Lent 2025 ~ New Vision

[Then they came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road. When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" And Jesus stopped and said, "Call him here." So they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you." Throwing aside his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus. And answering him, Jesus said, "What do you want Me to do for you?" And the blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!" And Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has made you well." Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.] Mark 10:46-52 NASB

Jesus is always calling to us; He desires that we have a relationship with Him. I wonder how many of us are really like this blind man? Do we desire the mercy that Jesus offers? Is our faith truly evident? And maybe most of all, I wonder, do we really KNOW what we want from Jesus? And, if we know, do we boldly ask? When Jesus answers us, do we respond like this man with new vision?

Our sacrifice of praise ~

Ask Jesus for new vision ~ and follow Him on the road! ~dho

All rights reserved, copyright Donna Oswalt 2020 BreathingRoomForMySoul.com

Lent 2025 ~ Transformation

Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. Galatians 5:25 MSG

The heart of Lent, a spiritual tradition beginning in the 4^th century church, creates another opportunity for discipleship. Focusing on self-examination and selfless giving can realign the Believer’s worldview. A time of less busy, of simplicity, of renewed hunger for the Word, of seeing with new eyes can refresh the spirit. This season of spiritual renewal is not required in the Scriptures, but its possibilities can enrich living God’s way, the life of the Spirit.

The world constantly bombards our minds with boredom and pride, grief and anger, ambition and regret. But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard – things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic, holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Galatians:5:22-23/MSG When we truly encounter the Bread of Life, we will be transformed! The possibilities are endless.

Jesus, teacher and example ~ I long to live more like You! Stop the chaos inside my mind, still my hurried days, feed my hunger for more.  – dho

All rights reserved ~ Copyright 2016 by Donna Oswalt    

Lent 2025 ~ Stillness

 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him. Psalm 37:7 NIV

The world is full of noise; it delights in its fullness of distractions. Time for stillness eludes us; it escapes our attempts at quiet. In fact, we have become so programmed to noise and multi-tasking several technologies at the same time, we rarely recognize these as distractions. Rather, we question the moments of quiet and stillness, "What, no WiFi? Is the Internet down? How long will the cable be off? Why is this download so slow? Wonder why no one is texting me? Did my cell phone die? Where is my Ipad?"

Nothing in all creation is so like God as stillness. Meister Eckhart

We value busyness; we do not respect stillness! We are afraid of the stillness; we are missing God in the hurry. We have grown accustomed to fast; we are drowning in distractions. Often patience or waiting feels like the enemy. This endless loop of busy and hurry interferes with our intimate relationship with Jesus we should be growing. Be still and wait!

Our sacrifice of praise ~
As our sacrifice of praise, we should slow down and seek stillness. We would discover we are not alone; rather, God is patiently waiting for us. ~dho

All rights reserved, copyright Donna Oswalt 2020 BreathingRoomForMySoul.com

Ash Wednesday - Journey of Renewal

 

“It’s tough in the desert. It’s bewildering.

It’s destructive. It’s hellish. Yet the testimony

of the Old Testament, and ever more strongly,

of the New, is that out of it comes new growth,

new insight, new certainty that a God of love

is at home among us." Charles Elliott

This day, Ash Wednesday, Christians around the world come to His altar to receive the mark of a sinner. It symbolically reminds us that God alone is Sovereign; God alone is Grace. We may search but can never find salvation or peace or eternity without Jesus Christ. It is His Forgiveness we need, His Presence we seek, His Love we offer. Today begins a journey of renewal, a time to reflect on our own individual faith-walk.

Read 1 John 1:1-10

If we claim that we experience a shared life with Him and continue to stumble around in the dark, we're obviously lying through our teeth - we're not living what we claim. But if we walk in the Light, God Himself being the Light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God's Son, purges all our sin.  1 John 1:6-7 The Message

Consider this!

• Where does the "Light" originate?
• If believers are "forgiven" why do we still stand before God marked as a sinner?
• Does my living reflect Jesus?

Light of the World ~ You have come that we might love. We are sinners, but You are Grace. We confess You are Absolute Truth. Dress us in righteousness, forgiven and redeemed. May our words of living reflect the Word of Life. Amen. ~dho

All rights reserved ~ Copyright 2009 by Donna Oswalt    

Infused with Grace

some words from “Tintern Abbey” by William Wordsworth:

"And I have felt 

A presence that disturbs me with a joy
Of elevated thoughts; a sense sublime
Of something far more deeply interfused,
Whose dwelling is the light of setting suns."

