Posts

Equipped for Victory

Image
  Faith is what you have to protect you from the lies that discourage and destroy. Faith is a shield you hold in front of you. The lies that come against you are the flaming arrows of the enemy that come to “rob, kill and destroy”, as Jesus says in John 10:10. While that is the agenda of the enemy, Jesus says that His purpose is “to bring life, and life to the fullest”. (John 10:10)   Paul uses the analogy of armor to show us how God equips us for victory in the midst of this battle with the enemy.   After explaining that he is not speaking of natural enemies, but spiritual, Paul goes on to describe this “armor of God” that we are equipped with:   “ Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.  14  Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  15  and having...

Vignettes: Embrace & I Love You

Image
  Embrace I have found an embrace that ends the shame that settled over me Like a clearing sky – the clouds of guilt have gone Every slender grasping finger of shame Has been removed from holding me Captive no more I have found an embrace that silences the voices of shame   -   Accusing me for years I have heard the words of love that heal and comfort I have been held tightly in the embrace of life Light shining brightly, has exposed the darkness  -  And banished it from me Freedom  -   Life I am unashamed For I have been embraced by God I Love You! Love is like a fire Burning bright inside of me I love you fiercely Sometimes it hurts   So hot and huge at the start And yet it grows and deepens I did not know I could love like this I have exceeded myself   You are becoming less mine and more your own I couldn’t be more proud My love still increases The fierceness of it burns away my worries and concerns A...

FIRE & The Ember

Image
There is an ember Bright and hot Beneath the ash of a fire that once burned bright.   You fear the fire has gone out There are no more flames You no longer feel the heat. The flames that once were bright and dancing, slowly turned wood to ash Filling the night with light Shadows of flames dancing, crackling and sparkling fire Heat enough to warm you Even moving you back because the intensity was too much Now the wood is gone Consumed by flames how with hunger A bed of coals: red-hot Sparkling like treasure – they endured for awhile A deeper heat: impressive and beautiful Slowly the coals too began to cool Gray ash and black coal remember the shape of the logs that burned Closer you draw, but cannot discern the heat There is no fire here Gentle breezes blow the ash Only gray, white powder covers the hunky black memory of wood Wispy clouds of ashes swirl   Dig down beneath the ash that has gown cool Deeper still You will be surprised to find -  there remains and ember Hidde...

“Questionable Timing”

Image
  Trusting in God’s timing can be difficult. Often when we hear a promise or word from God, we want to see instant changes and results. We love the testimonies in scripture of times when God acted “suddenly”, and circumstances were radically altered in an instant. Whether it is a situation of physical healing, emotional healing, provision, addiction, etc. we love the times where we hear of God doing an instantaneous miracle of transformation. What we don’t like nearly as much is waiting for the promise to manifest. Why does God tell us He is going to do something if it is going to take a long time before it is evident? I think there’s a strategy that is good for us and actually benefits our relationship with God. The writer of Hebrews says that followers of Jesus must demonstrate faith in order to please God.   “Without faith, it is impossible to please God.”   God will always require faith!   Waiting requires faith.   I came across this scripture today in H...

Born for Faith

Image
  Faith is something.             It is no small thing.             It is not nothing Faith doesn’t just lead us to something, or give us access (although it does!) But the faith,           on its own,               it is something too. Faith has its own reward.             Faith is substance.              Faith is real. When there is none – you feel the absence of it.       You feel the empty void. That frightening place of uncertainty – where questions outnumber answers 1,000 to 1 Where hope and joy are sucked out of the atmosphere by a vacuum of fear, You feel it when there is no faith.   Yes, faith is something I...

My Life in 6 Words -

Image
  Lisa –                            Healed: set free into glistening life I have overcome: Now I Thrive Disciple of Jesus –        I have tasted – I have seen                                    Tested and Proven: Hope that Endures                              Love has set my heart free   Wife –                    Better Lovers I Cannot Imagine Dream come True – I Love You Joyous Adventure: United in Love Forever   Mothering –         ...

Vignettes: Soar - Trust - Ocean

Image
Soar I set myself free Cut the ties to regret and sorrow Release myself from questions unanswered Letting go of doubts and insecurity That held me captive for so long I set myself free Liberty I will soar Winds of hope and faith Lift me higher Unhindered I dream I soar free Trust Letting go of my strong grip I am feeling the strength of you Sure and Steady I will Let Go Surrender my control to yours Faithful True Steadfast   I will rest Because I trust you To carry what I hold dear OCEAN Wave after wave Wash over me C L E A N S I N G       R E F R E S H I N G Again and Again Blowing Cooly The wind and the mist I drink in the feeling As I stand there Sun on my face Wind through my hair Mist of the surf Standing on sand W A T E R and W A V E S Surging Retreating Again and Again Wash Over Me Again