in the blur

sun rising

through rain

softening the edges

we inhale

living in the blur

waiting for what the day 

will bring

and His voice

quiet as ever, whispers

look through My eyes

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. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever. 
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 The Message

His chosen

My Father said, as I sat in silence:

I have called you

and set you apart

and you not longer "fit"

in the world around you, no

not even the "Christian" wrld

for many call themselves by My name

but their hearts are far from Me

I know you feel the distance

and discomfort

you do not "fit in"

your edges are rubbed raw

allow Me to soothe and smooth

the rough places

but do not expect that to make you

a better fit

you are odd by design

by My hand

for My purposes

in My Kingdom

the world also did not welcome Me

but you carry My message

for this you were chosen

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood,

 a holy nation, God’s own people, 

that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him 

who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

1 Peter 2:9

Get that

Yesterday morning, in a quiet time during corporate prayer, we were told to ask the Lord about His great love for us. His words came quickly...

I love you. I want you to "get that"

finally, fully understanding

because I said it, and I mean it and you can trust it

then - MOVE ON

I want you to know

so that you need no longer waste time pondering

Then I will be able to move 

and use you as I will

Then you can move to My heartbeat

There is so much we need to do.

a place prepared

mornings start best with silence

words this morning as I sought His counsel

Allow your affliction to drive you

not to despair but to My side

There is a place prepared for you alone

to find comfort, refreshing and peace

to re-energize and so return to the battle stronger

Come for courage to this place

the place of abiding

the place you need never leave

words from Father

I have been intentional about listening, with a growing urgency

knowing that His voice is what I am desperate for

we can not make a move without Him

If I have chosen you as My vessel

may I not use you as I will?

If you allow Me

you will be used 

in ways you never would have expected

Simply say "here I am Lord"

and you will be surprised at what I do

This will be new land

redeemed and restored

Cleansing may be painful

but the rewards are great

Highway dream

from https://www.dreamstime.com

I was driving in the left lane of a large expressway (western style, driver in the left seat of car)

In the lane of oncoming traffic next to me there was a fire (not sure if it was a vehicle burning or something else)

The air was dark and smoke filled making it difficult to see anything.  I was driving fast and almost didn’t notice a fire truck or ambulance driving toward me in my lane. As I quickly attempted to move to the next lane another emergency vehicle pulled into that lane. I was able to swerve and avoid hitting them, still maintaining my speed.

As soon as I passed, everything exploded into flames that I could see in my rear view mirror as I continued moving forward.

During this time of turning, transition awaits

and I know we are to continue moving ahead.

What fires or trials we will avoid and those that wait ahead 

are as yet unknown.

But only to us.

Our Lord already knows and has already felt the flames.

May we look only to Him 

and pass through smoke free.

and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. 

They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; 

their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.

Daniel 3:27 NIV

no digging

I have been distant, yes

somewhere down deep

following the Light

words scattered into 

places hidden

but His voice reminds 

He has called me

as His pen

I must not dig for words

but embrace them

as they come

refreshment in this

the driest of seasons

morning words

some early morning words from my Father

as I sat in silence this morning

it was never about you anyway

so what you can

or cannot do

matters not at all

it is only in the willingness

the sacrifice

the giving over

that I rule and reign

and have My way

worry not, little one

just remain close

heart open

I know you are broken

but also wholly Mine

that is what I use

first and always

In the quiet of the morning - I was listening --

If you allow Me to set the course

set the schedule

order your steps and your days

you will face them with both energy and joy

instead of the anxiety and hesitance

that is dragging your spirit low

Even if this calls you

to stand against the plans of men

you will not stand alone

seek Me --

first and always

ask Me --

I Am faithful to answer

listen -

trust our connection

you do hear Me

obey - step out in faith

When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say; 

for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour 

Matthew 10:19 RSV

 

Word for 2016

As is my habit, I ended the old and began the new year seeking a personal word 

of direction and focus from the Lord for 2016.  

I waited. And I waited. 

By late afternoon yesterday, the word simply emerged --

CLARITY

The Oxford English Dictionary defines:

1.1 - The quality of being coherent and intelligible

for the sake of clarity, each of these strategies is dealt with separately

1.2 - The quality of being easy to see or hear; sharpness of image or sound

the clarity of the picture

1.3 - The quality of being certain or definite

it was clarity of purpose that he needed

1.4 - The quality of transparency or purity

the crystal clarity of water

It seems that the Lord referred to all the variations of the word 

when He shared with me this morning:

There is much noise and distraction surrounding you

not all of it is bad or evil

yet still can draw you off course

Yes, you need to see and hear with precision

In the days to come

I will sharpen your focus

even place blinders upon you

so that you see only that which I desire

Do not concern yourself

with things I have not called you to

Do not allow the enemy to pervert 

the curious nature I gifted to you

to explore that which you do not need to know

While the world stirs and muddies your view

return to Me

in stillness and calm 

the waters settle

and vision returns

Not only will you live with clarity

but I am confirming and reinforcing

my desire for you to walk in clarity

fully transparent

to Me, to yourself

to those to whom I will send you

no guile

no façades

no masks

as they see right through you

I will appear

and shine

Thus says the Lord God, “When I gather the house of Israel from the nations among whom they are scattered, and I manifest my Holiness in them in the sight of the nations, then they will live in their own land which I gave to My servant Jacob. 26 They shall live in it securely; and they will build houses, plant vineyards and live securely when I execute judgment on all those around them who despise them. Then they will know [with clarity and confidence] that I am the Lord their God.” Ezekiel 28:25-26 Amplified

And he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will, [and to progressively understand His plan with clarity and power] and to see the Righteous One [Jesus Christ, the Messiah] and to hear a message from His [own] mouth. 15 For you will be His witness to all men testifying of what you have seen and heard. Acts 22:14-15 Amplified

 

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]! 

 2 Corinthians 9:15 Amplified

 

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

eyes to see

I have given you eyes to see

but I ask that you submit them to Me

that I may sanctify, clarify and highlight

where I want you to focus

 

There is much that swirls around you

that you need not pay heed to

Will you choose

to see only what I want to show you

hear only what I want to tell you

and feel only those things I choose?

Then you are truly mine

empty, usable to serve My purposes

 

If the world is offended

remember you are Mine

and not of the world

face up - face down

often, in quiet moments of rest

not quite sleeping

the Lord shows me 

pictures, seemingly insignificant

but I have learned to look

and see, and ask

yesterday morning, not yet wanting

to rise for the day

not sure if eyes were open

or closed, I saw an image

in a small square

the green felt of a gaming table 

with two hands of cards 

dealt face up

I didn't notice 

the value of each card

so some moments later

I closed my eyes, 

wishing to revisit

the scene

I saw the same table

two hands of cards

this time, face down

I asked God what He was showing me

sometimes I let you see

sometimes you just have to trust me

no other sermon

could have held more truth

as He set the rhythm, unforced

for my Sunday

linking with Kelli to the rhythm He sets

 

Christmas fulfills

As dawn breaks on this Christmas morning

Rejoice in the One Who fulfills the ancient words –

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,

the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD

Isaiah 11:1-2 NIV

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches.

I am the Root and the Offspring of David,

the Bright and Morning Star.”

Revelation 22:16 NKJV