#Faith – Page 5 – I and Thou Reflections

Creativeness in the Sacred

Comfort & Joy

Comfort and joy,
Where can I find this comfort and joy?
Take a break. Step away and find a quiet place.

Comfort and joy,
Where can I find this comfort and joy?
Sit for a while. Ask for God’s presence.

Comfort and joy,
Where can I find this comfort and joy?
Be still. Close your eyes. Breathe. Relax.

Comfort and joy,
Where can I find this comfort and joy?
In the depths of your soul, reach as far down as you can.

Comfort and joy,
Where can I find this comfort and joy?
Sit for a while. Be open to God’s presence.

Comfort and joy,
Where can I find this comfort and joy?
Ask God to sit next to you and join you in your thoughts.

Comfort and joy,
Where can I find this comfort and joy?
Shh. Quiet. Hear God speak.

God says, Hello, precious child.
“I knit you together in your mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:9)
I am so happy to see you. I’ve been waiting for you to ask me to sit with you.
Go ahead and tell me what is on your mind.

It’s okay. Speak your mind.
Stay awhile in this sacred place.

Comfort and joy,
Where can I find this comfort and joy?
In this sacred space, may you find comfort and joy.

Whatever your religious beliefs are or are not, may this season of holidays, encourage you and bring you tidings of comfort and joy.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

*****

Inspired by the Christmas Song, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen…
“Fear not,” then said the Angel, “let nothing you affright,
This day is born a Saviour, Of pure Virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him, From Satan’s power and might.”
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

#Comfort #Joy #Christmas #SacredSpace #NadiaCraneAuthor #Wine&Faith #RecommendedBooks

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Christmas Hope & Redemption: Day 11 Twelve Days of Isaiah

Day 11~ Isaiah 40:28-31

Is There Room in Your Heart?

To Trust?

To Love?

To Forgive?

If yes…

Let’s Soar Together!

Throughout this chapter of Isaiah, we have read about God’s returning the Israelites to Jerusalem. We have seen the power of God’s creation and how we are like grasshoppers.

Although we become disgruntled and weary, God’s energy and power are limitless.

In this passage, the central theme is hope and redemption. We have a choice. We can get crushed like a serpent or we can soar like an eagle.

What do you choose?

Let’s read this passage in Isaiah. Shall we?

1. New International Version
2. The Complete Jewish Bible.

Scripture from: http://www.biblegateway.com.

^{Soar Like an Eagle}

Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV

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.

Isaiah 40:28-31 CJB

²⁸Haven’t you known, haven’t you heard
that the everlasting God, Adonai,
the Creator of the ends of the earth,
does not grow tired or weary?
His understanding cannot be fathomed.
²⁹He invigorates the exhausted,
he gives strength to the powerless.
³⁰Young men may grow tired and weary,
even the fittest may stumble and fall;
³¹but those who hope in Adonai will renew their strength,
they will soar aloft as with eagles’ wings;
when they are running they won’t grow weary,
when they are walking they won’t get tired.

*Image Source: Created with AI using Soar Like an Eagle with the scripture above*

#Hope&Redemption #12DaysofIsaiah #Christmas #Comfort #ComfortOneAnother #LiftUpYourVoice #SpiritoftheLord #SpecksofDust #Idolatry #Universe #Heavens #SoarLikeanEagle #IandThouReflections

Christmas Hope & Redemption: Day 10 Twelve Days of Isaiah 40

Day 10~ Isaiah 40:25-27

Once we can wrap our heads around the fact that we can’t begin to fathom the greatness of God, we must rely on our faith.

If we believe that God is everywhere, the imagery of looking up in the sky reminds us of the vastness and limitlessness of our Divine Creator. Don’t you think?

Then, why do we often feel abandoned or overlooked by God?

Could it be in that very same vastness of the universe? We ask ourselves how God can possibly know our hearts when we seem so small in comparison.
We feel lost.
Lost in the vastness.

In this passage, the Creator of the heavens invites us to lift our eyes to heaven. Why? To show us how Each star in the universe is named, pointing to the fact that God knows every minute detail of ALL his creation, including us.

Let’s read this passage in Isaiah. Shall we?

1. New International Version
2. The Complete Jewish Bible.

Scripture from: http://www.biblegateway.com.

^{Lift Your Eyes to the Heavens}

Isaiah 40:25-27 NIV

²⁵“To whom will you compare me?
    Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.
²⁶Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
    Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
    and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
    not one of them is missing.
²⁷Why do you complain, Jacob?
    Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord;
    my cause is disregarded by my God”?

