The life of the party- Ben Dunn!
I was listening to this song over and over today! The Lord just kept placing deep in my heart that the world views Him not as a Father, a protector, an advocate, a joy or a lover, but many times all we see when we pray or ask for Him to reveal Himself is the God of the Old Testament, with the rod waiting to hit us on the head and yell at us. Slowly, the Lord is reminding me that HE IS A FUN GUY! He loves us, He wants to dance with us, and He is so joyful! He wants to have fun with us, he enjoys doing things with us as long as we are in relationship and obedience to Him.
He is the life of the party and this life means NOTHING without Him in it. He loves dancing, he loves having a good time, and he is not trying to take things away from you! He is such a great Papa and he smiles on each of us waiting with open arms for us to fall into them and party with us and with him! Each day is a party and He has released us from the things that have held us back, the chains, and the extra baggage we are carrying. He wants to reveal Himself to you as a party God, a fun Guy, but most of all to party in HIS love. It's a great journey!
What image do you have of God?
Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Seeing Clearly
This morning as I began getting around, I was thinking about things and just enjoying a friend who was at my house. I finished the normal routine: shower, getting dressed, hair, makeup, etc. and decided today was a day for my glasses to be worn. As I stood in front of the mirror, I had this thought that once I put my glasses on, I would be able to see myself more clearly. I gently placed my glasses on my face and heard the Lord say, Yes, it's time to put your glasses on. Your spiritual glasses- the glasses that allow you to see me more clearly.
These glasses that I was putting on in the spirit allowed me to see myself more clearly- the amazing, created, LOVED woman of God. He is aligning my vision to give me one unbroken gaze on HIM. As we begin to gaze upon the Father more intently and see His glory and righteousness, we begin to show the Father, we begin to glow as He glows. These glasses allow us to see the beauty of others (one of our many duties and destinies that we each have as saints) so that they may walk into the revelation of who they are!
Gaze means to have a steady or intent look. The Father gazes at you and He wants us to loving lock our eyes back on him.
Psalm 27:4
One thing I ask from the LORD,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
My prayer for you today is that Papa aligns your vision to see him clearly and to know that he loves you. I ask for a revelation of His deep, penetrable, and amazing love for you. Ask because He has promised to show it to you! That you would have a revelation of the beauty of the Lord on this cold December morning.
Shalom, Peace to you!
These glasses that I was putting on in the spirit allowed me to see myself more clearly- the amazing, created, LOVED woman of God. He is aligning my vision to give me one unbroken gaze on HIM. As we begin to gaze upon the Father more intently and see His glory and righteousness, we begin to show the Father, we begin to glow as He glows. These glasses allow us to see the beauty of others (one of our many duties and destinies that we each have as saints) so that they may walk into the revelation of who they are!
Gaze means to have a steady or intent look. The Father gazes at you and He wants us to loving lock our eyes back on him.
Psalm 27:4
One thing I ask from the LORD,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
My prayer for you today is that Papa aligns your vision to see him clearly and to know that he loves you. I ask for a revelation of His deep, penetrable, and amazing love for you. Ask because He has promised to show it to you! That you would have a revelation of the beauty of the Lord on this cold December morning.
Shalom, Peace to you!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Email titled Pearls!
This was in my email.
It's called "Pearls"-
Enjoy!
The cheerful girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with
her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them: a circle of glistening
white pearls in a pink foil box. "Oh please, Mommy, can I have them?
Please, Mommy, please?"
Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked
back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face. "A
dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them, I'll
think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money
to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might
get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma."
As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17
pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went
to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten
cents. On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at
last she had enough money to buy the necklace.
Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She
wore them everywhere-Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time
she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother
said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.
Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he
would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story.
One night when he finished the story, he asked Jenny, "Do you love me?"
"Oh yes, Daddy. You know that I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh, Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess - the white horse from
my collection. The one with the pink tail. Remember, Daddy? The one you
gave me. She's my favorite."
"That's okay, Honey. Daddy loves you. Good night." And he brushed her
cheek with a kiss.
About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's Daddy asked again, "Do you
love me?"
"Daddy, you know I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new
one I got for my birthday. She is so beautiful and you can have the yellow
blanket that matches her sleeper."
"That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you." And
as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.
A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with
her legs crossed Indian-style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was
trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek.
"What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?"
Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And
when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little
quiver, she finally said, "Here, Daddy. It's for you."
With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's kind daddy reached out with
one hand to take the dime-store necklace, and with the other hand he reached
into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine
pearls and gave them to Jenny. He had them all the time. He was just
waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her genuine
treasure.
Jenny's father is like our heavenly Father. He also is waiting for us to
give up our dime store stuff and seek Him first... so He can fling open the
windows of Heaven and pour us out such a blessing that we will not have room
enough to hold it.
What are you hanging on to?
Never be afraid to try something new.
Remember, amateurs built the ark.
Professionals built the Titanic.
-- Author Unknown
It's called "Pearls"-
Enjoy!
The cheerful girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with
her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them: a circle of glistening
white pearls in a pink foil box. "Oh please, Mommy, can I have them?
Please, Mommy, please?"
Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked
back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face. "A
dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them, I'll
think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money
to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might
get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma."
As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17
pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went
to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten
cents. On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at
last she had enough money to buy the necklace.
Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She
wore them everywhere-Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time
she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother
said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.
Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he
would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story.
One night when he finished the story, he asked Jenny, "Do you love me?"
"Oh yes, Daddy. You know that I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh, Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess - the white horse from
my collection. The one with the pink tail. Remember, Daddy? The one you
gave me. She's my favorite."
"That's okay, Honey. Daddy loves you. Good night." And he brushed her
cheek with a kiss.
About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's Daddy asked again, "Do you
love me?"
"Daddy, you know I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new
one I got for my birthday. She is so beautiful and you can have the yellow
blanket that matches her sleeper."
"That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you." And
as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.
A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with
her legs crossed Indian-style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was
trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek.
"What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?"
Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And
when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little
quiver, she finally said, "Here, Daddy. It's for you."
With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's kind daddy reached out with
one hand to take the dime-store necklace, and with the other hand he reached
into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine
pearls and gave them to Jenny. He had them all the time. He was just
waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her genuine
treasure.
Jenny's father is like our heavenly Father. He also is waiting for us to
give up our dime store stuff and seek Him first... so He can fling open the
windows of Heaven and pour us out such a blessing that we will not have room
enough to hold it.
What are you hanging on to?
Never be afraid to try something new.
Remember, amateurs built the ark.
Professionals built the Titanic.
-- Author Unknown
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Sirens
Yesterday I had a paramedic pass me while I was driving and as everyone does, each car pulled over to allow the paramedic get to where they needed to be. The Holy Spirit came into my thoughts and asked me- when Jesus comes into our lives- does he need a loud siren or will he come with a gentle whisper to announce his presence?
As I thought about this further, my thoughts reminded me of the Triumphal Entry of Jesus. He did not come with horns or sirens. He rode in on a donkey. A donkey! A donkey that had not ever been ridden.. It is just interesting to me that our beautiful Jesus chooses such humility. However, there are times when I believe that our lovely Father chooses at sometimes to use sirens to get our attention.
How does Papa get your attention? Does he use sirens to get ahold of you or does he come in simplicity and humility like he did while he was riding a donkey days before he died for us?
I pray that God would get ahold of you this week in a new way! He wants to pour into you in new ways today!
As I thought about this further, my thoughts reminded me of the Triumphal Entry of Jesus. He did not come with horns or sirens. He rode in on a donkey. A donkey! A donkey that had not ever been ridden.. It is just interesting to me that our beautiful Jesus chooses such humility. However, there are times when I believe that our lovely Father chooses at sometimes to use sirens to get our attention.
How does Papa get your attention? Does he use sirens to get ahold of you or does he come in simplicity and humility like he did while he was riding a donkey days before he died for us?
I pray that God would get ahold of you this week in a new way! He wants to pour into you in new ways today!
Friday, August 27, 2010
Wordless Love
I love these girls. I love the many gifts and talents they each bring to the table. I love their ability to love and the way that NO MATTER what they stand with me in prayer and war. They are truly God's gift and SUCH a blessing. (yes, Bella is a blessing too!)
Monday, August 16, 2010
Storms
Have you ever observed a storm? As I was sitting at work today, I began to realize the different parts of a storm. I believe that these things even apply to the storms we face in our lives. Some of these storms are more severe than others, however, the storms are still present.
Here is what I noticed about today's storm. The wind changes, it starts to smell different in the air. It seems peaceful. But then you start to hear the thunder.. and you see the lightning. And you start to fear, but sadly, this usually is only the BEGINNING of the storm.
At first we start to see the clouds. The little things that hold the rain.. the things that start to get bigger and darker. We start to soak up all those things the enemy is throwing at us. And they get heavier and heavier.
Then the lightning and thunder get louder.. and the rain downpours! And everything feels as though it may be falling apart! But, the truth in this situation is that God is closer during these times than he has ever been before. He stands in the storm and as Julie Meyer said this past weekend was that in these storms, God is testing our hearts. What is our heart's response in the midst of this storm? When everything feels as though it is falling apart and that the world is shaking, our awesome Papa is holding us in his palm.. secure, complete. Holding our whole world. As the rain pours, God gently puts up his umbrella to protect us and to allow us to be sheltered from the rain. But sometimes he asks us to take the umbrella down and allow him to wash over us in the midst of the storm. It is here in the rain that all things wash away: the anger, the hurt, the lack of joy, the heaviness, and all the variety of emotions that are going on in the midst of the storm.
