We are loved!!!!!

I started reading a story this evening. A story told by Ted Dekker. This reading, it seems, is all it took to shake me out of the reality of every day life. This single hour reading a story, led me to open my eyes to the story all around me. The beautiful and powerful tale of love and redemption that we are indeed living in at this very hour.

For when I am broken of the realities of daily life: work, sleep, relationships, distracting and tempting technology, pressures, everyday annoyances, and unusual struggles - I am left with an overwhelming thought:

We are profoundly loved by God. Truly deeply loved.

One of the most beauitful understandings of this is found in the father heart of God where we are called His children. Yes, in a world where we are forced to grow up and fend for ourselves, we are stll called into the reality of knowing and walking with our Heavenly father. For He will always be able to guard, love, and protect us. He provides, He comforts, He disciplines, He promises us that He has a good future for us. He calls us His own even when we are completely unloveable. We turn away, and as seen so vividly in the story of the prodical son, He eagerly awaits for our hearts to turn back to His and then He RUNS towards us in a beautiful embrace.

How foolish it is to picture an old man running towards the son who demanded his inheritance, squandered it away, and then dares to return. But true love is not afraid to appear foolish.

This of course can be seen in the love of the Son towards us. The father knowing humanity could not come back on their own, sent His son to Die a gruesome horrible death, appearing foolish on that cross. He suffered the turning away from his nearest friends, scoffers, a crown of thorns, severe beating, nakedness, and the slow, agony of being suspended while your lungs collapse. That, being bad enough wasn't even all that he suffered. For the Son, who walked in perfect relationship with the Father, took on the sins of ALL humanity and suffered the Wrath and Judgment of God in those hours. No, I cannot explain it but it is true without a doubt that on that day the Son bore my sin and yours. The penalty and just punishment that was earned and deserved by a corrupt race was satisfied in full by Christ's single act. Foolish? Absolutely. We didn't deserve his sacrifice for us. And make no mistake about it, without Christ we were on our way to be separated forever from the love of the Father and worthy only of God's wrath.

But Christ, knowing the inadequacies of humanity left earth and made way for the Holy Spirit to come. Talk about the ultimate tag-team marathon. The Father loves, The Son Saves, and the Spirit Dwells. For the Son did not abandon us. He showed us God in human form but who came after but the Spirit of God. The Son came in weakness, The spirit comes in Power. The Spirit is here to do the very work of God in convicting, comforting, teaching, reminding, and makes the everyday ordinary into extraordinary moments of God's glory. To know the Spirit is to understand the kind of love that dwells with the beloved. To know the Spirit is to know for a fact that we are not abandoned or forgotten but dearly and beloved children. To know the spirit is to be given the power to do all the works we've been commanded to do. Because we are not people that can do good works a part from the power of the Holy Spirit. So, in that God gives us the power to not only receive but act in this great love of His to share with others in a whole myriad of ways.


Thus, this one God in 3 distinct persons, which we call the Trinity loves each and every one of us in a fullness that are hearts and spirits long for. And this love is perfectly within our grasp.

How amazing. Now of course, the next cool thing is that as we are loved and called into this amazing family of God's. We are taught to live as Beloved Sons and Daughters of the Most High God. God then invites us to the family business! The family business is not easy to define because it is as vast and varied as are His people. I'm not going to try to define it here. Rather, I'll let the Spirit reveal to your Heart how You can take part in the family business. But this family business isn't one of pure expectation, for there is joy in serving and being a part of the family. As with any family, there comes great freedoms, benefits, AND responsibility. When in doubt, you can always look to the great example of our Big Brother, who also happens to be Lord, King, and Savior. Jesus taught us how to live. In this life, so much of following after Christ will be laying down our pride, and dreams and walking in the way of the cross. But every time we accept the death of these things we hold so dear, God brings new life and fullness. Don't let that statement fool you, the death of some of these things will undoubtedly feel as if there is someone ripping out your heart. But in these moments, we can trust that our Father has good things for us and has a reason and a purpose for bringing us through the harder things of life.

