I've watched "The Nativity Story" several times in the last two weeks. I've been struck by a line in the movie where Mary is in labor on the donkey and Joseph is trying to find a place for her to bring forth the child. She simply prays, "Lord, will thou not provide a place for us? At that moment, the innkeeper gives the only place he has, the stable, to them.
I've pondered this. In the stable, they were alone, to behold the wonder of the birth of the Messiah. There was no interruption, no babling, no advice, no arguing, no fingerpointing, no world. It was Mary and Joseph, and perhaps a choir of angels and the Father beholding, beholding Himself as a babe! Oh the quiet wonder of the moment, of the night, because there was no room in the inn. Perhaps even before His first breath, He was saving, saving the moment for those who would bear the greatest sacrifice of all!
So in my heart I am feeling that Mary's prayer was perfectly answered. He kept the moment for them alone. No hustle in the inn, no celebration. A silent night, a holy night......
If it seems like the Lord has forgotten you and hasn't heard your prayer, perhaps you should look again. He may have chosen to still everything else to be with you alone. I urge you to behold Him, wonder silently, alone.....
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
"I desire mercy...."
Amazing! Yes, my God is amazing. I see new things in His word all the time. He is so alive and so filled with new awe and wonder. I think it's funny how we try to figure Him out yet He wants to fill us with wonder. I think I'll be childlike and choose wonder!
I've been reading Matthew lately. I was heartstruck by a You Tube video concerning a group from JHOP who went into a homosexual district and began to worship God. They got noticed alright, and attacked. They escaped with their lives only because of the police who escorted them out! One thing struck me, they kept chanting "shame on you, shame on you". I heard what their hearts heard, "shame on you homosexuals, you sinners". I wanted to see how Jesus responded to those in deep sin.
In reading through Matthew, I was struck by a small statement he repeated twice. In Matthew 9 he invites Matthew, a tax collector, to follow Him and be one of His disciples. Then he goes and eats with him and other tax collectors. The Pharisees see this and comment, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and "sinner"? Then Jesus replys, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.
Again in Matthew 12, He and the disciples are walking through a grainfield on the Sabbath and some of them pull some wheat to eat because they are hungry. Again the Pharisees accuse Him and He begins by telling them of David and the priests, things they knew from the scriptures and then he says, I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. If you had known what these words mean, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice", you would not have condemned the innocent.
For days and several weeks now this has been resonating in my spirit, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I believe it has something to do with seeing with eyes of compassion those who are lost and in need. And not meeting them with condemnation, the law, or accusation, but with sincere heartfelt love for the person God created them to be, even while they are not yet walking in it.
It was mercy that He gave so freely to each of us, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us! Oh, that is love that I wrestle with understanding. Today, and for now, I choose to wonder in it and to continue to ask Him to help me "learn what this means". I'm after His heart of mercy.
I've been reading Matthew lately. I was heartstruck by a You Tube video concerning a group from JHOP who went into a homosexual district and began to worship God. They got noticed alright, and attacked. They escaped with their lives only because of the police who escorted them out! One thing struck me, they kept chanting "shame on you, shame on you". I heard what their hearts heard, "shame on you homosexuals, you sinners". I wanted to see how Jesus responded to those in deep sin.
In reading through Matthew, I was struck by a small statement he repeated twice. In Matthew 9 he invites Matthew, a tax collector, to follow Him and be one of His disciples. Then he goes and eats with him and other tax collectors. The Pharisees see this and comment, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and "sinner"? Then Jesus replys, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.
Again in Matthew 12, He and the disciples are walking through a grainfield on the Sabbath and some of them pull some wheat to eat because they are hungry. Again the Pharisees accuse Him and He begins by telling them of David and the priests, things they knew from the scriptures and then he says, I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. If you had known what these words mean, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice", you would not have condemned the innocent.
For days and several weeks now this has been resonating in my spirit, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I believe it has something to do with seeing with eyes of compassion those who are lost and in need. And not meeting them with condemnation, the law, or accusation, but with sincere heartfelt love for the person God created them to be, even while they are not yet walking in it.
It was mercy that He gave so freely to each of us, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us! Oh, that is love that I wrestle with understanding. Today, and for now, I choose to wonder in it and to continue to ask Him to help me "learn what this means". I'm after His heart of mercy.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
From Within...
I'm walking in a new season of life. From within. In order for me to describe this I have to share a prophetic word that was spoken over my hubby & I this past April. It begins:
The picture I get is of the two of you standing on a bluff overlooking a wide expanse, open as far as you can look in every direction. It is beautiful, breathtaking. What is remarkable is there are no roads, no path. It is just this huge expanse. There is this sense, "ok, we are ready to move, where do we go"? Deep down inside, He has placed a desire in the two of you and that is the path, that is the way. It is what He has for you. Allow those dreams and desires to be stirred up again. I am seeing them arising out of you. It is time for what He has placed deep within you to come forth. It will not be defined from others, from the outside. So stop looking there. Trust what He has put in your hearts. As you learn to live in His presence, as you bask in His love and the joy of that, He will just overflow out of you.
We have spent months trying to "figure it out" and all the while knowing that is exactly what we were told not to do. So, we just "found" ourselves sitting back, taking in a deep breath, deciding to just do what was in front of us for the moment, pretty much laying it down and keep (as a friend of mine says) livin' life!
And we found it! What's inside is family. God's family. Dads and moms, sons and daughters! In the last several months, low and behold parenting has bubbled up. Now we still love being natural parents and grandparents but a new love and desire has grown for us to consciously parent in the faith and encourage, teach and release others to do the same.
So, we are pregnant again. Pregnant with expectation that when "fathers" are looking for their lost sons, they will come home. Pregnant for those that haven't found a home to have a home, with a "dad" and "mom" to greet them. Pregnant for increase in the family of God and that everyone there will be loved, cared for and would grow up and have Christ formed in them according to Galatians 4:19. And everyone knows, when you are pregnant, life will come forth. What is within, naturally comes forth and is held.
What are you pregnant with? Nurture it, look forward to it and wait on the Lord and when the "time has come", what is within, will come forth!!
And lastly, God's heart is for family and Godly offspring. Hopefully, you are walking in being a son or daughter of God. And while you will be forever His son or daughter, he calls you to bring forth Godly offspring, He calls you to become a father or mother, perhaps in the natural, but for sure in the faith. Along with the Father, we are calling forth fathers and mothers!!
The picture I get is of the two of you standing on a bluff overlooking a wide expanse, open as far as you can look in every direction. It is beautiful, breathtaking. What is remarkable is there are no roads, no path. It is just this huge expanse. There is this sense, "ok, we are ready to move, where do we go"? Deep down inside, He has placed a desire in the two of you and that is the path, that is the way. It is what He has for you. Allow those dreams and desires to be stirred up again. I am seeing them arising out of you. It is time for what He has placed deep within you to come forth. It will not be defined from others, from the outside. So stop looking there. Trust what He has put in your hearts. As you learn to live in His presence, as you bask in His love and the joy of that, He will just overflow out of you.
We have spent months trying to "figure it out" and all the while knowing that is exactly what we were told not to do. So, we just "found" ourselves sitting back, taking in a deep breath, deciding to just do what was in front of us for the moment, pretty much laying it down and keep (as a friend of mine says) livin' life!
And we found it! What's inside is family. God's family. Dads and moms, sons and daughters! In the last several months, low and behold parenting has bubbled up. Now we still love being natural parents and grandparents but a new love and desire has grown for us to consciously parent in the faith and encourage, teach and release others to do the same.
