There is nothing like the cool temperatures, colorful leaves against the clear, blue sky and enjoying autumn in New England. Yes, I'm a New England girl. I love the seasons--each has something special to enjoy. So I'd like to share a few images with you as we transition into autumn.
A Harvest of Cranberries
Deciduous Holly
Maple Leaf
Cedar branch laden with berries
Beginning of color
Sunflowers make me smile!
Every season and life-season brings elements of change and beauty. I want to embrace whatever is ahead and take time to enjoy its fruit.
What's your favorite aspect of Autumn? What season of life are you facing? How can you capture its beauty and share it with someone?
I am teaching at the New England Christian Writer's Retreat and so I have asked Emily Wickham to share her heart with us this week. This topic is one that causes my heart to beat too--leading me to be involved in our local crisis pregnancy center, Women's Center of Northeast Connecticut. I believe the Lord weeps over these little ones...I know I do.
"Will we stand for life wherever God places us?" ~ Emily Wickham
"...
blood is on their hands ... when they had slaughtered their children for their
idols...” Ezekiel 23:37, 39
Wooden
stakes laced with plastic orange netting decorated the beach. Early morning
caretakers diligently visited these areas where sea turtle eggs awaited
hatching. An exciting time, the arrival of these creatures clearly classified
as an eagerly anticipated event.
" ...
It is illegal to harm ... sea turtle eggs...”
I stared at
the sign. Processing the stern warning that included potential prosecution, I
contemplated this law of protection for sea turtles. Inescapably I thought of
this irony: it's illegal to harm a sea turtle egg ... but perfectly legal to
destroy human life within a mother's womb. Oh, how this must break God's heart.
God
eternally exists as Creator of life. Before mankind, He designed exquisite
angelic beings. In the garden, He formed man from dust and fashioned woman from
man's side. Almighty God excels in intricate detail and skillful construction
obviously delights Him. Originating in His immense mind, all things
living--including sea turtles to humans--express His creative genius. Yet we
have irreverently, rebelliously, selfishly interfered.
Oh, how
abortion must break God's heart. Watching these little ones, whom He's uniquely
shaped into His image, heartlessly destroyed invokes intense grief. Surely He
weeps. Just as death's foul odor pervaded Lazarus' tomb, death's stench
presides over these graveyards in the womb. A travesty of epic proportions,
abortion annihilates whom God wants--a child--because for various reasons, a
human heart deems that child unwanted.
Aborted
children: wanted by God ... unwanted by mankind.
We as the
church remain accountable for our response to this disease of legalized death.
It's not about a woman's right to choose--the living God, the Creator Himself
already has chosen to initiate life.Will we idly stand by and look the other way? Or will we stand in the
gap--even on the sidewalk--lovingly reaching out to women and their unborn
children? Will we stand for life wherever God places us?
Dear family
in Christ, God has graciously given us the " ... ministry of reconciliation,
namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting
their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of
reconciliation. Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were
entreating through us..." (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
It's hard.
I've only participated in sidewalk ministry once. But I'm planning to return.
Not as a goody two-shoes Christian, but as a sinner saved by God's incredible
grace. Though my presence there is unwanted by the world, I go because it’s
wanted by God.
God doesn't
call every Christian to stand for life in the same way. Enormously creative,
He's gifted each of us to impart His truth distinctly. How is He leading you?
Emily
Wickham, founder of Proclaiming Him to Women Ministries, maintains a passion
for teaching God’s Word. Her PHtW blog, Mothers Like Me blog, Sophie Woman’s
Magazine column, and Daily Dose of Encouragement devotions allow her to reach
many with God’s truth. As a published author, conference organizer, and
speaker, she appreciates every opportunity to encourage and equip women by
exalting Christ. Emily welcomes contact and connection via Facebook at
www.facebook.com/emilywickham.author
Most
importantly, Emily cherishes her relationship with God and treasures her family
as gifts from His hand. Residing in western NC with her husband and their
children, she considers each day a blessing. A note from Jeanne: If you or someone you know have experienced an abortion--please know that there is forgiveness in Christ. Often, we keep this secret buried but when we bring it to the Light of Christ, He can bring healing. There is hope in the cross. There is counsel available so that you can be freed from unresolved feelings that arise after this experience. Contact your local Christian crisis pregnancy center for post abortion help. You are loved and prayed for....
