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12/21/2023 4 Comments "On earth as it is in Heaven." A ChristMas reflection. Annette Olivia Brown, author. image source: https://www.learnaboutnature.com/insects/butterflies/butterfly-facts/ Exuding
(of a person) display (an emotion or quality) strongly and openly. "On earth as it is in Heaven" This is an exciting time. In the midst of all the darkness, exuding from humanity, there is still the promise of abundant and also everlasting life! A beautiful metaphor for human spiritual transformation is the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly. We can regard our lives as a journey through a type of metamorphosis. The initial form of human existence is functional and exploratory. We are fashioned for our current existence. Simultaneously and fluidly we are all coexisting in a spiritual realm. All of us see our current selves through a glass dimly. "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." 1 Corinthians 13:12 (KJV). We are not caterpillars, however, both insect and man have a God given sense of purpose. When our purpose aligns with our drive, activity and action we have the potential to flourish. Salvation is a gift that provides a key to everlasting and abundant life now with our Creator God. Jesus came that we might have the choice of salvation and abundant life in the Lord. "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]." John 10:10 (AMP). Hope is something that we can all have. There is the hope of salvation and reconciliation to God our spiritual Father. God is Spirit and we are spirit. " God is Spirit and they that worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth .." Salvation and reconciliation to our Creator, God, are gifts for our lives now, here on earth, and also for a time to come. This is awesome and wonderful. With our God of love we are guided. Jesus, Emmanuel or God with us, was born, lived, died and rose again to provide the way, the truth and the life. ReplyForward
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12/1/2023 8 Comments "The Announcement, The Witness and The Word" (repost of reflection) Annette Olivia Brown, author. Illumination: a condition of spiritual awareness; divine illumination.  Photograph Reference: https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/what-was-christmas-star ILLUMINATION The Announcement “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1 v 1- v5 (NIV). This morning I read John 1, a scripture I have read many times and heard many interpretations of. The Holy Spirit, of course, always provides new revelations and insight. The word is a part of the being of God. Just as we, in similar manner, speak, our Creator spoke Christ into existence. This Christ was an illumination of God, a part of Himself. John describes this essence of God coming as light into the dark, blind, unknowing, non comprehending creation. He came in the form of Jesus the Christ to us, and we, his very creation and made in His image, did not recognize Him. Recognition, as unveiled by scripture, came to some, when the Lord used specific sources and means to reveal Himself. Luke records in scripture that a host of angels appeared to a group of shepherds. The juxtaposition of heaven and earth is revealed in this glorious visitation of heavenly beings to shepherds on earth. “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” " Luke 2 v13-14 Transformed by their experience the shepherds went to see the child that they were told about and after experiencing the child, announced earlier to them, they told everyone about their encounter. The Witness “There once was a man, his name John, sent by God to point out the way to the Life-Light. He came to show everyone where to look, who to believe in. John was not himself the Light; he was there to show the way to the Light.” John 1 v6-8 Messenger “There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.” John 1 v6-7 NIV John knew that he was “tailor made” to be a witness of the coming of the kingdom of God and the coming of the Christ. His whole life was dedicated to this purpose and when he saw Jesus he announced: “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1 v 29. (NIV) The Word Do we recognize the Word sent by God today? The Christ came, fully God and fully man, to be a light and a witness to us. Jesus the Christ, a manifested gift of our Creator’s agape love! "He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. " John 1 v 11-12 (NIV) We have been provided with a gospel that is recorded in the Bible. These records are important tools for insight and teaching. Our personal response to a “personal God” is the key, however, to tapping into the benefits and revelation the Lord provides. Let us receive Him and believe in His name so we can become the children or offspring of God that we were originally designed to be. © 2018-2023, Annette O. Brown Creations, Media. All rights reserved. Written permission must be secured by the author. |
AuthorAnnette Brown embarked on a life journey of Christianity, over 20 years ago. A reflective educator and avid constructivist - reflection has been a part of her daily work and a tool for personal growth and assessment. Birthed out of this practice is reflection connected to divinely inspired insight and revelation . Her first book "Encounters and Reflections - Can you hear me now" encompasses these perspectives through a lens of story telling and photographic images. Archives
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