A place where my thoughts, words and feelings converge…
Category: Portraits of Life – Seeing God in All
I have discovered a new and exciting hobby of taking photos and sharing God’s Words as they inspire me to be in complete “AWE” of how great our God is! I hope you enjoy the photos.
Preparing for Lent, what if any preparation do you do for this particular season.
Many people choose to give up things that are difficult to quit or give up for a period of time. Some decide to not eat certain foods or specific drinks, while others take breaks from social media. If the latter is one of yours, I hope you can at least have the opportunity to read this post, prior to giving it up. I have tried numerous things over the years, no TV, no drinking soda or alcohol, no cussing or swear words, none of these ever really brought me closer to understanding or experiencing the season of Lent in a meaning spiritual way. I found myself looking forward to when I could enjoy the things I gave up again, a self imposed sufferance. But is that really what Lent is supposed to be like? Lent is not meant to be simply about self-sacrifice and suffering for the sake of suffering. It is also not meant to be a comfortable season of merely acknowledging Lent. The Lent that I have come to understand is an intentional time of revisiting the events of Jesus’ birth, life, ministry, His horrific death and disgrace; all leading towards His resurrection.
I am currently reading three different books as I begin my Lenten journey. The first one easily caught my attention, “No a Tame Lion” A Lent course based on the writings of C. S. Lewis written by Hilary Brand. As many of you know, I am a huge fan of C. S. Lewis’ writings. In past years, I have posted a daily blog during Lent but this year will be very different, I hope your season is all you want it to be. Please check back as I will provide updates on my journey and hopefully you can glean from my experience.
In her book, Hilary Brand describes Lent as, “…a time of sackcloth and ashes and rambling in the stomach, a drab, grey run-up to the glorious resurrection theme of Easter.” Her book is based around three films: The Chronicles of Narnia’s – The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian and Shadowlands. Additionally, she uses quotes from several of Lewis’ books throughout the book. *I will list them at the end of this post.
Lent for me this year, at least my hope is to draw closer to Jesus in every aspect of my life. I pray for you as you journey through this season.
References:
Books by Lewis
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Mere Christianity
The Screwtape Letters
A Grief Observed
Surprised by Joy
The Last Battle
The Problem of Pain
The Great Divorce
Perelandra
Reflections on the Psalms
The Silver Chair
~Charlotte, Striving Towards Genuine Authentic Living As A Child Of God 💞
Here we are already twenty-two days into a new year. So many things have already happened, most of which are out of our area of control. How does that feel? Uncomfortable, perhaps intimidating, maybe even happy or depressing. On New Year’s Eve, I contemplated and prayed about My One Word for 2025. My initial inclination, I was drawn to the word “Discover” for very personal reasons. I want to challenge myself in this new year to “Discover” …new things, meet new people, help in new causes and discover new depths of understanding and empathy.
I sometimes feel like some individuals, myself included live in self-imposed bubbles in life. Sometimes on purpose and other times because of circumstances and atmosphere of where and how one might live. Often there’s a sense of feeling safe and protected within those invisible boundaries. This by no means makes anyone weak or unloving. The most beautiful things about our world is that our Creator and the Love He has for all of creation! The second beautiful thing is our individual humanity. Planet earth is home to everything and everyone, including all the different species of animals and the different ways we practice our faith to God.
Humanity: compassionate, sympathetic, or generous behavior or disposition : the quality or state of being humane.
Humane: marked by compassion, sympathy, or consideration for humans or animals.
Life is hard, and beautiful at the same time. And, it is so worth it. I was reminded today of the words Jesus spoke in Matthew 7.
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” — Matthew 7:13-15
June 16, 2021 • Ruby Falls • Chattanooga, TN • Photo Credit: Me
As most of you know I am a huge fan of C. S. Lewis’ work and in his book “The Screwtape Letters” he writes this, ʺThe safest road to hell is the gradual one, the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.” If you are not familiar with this book, it was published in 1942 and is written in defense of Christian faith, this popular book of satire is a compilation of 31 written letters in which Screwtape, an experienced devil, instructs his young charge, Wormwood, on effective strategies for tempting the human being assigned to him and making sure he continues on a steady path toward damnation (the wide gate).
