What's In A Rose?

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My child, it is time to walk into your new identity. Your identity is no longer established in this world and all that it offers. The world offers you distinctiveness found through youth, fame, success, wealth, possessions, titles, power and beauty. The world claims your identity is found through them. My child, this system of idols is not my way. My system is a Kingdom set apart by me and for me. I offer you so much more than this world can. I want to change the way you see yourself so that my love will live to the fullest in you. It is not to be stored. No, I want you to blossom to your fullest potential so that you may love as I love. It is through the aroma of my love that others will come to know me and my great love for them. What a sweet scent my love leaves.


You understand partly now but one day you will understand fully. Your focus will be made complete and your comprehension of who you truly are and who I truly am will become fully known. Until that time, I am working to renew your thoughts so that they will align with mine. When you look into a mirror, it is without thought that your eyes go straight to the place of your weakness. You see your flaws and imperfection but I see something completely different. You see your lack but I see my perfection. And when you gaze into the law of my first covenant, once again you see only your imperfection. This places focus on your sin rather than my LOVE and forgiveness found through the covenant of the cross. My LOVE covers a multitude of sin. My child, you have been made new In Christ, because you have turned back to me and accepted the gift of my son, Jesus. I have given you your true identity. You are a new creation placed directly in the center of my son, Jesus. In the past your focus has been skewed, but now it is time to live up to that which I say you are.



I see you as a reflection of my son, Jesus. When I look at you, I see his perfection. When you look at him, see yourself also. For the great riches of my love for him has also been lavished onto you. Go ahead my child, feel free to partake of all your inheritance. You are free to be loved and free to give love. Change your focus to line up to all I say you are.



If you want to know your true identity, don't look at all the world claims you are, look to Jesus. Come to know his character and you will come to know yourself because his character is also available to you. His patience, kindness, and peace I give to you. What a sweet aroma you are to me, my child. What a lovely fragrance.



Take a look at the rose; it is one of my most cherished creations and a wonderful representation of your identity in me. You see, my child, the fragrance of a rose is its crowning glory. How I enjoyed the scent of the roses in the garden when I walked with woman and man. Such joy and pleasure it brought to me, but now it is you that is my source of joy. You are my Beloved.


Notice there is no other scent produced by the rose, except that which I have given. A rose cannot produce the scent of lavender or of musty earth after a fresh rain. The coffee bean or an ocean breeze cannot compare. No, a rose has a scent all its own. Beloved, the rose is most fragrant when it has been crushed and its oil is poured out.


My son, Jesus, became crushed and he was poured out in order that you would be made fragrant. Fragrant so others would come to know the beauty of my great love. Your fragrance is my delight. I delight in you!


Beloved, next time you are tempted to look dimly into the reflection of this world, remember that I am renewing you day by day. My claim is that you are precious and lovely. Live believing that. Focus on my goodness and not the negativity of this world. Place your focus on Jesus and you will begin to walk in light of your true identity.


You are the fragrant sweet aroma, the crowning of our great love. Breathe in all which that encompasses and you will become like the rose in full bloom; most exquisite and fragrant.



Beloved, how exquisite you are!



2 Corinthians 2:14-16


14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. 15 For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; 16 to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjmZ2v0niCI

Safe in His Arms

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For the Marble chaser freedom uncovers itself one pearl at a time. 

Today's marble is unbelief.

Marble chasers aims high but their focus is always low. Their goal is perfection and their desire for it stems from their need to be accepted; to avoid the pain of rejection, shame and fear. To be able to attain perfection is merely an illusion. Still, they chase after it. All the while it can never be completely grasped; it's always just a step away.  

To come face to face with the fears of a Marble chaser leaves them feeling vulnerable. But it is through facing the fears that they are able to let go of the next marble. They may have an open wound for a moment but in the end they are left with healed new skin. 

I read once that scars are stronger than healthy unwounded skin. I know this is true; for it is in the scars of our Savior that we have opportunity for true wholeness, healing and our true identity exposed. He exchanges marbles for his beautiful pearls.  

