It’s about a Mirror Ball

When I was a teen, I helped decorate the high school gym for a homecoming dance. I was so new to that experience, totally insecure, as a high school freshman, and yet I wanted to learn how to decorate for Homecoming. The homecoming committee leaders were able to visualize the finished product before even seeing it. I don’t process life this way.

The potential of a central light with a small little globe that had mirrors hoisted up in the center of the gym seemed insurmountable. A part of the preparation was using a horrendous amount of heavy-duty string and making what appeared to be a spiderweb on the ground.

Yes, the volunteer high school students and I were going round and round attaching strings by knots from one string to the next in the fashion of a spider as if we were making a Web. The next step was attaching a little tiny mirror to each piece of string and strategically placing them all over this huge spiderweb.

When we completed this process, the spiderweb of string and mirrors was lifted up and attached to ceiling beams high above the teen’s heads.

As a newbie at this decorating thing, I just couldn’t picture it and the upper-class men with more wisdom under their belt were excited to see the amazing creation come into view.

We taped huge black butcher block paper to all the walls in the gym. I questioned, “why would you do that?” They looked at me like you’re such a stupid freshman but when they explained the walls will be dark and the mirrors would reflect from the light in the center, I understood. Stars would magically shine all over the room. I was beyond awe.

Isn’t this a wonderful description of preparation as a believer in Jesus? Life is a tangle of strings and knots with the occasional shiny mirror reflection of kindness and character traits of Jesus.

We have work to do in order to see the finished product. However, it is not our human actions but Jesus’ supernatural power that makes the Light shine in a dark world.

Ah yes, pick up your scissors cut off the mistakes, tie knots to join the places of new beginnings, and add a mirror tile straight from the hand of Jesus. It is a visual reminder of repenting turning back to Him asking for forgiveness and Letting His Light shine.

Pick up the spider web of your life, and let Him craft you into an amazing reflection of His character.

Psalm 27:1 MSG
[1] Light, space, zest- that’s GOD! So, with him on my side I’m fearless, afraid of no one and nothing.

Matthew 5:14-16 MSG
[14-16] “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand-shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

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He is Not done yet!!

The race is on!! Photo credit by Boom (Pexels.com)

Did you know that God is not done yet? That He wants to be your refuge and He is your provider if you will let him? The more I seek to know Him the more amazed I am and how He is providing.

He’s not done yet. Just as he’s not done with me, He is not done with you! Isn’t that an amazing thought you have time to be transformed into the image of Jesus! Let God transform you and be amazed!

Psalm 16:1-11 NLT
[1] Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge. [2] I said to the LORD, “You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you.” [3] The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them! [4] Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods. I will not take part in their sacrifices of blood or even speak the names of their gods. [5] LORD, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine. [6] The land you have given me is a pleasant land. What a wonderful inheritance! [7] I will bless the LORD who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. [8] I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. [9] No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. [10] For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. [11] You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.

I was blessed to hear the song on the radio today and it really spoke to me. Not done yet by Vertical Worship, what a great reminder.

Be blessed today as you let Jesus finish the work He starts.

Philippians 1:6 NLT
[6] And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Transitions

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Spectacular sunrises and sunsets are a reminder this is a new day or time for transition at the end of a day. August or September brings a return to school, the changing of the weather; cool mornings from a scorching summer, watching geese fly in V formation traveling to new destinations; life is ever-evolving.

Whether you have a kid in school or you’ve changed jobs or locations, whether there’s been a change in your family dynamics: life is about transitions.

Are we OK with change? What kind of change are we looking for? Are we seeking the right answers to the questions or are we just trying to plot our path?

God can transform us from the inside out.

Romans 12: 1 – 2 tells us we’re not to be conformed to this world but instead be transformed by renewing of your mind. We’re not to be afraid of transitions or be anxious.

Psalm 34:9-10 NLT
[9] Fear the LORD, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need. [10] Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the LORD will lack no good thing.

Proverbs 19:23 NLT
[23] Fear of the LORD leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm.

We are called to anticipation, that’s not in fear but it’s an excitement and awe. Yes, life does march on even if we want to scream, “ I am not ready for new things.”

2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
[7] For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Our transition with God can propel us to see the old become new. Life transitions become a place of new beginnings instead of anxiety filled dread.

As I watch my youngest transition to new friends to new beginnings to a new school, I’m reminded that even this mom has to be OK with transitions.

The Merriam Webster definition for transition is: a period or phase in which such a change or shift is happening.

Synonyms: Evolution, adaptation, passage. Antonyms: conclusion, sameness, decline, end

What do you want to be in awe living a transformed life with your Creator God or to remain the same or decline? Our kids watch our emotions and actions. We can pretend we believe the Word of God or we can learn to trust him to our deepest soul.

Singles, married, parents or not, we have a choice: trust God or not? Are we showing our kids that we trust God with their lives? School violence, society unrest, bullying and a host of other things can take us to a fearful life. However, does that bring comfort to our kids or make them question all the foundational promises from God?

Our kids faith will grow independent of our own, let them see their parents believe God and walk in faith.

If there are days when this feels exceptionally hard, we must take our concerns to Jesus, listen to a favorite worship song, reach out to our tribe of Sisters and Brothers in Christ and march with Him anyways!!

“I Stand Here”, by Hannah Kerr, really encouraged me this week. Powerful promises of standing firm are in its lyrics. May it bring strength to you as you turn up the volume. God bless you warriors of the faith in Jesus alone!

Galatians 6:15-16 NLT
[15] It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. [16] May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God.

Leaping Calves

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Pain whether emotional, physical, psychological and spiritual can be conquered when we lean into Jesus and His healing. We all have our mountains and valleys.

