Poetic Inspirations and Practical Applications for Blissful Living

Poem: Sitting in Sunshine

Free Image Misty Atmosphere and Sunbeam by dan

Sitting in Sunshine

Christian Poem: Sitting in Sunshine

Image courtesy dan at freedigitalphotos.net

 

“He dawns on them like the morning light, like the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning, like rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth.” (2 Samuel 23:4)

 

Sitting in sunshine

I feel Your love

Embracing me sweetly

From Heaven above,

 

Touching me gently

With joy, with bliss,

Melting me happily

In Your sweet kiss,

 

Lifting me happily

To highest heights,

Opening my eyes

To loveliest sights…

 

Yes, I feel Your love

In sweet sunshine,

A taste of heaven,

Of courts divine,

 

So Your praise

I so joyfully sing,

Smiling gratefully

At bliss You bring,

 

Dancing so freely

With happiness pure,

Celebrating a love

To always endure,

 

Lifting me up

To heavenly heights,

Brightening even

Darkest of nights,

 

Raising me high

In joy endless,

Melting me happily

In Your sweet kiss…

 

Yes, sitting in Sonshine

Streaming from above,

Jesus, O Jesus,

I feel Your love!

 

© 2015 Caroline Gavin

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Guest Post: Letting Go

Letting Go

Guest Post by Heart and Soul Health Coach Mike Fenton

 

The thoughts, ideas and emotions we hold onto consciously or unconsciously effect our life daily. How we react, when we react, and what we react to can be traced back to feelings and beliefs we have buried deep within ourselves. It’s important to examine how we react to what life throws our way and ask ourselves, why do I feel this way? Why do I react the way I do in certain situations?

Once we identify the root cause of our reaction it is important to decide if these thoughts and beliefs are still practical for who we are today. Sometimes the root cause of our problem(s) can be traced all the way back to childhood. Something that happened to us as a child certainly may not be applicable today and at this point is nothing more than a self-limiting belief.

Self-limiting beliefs are thoughts, feelings and beliefs we hold on to from past experiences that can prevent us from living life to its full potential. We hold to a belief that took place at some part in our life and it continually affects how we view things and how we react in certain situations. It is so important to evaluate what we are holding on to. Yesterday’s events should not dictate today’s business. We can learn from them (and should) but not let them become a self-limiting belief.  

The beliefs we hold onto can also affect our energy level because it takes energy to keep negative beliefs suppressed. When we let go of negative beliefs we have more energy, positive energy, to do the things in life that gives us pleasure, to be more productive.

As it’s written in Proverbs 2:11 “Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe”. Making wise choices in what we think, feel and believe can help us to let go of negative emotions and in turn we are happier, and those around us are happier too. As we read in Proverbs 15:13 “A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit”. Living with negative beliefs crushes our zest for life. It affects everything from productivity to our relationships with others.

When we enter into advanced states of awareness we become enlightened to things we never knew or thought about before. Life takes on new meaning and we find our true purpose. We have a renewed zest for life.

 

Guest Post: Happily Ever After

Happily Ever After

Guest Post by Heart and Soul Health Coach Mike Fenton

 

A term that has been used many times which usually means a happy ending to a story. But living happily ever after means something different to each of us. What one person perceives as happiness another finds nothing to be happy about. We all have something in life that brings us happiness and it is unique to each one of us.

We will also find that as we go through life the things that once brought us happiness no longer do, however, we should not consider that a problem because if we are open to experiencing new things we will find there are many things in life to enjoy.

We are reminded not to seek our happiness in materialistic things as it is written in Ecclesiastes 5:10 “Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!”

Rather we should look to store our treasures in heaven. It is written in Matthew 6:20 “Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal”. While finding happiness in our earthly life is important, more importantly is finding eternal happiness and living life happily ever after.

Poem: Always More (I Love You, Lord)

Always More (I Love You, Lord)

Poem: Always More I Love You, Lord

Image courtesy Detanan at www.freedigitalphotos.net

 “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight…” (Philippians 1:9)

Always more, Lord,
Yes, every moment more,
More love for You
From my heart does pour,

With every happy song
My soul does sing,
With every bright smile
Your grace does bring,

With every pure joy
Your love does inspire,
Through pleasant pathways,
Through trials of fire,

Through pain and tears,
Through rich delights too,
Oh, my sweet Lord,
All the more I love you!