Isaiah 40:25-27 CJB

²⁵“With whom, then, will you compare me?
With whom am I equal?” asks the Holy One.
²⁶Turn your eyes to the heavens!
See who created these?
He brings out the army of them in sequence,
summoning each by name.
Through his great might and his massive strength,
not one of them is missing.
²⁷Why do you complain, Ya‘akov;
why do you say, Isra’el,
“My way is hidden from Adonai,
my rights are ignored by my God”?

*Image Created by AI using scripture reference and key words*

#Hope&Redemption #12DaysofIsaiah #Christmas #Comfort #ComfortOneAnother #LiftUpYourVoice #SpiritoftheLord #SpecksofDust #Idolatry #Universe #Heavens #IandThouReflections

Unwrapping the Gifts to Eternal Life: The Wise Men

Prepare Ye The Way

Let’s continue to prepare our hearts for Christmas. Shall we?

Our journey will take us to Christmas, where we will find hope and redemption to renew our faith, whatever that faith may be.

In the previous post, we explored how Christmas found its place on December 25 and how it was rooted in the ancient festival of Saturnalia.

The next three blog posts will focus on the significance of the wise men’s gifts to Baby Jesus. Today, we start with what Matthew had to say.

Ever wonder where the Magi brought their gifts?

*The Three Magi Magi Mags royalty-free vector graphic by pixabay dot com*

Let’s see what the Bible has to say in Matthew 2.

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Matthew 2:9-12

Does it Really Matter?

So, we understand the story. King Herod sent the wise men to find the Baby. But the text doesn’t reveal how the wise men came to possess the gifts.

Did King Herod give them to the wise men?

Or did the wise men buy them along the way?

Or, perhaps they had these gifts along, waiting for the right time to give them away.

No, it doesn’t matter at all. The Wise Men presented Jesus’ holiness and signified that Jesus came to Earth to save our souls. And that is what matters most.

Divine Mystery

There is no doubt these gifts had divine mystery. There were profoundly more than mere symbols of wealth. These gifts speak to Jesus’ life and the hope He offers. Their meaning unlocks the keys to everlasting life.

In the next post, we’ll unwrap these treasures and uncover their significance. We will start with gold – A gift fit for a King!

#TheThreeWiseMen #Gifts #Jesus #Isaiah #Prophecy #Hope&Redemption #12DaysofIsaiah #Christmas #Comfort #ComfortOneAnother #IandThouReflections

Penny and the Polarization of a Country

A little story about a girl named Penny.

Penny is hardly described as a political person, which is ironic since she holds a master’s degree in public administration. She took several government courses and found them interesting at the time. But that is another story.

Today, Penny wants to write about how she is dealing with the polarization of political views where she lives. It could be scary to some.

An Alien in a Foreign Land

Yet, for Penny…She is not of this world. She is an alien in a foreign land. At least, that is how she has felt since the day she was born.

Penny’s hope is in her faith.
Her faith drives her to calmness.
To hopefulness.
To gratitude.

How Awesome is the Universe?

She can’t imagine how any human can question how the universe was formed. It didn’t just happen. Did it?

Penny spent many waking hours wondering how the universe was formed. How the stars got to be in the sky, and why the sun doesn’t fall out of the sky.

For Penny, the universe is how it is. It is awesome, as is nature itself.

Penny had a few experiences that made her think twice about coincidences.
Like when she was in a car accident, and the car flipped over three times. She and her two friends walked away with minor scrapes and bruises.

Or when she had $3 and change and didn’t know how she would buy groceries. She had to decide: “Do I pay my bills or eat?” Then, a $200 check arrived in the mail, which was the exact amount to cover the difference between her inflows and outflows. For two years! The check came each month, and she could buy fresh food for dinner for her and her youngest child. Her older child chose to live with his father and not speak to her for over a decade.

So, you may ask, how could Penny have faith when her kid didn’t talk to her?

Or that her marriage failed her after repeatedly praying that it wouldn’t?

Good questions!

Life is Funny

Life is funny that way.

It doesn’t always go the way you expected. And there lies the rub.

Penny believes we must place our whole selves into the hands of our Creator and follow the inner voice in our hearts. It’s pretty simple. Although it took her a long time to figure it out.

Penny’s prayer went like this in 2015:
“Almighty God, I have tried to find a job to no avail. I fully surrender to your will. I will expand my job search to a national level and go where you lead.”

A few months later, she was on her way to a foreign land. (the midwest)

Now, let’s get back to the day at hand. The day after the Election of 2024.

Just like any other day. A day where Penny will put her trust in the Almighty God and go where she is led.

Today, her prayer is:
“Almighty Creator of the Universe, You define the trajectory of the world. I fully surrender to your will. I will go where you lead. I trust you will give me the strength and energy for what lies ahead.”

What is your prayer today?

