2015

Father thank you for all you've walked me through this year.
You have guided and helped me in years past.
Your faithfulness has never failed me.
If there was ever any lack
it was for my turning,
never yours.

But thank you for this year.

This year, I've learned from my friends
(and from your Spirit), that it's safe to be real.
To be humble, vulnerable and loving.

All those things may seem at first glance easy,
but they get at the heart of faith,
and they can be so hard.

To be humble can be seen as weak,
I don't fear being weak anymore.
In truth I've always been weak,
and when I am most honest about that,
your power is seen.
I've learned it's safe to be weak,
I can find rest, at your side
and your power helps me.
I rest in your strength and I'm safe.

I've learned it's OK to be vulnerable.
What a strange thing to be thankful for,
but as I've opened up deep things
to those close to me,
I've been set free and healed,
both from those things and from the fear of man.

Love and trust grow in the soil of transparency.

Dear friends have invited me to pray for their freedom as well.
It's been a year filled with many victories.

It turns out, you really did want us to grow in unity
and I've enjoyed seeing this happen.
Guided by your Spirit as we study your Word and wrap up in it's truth,
we have read about the principles of fellowship,
now we have grown in our experiential knowledge of it.
Thank you, Lord.

We are learning to cherish each other.
It turns out, as we study your Word,
your Spirit helps us.
Wisdom and peace,
grace and compassion,
kindness and gentleness

are growing in our midst.

Thank you, Lord.

The humble cannot be humiliated

I have thought about what to write
and how to put letters and syllables together
to make a coherent view of our humility.
Sometimes my nemesis (pride)
clouds my mind with self consoling rationalization
and self-pitying affirmation
all of which,
stand in the way of my clearly assessing my worth.

I should say, my worth apart from the merits of Christ.
Because I can't take any stock
or proud assurance of anything good
apart from His enablement,
and therefore deserve no credit,
for any good thing, I've done,
and therefore no pride
in any good attribute I may display.

Therefore, if any human
(or the Holy Spirit for that matter)
would point out any sin in me
(which stands contrary to the holy standard of God)
I should in no way be offended,
but rather thank them,
as this evil thing,
seeks to cause my ruin
and drives others away from a clear view of God
as well as discredits any witness I would hope to have.

I had said:
"the humble cannot be humiliated"
because if we are humble,
we hate our sin as much as the devil of hell.
Sin is the stench of hell,
it is the nails that held my Saviors body to the cross
and pierced his side.

I hate my sin.
Call it out!
Gouge it out!
Cast it from me,
cut it off,
and cast it in the fires of hell!
God take the coal
and cleans my lips,
here I am.

I want no part of hell
to take up camp in my life
in my heart
in my mind.
I want no melody of hell to come from my mouth
or no rhythm of hell to corrupt my movements.

God I want to be holy.
If anyone (in anger or with ill intent)
would call to my sight some sin of mine,
they are my dearest friend,
that I would repent and be forgiven
for entertaining this cancer (that is eating away at me),
that I would be healed and set free of this thing
(that seeks my ruin,
while cloaking it's self as my friend and confidant).

God help me,
and use all means under heaven
and in heaven
and all Your power and authority
to accomplish Your will of holiness
in my heart, mind, soul, and life!

Amen
And praise be to God
for loving my frail and rebellious self
and for being patient with my folly
and rescuing me from the retch that I am
and making me his child
through Christ our Lord.
Amen