No matter which gate is taken, it will not be a perfect life with no hardships. We are all sinful in the eyes of God, only when we recognize that we are created beings, specifically created by God and with a purpose can we fully understand our place in the world. Choosing God as our Lord and Savior is the first step that draws us towards the narrow gate. The one thing the narrow gate provides is that God will be with us through the entire journey. God is a loving and compassionate God, as well as a God of judgment and discipline. Just as parents want the best for their children. God wants the same and even better for each of His children.
I did not fully understand discipline from my elders when I was younger but when I look back now I can see it was because I was loved and cared for, and I believe the saying of parents, “this hurts me more than it hurts you.” I am so very thankful for the parents God gave me, if only for a short while. Life is not about the number of years but of how we live the years we are given.
The Apologist’s Evening Prayer
From all my lame defeats and oh! much more From all the victories that I seemed to score; From cleverness shot forth on Thy behalf At which, while angels weep, the audience laugh; From all my proofs of Thy divinity, Thou, who wouldst give no sign, deliver me. Thoughts are but coins. Let me not trust, instead Of Thee, their thin-worn image of Thy head. From all my thoughts, even from my thoughts of Thee, O thou fair Silence, fall, and set me free. Lord of the narrow gate and the needle’s eye, Take from me all my trumpery lest I die.
By C. S. Lewis • Written sometime prior to 1964.
Thank you for stopping by and for your continued support.
~Charlotte, Daily Searching To Discover Newness In The World, Knocking On Doors To Serve God 💞
Let me first say, “Thank you” for your continued support of my blog. I have had a good and blessed year although my posts have not reflected it. I hope to post more in 2025.
As I am reflecting on the past 12 months, the word “LOVE” is a constant in my thoughts. As many of you know, I am a fan of C. S. Lewis and he has a book that deals with this subject. It is called, “The Four Loves” it was published in 1960 based upon a set of radio talks from 1958. The book was criticized by the U. S. at the time for their frankness about sex.
The book is based upon the four Greek words for love:
• Affection: Storge – empathy bond.
Storge (storgē, Greek: στοργή) is liking someone through the fondness of familiarity, family members or people who relate in familiar ways that have otherwise found themselves bonded by chance.
• Friendship: Philia – friend bond.
Philia (Greek: φιλία) is the love between friends as close as siblings in strength and duration. The friendship is the strong bond existing between people who share common values, interests, or activities
• Eros: Eros – romantic love.
Eros (erōs, Greek: ἔρως) for Lewis was love in the sense of “being in love” or “loving” someone, as opposed to the raw sexuality.
• Charity: Agape – unconditional “God” love.
Charity (agápē, Greek: ἀγάπη) is the love that exists regardless of changing circumstances. Lewis recognizes this selfless love as the greatest of the four loves, and sees it as a specifically Christian virtue to achieve.
I encourage you to read the book for yourself, Lewis also has a fictional book that speaks of these four loves, called “Until We Have Faces.” It is a beautiful book and a retelling of Cupid and Psyche. I highly recommend it and it has been regarded as his best novel by critics. It was written with his wife Helen Joy Davidman Lewis.
The next time you’re feeling down and maybe unloved, remember this…you are always loved. The ache comes when we love someone and they don’t love us the same in return is simply them being truthful and not trying to hurt you. It’s tough, no doubt but we move on and forward in life. God has a plan for you, God loves you, and He created you and only wants the very best for you. We can’t make others love us or even like us, we must like ourselves first and foremost as well as love and embrace who we are. Our first love should always be God, He specifically created you and me on purpose and with a plan. Let that sink in…God, intentionally created you and every other person because he wanted to and gave each of us purpose in this life. My heart breaks for those who feel like they have no on. I encourage everyone to please take the time to tell one another “you are loved, I love you.” We never know if we will get the chance again. Loving someone does not mean that you will never argue or disagree, but because of love, we can respect one another. And, no matter what, let love be the foundation of all your relationships.
