Everyone needs a letting go
A stand in the rain
A look the sky in the face
And throw your burdens at the clouds.
Everyone needs to run through the woods
To shed their skin
To breathe in. To breathe out.
To expel the poison in their bones.
My spirit is not found in steepled churches
My heart is not contained by those four walls
My confession is not boxed by wooden screens
Or by mere mortal men.
My heart dwells in the river bed
It lives in the stones
Wrapped, shaped, and smoothed by the rushing stream.
My spirit sits on the tallest of trees
Bathed by the sun, reaching uninhibited into the sky
My confessions are carried by the wind
I speak them, and they vanish to the east onto the west
And the length in between
My Jesus does not live in the temples of man.
My Lord is not contained by their four walls.
My God dwells with me.
My God is in the woods.
[and everywhere.]
June 09, 2011
May 25, 2011
Daughters of Sarah
Fear is so very common in our culture. In fact, it is so ingrained that we don't even recognize it for what it is. It is found so often in pre-nuptial agreements, in life-insurance for our infants, in all of our organic alternatives, in our activism and in our judgement of others. We base lifestyles off of paranoia, and justify our insecurity. Fear in its subtly defines us. It is also a far cry from who God made us to be.
In 1 Peter 3, this is addressed, specifically for women.
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner-self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. For this is how the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear." (1 Peter 3:3-6)
I am not writing this as an anti-feminist expose', instead, I want to focus on the last sentence of this passage. "You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear." What is so important about this? Why did Peter choose to write about Sarah, and not some other woman from Biblical history? Let's look at a different passage. Galatians 4 and 5.
This passage talks about the story of Sarah and Hagar. When Abraham and Sarah could not conceive a child, Sarah arranged for her maidservant, Hagar to have Abraham's child in order to make haste of the situation. In the end, Hagar and her child were banished, and Sarah conceived Abraham's son, Isaac by the hand of God. Despite Sarah's rash decision and lack of faith, she is still the one to give birth to the son of promise-- Isaac. Furthermore, she is the one referred to in Galatians 4 as the free woman, representing spiritual freedom under grace, as opposed to Hagar, who represents slavery and being bound to the law.
What is the lesson here? What is the importance? Sarah is barren, but God blesses her with a child. She is submissive to her husband (and ultimately to God), and she is the representation of freedom in Christ. So what does it mean to be her daughter? Galatians 4 says that it means to live by the Spirit, rather than by the flesh. In this way, we are children of the free woman (Sarah).
There is something to be said about the correlation between living by the Spirit, and not giving way to fear. Aside from the fact that both of these things make us daughters of Sarah, they are inseparable in our spiritual lives. In fact, the only way to be fearless in life is to walk by the direction of the Holy Spirit. When we do so, we relinquish all rights. We let go of our own expectations and allow God to have His way with us. If we do not do this, the result is a nagging woman who lives from crisis-to-crisis and never trusts God or anyone that God places around her. If we choose to walk in the Spirit, we become loved and loving women who are able to laugh at the days to come, who's arms are strong for our tasks (Proverbs 31), and who willingly and lovingly call God and our husbands our masters.
(PS- The things listed in the first paragraph of this entry are only examples of things that are commonly, though not always, a product of fear in American culture.)
In 1 Peter 3, this is addressed, specifically for women.
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner-self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. For this is how the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear." (1 Peter 3:3-6)
I am not writing this as an anti-feminist expose', instead, I want to focus on the last sentence of this passage. "You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear." What is so important about this? Why did Peter choose to write about Sarah, and not some other woman from Biblical history? Let's look at a different passage. Galatians 4 and 5.
This passage talks about the story of Sarah and Hagar. When Abraham and Sarah could not conceive a child, Sarah arranged for her maidservant, Hagar to have Abraham's child in order to make haste of the situation. In the end, Hagar and her child were banished, and Sarah conceived Abraham's son, Isaac by the hand of God. Despite Sarah's rash decision and lack of faith, she is still the one to give birth to the son of promise-- Isaac. Furthermore, she is the one referred to in Galatians 4 as the free woman, representing spiritual freedom under grace, as opposed to Hagar, who represents slavery and being bound to the law.
What is the lesson here? What is the importance? Sarah is barren, but God blesses her with a child. She is submissive to her husband (and ultimately to God), and she is the representation of freedom in Christ. So what does it mean to be her daughter? Galatians 4 says that it means to live by the Spirit, rather than by the flesh. In this way, we are children of the free woman (Sarah).
