about you or who

“Garden Cherub”

Another impacting point was about Kingdom and church. Depending on where you look, there are over 300 references to kingdom and about 100 for church. Jesus was all about revealing the Father and His Kingdom, on earth as it is in heaven.

Our churches often seem more interested in attendance, numbers and quality of the worship and message. In other words…about man’s opinion more than God’s opinion.

In a theology class in college, our study of Revelation required us to write on which of the seven churches our body of believers was most like. An interesting method of evaluation. What does “lukewarm” really look like?

We can know so much in our earthly viewpoint but if we aren’t in tune with God’s kingdom viewpoint (or thermometer) – we might not be as hot as we think.

A further thought of mine…
Jesus didn’t come to create or prepare a church, but a bride.

How is your church doing at being the bride?
You might want to study what the bible has to say about the bride.

But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
Matthew 25:10

Help us Lord – to see as You see and do what You need us to do. Guide us with wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of YOU instead of the knowledge of this world. That we would understand further. 

 

 

be the light

There are no two the same in my Kingdom. There is none like you. Trust yourself and trust what we are doing in you. We will not let you fall. Just stay close to us. Do not let darkness overtake you. Be the LIGHT.

…whispers from above – we never walk alone!

good counsel

Some “shifting” in life so my blogging may be a simple verse or a weekend rambling. The verse from yesterday is in my ponder position this week.

Are you eager for the glorious second coming of Jesus and feeling we’re left alone to the wolves of this world?
What of our Helper & Counselor?
How is it to our advantage to have the Spirit with us and not Jesus?

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” John 16:13 NIV

If he is the Helper, Counselor, speaks the truth he hears from God and knows what is to come – maybe we need to get to know him a better… 

May you know the greatness of the Father’s love today. The grace of Jesus and the counsel of the Holy Spirit. Blessings dear ones!

see simplicity

Interesting things come as I pray and listen before sleep. Recently questions arose on the Israelite’s and their years of wandering.

I don’t usually as God “Why” when it refers to my life but in understanding His ways and His word, it’s frequent.

Why 40 years for a 250 mile trip? Their complaining and disobedience.
Why were their lands later restored? They repented and praised.
Seem too simple from a complex and awesome God?

We do make many things difficult and intricate in regards to the Lord…I feel He wanted me to see the simplicity too. We often read the details of the Bible and try to dissect each word, often feeling an overload instead of a simple point.

In just one verse you will find a multitude of messages as it comes to life over and over.

A challenge to you this week – pick one verse and meditate/study/pray through it multiple times in each day. See what great things are revealed to you and what the simple points are that He would like to share. 

I think I’ll start here…

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. John 16:7 ESV

Thank you Jesus for sending the Helper – Your Holy Spirit to guide us in all truth, to enlighten us more in Your ways and share even more of Abba’s heart. Let us know You in a richer way this week through Your holy words. 

 

heart passion

unfinished work

Your heart has a passion that has been neglected.
Let it come again.
Let it be breathed with life again. 

…a whisper from God

plans expand

My plan for January was to do several small paintings. Trying new color mixes, some layering ideas and in reality – trying to discover what seems covered.

Even though I’ve been painting for years, I feel there is something more I am supposed to bring to the canvas (and to my writing.) I don’t “feel” like I have yet found it, so I continue to ask, seek and knock…

I did several small 5×7 and a couple 12×12 pieces in January. Monday I started a 16×40 piece that does stretch me. I’ve taken photos along the way to later create a moving progress “video” which will stretch me even more. This is a small section where I used some different techniques.

I ponder again… How often are we thinking small when God wants us to think big? Limiting our ideas, creativity and ability. Settling for what is safe, known, reasonable instead of stepping out on the water. Saying we are “only human” when in reality – with Christ in us…we are “MORE than human”. 

I pray you will let this year be one of dreaming again. Of discovering the more God has really designed you for. You are needed and given great gifts by our heavenly Father that the world is waiting for. No matter what limitations you might feel are in your life – there is more to your story. 

Even greater things will you do – John 14:12
With God – nothing is impossible!