Advent

As we stand in the midst of

the advent season,
perhaps it's best to ask
what this season is all about,
and how we (as believers) might
grow more holy,
reflect Christ's love more purely,
and preach the message
(Christ would have us preach)
more faithfully.
Preach (that is)
with our lives
words
and gifts.
So what is advent all about?
I'm not asking what Christmas is about.
Everyone knows
it's about Christ's birth,
or
about pretending a large man
in a red velvet suite
gives gifts
to obedient children.
A time to spend too much money
on gifts for people
we hope will love us
and give gifts to us in return.
A time to correct people when they wish us
a “Happy Holiday”
instead of a “Merry Christmas”.
A time to be lonely and depressed
if any of the hopes and dreams
that danced in your childhood mind
have no chance in sight
of coming true.
I'm not asking what Christmas is all about.
I'm asking what Advent is all about.
The candles,
the wreath,
the scriptures
the prayers
what do they all try
(so consistently)
year after year
to teach us?
Advent is the celebration of an event.
The event is God coming,
to walk the earth again.
Coming to walk in our shoes,
coming to feel our pain,
coming to be tempted,
tried,
tested,
convicted,
and killed,
coming to culminate
the purchase
of mankind
by the laying down
of His perfectly lived life
and then rising to conquer the grave.
We celebrate
that He came,
and
that He will come again.
This time,
coming to claim His bride
and take her home.
Coming to gather those
who have kept watch for Him,
coming to welcome the chosen
into His kingdom,
and banish the powers of darkness
to hell.
So Advent Candles
(lit one per week)
remind us of the gift of Christ's birth
at just the right time,
and they point to His return.
The prophets foretold
of His coming.
Anna, Simon and 3 wise men watched.
Christ will come again,
And He asks us to watch
and be ready and waiting.
Christ is the light of the world
coming (like the candle)
to dispel the darkness,
to give us sight,
and just as the star
lead the wise men to Christ,
so the candles
bid us,
to seek after Christ our Savior.
Just as the shepherds
on the hillside were invited by angels
to come and worship,
so we,
are invited to seek Him out
and worship
and follow
and rejoice.
So let us
celebrate the event of Christ birth,
and anticipate with excitement
His return
Let us live as Christ lived.
Testify to the Fathers love
and faithfulness
as we serve
others
for the love of
our King.
Let us be more holy
that is
more set aside for God.
Not whisked through the season
with credit cards,
tinsel, and packaging
but focused
on the gift of God.
Telling (like angels)
how He brings peace
to all men
on whom His favor rests.
Let us worship Him
in Spirit and truth
and be set aside
for His use.
Let us reflect Christ,
love more purely
and
not be diluted,
(rendered ineffective)
by materialism
or love of money,
not seeking the gift,
but rather the Giver.
And let us preach
with words,
life,
and
gifts
the message
of our passionately loving,
tenaciously pursuing,
all powerful,
incredibly merciful,
adoring Father,
and tell how
He showed us his great love,
by sending His son
to save our souls,
and show us
His love
and instruct by example
how to lay our lives down
for each other.

c Kim Damon 2013

Count Your Blessings (Let's just say I stopped at 133)

God, thank you for joy,
quiet giggles
soft music
deep voices
humming birds
rhythm
butterfly kisses
eye lashes
little girl hugs
little boy hugs
pink cheeks
little hands to hold
big hugs
warm hearts
soft strong hugs
rest
too many tears in worship
warm sun on my face
God's favor
times of refreshing,
warm spring rain,
swimming in the ocean,
bubbles lifting up to the blue sky
glistening water,
bubbling streams,
warm breezes,
the sun sparkling off new fallen snow,
the shape of a snowflake
bare tree branches painted white on the snowy side,
birch trees in the winter,
snow bunnies
pink puppy noses
arctic wolves,
sea lions and their large sad baby eyes,
the eyes of innocence,
the eyes of love,
the eyes of the aged (old and wise).
An old man singing,
the wrinkles in my grandmothers hands
the wings of a blue bird,
zippers,
sunrises,
sun sets,
galaxies,
the milky way,
aurora borealis,
the surface of the moon,
the hope of a child,
dreams,
faith,
salvation,
my children,
my home
my husband,
dear friends,
my job,
my car,
my office,
my bible,
wood floors,
sandy beaches,
green leaves,
red leaves,
yellow leaves
crunchy fall leaves
spring green,
magenta,
bubble gum,
writing,
guitars when they strum low,
the heart beat of my unborn children,
running my fingers through their hair,
washing baby faces,
putting babies to sleep,
Praying for friends,
praying for children
praying for those I love,
those who hurt me,
those whom I've hurt,
those who I hope for,
those who others do not hope for.
Thank you God for sea weed,
creatures that never see the sun that are white,
bats (that eat bugs),
stars,
skunks,
flowers,
beetles,
worms,
fish,
seagulls,
star fish,
the shape sunflower seeds make as they grow,
the taste of milk after cereal sweetens it,
the taste of my fingers after I eat Cheetos,
thank you for the taste of ham with pineapple and currents,
gingerbread cookies,
and tea,
thank you for how they remind me of my grandma,
thank you for my pastor,
for my elders
for my mentors,
for those who went before me
for those who prayed for me,
believed in me invested in me,
hoped for me
and encouraged me.
Thank you for my mom and dad,
for the mistakes they made that helped me grow,
for the things they got right that I strive to emulate,
thank you for fingers that type,
a mind that sees visions,
and ears that hear melody,
thank you for color,
for touch
for bumpy braile (for those who cannot see)
for sound waves (to feel for those who cannot hear),
for taste
and your spirit to quicken our heart
thank you for words,
oh God I love words.
Thank you for smiles when no one is around
for joy so powerful I weep,
for love so strong it hurts
for your spirit so compelling
and so real
I feel your touch
and hear your voice.
Thank you for loving me,
oh God thank you for loving me
calling me
saving me
and never letting go of me.
And so many more things
too many to mention,
so let me return often to thank you regularly.
As often as you give,
I owe you an eternity of thank you's.

