Continuation To An Intro

[astonishbewilderdiscover]

We ought not fight good things.

We ought not fight seasons.

They have their purpose, despite the transition period, these stages are distinct.

One leads to another.

Stranger to Beloved.

Failure to Triumph.

Doubt into Peace.

Do not fight...for the fight is already won and decided.

Rest, and rock with the waves.

Rest. For the season is short and delight in it. And become grateful to the Lord for the stages.

For these stages capture moments of great change, great joy, great hope, and excitement.

[astonishbewilderdiscover]

Complete

Ah, Jesus...

To see You complete.

No holes in Your hands,

Nor wound in Your side.

To see You complete.

Would mean we are together.

Would mean that Your hands have pulled me up,

And revived my heart.

Hands wounded...allow for sinners to abide within them.

Would mean that Your side...

“At last...bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh”,

Has been used by the Creator and Father,

To give me life.

Ah, to see You. Complete.

Would mean to be in heaven.

Would mean to see others perfectly.

Would mean to know the size of grace.

[astonishbewilderdiscover]

Be Longing

Belonging in failure is such a good place to be confused.

Finding that you’ve “failed” in just about every human measure, is lonely.

But finding also that you are not the only one, is comforting.

Finding that failing is normal is not fun, but it is a part of life.

Not being alone, occasionally “failing” reminds me that I can only find me...in Christ.

It reminds me I am embracing life, because the Christian walk is filled with grace.

Grace to remind me that what the world says is fail isn’t what God says is...in fact, the only time God says fail, is when we sin or don’t know Him (but also because of sin) and thus don’t know it’s failing.

Grace is the only thing God says.

Grace...

Meant to fail in every way, in every thing, in life.

But that is not my life...because. Of. G R A C E.

God says success, because He sees Jesus. Jesus in you. And Jesus in me.

And that doesn’t mean the world sees it that way, but it is the only success that will bring life to my life, because it is God’s life in me.

Because it is God’s will for me.

And His will is perfect.

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ...”

Titus 2:11-13

[astonishbewilderdiscover]

Houston, Puerto Rico and Many More.

I hope that for some this will ring as true as it did for me.

I hope that for some it will open their eyes to the sovereignty and relevance of God in this time.

Because God is immutable…

God is merciful. Every day He renews.

Every day we are made new.

In many of these verses, it will seem that what the Bible says may not be true at a time like this, where chaos has come, and with more chaos coming.

But God...is sovereign.

"Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.

Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them.

Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.

He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in.

Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!

For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things."

Psalm 107:1-9

If ever there has been a time where modern news meets Scripture, this is one of many millions.

[wordsnquotes]

I’ve noticed something about people who make a difference in the world: They hold the unshakable conviction that individuals are extremely important, that every life matters. They get excited over one smile. They are willing to feed one stomach, educate one mind, and treat one wound. They aren’t determined to revolutionize the world all at once; they’re satisfied with small changes. Over time, though, the small changes add up. Sometimes they even transform cities and nations, and yes, the world.

Beth Clark, Kisses from Katie (via wordsnquotes)

[astonishbewilderdiscover]

The Garden

It’s not Eden. What we do in faith, In obedience, In trust, In consistency, Is done and sown in faith.

Whenever we plant, We pray for prepared ground, We see God break the soil we can not but join Him, We strive to be part of breaking the soil and He shows us and teaches us to. Delicately, firmly and lovingly. We take pride in the work we do.

Whenever things grow. They learn. As they soak up the Sun. They grow and are watered. Not by our words but by Living Water that brings life. No longer ignorant but now informed. Full of nutrients. They begin to grow without limit and begin to branch off and drop seeds.

We reap the rewards and the nutrients. These blessings. Encouragement. We let them be for seasons so that they may keep growing. Each one for its season

Then we begin again. In prayer and in faith. By faith.

Welcome to The Garden. Here you will be filled. Not by the work of our hands. But by the One who makes us grow.

"'He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how.'" Mark 4:27

[astonishbewilderdiscover]

Today. Thank You.

It's so funny...Last night I had an amazing Quiet Time in Isaiah 58. Where God showed me my life verses. (+10 points if you find them!) Today, I heard some bad news that I didn't get accepted into Nursing school. Today, My God was my comfort. My strength. My joy. My Peace and my Hope. All day He sustained me and I clung to Him and the nearness to Him brought so much joy. Being near Him, clinging to Him not only gives comfort and hope but also joy. Today, My boyfriend picked me up from school and treated me to dinner. He comforted me by his fellowship and blessed me by serving my family and me without hesitation. Today, My very best friend arrived from her mission trip. It was so good to see her. I was blessed in going to be a blessing. Today, I received a gift and a card from my close friend from a foreign country. In the card he hoped that the card found me well. He also said that he is thinking of me and praying that God would give me "direction on my life." And that he wishes me all the best and joy with God. Tonight, As I lie here and as I stand I say, "God, how can I even begin to thank You?" My God is my Hope, My Joy, My Fulfillment. My Provider, My Door Opener, My Door Closer, My Ezer, My First Love. And I am forever grateful.

