June Caedmon's Blog, page 69
September 7, 2014
Inspired by . . . the table before us
Inspired by . . . the table before us
Look at the birds: they do not plant seeds, gather a harvest and put it in barns;
yet your Father in heaven takes care of them!
Aren't you worth much more than birds? Mat 6:26
The people of Israel called the food manna. It was like a small white seed,
and tasted like thin cakes made with honey. Ex 16:31
“For the bread that God gives is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." John 6:33
"I am the bread of life," Jesus told them.
"Those who come to Me will never be hungry;
those who believe in Me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35
Blessings,
Note – I photographed these sweet little finches a couple of weeks ago while sitting on my porch. Not really paying close attention, I assumed they were the female lessor goldfinches that frequent my feeders. Imagine my delight when I downloaded the pics and discovered that they are actually female painted buntings! Where there are females . . . males are sure to follow!
As always, links are FYI only, they are not affiliate links.
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September 4, 2014
Inspired by . . . my companions
Inspired by . . . my companions
I’ve been reading Hinds Feet on High Places with Barbie and friends, and pondering long about Much-Afraid and the journey to the High Places. My thoughts are incomplete, like my journey, and this is just an offering.
A place to begin.
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We’re all on a journey. Oh, we may have different ideas about the destination {or lack of one} but none of us can deny the moving-forward-ness of this life.
“To nearly everyone who has taken the time to think about it, the experience of life is summed up by constant motion and perpetual change. As each moment fades imperceptibly into the next, we learn that nothing remains the same for long. Bound by the law of entropy as surely as the smallest particle of physical reality, our lives can go only one of two directions: forward or backward. We either grow and blossom into something new and different or we degenerate into wasted potential.” ~Brian Melton
My personal journey, by His grace, has been forward. I am growing and blossoming into something new and different than I was when I first began. Lately, I have been thinking a lot about my journey. Especially the part that has gotten me to where I am presently - - the past. I think this is {partly} because of my age, but it is also because of some of the literature I’ve been reading.
Corrie Ten Boom wrote, “Today I know that such memories are the key not to the past, but to the future. I know that the experiences of our lives, when we let God use them, become the mysterious and perfect preparation for the work He will give us to do.”
It’s a tremendous statement, one that will take me some time to unpack. I read it after writing this: http://www.inspiredbyjune.com/2014/08/inspired-by-cloud-gazer.html and it impacted me deeply. God is weaving a particular theme in my life right now, and I’ve decided I’d better pay attention.
Reading Hurnard’s classic at the same time gives another dimension, a spiritual dimension, to the pondering of my memories. I feel like so much of my life is lived on the surface. I’m not sure I can explain that, but perhaps you know what I mean. Pondering my journey, especially with Ten Boom’s perspective in mind, brings me deeper, closer to the Truth.
The Truth about myself, about God, and about life.
And so we come to my Companions.
The Shepherd gave Much-Afraid two companions for her journey to the high places; Sorrow and Suffering. Although initially alarmed and hurt by the prospect of journeying with these two, heavily cloaked creatures, Much-Afraid soon learns to rely on them for help.
There is much I could say about all of that - - about how it is much harder to take the hand of Pride or Self-Pity when you’re holding tightly to the hands of Sorrow and Suffering. But my main objective in this offering is to share with you about my companions.
Who are they?
I’ve thought about this for a long time. I’ve tried on a lot of nouns; loneliness, fearer, pride, self-pity, doubter, piety, misfortune, the list goes on. Some of them fit, for a space-in-time. But when I really boiled all of them down, the hands I’ve held most during my journey are Sorrow and Suffering. And, although each of our journeys are unique, I really think this is true for all of us.
The best part about these companions is what they are helping to produce in me. They are tools in the Shepherd’s hands. And while I still have a long way to go before all is revealed, I’ve had a glimpse under the cloaks of my companions.
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I’ve seen Faith and Trust.
