Voices: Lies or Truth

This is something that God placed on my heart awhile ago and finally, after much prayer, learning, filming, editing, re-editing and some serious obstacles, the finished product is here. Below is the link to the video; posting it on the blog made it too small, but the link will take you right to it. Before you watch this sign language video please read this, its important.
This video was not just another fun project; God asked me to do this and I tried my best. Its not perfect. But it is to show the battle that goes on inside many of our heads. These voices that speak to you, that sound so like your own, aren't from you. They are from an enemy whose sole purpose is to destroy you. To annihilate you. This is the battle we fight; "not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12). The enemy of our souls is real and his tactics have not changed; he is the father of lies and uses them with deadly accuracy.
 So, the first part of the video, the lies, its dark. It's gritty and hard to watch, but it has to be. For when you allow the enemy leeway, when you give him the keys to your home and welcome him in, all that can happen is destruction. What starts as a simple thought, if not dealt with, rapidly begins the journey to greater lies and in turn greater suffering.

But, we have a hope and His name is Jesus. Our Savior, our Prince of Peace has already come for us, rescued us and redeemed us from the curse of sin and death. And not just physical death, but the spiritual death that comes from listening to and agreeing with the devil's lies. Jesus paid it all, He won and it is finished. His words not mine. And that's what part two of the video is, the truth.
So, if you still want to, watch the video. Don't rush the process. I would recommend watching it when you have the time to sit afterwards and think. Ask God to reveal the lies you have accepted. Repent and receive His grace. Then in the authority given to you by our King, rebuke those lies and command them to leave you.
If you need to talk about it, do so. Reach out to your spouse, pastor, a trusted friend; if you'd like to contact me please leave a comment and we can connect. But, I implore you, do not stay in the shadows of shame and condemnation anymore. You are a beloved child of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and His desire is for you. He delights in you and only wants you close. Please hear Him, choose this day to listen to Him, to believe Him.

Child, you are so loved.
Blessings,

~Sarah


Disclaimer: I use make up in part one of the video that makes me look beat up. I did this to have a physical representation of the damage the enemy inflicts on us when we allow him to have his way in our mind. The enemy's lies are more then just "not nice" words; they damage us. Their intent is for our harm. But if facial bruising and other signs of violence on someone is a possible trigger for you I wanted to warn you.

Please do not share the video without this blog post. It is important that the intent of the video is clear before the viewer watches it. If you have any questions please contact me. Thank you.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fzv2FWy7VME#action=share

Chosen

"Me! Pick me! Come on, pick me!"
Excited bouncing, desperate hands stretched to their maximum height and getting-louder-by-the-moment pleading, all to be chosen for something. Does this sound familiar to anyone? 

If you've ever been around kids, or been a kid, you can visualize this scene. Do you remember when you were young, standing in a circle, waiting to be picked for the dodge-ball team, the kickball game, the freeze tag? Not being particularly fast, or strong, or skilled in any of these and other sporting events, I usually was picked last or close to it. You might recall that feeling too; the embarrassment of standing there after everyone else was chosen, or the looks of pity your team captain got from the other players when they were stuck with you. None of the kids I played with were mean to me, they just knew I couldn't help them win, and so, I wasn't wanted on the team. It eventually stopped hurting me; I just accepted that I was never going to be chosen.

Not anymore. All that has changed.

Did I get better at dodge-ball you ask? No; I cannot peg someone from 50 feet away, and I am still slow. Really slow. But I am chosen now so frequently and with such gusto, you would think I was a celebrity. Let me explain.

