puricare chronicles: Busyness

Showing posts with label Busyness. Show all posts

Monday, January 4, 2021

OUR BUSY LIVES ARE AWE-DEPRIVED - Awe begets awe. As we take notice of the awe-inspiring aspects of our world, we start to notice awe and wonder wherever we go. We gasp at flowers sparkling in the sunlight, and stop to drink in the song of birds in the trees or stand on the hill to better watch the wind rushing through the grass. Then our eyes shift to the people around us. The image of God is etched in each one of them. This is a great time to get out and have some fun in God’s world. Sit quietly and take some deep breaths in and out. Close your eyes and remind yourself of the sights, sounds, fragrances, tastes and textures of your day. Listen to God’s presence in the day and contemplate what God’s spirit might say to you. Since a regular dose of awe makes us physically, emotionally and spiritually healthy, not to mention more caring and compassionate, this is all to our detriment. Awe and wonder change the way we look at ourselves and our world, reorienting our thinking and our actions away from ourselves to the needs of those around us. It is fun and inspirational, connecting us to God in vital and enriching ways. I am increasingly convinced that rediscovering child-like wonder is essential for our spiritual health too. Did you know that a daily dose of awe makes us more caring and compassionate people? Regular reminiscing and nature walks make us healthier physically, emotionally and spiritually. Gratitude transforms our lives and our faith in incredible ways.

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Our Busy Lives Are Awe-Deprived

Listen to God’s presence in the day and contemplate what God’s spirit might say to you

Awe begets awe. As we take notice of the awe-inspiring aspects of our world, we start to notice awe and wonder wherever we go. We gasp at flowers sparkling in the sunlight, and stop to drink in the song of birds in the trees or stand on the hill to better watch the wind rushing through the grass. Then our eyes shift to the people around us. The image of God is etched in each one of them. This is a great time to get out and have some fun in God’s world. Sit quietly and take some deep breaths in and out. Close your eyes and remind yourself of the sights, sounds, fragrances, tastes and textures of your day.

By Sheridan Voysey

Here Are 6 Ways to Find Wonder Again

‘We live in an awe-deprived world,’ writes Christine Sine.

‘We sit in front of computers, not under trees and rarely take time to notice the grandeur of God’s world and of those we share it with.’

Since a regular dose of awe makes us physically, emotionally and spiritually healthy, not to mention more caring and compassionate, this is all to our detriment.

How can we break the spell and regain a sense of awe again?

Christine is a contemplative activist, passionate gardener, and author of The Gift of Wonder: Creative Practices for Delighting in God.

It’s a delight to welcome her here for this inspiring guest post.

Too Busy, Too Distracted

It’s awe and wonder season here in Seattle.

Spring is still in full swing. The daffodils and tulips have faded but now rhododendrons, azaleas and dogwoods greet us every time we walk around our neighbourhood.

The leaves are just as spectacular. Who knew there were so many shades of green in the world?

I point them out to my friends but they tell me they are too busy or too distracted to take notice for more than a cursory glance.

Sadly, though children experience awe a hundred times a day, adults rarely do.

So much of what seems miraculous to a child adults dismiss as unimportant.

Or they rationalise it away with scientific knowledge destroying the mystery and wonder of God in the process.

We live in an awe-deprived world.

We sit in front of computers, not under trees and rarely take time to notice the grandeur of God’s world and of those we share it with.

Yet awe and wonder change the way we look at ourselves and our world, reorienting our thinking and our actions away from ourselves to the needs of those around us.

The Awe-and-Wonder Walk

This month, spurred on by the launch of my book The Gift of Wonder, I have added a “daily dose of awe” to my spiritual disciplines.

My husband and I have rechristened our daily walks “awe and wonder walks” pointing out to each other the blossom-laden trees and reds and yellows of flowers that take our breath away.

Sometimes we stop for a few minutes just to admire them, inhale their fragrance and touch their velvety softness. It is fun and inspirational, connecting us to God in vital and enriching ways.

I am increasingly convinced that rediscovering child-like wonder is essential for our spiritual health too.

It was this conviction that prompted me to write The Gift of Wonder in which I explore twelve childlike characteristics that I think make us fit for God’s kingdom.

Did you know that a daily dose of awe makes us more caring and compassionate people?

Regular reminiscing and nature walks make us healthier physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Gratitude transforms our lives and our faith in incredible ways.

