We have to go the “second mile” with God. Some of us get played out in the first ten yards, because God compels us to go where we cannot see the way, and we say – “I will wait till I get nearer the big crisis.” If we do not do the running steadily in the little ways, we shall do nothing in the crisis.
– Oswald Chambers
Let a stalk of wheat
be your witness
to every difficult day.
Since it was a flame
before it was a plant,
since it was courage
before it was grain,
since it was determination
before it was growth,
and, above all, since it was prayer
before it was fruition,
it has nothing to point to
but the sky.
Remember the incredibly gentle wheat stalk
which holds its countless arrows fixed
to shoot from the bowstring—
you, standing in the same position
where the wind holds it.
“Wheat” by Ishihara Yoshiro
I have walk long and alone. I have sought truth in my life and I have been careful about sharing it with others – even in my closest relationships.
I thought it was mainly because of the dogma of fundamentalism I grew up in, but I have recently discovered it is mainly because of the rejection, control, verbal, mental and sexual abuse I have been through.
Holding my truth, my way of living as sacred to me was my way of protection.
I am seeking to be more open, more honest with my truth, open myself in new ways in close relationships. I must admit, it is somewhat terrifying – which makes me know it’s the right thing.
As I walk into this brave new place I am aware of all that has brought me here, and I am grateful for all of my learning which allows me to step into this personal place of revealing my naked truths to others. I believe in the importance of it. I believe it is the only way I will truly overcome the shadows, wounds and pain of my life and come into the fullness of joy in my life.
Life is a process. Only love can break a heart. Only love can mend it again.
We are here for both parts – IF we will step into the place which will allow us to fly and be free – even with patched up, broken and battered wings.
You are a creation of God unequaled anywhere in the universe…. Thank Him for yourself and then for all the rest of His glorious handiwork.
–Norman Vincent Peale
But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.
– Matthew 10:30
“Every human has four endowments — self-awareness, conscience, independent will and creative imagination. These give us the ultimate human freedom… The power to choose, to respond, to change.”
— Stephen R. Covey
O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. 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. Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men. For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain. Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalms 139:1-24 KJV)
That our God would only be safe if He were dead.
But He is the Living Word and His Word is a flashing, double-edged sword and He doesn’t write Himself into neat five-point outlines but He is like the wind — and He speaks in parables that subvert and poetry that ignites and metaphors that jolt and there is nothing safe or small or stiff about Him.
That’s what I am thinking as I scrub smudge marks off cupboards, try to wash away all these marks. Thinking what the Beaver said of Aslan:“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver.“Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
There is nothing safe about the Christ who rent the veins and the veil to save us — He is Divine and He is Dangerous and He is Detonating. He is no tame lion.
What did Randy Alcorn say and in the most Scriptural sense? “It’s dangerous faith in our untamed Savior that leads us to the joy we crave.“
And what the world desperately needs is more dangerous disciples of an unsafe God.
He is wholly unsafe and He’s the untame lion whose claws tear into the scales of my thick sins and the ripping away of everything filthy dragon can feel like a burning right through to the heart. I need His perfectly dangerous ways.
Real love is never safe.
Because grace is a dangerous thing and too often those who speak the most about grace are the most graceless of all.
I am just beginning to learn it and see it painfully in me: The modern-day Pharisees focus on avoiding sin and not on ardently loving our Savior.
What all us Pharisees need to experience is this: Ardent love for your Savior is the most direct path of sin avoidance.
What all us Pharisees need to experience is the mystery of the whole of holy Scripture and real crazy love.
“The holy wild is always pervaded with mystery,” writes Mark Buchanan.
Maybe faith isn’t as much formula as the mystery of being drawn to, surrendering to, the overwhelming love and will of the most dangerous Reality in all the universe?
– Ann Voskamp
read full blog at http://www.aholy experience.com
On this day of your life I believe God wants you to know…
…that safety is not the thing you should look for in the
future. Joy is what you should look for.
Security and joy may not come in the same package.
They can…but they also cannot.
There is no guarantee.
If your primary concern is a guarantee of security,
you may never experience the truest joys of life.
This is not a suggestion that you become reckless,
but it is an invitation to at least become daring.
Neale Donald Walsh
http://www.nealedonaldwalsch.com
I don’t want another Raven!
(even tho I’m so grateful for all of them, don’t get me wrong)
I don’t want more manna,
or water out of rocks –
spoken to
or struck in desperation –
I don’t want another temp job
regardless of pay
or qualification.
I want my life’s work.
My soul sustaining work.
My love song to the world work.
