He was Invited...

Hmmmm...I am pondering the amazing story of Jesus' turning a wedding upside-down...

"Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding."
John 2:2

Jesus came because He was invited.
He did something no one could/would dream of or anticipate.
He turned something colorless and odorless...into the exquisitely, most vibrant, best...that it could ever become...

I want to invite Him into every detail of my day, today. I don't want to tell Him what to do, (what was Mary thinking....that He would run out to Bevmo?), or how to do it. I want to invite Him to some big events taking place soon...and some little events, too. (Because really...everything we do IS important). What will He do?

He is calling me to lay down every preconceived idea I have and just wait to see what He does.

I want...I need...for Him to show up tonight as I gather with other believers in community. I am inviting Him to come and turn my world upside-down...or right-side up, as the case may be.

What do you need to invite Him to today? Will you let Him do it His way?

You won't be disappointed...it will be over-the-top.

 

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Turn on the Light...

In a mad dash through the Psalms, this verse caused me to pause. Hmmmmm....

"...To give thanks to Your holy name, To triumph in Your praise." Psalms 106:47b

Praise. God is so worthy of our praise. Absolutely beautiful in holiness...perfect and complete in power...and matchless in His unfailing love...the LORD ALMIGHTY stands alone.

And yet...

In the selflessness of the Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, our praise to Him is flipped on its head and it is all about us. WE are the ones who TRIUMPH when we praise Him. In His absolute agape love, everything He does is for us.

Have you ever walked into a completely black...unlit...dark room? You simply need to hit the switch...LIGHT! Darkness flees. That pretty much sums up what happens when we worship and praise. (Ps.149)

I encourage you, sometime before you lay down your head to go nighty-night, find a place where you are alone (with Him). Lift up your hands and tell the Lord how much you love Him, thank Him for your blessings, think of Who He is: Deliverer... Savior... Healer... name those names of His you love. You will be hard-pressed to tell me that something didn't happen for you...a little bit of triumph and darkness fleeing....

Yes...it may be time to turn on His Light.

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photo: Jamie Jones Photography

At the Start of This Week...

At the start of this week…

Should you receive some difficult news about a loved...you are not defenseless. You have the Holy Spirit living inside of you…it is time to lean into the Commander of Heaven’s Hosts. Pray what you know…pray what you sense He is telling you…pray in the Spirit. You have the resources of heaven working on your loved one’s behalf…then…battle, stand firm, and…trust.

Should you seem suddenly seem confused about an area of your life, beat it back to God’s Word. Run back to the last thing the Lord spoke to your heart about this situation. The enemy is probably trying to distract you. Enough said.

Should your finances be in disarray? No guilt here…but just a thought….have you been faithful to tithe? Really. No joke. Putting God first in your finances…is a step of faith…and it paves the way for Him to cause the rest of your resources to fall into place…and have the right priority in your heart. Watch and see what HE does!

This is a week of new beginnings, hopes that will be realized, and miracles to watch for. Keep your eyes open, your heart tender, and your mind from distraction. This week will be awesome in Jesus because Who is in you is greater than anything! 
1 John 4:4

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photo: Black Swan Dive

 

(Hi there! Sorry for not posting the past few days! I have been sharing with the ladies at The City Church, Redding, CA, at their annual women's retreat. What an awesome time in the presence of the LORD!! HE is AMAZING!)

It's...the Little Things...

Just now…driving in the car…I got to thinking about this verse…

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;”
Proverbs 3:5

For some reason…when I think of trusting the Lord…with anything in my life, I think of that act as a mental assent. You know…I am choosing with my thoughts and actions to trust Him. However, for some reason, the phrase “with all your heart” spoke to me. (I admit…I am a little dense.)

What I am sensing the Holy Spirit saying to me is that I am to trust…entrust…hand over…my emotions and my affections that surround the outcome, the behavior, the person, or the circumstance that I am…trusting the Lord with currently. Wow.
I know…not rocket science. Yet...this added a whole new dimension for me about…trusting Him. Actually surrendering my emotions, for…His emotions about…whatever I am facing. So…

That is a HUGE blessing. Another arena of release and…relief. Where He carries my heart…in His powerful…but gentle hands. Yes…yes, indeed…that is a relief.