Tintern Abbey in Wales, once home to Cistercian monks in the late 1200’s, was (and still is) an ecclesiastical ruin” that Wordsworth visited and inspired his thoughts. His poem “Tintern Abbey” is considered “one of the most celebrated verse reflections on the self, the countryside, and the gathering of wisdom in time”(1) in English Literature.

Wordsworth’s verses are about contemplation and communion with nature, merging the past and present, revisiting the old and the new. The beauty of nature, along with the feelings triggered, begin to infuse childhood and adulthood memories.

Similarly, these following words from 1 Thessalonians 3, verses 11-13 in The Message, express the soul's knowing of the Presence of God, of His strength and grace infused through the lives of those who share Christ and into the lives of others:

May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus . . . pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, . . . May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God . . . 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

Sometimes, as Believers we reflect on our faith walk, a merging of the beginning and now, of something bigger than we are. Hopefully, we find increased wisdom in the journey, new spiritual growth, and God’s “grace infused” into us! Like Wordsworth, I desire to be disturbed by a joy deep inside my soul, a spiritual knowing of His Presence and Light and Strength that infuses my soul! - dho

(1) Interestingliterature.com 

Jesus is More!

 

My favorite Sunday School song between first and third grades was Tell Me the Stories of Jesus. We frequently sang it as we gathered in a large group before breaking into our respective classes. It's a song we rarely hear anymore, but the images of Jesus that it evoked have stayed with me over the decades. Thoughts of "things I would ask Him to tell me if He were here"  and His "words full of kindness and deeds full of grace" mixed with "scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea" while "the children stood around His knee"  filled my mind. I could almost hear the "stories of Jesus". Sweet memories of a simple time refresh my soul.

Now, life is NOT so simple, and Jesus is NOT only kindness and grace. Jesus is more! Jesus is holy and righteous, power and glory, peace and justice. Jesus is Perfect Love. As I have grown older and in my faith walk, my understanding of Jesus has grown deeper roots. While He is STILL the Jesus that told stories by the sea - Jesus is more! Jesus is rest for the soul, peace during the chaos, joy in the adversity. Jesus knows every heart, the deepest wounds, the greatest fears, the smallest hope! Jesus is the story we tell others. 

Yet, Jesus is MORE! He is all Hope and  the path to Everlasting Life. To recognize Jesus as the Messiah is to fully embrace the resurrected Lord, believing He will return as promised. When Christ returns, He will be All Power and All Glory! 

Then I say heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems, and He has a name written that no one know but himself. He is clothed in a robe dripped in blood, and the name by which He is called is The Word of God. From His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, King of kings and Lord of Lords. Revelation 19:11-16

Holy, Holy, Holy - King of Kings and Lord of Lords ~
'Faithful and True,' You come as a warrior on a white horse marked as All Power and All Glory, Righteous and Ruler. Your robe bears witness to my soul's redemption; Your battle becomes my soul's greatest victory. Wordless, I lay face down before The Word of God, offering tears of praise and gratitude. You are Absolute Power, Perfect Love, Pure Grace. My soul whispers Holy! Holy! Holy! ~ dho
 

Unrevealed Until It’s Season

 

Hymn of Promise

words/music: Natalie Sleeth, 1986

In the bulb there is a flower;

in the seed, an apple tree;

in cocoons, a hidden promise: 

butterflies will soon be free!

In the cold and snow of winter

there's a spring that waits to be,

unrevealed until its season, 

something God alone can see.

There's a song in every silence,

seeking word and melody;

there's a dawn in every darkness,

bringing hope to you and me.

From the past will come the future;

what it holds, a mystery,

unrevealed until its season, 

something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning; 

in our time, infinity;

in our doubt there is believing; 

in our life, eternity.

In our death, a resurrection;

at the last, a victory,

unrevealed until its season, 

something God alone can see.

