Tag Archives: God

Let the Little Children Come

Let the Little Children Come

Let the Little Children Come – Photograph by Jennifer Spangler

Let the Little Children Come – Words for Worship

“People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them.  When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.  But Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.'”  — Luke 18:15-17 NIV

Let the little children come – There is a certain innocence that can only be found in children.  As a helpless baby enters into the world, there is little she can do but trust in her parents to take care of and love her.  As she grows, she doesn’t need to ask to be fed or to be given a bath and fresh clothes each day; those necessities are always provided.  She doesn’t spend time worrying whether she is safe when she lies her head down to sleep each night, because that sense of security is always there.  When she faces challenges and needs sound advice, she seeks the wisdom of her parents without hesitation.

“But Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these…'”

The childlike innocence that I’ve mentioned above is not something that can only be experienced on an earthly level.  When Jesus admonished the disciples to “let the little children come to me,” in Luke 18, he implied that it is with the simplistic trust of a child that we should approach our Heavenly Father.  In another passage,1 John 3:1, Jesus describes just how much God loves us,

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are!”

Indeed, when we humble ourselves before the Lord, approaching him with a childlike faith, we also become his children!  We can come before him as our Heavenly Father and trust that he will always be there for us, and provide all that we need.  When we come to him, the relationship between God and his beloved children runs deeper than one between a human father and child ever can.

“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?  If you, then though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”  –Matthew 7:9-11

On Father’s Day, we celebrate the commitment and goodness that our earthly fathers have demonstrated towards us.  Let us also rejoice in the love that our Heavenly Father pours out to us.

Peace and love,

Felecia

I dedicate this post to my own dear, earthly father who is now resides with our Heavenly Father.

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Words for Worship – God’s timing is perfect

God’s Timing is Perfect

Photograph property of www.onthewingofadove.com

Words for Worship – God’s timing is perfect

”At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is ready.’” —Luke 14:17 

God’s timing is perfect – Although David was anointed at a young ages, he would wait several years before taking over as King of Israel.  God knew David’s heart and selected him over all his brothers to lead his people as king. Even though David was chosen by God, he was subject to God’s perfect timing before what was promised to him would be fulfilled.

Sometimes God requires us to wait before he allows those things that he has already intended for us to actually happen.

When we enter into those times of waiting, it can be  discouraging and we are tempted to “help God speed things up.” We must remember that God’s timing is perfect and his purpose is always sure. Instead of giving into frustration, use those times of anticipation wisely…trust in God and rest in knowing that he’s always right on time.

How do you spend your time when God requires you to wait?

Peace and love.,

Felecia

The text was adapted from the “Did You Know “ series, courtesy of North Coast Christian Fellowship, North East, PA, http://www.northcoastcf.com

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Ambiguous – What’s in a word?

Ambiguous

Ambiguous – Photograph by Adam Przeniewski/Unsplash

Ambiguous – What’s in a word?

”When the solution is simple, God is answering.” —Albert Einstein

Ambiguous – What’s in a word?

Doubtful, uncertain, indistinct, obscure,

Something whose meaning, we never know for sure.

The capacity to be understood in more than one way…

Or even, not be tomorrow, what it was today!

Felecia R. Weber 2019, www.onthewingofadove.com

Ambiguous – It’s not a word you hear every day.  In fact, I had to look up its meaning  when I heard it recently.  When something is unclear, when it can mean more than one thing, or can be interpreted in a different way than originally intended…you guessed it, it’s ambiguous.

 I’ll admit, when it comes to making decisions, more often than not, the right choice often seems ambiguous to me.

Whenever I have to decide what direction to take, sometimes even when I am being guided by GPS, making the wrong turn can be a little scary.  And when it comes to making big, life-changing decisions, I am sure I am not alone when I say that it’s hard to do.  What if I do this and I fail?  What if I do this and I am stuck having to live with a BIG mistake?  Don’t get me wrong, I believe that big decisions should be given a good amount of thought and planning.  But there is a way that can make the decision-making process less ambiguous…

When you place your decision in God’s hands, through prayer and directing our spiritual eyes and ears towards Him, you can rest assured that he’ll make the way clear. There is no ambiguity when God is at the helm.  He’ll not only lead you in the right direction, he’ll help navigate your way through to shore.

Unclear, perhaps mysterious, non-explicit, something so hidden…we haven’t a clue!

Ambiguous – What’s in this word for you?  If you can tell me please do!

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Draw Near to Me

Draw near to me

Draw Near to Me – Photograph courtesy of Gail_m

Draw near to me and be at peace, for I am the one that you truly seek…

”Come near to God and he will come near to you.”  —James 4:8

Draw Near to Me

Draw near to me and be at peace,

For I am the one that you truly seek.

You know not the things that I have planned;

They are not the same as you demand.

Draw near to me, all your desires I’ll fulfill;

You’ll continue to wallow in vain, until.

I will never leave you, stay hidden beneath my wings…

There is no better comfort than I, your Heavenly Father, brings.

