I spent the last week at the ocean, celebrating my 23rd wedding anniversary with Kristi.
I love the ocean! Water as far as I can see and merging into the sky at the horizon. Wave after wave in rhythm - they never stop coming ashore and sounding in my soul.
God's love is oceanic! It's everywhere. It's the rhythm of life. It's our source of life. It sings in our soul - if we let it.
I love to be still before the ocean and breathe in deep... To listen... To feel... To pray... To be immersed in God's love...
If you don't live near the ocean go to a lake or a river, a mountain or meadow. Open your soul to God and smile in the sanctuary of his Spirit.
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I recently read in "Wild Goose Chase" (by Mark Batterson) that God's people in the Old Testament built altars to the Lord to remember places where God spoke to them (or something along those lines). Even though I have never physically built an altar to the Lord, I like to think of the ocean, particularly off of San Pedro, where God has spoken to me on many occasions. It's been too long since I have been to that altar. This encourages me to return to that place soon. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to you and Kristi on your 23rd wedding anniversary!
ReplyDeleteI am fortunare to live by what is called Scarborough Bluffs and the chiseled cliffs overlook Lake Ontario. To protect the erosion of the white cliffs our city has allowed a meadow to flourish with the encouragement of some residents like I who started spreading wildflower seeds about 10 years ago and then the city stopped mowing the grass the last 400 feet to the verge of the Bluffs!
I can hear the roar of the waves on windy days then the quieting rippling as the water returns after crashing into the shore. Lake Ontario is not an ocean but it is very large thus the waves.
It is so inspiring and beautiful with the water, the Bluffs, the meadow. A place to read or write some thoughts. And a place that also makes me think of God, especially as no matter how dark or bright the day, or windy or calm, rainy, snowy or dry The Bluffs God made here always provide refuge for birds, the trees bend but do not break and everythings that seems to be open to nature the way God arranged it, just flourishes.
It reminds me that His plan may seem too hard at times but opening up to try whatever seems right always works out well in the end; not always as I may have thought but always for the best!
Yes the "Ocean" or any water shore is a place to "Open your soul to God and smile in the sanctuary of his Spirit" as you said, Dr Bill.
God is so blessing us
Jan-Michael
Just went to the ocean the other day also. It is a LONG drive, but it was much needed. Find it is a place that I can think and clear my head listening to the waves. Got a good and much needed nap on the sand. Wish I could have stayed for days. I am glad that God gave us such beauty to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteFrom the first time i went to the ocean, I have loved just to listen to the waves and rest in the warm sand near the water.
ReplyDeleteThe other day had to process some unpleasant crime scenes. In 36 hours I had worked 30 of them, but when I would close my eyes, the new images combined with images and events from past made keeping them that way harsh. Exhaustion won and i slept, but with many nightmares. It again occurred the next day when i tried to sleep for a few hours making me no longer want to sleep (occurs when sleep experience more unpleasant than normal). Nightmares are normal occurrence for me and 1 to 1.5 hours sleep at a time is good. Used to listen to God's Word being read as I slept, but for some reason it stopped working to hold off the nightmares.
I found this dolphin and ocean waves nature cd I had been given so I tried it. When i am able to play it, i am getting about 3 hours sleep and not having or at least not recalling any unpleasant brain activity.
You talk about going to the ocean a lot, and i thought you might be interested in knowing about how the sound of the ocean / dolphin is helping.