Just Something I Was Thinking About....

Crimson & Silver

2008-11-18T22:15:00.000-08:00

As a heart quietly breaking,

Crimson;

As rain driving against glass,

Silver.

As evening clouds kiss the sun,

Crimson;

As moonlight dances on water,

Silver.

As cheeks flush with awakening,

Crimson;

As eyes light in possibility,

Silver.

As blood flowed from Creator,

Crimson;

As hope unearthed in created,

Silver.

To flow, cleanse, cover and enrich,

Crimson;

To bless, empower, strengthen and shine,

Silver.

Heaven's arms outstretched;

In bloodstained hands

the gift

of eternity.

In our brokenness and our rejoicing

We are embraced by

Crimson and Silver.

Give up.

2008-11-06T19:31:00.000-08:00

I really like those two words! Give up. They speak to me, and strangely not in a negative way. To me they say "release, let go, hold your hands outstretched and open."

"I don't care" are another few words I am enamoured with at the moment. Funnily enough, again not in a negative way. There seem to be so many things that I cared very strongly about this time last year that don't trouble me at all now.

It seems that God has been working on my idea of success and what that entails. Now I, like most of us, could always give the politically correct definition of success...... "it's not about what you have, or your position, but your relationships; where you stand with God......"etc etc etc. The truth is I wasn't aware that a lot of me still didn't buy that at all!

I'm learning to give up and not to care, and I'm loving it! There's a freedom that comes with keeping my heart uncluttered by the stuff that life wants to attach to us. Do I stay where I am with Church or do we move on? I don't care and it feels great!

Do I fight to save a friendship that seems doomed though I don't know why? To be honest, I'm giving up and happy to do so.

Don't get me wrong, I want to be where God wants me, and I will always love and care for the friendships God gives me but if/when/how these things progress or end are no longer my focus. If it's time to hang on I will, if it's time to let go I will.... and I'll be fine regardless. I can't be all things to all people and I surprise myself at how much people's opinions have still factored into what I do and why.

For me this year has been about finding peace - with who I am and where I am whether it works for someone else or not. It's in and through this peace that I have rediscovered the ability to hope in the preferred future the Bible promises.

I'm glad my path is unique to me; I'm glad God crafted me differently than the next person and I'm glad he's happiest with me when I'm being true to his design rather than trying to change it to fit with what I think others expect.

God is who he is, therefore I am who I am and that is good! I AM a success because I love him and I'm me...... not much else matters really.

Hope

2008-10-26T14:49:00.000-07:00

Hope. We all need it. It is lifeblood to our souls and gives us purpose, a reason for being that we can't get any other way.

But does hope serve us well? This really depends on where you put it. The only way I know to not be disappointed in hope is when it is firmly in God. Not in the gifts he gives, not in the promises he makes. Don't get me wrong, these are amazing, but focus wrongly placed can damage our ability to hope.

When I look at my world and see grey,

bleached and faded by sun and care,

you come........

and you are colour.

When all seems broken, stripped bare,

edged in darkness,

you come........

and you are beauty.

When I lift my head and all is silent,

dead and still,

you come........

and you are symphony.

When all around me is dry and weary,

pierced by dust and rock,

you come......

and you are a river.

When the road less travelled is

impossible, impassable, impenetrable;

wiped from existence,

you come.......

and you are flight.

In my days, in my every moment

you come........

and you are hope.

Minor Adjustments to the 'goodbye' Plan!

2008-06-11T05:00:00.000-07:00

Heather from A Deconstructed Christian rightly pointed out that there is merit in keeping my blog page active so that people can still read past posts if they so wish. I think I find the idea of just hitting pause a little more appealing as at least older stuff is saved for posterity! (For now anyway!!)

I guess too this way I can jump on without any set up issues if I feel like I have something to say. In the meantime, I hope you will all bear with me if nothing new appears for a while!

(Thanks Heather :-) )

Time to say Goodbye

2008-05-28T03:31:00.001-07:00

It is with a little sadness that I say Goodbye for a while.

I have decided that I will close down my blog at least for the time being and see what happens and whether I feel like writing or not in the near future. I will still be checking in and reading what everyone is posting and will say 'hi' from time to time but I don't want to write at the moment and I think a 'non-updated' blog is pretty boring and must be annoying for those who check in from time to time!

I think you are all amazing people and value what you have to say highly - it's been a lot of fun!

Much love,

Rachel.