So, I ask. I have had my storms. My heart has wanted to just complain and not watch my words or my thoughts. But God is showing me that during each storm: whether just a gentle storm or severe weather, he is with me, he is with YOU, and he is teaching me through it. He asks me to still trust him no matter how high the winds get or how high the water gets. I still stand secure in whatever storm comes towards me. He never allows my foot to slip or my hand to fall out of his. These storms are the great times where I am welcome freely to sit in Papa's lap in such peace and security, but do we trust enough to take the steps to SIT and be still in His lap? He welcomes us, He wants us there. We are on his heart at all times, He is always MINDFUL of us. He asks us to praise him in the midst of whatever we are facing, and believe me sometimes the three little words: thank you Jesus, are the hardest words to form on my lips and be spoken into the atmosphere, but he desires for us to say them.
So, again I ask: What is your heart doing in the midst of this storm? Are we trusting and praising? Or are we freezing, not moving, and not being taught anything in the storm?
Here is some encouragement:
We conquer overwhelmingly through Jesus Christ in every storm, in every situation! Amen.
I will be honest: It's hard to believe this in the middle of the eye of the storm. But as I type at the end of my current storm, I know that next time, the storm will NOT shake me. I will be like a tree FIRMLY planted by the stream of living water.
amen.
Here is what I noticed about today's storm. The wind changes, it starts to smell different in the air. It seems peaceful. But then you start to hear the thunder.. and you see the lightning. And you start to fear, but sadly, this usually is only the BEGINNING of the storm.
At first we start to see the clouds. The little things that hold the rain.. the things that start to get bigger and darker. We start to soak up all those things the enemy is throwing at us. And they get heavier and heavier.
Then the lightning and thunder get louder.. and the rain downpours! And everything feels as though it may be falling apart! But, the truth in this situation is that God is closer during these times than he has ever been before. He stands in the storm and as Julie Meyer said this past weekend was that in these storms, God is testing our hearts. What is our heart's response in the midst of this storm? When everything feels as though it is falling apart and that the world is shaking, our awesome Papa is holding us in his palm.. secure, complete. Holding our whole world. As the rain pours, God gently puts up his umbrella to protect us and to allow us to be sheltered from the rain. But sometimes he asks us to take the umbrella down and allow him to wash over us in the midst of the storm. It is here in the rain that all things wash away: the anger, the hurt, the lack of joy, the heaviness, and all the variety of emotions that are going on in the midst of the storm.
So, I ask. I have had my storms. My heart has wanted to just complain and not watch my words or my thoughts. But God is showing me that during each storm: whether just a gentle storm or severe weather, he is with me, he is with YOU, and he is teaching me through it. He asks me to still trust him no matter how high the winds get or how high the water gets. I still stand secure in whatever storm comes towards me. He never allows my foot to slip or my hand to fall out of his. These storms are the great times where I am welcome freely to sit in Papa's lap in such peace and security, but do we trust enough to take the steps to SIT and be still in His lap? He welcomes us, He wants us there. We are on his heart at all times, He is always MINDFUL of us. He asks us to praise him in the midst of whatever we are facing, and believe me sometimes the three little words: thank you Jesus, are the hardest words to form on my lips and be spoken into the atmosphere, but he desires for us to say them.
So, again I ask: What is your heart doing in the midst of this storm? Are we trusting and praising? Or are we freezing, not moving, and not being taught anything in the storm?
Here is some encouragement:
We conquer overwhelmingly through Jesus Christ in every storm, in every situation! Amen.
I will be honest: It's hard to believe this in the middle of the eye of the storm. But as I type at the end of my current storm, I know that next time, the storm will NOT shake me. I will be like a tree FIRMLY planted by the stream of living water.
amen.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Challenges
So today, I decided to start going after breakthrough. Then, sadly I got hit with a huge challenge relating to money. It makes me realize how blessed I truly am and that in the midst of the challenges, God is faithful and he desires for us to TRUST him. What a hard concept sometimes. But praise God for peace in the midst of the entire situation!
Living with intentionality can be hard. God is faithful. He has excellent plans in store for us.
Living with intentionality can be hard. God is faithful. He has excellent plans in store for us.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Papa Moments
Oh! I love Papa moments. These are the moments where I am moved to tears because of his beauty or even an overwhelming sense of his love.
Today, well just a few moments ago, I was looking at pictures on facebook on someone's page I do not know. As I was looking through these pictures of smiling faces: young, old, adult, young adult, older. I saw the wrinkles, the smiles, the ways that their lips curve as they smile, and even just the beauty of their eyes. I began looking at these pictures especially-- the ones who are older women-- moved me to tears. I saw Jesus in them. And I realized how many times we base beauty in our society on so many standards including:
What size jeans do you wear?
What color is your hair?
How many wrinkles do you have?
But in these questions we loose site of the true question:
How much were we created for beauty? Papa loves us! He created each part of us uniquely: whether a size 24 or a size2. It does not matter that we are wrinkly or blonde or a brunette. None of these things matter.
What are we doing with each moment of our life? Where is our focus?
Is our focus on our size or our hair color?
or is it where it should be?
... Resting in the arms of love and true identity with our wonderful Creator.
Confession: I was weeping as I wrote this. I am so grateful and overwhelmed by the love of our Father- who created us each intimately and with purpose. We were not a mistake!
Psalm 139.
I pray you have an intimate revelation of God's LOVE and PURPOSE for you!
AMEN!
Today, well just a few moments ago, I was looking at pictures on facebook on someone's page I do not know. As I was looking through these pictures of smiling faces: young, old, adult, young adult, older. I saw the wrinkles, the smiles, the ways that their lips curve as they smile, and even just the beauty of their eyes. I began looking at these pictures especially-- the ones who are older women-- moved me to tears. I saw Jesus in them. And I realized how many times we base beauty in our society on so many standards including:
What size jeans do you wear?
What color is your hair?
How many wrinkles do you have?
But in these questions we loose site of the true question:
How much were we created for beauty? Papa loves us! He created each part of us uniquely: whether a size 24 or a size2. It does not matter that we are wrinkly or blonde or a brunette. None of these things matter.
What are we doing with each moment of our life? Where is our focus?
Is our focus on our size or our hair color?
or is it where it should be?
... Resting in the arms of love and true identity with our wonderful Creator.
Confession: I was weeping as I wrote this. I am so grateful and overwhelmed by the love of our Father- who created us each intimately and with purpose. We were not a mistake!
Psalm 139.
I pray you have an intimate revelation of God's LOVE and PURPOSE for you!
AMEN!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Blessed does not begin to describe..
Sometimes I begin to cry when I think of all the blessings I have in my life. When I look at Bella or outside at the sky or even when I have an amazing conversation with someone, I feel blessed. It's so heavy and its so beautiful!
What are you thankful for? What are the blessings in your life?
Today is Father's Day. When I think of all of what my Heavenly Father has done for me- I get teary eyed. For the past few days, my IPOD has been on repeat with the song "Oh how he loves us". He is jealous for ME! Love is like a HURRICANE! I am a TREE being blow and whipped around by that love. Bending beneath the weight of his GLORY and MERCY! When I look at myself six months ago, I ache for how lost I was- so far from my Heavenly Father's heart, so far from his will. The chains, the baggage that I carried. The lies the enemy told me that got me down. But ya know what's cool- I no longer have to look back at these things! These things are GONE-FORGIVEN-BOUGHT by the BLOOD and WOUNDS of my Perfect Jesus. He's such a good PAPA! He never lets me fall from His eye, He never lets me be removed from him, He is SMITTEN with love for me! FOR ME! (and for you.) Smitten- do you even know what that really means? It means grievously or disastrously stricken or afflicted, struck as with a hard blow OR very much in LOVE. Personally I think each of these describe the Father's love for us. He is grievously stricken with us, He was afflicted for us, Whenever we sin- he takes it as a hard blow. His heart loves us so much! HE love us so much. He is such a Great dad! He is always there for us, whenever we call, whatever were going through, He loves to bring His Kingdom to us! He loves to bring his TRUTH to us. He wants us, He longs for us. He is stubborn- he will NOT give up on us. This week I was feeling very stubborn. Very stubborn on some issues, but when I realized that God is EVEN more stubborn than I am- I laughed a little. Ya know what's cool about God or I think? Is that he is stubborn- but in His STUBBORNNESS- in his fixed or set in purpose or opinion of us- HE pursues us! He never gives up. If we sit around a circle and tell our stories of how we truly began to fall in love with the Father, how he PURSUED us, how he took everything out of us and away from us- It's all different. He is so stubborn to get us, to make us see His love, he never gives up. He runs passionately towards us, He takes the spear to the enemy, He has won all of the battles. That is the blessing that we each share. Putting onto a blog makes me realize even more the BEST blessing I ever have. And honestly words cannot describe the feelings that I feel when I think and meditate upon this. So I challenge you to meditate upon these truths also. I know it can be hard to believe the truths in the midst of the storms, but the Truth always holds out.. For sure.
