My Ten Things... Sporadic Though They Are

1. My Dad
2. That the Lord is Sovereign
3. That His strength is made perfect in my weakness
4. That His ways and thoughts are not only different that, but SUPERIOR TO mine. (This is a biggie right now, because if He left it to me, I'd do some serious harm to things.)
5. The beautiful EIGHTY DEGREE WEATHER in the middle of August in my part of the world.
6. Family as He sees it
7. Anthony Evans' 'The Bridge' CD
8. Medial player (so that I could copy my cd to the library, thus avoiding just flat wearing the thing out.) :0)
9. Confidence
10. That I get to know His secrets. I love being close to the Lord.

This might seem all pious. Trust me it's not. Right now I'm grateful because I know beyond a shadow of a doubt who is in control. He was. He is. And He is to come. And He's got my whole world in His hands.

Head over to Jill's spot and check out more of this greatness.

Freedom

There is this wonderful freedom in the midst of the surrender God's asked of me in all this.

For the first time in a long we have an unfettered intimacy with eachother. Nothing is between us. No secrets. No tension. Nothing at all but the fact that, at the end of the day we have a home in eachother.

We have more road ahead but it's so nice to see God moving in this even now. I see the work He's doing in H. I know the work He's doing in me and there is a strength that I finally see that I haven't believed was there for a very long time.

God is amazing. Perfect in all His ways.

I've got some accepting to do and some forgiving yet to give, but at the end of the day I can finally see now that it will be worth it and that God will be faithful and just to keep His promises.

This is an opportunity to see God's exquisite love for us in all this.

Just truly amazing.

All my heart can sing today is: You're amazing God, You're amazing God. You have borne the weight of our heavy hearts. You have healed the pain. You have cleaned the stains. You have turned our tears into songs of praise. Cuz You're amazing God...

Maybe everyday wont be like today. But I'll take what today has to offer in this moment for what it is. And that's beautiful.

Because My God is Just 'What It Do'! HA!!!! (forgive this title, been around Clay a liiiiittle too long)

"You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!" ~ Psalm 30:11-12 (ESV)

Dear God,

Thank you that Your Word cannot return to You until it has accomplished that for which it was sent. Thank you that You have remebered Your word to Your servant and are daily proving my hope. Thank you Daddy that You are all that I need. I AM. My God who supplies my needs according to His riches in glory. Thank you that You use even the most ordinary people to accomplish extra-ordinary things. Thank you just for being who You are.

In Jesus' Name, AMEN.

Blessings,


Go see Iris! You know u wanna join in on all this goodness.

A Double-Edged Sword

It seems that pursuing God is a very double-edged experience.

Hear me out. I know that there is the faction that would say that the pursuit of Christ is a noble endeavor and that we should be proud to suffer so for the sake of the cross.

And to that I say one of two things: they haven't really pursued Him or they are not at all honest about how tough a road that particular road is.

Don't get me wrong. Their words are true and the sentiment is very real for anyone who's really come to an understanding in their hearts for what this sort of undertaking really means.

But if you've really walked that walk, you would never respond to someone who is struggling on the road to intimacy in such a way. Because your heart & spirit understand. They have struggled the same way.

I think this would be called seasoning our words with grace.

For my part, I have been on both sides of ungracious speech and careless words and platitudes. I know how it feels to have them thrown at me with no consideration for the sheer tenacity that has held me on the path of the ancient ways. And (as much as I hate to admit it) I have spoken - far too often - without considering the hearer's pain and their needs in that moment.

But I digress.

It seems that the more I grow in Christ, the more He expects of me - the more He wants from me in the way of reverence.

And I have to admit that lately I have balked at that, because I have for so long been the black sheep. I am looked at so often by so many people as very one-dimensional. And it hurts. Especially when the people who see me that way are the ones I'd expect (and so completely WANT) to see me for ALL of me.

I want them to know that I am the same smart, charming, funny, loves to laugh person I was before I got serious about my Jesus. I want them to see Him as an enhancement to my lifestyle and my personality, not a wedge between us that makes communication so much more complicated than it was before.

My best friends, save one - my BFF, don't relate to me on any level other than spiritual. And maybe it's because my conversation is so colored with God and His ways and instructions. I can see how off-putting it would be. But that too, is part of my uniqueness. I have always been pretty much all or none. So following Christ with all of me should come as no shock or suprise to anyone who knows me. To say that I feel excluded from our circle in a lot of ways is no understatement - unless I am in the role of counselor/advisor. Which is isolating in and of itself, because my advice is usually very geared toward what I believe the Lord would say about a thing.

Not necessarily all bad. But honestly, pretty lonely.

