“ JOURNEY WITH SPIRIT”
- Joyce (JOY) Be Lynda Russaw
Holy Father, we praise you because we are allowed to have community together in the name of Jesus, who has opened our eyes to see you and who has promised to be among us when we are gathered in his name. May our hearts remain unshadowed, even when our lives seem to grow difficult and the future looks dark. Protect us whenever we are tempted and have battles to fight. Deliver us. Make us free people who know we belong to you and who are allowed while still on earth to have a share in eternal life.
-Amen.
Affirmation
Affirmation of life is the spiritual act by which people cease to live unreflectively and begin to devote themselves to their lives with reverence in order to raise them to their true value. To affirm life is to deepen, to make more inward, and to exalt the will-to-live.
-Albert Schweitzer
As believers, we are to live in a way that displays Christ’s character. We sing songs celebrating this Christ - as‘the light of the world,’ a light of goodness, compassion and love_ all things good. It should be an honor to accept him as savior, and be like him. Yet_ many chose to do the will of satan.
Humans continue bringing difficulties on themselves through greed, schemes, and hurtful acts, but God is in control. These trials inspire all of us to develop our spirit of discernment. Many of our citizens do not have that gift.
As we face a decaying america and the potential longterm affect on humanity, it is obvious that this is a force of darkness. These people operate as though they never heard of God, Christ, the crucifixion or the resurrection. They appear to be unaware of the penalty of sin and disobedience_ yet they profess to love God. As we face further decay_ yesterday’s election results showed us that there are still people of great character who know Christ. They see the light, and through their works_ they stand tall as bearers of that light_ reflecting out into the world. That gives me hope.
While this period of assault on our democracy cost billions to implement, and hurt many people_ it is a lesson for the good people and the evil ones.
It is a lesson that should lead you, me and the world_ to look in the mirror. Examine our souls, what lies in your spirit? Do you think that america has always alienated some group? For a nation of great power_ we need to find our way back to God.
Life can be unpredictable! The path will be littered with joyous celebrations, unexpected sorrow and grief, and personal trials unique to you. In between each challenge or obstacle_ your rewards will be plenty. Rewards that show that even in the darkest moments_ you can hold on to HOPE that things will improve_ when obstacle stay too long.
Life was never intended to break your spirit_ but to develop you to become a better person. It is a ‘life long experience’ where you are like the caterpillar_ ‘becoming_’ on its journey to transition into a butterfly. If you read Michelle Obama’s book_ you can gain clarity on the whole process of living to become ‘WHO’ you are meant to be. But remember_ learning ONLY ends with your final heart beat.
We were never promised that it would be easy_ but improvements come with continuous learning. You become more courageous, wiser, more compassionate, things that align with the teachings of Jesus Christ. The longer we live, the world, technology, and laws change, demanding that we become flexible in acceptance, or wise in objection.
Every good or difficult situation_ develops our ability to face the next.
Welcome to Journey With Spirit, known as JWS. This journey began many years ago when I started my career at General Motors Corporation. After thirty years of travel, recruiting, staffing divisions, global engineering, staffing divisions, re-engineering operations, creating soft skill training, opening new Dealerships around the nation, after the many assignments and re-locations, marriage and loss of my dear spouse Ernest C. Browne, Jr. I retired, left Michigan and discovered my work was not yet done. SO_ here I am.
Creative writer and founder of JWS, and I ask that you join me as we travel this road_ called life.
A Million Mile Flyer