The Shadows & Light of 2004 Are the Light & Shadows of 2005

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The Shadows & Light of 2004 Are the Light & Shadows of 2005

By Gary Piper
Admin.

Natural Spirit Ministries -

Jesus is the Natural Light of our Hopes and the Source of our Vision for Peace.

We of Natural Spirit Ministries have seen a Great Light, a Light so Powerful, so Invasive, so Natural that the only shadows that remain are the ones that enhance our spiritual growth and connect us with the Source of all Light.



2004 has been quite a year.

We have been eyewitnesses to the awesome compassionless power of war. And deep in our hearts we have wondered where is God? Where is the Prince of Peace spoken of by the Prophets of the Old and New Testaments?



We have also been eyewitnesses to the natural and compassionless power of Mother Nature as our planet went about "doing its thing" to survive. At the same time we have been eyewitnesses to mankind’s power of resiliency to rise to the occasion and thrust a helping hand when and where it is needed.

I am sure there have been (many) occasions over the past year when you have wondered where Jesus was in your own life. And I am sure there have been just many (or more) when you have recognized his presence.

2004 had its share of light and shadows many of which were carryovers from previous years. And as 2005 makes its grand entrance many of the shadows and light will also be carryovers.

In this short introduction to 2005 Natural Spirit Ministries style I would like to introduce you to how I see shadows and light. It is a preview of what of you can expect to see on our Website in 2005.

I have chosen to accentuate Shadows and Light so what follows are varying of looking at each word followed by a few comments and in some cases scriptures.

Here are a few selected ways of describing Shadows:

1. Shade within clear boundaries – Shadows are at times, illuminating because they are indicators of where Light should be. It is here where we can see where the Light of Jesus needs to be reflected.
   
   
   
2. Something existing in perception only – Some shadows exist only in our minds yet those are among the most powerful. Circumstances or other persons impress some of the shadows we experience and other we create within ourselves. One such shadow is hopelessness.
   
   
   
3. A premonition of something adverse – We live in a fearful world however those who have accepted Jesus shouldn’t live in fear. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him, and he in God. We know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and he who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. In this love has been made perfect among us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is, even so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love. (1st John 4:15 – 4:18)
   
   
   
4. A clue that something has been present – There are times when shadows become a reality check for us. It is very interesting to note the limits God has placed on mankind’s "dominion" on the earth. God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." (Genesis 1:26) You’ll notice he didn’t give us dominion over the earth. Sometimes when "Mother Nature" displays powerful forces over which we have no control it isn’t a message from God but message from the earth reminding us that we are really not in control of its destiny.
   
   
   
5. An inseparable companion –

Our minds are such that we can convince ourselves (remember from number two above?) that we do not need anyone else, we can convince ourselves that all goes well with us, we can convince ourselves that the "things" of this world is all we need. One of shadows that is an inseparable companion to me are two steel/ceramic hips that constantly remind me that I’ll always need someone else; that as long as I live I will have physical limitations that keep me humble.

One last thought before looking at light. When thinking about shadows you must never forget that they cannot exist without light. Shadows cannot exist in total darkness.

Here are a few selected ways of describing Light:

1. A divine presence believed by Quakers to enlighten and guide the soul – Can it be true? I (Jesus) have said these things to you, while still living with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you. (John 14:25 – 14:26) We at NSM cannot emphasis enough the power available to those who have taken Jesus within their hearts because Jesus enters our hearts through the Holy Spirit.
   
   
   
2. A particular perspective or aspect of a situation – One or our greatest needs is to see God in every aspect of our lives; to stand in awe at His Greatness and our nothingness (which is the spirit of worship); to stand with the Psalmist and say: Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth, who has set your glory above the heavens! From the lips of babes and infants you have established strength, because of your adversaries, that you might silence the enemy and the avenger. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained; 4what is man, that you think of him? What is the son of man, that you care for him? For you have made him a little lower than God, and crowned him with glory and honor. You make him ruler over the works of your hands. You have put all things under his feet: All sheep and cattle, yes, and the animals of the field, The birds of the sky, the fish of the sea, and whatever passes through the paths of the seas. Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! (Psalms 8:1 – 8:8) If you but worship God only once or twice a week you need to expand your worship time to once, twice, or even more times in a day.
   
