I was feeling a bit on the talkative side tonight, and I posted two pieces of mental deposits below this one. I hope there is something that the Lord will use to quicken, soothe, cheer, or bolster you in the coming days.
Joy to you,
Lynne
Friday, February 8, 2008
Glory Train
I am awake at 2:30 in the morning. My mental soup has been sloshing around up there creating a disrespectable noise as I was attempting to sleep. I was dreaming of water, so I suppose that was, in part, a sign that I needed to get up and take care of business? Ok, that was a valid propellant towards consciousness; yet I would have preferred dreamland. Such is life.
I chose the title of Glory Train for this piece because I have been thinking of the accumulation of choices in everyday life. Those choices propell us towards one direction or another; fueling our future and determining our level of productivity.
Still lost in my mental soup? Well, relief is coming. Take a deep breath and just hang in there with me; I think we'll make it to the end together.
The ingredients in my soup are those verses in scripture that speak of confession and forgiveness, guidance and correction. 1 John 4:19, John 3:16, and many more. Common enough verses; yet living and active as an ingredient when the quiet of night descends and the Spirit whispers into our ears about the coming Glory Train. Perspective becomes clearer when the substance of earth is compared to the
stretch of eternity. These days are part water soluble colors; the oil paint will appear as we make those choices that define our days. How do we discern between the water soluble and the more permanent oil paint in our lives? I am still brewing that batch of soup, yet the flavors come to the fore and impress my palate in a fresh way tonight.
That promise of the new day and the glory of heaven needs to fuel us towards a refined purpose in our days to come. Eternity is a long time; and the ride on the Glory Train is going to be past our ability to comprehend it while in these earthen vessels. He has placed eternity in our hearts to keep our eyes on the Glory Train on its' way for us; making the stops and travel issues more bearable in comparison to that endless day.
I chose the title of Glory Train for this piece because I have been thinking of the accumulation of choices in everyday life. Those choices propell us towards one direction or another; fueling our future and determining our level of productivity.
Still lost in my mental soup? Well, relief is coming. Take a deep breath and just hang in there with me; I think we'll make it to the end together.
The ingredients in my soup are those verses in scripture that speak of confession and forgiveness, guidance and correction. 1 John 4:19, John 3:16, and many more. Common enough verses; yet living and active as an ingredient when the quiet of night descends and the Spirit whispers into our ears about the coming Glory Train. Perspective becomes clearer when the substance of earth is compared to the
stretch of eternity. These days are part water soluble colors; the oil paint will appear as we make those choices that define our days. How do we discern between the water soluble and the more permanent oil paint in our lives? I am still brewing that batch of soup, yet the flavors come to the fore and impress my palate in a fresh way tonight.
That promise of the new day and the glory of heaven needs to fuel us towards a refined purpose in our days to come. Eternity is a long time; and the ride on the Glory Train is going to be past our ability to comprehend it while in these earthen vessels. He has placed eternity in our hearts to keep our eyes on the Glory Train on its' way for us; making the stops and travel issues more bearable in comparison to that endless day.
The Banner Waves
I'm trusting for the wind to blow
and push my sinking ship;
towards terra firma p.d.q...
I thought my foot had plugged the hole,
but did it first create
the leaking vortex drawing water
from the sinking craft?
He walked on water, created wine;
from this very stuff...
Oh, to be in posession of the cork
to plug up the hole
and restore said ship to fully functioning status...
fear repented, praise released, in the midst of chaos;
that solid ground will appear on the horizon by the hand of Glory.
and push my sinking ship;
towards terra firma p.d.q...
I thought my foot had plugged the hole,
but did it first create
the leaking vortex drawing water
from the sinking craft?
He walked on water, created wine;
from this very stuff...
Oh, to be in posession of the cork
to plug up the hole
and restore said ship to fully functioning status...
fear repented, praise released, in the midst of chaos;
that solid ground will appear on the horizon by the hand of Glory.
