indeed a promise

there is indeed

a promise made

a covenant held

even if our minds

squint to see

God is no less 

God when we can't 

feel Him

as we struggle

to grasp what we

cannot know

but choose over

all, to believe

we watched the rainbow

fade, cameras

trying to capture

fleeting beauty

as the rains returned

woven roads

do I need to follow

a trail, some crumbs

left behind

signposts, reminders

a way back, without

repeating, errors

missteps, sorrows

no

I need footprints

a new road woven

with the ancient paths

by the Master

wiggling my toes

into promises

not yet born

God’s Message yet again: 

“Go stand at the crossroads and look around. 

Ask for directions to the old road, The tried-and-true road. 

Then take it. Discover the right route for your souls. 

Jeremiah 6:16 The Message

who can deny

new and glorious

each and every day

fresh hope, mercy

and promise

who can deny

the work of His hand?

psalm 26

psalm 26

rejoice for the sun rises

and here am I while many

did not awake to see this day

broken wide open in glory

the safety of Your promises

sheltering me, driving me

comforting me, filling me 

with courage to shout 

Your name, proclaim 

Your majesty

and walk again 

into the newness 

of life in The Light

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

 

below the waves

what if I let go

dropped the reins

took my hands off the wheel

stopped fighting to row or swim against the current

and allowed God to take me downstream?

what if?

could I catch my breath

ease into the flow, relax into His hand?

how much energy am I wasting

trying to keep my head above the water?

while Jesus whispers, again and again

come with me, deeper

even below the waves

I'm here to hold you

and keep you safe

and just when you think

there is no air

breathe in Me

I have been writing here

through a scattering of thunderstorms

blowing in and out, shifting light and dark

and then a rainbow, as if He is saying

remember My promises

all of them

breathing in the whitespace with Bonnie

 

broken promise

the label screamed

bold colours shining

all you need

and more

popping the top

ready for fizz

sparkle, what was

promised

I lifted the can

thirsty lips parted

head tilted just 

enough to receive

the quenching

all you need and more

the promise, broken 

as dry sand poured

taking breath 

leaving only

less

responding to the tweetspeak Poetry bottled and canned prompt surprise

and back at the bar tonight, hanging with the poets


  

art of becoming

reaching long

tension strains

to break free

the art of 

becoming

each movement a step

into the unknown

but promised glory

of now

hanging out at the bar, rubbing shoulders with the other poets
 

Unfolding grace...

Knowing His promises

are roots that grow down deep

I rest and recover

in His love and grace

So we’re not giving up. How could we! 

Even though on the outside 

it often looks like things are falling apart on us, 

on the inside, where God is making new life, 

not a day goes by without his unfolding grace.  

2 Corinthians 4:16 The Message

Seeking Him in the quiet with Sandy

 

Keeping His promises

This week Bonnie cued us with the line:

God will make a way

I am busy in the yard and garden, but thought the following post from the past fits in.

I have learned

that man

can twist the truth

side step, embellish

using words

that falsify

or fantasize

but my God says 

that He is not

a man

that He should lie

I must hear

His Words as truth

receiving all He promises

He leaves no room

for doubt

says in this world

you will have trouble

Yes troubles come

surprising 

with their sting

and in the moment

of catching breath

I must hear

His Words as truth

receiving all He promises

He leaves no room

for doubt

I will never leave you

Promises mixed

in eternal blend

I tip the cup

to drink them all

God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?  Numbers 23:19 NIV

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV


Joining in a cup of Bonnie's brew...

 

Without looking

Before leaving home
He reminded me
where ever I may go
I need never leave Him

Road heading East from Galena, Illinois

I wasn't listening
as He was speaking
in bright display

Tree in early bloom, Glenview, Illinois

How could I miss
the wonder of His hand
winged joy
delighting in flight

Duck in Port Washington, Wisconsin

Strokes delicate
as His whispering
promises

Orchids at Mitchell Park Domes, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

You need not search or strive
stop a moment, rest here
find me where I wait
ever wait
for you

Black River in La Crosse, Wisconsin

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength.  But you would have none of it  Isaiah 30:15 NLT



linking with Jennifer where nothing is coincidence....


 

In His hands

Rollercoaster ride
dizzying heights
mind numbing lows
fireworks or deep black
another year finds an end tonight.

I could not have predicted the trials
or planned the blessings
learning again and yet again
these things are best surrendered
to His hand.

As you look back
and forward
rest in His promises --

No one's ever seen or heard anything like this,

Never so much as imagined anything quite like it—

What God has arranged for those who love him

1 Corinthians 2:9 The Message

 
 

Fix your eyes

The Lord's word for me this last little while has been focus and the desire of my heart is to keep my eyes fixed upon Him.

Can I look at Him and not the obstacles in my path, hearing His call, His command?

Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go Joshua 1:9 Amplified

Strong and vigorous?  There may be times I could be called strong in spirit or vigorous in faith but surely not often enough.  As for the skin this spirit inhabits, vigor and strength have been absent for far too long.

Focus.  Fix your eyes.

