Within

He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water.” John 7:38

Sometimes God carrie’s you across the water. Sometimes he parts the water. Sometimes he invites you to walk on the water reaching out his hand as you do not look at the waves. We are invited to be alive with passion, love and faith.

Our souls thirst for the life changing beauty of God and the essence of everything good in the oceans of his presence. Depravity, anguish, sickness and fear are replaced with healing, joy, boldness and love. The waters of God’s spirit refresh and renew our soul leaving lapsing pools of tranquility and peace.

Aspen Tree

I grew up next to a lake. I fell in love with my husband at the lake. We would take nature walks and listen to the wind blowing through the aspen trees. They make a lovely shimmering rustle that always takes us back to our walks at the lake. They almost sound like waves hitting the sand as you close your eyes and listen to them.

We planted an aspen tree in our back yard and as our habit with all our trees we give them each a name. We named our two crab apple trees Hope and Destiny. We named our sprouting little aspen Faith. Faith was exposed to the elements of high heat and lost her leaves. Our landscape friend said do not overwater it and wait. Sure enough new leaves slowly re-emerged to our amazement.

Isn’t that a lot like our faith. We face obstacles and hardship and through trusting God we end up on the other side with everything new. Our roots are stronger and we learn from our experience. Hold on to God and he will transform you into a beautiful masterpiece. You can grow and bend with the heat and wind but the core is resilient and strong because of our master gardener. Trust the process and have faith.

2 but his delight is in Yahweh’s[a] law.
On his law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water,
that produces its fruit in its season,
whose leaf also does not wither.
Whatever he does shall prosper.Psalms 1:2-3

Handful of Stars

“Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket. Save it for a rainy day. ” I was humming this sweet tune in my head at work yesterday. It made me think of a walk in the garden I had with my husband who insightfully said ” What is life without dreams?”. It also makes me think how if dreams were easy they would not be dreams and how God dreams are much bigger than ourselves and cannot be attained without his hand and the help of others.

God is the author of all good dreams. They are planted inside of us like stars bursting in the darkness. Focus on the whispers he speaks to your soul and cultivate the visions planted within. A common condition in humanity is to know the way that leads to Christ filled peace, fruitfulness and purpose but also having the propensity to have distractions, other roads, old habits or thought patterns of the past and the future.

The only thing we have is today. We cannot afford to meet our final days looking back and wishing we had fulfilled our purpose. The time is now. Hold on to the creator of the stars and put a few in your pocket that will last.

Lift up your eyes on high,
and see who has created these,
who brings out their army by number.
He calls them all by name.
by the greatness of his might,
and because he is strong in power,
not one is lacking. Isaiah 40:26

Hitting The Wall

I spoke with a friend yesterday who just went through a challenging season. It seems sometimes everything happens at once and you sit in the valley exhausted and wonder what to do next. In times like this it is good to remember that God is always faithful to his children and is waiting for you to lean on him. Even if it seems hard just keep on moving forward one step at a time in faith.

Usually right after a valley experience we arrive to the next mountain top. We appreciate the view so much more. This has been a consistent truth in my life. We hit a wall just before some incredible things happen.

If you are sitting today exhausted just remember you are very close to something amazing! It is within reach. God grows us and encourages us. God is behind you, beside you and in front of you. Gods is within you, for you and has good plans for your life. Pray and keep embracing your destiny.

2 For his loving kindness is great toward us.
Yahweh’s faithfulness endures forever.
Praise Yahweh! Psalm 117:2

What does your view look like?

Humans throughout the ages have created hierarchy’s in the name of social position. As a college student working at a state capitol I would see people coming in with very expensive clothing and an air of pride. The same day I would see the homeless searching through trash cans on the grounds trying to find food. The contrast to this rural girl was startling.

God’s viewpoint of man in contrast is totally different then that of human kind. He takes the things the world sees as foolish and makes corner stones of his legacy. God is no respecter of a persons position in life. He instead looks at each and every heart. He sees the good, the bad and the ugly.

He transforms the crushed in spirit and calls them his own. Humanity chases after power, fame, indulgence, control, material gain, getting the advantage, the best vacation, and status. God instead values the invisible things like love, joy, service, humility, kindness and peace. He is our beginning and end. So we either listen to the crowds for a short exclamation in life singing in our own parade or we keep our eyes on building up something that lasts for eternity. There are no big people or small people in God’s equation just children who love him and who are loved by him.

 “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Come Alive

Soft shimmers of sunlight sparkle
Songbirds crescendo 
Gentle wind caressing my face
Leaves dance, creating their own music
Emerald green ignites
Splashing pink, orange and yellow, artistry, Master hand
Big beautiful old sky, Infinite  
Dew moistening my barefoot toes
Fresh sprig of mint
Strawberry on the vine
Nature breathes, Worships God
Come Alive!