August 8, 2008 Keep Going

Keep Going

We pray and ask and believe God and it seems as though He doesn't answer... then something happens that is so illuminated and clear that we say, 'You really did answer. You really did direct my steps, You really wanted me to do this, You really did open a door'. The amazing thing is it is never in our planning of anything that this happens.

If we walk in faith, the way will open up with our step by step forward movement. Oh, I guess there are times it falls in our lap, but it's the walk, the action of moving into 'things not seen'. Because we cannot see until we are right smack dab in the middle of 'the evidence' the clearly illuminated evidence of the 'things hoped for' or the clarity in the moment of how our steps are ordered.

Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.

It is so easy to lose our focus. As long as we stay focused on the things of the Lord we don't need to worry about what we 'see' or 'don't see'. His eyes watch over us and guide us and are the only direction that is completely sure and never failing.

Help us God to not fear the 'things not seen' help us to walk in Your light.

Psalm 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way.

You are so close, keep going don't stop, don't give up, you're almost there, the way will be clear, you will see the Way.

WOW!

http://static.flickr.com/242/447710918_a404fb2a01.jpg

Video & Song
'Sometimes by Step' Rich Mullins/Bebo Norman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbbtOlo_zj0&feature=related

September 7, 2008 Haughtiness and Pointing the Finger

Haughtiness and Pointing the Finger



I try not to think much about all the political pomp, the promises, the over glorified presence, because that can be unreliable.
It is not for me to, nor is it realistic for me to think I have any control over what anyone says and does. But my concern is the possible haughtiness that is raising its ugly head in the church (people who say they love the Lord).

The sickness of the over influencing media twisted bias reflects and projects to a 'perceived' majority. Inflating and digging for 'dirt' on the opponent, arch enemy, rival, nemesis are 'the other ones who don't agree with us', a more serious part and really a deeper grieving part of this and what I am beginning to see and understand, this is truly what 'grieves' the Holy Spirit. Political agenda, good, we need it all out in the open for the purpose of running the nation, to make choices, and please keep it coming. But they shove the name calling, grabbing for slander as their (make it clear, media) focus for us to base our decision. The agenda has become over years so polluted with personal scandal it is hard to focus on what is needed for our nation and who really is truthful.

I will use this an an example to see the bitterness of destruction from those saying they love the Lord, and how hate (remembering the premise is fear) permeates from just words which we so haphazardly speak in the open to those around us. During the tsunami one person said, 'God punished them because of their persecution of Christians'. From what I understand the Lord says, 'we will always have', not just one incident. Where is the end to haughtiness, what about...' ', 'anywhere', including the United States, fill in the blank, the pointing of the finger is endless. Thank You God that Your grace is endless!!

One of my favorite scriptures is such a profound direction of how we as God's people should live our lives within several paragraphs. In Isaiah 58, and it goes on to to say' If you remove the yoke from your midst..(yes bitterness and hate is a burden) the pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness"...(but instead love and help each other, focus on this) and feed those hungry, satisfy the afflicted, be a light in darkness, (the results are beautiful) 'your gloom will be come like midday, He will continually guide you, satisfy you in scorched places, give strength to your bones, you will be like a watered garden, the ruins will be rebuilt, the foundations will rise up, You will repair the breach, be the restorer in the streets...to name only a few. Ultimately we will find healing in ourselves. When my eyes were opened to this it almost made me fall out of my chair. We speak corruption, blame, hate bitterness, unforgiveness, in such a way that our own country is suffering, because we are suffering. One cannot stand without the other. We need to look within ourselves first and what we should really be doing.


So I ask you please, please we need to see and open our hearts to see the haughtiness of our thoughts. Please, please, please be careful of the spewing of hate everywhere we go. To be careful to weigh what we are doing by example even more so. There is always talk about revival, it cannot happen if we are afraid of our own truth. True 'revival' happens when individuals are willing to do everything necessary even dying, becoming vulnerable and then dropping fear little by little as the cement is chiseled away from our broken hearts and then allowing God to remold it into a heart like His. I am speaking for myself as well.

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 13 Then (and only then, my addition) I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.


