The last two Friday morning Church in the Park gatherings brought 65-70 people. Yes, there was just enough food but this Friday we were actually short one fork!!!
Pastor Dave asked if anyone wanted to pray for the Lord to bless the food. One of the men stood and said he would. We had never seen him before but his prayer was so powerful- he shared that the Word says when you fall, get up, and if you fall over and over again, get up over and over again. Then he prayed for the food and thanked God for the sense of community that we all had together.
He knew the word and he knew what to pray...and then he sat down. Nothing fancy, just very real...
It is such a relief to be in the middle of what God is doing...now...here is the thing with me...He has allowed me to be a part of what others have stepped out to do...I want to step out on something He would have me do. Don't you? Any thought on what you think He is nudging you to do?
Maybe if we exchange some ideas it will spark something in us to move on it...
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Thursday night church in the street...
Tracy is a woman in the church who runs a daycare in the rough area of our town. It has always been rough. Anyone who has grown up here has lived there at one time or another. Every town has this neighborhood in it. Ours is no different than any other. Except that we love people here. Some of us have family here. Some of us are still here. Some have friends here. We all have some connection to this place.
The Friday morning church in the park service takes place at the edge of this neighborhood.
There are gangs, drugs, alcohol problems, poverty, racism, inner city stuff...there's a lot of anger here, and depression. There's also a lot of hope, but it is hidden deep within the hearts of the children here.
Tracy knows this, so she ventured out awhile back and started a gathering. Another simple concept that God has blessed because of her obedience. Her brother lives here. Every Thursday night she sets up the bar-b-que, the bounce house, and the chairs. After everyone gathers she feeds them, sends the kids to bounce, and does her bible study with the adults. Simple. They all need to eat, the kids need to have fun. They all need Jesus.
Tracy gives them all three. But last night, hundreds showed up. The word got out that Tracy was going to do something a little different. There would be a bounce house and a water slide for the kids and a trackless train for them to ride in. There would be school supplies given out (school starts next week). There would be hot dogs, chips, and soda. Tracy got permission to close the street off.
Literally hundreds showed up. Tracy was nervous. She didn't have enough food. She certainly didn't have enough school supplies. We didn't have much time to think about it though because we were serving food and the line seemed endless.
Everyone kept asking for us to start handing out the school supplies. Tracy kept hesitating. There just wasn't enough.
Pastor Elias said we should pray for the Lord to multiply. There they were, all the kids and parents lined up to get their supplies. Someone explained to them there wasn't enough so we would hand them out until the supplies ran out.
I took Pastor up on his suggestion. We asked everyone to join us in prayer as we asked the Lord to multiply the school supplies.
Then they started handing out the supplies....it took forever to finish. Finally everyone was taken care of. Everyone was taken care of! AND...there were supplies and food left over!!!!!!!!
What is so excellent about the whole thing is that every man, woman, and child there got to see the miracle. They became an integral part of the mercy of God being poured out into the community. They prayed, they said, "Amen". They got their need met. I am blessed...truely...to know women like Tracy and Misty who are not hesitant to see their vision through.
Tracy is on the worship team with me. There you have it again. Yes, we come together at the start of each week to celebrate what God is doing OUTSIDE the walls of church.
I am awestruck at the simplicity of Luke 17.5-10. We work out in the field, we enter into the worship of God, then we get ministered to by Him...this is no extraordinary thing...this is what He has called us to from the start...
The disciples asked Jesus to "Increase our faith" in verse 5. Look at his answer! We struggle so much with what we believe. We ask God to increase our faith..His answer is: Get out into the fields, bring in the harvest, come and serve Me dinner, and then you may sit down and eat.
Lord, teach us to keep You uncomplicated. Teach us to simply do what you have assigned to us.
Acts 4:29-30 is my prayer for all of us.
The Friday morning church in the park service takes place at the edge of this neighborhood.
There are gangs, drugs, alcohol problems, poverty, racism, inner city stuff...there's a lot of anger here, and depression. There's also a lot of hope, but it is hidden deep within the hearts of the children here.