Synchroblog...

2008-05-05T17:53:00.000-07:00

Glenn from Re-dreaming the Dream has organised a synchroblog which is designed to get us all sharing about what God is doing in us at the moment. He believes as do I that our testimonies are powerful and can bless, challenge and inspire others in their own walk with God. So....

Here goes.

1. How Are You Doing?

I'm doing ok at the moment. I've had a really challenging and interesting 2008 so far but I know that God is teaching me an awful lot... almost like I'm going through an intensive to grow me in a greater and faster way than what I've experienced for a while. It's tough, but I'm positive 'cause I know whom I have believed!

2. What Are You Doing?

I am actually physically doing a lot less than I was at the end of last year, and much of what I believed I would be doing this year has in fact died a quick death! I began the year changing jobs to manage a Church-run gallery and gift shop only to feel that I had to give it up so I resigned 4 weeks ago. Last week I began a new job in a cafe at a Private Hospital just up the road from me. The day I got my new job we found out that the gallery was going to have to close due to problems we inherited when we took over.

I began the year as the new department head for our small groups..... we will have our last one tonight. The church is going through much change and our small groups are closing for the rest of the year to make way for some 'back to basics' stuff.

What I am doing though is going to ground so to speak; focusing on God and I instead of the busyness of church life; I'm painting again and looking to start writing again. I feel like I'm in a really good place!

3. What Are You Learning?

I'm learning so much! I'm learning to let things go. I'm learning that it's ok for the things in my hands to die as the reasons I held them are not always the obvious ones. God has a way of achieving his goals in what we do even if they aren't the goals we thought we were supposed to achieve. I'm learning that people are so much more important than the objective. I'm learning about what it truly means to be light to those around me; and how God has shown by example how his reflection in us should look!

I'm learning that being salt and light to those I meet is everything and if I forget to shine then darkness remains unchallenged. I'm learning that to cling tightly to my Lord while loving the people I come into contact with is a beautiful place to be.

4. What Are You Dreaming About?

It's funny, had I answered this a year ago, it would've been about stuff I wanted to do. Don't get me wrong, I still want to do things like preach, write, paint etc. but my focus has shifted. I really want to shine as brightly as possible. I'm dreaming about making a difference, about becoming so big inside that I can accommodate more of God. I'm dreaming about living so fully in and with Him that His presence spills over into every place I go.

I'm dreaming about using the things I want to do as vehicles for people to encounter the awesome power of my God and have it change lives. I'm dreaming of the day God pours himself out through me so much that I'm nothing more than a conduit for his glory.

I love him. He is my life and I dream of living my life in constant worship and obedience to him.

I dream of walking in humble submission, of remembering to stop and just adore him because he is so worthy.

View the entries from all the other participants:
Alan Knox: You are Here
Barb: One Year Checkup
Erin Word: My Turn
Glenn Hager: Feeling Free
HW: May Synchroblog
Jeff McQuilken: Mile Marker Reflections
Jeromy Johnson: Our Story - Chapter 10
Kathy Escobar: It Stinks Down Here, but I Really Love The Smell
Lyn Hallewell: Your Turn
Sarah: Glenn’s May Synchroblog
Tera Rose: May Synchroblog

Isaiah 43:7

2008-03-17T01:16:00.000-07:00

I've had this scripture stuck in my head for the last few weeks and have been mulling it over. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it as I'm feeling like there is greater truth and application there than I may have given it credit for. It's one of those golden oldies that those of us who've been in church circles for a long time will be familiar with, but I'm wondering if familiarity hasn't possibly clouded my eyes to something that could alter me substantially.

Isaiah 53:7 - "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

So there it is. What do you think?

A Great Post....

2008-03-05T23:21:00.000-08:00

I can say this, because it isn't mine!!!! :-) I was over at James Macpherson's blog having a good read... as I am wont to do..... and what he had to say in the following article really resonated with me. I hope you find it worth reading, I know I did. Thanks James!

'If the Church is to have a future'

"These graphs, from the most recent National Church Life Survey, speak for themselves.
But just in case you missed the point, the average age of people in our churches is significantly older than the general populous. (The vertical axis represents percentages and the horizontal axis age groups)

Don't get me wrong, our precious seniors are just as important as any other demographic ... but certain churches will find it increasingly difficult to sustain themselves as they fail to replace those who are passing away.

