Once in a Blue Moon

 It's kind of a rare sight: Blue Moons occur somewhat infrequently. After today's full moon, another Blue Moon will not occur again until 2015. The idiom "once in a Blue Moon" signifies a rare event because scientists had trouble predicting when the distinctive full moon would happen during any given year.

There are two definitions for Blue Moon: The term Blue Moon was originally assigned to the third full moon in a four moon season, but after a mix up in "Sky & Telescope" magazine in 1946, the term took on a different meaning. An article in the magazine incorrectly defined a blue moon as the second full moon in a single month, but the definition stuck. This particular blue moon is a technical Blue Moon, but does not meet the criteria for the second definition. The third full moon in a four-full-moon season rule was detailed in a 1937 edition of the now defunct Maine Farmers' Almanac.

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We went out to watch the stars last night.  Instead we discovered it was a "Blue Moon" which meant that it was so bright out there that we could barely see any stars at all.  We stayed outside anyways, and tried to take pictures.

It was a beautiful night, with a light, rustling breeze as we sat and enjoyed the sky.  While my Beloved was taking pictures, I was praising God and then praying for a myriad of situations.  Meanwhile the moon was just so bright, seemingly brighter than a normal full moon, and I began to contemplate how the moon only reflects the sun's light. Without the sun we would not see our moon.

As we live our lives for the LORD, our own lives are to be a reflection of His.  As we do normal things in life, our lives should shine because of Him.  There should be a beautiful difference in us when we are His child that others can see without us even preaching the gospel.  This difference is because of our new life in Him and it should be normal and natural for us to live and shine His reflection.  

Galatians 5:22-25

... the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 

Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

We are to live our lives in such a way that, unlike "a blue moon" which only comes once in a while, we will always shine brightly for Him.  Don't be a "once in a blue moon" child of God.

1 Peter 2:9-12

...you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.  

Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.

Born again to a living hope!

Don't know how it is You looked at me
And saw the person that I could be
Awakening my heart
Breaking through the dark
Suddenly Your grace

Like sunlight burning at midnight
Making my life something so
Beautiful, beautiful
Mercy reaching to save me
All that I need
You are so
Beautiful, beautiful

Now there's a joy inside I can't contain
But even perfect days can end in rain
And though it's pouring down
I see You through the clouds
Shining on my face

by Battistelli, etc

1 Peter 1:3-9
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
who according to His great mercy has caused us to be  
born again to a living hope through the resurrection 
of Jesus Christ from the dead, 
to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable 
and undefiled and will not fade away, 
reserved in heaven for you, 
who are protected by the power of God through faith 
for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 

In this you greatly rejoice, 
even though now for a little while, if necessary, 
you have been distressed by various trials, 
so that the proof of your faith, 
being more precious than gold which is perishable, 
even though tested by fire, 
may be found to result in praise and glory and honor 
at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 
and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, 
and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, 
you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible andfull of glory, 
obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

Your intuition is your superpower

...#15... "Strive to be the best YOU, 

not a copy of the person next to you. 

Know your strengths. 

Don't belittle your weaknesses."

See the 20 Things I Wish Someone Told Me at 20, 
by Dr. Karin L. Smithson

...#20...Listen to your still, small voice. 

God gave you a spirit that speaks to you from that spot deep in your core. 

You can feel it give you a stinging "bzzzz" when you should not be somewhere, 

and a feel-good "lalalala!"when you are in a very good place. 

Trust those GUT feelings. 

Your intuition is your superpower -- 

use it and you will diminish your chance for regret ... 

and increase your chance for wonderfulness.

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Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Proverbs 4:23

You two must really be in love

 

Picture from 1977

Recently we stopped in at a fast food shop as we traveled home -- restroom and in line for a snack and drink.  As we ordered one large drink, the cashier asked if I wanted one for myself.  

We both replied that we always shared.

The other young woman employee behind the counter heard our conversation and commented, 

"Oh, my -- you two must really be in love!"  

and then, "I've NEVER shared with anyone!"

Our advice to anyone who desires to be truly loved, is to patiently wait for the One.

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“I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine"

Song of Solomon 6:3a

This scripture means more to us as every day passes by -- now almost 4 decades.