So, we are pregnant again. Pregnant with expectation that when "fathers" are looking for their lost sons, they will come home. Pregnant for those that haven't found a home to have a home, with a "dad" and "mom" to greet them. Pregnant for increase in the family of God and that everyone there will be loved, cared for and would grow up and have Christ formed in them according to Galatians 4:19. And everyone knows, when you are pregnant, life will come forth. What is within, naturally comes forth and is held.
What are you pregnant with? Nurture it, look forward to it and wait on the Lord and when the "time has come", what is within, will come forth!!
And lastly, God's heart is for family and Godly offspring. Hopefully, you are walking in being a son or daughter of God. And while you will be forever His son or daughter, he calls you to bring forth Godly offspring, He calls you to become a father or mother, perhaps in the natural, but for sure in the faith. Along with the Father, we are calling forth fathers and mothers!!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
When you send your Spirit, new life is born.. Ps104
She's here!! Granddaughter #4! Her name is Braylin Grace, born 10/2 at 1:05am Central time. She weighs 6lbs, 14ozs, and is 19" long. She has lots of dark hair and a strong cry. I heard her crying her lungs out at 2:09am Eastern time. She sounded wonderful!! And she surprised everyone with her early arrival. Mommy was just told to get some sleep and the doc would see her in the morning. Braylin must have heard "morning" and her interpretation was 1:05am! Mom and Dad are doing fine by the way. Great job Ashley, no drugs! No time. When they realized what was going on, Braylin was making her grand entrance!
Ps 104:30 says, "When you send your Spirit, new life is born to replenish all the living of the earth". (NLT) Another translation says, "when you send forth your Spirit and give them breath, they are created and you replenish the face of the ground. This I know, she is made in His image, He has been forming, fearfully and wonderfully making our beautiful granddaughter, Braylin Grace, for such a time as this.
Shortly after Ashley realized she was pregnant, I was asking the Lord about her. He told me that she was a gift, given to prove God's fruitfulness. It was at a desert time in Mom and Dad's lives and God says "even in times of drought and wilderness" I will bring forth fruitfulness. And here she is, a fulfillment of His promise.
Life, what a precious gift! Grandchildren, the grandest of His gifts!! What a wonderful Father we have and I bet the buttons are popping off His robe right now!! She is His masterpiece, a piece of the Master Himself. And when I get to hold her in my arms in a few short days, I'm sure I'll see Him.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
He makes me....
Psalms 23 says, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me..... Hmmmmm, ever feel like you're being made to do something you don't want to do? Yeah, me too. There are things that are not comfortable, convenient or even pleasant and, therefore, I don't want to. But He makes me. He has his reasons. Just like when my sons were young, I made them do things they didn't want to. Such as go to bed, take a shower, do their homework, be kind to one another. Why did I do it? Because they needed it or others needed it. And just like I had my reasons, He has His reason for "making me".
In School of Ministry class this week we learned about authority. Pastor Herb was describing a portion of scripture and likened it as "putting iron into us". It brings strength and straightening. Discussion ensued and I began to see how we are on a journey of life. And on that journey, there are some tests, and by the way, they are all open book! But mainly, our Maker is making us. He puts things in and he removes things. At times the putting in is pleasant and satisfying, at times it's like trying to put a dress shirt and tie on a young boy with mom trying to still that wiggling boy from running away! He takes things out and often it feels much like a real loose tooth or splinter, we want it out but getting it out brings discomfort and sometimes downright pain!
I really don't want to remain the same. I choose the "making" of my Maker. I want Him to put things into me and take things out of me to straighten and strength me. And He is wanting to do it because I NEED it. I need for Him to show me where I am "twisted and messed up" because He is my Truth mirror. I want to reflect Him because I am made to reflect Him. When I "saw" Him and gave my life to Him, I ask Him to make me like Him and He is doing just that, He is making me. For that, I am grateful. It is best for me AND best for others. Then I can "let my light so shine before men that they will see my good works and glorify my "Maker" in heaven.
So, what do you think, what is He wanting to "make" in you? What "loose tooth or splinter is He wanting to remove from you? And what does He want to put in to you to strengthen and straighten you?
In School of Ministry class this week we learned about authority. Pastor Herb was describing a portion of scripture and likened it as "putting iron into us". It brings strength and straightening. Discussion ensued and I began to see how we are on a journey of life. And on that journey, there are some tests, and by the way, they are all open book! But mainly, our Maker is making us. He puts things in and he removes things. At times the putting in is pleasant and satisfying, at times it's like trying to put a dress shirt and tie on a young boy with mom trying to still that wiggling boy from running away! He takes things out and often it feels much like a real loose tooth or splinter, we want it out but getting it out brings discomfort and sometimes downright pain!
I really don't want to remain the same. I choose the "making" of my Maker. I want Him to put things into me and take things out of me to straighten and strength me. And He is wanting to do it because I NEED it. I need for Him to show me where I am "twisted and messed up" because He is my Truth mirror. I want to reflect Him because I am made to reflect Him. When I "saw" Him and gave my life to Him, I ask Him to make me like Him and He is doing just that, He is making me. For that, I am grateful. It is best for me AND best for others. Then I can "let my light so shine before men that they will see my good works and glorify my "Maker" in heaven.
So, what do you think, what is He wanting to "make" in you? What "loose tooth or splinter is He wanting to remove from you? And what does He want to put in to you to strengthen and straighten you?
Monday, September 15, 2008
Impartation
During worship on the second day of the gathering, I was thinking of those at home. In the advertising of this 24/7 worship gathering, they invited people to come and receive an impartation to take back to where you came from. I began to think about that....
How does one impart this? How does one bring someone else to or give them a heart of love and worship? No human can, only He who is Love Himself can. The Person of Love. Love is a person. Love came, Love demonstrated Himself and Love calls. Again, we love Him because He first loved us.
You must want this person. You must want him more than a clean house, you must want Him more than straight A's, you must want Him more than a promotion, a career. You must want, want so deeply that you'll step aside from all others, all things and search. Search through the night, search through the day, search in places where He is found. He is in the crowd, but He's not in the crowd. He is in the noise but He's not in the noise. He's in the ordinary, but He's not in the ordinary. When you search for Him you will find Him IF you seach with all your heart (Jer 29:13). You can't do the same things and find Him. You must come away, you must pursue Him. You must want Him more than food, more than friends, more than anything you could buy or obtain. You must be willing to lay down all othes and all things. You must desperately want Him. Willing to search and if you haven't wanted and haven't searched before today you can right now! And if you lack the desire to search, ask Him, He'll give it to you.
You were born for this Love. You were born to be loved by Him. Come before Perfect Love and be perfectly loved!! And pray... "I want to find You and be found of
You. Find me Lord. Find me searching for You. Draw me with loving kindness, draw me with Your tender mercies. Draw me with cords of Love that cannot be broken!
Psalm 9:10 Lord, you have never forsaken those who seek you.
How does one impart this? How does one bring someone else to or give them a heart of love and worship? No human can, only He who is Love Himself can. The Person of Love. Love is a person. Love came, Love demonstrated Himself and Love calls. Again, we love Him because He first loved us.
You must want this person. You must want him more than a clean house, you must want Him more than straight A's, you must want Him more than a promotion, a career. You must want, want so deeply that you'll step aside from all others, all things and search. Search through the night, search through the day, search in places where He is found. He is in the crowd, but He's not in the crowd. He is in the noise but He's not in the noise. He's in the ordinary, but He's not in the ordinary. When you search for Him you will find Him IF you seach with all your heart (Jer 29:13). You can't do the same things and find Him. You must come away, you must pursue Him. You must want Him more than food, more than friends, more than anything you could buy or obtain. You must be willing to lay down all othes and all things. You must desperately want Him. Willing to search and if you haven't wanted and haven't searched before today you can right now! And if you lack the desire to search, ask Him, He'll give it to you.