1 John 4:7-21
God’s Love and Ours
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command:Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.”
My 2024, like many of you had its ups and downs. I’m choosing to remember the good and learn from the “downs” or challenges of the past year. Please join me in focusing on the good and let’s all try to Be Kind.
~Charlotte, Striving Towards Genuine Authentic Living As A Child Of God 💞
Below are some references if you are interested in learning more about C. S. Lewis.
For my birthday month I am hoping to earn some money for a great cause. Pledge the Pink is an organization that I got involved with a few years ago. A lifelong friend shared the organization with me, and she herself is a breast cancer survivor. So many women do not have the resources to get yearly mammograms and this organization helps to make them possible. I am hope to raise at least $200 in the month of July to Pledge The Pink. Please click the link to learn more about PTP. https://pledgethepink.com/
The goal of the organization is to raise $750,000 this year. We are currently at
My Story
WooHoo year #3 with PTP. My name is Charlotte and I am so proud to be a part of this organization. I came to know about Pledge the Pink through two of my dearest and oldest friends; one of which is a breast cancer survivor. They both shared their wonderful experience with PTP and what is means to be a part this cause and to their team, Team Boo Bees. I am grateful and blessed to be part of Team Boo Bees. I have been more fortunate than most, I make sure to get my annual mammogram and follow-up on any anomalies. I have had three biopsies and all were benign, but scary nonetheless. This cause is important to me because cancer is scary and life taking, my wish is no one ever has to go through a diagnosis of cancer. Cancer does not discriminate and believe no one should ever be alone in fighting it. I believe in this organization and I hope to one day be even more involved. My hope is to raise money to assist women is need of medical services and support. I am grateful for any amount you might be able to give, no amount is too small and your prayers are welcome. Thank you for leaning into whatever your heart is guiding you to do. This year my Aunt Helen was diagnosed with stage 0 breast cancer, (DCIS) ductal carcinoma in situ. We were thankful to find it so early but my aunt’s road to surviving has been difficult. She had her first surgery in June 2023, followed by many treatments from a hematoma and infections that lead to a second emergency surgery in September. Again, several infections and slow healing. In January 2024, after being discharged from wound care, she scheduled an appointment for her radiation but another setback. The doctor told her that due to the way the wound healed she could not move forward with radiation until another surgery could be preformed to correct the skin fold that had been created during the healing process. The third surgery happen in February 2024, she was released and scheduled radiation to being in April 2024. I walk for all the warriors and survivors of this terrible disease. Help me, Help them! Thank you.
This was the last photo I ever took of my mom. It’s been 12 years today, when she went home to be with God, exactly 1 month after this was taken. She is missed everyday.
My dad passed away 6 months and to be honest, I’ve been struggling. Struggling with my feelings, of what and how to feel. I know that grief is a journey, we each travel at our own speed and phase. I am very aware that the world is filled with books about how one traverses the grief terrain. I’ve read several of them and I found them to be very helpful. As a reminder, there is no right or wrong way to grieve; as long as we do not cause harm to ourselves or others. In the case of loosing a parent, often talking with others who have experienced this life event can be beneficial. Physical death escape no one, we do; however, have a choice regarding our spiritual life or spiritual death. Jesus, the Son of God made a way for our redemption from sin, making it possible for an eternal life in Heaven with God, the Father, God, the Son and God, the Holy Spirit.
I am not sad that my parents are with God. I am ashamed that at times my faith is not strong enough to trust God. I believe in Christ, accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I try to live the life God intended for me but weakness at times overcomes me. I sometimes pursue unrealistic expectations for myself and feel like I deserve punishment when I stumble and fall. I am working on humbling myself before God, asking for help and forgiveness. I need to accept myself for who I am and be proud of the accomplishments that God had granted me. We are all children of God, we each are fighting our own battles that no one knows. Trust in God, trust in yourself and learn to trust others, your community and your friends and family.