 

spring will come

As the snow starts to blanket things again, I thought of my aunt’s painting. In her memory care home one of the activities has been painting. She’s been very proud of her creations and I am too! She even remembered that is was “the one her niece really liked” and wouldn’t let them take it. (They used another instead.)

I do wonder what might have been if she had tried some of this earlier in her life. She always leaned more toward TV watching than doing things with her hands, but she certainly is making up for lost time.

It is more beautiful to see the blossom of people than the signs of spring.

The snow drops my sister saw last week are now covered in white. Often as people begin to bloom, things come to cover up what has just started. It doesn’t mean it’s over and done, just a time to regroup, strengthen and come forth again. David’s life showed that in many seasons. He kept his focus on God and knew what God said, would surely come to be.

The Lord foils the plans of the nations;
    he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
    the purposes of his heart through all generations.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
    the people he chose for his inheritance.
From heaven the Lord looks down
    and sees all mankind;
from his dwelling place he watches
    all who live on earth—
he who forms the hearts of all,
    who considers everything they do.
Psalm 33:10-15

growing wings

Several years ago I ran across this little one out of it’s nest. I didn’t know what to do for it. I tried to usher it toward a tree so it would not go from sidewalk to parking lot. There’s a big dangerous world out there little bird…I’d like you to grow up and be able to fly. I’m not sure how it fared.

A message to me today and maybe to you – though we can try our best to be helpful, we can’t guarantee success or outcome. So much will depend on their choices too.

Our part is to do what the Lord tells us to do…no more and no less. 

Church is reading in Ezekiel this month. Another group was talking on evangelism and discussed Ezekiel’s calling. Ezekiel chapter 2 says he was told he must share – whether they listen or fail to listen. Jesus says in several places including John, He is speaking what the Father speaks and doing the will of the Him who sent me. Neither of their steps looked logical, reasonable or easy. Measurable outcomes were not immediately seen.

If we are focused on what God is leading us to do and how, we’ll know how hard to press, we’ll know when we’re not supposed to speak and we’ll know when our work is done – letting God to do His part.

As a person who does like “problem solving”, I’m used to feeling I need to be the one to wrap it up and make sure it’s taken care of. Seeing an outcome that shows my role is complete. Thank you Lord for teaching me further where I need to step and when I need to step away. It’s not always comfortable or going with my logic, but it is getting easier to trust Your words and Your ways.

 

sensing peace

Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal. ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

Are you like I was, thinking with God – all things would turn up roses?
He does say that with Him – all things are possible but there isn’t a promise of a rose garden. Much in our journey will make us more aware of thorns than the sweet scent of the rose.

Is your peace found in what you understand?
Is it found in what you can control?
Does it come from other people?

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is that man that takes refuge (trusts) in him. Psalm 34:8

If we know it all, understand it all, have it all figured out…
Why would we need God?
Why would we trust Him?
Why would we need peace?

This is speaking to me of our senses today – seeing, smelling, tasting, touching, hearing. We are often relying on our brains or knowledge more than our senses.

God created humans with amazing gifts. I challenge you to turn off technology and get in touch with those senses…listen to the songs of nature, open your eyes to the details of design, taste the freshness before you, feel the textures around you and explore the fragrances life.

As MLK Jr says – it’s not just about the destination – it’s about the journey. Unwrap the peace that longs to be experienced by you each day.

I am leaving you with a gift–peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27 NLT

 

knowing his voice

The sun was shining.
The snow was melting.
The beach was calling.
…I listened…

The beauty of the day is not always in your surroundings but in the peace found in your innermost being. It comes in many different ways to each of us. Taking notice of God’s work in our lives and all around us should be a place of great comfort. Hearing and knowing His voice should be our biggest goal for the day.

 

How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand – when I awake, I am still with you. Psalm 139:17-18

Even to those who don’t know God – He is still speaking…

⁷ Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
⁸ A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. ⁹ So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
¹⁰ The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”
Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
¹¹ And the Lord said to Samuel: “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle. 1 Samuel 3:7-11

Lord, help us to hear Your voice with clarity and seek Your voice each day. That we would recognize the variety of ways You talk to Your children and respond, “your servant is listening.”