Fountains of Life

Who Moved?

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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. 

Birds and Me

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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. 

Your Body is a Temple

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By Cyndi

Ever had a song from your past rise up and get stuck in your head? There’s been a children’s song my son used to listen to by The Donut Man that’s become lodged between my ears lately: My Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit. Anyone remember this one?

Maybe it’s because it’s the season of Lent (or some other reason), but as I’ve been focusing more on eating healthy, fasting, and exercising, it’s caused me to pay closer attention to what actually is happening in my physical body. The song is based on this verse:

1 Cor. 6:19,20 — “… didn’t you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit?” 

This verse states that my body is a place where the Holy Spirit dwells. Think about this a moment. Or two. Imagine you have a valuable watch or diamond ring, where do you keep it? Do you put it in an old cardboard box and toss it in the garage? I wouldn’t think so. I have a precious set of pearls from China that were given to me by a dear friend years ago which I keep in a special box in the back of my top drawer out of the way so it won’t be knocked around or damaged. I guard that box and keep it safe because the contents are valuable to me.

How much more should we guard the presence of the Holy Spirit Who lives within us? I want to take care of and honor my body — not worship it and be consumed by my appearance — but be conscience of how healthy I am. I want to live a long fruitful life and be a testimony for the world to see the goodness of God.

Lately I’ve been tempted to eat food that I know isn’t good for me. Then that little song comes to mind — it’s the Word of God strengthening me. I know I have to keep my spirit “fed” well, but I also need to do the same with my physical body. It’s the vessel God which uses to express His love to others. 

So if I have to have a song stuck in my head, this one, at least, is a good one. Yes, it’s childish and simple, but Matt.18:3 says we need to become like little children to enter the Kingdom of heaven. Therefore, my dear reader, it’s really not that complicated. My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit — I should treat it well. How about you?

Put Your Own Mask on First

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I seem to be running into countless people these days who are too tired, overworked, or busy to take care of themselves. They are great people who care about those around them — they’re running friends to doctor’s appointments, working overtime at work, volunteering at church every week, homeschooling kids, or a plethora of other marvelous deeds — but they’re not eating well or exercising. So much time and effort is being put into others that they themselves are feeling worn out and drained. 

Whenever I hear someone say this to me, I’m reminded about the safety instructions they give you on a plane. You know, the ones the flight attendants review as you’re pulling away from the gate. There’s that part where they say, “In the event of a decrease of pressure, masks will drop from overhead. Please put your own mask on first before helping the person next to you.” Usually, if this is a video, they show a mother putting her mask on then helping her child with theirs. It looks so precious. But why is this so important?

You see, if you don’t have your own oxygen mask on to enable you to breathe, you may not be capable of helping anyone else with theirs. You might even pass out, and where would little Suzy be then, huh?

Think about Jesus. Mark 1:35 says, “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” Jesus took time for Himself — first! First thing in the morning He connected with God and filled Himself up before going to give out to others. He put His own mask on first (figuratively speaking, of course).  

Here’s a few other verses that come to mind:

  • Matt.11:28 — Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
  • 1 Pet. 5:7 — Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
  • Isa. 26:3 — You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. 

It’s very clear that we need to take time to rest our bodies, our minds, our emotions, and get rejuvenated so that we may have something to give out to other people. Boxers take a time out between rounds, and most sports have some sort of a “halftime” to regroup and refresh — and so must we! 

We are of no use to anyone as tired, empty shells, putzing along barely making it “by the grace of God.” I believe God wants us to witness to the world as a vibrant and “living sacrifice.” He wants us to be alive! It’s in Him we move and have our being! (Acts 17:28) But we have to take a time out and get with Him first!

So my dear reader —You can’t give out of what you don’t have. If there’s no coffee in the pot, you can’t pour any out. And please, put on your own mask first, then, by all means, help someone else with theirs. 

By Cyndi

Casting Cares

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Ps. 55:22— Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you.

This is a great verse, especially the first word: “cast.” Having grown up around the water, I’ve seen lots of fishermen in my life — some on boats, some on kayaks, some on the beach — and all of them “cast” their lines into the water. There’s a certain knack to casting; you have to hold your rod and reel just right, pull it back over your shoulder, and fling it so that the bait and tackle go as far out as possible into the deep where the fish are. This isn’t always an easy thing to do.

And neither is casting our cares. 

I think sometimes by simply mentioning my worries to God He’ll quickly remove them from my thoughts and they’ll be gone. Sometimes this does happen, but, like fishing, usually I have to “practice” my casting of cares. My mind wants to keep dwelling on those worries, or I stay anxious and get snappy at people, so I have to choose to put these things in His hands repeatedly, over and over again. I have to learn to cast.

What else helps? I try to stay in the Word, maybe spend more time meditating on His goodness, being grateful, letting go of trying to control situations or people. You know, when you cast with a fishing pole, you can’t hold onto the line, you have to release it with a fling. And yes, you have to fling it! Let ‘er rip! It’s not a gentle drop or a toss of your hand, it’s a slinging motion — with purpose!

And so it is with casting our cares. Sling those troubles away! Over and over again, throw them onto the Lord. If they come back into your thoughts, fling them out to Him again. Keep declaring they’re all in His hands and that you don’t need to worry, He’s a good God. 

This psalm says that when we cast our cares on Him, He will sustain us. Father God wants to hold you up, support you, and  give you peace, but these cares want to keep you down and depressed. So practice your casting, make choices to believe His Word over your worries. Fling those cares off and rest in His love!  

 

(by Cyndi)