How do I know God loves me?

It's too easy to say:

For God so loved the world,
He gave His only begotten Son...

Because that's how I know He loves the world.
How do I know He loves me?

I used to sing: "Jesus loves me this I know
for the Bible tells me so"
but dose it really and where?

Well, David said:
"God places the lonely in families'
he sets the prisoners free
and gives them joy."

Isaiah prophesied:
Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

And in Romans Paul said:
But God shows his love for us in that while we
were still sinners, Christ died for us.

These are all really good words,
but there was a time when
I didn't know they were true,
I only hoped they were true,
I wished they were true,
I dreamed they were true,

until I asked God to come live in my heart,
and then I felt His love.
He taught me His love.
And He changed me
and gave me His love for others.

Jesus said: Behold, I stand at the door and knock...
(He desires us to open the door and let him in.)

If a person didn't believe in God,
what a great test!
Nothing would happen.
Or everything would happen.
You see God takes our hope,
He takes our wishing,
and longing,
and gives us so much more than we had imagined
or asked for!

We get more than our sins forgiven
(and that is big!)
We get more than our eternity to spend in Heaven
(and that is incalculable)
We get to live with God now!
We get to have Him as a part of our life now!
We get to enjoy His love now!

He comes in when we invite Him,
and He forgives and cleanses and teaches us
and He gives us His love,
and imparts His love for others into our heart.

Now our past leaves our mind riddled
with the voice of family, "friends" and teachers
who have crushed our self esteem,
and we may still hear those voices.

They may try and discredit the Voice of God
that whispers His love to us.
But as we read His Word (the Bible)
and hang out with other believers,
we learn to hear and distinguish God's Voice.

We get to experience a new identity
(one that is being transformed daily into the image of Christ).

And then we get to know
His great love for us
more each day,
until One day,
when we see Him face to face
and our faith becomes sight
and we get to spend all time,
together with the Lover of our soul.
God Himself.

What does it mean to be a "living sacrifice"?

Therefor, I urge you, brothers and sisters,
in view of God's mercy,
to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,
holy and pleasing to God-
this is your true and proper worship.

Father,
if you desire my life (lived out)
as a gift of gratitude (worship)

I want that.

I almost can't help it
(when I focus on Your Truth)
it's beauty changes me,
it's truth compels me,
to surrender.
It's beauty births
humble gratitude.

It's not in this place of surrender (to your love)
that I ever struggle to be a living sacrifice,
it's when I walk back into my daily grind,
my family,
job, and home.

It's when I am confronted
with those you desire me to love most,
to have the most influence on,
that I struggle to live out this life of gratitude,
because they are not as perfectly loving as you.

They are not perfect at all.
They are nice enough,
but their sin hurts me,
their selfishness takes from me,
their love uses me,
and I feel robbed of my strength,
I feel my strength is not enough,
I feel unable to meet their insatiable needs.

So I come back to you,
for filling up (on a good day)
on a bad day,
my pride stands up and says "No more!"
and I get angry,
and I feel used and feel selfish.

God, I want to stay reliant on you.
I don't have enough strength for everyone,
I do have what you want me to give them though,
if I stay connected to you.

You said no one can bear fruit alone,
he must stay connected to the vine.

It's like a hose expecting to give  water
with out being connected to the faucet.
To be a living sacrifice,
is to acknowledge we are just a hose.
(Not the source of water).

To stay connected to the (never ending supply)
and not so much admire the thirst quenching water,
or the covering that delivers the life giving gift,
but to adore the giver and stay in a worshiping attitude,
while He pours through us.

