Don’t Focus on the Villain

June 24, 2015June 24, 2015Leave a comment

It is so easy to focus on the villain. After all, he is menacing in his dark costume and disgruntled goblin face. He laughs at us and mocks our feelings. He aims to disrobe our trust and outlook by throwing thunderstorms, lightening and boulders in our path.

With his foreboding Halloween face, he reaches for our coveted candy basket. And seethes in anger when we pull them back from his grasp; but this villain will try again and again to purloin our possessions – because being a child of God is valuable.

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” – John 15:18-19

It hurts – this hatred. It’s a nasty word. The villain is strong and he is set on destroying with vengeance and spite. With a twisted painted smile, he tries to lure our feet down the trail of success – promising diamond dust and happiness. This cheeky joker appears to be having the time of his life, and often times, we yearn for that ‘victory’ – just once. We want to taste the fame of worldly delight.

But, dear heart – it is important to realize that jovial joker only dances on his mound of petty treasures for a short time. It’s fleeting. He laughs in delight now; but, he knows his fate is despair. He wants to take our lasting treasures. He wants to replace that sparkle of anointed light with a crumbly mask of chipping paint. Don’t let him.

We know what our Savior has said,

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

When it appears like the villain is winning, take heart and cling onto God’s unfailing truth. He will never leave you or forsake you. You are not alone when dealing with the haughty villain. He masquerades as success; but in the end – he is only endless sadness and disappointment.

It’s time to trust and look up to the Rock that is higher! He sees that troubled heart. He is ready to hold it and pump new life into its flesh.

Joy – The Kind That Slaps You in The Face

June 16, 2015June 16, 2015Leave a comment

Joy – the kind that slaps you in the face with its wet, cool goodness on a steamy summer day. Lapping up the earthy stream from the water hose, I want this joy to infuse my being with nourishment and rejuvenating relief.

He stills my spirit and waters my weary heart. Like a child that cannot wait one second to plunge into the deep blue pool, I want to drive into the joy of the Lord. Discarding the life preservers on the side of the concrete oasis, I will trust in Him – to protect, defend and enable me in depths of life.

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.”—Nehemiah 8:10.

He fills our hearts with not just gladness – but complete delight. That is the kind of joy I want to feel. The sensation that encapsulates the deepest happiness and comprises the guttural laughs of relatives reliving precious memories late into the night!

“You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.” – Psalm 4:7

True pure pleasure comes in the presence of Christ. The pleasure that you felt as a child, running soaking wet through the sprinklers in the lawn! That fresh cut grass sticking to your toes and calves – clinging onto your body as you run from tree to tree.

May your goodness and joy cling hold of my life today and always, God! Cover me with your brilliant blooms of new life and enliven my spirit. I don’t want to splash in the warm puddles, heated by your favor and blessings; I want to dive headfirst into the wonder and majesty of you.

As I enter into your beautiful presence, fill me with your complete joy.

A Cloud in the Canvas of Your Masterpiece

June 11, 2015June 11, 2015Leave a comment

A brush of a cheek, silence and sheer emotion; I feel you near to me, God. Crouched in a corner of dust with frayed dress sweeping up the speckles of soil and sustenance that coats the wooden floorboard, I gaze into your eyes that lock with mine.

The pools of color entrance me. They are like vortexes of pastels and hues of flashing lights. I cower in the beauty of your complexion. You are an exquisite painting. My grubby hands are longing to touch the texture of you, sweet Savior and learn the technique of your grace.

You are the master painter, and I – the muse. Teach me Lord – the wonder and elegance of your art. I am a novice desiring to stand in the shadow on your cloak of swirled colors. Touch me with your brush strokes of genius that I might learn the mercy and splendor of surrender and self-sacrifice.

The waters saw You, O God; The waters saw You, they were in anguish; The deeps also trembled. The clouds poured out water; The skies gave forth a sound; Your arrows flashed here and there. The sound of Your thunder was in the whirlwind; The lightnings lit up the world; The earth trembled and shook. – Psalm 77: 16-18

Comb my hair with the gloss of your glory. May I look to you and be able to fix my eyes on your absolute grandeur and grace. For I desire to paint with your vision of the horizon.

Oranges, pinks and purples – may I outline my future in only the holiness of your glow. Savior, cover me in the sunrise of your blessing and the sunset of your righteousness. Flinching my eyes, I feel the warmth of that love.

I’m bathed in the sunshine of your loving-kindness. To be a cloud in the great canvas of your masterpiece, I call out to the Maker of All.

Mold me, use me – I want to be a star flickering and fuming your radiant light.