Let's be careful, 'pointing the finger'. Weigh everything with love. There is never 'them' versus 'us', only 'we'. We have a choice to win hearts for the Lord and there is no faking love. Maybe this is too idealistic, but I am willing to try and risk my life for it.

And at 3:00 this morning after tossing and turning and fighting with God to get up and type what I heard, promisinig I would remember, He won. Here is what I heard...

"The answer for EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING is LOVE."


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/44/151569659_83c5848ba8_m.jpg

I love this song
Video & Song
'Still' Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2aM4HUbzlo&feature=related

September 6, 2008 Rewind, Fast Forward

Rewind, Fast Forward

It came to me, wouldn't it be great if we could take our lives and rewind and retape over it when necessary? Just think we could edit, dub and create an illusion of a perfect life. Then it came to me that everything in our life, pain, abuse, joy, happiness are absolutely unavoidable and can be a source of healing for our present. The past only is the beginning of our story, to be continued to a final end (no... beginning) of our complete real life story.

I say often these days that I kick and scream (like a 2 year old) with God sometimes when I don't get my way. The thought, what a hoot! When I've gone to Him and ask 'why, why, why, wah, wah, wah'. Then I realize my need to say 'forgive me' about my bad choices, 'thank you' for getting me through it all and then finally coming to a place where I can say, 'here I am Lord, I am willing to give it all to You, please use me, please, please, please. Then getting to see despite my past what He is doing.

One incredible miracle is to see it happening in the process and to see love rise up and let it grow until all the fear is gone.

'Take 2'; 'Take 3' to look at our responses or reactions and let love rise up from our hearts to do what it is meant to do, which will bring amazing healing every time, all around us.
Perfect love casts out all fear. And with this understanding is peace regardless of where we've been or what we've done and where we blindly go, or what is going on now, or ever. And we don't need to edit or dub anything, because every shameful, painful, hurtful thing of lives will be replace with Perfect Love and that is the Truth in our real life story.


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Video & Song
'Voice of Truth' Casting Crowns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuH1faTC22E&feature=related

September 5, 2008 There's No Risk to Serve and Give

There's No Risk to Serve and Give

Risk:–verb; to expose to the chance of injury or loss; hazard: to risk one's life.

What risk is it to go across the desert with a caravan as opposed to the risk of doing the same thing with water in your hand.

It was an ego thing with me in the past as it seemed clear to me I could do it all. And thrived on risk taking. Maybe not to the degree of major investments in corporation but huge to me. As I started up several small businesses in my adult life, and thinking it was in my blood from a young girl to 'make money'. And as a young girl it was still abnormal for a woman to think about any career other than secretary. I was primed to be a 'secretary' if any work was considered. I broke out of the molding as I fought for what I knew was my gift. And I thought if I used my gift, surely it was a gift from God to make lots of money using it. Right?

Risk; I loved taking chances and still do. I changed my focus and took only small risks, as other precious responsibilities as the birth of my sons minimized and took away my grandiose vision of a huge ad agency. Yes, I can take risks and make leaps and walk blindly sometimes. There is one 'risk' which really isn't a risk at all, it comes by serving others and walking by faith and not by sight.

As a possible real life scenario when there is nothing left at all, when the bills are late, the kids are sick, the car is broken down, the weather is stormy with flood warnings, the refrigerator is empty (and the pantry is too), it is time to go into the desert without the caravan. Because our God, our Father who cares for us doesn't give us a stone or a snake, but 'out of this world' gourmet bread to eat and 'designer' clothes to wear more beautiful than the lilies, He covers us with His wings which are more glorious and magnificent than any of the greatest palaces we could live in.

What ever made us think that happiness is tied up in money, that we have a padded bank account, savings, impressive portfolio of tangible and/or other money market investments? Is this really our ultimate answer?