The first time I heard this hymn was over twelve years ago, and this past Sunday we sang it again at my church. While this song is not new to me anymore, I love the words! In its simplicity there is great depth and meaning. The theme is repeated at the end of each verse ~ no matter the time, whether a time of beginning, of waiting, of doubting, God's promise to us remains. Through all the uncertainty that life brings, we can be certain of God's goodness. His tender love for us reaches through the difficulty, through the unknown. God has a plan for each of His children and desires a relationship with each of us. Even when we cannot see the reason, the answer, or the end result, God can. Trust is the key component in every relationship. Do you trust God with everything? 

Seasons of tragedy, disappointment, and uncertainty come in unexpected ways, at unpredictable times. In these moments, we must turn to God for comfort and encouragement, seek His unfailing love and faithful provisions, find His goodness and His peace! It must be enough that God alone can see!  ~dho

* previously posted on the blog/DonnaOswalt/2012

Fourth Sunday of Advent 2024 - Love of Wonder

Grinch Green is the theme while decorations of Christmas trees and bells and snowflakes set the mood. Wearing Grinch hats and sweatshirts, families and friends in groups of three or four and sometimes six or more gather round the tables ordering their favorite Grinch-green brunch delights. Of course, the Grinch is making his rounds with everyone posing for pictures. The Grinch is full of funny gestures of silly poses and gives peppermint candy canes to all. Then she quietly comes in, pushing a wheelchair, not a small one but adult size. Wearing his favorite Grinch hat and fuzzy green Grinch shirt, his mother carefully maneuvers the wheelchair, making sure it is not in the way. With her merry red Santa hat covering part of her gray hair, she slides in beside him, a table for two. In this room full of giggles and grins, this mom watches, like many times before, silently hoping her disabled adult son will not be overlooked or find familiar rejection, hoping he finds joy in the moment. As the Grinch comes close to his table, he turns, puts his hands on his hips and gives his best Grinch stare. Then, with such loving respect he slowly reaches out his white-gloved hand to shake hands with his Grinch admirer. After, the Grinch moves closer to him, puts his arm around him posing for the photos that will capture the moment. After a few more waves, the Grinch moves to the next table, and the mother smiles. In the middle of Christmas wonder, her heart finds a simple love that can’t be purchased, a kindness bigger than big. For decades this mother’s heart has felt the ache of exclusion and the anxiety of disappointment for her child who sits on the margins. Smiling and nodding to her son, she treasures this moment of kindness, pondering much in her heart. 

One quiet and silent night, Mary reflects on all the miraculous happenings. Her baby had been born in an unexpected place, without the comfort of home and family. Instead of a fitting bed, the baby had to be wrapped in cloths, placed in a food trough to sleep. Random shepherds from a field nearby had rushed to find her baby boy, telling of a heavenly message about a holy baby being born and choirs of angels singing about glory and peace. The shepherds shared their amazing stories, and soon others were wondering about this baby called “Christ the Lord” with many songs of praises rising into the night sky. At the temple, the righteous man, Simeon, and the prophetess, Anna, declared their revelations of glory and grief to come and offered thanksgiving praises. There were Magi from the East with gifts who had come to find the Messiah and worship him. So much to consider, so much majesty and mystery, possibilities of great hope and joy but also sadness, a time of both sacrifice and sword. With knowing and not knowing, Mary smiles and nods to her son, and she treasures all this wonder, pondering much in her heart. 

Oh, the wonder of it all… just to think that God loves me. [George Beverly Shea]

*Scripture: Luke 2:1-38

Third Sunday of Advent 2024 - Joy of Wonder

One ordinary afternoon, as I approach the school playground, she turns and sees me. Wearing a big smile, she begins to run towards me, bounding with the simple joy a four year old finds in the moment. Nearing the sidewalk where I wait, she stops suddenly, bends down, and picks a yellow dandelion. Beyond excited with her unexpected find, she stands and runs to greet me. “I picked this just for you,” she says with such innocent delight, as if that weed is a yellow, thornless Gold Medal rose. “Thank you,” I reply as I kneel down to give her a long hug. “Isn’t it beautiful,” she says admiring it with eyes full of wonder and possibility. On that playground, in that moment, a yellow dandelion transforms into a remarkable gift of great joy. In this unanticipated joy, my heart is forever marked by the simplicity of a child’s hope and love and peace.

