Peace That Floods My Soul

I can't explain it
But I know it's there
I've searched all over
And it's not just anywhere

Peace

I've had nothing
I've had wealth
I've been sick
I've had health

Peace

I've felt love
My heart has been full
Heartaches have drained me dry
The pain searing with every cry

Peace

I've had a smile so bright
And happiness in tomorrow
I've had a distressing face
My days have seen sorrow

Peace

Relationships have lightened my load
People reaching out a hand
I have felt abandoned
I have been left alone to stand

Peace

Life whirs on by
My circumstances always shift
How does my heart hang on
He steps in to lift

Peace

I bow low at His throne
And at His feet I cast my cares
Trusting His hand with my heart
Every burden disappears

Peace

A new sensation hits me with a force
Wave after wave of untold grace
Everything stills under His crown
He shows my anxious thoughts their place

Peace

I will never be able to explain or reason
This merciful act so humbly bold
For I know the sinner I've been
I know what the dark memories have told

Peace

I cringe waiting for the rebuke
He chuckles and throws the load into the sea
My step is lighter
I feel free

Peace

He unlocks Heaven's gates
Buckets of peace pour into my soul
I close my eyes
In His Presence I'm made whole

Peace

The joy overwhelms
I have been taught not to fear
I have been shown lasting peace
When my Jesus draws me near

Peace

The Box

I hear a faint whisper 
My eyes open wide 
The Gardener is beckoning 
I rise to approach His side 

Today is the day 
I'm shown my place 
Among the splendid beauty 
Perfected by His grace 

He shows me a box 
And says this is yours 
He tenderly guides me in 
Over my being the soil He pours 

It's disgusting what surrounds 
No light can I see 
I cry out Sir! 
What's in it for me? 

The darkness overwhelms 
And I'm full of fright 
The Gardener grasps my hand 
And commands, Hold on tight 

Torrents of water 
All around me rush down 
My feeble mind weakening 
Inside this box I may drown 

I cling tighter to the Hand 
Knowing I can trust His plan 
A little while more 
And I glimpse a door 

Sunlight has grazed my crown 
I'm rising above the blackened mire 
The Gardener lifts me from the box 
He plants me in the place known as my heart's desire 

As I sputter the filthy remains 
My face breaks free 
Gardener, why the tiny space I ask 
Little Bloom, you needed to depend fully on me 

Too much room and weeds would crowd 
Waves of sorrow and doubt would prevail 
Out in a garden so big 
Without My boundaries you would fail 

Because of My care 
The roots hold fast 
You no longer need your box 
I have planted a seed that will last

Zombie, Bland Man, and Mr. Radiant! O MY!

The man of the week! He walks into the room and all eyes instantly turn to him. He's got his support system coming in behind him, the better than Wal-Mart brands clothing his body, a mega-white smile that could light up the darkest alley, and the attention of every single, available female in the room plus some. Hearts pound, music strikes, and as all eyes are riveted on him lips part to sing "Amazing Grace." Youth group ends and the man leaves with more phone numbers than he cares to count. He gets into his car, drives home, and enters his empty house littered with beer cans and bongs. He thinks back to his adoring fans and wishes just one individual would look past the appearance to the core of his existence. He would give it all up if he thought just one person would take the initiative to really care for him more than just a piece of eye candy. He has heard the name of Jesus yet he hasn't seen it evident in the lives of those who claim to know Him. The girls want to be with him and the guys want to be him. All are too busy trying to satisfy their own lives to let Christ be their life. Sad and dejected, the young man returns to his everyday life wondering if he will ever find answers. 

Ladies, the temptation to seek out a fellow is everywhere! From the television, to the movies, in your friendships, to books, even your own deceitful heart. Society has revealed to us that it is perfectly normal to desire a man and to act on it. Even God says in Genesis, "and her desire will be for her husband." What a relief to know it is normal to desire a man! The acting part; however, it where it becomes tricky. Getting to spend time with young teenage girls, I am getting a glimpse into the teenage girl I use to be. Boys were my heart and I was the girl who tried everything to get them to notice me.  Oh they noticed me alright and they tucked their tails between their legs and ran in the opposite direction. Desperation is a scary thing for a guy! You are asking that mere man to fill up something inside of you that he has no clue about and wasn't created to do. Be honest with me girls, when you look for a man you want to feel loved and accepted! You think you find someone and you will be complete and on your way to the altar within a matter of days! You will no longer have to worry about those couples around you rubbing their togetherness in your face because you are taken! You are no longer sitting on the shelf collecting dust but are out on the dating scene making kodak memories of your own! You have someone you can pour yourself into! You can invest in someone and your life will be complete! WHAT A LOAD OF BULLARKY! Unfortunately, it is one I believed over and over again! From elementary school all the way into college, I was on a man hunt. A hunt that never got me anywhere and left me feeling emptier than the day I started. All of those desires were meant to be filled by your ULTIMATE HUSBAND! The man of the hour and every hour after that: Jesus Christ! "Take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

You may say, God doesn't want me to have a husband! I have done too many bad things or have you seen the way I look?! That is one desire He knows nothing about! In the Garden of Eden, God sees the man is alone. His name is Adam. God feels immediate concern for Adam because He has given him control over every living thing yet he lacks help to take care of it. So what does God do? He puts Adam into a deep sleep and out of his rib God forms a woman. After He is done creating the woman, HE BRINGS HER TO HIM! Ding, ding, ding!!! I hope you hear wedding bells and do not fail to miss this! The woman is brought to her husband at just the right moment. Does the Bible say she went searching through the garden to find Adam and wake him up?! No! God cared enough for Adam and enough to help Eve and brought the romance together in His perfect timing! Ok, ok, ok that is all beautiful and such you may think but where does that leave me now?! So God brings me someone?! They were the only two in the whole world. It was a piece of cake for them to love each other. They didn't have options. Well, guess what neither do we! Through many trial and errors, God has blessed me with the ability to finally understand romance in His eyes! I have come to realize there are three types of guys and only one type God wants to me to notice in a romantic sense.

