2nd and 3rd Week of May, 2014

The month of May certainly opens my eyes again to the beauty of creation! As I struggle to relate to such beauty my imagination is set to work, just as the earth is set to work unfolding its new wonder. Each year I want to slow May down long enough to hold that "ephemeral Spring." My desire also, is to grow in my knowledge of this Creator...

Relational God

a significant part of who God is

has to do with His relationships with people

-how He relates

-what drives Him away

-what draws Him near

this all solidifies His character

reading through the Old Testament i wonder about His patience

His incredible longing to connect with us as fallen individuals

He isn't satisfied with our shallowness

He isn't impressed with our desires to impress

He never fails to reach those who reach out to Him

and in the New Testament the Holy Spiirit intoxicates us with grace

His connections are solid

His truth grasps us and does not let go

He doesn't hate us the next day

or decide He's had enough and now on to something new

His name is above all names for a reason

He even WANTS us to love Him

He isn't bothered if we do

but is bothered if we don't

He isn't annoyed by our awkward attempts to do His will 

but instead, delights that we try to please Him in all things

His love draws us in more

He invites by His beauty

and His holiness is beautiful

His kindness crushes our meanness

we linger over His mystery

we fall into reverie at His promises

we do not need to fear any lies or inconsistencies

because His never failing loving-kindness is new every morning

May, 2014: first week

The Unknown God
 by Henry Francis Lyte, 1793-1847

the Lord hath builded for Himself
He needs no earthly dome;
eternity His home

you glorious sky His temple stands,
so lofty, bright, and blue,
all lamped with stars, and curtained round
with clouds of every hue

earth is His altar, nature there
her daily tribute pays;
the elements upon Him wait;
the seasons roll His praise

where shall I see Him?
how describe the dread, Eternal One?
His foot-prints are in every place,
Himself is found in none

He called the world, and it arose;
the heavens, and they appeared:
His hand poured forth the mighty deep;
His arm the mountains reared

He sets His foot upon the hills,
and earth beneath Him quakes;
He walks upon the hurricane,
and in the thunder speaks

i search the rounds of space and time,
nor find His semblance there:
grandeur has nothing so sublime,
nor beauty half so fair

before time

-before time-

my imagination extends to

an uninterrupted place

creation calling again and again

God's unending power

sovereign will

amazing grace 

all in one

my heart's cry is for wholeness

oneness

unending grace

yet, within myself i cannot achieve this

i need the power of God

people hurt people

lives go through constant change

like the interrupted life cycles

and daily agendas 

Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter

maybe past this time

i will find uninterrupted grace

where His power helps me forgive

where in each moment i find hopeful joy

where healing is like breathing

just in and out

in and out

simple moments

faith filled moments

restful moments

"I will give Thee thanks with all my heart;

I will sing praises to Thee before the gods.

I will bow down toward Thy holy temple, 

and give thanks to Thy name

for Thy lovingkindness and Thy truth;

For Thou hast magnified Thy word according to all Thy name.

On the day I called Thou didst answer me;

Thou didst make me bold with strength in my soul.

All the kings of the earth will give thanks to Thee, O Lord,

When they have heard the words of Thy mouth.

And they will sing of the ways of the Lord.

For great is the glory of the Lord.

For though the Lord is exalted, Yet He regards the lowly;

But the haughty He knows from afar.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me;

Thou wilt stretch forth Thy hand against the wrath of my enemies,

And Thy right hand will save me.

The Lord will accomplish what concerns me;

Thy lovingkindness, O Lord is everlasting;

Do not forsake the works of Thy hands."

Psalm 138