I hear mainstream Christians using the saying, "all they need is Jesus"... or "Jesus is the answer" far too often. I'm not sure this is a helpful sentence to say to someone who has never heard of Jesus, let alone picked up a Bible to read about him...
It is the most truest of all statements ever to be made, sadly, to some the most irrelevant.
Jesus is no more relevant to people that don't know Him than you or I are... but maybe that's the point...
As light dispels the spirit of despair, and truth disinfects the wounds of a close friend so is the name of Jesus, the Christ, the living God.
"My boyfriend, the father of my child, the man whom I have spent the last 14 years of my life with is cheating on me"... Jesus is the answer.
"I have no food, no heat, and am being kicked out in a week... "... Jesus is the answer.
"My baby boy and husband were just killed in a car accident, I am so alone, I don't know what I am going to do"... Jesus is the answer
"I have stage 4 cancer"... Jesus is the answer.
Although true, cold is the human being that states this to a fellow human without Jesus, with such suffering... suffering... and why is Jesus relevant in our suffering? Why is the human condition showered with suffering?
"You see, they didn't understand. It wasn't the nails that kept Jesus there. It was love. "Papa?" Jesus cried, frantically searching the sky. "Papa? where are you? Don't leave me!" And for the first time - and the last - when He spoke, nothing happened. Just a horrible, endless silence. God didn't answer. He turned away from his boy. Tears rolled down Jesus' face. The face of the one who would wipe away every tear from every eye." (the Jesus Storybook)
Suffering: Jesus is the answer because He suffered separation from the Father, from God for us. Are we not to share in one another's sufferings? How could I live not knowing God? His love, His plan, the acceptance, significance, and security He holds for me...eternally. Not knowing God is not separation from Him, and yet their separation is not knowing Him. We are to walk through dark places with others and introduce them to the one that has already suffered all there is to suffer for them. Are we not to offer up glimpses of blinding light in dark places? Offer salt to unseasoned conversation, or on wounds that no longer hurt?
Jesus is the answer... but let us first hear the heart of why. There need not be arguing, God can defend himself. There need not be an exchange of intellect, although this can be entertaining. When you listen through the ears of the man that has suffered all things, when you walk amongst the dead, amongst the wounded, and see the carnage of this sick place we live in, it is impossible not to offer hope. Wisdom is known when it is heard. It is either life or death to those that want it.
Offer life with Christ Jesus. Offer it. Don't serve it up with a plate piled so high they have forgotten what they will be digesting, or with so many sides they have forgotten what it tastes like to be wanted, loved, known, open and full of Him.
Simple and pure, strait up not shaken or stirred.
Jesus IS the answer... be sure you've asked the right question.
Friday, 30 September 2016
Sunday, 4 September 2016
Back to School Prayer...
Little hands hold mine, little feet with new little shoes, and little minds focused on the next shiny thing that passes before their little eyes.
I Pray...
Holding every precious piece of them from birth until this moment, a sacred ungluing of the heart, a release, for them to be carried in the Fathers hands, Fathers heart into a whole new world. A place I will not be part of. A place where they will discover, learn, unlearn, experience life beyond this home.
I Pray...
Fighting the urge to keep them close one more day, one more snuggle, one more life giving hug...
I Pray...
for minds that know the truth of who God is, and who they are.
for hearts that feel Holy Spirits presence, love, grace for self and others.
for lips to be bold in proclaiming Jesus Christ our Lord.
for wisdom flowing from the throne room of the Father into the lives of those that lead the minds of the future. For mercy, for patience, for Love that has a name, and has covered a multitude of sin.
for the protection of innocence, from evil, untruth, from the powers and principalities that desire to pervert, steal, kill and destroy that of which God has made to be good, beautiful, light and all that has been, will be, and is being redeemed.
Holy Spirit as a rushing wind filling the void in every hallway, before, beside and behind every child searching for a life made to worship their creator, our God, our Lord, Jesus Christ.
For You, Jesus to be known in every part of this, your world. A beautiful reclaiming of the sacred.
I Pray for the mom, the dad, grandmother, grandfather and guardian to fill this new void with you. To place anxiety, fear, worry, and loneliness at the feet of Jesus. To rest, be renewed, and fill every moment with the awareness of your presence in their lives. To trust a good good Father. To believe the words they read in your word, and the song they sing with their lips in their hearts.
As the bus pulls up, hold my gasp of surrender, wipe my tears, and hush the silent cry of my being to go with them where they are. I release them to you, they have always been yours. Please hold their little hands as they go... they will need you. With head buried in your chest, I feel your heart beat for every child on the beginning of this new journey. Trust. I trust your goodness. Even when I don't want to, when it hurts, when all I want to do is have one more moment. I trust. I pray.