There is something to be said about the correlation between living by the Spirit, and not giving way to fear. Aside from the fact that both of these things make us daughters of Sarah, they are inseparable in our spiritual lives. In fact, the only way to be fearless in life is to walk by the direction of the Holy Spirit. When we do so, we relinquish all rights. We let go of our own expectations and allow God to have His way with us. If we do not do this, the result is a nagging woman who lives from crisis-to-crisis and never trusts God or anyone that God places around her. If we choose to walk in the Spirit, we become loved and loving women who are able to laugh at the days to come, who's arms are strong for our tasks (Proverbs 31), and who willingly and lovingly call God and our husbands our masters.
(PS- The things listed in the first paragraph of this entry are only examples of things that are commonly, though not always, a product of fear in American culture.)
April 12, 2011
What Does Your Art Express?
I've had the opportunity and privilege over the past two days to spend some time working on my novel. Sitting at the computer, waiting for something to type onto the screen, I found myself playing spider solitaire more often than actually writing anything. It occurred to me that art is far more challenging that it first appears.
Over the past six months or so, Mark and I have been carried from the "newlywed" phase to a phase of exploring what God has called us specifically to do as a married couple- what is our ministry? What vision are we going to stake our lives in? What expression of the Kingdom do we see God building up around us and through us?
We know the overarching, big picture call on our lives- to reform the arts for the glory of God- but with a call like that, where on earth do you start?
It's easy to write fluff. It's easy to make something that sounds psuedo-spiritual, that ignites some sort of emotional reaction. It's easy to fulfill the worldly purpose of arts. It's easy to express yourself. But what if that isn't the purpose of art? What if our own egos and narcissism have overtaken something that God intended to change the world?
God's art isn't about us, because life isn't about us. God's art is difficult. It's difficult to create, and sometimes even more difficult to accept. It isn't just something to draw, write, paint, sing, or play. It's something you have to walk out. You can't write a song that declares "I was dead, now I'm alive," and continue to live as though you were dead.
Consecrated art doesn't express US. Consecrated art expresses GOD.
Over the past six months or so, Mark and I have been carried from the "newlywed" phase to a phase of exploring what God has called us specifically to do as a married couple- what is our ministry? What vision are we going to stake our lives in? What expression of the Kingdom do we see God building up around us and through us?
We know the overarching, big picture call on our lives- to reform the arts for the glory of God- but with a call like that, where on earth do you start?
It's easy to write fluff. It's easy to make something that sounds psuedo-spiritual, that ignites some sort of emotional reaction. It's easy to fulfill the worldly purpose of arts. It's easy to express yourself. But what if that isn't the purpose of art? What if our own egos and narcissism have overtaken something that God intended to change the world?
God's art isn't about us, because life isn't about us. God's art is difficult. It's difficult to create, and sometimes even more difficult to accept. It isn't just something to draw, write, paint, sing, or play. It's something you have to walk out. You can't write a song that declares "I was dead, now I'm alive," and continue to live as though you were dead.
Consecrated art doesn't express US. Consecrated art expresses GOD.
February 05, 2011
Desire of My Heart
When Jesus says to us, "You give me your life, and I'll give you Mine," He didn't just mean freedom, miracles, and authority. He meant all of it. He meant sorrow. He meant loving... giving yourself to people and receiving betrayal, hatred, and abandonment in return. He didn't promise happy. He didn't promise safe, but He did promise abundant, beautiful, and glorious. He promises GOOD, and it is the only way to the Father.
"Yes, Lord, walking in Your ways, we eagerly seek You; for Your name and Your renown are the desires of our hearts." Isaiah 26:8
"Yes, Lord, walking in Your ways, we eagerly seek You; for Your name and Your renown are the desires of our hearts." Isaiah 26:8
December 30, 2010
I Lack Titling Skills
If we are to actively pursue a Godly life, we must constantly submit to the mind of Christ. We cannot decide one moment that we are above this, and the next fall before the throne of God, claming to be wholey dependent on the cross. In the realm of mercy, it is all or nothing. God demands out righteousness and desires our full attention focused on things of purity.
He calls us to truly love one another, keeping no record of wrongs and delighting in only truth. Our practice of quarrelling over trivialities is revolting. Our habit of building up walls composed of the Bricks of Pointlessness is nothing short of abhorent. If we were true disciples of Christ, the world would know us by our love for each other. We would fulfill this notion of a city on a hill with such passion and dignity that none could doubt our commitment to our God or His Church.
