prayers

I recently read a post on social media about a woman who suffered from severe depression but had managed to hold the darkness back into remission for 7 years. She said that it wasn’t just one thing that saved her, but “a million little things all coming together.” She said God was there in the mental, spiritual and physical battles. There were friends, meals, talks, nature, medicine, meals, worship and thankfulness, but the one healing factor that stood out for me was her mention of prayers.

Whether prayer is private or public, done individually or communally; prayer takes on many forms. We recite litanies, hymns and scripture. We used to speak the Lord’s prayer in school. Monks chant them; some sing their requests and others are silent thoughts send heavenward. Some prayer warriors bow their heads; others dance, chant or sway. Prayer is that spritual connection to the God of the universe.

When some people pray, they might have their list of wants all ready and expect God to answer prayers the way they want them answered, but God wants to develop and deepen our relationship with Him. Sometimes His answer to our prayers is a “yes” or a “no” or “wait for an answer” but through our prayers, God does hear us. He hears the cry of our souls, the joyful jubiliation of praise and thanksgiving and even intercessory prayer for others.

In a world of uncertainty; we can be certain that prayer does matter. When we feel we are under the cloud of aches, groans and wellness, we need to be reminded that we are under the shadow of the Almighty. He sees us, knows us and hears us. Matthew 6:9-13 - "This, then, is how you should pray:…" Bocelli sings it beautifully.

Andrea Bocelli - The Lord’s Prayer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8jImIjg4UY

triangles

Perhaps there is some point in our lives where we need to let go, be a little crazy and break from the comfortable and mundane. Perhaps we have been forced to think safety and security when we really need to nurture our true natures and dream again.

Maybe it’s time to sit in the forest among the trees in silence for a time; perhaps a few days alone. Time to turn our heads in other directions. Break out of our boxes and try a triangle. Maybe it’s time to live on the edge, in the moment, get uncomfortable. We think we will live forever, but in fact, we don’t know when our last day on the planet might be. We hope for healthy old age but our precious breath could suddenly cause a “no tomorrow” for us. Why are we so afraid?

Maybe it’s time to wander into new spaces and be terrified of taking a first step; letting go. Time to try something we’ve never done before and dare to live. Think of all the possibilities of a fresh today for a unique tomorrow. God has no limits to the joy we can find in Him. He allows us to explore, wander, make mistakes, experience life to its overflowing. We need to soak it up, dive right in, be fearless, curious and believe that God always has something more in store for us. Take in the world He offers us and truly live.

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For,

“In just a little while,
    he who is coming will come
    and will not delay.” And,

“But my righteous one will live by faith.
    And I take no pleasure
    in the one who shrinks back.”

 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. Hebrews 10: 35-39

And so, take your sweet body and your shield of faith and move forward!

way

The way of May is poetry month so …

I sail on waves speaking the word, “Yeshua” Praying for the breath of His spirit in me With a tidal wave of love so powerful it makes the stars shine brighter; makes the blue waves sparkle as they dance in the sunlight And we too, dance to the song of His arriving light.

Ephphatha - open to hear your voice as you call across the oceans of time and being Soft murmurs as waves lap on distant shores. Take us sailing away on ocean-bound ships for distant lands and as we watch the light shimmer glisten like diamonds in a sea so deep rocking us to a lullaby Show us the way.

A million of my ways don’t work There is only one way Tsunamis of trauma, broken hearts floating Below the surface, the world telling us go - go this way - no, go that way and life hurts us, harms us, hinders us.

We need a WayMaker - one to navigate for us to show us the way - not just any way but the Way.

He knows all the ways and is there always with us on the beaten path, the rocky road and the mysterious ways And through it all, he tells us, “Stay the Way.”

Fear steals my direction but Peace drowns me My soul surrenders to His Way and I float eternally on the wings of His love.

The waters saw you, God,
the waters saw you and writhed;
the very depths were convulsed.
The clouds poured down water,
the heavens resounded with thunder;
your arrows flashed back and forth.
Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
your lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.
Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.

Psalm 77: 16-19

el roi

The God who sees all of me - every single part - and still loves me despite it all. That is what El Roi is. I love that I can change, mess up and have hang-ups, but God keeps loving me despite all my faults.