One leap at a time, ladies and gentleman. One relationship can change the world, Jesus came to do just that, change the world.

Our spirit man, soul, must reach for His Holy Spirit. Let the transformation begin.

Malachi 4:2 NLT
[2] “But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.

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Has the world filled you with eternal peace or joy? What are you waiting for, the time is now? I don’t have the answers but I am learning He ( Jesus, Father God and the Holy Spirit) does.

John 3:16-21 NLT
[16] “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. [17] God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. [18] “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. [19] And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. [20] All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. [21] But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”

On Guard

We are in a battle, every day, we are in the fight for our lives. Do we listen and march to public opinion or discern with the Lord’s help from which voice to listen?

We are given our brains for a reason. We have our ability to hear with two ears, see with two eyes, and think with an open mind. The enemy knows we want to have a life of peace and as a result , we may choose to let others guide our truths. This mindset may just destroy our free will, our sense of peace and our own voice.

We may feel fear or anxiety, it’s a normal human emotion especially at these times. But we don’t have to stay in fear or anxiety. Joshua 1:9 is one of my favorite scriptures. “Be strong and courageous, do not fear, for the Lord your God is with you”. There is an alternative emotion, hope in the trial and endurance on the journey. Which emotion will you choose?

The Bible is full of reminders to fix our eyes on Jesus, to be transformed by the renewing of our mind that is connected to our Creator God.

Scripture meditations: Matthew 10:26-33,40-42 MSG
[26-27] “Don’t be intimidated. Eventually everything is going to be out in the open, and everyone will know how things really are. So don’t hesitate to go public now. [28] “Don’t be bluffed into silence by the threats of bullies. There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life-body and soul-in his hands. [29-31] “What’s the price of a pet canary? Some loose change, right? And God cares what happens to it even more than you do. He pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail-even numbering the hairs on your head! So don’t be intimidated by all this bully talk. You’re worth more than a million canaries. [32-33] “Stand up for me against world opinion and I’ll stand up for you before my Father in heaven. If you turn tail and run, do you think I’ll cover for you? [40-42] “We are intimately linked in this harvest work. Anyone who accepts what you do, accepts me, the One who sent you. Anyone who accepts what I do accepts my Father, who sent me. Accepting a messenger of God is as good as being God’s messenger. Accepting someone’s help is as good as giving someone help. This is a large work I’ve called you into, but don’t be overwhelmed by it. It’s best to start small. Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice. You won’t lose out on a thing.”

We don’t walk this world alone unless we choose to ignore the spiritual stirrings of our soul which started at our conception. I believe that scientist have observed a spark of light as the sperm and egg meet in conception. This must be our Father God and Creator, bringing His light to our beginnings.

Psalm 139:13-16 MSG
[13-16] Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb. I thank you, High God-you’re breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration-what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day.

There is a still voice that brings us wisdom, hope, and instruction, are we allowing our minds to pause and hear our God? Or is the loud opinions of the world, in media, news, music and social media crowing out His voice?

I used to be uncomfortable with silence, quiet times seemed to bring anxiety and unrest. However, the more I make time to listen for my Fathers voice, in the Bible, in solid Godly examples of friends willin to share their brokenness and turning to God. I am in awe, Jesus ( our Father God, the Holy Spirit) speaks.

Stand firm at this current time, be strong in Him, seek His Words in scripture, and be blown away at how it can transform your life.

We are One Human Race

It came to my attention recently as I was watching the integration of our chicks and hens the similarity of these chickens with my observation of society.

You see, we had six, white adult hens and a menagerie of 7 colorful chicks integrating themselves together into one coop. As I watched the survival of the fittest I was amazed to see how each one of these colorful groups managed to stay pretty much within their social constructs.

The Clucky Ladies ( 2 Photos by Mary Mesikapp)

Even as the younger ones are getting older and becoming more prominent than the white, the adult hens allowed them food and a community. Of course, one hen would ruffle her feathers and poke away, pulling feathers from the small ones and making sure that everyone in the group knew she was the lead hen.

The lead hen is Stumpy because she lost a toe when she was a chick. Perhaps her attitude was a result of being bullied when she was young. Regardless, the other five hens do not allow her to be mean to the colorful group. Instead, they show teamwork enabling everybody to get along.

It would be nice if our world and country reflected community more. Kindness, compassion, and loving each other more. We are one as a human race created in a kaleidoscope of colors, beautiful and unique.

As I watched other backyard or farming chicken coop owners on Youtube, I learned how to integrate the small chicks with the hens without causing a bloodbath of pecking. I’m grateful for their wisdom. Yes, there are some good things about Youtube. God’s Word, the Bible is even better as a resource because it never fails me.

This morning as I walked into the coop I saw two of our Black Rock Chickens standing next to our big white adult hens. Every day I see the combination of all these colors mixed together. Today, the Clucky ladies were one, no pecking, just united. It reminds me God calls us to be united and He calls us to love one another.

1 Corinthians 13: 4 – 7 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud ⁵or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. ⁶It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. ⁷Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

1 Corinthians 13 is known as the love chapter, check it out. It’s not easy to be patient with people nor is it easy to put down a grudge and forgive people. It’s not easy to love even if we’re hurt. But those are the things God calls us to do because one of the greatest commandments says to love God and love his people.

John 13: 34 – 35So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. ³⁵Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

I’m so grateful for these ridiculous chicks who make me laugh and give me work to do. Because they remind me of the importance of God‘s creation and I learn from them how to be in my own world.

Today’s reflection reminded me of a song from my youth, We are One in the Spirit. This message of unity was awesome by Jars of Clay. Do you reflect Christian love? If you need a reboot, today may be the day. Be blessed! We are one human race!!