faith – Page 10 – Sugar And Spice… Among Other Things

Christian, Daily, Random Thoughts, Reflections

Trail of Blessings

Posted on September 1, 2019June 21, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Being a totally free weekend, yesterday late evening saw both the adults hitting the herb patch at the far east side of the kitchen garden. With the heavy rains and the onslaught by the garden slugs, most of the young parsley were damaged. It was a tenuous process, weeding out the damaged ones, tracing the slug trails wherever seen, putting salt on the few that were seen and replanting rosemary and mint along as stripes to ward them off. All through this procedure, one is reminded of the enormous clutter left in the thoughts and minds at the end of week. Flashbacks of unhappy incidents, moments of anger and frustration all surface in the mind. Just like the slugs, their trail need to found and weeded lest they grow in plenty.

“Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:7

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

During the twists and turns of the day, it serves to remind ourselves of the blessing that the Lord has bestowed on each of us. Each one of us have our own share of problems, be them physical, mental, emotional or social issues. Instead of carrying over the frustrations and spilling them over to the next day; address them and cancel them out with the unexpected gifts and blessings received. The more one appreciates the gifts of His Love, then one realizes His Grace and His Kindness which is silently bestowed, at times when one needed it most. Despite the damage and after effects of the downfalls or pit stops; learn to look beyond at the blessings which may have their young shoots soon surging upwards. Once we learn about Hus Love, only then will the true appreciation of His Blessings in our daily lives come.

“O Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.” Psalms 95:1-3

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

We Thank Thee
Ralph Waldo Emerson

For flowers that bloom about our feet,
For tender grass so fresh and sweet,
For the song of bird and hum of bee,
For all things fair we hear or see,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee.

For blue of stream and blue of sky,
For pleasant shade of branches high,
For fragrant air and cooling breeze,
For beauty of the blooming trees,
Father in heaven we thank Thee.

For this new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee.

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Christian, Daily, Personal Musings, poetry, Random Thoughts

Colour the Grey

Posted on August 25, 2019June 20, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”(2 Corinthians 12:9 )

The afternoon jaunt after the heavy rains over the past few days, was a source of fun for the children. Stepping into the puddles, picking up a wildflower or two, running after the scampering squirrels and kittens along the walk was a joyous experience. Despite the messy mud and puddles around, the grey of rocks were masked by few wildflowers cropping up at the unexpected places. Further ahead, there were carpets of them growing along the fences of the fields.

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.”(Psalm 34:4)

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Wildflowers, many of us are a lot like them. Through rough seasons, closed and crowded spaces, these little flowers not planted by hand but by nature, bring a smile to the tired mind. Those vibrant colours often remind me of God’s love and His Grace. The difficult days, troublesome moments and doubtful occasions, it is His Grace and His Guidance that helps us see a way out. The air and light He directs our way offers the necessary help to get out of the quagmire, when one seeks His Help. God’s Love helps us to grow even when the rocks below are hard and water is scare. To be like a wildflower is indeed a blessing, especially when one learns to bloom and bring colour to the dull, dark, dreary days. Let such colours brighten each of our days.

“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” (Isaiah 30:15)

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Wildflowers
Kitty Chappell

Lord, help me to grow as the wildflowers grow
be it a meadow or a crack in cement.
Despite the terrain, be it good or bad,
let me know I am there by intent.

Instead of my sadly complaining within
regarding life’s rough terrain,
May my face, too, look upward to you
through seasons of drought and rain.

Help me to bloom as the wildflowers bloom,
regardless of where I am placed;
wherever the spot You plant me, Lord,
let the air there be sweet with Your grace.

Someday a tired pilgrim may stop to rest
from carrying his heavy load
And thank my Creator for placing me there
to brighten that spot in life’s road.

(Kitty Chappell, award-winning author of Good Mews: Inspirational Stories for Cat Lovers and Sins of a Father: Forgiving the Unforgivable.)

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Source:https://vk.com/pub_mdma

Christian, Daily, Personal Musings, Reflections

Listen for His Voice

Posted on August 18, 2019June 19, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

Sunday afternoons is the most awaited time. With the extended family almost always in for a visit or “one’s better half” at home, there are a couple of hours to unwind and relax. These few hours offer an ear to the wandering thoughts in the mind. The inner doubts, fears and hopes for the future often come to the forefront. While it is important to put ourselves in His Hands, at times one needs to address these thoughts for like doubting Thomas, the mind tends to settle when reality is shown to it.

“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” ( 1 Peter 5:7)

Source:https://vk.com/veruj

Thoughts reflect the words, actions and feelings that follow. The voices in one’s head can arise at the wrong time. Pushing them down near about always gives vent as anger, irritation and rudeness often, to the wrong person or the poor soul who is around when the boiling limit has reached. At the heart, one mayn’t want to get on with this behaviour, but it may surface unless one learns to address the fears and insecurities. Listen to those voices, hear them out but chose how to go about them. Hand over the burdens to Him, For He will always find a way out for us, especially when one is in a bind.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” (Isaiah 43:2)

Source:https://vk.com/monahos

Voices And Choices
Ron Atchison

It happens to me too,
the voices and choices
are too much at times
and I need a quiet place
just me and the moon
or me and the sky
a place where I can hear God whisper
reminding me to breathe
asking me to ‘hold on’
and when I hear this
I know everything will be O.K.

