Tuesday, September 24, 2019

The Butterfly Effect: An Angel Message

I always ask the angels to lead me to what I need to find as I run my errands.  At our local library last week, they guided me to a wonderful book.  It was tucked inside a wicker basket along with other little inspirational books for sale.  The cover of a butterfly cut-out taken from a map of the world caught my eye.   The Butterfly Effect, How Your Life Matters. 

Fascinated, I read about the scientific explanation of "the butterfly effect".  It goes something like this.  A butterfly could flaps its wings and set molecules of air in motion, which would move other molecules of air, in turn moving more molecules of air--eventually capable of starting a hurricane on the other side of the planet.

The author, Andy Andrews, writes about how Science has shown the butterfly effect to engage with the first movement of any form of matter-- including people.  The butterfly effect has been promoted to the status of a law, known as The Law of Sensitive Dependence Upon Initial Conditions.  

In other words,

Every single
thing you do
MATTERS.

"By your hand, millions--billions--of lives will be altered,
caught up in a chain of events by you this day.

Do I make a difference?

When I move...
when I act...
when I do something...

does the universe notice?

DO I REALLY MATTER?"

To quote some powerful inspirational truths about you from this book:

You have been created as one of a kind.

On the planet Earth, there has never been one like you...and there never will be again.

Your spirit, your thoughts and feelings, your ability to reason and act all exist in no one else.

The rarities that make you special are no mere accident or quirk of fate.

YOU HAVE BEEN CREATED IN ORDER THAT YOU 
MIGHT MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
YOU HAVE WITHIN YOU THE POWER 
TO CHANGE THE WORLD.

That's quite a wake-up call, don't you think?  So why not celebrate your life as a gift to all you meet in both thought and deed today.  Believe in Yourself (like the tag on this butterfly blouse says!) You make a world of difference by your every action so choose wisely.



Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen




Sunday, September 22, 2019

Give Peace a Chance: An Angel Message

Ever notice the timing of things?  How something may catch your eye...and, there is a vague zsst or an angel buzz, that signals it is meant for you. The why factor may not be clear at the time, but on a deeper level, you know, so you buy it.   

That's what happened when I came across this old black and white photo postcard of John Lennon.  It was tucked inside a vintage box of old cards at the local antique store.  John Lennon making the peace sign at the Statue of Liberty was a reminder for me to give peace a chance.

Last year when the international call went out to send postcards to Dusseldorf, Germany in celebration of their world peace mission, I spent several days looking for a meaningful card.  Little did I know I already had the perfect card. An angel must have tapped me on the shoulder.  So John traveled with the Statue of Liberty and joined thousands of other postcards celebrating peace that were posted on their giant bulletin board.

"Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me."

Enjoy your day with the Angels!  Look for the happy things of God's Love to come to you.

Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen


   

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Dragonflies in the Weather Forecast: An Angel Message


With all the recent catastrophic storm models pictured on various weather tracking systems, Yahoo News this week reported on an unusual phenomenon that lightened the forecast. Epic size dragonfly swarms appeared on weather radars in Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.  It was reported by some that the migrating swarms looked like late summer showers at first glance.

 It may sound rather odd, but this happy forecast brought a smile.  In Japan, Dragonfly is a symbol of new joy and light.  I'd also heard that when a dragonfly appears, it is a message to trust in the power of Light.  Now is the time to shine!

Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen


Photo: from web

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Out of the Cracks and into the Sunlight: An Angel Message

Some of you may be wondering how the buttercup plant fared during Dorian. This amazing wild buttercup has been such a good teacher, bringing many lessons:  Bloom where you are planted;  All things are possible with God;  Take it one day at a time, in gratitude;  Do your best and let God do the rest.

As you may recall, her seed had been planted by the wind over a year ago.  What a surprise to find a spindly little green vine growing out of a narrow crack in the stucco wall by our backdoor.  I waited, curious to learn what it was.  Then she bloomed one day.

