Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Beauty



As the leaves rustle across the ground

In the cool autumn breeze

I gaze at Your creation

Where Your beauty is clearly seen

 
I see Your beauty as the sun comes up

It’s written across the sky

As the sun warms me, I feel Your love

When nighttime settles, I wonder why
 

Why You choose to share such beauty

With one who fails You every day

Though I fall short time and again

Each morning You meet me anyway

 
In the quiet moments I sit and think

In awe of what I see

As the wind blows by, I hear Your voice

Whispering to me…
 

You notice the beauty around you

The intricacies through and through

But as splendid as this all appears

My beauty is wrapped up in you…

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Voice to Our Hearts



Our mouths give voice to our hearts.

"For out of the fullness (the overflow, the superabundance) of the heart the mouth speaks." Matthew 12:34b

We all are capable of adjusting our outward actions, but without an inward change, what is inside will eventually surface. Infection may go unnoticed for awhile, but always manifests on the outside in time. A sure indication, a clear warning that something is not right and needs fixing.

It is important that we guard our mouths when we feel destructive words and attitudes well up from inside - BUT we need to recognize that it is there and not going to go away on its own.  We need the help of the Holy Spirit to shine a light on the darkness inside and allow Him to reveal and pull out the roots. 

For many, this isn't a simple work because the roots are so firmly planted.  There requires a surrendering of old mindsets and ways, an unbiased approach in prayer, and total submission to the Word in order for God to do that inner surgery.  Just as we physically cannot stay healthy and in shape without exercising, neither can we emotionally and spiritually.  There's  a workout involved. It takes dedication and a sold out devotion to becoming more and more like Christ in our actions and our attitudes. 
 
The Bible says we HAVE the mind of Christ. We can think like Him. We can live like Him.  However, it doesn't just happen on it's own. You cannot get to know somebody or model after someone you do not spend a significant amount of  time with.  Spending that time with Him is our responsibility, as is renewing our mind through the reading, the studying, and the applying of God's Word in our lives. 

Let's take our spiritual vitamins of Scripture every single day. If we will humbly listen and apply the knowledge we learn, He will show us the inward work needed and will lead us down the path to our wholeness. :)

(1 Corinthians 2:16, Romans 12:2, Psalm 119:11)

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Be Still

 
 
Burdened by life's challenges.  Overwhelmed by surrounding pressures. Moments of anxiety convincing you that "down" is the only direction your life will spiral...  

"Be still and know that I am God."  Psalm 46:10

This Scripture, so simple and yet so difficult.  It's hard for us to wrap our minds around surrendering what appears insurmountable to someone else.  Our worry gives us a twisted sense of control and we can't fathom victory in our lives apart from our own efforts. I mean after all this is BIG stuff we're faced with, but all of the stress and loss of sleep isn't quite working for us, is it?
 
Be still.  Part of the literal translation is "to let drop, let go, release."  We need to drop our hands from fruitless, fleshly efforts, let go of the worry that torments our minds, and release it to Him.  KNOWING that He is God takes the pressure off of our shoulders to be in control and allows Him to take over supernaturally.   

Yes, the giants in our life are big, but God is bigger!  

Be still...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKb54tu4gG0&feature=related

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Unsealed

 
 
 
Unseal my lips that I may praise You. Psalm 51:15


When you look back at the history of when Psalm 51 was written, David was going through a very tough time. He had an affair, murdered his mistresses' husband, and was dealing with all of the earthly and spiritual effects that his poor choices had brought about in his life.  Nathan, a prophet, comes to him and lovingly, but sharply rebukes him for his sin. David is convicted and repents...

What is silencing your praise? What is it that hinders you from telling God how wonderful He is? What mutes you from speaking of His goodness to others? 

Maybe like David there are areas in your life that need to be made "right" with God. Because of shame you avoid Him. Because of the guilt of your choices, you refrain from sharing Christ with others in fear they will mark you as hypocritical.  Maybe you think you've just done too much bad to ever be accepted by God. 

 
Remember this - Jesus would have died for you if you committed one sin or if you committed 1,000! There is no limit to the power of His sin cleansing blood and there is NOTHING that stops His unending love for YOU! (Romans 8:35-39)

Lord, I lift up every person reading this.. I pray You reveal to them that which is silencing them and keeping them from You.  Unseal their lips that they may praise You. And in the midst of their praise, may their hearts be unlocked to feel the warmth of Your unconditional love.

Friday, April 5, 2013

Trust

 
 
Jesus was speaking to a multitude of people - saying things that didn’t make sense to their natural mind. Much of it seemed quite bizarre, leading some to think that He was a crazy man. At the conclusion of His talk, the Bible says:

“From this time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him. "Do you also want to go away?" Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

Notice that Peter doesn’t stop there, but goes on to say, “Also we have come to BELIEVE and KNOW that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:66-69)

When we come to the realization that Jesus is who He says He is, we can fully trust Him when He tells us something or directs us in a way that doesn’t make sense to us. We can trust Him even when the multitude mocks and when those who once followed Him walk away.

