Month: April 2024

Morning Dew #82

God, my Mystery Connection

Peace. Photograph by Josephine

Our world is filled with mysteries. Some mysteries we have solved and are now common-place —cloning, human organ transplants, cordless telephones, radio and TV, voice recorders, videos, microwaves, satellites, Alexa and Siri. Others mysteries are more esoteric like the  secrets of the mind-body relationship, the JWST, deep space, and Black Holes.

Yet another level of unsolved mystery is prayer! The Washington Post states that millions of research dollars are being spent trying to understand this mystery. There seems no causal connection but, “All we know is that prayer, or religious activity of any kind, seems to have a positive effect on health and recovery.”! 

Many of us believe that the answer to this mystery lies in the promise found in the Holy Bible,

“. . . pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16.

Sincere prayer mysteriously links us to the Source of strength and impacts the situation or person for whom we pray. The mystery prevails but the evidence is strong. So along with the other mysteries of the day why not try prayer? It works! 

Dear Lord,  help me to yield way to faith in You, despite my desire to reason. Amen

Morning Dew #81

God, my Foolishness and Sin-Bearer

Place of Reflection . Photograph by Josephine

Anger, impatience, and self-absorption can often lead us to say or do things that cast a shade on our Christian profession. The Psalmist clearly had that experience and in exasperation pleaded with God that his rash behavior would not become a stumbling-block for someone striving to live a Godly life. 

We too should make this a daily request of God who knows and witnesses our “foolishness” as we go about our affairs each day. The anger that wells-up when we fail to get what we think is owed us; the daggers hurled from our lips as we counter what seems like the slight of others; the vengeance we seek as we experience or witness the injustice of the powerful. 

Justified or not, these acts may mislead or disillusion someone seeking to know God. But we are frail humans who, at our best, are pale reflections of Him and so like the Psalmist we must pray for His strength to make our daily walk a good example to those who seek to know Him.

Dear Lord, through Your strength, please make the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart acceptable to You and a light to others. Amen

Morning Dew #80

God, my Designer

Early Morning Beauty. Photograph thanks to Alfonso V.

This past week America was mesmerized by the celestial beauty of the eclipse of the sun and the moon. Based on the mathematical calculations of astrophysicists, this synchronous passage of the sun, moon, and earth through limitless space can be timed to occur in another 20 years! Unbelievably complex calculations but sure non-the-less! Amazing science! Must we not also be amazed by the Being who made this meticulously impressive synchrony of design and give Him some shout-out of praise as well? 

So along with the beautiful pictures that have been generated and the parties that ensued I wrote an ode to this magnificent, omnipotent God. 

2024 Eclipse. Photograph by NASA
JAR. April, 2024

   

Morning Dew (#79 Repost)

God, my Tomorrow

Day’s End. Photograph by Josephine

I Wonder Today

If we could see our tomorrow as we live today’s ups and downs— Would we today adorn a smile Where now we wear a frown?

Would we today enjoy the simple meal Which now we push aside?

Would we today prize the uphill climb Where now with the challenge, we whine?

Would we today pause to praise  Where now we just criticize?

Would we today accept advise Where now in haste, we despise?  

Would we today show humility Where now we’re puffed with pride?

Would we today a soft answer give Where now we spew out bile? 

Would we today forgive the barb Which now we bitterly resent?

Would we today more generous be  Where now we withhold our talents? 

Would we today give twice as much Where now we give much less?

Would we today try twice as hard, a friendship to preserve Where now impatient and thoughtless, we toss it to the curb?

God, give us that discerning eye to cherish our todays Remind us Lord, that our tomorrows are made from our todays.  Amen.

By Josephine. April, 2024