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Salt + Sparrow

Living Water
Spiritual Growth

Living Water: An Ever-Flowing Source of Holiness

May 23, 2023

There is something so deeply soothing about fresh, clean, natural mountainside running water. I think back to the many vacations spent in Colorado and the frigid mountain streams near campsites I stayed with my parents.

With water as clear and cold as physically possible, seeing perfectly the size and shape of each unique pebble covering the riverbed below the clear surface. Those rocks slowly hewn and perfected over the earth’s summation of time and a never-ending source of running water.

If each individual rock represented each unique soul upon this planet, what would be the source of every soul’s special process of molding?

Would it be the pure and clear water from a fresh mountain stream?

Or perhaps the molten lava of an active volcano. Maybe the gentle moonlight shining upon an emerging nocturnal soul. Or a powerful wave of saltwater continually rushing over a human surface to create a sought-after vision of pearlescence.

Some have less natural guiding forces, chasing the always dangling carrot of the green dollar, trying to obtain the never-ending moving target of success, gaining a sense of comfort from that next insatiable bite, or finding solace in the bottom of an amber-colored whiskey glass.

We all have vices, whether we realize it or not. Some allow us to function, others are daily killing a piece of our soul, yet still others may be the most healthy habit we have ever known.

Water, to me, is healing.

Whether it be a numbing steamy bath after a long day on my feet, an ice-cold drink after a sweat-pouring workout, perhaps a fruit-infused cold beverage after doing yard work, or a simple glass of water that is immediately cooled by the modern convenience a working ice-maker affords.

No matter what form water takes, my all-time favorite is the memory of sticking my hands and feet in a chilly mountain stream.

The water flowing so swiftly, perfectly clean, as it comes straight from the mouth of a rushing, white-capped waterfall.

Feeling the chill, hearing the roar of rushing water, knowing this particular vessel carries a life force for all the creatures that dwell in its midst. Living, flowing water. The most peaceful song of nature I can fathom.

And that soothing memory brings me to the spiritual water only Jesus can provide.

The type of water that offers not only deep refreshment, but everlasting life within the most amazing of paradises.

The same water Jesus offered to the woman at the well. The same water in which Jesus shared an example of immersion from sin.

The loving, breathing, soul-cleansing water that gently washes the dirtiest of hearts.

Of course, we know it isn’t the water itself that holds the supernatural element of peace, forgiveness, and the promise of eternal life.

It is the source, the Son of Man, the only perfect human to ever grace the same surface of earth that has stood for thousands of years.

His living water is unlike any for which we seek. It quenches the deepest desire for precious peace, hoped-for joy, and the only true fulfillment we will ever know, this side of Heaven.

Seek this water from its ever-flowing source of holiness, and your thirst will, at long last, be fully quenched.

I love the symbolic meaning of water in Jesus’ ministry.

The one element we cannot live without.

Nourishment to the body, mind, and soul.

The very essence of life in its most simplistic and pure form. With a soothing sound and a nurturing taste, it carries a life-force of magic we may never fully understand.

While simultaneously symbolizing the greatest gift we will ever receive, the washing away of our human self and the full connection to our Savior’s life-saving grace.

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Manndi Wilkins

Manndi Maphies DeBoef works at the UMKC School of Pharmacy and as a freelance writer in her spare time. Her greatest passion is being a boy mom to her two rambunctious, creative, endearing sons, William, age 11 and Waylan, nearly 9. Her sons never fail to provide daily entertainment, which inspires many of her writings. She also loves to write about everything from being a single mom and dating after divorce to finding love later in life, the devastation of miscarriage, the loss of a loved one and starting over. Her pieces are lovingly filled with inspiration, encouragement and always a touch of humor. “Live a life others wish to read about.”

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The Comments

  • Sandy Brannan
    May 26, 2023

    Love your writing and your messages of hope!

    Reply

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Welcome to Salt + Sparrow, a place where we learn about Jesus, the Bible, and find big faith in small things.

"The life I’m called to live is displayed in the "The life I’m called to live is displayed in the way Jesus lived his life. Living out my purpose means to do my best to love and serve others like Jesus did, and let God’s light shine through me so that He may be glorified."

@jenjabbour 

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Amen 🙏🏻 @hertrueworth #faithquotes #christ Amen 🙏🏻 @hertrueworth 

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Every single person you meet was created by, and l Every single person you meet was created by, and loved by God. 