The Pslamist declared that one generation would proclaim God's works to another. This is more than a suggestion. It is an imperative. The alternative is to face a long and excrutiating decline toward extinction. Of course, reaching the next generation means change. It means that while the message never changes, the method will. Infact, it must.

One of our nation's most respected pastors told me recently that he is increasingly seeking creative ideas from the under 30s on his team. He laughed in self-depreciation as he admitted that he was struggling to allow them to change many of the things in his own church that he himself loved. But determined to remain relevant to a rapidly changing society, he was determined to jettison any styles that prevented the substance of the Christian message from reaching his community.

It reminded me of John Wesley who, when told he was no longer allowed to preach in Anglican parishes because of his contemporary style, announced: "The world is my parish". He took to the open fields were crowds came to hear him in their thousands..Wesley declared: "I love the rites and ceremonies of the (Anglican) Church. But I see, well-pleased, that our great Lord can work without them.”

Allowing tradition and style to get in the way of presenting the gospel message is not unique to 'other' churches. We Pentecostals can be equally adept (or should I say inept) at preserving the frills whilst losing the essential mission.

Like Wesley, there's nothing wrong with loving our particular styles and church fashions. We all have our particular preferences. But we must never forget that God can work without them. Dare I say it, sometimes and in some circumstances God can only work without them."

James Macpherson

Checking In

2008-03-02T21:44:00.000-08:00

Hi. Thought I'd check in to say hello to everyone. I hope you are all well.

I've been thinking about the importance of branding.... not the "grab that calf and hold 'im" kind of branding, but the kind that gives identification to a particular business, product or group. I know that here in the blogisphere there is a fairly anti-business sentiment to the way we do Christianity, but I'm starting to wonder if perhaps the business world hasn't got an awful lot of 'God-principles' and adpted them to make them work. After all, truth is truth no matter who you are.

While I don't think we should be necessarily looking to the business world to tell us how to do church, I think they don't deserve to have a monopoly on how to get society's attention! This brings me to branding. While I joked about the whole 'cow branding' thing, in some ways it's really not that far off. A brand is anything that identifies an item or individual with something greater, and marks it as belonging.

We carry a brand whether we like it or not. Our actions, statements, attitudes and beliefs brand us. They identify us as belonging somewhere, and people's perception of what we belong to - whether for good or bad, is a result of how we live out our branding. Do we live in such a way that we give a good and true impression ofwhat we belong to?

It fascinates me now that I am pretty much in charge of a small business how much perception affects people's patronage of a business. I read a fascinating article by Phil Cooke awhile back and have been chewing it over for some time now. You can read it here. I think that if we want those around us to view God, the church and Christianity the way it really is, it's up to us to carry the culture Jesus established.

If we are being watched to see how genuine that which we profess to be actually is, we'd better make sure we are outworking our faith in such a way that sees us branded in a way that brings glory to our maker and not reproach.

TGIF!

2008-02-21T12:48:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow morning very early I fly off to sunny Queensland leaving my Husband and sons behind! YAY!! ....... But it is sad too. I'll miss them but it's only for 3 days. I am going to visit my family, spend two days sailing off the south east coast aboard my dad's yacht, a few hours catching up with some old friends, then a day with my mum. I am looking forward to a change of scenery.

I have been pondering the idea of living in the eye of the storm. We all seem to encounter storms at an ever increasing pace. It only seems like one has passed when another hits shortly after. Sometimes I wonder if maybe we just need to learn to live in the eye.

It's the idea that it is possible to live a life that is calm and has control, order and peace despite the swirling hell that often surrounds us. Maybe it's like Peter walking on water, we can have the impossible in the middle of chaos when we learn to keep our focus on Jesus rather than the circumstances. Peter only started to sink when he became overwhelmed by the storm. When he saw Jesus as greater than the wind and waves, he was able to live above it.

Just a thought I'm pondering. I get the feeling God wants us to find him as our anchor while the devil tries all he can to knock us off course and shipwreck what God is doing in our lives; not just so that we can be safe and steady.... that is obvious; but so that we can actually allow him to center us in the calm and quiet that the eye of a storm affords. If we can stay there through him, then the storm need never tear at us till we feel we have only just survived it still standing!

Psalm 29 says "The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever. The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace."

This gives me confidence that it is possible. If God sits enthroned over the chaos that can overtake our lives at times, then we - as his children and servants should be able to sit above and not be caught up in it all also. If the Lord gives us strength and peace even as he sits over what seems inescapable, then I believe we can have that strength and peace and are meant to in the middle of hell breaking loose, not just when it has subsided.

