Hope Victorious

  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...

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...

  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...

  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...

  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 –         ...

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

  Easter is a celebration of the power of love to transform and renew life. The ultimate miracle of life coming from death opens wide the doors of possibility: freedom from shame, love that triumphs over hate, forgiveness that sets you free, liberty from what once held you captive, beauty from ashes, hope in the midst of tragedy, and on and on. I’ve tasted the goodness of this power in my own life, experienced the wonder of being transformed and redeemed.   ·        My soul has been liberated from the bondage of depression, hopelessness, suicidal thoughts and despair. ·        Years of self-hatred and self-harm have been redeemed by love and acceptance, allowing me to be tender and accepting of myself. ·        I’m experienced radical freedom from severe claustrophobia. ·        Forgiving the young man who repeatedly raped me, transformed my life in more ...

  When I come to the end of me I find there is no end to you Your faithfulness goes on and on And on and on through all eternity Unending Love    -    Ceaseless Hope    -    Power without boundary   I find the end of me Fearful    -    Tearful    -    Alone And there I am in the mist of you Me – a dot on your timeline   I rest my ending In your eternity:    Secure    -    Purposeful    -    Anchored I find myself in your unending love Saturated and Filled Your strength invading   -    Covering    -    Overwhelming every weakness Every part of me, that I prefer to hide I rest   -    I remain Trusting   -    Anchored    -    Belonging           In you, I find I have no ending N...

  A Modern Parable The scope of this promise is huge! Paul, the writer of the book of Romans had faith for it though and he had some extreme examples of “all things” from his own life. If God could make something amazing out of the ingredients of Paul’s life, maybe there’s hope for us too! Think of the cooking reality shows where experienced cooks are competing to create amazing dishes on the spot using the main ingredients that are yet to be discovered. Each of the competitors stands behind a counter, with full access to a pantry stocked with all the spices and supplies they could think of. They also have all the kitchen tools and appliances they could ever need available. There is a time limit and the judges stand watching. In front of each chef is a large plate with the pre-selected main ingredients hidden beneath a silver dome. When the time begins, they will lift the dome and see what they will need to create their dish around. They will be surprised and will need to think...