A baby enters a world full of chaos as love tenderly welcomes; a new day, a new way is born. Likely noble and influential but certainly Gentile, Magi travel from the East, following a star with great joy, searching for the Messiah, and bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, treasures for a King, a Priest, a Savior. When they find Him, they fall to the ground and worship Him. No one knows if these gift-bearers are philosophers, astrologers or perhaps even kings or how far or long they have traveled. These seeking Magi are filled with wonder as they repeat the prophecy of old, only to discover a remarkable gift of great Joy. This holy child will become known as the Messiah, a name spoken by prophets, a Baby announced by angels, the Son affirmed by God, a Teacher nourished by the Spirit, a Savior crucified by sin, a Redeemer resurrected by Grace, a King returning by Promise. Humanity is forever marked by the joy of Eternal Hope, the joy of Perfect Love, the joy of Everlasting Peace. -dho

Oh, the wonder of it all… just to think that God loves me. [George Beverly Shea]

*Scripture: Matthew 2:1-13

 

Second Sunday of Advent 2024 - Peace of Wonder

The night sky dances with sparkling lights, vast and full of possibility. A navigator in the Air Force during WW2, my daddy knows the geography of the heavens. On a clear night we slip outside to look up at the night sky, and he points out various constellations and planets. Two stars on the Big Dipper’s bowl form an imaginary line to the North Star, the tip of the handle of the Little Dipper. Sitting on the car’s hood, we lie back on the windshield to get the best view. Without big city lights to diminish the splendor, the whole sky boasts its best shine but with a quiet majesty. The hushed tone of the night sighs in harmony with its glory. Known and unknown galaxies far beyond fill me with wonder while greatness and goodness embrace me. Peace is born in me!

A quiet night on a hillside away from the city shepherds watch over their sheep. Suddenly an angel appears, illuminating the darkness, and God’s glory shines all around them. The shepherds feel overwhelmed. The angel says not to worry but know that this celestial announcement brings good news and great joy. A baby has been born in Bethlehem who is Christ the Lord, and you will find him lying in a manger. Suddenly, the whole sky explodes with a heavenly choir of angels singing songs of praise and joy. When the stillness of the evening returns, there is a beauty and splendor in the night sky, like leftover glory. The shepherds hurry to Bethlehem to find the child. As they stand before the baby, there is a whispered holiness of knowing and not fully understanding filling them with wonder while greatness and goodness embrace them. Truly, peace is born on earth this night! -dho

Oh, the wonder of it all… just to think that God loves me. [George Beverly Shea]

* Scripture: Luke 2:8-20 

First Sunday of Advent 2024 - Hope of Wonder

Wearing silver fairy wings and Irish-green pajamas covered with shamrocks, she moves freely to the music. In the background, Pandora plays instrumental tunes suited for creative movement and ballet moves. Unencumbered by anyone around her, she dances with sways and bends, arabesques and pirouettes. There is an innocence and vulnerability in her rhythmic moves, a freedom in these solitary expressions. Only five, she is a beginner with unrefined movements; yet, her pure heart so loves and feels the variations of the music. Simple, uninhibited joy expresses something far more beautiful, more full of wonder than words.

On a seemingly random afternoon, a young girl, Mary, encounters a holy messenger, an angel who tells her she is “favored by God” and will give birth to “the holy child” who will be the Son of God, the long-awaited Messiah. Unexpected and probably confused, Mary demonstrates a vulnerability in her unmatched experience. With a trusting spirit, Mary’s prayer, known as The Magnificat, invites us into her heart. She delights in God’s promises and provisions for her people through the generations. Called “the first prayer in the Gospel story” Mary praises and thanks God. Unencumbered by her culture, Mary’s pure heart reveals an extraordinary love and willingness to be God’s servant. Simple, uninhibited joy expresses something far more beautiful, more full of wonder than words. -dho

Oh, the wonder of it all… just to think that God loves me. [George Beverly Shea]

*Scripture: Luke 1:26-56

Time for Many Purposes

“If work has no single, unchanging purpose, perhaps it has a myriad of purposes, each meaningful in its own time.” 

Theology of Work

We search the world for meaning, for purpose, for reasons. When the world does not offer wanted answers, we wonder if God has forgotten us. If we pray to God for meaning, for purpose, for reasons, and He does not respond as we expect, we doubt that God is listening. We crave more and more of the world's tokens, collecting the trophies of greed and pride; yet, we are empty. And still, God calls to us and seeks us ~ wherever we are. God has designed each of us for His purpose, a myriad of purposes.

