My Walk with God 🌱

"I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine." -Song of Solomon 6:3 This week many around the world celebrated and treated the loved ones in their life in a special way. Persons may have either showered their partner with affection or engaged in acts of appreciation to their friends, coworkers and family members. Let's be honest: intimacy is something that the human being craves. Finding someone to love and be safely loved by is a beautiful experience, however sometimes, we find ourselves looking for that intimacy in places that can instead end up being a source of disillusionment.  So how can we go about fulfilling that need for intimacy without risking disappointment? While nothing in this life is perfect or guaranteed, it is an important step to acknowledge that human love was created to reflect the love of God in many ways. If we were to learn what true love is from God, we not only elevate our ways of loving, but also, elevate our criteria in our search for and identifi...

"Bless the Lord oh my soul, and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name." -Psalm 103:1 This week, this particular song has been replaying in my mind. What a beautiful joy it is to find oneself in a state of gratitude for all of ones blessings, and praise and worship to our Creator and Redeemer. It lightens our hearts, and is infectious to those around us. It doesn't always come easily though, because as individuals, we go through several ups and downs in life, with regards to what may pre-occupy our thoughts and minds. Reflecting on God's goodness and His mercies and blessings in these times will then have to become an intentional exercise, one that re-directs our thoughts and heart to Him, acknowledging and refreshing ourselves with the reminder of the goodness of God through it all, generally and in our own personal lives.  The psalmist David wrote a beautiful tribute to the Lord during one of his moments of reflection and appreciation. It is one that we can all ...

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. - Ecclesiastes 3:11 This month was the start of my vacation, and I felt quite exhausted, run down and out of shape, but oh so thankful for the break. I was being convicted that I needed to start taking better care of myself and I was determined to let this vacation find me at the end of it in a much better condition than I was in at the beginning. By God's grace, I have set out to be more intentional about my diet, to have a more consistent exercise regime, and I have established some goals that I hope to see achieved by the end of the period. This week my mind went back to a photo a student shared of a butterfly captured a few days before vacation began. The decision to have a 'self-care July' came first, but the photo lead me to use the butterfly as a source of inspiration and motivation to the end goal. I imagined mysel...

“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.” -Matthew 18:12-14 This week, I came across a piece of art in my archives which has been one of my all time favorites. I don't know who the artist was, but I consider it a deeply meaningful image. It depicts a sheep that has found itself in a precarious position, and its shepherd having placed himself in a risky position to be able to rescue the sheep. Several questions usually surface in my mind when I reflect on this. How did the sheep get there? Didn't it realize how dangerous it was before reaching so far? How did the shepherd find the sheep? How many times has the shepherd or the sh...

"Not that I have already obtained it, this goal of being Christlike, or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that perfection for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own." - Philippians 3:12 QUESTION : What does a slippery salmon and a rip-current have in common? Continue reading 😎 Have you ever tried to swim upstream in a river? For those who have, they often say it is a tiring process, sometimes even futile for those who are not strong enough swimmers. There is a particular fish that has been known to do this very thing, at least once in its lifetime. The salmon, who is usually born in fresh water (rivers), tend to live most of their lives downstream in the ocean. When it is time for them to lay their eggs however, they instinctively return to the areas they were born, which unusually requires for them to find their way from the ocean back to the rivers, and successfully swim upstream.  I have another analogy I ha...

"He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His stripes we are healed."  - 1 Peter 2:24 Have you ever done something wrong? I guess we can all answer a sheepish 'Yes' to that question. How about have you ever done something wrong and watched someone else suffer or be punished for it, instead of you? Now this is where it gets sticky. Not many folk would feel comfortable admitting that they allowed someone to suffer because of their actions, and even worse, that they did nothing about it. It doubles the guilt. After all, it is the general in-built moral compass in most if not all of us, that accepts that the person who does wrong is the one who should experience their own consequences. Somehow though, through this life, we come to the realization that our actions not only impact us, but affect others also.  The Bible gives the following account. Jesus, innocent of any crime, is presented together with the ...