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Thursday, 1 September 2016
"Find me when you seek me..."
...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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart...
Jeremiah 29:11-13
...more than anything I want to find you... not for stuff, not for anything but for you. I want to find you for you. To find another for stuff, for info, for influence, not for them, is hurtful... and yet you ask your children to curl on your lap, and confide, share, pour their hearts out like water before you.
What does it mean to seek you with my whole heart? My whole being?
The same Spirit that searches the heart of God Searches the heart of man. Searches the heart of this woman. What do you look for? See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
I will find you when I seek you with my whole heart.
Holy Spirit search me, search my heart, for only you know how to cleanse me, washing over me with hands that heal, arms that carry, and a heart that is unending.
Search my thoughts, replaced with illumination streaming with laser like focus to the throne of the father.
Reign in my words, the same lips that praise God and curse mankind; tongue with the power to tear down, and build up.
Infuse my veins to the tree you have planed by streams of living water... the ones that do well in prosperity or famine... Until the end.
How can I seek you so you are found?
As you surround me, and are the very breath that I breath, I see there is nothing that is no escape from you. You are in everything, you have made all things in a world waiting to be redeemed.
With every thought and for every thoughtless breath make me aware. Not being a game of hide and seek but rather seeking and revealed.
"Come and see me
come and know me
come and search my heart and make me... like you, like you, I just wanna be like you...
Come and see me
come and know me
Come and search my heart and make me new, make me new, I wanna be just like you..."
Thursday, 25 August 2016
a modern day foot washing
Read all of John 13 to get the full picture...
Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. (John 13:1b)
“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” (John 13:9-10)
“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. (John 13:13-14)
"Slaves are not greater than their master, nor messenger more important then the one who sends the message." (John 13:16)
Foot washing... What might a modern day version of foot washing be?
Jesus was spending the last intimate moments on his "death bed" with the 12 men that had been through it all with him. He stoops down to wash their feet. He stoops down, and with all of the authority given him, knowing his fate shares a very important part of kingdom success with them. Pouring out the last beautiful anointed words they will hear from his contained in human form lips, he demonstrates how to wash feet... a job of a servant... a job of the lowest position.
He washes our feet. As all of creation awaits, and has been waiting since the fall of man for this place in time... time takes a pause, angels breathless as their master stoops down to wash my feet. To was your feet.
Simon wants to be bathed, and Jesus reminds him that the clean need not bath all over, but just the portion that is the dirtiest, just the feet... feet that carry, feet that stop. Feet that guide and lead, crack and bleed, heal and run. Feet that are set on a path, and kept safe. Just the feet.
"...you should also wash one another's feet..." (just the feet)
Feet. I wonder if a modern day version of foot washing is motive questioning. As I am questioned, truth washes over and through my being and I am convicted, or affirmed in the direction my motive will carry me. The one washing through questions serves the one being questioned. It is not a challenge, it is not a fight, it is a gentle washing, allowing the Holy Spirit like water to wash away impurities of selfish motives as our feet once again are made clean.
And we can do this for one another.
Motives from the start will come out in the end. They either are clean and remain clean by the cleansing waters of conviction, or become muddied by a world that thrives to steal kill and destroy all that is good, pure and right.
Allow others to wash your feet. Allow the Holy Spirit to search you and know you. Jesus asked us to do this for one another, in Him. As painful as it may be at the time, if you allow it, God will receive the glory, and you will be found pure of heart, ready to have your feet carry you to the next place God has planned.
Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. (John 13:1b)
“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” (John 13:9-10)
“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. (John 13:13-14)
"Slaves are not greater than their master, nor messenger more important then the one who sends the message." (John 13:16)
Foot washing... What might a modern day version of foot washing be?
Jesus was spending the last intimate moments on his "death bed" with the 12 men that had been through it all with him. He stoops down to wash their feet. He stoops down, and with all of the authority given him, knowing his fate shares a very important part of kingdom success with them. Pouring out the last beautiful anointed words they will hear from his contained in human form lips, he demonstrates how to wash feet... a job of a servant... a job of the lowest position.
He washes our feet. As all of creation awaits, and has been waiting since the fall of man for this place in time... time takes a pause, angels breathless as their master stoops down to wash my feet. To was your feet.
Simon wants to be bathed, and Jesus reminds him that the clean need not bath all over, but just the portion that is the dirtiest, just the feet... feet that carry, feet that stop. Feet that guide and lead, crack and bleed, heal and run. Feet that are set on a path, and kept safe. Just the feet.