You were born for this Love. You were born to be loved by Him. Come before Perfect Love and be perfectly loved!! And pray... "I want to find You and be found of
You. Find me Lord. Find me searching for You. Draw me with loving kindness, draw me with Your tender mercies. Draw me with cords of Love that cannot be broken!
Psalm 9:10 Lord, you have never forsaken those who seek you.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
A taste...
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! I have tasted and He is good! This past week I traveled to Colorado Springs to be a part of Dutch Sheets 24/7 worship gathering. This began 90 days ago when during a meeting on Fathers Day, the Lord's Presence fell heavily upon them. Dutch felt that they were to only host the Lord's Presence for 90 days. No preaching, no teaching, only hosting his Presence. Do you remember the story of when David refused to continue moving the Ark to Jerusalem because of the death of Uzzah when he touched the ark to keep it from falling? He left it at the home of Obed Edom for 3 months. Scripture says that everything was blessed and increased for Obed Edom.
So, I joined this 90 day gathering on day 87. It was moved to the civic center and people from all over were invited to join in hosting the Lord's Presence. No preaching, no teaching. It was 24/7 ministering unto the Lord. At times we were on our faces, lying prostate in awe. At times, we were dancing and shouting in celebration & joy before Him. It was a taste, only a taste of saints from all walks of life gathering for one thing, to worship the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
We all had one thing in common, the One who loved us first. Before we knew Him, before we turned to Him, before we received His precious gift of love and redemption. We all turned our gaze toward Him. The heart of the Father of all Fathers' heart was turned toward us and His children turned toward Him. That was His plan from the very beginning, face to face fellowship. Beholding Him and seeing His eyes of love and acceptance for us and resting in the security of it. We could never earn this love, never in a million years. It was always there, eternal, without condition. Ahhhhhh, how wonderful, how inviting. And that's what we did. He invited us and we invited Him. He loved us and we loved Him. He drew us and we willingly came to Him. Oh, how He loves us. Our love is so small compared to His!!
And now I know I want more, not a visitation but a habitation. It isn't enough to visit Him now and then, I want to dwell with Him! He has ravished my heart! I will never be the same!!
So, I joined this 90 day gathering on day 87. It was moved to the civic center and people from all over were invited to join in hosting the Lord's Presence. No preaching, no teaching. It was 24/7 ministering unto the Lord. At times we were on our faces, lying prostate in awe. At times, we were dancing and shouting in celebration & joy before Him. It was a taste, only a taste of saints from all walks of life gathering for one thing, to worship the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
We all had one thing in common, the One who loved us first. Before we knew Him, before we turned to Him, before we received His precious gift of love and redemption. We all turned our gaze toward Him. The heart of the Father of all Fathers' heart was turned toward us and His children turned toward Him. That was His plan from the very beginning, face to face fellowship. Beholding Him and seeing His eyes of love and acceptance for us and resting in the security of it. We could never earn this love, never in a million years. It was always there, eternal, without condition. Ahhhhhh, how wonderful, how inviting. And that's what we did. He invited us and we invited Him. He loved us and we loved Him. He drew us and we willingly came to Him. Oh, how He loves us. Our love is so small compared to His!!
And now I know I want more, not a visitation but a habitation. It isn't enough to visit Him now and then, I want to dwell with Him! He has ravished my heart! I will never be the same!!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
In the fast lane...
I think I am in the fast lane on those 6 and 8 lane highways. You know, the ones that are designated for the car poolers. They get to go faster than everyone else alone in their cars.
I originally thought I would get to blog at least weekly. What happened to the weeks? It seems like only days and I'm flipping the calendar. And now we haven't just flipped to another month, we have flipped into the next season! Oh my!
There are positives to all of this. I don't have trouble sleeping, and I am fine with the early to bed thing. I'm not bored, there is always a "to do" pile, life is definately not dull. Life is exciting. New places, new things. Like the great visit we had with friends last week. We actually were experiencing a dream come true in their lives, building a new home! And next week, I'm off to Colorado Springs to spend a few days worshiping and hosting the Lord's Presence with Dutch Sheets and others from around the nation. Bored no, living an adventure, YES!
I've said over and over I don't want to be a senior citizen living in Florida waiting every day in the buffet lines. So I guess God took me up on it! No Florida, no waiting, no buffet lines (well, maybe one or two once and awhile). I'm fine with it really. Because I'm getting to see God. I'm getting to live in the Kingdom. Now. Today. Here. Life goes on in the Kingdom (remember, they don't sleep). Could that be why we are so busy our waking hours? My grandpa use to say, "you can rest when you die". There are a lot of things old people said when I was little that I don't think were right. I don't think they meant any harm. Like sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me. Oh, how wrong that is. I had names plastered into the walls of my life, layer upon layer. And they hurt. They hurt me, they hurt my kids, they hurt others.
I'm glad I've been given a new name. It has wiped away all other names. It has freed me and freed others too. I've learned the voice of Truth. His words are kind and gentle. They pick me up. They clear away the dust & grime and cleanse me. This name sets me on a path of destiny!
I pray today that in the fast lane of life, you will hear His name for you. That wherever you are headed, it will be purposeful and a great adventure. If you haven't heard your name from the voice of Truth, I pray that you will step aside for a little. Take a rest. Find a quiet place and listen.....
I originally thought I would get to blog at least weekly. What happened to the weeks? It seems like only days and I'm flipping the calendar. And now we haven't just flipped to another month, we have flipped into the next season! Oh my!
There are positives to all of this. I don't have trouble sleeping, and I am fine with the early to bed thing. I'm not bored, there is always a "to do" pile, life is definately not dull. Life is exciting. New places, new things. Like the great visit we had with friends last week. We actually were experiencing a dream come true in their lives, building a new home! And next week, I'm off to Colorado Springs to spend a few days worshiping and hosting the Lord's Presence with Dutch Sheets and others from around the nation. Bored no, living an adventure, YES!
I've said over and over I don't want to be a senior citizen living in Florida waiting every day in the buffet lines. So I guess God took me up on it! No Florida, no waiting, no buffet lines (well, maybe one or two once and awhile). I'm fine with it really. Because I'm getting to see God. I'm getting to live in the Kingdom. Now. Today. Here. Life goes on in the Kingdom (remember, they don't sleep). Could that be why we are so busy our waking hours? My grandpa use to say, "you can rest when you die". There are a lot of things old people said when I was little that I don't think were right. I don't think they meant any harm. Like sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me. Oh, how wrong that is. I had names plastered into the walls of my life, layer upon layer. And they hurt. They hurt me, they hurt my kids, they hurt others.
I'm glad I've been given a new name. It has wiped away all other names. It has freed me and freed others too. I've learned the voice of Truth. His words are kind and gentle. They pick me up. They clear away the dust & grime and cleanse me. This name sets me on a path of destiny!
I pray today that in the fast lane of life, you will hear His name for you. That wherever you are headed, it will be purposeful and a great adventure. If you haven't heard your name from the voice of Truth, I pray that you will step aside for a little. Take a rest. Find a quiet place and listen.....
Monday, August 11, 2008
Celebrating ""40" years!
It seems like yesterday, how could it be? August 2nd was our 4oth wedding anniversary. Forty years was how long the Israelites were in the wilderness. Sometimes it felt like wilderness but that was far outweighed by the joy of being loved by a wonderful man. In the beginning, I was head over heals and say it was "love at first sight". But I realize that it was more like stepping into a fairy tale and being the princess. I now know the prince! Let me describe him to you.
