Inner Sense of Calm

Peacefulness is an inner sense of calm - it comes from becoming still - in
order to reflect and meditate on our inner wisdom and receive answers. A
peaceful heart is one that is free from worry and trouble. It's becoming quiet
so we can look at things quietly, so we can more clearly understand them and
thus come up with creative solutions. It is learning to live in the present.
- Barbara Jean

What Happened to the Graceful Process?

This picture speaks volumes to the importance of how we should handle ourselves as we grow older (or become more mature). It seems that hardly anyone finds grandeur in the state of aging anymore. Definitely to many, age maturity is outdated. To be “in” requires that one obtain eternal youth.

Well, here I go...mounting my soap box (if I don't slip due to age).

In our society many find embarrassment in having wrinkles, silver hair, etc. Being uncomfortable in themselves has led to an abundant supply of tucked-and-rolled people (in the 60s tuck-and-roll was a term used for car upholstery). However, today it pertains to rearrangement of body parts. With my husband's surgery this month at a UCSF medical facility to remove a cancer, I was shocked at the number of men who accompanied their wives to have facial rearrangement. Yep, these guys (men older than me) were having surgery right along side the wife who had already had one too many plastic jobs done. But why not go back for more? Right?

Finding the Mr. & Mrs. face job duos so prevalent, I went to the telephone yellow pages and wow! What used to take a small portion of one page, now fills a whole page or more. Still don't believe it? Well look at the newspapers and magazines that actively advertise operations to vitalize faces, and overhaul bodies. Men and women in their twilight years no longer find growing old a graceful process.

What happened to the beauty of becoming a mature adult? Beauty isn’t the outward appearance as society would try to make us believe – it is the inner makings of man. It is the part of us that should shed forth warmth, peace and comfort to the younger generation. Our wrinkles should be worn as battle scars of times past where we weathered harsh storms beating at our souls.

Our silvery gray hair should be a reminder of concern and worry for our loved ones and friends that took us to our knees in prayer. Our slowing steps should tell that we no longer must keep the fast pace as in the past but now are more at peace with life and our God because we have fought a good fight and are keeping the faith.

And as for our minds (well, I prefer not to go there – it would be all telling). No, really, our minds should after all these years be filled with goodness, reflections of wonderful days spent with the Lord, of times of laughter and joy with our children and grandchildren - and dwell on the beauty of just being a child of God.

Today I choose to grow old gracefully. Sure, I will stumble and fall like I have all my Christian life – but every time I do, I know the Lord will pick me up so that I can continue to mature in Him (hopefully maturing through my heart).

Inner Peace's Resting Place

Peacefulness is an inner sense of calm. It comes from becoming still, and allows us to reflect and meditate on our inner being.

Tranquility From Within

When we are unable to find tranquility within ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere.
François de la Rochefoucauld

Beware of the God Sayers!

I have a pet peeve, and since this is my space I think I'll address it (I pray, in a diplomatic way).

I believe to be pleasing to the Lord, we should not elevate or exalt ourselves. Too many times, if we aren't careful we start thinking we are something we are not. Confused by my words? Well, let me explain. Have you ever taken time to think of how many times you've heard someone tell you that "God told me to tell you" (or similar)? Yes, beyond a shadow of a doubt we all have stories of being exposed to the God Sayers. Sadly, these people usually know what is best for everyone, but have trouble knowing what's best for themselves.

Folks, to be usable in God's service does not require that we walk in a supernatural realm. We are humans for goodness sake, and we walk in the flesh. The only way we can be of any use is to: (1) pray; (2) help others through our own experiences; and (3) be an example. We should never want (or desire) to be the prima donna (or don) of prophesy. However, we must be as close as we can to be like Him but it doesn't mean our speech must be filled with flowery words, or our lips dripping with prophetic statements. In fact, when the words come from Him, no one (I said no one) has to tell us. Words coming from the Lord will automatically bring peace without any God Said reference. His words will flow and comfort, and our spirit will be touched.

