Tag: shine

SUN REFLECTIONS

Some of you regular followers, who know me well, might remember that the ocean and beach is another Holy Place for me.  Something that had its humble beginnings when I was a child and my family would go to Wildwood, NJ for vacation.

 

 

 

Our family vacation this year was supposed to be at the beach in Atlantic City, NJ, for somewhere different to explore and since it was a little closer for us, but due to a change of plans this year at the last minute our “family” vacation turned into a stay-cation at home with only one child instead of three.

 

So I was very fortunate that a friend of mine really wanted to go to a beach and invited me to go along here at the end of September!  It was a quick trip for three nights but a welcome time away to be blessed soaking up God’s Presence.  It was actually the first time I have been to a beach during the non-prime summer season. Continue reading “SUN REFLECTIONS”

SHINE YOUR LIGHT

Have you ever been in a situation where YOU were heavily burdened, in a room full of people and yet you felt so totally alone?

The people were busy chattering and nobody seemed to notice you?

Did you need someone to be Christ in the flesh to you?

Lonely, hurting, burdened people are all around us.

What will YOU do about it?

How can YOU be Christ for someone who is hurting?

Christ told us that WE are the light of the world.

We are to shine brightly, so that all people will see our light.

We cannot afford to hide our light–it is so needed in this world.

One way to let our light shine is by being there for one another during the rough times, and being truly concerned about them.

We should be attentive enough to see when someone is heavily burdened, and then care enough to listen to them with our heart, not just our ears.

Then, we may begin to understand the situation they’re facing, and what perspective the person has. It is then that God can use us to help them through their problem.

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Photo credit by listentothemountains under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Is there someone you know who…

 

…needs some prayer to help them through a rough patch? Maybe they just don’t have enough faith on their own.

…could use a few dollars to buy some food?

…could use a ride to church or to the store?

…needs some handiwork done around their house?

…just needs to talk over coffee or lunch?

What are ways you can shine your light and be Christ to those in need?

 

…Can you pray for them?

…Can you encourage them through a kind word or note?

…Can you share some of your treasure with them?

…Can you share some of your time with them?

…Can you share some of your talent with them?

The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”  –Matthew 26:40  (NIV)

When the time comes and we meet the Lord face to face, I can’t help but wonder if some questions He might ask are…

 

…Did your light shine enough to care about others?

…Were you there for them?
…How much of the Christ that is in you did you share?

…Did you sacrifice your comfort to be Christ for others?

final light

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. –Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

THE SUNRISE

These words were inspired and quickly penned while I was enjoying a beautiful, God filled presence sunrise overlooking Canandaigua Lake during an amazing three day retreat this past weekend.
In retrospect, I feel so blessed to have experienced this view, not only one, but two days! I have to admit I usually am not an early riser, but because of the time schedule of the retreat, they woke us up early every day!
I wish I could have captured the moment with an awesome picture so you could really SEE the view with your eyes, but no cameras were allowed. So, sit back and try to visualize the scene…..I hope you will be as blessed as I was.
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Photo credit by lam_chihang under Creative Commons License (CC BY 2.0)
Bright morning sunrise in the sky
Reflecting upon the water
Radiating out
Just like you and me
Radiating the Son in our lives.
Then appeared one bird
Quickly followed by a second.
And then a third
Reminding me of the
Father, Son & Holy Spirit.
That third bird
Lasting in the sky
The longest
Reminding me of the
Holy Spirit’s ever presence
In our lives.
There was an L-shaped cloud line
Encompassing the sun
In the sky
Reminding me of God’s arms
Always surrounding and
Enveloping ME.
After about 15 minutes the cloud line
Disappeared reminding me of the
Son’s encompassing love and
Inclusion of us ALL.
All different kinds of birds
Were singing their songs of praise.
All in praise of their Creator
Reminding me to do the same.
It was another grace filled moment experiencing
God’s presence in creation and a definite
Reminder for me of the “Sonrise” in our
Hearts with Christ as the center.
Be still, and know that I am God.  –Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
The heavens declare the glory of the God; the skies proclaim
the work of His hands.  –Psalm 19:1  (NIV)