Blessed, blessed, blessed. Favored, anointed. Another blessing that I have is to have amazing parents who love Jesus. Always, always praying for me and wanting God's best for my life. I think today about the ones who a) never had these influences-either a mother or a father- in their lives OR b) the ones who have lost these individuals. I am so blessed to say that these are not circumstances, but I feel for these losses. I have friends who face these every day and I see their pain. My mouth is so quick sometimes to complain about my circumstances or about the annoying parts of this part of life, however, in all honestly- Why do I complain? Okay back on subject: My parents are awesome! They are wonderful! They support me, they challenge me, but most importantly they pray for me. I forget how awesome it is that they NEVER walked away from me, they never turned there back on me, they were always there to hug me, to love me, to forgive me. It's beautiful. Mom and Dad, thank you so much for your support and for the most, your prayers that got me through the dark days, I appreciate it more than anything you will ever know. I LOVE YOU!
Another blessing I am so thankful for is my crazy friends! I am beginning to realize the depth of our friendships and even the uniqueness that God put inside of each of us! I love the ways that we all interact with each other differently and that no TWO are the same in friendship or even in communication. We each compliment each other and the support that comes from these individuals is beyond amazing. When I had my wisdom teeth out, I realized that we go to different individuals for different things and that we each are good at those things and that others are good at their own things. Whether its DS that totally takes us into heavenly places with his worship through guitar and who speaks words of life. What a testimony I have with this individual. Everytime I am around him, I realize that God has truly restored what the enemy intended for evil. This friendship has definitely seen it's bad days, but praise God for this AMAZING man of God that is anointed and destined to do great things. Or whether its Mr. ZP an amazing brother who prays for people, encourages them, connects them, and just loves on them. Or TH who can FIX anything! Or CM who totally rocks the world's socks off with her art and her love for others is amazing! OR SM who just is a momma at heart and whose joy just challenges you. Or JC who has grown and continues to grow.. or DD who loves ketchup and lots of it.. who I am beginning to learn more about- her independence intrigues me. Or AR who sends me random packages :) Or AC and SS who stuck by me in college and made me laugh in crazy ways. or DG who wow the wisdom and revelation Papa places on him is BEAUTIFUL! or AH who she just has such a heart for people and the world. I love seeing her organize things at church and her love humbles me! These are just a few of the amazing blessings in my life. They surprise me in new ways every single day and I thank God for them every day.
Bella- what a joy! Whether she is eating my flip flop or running with the dogs or waking me up at 5:30 in the morning- I love her and I love being a dog owner. She has taught me that mere things are replaceable but that the things in the Kingdom are not.. that these are the things that I should run after and long for.
It's interesting because these are just a few of the overwhelming blessings in my life. I love the way that God will continue to grow, change and work in each of these things. I look forward to the new revelation that God will give me in this area. The sweet newness that is coming. But thank you Papa for you! Thank you that you pursue me, that you love me, that none of us were a mistake. Thank you Papa for these incredible blessings you have placed in my life! I thank you that I am never satisfied with the luke warm, but that I just want your heart, your joy, and every aspect that you will and do pour into me. I love you! I love you and I thank you with every single bit of me! Teach us, pour into us, and bring fresh revelation to us.
What are you thankful for? What are the blessings in your life?
Today is Father's Day. When I think of all of what my Heavenly Father has done for me- I get teary eyed. For the past few days, my IPOD has been on repeat with the song "Oh how he loves us". He is jealous for ME! Love is like a HURRICANE! I am a TREE being blow and whipped around by that love. Bending beneath the weight of his GLORY and MERCY! When I look at myself six months ago, I ache for how lost I was- so far from my Heavenly Father's heart, so far from his will. The chains, the baggage that I carried. The lies the enemy told me that got me down. But ya know what's cool- I no longer have to look back at these things! These things are GONE-FORGIVEN-BOUGHT by the BLOOD and WOUNDS of my Perfect Jesus. He's such a good PAPA! He never lets me fall from His eye, He never lets me be removed from him, He is SMITTEN with love for me! FOR ME! (and for you.) Smitten- do you even know what that really means? It means grievously or disastrously stricken or afflicted, struck as with a hard blow OR very much in LOVE. Personally I think each of these describe the Father's love for us. He is grievously stricken with us, He was afflicted for us, Whenever we sin- he takes it as a hard blow. His heart loves us so much! HE love us so much. He is such a Great dad! He is always there for us, whenever we call, whatever were going through, He loves to bring His Kingdom to us! He loves to bring his TRUTH to us. He wants us, He longs for us. He is stubborn- he will NOT give up on us. This week I was feeling very stubborn. Very stubborn on some issues, but when I realized that God is EVEN more stubborn than I am- I laughed a little. Ya know what's cool about God or I think? Is that he is stubborn- but in His STUBBORNNESS- in his fixed or set in purpose or opinion of us- HE pursues us! He never gives up. If we sit around a circle and tell our stories of how we truly began to fall in love with the Father, how he PURSUED us, how he took everything out of us and away from us- It's all different. He is so stubborn to get us, to make us see His love, he never gives up. He runs passionately towards us, He takes the spear to the enemy, He has won all of the battles. That is the blessing that we each share. Putting onto a blog makes me realize even more the BEST blessing I ever have. And honestly words cannot describe the feelings that I feel when I think and meditate upon this. So I challenge you to meditate upon these truths also. I know it can be hard to believe the truths in the midst of the storms, but the Truth always holds out.. For sure.
Blessed, blessed, blessed. Favored, anointed. Another blessing that I have is to have amazing parents who love Jesus. Always, always praying for me and wanting God's best for my life. I think today about the ones who a) never had these influences-either a mother or a father- in their lives OR b) the ones who have lost these individuals. I am so blessed to say that these are not circumstances, but I feel for these losses. I have friends who face these every day and I see their pain. My mouth is so quick sometimes to complain about my circumstances or about the annoying parts of this part of life, however, in all honestly- Why do I complain? Okay back on subject: My parents are awesome! They are wonderful! They support me, they challenge me, but most importantly they pray for me. I forget how awesome it is that they NEVER walked away from me, they never turned there back on me, they were always there to hug me, to love me, to forgive me. It's beautiful. Mom and Dad, thank you so much for your support and for the most, your prayers that got me through the dark days, I appreciate it more than anything you will ever know. I LOVE YOU!
Another blessing I am so thankful for is my crazy friends! I am beginning to realize the depth of our friendships and even the uniqueness that God put inside of each of us! I love the ways that we all interact with each other differently and that no TWO are the same in friendship or even in communication. We each compliment each other and the support that comes from these individuals is beyond amazing. When I had my wisdom teeth out, I realized that we go to different individuals for different things and that we each are good at those things and that others are good at their own things. Whether its DS that totally takes us into heavenly places with his worship through guitar and who speaks words of life. What a testimony I have with this individual. Everytime I am around him, I realize that God has truly restored what the enemy intended for evil. This friendship has definitely seen it's bad days, but praise God for this AMAZING man of God that is anointed and destined to do great things. Or whether its Mr. ZP an amazing brother who prays for people, encourages them, connects them, and just loves on them. Or TH who can FIX anything! Or CM who totally rocks the world's socks off with her art and her love for others is amazing! OR SM who just is a momma at heart and whose joy just challenges you. Or JC who has grown and continues to grow.. or DD who loves ketchup and lots of it.. who I am beginning to learn more about- her independence intrigues me. Or AR who sends me random packages :) Or AC and SS who stuck by me in college and made me laugh in crazy ways. or DG who wow the wisdom and revelation Papa places on him is BEAUTIFUL! or AH who she just has such a heart for people and the world. I love seeing her organize things at church and her love humbles me! These are just a few of the amazing blessings in my life. They surprise me in new ways every single day and I thank God for them every day.
Bella- what a joy! Whether she is eating my flip flop or running with the dogs or waking me up at 5:30 in the morning- I love her and I love being a dog owner. She has taught me that mere things are replaceable but that the things in the Kingdom are not.. that these are the things that I should run after and long for.
It's interesting because these are just a few of the overwhelming blessings in my life. I love the way that God will continue to grow, change and work in each of these things. I look forward to the new revelation that God will give me in this area. The sweet newness that is coming. But thank you Papa for you! Thank you that you pursue me, that you love me, that none of us were a mistake. Thank you Papa for these incredible blessings you have placed in my life! I thank you that I am never satisfied with the luke warm, but that I just want your heart, your joy, and every aspect that you will and do pour into me. I love you! I love you and I thank you with every single bit of me! Teach us, pour into us, and bring fresh revelation to us.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Your LOVE is like the OCEAN.
Stop, wait, be still for just a moment. Do you feel that? Take a second close your eyes.. and feel the cool salty wind across your face. the simple, soft, yet rough feeling of sand between your toes. You hear the waves crash beside you just like music notes, the ocean has a beat, crash, crash, crash. One continual motion and the world is still moving- just as these waves keep crashing. You can almost taste the salt and you realize that this, this is your place where you truly connect with God. There is a serene place- a peaceful place where the sun beats down on you and you know that the still small but mighty voice wants to minister to you. Here is just a sample of my feelings from this weekend:
This weekend I took a beautiful trip to the Ocean.. Ocean City, Maryland to be exact. I was so sick of feeling dry and empty that I just needed to get away after some very stressful days. I knew that God had last talked to me boldly and clearly while I was at the beach and I longed for a place of peace. It got even more interesting when I decided to go alone, yes, alone. Me, myself, I, and Jesus on a road trip that lasted less than 48 hours. I would totally and am totally going alone somewhere, someday, soon!
