In our gardens.
In our families.
In our prayers.
In our hearts.
Share your poetry of faith, new and old, and join us in lifting His name!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Searching for Him
As we approach Easter and we are easing in to Spring, let us seek our Lord.
In our gardens.
In our families.
In our prayers.
In our hearts.
Share your poetry of faith, new and old, and join us in lifting His name!
In our gardens.
In our families.
In our prayers.
In our hearts.
Share your poetry of faith, new and old, and join us in lifting His name!
Monday, March 26, 2012
A Willing Lord
Luke 5:13, Matthew 8:3 and Mark 1:41.
These verses all have one thing in common of all the verses in the Bible.
They are the only ones where Jesus is asked if He is willing to heal someone.
They are the only ones where Jesus answers, "I am willing."
I read the passages, re-read the passages, did a phrase search. Came up against the unspoken willingness of our Lord to do so much more. Jesus said three times, "I am willing."
And what, besides healing that one mane, did He so willingly do?
Everything His Father asked.
Everything we needed to be redeemed.
Everything, from the first moments of time.
He did it willingly. With free will. Choice. Of conscious thought and decision.
<--------------------------------------------pause here to ponder---------------------------------------->
We are in the Easter season. The season when Jesus was faced with the weight of being willing for us. When He faced the hatred of someone willing to do the right things, for the right reasons at the right time.
He was willing not for glory. That was His in Heaven. He didn't need it from us.
He was willing not for fame. Not to be a human king. He was already Royalty.
He was willing not because we were worthy. We were not. Are not. Our own human merits condemn us.
He was willing out of love and obedience. Read that again.
Even at His last moments, He was willing, obedient and did His Father's will. Even though He did ask if the cup could be passed, He acknowledged that it was not His will but God's that would be fulfilled.
So often we are willing, when it is comfortable and safe, and lose our courage when it is time for the 'rubber to meet the road'. It is easier to let someone else be the 'Good Christian' and it is a conscious decision to be willing to show Godly love and grace.
In small ways first, I challenge myself and you, to be willing. Willing to seek His will. Willing to be fruitful in the fruits of the Spirit. Willing to reach out when easy says hold back. Willing to risk a hurt to show some love. Willing to be laughed at for living and modeling grace. Willing to say, "I am willing." to our Lord.
Make a list and jot down the things that are easy for you to do. Then make a list of things you find difficult. Pray upon them, asking God to show you how to be a willing and obedient child to His will. I'll be doing the same. On Friday I'll share how mine went, I hope you'll come by then.
Publish Post
Luke 5:13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!”
Don't forget Wednesday is our Poetry Link Up. This week we'll be sharing old and new poetry, I invite you to join us as a poet or a reader (or both!).
These verses all have one thing in common of all the verses in the Bible.
They are the only ones where Jesus is asked if He is willing to heal someone.
They are the only ones where Jesus answers, "I am willing."
I read the passages, re-read the passages, did a phrase search. Came up against the unspoken willingness of our Lord to do so much more. Jesus said three times, "I am willing."
And what, besides healing that one mane, did He so willingly do?
Everything His Father asked.
Everything we needed to be redeemed.
Everything, from the first moments of time.
He did it willingly. With free will. Choice. Of conscious thought and decision.
<--------------------------------------------pause here to ponder---------------------------------------->
We are in the Easter season. The season when Jesus was faced with the weight of being willing for us. When He faced the hatred of someone willing to do the right things, for the right reasons at the right time.
He was willing not for glory. That was His in Heaven. He didn't need it from us.
He was willing not for fame. Not to be a human king. He was already Royalty.
He was willing not because we were worthy. We were not. Are not. Our own human merits condemn us.
He was willing out of love and obedience. Read that again.
Even at His last moments, He was willing, obedient and did His Father's will. Even though He did ask if the cup could be passed, He acknowledged that it was not His will but God's that would be fulfilled.
So often we are willing, when it is comfortable and safe, and lose our courage when it is time for the 'rubber to meet the road'. It is easier to let someone else be the 'Good Christian' and it is a conscious decision to be willing to show Godly love and grace.
