Showing posts with label Journey to the well. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Journey to the well. Show all posts

Thursday, March 24, 2011

MEET YOU AT THE WELL: HAVING A HEART-TO-HEART WITH JESUS!

Change and Transformation by Father Earnest Graham

Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman

13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”

John 4: 13,14

Reference Scripture: John 4:1-26 (New International Version, ©2011)


All of our lives we’ve heard words, words that have molded, shaped, prompted and prodded us to either to be at a standstill or words that literally gave us wings to soar. Not long ago I received an amazing gift from Ann Meyer, I think of it as a welcome gift to St. Martin’s Administrative Team. This gift was an unexpected literary treasure entitled Guerrillas of Grace-Prayers for the Battle by Ted Loder (see inside front cover).

Listen to Me Under My Words

O God, I come to you now

Asa child to my Mother,

Out of the cold which numbs into the warm who cares.

Listen to me inside,

Under my words

Where the shivering is,

In the fears

Which freeze my living,

In the angers

Which chafe my attending,

In the doubts

Which chill my hoping,

In the events

Which shrivel my thanking,

In the pretenses

Which stiffen my loving.

Listen to me, Lord

As a Mother

And hold me warm,

And forgive me.

Soften my experiences

Into wisdom,

My pride

Into acceptance,

My longing

Into trust,

And soften me

Into love

And to others

And to you

Maybe it was the Holy Spirit, maybe it was just a woman of God that sensed I would benefit tremendously from an inspirational book, or just possibly it was our preceding conversation about the office atmosphere that lovingly erects ministry and insulates joy, peace and caring! I don’t know, but I do know that when I read, I began to include this gift of prayers as part of my work day devotional, the words of the prayers scaled my heart matters and reminded me of how sacred my relationship is with God. It’s not taken lightly. So I easily connected with the prayer Listen to Me Under My Words. And really appreciate how God helped make the prayer so relevant to John 4.

So as I read John 4: 1-26 I appreciated the Samaritan woman’s frank and direct conversation had with Jesus. She attempted to earnestly converse. What really seemed apparent for me was that while she spoke, there were deeper issues- layers of words under her words which revealed her disappointment, her outlook, and ultimately her humility. Her sarcasm and loneliness were no stumbling block for Jesus’s replies. Her quizzical nature couldn’t stump or thwart the reality that what Jesus desired for her far outweighed her reality! She had stumbled upon a moment in time that changed her and many generations later to come! She visited the well at a strategic time that God had divinely orchestrated. Jesus’ words of life would become a wellspring to be reinvigorated, renewed and experience transformed natural and spiritual living! Let’s make our way with haste to that well! Don’t you want to go?

Published in Lent Devotional (The Journey to Surrender) 2011 Lenten @ St. Martin's Episcopal Church


Listen to Ce Ce Winans sing: I Surrender ALL and let the music minister to your spirit and renew your outlook!


Revived & Overjoyed!
Linda Mose Meadows, Urban Views Weekly Columnist and Inspirational Author of: The Blessedness of Believing A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lessons and God’s Promises and Co-publisher of Eyes of Faith Magazine

http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/

http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

WINNING BACK OUR EMOTIONAL HEALTH!






The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

John 10:10



It’s a known fact that workplace depression does exist! It’s real for many on some level, but seldom shared. Taking care of our emotional health is essential if we don’t wish to plummet down that slippery slope of burn-out. It must be my season to examine this and take an earnest look. That morning stomach ache, elevated blood pressure and mental exhaustion are bull horns bellowing that change is eminent-something must give. Friends our bodies express themselves in pronounced ways that stress is whipping us down. The excessive behaviors, over compensating, a host of unhealthy symptoms, consuming who knows what ( you fill in the blank) that is out of control, it’s a tell tale sign that trouble is on the horizon! Remember the television character Martin, he’d shout, “What’s up?” Funny, but true attention was needed immediately. And it’s a shame to say, more instances indicate that stress is triumphant and gaining on us.

Many suffer nagging migraines, energy drains, feelings of hostility, edginess/anxious and ultimately encountering diminished self worth. This low self esteem is much too tight, now worn like tight ankle socks. All of this in the name of earning a living. Come on lets open the blinds and lift our mental shades, our mindsets endeavoring to live better. The sun wants to shine in our private thoughts!

Yes , there’s a tremendous amount of discomfort suffered, and unfortunately getting a “day-off” here and there are not the complete elixir required for maintaining our sanity and reducing our stress thresholds. I encourage you to take those lunch walks, read edifying materials, learn and develop techniques that slow the breathing and regulate our heart beat. God is a prayer away He'll provide the insight! Readily embrace seeking a mentor, acquiring a counselor to help shed light on improving our emotional and physical health.


It’s time to take proactive measures to own and win good emotional health. trust me i am pointing the finger in my direction. Like i've heard Clergy declare, "This is more for me than you!" Until that better job opportunity avails, begin enjoying more of your after work interests, understanding that hostile environments won’t necessarily banish, but stagnant outlooks must retreat to more meaningful thinking and lifestyle progressions. A mental retreat is needed from stress!


Yes, prayer and application of scripture are essential. Jesus reminds us that He came that we’ll have life, and have it more abundantly. I get it! My brain and heart now understand there are many dimensions for a holistic fitness. Seek out what you need. I am grateful for the gift of learning and thanking God for community resources, counseling services, outdoor public gardens, museums. boutiques, art galleries, beaches, soul stirring music, libraries and virtual websites! These treasures can awaken our heart, mind and soul, leaving an indelible impression that God meant so much more for us than being depleted and worn in environments that weigh heavy on our psyches/soul!

Reach out with improved energy and discover that fulfillment awaits us! Let’s win back our emotional health on purpose!


We are winners, yes we are!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


RESOURCES TO ENCOURAGE YOUR HEART!


  • Amazing what we can learn and share with Values.com,

inclusive of your creation of a community billboard.

Applaud those that are making a difference. Spread joy!








  • Become more active, enjoy “stay vacations” in your own backyard. Google summer events information for your city and community. Summer is approaching. Enjoy free outdoor concerts, stage performances. There are loads of outdoor fairs, visit area eateries, museums, and walking tours. etc.
  • Visit Community Centers learn about fitness programs, cultural arts & culinary classes.
  • As Bishop Vashti Mackenzie says, don’t let your wounds get in the way. Sometimes friend are limited in their scope of your deep, heartfelt needs. Don’t be hesitant about seeking advice- therapy/counseling from a professional. It’s yours for the asking! Therapy choices exist ranging from individuals, families and groups. Explore and learn about treatment preferences & specialties.
  • Consider being proactive with your job hunt, start with some sage and savvy guidance from the Job Club with Tory Johnson (http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/JobClub/)


  • Hear an anointed word from Bishop Vashti McKenzie, it’s a “wake-up call!”. Her messages, books, and blog are a hug direct from heaven. Her work will engage and encourage your spirit to live and not die! http://thisisyourwakeupcallonline.com/

Expressing Thanksgiving & Joy!
Linda Mose Meadows, Author & Inspirational Columnist:
The Blessedness of BelievingA Devotional Journey of Life’s Lessons and God’s Promises

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