Tracy knows this, so she ventured out awhile back and started a gathering. Another simple concept that God has blessed because of her obedience. Her brother lives here. Every Thursday night she sets up the bar-b-que, the bounce house, and the chairs. After everyone gathers she feeds them, sends the kids to bounce, and does her bible study with the adults. Simple. They all need to eat, the kids need to have fun. They all need Jesus.
Tracy gives them all three. But last night, hundreds showed up. The word got out that Tracy was going to do something a little different. There would be a bounce house and a water slide for the kids and a trackless train for them to ride in. There would be school supplies given out (school starts next week). There would be hot dogs, chips, and soda. Tracy got permission to close the street off.
Literally hundreds showed up. Tracy was nervous. She didn't have enough food. She certainly didn't have enough school supplies. We didn't have much time to think about it though because we were serving food and the line seemed endless.
Everyone kept asking for us to start handing out the school supplies. Tracy kept hesitating. There just wasn't enough.
Pastor Elias said we should pray for the Lord to multiply. There they were, all the kids and parents lined up to get their supplies. Someone explained to them there wasn't enough so we would hand them out until the supplies ran out.
I took Pastor up on his suggestion. We asked everyone to join us in prayer as we asked the Lord to multiply the school supplies.
Then they started handing out the supplies....it took forever to finish. Finally everyone was taken care of. Everyone was taken care of! AND...there were supplies and food left over!!!!!!!!
What is so excellent about the whole thing is that every man, woman, and child there got to see the miracle. They became an integral part of the mercy of God being poured out into the community. They prayed, they said, "Amen". They got their need met. I am blessed...truely...to know women like Tracy and Misty who are not hesitant to see their vision through.
Tracy is on the worship team with me. There you have it again. Yes, we come together at the start of each week to celebrate what God is doing OUTSIDE the walls of church.
I am awestruck at the simplicity of Luke 17.5-10. We work out in the field, we enter into the worship of God, then we get ministered to by Him...this is no extraordinary thing...this is what He has called us to from the start...
The disciples asked Jesus to "Increase our faith" in verse 5. Look at his answer! We struggle so much with what we believe. We ask God to increase our faith..His answer is: Get out into the fields, bring in the harvest, come and serve Me dinner, and then you may sit down and eat.
Lord, teach us to keep You uncomplicated. Teach us to simply do what you have assigned to us.
Acts 4:29-30 is my prayer for all of us.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
I'm getting it...
I have this longing in my heart to be productive for the kingdom. I spent so many years behind church walls and still am fully involved in our little church plant. I don't want to leave the church, that's not what I'm saying. But I do want more.
I came into the Friday morning church in the park quite by accident. Jimmy called me one Friday morning a while back and told me that those who had signed up to serve the food that day would not be able to come after all. He asked me if I could come down and help.
Jimmy is my son. He is the Worship pastor at a Nazarene church plant here. It is a long story why me and my kids all go to different churches. I guess it could be a sad story but we are all serving God with a passion so ultimately it is a story of victory. I lead worship at a Foursquare church plant here. Leah serves with her husband at another Foursquare church clear to the north of us about 20 miles away. Bekah and her husband are co-pastors of another Foursquare church about 20 miles west of here. Jimmy lives here. He is my youngest. It is his church that does the Friday morning church in the park service.
When he called I of course went to help. That was about 5 months ago. I became a part of it that day. It is some kind of marvellous thing that is happening. Here we meet with people who have no home, no source of steady income, no anything. Some because of hard times. Some because they just stopped being able to cope emotionally. Others because of alcohol and drugs. Some have warrants out. Some love God. They all come of their own wills. It isn't just for the food. They come to hear how God used men and women just like them to change the world.
Pastor Dave shared Hebrews 11 with them this Friday. All the heroes of faith lie in that chapter. They did great things in God and their faith is bragged about on these pages. They cheer us on as we run this crazy race. But Pastor Dave began to unravel the horrible sins of them all: David murdered and committed adultery, Jacob deceived his own father. Sin after sin, I watched as their eyes were fastened on P. Dave as he shared. They could relate now. There was no noise as he told them what great things God could do with a group like the one we had this day. It wasn't about what they did, it is about what He can do with them if they would allow it.
