Let God

I want to hold on!

 I gave so much for you to let it go.

I want it to belong to just me.

Trust me, I created it to glorify me.

I know what to do, I trusted you.

I am not finished. 

Nothing is going right

I work all things together for good.

How can I trust you?

Come to me, lay it down.

You want it?

I want you, I love you. I created you to love you.

You did lay down your love for me.

Now lay your issues down for Me.

You will see My glory revealed.

I have called you for My Namesake.

And you can trust My Name.

El-Shaddai.

(God Almighty)

Drawing Light

Did you ever wonder why when we we are in the dark and we see the tiniest light that we look to the light?

I think I might know...

Did you ever as a child lay in the dark room and stare at the light that could be seen from where you lay? Did you stare until you couldn't see any more? Did you close your eyes and watch the colors dance behind your eyelids?

I remember doing that.

Today I heard two stories of two men. 

The first man has separated from his second wife. He has chalked the failure up to the many mistakes. I believe that in his pain of it all he shares all the reasons why it is probably better. This way of anger, isolation, and frustration. How unmet needs make excuses for life that embraces sin. 

The second man shares a story very similar to the first. His first marriage has come to separation. Children caught in a tug of war between expectation and parental rights. but this story has a taken a turn. A man with many responsibilities of his own has chiseled hours out of his life. Even to the wee hours of the night,  he comes to the house of the man with the breaking family and shares bits of his own story. 

Stories of hardships in his marriage. Stories of imperfect children. Stories of hard jobs. 

And the best story of all.

The Better Way.

Somewhere in telling his own stories and The Father's story a man gets a glimpse into the hurt of his family.

Somewhere in sharing the pain of rejection and frustration a man lays aside himself and dates his wife.

Somewhere in the darkness a friend was a light to a man lost.

A family saved.

We are the light of the world. We are to be a city on a hill. A lamp that is not put out. 

 My dear friend, the light is in you. Do not be afraid to let it shine.

We are created to be drawn to the light.

Thorny Glory

Not to long ago a dear friend and I were marveling at the muddied, stench pits that are left behind us in this journey after Christ. Everyday we walk along these roads. With The lamp at our feet and The Light in our path. when going through stuff we feel it, we hurt, we stink, and we just know that being around others is not a good thing. And that got me thinking.

Why do we think that we can only be out when we have it all together. When all our "ducks are in a row" so to speak? Because of our own judging others when there ducks are scattered? Maybe we have heard the whispers and been glad that we are not that person....then all of a sudden...we are! Right there on the walk with God we ignore The Shepard and fall head first down the bank. Hmmm. Or maybe he leads us, because he knows how stubborn we are, into something we have to go through. We may have to go through the thorns so that we know not to go through the thorns?

But friend, the Shepard is still with us, even among the thorns. He is at the bottom of the bank stretching his staff out long to pull us to his company. He will never leave us or forsake us. Darkness is the absence of light. There is no place where you can go that is too dark to distinguish The Light within you.

This friend shared with me something she heard from someone.(be sure to quote the author in comments if you know who it is and I will add it) She said, "Judging someone by where they are at today is like judging the artwork while the artist is still holding the paintbrush."

He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it. He who started a work will be faithful to complete it in you. God is still holding the paintbrush of our lives. Let us continue to ask Him to fill us with more of His Holy Spirit and the more beautiful the canvas of our lives will be. Filled with peace in our hearts and blessings to those around us.

Give Him glory
And ask him to help you to love you.
Loving yourself in a way that glorifies Him.

Quiet Direction

I lift my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
    who made the heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;
    he who keeps you does not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps you
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD is your keeper;
    the LORD is your shade on your right hand.
The sun will not strike you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from evil;
    he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep
    your going out and coming in
    from this time forth and forevermore.

Psalm 121

When walking on a path in life that makes little sense, maybe all it takes is looking up.  Driving along the road He whispers "I lift my eyes to the hills... follow me..."

We drive. My invisible companion and I. Up winding roads where houses thin and the woods spread far. I find a clearing and rest. It is quiet except for the music of the evening. The life blended in all around of peepers and birds. Frogs and deer. All putting the last touched on their day.

They are there for the same reason. We belong. Our creator. His workmanship. All coming together for the glory of His name.

"O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!"
by Charles H. Gabriel

Maybe that is all it takes to find our way on these life trails sometimes.
Looking up for;
Quiet direction.

