Metaphysics Considerations

I like words. When listening to a Jordan Peterson podcast, I found it to be interesting and over my head; however, the word metaphysics stuck with me. I had to know more.

I googled several sites and discovered that a simple definition of metaphysics is difficult. Synonyms included abstract, mystical, spiritual, supernatural. One of the largest areas of philosophy, it deals with existence, identity, time, cause and effect, free will, etc.

Stick with me, the best part is coming...

Simply put, being metaphysical means to be beyond the physical. It means to see life from more than a physical reality (through your senses). Its teaching believes that there is a power and a presence in this universe everywhere. It has woven itself into every part of creation. The air we breathe, the people, the conditions.... Creation is woven in each of us, and we are each of expression of this. Our words, thoughts, ideas are forming our universe! The conditions we see are all an effect of this--of us. We use the non-physical energy and are giving it form.

If I think about what is happening in the world currently...  Well, let's just say, there is a LOT to think about when concerning metaphysics. But, it makes sense... How much of a wake-up call do we need, God?

You will show me the path of life; 

in your presence is fullness of joy; 

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11

A Blank To-Do List

We attended the Iowa Boys Basketball tournaments on Monday, March 8. By the end of the week, the games were open only to parents. An announcement regarding school closure was announced March 15. Social-distancing started for us....

I started with the list-making. There were certainly enough projects underfoot that needed attention. I dug in with the more-necessary tasks--like sorting, organizing paperwork. I evolved to more fun ones--remaking a wool lap robe my mother had made into a warm wrap-around skirt for me. I have re-read four of my novels and marked the errors. Ugh... what was I thinking? Some spring work has been tackled--garden tilled, front flower patch renovations beginning. Etc.


And, we're still social-distancing -- more like self-isolating. Our groceries are brought to our car. We go for walks. More recently,  I'm paying attention to things that are not on my list. This morning it was a female cardinal in our backyard flitting from one tree to another with me pleading, "Stay, please stay. Build your nest here." Yesterday, I called a Bible study friend who lives alone. I'm not much on the phone, but she appreciated my call. On my walks, I notice things I hadn't paid much attention to before: leaf fossils embedded in new cement, the wonder of clouds changing shapes and colors. Waving to a friend from afar and feeling the warmth in spite of our inability to run up to each other with a hug was oh-so-special.

Instead of filled pages in my planner, I'm looking forward to blank pages now and then. Just what might my day provide for me if the pages were blank in the morning? If I just "be still," what wonder will arrive?

 What is the significance of just being....?

A writer friend of mine questions, "Who will we be when we are who we're supposed to be?"

I have a feeling that checking off items on my to-do lists is not going to get me there...

Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

Yes, Jesus Loves Me...

JESUS LOVES ME

   For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son...John 3:16

THIS I KNOW

   We write this to make our joy complete.1 John 1:4

FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO

   In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.... John 1:1

LITTLE ONES TO HIM BELONG
   Let the little ones come unto me... Matthew 19:14

THEY ARE WEAK

   My grace is sufficient for you... 2 Corinthians 12:9-11

BUT HE IS STRONG

    I can do everything through him who gives me strength...Philippians 4:13

YES, JESUS LOVES ME, YES JESUS LOVES ME....

   How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1

Until the love of God

is set in a heart,

it is impossible to love

as God intended us to...

Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me...
Let us never tire of singing it.
Especially during these unprecedented times...
Sing out; sing believing!



Please don't have a nice day...

Although I usually don't respond to emails from "junk," I was curious one morning and checked one out....

It was an invitation to the London Book Fair

 along with the announcement of its postponement 

due to  Corona Virus issues...

I am not interested in the London Book Fair for a certain price; however, I appreciated some quotes the email included:

1) No one walks a path the same way.
2) There isn't anyone you couldn't learn to love once you've heard their story.
3) Please don't have a nice day. Have a day that matters. Have a day that's true. Have a day that's honest. A nice day? Mmmm, you'll be miserable.  Have a day that means something."

With Cornona news penetrating our brains, we may have forgotten that it is spring. While studying Hosea this same morning, I read Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know Him! Then He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring. 

This too shall pass was a phrase often used by a friend's mother. It's origin comes from a Persian poet. All things must pass comes from the Bible. Matthew 24

Instead of simply waiting for it all to pass, lets have a day that matters, have a day that means something. A friend of mine is making face masks. Others are sharing childcare responsibilities. Our daughters are working from home and setting up home-schooling routines for their children. Call those who are isolated and lonely. Send a card. Pray. Pray.

Purpose in life is the meaning of your existence. It's nothing that comes like a thunder-bolt. Sometimes, it's the little things you accomplish to survive on a day to day basis. Or, to help someone else survive on a day-to-day purpose.

Ephesians 2:10 reads For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

We were created to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Have a day that matters.

We're all just walking each other home...

...We're fascinated by the words--but where we meet is in the silence behind them.

Ram Dass

Details and God

"The devil is in the detail" was a phrase used more in our parent's generation-- an idiom that refers to perhaps a mysterious element hidden in the details, meaning that something might seem one way at first but with more time....