Blessings,
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September 2, 2014
Inspired by . . . life lessons
Inspired by . . . life lessons
Lessons from a butterfly ~
Don't let the winds of life deter you
from the sweet nectar of His blessing.
Have a wonder-filled day,
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August 30, 2014
Inspired by . . . still Saturday
Inspired by . . . still Saturday
Do we believe that if there had been anything better than what is, that better thing would have been chosen for us?
Or are we like Eve, doubting God’s word and thinking that He may be holding out on us?
“Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”
Shalom,
Thoughts inspired by Amy Carmichael, Edges of His Ways
{not an affiliate link, just FYI}
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August 29, 2014
Inspired by . . . trust
Inspired by . . . trust
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses:
but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. Psalm 20:7 (KJV)
I had an encounter with this beautiful creature the other day. He insists that the grass is greener on our side of the fence. That is, in fact, true.
When he was finished eating his fill and running to his hearts content he was ready to go home. I made the mistake of getting between him and the fence. Thankfully, all I got for my stupidity was a new hairdo. He blew my hair around and nibbled on my shoulder as I finished unwinding the wire from the post to let him back through.
It was delightful.
Having been up close and personal with this powerful horse, I can understand why man would trust in them.
See those people polishing their chariots,
and those others grooming their horses?
But we’re making garlands for GOD our God.
The chariots will rust,
those horses pull up lame—
and we’ll be on our feet, standing tall. Psalm 20:7 (MSG)
The Message translation of this verse states plainly what we already know. The things of this world do not last. Wealth and possessions will rust, decay or otherwise be lost. People will abandon us, disappoint us, or worse. Are these really things in which we should be putting our trust?
In what or whom do you put your trust?
Sometimes we have to come face-to-face with what we fear the most to really know the answer to that question.
Some people find it hardest to trust God during times of great blessing, when Pride begins to visit the heart and mind. But for most of us, just the opposite is true.
If we claim to trust in God, then . . .
. . . what if the worst did happen?
. . . what if our greatest fear did come true?
Would we still trust God?
I pray that my answer, and yours would echo that of Peter’s in John 6:68:
Simon Peter answered Him,
“Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.”
Blessings,
Andrea and Beth have both written heartfelt, inspiring posts on this topic this week, I hope you’ll pay them both a visit.
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August 27, 2014
Inspired by . . . sounds of summer
Inspired by . . . sounds of summer
insect wings
leaves caressing
hummers warning
bird call
shifting boards
highway hurry
water sprayer
chimes singing
God’s whisper
summer
What sounds of summer are you hearing?
Blessings,
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August 26, 2014
Inspired by . . . beep, beep
Every since I got my new camera, which delights me anew every day, I’ve gotten into the habit of never going anywhere without it. Because it seemed as if every time I left it at home, even if I was just going to the grocer, I’d miss a photo opportunity!I mean, what are the odds of seeing a porcupine at the local Whataburger?But there he was, climbing down the tree to hide in the bushes next to the drive through lane. The people ordering dinner wondered why the crazy woman with the camera was taking pictures of the shrubbery, lol.
So the other day, I arrived home from the grocer, in a bit of a hurry, unloaded all the groceries from my car - - and forgot to bring the camera inside. After completing a few tasks, the reason for my afore mentioned haste, I walked to the kitchen sink and what do you think I saw outside the window in my front yard?The elusive Greater Roadrunner. A top item on my photo bucket list.I lunge for my camera, which of course, is still in the car. Seriously, what.are.the.odds?My limited experience with Geococcyx californianus is that they are very skittish birds. I figure it’s from being chased by Wyle E. Coyote for so many years.The odds of me sneaking out of the house, across the porch and over to the car to retrieve the camera and still getting a shot seemed slim.And yet . . .
. . . sneak, I did.
Shoot, I did.
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I discovered later the same day, when I spotted this guy up in one of our oak trees pruning himself, that we have a pair! This is the larger of the two, and the color patch behind his eye is brighter.
He didn’t stay on the rock long, and I really was surprised that I was able to capture him at all!
kk_minus43
Have a wonder-filled day!
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August 23, 2014
Inspired by . . . the mystery
Inspired by . . . the mystery
That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love,
and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding,
to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God,
and of the Father, and of Christ; Col 2:2 (KJV)
The long blades of grass felt like silk against my bare legs as I walked. Tiny pink and purple blooms peaked their heads through the folds of grass as I passed by.
At each step I encountered flowers, rising among the grasses. Each was unique in form and color, and yet when I looked out across the meadow they formed a distinct pattern.
A tapestry of sorts.
As I looked closer, I saw people and places that I recognized.
The meadow,
the tapestry,
my life.
I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God.
Then you will have minds confident and at rest,
focused on Christ, God’s great mystery.
All the richest treasures of wisdom and knowledge are
embedded in that mystery and nowhere else.
And we’ve been shown the mystery! Col 2:3 (MSG)
Blessings,
Painting with my camera again.
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August 21, 2014
Inspired by . . . a smile
Inspired by . . . a smile
Some days I feel like I can’t do anything right.
I said the wrong thing, or forgot to say what was right. I dropped it, burned it, spilled it, broke it, lost it - usually my patience or my mind.
You get the idea.
Some days are just terrible, horrible, no good and very bad!
Some days, you just need a smile. . .
Sandy
. . . from a friend . . .
. . . or two.
“I am smiling.”
And maybe a hug.
{{{ }}}
. . . from me, to you.
Blessings,
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August 19, 2014
Inspired by . . . what is truth
Inspired by . . . what is truth
I don’t have enough information, clarity or facts to speak directly to what is going on in Ferguson, Africa, or the middle east.
But I do care.
And I’ve been reading a lot of blogs written by {mostly} well-intentioned people. It’s a lot to process. For all of us.
As I was reading, one image in particular stood out to me, personally.
Because, lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about perspective and why we believe the things that we believe about this world. Where does our viewpoint come from? What do we use as a point of reference? Does my viewpoint need to change? Does yours?
Who or what do we trust for the truth?
Do we trust the media? Most first reports are incomplete. The reporters either don’t have all the facts, or they choose which facts to report. Sometimes the facts reported are unsubstantiated and flat out wrong. Winston Churchill said, “A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.”
Do we trust our feelings? our emotions to tell us the truth? I don’t know about you, but there are certain subjects that, because of experiences in my past, I find very difficult to be rational about. My emotions take over. I feel a certain way, but that doesn’t mean my feelings necessarily line up with the truth. Our own experiences can be tainted by our emotions or other factors, like how old we were when the experience occurred, etc.
We can believe {in} something sincerely . . . and be sincerely wrong.
What about our moral compass? Can we trust our minds or our heart to know what is right and what is wrong? All the time?
Consider this:
There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death. Prov 14:12, 16:25
What about the heart? Won’t we know it in our hearts if it’s true?
The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked;
Who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9
So what is truth, and how can we know it?
God is Truth. It is His truth that we should trust to govern our actions. His truth should be our guide when we are forming opinions, and determining action.
We can know the truth because He has given it to us in the form of His Word.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 1 Tim :16-17
We can stand on His Word as Truth. Not on scriptures taken out of context to serve a particular agenda.
But on the whole Word of God.
Do you feel overwhelmed and powerless to the point of inaction when you see the evil happening in our world today? I do.
We can all take a lesson from David and Nehemiah.
Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications,
with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.
And I prayed to the Lord my God, and made confession, and said,
“O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him,
and with those who keep His commandments,
we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled,
even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments. Daniel 9:3-5
And they said to me, “The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach.
The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.”
So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept,
and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. Nehemiah 1:3-4
We can pray.
Because sincere prayer changes us, and moves God.
God may, or may not be calling you to act beyond prayer.
He calls each of us individually and personally.
And our obedience to that call is between us and God.
Let’s be careful about judging how others respond until we have walked in their shoes.
And let’s pray for the courage to act in obedience to God’s call.
Shalom,
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