Staying Spiritually Connected--Week 5

Welcome back for another installment of SSC!!  I hope you've been gaining some knowledge and understanding what we, as Christians, can do to be more spiritually connected in our daily lives as much as I have!  Its always great to have some fresh ideas and have your eyes opened to things you may have forgotten!



This week we'll be talking about becoming more accepting.  In today's world, especially with recent events that has caused alot of people to talk about bullying, this is a pretty hot topic in my opinion.  Sometimes it IS hard to not judge someone.  Think about it, you may be driving down the road and see a woman walking down the street, scantily dressed, and immediately in your mind your already putting a 'label' on her.  You may overhear someone's conversation and by the tone of their voice, or perhaps something you heard them say,  you make a judgement call on what type of person they must be.  We all do this..its just human nature I believe.  But, as Christians, we know we are not to judge.  God is the ultimate judge and really..its not something we need worry about.  We need to concentrate on ourselves more times than not.  Being accepting of others can be a hard process, especially if say the person is someone you know, and they have done you some wrong.  We should be willing to pray for a more accepting heart.  Because like I said, its human nature to make calls on people based on different aspects.  Thankfully, the good Lord knows this, and has given us the power of prayer! 

When we become more accepting of others, this process makes us more gracious.  Think about what gracious really means.  "Pleasantly kind, courteous, merciful, compassionate, charaterized by good taste" to name a few definitions.  I don't know about you, but I'd definately like the label of being gracious!!  Just think if the whole world was more gracious to one another, how much better a place it would be.  I'm not saying we have to tolerate the wrongs of others and let people walk all over us (thats a whole other issue).  God plainly states in the Bible that He hates sin..but not the sinner.  This is what we should keep in mind as well.  Being gracious is a definate trait of a Christian, we should try to be gracious in all our ways and even in our thinking.  I'm going to try to be more gracious from now on and when I fail..pray that God helps me to have a more accepting heart!

Staying Spiritually Connected--Week 4

Its Friday..so time for another installment of SSC, y'all!

Today, we're going to look at a part of our daily spiritual walk that is of vital importance.  Setting aside time each day to spend in spiritual reflection and contemplation.  We all know this is something we need and should do, but in our hectic society today, it sometimes is hard to set aside that time.  Am I right?  I know I personally struggle with this alot..and I have no excuse to back it up.  I have no children (at the time being) to really occupy my free time..only the furry in variety!  ;-)  But getting back to the lesson, is there really ANY excuse for not spending an allotted time every day to spend in spiritual reflection?  No..there really isn't. We owe God that much (and more).  Look at what all He has done for us!  Can you remember back (ladies that are happily married) when you were single and looking for Mr. Right..wondering when he would ever come along?  I sure can relate.  God brought you your mate.  Can you remember (moms or moms-to-be out there) when you desired more than anything to have a child of your own?  Count your children as blessings..because God gave them to you.  There are so many things here that can be listed..because He continually does things for each and every one of us every day!

Spending time in spiritual reflection and contemplation doesn't have to be a hard thing either, which is what is so great!!  It doesn't have to be something that consumes your entire day.  It can be a few minutes you have in the quiet of the morning, when your going to work, taking a long soak in the tub, or in the stillness of the night.  Your way of spending that time can vary too..from praying, reading, taking a walk through nature, maybe even all of the above!  Whatever is your way to spend time reflecting on God's goodness in your life, God appreciates that.  In fact, doing so makes you stronger.  Each time you take time for Him, it draws you closer to Him.  Being closer to God makes one strong.  It develops our character.  It makes us who we are.  And it influences our decisions and the way we present ourselves to the world.  As we talked about last week about putting more love into the world, you can see that everything that is discussed truely is all linked together in some way, shape, or form.  I encourage you today to seek out more time in your lives to spend in spiritual reflection and contemplation.  Your soul will thank you for it!

Staying Spiritually Connected--Week 3



Welcome my fellow bloggers to another installment of SSC!  I hope you've enjoyed the previous 2 editions.  In week 3, we'll be focusing on something I think is extremely important!  Seeking opportunities to put more love into the world.  One thing this old world definately needs, is more love, if you ask me!  Our world is filled with hate and bitterness, so much so that it sometimes can be hard to find love around anymore.  One definatly has to look very hard to see love in certain circumstances that goes on around us.  I won't go into detail about war, prejudice, crime, or anything of that nature.  You know as well as I do that finding love in situations like those is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.  Not saying that you can't..just sayin'....

