Today was a day to embrace silence. Put away the TV rhetoric. Turn off the music and chatter. Just listen to the silence.
Back in 2017 I wrote about silence. Time to resurrect that post:
THE SOUND OF SILENCE
Silence is resounding in my ears. Silence wipes away confusion and fears. Silence speaks as all nature rings. Silence breaks as songbird sings.
Silence whispers compassion’s song – Let’s me contemplate yesterday’s wrong. Allows God’s grace to fill this space Instead of wallowing in my own disgrace.
Silence brings new life to God’s Word. It lets the Holy Spirit speak and be heard. It opens my heart to name the nameless And enter their world blameless and shameless.
Open my heart, Lord, in silence to know All that You’re saying, all that You show Through challenges booming or hugs soft and sweet. Help me to hear You in ALL that I meet.
What is your power source? Where do you get your ideas?
Today’s sermon on ZOOM with the Madison Valley Presbyterian Church in Ennis, Montana, preached by the Rev. Steve Hundley attributed our power source to (well, what do you think a minister would say?)… God Jesus Christ’s teaching The Word Scripture Of course!
But, beware!
Steve began his sermon today with a children’s message. He shared this (paraphrased by me, of course):
My dad was a forester. He used to cruise the timber to decide what to cut and what to leave to keep the forest healthy. He usually went with a fellow forester – a guy who was not known for his great sense of direction. They would head out in different directions, and when it was time to regroup, my dad told his partner that he’d call out. “You answer,” he told him, “and I’ll call again. Back and forth until you find your way back.”
But, what happened was an ole hoot owl responded back to his partner when he called out, and he followed the direction of the owl. It got him way off track. When my dad realized what was happening, he honked the horn of the truck, and finally the two men were able to reconnect and head for home.
Moral of the story: Listening to the wrong voice can get us lost. We need to listen to the voice and teachings of Christ in order to stay on the right path.
As a teacher of elementary children for nearly a quarter of a century and the mom of two very curious children, I can tell you that one of the most annoying questions is “Why?”
I remember the day I finally asked my father, “Why not?” when he told me NO. I was about 20 years old! Can you imagine? Being raised in a family where when Dad said, “No,” that was final? No questions asked. Just obey?
My kids were not like that. It was a different era. They asked, “Why?” before they knew how to say, “Chocolate!”
I think a measure of a child’s intelligence may be how many times s/he asks “Why?” The explorations, poking, questioning, prodding, relentless inquisitive nature of some children and adults can be downright annoying, though.
The path may not be a straight one… And it may be hard to determine where it leads, but curiosity will keep you (and them) moving forward. There is a huge NEED to know what’s beyond the bend!
As parents and teachers we sometimes want to shield our children from the unknown. There may be danger out there. I had a tendency to be protective. I know that’s where my dad was coming from when he said, “No!”
But squelching curiosity because of fear of the unknown is a dangerous path. It can lead to many missed opportunities and lost happiness.
Instead of being annoyed by the “Why?” and the “Why not?” we need to teach ourselves and our children the importance of always questioning.
Accepting “No” for an answer without questioning can lead to stagnation.
Instead of squelching curiosity, let’s turn our questioning into research with a purpose.
Curious people don’t just look Curious people see Curious people don’t just see Curious people question Curious people don’t just question Curious people probe
With a thirst for answers, Curious people are relentless. They keep asking until They find answers that satisfy.
Curiosity changes our perceptions. It changes our way of seeing things. It helps us gain the wisdom That less curious people Spend a life-time chasing.
Francoise Sagan is credited with that quote. Who was he? Are you curious? I was.
“Françoise Sagan (born Françoise Delphine Quoirez; 21 June 1935 – 24 September 2004) was a French playwright, novelist, and screenwriter. Sagan was known for works with strong romantic themes involving wealthy and disillusioned bourgeois characters. Her best-known novel was her first – Bonjour Tristesse (1954) – which was written when she was a teenager.
Want to know more? Put her name in your Google search engine. We are so blessed to have an encyclopedia at our fingertips. Folks with insatiable appetites for answers can ask the who, what, why, when, and how questions and Siri or Alexa or Wikipedia are right there. What a gift these are to the curious.
Imagine what Einstein might have done with today’s technology!!!
EMBRACE CURIOSITY! Let your “Why?” be followed by active listening, thoughtful reading, and the explorations, poking, questioning, prodding, trying again, inquisitive nature that those children and adults exhibited who were downright annoying. Go ahead! Be annoying!
Trying to decipher John’s Interpretation of Christ’s birth Is like trying to grasp smoke. He says God’s Word created the earth.
And he explained that the Word Was the Light and the Life – – – Rejoice! He speaks as John the Apostle And switches to a heavenly voice.
John strips away the layers covering The original Word of God to earth. He helps us hear with spiritual ears The meaning of Christ’s unusual birth.
The Book of John is ethereal As he shares God’s creative power. He emphasizes that saying is doing Words are like a bud that produces flower.
So, when we say something, We need to think of the impact Those words have on others. Words spoken ripple out – no taking them back!
