The Lord actually gives both, resting and working places. He ordains these seasons or streams in our life so divinely. He took me to LA, out of ATL, to rest not work. From afar it resembles just more activity and busyness but there is a difference. It is more fullness than busyness and resting than working out here. My heart enjoys the silence in the room and the smells of this home. My mind steals away unto Him out here different to that of "home". Jesus' yoke is easy and burden is light, inviting all to come for rest. Oh I come, I come indeed for rest and receive it abundantly. To all the working places ahead, He will accomplish what concerns me. For now, in every way, there is a solace and unapologetic sweetness to the rest that beckons me. Sometimes rest looks like a white sheeted bed waiting to be curled up in other times rest resembles effortless conversation that knits the hearts and keeps the spirit awake. Rest has many faces but above all it has the calming tensionless face of Christ attached to it. I love His rest. The Rest of Him! I am currently tired so these are mental ramblings from one that is about to literally rest on this plush white couch, before the dinner hour... but thought I would share.
Matt 11
Come to Me- please just come. Stop, step, and sit into Me. Come right now. You are weary, tired, heavy, weighted, burdened, busied, tension filled, and tried. I know you are all those things but I also know that I can pacify them. I am Rest. I am waiting for you.... to relieve you, shouldered one. Come and I will give you, freely, REST that you cannot discover or conjure up on your own. Receieve Me, Take my weight upon you... lets exchange! Let me Mantle you, nothing else, just me. My yoke on you.. which lifts you not presses you. Learn from me as this exchange happens...You will learn of gentleness and humility as I exchange you for Me. I want you to be quiet hearted and gentle minded.... let the pounds of the world just melt as you take Me in and on. Oh there is rest indeed for your will, emotions, mind, spirit, body, heart, and life pace. This is easy, really, very simple actually. Your load is no longer your load.... for your "load" is now known as mine. It is light. You are lightened. Rest now.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
Vulnerability
Thoughts on Vulnerability with a lot of prayer and a little nudging from recent TED speakers.
Vulnerability is the birthplace of joy and hope and passion to fully live
Vulnerability is neither comfortable or crucifying but cleansing and necessary.
What makes us vulnerable makes us beautiful
Be careful not to numb vulnerability
Vulnerability is taking a risk with hope regardless of its outcome.
You cannot numb emotions selectively- you feel all or feel nothing.
We are imperfect, wired for struggle but worthy of love and belonging
To let yourself be deeply seen is vulnerability
Practice the movement of joy in the moments of pain is hope
To feel vulnerable is to be alive
To love with a whole full heart apart of guarantees
Being fierce on being you is being awake with security
Letting go of who you think you are supposed to be and embracing who He says you are is vulnerability and strength, married.
Vulnerability is the birthplace of joy and hope and passion to fully live
Vulnerability is neither comfortable or crucifying but cleansing and necessary.
What makes us vulnerable makes us beautiful
Be careful not to numb vulnerability
Vulnerability is taking a risk with hope regardless of its outcome.
You cannot numb emotions selectively- you feel all or feel nothing.
We are imperfect, wired for struggle but worthy of love and belonging
To let yourself be deeply seen is vulnerability
Practice the movement of joy in the moments of pain is hope
To feel vulnerable is to be alive
To love with a whole full heart apart of guarantees
Being fierce on being you is being awake with security
Letting go of who you think you are supposed to be and embracing who He says you are is vulnerability and strength, married.
Monday, April 04, 2011
KNEEL
I felt like a spiritual composer as the cadence of music, colors, ambience, and mission in KNEEL came together as a song this week in Texas. Though it was a quieted space with a whisper tonality, students were compelled to enter and enjoy. The minimal amount of square feet sang over them and silenced them with Jesus' love. It was still but it sung loud of His presence, power, and peace. Their visage changed and their voices lowered, without instruction, as they expectantly entered Prayer itself. Students from all over the world stepped into that environment standing tall but came out kneeling in spirit. We put an atmosphere to prayer that drew the throne to the earth. Beauty and Breath were both present. A place were we all, student and volunteer, breathed again. Life has a way of knocking air out of our lungs and events dont fill it. I love Passion, because it is not an event but an experience that gives breath back because it is an encounter with the Air we breathe. Jesus stands exalted as central in Passion and Kneel was a visible extension of that to 10,000 students. Passion altered my direction 11 years ago so to hold the door in every way for this generation was beyond expression. Students from Texas, Georgia, Singapore, New York, Florida, Ukraine, and many others got it. They got Him, actually! Lights came on, scales fell off, doors opened and hearts softened. Inspiration and solidification took place. Roots went deeper, seeds were planted, and fruit began to sprout. I am believing Isaiah 27:6 for my life and the lives of the thousands I saw and hundreds I stood by this weekend. " In the days to come Jacob will take root, Israel will blossom and sprout, And they will fill the whole world with fruit."
