We look at a new year as a new beginning.
It is a new bud of creation in time.
A flowering of entire new generations of time under the grand universe that God has designed for us.
God, as the Chief architect, wants to commune with us, his stewards here on Earth.
We mark time each new year, but remember God SEES ALL at once. He does not chide us for every little act or symbolic way we remember or reverence time, but in the scriptures, we are asked to not obsess over dates and numbers literally. This is to guard you when you observe your faith within the context of your situation or the religious leanings you may have. Faith also guards you against fear of things yet to come.
When the call is to rejoice in every day, it means to count each day special before God and to rejoice anew and KNOW that God is constant in time. If we separate each day in time and equate that to failures or successes, we get distracted by the countless complexities of life and are distracted from the nature of God's faithfulness to us.
Here is a meditation I found on You Tube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8YOPj5TnUM&feature=related
Here is a song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8YOPj5TnUM&feature=related
It's by Robin Mark, a worship leader who leads revivals and meetings, and he is known for this in Ireland and other parts of the world.
If you do not yet have a devotional guide for the New Year or want to create your own, begin a journal that expresses your heart before the Lord in Heaven.
Devotionals are guides and do not replace the scriptures in your lives. They are to supplement the process of study, or to point you to God's faithfulness throughout the course of the year.
Enjoy this new year before God.
May it enfold you as the years past have done for the people of old.
May you enjoy and grow in your faith and have a renewed sense of joy before your maker.
Remember, He designed you with purpose and a plan, and He wants to commune with you in many, many ways in the coming days. Ask Him in what ways you can contribute to His magnificent beneficence. Some are called to pray more, some to give more, and some to express the goodness in their hearts. Ask God to reveal this to you in time.
God bless and keep everyone who reads this page, this year and for always.
Remain in the faith.
Your Sister in the Faith,
Jo
Friday, January 14, 2011
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Indecisiveness of Temptation
There are times when life offers you choices. At those times, you either risk making a mistake, or find that your decision brought you success. In this devotion, I will be talking about another kind of decision.
People who are caught between a rock and a hard place in life stumble upon situations that force them to choose. It can be a lifestyle, an addiction that takes a hold of you, or a relationship that led you to a major dilemma in life.
You may have thought you were strong enough to resist this in your life, but here you are,stuck and still hanging on. Years ago, when I used to assess personal situations, certain words or verses would come to mind that would give me strength or release me. They seemed so potent or powerful at the time. I didn't know why.
Later, when I became busy with work,life, and stopped reading the Word, I would find myself the target of temptations. A lot of time, I was favoured with busyness and with accountability to family, friends,or a church, and I always remembered from past advice and drew knowledge from that.
A new crisis sometimes occurs, one that you have never handled before, and sometimes it creeps in without you even being aware what is happening. It can be in the form or a game, or a subtle delusion, or even a snare of outsiders who want to manipulate you for fun. They say they don't mean you harm, but they do serious damage to you.
They are not always empathetic to this at first.
An example may be a person who is a friend who uses your name fradulently to have an affair, or it can be you yourself who is unaware you can be tempting a friend. At times, these incidents may turn into a relationship behind the scenes. I think there are people this happens to a whole lot, or they are around this so much that they lose sight that it is wrong.
With an addiction, it can start at a party, or when you are home alone and are idle.
It may replace another addiction or be a sign that you are compensating for something else that is missing in your life. I remember fearing food - a -holism after hearing about it for the first time at a high school lecture, and I finally got to think about it and realized that was not the area where I was to be tempted. It may not have been a weak point to me, but I remember engaging in a mental debate in myself about it for a couple of days.
I think songs like Michele Wagner's, "Beautiful" allowed me to get through that doubt faster, and then there was a singer named Kim (whose last name I can't remember)reminded me that if they don't honour God, they are not going to honour you. That helped me keep away from people trolling for sex at the time. There was another one where it reminded you that if they cared, they would wait for you.