What do you think?

Quotes

2008-02-12T22:31:00.000-08:00

No matter what side of the argument you are on, you always find people on your side that you wish were on the other. - Jascha Heifetz

Sad but true!

It Made Me Laugh

2008-02-07T00:46:00.000-08:00

Dance like it hurts,

Love like you need money,

Work when people are watching.

- Scott Adams

This is my kinda quote! lol! The saying it takes off is sweet and inspiring...... I don't always want to do sweet and inspiring! Sometimes I just like a good dose of the ironic. :-)

123 - Tagged

2008-02-02T00:21:00.000-08:00

So here I am, adding my bit of whatever luck may choose to a meme entitled 123 thanks to Happy over at A Fundamental Shift. The rules are.... "simple":

Pick up the nearest book of 123 pages or more. No cheating!

Find Page 123.

Find the first 5 sentences.

Post the next 3 sentences.

Tag 5 people.

Funnily enough there was mere centimetres between the 6 books that are within arms reach of me right now! It could have been as mind numbing as "All the Men of the Bible" or as far fetched as "Star Wars the Phantom Menace" hardcover! (not mine by the way!) I almost gave you some lines from "Mediated - How the Media Shapes Your World...." by Thomas De Zengotita but as I read the lines realised Rob Bell was closer. So here goes.......

"I need this, you need that. Some women learn at an early age how to negotiate. They need to be loved, to be validaed, to be worth something, and they discover that by giving a little of themselves to a boy, they get what they need in return. It's a cycle, a pattern that can stay with them their entire lives. Sex becomes a search." Sex God - Rob Bell

I tag:

ok, it's 4 but it's better than nothing!

2008 - So Far So.....

2008-01-30T03:33:00.000-08:00

Good is not the word. I'm still here, just don't have the energy or inspiration to say anything worthwhile!

Hi to you all, I'm alive and kicking but I'm in the middle of a hurricane that is seeming to consume all areas of life right now and have nothing to give that would be of benefit! :-)

Maybe when God brings me out the other side I will have learned some stuff worth sharing but until then I may be a little absent from the blogging world. Bear with me I'm not going far, just hanging on for dear life till things settle a bit.

Much love to everyone, I'll be visiting you to get encouragement from your journeys and will share when I can.

God IS good and I say like David, "I am confident of this, that I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." I will continue to trust and hope!
Rach.

God Is Good..... And I Believe It!

2008-01-21T02:40:00.000-08:00

I am determined to see 2008 through spiritual binoculars that colour everything with the knowledge that God is good! I'm tired and finding very little is easy for me at the moment but I will not allow a negative perception to effect what I see.

I've heard a number of people speak on the idea of the 'grass is greener on the other side' lately and one of the common conclusions is that it's because the 'other' grass is actually artificial turf! What may look so perfect and easy is only an illusion. If I want the real thing in my life, if I want the growth and the fruit of something that is living and productive it's gonna take work!

How I view the work that is going on in me as I push forward depends on those binoculars. Because I am convinced that God is good, I can take heart in knowing that whatever struggle I go through will ultimately be for my benefit if I stay submitted to Him.

Sure it's uncomfortable. Sure sometimes (much of the time) I want to run away and live an easy life. Today I was thinking about how much simpler and more fun my life was before I accepted all the things I'm doing right now. Egypt and slavery always looks more appealing from a desert viewing point, but without the journey there is no promised land only bricks for someone else's future.

So no matter what, God is good. He will use whatever I face to bring about something amazing when I face it with Him. I'm thankful for the hard times for without them I stay small and God has bigger plans for me than being the largest goldfish in a tiny puddle. My surroundings may feel beyond what I can handle right now - but what an opportunity to meet the challenges head on and get to a place where what seems so large right now can no longer contain what God has done.

I cried, like Caleb - "Give me this mountain that you promised me", so how can I refuse the climb?

Faithless....

2008-01-10T05:49:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I wonder how God could choose to use such changeable humanity! I want so much to look to him alone - to be steadfast and true to him forsaking all other voices yet so often I fail. It's in these moments I choose to strip myself of value and allow one who wants me to fall to have an unhindered audience with my mind. I hope one day I automatically choose to believe in God's great truth and love in the face of my shortcomings instead of taking the path of condemnation. He is forever faithful so I will keep trying to be like the one I love most.

