I want, I must; It is not good.
It is not sin; It won't bear fruit.
I have a need; Your need is me.
I can't say No. Then go.
You would be lean?
I've not been full.
You won't have me?
I'll have much more. Then go.
REMEMBER THE QUAIL!
REMEMBER THE FIRE!
REMEMBER THE SWORD!
REMEMBER BALAAM'S PASS!
My steps they freeze.
My hand withdraws.
My mind it whirls.
You can't mean me?
Listen And Heed!
Do Not Go!
The Way Is Blocked!
You'll Return No More!
I pull away, I dare not go.
He chose to stop me in the pass.
He stooped to speak as Balaam's ass.
My God, I clutch, he loves me.
My mercy cries out,
My fullness stoops.
Come, let me fill you;
I will quiet you with my love.
I return. I rest. I receive.
I love. I thank. I praise.
He adorns my head with jewels.
He prunes my darkness and makes way for light.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Monday, January 7, 2013
A Dream
I dreamed a dream, and in my dream I awoke under the thick protective bows of a pine tree. The rain had stopped, and the rising sun was casting its filtered rays into my bedchamber of warm, dry pine needles. The scent of spring rose all around me. I heard a bird singing the morning soliloquy, and then more birds joining in the chorus harmony. In the curtain of bows around me, I found a peep hole through which I saw pink tulips, their mouths open wide with dew on their white lips, turned toward the sun, happy.
And then a voice gently called my name. If anyone else had been with me, they could not have heard the call. I pushed back the bows and entered an old garden, long-forgotten yet beautiful. There were marble statues with wind-blown dirt packed into their crevasses, accenting the beautiful artistry of the hand that carved them. A little pond lay across the way, where a dainty red fox was drinking from its coolness.
"This garden I am giving to you to build up what others see as ruined and to plant what others see as desolate," said the Shepherd; for though I could not see Him, I knew my Shepherd's voice.
"How can this be," I asked?
"I have spoken it, and I will do it."
The sun rose full, shining with all its beauty, into my eyes; I was wearing a glorious new garment and beautiful jewels.
Ezekiel 36, Isaiah 61
Previous Post in Series: Into the Storm
And then a voice gently called my name. If anyone else had been with me, they could not have heard the call. I pushed back the bows and entered an old garden, long-forgotten yet beautiful. There were marble statues with wind-blown dirt packed into their crevasses, accenting the beautiful artistry of the hand that carved them. A little pond lay across the way, where a dainty red fox was drinking from its coolness.
"This garden I am giving to you to build up what others see as ruined and to plant what others see as desolate," said the Shepherd; for though I could not see Him, I knew my Shepherd's voice.
"How can this be," I asked?
"I have spoken it, and I will do it."
The sun rose full, shining with all its beauty, into my eyes; I was wearing a glorious new garment and beautiful jewels.
Ezekiel 36, Isaiah 61
Previous Post in Series: Into the Storm
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Wait in Faith
I am continuing my search for the new job which God already has designated for me. One of the best lessons I'm learning during this period of waiting is to wait in faith.
Three times within the last few weeks, God has encouraged me with specific answers to prayer. He is very kind to tell me -- again -- that He is with me and He is listening to me and He is working for me. One such answer happened the week before Christmas. That Wednesday, I had followed-up on a job lead that had seemed to have fizzled out. Two days later on Friday morning, God impressed on my heart to ask for what I wanted. "I don't know what I want," I responded. "There's so many options out there that I don't even know about, and I don't even know that anything is exactly what I would want." But He seemed to impress me to ask from that which I did know. And so, on my knees, I asked for one in particular. The day went by in searching and applying to more job leads, and, as so often occurs, I forgot about my morning prayer. However, God did not forget. At 5:00, the hiring manager from that particular company called me to answer my follow-up phone call from Wednesday. They have my resume in their consideration pile, she confirmed I had spoken with one of their VPs, and that they would begin the selection process after the holidays. We enjoyed a quick, pleasant exchange. And now, I work and I wait and I trust that "He works for those who wait for Him."
From my readings in George Mueller's biography, I have learned that often God chooses not to answer until the very last moment, not because He is unable, unconcerned, or even sadistic, but because He loves the time together in prayer and child-like dependence.
I wish you each a new year of intimate joy with our Father, Savior, Master, Friend, Beloved.
Next Related Post: Faith Is Vulnerable Journey (2013/2/16)
Previous Related Post: A New Journey Begins (2012/08/1)
Three times within the last few weeks, God has encouraged me with specific answers to prayer. He is very kind to tell me -- again -- that He is with me and He is listening to me and He is working for me. One such answer happened the week before Christmas. That Wednesday, I had followed-up on a job lead that had seemed to have fizzled out. Two days later on Friday morning, God impressed on my heart to ask for what I wanted. "I don't know what I want," I responded. "There's so many options out there that I don't even know about, and I don't even know that anything is exactly what I would want." But He seemed to impress me to ask from that which I did know. And so, on my knees, I asked for one in particular. The day went by in searching and applying to more job leads, and, as so often occurs, I forgot about my morning prayer. However, God did not forget. At 5:00, the hiring manager from that particular company called me to answer my follow-up phone call from Wednesday. They have my resume in their consideration pile, she confirmed I had spoken with one of their VPs, and that they would begin the selection process after the holidays. We enjoyed a quick, pleasant exchange. And now, I work and I wait and I trust that "He works for those who wait for Him."
From my readings in George Mueller's biography, I have learned that often God chooses not to answer until the very last moment, not because He is unable, unconcerned, or even sadistic, but because He loves the time together in prayer and child-like dependence.
I wish you each a new year of intimate joy with our Father, Savior, Master, Friend, Beloved.
Next Related Post: Faith Is Vulnerable Journey (2013/2/16)
Previous Related Post: A New Journey Begins (2012/08/1)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)