thoughts – Thinking Faith Cafe http://thinkingfaithcafe.com Fri, 12 Jul 2019 18:30:29 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.5.17 Early Impact http://thinkingfaithcafe.com/2013/07/18/early-impact/ Thu, 18 Jul 2013 13:00:00 +0000 http://thinkingfaithcafe.com/2013/07/18/early-impact/ “Is it worth it?” I continue to ask myself. Getting up early is not easy for me, but there are some emerging benefits that are making me rethink my plans and priorities. As I mentioned in my previous post, my schedule has seen a lot of transition recently, that led to more early morning time for devotion and prayer. In the brief time since these […]

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]]> “Is it worth it?” I continue to ask myself. Getting up early is not easy for me, but there are some emerging benefits that are making me rethink my plans and priorities.

As I mentioned in my previous post, my schedule has seen a lot of transition recently, that led to more early morning time for devotion and prayer. In the brief time since these changes occurred, many positive results are showing up in my life. The list that follows is not comprehensive, but may give you inspiration to look for similar results in your devotional life.

Natural Blessings
Thankfully, the weather cooperated the past few weeks allowing me to enjoy my devotions and coffee on the deck. My meditation was accompanied by a chorus of birds and frequent visits by rabbits, squirrels, and chipmunks. I now have a chipmunk and a catbird that like to sit in the deck and watch me read and pray.

Not only do these visitors amuse me, but, along with the rest of the natural beauty that surrounds me, they point to the awesome creativity of God. The power of spending time in contemplation while observing the diverse beauty of the natural world extends far beyond the ability of words to express. Such reflection forms an unspoken dialogue with God and with the world around me.

A Heavenly Perspective
Allowing time for conversation with God as the day begins helps to capture God’s perspective on the day ahead. As I open myself to more of God in my life, I increase my ability to see my life, and the context in which I live, from heaven’s viewpoint. This shapes my prayer and reflection, and then influences my actions as I move throughout the day.

Finding what I are looking for
Beginning early affords the opportunity to declare good things over the day ahead. The power of positive confession cannot be overstated. When I speak good things over my life, my circumstances, and my community, I join God in the creative power of blessing, I train myself to be a person of blessing, and I direct my mind and spirit to be looking for blessings around me. Like the ability to suddenly see the vehicle I purchased all around me, when I start my day focused on blessings, I will find what I am looking for throughout the day.

Listening Before the Noise Comes On
One of the things I appreciate the most is the ability to listen to God and to my heart before the chaos of the day creeps in. Once I’ve checked my email and social networks, the noise of the world makes it mor challenging to hear the still, small voice of God. It also makes it harder to be honest about my own thoughts and feelings. The stillness of the morning heightens my spiritual awareness throughout the day.

I hope these early reflections on the benefits of making time for holy meditation at the beginning of the day will inspire you to consider trying it for a season in your own life. I would love to hear your experiences and results.

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]]> In the Light of the Season http://thinkingfaithcafe.com/2012/12/06/in-the-light-of-the-season/ Thu, 06 Dec 2012 18:40:00 +0000 http://thinkingfaithcafe.com/2012/12/06/in-the-light-of-the-season/ The weather is finally starting to change. It is hard to believe it was over 60 degrees on Tuesday. It certainly was not normal for early December, and while the warmth was enjoyable, it was a little disturbing to think that the natural order was so out of step with what should be happening at this time of year. Less than 24 hours later, however, […]

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]]> The weather is finally starting to change. It is hard to believe it was over 60 degrees on Tuesday. It certainly was not normal for early December, and while the warmth was enjoyable, it was a little disturbing to think that the natural order was so out of step with what should be happening at this time of year. Less than 24 hours later, however, the temperature dropped below freezing and snow covered the ground. It felt good to leave the summer-like temperatures for the weather appropriate to the season.

Sometimes, our seasons seem confused. Our life feels out of sync with reality. It may be Advent, but we fee like we are in Lent, Pentecost, or simply Ordinary Time. Times that should be filled with joy may have more than a hint of sadness, while times when we should feel weak and discouraged inspire and strengthen us.

We cannot always direct the timing of our life, nor can we control all of our circumstances. We can, however, take authority over the lens through which we view our situation. Changing the way we see our circumstances ultimately leads to changing them.

More than wishful thinking, choosing the proper perspective on our lives positions us to make better choices and to move in new directions. We break open the narrow vision of the past so that we can perceive new possibilities, and in the process, we begin to see things as they really are, not as they appear to be.

The Scripture encourages us to, “set your mind on the things above where Christ is.” (Colossians 3:2) and to, “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2) Clearly, how we think, and what we think about, impacts the way that we see our circumstances and shapes the way that we live. When we allow God to give us a divine perspective on our lives, we see more accurately and live more effectively.

Two days ago, as I walked to work in my short sleeved shirt, enjoying the warmth of the sun and beauty of the day, it was easy to imagine it was spring, but I knew better. My knowledge did not come from what I could see,. instead, it was my understanding of the seasons that helped me to see what was not directly observable. The right perspective made all the difference.

As we journey into this season of Advent, we may be full of expectation and hope, or we may be discouraged and lost. Whatever our circumstances, the truth is that God loved the whole world, including us, enough to send his Son to bring transformation. As we remember his first coming, we wait with expectation for his ultimate return, and in the process, we look with eyes of wonder for his advent every day.

Today, the light of Christ, the dawn from on high, breaks upon us. This is truly the day the Lord has made, and if we will seek him and his perspective, we can rejoice and be glad in it. Our joy may not come directly from our circumstances, but it will come from the One who is Lord of every circumstance. May his light direct your paths into the destiny he came to bring to you and to the world.

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