Seasons of Change

Autumn leaves fall like rain outside my window. Fierce winds strip the trees of their Autumn splendor, carpeting the lawn in rich colors of the season.  The colorful canopies are stripped bare, leaving naked branches reaching to the sky. Why must the seasons pass so quickly?

The little boys who once played in the leaves are now young men finding their way in the world. Special family members who guided our lives for decades now whisper to us from Heaven.

All is as it should be, and yet, a lingering sadness can consume me if I allow it. But I know wishing for times gone by is a futile waste of my thoughts and energy. I cherish my memories, and treasure all the wonderful joys a lifetime brings.

It helps to keep myself in this moment, enjoying the dance of the leaves as they are freed from their summer perch. I will go out and crunch through the fallen piles of summer’s glory, now crisp and crackly and heaped ankle deep in the woods.

Every season has its beauty, and each moment of life is meant to be savored. If we are to live and love and grow as we amble along life’s path, we must pause to let the beauty of living soak deeply into our lives.

So rushed are we that we miss the artistry of the ever changing sky. Sunrises and sunsets mark only the length of days when we rush by them. 

But if we linger, and soak up the colors and the promise of a glorious sunrise; or pause to watch the sun slowly sink into a breath-taking sunset, our spirit is blessed.

Life is meant to be savored. Beauty, and love; friendship, and reaching out to those in need, these are the food for our soul. We must nurture who we are from the inside out. And this includes enriching our lives with these soul-satisfying moments. They are just as important as nourishing food is for energizing our physical bodies.

Energizing our spirit, knowing true peace, pausing to breathe and being thankful for the gifts of beauty, love, and life itself, brings our focus into the moment. The world around is ever-changing. What remains as our constant is our connection to self.

Mindfulness and living in the moment help us to slow the pace, just a little, allowing  time to savor the delicate beauty that is life. We must be purposeful in searching out those moments that rest our thoughts, and calm our spirit.

Perhaps by adapting our lifestyles to mindfulness, we can slow the pace just a little bit, and capture the beauty of the seasons of our lives before they too quickly pass by.

If we offer a thankful heart when beauty touches our lives, we can, for that moment, slow down the passage of time.

Savor the moment, and capture the feeling. The peace will stay with you long after the moment has passed. And nestled deep in your spirit, it will help to heal the rush of life passing by too quickly, like the dizzying swirl of falling leaves.

What Do You Hunger For?

Sunday Scripture

and a

Song

I believe God puts a hunger in each of us that cries out against injustice, with a desire for what is right to prevail. I believe we are meant for peace, and that our purpose in this life to is to ease the suffering of those around us. 

If we are to live rightly, then we must honor our deepest desire for a world where suffering and hatred would cease; where the oneness of all living things would be honored and cherished. And I believe this begins within each one of us.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled." Matthew 5:6 (NIV)

"Blessed Are the Ones" by Audrey Assad

Subscribers please click on Hope to find to view this video on my blog site.

The Absolute Truth

Unseen forces pull at my heart, putting thoughts into my head that tell me I should be dissatisfied with my life.  Does this ever happen to you? Things seem to be going along swimmingly, and then something happens that causes me to feel angry or neglected. 

I become overwhelmed with angry feelings, and words slip through my lips that should never have been uttered. Is there any hope for me to gain control? Am I destined to be the unwitting pawn in this game of emotional chess?

I believe there is an absolute truth in the reality which we live, and that Truth comes from God alone. So many forces vie for our time, our talents, and our resources, and we can feel pulled in too many directions. Sometimes I feel myself become weary of trying to please everyone, and wonder, “what about me?” 

I have come to realize that this is the time to check my focus. Just whom am I trying to please? If I can keep God as a constant on my radar, then I don’t need to push beyond where I sense His Presence. 

When I am challenged, the first thing I should do is ask, how can this please God? How does this serve Him? Is what I am doing worthy of His glory? 

Too often I run off on my own, taking on too many tasks, or fighting my own battles, when all I need to do is turn my thoughts to God, and I am calmed. Sometimes I feel embarrassed that I forgot, again, to come to Him first.

When I keep His Presence in my heart, the power of His Counselor, the Holy Spirit, is always just a thought away, with answers to help me and guide me. It’s so simple, really. I make it much harder than it needs to be. 

The absolute truth is God’s word, and His work in my life. If I can keep my focus where it needs to be, on Him, and not on the ways of the world, I won’t be tempted by the unwritten desires of my heart. 

God will fill me with His love and peace, and the forces that would compete to destroy my serenity are vanquished. 

It takes effort to slow down, and to connect with God on every thought. But soon it becomes habit, and it would feel awkward to make an important decision without persistent prayer. When joys touch my life, my first thought should be gratitude to God. This connection is an endless cycle that keeps my focus where it needs to be, and honestly, brings out the best in me.

As hard as it is to do, when I get angry and lose my composure, I need to stop and pray. It seems to be a constant battle to control my sensibilities. And I want to feel in control. 

I have learned that the only way to be in control is to surrender my free will to the One who knows me better than I know myself. God would never steer me wrong, and He always knows my need. It is empowering and freeing to know that I can be in control simply by asking for God’s help. 

Take the time to open your heart to Him. Tell Him everything on your mind. He already knows, but coming to Him in this way assures your trust in Him. Pour out your feelings, and even in the depths of despair, you may know a peace beyond understanding. God is worthy of our time and attention, and He is waiting to hear from us. 

A Refuge in a Weary World

Sunday Scripture

and a

Song

"Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
    for my hope is in him.
 

He alone is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress where I will not be shaken.
 My victory and honor come from God alone.
    He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.


O my people, trust in him at all times.
    Pour out your heart to him,
    for God is our refuge. "
Psalm 62:5-8 (NLT)

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Enjoy the beautiful piano accompaniment in this introspective song by Audrey Assad 

"O My Soul"

Subscribers please click on Hope to find to view this video on my blog site. Thank You!

Help Through Difficult Times

Sunday Scripture

and a

Song

"The Lord is my strength and shield.
    I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
    I burst out in songs of thanksgiving."

Psalm 28:7 (NLT)

Believe in the Truth that God is our help in every situation. Never be afraid to reach out to Him in your time of need. Praise Him in the good times, and praise Him in times of trouble. He will provide all we need.

Today's uplifting song is from The Museum, and is titled 

"My Help Comes From the Lord"

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Subscribers please click Hope to find to view this video on my blog site. Thanks!