"...you should also wash one another's feet..." (just the feet)
Feet. I wonder if a modern day version of foot washing is motive questioning. As I am questioned, truth washes over and through my being and I am convicted, or affirmed in the direction my motive will carry me. The one washing through questions serves the one being questioned. It is not a challenge, it is not a fight, it is a gentle washing, allowing the Holy Spirit like water to wash away impurities of selfish motives as our feet once again are made clean.
And we can do this for one another.
Motives from the start will come out in the end. They either are clean and remain clean by the cleansing waters of conviction, or become muddied by a world that thrives to steal kill and destroy all that is good, pure and right.
Allow others to wash your feet. Allow the Holy Spirit to search you and know you. Jesus asked us to do this for one another, in Him. As painful as it may be at the time, if you allow it, God will receive the glory, and you will be found pure of heart, ready to have your feet carry you to the next place God has planned.
Tuesday, 23 August 2016
A legacy forgotten... a stroy retold.
"Remember today that your children were not the ones who saw and experienced the discipline of the Lord your God: his majesty, his mighty hand, his outstretched arm; the signs he performed and the things he did in the heart of Egypt, both to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his whole country; what he did to the Egyptian army, to its horses and chariots, how he overwhelmed them with the waters of the Red Sea as they were pursuing you, and how the Lord brought lasting ruin on them..."
Deuteronomy 11:2-4
Stories. Stories of deliverance, stories of disobedience and defeat... With stories we bring to life, paint a verbal picture of a place in time that something important happened. Stories also can remind us who we are, and why we do what we do.
This was done in the old testament regularly. The people heard time and time again how God had saved their great great grandparents from EGYPT... and what a fantastic story it is! The women would tell of Moses's mom and the basket in which she placed their one day great leader. Then the moment of all moments, when the hand of God had written out those commands, history breathing a blessing onto a rebellious and stubborn nation. A covenant made, a forever future chosen.
Generations would enjoy the protection and providence of God based on the truth in the stories passed down from generation to generation. But stories, the spoken word, ceased to be told. Youth grew, grandparents died, and the nation of Israel would forget... Surrounding nations would crowd in and the spoken word, their legacy, the legacy chosen for them before the foundations of the world would be forgotten. Time and time again, like a children's fable lost in the back of a dusty library, the word of God would be forgotten.
Are we telling the compelling truths to our children about God and our history? Are we telling stories that widen the small eyes of a child, and truly make Jesus out to be their superhero? Or has your imagination taken a back seat and been subdued by daytime streaming drama and prime time pseudo porn?
Have you known what it is like to run through the middle of raging waters on dry ground while the enemy pursued? Or stood on a mountain when fire rained down from the heavens? Eaten beautiful snow like bread every morning, and watched water gush from a rock in the middle of the dessert?
Have you played in the mud that healed a man born blind, held the hand of a child once dead? Did you feel the ground shake as tears poured from the heavens, or seen the place where He laid in a tomb now empty?
And what about you? What about the story written in your life not on paper or stone? What about your story bears truth to these wonderful miracles?
My Grandfather having the right set of gifts in a war camp to sneak food at night; not only to feed himself, but feed the men that toiled with him day to day...
My life being a miracle after my parents believed God was greater than a diagnosis not to have "normal children"... named Johanna Eva because I truly was to them God's gracious gift of life.
"It is time to share your burdens" a wedding plan in motion between their father and I... as God knew the family I came from would soon fall apart, and nearly break my heart.
Stories. Stories of deliverance, stories of disobedience and defeat... With stories we bring to life, paint a verbal picture of a place in time that something important happened.
Have we allowed this culture to crowd in to the point of no return? Will your grandchildren remember Gods providence of a survived great grandfather through the war, or the healing power of a God who gives good gifts to parents that seek His face, and renews all things in His time?
Paint for your children a picture that is true to the faithfulness of the one who dwells richly in them. Daily let them taste and see that the Lord is good. Let us together, raise a generation that knows who they are, where they came from, and why they believe what they believe. It takes a village, no it takes a body, a bride, the bride of Christ to raise a child.
Father let us be a people that remembers your great faithfulness. Give us words and pictures to tell our children of the wonders you have done, and will continue to do into eternity. Let not the world crowd us out of tasting, seeing, believing and experiencing your goodness, for you are good. We Praise you and thank you for all that you are yesterday, today, and forever. Amen.
Deuteronomy 11:2-4
Stories. Stories of deliverance, stories of disobedience and defeat... With stories we bring to life, paint a verbal picture of a place in time that something important happened. Stories also can remind us who we are, and why we do what we do.
