Category Archives: Spirituality

Spiritual short story writing collection relating to lifestyle themes.

Beautiful In Its Time

beautiful in its time

“Wild Roses and Irises,” 1887, John La Farge. Image from a page of the 2013 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

 

“He has made everything beautiful in its time…”  Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but one can hardly fail to see beauty in all of God’s creation.

“He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”  Ecclesiastes 3:11

Beautiful In Its Time

Out of solemn darkness, from the night did he make;

the dazzling warmth and awesome brightness of daybreak.

God created everything…beautiful in its time.

From the heavens, a vast canopy reaching high above;

to the depths of the earth, nothing was made without His love.

From the graceful creatures that swim in the sea;

to the soaring birds of the air; how can it be?

God created everything…beautiful in its time.

From lush vegetation bursting with life;

a bountiful harvest brought forth without strife.

From the dust of the earth, and the breath of His soul,

God made man and woman; together with Him they are whole.

God created everything…beautiful in its time.

God created all things on the earth full of beauty;

to nurture and preserve them, that is our humble duty.

What a wonder, what a treasure, this place in which we live.

To my creator and my God, to you all gratitude do I give.

Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

 

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On Beauty

On Beauty

on beautyA Quote to Carry You

April 21, 2014

“Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God’s handwriting,”  Ralph Waldo Emerson

I remember as a little girl walking to and from elementary school in the springtime.  I loved trailing along the little dirt path that wound through a small patch of woods.  It made me feel as though I were walking through a magical forest…the fresh green leaves seemed to pop out as fast as I could spot them!  The sweetness in the mild air lingered in my nose even after I’d gotten to school or home.  Memories such as these make me so grateful for having the chance to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation that surrounds all of us.  It is a beauty that cannot be written in any other language, nor spoken in any other voice…for it comes from God alone.

May you “read” the words of the beauty that surrounds you today and let it fill your heart with God’s love.

Peace to you,

Felecia

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Who Is This Jesus?

who is this jesus?

“Lenten Banner (hand-crafted by Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com), photograph by Marilynn Hill

 

Who is this Jesus?…”But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”  Isaiah 53:5

Who Is This Jesus?

Who is this Jesus?

Son of God, full of hope.

You are always with us,

helping us to cope.

Who is this Jesus?

With you I am not lost.

You are my Savior and my Lord.

For me, you paid a great cost.

Who is this Jesus?

I only want more of you.

For without you I am nothing,

you give me purpose; my soul you renew.

Who is this Jesus?

You are precious; you are light.

When I face my darkest times,

you are the focus of my sight.

Who is this Jesus?

From the grave you did raise.

In gratitude, throughout my life;

to you I will always give praise.

Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

Who Is This Jesus? - 2

“He is Risen!,” colored pencil drawing by Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

Thank you Jesus for dying in my place and for giving me the gift of eternal life.

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 14:6

May His life fill your heart today and always,

Felecia

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Reticent – What’s in a word?

Reticent

“Reticent,” photograph by Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

Reticent – What’s in a word?

Stillness, silence, calm, dark, separated, alone, meditative, pensive, quiet, mysterious, reserved…

What’s in this word for you?  If you can tell, me please do.

During this most solemn of weeks for believers in Christ Jesus, ‘reticent” only scratches at the surface of how to describe my present mood.  Reflecting upon the events that took place long ago which we remember during Holy Week, I am reminded of both the humanity and the divine nature that Jesus demonstrated flawlessly during his time here on earth.  He took on the role of the servant when he washed the feet of his disciples and the comforter when he revealed to them what he must endure, as they shared their last moments together on Maundy Thursday.  He became the ultimate sacrificial lamb as he willingly bore the sins of all mankind hanging in agony on the cross on Good Friday.  Through all of that, however, he suffered his darkest hour when in death, he became totally separated from God the Father…buried, silent, reticent.

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.  Do you believe this?’…”  John 11:25-26

Jesus’ love for us, his compassion towards us, his selfless resolve to save us is so clear.  Oh that everyone would recognize him for who he truly is and believe.  “Reticent”… may this word seep into your heart and take on a new meaning for your…for through the quietness of Holy Week, may you draw close to the glorious hope that Christ Jesus has already prepared for you.

