Spiritual Awareness

Last post I spoke of being physically a part of this world and not of this world. It is a kind of dual citizenship. Know thy self and realize that the Christian is first a citizen of heaven and second a citizen of this world. As such, everything we do should be with a constant eye on heavenly things. Over this past week my wife and I have been put through the wringer. (A wringer was the manual or powered washing machine rollers in early 1900s washing machines that wash was fed through to wring the water out of just washed clothes. There was no spin dry in those days.) I got really sick early in the week and she got even sicker about three days later. She got sick to the point she was not able to even get out of a chair without help. Two days later we were both mostly over it. It forced us to rely on each other no matter how bad we felt. This is a reminder of what it means to put others ahead of your needs. Sometimes that takes the long route to serve God's purpose. In the 1800s a well known preacher had a sermon published in a news paper, a copy of which was sent to Australia. The page containing the article was used to wrap something and sent to the UK. The item was then sent to America. In the meantime that self same minister was asked to minister to a woman that was questioning Christianity. When he got to the hospital room where she was , he was surprised to find her praising God. When asked what had happened she said she was saved. He asked her how. She presented him with that self same newspaper article. For that article to make that round trip would have taken over a year to accomplish. The point here is that God's covenant is not going to be denied or prevented. The promise he makes for us is not negotiable nor preventable. Sometimes it is immediate and sometimes it requires extraordinary circumstances. We must always keep spiritual awareness of our Lord. The most trivial of things may very well be the most extraordinary. 

May the good Lord Bless and keep you Safe.

remember to "Always Love the Details."

Deception

 Our lives, whether we admit it or not, are part of the natural world. Our body obeys all of the things nature does without exception. It is born, matures, gets sick, suffers, experiences joy, sorrow and dies. The body returns to the earth from which it was formed. It is not separate from but is part of the nature we would like to think we are not a part of. We are a part of nature. However, the part of us that is not a part of nature is the spirit and soul that inhabits this body. It is the vehicle through which we experience life in all of its complexities. It is the womb through which we are taught what is needed to become citizens of heaven. It is a classroom for those whom the Lord has called to Himself. It is also a battleground of spiritual warfare. A place where we are tested and refined, strengthened in our faith. It is where choices are made that determine the direction our journey will take us, the place where our ultimate destination lies. This world has nothing lasting to offer us. physical things of this world are finite, are left behind when we die. They are treasures for this world, not the next. The things we love of this world will remain in this world. The spirit within can savor and love in both worlds. It is the very essence of God, through the Holy Spirit, That supports and causes us to grow. God is love (1 John 4:16). Love is what makes life eternal.

Remember to "Always Love The Details."

Dedication

 

This quote is especially meaningful for me. The month that I paused the blog was to pray about and deal with what is happening in my wife's life. She has been slowly becoming unable to remember things, suffering unsteady balance and becoming more dependent on me. The first line of the quote is her life right now. the rest is what I am going through. I tell you these things not for sympathy but to ask for prayer for her. She has a wonderful sense of humor through all of this that is amazing to me. She has been my support and at times my guiding light. She never failed to be there when needed with love and caring devotion. Even through her current struggles she is supportive. We are one and, no matter the circumstances, support one another. That is what Christ has done and is doing today. (1 Sam. 12:24 - Fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; for consider all of the great things He has done for you.) He did not abandon us in our time of need nor set us aside as no longer wanted. We are cherished as though we are the only ones in His life. The world would abandon those who are poor, sick, destitute and helpless. The world would take what little they have and discard those that are of no use to them any longer. That may very well be our fate. That is not the way of our Lord. That is not the way that we are to be. Charity and caring does not begin at home but with all that need it, then it comes home. This blog is dedicated to bringing the word of life to the world and showing there are those that care for all of humanity. The only way to do that sometimes is to say "Hey, We all struggle and have problems." There are those in this world that struggle openly with their conditions. There are those that are private and struggle in silence. No matter what the problem or the circumstance the Lord is still there no matter if we are aware or or not. We are blessed with His presence. We need to bless those in need with our presence.

This week I would like to share an image I have colored. I still have some 70+ images to do. I will not be sharing all of them. But from time to time I will share one with you. 

At this point I usually give the colors and media used to create the image. I did use Copic alcohol inks. I am still coloring images but not as steadily for obvious reasons.

Remember to "Always Love The Details." They always matter.