tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20068770343608924972024-03-05T23:00:13.515-08:00Words of JoyPause a while to ponder issues of life and faith through poetry and proseJoy Lentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03486637586238798088noreply@blogger.comBlogger191125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2006877034360892497.post-14537590413827761752015-07-10T06:54:00.003-07:002015-11-17T07:16:20.655-08:00Letting go and moving on<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjK6x_7Zdg4ubAb6PO74eB0lcVfsKzx3P4OW1nzBDTn_2MLKcHM3rush0fsc4B_OyLV-DAuKFqjxuzXSZdkInIFaxbl8XL0y9uhrzDEkSYHnJd5BLkACeV_1qIm5kexSdhVeOJ5FeYLDP/s1600/cat+waiting+WoJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjK6x_7Zdg4ubAb6PO74eB0lcVfsKzx3P4OW1nzBDTn_2MLKcHM3rush0fsc4B_OyLV-DAuKFqjxuzXSZdkInIFaxbl8XL0y9uhrzDEkSYHnJd5BLkACeV_1qIm5kexSdhVeOJ5FeYLDP/s640/cat+waiting+WoJ.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Much
of my life lately has felt like a waiting season where I gaze wistful
as others go about their days.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A
place where quiet speaks loud of all God desires me to hear.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For
several months now I've been asked to sit still, to rest, to learn
the value of silence and contemplation as I pace and recover from a
relapse in the M.E symptoms.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
ache to birth the books within, to engage more fully socially, to be
a more active participant in life's journey.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Summer's
vitality and colour spring up in abundance all around me, offering
invitation to embrace, join in. And it's been hard feeling set aside,
being less active than before.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>But
I've needed to learn to heed what is required of me and what needs to
be let go of.</b></i></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And
as I listened more closely, I sensed God asking me to widen my vision
for this blog and writing in general. He has more planned for me than
I ever imagined.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">His
timing may not be one of my choosing but will bear the most fruit for
the future.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">'Words of Joy' has a new home at <a href="http://wordsofjoy.me/">wordsofjoy.me</a> on WordPress. It seems
I've outlived this space. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It's time to move on, stretch out
faith-fingers toward an unknown future.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
feels scary, uncertain and strange right now. <i><b>Change
doesn't come easy for me. I ache for safe and familiar. Maybe you
too?</b></i></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />But
truth be told, without the stir of change I'm in danger of stagnation
and sinking into an unthinking, albeit comfortable, routine.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />We
all need change. It's inevitable and essential for opportunity and
growth, learning, maturation and adaptation, for all the new things
God wants to reveal to us.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />Change
will look different for each one of us but it will stretch and teach
us just the same. So I am readying myself for the inevitable as God
calls me elsewhere.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />Meanwhile,
letting go and moving on also feels quite liberating and strangely
exhilarating too. </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">An
act and leap of faith into the unknown...</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><i><b>A
new home. Fresh start. Trusting that words will come as before.
Trusting God knows what lies ahead.</b></i></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
won't be an all-singing-all-dancing site - I'm not tech-savvy enough
for that. But it will have a warm welcome waiting for you just the
same.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>Because
home is where the heart is, right? And my heart is always in my
writing.</b></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />The
new place is still very much a work in progress, just like me.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
hope you'll extend grace as we make it a comfortable space to be
together.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
paintwork is still a bit wet behind the ears, much like its owner.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There
may be several alterations to come, some furniture to shift around.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But
I sense I should move anyway and trust God to show me how to shape it
as I write.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Because
without Holy Spirit inspiration, grace and equipping I wouldn't be
able to write at all.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-style: italic;"><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Come and join me at the new look</span></b><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-style: italic;"> </b></span></span><a href="http://www.wordsofjoy.me/"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">'Words
of Joy'</span></span></span></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>? </b></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I'd
love to have your company.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Please
re-subscribe there to get new posts delivered to your in-box. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Here's
my new address: </span></span></span><a href="http://wordsofjoy.me/">wordsofjoy.me</a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Coffee's
on..see you soon! Blessings and love,</span> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Joy</b></i></span></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">:)</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
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Joy Lentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03486637586238798088noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2006877034360892497.post-18498305508795673352015-07-01T07:40:00.001-07:002015-07-01T07:40:48.455-07:00Knowing and being known<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJSE6XnE9JLCKmosjHoHpgPyYRT-C-KGZTMvi5iuASJutjj-fNVZktQSSOdR97iBzCeheXkKmIi3EbgwxnpIWitLqvTqb6qEHzAEq1Gvieo_qRqMxQZRHP9jgwxpR361f_B-cgEfP6ACJ/s1600/birds+flying+free+for+PJ+FMF+and+WoJ+Travelling+closer+to+home+file+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJSE6XnE9JLCKmosjHoHpgPyYRT-C-KGZTMvi5iuASJutjj-fNVZktQSSOdR97iBzCeheXkKmIi3EbgwxnpIWitLqvTqb6qEHzAEq1Gvieo_qRqMxQZRHP9jgwxpR361f_B-cgEfP6ACJ/s640/birds+flying+free+for+PJ+FMF+and+WoJ+Travelling+closer+to+home+file+image.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Silence is a space where our thoughts fly free as birds and we watch them circling wild.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They feel impossible to ignore or pin down. Grow larger as we give them room to move around.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once we snare one, then ten others rush as an angry horde in our heads.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And we sigh because we thought that being still and being quiet physically would also somehow impose a little rest in our mind.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Isn't that why we draw aside and seek tranquillity? </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It will come in time. Patience is its own reward.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>What I am learning as a beginner in the art of contemplative prayer is to be able to welcome the thoughts, observe their presence and gently release them again as I remain at rest.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But some thoughts linger like dark intruders trying to cloak us in their presence, stifle life and vitality.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They leave overwhelming and painful feelings behind.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And when they arrive we seek to eliminate them as quickly as possible because who wants to be reminded of the state of their heart where worry sits deep, anxiety is anchored and fears float free?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There seems to be enough darkness in the world for us to be willing to admit to it within our souls. Such knowing seems to be a step too far most days.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Little do we know that such self-awareness is a doorway to finding freedom.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Discouragement sits at the door of our heart, with despair and depression hot on its heels, and we can feel swamped by it unless we fully know and accept who we are and Whose we are.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Such pondering was in my heart this morning when I prayed and asked God to speak to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And He did, in the words below. My hope and prayer is that this prayer whisper will encourage you too as you seek to know and be known by God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLY_jCfqP4jwclxpwR-BIec438u2SHSnmRftMyIqYBAa7R3ZdciL-Zc_X8tpHCSr5W7xc5Mr70JrRzj5G_Hz6V_FB-DP_R4YQwRztqcd3WBrhKdRaA4rXciQxxar8yRibg7zvGtwAfq0q/s1600/morguefile+image+for+prayer+whispers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLY_jCfqP4jwclxpwR-BIec438u2SHSnmRftMyIqYBAa7R3ZdciL-Zc_X8tpHCSr5W7xc5Mr70JrRzj5G_Hz6V_FB-DP_R4YQwRztqcd3WBrhKdRaA4rXciQxxar8yRibg7zvGtwAfq0q/s640/morguefile+image+for+prayer+whispers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><u>Prayer Whisper:Know yourself and know who you are in Me</u></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><u><br /></u></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Know yourself. But do not grieve or become discouraged by who you are and how you act or react. Such inner understanding of your drives, desires and passions is essential in harnessing their energy for good purposes rather than evil.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Take time to sit with silence. Heed what rises to the surface of your conscious mind. Do not fear those things which appear. Acknowledge these depths of your being; welcome them as guests and guides who have come to teach you a better way to live.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Discernment begins with knowing who you are as a fallen human being made alive and righteous in Christ.</i></b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Try not to dwell on the negative. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">See those aspects of your character and behaviour as wounds. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Each wound bears the piercing of blood-red nails, an imprint of cross-inflicted agony I willingly endured to set you free.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Aim to live lightly as you address your woundedness and its revelation of divine Love's response</i></b>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aim to be cheered and of good courage as you reflect on the pearl of great price which was paid for your redemption.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sin still sits within like a recalcitrant lodger but it doesn't take full residence in your heart.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The more you look to Me and wonder at My love, marvel at My mercy, are filled with gratitude for My grace, the more you will see how sin no longer enslaves or has full dominion over you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I live and move and have My being in you, and you are seated in heavenly places with Me.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">These dark earthly passions are slowly being transformed into power for good and furtherance of My Kingdom.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Yield and surrender to Me and I will gradually change your lowly desires into heavenly ones.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Never forget you are My beloved and the joy of My heart J<i>ust As You Are.</i> Nothing and no-one can take that away from you. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let your soul rejoice in its resurrection to new life. Little by little, day by day, I am pouring grace into the cracks and crevices and revealing My glory through your weakness. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Take heart, My child, you are made strong, whole and beautiful in Me"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3Ro-vaSJzwDeAvLpPYFHKz-19T9OxoltOhR4pmdEGtRDBT3aPlfaYEMjY5dCDe7S0PIq7Tvi4arsAkOL1NhhFogg_JHAwCLxeyZcwVcWE72G2yuZrW1rwYqUC61OhQOkQluuIvs1bJCp/s1600/knowing+pw+WoJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3Ro-vaSJzwDeAvLpPYFHKz-19T9OxoltOhR4pmdEGtRDBT3aPlfaYEMjY5dCDe7S0PIq7Tvi4arsAkOL1NhhFogg_JHAwCLxeyZcwVcWE72G2yuZrW1rwYqUC61OhQOkQluuIvs1bJCp/s640/knowing+pw+WoJ.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Friend, you and I are on a lifelong journey toward becoming whole and healed. There are times when it feels like no progress is being made, but every day we are moving forward and learning to live and love as God wants us to.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It starts with learning to accept and love ourselves <i>(in a balanced, God-inspired way)</i> and continues as we reach out to others with empathy and compassion.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our hurt and pain can become the pathway to another soul feeling less alone with their own situation as we share who we are on the way to all we are becoming.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">May you have renewed hope as you follow hard after God's heart and rest in all He is doing within your soul. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Blessings, love and prayers, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: large;">Joy</span></i></span>Joy Lentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03486637586238798088noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2006877034360892497.post-48122986104027645632015-06-24T10:46:00.001-07:002015-06-24T10:46:33.396-07:00Out of darkness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcY_CkKwvTOTd4bt2WyoY48E-Qi9-FKHLXwiRD4dS7rXzNMGUKzJzG0cECf_l_ODa-UuS0HE39JfFKDG1p2ttQknLNnCIXswmvx-5eqQ28Z5QtvFt4wobaOm-QrMNxtr6nSYHq8NNVh-F5/s1600/growth+in+dark+places.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcY_CkKwvTOTd4bt2WyoY48E-Qi9-FKHLXwiRD4dS7rXzNMGUKzJzG0cECf_l_ODa-UuS0HE39JfFKDG1p2ttQknLNnCIXswmvx-5eqQ28Z5QtvFt4wobaOm-QrMNxtr6nSYHq8NNVh-F5/s640/growth+in+dark+places.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I sense my soul leaning toward the light as I sit in situations of struggle.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stretched yearningly like a plant desperate for its source of warmth and nourishment.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And I'm encouraged by things stirring in the muddy undergrowth, tentatively appearing as signs of life</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> in dark places.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sun's rays are starting to steal bright across azure-blue of sky and hope's fingers reach for better tomorrows.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<i><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Because we're built for this. To lean toward the light. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Made for mercy and grace. Destined for different. </span></b></i></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Children of darkness weaving our wobbly way toward light-filled days.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our souls seeking after salvation, resurrection and restoration.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our inner needs lie dormant as seed, waiting for their moment to erupt and burst forth.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">God sees. He hears the unspoken cries of hurting hearts and witnesses the fall of tears.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><b>Our heavenly Father longs to rescue us from the kingdom of darkness we inhabit and scoop us eagerly into His Kingdom of Love and Light... if we're willing.</b></i> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There are days where I sit with one foot in the world and one in His kingdom.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Hover on the brink, fear-filled and uncertain, weary and wary. Knowing the way to proceed but still tempted by the deceptive lure of worldly riches.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>I crave acceptance like an addict.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I desire to achieve. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>I want to leave a footprint of my passing.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I long to belong.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>And I so often search for it in all the wrong places.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Think that the world's approval is a sign of arriving - when it signals my soul is dying.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>I'm dying to be seen and heard, but above all I'm dying for God's word.</b></i></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Being ignored feeds our insecurities, fans the fear.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Being side-lined reminds us how insignificant we think we are.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But being 'invisible' in the world doesn't make us invisible to God. Far from it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Because we're always significant to Him.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSD-D9FxH9dpHrIIQh-FfS8ofHVnRNgvyJKwimLpsg0zXOs3i-hET6uw2h0AmzqByj46RGs9bs3PXFmRm0O8gPg98HcvyXp9rW-mp7riDL1gijvC7MvArj_hSWhWwIsDxrW-uCCUrdSXz/s1600/flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSD-D9FxH9dpHrIIQh-FfS8ofHVnRNgvyJKwimLpsg0zXOs3i-hET6uw2h0AmzqByj46RGs9bs3PXFmRm0O8gPg98HcvyXp9rW-mp7riDL1gijvC7MvArj_hSWhWwIsDxrW-uCCUrdSXz/s640/flower.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Only God can fully nourish a hungry, hurting heart.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He alone will fill and flood an empty soul.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He alone has compassion to meet every human need.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He equips us to live well and to die well in the reassurance of His goodness and grace.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And He alone will enable us to leave a lasting legacy behind:</span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Gifts of grace</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Cords of compassion</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Deeds of mercy</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Echoes of His love</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Encouragement and hope</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A witness to lost souls</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A testimony of love overcoming against the odds</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><b>But we first have to be willing to ditch the darkness in our own souls.</b></i></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Willing to face up to our need of God - His grace, forgiveness and mercy.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Willing to be made new, be born again.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Willing to move closer in dependency, in good times or bad, ever nearer to Him.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Willing to sacrifice our own agendas.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Willing to surrender to His plans.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Willing to live out our faith day by day.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Willing to make a difference in the lives of others.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Live as obedient children of God in a perverse world as He slowly transforms us into the likeness of His beloved Son, little by little, from the inside out.</b></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's a steep learning curve. The biggest one we ever negotiate. And it will take the rest of our lives to live it out.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But its rewards are exceptional and eternal. Its worth beyond compare.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Can you sense God calling you?</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Are you ready to come into the Light of His presence?</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>If so, then here's a prayer to help you surrender and commit to Jesus anew, or for the first time perhaps:</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVvwy2FpX5DO6xqRTJ8ka-yWCZVPM5gQ9Fo5cX6KrzkS_r_Vvr-qp0BCKkvUbFlv0jdQGZhyphenhyphenA1Kl5u1gTEQW3eWPwo4aFOl23p4sCjfqA3ggpPpm_x7S6xrfYxOaFEBMqR_O-JrfLmlrA/s1600/A+prayer+of+surrender+WoJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVvwy2FpX5DO6xqRTJ8ka-yWCZVPM5gQ9Fo5cX6KrzkS_r_Vvr-qp0BCKkvUbFlv0jdQGZhyphenhyphenA1Kl5u1gTEQW3eWPwo4aFOl23p4sCjfqA3ggpPpm_x7S6xrfYxOaFEBMqR_O-JrfLmlrA/s640/A+prayer+of+surrender+WoJ.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Do let me know if you have prayed this type of surrender prayer for the first time and I will send you extra resources to guide you on your journey of faith in Christ.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's a journey I've been on for all my adult life, and one where we really value and need the companionship of others to support and encourage one another along the way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Please feel free to share your experiences in the comments below.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>I'm linking here with <a href="http://holleygerth.com/kinder-to-each-other/" target="_blank">Holley</a>, <a href="http://jenniferdukeslee.com/tellhisstory-how-to-get-your-praise-on/" target="_blank">Jennifer,</a> and like-minded friends as we seek to offer coffee for your heart while we tell His story. Come join us?</i></span></div>