Shearing Pride

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
  but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
Blessed is the one who fears the LORD always,
   but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
Proverbs 28:13-14

Let's be real. Real transparent. Like the shearing of wool of the sheep around, so does the Father shear off the expectations of His beloved.

May I have one expectation.
Jesus.
To know Him
To follow Him
To live for Him
To be like Him

May I lay aside the things of this world that so easily entangle me.
Focus.
The Cross.
The way to receive blessing from on high? I desperately need to continue to receive more of Him in order to live for Him.

For many days past I have thought about that woman...(Luke 7) in all her worldly worthlessness...doing the great glorious thing. Washing the feet of the One who embodied the good news...with her tears! The ones nearby pointed and scowled. Jesus rejoiced. She understood.

I understand sometimes.
We draw near. Admitting our sinful selves. We cry out in frustrated abandonment to the One Who Sees. He longs for these moments.

After all, He looked for just one to respond to save the whole city of Sodom.

And I feel His touch. His hand on my head, calming me and quieting me.
It is in His hands now.

I encourage you. Give it to Him. Lay it down.

Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Lay my yoke upon you and learn from me. For I am gentle and humble in heart. And you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy and my burden in light.
Matthew 11:28-29

Cultivating Children

But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’
Matthew 13:25-27

Working in the yard today... Spring has sprung. The rains have come and continue to water everything back to green living. I carefully tended around the gardens. Being kind to the young sprouts and admiring the blossoms on the early plants. Again the Father shared a bit of Himself.

He is the God who Always Sees. I on the other hand...don't

While he watches the gardens in all there seasons, I am busy doing other things. I focus on other matters in my life that need my attention too. I am not like the One Who Always sees.

My children's hearts are like that garden. All the good things sewn into them ready to spout. They are nourished and fed with the soil of God's word and the love that our home provides. But I look away sometimes...even to things good...and the unsuspecting evil is sewn.

I want to blame others...I have not done this...but that is not true. I have done good elsewhere, but I have to be on the watch. I have to prepare them for what is out there beyond my borders of care.

I want to uproot the whole garden and start over!! That is not possible whispers my Father. Also the Father to the cherubs in my care. He whispers to me to give their gardens over. Lay it down in prayer. Cultivate the soil ahead.

The best way to weed a garden is on your knees.

There is no better to way to cultivate the life of my children.

On my knees.

I say a prayer and pull those unwanted weeds. I find peace there where it is left behind. A pile of roots and green right where they belong. Out of the soil of my cherub's heart.

Hauling Hearts

Riding in the car with a family of seven for eight hours can bring surprises. It is so bonding. Little can be concealed and the slightest noise or smirk is noticed. If you are looking to find the truest of one self, take a car trip. A really long car trip. The smaller the car, the more the people, and the more will be revealed.

I have always thought with fondness that Jesus picked a few. He taught many, but he knew better than to spread himself thin. Did he choose them specifically? Or did He call them randomly knowing that He could reveal his glory through a donkey if need be. Certainly these men would do better than that! Wight? Well, one could hope. I am sure God could have used an animal instead of me sometimes. If only my were silenced automatically to corruptible talk. I pray that the Lord continues to have His way with my heart and my mouth. For it is out of the heart that the mouth speaks.

And Back to the car. A lot is said in a weekend of approximately 20 hours in the car. Some good some not good. I am so thankful for a Savior who leads us. He doesn't leave us in the pits were in. He draws us with Him loving kindness, places His righteousness in us, and continues to use and mold us until the day He perfects us.

That is love in the long haul form.

Illuminate

Sometimes....
Life just sucks the life right out of itself.

Like the when you flick on the switch by the door for the light to illuminate the room before realizing that whoever was there last pulled the cord on the light itself.
There is nothing left to do but grope your way around in the dark to you hopefully find it without breaking anything.

I grope in dark sometimes...
And the truth is I break people.
I move on too fast..busy with this life...looking for the light source in all the dark places.
I am reminded again as I wash the plate for the last time today...

Bow your knees and pray.
Plug in
I am reminded how sometimes...some relationships....in order to bring them out of the darkness....cost a lot.
Life currency. Winner gives all!

The truth is there is only one energy source.
There is only one who illuminates.

Plug in I must to be the light in relationships hurting and fading.
Press on through life with these disorienting days.