What would it be like if we dropped everything we are doing and go out with nothing but the clothes on our backs and ask the Lord to lead us to where He wants us to be. Not very practical is it, not logical, most would think it's crazy.What would really happen? Are we too comfortable to leave the security of money and things? God forbid we should go this far? To sell everything we have that everyone in our communities would have no need? Didn't they do that in Acts? Wonder what the outcome was? I think it said 'there was no need among them'. But you see they had to be in agreement, one heart, one spirit. (I am stirred up with these two different versions as they mean two completely different things to me. Acts 4; the NIV interjected 'from time to time' while all the others makes no mention at all that their giving was sporadic.) How in the world will we ever know? In our vast comfort zones, nestled in a country that really doesn't have any reason for us to come to our knees until there is devastation. Then when that happens we get to understand love and compassion and salvation through devastation for a moment. Then we have eyes to see with and ears to hear with. What would we have eyes to see and ears to hear? Each other.

I guess if we could and would, we really would be 'exposed' and vulnerable, and the risk would only be our illusive lives so we could give away our real lives and really live.

Matthew 6 These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff--no bread, no bag, no money in your belts."

Remember God asked Moses 'what is in your hand?' This is not a credit card commercial asking 'what is in your wallet? It was a staff...It was a staff! We really are on a journey so take your staff; don't leave home without it. Did I quote a commercial again? Sorry, I couldn't help it.

Silver and gold have I none, but what I have I give to you. Rise and walk

Nothing holds us back but fear.


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Beautiful Song from Chronicles of Narnia
'CS Lewis Song' Brooke Fraser
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0H7d9mYEBA

September 4, 2008 Cry & Laugh, Laugh & Cry

Cry & Laugh, Laugh & Cry

Along with the great need to cry out to God with a broken heart, which I am experiencing the beauty and healing in this, I encourage you to do the same, 'to allow it to get as big as it needs to get', it really is okay, GOD UNDERSTANDS and is waiting on the other side of your tears.

What a way to be liberated, that is through tears. So many of us had been conditioned, especially men (as I hear you), to not cry. But many of us women were as well. Men and women both through the need of feeling responsible for others, abuse to stifle the expression of crying are a couple of reasons which I understand. Crying is God given and so absolutely necessary. Our lives depend on it.

I am seeing more these days as I reach out and 'give my life away' women who cannot cry. What happened? How did it come to this? It is from the above reasons and I'm sure many other reasons. Really, I think it has always been just as hard for women to cry (maybe) as men, just a thought at this point. Maybe we have thought the crying flowed freely in women because of movie sensationalism as a way to make fun of her or for her love sick heart.

Maybe the stifling of crying came out of projected shame? Maybe it came from living in a big city where there is no place to go without others thinking we're crazy? Maybe we just need them to think we are to allow it to happen? It doesn't seem David had a problem. I don't think he went out into the wilderness to cry although some did as John the Baptist and I'm sure it was crying along with a loud voice.

Psalm 55:17 Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.

Psalm 130:1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord

Recently or should I say since January as I laid my life down for the Lord to remold me and take me through His refining fire, I've had the unbelievable liberating experience of allowing myself to scream as loud as I could (that is in my car, the closest thing to an insulated environment) flowing immediately into an uncontrollable laugh because it seemed so funny afterwards and then (sorry for the run on sentences) more recently being able to laugh literally until I cried. This occurred as a result of laughing to cover up the crying and once recognized (allowed to) the uncontrollable laugh flowed into a deep sobbing.

So I'll say today, please cry, please laugh, please sob, not just for others but for yourself and together we will find out what it is like to 'let it get as big as it needs to get'. We will see the healing process in action, when everything it took to hold it all in to create havoc on us, will be everything it takes to let it all out. A true catharsis to healing experience.

Maybe someone could create a safe place, like a sound proof room for those who are ready to experience this catharsis? Do you think I'm joking?

And for some reason, probably my age as I approach 54 this month, yikes, many old tunes are coming to my mind. Here's one of them and believe it or not this use to be one of my favorite oldies to listen to on the way to high school, yikes again!

...another new experience for me, if I really look I can see God everywhere.

http://static.flickr.com/2406/2075064908_44a18ba749.jpg

Video & Song'I Never Promised You A Rose Garden' Lynne Anderson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdSnwufjKtc

September 3, 2008 Pondering and Seeing With the Heart

There is so much on my heart it is hard to choose what to say first.