Now that I am older, I realise men are being pressured by their buddies and in the world, they feel they have to prove themselves to their contingent and keep a score card to prove their manliness. It sounds like a stupid reason to prey upon a woman, but it is another version of peer pressure. A lot of men never learned to handle this in school, nor were they ever expected to say no by their elders.
Michael W. Smith has a song with the words, "if the lord's the lord of them" that also kept me on track for years. (Friends song)
I found this one on You Tube just today. This makes you think about the problem,the mulling over the decision, the back and forth of it, and the trouble it brings to a person in his or her course of life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4wvMueCQIs&feature=related
Temptation seems to get the best of most of us.
I think it is a sign that decisions have to be made in life, and you have to mentally process the feelings and choices that go along with those feelings. Either it is safe for you to do it, or thinking about it can be dangerous and lead you to doing it. So, you have to know which way it is with you.
Trust in God to handle it for you, if you place the situation in His hands.
People are embarrassed to admit to God and to their friends that they are being tempted by something or someone. They are ashamed that it can be viewed negatively by their minister or church. So, they avoid discussing it altogether.
There isn't enough teaching about it, because people feel it is not as important,perhaps, or they think they can never be susceptible to it. I don't think there is any other time better than now to get a handle on this situation.
If you're in a position such as this, you are not alone. Trust a counselor or a good friend who would have you use good judgment,standards,values, and morals. Talk it through. Temptation has pricked even great leaders, priests, ministers, and it is the first test that a child goes through as he or she matures.
Feelings are given to us to process things. It is not a matter of shame. What happens when you fall into temptation or succumb to it is what causes damage outside yourself. Sometimes, you may manage to hide it, and no one ever finds out. Other times,it causes loss, desolation, sin, and you feel rejected and unwanted or used afterward.
This is a serious crises within you, so seek help.
Seek guidance from the Word.
I always liked the promise from the Bible:
"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God..all these things will be added to you." I think that what you can feel is assurance from that and salvation, not to mention peace of mind that you made peace with yourself and with God.
I found a reason why I may be tempted in the first place. I figured that I may not be visiting the Scriptures as regularly as I should, or even thinking upon God. Isolating from God makes me alienated, and I may not be in a relationship that I need as a result of that. Instead, a relationship that I WANT has crept in and substituted for what I need to do. This wasn't the only reason. I think I had other reasons for being tempted in the areas of thought.
Now, I realize I can sometimes confuse liking a person for being tempted by them. It's because I didn't process what I feel for them yet, or others may be telling me that I like them as a form of entertainment or gossip, and I may have digested this somehow. Lately, I find that I feel things for people I don't know or haven't met yet.
That, in of itself, does not worry me, because I can always say it is an infatuation or a crush, but if I were given the actual opportunity to pursue it, I may think of it. I have to admit this to myself. I may not be fool - hardy to pursue it in actuality, but thinking about it can actually make me stumble.
That's the whole point! You have to have a firm footing on the ground on which to stand, so you will not stumble or trip.
In this instance, I would either remove myself from the danger of exposing myself to it, or I would discipline my mind to stop thinking about it altogether. That, however, only comes through practice or constancy on the Word.
I also believe that all good people are tempted,so we have to go to an expert on it.
Jesus
He would be the ideal one to ask and to pray to and ask what to do.
I condemn people who expose people for being tempted or make fun of them by playing games with them, writing false texts or emails to further it along, or impersonate the intended person this person is trying to get over. In some cultures, people actually get into major trouble for this. People goad them,stalk them, disable or maim them for dwelling on temptation that may possibly lead to adultery.
Another way I look at the problem is with objectivity and subjectivity.
If I distance myself from the situation, I can actually feel what I am going through and tell myself what I need to, and steer myself away from the problem. The other way is to SEE the PERSON as a PERSON and not as an OBJECT or an OBJECT of desire.
If I see their life, their person, or their family, I may be able to make the right decision sooner than if I look at them through fantasy or a scene out of context.
I ask myself things regarding addictions. "Is this going to help me or harm me?"
If I know I can stop and know for sure, I may escape. But, what if I am not sure?
If you have a doubt or tension in that situation, then you KNOW it is an area where you might stumble.