So "Beware of the God Sayers" - instead, seek out those who don't exalt self but desire to exalt Him. I have, and in so doing, I've been uplifted and restored with the sincerity of their words - and never once did I hear the words, "God told me to tell you".

(Kerpluck! That's me, just fell off my soap box.)

Peace Be With / In You

To be at one with God is to be at peace ...

peace is to be found only within, and unless

one finds it there he will never find it at all.

Peace lies not in the external world.

It lies within one's own soul.

Ralph Waldo Trine

Silence My Heart

In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside. . .
Deepak Chopra

Follow the Peacemaker

Peace lives in the hearts of those who will allow it to do so; and War soars in the hearts of those who know not the Peacemaker. We live in an hour when we must put aside our differences, and unite to accomplish the Will of the One who brings true Peace, Hope and Resurrection.

Peace Be Yours

May Tranquility and Inner Peace Be Yours Today

Photo: Japanese Gardens, Golden Gate Park San Francisco

Think PEACE

We Can Find Peace in Our Valley
if we will but take the time to look for Him

Lull-Lull Land

The Cares of Life Sometimes Lull Our Senses.
We think - Peace and Safety.
Then - WHAM - Sudden Destruction.
That is why we must always be Watchful and Pray (for we don't know when we may find ourselves in a position where we are oblivious to the sights and sounds of our enemy).

Whacked or Trimmed?

"Why has thou…broken down her hedges,
so…all…which pass…do pluck her?" Psalms 80:12

The Lord removed Job's hedge, at Satan's insistence. God wanted to prove that Job was not someone who gave only lip service but through adversity Job would continue to serve the Lord. When the trial of all trials hit Job, I am sure it felt like a weed eater had come in and whacked away his hedge. He lost everything, and everyone was looking to see how he would react. Today, the Lord does the same thing - only this time, we are the "Jobs." There are days when our hedge is removed and we stand exposed to the whole world. Being exposed can come in a whacking or just a trimming; however, no matter which, it will let us know in what shape our experience with the Lord is.

Whether we like to hear it or not, adversity reveals our true character. When we are exposed, every little thing has opportunity to get at us. We become a target to be bruised, taunted, mocked, and/or belittled. Our anxieties bring stress...stress to be what others think we should be, to go through pain within a certain time frame and a certain way, or to agree with whatever advice we receive. That's makes for stress, for sure; but the paramount of our stress is when we stand alone, face-to-face with ourselves. It is then that our flesh starts taking over, and we may think He doesn't care one bit about us or our own. In some situations, it would be far more logical to agree with rejection than believe that God cares. It is during these times that tears may cloud our vision, allowing our confidence to retreat. Hopefully, we will catch ourselves and trust that He will place His protective cover around us once again (in His own way, and in His own time).

I can guarantee that we have all had “Job” moments. So, as the Job of old, we as the “Job” of today must trust until the covering returns. I wrote the poem below a number of years ago after two of the greatest losses in my life. I remember standing exposed for the whole world to see. I wanted to retreat into a cave, and never come out - but I couldn't let my love for Him become only words, for my love for Him was originally born in my heart. I had but one choice, to stand exposed until the hedge grew back.

Why I penned this today, I don't know - but if you are in a Job experience, all I can say is, don't give in - wait patiently for the covering. The hedge will grow back. You can be a survivor! How do I know? Well, I am! (and I'm no one special but for the Grace and Love of God).

The removing of a hedge reveals not only my character
But places me face to face with contentiousness,
Leaving my heart open for bitterness to insert.
It takes words spoken in times of glorious elation,
And boisterously returns them in turmoil.
At this point, I must consider my heart’s location.

Vanity says, denounce creation, recant any inward hope.
Arrogance chimes in, "let go of what is right, what is true"
But it is here that my faith must hold strong.
In the removing of a hedge, my dedication is exposed,
A dedication, an allegiance, not found in books
But written on the pages of endless love.

