Sometimes life feels like a stroll in the park. When it doesn’t, refuge is a welcoming word.
refuge: shelter; safe haven; protection
“God is our refuge. . . .” Psalm 46:1
wider awake
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be wider awake with every passing day?
Father, please awaken my soul today, so that I can see and hear and enjoy. From Psalm 57:8
“I keep an inventory of wonders.” Wendell Berry
no shadow of shame
Whenever you ask am-I-enough questions apart from God, the answer is always not yet.
“[We] jump through all sorts of hoops on the assumption that what we do, what we look like, what we achieve and what we earn determines who we are.” Dr. James Houston
“Those who look to Him [for their identity] will be radiant; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.” Psalm 34:5
one sure way
One sure way of doing better (with exercise or food or people or whatever) is deciding to pay close attention, day by careful day, step by intentional step. Or you can drift.
“Pay close attention to how you live. . . .” 1 Timothy 4:16
Drift: move passively along a path of least resistance
and invisible
Scientists say that only three percent of the universe is made of ordinary matter. They call the other (invisible) ninety-seven percent ‘dark energy’ and ‘dark matter,’ which is another way of saying mystery.
“We're really just the frosting on a cake, and we don't know what's inside the cake.” Adam Riess, astrophysicist
“By Him, all things were created . . . both visible and invisible. . . .” Colossians 1:16
recall and ponder
Before you start a brand new year (or week or day), it’s always a good idea to set aside a little time to recall and ponder the old one.
“To look backward for a while is to refresh the eye, to restore it, and to render it more fit for its prime function of looking forward.” Margaret Fairless Barbar
“I will recall and ponder all that You have done, O Lord.” Psalm 77:12