LOVE, himself calls to this marble chaser. Over time he has revealed how futile all her marble chasing has been. Yet, learning new habits takes time and patience. Something she hopes to learn quicker than later.  She calls back to LOVE and asks about her agenda, her lists, and her responsibilities? And while all of those things wear the mask of importance, in her heart she desires for a greater purpose, “What is important, what truly matters when it’s all said and done?  Are clean dishes and tidy drawers to be the goal of this life? Can there be satisfaction found in such lifeless goals?”

Life seems to always produce lists, even for the non-marble chaser. Yet it seems over time marble chasers find themselves getting less  and less accomplished with each passing day; much like a dog chasing his tail.  And with it the emotions intensify and the fear of failure rises up. Rejection’s breath blows hot. 

Ah, but to find peace in the midst of the emotion, could this be the goal required of the marble chaser? Could the journey of learning a new way of thinking, of seeing, and believing truly be the destination; the place where contentment is found? Could it be that the journey, this life, is truly the destination? LOVE smiles and opens His arms wide.

He answers, “I am your peace. Come beyond the veil child. Come into my presence, for I AM Peace. Be still, listen and I will lead you. Your purpose is not found in your accomplishments but in your surrendering. To become you must first end.  It is not even found in loving extravagantly, as you once thought. No, Seek ME FIRST, come into MY presence, and receive from me. Let my peace wash over you, fill you to a fullness you've never known. Then you can allow me to pour out my love to others. This is where I want your focus, the rest will be worked out in good timing. BELIEVE in my goodness and my grace. Trust in me. Trust that in me you are always safe.”

A memory washes over me. Pages from long ago flood my mind. There in black and white the words ‘fear’ and ‘doubt’ stain  the face of a six year old little girl. The day she learned experienced disbelief.

She stood on the edge of the public pool looking down into the face of her step father, whom she called “Daddy.”   He stood in the water, arms open wide, a smile planted on his face, beckoning her to jump. The concrete, extraordinarily hot sent her toes into a tippy toe dance. The splashes, laughter and screams of excited children filled the pool. And for the little one who could not swim it sent waves of exhilaration throughout her little frame. Moms and Dads lined the fence sunbathing and chatting.  Desperate to enter into the fun she giggled with anticipation. 

“Jump, I’m right here, I’ll catch you,” her Daddy said firmly.

Then she felt it. Her eyes grew quiet as fear overcame her excitement.

“I can’t.  I’m scared. What if you drop me and I drown?”

 “Jump ! I won’t drop you,” his face became solemn.

Her little lips stammered, calculating the outcome, her toes still dancing as the heat rose to her face. She wanted to join in, but her fear caused her to doubt her own safety.

His face shifted, and she saw impatience in the furrow of his brow.

“Look, at that little girl.” He pointed. “She’s smaller than you and she’s not afraid.” An initiation of sorts; a myriad of emotion bundled into that one moment; a moment that would follow her the rest of her life.

A memory flashed through her six year old mind; Her mother's face and the pain in it caused by the very hands of her daddy. In her little mind, though she tried to make sense of the good and the evil he was capable of she could not. And in that moment trusting him seemed to wash away with each splash, with each stare.  The painful glances of the boys and girls next to her jabbed at her and with it a new wave of emotion. Her feet became painfully hot and she was desperate for relief but in that moment even the pain felt more comfortable than the fear that grasped her.

Her head dropped as she gave a nervous smile their way. Even her tippy toeing stopped as she stared at the water's depth. It was clearly over her head. What if he dropped her? Wasn't he a teaser, a prankster, what if he was teasing now?  This man she called Daddy for a short while could not understand her fear. He was overcome by his own sadness and embarrassment at her lack of trust in him. And soon his sadness turned to anger. Instead of calming the tiny one's fears, his voice grew firmer. 

