Thursday, December 23, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Emunah- Faith
"The Hebrew root aman means firm, something that is supported or secure. This word is used in Isaiah 22:23 for a nail that is fastened to a "secure" place. Derived from this root is the word emun meaning a craftsman. A craftsman is one who is firm and secure in his talent. Also derived from aman is the word emunah meaning firmness, something or someone that is firm in their actions. When the Hebrew word emunah is translated as faith misconceptions of its meaning occur. Faith is usually perceived as a knowing while the Hebrew emunah is a firm action. To have faith in God is not knowing that God exists or knowing that he will act, rather it is that the one with emunah will act with firmness toward God's will."
This is powerful beyond explanation.
My whole hearted desire is to have impenetrable faith,
to look at the mulberry tree and say with unmeasurable certainty,
'Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea.' [Luke 17:6]
And, without a doubt, know that it will be so.
Hebrews 11-
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God...
By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain
By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death...
BUT without faith it is impossible to please him!
By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household...
By faith Abraham obeyed ..
By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country...
By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive...
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months ..
By faith he forsook Egypt...
By faith he kept the Passover..
By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land..
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.
By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish..
Is this making sense to you?
By faith, by FAITH, BY FAITH!
These tasks were not simple, in fact some of them were considered impossible by others.
But by choice these people went forth, with firm faith, and trusted the Lord.
That is what I want.
Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.
-1 Corinthians 16:13
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Wisdom
Sometimes it feels as though wisdom is one of those things you spend all of life searching for,
and in the end have only trivial fragments of it [her] pocketed away...
And our perception of her [wisdom] is like sifting sand through our human hands,
like an attempt to grasp the wind...
It is beyond the bounds of possibility,
it is nothing without HIM.
As I was thumbing through the Word this morning I fell upon Job 28...Verses 12-28 struck a chord my heart and I want to share it with you because these discoveries are not meant to be hidden,
but rather shared.
But where shall wisdom be found?
And where is the place of understanding?
Man knoweth not the price thereof;
neither is it found in the land of the living.
The depth saith, It is not in me:
and the sea saith, It is not with me.
It cannot be gotten for gold,
neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.
It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir,
with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.
The gold and the crystal cannot equal it:
and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold.
No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls:
for the price of wisdom is above rubies.
The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it,
neither shall it be valued with pure gold.
Whence then cometh wisdom?
And where is the place of understanding?
seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living,
and kept close from the fowls of the air.
Destruction and death say,
We have heard the fame thereof with our ears.
God understandeth the way thereof,
and he knoweth the place thereof.
For he looketh to the ends of the earth,
and seeth under the whole heaven;
to make the weight for the winds;
and he weigheth the waters by measure.
When he made a decree for the rain,
and a way for the lightning of the thunder;
then did he see it, and declare it;
he prepared it, yea, and searched it out.
And unto man he said,
Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom;
and to depart from evil is understanding."
WOAH.
"Behold, the FEAR of the LORD, THAT is wisdom!"
And I thought I had it all figured out.
and in the end have only trivial fragments of it [her] pocketed away...
And our perception of her [wisdom] is like sifting sand through our human hands,
like an attempt to grasp the wind...
It is beyond the bounds of possibility,
it is nothing without HIM.
As I was thumbing through the Word this morning I fell upon Job 28...Verses 12-28 struck a chord my heart and I want to share it with you because these discoveries are not meant to be hidden,
but rather shared.
But where shall wisdom be found?
And where is the place of understanding?
Man knoweth not the price thereof;
neither is it found in the land of the living.
The depth saith, It is not in me:
and the sea saith, It is not with me.
It cannot be gotten for gold,
neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.
It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir,
with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.
The gold and the crystal cannot equal it:
and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold.
No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls:
for the price of wisdom is above rubies.
The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it,
neither shall it be valued with pure gold.
Whence then cometh wisdom?
And where is the place of understanding?
seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living,
and kept close from the fowls of the air.
Destruction and death say,
We have heard the fame thereof with our ears.
God understandeth the way thereof,
and he knoweth the place thereof.
For he looketh to the ends of the earth,
and seeth under the whole heaven;
to make the weight for the winds;
and he weigheth the waters by measure.
When he made a decree for the rain,
and a way for the lightning of the thunder;
then did he see it, and declare it;
he prepared it, yea, and searched it out.
And unto man he said,
Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom;
and to depart from evil is understanding."
WOAH.
"Behold, the FEAR of the LORD, THAT is wisdom!"
And I thought I had it all figured out.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
First Date
Shaking hands
wipe salt beads from his face.
Breathe, just be
The spice lingers,
smells of his father.
Hope she likes it.
Walking slowly,
heart in a ritual drum circle.
Eyes losing focus,
lovers knot in his throat.
Hi, hello.
Um I'm here to pick up your..
