Journey In The River

Inspired by Nancy King

She stood at the water’s edge hearing the rush of the current tickle at the rocks. The sun had begun its ascent into the dark sky bringing forth rays of light. The water now had a silvery reflection. Its sound was steady and soothing. She had waited here throughout the night, allowing the preparations to her heart.

Letting the white robe fall from her shoulders, she could feel the sun begin to caress her skin. Slowly she began to step into the cool liquid. Her feet could feel sand and rocks but there were no sharp edges which made her footing easy enough. Tears dropped from her cheeks joining themselves to the body of water. When the depth of it had reached her shoulders she leaned back to feel her long hair being pulled into the current.

Taking a deep breath she let herself be pulled completely off her feet, floating in the powerful stream. Love flooded her heart. She spread her arms out from her sides letting her fingertips tap upon the water’s surface. She had waited all her life for the courage to give herself over to this journey. Smiling, she closed her eyes. Now she was ready to go wherever the river would take her.

Meaning, Purpose And Intentionality

Guest writer Tina Orduno

Many of us know the logical reason we do the things we do. But we don’t know the purpose behind what we are logically doing day after day.

We’ve established our plans, goals, and action steps that fit into our strategies. But we haven’t taken time to figure out why what we do really matters.

Do you know deep in your heart that what you do, and who you are, really matters?  To who?  For what?  And really-why?

There is a draw in this deafening economic silence to search for what really matters. I love this, of course, because this is where next-level living begins. What matters most to you?

Relationships are the key. What you do for others is the only thing that truly matters in the end. As I mentioned, because things have slowed and gotten simpler, there is a space in our lives that opens up. Suddenly you can’t medicate the relationship pain/gap with money, busy living, and success. This leaves an obvious space. Look at your own life, now that you have more time to think and feel. The holes you try desperately to keep hidden are probably exposed right now.

So now is the time to exercise your choice. You can feel the emptiness, address the source, and discover your purpose. Or you can find a new way to numb yourself with more self-medicating than ever before. Medicating the gap is a protection we all use to some degree. If only we can come clean and admit it, we can be free to live our purpose.

Where are you getting your purpose, your joy, and your fulfillment? What is the name of the well you are drinking from right now? Every day you drop your bucket into this well-and up comes what? Remember, what you are drinking, you are becoming. And until you examine what is that well, you have no idea what you are depending on to bring you life. Is your well toxic? Is it intoxicating? Is it refreshing? Is it stagnant? Is it full of you? What is in your well?

After you to consider what well you are drinking out of, then either drink deeply-if it is the life-giving sustenance you are living for. If not, then let’s dig a new well! Let’s dig deep for what matters. NOW IS THE TIME. You have time. Everyone can make time right now to do the things that will pay off for the long run. Now is the time to invest in your personal growth so when the next boom hits you are strong, healthy, and confident that indeed you are living your life’s purpose.

“What mankind wants is not talent; it is purpose.” – Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton 1803-1873, British Novelist, Poet

Dusty Harp

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Written by Bobby Burgess

My dusty guitar is in my hands, and as I strum the mistuned strings, I think of David in Saul’s court. To soothe someone full of anger and hatred, possessed perhaps by an evil spirit sent by the Lord to torment him; what skill he must have had in his hands.

Barrrummmm! No, that’s not a real chord. My cat doesn’t seem soothed. If David misplayed his harp, would Saul have achieved a look of indifference on his face? It was said of David that he was skilled with his instrument, and how it must have been beautiful music to relieve someone of their anguish for a while.

Clunk! Hmmmm. Did David smack his harp against a table now and then? The cat looks up. Does he seem to desire to hurl a spear in my direction? No, it seems not; the birds in the window are his mind’s prey.

What did David’s music sound like? The soft rain of notes falling in suspended and seventh chords, longing for peace in the house of the King? Were they sounds of joyous major  scales, resounding the past triumphs of home and battle?

The cat doesn’t care much for either, and yawns as he watches the leaves outside. I’m glad I have a chance to practice on him before I must come before the King and explain my errant talents to him.

1 Sam 16:23 Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.