It originated with, "God is in the detail".... expressing that whatever one does should be done with care.

 The LORD directs the steps of the godly.

 He delights in every detail of their lives. 

Psalm 37:23

I am often awed by details that God has included in scripture. Understanding that all scripture is God-inspired and useful for instruction, I sometimes wonder Why all the particulars?

Noah received specific directions on the building of the Arc.
Exodus gave specifics on the construction of the Tabernacle, right down to the type of metal and wood to use for minor parts.
Leviticus was written as a handbook for priests and Levites as to how to carry out the duties of their office, specifically.
Numbers was a census registering clans and families.

Matthew begins with a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah--42 generations of them.
When Jesus feeds the 5,000 in the book of Mark, it tells of how the crowds were organized (in 50's and 100's) and tells what the disciples started with (5 loaves and 2 fish) and then what was left over (12 baskets of leftover bread and fish).
And, Revelation has details with numerous analogies and prophesies concerning the end times that it is difficult for most of us to wrap our minds around it.

As the CREATOR, consider the life of an ant, their colonies, their purposefulness. Consider the galaxies above, the millions of stars. Consider families, communities, countries, the earth and all its complexities and know that He does care. He is a God of details. He created it. He will redeem it. He keeps His promises.

So, just like all those who came before us, God is in the details of our lives.
Stuck at home? Out of work? Homeschooling kids? 

He knows when we sit and when we rise; 

He perceives our thoughts from afar.

 Psalm 139:2

He looks to the ends of the earth 
and sees everything under the heavens. 
     Job 28:24

Even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 
Matthew: 10:30

Knowing this, when you pull the covers over your head tonight

 or when you first place your feet on the floor in the morning, 

you may want to view yourself and the world differently.

If time, check out Bette Midler's "From A Distance" on u-tube

My Corona List

... my morning devotions were about to-do lists. It was timely as I have what I call my Corona List of projects  during this self-quarantining time. 

Corona To-Do List:
___ clean out, reorganize two file cabinets
___ clean behind washer and dryer
___ hose down patio and outdoor furniture
___ sort through my closet; get rid of items
___ ....

I check out the list in the morning, take glances often during the day,  and reflect on it when climbing into bed. Sometimes, I figuratively pat myself on the back; sometimes, I chastise myself and feel my day has been not purposeful. 

Today’s devotion prompted me to think on Jesus and the Fruits of the Spirit and not what is happening with my little projects. If I did this, my list might look like this:

Jesus to-do List:
___ did I share joy with someone
___ was I patient when frustrated
___ did I use self-control when tempted not to
___ was I gentle when I wanted to show irritation
___ was I faithful as God would have me be faithful (especially in these unprecedented times
___ ....

There are nine Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5) including the above and also love, peace, kindness, goodness.

My time considering my experiences during the day with these attributes would definitely be more purposeful night-time reflections than what I did with a file cabinet or a closet full of clothes.  After all, God wants us to be holy. Holy? Impossible, but a good thing to strive towards.  In other words, did I use Jesus as an example for my own behavior?

Some of us due to self-quarantining have more time for reflection.
Hope this gives you something to think about as you walk your spiritual journey. Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay connected to your Creator God.

Wants, Needs, Wishes

It's interesting how our wants, needs, wishes change as the years pass. When I was little, I wanted a doll with eyes that open and shut. A few years later, I wanted a bicycle. In high school, I wanted a boyfriend. In college, I didn't know what I wanted; I just needed to be done, graduate, get a job, and get on with my life. Although I had no idea how that would all play out...

Well, one of my little brothers thought my new dollie needed a bath, put her in the tub, ran water over her, and emptied the A-Jax can on her face. Her beautiful eyes that open and shut became permanently open in a clouded stare. My older brother's friend borrowed my bike on a summer afternoon. It came back with dents and a broken spoke. My high school boyfriend went to another college and eventually into the service. I finished college, got a job...  Life played out with me wanting, needing, wishing for different things as one year became another.

Over time, I've come to understand that the only thing that permanently satisfies me is my everlasting relationship with someone named Jesus.

I realize that there are many in the world who are without adequate food, shelter, and clean water. I wish it were not so. We are fortunate to live in a place where these needs are generally available either because we get a paycheck or there are services available to help those who can not work.

However, I, like most of my acquaintances have a closet full of shoes and clothes, a warm house, plenty of food, and a grocery store down the street. If you have all this and are still wishing and hoping for something else, something forever fulfilling, try Jesus. Your heart's wants, needs, wishes will change.

You may be asking--Try Jesus?--what does that look like, how does that work?
He's beside you, right now.
Tell him of your sorrows, your joys, your wants, needs, wishes.
He hears it all.
Praise him, too.
Why?
Because of the wonderful promises He has given you.
It's all in the Good Book, the Bible.
Try John--it comes after Matthew, Mark, Luke.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made;
without him nothing was made that has been made. 
In him was life and that life was the light of men.
The light shines in the darkness...