Song of My Creator: a Proclamation

The thought that the One who creates the Universe thinks off me astonishes me. He invites me to draw near to Him. He calls me by name. When I rise up and when I sit down- He knows my inmost being for He formed and fashioned me in my mother's womb (when I was not yet formed). I hear His voice and I follow Him; I will not follow the voice of the stranger. He orders my steps. He delights in me. He calls me 'Beloved ' and ' Delightful.' I am the apple of His eye!

As a vital part of His church , I am a part of His Kingdom advancing in the earth. The Spirit of God in me has divine power to bring forth the life of God in others, calling forth their true identity, seeing the Image of God in them as they are in Him. I am loved with an everlasting love.

Through Him, I can do all things; nothing is impossible. I am invited into the Bridal Chamber and I can ask of Him anything my heart desires, trusting Him as He answers prayer in His time and according to His plans.  He calls me friend: I am a friend of God. I am the answer to someone's prayer.

I am complete in Him. He is my true shalom, my peace, my fortress, my defender, my provider, and the one who spoke, (well, sang actually) the world into existence. 

He quiets me with His love; He sings over me.

Beach Song

For captains and full crab pots and  two full bushels steamed; for perfect beach weather and Carolina peaches; ; for a grandson turning 17 and picking crabs until the job is done; 

for a son's fishing rods cast under a bridge as quiet rain falls and my granddaughter chatters; for clear starry nights and a meal lovingly prepared: crab cakes 

and Megan's perfect preach pie and perfect summer salad; for sand castles and rainbows and sun kissed skin; for these moments of hearing the waves lap the shore as night softly lulls and I feel the intimacy of your Presence embrace me and I stop  seeking-- a comfortable, perfect place.

I can't not stop to give you thanks and praise for these and oh, so many more blessings and #1000Gifts. Thank you LORD, thank you.

A Heart of Flesh

It is in repeated encounters with God’s vulnerable, active love that our own hearts begin to soften and break open.

You gazed at me,
inviting me to gaze back into the ocean of your love.
It was unbearable.
I could not sustain a gaze at first.
Only glances.
Your love fell in waves against my shame and fear and pride,
carrying away small segments at a time.
It felt like certain death.
And so it was.
Little by little I died.
I thought there would be nothing left.
But you knew the seed of life you had once formed in me
would lie exposed, aching with love and longing.
And so I was.
I was unearthed
by your loving gaze.
You treated me as though I were the pearl of great price
that you had sold everything to buy.
And so you had.

I will give you a new heart
and put a new spirit in you;
I will remove from you your heart of stone
and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 36:26

Prayer suggestion:

Invite God to give you a heart transplant. Offer to God your defended, well-protected heart. Ask God to expose your tender heart of flesh.

Juanita Ryan

http://www.juanitaryan.com/

Today

For the sound of the Bob White quail and the memory of daddy telling me to listen; for reunions and childhood friends; for bar-b-que, baked beans and family at the table; for spiked hair and a mother's love for the child without, for kids tables and plenty; for quiet homes and the mystery of marriage; for houses rented and restaurant dreams--southern comfort; for entrepreneurial spirits and the answer: yes, for blue heron and quiet, still fisherman; for cattails and lily pads coming into bloom; for my mom and dad - partners and family--- for these and, oh, so many more blessings, gifts and graces-- I give thanks to the LORD!