SHELL SEEKERS, TRUTH SEEKERS: Part I

By Sharon Wilhite

"You search and investigate and pore over the Scriptures diligently, because you suppose and trust that you have eternal life life through them. And these very Scriptures testify about Me!" John 5:39 (Amplified Bible)

A few thoughts I unburied from the sandy shores of Fort Myers Beach, Florida this week:

Shell Seekers check the tide charts and know the best times to shell.

Truth Seekers check their schedules and know their best times of alertness and quietness for their daily time of Bible reading and prayer.

Shell Seekers put on beach wear and sunscreen appropriate to the weather.

Truth Seekers prepare their hearts and minds by putting on quietness and humility.

Shell Seekers take a bag or bucket to put their beach treasures in. (A shell seeker who only has his hands or pockets for collecting won't be able to collect many treasures.

Truth Seekers take a journal or notebook in which to write down truths they've unearthed in their Bible reading so they can treasure and remember them.

 

Shell Seekers go to the beach with the express purpose of finding wonderful shells.

Truth Seekers read their Bibles intentionally - looking for new truths or rereading familiar passages for strength and comfort.

Shell Seekers keep their heads down and narrow their focus to the area around their feet.

Truth Seekers focus on what they're reading and block out distractions.

Shell Seekers either keep moving steadily along or stand still to search in one place.

Truth Seekers will search related passages or keep reading steadily on in their search for God's wisdom. Other times they will meditate on just one word, phrase, or verse.

 

To be continued...

WINTER WEARINESS

By Sharon Wilhite

Why is it - with every passing year - that winter weighs so heavily upon me? Three heavy blankets (not “comforters”) of snow, cold, and extra darkness press down on me, making me want to burrow under my actual pile of bed covers and not get up and out until the light and warmth of spring arrives. Sunny, cold days I can tolerate. Grey, frigid days press hard on body, soul, and spirit. I know in my mind that “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” (Eccl. 3:1), but my body and soul are harder to convince. I can help my body with exercise. My mind can fantasize about a winter beach condo in Florida. But my soul is what needs rejuvenating or I am in danger of becoming more depressed with each successive winter.

“My beloved spoke and said unto ME, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For lo, the winter is past…the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come…the fig tree puts forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.” (Song of Solomon 2:10-13)

The invitation is there. Everyday spent with my Lord - in His Word,
in prayer, in song - is a spiritual getaway, a soul “destination vacation” guaranteed to bring back warmth and life to my spirit!

An old song from my teen years mirror my thoughts:

Lord, to my heart bring back the springtime.

Take away the cold and dark of sin.

And, oh refill me now, sweet Holy Spirit;

May I warm and tender be again.

(Kurt Kaiser, 1970)

Oh, Lord, I want to ARISE and COME AWAY - WITH YOU!

RED!

 Photo Collage by Sharon Wilhite

RED!

 

  Red is the color of passion, energy, redemption, and love.

 Wearing red always seemed to give me energy and confidence when tired or nervous during my college days.

From my childhood on I wanted a red winter coat to brighten up a long winter - I'm still waiting.

 Red cars are always a fascination to men young and old - and especially to the highway patrol!

 Red is the color of life continually running through us.

It is the color of new life spilled for us by Christ on the cross.

 

 RED!

 

You can see more of Sharon's work at photograpHER5.blogspot.com