mountain mover

Mountain Mover

Imposing mountains loom,

Casting dark shadows

Blocking light needed to bloom

Night and fear enclose,

Sun eclipsed,

Losing hope,

Summits appear firmly fixed.

Oh but who is He?

The one who spoke creation

The one who parts the sea

The one who sets foundations

The story writer

The one who makes a way

The one who is our lamplighter

Who on the cross his love was displayed

He is the mountain mover

He dispels the blackness

He holds the future

He wipes tears and turns mourning into gladness.

He is the father that walks beside

He is the holy one enthroned above

He is the one who changes the tide

His power is more than enough

He is our inner peace

He is our sheltering fortress

In him our strivings cease

In him we are found faultless

He is the one who moves the mountains,

Who with a word, sets the stars in place.

He offers living water from his fountain

And pours out upon us, unending grace.

He is the one the hills bow down to.

He is the mountain mover.

water ballet

Water ballet

Impossible crossing

Endless waves spanning the expanse

Pillars deposited creating uneasy trail through the depths

Journey looms

Solitary artist

Dancer joined by Ageless prince

Clumsy Tentative steps

Hand outstretched, arms reaching

Commence Adagio for the Pas de deux

Pirouettes gracefully atop posts

Unsteady misstep

 Fall from place

Dancing paused

Patient partner waiting

Muscles stretched

Ballet resumes

Arabesque followed by Grand Jete’

 Lifting, turning and leaping

Finding safe landing amidst watery route

Ever moving towards grand finale

 Ballet Master, Choreographer and partner

Guiding in effortless Artistic dance of life

Ungainly wanderer turned nimble ballerina

Proverbs 3 :5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the LORD in everything you do, and he will show you the right way. 

My daddy’s giving me a new pair of glasses

  1 Samuel 16:7

But the Lord told Samuel, “Don’t look at his appearance or how tall he is, because I have rejected him. God does not see as humans see.[a]Humans look at outward appearances, but the Lord looks into the heart.”

My daddy’s giving me a new pair of glasses

We see  Leah unwanted left to her own,

Her daddy saw and opened her womb.

In David we see adulterer,

His daddy saw a heart like no other.

I see pain and fear.

My daddy sees beyond the tears

My eyes see brokenness

My daddy see’s wholeness

  I discern faults and fissures

His heavenly thoughts often differ

I see backsliding sinner

He knows who is truly the winner

My daddy’s giving me a new pair of glasses

My sight temporal

My daddy’s view eternal 

I see lost and discouraged

My daddy see’s Faith and courage.

I see only the physical

The spirit moves in the Invisible

I need a quantitative analysis

My daddy works in the miraculous

My daddy’s giving me a new pair of glasses

His spirit is fashioning a pair without scratches

 His glasses are painting a whole new picture

Giving me a view that’s in sync with scripture.

Aligning my sight with his heart

An image that only His son could impart

My daddy’s giving me a new pair of glasses

2 Kings 6:17-20 (NIV) "And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."

Eternal Glory

+Eternal Glory

'Christ of Saint John of the Cross'

By Salvadore Dali

Eternal glory stretched out on display

Bent low in humble sacrifice

Majestic gift filling the expanse

Continual atonement all encompassing

Metal anchors cannot hold 

Holiness poured out

Zoe birthed by death

Hope of glory

Light of men

Inspired by Maggie Robbins

Thank you for Visio Divina

Full Flight

The majestic eagle plumed in finery

Each feather needed so vitally

Some to steer and glide

All required to take flight

Full breadth of wingspan to fully soar

Both wings bringing to heavens door

 

  

Practices from another time

Disciplines with eternal design

Holy, Holy, Holy is He.

This our sight when we sit silently,

Meditating on beloved scripture,

Fasting from worldly pleasure,

Seeking the savior in the quiet rest,

Giving and submitting in service

Prayer, worship and Heavenly reflection

All for our own sanctification

Charismata, spiritual graces,

Gifts of a supernatural nature.

Love overflowing, outpouring to all

When the Holy Spirit allowed to fall.

Words of wisdom and knowledge unlocking hearts,

Prophecy, miracles, healing's to impart

 For the benefit of our sisters and brothers

Experiencing the fathers love like no other

Rooted

Rooted

2 Corinthians 4:18 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Seeds cracking open,

Greenery sprouting, 

Upward reaching for light,

Roots tunneling downward,

Spreading, burrowing into loamy soil,

                                   Quietly searching for nutrients,

Ever channeling wider,

Drinking life giving water.