[astonishbewilderdiscover]

100 Good Heart

There is a House of old. Many call this House, Home. And Home indeed, For in this Home come many types of travelers: weary, young, old, traveled, babies, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters. Sweet fellowship! In this Home, all are welcomed. On 100 Good Heart, there never lacks bread. In this Home, no one is ever alone. All may come and some may go. This is Home. This can be your Home. Home is where the heart is. Home is where Love is. Your heart is where a house is. But this house is not home nor Home. But Home can be in your heart. And keep you cozy and warm. Despite winters and summers And during springs and falls, This Home is sturdy A Foundation ever strong. This Home will guide you, You see for within is a kind Father, He and His children, are what makes this house a Home. Make Home your home, Let this kind Father be yours. Love this family that is now yours. Explore freely, Visit often, Welcome Home.

[jspark3000]

There are days or weeks or even months when I read the Bible and there are no grand epiphanies. There are whole seasons of Sundays when I sing praise and feel nothing. There are times of prayer where the silence kills me. There are great Christian books and podcasts that I eat up which don’t budge my spiritual life. There are too many times when I doubt the very existence of God and the sending of His Son. It can all feel like a crazy lie. I’m probably being too honest — but I’ve found that I’m not the only one who feels this way. It’s in those times that I ask myself, “Am I out of love with God somehow? Am I losing my faith here? How do I get back to where I used to be?” But I keep reading my Bible. I keep singing on Sundays. I keep praying. I soak in books and sermons. I serve. I enjoy the company of mature Christians. I enjoy the fellowship of the broken. And you know what? Sometimes the clouds part and God comes through and His love squeezes my heart and I fall to my knees remembering how good He is. Then I read Scripture and can’t stop weeping and I turn on Christian songs in my car full blast and sing loud enough to scare the traffic. I serve with shaking hands and get convicted by those sermons and soak in God’s goodness all over again. So I’ve learned over time: I wasn’t really out of love with God. I’m just a fragile human being who changes as much as the weather. I was setting a ridiculous standard for myself that can’t be defined by self-pressuring parameters. I was tricked by the enemy into judging my flesh. My faith is based on His grace and not my feelings. And I think I need to relax.

J.S. Park (via thengrace)

One of the truest things in the Christian life. And this says to me, I am still learning to walk in the newness of life. And not run. But enjoy this marathon that has no pressure to rush you but to encourage you. He encourages us to make friends along the way, and to laugh and be so silly and to cry and to sit and yeah, sometimes you will fall. Sometimes you'll fall so deeply only Jesus can save you from the circumstance and spiritual warfare and fear and doubts. But sometimes you'll dance along the way and Jesus is there with you and you both are full of so much joy because nothing can compare to the Love of your life. And furthermore nothing can compare to dancing with the Love of your life.

And to think that that's all He ever wants ever is more than enough for me to want to keep going...

He wants all of us. Completely. Silly, sad, immature, joyous, prayerful, maturing, singing and dancing. He makes promises that meet us where we're at physically and in our mindset that stay the same but reveal more meaning with the changes of circumstance and mindset. And when we trust Him and follow, we walk in the newness of life that only Jesus can offer.

"And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.' Immediately they left their nets and followed him." Matthew 4:19-20

[astonishbewilderdiscover]

I can.

I can't believe that God loves me this much. It is a start and also the end that Jesus came, died and rose again. But what it entails... That love. True Love. Triumphant love. Victorious. Impactful...is an understatement. And I just can't believe He loves me so much. I can hardly understand. How bittersweet that life is like a mist. Here I know His love in hardship in joy and daily. Then, I will know His perfect love...completely. Yet... "God is so big, that it will take eternity to get to know Him."-Anabel I can believe how big this love is...but I can't believe He chose me! I can believe who He is and how He's big.. but I can't believe He wants me and yearns for me! I can believe why He redeems... but I can't believe He still pursues me despite and in spite of me, He is for me, with me and guiding me. Kumtegemea Mwokozi Kwangu tamu kabisa Kuku bale neno lake Ni me oshwa kamili

[astonishbewilderdiscover]

Anticipation.