#Polarization #Election 2024 #Faith #Prayer

The Dark Side of Halloween: A Journey from Innocence to Faith – Part 2

In Part 1, we discovered that Halloween is a fun, family activity full of delight and sweets. Today, we will continue our post with the transitions from the innocence of youth to the darkness of teenagers and beyond.

The Transition from Innocence into the Dark Abyss

Teenagers are another breed. They dress in dark, scary costumes and carry pillowcases clustered in bunches as they “trick-or-treat.” Sometimes downright frightful.

The once light-hearted fun transitions to a darker tone of fear. As often depicted in horror movies, haunted houses, and scary costumes.

This shift causes us to pause and ask:

What is Halloween?

The origins of Halloween are rooted in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. It marked a time when the boundary between the living and the dead was thin. Like a veil.

This festival involved lighting bonfires and wearing costumes to ward off roaming spirits. Hence, it evolved into the more commercialized secular day we call Halloween. Its supernatural roots still linger with a sense of dark, demonic elements.

Darkness Can’t Exist without Light

Halloween can veer into the demonic easily. Yet, it also allows us to reflect on the light. For darkness cannot exist without light. It can be a time to reflect on deeper spiritual truths and the enduring light of faith. For those who feel uneasy about Halloween, you are not alone. Faith and spirituality offer a power counterbalance.

Agree?

The Light & Love of God

When we emphasize the light and love of God, our positive values can be transformative. We can love our community and be the hands and feet of Jesus by shining God’s light on others. Churches and faith-based organizations can host “Harvest Festivals” or “Trunk-or-Treat” events. We can offer safe and wholesome alternatives if we want to change the world. With a bit of motivation and planning, it can be done!

We have a choice.

We can gravitate toward the negative. Or we can gravitate toward the positive.

Our children need to be aware of the dark side of Halloween. They need to be cautious about climbing too far into it. As we try to instill good values in our children, we need to be able to distinguish good from evil. Highlighting goodness over evil is a great place to start.

God’s love and light are for all who seek faith.

Our trust in God overcomes darkness and death.

Thus, Halloween can serve as a metaphorical reminder of this eternal truth.

#Halloween #Love #Light #Faith #FamilyFun

The Dark Side of Halloween: A Journey from Innocence to Faith – Part 1

Cobwebs, Witches, Pumpkins, Oh My!

Cobwebs, witches, pumpkins, and tombstones seem to pop up everywhere in October.

Do you see them?

From storefronts and public squares to front lawns all across the country. There is no doubt that Halloween generates considerable sales for retailers.

Children can hardly wait to pick out their costumes as summer fades and fall approaches. It’s become a rite of passage, starting with the Halloween Parade that begins in pre-school. Which, of course, continues in grammar school. And typically ends in middle school.

Pretty as a Pirate

For parents of pre-schoolers, it is a joyous time. Families choose together what their little ones will be for Halloween. More often than not, these young children choose happy and pretty types of costumes.

Would you agree?

Young children pick superheroes, cute animals, or princesses. Which adds a flair of innocence to the holiday.

Then come the parties.

School parties, town parties, and neighbor parties. All preceding the ‘trick-or-treat’ tradition. Where children go from door to door ringing doorbells in the neighborhood. Having fun as they fill their bags with sweets. Children clad in costumes. Parents prompt and prod along the way. They roam the streets with their pumpkin-shaped baskets as parents linger behind.

In Part 2 we will explore the origins of Halloween and the transition from innocent into the dark abyss.

#Halloween #Innocence #Love #Light #Faith #FamilyFun

Cranberry Lemonade: Faith & New Beginnings

In our previous two posts, we discussed how faith can help us see life through a different lens. We learned how faith can transform and turn us into new creations by providing the courage to move beyond our past. Then, we explored how we can find peace with ourselves and others by seeking reconnection and reconciliation. Today, we will explore divine intervention and new beginnings.

Divine Intervention and New Beginnings

Peace and reconciliation bring newness to our relationships with God, our families, and our communities. Divine intervention allows us to grow into this new creation, like cranberries and stevia, transforming lemonade into something fresh and different. The key is to be receptive and hear God’s calling. We must allow God to work within us as we feel a nudge to do something different.

How do you see divine intervention in your daily life?
What role does prayer play in your life?

Action

This week,
consider reaching out to someone you have lost touch with.

Prayer – Let us pray…

Divine Creator,
You are in and around me.
I surrender my life and all of my relationships to the Universe.
Fill me with love.
I trust You will direct my path and journey with me.
Help me to create something spectacular with lemons!
Amen

#Faith #Transformation #SpiritualJourney #Reconciliation #Relationships #NewCreation #Reflections #Peace #DivineIntervention

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Cranberry Lemonade: Faith & Reconciliation

Last time we imagined we were a glass of lemonade. We tried envisioning what we could add to our lives (the lemonade) to make it new and different (cranberries). We learned that faith shapes us and can help us become a new creation.

