Ripples on the Water

Ripples bubble and gurgle in circular patterns at the disturbance where a stone pierced the calm. The patterns expand, diminish and disappear.

Today, my cup is full. The Lord has demonstrated that I am chosen and significant. By joining the accountability group at our church, the match is so profound. I needed to see a life reflecting the power of the resurrection. As a child weaned from her mother, I sit quietly and know He never took His eyes off of me from the moment I was conceived. Ephesians 1:6 says we are chosen before the foundation of the earth to be holy, blameless, etc. My eyes have seen that this is true. He is so constant, unchanging, consistent and true to His Word and Promises.

There are so many mysteries, but only pride would rob me of this special place of resting in my Daddy's arms. I don't have to have a theological debate on predestination, but I know He is consistent with passionately longing for everyone to "come to the water" "as the deer pants for water"... for now the thirsting is quenched. Somehow in His Sovereignty He knows in that place of Chosen who will be nestled in the Shepherd's arms. He knows those who are struggling and He knows when they will come to the end and find Him Sufficient.

Old and New

The old is dead and gone and useless unless new meshes with the old for something meaningful. All new is useless also. New places and faces without meshing with the old will soon become old. I've learned recently that the stronghold used to keep me from being all that God wants in my life is self-pity. It is so destructive. When a fresh, new insight infuses the old with how much I have been given... my family, my husband, friends, which pales in how much Abba Daddy loves me and showers me with His radiance. What I want to be dead and useless this year is negative, critical thinking. He came to give LIFE, overflowing LIFE. I can appreciate the old, the roots of Christianity and missions mindset from my parents. A care for other people, etc. also came from the past. The new can revive the past where judging is allowed to die. Building up and freeing personalities for reaching potential will replace the critical spirit. After all, it is God's job to judge.

My Heart

I recall Christina Rosetti's song that has been sung at Christmas, What can I give Him? Give Him my heart. I was so impacted by the intensity of prisoners in Sugar Land prison last night singing with all their heart to the Lord. They will spend Christmas in prison. They know they are sinners. There is no deception in their hearts. They are faced with their responsibility for their crimes. However, they have experienced the mercy and forgiveness of Christ and understand better than I how much it cost Christ on the cross. An overflow of joy for God's greatest gift is so appreciated by them. Every day I sin, but I don't take it as seriously as they. Pride is the deadliest sin. Have I confessed it, repented and experienced that incredible power of forgiveness? I just have a glimpse. I don't have to wear prison clothes and be in a cell with other offenders away from family this Christmas, but I do want to fully embrace His Gift, and give back the only valuable gift God wants, my heart.

Christmas

The season is approaching. It's a time of excitement, joy, etc. I must keep my focus on what it's about. The music rehearsals can become just a performance, or they can be my time to truly express worship and adoration for the miracle of Christmas. As I long for a way to give everything the heart could desire, again, the process must turn back to why we're celebrating. It is so much fun to see everyone's eyes light up when giving and receiving.

Lord, give an extra measure of Joy this Christmas. ...true Joy!

I love you, Lord.

a mustard seed

Today I had some crater moments. Sometimes hope seems to be so illusive. There have been 2 people who have spoken a WORD to me in the last 6 months telling me the Lord wanted me to know how much He loves me, and that everything will be OK.

I look at waves and wind and don't think survival is possible, but He speaks..."Peace, Be Still", and the waves stop. All is calm.

This past Saturday a total stranger came up to me and spoke passionately of how much the Lord loves me and wants me to know that everything will be OK.

Worry can eat up a soul. I must trust no matter what I perceive.

Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.

Revelation

"These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time comes when I will no more speak to you in proverbs, but I will show you plainly of the Father. At that day you will ask in my name; and I will pray the Father for you; For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God."
John 16:25-27

I'm so glad that I am in the day where Father(Abba Daddy) speaks clearly. I just have to be so still and believing, not bringing my thinking to Him, but receptive to Him. It takes courage to boldly assert His authority in whatever way or area He speaks. There's nothing vague about how He reveals Himself.

Team Tremors

What are the tremors of today? Well, the Houston Dynamos beat the Seattle Sounders by 1 point. Cassia and her father went to see the game. Cassia wasn't too impressed with how they played, pretty sloppy, but she had a good time.

Joanna, Paul and I checked out the area for thrift stores. Buffalo Exchange is a very busy place on Westheimer, lots of people shopping. Interesting customers in the area. The prices aren't as low as Penny Wise, but there's more name brand, not that it mattered to us.

Then we found a tapioca teahouse, Shepherd and Westheimer. It seems like a small place, then it keeps going with more and more rooms. WiFi so lots of students there.

A significant thought for me today is how each generation changes so much, but human needs remain the same. Echoes from the sermon tickled my eardrum. "You can't cut off supply, you must cut off demand". If our world were to rid the market of anything evil, the demand is still screaming. If only... There is a reservoir full, but it involves faith. That faith in small measure is our own, but in a huge quantity is supplied by The Maker of All. We must reach out our hand, He holds and fills it.