Pick Up That Robe of Righteousness & Keep The Faith

August 30, 2018August 30, 2018Leave a comment

Child, hold your hands out – open your palms to the heavens. Though they appear empty to worldly onlookers, they are gloriously full. You, my sweet one, are filled with my goodness. I have breathed my spirit over your life. My luminous riches sparkle through your eyes. They are pools of my compassion, grace and never-failing truth. You are my witness. You are my voice.

You are precious – never forget that promise. You have been refined by the fire and like a costly diamond – developed into a radiant jewel under pressure. Don’t give up – you are making a difference even though you may feel useless.

Sweet child, you are my hands and my feet. I have commissioned you to speak my message and exude my love on this earth. Waves may feel like they are crashing over your body; but, I have breathed the strength of my victory over you.

Pick up that robe of righteousness – and keep the faith.

I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. – Isaiah 61:10

I love you, dear one. I am with you – wrapping you in an eternal love highly sought after. Shine your light to the nations. Never cower in fear – for I am beside you.

Open your hands, child and fill the abundance of all I am offering to you. Step forward – for you are protected and my right hand will save you from despair.

Finding The David Within Me

March 19, 2018March 19, 2018Leave a comment

The stones rattle in my hands. Perspiration and fear. Am I strong enough, brave enough to face this giant in the forefront?

His eyes are locked on mine – inciting terror and doubt; and his body hovers over mine in stature and girth. I feel his humid breath hit my face. He is hungry and ready for a fight.

Am I able to defeat such a beast? I am not able, but GOD is able. And, my hope, trust and all my strength must come from him – and him alone.

David didn’t need to know Goliath’s strength because he already knew God ‘s.

So, here I stand with my enemy sneering in my face. Looking at my small frame amused that I would choose to face such a menacing figure. But, he doesn’t know my GOD.

He doesn’t know my GOD holds the power to defeat sin and death. My GOD can supply all my needs. My GOD can scale walls and speak to the winds and waves. My GOD can raise men from dead to life. My GOD can walk on water and shut the mouths of lions; and my GOD lives within me.

Small stones with Jesus can conquer the scariest of opponents. He has equipped me with the powerful phrase – ‘it is written’ and given me the sword of his scripture.

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12

I hold my sword up to the sky in the battle and in peace – for you have given us the keys to victory. May we look at all our enemies and valiantly state in their presence, as Jesus did in the wilderness, ‘it is written.’

Little Girl, I Say To You, Arise!

May 5, 2017May 5, 2017Leave a comment

Awake my soul. My heart palpitates with fire-like jolts. Smells around me only intensify with every warm tremble in my chest. Sensing the robust dark coffee in the air, I call out to the heavens in the dawn – ‘Deepen my desire, LORD. Make my soul quake with an untamed blaze!”

I hold out a banner of praise. Fill my mouth and my longings with your power. You are my anthem. May my feet seek to follow the wake of your glorious splendor. Ignite my soul. Open these sleepy eyes – fixated on earthly plunder and worldly gain.

May I wake with one goal in mind – to shine your precious love. Let your spirit pervade my senses. May I truly seek the realm of godliness – to be clothed in a purple robe sprinkled in the dust of your steps. For this is power – this is might. This is strength.

Your holiness shakes me to the core. You say to me ‘little girl, arise.’ You wake me from my eternal sleep and breathe breath once again into my body of bones.

He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, arise!”). – Mark 5:41

How I am this privileged to trust and follow such a magnificent King? I want to sit at your feet for all time, LORD. The beauty for ashes you have brought into my life is unimaginable.

Hands in the air – fill me with the presence of you. My prayer is this – to house the goodness of your nature in my soul. Make the darkness of depression flee in seven directions from my life. It is you I want to exude through my interactions, quiet thoughts and personal aspirations.

Death once encompassed my life – you brought me back for a reason. Elevate my soul with visions from the chambers of your heart. May my eyes see the priceless glory of your affection, and may I walk through this life with the weight of your riches pressing on my spirit.

Hope, Refreshment, New Life – Around Every Corner

April 21, 2017April 21, 2017Leave a comment

Pastel blue robin’s eggs – a creamy blue to the naked eye. These petite life vessels are quite fragile. They are tiny homes to little mouths that will need to be fed by the nourishment from the earth. The wingspan of the mama will protect, shelter and guard the bodies of her sweet baby birds.