A few days ago I was visiting dear friends of mine. They are a beautiful family of nine, and each one of them I call friend, even down to their nineteenth month-old. I had not even gotten inside yet when I heard their oldest son shout out,
" I call Sarah!"
Instantly the house filled with just as eager cries of, "No, I got her!" or "Hey it's my turn!" and "No! I want to!" from the other kids. What were they calling dibs on? Sitting next to me at dinner. Now, this wasn't a first time occurrence; this happens EVERY time I go there to share a meal with their family. Sometimes even the parents join in! They actually keep track of who sat next to me the last time, so that everyone gets their turn. I cannot adequately express how loved and happy this makes me feel each and every time. To be singled out, for someone to want to be near me, to be chosen.

Now think about something else for a moment; this is exactly how God feels about you! He calls your name every moment, desperately wanting to be close to you. He wants you on His team! He has already prepared a place of honor, right next to Himself, and He persistently asks you to join Him there. He desires your company, your presence, your closeness. Always. This desire is made known throughout scripture, but one of my favorite times is in Isaiah 43 verse 1:

But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.

He has called you by name. You are His. His chosen one, His delight. Shame and fear are no longer yours to cling to. You can rest against the Almighty's chest, hear His heart beating for you, just as John did at the Passover meal. How different would your daily walk look if this was the truth you woke up to everyday? If His love song for you was what you heard in your mind throughout the day, His speaking your name the last thing you heard each night?

The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17

 

I can tell you from experience; being at my friend's house for a meal is a joyful thing. Being the cause of such exultation, being almost fought over, never fails to make me feel important, cherished, loved. It is not because I am awesome. I don't deserve the love of this wonderful family. It is all a gift; a gift from them and really, a gift from God. As is His love for us.

So the next time you feel left out, unwanted, or unloved, remember this. You are not any of those things.

You are chosen.

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:9

Be blessed.

Called

To follow you out of this vessel, the work of my hands

The work of men

To meet you among the swelling waters

your Father's craftsmanship

I should not doubt, for you are always good

Surely, you, would not let me drown

But as the waves engulf me, and darkness wipes out your face, I fear 

you have invited me to death

"What kind of Messiah are you?" will be my last bewildered thought.

And then I feel your strong hand grab my own

Human hands

You draw me to yourself, out of the depths

Your voice gentle and unquestionable

The voice of God

And now I doubt which was better, to stand on the water with you,

or to be rescued out of it by you.

We return to the boat, my heart ashamed by the relief it feels

to be on familiar ground

Your eyes lock on mine

You know

And smile

The smile of The Son

And now I know

I will be walking on water from now on.

The Lord has been good to me

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:3

I couldn't do it.

It was about 3 weeks before I left for Scotland and I was at the end of my rope. Stressed by life's constant flow of cares and responsibilities, and so afraid about the unknown. Afraid of my dream, of going to the land God had put on my heart. Did I have enough money to go? Should I even go? There were many people I could think of who could use the funds I was going to spend on my trip. Would my family be ok without me? Would my friend and I get kidnapped, lost or murdered by pirates? Oh, and did I mention that I had never flown and was very nervous about going 40,000 feet up in the air in a metal tube?

Oh boy.

On top of all that, I had gotten some terrible news from a dear friend that day. Her grief and pain caused my heart to ache for her and doubt myself, because I had not seen her suffering.

It was not a good day. And I was ready to give up.

I was returning home late and was listening to Joni Eareckson Tada's short devotional on the radio when she began to sing this song:

The Lords been good to me and I will praise the Lord
For giving me the things I need
The birds and the trees and the apple seed
The Lord has been good to me

I was struck by this simplistic yet true song. The Lord has been good to me and no matter what, I need to praise Him. So I did and rested in His goodness that night.

Fast forward three weeks and a few days. My friend and I are in Scotland. We did not get lost and have not seen any pirates either. We are seated at a long table surrounded by very kind people with the greatest accents. A wonderful family had decided to take us in while we were in the Highlands of Scotland; I will tell that whole story in another post. This was our first night there and they were very welcoming, but I was still worried. What if they didn't like us? What if I was a burden to them? What was I supposed to say? How was I supposed to act? It was time to eat dinner and as we all held hands they explained that they always sang a song of thanks before their evening meal. My friend and I smiled, and I honestly thought I would not know the song and would just listen. And then they began:

The Lords been good to me

Wait...it couldn't be...

