Halloween, Eve of Hallowmas: An Angel Message

         

                         
In researching the history of Halloween, October 31st, I learned it's the evening before the Christian holy day of All Hallows' Day (also known as All Saints' Day or Hallowmas) celebrated on November 1. 

In looking back, Halloween was a fun time as a kid -- dressing up, pretending to have a different identity, hiding behind a mask. A serious trick-or-treater,  I toted a pillowcase prepared to handle my prospective haul.   Roaming around in the cold night air with friends, greeting other masqueraders on the prowl on a school night of spooky fun. 

Even better to return home, cold and tired, but fulfilled.  Eagerly dumping out my loot on the living room floor.  Sitting in a potpourri of delectable delights, I picked out my favorites-- miniature Milky Ways, Snickers, Three Musketeer bars, Milk Duds. The rest were handed over to Mom to prevent tooth decay.  She gave a lot of it away.  But with her sweet tooth, she set aside a little reserve. And over the months ahead, my two brothers and I were surprised with a treat here and there.    

Now, it's interesting to reflect on our journey and how we parade around in these physical costumes (bodies) as we go through life.  We are more than we presently know.  Within each of us is the eternal Spirit of the Divine, All-Hallowed, made in the image and likeness of God, sealed in perfection.   

 

God bless all the Saints that have gone before us for leaving footprints of light for us to follow.  

Love and joyful blessings,

Rae Karen

Your Loved Ones: Angel Message

 

 

I want to share a comforting entry about angels and our loved ones I revisited in the God Calling devotional just now.   

   Your Loved Ones

"YOUR loved ones are very safe in My Keeping. Learning and loving and working, theirs is a life of happiness and progress.  They live to serve, and serve they truly do.  They serve Me and those they love.  Ceaselessly they serve.

But their ministrations, so many, so diverse, you see no more than those in My time on earth in human form could have seen the angels who ministered unto Me in the wilderness.

How often mortals rush to earthly friends who can serve them in so limited a way, when the friends who are freed from the limitations of humanity can serve them so much better, understand better, protect better, plan better, and even plead better their cause with Me.

You do well to remember your friends in the Unseen.  Companying with them the more you live in this Unseen World the gentler will be your passing when it comes.  Earth's troubles and difficulties will seem, even now, less overwhelming as you look,  not at the things that are seen but at the real, Eternal Life.

'And this is Life Eternal that we may know Thee, the Only True God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou has sent.'

Learning to know Me draws that Kingdom very near, and in Me, and through Knowledge of Me, the dear ones there become very near and dear."    

In these dark hours, let us remember to embrace the light and invite the angels of God into our presence that we may have clarity and understanding that bring peace and comfort in our longest nights. We are never alone...nor left comfortless...stand on that promise and look beyond appearances...expect to see the love of God enfold you and be not afraid.  You are always in Good Hands, and so are our loved ones.

Love and peace,

Rae Karen  

 

 (Ref.God Calling by Two Listeners; September 6; A.J. Russell, Barbour and Company, Inc)

 

An Angel Squirrel Brings Comfort

 

I've always had a fondness for squirrels, especially when they perform like a skilled acrobat. It's wise to pay attention when an animal makes a spectacle for us. Their behavior holds a key on how to best navigate what's coming up ahead.  

Yesterday, on our way out of town, I saw a little gray squirrel scurry along a high wire stretched across the busy thoroughfare.  His wisdom brought a touch of laughter.  He had made a safe journey to the other side by choosing the "high" way.  I got the angel message:   God will make a new way.  Just keep on looking up!  Squirrel is about balance...between work and play...spiritual and material...giving and receiving.  

Just now, as I went to add the winged squirrel postcard to the blog, an angel reminder popped in. I recalled a  special incident with a squirrel many years ago that was a real eye opener. Elliot and I had stopped to spend the night in Seaford, Delaware to breakup our road-trip. Stretching our legs after dinner, we took a walk around an old residential lakeside neighborhood near our hotel.  A quiet, peaceful evening, the towering old trees caught my eye...they were so tall, reaching up for the sky.  Suddenly something fell from a tree. I turned around and saw a lifeless squirrel laid on the ground. Then in a split-second, something wonderfully amazing happened.  I saw the squirrel's spirit rise out of his body and scamper away not missing a heartbeat.  Thanks to that comforting experience, I never saw death the same way again.

With all the tragedy happening in the world today, how comforting to know that life is eternal.  Death has no sting in Christ.  