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Christian, Daily, poetry, Random Thoughts, Work

To HIS Tune

Posted on August 11, 2019June 19, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

It is he who made the earth by his power,
who established the world by his wisdom,
and by his understanding stretched out the heavens. (Jeremiah 10:12)

This Sunday marked the beginning of the month’s inter-church cultural activities. On the lines similar to the school or college based events like prose, elocution, recital, music, bible verse memorization, quiz and so on; children from each church had participated and competed to represent each of their individual church in the zonal event and finally state based events to be held later this year. It was the poetry or recital that had caught my attention this morning.

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Essentially, man is created with each one having their own style of distinctiveness. In the natural order, even identical twins have their individual style, which may be felt by their close ones alone. Despite the special talent that each one has, when one decides to let God be a part of their lives, the music played has more eloquence and beauty than when strung alone. For this to happen, it is necessary to let go of the entire control of one’s plans and commit them to His Hand with each one putting their best forward. Plan but don’t over-plan or draw the minute exactness. Be prepared for things to go change. Trust those plans into His Hands. At the end of the day, even if things go haywire, the notes written, the music strung and the words will still be of the finest, when committed into His Hands.

But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Mathew 19:26)

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

The Touch Of The Master’s Hand
Myra Brooks Welch

It was battered and scarred,
And the auctioneer thought it
Hardly worth his while
To waste his time on the old violin,
But he held it up with a smile.
“What am I bid, good people”, he cried,
“Who starts the bidding for me?”
“One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?”
“Two dollars, who makes it three?”

“Three dollars once, three dollars twice,
Going for three”. . . but no!
From the room far back a gray-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then wiping the dust from the old violin,
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody, pure and sweet,
As sweet as an angel sings.

The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said “What now am I bid for this old violin?”
As he held it aloft with its bow.
“One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?”
“Two thousand, Who makes it three?”
“Three thousand once, three thousand twice,
Going and gone”, said he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried,
“We do not quite understand.
What changed its worth?” Swift came the reply:
“The touch of the Master’s hand.”
And many a man with life out of tune,
And battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd
Much like the old violin.

A “mess of pottage,” a glass of wine,
A game and he travels on,
He’s going once, and going twice –
He’s going – and almost gone!
But the MASTER comes, and the foolish crowd,
Never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul, and the change that’s wrought
By the touch of the MASTER’S hand.

“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Christian, Daily, Family and Society, Personal Musings, Random Thoughts

Answers through Prayer

Posted on August 4, 2019June 18, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.” 1 John 5:14

As the sermon today morning was being delivered, the thoughts of the numerous changes that have happened over the past one year ran through the mind. From a change of job to new residential area, children attending school and the like. At each point of change, there was a huge unrest. The question of what to decide, how to choose or whether the decision made was right or wrong made the mind, soul and thoughts restless. Through all this haziness were the thoughts of “why now ?” .

“Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.” Jeremiah 29:12

Source:https://vk.com/monahos

Those restless moments were settled when asking the Lord for answers. Each time a stumbling block was felt, looking back now; the Lord had always shown a way out. Though it had made no sense at that time; now that everything had fallen into place, these tough points don’t seem so bad anymore. One never knows till one prays and asks for guidance. There will always be an answer to our prayer.

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Source:https://vk.com/veruj

Everything I Needed
Author Unknown

I asked for strength and
God gave me difficulties to make me strong.

I asked for wisdom and
God gave me problems to solve.

I asked for prosperity and
God gave me brawn and brains to work.

I asked for courage and
God gave me dangers to overcome.

I asked for patience and
God placed me in situations where I was forced to wait.

I asked for love and
God gave me troubled people to help.

I asked for favors and
God gave me opportunities.

I received nothing I wanted
I received everything I needed.

My prayers have all been answered.

https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Family and Society, Life, Quotes, Stories Around the World

Step Over, Move Ahead

Posted on July 31, 2019May 9, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“Be of good cheer. Do not think of today’s failures, but of the success that may come tomorrow. You have set yourselves a difficult task, but you will succeed if you persevere; and you will find a joy in overcoming obstacles. Remember, no effort that we make to attain something beautiful is ever lost.” Helen Keller

With the university applications for the new academic session closed for the present year, many have been forced to decide to apply for the available options or to forgo a year and attempt again for better courses either through scholarships, exams or interviews while doing a regular course or working part-time. For each applicant, witnessing the huge amount of unrest and mental stress warring with their inner dreams and ambitions; the struggle to break out of the chaos is evident and the sheer will required to do so is immense. Similar emotions are felt when trying for employment, change of careers or a higher grade position. Breaking out of the web of constant trials, stress, rejections and fear of the uncertainty needs courage, effort and will, to use what one perceives as road blocks into opportunities or learning sessions.