Its our duty as Christians, to spread love, wherever we go.  After all, Christ is love.  We should exude love.  People shouldn't pass us on the streets wondering, is that person a Christian?  Our lives should exemplify love and our love for Christ.  I know..thats not always the easiest thing to do..especially when we're rushing to get home after a long day and get caught behind the world's slowest driver on the highway!   Sometimes though, I think we owe it to God to stop and think about how our actions perceive us.  Can we show love more in our everyday lives?  The answer, more often that not, is YES!  I did a post a while back on acts of kindness using post-it notes, of all things.  While I'll admit, I'm guilty of only doing it once since I wrote about it, its definately something that is more on my mind..and something I'm more aware of doing now.  Once you get into the habit of spreading some love around..it becomes easier to do.  And the best thing?  Not only will the recepient's day be made, but your day will be made as well!  Its something that is very rewarding to the soul..to make another person happy.  To share the love. 

When you spread love in the world, it helps to make you loving AND loveable.  Bet you never thought about it making you loveable, did you?!  It didn't cross my mind either, but being a loving and caring individual makes you loveable.  Those around you will see you in a new light.  Which is why I mentioned earlier about others being able to see us as Christians.  Christians should naturally be seen as loveable people.  We are to be 'different' from the world..as the bible says.  Definately the opposite of the worldly ways is kindness and a loving spirit.  Its something to think about....

Staying Spiritually Connected--Week 2

Ok my dear readers!!  Since SSC (staying spiritually connected) was a hit last friday..I'm going to continue with the topic until I complete all 10!!  Thank you for your comments..and please..do keep them coming!  Its an inspiration to hear how each topic is impacting you!

Today we're going to discuss probably the most obvious thing we all need to do in SSC..which is recognizing your creator.  It may sound simple..but how often do we really take the time to recognize our creator.. the creator of the universe?!  I know for myself, when I start off my prayers every day, I thank God for who He is and for this day that He's made.  In a way I guess that is recognizing Him.  But what should we really be doing to recognize Him in our daily lives?  After all..He is the one who is responsible for life itself (our life!), and He is bigger and more powerful than any "thing" or "one".  Thats alot to think about, huh?  It is hard to really to imagine sometimes, but our Lord really is that powerful and great.  And we really should recognize Him for that!  Isn't it great to know that there He is out there..and can have such awesome control over not only our lives and daily situations, but the whole world?  AND that after all the work He does (for each of us!), that He even takes the time to hear the prayers we pray?!  In recognizing our creator, this brings us to being humble.  When we really take the time to recognize God..not only for what He does for us..but just Him in general, it allows us to appreciate Him more, I believe.  Humble is defined as 'knowing one's own weaknesses and faults; not proud or bold; modest or meek'.  When we realize and recognize who our creator is..and that He is above us in so many ways..it does humble us.  It makes you realize your own weaknesses and faults (seeing as our creator is perfect)..and we can't have any proudness in us when we totally recognize this.  Its definately a good thing to recognize our creator..because that is really the beginning of a great relationship with Him!

I can't wait to hear your thoughts on this subject today!  So keep them coming, y'all!

On a side note..I've been saying all week long how Windy Poplars has been having a Fall Festival going on this week..and its still going on!  Lots of fun ideas for the fall season and plenty of prizes will be given away..so if you've not went over this week yet, go now before the fun is over!!

Have a blessed day everyone!!

Staying Spiritually Connected

Happy Friday fellow bloggers!  Yes..its everyone's favorite time of the week..the weekend!  I've had this article saved for a little while now by my computer..and tonight it was just calling out to me.  If I get some good feedback..I may do a few more staying spiritually connected (SSC) posts on the subject since there is a listing of 10 in my article.  The one that stood out to me tonight was recognizing your mistakes.  WOW.  This is something I need to take to heart.  How hard it is for us to really recognize the things we do wrong in our day-to-day lives.  I know I fail the Lord each day and have to ask forgiveness.  I also ask for guidance to see my mistakes so I can possibly correct them in the future.  Just because it really is hard to see our own mistakes at times.  Sure..its easy to see what Jane and John Doe down the road are doing wrong.  Its obvious (but not to them!)..just as its the same way for us.  Am I making sense here?  Of course its not just about recognizing our mistakes..but also we have to be willing to be corrected.  I don't know about y'all..but I really hate it when someone tells me I'm wrong!  I'm a little bull-headed that way, I guess.  Its something I need to work on!  But..when God shows us a mistake we've made..we should be willing to correct ourselves.  After all..we want to be pleasing in all we say and do to the Father.  So after you've recognized your mistakes..and have the willingness to be corrected..this leaves us as being more responsible.  That makes sense.  Its a step of growth in our Christian lives when we know we've done something wrong and then go and correct ourselves.  It does make us a more responsible Christian in our daily walk.  I know I want to be more responsible and grow in the Lord!  Of course, it does take prayer and dedication on our parts.  Because after all, we all are human, and we all make mistakes.  Thank goodness God doesn't give up on us!

I hope you've enjoyed this little segment in SSC.  Please leave me some feedback on the subject..and if its a 'hit'..I'll continue with more..maybe each friday?  Hope everyone out there in bloggyland has a wonderful friday and a great weekend!!