And I will praise the Lord

They were singing my song! God, in His great kindness and goodness, was showing me His love for me; that He had me in His hands, that I was His and I could trust Him. So I joined in, with one of the biggest smiles on my face that has ever been there.

For giving me the things I need
The birds and the trees and the apple seed
The Lord has been good to me

He has been and will always be good to me. Praise His holy name forever and ever!

Be blessed!

A longing fufilled

My soul clamors for something, the way things should be and are not. Every time it is urged on, lured to the sweetest satisfaction, it is disappointed, crushed with things that cannot fill the gap, betrayed by things not able to fulfill. But there is One, my Savior, Who touches the empty, barren places in my soul, my deepest being. He makes my heart leap, invites my soul to adventure, and with Him, I am not disappointed or ever let go.

                    Sarah Cookingham, 

                  June 6, 2007.  2:39pm

Six years, 4 months and 6 days since the date of when I wrote that post, I was in Scotland, the land of my dreams. The miraculous journey that God led me on to come to this beautiful land is one I hope to share with you. The story is far from complete, actually it feels as though it is just starting. But the truth is this; God is good. He puts desires in our hearts and brings about His purposes in our lives. Nothing can stop Him; He will always be God and always is good. I pray my stories bring you hope, and most of all, that they bring you closer to the Lover of your soul, Jesus.

The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made.
Psalm 145:13

~Be blessed~

The blessings of a broken oven

100 degrees.

That's all my oven would heat up to today; no matter what temperature I chose, this time-saving cooking device decided that it was only going to give 100%, uh, degrees. Well, that just wasn't going to cook the brownies I was making for a friend's birthday present (Yes, brownies are a great birthday present).
But at this rate my friend would not receive his sweet treats, so I made a plan. I went to another friend's house to use their oven, but no one was home. By now it was getting close to dinner time, and my perfectly thought out cooking and delivery time was falling apart. I was frustrated and certainly not at peace. My Mom suggested friends of ours who live around the block from us (I had not thought to ask them), and within a few minutes of calling them they called me back, asking what temperature should they set the oven to.
I went over, feeling flustered because I was even more behind on my schedule and embarrassed that I had to bother them.
I shouldn't have been.
They welcomed me with such joy and I had a wonderful visit with my friend. As my brownies baked my heart was lifted of worries and burdens that I had carried today, and I even got to share with her a dream that God is making come true. The sweet smells from the oven could not match the sweetness of our fellowship; the oven's 350 degrees could not have been warmer than my friend's love for me.

I would have missed it all if my oven had been working, if my perfect plan for the day had not been disturbed.

My friend got his brownies at the perfect time, the truly perfect time, because it was God's timing, not mine.

Thank You God.

Dear Jesus,

Some of the recent conversations I have had with Jesus; maybe you have had similar ones too.

Dear Jesus,
Thank you for today! I am alive and well, my family is loving, I am healthy and strong. You have given me a wonderful job, many great friends, a good car, a good name, and so much more. Your Spirit is inside me, teaching me and guiding me through life. Your love has captured my heart and saved my soul. Who is more blessed than I? 

Daughter,
 It is My good will to give you blessing upon blessing. Delight Yourself in Me. I delight in you!

Dear Jesus,
I am so lost. I have no idea what to do. I am small and so very weak. My frailty frightens me; O God, I desperately need you!

Child,
I am strong, just come to Me, and do not be afraid.

Dear Jesus,
It hurts. So bad. I cannot even breathe. It makes me doubt Your goodness; do You really love me? And then such guilt invades me when I think back on all You have done for me...why do I fear? Why do I doubt?

Child,
I know Your pain, I feel it too. Trust Me, for I am good.

Dear Jesus,
Forgive me.