My family. This blog really has said it all. We have had an invisible wedge between us since I started this journey, for various reasons - all of which are tied to this season of seeking and growing - and learning what obedience truly looks like

My man. He is absolutely precious. But he doesn't understand any of this. He believes in God. Knows Christ. Has accepted salvation and that's pretty much the extent for now. Loves me to the depths of his heart. But does NOT understand this part of my life. Doesn't see faith this way. And really, who can blame him? He believes in the value of prayer and the importance of a spiritual life, but he hasn't really experienced the life-changing transformation that ONLY comes from seeking God, on HIS OWN terms.

Lonely.

But not empty.

Because the flip side of it all is that pursuing Christ with my all IS truly THE most amazing experience I could ever have dreamed of. I DO count it all joy. It IS the most noble thing I've ever done. And the most worthwhile.

I worry that if I continue to pursue Christ as I have been, I'll lose the relationships that I do still have. Call it what you wanna. I'm honest. The ones I have are the ones I value. I've lost other ones and that hurt. But the fear of losing these is unnerving. Because these people are MY people. My circle. Losing them would leave me alone for real.

And even in the face of that fear and feeling, I cannot say that turning back is an option. I can't say that I'm willing to give up the sheer beauty of a love relationship with the Holy One to be able to hold on to my friendships - or even my family or my man.

With my heart, I can say that God is my life. Without Him, I cease to be. My identity is in Him. My very being. My breath. It's all Him.

Painful? Yes. Lonely? Yes. Isolating? Yes. Challenging? Yes.

But also beautiful. Sweet. Savory. Eye-opening. And breath-taking.

Double-edged, maybe.

Worth the losses? Absolutely.

Comfort Is Overrated

My favorite time of any day is when it's still quiet, just before the world wakes up. And if I dont have to venture out, it's the time inside when noone's awake but me and I can sit and think or read or pray or whatever it is I do.

This morning, I could probably still be sleep - and going back to sleep is not a thought that's too far - but... i dunno... i just want to savor the time with me and my thoughts...

Last week was full of so much and i almost dont know what to do with it all. I sense a shift in things, a change that's comin. And I dont really know what it means in a lot of ways... Typically that would unnerve me, but so far this time, not so much...

I always forget what a joy it is for me to teach. Because I learn so much in return.... I used to want to teach elementary school, but somehow I discovered before college that I didn't really want to do that, so i delved into other interests - psychology... but... then, I realized that I AM a teacher. Just not of children, per se. I love to teach other women. There's just something special about building such community with eachother and discovering God and life together....

That passion is one that God has cultivated and grown in the last few years and it seems that He uses it in the most challenging times.... Facilitating the Love Dare this time has been such a challenge, but ya'll it has been so special so far. Not because I see other women diggin' in and beginning to grow, but because this time I am at a place in my own life where I know what it is to love beyond failure and disappointment, and to be loved that same way in return. I'm gaining new insight into God's word and His heart for me - for all of us, really... but that He is so personal to me in such a fresh way, it just makes me really really happy inside. There is a restoration and a tranformation & renewal happening in my spirit and in my heart that I cherish. There is the spirit of change all around me and it's the most phenomenal thing I've felt in a while...

Taking this journey with other women, because it causes me to look beyond my own desires and such, has required me to be in God's presence afresh and to prayerfully consider what He really wants to reveal in and to us all. And as usual, it always comes back to relationship with Him. Which is also a personal passion for me. Such a huge component of obedience is the ability to communicate effectively with God and He has made me keenly aware of how so many of us just dont have that with Him - but how much He desires us to. So recently, as a new component for the Dares, the blog, and the group, we have begun a daily Question for God. Only on day 3 so far, but already, ladies are commenting and sharing what God is revealing to them... I love it...

And I love it personally because in the waiting to recieve the question, God is challenging me also to ASK and not take for granted that He and I have been there and done that. He's challenging me to go deeper with Him. And His answers are astounding to me...

Personally I am walking a path I never thought I'd walk, but that I'm discovering I'd never want to take back. Emotionally I am living an honesty I've never known and that often leaves me conflicted insde... But at this point, I'd not have it any other way - because the self-discovery and the growth that it requires is something I'm finding to be absolutely beautiful in my spirit and perspective. Financially, God is the most amazing provider. He has been so faithful. Beyond faithful. I haven't missed a beat. And if you know my situation, you know that's significant. Professionally... I dont know what comes next. But as I sat and talked with God the other day, He prompted me to revisit some things He had startd revealing to me a long while ago. And I'm discovering that whatever comes next is for some very specific reasons. What I thought I'd pursue is NOT what I will pursue. What comes naturally is what I wanted to do. But God is calling me to venture into what does not come naturally or easily - at least not on some levels.

