31 December 2015

storms in the mix

BEND
was the word I heard 
as 2015 dawned
I should perhaps 
have received it
as a warning
for the year would bring
fierce emotional storms
that tossed me about
tested and strained me
till I was certain
I would snap

but the God who creates the storms
also calms them
and there is always
a new season waiting
on the other side of the clouds

We've been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we’re not demoralized; 
we’re not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do;
 we've been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn't left our side; 
we've been thrown down, but we haven’t broken. 

my word for 2016
has not yet been revealed
when I know
I'll share

23 December 2015

Christmas Word

This word from our Lord - first given to me in 2011 still rings true in my spirit today.

In the quiet, in the waiting, I have been listening for what the Lord would share:

Even as a tiny baby I Was and Am big enough
to hold and carry all that concerns you.

This then is the magic of Christmas.

Your worry for My peace.
Your grief for My joy.
Your bondage for My freedom.
Your wrong for My right.

In all the unwrapping of gifts,
do not forget this divine exchange.

Now thanks be to God for His Gift, [precious] beyond telling 
[His indescribable, inexpressible, free Gift]! 

 

12 December 2015

morning drive

the traffic jams we fight
each time we drive to town
have let us weary

yesterday, with intention
we turned the opposite direction
heading off on our first adventure
solo on African soil

after reaching our desired destination
an organic farm and butchery
and filling our cooler with fresh cut
unbelievably priced meats
we continued further
scanning the roadside for the furniture stalls
we had been told about

a road sign caught my eye
a high end hotel/safari lodge
we turned to discover it was a three kilometre drive
down a bumpy road
we were free and unscheduled
and needed a bathroom break
so we continued on

a friendly gate guard welcomed us
we explained we wanted to inquire
about a future holiday visit
"sure sure Mama" he smiled
"of course you are welcome Bwana"
he waved us through 
where another sign informed us
we had yet another four kilometres to travel
ruts and ridges and dust
but all worth it
once we stepped out into His glory

the hotel was beautiful, luxurious and steeply priced
far beyond our budget
but we were able to wander the grounds
to spy antelopes and monkeys
stretching car stiff legs

the road back to the highway
stretched dry before us
and as always
the return trip seemed shorter

we didn't care
that we hadn't found the furniture man
that will be a reason
for another drive
another day

 

07 December 2015

inside out

we have shifted
to another new home
in Zambia, here
a view from our dining room
to the enclosed veranda
where we are bringing the inside out
or the outside in
which seems only fitting
for our life these days
driving on the wrong side of the road
summer steaming rain instead snow
dawn rising when back home friends ready for sleep
just a shadow of the Kingdom
where last will be first
giving to gain, dying to live
ever a bit of a bumpy ride
but eyes fixed on Him

Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on [a]so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14 Amplified


 

22 November 2015

sudden green

green erupts 
in the blink of an eye
long awaited life 
soaks into thirsty ground
and all the earth rejoices

Rain down, O heavens, from above, 
Let the clouds pour down righteousness [all the blessings of God]; 
Let the earth open up, let salvation bear fruit, 
And righteousness spring up with it; 
I, the Lord, have created it.


 

20 November 2015

this... left behind

Tuesday came
with a good steady rain
leaving behind
covenant promise
stretched across His heavens
Yes, I love you
yes, I remember you
ever and always


 

14 November 2015

painted skies

night follows day
follows night
as His hand moves
painting glory
just before sunset

this Zambian dry season
cries for relief
yet beauty
and peace 
continue to fall 
soft

 

02 November 2015

crossing over

I have at long last shared on my Hearing Right blog
for indeed I am struggling in the
not hearing right

you can catch up here Frustrated and desperate

 

01 November 2015

Brilliant creativity

the rains have not yet come
yet around every corner
His grand design astounds me
a dear friend called this
a watermeon flower
creativity on display
glory, brilliance
undeniably His work

Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    bring an offering and come before him.
Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
Tremble before him, all the earth!
    The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.

 

20 October 2015

life in a parched land

I remember dry spells
on the Canadian praires
how colour fades
grass snaps, breaks
cutting feet silly enough
to walk unshod
dirt cracks deep
wind catches dust to scatter
upon leaves too soon disconnected
from their trees
and we cried for rain
here, in Zambia, we wait
perhaps another month
before the season of dryness
ends, yet life breaks through
thrives and startles
with God's ability to overcome
softening the harsh climate
creating trees that flower
even during regular months of drought

Thirsty deserts will be glad; 
barren lands will celebrate and blossom with flowers.


 

16 October 2015

flexible strength

In the quiet hours
the Lord shared His recipe
for flexibility---

My desire is that you would make much of Me
Am I not big enough to carry all that concerns you?
I carry you, all of you, large and small
I see - do not doubt my vision
As you surrender I can move you easily
according to My will

Think of the pasta you cooked yesterday
when it is raw it is hard, sharp, brittle
if you try in any way to change its shape
it snaps, shatters, breaks
but once submitted to the water
it softens in surrender

Yet in that same softness
it becomes unbreakable

Can you allow Me to do as I will?
beyond your tiny understanding
even when the waters are hot and painful?
Even when you fear you won't be able to breathe
in the abundance of heavy steam?

