giving no power to darkness

I had more than four decades behind me

before I came to faith, forty-three years

of directing my own story

comedy, tragedy, horror film

I laughed at the idea of sin, hell

didn't worry me, I joked

at least there I would finally be

warm

my dive into Jesus was fast

hard and deep

total submersion, much like baptism

even before I took that step 

of public declaration

acknowledgement of my filth

and forgiveness of the same

walked hand in hand

the exchange of my wretchedness

for His righteousness

a transaction solid and complete

abundant grace

that still brings me to tears

not because of who I was, or am

or will be, but only because

of Who He Is

nothing I can do to make myself better

but surrender to what He has

already done

so I need not think long about sin

I need not give too much power 

to the darkness, no

I won't deny His sacrifice

I instead choose freedom

choose light, choose life

But in our time something new has been added. What Moses and the prophets witnessed to all those years has happened. The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this. Since we’ve compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ. Romans 3:21-24 The Message

joining Diana who asks What’s with all this talk about 'sin?'

 

thrill ride

Reason and logic were always a large part of who she was and when she tried to step away from them, they pulled her back harshly.  She always wanted yet never seemed able to loose control.  Perhaps that what she was seeking in her love of thrill rides.  You buy your ticket and take your seat.  The straps are buckled, the chains fixed, and you are locked in.  There is no turning back.  With excited and shaking expectation you climb to spectacular heights, knowing all the while that you cannot remain there.  Slowly, too slowly, you reach the edge, and freeze.  Time waits.  You gasp, and it's too late to pray as you fall with increasing speed and you don't even know that the screams you hear are your own.  Rising and falling and turning too fast, the blood rushes in your ears, your heart beats a wildness you've hungered for forever.  If you could only live in that moment always.  So you ride again.  And again.  And again.

back at the pub for a shot of prose/poetry
 

heart journey

This week Bonnie asked:

How has God been touching your heart this month? Share what you see.

I have been dwelling close to the fire

letting His life spark, flame and melt away the chains

the heart of flesh He created is learning

to beat in tune with His

and ache for those things that move Him

injustice, homelessness, lack

blogger friends have been telling the tales

writing from Africa

the continent that claimed me

as soon as the red soil settled on my skin

it was then that this journey began

the prayers, the waiting

and now the call to prepare, to leave 

the Canadian prairies I now call home

to return to Africa with His heart

and the feet He gave me

to share His story, His love, His truth

and as I go, continue to learn what it means

to abide, beneath the shelter of His wings

jamming with Bonnie
 

steam and spice

Canada breathes cold on the other side of my door

while in here I'm dreaming Africa

filling my house with warm

chapati, hot peppers, beans

coconut milk and curry

cooking and eating in solidarity

with those who have so much less

and so much more, than we

who think we have it all

in the steam and the spice

hope thrives

 

wolves can wait

wind blowing cold

wild again

low moan background 

music to my morning

tension strums nerves

no whispering

breeze this clamoring 

wail demanding answers

I have no reply

curl up small

in fleecy protection

warm the wolves

can wait another day

back at the bar with the poets

government of love

A new government of love will be established

    in the venerable David tradition.

A Ruler you can depend upon

    will head this government,

A Ruler passionate for justice,

    a Ruler quick to set things right.

Isaiah 16:5 The Message

praising Him in community with Deidra

 

garden of solitude

Solitude is the garden for our hearts, which yearn for love. It is the place where our aloneness can bear fruit. It is the home for our restless bodies and anxious minds. Solitude, whether it is connected with a physical space or not, is essential for our spiritual lives. It is not an easy place to be, since we are so insecure and fearful that we are easily distracted by whatever promises immediate satisfaction. Solitude is not immediately satisfying, because in solitude we meet our demons, our addictions, our feelings of lust and anger, and our immense need for recognition and approval. But if we do not run away, we will meet there also the One who says, "Do not be afraid. I am with you, and I will guide you through the valley of darkness."

Henri Nouwen

I come to the garden alone 

While the dew is still on the roses 

And the voice I hear falling on my ear 

The Son of God discloses. 

And He walks with me, and He talks with me, 

And He tells me I am His own; 

And the joy we share as we tarry there, 

None other has ever known. 

He speaks, and the sound of His voice, 

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing, 

And the melody that He gave to me 

Within my heart is ringing. 

C. Austin Miles

 

still and quiet with Sandy

 

Less of me

Diana's question this week is:

 “What’s with this ‘more of Jesus, less of me’ stuff?”

This seems to be a phrase
that falls freely from our lips
without much thought or reason
we say it
we sing it
we pray it
I wrote about it
in 2008, in 2010, likely just days ago as well

Then all that I am is all that He Is. Is this possible? To my natural mind it seems impossible to die to myself completely, it is not a natural act or process however, it is supernatural and can only be possible because of the Holy Spirit that indwells and guides me. My natural man fears death of self while my spirit man hungers for the same, to be totally lost and then totally found in Jesus.

