Wednesday’s Words

Category

Mirage

“Mirages are things that aren’t really there that you can see very clearly….’How do you see something that isn’t there?’ ‘Sometimes it’s much simpler than seeing things that are’” --Norton Juster, The Phantom Tollbooth Distant paradise. I see it so clearly…a hope, relationship, relocation…the thing that’s going to fulfill my inner longing. Hope and a future defined by me. I stretch and reach, attempting to grasp air. I want this not that. Reality smudges. Satan sends the snake. “Did God…

Gather Me Close

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” –Jesus, Matthew 23:37 Gather me close, under Your wings. I’ve stoned those sent to me with messages I refused to receive. Claimed my own understanding. Went my own way. Gather me close. You give weary souls rest. Take away my heavy. Carry me…

Surprised by Joy

“It is only when our lives are emptied that we’re surprised by how truly full our lives were.” --Ann Voscamp Darkness surrounds, embraces, enfolds. Silently we slip through sea grape and sand. Moving without words, hunched over, an opening appears. Light and beauty make me gasp. Moon’s full orb lights water’s inky blackness, creates a mirror from wet sand. Waves softly lap shore. Without speaking, we sit absorbing the moment. Without thought, I give thanks and praise. In this moment,…

High Places

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Matthew 23:37 The Lord’s hand is not shortened. He is not blind or deaf. He can reach me, see me, hear me. He is all things – provider, redeemer, healer. I separate myself. “I want, I think, I feel”. God excluded. I think…

Scattered Seeds

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. John 12:24 Those who sow in tears reap shouts of joy! Sow in hunger and need. Sow in belief for what’s to come. Harvest. He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High abides in His shadow. Under His wings there is refuge. Seek the Lord. Shield of faithfulness. Sow righteousness,…

Beauty for Ashes

Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me; Lord, be my help. You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise You forever.  Psalm 30:11-12 He comforts all who mourn. Provides for the grief stricken. A crown of beauty and a garment of praise. Beauty for ashes. Despair no more. The Lord’s splendor displayed. Righteousness revealed. Ancient ruins…

Never Give Up

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 You are God – there is no other. You are God – there is none like You. Almighty is Your Name. You are the first and the last. Alpha and Omega. Beginning and end. I am the Lord’s servant. His splendor displayed. My reward is with my God. He is my strength. Light of…

Forgive and Never Forget

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace. Ephesians 1:7 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Scarlet turned to snow. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Rebellion met with red. Nothing is greater than His blood. Nothing it won’t restore, reconcile, redeem. Covenant blood poured out for many. Sin drenched with love. By His stripes, I am healed.…

Hope on a Hill

As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18 This world is passing away along with its desires. Trials and temporary trouble. Hardship and loss. Worldly treasure. Citizen of Heaven, fear not. Promised is a better country, a new Heaven and earth. A city designed and built by God. Righteousness dwells there. Death,…

Tree of Life

Fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true. Bear and abide. Branch attached to vine. Fruit bearing branches pruned. Encouraged to bear even more. Heart’s produce praises God. Acknowledges His Name. Father glorifying fruit. Vine identification. Spirit of life and peace. Humility and gentleness. Love bearing fruit full of sap and green. Grapes never gathered from thorn bushes. Figs won’t grow from thistles. Good trees grow good fruit. Taste and see that the Lord…