"For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace to help in time of need." - Hebrews 4: 15-16 Have you ever been through a circumstance in your life where you have tried sharing and talking to someone about your struggle, but they just don't seem to get it? It could very well be that they have a difficulty in empathizing with you because they either haven't been through a similar circumstance, or they experience and respond to something differently than you. However, when you do find someone who not only can relate, but is capable of empathizing with you also, it is a freeing experience, being able to be yourself and speak freely, without fear of being judged or misunderstood. Tonight, we are reminded that Jesus, who is our High Priest, is also one who can be that one true confidante. The Word says that He can sympathize with many i...

"I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands." -Psalm 143:5 Are you someone who feels the need to be constantly reassured by God, to be reminded that He loves you and that He is with you? I have a confession to make. I can be like this sometimes. I sometimes wonder why, or if anyone else is like me, if He ever gets tired of me, or if He cares about the need enough to keep meeting it for as long as it takes. Of course, I know He loves me, and that He is working for my good, but sometimes, just sometimes, hmm..  I can sometimes imagine Him thinking to Himself, "After all that I have done for you, how can you still wonder if I still love you? Here's something that you definitely can't miss."  I don't ever want to forget Him, and I don't want Him to forget me either. I look to the Bible to see if there was anyone like me. I have always thought these folks were not who I wanted to be like, but have you...

"Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!"  -Luke 1:45 Hello friends, I am sure by now you would have noticed this week that the world acknowledged International Women's Day. The strengths of women, the value and contribution of women, the beauty and timelessness of women, were all encouraged and affirmed. It is interesting, however, despite the accolades of the female gender, women often forget how precious we are. This may be due to many varied factors. Seasons of hardship, neglect, mistreatment, loss, abuse, exploitation, failure of protectors, the absence of fathers/father figures, and many other effects of a sinful world, all tend to influence a woman's self-perception and perhaps, even forget her worth. Tonight, I want to remind you, (and indeed myself in the process) that God has placed His image in us just as much as He has placed in our male counterparts. The Bible tells us that He has created us, fashioned us, crafted...

"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations."  -Revelation 22:1-2 Hello friends, did you know that one of my passions is hiking? It is something I discovered over a decade ago. I was invited to a hike in 2012, after and during a stressful period in my life. I was a bit doubtful about it, because I didn't know what to expect, wasn't fit at all, and really wanted to be by myself. Interestingly enough though, I did manage to complete it, and on sensing my new found interest for more, the hike leader introduced me to his hiking club. It was my first time hearing about something like a club for persons who hike, and I am so glad I found out about it. It quickly became my ...

"Your unfailing love, O LORD, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, Your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike, O LORD. How precious is Your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of Your wings." - Psalm 36: 5-7 Have you noticed? For many, 'tis the season for hearts, roses and chocolates, all in the name of love. It truly is a beautiful thing when individuals can go to great lengths to ensure that the one they love feels loved, cherished, secure in and convinced of their love. Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote a poem to a loved one, which has always stood out in my memory. It begins with the line:  How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. She then proceeds to describe the depths and limitless bounds of her love.  Whether we have knowingly found that special someone to love or not, we all have someone who pulls out all the stops when ...

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  - Isaiah 41:10 🌱 Holding hands usually brings to our mind thoughts of love, acceptance, and companionship. However, has someone ever held your hand during a difficult time? It could have been for a few seconds, or even a minute. Most likely, we can testify that it would have had a comforting or re-assuring effect on us. When we feel sad, alone, angry, crushed, anxiety, doubting, grieved, fearful, a hand that reaches out to us reminds us that someone is there, someone cares, and there is a source of strength outside of our failing selves that is offering to share some strength with us and walk with us through this. This side of humanity that exists around us, reflects and points us to an even greater hand that is reaching out to us. When we can't see beyond what our eyes can see, when we cannot feel beyond what is...

  "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship." -Romans 12:1 🌱 Have you ever been asked to do something, and yet you feel inadequate for the task ahead? I know I have. We have many examples of persons in the Bible who were called to do things that they felt totally unprepared for or even unwilling to do.  Consider Noah, who was called to preach to the people of his time about an unheard of impending flood and also build an ark. Consider a stuttering and once fugitive Moses, who was called to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, or a reluctant Jonah being called to preach to persons he felt may never take him seriously, or Joseph who had been through one too many incidents of betrayal and yet called toward an important position of responsibility. Consider even the widow who was down to her last handful of flour and getting ready to die and was...