Jesus...Thank you for your focused life.
You lived like a servent
You died like a criminal
You share like a lover
You give like a parent
Jesus...I can't thank you enough
For revealing yourself to me.

Alluring Whisper

Sometimes there are lots of words going out
Sometimes the quiet whisper stirs within.

"Be like this child.
 Let My wonder at the simple fill you.
 Lay down your self
 Give way to trust
 My spirit will pour into you running over
 Be still in this washbowl of life
 I have cleansed you
 From all unrightousness.
 Allow Me to refine you
 Let Me show you beautiful."

Sometimes I breath out with a resting soul.
Sometimes it is that simple.

Eupnoea

After the long, cold winter the sun comes longer. The grass appears and the rains fall. The Father's perfect cycle. I think about things you know? How in the winter little dissipates except for the food storage. Things accumulate. Snow, pet poo in the yard, people's frustration, and fat. Then when you think that there will be no about-face the sun shines bright and all is revealed as the dingy, of-white snow melts off.

Then comes my favorite part. The warmth! Out go the carpets to shake and open go the windows. Air that was stuffy and stale turns fresh and sweet. The buds on the trees and the green grass give an aroma for spring that no one has yet to reproduce. Let's give The Creator some praise!

And that freshness! I feel it sometimes when I take to noticing.
After a time of wrestling and stubbornness. After a lack of reading God's Word and meeting with other believers. I become that stale air that makes you breath short and leaves your head spinning a bit.

Oh The freshness....The lace curtains in my heart blow with the spirit's breath bringing waves of hope and joy. Peace in my heart is ruffled like the papers left on the sill. And the whole space of my self becomes refreshed.

That is probably what happened to Thomas. (John 24) It wasn't that he was doubting on purpose. The disciples all gathered together in the upper room. Off alone with doors locked.(vs19) Secluding themselves from the world. Maybe at this point they are feeling understandably foolish?...

I wonder what drew Thomas away. Did he feel to busy to wait? Did he just want to think about something else and move on? Maybe it wasn't doubt that drew him away. Maybe it was hurting and loneliness of heart? Rejection? I couldn't imagine after knowing Jesus like I do now, having His relationship taken from me. Then knowing that only in death would I be with Him again. How discouraging the thought of life would be! At this point Thomas didn't know that the Holy Spirit would be given to keep the connection alive. Just thinking....

I know I act out of my hurts too often. Not trusting my maker to work out the details of my days, I respond with fleeing and seclusion. Maybe Thomas and I had more in common than just doubt. I am just thinking....

The saddest part is that whatever made him to separate himself from his eternal peeps made him to miss out on the greatest blessing.

The Fresh breath. The eupnoea that came from God alone. (vs.22)

This is the greatest of Thomas' news! That Jesus love for Thomas went beyond Thomas. This is why I think it wasn't just doubt. I think Jesus knew that Thomas was responding in doubt, but the root of it was his broken heart. How many times...I wonder...have I missed out on a great blessing because I secluded myself from others. Like a wounded animal retreating in private to lick my  bleeding, injured self. Self-pity is a very deceiving friend. It seems so innocent, but takes so much. I am sure I have missed out on those sweet breezes that stir and refresh the back corners of my heart, because I have said yes to that evil invitation.

Even the attic needs airing in the spring.

If you are in a soul winter hold on, dear friend, spring is coming.
If you are in a soul spring, hold on, dear friend, rejoice!
You know the way of seasons.
To every season there is a time...

Boldly Pause

Wherever you go, you are there.

Run fast. Run far. Drive farther. Work harder. Move to the next town. Change the scenery. Move the furniture. Call a friend and let it all out. Clamp the mouth shut and let the heart seethe. Take flight! Put up a fight. "Whatever you do," whispers my evil companion, "Don't give in. If you give in they will never let you live."

And the whisper comes....
"Come and rest here...come and lay your burdens down...come and rest here....Breathe in....breathe out...you will find it here...."    -Kari Jobe
He is here. The One who sees. The One who cares. The One who in spite of it all took it all on. I am filled with wonder. I place feet flat, and my knees bend down. How un-trusting I am in the only One who is trustworthy. Why do I give in to fear and words that belong only to the ruler of this world. Who, by the way, wants only my destruction!

The Loving, Kind Father over all, all around placing reminders to look up.

A puppy's kisses, children with kites flying, sun kissed faces and walks around a friendly town.