   
   
3. An illuminated area – When the Light of Jesus shines on your life it is so complete the only shadows that remain are memories of those times when he has lifted you above the unchangeable circumstances you have faced together. Many think to have a vision is to look ahead but if you will envision those times during 2004 when God’s love overflowed into your life it will become your vision for 2005 and beyond. Faith does not come from future possibilities but from past realities of the finite/Infinite encounters.
   
   
   
4. A condition of spiritual awareness; divine illumination – This is closely related to number three but differs because as well meaning as they are all forms of media have a tendency to emphasize the dark side of life. Yet in spite of all the negativity, in spite of long dark shadows cast by our society Jesus says loud and clear for all to hear. Behold, the time is coming, yes, and has now come, that you will be scattered, everyone to his own place, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have oppression; but cheer up! I have overcome the world." (John 16:32 – 16:33) Please note his use of the word "scattered" our lives are scattered between our careers, our families, our recreational time, and our periods of rest leaving little time for Jesus. The path that Jesus urges us to walk isn’t around, under, or over those things that "scatter" our lives but through the middle of them. In the coming year we at NSM will illuminate the path Jesus walked so you will know that he is indeed the one to lead you on and through your path. Which brings us to number five.
   
   
   
5. Having abundant light or illumination – God’s Light fills the immensity of space giving and sustaining life to whatever it comes in contact with. You do not possess God’s Light it possesses you. You can only see God’s Light with special eyes, prophetic eyes. "I’m not a Prophet," you say? You only need prophetic eyes you don’t need to be a Prophet do you remember the Holy Spirit from number one? It is one of the responsibilities of the Holy Spirit to give you prophetic eyes. And the amount of God’s Light coming through your prophetic eyes is in direct proportion to depth of your spirituality.
   
   
   
6. Brightness and animation of countenance – Those whose lives are filled with the Holy Spirit radiate to others who see with prophetic eyes the Light of God and they will know that they are one in the Spirit. There are occasions when Holy Spirit illuminates the eyes of those without prophetic eyes allowing them a glimpse that there is Life beyond life. Therefore it becomes the responsibility of those us equipped the prophetic Light of God to let our Light so shine in the world thereby illuminating and lifting up Jesus for all the world to see so. And Jesus said, "If I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." But he said this, signifying by what kind of death he should die. The multitude answered him, "We have heard out of the law that the Christ remains forever. How do you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up?’ Who is this Son of Man?" Jesus therefore said to them, "Yet a little while the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness doesn’t overtake you. He who walks in the darkness doesn’t know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become children of light." (John 12:30 – 12:36)
   
   
   
7. With few burdens –

One of the most puzzling scriptures for me is found in the 11th chapter of Matthew. "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."(Matthew 11:28 – 11:30)

I could never figure out how Jesus could say his burden was light. In my experience I see burdens as shadows yet Jesus saw them as light. How could Jesus who carried the responsibility of Salvation of all people for all times say his burdens were light? I wonder what meaning of the word light Jesus was using when he made that statement? Did he mean light in relationship to darkness? Burdens in relationship to darkness shed light on the fact that we need help. Or did he mean light in terms of weighing him down? Burdens in relationship with weight also are an indicator that we need help. Jesus indicated on different occasions that he could nothing without the help of God; Jesus turned his burdens over to God and allowed God’s Spirit to carry them and direct him. Those yoke themselves with Jesus will see life with prophetic eyes (mentioned above) which will result in some burdens completely disappearing and those that don’t they will see Jesus with them side by side.

And so 2005 begins its brief reign and as we journey through its 265.25 days, its 6,366 hours, its 381,960 minutes, and its 22,917,600 seconds we will do so together with assurance that whether we walk in Light or Shadows we never be alone.

It is our constant prayer that when you visit Natural Spirit Ministries you will leave with a deeper faith and closer relationship with Jesus Christ. Please visit us often and please support us as you fell the Holy Spirit directing your.

The Beginning…

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