Fly With the Shutters Up

My own growing joy and delight from my “daily dose of awe” experiences encouraged me to apply the same principal to other activities.

On the plane, I am the one with my window shutter up when everyone else is trying to see their screens.

I am inspired by the landscape we pass over. I look down at the meandering rivers shining in the morning sunlight.

That’s God doodling, I exclaim.

The Bible too is full of awe. We hear it in David’s exclamation of praise in Psalm 65:8, for example:

“The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders

Where morning dawns, where evening fades,

You call forth songs of joy.”

Awe Begets Awe

Awe begets awe.

As we take notice of the awe-inspiring aspects of our world, we start to notice awe and wonder wherever we go.

We gasp at flowers sparkling in the sunlight, and stop to drink in the song of birds in the trees or stand on the hill to better watch the wind rushing through the grass.

Then our eyes shift to the people around us. The image of God is etched in each one of them.

It is not just our friends and family who give us a sense of awe. The resilience of the homeless and the strength of the abandoned also inspire us.

Opening my eyes to notice the awe inspiring world in which we live and the awe inspiring people we share it with has transformed my faith.

I want to continue noticing the wonder of the changing seasons and immerse myself in their beauty.

I want to increasingly be drawn into the presence of our fun loving, joy filled God.

This is a great time to get out and have some fun in God’s world. Will you join me in discovering the wonder of God and of God’s world?

Take the awe and wonder challenge with me. See how many miracles unfold before you each day.

Six Ways to Wonder

Let’s get out and give ourselves a good dose of awe and wonder this week. Here are six things you can do.

1 – Get Out Into Nature

Go for a walk in your favourite park or forest, or a picnic at your favourite beach, fully prepared to savour the experience with all your senses – listening, looking, tasting, touching and smelling what you encounter. Look around at the trees and their leaves. How many different shapes and colours do you see?

2 – See the World Differently

Look through the lens of your camera or phone. What new perspective does this bring to the scene?

3 – Take Notice of the Small Things

Pick up an unusually shaped rock or shell. What attracted you to this object? What does it remind you of? Hold it in your hand. Touch it against your skin. How does it feel? How is it different from other objects around you?

4 – Slow Down and Notice

Now find a quiet place to sit to contemplate your treasure. Use your crayons and permanent markers to create a pattern on it. Perhaps there are already patterns in the object that you can highlight. What comes to you as you paint? What does this small piece of creation tell you about God?

5 – Seek Out What Gives you Goosebumps

Now that your sense of awe has been stimulated, reflect back over your day. What else triggered a sense of awe in you? Was it an unexpected smile, a shared story, waves glistening on the sand? Try to make a list of at least ten “miracles” of awe and wonder that you experienced. How could you nurture more regular awareness of miracles like these?

6 – Make Space for Silence

Sit quietly and take some deep breaths in and out. Close your eyes and remind yourself of the sights, sounds, fragrances, tastes and textures of your day. Listen to God’s presence in the day and contemplate what God’s spirit might say to you. Is there a prayer, song, drawing, or other response that comes to mind?

Article supplied with thanks to Sheridan Voysey.

About the Author: Sheridan Voysey is a writer, speaker and broadcaster on faith and spirituality. His books include Resilient, Resurrection Year, and Unseen Footprints. Get his FREE eBook Five Practices for a Resilient Life here.

In today's world real hope is hard to find. That's why Hope 103.2 exists: to bring the message of hope to our community through a family-friendly, safe listening environment.

We won't be quick to criticise or condemn. And we won't play on people's fears. Hope 103.2 will be ready to celebrate what's good in society and culture.

https://hope1032.com.au/stories/life/health-and-fitness/2020/our-busy-lives-are-awe-deprived-here-are-6-ways-to-find-wonder-again/

