Elizabeth Janie Owens ~ Inspirational Author
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Old Friends, New Places

2/24/2019

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I heard from an old friend today via email. He and I had traveled with two other people on a spiritual adventure to India in September of 2009.  I was the only female in our group. My spiritual brothers! 
We all had become initiates of a guru in Haridwar, India, back in the day, and had traveled there to celebrate the guru's birthday. I was quite smitten with the whole guru thing --until I wasn't. As a seeker, I was looking for something, I just didn't know what it looked like. I had spent 37 years in Spiritualism. I thought that was for me. But when I became disenchanted, I turned to a guru. When I became disenchanted again, I returned to Spiritualism. Always seeking truth. I never realized that it was right there under my nose. All I had to do was look back to my childhood.
So, out of the blue, I receive this email from my fellow seeker, my old friend. Let's call him Tom. Tom wrote to update me about how he was doing after the passing of his wife some years ago. I had officiated her memorial. Tom had been a mess, as I recall. We all were concerned for his well being. But Tom had surmounted the challenges, even remaining sober through it all. He had gone on to live a different life as a middle-aged single man.
Much to my surprise and delight, Tom wrote that he currently was a member of a Christian church in Florida. My spiritual brother! I'm not sure how that happened, since he had been a devotee for almost 40 years of the previously mention guru. I would never have expected him to turn away from that guru.
I wrote back to inform Tom of my conversion to Christianity. Surprise! I can't wait to hear back from him to learn what prompted his action. But I marvel at the fact that both of us have turned to Christianity. Although, in all fairness, Tom wasn't as rigid as I was. He seemed to have respect and a place in his heart for Jesus. Yet, that guru...I don't see how the two blend. But I am so happy he has found a nice Christian church. After all, church is where we can receive comfort and make friends. It's also a place where we can extend comfort to others. We're supposed to be watching out for our fellow human, right? I feel so much peace now knowing he's happy helping teens with addiction problems at his new church. That's what he wrote. My friend, Tom, helping others. You go, guy!
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                                                         May God Bless you! xoxoxo

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Inspiration

2/17/2019

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How do you receive inspiration? I find it comes in various ways. Many times when I am driving along in my car, a thought comes to me that just penetrates into my consciousness. Poof! There it is. I can't help but pay attention because it is intense. 

Sometimes I will receive inspiration while reading. Whatever the subject happens to be, stimulates my inspiration and, again, poof! There it is. That sweet kernel of inspiration; my gift for that time. In other cases, someone may be speaking and whatever he or she is saying piques my imagination. An independent thought will jump into my head from those spoken words. Sometimes that is the topic of my next blog. But not today. I am home with a cold, not having gone to church this morning, and I feel lousy. I'm not looking for sympathy. I'm just being honest.

So, where do you look to receive inspiration? It does seem to find us when we are doing humdrum, mindless activities. Or when we are in a relaxed state such as when we are reading or listening. That should be a clue as to how to find that inspiration we seek. It doesn't take effort on our part for inspiration to find us. We just have to be receptive. That thought will travel around until we are open and accepting to receive. All we have to do is be still.

Inspiration is something that can be a Divine Intervention when needed. All of a sudden --poof --inspiration strikes. And I do mean strike. When that kind of inspiration strikes, you can truly physically feel it. At least that has been my experience. Usually in such a case, for it to be Divine Intervention, we aren't doing anything that would cultivate it. Far from it. We are usually doing something we need to be drug away from. This could even be a warning not to do something. Funny how these things work, you know?

The most important factor to remember about inspiration is:  pay attention. Don't ignore it or think, "Ah, this is just my imagination."  No, this is inspiration being given specifically to YOU. Welcome it, see this as a gift. Okay, so your assignment this week is to pay attention! You can do this!
​                                                                    God Bless you!  xoxoxo

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TobyMac Has My Heart

2/10/2019

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If you haven't ever listened (and danced) to a TobyMac song, you have really missed out.
I see You in everything, all day 
Sure, if I'm paying attention!
I see You in every little thing, all day 
Yes, even when it's raining (or snowing) outside. God really is present everywhere at all times. We just don't notice. 
TobyMac is a Christian musician, major recording artist, song writer, producer, and rapper. I love him! He sure doesn't sound like what we might associate with Christian music. His music is danceable and the lyrics are catchy.
In case no has told you, Christian music has taken a major turn into sounding very much like pop music. My car radio is only turned to Contemporary Christian stations. I don't listen to anything else. I love it.
While I toodle around in my car, the lyrics I hear inspire me, teach me, and make me happy. It's worship time for me. When I hear my boy TobyMac singing Everything, I am reminded that God is in everything. So, what do I do? I look around, of course. I cast my eyes around my environment to view what God has created. And it's gorgeous! The magnificent sunrise proclaiming a new day. The sunset announcing the close of a day. The green carpet stating it is well cared for. The jaunty flowers in the gardens, peeking up at the sun. The stars hanging in the sky, winking down on me. The moon shining my path home. All incredibly beautiful.
As I return to my house, I might have seen the ducks in mass congregation around the lake, or waddling up the street with their young following close. Squirrels streak out across my path in a frenzy. No, I am not going to hit you... Kitties nap in a child's wagon, not a care in the world, while dogs bark their warnings to intruders. This is God's beauty, His creations. And it's all here for me to enjoy. If I look. 
I invite you to be a witness to the beauty we are blessed to be gifted. It is there -- everyday -- for your viewing pleasure and total joy. Check it out! And check out TobyMac as well.  

No matter where I go I know Your love is finding me… 
                                                                  xoxoxoxo

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    As a writer of nonfiction & fiction, I always seek to educate and inspire. Happy growth!

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