Hiking In Heaven

Posted on May 15, 2014 by Martha
Lake Moraine and The Valley of The Ten Peaks, Banff National Park, Canada, 2010, taken by Martha Wiggins

Lake Moraine and The Valley of The Ten Peaks, Banff National Park, Canada, 2010, taken by Martha Wiggins

Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor, and clothe yourself in honor and majesty.”  Job 40:10

I took this beautiful picture of Lake Moraine and The Valley of Ten Peaks in one of my most favorite places on earth, Banff National Park, Canada.  My husband and I, along with our grown children, have been there several summers hiking in the beautiful, pristine, mountain setting.  I call it ‘Heaven on Earth.’  One summer we hiked one of the most breathtaking hikes I have ever been on.  I actually felt as if we were ‘hiking in heaven.’  It touched me in such a way that I believe it is etched on my soul!  If you have ever experienced anything similar, then you know exactly what I mean.

I tried to spend time in Stillness before Our Lord as often as possible while staying in Banff.  From our hotel room I looked out on a spectacular view of Lake Louise, another beautiful spot.  The following is an entry from The Stillness written while there one time.

July 24, 2010 – Today it is My Risen Lord, as I sit before the gorgeous view from the hotel room window.  He is excited, almost bouncing with pleasure.  He says, “Look, look at the grandeur of all My Father has placed before us.  See His Glory, Martha?  Be in it, be of it.  Take it unto thyself and make it a part of you.  It will be given back to others tenfold because it will radiate from you.  This is how one should relish creation.  Become a part of it.  Become ONE with it, become ONE with Me.”  He is smiling, ready to go!”

One of the things I state on the website is that I have a simple faith.  The site is based on sharing my simple faith.  While I am a wholeheartedly, and faithfully Catholic, I also believe there is much in common to be shared with all Christians.  Love is the common thread, and Jesus is Love!

While still on our trip, I entered into The Stillness again on the 26th and here is what transpired.  “As I place myself in His Presence He is glad to see me.  He reminds me, ‘I know this is a busy and exciting time, but remember to look inward to Me often.  Martha, you are surrounded by love; love of family, love of nature, and love of Me.  In fact, as you realize, you don’t have to look only inward to see Me.  Here, you have to just look outward.  I am EVERYWHERE; it is easy.  It is SIMPLE.”

In my simple faith, because I believe He will speak to me, and because I listen for Him to speak to me, He does.  I am simple in the same way a child is simple, and always expecting to be awed by Him.  When I see His Glory I long to be in it, and of it.  I long to make it a part of me so that I can reflect and radiate it outwardly to all!

“The LORD our God has shown us his glory and his majesty, and we have heard his voice from the fire.  Today we have seen that a person can live even if God speaks with them.” Deuteronomy 5:24

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The Inward Voice

Posted on May 14, 2014 by Martha
Bernini's Holy Spirit at Saint Peter's Basilica

Bernini’s Holy Spirit at Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome, Italy, 2011

I have posted previously about The Imitation of Christ, a devotional written in the 15th century whose authorship is attributed to Thomas a Kempis.  Second only to the Bible as the most widely read book in the world, it is written in order to help the devout soul to attain holiness.  Many life topics are addressed in a beautifully rich way.  Today I will share the chapter on inward consolation… looking within and actually finding God there.  Please read slowly… absorb its beauty.

The Third Book

On Inward Consolation

Chapter I

OF THE INWARD VOICE OF CHRIST TO THE FAITHFUL SOUL

I will hearken what the Lord God shall say within me.(1) Blessed is the soul which heareth the Lord speaking within it, and receiveth the word of consolation from His mouth. Blessed are the ears which receive the echoes of the soft whisper of God, and turn not aside to the whisperings of this world. Blessed truly are the ears which listen not to the voice that soundeth without, but to that which teacheth truth inwardly. Blessed are the eyes which are closed to things without, but are fixed upon things within. Blessed are they who search inward things and study to prepare themselves more and more by daily exercises for the receiving of heavenly mysteries. Blessed are they who long to have leisure for God, and free themselves from every hindrance of the world. Think on these things, O my soul, and shut the doors of thy carnal desires, so mayest thou hear what the Lord God will say within thee.

2. These things saith thy Beloved, “I am thy salvation, I am thy peace and thy life. Keep thee unto Me, and thou shalt find peace.” Put away thee all transitory things, seek those things that are eternal. For what are all temporal things but deceits, and what shall all created things help thee if thou be forsaken by the Creator? Therefore put all things else away, and give thyself to the Creator, to be well pleasing and faithful to Him, that thou mayest be able to attain true blessedness.

(1) Psalm lxxxv. 8.

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Hidden Sins

Posted on May 13, 2014 by Martha
Achilleion Palace, Corfu, Greece, 2012- former home of Empress Elizabeth of Austria (taken my Martha Wiggins)

Achilleion Palace, Corfu, Greece, 2012- former home of Empress Elizabeth of Austria (taken my Martha Wiggins)

“But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
Keep your servant also from willful sins; 
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless, 
innocent of great transgression.