Felecia R. Weber 2019, www.OntheWingofaDove.com

Draw near to me – an inviting phrase, isn’t it?  It makes me think of a young child burying his face into his mother’s bosom after having fallen and scraped his knee.  Or the open arms of an old friend that you haven’t seen in years, ready to envelope you into a warm embrace.  We are drawn to many inanimate objects that bring us comfort too.  Some of those things can be helpful, like a hot cup of tea to warm you up after coming in from the cold.  But many things in the world that are soothing initially are ultimately devastatingly harmful:  alcohol, drugs, and tobacco product to name a few.  None of these things, good or bad, can offer lasting comfort or provide the kind of help that we seek, that drew us to them in the first place, however…

”Come near to God and he will come near to you.”  —James 4:8

When you receive an invitation to “draw near to me” from the one who can fulfill your every need, now that’s an invitation worth accepting!

It is not possible for God to fail you, he is the creator of the universe, the beginning and the end.  Nothing was created without his hand in it…including you.  So when he beckons you to “draw near to me,” you can be certain that he will indeed draw near to you.  But that’s not all…

Whenever you allow yourself to come into the presence of the Almighty, there truly is no better place to be.  Your surrendered heart will not only be filled…his grace and provision will overflow into every area of your life.

Well, what are you waiting for…draw near to him!

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Rhythms, A Poem of Life

Rythms, A Poem of Life

Rythms, A Poem of Life – Photograph property of www.OntheWingofaDove.com

Rhythms, A Poem of Life – “I want the freedom to live my life; yet freedom isn’t free.  But there is power in living fully in the way God meant for me.” —FRW

”’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.’” —Jeremiah 29:11

Rhythms, A Poem of Life

(a poem inspired by Ecclesiastes 1:1-18…struggles and hope)

Verily, verily – I tell you the truth,

Times like these haunt my days,

up ‘til now, way back to my youth.

In my mind resides turmoil, frustration, and strife…

Born from the hand that’s been dealt in my life.

No. It hasn’t always been pretty.

I’m not gonna lie.

But I swear I’ll keep fighting, ‘til the day I die.

What is the meaning, desperate for answers I search…

High and low, in the streets, in my heart…knocking on the doors of the church.

Gotta find some peace, for my soul to be still…

Is there nothing on earth, my longing will fulfill?

Maybe that’s the problem, when this world pains me so…

Need to peer through the darkness,

see clearly in the light…then I will know.

My life is a book…the best part still to be written…

No matter what lies ahead…I’m never quittin’.

The wounds of my life have wrought scars of steel…

God is commander of this battle,

and to me the victory he’ll reveal.

Felecia R. Weber 2016, www.OntheWingofaDove.com

Rythms, A Poem of Life – A tribute is given to those whose actions they deserve, to those who’ve gone humbly forward with a dignity; that at times was hard to preserve.  For those who’ve triumphed over hurdles that were unwarranted and unfair.  For those who keep fighting for what’s right, no matter the color of their skin; no matter the texture of their hair.  Even though the plight goes on…it seems never ending for some.  I applaud those whose struggles have made a difference for generations to come.  So here is a special tribute from me…an homage this week, to our nation’s Black History.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Do You Love Me?

Do you love me?

Do You Love Me? – Image property of www.OntheWingofaDove.com

Do you love me? – Love is an emotion that can spawn several different answers to that question…

”If you do not love me I shall not be loved.  If I do not love you I shall not love.”  —Samuel Beckett

Do You Love Me?

Do you love me? (Her)

Yes, I love you, of course I love you? (Him)

Why do you ask? (Him)

I don’t know, I guess I just need to be sure. (Her)

Do you love me? (Her)

I just answered that question…yes! (Him)

Why do you ask? (Him)

Sometimes it doesn’t seem as though you do. (Her)

Do you love me? (Her)

Can’t you tell?  I am here aren’t I? (Him)

But why are you here? (Her)

Because I LOVE you. (Him)

Do you love me? (Her)

I love you more than anything…please don’t ask me again. (Him)

Do you love me? (Him)

Yes, of course I love you.  Why do you ask? (Her)

Felecia R. Weber 2019, www.OntheWingofaDove.com

Do you love me? – That’s an age old question that has been asked by us and of us, I am sure more than once.  Love is an emotion that can spawn several different answers to that question.  Whether the reply is a verbal, “Yes, I love you.”, or shown by a tender hug or receiving a special gift, it is certainly a question that cannot be ignored…no matter how it is answered.

Do you love me? Is also a question that has a depth of meaning to it…

When someone asks Do you love me?, the very reason for asking that question may not even have anything to do with love.  I believe we all have an innate sense of whether we are loved or not.  Some forms of love are natural, such as the instinctual love that a mother has for her newborn child, and the romantic love that develops between two individuals that goes beyond just a physical attraction towards each other.  I suspect that we ask such a question more out of the need to be accepted by others, something that is not necessarily intrinsic, but rather based on one’s personal preferences.  It’s kind of like not wanting to be the proverbial last kid to be picked for the soccer team…won’t you pick me, please?…do you value who I am?