There is no recollection of her jumping, or landing safely in her Daddy's arms. Instead the memory fast forwards to her daddy getting out of the water, his anger obvious to all. Her mother tried to calm him, but it only caused more upset. The little one was left feeling both ashamed and fearful; and with it sadness that she would not experience the joy of splashing in the water.

And so a new question arises, is God angry with us when we doubt; when we don’t believe he will catch us; when we don’t feel safe? Does he bail on us when we stammer? 

There’s a quiet nudging:

“Trust me; in my arms you are always safe. I do not shame you nor am I quick to anger. I lovingly teach you. I know your limitations. But you must know that it is your unbelief that will keep you from walking on water, from living the full life; from splashing joyfully.”

Calmness rains over me; and along with it a quiet voice calls.

"There are only a few things I require of you: 

#1 Run to the other side of the veil, to my LOVE where grace is the foundation for all things I have for you.

#2 Seek to hear my voice, to be in my presence, to love me as extravagantly as I love you. In that you will find true contentment.

#3 Remember I am writing the Great story, focus on what matters eternally,  all the rest will eventually fade away.

#4 Be Still and know I AM GOD.  Stay focused on my arms, not the waves."

Yes, we are safe to jump into the deep waters.  God holds us in his  arms. We can believe that He can be trusted, he will catch us each time.  He has a pearl waiting, we simply must Believe.

IMAGINE

This is dedicated to my sister, Susan, who passed away in December. Her nickname was "Hippie Chick." Susan was a child of the 60's and 70's and spent much time "Imagining." She longed for peace and love and spent her life chasing after them. It wasn't until the last part of her life that she found what she had searched for all along. But she was not able to find it through all the things of this world. Instead she found it by way of a torn veil and LOVE's rescuing hand. Imagine that!

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Imagine, All-encompassing LOVE walking intimately with us. LOVE; ever powerful, NEVER changing, and Unconditional-pouring himself out for his creation. Loving is not a part of who he is- LOVE IS. It is his complete essence. LOVE embodied, full of brilliance and light. Yes, LOVE walked and lived among his beloved. The purity of their fellowship was revealed throughout all creation, the warmth of his presence gave joy to even the tiniest of creatures.

But there was a squander-er, one who chose no longer to fellowship with LOVE. He was full of HATE and anger. He hated LOVE’s intimacy with woman and man. He was pure DARKNESS. LOVE warned woman and man to avoid the things of darkness. But when they heard the dark voice calling to them, it was smooth and attractive, and they did not recognize it as darkness. They ignored LOVE’S precious warning, choosing to go their own way and joined into fellowship with the dark one. Darkness filled the land.

LOVE did not change; LOVE cannot change- for HE IS LOVE. LOVE’S heart broke as he saw the change in woman and man. A veil had been placed between LOVE and his beloved. The squander-er had gained power over the land, and even over man and woman. Sadness had filled the heart of LOVE. LOVE NEVER CHANGED and he longed for intimacy once again with woman and man. Years were only moments, for LOVE is eternal and eternal is not bound by time. And while man and woman, woman and man, lived and died, LOVE was working out his rescue mission.

As a LOVING RESCUER, LOVE broke through the veil and entered into the darkness. The Creator, LOVE, now became the created. He walked among woman and man as both a man and LOVE. His mission was clear, his purpose was pure and his motive was the personification of all he is- PURE LOVE.

He gave himself fully, holding nothing back. LOVE gives all. LOVE took darkness upon himself. The battle hung heavy. Darkness was broken and the veil was torn. LOVE won. LOVE made a way for man and woman to once again fellowship with Him. Yet darkness still walks the land blinding the eyes and hearts of LOVE’s creation. A blinding veil he places before their eyes. Many cannot see the torn veil which leads to LOVE, nor his hand reaching into the darkness. LOVE offers LIFE. LOVE offers SIGHT.


LOVE NEVER CHANGES. LOVE is Eternal. LOVE is Hope. LOVE is freedom. LOVE is Joy. LOVE is Peace. He gives all to all who will receive. Yet as before, he gives man and woman choice. LOVE forces no one, but chooses all.