Anchoring deeper for firm foundation

Harsh weather, drought, flood,

Roots visibly twisted in response,

Reaching into the depths for more,

Growing strong and tenacious.

Fearless mooring providing stability,

Mining soil for all its riches.

Life above allowed to blossom

 Branching outward,

Fruit yielding.

Ephesians 3:14-19

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

 Jeremiah 17:7-8

 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD And whose trust is the LORD. "For he will be like a tree planted by the water, That extends its roots by a stream And will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought Nor cease to yield fruit

RCC Prayer for buildings

RCC Prayer for buildings

Dear Heavenly Father, Creator of the heavens and earth

We praise you and thank you for your son Jesus Christ. We thank you that your plan has always been to reconcile us back to you and as we receive your gift of salvation we thank you that we are privileged to be called sons and daughters’ of the most high God.

We thank you that in your design for redemption you saw fit to include us, your church, in the plan to help establish your Kingdom here on earth. We are humbled and in awe that we at RCC get to call each other brothers and sisters in Christ as well as all who belong to the body.

I thank you for the vision given by your Holy Spirit to bring life from brokenness for Reading City Church and in your pleasure you have provided the buildings to create safe gathering spaces where the lonely, seeking, lost and broken can join in praising you.

We honor those who have gone before in prayer, in sweat and in hope in establishing the foundations for the physical structures for these churches. We are asking that you, Lord, continue to guide us and those who will come after in stewarding these buildings.

Let these edifices bring you glory through your Holy Spirit flowing out of us, emanating out to the neighboring communities. Let these places of worship team with life Lord. Our prayer though is that we would not hinder your will by our limited vision but we are asking in boldness to provide the vision and all that is needed to use these establishments to their fullest capacities. We ask that they not be used to build barriers between your church and the world but are invitations to the world to come and experience how good you are and experience being part of the  family of God.

Abba father we ask your store houses to be opened for all that is needed. We are asking provision of funds and workers and protection over the properties as well. We cannot do this without you. We ask that there would be continued unity and that the elders and we your body would work as of one accord as we together seek your heart and will.

"Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!" Revelation7:12

The Fathers heart

The Fathers heart

Daddy’s and diaper changes,

Tickles and tosses in the air,

Nightly kisses from familiar faces,

Learning to risk and to dare,

Warm and hearty embraces,

Earthly glimpses of Heavenly care.

But so often, fathers equated to pain,

Safety and comfort out of reach.

The hurt and the lack, leaving many chained.

The Father’s love so hard to teach,

The sorrow, making hearts stained,

Unforgiveness creating wall’s not easily breached.

How to tell of a heavenly father

One who gave it all?

A daddy who will always honor.

The one who knew of the fall,

Ready with plan to redeem his sons and daughters,

The son in mercy, answering the call.

We his children so often reject.

 Abba  daddy always patiently waiting,

Looking for our return and to connect.

Hoping his love to be reciprocated,
 But the fathers love can bear our neglect,

Even in our selfishness he is captivated.

To know of his Son is to know his heart.

Salvation and reconciliation worth the cost.

A heavenly adoption that will never depart,

A celestial inheritance that cannot be lost,

Identity given that the enemy cannot thwart

In Accepting son-ship, spirit and soul thoroughly washed.

The giver of holy presents

The counselor left for good measure

Papa never leaving, always omnipresent

Looking for the one lost sheep, his treasure

In the trinity full embodiment

The fathers heart, for all to be together

God knows all of his children by name.

Being born of the spirit again,

No longer to walk in shame.

With him in heavenly places we reign,

Freedom in Christ we proclaim.

Father God’s touch never leaving the same.

My story/His story….

My story/His story….                        

 This was originally written in 2010 and shared with few but as I am following a study on If: Gathering called Redeemed, I feel its a good time to post part of my story.

                  11/5/2010
     I have felt led to write my story (or I should really say His story in my life). The theme that has popped up in my life is of a thread in a tapestry. This is not totally an original thought, one book I read talks of the scarlet thread and others have talked of the tapestry of life. Some how I can relate to being a thread in a great big tapestry…. I wish I knew more of my families past but I guess the thread of how God has moved in my family begins, for me, when my mom was a small child. She was a victim of ritualistic abuse and incest from the time she was a small baby. The abuse was horrific; enough to cause her mind to dissociate or split the memories and store them into different “personalities”. Needless to say Life was pretty horrible for her.   I remember my mom tell of an Aunt in the family who was good to her and tried to help her. She was a “goyam,” a non Jew. This Aunt also gave her a bible. Then my mom told of calling out to God to stop the abuse, to rescue her .And for a very long time she believed that he had not heard her.

