Thinking on the page

I am a Contender

/ jill autrey dorman
Photo by Rodolfo Clix

  Many people assume that faith means having a heart full of peace and quiet confidence in the Lord. I must tell you that I have not had quiet confidence lately. I have had a sad and sorrowful few days. I have been exhausted in every way. I have not had beautiful prayers rolling off my tongue. I have had a restlessness within me. I have NOT hidden my suffering or weaknesses which is absolutely the thing most Christians are either taught to do or somehow believe they must ONLY reveal to the unconverted world some formula or portrait that the walk of Faith means you won’t suffer. This is not to say that there is no relationship between faith and peace. There most certainly is, however the more extraordinary fact is as believers we often find ourselves in the position of having to fight for dear life just to recall the basics of our faith. As Jude wrote, we must “contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to those who follow Christ.”

One author said, The fabric of things break down; there is a failure of all human resources. But it is out of this very failure that the Lord speaks. To deny that suffering of all kinds has not only a legitimate but a central place in Christianity is to deny the gospel. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” teaches Paul in Acts 14:22.

So friend, if you are feeling the strain of your journey. If you are grieving or sick or alone in your hardship I would like to encourage you as I have been encouraged through God’s Word that day after day I must take heart, put on the armor of righteousness, and face the enemy who would destroy my Faith if he could but he cannot because Jesus and Cross of Jesus which is the ultimate suffering is where the battle was fought and His resurrection is my strength and can be yours as well.

Quote credits: Mike Mason

What Shadows Our Steps

/ jill autrey dorman

Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich

her grey eyes so clear and intelligent

the unforeseeable future shadows our steps

her heart bleeds because others cannot see

the vast dark storm that will soon split the world in two

her ears hear the masses humming along

so immersed in their own lives that they are blinded

because she is old they do not listen

in the name of God receive the Salvation of Jesus

while you still can!

Getting “likes”…

/ jill autrey dorman
abstract board game bundle business

Photo by Pixabay

I am passionate about the following:  my relationship with Jesus Christ, my marriage and family, friends, my nursing career, and last but not least my writing and other arts.

It is the world of the internet and social media that has prompted me to examine the reports from the creators of Facebook and other mediums  in regards to the human need to be heard and apparently ” liked. ” These young men and women stated they they knew when they designed facebook, twitter, etc.,  they would be tapping into the actual chemical function of the human brain. There is an effect on our brains when we get likes on any media, selfies, blogs like this, twitter, instagram, and on it goes. I do not believe wanting to be liked is something to be ashamed of. It is in fact the core element in our being that connects us to God and others. However true self worth comes from our identity in Christ if we are his followers. This longing to be accepted wains as one ages so now days I am not so bothered by likes or dislikes…

To be validated about something I am passionate about, a gift or talent that I long to share is not wrong but I can see many have been manipulated by these companies which can be easily observed by the crazy things people will do to get “like”. 

Here is how I know if what I am doing is going down an ego rabbit hole. The Bible teaches us that the things from above, in other words Godly goodness is easy to recognize.  Godly wisdom, Godly gifts and “likes” are first pure (no other motive), peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full or mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.  James 3:17

 

 

 

In such as the Babel of languages…

/ jill autrey dorman
  • Photo by Fuzail Ahmad

In such as the Bable of languages,

some try to build a tower to become gods.

All of their words have lost meaning,

where their hearts have become heinous and sad.

Now a World of degradation and hunger,

where inhuman indifference pass for compassion.

But Jesus had something more than just words,

His life and Truth infinitely more valuable.

Did you like the snow

/ jill autrey dorman 






  • Photo by Jedypictures










Did you like the snow when you were here or





when the harvest moon filled the atmosphere?





What about the summer sea





when you walked in Galilee?










I can see you everywhere I go





in the moon light and the snow





I see you by the summer sea





walking on the water you rescued me.


























			

	


			
				


			
				


	

							
I dreamed I was flying…
						

			 / jill autrey dorman						 / 1 Comment
								

			


		

		

    




    • Photo by Pixabay
    




    




    I dreamed I was flying, the sole purveyor of the spectacular beauty below
    




    with my Eagle eyes I could see exactly where to go
    




    I flew over the spines of breathtaking mountains and white capped oceans vast
    




    Flying up to the High Heavens all the galaxies in my path
    




    while the gold dust of the stars showered me like rain
    
			
    
	
    

			
				

    
	
    
							
    River of Strength
    						
    
			 / jill autrey dorman								
    
			
    

		
    
		

    • Photo by Pixabay 
    






    



    There is no one else to follow Lord,
    

    All the kings of this earth are fallen,
    

    Not one is free from deceit and greed!
    

     
    

    The steeple bells do not ring of Your good news Lord,
    

    Many shepherds have disregarded you as Truth,
    

    Oh but there is a River of Strength that makes gladness
    

     
    

    I will follow the gladness of your River for she is strong
    

    she is unshaken by destruction and her water strengthens  like honey
    

    there is no other path to follow but she flows to your Throne
    

     
    			
    
	
    

			
				

    
	
    
							
    Even the dried saltwater on the stones…
    						
    
			 / jill autrey dorman								
    
			
    

		
    
		
    green grass during sunset
    Photo by Nathan Cowley
    

     
    

    Every part is beautiful. 
    

    Every wave is different.
    

    Every seashell my passioned treasure.
    

    Every color of blue and green soothes my soul.
    

    There is music in the rolling of water to shore.
    

    The seagulls sing harmony in a minor key.
    

    The eastern morning sun rises like Heaven’s coda.
    

    The sunset in the West a goodnight lullaby from God.
    

    I kiss the sea oats whispering secrets to the dunes.
    

    I love even the dried saltwater upon the pathway stones.
    

    I am a Texas girl through and through,
    

    but my Florida beach is the place I have to return to.
    

    A tether, a life line in it’s order to refuel and renewal.
    

    Just me, God, and the salty sea, my triage
    

    It is all a gift of dreams to me that I gratefully adore
    
			
    
	
    

			
				

    
	
    
							
    Orbs of Light
    						
    
			 / jill autrey dorman						 / 1 Comment
								
    
			
    

		
    
		
    ball ball shaped blur color
    Photo by Pixabay 
    

    Dreamlike orbs of light float by. I feel removed from afar. I compartmentalize the uncertainty of these times. It lessens the sharp edge of the unknown, of false information, and loss around every corner. This must be similar to wartime trauma, although in many ways no where near it. Yet still there is communal suffering in my world and there is idle time that cannot be healthy. Texas summer heat is unleashed. The sun beats down in all of it’s glory, unrelenting. Dozens of small wisps of clouds seem motionless in the watery blue of the summer sky.
    

    Yet, in this stillness and overwhelming simplicity I know the Presence of God washes over me. Steady and strong, I know I am meant to live in this time. Right now I am alive. The sharp edge of the unknown lessens because of the Power of the name of Jesus. Yes, I am one of those who cling to the Power of the blood shed on His cross and the indescribable power of His Resurrection! Jesus alone!
    

    I am able to live in the present most of the time as it is the gift He gives me. I am comforted by Him. The Alpha and Omega…The One whose name is Faithful and True. Today is what I have.
    

     
    

    “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True.”  Revelation 1 9:11