New Beginnings;

“Sometimes we can only find our true direction when we let the wind of change carry us.” —Mimi Novic


This beautiful yet, maybe fearful, quote by Mimi Novic reminds us that resisting change often blocks our progress.

find your true direction

Photo, Key West Florida by Chris Mar 2026 on a Sabbatical from surfing to Scuba Diving

Nicodemus and Jesus were having a conversation about spiritual things that seemed impossible to understand when Nicodemus asked Jesus; “How can these things be?” Jesus replied with a metaphor that we might be able to understand.

“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8)

Jesus teaches us about the spirit saying the divine indwelling Spirit is the “Advocate,” who is “with you and in you,” makes you live with the same life that he lives, and unites you to everything else (John 14:16–20). He assures us the “Spirit of truth” will “teach you everything” and “remind you of all things” (John 14:26)

Terry Moran, a news reporter with one network for over 30 years, was abruptly fired one day. After about 10 months, I heard him talking about the new platform he had started. He was excited, vibrant, and seemed renewed as he announced his new venture. He said, “I like to say, I’ve walked out of … black and white and into technicolor. Walked out of yesterday and into tomorrow.” (*See Terry’s full announcement link below)

Have you a story of New Beginnings? What brought the new about for you?

*https://www.instagram.com/reel/DY4hQ4cukE1/?igsh=b2plZXppa2J3ZjF0

A Sunset reveals many things

Key West Sunset on the last night of my scuba sabbatical, Chris Mar

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (NRSV)

What does a sunset reveal to you?

Richard Rohr, In his book, “Just This,” considers how contemplative prayer allows us to release our thoughts, finding deeper wisdom and guidance:  

“Contemplation is a panoramic, receptive awareness whereby we take in all that a situation, moment, or person offers without judging, eliminating, or labeling anything. It is pure and positive gazing that abandons all negative pushback so we can begin to recognize inherent dignity. It takes much practice and a lot of unlearning of habitual responses.”

“Just This” invites us into the book by describing the writers thoughts. …”is a collection of brief and evocative meditations and practices that invite us to cultivate the gift of waking up to the beauty of reality in all its glorious ordinariness. … Rohr creates a spaciousness for the soul to grow into a kind of seeing that goes far beyond merely looking to recognizing and thus appreciating. This is the heart of contemplation, the centerpiece of any inner dialogue that frees us from the traps of our perceptions and preoccupations. The contemplative mind does not tell us what to see; it teaches us how to see what we behold.”

“How to see what we behold!” Awe!

Many of us may remember Sandi Patty singing, 🎶“We shall Behold Him; The sky shall unfold
Preparing His entrance
The stars shall applaud Him
With thunders of praise” Songwriter: Dottie Rambo

“For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee”. Isaiah 60:2 

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭24‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Now comes my sunset reveal:

“Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior.” Psalms‬ ‭24‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I’m here! You’re here! We are here! All for a purpose! Find your Star!

Our little John Deere at work

Happy Mothers Day said the Tiny Baloon blowing in the wind

A little “John Deere” Kid’s tractor pulled a tiny trailer filled with tiny little flowering plants to gift walkers passing by that just might need a kindness to make their day.

I noticed men that pause to wave seem to embrace memories of their Mom and family that farmed as one might say, “back in the day”!

A kindness offered was received in various ways. “Thank you” at times. Yet, most often “word stories” were shared. At times a tear drop to glisten the soil and maybe a laugh to energize the few extra steps one just might take.

As I later sat in awe of God’s Love being shared I pondered being a bridge builder! Maybe, at times. But, I have noticed living life over the years “bridge building” is not always possible. Being a “Light” as our Creator ask us to be never dims and never goes out.

I am a Christian where my faith promotes “building bridges” through reconciliation, and peace-making by connecting with Jesus as the ultimate bridge between humanity and God. We as followers of Jesus are Light in the world.

The Bible instructs believers to “be the light”! Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus declares, “You are the light of the world,” 

And, A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Be a bridge builder as often as you can but when you can’t continue to be a light!

How to give yourself a reward or a Nightmare

Those who are kind reward themselves,
but the cruel do themselves harm. (Proverbs 11:17 (NRSVUE)

“An unforgiving heart is an unforgiven heart, and if you can’t forgive, you haven’t sensed His forgiveness.” Timothy Keller

Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you”.

Reward or Nightmare?

What is this thing that fell in my garden while I was at work planting seeds wonders the child?
A Nightmare

This “thing will give me nightmares” says the child!

I was gardening with my granddaughter and the help from a friend when I heard her little voice that had minutes before been shrilling with delight quietly say, “this thing will give me nightmares!” I quickly asked, what will give you nightmares when I saw a blob of dirt with what looked like to me ‘forever roots’ that was falling on her well manicured garden spot!

Does anything give you nightmares?

As I continued to hear the child wonder why do we need this ‘monster with too many legs’ in our garden? I thought of the words I have often cherished and quoted, “And, a little child shall lead them.” (Isaiah 11.6)

I googled the Bible verse and AI responded with an overview:

“And a little child shall lead them” is a famous phrase from Isaiah 11:6 in the Bible, depicting a future peaceful kingdom where predators and prey live in harmony, and even a child can lead animals like wolves and lions safely. It symbolizes a, perfect peace and restoration where innocent trust overcomes fear. 