So accept this song,
As for You it does beat,
As one expression of love
For my Savior sweet.

How I long to pour
My very life for You,
To shine of this love
Through all that I do.

For nothing delights me
More than Your will,
To be closer and closer
To Your heart still.

So all the more
Of You I sing,
Through happiness, through pain,
Through everything,

With every beat of my heart,
With every breath I take,
With every smile I share,
With every friend I make,

All the more I sing,
All the more I adore,
Yes, I love You, Lord Jesus,
Always more!

 

© 2015 Caroline Gavin

I Treasure Your Comments!

I offer you a gift! Sign up for the “Journey to Joy” workbook here! Your gift includes the downloadable 65-page “Purposeful Pathway: Journey to Joy” workbook (PDF), rich with Scriptural meditations, reflective questions and activities, and poetic inspirations. This 7-step journey is lovingly designed to deepen your connection with Jesus and heighten your joy.

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Guest Post: I Can’t Stands No More

I Can’t Stands No More

Guest Post by Heart and Soul Health Coach Mike Fenton

 

Once there was a cartoon character named Popeye the Sailor Man (Robin Williams portrayed him in a movie version of the cartoon), and whenever Popeye would get fed up with being bullied by Bluto (his cartoon adversary) or became exhausted with life, Popeye would grumble, “I’ve had all I can stands, I can’t stands no more!”  He would then squeeze a can of spinach until it popped open, then eat the spinach and instantly he would have supernatural strength to handle anything.

When life gets tough and the daily grind is starting to take a toll on us, wouldn’t it be nice to have one of those cans of spinach to give us the strength and energy to get us through? Wouldn’t it be great if life was that easy? It can be, we all the ability to tap into our inner strength that can and will give us all the strength and energy we need. In the Bible it is written in Psalms 34:19 that, “A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.” If we have the Lord, we have the strength.

Sometimes life is frustrating as we struggle through one battle after another. The devil keeps attacking our attitude, and we may think to ourselves, if only I could find the strength to fight him off.

Often we wait until we are so beaten down there seems to be no way out, no help in sight. The last place we think to look is inside ourselves. We continually look for that “can of spinach” to get us through, and until we reach a higher level of consciousness we will continue to seek the external things in life that we feel are what we need to get us through. We must remember the external things in life are temporary and just as a can of spinach will lose its effectiveness, so will anything else external we put our hopes into.

Are you saying, “I’ve had all I can stands, I can’t stands no more” and searching for supernatural strength? Look to Philippians 4:13 which says, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”  I may feel like I’ve had all I can stand and I can’t stand anymore, but if I call out to God, He will give me strength no matter how big the problems are.

 

 

 

 

 

Guest Post: A New Day – A New Way

A New Day – A New Way

Guest Post by Heart and Soul Health Coach Mike Fenton

 

Each new day presents us with a choice to change things in our life or to keep things as they are. Bedtime is a good time to reflect on how we approached our life that day, and how that approach worked for us. If we are not getting the results in our life that we were hoping for than maybe it’s time to look at new and different ways to approach things. It’s useless for us to think that we can keep approaching things the same way and expect different results.

So why is it so difficult to take another approach to life, to look at things from a different perspective?  Two main reasons are we do not pursue different options, are complacency and the other is fear. We become complacent/fearful when we try to change things up, life may become uncomfortable for us.

With most change there is a feeling discomfort. During this time of change we can find comfort in the words of Psalms 71:21 which says “You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again”.

When making a new approach to life we must remember God has a plan for us, so not only will we be comforted once again, we will also be restored to an even greater honor.

I will not be afraid to begin a new day in a new way for He is with me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guest Post: The Manifold Grace of God

The Manifold Grace of God

Guest Post by John Rataczak, Ph.D.

 

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He

withhold from them that walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11).

 

There are reasons why there are a number of hymns and Gospel songs about God’s grace. It is very multi-faceted (the meaning of “manifold”) and amazing! Why would God care for sinners who have totally rejected Him? How can God’s servants continue to labor for Him in spite of debilitating physical problems? How can a believer who doesn’t have much education or experience serve His Savior? What is it that helps us through really difficult challenges?