If I will but believe that He does truly care,
I will allow strength to enter during weakness,
Reclaiming commitments originally sparked.
Setting my mind within reality’s boundaries,
Building a protection for peace to return.
A peace that can only come from above.

The removing of a hedge comes to all,
Uprooting adverse growth woven inside my domain.
The inner makings of my soul will be displayed,
And I will chance openly speaking thoughts once hidden.
Yes, I am destined to become a modern-day Job,
and there will be times when I stand uncovered for all to see.

Water Wisely

This Is One Tree

We Need to Make Sure Stays Watered

...for with just a little watering,
our fruit will ripen for all to enjoy...

Reflections

To Find
Inner Peace,

Reflect on
the Good Things

Growing Old Gracefully

I loved this picture with its words that a dear friend sent me today - speaking volumes to the importance of how we should handle ourselves as we grow older (or become more mature). When I received this, my first thought was - whatever happened to growing old gracefully? It seems that hardly anyone finds grandeur in the state of aging anymore. Definitely to many, age maturity is outdated. To be “in” requires that one obtain eternal youth. Now I want to share my words with you. Here I go (on my soap box once again).

True, in our society many find embarrassment in having wrinkles, silver hair, etc. Being uncomfortable in themselves has led to an abundant supply of tucked-and-rolled people (in the 60s tuck-and-roll was a term used for car upholstery). However, today it pertains to rearrangement of body parts. When looking in the telephone yellow pages, I was astonished to find that where the names of plastic surgeons used to take only a small portion of a page, the list of surgeons now fills a whole page or more. Or, just look at the newspapers that actively advertise operations to vitalize faces, and overhaul bodies. Men and women in their twilight years no longer find growing old a graceful process.

What happened to the beauty of becoming a mature, caring person? Beauty isn’t the outward appearance as society would try to make us believe – it is the inner man. It is the part of us that should shed forth warmth, peace and comfort to the younger generation. Our wrinkles should be worn as battle scars of times past where we weathered harsh storms beating at our souls. Our gray hair should be a reminder of concern and worry for our loved ones and friends that took us to our knees in prayer. Our slowing steps should tell that we no longer must keep the fast pace as in the past but now we are more at peace with life and our God because we have fought a good fight and are keeping the faith. And as for our minds (well, I prefer not to go there – it would be all telling). No, really, our minds should after all these years be filled with goodness, reflections of wonderful days spent with the Lord, of times of laughter and joy with our children and grandchildren. And our minds should dwell on the beauty of just being a child of God.

Today I choose to grow old gracefully. Sure, I will stubble and fall like I have all my Christian life – but every time I do, I know the Lord will pick me up so that I can continue to mature in Him (hopefully through my heart).

Call Him Up

He is the One that will bring Peace and Rest to our souls,
if we will but call upon Him.

His number is "J-E-S-U-S"
(this line is guaranteed to have no dropped calls)

Keep Building

In War
...or Peace

the Wrens
still

build their nests

Crocus in the Snow Book of Poems
Joan Walsh Anglund

Hidden Treasures

Hidden Treasures
by K.J. Hopper

An old, battered chest lies undisturbed among life's discards.
From the natural eye, it seems to have lost all significant worth.
The tides of weather have all but destroyed its outer beauty,
while inside trinkets gathered long ago, await their destiny.
Could this be their final resting place?

I muse that the contents do not compare to today's opulent riches,
however, curiosity draws me closer and closer to the chest.
It is then that an inner voice speaks, "Open up your heart, my child,
for inside the tattered chest you will find riches beyond measure.
Its array, one of priceless gems whose eternal value is irreplaceable.

I thought, could this old chest possibly hold precious resources?
Slowly, I lift the lid, encrusted with pain and sorrow.
The cares of life having corroded its protective hinges,
while etchings of disgrace and sin marred its appearance.
Amazingly, once inside, its contents sparkle majestically.