I did. It is finished. You are clean and beautiful in My eyes, always.


Dear Jesus,
Jesus, oh Jesus, my spirit is too full to speak any more empty words, so I cry out Your name, Jesus.

Beloved,
Let Me take you in My arms, Speak to me from the cry of your heart, for I hear your every heartbeat.

Dear Jesus,
You did it again! You answered the crying of my spirit with goodness and joy! Thank You Jesus! You have put a song in my heart and Your praise is on my lips! You are great and good!

Dear Sarah,
I love you.

Sage Sarah

This morning I was greeted with a wonderful surprise; my sage seedlings have finally emerged from their potting soil beds and decided to say "Good morning" to the world!
This might seem like a silly little thing, but I haven't planted anything in awhile and after two weeks of not seeing any signs of life, I was worried. Plus I had forgotten to water them a few days too many, or so I thought. So this morning I was delighted, until I looked at my other project, my container full of potting soil and rosemary seeds.
Nothing.
My first response was akin to Charlie Brown's in "A Charlie Brown's Christmas"
"Agh, I killed it!"
But just to make sure, I looked at the back of the packet. Sage takes 10-15 days to germinate, whereas Rosemary takes 15-25.
Oh.
I hadn't waited long enough. Dissatisfied with my actions I went the way of blame, the way of not trusting, the way of believing that there was no hope for my seeds or me. What I should of done, what I need to do in every aspect of my life is wait, trust, believe. Wait on the Lord, trust in His goodness, believe in Jesus's love and His total forgiveness of my sins. If I would only wait a little longer, tell doubt and anxiety to get, and stand true in God's word.

Do you know, sage is a symbol for wisdom and rosemary is a symbol for remembrance?

Remember God's goodness, all times and always, for that is wisdom.

Be blessed,
Sarah

No other name

Happy Birthday Dad! I am blessed to celebrate you being born today and so grateful to God for giving me the gift of knowing you!

Every time I think of you I am reminded of not only how wonderful you are to me, but of the great redeeming work that God has done in your life, and subsequently, mine. It brings tears of joy to my eyes and thanksgiving to my heart, to remember all that God has saved you from, and because you accepted Him I too am saved.
You see Dad, whether you meant to or not, your whole life has been a beacon of light to me, pointing me to the loving embrace of our Heavenly Father. Your testimony, your obedience to Father God, even your darkest places from your past, they have all shone with the redemptive love of Jesus, and called earnestly and joyfully to me,
"Come! Come to Jesus! Know Him daughter, His great love and mercy for you, and be free, be saved!"

Thank you Dad for showing me with everything in your life, even your life, that there is no other name by which we can be saved. Oh how good He is, that we should be called children of the Most High. And how kind God is, that on this Earth, I should call you, Dad.

I love you Dad.

Love your Princess Pops,
Sarah

"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved." 
Acts 4:12

Recently I had a thought. Really, it was God bringing His wisdom into my life, like a light bulb illuminating a dark room. And here's my small revelation.

Last week I had to go somewhere I had never been, so I went onto Google Maps and found directions. I got there fine, the directions perfectly leading me where I needed to go. I didn't even use the map.
A few days later I heard someone trying to give directions, and I thought to myself, "This is so complicated, why don't they just go online and find the directions themselves? That way, it is clear and there is no error."

And then the light bulb went off. I trusted Google Maps to get me where I needed to go, even though I had never driven to this place before. I knew it existed, but I did not know the way. Yet, I trusted this online guidance system without a shadow of a doubt. I don't even know where Google Maps gets their information, and I do know that it can give bad directions sometimes! Even so, I placed all my faith in this thing, to get me where I had to be, safely and in the right time.