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:12-14)

    Sometimes we are so blinded by our goals, our desires, our needs that we lose the capability of rational discernment.  Our focus is on the end result and not how we get there.  We may compromise our values and we may unintentionally or intentionally hurt others who may be in our way.  Our sins take over and rule our hearts.  We no longer see our sins for what they truly are… a slow death.

In the Psalm above, David recognizes that he has sins that are hidden even from himself and he asks the Lord to forgive him for them.  When our sins rule over us, even though they may be hidden from us or not completely intentional, we are not blameless.  We can’t claim ignorance as our excuse and expect the freedom to continue on toward our goal, to continue on in sin.  God may be quicker to forgive such offenses as they are lesser ones than those that are willful or deliberate, but they still offend Him and are still called sin.

It is good to take account of all in our life from time to time and look closely to see where we may have slackened our guard against sin.  Then we should pray as David above and ask God to forgive our hidden sins and keep us from repeating them, asking Him to make both our words and our thoughts pleasing in His sight.

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Amazing Grace

Posted on May 12, 2014 by Martha
Dome of St. Peter's Basilica, Rome, 2012, taken by Martha Wiggins

Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome, 2012, taken by Martha Wiggins

Just because…

Amazing Grace (By John Newton)

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me….
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

T’was Grace that taught…
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear…
the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares…
we have already come.
T’was Grace that brought us safe thus far…
and Grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me…
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be…
as long as life endures.

When we’ve been here ten thousand years…
bright shining as the sun.
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise…
then when we’ve first begun.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me….
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

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A Best Friend?

Posted on May 9, 2014 by Martha
Resurrection Tapestry, Vatican Museum, taken by Martha Wiggins 2012

Resurrection Tapestry, Vatican Museum, taken by Martha Wiggins 2012

“Who will stand up for me against evildoers?  Who will take his stand for me against those who do wickedness?  If the Lord had not been my help,  My soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence.  If I should say, ‘My foot has slipped,’  Your lovingkindness, O Lord, will hold me up.  When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.”  Psalm 94:16-19

A best friend is someone who knows us through and through and still likes us.  A best friend is willing to give much and get little in return.  A best friend will lay down his or her own life, if necessary, for us.  A best friend will also fight tooth and nail for our soul if we are lost.  In truth, there are not many friends in our lives that live up to all of these attributes or expectations.  If we have one who does, we know to cherish and not abuse them.  We love them as deeply as they love us.

The Lord says He is that best friend.  He will not waiver in the face of evil, nor the face of death.  Does your soul now dwell in silence?  Does you soul live in a state of anxiety, helplessness, or doubt?  Is your soul in a state of complacency, denial, or rebuke?  Turn to the Lord for He will stand up for you; He will defend you.  Turn to the Lord in His lovingkindness.  Let Him caress your soul that you may delight in His consolations.  Then treat Him accordingly.  Cherish Him, do not abuse Him, and love Him as deeply as He loves you.

 

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Judge Not

Posted on May 8, 2014 by Martha
Achilleion Palace, Corfu, Greece, 2012- former home of Empress Elizabeth of Austria (taken my Martha Wiggins)

Achilleion Palace, Corfu, Greece, 2012- former home of Empress Elizabeth of Austria (taken my Martha Wiggins)

“…Consider what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for Jehovah; and he is with you in the judgment.”  2 Chronicles 19:6

When we judge others we must remember to do so through the eyes of Christ.  By judging solely through our humanity we have only ourselves to use in comparison.  By judging through Christ we open up to the possibilities of the Divine at work, not just in ourselves but others.

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Row, Row Your Boat

Posted on May 7, 2014 by Martha
Saint Paul Outside the Walls

Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Rome, Italy, 2012

“That evening Jesus’ followers went down to Lake Galilee.  It was dark now, and Jesus had not yet come to them.  The followers got into a boat and started across the lake to Capernaum.  By now a strong wind was blowing, and the waves on the lake were getting bigger.  When they had rowed the boat about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the water, coming toward the boat.  The followers were afraid, but Jesus said to them, ‘It is I.  Do not be afraid.’  Then they were glad to take him into the boat.  At once the boat came to land at the place where they wanted to go.”  John 6:16-21

Jesus has gone off to be alone on the mountain.  The disciples tire of waiting for Him and decide to go on ahead to Capernaum, knowing He will come later and meet up with them.

In other words, they become impatient, strike out on their own, and figure He will come and find them.  I know I would be just like Jesus’ disciples in this Gospel.  A lack of patience is at the root of many of our trials and tribulations.

So, it is not too surprising that the disciples find themselves rowing their boat in a strong storm.  They become very frightened as the winds increase and the waves grow bigger.  They are certainly very glad when they see Jesus walking on the water to come to them.  Jesus gets into the boat, and at once they land where they wanted to go.

One of moral of the story is to have patience and wait on Jesus.  For me an even bigger moral is that when we go our own way, row our own boat, there is bound to be trouble and the best way to end it is to quickly invite Jesus into the boat!  And, I absolutely love the outcome.  When we get Jesus into our boat, we immediately land where we are supposed to be going!