Sunday Morning was the clincher for me. I got up for the sunrise at about 6 am where I walked the shore line and just prayed. Soon God started revealing big things to me about the Ocean and the way he relates to us through the ocean. It's beautiful and I want to share.
--> our sins our on the BOTTOM of the ocean floor. They are forgotten, God does not remember them! Any of them! It's so freeing to know that the one who created us loves us enough to remove them from us. Psalm 103:12 says: as far as the EAST is from the WEST so far he has REMOVED our transgressions from us.
-->the sand. The gritty stuff. Some days honestly, I love it, somedays I hate it. Gritty is good I have decided. God showed me this morning that the grit, the sand, is an exfoliant. God uses sand- he uses each of us, he exfoliates in and through us. Even though the exfoliating hurts at first because all the DRY, DIRTY, CRACKED, DEAD Cells are leaving your skin, so does Jesus to this to our hearts and Spirits. He allows the dirty, the dead, and the cracked to become soft and gentle, as though you have just gotten your hands exfoliated. I know that the way God has done this in me. This was very apparent to me yesterday while I was sitting across from someone that I know we have had our differences. And as our hearts truly began to connect, I realized that the dead and rough is gone and the gentle encourager has taken reign in my life. See, I want nothing in my life that is left unexfoliated. I want it all exfoliated and cleaned up by my lover, Jesus. Nothing is holding me back anymore from the awesome things he has for me. No more death, dirty, cracked, or dry places can or will reign in my life.
--> Waves- how cool are waves? You get to jump into them- you get to ride them- you get washed by them. They are pretty amazing. God- oh beautiful Jesus crashes waves over us! He crashes waves of LOVE JOY PEACE PATIENCE!! He loves to love us and wave us in these things! When I got back from the beach, some awesome friends of mine were leading worship and as I was reflecting on the notes, God touched my heart by just showing me that the sequence of waves is much like the sequence of notes- the sequence of music. Some go high, some low, but they all come out beautiful. Just as our lives- things wave in and some things crash against us hard, others crash against lightly, but it's always a process. And its a good one. So Papa, right now in Jesus name, I ask for waves of grace, or joy, or anything that these dear friends of mine need. I ask God that you would wave over them mightily so they would know you and feel you. AMEN.
Along with waves, I noticed that when I turned around to look back at my footprints, they were gone. See all those past mistakes I made, after the new wave comes- God has washed those things away. The footprints disappear.. the things are washed away. God washes over these things with his waves.
-->Bubbles, yes bubbles. On Sunday morning, I went for a walk on the shore. I just allowed the waves to crash over me (some sadly even crashed over my jeans- I hate wet jeans, for the record) and my feet. But I observed something-- when some of the waves came onto the sand and the wave departed some of the sand bubbled and cracked and made mini not much bigger than a bebe holes in the sand that bubbled. It was the coolest yet weirdest cracking noise I had ever heard. As soon as I started hearing the bubbles God revealed to me that that is what our Spirits do once God has healed something- after a wave, a big wave of his presence, his joy, his anything- our souls bubble. Our souls bubble through song, but it bubbles in our inner man and we feel it. Our Spirits respond to this wave and its always awesome. I love when things in my life bubble because I can get excited about them. I get excited about the little bubbles and the way God bubbles inside of me. You should hear this sometime!
--> When the waves departed, many of them left remnants. What are these remnants you ask? SEASHELLS. The ocean produces lovely things. Think for a moment about everything that the ocean possesses and even the things that we can visibly see out of it! Fish, shells, Sand dollars, Lobster, Dolphins.. so much more! It's lovely. God then spoke to me and showed me that whenever the ocean waves come forth in our lives, he always leaves a beautiful "ocean print" in our lives. When I turned around to walk back to my hotel, I saw the line on the sand where the last wave had settled. At this place was a line and it was visible. I know that whenever God works on me, he leaves a "print." These prints are so beautiful! The waves also left sea shells or for my representation- the things that he leaves in us. Some many times in my life instead of fear- he has replaced it with joy and peace. Instead of heaviness- he deposits peace. After waves come through our lives- those trials- those important things- he deposits new and exciting things in us (like seashells and prints). It's cool. Can you make a list of the cool things that God has deposited in you- do you see the print that he has made in you? Honestly, I know and understand that it can be so hard sometimes to see where the print is or where the good things are BUT I PROMISE YOU THAT THEY ARE THERE. Why you ask? Because God promised them!!!! SO COOL! 2 Cor 1:20 says... For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. So cling to those promises, cling to those prints. He is working in and through you, I know because I hope in those things!
God deposits things in some pretty cool ways- He leaves these prints on our hearts- they are lovely! One sign that was on the beach said "please only leave your footprints". I long for this in my life- Jesus, please leave your footprints and whatever else you want to pour into me!
--> At work, I have put a sea shell. I noticed on my Sunday morning walk that I got overwhelmed and in awe of the awesome colors inside of the shell-- then I would flip the shell to the outside. It was not until today that I realized how much our society only looks at the outside, when truly truly the inside of us contain the beautiful jewels- the rich colors. I ended up picking up all the dirty and what I considered not so attractive shells to remind me that God looks at our inside- the beautiful jewels, the treasure <3> SON burn- Jesus- can you burn inside of us and give us a SON burn? One that takes the deepest parts of our hearts, souls, and minds? Please? Thank you.
So here are my beach rantings. I am so blessed to say that this is not the least of what God revealed to me this weekend. Jesus is awesome! I am excited to see how God continues to talk to me inside this context. Below is a song that God had play across my IPOD right before I left.. here is the chorus.. it has been humming in my mind for the past few days:
Your LOVE is like by Rick Pino
Your love is like the rain
Falling on my soul
It's covering every place
Making gardens grow
The sweetness overflows
Pouring from your lips
The kisses from above
Let the heavens drip
Let 'em drip down
Let 'em drip down
Pre-Chorus
Your love is like the ocean
I'm drowning in your presence
Your love is like the ocean
I'm drowning in your presence
Chorus
Getting lost in the gaze of your eyes
Getting lost in the warmth of your smile (2x)
Verse 2
Your love is like a room
Full of precious jewels
It takes my breath away
There's riches beyond words
When it's just me and you
I can't remember storms
All I can do
Is melt into your arms
This song became REAL to me on the beach- the warmth of him and his smile was with me.. IT was WONDERFUL!
All my love,
Allison
This weekend I took a beautiful trip to the Ocean.. Ocean City, Maryland to be exact. I was so sick of feeling dry and empty that I just needed to get away after some very stressful days. I knew that God had last talked to me boldly and clearly while I was at the beach and I longed for a place of peace. It got even more interesting when I decided to go alone, yes, alone. Me, myself, I, and Jesus on a road trip that lasted less than 48 hours. I would totally and am totally going alone somewhere, someday, soon!
Sunday Morning was the clincher for me. I got up for the sunrise at about 6 am where I walked the shore line and just prayed. Soon God started revealing big things to me about the Ocean and the way he relates to us through the ocean. It's beautiful and I want to share.
--> our sins our on the BOTTOM of the ocean floor. They are forgotten, God does not remember them! Any of them! It's so freeing to know that the one who created us loves us enough to remove them from us. Psalm 103:12 says: as far as the EAST is from the WEST so far he has REMOVED our transgressions from us.
-->the sand. The gritty stuff. Some days honestly, I love it, somedays I hate it. Gritty is good I have decided. God showed me this morning that the grit, the sand, is an exfoliant. God uses sand- he uses each of us, he exfoliates in and through us. Even though the exfoliating hurts at first because all the DRY, DIRTY, CRACKED, DEAD Cells are leaving your skin, so does Jesus to this to our hearts and Spirits. He allows the dirty, the dead, and the cracked to become soft and gentle, as though you have just gotten your hands exfoliated. I know that the way God has done this in me. This was very apparent to me yesterday while I was sitting across from someone that I know we have had our differences. And as our hearts truly began to connect, I realized that the dead and rough is gone and the gentle encourager has taken reign in my life. See, I want nothing in my life that is left unexfoliated. I want it all exfoliated and cleaned up by my lover, Jesus. Nothing is holding me back anymore from the awesome things he has for me. No more death, dirty, cracked, or dry places can or will reign in my life.
--> Waves- how cool are waves? You get to jump into them- you get to ride them- you get washed by them. They are pretty amazing. God- oh beautiful Jesus crashes waves over us! He crashes waves of LOVE JOY PEACE PATIENCE!! He loves to love us and wave us in these things! When I got back from the beach, some awesome friends of mine were leading worship and as I was reflecting on the notes, God touched my heart by just showing me that the sequence of waves is much like the sequence of notes- the sequence of music. Some go high, some low, but they all come out beautiful. Just as our lives- things wave in and some things crash against us hard, others crash against lightly, but it's always a process. And its a good one. So Papa, right now in Jesus name, I ask for waves of grace, or joy, or anything that these dear friends of mine need. I ask God that you would wave over them mightily so they would know you and feel you. AMEN.
Along with waves, I noticed that when I turned around to look back at my footprints, they were gone. See all those past mistakes I made, after the new wave comes- God has washed those things away. The footprints disappear.. the things are washed away. God washes over these things with his waves.
