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.’” 

Zechariah 13:9 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

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!’

Judges 7:18 Amplified

 

turn and return

early morning quiet time…

Behold, how good and pleasant it is 

when brothers dwell in unity!

Psalm 133:1 RSV

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

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.

Revelation 3:8 The Message

 

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.

Jeremiah 6:16a Amplified

 

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