If you thought you could do it all on your own, and you left Jesus to go on ahead, expecting Him to come and hunt for you later, then stop rowing the boat right now.  Wherever you are, whatever problems or storms surround you, stop, and ask Jesus to get into your boat.  He is already searching for you, already coming, and He will walk on water to get to you.

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Sing His Praises

Posted on May 6, 2014 by Martha
St Peter's Basilica, 2011

Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome, Italy, 2011

“But I will sing of your strength and revel at dawn in your kindness;  You have been my stronghold, my refuge in the day of distress.  O my strength!  your praise will I sing; for you, O God, are my stronghold, my gracious God!”  Psalm 59:17-18

We often have no difficulty in turning to God for strength and seeking our refuge in Him, but do we then remember to sing His praises witnessing to others just how gracious He has been to us?  If we can’t find just the right words or prayers to do so we can always turn to the Psalms.  There we will find words already written for us that express our exact feelings toward the kindness of God.  Many of the Psalms are meant to be hymns of thanksgiving and praise.  Open your Bible today and sing, “…for you, O God, are my stronghold, my gracious God!”

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Demon Possessed?

Posted on May 5, 2014 by Martha

Jesus rebuking Satan

“The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with Him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.”  Luke 8:38-39

It is a normal reaction to want to be around someone who makes you feel good.  We all want to be accepted for who we are now, not who or what we were.  For the man tortured by demons there was no relief from his situation.  No one could help him; no one wanted to be around him.  He could not even help himself.  Eventually he removed himself from everyone, living in exile in the hills.  His life was one of complete loneliness and exile.

Imagine the scene when the demons inside him recognized Jesus!  They began shrieking and collapsed at His feet.  They begged Him not to torment them; they, who had tormented and exiled the man!  Very calmly, Jesus listened to their pleas.  He had mercy on them, and sent them into a herd of nearby swine, who then jumped over a cliff into the water and drowned.

On the surface it is truly a horrible story, but when we look deeper we see it is really a story of healing, or reconciliation.  Like the possessed man, we are sometimes filled with demons.  And, demons come in many forms; some from without and some from within.  Like the possessed man, when we see Jesus, our reaction might be one of trepidation.  What will He do with us?  Will he reject us because we are unworthy, or will He heal us?

In His infinite wisdom, God knew man would need to be rescued from demons.  He also knew man would first need to recognize that he had demons before he could be rid of them; that he must first desire to be rid of them, and bring them to Him.  God also knew, when man was possessed with these demons, he would hide from Him.  He would be scared to bring them to Him, for fear of what the consequences would be, and for fear of what life without them would require of him.

In His infinite mercy and love, God sent His only Son into the world to rid mankind of the demons once and for all.  His Son, Jesus Christ, died a horrific death nailed to a cross, so all men could be free of demons.  And then, He resurrected His Son from the dead into Eternal Life, showing all men that new life, free from demons, was not only possible, but was theirs for the asking.  Still not finished, God sent His infinitely wise Holy Spirit to Light the Way for all mankind to enter into His Kingdom and live with Him in Glory forever.  Wow!

The above Bible quote continues on, “So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.”  He was a new man; he was healed.  He had begged to go with Him, but Jesus asked Him to bear witness instead.  The sad part of the story is when the people of the area heard about all Jesus had done, they were so frightened by it they asked Him to leave.  Let us be like the possessed man.  Let us recognize our demons, desire to rid of them, and bring them to Him for complete healing so we can live in His Kingdom forever!  Then let us bear witness to all He has done for us so that all might enter into Eternal Life.

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Reign of Chaos, or Order?

Posted on May 2, 2014 by Martha
Icefields Parkway, Banff National Park, Canada, 2010 taken by Martha M Wiggins

Icefields Parkway, Banff National Park, Canada, 2010 taken by Martha M Wiggins

“In the beginning there was the Word.  The Word was with God, and the Word was God.  All things were made by him, and nothing was made without him.  In him there was life and that life was the light of all people.  The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overpowered it.”  John 1:1-9

     Let us also go back to the beginning in the Book of Genesis.  “In the beginning God created the sky and the earth.  The earth was empty and had no form.  Darkness covered the ocean, and God’s Spirit was moving over the water. … So God made two large lights.  He made the brighter one to rule the day and made the smaller light to rule the night.  He also made the stars.  God put all these in the sky to shine on the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness.”

     In Genesis we see that God created everything out of nothingness, out of vast emptiness.  He set to order the sun, moon, and stars to rule over the darkness and the light.  To sum it up, He put order to all things, Divine Order, so that chaos could not rule.  In John 1:1-9, we see that Jesus was there from the beginning of time.  He was The Word.  He is The Word.  He is the order to reign over all the chaos.

Carefully ponder all of this, and then, ask yourself this question.  Can the God who created everything, and set order to chaos in the universe, can not this same God set order to the chaos of your life if His Word is allowed to reign supreme?  He is the creator of the universe.  He is God.  He is the same today as yesterday, and ever shall be.

If you are struggling with your faith, with your belief in Jesus, open your heart and invite Him to lead you to the answers you need.  Open your life to Him and His Word.  Let Him set order to your chaos.  Look up and read Psalm 19.  Be blessed by His Word.

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