The Invisible Factor
December 7, 2012
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Looking back I see
The invisible factor
In solitude I found it
A love without end
The people I hold sacred
Are the treasures of my life
~
Two things are invisible
Hidden wanting to be found
There are evil intentions
Then there are the good
~
What takes place in me
My emotions and feelings
My invisible thinking
Will direct my life
~
You will not see it
You’ll know it by my actions
There are no secrets
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So I’ll guard my heart
I’ll decide where I focus
The gift that I have
Is I get to make the choice
I choose invisible joy
~
I am free to go
Follow the internal lead
Choose who I will trust
Looking back I am aware
Of a love who seeks me out
Reflections written after meditating on the words of Jesus in Matthew 10:29-31; and Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:18; Colossians 2:2-3. and in Hebrews 11:27. The invisible factor will always rule the choices. No exceptions!
I celebrate this morning I get to choose who it is that will be the most influential thinker in my life today. The book “Jesus Calling” is a good place to start. I have learned that I am powerless under my feelings. They will dictate the choices unless I recognized and understand where those feelings are taking me. The invisible lies must be exposed. Also, it helps to know where they come from. If you will train to think through your choices, to look down stream at where those choices are taking you, to seek help from those you see are living in joy, and to call on the One who brings this mysterious love, you will find your way to joy.
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Miracle Presence
November 14, 2012
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I will listen to one voice
The one that can be trusted
He has been tested and tried
He heals all my wounds
~
This daily practice
Of choosing not to worry
Just because he said
“Don’t worry about your life”
“What does worry add to you?”
I have found a key
For healing and freeing men
Helping people move forward
Through obstacles
Understanding your own story
The richness of your own life
~
If you look within
The wounded places stand out
You survived the pain
Do you know the reason why
And where to find the healing
~
He knows your story
Understands right where you are
And offers healing
Who is this one who is present
Who makes a promise of life
~
Know his story well
Listen only to his voice
What he says is relevant
Connected and true
I know how much he loves me
~
I’ll be strong and courageous
I will not give in to lies
I’ll be kind and merciful
And love without end
~
Because Jesus loves
I’ll love you with the same love
Forgiveness at the center
Miracle Presence
I believe with all my heart
His resurrection power
~
Energy given
When I decide to believe
And act in obedience
Against my feelings
Then his healing touch will come
I drink the living water
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“Faith needs to meet people where they live otherwise it is irrelevant.” Glenn Hinson
For fifty-one years, I have asked the real hard questions about human relationships. No one has made more sense to me about life than Jesus of Nazareth. His teachings and the way he treated a person were contrary to the religion of his day. They killed him for it. They are contrary to the religion of my day. What mattered to him was the person. It will take your best mind to look carefully at your own story, and his story to make the connection. The distractions of your own pain, and the distractions of others vying for your time and energy are formidable obstacles. When Jesus said, “I came to give life and give it abundantly” I said he is either a liar, crazy or telling the truth. I was in such a desperate state I was compelled to search out the facts of his story. I wanted to know how he put his pants on, who he ran around with, what was important to him, because he gave a promise that was outlandish, but one I so desperately wanted to be true.
Reflections this morning are from Jesus Calling , by Sarah Young as well as Luke 12:22-26, II Corinthians 10:5, Deuteronomy 31:6, John 4.
With Great Joy I Move
October 13, 2012
Desire of Your Heart
October 9, 2012
Proverbs 8; Psalms 36-40; Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
What I Believe
October 5, 2012
It’s a look of love
I know what the face of love is
I accept the peace He gives
My faith is in Him
I grew up in darkness
A light came cloaked in kindness
Gentleness and love
I looked in the face of God
In the face of mother love
My father emotionally-handicapped
The God of all love
Sent grandmothers and neighbors
And His angels to attend
I love to tell His story
Light comes in darkness
The fire of joy can be lit
The human soul is restored
I rejoice in His friendship
This friend gave His life for me
There’s no one like Him
The loud voice of fear
Hidden behind guilt and shame
Must be brought into the light
I’ll watch when the door opens
Be ready to give
Make the mysterious love
Plain to those who are seeking
With patience and loving care
Crowned with forgiveness
Wisdom Available
October 4, 2012
To find the treasure
Ear – listen for wisdom
Eye – search with great intent
Heart – apply the understanding
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Then you’ll understand
What it means to revere God
Gain knowledge of God
You’ll discover the wisdom
Embrace the insights
You’re my shield, O God
Your righteousness - my protector
I walk in your peace
Your promises restore me
Your Divine Power saves me
Psalm 7:10
I will trust in you
With all my heart I seek you
It’s you I believe
You have never forsaken
Those who seek with all their heart
Psalm 9: 9,10
Is there room for God
Pride can fill up the heart
Lust will poison it
Greed causes one to act out
These three things bring great destruction
God helps the fatherless ones
Breaks the arm of the wicked
The Lord is King forever
You rule with mercy
Proverbs 2; Psalms 6-10;
Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
Command Joy
October 2, 2012
There is a way to command joy
A truth I learned through the years
It will take your best thinking
Learned through suffering
Thoughtful reflections
When there seems to be no hope
The cry of desperation
Of a child who’s all alone
Is heard in the darkest hour
There is energy
Available to those who ask
It is joy for life
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Over thirty years ago, Landon Saunders spoke to me about the fact that “you can command joy.” It is true. We visited again this past weekend, and he spoke that it is not something you will get to “someday”, but it is an “energy” you can access in the now. Think with me about it this month.