As the Women’s Bible Study on Ecclesiastes is ending, we have examined Solomon’s words and thoughts, admittedly some are depressing and discouraging. In the beginning chapters there is so much emptiness and futility of life, questions about purpose and meaning. Ecclesiastes in a book in the Bible which really must be read in full to gather its complete intention. God’s gifts of work and purpose are for us to discover, use, and enjoy! Friendships and community bring both joy and security. There are seasons for all cycles of life: from birth to death, from planting to harvest, from youth to old age. All the while the world endlessly seeks to create chaos and doubt. The truth remains that God’s creation is beautiful and full of purpose, and we can never understand the ways God works. At the book’s conclusion, we find a simple response - love God and follow His ways.

Questions, reasonable and ridiculous, will probably always disrupt our thoughts. What kind of God lets me confess what He already knows? What kind of God listens to my petitions when He knows I will fail again? What kind of God forgives my mistakes just because I ask? What kind of God loves more than enough? What kind of God calls me Beloved? Mercy comes quietly and whispers of tender words call ~ My Beloved, you are Mine. You are forgiven. I will never let you go. Now, let's be about My purpose. There's a harvest waiting. I love you. Baruch Hashem Adonai! Blessed be the name of the Lord! What inner peace! Amen. ~dho

The place where God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.  Fredrick Buechner

Enjoy God’s Good Gifts

I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime; moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor—it is the gift of God. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

Called to rejoice and do good is to be our response to God’s gift of many opportunities to work, serve, and celebrate. To find joy in living and to contribute to society in positive, valuable ways evolves into treasuring contentment and sharing the fruits of our labor. The Chronological Study Bible reminds, “Do not let what you don’t know about the future destroy the joy God wants to give you today.” How often we focus on the uncertainty of the future and miss the moments of joy God offers in the present.

In studying Ecclesiastes these last weeks, the ladies in our Bible study have wrestled with uncertainty, injustice, and grief. We all would rather have easy answers to our hard questions, live in a society where fairness and justice is always the outcome, and know joy and peace and comfort without disease, disunity, and death. In our search for meaning and purpose in life, the world reaches out with shiny and shallow offerings, and we are enticed. The only thing that anchors us to God is trusting in His unchanging certainty and supreme authority. Blackaby tells us, “Food, drink, laughter, and earthly treasures are all temporary pleasures. But God created us for so much more… Abundant life begins when we submit to Him.” How often we dismiss the absolute Sovereignty of God and forget how necessary our complete dependence on Him must be.

In our personal pursuit of wisdom and meaning and purpose, our journey reveals an emptiness without God, without His provision, protection, and presence. We must accept that we will never understand all that God allows on this earth. Rather, in the middle of the chaos of this crazy world, we need to embrace the goodness of God and the goodness we have been gifted through Him. The Message Study Bible challenges us with this thought, “In the Jerusalem Talmud is a saying: Every man must render an account before God of all the good things he beheld in life and did not enjoy.” This confronts our carelessness. How I long to savor the joy and abundance and goodness God entrusts to me. -dho

Coram Deo

So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it.  Pursue the things over which Christ presides.  Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed in the things right in front of you.  Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ . . . See things from His perspective. Your old life is dead… your real life… is with Christ in God. Colossians 23:1-3 MSG

In studying Ecclesiastes, we discover that work and purpose are God’s gifts to us. Called to work, we are also encouraged to enjoy this life given to us. The Chronological Study Bible notes, “Considering the uncertainties of the future and the certainty of death, Solomon recommends enjoying life as God’s gift”. Warren Wiersbe writes, “Those who really know how to enjoy life are the ones take life each day as a gift from God, thanking Him for it and serving Him in it.” This requires us to recognize the Source of our purpose and provision. Elohim, God who has absolute sovereignty, rises far above the illogical and irrational, transcends the unreasonable and unbelievable fractured parts of this world. This is how we can find joy in this often mixed-up life!

let's pray together...

Adonai ~

You are Lord; You are Father and Son and Holy Spirit, Creator and Redeemer and Counselor.  You are above us and below us, to our left and to our right, before us and behind us. You surround us with abundant blessings, and we are humbled by such generous gifts. You are in everything and everything comes from You.