This was done in the old testament regularly. The people heard time and time again how God had saved their great great grandparents from EGYPT... and what a fantastic story it is! The women would tell of Moses's mom and the basket in which she placed their one day great leader. Then the moment of all moments, when the hand of God had written out those commands, history breathing a blessing onto a rebellious and stubborn nation. A covenant made, a forever future chosen.
Generations would enjoy the protection and providence of God based on the truth in the stories passed down from generation to generation. But stories, the spoken word, ceased to be told. Youth grew, grandparents died, and the nation of Israel would forget... Surrounding nations would crowd in and the spoken word, their legacy, the legacy chosen for them before the foundations of the world would be forgotten. Time and time again, like a children's fable lost in the back of a dusty library, the word of God would be forgotten.
Are we telling the compelling truths to our children about God and our history? Are we telling stories that widen the small eyes of a child, and truly make Jesus out to be their superhero? Or has your imagination taken a back seat and been subdued by daytime streaming drama and prime time pseudo porn?
Have you known what it is like to run through the middle of raging waters on dry ground while the enemy pursued? Or stood on a mountain when fire rained down from the heavens? Eaten beautiful snow like bread every morning, and watched water gush from a rock in the middle of the dessert?
Have you played in the mud that healed a man born blind, held the hand of a child once dead? Did you feel the ground shake as tears poured from the heavens, or seen the place where He laid in a tomb now empty?
And what about you? What about the story written in your life not on paper or stone? What about your story bears truth to these wonderful miracles?
My Grandfather having the right set of gifts in a war camp to sneak food at night; not only to feed himself, but feed the men that toiled with him day to day...
My life being a miracle after my parents believed God was greater than a diagnosis not to have "normal children"... named Johanna Eva because I truly was to them God's gracious gift of life.
"It is time to share your burdens" a wedding plan in motion between their father and I... as God knew the family I came from would soon fall apart, and nearly break my heart.
Stories. Stories of deliverance, stories of disobedience and defeat... With stories we bring to life, paint a verbal picture of a place in time that something important happened.
Have we allowed this culture to crowd in to the point of no return? Will your grandchildren remember Gods providence of a survived great grandfather through the war, or the healing power of a God who gives good gifts to parents that seek His face, and renews all things in His time?
Paint for your children a picture that is true to the faithfulness of the one who dwells richly in them. Daily let them taste and see that the Lord is good. Let us together, raise a generation that knows who they are, where they came from, and why they believe what they believe. It takes a village, no it takes a body, a bride, the bride of Christ to raise a child.
Father let us be a people that remembers your great faithfulness. Give us words and pictures to tell our children of the wonders you have done, and will continue to do into eternity. Let not the world crowd us out of tasting, seeing, believing and experiencing your goodness, for you are good. We Praise you and thank you for all that you are yesterday, today, and forever. Amen.
Friday, 19 August 2016
Your Master Plan
Sometimes your word doesn't feel like it's enough.
I want so much more of you.
then you show me...
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.
The Word became spirit and made His dwelling in us.
You knew.
Your word now living, breathing, illumination, beckoning. Convicting, forgiving, revealing.
placed in every man and woman, child and infant
your word, the truth, the light
The light shines in the darkness
and the darkness does not recognise it.
You knew.
To some the smell of death, to others life giving.
Life changing, life healing, life eternal.
Your word, flesh; among... your word, spirit; in
And now you have your way in me.
As you wrap your word, Holy Spirit and place in us a light that will not be put out. A light that will shine brighter as times become darker, as the chasm between life and death widens. Times try to run from its maker as you allow every detail in your judgment, your grace, your mater plan.
Master plan. Master, planed.
already gone before,
standing behind,
and walking with us through.
You engulf all of time, and enter in, with me here, now. Scaling down, and back not becoming less, but to be more in me, when it is really all about you.
Your word is enough, more than enough. All of you overwhelms me, surrounds me, becomes me as the light shines in this once dark place; and I have recognised it, not just once, but in every moment as you renew every cell in my being with your life giving word. your spirit, your self.
You know... and in my limited understanding of an unlimited You, you are.
You word will always be and no words could express even as you created our words, there are none to express You. YOU ARE, and I am... hidden in the one and only I AM.
Your Word, is you, and it is more than enough.
I want so much more of you.
then you show me...
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.
The Word became spirit and made His dwelling in us.
You knew.
Your word now living, breathing, illumination, beckoning. Convicting, forgiving, revealing.
placed in every man and woman, child and infant
your word, the truth, the light
The light shines in the darkness
and the darkness does not recognise it.
You knew.
To some the smell of death, to others life giving.
Life changing, life healing, life eternal.
Your word, flesh; among... your word, spirit; in
And now you have your way in me.
As you wrap your word, Holy Spirit and place in us a light that will not be put out. A light that will shine brighter as times become darker, as the chasm between life and death widens. Times try to run from its maker as you allow every detail in your judgment, your grace, your mater plan.
Master plan. Master, planed.
already gone before,
standing behind,
and walking with us through.
You engulf all of time, and enter in, with me here, now. Scaling down, and back not becoming less, but to be more in me, when it is really all about you.
Your word is enough, more than enough. All of you overwhelms me, surrounds me, becomes me as the light shines in this once dark place; and I have recognised it, not just once, but in every moment as you renew every cell in my being with your life giving word. your spirit, your self.
You know... and in my limited understanding of an unlimited You, you are.
You word will always be and no words could express even as you created our words, there are none to express You. YOU ARE, and I am... hidden in the one and only I AM.
Your Word, is you, and it is more than enough.
Saturday, 13 August 2016
connections...
Have you ever had a connection, one that feels deeper, eternal... you wonder if the Father sighs at two finding one together... They push, they rest, they endure all you throw at them and you do the same for them, in the power of the Spirit... Like the Father Himself, for a moment tore every barrier of fear and lack of yourself from your mind and put into your heart another... No library of wrongs, or overdue books lurking, no bank deposits and withdraws to come... just complete freedom with caution thrown to the wind the mutual payback exploring what it is to be another... different from you and yet recognizable still as in a mirror, a dimly lit mirror in which we one day will see and know all things not yet known to man. To know and be fully known. To choose to be known and fully know...
There is no fear in love... love is not hidden... love is not something... it is not given or taken... it is someone of free will, of understanding far greater than our minute human minds could fathom. Love is active, as is truth and all things eternal. Love without truth is not love.
And in truth it is impossible to be fully loved and fully known by any person. Even the deepest places of our hearts are hidden to self... as the Spirit searches He finds and all things may be brought to light. No Spirit, no light... no being known, no truth, no fear... no love.
Why we were made... to love and be loved... in the Father, in the Son, through the Holy Spirit.
Have you ever lost a connection. One from fear, one from potential damage to a journey you had once been on... that is no longer. One that drained every bit of love you could squeeze from your parched heart... one that you could mourn the rest of your existence, in search for such a love as this again? Could such a closeness ever be known, ever be shared, ever tie your heart up again? Questionable dependence, needed affirmation, always holding onto what has slipped from hands weakened with the clutch of desperation spilling over... over the edge of where you thought your trust would never return.
Trust in someone that does not exist, because no man is trustworthy. Only the holder, inventor, edge of your end, fallen over and caught you in the end can be trusted. The one that looks with you in a mirror, created your reflection and the mirror, the holder of all things beyond, seen in the shadows, working in the deepest parts of you that you search for... He is the one to be trusted.
...He makes something, something from nothing, not from things already known, but of things unknown, not yet created until his breath of life breaths a word, and in the beginning, He is. He makes with a thought, that can only be a thought to our words, but spans the ends of the beginning and the end... a thought known to us, but something different to Him. Complexities made simple as He holds all things and spins such beauty with his very existence..in hands that are only words to Him.
His existence given to man, living in each who asks. He can be trusted.
And as you see his existence in others, you will recognize His voice in each. As you hear and recognize that voice you can trust in the hand holder of all things... the breather of new, never been before life. When you find you are given your trust spot again, trusting others is the simple act of trusting in Him.
Trust him in having a connection, trust him in the loss. In time, as He meets you at the end, outside of time you will see... it is all the same. loss is gain... in his loss you were to gain... and always will. He is to be trusted and connections are given and taken away, for He will receive the glory either way.
There is no fear in love... love is not hidden... love is not something... it is not given or taken... it is someone of free will, of understanding far greater than our minute human minds could fathom. Love is active, as is truth and all things eternal. Love without truth is not love.
And in truth it is impossible to be fully loved and fully known by any person. Even the deepest places of our hearts are hidden to self... as the Spirit searches He finds and all things may be brought to light. No Spirit, no light... no being known, no truth, no fear... no love.
Why we were made... to love and be loved... in the Father, in the Son, through the Holy Spirit.
Have you ever lost a connection. One from fear, one from potential damage to a journey you had once been on... that is no longer. One that drained every bit of love you could squeeze from your parched heart... one that you could mourn the rest of your existence, in search for such a love as this again? Could such a closeness ever be known, ever be shared, ever tie your heart up again? Questionable dependence, needed affirmation, always holding onto what has slipped from hands weakened with the clutch of desperation spilling over... over the edge of where you thought your trust would never return.
Trust in someone that does not exist, because no man is trustworthy. Only the holder, inventor, edge of your end, fallen over and caught you in the end can be trusted. The one that looks with you in a mirror, created your reflection and the mirror, the holder of all things beyond, seen in the shadows, working in the deepest parts of you that you search for... He is the one to be trusted.
...He makes something, something from nothing, not from things already known, but of things unknown, not yet created until his breath of life breaths a word, and in the beginning, He is. He makes with a thought, that can only be a thought to our words, but spans the ends of the beginning and the end... a thought known to us, but something different to Him. Complexities made simple as He holds all things and spins such beauty with his very existence..in hands that are only words to Him.
His existence given to man, living in each who asks. He can be trusted.
And as you see his existence in others, you will recognize His voice in each. As you hear and recognize that voice you can trust in the hand holder of all things... the breather of new, never been before life. When you find you are given your trust spot again, trusting others is the simple act of trusting in Him.
Trust him in having a connection, trust him in the loss. In time, as He meets you at the end, outside of time you will see... it is all the same. loss is gain... in his loss you were to gain... and always will. He is to be trusted and connections are given and taken away, for He will receive the glory either way.
Thursday, 11 August 2016
Waves...
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Friday, 5 August 2016
Balance and Seasons
"There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:"
-King Solomon
Balance. That is what the world is after.
Seasons. This is what I am after.
Balance says, you must do all things all the time and keep them all in the air to be equally as important.
Seasons says, this is what you have been given, have grace for the things you cannot do.
Balance says, all of these pressures are on you, and it is your job to keep each of these pressures equally as important all of the time.
Seasons says, you are to focus on a few things that has been given to you, and do them well.
Balance says, do all that you can do as it comes at you.
Seasons says, all that I give you will not overwhelm.
Balance says, you are greatest when you can do all of these things with the equal amount of skill in the equal amount of time all the time.
Seasons says, you are greatest when you are at your worst and call out for MY help to do them together.
Balance says, when you drop everything you have been keeping up in the air, I will tell you to reset and start over to do the same thing over and over and over and over again.
Seasons says, when you drop everything, rest, learn, heal, for this too is a season. There is nothing you can do that hasn't already been planned for you.
Balance says, do all of this all at the same time...
be born and die,
plant and uproot,
3 kill and heal,
tear down, build,
4 weep and laugh,
mourn and dance,
5 scatter stones and gather them,
embrace and refrain from embracing,
6 search and give up,
keep and throw away,
7 tear and mend,
be silent and speak,
8 love and hate,
war and peace...
all at the same time with equal amount of intensity and importance all the time.
Seasons says,
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens,
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
Balance says, Its not easy, it is inevitable that you will try your whole life to achieve me...but in the end with all of your hard work, you may find self fulfillment.
Seasons says, come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Replace Seasons with Jesus.
(Inspired from a question I had asked Carey Niewhof, thank you)
and a season for every activity under the heavens:"
-King Solomon
Balance. That is what the world is after.
Seasons. This is what I am after.
Balance says, you must do all things all the time and keep them all in the air to be equally as important.
Seasons says, this is what you have been given, have grace for the things you cannot do.
Balance says, all of these pressures are on you, and it is your job to keep each of these pressures equally as important all of the time.
Seasons says, you are to focus on a few things that has been given to you, and do them well.
Balance says, do all that you can do as it comes at you.
Seasons says, all that I give you will not overwhelm.
Balance says, you are greatest when you can do all of these things with the equal amount of skill in the equal amount of time all the time.
Seasons says, you are greatest when you are at your worst and call out for MY help to do them together.
Balance says, when you drop everything you have been keeping up in the air, I will tell you to reset and start over to do the same thing over and over and over and over again.
Seasons says, when you drop everything, rest, learn, heal, for this too is a season. There is nothing you can do that hasn't already been planned for you.
Balance says, do all of this all at the same time...
be born and die,
plant and uproot,
3 kill and heal,
tear down, build,
4 weep and laugh,
mourn and dance,
5 scatter stones and gather them,
embrace and refrain from embracing,
6 search and give up,
keep and throw away,
7 tear and mend,
be silent and speak,
8 love and hate,
war and peace...
all at the same time with equal amount of intensity and importance all the time.
Seasons says,
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens,
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
Balance says, Its not easy, it is inevitable that you will try your whole life to achieve me...but in the end with all of your hard work, you may find self fulfillment.
Seasons says, come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Replace Seasons with Jesus.