After being stripped and led into the refining fire which burns off the 'ego-self', and reveals the trapped 'spirit-self', the heart of our being, we can allow all that needs to happen, happen. Here are a couple of thoughts from the past given to me and have come to me again with perfect timing. If you have received these from me it is worth repeating.

'Let it get as big as it needs to get', thank you Connie. This has become a place where it shouldn't be a fearful thing to die to oneself as much as needed. Notice I said 'shouldn't' meaning I am willing. Especially after looking at why there is the need to hold it all together or the illusion that I am able to do so.

'When is it okay not to be okay?' which came to me as I see the struggles of myself and individuals around me trying to find answers. People who love the Lord and are always searching for His truth. I see a message being given that we need to be perfect, we need to have it all together. I don't see this as a faith walk, looking as though we have it all together has nothing to do with faith. Faith being the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11) is the present into the future walk.

The past to the present is to look at it again for purpose of being transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12) and then allowing God to love us in spite of our past (and our present), and then take His love to others.

Faith does come by hearing and 'hearing' by the Word of God. (Romans 10) The ability to hear comes through the living (that is alive) Word of God, we cannot fully hear, fully see, fully feel on our own. We cannot have faith on our own.

David pondered His Word, and it became a beautiful conversation with God, in his heart. A place beyond carnal knowledge, in the heart; the stripped heart with deep understanding, (this is not the 'knowing' which is of the mind) from sympathy to empathetic compassion which explodes out of the core of our being to touch and reach and set free those captive, those who's hearts are still cemented. Because somehow the pulse of ever beating heart is in rhythm and understands deeply why we are here, more than our mind ever will.

It is love, because once we experience unconditional love which transforms us, we want to please God, then continually being transformed in our minds and with new hearts, we come to a place where we want to continually please God and do His will.

Faith, hope and love comes from God and His infinite, resounding Word can be hidden in my heart, it is here that I desire to 'not sin against Thee'. We cannot do anything on our own power. We are desperate humans looking for the Way, through our hearts not our minds.

Love Never Fails. The premise is love. The end is love.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

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Video & Song
'Lifesong' Casting Crowns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaia32TsPq0&feature=related

September 2, 2008 Sublimity in Suffering

Sublimity in Suffering

When my father failed me, or my husband failed me, or my wife failed me, or my sister failed me, or my brother failed me, or I failed me, or anyone failed me, it is not You.

“God, how can we reconcile this need of pain with our effort to abolish all
misery?”
The answer seemed convincing to me:
“If you abolish. the physical suffering of the world, there will still be disappointed love, yearnings which cannot be satisfied, which will leave hearts bleeding even as they do today. Mansions have as many burning hearts as do poor houses. The things which drag men down to grossness and incessant selfishness must be wiped out. Then hearts will become sore over infinitely larger things than selfish needs. They will learn to bleed for a world with the heart of Jesus.” There will be more suffering than today, for only love knows how to suffer divinely. But the meanness of suffering for one's own selfish disappointments will be gone, and we will see a magnificence and sublimity in suffering that will make us glad. ___ Letters by a Modern Mystic, by Frank Laubach

What is meant for evil is always meant for good. In suffering we do find a magnificence and sublimity with You that is not possible in constant happiness out of selfish want, of which always brings about the worst in us.

Genesis 50: 19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? 20 “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. 21 “So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

As Joseph forgave, we find forgiveness and a way to forgive, we literally are given a lifetime to choose. We are each other's cross, we are to take up our cross and follow Him. And we thought it is only about us.

Psalm 27:7 Hear my voice when I call, O Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. 8 My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, Lord, I will seek. 9 Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior. 10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. 11 Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. 12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence. 13 I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

The above is from an evangelist in Philippines to his father in the 1930's. It is timeless, compiled into a short book is his walk with searching for a deeper relationship with God. It couldn't have come at a more perfect time for me. Here is the file online if you wish to read it.
http://www.cfointernational.org/pdf/Letters%20By%20A%20Modern%20Mystic.pdf

Also if you have time read here is a quick biography review in wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Laubach

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Video & Song
'Wonderful Cross' Michael W. Smith
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9oIJUK8QLA&feature=related