     Now fast forward many years…the tapestry had continued yet at times, Gods work seemed almost invisible.  My mom married and had 4 children, a boy, then a set of twin girls and finally me. But where was God when one of my sisters was born with Cerebral Palsy? She was confined in a wheel chair unable to even feed herself.  Where was God when my parents divorced and sent my sister to live away because they could no longer care for her? Where was God when my brother turned to a life of drugs? Where was God when Davra, my sister, died at the age of 19? Where was God when my mom began to become unraveled? Where was God when I turned to boys to find love? Where was God when life was tumbling out of control…………….

     God was quietly piecing together the different threads that would lead to my salvation and journey towards wholeness. You see that cry of the abused little girl did not go unnoticed. The Lord has confirmed in my heart that he heard and saw and was at work. My sister Davra is even now walking with the Lord...She was “saved “before she died. A very caring church would come and pick up some of the special needs people at Davra’s school including her. She became good friends with a spirit filled girl named Caroline. At her funeral the Pastor came and spoke of God and the after life. Having a Christian at the funeral was very out of the ordinary for this “Jewish “family. So Davra was the 1st to become”rescued”. The thread continued to be woven..My brother had gone deep into his addiction and his only hope was to be sent across country to make a new life away from the drug culture in NJ. God was skillfully bringing together people and events that would ultimately transform / convert my brother to a believing Christian. And then there is my own  thread …God had been pursuing me for quite some time…I remember when my sister died that I wrote in my diary that God wanted her in heaven with him and some how I knew she was walking and talking  there.  Davra’s death is also when the enemy began to pursue. I was an adolescent trying to cope with a sister who died, divorced parents and a brother who blew away all trust. And like many have told of before …I turned to what the world had to offer….love, sex, illegal substances and many poor choices.  I was looking for a savior in human form.

     Fast forward I got married still making poor choices. Wanting more but not knowing how to get it. And then the thread became visible and the picture more clear. I went west to visit my brother who had been following God for about a year or more. It was Easter time and we went to visit an orphanage in Mexico and then to a church service where the Pastor made an alter call and some how my hand went up and my body moved forward. I wanted whatever they were talking about.  Those first few months were like walking on air. My heart knew what had happened but my head had not quite gotten a hold of all that I said yes to. It would take many years and many trials before the bigger picture of Gods handiwork would become more evident.  Trials in my marriage, trials with loved ones, illnesses, trials where Gods presence and purposes where interwoven; sometimes evident and sometimes not so clear.

     Even now I cannot comprehend the enormity of the work He is doing.  I picture this enormous weaving, with my family occupying the tiniest corner of the Tapestry and I know it is not done yet.  I continue to see His movement as I rejoice that my mother was “rescued/saved” about seven years ago. I also see what God is weaving into my children’s lives, how much more vibrant the thread is, and what possibilities await in their lives and their children’s lives. I will not be here on this earth when the Artwork is finished but am thankful that I can trust the Craftsman with his vision and that someday I will get to behold the beauty which His hands have made.  In the mean time my family’s story is being added to the tapestry one stitch at a time.
 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Honored Guest

Honored Guest

 

Powder sugar coated fingers, jelly stains,

Muck and mire clinging tightly

Lie says, outside is where you need to remain

The door though is opened wide

He in majesty beckons in name

Hand in hand walking beside

As servant bent low bathing in gentle affirmation

Not just feet but face and fingers too

Calling forth to the celebration.

Sweeping into beloved daddy’s arms

Brought forth as honored guest

Safely ensconced, worldly life can cause no harm.

Though once again stumbling forth  into muddy hole

No strength of will to resist

Surely now the door will close

Yet still the beacon sounds

Enter here, water for washing ever supplied

Untarnished garment awaits with crown

 Come and dance, the call the same

Seventy times seven and forever more

The wiping away of shame

“Loved one”, continual access to Abba father

The invitation indelibly stamped in the son’s blood

Always and eternally beloved daughter

Belovedness

Belovedness

Treasured one, cherished and cared for

The place where you are seated in his heart

Loved never less only more

Bestowed from birth your belovedness

The earth has rubbed away the shine

And given names of otherness

 But this his assurance

His nature cannot else belie

By his atonement beloved transference

From this loved state,

Though often we try to deny,

You cannot escape

Belovedness is the gift

Your status never changing in his eyes

His Precious love do not resist

BE loved and love His Son

Then to others do impart,

Yahweh’s will to be done

Arise in this adoration

You are chosen by the Beloved

Bring now this belovedness to his creation

Romans 1:7

To all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 9:25

As He says also in Hosea, "I WILL CALL THOSE WHO WERE NOT MY PEOPLE, 'MY PEOPLE,' AND HER WHO WAS NOT BELOVED, 'BELOVED

Colossians 1:13

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,

The one

The one

(Jesus x one = Infinite possibilities ) All Generations

You are the one,

It is you that I seek,

Come away,

You alone are who I want to meet.