"I hope I shall be forgiven a hard word if I call this a perfect cavil. I readily own there hath been an old custom, time out of mind, for people to assemble in the churches every Sunday, and that shops are still frequently shut, in order, as it is conceived, to preserve the memory of that ancient practice; but how this can prove a hindrance to business or pleasure is hard to imagine. What if the men of pleasure are forced, one day in the week, to game at home instead of the chocolate-house? Are not the taverns and coffee-houses open? Can there be a more convenient season for taking a dose of physic? Is not that the chief day for traders to sum up the accounts of the week, and for lawyers to prepare their briefs? But I would fain know how it can be pretended that the churches are misapplied? Where are more appointments and rendezvouses of gallantry? Where more care to appear in the foremost box, with greater advantage of dress? Where more meetings for business? Where more bargains driven of all sorts? And where so many conveniences or incitements to sleep?" - Jonathan Swift, On Abolishing Christianity
He calls us to truly love one another, keeping no record of wrongs and delighting in only truth. Our practice of quarrelling over trivialities is revolting. Our habit of building up walls composed of the Bricks of Pointlessness is nothing short of abhorent. If we were true disciples of Christ, the world would know us by our love for each other. We would fulfill this notion of a city on a hill with such passion and dignity that none could doubt our commitment to our God or His Church.
"I hope I shall be forgiven a hard word if I call this a perfect cavil. I readily own there hath been an old custom, time out of mind, for people to assemble in the churches every Sunday, and that shops are still frequently shut, in order, as it is conceived, to preserve the memory of that ancient practice; but how this can prove a hindrance to business or pleasure is hard to imagine. What if the men of pleasure are forced, one day in the week, to game at home instead of the chocolate-house? Are not the taverns and coffee-houses open? Can there be a more convenient season for taking a dose of physic? Is not that the chief day for traders to sum up the accounts of the week, and for lawyers to prepare their briefs? But I would fain know how it can be pretended that the churches are misapplied? Where are more appointments and rendezvouses of gallantry? Where more care to appear in the foremost box, with greater advantage of dress? Where more meetings for business? Where more bargains driven of all sorts? And where so many conveniences or incitements to sleep?" - Jonathan Swift, On Abolishing Christianity
May 14, 2010
Renovation
It's been a while. Good old Reluctantly Beloved and I haven't spent any good, quality time together since well before I got married. I've decided to resurrect the old blog, though. Things are happening... good things, and I'd love to share them with you.
Stay tuned.
Stay tuned.
February 07, 2009
Vanish
There is something here
Something about freedom
To see where I was
And what I am walking into
And to see all the lies
Dissipate.
To know that it is not of me
To know that I could not have done this
And to know that everything
That is drawn out of me
Is burned and refined
Not for me,
But for Him.
Something about freedom
To see where I was
And what I am walking into
And to see all the lies
Dissipate.
To know that it is not of me
To know that I could not have done this
And to know that everything
That is drawn out of me
Is burned and refined
Not for me,
But for Him.
December 30, 2008
Are you dead?
I was 15 when I first cut myself with a kitchen knife. I was 13 the first time I decided not to eat anymore. It was a gradual process. The road to self-injury was long and subtle, as most roads to bondage are. In order to justify my actions, I went in search of every medical and testimonial resource I could find about such things. All I could find was the recurring thought that I was abnormal and the psychological promise that I would never recover from this mentality of self abuse. Fellow cutters told me that I would always struggle with the urge to harm myself-- that one never fully recovers, and the temptation will always be there.
But here is the truth, and listen closely:
WE WERE NOT CREATED TO COPE.
Let me make a suggestion here.
What if we were created to be healthy, happy individuals?
What if the way we have been treated, or the way we have treated ourselves has distorted that original intent?
What if we have submitted to a voice-- no, an enemy-- that tells us (in our own voice) that we need to feel pain, That there is something within ourselves that haunts us and presses outward and begs us to tear ourselves open just so it can be free, something that tells us that the only way to silence our own minds is to harm our physical bodies.
What if this same enemy is the one that tells us that we can never be rid of this harm?
What if I told you... you can be free of this?
What if I told you that it isn't YOUR blood that will save you?
What are you willing to die for? SIMPLY "NOT LIVING" IS NOT A GOOD ENOUGH ANSWER.
I will state today... I will declare it to you:
You have nothing to live for if you live as though you were dead.
But here is the truth, and listen closely:
WE WERE NOT CREATED TO COPE.
Let me make a suggestion here.
What if we were created to be healthy, happy individuals?