-->Bubbles, yes bubbles. On Sunday morning, I went for a walk on the shore. I just allowed the waves to crash over me (some sadly even crashed over my jeans- I hate wet jeans, for the record) and my feet. But I observed something-- when some of the waves came onto the sand and the wave departed some of the sand bubbled and cracked and made mini not much bigger than a bebe holes in the sand that bubbled. It was the coolest yet weirdest cracking noise I had ever heard. As soon as I started hearing the bubbles God revealed to me that that is what our Spirits do once God has healed something- after a wave, a big wave of his presence, his joy, his anything- our souls bubble. Our souls bubble through song, but it bubbles in our inner man and we feel it. Our Spirits respond to this wave and its always awesome. I love when things in my life bubble because I can get excited about them. I get excited about the little bubbles and the way God bubbles inside of me. You should hear this sometime!
--> When the waves departed, many of them left remnants. What are these remnants you ask? SEASHELLS. The ocean produces lovely things. Think for a moment about everything that the ocean possesses and even the things that we can visibly see out of it! Fish, shells, Sand dollars, Lobster, Dolphins.. so much more! It's lovely. God then spoke to me and showed me that whenever the ocean waves come forth in our lives, he always leaves a beautiful "ocean print" in our lives. When I turned around to walk back to my hotel, I saw the line on the sand where the last wave had settled. At this place was a line and it was visible. I know that whenever God works on me, he leaves a "print." These prints are so beautiful! The waves also left sea shells or for my representation- the things that he leaves in us. Some many times in my life instead of fear- he has replaced it with joy and peace. Instead of heaviness- he deposits peace. After waves come through our lives- those trials- those important things- he deposits new and exciting things in us (like seashells and prints). It's cool. Can you make a list of the cool things that God has deposited in you- do you see the print that he has made in you? Honestly, I know and understand that it can be so hard sometimes to see where the print is or where the good things are BUT I PROMISE YOU THAT THEY ARE THERE. Why you ask? Because God promised them!!!! SO COOL! 2 Cor 1:20 says... For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. So cling to those promises, cling to those prints. He is working in and through you, I know because I hope in those things!
God deposits things in some pretty cool ways- He leaves these prints on our hearts- they are lovely! One sign that was on the beach said "please only leave your footprints". I long for this in my life- Jesus, please leave your footprints and whatever else you want to pour into me!
--> At work, I have put a sea shell. I noticed on my Sunday morning walk that I got overwhelmed and in awe of the awesome colors inside of the shell-- then I would flip the shell to the outside. It was not until today that I realized how much our society only looks at the outside, when truly truly the inside of us contain the beautiful jewels- the rich colors. I ended up picking up all the dirty and what I considered not so attractive shells to remind me that God looks at our inside- the beautiful jewels, the treasure <3> SON burn- Jesus- can you burn inside of us and give us a SON burn? One that takes the deepest parts of our hearts, souls, and minds? Please? Thank you.
So here are my beach rantings. I am so blessed to say that this is not the least of what God revealed to me this weekend. Jesus is awesome! I am excited to see how God continues to talk to me inside this context. Below is a song that God had play across my IPOD right before I left.. here is the chorus.. it has been humming in my mind for the past few days:
Your LOVE is like by Rick Pino
Your love is like the rain
Falling on my soul
It's covering every place
Making gardens grow
The sweetness overflows
Pouring from your lips
The kisses from above
Let the heavens drip
Let 'em drip down
Let 'em drip down
Pre-Chorus
Your love is like the ocean
I'm drowning in your presence
Your love is like the ocean
I'm drowning in your presence
Chorus
Getting lost in the gaze of your eyes
Getting lost in the warmth of your smile (2x)
Verse 2
Your love is like a room
Full of precious jewels
It takes my breath away
There's riches beyond words
When it's just me and you
I can't remember storms
All I can do
Is melt into your arms
This song became REAL to me on the beach- the warmth of him and his smile was with me.. IT was WONDERFUL!
All my love,
Allison
Blessings
What are you thankful for? What are the blessings in your life?
Sometimes I begin to cry when I think of all the blessings I have in my life. When I look at Bella or outside at the sky or even when I have an amazing conversation with someone, I feel blessed. It's so heavy and its so beautiful!
Today is Father's Day. When I think of all of what my Heavenly Father has done for me- I get teary eyed. For the past few days, my IPOD has been on repeat with the song "Oh how he loves us". He is jealous for ME! Love is like a HURRICANE! I am a TREE being blow and whipped around by that love. Bending beneath the weight of his GLORY and MERCY! When I look at myself six months ago, I ache for how lost I was- so far from my Heavenly Father's heart, so far from his will. The chains, the baggage that I carried. The lies the enemy told me that got me down. But ya know what's cool- I no longer have to look back at these things! These things are GONE-FORGIVEN-BOUGHT by the BLOOD and WOUNDS of my Perfect Jesus. He's such a good PAPA! He never lets me fall from His eye, He never lets me be removed from him, He is SMITTEN with love for me! FOR ME! (and for you.) Smitten- do you even know what that really means? It means grievously or disastrously stricken or afflicted, struck as with a hard blow OR very much in LOVE. Personally I think each of these describe the Father's love for us. He is grievously stricken with us, He was afflicted for us, Whenever we sin- he takes it as a hard blow. His heart loves us so much! HE love us so much. He is such a Great dad! He is always there for us, whenever we call, whatever were going through, He loves to bring His Kingdom to us! He loves to bring his TRUTH to us. He wants us, He longs for us. He is stubborn- he will NOT give up on us. This week I was feeling very stubborn. Very stubborn on some issues, but when I realized that God is EVEN more stubborn than I am- I laughed a little. Ya know what's cool about God or I think? Is that he is stubborn- but in His STUBBORNNESS- in his fixed or set in purpose or opinion of us- HE pursues us! He never gives up. If we sit around a circle and tell our stories of how we truly began to fall in love with the Father, how he PURSUED us, how he took everything out of us and away from us- It's all different. He is so stubborn to get us, to make us see His love, he never gives up. He runs passionately towards us, He takes the spear to the enemy, He has won all of the battles. That is the blessing that we each share. Putting onto a blog makes me realize even more the BEST blessing I ever have. And honestly words cannot describe the feelings that I feel when I think and meditate upon this. So I challenge you to meditate upon these truths also. I know it can be hard to believe the truths in the midst of the storms, but the Truth always holds out.. For sure.
Blessed, blessed, blessed. Favored, anointed. Another blessing that I have is to have amazing parents who love Jesus. Always, always praying for me and wanting God's best for my life. I think today about the ones who a) never had these influences-either a mother or a father- in their lives OR b) the ones who have lost these individuals. I am so blessed to say that these are not circumstances, but I feel for these losses. I have friends who face these every day and I see their pain. My mouth is so quick sometimes to complain about my circumstances or about the annoying parts of this part of life, however, in all honestly- Why do I complain? Okay back on subject: My parents are awesome! They are wonderful! They support me, they challenge me, but most importantly they pray for me. I forget how awesome it is that they NEVER walked away from me, they never turned there back on me, they were always there to hug me, to love me, to forgive me. It's beautiful. Mom and Dad, thank you so much for your support and for the most, your prayers that got me through the dark days, I appreciate it more than anything you will ever know. I LOVE YOU!
Another blessing I am so thankful for is my crazy friends! I am beginning to realize the depth of our friendships and even the uniqueness that God put inside of each of us! I love the ways that we all interact with each other differently and that no TWO are the same in friendship or even in communication. We each compliment each other and the support that comes from these individuals is beyond amazing. When I had my wisdom teeth out, I realized that we go to different individuals for different things and that we each are good at those things and that others are good at their own things. Whether its DS that totally takes us into heavenly places with his worship through guitar and who speaks words of life. What a testimony I have with this individual. Everytime I am around him, I realize that God has truly restored what the enemy intended for evil. This friendship has definitely seen it's bad days, but praise God for this AMAZING man of God that is anointed and destined to do great things. Or whether its Mr. ZP an amazing brother who prays for people, encourages them, connects them, and just loves on them. Or TH who can FIX anything! Or CM who totally rocks the world's socks off with her art and her love for others is amazing! OR SM who just is a momma at heart and whose joy just challenges you. Or JC who has grown and continues to grow.. or DD who loves ketchup and lots of it.. who I am beginning to learn more about- her independence intrigues me. Or AR who sends me random packages :) Or AC and SS who stuck by me in college and made me laugh in crazy ways. or DG who wow the wisdom and revelation Papa places on him is BEAUTIFUL! or AH who she just has such a heart for people and the world. I love seeing her organize things at church and her love humbles me! These are just a few of the amazing blessings in my life. They surprise me in new ways every single day and I thank God for them every day.
Bella- what a joy! Whether she is eating my flip flop or running with the dogs or waking me up at 5:30 in the morning- I love her and I love being a dog owner. She has taught me that mere things are replaceable but that the things in the Kingdom are not.. that these are the things that I should run after and long for.
It's interesting because these are just a few of the overwhelming blessings in my life. I love the way that God will continue to grow, change and work in each of these things. I look forward to the new revelation that God will give me in this area. The sweet newness that is coming. But thank you Papa for you! Thank you that you pursue me, that you love me, that none of us were a mistake. Thank you Papa for these incredible blessings you have placed in my life! I thank you that I am never satisfied with the luke warm, but that I just want your heart, your joy, and every aspect that you will and do pour into me. I love you! I love you and I thank you with every single bit of me! Teach us, pour into us, and bring fresh revelation to us.
