HIDDEN SPRINGS 3

Hi Everyone,

In the last couple of weeks, I have talked about the hidden spring of Worship and the hidden spring of Bible reading.

Today I want to talk about the 'hidden spring' of creativity.  

I read online last year a little list of mental health points.  It discussed various feelings of down, and among them was 'feeling empty'.  On that afternoon that was actually how I felt.  It said, if you feel empty, do something creative.  

Now, this is a bit of a new/old thing for me.  It's old because I suspect I have always loved to be creative, but now new because I have discovered a new area in which to be creative.

It all started last year during our lockdown period when I had the opportunity to do an online watercolour painting course.  I had never done watercolour painting, but I do love art.  With a few nerves and a lot of excitement, I started out.  

Why am I calling this a 'hidden spring'?  Because this creative outlet brings no pressure with it. It

doesn't have to be perfect, it's not going to get graded and I can just 'play around'. With that comes a lot of joy and delight.  

There is so much that HAS TO BE DONE, we all need to step back and do something fun that doesn't have to be done.  

When trying to relax and refuel it is easy to collapse in front of a screen, whether it is the TV or our devices.  And there are definitely times for that. But if that's all we do we can often come away feeling flat.

To actually DO something just for the fun of it is rejuvenating. 

So whether it's art, gardening, making something, cooking something different, sewing, composing or writing, photography, or whatever; find time to 'play around' and activate the creative side of your soul.

Remember that mental health tip, about when we feel empty, to do something creative?  Well, that afternoon that is just what I did and I found it so satisfying.

I have a couple of questions for you.  

• When was the last time you tried something new?
• Do you have a creative outlet in your life, just for the fun of it?

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."  1 Corinthians 10:31

Until next time,

with love,

Lynda xx

HIDDEN SPRINGS 2

 Hi everyone,

I hope you have had a good week. For myself, it was really about getting back into the swing of work and getting things put in place for this year.  However, yesterday we had a visit from old friends.  These friends go way back to before I met Jeff, and we have crossed paths occasionally over the years.  

We've heard it said so many times that the test of true friendship is that you pick up right where you left, no matter how long it has been. Well, yesterday proved to be a case in point!  

It was so good to see you, Karen & Michael!  

Last week I talked about the 'well of worship'.  

Today I want to talk about the 'Well of The Word'... Specifically the Scriptures.

One of the things I appreciate about my home is that water is on tap... inside the house.  I don't have to go to a well outside, up the street or across town.  I know that is the norm for many people in the world still today.  It was certainly normal for people in Bible Times.  

In my mind, that would be a laborious task and I'm always in awe of Rebecca who watered all those camels at the well for this stranger, who turned out to become her servant! (Genesis 24)

When it comes to creating Scripture reading habits, sometimes it can feel a bit laborious.  It shouldn't, we have the Bible on tap, in print and on our phones. It's already freely at our disposal.  We don't have to go anywhere to access it.. and yet for many of us, daily attention to The Word is a difficult habit to cultivate.

Let me share a very practical piece of advice. Get a reading plan.  The value of this is twofold.  

1.  You don't have to make the decision of, "what should I read today".  The plan tells you!

2.  You find yourself reading all of the Scriptures, not just the favourite bits!  It is so important that we get the 'broad brush' of Scripture because any stand-alone passage is best understood in the big picture.

I imagine this process to be like letting the bucket down into the well.  

Now a couple of practical tips...

If I miss a day, I don't try and play catch up, unless I want to!  This is not about ticking boxes, it's about nourishing our souls.  The reason for this is that it makes the discipline harder if we feel the need to catch up.  Remember His mercies are new EVERY MORNING.  Each new day is a fresh start, so don't drag yesterdays lapse into today.

I know that many of you read the Scriptures from your phone, following a reading plan. But for those who prefer paper, I have the reading plan stuck in the front of my Bible so it's always there.  I lose things easily, so don't want to sabotage the habit by having to find something important that I've lost!

Finally, a word of encouragement.  Many times I have come to a passage and thought, 'this is going to be boring!' only to find that The Holy Spirit breathes on it in such a way, that even that boring bit was just what I needed to hear on that day!

Let me encourage you to dig that second well of daily reading of Scripture. It will sustain, nurture and instruct you. Drink deeply and consistently from it and you will flourish!

Until next time,

much love,

Lynda xx

HIDDEN SPRINGS

Hi Everyone,

I'm back after a really great break enjoying family visits over Christmas.  One truly delightful moment was when I had one grandchild on my knee while watching a video about The Roman Colosseum
being built.   I pointed out how clever the builders were as this was built so long ago, "these are really old", I said.  "Older than you gran?" came back the innocent reply!

Classic!  I hope that puts a smile on your face ;)

                                                        Now to "Hidden Springs"      

"Therefore, with joy, you will draw water from the wells of salvation." Isaiah 12:3

Wells are critically important, especially in dry and arid places.  Who would have thought that fresh water can come from underground, but it does.

The promise stated above says that we will joyously draw from wells of salvation.  There are so many places of grace within our salvation, but I want to talk about just one today.

THE WELL OF WORSHIP

The other day I found myself feeling overwhelmed and anxious.  There was some pressure situation that I felt ill-equipped to handle.  A knot had formed in my stomach, and I began to feel myself going into 'flight' mode.

I knew what to do.  I put on some worship music and allowed it to wash through my soul as I cleaned up the kitchen.  Faith and confidence began to rise from deep within me, just like water rising up from a well.  By the time I had done my clean up in the kitchen, fear and anxiety were gone, and I was ready to face what a short while ago, I wanted to run from!

Let me encourage you to dig or re-dig those wells of salvation.  And one of those is worship, and by worship, I mean songs of praise and thanksgiving (because worship is a much broader thing than simply music.)  

I will talk about another well next week... stay tuned!  xo