How Are You Walking?

Greetings Again Readers!

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time for the days are evil.”  Ephesians 5:15-16

Another surprise of this “Pax season” came with the simple trimming up of my daily rhythms to accommodate all the walks.  That included a closer look at the overall scheduling, plus the re-ordering of priorities and details.  I love order anyway, but this new discipline brought an unexpected new freedom…and joy!  I’m smiling as I write this because one of my neighbors asked if I had ever been in the military.  She marveled at being able to almost set her own clock as she observed Pax and I maintaining our new schedule. 

However, the greatest delight came with new opportunities for sim lev and halakh. You see, with my Western mindset I often found myself reading Scripture as an intellectual, almost academic pursuit.  But the Eastern way: “…is to sim lev, to set Scripture upon your heart, over and over again, so much so that it can’t help but seep into your heart—to consume the Scripture so much that it becomes who you are.”*  Then teaching would illustrate how the Scripture would be walked out halakh.  Jesus often did this using parables.  And Jesus and His disciples walked everywhere!  (You might want to pause here and glance at a blog posted below on Monday, June 8, 2020.)

That, was the ultimate gift the Lord deposited into this season.  He used Pax to carve out precious, sacred space and time for me to walk in His sim lev Presence.  My morning devotions stuck with me in a new way because I was revisiting them over and over again during each walk - halakh.  It was a discipline that allowed God’s Word to seep down into the concrete particulars of my life…to become who I am.  Truly it was the best use of my time and it actually was God’s gift to me using Miss Pax.

Dear friends, how are you approaching Scripture…intellectually or with sim lev?  And…how are you ordering your time?  Have you done a mini-inventory lately?  Linked to this blog (and in the side bar) are two helps to get you started:  “Seize the Time” and “Ten Keys to Peace.”

"Seize the Time"

"Ten Keys to Peace"

Blessed halakh!

Carolyn 

*McLelland, Kristi, “Jesus & Women: In The First Century and Now”, Lifeway Press, Tennessee, 2022.

Walking in Love

Hello again family and friends! 

It has been a long while since I’ve last shared and I’ve missed you all.  But here we are … a new blogspot, a new season, and a fresh assignment.

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.  And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us…”  Ephesians 5:1-2

I’ve always known I love to walk. 

However, I discovered many new spiritual dimensions of life this past year as I accompanied a pup named Pax on her daily walks.  She and I would forge out multiple times each twenty-four-hour period to expend her energy, engage her attentiveness, and continue her obedience training.  You see, I thought it was all about her…but it wasn’t.  God had more in mind…and it turned out to be all about Him.

Pax progressed beautifully, blessing both her owner and her trainer, but spiritual growth also increased exponentially in me as part of the process. With expectations high and her energy level even higher, there could be no languishing because of the weather. Consequently, remaining active and in tune with Him through a wet and messy winter were the outcomes. Because our neighborhood was filled with lively squirrels intent on intercepting her concentration, out of necessity I was the one who learned to anticipate…and then stay ahead of the distractions. The life lessons in those moves became pretty self-evident…and the fruit from them continues to bring Him glory.

She had a ball, but I learned to engage with the beauty … yes winter beauty…of God’s creation as never before.  As the awareness of His active Presence increased, so did the opportunities to simply sing…just sing in worship.  We did…a lot. 

As a winter season approaches again, I’d love to share more of these insights with you.  My prayer would be that you will catch new glimpses of our God…and His participation in our mundane daily rituals. 

In order to do this, may I first introduce to you, Miss Pax…a beautiful white golden retriever pup.  She was a vested service dog, who lived in my guardian home for several months, between her seasons of “designated purpose.”  It was an incredible adventure on multiple levels as I hope you will see.  

Do stay tuned for more life lessons on literally, walking with Him in love -

“…from strength to strength.”

It’s so good to be back!

Carolyn

From Strength to Strength...Thy Word is a Lamp Unto My Feet

Dear Friends,

As the world…and these United States…begin to open up from Covid 19, it becomes more and more apparent that “…(we’ve) not passed this way before.”  (Joshua 3:4)

Experts are at odds regarding the order of lifting restrictions, the speed with which to proceed…even the paths to be taken.  Not only are leaders and caretakers exhausted from overwork and decision making, but now they are overwhelmed facing a very unknown and uncertain future.  If this is you please take a moment to be reminded of a truth:

“Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness.”  Psalm 112:4

​Pictured here are a pair of well-worn sandals, replicates of those that could have been worn by Jesus during His sojourn on earth.  The Scriptures reveal that He and His followers walked literally thousands of miles during those three (or so) years: from Nazareth to the wilderness of Judea; from Jerusalem to Tyre and Sidon; from upper Galilee and possibly even Hermon (the Transfiguration) to Bethany…and back again to Jerusalem – multiple times.  Even as an Infant His earthly father would have taken the little family pretty much on foot from Bethlehem to Egypt and then returned with them to Nazareth.

Putting all this in perspective is mind boggling …and sitting with it brings other Scriptures more into focus.  What is seldom thought of in this centering process is the importance foot coverings would have had.  And…what is pretty much overlooked is their “evolution” according to need.  Did you know that ancient sandals (more like moccasins) dating backward from David to Moses to Abraham and beyond, incorporated a small spout type of receptacle in the toe area to hold oil and a small wick?  They not only provided protection but also provision to see the next step.  Literally, only the next step on the path was lighted. 

Friends, be assured that our Father has given a lamp to light our next steps just as He ordered the footsteps of Jesus.  Walk circumspectly with His Word and the Holy Spirit during these dark times as you seek the truth and make decisions…for yourselves, those you love, and those you are caring for.
 And remember knowing only the next step may be all you need. 
​
“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”  Psalm 119:105