During the month of October, I invite you to read and reflect with me through Psalms and Proverbs. Over the years, Psalms has been my mother and Proverbs has been my father. They gave me language for my pain, hope for my future and joy for my present. I read through them every month, and find something new every time.
Living with the Unseen
September 20, 2012
Divine Perspective
September 19, 2012
Living close to you
Is the Divine perspective
When I awake your my joy
I’ve learned the story
I have listened carefully
Above all the noise and lies
Joy calls me to you
I will obey your commands
They are my delight
Seeing you is life
The tragedies and the storms
The injustice and the lies
That are all around
The death that is untimely
Could destroy us but they don’t
I’m knocked down but not destroyed
Broken but I found healing
A sinner but forgiven
Desperate with hope
Who will have the final word
In quiet I’m listening
My feelings will lie to me
When stressed I am blind
One voice calms my soul
In stillness I will focus
He comes to me in nature
And a life of love
Who will I believe
Who speaks to what’s happening
The internal war
My soul will ask the questions
Who can speak to these issues
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You will find the peace
This world will not give to you
What only God can
“Do not be afraid”
He said to them in their grief
“My peace I give to you.”
Rest is the true word
It’s available to all
Quietness and trust
Is the most difficult work
It’s the battle worth fighting
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These are not just words. They reveal a path marked for generations to honest searching people. It is the gentle and strong call to come to life and freedom. He invites us to come and seek. You will find!
John 14:27, Isaiah 30:15, 2 Corinthians 10:4, and ”Jesus Calling” 9-12-12
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The Mysterious
September 3, 2012
That causes me to seek You
You placed that hunger in me
A longing I trust
It’s mysterious
Your invisible presence
I cannot prove it
But it’s undeniable
Head, heart and gut engaged
Each person is seen
No person is missed by You
This I am certain
Every cry is heard by You
The story I know tells me
I know I’m getting weaker
Physically I can feel it
Emotionally the losses
Drive me to my knees
I want to be strong
I have found a way to see
To not live in denial
Of my weaknesses
I discovered the secret
God’s power works in weakness
Our relationship will stand
When all of the others fail
Tested for generations
God’s passion to love
Insecurity hidden
Loneliness behind the mask
Fear paralyzes people
Who can provide peace
Take time, listen well
His life speaks, his words follow
70th Birthday
July 9, 2012
Who is this God, my Father
He is mighty in power
No limit to His insight
His understanding
He heals the brokenhearted
And He binds up the wounded
He knows the number of stars
Each of them by name
Listening and gentleness
Understanding your story
Then focusing on God’s story
You’ll find peace and hope
Come out of the pit
Open my eyes to what’s true
The unfailing love of God
Will be my delight
It’s where I place my hope
Lead me to those who are seeking
Each person is free to decide
But He will sustain the humble
I have chosen to listen
Focus on true love
I need wisdom & insight
I seek it with all my heart
I’ll define myself
By the one who gives me life
Who demonstrated His love
Understanding is the Doorway
April 16, 2012
The fruit of the tree brings life
Deceitful words crush
The lips of the wise
Spread knowledge and bring real hope
Pursue righteousness
You will find how loved you are
What delight in you God has
A cheerful heart celebrates
Sees the beauty, finds the hope
She cannot be defeated
Love’s at the center
A man of understanding
Listens with great compassion
Seeks counsel for direction
Then obeys the Lord
His path will be straight
Find joy in giving true words
A timely reply
Her path leads upward
He’ll climb every mountain
Joy will lead the way
Courage, wisdom and compassion
Death itself will be destroyed
The Lord listens to prayers
Those who seek with all their heart
Revere the Lord above all
Joy will fill your heart
Look Ahead with Wonder
April 6, 2012
Surprised by Joy
March 29, 2012
Listen Like Ty
March 15, 2012
He drew near to the God he loved
Was still and silent
God spoke to him of the joy
Gave him a passion to share