In small ways first, I challenge myself and you, to be willing. Willing to seek His will. Willing to be fruitful in the fruits of the Spirit. Willing to reach out when easy says hold back. Willing to risk a hurt to show some love. Willing to be laughed at for living and modeling grace. Willing to say, "I am willing." to our Lord.
Make a list and jot down the things that are easy for you to do. Then make a list of things you find difficult. Pray upon them, asking God to show you how to be a willing and obedient child to His will. I'll be doing the same. On Friday I'll share how mine went, I hope you'll come by then.
Publish Post
Luke 5:13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!”
Don't forget Wednesday is our Poetry Link Up. This week we'll be sharing old and new poetry, I invite you to join us as a poet or a reader (or both!).
Sunday, March 25, 2012
She served them
Luke 4:38-39 He entered Simon’s house. Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Him about her. So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and began to serve them.
I remember hearing some ladies talking about this verse one day at a Bible Study. They were greatly offended that she 'had' to get up and serve them after being sick. I often wondered how that could be.
Over the years this verse has challenged me.
A high fever makes you weak, you are tired. Your body aches and you just feel terrible. Even if you could get up you'd be too weak to do anything.
A woman in that time, and even today, often loves to serve in her home.. She provides food, shelter and care. She serves willingly and with a serving heart for God.
This woman and her family obviously knew Jesus. She would have been mortified that she couldn't serve her family and guest. Her heart would have been broken.
I believe that Jesus did more than rebuke a fever. I think he renewed a spirit and a body so they could work together in harmony, serving. Not as a slave, but as a woman who could give good food, and good hospitality to her guests that honours her house and her family.
Jesus knew her heart, and her body. He knew what she needed. She needed to be well to serve.
Out of love.
Not obligation.
That is where I got confused by those well meaning ladies. They served their families out of an obligation and likely felt little or no respect or honour in it. How sad for them. They missed a great opportunity to find something special in ministering by serving.
Jesus served and ministered the same way. He knew better than us all the needs of a serving heart.
I'm so thankful He blessed me with a serving heart, and that He renews me when I feel a pint, quart or small lake's worth low. He knows. He provides. He heals.
How does this verse speak to you? Would love to hear!
I remember hearing some ladies talking about this verse one day at a Bible Study. They were greatly offended that she 'had' to get up and serve them after being sick. I often wondered how that could be.
Over the years this verse has challenged me.
A high fever makes you weak, you are tired. Your body aches and you just feel terrible. Even if you could get up you'd be too weak to do anything.
A woman in that time, and even today, often loves to serve in her home.. She provides food, shelter and care. She serves willingly and with a serving heart for God.
This woman and her family obviously knew Jesus. She would have been mortified that she couldn't serve her family and guest. Her heart would have been broken.
I believe that Jesus did more than rebuke a fever. I think he renewed a spirit and a body so they could work together in harmony, serving. Not as a slave, but as a woman who could give good food, and good hospitality to her guests that honours her house and her family.
Jesus knew her heart, and her body. He knew what she needed. She needed to be well to serve.
Out of love.
Not obligation.
That is where I got confused by those well meaning ladies. They served their families out of an obligation and likely felt little or no respect or honour in it. How sad for them. They missed a great opportunity to find something special in ministering by serving.
Jesus served and ministered the same way. He knew better than us all the needs of a serving heart.
I'm so thankful He blessed me with a serving heart, and that He renews me when I feel a pint, quart or small lake's worth low. He knows. He provides. He heals.
How does this verse speak to you? Would love to hear!
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Soli Deo Gloria
Soli Deo Gloria
Glory to God alone.
Many composers used SDG on their pieces to show their creative works were dedicated to God. That the glory and praise for them belonged to God alone.
Hymns, prayers, psalms and praise songs, poetry and stories - when it is for His glory, alone, how do you feel?
I would love to see your poetry of faith and praise, old or new, and let us dedicate it to our Lord. For His glory alone!
Glory to God alone.