He is here with me. He is there with you. Let's not run anymore. Let's hold fast. We will hold on tight. We will listen well and respond without hesitation. Have your way Lord. Have your way!

2 Corinthians 3:11-13

For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory. Since we have such a hope, we are very bold.

Friend~ Wherever we are, He is here!

Boxed Hope

Life just crushes down hard. Sometimes. The whisper of the Father comes softly. Often making no sense to my weary mind. I can feel my body fall hard down on the blanket in the sun. Frustration welling up inside. Opening The Word give a steadiness to my heart. I find the angry words dissipating on my tongue. I face forhead down into the blanket and cry out for relief. Sometimes I cry out for Jesus with skin on!

The car pulled in unnoticed to me and my mothering child runs fast! There is someone here to see you! My seasoned friend comes up the stairs with the one who smiles. She hands me a box filled with never ending hope and she kneels with me and my cherubs to share why it is important for us to be real. Father doesn't prefer to use a stuffed up fake.  My mind reeled! Really? I am thinking...No one wants this me that is ticked at unfairness,  injustice, and just plain sin! No one wants to hear how frustrated I am mostly with myself. No one wants to hear of the hurt dragging my heart down into the pit of my gut...

Then He is revealed. The One who sees. I tell my true friend...I just am sick of it being about me! I want to focus on helping others and doing good works! I don't want to think about me anymore! She reminds me it is about me. It is my own business I am to mind after all. It is God redeeming me and making me like Him that I can do anything of worth. I cry out I can't. And she says He can. I say but and she says hold on.

This friend I found listens and shares. I release words to the wind that make the yoke shed off and the eyebrows lift.Wow. That is what it feels like to have a Christ like friend. Someone obedient to God enough to come see me and pour healing balm on my wounds. How beautiful are the feet of Him that brings good news! I am thankful for a friend like that. I look forward to the Father using me to return the favor.

Personal Prison

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord,
“He is my refuge and my fortress,

    my God, in whom I trust.”Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. 
Psalm 91: 1-3

I have been bound but now I am free!

I believe that prisons come in all shapes, spaces, sizes, and manifestations. Some can be sickness. Some can be relational, some can be mental attack, some can be just plain rebellion. Some can sneak up on you and close down hard. Some can be bound with painful memories and a wounded heart. Some can come with questions that don't make sense. Keep us from trusting enough to take that one step that would lead us out. Loneliness leaves the cell of our hearts feeling cold and icy. Loss can make the floor we kneel on seem rock hard and jagged. And bitterness...oh how it closes the ears and dulls the light to the way to freedom.

Joseph was in Prison. He was there on a false account. God was with him there. He brought him out of the lowest parts and made him a leader there. I think of how he brought Rahab out to. She was in her prison too. God reached in and saved her before crumbling those walls down. 

I love Him for His timing. He makes all things beautiful in His time. 

The frightening part for me is that even the places that seem the darkest, over time, can feel like home. 

Our Father in His faithfulness to us, thankfully, doesn't allow us to stay there. He reminds us this is not our home. He has gone and prepared a place for us. A place where there will be no darkness, and certainly not prison. Not prison of any shape or form.

In His time, In His time.

He makes all things beautiful in His time

Lord please show me everyday

As your teaching me your way

That you do just what you say

In your time

Thank You Father for sending your son. He set this captive free. Your timing is just right.

Breath Relief

"If you cannot find time to pray,

ask for forgiveness.

Ask to be cleansed of the sin

of having no time to pray...

It could be that Satan is pushing you

into too much work so that you

cannot take time to pray."

-Corrie Ten Boon

Yesterday I found complete depletion. Out of no where my mind spun and my heart sank. I sat and searched and called a friend. In the wise words of a seasoned woman I found my sin. I have not sought God in prayer. I have justified my lack of drawing near to God. I have been actively serving. I am meeting the needs of the kingdom. Then in repentance I sit down and open to Psalm 1. 

Blessed is the man...his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 

I have been doing a lot of good things, and I found myself with a list of more things to do. Devastatingly for me, meditating on God's word had not even reached the list. Oh how truly sinful I am. God makes it so simple. How grateful I am he doesn't stockpile my faults and failures like I tend to do to others that I love. I pray that I learn this lesson. Blessed is the day when forgiveness comes to me like breathing. Without thought I sigh out my hurts to the wind. 