To seek to give rather than receive,
and to love rather than to be loved.
To seek to feed others,
rather than being feed
and to spend ourselves on behalf of others
(just as Jesus does)
this is a living sacrifice.

God allow me to keep my focus,
and to so enjoy fellowship with you,
that I never let go through out my day
and live a life surrendered to your will,
purposes and power.
I live for this.
I die for this.
God be glorified.
Amen

Why confess?

I remember when my children were small
telling them if they told the truth
they would be in less trouble.
I knew what they had done.
The evidence was all over their face and hands
shirt and pants and had a path back to the
point of disobedience.

It's like that with God.
He knows what we've done
so why confess?

Because the trail of mess is not
confined to the floor, our clothes and face.
The trail of sin
has sullied our heart and mind as well.

It clouds our thinking,
darkens our countenance
and taints our vision.
Worse, it puts dissension
between us and God.

But why?

Because God loves us so much,
He sent Christ
to separate us from our sin.

To heal us from it,
to forgive us for it
and to wipe it's stain and damage away.

And He loves Jesus too much
to have His sacrifice
be given in vein.

When we carelessly, willfully or causally sin,
we reject His gift.
We say: "No thank you!
Sin is better!
I want sin more!"

So why confess?

1John 1:9  says: If we confess our sins
He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
and cleans us from all unrighteousness.

OK, so we confess to be clean and forgiven right?
Not exactly.
John further says: "I have told you these things, so that you will not sin,
but if you do sin, we have an advocate before the Father,
who is Christ the Lord."

You see our fellowship with God
(who is light and in whom there is no darkness)
is so precious that we want to keep it,
stay in it,
walk in the light of it,
and we cant bring our darkness into that light.
So we must be washed and forgiven
to enter into it!

We confess so we can stay there.
In the sweetness of fellowship with God.

We are literally like the toddler who has a dirty diaper
who runs away from being changed.
For fear of being exposed,
or embarrassment,
or because of pride?!!

We don't even feel right to be in the room with others
while that stench surrounds us!
So our attitude is tainted and our mood is darkened.
God graciously makes a way for us to
be except-able again.
Why would we not come to Him and let Him cleans us?

God, would you bring me often into the sweet fellowship of confession.
Just the act of you cleansing and forgiving is so loving on your part.
Thank you for all you lived and all you suffered,
to wash me and heal me and separate me
from my sin.
It is against you fore-mostly that I sin
and Lord, where I have been a stumbling block to others,
oh, God forgive me for that sin as well.

That I would separate another from fellowship with you,
is so careless and cruel.

God search my heart
and know my thoughts,
and see if there are any offensive ways in me
and lead me in the way everlasting.

If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Fellowship with God?

"That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ."—1 John 1:3.

Fellowship-God wants it with me!?! 

Unbroken communion

unhindered togetherness

unspoiled bonds

sweetness of sharing

fragrance of each other

bonded

mingled

new creation

best fit

right tool

efficient partnership

trusted companion

shared secrets

unspoken requests known

finished sentences

honored in absence

joint edification

reciprocal adoration

guarded honor

shared vision

shared purpose

shared strength

weaknesses covered

adored

one

tears of joy

complete love

complete joy

complete peace

a soul companion

God wants this from me

God wants this with me

God provides this for me

God calls me to this

God enables me to be wrapped up in this.

I am loved

I am safe

I am His.

We are loved.

We are safe.

We are His. 

1John 1:3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

God's favorite

I feel like I'm God's favorite.

“Wow!”

(You might be thinking)

“That's pretty presumptuous of you”

But let me explain.

I heard someone explain

(after their Mother died)

that they always felt like their Mom's favorite.

After all the children gathered,

they all expressed the same feeling,

and became aware,

that their Mother had a gift for giving love

in such a powerfully personal intimate manner,

that each child felt like they had been the closest

to their Mother's heart.

I heard this story early in my Motherhood

and kept it as my ambition,

to always love each child

(as if they were the only one

as if they were my favorite).

God has that gift.

His love for me,

the way He speaks to me,

the way He comes to me,

the way He reveals Himself to me,

the way He protects me and keeps me close,

all make me feel highly favored by Him,
makes me feel like I'm His favorite.

I am totally aware that He gives this invitation

(for passionately personal intimacy) to all His children.

