Have Fun at Your House

I hugged him goodbye

And said, “Have fun at the shore!” That is where he was going with his family.

He responded with a hug and these words, “Have fun at your house!”

That word from my young nephew pierced my heart.

It was a word from the Father that went straight to my heart,

“Have fun at your house.”

Yes, I contemplated,

I can have fun at my house…in the everyday normal routine

I can have fun as I reflect on God’s goodness…

I can have fun as I load the washer,

As I thank God for a washing machine and anticipate clean cloths,

I can have fun as I wash dishes,

As I thank God for my daily bread and my family who helped dirty these dishes.

I can have fun weeding the garden,

As I thank God for health, sunshine, summer, and these plants that will grow and bring a harvest.

I can have fun as I brush my teeth,

As I thank God for keeping the cavities away.

I can have fun as I hear my husband’s voice as he comes in the door and announces, “I am

        home,” and when I hear my son ask me to pray with him before going to bed.

The list is endless…

When my mind is child-like, thankful, and full of Him…

The possibilities of having fun…are endless!

The Wind of Your Spirit is Blowing

Thank you Lord that the winds of Your Spirit are blowing...
They are blowing away the yesterdays...
The failure, the struggle, the lies...
The mistakes, the worries, the wrong opinions of God that I had...yesterday...

Yes, just like the wind blows over those tracks in desert sand,
Your Spirit blows amazing grace over the yesterdays... and restores.
Yes, You come with Your poured out body and righteous blood,
And You forgive, restore, transform, remake...

The old goes with Your saving grace,
And the new is planted with the rich grace of Your extravagant love,
The extravagant love of a good, good Father,
Who loves to give extravagantly...and be all that I need.

Thank you Lord, for the wings of Your Spirit
That lift me up and always bring me to Your redeeming victory!

The Battle...The Warrior

The Battle…The Warrior

Oh, the darkness of despair

That sees the natural so narrow-minded,

That despair that cuts through the soul with fear,

That seems to swarm around your head and effect everything you see,

The sadness that leaps upon you, paralyzing you,

Until it strips you of wholeness, faith, peace, hope, and a sound mind,

Yes, until all joy is dried up

And life becomes deep and dark…

And that darkness that covers:

The dawn that is spreading across the mountain…

The army of the heavenly hosts that have appeared to help…the likes of what you couldn’t imagine,

It blocks out the fire of passionate desire that is being released from the Father’s heart…

It hides the garden of delight, the blessings, the favor of the Lord,

Confusing your thoughts about the goodness of God or His purposes of love and delight for you.

But suddenly…

That fierce enemy of despair

That seemed to puff itself up so mightily…

Suddenly…it appears tiny…

And away it goes…

Running in fear, screaming…

That is because the Mighty Army has come!!!

The mighty army that scales over the land like trained soldiers…

The Lord leads this army,

He scatters all the enemies…

He wins the fight…

He turns and whispers,

“Come…return to Me, for I am gracious, merciful, kind.

 I am eager to help…”

Oh come and rejoice in the Lord with me…

For He has delivered me from my enemy of despair, my enemy of death, my enemy of darkness…

He rescued me…

He knows me completely and cares…

He has come to show me His unfathomable love and the desire of His heart

For me to be whole…healed…and blessed!

Come, let us rejoice in the Lord!!!

Joel 2

In the Brightness of Your Love..

In Your brightness Jesus,
The brightness of Your love 
I can see ahead.

Oh, I may not be able to see the direct road,
The answer at the moment,
Or the way You will rescue and provide...
But the brightness of Your love reveals,
Hope for the journey
Assurance of Your presence,
Confidence of an outpouring of Your wisdom, faithfulness, and goodness.

The brightness of Your love
Keeps my eyes focused on You, Jesus
As I go forward...
Into the unknown...the unfamiliar...the unplanned.

The brightness of Your love delivers hope, peace and a rest
That Your hand is upon my life...this circumstance,
And a confidence that You will...
You will bring me through to the other side...
Victorious...safe...sound...and blessed!!!

"God, all at once, You turned on the floodlight for me! You are the revelation-light in my darkness, and in Your brightness I can see ahead." Psalms 18:28 TPT

Slowly...Steadily...Surely

The Lord asks me

In the darkness and chaos of the day

To look again

And be amazed…

Be amazed…because, “I am doing something…”

“But Lord,” I question

“I cannot see, I do not understand…

All I see and feel is the darkness.”

Gently and kindly the Lord responds,

“Slowly…steadily…surely…

The promise will be revealed

The dream will be fulfilled.

Trust me, precious one,

Wait patiently…and know

The righteous live by faith,

And I am always faithful!”

“Continue,” He encourages me.

“Continue to watch…be astonished

In the big and the little.

For I am faithful…always faithful.

Slowly…steadily…surely…

Wait patiently…believing

And before your eyes…the promise will be revealed!”

The Attempt

Fear comes and attempts to manipulate
And demand that I
"Fly away to the mountains to be safe."

But why should I do that
When I am already safe in the Father's soft embrace?

Fear tries to be sneaky
Tries to sneak around the corner
With logical reasons for me to leave,
Leave my place of peace.
It tries to get me to fear
The unknown path, the apparent report, the growing obvious...

But why should I put my guard down
And entertain this invader...who wants to pry me

out of my safe place?

I am safe
No matter what the obvious looks like...
I am safe in the soft embrace of my Father!

Yes, I am safe where my soul can celebrate,
Celebrate the truth...and sing,
Sing of my Father's faithfulness, His goodness, His constant loving care.
Yes, I am safe in the Father's soft embrace of peace!