The Power of Reconciliation

Reconciliation is a natural consequence of personal transformation. We seek to heal past wounds and rebuild broken relationships as we grow in faith. However, reconciliation can be complicated. It takes two willing hearts.

John and Sally

Consider John, who has recently embraced his faith. In his journey of self-discovery, he feels compelled to reach out to his cousin Sally, whom he hasn’t spoken to in over a decade due to an old argument. John is ready to reconcile, but Sally may not be. John’s willingness to reach out is a powerful first step. He has done what he can and now can rest in the knowledge that he has made an effort, continuing to pray and hope for a future reconciliation.

Cranberry Lemonade: A Symbol of Newness

Just as adding cranberry juice to lemonade creates a new and refreshing drink, welcoming the Creator and others into our lives makes us new. Paul’s words echo this truth:

“The old has gone; the new is here!”

This newness isn’t just a surface change—it’s a complete transformation of our spirits, connecting us to the Divine and one another. It’s about embracing a new way of thinking, a new way of living, and a new way of relating to others.

What practical steps can you take today to embrace the newness of realizing you are a faith-based person?

Start by reflecting on your beliefs and values and how they influence your actions. Then, consider how you can align your life more closely with these principles. This could involve regular prayer, attending religious services, or engaging in acts of kindness and compassion.

Finding Peace in Reconciliation

True peace comes when we accept relationships as they are, not as they were or as we wish they might be. In his message, Paul urges us to be reconciled to God. But before we can do this, we must make amends with those around us. Apologizing and seeking forgiveness allows us to find peace within ourselves and the world around us.

In the case of estrangement, I am not advocating writing a letter of amends. However, I am advocating that you write a letter or multiple letters for your eyes only and then place them in a memory box or burn them. Experts have mixed thoughts on this. Remember, both hearts need to be ready. Processing emotions is part of healing, even when reconciliation isn’t possible, yet.

Is there someone with whom you have had a falling out?
How might your own transformation inspire you to reach out and seek reconciliation?

Next time, we will conclude this series on Cranberry Lemonade as we explore the topic of faith and new beginnings, where we will explore divine intervention.

#Faith #Transformation #SpiritualJourney #Reconciliation #Relationships #NewCreation #Reflections #Estrangement

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Cranberry Lemonade: Faith & Transformation

Introduction

Life often hands us challenges—those sour, difficult moments that can leave us bitter or discouraged. But just as we can transform tart lemons into refreshing lemonade, faith has the power to transform our lives in profound ways. Through faith, we become new creations, shedding the past and embracing a future full of hope, reconciliation, and renewal.

In this three-part series, Cranberry Lemonade, we’ll explore how faith can lead to transformation, reconciliation, and new beginnings. We will discuss how faith can lead to personal transformation, turning us into new creations with the courage to move beyond our past. Then, explore the natural outcome of this transformation—seeking reconciliation in our relationships and finding peace with others and ourselves. We will complete this series by considering how divine intervention and reconciliation lead to new beginnings, not just in our spiritual lives but also in our connections with family and community.

A New Creation in Faith

“…Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” – 2 Corinthians 5:16-19

Faith is a trust or belief in something, whether it’s nature, the Universe, or Mother/Father God. This belief is deeply personal and shapes us into who we are. Some may adapt to fit their circumstances like chameleons, while others stand firm on their principles. But when faith takes root in our hearts, we undergo a transformation—a rebirth into a new creation. This change can come through various actions, whether connecting with nature, attending church, or exploring biblical prophecy.

The Lemonade Analogy

You’ve likely heard the phrase, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” It encourages us to stay optimistic, even when life presents challenges. With their sourness, lemons symbolize life’s difficulties, while sweet and refreshing lemonade represents the positive outcomes we can create.

But what if we take this a step further? Imagine adding cranberry juice and stevia to plain lemonade. This new combination is something wonderfully different, just as we can be transformed when we embrace reconciliation.

If your life were a glass of lemonade, what ‘cranberry juice’ (new element) would you add to make it even more refreshing?

It could be forgiveness, understanding, or a new perspective. Consider what you can add to your life to make it more refreshing and transformative.

Transformation Through Faith

When we accept faith and become a new creation, we experience a profound sense of freedom. The past no longer holds us back, and we are empowered to move forward with courage and strength. This transformation naturally leads us to consider our relationships—especially those needing mending.

Can you recall a time when you experienced a significant transformation?
How did faith play a role in that change?
What old habits or mindsets have you let go of since embracing your faith?

Next time, we’ll look at the power and peace of reconciliation as a symbol of newness in this journey of life.

#Faith #Transformation #SpiritualJourney #Reconciliation #Relationships #NewCreation #Reflections

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