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photo: Delta Breezes

Time for a Check-Up...

It might be time to have a little “forgiveness” check-up…

Just as we should…but don’t often do…have a yearly check up with our physicians to check…you know…vital signs…and physical stuff (do you like that medical terminology?)…we might be needing us to have a little…heart check-up.

"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Matthew 6:14-15

These are pretty heavy words from the mouth of our Savior…forgiveness…our completely forgiving every person who has…wounded…hurt…offended…abused…us…is really more for…us.

When we don’t forgive someone…or start to allow the Lord to remove the layers (for often…deep wounds…family or church…wounds…take time to heal), we bottleneck the outpouring of His love in our own lives. And, that brings us to another point…

Is there someone reading this who needs to…forgive the Lord?
That happens, you know. It is not right, but it still may happen. I just heard about someone today that didn’t understand…why something had happened in their life. If that is you…don’t run from Him. Don’t stomp off and be mad, sulk, give up your faith . Would good will that do? It is most likely the enemy or human failing…that has caused your hurt.

 Though you may never know that until you run into His arms…talk honestly and listen honestly. Relying upon His unfailing Word and finding comfort in the fullness of His presence. 

Take it from one who knows…

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photo: Rocco Palermo via Flickr

Words for the Struggle...

I've come to believe that God loves a good struggle.

As we walk this in this fallen, broken, sin filled world...we will have struggle. That is a given. However…our God Who loves us beyond reason is all for milking our trials for all they are worth to bring us into His embrace, breaking the powers of darkness, and growing us up into mature sons and daughters who know how to bring the kingdom of heaven to earth.

"And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed."
Genesis 32:28

The Lord invited Jacob into a wrestling match with Himself just as Jacob was about to face his enemy...the enemy wasn't the issue, God has something greater in mind...think on that...Jacob encountered God in the struggle. God wants us to encounter Him, too.

In the midst of heartache, loss, quandary, confusion, and hurt, Jesus calls us to see Him face to face...get a death grip on Him...and not let go until He reveals Himself in our situation. I mean, really, really, until...He reveals Himself to us. When we have a fresh revelation of Who He is...well....the circumstances in our lives that once seemed daunting...just fade away.

Wrestling with God is not for the faint of heart. Like any wrestling match, it is up close and personal. It cannot be casual or relaxed. Sometimes it is bloody and messy. Maybe that is why we shy away from His invitation.

However, prayer is the wrestling mat and faith is how we grasp Him. Not letting go until He shows Himself...the key. For intimate knowledge of Him is His goal and the struggle itself produces kingdom warriors that shake the nations in Jesus' Name.

Feel free to share with someone...in a struggle...

 

Complete...

I really don’t know what more needs to be said…

“…and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.”
Colossians 2:10

I recently heard another Christian lament…what I had thought…and lived in…for so many years. It was this…it is our western culture that causes following Jesus to be difficult at times. You know…the trends…the sparkly toys…the relationships…the…the stuff we are constantly thinking about that would…make life satisfying…whole…complete.

If only (this person lamented) we lived in a third world country…where stuff…and temptation…and seductive sparkle didn’t capture our eyes…our hearts…our lives. Christianity would be so…much…easier…

I am here to tell you…and believe me…I lived years in dissatisfaction, partial living, and feeling oh-so-lacking, to state this truly! A heart lost in Jesus’ love WILL be…satisfied…more than satisfied. WILL be ever coming into greater wholeness…more than you ever thought possible…and will find itself…complete. So complete that you find yourself loving others freely without expectation, that worldly sparkle will start to fizzle, and trends will come and go…but you will not be shaken.

Ahhhhh yes…Lord! May I only be completely…complete in You!

 

photo: Sit on My Front Porch

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At the Start of This Week...

At the start of this week...