Artist's depiction of our cloud of witnesses  "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." -Hebrews 12:1-2 🌱 Whether it be a story on the news or a theatrical play, the calamities of people's personal lives displayed on stage seem to often provide entertainment for, or condemnation from the public audience. In today's digital landscape, it is easy to participate in hasty commentary, adding pain to the injuries that individuals are already enduring. I reflect on our own heavenly   cloud of witnesses , as described in the Bible  (Hebrews 12:1-2) , watching us fall or be messed up in our own lives. Does heaven take pleas...

"Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer." - Psalm 61:1 During this week, I came across a written prayer that silenced me into reflection [posted below] . As I read each line, I found myself ticking off items on a mental checklist of things I have either already been wanting for myself or now desiring for myself.  We may have started the year with good intentions and plans, and may have even possibly failed miserably in some ways already, but expressing these plans in prayer to our Father adds another dimension to our personal walk this year. No matter what our resolutions may be, we solidify our well-intentioned path going forward by inviting God into the equation, and partnering with Him as our daily companion who is an ever-present help, listener, and reminder of all that is good, noble and true.  I would like to share this prayer with you, and I trust that as we take our time and read it, that it will be a blessing, inspiration or an encouragement to someone reading thi...

  "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life." - Psalm 143:8 🌱 Oftentimes, on a morning, I wake up to the sound of birds singing by my window. I confess I am sometimes a bit reluctant to wake up very early, but hearing the birds brightly singing is a beautiful encouragement for me to push forward and embrace the day with joy and enthusiasm. Why do the birds sing? Research says their dawn chorus can have several purposes, be it for marking territory or attracting/re-assuring mates, but the crucial part about it is the timing when the world is quietest and their sound can carry far. The Bible often mentions examples of thoughts and prayers being lifted up to God in the morning and its effects in strengthening individuals in God for the day. God delights in the prayers of His children and I sometimes wonder if all our early morning prayers are as beautiful to Him as the singing...

El Roi - The God who Sees Me So Hagar gave this name to the LORD who had spoken to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “Here I have seen the One who sees me!” -Genesis 16:13 🌱 Sometimes it is in the most unlikely of places, when we are at our lowest, that God reveals Himself to us, as the God who sees us, and is truly present with us. The enemy takes delight in our despair, but our Heavenly Father is about giving us hope and a meaningful future. The Bible is filled with examples of individuals like you and me, men and women who have had the blessed privilege of having their head lifted with joy and dignity by the divine hand. Let's continue to look up to Him and find our comfort, strength and validation from the One who sees, knows, understands, and is with us through it all.  Be blessed by the following selection. Which character's story touches us and encourages us the most? 🎧🙏🏼 The God who Sees [Nicole C. Mullen]

A timely reminder "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8: 37-39 🌱 Have you ever been told that Jesus loves you? I recently received this reminder from at least two sources, and it was good to be reminded. It also caused me to reflect. I am pretty sure there have been times when we have been told this and it registers in our brains in the same way when we hear our parents say that they love us. We tend to take it for granted, because we assume they have to love us. As we mature however, we tend to be able to appreciate that love even more, because we develop a deeper understanding of just how much this love has shaped, stabilized and supported us, through everythin...

“The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.” - Psalm 9: 9-10 🌱 Life can be full of twists, turns, and unexpected challenges, seasons of distress and calm. Our individual challenges are varied. Sometimes these situations can appear so much larger than life, that we feel overwhelmed and uncertain if we can weather our way safely through it. It becomes difficult to see the present and future positively because of the nature of what we are experiencing in the moment.  Sometimes these situations can appear so much larger than life, that we feel overwhelmed and uncertain if we can weather our way safely through it. The good news is that during these periods of distress, we have a rock, an anchor, a friend who sticks closer than a brother, and that friend is Jesus. He asks us to trust Him enough to hold on to Him, the hope and light of life. We m...

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you.  -Isaiah 54:10 Prayer : Release me from what has drawn me far away from You, and bring me back to that state of innocence, purity, confidence, contentment and deep communion with You, my Lord, my first true Love. God be with us 🌱