SHARE: The Greatest Inspiration of 2011

SHARE … By The Spirit™

Enjoy a look back on some of this year’s most popular posts from our By The Spirit™ Contributors! Preparing for the next year begins by preparing for the next moment … and the next … and the next!

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SPEAK: Resolve By The Spirit — Resolve to Go Deeper

SPEAK … By the Spirit™ with Erica A. Hawthorne

Resolve to Go Deeper

© 2011 Erica A. Hawthorne

December 23, 2011

I love massages!  Whether it be a basic Swedish massage, or the caring hands of a friend or loved one, the comfort and release of tension can be heavenly.  I love the euphoric feeling afterwards when tense muscles finally release their grip on whatever matters, thoughts and stresses that have built up over the days and months.

I remember my first professional massage at a spa.  I felt like royalty!  The staff offered me water with a hint of mint and cucumber and offered me a soft robe and slippers (that I was sad to have to return at the end of my appointment).  The scent of lavender filled my room and the music immediately put me in a meditative state.  The masseuse asked questions about my tension, any aches or injuries and then swiftly went about working to relax and soothe each muscle.

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SHINE: Resolve by the Spirit — The Winter Solstice New Year Begins Today!

SHINE … By the Spirit™ with Tonya M. Evans

The Winter Solstice New Year Begins Today!

© 2011 Tonya M. Evans

December 22, 2011

Winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, begins at Thursday 12:31 AM on the east coast of the United States. It marks the beginning of a new year and a new seasonal cycle according to the Mayan calendar. On the day of the winter solstice, the northern polar region of Earth is in 24-hour darkness, while the southern polar region is in 24-hour daylight.

The concept of winter solstice is not aligned with any particular religious doctrine. It is driven by astrological principles so regardless of your religious persuasion, winter Solstice can demonstrate for you nature’s way of experiencing the death of one year and the beginning of a new one. Click here for a straightforward explanation of winter solstice.

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LEARN: Resolve By the Spirit – …To Show Up Like Christ

LEARN! … By the Spirit™ with Jerricia J. Ulmer

…To Show Up Like Christ 

© 2011  Jerricia J. Ulmer, M.Ed.

December 21, 2011

We know the Christmas story. It’s a beautiful one. An angel of GOD comes to a seemingly normal young woman and asks her to deliver the Savior into the world during an appointed time of peril.

Well, we’re in an appointed time of peril now. The time is ripe. The world still needs saving! GOD sent Jesus to show us the way. He came so that we may have life and have it to the full (John 10:10), but how many do not know the CHRIST of Christmas? How many souls in a lost and hurting world feel like they’ve never seen Jesus at work, like He’s just some age-old character in a fairytale?

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SHINE: Resolve by the Spirit — To Everything There is a Season

SHINE … By the Spirit™ with Tonya M. Evans

To Everything There is a Season

© 2011 Tonya M. Evans

December 15, 2011

“Sunshine all the time makes a desert.” Arab proverb

When I first heard this quote it hit me like a runaway train. Bam! I never saw the lesson coming but when I heard it, the sentiment resonated deeply within me.

Despite being the “SHINE” contributor, quiet as it’s kept my light isn’t always blinding. Sometimes when life and circumstances cast a shadow over me, even I struggle to find my light.

They say when the student is ready the teacher appears. Today, this quote was my teacher.

A “less than luminous” state can really get to you when you know intellectually about a higher spiritual path and seek to “walk the walk” and use your life as an example for others. The truth is, however, spiritual enlightenment doesn’t immune you from the realities of having a very human experience as a result of the hurt, loss and suffering that come with living sometimes.

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