In a world filled with war and hate I can shine a light of love from me In a world filled with animosity and division I can shine a light of unity
In a world filled with hopelessness and despair I can lift the light of hopefulness In a world filled with fear and worry I can shine a light of faithfulness
I can be a light in the darkness Because the love of Christ shines through The grim shadows of despair And that light also is in you
As a wonderful God-created child You are part of a magnificent whole So let that Spirit buried in you Shine forth from your blessed soul
Your light shines from your creator Just as mine sparkles brightly, too So fill this world with the light of love Let’s let Love’s Light shine from me and you!
You have access to all the power you need You just gotta be sure to plug in Connect to the source of your power It’s available to you even if you’re shut in
Like a mighty wave or hurricane Power can evoke awe or cause destruction What’s the source of your power? There’s a ready source… what’s your deduction?
I bet you know where I’m going With this line of reasoning. Yup, the power I have in mind Is filled with the best spiritual seasoning!
In yesterday’s Mornings With Jesus devotional comments by Karen Sargent, she shared an experience she had with power cords. She was preparing for a presentation using various technology. Thinking she might need an extension cord, she added it to her equipment. However, after setting everything up, she realized she didn’t have the part she needed. Sargent wrote,
“… There was a problem. In one hand I held a three-prong plug on my laptop cord. In the other, a two-prong plugin. I checked the projector cord. Three prongs. Without the ability to tap into the electrical source… my technology was useless. I couldn’t power up.”
Sargent extrapolated, “That wasn’t the first time I’d failed to tap into a power source. Sometimes I function on two-prong faith. I know Jesus can do anything… And through Christ who strengthens me, I can do all things (Philippians 4:13). But how often do I connect to the power of the Holy Spirit, the mighty third prong?”
Karen Sargent’s message spoke to me. Yesterday friends helped us install Our Christmas tree here at home – Tucked in along the north-east wall.
We plugged the lights in after A lot of struggle to assemble it. Look closely at the lights there A section is missing … do I resemble it?
Do I lack a portion of my power Because I’m not plugged in totally? The message hit me with a jolt. It fit my plight anecdotally!
Karen Sargent ended her reflections with these thoughts:
“After His resurrection, Jesus breathed on the disciples and said, ‘Receive ye the Holy Spirit’ (John 20:22). But it wasn’t until Jesus ascended into heaven that the Holy Spirit empowered them. Unlike that useless extension cord… the ultimate power source, The Holy Spirit, is always on hand.”
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
2 Peter 3:18
Today’s post was inspired by an entry in All God’s Creatures, a Guideposts publication. Shirley Raye Redmond wrote a commentary titled, “Keep Growing” for the November 27 entry.
She ended her thoughts with this quote by Oswald Chambers:
“Spiritual maturity is not reached by the passing of years, but by obedience to the will of God.”
Isn’t it interesting that when I search for photos related to obedience, the pictures all are of dogs? Not us human beings. No, the word conjures up obedient dogs! Would that we could be as responsive to discipline as a dog is! Or as committed to growth as a lobster!
Bee like a lobster Or a dog – Committed and Obedient…
Why did my Bible study this morning suggest it’s not just OK, but advisable that sometimes we feel uncomfortable?
I thought of my son-in-law, Andre’, when I thought of discomfort!
But then I realized, No, not that kind of discomfort!
The scripture that prompted the remark about being uncomfortable is this one:
“The Samaritan woman said to [Jesus], ‘You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?’ (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans).”
John 4:9 (NIV)
Obviously, the woman was uncomfortable talking to Jesus. But Jesus intentionally engaged in conversation with the woman. According to Ericka Loynes, who wrote the commentary for the devotional in Guideposts “Mornings With Jesus,” His intent seemed to be to “change the landscape of the current culture.”
“Embracing change can be difficult,” Loynes went on to write. She acknowledged, “The more often I get out of my comfort zone, the easier it will be to adjust to the changes around me.”
Stepping out may seem scary, but as this meme reminds us, it is imperative if we want to become stronger and grow. So, Loynes ends her commentary by asking the reader to take a faith step: “Ask Jesus to help you get comfortable with being uncomfortable.”
It’s worth thinking about, don’t you think? Like Jesus, who can you step out and talk to today who is not among those you generally hold in conversation?
Try it! Try stepping out of your comfort zone.
There are plenty of folks out there who could use your brand of positivity! Do you see folks who look like they could use some encouragement? Follow Jesus’ example!