What if the way we have been treated, or the way we have treated ourselves has distorted that original intent?
What if we have submitted to a voice-- no, an enemy-- that tells us (in our own voice) that we need to feel pain, That there is something within ourselves that haunts us and presses outward and begs us to tear ourselves open just so it can be free, something that tells us that the only way to silence our own minds is to harm our physical bodies.
What if this same enemy is the one that tells us that we can never be rid of this harm?
What if I told you... you can be free of this?
What if I told you that it isn't YOUR blood that will save you?
What are you willing to die for? SIMPLY "NOT LIVING" IS NOT A GOOD ENOUGH ANSWER.
I will state today... I will declare it to you:
You have nothing to live for if you live as though you were dead.
December 09, 2008
Sink'n'Swim
"O LORD God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you. You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them."
Psalm 89:8&9
"In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit."
Ephesians 2:21&22
September 06, 2008
August 25, 2008
inspiration volume 1
WORDS
COLOR - CONTRAST - PATTERN
As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For he says,
"In the time of my favor I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
COLOR - CONTRAST - PATTERN
August 15, 2008
July 26, 2008
Some things remind me of being a kid
As I was B-O-U-N-D bound,
by the name of J-E-S-U-S,
to V-I-C-T-O-R-Y, I am F-R-Double-E,
You are mine, I call upon You,
because You look so very strong,
through C-H-R-I-S-T, through
Christ we are bound to win.
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah to the Lamb!
Yeah hallelujah, I am saved!
Through Christ we are bound to win.
[the o.c. supertones]
by the name of J-E-S-U-S,
to V-I-C-T-O-R-Y, I am F-R-Double-E,
You are mine, I call upon You,
because You look so very strong,
through C-H-R-I-S-T, through
Christ we are bound to win.
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah to the Lamb!
Yeah hallelujah, I am saved!
Through Christ we are bound to win.
[the o.c. supertones]
July 19, 2008
Boylessness Alumna
I've found that people shy away from the idea of God speaking to us humans. I'm sure I used to be one of them. The ideas of visions or dreams or even just prophetic words being spoken into someone's life are all new to me. I can't say that I've been operating under the assumption that these things were active and valid in my own life for more than a year and a half. It is amazing, however, to see these words, dreams, and visions being confirmed in my own life.
I figured I would write about this now, so that the next time you hear about me, it won't be an engagement announcement. See, about a year ago, God told me that He was going to prepare me for marriage. It's strange... when you receive a word like that so clearly and so directly, it's almost as though you feel like you have to question it-- like you have to throw a fleece out just to make sure you heard Him right. I threw the fleece out a lot. I spent a lot of time asking who my future husband was, rather than becoming the future wife he would need. Finally, just before classes started in January, I realized that God was not going to oblige me in answering my question of "Who is he?" so I decided to change my prayers that sought my future husband's identity into prayers that sought out my future ministry. It was at that moment (yes.. moment, not time, but at that very moment) that God told me that I would know who my future husband was through my future ministry.
I figured I would write about this now, so that the next time you hear about me, it won't be an engagement announcement. See, about a year ago, God told me that He was going to prepare me for marriage. It's strange... when you receive a word like that so clearly and so directly, it's almost as though you feel like you have to question it-- like you have to throw a fleece out just to make sure you heard Him right. I threw the fleece out a lot. I spent a lot of time asking who my future husband was, rather than becoming the future wife he would need. Finally, just before classes started in January, I realized that God was not going to oblige me in answering my question of "Who is he?" so I decided to change my prayers that sought my future husband's identity into prayers that sought out my future ministry. It was at that moment (yes.. moment, not time, but at that very moment) that God told me that I would know who my future husband was through my future ministry.
So I took hold of that promise and set out to explore the possibilities of my ministry. I was co-leading a small church with my brother at the time, and my campus was weighing heavy on my heart. All I could do was pray and seek. After about a month and a half, I knew there were only two options for my future husband and I was praying fervently that it was NOT one of the specific men placed before me, and I was very open to the other option. In my heart, I think I knew who it was. God was giving me confirmation. I received a vision, my sister had received a dream concerning one of these two men, my family was confirming things through their discernment, but still I was hesitant. I began to pray that God would show me three things: His timing, confirmation from this man, and my part in the situation. I fell into the habit of submitting the situation to God daily. My faith was strong in God's promises, and I could feel myself being prepared for a Godly marriage.