........

Faithless
I have named myself,
a reflection that calls me as I believe.
Your promise ignored is another forsaken
Trampled under faithless feet.
I pause…..
Breathe in, shut out light
And lend voice to darkness edged in truth
That readily points its finger.
Like an arrow it finds its mark
And embeds itself in a soul
too eager
To heed its accusations.
Still you whisper….
And your voice holds.
Your silver words woven
So tightly to who I am,
Their resonance drawing,
Shaking,
All in their path,
Till night is forced to give up its captive
And hope walks free at last.
You remain, so I will once more.

"Six Things About Me..." The Meme

2008-01-08T20:09:00.000-08:00

I didn't think it was possible, but Lincoln over at The Habitation Of Justice has decided to take up team sports and has tagged people other than himself for a meme!!! I'm very pleased at his new found ability to play with the other children and so will happily participate for his sake if for no other! This one's for you Linc! :-)

The rules are as follows:
Link to the person that tagged you.
Post the rules on your blog.
Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
Tag six people and at the end of your post, link to their blogs.
Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Here goes - 6 non important things about me!

1. When I scull a glass of water, I count to 8 as I drink, and always stop when reaching that number! (weird, I know.)

2. Whenever walking around barefoot I almost always walk on my toes instead of flat-footed.

3. I bite my lower lip all the time, in fact I'm doing it right now.

4. I am the queen of procrastination. The only time I willingly clean my house is when I have something else I should be doing.

5. I have a bad habit of speaking in accents that are not native to me! (Scots and Russian are my favourites!)

6. I have a system for eating any type of chocolate and marshmallow biscuit. I follow this system depending on the biscuit at all times. It can take me a while.

Wow, I have so many more quirks yet here we are at the end already! That was a little cathartic and quite fun! Now my turn to tag -

Mike - You know I had to, and I'm looking forward to the answers! :-)
Happy - Same reason!
Heather - I'm sure you have some fun stuff you'd love to share!
Glenn - I can't imagine you being anything less than wise and noble, but I'm sure you'll disagree!
Ruth - Welcome to my list of people I enjoy tagging!

oh. and another quirk is that I'm not good at obeying instructions so 5 tags and 7 facts will have to do!

Welcome 2008

2007-12-31T16:08:00.000-08:00

I had to post this as it is pretty cool to me, even though it's a little stupid.

I am sitting at my computer on the morning of January 1st 2008 knowing that for a number of you, it is still last year. I am used to the fact that much of the time we are in a different day, yet right now we are also in a different year!

How "Back To The Future" is that? :-)

.........

Ok, so I had to stop this post half way through so many of you will have caught up by now.
Happy New Year to you al!

Worth a Read

2007-12-30T14:36:00.000-08:00

I've just come across a new (to me at least) blog by Ruth called Grains of Truth. I thought I'd mention it to those of you who I've become good friends with because what she writes is well worth the read.

I may be on the slow train here and many of you have already been over there and visited her, but if not I recommend doing so. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Much love!
Rachel.

Give Me This Mountain!

2007-12-29T22:39:00.000-08:00

I preached at my church this morning on Caleb. He was an amazing person and I find him fascinating! Caleb was one of only two people sent on a spy mission to the Promised Land of Caanan who came back with a good report and encouraging the people that "we can surely do it". Alas, as the story goes, the Israelites choose to believe the negative report and consequently spend the next 40 years wandering in the wilderness.

What I find amazing about Caleb is in Joshua 14:6-15. When the Israelites are in Caanan and ready to cast lots to divide up the land, Caleb steps forward. You see, when he went against public opinion 45 years earlier and encouraged Israel to go into and possess the land, God through Moses promised Caleb the land on which he'd set his feet. This was the hill country, the city of Hebron and Caleb had been waiting to claim it for over half his life.

We all have mountains in our lives, promises from God that are much bigger than we are and to the natural eye - impossible to attain without God's miracle working power. How do we get to the point where we stand like Caleb and proclaim, "Give me this mountain that you promised me"? What characteristics do we need to possess in order to take hold of the promises and inheritance God has given us?

We need a desire to know him more. Matthew 16 says "out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. Caleb's language gave away the condition of his heart. Every time he opened his mouth, it was a positive affirmation of who God is and what he can and will do. Caleb knew his God and I'm sure, stored up in his memory every time God had provided for Israel through the exodus and their desert wanderings. He desired God and to move according to God's word. The more we learn about and grow in our relationship with God, the more we can trust him and his promises. Then we will be unafraid to move into what he has for us because we know him and know that his plans are good!