Reveling over the divine movement of prayer as I crawl into white sheets with the sound of stormy rain.
Goodnight all.
Reveling over the divine movement of prayer as I crawl into white sheets with the sound of stormy rain.
Goodnight all.
Writing...
I truly believe the Lord Jesus has authored a breathing space for me in the month of April to HEAR & WRITE. Yet again, through voices and circumstances, He takes me back to Revelation 12: 5 that states, “ Write, for these things are true.” When a sentence begins with a verb, the noun is obvious. He is telling ME the verb, to write. Sarah, just express all the stories that are in you- ones I have written and ones I am continuing to chapter. There is much on my heart, in my mind, and on my life that begs to be articulated. I want to be more faithful and consistent on my blog, possibly growing the intrigue and listening ears. Blog writing, journaling, and Word processing- which avenue do I start? I dont know. I dont know the politics, process, or procedure of this next adventure. I just want to express, communicate, and share with those who will listen. I love to tell a story weaved with truth that He reveals. For many different reasons, the Lord grants me with a myriad of stories both humorous and heavy. I love telling a story... writing is one way to do that. Pictures are another way for me. Mixing the art of telling a story with painting a picture is a passion of mine. Writing as if I was talking with someone face to face and placing them in the situation I am describing is a love. However, the calling on my life is not so much to leave people with my stories as it is with His threaded throughout them. His voice echoing, laughing, stilling, and teaching through it all.
While in LA most of the April month, reading will also be consistent. I am reading The Resilient Life and A Homemade Life currently. Both so different but so great. I love the way Molly mixes words and phrases things in her “Homemade Life”. It is in theory a cookbook wrapped around her life story. I would love my books to be devotionals with Biblical nuggets through scripture packaged within my unfolding life story. So I am learning from other authors. Gordon in “The Resilient life” just leaves me wanting that backbone of courage and mental character to do what I know He is calling me to do. I am only a few chapters into both of these but they are inspiring me to act, thus this entry. Viral accountability is a unique thing that “blogging” prompts without effort. The more I write the more accountable I am to continue to write. Interesting how all this works, online. I dont know if or what people will read my musings but that is not why I am expressing really. It is as Jeremiah said, “It is a fire shut up in my bones and indeed I cannot hold it in any long”. That is why I write and express- if you read and enjoy, that is wonderful icing on an already great cake.
I am excited to pour out through words. I don't know what the finished product ( if there will ever be one) will resemble but I think for the first time I am giving myself permission to enjoy the process not just look to the finish. So here we go....
While in LA most of the April month, reading will also be consistent. I am reading The Resilient Life and A Homemade Life currently. Both so different but so great. I love the way Molly mixes words and phrases things in her “Homemade Life”. It is in theory a cookbook wrapped around her life story. I would love my books to be devotionals with Biblical nuggets through scripture packaged within my unfolding life story. So I am learning from other authors. Gordon in “The Resilient life” just leaves me wanting that backbone of courage and mental character to do what I know He is calling me to do. I am only a few chapters into both of these but they are inspiring me to act, thus this entry. Viral accountability is a unique thing that “blogging” prompts without effort. The more I write the more accountable I am to continue to write. Interesting how all this works, online. I dont know if or what people will read my musings but that is not why I am expressing really. It is as Jeremiah said, “It is a fire shut up in my bones and indeed I cannot hold it in any long”. That is why I write and express- if you read and enjoy, that is wonderful icing on an already great cake.
I am excited to pour out through words. I don't know what the finished product ( if there will ever be one) will resemble but I think for the first time I am giving myself permission to enjoy the process not just look to the finish. So here we go....
Monday, January 24, 2011
Surprising Sanctification
God uses the most unexpected things to carve His image into this piece of stone, to mirror the image of Him in the mirror in front of me. Tests, Trials, Tears, and Triumphs all mar and mold us into different images. Oh to be more like the image or reflection of Christ! To those who long to be sanctified, He will instigate that process with no assistance from us. He longs for us to be transformed from Glory to Glory as mentioned in II Cor. To behold as in a mirror the glory of our Lord in us! Wow. Do not assume how that sanctification will be packaged. It comes in all sizes and shapes. It could be in Atlanta Traffic, awful break ups, amazing job promotions, or altering friendships. Sanctification, when originated by Him, has a way of purging us inside and pressing Him outside. More of Him, less of me. So today when viewing your face in the mirror, may we thank Him for surprising sanctifying circumstances as it leads to more of His image in the mirror starring back at you. To God be all the Glory!
