May 2024 – PreachersNotebook

Lord’s Prayer: A contemporary interpretation by Rev. James Burklo

I have always been a big fan, and proponent, of the traditional Lord’s Prayer. After all, its the flagship prayer given to us by Christ directly. In times of struggle. or when the fires of my faith were dim, I’ve always found solace in this particular prayer.

During the worst of the pandemic I blessed to find a faith community that was meeting online via video chat. It was in one of those services I was exposed to this contemporary take on this classical prayer and I wanted to pass it along…

Spiritual significance of the bee

Over the last few weeks, the bee has come to me over and over again. One, single, solitary bee has found me at work, on my walks, and when I’m just resting and waiting for what I have to do next. As a result, I have been reading and researching and contemplating what does this little creature symbolize to me?

I found this little snippet that I wanted to share because I feel it concisely captures some of the highlights, and themes, that have surfaced in my browsing…

Bees have a very strong work ethic, so if you encounter these animals in your daily life, you should pay attention to your productivity levels. It could mean that you are putting too much effort into a task or not giving your best try.
Although bees are highly committed and responsible, they also appreciate their spare time and always make sure to stop and smell the roses. They intuitively know when to rest and enjoy life’s pleasures and when it’s time to put on the work boots and strive to achieve our goals.
The bee helps you find the balance in this dynamic, a skill that will help you fulfill all your tasks and enjoy yourself in the process.
Also, bees technically shouldn’t fly since their wings are not properly designed to do so. Therefore, from a spiritual perspective, this talks about your potential to overcome obstacles successfully.
Bees reminds us that miracles can happen in our daily existence, and it’s not the time to give in to our daily grind.
Bees pollinate flowers, fulfilling a vital role in nature and the ecosystem. Bees provide us with wax and honey, giving them the additional meaning of providence.
These animals live and work in communities. They go from flower to flower, enriching the world in the process. This action symbolizes our social nature, which is why people with the bee totem have excellent communication skills and are proficient motivational speakers, healers, teachers, and therapists. Their words become a mindful service for the rest of humanity.
Bee spirit animal is also a mighty protector, willing to sacrifice its life for a better cause. Those who use the bee power usually protect the underdog and their loved ones with courage and fierceness.
SpiritAnimals.org

I’m a big believer in listening and observing the natural world around us. I have often felt the presence of God in forests, lakes, and mountains. I also am a firm believer that the Creator can speak to us through his creation. This includes all the creatures, big and small, in the world around us. If you’d like to read the full article on bee spirituality and symbolism, click the button below.

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Solomon was a lover of nature

Most of us know and are well versed in the length and depth and height of the wisdom of Solomon. In fact, both the Old and New Testaments label Solomon as the wisest man who ever lived. A lesser-known fact however is the connection between the wisdom of Solomon and the environment around him. Let’s consider 1Kings chapter 4…

³⁰And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. ³¹For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about. ³²And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five. ³³And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes. ³⁴And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.
Luke 4:30-34, KJV

Solomon was the wisest man that ever lived and Solomon was also a lover of the natural world around him. He studied and wrote and sung about trees large and small. He studied and wrote and sung about animals. He studied and wrote and sung about birds, about insects, and even about fish. What a profound and telling connection between the very wisdom of God and the natural world around us.

If we believe that God created the heavens and the earth then we have to understand and learn to appreciate nature and all the rich lessons and truth and light it can teach us. Amen and so say we all!