To sum it up, doubts only happen if you are insecure about a situation. To feel secure, examine why these feelings may be coming up at the current time. Place them in context, and place the person in the context of the time. (For example, I am feeling lonely that my husband is away, and I am replacing someone else who happens to be around..etc.) This may sound trite, but it may be helpful to see if this is the same reason the temptation occurs the next time around.
Verses to Look Up: When you face temptation by people, places, or things..or, if it applies, animals, vegetables, or minerals.
http://bible.cc/romans/3-23.htm
http://bible.cc/psalms/119-11.htm
http://bible.cc/romans/3-23.htm
In the mean time, if you cannot study the verses or the Word, distract yourself until you can. Think about other things. That will help you and make your resistance stronger.
Have Faith.
People who are caught between a rock and a hard place in life stumble upon situations that force them to choose. It can be a lifestyle, an addiction that takes a hold of you, or a relationship that led you to a major dilemma in life.
You may have thought you were strong enough to resist this in your life, but here you are,stuck and still hanging on. Years ago, when I used to assess personal situations, certain words or verses would come to mind that would give me strength or release me. They seemed so potent or powerful at the time. I didn't know why.
Later, when I became busy with work,life, and stopped reading the Word, I would find myself the target of temptations. A lot of time, I was favoured with busyness and with accountability to family, friends,or a church, and I always remembered from past advice and drew knowledge from that.
A new crisis sometimes occurs, one that you have never handled before, and sometimes it creeps in without you even being aware what is happening. It can be in the form or a game, or a subtle delusion, or even a snare of outsiders who want to manipulate you for fun. They say they don't mean you harm, but they do serious damage to you.
They are not always empathetic to this at first.
An example may be a person who is a friend who uses your name fradulently to have an affair, or it can be you yourself who is unaware you can be tempting a friend. At times, these incidents may turn into a relationship behind the scenes. I think there are people this happens to a whole lot, or they are around this so much that they lose sight that it is wrong.
With an addiction, it can start at a party, or when you are home alone and are idle.
It may replace another addiction or be a sign that you are compensating for something else that is missing in your life. I remember fearing food - a -holism after hearing about it for the first time at a high school lecture, and I finally got to think about it and realized that was not the area where I was to be tempted. It may not have been a weak point to me, but I remember engaging in a mental debate in myself about it for a couple of days.
I think songs like Michele Wagner's, "Beautiful" allowed me to get through that doubt faster, and then there was a singer named Kim (whose last name I can't remember)reminded me that if they don't honour God, they are not going to honour you. That helped me keep away from people trolling for sex at the time. There was another one where it reminded you that if they cared, they would wait for you.
Now that I am older, I realise men are being pressured by their buddies and in the world, they feel they have to prove themselves to their contingent and keep a score card to prove their manliness. It sounds like a stupid reason to prey upon a woman, but it is another version of peer pressure. A lot of men never learned to handle this in school, nor were they ever expected to say no by their elders.
Michael W. Smith has a song with the words, "if the lord's the lord of them" that also kept me on track for years. (Friends song)
I found this one on You Tube just today. This makes you think about the problem,the mulling over the decision, the back and forth of it, and the trouble it brings to a person in his or her course of life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4wvMueCQIs&feature=related
Temptation seems to get the best of most of us.
I think it is a sign that decisions have to be made in life, and you have to mentally process the feelings and choices that go along with those feelings. Either it is safe for you to do it, or thinking about it can be dangerous and lead you to doing it. So, you have to know which way it is with you.
Trust in God to handle it for you, if you place the situation in His hands.
People are embarrassed to admit to God and to their friends that they are being tempted by something or someone. They are ashamed that it can be viewed negatively by their minister or church. So, they avoid discussing it altogether.
There isn't enough teaching about it, because people feel it is not as important,perhaps, or they think they can never be susceptible to it. I don't think there is any other time better than now to get a handle on this situation.
If you're in a position such as this, you are not alone. Trust a counselor or a good friend who would have you use good judgment,standards,values, and morals. Talk it through. Temptation has pricked even great leaders, priests, ministers, and it is the first test that a child goes through as he or she matures.