For the man or woman who wills to receive the gift of the rescuer, LOVE removes the blinding veil. Darkness turns to light. LOVE NEVER CHANGES. He is not contingent on us. In our hands we choose which side of the veil we will walk; whom we will fellowship with. For the LIFE which LOVE offers is given freely, yet we must freely receive.



Lift up your hands to LOVE and receive what he has been waiting to give. Turn toward the open veil and the one, LOVE, who is calling your name.



Yes Imagine, Believe and receive.

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This Easter I dare you to NOT be Religious

                                                   

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For it is by grace we have been saved, not for our own sake but the Glory of God and his Great love for us (his creation.) We are loved so deeply and unconditionally. But do not be deceived. It was not God who separated us from himself, it was and is our sin. We have sinned and continue to sin. It is NOT our goodness (like our mothers taught us to be good little children) or the sacraments (that the church hierarchy claims) that will bridge the gap to him. NO. He stands longingly loving us. He is a HOLY and just GOD, he is YAHWEH. Light cannot live with darkness. So He sent his son (Yeshua) to live as man. The Light came into the darkness. It broke through the darkness. He came and lived Holy, in the way man once did- unblemished, unstained in the garden Paradise- without sin. And Yeshua (Jesus) chose to live a life that was not comfortable. In fact it was hard. He walked miles to fulfill his Father's wishes, sacrificing his own human desires. His death (by choice) was the result of his sacrificial life. His death was torture, brutal and unjust, yet God continued to be just. (For God cannot change) His love alone for mankind became sheer passion, The Passion. His resurrection proved the victory over the enemy’s hold on us.
Yahweh continues to stand waiting for us to have TRUE fellowship with him. But the church (the church community in whole) has begun to preach a different type of Gospel and while it is Yeshua alone who is the gift of God for salvation and unites us with Yahweh, the church tickles the ears of the deaf. They teach death saying good works trumps the Fellowship with God. Yet the truth is that God desires relationship NOT religion-legalistic acts or works. He desires intimacy not mere words. He does not desire a building or temple full of sleepers, full of the walking dead. He is Life and offers his life to us. He is the Word, yet few will receive his truth or his Word. Grace calls to the darkness of our hearts. Religion screams, “Work hard, be good, do right. You are okay, you are good to go.” Many choose salvation but refuse the Lord himself. But you cannot have one without the other. So many are deceived. They claim fire insurance but do not know the Savior. Grace accepts us unconditionally and offers the gift of reconciliation through TRUE faith which results in repentance and the sacrificial service to God and others. We want to live HOLY because he is HOLY. We do so knowing we are already loved. Religion teaches the opposite. It is not our works that saves us, so do not be deceived!! Do not believe that because you said a prayer, or joined a certain church that you are right with God while you continue live like those in the darkness. (For light cannot live with darkness.) For in that way of thinking is a great Apostasy, a falling away from the truth of the Good News of Christ. But it is the recognition of his GREAT LOVE for us that draws us to him and brings us to our knees in adoration and service to him. It is his Light that penetrates our hearts and spirit that gives life to us. It is what Jesus calls being Born of the Spirit. Without him, we remain dead. Going through the motions is not salvation. Seek Him and Him alone. We must ask the Lord to examine our hearts and to lead us to the Light and deliver us from the dark deception that is running rampant. We must ask for guidance and direction by His HOLY SPIRIT. We are called to service for him. Our allegiance is to him, not a church denomination. We are to be his hands and feet on earth until he comes again. Yes we are saved by GRACE, the choice is up to us whether we shall live or continue in death. Do not be DECEIVED, we were not saved for our glory, honor and comfort. He is LOVE and offers us a bridge to him; a bridge in the shape of the cross. It was not free for Yeshua but it is free for us, by way of Faith. It is in that freedom that in turn we give thanks by serving Him. HE is ALONE IS WORTHY.