Reckless Restlessness
Oh how often a restlessness of heart seems to echo through me! This restless is birthed not from discontent but from hope and anticipation of God's coming activity. How blessed we are in the step by step Journey He has us on. I am overwhelmed to tears at the thought of how and who He intersects for greater glory than all I could have asked or imagined. Past friends and new faces; old relationships and ones still forming; family kin and future dreams colliding... He has a way of paralling the lives and hearts of those who seek Him. I am beyond grateful for the intersections and interruptions that have marked this year, the one past, and coming ones ahead. Thank you Divine Interrupter! His interruptions are glorious and illogical in nature, but later we will understand what He is doing as stated in John 13:7. How beautiful are the hands of my Lord and His activity on behalf of this little maiden.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
25 thoughts on the 25th
25 thoughts on the 25th: mindless and meaningful.
> Is 43:18-19 Will you be aware of it?" Behold I am doing something new now." we are Too aware of what has happened that we miss what is happening. Consciously be more aware of what He is up to then what has been.
> John 14:21-23- I will love her and make Myself at home with her. The comforts a soft living room brings the outer man so His presence to our inner man.
> Eggs bacon coffee at a rattan table outside Under a canopy of green vines- nothing like a Cali morning.
> The Ivy in LA. Enough said.
> Flipping through cookbooks is a form of Inspiration.
> A good brisk jog by Starbucks and boutique windows is prayerful entertainment.
> John 16:24 "Until now you have asked for nothing in My name" ."Until now" is another way of saying "the tension of suspension". We should be asking much of Him on the tight rope heights of tension in our lives. Tension between now and not yet should be elevated up in prayer!!
> I love fall wind with summer sun.
> Business and blogging from the back porch is nice.
> The south and the west meet in good friends over fine fare.
> Sunday brunch at The Wolfs need I say more?
> Children are a form of health for an adult. They cure the sickness of selfishness.
> A lost joy and privilege is standing in the gap for someone elses plea. Try it.
> Family as friends is a gift.
> Freedom was bought don't deny it or cheapen it.
> Matt. 28:20 Emmanuel.
> Ice cold bottled water goes down easier than from a glass
> Candles burning regardless of time of day is cleansing.
> Made beds bring a since of order
> culver city- home away from home
> Skinny jeans, boots, soft worn shirt with accessories.
> The daily light and coffee to start a Monday.
> Oh how He loves us!
> Sacrifice is different than loss. Loss is involuntarily losing something regardless of value that will not return. Sacrifice is voluntarily giving up something of lesser value to gain something of greater value in return! Loss is a gap. Sacrifice is a gain.
Abraham believed God could and would done what He said. Should we? Absolutely.
> Is 43:18-19 Will you be aware of it?" Behold I am doing something new now." we are Too aware of what has happened that we miss what is happening. Consciously be more aware of what He is up to then what has been.
> John 14:21-23- I will love her and make Myself at home with her. The comforts a soft living room brings the outer man so His presence to our inner man.
> Eggs bacon coffee at a rattan table outside Under a canopy of green vines- nothing like a Cali morning.
> The Ivy in LA. Enough said.
> Flipping through cookbooks is a form of Inspiration.
> A good brisk jog by Starbucks and boutique windows is prayerful entertainment.
> John 16:24 "Until now you have asked for nothing in My name" ."Until now" is another way of saying "the tension of suspension". We should be asking much of Him on the tight rope heights of tension in our lives. Tension between now and not yet should be elevated up in prayer!!
> I love fall wind with summer sun.
> Business and blogging from the back porch is nice.
> The south and the west meet in good friends over fine fare.
> Sunday brunch at The Wolfs need I say more?
> Children are a form of health for an adult. They cure the sickness of selfishness.
> A lost joy and privilege is standing in the gap for someone elses plea. Try it.
> Family as friends is a gift.
> Freedom was bought don't deny it or cheapen it.
> Matt. 28:20 Emmanuel.
> Ice cold bottled water goes down easier than from a glass
> Candles burning regardless of time of day is cleansing.
> Made beds bring a since of order
> culver city- home away from home
> Skinny jeans, boots, soft worn shirt with accessories.
> The daily light and coffee to start a Monday.
> Oh how He loves us!
> Sacrifice is different than loss. Loss is involuntarily losing something regardless of value that will not return. Sacrifice is voluntarily giving up something of lesser value to gain something of greater value in return! Loss is a gap. Sacrifice is a gain.
Abraham believed God could and would done what He said. Should we? Absolutely.
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