Praise the Name of Jesus who has taken away the wrongs of this world. May Your name be proclaimed loudly from my mouth and those of my children's children! Blessings on you today as you read this. Open God's word. Let it bless you!

Heart of Heaven

A letter from a dear friend.

What is your thoughts on Jesus statement that
"The kingdom of heaven is within you" ?

I believe that part of what he is saying is that everything in Heaven can be accessed. The power, the boldness, and the faith. When Jesus left and gave us His Holy Spirit he said that if he didn't leave we wouldn't have the power. The kingdom of heaven was near when Jesus was here. He said that. Then when he left, he sat down at the right hand of the Father to be our great high priest. In His great mercy He sent the Holy Spirit to us, so that His power (the Light) would be in us. The Holy Spirit fills us, leads us, shares Christ's love with us, and guides us. He is one with the Father and Jesus, and because the Spirit lives in us, we are then apart of that oneness. Therefore, even though we have not seen heaven with our eyes, we are a part of it. We are able to be filled by the Spirit and bring that same love and everything good that is in heaven to a world where it is not.

That is why the scripture describes us to be like Jars of clay. Emptying of our sinful selves and being made new into the image of Christ. We are filled with the Holy Spirit. We are Vessels of His mercy and Grace. That is why he doesn't like if when we treat each other poorly or judge one another. We are all made of the same clay and in His image. He is the only one who truly can see the inside of a person and He is the only on who can truly love them enough to judge their hearts.

Sometimes we have to say hard words to one another, because we don't want them to miss out on a blessing in their lives. Those words have to be born out of that heaven love. Bad habits or repeated bad choices are hard for any friend to watch when we know where it is leading. That was what he describes the church to be for. A place of building up and setting right.  Loving tangibly though hard life. Sadly we sin a lot and it gets in the way of Love. That is not His plan. By His Grace though he makes a lot of good out of the messes we get ourselves into and for that I have been thankful many times.

Moral of this story, I know the kingdom of heaven is real. I have it here in my heart!

To Be Or Not To Be

A letter from a dear friend.

I've been reading the bible and I thought I would ask your interpritation of this passage: Luke 14:26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.

This verse had once bothered me a bit, but I do have a sense of what it is saying. The first thing to realize in this scripture is that it is a bad translation. The word hate is not a good translation. A better way to translate would be love less. Which I believe is closer to the Greek meaning of the word.


The title of verses 25-33 is "The Cost of Discipleship." I think taking the whole passage gives it a better meaning as well. What Christ is saying here is that He has to be all. We should look at our lives and what we value most, because he wants us to give it all up for the sake of the call that He has for our lives. Even to the point of dying for Him. Do not forget that He would never ask us to do anything that He has not endured. He sympathizes with all our weaknesses. He is calling for an all or nothing approach to following him, and in doing so at one time or another every relationship we have will be effected by our whole-heart response to His call.

I can see in my own life, after walking through hardships that have left me on the outside of relationships, because of my faith, what he means. He wants us to keep our mind's eye focused on Him. Whoever we love the most...that is who we care about their opinions the most. He wants our focus, so that when others are leading us down a road that is insecure or they are wanting us to get into situations that are not the best, we will look to Christ who understands our deep unmet needs and find the love and strength, that only he can truly offer. We will then follow him into the relationships we wouldn't dare or to the hungry and sick that we wound't have the stomach for. We can then have victory in this world of much defeat. I have done both, and I would not have begged you to read the word and turn to our most Gracious Heavenly Father, if I have not felt his healing, overflowing love spilling on me time and time again in my darkest times. I can't think of a better way to live than completely sold out for my relationship with Him.

No Loanshark

Fill up to pour out. I am feeling poured out too fast. The pouring seems to be coming quicker than the filling. I feel down deep the emptying of this vessel and I grimace. Making the habit of asking daily for Christ himself, our Bread, to fill us. He is the only true bread. The only way. Every day before it even comes to an end, depletion stares me straight in the face. It says "You are running out, running dry."  Of time, of patience, of love.

I focus hard. The Word comes to mind. The hymn fills my thoughts and like a wave crashing on the sand I feel the shift. It's grace.

Oh the rescuer of my soul. The only true compass that holds me steady on the course. The storms cause damage. They do. They sure rock this ship. All those aboard cry out for direction and hope and I look to the the captain and he holds us all steady. Blessed assurance. Jesus belongs to me. I am His. He is mine.