Joy Lentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03486637586238798088noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2006877034360892497.post-13803576217198105152015-06-17T07:03:00.001-07:002015-06-17T07:03:56.239-07:00On holy ground<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsYL-UOFb2MHCFcnyh_yt4kbIV1Y-PEvGV8xVGKtp5jqZse2QSeJlwczOiX0O8nI8qZIFTHCBGbJgBtU-BBRhhOPnnUhZE9UmPYpl70lzUytbOBMRDHZBvIPDkFDqigq1-9ytPgUlaXs3/s1600/BBBarn+flowers+WoJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsYL-UOFb2MHCFcnyh_yt4kbIV1Y-PEvGV8xVGKtp5jqZse2QSeJlwczOiX0O8nI8qZIFTHCBGbJgBtU-BBRhhOPnnUhZE9UmPYpl70lzUytbOBMRDHZBvIPDkFDqigq1-9ytPgUlaXs3/s640/BBBarn+flowers+WoJ.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Evidence of life was springing up all around.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I breathed deep of scent and sight.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My heart cheered by colour and lively vibrancy growing root beside me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And on reaching the entrance to our meeting room the atmosphere hung heady with incense.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>A holy cloud seemed to hover in the air, signalling mystery and invitation</b></i>, its message mingling with soft smoke-curls wafting out the window.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I hesitated in the doorway and was soon met with a warm, welcoming hug and friendly smile.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We were ushered into the room where preparations were already in hand.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Little did I know how participatory the service would be, or how much it would both exhaust and exhilarate me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My eyes were drawn to an intriguing array of musical instruments on the floor, alongside books, sheets of paper, artwork, cup and bowl at the ready to play their part.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anticipatory excitement and nerves shot through me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>It had been way too long since I'd met with other believers like this.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It had felt like grace abounding to be able to make it out to an evening talk <i>(on Hildegard of Bingen)</i> held there two days previously.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1z5nxEH_atNEgldCppJCS6VFABNUcF2MQgSj-17nPyWOEIoxWLtEsRkXXbINPO2F0T75-0jEG0_JEEfAwLKoSt6V4JbhLZHmVMugX-mfF1jTLO1BdT6Uo5UUc2EF8oCH2z8jdqLYLHB_/s1600/BBBarn+interior+WoJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1z5nxEH_atNEgldCppJCS6VFABNUcF2MQgSj-17nPyWOEIoxWLtEsRkXXbINPO2F0T75-0jEG0_JEEfAwLKoSt6V4JbhLZHmVMugX-mfF1jTLO1BdT6Uo5UUc2EF8oCH2z8jdqLYLHB_/s640/BBBarn+interior+WoJ.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Little did I expect to be blessed to attend this Eucharist service too, partly helped by my husband's gentle persistence and assistance, and a better sleep than usual.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Two years ago, I had been offered a quiet, individual holy communion in my room by a priest when I was on retreat at All Hallows, Ditchingham.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's been longer still since having bread and wine at my home church, <i><b>because having M.E means fellowship has become more of an on-line occurrence than being physically present with others</b></i> gathering together in God's presence.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here, we read together, learnt new songs, sang <i>(I croaked)</i> unaccompanied, hummed <i>(out of tune), </i>played an instrument of our choice <i>(I picked maracas)</i> to a sung poem, shared art work some had done the day before, served one another bread and wine, offered praise, gave responses and a concluding peace blessing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I sat as usual, my limbs not up to the task of rising and standing, and the more able-bodied made sure I was included in everything.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">These days, attempting singing alone <i>(even while seated)</i> leaves me worn-out and breathless, and to have so many different things to join in with left me flat-out with fatigue as things came to a close.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tears pricked my eyes; I didn't try to hide them. They felt fitting and releasing somehow.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>I cried because... it was so overwhelming to be part of a worshipping community again, to participate in holy communion,</b></i> to feel loved and accepted by soul-sister relative strangers, to unleash creative expression.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I had no strength left for anything else, could barely speak for the effort. Needed time to drink some water, wait a while and recover before I could articulate what had made me emotional.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And I sensed a touch from God as words spoken in a reading resonated in my soul.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQwwdxx0Ajj_XBp8athTDBur-RjWrmCnlHXyy5zLDjWYA3RrAVb6qxzhJbJUqwyd9Usxll1IfqMKD93mnIBWZqWxRvJBuSyl8WAyJCY1pLuQuIUrAUDhIjkN74zeas8C6B74NgbxRaR5U/s1600/BBBarn+rust+irises+WoJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQwwdxx0Ajj_XBp8athTDBur-RjWrmCnlHXyy5zLDjWYA3RrAVb6qxzhJbJUqwyd9Usxll1IfqMKD93mnIBWZqWxRvJBuSyl8WAyJCY1pLuQuIUrAUDhIjkN74zeas8C6B74NgbxRaR5U/s640/BBBarn+rust+irises+WoJ.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>God reminded me that I was precious to Him just as I am, and although the locusts may have stolen years and health, my latter days could be more fruitful than the former</i></b> - yes, even now, late as I am to pick up a pen, master a PC, open heart and life to offer hope and encouragement to others who are struggling.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As those who have walked a challenging, painful path before me could attest, these latter years can be our best yet because we finally think, <i>"Why not?"</i> instead of<i> "Why me?"</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Why not...</i> write a blog, write poetry, belong to on-line communities, join in, get involved, stand up for something you feel passionate about, be generous, be compassionate, encourage, make a difference in the lives of others?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My outing revealed how little it actually takes to make me feel truly blessed <i>(and weary),</i> and how thankful I am for the rare occasions when I can leave the house and enjoy meeting up with people.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just seeing the landscape unfurling before me on the drive there was a thing of wonder. Beauty wears many faces.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Holy ground is all around because God is everywhere in the normal, run-of-the-mill, prosaic and practical everyday.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sometimes, all it takes is a special gift of grace for us to appreciate just how much He inhabits the mundane moments which we are all in danger of taking for granted.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My friend, I pray that you may sense Him in those times, hear His voice affirming His great, unconditional love for you, and open your heart to the holy ache of ordinary.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>**NOTE** ~ As so often happens, first thoughts about this experience were poetic because that's my usual medium for quick expression. You can <a href="http://poetryjoy.com/2015/06/15/when-manna-fell/" target="_blank">read my poem here</a> on 'Poetry Joy'.</i></span>Joy Lentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03486637586238798088noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2006877034360892497.post-17019218299558500162015-06-10T08:22:00.001-07:002015-06-10T08:22:33.197-07:00You're not invisible<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxpHLjBJZ-Mm6zA2cZw3lXx5euYGZZmLPrWKVxzRlEsO3Uwh4qjCdubpLITlUZklGg-k3BIdRbgTjxMQ1I5BHKUHMVcD1dQdAzw5Cm3GXBA_K7z5RUosf8GRc03DexFgTtx1Xz6LZcCYY/s1600/being+invisible+pin++2+WoJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxpHLjBJZ-Mm6zA2cZw3lXx5euYGZZmLPrWKVxzRlEsO3Uwh4qjCdubpLITlUZklGg-k3BIdRbgTjxMQ1I5BHKUHMVcD1dQdAzw5Cm3GXBA_K7z5RUosf8GRc03DexFgTtx1Xz6LZcCYY/s640/being+invisible+pin++2+WoJ.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If someone told you you're not invisible would you cringe with embarrassment and look for the nearest hole to hide in, or sigh with relief?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Much depends on what you want known or what you desire to hide.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In this over-exposed world we live in, where every celebrity sneeze is recorded and all our achievements <i>(and the lack thereof)</i> are public property, it's hard to melt into the margins unless we work at being separate and seek ways to come apart from the crowd.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Although, <i><b>from time to time all of us can feel like ghost-shadows passing in the street as we hover around </b></i>with no discernible sign of our presence being found.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Social media works fine if you want to be sociable, although it's possible to feel more isolated than ever as we get snared in the comparison trap, checking our lifestyles with one another and seeing how we fall short of the perceived ideal.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Healthy interest can soon become snide comparison, envy and jealousy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b style="font-style: italic;">And many feel invisible, lost and alone with their shame, pain, illness and distress. </b>They don't desire to be ignored, yet often are.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Society has a way of stigmatising and labelling people which fails to take into account their unique human perspective, struggles and challenges.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But they are human beings just like you and me - made in God's image, precious and beloved in His sight.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They actually want nothing more than <i>the right kind of attention</i>:understanding and appreciation, a friendly listening ear, consideration, thoughtful and loving care.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>God sees, hears, witnesses all we go through, all we are and all we're in the process of becoming. He knows our life's end from its beginning.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He extends grace and mercy toward all, especially the down-trodden, disabled, despised, destitute, discouraged and depressed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>And that's good news, isn't it? It's gospel news - liberating, life-changing and transforming.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Each moment is an opportunity to begin again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Every day is a fresh breathing space of grace.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our situations may remain the same; life may be a tremendous struggle just to keep head above water - and we still have this to cling to.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWkDK9NLBV8P3zVs57tCiSl3JDAIZ_FwQ7bOw-BsSFPbwOxpbe_UdETHP2i36yuusN7wNM0aoitLl_ky44x4XG3Qz0oLJ3UUo5EBgT4NRRxjcnIAU0zuPyCDK7MKnJxU0VMDjrzYZYwkF/s1600/being+invisible+pin+WoJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWkDK9NLBV8P3zVs57tCiSl3JDAIZ_FwQ7bOw-BsSFPbwOxpbe_UdETHP2i36yuusN7wNM0aoitLl_ky44x4XG3Qz0oLJ3UUo5EBgT4NRRxjcnIAU0zuPyCDK7MKnJxU0VMDjrzYZYwkF/s640/being+invisible+pin+WoJ.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>We are outrageously, unconditionally and mercifully loved by One who knows us better than we know ourselves</b></i>, whose Spirit lives and breathes within, whose mantle of righteousness covers every stain of sin, guilt and shame.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>My friend, you are not invisible to Him.</i> Every hair on your head is counted. He doesn't miss a thing about you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've clung to these truths in my daily battle with M.E and chronic illness, living a life overshadowed by childhood abuse and its repercussions, experiencing profound physical weakness, pain and fatigue.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm aware that many misunderstand my illness, fail to see how <i>writing a blog post may be the only active thing I can do in a day</i> and how a simple task like taking a shower can leave me pole-axed for hours.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They may also shrink away from the painful personal things I've shared and fail to see how God equips and inspires my words to help others feel less alone with their own struggles.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Because we're all too quick to judge one another rather than stepping inside their shoes with eyes of empathy and compassion, aren't we? </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm not exempt. Insecurity can make me cling to what's familiar and shy away from different.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>What if we tried to see others as God sees them?</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>How would it be if we made an effort:</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To listen closely without interruption or planning what we're going to say next.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To offer time and attention.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To withhold from judgement and criticism.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>To be kind.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To notice their needs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>To offer grace, forgiveness and mercy.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To pray for them and with them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To recognise that we're all in a battle and other people are not the real enemy.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To lean heavy on grace and lightly on guilt-tripping.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>To be the voice, the hands and feet of Jesus in this world.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maybe... just maybe... we will offer His visibility and help them see how He sees them too. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's worth a try, yes? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And as we do so we will find how deep down, at soul level, we are more alike than we knew.</span>Joy Lentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03486637586238798088noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2006877034360892497.post-28404319681069579772015-05-29T12:27:00.001-07:002015-05-29T12:27:34.286-07:00Singing the blues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkRjD5kyZm2MGQJxABw2_TAGCTFsyK2T47IhdS48Rkml0SE9ERzZAeqDuHlo7abVNdGD5RP50gP605xxVJLS8h4Kt20-CIyuOK-SoOGUdpc1mroOmf976ErILA7NALMNfEZmWrJknzRmWE/s1600/blues+WoJ+weathervane.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkRjD5kyZm2MGQJxABw2_TAGCTFsyK2T47IhdS48Rkml0SE9ERzZAeqDuHlo7abVNdGD5RP50gP605xxVJLS8h4Kt20-CIyuOK-SoOGUdpc1mroOmf976ErILA7NALMNfEZmWrJknzRmWE/s640/blues+WoJ+weathervane.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here in the UK we seem to have an endless fascination with the weather.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Which way is the wind blowing? </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Will or won't it rain? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Do I need a brolly? Better carry one just in case.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's a great conversation opener and very much the topic du jour. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">On a day when we've had sheeting rain, clear blue skies and everything in-between it feels apt to be writing on the topic of<b><i> 'Blue' </i></b>for today's Five Minute Friday exercise.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>START...</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Life is threaded through with colour and hues that offer our eyes a different view.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There are so many days that shade neutral pale, indistinct amidst the gloom.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Interminable as sheeting rain cascading down our windowpane.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I find myself blazing angry-red, firing hot with searing heat and temper rays </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">or surging strong into orange </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">with surprising energy on better M.E days.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Many are spent in a dark, black tent of pain or grey-fog </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">swirls </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">of cognitive loss and discouragement.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The days I lean toward, the ones I prefer above all other are the royal purple patterned,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">the sunny yellows </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and the glades of green, the calm of blue seen in heaven's canopy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Aaahh, blue...</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FDT9JQkVRBj0sadGVYc7gacMY7J5mrac78GWv0rLLCXh2rfAdJlIDIk8Pj1531hBVlltlErxhB7ZA4DV4igtkccnTk8naTyGfs3rZHBwSaDb070fMztx_iNHZ0_wkRZKGr36p29NVsmC/s1600/blues+WoJ+file.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FDT9JQkVRBj0sadGVYc7gacMY7J5mrac78GWv0rLLCXh2rfAdJlIDIk8Pj1531hBVlltlErxhB7ZA4DV4igtkccnTk8naTyGfs3rZHBwSaDb070fMztx_iNHZ0_wkRZKGr36p29NVsmC/s640/blues+WoJ+file.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Blue is a bold rise of turquoise, a soft scene of aquamarine, a steal</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">of teal, a crisp, bright </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">bolt of cobalt or a mellow azure light.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Blue means rest, coming apart to be a part of the calm of God's heart.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Blue means sweet soul-ease, still pools of peace to dip fretful toes into.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Blue signals less stress, less worry and hurry, expansive skies and less heart-sad cries.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Blue is contentment of warm sunny spells and a daily cloud-gift of God saying all is well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Blue is indigo deep, mystical and magical as night softly creeps.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I won't let myself sink into <i>'the blues' </i>today but appreciate</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">the </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">nuances </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">at play in the varied hues as they come my way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>STOP.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well that was fun! It's good to write something less deep for a change.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Do stop by at<a href="http://katemotaung.com/2015/05/28/five-minute-friday-blue-plus-a-special-video-message-from-the-fmf-retreat-planning-committee/" target="_blank"> Kate's place</a> and check out the what other writers have to say about<i> 'blue'.</i> Who knows, you may be tempted to join in too.</span>Joy Lentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03486637586238798088noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2006877034360892497.post-19127291946882481322015-05-24T09:22:00.000-07:002015-05-24T09:22:00.680-07:00In the heat of it all<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISxo3Rmnd75D-LSHWpBqi7BDLEdG4IaxIKngDOtigzLADHO7F0DQNUAiX3gcWq5_qbcsmu55c15zyYjHbP6tj218Ak0ZXUhoUeyoHIvXMuQCQQ88hZIABlCN0-4CWMhVBsfv3k4VMNFq4/s1600/flame+heat+of+it+all+WoJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISxo3Rmnd75D-LSHWpBqi7BDLEdG4IaxIKngDOtigzLADHO7F0DQNUAiX3gcWq5_qbcsmu55c15zyYjHbP6tj218Ak0ZXUhoUeyoHIvXMuQCQQ88hZIABlCN0-4CWMhVBsfv3k4VMNFq4/s640/flame+heat+of+it+all+WoJ.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the heat of life's battles it's easy to become burnt, hurt,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">scorched by circumstances, flayed, distraught.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We all need resources beyond ourselves.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We need the Source of life Himself.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the darkness and the fray,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">we need One to show us The Way.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bring comfort and calm,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">oil of joy and Gilead's balm.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bring beauty out of ashes</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">as we sit in the embers.