To the driving melodies of gypsy guitar I pedaled on our new recumbent stationary bike.  Stiff and sore I relied on His promise to be with me.  As my temperature and heart rate began to rise I found a new rhythm of breathing, almost like prayer

What I can't do, You can do
Fix my eyes on Him not my pain
Courage will triumph over fear

I repented of being hindered by both sides of the same cloth, fear of failure and fear of success

What if I can't keep cycling for twenty minutes?  What if I can?
What if my written words never reach into another's heart?  What if they do?
What if God's promises aren't true?  What if they are?

Twenty-five minutes I cranked the pedals and fixed my eyes.  Stepping away coated in a shine of sweat, I found myself both weaker and stronger, two sides of the same cloth, but wrapped in His love.

 Sharing today at Jennifer's celebrating Him.

 

Unwrapped peace

Silence, stillness,
the fluttering wings of birds at feeders
seeking their winter provision.
Peace that comes
with the knowledge that I am back
exactly where God has rooted me
in this season of waiting
for what we know we have already received
for He Is here
Immanuel
God with us.

What gifts have you unwrapped today?  Come share at Emily's.

 

Blended promises

I have learned
that man
can twist the truth
side step, embellish
using words
that falsify
or fantasize
but my God says
that He is not
a man
that He should lie
I must hear
His Words as truth
receiving all He promises
He leaves no room
for doubt
says in this world
you will have trouble

Yes troubles come
surprising
with their sting
and in the moment
of catching breath
I must hear
His Words as truth
receiving all He promises
He leaves no room
for doubt
I will never leave you

Promises mixed
in eternal blend
I tip the cup
to drink them all

God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?
 Numbers 23:19 NIV

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV

Joining Jason and the other warriior poets talking about difficulties




 

One Word - Future

The words the Lord repeats to my spirit today are:

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

This is how I choose to live each moment.

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.

Though my words here today are few stop by Peter Pollock's to see what others have to say about future.

Persevere and expectation

As 2010 began the Lord gave me the word acceleration and promised that I could break free from the fear of man.  True always to His Word the year moved with ever increasing speed and as it drew to a close that acceleration seemed to thrust me into 2011.  I found myself again seeking Him for His hand and heart of direction, journal at the ready to record what He would share:

Lord God, I am looking to You for a guiding word and scripture for the year ahead.  Rick's word of blessing last night was persevere and I submit that word back to You.

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.”  But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. Hebrews 10:35-39 NIV

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.  James 1:12 NIV


Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us Hebrews 12:1 NIV
 
Continue to search My Word for more -
Persevere in faith
Persevere in trust
Persevere in hope
Know that I Am with you
 
As you stand, as you persevere, and yes, as you wait, little one, let this also be a year of expectation.
 
This is the time to hope in My glory.  This is the time to expect not only the best of Me but the best from yourself - for as you have surrendered and submitted that "self" to Me it is indeed My life and My power alive in you.
 
Surely I have said even greater things will you do than I have done while I walked the earth.
 
Only believe, My child, that you are loved, chosen to be light, an agent of change in the darkness.
 
Expect my love.  Expect My grace.  Expect My will to prevail.

And so, with the power of Christ alive in me, I will stand, I will wait, I will persevere and walk through the year ahead of me with great expectation of His glory revealed.

Stop by and jam with us at Bonnie's Faith Barista as we share our words for the new year.

Speak Lord - I'm listening

Years ago I received a precious gift from the Lord. I could be anywhere at all and suddenly hear the sound of chimes, a silvery flicker, a shimmering sound, just on the edge of my natural senses. After acknowledging the sound I would sense a word, a phrase, a message in my spirit. Once this had happened a few times I realized that I would hear the sound when the Lord had something to share with me.

Lord, You used to call me

with a ring

and I would answer

"here am I"

like picking up the telephone

or opening the door.

Did I grow too accustomed

or familiar?

Did I begin to rely on the gift

instead of the Giver?

Or was it simply time

to remove the easy access

the familiar gate

that had made me lazy?

You have not stopped speaking

but more often than not

You wait until I ask.

I hear you in the breeze

the beat of my heart

the scratching of a pen on crisp pages of my journal

the sky streaming golden at day's end
the warmth of a house shut tight against the wind

my husband's "I love you."

In the "yes, Yes, YES" that rises in my spirit

when I read Your love letter

written for me, for all of Your children

eternal promises.

I will seek. I will wait. I will listen still.

But speak Lord.

And the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, Samuel! Samuel! Then Samuel answered, Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening 1 Samuel 3:10 Amplified

I'm double linking today at:

Stop by Bonnie's Faith Barista and see what others have to share about hearing the Lord.

visit Emily at In the Hush of the Moon for more words imperfect

Autumn drizzle

Rain has dampened the edges of the day.
Nothing violent or dramatic
but a persistant drip, drip, drip.
I almost wanted to call for a downpour
and then be done with it.
Drip, drip, drip.

Rick worked about the yard
until the chill soaked in
trimming branches, shrubs
down to the ground
to encourage new
better growth next year.
Like the Father
seeking fruit.

Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. John 15:2 NKJV

Wet leaves
share their colours
the scent of decay tempered
by the hope of His promises.

I'm linking to L. L. Barkat's On, In and Around Mondays