I've been thinking about beauty...

Beauty: Something that Excites the Senses

Christmas is a season of beauty for me. With the name Holly, I have a particular interest in a season that exalts beauty. Beauty is the quality or aggregate of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses. A close relative to beauty is the word LOVELINESS, which even gives pleasure in speaking it aloud. Something is beautiful to us then when it excites aesthetic pleasure.

My thoughts about beauty, as with any subject, eventually lead me back to the foundation and clarity of God's Word. And so, in honor of the loveliness of the holidays, here are some very tangible ways I can say that beauty excites my senses:

Beauty speaks.
Beauty expresses itself clearly through godly character -
But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is very precious. 1 Peter 3:4 (ESV)

Beauty invites.
Beauty requests an RSVP to the opportunity of a lifetime -
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says in Zion, "Your God reigns." Isaiah 52:7 (ESV)

Beauty nourishes.
Beauty gives and gives, sacrifically, even to the point of excess -
And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor." But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble this woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me." Matthew 26:8-10 (ESV)

Beauty comforts.
Beauty encourages and strengthens as it soothes, relieves and heals -
To grant to those who mourn in Zion -
to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. Isaiah 61:3 (ESV)

Beauty inspires.
Beauty finds its origin in God's attributes and dwells in His presence -
Spendor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. Psalm 96:6 (ESV)

Beauty is transcendent.
Beauty exists beyond our reality and ability to comprehend -
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. Ecclesiastes 3:11 (ESV)

Beauty draws us to God!
Beauty entices and arouses hopes and desires -
One thing have I asked of the Lord, that I will seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and inquire in His temple. Psalm 27:4 (ESV)

Beauty is not only pleasing to my mind, soul and senses, but even more importantly, it will remain for all eternity - grand, fruitful, lasting and strong - because God instituted it and maintains it. That excites me!

I've been thinking about time...

Remember to Carpe the Diem!

Gather ye rosebuds while you may,

Old time is still a-flying,

And this same flower that smiles today

Tomorrow will be dying.

-Robert Herrick

Carpe diem is a descriptive term used for literature that urges readers to live for the moment. It originates from the Latin phrase "seize the day," used by Horace. This seize-the-day concept is exemplified by the familiar stanza from Robert Herrick's "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time" which I quoted above.

The same idea can be found in a rich passage of Scripture found in Ephesians 5:15 & 16 which says, "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."

The phrase, "making the best use of" is very engaging. The translation from the Greek language can mean to "redeem" or "purchase." With this thought in mind, we as Christians are to take advantage of every opportunity to do good. And, because wisdom regarding the pathway to holiness is not immediately clear to us in our culture today, we must stop and reflect upon God's Word with a sincere desire to discern His holy will.

The apostle Paul goes on to add in verse 17, "Therefore, do not be foolish but understand what the will of the Lord is." Paul understands that God has supplied everything we need to know about living a godly life in the general guidelines that we find scattered all throughout His Word.

Recently, I found that I had gotten a little rusty handling the "sword of the Word." I realized once again that the ability to research, remind and refresh ourselves from His Word is a wonderful gift from God. Thank goodness His Word is stable and consistent so that I always have a plumb line to return to for processing the pressing needs in my life.

Especially during this time of thanksgiving, I want to take this opportunity to formally thank God for His wonderful provision and praise Him for the loving-kindness that creates in Him the desire to love and guide us, His fragile sons and daughters!

O Lord, help us to remember to carpe the diem!

"So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom," Psalm 90:12.

I've been thinking about windows...

Windows to God!

During one of my SoulWork groups, we had come to the point of consecrating three-minute testimonies for the glory of God. I routinely have women formally share their stories one after another with no comments in between. Then, we all stand, with the women holding their papers in their hands, and offer their work up as a sweet sacrifice to God for His use. This is certainly the most precious part of the SoulWork experience for me and I would guess for them, too.

Recently, one of the women in this same group suggested a new title for the whole experience - Windows to God! I've been thinking about her suggestion and I am excited about the ripple effect of this thought moving out from our sequestered meeting room.

I have used the metaphor that God is the picture and our lives are the frame for many years. But, as we sat and listened recently, it was apparent that these women's lives are indeed windows to God. He most assuredly uses the lives of individuals to reveal Himself and the work that He performs in the world. That particular day we were all gasping at the beauty and the clarity of the windows of vision that we experienced!

What is a window?
An opening - a chance or opportunity
especially in a wall - a barrier
for admission of light - to illuminate or enlighten spiritually

What specifically is a vision window?
It is when the barrier comes down for a few moments and we have the unique opportunity to get an actual glimpse of God up close and personal.

What was the immediate result of our experience?
We huddled in the corner, joined hands and jumped up and down together for joy! After all, when you get a chance to embrace an opportunity like this, you have no choice but to give it a big hug!