Oh how I wish I trusted Father God like that! What would my life look like if I placed all my faith in Jesus? Not just for my eternal salvation; that I have already gladly done. But what if I hoped in Him for all things? The little anxieties of everyday life, the constant worries and the seemingly crushing fears that barrage my heart, mind and soul. What if I trusted Him with my life, here on this Earth? To guide me, to keep me, and to bring me where I am meant to be, when I am meant to be there. What peace, to trust and put all my hope in my wonderful Savior!

May you trust in Him today with every fiber of your being, both physical and spiritual, and see His goodness leading you in every good way.

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His Word I put my hope.

Psalm 130:5

Both hands

⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Have any of you ever tried to roller blade with a four year old? A four year old who can't skate, at all? Last Sunday night, I had the great privilege to be helping one of my favorite four year olds skate around the the local roller rink. She had previously been clinging to the wall of the rink, while her Mom patiently shadowed her every movement. I had skates on, and her Mom did not, so I offered to hold my little friend's hands, so she could actually be out on the floor. I was surprised and delighted when she accepted; with me standing behind her, and her small hands clutching a finger from both my hands, we were off. She enjoyed it so much, and was very concentrated on moving her feet back and forth in as close a skating motion as she could. How kids even move in those clunky, plastic skates is beyond me! With the security of me holding her, she was free to practice her skating, even to try and keep up with all the much faster skaters! She trusted that she was perfectly safe from falling, safe from any fear that had kept her glued to the wall. I didn't have this conversation with her, but it was obvious by her relaxed form and big smile every time we passed by her Mom, who was watching happily by the entrance to the rink. It was great fun!

After a few turns around, my back was starting to let me know I was leaning over to skate with a cute munchkin. To save my back, and because she was doing so well, I thought that she might want to try skating side by side, with me holding just one of her hands. The answer to my suggestion was an emphatic shake of the head and the statement,

"Both hands!"

So that is how we stayed, for the rest of the time, and it was worth the back ache, totally.

But it got me thinking afterwards: how like that sweet four year old I am. I am perfectly fine, happy and excited even, to go through life's adventures, as long as I can cling to my heavenly Father's strong hands. To know I am secure and safe from ever falling, from ever failing. But as soon as I don't feel Him, don't sense His touch, as soon as something big and scary comes my way, I find myself shaking my head, calling out, "Both hands, both hands!" 

The thing is, God is always holding me, never tiring from a back ache. When I fall into fear I need to press into Him more, cling to His strong arms, and believe that no matter what, He is holding onto me, and never letting go. I cannot do it on my own; I would still be clinging to the wall or falling flat on my face in my pride. But His grace is enough for me.

Oh, and my little friend's name,

Grace

God says so

God spoke the world into existence. He didn't wave His hands, snap His fingers, or use some kinda wand or staff to create everything. He spoke and it was.

God's Word is not only powerful, it is defining. He said, "Let there be light" and there was light. He made everything; His definition of everything is the only one that matters; the only one there truly is!

That works for us too.

On the way home from work God revealed this to me. For years I believed I wasn't something that He has called me to be, given me the gift to be, defined me to be. I didn't believe for all kinds of reasons. Because I didn't have the proper training, because I wasn't as good at it as other were, because I failed, because I looked stupid. Because....because...because.

And God spoke to me today, telling me I was what He said I was, because HE said so. Not teachers, not friends, not people, not the "world". Him. His Words. They are what define me, what I should listen to.
I was sorrowed and repented for not believing The Creator of the Universe, The One who spoke me into being. The God of everything, who without Him there is nothing.

Wow.

I want to encourage you today. Whatever you are feeling, whatever has been spoken over you by people, even well-meaning people, whatever the world of man has said to you, put it all aside. Actually, kick it out the front door!
And let the life-bring, beauty-creating, majestic Words of God flow into you. Soak them up. Listen to Him and be covered by His Words that He is singing over you. Ask Him what you are, who you are, what He has given you. And let that be enough. For it is more than enough.

Please try it, and be blessed beyond measure by what Words God has for you!

