books in boxes

this is a season of uncertainty

we are convinced, persuaded

with a deep knowing

that we will go to Malawi

but we do not know the timing

it could be next January

or it could be in the middle of August

so we are packing away

things we do not need

the fancy china, serving dishes

collectibles, trinkets

the windows of the almost empty 

china cabinet stare back at me

unsure, even a bit sad

missing contents

but the books, words

eaten, savoured

transforming words

delighting words

words that held up

mirrors, reflecting cracks

then helping to heal

these, then, are like family

dear friends, I hear them

speaking still, as I sort

and stack, placing them in boxes

I can't bring myself to seal

soon, will be time

for the journals, words more

intimate, mine to Him

His to me

including all of those

that set me on this journey

I will remain

a woman of words

and The Word

ever alive in Him

“Yes,” said Jesus, “and you won’t regret it. 

No one who has sacrificed home, spouse, 

brothers and sisters, parents, children—whatever—will lose out. 

It will all come back multiplied many times over in your lifetime. 

And then the bonus of eternal life!”

Luke 18:2-30 The Message

 

less of me

This week we're looking at the chapter Giving in Brennan Manning's Furious Longing of God

The gospel is absurd and the life of Jesus is meaningless unless we believe that He lived, died, and rose again with but one purpose in mind: to make brand-new creations. Not to make people with better morals, but to create a community of prophets and professional lovers, men and women who would surrender to the mystery of the fire of the Spirit that burns within, who would live in ever greater fidelity to the omnipresent Word of God, who would enter into the center of it all, the very heart and mystery of Christ, into the center of the flame that consumes, purifies, and sets everything aglow with peace, joy, boldness, and extravagant, furious love. This, my friends, is what it really means to be a Christian. Our religion never begins with what we do for God. It always starts with what God has done for us, the great and wondrous things that God dreamed of and achieved for us in Christ Jesus.

mold me
in your image
in the heat of the flames
I am drawn to that mystery
the place of absorbtion
where who I am
melts into All You Are
more of You
all I need is more of You
and less of me
less of me
less

That’s why my cup is running over. This is the assigned moment for him to move into the center, while I slip off to the sidelines. John 3:30 The Message

Joining Sarah and Jason today at Jason's place

 

Words and The Word

I love books, as a writer, I love words. Writers open their hearts and pour out whatever they find there. Words can be funny, critically important, frightening and encouraging, stirring the heart and spirit in powerful ways.

But…

I'm talking about the power of God's Word today at The Everyday Testimony Project.  Click here to read the rest of my post.

words, words, words....

Books are piled on my nightstand, the coffee table, next to my Jesus chair...
Words call to me, speak to me, encourage and educate me. 
As a blogger I am blessed to be able to receive free books to review.

Here are just a few in process:

Veneer - Living Deeply in a Surface Society by Timothy Willard and Jason Locy

Earthen Vessels - Why Our Bodies Matter to Our Faith by Matthew Lee Anderson

Eden Derailed - a theology of sex by Matt Williams

Rumors of God - Experience the Kind of Faith You've Only Heard About by Darren Whitehead and Jon Tyson

A Confident Heart - How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises by Renee Swope

Watch for the reviews as I complete each book.

The volumes don't stop there...  even with so many free books I can't resist purchasing others.  I have fiction, devotionals and books on writing.  But I'll leave those for another post.

For those who wonder what standard I use to judge what I read, I confess there is only one; the most profound, compelling, encouraging and educational book ever written, both a history text and a love letter, His Word, the Bible. 

These are also piled up and scattered everywhere, in as many versions as we can find.  They are in every room (yes, even the bathroom), in the car, and in my purse.

Did I mention I love words?  Have I mentioned I love God?