If we were clocks, some of us would be in trouble! "Wait a minute!" I begged my husband. "I promise I'll be ready soon," I said. I'm always running behind. Do you ever feel that way? As the days count down to Christmas, the rush is on for us to accomplish everything on our to-do lists. Time. We're wrapped up in it. The phrases we use demonstrate it's importance in our lives. In addition to "Wait a minute," we might say or hear, "Hold on a second," "It takes time," "It's about time," "Time flies," "Don't waste time," "The time is right," or "Don't be late!" You can probably think of others. "Where is time when we need it?" we ask. "Can't we just have one quiet minute?" One minute of our time is worth something, even though it's only a small percentage of the 1,440 minutes in our 24-hour day. As Christmas approaches and we feel the sense of urgency to accomplish a lot of things, we may grow weary or impatient. How we wish we had more hours in the day! When our children were young, I felt overwhelmed preparing for Christmas. My father-in-law said, "You're just spinning your wheels." I didn't want to believe him, but sometimes he was right. The time I spent worrying was time I could have put to good use. I thought about taking just one minute of my busy day to close my eyes to rest or say a prayer. Those moments allowed me to re-focus and push the proverbial "reset" button. Contemplating what the Bible has to say about time, I found many verses. Here are a few of them: "He has the perfect timing: never early, never late. God is never in a hurry, but he is always on time." - Daniel 4:32 "With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day." - 2 Peter 3:8 "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9 "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." - Mark 1:35 As you prepare for Christmas, may you find a quiet minute for your day, and may your comings and goings be kept in prayer for God's guidance for you. <><<><<>< Photo courtesy of Vecteezy.com
0 Comments
The two gray squirrels chased each other up and down the pine tree, then stopped abruptly. Facing downward, they remained attached to the tree trunk, their eyes darting about; fluffy tails twitching. . I watched in amusement as the furry friends carried on with their silly antics for another five minutes. Then, the one who had initiated the chase stopped in it's tracks and began digging beneath the pine-needle covered soil. Retrieving an acorn, it sat on its hind legs, cradled the acorn in its paws and nibbled until its cheeks puffed out like a balloon. Likewise, the other squirrel searched for and found a treasured source of food. The simplicity of watching the squirrels was a needed diversion from my usual routine. Still smiling, I return to my work desk refreshed—and grateful—for the little things in my life. We may not always have squirrels lurking about, but when we take notice, we see that we are surrounded by God's creation every day. As you gather with those who are special to you on this holiday, may your heart be filled with the joy of provision. Thanks be to the Lord for all He has provided for you—including the little things. Happy Thanksgiving! <><<><<>< “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him, tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice, look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” – 1 Chronicles 16:8-11 “For every beast of the forest is Mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird of the mountains, and everything moves in the field is Mine.” – Ps. 50:10-11 “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” – Matthew 6:26 Photo courtesy of Vecteezy.com While sorting through folders on my desk as I thought about what to write, I came across an alphabetical list of words I put together months ago, describing who Jesus is to me. I hadn't posted it, so thought I'd share it with you today. As you read through the list, you might think of additional words to describe who Jesus is to you? (Feel free to share your thoughts on my Contact page). The list follows: Jesus is: A Absolute, Able, (The) Answer, Almighty, Abundant, Accepting, Anointed, Alpha & Omega, Advocate, Alive, Apostle ("sent one"), Atonement, Advent, Agape, Author of Salvation, All-Knowing, Ancient of Days, Agnus Dei, Authority, Awesome, Ascended to Heaven on the third day. B Bridegroom, Beautiful, Believing, Beheld, Beloved, Bold, Bread of Life, Branch, Blessed, Bearer, Brother, Brethren, Banner, Balm, Bearer of sin, Born of a virgin, Benevolent, Bountiful C Christ, Counselor, Cross-bearer, Comforter, Courteous, Consoling, Courageous, Caring, Caretaker, Communicator, Crucified, Confidant, Carpenter, Cleansing, Compassionate, Confiding, Considerate, Changeless, Crown of Glory, Chosen D Desire of all Nations, Destiny, Defender, Dayspring, Died for us, Deliverer, Door of the Sheep, Dwelling place, Divine, Discipleship E Engaging, Eternal, Everlasting, Emmanuel, Eminent, Extraordinary, Esteemed, Evangelist, Elect, Excellent F Fearless, Favored, Faithful, Forgiving, Foretold, Future, Friend, Freeing, Fountain of living waters, Fortress, First and last, Foundation G God’s Son, Glad, Glorious, Glorified, Good, Good Shepherd, Great, Generous, Gracious, Genuine, Governor, Gift, Guide, Guardian, Gatekeeper H Humble, Healer, Helper, Humane, Humanitarian, High priest, Holy, Honorable, Honored, Horn of salvation, Heir of all things, Hallowed, Hiding place, Heavenly host, High tower. I Immanuel, Ideal, Instructor, Infallible, Inspiring, Insightful, Immaculate, Innocent, Intercessor, Immortal, Incarnate J Jesus, Jehovah Girah, Joy, Jubilation, Judge K King of Kings, Kingdom, Kindred, Kindness, King of the Jews, Keeper L Lamb of God, Lord of all, Light, Love, Loving, Life-giving, Living, Living water, Listener, Lion of the tribe of Judah M Magnificent, Messenger, Master, Mediator, Messiah, Morning star, Majesty, Man of sorrows N Near, Nazarene O Overcomer, Omnipotent, Omnipresent P