Monday, February 4, 2008
In Shades of Green and Blue
I have been formally bagged by the Green Giant today. I hear of what I see friends and aquaintances are up to, and I feel pressured to catch up. I beat myself up until I am blue in my spirit over what I perceive as lost opportunities and failed attempts to do...something....
I think of what Scriptures say regarding coveting...and the part that says not to do it. I pray that my green fades from the intense kelly green to a more muted moss hue as soon as is humanly(or divinely)possible. I pray that my envy is replaced by a renewed fire to find the path the Lord would have me follow. He has plans for a future and a hope for me. I suppose that I can take it on faith that I have not fallen into disrepair irreparably...
I recall feeling like this as a teenager. I am 40 now. Haven't I outgrown the pubescent yearnings to be someone else? It is more than a rhetorical question. I have to answer it or fail the test again. What is it that they say roses grow in the best? I don't think I heard any mention of rosewater in the expression that I am thinking of. Does that mean my life has to stink before the beauty grows out of it? I think I do reek sometimes, and it isn't of rosewater.
Almighty God is not at fault here. My lenses are corroded and dirty; failing to see what I have been shown. In fact, it is time now to get over myself and do laundry. I am not the only one that reeks; my sink requires a dose of excavation and disinfecting that I have been given the responsibility to take care of on behalf of the family. My blessings overflow...as does my sink.
I am thinking that green is also the color of new growth, spring, and symblolic of new beginnings. Each day is fresh with no mistakes in it...at least for the first ten seconds that we are awake. After that, it is a process of repentance and learning for the rest of the day.
After I do my painting, it is God's idea to shower me with grace; painting that glorious shade of purest white all over me as His love slips in to do a remodeling job on my soul. My spirit is renewed; and I hear Him tell me that His love endures forever.
Lord, quicken my hearing to listen as You try to speak over the noise of my grousing. It was your idea to make me as I am. You have your reasons. Help me not to question the ways in which you put the pieces together. You have the final picture from which to work from; not me.
I think of what Scriptures say regarding coveting...and the part that says not to do it. I pray that my green fades from the intense kelly green to a more muted moss hue as soon as is humanly(or divinely)possible. I pray that my envy is replaced by a renewed fire to find the path the Lord would have me follow. He has plans for a future and a hope for me. I suppose that I can take it on faith that I have not fallen into disrepair irreparably...
I recall feeling like this as a teenager. I am 40 now. Haven't I outgrown the pubescent yearnings to be someone else? It is more than a rhetorical question. I have to answer it or fail the test again. What is it that they say roses grow in the best? I don't think I heard any mention of rosewater in the expression that I am thinking of. Does that mean my life has to stink before the beauty grows out of it? I think I do reek sometimes, and it isn't of rosewater.
Almighty God is not at fault here. My lenses are corroded and dirty; failing to see what I have been shown. In fact, it is time now to get over myself and do laundry. I am not the only one that reeks; my sink requires a dose of excavation and disinfecting that I have been given the responsibility to take care of on behalf of the family. My blessings overflow...as does my sink.
I am thinking that green is also the color of new growth, spring, and symblolic of new beginnings. Each day is fresh with no mistakes in it...at least for the first ten seconds that we are awake. After that, it is a process of repentance and learning for the rest of the day.
After I do my painting, it is God's idea to shower me with grace; painting that glorious shade of purest white all over me as His love slips in to do a remodeling job on my soul. My spirit is renewed; and I hear Him tell me that His love endures forever.
Lord, quicken my hearing to listen as You try to speak over the noise of my grousing. It was your idea to make me as I am. You have your reasons. Help me not to question the ways in which you put the pieces together. You have the final picture from which to work from; not me.
Friday, January 25, 2008
A New Beginning
I am looking out my window as I write this, and I see the early morning sun illuminating the landscape. The cars are driving by; on their way to work, I am sure. Back in the house, I am doing what I do; write. This is how most of my days begin. Today is following the pattern. I have heard it said that it takes 30 days to develop a new habit. I am hoping for somewhere between two minutes and a week. I prefer the microwave version of the process; patient being that I am...