Sometimes I begin to cry when I think of all the blessings I have in my life. When I look at Bella or outside at the sky or even when I have an amazing conversation with someone, I feel blessed. It's so heavy and its so beautiful!
Today is Father's Day. When I think of all of what my Heavenly Father has done for me- I get teary eyed. For the past few days, my IPOD has been on repeat with the song "Oh how he loves us". He is jealous for ME! Love is like a HURRICANE! I am a TREE being blow and whipped around by that love. Bending beneath the weight of his GLORY and MERCY! When I look at myself six months ago, I ache for how lost I was- so far from my Heavenly Father's heart, so far from his will. The chains, the baggage that I carried. The lies the enemy told me that got me down. But ya know what's cool- I no longer have to look back at these things! These things are GONE-FORGIVEN-BOUGHT by the BLOOD and WOUNDS of my Perfect Jesus. He's such a good PAPA! He never lets me fall from His eye, He never lets me be removed from him, He is SMITTEN with love for me! FOR ME! (and for you.) Smitten- do you even know what that really means? It means grievously or disastrously stricken or afflicted, struck as with a hard blow OR very much in LOVE. Personally I think each of these describe the Father's love for us. He is grievously stricken with us, He was afflicted for us, Whenever we sin- he takes it as a hard blow. His heart loves us so much! HE love us so much. He is such a Great dad! He is always there for us, whenever we call, whatever were going through, He loves to bring His Kingdom to us! He loves to bring his TRUTH to us. He wants us, He longs for us. He is stubborn- he will NOT give up on us. This week I was feeling very stubborn. Very stubborn on some issues, but when I realized that God is EVEN more stubborn than I am- I laughed a little. Ya know what's cool about God or I think? Is that he is stubborn- but in His STUBBORNNESS- in his fixed or set in purpose or opinion of us- HE pursues us! He never gives up. If we sit around a circle and tell our stories of how we truly began to fall in love with the Father, how he PURSUED us, how he took everything out of us and away from us- It's all different. He is so stubborn to get us, to make us see His love, he never gives up. He runs passionately towards us, He takes the spear to the enemy, He has won all of the battles. That is the blessing that we each share. Putting onto a blog makes me realize even more the BEST blessing I ever have. And honestly words cannot describe the feelings that I feel when I think and meditate upon this. So I challenge you to meditate upon these truths also. I know it can be hard to believe the truths in the midst of the storms, but the Truth always holds out.. For sure.
Blessed, blessed, blessed. Favored, anointed. Another blessing that I have is to have amazing parents who love Jesus. Always, always praying for me and wanting God's best for my life. I think today about the ones who a) never had these influences-either a mother or a father- in their lives OR b) the ones who have lost these individuals. I am so blessed to say that these are not circumstances, but I feel for these losses. I have friends who face these every day and I see their pain. My mouth is so quick sometimes to complain about my circumstances or about the annoying parts of this part of life, however, in all honestly- Why do I complain? Okay back on subject: My parents are awesome! They are wonderful! They support me, they challenge me, but most importantly they pray for me. I forget how awesome it is that they NEVER walked away from me, they never turned there back on me, they were always there to hug me, to love me, to forgive me. It's beautiful. Mom and Dad, thank you so much for your support and for the most, your prayers that got me through the dark days, I appreciate it more than anything you will ever know. I LOVE YOU!
Another blessing I am so thankful for is my crazy friends! I am beginning to realize the depth of our friendships and even the uniqueness that God put inside of each of us! I love the ways that we all interact with each other differently and that no TWO are the same in friendship or even in communication. We each compliment each other and the support that comes from these individuals is beyond amazing. When I had my wisdom teeth out, I realized that we go to different individuals for different things and that we each are good at those things and that others are good at their own things. Whether its DS that totally takes us into heavenly places with his worship through guitar and who speaks words of life. What a testimony I have with this individual. Everytime I am around him, I realize that God has truly restored what the enemy intended for evil. This friendship has definitely seen it's bad days, but praise God for this AMAZING man of God that is anointed and destined to do great things. Or whether its Mr. ZP an amazing brother who prays for people, encourages them, connects them, and just loves on them. Or TH who can FIX anything! Or CM who totally rocks the world's socks off with her art and her love for others is amazing! OR SM who just is a momma at heart and whose joy just challenges you. Or JC who has grown and continues to grow.. or DD who loves ketchup and lots of it.. who I am beginning to learn more about- her independence intrigues me. Or AR who sends me random packages :) Or AC and SS who stuck by me in college and made me laugh in crazy ways. or DG who wow the wisdom and revelation Papa places on him is BEAUTIFUL! or AH who she just has such a heart for people and the world. I love seeing her organize things at church and her love humbles me! These are just a few of the amazing blessings in my life. They surprise me in new ways every single day and I thank God for them every day.
Bella- what a joy! Whether she is eating my flip flop or running with the dogs or waking me up at 5:30 in the morning- I love her and I love being a dog owner. She has taught me that mere things are replaceable but that the things in the Kingdom are not.. that these are the things that I should run after and long for.
It's interesting because these are just a few of the overwhelming blessings in my life. I love the way that God will continue to grow, change and work in each of these things. I look forward to the new revelation that God will give me in this area. The sweet newness that is coming. But thank you Papa for you! Thank you that you pursue me, that you love me, that none of us were a mistake. Thank you Papa for these incredible blessings you have placed in my life! I thank you that I am never satisfied with the luke warm, but that I just want your heart, your joy, and every aspect that you will and do pour into me. I love you! I love you and I thank you with every single bit of me! Teach us, pour into us, and bring fresh revelation to us.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Hm.
It seems impossible that it has been three weeks since I last wrote. To put into words everything that God has been doing would take the rest of the day and probably most of tomorrow. I love that God actually is moving in such a powerful way. There is a new freedom, a new mindset, and honestly.. everything feels different. Not different in a bad way... just different. A good different. A different where I KNOW that things are different. I cannot express how, but they are.. they are different. I know that they are. A newness is inside of me- a sweetness.
I know that one of the main things that have changed is that I now know who I am.. but more importantly WHOSE I am. Papa has shown me and begun to seal the destinies he has inside of me. It is so cool for me to sit and just allow God to speak his plans into my life. His plans are so much greater then mine and actually some what intimidating also,but I know that when God promises something his answer is Yes and Amen because he loves me. I have been able now to stop being tired at warring with the enemy. He does not have victory over me. It took me awhile, but Jesus has really shown me that he has won all the battles- and BECAUSE HE HAS WON THEM I DO NOT HAVE TO. I am taking a huge opportunity this weekend, one that I will tell you all about soon, but honestly I am excited. Pray that God speaks in a mighty way because I am following him this weekend to do something out of my comfort zone.
I know that one of the main things that have changed is that I now know who I am.. but more importantly WHOSE I am. Papa has shown me and begun to seal the destinies he has inside of me. It is so cool for me to sit and just allow God to speak his plans into my life. His plans are so much greater then mine and actually some what intimidating also,but I know that when God promises something his answer is Yes and Amen because he loves me. I have been able now to stop being tired at warring with the enemy. He does not have victory over me. It took me awhile, but Jesus has really shown me that he has won all the battles- and BECAUSE HE HAS WON THEM I DO NOT HAVE TO. I am taking a huge opportunity this weekend, one that I will tell you all about soon, but honestly I am excited. Pray that God speaks in a mighty way because I am following him this weekend to do something out of my comfort zone.
Monday, April 5, 2010
A couple of days can make a BIG difference!
It intrigues me that things can change in only a couple of days. I left on Thursday night to lilacs that had barely bloomed yet. Today (Monday) when I opened my apartment door, I was surprised to see that leaves had come on the branches.
and the whisper happened.. "this is the way things happen in your life".
There were days in the fall when I felt as though nothing was changing in my life.. and even a couple weeks ago I felt this way too. I felt as though nothing was moving forward and that I was caught in the normal. However, lately God has really been pouring out a Spirit of quickening in my life that he shows me something new about him, something he wants to heal, and something he wants to bloom inside of me. I love the gentle whispers of each day, the deep revelations, the way my head pounds until I can sit here in my papasan chair and just wait to bang it out on a keyboard.
Thanks Jesus for the changes that you have made in my life.. in a couple of days that we go from seeing no budding to seeing the leaves and the flowers beginning to show. I thank you that you work this way.. that you are making all things beautiful in your time.. I thank you that you love me enough to move me forward in the Spirit.. and that you are always gently whispering to me.
Some of you may feel as though you see no buds- but to you I say.. The leaves are coming! The buds are coming! The spring is coming! God is perfecting things.. He truly is.. and sometimes you do not see the process until the flower has bloomed.
You are so loved! Papa planned every little detail of you and he forgot nothing. Just look for the little steps because when its all finished it is wonderfully beautiful.
<3
and the whisper happened.. "this is the way things happen in your life".