In His Peace,

Felecia

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On Being Under God’s Care

On Being Under God’s Care

on being under God's careA Quote to Carry You

April 14, 2014

“A feather on the breath of God.” Hildegaard von Bingen

I’ve long loved this quote.  I first heard of it during a series on chorale music that I attended years ago at our former church.  I remember that it was on a mid-spring afternoon; the sun came streaming through the long, arched windows.  On hearing the words being spoken, I closed my eyes and breathed deeply as if to capture the peaceful, reticence of the moment.  I remember feeling so much at peace, as if I were being bathed in love.  Indeed, “a feather on the breath of God,” the perfect depiction of being safe and secure under God’s care.

May you experience that kind of moment…and may it carry you throughout your day.

In His Peace,

Felecia

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On Daily Life

On Daily Life

on daily lifeA Quote to Carry You

April 7,2014

“There are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.”  Oscar Wilde

What a paradox…so often we long for something more than anything in the world.  Our days are consumed with charting out ways to acquire that very thing.  Then we receive it and it’s not at all what we thought it’d be.  I wonder what that is…it happens to all of us at one time or another.  Is it because we have an insatiable desire that will never be filled?  Is it that we don’t know what it is that will truly satisfy us?  Is what we want really what we need?

Our days are filled with so much…may you strive to seek after those things that will truly satisfy what you hunger for.

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want…And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:12, 19

Peace and love to you,

Felecia

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Perpetual Motion

Perpetual Motion 1

“C’est la vie!,” photograph by Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

 

Perpetual Motion…Life, vita, vida, vie…whichever way you pronounce it, it never stands still.

“I am a spiritual being having a human experience.  My life is a continual unfoldment of my divine potential.” (Author unknown)

With this new season of freshness, growth and renewal upon us, I can’t help but think of how life is in perpetual motion.  Life itself is a constant cycle of birth, growth, death, and rebirth, growth, and on it goes.  The seasons demonstrate this circle of movement so well.  The dark, cold shadow of winter, can sometimes feel like death with its subdued bleakness surrounding us.  The early light and sprouting vitality of spring is reminiscent of the joy and brightness that we experience in our youth.  The intense heat of summer’s blaze is equal to the confidence and strength that propels us along through our adult years.  Alas, the crowning glory that comes with a lifetime of wisdom and knowledge, fades as quietly as does the fullness of autumn’s majestic colors…life drifts away into subtle hues of gray…and darkness rules once again for  a season.

“Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring.  What is your life?  For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”  James 4:14

Life, vita, vida,vie…whichever way you pronounce it, it never stands still.  It is fascinating to see this principle in every living thing.  Plants sprout from seeds that have been sowed beneath rich, dark soil where they appear to be dead.  Before long, tiny green leaves develop and buds blossom in the matchless beauty of delicate petals that are seemingly here today, and gone tomorrow.  But oh what sweetness their fragrance brings.  And when they are spent, their perfume lingers for all to enjoy.

Perpetual Motion 2

“Vibrance,” photograph by Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

As with all living things, we all serve a purpose and its meaning fold during every stage of our lives.  We live our days through season after season, year after year.  Like the showers of spring help to grow the brilliance of a field of wildflowers in the summertime; our tears wash away our pain and disappointment, making way for the glimmer of a smile when good news comes.  The pensive mood that brews when watching a leaf bursting with russet hues falling gently to the ground in autumn, mimics the way we feel when we realize how much of our lives have already been lived.  There is something starkly compelling about peering out at a winterscape from a window, safe and warm inside.  The blustery wind that blows and howls outside, they echo death’s hollow song…the melody is one that we will all someday become familiar with.  Yet we will live on in the hearts of those who remember us and draw inspiration and vitality from all that we’ve left behind.

Whatever stage you are in, may you experience the perpetual motion of your life in a beautifully and wondrous way.

 

I bid you peace and love,

Felecia

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On Crying…Tears of Hope

on crying…tears of hopeOn Crying…Tears of Hope

A Quote to Carry You

March 31, 2014

“Crying releases so much.  God thinks of everything…crying cleanses away what sadness brings.  Like fresh water flowing, the tears lead us through glistening waters to the welcoming shores of hope and love.”  Felecia R. Weber, OnthWingsofaDove.com

We all face sad times.  Life is full of them and they can spring upon us when we least expect them.  It is my hope for you when those times seep into your life, that you will not drown in your sorrows, but that you’ll stay afloat; ride the waves; splash onto shore…open your heart and from God’s abundant provision…let the blessings pour!

Peace and love to you,

Felecia

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