What do you see when you pass a flower--a spot of color on your way somewhere? When you look into a flower, the intricacy of God's design is evident. And it brings a sense of joy, stirring the soul. This is just one tiny glimpse of the nature of our glorious God who withholds nothing from us, to extend his love. How much more beautiful and intricately designed are you? You are worth more. Others passing by on their self directed path, barely nodding at the spot of colorful personality you display, have missed it. If the word of God dwells in you through faith, the glory of God lives within you. A flower is.  You are...but eternally. As you look upward to the Son, you are a display of God. Stand in that, and maybe today just resolve to see that in someone you pass.

An Exhortation of Love

You can be victorious. Rest your head on the word of God because it will protect you from the wiles of the enemy who is desperately trying to fool you and lead you astray. There is peace is the pages of the Lord, when you live in love. It's tiring to take issue with so much, and it is tender to find the voice of God in the midst of the struggles of others' unrighteousness. Our own is burdensome enough. Take refuge in the leading of the Lord as He speaks into your life through love, always wanting your best, always loving you most, and always dealing with the principalities that try to govern your ways." Nothing is too formidable for God. Rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I Want My Girls to Know...

Beauty generates a visceral response. It instantly feeds the soul. Yet there is another layer of complexity to our perception of it. It is in the meaning of what we see, where we look, and what we are telling ourselves about it. I want my girls to know they can view the intricacies of a flower and feel awash of peace from its natural beauty. I also want them to look in the mirror at every stage of their lives and notice the beauty that God sees. At 10, the beauty of the energy that can't stand still in front of a mirror, as the body starts to change. At 17 the vulnerable beauty in the eyes, as they bypass the acne. At 23, the vision expressed through a beautiful mouth ready to take on the world. At 30, the beauty in the baby bump though it wears them down and changes shape. At 40 past the stretch marks and new wrinkles, the beauty of the hands in constant motion for others. At 55, past the graying hair, to see the beauty in the gentleness learned through life, as hardships come and go. To see at 65 past the sagging chin and wider middle, the face that is in the grandchildren wanting those eyes on them. At 75 to see in the lines on the forehead years of life lived well and love given. At 88, to see the dignity and joy inside the still brilliant eyes looking at what God has done. And in the last moments to see Jesus' beauty that lived in them their entire lives, looking back in the mirror, and saying "well done my good and faithful servant."

A Time to Move

We stand still at times we need to move. We look onward instead of walking toward. We speak about, instead of speaking to. Avoidance plays a key role in protection, but when it stops us from moving into the areas God wants to charge for us, it hinders Gods blessing. Move in, move on. There is nothing that can stop the Lord, if He is in it.

1Sam 14:6

Sound waves. We underestimate their impact. A gripe here, a criticism over there, an angry word here, a story repeated there, and the waves flow on. Like invisible bowling balls they knock down what is standing and demolish people's careers, marriages, even hopes. What we mean as innocent chatter, or say out of our own frustration; what is repeated to protect us or make us look or feel better about ourselves can be weapons of war in the spiritual battles ensuing. 
Wireless words can be waves of impact, like mini bombs tossed across the city and flowing almost unstoppable, crushing what is in their path. 
Determine today to step away from the temptation. Frustrate the enemy by letting your speech be like the reset button or “delete all,” constantly standing up those around you and reviving possibilities and hope. Commit to sending out sound waves of love.

What is your Bethesda?

The invalid by the pool (Bethesda) thought he needed the pool for healing. But one encounter with Jesus where Jesus asks if he wants to get well, and he is healed. Jesus asks the obvious question (do you want to get well) so the invalid will shift his focus from defeat, and the pool, to Jesus. The healing was instant. And the instruction to pick up his mat and walk was to show the invalid the truth, that he was healed. All those years--38--and one question from Jesus and the man was fully healed. 

Jesus commands him to stop sinning--I presume so he doesn't end up back where he started. Jesus wanted the healing to be permanent. But he also wanted to reveal something about himself and His love. He didn't and doesn't want to see the man or any of us stuck in sin. The deeper issue of a life free in Him was the focus here. 

How often are our eyes on the wrong thing to bring us relief, hope, or healing? We trust in "pools"we cannot even access like more money, status, a person, etc. Jesus looks on, asking in the Spirit, "Do you want to get well?" And there is a wellness that surpasses all of our workouts and health regimens, and even medical management. It is in Him. He is asking all of us if we want to get well. Shift your focus today from defeat to Jesus, and His healing will begin.

The Cause to Pause
There is always cause to pause, but we race in our minds and our bodies, on to the next. The pause is a glory moment. We cease movement and the glory of the artwork in the sky feeds our souls. Or the barren trees share their inner intricacy for a new appreciation of complexity. Or we simply turn the inner eye to recognize the emotion welling up within us that we push aside for activity's sake. The pauses draw us back to God, whose glory is all around – and in us. Grasp a glory moment today, and see how it makes you shine.

Dreams and Doubt

As a planner I like having a goal and moving toward it. But the way God has used me has been walking me into small opportunities for ministry, and I engage and try my best. So these small engagements sometimes feel like I'm not doing much, really. And that's not because I want to claim any credit. I'm quite clear that this is Gods power and anointing, and for His glory. I just don't seem to have that big dream. And I'm a passionate person that wants to have an impact in the Lords power. So in talking to him, I motioned with my arms extending one at a time in circular motion, saying "I don't want just this one thing, then the next, then the next.." I had an instant image of a flower, with petals opening one then the next...and sensed God saying, isn't that how a flower opens? He knows I love flowers and photograph them to reveal his glory, particularly close up, inside the beauty of this creation. An image is worth a thousand words, of which I had none.