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Thursday, December 24, 2020

CELEBRATE WITH THE SHEPHERDS - A host of angels appeared and the glory of the Lord blazed across a darkened sky. The shepherds were shaken with awe and wonder, to the point of fear. They raced to Bethlehem to find the Messiah lying in a manger and worship Him. What a glorious scene that must have been! “Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen.” - It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the busyness of the Christmas season. But a supernatural encounter with the King of Kings can change all that. It certainly transformed the shepherds. First, a host of angels appeared and the glory of the Lord blazed across a darkened sky. The shepherds were shaken with awe and wonder, to the point of fear. In fact, the angels had to reassure them because they were “sore afraid!” But once they realized the magnitude of what they’d been told, they could hardly contain their joy! They raced to Bethlehem to find the Messiah lying in a manger and worship Him. What a glorious scene that must have been! God gave us the greatest gift of all when He sent His son to be Emmanuel, God with Us. As you make time to worship Him during this busy holiday season, I pray that you will experience supernatural miracles, just like the shepherds did on that starry night so long ago. May all the awe and wonder of that first Christmas be yours today! But a supernatural encounter with the King of Kings can change all that. It certainly transformed the shepherds. What a glorious scene that must have been! God gave us the greatest gift of all when He sent His son to be Emmanuel, God with Us. It certainly transformed the shepherds.

Celebrate with the Shepherds!

A host of angels appeared and the glory of the Lord blazed across a darkened sky. The shepherds were shaken with awe and wonder, to the point of fear. They raced to Bethlehem to find the Messiah lying in a manger and worship Him. What a glorious scene that must have been!

by David Cerullo

“Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen.” - Luke 2:18, 20

It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the busyness of the Christmas season.

But a supernatural encounter with the King of Kings can change all that.

It certainly transformed the shepherds.

First, a host of angels appeared and the glory of the Lord blazed across a darkened sky.

The shepherds were shaken with awe and wonder, to the point of fear.

In fact, the angels had to reassure them because they were “sore afraid!”

But once they realized the magnitude of what they’d been told, they could hardly contain their joy!

They raced to Bethlehem to find the Messiah lying in a manger and worship Him.

What a glorious scene that must have been!

God gave us the greatest gift of all when He sent His son to be Emmanuel, God with Us.

As you make time to worship Him during this busy holiday season, I pray that you will experience supernatural miracles, just like the shepherds did on that starry night so long ago.

May all the awe and wonder of that first Christmas be yours today!

God bless you,

David Cerullo is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Inspiration Ministries, located in Indian Land, South Carolina – a ministry dedicated to impacting people for Christ worldwide through media. The son of international evangelist Morris Cerullo, David took a less traditional approach to ministry, graduating from Oral Roberts University with a degree in business administration and management. He has authored over 20 books, and operates a global media ministry that po

https://inspiration.org/david-cerullo/strengthen-your-walk/celebrate-with-the-shepherds/

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Sunday, October 4, 2020

LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT - Often times we are too busy to stop and reflect on what’s going on around us - the little things. Just one act, word, can make a profound difference. Many of the events started out small — small things do matter. God seems to enjoy the beauty of the very small, as well as the very large. Little things - Jesus didn’t despise the little things. He showed us how important the little things were. It’s Jesus who has taught us the incredible importance of a glass of cold water - that even a cup of cold water given in his name to the least of the people that we encounter can be something that God values so much that he considers it service to himself. Someone has wisely said that life is a series of tiny little miracles — notice them. That might sound a bit trite — but I believe it to be true. Often times we are too busy to stop and reflect on what’s going on around us. The little things — they can make a huge difference in the way we think or feel. We get a new outlook on some aspect of life — or even they give us new hope and inspiration. Sometimes we are called to do great acts of kindness or make great sacrifices. Usually we have the opportunity for many small acts of love and service, and are called to make many small sacrifices. The significance and power of these cannot be underestimated. Simple acts of charity can be done by anyone — a child or adult, in any area of life. Just one act, word, can make a profound difference.

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Little Things Mean a Lot

Often times we are too busy to stop and reflect on what’s going on around us - the little things. Just one act, word, can make a profound difference. Many of the events started out small — small things do matter. God seems to enjoy the beauty of the very small, as well as the very large. Little things - Jesus didn’t despise the little things. He showed us how important the little things were. It’s Jesus who has taught us the incredible importance of a glass of cold water - that even a cup of cold water given in his name to the least of the people that we encounter can be something that God values so much that he considers it service to himself

Morning Devotions

By Chris Witts

Someone has wisely said that life is a series of tiny little miracles — notice them.

That might sound a bit trite — but I believe it to be true. Do you?

Often times we are too busy to stop and reflect on what’s going on around us.

The little things — they can make a huge difference in the way we think or feel.

We get a new outlook on some aspect of life — or even they give us new hope and inspiration.

One of my favourite authors is a priest named Henri Nouwen.

He’s got some tremendous insights into life. Here’s what he said one day:

Sometimes we are called to do great acts of kindness or make great sacrifices.