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Equip and enliven.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Breathe life from within.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Change and healing.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Grace all revealing.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Support, encouragement, help and hope.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A rescuer when we're dangling on rope.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><b>And He's here.... Jesus, Saviour, Immanuel.. God with us.</b></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Living within by His Spirit.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Celebrated at Pentecost. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So let's draw near with a petitionary prayer:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Holy Spirit,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You are fuel, flame and fire</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ignite our weary hearts</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Encourage us to come up higher</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">as You refuel and inspire</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">our lives in every part</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Where higher means a lessening</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">of ourselves and life's busyness</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">combined with deeper faith,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">hope, confidence and rest</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Be the wind beneath our wings</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Be the heat of our desire</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Be the One who makes us sing</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Be the flame of burning love</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Be our rest and be our peace</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Be our covering from above</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Be our soul's deepest ease</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Be Lion of Judah in our fight</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Be Lamb of God to calm our fears</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Be strength, all power and might</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Be all we need throughout our years</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Amen</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_B0E8Gs9Fmylr3Hppb5l1YSUqdM5FqIWk_eKh-ygzY7S5P-186bYDHiXAnOztmySgn89aYPOPyscqKltcGkqKeHklu2B87LGlU_mnAKDOETkihP6BCukPm8JsS-sfCpTvPKZwOiyPPh8/s1600/HS+WoJ+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_B0E8Gs9Fmylr3Hppb5l1YSUqdM5FqIWk_eKh-ygzY7S5P-186bYDHiXAnOztmySgn89aYPOPyscqKltcGkqKeHklu2B87LGlU_mnAKDOETkihP6BCukPm8JsS-sfCpTvPKZwOiyPPh8/s640/HS+WoJ+image.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xKCYCepcx9vEiatNsVkb1QYaCbA1p8Cj1NsGOsosSD7Vr8VryFKVUISC83BdS3WS6IGbjEm9mb7ttgEZvPTv1kYOqkUoz-aUxxkL9bcZlZoXXLFYVyjLfCTKriu2sVCcwqwaaftSGxIF/s1600/barbiesweekendbrewbutton1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xKCYCepcx9vEiatNsVkb1QYaCbA1p8Cj1NsGOsosSD7Vr8VryFKVUISC83BdS3WS6IGbjEm9mb7ttgEZvPTv1kYOqkUoz-aUxxkL9bcZlZoXXLFYVyjLfCTKriu2sVCcwqwaaftSGxIF/s1600/barbiesweekendbrewbutton1.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm joining <a href="http://myfreshlybrewedlife.com/2015/05/awaken-hearts-fully-live-weekend-brew.html" target="_blank">Barbie and friends</a> at the Weekend Brew today. Come and join us? </i></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Regular readers may wonder at the poetic offering featured here instead of at <a href="http://poetryjoy.com/" target="_blank">'Poetry Joy' </a>as usual. </i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Strangely, I seem to think better in poetry than prose when I'm extra tired, so here we are. Hopefully, normal service will be resumed as soon as possible!</i></span></div>
Joy Lentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03486637586238798088noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2006877034360892497.post-44434206544895780022015-05-17T09:53:00.001-07:002015-05-17T09:53:18.096-07:00When less is more<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVmqqT3AHI0b3fhs-Ac5SHQ-wPIAzEgLoZpBhCXhhtRgbQvatNxhCdphwtN-d3m3t3IiXD1PxVza4fVvxpHWT26mSXFVXU_NctUqSucD342SdJvlmwazSJ6EJw19FKdJH5WjdDQ2wJqSy/s1600/being+less+WoJ.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVmqqT3AHI0b3fhs-Ac5SHQ-wPIAzEgLoZpBhCXhhtRgbQvatNxhCdphwtN-d3m3t3IiXD1PxVza4fVvxpHWT26mSXFVXU_NctUqSucD342SdJvlmwazSJ6EJw19FKdJH5WjdDQ2wJqSy/s640/being+less+WoJ.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In a world driven by acquisition and success, the idea of less can seem countercultural. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How can less be more? Isn't outward show a sign of inward achievement too?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maybe, or maybe not. Our souls may desire signs of<i> 'success' </i>but those outward signs don't necessarily reveal true fulfilment or our state before the Lord. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Because our inner life tends to thrive on <b>Being More </b>as we rest in God, and stressing less about <i>Doing More</i> in order to be seen, lauded and applauded. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A pared down life can lead to rich abundance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When we press pause on busyness <i>(physical and/or mental)</i>, we create more space for God to fill with His presence.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>When we step away from noise, embrace solitude and stillness for a while, there is more room to listen to God's voice</b>.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In this season I'm in of pulling back from many good things in order to focus on God's best for me, I've seen how easy it is to feel isolated, lost and lonely from less social engagement.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's sadly apparent how much my soul still craves recognition, validation of my existence and reward for my labours.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Our souls feed on approval and feel starved of attention if left out of life's flow for too long</b>.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Early life conditioned me to seek those things at the expense of my health and sanity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When mental health breakdown caused me to lose all sense of self, to feel splintered and fractured beyond recognition<i> - if not beyond repair - </i>then those deep, unsatisfied-by-the-world needs became overwhelming.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They remained that way for many years, even though I was unaware of it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>So I'm a slow learner in being still, being less visible to the world in order to be more visible to God</b>.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">These last few months have been really challenging health-wise and soul-wise, but they have also been rich with deeper meaning and understanding.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Less social media engagement and interaction has meant:</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">More time in prayer</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>More receptivity to God's voice</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">More freedom to explore other areas of creativity</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>More awareness of who I am In Christ</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">More contemplation and listening</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>More seeing with spiritual lenses than worldly ones</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">More growth in dark places</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>More empathy for all who struggle</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">More time for family and friends</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>More discernment to make wiser choices</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">More peace and inner calm</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>More rest inwardly and outwardly</i></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>There has also been:</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Less susceptibility to stress</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Less striving</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Less worrying</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> in general</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Less concern about being being seen and heard</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Less agitation in being still and quiet</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Less attachment to things and possessions</i></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As you can see, there have been huge benefits in stilling my soul for a season. </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Perhaps God is calling you to do likewise?</b></i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Although your experience will be unique to you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's possible you may want to pursue a more minimalistic lifestyle as Joshua Becker <a href="http://www.becomingminimalist.com/becoming-minimalist-start-here/" target="_blank">speaks about here.</a> Living with less can have knock-on spiritual benefits too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Although I've slowed down in many ways, I'm still being inspired, still writing and sharing my words as God indicates, still trying to encourage others on the pathway of writing, life and faith.</span><br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Inspiration can be inexplicable, can't it? </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Words sing into our ears from various sources. </span></b></i><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When I read more of those things which feed my soul rather than what is clamouring to be heard, then I sense God guiding and speaking to me as I receive more deeply. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Those words dance in my soul, resonate in my spirit, fire my imagination and inspire my thinking. <i>Maybe you can relate?</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJc60jEUD5QQ52gLVVbtvHJAoM6FYebro6x6nVl7X-ZJkpAtX0S8wCoiWDY-00i-pBOnaKw5HQzguYSpKAyt6RCRQmeY4cZCKuqIl7aXp7PZ_wjLbSsoAHTGaR9V32OE9HDeyug5MaOVVP/s1600/less+is+more+-+silence+pin+WoJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJc60jEUD5QQ52gLVVbtvHJAoM6FYebro6x6nVl7X-ZJkpAtX0S8wCoiWDY-00i-pBOnaKw5HQzguYSpKAyt6RCRQmeY4cZCKuqIl7aXp7PZ_wjLbSsoAHTGaR9V32OE9HDeyug5MaOVVP/s640/less+is+more+-+silence+pin+WoJ.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><b>Because when we sit with silence it speaks volumes, ushers us deeper into God's presence and prepares our hearts to receive from Him.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And that's a place of greater peace, openness and availability from which we can go out more willing and able to serve the needs of others.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Over to you:</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Have you seen more fruit coming from doing less for a while?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>What does 'Being More' look like for you?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Please feel free to share in the comments below. Your words matter.</span>Joy Lentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03486637586238798088noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2006877034360892497.post-11034935536120336512015-05-06T09:43:00.001-07:002015-05-06T09:43:16.659-07:00Weeds are flowers too<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdR3Ssp8XqiU_Efxc02w8FszmNzOmAOX40uER8QYmqh-r7kzQtU1ZNGYgtWIBIRQI4PzwX-0233eJ4IAILJuhqd6Ro5AyNvKdyEmENCvyX2cNygriA_Dk5oVm9_4PpUmLqUgi3b9kcpqq/s1600/dandelion+clock+WoJ+file.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdR3Ssp8XqiU_Efxc02w8FszmNzOmAOX40uER8QYmqh-r7kzQtU1ZNGYgtWIBIRQI4PzwX-0233eJ4IAILJuhqd6Ro5AyNvKdyEmENCvyX2cNygriA_Dk5oVm9_4PpUmLqUgi3b9kcpqq/s1600/dandelion+clock+WoJ+file.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As new life springs up all around, I am a bit ashamed to confess that our garden is a messy, tangled up space where weeds run rampant and grass is deep enough to hide things in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But even this uncultivated space, which speaks loud of our slowness and incapacity, is a source of gratitude and deepening awareness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As I move more into contemplative mood more during these soul-warming Spring days, I'm developing a greater need to see the sacred in the secular.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I want to awaken to wonder and deeper awareness of God's goodness and grace all around me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He is manifest to those with eyes to see and ears to hear and reveals Himself in unexpected ways.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As I stepped out the back door recently I saw a blaze of golden sunny rays from tilting heads as dandelions raised their flag to the world.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Unashamedly brazen in their boldness. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">No apology for being <i>'less than'</i> any other plant.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMlP0voR61ZOr_MFVOxKbzgxF-lLy2gsdX_duTJo1zqaEEt1RM0i4WEKp7Fau_4gUXrdUtxY9nX-HNxbTQ8L3iQf_ddBXaz0GopJhhCORC1B8ZfEi2KmpSl_PuG_gqvvF2mtkIGWCKDoi/s1600/dandelion+flower+WoJ+file.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMlP0voR61ZOr_MFVOxKbzgxF-lLy2gsdX_duTJo1zqaEEt1RM0i4WEKp7Fau_4gUXrdUtxY9nX-HNxbTQ8L3iQf_ddBXaz0GopJhhCORC1B8ZfEi2KmpSl_PuG_gqvvF2mtkIGWCKDoi/s1600/dandelion+flower+WoJ+file.jpg" height="618" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And I know deep down that weeds are as flowers, especially when a garden is bereft of those.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Weeds are a sign of life, vigour and vitality.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Weeds speak of thriving where we are planted, of survival against the odds.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Their tenacity and endurance are like faith markers in the soil of God's word.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Their perseverance shows grit and determination.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Their colour is as vivid as any true flower and the green reveal of them is sap and spark of life itself.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They bend to will of wind yet try to straighten tall against the fray of cooler, cloudburst days.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Seeing them move and sway reminds me how<i><b> Holy Spirit speaks to my soul ~ sometimes soft and low like a soothing lullaby, or fierce and wild as reminder of God's searing love driving through His child's heart </b></i>in the desire for me to learn and come up higher.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Seeing beauty in the everyday shapes my thoughts, words and poetry. The one below came from seeing a dancing poppy.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyi_DMh3FGhBa5bu-XsmaHXP91WMB2Hsdkx42K8ZdEe26EEJp8hQpuyI3G0raqqc1cnKQX0xUbe9tZCWUfeP3EjhhbdAOlGLHQ44ZZaqgr5LRLnYbMevqapmceh-RybhvSIVeh3XHjoHS/s1600/dancing+poppy+WoJ+file.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyi_DMh3FGhBa5bu-XsmaHXP91WMB2Hsdkx42K8ZdEe26EEJp8hQpuyI3G0raqqc1cnKQX0xUbe9tZCWUfeP3EjhhbdAOlGLHQ44ZZaqgr5LRLnYbMevqapmceh-RybhvSIVeh3XHjoHS/s1600/dancing+poppy+WoJ+file.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><i><b>'Hanging
on'</b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">A lone dancing poppy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">bends its head</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">to will of wind</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">Faded and jaded</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">it hangs limp</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">from its stem</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">Bravely hanging on</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">no matter where</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">the Spirit sends</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">©JoyLenton2015</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Am I advocating we all let our gardens run wild? Embrace chaos, perhaps?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No, not really, even though there is often treasure to be found in seeing what comes up naturally.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What I want to emphasise is how <i><b>we can feel like weeds - insignificant, on the margins, border and edge-dwellers in society</b>.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Physical and mental health issues help to intensify those feelings, although they are common to all of us from time to time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And standing alone, feeling lost, left out and isolated is uncomfortable and disturbing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Friend, let me reassure you that you are not unseen, uncared for, unwanted or unknown. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I care deeply about all who enter this space, all who are part of its reading community. I pray for you and about you ~ yes, invisible as you may seem.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">More significantly, God sees; He cares; He loves you beyond measure.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He wants to be your constant Companion and the Gardener of your soul all the days of your life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>You are already lovely in His eyes, special and unique, no matter whether you feel like a bedraggled weed or a beautiful bloomer.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Because God gives us all the resources we need to survive, thrive, endure, persevere and bloom where we are planted. He will enable you to grow strong and vital in Him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our part is to look to Him and ask for all the help we need each day as we are fed by His word and watered by Holy Spirit anointing and grace.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Joy Lentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03486637586238798088noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2006877034360892497.post-58578298810763579652015-05-01T08:11:00.001-07:002015-05-01T08:11:27.924-07:00An open door<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQx5Ss7w-zk9wqM2tQPN6jkR16Kuq1230p2iwgWL7KJ04wRRth9Qo99SAppL_fqoT35pBJ14yaIXoHQfu9wT4_g81n3Yb870_uLI-PHWi-DPIiv6ipJrdnybPBzh_LTfxD6EC6NVXJZdIG/s1600/blossom+in+May+WoJ+fie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQx5Ss7w-zk9wqM2tQPN6jkR16Kuq1230p2iwgWL7KJ04wRRth9Qo99SAppL_fqoT35pBJ14yaIXoHQfu9wT4_g81n3Yb870_uLI-PHWi-DPIiv6ipJrdnybPBzh_LTfxD6EC6NVXJZdIG/s1600/blossom+in+May+WoJ+fie.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">May sounds like a portent, a promise, potential and permission given.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There's a beckoning, an urging and an invitation. New life is burgeoning.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The question is:Are we listening, and how will we respond?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As we enter this new month I'm reflecting on some timely words God gave me last night:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"Resist revisiting the past or feeling fearful about the future. All you have is Now. This moment matters.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>There is grace for today; you cannot borrow from tomorrow. Rest secure in sensing My Presence at work right where you are"</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">These shape my response to the word <i><b>'door'</b></i> for today's foray into five-minute-friday writing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>START:</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Change alarms me, even as I crave alteration in my circumstances.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Somehow, a deep sense of loss hovers close and a sentimental clinging tight leaves me with closed hands and mind.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just last week, I finally relinquished a seedy settee to make way for a supportive, comfy chair <i>(with built-in massage facility, no less)</i>, and it was a big deal for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was bought on-line, unseen, untested, untried, and still hasn't arrived... gulp!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The new chair will </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(hopefully!) </i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">bring some needful pain relief</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> and yet.. I was so used to the old and I felt sad to lose it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Memories were written into every sinking crease and sag.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm reluctant to let go, although I have to. Life moves in circles and cycles. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Without the letting go we are not free to embrace the new, next and better thing God has planned.