open heart

my trip to the mountains

resounded with gasps

"wows" and tears

beauty opening my heart 

to unexpected wonder

having seen

I cannot un-see

having felt

I cannot un-feel

what God has done

what God can do

around, in

and even through me

still

the worries of the world

 rush over me

power pounding

attempting to distract

but I find safety

in the Rock

that holds me fast

solid in the chaos

this is what He teaches

this is what I'm learning

be still

know

The Girl Behind the Red Rope by Ted and Rachelle Dekker

Ted Dekker and Rachelle Dekker are the father/daughter duo that co-authored the most nerve rattling novel I have read in a long time, The Girl Behind the Red Rope.

The hills of Tennessee is the hiding place for an extreme, religious community that believes that following impossibly strict rules will keep them faultless, pure and ready for the world to come. Doubters, wanderers and strangers can not be tolerated. Life is lived within a perimeter marked by a red rope.

In this fear based world, it becomes impossible to tell the wolves from the sheep, the darkness from true light.

I read the book aloud to my husband as we travelled long hours cross country. There were many times we were sad to have to take refuelling breaks, so caught up were we in the story.

If you'd like a calm easy read, pass on this book; but if you want to be challenged, baffled and engaged, don't miss The Girl Behind the Red Rope.

An advanced reader edition of this book has been provided courtesy of Graf-Martin Communications. All opinions are my own.

breathless

I have been silent here

for good reason

awed by His creation

now that my breath is back

words will return

Overcomer - a review

I was blessed to view an advance screening of Overcomer, the new film by the Kendrick brothers.

The outer shell of the story is about high school sports: a coach, football players, a young female runner and their families. But the deeper story that weaves through the entire film is about where each one finds their identity. 

As one who has learned the lesson of needing to find my identity in Christ, I found myself nodding in agreement throughout the movie.

Those who found Fireproof, Courageous and other Kendrick films a bit heavy handed with their sharing of faith will probably stumble over the same here. I would hope however that people can watch this with open minds and open hearts, allowing the truth of the message to touch them.

Screening link has been provided courtesy of Sony Entertainment Releasing Canada and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

ever a door

there is ever a door

ahead, open

or closed, asking

what will we do here?

will we stand, stubborn

afraid to knock

or touch, or push

will we crawl under, squeeze

through, jump high

hurdling over

will we peek through

and uncertain

turn to face another door

another time, another place

there is ever a door ahead

Strive to enter by the narrow door

[force yourselves through it], 

for many, I tell you, will try to enter 

and will not be able.

Luke 13:24 Amplified

thick clouds

friends dear to us

have had their hearts exploded by tragic loss

clouds dark have settled over us all

in my quiet time with the Lord this morning

He spoke these words

in Africa funeral houses fill with wailing cries

this, when there are no words

they do not fear the depth of mourning

this makes sense to you now

your people, your village is shaken

I hear cries that they think they should suppress

there is no need, no reason 

to be strong

I Am the strength for all

stand together in your weakness

those who already have answers

did not hear them from Me