 You see our hearts and our motivations, see all that we conceal from the world. You know our selfish ambitions, our pretentious vanities, our deceitful words. You hold our deepest fears, our greatest disappointments, our darkest thoughts. Behind our masks, we struggle with loneliness. Beside our idols, we long for more. Beneath our veiled hearts, we cry out loud. And You? In exchange for what we bring, You offer real forgiveness, real love, real life. You are Grace and everything happens through You.

You choose us for real life, a life defined in Christ. You reform our minds, renew our hearts, refresh our spirits. Taking holy threads of faith and hope and love, You weave a robe of righteousness adorned with purity and holiness. You wrap us in this exquisite tapestry, every detail shouts of Your majesty. You are Perfect Love and everything ends up in You.    

We come before this altar with servant hearts. Solitude surrounds us. Prayers rise to You, our Adonai ~ prayers of hope and possibility, prayers of thanksgiving and songs of praise. You are in every detail!  Defined in Christ, our souls are made new, for one purpose, for Your Glory! Let everything ~ everything ~ speak of Your Glory!  Coram Deo, let us live and work in Your Presence. Amen. ~dho

Old Sayings for a New Time

Any of these sayings sound familiar:
“All is vanity…”
“There is nothing new under the sun”
“There is a season to everything”
“Two are better than one…”
“A good name is better than…”
“The fastest runner does not always win the race”
“Cast your bread upon the waters.”
“God makes everything beautiful in His time” 

All are from Ecclesiastes, a sometimes overlooked book in the Old Testament. Our ladies’ Bible Study groups are doing a survey of the book, which most scholars agree Solomon wrote. Even with Solomon’s great God-given wisdom, the early verses in the book suggest a frustration with work, a lack of purpose, and failed outcomes leaving life meaningless and empty. Soon we discover the problem lies with the perspective. Do we work for man’s applause? How often do we engage in activities that are self-indulgent and for our own personal gain? 

In studying Solomon’s life, one will discover he asked God for great wisdom, and this gift was afforded him. Early on, he did make extraordinary efforts to achieve much for God’s glory, especially in building the Temple. Overtime, he began to indulge in many vices outside of God’s will, to include many foreign wives which diluted the faith. it is estimated Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines. He also began to believe in his own greatness. His perspective became worldly, a secular worldview of success. To know God exists is not enough. A relationship with God, the One True Source of joy, is the Christian perspective.

“Teach us to number our days that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 To seek God’s wisdom is a worthy endeavor, but even more important is to seek a relationship with God. Trusting the Sovereignty of God and counting our days serving Him as both useful and purposeful will help us develop a heart of wisdom. Our dependence on a Holy God defines our faith. God is the Source of all wisdom, and our purpose is to glorify Him. -dho

 

Roadmap to True Abundance

 

"The last and final word is this: Fear God. Do what He tells you. And that's it. Eventually God will bring everything that we do out into the open and judge it according to its hidden intent, whether it's good or evil." Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 MSG

Because God answers Solomon's prayer for wisdom, people far and wide seek his wisdom, each bringing gifts of gold, silver, jewels, spices, chariots, horses, and more, year after year. This is an era of extraordinary abundance. King Solomon surpasses all the kings of the earth in wisdom and wealth. His vast inventory is full of gifts from merchants and explorers, kings and queens and governors of surrounding countries. Despite God's enormous blessings, in later life Solomon, in disobedience, also loves many foreign women, builds altars for their idols, and offers sacrifices to the false gods.

Most Bible scholars credit Solomon with writing Ecclesiastes, a book that examines the meaning of life. Likely a series of reflections toward the end of his life, Solomon shares his understanding of life based on his myriad of experiences; he creates a roadmap for others searching for meaning in the world. His final conclusion is simple: Honor God and obey Him. 

Creator of all, I search the alleys and highways, the valleys and mountain tops for MORE! In times of boredom and celebration, emptiness and abundance, I constantly seek to satisfy the deepest place within my soul. Count me alive in Christ. Jesus is True Abundance. ~dho

Hope in the Chaos

"Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. For man does  not know his time. Like fish that are taken in an evil net, and like birds that are caught in a snare, so the children of man are snared at an evil time, when it suddenly falls upon them." Ecclesiastes 9:11-12

Spring is my favorite season! Just as the earth begins to dance after a long, dormant winter season, so my soul smiles with these new beginnings. The Sandhills of North Carolina is dogwood country! I LOVE dogwood blossoms, and every spring the dogwoods dress in their finest. Dogwoods are everywhere; some old, some wild, some maturing, some beginning, some struggling, some flourishing, reminding me of the many journeys in life, reminding me of the HOPE in new beginnings.

