Unconditional Love

There is nothing we can do to make God love us more, there is nothing we can do to make God love us less. ~ Philip Yancey

I do not have to...try harder...be good...act perfect...in order to *earn* God's love.

I can't. God loves me. I am the one who puts conditions on God's love for me. I don't deserve His love...yet, He loves me anyway and offers this free gift to me. I need only turn to Him and accept it. When I realize that God's love is unconditional, it frees me to live more authentically.

Spiritual Pruning

...the 'unbecoming' of my sinful nature
“I am the true vine, and my father is the gardener.
He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit,
while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes
so that it will be even more fruitful.” John 15:1-2 NIV

I stand before my Creator...willing to be changed...willing to release all that no longer serves me. I am no longer able to hold up my ragged and torn 'mask' to hide my imperfections. In my defenselessness, the Light of Truth exposes those places in me that need to be cut off and pruned in order that new growth can occur. Places in my heart that need to soften; a broken spirit in need of healing; bitter words that need to express love; a self-serving attitude in desperate need of gratitude and service to others; mean-spirited thoughts towards others that need to express compassion; an impatient, intolerant temper that needs learn to wait and make allowances. These are what I ask God to change in me - to peel away the layers of my false self and reveal my true nature. I pray that I may grow more in the image and likeness of Christ.
As God continues His spiritual gardening, and as I grow towards a life of God-centered living and self-sacrifice for others, I will 'become' all that God intends me to be. When God's spirit is working within me and I walk in His ways (not my own), new life is evident...

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Photograph taken at Fresh Pond, Cambridge, MA


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How Much are You Loved?

God's love is...boundless, limitless, unfathomable, all-encompassing, endless, eternal, far-reaching, expansive, incomprehensible, everlasting, indescribable, unchangeable, all-consuming, unconditional...

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.’ - Eph 3:17-19

Photograh taken at Fresh Pond, Cambridge, MA

Living Sacrifice

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2

Photograph taken at Cranes Beach, Ipswich, MA.

Spiritual Awakening

"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners..." ~ Isaiah 61:1

The Truth has set my spirit free...His Light casts out the darkness of my soul...the chains of self are broken by the power of His Love...My spirit is awakened...

Holy Father, I surrender myself into your loving and powerful hands to mold me, heal me, and shape me into the person that you'd have me be. I am willing that you remove from me all those things within my body, mind & spirit (attitudes, actions, behaviors, thoughts) that block your Love, Guidance and Grace from flowing into me. Guide me in all your ways to do thy will, not mine. Let your spirit pour out upon me, so that I may be a Light for those who you place in my path. Let your Grace, Love and Mercy flow into me and through me into the lives of others. May I continue to live for you, Lord

Wherever you lead me, Lord, I will follow. Whoever you place in my path today, I will show mercy and kindness. Whatever you ask me to do today, I will obey.

In His precious and Holy name, Amen.

Photograph taken at Cranes Beach, Ipswich, MA. (Entitled:Butterfly Wings)

Cathedral in the Sky

Reflections on God's Sanctuary...

“There are times when grief comes to us all. When it does, our hearts are often drawn to man–made temples...places that are very commendable attempts to provide a beautiful representation of God’s holy, trustworthy, and comforting presence. But Jesus, who was burdened by sorrow, leads His followers instead to a place that is a much more astounding picture of the presence of the Almighty. He went to God’s Great Cathedral...where the skies are His stained glass, the meadows are His pews, the rivers His baptistery, the mountains His pulpit. And, the music...Oh, the sweet comforting music that comes from the voices of His Creation. It is music that can both rapture the heart and settle the spirit in the very same instant. Are you filled with sorrow as Jesus was? If so, there is a place for you to go to find solace. Step outside...take your broken heart to the openness of the temple God has made.” — Steve Chapman, author of Quiet Moments for Your Soul

Photograph taken at Habitat Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary in Belmont, MA

Where do you go to draw near to God?

"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As long as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles." ~ Anne Frank

When you're bone-weary from fighting the mental battles of your mind; when you want to do the right thing, but struggle against accepting and acting on the truth you know; when the stresses of your worklife sap you of all your energy...where do you go? Whom do you turn to for comfort, guidance and strength?

Nature offers a gentle embrace...a pathway that leads into the sacred sanctuary of God's presence. Peace enters my soul in this place...amidst the wooded pines, the boundless blue skies, and the sweet melodies of nature. It is in this space that I draw close to God. His love enfolds me in the quiet stillness of the woods. Listening to the whispering winds and rustling leaves, all the restlessness inside me relaxes. My heart softens and my spirit lightens with each step along the trail.

My heart sings praises to a God that loves me with an everlasting love, seeks me when I'm lost; guides me home when I've gone astray, and offers solace to my spirit. Within my nature lies a deep desire to know God, so I look outside in Nature...it is there that I find Him.

Draw Near to God, and He Will Draw Near to You ~ James 4:8

Photograph taken at Walden Pond, Concord, MA.