Seeing Fully

The Wonder of Time; time, to capture or regain, no one can. Swift while drawn out, shadows cast over each life. No one can see it dance across space but its fruit touches each of us. Young ones long for its rhythm to beat quicker and the gray desire a quieter waltz. Tick tock of the clock. Tick tock, a reminder of how powerless we truly are. Towering majestic buildings we have understood, their stucture ornate and Godlike. Mountains we have conquered, oceans we have explored; yet in the end mankind has mastered nothing. But what is it we are to master, if not time?


Fifty candles sat upon the sweet chocolaty goo; my name written in cursive with the warm birthday wishes. Tick tock went the clock. What minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years tick ahead for this still young soul? What remains for the next page? (Remembering chapters are not promised us) What actions can I take to stave off the ticking, or should I even try? I dream to live life fully, to experience each tick with grace and awe. But gray heads don’t dance quickly, they don’t run and play like this soul still craves to do. There is fear of slowing, of getting caught up in the angst of painful joints and loss of hearing; and what's worse, the loss of sight.


Seven billion dollars, Seven Billion American Dollars spent in beauty products each year. A propelling force of fear drives a nation to fight the un-mastered power of time. Are we so vain? Why is the gray so dreaded? Do we think youth is where we live fully and gray is where we go to die? Could it be that life begins not with mastering time but with the mastering of the time we have been given? And so the journey begins. What is living fully? Seduction, gently and deceivingly guides us to believe youth and activity is living life fully. Is it found simply in movement? Is living fully found through action; to live fully, verb or noun, action or attitude?

Old eyes, though eye sight diminishes, can see more clearly. Vision is found in seeing what lies right before us. True living; childlike awe, awaking to the wonders, seeing miracles that otherwise go unnoticed. Conquering mountains can come by opening our eyes to the world around us; finding gratitude in the most unexpected places. Gratitude for the aching feet and slowing joints, gives way to freedom; to live life fully aware of the gifts we have been given. Stop, look and see. In the face of a stranger, a cup of cold water or the laughter of a child; even the tears of heart ache and in the most painful moments of this life we can experience Him. He is the maker of life. For God is found in each of those moments. His gifts are all around us. We don’t age by growing older; we age when we stop acknowledging his gifts, when we stop seeing the wonders of God. In growing gray dreams don’t stop nor does adventure, but growing dull is the greatest thief of life. Dare to explore once again.
God calls us to be grateful in all things. Fifty sits on my face as does the aching of my feet. Perfectionism screams that I must master time, slow it down, and stop it all together. But God’s Grace whispers, “Embrace it.” Embrace it all. For all is a gift of grace. In the pain there is joy when we can give thanks. For the one who does master the clock watches over us and expresses his love in ways we often miss. But they are before us. How he desires to give us adventure, to experience life to the fullest. No, age is not our enemy blindness is.

I can imagine God's voice:


“Open your eyes and see as a child, with the awe you once held for the gifts I have given. Look afresh at the world around you once again and see me smiling back. Be grateful in all things, for that is where I am present and when I can move freely in your life. Circumstance may not be the problem. It may be your vision is lacking. So go on a treasure hunt today and seek my gifts which are waiting for you. See me in all things. Be not afraid to take risks, be not afraid to dream again or to explore the mysteries I have for you. I have great treasures to show you. I long to shower you with love. Simply open your eyes and have the vision to see. Acknowledge my love for you then you have mastered my greatest gift to you, the gift of time.


Love, God

Jesus said, “The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

A Beautiful Mosaic

                                  
  

(Google image)





I have lost many members of my family over the years. As I ponder over


the kaleidoscopic of precious memories, I can't help but see God's hand


along the way. I couldn't see or understand why things happened like


they did at the time, but I have a better understanding now. Today I


cannot live in the future but I know the one who is there. He is also


with me today. We may not understand the "Why?" of our circumstances


but we can draw into the "Who" that paints our lives into a beautiful


mosaic. He is the beginning and the end, he is ever present. If you are


struggling today, direct your focus on his love and leave the


circumstances in his hands; and he will guide you to the finished product,


helping you to finish strong even when the tides seem to overtake you.


