March 3rd, I embark with 9 others to Cameroon, Africa. I am turning by blog into a jounral for a couple weeks to see if it will inspire me to write more often(considering I deserted by blog for the last --oh, 7 months). Maybe if all my dear "revelation" buddies and friends will send me questions and comments -- you could get me writing again!
Don't know how often I will have access to the internet while I am in Africa...so no promises but if I can get online...I will blog a note or two.
Until then...if you randomly catch this blog...pray for me. My heart is full of hope for the things unraveling in my life. Dreams seem so tangible. Hope is thick...but the dogs of doom that growl at the door of destiny are snarling viciously at me. My dreams at night are filled with me searching, running through fields, looking for the door to my secret garden-- the garden that blooms with fullness.
Life will speed by the next couple days...so...I will check back in on Thursday as we embark on our journey.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Returning and Rest
Authenticity...living integrity. living open. living without compromise.
I was a bit on edge that day. Excited and very hopeful, but I sensed my heart was going to get exposed. As I sat with a friend, the conversation took an interesting twist; I watched my friend begin to unravel revelation with the best words one could use...but the mind couldn't articulate what the heart had found. The crux of the revelation...
It has all been accomplished-- no striving necessary, just discovery.
Do I believe is has all been accomplished-- and does my life reflect that truth?
Am I trying to gain what has already been given?
Lately, in several situations or conversations-- including that one, I have heard (yes, without being naive I know I listen through my own filter) the phrase, "you are amazing, but..." Oh, how this phrase has rocked my core. I am acutely aware of how quick my response is to perform my way into the good favor of relationships. And sadly, found I was still under the false premise that performance works with God too! I can preach it with the best of them...but we all know layers of disappoint, misconceptions, false teachings, and complacency will cause us to build habits that simply do not line up with the Word of God. But truth sets us free-- Praise God! I am watching in all these situations, my acceptance being measured...and I was finding out that I did not measure up to the standards placed before me. My heart was growing uneasy. Unwilling to accept rejection as my answer...I began to seek truth-- precept upon precept.
A crossroad appeared... authenticity or performance. It was my choice in how to respond to the standards set before me; but one road is certainly less traveled by. The question is no longer where I am headed...but how. Christ paid the price from my life-- and through Him I have been saved and sanctified. So life is no longer about finding salvation (striving) but living salvation (resting). Authenticity means I know who I am through the New Covenant. Performance means I still believe a sacrifice must be made to make me acceptable. I believe that only through an authentic lifestyle of true identity can we rejoice in all trials. Will I sing in prison? Will I rejoice with chains? Only if I know the truth-- that it has all been accomplished through Christ. The road by authenticity will ask of me to believe. The road by performance will ask of me to work. The road by authenticity will require understanding. The road by performance will require knowledge. The road by authenticity will demand trust. The road by performance will depend on me.
I am weary of performing; weary of weighing the opinions of others and myself…
I am choosing the road of authenticity…embracing at new level all that Christ has accomplished.
Now it is time for a season of discovery – may this journey be rich and long.
"In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and
confidence shall be your strength." Isaiah 30:15
I was a bit on edge that day. Excited and very hopeful, but I sensed my heart was going to get exposed. As I sat with a friend, the conversation took an interesting twist; I watched my friend begin to unravel revelation with the best words one could use...but the mind couldn't articulate what the heart had found. The crux of the revelation...
It has all been accomplished-- no striving necessary, just discovery.
Do I believe is has all been accomplished-- and does my life reflect that truth?
Am I trying to gain what has already been given?
Lately, in several situations or conversations-- including that one, I have heard (yes, without being naive I know I listen through my own filter) the phrase, "you are amazing, but..." Oh, how this phrase has rocked my core. I am acutely aware of how quick my response is to perform my way into the good favor of relationships. And sadly, found I was still under the false premise that performance works with God too! I can preach it with the best of them...but we all know layers of disappoint, misconceptions, false teachings, and complacency will cause us to build habits that simply do not line up with the Word of God. But truth sets us free-- Praise God! I am watching in all these situations, my acceptance being measured...and I was finding out that I did not measure up to the standards placed before me. My heart was growing uneasy. Unwilling to accept rejection as my answer...I began to seek truth-- precept upon precept.
A crossroad appeared... authenticity or performance. It was my choice in how to respond to the standards set before me; but one road is certainly less traveled by. The question is no longer where I am headed...but how. Christ paid the price from my life-- and through Him I have been saved and sanctified. So life is no longer about finding salvation (striving) but living salvation (resting). Authenticity means I know who I am through the New Covenant. Performance means I still believe a sacrifice must be made to make me acceptable. I believe that only through an authentic lifestyle of true identity can we rejoice in all trials. Will I sing in prison? Will I rejoice with chains? Only if I know the truth-- that it has all been accomplished through Christ. The road by authenticity will ask of me to believe. The road by performance will ask of me to work. The road by authenticity will require understanding. The road by performance will require knowledge. The road by authenticity will demand trust. The road by performance will depend on me.
I am weary of performing; weary of weighing the opinions of others and myself…
I am choosing the road of authenticity…embracing at new level all that Christ has accomplished.
Now it is time for a season of discovery – may this journey be rich and long.
"In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and
confidence shall be your strength." Isaiah 30:15
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Unlocking Unity
Authentic in word and action...
I am convinced the threat against unity is the lack of authenticity. Unity is a beautiful picture of one's power, authority, and love embracing another person in all of their power, authority and love. Thus unity must be a product of honor. Where there is no honor there is no unity.
The greatest display of unity is the Godhead. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Living to submit to one another, never offending, never exerting authority, and never withholding. Displays of glory never pointing to self but rather pointing to the other.