"God, I am ________, because You said I am, and I believe and trust You. Your Words bring life. They create wonders I cannot even fathom. They restore me and bring me peace. Thank You Lord. I love You."

It is all about You Jesus

This is Bebo Norman's song "Nothing Without You". I do not own it, nor did I write/create it. I did sign this song for my Mom, because she has modeled a worshipful heart and life. I hope it blesses you all!

                                                                  God loves you!

And all God's children said, Ohhh Yeah!!!

About the title of my post: a very special person once told me that another way to say amen was, "ohhh yeah!", because both meant that you were wholeheartedly agreeing with what had just been said. Even though I learned this as a child, I still use and love that phrase!

This past Sunday we had a very special guest at my church. Well, he was very special to me. His name is Tom Michaels Zahradnik, and that is the name the world at large knows him by.

I call him Mr. Z. Always have, probably always will. It is a name, a term of endearment rather, that means so much more than a sign of respect, although I do hold this man in high esteem.

You see, Mr. Z, he was my Sunday school teacher.

We called it Kids Church, and he and his wonderful wife Cathleen, or Mrs. Z, taught it for most of my childhood years. They were such a wonderful team, and I continue to look back on those Sunday mornings with much joy and thankfulness. But there is one thing I remember more than anything else, something I hold onto and count as precious in my heart. I don't think I can rightly describe what it is without this verse from the book of Matthew:

             Jesus said,"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."          Matthew 19:14

Mr. and Mrs. Z took this verse to heart, and lived it as my Kids Church teachers. Throughout our worship, singing, and teaching time together, their purpose was always to bring us kids closer to Jesus. It was their joy to do so. I can remember Mr. Z encouraging us to memorize God's word, praise Him with enthusiasm, and most importantly, listen quietly and patiently for His voice. Mr. Z told us that we, even as children, could hear God, could obey God, could do mighty things for God! So many times I came to Mr. Z with an idea, a prayer, a word from God; never was I laughed at or turned away. Instead, I was encouraged to do or say what God had put on my heart! I was a child, and Mr. Z never kept me from Jesus, or from sharing the love He had given to me to share!

What a powerful and beautiful gift to give to a child. I can tell you it made a sweet imprint on my young heart, one that has stayed with me through the years. But bad experiences, disappointed dreams, and a few judgmental people later, and that imprint of child-like faith got covered up with negativity, pride, doubt and despair.

That's why it was so special to see Mr. Z on Sunday. As soon as I saw him, all those sweet memories, all that encouragement, all the truth of who I am in Jesus Christ came flooding back to me in an instant. I wanted to cry, and at that moment I didn't understand why. But I have been thinking of Mr. Z all week, all the times he encouraged me, spoke blessing into my life, delighted in me and my desire to love Jesus with everything I am. He was not the only one; I have been blessed beyond measure by loving people who I cannot thank God enough for.

Mr. Z is one of those people. He rejoiced in "letting the children" come to Jesus. And without knowing it, this man has once again helped me go to the loving arms of Jesus. Once again I know I am His beloved child, and I don't want anything to rob me of that. 

Mr. Z will forever be precious in my, and I know many other, "children's" hearts.

Thank you Mr. Z!

And everybody said, "Ohhhhh Yeahhhh!!!"

Yes waiter, I'll take the dirt with worms please...

This is a skit that God gave to me, and my brother and his friend performed at our church this Sunday. I hope you are blessed by it; word pictures really help drive the point home with me!