There were days in the fall when I felt as though nothing was changing in my life.. and even a couple weeks ago I felt this way too. I felt as though nothing was moving forward and that I was caught in the normal. However, lately God has really been pouring out a Spirit of quickening in my life that he shows me something new about him, something he wants to heal, and something he wants to bloom inside of me. I love the gentle whispers of each day, the deep revelations, the way my head pounds until I can sit here in my papasan chair and just wait to bang it out on a keyboard.
Thanks Jesus for the changes that you have made in my life.. in a couple of days that we go from seeing no budding to seeing the leaves and the flowers beginning to show. I thank you that you work this way.. that you are making all things beautiful in your time.. I thank you that you love me enough to move me forward in the Spirit.. and that you are always gently whispering to me.
Some of you may feel as though you see no buds- but to you I say.. The leaves are coming! The buds are coming! The spring is coming! God is perfecting things.. He truly is.. and sometimes you do not see the process until the flower has bloomed.
You are so loved! Papa planned every little detail of you and he forgot nothing. Just look for the little steps because when its all finished it is wonderfully beautiful.
<3
Friday, April 2, 2010
Masterpieces.
I have been home for almost 24 hours and all I have wanted to do for days is just sit here at my computer and tell you all everything that Jesus has been speaking to me. The little things that I would see everyday I would pass by, but now there is such a beautiful adventure to look at things and not analyze them, but to ponder them and consider God's heart on such things.
My mom had surgery yesterday and it shook me. I have no idea where all the fear came from but I realized that I have never lost anyone close to me and for the fact that that person could be my mother shook me to my core. Being here has shown me how much I do not think about how blessed I am to have her and for the things that she does for me. have you ever pondered this for your husband, or your wife, mother, father, friends.. imagine a day without them. this weekend to this point has been so weird and so much different than the normal- but why do I let life become normal. Why not just get out of normal and be abnormal every moment? Does God talk to us more in structure or out of structure? I know one thing that he has spoken to me today specifically is to leave it in his arms, but also that as much as I have been annoyed with some of the things that are going on today that I need I need I must be joyful and happy and have a positive attitude in all I do.. whether that is doing dishes or doing something I love to do..
But back to what God showed me this morning.. forgive me as I just hash this out on a blog. I feel as though all of my posts are where God allows me to just process through these things. Please please comment and give me feedback on these thoughts. I love to hear yours two.
So today I was looking at the Pennsylvania Game News magazine.. I was not really reading it, it was more I wanted something in my hands.. lol. Anyway there was an article about a pheasant.. and there was a picture, but also a hand painted picture of the pheasant.. and as I sat and looked at this God was like look at the way this artist handcrafted this picture. Then as he pointed out the way the dots were perfect, the colors were perfectly put together, and the image looked real.. As I pondered this further, God applied it to my life. This artist saw the picture, he imagined it, he or she created it. God was like-See this is what I did with you.
Think about it! God created us... He imagined us, he picked the colors, he picked the curves, the way he wanted everything to fit together. He created us. He placed the dots on our neck to be perfect-all to reflect his love and beauty in himself. He did not just take random colors or use a random brush and apply it to us, he actually took the time to chose every little bit of us. To perfectly, uniquely, carefully put everything together. He chose the perfect hair color, eye color, skin color... He took time.. It took sweat, blood, and tears to create each of us. The painting took forever. This was all just before we came out of the womb... but he continues to create us.
He is making so much beauty throughout my life. He continues to take the paintbrush and paint the perfect picture. He picked the perfect clay.. the perfect paint.. the perfect everything. Part of me remains speechless, but God did not chose me to be a speechless individual.
We are all masterpieces. Look at this truth, read it, get it into your mind and heart.. into every part of it. You are PAPA'S PERFECT MASTERPIECE!! I wish I could sit there with you and read this to you and just scream it in your face how perfect you are.. how you are not a random set of genes, but you were imagined! Created! Everything was uniquely picked..
ah!!! I am so overwhelmed by this thought! I wish I had better words to describe it.
Psalm 139... Fearfully and WONDERFULLY made.
or to soak in this more.. listen to the song Paint your Picture by Julie Meyer.
Just as an artist saw the picture, our God, the artist saw us.. and sees us. He sees beyond everything that is going on in our lives- he sees how his gentle spirit is changing us. Thank you Jesus. You leave me speechless.
My mom had surgery yesterday and it shook me. I have no idea where all the fear came from but I realized that I have never lost anyone close to me and for the fact that that person could be my mother shook me to my core. Being here has shown me how much I do not think about how blessed I am to have her and for the things that she does for me. have you ever pondered this for your husband, or your wife, mother, father, friends.. imagine a day without them. this weekend to this point has been so weird and so much different than the normal- but why do I let life become normal. Why not just get out of normal and be abnormal every moment? Does God talk to us more in structure or out of structure? I know one thing that he has spoken to me today specifically is to leave it in his arms, but also that as much as I have been annoyed with some of the things that are going on today that I need I need I must be joyful and happy and have a positive attitude in all I do.. whether that is doing dishes or doing something I love to do..
But back to what God showed me this morning.. forgive me as I just hash this out on a blog. I feel as though all of my posts are where God allows me to just process through these things. Please please comment and give me feedback on these thoughts. I love to hear yours two.
So today I was looking at the Pennsylvania Game News magazine.. I was not really reading it, it was more I wanted something in my hands.. lol. Anyway there was an article about a pheasant.. and there was a picture, but also a hand painted picture of the pheasant.. and as I sat and looked at this God was like look at the way this artist handcrafted this picture. Then as he pointed out the way the dots were perfect, the colors were perfectly put together, and the image looked real.. As I pondered this further, God applied it to my life. This artist saw the picture, he imagined it, he or she created it. God was like-See this is what I did with you.
Think about it! God created us... He imagined us, he picked the colors, he picked the curves, the way he wanted everything to fit together. He created us. He placed the dots on our neck to be perfect-all to reflect his love and beauty in himself. He did not just take random colors or use a random brush and apply it to us, he actually took the time to chose every little bit of us. To perfectly, uniquely, carefully put everything together. He chose the perfect hair color, eye color, skin color... He took time.. It took sweat, blood, and tears to create each of us. The painting took forever. This was all just before we came out of the womb... but he continues to create us.
He is making so much beauty throughout my life. He continues to take the paintbrush and paint the perfect picture. He picked the perfect clay.. the perfect paint.. the perfect everything. Part of me remains speechless, but God did not chose me to be a speechless individual.
We are all masterpieces. Look at this truth, read it, get it into your mind and heart.. into every part of it. You are PAPA'S PERFECT MASTERPIECE!! I wish I could sit there with you and read this to you and just scream it in your face how perfect you are.. how you are not a random set of genes, but you were imagined! Created! Everything was uniquely picked..
ah!!! I am so overwhelmed by this thought! I wish I had better words to describe it.
Psalm 139... Fearfully and WONDERFULLY made.
or to soak in this more.. listen to the song Paint your Picture by Julie Meyer.
Just as an artist saw the picture, our God, the artist saw us.. and sees us. He sees beyond everything that is going on in our lives- he sees how his gentle spirit is changing us. Thank you Jesus. You leave me speechless.
Monday, March 29, 2010
I T guys
So today when I went into work, everyone had something to complain about. We have just gotten new computers that are 2003, not 2007.. but do not get me started on this!! (lol) Anyway... all I heard through the day was that we could not access this or that and that we could not get into our email.. I heard it all day long and I too was one who was complaining because it stopped me from doing almost anything today.
I emailed a friend of mine (who is an IT person) and complained that I was not a fan of IT people at all... They were like - you really want me to sympathize with you.. you are kidding.. lol..
THEN the ATTITUDE check happened.
While I was walking around listening to complaints, God spoke and was like... Really Allison- why are you complaining about these individuals. Do you not realize the crap that they put up with every day- in and out?
Here is part of the email back where I realized the significance, the awesomeness of IT persons...
but honestly.. we miss out on the fact that you totally have put your all into getting the system up and running for us. We ask questions in the middle of you trying to focus to help the majority of people so we can just get what I, the individual needs. How selfish, we sit and complain but forget that you took the call at 2 am when we needed you.. or that you spent your entire weekend here trying to get things running for us. So you IT guys take the crap for all our computer issues all at once.. which is kinda like giving you more mountains because we are not thankful at all or enough for what you do, what you sacrifice, and what you need in the midst of helping us.
Then God pushed me even further. He started asking me questions about why we as a people-Christian people- to be exact or any persons- why do we put meaning only on what we do or what our bank account is? Why do we complain about the jobs others do? Think about it.. How many times do we complain that the mailperson is late or that the garbage person has not come yet or that the waiter or waitress is horrible? Would we want there job? Do we know their individual struggles? Do we know or even understand the crap they put up with? Why do we not respect who they are as individuals? In Matthew, (I was listening to this on the way home).. Jesus talks about knowing the very number of the hairs on our head. Think about it.. when we complain about such persons and the job they are doing.. (despite them doing a good or a bad job) we are discounting the love we are showing them and even further we are degrading the value that our Precious Papa has put on them. We lack the appreciation and respect for the people who we run into every day..
The other day I was listening to the song Every Man by Casting Crowns and God hit me with this question, that I present to you... "how many people do we see everyday but do not SEE?" Think about it.. the people in a car driving by you... You give the impression to them in that one moment.. that decides how they will look at you.. So how are you presenting yourself? Are we, am I acting in love, respect, appreciation, and joy for every single human being that God made? and if I believe that God made me unique, perfect, and in his image, then why am I not looking at others in my world in the same manner and treating them as such. Ouch..