The Godhead has nothing to hide. Nothing to prove. No greater success to achieve. The Godhead simply lives to have relationship.
If we are to live out God's glory on earth, and re-present heaven then unity among His people must be found. For unity is the product of honor. Honor comes from recognizing the God within another and giving it value.
To achieve honor we must achieve authenticity. Authenticity is rooted is safety of being known and accepted for who you are. We are plagued with wounds and belief systems that undermine the freedom given to us in Christ. Our identity as sons of God should cause us to be servant's of all and lovers of our enemies. Honor does not mean I give my power, authority and love away...it means I use all three to magnify Christ in you. Honor is the most empowering currency within the Kingdom.
Yet, we hide behind walls, temper our words to be more palatable for other's insecurities, spin plates of good works to distract from the foundational character cracks. We lose...we hinder ourselves.
I am hungry for authenticity. I desire to to run with a community of believers captivated by Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The "beloved unveiled" takes one more step closer to being free. Authenticity is key.
I am convinced the threat against unity is the lack of authenticity. Unity is a beautiful picture of one's power, authority, and love embracing another person in all of their power, authority and love. Thus unity must be a product of honor. Where there is no honor there is no unity.
The greatest display of unity is the Godhead. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Living to submit to one another, never offending, never exerting authority, and never withholding. Displays of glory never pointing to self but rather pointing to the other.
The Godhead has nothing to hide. Nothing to prove. No greater success to achieve. The Godhead simply lives to have relationship.
If we are to live out God's glory on earth, and re-present heaven then unity among His people must be found. For unity is the product of honor. Honor comes from recognizing the God within another and giving it value.
To achieve honor we must achieve authenticity. Authenticity is rooted is safety of being known and accepted for who you are. We are plagued with wounds and belief systems that undermine the freedom given to us in Christ. Our identity as sons of God should cause us to be servant's of all and lovers of our enemies. Honor does not mean I give my power, authority and love away...it means I use all three to magnify Christ in you. Honor is the most empowering currency within the Kingdom.
Yet, we hide behind walls, temper our words to be more palatable for other's insecurities, spin plates of good works to distract from the foundational character cracks. We lose...we hinder ourselves.
I am hungry for authenticity. I desire to to run with a community of believers captivated by Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The "beloved unveiled" takes one more step closer to being free. Authenticity is key.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
My Canvas
Sitting back and watching the recorded special of the 25th Anniversary of the Music Hall of Fame caused me to escape into a world defined by life sculpting lyrics, authentic voices scratching at my soul, and guitar riffs that moved me to exhilaration and tears. Artists consumed, abandoned. The result -- the unforgettable.
I want to find my art, and craft it like the lyrics of Sting, play it like Jeff Beck, and become timeless like Bonnie Raitt.
Creativity is aching to be expressed. Where is my canvas?
I want to find my art, and craft it like the lyrics of Sting, play it like Jeff Beck, and become timeless like Bonnie Raitt.
Creativity is aching to be expressed. Where is my canvas?
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Treasure Hunting in the Dark
Isaiah 45:3
And I will give you the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the LORD, which call you by your name, am the God of Israel.
Treasuring hunting in the dark...hearing His voice sing...
"Why are you striving these days
Why are you trying to earn grace
Why are you crying
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away
Why are you looking for love
Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run
To where will you run
And I'll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don't fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you
Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life
Cause I, I love you
I want you to know
That I, I love you
I'll never let you go"
Enough said.
Song: By Your Side
Artist: Tenth Avenue North
And I will give you the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the LORD, which call you by your name, am the God of Israel.
Treasuring hunting in the dark...hearing His voice sing...
"Why are you striving these days
Why are you trying to earn grace
Why are you crying
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away
Why are you looking for love
Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run
To where will you run
And I'll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don't fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you
Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life
Cause I, I love you
I want you to know
That I, I love you
I'll never let you go"
Enough said.
Song: By Your Side
Artist: Tenth Avenue North
Monday, March 22, 2010
Learning to Stand
Being faced with a storm, I flung my heart open to dear friends in desperation for prayer.
I do not have clue how to more forward.
And then the words came, stand--and when all else fails-- stand again. My walk with God has demanded cliff-jumping into the unknown, sailing into winds of adversity, and running with passion into the impossible -- but that is just it. This time I must stand. I found great security in moving forward. I relied too heavily on taking new ground. Standing feels like a loss.
Trust in Me, He says.
My heart aches to know what about "standing" represents Christ? What picture of heaven can you find in me rooting down with absolution? There is something here He wants me to know.
Learning to stand exposed my lack of trust and positioned to me to renew my strength in Him alone.
Learning stand -- who knew that it would be harder than running.
I do not have clue how to more forward.
And then the words came, stand--and when all else fails-- stand again. My walk with God has demanded cliff-jumping into the unknown, sailing into winds of adversity, and running with passion into the impossible -- but that is just it. This time I must stand. I found great security in moving forward. I relied too heavily on taking new ground. Standing feels like a loss.
Trust in Me, He says.
My heart aches to know what about "standing" represents Christ? What picture of heaven can you find in me rooting down with absolution? There is something here He wants me to know.
Learning to stand exposed my lack of trust and positioned to me to renew my strength in Him alone.
Learning stand -- who knew that it would be harder than running.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Does he know?
That look...
His eyes danced with mine
Unity was found
That look...
Fear steals such beauty
More questions avail
That look...
Deep calls unto deep
Great passion is seen
That look...
Whispers come with doubt
Yet hope still lingers
That look...
Ushered into love
All else is fading
That look.
His eyes danced with mine
Unity was found
That look...
Fear steals such beauty
More questions avail
That look...
Deep calls unto deep
Great passion is seen
That look...
Whispers come with doubt
Yet hope still lingers
That look...
Ushered into love
All else is fading
That look.
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