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A door of opportunity stands open, always ajar, an invitation of grace.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And yet.. sometimes we cower with fear at the challenge it presents.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maybe God is asking us to make room, make way for Him today ~ in life, in thought and heart.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Because He continually knocks at the door of our heart with wildly unceasing patience.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Waiting to be allowed in. Seeking to invade each space.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He alone knows what lies ahead and how He desires to bless us with His best.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He alone sees the end from the beginning, gives new birth, new life, new hope.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Will you join me, friends?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Will you say yes to Him today?</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Open that door a crack and see His love flood in.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Be washed by waves of grace and mercy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Because living with open mind, hands and heart is the best way for us, no matter how painful it can often be to open the door to the new.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>STOP.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkoFBxaazNiYkKCwohxkOASCtHBUFQk9twUm9QShyliUR_W6yQ2m5QPNTjZtnp2z7QMu0j-xYB9mLEg_WXi_OlOkJnIo8BvbLSQulRa6JTt2PTdafgchyp89JmpEdp2admPEpQC316xiV/s1600/door+WoJ+file+pin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkoFBxaazNiYkKCwohxkOASCtHBUFQk9twUm9QShyliUR_W6yQ2m5QPNTjZtnp2z7QMu0j-xYB9mLEg_WXi_OlOkJnIo8BvbLSQulRa6JTt2PTdafgchyp89JmpEdp2admPEpQC316xiV/s1600/door+WoJ+file+pin.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>Joy Lentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03486637586238798088noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2006877034360892497.post-66850968957206213722015-04-24T06:37:00.001-07:002015-04-24T08:03:42.422-07:00Don't hide your light<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPeTxniHofbmY_FwSxiSQkKzj9CjLtRGTRMSDUHHRMmxFn-dy1Ab78_sM7HVNr2oIk3DrQO3xIZZbhWTq8jp1k63KXKjoVL7Z-O39NDEd-3HqdS99TrobFSt5E82UtlhTugVNRs5aD0Bu/s1600/hide+-+FMF+WoJ+file+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPeTxniHofbmY_FwSxiSQkKzj9CjLtRGTRMSDUHHRMmxFn-dy1Ab78_sM7HVNr2oIk3DrQO3xIZZbhWTq8jp1k63KXKjoVL7Z-O39NDEd-3HqdS99TrobFSt5E82UtlhTugVNRs5aD0Bu/s1600/hide+-+FMF+WoJ+file+image.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sometimes a word appears in due season. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A word meant to be shared.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Flowing freely as it invades the mind with inspiration. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A touch and gift of grace.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Such is the word I'm sharing today as I join</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> in with the liberating, free-form creative writing exercise which is <a href="http://katemotaung.com/2015/04/23/five-minute-friday-hide-plus-a-new-video-and-the-top-ten-reasons-you-should-come-to-the-fmf-retreat/" target="_blank">five minute friday</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>START:</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Friends,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I want you to know these things:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">God hasn't hidden Himself from you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Creation breathes His Presence.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>The Word made flesh made His mark on the cross</b></i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nailed Himself indelibly to mankind.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Paved a pathway of freedom for you and me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Abides closer than our next breath</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And is only a prayer away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>God intends us to live within the riches of His forgiveness and grace.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To break out of our stony heart's carapace.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To live and love and give.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Your life matters.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Your words matter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Your voice needs to be heard.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Don't hide your light. Allow it to shine glory-bright.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Write out your story to His praise and glory.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pour out your pain and shame.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Because in the opening you will begin to be </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">set free as you share your frail humanity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let the breathings of your heart and the bleeding of your pen</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">become the unravelling of Hope to lift and encourage, reveal</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>and help other wounded souls to heal</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">on their journey to becoming whole"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>STOP.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDDBocwiu9bybgXk137FZ6XHaZlJjf5u6zESw1Caaom1OaxzvSTKJKa_GmFe7Y9H588ZmjM82wFDZs0tQ1c68OoEGdkc309YiQIjS8Tfwp2bELe_afBEEf7xHVjrcEvdAQHFghcSPCasw/s1600/hide+FMF+WoJ+file+pin+image.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDDBocwiu9bybgXk137FZ6XHaZlJjf5u6zESw1Caaom1OaxzvSTKJKa_GmFe7Y9H588ZmjM82wFDZs0tQ1c68OoEGdkc309YiQIjS8Tfwp2bELe_afBEEf7xHVjrcEvdAQHFghcSPCasw/s1600/hide+FMF+WoJ+file+pin+image.png" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On a day when pain is all pervasive and my mind fogged with M.E fatigue, I am thankful for the surprising gift of words to weave.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And if God can inspire this dim and faltering wick, then He will do the same for you too. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>You can write. You can shine for Jesus. Just where you are.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
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<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The prayer below is free for you to pin and share.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5AreU98kCLmha-KDHvBROAFSPBgZniDkBFrxSI8dDHAYYSEJdaCDpzK-YKPCDY6wQ7EdmQQocnFCY_h-ewKoBInz6FpXqVRdP9LkecfjONPj5FU-3h7lkk3oFSefN8EgVbbG07Pe5kVvj/s1600/prayer+for+writers+-+WoJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5AreU98kCLmha-KDHvBROAFSPBgZniDkBFrxSI8dDHAYYSEJdaCDpzK-YKPCDY6wQ7EdmQQocnFCY_h-ewKoBInz6FpXqVRdP9LkecfjONPj5FU-3h7lkk3oFSefN8EgVbbG07Pe5kVvj/s1600/prayer+for+writers+-+WoJ.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Joy Lentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03486637586238798088noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2006877034360892497.post-36680742284172954912015-04-19T08:48:00.000-07:002015-04-20T12:16:59.435-07:00Butterflies, books and blessings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuhL7z9jOCJGUaSm2NT6CVejwb7uh7W9ZPlhqSY7et2omYqZs7hIHL3P7XBZcuFinbtA9vwXj2iYbNB6vQx2jTqSOyKHqg-xsOjp_wirR_aq7dinETNk1wywhi-uHYzdcyuktA683nD3X/s1600/butterfly-woman+-+WoJ+file+image.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuhL7z9jOCJGUaSm2NT6CVejwb7uh7W9ZPlhqSY7et2omYqZs7hIHL3P7XBZcuFinbtA9vwXj2iYbNB6vQx2jTqSOyKHqg-xsOjp_wirR_aq7dinETNk1wywhi-uHYzdcyuktA683nD3X/s1600/butterfly-woman+-+WoJ+file+image.png" height="294" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I seem to be turning into butterfly-woman, or at least have developed more of a butterfly mind recently which is easily attracted and distracted by turns.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My new tendency is to flit from book to book, pausing to savour a hint of its flavour before I move on to another.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Books beckon to us. They may call insistently like a whiny child or lure siren-seductively with an irresistible boldness. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Others whisper soft and insinuate themselves around our hearts. We feel crushed to come to the end of their words.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Those we need to work through cause stopping pauses for reflection as well as working on the suggested activities or questions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've been dipping in and out of the <i>'read, pause, ponder, pray and respond'</i> type over the last few weeks, hence my somewhat distracted manner.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But fruit is appearing as I am being inspired to delve deep into soul territory and to unleash new areas of creativity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And you, dear reader, can taste a tidbit here as I share a story from my childhood memories.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWpP07VT7JR7ZfC8-MlRpdNNu2JgZmD2-9DMJIrfpm1djHaOxy79DVyzBbkSaH4gdiv413fhvkSQ-OwRwxK9NyXbDgWVyDQ98fpcJ3yqzvxwJLCfFmbNjvKurJtMvKeKzfbu3cbI6tpp-/s1600/equine+escapade+-+WoJ+file+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWpP07VT7JR7ZfC8-MlRpdNNu2JgZmD2-9DMJIrfpm1djHaOxy79DVyzBbkSaH4gdiv413fhvkSQ-OwRwxK9NyXbDgWVyDQ98fpcJ3yqzvxwJLCfFmbNjvKurJtMvKeKzfbu3cbI6tpp-/s1600/equine+escapade+-+WoJ+file+image.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"Huge yellow teeth grinning inanely within a mouth cavernous and dangerously close to my shaking hands, I proffer the fruit as homage, offering. It is snaffled noisily. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Breath puffs out in snorts and starts from flared nostrils, making smoky circles in the air. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm entranced by a fine conker-shiny coat, by swish of thick whiplash tail, by nodding of head and stamping of hooves.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Horses were a rarity for me. City living doesn't suit them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No place we lived in had room for more than a couple of cats, a cage of pet mice, small bowl of goldfish and some budgerigars. And most of them vanished when we moved into a flat with no garden of our own.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Even a field looks far too small to contain this boisterous frame, this much compressed energy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Smell of shoe leather assails my nose as saddle is hoisted into place, bit and bridle attached, reins close to catch hold of. <i>We're ready to ride.</i> At least this magnificent beast is. I'm scared and exhilarated by turns.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Heart thumping like a terrified caged bird, I obey instruction, swing shaky legs over saddle and find myself seated on hardness, close to glistening flank and fearsome head. <i>Breathe... breathe... it will be OK.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We begin to move. Tentative at first. A gentle trot, nice and easy. I watch, listen and learn as my experienced companion urges me on. And wonder takes over.<i> <b>Look at me ~ I'm riding a horse! </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We emerge from the field and hit gravel. Tarmac tilts me differently and clip-clop sounds become more pronounced. I cling on as we move forward with increasing momentum. Try to stay calm as we begin to canter a little. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I sense the weight of horse muscle and power between my legs. And I feel out of control, at the mercy of this great beast, even as I take the reins in a closer grip, sweat trickling down my spine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Life seems more intense somehow, scenery seen from a higher perspective, senses alert with adrenaline. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A child's eye view now skewed by an equine ride.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All too soon the prancing, dancing giddiness of it comes to an end and I slide away from my carrier. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I bask in admiration for the way he lives, moves and has his being, and how, for a short moment in time, I could be a small part of it all."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKTcxmyPj5zEA_92L4cteq2-3-rnehuVY9RTbxgZOAcqKISHt8mtUb1ww97EOZ69CcU_wIWGcwJnXYpU270ms7reJplY4196kZTxRjnKyCNIcufSfd8PoafELfcSoV9EuZYknV4FfG8tP/s1600/Memory+making+-+WoJ+file+image.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKTcxmyPj5zEA_92L4cteq2-3-rnehuVY9RTbxgZOAcqKISHt8mtUb1ww97EOZ69CcU_wIWGcwJnXYpU270ms7reJplY4196kZTxRjnKyCNIcufSfd8PoafELfcSoV9EuZYknV4FfG8tP/s1600/Memory+making+-+WoJ+file+image.png" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's been a while since I've written about my past, or done so in a positive way. All it took was a creative exercise prompt and the memory here flooded back.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was prompted by reading </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Spin-Taking-Creativity-Semi-Illustrated-Edition-ebook/dp/B00G9KG9AU/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">'Spin - Taking Your Creativity to the Nth Degree'</a></i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> by Claire </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Burge.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our minds are rich storehouses, replete with randomness which can become ripe and renewed to our senses as God brings things to remembrance.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">God was working in my life when I was a child. I have no doubt that even then <i><b>He began to get me to see experiences through the lens of grace, and to mark my memory with good events that will eventually outweigh the bad as I allow them to surface.</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And He's continuing to do just that as He teaches you and I to live mindfully and be aware of His hand in everything.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You may not remember much that was good about your childhood. Neither did I for many years.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">However, a snatch of a song, a few poetic words, a smell, a sight, sound or word prompt may be all it takes to release those beautiful butterfly moments when summer seemed endless and experiences were ripe for plucking and savouring.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>And as we seek to follow after God's heart, He encourages us to live in the moment with awareness and gratitude for His continual goodness and grace</b>.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In due time, God will bring events to mind as a way of informing the present and aid His work in shaping us for the future.</span></div>
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<i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">*NOTE* ~ Friends, please let me know in the comments below if you would like to read more childhood remembrances. I am very slowly tackling some memoir writing. And because this is a departure from the norm for me here, I really value your opinion. Thank you! :)</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><u>Over to you:</u></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How is God helping you to re-frame your childhood through the lens of His grace?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Have you had any positive memories surfacing at unlikely moments?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And are you learning to live more mindfully than you may have done before?</span></div>
Joy Lentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03486637586238798088noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2006877034360892497.post-57747638220407151392015-04-11T09:53:00.001-07:002015-04-11T09:53:27.788-07:00Let it burn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXsM2iT1NuPl56nAw20RxG19wDBku0H93ymCKC9T3bP1JFr_Vwsu6Rb4Mhtv7_Ts63nhbol1qspLVpO22U2chzay3kVwFZAXeHNJ8dr2P32bO94kDc9MuJWB5R1nv-mGS9d2yXv1qQDig/s1600/toast+-+let+it+burn+WoJ+file+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXsM2iT1NuPl56nAw20RxG19wDBku0H93ymCKC9T3bP1JFr_Vwsu6Rb4Mhtv7_Ts63nhbol1qspLVpO22U2chzay3kVwFZAXeHNJ8dr2P32bO94kDc9MuJWB5R1nv-mGS9d2yXv1qQDig/s1600/toast+-+let+it+burn+WoJ+file+image.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sounds of scraping reached my ears, alerting me to the toast being close to becoming cinders.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thankfully, it was not meant for me but for my beloved who likes his toast near to charcoal before he considers it ready.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He pours scorn on mine resembling<i> 'singed bread' </i>instead. We don't all like the same degree of heat, do we?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Life itself offers many opportunities for us <i><b>to feel scorched by our circumstances, burnt by being rejected, or to feel on fire </b></i>with passion and drive to succeed in our dreams and plans.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There is danger of being consumed with a whole host of emotions as we go through our days. Being on fire is more likely to make us fume, see red and give off angry smoke than feel energised.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Because the more important something is to us, the less we can cope with challenge or changes to it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I see small signs of it in my little toddler grandson as his thwarted goals often make him whimper or rage. He wants what he wants and he wants it <i>Now.</i> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Determination is what keeps him pressing on beyond his limitations and on to the next milestone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It begs the question<i>:How hard do we fight for our faith? </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>How much does it mean to us? </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><b>Would we go through fire for Jesus? </b>Maybe...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Perhaps knowing how much Jesus has gone through for us can provide all the motivation we need to aim to live our lives fully surrendered to Him?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you're experiencing the fires of adversity right now, then you know it's a given for being human. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Besides, all who desire to live a godly, yielded life will experience the heat of struggle and opposition.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But are you (and I) aware how Jesus is in the fiery furnace with us?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Yes, He is present, right smack in the middle of whatever we are going through.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And the heat of it all won't harm us when we realise His nearness.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRnKzZcHLg5nIBXF3XlmKWLniA-shOBQUQAXXUSsgqDKwEKxT0L0Rr0gUCX5f8WQHLO1b10yuJQVpvt0tIba6s8vvJQlt3qp8ZMHfWuzFWeoWPzig8ChrzjcDupxiCPUOFub5dlzISbIA/s1600/let+it+burn+WoJ+file+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRnKzZcHLg5nIBXF3XlmKWLniA-shOBQUQAXXUSsgqDKwEKxT0L0Rr0gUCX5f8WQHLO1b10yuJQVpvt0tIba6s8vvJQlt3qp8ZMHfWuzFWeoWPzig8ChrzjcDupxiCPUOFub5dlzISbIA/s1600/let+it+burn+WoJ+file+image.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Quite often we will need to stop, pause... take a deep breath ...and pray. </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Life scorches us and we feel its blaze, choke on the smoke and feel flames licking higher</b></i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">God already knows what we are going through and He stands ready to come alongside, comfort, strengthen or deliver us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And once we turn our thoughts to God's ability to help rather than our inability to cope, we can be confident He will hear and answer us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He rallies to our cries, hears the unspoken fears in our heart and sees the incipient tears in our eyes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Because just like my grandson is to me, we are deeply precious, special and beloved to God. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>He yearns, even burns to set us free to live above those fiery circumstances</b></i> and to be at peace in the midst of problems. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">God's loving presence is also a consuming fire which scorches off the dross and detritus we needlessly carry.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In His current of grace we can breathe pure, clean air again, become rested and restored once more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We become readied to live alive and alert to His presence, our hearts warmed with love and gratitude for all He has done.</span>Joy Lentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03486637586238798088noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2006877034360892497.post-47921657828973130112015-03-31T02:56:00.000-07:002015-04-01T06:25:54.217-07:00Making room for rest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8w9PahBEFJg_vel6ZWQgq61llRmc9fRT_Zg4oSwWC6ki71aSn9WuZ_aIWF7Jjgm6f8RoLrersy_4BOOcFISzrpOMJvXTxZSOYZdCvVZHTNRzCsrB6mMGSgumIzffWDlmojBBe6Phwp8Xw/s1600/spring+flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8w9PahBEFJg_vel6ZWQgq61llRmc9fRT_Zg4oSwWC6ki71aSn9WuZ_aIWF7Jjgm6f8RoLrersy_4BOOcFISzrpOMJvXTxZSOYZdCvVZHTNRzCsrB6mMGSgumIzffWDlmojBBe6Phwp8Xw/s1600/spring+flowers.