OCTOBER 8, 2023

“A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.” 

― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

ISAIAH 39-40

28Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one can fathom.

29He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak.

30Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall;

31but those who hope in the Lord

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint. (40:28-31)

PHILIPPIANS 4

 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

JOURNAL 

This was from a couple of years ago but it's worth reposting... past couple of weeks I have been doing a meditation that's on my phone. It is just 10 minutes and it is pretty cool in that it is just about becoming calm and clear and being in the moment. It is a program that the foundation is 30 days in blocks of 10. I am almost through the second block and it is really cool all the things it is opening my mind to. This morning I realized how amazing just the process of breathing is. There is oxygen in the air and just by taking it in my lungs convert that into my blood which travels though my entire body and allows all my organs to work perfectly. From the beating of my heart to all the synapses in my brain. It all happens without me even having to think about it.

My ability even to utilize thoughts and type them into the computer is in and of itself amazing. We are so blessed in this day and time with modern conveniences that are mind blowing but nothing is as amazing as a living breathing human. That is why we are the crown of God's creation, that is why we are so special, yet so often I don't embrace that and so often I don't think of others in those terms.  To do so would be to walk around in absolute wonder at all that God has created in every human being...because every single one is unique.

I love that these verses in Philippians are about this very thing...to think on all that is good and then the God of peace will be with us. I believe that it is in this state of mind that we can endure all things good and evil with a sense of joy and peace.

11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

PHILIPPIANS 4:11-13