Key Themes and Interpretations

  • Prophecy of Peace: The passage Isaiah 11:6-9 describes the “Peaceable Kingdom,” where the, knowledge of the Lord covers the earth, resulting in total safety.
  • Vulnerability over Power: It highlights that God’s kingdom is characterized by the innocence and vulnerability of children rather than, worldly power.
  • The Context: The verse describes a toddler leading a group of animals—such as a wolf with a lamb, and a leopard with a goat—rather than children leading adults.
  • Common Usage: The phrase is often used to suggest that children can teach adults about, simplicity, trust, and love. “

My late brother, Chet of Nags Head, NC, a good gardener, taught me when a tree or plant is root bound in a pot and I wanted to ground plant be sure to cut and break up the roots.

At times I find my thinking is root bound to old ways of thinking about many things but most often faith. Maybe I have been blinded by my sins. Taught by a flawed teacher? Parent? Friend? How to cut the ‘root bound mind roots’ that seem to give us nightmares as the child just taught me! Is it a reward or nightmare?

“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
*Romans 12:2 (NRSVUE)

*Recommended Reading; Proverbs 12 and if your time permits flip back and Read Proverbs 11! Reward yourself!🙏💛

One Another

  • John 13:34 (NIV): “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another”.
  • John 15:12 (NIV): “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you”.
  • 1 John 4:7 (NIV): “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God”.
  • Romans 12:10 (NIV): “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves”.
  • Ephesians 4:32 (NIV): “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you”. 
  • I have been thinking on the above scriptures and I began to see my thinking was a bit distorted when it came to words like, “just as in Christ God forgave you.  Love others like He loves me! Honor others above myself!” Does anyone else have troubling thoughts about such language? I realized I need to gently rubber band stretch my distorted thinking.
  • I paused to think on the gentleness of Jesus when He would respond to others that might have been church pew sitting with me for years.
  • The Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well in John 4 had a mind-action changing experience after a conversation with Jesus. Jesus pushed aside social, gender, and racial barriers by communicating to her an offer of God’s living water
  • Jesus responded to her, “If you recognized God’s gift and who is saying to you, ‘Give me some water to drink,’ you would be asking him and he would give you living water.”
    —John 4:10 (CEB)

In a Morning Devotion I read; “The kind of drinking that Jesus invites us to is not the polite, sipping from our teacups with pinkies extended kind of drinking. It’s a drinking that drenches us, that causes rivers of living water to flow out of our hearts.” By Jan L. Richardson, In the Sanctuary of Women: A Companion for Reflection and Prayer 

Today, we are told by religious leaders, politicians, news shows as well as neighbors, family and friends we are broken apart and shattered rather than whole and healed.

Seems to be true but not hopeless when I allow these scriptures to change my way of thinking!

2026 Leesburg Va Spring Plant Sale

You are invited:

ACADEMIES

OF LOUDOUN

2026 Spring Plant Sale

Wednesday, April 29 10:00am-6pm

Thursday, April 30 10:00am-6pm

Friday, May 1 10:00am-5pm

Ask for Debi Chaves and let her know you found her on the Daily Lily

“And one called to another and said:
“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”

(Isaiah 6:3 (NRSV)

“The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭19‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.19.1-2.NKJV

A TREE has a voice;

Autumn -Winter
Winter

Spring – Summer

“The truly happy person doesn’t follow wicked advice, doesn’t stand on the road of sinners, and doesn’t sit with the disrespectful. Instead of doing those things, these persons love the LORD’s Instruction, and they recite God’s Instruction day and night! They are like a tree replanted by streams of water, which bears fruit at just the right time and whose leaves don’t fade. Whatever they do succeeds.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭CEB‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/37/psa.1.1-3.CEB

“The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.1.4.ESV

We are told; “Trees are mentioned over 800 times in the Bible, serving as vital symbols of life, wisdom, righteousness, and God’s presence, appearing from Genesis to Revelation.”

Here in No Va early Spring has arrived and I have been watching my ‘Japanese Maple Tree’ that is right outside my front door. I love this tree in all seasons but I seem to appreciate it a little more when it dresses in its Spring-Summer attire.

Have you ever tried seeing yourself as a tree that shows its dress attire and actions as recorded in Psalms 1? Let’s have a Tree conversation!

Adventure Awaits

Wall in Orthopedic Office

I saw this wall recently in an Orthopedic Doctor’s office where one might just get a new knee or other medical help to make one able to move better without pain. I thought that’s a real hopeful idea to think about as one makes changes with help and maybe a little more pain to accomplish their goal.

New adventures; awaits for one as they seek and receive medical help for a new knee and that’s exciting. I began to ponder as exciting as medical help for knees might be think about the same help and hope for our aching souls.

It’s there, always there! Jesus is waiting for our surrender. The Holy Spirit is waiting to guide us into truth, love, peace and joy. This scripture just seems to be the prescription for our new adventure to begin;

“a) Don’t lie to each other. b) Take off the old human nature with its practices and ((c) put on the new nature, which is renewed in knowledge by (d) conforming to the image of the (e) one (Christ) who created it.” (Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭CEB)‬‬

To continue with our therapy; You might find studying Chaper 3 of Colossians to be helpful.

“And over all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭14‬ ‭CEB‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/37/col.3.14.CEB