Many composers used SDG on their pieces to show their creative works were dedicated to God. That the glory and praise for them belonged to God alone.
Hymns, prayers, psalms and praise songs, poetry and stories - when it is for His glory, alone, how do you feel?
I would love to see your poetry of faith and praise, old or new, and let us dedicate it to our Lord. For His glory alone!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Where are You? Poetry Wednesday
Welcome to our Poetry Link up for Wednesday! Praying that the link-up will work properly this week. Thanks to all who are contributing and sharing, and those who are encouraging with their comments. This is something special, thank you for making it so!
My poem for this week is found here:
Sunflower Poetry - Where Are You?
If you wish to write something new, you could join me in this.
Where is God when we seek Him? Are we finding Him in unexpected places?
Answer the question:
Where Are You?
Link up below...many bright blessings!
My poem for this week is found here:
Sunflower Poetry - Where Are You?
If you wish to write something new, you could join me in this.
Where is God when we seek Him? Are we finding Him in unexpected places?
Answer the question:
Where Are You?
Link up below...many bright blessings!
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Woman of God
Proverbs. Titus. The Bible.
Examples can be found, treasures of character and grace, in the verses of the Bible.
God, from the beginning, had a heart for His daughters. He knows us, so very well.
Sisters how well do we know ourselves?
There are quizzes and check lists. Which Biblical woman are you most like, they ask. The answer - all of them!
We are all mother, daughter, sister and friend - by blood or spirit.
It varies by day which one I relate to most, but it is wisdom when we can see we are them all!
Eve who questioned possibility when asked a tricky question.
Deborah who challenged the warrior, and Jael with her tent peg.
Esther a queen who risked it all to speak up against a wrong.
Tamar and Jeptha's daughter sacrificed for the pride of men.
So many others graced the pages of the Bible, with no name, but all played a part in the story of God's people.
The women (mothers, wives and daughters) who laboured on the walls with Nehemiah's men.
Those who fought, those who hid, those who fled and those who sought grace like the faithful Gentile mother.
We are those women today. We have sisters all around the world fighting the same battles and bearing the same wounds.
Let us celebrate, and while we celebrate we should also pray. Pray for those who have a price for their life in goats, for those enslaved or imprisoned, those who are lost and those who have lost hope.
If you had a day for prayer for women, who would you pray for? Please feel free to share in the comments...I would be honoured to pray with you for them.
Examples can be found, treasures of character and grace, in the verses of the Bible.
God, from the beginning, had a heart for His daughters. He knows us, so very well.
Sisters how well do we know ourselves?
There are quizzes and check lists. Which Biblical woman are you most like, they ask. The answer - all of them!
We are all mother, daughter, sister and friend - by blood or spirit.
It varies by day which one I relate to most, but it is wisdom when we can see we are them all!
Eve who questioned possibility when asked a tricky question.
Deborah who challenged the warrior, and Jael with her tent peg.
Esther a queen who risked it all to speak up against a wrong.
Tamar and Jeptha's daughter sacrificed for the pride of men.
So many others graced the pages of the Bible, with no name, but all played a part in the story of God's people.
The women (mothers, wives and daughters) who laboured on the walls with Nehemiah's men.
Those who fought, those who hid, those who fled and those who sought grace like the faithful Gentile mother.
We are those women today. We have sisters all around the world fighting the same battles and bearing the same wounds.
Let us celebrate, and while we celebrate we should also pray. Pray for those who have a price for their life in goats, for those enslaved or imprisoned, those who are lost and those who have lost hope.
If you had a day for prayer for women, who would you pray for? Please feel free to share in the comments...I would be honoured to pray with you for them.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Begging Blind
Mark 10: 51-52 (HCSB) Jesus answered him, “What do you want Me to do for you? ” “Rabbouni,”the blind man told Him, “I want to see! ” 52 “Go your way,” Jesus told him. “Your faith has healed you.” Immediately he could see and began to follow Him on the road.
Lord, I want to see. Be blind no more.
I want to see the hurt, under the hate.
I want to see love being found.
I want to see hearts being freed.
