I AM

I AM.........

I am finite.

I can only be in one place at one time.

I am quiet.

I am soft spoken.

I am a child of God.

I am being refined by Him.

I am nothing without Him.

I am being tossed to and fro, unsettled.

I am not satisfied.

I am fearful.

I am selfish.

I am often struggling, kicking against the goads.

I am lacking in purity in love.

The Temporary

HE IS.........

He is infinite.

He is transcendent, always near yet far.

He has the voice of thunder and wind and waves.

He is the voice of Truth.

He is my Heavenly Father.


He is refinement itself.

He is everything.

He is the calm in the eye of the storm.

He is the only One who satisfies.

He casts out all fear.

He is forgiveness.

He is selfless.

He is perfect peace.

He is perfect love.

The Reality

HE IS THE GREAT 'I AM'.


Through Him:

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 

Philippians 4:13

I am convinced of this, that the one who began a good action among you will bring it to completion by the Day of the Messiah Jesus. 

Philippians 1:6

 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  so that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good action. 

2 Timothy 3:16-17

As all of us reflect the glory of the Lord with unveiled faces, we are becoming more like Him with ever-increasing glory by the Lord’s Spirit. 

2 Corinthians 3:18 

With Him, I am:

LIMITLESS

TEMPORAL AND ETERNAL

ASSURED

BOLD

ADOPTED

RIGHTEOUS

EQUIPPED

ANCHORED AND SECURE

CONTENT

FEARLESS

FORGIVEN

AT PEACE

SURRENDERED

GRACE FILLED, LOVING UNCONDITIONALLY

IN THE WORLD BUT NOT OF IT!


Because HE IS, I can be all that He is!  By His grace and love outpoured...........

The Eternal

The impossible becomes possible. With Him. May Jesus Christ be magnified and God be glorified in and through us by the power of His unfailing love and Holy Spirit!

A GLORIOUS CALLING

 We are all called to something higher. We are all called to something higher, Someone higher, more important, with more power than this world has to offer. We are called to be in a constant, close, connected relationship with our Creator. And, we are called to become like Him.

Most certainly, a high calling. It explains the yearning, the longing that we all experience to reach beyond the everyday, the mundane, the routine. He created us before the foundation, the creation of the world. He put this desire deep inside our hearts. To use our gifts and talents. To discover exactly who He made us to be.


Yet we look elsewhere to satisfy that longing. And, truly, the only One who can satisfy is Christ, the Son of the living God.

We are made in His image. We are to abide in Him. We are to become like Him.

Dare I say, we are to become the suffering servant?! In truth, it is the only way we will satisfy that longing within.  We need to walk the walk, not just talk the talk. Really. No, really.

Not for faint of heart. Not for the self seeking or the proud in heart. Yet when we are weak then He is strong. Glory belongs to Him alone.

Strength in weakness, in suffering, in dependence. A novel concept.

Yet, our loving God would have it no other way. Lives lived in love must sacrifice, must suffer in this world. We all want to love and be loved. Sometimes love hurts. Sometimes love suffers long. True, sacrificial love always heals.

Though I do hate to be the bearer of bad news, I do love to be the light bearer of Truth. TRUTH: His ways are not our ways. His ways are higher than ours. Don't believe the lie that this life should be easy and without suffering. If you do, you will find constant disappointment and heartache.

Let's take a look at our Savior. Jesus, the Christ, was born into a meager life. He became a carpenter. Nothing fancy. He grew in grace and knowledge of His heavenly Father so that He could be about His Father's business.  Not His own. He was taught in the temple in His younger years. He waited. He sat patient listening to scripture and being guided by the Holy Spirit. He led a simple life. He waited for His Father's timing in being called to walk worthy and share His calling with others as He had been instructed.  He sat, watched, waited. He waited for His Father's purpose for Him, in His Father's perfect timing, to be used for His Father's glory.  Not in His own timing, not for His own purposes, and not for His own glory. Sacrifice.

Jesus walked when called by His Father to preach the word of Truth in LOVE. Though all power was to be given to Him by the Father, He walked and preached with humility and love.

When His time had come, Christ stood firm in the will of God trusting in the plan and purposes of His heavenly Father. He stood against the lies of the Evil One who tried to persuade Him not to fulfill His God-given destiny.  He drew the sword of Truth in defense knowing His steadfastness would glorify His Father and draw many sons to glory.

He sat waiting patiently resting on the promises of God. He walked following the Spirit preaching to many, enduring ridicule, and all the while look to the future His Father had promised. He stood firm in the Truth based upon the plan and promises of God.

He sacrificed self in mind, in spirit and finally in body. He died once,  for all. No fanfare, no trumpets, no press releases, no praise. Yet, He inherited the kingdom from and for the glory of His Father.

We are called to such a calling. It looks different for each one of us but end result is the same. To be made in His image, to be transformed, redeemed, a witness for Truth and bear the eternal weight of glory. To sacrifice. It is a high calling. It is a glorious calling. It is a not-of-this-world calling. We must live it today.