Good evening sir, I'm here to..
Please don't kill me.
Her father awaits him,
fingers drumming the coffee table,
knees that won't still.
Knock knock..
wipe salt beads from his face.
Breathe, just be
The spice lingers,
smells of his father.
Hope she likes it.
Walking slowly,
heart in a ritual drum circle.
Eyes losing focus,
lovers knot in his throat.
Hi, hello.
Um I'm here to pick up your..
Good evening sir, I'm here to..
Please don't kill me.
Her father awaits him,
fingers drumming the coffee table,
knees that won't still.
Knock knock..
In His Shoes
Lonely wanderer
where do you go,
where do you come from,
what made this so?
He passes me by with his head held up high,
heart on his sleeve,
humbly abiding.
Watching intently from behind the glass
at the sight of this man I am filled with compassion.
His dreaded locks made from the dust of the earth,
eyes filled with deep longing,
belonging to a world who discounts him,
no concern for his hurt.
Knapsack on his back,
hands in his pocket,
a locket of timelessness trapped in his mind.
He crosses my path,
his eyes looking yonder.
Despite all his troubles,
his face still holds a wonder.
And I ponder
a day in the shoes of this lonely wanderer.
where do you go,
where do you come from,
what made this so?
He passes me by with his head held up high,
heart on his sleeve,
humbly abiding.
Watching intently from behind the glass
at the sight of this man I am filled with compassion.
His dreaded locks made from the dust of the earth,
eyes filled with deep longing,
belonging to a world who discounts him,
no concern for his hurt.
Knapsack on his back,
hands in his pocket,
a locket of timelessness trapped in his mind.
He crosses my path,
his eyes looking yonder.
Despite all his troubles,
his face still holds a wonder.
And I ponder
a day in the shoes of this lonely wanderer.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
She is..
She is a midsummer nights dream.
a journey into the unseen.
her loveliness, a mystery.
Her aura,
a bouquet of orange blossom
drifting through peaceful meadows.
Her laughter paints the many colors of wildflowers,
splashing freedom on a once blank canvas.
Hips sway
with the grace of a petal caught in a light breeze.
Her eyes,
vintage wood-paned windows,
like a kaleidoscope view into
the center of her universe.
The intricacy of her entity perplexes me.
Her voice,
is as blue as jazz to a tired soul.
In every breath,
poetry flows pure as crystal waters from an arctic spring.
Memories,
once vibrant in design,
now stained with time,
like archaic photographs.
She is a symphony of artistry,
a collage of complexity.
Clothed in strength and dignity,
she can laugh at the years to come.
a journey into the unseen.
her loveliness, a mystery.
Her aura,
a bouquet of orange blossom
drifting through peaceful meadows.
Her laughter paints the many colors of wildflowers,
splashing freedom on a once blank canvas.
Hips sway
with the grace of a petal caught in a light breeze.
Her eyes,
vintage wood-paned windows,
like a kaleidoscope view into
the center of her universe.
The intricacy of her entity perplexes me.
Her voice,
is as blue as jazz to a tired soul.
In every breath,
poetry flows pure as crystal waters from an arctic spring.
Memories,
once vibrant in design,
now stained with time,
like archaic photographs.
She is a symphony of artistry,
a collage of complexity.
Clothed in strength and dignity,
she can laugh at the years to come.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Revolution
I wrote this a couple years ago and thought I'd share it...
It was written from a place of "I just don't get it" mixed with a hint of, obvious, sarcastic humor...
The common, simple
Cubans
paper-skin hands holding
ration books
yeah-- ration books
sweating, hours in line-
waiting. A gallon of milk (but only for 7, younger or dying)
A delicious ad in eye-catching colors;
The fresh cut deli-style, dripping, saucy sight....
Layers of savory meat,
nestled perfectly between aged cheese and
July's garden of veggies.
Senses halt to take it in.
"Cuban sandwich.."
Sweltering buds play kick-ball in my mouth.
Huh....Meat?
Most eyes have never seen.
Half a chicken [a week]for FOUR!
Is doled by luck itself.
So I have to ask,
What exactly IS a Cuban sandwich?
Wait--
It must be part of the green movement..
Irony stands proud over eco-friendly wasteland.
Waving red flags of peace-
[15% organic folks!]
While X-mart peddles "transitional cotton" wear
hand-stitched by children,
we sit with suction-cupped eyes to the tube,
in our non-toxic, biodegradable homes,
proud to be American, where at least we know we're free?
And self preservation devours Cuba
licking fingers as if each were--
"Cuban sandwich...."
Now that ladies and gentlemen...
....that is a glimpse of a Revolution.
It was written from a place of "I just don't get it" mixed with a hint of, obvious, sarcastic humor...
