"Had we known at the beginning what the journey would demand of us, we might never have set out. Yet the rewards and gifts became vital to who we are. Through the innocence of beginning we are often seduced into growth." John O'Donohue

Deep Calls To Deep

I hear You calling my name...

There, somewhere far away, a longing realized

Deep within there is a  stirring

And then, the sound

The sound of many waters

Calling my name, drawing me 

Fierce Waters

Flowing from Your Throne

Powerful

Raging

Holy

Living

Wash over me

Pull me in

Closer

Cleanse me

Heal me

Tell me who I am

Deep calls to deep

Psalm 42:7

I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me.

The Place I Want to Live

I am a very strong person.
I can carry a heavy load and work problems out.
I can go along way in my own strength....

...But there is a better place that I want to live.
Surrendered
Abandoned to my way of thinking and doing things
Yielded
My weakness laid at His feet
His strength...His grace carries me.

I am good at keeping myself busy
...but there is a better place I want to live.
A place where doing is secondary
Being is primary.

A place of quietness and rest

Oh to stop running and doing.
Running and doing...
...these are acceptable in our culture
...they earn you honor and respect...in the eyes of men

But I want His approval...to be pleasing to Him
It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.

That's where I want to live.

Hebrews 11:1 & 2
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
This is what the ancients were commended for.

Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Hebrews 11:32-39
And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets,
who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions,
quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.
Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection.
Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison.
They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—
the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.

Jesus, sometimes I want to turn and run away. I feel afraid, overwhelmed. I am in the desert and my heart is parched and dry and needy. I long for answers, comfort. I find these nowhere. I realize that I need to feel you, see you, hear you, taste you. Life feels so big and I feel so small. My faith feels small. I know you are here. I believe you are with me. You will never leave me or forsake me....and stil sometimes I wonder...

Let my life be a fragrant offering before you. Teach me how to trust You today when I can't see the outcome. Cause my heart to run to you. I choose to bring you the sacrifice of praise...I choose to acknowledge that You are good, even when I can't see Your goodness in the difficult places. I accept your love and ask that you would help me find the treasures you have hidden for me in the dark places of my life.

Isaiah 45:3
And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness--secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.

Thank you for the desert. Thank you that even in the desert You satisfy me; You quench my dry parched lips; You soothe me. Thank you that you are God. Thank you that you are ALL I need.

Stretch me and Increase my faith through this season, Lord. I choose to cling to You. You are my ONLY option! I love You so much, Jesus!

Fragrant Offering
by Rita Springer

I bring to you a fragrant offering
I pour out my love and I wash your feet
I offer up to you oh Lord this brokenness
What you can see in me shall be my confidence.

I bring to you a humble sacrifice
I pour out my heart and I give you my life
I offer up to you oh Lord this costly gift
And with absolute abandon now
My love I confess.

May it be a pleasing fragrance
That I bring to you oh my Lord
I am so in need of your presence
That I bow before you now
I pour my vial of worship over you