Thursday, February 20, 2014
Adjust your sails!
'We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust our sails' ~Yiddish Proverb
'The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails' ~William Arthur Ward, one of America's most quoted writers of inspirational maxims.
Monday, February 17, 2014
Be still...
'Be still and know that I am God...' ~Psalm 46:10
The language of the Bible is one of beauty, cadence, and poetry. The structure and selection of words produce an abundance of richness.
'Be still and know that I am God.' What does it mean to 'be still' and to 'know' God?
To 'be still' in this context, I think refers to the disposition of the heart and mind of a person. What I mean by that is not allowing oneself to get so caught up in the busyness of life, that one forgets to take moments out of each day to 'stop and smell the roses'. It's about ensuring that you 'slow down' and spend time with God throughout the day... and be enriched by it.
I find it amazing and bewildering to think that the God who made this universe and holds the world in His hand, the one and only Almighty God that there is, wants to spend time with me.
You might ask - how do I spend time with God?
*By praying - Praising, Thanking and Confiding in Him: telling God what is on our heart, acknowledging that He is there and that you trust Him. (A post on Prayer to come soon).
*Reading His Word, the Bible. When we go on a journey in the car to somewhere we haven't been before or are unsure where to go and which way to turn, we take and use a map. Life is a journey full of twists and turns, and the Bible is the map for life.
*Singing songs of praise
*Being amongst His creation - for example walking along the beach, bushwalking or hiking, watching a sunset, standing at the top of a ski run and looking at snow-capped mountain views, standing under a canopy of stars... just being surrounded by His beauty.
I tend to combine ways of spending time with God; for example I'll walk along the beach and pray; I like to pray before and after I read any passage out of the Bible...
In today's society, where life just seems to get more and more busy, it isn't easy to 'be still' - life's realities are a distraction. Being 'still' is something that God expects and encourages us to do throughout our day; it is an inherent quality that God wants us to develop. Why? When we close the door on the world and open the windows to heaven, by way of setting aside time to just 'be', we allow our minds to 'take a break' from the stresses of life, change and re-direct our focus, and thus enrich our hearts and minds with God's love.
By spending time with God, you get to 'know' God - know Who He is, What He is capable of, What He has done, What He will continue to do for you and just how much HE LOVES YOU!
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
forever in the next.
Amen.
~Reinhold Niebuhr
The language of the Bible is one of beauty, cadence, and poetry. The structure and selection of words produce an abundance of richness.
'Be still and know that I am God.' What does it mean to 'be still' and to 'know' God?
To 'be still' in this context, I think refers to the disposition of the heart and mind of a person. What I mean by that is not allowing oneself to get so caught up in the busyness of life, that one forgets to take moments out of each day to 'stop and smell the roses'. It's about ensuring that you 'slow down' and spend time with God throughout the day... and be enriched by it.
I find it amazing and bewildering to think that the God who made this universe and holds the world in His hand, the one and only Almighty God that there is, wants to spend time with me.
You might ask - how do I spend time with God?
*By praying - Praising, Thanking and Confiding in Him: telling God what is on our heart, acknowledging that He is there and that you trust Him. (A post on Prayer to come soon).
*Reading His Word, the Bible. When we go on a journey in the car to somewhere we haven't been before or are unsure where to go and which way to turn, we take and use a map. Life is a journey full of twists and turns, and the Bible is the map for life.*Singing songs of praise
*Being amongst His creation - for example walking along the beach, bushwalking or hiking, watching a sunset, standing at the top of a ski run and looking at snow-capped mountain views, standing under a canopy of stars... just being surrounded by His beauty.
I tend to combine ways of spending time with God; for example I'll walk along the beach and pray; I like to pray before and after I read any passage out of the Bible...
In today's society, where life just seems to get more and more busy, it isn't easy to 'be still' - life's realities are a distraction. Being 'still' is something that God expects and encourages us to do throughout our day; it is an inherent quality that God wants us to develop. Why? When we close the door on the world and open the windows to heaven, by way of setting aside time to just 'be', we allow our minds to 'take a break' from the stresses of life, change and re-direct our focus, and thus enrich our hearts and minds with God's love.
By spending time with God, you get to 'know' God - know Who He is, What He is capable of, What He has done, What He will continue to do for you and just how much HE LOVES YOU!
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
forever in the next.
Amen.
~Reinhold Niebuhr
Friday, February 14, 2014
'Precious in His sight'
Valentine's Day...
Relationships and the joy of being in love - a fitting topic for the day I would say!
Last year, it is estimated that the number of roses produced for Valentine's Day was 233 million... (I assume the majority of them red). Wow!
I once heard of an analogy between a red rose and moral purity.
It's a story of a thought-provoking message given at a youth group. The leader stands up in front of the group and holds up a single red rose - one that they had bought from a florist on their way to that evening. They ask each person to pass it around and hold it for a moment. Take the time to look at it from all angles, smell it, rub a petal in between their fingers and feel its texture, and if they liked, take a petal from the flower to keep for themselves.
