call me beautiful

Call me beautiful by GinnyOwens

Ginny acknowledges that this song could have been written by anyone.
We all know what it is to have this longing - to be known and loved
and to be understood by just one person. To be accepted as we are.
No one can do this for us on this earth. We cannot do this for anyone else.
God is the One who created me and knows me best and knows all my flaws
and darkness and I now know that there is nothing that I can do
that will make that unmatchable love that He has for me ever go away.

I've been waiting, for a hero who's brave and strong.
Someone to love me, someone to tell me I belong.
So I pretend I'm satisfied, and I stand watching on the sidelines.
Til You pull me into the light and say,
"It's your turn now, welcome to your life!"
And You call me beautiful, say You've loved me all along,
And You've always held the keys to unlock my soul.
You call me beautiful.
There's a smile on my face, and a brand new light in my eyes,
It's a new day, And I've never felt so alive, I feel as if I could conquer anything,
That's what Your love has done for me, And now all I want to be,
Is everything You want me to be-
Oh, You call me beautiful, say You've loved me all along,
And You've always held the keys
To unlock my soul, but I didn't know-
Now I can finally start to live, take those chances I have missed.
Things will be much different, now that I know You call me beautiful.
Bridge:
The story is better than I could dream after all,
Now this is reality
To know You
to hear You call me beautiful. Call me beautiful.
Now I can finally start to live,
Take those chances I have missed.
Things will be much different,
Now that I know, now that I know
You call me beautiful.

picture www.itp.nyu.edu

Grace ....

Psalm 45:2 You are fairer than the sons of men; Grace is poured upon Your lips; therefore God has blessed You forever. photo - www.wlrphotography.com

Victory Over the Darkness

I was reviewing this wonderful book today by Neil T. Anderson. Some of his thoughts that touched me today. We need to move beyond sharing information and start sharing our lives. "Having thus a fond affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us." 1 Thess: 2:8 God loves you not because you are lovable, but because it is His nature to love you. God simply loves you - period, because God is love. Don't trust feelings that God doesn't love you. He loves all His children all the time, whether we do good or bad. That's the heart of God. When the 99 sheep were safe in the fold, the heart of the shepherd was with the one that was lost. When the prodigal son squandered his life and inheritance, the heart of his father was with him and he lovingly welcomed his son home. These two parables reveal that God's heart is full of love for even when we are lost. www.holybiblesketchpad.com/

Be encouraged

The following text is from a book by Gary Chapman. It speaks to me about the things of my life and how easy it is to fall away from the very center of my faith. When I keep my focus on Jesus living His life in and through me and that with Him doing that in all circumstances, I become stronger in the resting in Him. Now, Chapman may not agree with all I say on that but he makes good points about not allowing our feelings (even if in ways they seem to be saying all the right things), to determine our day. One circumstance at a time, one day at a time, one moment at a time, with Him as our Life and our Guide makes every day a time to experience and to grow in Him, despite the tears, the shouts of frustration and the stuff that emotions are made of. I struggle daily in this area. Don't we all to some extent. He gives and takes away. Sometimes our circumstances are totally of our own doing. He knows that too. He is always aware of where we are in this life and how we got to where we are, and you know it, don't you? He loves us with that insurmountable, uncomprehensible, undying love that is Him .... so as I am encouraged by these thoughts today and every day.....may you also be.


"The future is intended to be the brightest portion of your life. Don't spoil it by allowing your feelings to pull you into a debilitating depression. Don't allow bitterness to consume your spirit. Don't destroy yourself with self-pity. Don't drive your friends away by constantly refusing their comfort or by playing your recording of gloom. The Bible is filled with examples of individuals who found their greatest success after experiencing tremendous failures.

You can follow the road of self-destruction and end up with an emotional breakdown. You can make your life miserable by making each day a rerun of the past. Or you can say with the psalmist, "This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
(Psalm 118:24)

You may not be able to rejoice over the past or even over your present situation, but you can rejoice that God has given you the ability to use this day for good. When you do, you will be glad."

Thanks

You all are great. Thanks for today and letting Him touch me through you all. You know who you are! I love it when I see Jesus in others and feel Him moving in me! That is so totally cool.


1st image www.cardmedley.com
2nd image www.oh100.com

Happy Canada Day!

Our God is an AWESOME God!

2nd image www.pericat.ca
3rd image www.mccullagh.org
4th image www.seattlest.com

On Intercession

I have read these verses many times .... today they tenderly have come to me afresh. What a treasure we have been given in Jesus!

Romans 8:26,27
In the KJV

26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Romans 8:26,27
In the NASB

26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;

27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.





first image www.mariannedorman.homestead.com
second image www.getreligion.org

What am I saying today?