We need the tenacity to want more. Don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about 'stuff'! Caleb could've settled for having lots cast for his portion of the land; could've angled for an easier place down in the valley areas but wasn't prepared to settle for anything less than all God had for him. It's so easy for us in our comfortable western lives to be happy with the 'near-enough' moments. The thing is, reaching our destiny is not just about us. If we don't press forward to take hold of that for which Christ has called US heavenward, we can alter someone else's journey. It's like the fairy stories we read as kids - what if Snow White settled in the forest, married a dwarf and let herself go? Forever the kingdom would have suffered from the reign of the wicked queen! Ok, life's no fairy tale I know but I hope you get the point.

Caleb declared he was still as strong 45 years later as he ever was, and just as ready to go into battle. I think this was because he had never stopped desiring and being passionate about what he knew God had for him. When we have the tenacity to want more from God; to not accept near-enough but eagerly desire what was promised even if it seems to take forever, we keep ourselves ready. We train, and prepare, and discipline ourselves so that when the time comes, we can claim the very thing God has promised us.

Lastly, we need the ability to see more. 12 spies went out. They all saw the same things - an abundantly rich land, one with fortified cities, and the descendants of giants occupying them. Perspective will make an enormous difference to what you do with what you see. If you lack the ability to see more, that perspective will shrink your focus and cause you to fear. You will shrink back and desire to take your eyes off what God wants for you.

The city that occupied Caleb's promised hill country was the very one 12 men had spied out for Israel 45 years before. The majority shrank in fear believing it impossible, yet Caleb saw a mighty victory for God and longed to possess it. 10 saw failure, Caleb saw his future. If we can lift our eyes and see beyond what others see we will find the place where God wants to work miracles. Instead of danger we will see destiny.

Tidings of the Season

2007-12-28T02:46:00.000-08:00

To all who have read my musings on occasion, or with any regularity; and to those of you who have become friends and extended family via technology -

I hope you have a wonderful holiday season. That your Christmas was lovely, your New Year safe and happy, and 2008 blessed beyond your wildest imaginings.

Thanks for your company, thoughts and contributions in 2007; I'm looking forward to sharing with you the journey that 2008 brings!

Much love and warm wishes, Rachel.

An Elijah Moment

2007-12-17T22:35:00.000-08:00

I was over at Happy's blog having a read of her thoughts (which are inspiring, by the way) when I came to her post labelled "Out Here in No Man's Land". It is so well written that it got me thinking, especially as it reminded me of Elijah's experience after Mt Carmel when Jezebel threatened his life and he fled to the wilderness. Please check it out, I think it's well worth a read.

Often No Man's Land is par for the course, just a part of the path God has us walking. However, sometimes we put ourselves there through choices we've made and the resultant action we have taken. Elijah found himself out in the wilderness, feeling exhausted, lost and hopeless when he let fear take a hold.

I know I've been there. I have always struggled with what we churchies call the "fear of man" and have allowed people, or my impression of people to intimidate me into desolate places. I wrote the following about where Elijah found himself in 1 Kings 19:1-18, and where I've been too many times. (for the full story, see 1 Kings 16-19) So here goes.....

So there goes my finest hour

I had it all and held it in my hand

Here comes the wind of change again

I took my eyes off you

and it all slipped through my fingers like sand

Now I find myself

doubting all I've ever known

I've run so far away

And I don't know which way to go.

...

So find me

I need your inspiration again

See me

I'm alone and needing you my friend

Come pick me up

and carry me from this place

I will wait here

for you to find me.

...

So I guess it's time to leave

I'm gonna step outside

though the wind may blow

I hear you whispering my name

Even if the ground may shake

I will cling to what I know

That when all hope was gone

You were still taking care of me

When I thought I couldn't go on

I found that you are all I need.

...

No matter what tomorrow brings

It's not about what I see

I won't care if it's darkness or light

I only care about you and me

Cause to be with you means that

nothing else matters.

No Mans Land

2007-12-13T17:04:00.000-08:00

Ever feel like there's no end in sight? I can remember countless times where I feel like I've set off for somewhere.... somewhere good and exciting and adventurous only to find myself staring at a seemingly never ending nothingness!