He himself is our refuge and our guide. Trust him, follow him and if you


don't know him, let me introduce him to you. His name is Jesus and he is


waiting to hear from you today.



"The salvation of the righteous (faithful) comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in Him."

~Psalm 38:39-40

Choose Faith

Anxiety, like a thief in the night, comes to steal the peace of God’s children. When my head hits the pillow, anxiety never announces that will be breaking into my peaceful night’s rest. Yet it often makes its way into my room, always in the wee morning hours. Always without compassion and without warning it abruptly awakens me.  Though the room is dark and I am the only one stirred, my reaction is like a well-rehearsed dance, and I find myself always whispering the same three words, “Lord, help me.” It is a plea from deep within, below the depths of a sleepy mind.

Before this dawn the bandit once again jabbed my shoulder.

Not you again.

As usual I did not know why he came, for life is truly good. I am blessed, I am not facing disease nor any recognizable dangers in which I am aware; so why another visit?

What do you accuse me of this time?

A sudden lump in my throat, the pounding of a frightened heart meant his presence was more than known.  My mouth took its post and began to whisper the usual plea, the only thing it could speak at three am.

Lord, help me.

It was the desperate plea of a distracted soul under attack;   and yet this time, there on my pillow, something stood out differently;  A recognizable hidden despair, the desperation, and more importantly,” the doubt.”

Where is the faith?

Was my plea one of faith or one of trust? Was it simply the tapping of the panic button? My eyes opened as I tried to bury my head further, hoping to close out the darkness.

Where was the faith? Words of scripture raced through my mind…

 ^“1I, James, am a slave of God and the Master Jesus, writing to the twelve tribes scattered to Kingdom Come: Hello! Faith *Under Pressure

^2-4Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced *into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

^5-8If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, *without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.”

~James 1:1-8  The Message

I felt the Lord’s nudging, another word stirred in my heart…

^“6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, *with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

~Philippians 4:6

So in the moment of panic, we have a choice?  The focus of our prayer matters?

 We can respond with a frantic plea, simply hitting the panic button; hoping God will come through, yet not certain, leaving an open invitation to the seed of doubt.

But God calls us to a different type of prayer, one with power. Though we tread water and are quickly sinking, this type of prayer is like a driving force shooting us up and out of the fear that is trying to overtake us. It is when we give God thanks and acknowledge him in the moment that the power is released into our lives, the water recedes.

I remember his words to me explaining that nothing is wasted, no detail great or small. Even this moment has purpose…

This transferring of understanding settled into my soul. It took hold.

THIS is how to LIVE Christ.

I rolled over inhaling deeply. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.

“Lord, thank you that you indeed are with me. Thank you that you are my refuge and my strong tower.  Thank you. Thank you, Lord that I am safe in you.”

A simple prayer of faith directed solely at magnifying him, eyes off self.

No blinding quasar of light filled the room, no choir of angels; just stillness, a turning point, a renewing of the mind.  I could sense the darkness slinking back, retreating.

Inhale. Exhale. My breathing began to deepen; my eyes grew heavy once again.

 It was the Lord who taught the lesson; my heart’s beating leaped and then slowed at this new awareness. We always have a choice. We always have a choice, whom will we believe, whom will we magnify?

It is He who holds us in his right hand; he who lifts us out of the waters deep.

And like a father leads his child, he is leading each of us. And though I don’t know where I am going, I find safety in knowing that he does. Panic will try to visit again, this I am certain. Yet in the prayer of faith, we find his cloak of protection surrounding us. The word says he goes before us and he goes behind us, he hems us in. He himself is our shelter, nothing or no one can penetrate unless he allows it. And should it be so, it is still good; for he is goodness and his purpose is ALWAYS good.

Knowing that and acknowledging that is livingfaith, is living Christ.

Ephesians 1:11-12

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ In him we were also chosen,^[a] having been predestined according to the plan of him *who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, ¹² in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ,  *might be for the praise of his glory.

*Italics mine