On May, 22nd, 2024, after sleeping away most of the day, something I do on a regular basis on my days off. I decided it was time to clean the kitchen of dirty dishes and to clean the counters. I was loading the dishwasher and as I was loading a glass bowl, it either slipped from my hand or got caught on the rack and it dropped. It shattered into a million tiny pieces, it was unrecognizable as a bowl. Standing at the kitchen sink I began to cry. Not the quiet, slow tears trickling down your cheek. No. I was wailing and sobbing, I could not stop the tears. I found myself crying out to God, “It hurts” “It hurts, my heart hurts!” I wanted to stop the crying but it was like the flood gates had opened and I couldn’t stop. It was a long while before I could calm myself but I did. I reached out to a friend to talk with, it helped to share with someone that I was hurting. My friend, allowed me to cry and just listened on the other end of a phone call a state away. Sometimes, silence can speak volumes to the soul.
It’s been several days since I began this post, I just couldn’t finish it. I just needed to “sit with it on my heart.” Honestly, I do feel some better. I’ve been talking more with God recently and more important than talking is listening. Listening for God’s voice and the Holy Spirit leading me.
My One Word for 2024 is “authentic” and I am trying to be just that. I hope by sharing my story it will help someone else and offer encouragement.
Thank you, each person reading this. You matter to me and God loves you.
As I continue on my journey, I hope you will control travel with me. 🌻
~Charlotte, Striving Towards Genuine Authentic Living As A Child Of God
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” ~John 14:27~
~Charlottes, Striving Towards Genuine Authentic Living As A Child Of God
Poetry can soothe a soul, words placed in unique patterns, phrases and purposeful pauses. It makes no difference the journey one is on, the right words and how they speak to individuals can fill an empty spot like nothing else can. I have turned to poetry several times when life has left me “wanting” more. I have even dabbled in trying to write poetry, but I am not well educated on the precise usage of “proper” poetry. I admire different types of poetry and believe me, there’s a plethora of great works of poetry art around the world. I ran across the article listed below and found it meaningful and just what I needed at this particular point in my life. I hope you give it a read and maybe it just might spark an interest in something new for you. As always, I am so grateful for my friends, my followers for your constant support and encouragement. I hope this (connection) we all have, literally a blessing from God is a two way street because you each matter to me. I sincerely try to be the person God created me to be by listening and acting when the spirit leads me to do so. Albeit, I can be stubborn and even defiant at times; however, God’s love never waivers, God is the one constant I can only depend upon in my life.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
For the director of music. Of David the servant of the Lord. He sang to the Lordthe words of this song when the Lorddelivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said:
1 I love you, Lord, my strength.
2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies. 4 The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. 5 The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me.
6 In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. 7 The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they trembled because he was angry. 8 Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it. 9 He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet. 10 He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind. 11 He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him— the dark rain clouds of the sky. 12 Out of the brightness of his presenceclouds advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning. 13 The Lord thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded. 14 He shot his arrows and scattered the enemy, with great bolts of lightning he routed them. 15 The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at your rebuke, Lord, at the blast of breath from your nostrils.
16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. 17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. 18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. 19 He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.
20 The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me. 21 For I have kept the ways of the Lord; I am not guilty of turning from my God. 22 All his laws are before me; I have not turned away from his decrees. 23 I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin. 24 The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.
25 To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, 26 to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the devious you show yourself shrewd. 27 You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty. 28 You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. 29 With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.
30 As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. 31 For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? 32 It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. 33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights. 34 He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 35 You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me; your help has made me great. 36 You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way.
37 I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed. 38 I crushed them so that they could not rise; they fell beneath my feet. 39 You armed me with strength for battle; you humbled my adversaries before me. 40 You made my enemies turn their backsin flight, and I destroyed my foes. 41 They cried for help, but there was no one to save them— to the Lord, but he did not answer. 42 I beat them as fine as windblown dust; I trampled them like mud in the streets. 43 You have delivered me from the attacks of the people; you have made me the head of nations. People I did not know now serve me, 44 foreigners cower before me; as soon as they hear of me, they obey me. 45 They all lose heart; they come trembling from their strongholds.
46 The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior! 47 He is the God who avenges me, who subdues nations under me, 48 who saves me from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from a violent man you rescued me. 49 Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name.
