Fresh new beginnings

In the New Year, many people are thinking about new ways to do things, setting new goals, and ushering in a sense of freshness and new beginnings. But how do we sustain that throughout the year? I have found that a daily dose of fresh inspiration from contemplative prayer in the morning to be the best way to start my day off right with refreshing and inspiring views.

These views hint to the divine nature — enable me to glimpse beyond the material picture — to a deeper sense of spiritual harmony, goodness, and joy — a force for Good that is powerfully and wonderfully sustaining each of us.

As we drink in these new views of God, the divine nature, our thoughts are uplifted and we feel a sense of our oneness with God. When challenges come up, we are more easily able to address them from a standpoint of poise and grace because we have built a solid spiritual foundation in the morning.

At night before bed, wrapping the day up in gratitude for all the good you experienced and the spiritual qualities you saw expressed around you is a great way to pull up your spiritual Comforter and feel the divine embrace tucking you in. Your Father-Mother God is tenderly caring for your child within and enables you to drink in drafts of Spirit to renew and invigorate you.

Here is an article I wrote for New Year’s about these ideas that was recently published in the Christian Science Sentinel. I hope these ideas will be as useful to you as they have been to me.


Photo credit: Image by Pexels from Pixabay

Happy New Year

What are your New Year’s resolutions?

Last New Year, my family and I made a resolution to reduce our landfill waste. It took being aware of what we were throwing away and finding ways to reduce and creative ways to reuse. After just 3 weeks, we reduced our trash by 70% and we have stuck with it the entire year. Composting and recycling are a big help, and so is being mindful about what we are throwing away and looking for alternatives to plastic. Each family member has participated and developed a greater awareness of our purchasing decisions.

It’s really freeing!

Another New Year is upon us and I’m reminded of an even deeper resolution that we can carry in our hearts. It is conveyed in this quote.

Today my soul can only sing and soar. An increasing sense of God’s love, omnipresence, and omnipotence enfolds me. Each day I know Him nearer, love Him more, and humbly pray to serve Him better. –Mary Baker Eddy

Feeling more of God’s presence and love, expressing God’s qualities when we speak heart to heart, pausing and listening more deeply, and being willing to help and take the time for our neighbors will revitalize our thought and bring healing to the world.

Have a blessed, peaceful, and happy New Year!

—-

This beautiful image is from pixabay.com.

Living in harmony with nature

The leaves of the trees are for the healing of the nations…Revelation 22:2

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Being in the forest and witnessing the awesome beauty of nature has inspiring and transforming effects. A recent newspaper article reports that spending time in nature has many health benefits including a release of stress and anxiety. I think many of us have felt the calming effect of taking a walk through the woods.

I certainly love my walks in the woods and I especially love autumn leaves. To me, autumn leaves are a little way God is saying “see how awesome and beautiful I am!” The beautiful skies and gentle breezes in the leaves are incredible. On my walks I always gain much needed inspiration and feel an affinity for the Creator and creation.

The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. Psalms 24:1

20181120_152021.jpgAll creation including the land, animals, and humans exist to show forth God’s awesomeness. Recognizing this enables us to appreciate each other and helps us find ways to live in harmony. How do we live in a way that enables every thing that has breath to praise the Lord? This was one of the questions posed by Dr. Barry Huff in his wonderful talk entitled “The Earth is the Lord’s…” (Ps 24:1): Biblical Inspiration for Sustainability.

God is love, and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. I John 4:16

When we dwell in love, we naturally express appreciation and respect for those around us including people, forests, and animals. Our prayers and actions can lead us to solutions for environmental challenges. When we broaden our sense of divine Love to include love and care for every living being, we see harmony, balance, and order restored to God’s beautiful creation.