The New Math

Count it all joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 2-4


In pondering my challenges,
the mountains seem to peak...
more lofty as I think on them
and consequently fail to seek
the source of all contentment;
counting more of the ragged edges
than the footholds available for my feet
as I try to climb the mountains unassisted;
not succeeding, yet counting all the more
those barriers to peace...

"Count it all joy..." the Spirit whispers to me;
reminding me of unseen hands moulding my clay
into something ultimately beautiful.
The new math of creation's renewal
bids me to count with a reckless abandon
those things that seem to be devoid of their comfort...
and see the glory of seeking His face
in joyful anticipation of fellowship and promise.
"count it all joy..." pours down with the cleansing flood
made available at the foot of the cross;
resting its waters in receptacles of anticipation
of counting the joys
and not the depths of the valleys.

I was reading that last poem to my mom over the phone this morning, and she was commenting that there would be no tears in heaven. I was telling her that she was right, and that the verse was talking about how he turns tears into joy. He "holds our tears" as an act of compassion towards us and brings us into the joy of morning after our weeping.

I further read her the verse about tracing the clouds, and she wept. It has been a difficult time for our family because of illness. The love of Jesus shared with each other is a drawing salve that takes the hurt in our spirits and starts the healing process. What joy the Father gives us when we follow His heart to love each other. The Lord has shown us mercy and has given us grace. His provision is truly amazing;
and as we see His hand at work I know we are assured of His love.

I raise my cup o'joy with yours as I embark on a new journey with the Lord today. He will meet my needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus. In true Oz fashion, I will recite that over to myself in order to allow it to permeate my thinking. The sword and the shield will be flying today, and my spunk has been renewed as the noonday.

May you rejoice this day in knowing that His grace is sufficient for all of your needs. We need each other; and as we celebrate His love in unity we will arise and show His glory to those who are perishing.

Cup O'Joy!
Lynne

Holding Our Tears

He holds our tears in heaven;
not wasting even one of them
as we seek His face.
Turning water into wine,
He showed His power to transform the ordinary
into that which was more prized;
showing grace and power with great humility...

He holds our tears in heaven;
saving them perhaps until the appointed time
that we are reunited at the marriage supper of the lamb;
fellowshipping with the saints through the ages
and enjoying the presence of the Lord
in the fruition of the promise...

Tracing the Clouds

Tracing the clouds with my fingers;
imagining how You made the stars
and set them all in place;
my eyes arise to heaven
and long to know if You are smiling
down at what You see in me...
Do I please You, father?
Have I heard You clearly as my feet of clay
travel on the dust of earth
and let my spirit soar up to where You are...
The clouds are air and water, Lord...
and they are still reflecting
the glory in Your hands to create beauty out of nothing.
As I finish tracing for the moment,
my spirit hears Your voice
reassuring me of Your love...
and leading me towards the words of life
prepared for me to walk with...

Steadfast?

"In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." -1 Thessalonians 5:18

"...we cannot always give thanks for the things themselves, but we can always give thanks for God's love and care in the things. He may not have ordered them, but He is in there somewhere, and He is in them to compel, even the most grievous, to work together for our good." -The God of All Comfort by Hannah Whitall Smith


It is the start of a new day as I write this. In my spirit, I am looking up towards the heavens and trying to see the hand of God in my circumstances. I am looking, and looking, and then looking again for the escape hatch that must be there somewhere. The camouflage that must have been there yesterday is still there today, and therefore it eludes me again. My next breath is reminding me of all the reasons I have to be thankful in this life. I am also reminded of the verses in the scriptures that compel and direct me to offer up my incense of thankfulness in the midst of the melee that is life.

I am hoping that today is the start of a fresh new idea that I haven't seen before. I am hoping that the Lord sets something in motion behind the scenes to jumpstart my job search and provide the right opportunity. I am praying that I would be "transformed by the renewing of my mind" so that the Lord would make me into who I was created to be for His glory. Ultimately, I am praying that the Lord would hold on to me when I can't see Him through the clouds around me.

In closing this brief passage of yearning, I pray that the Lord would spur you on towards the adventure He has for you today. May you praise Him and give thanks throughout your day and enjoy His presence through anything you are called to walk through.

Have a cup o'joy
and a fresh taste of the bread of heaven...

Lynne

Letting the Rocks Cry Out

Sister, don't let the rocks cry out
before you stand with hands upraised to praise Him!
Sister, don't let the rocks cry out;
letting those things without the breath of God within them
offer up their sacrifice of praise...

Brother, don't let the rocks cry out
before you offer up thanksgiving for His mercies!
Brother, don't let the rocks cry out;
witholding the garlands of praise from Him who created
the heavens and the earth with words;
the strength in His spirit propelling the elements into action...

Children, don't let the rocks cry out
before you sing together of His marvelous love!
Children, don't let the rocks cry out;
letting the sound of the praises in your hearts to escape;
inviting Him to inhabit your praises;
knowing that where Love is there is peace past human comprehension...

Arise

Let the praises rise to the throne of heaven
amidst the dust of earth;
cradling the wind with hues of purple
and mists of silver and gold...
seek the Lord and know beyond reason
that Glory revealed has provided
the road to salvation...
Arise and let the praises go forth;
inviting His presence
through colors of darkness;
knowing that truth lives in vibrancy
beyond and within the confines of the human spirit
...all because of love's enduring promises.