I'm not just aware of it,

I believe it's imperative as His child that I enjoy this benefit

in such a way, that I invite others to come in to the same unity with God.

I also believe (not only am I an invite-er or a minster of reconciliation)

but I believe it's God's passionate desire that all of His children

would come deeper,

would look higher,

would surrender more

into the heart of God.

Into their relationship

with God,

so they would know they are God's favorite

as well.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock,

if anyone hears my voice

and invites me in,

I will enter and sup with him

and he with me.

We don't just get to have supper with Him.

He also says:

take my yoke upon you and learn from me.

He wants us to work right beside Him

and listen to Him

and learn His ways.

He said His blood was like wine

and His body like bread

because He wanted 

the seal of our cleansing

and union with God to be part of us,

to bring us joy

and give us strength

in our life.

The prayer He prayed for us

expressed His longing for 

such intimate relationship with us

that we would literally be ONE with

Him and with the Father,

even in the same manner Christ is

one with the Father.

You can't get more favored

more intimate in a relationship

than that.

Turn your face to the Father

Turn your face to Jesus

Turn your face to the Holy Spirit

and surrender your all,

your everything,

and receive the union with God that He desires,

be God's favorite.

Amen  

A dear friend asked me what "Miss Kim" likes (my daycare name).

I wrote something today (inspired by you): What does Miss Kim like? Quickly I answered “ART!”, but as I contemplate the query I felt, as usual, the quick answer did not dignify the full truth, so I gave it some thought. I let it challenge me (I love to be challenged!) so that, should go on the list! I like and love so many things: I like to be challenged, I love art, creating (with anything at hand): music, paintings, jewelry, cookies, sewn pieces and with new elements come new creating, new creations, I love writing, teaching, listening, learning, I love children and how they soak up love without reserve, I like hello kitty (I think it's a throw-back to my little girl self), I like to take long rides on my Harley, I love the sun-set, the sun rise, the sun in my eyes (I close them and tilt my head back and just soak up the love and favor of God) I love the Lord, I love my family, I love my friends, friendship in general, I love being transparent (the more I am real, the more it gives others the freedom to be real), I love passing on the gifts I'm given, I love to give, and to teach giving, I love to see what others do creatively and I love to affirm others. I like liverwurst sandwiches with sweet pickles, Very spicy Mexican food, warm brownies under ice-cream, hot fudge, whip cream and a cherry, I like black coffee, guarded secrets, praying for friends, and giving the help I've gotten, I like forget-me-nots (maybe because of the meaning as well as their delicate beauty) I like to laugh, to tell jokes, to do what seems unconventional, to break out of the box others create and to make people think about deep, real, beautiful things, I like to enjoy every drop of the half filled glass, I like that there is always a bright side. I like to not give up! To strive, to grow and learn. I like to smile when no-one is around, I believe God does that when he looks at us. I like that when I'm down, I know where my strength is found, and I'm called there, and I'm refreshed. I like it when my friends forgive my mistakes, and I like to ignore my friends mistakes and I like that God is like that as He sees us hidden with Christ and clothed in his righteousness.

Psalm 23 in my own words.

The one with authority over all

owns me,

guides me,

protects me,

cares for me

and keeps me.

There is no good thing, I lack.

My Master causes me to find deep tranquil rest,

He surrounds me with peace,

He gives me new strength in my core.

He is alluring to my heart

and beacons me to follow Him

as He leads me in truth

because I am His

and bear His name.

At times trials rob me of clarity

and I am wrought with sadness

But I will not be held captive by fear

Your presence fills me with love,

and scatters my foes,

and You stay with me

and in Your strength, I rest.

Your generous provisions are laid out for me

in front of those who wish me harm.

You cleanse me and mark me as your own,

and set me apart for your purpose.

I feel abundantly cared for.

I am certain your kindness and affection will

guard me until I join you in eternity.

And I will enjoy all time

with my hearts desire

(of living with my Shepherd).

Tree Planted by Streams of Water

I visited a tree yesterday. I just wanted to look at it and observe it's strength (it's planted by a stream of water). It doesn't bend down by the weight of it's load. It's branches reach high and are nourished, it's roots are deep and anchor firm. I altered my course twice yesterday so I could just look at this tree for a few seconds and remember it's strength. It quietly teaches me and encourages me. How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers...