My prince is a man of integrity. His yes is yes and his no is no. He lives with his heart, a soft heart, a gentle heart, a giving heart. He is one of those who "gives the shirt off his back". He is strong, a hunk and a hulk!! His strength is not only in muscle but in standing firm in the face of disappointment and loss. He is not only tall (dark & handsome) but tall in character. He's my lover and my friend, my mate in everything. He's my Mr. Fixit, jack of all trades, steady, sure. I could go on and on but the greatest thing about my Prince is that he loves the King! We have loved the King together 30 years and that has made all the difference. When you both know the King and you both love the King, all other things come into order and right perspective. When you both know the King and you both love the King, all the other things become more lovely and precious.
Long before we knew the King, He knew us. And although we were unaware, He was always aware that we would be together. And He had a plan, that we would be entwined with Him, not only happy but complete as a "3 stand cord". He has become our dwelling place, He in us, us in Him. What began in our hearts so long ago was to bring us to this wonderful place and time we live in and celebrate today. As our hearts were overtaken by the King, they became more and more one. There has been a union, a coming together that only the King and time can accomplish.
So we hail the King! The one who brought us together, molded us together and holds us together. And just as the Israelites came into the land of Promise after 40 years, we too step into all the promises yet to be lived! We proclaim that the latter will be greater than the former and the best is yet ahead!!
My prince is a man of integrity. His yes is yes and his no is no. He lives with his heart, a soft heart, a gentle heart, a giving heart. He is one of those who "gives the shirt off his back". He is strong, a hunk and a hulk!! His strength is not only in muscle but in standing firm in the face of disappointment and loss. He is not only tall (dark & handsome) but tall in character. He's my lover and my friend, my mate in everything. He's my Mr. Fixit, jack of all trades, steady, sure. I could go on and on but the greatest thing about my Prince is that he loves the King! We have loved the King together 30 years and that has made all the difference. When you both know the King and you both love the King, all other things come into order and right perspective. When you both know the King and you both love the King, all the other things become more lovely and precious.
Long before we knew the King, He knew us. And although we were unaware, He was always aware that we would be together. And He had a plan, that we would be entwined with Him, not only happy but complete as a "3 stand cord". He has become our dwelling place, He in us, us in Him. What began in our hearts so long ago was to bring us to this wonderful place and time we live in and celebrate today. As our hearts were overtaken by the King, they became more and more one. There has been a union, a coming together that only the King and time can accomplish.
So we hail the King! The one who brought us together, molded us together and holds us together. And just as the Israelites came into the land of Promise after 40 years, we too step into all the promises yet to be lived! We proclaim that the latter will be greater than the former and the best is yet ahead!!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
I'm Back!!!
Wow, it's been nearly a month since I last posted. I can't believe how life has flown by. I intended to blog so many times but so many things got in the way. I decided today would be different, today I would take the time to do what I have been meaning to do!
I've been "pondering" several things recently. I guess the first would be a verse that "leaped" out at me. I was reading Ephesians and I think I saw it for the first time (and one of my favorite books is Ephesians). Chapter 5, verse 10, "Find out what pleases the Lord". I'm still thinking on that! One thing that hit me the other day when I was listening to someone say that it pleases God's heart when we do His will. I certainly want to do that but I know that is big too! Alot bigger than the simplicity of the statement. I can't do that in a day or a month or even a year, yet it is done moment by moment of every day!
Also, I was reading a devotional from Dean & Dutch Sheets, father and son, and the ending thought for the day was "I will make sure my life on earth counts for something eternal". I again went to "pondering". Since I am at the latter end of life, this becomes more and more a persistent thought before me. I want His essence to be left when I am gone. I know I will be dust but may the days of my breath still be breathing life long after I have gone back to dust!
I am beginning to think that God drops "manna" from heaven and often we don't even notice. When we go about life each day and live in a "christian" atmosphere" I think we often miss things. Things that the Father is wanting us to "selah", stop and think about. I believe He wants to tell us things, give us direction, hope, answers and we step on it and keep right on going, oblivios to His voice, His manna. Lord, I want to be stopped in my tracks, I want the "manna" of heaven. I desire to "eat" of the spirit more frequently and freely than I do of the flesh. I want the manna of heaven and in turn, be manna from heaven. It is said that we become like what we eat. I'm not interested in the temporary, I want the eternal. I want it for myself, I want it for my family, I want it for the Kingdom.
So, today I ask You Father, what pleases You? Cause my eyes to "see" Your manna dropped from heaven for me. I will purpose in my heart to live beyond myself today and look for that which is eternal. May Your Kingdom come, Your will be done in me and through me today!
I've been "pondering" several things recently. I guess the first would be a verse that "leaped" out at me. I was reading Ephesians and I think I saw it for the first time (and one of my favorite books is Ephesians). Chapter 5, verse 10, "Find out what pleases the Lord". I'm still thinking on that! One thing that hit me the other day when I was listening to someone say that it pleases God's heart when we do His will. I certainly want to do that but I know that is big too! Alot bigger than the simplicity of the statement. I can't do that in a day or a month or even a year, yet it is done moment by moment of every day!
Also, I was reading a devotional from Dean & Dutch Sheets, father and son, and the ending thought for the day was "I will make sure my life on earth counts for something eternal". I again went to "pondering". Since I am at the latter end of life, this becomes more and more a persistent thought before me. I want His essence to be left when I am gone. I know I will be dust but may the days of my breath still be breathing life long after I have gone back to dust!
I am beginning to think that God drops "manna" from heaven and often we don't even notice. When we go about life each day and live in a "christian" atmosphere" I think we often miss things. Things that the Father is wanting us to "selah", stop and think about. I believe He wants to tell us things, give us direction, hope, answers and we step on it and keep right on going, oblivios to His voice, His manna. Lord, I want to be stopped in my tracks, I want the "manna" of heaven. I desire to "eat" of the spirit more frequently and freely than I do of the flesh. I want the manna of heaven and in turn, be manna from heaven. It is said that we become like what we eat. I'm not interested in the temporary, I want the eternal. I want it for myself, I want it for my family, I want it for the Kingdom.
So, today I ask You Father, what pleases You? Cause my eyes to "see" Your manna dropped from heaven for me. I will purpose in my heart to live beyond myself today and look for that which is eternal. May Your Kingdom come, Your will be done in me and through me today!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Seek ye first...
This week I will celebrate my "spiritual" birthday. The 4th of July holiday always reminds me of the day I ran to Him. Like most births, it was traumatic. I'm doing well and all of a sudden, I'm being forced to leave the comfort I've known into something unknown. I wasn't brought forth gently and sweetly, I was limp, dying and gasping for air. He breathed the breath of life into me and I have never been the same!
In my growing up years I went to a good bible teaching church where I learned Bible verses and came to believe in God. But what I believed wasn't all right, much of it was warped/twisted. I can't say it was anyones direct teaching that lead me astray but I do know that my enemy satan came to deceive me of the Truth, just like he did Eve in the garden.
After being born again at the age of 27, a verse captured my heart. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; Matthew 6:33. For the first time in my life, I experienced unconditional love. I knew God was love and I believed He loved me. And I wasn't going to miss out knowing this God of love.
The scripture verse in my devotional today was Matthew 6:33. So again, I am drawn to the one who had been seeking me all along. The author says "seek" is a verb. It is active, urges pursuit and has an object. I have pursued God over these 30 years and have a much greater picture of Him today than on that first day 30 years ago. But I noticed that we are to seek the Kingdom. This is another world from which I live in. It is above anything I have or experienced here. And it has a King and he is like no earthly king. I am to be conformed and live in the heavenly, the divine and not in earthly limitations. Luke 17:21 says. "the kingdom of God is within you". I don't have to go somehow to get the kingdom because it's already here, in me. Wow! Lord, I am in the Kingdom and the Kingdom is in me! This blows my mind! Talk about fireworks!!
