Soften The Heart #35

“Forever, O Lord, your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness endures to all generations;

You established the earth, and it abides. They continue this according to your ordinances, for all are your servants.”

Psalm 119: 89-91

Watch nature. Study it. It’s fascinating. Nature really does just know what to do.

For example, this is random, I smashed my finger awhile back and my thumb is currently growing a new nail. I never told my body to do that, it just knows what to do. To me that right there is miraculous. How does my body know how to just do that?

We witness this in so many ways. Birds migrating, caterpillars becoming butterflies, trees speaking through their roots, bees making honey, and how?

How does nature just know what to do? The answer is pretty simple and it says it in the scripture.

Because God says.

They continue this according to your ordinances. Ordinance means an authoritative law. Nature is following its own commandments from the creator himself.

They are all following the rules and how incredible to bear witness of this.

The earth has been around a very long time, and it abides (it sits and remains here for us) because God told it to.

We search and search for bigger explanations but it really is as simple as God just saying,

hey earth, you’re going to chill here until I say, okay?”

And earth is just like, “yup, got it.”

This is evidence in itself that something bigger is at play.

I feel as we get older we become so accustomed to this place, this world, that we slowly stop wondering and asking questions.

And then we forget. Some of us forget entirely that this is all so temporary.

We forget that we have a creator. We forget that we have been gifted this gift of life to noticed and observe how incredible our creator is. We forget to ask questions. We don’t seek anymore like children. We become dormant.

Many people are searching for truth. And the truth surrounds them everyday, yet they can’t see it or they may be scared of it.

Which truthfully can be a little scary. However God tells us numerous times to not be afraid.

It is our responsibility to help others tap into that inner child, because it is that inner child that will ask the bigger questions. It is that inner child that is curious and wants and craves answers. It’s that inner child that will not stop asking, why?

Children are so incredibly thirsty for knowledge.

When we slow down enough to study nature, we begin to notice the order, the wisdom, and the wonder woven into creation.

And perhaps, in getting to know creation, we begin to know the Creator.

And the more we know God, the more our thirst changes.

We don’t become less curious.

We become more alive.

Because maybe the goal was never to stop searching.

Maybe the goal was to discover that what we have been thirsting for has been surrounding us—and calling us back to the One who gave us life.

And in knowing Him, we learn what it truly means to abide.

Soften The Heart #34 – Jesus Is The Window

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

John 1:5

Today I was on my blog and had the opportunity to see what I wrote on “this day”.

I wrote about opening your windows more. You can read that blog here .

As I was rereading this blog that I wrote I took a moment to think about a window. I know what a window is I thought…….but how is an actual window defined.

Window: an opening especially in the wall of a building for admission of light and air that is usually closed by casements or sashes containing transparent material (such as glass) and capable of being opened and shut

What stood out the most was a window is an admission for light and capable of being opened and shut.

Light exists in the world. We already know this but I think many forget to question or wonder, “wait, where does this light actually come from?” “where is the window then?”

There must be a window open somewhere letting this light in? How are we able to receive this?

And this is what came to my mind…..

Jesus is the window. God is the window.

A window is something on a door or wall that allows light in, correct?

Some people are in a dark room with light shielding curtains on. We can even say, full on black out curtains. Metaphorically.

Overtime however, many people forget they have a window in their room. They have become so accustomed to the darkness. They don’t believe light even exists. Or maybe they can’t find the window because of how dark it actually is.

When in truth all they have to do is find the window, open the curtains and open the window that is behind it. 

The window has always been there. Ready to be opened to let light in. And as easily as it is to open it it’s just as easy to close and cover it.

Now,

there are those who live in a bright room. And they too become forgetful. They have become so use to the light that they actually forget where the light comes from. 

That the light they are receiving is because of an opened window.

It’s so easy to take light for granted…….

If you have light in your room be grateful because there are many in a dark room and they need help finding that window. They truly believe darkness is all that is but you know the truth.

Or maybe you have taken the light for granted. Take a moment to thank the window that is opened for you and letting you receive light.

Whether your room is darkness or in light the thing is, there is window. And YOU control what you want your room to be.

If you want that window opened, you have to eagerly search for it.

Because darkness isn’t real my friend, it’s the absence of light.

Soften The Heart: Devotional #29 — A Message of Hope for the Grieving

This Is Not the End: A Message of Hope for the Grieving

My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

John 14:2-3

Loss has a way of stopping time. One moment, life is moving forward, full of plans, routines, and expectations. The next, everything changes. A phone call, an accident, a last breath you didn’t realize was the last—and suddenly, the world feels different. Emptier.

When we lose someone unexpectedly, the pain is sharp and disorienting. There’s no time to prepare, no gradual goodbye. Just a void. And in that void, we wrestle with the question that lingers in every grieving heart: Where are they now?

Jesus knew we would ask this. He knew our hearts would ache with longing for those who are no longer with us. And so, He left us with this promise.

This world is not the final destination. Death is not the end of the story.

Jesus is preparing a place. A place where brokenness does not exist, where suffering has no power, where love never fades. A place where those we have lost—those who seemed to slip away too soon—are not truly gone but waiting in a home far greater than this one.

That doesn’t take away the pain of missing them now. It doesn’t erase the ache of their absence. But it does mean that separation is temporary. Love is not lost.