Know that God is on YOUR side...He will fight for you..
.
No...that doesn't mean that you get to be...well...mean, impatient, frustrated, bored, or insensitive. It means that when you are struggling with someone or something...the Holy Spirit inside you will fight for you to be able to overcome any challenge with His beyond-reason love. Romans 5:5

No...it doesn't mean that you will always get your way. God will fight for you to experience trusting Him that HE may have a better plan, a sweeter idea, or something not even on your radar yet. Heb. 3:5-6

It DOES mean...that the Lord won't let you fight your battles (relationships, circumstances, past, and future) on your own. And, there will be times when He asks you to recuse yourself from the battle altogether and let Him do the heavy lifting. Hearing His voice in this means you need to draw near to hear His whisper...for surely He will speak to you. 
Is. 43:1-2

This is a week of new beginnings, hopes that will be realized, and miracles to watch for. Keep your eyes open, your heart tender, and your mind from distraction. This week will be awesome in Jesus because Who is in you is greater than anything! 
1 John 4:4

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In the Hollow of His Hand...

I am marveling in our wondrous, Almighty God...  

"Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His HAND, or with the breadth of His HAND marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?" Isaiah 40:12  

The opening question is what is speaking to my heart right now....Who has measured the oceans...in the hollow of HIS hand? Who has used the length of HIS mighty fingers to measure the untold galaxies, immeasurable light years in distance? The galaxies that know no end?

 And yet...I am reminded of the prophet's words a few chapters later...  "And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword; In the shadow of His HAND He has hidden Me, And made Me a polished shaft; In His quiver He has hidden Me." Isaiah 49:2  

This amazing, unfathomable God not only holds all of the oceans and stars in His single palm...HE HOLDS ME!!!

 In the shadow of His Hand He has hidden me...my heart, my mind...my life. Someone needs to hear this today...our God holds YOU..tenderly, carefully, purposefully, and powerfully in the cup of His eternal hand.

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A Fragrant Outpouring...

There is an event that has been talked, taught, and...sung about…

“Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.”
John 12:3

Can anything more be said? And yet...

We have to know…that Mary’s gift…was not only monetarily of great cost…but the oil had to have been…the treasure of her heart. We women…(guys, don’t check out, here!)…we have deep emotional attachments to…things. Right or wrong…we…do.

Possibly this was a treasured gift from Mary’s father…or mother. Maybe the aromatic oil was paid for with pennies Mary had saved since she was but a wee one…for her wedding consummation day. A treasure hidden and tucked away. Something Mary would steal glimpses at…waiting…for the special time when her heart would be released to dab a little…behind her ears. Possibly this oil…was meant to last a…lifetime.

Whatever it was to Mary…it was hidden deep in her emotions. Its outpouring, an act of greatest love…adoration…and sacrifice. Because if Mary was going to give something for the Savior’s benefit…it would be given with all that she had…in her…heart. And pour it out…she did.

And the gift back? An inescapable fragrance that filled…the room…the atmosphere…that lingered long with those it came in contact with.

That is what a surrendered life is…and does…it leaves an indelible impression on the lives it touches. I want that to be me…Lord.
2 Corinthians 2:14-15

 

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Our Bridegroom...

I love that My Bridegroom rejoices over…me…

“For the LORD delights in you, And your land shall be married…
And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
So shall your God rejoice over you.”
Isaiah 62:4b-5b

In this beautiful passage of Scripture we are told that the God of Angel Armies…rejoices over His church…we His bride…think of it… 

I have just been to too many weddings were the groom looked as if he was going to bust his buttons to get the ceremony over with and…run down the aisle with the woman of his dreams…

Our God…is like that with us…even with our stains, our pettiness, our...our…our stuff…He is crazy about us. The Scriptures tell us that He even dances over us...

Some of us reading…who are married…or divorced…have known what it is like to have ‘first love’ of our spouse lose its luster….But no…our God for us…He is as passionate and fervent about each us as He was the moment of our inception…His unfailing love has not failed toward…you…toward me. (No wonder angel’s rejoicing abounds so when a lamb returns home! How glad the Father is!)

How about stopping for a moment now and quieting yourself. Exchange some genuine heartfelt words with the One who loves you with such abandon. He is crazy about you…you know…but it might be time to remind yourself of this truth.

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photo: Nicole Franzen

His...Poem...

Here is...some crazy...wonderful news....

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”    Ephesians 2:10

Paul’s use of the word “workmanship” – the Greek word “poiema”…yes…where we derive our English word “poem,” tells us that the Master Artisan has created something of exquisite, delightful beauty…and that is...you and me

Yet, without Him, our lives are without measure or meter, without rhyme or reason…however…as we are hidden in His love…ohhh…how much potential we hold.

Honestly, in the past, I loved taking “tests” and classes, dabbling here and there, trying to figure "who I was." I despaired of ever knowing and I always...repeat ALWAYS...wanted to be someone else. Are you trackin' with me here?

However, it wasn’t until I made living in His presence just about my only priority (I say "just about" because I am not perfect in this!) and believing His Word my daily strength (not always perfect in that, either), did I know and start to fulfill my “destiny” in Him.

Yep, that’s the truth. And…yep…you and I are the Master Artisan’s favorite poem. Let’s let Jesus write each word and phrase of our lives.

Can you even begin to imagine the possibilities?

 

(Blessed by this in any way? Please consider sharing onto your Facebook page! You can reach others with His encouragement, that I never would be able to!)

photo: The Wedding Chicks

Radiance....

Here is a beautiful…powerful…amazing…promise…from Him who loves us beyond reason…

“They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.”
Psalm 34:5

I am so convinced that shame and pride…walk hand in hand. And…most of us deal with both (truth be told, I think everyone has both!)…you see…

The fall that Adam and Eve took in the garden…well…it was marked with pride, but ended in shame. Pride…that they knew better than the Father who adored them…created them…breathed life into them. Then…shame…for their grave mistake.

Shame…well it just makes us feel…oh…so…unworthy. We want cover…we want to run…want to hide. Shame’s sister…pride…then comes along and causes us to try to rise above our shame and say, “We can do it! We are better than shame!” Pride tells us we deserve more, causes us to self-promote, be dissatisfied…not content…work hard to prove…we are not shame-full. We are not comfortable in our own skin...what sadness.

Only looking to King Jesus…for our worth…for acceptance…for love…breaks the cycle of shame and pride…and oh! The promise! Freedom…radiant lives…wholeness in Him alone.

What are we waiting for?

(If this little message spoke to your heart today...please take a moment to click on its title above...go to the site...and click on the heart at the bottom! Watch the hearts dance...ok...they just come out, not necessarily dance!)

photo: United by Love

At the Start of This Week...

At the start of this week…

If you are facing major, or not so major decisions…rely on the Holy Spirit to lead you. He will. However…be willing to do what He is speaking to you. That willingness is called…surrender! Don’t miss God’s best for you by settling for what seems quick or easy. His best…is outrageously the BEST!

If you need to forgive someone, no matter how slight or large the offense. Get to it pronto!! Ask for Jesus’ help! He has completely forgiven you…He WILL give you the strength to forgive others.

If you need sleep, rest, or refreshment for your body, soul, or spirit…take it! Make finding time from your crazy schedule to 1.) Be in His presence and Word. 2.) Get good sleep 3.) Get outside and take a technology break. Fill your mind and heart with His beauty that surrounds.

This is a week of new beginnings, hopes that will be realized, and miracles to watch for. Keep your eyes open, your heart tender, and your mind from distraction. This week will be awesome in Jesus because Who is in you is greater than anything! 
1 John 4:4

 

photo: Classy in the City

Psalm 63...

“Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,”

Sit on that phrase for a while. What has been ruling your life? My life? Robbing us of His lovingkindness…His unfailing…love? Because whatever it is…that thing, person, passion of ours can’t compete with God’s promise to satisfy our souls. Quite literally, our hearts and minds…our very being. Yes…marrow and fatness He promises

And…our thoughts?

“I meditate on You in the night watches.”

Are our thoughts consumed with Him? His beauty? His power and glory? And if they are not…we have a choice…I choose…Him. Over the chatter of empty mind patterns that distract. Tracking with me? Again “why” are we so enthralled with His beauty? Because…

“You have been my help, 
Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice."

Yes…this is the place to be. Tucked in close…to His heart. And when my soul…yes, my heart…everything my heart cherishes and yearns for. And…my mind (my thoughts and choices) follow close behind Him…the great promise of Psalm 63 that we have been reading is fulfilled:

His very right Hand…will uphold…me...

Ahhhh…yes!

 

photo: Bojon Gourmet
 

Decisions....

Decisions are sometimes…hard to make.

In an hour of this day alone, my 96-year old dad made the decision to…give up driving after eighty years on the road. And… a twenty-five year old son of a close friend…made a decision to go with chemo…instead of a “wait-and-see” approach. Maybe two ends of a long spectrum…but potentially life-altering decisions, nonetheless.

