embrace moment

Death and life are in an eternal embrace We cannot have one without the other

love moment

not where I breathe
   but
     where I love
             I live

mirror moment

too many live in the hall of mirrors of others expectations
     of who they are ...
they live there so long
     they lose all memory of who they truly are
          lose all desire to be real

there is a death that occurs
    right while looking into those mirrors

a shattering, not of the mirror
   but of self

even to the point where the
      soundless scream of soul is silenced
         not by another
              but by self

only Love can penetrate this illusion
      and yet
         even in the new awareness
              there is a choice

allow the unwrapping of the grave clothes
     or
        stay wrapped

the hold of the familiar,
      the known, 
         is at times
            is married to the fear of the unknown

towel moment

now that the blood
and whispered glory of Friday is over
I have this wondering ...

why is it
that our hands
designed to nurture
caress
shelter
find it so much easier
to grasp a nail
rather than
pick up a towel
to clench a fist
rather than open a palm

see moment

to eyes that see
       every bush is a burning bush

authority moment

true spiritual authorities are located in the point of an upside-down triangle, 
supporting and holding into the light everyone they offer their leadership to

from every death comes new life, in every wound there is the opportunity for healing and hope.

if we do not transform our pain, we will most assuredly transmit it

Jesus is not observing human suffering from a distance; he is somehow in human suffering with us and for us

Don’t get rid of the pain until you’ve learned its lessons

Suffering is the only thing strong enough to destabilize the imperial ego

The cross is always unto resurrection

Transformed people transform people

safe moment

You’re more than your hands do.
You’re more than your hands have.
You’re more than how other hands measure you. 
You are what is written on God’s Hands: 

Safe. Held. His. Beloved.

hand holding moment

Never underestimate the power of empathy: Sometimes life throws you problems you can’t solve and pain that won’t go away. Unless you are asked for advice, don’t give it. Instead, just hold their hand and ask them to tell you more about what they are feeling. You would be surprised the miracles that can emerge from simply saying “that sucks” and offering a hug.

slave moment

watched "12 years a slave" the other night ...
difficult movie to watch
made more difficult knowing it was a truth

have been pondering ever since
how we can be a slave to sin
and suffer the chains
the beatings
the death
of that enslavement

how we can be "sold" by one slave master
to another slave master
by one sin
to another sin

how we can lose our identity
and be one known by the name our new "master" gives us
alcoholic
drug addict
adulterer
lier

interestingly enough
our ladies group studied Lot's wife this morning
we are never told her name
simply that she looked back
and died

how often does Jesus free us
only to have us "turn back"
either in actual fact
or in a yearning moment

seeking that momentary pleasure once again
even knowing
it leads to death
either spiritually
or spiritually
or both ....

this hold true for relationships too ...
someone who you KNOW sucks you into sin
either by thought or physical act
and yet ....
there is this missing
this desire for contact
simply because the enemy knows our vulnerable hole
that wishes to be filled
by a touch
a word
a look

God help me not to turn around and look back ....
ever

yikes moment

Hebrews 6:7-8

Amplified Bible (AMP)

7 For the soil which has drunk the rain that repeatedly falls upon it and produces vegetation useful to those for whose benefit it is cultivated partakes of a blessing from God.

8 But if [that same soil] persistently bears thorns and thistles, it is considered worthless and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.

what does the soil of me produce .....

     fruit

         or

               thistles .......

Sunday moments

living loved
dwelling deep
listening
pondering
feeling the warmth of the spring sun
hearing songs of life
feeling the pulse of the earth
aware of a quiet birthing all around me

fear moment

there was a moment

of great fear 

when I called out for help

and

Christ entered my dark place of fear 

and explosively worshiped the Father in it

filling that place

that corner

that tiny closed room in my spirit

with His light

with Himself

and all that He is

and suddenly

there was song ....

and

once again

death was conquered ...

freeing moment

there needs to be an uprooting of the soul 

         to free the spirit