Some days, in the heat and mugginess, I see that yearning in their faces. They're getting it. I'm getting it. We're all getting it. As far as God is concerned we all look exactly like those who were sitting at the tables Friday morning. We were all wretched, poor, blind, miserable, and naked. We are all absolutely the same.
I am restless to do more. There are others, not just the homeless ones, that are lost. I read that there are 9,703 lost souls dying every hour of every day. Slipping into eternity without Jesus. So, yes, I will lead God's people into His presence with worship, but I must live my Christianity outside the walls.
God help me to do His work, His way, when He says. God help us all!
I came into the Friday morning church in the park quite by accident. Jimmy called me one Friday morning a while back and told me that those who had signed up to serve the food that day would not be able to come after all. He asked me if I could come down and help.
Jimmy is my son. He is the Worship pastor at a Nazarene church plant here. It is a long story why me and my kids all go to different churches. I guess it could be a sad story but we are all serving God with a passion so ultimately it is a story of victory. I lead worship at a Foursquare church plant here. Leah serves with her husband at another Foursquare church clear to the north of us about 20 miles away. Bekah and her husband are co-pastors of another Foursquare church about 20 miles west of here. Jimmy lives here. He is my youngest. It is his church that does the Friday morning church in the park service.
When he called I of course went to help. That was about 5 months ago. I became a part of it that day. It is some kind of marvellous thing that is happening. Here we meet with people who have no home, no source of steady income, no anything. Some because of hard times. Some because they just stopped being able to cope emotionally. Others because of alcohol and drugs. Some have warrants out. Some love God. They all come of their own wills. It isn't just for the food. They come to hear how God used men and women just like them to change the world.
Pastor Dave shared Hebrews 11 with them this Friday. All the heroes of faith lie in that chapter. They did great things in God and their faith is bragged about on these pages. They cheer us on as we run this crazy race. But Pastor Dave began to unravel the horrible sins of them all: David murdered and committed adultery, Jacob deceived his own father. Sin after sin, I watched as their eyes were fastened on P. Dave as he shared. They could relate now. There was no noise as he told them what great things God could do with a group like the one we had this day. It wasn't about what they did, it is about what He can do with them if they would allow it.
Some days, in the heat and mugginess, I see that yearning in their faces. They're getting it. I'm getting it. We're all getting it. As far as God is concerned we all look exactly like those who were sitting at the tables Friday morning. We were all wretched, poor, blind, miserable, and naked. We are all absolutely the same.
I am restless to do more. There are others, not just the homeless ones, that are lost. I read that there are 9,703 lost souls dying every hour of every day. Slipping into eternity without Jesus. So, yes, I will lead God's people into His presence with worship, but I must live my Christianity outside the walls.
God help me to do His work, His way, when He says. God help us all!
Monday, August 13, 2007
prayer call
We have all been talking lately about our longing for a real, authentic, powerful walk with the Lord. I think I have come across a sister in the Lord who could use some of our authentic prayer right now. And I know she could use some encouragement.
I have come across a site called "especially heather". I think if you visit it you will come to love this woman who is facing severe difficulties at the time. This site is her journey. She is a worshipper of God and His friend and I know you will sense His presence in her words as she writes from her heart her honest and raw thoughts and emotions.
So I am starting a worldwide prayer chain for her via our blog sites. Let me know if you will be sending her an encouraging word and if you will be praying for her. Let her know as well...and then, let your favorite bloggers know about her site that they may bless her as well...how about it?
Especially Heather, this post is for you...May the Lord bless you, and keep you. the Lord make His Face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His Countenance on you and give you peace...Numbers 6.24-26
I have come across a site called "especially heather". I think if you visit it you will come to love this woman who is facing severe difficulties at the time. This site is her journey. She is a worshipper of God and His friend and I know you will sense His presence in her words as she writes from her heart her honest and raw thoughts and emotions.
