Who would have thought from a casual glance at the night sky that the universe would be so majestic and so enormous? Certainly the night sky is stunningly beautiful, even to the unaided eye. Who could have known that it would contain hundreds of billions of galaxies, each with millions to trillions of stars, along with countless clusters and nebulae of immense size and breathtaking beauty? It seems that the more we zoom in on the universe, the more beautiful it becomes, and the more we realize how truly vast and amazing it is. The more we “magnify” the universe, the more amazed we are by its beauty and complexity. The same is true of the Creator of the universe. The more we magnify God, the more we realize just how powerful He is. The way God has constructed the universe reflects to us His power on a vast unimaginable size, so it shouldn’t surprise us that the universe is so incredible and breathtaking.
The Father and I are one. John 10:30
If you want to know what God is like, see Jesus.
Throughout history there has been an effort to define God. If you read through the Old Testament, and believe it to be the word of God, you may be inclined to see a God of anger and wrath, a God that warns that disobedience will bring swift and deadly consequences.
Yet if you read deeper into those…
In January of this year (2023) the Lord was leading me to work on an album of original prayersongs tentatively titled Paths of Praise Christian Worship Songs.
Suddenly He interrupted that work which I was completely focused on and switched directions. He asked me to create an album of traditional hymns as a gift for His children.
When the Lord changes my focus on a project it completely humbles…
Blessed are those who have faith and believe in me. Sow your seed and wait patiently for success to succeed, then you shall reap. But, all that is against me, my happiness and my prosperity, will surely perish indefinitely.
🙃 Regular reminder that while Hozier has amazing love songs, he is ALSO very outspoken about his leftist politics, specifically anti-fascism, anti-racism, reproductive rights, Palestinian rights and more.
Take Me To Church and Foreigner’s God are scathing critiques of organized religion, specifically the Catholic Church and the colonization of Ireland.
Moment’s Silence is about oral sex but it’s ALSO about how that specific sexual act is often distorted to a show of power rather than that of love.
Nina Cried Power is an homage to various (mostly Black) civil rights activists from the US and Ireland and a call to follow their path.
Be criticizes anti-migrant policies and Trump and his ilk.
Jackboot Jump is about the global wave of fascism and about protest and resistance.
Swan Upon Leda is about reproductive rights and the violent colonial oppression of Ireland and Palestine.
Eat Your Young is about the ruinous way the 1%/capitalism and arms dealers prioritize short-term profit over everything else to the detriment of the youth/99%
Butchered Tongue is about Irish and other indigenous languages being suppressed and erased by imperial powers.
If any of the above surprised you, please, please delve deeper into Hozier’s music, you’re missing such an important part of his work.
Ephesians 1:18-23 (NIV). “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”
“To See the Glory of God’s Purposes” By In Touch Ministries:
“The light of Christ provides hope, love, and power to overcome any darkness.”
“If you’ve ever stumbled through your house in the dark, then you know that even perfect vision is useless without light. But flip a switch, and everything suddenly becomes much clearer.
That’s what Paul’s getting at when he prays “that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened” (Eph. 1:18). It’s not a prayer for some kind of spiritual X-ray vision; rather, he’s asking that God enable the Ephesians to view everything they experience in the best light of all—His light.
What did they need to see? The scope and richness of salvation in Christ. First, it’s grounded in hope, something the Ephesians didn’t have before their encounter with Jesus. They’d been outside God’s kingdom, but as a result of His calling, they became His people. That reality transformed not only their future but also their present.
Now, as God’s treasured people, they were no longer to rely on their own strength. With the King and kingdom resources at hand, believers had “boundless” divine power working for, in, and through them (v. 19). It’s also a good reminder for us. Despite the world’s apparent darkness, we can live in the light, hope, and power of God’s good news. So let’s confidently join Paul in praying for a perspective illuminated by the gospel.”
Right now I feel happy, eager, and open to explore my new beginnings. I feel myself evolving into being brand new. I feel like good things, immaculate dreams, and stable peace is manifesting as I type. I feel that now is one of those moments where I channel my wisdom through surrendering. Being calm is key for me right now. I was challenged on my journey to remain calm throughout my emotions of sadness, anger, frustration, fear, and confusion. Now it is time for me remain calm through overwhelming joy, happiness, and receiving an overload of abundance. I want my most fulfilling experiences to feel welcomed and not pressured. There is no pressure for my peace. Just deep breaths, and energy cleanses. Being open, remaining open and expecting all good outcomes. I put in the effort to manifest this, so now I Am accepting of all this blissfulness. Here in this moment I inner stand that I Am aware of me practicing mindfulness at an increased level. At one point in my life I would take exactly what was handed to me, but now I manifest all that appreciates me. Thank you God. Thank you Universe. And most importantly thank you Mother Earth for allowing me to exist through you for this long. I Am continuously nurtured, loved, adored, and gifted. I Am effortlessly pleased, satisfied, and praising my alignment. For the good of all and harm to none. I Am magically Thee Chosen One ♡🧿Amen. Asé & Namasté 🎬