Another wreck diverted. I am so thankful to Him. The keeper of my soul. The Lender of my days.

Wet Grace

Why is it that some days the raw pain takes ransom the feelings of the deep deep love of Jesus? I can see why Mary poured out the perfume, expensive and pure. She could't help but pour silent thanks on the feet of the One who rescued her. From her-self.

I am thankful for today. Twinkling rain, babies forehead's touching mine, warm muffins rising, children laughing uncontrollably, fresh linens on beds....so much grace all around.

 Then I feel the war wrestling in my heart. Of if I had an angel that I could just have at it with! What a release of frustration that must have been for Jacob! In spite of the pain....

I am not giving in. I shout out on the road up the hill. Into the icy rain and darkened sky, "I serve the LORD, God Almighty, the One Who Is and Is Yet To Come! The Great I AM. I will not fear the storm. I know you. My Helper, my strength, will not delay! Steady my Heart!"

It comes. The heaviness settles down. I know He is with me. The release has not come yet. I am buildings walls. I am fortifying the city of my family. I am repairing the breaches. I am fasting, and praying, and fighting with weapons that are not of flesh and blood.

Your faith is only as good as what you put it in. 

My Faith is Strong in Him. He is Truth. He is the Protector and Provider. His love never fails. His Love makes a way where there seems to be none. His peace passes all understanding, His faithfulness stretches to the sky. His Love will endure forever!

He brought me through before. My God will bring me though again.

I am thankful for His grace.

Halcyon Wash

Stinky feet empty out of muddy, snowy boots. Giggles and tilting  bodies pour in the door. My breath comes hard. Frustration building in my chest. Gentleness stops me.

"Aren't your feet dirty too? Am I, I AM, coming down hard on you for the messes you make?"

I am reminded of His loving-kindness again. If God the enormous Creator disciplines me and draws me with loving-kindness, is it right to extend fierce frustration?

no.


I bend low and quietly slip off boots. I whisper questions of the joy shared beyond indoor walls. I think of Jesus taking off his outer clothing, tying a towel around his waste. Washing feet, sopping up muddy water too.


After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” John13 5-10

Is not our feet where we add the preparation of the gospel of peace? 

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand....and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ...
 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.       Ephesians 6:12-18


I see why it is our feet that have to be continually washed. We cannot come to another with the presentation of them needing something with an attitude that we don't need it anymore. This journey that we make here in the Creation of God does not end until death.


We get our feet washed clean. Then we take the white towel given us and soak up the muddy residue that is left on the feet of one whom we splash the living water on.


This peace as described in the verses is peace with God, which is the foundation for gentleness. Proverbs 16:21 says that a wise heart is discerning and the sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. We must wash gently. Whispering clearly. Bending down. Reaching Down. Make disciples of those around us headed for darkness and torment.


Father, Let me see my own need for daily repentance and your washing first. That I may take that same need I have that you fill, and be led through that, to sharing Your great love with others. Especially those in my home.

Slow Down to Fill Up

How to explain rest to someone who knows none? Oh how I longed to open my chest cavity and dump out the  grace knowledge that God has so lovingly taught me over the years.  "Well," says visiting friend, "Should I go out and get some work done?"

How many of us seasoned with life's woes long for Sunday afternoon? Where the focus is transferred intentionally from self to other.Where the day brings family into close quarters and screens tuck away to sleeping modes. Laughter fills, children get antsy, games begin, tumbling with daddies are much enjoyed. The difference....the focus.

I was so leery in  my explanation to my friend. My brow wrinkles with legalism and frustration fills me when rules come down hard on unkowing, tender hearts that are seeking truth. As our friend stood there waiting we decided to encourage the same rest today that we enjoy. No self seeking. No money to be made. Just love to be given and rest to be had. We left it up to the open heart and I waited expectantly to see what God was to do. Hours later, under a very relaxed heap of children I heard a joyous explanation of how much was learned from the reading material that will help in the weeks to come!

Love won!  "I'll my best He'll do the rest!" Can you guess where that came from?

He draws us with His loving kindness.....We trust in His ways, He pours out good.


James 1:17 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.


I love it, Father, how when I point someone in the direction of Your truth, You come take over and speak for Yourself in a way I never could have spoken. You show us- then we give testimony- Your Word multiplies! How Good Are You!!! I Love Your Ways.