I don’t want to look back with sad eyes to the
‘What if’s’,
trying not to turn into a pillar of salt,
or Rip Van Winkle,
dreaming of the ocean,
springtime in Connecticut,
apple trees
and dandelion wishes.
I’ve cleared the past,
scoured the memories,
returned the hooks,
and the books.
Burned the bridges,
learned the lessons well,
made room for the new,
the view,
the unlimited possibility
of today.
I don’t want a fan,
someone to control me,
abuse me,
or a man to take care of me.
I want a life partner.
A co-builder of eternal structures.
A co-architect of a life full of goodness,
truth,
kindness
and sharing.
I don’t want to sit still any longer.
I don’t want to let another important day go by.
my patience has been monumental,
my obedience marathon,
My testing long and brutal.
I’m ready,
I’m so very ready.
and so I ask –
for no more stop gaps,
no more ravens,
no more small or large miracles in this particular arena of wilderness.
God, take me forward
into new battles,
new playing grounds,
new levels of faith.
allow me to step forward
today,
this very moment if it pleases You,
into my work,
into Your will and work.
As in all things,
Your will be done
here in me on earth
as it is in heaven.
today
and everyday
may it be so
Amy Lloyd
7/22/14
there is enough loveliness, enough beauty, enough peace, enough love in this world — enough food in this world – if we would just share?
– Ann Voskamp
The Hummingbird comes when it seems that what needs to be done is impossible. It teaches how to find joy in any circumstance.”
– Hummingbird totem via Crystal-Cure.com
Last night I opened my door and received an amazing gift. A small grey hummingbird was drinking from my hanging flower basket. Completely surprised, my heart started beating fast. The little visitor stopped and came towards me, which startled me a little, and I moved a bit backward. He stopped and looked at me, like he knew my thrill and also my fear, and he flew away.
It was a truly wonderful gift and I posted it on facebook. My friend, Tina Michaels, commented and told me that a Hummingbird is a harbinger of joy.
Wow! I have been seeking God about my joy, asking for my joy to be full for the past few weeks!
I Googled it to find out more and found this quote from Steven Farmer’s book, Power Animals, to see what the appearance of this guide meant for me at this moment.
“Know that the only true prison you have is your belief in your limitations. Let them go, and experience the abundance of love and opportunity that’s all around. It only takes a willingness to see it, taste it, and feel it.”
“The Hummingbird is the only bird that can fly backwards. This is a reminder that the past can’t be changed but the past can teach lessons. The Hummingbird comes when it seems that what needs to be done is impossible. It teaches how to find joy in any circumstance.” – Hummingbird totem via Crystal-Cure.com
Life is a chance to do things your way; not the cheapest way, not the most popular way, and not how others think you should.
And a very, very, very precious chance, at that.
Got chills?
The Universe
http://www.tut.com
Dearly Beloved,
Grace and Peace to you.
A sower went out to sow.
Some seeds fell on the path…
and the birds came and ate them up.
Other seeds fell on rocky ground…
and they withered away.
Other seeds fell among thorns…
and the thorns grew up and choked them.
Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain—
some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
—Matthew 13.3-8
God is the sower and you are the soil.
The Word finds its fertile places,
and grows in you.
God is the sower and you are the seed.
You are given to the world.
Though it may seem fruitless,
there will be a rich harvest.
You are the sower and love is the seed.
Though it seems wasted,
love will bear fruit.
Be patient, and trust.
__________________
Steve Garnaas-Holmes
Unfolding Light
http://www.unfoldinglight.net
It was just a jug of water
I took with me to the well
the stranger asked me for a drink
I choked on my reply,
why would I give you water, sir
when I am thirsty, dry?
and then he said
if you give to me
I will fill your cup
with things you’ve never had before
yes, I will fill you up
then I cried
here’s my cup
fill it up
fill it up
Here’s my whole jug of water
fill it up
Lord
fill it up
take the heart of my devises
make it new I recognize it
needs to know your love
take this life of broken chances
use it now for your devices
and let me share your love
it was just a blue sky summer morning
as I started to the well
then this stranger spoke my life,
the whole world stopped –
I choked on my reply,
how do you know me so well, sir
oh tell me, who am I?
and then he said
if you give to me
I will fill your heart
with things you’ve never had before
yes, I will fill you up
then I cried
here’s my heart
fill it up
fill it up
Here’s my whole heart, my life
fill it up
Lord
fill it up
as the sun set that evening
everything had changed
and my heart it was singing
all my life was rearranged
everything is different now
this strangers my best friend
Jesus came to live with me
I am loved
I know it’s true
this end is the beginning
this beginning is the end
AL 7/7/14
life: acoustic & amplified 