My face, covered in ash
In mourning my spirit fell
Darkness blinded thine sight
Sack cloth clothed this shell
My name, no more I knew
Lost in the shadow of sorrow
In pieces, my heart shattered
My hope feared the morrow
You came with a subtle whisper
A fierce, yet gentle hand
Curled yourself up beside
Me, who was drowning on dry land
Securely, you tucked me away
Underneath your spotless cloak
Wooing me with your truth
So lovingly, in my ear, you spoke
Patiently, You cared for me
Teaching me how to forgive
Showing me how to love
Making new, a life to live
Into the light, you brought me
Like a bride in the arms of her groom
Rescuing me from the enemy
From all despair and gloom
Wiping my face, You spoke
"Dark yet Lovely are you"
"Beauty from ashes my daughter"
"My Joy, you have been made new"
Isaiah 61:3 To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
It's Lent...God is on the move
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13: 34-35
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6: 14-15
My heart grows anxious as I sit to write, for I know what I must do. These words that Christ spoke have been ringing strong since Ash Wednesday and I didn't quite understand why until this morning as I sat in church listening to my Priest preach on these very things. As the opening went with the reading of the second scripture, I honestly thought to myself, "There is not one that I need to forgive. I have laid to rest all my burdens, transgressers, and hurts at the foot of the cross and all is well with my soul." Then, out of no where, I heard a loud voice, HIS voice say the names of people that I honestly have never met before but only knew of, by the part they had played in the wretched betrayal shown against me. Tears uncontrollable flowed. "This will be the last cup you must drink." my Abba assured. "After this, it will be done."
Why the strong emotion? Why could I not stop the tears? The Lord has helped me forgive so much already and I am more than willing to walk through this for I know his grace and mercy. I have felt his love and guidance. I have been granted the peace that passes all understanding by his hand so why? The answer; in all honesty, I thought I was done but deep down inside I knew that I wasn't yet never understand why. There was always that something that wasn't quite gone, that made me twinge ever so subtly, that something that I thought I would just live with forever as a thorn in my flesh to keep me humble...but today! Today, my Jesus said, "NO! This too will end." My God, my Abba, answered my prayer and my tears were that of joy and thankfulness. I know I can do this with HIS help, by continuing to walk in faith knowing that He has my best interest at heart. I can forgive as He has forgiven, I can love as he has loved, and I can walk in freedom with Him, because of Him, forever.
THANKS BE TO GOD!!!
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6: 14-15
My heart grows anxious as I sit to write, for I know what I must do. These words that Christ spoke have been ringing strong since Ash Wednesday and I didn't quite understand why until this morning as I sat in church listening to my Priest preach on these very things. As the opening went with the reading of the second scripture, I honestly thought to myself, "There is not one that I need to forgive. I have laid to rest all my burdens, transgressers, and hurts at the foot of the cross and all is well with my soul." Then, out of no where, I heard a loud voice, HIS voice say the names of people that I honestly have never met before but only knew of, by the part they had played in the wretched betrayal shown against me. Tears uncontrollable flowed. "This will be the last cup you must drink." my Abba assured. "After this, it will be done."
Why the strong emotion? Why could I not stop the tears? The Lord has helped me forgive so much already and I am more than willing to walk through this for I know his grace and mercy. I have felt his love and guidance. I have been granted the peace that passes all understanding by his hand so why? The answer; in all honesty, I thought I was done but deep down inside I knew that I wasn't yet never understand why. There was always that something that wasn't quite gone, that made me twinge ever so subtly, that something that I thought I would just live with forever as a thorn in my flesh to keep me humble...but today! Today, my Jesus said, "NO! This too will end." My God, my Abba, answered my prayer and my tears were that of joy and thankfulness. I know I can do this with HIS help, by continuing to walk in faith knowing that He has my best interest at heart. I can forgive as He has forgiven, I can love as he has loved, and I can walk in freedom with Him, because of Him, forever.
THANKS BE TO GOD!!!
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