The Cycle of Life

There is a time to be born, and a time to die.

Glenn Frey, a founding member of the Eagles, died this week. Hearing the news, fans called radio stations to share memories. I could not contain my tears.

Frey was the lead vocalist of the Eagles' hit song "Peaceful Easy Feeling." I have special memories attached to this rock classic. On our first date, my first husband, Michael,  played it on his guitar. It was the song I chose for our Mother-Son dance when my son married.

The day following Glenn Frey's passing,  my friend, Beth, became a first-time grandmother. There's a "New Kid in Town," and her name is Joey.

The cycle of life continues.



David wrote in Psalm 139, "...You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of he earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

God already knows the plan, the purpose, the personality, the thoughts, the gifts of this little one. God has already "wired" this child. Little by little, we'll watch the unfolding of this baby girl's life as a new flower opens its petals, and we will discover what her Creator already knows.

Legacy of Prayer- A Spiritual Trust Fund for the Generations by Jennifer Kennedy Den is about praying for your descendants, even those yet unborn. I pray for our grandchildren to know the Lord, His Word, His Ways, and His Will. I have learned this: God intends for us to impact future generations. Long after passing from this life, our influence still remains. May our influence honor our Creator.

There is a time to be born, and a time to die...it's the Cycle of Life.

My "Meditation" Journey- The First Steps

My 2016 ONE WORD is "Meditate." After reading Psalm 4, the latter part of verse 4 resonated with me:

"...Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still."

 

I prayed the Holy Spirit would remind me to meditate in the night. During the night, when I awoke, I thought of the baby raccoon that took shelter on our front porch earlier that morning. Separated from its mother, the young raccoon appeared healthy, uninjured, and unafraid of people. It also seemed the little creature was lost and unsure how to care for itself. Animal control picked it up, and it would either be turned out in a field, or cared for by a wildlife rehabilitator until it was older.



As I remembered the raccoon cub, I considered these truths about creation:

 

God feeds the sparrows.

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" Matthew 6: 26.

 

All creatures belong to the Lord. 

"For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills." Psalm 50: 10.

 

Man has God-given dominion over animals.

"Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." Genesis 1: 28b.

 

All creation groans as it waits for Christ's return.

"The whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time." Romans 8: 22.

 

All creatures will praise God.

"Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: 'To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!' " Revelation 5: 13.

 

The baby raccoon was alone and out-of-place. It took refuge from the cold, and huddled on the door mat. However, our Creator cares for this little cub.

 

God' people have a shelter when we're alone, distressed, confused, or wounded. The Lord God is our refuge and strength. Our Creator loves and cares for us.

 

As I meditated in  my bed, I considered my Awesome God. I felt peace and reassurance. It is good to remember the Lord in the night.

 

 

 



Meditate - My ONE WORD New Year's Prayer

 



I read on social media the word that kills relationships is BUSY. I'm good at BUSY. My calendar is full of BUSY-ness. Often, I BUSY my mind with grievances, fear, and anxious thoughts about circumstances I cannot control. I need improvement on MEDITATING on God's Word. MEDITATE is my ONE WORD for the New Year.

 

The Bible says, "Do not let this Book of Law depart from your mouth, meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. then you will be prosperous and successful." Joshua 1: 8 (NIV). "Hagah" is the Hebrew word for "meditate." It means "to groan, growl, utter, muse, mutter, meditate, devise, plot, speak." Biblical meditation involves speaking God's Word, as well as contemplation, hearing from the Holy Spirit, and applying truth to our lives. Biblical meditation fills our minds with God's truth. Benefits include fruitfulness (Psalm 1: 1-3), understanding (2 Timothy 2: 7), wisdom (Psalm 119: 97- 99), and peace (Isaiah 26: 3).

 

Each New Year is filled with challenges and blessings. As I focus my thinking on God's truth, I can face these challenges with confident expectation in God's promises and blessings. My prayer is that God's people will keep their focus on the LORD of their salvation.

 

Father God, you are our loving Creator, and we are awesomely, wonderfully made in your image. Your works are wonderful! Great is your faithfulness!

Forgive us for making BUSY-NESS our idol. Forgive us for concentrating on our hurts, fears, anxieties, and troubles. Forgive us for complaining and ingratitude. Thank you for your mercy, grace, and forgiveness. We rejoice in your salvation!

In this New Year,  motivate your people to meditate on your commands and promises. Help us to focus our thoughts on things that are true, honorable, and right. May we consider things that are pure, lovely, and admirable. Help us to think about things that are excellent, and worthy of praise.

Thank you for the peace we experience when we keep our minds on you. Thank you for blessing our obedience.

We thank you for your protection, provision, and presence! Guide us in the New Year. In the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior...amen!

 

 

Happy New Year! May 2016 be filled with God's blessings for you and your family!

 

What is your 2016 ONE WORD?