Like many of you, I see the unimaginable disaster of Hurricane Helene that fills the media. While many of us know people who have been affected, most of us know people who are safe and not hurt, despite all the destruction and disruption to life. The entire East Coast is grieving the tragic loss of those who have died, and is weeping for the life-changing, unbelievable suffering by those in the direct path, the floods and fallen trees, no water or power, business and homes and bridges floating away, and so many people who are still missing. We describe our reactions with words like angry, sad, shocked, frustrated, confused, overwhelmed, and when we get good news, we sigh with thankfulness and relief. Any unexpected, devastating storm reveals a fresh underlying threat woven into the fabric of our lives. We cannot help but examine our emotions of vulnerability.

In Ecclesiastes, we find the wisdom of King Solomon which shakes up our comfort zones, opens up our gates of protection. Bad things happen and happen to all people and happen suddenly without warning. We do not like the injustice of these truths. Words fail us. Grief captures us. Reality consumes us. When our family or community or security is threatened, the truth of our frailty reveals itself. We desperately long for a HOPE that is ever-present!  

Unfortunately, the vulnerabilities in life enter into our lives daily while on this earth. Our HOPE is always in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, the redemption of Jesus Christ and the Sovereignty of God. These NEVER change, not with situations, not with seasons. His Presence must be our Comfort zone, our Gate of protection. This HOPE is ever-present - especially in the middle of chaos! ~dho

Transformed by Love

You’ll never understand the mystery at work in all that God does! 

Ecclesiastes 11:5b TheMessage

Many times the mystery of God seems to shout to us! The unexpected, unpredicted, and unwarranted experiences of life appear out of nowhere, and we are afraid. Events often baffle theologians and scientists alike. These unforeseen circumstances of living in a fallen world, these very things God allows into our lives can be used to accomplish God’s Divine purposes. We search for reasons and answers; we demand resolution. Still, these big and small mysteries remain. The one certain truth that will always prevail: God is in control, not chance!

God’s holy mystery permeates the Bible stories we share. Full of prophecy and promise, there are those who encounter the unexpected. Fathers of our faith, prophets, disciples, and ordinary people are changed when they encounter the Living God. As they embrace the unimaginable, each one becomes a part of God’s Divine Plan; each life is transformed by God’s unchanging love!

What conquers fear? “Perfect Love casts out fear.” With Perfect Love and our obedience to live by faith while trusting the Presence of God, our lives can be transformed, each of us entering a part of God’s everlasting story. Oscar Romero, Salvadoran archbishop and martyr, writes that God loves us with gifts we thought we didn’t need, which transform us into people we don’t necessarily want to be. How often our fear and rebellion hold us captive! As we begin our study of Ecclesiastes, embrace the unexpected and be transformed by Perfect Love. You’ll never understand the mystery in all that God does!   ~dho

Purpose in Every Season

 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. Ecclesiastes 3:1

"How will we know when to act, when to wait? How will we know when it is our time to lead rather than our time to follow? Discernment calls us to spiritual understanding but also to action." Henri Nouwen

What does discernment mean and how do I apply it to my faith journey? Some of the very questions Nouwen identified above calls me to explore discernment. How do I know when to wait? How do I wait? When is waiting just avoiding action? When does following become the easy answer? What if stepping out in action is not God's purpose for this season of life? How can the soul discern God's purpose anyway? The answers are myriad. Perhaps somewhat of a paradox, the path of discernment can be both clouded by uncertainty and fueled by possibility.

In the weeks to come, I will be leading a Women’s Bible Study at my church on the book of Ecclesiastes. Among other references, we will be using Life Under the Sun by Hannah Anderson (Lifeway). This study can help us examine where we are in the process of finding God's purpose for whatever season of living. Of all the unknowns, this truth remains: God has a plan, a specific plan for every person. God desires us to know His plan for our lives and gives us not only the insight to find the purpose but also equips for the chosen task. Proverbs 16:9 reminds us, "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." God will reveal the best plan for our lives, the best purpose for our energies, while we frequently settle for the better way. Let's seek His purpose in this season, whatever that may individually mean. As I share some insights in the weeks to come, hope you follow along! ~dho