its spiritual

STOP one way

Some would say everything is spiritual.
Some would say spirituality is simple.
Others would say it’s complex.

The more I learn and the more the Holy Spirit reveals – the more I agree with all of these statements!

Lately my prayers include “renew a right spirit within me.”

Psalm 51:10 KJV “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

Maybe I’ll share another day on the pure heart part…

When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”But He turned and rebuked them, [and said, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”] And they went on to another village. Luke 9:54-56 NASB

Even those closest to Jesus, He still had to confront what spirit they were listening too.

I find it humorous that so many verses that come to my mind, I can’t find in my concordance because I remember the words from other versions and not the NIV I have studied for years. In Luke – the NIV does not even have this [parenthesis section.]

How did these other versions get implanted in my memory?
The Spirit – our Counselor – who guides us into all truth! John 16:13

With so many Bible versions, so many forms of spirituality; be sure to test and know the ONE Spirit of Truth.

May the Lord give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. Eph 1:17

truth movement

I have been enjoying weekly visits with a group of artists in Grand Rapids. We’ve been exploring the use of acrylics for background and oil for color. It’s been very interesting to see how each of us uses color, shapes, and design in different ways.

For me it was a bit difficult to shift from photo references of realistic scenes to see what the paint would bring to life.

It reminds me of messages I’ve been hearing/reading on logic vs imagination in business, life and in studying the Bible. It is after all the Living Word.

Every word you give me is a miracle word—
how could I help but obey?
Break open your words, let the light shine out,
let ordinary people see the meaning.
Mouth open and panting,
I wanted your commands more than anything.
Turn my way, look kindly on me,
as you always do to those who personally love you.
Steady my steps with your Word of promise
so nothing malign gets the better of me.
Psalm 119:129-133

closer to heaven

Some opportunities you can’t pass by.

J. Scott McElroy, author of “Finding Divine Inspiration,” is bringing an array of speakers and creatives for a weekend of sharing on “The Creative Church”

Using the arts in worship, healing, outreach and more. Prayer rooms, creative time, I will be soaking. Maybe in a hotel pool but the days for the event look packed full of God’s goodness.

Indy Schedule.

I can already see how this can work in life, art, church, community and with our Haitian Artisans. I even look forward to the hours in the car. Watching the scenery is therapeutic to me!

Thank you Lord for bringing this so close and “creating” such a time as this!!!

Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions —it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:4-10

a beautiful day

Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It’s way over our heads. We’ll never figure it out.
Is there anyone around who can explain God?
Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do?
Anyone who has done him such a huge favor that God has to ask his advice?
Everything comes from him;
Everything happens through him;
Everything ends up in him.
Always glory! Always praise!
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Romans 11:33-36

Hearing of good weather coming, I hoped for an afternoon to kayak. I took a full day off and went to the river early. There was a haze all around but treasures were unfolding….sharing His beauty.

Sometimes its just a matter of seeing the simple things.
He is in them all.

imagine that

Noontime prayer for the city was on renewed passion to worship. As prayers were spoken around the room I kept seeing David in his abandon before God. He was unashamed even though others were embarrassed for him.

I too want to worship in that way. In some places/groups I find it difficult – usually because nobody else seems to be.

Let’s be like David – the man after God’s own heart!!

There was also a section to pray for the arts in the city and in worship. I recognized the voice across the room thanking God for “Judith” who brought color, texture, and wonders to their sanctuary. It was a great pleasure to be one of the artists to help bring some renewal to his beautiful church.

–Lord Jesus…May the Holy Spirit fill us in the same way that He filled You, so that we can be a people overflowing with joyful praise to the Father–

reveal His glory

Several pastors in town are praying at noon for the 40 days of Lent. They are using the booklet Seek God for the City 2012 and the model that brought the 1857 Fulton St revival. They have done this in previous years and I am joining when I can.

One of the verses for today…Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. NASB version – yesterday I used NIV.

After work I was reading my emails…one is titled “It’s Time to Arise and Shine!”

The Message version today –

“Get out of bed, Jerusalem!
Wake up. Put your face in the sunlight.
God’s bright glory has risen for you.
The whole earth is wrapped in darkness,
all people sunk in deep darkness,
But God rises on you,
his sunrise glory breaks over you.
Nations will come to your light,
kings to your sunburst brightness.”

(I think I will be staying in this Chapter for a bit.)

you mean purple

Jessica Kerbawy, an artist and graphic designer from Michigan

Life is like a box of crayons. Most people are the eight-color boxes, but what you’re really looking for are the 64-color boxes with the sharpeners on the back. I fancy myself to be a 64-color box, though I’ve got a few missing. It’s okay though, because I’ve got some more vibrant colors like periwinkle at my disposal. I have a bit of a problem though in that I can only meet the eight-color boxes. Does anyone else have that problem? I mean, there are so many different colors of life, of feeling, of articulation, so when I meet someone who’s an eight-color type I’m like, “hey girl, magenta!” and she’s like, “oh, you mean purple!” and she goes off on her purple thing, and I’m like, “no – I want magenta!” ~John Mayer

its a new day dawning

It’s time to sing Your song again…

As we sang this in church I was remembering the little things this past week. I finished the Ann Voskamp book One Thousand Gifts, a very inspiring read – then the words to this song….

For all your goodness I will keep on singing
10,000 reasons for my heart to find.

God’s abundant gifts surround us every where we turn.

LOOK – COUNT – REMEMBER

three good wheels on grocery cart
thick veggie soup
fresh squeezed lime
a foot of morning snow
squirrel racing down white road

I NEVER want to be the same as I was yesterday but moving forward, learning, experiencing more of my Savior.

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Soon my soul will sing Your praise unending
10,000 years and there forever more

Bless the Lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy Name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I worship Your Holy Name
Matt Redman

from the beginning ABC…

Thank you Drusilla for the nomination for the ABC Award.

The lists created by you and Susie share my feelings completely…because It’s not really about me!

Glory to God in the highest…

Drusilla’s ABC list

Susie’s ABC list

To see other great writer’s sharing their faith journey, questions and amazing talent, check my blog roll to the right…through their pages you’ll find even MORE wonderful writers with great things to say.

Makes me wish I could read all day!

do you doubt

The relationship between commitment and doubt is by no means an antagonistic one. Commitment is healthiest when it is not without doubt but in spite of doubt.
– Rollo May

So many questions – but still great faith!