Worldwords

Worldwords is a little coffee table type daily devotional guide that  picked up a few years ago via the lovely establishment for which I have been a part time some time employee now for some years.
Santa Fe Beeswax Candle Co. Ah the smell of Beeswax, I miss. Honey a plenty. The kind of ambiance that begs you to stay. A spirit to make a difference.

Victor La Cerva, Md. has put together a collection of global reflections to awaken the soul. 
 Today's reflection: December 22
sooch (suj) Kafir Kalash
Be pure!

We begin to enter into a more nourishing and dynamic harmony with ourselves when we relinquish the needs to be perfect. Sooch! The words are whispered as part of the ritual purification during a December festival in northern Pakistan. Bathing incense, special foods and ceremony combine in events around the world to encourage right living. Beyond simple moral compunction, sooch yourself and simultaneously accept yourself. Welcome into your life those who can be confrontative and supportive at the same time, gently pointing out discrepancies between your actions and your words. The more you relinquish control of your spiritual destiny, the greater freedom you will experience. The embracing of your unique shadows allow the brilliance of your light to shine forth.

I welcome the wholeness of my imperfections.

Philippians 4:4-8

A little over two years ago I purchased a small notebook with this phrase on it.
I have an image of it captured as my phone's background.
I look at it often simply to remind myself that with my newly solidified faith comes peace, even when, especially when I am feeling anxiety, stress, worry or fretting over life.

My life, my God, our God shows me all the time just how present He is in my life. I go searching just the other eve for scripture to study, to reflect upon, to inspire. I open to a random place after a simple meditation and I find; The passage Phillipians 4:4-8.

I looked at several versions of the passage to really understand the language and absorb the message. To be able to express to all of you and to myself the meaning of this verse and what solace and wisdom it can provide.

 

by Michael Noyes

I was tickled to learn that this one line that I had been carrying with me for two years had come back around full circle.

After jotting notes and doing a bit of research,  I snuck a peek at a Christmas present from a dear friend. Again...God shows me He is here. Merely a few days after my first reminder, I stumble upon a lovely set of notecards:

Had I doubted its relevance or its importance, would not that have been the most classic case of purposeful ignorance?

Needless to say I did not doubt, but was overjoyed to have been blessed again. A simple gift becomes a moment to happily place amongst my treasured assurances that indeed Christ is alive in my heart and that I can be peaceful of mind due to this glorious fact.
For those of us that sometimes have our doubts, God shows us with signs and subtle connections that He is here working in our lives so that peace is possible.

Phillippians 4:4-8, speaks to me about remembering just how amazing God's presence is in your life. The Apostle Paul urges us to remember to set your heart and mind on God for this will bring a joy filled change of perspective. Although he is imprisoned while writing this letter, Paul sends the message to Rejoice, for the ultimate joy comes from Christ dwelling within us. Paul challenges Christians to lead by example. To show the world that the Lord works in all you do. He then goes on to say that you should turn your worries into prayers and let God's peace guard your heart against anxiety. Fill your mind with thoughts that are honorable, true, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and worthy of praise. That is, replace harmful input with wholesome material. And through all this, Paul asks us to be Thankful. Thankful for what the Lord has done and thankful ahead of time for answering your worried prayers.

Rejoice! Hallelujah! Thanks!