So today I chose to respect the people I see every day.. whether the IT guy that is still working on the mountain at work, or its the person that is going really slow in front of me on the road.. or the garbage man.. or the dog walker? Why why do we label such negative connotations on certain jobs and apply good labels to others? Why not break down our walls to show respect to all despite their titles. God only has positive titles on us- so why not put those on others? TO see them as adorned creatures and people of the most high God- who knows even the number of hairs on their head. That is a huge wonderful picture if I ever saw one. :)
Here is a t-shirt I saw a long time ago- and I think a great image for all these people we do not really see... "Have you hugged your garbage man today?" I believe that it is time for us to get out of our comfort zones, to dismiss the labels, stereotypes, and prejudices that we hold onto so slightly and asking God to rid ourselves of these.. and in doing this being totally filled with love and respect for the other individuals- whether we see them once or have contact with them every day of our lives.
I emailed a friend of mine (who is an IT person) and complained that I was not a fan of IT people at all... They were like - you really want me to sympathize with you.. you are kidding.. lol..
THEN the ATTITUDE check happened.
While I was walking around listening to complaints, God spoke and was like... Really Allison- why are you complaining about these individuals. Do you not realize the crap that they put up with every day- in and out?
Here is part of the email back where I realized the significance, the awesomeness of IT persons...
but honestly.. we miss out on the fact that you totally have put your all into getting the system up and running for us. We ask questions in the middle of you trying to focus to help the majority of people so we can just get what I, the individual needs. How selfish, we sit and complain but forget that you took the call at 2 am when we needed you.. or that you spent your entire weekend here trying to get things running for us. So you IT guys take the crap for all our computer issues all at once.. which is kinda like giving you more mountains because we are not thankful at all or enough for what you do, what you sacrifice, and what you need in the midst of helping us.
Then God pushed me even further. He started asking me questions about why we as a people-Christian people- to be exact or any persons- why do we put meaning only on what we do or what our bank account is? Why do we complain about the jobs others do? Think about it.. How many times do we complain that the mailperson is late or that the garbage person has not come yet or that the waiter or waitress is horrible? Would we want there job? Do we know their individual struggles? Do we know or even understand the crap they put up with? Why do we not respect who they are as individuals? In Matthew, (I was listening to this on the way home).. Jesus talks about knowing the very number of the hairs on our head. Think about it.. when we complain about such persons and the job they are doing.. (despite them doing a good or a bad job) we are discounting the love we are showing them and even further we are degrading the value that our Precious Papa has put on them. We lack the appreciation and respect for the people who we run into every day..
The other day I was listening to the song Every Man by Casting Crowns and God hit me with this question, that I present to you... "how many people do we see everyday but do not SEE?" Think about it.. the people in a car driving by you... You give the impression to them in that one moment.. that decides how they will look at you.. So how are you presenting yourself? Are we, am I acting in love, respect, appreciation, and joy for every single human being that God made? and if I believe that God made me unique, perfect, and in his image, then why am I not looking at others in my world in the same manner and treating them as such. Ouch..
So today I chose to respect the people I see every day.. whether the IT guy that is still working on the mountain at work, or its the person that is going really slow in front of me on the road.. or the garbage man.. or the dog walker? Why why do we label such negative connotations on certain jobs and apply good labels to others? Why not break down our walls to show respect to all despite their titles. God only has positive titles on us- so why not put those on others? TO see them as adorned creatures and people of the most high God- who knows even the number of hairs on their head. That is a huge wonderful picture if I ever saw one. :)
Here is a t-shirt I saw a long time ago- and I think a great image for all these people we do not really see... "Have you hugged your garbage man today?" I believe that it is time for us to get out of our comfort zones, to dismiss the labels, stereotypes, and prejudices that we hold onto so slightly and asking God to rid ourselves of these.. and in doing this being totally filled with love and respect for the other individuals- whether we see them once or have contact with them every day of our lives.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Breaking and Entering
So last night at about 11:50 p.m. I got home after an awesome night with some beautiful women in my life.. I needed to let the dogs out so I locked all the doors and went up to bed. Then I became afraid that I did not lock my landlord's door who has two dogs right behind the door. So I came downstairs and locked my dog on my side of the door and checked the door. It was locked!! Time for bed, or so I thought. When I went to open the door it was locked and I had already locked the front door! Panic rushed through my mind as I knew it was 12 am.. I had no phone, no keys, and no way to get back in my apartment with a puppy who was certain to destroy something while I figured it out.. Did I mention I was in my pajamas and a tank top? So.. I decided to break and enter.
I walked outside, and found a way in.. attempting to use my upper body strength to hold Bella back AND get in... I finally just moved the tulip, the bench, and my dog and successfully made it in! What an adventure! I checked the doors again and WENT to bed.. Laughing..
Usually in these stories I would totally have gotten pissed or annoyed, but I just laughed. I had spent the entire weekend with people and I think God knew I needed my own adventure!
Today during worship at church God clearly said.. I have given you the keys. You are not locked out of the things I have for you.. You are not locked out of my presence, you are not locked out of any gift that you want. You hold the keys to the kingdom! HERE THEY ARE!!!! I hold the keys for the destiny and purpose I have for your life!
Thanks Jesus for adventures, laughter, and holding the keys to the kingdom!
Matthew 16:19: I will give you the keys of the kingdom.
I walked outside, and found a way in.. attempting to use my upper body strength to hold Bella back AND get in... I finally just moved the tulip, the bench, and my dog and successfully made it in! What an adventure! I checked the doors again and WENT to bed.. Laughing..
Usually in these stories I would totally have gotten pissed or annoyed, but I just laughed. I had spent the entire weekend with people and I think God knew I needed my own adventure!
Today during worship at church God clearly said.. I have given you the keys. You are not locked out of the things I have for you.. You are not locked out of my presence, you are not locked out of any gift that you want. You hold the keys to the kingdom! HERE THEY ARE!!!! I hold the keys for the destiny and purpose I have for your life!
Thanks Jesus for adventures, laughter, and holding the keys to the kingdom!
Matthew 16:19: I will give you the keys of the kingdom.
The Simple Things.
So tonight after getting home from a really long weekend I wanted to do something out of my comfort zone, but I was not willing to leave my house.. again. On the way home from my aunt and uncle's house, I started praying to Papa about how I really did not like rain because it always leaves me cold and stubborn and just wet. I was like Papa, but thank you for the beauty of the rain and that you love and created the rain.
When I pulled into my driveway, it became clear what adventure God wanted me to go on tonight. He told me that it was to walk in the rain.. at first I was hesitant, but it just sensed an urging. So I put on my raincoat, flipflops, and capris and trudged through the pouring down rain with my blessing of a puppy. While I was walking with the mud between my toes, I realized that this is the image God has for all of us. He wants to pour on us, into us, and shower us with everything that his kingdom offers. He is pouring out his treasures of glory and joy and the fruits of the spirits.. and just as he knows when our hearts need this rain from him, this water to our soul, he also knows when our earth needs it. Rain I discovered again tonight has a beautiful smell that makes the world seem right and peaceful. No one ventures into the rain, but why are we holding back from adventuring in God's rain in our lives. The things that he is pouring onto us, why are we waiting to ask for these things or even just let him pour them out when he WANTS, he CHOOSES, he LONGS to give them to us. We may get wet, and stubborn, and even cranky when these things come into our lives at first, but the peace that comes with these things is so FANTASTIC.
So Papa, in my heart, I ask for the rain. I ask for the things you long to pour into me that I have not wanted you to pour into me. I ask that your well would spring up, that your peace would spring up inside of me. I ask and thank you for the natural rain and even the rain within our hearts. Thank you for that! :)
Thirsty definition: The salvation and spiritual nourishment that Jesus offers is compared to a stream of life-giving water--sufficient to quench our thirst.
O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.
Psalm 63:1
When I pulled into my driveway, it became clear what adventure God wanted me to go on tonight. He told me that it was to walk in the rain.. at first I was hesitant, but it just sensed an urging. So I put on my raincoat, flipflops, and capris and trudged through the pouring down rain with my blessing of a puppy. While I was walking with the mud between my toes, I realized that this is the image God has for all of us. He wants to pour on us, into us, and shower us with everything that his kingdom offers. He is pouring out his treasures of glory and joy and the fruits of the spirits.. and just as he knows when our hearts need this rain from him, this water to our soul, he also knows when our earth needs it. Rain I discovered again tonight has a beautiful smell that makes the world seem right and peaceful. No one ventures into the rain, but why are we holding back from adventuring in God's rain in our lives. The things that he is pouring onto us, why are we waiting to ask for these things or even just let him pour them out when he WANTS, he CHOOSES, he LONGS to give them to us. We may get wet, and stubborn, and even cranky when these things come into our lives at first, but the peace that comes with these things is so FANTASTIC.
So Papa, in my heart, I ask for the rain. I ask for the things you long to pour into me that I have not wanted you to pour into me. I ask that your well would spring up, that your peace would spring up inside of me. I ask and thank you for the natural rain and even the rain within our hearts. Thank you for that! :)
Thirsty definition: The salvation and spiritual nourishment that Jesus offers is compared to a stream of life-giving water--sufficient to quench our thirst.
O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.
Psalm 63:1
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