Feelings are given to us to process things. It is not a matter of shame. What happens when you fall into temptation or succumb to it is what causes damage outside yourself. Sometimes, you may manage to hide it, and no one ever finds out. Other times,it causes loss, desolation, sin, and you feel rejected and unwanted or used afterward.
This is a serious crises within you, so seek help.
Seek guidance from the Word.
I always liked the promise from the Bible:
"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God..all these things will be added to you." I think that what you can feel is assurance from that and salvation, not to mention peace of mind that you made peace with yourself and with God.
I found a reason why I may be tempted in the first place. I figured that I may not be visiting the Scriptures as regularly as I should, or even thinking upon God. Isolating from God makes me alienated, and I may not be in a relationship that I need as a result of that. Instead, a relationship that I WANT has crept in and substituted for what I need to do. This wasn't the only reason. I think I had other reasons for being tempted in the areas of thought.
Now, I realize I can sometimes confuse liking a person for being tempted by them. It's because I didn't process what I feel for them yet, or others may be telling me that I like them as a form of entertainment or gossip, and I may have digested this somehow. Lately, I find that I feel things for people I don't know or haven't met yet.
That, in of itself, does not worry me, because I can always say it is an infatuation or a crush, but if I were given the actual opportunity to pursue it, I may think of it. I have to admit this to myself. I may not be fool - hardy to pursue it in actuality, but thinking about it can actually make me stumble.
That's the whole point! You have to have a firm footing on the ground on which to stand, so you will not stumble or trip.
In this instance, I would either remove myself from the danger of exposing myself to it, or I would discipline my mind to stop thinking about it altogether. That, however, only comes through practice or constancy on the Word.
I also believe that all good people are tempted,so we have to go to an expert on it.
Jesus
He would be the ideal one to ask and to pray to and ask what to do.
I condemn people who expose people for being tempted or make fun of them by playing games with them, writing false texts or emails to further it along, or impersonate the intended person this person is trying to get over. In some cultures, people actually get into major trouble for this. People goad them,stalk them, disable or maim them for dwelling on temptation that may possibly lead to adultery.
Another way I look at the problem is with objectivity and subjectivity.
If I distance myself from the situation, I can actually feel what I am going through and tell myself what I need to, and steer myself away from the problem. The other way is to SEE the PERSON as a PERSON and not as an OBJECT or an OBJECT of desire.
If I see their life, their person, or their family, I may be able to make the right decision sooner than if I look at them through fantasy or a scene out of context.
I ask myself things regarding addictions. "Is this going to help me or harm me?"
If I know I can stop and know for sure, I may escape. But, what if I am not sure?
If you have a doubt or tension in that situation, then you KNOW it is an area where you might stumble.
To sum it up, doubts only happen if you are insecure about a situation. To feel secure, examine why these feelings may be coming up at the current time. Place them in context, and place the person in the context of the time. (For example, I am feeling lonely that my husband is away, and I am replacing someone else who happens to be around..etc.) This may sound trite, but it may be helpful to see if this is the same reason the temptation occurs the next time around.
Verses to Look Up: When you face temptation by people, places, or things..or, if it applies, animals, vegetables, or minerals.
http://bible.cc/romans/3-23.htm
http://bible.cc/psalms/119-11.htm
http://bible.cc/romans/3-23.htm
In the mean time, if you cannot study the verses or the Word, distract yourself until you can. Think about other things. That will help you and make your resistance stronger.
Have Faith.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Stormie
Praying in Devotion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70ChyisF7-s
Praying is an act that draws you closer to the one that you are addressing.
People forget this, because they dwell on the act or action as being a chore or
a routine that they need to perform. Although, sometimes you need to follow through on your beliefs, a prayer life reveals what is truly lacking in life. It speaks to you about where you need to be on a spiritual plane.
Prayer adds to the element of expressing devotion, because you devote yourself to someone, and in this case, that someone is the Divine. The divine presence is then ushered into your life.
This may scare some people.
What do I do when God comes to me?