All this leaves me not a little bit intimidated, but also very very intrigued. Not afraid that I can't or unsure that it's right. God's been giving me thoughts along the lines of what He's started revealing for a little while, so I'm not shocked at the changes... just left with a healthy dose of the fact that, like everything else, there will be grace in abundance to get me through it and to help me excel in it...

I dunno how all the pieces fit; have no idea how it all comes together to ultimately equip me/us for the work I know God has on reserve. But I do know that I choose God's way and His plan in my life. I dont want distractions. I don't want man's wisdom. I don't want the easy road so much anymore (at least not right now. Ha!). I have learned to value my alien status. I have learned to appreciate not looking to the right or to the left, but staying the course set before me. I've learned to accept that God is not always to be understood.  And I've learned that a comfortable life is overrated. 

My own humanity sometimes craves that which doesn't require hard work or sacrifice. But my spirit yearns to know God's power and manifest glory... and since that only comes by being willing to go the distance with Him, then it means that comfort and convenience are not part of the deal. And finally, I'm learning to be ok with that.

FINALLY I am accepting that life is full of things we cannot even begin to expect, control, or ignore. It's meant to be lived in a glorious way, as an all-encompassing collaborative act of worship.

And that's exactly what I want. For me and everybody connected to me. I want our lives to be one big act of worship.

The beauty IS in the journey. You CAN dance in the rain. And God DOES give beauty for ashes.

As much as I want the destination, as much as I want the sunshine, as much as I want everything to be pristine, I want more than anything to know that God is pleased in what my life and heart reflects. And I want to see in my Love the amazing brokenness that facilitates transformation... not only for him, but for us and our family. I want him to love the way life looks too.... I want all that's inside him to belong to God. I want him to have what I have with God. I want his life to just be a beautiful expression of Christ on every level and at every turn... That's my heart's desire for him and for the life we live together...

God has said to me 'count the cost' ... I have. I am. And finally, with convicition of spirit, I can say 'Lord, it's worth it. It's all worth it.' Every tear and every bit of brokenness. Having gone thru the fire and being able to see even just the beginnings of the breakthrough. Having been so broken and so fearful of my own heart, and seeing what God has done in me; knowing that my allegiance is to Him alone. Sure that I am a Christ Follower for the long haul and not just a saved woman speaking empty words and never ever experiencing the reality of sanctification. Positive that I've made the right choices. And able to live and die with total peace in who I am at this point in my life.

I'll take that. I'll take it every time and over everything else. I am who God says I am. I believe in who He's destined me to be. I know that I'm strong enough to live life in all it's unorthodox glory. And I'm sure that the sacrifice has been worth the blessing.

Change is on the horizon. I know that life as I have known it will never be the same again. And I'm gonna embrace it with everything I got.

Have a great Sunday ya'll.

ro

Just a Thought

If Christ came for us today, what would He say about our current lifestyles? Would he be pleased or disappointed? Would he say that, at this point in our lives, we are representing him well?

just wondering...

Words Of My Life

'It is the hurt that breaks me. It is the pain that pulls me to my knees. And the tears they've changed me til what I couldn't see becomes so clear to me. This is the way You love me.

And this is the way....... the way that you love me.'

Truer words....

Thanksgiving

God is a restorer. He is a redeemer. And He has given us a great opportunity to see Hiim be Himself.

In everything give thanks.

Be anxious for nothing.

Cast your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.

God is great and greatly to be praised.

Life isn't ending. We aren't dead. We are just dead to our past.

H's word for the year: release.

Thank you God for keeping your word. You are not man that You should lie. Thank you for releasing my man from his past life. Thank you that You love H infinitely more than I ever could and that You have him in the palm of Your hand. Thank you Father that H's future doesn't depend on his own willingness, but on Your mercy to give him a heart that is willing. Your word says that it doesn't matter who wills or who runs, You will have mercy on whom You have mercy and compassion on whom You have compassion. Thank you that You are a just God. Thank you that even if I were to wonder if You will choose H to receive Your mercy, I can know that simply because of Your promises to me, there can be no other outcome in this. Because You have spoken plainly and what You utter cannot, NOT come to pass.

