restart

When you haven’t blogged in so long, where do you restart?

ANY where!

My journals are overloaded. My home has gotten more attention in 2020 than when I first purchased it and so many things collected and stored over the years have vacated the premises! I’m not done yet – weaving loom and kayak went this month and definitely more to go.

Restoring Waters – oil on canvas Psalm 23

It’s been quite a season of purging, pruning and preparing. I’m not sure which is harder.

As I went through multiple file cabinets, bookshelves and closets – memories were flooding. Some days were difficult. The house often seemed more of a mess as I was “cleaning” out. Doing my office work from home was helpful and gave more time to the tasks but some days it also made it harder not having much of an escape from the feelings that would flood.

Files, manuals, books and more were shredded and recycled while the weather was still in coolness. Years of ministry, history and dreams that seemed to have unnatural deaths were released. Walls, windows, ceilings, doors were painted as sunshine started to warm things this spring. I had one winter project of wallpaper and paint in the kitchen, I never expected to do so much more. Spring/Summer project was to paint the outside of my house. Windows were done last fall and some testing of new color on the aluminum siding of the garage. I felt comfortable to BEGIN on the house. With a few weeks of reduced hours and time saved from traveling to the office, I have most of the exterior painted. A dream for years that finally will come to be!

Yes – pandemic and distancing is impacting but it doesn’t have to stop us from life and accomplishing dreams. I am really feeling the NEW God has in store has a place to come to life! I’ve done my part for the new wine skin and He has definitely been doing His part in preparing me too!

Dare to dream again – so many of our limitations are in our own thoughts and the words we speak of limitations.

Dare to believe in His immeasurably more! All things are possible – will you believe?

dream a little

Still In Process – Oil and cold wax medium
18x24x2 (that means it’s not finished)

I think I’m supposed to stay on this topic a bit and ask a few questions. Hopefully you will take some time to ponder. Most people understand the Bucket List idea and things they want to do before they leave this earth. Often those are things for personal gratification (not saying that’s bad – I have a spa day on my list!), but there’s also a lot of people young and older that are wondering….

What is my life purpose?
What will I do with kids grown?
How can I change my career?
Can I make a difference?

I strongly feel God designed each of us with great purpose. Things that would touch our hearts and also bless others. I’ve read many great books on the topic but here I’m sharing the dreaming with God process. God had me write and lead a couple classes on this years ago so it’s interesting He’s having me revisit it here.

At the beginning of my journey with Christ – I did not understand about hearing Gods voice. But now that I do, I definitely see things much differently. One of the very potent words He shared with me:

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

One of my passions while I was young was to create art. The responsible and better paying way of life was business college and doing accounting things. Later in life that led to a bachelors in business management and ministry leadership. Neither of those were in my young dreams but God brought NEW dreams to life along the way. REMEMBER: IT’S NEVER TOO LATE!

The dreams of art were buried in a deep closet. Forgotten in the logical fog of numbers and spreadsheets. UNTIL – I had finished college and missed taking classes. Several things led me to an art class. You might say and the rest is history but it was only the beginning!

Today I pray that you will take some time to dig in your closet for that passion that never had a chance before. That you would see what step you could take to let it be breathed back to life. That God would give you the courage and the opportunity to dust it off and try it on again. Pro sports might not be good at age 60 but I’m sure He can show you more! Have a beautiful day!

time to reveal

Shoreline Treasures – oil/cwm 12×12

In many places in my journals I’ve written about buried treasures, how the tide shifts what seems lost at sea and as I pray into those areas more, I have felt the Lord share the most amazing stories.

Eph 1:3 jumped out boldly to me a few years ago.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Eph 1:3

Yes – He knew us BEFORE we were formed in our mother’s womb. He gave his life for us before we existed on this earth and He wanted us to become intimately acquainted with Him. His word says that he desires ALL to come to the knowledge of Him. Not just some chosen royal priesthood, but ALL. Then they ALL can become that royal priesthood.

Each one of us has been “gifted” with heavenly identities, “gifted” with spiritual blessings, “gifted” with open access to His throne of mercy and grace. We’ve let those “gifts” be buried at sea. Many have given up on ever seeing the fullness they felt would come to their lives.

Those gifts have not gone away, they have not slipped through your hands forever. They are still there waiting. God’s yes – is a constant. Yes and Amen (let it be so). He LOVES the impossible because He sees possibility all around. 

I pray you will ask God to bring those buried treasures back to the surface. That you would seek again the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. He is eager to bless you abundantly!  (John 10:10)

new ground

holy and blameless

What’s on your heart Lord?

My people are primed and ready. I see their hearts are willing and I’m entrusting them with secrets of kingdom strategy. There will seem a delay but it’s not. My plans cannot be delayed. I am breaking new ground. It’s not the same way in all places. Learning from others is good, but be prepared for new to be shown.

