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A Morning View From the Patio

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." - Matthew 5:8
Is your mind pure? Are your motives and principles pure? When you are in a quiet place all alone what are your thoughts and desires? Are you seeking to grow deeper in the presence of God in your heart or deeper into self fulfillment of selfish desires? When you sit in quiet what do you think about? 
The scriptures tell us that Jesus modeled getting away. When he did it seemed like he always went to the mountain. Where do you go? Do you go to the mountain where the cool breeze blows through the trees and majestic views surround you as far as you might see? Do you go to a beach place where the thunder of the waves roll into the shore and the sky is painted with clouds and colors by the hand of God? 
One of the places which is one of my places to go is Lakeside Ohio for West Ohio Annual Conference. The conference itself is alright, but the place bring peace to my soul. It is a place I can check my heart, think deeply about my relationship with God and do an inventory of my heart. I ask myself how my soul is with God and what do I need to strive to live better with a pure heart? 
When my heart is at it's peak of purity is when I see the presence of God in my life more clearly. It does not mean that God is not around and active in my life when I am not more pure in heart, for me I realize I do not see and experience the results of God around me when my heart is not pure. When I am selfish and internally needy focusing on self satisfaction not from God, I see God less and live in a spiritually unhealthy place. When God is my priority and I am walking deeper into the ocean of God's love and grace relationship keeping my heart pure, I see God all around me. 
Lord, help us to focus on you in the middle of our lives. May our thoughts be all about you and your ominous love for us. May our hearts be so deeply connected to your heart that all we see is you in the darkest of days or the brightness of night. 
May I strive to be pure. Bless my heart and let me see you oh Glorious God! 
Peace,
PB

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