Our relationship. It has been washed in Your blood and covered by Your grace. Nothing is impossible for You. Nothing is so far gone that it cannot be redeemed. No one is so lost that they cannot be brought home. No situation is too big or too small or too much for you. Thank you for the outcome. Thank you because You have already told me the end result. Protect evey life that is a part of this. Protect every heart and every promise for every one of us. Give us all release from the old things and into Your best for us. Thank you for the new life that has been birthed in this. Thank you Lord God for Your amazingness. That You are our God and we are not left to our own devices. Thank you God even in the painful place, because this is where we all have a fresh opportunity to come face to face with You. Redeem my H. Restore him to right relationship. Give him favor God to choose You and grace to forgive himself. Give him courage to accept the grace and the forgiveness that You are giving me a heart to give to him. You are doing an eternal work in this situation, in our hearts, souls, lives, minds, spirits. Thank you for that. Remove every desire from my husband for any life that does not include the life You've reserved for us together. Remove every yearning for the past and allow him to look forward with hope and joy in this situation. Restore us God. Please. Help me to boldly approach Your throne. To come before You with confidence. Thank you God that You call me friend, that You are mindful of me and that You hear me when I cry out to You. Thank you for Your Love and Your gentle convictions today.

I am in awe of You and I rejoice in the victory that is already ours.

In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Reconciliation Song

All the sides of us
All the things between us
Water under the bridge
The bridge between our hearts

I am you and you are me
Perfectly Imperfect

My first concept of love so sweet
My first reality of pain that lingers long and deep

The vision of God
The heart of the King
The love you carry
The heart you hold
Safety Security Consistency
Perfectly Imperfect - as it was meant to be

Good, bad, indifferent
Right or wrong
We are who we are - just who He knew we would be

Time to welcome eternity
Bittersweet
But beautiful

What we have is a complex, not-so-hard to get beautiful bond
Me and you - we're the same
And God does all things well

Restoration
Redemption
Beauty for Ashes

Sweet Rest

Joy Peace Hope for the days ahead

It has all worked for good
I am who I am because you are who you are

You will never be far from my heart

I am grateful and thankful and utterly speechless at the wonder God has given to me in you

Special and rare, this relationship of ours
I would never trade it

Some places rough
Some smooth
Some sweet
Some sour
I am who I am because you are who you are

No need for 'sorry'
No need for regret, shame, or sadness
It is finished

No condemnation
Only freedom
Eternal Joy

Love is enough

I look back
And I remember

And I thank God every time.

Lord thank you for peace. The alabaster box is our story. Not just mine. Not just his. But ours. It IS finished. And love IS enough. May it be as You have said. May we not resist You. May we not be in doubt. May it be as You have said. And may we look back and know just how beautiful perfectly imperfect really is.

Love,
Rosheeda

1Cor 13:1-3 ... Let's Get It

The Excellence of Love

1If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

2If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

3And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

The first thing that jumps out is that verses 1 and 2 are talking about spiritual gifts. Speaking in tongues, prophecying, knowledge, knowing hidden things... all those things are things given simply because God chooses to. There is no great work of character that happens to open the door to the gifts. They are given as the Holy Spirit chooses to give. Faith is even included in these verses, which perplexes me a bit because faith really only comes from experiencing God -and anytime you experience God in a way that causes you to be able to walk in mountain-moving faith, a deep work has to be done in your character....

 

I guess I'll go verse by verse.

 

But 'love' needs to be defined first... (noun, as defined by Webster) unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another

 

Further broken down:

 

unselfish: giving or sharing in abundance, without hesitation

 

loyal: firm in one's allegiance to someone or something

 

benevolent: having or marked by consideration or sympathy for others; having or showing concern for the welfare of others (also considered 'charitable' - which some texts use in the place of 'love'... charity)

 

concern: marked interest or regard, usually arising through a personal tie or relationship

 

good: for the best

 

And it all ends up looking something like this:

 

love: unrestircted loyalty and unwavering commitment to what best serves another.

 

Which is actually a long way of saying what Paul says in Phillippians: count others better than yourselves.

 

Verse One: If I can speak in tongues - both foreign and heavenly... if I am able to communicate with both man and angels but do not count them as better than myself,  if I do not offer unrestricted loyalty and unwavering commitment to what is in the best interests of those same people.... then all my words don't matter. It's just a bunch of noise. A lot of loud empty sounds.

 

Because I am not giving them anything of eternal value. Not at all.

 

And we all know how it feels to receive empty words from people. We know when it's not true, when it's not genuine or heartfelt. And it inspires no desire to embrace anything they have to say or to offer. It lends no creditibility to who they are or what they share.

 

So... If i'm able to communicate effectively across the board, but am not speaking with an unrestricted loaylty and unwavering commitment to what is in the best intersts of the people to whom  I am speaking, I'm just making a lot of noise. The words are going nowhere and are accomplishing nothhing...

 

Verse Two: If i have the gift of prophecy and know all mysteries and all knowledge... and of faith that can move mountains... but do not have love, I am nothing.

