My Walk with God 🌱

  “But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind." - Job 12-7-10 These past few weeks, I have been seeking soothing encouragement from nature. I missed being able to be outdoors and enjoy my usual exercise. I had to settle for looking at photos and videos. Deadlines, marathon sessions to complete work assignments, fatigue and pressures of daily responsibilities had taken up most of my focus and time. There were some moments where I was wondering how was I going to get everything done. I had to remind myself that with God all things are possible and that I can and will reach the finish line by God's grace. Today I reached the finish line, and what a feeling of relief and release I felt...

"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 ...

At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”  -1 Kings 3: 5-15 This week I wished upon a star. Well, it happened this way. I had just finished a conversation, and then glanced up at the sky. Next thing I know, I saw a shooting star. A pretty common phenomenon, I imagine, but for the average person, it isn't a regular sight as we don't look up as much, so when we see one, we are intrigued.  The concept of wishing on a star originated from Ptolemy, a Greek astronomer from back in the day who reasoned that a shooting star was a sign from the gods that they were listening to your wishes and ready to grant them. While it is a whimsical move, I found myself without thinking, making a wish for the first thing that came to my mind. It surprised me actually, what first came to my mind to wish for in that very moment. Afterward, it had me reflecting. What if it really did come through... is that what I re...

"Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths."  - Psalm 25:4 🌱 Have you ever challenged yourself to look at a bad experience and undoubtedly think of it as working for your eventual good? There is a story I read, which was of a Chinese farmer who experienced a seemingly distressing series of events, from a horse running away, to his son suffering a broken leg after trying to tame the several wild horses the runaway horse brought back with it when it returned, to the son not being drafted in to the army on a deadly mission due to his broken leg. Those around him were quick to judge each event as good or bad, however, the farmer responded each time as "maybe". Each of these events had a surprisingly positive end result. The farmer wise in his years, realized that things in life have a way of working out that may not appear to be so initially. The Bible strongly echoes these sentiments. Romans 8:28 says that "in all things God works for the good of tho...

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...

"When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?"  - Psalm 8: 3-4 On the second to last day of the year, one cannot help but reflect on the year that we are leaving behind and the year that is awaiting our arrival. This year has been one of the most difficult for me, but it has also come with an added portion of God's grace, comfort, strength, and providence. I have had some leaves and twigs pruned, and I have also been placed in a position anticipating the continued growth and sprouting of new ones. The pruning process is never a pleasant one, but it is a necessary one for the health of any plant, or tree, and even us as individuals. It is with utmost gratitude that I will end this year and begin the new year, gratitude for what God continues to do with me, in me, for me and through me, even when I don't understand or see the b...

  "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...

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...

A galaxy of the universe "I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever. With my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations." -  Psalm 89:1    Sometimes, we look around and are touched by the many things going on around and within. Sometimes, we need to pause and spend some time looking up to the One who created us, loves us and can provide peace in the middle of the storms of life. Sin has sadly continued to make a mess on this earth, and while we continue to do our part to help and support one another, let us remember that the tragedies and sufferings of this world will soon end in mercy, when Jesus comes once again.  Let us pull aside for a while and spend some time remembering and reflecting on our Creator. When He created this world and our first parents, He had love on His mind. His plan is to be with us in perfect harmony once again, forever. Let's purpose in our heart and mind to be part of that loving plan, in Jesus' name, Amen. Be...

God makes the life fertile by disappointments, as he makes the ground fertile by frosts. - Henry Ward Beecher  Have you ever been disappointed? Stood up by someone? Failed an exam? Been owed money that was never returned? Been at the receiving end of a broken promise? Lied to or betrayed? Been bypassed for an opportunity, or even missed an important occasion? Disappointment seems to come as a result of a wide variety of circumstances, but all have one thing in common. We expected better. Shakespeare put it like this: "Expectation is the root of all heartache". No-one enjoys heartache. If expectation opens us up to the possibility of hurt and disappointment, is it therefore an unrecommended act? Or does it continue to be a contract we are all willing to sign regardless of the outcome, but with the contingent hope that it will be met? Expectation, while offering a desirable sense of anticipation and security, if not based on solid ground or a certain premise of reality, it pri...

Remember whose you are written by Dora Seecharan Dedicated to the forgetful and the forgotten R emember who you are, bought with a great price, suffered and tried for, beneficiary of a life humbly lived and sacrificed.  Remember who you are, the apple of God's eye, a child of the King, a servant called out of servitude to serve in freedom.  Remember who you are, birthed in humility, called to act justly, love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with our God.  Remember who you are. Sandaled feet walked miles and miles to reach you, be an example for you, to lead the way.  Remember who you are when you find yourself forgetting your worth, your purpose, your Father.   “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. - Isaiah 43:1 Remember who you are. You are known by name. The number of hairs on your head has been counted, your every thought is known by Him. Remember who you are. Your big brother in heaven came to this earth, fought for yo...

"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 🌱