towards the light

I don’t know about you but I do walk down the street and through the store looking to engage eyes with others and share a smile or hello. I’m finding more and more are either on the phone, looking at the phone or hanging their head to avoid everyone.

It was something I noticed years ago in the office hallways and see amplified in our techno world.

Distance and distraction that leaves others feeling less and less light in their lives.

Be the light! No matter who will or will not look. Someone is noticing.
Shine the light! You don’t know whose darkness will be dispelled.
Pray in advance for the LIGHT! God knows how to prepare hearts in advance so you can do your part as His vessel in every step you take.

Everything was created through him;
    nothing—not one thing!—
    came into being without him.
What came into existence was Life,
    and the Life was Light to live by.
The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness;
    the darkness couldn’t put it out.
John 1:3-5 MSG

 

 

its coming

More is always coming!

A unique season here as I seem to be re-entering the “outside” art world. A month long exhibit for our art group is happening in a nearby city. A local business person has let us do quick weekend displays in his store. Since his space is not being fully utilized we asked about displaying art regularly. After some discussions, he has very graciously agreed. We are amazed at how its coming together!!

He is let us have the downtown front windows and has moved his hardware further back. Their framing area will remain in the space and we believe we will be a good compliment to each other and to the community.

I think we agreed on our window signage last night…

Hardware – Framing – Art
…the working studio of Zeeland Artists Collective

Set up is Dec 1 with a community event Dec 9-12.
That is a change that will keep you a bit busier!

back when I can…

deeper unity

One Lord
One Church

Often when reading a different Bible version – verses usually ignored – stand out more.

The angel to Zechariah speaking about his coming son John…

And he will prepare a united people who are ready for the Lord’s appearing. Luke 1:17 TPT

(Notes “united people” is found in the Aramaic text. Most versions say, “a people.”) Church is studying Exodus which is also God preparing “a people.”

We can easily see division all around. We may be in church but are we “being the church” that is described through His Word?

Are we following what He sets before us or what we desire? Romans 8
Is our focus more on the world or even serving others than Him? Luke 10
Add in how technology keeps people even busier…

I’ve been asking myself several of these tough questions. Some answers are really stretching me. I don’t want to just be a good American – I desire the fullness He designed for me and I pray you will want that too.

knocking

narrow door

Sometimes the words need a picture and other days the picture brings His Words…

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Revelation 3:20-22 NKJV

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have so much they want to give to us and so much that we don’t need, that they want to take from us.

I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for – will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.
John 10:9-10

Someone’s knockin’ at the door.
Somebody’s ringin’ the bell.
Someone’s knockin’ at the door.
Somebody’s ringin’ the bell.
Do me a favor,
Open the door and let ’em in….
Paul McCartney & Wings – 1976

Will you let ‘Em in?

porch droppings

I had many wonderful things planned last week, then it continued to change. I think all can relate. You try to plan, have a little space and SURPRISE – something changes!

one kitty hiding

I started with extra little visitors, ages 3 and 5. When I went to pick them up – they were in the driveway with one big brother and their baby sister. Car seats and bags all ready to go for their first ride and visit with me. Another of those moments where you say, “Where is the camera?” Yes, it was home charging. That was such joy to see.

They had fun finding the cats, pretending I was their pony and asking if I had more food!  Later in the week, their grandma dropped off this photo from a previous visit.

I thought pony rides just did me in then realized something else was going on with my body. It’s good to finally be getting a little energy back a week later. For a non-napper – I definitely napped a lot.

We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9 NLT

It had me returning to something I used to do more regularly…asking, “What needs to be accomplished next Lord?” By last Friday, all He said was rest and that was enough.

This week – I’m going to continue with that question. Because sometimes – we don’t need to do it all.

starting again

considering…

Seems like a long time away from here. I have a lot more air miles, a few new long distance friends and my journals are definitely fuller, reviewed and prayed through. My suitcase is tucked away until the end of the month when I will travel with mom again for a weekend to see a nephew. Mom is doing well, just doesn’t like to travel alone. Even happier that spring has sprung in Michigan!

I’ve also kept busy with a weekly class. Two of us from my home church just finished a 9 month training and equipping with School of Kingdom Ministries.

Great teaching, practicing and challenging to GO-BE active, authentic and LOVING disciples of Jesus. Much of the church stops at the message of salvation, gathering as a body, and praying without much expectation…

BUT HE has said – GO, DO what I did AND even greater things. (John 14)

Repeat that verse daily for a month and you’re expectation level will definitely increase!

Jesus did come to heal, save and deliver, right?

Thankfully many around the world are doing these and greater things and sharing their steps and stories. It feels like the Holy Spirit is leading us into more truth and empowerment of the FULL Gospel.

I don’t know if this blog will continue as 150 words in a normal post or be shifting a bit all I know it’s time to write!

Thank you to all who have been fellow journeyers these past years.

be still

STOP
one way

How often are you still?

It is not a normal pattern for our culture or our brains. We seem to thrive on time management, figuring it all out, AND having the perfect “human” answer.

Be still and know that I am God…
Psalm 46:10a NIV

Stillness isn’t something we do – it is a big STOP sign we need to actually obey.
Brain STOP
Body STOP
BE

A recent message from God to me about stillness…

I seem to keep finding reasons to avoid stillness. What is keeping me from that Lord?

You think it is useless but it is not, it is your most valuable weapon.

Surrender your anxiety!
Be silent and stop your striving
And you will see that I am God…
Psalm 46:10a TPT

Are you ready to try it His way?

where did summer go

grilled veggies

There are seasons of life that seem to rush by like a mighty wind. I’m never ready for summer to end.

The cats are missing the porch and I’m thinking of some of the great moments of the past months as I organize photos. It was a summer of laughter, house projects, garden thinning, old friends, new friends, some consulting, and extra office and grilling projects for “my plumber”.

Some days thinking I didn’t accomplish much and wondering if I missed anything important. God is definitely showing me I don’t see or know all the impact, but He certainly does. Hearing His “good job” is the best part of it all.

improvised vase

He’s shown me a lot of extra joy in people this summer through travel to Guatemala, time at the beach, meals in the garden, various house guests, and some extra special gatherings for prayer.

As I get back to blogging, I’ll share a few of these great people I’m getting to know.

natures wonders

I can seldom sit in nature and not marvel at God’s creativity.

How do the leaves know when to uncurl, to bring the buds and seeds, then release them in the wind to dig their way to the dirt and begin again?

To walk the shore and think of what lies beyond? Stories, secrets, mysteries…will they ever be discovered?

There is so much we won’t be able to explain in life. Yet we often act like we understand it all. We become satisfied with where we are, what we know, and the wonder of it all is no longer embraced.

Yet…there is always so much more….

“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”—
the things God has prepared for those who love him—
these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
1 Corinthians 2:9-10

what fills the soul

Saturday I woke to fresh snow. Normally just another winter day but with plans to fly to Florida it made the morning a bit different with clearing the driveway and going slow on the highway. Hours later to be driving with mom in the sunshine state, seeing palms, and enjoying the sunset over the gulf. A wonderful change.

At His Feet

We went to a local church for Bible study and worship. Pastor Shawn’s message was on John 3.

Nicodemus – wanted to spend time with Jesus. As Jesus spoke – then questions came.

How often to do we go to our Lord with an agenda instead of merely seeking His Presence?

So much in this world begs, cries, and calls for our attention. Maybe a challenge for the week or month is to look at what gets your attention. Carry a little notebook and log where you spend your time.

We were challenged to take time at the end of the service to just be with God…
to listen…
no questions…
no agenda…

Turn you eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face;
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
Helen H. Lemmel, 1922