 

The gift of a prophet is special. It is an unique intimacy with God and a different insight than most will ever know. the gift of knowledge is the same.

 

So... If I am able to see beyond the natural, if I know things beyond what my eyes or ears can discern, if God allows me to walk in such an uncommon spiritual awareness and I do not use that knowledge for to enable me to act with an unrestricted loyalty and unwavering commitment to what is in the best interests of the people involved in situations where I've been given the privilege of such insight and wisdom, then I am worthless. I have no value if I choose not to use the gift to display a heart of concern and compassion for the people God places in my path.

 

If I have faith that believes that God can do the things that are humanly impossible, if I believe God is God of impossibility but I don't allow that faith to propel me to walk in an unrestricted loyalty and unwavering commitment to what is in the best interests of others - of all those involved in the faith-building circumstance - then I am worthless. Beause faith without works is dead. Faith is acting like a thing is so, in order that it might be so. As it relates to people, to have faith and not ACT in faith toward those for whom you are believing... well are you really acting in faith, or are you just in it for yourself?

 

And really. That's the culmination of the first two verses. If you are walking in all these wonderful gifts and all this intimacy with God, but you are not using that privilege to the benefit of those in your path, then really. What good are you?

 

And these words are very personal to me. God's given me spiritual gifts that I very rarely speak of to most people. He's allowed me an uncommon relationship with Him and insights that are a result of that. I know more than is visible; and that is a privilege. One that cant be taken for granted or taken lightly. And one that leads to pride and self-righteousness if it isn't kept in its proper perspective.

 

Verse Three: And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing

 

All I can think about when I read this verse is: what's the motivation? What's really in your heart? What's really driving you? Beause if you give all you have away, but you don't do it because it genuinely is a desire to meet the needs of others, then the only OTHER motivation possible is one that is self-serving. If you sacrifice your life,but it's only about you, about how people see you, about the kudos you get for such a great act of service... then dude. Who have you really served? What has it really benefitted you? And what do you have to show for it, besides destitution and disfigurement? And if those things are metaphors of what happens in our spirit when we make all these grand public acts but in our hearts we really only wanted to be seen as these great long-suffering people, that's a sad statement. Beccuase spiritual destitution and disfigurement is painful at best. And deadly to our inner man if left unchecked.

 

And all that leads me to this: to do anything other than look at this situation in full, based on the knowledge God has chosen to share with me and with faith in His ability to change this thing on a dime, is to walk in pride,ego, self-righteousness and sin. And it doesn't only led to death for them. It leads to death for me in the end. Death in my spirit.

 

To not offer the unrestricted loyalty and unwavering commitment to what is in their best interests in all this would mean a couple of things. First it would mean that I don't understand what God has given to me, through Christ. Because He has loved me this way. An unmerited grace, unmerited forgiveness and freedom in Him. He has given me a relationship with Him that reflects none of the betray He has experienced at my hand. He has loved me beyond my foolishness and my shameful past. Christ paid a physical price for me and He has not once looked at me and said  to God 'Pops. Really. You are taking this just a liiiittle bit too far. Asking just a liiiittle too much on this one. I'm not so sure about it all...' He has always put me first.... my life mattered more to him than his comfort or his reputation. Through this, He's giving me of an understanding than I've ever had of how much He's always loved me and how much He will love me until the end of time. Because no matter what I do, I can never ever deserve what He continuously gives to me...

 

And second it would mean that I'm ungrateful and unappreciative of what God has given to me. It would make me like that slave who's master gave him release from his debt in full, but who then turned around and went and demanded a fellow slave repay him in full for a much lesser debt. Taking that attitude landed that slave outside his master's good graces. It would make me like that peson who looks in the mirror and doesnt really see -who, as soon as they turn away from the mirror, they forget their own reflection. And I dont want to be either of those people. I dont want to find myself outside God's grace. And I don't want to look at myself and forget what I look like;I dont want to forget who I am or what that means. I dont want to ever lose sight of what God has done in me or given to me...

 

God's word says that it is for freedom that we have been set free. He didn't lose me from bondage, only to have me hold someone else captive of my own pride. Because that is what this all boils down to. Pride....

 

He set me free, so that I could find Him. And so that in finding Him, I could be used in HIS way to lead others to the same discovery. And there is privilege in that, even when it hurts. There is privilege in sharing in His sufferings. The beauty in this is far-reaching and its about more than just how I feel or what I want. I wasn't made free to live life on my terms. I was made free to live it on His terms. And that He has chosen to use me to give someone else that same freedom, well that's just something beyond words...

