Opening Our Spiritual Eyes

This message asks " Do you have a mentor friend who can see the activity of God in your life when you cannot see it? "    

 

Everyone needs someone close to them whom they trust, who shares their faith, knows them personally, and cares for their spiritual growth. 

 

Opening Our Spiritual Eyes
by Os Hillman, April 1, 2006

And Elisha prayed, "O Lord, open his eyes so he may see." Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. - 2 Kings 6:17

Elisha was counseling the nation of Israel against the impending attack of the king of Aram. The Lord supernaturally gave Elisha the plans that the king was implementing, and in turn, Elisha warned Israel of each intended attack. The king could not understand why his plans were continually foiled. It seemed there was a secret informer in his midst. He was furious when he was told it was the God of Israel who was to blame for this inside information. The king decided the only way to resolve the situation was to get rid of the problem - kill Elisha.

The king's forces arrived and surrounded Elisha and his servant. Elisha's servant became upset and fearful when Elisha was not upset. Elisha immediately prayed that his servant's eyes might be opened to see that there was no need to be afraid, because the angels were protecting them.

And Elisha prayed, "O Lord, open his eyes so he may see." Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, "Strike these people with blindness." So He struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked (2 Kings 6:17-18).

Who is the Elisha in your life? Do you have a mentor friend who can see the activity of God in your life when you cannot see it? We all need to have somebody we can trust to help us see the activity of God. It is often difficult for us to see what God is really doing because we are so consumed by the circumstances of the moment. Ask God today to help open your spiritual eyes that you might see Him in your circumstances.

For more inspiration by OS Hillman visit:  http://www.pointofview316.com/today_god_is_first.htm

My Bookshelf

Recently a friend sent me one of those emails that ask you to share things about yourself so your friends can know you better. One of the questions was: "name the last four or five books that you've read". I answered the email and sent it back to my friend
as well as to several others. My friend wrote me back saying that he thought that I should share my list on my blog.

Well, after much hesitancy on my part and coaxing from two of my friends here it is --- a list of what I've been reading for the past 9 months and plan to read in the upcoming months. In the future, I'll be updating this list as a part of a new feature on PointOfView316.com.
Enjoy and feel free to share any comments or book suggestions. plk

So for my muse ....

On my night table --

A well worn, dog eared Christian Bible
Amplified Version

365 Names of God
John Paul Jackson
ISBN: 1584830557

A Course in Miracles: Combined Volume
Foundation for Inner Peace
ISBN: 096063889X
(I'm studying this again after many years. It's slow reading but I am gaining so much this time)

Risking Everything: 110 Poems of Love and Revelation
Roger Housden (Editor)
ISBN: 1400047994
(Thank you -- this was a wonderful gift )

Everyday Grace: Having Hope, Finding Forgiveness, and Making Miracles
Marianne Williamson
ISBN: 1573222305

Illuminata: A Return to Prayer
Marianne Williamson, Riverhead Books
ISBN: 1573225207

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Recently or soon to be read ---

Enchanted Love: The Mystical Power Of Intimate Relationships
Marianne Williamson
ISBN: 0684870258

Tomorrow: Adventures in an Uncertain World

Bradley Trevor Greive

ISBN 0-7407-3840-2

( a Christmas gift . I read it the shortly after my pet suddenly died. The person that gave this to me may never know how much this little book meant to me the day I read it. All gifts are from God he just uses people to get them to you.)

The Healing Promise of Qi: Creating Extraordinary Wellness with Qigong and Tai Chi
Roger Jahnke, Tai Chi, Qigong Chi
ISBN: 0809295288

A Woman's Worth
Marianne Williamson, Preface by Marianne Williamson
ISBN: 0345386574
(I just re-read this again during the past few weeks. Boy did I need this)

Cooking with Grease: Stirring the Pots in American Politics
Donna Brazile
ISBN: 074325399X
( I just purchased this and can't wait to read it )

Imagine: What America Could Be in the 21st Century
Marianne Williamson (Editor), Anne Lamott, Joseph Sohm (Photographer)
ISBN: 0451204697

Healing the Soul of America: Reclaiming Our Voices as Spiritual Citizens
Marianne Williamson, Preface by Marianne Williamson
ISBN: 0641524951

The Gift of Change: Spiritual Guidance for a Radically New Life
Marianne Williamson
ISBN: 006058534X

A Short Course in Kindness: A Little Book on the Importance of Love and the Relative Unimportance of Just about Everything Else
Margot Silk Forrest, Author, Catherine Ryan Hyde, Pay It Forward, Foreword by Catherine Ryan Hyde
ISBN: 0970804903

Naked: Black Women Bare All about Their Skin, Hair, Hips, Lips, and Other Parts
Ayana Byrd (Editor)
ISBN: 039953163
( if you are a Black woman or in love with one you must read this )

Sadhana: A Way to God, Christian Exercises in Eastern Form
Anthony De Mello
ISBN: 0385196148

Creating Sacred Space with Feng Shui: Learn the Art of Space Clearing and Bring New Energy into Your Life
Karen Kingston, Kingston, Foreword by Denise Linn
ISBN: 0553069160

Celtic Myths and Legends
Peter Berresford Ellis
ISBN: 0786711078

Exporting America: Why Corporate Greed is Shipping American Jobs Overseas
Lou Dobbs
ISBN: 0446577448

God's Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It
Jim Wallis
ISBN: 0060558288

Love Poems
Nikki Giovanni
ISBN: 0688149898

The Moments, the Minutes, the Hours: The Poetry of Jill Scott
Jill Scott
ISBN: 031232961X


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On my wish list ---

Soul of Politics: A Practical and Prophetic Vision for Change
Jim Wallis, Foreword by Garry Wills, Preface by Cornel West
( not yet released )
ISBN: 1565842049

The Covenant with Black America
Tavis Smiley (Editor)
ISBN: 0883782774