a journal ~ celebrating the power of God's love,
the wonder of grace, the blessing of peace and the living of JOY

Sunday, 20 March 2011

hence and thus

read a quote this morning by andre gide...
“art is a collaboration
between God and the artist,
and the less the artist does the better.”
think that's what being caught in the overflow says to me.  when i'm who i am in Christ, then the me He says i am IS the overflow ~ it's Him in me...  Him through me.  with Him as my foundation, the dream to be artistic and creative is expression.  and there's no greater delight.  hence the prayer, o Lord, let others see YOU in my gifts.  and thus, every moment is a way to offer worship...

Saturday, 19 March 2011

cheerful chorefulness

today is saturday, and normally a cleaning house-buying grocery-laundering clothes kind of day.  i look around the place where i live, seeing all the "stuff" that is mine, and am thankful.  i think gratefulness is such a huge part of living "caught in the overflow."  for me, i realize just how much i have been given and want to be in a perpetual state of appreciation, not in an autopilot taking-for-granted or an i've-worked-for-this-it's-owed-to-me attitude.  so as i clean our home, provide for my family and suck dust bunnies, wipe toothpaste off the mirror, empty garbage, do dishes and put things away for the umpteenmillionth time, i breathe a prayer of joy to my Provider and feel contented rest at the end of this day.  and tomorrow is another day ... of thankfulness for the past week, of worship in the present moment, and surrender for the coming week.  God indeed is so good!

Wednesday, 16 March 2011

it is well

these days, there is much talk and speculation about japan and the events there.  in my own heart, i waver between the overwhelming compassion for the people there and the deep humility i'm feeling living here in peace and contentment.  the contrast is striking.  yet there is this gnawing ache in my stomach and in my mind about security.  our security is indeed in God, not in our circumstances.  Jesus spoke of that often.  the connection between the spiritual and physical is real.  it's only in being "caught in the overflow" that the peace that passes understanding can be had.  the best picture of that in the Bible is Jesus in the garden the night before His supreme sacrifice.  perhaps that's where i can go in these days of "unrest," sitting at his side rather than asleep, and entering in to the knowing that what's happening in our world today, whether it's natural disaster or political unrest and injustice, Jesus knows, experienced, understands and carries us.  blessed are those who make the Lord their trust...
when peace like a river attendeth my way, 
when sorrows like sea billows roll
whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say
it is well, it is well with my soul.
thanks for letting me share 
and sit with me there, if you will.

Monday, 14 March 2011

eyes to see and mouths to sing

"how great is our God, sing with me..."
this morning, i'm reflecting on yesterday morning.  during the church service that we were at, someone shared a miracle God had done in him, and then also through him.  God-incidences.  there's nothing more that thrills the soul than being in/sharing our/hearing others' God moments.  miracles of grace on this path to eternity.  i'm marvelling!  the God of the universe really does step into time and space, revealing Himself, for us to see if we have eyes to see ~ Jesus spoke of that often in His teaching.  and how marvellous when we can take joy together in "the things He has done."  i hope i never "get used" to them, or heaven forbid, am skeptical or critical of someone's sharing...  in fact, my heart hungers to see God in action ~ around me, through me, and in me.  our God is indeed great!  so let's open our eyes, and let our mouths overflow, because we as believers have so much to sing about.

thanks for letting me share,
and sing with me, if you will.  :)

Friday, 11 March 2011

prayer for japan

sitting here thinking about japan.  watching the videos of the waves thrusting ruin around like a rag doll, leaves me feeling numb.  i simply can't imagine the devastation, the helplessness, the fear they are going through.  and so i'm praying.  but i don't even know what to pray... i'm thankful the Holy Spirit hears our groans and sighs.  the words "caught in the overflow" are going through my mind like a moving billboard.  i believe trusting in God's overflow is the only thing that can carry us and all people everywhere, no matter what happens in our days.  His overflow is life, purpose, hope, power and passing-understanding peace.  thinking that's what i'll pray for japan today, and tomorrow, and beyond.

come, pray with me.

Thursday, 10 March 2011

you thirsty?

it's pouring outside as i write, the precip trying to decide whether it wants to be snow or rain.  i think the rain is winning, and i'm watching an eavestrough overflow, like a mini waterfalls.  there's something mesmerizing about falling water.  perhaps it's the power of nature.  perhaps it's the sound of gentleness.  perhaps it's the cleansing property.  perhaps it's simply our basic inner need for water.
"as the deer pants for water, so my soul longs after You, O Lord." (ps.42:1)
a couple of years ago, we visited fraser island off the coast of australia.  it's the world's largest sand island, about 22 km at it's width and 123 km in it's length.  tall rainforests grow there on sand dunes at elevations over 200m.  about 45 minutes into our 4wheel drive bus tour, (what an adventure that was!) we came upon an isaiah 35 crystal-clear view:
"...water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert, 
the burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs...
...the redeemed will walk there, and those the LORD has rescued will return,
they will enter Zion with singing, and everlasting joy will crown their heads..."
all this talk of flow and streams and rivers reminds me of a song by darrell evans:
"let the poor man say ~ i am rich in Him,
 let the lost man say ~ i am found in Him
let the blind man say ~ i can see again,
let the dead man say ~ i am born again
let the river flow, let the river flow,
Holy Spirit come, move in power, let the river flow."
so next time you're drinking water, or showering, or hot-tubbing, or even enjoying one of those automated car washes, think of how amazing that clear liquid really is.  what a valuable resource it is!  physically and spiritually.  and thank the one who said, "I am the living water."  He promised we'd never thirst again.

thanks for letting me "go with the flow."  :)

Wednesday, 9 March 2011

singing and sighing

one of the things i'm learning, being caught in the overflow, is contentment.  (phil 4:11)  it's living in the moment and looking for God at the same time.  it's entrusting myself to Him and trusting my circumstances are in His hand, at the same time.  it's letting go of anxiety and holding onto peace.  it's a resting place, for sure, but it's also a place of excitement and adventure.  it's Jesus in the driver's seat and me with one hand on His lap and one grabbing the handle.  :)  it's learning to be alive, not just passing time.  it's being on purpose, not resigning myself to fate.  it's rejoicing in His supply and worshiping in the lack.  it's marvelling at Jesus being the Lion, and quiet awe at Jesus being the Lamb.  it's singing, and sighing...  knowing i'm loved.  fully and completely.  content.

thanks for letting me share,
so, what do you do with your hands?