 

God has been saying to me all along, let it go. Give him a pass. Let him off the hook. And it's made me mad. Because this isn't something that IN MY MIND warrants only a 'i'm so mad at you right now! .... ok. i'm over it. let's go play.' That's how that request felt to me at the time.

 

But now I get it. I'm starting to get it. This is not about giving him a pass. This is about God working in him to do something beyond soothing my hurt feelings. And as to the other party, this applies even more so in that respect. Because that person needs this just as much as H does. We're connected to one another whether I like it or not and my obedience to forgive and count that person as better than myself matters for us both. It matters in eternity. Letting them off the hook means that God can do His thing. And even though I'm sure He can and will do it whether or not I obey, I'm also sure that I owe Him more loyalty than to think i'm too good to forgive ANY transgression toward me...

 

I can't ask Him to do for me what I won't do for someone else. Not at all.

 

Love is not something that you feel. It's not something that you do because it's easy. It's not just a description of an emotion. And it doesn't just apply to people that you like. Love is a choice you make to put other people ahead of your own comfort and well-being. It is a choice to ask God for what's good and right and best in their lives, NO MATTER THE COST TO YOU. Love is an absolute act of selflessness, that should be and can only truly be derived from God's love for us.

 

So. Love it is.

 

God, I clearly feel Your heavy hand of authority resting on me right now. Help me to love them. Loving H is easier than the other. But You aren't giving me the option to choose one or the other. The ease, comfort or consequence needs to not be part of the motivation of my heart to obey. I WANT to obey. Please remove the illegitimate feelings. Please remove the feelings in my heart that will breed pride and arrogance. God please replace pain with compassion and anger with grace. Give us all beauty for ashes. Let all of us look to the best interests of each other. Let all of us give our very bests in this. Let all of us see You work and move in this to bring about Your plan for each life. Give me the grace to forgive and them the grace to recieve. In the obedience to forgive, please also give me the release of acceptance. God I need You and I need this. Thank you for answering my prayers. Thank you for showing me Your heart and for allowing me to be part of the work You are doing in my family. Thank you that the landscape of our family is unique, beautiful, and profitable for the furtherance of Your Kindgom and Your agenda. God please help me to get there. Unlock the door in my heart that is bursting at the seams to allow light into this darkness. There is a tree in my spirit ready to blossom and sing.Spring is here, but with no light, there will be no life. Lord provide the light. Life over death God. Eternal over temporal. Freedom over rights.

 

I just need you to help me, Lord...

In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Giving It A Name

Over the last few weeks, I have come to realize that ownership of this is a large part of healing and recovering from it. I have been loathe to really give this thing a name. Because vocalizing it in it's starkest form makes the sting come sharp and hard.

But if we are going to really rebound and come out of this thing in tact and on top, then I cannot be afraid or ashamed to call a spade a spade.

It's name is infidelity. Its name is a child that is not my child.

It's name is something that can genuinely be found on television everyday. A bad Lifetime movie. The Maury Show. Jerry Springer.

It's a mess.

It's a shame.

And it's an opportunity to rise to the occasion and to prove to ourselves more than anything that we are strong enough to endure this place and come out on top.

In spite of all that's come with it and the heavy price of enduring and trying to rebuild, it's name is Love.

And of all the names it can be given, that one is the only one worth being dwelled on.

"Love believes all things, endures all things, trusts all things, hopes all things. Love fails not.'

Vulnerable & Not Real Sure I'm Lovin' It

Not many people know this, but this business of letting people get close to me really unnerves me. Somethin' serious.

Needless to say, letting Clay get close is not (and has not been) an easy process. And lots of things that should have been addressed OH SO LONG AGO have gone unadressed. That it, until last night...

Ya see, me and Jesus have been having some real deep conversations lately and he's told me oh so clearly that I need to break that wall down and trust my dude completely. So last night, my mind was full of stuff and just rambling over some things. And then my mouth opened. We had a really long (and Im sure very beneficial) conversation. He saids some things. And then I said some things. And some of the truths we shared were hard. And some of the perceptions were pretty revealing. But inside me, I believe that we did our relationship a tremendous amount of good.

HOWEVER, I feel naked. Vulnerable in a way I've never been. Intimidated and a little uncertain. And pretty afraid. Because it means that I have to keep on trusting him this way. I opened a door that leaves plenty of room for me to be damaged. And I don't want that. I don't want to be anybody's casualty. Obviously, I don't believe he would harm me. 5 years later, I trust him not to hurt me. But still. My poor heart is just as bare and uncomfortable as it has ever been. Because I had to admit to a need of him. Now. I know all that is SUPPOSED to be that way. But um. That has never been MY way. I've always been pretty self-dependent. And family dependent. And they've depended on me. Clay came along and the whole game changed. And I resisted it. (Obviously, seein' as how it's oh, FIVE YEARS later and I'm just now figuring this out.)