This then, is the losing and the finding I have been seeking. I cannot strive toward it, this releasing of all that my "self" struggles to hold. Had I known how fierce would be the battle would I have dared begin?
Totally lost, totally found, totally His.
To exist as a reflection of His glory and His love.
There is no harder task.
There is no higher call.
In knowing I can not
I take the first step toward possibility.

Totally lost, totally found.
It is the world in me that I want to replace with the Christ in me.
That I might have space to be the real version of Karin.
The daughter He designed with great skill and precision
Not less, but more.
Fractures healed, imperfect perhaps
but complete in ways I can't quite imagine.

So as much as I am able, I pray
Continue to help me to surrender to Your work, Lord
in me, through me
that my unique spice and flavour
would bring glory to You name.

joining Diana in the depths
 

beautiful things

I see beauty fresh

wild

perfect in imperfection

 uniquely designed

by the hand 

of a Master

 intricate

impossibly fragile

yet strong

delicate depth 

to get lost in

silent space

to be still

and know

 Let be and be still, 

and know (recognize and understand) 

that I am God. 

I will be exalted among the nations! 

I will be exalted in the earth!

Psalm 46:10 NIV

jamming with Bonnie about beauty

 

travelling a new way

Rick and I ventured out to town for a meeting last night.  There were a few light flurries dancing about, but the forecast wasn't predicting any problems.

We enjoyed a time of sweet fellowship, prayer and planning.  My closing prayer was for safe travel home for all, mostly us, since we were the ones with a fair distance to cross.

As we pulled out of the church parking lot it was obvious it would be a slow trip.  The wind blew fierce, whipping the snow off the ground in waves of zero visibility. I watched the tension building in Rick's neck and shoulders as he concentrated on the often impossible task of seeing the lines on the highway.

I prayed that God would keep His mighty hand on our vehicle.  I imagined Him guiding us like a child moves a wooden car along a track.  The twenty minute trip took almost three times as long, but we did finally arrive home safe and without incident.  A chorus of praise and thanks rang from our hearts, spirits and lips.

We snuggled close in our cozy bed, grateful to be home.  And I dreamed...

We were travelling again.  Rick was on horseback, but at the same time he was leading a team pulling a cart.  I was seated at his right side, in a seat, not on a horse.  This seemed perfectly normal.  We were in an area we had visited frequently but noticed things we had never seen. High on hill tops I looked down and saw castle and village ruins and urged Rick to turn back so we could explore.  Filled with a sense of wonder and amazement, I woke, interrupted by the morning alarm.

When I brought this dream before the Lord, He replied:

you will be going a new way
as you slow down
I will show you both the future and the past
you will see what you have always missed before
in the time to come I will give you My eyes
this is part of the gift of My heart

 

slice in the night

the other night, these words came

waking me

again and again

slicing watermelon

to find sugary

goodness

runs like water

to refresh

leave the knife

in My hand

allow Me liberty

to work as

I will

and trust Me

a touch of salt

to the flesh

makes the juice

flow sweeter

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12 NLT

hanging out at the bar with the poets

 

pure and genuine

Pure and genuine religion 

in the sight of God the Father 

means caring for orphans and widows in their distress 

and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

James 1:27 NLT

I'm following the WorldHelp bloggers in Africa

come along here

late to the party but singing with Deidra and the Sunday choir

 

so much more

In the stillness 

I find my heart growing hot 

while I seek the person 

I have already found. 

God is so much more than I know.  

Eric Samuel Timm

too vast for my mind

to process

so I make the choice

to rest, breathe

simply believe

in the stillness with Sandy

 

obedience?

For the first dive into her series Living the Questions/Living into the Answers Diana talks about obedience.  What a word.

My Who Is HisFireFly page boldly states:

I desire to walk in radical obedience to His voice

but what does that really mean to me?

I have followed rigorous Bible reading plans
learned much, but often felt lost at sea
I sensed Him telling me not bite off more
than I could chew, to read less, meditate more
allow Him, not a schedule to lead me

I attempted to be faithful in prayer
yet never fit the pattern
of warriors and intercessors
who tried to school me
no list of requests for me
instead I simply seek His presence
abide, wait, respond
He said

when you're breathing you're praying

so I relax into that

a few years ago
I sensed Him repeating to my spirit

On assignment.  My work.  Stay close and I will lead you

This is how I choose to live each moment.
Obedience. Radical and real.
This is how I will walk into whatever He future He has planned.
His will.  His way.  Any plan I could imagine or create cannot compare.

linking with Diana pondering obedience