17 May 2012
by seekthesacred
in Reflecting on......
Tags: challenge, Connie Chintall, discernment, faith, journey, parenting, prayer, spirituality, Tomasz Huczek, trust
It’s a cool, breezy spring morning. The sun is warm on my face, but the air is refreshing. I love taking a stroll on mornings like this, enjoying whatever God places in my path. So I was drawn to this amazing photo by my friend Tomas, of Aphrodite Rock in Cyprus. I love how the larger rock seems to float over the smaller rock, how the two are together, yet apart from the rest of the scene. I often find myself alone these days, after many years of finding myself constantly surrounded by others. My daughter will be a senior in high school next year, so my role is shifting. I do less and listen more. I need to keep in touch, but not hover. Like Aphrodite’s rock, contact remains, but it is a light touch, rather than a smothering presence. During this time of transition, I am finally learning the meaning of Christian detachment. I confess to being baffled by this concept for many years, often viewing detachment as something cold and impartial. How can anyone remain at arm’s length, yet still create real and permanent good? Yet when we draw our attention away from our fellow man, we make room for the loving touch of the Creator. We allow the Holy Spirit to drench our souls and soothe our hearts, to provide inspiration for the continuing effort to live a good and upright life. The second stanza of Rudyard Kipling’s poem ‘If’ comes to mind:
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build’em up with worn-out tools;
Take time today to draw apart from the world, to spend time alone with your thought and prayers. Allow the Holy of Holies to guide your steps and guard your heart, showing you the path that has been prepared for you. Open your mind and soul to what God places in your path, even if it’s a turtle or a snail, seeking to learn from the bounty of God’s creation. And remember, even when life is discouraging and our efforts seem fruitless, we are making slow and steady progress in God’s time, not ours. Text by Connie Chintall ©2012, Photo by Tomasz Huczek ©2012, to see more of his photos, go to http://tomasz.cc/, poetry by Rudyard Kipling
11 May 2012
by seekthesacred
in Reflecting on......
Tags: awe, Cheryl Lindsey, Connie Chintall, discernment, faith, Honeymoon island, morning glory, prayer, spirituality, unexpected
Sunlight dances across our yard, as the trees sway in the wind. Even from my office window, the blooming clover catches my eye. You’d think my yard was a stage, with the sun acting as a roving spotlight. So I was drawn to this lovely photo by my sister Cheryl. She lives near Tampa, FL, an area I know well. One of her favorite places is Honeymoon Island, just off the coast of Dunedin Beach. The only way to get to this little island is to swim, or wait for low tide and wade out. At first, you may wonder if it’s worth the bother. Yet once you venture there, you understand the attraction. The beach is often isolated, with plants thriving close to the surf. Dried sea grass mixes with the sand, creating beautiful patterns and a slight crunch under your feet. And of course, people aren’t the only interlopers. It seems Cheryl found a morning glory, in the midst of the native plants. How often do we rush through our days, failing to see what God places in our paths? Lists rule our existence; appointments swallow up our time. We may find ourselves stuck waiting, and all too quickly become so angry we are unable to enjoy the bit of time that opened up in our day. We fail to see God in these in between times. Instead of taking the opportunity to wade out of our lists, we feel more and more overwhelmed, more and more unable to accomplish what we need to do. Yet some of the most successful and creative people seem to hold a very different view. John Lennon said, ‘Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans’. Take time today to find your Honeymoon Island, to stop for just a few moments to look and listen to what surrounds you. Expect the unexpected, welcome the unusual, seek beauty in the midst of chaos. Allow the Holy Spirit to fill your heart and inspire your soul, showing you how to thrive in the sand of this life. And remember, in the end, we are all interlopers on this journey of faith, justified by faith and saved by grace. Text by Connie Chintall ©2012, Photo by Cheryl Lindsey
08 May 2012
by seekthesacred
in Reflecting on......
Tags: Connie Chintall, discernment, Estelle Manor, faith, growth, intercession, journey, path, Patty Steiner, prayer, spirituality
It’s a cool, breezy spring morning, perfect for a walk. The trees are swaying in the wind and the birds flit from branch to branch. Even when you can’t see the birds, you’ll surely hear their singing. So I was drawn to this lovely photo by my cousin Patty, of Estelle Manor in New Jersey. I love how the sunlight softly filters through the trees. The path is very well traveled and maintained, with a neat border holding back the undergrowth. I don’t know about you, but this time of year I often pray for discernment. In a few weeks, I will attend my niece’s graduation. She is the first person in my immediate family to earn a doctoral degree. We will also celebrate with friends who are graduating from high school and undergraduate programs. Some have definite plans, and know the path ahead. Others are still searching, uncertain of the best way to proceed. So as the trees sway and the sun filters through the branches, I sit and pray for each one by name, bidding the Holy Spirit to pour down into their hearts, to comfort their souls, to illuminate their minds. I pray using Isaiah 40:27-31:
27Why do you complain, Jacob?
Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the LORD;
my cause is disregarded by my God”?
28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Most of you know this scripture, or the hymn it’s based on. We often skip over verses 27 and 30, yet we do so at our own peril. All of us, even Christ on the cross, have times when we despair, when we believe God has forsaken us. Yet even when we doubt, God abides, God remains faithful, God loves us without beginning and end. Take time today to pray for discernment and wisdom, for those in transition or in doubt. Forgive those who complain, or fear, or lose faith. Lift one another up in prayer to the everlasting God, the Creator of heaven and earth. And remember, the Son is still there, even when we can’t see Him, shining through the clouds, and filtering through the branches. Text by Connie Chintall ©2012, Photo by Patty Steiner
04 May 2012
by seekthesacred
in Reflecting on......
Tags: brain, Colin Shea-Blymyer, Connie Chintall, discernment, faith, gears, growth, prayer, spirituality, time, world
Warm spring weather has arrived once again. A chorus of birds greeted me as I walked the dog this morning, slowly wandering around our yard. So I was drawn to this original artwork by my friend Colin. I love the vivid colors and the progression of images. We start with an imposing gear on the left, powered by our straining muscles. Then enlightenment leads to a more delicate gear, powered by our minds. Finally our imagination leads us to a gear large enough to hold our whole planet and the space surrounding it. I don’t know about you, but when I let time rule my actions, brawn trumps brains. I tend to run roughshod over others, pushing and shoving to get my own way, on my schedule, not theirs. I talk more than listen, act without thinking, and generally make a mess of things. Whatever short term gains I think I made are soon lost in the mess left for later. If I convince myself I have no time, then I rush through life, existing rather than living. The issue is seldom how much time I have, rather than my attitude toward time. As a young working mother, I often felt this way. Then one morning, I decided to make time to pray. I began to pray in the car when I arrived at work, before heading into the office. At first, I asked God to give me more time. I’m sorry to say this approach failed miserably. Then I prayed to spend my time God’s way, not my way. Things slowly began to change, in barely perceptible yet very significant ways. I became more present to each moment, more dynamic and creative in response to stressful situations. Take time today to offer yourself to God, to allow the Holy Spirit to work through you and in you. Let go of your agenda to make room for the Creator’s plan, allowing the Almighty to guide your ways and guard your heart. And remember, when life seems overwhelming, that each moment, each breath, each sigh is filled to overflowing with a world of possibilities. Text by Connie Chintall ©2012, Art entitled ‘Gears of Time’ by Colin Shea-Blymyer ©2012
01 May 2012
by seekthesacred
in Reflecting on......
Tags: bald eagle, Connie Chintall, discernment, faith, Jeffrey Foltice, letting go, photonatureblog, prayer, spirituality, trust
It’s another rainy morning, a morning when that second cup of coffee is more of a necessity than a luxury. We need the rain after such a long dry spell, but it surely saps my motivation. So I was drawn to this amazing photo of a bald eagle by my new friend Jeffrey, capturing the moment just prior to flight. I love how the eagle proudly puffs up its chest, leaning forward beyond all reason. The sun lights up his wings, extended toward heaven, each feather distinct. The back is gracefully arched, the tail lifted. There are so many details to notice, yet all we really see is a stunning bird ready to defy gravity, to once again take flight. It seems to me that faith is a lot like this majestic bird. Rather than safely remaining on our perch, we must lean out of our comfort zone, into the wind, at the risk of falling face first. We must arch our backs, and look ahead. We must strain upward, asking for the Holy Spirit to empower us, rather than relying on our own strength and endurance. But most of all, we must believe. We must be willing to forge ahead, assured that God works for good in all things for those who love and obey Him. Take time today to let go of what is weighing you down, leaving your burdens at the foot of the cross. Trust that the Author of Creation, the same God that deigned to take human form, knows every corner of your heart and soul, and cares about every aspect of your life. Let the Holy of Holies soothe your soul and heal your heart, guiding and guarding you each step of the way. And remember, we all have days when we need to ask God to give us faith, praying ‘I believe, help my unbelief’ Mark 9:24
Text by Connie Chintall, ©2012,
Photo entitled ‘Eagle Flight’ by Jeffrey Foltice, ©2012, to see more of his work, go to http://photonatureblog.com/
18 Apr 2012
by seekthesacred
in Reflecting on......