"Death and birth are both in God, and both are beautiful, with nothing to dread in either experience, but everything to welcome."  White Eagle

Love and peace,

Rae Karen  

  

 

 

Going Deeper Within: An Angel Message

 

Like that old adage, a picture's worth a thousand words, I love this one.  It was just the remedy needed...to be like this big hippo and sink down into the peaceful depths of divine Love. Far below the tide of human emotions, the peace of God awaits you. And, the happy school of fish playfully swim by--little touches of love make a big difference. Yellow is the color of faith, lighting the way.  Like the angels who are always present, even when we're sinking in our human struggles, grace and goodness are available. God is love, now and always.  God never changed his mind about you. God is always with you.  Seek and you shall find...

 Love and peace,

Rae Karen  

 P.S.  I looked up hippopotamus.  I was surprised to see how well it went with the underwater hippo photo. Hippo symbolizes that it's time to immerse yourself more powerfully into spiritual, artistic, or healing environments.  Do some self-examination.  Hesitating to follow your own path?  Hesitant to immerse in the creative process? Too temperamental?  Do you need to draw out your power from the waters of life?   Hippo represents sacred baptism. The message is to act on your creative ideas...your sacred energies are awakening.  Don't let others distract you from your goals.  Now is the time to immerse yourself into the spiritual and the healing.   (Animal-Wise, Ted Andrews)

 Photo David Livesay

GIVE IT TO GOD: Angel Message

This morning the angels directed my focus to the little God box tin on my desk.    

GIVE IT TO GOD.  

The colorfully decorated box turned up among an odd collection of items on a vendor's table at the county flea market last year.  The timing was perfect.  I laughed, picking it up, feeling the lightness of angels.  And the God box was well equipped with a little aqua pencil and matching writing pad inside.

All set. I only needed to surrender my troubles and tuck them inside the God Box. And shut the lid. The outcome is up to God. But we know how tempting it is to keep cracking open the box, and picking up the problem again...just in case.      

In looking back, it wasn't until I opened the prayer box at my desk that I discovered another uplifting angel message in bold letters on the inner lid.   

She is clothed with strength 

and dignity and she laughs 

         without fear of the future.        

 

She laughs without fear of the future...  Really?  Trust God with everything...

I welcomed the reminder that God is my strength.  He is my sun and my shield.  There's nothing to fear..right where I am this minute, God is present.  I am never alone, and neither are you.  In the middle of our darkest hours, God is here.  He never will leave us comfortless.  Wherever I go, God is.  Thank you, God. 

God's angels hover near and all about.

His Love surrounds you, of this be sure;

that I will never leave you comfortless. 

~A Course in Miracles 

 

Love and peace,

Rae Karen 

 

 

 

 

A Holy Cow Hello: Angel Message

Whenever a particular animal shows up unexpectedly, pay attention.  A lesson is unfolding...a heads-up...on the horizon.  

Our new neighbors, a small herd of black Angus cows, were feeding in the green pasture.  Two white cattle egret, steady companions, were standing guard, ready to deal with the pests in the field. 

  I called out a friendly welcome to the herd.  To my surprise, one big shiny black cow ran toward me, anxious to answer the call.  A sprig of grass between her teeth, she'd stopped eating to say hello. I'll admit the sight of this big animal galloping toward the fence stirred up a little fear.  

 

 But I held my ground and love soon overtook any fear as she came right up to where I stood, so close, I warned her about the barbwire.  Complimenting her sleek black coat glistening in the sunlight, two attentive big ears opened wide.  Hungry for a soothing word, those big brown eyes met mine in a curious exchange of oneness. I realized my cow friend had moved to a new environment, and was in need of love. 

Everyone needs love and encouragement these days.  So many changes big and small.  Our guardian angels can be likened to the white cattle birds that handle the pestilence that tries to disturb the peace in the pasture. And moment by moment we can be like the angels and offer a loving touch of kindness to those we meet. 

Love and peace, 

Rae Karen

   

 

Hang On To Rainbow Promises: Angel Message

This morning a surprising reflection from a sun-catcher caught my eye.  A wonderful sign of God's promise!  A small cheerful rainbow squared the right eye of the dolphin statue in the sun-room.  I hurried for the camera, and the colorful bow had expanded in a streak of rainbow tears down the dolphin's cheek.   

Although short-lived, I'm thankful to have seen the angel message to share with you.   A bolstering of faith.  More is going on than we can presently comprehend.  There are tears of joy and tears of sorrow.  Someone once told me that tears are a sign of a frozen heart melting.  Joy comes in the morning...

Rainbows were in the forecast this week.  Walking by the lake one morning, filling my pockets with fallen acorns for the squirrels, the water fountain sprayed a lovely rainbow in the sunlight. 