I don't do no mans land well. What I mean by that is that feeling you have of not being able to charge forward, but not being able to throw in the towel either. I want all or nothing. What do we do when we have to just ride out the 'nothingness'?

I've decided to start my own meme, (seeing I technically don't know what this word means, I hope it's applicable!) on four (approx) things God wants to show me in No Mans Land.

1. That character is more important than destination. It's in the waiting times that we see who we really are. My insecurities, flaws and shortcomings surface when I'm not able to cover them up with activity. I see where I've let my relationship with God and others slip, and I see some of the ugliness I've managed to bury and am forced to deal with it! God cares more about who I am becoming than where I am going. The destination is the bonus that comes with being like him.

2. That waiting reveals trustworthiness. When I'm stuck in the mundane and not able to move forward or back, what do I do? How do I react? If God can't trust me to be faithful in the boring and frustrating times of life, how can he trust me with the crises? Or even more so, the accolades? If I can't point to him with consistency and purity in the every day then how can he trust me to be loyal and stable in the action?

3. That I really can do all things through Christ as he strengthens me. I can keep a right spirit and continue to grow even when it feels like it's not possible or even probable knowing that God will provide all I need for moments of success, moments of hardship and even the drudgery!

4. To look beyond what I see with my natural eyes. So often I feel like I'm out at sea with no wind or waves to keep me moving forward. It's in these times that the enemy tries to make me believe I'm stuck, I'm stationary and stagnant; not going anywhere. In the spiritual realm though, I don't believe this is ever the case unless we stop moving of our own accord. I need to realise that God is a progressive God and will always be moving and growing me even when I don't feel it...... especially when I don't feel it.

I invite all who wish to, to take part! However I tag the following specifically-

The Art of Perfection

2007-12-11T23:48:00.000-08:00

Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away. - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Finding Strength for the Journey

2007-12-10T12:51:00.000-08:00

We all want to be superheros as little kids. My sons are constantly asking me which superhero I want to be, and which super powers I'd like to have! They still believe in the idea that they can be so much more than they are and go beyond what they see. Faith comes so easily to a child!

Isaiah 40 speaks of youths growing tired and weary and young men stumbling and falling...... this is part of life! We get tired, we become bogged down and find it so hard to get up, push through and find the strength we need to live extraordinary lives like the Bible promises we can. I believe there are a few keys to finding that strength that is beyond ourselves to do what the rest of Isaiah 40:28-31 speaks of..... having our strength renewed, rising up as on wings of eagles, running and not growing weary, walking and not growing faint. That's what I want; no, need!

1. Wait on the Lord. Psalm 37:7 says "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him."

Waiting is tough. I'm not good at it! But when we do, it brings us to a place where we can receive God's strength. Waiting brings us into submission to God as we focus all our thoughts and energies on him alone. Waiting allows HIM to be in charge as we cease to be running on our schedule and we come under his authority. The beauty of His authority is that when we are submitted to it, he gives it to us and in it we find new strength.

Waiting also allows us to hear him more clearly as we stop to listen and actively seek him. Breakthrough comes when we actively wait for God.

2. Hope in the Lord. Isaiah 49:23 says "those who hope in me will not be disappointed." When we are tired and discouraged, disappointment is easy to fall into. Hope breaks us out of that mindset and sets our trust on him who has promised to never disappoint us! Waiting must come first, but as we do this and God begins to invade our lives once again, hope rises. Hope is like fuel for our spirits that propels us through the valleys we go through.

Again in Isaiah 40:31 it says "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." Hope opens us up to God's preferred future! It gives us the right attitude, one of positivity and trust that positions us to be used and blessed by God.

3. Rejoice in the Lord. Paul knew about rejoicing in the Lord. Even in hardship and persecution he still exhorted the Church to "rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice!" Happiness and joy are often confused, yet functionally very different. Happiness is an emotion based on circumstances and can change at any moment. Joy is emotion based on who we are and who we belong to. It is fundamental to what we believe.

If we believe, spend time with, wait on, know a good and loving God then we will naturally begin to place our trust in him and hope will be borne out of this relationship. When we have hope in God, joy is it's natural by-product. Hope and joy are sustainers, they keep our running shoes on even when we can't see the road ahead. Joy will give us strength to face whatever comes knowing our God will sustain us and joy is attractive. The world needs it, we need it - it will drive us closer to Him and will draw others into his presence.