Shine, Baby, Shine

Just look at that gorgeous “Full Corn Moon”. I am by no means a student of the skies, but I’ll admit that I can sure get taken by a clear night sky with a full moon. That moon led me to google it to see if it was a special moon. Sure enough, it was the “Full Corn Moon”. Usually it’s called the Harvest Moon, but this year that name is reserved for October’s full moon. That’s because the Harvest Moon is the full moon that falls closest to the autumnal equinox (seasons opposite the equator), which occurs on September 22nd this year (the first day of Fall). Looking up to the night sky and seeing how the stars and moon are so perfectly aligned, brings calm and comfort, especially when we consider all that is going on here on planet Earth. Maybe we SHOULD be looking up more often so that we reflect what we're looking at -- lights that brighten up the dark.

Isn’t it interesting that a brilliant moon, lighting up the entire night, is actually getting its light from the sun? It is totally dependent on the sun for that radiant light. I can’t help but think of how our relationship with our Creator is the same way. We are dependent on Him for our light. He is our bright light and we are made to reflect His light.

Our world may seem very dark right now -- especially if we watch a lot of world news. Oh, but there IS HOPE! May we remember that wherever there is darkness, there is also the brightest LIGHT of Christ. He pierced the darkness forever. He is THE LIGHT that will never fade and will never be overcome.
John 1:5 says “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Instead of stumbling around in the darkness, we have the light of Christ as our guide. Wherever our path takes us today, it is lit up brightly.

Christ is our ultimate LIGHT source, and we are called to reflect His light and to shine, Baby, shine. We don’t shine on our own. John 8:12 says “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” We are called to be the people who reflect God’s light in the darkness of this world. This hurting world needs to know His light. Where there is pain and suffering and questions about tomorrow, the only one constant is that of our LIGHT.

May God use us to be a blessing during these perilous times. Some of us can give financially or in some other tangible way. Some of us can go to places of devastation to help and serve. All of us can pray for the sun to shine again for those who need that Light the most. What a beautiful reflection you and I can be to a hurting world. May we use the opportunities He gives us to shine His light wherever we go. May His love and grace shine through us. May we shine with our words and our actions.

Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Let's remember . . . darkness cannot survive where there is light.

The March Equinox and Donna's Inspirations

Day 79 of Photo Inspirations -- The March Equinox and Donna's Inspirations
This photo inspiration adventure, that God has me on this year, continues to awe and astound me.  Yesterday, as I was driving home from the Southern Hills area of town, I was so taken by these gorgeous bushes of forsythias that I just had to do a u-turn to take the photo.   I immediately thought that Spring must certainly be upon us.  So much so, that it inspired me to get home and go up in my attic and bring down my Spring floral arrangements.  Time to change out the winter decor' for my spring decor'.    I guess I'm a chip off the ole' block, because isn't that what our Father and Creator does?  He changes our winter to springtime.

Last night I sat down at my computer, downloaded this photo and decided to check to find out, "When DOES Spring come this year?" To my amazement, I found out that it was yesterday, March 20th, the day I was inspired about Spring and taking this photo.  Furthermore, I  found out about the equinox which occurs only twice a year, around March 20th and September 22nd.  It is the day when daytime and night are of approximately equal duration.  The March equinox happens at the same moment across the world but is converted to local time. In 2015, it falls on March 20 at 6:45 P.M. EDT, 5:45 P.M. CDT, 4:45 P.M. MDT, and 3:45 P.M. PDT.   Shazam!!!!

Now that knowledge may not impress you, but it sure did me. Because, when I checked the details of that photo, it says I took it at 4:49 CDT.  That meant I was already within the hour and minute of the equinox, and I didn't even realize it. Honestly, I truly sense God's holy presence at times like this. I have never felt closer to God than I have since the first of this year when I have been purposely seeking Him and asking Him for an awareness of Him in my day.   And He continues to SURPRISE me each day with inspirations of awe-inspiring proportions.

I continue to be amazed at the intricate details of how God masterfully put this world into place and planned the seasons to the nth degree of design.  Seriously?  March 20th -- the equinox when day and night are equal in time.  With that precision, think about His infinite wisdom when it comes to what He is doing in the seasons of our lives.  He has ordained each day.  He knows exactly when we are experiencing the cold, dark, hybernating winters of our lives.  Those times when it seems nothing productive is happening.  Oh, but hold on my child.   JOY COMES IN THE MORNING!   He has a SPRINGTIME for you and me -- the time when we can shed those winter clothes of sadness, weariness and heaviness, and replace them with garments of praise because it's a NEW DAY!  Let's be so grateful that God, in His infinite wisdom planned every season of our lives and He will lead us through every season to effect His perfect plan in us.  Instead of wishing we were in a different one, let's embrace and enjoy the season we're in right now!  Can't you hear the birds singing and seeing Spring all around?  Yes, it's SPRING!  Time for celebration!