More? Justice will be served. Restoration comes.

1 Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous;
    it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
² Praise the Lord with the harp;
    make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
³ Sing to him a new song;
    play skillfully, and shout for joy.
⁴ For the word of the Lord is right and true;
    he is faithful in all he does.
⁵ The Lord loves righteousness and justice;
    the earth is full of his unfailing love.
⁶ By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
    their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
⁷ He gathers the waters of the sea into jars;
    he puts the deep into storehouses.
⁸ Let all the earth fear the Lord;
    let all the people of the world revere him.
⁹ For he spoke, and it came to be;
    he commanded, and it stood firm.
¹⁰ The Lord foils the plans of the nations;
    he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
¹¹ But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
    the purposes of his heart through all generations.
Psalm 33:1-11

Lord – we come today to praise You and honor You. We thank you that Your Word is truth and it’s not about our purposes but about Yours. We want to hear Your heart, to know Your purposes and we thank You that Your words are truth, Your ways are faithful, trusting in You is the best thing we can do! 

cloud cover

Cloud Rising

What do clouds make you think of?

dark
dreary
shade
refuge
rain
daydreaming
imagination
wonder/awe
(What are they becoming now?)

A friend of mine does not like clouds in sunsets. I actually prefer them. They absorb and display colors. They let the sun play hide and seek.

God is so creative! Art classes gave such a new lens to seeing His wonders.

I started this painting during a worship service and thought how they are often referred to with the rainbow and covenant of God and then as His traveling tent!

By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. Ex 13:21-22

And now His creative Spirit resides inside each of us! That is even more awe inspiring!

Such wonder in the clouds…next time maybe I hide a giraffe in there too!

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.

anticipation

In the Distance III

Advent is a season observed in many Western Christian churches as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. The term is an anglicized version of the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming”. Wikipedia

“Expectant waiting” is often called anticipation.

We all have anticipation, unfortunately it’s not always for good things to come.

As we talk more about Mary, Joseph and the birth of Jesus at this time of the year, we often focus on the wonders that the birth of the Messiah means for us as believers. We often politely ignore the cost of this precious gift.

Many will talk about the journey of Joseph and Mary and how this radically changed their hopes and plans but this year I am pondering another aspect…

One of Jesus giving up his position AND authority as part of our Triune Godhead to be like us…a baby, a youth, an adult. Reliant on hearing from God.

Called to something great.
Known as a chosen one.
Waiting for His heavenly Father’s plans.

We think more of his sacrifice in death, but sacrifice was also how his life began.

So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT

Thank you Lord for the many ways you gave your life for ALL. Let us remember that we are made in your image, growing in favor and in stature with God and man just as you did. Let us walk humbly and wait patiently as we anticipate!

limited vision

This is not just a vision test…

Cover one eye – look at your surroundings.

What is the main difference seeing with only one eye?

Unless you have some other unique thing – the main difference is a limited field of vision. The scenery doesn’t change it is just how much of it you see.

Now cover half of your brain –

Did you find that a little difficult?

What is the main difference if using one side of your brain?

Our sight is very similar to our brain – logic vs creative, knowledge vs revelation.

We have gotten very used to using the grown-up, rational, and responsible part of our brain so we can be serious and conscientious people. But God created us ALL with a right brain too – a creative side. A place of dreams, passions, and innovative ideas. Unfortunately we often outgrow.

Maybe it’s time for some change.

ever increasing

Imagine your house…

What parts of your life do you want to see “ever increasing” and why?

“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on: you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of – throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor here, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it himself.”
CS Lewis Mere Christianity.

It reflected prayer in the morning and group conversation at night.

Are you content with your house?
Is it fit for our King?
Does God lead your improvements?

Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:15-18

voiceless break into song

Let’s Sing

How often are you at a loss for words?
Humor might say, “A woman without something to say?”
Sometimes wisdom says, “Be silent.”

It seems a beautiful season of absorbing. The exterior blanketed with snow, hides the vibrant life that lays dormant. Seeds ready and waiting for the covering to pass, the warmth to begin, and room to stretch and burst into being.

I like that thought…a place of peace and expectancy…

Wilderness and desert will sing joyously,
the badlands will celebrate and flower—
Like the crocus in spring, bursting into blossom,
a symphony of song and color.
…
God’s resplendent glory, fully on display.
God awesome, God majestic.
…
God is here, right here,
on his way to put things right
And redress all wrongs.
He’s on his way! He’ll save you!”
Blind eyes will be opened,
deaf ears unstopped,
Lame men and women will leap like deer,
the voiceless break into song.
Isaiah 35:1…4