Basking in His Creation
Last week, we decided to do something out of the ordinary; we went fishing…something that we had not attempted in a long while. Although, we had a wonderful time, it took me back to the days when going out to the Everglades was a regular occurring event in our family. The trip reminded me of an old college science assignment; we were asked to reflect on an area of nature around us. Naturally, I chose to write about the beauty of the 10,000 Islands.
When we returned home that afternoon, I immediately pulled out the old project, and as soon as I started turning the pages, I was instantly overwhelmed by all of the memories that were made in this beautiful park. Here is a portion of that March 2003 reflection:
We docked off at Captain Gary McMillan’s private dock, a second-generation Everglades inhabitant. He lives at the end of Chokoloskee Island, the southern-most point of civilization in the Everglades. Before we headed off on our endeavor, David decided we needed to catch some live bait. He cast his net, for what seemed an eternity, and brought in a couple dozen finger-mullets, while my son decided he was going to start a shell collection. After everyone had gathered what they needed, we were off and headed to the 10,000 Islands.
It was shortly after 1:00 p.m. and the temperature was around 80 degrees, the wind was blowing slightly. Every so often when the breezed rested, the water looked like a sea of glass. The mangroves were gorgeous. They draped slightly above the water when the tide was high, and appeared to magically grow taller, when the tide dropped and their roots were exposed.
Fortunately for us, David has been fishing in these waters for over two decades, so we could travel places that others wouldn’t dare venture. Although, the islands make look indistinguishable to you and I, they are like second nature to him. I had a wonderful time watching the fascination of my kids as they took in all of God’s creation, as well as witnessing their enthusiasm each time they felt a tug on their line. They both caught their share of fish: snappers, redfish, jacks and even a few catfish. Even I got lucky a couple of times!
Around 4:00 p.m. we headed back, but not before spotting a couple of porpoises frolicking in the water. David took us to a huge nest that was built atop a mangrove; I believe that it housed an osprey (amazing)! We also came up on a small island inhabited by what appeared to be pelicans. We couldn’t get too close, for fear we would get caught on a sand bar, which I am told happens a lot.
All in all, the experience of the day was just the thing that I needed. The sun was reflecting on the water ; it was the perfect ending to the perfect day. Not only was I able to connect with God’s beauty, but I was able to enjoy it with those that I love the most.
Transformative Connections
….breaking barriers & building brdiges
Aspiring Writers
Parenting: One of God’s Greatest Callings
As the mother of two beautiful children, ages 21 and 16, I have discovered both the pains and the pleasures of parenting. Almost three years ago, we proudly and tearfully sent our oldest child off to college. And unless you have personally experienced this sort of parental separation, it is hard to wrap your mind around the sense of heartache and sadness that can come from this inevitable life-changing event. Although, no life has been lost, there is a definite shift in the way you once lived. A shift that can send shockwaves through a once unwavering home.
Aspiring Christian Authors: A Note to Self
Given the cutting edge technology era we are in, the writing process has never been so important, especially to young aspiring authors. We can transmit a message for the world to see in an instant. Although I would not trade this innovative tool for the world, a moment of weakness could produce chaos. When we pair passionate emotions that create fervent and fiery words, fueled by the heat of the moment, this gift of transmitting our thoughts can cause a self-inflicted wound. In the blink of an eye, before pondering the content of our impulsive, yet “crucial” message, the hasty decision causes us to second guess ourselves as soon as we hit the send button. I would be the first to agree that writing from an impassioned heart quite often produces the best work. However, we must be careful not to confuse it with enthusiatic emotional energy. As I write, no matter how excited I am to put a completed piece out for others to read, I must remember these things.
Nov
18
2013
God the Father’s Endorsement- Part 2
God the Father’s Endorsement:
After John the Baptist baptized Jesus, God the Father announces that Jesus is His son:
After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with him” (Matthew 3:16-17)
There are two things to take note of:
- God the Father is identifying Jesus as His Son.
- It reveals the three Persons of the Trinity present in one place at one time: God the Father’s voice is heard, Jesus Christ the Son is being baptized, and the Holy Spirit appears in the form of the dove.
At that Baptism the Holy Spirit came to Jesus and it was made known that He was the Son of God. This is the only time in the life of our Lord that you will see all three of the Godhead manifest at one time.
Jesus’ Humanity
The invisible God had appeared on earth. Even though Jesus declared Himself to be God, the Bible describes Jesus Christ being all man. He referred to Himself as the son of David because He was born into the bloodline of Israel’s famous King David. Jesus referred to Himself as “the Son of Man” (Luke 19:10) and it was revealed in His life:
- Jesus got hungry (Matthew 4:2)
- Jesus got thirsty (John 19:28)
- Jesus grew weary (John 4:6)
- Jesus loved and had compassion (Matthew 9:36)
- Jesus wept (John 11:35)
- Jesus was tempted (Hebrews 4:15)
Everything about Jesus was human. He had all the human emotions and was just like we are…except for one thing: He knew no sin. He never did anything that displeased God or violated the Mosaic Law. He was holy in every way and was declared innocent 11 times:
- Six times by Pilate (Matthew 27:24; Luke 24:14; John 18:38; 19:4,6)
- Once by Herod (Luke 23:15)
- Once by Pilate’s wife (Matthew 27:19)
- Once by the repentant thief (Luke 23:19)
- Once by the Roman centurion (Matthew 27:54)
- Once by Judas (Matthew 27:4)
Jesus was without sin; therefore He was the only acceptable sacrifice and died for our sins. All of Christianity is based on this fact. Those who knew Him better than anyone else would not have been willing to be persecuted and die for their faith if they knew this was not true. (1 Peter 2:22, 1 John 3:5, 2 Corinthians 5:21)
Nov
11
2013
JESUS – Who He Was and Is (Part 1)
I had the opportunity to teach a Sunday School class to New Christian Believers. These are the notes from the class.