Breathe in Me
I Am always the safest place
even when I Am transforming you

Continue to bathe and soak in Me
lest you grow hard again

“And I will bring the third part through the fire,
 Refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. 
They will call on My name, And I will listen and answer them; 
I will say, ‘They are My people,’ 
And they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’” 


 

26 September 2015

not just communications

I have pondered long this word that my Lord shared with me perhaps two weeks ago now
are we writers? communicators? story tellers? messengers?
May I remember to surrender my pen, to His hand,

I ask of you
as a chosen one
a beloved one
consecrated, set apart
by Me and for Me
Let the words you share
be Mine
the stories told
My story
not mere imaginings
or retelling
not just creative art
No, I have a higher call
upon your life
and your work
it is not only “communications”
it is prophecy
Tell My people
That is why you are here
This is what I have gifted you for
I Will provide the words
your part is to share them
Spread My glory

14 September 2015

Battle orders

Early morning prayer time
preparing for battle
I received His orders:

Arise and move into position
arise and arm yourselves
there is a battle that you do not see
but ask of Me
and I will increase your spiritual vision
ask of Me
and I will give you ears to hear

Arise and man your stations
I have a designated place
for each of you

Together you stand
together you fight
and I Am in your midst
yes, I Am at the core
your Defender
your Protector
your Provider
I Am the Lord strong and mighty

Arise and take courage
your God Is ever with you
like Gideon, declare My victory
Mine is a Kingdom of love
and the war has already been won

When I and all who are with me blow the trumpet (ram’s horn), 
then all around the camp you also blow the trumpets and shout,
 ‘For the Lord and for Gideon!’

 

08 September 2015

turn and return

early morning quiet time…

Behold, how good and pleasant it is 
when brothers dwell in unity!


yet I see factions
fractures, war
I see bitterness and strife
bickering, words of blame, shame
condemnation

Look – it doesn’t take much illumination
to see not My reflection
but the face of evil

when the world looks at you
who shall they see?

turn then, turn
for I Am ever gracious
turn and return
for I Am the Lord of restoration
and I will cleanse you
and I will heal you
and I will teach you again
and again
and again
the better way
the way of love

this is the door to My heart
where I invite all of My children
to dwell, in one place
with one mind
and one spirit

together, in Me
of Me, for Me

26 August 2015

next door

we are in a place
where beauty thrives
in even the driest of seasons

colours both delicate
and brilliant
highlight His glory
pointing to the next open door

I see what you’ve done. Now see what I’ve done. 
I’ve opened a door before you that no one can slam shut. 
You don’t have much strength, I know that; 
you used what you had to keep my Word. 
You didn’t deny me when times were rough.

 

17 August 2015

at a fork

we have come
once again
to a time of decision
choices swirling

as we seek His direction
and perfect plans
we, like this common bulbul
are taking our rest
right here in the fork
before taking wing

 Thus says the Lord: Stand by the roads and look; 
and ask for the eternal paths, where the good, old way is; 
then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.


 

23 July 2015

eyes and ears open


We are in the middle of the first of several visioning trips
as we open our eyes, ears and hearts
to learn what God is asking of us

building new relationships
breaking bread
(or in this case, crocodile)
allowing the Holy Spirit to over-fill us
with the love only He can provide

God is not yet saying yes here
but He also is not saying no

more to come

 

20 June 2015

I AM still here

I'm here
relaxing in front of our cozy little home
in Zambia
where I rarely have good enough internet access
to connect to you
but you remain
in my heart and mind
and I hope I remain
in your prayers

02 May 2015

bringing forth

In my quiet time yesterday morning, 
the Lord shared the following word with me:

You have been carrying that which I planted within you --
Just as a woman carries a child for nine months 
before bringing it into the world
so too shall it be with you
I called you from your home 
almost nine months ago
your time of birthing is near 
and you will be surprised 
at what We have brought forth
for My glory –
you have been through all the uncertainty 
like morning sickness
the heavy slowness 
the fatigue and wanting to give up –
but I tell you as a warning
the hardest is yet ahead
the pains of labour
but push through, push through
to new life!


 

21 April 2015

reflected cross

it was a perfect morning
to walk and wander
the nature reserve
heat from the sun 
drifting in a subtle breeze

resting in a bird blind
we savoured songs
sensing nearness
even as they remained hidden
I watched, still 
silent, to see
not wings, but a cross
reflected from random twigs

when eyes are wide
and spirits open
the cross is everywhere

For the story and message of the cross is sheer absurdity and folly
 to those who are perishing and on their way to perdition, 
but to us who are being saved it is the [manifestation of] the power of God. 

 

16 April 2015

seasons upside down

I am chilly here
mornings, evenings
wrapped in fleece
as night floats in
flowers blaze
courage displayed
even as Autumn grabs hold
this still unsettles me
living upside down
when all within me insists
April means Spring

It is still warmer here in Pretoria 
than the normal temperatures in Manitoba
but having adjusted to the hot, hot, hotter of Africa 
the cool seems to drive in deep
we will soon depart to sunrises 
and the coldest months yet under Zambian skies
July will find me clad in sweats instead of drenched in sweat
as I wait for the blooming jacaranda trees 
to signal winter's end

 

12 April 2015

a quiet walk

While the sun was high
we went for a short walk
to the nearby game reserve
stepping softly we wandered
to visit with, but not disturb
residents both hiding
and boldly close and exposed
rejoicing as we breathed
the same air
.