Category: God’s Light

Absolute Value

There are some of us who struggle with self-worth. One of the most powerful tools of Satan used to discourage and destroy us. But I want to express my opinion of the absolute value from God that he has bestowed on each of us.

We are all created by God, in his image…and God doesn’t make mistakes. Even though we feel others may think less of us, God smiles on us because of his profound love for us. I wrote this little encouragement that expresses how I believe we should think us ourselves. I call it Beautiful Package

In many ways, we concern ourselves too much with how others see us. We think we should be prettier or more profound than we actually are, making us anxious on what we believe we are not.

We forget we are made in God’s image and everything he creates has a beauty of its own. Let’s take a sunflower as an example. Although there are several varieties, people seem to think sunflowers are always tall.

Even though this sunflower, planted by one of the many birds in my yard, is barely over one foot tall, its beauty is stunning. It has one flower open and two other buds waiting to open. So I remind you that while you may not be a tall sunflower sharing your beauty in a bright blue sky, your beauty is still not missed by God and he wants the light of your beauty to shine from the inside. Beauty that is on the inside is far more important than beauty that is on the outside seen by others.

Do not stress over what you may see, or not see, in the mirror. Remember God created it all and he said it was good. That was what he said at the beginning, and it is also true for now. We have to accept our beauty given as a gift and we need to share its light with God’s love so that others may feel that beauty. With that mindset, your beauty will be beyond measure. So allow your flower to bloom as you share the love God gave you to share. And while it may not be accepted by some, when given as God intended, it will always bring a smile to his face. For he told us to love as he loves. Allow the beauty he gave you to shine and brighten someone else’s day.

In closing, I remind you that when you share the attributes of God, your light is always bright. Shine your inner beauty and always be kind.

Monday Window, 103023, Light

Ludwig gives us the opportunity to notice windows. Windows can have stories all on their own from mystery to beauty and as his post for today – some simple wonder.

My window today is somewhat a play on God’s light but in reality it is His light which is shining in through one window on the south side of the sanctuary and coming through a window on the north side of the sanctuary at the courtyard. I was taken in by its beauty and meaning as the window in the courtyard is shining out of is a star.

The light coming into the dark sanctuary…

And the light coming out of the sanctuary…

You can see the light refracting through the stained glass creating reflections on the outside of the window. It was striking from my point of view.

Its a reminder for those of us in the Christian faith to make sure God’s light is shining through us reflecting His beauty to all who may see it.

Always Be Kind!

Christmas Eve Encouragement

Tonight is a night we focus on the memory of Christ’s birth, a quiet joyful night usually with candlelight. The candlelight represents His light coming into the world and as we share the flame from candle to candle, it shows how we should share His light from person to person.

Christmas means that God is interested in the affairs of people, that God loves us so much that He was willing to give His Son. Billy Graham

In my Christmas village I have an observatory and it reminds me we should always remember to look for His star, His light, as it shines on us and the rest of the world.

The Hope Observatory, may we all feel the hope of His light

I wish you all the very best Christmas. If this is a joyous time for you and your family, I hope it continues to shine brightly. If this time of year is sad for you, I hope the light of Christ finds you so that you understand just how much you are loved. He came for all of us to find His love and peace.

Merry Christmas

Morning Encouragement

Good morning friends. I hope you are all well. We have now survived Halloween and are on to the real holidays involving turkey and trees.  Yes, I am a major fan of the tree holiday and have lots of it to put up. Christmas is a time where I can look through the pinholes of life and see God face to face. What???  Walk with me through Oswald Chambers’ devotion this morning as he shows how this concept ties in perfectly with how we should live our lives.

“Our Lord never insists on obedience. He stresses very definitely what we ought to do, but He never forces us to do it. He prefaces his instructions with an ‘if'”. Oswald Chambers

It’s a hard concept and a personal choice for each individual. We, as humans, want to know exactly what lies in front of us so that we can make safe and sound choices. But in my opinion, that’s now how it really works. We live by faith, trusting that He will take care of us. And He does.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.” Oswald Chambers

Our lives may seem random and boring with the day to day tasks but Oswald reminds us that when we obey Christ, those random circumstances of life become tiny pinholes through which we see the face of God. It’s like trying to look through the holes in the fence to see the big picture.

Sometimes we can’t see anything but other times when we look with our heart we can see the love of God.

As I stare at the lights of Christmas, I am reminded of the star of hope that came to lead us in our day to day tasks so that we can enjoy the beauty of the tiny pinholes. So today, try to see where the pinhole of your day can find the face of God and see Him smile down at you in love. 


I think animals want to see God too, so for a little humor this morning we see them looking through peepholes.  They may march to a different drum, but they know who the drummer is.

So I remind you today to smile and know that God loves you. And always remember to show kindness wherever you go. Kindness creates pinholes for you to shine the love of Christ through.

Have a great week.

Is Our Christianity Like Water on a Duck’s Back?

Good morning friends. This morning I bring you needy ducks. As I walked close to the river at the park, I saw them coming. Running as only ducks can do knowing people may have something they want. I stopped and watched them come closer.

As the braver ones up front stopped within two feet of me, they waited expectantly, softly quacking and muttering. This reminded me of how expectant some people can be of a church or Christianity as a whole. Only to stop short, mutter softly, not understanding what the real gift is that could be given.

I had nothing to give these ducks so pretty soon they turn their backs to me, complaining as they go and slowly waddle back out of the sunlight to the shade of the trees.

Too often I see people coming to the church to get out of a jam. The church will do what they can only to see the previous pattern of this person’s life repeat itself. Some will get so disgruntled that they go back to the dark shade of the trees without truly understanding the benefits God can give them with His light.

“God uses the reaction of your life to your circumstances to fulfill HIS purpose as long as we continue to walk in the light.” Oswald Chambers

We as a church, not necessarily the church we attend, but Christ’s church, must be willing to allow our light to shine thus so, for seekers to see it, want it and learn to walk in it. Oswald Chambers reminds us that it is the work that God does through us who understand this light that counts for the kingdom. Now that our churches are trying to reopen from this virus, it is that much more important for our light to shine. Not just for those we know who already understand the light, for we all who enjoy seeing it as well, but especially for those who are seeking the light. If we can show others how to quench their thirst with the river of light instead of the darkness of the shade trees, then they can be refreshed and encouraged.

As our churches and lives begin to reopen, allow God to work through you to help refresh others, giving everyone some much needed hope of survival in this life. Let’s let our light shine, showing all how to reach up for Jesus’s open hand. It is there waiting to be grabbed as He is anchored with the Father. Their love together can calm any fear, soothe any hurt and encourage you beyond measure. Reach up for His hand.

And as always, I remind you to be kind. Kindness comes from Christ, so let our kindness be a light to someone needing it.

Reach for the Light

Photo by Cee Neuner

The Love of the Light

I have but one day to live, that is all I can give

As I stretch out my petals with stiffness like metal

My stamens stand tall, reaching for the bright ball

As my life shines in light, a journey worthy to fight

For we come to this light, with hopes of it’s great might

Carelessly spending our life, without regard to any strife

If we waste the beauty of great light, we will live in the darkness of the deep night

Beauty can create emotionless gall, for petals will wither before they fall

Enjoy the beauty of the great light, soak up its warmth before it comes night

I have but one day to live, that is all I can give.

Anita Neal

Check out Cee’s post to see the other flowers she took while playing with her camera and remember the beauty of nature around us. As beauty of nature makes you smile, remember the kindness of the smile comes for you and share that kindness with others.

Flower kind4