Someday, we will be invited to walk in sight and not faith. For now, we are called to this great adventure. But each adventurous step leads us to an even deeper understanding of the love of God. The vast, unmeasurable, unsearchable, love of God.

And that my friends, is only a speck of insight into the love of God. May we all seek to understand more, and as you do, I know you will walk in the fullness of one alive to the Spirit.

Faith to Believe

Three times I heard this chorus by Laura Story today -

"We pray for wisdom,Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe"

It was the third time that I was stopped.
"Faith to believe"

Believe what you may ask? That everything will work out marvelously? That you will be the one person who is spared from the tragedies that fall upon humanity. Yes, you will have the miraculous healing, the son given back to you, poverty stalled, joy abounding. Does God work in the way? Absolutely. But not always. Jesus didn't heal every lepor and blind man. He didn't bring back every widow's son. He healed some. His goal wasn't neccesarily to give people what they wanted. He glorified God. A miracle in the right moment brings glory to God. A "miracle" that becomes a daily occurence is a circus side show.

I know that God works miracles. I've seen it in my own life and many of my friends. But ultimately we need to have faith to believe that God is who He says He is. God will work things out for good. We can trust and rest in Him no matter the outcome of our current circumstances. Faith in God brings a hope that will never disappoint but instead a hope that quickens and grows with each passing day until the day our faith becomes sight.

In Proper Order

I find peace at the lake.
Whenever I can, I steal a few moments to hop out onto a big rock.
It is there I can finally see clearly.
For no matter what kind of day I've had,
there, the world lies in proper order.

Tiny waves journey forward creating their own perfect pathways.
The sun slowly begins to set creating a beautiful masterpiece.
Tiny boats sail across the crisp blue waves.
Hungry seagulls seek and dive to fetch their dinner;
moments later they soar across the skies again.

People of all shapes and sizes connect along the pathway:
chatting, biking, running, laughing, walking, and holding hands.
Children invent new games, finding adventure along the beach.
The luckiest of dogs run free, obedient to their master's call.

As I sit upon my rock, I am surprised to find
that I too am now in proper order.

Reflecting and Resting in my Creator.

A Few of my Favorites

Donald Miller, in his book A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, poses a thought about how maybe, just maybe, when this life is over we will sit and chat with God and tell him our favorite parts of the stories he gave us. In the movie, City of Angels, a little girl dies and as she walks to heaven with Seth, (an angel) she tells him that her favorite thing about life were "pajamas with feet".

What would I tell God were my favorite parts? Do I have favorites or am I too busy trying to make something out of life that I've forgotten to spend time enjoying the time God's given. Here are a few of my top favorites of the current moment, that if given the chance, I will share with God.

Squirrels I love them. Every time I see one, I smile. Sometimes I remember how they remind me that God provides. Other times, I just smile at their ability to jump, climb, and run with a quirkiness that is unique to their species.

Running I'm still a novice, but I love feeling the wind as I run. I love viewing the world as I pass it by. I enjoy the thrill of running alongside others or simply sharing the path with a passerby.

Fleece Blankets There is nothing better to me than cuddling up under a blanket. Blankets almost make me like the cold because they give me the chance to utilize one. Blankets are like hugs from God.

Writing There is no greater thrill than havin inspiration flow from my mind to a document. Forming letters and words into phrases of meaning is the epitome of my creative outlet.

Lazy days with my roommates and/or housemates Yesterday was a great example of this. We sat outside, watched the dogs play, talked, and just spent time together. It was great. Nothing fancy needed, just being together is enough. Time stands still and for a moment, we are young again with seemingly endless sumer days before us.

Smiles When a person smiles without being forced by a camera, their beauty shines. I love catching people in those moments when out of sheer joy or amusement, their faces just glow. Have you ever noticed how unique smiles are? Everyone seems to have a slightly different one.

Oh, I have plenty more. I think I will have to entertain this exercise of reflecting on favorites again. I cannot help but be thankful at the many good gifts the Father has given. And most of these are fairly inconsequential. I haven't touched the surface on the joy of purpose, love, shared understanding, joy, the hope in knowing Christ, etc.