No explanation. Exactly!

photo: www.cheshiredave.com

In due time...

Willing to Weep
Artwork by Bobby Horowitz

God values me when I am broken... brokenness is a good thing... as I humble myself under His hand, He will lift me up.... in due time.... The plan is set... The waiting is hard....How long...??

Unchanging One

I looked for love in every single situation,

For something, for someone

That would last a lifetime, a love that never dies

And I find

You know when I wake, when I rise, when I pray, when I curse You

And You love me the same

And You know when I stumble and fall

And You're there through it all

The only Unchanging One

I looked for faith on the edge of my roof

No fear, Daddy's here

Still I struggle to trust You with the rest of my life

When I could just fly

You know when I wake, when I rise, when I pray, when I curse You

And You love me the same

And you know when I stumble and fall

You're there through it all

The only Unchanging One

I looked for You

You know my inmost being

You know my deepest scars

You know my darkest secrets

You know and You love me the same

The only Unchanging One.

Todd Agnew

My Cave, my refuge.

I have been thinking of moving. What do you think?

Romans 8 : 35-39

Contrite and broken

Psalm 51:17

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,

A broken and a contrite heart -

These, O God, You will not despise.

Isaiah 57:15

For thus says the High and Lofty One

Who inhabits eternity,

whose name is Holy:

"I dwell in the high and holy place,

With him who has a contrite and humble spirit,

To revive the spirit of the humble,

And to revive the heart of the contrite ones."


James 4:8-10

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

Cleanse your hands, you sinners;

and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Lament and mourn and weep!

Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,

and He will lift you up.

Hey Dad

So it would be Father's Day today.

Went over to visit with my parents today. My dad is not this dad in the picture. Not even close.
It has taken me a lifetime to understand this. It will take me the rest of my life to understand this. My dad is having some serious health issues right now. He is passing out, falling and hurting himself when he falls. Right now he sports a shiner from a fall. This man is too proud to let us know this is going on. The evidence is hard to hide as of late. He is an isolated, lonely man who pretty much has been angry and bitter all of his life. He lives in his world unwilling to show emotions. He has always had a critical, judgemental, demeaning spirit about him. Growing up was difficult with such a man. Add alcoholism and an abusive nature....this is the picture. You get it, right? Tough man to love and trust and honour needless to say.

I have asked God to change my heart about this man who is my earthly father. Today, I saw the results of those prayers....He is older and tired and sad and scared and I felt Christ just showing me a new kind of love for this man today. As with all relationships ...... if they do not end up being what you long for, desire, expect and pray for.... they disappoint, tear apart and leave wounds that never heal without a holy balm. This is what I have to own...accept and know that in this and through this life with this man who is my father... he never would ever have measured up to my heavenly Father, anyway, and I could never have been the perfect daughter for him. God knows his heart, and God knows my heart on this ... My dad needs some help to see God.... he needs to see Jesus now, in this one simple vessel....and he needs to see Jesus reach out to him through this vessel.

It has taken way too long for me to come to this.

I like what Malcolm Smith says in his book, "Let God Love You".

"Once God's love has been communicated to us, we no longer need to look for approval from others or seek after their love to fill the emptiness and loneliness of our soul. We now know and understand that He is the love we have looked for all of our lives. His presence alone can satisfy and fill us at all times.... It is apparent as we live in the knowledge of God's love that the sadness, crabbiness, and meanness that is exhibited in people either arise from their ignorance of God's love for them or because they have rejected God's love. They do not know they are loved. However we do and treat them as such. We are able to love them because we are loved. We actually become God's love to them.....Living in the love of God through Jesus Christ is the life of a whole person. You rise each day knowing the meaning of your life and joyfully go about your business with a purpose. Your complete reliance on the One who supernaturally fills the limitless, eternal cavity in the center of your being makes every day a miracle!"

Interestingly enough, this is something that extends into every relationship in our life... parents, spouses, kids, friends and those people that are so difficult to love in our own strength. How cool that God brought this to me after talking to a good friend and sister in the Lord about the brokenness in our marriages and then today after seeing my dad....He knows just what I need to hear and when.

Jesus can do the loving of these people through me. He is changing my heart.... it is His heart within me that sees these people in the light of His love. In Him, this is possible, even when I think it is impossible.

Happy Father's Day! To my Heavenly Father, Abba .... and to my earthly dad....I pray he will come to an understanding of the love of the One True Father through this circumstance. Pray with me to this end, saints of God. Every day He brings me closer. Thank You, dear wonderful and loving Father.

www.twainquotes.com

The Gate Seldom Found

Thoughts and quotations drawn from a historical, fiction novel...THE GATE SELDOM FOUND by Raymond Reid. This book is a keeper and I am finding that it is a gem that God pointed out to me alone although the interweavings of this revelation are far-reaching. He is an amazing and wonderful Father.