Pacifist, Patient, Present, Persevering, Perceiver, Prince of peace, Powerful, (Our) Promise, Pure, Peaceful, Paschal Lamb, Preacher, Physician, Prophet, Provider, Passionate, Powerful, Perfect, Praised Q Qualified, Quick to understand R Radiant, Radical, Rabbi, Redeeming, Righteous, Revelation, Rock, Relentless, Resilient, Real, Resurrected, Revelator, Root of David, Ransom for many, Refiner, Refuge, Reward, Revered, Rose from the dead. S Strong, Sweet, Savior, Salvation, Sacrificed, Slain, Son of Man, Son of God, Spirit, Sinless, See-er, Sword-bearer, Shepherd, Sharing, Sought, Sanctified, Sincere, Spotless, Shield, Shelter, Song, Strong tower, Steadfast, Sun of Righteousness, Servant T (Of the) Trinity, Truth, Teacher, Trusting, True vine, True light, Treasure, Triumphant, Transfigured U Upright, Unequaled, Unparalleled V Valiant, Victorious, Valued, Virtuous, Virgin birth, Very present help in trouble, (The) Vine W Worthy, Wonderful, Welcoming, Warrior, Witness, Word, (The) Way, Well of living water, Wise X Of the Cross Y Yielding, Yahweh Z Zealous 2/7/23 n.j. May your week be blessed and may you fully know how much you are valued and loved by the One who gave His life for you. Photo courtesy of Syed Raza, Vecteezy.com Did you get out to walk today? If you are fortunate enough to be mobile, you likely made foot (or shoe) contact with the earth. Maybe it was just a short distance across a sidewalk or parking lot on your way to work or school? Or perhaps you traveled over a dirt path or gravel or rocks. If you had the pleasure of going on a walk or hike, you might have traversed over hills, a mountain, through a valley, plains, desert, or by lakes or streams. But on days when we're busy, do we give much thought to where we go? Think about where you walked today. Do you know what was beneath the sidewalk or asphalt before the land was filled with houses, buildings, or streets? Might the land you stepped on been a pastureland, wheat or cotton fields, an orchard, a garden or farm? Or a forest, meadow, or wildlife sanctuary? When the day is done, do you peek into the night sky to see the moon? And this time of year, do you look for the immense “Harvest Moon” as it lights up the ground around you? Such a glorious sight it is! Sometimes we forget to immerse ourselves in nature, even that of our own backyards or city parks. Often, we get so busy looking for "things" to inspire us, that we forget to seek moments of inspiration through God's creation. Where have you walked in God's land of creation today? The gift of His harvest is all around you. Go and seek, for the earth He created lies beneath your feet. <><<><<><<>< “If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit.” – Leviticus 26:3-4 “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” – James 3:18 “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” – Genesis 8:22 “The earth has yielded its produce; God, our God, blesses us.” – Psalm 67:6 “Indeed, the Lord will give what is good, And our land will yield its produce.” – Psalm 85:2 “Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the soul of his masters.” – Proverbs 25:13 “And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” – James 3:18 Photo courtesy of Vecteezy.com When I was a child, we lived on a quiet street on the outskirts of a Virginia town. One warm summer night, my father motioned for me to come to the backyard. I was already in my pajamas—the kind with the “feet” in them (remember those?). I followed my father onto the grass and sat in his lap. “Look at the stars!” he murmured. I leaned onto his shoulder and looked up. I’d seen the stars before—this was different. The sky looked like crushed black velvet with a ribbon of Milky Way, brightened by so many stars I knew I’d never be able to count them. I was only five, but the memory of that night made an impression on my heart that remained. Later, as a teenager, my friends and I became enamored with different kinds of “stars.” A friend opened her “heartthrob” magazine to the centerfold, blushing at the photo of her latest Hollywood crush. Some of those “stars” gained my attention, too. As teens, we were distracted by worldly enticements. But adults can be distracted by worldly things, too. Maybe it’s not the latest celebrity. Instead, perhaps it's being enticed by the latest technology or swayed by attention-getting online marketing or social media advertisements. Nothing is wrong with “things”—if they don’t become our primary focus. But sometimes the influence of the world draws us away from God and His creation. All this summer, I waited for an opportunity to see the stars in the mountains. Finally, that night arrived—reminiscent of long ago when I sat with my father in the backyard, mesmerized by the expansive starry sky. Not every night presents an opportunity to see stars, but wherever you live, you can take in the wonder of God’s creation. Sometimes, that special place is in your own backyard. Go to that quiet place. Breathe. Calm your mind. Rest your soul. Bask in the beauty surrounding you—for God created you to be part of it. <>><>><>><>> “God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night; the stars also.” - Genesis 1:16 “Thus says the Lord, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar; The Lord of hosts is His name.” – Jeremiah 31:35 “The Lord your God has multiplied you, and behold, you are this day like the stars of heaven in number.” – Deuteronomy 1:10 “He counts the number of the stars; He gives names to all of them.” – Psalm 147:4 "But I will give many descendants to my servant David and to the family group of Levi who serve me in the Temple. They will be as many as the stars in the sky that no one can count. They will be as many as the grains of sand on the seashore that no one can measure." - Jeremiah 33:22 Photo courtesy of Vecteezy.com |
"Goodness
Through God's Word!" Find inner peace through Positive Thought, through Faith in God and through God's Word. Archives
April 2024
Categories |