What do I do if I start to feel close to God?
Shouldn't He or She (Spirit) be far away at all times to be addressed instead of visiting the worshippers?
These are all valid questions.
I think that listening to worship artists opens our understanding to what worship, prayer, and devotion is all about. It may also be a sign that sometimes we are at odds with people, because we don't have that connection or communion that we need with them in order for that interaction to occur.
I used to be comfortable with a God that was above and beyond, a being far out in the universe that I wanted to come down to me whenever there was a crisis. Now, I find that having a friend or a counselor or guide is not as frightening as I once thought it would be.
We do need to respect how different people and faiths look at the Divine One. That is part of their journey, and it is their concept through which God speaks. Once I was looking at a photo of an angel protecting two children who resembled a Hansel and Gretel wandering about and almost about to fall off at a precipice. The angel was behind them and watching everything. Although it was a painting, I found it a powerful image of God's presence in the lives of children finding their way. A bystander felt that the image was misleading in that she felt God would be right before her and not ever behind her. She also thought that God would not ever lead children into danger in the first place.
I think she missed the whole point entirely, and although I didn't feel slighted, I held my tongue, because her concept of how she viewed God was important to her at the time, and she felt she had to defend this. Later, she berated another woman who had brought icons of saints to the meeting. She was chided eventually by leadership who told her to calm down.
I think we are at different points in our interaction with the Spirit. Some of us know HE is always there. Others feel that they are alone and feel life is meaningless without that feeling that there is something there for them. I think that rather than argue about who is right about every little thing, it is important to know God works with all HIS children in due time. Some come to belief much later than others. Others connect faster, or are bored much earlier. The ways they believe, and the way they grew up is as different as night is to day.
These are all signs that the prayer life needs to be exercised, and our beliefs raise us in the level of communion we need at the time. Devotion is a way of following through in the act of prayer. If you feel comfortable in the way you relate to God, most likely, you will feel comfortable in the way you relate to others.
A relationship is a follow up with your relationships previously, whether in family, church or other place. If you are not experiencing a relationship, you are not in a prayerful place, or are in mock - friendships where you are being used instead.
Prayer and devotion will move you out of the ruts of life and places where there is no growth in friendship. The first one you repair is the time alone with God, and then the rest will cooperate as the time progresses.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70ChyisF7-s
Praying is an act that draws you closer to the one that you are addressing.
People forget this, because they dwell on the act or action as being a chore or
a routine that they need to perform. Although, sometimes you need to follow through on your beliefs, a prayer life reveals what is truly lacking in life. It speaks to you about where you need to be on a spiritual plane.
Prayer adds to the element of expressing devotion, because you devote yourself to someone, and in this case, that someone is the Divine. The divine presence is then ushered into your life.
This may scare some people.
What do I do when God comes to me?
What do I do if I start to feel close to God?
Shouldn't He or She (Spirit) be far away at all times to be addressed instead of visiting the worshippers?
These are all valid questions.
I think that listening to worship artists opens our understanding to what worship, prayer, and devotion is all about. It may also be a sign that sometimes we are at odds with people, because we don't have that connection or communion that we need with them in order for that interaction to occur.
I used to be comfortable with a God that was above and beyond, a being far out in the universe that I wanted to come down to me whenever there was a crisis. Now, I find that having a friend or a counselor or guide is not as frightening as I once thought it would be.
We do need to respect how different people and faiths look at the Divine One. That is part of their journey, and it is their concept through which God speaks. Once I was looking at a photo of an angel protecting two children who resembled a Hansel and Gretel wandering about and almost about to fall off at a precipice. The angel was behind them and watching everything. Although it was a painting, I found it a powerful image of God's presence in the lives of children finding their way. A bystander felt that the image was misleading in that she felt God would be right before her and not ever behind her. She also thought that God would not ever lead children into danger in the first place.
I think she missed the whole point entirely, and although I didn't feel slighted, I held my tongue, because her concept of how she viewed God was important to her at the time, and she felt she had to defend this. Later, she berated another woman who had brought icons of saints to the meeting. She was chided eventually by leadership who told her to calm down.