Still, there were a lot of things that held me in bondage. Because of past experiences with guys, Satan was able to feed me the magnificent lie that I would never actually be able to 1) correctly interpret signals from guys or 2) correctly discern words from God. Even when he would wait for me after class everyday, or when he started coming over every Tuesday and bringing me ice cream (my favorite!-- no chocolate... don't want a migraine), or when he randomly picked me a flower, or when he started calling me everyday, I still couldn't quite accept the fact that maybe this guy was falling for me. Maybe, just maybe, God was taking His time so that He could romance me along side this man.
Let me set up a time line for you:
May 2007: I thought I was going to be a nun. Seriously. My face is photo shopped into a habit.
June 2007: God spoke to me about preparation for marriage.
September 2007: My brother tells me his buddy, Mark is coming to church that evening. I jokingly ask "Is he my future husband?" Christopher responds with "He could be." I meet Mark. He's cute. I'm impressed. He's out of my league... like whoah. Out of my league = Off limits.
January 2008: I decide to pursue my future ministry instead of my future husband.
February 2008: My first real conversation with Mark. I find a kindred spirit. He's still cute, and still out of my league.
March 2008: He starts waiting for me after class. We start to contemplate a ministry together on our campus. I found someone with the same heartbeat as my own. God confirms my desires and discernment with a shooting star and a dentist appointment. I want to guard my heart, but find myself asking "What if he doesn't like meeeeeee?!"
April 2008: I spend a week in Kansas with the boy. I am tormented by this. Our marriage is prophesied over. That's all, really. I'm still asking "What if he doesn't like meeeeeee?!"
May 2008: He starts praying with me twice a week and bringing me ice cream. He picks me a flower and sends me an e-mail about my character being that of a noble wife. What on earth do I do with that?! I'm still asking "What if he doesn't like meeeeeee?!"
June 2008: It all comes out in the open. One Thursday morning in my living room, he admitted his affection for me.
July 2008: A week and a half later, he told me that he had made a commitment to God to pursue marriage with me. The next day, I found out that God had spoken to him at the beginning of the year to tell him that I am his future wife. We press onward toward marriage and our future ministry together.
What else is there to say? A LOT. I'm going to write a book.
Still, there were a lot of things that held me in bondage. Because of past experiences with guys, Satan was able to feed me the magnificent lie that I would never actually be able to 1) correctly interpret signals from guys or 2) correctly discern words from God. Even when he would wait for me after class everyday, or when he started coming over every Tuesday and bringing me ice cream (my favorite!-- no chocolate... don't want a migraine), or when he randomly picked me a flower, or when he started calling me everyday, I still couldn't quite accept the fact that maybe this guy was falling for me. Maybe, just maybe, God was taking His time so that He could romance me along side this man.
Let me set up a time line for you:
May 2007: I thought I was going to be a nun. Seriously. My face is photo shopped into a habit.
June 2007: God spoke to me about preparation for marriage.
September 2007: My brother tells me his buddy, Mark is coming to church that evening. I jokingly ask "Is he my future husband?" Christopher responds with "He could be." I meet Mark. He's cute. I'm impressed. He's out of my league... like whoah. Out of my league = Off limits.
January 2008: I decide to pursue my future ministry instead of my future husband.
February 2008: My first real conversation with Mark. I find a kindred spirit. He's still cute, and still out of my league.
March 2008: He starts waiting for me after class. We start to contemplate a ministry together on our campus. I found someone with the same heartbeat as my own. God confirms my desires and discernment with a shooting star and a dentist appointment. I want to guard my heart, but find myself asking "What if he doesn't like meeeeeee?!"
April 2008: I spend a week in Kansas with the boy. I am tormented by this. Our marriage is prophesied over. That's all, really. I'm still asking "What if he doesn't like meeeeeee?!"
May 2008: He starts praying with me twice a week and bringing me ice cream. He picks me a flower and sends me an e-mail about my character being that of a noble wife. What on earth do I do with that?! I'm still asking "What if he doesn't like meeeeeee?!"
June 2008: It all comes out in the open. One Thursday morning in my living room, he admitted his affection for me.
July 2008: A week and a half later, he told me that he had made a commitment to God to pursue marriage with me. The next day, I found out that God had spoken to him at the beginning of the year to tell him that I am his future wife. We press onward toward marriage and our future ministry together.
What else is there to say? A LOT. I'm going to write a book.
July 14, 2008
Thinking Before Talking
Saturday, while I was at work, a customer bought her daughter a little stuffed dog that came with candy shaped as dog bones.
The little girl looked at the candies and said, "These are doggie bones!!"
