Whisper

It is already in the wind. It is all around. Can you hear it? No? Could it be that you have been too plugged in, too up, too with it, that you can't hear that whisper? You really have to get to that place. The place where you can hear God's whisper of love of you. That gives you renewed energy to go on a little farther. Try it. The scripture says, "Be still and know that I am God." Be still. Type to you later.

Slow Down

As much as I like to be in the mix, on the go, with it - and even now, using facebook, twitter, linkedin - I think I would rather blog. While I have much to say, I have learned to slow down and contemplate. And this gives me a chance to slow down. As much as I love people, I love my private time also. And I think it is great to slow down-to think,to be still, to hear from God, and to hear your heart. Yes, that's it. Slow down. Listen for God's voice, slow down, watch your steps. Type to you later.

We have Choice to make

I miss the butterflies. How about you? I love watching them flit around with their elegant colors. Tell me God ain’t something! There are so many wonderful elements of Creation that we miss, and they are right there for us to care for and to enjoy! Unfortunately, there are so many species that we are losing all because of choices we have made. Yes, we made the choice to spray our lawns with pesticides because we don’t like what grows there. The pesticides are keeping the butterflies away because they are killing plants that attract the butterflies. Choices we make.

Joshua reminded the people of their blessings of life lived under the care of God. Then he urged that they make a very important decision, to follow God or the idols of their past. “I gave you a land on which you had not labored, and towns that you had not built, and you live in them; you eat the fruit of vineyards and olive yards that you did not plant. . . Choose this day whom you will serve . . . (Jos. 24:13,15 NRSV). Choices, we have choices. We are forced to make choices everyday that label us as believers and thus, keepers of Creation.

Creation is suffering from lack of safety and homelessness for many of its species; that is a given; however, many species have not only lost homes but they are in danger of losing their very existence. Animals, fishes, and birds that you know, and many you may not know are in grave danger. Surely we can all relate to at least one joy of Creation that is on the list: Elephants, Giant Panda, Polar Bear, Rhinos, Whales, Tigers, Dolphins, Penguins and Monarch Butterflies. Come on, I know you saw Happy Feet, didn’t you? And the butterflies – haven’t you wondered where they have gone? These are just a very small representation of the many species on the list of becoming endangered.

We celebrate May 15 as Endangered Species Day. What can you do celebrate? Glad you asked. Just being aware is no longer enough. You have more power than you think. I encourage you to exercise that power. Discuss the lost of valuable species with your family and friends. “In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being” (Job 12:10 NRSV). Please understand, all of Creation is important to God. And what else can you do? Remember the butterflies! Grow plants that will bring the butterflies. Read up on Monarch watch stations. And what else can you do? See, I told you, you have choices. Choose this day to do something constructive for Endangered Species Day. Let me know how it goes. For more information on Endangered Species Day, view my blog http://ecojustice.wordpress.com

Alone time

There is still something unsettling about following God when others are following their own way. I say unsettling because they cannot understand why you do what you do. Unsettling because sometimes you cannot understand why you do what you do. There was a time when I loved to be with people. Then the time came that I loved to be alone with God. And yes, there are times that I cannot hear, but I know He is there.

I heard a few people in a class say that hearing God was not real. My, My. One even said that it was just our conscious; but backed herself in a hole because she acknowledged that some people have no conscious. The teacher did not help the class at all. Oh, I failed to mention that this was a Sunday School class. It was a sad indictment on what we are teaching, or not teaching. The sad part is that God does speak to us in so many ways, if we would only listen. And that comes from spending time with Him. shhh! wait! listen.

Watch What Happens

This time has been a time of awakening. Awakening to myself. Awakening to resting in God. Awakening to an awareness of His movement. Oh yeah, we say it, but it is an awesome thing when you can recognize that it is God moving and not anyone else, including you.

Friends have lost parents, yet others have found one another. Transition. And the transition should leave us closer to just a little more positive self. Even if the transition rids us of baggage that should have been gone, allow your self to breathe. allow yourself to move closer to your destiny.

Now we know that this walk should be one of transformation, and it is, if you allow God's will to become your will. That was Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, His will to be the Father's will. (Shall I add "at all cost"?) God's will, at all cost, by any means necessary. Try that on for a minute. See how it works. Take it one day at a time, and watch what happens. Peace.

Stretch

There is so much going on around us. So many people are wondering what will happen to them in this economic downturn. I can tell you - you will survive. And you will learn to live anew. Things may not be the way that you had hoped for or the way you once knew, but if you allow God to direct you - You will survive. Who knows? This may be your time of greatest growth. Don't miss what God is doing. When you hear the news that another company has gone under pray for the workers. When you hear that you no longer have take a moment (we are human). But do not stay in that moment, look around, be still, and listen for God's voice. This is an opportune time to look at your gifts. Even if your mode of income appears to be strong look at finding ways of having multiple streams of income (as my sister says). Use the gifts you have to stretch your means of income.

The times do not have to be a rough as we make them. It is an opportune time to reach out to other. We all have a role to play. I feel very strongly that God is giving all of us a chance to love one another, to reach out to one another across so many human boundaries during this time.

Keep in mind that your plans are not the real ones. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. YOu will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jer. 29:11-13 NIV).

Giving Up

Donny Hathaway sang quite a while ago "Giving up is hard to do when you really love someone." Let me flip that a little as we approach this Lenten season. I think giving up should be easier because of the One who loves us. The Divine loved us so much that He gave His life so we could live. I've been pondering this upcoming Lenten season and why we as Believers give up something, let go of something, why we should have a change of heart during this season. It is to sacrifice. I'm not going into what that means, but it appears that we all could give up a few things. And it is not to pick back up, but to close this season in celebration of a life transforming.

I believe that the turmoil we face as a nation, as people is a chance. Here me clearly. I believe that God is giving us a chance to reach out to one another, to love one another. And it starts with each one making a change toward loving one another.

Our attitude toward one another should reflect love. So giving up a selfish heart would go a long way toward loving one another. Giving up unforgiveness would benefit us mentally, physically, and spiritually. Giving up fear would release a multitude of negativity.

Can we prepare to do a new thing? To encounter the Divine by loving as He demonstrated?