 

 

At the neighborhood Butterfly Garden pergola this morning, seated in a butterfly chair, I happened to look up.  The butterfly bench was wet so I was facing a new direction. What a surprise to see the ordinary plastic overhang was rainbow tinted.  Rows and rows of rainbow slats filled my eyes.  When I told Elliot, he looked up and saw the ordinary roof.  I realized then it must be my Polarized sunglasses that made a difference.  Seen through that special light ray lens, he laughed. Rainbow sunglasses--amazed at the transformation!  

 

Rainbows...Whatever you may be going through just now, please take comfort in knowing that you are not alone. God has got this.  His angels are with you to comfort, protect, and guide.  Take it one day at a time and let not your heart be troubled.   Just do your best to lighten up your corner of the world.  Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see the world through a lens of divine love.  The best is yet to be.  

Love and peace,

Rae Karen  

Trust God: An Angel Message

Many years ago on a drive through a small rural town, this eye-catching model plane made my heart leap.  "TRUST GOD"  Just the angel message needed; I smiled at the humorous reminder that even when you feel like you're flying by the seat of your pants, God is with you.  Trust God.  Wherever I go God is... because I dwell in Him.  

 

The makeshift plane reminded of Psalm 91 and far greater wings that protect us when we abide in the Secret Place of the Most High.

 
In Psalm 91:4. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust.  Feathers liken God to a mother bird, under whose wings her young find warmth and shelter.  Wings and feathers suggest that God is both power and soft. When we dwell in the secret place of the Most High, we shall abide under the Shadow of the Almighty.  The choice is ours...we have free will in the physical...but when we decide to take up residence in God and not just run back and forth like Henny Penny in times of trouble, we find constant protection in the light of the Lord and His powerful angels who will protect us in all of our ways. 

 

Psalm 91 is a powerful prayer of protection. I've learned over many years how Psalm 91 brings peace in the midst of trials.  Fears fall away as I remember God's promise of protection when I call on Him.  I find peaceful rest in the secret place of the Most High.    Psalm 91:11 gives assurance that His angels are watching over us when we abide and trust in God and not ourselves. God is the same, yesterday, today and tomorrow.  God will never leave us or forsake us.  God is Love.

 
Love and peace,

Rae Karen

Faith the Size of a Mustard Seed: An Angel Message

Sometimes when I'm too stubborn and hardheaded to surrender to God's angel guidance, I'll get a whack on the head to jolt me awake, and to remember that God is in control and that He loves me more than I know.  

 

This happened in a surprising, chilling way that I'll never forget.  The lesson of the mustard seed.  Many years ago, Elliot and I had to find a new home as the house where we'd lived for the past three years was going to be sold. It was panic time...two months to find a new home, pack, and move from our lovely little nature chalet in a wooded community along the river. 

Following angel bubbles...I was guided to make several calls to see if Virginia Beach was to be our next destination. Random, cold calls brought amazing results.  A house that had been vacant for a year would be available because of my prodding.  God was in the details.  Irises were even in the picture.   Everything began clicking together in amazing synchronicity.  During the rental approval process, I began to doubt and worry about the future.   

 

Something happened to interrupt my fearful thinking.  I'll never forget it.  I was making lunch and reached in the fridge for a large jar of mustard.  It quickly slipped from my fingers...hit the tile floor with a BAMM.  The jar lid shot off like a rocket spraying cold brown mustard everywhere. On my face, my left ear, in my hair, splattering down my T-shirt.  

 

In shock, I looked up.  The kitchen cabinets and ceiling were speckled in golden brown mustard.  

Cleaning up the mess, I wondered why it happened?  

The answer came later that day when I read Jesus’ words about faith in a book called The Spiritbuilder:

The disciples had been unsuccessful in performing a healing and wondered why.

"And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." (Matt. 17:19-21)
 

Mustard!  I thought about the imagery of a tiny mustard seed and the mountain as a metaphor for whatever obstacle we may face--moving, a health crisis, a relationship, financial stress. The mountain seemed very solid, and immovable, but faith was the answer.  Just a little tiny bit of faith that there is more going on than I can understand.  God is in control. 

So whenever a fear thought tried to creep up, I remembered the mustard seed, and turned my thoughts to the goodness of God, to keep having faith, not entertain fear.    

 

Before long, everything came together in divine order.  We were off on a new leg of our journey where we would continue to stretch and grow the next 11 years. 
 

I never forgot that cold clammy mustard bath. A reminder of faith ...soaked into my very pores.  Just a little faith, no bigger than a mustard seed is all I need.  The mustard seed is the smallest seed, and yet it will grow to be the biggest bush, a place where the birds will house.  

 

Today a jar of mustard still reminds me to have faith. God's got this.  Take it one day at a time in gratitude. Let not your heart be troubled...God loves you and has plans for you.  Trust in His plan.  Thank you, angels...for helping us to grow in grace. 