I think we are at different points in our interaction with the Spirit. Some of us know HE is always there. Others feel that they are alone and feel life is meaningless without that feeling that there is something there for them. I think that rather than argue about who is right about every little thing, it is important to know God works with all HIS children in due time. Some come to belief much later than others. Others connect faster, or are bored much earlier. The ways they believe, and the way they grew up is as different as night is to day.
These are all signs that the prayer life needs to be exercised, and our beliefs raise us in the level of communion we need at the time. Devotion is a way of following through in the act of prayer. If you feel comfortable in the way you relate to God, most likely, you will feel comfortable in the way you relate to others.
A relationship is a follow up with your relationships previously, whether in family, church or other place. If you are not experiencing a relationship, you are not in a prayerful place, or are in mock - friendships where you are being used instead.
Prayer and devotion will move you out of the ruts of life and places where there is no growth in friendship. The first one you repair is the time alone with God, and then the rest will cooperate as the time progresses.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Sanctuary
"Hide me in the shadow of your wings, Oh God."
A prayer made by psalmists and kings reminds me that, I, too, can seek the refuge and
comfort, and safe place in a time of trouble. The imagery of wings reminds me of things that enfold and protect, things that are like parents, safe and trustworthy, things like authority or people you can trust. It is interesting the image of wings gives us faith and trust to rise above circumstances here below that may endanger us.
Wings then keep us safe in an enfolding hovering that we can't always see, but definitely feel..
I think that busy days prevent us from finding places of solace and comfort. Sometimes, it is a place or at times, it may be one good friend or two, at the most.
For the most part, it is God.
When we can't find a friend or a safe place, we turn to God.
It is a simple thing to remember but so easy to forget in this life we lead.
Our sanctuary is in finding ourselves in His arms.
Knowing this assures me that, I, too, can address the throne like Kings and minstrels.
A prayer made by psalmists and kings reminds me that, I, too, can seek the refuge and
comfort, and safe place in a time of trouble. The imagery of wings reminds me of things that enfold and protect, things that are like parents, safe and trustworthy, things like authority or people you can trust. It is interesting the image of wings gives us faith and trust to rise above circumstances here below that may endanger us.
Wings then keep us safe in an enfolding hovering that we can't always see, but definitely feel..
I think that busy days prevent us from finding places of solace and comfort. Sometimes, it is a place or at times, it may be one good friend or two, at the most.
For the most part, it is God.
When we can't find a friend or a safe place, we turn to God.
It is a simple thing to remember but so easy to forget in this life we lead.
Our sanctuary is in finding ourselves in His arms.
Knowing this assures me that, I, too, can address the throne like Kings and minstrels.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Worship Music
When Worship Connects You to Your Creator:
Soaring with God!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA4narr2wyE&feature=related href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA4narr2wyE&feature=related">
Video by Students:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8sII2I3aYk&feature=relatedhref="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18sII213aYk&feature=related">
Soaring with God!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA4narr2wyE&feature=related href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA4narr2wyE&feature=related">
Video by Students:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8sII2I3aYk&feature=relatedhref="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18sII213aYk&feature=related">
Monday, May 24, 2010
Separation and Loss
Changes
I am one to take change for granted, although I have encountered it time and time again. I believe that sometimes overlooking it can be a form of dealing with the trauma it brings.
When it happens to others you know, it strikes a chord deep within. Strangers going through transitions may be difficult to empathize with, but you know the feelings they are experiencing. Is it better to be silent when you know someone is going through something, or should you actually reach out and say something?
It is a risk that we all take at times. If we make a mistake in what we say or do, then we will eventually find out.
The other day I found out about something sad that happened to someone. I don't know this person in reality, but I felt as if I have known them. I know the people who know this person, and I know of them, because I have grown up seeing them and hearing them. It is difficult to fathom that I can even feel something for someone I don't really know. The irony is that this is possible also.
I went to a site where people who also know this person posted similar thoughts to what I am saying. I felt at peace, because I felt that communion of people who understood what you were talking about and experiencing at that point in time.