But the real of it is this: that man makes me whole. I need him. And I just plain ole' WANT him. He's sunshine and light and all that makes life good. He can make me mad, he can make me cry, but I love him no matter the difficulties, and I'm not goin' anywhere until and unless the Lord says otherwise. (Obviously, all this stuff is second to the way the Lord completes me.)

A sista is just all messed up. Because this dude has invaded my space and taken ownership of my heart. Last night, I handed over that last key and I'm just not real sure what to do with that.

Guess this is what love is, huh? Taking the risk and making the investment. Trusting the Lord to make it work and knowing that He's got it even when you don't have a CLUE what's up.

Yep. That's the deal.

Just thought I'd share.

Blessings.
Ro

My Baby

Ok so I have had something workin in my heart for a minute now. I'm finally starting to get an idea how to get started.

Here's an idea. Check it out and leave me your thoughts, will ya?

Ten Things Tuesday

Time once again to post my ten things for this morning so far.

Here we go:

• I am thankful for my mom. We have our moments. And we struggle sometimes, but she loves the Lord, she loves me, and she wants His best for us both. She's a friend and I count that as a privilege.
• So. I sat outside and pitched a fit last night. Just me and the Lord. And He heard me and spoke to me. Didn't rebuke me. But allowed me to minister to two other people, and in so doing, spoke truth into my life. I was corrected and things came together inside me.
• One of the most beautiful things about spring is seeing the colors. How they change. Soft and gentle to deeper and bright. To darker and bold. Vivid and full of life. It's a gift of heaven to a thirsty soul.
• Water. I drink lots and lots of it. I heart water, as a matter of fact.
• Understanding my person's language. If I didn't, I'd want to kill him. And even though I do, I still sometimes want to bless him *ahem*. But all in all, its fun. He's fun. And that we have 'our language' means that we're growing the right way.
• Music. It is the way I communicate most effectively with the Lord.Whatever song He lays on my heart, for however long. We are connected in that moment in a way I never experience any other way.
• Pets. They love you. And they don't care that you're in a bad mood. Or that you stink. Or that you're tired. Or that maybe you're not feeling all loveable. They love you so much they make you love them back.
• Emoticons! Because they are cute and lots of fun to add to e-mails and stuff.
• Bloggy Land. What's not to love?
• Friends who pray. Because that means they love me for real.

Check out Jill's place. She's got lots of greatness over there. Pop in and take a peek. I promise you'll enjoy hangin' out at her house as much as I do.

God is My Reality, Not Just A Concept

'I know You're real.'

This is the only phrase in my mind right now. I woke up with this one line stuck in my spirit.

God is real. He is who He says He is. He is perfection and He loves me anyway.

I'm thankful.

PS - GO SEE IRIS TO JOIN IN ON THE FUN!

My Ten Things

Ok. I haven't done this in several weeks and I miss it.

So I'm back to it. :-)

1. I am SO glad that I am not in charge of my own life. Heaven knows the mess it would be. God is much better at this sort of thing.
2. God is doing a new thing in my man's heart and it makes me love Him so much more.
3. I have been asking to see some specific things in my man and they are all coming to the surface.
4. A chance I wasn't sure I'd have for several more years at least, seems to be juuuust around the corner.
5. I'm learning how to swim.
6. It is an amazing 102 degrees today. Beautiful and sunny and just an absolute display of God's power.
7. My beautiful little niece.
8. My precious, precocious nephew.
9. A family that sometimes drives me batty and sometimes makes me want to disown them, but that I love with my whole heart.
10. A man that loves me in a way that leaves no doubt that he is my 'perfect for me' fella.

Go see my girl, people. Join in all the fun.

Meek & Quiet

Lately my thoughts go in all these crazy directions. I'm learning so much and so much seems to be coming slowly, but really quickly - as if that makes a lot of sense. Anyway. I'm having the hardest time processing it all. It seems that just as soon as I get past one thing, something else comes up.

And it seems to always be a lesson in there somewhere. Something to share or encourage or whatever. As I have recently started facilitating a study with a small group of which I am part, the Lord has been giving me object lessons. In the form of .... you gotta see this coming... my guy. (U know all this makes my head hurt, right?)

Couple this with the very specific ways I'm praying for him right now and you have a very ...um... a very... "challenged" me.

Last week was on the words we speak and the reasons why. And the verses were Ephesians 4:29 and Luke 6:45. Both of which convicted me like nobody's business.

And this week. This week the topic is humility. And I've already told ya'll how me and pride have been buds since I was a little thing. The passage is Philippians 2:3-8.