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">March came in like a lion and went out like a lamb.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On the cusp of the month I heard gentle, persuasive roarings from the Lion of Judah as He made it clear to me that I should take a blogging break.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Only here's the rub ~ it was to be for an unspecified time but definitely a month at least.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Because I was burnt out physically and mentally, in need of rest, restoration and lots and lots of sleep. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ideas and inspiration were still flowing freely but the energy to execute them wasn't.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So I stepped back, withdrew reasonably willingly and cheerfully.. at first. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After all, God was calling me to enter His rest more deeply and fully than before. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What's not to like about that?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Plenty, actually, as I soon discovered. <b>It was hard to lay down my pen, remain silent, still my soul and surrender.</b></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Resting turned out to be something I found very challenging - yes, even as an M.E sufferer where resting and pacing are a necessary part of life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But this was different. This was taking resting to a whole new level.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Before I could properly rest and relax I had to discover what was blocking the process.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Letting go felt like drowning, even with my Lifeguard at hand. I'd taken off my writing shoes, padded gingerly out to sea and lost myself in waves of invisibility. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwEnUimRjVBOY_yXvbB9SHojEPwEJaCfxHwm-h-vBjV16gBGH6waG5G3PTSACJNBs3CNs7kjBlFbLKvz7jn0c_MABbGsT9xCPNJ2BQgfn2zWtm8kQ4PBJLsp5PEflXCXV1P3nxgHKOkw4I/s1600/making+room+for+rest+WoJ+file+image+pin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwEnUimRjVBOY_yXvbB9SHojEPwEJaCfxHwm-h-vBjV16gBGH6waG5G3PTSACJNBs3CNs7kjBlFbLKvz7jn0c_MABbGsT9xCPNJ2BQgfn2zWtm8kQ4PBJLsp5PEflXCXV1P3nxgHKOkw4I/s1600/making+room+for+rest+WoJ+file+image+pin.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Or at least that's how it seemed for a while. I felt isolated, lonely, bereft of the writing community's friendship and support.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">However, God was drawing me into closer communion with Him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It sounds lovely and it was at times, but it was also painful. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Holy ground tends to show up our dustiness, selfishness and soul depravity. All that God longs to put right in us.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><b>Resting was far from restful for a while.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When thoughts presented themselves to me I ran with them in my eagerness to be <i>Doing Something.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Why not journal my experience? Great idea.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Why not consider turning it into an e-book? Excellent suggestion.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Why not read several books at once? Oh yes.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Why not try my hand at other creative activities instead? Hmm.. why not?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hence the challenge. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I didn't become an expert on the subject but, t</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">hankfully, I did eventually learn what to listen to and what to ignore and how to evaluate what I was going through.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Here's the low down:</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><u><b>a) The hard facts:</b></u></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><u><b><br /></b></u></i></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtLM0FLF4noRgec-qWoXyGzVN3rpzE6dRDFgnXxHSAlt-AwS4BaK0HzmJDYqvXs-Y0GWCgPihwquK_YgcTOVASm1JVFy4ViFu1wV8PixbYTZExunQL0zhVpx1J63oTA6RNiVynhtl9MmT/s1600/hard+facts+resting+WoJ+fie+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtLM0FLF4noRgec-qWoXyGzVN3rpzE6dRDFgnXxHSAlt-AwS4BaK0HzmJDYqvXs-Y0GWCgPihwquK_YgcTOVASm1JVFy4ViFu1wV8PixbYTZExunQL0zhVpx1J63oTA6RNiVynhtl9MmT/s1600/hard+facts+resting+WoJ+fie+image.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Resting is really hard work</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I totally suck at it</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My mind resists switching off</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Inner restlessness is my default position</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Calm is hard to come by</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Worry worms its way in</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pulling away from busyness can make us doubt our purpose</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Discouragement drowns out God's voice</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Impatience makes it take longer</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I really need to learn how to do it</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I guess practise makes perfect</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I doubt I'll ever fully learn it in this lifetime</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><u><b>b) The golden truths:</b></u></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><u><b><br /></b></u></i></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Eyw9hZDd8hM8MdvZFxg6D-b3gjWHbI3Hy_t6GIU_9anbmdyNIIo8SQYKz1dvg4JUacRCi3ibWKyWrNtVNTy3129U70Lff4tKaRc0MK5YV3oEqfRcDpG7uvUggonHi-ME5KdvFPXXn-YN/s1600/golden+truths+WoJ+fie+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Eyw9hZDd8hM8MdvZFxg6D-b3gjWHbI3Hy_t6GIU_9anbmdyNIIo8SQYKz1dvg4JUacRCi3ibWKyWrNtVNTy3129U70Lff4tKaRc0MK5YV3oEqfRcDpG7uvUggonHi-ME5KdvFPXXn-YN/s1600/golden+truths+WoJ+fie+image.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">God wants us to enter His rest</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He calls us with gentle persuasion</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Letting go of control can be liberating</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Time in God's presence is never wasted</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sitting at Jesus' feet aids surrender</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Listening for His voice gets easier over time</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Prompt obedience brings better results</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Inner rest promotes outer rest</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We get to exercise our faith</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It enables us to be more receptive</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It paves the way for creativity to flourish</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Realisation of our identity in Christ is heightened</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm sure more nuggets of truth will emerge as I read through and reflect on my notes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>As it is, my slow M.E brain has taken several days to piece these words together here. Resting for a month seems to have made me rather rusty! Thank you for your grace..</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>But I have wondered, would it would help you to read about my experience? </b></i></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Maybe I will write more here or in an e-book in the future. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It could be that my tentative searching and struggles will help others who want to <i>'let go and let God' </i>but find it really difficult in some way or other. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>For now, I see how resting in God is the natural outcome and outworking of His grace. </b></i></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Its benefits become clearer as we begin to rest in Christ's finished work on the cross and our new identity in Him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My friend, maybe God has been signalling to you a need for rest. <i>Could it be time to draw back a bit from busyness as we draw closer to Easter?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pause a while to ponder as we walk the path of the cross with Jesus. Wonder anew at His mercy and grace as we trace His way to Calvary.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hope springs eternal in human hearts. The cross is a rallying cry for all mankind. It is calling to you too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>The Lamb of God has come to pave the way for us to return Home to the Father's heart and find our soul's deepest rest in relationship with Him.</b> </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Over to you</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>What does resting in God look like for you?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>What helps or hinders the process?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Please feel free to join in with the comments below. Your words matter. Thank you. :)</i></span></div>
Joy Lentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03486637586238798088noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2006877034360892497.post-49422291033372705262015-02-28T12:16:00.001-08:002015-02-28T12:16:20.570-08:00When creativity lies dormant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Words sing in my spirit, seeking their exit. Ready to explode upon the page. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I hug some close, for now is not their time. They must lie dormant and wait a while.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A poetry anthology <i>(or 2)</i> sit on the back-burner, simmering slow.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A set of prayer whispers and devotional prayers lie stagnant. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A memoir meanders round my head, only partly started. <i>Will I be here to complete it?</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I sit impatient, twiddling my thumbs at my ineptitude and inability to complete those things I long to bring forth. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>God whispers:Everything has its moment to arise and be seen. Not yet.. soon...be patient a while longer.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All that is within me cries out <i>"Really?",</i> until I remember how seeds lie dormant before they burst into glorious life, how ground seems dead and fallow until it is ploughed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Watching while others gain their harvest can be painful. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Waiting for God to say "Yes" to us can seem endless, can't it?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I feel my years slipping as sand and wonder why it takes so long to see fruit appearing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once again, I sense a holy reminder of how much fruit is invisible to us, but He knows.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He knows how to shape the things we create until they are ready to be a blessing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>He knows who needs to read our words, receive our art, and when they should be shared.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He knows how things that seem ready to us still require His refining touch.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And He's more interested in growing Holy Spirit fruit in our lives than making sure we see tangible evidence of the works of our hands.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>They will have their day. Even if all looks barren and bleak, cold as ice and deep as snow.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">New life, new birth returns to earth after winter's chill, after long periods of seeming inactivity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So will our work, our words, our creativity rise anew when God breathes His life into them and whispers, <i>"Now".</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">'Arising'</span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A tiny germ of life beats slow</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">beneath frozen depths of snow</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unseen by mere mortal eyes</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">it sits patient, waiting to rise</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Heeding the call, clear and deep,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">shaking off sonorous sleep</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">it pushes its way through icy ground</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">blanketed by silence all around</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Drawn out of shadows dark</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">into earth hostile and stark</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Arising in white fragile purity</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A reminder of new birth breaking free</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">©JoyLenton2015</span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The same is true of our hopes and dreams, goals and schemes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If they are God-given ones, then they will rise strong at <i>Just The Right Time</i> ~ His timing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I know I've felt stagnant and stalled, stuck in the mud lately, mainly due to the daily health challenges I face and the weariness they bring.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Your reasons may differ. What we will have in common is a great desire to unleash our creativity and have it positively impact the lives of others.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And as I ponder these things, <i><b>I actually sense God asking me to pull back from sharing my words here</b></i> <i><b>(and on <a href="http://poetryjoy.com/" target="_blank">'Poetry Joy'</a>), just for a while.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To let them deliberately lay dormant. To desist for a bit from sharing them on a blog. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Because He knows things, you see..<b> </b><i>He knows how much I need to lean into Him this Lenten season, to rest and recover energy and strength, </i>to become restored, refreshed, revitalised by His Spirit. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Am I giving in gracefully? Surrendering with serenity?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hmm.. a little, although those insidious people-approval issues and </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"What ifs?"</i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> make this a hard choice for me, albeit a necessary one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My priorities are to </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">draw closer to God, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">regain some needful health and strength and be more available to my family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">While I am away </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(having some extra catnaps Zzz...),</i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> please feel free to dig into the archives, especially if you are new around here. I hope and pray you will come away blessed and encouraged by what you read.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I will continue scribbling out my words, and some may even find their way onto </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/WordsOfJoy?ref=bookmarks" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">my Facebook page</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> in the interim should God inspire and equip me to share them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Maybe you're in a season of hibernation, sitting out a time when sap will rise again?</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Take heart, friend. God isn't finished with you yet. While we have life and breath we are on active service in His kingdom. Age and circumstance are no barrier in His eyes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><b>One day, it will be your time and your turn and your work will have the audience it deserves. Hang on in hope. Our God is faithful.</b></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-style: italic;">God bless you all until we meet again. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Feel free to leave a comment or prayer request here. Love, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="font-style: italic;">Joy </b>:) <3</span>Joy Lentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03486637586238798088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2006877034360892497.post-62508843757374362102015-02-25T08:53:00.000-08:002015-02-25T08:53:10.605-08:00A friend in need <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sometimes God answers a prayer you didn't pray.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In becoming the answer to another person's prayer, we can find our own needs addressed in ways we least expected.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It happened to me a few months ago.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Philosopher <i>(husband/carer/general dogsbody)</i> and I found our health problems escalating over the last year and his ability to care for me/the household exponentially diminishing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>We felt overwhelmed and drowning, so we sought help and support from our church.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Before very long, it became clear that there was no-one both able and willing to come to our aid.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Finally, a casual conversation the Philosopher had with a friend brought a possible solution.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His wife was lonely and in need of close Christian fellowship and friendship with someone near at hand. She was also pretty nifty with an iron, vacuum cleaner and duster ~ hooray!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The couple called round unexpectedly one day to state their intent.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was after lunch. I'd made it downstairs but I was feeling exhausted, wearing my oldest PJ's, hair awry, in need of a shower, and decidedly discomfited to be seen in such a mess.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I knew the husband pretty well but his <i>'late-in-life-God's-gift-of-a-wife'</i> was almost a stranger to me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">However, s</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">he was charming, kind and concerned. We decided to make arrangements and see how things went.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>I thought if she'd already seen me (and the house) at our worst, then there wasn't much left to be concerned about, was there?</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A few months down the line, and I am awed and amazed at how well it has all turned out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Despite our different nationalities, culture, language, experiences and expectations we clicked straight away. Deep at heart, where it all counts, we are soul sisters in Christ.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Both of us know what it's like to be wounded <i>(yes, even by fellow believers),</i> to feel marginalised, ostracised, rejected and lonely.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Both of us needed a close, spiritual, giving and receiving, prayerful faith-sharing relationship, only she had been fervently asking for it and I was unaware of my need until I had it.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We came together cautiously and soon became good friends. Our common ground far outweighs our differences, fascinating as they are.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She knows I am an unreliable friend in terms of making definite arrangements to get together. But it's always worth it when we do, even if no housework gets done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Although all forms of communication in general drain me considerably and have to be a paced event, our sharing time can vanish in a flash because it feeds my spirit and energises me briefly to be in her company.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>She is a calming influence, a prayer support, an encourager and a great reminder of God's love and grace.</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The main topic of conversation is our life with God, His goodness, mercy and amazing love, especially in the midst of life's challenges.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you'd asked me a few months ago if I needed another female friend I would probably have said No. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My life seemed full, rich maybe with such friends... even if the great majority are on social media due to the limitations of living with M.E and being largely housebound.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>But in answering my need for help in the home, God allowed me to answer her need for friendship.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nothing beats having a <i>Jesus-with-skin-on </i>real life friend and soul companion. They are precious indeed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There may be more new friends to come who I have yet to meet, because who ever has enough genuine friends or grows out of the need to be a true friend for others?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That's the wonder of God. He knows our inmost needs before we're capable of giving them shape or thought. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He is a friend in need and our best Friend indeed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>And those inner heart cries for help? The ones we fail to voice? We can be reassured He hears, records and answers every word.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not all answers are as unexpected as mine was, nor swift either. But we can trust God's heart even when His hand seems slow to save.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Don't give up hope, my friend. God is well aware of your needs...<i>yes, even the most practical and prosaic ones..</i>and will meet them in His own way and timing as you wait upon Him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Over to you</u>:**<i>How has God answered a prayer in an unexpected way for you? </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i> Have you had a new friend come into your life when you least expected it?**</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Please feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.Your words matter. I love to hear from you, even if I may be slow to reply sometimes.</span>Joy Lentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03486637586238798088noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2006877034360892497.post-9996325214370864292015-02-19T12:41:00.000-08:002015-02-19T12:41:36.092-08:00Awakening to potential<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A quivering occurs deep in our souls. An inviting ripple on the waters,</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> an opportunity to stretch our wings and fly free.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This one won't go away. It resurfaces when we least expect it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our lives are about to change and we run scared instead of running toward it with open arms.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not all of us can greet change with cheer, or equanimity at least.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>It feels unsettling, ground shifting, mould-breaking, day-defining and life-liberating all at once.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It calls for a new challenge, a new level we feel unprepared for.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So we quake. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Even if we know those soft spoken sounds are Holy Spirit sighs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm in a time of transition, waiting to walk into a more spacious place emotionally and spiritually. It requires recognition of what's being said, and response to all God is currently asking of me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And, truth be told,<i> I. Don't. Feel. Ready</i>. I want to rewind time to one of blissful ignorance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Those urgings are calling me out of a place of seeming safety, a place where I was bound but couldn't see it, and leading me into the Light, into Truth, into freedom, into God's presence and rest.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The slumbering season is over. Our souls need to wake up to the potential all around. When God is speaking, we do well to listen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He gentles us forward saying this isn't all or nothing, impetuous crash and burn;<i> <b>this is a slow growth in the right direction as I lead and guide you. This is a warming to My words, an inner alertness to My voice, a gradual unfolding of My plans for you</b>.<b> Trust Me to keep you, to hold you safe throughout.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Maybe you're in this unsettling place too? </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Hearing and trying not to heed it?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We can be deep-bone weary from all types of pain, yet strangely wary and reluctant to move away from its suffocating embrace if it means treading into new territory.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Because what we know, what we are familiar with feels like home to us, however dark it may be in reality. Our pain is our pain. We live and move and have our being in it, don't we?</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Actually no. We live and move and have our being in God.<i> </i>He is our <i>Strength,</i> our <i>Hope,</i> our <i>Deliverer</i> and <i>Healer</i>. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Healing frequently comes in stages, by degrees, by unloosening, yielding and surrender rather than by sudden illumination and ability to receive it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've had God close some powerful doors in my life recently, doors which I'd inadvertently opened to the enemy when I was younger in years and understanding.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once he has been denied access to areas he has tormented us in for years, the enemy will do everything in his power to try and regain that territory.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Doubt, fear and unbelief insinuate a way in, wrapping their tentacles around our souls. We need to guard our hearts, wear the full armour of God and be vigilant.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We have a spiritual battle on our hands and a continual need to reaffirm our new position, make declarations of faith from God's Word and sow seeds of positivity into areas that were always negative before.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yes, we rest secure on the promises of God, but we also have our part to play in holding on to our healing and deliverance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's hard work but it will be so worthwhile to see results, to be prepared for <i>The Next Big Thing</i> God wants to do in your life and mine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Some days I feel scared of transition and transformation. When we've believed lies for years, then our minds have to slowly become renewed by the Word and our hearts grow strong in faith.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here's a prayer for all who are where I am now, or sense they soon will be. Let's begin to embrace hope, embrace the light, and embrace joy in knowing we are already victorious in Christ.</span><br />
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Joy Lentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03486637586238798088noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2006877034360892497.post-89157326064034290162015-02-12T07:39:00.000-08:002015-02-12T07:39:18.537-08:00A fresh perspective<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Not many of my childhood memories are viewed through a warm sepia-lens hue. Most shade to grey, blur into dark images I prefer not to examine too closely.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I remember this moment though, because new toys <i>(yes, even a piggy bank money-box) </i>were rare and usually saved for Christmas or birthday, but this was an unexpected summer gift and I was keen to show it off. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So I sat proud on the lawn my father lavished great attention to, midst the scent of roses and buzz of honey bees, grinning unselfconsciously for a change.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Recollections aren't always reliable. A hint remains:a shade, a shadow, a stain, a scent, a touch too much.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Feelings capture more than a camera can. Haunt us down the corridors of years.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When Bonnie asked us to <i>"picture yourself as a little girl with Jesus. How do you picture her and what is she doing? How does she feel? What does she want?"</i> I began to back away from revisiting the past, a country where I fervently wished my visa had expired but which pervaded the present.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We were also asked to express what was on our mind and heart to Jesus. Tell it all to Him. Look into His eyes and be aware He is listening. I gulped, prayed and spent some time sitting with Jesus.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>This was the result:</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I'm sitting on a wooden bench in our garden at home, wriggling a bit because of the splinters. Jesus is right beside me. I am looking wistfully into the distance, feeling sad and alone. As I turn to face Jesus I share how I've forgotten how to play and enjoy my life. There feels a heavy weight on my heart, like a dark cloud is suffocating all the joy out of me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jesus smiles, takes my hand and passes something to me. My eyes light up at the sight of a jar of bubbles, and I look up at Him curiously. He encourages me to open the lid and blow some bubbles at the sky. So I do. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And they grow huge even as they float with ease and care-free abandon. I can't help but smile back at Him now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He points to a dark cloud partly obscuring the sun. We watch together as a giant bubble rises, gathers momentum, nudges into the cloud and pops it softly. I gasp, laugh and Jesus joins in. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>'Look',</i> He says, <i>'Your cares and concerns overshadow your days like that dark cloud and it feels like no heat, light or warmth is reaching you. It makes you sad and steals the joy out of your life. But I offer you joy unspeakable and full of glory, life and vitality. All you need to do is ask Holy Spirit to blow on your wand of faith, and joy will rise like this bubble. And instead of the bubble being broken by the air pressure all around, you will see the dark clouds disperse and sun will fill and flood your day again'</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I begin to feel warm all over as a glow spreads from inside my tummy outwards. The air shimmers and I shield my eyes against the brilliance of rainbow-coloured flares. However, doubts still surge through my child-like heart as I long to trust and believe, but have to voice my fears first. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>'Where will you be, Jesus? And what happens if the sky stays cloudy?'</i> He tilts my chin toward His sweet face and I look into the most tender, loving gaze I've ever seen. His voice whispers deep to my toes and reverberates through the sun's haze as <i><b>He reminds me that He's always right here beside me, and says no cloud will ever cover up His Light, for it shines even in darkness.</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm to expect Him to brighten up each day whenever I seek His face, and to look for the rainbow appearing after stormy skies have passed by. That will be a sign of His promise to restore life, light, colour and joy to my world once again."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And I did have times of blowing bubbles as a child, enjoying their tactile magic. In the image above I'm overshadowing my twin sister and cousin as I hog the bubble-blowing, sitting on the edge of the bench in my eagerness to make them go higher and further.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I also remember my mother using a green bar of <i>'Fairy' </i>soap as she scrubbed laundry stains, causing lather bubbles for us to wonder at, as well as concentrated <i>'Fairy liquid</i>' washing-up liquid agitated into lovely, multi-coloured rainbow foam-squirts sparkling in the sink.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><b>Those memories are given a fresh perspective from the lens of age and grace. </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If my parents were usually overly busy, anxious, stressed, angry, neglectful and dysfunctional custodians, they were also able to relax and be surprisingly attentive ~ if only for split seconds, mere moments in time, brief precious periods in my personal history.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><b>Yet</b></i><b><i> is is those positive snapshots I am choosing to cling to as I walk with God along the path of healing my wounded emotions, one tiny, faltering step at a time.</i></b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Each grey day can have a better outlook in His eyes as He helps us to see His continually reassuring presence through it all, to rest in His provision even <i>In This</i>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Because God knows us intimately; He sees all we go through in the span of our lives and knows the truth of who we can become in relationship with Him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My recollections were stirred by reading<i> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Finding-Spiritual-Whitespace-Awakening-Your/dp/0800721799/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1423606546&sr=1-1&keywords=bonnie+gray" target="_blank">'Finding Spiritual Whitespace:Awakening Your Soul To Rest' </a></i>by Bonnie Gray. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Confession:</i>I have been stopping and starting this book over the last few months because it is working soul deep and re-visiting childhood pain again is, well, pretty painful. Now, I sense God calling me to persevere with it and allow Him to awaken me fully to how I can rest my restless, anxious soul more in Him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You can read this truly helpful book as I'm doing, quietly, slowly and privately by yourself, dipping in and out as needed, or alongside others in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thebonniegray" target="_blank">Bonnie's book club</a> on her Facebook page.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u>Over to you:</u></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>How do you feel as you look back on your childhood? </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Have you been given a fresh perspective on it as you've grown older?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Joining with other writing friends at these grace-filled places:</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><a href="http://www.faithbarista.com/2015/02/maybe-the-story-that-breaks-us-makes-us-beloved/" target="_blank">Bonnie</a> ~ Beloved Brews</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><a href="http://holleygerth.com/shred-your-past/" target="_blank">Holley </a>~ Coffee for Your Heart</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><a href="http://jenniferdukeslee.com/tellhisstory-i-saw-you-jesus/" target="_blank">Jennifer</a> ~ Tell His Story</i></span>Joy Lentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03486637586238798088noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2006877034360892497.post-52033238593409522232015-02-03T11:59:00.000-08:002015-02-03T11:59:04.217-08:00Moving toward the light<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'd woken early that day, managed to catch the first tentative rays of incipient dawn breaking into the grey leaden gloom of a winter morn.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My soul was soothed by the sight of sky sighing out its pale-rose beauty.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Marvelling anew at the glory signs, my thoughts tumbled out in these poetic lines:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>"Early morn</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Earth speaks</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>with whisper</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Dawn of a new day</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Soft skies yawn</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Make way</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>for silver streaks</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>of muted grey"</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So far, Winter has wrapped itself round me like a duvet, a smothering, muffling cover. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's been an invitation to rest, to sleep, to recover from a month of being flu-filled, bed and housebound, hibernating and waiting for a semblance of life to return to these weary bones.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Though, no matter how weak and worn we may feel, God is always whispering through each day to ears, eyes and heart ready to receive His voice.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the natural, my own morning-misted eyes see poorly with the softened, blurry, distorted vision of myopia, but my inner spiritual lenses enable me to see life more clearly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>I can see and sense enough to grasp that here lies invitation to embrace new beginnings, a new day, a new season, a new perspective even if only faintly seen and understood. </i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sometimes, we yearn to bring things into brighter focus, at others we are glad to see imperfectly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maybe prefer to turn our faces to the wall, hide in the dark, bury ourselves in anything rather than looking with a clear-eyed gaze at all that fills our lives, and all that lies beyond our current state of knowing.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We feel like we can barely handle the minutes before us, never mind hours, days, weeks or months. <i>And who knows what the future may hold?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Life can weigh heavy and tip us sideways. It can be a real effort to remain stable.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've felt like that lately. Have hardly had the wherewithal to face the day, let alone the next, and so on. Each one bleeding slow into another, seeping away into dark corridors of sickness and pain.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>And now?</b> </i></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>I have been resting beneath the shadow of Abba Father's wings, pausing to be at peace, to receive all the comfort and protection I need from the One whom no foe can withstand. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Externally, wintry weather persists, but<i><b> internally I feel like I'm having an early Spring, a surfacing of sorts, a moving toward the light.</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Hope is rising.</i> There is <i>(finally!) </i>far more to life than a bed full of soggy tissues, the smell of eucalyptus and menthol permeating the air, painkillers, throat soothers and hot lemon drinks <i>(with honey)</i> at hand.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There is a future to this year beyond influenza. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">God is healing me, slowly but perceptibly. Some measure of strength and energy is returning ~ hooray!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>As I come alive to life again, I have a deep gratitude for being able to breathe easy, to sniff scents other than medicinal ones,</b></i> to eat with some appetite and without food tasting like cotton-wool, to have a voice that isn't always too croaky to have a conversation, or ears too blocked to hear.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My mind is ready to read a bit more, to begin to think clearly, to focus, prepare for the new things God wants to reveal to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yes, I will still need to rest, pace and pause from too much interaction or busyness of mind and body to avoid relapsing. That's a given for someone with M.E and chronic illness. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I won't stop learning more about being thankful, recording the positive in the midst of adversity, seeing God's hand at work in the everyday minutiae and being grateful for small mercies.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Because they are always there. We don't always need to put glasses on or contact lenses in to see them. <i><b>He finds a way to make things clear when we look to Him and ask Him to make our hearts tender and receptive</b></i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dependency and weakness may feel challenging to our independent souls, whereas they can become the very vehicles God uses to reveal His goodness and grace to us most of all, an opening to deeper knowing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>"My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness" ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9 (The Message) </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><u>Over to you</u></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><u><br /></u></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>How has God manifested His grace and strength to you recently?