In the Stillness

  You know that question that people like to ask? The one question that can literally go in a million directions? It’s a question I get asked at least three times a year, if not more.  Where do you see yourself in ____ years?  Some people ask the minimum and only want to know about your year-long goals, but then there are others who take the leap and ask you to think about where you see yourself in ten or more years. They ask you with a sense of wanting to know more about you, your goals, ambitions and drives. They try to understand what motivates you and whether or not you have the willpower to get to the end point of reaching your goals that you tell them. Almost like a sense of accountability and sometimes, at least in my mind, there’s a lot of pressure to make sure that I complete those goals...to follow through.  Ten years ago, I am sure that I was asked this same question, probably for an English class assignment or essay, or within a group setting like my chur...

  I am in a season where I am learning a lot about the things that my heart struggles with when I lose sight of Jesus. It hasn't been the most enjoyable season, either. I have been learning that my heart, when not in tune with Christ, it is ugly and selfish. Usually full of pride, greed, selfishness, sin and just plain ugliness.  Can anyone else relate with me in that thinking?  As I sat contemplating and asking the Lord what it was that He wanted to teach me through this season, I was reminded and brought back to the stories of the disciples: particularly Judas. "And as they were reclining at the table and eating, Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me." They began to be sorrowful and say to him one after another, 'Is it I?" He said to them, "It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me. For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man ...

You are my King You are my joy Earnestly I seek your peace Bowing my knees With a heart of faith. And I cry "Abbah Father! Have mercy on me  And bring me out of this dry and broken land! Raise me up from the valley of death And place me at the top of the mountain So I can be with you! For it is written "better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere!"  Father- I would rather be with you than in the desert. But where I am, there you also are. Where can I go from your presence? Where can I hide from your Spirit? You know when I sit and when I rise So why I try to run and hide? Bring me up out of the valleys Bring me into your light Gather me from the four winds  And draw me close to you. I hear you say "Little girl! Get up and live!" You have raised me out of the depths  You have breathed life in my weary lungs You have restored my soul. Abbah. Father. Comforter of my soul. You hear my pleas You hear my prayers I give thanks to you For your mercies ar...

  " And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.   And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.   But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.   And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,   for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.   And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God,   and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”  And Zechariah said to the...

   I wrote this poem as I sat and swung in my hammock today, resting and meditating on the ton of my Heavenly Father's voice-our papa. His voice echoes through the wind as the trees danced and swayed back and forth and it was simply beautiful.  The wind rushes at the top of the trees  brushing it with every bit of God's breath that passes through.  The tree limbs sway back and forth with ease and balance as the sun glistens with its touch.  This must be what freedom feels like.  Oh to be like the tops of these trees Full of vibrancy, light and a weightless burden.  The trees know what to do and when to do it They listen well to the voice who created them. No hesitancy found.  The breathing found atop comes and goes.  Stillness for moments on end.  Then the breath comes back.  Back and forth. Back and forth.  Side to side the limbs sway.  They are beautiful.  Full of peace. Tranquility and purpose.  In the st...

  Today, I asked the Lord "what does your voice sound like?" and it didn't take long for Him to respond. This was His response.... "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me." (John 10:27)  My sweet girl-you are my sheep and I am the shepherd. Although you are growing in me, you are also learning my tone. My tone is gentle and crosses your mind like a leaf in the wind on an autumn day. My intentions are for peace and comfort-to teach you how to be more like me...more like my Father.  I want you to incline your ear to me kiddo because I have much I want to tell you. When you call on me, trust that I will answer and show you secret things. (Jeremiah 33:3) I am always  speaking to you.  I want you to slow down and hear me.  Listen for my tone.  It is gentle, loving and kind. It is strong and compassionate. I can be as quiet as a whisper but as loud as a drum- all within one instruction. Do not be afraid. Can you hear me child? Can you he...

  This painting always makes me tear up. When I look at this, I can't help but to imagine the tightness of the hug, the warm embrace of Jesus' love the very first time He sees me in Heaven. Oh how I can't wait for that day to see Him face to face.  This painting came to mind as I asked the Lord the question "What does your love look like?" This is what He had to say... "When you are in the valleys of uncertainties and doubt, I am there. When fear creeps at your door step and when the thief knocks in the middle of the night- I am there with you. You are not alone, sweet girl, for I am with you.  I care for you and I want to lavish you in my love. A love that only I can give you. It is a love that comes directly from my Father and flows through me. You will never experience a love like this, except with me. This love is deeper than the ocean and wider than all the horizon. When you cry to me, when it feels like you can't breathe, oh my sweet girl- I weep wi...