Sunday Morning Walk Thoughts...

Fredericksburg, Texas

As I took a pre-dawn walk through the neighborhood this morning, basking in the wonderous feel, sound and smell of glorious autumn, my mind was quickened to the thought that I am truly on a journey. A journey of continually searching for God and what that means in my daily life. I'm a 'God Chaser' as my my old friend from the teenage years, Tommy Tenney, would say. And through this journey I've come to realize it's not about rules or constraints, nor is it about unreasonable limitations but, rather, it's about freedom. It's about seeing my 'wants' become reality. It's about coming to realize that when the writer said 'I shall not want,' not only was he was speaking prophetic words, but he was speaking about me. Daily, God is supplying not only my needs, but my wants, also. I want to love with abandon. I want intense passion. I want to know that in all my relationships something exists beyond the visible. God knows my wants even better than I do and, in His perfect timing, they will be granted.
I love pondering the possibilities before my life, what could or will be, and what the necessary steps are before I see things begin to happen. I love the simple pleasures He has placed as mile markers on my journey. Pleasures such as long and straight-from-the-heart talks with my good friend Elizabeth, evening prayer walks in the summer, gathering the harvest from my awesome little garden, Saturday morning bike rides to Carlito's for a Mexican breakfast, the joy of finding the perfect gift for someone I love, spending hours in the bookstore (the new and improved libraries!), cool mornings and crunchy leaves in the fall, learning about love and life from those who seem to have found their way, the awe I feel when viewing His magnificent mountains, long aromatic & candlelit baths, being home alone with no tv or phone, just good music or a good book, and connecting with another heart. I am learning how to love, how to live, when to speak and when not to, when it's time to gather the stones, when it's time to let go. I'm learning surrender, forgiveness, discipline and, greatest of all, patience. I'm neither brilliant nor eloquent, but God has been exceedingly gracious in allowing me to cross paths with a few wise people along the way and I try to draw magnificence from all I've learned from them. And for that, I am grateful.

08/08/08

Almond orchard near the cave of John the Baptist, Israel, March 2006

Though I have never been a believer of numerology, I am a bit intrigued by today's date--08/08/08. In the spiritual world, the number eight signifies the time of new beginnings. Of further interest to me is the fact that we are currently living in the Jewish year 5768, the year which scholars have declared to be the "Year of Samekh Chet---The Year of the Full Circle of Life---A New Beginning is Yours." Upon realizing this, my mind was quickened to the passage in the book of Isaiah (43:19) wherein Isaiah declares God's mercy by repeating what God has proclaimed,
"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." NIV

In our society we typically mark January 1 as the time for 'new beginnings'---the starting point for making positive changes in our lives, changes often related to physical, spiritual or financial matters. But why should we wait until January to start anew? What better time is there than today, 08/08/08, to start losing those few extra pounds or start setting aside a few more dollars? My, if I change my exercise routine and prayer life and a few other habits starting right now, I could be light years ahead when the new year rolls in! And maybe, just maybe, there really is something special for me just around the bend. Maybe today really will mark a new beginning. My new beginning. But it must start with me...

"But it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
I Corinthians 2:9 NKJ

Thirty Days of Happiness: Day 30

"For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways." Psalms 91:11

Happiness---and comfort---is found in knowing there are angels watching over us night and day.

Thirty Days of Happiness: Day 25

The little things? The little moments? They aren't little. ~John Zabat-Zinn

Happiness is realizing that sometimes the little things aren't so little after all.

Thirty Days of Happiness: Day 21

Happiness is knowing that on Sunday I will go to the house of the Lord. The unmeasurable comfort envelopes me before I even step one foot into the vestibule. There's nothing quite like standing on holy ground.

Thou has turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness.
To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever. Psalms 30:11-2

Thirty Days of Happiness: Day 19

Happiness is knowing God is always there. When you can't see Him...He's there. When you can't feel Him...He's there. When you can't hear Him...He's there. Always there, ready to mend, heal and fill.

Montana sunset, May 3, 2008


When we walk to the edge
of all the light we have
and take the step into the
darkness of the unknown,
we must believe that
one of two things will happen....
There will be something
solid for us to stand
or we will be taught to fly.

~Patrick Overton

Thirty Days of Happiness: Day 18

Flamingos is Progresso, Mexico

Happiness is beholding the magnificent, wonderous creations of God which are ever present in nature. These flamingos were spotted during a ground tour which was offered when on a cruise to Mexico last August. According to the tour guide, these birds are not born with this vibrant, peachy-pink color but, rather, they acquire it through their dietary intake. The water where flamingos reside is typically extremely high in iodine, which is thought to be a great contributor to their spectacular color. Simply beautiful.

Thirty Days of Happiness: Day 16

I've learned along the way that 'what is important to us is important to God too', and there's great happiness in knowing that He is not only involved in the big, monumental events of our lives, but He is very much interested in the little things too. A couple of years ago I mentioned to my friend, John, that it would be very nice if God would send a really good (and cheap!) painter my way, as I was--once again--ready to change some interior colors. That very evening I went to the track to walk my regular two miles, and as I was finishing lap 2, a Hispanic man that I had noticed there from time to time approached me. He spoke, I responded and he continued to walk. Then.....he slowed down, turned around, and with a thick Spanish accent said, "By the way, my name is Angel and I'm a painter. I work for so-and-so builder here in town, but I do side jobs too and I'll beat anybody's price." Wow. What a 'God thing.' And what reassurance to know He answers even when we aren't directing our desires to Him.

...and even more lubby dub's

Finding these special rocks really makes me happy, and sometimes I feel He intentionally sprinkles them along my paths. Though many may look similar, I know exactly when and where I discovered certain ones.

Thirty Days of Happiness: Day 12

"There is no drop of water in the ocean, not even in the deepest parts of the abyss, that does not know and respond to the mysterious forces that create the tide." Rachel Carson

Happiness can be found in enjoying a work of art when I have the blues. I felt like I was all alone on a big, big sea this day. But the sun still shines and GOD IS, therefore, all is well.

More Than One Side To A Mountain

"Little did I know that as I faced a mountain of insurmountable sorrow, and during the days and weeks and months I spent grieving beneath the weight of my monumental grief, God was bringing up joy on the other side." excerpt from Rex Johnson, With A Palm And A Willow

There is more than one side to a mountain. The same side of the mountain that shrouds us in darkness prematurely is also the side that first welcomes the sun. God works as well with darkness as He does with light.

Real Love

a gorgeous Montana sunset, April 30, '08

...real love is like God, you can depend on it to always be there. You may not always see it or be able to touch it or feel it, but it’s still there, unchanging and unmovable, just like God. Waiting patiently, interceding for His favor, hoping, trusting, believing, loving.
excerpt from an old love letter