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Showing posts from December, 2014

Tattered & Torn

I turn the envelope over and over in my hand and I cannot bring myself to toss it away and move on to the cherished contents.  I set it aside for later and wipe away tears. Today I come across it again, it's been moved several time over the last week or so.  Again, I cannot bring myself to toss it.  Standing in the middle of the room, holding this tattered and torn envelope it hits me why I cannot let go. This represents a life, lives actually.  Lives that have been through the proverbial wringer this year.  Lives that have been tattered by life. Torn.  I am not privy to all their suffering, it's not my place.  But Oh, how my heart breaks for them.  Aches for them.  Longs for their release from the insanity that life has heaped upon them, the grief. As I smooth the envelope, taking in its tears and creases, I can't help but ask our Father to likewise, caress their lives with His GRACE.  To fill every gap, smooth every crease ...

Sounds of Christmas

The house is quiet 'cept for the slow rattle of the toy train rounding the Christmas tree that's topped with a silent blinking angel.  The radio softly plays in the background - Christmas music of all kinds.  Then, you say, it's not quiet.  Ah, but it is.  There is a thick quietness, a quietness of spirit that fills the house today - it's peace.  It has settled into every nook & cranny and it feels quiet.  And full.  Funny that you can actually feel it.  This is a very special gift to me from my beloved Savior.  He knew how empty our nest would be this year and He knew, that with all my heart, I wanted to walk with grace though this season.  He, in His tender & intimate love, filled my home today, just because He loves me.  And today, celebrating His birth - and He, still the Giver of the gifts.  Good gifts.   Oh, oh... what a beautiful sound when the King of Kings and LORD of Lords bends close and silently w...

Banner of Mercy

I see it.  Like a finish line ensign rising in the distance, beckoning us onward.  Calling us with hope.  Each step forth the only act of faith exerted - face lifted toward the radiant Son, arms stretched high - fingertips brushing the promised victory.  Passing under Mercy's standard, under its anchored banner - the promise of God fulfilled - freed. Freed from debt we owe, freed from our selves, freed from the sin that entangles, freed from death -  Mercy reigns. Mercy reigns.  Mercy reigning over us. Mercy raining on us.  Mercy reigning in us. Hands uplifted, cupped to catch its refreshment, face to the heavens, washed in its cleansing flow. Arms outstretched  in worship of the One who Reigns, Who rains His Mercy down upon us, Who sets His Banner of Mercy over us. I see it.  The promise of God, rising in the distance, beckoning us onward, calling us with hope.  Each step forward the only act of faith exerted - face lifted toward ...

Belief

So, if one proclaims to believe something, yet his actions contradict this belief, is he a hypocrite or is he really displaying a true "disbelief"? In Luke 18 a rich young man of influence asks what he must "do" in order to be saved.  Jesus lists the commandments which guard the flesh.  The man responded favorably, he in fact, had kept all these since childhood.  Jesus saw into his heart & challenged a lack - give away what was precious and follow Him.  At this the man became disheartened... This passage would not let go of me this morning.  It required my full attention and birthed the exploration of belief. One could read the passage in Luke and quickly decide that our eternal lives are hinged on works.  Likewise, one could, balanced in the whole of scripture see how the heart attitude was exposed and there lie the key. All i know is that as i read this passage over, another kept settling over my mind. "believe and be saved" "all who ...

Insignificant

Have you ever felt like a nobody?  That you're just not "enough" or have nothing to offer?  For many years that was me.  That is until I came to understand an eternal truth - it's WHOSE we are that counts. Last night, while walking in the depths with a dear friend, she shared something powerful. Something you need to hear. "When you are insignificant then you are IN significance" ( !!!! - emphasis mine) Oh, what a deep truth this is if you let it settle in!  Jesus Christ is our "Significance" and when we are "in" Him, we are more than enough!  We are wonderfully, humbly, powerfully, in Significance. So, rejoice in who you are    IN!!!!