So I am starting a worldwide prayer chain for her via our blog sites. Let me know if you will be sending her an encouraging word and if you will be praying for her. Let her know as well...and then, let your favorite bloggers know about her site that they may bless her as well...how about it?
Especially Heather, this post is for you...May the Lord bless you, and keep you. the Lord make His Face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His Countenance on you and give you peace...Numbers 6.24-26
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Just a thought...
Being new to the blog world I am excited as I travel through and read what others have to say. I am excited because there is a stirring once again inside the hearts of believers to be real, authentic, active God people, Christ followers, whatever label is attractive to you right now.
And yet I am concerned that so much time is being spent with what is wrong instead of getting out there and being what is right.
Yes we need to be out there where the lost are. Yes, lost! Out there...where the very real, lost ones are who are desperate to hear there is a God who went out of His way for them. I love what was written about Jesus at Today at the Mission's Finding Jesus in Finland. God went out of His way for us. Listen, I know the church can be quite the messy place. Humans have the unique ability to make messes wherever they go. But that is me and you as well.
The church experience should be, (my opinion only) a coming together of believers who have been 'out there' all week doing the work of God, listening to Him, saying what He would have them to say, reaching out to those in need, whether it is spiritually or materially, coming together at least one day a week to CELEBRATE over what they have seen the Lord do while they were out there. Does that make sense?
Celebrate, worship and maybe even receive the Word for ourselves so that we are strengthened to go out once again for another week of being at His disposal to do what He is doing in the earth.
It's time to start talking about what God is doing through us rather than what is wrong.
I truly believe every reviving of the church was started with a hunger for the real which was created by on-fire, energetic, positive members who were being productive and enthusiastic.
A fired coal sets the cold coals next to them on fire. A fired coal standing alone dies out. We need the fire of each other to keep the fire going...
Imagine what would happen if we refused to be critical and instead got up close and personal with the unlit ones....what a fire could be started.
And yet I am concerned that so much time is being spent with what is wrong instead of getting out there and being what is right.
Yes we need to be out there where the lost are. Yes, lost! Out there...where the very real, lost ones are who are desperate to hear there is a God who went out of His way for them. I love what was written about Jesus at Today at the Mission's Finding Jesus in Finland. God went out of His way for us. Listen, I know the church can be quite the messy place. Humans have the unique ability to make messes wherever they go. But that is me and you as well.
The church experience should be, (my opinion only) a coming together of believers who have been 'out there' all week doing the work of God, listening to Him, saying what He would have them to say, reaching out to those in need, whether it is spiritually or materially, coming together at least one day a week to CELEBRATE over what they have seen the Lord do while they were out there. Does that make sense?
Celebrate, worship and maybe even receive the Word for ourselves so that we are strengthened to go out once again for another week of being at His disposal to do what He is doing in the earth.
It's time to start talking about what God is doing through us rather than what is wrong.
I truly believe every reviving of the church was started with a hunger for the real which was created by on-fire, energetic, positive members who were being productive and enthusiastic.
A fired coal sets the cold coals next to them on fire. A fired coal standing alone dies out. We need the fire of each other to keep the fire going...
Imagine what would happen if we refused to be critical and instead got up close and personal with the unlit ones....what a fire could be started.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Friday morning revisited...
Jimmy and Erin and Pastor Dave were already at the park when I arrived. They were getting the charcoals ready for firing. Tony saw me get out of the car so he came over to see if he could help carry anything. We walked toward the gazebo. Tony is one of the homeless ones. He and a few others are always waiting to help carry the load. They aren't here for a handout. This is church and they are serious. Tony always seems defeated, kind of like Eeyore. Gentle, though, and quiet.
Now, the ladies today were not quiet. Betty, Amanda, and another lady I have not been introduced to as yet could not settle down today. Betty can switch back and forth from weeping and sad to the most outrageously loud, vulgar woman ranting and raving about. Amanda is also prone to wild outbursts, until Pastor starts preaching. It is then that she is ready to pounce on anyone who isn't listening to the Word. And she'll let everyone and anyone know how displeased she is. While Pastor Dave preaches you will see Amanda totally focused on his every word with one hand in the air as praise and honor to God. I do not know the other woman's name. She was quite taken with the Word being shared today and cried in dismay as she realized that she carried the same qualities as the Pharisees Jesus dealt with.