Embrace it. Live it. Tough love. Only the best things in life come from tough love: grace, mercy, forgiveness,  justice, peace, life ever after. The BEST things in life are NOT free.  They require giving love, suffering and sacrifice. They result in freedom, healing, and reward. Loving when life is not easy. The sacrifice is great but the rewards are greater still. The giving brings more blessing than the getting.

May we believe in and live out our eternal vision in the here-and-now and give  ALL glory and honor and praise to our Father in the spectacular heavens and His Son, Jesus the Christ, our Lord and our King!

FOR FREEDOM, FOR LOVE

On this night of deliverance
Our freedom was bought by just One.
Who seemed of no significance
When the horrific deed was done.

Who, in His sacrifice, died once for all
He redeemed the broken, the fallen, the weak.
While self appointed judges looked upon Him appalled,
Those who believed stood watching unable to speak.

The Bread of Life, the blood outpoured.
As the earth shook and the thunder roared,
Tears flowed and tempers soared.
Sacrificed as the Lamb unblemished.
As grace grew and sin diminished,
He gasped His last breath and uttered “It is finished”.

In victory, the veil was torn.
A new age of redemption and healing was born
Through the one and only Son so scorned.
He ushered in the law of liberty.
In tremendous triumph, the cold tomb lay empty.
Death is defeated; we are no longer held guilty.

All for Freedom.
All for love.
Mighty as a Lion.
Yet gentle as a dove.

Into the wind we sing praises to His name.
For Freedom, for life ever after, for amazing love.
In unity, in spirit we are one the same
Because of this beautiful gift of God from heaven above.

All glory and honor and praise to our Heavenly Father and our Messiah, Jesus the Christ through Whom we have the gift of life eternal!

What Love Is This?

February. Hearts, cupids, and valentines come to mind. The month known as the month of love. Ah, love.


But what is love? What does love look like in action? How does it come alive? Truly......

"The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God."

Leviticus 19:34

Is it butterflies in the stomach, ballroom dances, batting eyelashes, and beating hearts intertwined? Is is caring cards, caressing cupids, sugary sweeties, and fragrant flowers? Is it diamonds or pearls wrapped in ribbons tied in pretty bows?

Or is it an aching heart that longs for unconditional acceptance, approval and affirmation. A heart that is reaching out to others wantingly waiting to give love and to be loved in return just because.... Because of the beauty that lies waiting there. In relationship. In closeness and emotional intimacy. A spiritual, not of this world, connection.

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength." Deuteronomy 6:5

A heart not aching for what is expected or received but for what beauty a union in sacrifice can bring.  Sacrificing wants, hopes, dreams for the sake of another's wants, hopes, and dreams. Sacrificing alone for togetherness. Sacrificing taking for giving. Sacrificing 'me' for 'you' or 'us.'

Love is the grace that abounds in the midst of mistakes. The forgiveness that follows grace and flows like a babbling brook meandering endlessly and noisily so that none can mistake its journey of restoration and rest. The transparency that comes from knowing revelation of the depths of the soul, the light and the dark, and transmitting and accepting love all the while. Sacrificing time and energy spent elsewhere on something else to give the gift of time to someone who is feeling lost, in the midst of losing, in the thick of needing. The unconditional that runs too deep for words. The love that leaves you speechless.

Being a shoulder, the hands and feet, the heart that helps the healing begin. A tool, a vehicle of love carried and conveyed without out boundaries and borders. Without conditions. Giving without being asked. Extending without expecting.

The sacrifice of self, of wants and desires, in the face of uncertainty. Letting go of agenda to empathize, trying to understand rather than imposing feelings of being misunderstood. Doing what is painful, difficult even when it seems undeserved. Without walls built and gates closed. The only guard posted is protecting love outpoured. Doing the right thing even when it hurts.  Even when it feels wrong. Even when it is undeserved.

The giving rather than the getting. The loving rather than losing. The surrender rather than saving. The sacrifice rather than the selfishness.  The pride swallowed.

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8

The beauty. Hearts that collide in seeking to become one flesh in relationship. Enraptured with grace, forgiveness, sacrifice, giving, yielding and the peace and beauty that comes from the overcoming of loving in this way.

True love is not of this world. Not of the flesh but born of the Spirit.

It is rest for the weary, water for the thirsty, food for the soul.

Love. This is love. It is pure. It is simple. It is sacrifice of self unconditionally.

Our gracious God gives it to us freely and unashamedly.  He gives it to us in abundance so we can freely give it to others. No matter what the circumstance.

Sacrifice. Of self. For others and for Him.

"Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments;..." Deuteronomy 7:9

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven... "

Matthew 5:43-45

Rest. In His arms. Let others rest in yours.

"And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live."

Deuteronomy 30:6

Freedom. To love unconditional as He does with us. No agenda. No self. No shame.

"The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

Perfect Love.

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another." John 13:34

The Humbled and Exalted Christ.

 "Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,  fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.  Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others."

 "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,  and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Philippians 2:1-11 

Amazing Love.

Born of Spirit rather than flesh.

