June Caedmon's Blog, page 49

Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,

Playdates with God, Testimony Tuesday, #TellHisStory,

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Published on November 12, 2015 12:58

Inspired by . . . Gratitude Series II: Good Gifts

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with Whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Jas 1:17

Do these words seem familiar to you? That may be because they are also in my blog header. This is one of my favorite passages of scripture. I love it’s poetic nature. I love what it says about our Lord, the Father of light, Who does not change. He is the Giver of good and perfect gifts. So many wonderful, inspiring Truths in this one passage!

Do you believe that God gives good and perfect gifts?

Do you believe that every good thing is from God?

There is an important distinction here, because I think that sometimes we can fall into the trap of believing that WE are producing some of the good things in our lives.

Only God has the power to create. He is the Author of every good thing that exists.

Not even the enemy can create things, he can only pervert what God has made.

As the Father of lights, He gives the gift of reason.

But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand. Job 32:8

He gives the gift of learning. All of Solomon’s wisdom, the art of government, science, and knowledge of nature was ascribed to God. And so it is with what we know and discover, the advancements we make in our world today.

He gives the gift of divine revelation. Compassion, faith, purity, sympathy all these are bestowed upon us by God. And it is by the renewing influence of divine grace within us that we have the ability to be {the noun turned verb} these things to others.

Do you believe that God gives good and perfect gifts?

Do you believe that every good thing is from God?

One way to answer these questions is to look at our words and actions. Is it obvious to others that I see God as the ultimate Provider of the good in my life?

Making a conscious effort to acknowledge God as the Source of our good makes us more grateful. It also makes us less anxious, more generous to others and less friendly to pride.

Not only should we thank God for the good gifts He gives, but we should thank Him for HIM!

God, Himself is Good, and worthy to be praised!

Blessings,

Sharing inspiration here:

Thought Provoking Thursday, Grace & Truth, Weekend Whispers,

Inspire Me Monday, RaRa Link Up, Intentional Tuesday,

#WordswithWinter, Titus 2 Tuesday, Thoughtful Thursdays,

Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,

Nature Notes, Sweet Shot Tuesday, Through My Lens, Little Things Thursdays,

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Published on November 12, 2015 12:58

Inspired by . . . what birds see

A clear, distinct, yet foreign call rang over our tiny acreage one day in late September. After several delighted moments watching a smallish, russet colored bird with a fairly large wingspan, put on an aerial show over the fields in front of our cottage, I powered up the computer and learned that North America’s littlest falcon had arrived!

There is no difficulty in ID-ing this beautiful bird. The “mustache” and “side-burn” pattern on their face is unique. Their flight, graceful and sure. If you are ever blessed with a sighting an American Kestrel, you will know immediately what you’ve seen. If you’re an avid sports fan you’ve likely seen them at night games, hunting under the lights. They can be seen year-round over much of the United States.

Unlike humans, the American Kestrel {like all birds} can see ultraviolet light. This allows the Kestrel to see, among other things, the trails of urine left by voles and other small rodents. I guess we have enough of a population here to keep him fed since he’s still around over a month later.

It’s interesting how, once you’ve seen something, identified its shape or pattern, you start noticing it in your life.

The very day after the Kestrel showed up at my house we visited Lady Bird Johnson’s Pollinator Garden 60 miles away in Fredericksburg, Texas. As I was leaving the garden I saw this bird swoop overhead and land in the very top of a tree. Before even raising my camera I knew what it was, a female this time.

Her markings distinct and beautiful.

My mind easily identified the pattern first, before I had a clear picture of the bird.

Patterns are important. They are part of how we learn, and how we identify things.

The Kestrel’s look to the ultraviolet patterns on the ground to find their prey, their life-source.

Patterns are equally important in the voles life. They know that when a certain shape flies overhead, they need to take cover, to preserve life.

If we look closely, we will see patterns in our own lives. Some are life-giving, and some are just the opposite.

Taking time to identify these patterns can be beneficial. Seeing patterns that are life-giving, such as God’s faithfulness in our life, cause us to respond with praise and thanksgiving. Identifying other patterns, such as stress, fatigue or patterns of abuse, can empower us to make positive changes.

Nature has so much to teach us! I am continually amazed at the Creator’s design. The way He has woven all of us, humans, birds, and all creatures into the tapestry of life. It’s a distinct and beautiful pattern, indeed.

What patterns do you see in your life?

What has nature taught you about life?

Blessings,

Sharing inspiration here:

Bird D’pot, Saturday’s Critters, Life thru the Lens, Wild Bird Wednesday,

Our World Tuesday, Community Global

Playdates with God, Testimony Tuesday, #TellHisStory,

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Published on November 10, 2015 05:00

Inspired by . . . Grateful Series I: Be the one

11 On the way to Jerusalem {Jesus} He was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12And as He entered a village, He was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”14When He saw them He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving Him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19And He said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” Luke 17:11-18

We don’t hear much about leprosy these days, although it certainly exists. It is a horrendous and painful disease. Just being cured of leprosy would be enough to warrant praise and worship. But being rid of a disease was not all these ten men gained from meeting Jesus that day.