Oh boy. All this is so much more than a notion.

Every couple has those hot-button topics. We are no different. Aside from a couple of family issues, this is really the only area where we have a CONSTANT battle. And seriously, a sister is just a little worn out by it all. This is one of those 'honor him but obey God moments.' And the lesson for me is clearly in the ability to speak with wisdom and also in the ability to HUMBLY address my dude. Both these areas are enough to send me screaming for the hills. If you know me at all, you know that this is asking a whole lot of me right now.

One would think that eventually my sweet honey would recognize that pushing for it to be his way and to be different is not working. This is not a situation where either of us is in control, after all. I suppose I am, more than him, but I cannnot do what he's asking on this one - because the Lord has told me to do quite the opposite.

There has been not one conversation the last two weeks that does not center around this hot-spot. And it's bothersome. Really it is. He's frustrated with me, because everytime he tells me to address it, I say 'ok'. He feels patronized. But he's not being patronized. I AM addressing it. Me and Jesus talk about it pretty regularly. And that's gotta be enough for now because that's where He's told me to leave it. And Im frustrated with him because well. DUDE. FOR REAL. How much longer is this gonna be all you can think of? It always works out, after all.

Can I just get a brother to relax?

And call ya'll pray for a sister to have that gentle (meek), quiet spirit that Jesus talks so much about?

Thanks!

Mountain Climbing

So... exactly what does one do with this? What does one do when she all but feels the Lord step back, as if to say: 'This is all on you. You choose. I'll wait.'

And then He decides to speak.

"You walk in wisdom, not foolishness. You will be proved in full in the decision to remain."

And then this ... because I responded with... 'ok God' to that ^. (I refuse to reject His voice and what He speaks to me... But uh... I'm not a fan right now.)

"Even after all you've experienced of Me,do you doubt My power? Do you not believe that I am bigger than this circumstance? Would you tear down all that you've toiled to receive at the moment things being to fall into place? Do you not believe that I Am who I say I Am? Would you relinquish your life now, at the risk of spiritual death for yourself and your husband, as well as your children? There have been many times when you have needed to extend grace, and each time I have enabled you to do so. Each time, I have healed your hurt in the moment that you surrendered to My instruction. Do you not think I am capable of that now?  What makes this time any different than those? Your heart will be mended through H's love. He battles no more with his decision. It has already been made. But now you must choose. Will you let him love you? Your decision will affect the boldness of his spirit to walk in his decision. DO YOU NOT BELIEVE THAT I AM WHO I SAY I AM? Will you choose now not to honor Me? Even after all that has come before? Will you, in this moment, turn your back on Me? He has chosen; now you must choose. Choose wisely."

Really, God? REALLY?

Alright.

Alright fine.

Choose wisely... Alright... wisely... ok... well... fine God....

Put him first... ok God... We've been here before... So ok God. I DO love You more... Ok God. I can't risk spiritual death for them or me. So... ok God. You really pushin' it on this one. Really stretching me. I'm not a fan Lord.... But ok. Ok. ... ok. ... Lord, he cant hurt me this way again. Not ever again. Seriously. For real. Not ever again... But... OK God. Ok...

Knowing that what He's waiting on is 'Yes Lord. I will obey.' and almost chokin' on the words. Much like I did with the words 'I forgive them Lord.' Very much like that moment... Almost identical in fact...

Feeling clearly that God was not gonna play with me on this one. That draggin my feet was gon' probably gain me a real firm correction...

So lest I find myself completely mad and with hurt feelings.... we ended up just where He wanted me. Which was: 'Yes Lord. I will obey. Yes. I will let H love me. Yes. I will allow him to make this right. Yes. I will not walk away. Yes God. ... Yes God ... Yes .... Yes ... Yes.... Yes, Lord. *sigh* Just YES.

Every yes has felt like a step UP this mountain. And no doubt, it's gonna feel like that until I'm fully beyond my dislike of this whole scene... But... Yes is yes is yes. And rather than risk God's firm hand for being hard-headed, hard-hearted, and just plain mean, I'll just go ahead and scale this mountain.

So. In all that. YES GOD. I'll do what You ask.

Stacy, is this what you meant?

OY VEY. Can't God just wave His big magic wand and make all this instantly better? Or um... would that be a misguided view of who God is and how He works?... Yeah? It would be? ... Thought it might.. but I just had to ask...  : D

Alright... mountain climbing it is... 

Lord,

Yes. To all that You're asking. In all seriousness. Yes. I will be obedient. I'll let him off the hook. And I'll act like I know who You are.

In Jesus' Name. Amen.