The mom replied, "No they aren't! They're little girl bones!"
- SomethingMoreSophisticated (4/24/2006)
July 03, 2008
I'm in love.
If it isn't too weird to say (or, I suppose even if it is), I am quite in love with this purse.
I bet he never thought he'd find competition with a handbag.
But... he might definitely possibly have some.
I bet he never thought he'd find competition with a handbag.
But... he might definitely possibly have some.
Romance on an Index Card
If only I could touch Your robe
And all Your glory could introduce itself to my heart
It would be an instant romancing
Your love would beckon me to trust
Though my heart would decline
Until You make Your proposal to my soul
And I run out of reasons to say no
Then You would take me in Your arms and
Dance me across this place I call home
In a split second, You could heal me
And watch all my fears fade away.
And all Your glory could introduce itself to my heart
It would be an instant romancing
Your love would beckon me to trust
Though my heart would decline
Until You make Your proposal to my soul
And I run out of reasons to say no
Then You would take me in Your arms and
Dance me across this place I call home
In a split second, You could heal me
And watch all my fears fade away.
[[He looks at me in a way I know I do not deserve. It's just like You. You have given me this gift, and present it continually while I look for every reason that it might not last... or every reason why I don't deserve it. Is it really like You said? Your promises are free for me to claim. You offer them daily. You place them before me. You hand them directly to my heart.]]
"Bring me into
Your holiness
Your Kingdom,
Your righteousness
My freedom"
[jennifer.knapp]
June 25, 2008
The Kingdom of God
(Exodus 19:6) Our obedience sets us apart as the Kingdom of God. God's deliverance is what brought us here and gave us the right to see the Kingdom built up around us.
(1 Chronicles 29:11) The Kingdom Experiences we have are gifts given to us to help us realize our place before God. They are given to us so that we can offer them back to God in praise.
(Psalm 45:6) The Kingdom of God is brought forth not only by our representation of God's grace and compassion, but by our representations of His justice and sacrifice, as well.
(Daniel 4:3) God's Kingdom is eternal and immaterial. We cannot measure it, we can only experience it.
The Kingdom of God is:
(1 Chronicles 29:11) The Kingdom Experiences we have are gifts given to us to help us realize our place before God. They are given to us so that we can offer them back to God in praise.
(Psalm 45:6) The Kingdom of God is brought forth not only by our representation of God's grace and compassion, but by our representations of His justice and sacrifice, as well.
(Daniel 4:3) God's Kingdom is eternal and immaterial. We cannot measure it, we can only experience it.
The Kingdom of God is:
[[ Still not finished! ]]
June 24, 2008
Visions
I think about the waves of time and how they roll across my shoulders.
Thinkin' no clock is gonna get the best of me.
Minutes threaten through the years to carve wrinkles with my tears,
Across the face with straining eyes to see.
They're looking for the peace that passes all understanding, in a world crazed with fear.
They say that I am much too demanding to want a better place than here.
So I'll go unto visions the prophets gave to me and
I'll dream of Heaven, the promise in which I believe.
Outside are dogs and scoffers, well they mock my very soul.
They try to steal the Joy of that promise I own.
But I will not be shaken from the rock that cleaves to me.
I've searched the world and found there's one thing I need.
It's the peace that passes all understanding, in a world crazed with fear.
They say that I am much too demanding to want a better place than here.
So I'll go unto visions the prophets gave to me and
I'll dream of Heaven, the promise in which I believe...
Was made by the Father,
sealed by the blood,
with the promise of Spirit
my victory is won.
Won't no lion catch me sleepin.
No, not on the darkest night.
Can I say the same for you?
Oh can you hear him creeping,
oh he's got you in his sights!
Oh, what are we to do?
Oh, the world is my Jordan.
Someday I'm gonna cross.
Ain't no one gonna look and say this soul is lost.
So I'll do my best, try to tell all the rest.
When the lion roars,
I'm gonna hide behind the cross,
because it's the...
Peace that passes all understanding, in a world crazed with fear.
They say that I am much too demanding to want a better place than here.
So I'll go unto visions the prophets gave to me and
I'll dream of Heaven, the promise in which I believe.
(Jennifer Knapp)
[[tomorrow, i think i might blog about the Kingdom of God and everything God's been speaking to me about it. for now, i'm going to go watch food network and HGTV...]]
June 17, 2008
Reluctantly Beloved : The Book
Here are some sample pages from the book I'm working on. I can't promise that they will look just like this when the book is finished, but you'll get the general idea.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)