Each person handed it around and did just that - enjoyed its beauty, and then the last person handed it back to the leader. The leader looked at the rose, in its now damaged and handled state and held it up again in front of the group. At the same time, the leader also held up another red rose, one that was bought at the same time as the other, but left on the table while the other was passed around.
He asked the group, which one do you want?
The group unanimously stated the one that was untouched...
A wise woman explained the same concept from a different perspective, using a different analogy.
'If I bought a car and wanted to know how to have it last and run at its very best, I would need to consult the makers of that car, or the owner’s manual, to find out what the instructions are for proper care and use. Likewise, we have a Creator who knows what is best for us. He knows what will bring us the most joy, and Him the most glory. He has left us a manual, as well, the Bible. We encourage all of our children to follow God’s plan for their lives. Living outside of God’s plan will only bring temporary happiness at best, and it will most definitely end in heartache and despair. God’s Word is very clear to us on this subject. His will is one man and one woman - for life! To someone who might not know the Lord, His restrictions might seem harsh and unloving. Quite the contrary is experienced by those who know and love Him. His ways are best for us, even if we don’t understand. A two year old might cry because his parents buckle him in a car seat, limiting his freedom. The loving parent knows, however, that the car seat will protect him from calamity.' ~Kelly Bates
'...you are precious and honoured in my sight... because I love you' ~Isaiah 43:3
Purity in relationships in today's society is often regarded as elusive and old fashioned; seldom understand the preciousness of that gift; the fact that it can only be given once, to one person. Society has differing views, expectations and stereotypes for women and men regarding this topic; but purity is just as much for guys as it is for girls.
It can be hard to pursue and hard to maintain, because we live in a world that promotes all things impure.
I think it is important to recognise what is personally tempting and set boundaries for protection. And of course, pray! Stay close to God.
Please, dear Lord, guard my heart and my mind from things impure, and for the one you have for me. Give me the strength to withstand temptation.
When temptation presents itself - it offers the opportunity to do the right thing, just as much as it offers the opportunity to do the wrong thing. It is a choice. Life is all about choices.
We all make mistakes, yes that is true. And for some, they may feel like it's too late - but it is not! One can choose to pursue a second purity.
'...Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things' ~Philippians 4:8
Relationships and the joy of being in love - a fitting topic for the day I would say!
I once heard of an analogy between a red rose and moral purity.
It's a story of a thought-provoking message given at a youth group. The leader stands up in front of the group and holds up a single red rose - one that they had bought from a florist on their way to that evening. They ask each person to pass it around and hold it for a moment. Take the time to look at it from all angles, smell it, rub a petal in between their fingers and feel its texture, and if they liked, take a petal from the flower to keep for themselves. Each person handed it around and did just that - enjoyed its beauty, and then the last person handed it back to the leader. The leader looked at the rose, in its now damaged and handled state and held it up again in front of the group. At the same time, the leader also held up another red rose, one that was bought at the same time as the other, but left on the table while the other was passed around.
He asked the group, which one do you want?
The group unanimously stated the one that was untouched...
A wise woman explained the same concept from a different perspective, using a different analogy.
'If I bought a car and wanted to know how to have it last and run at its very best, I would need to consult the makers of that car, or the owner’s manual, to find out what the instructions are for proper care and use. Likewise, we have a Creator who knows what is best for us. He knows what will bring us the most joy, and Him the most glory. He has left us a manual, as well, the Bible. We encourage all of our children to follow God’s plan for their lives. Living outside of God’s plan will only bring temporary happiness at best, and it will most definitely end in heartache and despair. God’s Word is very clear to us on this subject. His will is one man and one woman - for life! To someone who might not know the Lord, His restrictions might seem harsh and unloving. Quite the contrary is experienced by those who know and love Him. His ways are best for us, even if we don’t understand. A two year old might cry because his parents buckle him in a car seat, limiting his freedom. The loving parent knows, however, that the car seat will protect him from calamity.' ~Kelly Bates
'...you are precious and honoured in my sight... because I love you' ~Isaiah 43:3
Purity in relationships in today's society is often regarded as elusive and old fashioned; seldom understand the preciousness of that gift; the fact that it can only be given once, to one person. Society has differing views, expectations and stereotypes for women and men regarding this topic; but purity is just as much for guys as it is for girls.
It can be hard to pursue and hard to maintain, because we live in a world that promotes all things impure.I think it is important to recognise what is personally tempting and set boundaries for protection. And of course, pray! Stay close to God.
Please, dear Lord, guard my heart and my mind from things impure, and for the one you have for me. Give me the strength to withstand temptation.
When temptation presents itself - it offers the opportunity to do the right thing, just as much as it offers the opportunity to do the wrong thing. It is a choice. Life is all about choices.