The common, simple
Cubans
paper-skin hands holding
ration books
yeah-- ration books
sweating, hours in line-
waiting. A gallon of milk (but only for 7, younger or dying)
A delicious ad in eye-catching colors;
The fresh cut deli-style, dripping, saucy sight....
Layers of savory meat,
nestled perfectly between aged cheese and
July's garden of veggies.
Senses halt to take it in.
"Cuban sandwich.."
Sweltering buds play kick-ball in my mouth.
Huh....Meat?
Most eyes have never seen.
Half a chicken [a week]for FOUR!
Is doled by luck itself.
So I have to ask,
What exactly IS a Cuban sandwich?
Wait--
It must be part of the green movement..
Irony stands proud over eco-friendly wasteland.
Waving red flags of peace-
[15% organic folks!]
While X-mart peddles "transitional cotton" wear
hand-stitched by children,
we sit with suction-cupped eyes to the tube,
in our non-toxic, biodegradable homes,
proud to be American, where at least we know we're free?
And self preservation devours Cuba
licking fingers as if each were--
"Cuban sandwich...."
Now that ladies and gentlemen...
....that is a glimpse of a Revolution.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
From Dust to Doves
What do you think when you lie there for hours,
sleepless,
and yesterdays milk sits,
and curdles and sours,
while windowsill cacti birth flower upon flower,
and monochrome visions surrender their power.
Thoughts, dreams, cold whispers
hastily snare,
swift contemplation
leaves the soul bare.
And they shred and they tear
the flesh
which, at best,
is null, void and dead.
Dust in the end.
But His strength engulfs sorrow,
holding steadfast to hope,
through faith, I am hollowed.
And He mends fractured wings,
forming doves out of sparrows,
as He paints new tomorrows.
His golden hands hold the scars,
of the stars.
And I am new once again.
sleepless,
and yesterdays milk sits,
and curdles and sours,
while windowsill cacti birth flower upon flower,
and monochrome visions surrender their power.
Thoughts, dreams, cold whispers
hastily snare,
swift contemplation
leaves the soul bare.
And they shred and they tear
the flesh
which, at best,
is null, void and dead.
Dust in the end.
But His strength engulfs sorrow,
holding steadfast to hope,
through faith, I am hollowed.
And He mends fractured wings,
forming doves out of sparrows,
as He paints new tomorrows.
His golden hands hold the scars,
of the stars.
And I am new once again.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Meet me there
Daddy I'm weak,
Lord, I want to seek
your face.
Why won't my hands reach,
fettered members are
leashed..
Tears refusing,
confusing,
wanting, but not choosing.
He breaks when we don't.
Help me friend,
save me Jesus,
because my heart won't.
Will you catch me
if I fall?
If on my knees I crawl
to the ends of forever,
say you will meet me there.
Lord, I want to seek
your face.
Why won't my hands reach,
fettered members are
leashed..
Tears refusing,
confusing,
wanting, but not choosing.
He breaks when we don't.
Help me friend,
save me Jesus,
because my heart won't.
Will you catch me
if I fall?
If on my knees I crawl
to the ends of forever,
say you will meet me there.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Illistrations.
I had a meeting with God today..
It was strange,
but much needed..
I left the house with a small errand list.
It was a stretch because of the 100 degree weather,
and this headache/toothache I have been combating for the past week.
Needless to say, I was feeling very self absorbed in my pain, and in the fact that I leave tomorrow for a week..
I got the girls situated in the cart at Fred's and as I was heading into the store I saw a young man sitting on the ground.. He looked about my age, maybe younger, his head was full of long thick dreads and his clothes were filthy.. I usually get nervous and go the long way around beggers, I am kind of paranoid that they may be predators, and being the mother bear that I am.. But for some reason I walked by him and smiled, his eyes were soft- not shifty like most I have come in contact with.. I noticed he had a sign but I kind of acted like I didn't see it.. I couldn't read the words on it but my guess was that he needed money or something.. So I quickly made my way past and prayed that someone would help him in the way that he REALLY needed..
Well I got into the store and I thought "maybe I should get that guy a bible, he needs Jesus".. So I took the long way around the store and as I was walking past the water God told me to get one.. And I thought "Of course Lord! It's 100 degrees outside, he must be parched.." So I smiled to myself and asked, "what else?"... I really didn't hear anything else so I grabbed an apple and thought, "who doesn't want an apple.."
Then I grabbed the few things I needed and headed over to the book section.. Well, I got really frustrated.. All they had was a giant King James version bible and a bunch of self help books.. So I was looking through the books, thinking I would just get him one of those, and I found myself getting really irritable with my kids for grabbing at stuff and fussing...
So I said forget it and left the store..
But when I got back outside the man was gone.
WHAT?!
"Lord, didn't you tell me to get water?"
He said, "yes, YOU need the water and I NEED you to trust me."
It was only then that I realized HOW thirsty I was..