Splashing in Pools with Gravel Bottoms

June 3, 2015June 3, 2015Leave a comment

How vain to think this swirling world is destiny. How shallow to dress in wrinkled velvet made by men and twirl in a crown fashioned from the dust. We place trust in riches buried inside mountains wide and deep; yet, scorn the heavens and doubt the sun that lights the sky.

We hope in freckled flesh and splash in pools with gravel bottoms. All while the ocean is moaning in the distance and calling for precious feet to touch the saline water caps. The supreme wind is echoing, “Come.” (Matthew 14:29)

Eternity – we miss it when our eyes are seeking cracked plastic toys. Why do we reach for the broken and discarded treasures buried in the soil cemetery of the backyard –when new life is extended in love marred hands?

We must cling on to the new birth and hold the sapling ready to bloom in the breeze. This ripe green plant awakens our senses and weaves into the crevices of our parched and parceled souls. It’s a gift, and we’ll miss it if we continue to be captivated by light bulb clad beauty – dangling on city streets. Those light bulbs pop, char and fizzle out. They will never endlessly illuminate.

Forever. Don’t you feel the arms of forever hovering over your life? We must be still and listen in the night. In the quiet – you will hear him. He will sing with gentle tones and wrap you in the dust of the brilliant shooting stars.

He whispers, ‘I loved you at your darkest (Romans 5:8). I have chosen you and have not turned away from you. Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will give you strength, and for sure I will help you. Yes, I will hold you up with My right hand that is right and good.’ (Isaiah 41: 9,10)

Won’t you blanket our sleeping bodies with your ironclad armor polished by the celestial! May my spirit take flight in the scent of your goodness. Pervade my body, Most High. I kneel before you, and in doing so – find myself on the marble floors of your throne room.

Take Root in My Soul

April 28, 2015Leave a comment

You, God, move in unspeakable ways. I admit it; my doubt is strong at times. I pray for that mustard seed of faith to take root in my soul; but find myself grasping at unfertilized soil searching for seedlings and relying on myself and my own strength.

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
– Matthew 17:20

I try to ignite my own flame only to realize that you are the light source. The wick of my soul is utterly diminished without your fire of passion. You want to give me the power to move rocky mountains; but, I need to trust you – endlessly in the good times and bad.

Won’t you embolden my heart, God! Show me the value of following after your steps. Open my eyes to see your presence in my life. Illuminate your steps in the wilderness. May I see brightly the golden outlines of your precious feet.

Like a beautiful rainbow trout needs to the stream to move and breathe, may I crave after the exquisiteness of your beautiful word – for it is my breath, life and reason for living.

Fill my lungs with the fragrance of your face. May I hold out the light of your will and ways. Embed that mustard seed deep inside my soul and let that seed take root. I want to feel it growing inside the cavity of my will. May your mercies and newness overtake me and replace my doubting heart with your perfect plan and peace.

The First Hours of Sunrise

April 24, 2015April 24, 2015Leave a comment

I find you in the morning, God – like the sun that slowly slips into view. You enrapture my heart with such warmth and expectancy. The day is new and your mercies are newer. I find you in the first hours of sunrise – encompassing and consuming like fire.

You hold me tightly to your chest in the morning shimmer light and say – child walk in fulfillment, march in power and love in my grace. How fitting to charge your feeble child with such a glorious banner.

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. – Psalm 143:8

You take the weak and make them strong. My unsteady hands you strengthen, my unkempt hair you braid in your golden light. You replace my morning cup of coffee with the dew of your succulent grace. I drink this cup in full surrender knowing your ways are higher than mine.

May this fearful child walk toward the sunlight in full abandon like Peter upon those foamy waves. Blind trust is asked of me – and I will walk toward the light for you are the light, sweet Lord. Wash me in the streams of your goodness and grace.

Facing the day head on, I say thank you God for your provision. You are unbreakably strong. You move in my heart in the morning. But, I ask you consume me all day long. Make me aware of your presence at every moment and shine from within your brightly burning abundance of passion and purpose.

Eyes Opened to His Holiness

March 24, 2015March 24, 2015Leave a comment

Today I was struck by a deep feeling of absurdity. I let so many things weigh me down in this world. I get frustrated that my pencil skirt it a bit tighter this week than last week. I fuss about my hair – it’s not lying right over my face. That alters my day. That coffee that I spilled all over the floor this morning – it overwhelms my heart, and I let that frustration boil over into my day…

There are so many little things that add up to make rocky mountains of stress. Then I hear words on the radio like this,

‘You’re the one who conquers giants. You’re the one who calls out kings. You shut the mouths of lions.You tell the dead to breathe. You’re the one who walks through fire. You take the orphan’s hand. You are the one Messiah. You are I am.’ – Mercy Me

And I feel ridiculous and somewhat petty. I am literally crying over spilled milk – while God is majestically moving in many hearts and minds. I am the one stuck in the bubble of absurdity with eyes focused on the small, minute things that do not matter in the whole scheme of life.

