June 15, 2017

Reflections on Hairballs

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  • Sometimes we swallow things that shouldn’t be swallowed.
  • Those things we swallow, which we shouldn’t have, often come back up.
  • When they come back up, we wonder why they were so appealing in the first place.
  • Things often look much different when re-examined!
  • In an effort to make things better, our methods may cause indigestion.
  • Upheaval can be most uncomfortable; however, the end results can bring relief.
  • To avoid hairballs, attend to personal care.
  • When assisting others in their own personal care, be careful not to swallow things which are harmful.
  • We were all offered the gift of hairball removal.
June 9, 2017

REFUGE

Blog Post 7_Poem REFUGE 1A

Have you ever noticed how a mother bird will spread her wings over her chicks to provide protection and to hide them from the eyes of predators? That space under the shadow of her wings is a refuge, a place of safety and comfort. The chicks trust the hen and so they stay close-by and are nurtured, protected, and guided.

What a powerful image that is for us when we feel overwhelmed, attacked, or swallowed by grief and despair! In the books of Ruth and Psalms, God is a loving protector who gathers us in the shadow of His wings. Like the chicks, we are His children, knowing our own weakness and need. When we come to Him, He offers us a place of security.

Ruth realized that her mother-in-law Naomi had something special; she came to God when all seemed lost. The psalmist said, “Hey, this is a good thing! I’m going to stay here with God forever, walking close-by and covered when times are tough!”

How easy it can be to wander off. Jesus lamented, grieved deeply, for the people of Jerusalem who had turned away those God had sent. “How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing” (Matthew 23:37 & Luke 13:34). At times my own thoughts churn endlessly, stressing over a day’s events or unresolved issues and troubles. This image of God surrounding us with His sheltering wings provides comfort, security, and hope for everyone and reminds us to stay close to Him.

How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
Psalm 36:7 (NIV)

May 31, 2017

I Looked to God This Morning

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I looked to God this morning
And thanked Him for this day.
I asked for Him to guide me
In all I do and say.

The promise of beginnings
Amidst our new farewells,
Greets renewed assurance
When questions would assail.

I know my Father loves me.
He cares for one and all.
Oh Father, ever with me,
May I be faithful to Your call.

May 29, 2017

Refresh!

watter_splash_baraartcom_Landscape

Refresh! … From this word springs images of renewal, encouragement, restoration, provision, and rest. It has even made its way to our keyboard to indicate updates of new data and information, an affirmation of changes made. When we are refreshed we are energized, our minds and bodies cooled from stress or labor, and we are then able to continue forward with greater purpose and confidence.

I enjoy doing yardwork… mowing, trimming, and especially caring for flower, herb, or vegetable gardens. The work itself is a time of refreshment from the weekly chores and responsibilities, a time to engage mind and body in something else and for quiet reflection or companionable activity. A cool splash of water to my face… a drink to quench my thirst… and a shower when all is completed also offer refreshment.

Other thoughts come to mind as well. “Refresh my memory” we may request when a bit of a jog is needed and “refreshments’ are served at gatherings, breaks during meetings, or other times of fellowship. We are refreshed during times of vacation.

Paul’s letter to Philemon and the church which met in Philemon’s home is a wonderfully short letter written out of love and concern for fellow believers. From this letter, we gain additional thought about our need to both be refreshed and offer refreshment.

Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people… I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.

How often in my busy life do I overlook the opportunity to refresh someone, to offer them love and encouragement?! This is a gift we can all give and is one we also appreciate receiving. Paul let his need to be refreshed be known. A listening ear, a smile and word of appreciation, a touch, and a helping hand… these are simple expressions of God’s own love for each of us. They are a commitment to extend both grace and compassion. In this we refresh the very hearts of others, a deep-down satisfying soul-restoring drink.

For they refreshed my spirit and yours also…
1 Corinthians 16:18

 

May 19, 2017 Aside

Check out my new content!

Check out my “Matterings & Musings” page!

This is a space for expression of those things in life which shape us all… that deep down desire for knowledge, understanding, peace, or simply those moments of awe.

Visit the “Writer’s Glen” page!

In this space I will share bits about my love for writing, including websites and other resources, practical tips, things I am learning, and suggestions you may want to try out as well.

May 12, 2017

Rising

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Cooling breeze upon warm earth
Soft mist rising

Muted echoes of life and motion
Within the mist arising

Moist caress upon bare skin
Cooled by quiet rising

Settled fog now gently stirring
Answers dawn’s slow rising

Warming touch upon earth’s chill
Awaken to day rising

Watery droplets and sighing wind
Life’s voices ever rising

May 7, 2017

Elijah and the Still, Small Voice

Elijah! I love Elijah. Mighty prophet of God. Strong. Assured. Obedient to God’s commands. Through Elijah, God displayed His authority and great power to the people of Israel who had turned away! Fire from heaven burned up the soaking wet sacrifice… after futile attempts by the priests of Baal, god of fertility and nature, were unsuccessful. “Your god is no god!” … and 450 prophets of Baal perished.

Through Elijah, God withheld rain and a great drought resulted.

Through Elijah, God ended this drought with wind and pouring rain… and Elijah miraculously ran before the chariot of King Ahab to a town fourteen miles away.

…Then a vengeful Queen Jezebel declared death to Elijah and he ran away in fear… and ran… and ran… until he ended up in a faraway cave in which to hide.

I love Elijah! Doesn’t his story express the fear and discouragement we all feel at times? “I have given you my all God!” “Haven’t I obeyed you as best I can? I’ve been very busy doing all these things for You.” …“Now look at these hard-headed, self-centered, angry people! They have rejected you and killed all your other prophets and now I’m the only one left!”… “It’s useless. I might as well die too!”

So God passed by before that cave. There came a great wind, earthquake, and fire… but God was not in them. He who had spoken so forcefully and powerfully previously, so that all would know His authority, did not speak through them this time… God had Elijah’s full attention! But where was God?!
Then there came a still small voice, a quiet calm

Then there came a still small voice, a quiet calm.  Elijah heard the voice of God asking the same question He had asked before, “What are you doing here Elijah?” …and, still focused on himself, Elijah gave the same answer!

But in the quiet of that moment, came assurance that God was with him. “Go back Elijah. I have a job for you. There will be others to help you, kings to anoint and a prophet to succeed you. Why, there are 7000 prophets who will rise up to serve me!”

I love Elijah! His story gives us all hope and assurance. “Go back. I’m with you. You are not alone,” God says. So He speaks in that still small voice, in quiet calm amidst our storms. God had not given up on them. He hadn’t given up on Elijah and He hasn’t given up on us! He is mighty. He is faithful.

 

[Read Elijah’s story in 1 Kings Chapters 17-19 & 2 Kings Chapter 2.]

April 24, 2017

Just A Weed

It_s just a weedI hear them say...

I see your face
Shining bravely
And so I stop
To get acquainted.
It’s just a weed
I hear them say.

Delicate flower
Standing there
Surrounded
By the tended growth.
It’s just a weed
I hear them say.

A splash of cheer;
Yellows and blues,
White and purple,
Lilac too.
It’s just a weed
I hear them say.

I laugh; I chuckle.
I smile with joy
As I make my pass
Around their home.
It’s just a weed
I hear them say.

What weeds are these?
Unwanted ones?
Not at all… but rather,
Unnoticed treasures,
Loyal companions,
Fullness of life!