Imagine, just for a moment, that there is more beyond what we can see. That the ones we grieve are not lost in darkness but alive in a way we cannot yet comprehend. That God’s love is big enough to hold them and us, to weave our stories together again in a way more beautiful than we can imagine.

We may not have all the answers. We may not understand why loss comes the way it does. But we can hold onto this:

This is not the end.

There is a place beyond this world, a home beyond this life, and a love that is strong enough to bring us back together again. And one day, when the time is right, we will see them again.

Until then, we carry them in our hearts, and we hold onto hope.

If You’re Grieving, You Are Not Alone

If you’ve experienced a sudden loss, I want you to know that your pain is seen. Your grief is real. But so is hope. Even in the darkness, you are not alone. God is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18), and He promises that one day, all things will be made new (Revelation 21:4).

If this message speaks to you, I pray it brings even a small measure of peace. And if you know someone who is struggling with loss, please feel free to share it. You never know whose heart might need this reminder today.

Soften The Heart: Devotional #24

“Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father.

“You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.

“But the hour is coming, and now is when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.

The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.”

Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”

John 4 21-26

After reading this full scripture it makes me think about times God has talked to me or communicated with me and I had not known. Just like the woman at the well.

I imagine her being like, “Uh, huh. Yeah when the Messiah is here he’s going to explain all of that.” And then here is Jesus like, “I’m Jesus Christ.”

What a humbling moment!

We think we know, and God reveals to us exactly that. We think we know. But we don’t. We have so much growing to do.

We are still children and acting as children do. No sense of boundaries, we hear what we want to hear, what are consequences you say?

I just described a toddler.

For some reason we think we know more than we actually do.

Eventually I feel like God makes it click for us, partly because of us His love for his children and because of his patience.

Then we begin to make the connections and understand.

If only we took things serious the first time could we have avoided some struggling. Maybe.

Let’s break down this scripture a little bit though.

What does “the hour is coming” mean?

When Jesus says “the hour is coming” in the scriptures, He is often referring to a specific moment or event in God’s divine plan, particularly His crucifixion, resurrection, and the coming of God’s kingdom. This phrase points to a future fulfillment of God’s purpose for salvation.

For instance, in John 4:23 as we read above, Jesus says, “The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.” Here, He’s referring to the future when worship will no longer be tied to specific locations or rituals but will be through a genuine connection with God.

In other passages, like John 12:23 (“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified”), it refers to His upcoming death, where He would complete His mission on earth.

In summary, “the hour is coming” points to a pivotal moment in God’s plan, often linked to the transformative events in the life and ministry of Jesus.

But how do we worship the Father in spirit and in truth?

To worship the Father in spirit and truth, as Jesus describes in John 4:23-24, involves a deep, sincere connection with God that transcends external rituals and locations. Here’s how:

1. Worshiping in Spirit:

Worship in spirit means connecting with God on a spiritual level, from the heart and soul, rather than relying solely on outward acts or physical locations. It’s about an authentic relationship with God, led by the Holy Spirit, where worship is heartfelt, personal, and not limited to rituals or ceremonies. This kind of worship engages our whole being, aligning our spirit with God’s Spirit.

• Romans 8:14 says, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” Worshiping in spirit is being led by the Holy Spirit, letting Him guide our hearts, prayers, and lives in a way that honors God.

2. Worshiping in Truth:

Worship in truth refers to worshiping God as He truly is, in alignment with the truth revealed in His Word, the Bible. It means worshiping with sincerity and understanding of who God is, grounded in the knowledge of Scripture. Jesus is the embodiment of truth (John 14:6), and worshiping in truth involves acknowledging and following Him as the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

• Psalm 145:18 reflects this, stating,The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.” Worship in truth rejects hypocrisy or superficial worship and embraces an honest, authentic pursuit of God.

In summary, worshiping in spirit and truth means bringing together heartfelt devotion and sincerity with a grounded understanding of God’s Word and His true nature. It’s worship that’s both inwardly genuine and outwardly aligned with God’s revealed truth in Scripture.

Wishing you love and blessings.

May our hearts and ears hear when God is speaking to us. And even so, may we continue to have greetings at the well.

May God never stop revealing himself to us even when we have lost our sight.

May we share our wisdom with others when God makes it very clear who He is to us.

May we honor the Father and The Son.

Amen.

Soften The Heart: Devotional #1

“And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.”

1 Corinthians 8:2

Life is mysterious. And sometimes, we don’t like that it’s a mystery. It feels like sometimes we are all walking on egg shells in life, looking over our shoulders just waiting for something to jump out. Who wants to live like that? Always afraid. Not that everyone is entirely afraid but uncertainty can make a person anxious and stressed. The unknown can be terrifying.

However, we aren’t suppose to have all the answers and even if we did, then what? We would become bored and not appreciate this incredible gift of life. Gratitude would seize to exist. If something is predictable then it doesn’t hold our attention, we lose focus because we already know what’s going to happen. Think of a TV show that you’ve watched over and over again. You already know what’s going to happen so now you aren’t watching intently. It becomes background noise while you do something else. It becomes comfort and less exciting than when you first watched the series.

I believe God wants us to enjoy life which is why so much is left unknown. He wants to keep us excited and involved. Life doesn’t come with a seatbelt, it keeps us constantly at the edge of our seats. And God knows that us not knowing everything is how it needs to be and how it should be. One day it all may be revealed but until then, embrace the mystery and the majesty of the almighty.