Inspiration

Intimacy with Christ

Reflections for contemplative living

Do you take the time to ponder the places in your heart that are wounded? You know the ones where you are most vulnerable to lies.  The areas that take you away from the truth that you are a beloved daughter of God and there is nothing you can do to earn or lose His love.

God wants to speak truth into those places in your heart where lies have taken hold. There is no one safer than Jesus to invite into the tender places of your heart.

Take a moment today to pray Jeremiah 30:17:

For I will restore your health; I will heal your injuries. 

Then journal about the following questions: Are there wounds—spiritual or physical—that you need Jesus to heal? What lies are you believing that you need Jesus to speak truth into? Have you ever seen God reveal His glory through your wounds?

Let’s get real today with the One who loved us first.

Inspiration

Christ’s Glory

Reflections for contemplative living

Entertaining the wrong questions in our mind can be destructive.  It may seem harmless when we start playing the “what if” game.  What if I had a different job? What if I had more money? What if I did not have this situation in my life?  Would life be better?  

First, this kind of thinking steals our joy and robs us of the inner peace we have around the blessings in our life.  Second, asking what if plants seeds of doubt in our mind about God’s goodness.  It is easy to start running down the rabbit trail of questioning, does He really want what is best for me?  Does He understand?  Evil is subtle and wants us to rebel against God and doubt His unconditional love for us.  It is usually a gradual process and over time, if left unchecked, can lead us far away from the truth and how we were meant to live.  It takes us into the future versus seeing what is in front of us today where we can bring love and compassion to those in front of us. The love and compassion we can bring to the person in front of us, each moment, is being the hands and feet of Jesus in this world. 

When we entertain the wrong questions in our mind, we shift our gaze off God’s goodness.  This is a symptom of our human condition and free will.  

“But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:3)

Let’s lead our thoughts to become actions for Christ’s glory today!

I think Abraham Lincoln has it right in saying that “Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

Inspiration

Angels Among Us 

Reflections for contemplative living

Do you see the angels before you?

The other morning, I was headed on a business trip after a rough night in the Emergency Room with my husband who was not feeling well. I reached out to Betty, a woman who has been in my life for 30+ years, to see if she could help me with something while I was away for a few days. In this instance she was busy, but she’s been there for me and my children, caring for us and our home like we were her own. I call her my angel.

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Inspiration

Peaceable People 

Reflections for contemplative living

The peace in you makes peace in others.  

Peaceable people accomplish more good than learned people do. Those who are passionate often can turn good into evil and readily believe the worst. But those who are honest and peaceful turn all things to good and are suspicious of no one.

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Inspiration

King of My Heart

Reflections for contemplative living

Who do you turn to for advice for simple or important decisions? Who rules your emotions and desires. Who orders the priorities of your day?  Is Christ the King of your heart? 

Let the King of my heart, be the mountain where I run. The fountain I drink from, be the shadow where I hide. The ransom for my life, be the wind inside my sails. The anchor in the waves, be the fire inside my veins. The echo of my days.

Bethel Music and Steffany Gretzinger

Thank you, Lord, for being King of my heart. 

Inspiration

Mystical Transformation 

Reflections for contemplative living

The yeast and the mustard seed demonstrate the mystery of transformation. Look around you today, and notice the signs of God’s transformation – the beauty of fall, the kindness of neighbors, forgiveness between children, hope for the world despite violence and war.

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Inspiration

Our Forever Life

Reflections for contemplative living

No matter how good or how beautiful our life is here below, it is destined to pass into nonbeing. You know that sunset that you might have enjoyed last night—that radiantly beautiful display—is now forever gone. It lasted only a while. 

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