This resource is available in both e-book and paperback format:
I woke in
the middle of the night, not to a noise, but to a fragrance. After weeks of
heat and humidity, a breath of Canadian air blessed us with temperatures in the
fifties overnight. My windows were wide open to allow the coolness to flow
through the house. The fragrance was perfumed, like fresh laundry on the
clothesline. The pungency of it surprised me. I wondered if maybe there was a
thief outside my window wearing freshly washed clothes. Within minutes, the
scent was gone yet the memory lingered in the morning.
Paul tells
us in 2 Corinthians 2:15 we are a fragrance of Christ everywhere we go—a fresh
breeze in the midst of the dankness. We leave an impression behind, a reminder
of Him in every place. His Spirit is alive within us, flowing through like a
fresh breeze of His grace. With the window of our soul open, His fragrant Presence
splashes like ripples over the surface of a pond.
Image courtesy of Morguefile.com
This ripple
effect has nothing to do with us. Scripture tells us our adequacy is not in
ourselves, but comes from God. As we surrender our bodies as a living
sacrifice, He uses us to impact our world. Every selfless act is a puff of
perfume—every kind word, a soothing balm to a weary soul—sweet reminders of His
mercy. And, a bit of His Presence lingers, refreshing the stagnant air as we
walk with Him.
Our scent
affects believers—encouraging a sister or a brother with a word or a deed. There
are times when I walk into a room of strangers and sense right away if someone
is a follower of Christ. The light of His Spirit is in their eyes—the
connection is instant and it refreshes my soul.
Our scent
affects those who don’t know Christ as well. They sense something is different,
though often don’t know how to put their finger on it. They may ask, “What is
it about you—where does your peace come from?” To which we answer, giving them
an explanation of the hope we have in Christ.
None of this
has anything to do with us—it has everything to do with Him. We have the
treasure of the gospel within our earthen vessel. We are His ambassadors to a
dark and decaying world—one that needs the Light of Christ, one fragrant encounter
at a time.
I'm back. A special thank you to all of my guest bloggers!! I hope you were blessed by their words; I certainly was. It was wonderful to see God at work through different eyes.
My time of sabbatical was full of rich blessings. It took quite awhile to set up the guest blogs (A note to those who would like to incorporate guest writings) but once I navigated the formatting issues it all got done. I enjoyed getting glimpses into the lives of these wonderful friends as they shared their hearts.
So, a bit about my time apart...
Fasting from Facebook was a huge goal during this time. Though I admit I did peek a little, other than announcing the blogs each week on social media, I tried very hard not to linger. This is something I want to continue. Time is so precious and once it's spent, there is no getting it back. So, one thing I learned is that,
I want to be more intentional.
Stewardship of my day is important.
I also enjoyed my home. I cooked and baked - both of which I really enjoy. I took walks, spent time with my husband, went to visit my family, and even took a couple of days to getaway alone. All of these things filled my empty cup. If you have never planned a getaway, I highly recommend it.
A few nuggets gathered during my time alone: The words that repeated in my journal time were
chosen
intentional
Mark 3:16 says, "He appointed (chose) the twelve."
He chose me too Interesting, that Ephesians 1:5 says that God 'chose us from the foundation....by the kind intention of His will.'
Being intentional involves making choices As my hubby and I rode bikes to Watch Hill, RI and saw all the 'McMansions'...
He is preparing a place for me - a mansion in glory
As I sat by the ocean early one morning with a cup of tea, a tractor was grading the sand - wiping away yesterday's flaws.
His mercy is new every morning
In the gentle peace of this place
You are here
I'm listening to the surroundings
Will you touch my soul with the burning coal of your presence
Light the fire of your love alive in me
Quicken my heart to beat with yours
Have you taken time to be alone with God lately? What have you heard through your surroundings?
A getaway may be just the thing to help encourage intentional living.
Jeanne
Photos by Jeanne Doyon 2013
Suggestions for intentional living and drawing near to God:
.jpg "freshly picked cranberries")
.jpg "deciduous holly branch")
.jpg "Red maple leaf")
.jpg "Cedar branch with berries")
.jpg "Leaves changing color")
.jpg "Sunflower")