I have learned, I have forgotten

I have learned, I have forgotten

I have been a Christian 
for 30 years

in that time I have learned some

very important things,

unfortunately,

in that time,

I have also forgotten

some very important things…

I have learned:

God is near…

God is powerful…

God loves people…

God’s way is the best way…

Pride sneaks up on me…

I am tempted easily…

I am a clay pot…

God has more forgiveness

than I have sins...

I always think I’m right…

God is infallible, I am not…

If God said it, it’s true...

At times I forget:

How much He loves me…

How much He paid for me…

How often He thinks of me…

That He will never leave me

or forsake me…

That we win…

That He is for me…

That there is a great cloud of

Witnesses rooting for me…

I have learned, God helps me

And I can do anything

When He helps me.

I have learned to give God glory.

I sometimes forget to give God glory.

I have learned I am forgiven

I forget that sometimes too.

I have learned…

(so many times) I have learned

Nothing satisfies but Jesus!

And lastly,

the most important thing I have learned…

the way to have the most joy

for the longest period of time

with out fail

is to live

in loving relationship

with Jesus Christ

When God says "No"

There's no "candy free" isle for grown-ups.
I mean a place where we can avoid temptation.
It's really all out there;
the good, the bad and the ugly
and we must choose.

For most, if you can afford it
and it's within your grasp
and you want it
you should totally go for it!

But what if it's OK for others
but not for you?
What if it's destructive?
What if it only looks good
but it's not best?

What if God says "No'.

I don't care how nice a person says it,
if I hear the word "No",
my insides are ready to fight.
I'm angry
or I'm hurt
or I'm envious of those who get "it",
and I'm sad.

But what if God says "No"
because He wants to give you a Porch
and you were asking for a Pinto?
(No disrespect to the Pinto owners out there).
But we often set our sights too low.

The key in finding peace when you hear that word
is knowing when He says "No",
it always means "Yes" to something better.
Always.

A man named Paul said:
"and we know that God causes all things
to work together for good
to those who love God"

Now if you do not love God,
you do not know God,
because to know Him is to love Him.

He's that good.

There's a worship event happening next weekend.
It seems totally good.
It seems like something that would bless me so much.
It seems like a thing I would be helped by and I cant imagine "it" not being best for me.
But on the calendar that night is something I simply must do.
I have asked if I could somehow miraculously go,
but I need to be at peace with "No".

The trouble is,
there's not much joy in hearing that word.
Unless you know God,
and I mean love God!

Because as good as the worship night is,
I can trust that He is saying "Yes" to something better.
I cant (at this point) even see how this could be better,
but I trust God with my joy.
I trust God with my peace.
I trust God with all my moments,
so I rest when He tells me "No"
with full assurance,
He's also saying "Yes".

UPDATE: God made a way (He said "Yes") and I was able to go!
God is so cool! I told you "to know Him is to love Him". :)

How's it feel to want?

How's it feel to want?
My brother used to say it when we were kids.
I'd say something like "I want some!"
and he'd say:
"How's it feel to want!?"
Well,
it still feels awful.

I was wanting this morning,
it was like a craving
then it occurred to me,
I have it,
under a pile of disorganization
is the space I need.

Then I wondered how many times
I'm wanting something,
and already have it.

Some times I want time,
but I waste time,
if I had more, I might waist more,
so the answer is to be a better steward of what I have.

Sometimes I want new clothes,
but when I do laundry and put everything away,
I find things that are new to me (for having been lost for so long).

Sometimes I want stuff because I'm afraid the stuff I have isn't enough,
but before it runs out, I have more.

The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.

I shall not want.

I shall not want.

God is the supplier of all my needs,
but I take for granted much of what he gives me,
and am ungrateful.
and wanting, hurts.
It's born out of fear,
and pride,
and insecurity.

But when I look at how much God loves me,
and how good He is
and how He always takes such good care of me,
I never am in want.
\
As His child I lack no good thing.

Can we learn nothing from the loaves and fish?
Christ thanked His Father for the provision He had
and it was made (more than) enough.

I'm actually excited
to challange myself next time I want something,
to both thank God for what I have
and to check and see if I already have it!

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. ~Paul [written while in prison for His faith]

I don't want to miss it

Do you ever feel like there's more going on

(than you are getting)

and just wish you would stop

missing it?

Like, a deeper meaning,

that (if you could just grasp it)

would bring you a gift of healing,

or a blessing of joy and peace,

or totally set you free?