Tags: Connie Chintall, discernment, faith, hope, mylittleleaf, prayer, snake’s head fritillary, spirituality, trust
A slow, soaking rain is washing away the pollen and watering the lovely spring bulbs. The lily of the valley collect the rain on their arched stems, leaning a little more than usual. So I was drawn to this amazing photo of a snake’s head fritillary, taken by my new friend Alana. I love the muted patterns of this flower, the traces of green that still remain on the unopened bulb. Like the lily of the valley, the opened bloom will draw its stem into a graceful arch, too heavy to remain upright. The patterns will become even more vibrant, even more brilliant shades of purple. What we see now is a promise of things to come, a glimpse of what is possible in the days ahead. We are poised between a beginning and ending, unsure of what impact our choices may make, seeking the best way ahead, with limited vision and insight. The patterns of our past may shade our view of the future, color our perceptions of what should be. Each change affects us, altering our lives in ways we may not understand at the time. Yet if we embrace change, if we hold fast to hope, our lives grow into more than we can imagine. Take time today to ponder the patterns of your life, to nurture your hopes and dreams. Pray to see through God’s eyes and hear through God’s ears, trusting the Holy of Holies has prepared the path ahead, the perfect path, just for you. Rest assured that the Author of Creation is walking beside you, no matter how lost you may feel, waiting to gently keep you on track. And remember, when we let go of the pale patterns of the probable, even more vivid shades of the possible burst forth, tracing our lives into a graceful arch. Photo entitled ‘Purple Patterned Flower’ by mylittleleaf, ©2012. To see more of Alana’s work, go to http://thelittleleaf.net/
07 Apr 2012
by seekthesacred
in Reflecting on......
Tags: Cecilia Carr, Connie Chintall, faith, heart, hope, leaf, love, new life, prayer, Redbud, resurrection, spirituality
The Eastern Redbud outside my kitchen window has seen better days. Ice from the winter before last lobed off the main trunk, leaving behind a lopsided tree that looks more like a bonsai than a redbud. Last summer we decided to give it another chance, and this spring we are reaping the rewards of that decision. So I was drawn to this amazing photo by my friend Cecilia. Rather than focus on the blooms, Cecilia captured the beauty of the first few leaves. I love how this single heart shaped leaf is in sharp focus, while the brightly colored blooms blur into the background. It’s easy to be tempted by the radiant beauty of flowers, a beauty that quickly fades away. We fuss over the bright display, happy for a new beginning, and soon tire of looking when the blooms fall and leaves unfold. Yet look at what we are missing. Each and every one of these newly formed leaves is shaped like a tiny heart. The new life that has replaced the old comes from a deeper place, a steadfast love, emerging after experiencing the adversity of winter. Perhaps we are blessed with flowering trees to help us understand the resurrection of our Lord. The disciples did not recognize the Risen Christ, until He called them by name. New life had emerged from the tomb, yet this life did not resemble the Christ who died on the cross. Take time today to look for new life all around you, in unexpected shapes and forms. Consider the miracle of an unfolding leaf that began growing during the cold of winter. Let go of the flashy blooms and dig more deeply into the heart of life, seeking a sustained growth, a greater miracle. And remember, no matter how lopsided life may become, the Author of Creation is waiting to give us not just a second chance, but chance after chance, until we live into the Resurrection. Photo entitled ‘The Heart of the Redbud’ by Cecilia Carr
05 Apr 2012
by seekthesacred
in Reflecting on......
Tags: branches, Connie Chintall, cross, faith, Good Friday, Jeanne Mischo, new life, prayer, spirituality, tides
We still have a huge pile of dried branches and leaves in our yard, a pile we had hoped to burn last winter during a hard freeze. A remnant of last year’s growth remains in the midst of the blooming bulbs and flowering trees. So I was drawn to this amazing art by my friend Jeanne, creating a cross from a variety of photos. At first all I noticed the tangle of dried branches in the center. Then my eyes were drawn to the shifting tides that cap the cross. Jeanne’s art always challenges me to look beyond the obvious, and this stunning work was no exception. I was far from comfortable with a cross drained of life, a seemingly random mass of chaos. Yet the more time I spent with this image, the more I began to see the shifting tides in the dried branches. What the world may dismiss as dead and gone is seldom the end of the story. On that first Good Friday, they crucified our Lord, tying him to a cross at Golgotha, the place of the skull. The disciples were lost and dismayed, uncertain of what their future would hold. Yet there was so much more waiting for them, more than what one single body could hold. Take time today to consider new beginnings and possibilities, looking for new life in what may appear to be a tangle of old branches. Through the cross, go beyond what you know to consider what can be. Trust God has provided a path for you to walk in, even when there may not seem to be a human way out of a situation. And remember, all things are possible with Christ, who conquered sin and death on the cross, and who returns again and again, like the shifting tides. Art entitled ‘Cross and Tides’ by Jeanne Mischo ©2012
20 Mar 2012
by seekthesacred
in Reflecting on......
