Renewal

I am so encouraged. I feel an overwhelming sense of God's pursuit of me and his mercy. He has opened my heart to desire humility and a renewed mind. I need my mind constantly, daily, hourly renewed. His mercy reminds me to not pursue my own ideas and ways, even if they seem amazing, but to submit all my thoughts to him. At times I am too rash. I make decisions because they seem so right. But if something is right but not of God, it's worth nothing. All I want is Him. A desire to seek Him burns within my heart. I pray that it keeps burning and keeps burning. True freedom is found when we have acknowledged our nothingness and found our being in Him. When we become one with the one who made us. It's how we're meant to live. There is freedom in His life. When will we finally get this and stop thinking so much of our own thoughts?

The Rain

It's raining. I can hear the drizzle right outside of our sliding back door. It's calming, if I let it be of course. I like the rain. It reminds me that everything is okay, because it is steady. Likewise, God's love is steady. Unfailing. When the rain stops I know it's not over. I know I will live to see another day of rain. Every day I can wake up knowing that God loves me. Sometimes that's all that keeps me alive. It's all that makes me hold on and keep doing what I'm doing. And when I feel like I'm going nowhere, and that all I do is in vain, I remember the rain. He is steady. He is faithful. He won't let me labor in vain, for I am his child. There are things I don't see. Sometimes I would like to see them, but he doesn't always allow me to. I don't always like to trust. That's just being very honest. But trusting is the only way that I'm going to live NOW. As much as I try to see what's ahead or grasp at some sort of escape, the now is still there, under the surface of it all. I must face it and embrace it. I must dance in the rain of the moment.

Christmas

It's Christmas, and we celebrate the day Jesus came to be one of us. History will never be the same because of His willingness to do that. I pray that today we would keep it about Him. It's so easy to fall prey to the world's idea of this holiday and to give into selfish thinking. I think it's a point of attack, especially in families. But don't let us forget, Father, don't let us forget what you 've done for us. Let us give you the glory and love you deserve.

Him

He takes great delight in me. My Lover is jealous. He is pure and righteous. He won’t take His love away from me if I don’t deserve it. I must come to realize that His greatest desire is that I would delight in Him. I am most alive when I am in sweet fellowship with Him. Whether I am sitting down, dancing freely, laying in my bed, or working my head off, or writing, he surrounds me and is pleased. His pleasure is all that keeps me going. Why would I want to pursue anything but Him? Why else would I live this life, but for His plan? Life becomes richer when I know He is at the center. He takes all my cares and worries away and gives me a higher purpose. I want to be His close friend, to rest in His heart, to break when He breaks and breathe when He breathes. He is closer than my skin. I will never understand Him, but all I know is that it’s all about Him, and I want to know Him!

Wonder

What has happened to the wonder in this world? I see glimpses of it here and there, but shouldn’t it be a daily part of life? Why is it that when we become adults we don’t dream anymore? It’s not right. I want to live like a child but think like a mature daughter. I think of children’s stories—some of the most profound pieces of literature you will ever find. Don’t we all just want to be a “tree” pointing to God? But God comes in and says, “No, you are destined for much more. My dreams are bigger. Dream with me. You will not only point to me, you will make people think of me; you will be a reflection of me!” Wonder. Life is full of wonder. God is full of wonder. And his dreams are bigger than the biggest dream that could ever exist in our little hearts. Let’s live in his pleasure.

Rocked

Rocked by love. My life is messed up with God's pleasure. I'm drowning, and I'm so glad. I don't want my own life. Not at all. I want all of HIM!!!!! My heart has been awakened with love and directed toward purpose. I am finally just beginning to be alive and to know why I'm here. And I'll go deeper and deeper. And I'll trust. And I'll give. God, make me someone you can trust your secrets to. I will never compromise that cry. Let your fire burn in me!

Dance of Life

Dance the dance of love and worship. Worship: adoring reverence or regard. To dance my heart out for the King would be my greatest joy, because I love him more than anything. But what about the dance of life? Do I dance to my own tune? Do I withold my heart and soul from giving all when God's song is played? Why am I not satisfied? Because I am not dancing His dance. Because I am not giving everything. To dance with everything until my knees give way and I collapse to the floor would be "leaving everything on the field." In my life, do I do that? What if I were to live that way, leaving nothing? Becoming completely weak every day because I spent everything, only to be filled up again and again because I have been faithful. Talk about glorious living! Eden living! I want to see how God really first intended man to live; then I want to live that way. With all my heart I want to live that way.