Lying on top are the most cherished of jewels, Rubies
Beauties which speak of Love and devotion beyond self.
Their red tones vividly portraying the crimson blood of Calvary,
making announcement to the world that through their beauty
Redemption's price was paid - you can be set free.

A string of pearls graciously tarries in a small velvet case.
What a wonderful reward for those diligently searching.
Pearls corded with praise and clasped firmly by Truth,
giving way to a refreshing design of Hope.
How could one overlook such a pearl of great price?

Emeralds peek out and twinkle from among other glimmering gems.
Each greeting the weary, proclaiming Peace and contentment.
These flawless jewels soothe the hollow regions deep within the soul.
Inner turbulence is calmed by their unblemished shades of green,
Their message? Smiles can glisten in the midnight hour.

Tiny jewels called Faith are scattered in undefined formations.
In holding but one of these small beauties, Strength appears.
Faith’s radiance touching doubt's dark borders, bringing Courage.
Whatever these wonders lack in size, they contain in substance,
confirming man's worth is not in abundance but in character.

An intertwining of silver and gold reveals Trust and Honesty.
These superior alloys surviving the extreme severity of time,
thus exemplifying the importance of unfailing loyalty to a cause.
No, not caught in the present, nor neglecting the truths of the past,
but allowing the mouth to speak the refined purity of the heart.

Diamonds blaze brightly near the bottom of this magnificent treasury,
holding court with Bravery, thereby coming forth the victor.
Fine gems conquering the counterfeit facades of useless glitter,
creating a magnificent crown embellished in elegant grandeur.
Ah, these jewels acting as a beacon genuinely beckoning the weary.

Yes, opening the heart will unlock many Hidden Treasures.
Treasures not part of the accomplishments applauded by men,
but eternal riches once buried in mire and wrapped about the flesh.
Do I dare explore the many wonders within the cavity of my soul?
Oh yes, I must - for in seeking I will find jewels of everlasting value.

We are a privileged people to have access to the beauty that lies within the pages of His Word. May we humbly search for His Hidden Treasures.

The Lighthouse that Guides

While living in the Bay Area, there was a small lighthouse just about a half-mile up the coast from us - both it and our house were cradled along the shores of Seal Cove. Every night the lighthouse's beam would dance across the waters directing vessels along their course or giving warning to those etching too close to shore.

Our lives are like the sea, either turbulent or peaceful. Oft times we drift along in life's circumstances and are unaware that we are moving too close to possible danger. I am so thankful that God's Lighthouse warns us before we shipwreck and offers us a course of safety. How wonderful is His guiding light that brings assurance and serenity to our very being.

What's In A Name?

(Well, here I go. Brand new blogger at age 68. See, miracles never cease. This endeavor has made me so excited? nervous? that I don't know whether to laugh, cry or throw up. Seriously, I am grateful to have opportunity to be a "voice". Only hope you will allow me share it with you occasionally.)

Why did I pick the name A Jewel Divinely Rare? To me, it depicts the nature of a woman. Proverbs 31 makes mention of the various abilities and talents of a virtuous woman and how her "price is far above rubies". This blog was created for special women - special on more than Mother's Day or any holiday. And to strengthen our beliefs and share our passions because we are women. (I'm sorry, men are welcome too.)

We are jewels - please don't forget that. A jewel divinely rare has patience until all hope is exhausted, then continues hoping beyond all hope. It protects without suffocating, and rebukes without destroying. A jewel divinely rare gives without expecting. It finds peace in its strength, and it truly forgives.

A jewel divinely rare cries, laughs, works, prays, and plays. By God's grace may you and I be one of these special divinely appointed jewels.

(Now that wasn't so hard - if I can quit shaking I'll be just fine. Hope you come back soon because at my age, when it comes to thoughts, my cup runneth over.)