I realize now that when I ask for a second dream of seeing You, it is with purpose. I realize now that when I await going on my next mission trip, it is with purpose. I realize now that when I sow a prayer in hope and await its fruit, it is with purpose. It's purpose? Falling in love. The process of waiting and the moment that desire arrives. Because when that dream comes, it will be because You want me to wait like a bride for her groom, with great anticipation for the reveal. Because when that mission trip arrives, it will be because You want me to go, because You love me. And that fills me with anticipation to the miraculous opportunity to go and serve and love. Because when that prayer is sown, it is in faith. In faith, by faith, through faith, with faith, dependent upon faith. With patience and love and so much trust in You. Because when that prayer is sown in hope. It's because you want my heart to grow and swell up with excitement in hope that You will come through like I know You will in the way You do and will. And I await that. I await that purpose. I await with great anticipation until the next and next. Because all in all... It makes me fall in love with You. And You are the One I anticipate. I am here for You. In You. By You. Through You. With You. And I am not alone.

[astonishbewilderdiscover]

Fiery

To burn ablaze. It isn't having a constant spiritual awakening every minute of every day. Nor is it having a burning desire. But rather it is having a passion that you often rekindle to share with others the work within. Sharing the Gospel. Using words...without bruising the fruit the Lord has so graciously cultivated. Do you, my friend, have a fire that you can't wait to share and can't contain with those whom you love in every sphere and aspect of life?

[astonishbewilderdiscover]

Sink. Then swim.

Let your vast concerns that burden you go. Let them sway back and forth in the waves and go down into the deepest darkest parts of the Endless Ocean. Until there are none. Go there, come here And do so every day. Until the point that you remember you are free. Then go there and come here again tomorrow. Swim freely in this Ocean. "I'm standing knee deep But I'm out where I've never been. I feel You coming And I hear Your voice on the wind... Whether I sink, Whether I swim, It makes no difference when, I'm going under, I'm in over my head... beautifully in over my head."

[astonishbewilderdiscover]

Friendships

He is so good in our relationships and building us so we can build them.

[astonishbewilderdiscover]

Because creativity, once in ones grasp should not be left alone.

It should hit paper and make a splash.

We see it in how the wind comes and sweeps from under the feet of those who have yet to be stabilized.

It picks them up and lays them where they ought to be and where they are found.

How would indeed Dorothy have found herself were it not for the tornado that took her to Oz?

Rather than a tornado, or a grand storm or a chilly blizzard, consider perhaps a soft breeze, a warm one in the time of cold weather or a cold one in the heat of the day.

This great Wind comes and picks us up when we are worn, in need of renewal, in need of discovery…

Here, we are swept away, uprooted perhaps, and are carried by joy 

(though not always happiness) to a new, unfamiliar, beautiful place that demands of us to be brave and courageous.

Here we are found.

Truly Found

Here we are rooted and are rewritten so that our story is brand new.

So that we are unlike another.

But only because of the Wind that comes and carries us through life,

redrawing, rewriting and recreating us creatively to become like Him.

Be swept away.

                                                          Be swept away…

“And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, ‘Where are you?’” Genesis 3:8-9

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instagram.com/worshipgifs

[astonishbewilderdiscover]

Every. Day. Every time. His Love remains the same.

[astonishbewilderdiscover]

The Trumpet Called

The noise began, a strategic melody ushering in that which is dreaded and often the only thing left to do. Where stood you? The same field of grass, similar on all sides. To its right, green, to its left, green, and in the center, green. Where stood the others? He, finely dressed in clothes of deceit. Showing that which returns empty. Wearing it on his armor, on his horse. That which moth and mold flourishment depend upon. He rode with his knights of darkness. Getting a head start before the war was officially. Oh how he pranced—he pranced because he assumed you were his. The other, dressed in cloth of humility, one layer or perhaps two sufficed. He watched and observed. For He'd always known you from afar and from close. He was always there. He rode on, He alone sufficed. He knew His Father had won the war already. He knew that He only need go forward and be the perfect example. He remains. Where stood He? He came as you played with the grass of the field that is here one day and gone another. He stood before you and as the enemy came, He let all wounds afflict. He was not broken. He felt your sin. All sin of forever ago and all sin ahead. He felt not ashamed. He alas felt separation from His Father, here He was broken. But He was reunited again. After three moments, He rode again. He forever defeated His enemy. There He stood, before you, beside you and all around you. The peace He brought abounding. The war fought for a long time. Every day until eternity. When He shall return one last time and take you with Him. He shall lift you upon His horse and take you with Him to be a child of the King, of which you are, but her to return home. The chaos before you, to your left and right never more to be again. For now, you are redeemed. You are royal. And above all... You are His. Where stand you?

"If our piety can live without God it is not of divine creating; it is but a dream; for if God had begotten it, it would wait upon him as the flowers wait upon the dew. Without constant restoration we are not ready for the perpetual assaults of hell, or the stern afflictions of heaven, or even for the strifes within." C.H. Spurgeon