By Cyndi

As I was finishing up reading the book of Acts, in the last chapter Luke records an interesting thing. He mentions the ship he and Paul rode in was Alexandrian and had the Twin Brothers as its figurehead. How interesting. He didn’t say the name of the ship, only its origin and the adornment on its bowsprit. So I stopped and thought, “Why would Luke, the author of Acts, mention this? And for what reason would God want this in His holy writings?” It seems a bit insignificant. 

Then I thought about Luke being a physician, and God being our Father and it came to me: details. Details matter — to both of them. In Luke’s view, as a physician, mixing up pharmaceuticals, performing operations, and having precise knowledge about the body is critical to practicing his profession. He naturally was aware of details. Looking through God’s view, the nuances of Creation and nature, the plethora of diverse plants and animals, and the immeasurable differences within each of us humans, are all determined by details. 

Every good story has details, it makes it feel like you’re there. It gives life to boring accounts of “…and then this happened…” so Luke included them for us in his accounts as a good author.  (Take notice of this in all his writings, particularly in this last chapter.)

And, of course, God is into details too. Even as He is the Master Creator of vast varieties of flowers and birds, and the immense color variations within a single sunset, He is also into every detail of our lives. In fact, for me, it’s sometimes in these very details that I really sense His love and presence. 

Father God knows every little thing I like, every experience I’ve been through, every one of my relationships past and present. So when I cross a bridge and see a sailboat sailing, it reminds me of my father and I feel God’s presence. When I see or taste key lime pie, it reminds me of trips, old and recent, of the Florida Keys and His joy fills my heart. And last week when I walked on the beach and found a nice shark tooth, I smiled as I felt a little kiss from Him. (Papa God knows I love to find shark teeth.) He’s into the details of my life and I’m glad.

And the detail Luke mentions — this figurehead of the Greek gods, Castor and Pollux on the ship? That’s just God telling us through His Word that details matter to Him. They’re important. Details remind us that Father God is an intimate personal God. Can you sense Him in the details of your life?

By Cyndi

I love to hear my cat purr. When he’s asleep I like to put my head against him and listen to his gentle hum, his tummy rising and falling with each breath. It makes me happy. 

I also love to sit on my surfboard on a sunny day, with a soft breeze blowing, looking down through the clear green water at my toes. Occasionally a dolphin will break the surface, arcing close by to reveal their dorsal fin or blow some air. That makes me happy too. 

What makes you happy?

Psalm 144:15 says: “Happy is the people whose God is the Lord.”

Sometimes I think I look too much for grandiose things to produce happiness in me. Money, work, ministry, family, relationships — there are a multitude of things that can cause happiness to arise in me. But, these same things can also cause much heartbreak and hurt. All of this stuff can become complicated at times. I prefer to be a little more simplified whenever possible.

I’m a pretty simple person, actually. When I’m not caught up in the stress and worries of life (and the aforementioned items), and I’m at rest in Father’s love, I’m calm and at peace. I’m happy. 

There’s simplicity in His presence. If even for just a little while, I can revel in the warmth of sunshine. I can enjoy the smell of rain. I can savor a moment of quiet or the soft fur of my kitty.  But I have to be present to feel His presence. 

His presence is always with me. It’s not in my doing something, but in my being something — His child. He is simply my God. He is my Father. Therefore, I am happy. 

I know it’s difficult to be that simple sometimes and I have to labor to enter into His rest. (Heb.4:11) It’s not always easy, but when I do enter it, it’s wonderful. It’s simple and free. And I’m happy. You can be too.

By Cyndi

There’s an expression we Christians use at times when others don’t feel close to God. We say, “If you don’t feel close to God, guess who moved?” This is implying that since we know God never changes – is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow – then it must be us that has separated ourselves from Him.

However, after experiencing the Father’s love for many years now, and knowing that He never leaves me or forsakes me, how can I be far away from Him if the Word says He’s always near me? So I propose a different take on when we don’t feel close to God: neither of us moved, there simply was something put between us to make it seem like we’re apart. He’s there, we just can’t sense His presence. 

Imagine sitting side by side next to  someone, each of us in our own chair, and then, “Boom” a giant wall drops between us. Now we can’t see, hear, or feel each other even though we’re both still sitting in our chairs. Neither of us has moved, but at this moment there’s a disconnect — something has blocked the space between us.

Maybe that something is our job, our family, our friends, a sport, a hobby, an addiction. Maybe we simply stopped communicating with God, or maybe “stuff” has made a wall between us. Yet here we sit together, unable to lovingly connect.

So what happens if we can’t connect, feel His presence, His guidance, or His love? This is when we have to walk by faith and not by sight. Even when we don’t feel Him or His presence, He’s always there. 

Ps 23:4 — “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death… you are with me.“

There may be some of those shadows around me. It may indeed be dark. It may be my own doing that has caused this wall to arise, but no matter the reason, God has not left me alone. He’s there, I just can’t sense Him.

So if I can’t sense Him, did I really move? In my opinion, I think no one did. Just a wall came between us. Sometimes hurts and wounds can put a brick in the wall and it continues to build. But if choose humility, repentance, and healing, it will eventually come down. 

My dear friend, do not fear. Whether it’s a season of testing, of backsliding, or busyness, nothing can truly separate us from His love. (Rom. 8:38,39) We’re still sitting side by side next to Him even when we can’t feel Him. Continue to talk to Him and stand on His promises. Have faith and keep trusting in Father’s love. 

I love living in the Sunshine State. There’s nothing better than sitting in a warm sun and cool breeze outside enjoying the afternoon. And it’s now springtime, so my hibiscuses are starting to bloom and the birds have been coming to my bird feeder more often now. 

Which reminds me of the verse in the book of Matthew that says:

 “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”(Matt.6:26) 

Wow! How much time do I spend worrying about stuff? Yet, it’s very clear in this verse that God is quite capable of taking care of me, and WANTS to take care of me. I’m much more valuable than a bird in His eyes; I’m His child! 

Now, God doesn’t put out a bird feeder for me to eat from or trees to live in for a place to rest — He does even better. He’s given me intelligence and a highly functional brain to be educated and creative. I have reasoning skills and the capability to acquire knowledge and wisdom, unlike my little feathered friends, so I have the ability to hold a job, make an income to pay my bills, and feed and clothe myself. 

Though it’s not really myself that’s doing it. God enables me to live out my life through His blessings and favor. Situations are tough sometimes — financially, health related, or in relationships — but I know God has, and will always, get me through those seasons. How do I know this? Because I’m extremely valuable to Him, and He’s my Father; and this verse reminds me that He consistently takes care of His treasured possessions.

So I sit here watching these birds fluttering around, so full of life — so free. They don’t have a care in the world and nothing seems to bother them. I’ve thought at times, “If only I could be a bird and be that free.” But God has made me more important than those birds and just as free. He guards me, protects me, and watches over me. He’s saved me and chooses to have a relationship with me, His child. The Creator connects with His creation. 

I love to be in His creation — the sunshine, flowers, and trees are beautiful. I stand in awe of it. But mostly I’m grateful to be one of God’s children. It’s better than being a bird. He loves me more.