Photo by MESSALA CIULLA
I remember the good and leave the worst
I fill all my pages with rhyme and verse
Not much of it will matter to most
But some will understand the cost
I see a good day and leave the night
I paint a picture of the Hope in God’s light
May it never be said that I didn’t try
to speak the truth and expose the lie
This is the message we have heard from Christ and declare to you:God is light, pure light, and in Him there is no darkness AT ALL! 1 John 1:5
Photo by Miri
Standing on the highest sand dune people moved back and forth on the ground below. She no longer has their youthfulness of an unlined face but she knew she finally possessed the joy of ageless Grace. The pilgrimage called her to this beautiful place. The wind and the sun an old friend on her face.
Now she is the shell seeker in the wide brimmed hat, as a child playing in the sun she’d laughed at people like that. She remembers younger days when she grew weary but now the days of peace are what linger here. Emotions don’t obey the rules they are the heartbeat in being human. Like waves reaching the shore emotions can be kept for a moment but are better when given away.
The shell seeker’ s eye remains clear and adept while watching the children play. She knows that life is not going back but more of giving it away. The Truth is, life consists in learning and loving well with Grace underneath God’s sun. To remain whole in the midst of life’s ups and downs, to surrender all secrets and lies is anointing oil to the soul. To shed insincerity and live in the present, the waves echo behind her now compelling her to go on.
Photo by Angelo Duranti
Her passion is tender.
Her pain is massive.
Her mind is lithe and quick.
Her body is no longer as swift.
Her temple once was a house of cards,
built by her birth, her fear, and her works.
Now she stands on the rock called Jesus
careful to follow him with her cross.
A new temple foundation built,
she is sure of this The Holy One.
He makes all things new with his Holy breath,
and will lead her in both life and death…
Home.
Photo by eberhard grossgasteiger
A pure (unmixed, unadulterated, not touched by any other substance) knowing lay within me because you are Holy…
A finished and utter humility drives me face down to the secret place…
I am undone without the High Priest of whom my lips are unworthy to utter his name…
I enter in because of Jesus and call out to The Holy One…
for I am hidden by the shadow of His wings and allowed to soar into the Presence of my God and King…
Photo by Samantha Garrote
Empathy without a clear identity in Christ puts one in a position to stand for everything or for nothing. To understand empathy and to nurture that gift the Empath must always be aware of matching their empathy side by side with who we who are “in” Christ Jesus. (As one who believes and follows Jesus as Lord or as one who is not a Believer.) It is paramount that we build our Christian lives upon our Identity in Christ Jesus, Truth of who we are in Him.
Empathy as well as all spiritual gifts must be held close to and in direct correlation to God’s Word or we will get it wrong. Empathy is a wonderful gift as long as we check and balance it or any gift with Truth.
Photo by Daria Sannikova
We lost all of the image of God when we were found outside of His Holiness. We are born rationalizers, barterers and liars. Yes we are all created in His image just as he says but Sin’s first act shattered that mirror image inside of us, at least until such a time as we receive the Power of the Cross of Jesus to regenerate us, to rebirth us from our darkness into His perfect light!
It doesn’t take much to look around us and see these powerful tools of the deception of Sin.
Sounds bleak doesn’t it? However, we have been given The Good News. We have been given infinite Grace flowing in the River of Mercy so that we might repent and obey to be Reborn into the Image of God in all His Goodness and power!
I am learning that the River gets deeper not shallow the further down stream I go. I am depending and counting on the fact I have been born again by the Blood of Jesus Christ and I have nothing to offer Him and never did but here is the beauty of the Truth of God’s plan to bring us back to Him in every way… The beauty of The Gospel is this: His love and Grace and all that implies is freely given to all who will receive it.
I have seen the River of Life and Mercy
A crystal clear river flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb
All who come to this river will be clean and whole
All burdens washed away, no more sorrows, tears, or death…
Revelation 22
Photo by Sebastian Voortman
They were each alone and tired of talking.
She remembered when she thought she told the Truth.
Then she grew up and knew it an impossibility for the corruptible man.
Yet their longing made them bolder and knit them together.
It is a risk you choose, even if it means you lose everything else.
Like The Master said, “you must lose your life to save it.”
Photo by Flo Maderebner
You may think you know me but you best beware,
I am stronger than any thing so You best take care
You mistook my illness as my identity
but the Healer came to me and set my spirit free!
I won’t run from haters or keep quiet your lies
The Spirit teaches me the Truth and why
You mistook my smallness as fragility
But my Maker gave Eagle’s wings to me!
I soar, I speak up, and I tell the Truth,
lies make you sick and bitterness takes root
Your Pharisee bondage is a con artist scam
I will listen and obey the great I AM!
Photo by Vinícius Vieira Fotografia
A mystery revealed. When we are born we know nothing of Truth. We believe those around us are truth tellers. We believe WE are truth tellers. We believe our parents tell us the truth and they believe it too. Our homes are warm and dry so safety must be true. Our siblings play and live the same as we do so how we live must be the true way to live. Our schools must teach true facts so educated people must be true. Our religion must be true because it rules our behavior, our traditions but the fact is we are born liars. We are born enemies of God and do not know truth. We are born liars, decievers, and accusers. The Truth is not in us until the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ utterly dwells within us. God’s Word states that not one of us is good and that humans love darkness and when the Light of the World came we did not know him. Until He chose to reveal to us, by the Spirit of God himself, who came in the flesh. Until Jesus! This is the Epiphany, the Light of the world who is the God Man Jesus. The One born in Bethlehem. The One who grew up without sin. The One who was crucified for all sin. The One who rose from the dead. The One who ascended and lives on High. The One who will return for His people and will reign forever. He is the only Truth!
So why are we surprised that we lie to each other and put on masks, and build detailed facades of being perfect families, perfect marriages, and perfect churches? Why are we surprised that some of us had Godly truth telling parents and some did not? Why are we surprised when our five year old child lies to us or sneaks candy from the pantry? Why are we surprised that we are or once were liars and not valiant for Truth?
This is an important part of understanding the ” state of human kind and our sin. Understanding our sin is the way that leads to falling on our faces before The Holy and repenting with humility. There is not plural Truth! There is only One Truth!
“All have sinned and fall short… (Romans 3:23). All of us need redemption. All of us are liars if we say this isn’t true. Truth is a person in flesh and a person in the Trinity of God’s very being. We do not know Truth in our lives until we humble ourselves to receive the Grace and the Mercy of The Holy One who is the very definition of Truth.
” and they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for Truth…Jeremiah 9:3
Photo by Maël BALLAND
Jill Autrey Dorman 