50 He gives his king great victories; he shows unfailing love to his anointed, to David and to his descendants forever.
Below is a poem I constructed back in 2021. Just thinking about it, I am immediately transported back to the park I was in when I wrote it. The sights, smells and sounds envelop me, taking me back in time. I don’t remember the mundane things happening in my life that day but I do recall everything that touched my senses, my very soul that day. The smell of the soil, the sound of leaves being touched by the wind, the water from the lake gently reaching the shore and the birds singing to one another, these are just as real to me today as they were then.
Sacred Things
The sights and sounds of nature
God speaks in the sounds of birds singing
His spirit is felt in the cool breeze
His presence is all around
As the sun warms my skin
And the breeze it feels like a human embrace
The plant life is alive and flourishing
Blades of grass push through the earth, seeking the sun
Trees are budding, leaves are sprouting freely they protect and comfort
Nature speaks through all the seasons of life
Spring, summer, autumn and winter like conception, birth, living and dying
God is never far away
God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.
Who was... Who is... Who will always be. The beginning and the end. The great I AM.
~ C. A. Robinson May 12th, 2021 Time: 1642 Place: Sodalis Nature Park
Thank you for stopping by, you are a blessing, you matter and most of all you are enough! May you experience God is a very real way today.
~Charlotte, Striving Towards Genuine Authentic Living As A Child Of God.
Today, I closed on the sale of my parents home and Columbia Title was phenomenal. They were friendly and kind to work with, very professional and knowledgeable about the whole process. If you are looking to buy or sell in the Indiana, I highly recommend Columbia Title. They have six locations throughout Indiana. If you are in central Indiana, specially the Williamsport office ask for Nicole Jacot, I promise you will not regret it.
~Charlotte, Striving Towards Genuine Authentic Living As A Child Of God.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” —Romans 12:2
The last day of January 2024 and today I sold my parents home of more than 50 years. It has been an emotional journey for my brother and I. The closing went well and I’m happy we were able to sell the house and property to my cousin and her daughter. I look forward to seeing them turn the property into their own individual and unique space. The memories of my parents will live on through the many stories we love to share with one another. Much like anything in life, this too is a process. We are still going through things and packing, this is a journey we are all doing together. Letting go of things that held value to my parents has been especially difficult because although they held value for them, it’s a different kind of value to me. I have discovered that letting go of the item(s), does not equate to letting go of the value of the memories. I have a teddy bear collection that had been stored at my parents home and as I look at them now, the importance of them is not the items themselves but the memory of purchasing them with my mom. That is where the value resides, in the memory and in my heart. My parents had several antique dishes and although some are probably very valuable, finding the particular individuals who want them can be very challenging. In the end, my brother and I decided to sell the items as one lot for one price. We were both feeling a little down about our decision and then I was reminded; these antiques will continue to hold their value both monetarily and emotionally for the people who buy them and cherish them as our parents did. I found comfort in this knowledge. Below is a collection of thoughts and words, not necessarily a poem, more poem (like). Thank you for stopping by my blog today!
Full Circle
Sitting alone in my parents home Longing for their voices to be heard Packing their life’s passions into boxes
Praying new adventures await the items Collectibles being enjoyed by new people Bittersweet memories but new ones await
Life; the past, the present and future Learn from the past, delight in the present The future is a journey not a destination
The loss of a parent is indescribable Material things will come and go The memories we carry with us always
Speak their names often, tell stories Remember their love and devotion Build upon their life story
No one thing or person is perfect Recognize the good, share it to others Continue to seek knowledge to grow
This mortal life is only a vapor Hold onto love, let it prosper Resist hate, do not feed it, let it die
We are born into a vessel, a body We live encapsulated in a body Our bodies die, our spirit lives on.
Sweet sadness, saying goodbye Letting go, just for a little while Eternal life, our spirit lives on
We are created by God We are children of God Our death is simply a journey home.
~Charlotte, Striving Towards Genuine Authentic Living As A Child Of God.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” —Romans 12:2
DISCOVER 
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