Betty was angry with the woman I do not know. Amanda was upset with her as well for her cries were too loud for them. Somehow the Lord kept them at a manageable level today.
The men sat and listened though.
I guess what I am trying to say, as difficult as it is to share the Word over the ruckus today it was so obvious that the ruckus was their way of showing how seriously they didn't want any one to keep them from hearing what Pastor Dave was sharing.
It is church all the way. What an honor to be able to serve and sit with these ones. How good it is to be with Jimmy, my son, and the other Journey people on these hot summer desert days under the gazebo in the park on Friday mornings.
Now, the ladies today were not quiet. Betty, Amanda, and another lady I have not been introduced to as yet could not settle down today. Betty can switch back and forth from weeping and sad to the most outrageously loud, vulgar woman ranting and raving about. Amanda is also prone to wild outbursts, until Pastor starts preaching. It is then that she is ready to pounce on anyone who isn't listening to the Word. And she'll let everyone and anyone know how displeased she is. While Pastor Dave preaches you will see Amanda totally focused on his every word with one hand in the air as praise and honor to God. I do not know the other woman's name. She was quite taken with the Word being shared today and cried in dismay as she realized that she carried the same qualities as the Pharisees Jesus dealt with.
Betty was angry with the woman I do not know. Amanda was upset with her as well for her cries were too loud for them. Somehow the Lord kept them at a manageable level today.
The men sat and listened though.
I guess what I am trying to say, as difficult as it is to share the Word over the ruckus today it was so obvious that the ruckus was their way of showing how seriously they didn't want any one to keep them from hearing what Pastor Dave was sharing.
It is church all the way. What an honor to be able to serve and sit with these ones. How good it is to be with Jimmy, my son, and the other Journey people on these hot summer desert days under the gazebo in the park on Friday mornings.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
You're it!
I woke up this morning with stuff weighing on me. I had a few minutes to spare before I had to leave for work and decided to visit with some friends online when I saw that the Lord has got me involved in a game of tag of all things. Isn't it just like Him to provide a way of escape from troubles.
John has started this on his site, Christians Confess, and I got tagged by Heather. I spent much time at work thinking about this and so here goes...
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Apologize for three things that Christians have often got wrong.
Your apologies should be directed towards those who don't view themselves as part of the Christian community.
Alternatively, apologize for things you personally have done wrong towards those outside of the church.
2. Post a comment at the originating post so others can keep track of the apologies.
3. Tag five people to participate in the meme.
4. If desired, send an email with the link to your blog post at the Christians Confess site, giving permission for your apologies to be added to the website.
The three things (out of many more) I apologize for are:
1. I am sorry for using the phrase, "I'll pray for you" as an excuse to not have to get too involved with your life.
2. I am sorry for the time the Lord nudged me to go over to you to tell you about Him but I didn't. I hope someone else along your path was more obedient and loving.
3. I'm so sorry for not allowing your cries for help to penetrate me; I belong over there where you are and not protected (imprisoned) behind church walls.
I tag:
bekahs bologna
shaun bell
graceisthepoint
Romashka Journal
John has started this on his site, Christians Confess, and I got tagged by Heather. I spent much time at work thinking about this and so here goes...
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Apologize for three things that Christians have often got wrong.
Your apologies should be directed towards those who don't view themselves as part of the Christian community.
Alternatively, apologize for things you personally have done wrong towards those outside of the church.
2. Post a comment at the originating post so others can keep track of the apologies.
3. Tag five people to participate in the meme.
4. If desired, send an email with the link to your blog post at the Christians Confess site, giving permission for your apologies to be added to the website.
The three things (out of many more) I apologize for are:
1. I am sorry for using the phrase, "I'll pray for you" as an excuse to not have to get too involved with your life.
2. I am sorry for the time the Lord nudged me to go over to you to tell you about Him but I didn't. I hope someone else along your path was more obedient and loving.