Tags: awe, Connie Chintall, decision, discernment, faith, hawk, prayer, red skinned hawk, Ryan Wick, spirituality, trust
The weather has been unseasonably warm. It feels more like the beginning of summer, rather than the beginning of spring. I spent a lovely afternoon on the deck, watching a pair of hawks in our backyard, and listening to them call to one another. At first I thought our red tailed hawks had returned, until I noticed the markings were different. Once again, we have been graced with a pair of hawks, but this time they are sharp skinned hawks. So I was drawn to this amazing photo, capturing the majestic features of this beautiful bird, taken by my good friend Ryan. Hawks are stunning creatures, regal in a way humans seek, and fail, to mimic. I am always stunned by their alertness and patience, as they scan the fields for prey. After remaining perched and almost motionless for longer than you can imagine, they gracefully and decisively leap into the air to swoop down on their prey. We have even seen hawks grasp copperhead snakes, barely touching down before flying off with their conquest. It’s little wonder that American Indians consider the hawk a powerful reminder to be alert and aware, a totem to view your path ahead with careful consideration. Perhaps you are like me, struggling with the careful consideration part, failing to look before you leap. Or perhaps you struggle with making decisions at all, concerned you’ve missed something and will take the wrong path. Take time today to learn from the hawk, pausing to be ‘Be still, and know that I am God’ ~ Psalm 46:10. Let go of the need to know everything, trusting the Holy Spirit to fill in the gaps. Let go of your own agenda, allowing matters to unfold in God’s time, not yours. And remember, when we take time to see through the eyes of the Most High, we’ll know when to gracefully and decisively forge ahead, following the path our God has prepared for us to walk in. Photo entitled ‘Sharp Skinned Hawk’ by Ryan Wick
15 Mar 2012
by seekthesacred
in Reflecting on......
Tags: Connie Chintall, discernment, faith, growth, heart, Jeanne Mischo, love, prayer, spirituality
An unseasonably warm day is more than welcome, less than a week after snow flurries. While we may be baffled by the weather, the birds are beyond thrilled. This morning a chorus of birds greeted me, singing their hearts out. So I was drawn to this amazing artwork by my friend Jeanne. I love how she combined an accurate anatomical image of the heart with images of nature. The two toned background emphasizes the left and right sides of the heart, which seems like a vase on top of a table. Our hearts are often taken for granted, despite giving us life one beat at a time, despite holding the longings and desires of this life. We go about our days without giving it a second thought. We expect our heart to work for us, day in day out, both in a physical and emotional sense. Yet without taking time to fill our hearts and nourish our souls, we find our lives, and our hearts, like an empty vase. We can become so overwhelmed by the busy-ness of life, relying on logic and reason to sort out our days, that we can allow haste to run roughshod over our own feelings and the feelings of others. Perhaps that hectic pace hurts us more than we know, damaging us in ways that only surface years later. Take time today to fill your heart with love and compassion. Allow the Holy Spirit to drench your soul, to slow your steps, to bind you together with those you love. Invite the Author of Life to sanctify all of your efforts, creating a chorus of both reason and emotion. And remember, ‘My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever’ ~ Psalm 73:26. Art entitled ‘Sacred Heart’ ©2012, by Jeanne Mischo, used with her permission
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It’s a cool, breezy spring morning. The sun is warm on my face, but the air is refreshing. I love taking a stroll on mornings like this, enjoying whatever God places in my path. So I was drawn to this amazing photo by my friend Tomas, of Aphrodite Rock in Cyprus. I love how the larger rock seems to float over the smaller rock, how the two are together, yet apart from the rest of the scene. I often find myself alone these days, after many years of finding myself constantly surrounded by others. My daughter will be a senior in high school next year, so my role is shifting. I do less and listen more. I need to keep in touch, but not hover. Like Aphrodite’s rock, contact remains, but it is a light touch, rather than a smothering presence. During this time of transition, I am finally learning the meaning of Christian detachment. I confess to being baffled by this concept for many years, often viewing detachment as something cold and impartial. How can anyone remain at arm’s length, yet still create real and permanent good? Yet when we draw our attention away from our fellow man, we make room for the loving touch of the Creator. We allow the Holy Spirit to drench our souls and soothe our hearts, to provide inspiration for the continuing effort to live a good and upright life. The second stanza of Rudyard Kipling’s poem ‘If’ comes to mind:
Seek the Sacred Amidst the Ordinary 