Staying on the Sunny Side...

I have been thinking about the expression lately that says,"Perception is everything". I have to come down on the side of...both sides of this comment. There is much wisdom contained in that comment. I also think that it is an oversimplification that can lead to a load of guilt.

While it is true that a positive outlook can forestall or eliminate the bad habit of pessimism, there is no denying those events in life that cause legitimate concern. Illnesses, financial struggles, interpersonal conflicts, and major life events all produce their fair share of challenges. These challenges are certainly eased by the perception that "this too shall pass", but not magically eliminated. The impact of an event can be felt long after the initial shock to the system.

Fortunately for us, there is a way to lighten the load and invite the Lord's presence into our situations. Are you ready for this one? When you hear it and say, "Oh, I have heard of that before!" I wonder if you will dismiss the power behind the concept. That is up to you. However, I pray that the Lord speaks to you of the freedom available through trying to approach coping with hardship this way.

Pray for the Lord to bring a song to your heart. Spend time praising Him in those pockets of time that normally bring to mind all of the impending mountains moving in on your valley of peace. I am not suggesting that you magically ignore the situation you're in. Praising God and shifting your focus allows for greater intervention of the Lord's power in your life. Perception is adjusted to make the load lighter, and your mind is more occupied with the big picture of God's plans for your life. I am not suggesting that this will be easy, but starting to cultivate the habit in your life will bring amazing results your way.

His words are life, and bring us into His presence when we meditate on them. Far from living in denial or a state of false pretense; praise and prayer are our power tools for survival in a world that only seems to value outward successes and pleasant appearances. Real life is a mixture of roses and manure, no matter how we try to dress up the packaging.

Have a cup o'joy as you get a fresh taste of the bread of heaven. The marriage supper of the Lamb is coming to a planet near you. Let's keep our focus on the Lord, the author and the finisher of our faith.

Musings on Psalm 34:18

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

I felt You near
and know Your Spirit
brought the words of Life to
refresh my own...

I knew the encouragement of Your promise...
...of joy coming in the morning
though I could not see the evidence of redemption
in circumstance...

Within me, I wanted to hand You the wounds
and the tears,
but did not know if I could relinquish them in my own strength...

"Teach me to let go, Lord"
I offered up through a veil of weeping...
...and I knew there was noone else like You.

Teach me how to "taste and see" again...
renew my hunger for Your nearness
while the desert looms with arid dreams...

Take from me the broken dreams and
restore to me the hope lost from faded choices...
restore to me, Lord, that which the locusts have eaten...

...so that You may be glorified...

I see in my heart
the desolation chosen over gardens of life,
and the sorrow grown from the thriving tares...
You redeem Your servants, Lord...
and none will perish who take refuge in You...

So now I cleave to You,
and long for your presence...
Clear the tares from the harvest wheat...
purifying me from the sin I've harbored...

Renew my hope...

Joy in the Morning

"The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him,
it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord"

-Lamentations 3:25-26


Awaiting the voice,
straining to sort through the
echoes of past sins
and competing stations of mental noise;
the sound of seagulls and rushing wind
swirls around the figure seated on the shore...

Hope is squeezed out of unspoken requests
and sent to the ear of Jesus with eyes reflecting
sun as well as shadows in the light of day...
"Help me, Jesus" arises from the depths
of confusion and desolate passages;
bringing the freedom to shift focus from the temporal
to the joy of the eternal city awaiting...
...and joy ushers in the peace beyond reason
along with the morning of mercies renewed...

Bridging the Gap

Ezekiel 22:30
"I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none."



The figure of clay stands next to the edge,
looking over at the abyss and seeing the other side of the gap...
Looking up, the Spirit moved within soul and sinew;
stirring up the faith within and speaking from deep to deep...

Hands uplifted
rising skyward to reach the hem of glory...
inward locks unfastened,
releasing scrolls and spreading balm as a drawing salve...

Prayer escaping from the depths
arises to the throne of heaven...
following the Spirit's leading to
bring the needs to the awaiting altar...

Spirit walkway grows and bridges
the chasm once supporting naught but air and warfare...
strength and beauty growing with
the blessing of obedience to the call...

Angels brought to conquer sin and darkness...
building steps to bring an end to gaping loss as
strength is brought alongside struggling clay;
raising high the banner of surpassing glory...

Delight and Wonder

You delight in Me,
child of mine,
what love awaits your seeking heart
amidst the tempests!
I inhabit your songs
of praise to My name...
working in your heart
as the invitation arises for me to mold you
into the image of Jesus...
From time beginning,
your face I have seen in my heart...
your name written on my palm quickened my Spirit
as I planned a future and a hope for you...
The desires of your heart await you,
as you continue to trust in My love...
In the appointed season, my plans
will come to fruition
in the soil of your spirit..
for My word will accomplish My plans
for your life.

September 29, 1996

Out and about
Your world, I see
glimpses of You
waiting for me...
Wind whispers
and bright leaves
watch Autumn birds
call each other towards warmer skies...
Harvest time of earth and soul,
awaiting the heart of the seeker...
Out and about
the world's busy pace...
the moment arrives to
take a pause for joyous thanksgiving,
All creatures created to drink in your presence.

The Coming Season

Ecclesiastes 3:1
For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.

There will be a time
for fruition of the dream,
nurtured through the
seeds of endurance and hope.
The dream adapts to the roads followed...
tailored to the needs of the soul
...as seen through the eyes of God.
Glory being drawn out of divine refining;
obstacles leading onward
to the ripening of glory and grace...
Fruition,
mission engraved upon the tender portion
as deep calls unto deep.
The seeds being sown
through the remnants of many days...
There will be a time
for the fulfillment of the vision...

Note: This was written in October of 1996. I dug this one out of an old journal and just tweaked a word or two...I pray it is a blessing and a word of encouragement...