The crowds, the masses,

You alone are my desire,

Their turn will come,

But for now come sit by my fire.

Though for the world I died

It is for your heart that I fight.

And though for all the sacrifice,

 I ask you to warm yourself in my light

Multiplied by one,

My power, love and splendor

Can move mountains and break chains.

So Come away and surrender

Place yourself in my equation

You are the one I will chase

I am multiplication

The 99 can wait

The many, much loved,

But one times infinity

Is all that I need

My love given individually

When each adding to the whole

The sum exploding exponentially

Transformation and reconciliation

All together yet separately.

Bowling balls and bow and arrows

Bowling balls and bow and arrows

Aiming through narrow lanes,

Put the bowling ball down.

No need to lug and lift and throw,

Gently now lower to the ground.

Pins all lined up in a row,

Target in plain view,

Limited in its reach,

Man’s control to try to hit the few.

Now The archer’s tool to wield

The weight and draw fit to size

To aim and release the goal

Arrow placed, let loose and fly

Quiver filled like overflowing bowl

Windage adjusted by the Lord

Target greater, farther than sight can see

 Destination by man unexplored.

The call to serve where we are placed, sometimes feels like we are bowling, heavy, ungainly and demanding of lots of effort. But in truth we simply need to heed the call, to pick up the bow, aim and release then rest in the  Lord trusting he knows where to land what he asked to be released.

"Jesus said to His followers, 'Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.'” Matthew 11:28–30

 2 Kings 13:15-17  Elisha said, “Get a bow and some arrows,” and he did so. ¹⁶ “Take the bow in your hands,” he said to the king of Israel. When he had taken it, Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands.¹⁷ “Open the east window,” he said, and he opened it. “Shoot!” Elisha said, and he shot “The Lord’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram!” Elisha declared. “You will completely destroy the Arameans at Aphek.”

Jeremiah 51:11

Sharpen the arrows, fill the quivers! The LORD has aroused the spirit of the kings of the Medes, because His purpose is against Babylon to destroy it; for it is the vengeance of the LORD, vengeance for His temple

Growing pink

Growing pink

White: holy unblemished and pure

Not of this world

Nor of human form

Perfect sacrifice forevermore

Red: rivulets from flesh surrendered

Earthly gift

Heavenly giver

Life flowing act of love

Growing pink deep inside

Something new

Supernatural flow

Out pouring agape’

 Emanating beyond all borders

Deposited spirit and love

Moving mountains external and within


 During  a teaching on hearing God's voice, We were to  ask God What color do you see in so and so... My Partner replied green on the outside( for growing) and Pink in the middle but the pink was really God's pureness in white, mixed with God's love in red...thus the poem .

Kintsugi

KINTSUGI

Lumpy old clay,

Loving hands molding.

Useful vessel

 Filled with living each day

Imperfect cistern,

Leaky cracks unable to hold,

Constant flowing in

  Momentary glimpses of eternal springs.

Fractures growing in evidence,

 Seeping, sieve of a jar,

Never the less unending source

  Life blood streaming in decadence.

Ordinary container,

Empty ever so quickly,

Words of eternity poured out

 Created to be a love retainer.

Seams in repair,

Gaps tended and cleaned.

Gold dust filling,

 Mended with holy Care.

  

Sanctified Vessels,

Earthenware being overlaid.

Transformed holder,

 Now fashioned with Precious metals.

"Kintsugi is the centuries-old Japanese art of fixing broken pottery with a special lacquer dusted with powdered gold, silver, or platinum." We are like ordinary vessels that often have flaws and cracks and dings and it sometimes feels like in one breath we are filled with his presence and the next feeling so empty. But our heavenly potter continues to pour into us a never ending supply of love and continues to fill those cracks with gold dust transforming us into beautiful vessels.  

http://mymodernmet.com/kintsugi-kintsukuroi/

Image taken from

 http://www.amusingplanet.com/2014/05/kintsugi-japanese-art-of-fixing-broken.html