It's completely metaphoric,
In fact I'm second guessing as to whether that guy was even there to begin with.
So crazy what the Lord uses to show us we need to be filled with His spirit,
with His living water...
It was strange,
but much needed..
I left the house with a small errand list.
It was a stretch because of the 100 degree weather,
and this headache/toothache I have been combating for the past week.
Needless to say, I was feeling very self absorbed in my pain, and in the fact that I leave tomorrow for a week..
I got the girls situated in the cart at Fred's and as I was heading into the store I saw a young man sitting on the ground.. He looked about my age, maybe younger, his head was full of long thick dreads and his clothes were filthy.. I usually get nervous and go the long way around beggers, I am kind of paranoid that they may be predators, and being the mother bear that I am.. But for some reason I walked by him and smiled, his eyes were soft- not shifty like most I have come in contact with.. I noticed he had a sign but I kind of acted like I didn't see it.. I couldn't read the words on it but my guess was that he needed money or something.. So I quickly made my way past and prayed that someone would help him in the way that he REALLY needed..
Well I got into the store and I thought "maybe I should get that guy a bible, he needs Jesus".. So I took the long way around the store and as I was walking past the water God told me to get one.. And I thought "Of course Lord! It's 100 degrees outside, he must be parched.." So I smiled to myself and asked, "what else?"... I really didn't hear anything else so I grabbed an apple and thought, "who doesn't want an apple.."
Then I grabbed the few things I needed and headed over to the book section.. Well, I got really frustrated.. All they had was a giant King James version bible and a bunch of self help books.. So I was looking through the books, thinking I would just get him one of those, and I found myself getting really irritable with my kids for grabbing at stuff and fussing...
So I said forget it and left the store..
But when I got back outside the man was gone.
WHAT?!
"Lord, didn't you tell me to get water?"
He said, "yes, YOU need the water and I NEED you to trust me."
It was only then that I realized HOW thirsty I was..
It's completely metaphoric,
In fact I'm second guessing as to whether that guy was even there to begin with.
So crazy what the Lord uses to show us we need to be filled with His spirit,
with His living water...
Redemption
Surviving troubles and trials,
through crooked smiles,
selfishness drains,
fear takes the reins.
Spirit frustrated, mind concentrated,
carried away, don't want to stay.
Condemnation burns within-
from sin...
Who are we but rag-dolls pulled to and fro,
by a seam ripping world, who tears at the soul.
But Daddy holds tender our hearts with His hands,
and grace falls like rain,
redeeming the land.
Thoughts-
captivated, manipulated,
by all the wrong things.
A hunger so deep-
unless on our knees
is just out of reach.
And tears fall down His cheek.
through crooked smiles,
selfishness drains,
fear takes the reins.
Spirit frustrated, mind concentrated,
carried away, don't want to stay.
Condemnation burns within-
from sin...
Who are we but rag-dolls pulled to and fro,
by a seam ripping world, who tears at the soul.
But Daddy holds tender our hearts with His hands,
and grace falls like rain,
redeeming the land.
Thoughts-
captivated, manipulated,
by all the wrong things.
A hunger so deep-
unless on our knees
is just out of reach.
And tears fall down His cheek.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Daddy.
He speaks, He moves
mountains.
Every breath taking flight
to heights beyond arms reach.
Withering time, silver-gray lined.
Weary hands clasp,
knees crush the earth,
eyes birthing tears.
And mercy reigns, or rains,
restoring sullen hearts.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Bernie.
A friend died last week.. A man I was so blessed to know, a man who was so close to the Lord that his testimony brings me to my knees in humility.. I remember the first time I saw him- He was sitting, alone, at a small coffee house I quite often frequented.. He wasn't dressed to impress, in fact, his clothes were dull, he was unshaven, his head was down, and the way his hand curled his warm mug seemed almost hopeless.. I distinctly remember my first thoughts of him, "oh that poor homeless soul, it is so nice they gave him a free cup of coffee." It wasn't more than a few weeks that I started a volunteer job at this small cafe and within my first hours there I came to meet this man... He walked in very briskly, so quickly I thought he might forget to stop... I met him at the counter and he thrust a dollar or so into my hand and grabbed his own cup.. Again my thoughts were "homeless, hopeless"... I asked one of the girls about him "Oh, thats Bernie" she told me, "He is a disabled veteran whose dad passed away and left him a fortune and he doesn't work so he comes in here for coffee everyday- throughout the day." I was floored... I learned a huge lesson about first impressions that day... It didn't take him long before he started telling me stories about himself, his life... I came to see the beauty in Bernie, I saw a light that was only explained to be that of Jesus... I sat in the crowd at his memorial yesterday and could really only smile at the memories of him, the stories that were told about the impact he made on our lives, the lives Jesus touched through him...
Rest in peace Bernie my friend, enjoy the java in heaven, and tell Jesus hi for me....
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