Wild buttercup in crack after Dorian
Buttercup! A childhood favorite!  I was happy to greet my flower friend in my coming in and going out each day.  As you can see, over the last year and a half, she has grown very tall, branching out in new directions.  I marvel at her height, as she towers above the doorway, while planted in such a restricted place. 

With the impending storm, I worried that the high winds in the forecast may ruffle her branches and cause her to break.  I thought about putting a physical shield around her, but then I remembered a better solution.  Why not ask the angels to watch over and protect all the flowers, trees, little animals and birds in the wake of the storm. 

The next morning, what joy to see the hardy buttercup had not only survived, but cheerfully greeted me with a big golden smile.

Wild buttercup after Dorian

I looked up the symbolism of the buttercup again.  It is a messenger to develop better self-worth.  With proper self-worth, we can succeed in every environment.  (Even in a small crack in the wall!)  Buttercup affirms that the power of our words will be increasing, especially when applied to healing.  This buttery flower alerts us to opportunities for new life directions and for sharing our light with others. 

Thank you, Angels for all that you do to love, guard, guide and comfort.

Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen




Ref. Nature-Speak, Ted Andrews




Saturday, September 14, 2019

Wilderness Testing: An Angel Message



Angels send messages in heartwarming, unexpected ways, that often can make you shake your head in smiling wonder.  I'm so grateful for their creative messages that arrive at the right time in just the right way to speak to our soul.

The morning after Hurricane Dorian, Elliot and I took a drive to Lake Helen. As we parked by a tree, I noticed a man in a gold van, looking out at the lake. 

For privacy, we parked on the other side of the old cypress tree to enjoy the lakeside view.  With the car windows rolled down, a fresh breeze cleared the air.  The lake was a beautiful vision of serenity.   The sun shining on the rippled waters, fully restored by the heavy rains.  A family of long-legged sandhill cranes had come to the lake to fish.



With a deep sigh of relief, we were thankful that Dorian had passed by Florida, and for all the prayers.  We were also praying for the recovery efforts in the Bahamas.

It was then I heard the gentleman in the van reading his Bible outloud.  I listened to the powerful words carried on the breeze.  It did feel as though the angels had orchestrated the timing as it was a favorite passage.

 After Jesus had received the Holy Spirit, He had been led by the Spirit to the wilderness where he spent 40 days and 40 nights fasting and praying.  At the end of his 40 days, the devil showed up to test Jesus' spiritual muscle. "Turn the stones into bread," the devil  first tempted the hungry Christ. 

The adversary comes when we are at our most lowest, most vulnerable point, he believes we will fall for his tricks in our weakened state.  But Jesus knew better. In the wilderness,  Jesus was tested three times by the devil.  (You can read about it in Matthew 4:11.)

 Satan is so crafty he even quoted Psalm 91:11 telling Jesus to prove who He is by commanding His angels to help cast him down from a tall steeple where Satan has precariously placed him.  But Jesus knowing the truth, rebuffed the temptation to use His power unwisely, and to rely on the will of His heavenly Father to see him through. Three times He was tested.  Three times He rebuffed his adversary. 

Looking out on the pristine lake, I heard the wonderful words of encouragement that rang out in the sunshine. "Then the devil leaveth him, and behold, angels came and ministered unto him."
Angels.  I smiled.  I know the angels were with us in the storm, and we were tested to stay strong and abide in the Secret Place of the Most High. 

Life is like that.  We go through trials and just when we are close to the finish line, the opponent shows up to test our faith.  During those trying times, if we can cling to Christ, and keep running our race, moment by moment, we will cross the finish line in victory.

So, no matter what you may be facing today in your wilderness experience, please take comfort in knowing that you are not alone, the Holy Spirit is within you, guiding you.  And, you, dear friend,  are in the presence of angels, who are eagerly waiting in the wings to rush in and refresh you when it's all over.

Enjoy your day with the angels.

Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen


Artwork:  Angels Ministering to Christ in the Wilderness, Thomas Cole

Monday, September 9, 2019

Donkey, A Call for Love: Angel Message


On Sunday afternoon, Elliot and I took an impromptu ride to the local orchid farm.  It's a sweet place to visit in the countryside.  Not only do they have beautiful exotic flowers and plants inside of a large warehouse, but we love to visit the animals, especially the Jerusalem donkey.  A few years ago,  this gentle brown burrow helped me get over a fear of him. As I shared in another blog, he stuck his face over the fence and looked me straight in the eye.  His irresistible  spirit was so adorable, I had to reach out and give him a pat on the snout. That was the beginning of our bond.



So from time to time, Elliot and I would stop by to enjoy nature and share love with him.

On Sunday, it had been a long time since our last visit to the orchid farm.   As we parked the car, and were  crossing the large grassy field to his private area, we were in for a surprise.  Elliot spotted our four-legged friend laying down by the fence, basking in the sunshine.

We were a good distance away, when the donkey picked up on our signal.  He quickly jumped up on his feet, staring our way.  Alert, ears pinned back, watching.

As we came closer, he began  BRAYING, like never before!  LOUD and LONG! He BRAYED like his heart was breaking. It was so loud, I expected folks to come running out of the nursery, but they didn't.

We called out,"We're coming to see you!"

 It's hard to describe what we heard and saw in that DYNAMIC OUTBURST OF LOVE!

 I didn't get a photo, but this one I found on-line captures the intensity of his greeting. 
web photo

As we approached the fence, he was still vocalizing, LOUD, rapidly breathing in and out, HEE! HAW! Mouth wide open, big teeth looming, giving his ALL.  It was really something to behold! And we couldn't help from laughing.

When he calmed down, I rubbed his coarse hairy ears, and caressed his sweet face. Softly I asked him, "Do you know how special you are?"

 Big brown eyes looked up at me with such love. 

"You're a Jerusalem Donkey!" I told him. "And, today is Mother Mary's Birthday (9/8).  Your devoted donkey ancestor carried Mother Mary, on his back, on a long journey from  Nazareth to Bethlehem so baby Jesus could be born in a stable."

My donkey friend listened intently, flicking his ears while I patted his back, noticing the reason for the name Jerusalem donkey.  Two dark lines naturally form a single cross on his back.  He looked at me as I continued to pet him. I went on to tell him how a donkey had helped Jesus' family flee from King Herod and travel to Egypt shortly after Jesus was born.

He seemed satisfied that donkeys had played such an important role, humbly serving the royal family.

We had a good visit, and when it was time to go, he was content, grazing in the grass by the fence.  I, too, was thankful that the angels had nudged us to the orchid farm to receive such an outpouring of LOVE.

Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen






Thursday, September 5, 2019

Beautiful Skies after Dorian: An Angel Message

Dear friends,

Thank you for all of your prayers and positive thoughts during Dorian. We are safe and protected,  thankful the path shifted off shore, bringing minor winds and rainfall to central Florida.  It has been a long prayerful, scary watch at times, as the slow moving storm approached, with plenty of opportunity to work our spiritual muscle.   

Then last evening after the storm had passed, the sky in our neighborhood became a golden pink canvas, such a beautiful blessing that I ran to take a picture.   

Before the sun had set, the sky then turned a beautiful purple.



This morning an amazing photo appeared on line after Dorian passed by Jacksonville!  An abundance of heavenly purple clouds.    
 Photo: Amy Pope-Latham, LCSW 

Nature speaks with love.  On our neighborhood walk this morning, this cheerful red flower had bloomed in full glory during the storm.

I am so thankful to all of our guardian angels, God's representatives,  who guide and protect us.  I hope that more people will embrace the reality of the angelic realm, and invite them into their lives.  It is comforting to know that we are never alone.  The more I practice  Psalm 91, the more I can fully appreciate the unseen help in our midst during life's journey.

Today my heart holds the people in the Bahamas and the Carolinas in prayer.  They, too, are in the midst of angels.  No one is exempt from God's Love as we go through our trials and tribulations. 

Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen