Whispers of His Ways

There can be miracles...

2012-02-04T11:32:00.000-08:00

This song is running through my head today...Just a few minor changes to the lyrics to express a more Christian message (original lyrics by Whitney Houston.)

Many nights we've prayed
With no proof anyone could hear
In our hearts a hopefull song
We barely understood

Now we are not afraid
Although we know there's much to fear
We were moving mountains long
Before we knew we could

There can be miracles, when you believe In Jesus Christ
Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill
Who knows what miracles you can achieve
When you believe, somehow you will
You will when you believe In Him

In this time of fear
When prayers so often seem to prove in vain
Hope seems like the summer birds
Too swiftly flown away

Yet now I'm standing here
My heart's so full I can't explain
Seeking faith and speaking words
I never thought I'd say

There can be miracles, when you believe
Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill
Who knows what miracles you can achieve
When you believe, somehow you will
You will when you believe

They don't always happen when you ask
And it's easy to give in to your fears
But when you're blinded by your pain
Can't see your way straight through the rain
A small but still resilient Voice
Says LOVE is very near

There can be miracles
When you believe
when you believe in Him
Though hope is frail
It's hard to kill
Who knows what miracles, you can achieve
When you believe, somehow you will
You will when you believe In HIM

Even if that miracle is simply peace in the face of miracles He chooses to withhold. It's belief in Him that makes a life of joy and hope possible in the face of life's pain and disappointments. Believing is the willingness to trust no matter what. Isn't the biggest miracle enough ? The miracle that HE is ENOUGH, NO MATTER WHAT?!!

When Everything's uncertain...

2012-01-30T16:55:00.000-08:00

His body stiffens in my arms. I try to sooth him with my voice -- telling him that all will be okay. He woke crying and refuses to be comforted. I hug his little body closer and ask softly. "Should I sing to you?" Instantly the crying ceases. Softly I begin to sing the songs he loves. "Jesus loves me this I know." His body relaxes in my arms and I cuddle him close. I study his little face as I sing -- feeling him wake to comfort. Tears tremble on dark lashes and he opens his blue eyes. He looks up to meet my gaze and I smile soft. Reassuring him again that all is well.

But inwardly my heart breaks for him. How I long to hold him close forever. To shelter him from the storms of life. To keep him from further pain and confusion. His two short years have known much uncertainty. Upheaval. Pain. Confusion. And I long to shelter him. To somehow stand between his world spinning and shattered with the poor choices of those who ought to be looking out for him and his trusting unguarded little heart. But the choice is beyond my control to make.

My own world is full of uncertainty -- spinning out of control. Long hoped for answers seem about to slip away as the last few days of last ditch efforts slide by. Will we once more stand empty handed with only questions and loss in this seemingly endless quest when we seemed so close and things looked so hopeful?

For one we love fearful, life altering possibility looms close and threatening. A diagnosis away. What is her Destiny? None of us can tell.

Shattered, angry, lives are caught in a seemingly endless cyclone of despair and bitterness as the years and prayers go on. Things only get worse and the darkness deepens. Will things ever change? Will the long hoped for miracle ever come? Faith treads wearily on where hope has withered.

Dreams smolder. Hearts Shiver beneath the drenching rains of uncertainty, stumble beneath the weight of promises that never seem to come and circumstances that cause the once glorious rainbow to fade and dim -- the sky growing black -- no break in the clouds appears. Only more heartbreak day after weary day. Where is the promised salvation? Where is the mover of mountains?

And it's then that the gentle voice is heard through the fog of my pain filled heavy heart. It is the sound of my Father singing.

And as He sings my crying ceases and I feel His strong arms hold me close. And as I feel His arms I know He holds the one I long to shelter too. He seeks the hearts of those broken lives, He loves the loved one facing life changing circumstances and he is the great healer. But even if He chooses to withhold healing, He can make her spirit whole. And he has promised to make her destiny sure. He knows all the twists and turns of this road and the how long and weary the journey. And as my eyes meet His He smiles gently as if to reassure me that it's all okay. And I know that it is because Jesus loves me, loves these I love and ache and pray for. He is in control even in the uncertainties of this storm. No matter what we face He will shelter us safe, until this storm passes by.

Child and Dad

With Open Face

2012-01-27T20:27:00.000-08:00

With open face we all behold

The glory of the Lord

And in His presence here we bow

Before the Living Word

The veil removed, the curtain torn

Our High Priest entered in

That we might know the God of Heaven

In intimance commune

To us his Holy love revealed

The secrets of His grace

His awesome likeness as we gaze

Reflected in our face

How can it be that mortals weak

This awesome gift are lent

To gaze into this Holy face

To share this covenant?

Our Heavenly Bridegroom, loved, adored

Fill all within our sight

Your countenance with radiance

May we Your heart delight

Oh Holy love, Oh Heavenly light

May we Your glory show

Your radiance, to manifest

That all the world may know

And Lord as on thy face we gaze

In this most Holy place

We bow in worship and adore

Awed by your radiance

Rachael Lofgren

Holy Darkness

2012-01-18T18:36:00.000-08:00

Tribute to a hero

2012-01-14T20:30:00.000-08:00

Years come and go -- slipping past like the endless flow of the river to the sea. And so slip by the opportunities to speak to those around us of what they mean to us. Unless we seize the day the chance may be forever gone.
Some heros are known for their laud and fame. Some are sung by many and have become a household name -- while others toil unknown, unheard, through the storms of life, unrecognized for the heros that they are. Tonight I want to honor one of these unsung heros.

Some men are known for their strength -- but it is in our weakness that true strength is found. For only when we realize and admit our own inadequacy can we truly be strong in the Lord. Many men are built around their egos. They have to be right. This hero is willing instead to admit when he is wrong. Only true men know what it means to live this way. And this takes humility. There are many strong men -- but very few humble ones. This hero is humble.

Many men give up. It takes a courageous man to keep going in the face of tremendous loss and with no promise of return. Though life has brought more loss than gain this hero is faithful and courageous.

Many men desert ship. It takes a real man to stick with the commitments they've made. This man is committed and has not compromised.

Many men are fashioned by the world around them, their lives go with the flow of culture they live in and the world around them. To stand alone is a lonely place to be. Being a true man is lonely as Christ Himself revealed when He came to earth for us. This man has stood alone time and again. It takes courage to make changes that are not approved of by the status quo. To take the Bible literally and act on it. I have seen this hero live this out in some very difficult ways. Though none went with Him still He stood for truth and right. NO turning back.

Many men fight. It seems strong to defend one's rights. I have watched this man let go of bitterness and walk in forgiveness letting the past go, and setting those free who owed him honor, but instead had done him unspeakable wrongs. This is the truest mark of a man after God's own heart

Most men show the world a macho face . God has allowed this man to be broken and he has allowed God to take the broken pieces and shine through.

Many men want to be in control of their worlds. It takes a lot of guts to step out by faith and trust God, especially under pressure. I have watched this hero walk in incredible faith and I have seen God do incredible miracles on his behalf.

Fatherhood is an incredible role but not an easy one. The responsibilities that come with it are great. This man has invested much in the lives of his children. His prayers ascend often for them. He lived out before them what it meant to live in the fear of God, and He sought and taught that they might above all stand for truth and walk in righteousness. He taught them too to stand in awe at the beauty of God, His word, and His world. He taught them to work with their hands and to enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done. Family was priority. They did things together. He spent long hours to provide happy vacation days away that would build special memories. He taught them loyalty no matter what your family did or how they differed. And he modeled honoring parents -- even in the reality of their imperfections, by honoring his own .

A man of wisdom, humility and truth. This man may never be famous. He may never be a household name but nonetheless He is a hero. He is my hero.

This hero is my Dad.

When the heart is "home."

2012-01-13T09:44:00.000-08:00

http://imagespublicdomain.wordpress.com/tag/migrant-grandson/

Sometimes in life, our hearts live in tents when God meant for us to live in a palace. Only when we are willing to leave the seeming safety of the little world we've pitched for ourselves and the little comfort zones we've staked out can we truly experience the full beauty and joy of belonging. And when we finally catch a glimpse of the beauty and strength of the pillars of the palace of the body of Christ --

http://www.picdrome.com/picture.php/262/categories

Sometimes the very vastness and unknowns of it all leave us shaking in our boots and wanting to skitter back to the dark dank little shelter of our flimsy tents of self protection. We think perhaps we'll lose ourselves in here. It's all so BIG. Is it worth the risk?
It takes courage to enter in -- vulnerability and trust to step out and enter in to the love of being known and loved in relationships -- to take the risk of loving without restraint, of letting the heart go. Sometimes despite the loneliness of tent life we feel safest there because it is the world we know and the world we think we can control.

http://imagespublicdomain.wordpress.com/tag/migrant-grandson/

And yet as the fear wanes and the sheltering strength of belonging -- the warmth of the inner rooms of fellowship where we partake of His word and where joys and sorrows are shared openly and freely --

Where we enter the "family" life we were meant to be a part of -- the beauty of the palace fills our gaze we will realize that it is for this that we were really created. And only when we enter in will our hearts truly be " at home." Then when the storms of life blow hard -- we won't shiver alone in our little tents anymore with the cold rain of doubt dripping on our heads and the bone chilling whistle of the wind of fear whining in our ears. But rather we will rest in the light of His love, the protection of the prayers of His people, and the strength of unity with His heart, and with our fellow brothers and sisters. Though sometimes the risk seems incredibly great, the rewards far outweigh the cost. And here in this place we are safely sheltered in Him our eternal Home, and in His body, the home of the heart and the holy and beautiful temple of the Lord of Hosts.
Where is your heart today? Have you stepped out by faith into the fullness of trust and love? Or are you still shivering in your little lonely tent -- paralyzed by fear? The door is standing open and welcoming arms of the fellowship of Christ and His people beckon. Will you enter in
"Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit."
Ephesians 2:19-22 NIV

Midnight laughter and a serious case of "Author's brain"

2012-01-11T22:01:00.000-08:00

Wow! What a night. on the way to the airport tonight to pick up a friend of ours my Dad was talking to me and told me the temperature and whatnot. A few moments down the road I wondered aloud what the temperature was tonight and Dad said rather oddly. "I just told you." I simply had not heard him in the least. I told him it has to do with me learning to block out the outside world so I can write more effectively. He says it's just an excuse. Threatens to keep me in suspense "just like you authors do to us." and then graciously relents and tells me what it is. But guess what. I'm not the only author on the planet with writer's brain tonight. We get to the airport and no one is there to meet us. The flight attendant looks on the monitor and tells us Mr. A. never even got on his first flight from out east so we drive home worrying that he got in an accident or something. He never called all evening. There's a small chance maybe he just forgot I tell myself. I'm hoping so but the chance is small. I call him on his cell phone as soon as I'm home not knowing what to expect. Is he in the hospital or worse yet is he even alive? All those good old thoughts that run through your head at such a time . After the fourth ring he answers, calmly enough it seems to me."Is everything okay?" I ask anxiously. He can't hear me very well at first but finally my voice comes through clear and he says. 'Oh I thought that was supposed to be tomorrow. Let me check this out." And come to find out he simply had his dates on his schedule mixed up. He's amazingly cheerful on the phone at midnight if indeed I did wake him up and even has a witty word. "So sorry to put you through that while I'm here at home with my head in the sand." He says with good grace and profuse apologies and thanks for my having called. Then I open a card that happened to be in the mailbox for me tonight. kind of a good way to wind down after that. I think perhaps my friend sent me a letter to surprise me. My birthday isn't for a whole nother month. But come to find IT IS a birthday card. And she's sent me a birthday card a whole month early. She writes "I hope the day went well." And I burst into laughter. She's got me scheduled for a birthday a whole month early! How is that for two very mixed up dates all in one night. And as my Dad so kindly pointed out. "You're all authors." Yikes does this have something to do with that? (And here's another thing for ya. I come home at midnight and have to write a lengthy epistle about this before I go to bed. SIMPLY because I'M an author.) I wonder if anyone else has as good of an excuse for confusion as we do? What's your excuse?

Voice of Truth -- Casting Crowns Lyrics

2012-01-08T21:18:00.000-08:00

These words were just what I needed tonight...God grant us courage to follow Truth no matter what!

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone
To the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. 'Boy, you'll never win!'
"You'll never win"

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a Sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again "boy, you'll never win!
"You'll never win"

But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Roses Bloom Best Amidst thorns

2012-01-06T10:51:00.000-08:00

I watch the unfolding -- gentle with grace, sparkling with laughter, dewy with tears. I hold in my hands the precious gift of her confidence. The tenderest of hearts -- unveiled. The story of her journey with Him. And as I enter in and walk with her the pathway of her life I see -- the rose.

Her gentle heart blooming. Petals unfurl -- the perfume of His grace within her, gently gracing the world around her. I trace the delicacy of the ruffled petal edge -- see in her the beauty of weakness that relies on His strength. For it's only in our realization of our weakness that His strength can be fully known. I reach out tentatively. Dare I draw near? And touching the petal my fingertips find the velvet softness of quiet kindness and easy warmth and my heart is drawn in.

In this quiet intimacy I see an intricate pattern -- the dew of teardrops. And I see one tremble on the edge of the petal. Fall gently at the remembrance of something. And it's then that I see -- the thorns.

http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=16239&picture=rose-thorns

I see the sharpness of them -- raw pain. The tender heart torn by the sharp thorns of adversity, illness, silence and loss. And my heart weeps softly. But as I look I suddenly seem to see another form stooping -- bending low over the torn heart. And I see through the shadows of suffering wonder, and longing pain, the dim outline of a face I recognize.

And in this moment I know Him as the rose of Sharon. The rose -- considered perfection in the flower world. Perfect in beauty, in sweetness. And I see in Him the perfect One. HE -- Perfect Love. But Perfect Love why must the heart be torn? The heart so tender to Your Love

And as He turns I see the thorns. His brow is pierced. The Perfect One all marred by suffering. It is the Man Of Sorrows, who knew no sin but was pierced for our transgressions. And my wonder grows as the meaning dawns upon me.

It was through the marring of the Perfect that beauty of redemption was born. It is through the cross that the glory of Salvation burst forth. The suffering of the Bridegroom that won the heart of the wayward bride. And the words whisper through my heart. "If thou wouldst share my glory then thou must also share my suffering."

And it is amidst thorns that roses best bloom. Submission birthed through suffering. This the pathway of the Perfect. And if we would follow we too must bear the cross -- His beauty born in us only through the pain of suffering.

I see Him reach a hand to touch the tender heart. And I see that it still bears the scar. And the touch is gentle with comfort. And as I look up into His face I see their eyes meet and the Love light in His eyes reflects in hers and on the rose the tear drops are suddenly transformed. They shimmer -- refracting Love Light. Rainbows of color caught in delicate crystal dew. Each iridescent prism like a gem -- And I am reminded His most precious gems are crystallized tears. And these diamonds born of pain, that now sparkle in the joy of Love are brilliant with the promise of glory -- That promise that very soon, Perfect Love returns to claim His own. To take them Home where roses bloom forever -- and there are no earthly thorns.
"God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Revelations 21:3c-4 NLT

When Love Takes You In...

2012-01-01T14:47:00.000-08:00

Posted for my friends Reuben and Judi, whose hearts and arms are waiting and dreaming... http://bigheartsemptyarms.webs.com/

Whispers of Hope

2011-12-28T14:22:00.000-08:00

I step out into the chill invigorating morning. The light powder of white, fallen in the night, sparkles like countless iridescent diamonds in the brilliance of morning sunshine. I pause a moment, taking in the beauty, and it's then that I first hear the message. Born on the clear morning air, the sweet symphony makes my heart catch it's breath in glad surprise. The trilling, whistling, melodies of winter songbirds!
It's been months -- months of silence and longing. Longing for the joyous sound of birdsong that comes with the return of Spring and fills the golden hours of summer. With the winter silence comes the absence of the song Clear and piping comes the joyous whistle of a Chickadee. The song I first learned to know one spring in early childhood. I throw back my head to take in the sweep of crisp winter blue above me and something stirs within. Something I have been longing for seems to whisper through my heart but I can't quite grasp it. Yet it beckons and I follow...

The pathway winds ahead of me and a sense wonder growing as I traverse it's virgin track. It is unmarred by other's footsteps, as if this unfolding secret has been born for me alone. As if it's delights are held in store just for me. I think of the pathway, unbroken whiteness. And my heart seems to see in it, our high calling -- unbroken praise. My footsteps are light and joyful, as I follow onward, seeking to discover the message's whispered meaning.
I commune with Him and He with me. My heart marvels in joy at His goodness and faithfulness. I'm reminded of the storm that raged yesterday. Of the storms that are even now raging. And yet somehow within all is calm and still -- basking in His promises. His word. His power.

When I open the mailbox, a surge of excitement rushes through me. My uncertain anticipation bursts into joyous discovery as I pull forth the waiting message. I stop short in sheer wonder. The message is so bold and clear, so just for me! The promise that those that sow in tears will reap in joy. That my labors have not been in vain. The promise that there will be a harvest. But most joyous of all, this promise of Hope that sets my blood tingling. The heralded of coming Spring!

I seem to see it everywhere now. This message of Hope. In the neighbor child that comes running across cold whiteness with no coat or cap, stopping now to dance in the icy cold. He too seems to sense that this winter will not last forever. In the song of the birds this morning. In that clear sweet whistle that has always seemed to speak to my heart of SPRING...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31513597@N02/3269916071/

But it still seems almost too good to be true! Is it possible? The stirring of dreams in my heart as I walked and prayed this morning...will they be fulfilled? The stirring of hope that warms the blood frozen by pain and fear. Will it be for naught? A seeming promise of a season of healing warmth in the changing of the year. Will it truly be?

But He who knows how long the winter has been -- Who knows how the tears have long since frozen into the solid imprisoning ice of pain and darkness, draws near. And as He breathed peace on His doubting followers in the locked room, who were frozen by fear after His cruel death and knew not yet if they could believe in the wonder of His resurrected presence -- so now He breaths on my heart...
I return to the warmth of home. Putting away winter wraps I find my Bible. Sit down to read my daily portion. Wondering what His heart is for me through the written Word. I plan to read in my normal place -- my favorites these days. The gospels and the Psalms. But the pages fall open and I read with awe the Hope breathed words...

NIV

The message is crystal clear. No matter the storms we still must face. No matter the ice and cold that still locks all the world without in a frozen silence. The shortest day of the year is past. The darkness will slowly slowly give way to the light of longer days. And in it all is the promise. The promise that spring will come.For He who made the seasons promised that they will be without fail. And His promise cannot fail. The ice in my heart gives way, melts into a river of joyous hope and confidence. And in awe, I worship.

Praise you in this storm

2011-12-26T18:35:00.000-08:00

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

[Chorus:]
And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

http://www.davidniblack.com/

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

http://babyloniansquirrel.blogspot.com/2010_05_01_archive.html

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

-Casting Crowns

Six Sister Circle

2011-12-24T21:17:00.000-08:00

Behold LOVE that passeth Knowledge!

2011-12-24T14:10:00.000-08:00

”He was poor, that he might make us rich.
He was born of a virgin that we might be born of God.
He took our flesh, that he might give us His Spirit.
He lay in the manger, that we may lie in paradise.
He came down from heaven, that he might bring us to heaven….

That the ancient of Days should be born.
that he who thunders in the heavens should cry in the cradle….
that he who rules the stars should suck the breast;
that a virgin should conceive;
that Christ should be made of a woman, and of that woman which himself made,
that the branch should bear the vine,
that the mother should be younger than the child she bare,
and the child in the womb bigger than the mother;
that the human nature should not be God, yet one with God

Christ taking flesh is a mystery we shall never fully understand till we come to heaven

If our hearts be not rocks, this love of Christ should affect us .

Behold love that passeth knowledge!”

~Thomas Watson

To Know Him

2011-12-21T13:54:00.000-08:00

http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=17843&picture=sunset-in-winter

"Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth." (Hosea 6:3, KJV).

The scrape of chairs against tile floor, the soft lighting entwined over low rustic beams -- subdued ebb and flow of conversation and the rich smell of coffee and chocolate mingled around me, yet I was hardly aware of my surroundings. My eyes were intently fixed on the face of the girl before me -- my heart straining to hear hers through the maze of her broken story and the soft flow of her tears. She was one who was seeking. She knew SO much but she needed more. She'd lost what she now desperately sought for. She wanted to KNOW HIM again. But how did one KNOW Him? How did one find the peace and joy she longed to have once more?
My thoughts traveled back over my own journey in search of clues as my heart whispered heavenward for guidance. And I wondered what it would mean to NOT know Him. But even worse what would it be to know Him and then lose the connection? I thought how desperate I would feel if I didn't know Him. If for some rare reason my morning quiet time with Him is missed I sense a terrible ache of longing inside to connect and the day is not right until I do. I have to have Him. I simply cannot live without Him. So what would it be like not to know Him?
Not too many weeks ago a small social incident arose where I felt caught and simply didn't know what to do in a situation. It wasn't that it was right or wrong in and of itself but something involved complicated matters and seemed to make it so. I chose to do what my better judgement pressed me to do but in the process my conscience was crossed. Later I sensed that all was not right within. Some shadow had passed between my Lord and me and I instantly cast about in my mind to find what it might be. Upon seeking Him on the matter He brought this incident to mind and I realized that though I'd done what I thought best I had failed to be totally obedient to Him and His voice in the process. It was quickly dealt with and the peace of unbroken fellowship restored to my heart. But I realized in a deep way in that moment (though this thing seemed utterly ridiculous and small by human standards.) that God requires complete obedience if we would truly walk in intimacy with Him.
My searching friend wanted to know Him and yet as she shared I wondered if she was where she had to be before she could receive this. "To know Him you must seek His face and then obediently follow whatever He reveals to you." It sounds so simple, but in reality it is not without a cost. Sometimes the price seems too high. In moments of my deepest losses in life I have almost considered it so myself. But to KNOW Him. What can compare with this relationship?
We were created to know Him. We were created for abundant joy and intimate relationship with the God of the universe. Who can fathom such as this? And yet all too often we miss out on so much because we simply cannot bring ourselves to pay the price of obedience. Yet I have found that to know Him far outweighs any loss one might face. It is in essence the very highest form of existence, and the deepest sense of satisfaction to live in the light of His smile and KNOW that all is well between my heart and His. And it is only when we know Him with no shadow between that we can really say with total confidence to the world around us. "I KNOW Him and I can tell you that it is worth whatever it might cost to get there." Knowing Him is a foretaste of glory. And as we persue His heart and intimacy with Him. He will come. He is just waiting for us to seek His face that HE might pour out the rain of blessing and love He holds in store for all those that love Him. When we come HE WILL meet us and Oh the joy! But first we must know Him in His sufferings and then we shall also know Him in His glory.What will it be to know Him face to face? THAT WILL BE GLORY!!!

Never Alone

2011-12-17T16:33:00.000-08:00

The night is very dark. The road winds away through winter forest. Cold air caresses dark glass and one longs to be indoors where the world stops at the window, instead of out driving -- the snow whispering down to meet headlights feebly rallying against the gloom, throws shadowy light ever ahead of the racing wheels. "I'm glad I'm not going this road alone." The words strike a chord somewhere deep within me as I turn to glance at my sister behind the wheel. The darkness is warm between us and some fuller meaning stirs in the momentary silence. "Now if I can just remember my directions." Her tone is half cheerful -- half wistful and I chuckle in agreement. But my mind is elsewhere, tracing out another road in recent memory, dark yet distinct, frigid and deserted, winding away ever before me. "I'm glad I don't have to go it alone." The words whisper through my heart and I feel once more the gentle pressure of her hug, the warmth of compassion in her tender words, the reflection of divine love in liquid brown gaze that reflects the pain -- the burden shared. And again through the shifting shadows of night the message of hope...
praying for you each day -- many times each day -- that underneath you will be the Everlasting Arms . . . and joy will come in the morning -- that morning will come .
The headlights cast weird shadows on the trees as we swing around another bend and the road hides beneath a hardening layer of frosty white. I ponder how sometimes in the dark cold night, hearts begin to freeze, hidden behind a facade of silence and stoic strength. How many smiling faces hide hearts shivering with pain? And sometimes on the dark unknown road of life it feels easier to go it alone. Safer somehow if no one knows how lost we feel. How afraid and all alone. But deep down every heart longs for the companionship of someone to share the way. And I think of the tender Friend who has become so much the dearer through my own long winter night. The Friend that will never leave nor forsake. The Guiding Light that knows the end of this road as well as I know the beginning, Jesus who is the God of all comfort, the God of Hope, and the Light of the World. And I pause to whisper thanks, for His ever presentness and those who share His heart. Who in our hopelessness, hold our hearts in love, so vividly an expression of we, as Christ to one another. And though the wind still howls and the icy darkness still presses close, the warmth of His tender peace wraps our hearts in the assurance that one need never "go it alone", and that one need never lose their way. Because He is here and He will never leave nor forsake His own.

Photo Credit: http://www.funxite.com/get/downloads/wallpapers/nature-and-landscapes-wallpapers/dark-winter-night.htm

Holiday Cookie Bake With Friends...

2011-12-16T19:01:00.000-08:00

A world we never touch

2011-12-15T11:17:00.001-08:00

God is enough

2011-12-14T11:10:00.000-08:00

http://kuyamac.tumblr.com/

A Light Has Dawned

2011-12-10T11:28:00.000-08:00

The people living in darkness have seen a great light:
On those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned. Matthew 4:16 NIV

Daddy's girl

2011-11-26T09:16:00.000-08:00

They were all home for thanksgiving -- the brothers and their wives and babies. The little ones are growing up way to quickly for how often we see them! Couldn't resist posting my favorite from the day-- a pic of my handsome big bro and his little girl. She loves him and he's such a sweet Daddy!! =)

My Thoughts Are Higher Than Thine

2011-11-20T20:02:00.000-08:00

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

- Isaiah 55:8-9

My Ways Are Not Your Ways::

Oft the way to the goal seems so weary and long,

Trials almost take away my song;

Then I sigh and I cry and I ask,

‘Father why does this life my wishes all deny?’

My ways, my child, are not your ways,

My thoughts are higher than thine.

Let me lead you each step of this long weary day,

Let me clasp thy trembling hand in mine.

It is my hearts desire to do His blessed will,

And to serve my Master every day;

But when things all go wrong and the world doubts me still,

Then, oh Lord, I can-not understand.

So I’ll leave all to Him, He has promised to share

All my load and ev’ry care to bear.

There is joy in my heart and on my lips a song,

Even tho’, Lord, I don’t understand.

My ways, my child, are not your ways,

My thoughts are higher than thine.

Let me lead you each step of this long weary day,

Let me clasp thy trembling hand in mine.

Selected

Winter Moon

2011-11-11T08:08:00.000-08:00

She rises behind barren November trees...

Full and radiant--winter moon.

Conglamoration of quotes...

2011-11-10T13:52:00.000-08:00

It was time to clean in the office today and as I sorted through reams of paper I stumbled upon a number of thoughts I'd scribble on scraps of paper in a moment of inspiration or quotes I'd come upon in my reading. Needed a place to put them so I could throw the scraps away and thought, why not here? =)

"Strange that in my own great insufficency, I found my all in Thee, and Thou hast strengthened me, hast set me free." R.L.

"So many of Life's miracles happen slowly, like the process from worm to butterfly." R.L.

I am not here to impress, I am here to bless. Selected

Remember when you are allowed some test, God in His love gives what is best. R.L.

Meekness = Lack of proccupation with self and being empowered by God. Resting quietly and confidently in the power of God. Selected

"We do not understand the next page of God's lesson book; we see only the one before us. Nor shall we be allowed to turn the leaf until we have learned it's lesson." George McDonald

God is eternal. Time is nothing to Him. His plans are eternal. Keith Dehn

Be still...

2011-11-09T07:36:00.000-08:00

"Be Still, My Soul"

1. Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2. Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

3. Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fulness all He takes away.

4. Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

We wait...

2011-11-06T20:42:00.000-08:00

“In this place of gracious uncertainty, we wait. For the broken places to be brought back together. For the meaning of our suffering to be revealed in his. For the righteous reign of a mighty God, whose goodness we will spend all eternity celebrating. We wait — with open, expectant hearts.” [Paula Rinehart]

A mother's heart...

2011-11-05T10:56:00.000-07:00

The night is dark -- the air humid. Swollen bare feet traverse the hall yet again -- the dozenth time she's been up in two hours. Whole body aching, longing for rest. The life within moves -- she cradles her distended stomach, tears starting to her eyes. Tender longing, liquid weariness mingle in a bittersweet stream. It can't be long now can it?

The day comes. The day the Creator of the fearfully and wonderfully made chooses. And her heart beats high with hope -- but the hope mingles with fear for who ever promised that the journey would be easy? But the joy that is set before her -- yes, she will endure. The hours pass. Pain -- travail -- the laboring -- the love -- only a mother's heart. And then searing moment of arrival, the blending of a mother's sigh and a baby's cry. The mingling of blood and tears. Life is never born without sacrifice.

And then he is in her arms. Damp and new, mewling and red. Her eyes are full, but her heart is overflowing. To her he is perfect. He is her own and in the magic of the moment even in the pain that still grips her joy is made full.

There will still be pain. Her body is broken, and healing takes time. But in the moment it does not matter. The tiny bobbing head. The bleary blue of newborn eyes. Tiny fingers grasping her own. He is hers. And it was worth the sacrifice.

* * * *

In the darkness she turns over, pulls the covers closer, wonders, strains to listen -- All is silent -- still she cannot sleep. Her mind is full and her heart aches. Her soul is pregnant with longing and the travail of the soul far exceeds any of the boundaries of physical pain. But tonight the pain -- the gripping pain. And does the heart of a mother never cease to labor? She has been in the throws of this labor so long -- the years -- the night so dark. What of the spear that pierced through the Virgin Mother's heart?

James J. Tissot, 'Soldier with Spear Pierces jesus in His Side' (1896)

Oh that it were that spear and not the spear of rejection that pierces now. And her soul in an anguish throbs with the betrayal of the One whose side was pierced. The betrayal of her own heart. The confusion and the wandering and the wretched foolish choices. She had never dreamed in that moment their eyes first met -- infant bleary blue and hers all bright with tears, that it would come to this. But it has and the son though gone from home is still here in the heart of the mother and she prays. Labors on. She must for whether the child be born dead or alive her mother's heart will let her do no less.

And the tears flow and the heart longs for the moment of arrival and the miracle of birth. The time when the travail of soul will turn to rejoicing and the prodigal will once more fill her arms. And the One who was pierced for all. The One who knows the sacrifice draws near and tenderly He weeps with her and tenderly He woos the wayward one. And then what of the pain? What of the travail and sorrow and tears? What of the long journey to healing? What of that? Jesus assures her that in the miracle of that moment it will be worth it all.

My Little Pajama Clad Angel

2011-11-01T19:20:00.000-07:00

We are enjoying a visit from our little Davie for a few days...

Joy in the Lord

2011-10-30T11:54:00.000-07:00

Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.

-- HABAKKUK 3:17-18

"...Our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope makes not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to us."

Romans 4:1c-5

A spirit of joy in the midst of trials is what sets Christians apart from the rest of the world.

Possibility!

2011-10-28T13:05:00.000-07:00

A life lived for Him is full of

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

- Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

In Uncertainty...

2011-10-25T20:11:00.000-07:00

Sometimes Life's road stretches long and uncertain...

And sometimes that uncertainty comes in the form of a crossroads...

But whatever uncertainties we face, one thing is certain...

"The Lord directs the steps of the godly...

"...He delights in every detail of their lives." (Psalm 37:23 NLT)

Sweet Sister

2011-10-25T19:49:00.000-07:00

I think God had fun!

2011-10-17T16:21:00.000-07:00

"And God created great sea creatures, and every living thing that moves,which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind..."

and every winged fowl after its kind...

And God made the beasts of the earth after their kinds...

and cattle after their kinds...

and every thing that creeps upon the earth after its kind...

and God saw that it was good.

(Excerpts from Genesis 1 )

What will it be?

2011-10-14T09:51:00.000-07:00

The road stretches long and winding. My bare feet slow as I linger drinking in the silence. And I ponder -- ponder longing, and faith. What it means to walk this faith, and live the longing to know the fullness of His presence.

And in the longing of my own heart I wonder, wonder what it would be to see His face. To trace His features with love hungry eyes, to look into the depths of Divinity, and to know such intimacy. What would it be? My heart is hungry for His smile, needy for His presence, and my soul aches with the bondage the earth bound. What will it be?

But I think of how we walk by faith and not by sight. And how faith that knows the presence of the living God walks unhindered by the visible and aware of the invisible through the gift of touch. The touch of God on the heart And how the hand of trust traces the face of the character of God in all of life. How my spiritual eyes are yet blind to the face of God, but still I know He is here and I know the gift of intimacy through the fingertips of faith.

I feel the warmth of sun upon my face and know His smile of pleasure. I pause to listen for the whispered words of love. They echo in my heart like music to some inner ear.

But yet I long. And my heart cries out with the heart of another who was blind. "If I get so much pleasure from mere touch, how much more beauty must be revealed by sight?" And I know it will be soon. That some day faith shall be sight. For has not my Lover said that blessed is he who has believed though he has not seen? And until then the angel of His presence is my surety of promise. And faith sings because it knows, it will be worth it all when we SEE Christ.

*Quote by Helen Keller

Surrender's shade

2011-10-11T19:22:00.000-07:00

Trust hangs somewhere between knowing what your heart longs for and trying to dictate the shape or timing or outcome of your heart’s desire. It lies in the willingness to accept the particulars of how and when and where God chooses to intervene. It waits in the cool shade of surrender. [Paula Rinehart]

The Glory Tree

2011-10-06T17:03:00.000-07:00

The maple is a flaming torch of beauty,
Lighting these last somber autumn days.
It's crimson leaves reflecting brilliant glory,
We stand transfixed beneath it's ruddy blaze.

Against the sky it stands, a candle burning,
The sunlight sifting through bright ruby motes;
And as we gaze in sudden nameless yearning,
Our breath is caught within enraptured throats.

Dreaming with a crest of crimson glory,
The maple tree writes with it's leaves of flame
Upon the blue a lovely old, old story
And softly sings the glory of His name.
-Ruth B. Field

North Shore

2011-10-04T14:07:00.000-07:00

Thou Canst Not Fear Now

2011-10-03T19:31:00.000-07:00

My Soul, Thou hast trodden down strength,
And fearest thou now?
The noise of whips and the rattle
Of wheels in the hurry of battle,
The thunder of captain, the shouting,
Bewilderment, weariness, flouting --
Are these new things to thee?
The Lord thy God is a Man of War;
Verily thou hast followed afar
If thy garments have never been rolled in blood
In the place swept through by the red, red flood,
Where battles be.

My soul, art thou dreaming?
Thou hast felt the keen edge of the sword,
The thrust of the spear;
Thou hast fallen and risen,
Hast fainted, revived, and striven,
Forgetting to fear.
Thou hast trodden down strength in battles of old,
And fearest thou now?

My soul thou hast proved thy God,
And fearest Thou now?
Behold Him, Thy Light and Thy cover,
Thy Champion, Companion, Lover,
Thy Stay when the foeman oppresses,
Thy song 'mid a thousand distresses.
Is this all new to thee?
The Lord thy God - hath He stood aloof?
(Verily thou hast put Him to proof)
Hast thou ever, resisting alone unto blood,
Betrayed, overwhelmed by the red, red flood,
Sunk Shamefully?

My soul, learn to triumph;
Thou hast felt the keen edge of the sword,
The thrust of the spear;
Thou hast fallen and risen,
Hast fainted, revived, and striven,
Forgetting to fear.
Thou hast trodden down strength in the battles of old;
Thou canst not fear now.
-Amy Carmichael

Of Coffee, questions, and grace...

2011-09-21T12:10:00.000-07:00

It's a windy day, cold for mid-September. The week's been a big one. We both feel like it's time for some stress relief. Friday afternoon finds us at our favorite little haunt -- an amazing Mexican style coffee shop, tucked away on the edge of town. Annie* and I settle on Mochas. "They're to go." We tell the gal at the till. She smiles big as if she's there just to make our day. We grin back, grab our hot drinks and head for the lake. Time to get in a good brisk walk we've decided.

After a silly wait at the cross walk where the light seems extra confusing we decide we're supposed to go across before it turns red again, so we run across. Poor Annie spills on herself and we both laugh. "Hope no one we know is around town," we quip. Laughing we head out briskly along the sidewalk. With a jerk coffee spills down my front and we laugh again, rather ruefully. My sisters and I learned long ago that one of the main ingredients to survival and sanity rests in this light and loony commodity called laughter. We use it liberally these days.

We walk FAST. Reveling in the stress draining, staccato beat of footsteps on pavement, the exhilaration of wind blowing cool on exercise warmed faces, the easy comfort of companionship, and the sweet strong delight of coffee warming the insides. I'm counting on the espresso in my coffee to get me through this extra sprint of activity. We walk along commenting on the houses and people we pass. Enjoying light conversation. Nothing more important than the moment. Nothing more urgent than just being together.

"These would be perfect for wedding photos..." The forever romantic in us surfaces as we stop, winded from our walk, and descend a secluded winding stone stair-case . =) At the bottom we sit down on the cold stone steps and gaze out at the tossing gray of the heaving lake. Like a living creature of mood it moves ever inward -- restless -- uncertain. A huge weeping willow sways in the wind, a curtain of teary whispering gray green, adding to the mood of the moment. White ribbons of light dance across the ripples of gray water. Like the silver joy of these moments riding the waves of life.

We sit, just us. Hidden away from the world above. Silence. Drinking the last dredges of chocolate from our Styrofoam coffee cups. Light laughter.
Then we talk -- talk about hope and feelings, past and future and the present. What life might be like a year from now we wonder? Wonder how the tide will turn. What His will will look like in the autumn of another year, and wondering if the ships of dreams will make it to harbor or if they will be forever lost at sea.

We sit and ponder that life is full of mystery. That we may never understand. Ponder God in His vastness and our own inability to ever understand Him. The moments tick by. Just us and the wind, us and questions. The silent heavens offer us no answers. Yet still a sense of accepting faith prevails. Somehow in all the vast unknowns we sense Him. Know the miracle of another week of getting through. It is a miracle we insist. It has to be. Without Him we couldn't have gotten through. The moments of wondering are moments of recognition too. Moments of finding the strange light of hope flickering in hearts full of questions. Moments ripe for bowing before Him. Acceptance of His sovereignty and our smallness. The moments become sacred and the stone steps become an alter. Words wing heavenward, praise and petition, surrendered and yet expectant. Then it's time to go.

We move back into the noise and bustle of humanity, leaving behind the somber of cold and questions warmed by sacrifices of praise and the golden fires of grace.But the incense of communion still lingers. And the giddy joy of simple gifts, strangely intensified by the pain of life, rests like dew on the petals of our hearts. Laughter tinges with color, the world of gray sidewalks and darkened shop windows, as we move homeward, journeying on with our hand in His.

*(for those who wonder who Annie is - It's my younger sister Anna's nickname. )

The messenger of trouble

2011-09-19T18:05:00.000-07:00

“My Father is the husbandman” (John 15:1).

It is comforting to think of trouble, in whatever form it may come to, us, as a heavenly messenger, bringing us something from God. In its earthly aspect it may seem hurtful, even destructive; but in its spiritual out-working it yields blessing. Many of the richest blessings which have come down to us from the past are the fruit of sorrow or pain. We should never forget that redemption, the world’s greatest blessing, is the fruit of the world’s greatest sorrow. In every time of sharp pruning, when the knife is deep and the pain is sore, it is an unspeakable comfort to read, “My Father is the husbandman.”

Doctor Vincent tells of being in a great hothouse where luscious clusters of grapes were hanging on every side. The owner said, “When my new gardener came, he said he would have nothing to do with these vines unless he could cut them clean down to the stalk; and he did, and we had no grapes for two years, but this is the result.”

There is rich suggestiveness in this interpretation of the pruning process, as we apply it to the Christian life. Pruning seems to be destroying the vine, the gardener appears to be cutting it all away; but he looks on into the future and knows that the final outcome will be the enrichment of its life and greater abundance of fruit.

There are blessings we can never have unless we are ready to pay the price of pain. There is no way to reach them save through suffering. –Dr. Miller.

- Streams in the desert September 19

The trial of our faith

2011-09-16T12:20:00.000-07:00

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:2-5

"Just so surely as we ask to have our Faith strengthened, we must feel a willingness to take from God's hand the means for strengthening it. We must allow Him to educate us through trials and bereavements and troubles. It is through trials that Faith is exercised more and more. God affectionately permits difficulties, that He may develop unceasingly that which He is willing to do for us, and to this end we should not shrink, but if He gives us sorrow and hindrances and losses and afflictions, we should take them out of His hands as evidences of His love and care for us in developing more and more of that Faith which He is seeking to strengthen in us." - George Muller

In Uncertainty

2011-09-15T17:31:00.000-07:00

Of one thing I am certain
In this world of uncertainty
My God knows all about it
And He's working good for me

And as I look around me
I may not understand
The way that You are working
But I know you have a plan

So help me Lord to trust You
Please Lord just hold my hand
I know that as I follow
We'll reach the promised land
-Rachael Lofgren

Being REAL

2011-09-09T18:54:00.000-07:00

"Worry about your character and not your reputation, because your character is who you are, and your reputation is only what people think of you." Unknown

"He who trims himself to suit everyone will soon whittle himself away." Raymond Hull

"We are so accustomed to disguise ourselves to others that in the end we become disguised to ourselves." François Duc de La Rochefoucauld

"It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are." E.E. cummings

"The truth will make you free!"

On an autumn afternoon...

2011-09-06T17:44:00.000-07:00

Dreamy afternoon...

Perfect for something special...

And what better than a wedding? And this the perfect spot!!

Scattering bits of beauty...

And every wedding needs a flower girl...

Nervous Bride -- awaiting "the moment"

And the waiting groom... (The pastor had to do a lot of convincing before the poor "shy" groom was willing to participate in the day's celebration. =) There was talk on the bride's part of proceeding without the groom present but at the last minute...LOL! )

AND HERE SHE COMES! THE RADIANT BRIDE!

And the ceremony...the pastor being the only solemn one in the whole party.

Warm congratulations from the "audience".

And hugs all around.

Bridal party hilarity.

And the happy couple!

Fashioned in the Fire

2011-09-01T15:28:00.000-07:00

"Unto you it is given . . .to suffer" Phil. 1:29..

God keeps a costly school. Many of its lessons are spelled out through tears. Richard Baxter said, "O God, I thank Thee for a bodily discipline of eight and fifty years"; and he is not the only man who has turned a trouble into triumph.

This school of our Heavenly Father will soon close for us; the term time is shortening every day. Let us not shrink from a hard lesson or wince under any rod of chastisement. The richer will be the crown, and the sweeter will be Heaven, if we endure cheerfully to the end and graduate in glory.--Theodore L. Cuyler

The finest china in the world is burned at least three times, some of it more than three times. Dresden china is always burned three times. Why does it go through that intense fire? Once ought to be enough; twice ought to be enough. No, three times are necessary to burn that china so that the gold and the crimson are brought out more beautiful and then fastened there to stay.

We are fashioned after the same principle in human life. Our trials are burned into us once, twice, thrice; and by God's grace these beautiful colors are there and they are there to stay forever.--Cortland Myers

Earth's fairest flowers grow not on sunny plain,
But where some vast upheaval rent in twain The smiling land . . . .
After the whirlwinds devastating blast,
After the molten fire and ashen pall,
God's still small voice breathes healing over all.
From riven rocks and fern-clad chasms deep,
Flow living waters as from hearts that weep,
There in the afterglow soft dews distill
And angels tend God's plants when night falls still,
And the Beloved passing by that way
Will gather lilies at the break of day.--J.H.D.

Streams in the Desert

Journeying On

2011-09-01T15:17:00.000-07:00

Lord of the cloud and fire,

I am a stranger, with a stranger's indifference;

My hands hold a pilgrim staff, My march is Zionward,

My eyes are toward the coming of the Lord,

My heart is in Thy hands without reserve.

Thou hast created it,

redeemed it,

renewed it,

captured it,

conquered it.

Keep it from every opposing foe,

crush in it every rebel lust,

mortify every treacherous passion,

annihilate every earthborn desire.

All faculties of my being vibrate to Thy touch;

I love Thee with soul, mind, body, strength,

might, spirit, affection, will,

desire, intellect, understanding.

Thou art the very perfection of all perfections;

All intellect derived from Thee;

My scanty rivulets flow from Thy unfathomable fountain.

Compared with Thee, the sun is darkness,

All beauty deformity,

All wisdom folly,

The best goodness faulty.

Thou art worthy of an adoration greater than my dull heart can yield;

Invigorate my love that it may rise worthily to Thee,

tightly entwine itself round Thee,

be allured by Thee.

Then shall my walk be endless praise.

~The Valley of Vision, A Collection of Puritan Prayers

Sublime Intimacy

2011-08-31T12:43:00.000-07:00

Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? " — John 11:40

Every time you venture out in the life of faith, you will find something in your common-sense circumstances that flatly contradicts your faith. Common sense is not faith, and faith is not common sense; they stand in the relation of the natural and the spiritual. Can you trust Jesus Christ where your common sense cannot trust Him? Can you venture heroically on Jesus Christ's statements when the facts of your common-sense life shout - "It's a lie?" On the mount it is easy to say - 'Oh, yes, I believe God can do it'; but you have to come down into the demon-possessed valley and meet with facts that laugh ironically at the whole of your mount-of-transfiguration belief. Every time my programme of, belief is clear to my own mind, I come across something that contradicts it. Let me say I believe God will supply all my need, and then let me run dry, with no outlook, and see whether I will go through the trial of faith, or whether I will sink back to something lower.

Faith must be tested, because it can be turned into a personal possession only through conflict. What is your faith up against just now? The test will either prove that your faith is right, or it will kill it. "Blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in Me." The final thing is confidence in Jesus. Believe steadfastly on Him and all you come up against will develop your faith. There is continual testing in the life of faith, and the last great test is death. May God keep us in fighting trim! Faith is unutterable trust in God, trust which never dreams that He will not stand by us.

-My Utmost for His Highest

The final thing is confidence in Jesus. Believe steadfastly on Him and all you come up against will develop your faith.

Our Strength

2011-08-10T08:50:00.000-07:00

PD Photo.0rg

"You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me, for you, O God, are my fortress.
In his unfailing love, my God will stand with me. He will let me look down in triumph on all my enemies.
But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love.
For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress.

O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love."
Psalm 59:9-10 &16-17 NLT

"There is no promise of calm waters for any mariner. But our Lord can give the faith that can ride out against any high and proud winds and waves. And He can come to our succor though our sea seemeth all to be on fire." (Amy Carmichael A Chance to Die p. 335)

O Lord, our strength and confidence

Our eyes are unto Thee

Thou art the rock of our defense

Our song of victory

Thou who dost still the violence

Of any raging sea

Thou at the flood didst sit as King

What are our floods to Thee

To whom it is a little thing

To walk upon the sea?

We wait to hail Thee conquoring

King of eternity

Only, O Lord our God, we pray

Teach us to do Thy will

Through windy hours and flying spray

Thy purposes fulfill

Until the word of yesterday

Thou speakest -- "Peace, be still."

- Amy Carmichael

"The Lord sat enthroned at the flood,

And the Lord sits as King forever.

The Lord will give strength to His people

The Lord will bless His people with peace."

Psalm 29:10-11

The Power of touch

2011-08-07T20:00:00.000-07:00

Hudson Taylor said of touch, "There is a mighty power in contact...They are not clean, and sometimes we are tempted to draw our skirts together; but I believe there is no blessing when this is the case...There is much power in drawing near to this people. A poor woman in Cheng-tu, when she heard of Mrs. Riley's death said 'what a loss to us! She used to take hold of my hand, and comfort me so'...if you put your hand on the shoulder of a man there is power in it...there is something in contact. It is a real power we may use for God."

     I've been pondering myself of late how powerful touch is in the lives of each one of us. It's been said "A loving touch creates a world of difference." And even secular studies show that affectionate human touch is vital for humans of all ages to lead healthy and secure lives. Lack of positive human touch can foster a host of negative results and has been linked with both a wasting away of the brain (resulting in brain damage) and a number of other social and emotional issues. Lack of touch has even proven fatal in the case of a number of infants who have died simply because they lacked the touch of a caring person. So human touch is vital. How much more vital in this dying world is the touch of Jesus Christ on the lost souls around us?
   As we read through the gospels we see Christ over and over again reaching out to touch a person who came to him in need. And He didn't limit His touch to the humanly desirable either. He stooped to touch the lowest of the low. The outcasts who all others counted dead. In Israel it was illegal to touch a leper. They were unclean and had been given up for dead both spiritually (since they could no longer enter the temple) and physically. They were outcasts in every sense of the word. Cut off from the world of the living and from all hope. Yet Jesus did not stop for laws, He did not stoop to the pettiness of human standards. Instead He incorporated the highest standard of love and those around Him must have gaped and gawked in shock as He reached out to the leper who had come to Him and touched his disease infested skin and broken spirit with the tenderest hands of loving acceptance. It was in this touch that healing came and the man was made whole.
Even in His moments of greatest agony Jesus reached out and touched the slashed off ear of one of those in His arrest party. Even when others were out to get Him He used the power of contact to heal and restore.
     Jesus is no longer here on this earth. He now lives in us and He reaches the world through our hands, our feet, our voice and our eyes turned in love and compassion on the soul of another. Too often we get so caught up in our busy lives that we forget why we are here. Forget to stop and take the time to reach out to the needy souls all around us. But if we'll only ask for His eyes we will begin to see them. Maybe it's that struggling mother in the grocery store who would be so blessed by an encouraging word or a helping hand, or the discouraged gas station attendant who could use a bright smile and a warm handshake, or that smelly neglected child that lives next door, longing for someone to reach out and touch the hurting heart hidden beneath the grime. Perhaps it's the homeless man that sits on the corner street bench hungry and forlorn, wishing someone would simply take the time to notice. Perhaps it's the world's lowest outcasts who sit in prison cells, locked away behind bars of self hatred and hated by the world, shackled by the hopelessness of their own crimes of murder, rape, theft or harlotry...These too need the touch of Jesus on their lives. Perhaps it's simply our own family members, that little sibling that seems just a little less secure than normal. Cuddling up for a story often does wonders. Or maybe it's an exhausted Dad after a hard day of work, or a discouraged spouse who could use a hand on their shoulder and some words of affirmation. The need is all around us and in a very tangible way we have been called to be the hands of Christ to those He sends our way. Are we willing to reach out beyond ourselves and our own comfort zones to reach them? And if we are willing, in reaching out to those around us we will touch the very heart of God for Christ Himself has said "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, even these least, ye did it unto me." ( Matt 25:40 ASV)

In the house of seven mothers (an interview with John.)

2011-07-28T08:07:00.000-07:00

We had a conversation the other day about John, our five year old, being the only boy in the house and how it must feel to live with six older sisters and Mom. We came up with the line "Living in the house of seven mothers." Which proves all too true much of the time... =) So we decided we'd interview him and see how he felt about life in the house of seven mothers.

Hey John how does it feel to live in the house of seven mothers? Not very good

What would you say is the biggest drawback to all the mothers? They won’t let me have food when I want it and need it (between meals.) But only sometimes do they smother me with all their mothering.

What is the biggest advantage to having all these sisters and being the only boy? Cause they make me my food. :)

Do you enjoy all the mothering? Sometimes

What would you change if you could change anything? I would change to having a house with one mother.

Do you feel more spoiled or henpecked? Spoiled

Do you think all this mothering will help you to grow up happier? No

Do you think all the mothering will help you grow up to be a better person in the end? Yeah probably.

Do you still feel pretty thankful for all your sisters even though they mother you sometimes? A very positive yes..

As the sand of the sea...

2011-07-23T10:45:00.000-07:00

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee. Psalm 139:17-18

Have you ever realized the beauty in those millions of little grains of sand? Go to the link below and stand in awe again at the beauty and intricacy of our Father's world!

Tiny Treasures...

His thoughts about us are more in number than all these tiny treasures -- who can comprehend such detailed, tender, attentive, personal, love and care?

Priceless moments and precious memories...

2011-07-22T21:04:00.000-07:00


Bristol - our little princess...

And our chubby little man...

Story time with Grandma was a favorite...

And yes, we had LOTS of FUN! =)

We built lots of block towers -- and knocked them down...

And we couldn't forget nap time...

Brother and Sissy are best friends already...

Lots of special memories...


And priceless moments.

We love you Weston and Bristol!

Summer Joys

2011-07-18T18:06:00.000-07:00


From the early morning sunlight...

To the dew upon the grass...

Lacey Wings...

And Dappled Shadow...


Child's find behind the glass


Harvest sheaves for farmer's winter...

Skies of blue and country roads...


Hollyhocks

And bluebells blooming

Richest blessings all bestowed...

By the hand of God our Father...

Who desires us for His own...

May we ever humbly worship...

Thank and praise before His throne.

What are we living for?

2011-07-16T21:54:00.000-07:00

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16

      The atmosphere was tense with expectation. The call had been given. The young man struggled inwardly. His sweaty hands shook. Should he go? The battle in his soul was real as he glanced quickly into the faces of his godly parents. His mother head was bowed in prayer. How long had she prayed for him faithfully? Daily? His father's eyes met his just as he dropped his head and he read a pleading in their depths that he could hardly resist. Yet the cost. Was it worth the cost? But really what cost? The misery of his condition weighed on his heart. His chest felt heavy, and his breathing stifled. What pleasure had his sinful lifestyle really afforded him anyway?
     For an instant he seemed to see the Savior with the same pleading look in His eyes as his own father's. He couldn't resist any longer. Getting to his feet he stumbled toward the front of the church. As he knelt he noticed that his older sister had joined him. She too had long prayed for this moment. Soon he felt his Father's arm around his shoulders as he too knelt beside his son. Together they sought God's face. And the wonder of God broke through. The radiance on that face. The peace. The joy! Set free! He'd been set free!
   Most of us have witnessed one of these moments sometime in our lives. The birth of a soul into the Kingdom of God. Nothing can compare to the joy and excitement of those moments. Nothing in all the world. And how well we remember our own joy in that moment of newness of life. Yet in the warfare that is raging it is far too easy to lose sight of the joy that is set before us. Far to easy to let the vision for souls smolder and die out as we busy ourselves in the day to day duties of life. And far too easy to let the fear of man and what they will think dull the urgency of the message the souls around us so desperately need to hear.
As I ponder these truths tonight I grapple with honest questions. Why don't we see more souls coming into the Kingdom? Why aren't we more bold? What is our part in bringing these souls into the kingdom? And as I ponder I am aware of the truth that just because we are faithful witnesses for Christ does not guarantee that we will see fruit. Still the love of Christ constrains us. Has He not died that all might have life? And was not His last charge to His followers before He left this earth, to take the gospel into all the world? I wonder, am I being faithful to that charge?
     As I ponder on the life and ministry of Christ I am reminded that though He was faithful many did not believe Him. Even His own family rejected His message and He was the Son of God. Yet, He did not give up. Nor should I. When the going gets rough, when the persecution comes, when yet another walks away from the faith, from what they've known as the truth. Will I remain faithful? Will I continue to love and pray for that wandering soul? Will I be bold to speak the truth and stand for it even when this means ridicule and rejection?
     I must grapple with the reality that this is war! It is a bloody battle field. I will be wounded in the conquest. I may find that those I counted comrades in the fight have deserted.This great commission is not without a cost.
   And in the midst of the fight when we are wounded and battle weary we raise our hearts cry, "LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee." II Chronicles 14:11
     And above all the noise of battle in the tumult of the fray a voice full of strength, vibrant in power rings out . "...Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's." (II Chronicles 20:15) A raising of the banner. A rallying cry. The stakes are high, but can we not pay the price in time for the dividends of eternal glory? Will it not be worth it all? We must fight if we would win. Run if we would attain. But is it not a glorious privilege to suffer for the sake of Christ who suffered so much for me? Should I not count all but loss if I can but gain Him?
     "Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.      But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
    We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
     For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Cor. 4)
     Let us run with patience looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Not by might, not by power, but by His spirit, we are more than conquerors through Christ who loved us and gave Himself for us. Let not the vision die but raise the banner high. There are souls still lost in darkness that our Jesus longs to win. We will follow on to Victory as we follow Christ our King!

Eternal Years

2011-07-04T13:36:00.000-07:00

"How completely satisfying to turn from our limitations to a God who has none. Eternal years lie in His heart. For Him time does not pass, it remains; God never hurries. There are no deadlines against which He must work. To know this is to quiet our spirits and relax our nerves." A. W. Tozer

Is There Oil In Your Lamp?

2011-07-02T15:57:00.000-07:00

"...watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is..." Matthew 33:13

The last light of sunset had long since faded, draping the city in cool darkness. Dalia contemplated her surroundings drowsily. Mara and Talitha lay asleep their bundled veils serving as pillows Others reclined against the stone wall behind them. The glow of the lamps thres small circles of light on the cobbles. Gently she stroked the dark locks of the drowsy head resting in her lap. Rebecca was the youngest of the ten virgins being not yet twelve years old. Although a cousin, she was like a sister to Dalia. Glancing at her lamp Dalia saw that the oil burned low. It couldn't be long now till the bridegroom arrived. How glad she was she brought extra oil!

Photo by Gavin Finley

     The time dragged. Slowly her eyelids drooped and her dark laghes rested on her olive cheeks. Her body sank wearily to the cobbles and she slept.

      With a start she awoke.

     "The bridegroom is here! Come out to meet him!" The cry arose from the dark street. Hastily she woke Rebecca, then taking her lamp she trimmed it as did four others.
     Suddenly, from behind her Reba grasped her arm desperatly. "Give me, I pray thee, some of thy oil, for my lamp burns low. Behold it is going out." Dalia heard others begging for a bit of oil from those around her.
"Nay," she replied sadly, "There isn't enough for you and I, go and purchase some from them that sell." With much protest the five girls set off to buy oil from whom they might.
Dalia turned to Rebecca and noticed the rosiness of her cheeks and the sparkle in her lovely dark eyes. "Are you excited?" She whispered and smiled down at her. Rebecca smiled back as they made their way out at the gate and into the street. With their lights shining brightly they escorted him to the home of the bride and then joined the long merry procession back to the bridegroom's house and the wedding feast.
Some time later as the party sat relishing the rich foods a knock sounded at the door and a clamor of girlish voices was heard. "Sir, Sir, let us in."
Suddenly all was still as the bridegroom called out "I know you not. Go and bother me no more! It is my wedding night." Dalia's heart went out to her friends as she pictured them turning away in the darkness. Sobered she realized that it was their own foolish choices that had barred them from the joys she now enjoyed. If only they had been prepared! But now it was too late.

Based on Matthew 25 - Parable of the ten virgins

There we saw giants!

2011-07-01T08:07:00.000-07:00

“There we saw the giants” (Num. 13:33).

Yes, they saw the giants, but Caleb and Joshua saw God! Those who doubt say, “We be not able to go up.” Those who believe say, “Let us go up at once and possess it, for we are well able.”

Giants stand for great difficulties; and giants are stalking everywhere. They are in our families, in our churches, in our social life, in our own hearts; and we must overcome them or they will eat us up, as these men of old said of the giants of Canaan.

The men of faith said, “They are bread for us; we will eat them up.” In other words,

“We will be stronger by overcoming them than if there had been no giants to overcome.”

Now the fact is, unless we have the overcoming faith we shall be eaten up, consumed by the giants in our path. Let us have the spirit of faith that these men of faith had, and see God, and He will take care of the difficulties. –Selected

It is when we are in the way of duty that we find giants. It was when Israel was going forward that the, giants appeared. When they turned back into the wilderness they found none.

There is a prevalent idea that the power of God in a human life should lift us above all trials and conflicts. The fact is, the power of God always brings a conflict and a struggle. One would have thought that on his great missionary journey to Rome, Paul would have been carried by some mighty providence above the power of storms and tempests and enemies. But, on the contrary, it was one long, hard fight with persecuting Jews, with wild tempests, with venomous vipers and all the powers of earth and hell, and at last he was saved, as it seemed, by the narrowest margin, and had to swim ashore at Malta on a piece of wreckage and barely escape a watery grave.

Was that like a God of infinite power? Yes, just like Him. And so Paul tells us that when he took the Lord Jesus Christ as the life of his body, a severe conflict immediately came; indeed, a conflict that never ended, a pressure that was persistent, but out of which he always emerged victorious through the strength of Jesus Christ.

The language in which he describes this is most graphic. “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed, always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be manifested in our body.”

What a ceaseless, strenuous struggle! It is impossible to express in English the forcible language of the original. There are five pictures in succession. In the first, the idea is crowding enemies pressing in from every side, and yet not crushing him because the police of heaven cleared the way just wide enough for him to get through. The literal translation would be, “We are crowded on every side, but not crushed.”

The second picture is that of one whose way seems utterly closed and yet he has pressed through; there is light enough to show him the next step. The Revised Version translates it, “Perplexed but not unto despair.” Rotherham still more literally renders it, “Without a way, but not without a by-way.”

The third figure is that of an enemy in hot pursuit while the divine Defender still stands by, and he is not left alone. Again we adopt the fine rendering of Rotherham,

“Pursued but not abandoned.”

The fourth figure is still more vivid and dramatic. The enemy has overtaken him, has struck him, has knocked him down. But it is not a fatal blow; he is able to rise again. It might be translated, “Overthrown but not overcome.”

Once more the figure advances, and now it seems to be even death itself, “Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus.” But he does not die, for “the life also of Jesus” now comes to his aid and he lives in the life of another until his life work is done.

The reason so many fail in this experience of divine healing is because they expect to have it all without a struggle, and when the conflict comes and the battle wages long, they become discouraged and surrender. God has nothing worth having that is easy. There are no cheap goods in the heavenly market. Our redemption cost all that God had to give, and everything worth having is expensive. Hard places are the very school of faith and character, and if we are to rise over mere human strength and prove the power of life divine in these mortal bodies, it must be through a process of conflict that may well be called the birth travail of a new life. It is the old figure of the bush that burned, but was not consumed, or of the Vision in the house of the Interpreter of the flame that would not expire, notwithstanding the fact that the demon ceaselessly poured water on it, because in the background stood an angel ever pouring oil and keeping the flame aglow.

No, dear suffering child of God, you cannot fail if only you dare to believe, to stand fast and refuse to be overcome.

–Tract.

-Streams in the desert June 29

Broken Dreams

2011-06-28T21:08:00.000-07:00

PD. Photo.org

The night has grown late and the waiting weary. We watch the fire die. Now only embers glowing faintly. Now only ashes. The warmth of hope has grown cold and the dreams long cherished dwindle and die out, smothered by the harsh reality of an imperfect world. The darkness envelopes. Stiff and cold we rise and walk away.
Our hearts are broken, shattered in a million pieces. In those ashes is embodied everything we longed for, everything we knew as good. We lived for the fulfillment of the dream, for the long awaited day when that dream would be reality. Now this.
At first our hearts are numb, too numb to fully grasp our loss. A merciful state of shock, but then the questions come. Merciless, haunting, hounding. Why? What now? Is there any hope? And we go back, and we search through the ashes for just one shred of possible resurrection. And as we weep, and the shattered pieces of our hearts throb with hopes now in a million shards, we vow we'll never dream again.
It simply hurts too much.
It is here that one must make a choice when through the fog of pain a Voice is heard. Tenderly it is calling "Come unto Me." And the pain will either be a stumbling block, or a stepping stone to His heart. And will we have the courage to come? Will we have the courage to fall at His feet and look up into His face and say. "Thou hast given and taken away, blessed be Your name?" And if the why won't go away, will we have the courage to look up into those eyes of infinite love and ask, "Help me to understand?" Perhaps we'll hear Him say. "It was that cherished hope that stood between me and thee. I wanted you to know Me, thus I give and take away."
Then He takes our hand in His hand and He leads us to that place. To the alter of surrender. And the journey we retrace. And as we kneel beside those ashes we look up into His face and hear Him gently whisper. "My child this is grace.
I have come to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified.
You see child of My love, the very place of your breaking, will be the means of making a broken multitude whole, and the death of your dreams will give birth to even greater ones, and your courage to come will be the key to many coming. I promise you, you will dream again and from the ashes of your broken dreams will come the reality of My perfect beautiful plans for I am the hope of all the world.

The music of our lives

2011-06-25T13:33:00.000-07:00

Not without design does God write the music of our lives. Be it ours to learn the tune, and not be dismayed at the "rests." They are not to be slurred over, not to be omitted, not to destroy the melody, not to change the keynote. If we look up, God Himself will beat the time for us. With an eye on Him, we shall strike the next note full and clear.
- Ruskin

A second look at suffering

2011-06-14T19:09:00.000-07:00

"The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you."
Deuteronomy 33:27 NLT

"We hope for a life free from suffering. God gives us suffering that we might learn what is really important in life.
God is immediately next to our suffering. The saints have always found it so.He is not in the next city or the next house or even in the next room from our suffering. He is only a word away. If we cry out, "help!" to Him, he will immediately embrace us. Around and underneath are His everlasting arms. It is not that He will remove the suffering, but that He will give Himself to us in our suffering. He who is love will be our peace, our joy, our constant companion. I do not say embrace your suffering. But I do say embrace God in the midst of your suffering. Embrace His will. Enjoy His peace."
- David Smith

"God will not permit any troubles to come upon us unless he has a specific plan by which great blessing can come out of the difficulty." Peter Marshall

"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."
-John 16:33 NLT

I then shall live...

2011-06-12T20:11:00.001-07:00

I then shall live as one who's been forgiven.
I'll walk with joy to know my debts are paid.
I know my name is clear before my Father; 
I am His child and I am not afraid.
So, greatly pardoned, I'll forgive my brother;
The law of love I gladly will obey.

I then shall live as one who's learned compassion.
I've been so loved, that I'll risk loving too.
I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges;
I'll dare to see another's point of view.
And when relationships demand commitment,
Then I'll be there to care and follow through.

Your Kingdom come around and through and in me;
Your power and glory, let them shine through me.
Your Hallowed Name, O may I bear with honor,
And may Your living Kingdom come in me.
The Bread of Life, O may I share with honor,
And may You feed a hungry world through me.

                                                    -Gloria Gaither

No Night

2011-06-08T21:03:00.000-07:00

And there will be no night there--no need for lamps or sun--for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever. Revelations 22:5 NLT

The river is now but a winding pathway of reflected light in the pale fading twilight of evening. Riding high in the sky the half moon swims in a murky rainbow of cloud casting a glimmer of light on the ripples of light below. A graceful doe pauses in her evening wandering to lift a watchful head as I pass. The silhouettes of trees deepen into shadows and black shapes against the darkening sky as the black curtain of night slowly descends over all. The day is drawing to a close and with it comes silence.
So too, I trace a river of memories that wind through my heart, reflecting the light of a life well lived and a man well loved. Riding high in the sky is the promise of something more, the light of glory, hidden in the veil of unknowns, a murky rainbow of tears and faith. The curtain has been drawn, the parting has come and the night of grief has descended. With it comes the silence of the waiting. But beyond this night I know there is a morning. And as the dawn of that glorious morning breaks we too shall step on shore into the presence of our Savior, where the darkness of night will never be, and we will never part again.

Kittens...

2011-06-03T13:49:00.000-07:00

Psalm 57

2011-05-31T13:32:00.000-07:00

1Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy!

I look to you for protection.

I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings

until the danger passes by.

2I cry out to God Most High,^b

to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.

3He will send help from heaven to rescue me,

disgracing those who hound me.

Interlude

My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness.

4I am surrounded by fierce lions

who greedily devour human prey—

whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows,

and whose tongues cut like swords.

5Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens!

May your glory shine over all the earth.

6My enemies have set a trap for me.

I am weary from distress.

They have dug a deep pit in my path,

but they themselves have fallen into it.

Interlude

7My heart is confident in you, O God;

my heart is confident.

No wonder I can sing your praises!

8Wake up, my heart!

Wake up, O lyre and harp!

I will wake the dawn with my song.

9I will thank you, Lord, among all the people.

I will sing your praises among the nations.

10For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens.

Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

11Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.

May your glory shine over all the earth.

nlt

Made of Clay

2011-05-24T17:14:00.000-07:00

MADE OF CLAY

We are but vessels made of clay

Who have a mission to obey

A call to fill as He hath given

Oh Father make us fit we pray

Though cracked and imperfect are we

Fill with Thy treasure this our plea

That we may love as Thou hast loved

Oh Father we would be like Thee

So far from perfect, weak and prone

To fall and fail and sin condone

Oh Father yet You mold us still

And claim us for Your very own

Oh fill us with Thy grace today

Let nothing of ourselves delay

Your plans or Kingdom's purpose true

But may we rather speed Thy way

May we be channels fit to pour

From out our vessels of Your store

May we be comely vessels spent

For Thee until there is no more.

Rachael Lofgren

Home

2011-05-18T12:37:00.000-07:00

ALL in ONE

2011-05-16T19:51:00.000-07:00

PD Photo.org

‘Why do some persons “find” God in a way that others do not? …

Pick at random a score of great saints whose lives and testimonies are widely known… In some vital quality they must have been alike. What was it?

I venture to suggest that the one vital quality which they had in common wasspiritual receptivity. Something in them was open to heaven, something which urged them Godward.

Christian theology teaches the doctrine of prevenient grace, which briefly stated means this, that before a man can seek God, God must first have sought the man… We pursue God because, and only because, He has first put an urge within us that spurs us to the pursuit… In practice, however …. man must pursue God….

We have almost forgotten that God is a Person and, as such, can be cultivated as any person can. It is inherent in personality to be able to know other personalities, but full knowledge of one personality by another cannot be achieved in one encounter. It is only after long and loving mental intercourse that the full possibilities of both can be explored.

All social intercourse between human beings is a response of personality to personality, grading upward from the most casual brush between man and man to the fullest, most intimate communion of which the human soul is capable. Religion, so far as it is genuine, is in essence the response of created personalities to the Creating Personality, God. “This is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3).

God is a Person, and in the deep of His mighty nature He thinks, wills, enjoys feels, loves, desires and suffers as any other person may. In making Himself known to us He stays by the familiar pattern of personality. He communicates with us through the avenues of our minds, our wills and our emotions.

The continuous and unembarrassed interchange of love and thought between God and the soul of the redeemed man is the throbbing heart of New Testament religion.

This intercourse between God and the soul is known to us in conscious personal awareness.

It is personal –

that is, it does not come through the body of believers, as such, but is known to the individual, and to the body through the individuals which compose it…

Come near to the holy men and women of the past and you will soon feel the heat of their desire after God.

They mourned for Him, they prayed and wrestled and sought for Him day and night, in season and out, and when they had found Him the finding was all the sweeter for the long seeking…

They want to taste, to touch with their hearts, to see with their inner eyes the wonder that is God.

I want deliberately to encourage this mighty longing after God….

The man who has God for his treasure has all things in One.

Whatever he may lose he has actually lost nothing –

For he now has it all

in One….’

- A. W. Tozer The pursuit of God

Family

2011-05-10T08:25:00.000-07:00

Definition of Family:

Those to whom you always belong no matter what happens in life.

Who know so much about you and still love and accept you for who you are.

Who put up with all those bizarre quirks of yours and make sure you get to enjoy theirs too.

Who share the same punch lines from books and laugh at those jokes that don't make sense to anyone but the "inner circle".

Who share the tears and the joys, the bitter moments of defeat and sweet moments of victory.

Who carry secrets no one else will ever know

Who laugh with you and at you and cry with you and because of you.

Who see you when your hair's a mess and wash your dirty socks.

Who share the same interests and take interest, even when they don't, simply because it matters to you

Who are big enough to forgive, even when it's the third time today.

Who love you even when they disagree with you.

Who stand behind you, cheer you on, and hold you back when you need it.

Who aren't afraid to tell you the truth, even if it hurts.

Who share the same memories, the same history, and walk with you even if your life paths look very different.

Who see you at your worst and help you achieve your best.

Who make you proud and keep you humble.

Who carry you through down times and anchor you through the "up" times.

Who sing together, pray together, and cling together.

Those whom you are at "home" with no matter where you are.

They are a group of lovely people so very diverse and yet linked by an inexplicable bond. You belong "just because" and you always will. This is family.

Lord Sabaoth (Lord of Hosts)

2011-05-04T14:42:00.000-07:00

PD. Photo.org

What joy for those whose strength comes from the LORD,
who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings. They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem. O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies, hear my prayer.
Show favor to the one you have anointed. For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in you. Excerpts from Psalm 84 nlt

O God of Heaven’s Armies, hear our prayer,

Lord Sabaoth please hear our humble plea;

Give us the strength to stand the battle's heat;

O keep our hearts undaunted, eyes on Thee!

Chorus:

Our Sun and Shield, We hail Thee conqueror.

No good dost Thou withhold from us, Thine own.

Oh joy that comes to those who trust in Thee!

We go in Thy unfailing strength alone.

Though within the vale' of weeping we abide,

Still we find Thy gracious presence doth refresh,

At the springs of promise drinking we're renewed;

And Thy peace past understanding comes to bless.

It is in Thy strength we go and so we sing,

For we know that as we fight we're not alone,

We have set our hearts on pilgrimage above;

And the Lord, our reigning King is on the throne.

-Rachael Lofgren

Life's Textures

2011-05-02T19:57:00.000-07:00

Solitary Paths

Broken Hearts

New Life

Dreamy Days

Care free Moments

Togetherness

Tiny Treasures

Simple Pleasures

Smiles

Contemplation

Creativity

Barriers

Shadows

Discovery

LOVE