So this 4th of July, I want to celebrate that the "the kingdom of God is at hand". I'm going to explore this kingdom inside of me like I would if I was moving to a new place. I'm going send out change of address cards, not of this world! I'm going to settle in this new place and abide there with the King of the kingdom. And I'm going to invite people into the place where I live, the kingdom. And when asked where I'm from, I'm going to declare...The Kingdom!!
Since our nation is celebrating it's independence this week, I hope you will reflect on your independence. Are you free from this world, it's trappings and its ruler, satan? If not, you can change your address. Seek ye first the kingdom..the ruler of this kingdom is longing to come into your heart and set up His kingdom. If you haven't already, you can ask Him to do so today. Happy Independence Day!!
In my growing up years I went to a good bible teaching church where I learned Bible verses and came to believe in God. But what I believed wasn't all right, much of it was warped/twisted. I can't say it was anyones direct teaching that lead me astray but I do know that my enemy satan came to deceive me of the Truth, just like he did Eve in the garden.
After being born again at the age of 27, a verse captured my heart. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; Matthew 6:33. For the first time in my life, I experienced unconditional love. I knew God was love and I believed He loved me. And I wasn't going to miss out knowing this God of love.
The scripture verse in my devotional today was Matthew 6:33. So again, I am drawn to the one who had been seeking me all along. The author says "seek" is a verb. It is active, urges pursuit and has an object. I have pursued God over these 30 years and have a much greater picture of Him today than on that first day 30 years ago. But I noticed that we are to seek the Kingdom. This is another world from which I live in. It is above anything I have or experienced here. And it has a King and he is like no earthly king. I am to be conformed and live in the heavenly, the divine and not in earthly limitations. Luke 17:21 says. "the kingdom of God is within you". I don't have to go somehow to get the kingdom because it's already here, in me. Wow! Lord, I am in the Kingdom and the Kingdom is in me! This blows my mind! Talk about fireworks!!
So this 4th of July, I want to celebrate that the "the kingdom of God is at hand". I'm going to explore this kingdom inside of me like I would if I was moving to a new place. I'm going send out change of address cards, not of this world! I'm going to settle in this new place and abide there with the King of the kingdom. And I'm going to invite people into the place where I live, the kingdom. And when asked where I'm from, I'm going to declare...The Kingdom!!
Since our nation is celebrating it's independence this week, I hope you will reflect on your independence. Are you free from this world, it's trappings and its ruler, satan? If not, you can change your address. Seek ye first the kingdom..the ruler of this kingdom is longing to come into your heart and set up His kingdom. If you haven't already, you can ask Him to do so today. Happy Independence Day!!
Friday, June 27, 2008
Reflecting
I've been rereading one of my favorite books, Supernatural Ways of Royalty by Kris Vallotton. It's so full of rich insights I'm learning all over again. I hope you will also read the book and if you attend Christ Community Church join us in a book discussion on Saturday, July 26 at 5pm.
He says in the beginning of Chapter 3 "Many people spend their entire lives reacting to what they don't want to be instead of responding to the call of God on their lives". He references the story of Jacob and Laban. After Jacob ran off because he cheated his brother out of his birthright he ends living with his father-in-law, Laban. Jacob actually now lives with a "familiar" spirit. Laban was a cheat too. In fact, it appears that quite often Laban was a bigger cheat than Jacob. We are at the place in the story where Jacob now wants to leave, because he is tired of being cheated. Jacob was blessed by God and he was bringing good fortune to Laban. Laban did not want to lose a good thing so he said, "name your wage" but please stay. Jacob knew that whatever he made, he would be cheated out of it. So he struck up a deal, all the speckled and spotted lambs & goats would be his, all the others, Labans. Then Jacob carved branches, exposing the white beneath the bark and placed them in front of the watering hole whenever the best sheep & goats were drinking and mating there. Jacob become rich because his flock prospered!
As Kris says, "this was not a lesson in agriculture, God was demonstrating how we, His sheep, reproduce. The watering hole is a place of reflection. Gazing and meditating happens in that place. What we reflect on while we are eating and drinking at the watering hole of life is what we will reproduce." Proverbs 23:7 "For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he".
If I spend my time reflecting & meditating on my shortcomings and weaknesses, I will continue to reproduce them even though I may be wanting to do or be something different. As I look back, I find this to be true in my life and the lives of others. If I want something different, I must reflect and meditate on something different. Phillipians 4:8 says, "Whatever is true ..noble ..just ..pure ..of good report ....meditate on these things". I am created in His image, His DNA is running through my veins but more importantly I carry His heart. In and of myself, there is no good thing, but when I reflect on Him and His beauty, His character, His love, I see that He is forming it in me! (Romans 8:29). He formed me, He is making me as I gaze and meditate on His image.
Lord, I don't want to stand at the watering hole of life and reflect on myself or others because I want my life to be a reflection of You. So I choose to behold You and agree with what You see and what You say about me. I will (Psalms 37:4) Delight myself in the Lord and He will give me the desires of my heart". (Desire means "of sire", He becomes the father, the sire, of my relections & meditations and produces good things in me.) I also ask you to forgive me for the many times that I have chosen to look to other things and other ones and other ways to bring about "godly" things in my life. I cannot produce anything of You unless have I my eyes fixed on You! How deep, how wide, how high is your great love for me and I'm so grateful to You for revealing this truth to me today!
He says in the beginning of Chapter 3 "Many people spend their entire lives reacting to what they don't want to be instead of responding to the call of God on their lives". He references the story of Jacob and Laban. After Jacob ran off because he cheated his brother out of his birthright he ends living with his father-in-law, Laban. Jacob actually now lives with a "familiar" spirit. Laban was a cheat too. In fact, it appears that quite often Laban was a bigger cheat than Jacob. We are at the place in the story where Jacob now wants to leave, because he is tired of being cheated. Jacob was blessed by God and he was bringing good fortune to Laban. Laban did not want to lose a good thing so he said, "name your wage" but please stay. Jacob knew that whatever he made, he would be cheated out of it. So he struck up a deal, all the speckled and spotted lambs & goats would be his, all the others, Labans. Then Jacob carved branches, exposing the white beneath the bark and placed them in front of the watering hole whenever the best sheep & goats were drinking and mating there. Jacob become rich because his flock prospered!
As Kris says, "this was not a lesson in agriculture, God was demonstrating how we, His sheep, reproduce. The watering hole is a place of reflection. Gazing and meditating happens in that place. What we reflect on while we are eating and drinking at the watering hole of life is what we will reproduce." Proverbs 23:7 "For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he".
If I spend my time reflecting & meditating on my shortcomings and weaknesses, I will continue to reproduce them even though I may be wanting to do or be something different. As I look back, I find this to be true in my life and the lives of others. If I want something different, I must reflect and meditate on something different. Phillipians 4:8 says, "Whatever is true ..noble ..just ..pure ..of good report ....meditate on these things". I am created in His image, His DNA is running through my veins but more importantly I carry His heart. In and of myself, there is no good thing, but when I reflect on Him and His beauty, His character, His love, I see that He is forming it in me! (Romans 8:29). He formed me, He is making me as I gaze and meditate on His image.