Imagine that you are in a nice restaurant, having dinner with a friend, spouse, whomever. Now, picture in this restaurant, a table, not far from where you are, with two gentlemen sitting at it. There is nothing about these two gentlemen that catches your attention; they are very ordinary. You go back to eating your meal, when your attention is suddenly drawn back to the two men. Not because of them, but because of what the server has just brought out for them to eat. Actually, it’s just the one gentlemen’s choice of dinner that has you shocked and very grossed out! One gentleman, the normal one, is eating a juicy cheeseburger on a whole wheat bun, stacked with tomatoes and lettuce; he is washing it down with a big glass of fresh milk. The other man, the extremely strange one, is devouring a plate full of dirt! Not only that, but he is washing it all down with what looks to be mud! You look closer, and see that the dirt he is eating is filled with worms, and he is eating them too! You shake your head, hoping you aren’t seeing what you thought you saw; but as you look again, there he is, stuffing his face with dirt and worms! You have suddenly lost your appetite, and hurriedly ask the waiter for your check. As you leave the restaurant you ask yourself, “How could anyone do something that disgusting and unhealthy?”

The answer is this: Every single one of us has done that.

No, I am not talking about eating dirt as a kid. I am talking about feeding yourself dirt, that is to say, lies. Every one of us has “eaten” a lie at some point in our life, maybe even this very day. We sit down, devour them, digest them and then do it all over again. We give up the beneficial, nutritious, life giving food we are offered by Jesus, and instead choose the muddy muck of the enemies’ lies. Why?

Jesus is singing over you every moment, speaking life giving and life changing words to your heart constantly. It is a simple choice: Lies or truth? Which will you believe?

And if it ever becomes unclear to you, think of it this way; dirt or a cheeseburger, which would you choose to eat?

John 8:32

³² and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

My Daddy, My Hero!

Today is my Dad's Birthday. I am so thankful he was born, and that he is my father. As I was thinking about him today I decided to list the ways he has blessed my life. Here they are!

    Daddy, you have always loved me. From before you could see me you have prayed for me, cherished me, waited expectantly for me. You have held me when I hurt, comforted me when I was afraid, and never passed up a dance with me! I have never doubted your love for me
    Dad, you have always protected me. You guarded my life ever since you knew I existed. From bullys on the playground to enemies in the spiritual realm, you have stood as a shield to defend me when I could not fight for myself.
    Daddy, you delight in me! From your special nickname for me, to the way you smile at me, to the way you would stop anything to help me or listen to me; you show me how precious I am to you.
    Dad, you are encouraging to me. All my life you have offered correction, guidance, and words of affirmation that have filled my heart with joy and my spirit with hope for my future.
    This one isn't least, it is the most important. Dad, you have showed me the Father's love for me, and have taught me to follow after God with everything I am. What a gift for a daughter to receive from her earthly father!
 I love you Daddy, so very much. Happy Birthday!

Queen for a day...princess forever!

Saturday, my friends and I went to Medieval Times in New Jersey. We had a ball! All the sword play, horsemanship, falconry, medieval style food; it was fantastic. After the Knights had finished their tournament games they each got to give out a sash to someone in their part of the audience; the woman or girl they picked would be Queen of the Tournament. The Knight that I was cheering for rode up to our section, looked right at me and lowered his lance, which had the sash on it, and said,

"This is for you."
I was too shocked to do anything. I just sat there thinking he meant someone else. So I asked him,

"For me?"

He smiled and nodded, then asked,

"Can you stand?"

You see, I couldn't reach the sash from where I was sitting, and he couldn't lower his lance any further, (there was a Plexiglas wall in the way), so I had to stand to receive my gift. It required effort on my part; I had to choose whether or not I would accept the beautiful gift being given to me.

It is the same in our relationship with Jesus

Jesus stands before us, smiling at us, holding out His salvation, His favor, His faithfulness, His unending love for us. He is consistently and forever saying,

"This is for you."

But He won't ever force it on you; He won't throw it in your face. He will wait for you to accept Him, all the while gently asking,

"Can you stand?" 

"Can you receive my gift?" 

"Can you receive my love for you?"

I encourage you to accept whatever gift Jesus is giving to you today. Whether it be salvation, freedom from sin and death, friendship, grace, joy, a closer walk with Him; whatever it is, rise up, stand up and accept with a heart full of delight that which He is lovingly bestowing on you.