My decisions today were more tame…where to eat, what to wear, what task to complete first…yes…decisions…decisions. A day doesn’t pass without a million decisions…

 

“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.”

Isaiah 30:21

We need help making decisions…wouldn’t you agree? Someone with more perspective. Someone who knows what’s ahead…you know…Who knows what could happen. Someone who is always…looking out for us.

Jesus is that Someone. However, He is a gentleman. He won’t force His way…where He is not invited. He won’t necessarily speak…when we have already made our choice. He won’t compete with the chatter of the world. It is time to give Him full reign…over the reign of our lives…and then, in full surrender (even if we are trembling and tentative in giving it to Him)…He will speak that word and say, “This the way…walk in it.”

What comfort…

 

photo: Armella Habib via Flickr

Arghhhhh.....

A little word association here…here is the word…

Journaling.....It can bring various responses:

“Argghhhhh”….I hate it, it takes time, why bother, who cares, I don’t write well, I can't even read my own handwriting…etc.

“Guilt”…I want to do it but it takes time, I always give up after I miss a few days, I have ten million journals laying around the house that I have started, I can’t find a user friendly app…etc.

“Bliss”…(yes, bliss)….yes it is messy, it takes time, but it keeps me accountable, helps me remember what God has spoken to me, done for me, and what He has promised me…

Yes…you can tell I fall in the latter category of thought…and I’m praying that this will give you a gentle, but firm kick in the rear (can I say that on a Devotional Page?)…to record by whatever you choose: handwritten, word processed, graffiti on your garage door, sidewalk chalk…

"Thus speaks the LORD God of Israel, saying: 'Write in a book for yourself all the words that I have spoken to you.”
Jeremiah 30:2

That is the point…remember, processing your thoughts with His, staying focused, looking back and looking forward…

I hope you will consider journaling as part of your walk with the Jesus. You will get the hang of it…you will be blessed.

 

 

photo: Digs Digs

 

Eagles' Wings...

I am…pooped out.

Anybody trackin’ with me here? However…it is a rich, good, joyous…pooped out.

I had the amazing privilege of sharing at a Women’s Camp this past weekend (Thousand Pines Christian Camp). It was thrilling…it was exhilarating…it was crazy fun…to watch the Lord at work. I could have talked about…baking chocolate chip cookies (I didn't…but could have!) and He would have moved…transforming lives…His vast love for so many…going deep…yes…going deep. He didn't need me…He only desired the hungry hearts that every woman had presented to Him there.

“But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; 
They shall mount up with wings like eagles, 
They shall run and not be weary, 
They shall walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31

I have lived too many years in the other kind of…pooped out…you know…burned out…exhausted, depleted, hope dimmed, weary of life…kind of pooped out. It is not…riding on eagles' wings. And…I don’t want to live that way anymore. And…the promise of soaring with Him is wrapped up in one word… “wait”…

A Mary way of waiting…at His feet…drinking in His presence and His Word. That simple.*

Yes…I am pooped out…but I am flying high…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5S-YZxz1NM

photo: Hemingway & Hepburn

*Luke 10:38-42

At the Start of This Week...

At the start of this week…

Should you feel…well…kinda blue, bored, or broke…possibly you haven’t been spending some “soaking” time with the Lord? Quieting ALL the noise in your life and hearing only His voice? Filling you to overflow with the Holy Spirit? He has been waiting for you…

Should you think your life has been turned upside down? One, check to make sure you are on HIS path. Two, you may be in the midst of the enemy’s “attack,” get your armor on (Eph. 6). Three, it may be the Lord shaking up some things to get you out of your comfort zone. Lean hard into Him and let Him take you on a thrill ride.

Should old habits start to return…you know…impatience, irritability, may not so great language or tone to your voice? Step back, drink in His word. Remember how much Jesus loves you and gives you His love to give others. Now start over facing folks that were causing your “flesh” to resurface.

This is a week of new beginnings, hopes that will be realized, and miracles to watch for. Keep your eyes open, your heart tender, and your mind from distraction. This week will be awesome in Jesus because Who is in you is greater than anything! 
1 John 4:4

photo: Anchored by Love