And God Said

Acceptance

Acceptance is not approval, consent, permission, authorization, sanction, concurrence, agreement, compliance, sympathy, endorsement, confirmation, support, ratification, assistance, advocating, backing, maintaining, furthering, promoting, aiding, abetting or even liking what is.

Acceptance is saying, “It is what it is, and what is is what is.”

All Philosophers have understood this That a rose is a rose is a rose. And even Popeye says: "I am what I am.” All have understood that this is the way to acceptance.

Spiritual Longing

In everyone's heart stirs a great homesickness.

~ Rabbi Seymour Siegel

We ask ourselves what drove us to do some of the things we did? We went to extremes even when we knew our actions were not rational. Still today, we are drawn to extremes. At times we still long for things that we know will hurt us. Are we puzzled by these desires? Wise men and prophets have searched their own deep truths to understand their desires and longings. Many say that our desires and hungers are, at the base of our being, a search for a spiritual home, a place where we know we are welcome, safe, and loved. Perhaps we are all born longing for that home. Maybe we first taste it when we first experience the warmth of loving and caring parents, even when it was only a taste, and only partially satisfied. Then we spend the rest of our lives in pursuit of that good feeling again.

The wisdom of our Faith in a God of love points us toward that spiritual home, a lifetime of growth and development follows in which we feel the spirit in our fellowship with other men and women, and we learn from others how they have found their way home.

Today the stirring in my heart will be a sign of my spiritual longing.

Ball of Yarn

“When I look back on all these worries I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which never happened.” ~Winston Churchill

A rolled-up ball of yarn does not take up much space--it sits, ready to be used when needed. It gets unrolled a little bit at a time--just as much as is needed and no more. But a ball of yarn that gets unraveled can be strewn across an entire room. It becomes a jumbled mass, entangled and confusing.

When we live our lives a day at a time, we are like that rolled-up ball of yarn. Our thoughts, feelings, and skills are ready to be used as they are needed. But when we worry, our spirit becomes a jumbled mass of yarn. We get ahead of and behind ourselves--our thoughts are scattered and often our feelings are confused. Worry adds clutter and confusion to life.

What is most helpful is to put the worry away--to roll up the ball of yarn and bring ourselves into the present moment. In this way, we stand ready for each new stitch--and we will never be given more than we are able to handle.

Do I have worries that are cluttering my life today?

Beauty of the Soul

 

Be

 

Lord, Let Me See

You must see the invisible to do the impossible

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

The architect does not design a house that has already been built. That is called copying. To truly design something the architect must first see the completed project in his mind.

The teacher does not encourage a child who has reached old age. That is called remembering. To truly encourage the child the teacher must see the child’s potential before it comes to pass.

The preacher does not inspire others to set their sights on heaven if all he does is read from the Bible. To truly inspire the preacher must first see that city from afar.

Faith is a gift and a blessing. Faith can be strengthened and stretched. Faith can accomplish much.

Faith can accomplish the impossible.

Faith is nothing if it does not see what is invisible.

What we see in our own mind’s eye is called a dream.

What we see in God’s mind is faith.

Dreams may or may not come to pass.

Faith is an absolute—it will happen!

Lord, let me see what you see and let me keep my eyes focused on it until it comes to pass.

I Am Your Friend

 

Independence Day

 

Come Sit with Me

In the evening when I am tired God says, “Come sit with me.”

I speak about the little things that have happened to me during the day and I know I am heard. I share my fears, angers, doubts, and sorrows, and I feel like I am being held. I smile with what energy I have left and I am gently teased.

Then when all the conversation is over and the day has been opened up and emptied out, I am ready to rest. Nothing is solved. Nothing is under control. But also nothing pressing remains. 

But as I go to sleep a fleeting thought breaks the smooth surface of my peace: What would I do each night if God didn't say, “Come sit with me.”?

Psalm 115

Psalm 115

Not to us, O LORD, not to us

but to your name give glory

because of your kindness, 

because of your truth.

Why should the pagans say,

“Where is their God?’’

Our God is in heaven;

whatever he wills, he does.

Their idols are silver and gold,

the handiwork of men.

They have mouths but speak not;

they have eyes but see not;

they have ears but hear not;

they have noses but smell not.

Their makers shall be like them,

everyone who trusts in them.

The house of Israel trusts in the LORD;

he is their help and their shield.