It is still January. Traditionally a time of new beginnings. No, I didn't make any resolutions. I tend to panic and break them right away so that the pressure is off. Odd logic, but it is mine; and a sort of escape valve. My point is this: the dawn of a new day in January inspires me to take stock of my life and seek my maker regarding those aspects of my daily life that need ammending. That reminds me...mending...whew...only a few buttons...
My mountains still look like mountains. No amount of dressing them up or reframing them has succeeded in taking them down to mole-hill status. My God is still big enough to handle those mountains, though. I will purpose in my heart to offer Him my hand as I start walking towards those mountains each day. Two steps with Him must be worth more than twenty without Him. My odds of making it are better with the company, I am sure.
I pray that you remember that His mercies are new every morning as you read this. He is faithful in ways we cannot fathom; and our finite minds cannot hold the majesty of His plans. He is with us, and that is what matters. Yes, He is ready to take our hands and lead us on towards new pathways.
Whew! He's got my back. I think I can breathe out now.
Joy to you,
Lynne
It is still January. Traditionally a time of new beginnings. No, I didn't make any resolutions. I tend to panic and break them right away so that the pressure is off. Odd logic, but it is mine; and a sort of escape valve. My point is this: the dawn of a new day in January inspires me to take stock of my life and seek my maker regarding those aspects of my daily life that need ammending. That reminds me...mending...whew...only a few buttons...
My mountains still look like mountains. No amount of dressing them up or reframing them has succeeded in taking them down to mole-hill status. My God is still big enough to handle those mountains, though. I will purpose in my heart to offer Him my hand as I start walking towards those mountains each day. Two steps with Him must be worth more than twenty without Him. My odds of making it are better with the company, I am sure.
I pray that you remember that His mercies are new every morning as you read this. He is faithful in ways we cannot fathom; and our finite minds cannot hold the majesty of His plans. He is with us, and that is what matters. Yes, He is ready to take our hands and lead us on towards new pathways.
Whew! He's got my back. I think I can breathe out now.
Joy to you,
Lynne
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Keep on Truckin'
Gotta keep on truckin', brother;
'cause the road ahead has bumps
you're gonna need to step over...
Gotta keep on truckin', sister;
'cause the steam you give off
is gonna warm someone else's heart...
Makin' it from point a to point b,
hanging on to the Master's hand
and waiting for His tugs of direction;
you'll make it to the finish line
if you just keep truckin' along...
Gotta keep on truckin', and keep your eyes on the prize;
knowing that He has promised to stay near...
keeping on that path that leads to the promised land...
'cause the road ahead has bumps
you're gonna need to step over...
Gotta keep on truckin', sister;
'cause the steam you give off
is gonna warm someone else's heart...
Makin' it from point a to point b,
hanging on to the Master's hand
and waiting for His tugs of direction;
you'll make it to the finish line
if you just keep truckin' along...
Gotta keep on truckin', and keep your eyes on the prize;
knowing that He has promised to stay near...
keeping on that path that leads to the promised land...
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Vine Ripe
Hanging in there
on the vine;
lifting my feet
to avoid the sharp points
designed to protect the fruit...
Connected to the vine
in ways unseen to me;
rejoicing in the knowledge
that I don't need to see everything
to know that I wont fall off
before the appointed time...
Moments come
and turn into days...
the years take off
and run with reckless abandon;
yet I know that my times
are in His hands;
and I long to become
vine ripe for the attainment of the prize...
on the vine;
lifting my feet
to avoid the sharp points
designed to protect the fruit...
Connected to the vine
in ways unseen to me;
rejoicing in the knowledge
that I don't need to see everything
to know that I wont fall off
before the appointed time...
Moments come
and turn into days...
the years take off
and run with reckless abandon;
yet I know that my times
are in His hands;
and I long to become
vine ripe for the attainment of the prize...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)