Lord, I don't want to stand at the watering hole of life and reflect on myself or others because I want my life to be a reflection of You. So I choose to behold You and agree with what You see and what You say about me. I will (Psalms 37:4) Delight myself in the Lord and He will give me the desires of my heart". (Desire means "of sire", He becomes the father, the sire, of my relections & meditations and produces good things in me.) I also ask you to forgive me for the many times that I have chosen to look to other things and other ones and other ways to bring about "godly" things in my life. I cannot produce anything of You unless have I my eyes fixed on You! How deep, how wide, how high is your great love for me and I'm so grateful to You for revealing this truth to me today!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Out with Spring, in with Summer
Did you know that Spring is now gone and Summer has officially begun? I love Spring. After the cold and everything appearing lifeless, warmth and color springs forth! And I see things I haven't seen for awhile like Robins. It's as comforting as a visit from an old friend! Crocus and daffadils burst into view and we are off and running. There is a flurry of activity among nature and humans.
And now Summer is summoned. I didn't notice anything different. It was hotter last week than this. Pools, camping and boating all began nearly a month ago. I didn't even notice there was a moving from one season to another. Did you? And until we reach the next season, fall, we really won't "rate" this summer. We have to live it before we compare it.
In the natural, sometimes we can determine the season and the changing of the season, but what about the spirit? For two years now things have been changing in my life. Not only have I gotten older with more apparent aches & pains, but grandchildren have been born, and I and others have changed addresses. I've discovered a word that keeps popping up: transition. Webster defines it as passage from one place to another; change from one state or condition to another. Yep, that pretty much defines my life for the last 2 years. My mom went to be with her loving heavenly Bridegroom, we moved from our home of 25 years, we became grandparents again and again, we went to school (school of ministry) and our son & family moved 1300 miles away (and took those grandbabies with him)! And after all of that, I don't think the transition is over any time soon.
Sometimes you are aware change has occured (like winter to spring) and sometimes it just happens and you catch up later (spring to summer). In the change, it is essential that you keep moving with it. How silly it would be to go outdoors with hat and mittens in the summer! And how dangerous it would be to go outdoors in the snowy winter with shorts and flipflops.
At this point in my life I have one thing on my heart, to be and do whatever His heart is doing! I want to be in whatever season my loving Father says it is for me. You see if winter comes too soon, we lose things and if spring shows up before winter is over we lose things. It's fruitful and purposeful if you are in the right season at the right time!
So Lord, may I be transitioning at the same pace as You and in the same season as You. I don't want to linger in the past or jump ahead of You. And whatever season it is may I be fruitful and find purpose!!
And now Summer is summoned. I didn't notice anything different. It was hotter last week than this. Pools, camping and boating all began nearly a month ago. I didn't even notice there was a moving from one season to another. Did you? And until we reach the next season, fall, we really won't "rate" this summer. We have to live it before we compare it.
In the natural, sometimes we can determine the season and the changing of the season, but what about the spirit? For two years now things have been changing in my life. Not only have I gotten older with more apparent aches & pains, but grandchildren have been born, and I and others have changed addresses. I've discovered a word that keeps popping up: transition. Webster defines it as passage from one place to another; change from one state or condition to another. Yep, that pretty much defines my life for the last 2 years. My mom went to be with her loving heavenly Bridegroom, we moved from our home of 25 years, we became grandparents again and again, we went to school (school of ministry) and our son & family moved 1300 miles away (and took those grandbabies with him)! And after all of that, I don't think the transition is over any time soon.
Sometimes you are aware change has occured (like winter to spring) and sometimes it just happens and you catch up later (spring to summer). In the change, it is essential that you keep moving with it. How silly it would be to go outdoors with hat and mittens in the summer! And how dangerous it would be to go outdoors in the snowy winter with shorts and flipflops.
At this point in my life I have one thing on my heart, to be and do whatever His heart is doing! I want to be in whatever season my loving Father says it is for me. You see if winter comes too soon, we lose things and if spring shows up before winter is over we lose things. It's fruitful and purposeful if you are in the right season at the right time!
So Lord, may I be transitioning at the same pace as You and in the same season as You. I don't want to linger in the past or jump ahead of You. And whatever season it is may I be fruitful and find purpose!!
Monday, June 16, 2008
School of Ministry - Church History
My hubby and I have one more week and we will complete the first year of the school of ministry at our church. It has been an awesome year and we have been so awed by seeing more clearly the plan of our Father, Jesus our Redeemer and Holy Spirit. For several weeks, we have been studying Church History. Now I'm not at all a history buff and thought I'd be lost and perhaps bored in the class but it has been anything but!
The pastor who is teaching this module, declared the first night that he was teaching church history from the viewpoint of restoration. That he would show us the plan of God to restore all things unto Himself through Christ and the creation of the church. Class has been so interesting and after seeing each place where the Lord was awakening something that was lost, I saw the great persecution that resulted from the church. For instance, after the dark ages and all things the apostles walked in were completely lost, Martin Luther who was trying to make himself right but living a life of despair realizing that he never could, had gone off to a monastery and began to study the book of Romans. For the first time, he saw "the just shall live by faith" (Rms 1:17). Father was restoring a relationship by believing and not by keeping laws. He shared this new discovery and he was mocked, berated and eventually excommunicated from the church. He paid a great price for us to live in this great truth. There were many men & women who saw what was lost and when they proclaimed the truth, they were reviled. Included in this was the Azuza Street Revival. It awakeded the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Pentecost. Again, they were mocked, berated and put out of fellowship. I began to think about the awakening that is taking place today in Florida. Is it possible for the Lord to be restoring again? Restoring signs, wonders and miracles.
I don't want to be one of those who rejects what the Father is trying to restore. I know he uses humans, and there will always be a part of flesh in it, but because we are made in His image, there will be a part of Him in it too! I am more determined to look for Him in all things. To see the face of my Father, to hear the voice of my Father, to be touched by the hand of my Father and to experience the heart of my Father.
Because of this class, I hope my heart will be awakened. Awakened to our human tendency to be unaccepting of things we don't fully understand. Awakened to our bend to negate rather than restore. Awakened to my narrowmindedness instead of wholeheartedness. Father, I am so grateful for those who paid the utmost price for the truth I walk in today. Because I believe more in Your ability to keep me, "To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy..." (Jude 24) than the enemies power to deceive me, I ask You to awaken me. Awaken me to anything that causes me to slumber. I give You permission to disburb me to awaken me!
The pastor who is teaching this module, declared the first night that he was teaching church history from the viewpoint of restoration. That he would show us the plan of God to restore all things unto Himself through Christ and the creation of the church. Class has been so interesting and after seeing each place where the Lord was awakening something that was lost, I saw the great persecution that resulted from the church. For instance, after the dark ages and all things the apostles walked in were completely lost, Martin Luther who was trying to make himself right but living a life of despair realizing that he never could, had gone off to a monastery and began to study the book of Romans. For the first time, he saw "the just shall live by faith" (Rms 1:17). Father was restoring a relationship by believing and not by keeping laws. He shared this new discovery and he was mocked, berated and eventually excommunicated from the church. He paid a great price for us to live in this great truth. There were many men & women who saw what was lost and when they proclaimed the truth, they were reviled. Included in this was the Azuza Street Revival. It awakeded the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Pentecost. Again, they were mocked, berated and put out of fellowship. I began to think about the awakening that is taking place today in Florida. Is it possible for the Lord to be restoring again? Restoring signs, wonders and miracles.
I don't want to be one of those who rejects what the Father is trying to restore. I know he uses humans, and there will always be a part of flesh in it, but because we are made in His image, there will be a part of Him in it too! I am more determined to look for Him in all things. To see the face of my Father, to hear the voice of my Father, to be touched by the hand of my Father and to experience the heart of my Father.