We all make mistakes, yes that is true. And for some, they may feel like it's too late - but it is not! One can choose to pursue a second purity.
'...Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things' ~Philippians 4:8
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Look up
Whilst on my walk this morning, it occurred to me that I often look down. "Why" I thought? Numerous reasons came to mind... the mindset of being 'in the zone'; to avoid tripping on an uneven surface, avoid stepping in any dog droppings, avoid the sun shining under my hat...
Then it came to me, "oh how I must look up!"
I immediately did and what did I see? Beautiful clouds in a beautiful blue sky.
'Look up at the heavens and see; gaze at the clouds so high above you' ~Job 35:5
It got me thinking about life in general, and how we can easily get caught up in all the busyness and wrapped in the 'things' we have. 1 John 2:16-17 explains that the 'things' of life come and go - they are materialistic, perishable, tangible, temporary. So easy to get attached to and become consumed with.
Getting caught up can detract and distract one from 'quiet times' throughout the day - time that is focused on building, strengthening and enriching one's relationship with Jesus - a relationship that is enduring, forever and will never cease, but be carried into eternity.
'Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me' ~John 14:6
In other words, we can't experience God's love until we realise how finite, fickle and fading our lives are here on earth, and then be bathed in the grace and mercy of accepting that Jesus died that we might know and experience the joys of heaven above - tasting it now on earth in the beauty of nature, and later for eternity, when our souls are lifted up.
'Be still and know that I am God' ~Psalm 46:10
Then it came to me, "oh how I must look up!"
I immediately did and what did I see? Beautiful clouds in a beautiful blue sky.
'Look up at the heavens and see; gaze at the clouds so high above you' ~Job 35:5
It got me thinking about life in general, and how we can easily get caught up in all the busyness and wrapped in the 'things' we have. 1 John 2:16-17 explains that the 'things' of life come and go - they are materialistic, perishable, tangible, temporary. So easy to get attached to and become consumed with.
Getting caught up can detract and distract one from 'quiet times' throughout the day - time that is focused on building, strengthening and enriching one's relationship with Jesus - a relationship that is enduring, forever and will never cease, but be carried into eternity.
'Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me' ~John 14:6
In other words, we can't experience God's love until we realise how finite, fickle and fading our lives are here on earth, and then be bathed in the grace and mercy of accepting that Jesus died that we might know and experience the joys of heaven above - tasting it now on earth in the beauty of nature, and later for eternity, when our souls are lifted up.
'Be still and know that I am God' ~Psalm 46:10
Monday, February 3, 2014
A small piece of heaven
Bright lights of the city, dull the true beauty and glistening of the stars. Thus, for one week in early January each year, I look forward to escaping the hustle and bustle of suburbia to head out into wide open space to encounter their true and vivid glow.
As the light of the day fades, the stars emerge to fill the expanse of the black canvas of the night time sky. I'm captivated and filled with awe as I stare up into the infinite expanse, the ascending abyss. Peaceful reflection compels me to thank God for giving me life that I may stand and witness such a sight.
'How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise Him!' ~Psalm 147:1b
God of wonders beyond our galaxy, the universe declares His majesty.
'When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place...' ~Psalm 8:3
'He determines the number of stars and calls them each by name' ~Psalm 147:4
It is amazing, bewildering, breathtaking, perplexing; overwhelmingly impossible to grasp the true vastness of. Our minds are so finite - not capable of fully comprehending God and all His glory, His wonder, His power, His might, His love.
'I spread my out my hands to you...' ~Psalm 143:6a
It is moments like these when we are privileged to witness a fragment of who God is - we encounter Him; we capture a small glimpse of the eternity that awaits us by experiencing a piece of heaven.
For '...as it is written: "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived" the things God has prepared for those who love him' ~1 Corinthians 2:9
May you be blessed, the next time you lift your head to examine a small piece of heaven.
~Leah
As the light of the day fades, the stars emerge to fill the expanse of the black canvas of the night time sky. I'm captivated and filled with awe as I stare up into the infinite expanse, the ascending abyss. Peaceful reflection compels me to thank God for giving me life that I may stand and witness such a sight.
'How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise Him!' ~Psalm 147:1b
God of wonders beyond our galaxy, the universe declares His majesty.
'When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place...' ~Psalm 8:3
'He determines the number of stars and calls them each by name' ~Psalm 147:4
It is amazing, bewildering, breathtaking, perplexing; overwhelmingly impossible to grasp the true vastness of. Our minds are so finite - not capable of fully comprehending God and all His glory, His wonder, His power, His might, His love.
'I spread my out my hands to you...' ~Psalm 143:6a
It is moments like these when we are privileged to witness a fragment of who God is - we encounter Him; we capture a small glimpse of the eternity that awaits us by experiencing a piece of heaven.
For '...as it is written: "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived" the things God has prepared for those who love him' ~1 Corinthians 2:9
~Leah
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