 

 Love and joyful blessings,

Rae Karen

(photo from the web)

Time to Launch in a New Direction: Angel Message

Yesterday was all about divine timing...returning home from the spontaneous morning glory shoot in the previous angel blog, I was in for another surprise.  A red-shouldered hawk had perched on the tall pickle-ball fence, observing the area. A fitting example of striking out in a new direction--no more doing the same old, same old.   

I laughed, taking out my camera.  As I snapped the pic, the timing was perfect.  In that instant, I caught the young hawk in action, wings lifted high, preparing to launch off the pickle-ball fence, and into a blue sky.  Thank goodness, the angels were at it again...I couldn't have made it happen...such perfect timing with the camera.  I only needed to show up. Hawk has always been a special angel messenger to me. 

I'm so grateful that angels are with us...watching, guiding, protecting us on our journey.  They express God's love in the details.  The closer we commune with our heavenly companions, the more peace and joy and comfort we feel in knowing that we are never alone.  God has given His angels charge over us when we abide in Him.  By taking time during the day to appreciate the wonderful gifts that surround us, we gain strength and courage through our tests and trials.  We feel the grace and intangible spiritual gifts that are lasting...love, peace, joy, harmony... even in the midst of great chaos, peace is there in the stillness if we stop to look, and listen with our heart. 

Love and peace,

Rae Karen  

Oh My! Morning Glories Galore: Angel Message

 On the way to the post office this morning, what a glorious surprise!!  Hundreds of blooming morning glories transformed the landscape overnight.  A profusion of wild pink morning glories had opened wide to greet the sun. In all the years we've lived here, not one single morning glory has shown its face on the pasture fence.  

Excited, I hurried back home for the camera to capture a sneak glimpse of heaven.  The warmth of the day created a misty vision--a celestial touch of divine love in velvety pink flowers.  The sun was so bright, I couldn't see through the blinded LCD screen, and had asked the angels for help to share the beauty with you. 

Grace prevailed... the angel guidance for the day had been to receive Grace.   Grace is a free gift available for us.  We are saved by grace through faith. (Eph. 2:8)

The morning glory symbolism revealed a message.  Time for new beginnings--fresh starts. This fast growing vine, with its heart-shaped leaves, stirs the heart to more spontaneous activities.  Frequently this flower encourages a breaking down of old habits.  The same old ways of doing things will no longer work.  Leave behind mistakes of the past and embrace each day with enthusiasm like the morning glory greeting the sunrise.  It's time for fresh life energy and spontaneity. 

Interesting that its funnel-shaped petals represent that like a funnel that can either draw things in, or help to express things outwardly, we should ask ourselves how well we are, or are not, expressing ourselves effectively.  Is it time to be more spontaneous in our expressions?  To let our light shine.

The good news is Morning Glory is a sign we'll be increasingly able to draw upon and use our inner resources with greater effortlessness in the weeks ahead with great success. 

That's what I felt at first sight.  Morning glories lined the fence most of the way down the road.  Where had they come from?  Something amazing happened, bringing joy and beauty and lightness of being. A surprising yet spontaneous view of a new day. How blessed are we that God's angels abound with us on our journey to celebrate the gift of life.  We are spiritual light-beings made in the image and likeness of God. 

Have a joyful & peaceful day filled with grace and expect the best is yet to be.

Love and peace,

Rae Karen  

 

(ref. Nature-Speak, Ted Andrews) 

 

 

Saint Francis and the Angel

Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, let me sow pardon.
Where there is doubt, let me sow faith.
Where there is despair, let me sow hope.
Where there is darkness, let me sow light.
Where there is sadness, let me sow joy.
O Divine Master, grant that
I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console.
To be understood as to understand.
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in the pardoning that we are pardoned.
It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

          --St. Francis of Assisi

 

Today is the celebration of the Feast of St. Francis.   Francis had been a rich young man from Assisi who renounced wealth and founded the Franciscan order of friars in 1290.  Saint Francis is known as the patron saint of animals.  He praised all creatures as brothers and sisters under God. Many stories surround the life of Saint Francis and his love for animals. Stories about preaching to the birds or befriending a rabbit, and taming a wolf. 

In this painting, an angel appeared with a violin and a bow as a blessing for Saint Francis of Assisi.  The angel said he would play for Saint Francis as the angels play before the throne of God.  Then the angel drew the bow across the violin string making a single resounding note.  The beloved Saint was filled with such joy by that one sound that had there been any more, his soul would have left his body. 

Just as Saint Francis was blessed with one musical note from an angel, we, too, can receive blessings from God and so turning bless others.   

 

Love and peace,

 

Rae Karen  

Artwork: Saint Francis with angel playing the violin
by Guercino (1591-1666)