The spring air brings with it such hope and refreshment. New life is around every corner. Flowers, aromatic and vibrant, burst forth from the moist ground – reaching upward toward the rays of the warm sun.

Daylight brings with it sweet anticipation. May we open our arms to the sky and expect the rain to descend upon the thirsty ground. The Maker of Heaven and Earth will water his creation with provision and blessings – it is coming!

We are, like those delicate eggs, dependent – for sustenance. Gaining strength day by day, this grit comes not by our power or might – but is made perfectly complete in Him. It is by his spirit says the LORD!

LORD, may we be filled with the fragrant wind of new life! Embody our actions and mind.

He builds his lofty palace in the heavens and sets its foundation on the earth; he calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out over the face of the land—the Lord is his name. – Amos 9:6

Makeover our temples – and illuminate us. It is my desire to be a walking lamp-stand. I want to shine like a string light proudly fashioned in a pitch black backyard. A little strand of jovial intimacy but also sheer brilliance.

As the earth brings forth newness of life – may this season usher forth in our lives a fresh sense of urgency to shout your name from the rooftops! Miracles happen to those who put their trust in the Mover of the mountains.

Transplant the highlands, Sweet Jesus. This child opens her will and sacrifices her way – for yours! Like ivy on a colossal oak, may my soul cling to your precious promises! Mighty are you GOD of ALL.

The Night Communion Balcony

July 17, 2014November 3, 20141 Comment

Found on marianagarcia.org

The sun sets over the big clunky buildings in the distance. No longer having the U.S. Capitol view I had grown accustomed of, I look at the lush trees framing the interstate. I traded in a city view for more space, longer commute and a balcony. Not a bad trade and on days like today I am so thankful for the change.

Forty-five minutes of yoga and a dog walk under my belt, and I am finally serene. After calming down from a mind laden with work worries, I sip on some red wine (compliments of Trader Joe’s) and think about life – the living breathing life. I think on the heart pumping life that grabs you by the hand and seizes your very lungs and soul.

Here on this balcony, there is no one to answer to. I am lost in my thoughts, in this moment, in this communion with God. My mind goes to him – my friend, my invisible observer, and I am captivated. To onlookers, I look alone and content. But, I can feel his presence near me.

Never alone. That is the title to a Lady Antebellum song. Yet, it is the mantra of a Christian’s life. How hopeful and superbly wonderful! As I listen to the sounds of the night and the last mocking birds chirping song, this provides my chest with much needed rest.

I inhale deeply and exhale in relief. I don’t have to live up to this world’s standards of success. I can just be me and be confident that I was made in the image of the Holy One. High heeled success does not match up to the victory of wearing a crown fashioned by the majestic God. Living up to the crown of honor is my mission.

My heart is wedded to the man who, even before birth, has called me his beloved. He brings peace to the chaotic. He makes sense of the messy and he recycles the scent of my mistakes into something glorious and utterly edifying.

Like broken bottles of oil, I want the fragrance of my soul to delight his heart. I pray the passion in every strand of my hair glows with an aura of the living God. In the silence, these are the thoughts that come to my mind. Outside in the breeze of the summer night, after hard work, I reflect.

What if the world took just a few minutes each day to reflect in the silence? It is said, your heart and mind drift to those who you hold most dear – those that consume that pumping, coveted space in your chest. Let us take time daily to reflect on living, loving and praising. Let’s reflect on life and it’s insanely beautiful purpose – to love God and others.

Where do you think your mind will wonder this evening?

Peppermint Tea and Prayer

July 17, 2013July 17, 2013Leave a comment

Prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan. – John Bunyan

I have found that hot peppermint tea soothes the soul. There is something about holding a cup of toasty, robust tea that alleviates a weary heart and tired mind. The smell alone excites the senses. It is known to help relieve the symptoms of colds or headaches – just by the smell! It’s a full-bodied aroma.

However, as wonderful as the smell of peppermint tea is, the aroma of fervent prayer is even sweeter! Prayer is the heartsong of the body! It is the lifeblood that flows through each and every child of God.

It’s easy to forget to pray. Life can boggle you down. Stress can set in – and prayer is often times the last thing on your mind! This happens to me time and time again. Yet, when I take time to pray and focus on the beautiful promises of God, I end up wondering why it took me so long to realize that I need to dedicate time to this wonderful practice of prayer!

Sip a cup of peppermint tea and pray! God is just waiting for you to call out to him! He yearns for this constant communion – as do our souls! Remember, it’s the lifeblood of the body. We can’t truly live without it.