Because of this class, I hope my heart will be awakened. Awakened to our human tendency to be unaccepting of things we don't fully understand. Awakened to our bend to negate rather than restore. Awakened to my narrowmindedness instead of wholeheartedness. Father, I am so grateful for those who paid the utmost price for the truth I walk in today. Because I believe more in Your ability to keep me, "To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy..." (Jude 24) than the enemies power to deceive me, I ask You to awaken me. Awaken me to anything that causes me to slumber. I give You permission to disburb me to awaken me!
Monday, June 9, 2008
Ahhhhh, a rest!!
As I previously wrote, I was watching Rick Pino leading worship at the Florida Outpouring and he sang a little diddy "We have the best Dad in the whole world"! Well, my 'Dad" outdid Himself again this weekend. He gave my hubby and I some much needed R&R with incredible friends of ours. God didn't just give us great friends, but great friends with an incredible cabin hidden high up in the mountains. No TV, no phones, gorgeous scenery, and sounds of nature.
There are so many reasons this couple we spent the weekend with are incredible and it's not because the have a cabin. It's because they have hearts like "Dads". They express their love for us, they get smiles on their faces when we can spend time together. They share "secrets" of their hearts. and want to know the secrets of our hearts. We are at similar stages in our lives, a "little" older, but wanting to be 'teenagers' in the Spirit! We are all learning new things about the King and His Kingdom and whenever we're together, it takes us hours to share it all with each other! This weekend was one of those times. We shared stories, laughed, cried, ate, walked, napped, ate again, shared the Word, worshipped, and ate again! The food and fellowship filled us up in more ways than one! We came into Rest! The Lord is Rest! We rested in the Lord! Our bodies came to rest, our spirits came to rest, our minds came to peace and rest!
It's true that we rested from our work, our daily labors, but the real reason we found such a wonderful rest is our hearts and minds were placed on 'Dad'. In Psalms 62:5 David says, Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.
Whenever you are in a weary place, you can find rest if you bring your soul (mind, will and emotions) to God. He alone brings all things into rest because He is rest. You can be at rest too. In the tabernacle in the wilderness, God Presence, His Glory, the place of rest was found between the cherabim over the Mercy Seat. Jesus is the Mercy Seat of God, the Presence, Glory and rest of God. When we receive Christ, we literally sit in the Mercy seat, the Presence, Glory and rest of God for we are hidden in Christ. (Colossians 3:3)
Thanks, 'Dad', for the great rest. You're the best 'Dad' in the whole world!
There are so many reasons this couple we spent the weekend with are incredible and it's not because the have a cabin. It's because they have hearts like "Dads". They express their love for us, they get smiles on their faces when we can spend time together. They share "secrets" of their hearts. and want to know the secrets of our hearts. We are at similar stages in our lives, a "little" older, but wanting to be 'teenagers' in the Spirit! We are all learning new things about the King and His Kingdom and whenever we're together, it takes us hours to share it all with each other! This weekend was one of those times. We shared stories, laughed, cried, ate, walked, napped, ate again, shared the Word, worshipped, and ate again! The food and fellowship filled us up in more ways than one! We came into Rest! The Lord is Rest! We rested in the Lord! Our bodies came to rest, our spirits came to rest, our minds came to peace and rest!
It's true that we rested from our work, our daily labors, but the real reason we found such a wonderful rest is our hearts and minds were placed on 'Dad'. In Psalms 62:5 David says, Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.
Whenever you are in a weary place, you can find rest if you bring your soul (mind, will and emotions) to God. He alone brings all things into rest because He is rest. You can be at rest too. In the tabernacle in the wilderness, God Presence, His Glory, the place of rest was found between the cherabim over the Mercy Seat. Jesus is the Mercy Seat of God, the Presence, Glory and rest of God. When we receive Christ, we literally sit in the Mercy seat, the Presence, Glory and rest of God for we are hidden in Christ. (Colossians 3:3)
Thanks, 'Dad', for the great rest. You're the best 'Dad' in the whole world!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
How do you put a puzzle together?
I was meditating on the word this morning thinking about the vastness of God. Recently I purchased a new journal, The Gold that Washed Ashore by Dean & Dutch Sheets. I love it because it causes me to stop and think and then gives me space to write what I'm thinking. There were a few statements today that I underlined, circled and put exclamation points after. One is ..His love is what keeps us for all our days! It's not up to me, it's Him who keeps me. Another is ...You can't sail on the wind of yesterday or tomorrow, only today's. I can stop thinking about shoulda, woulda, coulda cause it won't make a difference and worrying isn't going to get me anywhere either, so I hoist my sail and wait for His wind!
Dutch was sharing a clip from one of his books talking about when the Jews returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity. Because of the opposition of neighbors, they stopped working on the temple. It had been 16 years since they laid their hands to repair/restore it. The Lord sent 2 prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, who told them the reason for their lack of blessing and provision was because they had abandoned God's project for their own. (Haggai 1:1-11) I circled the word they. How many times do we blame God, questioning where His blessing went, or the devil for stopping us when all the time we abandon what the Lord instructed us to do? Dutch finishes with the statement "Our redemptive and restorative God never loses! The only question is always: Will we cooperate with Him?
My mind then shifted to recently when I was helping my 3 year granddaughter put a 24 piece puzzle together. It was the first time we had put a puzzle of this level together. I have always put a puzzle together by sorting out all the pieces and then putting all the outside pieces together first. I was trying to do this with her and she excitedly choose the "Tigger" piece first. Then found another piece of "Tigger" and was randomly looking at things she recognized and then adding to it. To my amazement, she put it together easily. Of course as 3 year olds always do, when she had finished she cried out, "AGAIN". So, this time I tried to show her the "right or easy" way to put it together by identifying the outside pieces and putting them together first. She wasn't buying it! Again, she found pieces of Tigger, Pooh or Piglet and gleefully added piece by piece.
Being a firstborn, I find that I'm very administrative. I can administer lots of things pretty easily and tell everyone else what to do and how. It dawned on me that perhaps I build walls around everyday life to get perspective and contain it. Maybe I start from the outside in because then I am sure I've got it all under control. The operative word in these statements is "I". I so want it to be Him! When I start with Him, His word, His heart, and His desires it gives me the freedom to follow, to come along beside and be at His pace "doing whatever He is doing". This is the way I want it. So Lord, show me where I am walled off or in, controlling rather than cooperating, missing you rather than communing with you. I want to abandon my works and walk every moment of every day in connection with you! Lord, hand me the pieces of life, however they fit together, in the right order and my destiny will be fulfilled! (And I am sure that God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in his grace until his task within you is finally finished (the puzzle of my life is put together) on that day when Jesus Christ returns. Philippians 1:6 Living translation)
Dutch was sharing a clip from one of his books talking about when the Jews returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity. Because of the opposition of neighbors, they stopped working on the temple. It had been 16 years since they laid their hands to repair/restore it. The Lord sent 2 prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, who told them the reason for their lack of blessing and provision was because they had abandoned God's project for their own. (Haggai 1:1-11) I circled the word they. How many times do we blame God, questioning where His blessing went, or the devil for stopping us when all the time we abandon what the Lord instructed us to do? Dutch finishes with the statement "Our redemptive and restorative God never loses! The only question is always: Will we cooperate with Him?
My mind then shifted to recently when I was helping my 3 year granddaughter put a 24 piece puzzle together. It was the first time we had put a puzzle of this level together. I have always put a puzzle together by sorting out all the pieces and then putting all the outside pieces together first. I was trying to do this with her and she excitedly choose the "Tigger" piece first. Then found another piece of "Tigger" and was randomly looking at things she recognized and then adding to it. To my amazement, she put it together easily. Of course as 3 year olds always do, when she had finished she cried out, "AGAIN". So, this time I tried to show her the "right or easy" way to put it together by identifying the outside pieces and putting them together first. She wasn't buying it! Again, she found pieces of Tigger, Pooh or Piglet and gleefully added piece by piece.