3. I'm so sorry for not allowing your cries for help to penetrate me; I belong over there where you are and not protected (imprisoned) behind church walls.
I tag:
bekahs bologna
shaun bell
graceisthepoint
Romashka Journal
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Restless
I should be gathering my music for the morning service. I should be getting the worship in order. I should be but I haven't been able to . It is now 7:45 PM and I can't seem to focus. So many thoughts run through my mind.
I was visiting with deconstructed christian while avoiding my own tasks and was caught up with her topic on the label 'Christian'. I hate labels. I hate what the world does with them. A once so meaningful and risky identification is now a term to define , oh, i don't know, a political agenda.
How gross, how stupid. Or is it?
Funny thing about the world, it sees what it sees. Maybe that is what most of us have become: living statements of our opinions concerning how everyone needs to behave. We sometimes wear our opinions like badges never admitting that what we call ourselves has nothing to do with reality.
Christian, what a label. It was once the title of those who have died for their faith. It meant death to self and trust in God. It defined those who had found the living God.
Ultimately, I want the original definition to be me. I like the label Heather was given: a God person. I remember when jeans were only worn by farmers. Then we started finding them in army surplus stores and bought them for five dollars. It became our identity. Bell bottoms meant you hated the establishment, loved freedom, were intelligent and interested in reality and spirituality....if I remember correctly it meant a few more things.
Suddenly, without warning denim started appearing in stores with pre-made holes and worn out areas. Suddenly they cost 30 dollars and parents were wearing them. Society has a way of doing that. Jeans were stripped of their meaning. Why, they were being worn by the enemy. They meant comfort and fashion and establishment. They don't mean that now but I still wear them. Christian doesn't mean to others what it should but I'll still wear it.
But I think if I had to give myself an identifying label it would be.....His! I want to be completely His. I want to be a God person. Then you can call me whatever....cause He calls me His.
I need to get ready for tomorrow....my heart is not in it right now. It would be nice to just forget the formalities and find worship pouring out of me for no reason at all....
Thanks, Heather, for introducing a new label, God person. Let's enjoy it before THEY strip it of its wonder...
I was visiting with deconstructed christian while avoiding my own tasks and was caught up with her topic on the label 'Christian'. I hate labels. I hate what the world does with them. A once so meaningful and risky identification is now a term to define , oh, i don't know, a political agenda.
How gross, how stupid. Or is it?
Funny thing about the world, it sees what it sees. Maybe that is what most of us have become: living statements of our opinions concerning how everyone needs to behave. We sometimes wear our opinions like badges never admitting that what we call ourselves has nothing to do with reality.
Christian, what a label. It was once the title of those who have died for their faith. It meant death to self and trust in God. It defined those who had found the living God.
Ultimately, I want the original definition to be me. I like the label Heather was given: a God person. I remember when jeans were only worn by farmers. Then we started finding them in army surplus stores and bought them for five dollars. It became our identity. Bell bottoms meant you hated the establishment, loved freedom, were intelligent and interested in reality and spirituality....if I remember correctly it meant a few more things.
Suddenly, without warning denim started appearing in stores with pre-made holes and worn out areas. Suddenly they cost 30 dollars and parents were wearing them. Society has a way of doing that. Jeans were stripped of their meaning. Why, they were being worn by the enemy. They meant comfort and fashion and establishment. They don't mean that now but I still wear them. Christian doesn't mean to others what it should but I'll still wear it.
But I think if I had to give myself an identifying label it would be.....His! I want to be completely His. I want to be a God person. Then you can call me whatever....cause He calls me His.
I need to get ready for tomorrow....my heart is not in it right now. It would be nice to just forget the formalities and find worship pouring out of me for no reason at all....
Thanks, Heather, for introducing a new label, God person. Let's enjoy it before THEY strip it of its wonder...
Holick Avenue
I was at work when it poured the other day. The sky was amazing. Watching the storm clouds sweep over the sun and change the colors of just about everything brought me to a time 15 years ago in the very same place.
And I must tell you I am amazed at the fact that I am now working in the very place we lived when we first moved back here from a shaky 6 year ride in Arizona.