(Inspired from a question I had asked Carey Niewhof, thank you)
Saturday, 30 July 2016
Harvest
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Monday, 25 July 2016
Basic Camp recovery 101...
Last week I helped out at church camp. 170 kids, 7:30 am until 5:30 pm... 5 days of camp.
HOME: dishes, laundry, vacuuming and cleaning
SPIRIT: Reading the word, listening, Praying
Daily disciplines that show I care. Daily chores that show signs of life.
Monday the following week I am left depleted. Depleted but still still caught in the undertow of love in my heavenly Father... Still needing to do general maintenance around the house, general maintenance in my Spirit.
Seasons... I know. Grace... I hear ya.
As much as I don't miss doing the dishes or laundry, I do miss the peace having it finished brings. I miss the cleanliness, the making it shiny and new.
I do miss the doing and praying and reading, spending focused time with Jesus... The consequences being much the same as the above. I miss being made clean, the process of being renewed.
Recovery from a weeks chaos. He will move swiftly to get me caught up on all I have missed out on this week. He had never stopped moving, I had slowed in my seeking...
...and even in my slowing there is a plan... and in the awareness of it all He works for the good of those who seek Him with their whole heart.
Recovery... Grace... Getting caught up... all part of the plan.
HOME: dishes, laundry, vacuuming and cleaning
SPIRIT: Reading the word, listening, Praying
Daily disciplines that show I care. Daily chores that show signs of life.
Monday the following week I am left depleted. Depleted but still still caught in the undertow of love in my heavenly Father... Still needing to do general maintenance around the house, general maintenance in my Spirit.
Seasons... I know. Grace... I hear ya.
As much as I don't miss doing the dishes or laundry, I do miss the peace having it finished brings. I miss the cleanliness, the making it shiny and new.
I do miss the doing and praying and reading, spending focused time with Jesus... The consequences being much the same as the above. I miss being made clean, the process of being renewed.
Recovery from a weeks chaos. He will move swiftly to get me caught up on all I have missed out on this week. He had never stopped moving, I had slowed in my seeking...
...and even in my slowing there is a plan... and in the awareness of it all He works for the good of those who seek Him with their whole heart.
Recovery... Grace... Getting caught up... all part of the plan.
Tuesday, 19 July 2016
I AM
"...And God said to Moses, “I am Yahweh—‘the Lord. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty’—but I did not reveal my name, Yahweh, to them..." Exodus 6:2-3 (NLT)
"As God walked with His people through generations, He has progressively revealed His nature according to His purposes and the needs of His people." (Henry Blackaby)
What part of God is He revealing to this generation of believers that no other generation Has ever seen?
Ask Him. You will be surprised what He says...
Father we are desperate to know you. You for you. I AM for I AM. Thank you for your son, Jesus, for paying for all we have ever done that separated us from your love. Jesus, who brought us from death, renews who we are through your spirit and makes us completely new. Jesus who was there in the beginning and will be there in the end. You are perfect, you are Holy, and yet you want to show us more of you. Show us I AM, what is your heart for this people, for your chosen bride? Your kingdom come... speak, for we are listening...
Monday, 11 July 2016
On love and revelation
"I can no longer objectively report on life in this new world. I know for sure I see differently now. Don't ask me to explain it. It's like trying to describe a color others have never seen. One can only speak in terms of what the others know, and what they know is not enough to house this new concept..."
from the Book THE CURE (John Lynch, Bruce McNicol, Bill Thrall)
"Your opinion must be mine to share it, and some will not be ready to hear it."
Expect consequences on revelation given about love, revelation outside the confines of mans theology, outside of mans understanding. I am sovereign. I make all things new in my time. Nothing is too big, and my love will remain for all of eternity. Mans laws, mans understanding of me, mans work, temporal gifts will be silenced, but these three will remain, faith, hope, and love.
"If we speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, we would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If we had the gift of prophecy, and understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if we had such faith that we could move mountains, but didn’t love others, we would be nothing. If we gave everything we have to the poor and even sacrificed our bodies, we could boast about it; but if we didn’t love others, we would have gained nothing.
Pour over us the things that will remain... faith hope and love. Let us cling tightly to that which will last. Gift us with the temporal for the temporal, for your names sake let us see and do all things through the lens of love. Silence us when not using your gifts from a place of love... for these are performed in ourselves. You are love, and do nothing out of anything but love, which will remain.
We are not to use this freedom in love as a stumbling block to others. We are to live it, but wait for others to be shown it. Open the eyes of our hearts Lord. Revelation like water from Heaven. It is through this waiting time that we will with all of creation wait and groan for the coming of our first love. Keeping peace, always praying for our brothers and sister to know the heart of the Father in increasing greatness.