Who He Was and Is
Knowing Jesus and having confidence in everything that He did and said will allow Christians to grow in their walk. Looking at those who were around Him and with Him during His ministry gives us a small glimpse into Jesus’ life.
Disciples:
The disciples were 12 handpicked ordinary men who, with the exception of one, followed Jesus until their end. Matthew and John wrote biographies in the Bible. Philip said, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote-Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph (John 1:45).” Nathaniel responded, “You are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel (v. 49).”
Opposition:
The religious leaders (Matthew 23) hated Jesus more than anyone, yet they could never expose him as a fraud or silence Him because He spoke with authority and truth (Matt 7:29). The only way they could silence him was by putting Him to death, and this actually fulfilled the prophecies of the coming Messiah and accomplished what Jesus came to do.
Historians:
The Bible is the most reliable and trustworthy ancient document ever written. No archaeological discovery has ever contradicted the Bible and has even led some to amazing discoveries. However, there are still some who want more proof. Josephus, a respected Jewish historian, mentions Jesus often.
Jesus’ Deity
His birth was prophesized in the Old Testament (Isaiah 7:14) and we were told that he would called Immanuel, meaning God with us. In John 10:34 Jesus said, “The Father and I are one.” It is this distinction that is the foundation of Christianity and we can believe it for many reasons.
The Proof:
Jesus had supernatural powers.
- He gave sight to the blind (Mark 8:22-26
- He cured the lame (John 5:1-9)
- He healed the sick (Luke 7:1-10)
- He raised the dead to life (Matthew 9:18-26)
- He fed thousands with a boy’s lunch (Matthew 14:14-21)
- He calmed a raging storm with one command (Matthew 8:23-27)
Jesus had supernatural qualities.
- eternal -omnipresent (John 17:5)
- all-knowing –omniscient (John 16:30)
- all-powerful- omnipotent (5:19)
- unchangeable (Hebrews13:8)
- the Creator of the Universe (Colossians 1:16)
Fulfillment of the Coming Messiah in the Old Testament Prophecies:
God promised the Jews that He would send a king who would establish God’s kingdom on earth. He would be God himself; the Messiah. The prophets gave some clues about who the Messiah would be.
- City of birth-He was going to be born in the little town of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)
- Parentage- He would be the direct descendant of King David (Isaiah 11:1)
- Characteristics- He would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14)
Nov
05
2013
A Life of Peace and Abundance
John 10:10 tells us clearly that we serve a God who came to give us a life better than we could have ever imagined on our own. Then why is it that so many “Christians” live in defeat?
We come to Jesus as we are; broken and tainted from all of the uninvited chaos and filth that has settled in the darkest and deepest crevices of our heart. He takes us into His arms and begins to wash away the stains of sin. He carefully and lovingly takes the shards created by rejection and puts the pieces of our life back together again. For some it is instantaneous, for others a process. However it comes about, we are a new creation in the truest sense of the word. We come to realize the Peace that surpasses all understanding, as we fall in love with the One who loved us first.
Yet, for many, this perfect peace is short lived. At the first sign of suffering, we want to return to our old fleshly ways. But why? The start of the same verse in John 10 plainly uncovers the answer. It says that the thief comes to kill, steal and destroy. We quickly give up our peace in order to defend ourselves and control the situation our way. The enemy doesn’t even have to put up a real fight with us.
Proverbs 3 tells us to trust in Him and not lean on our own understanding; to acknowledge Him in all our ways and He will direct our paths. There are many things that we can not control, no matter how much we try. There are things that we want to do and can do, but they don’t line up with His truth. When we put Him first and put our trust in Him, we avoid the unrest that comes with worry or selfish manipulation in order to get our way. When we trust Him, we find the abundant life that Jesus promises. Even when life seems to be falling apart around us, we have a unexplainable peace because we trust that He is in control.
Beauty for Ashes
Although it is a somber thought, many of us will not get through this life without the experience of heartbreak. Often, this comes through no fault of our own. It may sneak up on us through an unexpected loss, a crushing diagnosis, an act of betrayal or the subtle sting of rejection.
As we walk through the crowds of people, you will run into a sea smiling faces. However, if we look closer, behind the painted expression, hidden in secret places, you will find an injured soul; a broken spirit crying out to be held and be put back together again.
There is One who died to do just that for us! His name is Jesus and He was broken for our transgressions, He came to set the captives free and to heal the brokenhearted! He wants to take our pain and trade it for a peace that surpasses all understanding. He wants to take the life that has been mangled by others, and sometimes by our own doing, and He wants to transform it into something so beautiful that we could never have imagined on our own. He wants to use your story of redemption to touch the lives of others.
But there is a catch; and it is the hardest part. We must come out of hiding, we must stop pretending and lay the truth of our heartache at His feet! He will take the unbearable pain and give us beauty for our ashes!