Lord, I want to see. Be blind no more.
I want to be free of planks and slivers.
I want to see grace flowing and moving.
I want to see hearts changing now.
Lord, I want to see. Be blind no more.
I want to see past my own hurt and fear.
I want to see love coming and going.
I want to see a glimpse of Your glory.
Lord, I want to see. Be blind no more.
I want to see the blessings, not the mess.
I want to see the joy overflowing too!
I want to see my heart in Your hands.
Lord, I want to see. Be blind no more.
I want to see the blessing in a failure.
I want to see the promise of heaven.
I want to see You, in the great and small.
Lord, I want to see. Be blind no more.
Sometimes when we want to talk, God asks us to sing. When we want to teach a lesson, He gives us poetry. Be brightly blessed, always and in all ways.
Lord, I want to see. Be blind no more.
I want to see the hurt, under the hate.
I want to see love being found.
I want to see hearts being freed.
Lord, I want to see. Be blind no more.
I want to be free of planks and slivers.
I want to see grace flowing and moving.
I want to see hearts changing now.
Lord, I want to see. Be blind no more.
I want to see past my own hurt and fear.
I want to see love coming and going.
I want to see a glimpse of Your glory.
Lord, I want to see. Be blind no more.
I want to see the blessings, not the mess.
I want to see the joy overflowing too!
I want to see my heart in Your hands.
Lord, I want to see. Be blind no more.
I want to see the blessing in a failure.
I want to see the promise of heaven.
I want to see You, in the great and small.
Lord, I want to see. Be blind no more.
Sometimes when we want to talk, God asks us to sing. When we want to teach a lesson, He gives us poetry. Be brightly blessed, always and in all ways.
Sing Praise
1 Chronicles 16:9
Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
As we consider Easter, and all that it means for us as children of God, I invite you to share your poetry singing praise to Him.
Old or new, all are welcome to share their faith poetry here. Be blessed by reading, and bless by sharing your comments.
Bright blessings...
Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
As we consider Easter, and all that it means for us as children of God, I invite you to share your poetry singing praise to Him.
Old or new, all are welcome to share their faith poetry here. Be blessed by reading, and bless by sharing your comments.
Bright blessings...
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Trust is the issue
Titus 2:10 "and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive."
Are you having trouble with trust? I have trust issues. I trust too much, or I trust in the wrong ways at the wrong times. God asks us to trust though. To trust each other. To be trustworthy. To trust Him. He expects us to act in a manner that shows faith and trust in all we do.
I discovered something the other day, in a conversation with a friend in ministry, that disturbed me deeply. She said she couldn't trust, even her sisters, and she felt she had to hold close what was 'given to her by God'. I was so sad for her. What a burden to bear alone.
But I don't think she is alone, nor is she entirely without cause. Our churches, our missions, our very denominations have a long and checkered, even bloody history, of stealing trust. Of being untrustworthy. Of taking for their own what belongs to God and the brethren. (Brothers and sisters that'd be us!)
However...that is not reason enough not to trust. Jesus advised us to be wise, crafty even, but He never said don't trust. Instead He told us be trustworthy. Trust worthy. Worthy of trust. Worthy of being counted on. Worthy of giving a piece, an acre, a bucket or a page of someone's work to take it to somewhere new for the glory of God.
So hard. So very very hard.
I made this. or did I?
This is MINE! or is it?
Trust me with your child. Trust me with your fears. Trust me with your need for an intercessor. Trust me with your money. But can you trust me to use my gifts, that God blessed me with, to make your ministry greater? I wonder why it is so hard to trust each other, when really, and you gotta admit at least this, WE ARE ON THE SAME TEAM HERE!
Team Jesus. Team God. Team Faith.
Team Grace.
Team wearing jerseys covered in the fruits of the spirit, in the armor of God, in the definition of love from God's own hand.
Can I give you my God filled dream, and trust you to work side-by-side with me to make it like the walls in Nehemiah? Can I? Can you?