Just as God’s Word has the power To create light out of darkness, Our words also have the power To create beauty out of starkness.
So, a lesson of John’s Gospel Is to warn us: Watch what you speak! If you speak untruths carelessly, The results will not be what you seek.
Life and death are in the power Of the tongue – – – We eat its fruit. If you want your daily meal sweet, Use your tongue’s power for Truth.
The Word became flesh and made His home among us – He appeared In the form of our Savior, Jesus. Start here – Start where darkness was cleared.
Be Light for a Dark World.
Everlasting God, remind us again that Your Son is the light of the world, the way, the truth, and the life. Lead us by your light and truth. Looking for Jesus, let us find Him knowing that it is He who has come looking for us.
“Celebrating the Power of Friendship” is the title of a month-long focus on a friend’s chosen devotional website. On the site today, it said: “Although we are not currently meeting in person, there is no distance between souls and the bond of friendship we share…”
I feel that bond of friendship with you, my WordPress friends, just as I do with family and friends who have reached out to Bob & me during this past week of death and tribulation. Thank you so much!
I can’t count the billions Of dollars my friends are worth. They make living worthwhile; They fill my life with mirth.
When times are sad and troubling, They reach out with care and love. Friends are earthly angels Sent from heaven above.
My friend sent this card to me; It came right out of the blue, When I really needed it the most. Do your friends do that for you?
I hope you have some friends Who tromp daily on your heart, Leaving footprints all over it. I’m here to tromp on yours. Let’s start!
There is power in such friendships. They turn dark days into bright. They listen and they love us, and They help things turn out right.
Thank you for being the sunshine in my darkest days.
Thanks for popping in. Thanks for being the friends who watch and sit and read with me. Wish you could walk and eat with me, too. Enjoy the kids’ song below. It’s a catchy tune. It’ll have you singing all day long!!
Have a Fabulous Friday. I love you! See ya tomorrow. JanBeek
This is the cover of a little book that belonged to my mother-in-law. I inherited it from her. The circle stain was created one morning when she set her tea cup on it. She was mortified! It didn’t spoil the book, though. The contents still are as precious as ever.
Bob’s sister gave the book to her in 1975 for Mother’s Day. Grandma Beekman treasured it, and read its inspirational quotes on a regular basis during her morning prayer time.
Here are a few of my favorites:
I like this last one a lot. Look at some of the ways it has been translated:
New International Version Does he who fashioned the ear not hear? Does he who formed the eye not see?
New Living Translation Is he deaf—the one who made your ears? Is he blind—the one who formed your eyes?
Berean Study Bible He who affixed the ear, can He not hear? He who formed the eye, can He not see?
Christian Standard Bible Can the one who shaped the ear not hear, the one who formed the eye not see?
We are a divided country. The words “they” and “them” are heard more frequently today than ever before in my 80 years of life.
What is causing this? And what can we do about it? Here is one man’s suggestion. I think it is so true.
Right on! It’s as true in China (where the Corona virus is rampant, and citizens are bravely speaking out against a government that acted slowly on the knowledge of the virus), as it is in the USA where election rhetoric is hateful and divisive.
So how do we begin to “fight for each other?”
From his prison cell in Rome, Paul wrote to the people of Colosse. He had visited there before his imprisonment. His letter to them in the book of Colossians was written to encourage them, just as we, the people of this divided world, need encouragement today.
Colossians 2: 1-3 “I want you to know how much I am struggling for you… and for all those who have not met me personally. My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart, and united in love, so they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Colossians 2:8 “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of the world rather than on Christ.”
Colossians 3:12-14 “Therefore… clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive what ever grievances you may have against one another… And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Yes, the Bible has words of wisdom, words of advise for ALL in times of trouble. We need only open its pages to find scripture that directs our paths toward the unity we all seek. In Colossians, Paul tells us to put on:
compassion
kindness
humility
gentleness
patience
LOVE
… and in so doing, we will find the peace of Christ living in our hearts. We are members of one body. We are ONE. We need to know that without a doubt and act accordingly.
Don’t let hateful rhetoric divide our oneness into the “they-them” and “we-us” mentality!
This post is dedicated to my #1 Grandson.
He recently graduated from college,
received his well-earned diploma,
and has a couple of part-time jobs,
equaling 100% employment.
It was not an easy road,
but he has tenacity…
He stuck with it.
He did it!
I am so proud of him!
Happiness is living life true
In a way that allows you
To be all God made you to be
And doing it on a path of integrity.
No one says it will be easy.
Sometimes it’s light and breezy,
But mostly it’s just hard work
And determination not to shirk.
So, run the race of life with grit.
Set your goal and stick to it.
When times are tough, keep going –
You crossed the finish line knowing
You Have the Power!
Congratulations, Mike!
Did you, or do you have a person in your life who used their grit and tenacity to achieve a goal in spite of all odds? This post is for you!
And if you are in the midst of a struggle – wondering if the blood, sweat, tears, and heartache, setbacks and discouragements are worth it. Believe in your goals. Believe in yourself. Stick with it.