Spring can be messy. Dirt and dead leaves; bare branches and brown landscapes; slushy snow from the last of winter dumping its contents onto the ground. Puddles, piles, preparing. It feels a lot like me when I look at the landscape of my life at times. My past baggage, waiting for opportunities that are still in the making, disappointments, stagnant spots, lots of hopes and yet, I know that God is working to till my soil and make me fruitful.

He is pruning me, getting rid of the dead branches that aren’t bearing Him fruit. He is turning up the soil to uncover the growth that is possible in my life. He sees the potential of beauty. He is the gardener of my soul.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15: 1-8

labyrinth

“Earth is crammed with Heaven. And every bush aflame with God. But only those who see take off their shoes.” Elizabeth Barrett Browning

As I walked through the maze - the labyrinth - beckoned me to the centre. What looked so orderly and symetrical on the outside was really more complicated in the middle. I felt the ground beneath me; my feet right before me, but the path twisted and turned. Life is like that. God sometimes leads in unexpected directions. He longs for us to come to the centre - to Him - with our hearts but we have to follow His plan. I want to jump over the boundaries and borders and charge straight to the centre but He is weaving me in and out, circling round and back and ever drawing me closer. I take one step at a time, focusing on what lies before me.

Jesus spent 40 days in the desert - all 4 gospels record and confirm that is where he went after his baptism. Jesus was “being formed, inwardly initiated into the radical new path he would soon reveal to the world… he moved into the marketplace: taught, healed, laughed, danced and dined; lived among the people as brother and friend. Whatever he learned in the wilderness seems to have pushed him through and beyond the ascetic path.” Cynthia Bourgeault

There are no easy roads to being a Christian, but when we stay on the path of righteousness, He leads us home. He walks beside us all the way. So even if your path takes unexpected turns, know that he is there to guide you and show you the way.

This is what the Lord says—
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the Lord your God,
who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go.
If only you had paid attention to my commands,
your peace would have been like a river,
your well-being like the waves of the sea. Isaiah 48:17-18

easter

A number of months ago, Charlie Mackesy, an author and illustrator published a book entitled, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse that was a sensational bestseller because its theme resonated with people. During this Holy Week, I considered what stories connect us as Christians, Jews and believers. Here is that story: The Man, the Lion, the Lamb and the Eagle.

“I feel so insignificant,” cried the lamb. “But you’re not!” said the man. “Did you always know who you wanted to be?” inquired the lamb. “Yes, Savior of the world,” replied the man. “I was sent to the world as a gift.” “Can I share my favorite bible verse with you?” asked the lamb. The man nodded a “yes.” “It’s love the Lord with all your mind, strength and heart.” “Does it work?” the man asked the lamb. “It fills me,” smiled the lamb, “but I know some people that have stone for hearts and can’t feel it like I do.” Suddenly a lion appeared. “I could kill you both,” he challenged. “But you won’t,” the man stood tall. “I am going to die a different kind of death - death on a cross.” The lion asked him, “Aren’t you under the protection of the Almighty? Won’t he keep you safely under his wings? Speaking of wings, here comes an eagle.” The man smiled, “in my Father’s house, the lamb will lie down with the lion, but let’s see what he has to say.” “Do you want to soar the heavens with me?” the eagle asked them. “Soon,” the man answered. “They will call it Good Friday. Have faith that I will be raised from the dead in 3 days and all will see the power of God. I am the Way, the Truth and the Light and no one comes to the Father but through me.” “I’m so glad we got to know you,” the lamb, lion and eagle replied in unison. “I am too,” smiled the man. “Just call me Jesus.”

The Easter story is the reason for our hope of eternity. It’s as simple as ABC. Accept that we are messed up sinners in need of a Savior. Believe that Jesus was that God-man who came to give His life for every one of us. He paid the penalty and defeated death. He was resurrected after 3 days. When we give our life to him we confess that He is ruler, Lord of our lives and we get to spend eternity with Him. Because one minute after you die, you will either be elated or terrified and it will be too late then to make a decision. Yes, there is a heaven and a hell. Why not make that decision today - it could be the beginning in a place of unimaginable bliss - not indescribable horror. Your life will not be over. Be born again - spiritually.

John 3:3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.