You may find some comfort in being uncomfortable. I’m gonna try it. You with me?
The word for today is PEACE. In a world of chaos, dear Lord, Let there be peace on earth. Let me be an instrument of that peace.
We may not be able to control What everyone else on earth does, But we can control what we do. Are you determined to be a peacemaker?
I want to be a peacemaker. In spite of the chaos in this world, I want to make peace where I am. That may be all I can control.
And I can pray to our Father in Heaven, “Let there be peace on earth! Place the message of peace In the hearts of today’s rulers.”
“Lord. I know you have overcome the world. I know you also have given man free will. Lord, place common sense and compassion In the wills of those who are waging war!
Let there be peace on earth!! And help me find peace in my little corner of it!”
As St. Francis of Assisi prayed, “Make me a Channel of Your Peace.” I love Susan Boyle’s voice singing that prayer. Take a minute to listen to it… and internalize it!
To find peace in my place in the world, I may have to turn off some of the news. I MAY HAVE TO SHARPEN MY SENSE OF HUMOR, And pass some chuckles on to my friends!
Just once, I want a username and password prompt to say CLOSE ENOUGH.
I may have to find reasons to laugh In spite of the sadness and devastation. I may have to look for reasons to laugh, Reasons to pass along a sense of optimism.
I want to be a realistic optimist! The pessimist complains about the wind The optimist expects the wind to change The realist adjust his sails
What will you do today to add peace to your little corner of the world? I am looking for the peace of editing this post and getting rid of the oversized font! What’s happening??
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.
“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.”
My special gift is hospitality. I love having family and friends come to spend time with us. Here is our dear 1980-81 AFS son, Christian Zufferey (ZuZu), from Switzerland. No, he’s no stranger to us!!
(Our DeAna married his first cousin!! What a love story that is!)
This week DeAna, and her hubby, Andre’ surprised us by arriving with ZuZu and his wife, Celia, for a four day stay. Here they are this morning… leaving us (boo-hoo!)
But, we were blessed to have them come and spend those days (just not nearly long enough) – and to have Chef Andre’ prepare great meals!
How wonderful it was also to have our grandson, Mike, and his wife, Tania, with us for a week this month. They were so helpful!!
Now this hospitality business would have a full opportunity to be put into practice IF our son Ty & his wife, Monika, would come!
The good news is that Peter, one of Bob’s wrestling students from back in the 1970’s in CA, will be joining us in October for awhile. Yay!
Why don’t you consider Letting me use my favorite trait, HOSPITALITY, On you one of these days?
The value of tidbits of advice differs as we hear them at different times in our lives.
As a young child, my mom’s advice always included words of encouragement: “Let your light shine.” “You can be anything you decide you want to be.” “You are more than good enough.” “Take it one day at a time.”
Mom certainly let her light shine!!
Later in life, I have discovered that I can receive valuable advice daily by reading my Bible, reading devotionals written by Christ-like, modern-day disciples, and listening to compassionate friends. They say things like:
We should never tire of seeking advice and heeding the words of wise counsel. http://www.Motivational Words of Wisdom.com always has sound advice.
It’s hard (in fact impossible for me) to narrow pieces of advice down to the one best. How about you?
God’s latest advice to me was, “Slow down and watch where you’re going!” Do you hear God’s advice being shouted in your ear at times, too?
invited us to try our hand at a poetry form that is new to me:
Sijo
A Korean verse form related to haiku and tanka and comprised of three lines of 14-16 syllables each, for a total of 44-46 syllables. Each line contains a pause near the middle, similar to a caesura, though the break need not be metrical. The first half of the line contains six to nine syllables; the second half should contain no fewer than five. Originally intended as songs, sijo can treat romantic, metaphysical, or spiritual themes. Whatever the subject, the first line introduces an idea or story, the second supplies a “turn,” and the third provides closure. Modern sijo are sometimes printed in six lines.
David did a fantastic job with the form. Click on his name & blog title above to read his contribution. I told him I was not sure I was even going to try… it sounds too complicated! But… with the following meme as a prompt, here goes:
Your mind will always believe, if you are ever truthful; But when you are deceitful, you feed it sorrow, deep grief. Feed your mind sincere love and truth, and it will be returned to you.
Bob & I send our love and deep peace to you and your loved ones today.
Thanks for visiting JanBeek. Will you try your hand at Sijo?
Written
on October 13, 2023