I wonder, what are you favorites? I'd love to hear any thoughts that you may have!

Day by Day

In the stillness, I know who God is.
When my thoughts and hurts stop screaming out, I can sense Him.
Reminding me again that this life is about Him.
What I make of it fades, and for a minute I can breath deeply.

In those moments, I can praise His name.
I forget about me and find Him.
I'm certain God breaths in a sigh of relief - "Finally, she sees!"

My thoughts go to the Psalmists who cried out to the Lord
DAY AFTER DAY
and waited.

I cry out for a
MINUTE
and expect a response.

But this life is a gift from Him.
Good gifts come to us from the Father.
Thus, this present moment is a gift.
Not my idea of a gift, but I must trust in Him.

So, I suppose I will join in with the Psalmists,
crying out to my Father day by day and await His response.


I trust in two verses:

Psalm 27:13 - I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

and

Isaiah 40:31 - but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.


Alass, the moment fades. Thoughts begin to crowd in. Emotions overwhelm. But I remember the moment of clarity. I will draw close to the One who loves me. Again and again I shall return for there is NO other peace.

Be Warned

Give your sorrows into the Hand of God. He can carry them.

I should warn you. Doing this does NOT guarantee: a solution to your problem, happy feelings to replace your sorrow, or an overwhelming sense of His presence. Quite frankly, bringing your sorrows to God does not guarantee anything except knowledge that He alone can carry them. I can pretty much guarantee that if you are willing, your heart may be guided to acknowledge HIM as God.

Here's the thing: God is fully capable of filling our hearts with joy, bringing back the dead, healing the sick, solving your problem, and also certainly capable of allowing you to feel his presence in a way that would change your life forever. That doesn't mean he will. He is God, not a jukebox. He is infinite and you are a mere finite being. Do you really feel you can tell God how to act towards you? He has already provided His Son as a sacrifice and payment for your sins. Does God owe you anything? He does not. God is gracious and merciful and will often respond to the cry of his broken hearted child. But in His perfect knowledge and understanding, there are times when He will respond in other ways that may be uncomfortable at the time.

I would urge you to allow God to respond as He desires. It is for your good. Your times are already in His hands, give Him your heart as well and wait. For your Deliverer and Savior will work things out for good. But sometimes, you just have to wait and Trust in who He already said He is, and revealed to you in the past. Many have died waiting for His hand to restore and redeem. But trust me, they now understand his restoration and redemption. God is amazing enough to do so many good things for us while we are here. But, life is NOT for our happiness. It's a ridiculous notion that we should pursue happiness. Pursue righteousness and holiness and stop looking for temporal happiness.

I believe God will conform our desires to match His so we might as well stop fighting. ;)

When all else fails

Answers fade
Meaning becomes illusive
Quick-fixes fail again
Temporary solution burn out

In those moments, we have to walk in the midst of what hurts and burdens our hearts.


In the pain and questions of life I feel the intense calling out of the Lord to seek His face. In the joys, I will glance up and praise God for what has been given. Okay, I do that on occasion, certainly not every time. I praise the Giver and enjoy His gifts. In the hurt and pain, I seek Him. I experience WHO He is and not only his bountiful supply. Sometimes the pain and heartache remains despite His presence. That's alright, it is a part of our life. But there is something so deep within that finds fulfillment in those moments. Something more tangible and more real that I could ever express.

God is real. I know because He loves me. His acceptance of you (and me) is something we can barely comprehend. When I am with others, the question may arise as to whether or not I am being too much of a certain characteristic. "She's too boring, crazy, talkative, focused, unfocused, spiritual, worldly, etc. etc. etc." We love to simplify and criticize one another. With God, there is no need to pretend to be anything that we are not. He accepts us as we are and loves us unconditionally.

I am quite unloveable this evening, but God's love remains. What a glorious mystery that I will happily spend the rest of my life only grasping at such deep truths of His undeserved, free gift of unmerited love and favor.