Accept no other.

Know it well.

 Give it freely.

Yesterday, Today, and Forever

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."  Hebrews 13:8

The woman on the barge was hot and tired. The sweat was beginning to bead up on her brow and upper lip. Her arms ached and her feet were sore, hot and starting to swell. She was working hard in the galley both cooking and cleaning.  Though somewhat strained, feeling thirsty and in need of rest, she was doing a good job and felt comfortable at her tasks.  Nonetheless, she sensed her mind, body and spirit crying out for repose from her labors.

The woman turned to her left and there stood a man, partially in shadow, who seemed familiar but she couldn’t place the familiarity. His face was not clearly in view. He placed his hand gently upon her shoulder and smiled. She felt a strong sense of his reassurance for a job well done and turned back to her work feeling the need to rest more urgently than before. Again, this time to her right, the woman felt a presence and again the same man was there beside her smiling at her. His face was clearer yet still remained unrecognizable. He motioned for her to come to him and beckoned that she stand beside him at the door of the galley facing the outside.  There they saw, through the open doorway, another large ship slowly departing from the dock and on its upper deck sat a dear friend. The tired woman called out to her, waved frantically at her friend trying to gain her attention, and smiled but her friend never turned to look;  her friend remained focused in the opposite direction that her ship was taking her.  With a heavy heart and her eyes brimmed with tears, the woman turned to the man to express her deep sense of loss and grief.

She gazed up at the man beside her suddenly feeling a tremendous sense of love and hope.  He took her hand. His hands were warm, his eyes were full of reassurance, and his smile was one of confidence.  The sadness suddenly washed from her!  In an instant, they were standing on the marble floor of a home with many rooms, windows, hallways and alcoves. She was barefoot; the stone felt smooth, cool and soothing under her hot, tired feet. Relaxation flooded her body. There was a gentle breeze blowing around them and the curtains, long and flowing, were dancing in the wind. The woman felt total peace and calm as her fatigue melted away.

The kind man led her to and through several rooms where others were relaxing, reading, having quiet conversation, or napping.  They then came to an oversized doorway that opened up onto a small patio and garden area, followed by a narrow road with a fence and gate on the other side. Beyond the gate there was a stony pathway that continued on for a short distance, leading into an expansive, lush green lawn. And, far off there was an extremely large fountain whose water flowed continuously and the color matched the clear brilliant blue of the sky.  Both the lawn and the sky seemed to go on forever. It was the most beautiful sight the woman had ever seen.

The man gently took her by the hand and said. “The path that lies before you is a rocky one. Would you like to put your shoes back on?” She decidedly said, “No, I think I can make it. It will be alright. With you, everything will be alright.” and He smiled at her and said “Yes, it will.” and slowly led her by the hand toward the garden path. The once tired, worn out worker felt strength, power and healing working their courses through her as she stepped out onto the path with Him.

To some of you, this story may sound familiar. Perhaps you are that woman. Maybe you recognize the symbolism of the Narrow Gate, the Living Water, the Holy Ground, and the Holy Spirit among others. I recognized it, too, when I woke up early one morning not long ago. God, through His faithfulness and love, gave me this dream as a gift during a time when I was intensely doubting myself and struggling with temptation. I was that woman.

In His infinite love and wisdom, my Redeemer was kind enough to send me a gentle reminder of many things:  1) That faith with works must come from a pure heart and a desire to serve Him in love relying  fully upon Him and His perfect will and not be done to please others; 2) He will equip us with what we need when we need it in order to accomplish His purpose 3) He is ever present, constantly watching and loves and cares for me deeply not wanting me to labor in vain and to find true rest in Him; 4) He grieves as I do over those who have turned away but has not given up on them and uses them as a reminder to us as to what it means to remain faithful; 5) He desires for me to rest in His house daily, wanting me to spend time with Him, away from the physical burdens of this world, both now and in the future; 6) His Spirit is always available to me but I must seek it earnestly; and 7) His living water and His gift of eternal life should be the focus of my daily walk enabling me to withstand the difficulties in which He, His Holy Presence, never, ever leaves my side.

I pray for you to find time for Him, at His feet and in His Word, daily. I pray that you truly seek His will about your own life in all things. Let us make it and Him and priority and the focus of our lives continually seeking ever possible moment to grow closer to Him.  May we continue 'to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ....." He created each one of us with a specific purpose in Him; let us truly seek to fulfill His purpose in Him and for Him! He is there for you and will supply for your every need. Remember HE IS the same yesterday, today and forever!  That promise is one you can count on!


^"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
1 Cor 15:58


 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’^[a] ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’^[b]   Revelation 7:17


"Then God spoke to Israel in the visions of the night, and said, “Jacob, Jacob!”And he said, “Here I am.”' 
Genesis 46:2


“Now a word was secretly brought to me,  And my ear received a whisper of it. In disquieting thoughts from the visions of the night, When deep sleep falls on men." 
Job 4:12 -13


"And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions."  Joel 2:28

^" God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.  We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,  where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.  Hebrews 6:18-20