Be blessed!

Does your life feel like a waterfall?

Waterfalls are majestic, powerful, breathtakingly spectacular. Some waterfalls, like Niagara Falls, attract enormous amounts of attention; the small, man-made ones in some backyards offer relaxation. No matter the size, they are mesmerizing. And not just waterfalls, but what comes before and after them too. I don't know about you, but watching water on its journey from streams and rivers, to lakes and finally back to the ocean is fascinating. It travels over rocks, through narrow passages, around fallen debris, under ground, drops hundreds of feet off a cliff, passes any structure that would deter it from its goal; the water cycle, set-up by God, is unstoppable. It is amazing to watch at whatever part you might see it.

Do you ever feel like a waterfall? 

Or maybe I should ask it this way: does your life ever feel like a drop of water in a waterfall?


Think about it. Despite all the beautiful and amazing qualities I just mentioned above, moving water is still one of the most chaotic things in nature. Think of yourself as a water droplet in a stream, river, or waterfall; battered around by whatever was floating along with you, slammed into rocks, twisted and pulled by the strong currents around you, travelling in the dark, underground, maybe even in sewage. Finding peace in some quiet pond or brook before being ungraciously swept back into the flow. And then, just when you thought it couldn't get worse, you get catapulted into the air off a three hundred foot cliff, and yes, there are sharp rocks at the bottom.

Now, would anyone of us want that? How could this painful, crazy, discouraging mayhem be the same as the beautiful, majestic, peaceful and intricate design of God that is the water cycle? How?

Isn't life that way?

I don't know if there is anything that is more hurtful, discouraging, hopeless, and chaotic as life in this world. All of us have gotten bashed by unkind words and actions, turned around by the overwhelming force of our shifting emotions, left to fend for ourselves or seemingly forgotten, in the dark because we have absolutely no idea what to do. Every once in awhile we find a safe spot, some peace in our lives, only to be hurled off that high point into the sinking depths of despair. That is the fact of this life.

But the truth...

The truth is that Jesus redeemed your life. The truth is that He holds you, that nothing gets to you without first going through Him. The truth is that He guides you, leads you on all life's adventures. The truth is that He has a plan, a good plan, for you. He designed the flow of water throughout this earth; He also designed your life. While the fact might be that there is hurt, confusion, chaos and difficulty in your life, the truth is that Jesus is with you, holding you, loving you, through it all. Through the pain, despair and confusion, Jesus is speaking His love, comfort, and hope.
You might feel like a drop of water, being carried where you don't want to go, getting tossed about, banged around, but that's not the truth. The truth is that Jesus is carrying you through His plan, His purposes for your life, to bring you closer to Him. Your life is a waterfall! Your life brings glory to God; it draws others to Him when they see His faithfulness to you. That is the truth.

One last thought...
 You would praise God for the beauty of a waterfall you saw on a hike, why not praise Him for the waterfall that is your life? Praise Him for your life today, for His great love for you. He has such good plans for you, trust and praise Him; you won't regret it!

Be blessed

A Dance with my Beloved, Jesus

Hello all!
I thought I would use my first post to introduce my blog, what its purpose is. I hope to use this blog as a tool to encourage anyone who reads it, by sharing what God is speaking and showing to me. I hope to do this not just through writing, but other creative ways, like signing, dance, singing, pottery, and whatever else God puts on my heart.

The title of my blog, A Dance with my Beloved, is what I want my life to be. I want to dance with Jesus every step, every moment, with Him leading me through each song that makes up my life. Looking in His eyes as He holds me close, listening to His life giving words as He sings over me, never leaving His embrace. This is the purpose of my life, my greatest joy.

May you be blessed today with the knowledge that the One who ransomed you from sin and death, the One who called you by name, the One who loves you, He is holding you. He will never let you go.



"All that the Father gives  me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away."
                                                                                                                                        John 6:37