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Have you been able to see God's hand at work in your trials and tribulations?</i></span>Joy Lentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03486637586238798088noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2006877034360892497.post-11159037774798646552015-01-29T07:53:00.001-08:002015-01-29T07:53:21.280-08:00Plumbing the depths<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkNYBwDh-2_2SH5mhbihCErZ3uJ4ItdVyPdEefu7I23tb15_6JxDCBYKfZkSojRV3mxHzJXPyx0j-O5Diib7dORxQa-FpzZzl5ilKvJRPp9w49O6uLIzfFh1GP95V8BxyiauGqYwEtHgh/s1600/bursting+with+vibrancy+WoJ+file+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkNYBwDh-2_2SH5mhbihCErZ3uJ4ItdVyPdEefu7I23tb15_6JxDCBYKfZkSojRV3mxHzJXPyx0j-O5Diib7dORxQa-FpzZzl5ilKvJRPp9w49O6uLIzfFh1GP95V8BxyiauGqYwEtHgh/s1600/bursting+with+vibrancy+WoJ+file+image.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Just a few simple words. Nothing more, nothing less.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sometimes, that's all it takes to make or mar a day. A drop here and there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When words rise to our pool of consciousness and hover a while close to the surface, it is well worth asking God if these are ones He wants us to pay particular attention to.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Although God mainly speaks through Scripture, <i><b>He also invites us gently to notice our lives, heed the world's sounds, and hear Him in the everyday</b>,</i> e.g via books, blogs, poetry, music, films and the spoken word.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">These had a life of their own, shimmering with vibrancy like ripples in a pond spreading wide to touch others.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My breath caught as they reached to my core. Here were words to confirm the <i>'word'</i> I'd received for 2015 and set me thinking soul-deep.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They came from a new book, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Centering-Prayers-One-year-Companion-Deeper/dp/1612614159/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1420558836&sr=1-1&keywords=peter+traben+haas" target="_blank">'Centering Prayers:A One Year Daily Companion for Going Deeper into the Love of God'</a></i> by Peter Traben Haas.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">These words <i>(underlined)</i> were part of a contemplation:<i style="font-weight: bold;">"I begin the year with the simplicity of silence. <u>Resting in you, I become myself again</u>" </i>which were simple but profound, with echoes of eternity in them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As I pondered their significance, I reflected how my early life experience had already revealed the world to be a place where I invariably felt lost, drowning under the weight of expectations and pressures, splintered and fractured, fragile and out of sync.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To have a chance of becoming and feeling whole <i>(and safe)</i> again, I needed to connect to God. And I feel so blessed He called me to faith as a late teenager so I could spend all my adult life getting to know Him. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Because, not only do we find God the Father in relationship with Jesus, we also find our true selves.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Become more fully human and fully alive than ever before.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Become more truly who God created us to be, beautiful in Him.</b></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Function more freely with the flexibility of grace.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Fulfil God's greater plans and purposes for our lives as we co-labour with Him.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Discover our full potential.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Embrace our new identity In Christ.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Waken to our worth as God's beloved child.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>See ourselves, via eyes of faith, as already healed, restored, beloved and forgiven.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Rest in the knowledge of being united with The One who knows us inside out and loves us just the same ~ even as He's transforming us from the inside out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In some inexplicable way we grow to become more like Jesus as we learn to live and abide in Him on a daily basis.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Yet, amazingly, we also become more of ourselves, more true to the essence of God's intended blueprint for us.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All this from one line or two, just a few words? Yes, indeed. Words have power to change a life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And I wouldn't mind guessing that I have only touched on a small fraction of what it means to<i><b> "become myself again"</b></i> as I rest in Him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Many words have been inspiring my soul lately as God has been speaking to me, and I'm sitting with them for a while before sharing, letting them rest in me and do their work.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Because I have all year <i>(a lifetime?)</i> to plumb the depths, to mine for treasure and discover the riches of resting in God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And you, dear reader, can learn along with me as we share the journey of faith together.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2XxENE8MATeLaK8voLBP-Otpz08Hmw1qFN_ZXtNolfJ3nVHeZTOJ3fkwO9nfeOBwkW88X4t5jyjE-IT6C8ybOWIqwPq_MupfzNQK21JZf9qbnYc-PTlreN03CHYN4C6rMKznxmuALZBd/s1600/beloved_brews_faithbarista_badge.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2XxENE8MATeLaK8voLBP-Otpz08Hmw1qFN_ZXtNolfJ3nVHeZTOJ3fkwO9nfeOBwkW88X4t5jyjE-IT6C8ybOWIqwPq_MupfzNQK21JZf9qbnYc-PTlreN03CHYN4C6rMKznxmuALZBd/s1600/beloved_brews_faithbarista_badge.png" /></a></div>
<i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Linking here with <a href="http://www.faithbarista.com/2015/01/why-ill-never-push-my-need-away-anymore/" target="_blank">Bonnie</a>, <a href="http://jenniferdukeslee.com/tellhisstory-be-a-doris/" target="_blank">Jennifer </a>and friends</i><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><u>Over to you:</u></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><u><br /></u></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>What words have greatly impacted your life recently?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>How hard do you find it to see yourself as God sees you?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Please feel free to join in with the comments below. I really appreciate your input. Your words matter. Thank you.</i></span>Joy Lentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03486637586238798088noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2006877034360892497.post-8757778419552436942015-01-22T05:34:00.000-08:002015-01-22T05:34:04.011-08:00Painting beauty with ashes<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I sat on the bed, desultorily dusting the few objects I could cope with while my energetic friend breezed her way around the room, almost knocking things over in her enthusiasm to get the job done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our soul conversation more than made up for any lack of application on my part.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She grinned as I pointed out the family photos, recalling births, marriages and proud family moments in my life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And we pondered on the passing of time turning me from young woman to grandma and her to wife.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Finally, she reached a set of drawers where much paraphernalia is stored.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pulling at them one by one, I revealed their contents and why they'd sat neglected for many years.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIg7LAoHmeGO8jGxW3KU3Vz0NOcZ20mLsXuHkCiSAZrLgmwk-u_ZefqoDJXZtNQ82K-Byd3-scBvTkc6JjwOyLpUvjubBf91DjW6XQf1FhlPEoSPi5vybNvXu9DRLPgXTtLMZToyIyQMo/s1600/art+pastels+and+pencils+WoJ+file+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIg7LAoHmeGO8jGxW3KU3Vz0NOcZ20mLsXuHkCiSAZrLgmwk-u_ZefqoDJXZtNQ82K-Byd3-scBvTkc6JjwOyLpUvjubBf91DjW6XQf1FhlPEoSPi5vybNvXu9DRLPgXTtLMZToyIyQMo/s1600/art+pastels+and+pencils+WoJ+file+image.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here lay gifts from family and friends to aid my creativity. <b><i>Long before I painted pictures with words I put pencil, brush and paint to paper for another purpose.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I drew, sketched, dabbled with pastels, felt-tip pens, ink and coloured pencils, painted with water-colours.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Here lay treasure, if only I could remember how to mine for it again.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Somewhere along the way I lost my true self, and the hope of my beloved family and friends was that these things might somehow<i> 'restore me'</i> again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBYzKQ-GpDf46Cm_-a51ch4MtnKvwayaW7LXjVFDwyXF9FqpjtrmnPz42flwlJ_0DfhVsAzxlThpbCX01BiR2BTmI89wAC-E20XTEHJ6tBRqJm7NiBI7sINi6-HRTvdfd58tdd0nIvjDH/s1600/art+compendium+of+pencils+WoJ+file+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBYzKQ-GpDf46Cm_-a51ch4MtnKvwayaW7LXjVFDwyXF9FqpjtrmnPz42flwlJ_0DfhVsAzxlThpbCX01BiR2BTmI89wAC-E20XTEHJ6tBRqJm7NiBI7sINi6-HRTvdfd58tdd0nIvjDH/s1600/art+compendium+of+pencils+WoJ+file+image.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>The very real fear of failure kept me captive to all but creativity.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Captive to shame. Captive to deep emotional pain. Captive to the past. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Captive to fear itself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How could I risk further proof of my incapability? This would only be evidence of shame and failure once again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So these gifts were received with a shy, watery smile, tried out briefly then placed together in this cabinet, pushed away out of sight and out of mind.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I sighed at the waste but believed it to be confirmation of my ineptitude.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Now, what to do? </i></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As I marvelled over this unexpected treasure trove I felt a pang in my heart. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And a </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">'What if?'</i><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>What if I actually dared myself to try again, to pick up these parts of me, dust them down and use them for the purpose they were created for?</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIk_1hFTdQAPZVIs2jN7y4oOLn3ClSe4t6FSfX-Tnfl7q19yUALmuB2iPQDuyJFfNXL4008yywP0SEYmGB4K6K5uVf3ao18CRsq3wCo4vi_KKYV4_GsGNRv0cgg_tNZB5zJxXroKwemFuG/s1600/art+books+WoJ+file+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIk_1hFTdQAPZVIs2jN7y4oOLn3ClSe4t6FSfX-Tnfl7q19yUALmuB2iPQDuyJFfNXL4008yywP0SEYmGB4K6K5uVf3ao18CRsq3wCo4vi_KKYV4_GsGNRv0cgg_tNZB5zJxXroKwemFuG/s1600/art+books+WoJ+file+image.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Prior to opening and revealing the contents I would have felt it was a <i>'no go'</i> area, a Pandora's Box to steer well clear of.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Who knows what it would unleash? Most likely guilt and sadness. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But what if also freed up a fresh wave of hope and optimism? A desire to start again?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Maybe you have a similar drawer or space like this in your life to reclaim?</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maybe the enemy of our souls has persuaded you it's too late, it's time to move on?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Maybe there's an emptiness inside where creativity seems to have died?</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I thought my creativity was lost until I began expressing it writing poetry and prose on a blog, and taking snapshot images to make memory markers of my days. <i>It feeds my soul to read, to write, to capture, to create. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So, have I picked up where I left off, brandished brushes and pottered around with paint?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Erm... not quite. This uncovering occurred a few weeks ago and I've been in the throes of flu for almost a month. But I am determined to make a start when energy and inspiration are there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>There have been too many years sitting by while creativity slowly died, too much time already wasted to want to waste another second.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All it takes is the ability to be willing to start over again. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm trusting God to help me with the rest.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3rJpfzt96yQB6J9_sivw85M1_UqlsE9vpM-Xr6rtGunX5dC6V8t9qZkp3lyfyFDE-qLv1iYq6IIkhHG6gX8rdP8Ua2RKngi2qcmEMOR3UKECAg7RP7QFD6LE-wFOWMzmW43jCqadu7X_/s1600/art+chalks+etc+WoJ+file+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3rJpfzt96yQB6J9_sivw85M1_UqlsE9vpM-Xr6rtGunX5dC6V8t9qZkp3lyfyFDE-qLv1iYq6IIkhHG6gX8rdP8Ua2RKngi2qcmEMOR3UKECAg7RP7QFD6LE-wFOWMzmW43jCqadu7X_/s1600/art+chalks+etc+WoJ+file+image.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>We can allow God to paint beauty with the ashes of our lives as we busy ourselves being creative.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The same is true for you too. As we venture forth in faith God leads and guides us into the places where we can be most effective for him and become all He intends us to be.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sometimes He will sit and smile as we make progress; sometimes He will point out the way ahead, maybe instruct us how to add a touch here or there, <i>and sometimes He might just hand us the brush to paint new things on the canvas of our lives.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I've got my metaphorical brush in my shaky hands. In time <i>(not too long, I hope)</i> I will wield it again and lose myself in the art of making art with my life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Are you ready to wield yours too? </i></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Willing to become open as a child again?</i> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Life-after-Art-Forgot-About-ebook/dp/B00B7TGYOO/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1421773951&sr=1-4&keywords=matt+appling" target="_blank">Revisit the art room</a> as eagerly as we did before we got too grown up and self-conscious. Become reacquainted with our inner selves and the expression of them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><b>Let's learn to press pause on perfectionism. See beauty in all we're still becoming.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The reassuring thing is, God still approves of us no matter what mess we make. He gives grace upon grace to start over again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our task is to see ourselves as already pre-approved, rest in believing we're beloved <i><b>Just As We Are</b></i>. Because that's a beautiful thing in His sight.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0QwBmiYAskMF2VsSyqkn3F__TaLZ9AB1SAqzmW-yD5wlv3N24IvVUyl9j4EtVe_vRzBRCHmUr2WKicAKDxE0EpcfXZl1GUjWN60NKEhDXAjrf6mAu_eGLIckURbt356nMNyHo8PwHMcm/s1600/beloved_brews_faithbarista_badge.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0QwBmiYAskMF2VsSyqkn3F__TaLZ9AB1SAqzmW-yD5wlv3N24IvVUyl9j4EtVe_vRzBRCHmUr2WKicAKDxE0EpcfXZl1GUjWN60NKEhDXAjrf6mAu_eGLIckURbt356nMNyHo8PwHMcm/s1600/beloved_brews_faithbarista_badge.png" /></a></div>
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<i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></i>
<i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Linking here with <a href="http://www.faithbarista.com/2015/01/spiritual-whitespace-bookclub-launch-whispers-of-rest-redletterwords-giveaway/" target="_blank">Bonnie,</a> <a href="http://holleygerth.com/living-intentionally/" target="_blank">Holley</a>, <a href="http://jenniferdukeslee.com/tellhisstory-when-it-seems-like-its-just-one-trouble-after-the-next/" target="_blank">Jennifer </a>and friends as we share what feeds our soul, provides coffee for our heart, and encourages us as we live out our faith in the telling of His story.</i>Joy Lentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03486637586238798088noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2006877034360892497.post-73481666851933405952015-01-14T06:53:00.001-08:002015-01-14T06:53:41.844-08:00Resting in the Father's love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhno8hWUZfFa3IP3amQcdk1TzUTJsyzIB8sW4EPoohCKgY27DINBiid8Cmv_Wa6-wqUz2jv97ki3pDY-HQTjXz3Ow7zcn24EG7bXxr25yu4VVy4ea2MlNchYw-TqT7YzuceN5owAShm5FmK/s1600/resting+in+God's%2Blove%2BWoJ%2Bfile%2Bimage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhno8hWUZfFa3IP3amQcdk1TzUTJsyzIB8sW4EPoohCKgY27DINBiid8Cmv_Wa6-wqUz2jv97ki3pDY-HQTjXz3Ow7zcn24EG7bXxr25yu4VVy4ea2MlNchYw-TqT7YzuceN5owAShm5FmK/s1600/resting+in+God's%2Blove%2BWoJ%2Bfile%2Bimage.JPG" height="640" width="558" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When life's challenges knock us sideways, instead of rocking ourselves back and forth with worry, we need a solid Rock to lean on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A breathing space.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A place of shelter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A refuge from the storms.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A haven of rest.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A place of dependency from where we are enabled to grow strong, become free.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Someone who we can rely on above all others.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We need a Saviour. We need Jesus. We need His joy. We need His peace.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>We need grace to see, believe and receive how much God loves us beyond words, beyond our wildest imaginations, beyond life itself.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It can be so hard to believe we are the beloved of God when calamities come strong against us, can't it?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It can be hard to stay stable and remain calm in the mud and mire of our mess and miseries.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To fight the urge to give in to discouragement, to give up in despair.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To avoid cynicism creeping in. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To stay more focused on God's face and His amazing grace to help us live as overcomers, instead of pointing to our problems.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Much depends on what or who are we listening to. </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Voices crowd our mind from our inner fears, from the past, the world, the enemy, from those who have hurt us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yet it is the gentle whispered words of Holy Spirit which our souls most need to listen to.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And His is the one voice we tend to lose most easily in the daily grind, in the swirl and whirl of noisy sound all around.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>How might it look if we had a revelation of how much God loves us?</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>How might we live in the light of that knowledge?</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm not sure yet. But I hope to find out in the months ahead.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Currently, my body needs more physical rest than usual as I recover from having flu, and my mind craves it too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm aiming to devour God's word, meditate on its soul-transforming truth, seek more <a href="http://www.faithbarista.com/finding-spiritual-whitespace/" target="_blank">spiritual whitespace</a>, embrace all that assists the process, and gradually learn to draw aside from all that hinders me from being fully at rest in Him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As I try to rest grateful on His grace, rest in knowing who I am in Christ, rest in being a daughter of the King of kings and a woman of God, maybe I will grow to live more at ease with accepting how deeply loved I am by Him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>It would be so freeing to do that, wouldn't it? Maybe you have struggles in this area too. Let's share and learn together, shall we?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The song below is a great reminder of how our heavenly Father rejoices over each and every one of us and stills our anxious hearts with His love.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing" ~ Zephaniah 3:17</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ovIaa-lmSeg" width="420"></iframe>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