I need to open my eyes to his holiness – and fix my heart on the bigger picture, that will for sure change your prospective and pity party over the mundane snug pencil skirt.

Let us praise the miracle maker today – and really mediate on the fact that our God is wholly competent. Of course he cares about the things that overwhelm your heart; but, may we never forget that greater is he who is in us – that he who is in this world. May we focus on that fierce lion mouth pad locker. I truly get chills – because that is the God we worship and trust!

Grasping for Crumbs

February 2, 20151 Comment

Do you ever feel like you are grasping for crumbs?

Life is a battle and only the physically strongest and fittest survive – or do they? That is at least what this world teaches us. Are you tired of pumping your wings and fighting for the sustenance that seems to be measly and left over?

Often times, I feel like a seagull. I soar the heights, relish the bright rays of the sun and enjoy the ripples of the wind. But when it comes time to eat, I scavenge in frenzy. It seems to always be a struggle. Worry shocks my body and that fight or flight mode wreaks havoc on my body. Agony sets in.

Yet, I am quick to forget where the true feast is prepared for me. I rely on myself and my body to sustain me; but, this only leaves me tired and in despair. Grappling with the natural world is senseless. It never gratifies.

My God sits at a table adorned in a gold table cloth and says – eat of my food. For the Lord’s manna is truly satisfying. He hands me his utensils of splendor and urges me to dine with him. He invites me to sit at a table across from the true giver of abundance and the maker of the miraculous.

You feed them from the abundance of your own house, letting them drink from your river of delights. –Psalm 36:8

It’s my choice to tuck that napkin in my blouse and sup with the King of Kings. I don’t need to grasp for soggy morsels floating in the sea like a wild foul. I am not wild; however, I can feast on the untamed goodness of the King of Heaven. My fate is sealed in trusting in him and putting my assurance in his divine care.

In Jerusalem, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will spread a wonderful feast for all the people of the world. It will be a delicious banquet with clear, well-aged wine and choice meat. – Isaiah 25:6

You Made Something Out of Nothing

January 26, 20151 Comment

There is so much joy in looking out at the mountains and knowing that these mighty, majestic sturdy structures were not made by man. No, they were fashioned and formed by the hand of the most brilliant sculptor.

Chills – he breathes and brings life to a cavern that is vacant. He touches a stone and it expands, hovering over the streams below. He makes something out of nothing. Creation – is his canvas and we are his handiwork.

Once just flesh temples, God gave us each unique personalities with distinct looks. How do we not just marvel at this miracle? The miracle of life from the hand of a perfect, powerful being that is not just commanding but also loving, meek and mild!

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. – Hebrews 11:3

We must thank God for this precious gift of life – for the beautiful present of his presence in us. He made the mountains, oceans and rivers; but, do not forget, he formed you.

You are thriving. Your heart is pumping because of him. From the womb to the earth, he knows your name and calls you blessed, beloved and chosen. He has taken your life from nothing to something. You are not stained and dirty anymore, you were bought with his ultimate sacrifice.

Walk tall and strong today taking in the majesty of creation and the marvelous work that is you!

Energy Cases of God’s Flickering, Spattering Light

January 22, 2015Leave a comment

Spark – that glow that ignites your heart and soul. It’s the warmth that brings color back to skin and a rosy gloss back to your cheeks of flesh. Have you felt that spark?

Like fireworks that blaze across the sky, God’s love is like a sunburst in your soul. This love is like a sparkler that creates images of light into the dark skyline. You can only stand in awe and marvel at that beauty – the beauty that illuminates the night and brings a glow where that space was once midnight black.

Imagine that radiance in your heart? Oh, to think of our hearts as energy cases of God’s flickering, spattering light. Popping and crackling in our chest and waiting to overflow through our eyes and lips. Why do we not let this love case overflow? Is it due to fear, insecurity or bitterness?

Let it glow, water walker! Let that love light spill out. You’ve heard the Bible song ‘This Little Light of Mine.’ Well, you child – do not have little light inside your heart, it’s a raging fire. I think on the Ginny Owens song:

“I don’t wanna be a flame. I wanna be a raging fire.”

Pray for that fire pit in your soul to intensify – to consume.

Rage on in our hearts, God. Light our wandering feet. Enable us to hold out that sparkler of your truth and mark the trail that you place before us – with the bread crumbs of your promises. Your love is brilliant. We want to shine it – brightly.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleans us from all sin. – 1 John 1:7