No doubt, this question will be asked in some form or another by many during this week as we celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Perhaps before you ask that question of another, why not try posing it to yourself? Do I love me?  Sounds kind of strange doesn’t it?  But isn’t it one of the most important questions to ask yourself?  And isn’t giving yourself an honest answer just as important?  Too many of us fail to realize how lovable we are…and in turn, how critical it is that we accept ourselves for who we are first.

”The second is this:  ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  There is no command greater than these.”  —Luke 10:27

In the Bible, Jesus tells us to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27).  In fact, he states that it is the second most important of all the Ten Commandments; (“To love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind.” being the first).  But how can you love your neighbor if you don’t love and accept yourself?  I believe that we can genuinely love and accept those around us, our neighbors, co-workers, family members and friends, with an undeniable ferocity.  Can you imagine how dynamic such relationships would be if your love and acceptance of yourself were just as strong?  The first step in doing that however, is to love and accept the one who “…first loved us.”  (1 John 4:19)

Do you love me?  Before asking this questions, consider how much God loves you as the unique person he lovingly created you to be. When you embrace that truth…do you even need to ask the question at all?

Wishing you peace and much love,

Felecia ❤️

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Hold On to the Music

Hold On to the Music

Hold On to the Music – Photograph by Radek Grzybowski/Unsplash

Hold On to the Music – No matter what tempo the music of life is playing at any given moment…we can stay in harmony when we tune our ears, and our hearts, to the song God has composed for each of us.

”It’s easy to play any musical instrument: all you have to do is touch the right key at the right time and the instrument will play itself.”  —Johann Sebastian Bach

Hold On to the Music

Hold on to the music,

Just let the lyrics sing.

For we never know what tempo

Each season of life will bring.

Hold on to the music,

Just let the instruments play.

When God is your conductor,

He’ll surely guide your way.

Hold on to the music,

Just let the melody hum.

Living surrendered to Him,

No matter what…blessings will come.

Felecia R. Weber 2019, www.OntheWingofaDove.com

Hold on to the music – Sometimes life can seem like a symphony being performed by an orchestra.  I often imagine myself as a musician playing a different instrument during each season of my life.  I visualize God as the conductor, with his baton leading me through the continuous rythym of each day.  I savor the tranquility of the calm melody that soothes my ears when things are going smoothly.  But before long, the steady beat of my drum gradually explodes into a crescendo of uncontrollable circumstances that throw me off-key.

 “No matter what tempo the music of life is playing at any given moment…we can stay in harmony when we tune our ears, and our hearts, to the song God has composed for each of us.”

Holding on to the music of life requires listening with our hearts, because when we live under God’s direction, it really is like hearing a love song.  Musically, nothing tugs at my emotions more than the long, rich strands of a bough gliding along the strings of a violin.  God’s love for us is like that, so deep and full, there is nothing that can separate us from him.  Whether life sings a joyous hallelujah or the most solemn of requiems, we need only hold on to the music of our composer’s voice.  For his love transcends anything we can possibly face.

”I am living my life to the beat of a different drum, and making my own beautiful music along the way.” —FRW

Peace and love,

Felecia

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It’s All About

It’s All About

It’s All About – Photograph courtesy of Gail_m

It’s all about bending, stretching as far as you must…

”These are the times that try men’s souls.”  —Thomas Piane

It’s All About

It’s all about bending, stretching as far as you must,

But never forsaking the moral wisdom you trust.

It’s all about hanging on even when there’s nothing but air,

When there’s no one to help…when there’s no one to care.

It’s all about digging deeper, when the wind blows to and fro…

When it’s cold, and you’re hungry, but there’s no place you can go.

It’s all about life…nothing is promised, is anything for sure?

The trials, the frustrations that we all must endure.

It’s all about these things…yes, life sometimes seems that way;

But as it is in nature…night always turns into day.

It’s all about seeking and finding ways to cope.

There is one sure way leads us to hope…

Felecia R. Weber 2019, www.OntheWingofaDove.com

It’s all about – Life is about so many things…

Good times, bad times, times of plenty and times when provisions are lean.  Morning, noon, night, on it goes…the cycle never ends.  One year ends, another one begins.  Expectations are often fulfilled…but sometimes they are just too far out of reach.   With so many uncertainties, there are times when it’s all we can do to get through one day…how do I we do it? How do we find our way?

”Jesus answered, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life.’”  —John 14:6

When the weight of life bends you to the breaking point, you need not despair.  Life is not easy to live sometimes, but when you live a life surrendered to Jesus, it’s all about HIM.  He is “the way,” the one through whom God provided the gift of salvation to the world.  He is “the truth,” the true measure of God’s righteousness.  He is “the life,” he gave up his own life that we might have life, (in him), both now and throughout all eternity.

Indeed, life is all about something…what (or who) is yours all about?

Peace and love,

Felecia

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