Joy Lentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03486637586238798088noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2006877034360892497.post-8581009408207339642015-01-04T09:07:00.001-08:002015-01-04T09:07:25.021-08:00Entering His rest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_L3RGPbi65GQJA8MySlZCxvyKqrOGexPPijx1Hv6OJZyP_ajUraiYGPxHJbdVyZbCqEIASmBKqMdfuEK8m9MIf383_Bg70EDjkamubmMA1yLTAXHVz_fFZ_mfDAUy4cUGCaMD63XBl9x/s1600/purple-WoJ+file+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_L3RGPbi65GQJA8MySlZCxvyKqrOGexPPijx1Hv6OJZyP_ajUraiYGPxHJbdVyZbCqEIASmBKqMdfuEK8m9MIf383_Bg70EDjkamubmMA1yLTAXHVz_fFZ_mfDAUy4cUGCaMD63XBl9x/s1600/purple-WoJ+file+image.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There's something special about listening for God's voice. Making way for the mellow moments of sacred pauses in our days.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Something infinitely precious when He speaks so hearts can hear Him and draws us close to His beautiful, compassionate and loving, Father-heart.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When I received <i><b>'Listen' </b></i>as my one word last year, I found myself spending all of 2014 trying to hone the skill, and I ended the year still awed and amazed when He whispered close with words He longed to impart.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>There wasn't a predictable pattern. God cannot be boxed. He is calm and loving but also gloriously wild and free. The Spirit goes where He wills.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Most times, I sat expectant with Bible, pen and prayer journal at the ready, at others He spoke soft during the mundane, messy moments of my day ~ whenever He had something vital to say.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The more we practise the art, the more we become a little bit accustomed to His voice and better able to discern it above all others.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Those times of quiet listening bore fruit inwardly, teaching greater inner restfulness, peace and patient endurance that He knew I so desperately needed, and still do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They also yielded fruit to share with others in the form of<i> 'Prayer Whispers' </i>to help, encourage and bless. Some have made their way into the blogging arena and others I hope to eventually make more public via a compilation to share.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>So you might think I was getting seasoned in the ways of listening to God and easily able to tell what He was saying to me, wouldn't you? If only...</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well, yes, occasionally that was the case. But my own wayward heart, doubts and fears so often tripped me up... just as they're doing now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Because, after praying for several days, I was no nearer hearing God's <i>'word'</i> for me for 2015 than I was before. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Various thoughts played themselves out in my head then slid silent away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Eventually, one word made its presence known more strongly than the others.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And I was quick to reject it as a mis-hearing, because it felt wryly ironic to be hearing <b><i>'Rest' </i></b>shaping itself as my defining word for 2015 while laid up in bed with an unexpected, unwanted Christmas gift of a ferocious, fluey cold virus!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I prayed, doubted and prayed some more. Gradually, God penetrated the thick mucus curtain where my brain seemed to be lodging and made Himself known. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yes, there was no mistake. Far from being just my usual state as an M.E and chronic illness sufferer <i>~ where rest and pacing are the order of the day, and a particularly necessary one right now ~</i> rest was going to be a strong feature of the year ahead too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Only... I had to appreciate its nuances more than ever before. Rest means different things to each one of us.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgptqA8xWnLlIJVYjHLfWHwjHjcbQVn2lBDk5dT5xagIhP74kf_-MUNiKYoOvZSc73DgwUVNZvPIYTBXZJAwAuAOvmLRJMB4dkCTmUAhly5f6Bx9A5oOEhxbG4HRp-pL5h75Ws4ofVYP76/s1600/girl+reading+-WoJ+file+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgptqA8xWnLlIJVYjHLfWHwjHjcbQVn2lBDk5dT5xagIhP74kf_-MUNiKYoOvZSc73DgwUVNZvPIYTBXZJAwAuAOvmLRJMB4dkCTmUAhly5f6Bx9A5oOEhxbG4HRp-pL5h75Ws4ofVYP76/s1600/girl+reading+-WoJ+file+image.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At this early stage I can already see the type of rest God has in mind for us is so much more than a Sabbath break in our week, ceasing from physical activity, putting our feet up, taking a nap, being on vacation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>His plans for us are complete, holistic, changing from the inside out. I sense rest is no exception.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My soul needs to learn how to rest easy in His word, truly believe who it says I am in Christ, lean peaceful on His love and grace.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Maybe discover how to actually live like I'm freed from guilt and anxiety, stay rooted and grounded in faith, develop trust that replaces tension.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Rest in the finished work of Christ rather than relying on self-effort and works to somehow complete the deal.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Rest in seeing myself as pre-approved, deeply loved and called to make a difference.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Quite a bit to mull over here! No doubt more will be revealed in time to come.</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And it feels as if my main priority is physical rest right now as I seek to recover from the horrible cold symptoms<i> </i>and try to claw back some precious energy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Perhaps priorities will loom large as I endeavour to save energy for all I am called to do rather than all I may want to do.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maybe there will be encouragement to make room for more spiritual whitespace, for contemplative prayer, for continuing to listen to prayer whispers and to seek His face?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I hope so. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My soul craves deep rest; my body cries out for it and my mind desperately needs it too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>One way or another I hope to enter His rest, in fact I long to; I need to. </b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One thing I am certain of:as God gives me inspiration and strength I aim to be sharing the journey here and over at '<a href="http://poetryjoy.com/" target="_blank">Poetry Joy'</a>, just as I did with 2014's word <i>'Listen'.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Here's a <b>'Prayer for Rest' </b>that you can take and make your own. Feel free to pin or use as you need to:</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbgzLvbUaoXPZZtrgoUL8cPzQ_iVQpj1EWDJpbbwp_SEXOJo_nQBykr__kNczvcOzccMIdhiAy4BcasWS7g6t97pMVkDufG9YHZl_WeBawE1tCEv-QI1Ijl5ZHQ9HMFJ5_FX-Swza1dLz/s1600/blue+rest+prayer+pin+file+image+WoJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbgzLvbUaoXPZZtrgoUL8cPzQ_iVQpj1EWDJpbbwp_SEXOJo_nQBykr__kNczvcOzccMIdhiAy4BcasWS7g6t97pMVkDufG9YHZl_WeBawE1tCEv-QI1Ijl5ZHQ9HMFJ5_FX-Swza1dLz/s1600/blue+rest+prayer+pin+file+image+WoJ.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<u style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Over to you:</u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Have you had benefits (as well as challenges) from listening to God?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Has God given you a new word to ponder over for 2015?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Whether or not you've heard a 'word' yet, what do you think your main focus will be for the year ahead?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As always, I really appreciate and welcome your input here and would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.</span></div>
Joy Lentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03486637586238798088noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2006877034360892497.post-30806374728006822242014-12-27T08:32:00.001-08:002014-12-27T08:32:41.959-08:00Basking in the afterglow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrR_DC6DfRYbzQEUauq3FuyoEOYc68LxSa6BP7ViA_k_W65tUKdhhj3J-wgQDSbFTZwkG1U3eGI_3GvD9sahvVyMi41ReJhD6nnqXHQhIaC5BOCEnE_xAINrUXWAu-rjpBR6k71YQtxORG/s1600/010__9_.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrR_DC6DfRYbzQEUauq3FuyoEOYc68LxSa6BP7ViA_k_W65tUKdhhj3J-wgQDSbFTZwkG1U3eGI_3GvD9sahvVyMi41ReJhD6nnqXHQhIaC5BOCEnE_xAINrUXWAu-rjpBR6k71YQtxORG/s1600/010__9_.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I wasn't ready for Christmas, despite every good intention, a beautiful book list, devotions to dive into and expectations high during Advent.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
</span>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Presents were wrapped, all was ready on the surface, family had arrived and my husband had the catering in hand.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was as rested as I could be and not as flat out with fatigue as I often am as Christmas arrives.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Plenty of reasons for rejoicing yet my heart felt strangely weighed down.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>All I seemed to be left with after a period of extra busyness was anxiety and stress. Maybe you can relate?</i></span></div>
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My Advent preparations had been good, though somehow I had lost sight of their purpose as I lost myself instead in worry and weariness.<br />
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<i><b>I also wasn't ready for Christ to speak to me on Christmas Eve in the sadness of feeling unprepared for Him</b></i>. To offer solace and reassurance that it's not about my/our efforts at all but about His.</div>
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As the great I AM, Jesus is always with us, always present, always close to hurting hearts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He sees the way we wrangle to squeeze <i>Just One More Thing</i> in until we nearly squeeze Him out, and how we are desperate to make something big out of our smallness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>He witnesses our struggles for perfectionism and answers with His grace.</i></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jesus whispered words of comfort as I sat on the bed with tears in my eyes, sorrowing once again over how flawed I am, how impossible it is to feel my way into worship <i>(or worth-ship)</i> most of the time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He met me in my weariness. He strengthened me in my weakness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He spoke in the silent places and gifted me with the glowing fire of His love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Reminded me how He came for those who were needy. How <i><b>His gift to us is Presence and our gift back to Him is simply sharing all of our lives, hearts and minds with Him.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yes, especially the messiness, the muddles, the sadness, confusion and pain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>And now? We sit between Nativity and New Year, pause in the gap to catch our breath.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Depleted, satiated and weary, we wait in the interim to rouse ourselves for another celebration to begin.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b style="font-style: italic;"><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's a time to reflect and wonder anew about opportunities ahead. But, instead of seeing it as Christmas being all over for another year, how about considering: <b style="font-style: italic;">Isn't this the best bit as we bask in the afterglow of God's great Love come down?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Truly believe we already are pre-approved and loved beyond measure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Rest grateful in those arms which threw stars into space, brought life to everything and sustain us in their safe embrace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Be comforted by the voice of One who soothes fretful hearts, brings the joy and peace of His Presence back to lives made dull by distance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Relax to know Jesus can be celebrated all year round in our hearts and lives. <i>He isn't just for Christmas.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Because He is right here, right now ~ omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent Incarnate God.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His Light shines in every dark circumstance and place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His grace is new every morning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>He is always ready to receive us even when we feel ill-prepared to receive Him. </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To pour His Love-light upon souls longing for a touch from His hands. All we need to do is ask, and Jesus will respond.</span></div>
Joy Lentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03486637586238798088noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2006877034360892497.post-7455452825589534362014-12-14T08:05:00.001-08:002014-12-14T08:05:46.785-08:00Between Narnia and Nativity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHUn_tBYUfrd0YjlZIylYj-M5fwWa9hvkzqj_qfY6EDZhm9GCFxbMzKHS34O_gP4pqnKa7-mhuHzTQWy5lKp9NOKNn5OL3jhJlYwHxKjKSi4yQQtTm2bFOPZJZVMtF9oo5FW1fSB35QO-/s1600/bear+winter+WoJ+file+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHUn_tBYUfrd0YjlZIylYj-M5fwWa9hvkzqj_qfY6EDZhm9GCFxbMzKHS34O_gP4pqnKa7-mhuHzTQWy5lKp9NOKNn5OL3jhJlYwHxKjKSi4yQQtTm2bFOPZJZVMtF9oo5FW1fSB35QO-/s1600/bear+winter+WoJ+file+image.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Winter isn't for wimps. It's prime time for hibernation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's weighty heaviness can steal joy right out of weary hearts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Fog-leaden and snow-laden lands lead to low moods for many.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Misted breath and frosty fingers steal in, seep through the window pane and wrap themselves around my brain.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I succumb to the numbing, become muffled and mournful.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Such tenacious chill of mind and will could take some shifting. Just like my duvet, I sink into its sonorous depths.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Even creativity is being capricious, wearing a sly smile as she slides away evasive.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Poetry usually flows like a babbling brook before singing itself onto the page.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>But now?</i> It lies turgid, a murky pond of indifference where I dredge hopeful for silver in the silt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Words have become as weeds clinging to the reeds, refusing to rise obligingly to the surface.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Here we are:caught between Narnia and Nativity, aching for Light to come.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwoCFgyZo5BJm2pnUrvrgKhFKSlB2nBnj0JbUZKS1CXIrWT08NTkL5Dh6Hi_w6jeTzL871FfgQvYaBn6it2qIqHw8lvLKOrDp-MILF0zng7IFuJ_Z-pRVVNdY6gEXVV8n2Twyy86YhEFg/s1600/advent+narnia+WoJ+file+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwoCFgyZo5BJm2pnUrvrgKhFKSlB2nBnj0JbUZKS1CXIrWT08NTkL5Dh6Hi_w6jeTzL871FfgQvYaBn6it2qIqHw8lvLKOrDp-MILF0zng7IFuJ_Z-pRVVNdY6gEXVV8n2Twyy86YhEFg/s1600/advent+narnia+WoJ+file+image.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Can it really be winter all the time and never Christmas? Surely not. Our souls crave celebration.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And won't Light and Joy seep their way through the grey-gloom, soften cold hearts, draw back the dark?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Oh yes, they will. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We may be overshadowed by our circumstances but we're covered by grace, nevertheless. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Because the One who came into Mary's womb is the same One who comes into our deep and silent places.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She pondered how that could happen, much as we wonder <i>when.. this pain will ease, this burden will be lifted, this sickness will leave, this problem will be shifted.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I read:<b><i>"'How will this be,' Mary asks the Angel, 'Since I am a virgin?' The Angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you'" ~ Luke 1:34-35</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And these words hover in my head, shape themselves into a poem:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Overshadowed</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Heavy cloak of holiness</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">wrapped with softness</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Burning light of purity</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">lies sealed within</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Revelation promises</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">fulfilled in Him</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Developing Christ-child</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">swims in the womb</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Stretching over time</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">to give Him room</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Waiting for the right moment</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">in which He'll come</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Angelic hosts sing</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">a welcome song</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mantle of mercy and grace</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">drapes lightly on</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">all who receive and embrace"</span></i></b><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">©JoyLenton2014</span></i><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></b>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As words flow once more so does insight, inspiration and gratitude.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For we also are overshadowed; we have Holy Spirit, The Comforter Himself, wrapping arms of Love around us all the time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We have His continual, Light-filled presence, His fire, His infilling.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>As gentle dove, He speaks soothing balm to winter-weary hearts and whispers, 'Soon'</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKdmKc0OMX9a7Ie0RPbcdHeKkAKAkpnFj3zCwcHENsGAJtZj8TpvBd-FTw4cQYLKhCB6gPXC6fxiN7sI2p24Z0bPTKxOaPdbIeTJPpK5LyDzq4-igXuy5VvKgULmePH_tAwtDEWd9Bj7p/s1600/dove+HS+WoJ+file+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKdmKc0OMX9a7Ie0RPbcdHeKkAKAkpnFj3zCwcHENsGAJtZj8TpvBd-FTw4cQYLKhCB6gPXC6fxiN7sI2p24Z0bPTKxOaPdbIeTJPpK5LyDzq4-igXuy5VvKgULmePH_tAwtDEWd9Bj7p/s1600/dove+HS+WoJ+file+image.jpg" height="640" width="502" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>"Soon, My child, your waiting will be over.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Soon, those inner longings will be met.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Sooner than you know I will reveal His Light in your darkness, His Peace in your perplexity.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Hold on for a little bit longer.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Keep the flame burning in your heart; keep Hope alive.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>A faltering wick He will not quench or snuff out.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Hide yourself in the shelter of the Father's wings for He is your refuge and shelter against every storm.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Allow Me to pour the oil of Joy on your troubled soul.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>At just the right time the Christ-child will be birthed anew in hearts ready to receive Him.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>New life will spring from the old."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And as we listen to His voice, as we breathe the Peace of His Presence, as we respond to what we are hearing we are slowly filled with life again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Chilled hearts thaw. Minds become enlightened, grasping Truth. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our world becomes brighter with expectation. Hope of renewal and change.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jesus is coming. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">God is with us. </span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Emmanuel is here. </i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We can breathe easy. Our dark winter of discontent is coming to an end.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>I'm joining<a href="http://www.janiscox.com/sunday-stillness-how-to-encourage-each-other/" target="_blank"> here with Janis</a> and other like-minded friends for #sundaystillness as we press pause in the midst of the busyness.</i></span>Joy Lentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03486637586238798088noreply@blogger.com10