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)

TRUST HIM! And trust that His plans for you ARE good! (Jeremiah 29:11) J

Friday, March 22, 2013

Easter Story

 
 
Twelve men left all and followed Him

Miracles they had seen

They watched Him heal all who were sick

Those with unclean spirits were made clean



But one follower named Judas Iscariot

Betrayed Him with a kiss

Handed Him over to the chief priests

To be scourged and put to death



He was mocked by those that held Him

Asking Him, “So, are You the Christ?”

“You wouldn’t believe Me if I told you,” He said

For they accused Him of speaking lies



“Are you the Son of God?” they stammered

He responded, “Yes, I am He”

Accusations of blasphemy filled the land

An act deserving the death penalty



They all condemned Him to be put to death

As they struck Him and spit in His face

Even one of His disciples whom He loved very much

Denied ever seeing His face



Carrying Him away; they delivered Him to Pilate

“Are you the King of the Jews?” Pilate sneered

“You say rightly that I am a King,” Jesus said

“But My kingdom is not from here.”



Jesus, the Christ, and Barabbas, a murderer

Stood before the multitude

By custom one prisoner could be released

The one whom the people choose



“Away with this Man; release to us Barabbas,”

Insistently the people cried

“Then what shall I do with Jesus, the Christ?”

They shouted, “Let Him be crucified.”



A purple robe they placed on His body

A crown of thorns twisted on His head
 
“Hail, King of the Jews,” they mocked

As blood streamed from His head



His back took brutal beatings

His head they struck with a rod

Spitting into His face they scorned

“Save Yourself if You’re the Son of God!”



He didn’t fight back to prove who He was
 
For He knew His hour had arrived

To fulfill the very purpose for why He had come

For a lost people He would have to die



As they drove the cold nails in His hands and feet

His body exposed for all to view
 
Jesus cried, “Father, forgive them”

“For they know not what they do.”


Blasphemous words echoed throughout

Gross darkness encamped the land

And with His last breath He shouted aloud

“Father, I commit My spirit into Your hands.”



On the third day since His burial
 
An angel descended from Heaven

The earth quaked; the stone rolled away
 
The tomb was empty, for Jesus had risen


Two women mourned nearby the tomb

For they thought His body had been stole

The angel approached them and declared

“Rejoice, for He has arose!”



Quickly they fled to tell the disciples

Their hearts filled with great joy and fear

Some of them rejoiced while others doubted

And then in their midst Jesus appeared


They fell at His feet and worshipped
 
As He blessed them with His hands

“Go into all the world and tell them of Me,

I won’t be back ‘til it’s reached every land.”


“Remember you're not of this world

If you've received Me as your Lord

Be not like the world; keep from all evil

So that you may receive the final reward.”



“It’s time for Me to leave now,

You must carry out My ministry

I give you the authority to be My hands and feet

With My name you’ll set many free.”



“For it won’t be long before I return

For those who live for Me

They are who I will take as My bride

To Heaven for eternity.”



“Keep watch for the hour is so near

Be prepared to meet Me again

For in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye

As I am now, I will appear again.”




"But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." Romans 5:8

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Veils



I scurried around the kitchen taking care of my children’s hunger while worshipping along with the music on my laptop.   Suddenly I had to come to a dead halt, not knowing that MY "hunger" would be met that afternoon.  Leaning onto my elbows on the counter, eyes shut ~ the One being worshipped reached down to touch me: depositing into me the only way to feed my longing to know Him more intimately.

“…the veil of the temple was torn in two.” (Luke 23:45)


Ultimately the veil has already been torn for our free access to God, where we can come BOLDLY to Him, but we hang our self constructed veils that keep us from confidently approaching Him.

I see Jesus, just the lower half of Him (in a white robe).   His hands outstretched beckoning one to come to Him…

A woman, behind a white veil – sheepishly, she pokes her head around to see Him.   She knew Him. He knew her.  That was evident.

As she made her way to Him, there were rows of veils to maneuver around.   Each veil had a name: Shame, hurt, bitterness, resentment, anger, guilt, abuse, abandonment: All in which were blocking her from coming to Him FULLY.  She longed to be with Him, but these veils…

She loves Him and is in relationship with Him.   She is a worshipper… but she only presents to Him the “pretty” parts ~ ashamed of those unhealed areas of her life.

We think these veils protect us.  We shy away because of shame.   We even unconsciously doubt His acceptance because of false perceptions of our worth due to what we’ve been through or because of earthly relationships that have caused us deep pain.

The most intimate relationships are born out of being vulnerable to share your whole “story.”   This is why He is calling.  He longs for all of you and He knows the healing power His presence brings. Beloved, He is beckoning you…


Longing for a love exchange

Abandoned and free

I anticipate our togetherness

As you make your way to Me


 
Suddenly you cower

From Me, your eyes divert

Veils drape around you

Tailored by years of hurt

 

I see the shackles tighten

Binding up your heart

You hold from Me the broken

Only giving Me a part

 

A part of who you really are

A portion of your soul

I need to embrace it all

To mend and make you whole

 

Restoration only comes

To places you let Me touch

Press past your own resistance

I’m the One who you can trust

 

Anxiously I beckon you

As a husband to his bride

To make your way again

Confidently by My side



Recklessly abandoned

To My arms you quickly run

Cradled in My acceptance…

Veils dropping… one by one