But this is seldom normal.

Usually we have the opportunity for many small acts of love and service, and are called to make many small sacrifices.

The significance and power of these cannot be underestimated.

The Power of Small Sacrifices

Simple acts of charity can be done by anyone — a child or adult, in any area of life.

Just one act, word, can make a profound difference.

I heard about a young man in drug recovery. His life has spiralled out of control and he came into a rehab program.

A good step. And in recovery circles, small things matter.

Each morning he made his bed. No big deal you might say — but for him it’s a big decision as he never bothered much before.

He makes his bed as a commitment to getting better — to his getting over drug addiction.

He does it on purpose and strengthens his resolve to make his life have purpose too.

As he smooths out the sheet wrinkles, he feels God is helping him sort some personal ego problems as well.

Other people I know of spend 10 minutes in prayer to God before they go to bed.

Not a long time, but it puts the day into perspective and helps them sleep better.

If you read the Bible, you’ll see that God likes small things.

It’s his specialty to take insignificant smallness and turn them into amazing strategies.

Many of the events started out small — like people we read in the Bible who felt inadequate and scared.

Yet God wanted them to be leaders and take a big step forward — a boy with a small lunch gave his meal to Jesus who blessed this and fed 5,000.

Small things do matter.

As I think about it, God seems to enjoy the beauty of the very small, as well as the very large.

And that is good news for us, because you know our life is not exactly overwhelmed with the very large things spiritually.

Most of what we are engaged with is fairly small stuff.

A few of us are going to affect millions of people, have impact on tens of thousands.

That is not the way our life is likely to work.

Most of life is just work, meals, time with family, time with friends, nothing earthshaking in that pattern.

That is what the stuff of our life is made out of.

And is that important to God?

Is that important to the Kingdom of God or is it only the big things that are going on?

Little Things Are Part of God’s Will For Us

In the New Testament we read that Jesus invests himself primarily in 12 people.

And he didn’t even do a worldwide search to find the best 12.

He takes 12 that have come out of few small villages in Israel.

Little things; Jesus didn’t despise the little things.

He could be going on the road, going to a place where he knows he is going to have an opportunity to speak to hundreds and maybe even thousands.

He is going to a synagogue to have a special time of teaching and on the way, Jesus is willing to stop and let the little children come to him.

His disciples didn’t like that: Jesus, what you are doing is too important.

He says, “No, let the little children come to me.”

Little things.

He would be on the way, important things at the end of his journey and he is willing to stop to heal one woman, stop to heal one blind person.

Jesus wasn’t afraid of little things.

He recognised how important they are and he even did that in his teaching.

He showed us how important the little things were.

It’s Jesus who has taught us the incredible importance of a glass of cold water; that even a cup of cold water given in his name to the least of the people that we encounter can be something that God values so much that he considers it service to himself.

A little thing that is so honoured in the eyes of God.

Sometimes we have got to realise that the little things are a lot what we do on the way to the will of God — the little things, the interruptions, the hassles, the unexpected things.

Those things are the will of God for us.

So, let’s not despise the little things.

Conversations in the hall or in the kitchen, thank-you cards, phone calls, casseroles and cakes, extra time we spend with people, fixing a light switch, cutting somebody’s grass or just treating a stranger with respect.

Little things do matter.

The problem is we can’t predict in advance which ones they are.

We can’t pick and choose.

It’s not the way only the spiritual world is built; it’s the way all of life is built.

Little things matter and only God knows how much.

Prayer:

Dear God, help us to be very attentive to the little things in life. Help us to just be careful not to despise them or to view them all as hassles.

But like Jesus to be ready for those interruptions, ready for those additions, ready for those changes.

Those little things that are on the way to big goals that we have.

Thank you, in Jesus name.

Amen.

Morning Devotions is a five-minute daily reflection for anyone curious about faith, or looking for encouragement in their walk with God. In his warm and friendly style, presenter Chris Witts — a well-loved Salvation Army minister — shares bite-sized messages applying faith to everyday life.

In today's world real hope is hard to find. That's why Hope 103.2 exists: to bring the message of hope to our community through a family-friendly, safe listening environment.

We won't be quick to criticise or condemn. And we won't play on people's fears. Hope 103.2 will be ready to celebrate what's good in society and culture.

https://hope1032.com.au/stories/faith/devotions/2020/little-things-mean-a-lot-morning-devotions/

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