Even the ones who have hurt you. 

Next time you’re tempted to act out in anger, or envy, or hurt.. stop for a moment and think.. how would Jesus behave in this situation? 

Learning to respond to others for who they are rather than what they’ve done… or the emotion their actions have triggered in you, will bring you peace and freedom. 

💛
.
.
.
.
.
#faithblogger #christianblogger #christianwomen #christianlifestyle
I was recently gifted the book, Grit Don’t Quit: I was recently gifted the book, Grit Don’t Quit: Developing Resilience and Faith When Giving Up Isn’t an Option, by Bianca Juarez Olthoff. And it couldn’t have come into my life at a better time.

I think we’ve all gone through times in our life when failure has threatened to keep us down. When getting back up after yet another fall feels seemingly impossible.

And I hate to break it to you, but we will all face failure at some point in our lives. Sometimes repeatedly. But the really amazing thing about failure is that it give us options:

We can either let failure destroy our confidence and our faith and keep us from living up to our full potential.

Or we call view failure as another chance.

Embracing failure is a concept that may be difficult to adopt at first, but when we can view failure as a learning opportunity and quickly get back up on our feet, we win. It’s also a chance to turn to God and say hey.. here’s my weakness. And it’s only through our weaknesses that we can turn to God and find His strength.

So.. are you going to change the way you view failure? Or are you going to let it hold you back?

@biancaolthoff 

I'll link a giveaway for this book in stories so go check it out there!

#gritdontquit #gritdontquitbook #bookstagram #grit #christianbooks
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"The life I’m called to live is displayed in the "The life I’m called to live is displayed in the way Jesus lived his life. Living out my purpose means to do my best to love and serve others like Jesus did, and let God’s light shine through me so that He may be glorified."

@jenjabbour 

 #faith #momsoffaith #christianmoms #relationshipwithgod #christians #christianmother #christianliving #jesusalways #truth #faithinmotion #christianlifestyle #prayer #purpose
Amen 🙏🏻 @hertrueworth #faithquotes #christ Amen 🙏🏻 @hertrueworth 

#faithquotes #christianmoms #truth #blessed #relationshipwithgod #prayer #christianmomma #christianlifestyle #christianity #faithblogger #christianmother #faithinmotion #faithblog #christianliving #christians #momsoffaith #biblestudy #jesusalways #faith #bibleverse #pray
Every single person you meet was created by, and l Every single person you meet was created by, and loved by God. 

Even the ones who have hurt you. 

Next time you’re tempted to act out in anger, or envy, or hurt.. stop for a moment and think.. how would Jesus behave in this situation? 

Learning to respond to others for who they are rather than what they’ve done… or the emotion their actions have triggered in you, will bring you peace and freedom. 

💛
.
.
.
.
.
#faithblogger #christianblogger #christianwomen #christianlifestyle
I was recently gifted the book, Grit Don’t Quit: I was recently gifted the book, Grit Don’t Quit: Developing Resilience and Faith When Giving Up Isn’t an Option, by Bianca Juarez Olthoff. And it couldn’t have come into my life at a better time.

I think we’ve all gone through times in our life when failure has threatened to keep us down. When getting back up after yet another fall feels seemingly impossible.

And I hate to break it to you, but we will all face failure at some point in our lives. Sometimes repeatedly. But the really amazing thing about failure is that it give us options:

We can either let failure destroy our confidence and our faith and keep us from living up to our full potential.

Or we call view failure as another chance.

Embracing failure is a concept that may be difficult to adopt at first, but when we can view failure as a learning opportunity and quickly get back up on our feet, we win. It’s also a chance to turn to God and say hey.. here’s my weakness. And it’s only through our weaknesses that we can turn to God and find His strength.

So.. are you going to change the way you view failure? Or are you going to let it hold you back?

@biancaolthoff 

I'll link a giveaway for this book in stories so go check it out there!

#gritdontquit #gritdontquitbook #bookstagram #grit #christianbooks
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

"This verse isn’t promising that bad things won’t happen. It simply reminds us nothing can touch us when we live in Christ Jesus. We might experience loss and hardship, but our ultimate destination is heavenly perfection. 

So today, if you are living consumed with fear, practice surrender.

Take a deep breath and know that no matter what, you are loved and you will be ok.

God is Big Enough to hold our biggest hurts and make them beautiful." 

@mrsheidivegh 

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