What is the downside then? If we don't trust? We don't grow. We don't transform. We don't show God's love in the deep, ugly, still raw and hurting places. We hand over victory to the devil and tell the world they shouldn't trust us either, after all WE DON'T EVEN TRUST OURSELVES AND EACH OTHER!
Oh how I wish you could see that I am saddened to the soul about this and not angry. I'm not laying blame, but am asking for ownership. I believe we all can be given trust and be taught to be trust worthy. Little steps at a time. Baby steps like the disciples who had to learn it all with an incredible hidden deadline looming over them. Jesus was patient and forgiving. Can we be?
Brothers and sisters, it is not often I challenge you. But I am going to do just that. We are in Lent, approaching Easter when the biggest gift was given to us. Here is your challenge:
Trust your brothers and sisters to be a part of the vision you have for sharing God's word. For spreading the Good News! For those cities on hilltops and lamps on stands.
Trust one another with small things, and move on to great things.
But start trusting!
They want to sing - let them sing!
They want to share - let them share!
They want to serve you by carrying a burden - let them carry!
They want to pray - let them pray!
If someone wants to be a part of your work for God, consider that perhaps God is the one who sent them to you...
170 times the Bible talks about trust...can you try one more time?
Are you having trouble with trust? I have trust issues. I trust too much, or I trust in the wrong ways at the wrong times. God asks us to trust though. To trust each other. To be trustworthy. To trust Him. He expects us to act in a manner that shows faith and trust in all we do.
I discovered something the other day, in a conversation with a friend in ministry, that disturbed me deeply. She said she couldn't trust, even her sisters, and she felt she had to hold close what was 'given to her by God'. I was so sad for her. What a burden to bear alone.
But I don't think she is alone, nor is she entirely without cause. Our churches, our missions, our very denominations have a long and checkered, even bloody history, of stealing trust. Of being untrustworthy. Of taking for their own what belongs to God and the brethren. (Brothers and sisters that'd be us!)
However...that is not reason enough not to trust. Jesus advised us to be wise, crafty even, but He never said don't trust. Instead He told us be trustworthy. Trust worthy. Worthy of trust. Worthy of being counted on. Worthy of giving a piece, an acre, a bucket or a page of someone's work to take it to somewhere new for the glory of God.
So hard. So very very hard.
I made this. or did I?
This is MINE! or is it?
Trust me with your child. Trust me with your fears. Trust me with your need for an intercessor. Trust me with your money. But can you trust me to use my gifts, that God blessed me with, to make your ministry greater? I wonder why it is so hard to trust each other, when really, and you gotta admit at least this, WE ARE ON THE SAME TEAM HERE!
Team Jesus. Team God. Team Faith.
Team Grace.
Team wearing jerseys covered in the fruits of the spirit, in the armor of God, in the definition of love from God's own hand.
Can I give you my God filled dream, and trust you to work side-by-side with me to make it like the walls in Nehemiah? Can I? Can you?
What is the downside then? If we don't trust? We don't grow. We don't transform. We don't show God's love in the deep, ugly, still raw and hurting places. We hand over victory to the devil and tell the world they shouldn't trust us either, after all WE DON'T EVEN TRUST OURSELVES AND EACH OTHER!
Oh how I wish you could see that I am saddened to the soul about this and not angry. I'm not laying blame, but am asking for ownership. I believe we all can be given trust and be taught to be trust worthy. Little steps at a time. Baby steps like the disciples who had to learn it all with an incredible hidden deadline looming over them. Jesus was patient and forgiving. Can we be?
Brothers and sisters, it is not often I challenge you. But I am going to do just that. We are in Lent, approaching Easter when the biggest gift was given to us. Here is your challenge:
Trust your brothers and sisters to be a part of the vision you have for sharing God's word. For spreading the Good News! For those cities on hilltops and lamps on stands.
Trust one another with small things, and move on to great things.
But start trusting!
They want to sing - let them sing!
They want to share - let them share!
They want to serve you by carrying a burden - let them carry!
They want to pray - let them pray!
If someone wants to be a part of your work for God, consider that perhaps God is the one who sent them to you...
170 times the Bible talks about trust...can you try one more time?
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