 

Grace! There simply isn’t any other good answer!

 

Here is a partial list of how this word “grace” (charis in the Greek) is used in the New Testament:

 

God’s grace is truly multi-faceted. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God (I Peter 4:10).

 

God’s grace helps believers overcome obstacles in their lives. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness (II Corinthians 12:7-8).

 

God shows “common grace” to all men, saved or unsaved. …for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45b).

 

God’s saving grace gives the believer new life. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (By grace ye are saved)—Ephesians 2:5.

 

God gives special grace when it is most needed. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

 

Grace is the foundation of our position in Christ. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By Whom we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:1-2).

 

God gives grace so believers can do what is right. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work (II Corinthians 9:8).

 

God gave great grace to the early church so it could grow spiritually and numerically. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all (Acts 4:33).

 

God’s grace is crucial to our justification. Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24).

 

God’s grace is the basis of His election. Even so at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace (Romans 11:5).

 

God’s grace supplies knowledge to the believer. That in every thing ye are enriched by Him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge (I Corinthians 1:5).

 

God’s grace helps believers overcome a shameful past. For I am the least of the apostles, that I am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was besowed upon me was not in vain (I Corinthians 15:9-10).

 

God’s grace leads to eternal glory. But the God of all grace, Who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you (I Peter 5:10).

 

Christians are admonished to grow in grace. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (II Peter 3:18).

 

Jesus was full of grace. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth (John 1:14).

 

God promises grace to the humble. Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you, be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble (I Peter 5:5).

 

God’s grace overpowers our sin! Moreover, the Law enetered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound (Romans 5:20).

 

Grace is the means of our faith. And when he was disposed to pass through Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace (Acts 18:27).

 

The New Testament covenant of grace replaced the Law. For sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the Law, but under grace (Romans 6:14).

 

God’s grace gives us every reason to hope in eternal life! That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:7).

Here are three simple definitions of God’s grear grace:

 

“Unmerited favor.”

 

“God’s riches at Christ’s expense.”

 

“God’s love extended to those who do not deserve it.”

 

Grace Greater Than Our Sin

Julia H. Johnston

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,

Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt,

Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,

There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt!

 

Sin and despair like the sea waved cold,

Threaten the soul with infinite loss:

Grace that is greater, ye grace untold,

Points to the Refuge, the mighty cross!

 

Grace, grace, God’s grace,

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;

Grace, grace, God’s grace,

Grace that is greater than all our sin!

  ~*~

John Rataczak, Ph.D., is the sole proprietor of Eleutheros Books. “Eleutheros” is the Greek adjective which means “free,” and the theme verse for the ministry is John 8:36—If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Feel free to check out Eleutheros Books at these sites:

Bookstore: www.eleutherosbookstore.com

Author’s books: www.eleutherosbooks.com

Blog (under construction): www.christiancontactwithjohn.com

 

Guest Post: Surrender is Not a Sign of Weakness

Surrender is Not a Sign of Weakness

Guest Post by Heart and Soul Health Coach Mike Fenton

Often surrender is interpreted as a sign of weakness, however it is not. Surrender is a sign of strength, and the first step in learning to become humble as we are told we should in James 4:10 which says “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up”.

It is through surrender we are able to let go of our ego and with it all the negative feelings, attitudes and beliefs that make us miserable and is the basis of many of our illnesses and problems. We become miserable because the ego is self-serving and is always looking out for its own best interests. When things do not go “its” way, the ego becomes upset. It was unable to feed its insatiable appetite for more of “me”.

We are reminded in Philippians 2:3-4 3 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others”. When we surrender we become selfless, and we put the interests of others before our own.

Surrender is not a sign of weakness, but it’s difficult to look past what we feel is best for “ourselves”. It’s all a part of an internal survival instinct that tells us we must first look after ourselves.

Surrender means becoming bigger than our “self” and when we do, we bring ourselves to a higher level of consciousness and awareness. It is through this higher level of awareness that we begin to focus on who we are becoming, not on what we do or even have.