We lived down the street from where I now work...I used to love to watch the storms pass through. Bright green leaves would turn silver as the sun refused to be darkened by the clouds. Dark trunks would appear white. White houses seemed whiter and shadows were as black as night just before and immediately after one of these storms.
I remember standing on the porch and watching the colors of the trees turn silver and white. Then I looked further to see the mountains all around. These ordinary brownish grey mountains were purple and black.
There were some sunset evenings when those very same mountains were as pink and orange as they could be. They turned black when the clouds finally conquered the sun.
Stuff like that fills my senses. It is beyond my imagination to think up those kinds of color palettes. Light and lack of light can do that.
Art masters spent years playing with how light can dance across an object and change the whole focus of a painting.
I stood there that day, and I remember that I was so sad and yet overcome with the beauty of the color changes...and I wondered what color everything really was. Which light showed the true color of anything?
That day, with the wind and rain and the sun peeking through He spoke. That is how it is with us mostly. I wonder and He speaks, just drops understanding deep in my heart. The Lord showed me that day that the clouds and the light and rain that came and went were like the circumstances in our lives. They change the appearance of everything 'til we wonder what is reality anyway. And I understood that day that the very fact that there is a mountain whose colors can change just proves that there is a mountain. So, He tenderly showed me that the very fact that there are circumstances that change my perception of God and His capabilities is just proof that He is there, like that mountain and those trees, and He is Who He is no matter what the circumstances make Him out to be. He has not moved, He is right there in front of me, leading me. The circumstances changed the surface appearance but He is ever who He said He would be.
And I stood there, at work, just the other day, and that whole conversation with My God was as fresh and new as the day we first had it.
Now that the years have passed I can say, with all honesty, I learned to trust Him in a new way that day and this trust has carried me through quite a few episodes of changing circumstances.
If nothing else, age lends itself to security. When I looked at the storm the other day I found I was still standing on the Rock where He had placed me that day back on Holick Avenue.
And I must tell you I am amazed at the fact that I am now working in the very place we lived when we first moved back here from a shaky 6 year ride in Arizona.
We lived down the street from where I now work...I used to love to watch the storms pass through. Bright green leaves would turn silver as the sun refused to be darkened by the clouds. Dark trunks would appear white. White houses seemed whiter and shadows were as black as night just before and immediately after one of these storms.
I remember standing on the porch and watching the colors of the trees turn silver and white. Then I looked further to see the mountains all around. These ordinary brownish grey mountains were purple and black.
There were some sunset evenings when those very same mountains were as pink and orange as they could be. They turned black when the clouds finally conquered the sun.
Stuff like that fills my senses. It is beyond my imagination to think up those kinds of color palettes. Light and lack of light can do that.
Art masters spent years playing with how light can dance across an object and change the whole focus of a painting.
I stood there that day, and I remember that I was so sad and yet overcome with the beauty of the color changes...and I wondered what color everything really was. Which light showed the true color of anything?
That day, with the wind and rain and the sun peeking through He spoke. That is how it is with us mostly. I wonder and He speaks, just drops understanding deep in my heart. The Lord showed me that day that the clouds and the light and rain that came and went were like the circumstances in our lives. They change the appearance of everything 'til we wonder what is reality anyway. And I understood that day that the very fact that there is a mountain whose colors can change just proves that there is a mountain. So, He tenderly showed me that the very fact that there are circumstances that change my perception of God and His capabilities is just proof that He is there, like that mountain and those trees, and He is Who He is no matter what the circumstances make Him out to be. He has not moved, He is right there in front of me, leading me. The circumstances changed the surface appearance but He is ever who He said He would be.
And I stood there, at work, just the other day, and that whole conversation with My God was as fresh and new as the day we first had it.
Now that the years have passed I can say, with all honesty, I learned to trust Him in a new way that day and this trust has carried me through quite a few episodes of changing circumstances.
If nothing else, age lends itself to security. When I looked at the storm the other day I found I was still standing on the Rock where He had placed me that day back on Holick Avenue.
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