Inner Workings

“Only he who gives thanks for the little things receives the big things.

We prevent God from giving us the great spiritual gifts He has in store for us, because we do not give thanks for daily gifts. We think we dare not be satisfied with the small measures of spiritual knowledge, experience, and love that has been given to us, and that we must constantly be looking forward eagerly for the highest good.

Then we deplore the fact that we lack the deep certainty, the strong faith, and the rich experiences that God has given to others, and we consider this lament to be pious.

We pray for the big things, and forget to give thanks daily for the Christian fellowship in which we have been placed, even where there is no great experience, no discoverable riches, but much weakness, small faith, and difficulty;

if, on the contrary, we only keep complaining to God that everything is so paltry and petty, so far from what we expected, then we hinder God from letting our fellowship grow according to the measure and riches which are there for us all in Jesus Christ.”

                                        ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer , “Life Together”

Two thoughts from psychology:

1. anger and frustration most often comes from unfulfilled expectations

2. happiness is usually subject to comparisons of present to past and ourselves with others.

Thoughts on those thoughts:

If only God knows the future and we put our trust in Him, the expectations of life should be secure in His hands and not subject to frustrations.

If happiness is dependent on subjective comparisons only…how is anyone ever happy? In God’s kingdom the last shall be first..this is foolishness to the world (and psychology). Can we be happy in humility, in poverty, in disgrace? Can we be happy if we are demoted? Or in a lower socioeconomic position than the people around us? I think the answer is a resounding YES! So if I bring this closer to home…can I be happy if my life in comparison to the past and others around me, isn’t where I expected or wanted it to be right now? again a resounding YES, if I listen to Bonhoeffer and simply give thanks for the experience i have had, am having, and for the Christian community in which I have been placed and which God wants to grow. No matter where or when we are in life…God has plans for a future!

Re______.(fill in the blank)

Sometimes life requires a hot bath, candles, and great wine.

Epic Rap Battle!

These guys are actually pretty funny! They also do a facebook song that's been viewed a lot! It's got a few good bits too. enjoy!

Muskrats & Beavers & Geese oh My!

Nature…I wonder what this word makes you think of? What comes to mind when you hear it?

A specific place? A certain event? Maybe something of a natural sort like trees or mountains, or maybe human nature?

Nature really encompasses many different aspects of life and I believe that is because we were created by God who created all those facets of nature itself. I love the natural world…I would love to be known as a naturalist; as someone who studies the natural world, believes in its usefulness, and seeks to conserve its resourcefulness. It’s interesting that “naturalism” as a philosophy removes the supernatural from its theory and believes only in the existence of nature itself. I don’t know how anyone as they observe, let alone understand, the intricacies and awesomeness of both the tiniest and most majestic of nature, does not sense the presence of creator God.

It is while I am experiencing the natural world that I feel most ALIVE! It is as if my being is more real, my senses are heightened and I am full of the joy of life. I really feel like anything is possible when I am in nature and it is these feelings that drive me to want to share it with others. Everyone is different in what makes them come alive, but I do believe all of us as created beings connect with creation on some level. I believe nature can bring people back to their center of being if they allow it to envelope them and open themselves up to its life force, that is God. I think nature can teach us about wellness and balance and shape our character and help our relationships.

Everyone needs it, you need it!

So go out and experience it, even if it just means finding a tree in the city and giving it a little pat to say hello and thank-you for the oxygen it is providing. Then thank God for creating it and for giving us lungs in which to breathe IT IN! breathing in and breathing out…that is another amazing thing! (maybe for another post)

This weekend my good friend teresa (whom I call tree) came and we explored nature. Here in Red Deer we walked around the Kerry Wood nature center trail. If you live in Red Deer and haven’t done this I highly recommend it! We saw deer, muskrats, beaver, geese, and ducks. It was a little hike in the woods, in the city. Then we were able to drive out to the mountains west of Red Deer and do a great hike that gave a magnificent view. It was a needed time for me for the above mentioned reasons and really rejuvenated my spirit. I hope something you do soon will feel the same for you!