I want to stop and say a prayer for this person and their family. I think that
life affords many travails, and this is one of many. I hope that we can all be there
for one another this way.
Think of someone you know today.
What do you think they are going through?
Then think of someone you don't know, but you know what they are going through.
Say a silent prayer or wish them comfort and peace.
It may mean you can do nothing in person, but I think prayers and thoughts
do connect people more than we realize.
That is a devotion in and of itself.
http://www.faithbasedblog.com/youtube_tuesday
I am one to take change for granted, although I have encountered it time and time again. I believe that sometimes overlooking it can be a form of dealing with the trauma it brings.
When it happens to others you know, it strikes a chord deep within. Strangers going through transitions may be difficult to empathize with, but you know the feelings they are experiencing. Is it better to be silent when you know someone is going through something, or should you actually reach out and say something?
It is a risk that we all take at times. If we make a mistake in what we say or do, then we will eventually find out.
The other day I found out about something sad that happened to someone. I don't know this person in reality, but I felt as if I have known them. I know the people who know this person, and I know of them, because I have grown up seeing them and hearing them. It is difficult to fathom that I can even feel something for someone I don't really know. The irony is that this is possible also.
I went to a site where people who also know this person posted similar thoughts to what I am saying. I felt at peace, because I felt that communion of people who understood what you were talking about and experiencing at that point in time.
I want to stop and say a prayer for this person and their family. I think that
life affords many travails, and this is one of many. I hope that we can all be there
for one another this way.
Think of someone you know today.
What do you think they are going through?
Then think of someone you don't know, but you know what they are going through.
Say a silent prayer or wish them comfort and peace.
It may mean you can do nothing in person, but I think prayers and thoughts
do connect people more than we realize.
That is a devotion in and of itself.
http://www.faithbasedblog.com/youtube_tuesday
Monday, April 19, 2010
Conflicts Within
Some days seem to be so unbearable...
You can't seem to bear anything that happens.
Every single moment seems to be working against you.
So many run ins, so many injuries...
so what is one to do?
Sometimes, it is nothing. Sometimes, there is one thing.
It probably varies depending on the situations or circumstances.
I found this You Tube video about a gal who seems over-wrought by an
overwhelming or painful moment of her life. She also reminds me of an
angel or sprite that lives in a nearby pool where people visit.
I had called her "the angel of the silent pool."
The story was supposed to be an allegory of two sisters of faith.
The angel was supposed to be a healing agent for families and children.
She loved being in that little fountain.
In the video, however, she feels estranged or other - wise unable to dwell within
her abode, because some disaster has happened.
Those of you who have ever watched "Faraway So Close" probably can relate
to how angels behave when there is sadness around.
So, I dedicate this song and video to my unborn angel (story)...until she finds
a new home.
Sometimes, life can make you feel displaced, but these are moments that teach us a
great deal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6cZZgwFBX4
So, even angels cry. How much can we expect from life?
So take comfort, someone always cries for you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC4s2oASutg
You can't seem to bear anything that happens.
Every single moment seems to be working against you.
So many run ins, so many injuries...
so what is one to do?
Sometimes, it is nothing. Sometimes, there is one thing.
It probably varies depending on the situations or circumstances.
I found this You Tube video about a gal who seems over-wrought by an
overwhelming or painful moment of her life. She also reminds me of an
angel or sprite that lives in a nearby pool where people visit.
I had called her "the angel of the silent pool."
The story was supposed to be an allegory of two sisters of faith.
The angel was supposed to be a healing agent for families and children.
She loved being in that little fountain.
In the video, however, she feels estranged or other - wise unable to dwell within
her abode, because some disaster has happened.
Those of you who have ever watched "Faraway So Close" probably can relate
to how angels behave when there is sadness around.
So, I dedicate this song and video to my unborn angel (story)...until she finds
a new home.
Sometimes, life can make you feel displaced, but these are moments that teach us a
great deal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6cZZgwFBX4
So, even angels cry. How much can we expect from life?
So take comfort, someone always cries for you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC4s2oASutg
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