Category: Child of God

Moments in His Presence (Journey)

My blessings come with no sorrow.  Trials come and I use them for your good, but I don’t harm you.  I don’t send catastrophe and destruction upon you.  So trust in me.  Be confident in your decisions and in my guidance.  What the world calls failure is just an opportunity to try something different.  So there is no fear in stepping out, taking risks, and trying.  I am not a father who demands perfection and criticizes my children.  I am a loving father who gently encourages and guides.  I work along side you and bring you to success.  So give me your heart – it is safe with me.  We will work together to fulfill your destiny.  I designed you equipped to accomplish all the things that I placed in your heart.  So don’t doubt that you will succeed.  We travel together always – fears, anxiety, doubt are powerless.  Simply hold my hand as we journey.  Hills and mountains will provide unimaginable vistas.  Valleys will be resting places with rivers of nourishment and fields of joy.  Be at peace with me, and let’s continue on the adventure.

JOURNEYS

There are journeys to

journeys through

and journeys from

There are journeys of remembering

and journeys of forgetting

There are journeys of discovering

and journeys of giving

Cherish each journey

Missing a journey is missing life

Moments in His Presence (Everlasting Love)

Introduction:

I took some time to go through my journals to look for entries that might be encouraging to others who are seeking to understand their security and identity in the Lord.  I’ve titled these posts “Moments in His Presence”, because they flowed out of time spent wrapped in his love and listening to his voice.  I pray that they may encourage and bless you.

Everlasting Love

I love you with an everlasting love – a love that will not die and cannot be defeated. You live in me; I live in you. Come to the fullness of the understanding of our unity. I challenge you to fully open yourself up to my love. I demonstrated my love for you at the cross. I demonstrated my love for you through the Holy Spirit. This is enough, but I long to give you even more. The fullness of the Spirit is available to my children. Long for it, and pursue it. Seek and you shall find. I give only good gifts to my children. Take time to seek me – I am waiting for you, and am ever eager to meet with you. I love you in all truthfulness, all faithfulness – a love forever.

You Are A Flower Blooming

You are like a flower blooming

Closed tight within your sepals

Hidden away the beauty of your design

But the sun and rain begin to call

A gentle touch opens the shell

A brilliant gem shines forth unexpectedly

A life is lived with abandon

Fruit is born to refresh others

Seeds are planted bringing forth more beauty

The Poor In Spirit

Can we look upon our own poverty –  our own emptiness and inability?  Earthen vessels easily broken and destroyed – formed out of clay and half-baked in the kiln – fragility in motion. An empty clay shell waiting to be broken, crushed by the world.  No strength to withstand the battering forces of the world.  The darkness concealed within released when the exterior shatters.

If we gaze upon and accept our total emptiness, poverty, helplessness, what is left?  What is the meaning of what has gone before –  a shadow, a dark turning of mere existence without purpose, direction, substance?

No! Jesus promised more than this.  He promised to fill the earthen vessel with his Spirit, His light.  The glory of God shining forth from every crack and imperfection.  Darkness banished and weakness replaced with His strength.  Divine destiny and purpose revealed.

Are we willing to admit our utter poverty to receive the marvelous riches of His glory?

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.  Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.  Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.  Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3-10, ESV)

Playground of Love

mt-leconte-fall-with-snow

The leaves swirl and dance to the ground as the wind blows through the valley

The fall quickly overtakes summer and winter awaits its quiet entrance

Each season a symphony delighting our senses

A kaleidoscope painting of wonder filling our vision

A masterpiece created by the Father for the delight of his children

An extravagant playground of love

Snapshots

(Snapshots of Flying to Chiang Rai and Driving to Meet the Children)

Rice paddies sparkling like stained glassimg_1322

Mountains rising from the earth and forming rows of sentries overlooking the fields

The hustle and bustle of driving through the city – motor bikes, cars, trucks intermingle in controlled chaos

Cornfields, nurseries, car dealerships lining the road – different, but not so different

img_1375Mountains in the background forming a backdrop so similar to home, but banana trees and rice paddies reminding you that you are not

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Theresita Primo.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Theresita Primo.

Smiling faces and warm greetings – a meal with family from across the globe, united in the family of our wonderful Father

Thinking about how He sees each of us like little children – His precious children who bring delight to His heart

United with Christ

Picture courtesy of Elizabeth Theresita Primo
Picture courtesy of Elizabeth Theresita Primo

Our life is a beautiful dance through the universe where Jesus leads.  We simply hold his hand and follow where he guides.  Our hands and feet are joined in union with his –  nailed together to the cross.  Our spirits are risen with him – united in his everlasting life.  Our old man buried with Christ and left in the grave.  Our new man a glorious resurrection.  Yet even greater glory is to be revealed when we receive the full promise of his eternal life.  We have received his life and love -united eternally in life; united eternally in love.  Oh, death where is your sting!  Eternity awaits with even greater glory of living in the very presence of Father God.  What delight to worship in total awe at his throne – now and forever.  We are children of the most high God, wrapped in his everlasting love and engulfed in his light – the bliss of eternal union with God.