Being a firstborn, I find that I'm very administrative. I can administer lots of things pretty easily and tell everyone else what to do and how. It dawned on me that perhaps I build walls around everyday life to get perspective and contain it. Maybe I start from the outside in because then I am sure I've got it all under control. The operative word in these statements is "I". I so want it to be Him! When I start with Him, His word, His heart, and His desires it gives me the freedom to follow, to come along beside and be at His pace "doing whatever He is doing". This is the way I want it. So Lord, show me where I am walled off or in, controlling rather than cooperating, missing you rather than communing with you. I want to abandon my works and walk every moment of every day in connection with you! Lord, hand me the pieces of life, however they fit together, in the right order and my destiny will be fulfilled! (And I am sure that God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in his grace until his task within you is finally finished (the puzzle of my life is put together) on that day when Jesus Christ returns. Philippians 1:6 Living translation)
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Who's your Daddy?
I was watching Todd Bentley and the outpouring in Lakeland, Fl the other night and Rick Pino was leading the worship. I love his music but never saw him before. Wow! If there were any "religious" people left who were still having a problem with Todd and his tattoos, Rick would have pushed them over the edge. He is wild and crazy but I don't believe intimidated in any way. He began to sing with great joy, "We have the best dad in the whole world, in the whole world". It was awesome! People where jumping and laughing and really into it.
This morning I started to think about that. Ever see little boys banter about their dad being the best? My dad's the best because... If you watch closely, you'll see confidence. When that young boy reallllly believes his dad is the best, it will give him security and confidence. The sad fact is that today, too many young boys don't have this kind of perception of their fathers. And honestly, most of us didn't believe or experience that our dad's were the best either.
The truth is that you are the child of another dad. Your Dad, heavenly "Papa", IS the best. He is perfect in all His ways. But we've been tricked by the father of lies. He has us blaming our "Dad" for everything wrong that happened to us. Believing that our "Dad" didn't care about us. LIES! The very fact that He came near and called us to Himself proves that He loves and cares for us. If a child was attacked and harmed, and then his dad rushed in to hug him and be with and care for him, the child wouldn't say "get away, you don't care or you wouldn't have let this happen to me". No! He would fall into the secure arms of his father, find rest and be comforted.
The truth is my "Daddy's" arms is the only secure place on earth. He IS the best "Dad" in the whole world and He is my dad. I am confident that He is will always be with me. I have all the strength I need because I have His strength. He is jealous for me and will deal with those who mean to do me harm.
So with Fathers Day approaching I ask in your preparations for dads, husbands, etc that you consider your own ideas of your "Dad". Do you believe He is the best and does that give you great confidence and security? If not, I pray for the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation that you may know Him better (Eph 1:17).
This morning I started to think about that. Ever see little boys banter about their dad being the best? My dad's the best because... If you watch closely, you'll see confidence. When that young boy reallllly believes his dad is the best, it will give him security and confidence. The sad fact is that today, too many young boys don't have this kind of perception of their fathers. And honestly, most of us didn't believe or experience that our dad's were the best either.
The truth is that you are the child of another dad. Your Dad, heavenly "Papa", IS the best. He is perfect in all His ways. But we've been tricked by the father of lies. He has us blaming our "Dad" for everything wrong that happened to us. Believing that our "Dad" didn't care about us. LIES! The very fact that He came near and called us to Himself proves that He loves and cares for us. If a child was attacked and harmed, and then his dad rushed in to hug him and be with and care for him, the child wouldn't say "get away, you don't care or you wouldn't have let this happen to me". No! He would fall into the secure arms of his father, find rest and be comforted.
The truth is my "Daddy's" arms is the only secure place on earth. He IS the best "Dad" in the whole world and He is my dad. I am confident that He is will always be with me. I have all the strength I need because I have His strength. He is jealous for me and will deal with those who mean to do me harm.
So with Fathers Day approaching I ask in your preparations for dads, husbands, etc that you consider your own ideas of your "Dad". Do you believe He is the best and does that give you great confidence and security? If not, I pray for the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation that you may know Him better (Eph 1:17).
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Taking a leap!
I can't believe I'm doing this! I'm standing at the edge and I'm going to jump in. Into the world of blogging. I don't fully know why but I feel an urge to join the ranks and what I hope to experience I'm not sure. But one thing I am sure of, if God is in it, I want to be in it too.
I know that God is moving and he's not doing the same old same old. So I'm not going to experience Him in new ways unless I move too. I've had the privilege of living in relationship with some incredible young people in the last several years. They are full of life, and always looking for Kingdom adventure. Two years ago, the Lord brought an amazing young couple into our lives, Wes & Laura. I knew Laura for a year or so prior to that and I was so amazed at her tender heart toward the One who loved her, her Bridegroom King. She told me about a book that helped her see Jesus more clearly than she ever had. The book was entitled The Bride, by Rhonda Calhoun. I devoured the book and came away experiencing Father, Son & Holy Spirit like never before. I had a paradigm shift, a shift in my thinking, and it shifted who I am.
In setting up my blog I was given the opportunity to write about me. I had to stop and think, what could I say? I am the Fathers' obsession. As Misty Edwards, one of my favorite worship leaders, sings "God is a lover looking for a lover so He fashioned me". Every object, every person has a value. The value depends on the creator and how much someone is willing to pay for it. My creator is The Creator of the universe. The One who put the stars and the sun and the moon in place. He created the heavens, seas, mountains and every living creature. He is The Greatest of all creators and He fashioned me. Secondly, He laid down His life that I would be brought near and have unbroken relationship with Him. No greater price has been paid for any object. He rescued me from darkness and despair and chosen me to be His bride. And I have chosen to give my life to the One who has given His life first for me. Amazing Love. Whatever He desires, I want to fulfill it, whatever he delights in, I want to do it. He came after me and forever I will be ...after His heart!
I know that God is moving and he's not doing the same old same old. So I'm not going to experience Him in new ways unless I move too. I've had the privilege of living in relationship with some incredible young people in the last several years. They are full of life, and always looking for Kingdom adventure. Two years ago, the Lord brought an amazing young couple into our lives, Wes & Laura. I knew Laura for a year or so prior to that and I was so amazed at her tender heart toward the One who loved her, her Bridegroom King. She told me about a book that helped her see Jesus more clearly than she ever had. The book was entitled The Bride, by Rhonda Calhoun. I devoured the book and came away experiencing Father, Son & Holy Spirit like never before. I had a paradigm shift, a shift in my thinking, and it shifted who I am.
In setting up my blog I was given the opportunity to write about me. I had to stop and think, what could I say? I am the Fathers' obsession. As Misty Edwards, one of my favorite worship leaders, sings "God is a lover looking for a lover so He fashioned me". Every object, every person has a value. The value depends on the creator and how much someone is willing to pay for it. My creator is The Creator of the universe. The One who put the stars and the sun and the moon in place. He created the heavens, seas, mountains and every living creature. He is The Greatest of all creators and He fashioned me. Secondly, He laid down His life that I would be brought near and have unbroken relationship with Him. No greater price has been paid for any object. He rescued me from darkness and despair and chosen me to be His bride. And I have chosen to give my life to the One who has given His life first for me. Amazing Love. Whatever He desires, I want to fulfill it, whatever he delights in, I want to do it. He came after me and forever I will be ...after His heart!
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