childlike exploration

Back to the Beginning

As I created this piece I had started using more gold leaf and oil pastels. As I drew those crayon like circles around the three purple shapes it felt like I was being transported. Not to my childhood, but to a childlike place with the Lord. A place I could dare to test and try without criticism. A safe place that found His approval.

I scratched in the words, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1

Other words were written but are no longer seen. It seemed He was showing me the simplicity of the Father, Son and Spirit. How they are each distinct yet connected, intertwined, vibrating and still not fully definable.

One might just look at this and enjoy the colors, the movement, the simple lines of the circles but beneath is a bigger story yet to be discovered.

This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it – the Lord is his name:  ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’  Jeremiah 33:2-3

My creative process may have started with sharing the beauty of a landscape or capturing some realism of a photo, but it has expanded into exploring the unsearchable, seeing what’s possible and stretching beyond what seems reasonable.

I pray today that you will find a way to explore, see and stretch as God guides you. That you would embrace His picture of simplicity as a child and know His approval and grace! Blessings to you all.

what other name

A song brought me to this passage. The NIV titled this section as “Imitating Christ’s Humility.”

 

Philippians 2
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
⁶ Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; ⁷ rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!
⁹ Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

How are we doing as the Church – the Bride in this?
Are we seeking the benefit of the body?
Is unity of the Spirit a priority?
Does our normal mindset say – I need to be fed, taught, entertained, and encouraged? Or is it seeking what is best for others?

I know many places in my journey with Christ I have focused on what I want to get out of church, relationships, ministries or encounters. And I’ve also been one giving and serving where I am completely drained and discouraged. I don’t feel either of those are the right place.

How can we become more “like-minded” with Christ?
Not just like-minded with a denomination, church leadership or other people…but with Christ?

Thank you Lord that it’s not about us conforming to the ways of the world but to Your ways that are higher, Your ways that bring peace, Your ways that speak life to all. Your ways often seem too lofty to obtain but You desire us to be one in Spirit and in mind with You. Guide us with wisdom and understanding as we seek Your heart and Your ways. Guide us with words as we share with others the love and joy that are found only in Christ – our Redeemer. Open our hearts further to the fullness You desire us to know of You. 

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. 

 

 

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.

 

receiving your gifts

New Discovery

Tis the season of giving and honoring others. God is the most generous person and wants to honor His children. Think about these GIFTS (statements of His truth) given to you. If any of them feel a bit uncomfortable, look into the scriptures and ask the Lord to reveal His heart to you about that area.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17

WE HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN
WE ARE REDEEMED
WE ARE GIVEN NEW LIFE
WE ARE BLESSED
WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS
WE HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST
WE ARE CO-HEIRS WITH CHRIST
WE ARE SEATED WITH CHRIST IN THE HEAVENLY REALMS
WE ARE GIVEN AUTHORITY TO TRAMPLE ON SNAKES AND SCORPIONS
WE  HAVE ALL THINGS THAT PERTAIN TO LIFE AND GODLINESS
WE ARE BLESSED WITH EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING

These aren’t just simple gifts given because we’re Christians; they are part of our calling as believers in Jesus Christ and they came at great cost.

Jesus first had to give up all of His heavenly power and authority to be born of a virgin and then cry, nurse, grow up and mature just like us. He came as Son of God and Son of Man separating the chasm that was created in the garden. Then the bigger cost of the crucifixion. We have these gifts because of His many sacrifices and the following triumph on the cross. They are imparted to us through our belief in Christ. This isn’t just so we can live a happy go lucky life on earth but so we would continue His work. (That can bring even more discussion.)

To bring Kingdom and God’s will on this earth as it is in heaven. (Matt 6) Some of our heavenly inheritance is for now, some we must continue to grow into with the renewing of our mind (Rom 12:2, Eph 4:23), like Jesus, growing in stature and favor with God and man (Luke 2:52), being conformed into His image (Rom 8:29), going from glory to glory.

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. 2 Cor 3:18

two roads diverged

New Discovery

In a Bible study it was interesting how a couple of us were hearing different words to study but they were bringing us to the same lesson and understanding…one of the wonderful parts of “iron sharpening iron” when you can have good discussion of God’s Word and it’s impact in our hearts and our lives.

Many say all roads lead to God – in some sense they are right. All will stand before God but yet the only way to the glorious presence of the Father is through the Son.

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13-14

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost – The Road Not Taken

fullness in Christ

Swims – mixed media

What does it mean to have Christ dwell in us?
How does it change us?
Have we really received His fullness?

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Colossians 1:19-20

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. Colossians 2:9

Fullness has been strong in my mind as I read and pray so I have stayed in Colossians asking – What are You trying to show me Lord?

Some sense a lack of God’s fullness and attention, maybe feeling unworthiness or it has to be earned. And I examine myself and see I too can see life from that perspective and it’s not what His word says or His message of grace…

How GREAT is our Fathers love!

Now you know why I don’t post all of my journals here :0)

lights on

hearts

There are so many verses on the impact of our hearts. We often look so close at our thoughts, feelings, actions and forget our heart…

No one would think of lighting a lamp and then hiding it in the basement where no one would benefit. A lamp belongs on a lampstand, where all who enter may see it’s light. The eyes of your spirit allow revelation light to enter into your being. When your heart is open the light floods in. When your heart is hard and closed, the light cannot penetrate and darkness takes its place. Open your heart and consider my words. Watch out that you do not mistake your opinions for revelation light! If your spirit burns with light, fully illuminated with no trace of darkness, you will be a shining lamp, reflecting rays of truth by the way you live.
Luke 11:33-36 TPT

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
Ephesians 1:18-21

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.

simplicity

Matter of the Heart

Did God win your heart by telling you how horrible you are?

Usually we are won over by love and caring – not condemnation.

We can’t clean ourselves up enough but He knows how to do that well. We don’t make ourselves righteous – and especially not through comparison – it’s Christ who brings us to right standing. It’s not another’s opinion that matters most – it is HIS!

Christ’s love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness.
Ephesians 5:26-27 MSG

May you know in your heart AND your mind today – God chose you. He loves you beyond measure. He wants to bring out the best in you AND wants you to bring out the best in others!