Are we not simply Christians following the path set down by Jesus? Part of a brotherhood of believers. Free to serve God without any tradition. The New Testament believers never took a label. Do we need one?

"Jesus' last prayer was a plea that His followers might all be one. Having a label promotes a sense of ' I'm different than you' or even I'm better than you. That kind of thinking leads to divisions. If people would abandon their labels and dogmas - and come together in the Spirit of Christ - we'd have unity."

More on this book to come, for sure. Not quite done reading but it is for me, not fiction to me but a Truth inspired work on living this life that is Christ.

Gotta love this one....

I needed a smile and found this one today. Enjoy!

And Furthermore

Can you see it?
Why is it that what is good is always shadowed by that evil one prowling around like a lion. There is not one...not even one ....except the Holy One. I delight to see Him in His children, and rage when they fail to let Him shine through the muck. Unbelievers have an understandable and sad excuse. Those who know Him..... He is able to save to the uttermost. Perfectly, eternally. We are secure in Him and He will show through our limited earthen vessels. He continually represents us... when we really know Him. Do you really know Him?

Ranting is done (for today). I see I am so not willing to give up that looking at others. He can do this through me. Why will I not let Him?

Ranting

You know what .... I am not under any code of conduct, behaviour, style, methodology, list, rules to live by.... and that means I am gloriously free to rant today.

Some people really rile my unusually calm demeanor and today is one of those days. I shall not go into any particular detail because Jesus has asked me not to .... but I am weary of stupidity in and around my life. Sorry.... that is the way I feel at this particular moment in time today.

I shall continue to stomp my feet and lift my voice in total and absolute frustration for a little while longer and then, I know He will gently and lovingly remind me of who I am in Him, and how the things of this world....shall pass away.... and I shall accept again how forgiven I am for being so human and all will be well.....again, soon.

Gleanings in the Fields of Boaz

This is a poem written by a friend of Watchman Nee and a saint deep in the Lord (his words).
I happened upon it while reading 'Gleanings in the Fields of Boaz' by Nee. The book is a short compilation of some letters, revelations to and thoughts by this man who I have come to love and admire. His understanding and love for God was great. This book I came upon after reading about this passage in the Word and finding this title..... I love it when Father weaves together the next thing and the thing after that. May this poem affirm and bless you as it did me.

If the path I travel

Lead me to the cross,

If the way Thou choosest

Lead to pain and loss,

Let the compensation

Daily, hourly, be

Shadowless communion

Blessed Lord, with Thee.

If there's less of earth joy,

Give, Lord, more of heaven.

Let the spirit praise Thee,

Though the heart be riven;

If sweet earthly ties, Lord,

Break at Thy decree,

Let the tie that binds us,

Closer, sweeter, be.

Lonely though the pathway,

Cheer it with Thy smile;

Be Thou my companion

Through earth's little while;

Softless may I live, Lord,

By Thy grace to be

Just a cleansed channel

For Thy life through me.


M. E. Barber

This is way too cool!

This is my webpage as a graph.... I don't understand it all but it is very interesting...Sort of reminds me of wildflowers...and yet it means something to someone out there. I really am a flower child of the decades of the past. Hard to teach an old dog new tricks...but I appreciate the trick, for sure.


Check out....
http://www.aharef.info/static/htmlgraph/

Colissians 3:11 Amplified

ME AND YOU

[In this new creation all distinctions vanish.] There is no room for and there can be neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, (nor difference between nations whether alien) barbarians or Scythians [who are the most savage of all], nor slave or free man; but Christ is all and in all [everything and everywhere, to all men, without distinction of person].

www.planetperplex.com

The coffee's on!

From an awesome blogger's site ... back a few days... Hey Pastor Mike... you don't know how much what you share on your blog inspires my thoughts, makes me laugh and makes me think ... thanks!

"john o'keefe @ ginkworld
was watching "ghost whisperer" tonight and heard a line that i think is the coolest line i had ever heard - it dealt with forgiveness and the actor said [winging it], "not forgiving someone is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die" - oh, how cool is that?

I think I heard Neil Anderson say that on his beta series

The source is not what's important, but the priority of living and walking in forgiveness. Jesus said that if we do not forgive others, God will not forgive us. Or in other words, forgive, or your unforgiveness will kill you."

Like the poison, unforgiveness eats you from the inside out. Oh so true!