click on the verse cited above or go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHlbnNUHQGI

For more on this verse go to: http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1245-be-still-and-know-that-i-am-god
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July 8, 2026

Be still!
Psalm 71:18: Waiting in Patience
Psalm 71:18: Waiting in Patience

Tuesday, July 7, 2026

Psalm 71:18 – I shall always wait in patience, and shall praise you more and more.

Patience is difficult to practice because we have so many fears and we do not want to fail, to be exposed, to lose, to be in pain, to suffer in any way. Yet the practice of patience itself wears down the fears and brings more patience.

God says: The wisdom I wish to impart to you can only arrive to you through your patient, active waiting. This patience can be learned through your salvific suffering – by offering your pain for the forgiveness of others. You cannot solve your problems through your own cleverness or virtue for they weigh too heavily upon you. I have given you the gift of faith. From this gift will grow mountains of patience – much like the mustard seed in the parable my son loves to tell. I also send you hope, through my son, Jesus Christ. From this gift will flow rivers of patience – much like the rivers in the vision of my prophet Ezekiel. I have given you the gift of charity toward all. From this Love of your enemy will flower infinite patience much like the patience my son shows as he dies innocently for others. And with this faithful, hope-filling, abiding patience you have won my heart. Be patient with me and with my loving discipline, even as I am patient with you. Praise me more and more and this patience will permeate you in such a way that it will never leave you. Just as I will never leave you. You will never have to be without me.

As you wait for patience to settle into your being, I wish you a blessed and holy day. A blessed and holy night.

A re-post from July 3, 2012.

Image from: http://adelecassidyyoga.blogspot.com/2012/02/sweet-patience.html
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July 7, 2026

Ezekiel, faith, patience, the mustard seed, wisdom