I feel that way at Christmas,

and Advent, and Easter.

I long to slow down and savor the truth

(before it all passes, and I've missed it).

Communion is like that for many.

It is the place our sin collides

with God

our sin collides

with the worst pain

imaginable,

suffered by the most innocent,

loving, Son of Man

and our salvation is sealed.

You see,

"on the night he was betrayed, 

Jesus took bread,

and when he had given thanks, he broke it" 

Many of us thank God for our meal

before we eat.

But Christ picked up the bread,

and thought about

how God provided,

and He was thankful,

He thought about how the bread was like His body

soon to be broken

And He was thankful.

"and said, “This is my body, which is for you; 

do this in remembrance of me.” 

How could Jesus ask His friends,

to take the life

that lived to heal,

the life 

that lived to love,

the life 

that lived to show us the Father,

How could He ask us to participate

in the breaking of His body,

and eat?

This life 

that was fully God

and fully man.

This life that was knit together in His mothers womb,

that lived as a baby, a boy and a man,

that was tempted in every way we are tempted,

but without sinning

so He could offer His perfect life,

as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

A sacrifice,

made once,

and for all.

And just as bread nourishes our body to give us strength,

He desires His gift of life to be part of us,

to nourish us

and give us strength.

"In the same way, after supper he took the cup, 

saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood;" 

The old covenant was based on obedience to the law,

and was sealed by the blood of a spotless lamb.

The sacrifice was still imperfect,

and had to be made regularly.

But this New Covenant,

based on faith in Christ,

is secured by His blood,

the blood that flowed through the veins

of this perfect man

the very heart of God,

making a way for holiness,

and adoption,

into the family of God

He willingly makes this sacrifice

to wash us from our sins.

And He said: "do this, 

whenever you drink it, 

in remembrance of me.” 

For whenever you eat this bread 

and drink this cup, 

you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Christ knew how quickly we forget,

how easily we get distracted,

how consistently we settle for less

than the joy and freedom He died for us to live in.

And He didn't want us to distort the truth of this gift,

or miss it's holiness, and benefit and blessing.

"So then, [He warned] 

whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord 

in an unworthy manner 

will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 

Slow down.

Consider the love.

Consider the gift

(represented by the juice and bread)

and be blessed.

Everyone ought to examine themselves 

before they eat of the bread 

and drink from the cup. 

For those who eat and drink 

without discerning the body of Christ 

eat and drink judgment on themselves.

before they eat of the bread 

and drink from the cup. 

For those who eat and drink 

without discerning the body of Christ 

eat and drink judgment on themselves.

1 Corinthians 11:17-33 Some thoughts on Communion

23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you:

Great example to follow!

The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed,

It is significant that before being rejected

(with complete knowledge it would happen),

Jesus gave.

took bread,

The bread that represented His body,

the body that was born as a baby human,

grew and became a boy and a man

facing every temptation (with out sinning)

so He could take that perfect body

and make one final sacrifice

(on our behalf) before the Father

to atone for our sin,

and He wanted that body

to be ingested by us corporately,

to give us individually the strength we need

and to give us the bond of unity

that exists as we all partake together

in this glorious life given.

24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 

“This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 

25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup,

filled with the representation of His blood,

the blood that flowed through the veins of this

perfect man.

This loving,

tender,

humble,

man,

the blood that spilled out

as He was whipped and beaten

to bring us healing,

the blood that poured down His face

when the crown of thorns was placed on His head

this blood, that washes us whiter than snow,

this blood that seals our relationship with the Father,

He wanted us to take this,

deep within,

to ingest and know His desire for healing and cleansing

is total,

inside and out.

And He wanted us to share this gift corporately,

to know we each have this treasure within us,

he took the cup,

saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; 

do this, whenever you drink it,

in remembrance of me.”

The covenant,

is the promise of eternity to spend with God,

the promise is secured, by our relationship with Christ,

and the gift He gave of His life,

This gift is lost on those who are not focused on the Giver.

This gift is too precious to receive casually.

This gift is meant to be our most holy focus,

It is why we have any hope,

it is the treasure store of God's wealth,

given for us.

It is Christ.

The Love of the Father

the Lover of our soul.

 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup,

you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord

in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.

28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. 32 Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.

33 So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. 34 Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment.

And when I come I will give further directions.