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

“Everyone has the ability to increase resilience to stress. It requires hard work and dedication, but over time, you can equip yourself to handle whatever life throws your way without adverse effects to your health. Training your brain to manage stress won’t just affect the quality of your life, but perhaps even the length of it.” Amy Morin

Problems are a part of life, or even vice -versa; life has it’s own problems stored at each turn or corner. At times, they may all pop up together; while at other times it’ll be one by one, most common though when we least foresee or expect them. When one learns to step over the rocks in the path or shake off the dirt and grime; continue ahead altering or following the route; the journey then taken may be more interesting, than simply sitting and staring at those very rocks. Like the river that goes on it;s course finding a way across the rocks, turning the rough corners smooth over time; such should be the attitude that one adopts towards the “rocks in their path”.

“When you reach for the stars, you are reaching for the farthest thing out there. When you reach deep into yourself, it is the same thing, but in the opposite direction. If you reach in both directions, you will have spanned the universe.” Vera Nazarian

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

One day the donkey of a farmer fell into a well. He brayed and screamed terribly, calling for help. The farmer ran up and threw up his hands: “How can you get him out of there?” Then he reasoned: “My donkey is old. He did not have much time left. I was still going to get a new young donkey. And the well, all the same, almost dried up. I was going to bury it for a long time and dig a new well in another place. So why not do it now? At the same time I’m burying a donkey so that there is no smell of decomposition ”. He invited all his neighbors to help him bury the well. All together they took up shovels and began to throw the earth into the well. The donkey immediately understood what was happening and began to publish a terrible squeal. And suddenly, to everyone’s surprise, he fell silent. After a few earth shots, the farmer decided to see what was down there. He was amazed at what he saw there. Every piece of earth that fell on his back was shook off and crushed with his feet. Very soon, to everyone’s amazement, the donkey appeared above – and jumped out of the well!

“Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you.” Arnold Palmer

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Daily, Life, Personal Musings

Gaining the Second Wind

Posted on July 29, 2019May 5, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

The exhaustion is setting in with the limbs being slowly drained out as they move in tandem motion. Suddenly a spurt of energy like an electricity bolt charges through the tired muscles giving them a new life for what may be perceived then as “the minutes that may make a difference to reach the finish line.”

The above emotions may be experienced by many from a wide variety of genres with variations. Consider a first time runner preparing for a long distance marathon, new time jogger or cyclist trying to cover more ground, racing for the train or bus about to leave the station or even worse, running to reach the airport departure terminal before the boarding gate closes. Add to the list, the daily event of running behind a toddler especially when he is racing towards the main road from the porch, taking part in an endurance challenge as a bet with colleagues, old time friends or the “eternal rush against time” (although the internal batteries are near empty) for the next planned event to start.

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

While some of us may fit into one of the above or similar scenarios, the rest of us may have many more to add to the growing list. On scientific terms, all these instances correlate with the phenomenon of “second wind”. Most common as an exercise phenomenon or a sleep phenomenon, both involve the sudden increase in energy during a period of fatigue. Similar to the runner’s high (happens after the race is over), second wind is a occurrence in distance running or similar sports whereby an athlete who is out of breath or too tired to continue suddenly finds the strength to press on at top performance with less exertion. While science relates second wind to be a result of the body finding the proper balance of oxygen to counteract the buildup of lactic acid in the muscles; endorphins may also play a role to it.

Descriptions of second wind go back centuries old, found initially associated with strenuous exercise. Metaphorically speaking, second wind often translates as “continuing on with renewed energy past the point thought to be one’s prime, be it in sports, careers or life in general.”

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

We all need to gain our own second wind in life, especially during the low points in life. While the trigger may be from within or from those around us directly or indirectly; finding the “energy to move on ahead” is important to come out of the dregs that life sometimes throws at us. The best part is that each one of us has “that second wind within us”. All we need to do is to gain the will, faith and courage to bring it out and charge through to get to the “better side” of life that each one of us secretly harbours within. As the adage proves time and again, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way”; gain one’s own second wind to reach the “temporary finish lines” and breakthrough the barriers and obstacles that each journey has. Each road is one’s own.

“The fatigue of the climb was great but it is interesting to learn once more how much further one can go on one’s second wind. I think that is an important lesson for everyone to learn for it should also be applied to one’s mental efforts. Most people go through life without ever discovering the existence of that whole field of endeavor which we describe as second wind. Whether mentally or physically occupied most people give up at the first appearance of exhaustion. Thus they never learn the glory and the exhilaration of genuine effort…” Agnes Elizabeth née Ernst Meyer

Source:https://vk.com/pub_mdma