Finding a Piece of Paradise Where You Are

Sometimes we become entrapped by the haste that surrounds us daily, whether it involves our jobs, family, extracurricular activities, our human interactions or even while we are at school. We all too often become entrapped by distractions that puts a veil over our physical and spiritual senses, sending us into a state of overwhelm, anxiousness and frustration. This often leads to a myriad of personal health issues, unfortunate experiences and unexpected circumstances.

Regardless of whether you live in the city, suburbs or country it is imperative that in order to maintain some sense of stability and peace within your mind, body and spirit, you must find a designated time and space where you can escape to an environment of tranquility. There is no need in trying to wait until you take a vacation to find your piece of paradise. Whether it is a designated spot on your deck, in your yard, in a quiet nook in your house, a particular place at a nearby park, lake, beach or mountains, just rest assured that if you really want to, you could create a place and space to meditate, pray, relax and release every single day. Where is your favorite place of paradise?

Do We Shut Our Doors of Opportunity?

Door of Opportunity

At times, our haste and complacency causes us to lose our focus and purpose for what God needs for us to do. All too often, people see the greater things they want, yet do not conquer the smaller ones before taking that fateful leap. This causes us to end up diving in head first into a situation where there is no water to soften the collision. We do not heed the warning signs to stop, pray, gather our thoughts and pay attention to how you need to proceed with the task at hand. Instead, we sometimes handle things through emotion, frustration or impatience and fail to learn the important lessons we need to learn, in order to stand firm on a solid foundation.

Sometimes in our thoughtlessness and through our irrational actions, we can burn valuable bridges, underutilize our talents and gifts, or simply close a door of tremendous opportunity. Our impatience, hurriedness, arrogance and attitude will inevitably destroy us if we do not heed the clear warnings that God gives us, simply because we devised an alternative solution to try to force “our way” on others.

Be wise and refuse to allow your gift(s) and talent(s) to be wasted on busyness, foolishness, distractions, carelessness, cockiness or not spending sufficient time with the LORD and immersed in His Word. Where there is interpretation, there is understanding. Where there is understanding, we find knowledge. Where there is knowledge, we find strength. Where there is strength, we find growth. But the utterance of wisdom surpasses them all. Understanding tells you what to do. Wisdom shows you how. (Excerpt from Diversities of Gifts: Same Spirit – Free Your Mind chapter)

Are you graciously opening your doors of opportunity? Or are you nailing them shut with your attitude?

Shine on Harvest Moon!

Harvest Moon: On Stage Tonight!

If you had an opportunity to witness that beautiful Harvest Moon tonight, it was completely mesmerizing. I had to run grab my binoculars and soak in that beautiful golden glow as the moon began to slowly rise when the sun set in the West. This is the last full moon of the summer for this year. A photograph or watching the harvest moon on television is nothing compared to standing outside and looking at how awesome and magnificent this beautiful creation of God, makes you stop wherever you are and say, “Wow!” Shine on Harvest Moon!

Let It Go!

Let it go!

Do not worry about those things that keep you anxious; things invoked by someone else and not by God. We have to “let go” of any one, any thing and any situation that will lead us into the spirit of oppression. If it (whatever or whoever “it” is) is the cause of the problem and not the solution, then you need to let “it” go!

People want to believe in something and desire to be a part of something, whether it’s healthy or destructive. We must avoid getting trapped by emotional stimulation and cleave to spiritual saturation. Emotional stimulation is quick, temporary and flesh imposed. Spiritual saturation is transformative, everlasting and spiritually rooted.

Your spiritual gift is like a mature tree, ever climbing, branching out and bearing fruit, while remaining connected to the trunk (your food and power sources). God is our power source. Jesus Christ is our extension cord. The Holy Spirit is our power outlet. We will always have a way to stay connected. To fill our spiritual fuel tanks, we must first plug into our power outlet to energize and utilize our hidden potential, so God will be glorified.

(Excerpt from the conclusion of Diversities of Gifts: Same Spirit)

September Book Festival for the Week of 9/4/11

Hedgebrook supports a growing global community of women writers from all over the world with residencies at our retreat on Whidbey Island, and programs to connect their work with readers and audiences of all ages.


September 8, 2011
Hedgebrook Residency
Whidbey Island, Washington
http://www.hedgebrook.org/
connect@hedgebrook.org

Celebrating Labor Day!

Labor Day, which is celebrated on the first Monday in September, is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. This annual national tribute is recognized for the contributions that U.S. workers made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country

The first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed during 1885 and 1886. From them developed the movement to secure state legislation. The first state bill was introduced into the New York legislature, but the first to become law was passed by Oregon on February 21, 1887. During the year, four more states — Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York — created the Labor Day holiday by legislative enactment. By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 other states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers, and on June 28 of that year, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories. (United States Department of Labor, 2011)

Let’s celebrate Labor Day by remembering and thanking those who came before us and paved the way to the prosperity, strength and well-being of our country. Happy Labor Day everyone!