Time

Today is the most relevant time in your life.  Today, think on these things . . . 
You might not wake up tomorrow . . . will you fall asleep at peace?
Yesterday had its own value . . . was it worth bringing into the present?

Sharing

I am so excited that a friend of mine has discovered a gem that I've enjoyed for a few years now.  It is a book that dramatically expands one's understanding of living in the power of the Holy Spirit.  I am not one to go around and tell people "you just have to read this book", because that hasn't been so helpful for me on the receiving end.  I think some things impact us because of where we are at the time.  I've purchased books recommended to me that end up gathering dust either permanently or temporarily.  Many times I've "rediscovered" a book and gobbled it up as just the food I needed.  Anyway, the book in question is "When Heaven Invades Earth" by Bill Johnson.  It truly is a must read.  I hope my friend and I will get to discuss our favorite parts some day.

Heavy air

I've gotten sidetracked the past few weeks.  Man, the air has been HEAVY.  It's that time of year in Iowa when humidity matches temp and we all complain.  One whiff when I put Nali out first thing in the morning and I'm reminded that the atmosphere matches me.  Heavy -- in the natural it is all that corn spewing its moisture upward.  In me, it is a reservoir of tears waiting to spill out at a moment's notice.  I just want some circumstances to change as soon as possible.  But there is something else around the corner.  There always is.  Add to that what happens when we say "Yes, Lord, I will pray for the burdens of others".  A few years ago, my partner in prayer and dear friend Linda and I were struggling with the heaviness to the point of reaching desperation.  I can still remember the light bulb coming on as we chatted in her car parked at Wellspring.  The
sensation, the emotion, the fighting feeling are manifestations of the battle we engage as praying believers.  That day we were reminded that God is General.  He gave us what we needed so we could go on no matter how heart-wrenching the prayer needs were.  We soar thru the heaviness in His strength, not our own.   I love this particular eagle photo because the light through the clouds remind me of His majestic presence overpowering darkness.  The full span of wings is a sight to see.  I am created to soar in the fullness of everything God is.  "They that wait on the Lord . . . Isaiah 40:30-31"  

Keep eating

God's Word is not meant to be nibbled.  Yet I continue to cheat myself of the zestiest morsels.  For example, I use the concordance for a particular topic, find a single verse or two that speaks very well to my inquiry.  So I stop there when I do best to read at least that entire chapter if not more.  It doesn't take that long and yields such nourishment.  I am making a new vow to myself to develop better eating habits.

24/7 warrior duty

During Sunday eve's sermon, I'm just sitting there minding my own business, listening to Mike's very good sermon on fear.  The presence of the Spirit showed up and my mind and heart heard these words: Wake Up.  Once in awhile I have this type of encounter when I least expect it.  I have something to chew on accompanying this attention getter.  And I will continue to seek God's meaning to me so hopefully I can yield to it and pray into it.  One thing I know for sure.  It has to do with the non-option of being in the war.  We are all in it whether we choose it or not.  But the really scary part of it does belong to God.  And He's not afraid.  Wow.  P.S.  God sees a garland of roses around my neck, their beauty gracing the shield of faith.

Maybe my dilemma can help yours

Ouch!!! That's getting a little personal, God.  I THINK I've figured out that I've been avoiding an important reality check of the deep kind.  You know . . . allowing the yuck to bubble on out by actually speaking it out loud to God.  Anyway, that's how it is with me.  Keeping it unsaid but alive in my thoughts doesn't allow me progress.  And I've also realized there's some communication via the Spirit-powered prayer language that I've been resisting.  NO MORE RESISTING.  I'm ready for a breakthrough.  I don't know for sure what the outcome will be or when it will be, but I'm forging ahead.  Go ahead, Lord, and peel that layer away.
Trust and obey for there's no other way . . .

Allowing God to be Himself

I'm not the type who asks a lot of why questions.  Not about life, not about God. At some point it must have seemed easier to not go there.  Since my mom died when I was 9 and a lot of bad things happened from then on, it makes sense that I would be more intent on surviving than figuring out the whys of it all.  I was looking back in journals I had written in as far back as 10 years.  I never went down the why road in those recorded thoughts either.  Right now I see this as a blessing.  I feel comfortable with God being mysterious.  Actually, I LOVE that He is.