Monday, 27 June 2016
a point for the introverts...
The world we live in today is dominated by extroverts. Out front, speaking to large crowds, entertaining important people, being seen... they are flashy, they attract, the create, they motivate, they sometimes forget...
The introvert. In the back, thinking, praying, planning, cleaning. Simple in appearance, humble in words, pushing others forward, yielding, wise... not of this world, but in it. So close to the Fathers heart, but at times forgotten by their own.
Jesus says,
"...Some who seem least important now will be the greatest then, and some who are the greatest now will be least important then.” (Luke 13:30)
Could it be that the kingdom of Heaven belongs to the introvert? Could it be that the gifts I have as an extrovert will no longer be as needed in heaven, and what will really matter is what the introvert has valued all along?
I smile to think that those that lift others up, those who yield, the "servants" of this world will have a more prominent place in the kingdom... already have a more prominent place in the kingdom. It forces me to again look at my view of this place, which I believe is in stark contrast with the kingdom of God, and value what my Father sees as beautiful, important, and valued.
The last shall be first, and the first shall be last... a point for the introverts.
The introvert. In the back, thinking, praying, planning, cleaning. Simple in appearance, humble in words, pushing others forward, yielding, wise... not of this world, but in it. So close to the Fathers heart, but at times forgotten by their own.
Jesus says,
"...Some who seem least important now will be the greatest then, and some who are the greatest now will be least important then.” (Luke 13:30)
Could it be that the kingdom of Heaven belongs to the introvert? Could it be that the gifts I have as an extrovert will no longer be as needed in heaven, and what will really matter is what the introvert has valued all along?
I smile to think that those that lift others up, those who yield, the "servants" of this world will have a more prominent place in the kingdom... already have a more prominent place in the kingdom. It forces me to again look at my view of this place, which I believe is in stark contrast with the kingdom of God, and value what my Father sees as beautiful, important, and valued.
The last shall be first, and the first shall be last... a point for the introverts.
Monday, 13 June 2016
A visit from Jesus
Little feet pitter patter to my office at 6:30 am... from the bedroom to the office. Little feet baring good news.
Face lit on fire with sleep still peeking its way out of the corners of her eyes she says,
"I just had the best dream ever! I was in a hospital bed, there was a big flash of light, and Jesus, the arch angel, and God were there. God touched one of my hands, Jesus touched the other, and I was healed. Then they all flew away and were gone. I woke up because I was crying in my dream, I woke myself up, because I was almost crying for real."
"Why were you crying?"
"because I was overwhelmed."
A beautiful smile crossed her six year old face, as she looked up to remember a moment in time she will never forget.
As I, her mother write this, I know my daughter has had an encounter with Jesus. (who btw has curly medium length hair). When hearing that it is a normal part of middle eastern culture to encounter Jesus in dreams, I prayed for Jesus to come into the girls dreams every night, asking for him to play with them and hang out... why not?
No reason to limit the way Jesus speaks to my children right? All we need to do is look at the word of God to know this is a legit way for God to communicate to his people... vision / dreams. But our intellect cannot handle it... a personal physical / spiritual encounter with the creator of the world... how can that be?
Faith like a child. It doesn't have to be culturally correct... She is a child.
Simple, unhindered free fall, faith. I cant wait for Jesus to visit me in my dreams...
Face lit on fire with sleep still peeking its way out of the corners of her eyes she says,
"I just had the best dream ever! I was in a hospital bed, there was a big flash of light, and Jesus, the arch angel, and God were there. God touched one of my hands, Jesus touched the other, and I was healed. Then they all flew away and were gone. I woke up because I was crying in my dream, I woke myself up, because I was almost crying for real."
"Why were you crying?"
"because I was overwhelmed."
A beautiful smile crossed her six year old face, as she looked up to remember a moment in time she will never forget.
As I, her mother write this, I know my daughter has had an encounter with Jesus. (who btw has curly medium length hair). When hearing that it is a normal part of middle eastern culture to encounter Jesus in dreams, I prayed for Jesus to come into the girls dreams every night, asking for him to play with them and hang out... why not?
No reason to limit the way Jesus speaks to my children right? All we need to do is look at the word of God to know this is a legit way for God to communicate to his people... vision / dreams. But our intellect cannot handle it... a personal physical / spiritual encounter with the creator of the world... how can that be?
Faith like a child. It doesn't have to be culturally correct... She is a child.
Simple, unhindered free fall, faith. I cant wait for Jesus to visit me in my dreams...
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