In Jesus’ day lepers were banished outside of the city gates. They could not worship in the temple. They could not make sacrifices for their sins. They were separated from their families and had to stay at least a hundred yards away from other people.

Being healed meant their entire lives were restored.

Redeemed.

Jesus literally gave them their lives back.

You know the story. Ten were healed. But only one returned to give Jesus praise and thanksgiving.

It’s easy to judge the ten, but let’s focus on the one.

If you’re a believer, Jesus has done for you what He did for these lepers.

He has given you a brand new life.

Restored - redeemed.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Gal 2:20

Will we be the one? the one who grows a daily habit of gratefulness on the realization of what God has done?

Be the one.

Blessings,

*Thoughts inspired by the I’m Grateful reading plan at Bible.com

Sharing inspiration here:

Thought Provoking Thursday, Grace & Truth, Weekend Whispers,

Inspire Me Monday, RaRa Link Up, Intentional Tuesday,

#WordswithWinter, Titus 2 Tuesday, Thoughtful Thursdays,

Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,

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Published on November 05, 2015 05:00

Inspired by . . . Life thru My Lens 45:52

Last month, this space was dedicated to

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Published on November 03, 2015 05:00

Inspired by . . . a month in photos: October

October was a bit of a blur. A good blur, but a blur. When look back through my journal I see “another busy day” penned over and over again!

What will I remember most about October? The sunrise . . . and God.

October is the only month when the sunrise and my rise occur at the nearly same time, lol. And, thanks to the #write31days challenge, every morning found me communing with His spirit, unfolding the layers of His name and nature. If you missed it, you can find all 31 entries here:

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Published on November 01, 2015 08:53

Inspired by . . . Day 31: His Name, Elohim

Well, we made it! Day 31 of #write31days! Thank you for joining me. If you participated in the challenge, kudos to you! Writing every day has indeed been a challenge, but it has also been a blessing.

I think it’s appropriate to end this series with the great name of the Creator God.

Elohim

'ĕlôhı̂ym
el-o-heem'
Plural of H433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative: - angels, X exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X mighty.

The plural form of El, meaning “strong one.” He is

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Published on October 31, 2015 05:00

Inspired by . . . Day 30, His Name, El Olam

El Olam

The Everlasting God

From the Hebrew ‛ôlâm ‛ôlâm {o-lawm', o-lawm'} eternal, ancient, of old and, my personal favorite, time out of mind. From the Greek αἰώνιος aiōnios {ahee-o'-nee-os} perpetual, eternal.

El Olam emphasizes God’s unchangeableness and is connected with His inexhaustibleness.

Why is time out of mind a personal favorite? Besides the term’s poetic nature, it points to both the past and the future. It comforts me to remember that God has always been. God is immutable.

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. Psa 90:2

And it comforts me to remember that He always will be. God is infinite. The enemy may like to deceive himself, but no one is going to be knocking God off His throne. Ever.

The LORD reigns; He is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed; He has put on strength as His belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting. The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring. Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the LORD on high is mighty! Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits Your house, O LORD, forevermore. Psa 93:1-5

Our lives are not in the hands of some wet-behind-the-ears shipman here. God is Yahweh Sabbaoth, the Lord of Hosts, the commander of the armies of heaven. The Ancient of days. Who has always been and always will be.

Wrapped up in this nature of God we can’t be assured of three things:

His everlasting covenant.

Now may the

Playdates with God, Testimony Tuesday, #TellHisStory,

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Published on October 30, 2015 05:00

Inspired by . . . Day 29: His Name, El Roi

El-Roi

God Who Sees

And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction. And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren. And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after Him that seeth me? Gen 16:11-13

Not only did God see Hagar weeping by the fountain, He heard her affliction; her innermost, unspoken suffering. Thus naming her son Ishmael, God will hear.

Tears speak as well as prayers. This should be a great comfort to us, Beloved, that God not only sees what our afflictions are, but hears what they say.

You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in Your book? Psa 56:8

As we have learned, nothing is beyond His understanding, nothing is beyond His power to redeem. We are the apple of His eye.

"He found him in a desert land, and in the howling waste of the wilderness; He encircled him, He cared for him, He kept him as the apple of His eye. Deu 32:10

I call upon You, for You will answer me, O God; incline Your ear to me; hear my words. Wondrously show Your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at Your right hand. Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings, from the wicked who do me violence, my deadly enemies who surround me. Psa 17:6-9

The Word is continually revealing deeper facets of His love for us.

Lord, our God Who sees us.

Who knows our frame and remembers that we are dust.

Yet You rejoice over us and call us Your own.

With a sweet and tender love, You quiet us.

Our refuge and our hope is in You.

May we remain the apple of Your eye.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen,

Sharing inspiration here:

Thought Provoking Thursday, Grace & Truth, Weekend Whispers,

Inspire Me Monday, RaRa Link Up, Intentional Tuesday,

#WordswithWinter, Titus 2 Tuesday, Thoughtful Thursdays,

Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,