We begin to care more about the needs of others and have a willingness to offer help. We choose to be a part of the solution, instead of a part of the problem. The old “self” has gone and we no longer look to be self-serving.

Through surrender and humility we are lifted up just as it is referred to in the Book of James. We no longer feel we need to feed the ego because we are confident in who we are, and in the choices we make. We are strong enough to surrender and humbled enough to put the interests of others first.

As it is written in Philippians 4:13 “I can do all this through him who gives me strength”.

 

If thou desire the love of God and man, be humble, for the proud heart, as it loves none but itself, is beloved of none but itself. Humility enforces where neither virtue, nor strength, nor reason can prevail.

Francis Quarles (1592 – 1644)

 

 

 

Guest Post: The Greatest Love of All

The Greatest Love of All

Guest Post by Heart and Soul Health Coach Mike Fenton

  

It is God’s great love that gave us the air we breathe, the beautiful sunrise/sunset(s), and so many more great things as we are told in Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”. He did all this and gave us free-will. What did He expect in return? What did He get in return? Is love about expecting something in return?

No, the key to any successful loving relationship is giving without expecting anything in return. Let’s remind ourselves of what the Bible says about love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 4 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres”.

We are reminded of great love in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”. He did this so that we may be forgiven of our sins, so that we have choice to spend eternity with Him in heaven if we ask for forgiveness.

This world may never see again…The Greatest Love of All.

A relationship we should always cherish.

February Reflection – Love is not blind.

 

 

 

Guest Post: An Important Aspect of Salvation

An Important Aspect of Salvation

Guest Post by John Rataczak, Ph.D.

 

Now He which stalisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God: Who

hath sealed us, and given us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts

(II Corinthians 1:21-22)

 

When a child is born, a birth certificate is issued. When a piece of property or an automobile is paid for, a title is issued. When one successfully completes a college degree program, a diploma is granted.

 

In most cases a “seal” is easily seen on all these documents.

 

According to the Scriptures, when God saves a soul He places a seal on that important transaction.

 

The idea of having seals and official state insignias is an old one. For instance, when our Lord died and was buried, there were those who were concerned that the disciples might try to steal His body from the grave and then claim that He had risen from the dead. When Pilate heard about this he determined to place the seal of the Roman government at the burial site:

 

Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as you can. So they went, and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch (Matthew 27:65-66).

 

There are three passages in the New Testament which give us insight into this precious doctrine of sealing:

 

  1. II Corinthians 1:21-22 (quoted above).

 

Four important points can be made from these verses:

  • God the Father establishes the believer in Christ.
  • God the Father anoints the believer.
  • God the Father seals the believer.
  • God the Father gives the Holy Spirit as an earnest (a downpayment) to the believer. The promise is that eternal life and better conditions await the believer in heaven!

 

  1. Ephesians 1:13-14.

 

In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation: in Whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory.

 

Two important points can be made from these verses:

 

  • The sealing took place after belief in Christ.
  • Believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit.

 

  1. Ephesians 4:30.

 

And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye were sealed unto the day of redemption.

 

Two important points can be made from this verse,

 

  • The verb translated “ye were sealed” is in the aorist tense in the Greek, indicating completed

action. Believers in Jesus Christ are immediately sealed the moment they are saved!

  • The sealing lasts until “the day of redemption.” This means that until the Lord takes believers

home to heaven the sealing of the Holy Spirit is upon his soul!

 

             There is a logical connection between sanctification, justification, and sealing. In positional sanctification the believer is made holy in his standing before God. In justification he is declared holy by God. In sealing, the record is made official in the court

             of heaven.

 

              Satan can make whatever accusation he wants against a believer. It simply does not matter. Why? A believer has been sanctified, justified, and sealed, and God did it all!

 

              Generally speaking, sealing involves such things as security, official status, ownership, and a guarantee. These things are granted to all believers. They are precious truths that the Bible teaches clearly, and they cannot be taken away or nullified.

 

~*~

              John Rataczak, Ph.D. is the sole proprietor of Eleutheros Books. “Eleutheros” is the Greek word which means “free,” and the theme verse for the ministry is John 8:36: If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

 

             www.eleutherosbookstore.com

 

             www.eleutherosbooks.com

 

             blog: www.christiancontactwithjohn.com