1. Mr. Zombie. This is a man who does not claim the name of Jesus Christ in his life. He doesn't believe the Bible is the infallible Word of God and he wants nothing to do with seeking a relationship with Jesus. This type of man may seem like he has it all together, but deep down if he doesn't have Christ then he lacks the fruit of the Spirit and one of the most important aspects of a relationship is love! The Bible says God is love! (1 John 4:8) If he is not a God fearing man than where is the love?! "Don't team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unebeliever?" (2 Corinthians 6:14-15) For years, I didn't care whether the guy was a Christian or not. If he gave me the attention I sought after I was all gungho! God really got a hold of my heart the only way God can when it is stubborn. He showed me through various instances that men like that are zombies personified! They are dead in this life! There is no life inside of them because Jesus came to give us an abundant life! They are walking dead men! If Christ is the Life, the Truth, and the Way and He says He is than those without Him are the opposite! A man without Christ will be death, the lie, and multiple paths that will lead you to join him as one flesh. One death, one lie, and all those paths stretching you in different directions! If you think about what zombies look like on television they are not that attractive! So the next time you see a guy you think is the finest thing since sliced bread picture a zombie and walk the other way! 

2. Mr. Bland Man. Hooray! You have graduated from Zombiehood! You are now only allowing Christian men into your life! But guess what?! Now this is where it is time to really embrace the knit-pick attitude! You want a man who exemplifies Christ! You find a man with the characteristics of Him and you find a treasure. However; there are false imitations. A man approaches you for a date and you ask him, "Are you a Christian?" His response is, "Yes I am." This is the part where your heart does a little jig and you jump into the wagon! Whoa, slow down cowgirl! Okay so you have a Christian man but guess what if he's not spicy in Christ than you are not going to get very far! Christ has called us to be the salt of the earth and a man's heart will be revealed from his fruit! If his fruit is rotten then that man is not ready for a God honoring relationship. His life doesn't reveal he is fully committed to putting Jesus first in everything and he is lukewarm! Yuck! The Bible says, (paraphrasing), lukewarm water will be spit out! Spit that excitement right out girlfriend because the next man will blow you away! Hold on just a little bit longer and get ready! 

3. MR. RADIANT! This is a man that you can tell from every detail of his life that he walks with Jesus Christ not just here and there but every day of his life! He has died to himself and has allowed Christ to infiltrate every thing about him. Does this mean he is perfect?! Of course not! Not even we as females serving Christ are perfect! Shocker I know, but a man who is allowing Christ to live through him will be the closest thing to Christ Himself in human form that you will be able to attain! That is special and not many women are patient enough to wait for him because that kind of man takes a while to mold! After all he is only a lump of clay. 'He looks to the Lord and is radiant. His face holds no shame!' Take a step back and survey the men closest to you and see if you can identify the radiants from the blands and zombies. 

In the meantime, as you wait for God to bring you your heart's desire may I challenge you to get up and live life! Make Christ your desire and see the wonderful adventure unfold! It won't seem like such a long wait with Christ as your Mr. Radiant! The beauty of accepting Him as your one true love is that as you are waiting for your earthly man, He will transform you into MRS. RADIANT! And yes girls, there are guys who are looking for her! You better believe if there is a Mr. Radiant then he is seeking a MRS.! 

Put Jesus first, entrust your future mate to Him, then get busy living life abundantly daily! Get involved in youth group or college activities and you will be amazed at the change in your perspective as you depend on Jesus to take care of your every need! Life will no longer seem to drag but will fly by. And maybe just maybe your change will impact others and your group activities will no longer be about finding someone but how Christ can use you to bring others to Him. :) 

TRUST: TELL YOU WHAT IT MEANS TO ME!

"But those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing." ~Psalm 34:10b

The daddy comes into his daughter's room to read a bedtime story like all the nights before. They make it through their night time ritual and with loving eyes the daddy looks at his little girl. "Honey, do you love me?" The little girl looks at him with all the wonder that comes from loving a strong, dependable man of integrity. "You know I love you Daddy!" The daddy points to the pearl necklace around her neck and says, "then may I please have your necklace?" The girl panics and says, "Oh no Daddy not my necklace." This is her most prized possession she bought from the dollar store after working hard to save her pennies. "You can take that horse over there! You know my favorite one! Have it Daddy!" Daddy kisses her cheek and says, "That's ok sweetie. Go to sleep. Daddy loves you." The next night Daddy comes in from a long day at work and reads a story. After the story he asks, "Darling, do you love me?" "Of course I love you Daddy!" "Then hand me your pearl necklace." The little girls eyes go wide, "Oh no Daddy! Not my necklace! You can have Suzie! The baby doll I play with every day! Take it Daddy!" Daddy smiles and says, "That's ok Baby. Daddy loves you." He kisses her goodnight. This continues for several nights. Each night the daddy asking for her pearl necklace and each time she offers another valuable item instead of the one she treasures most. One night the daddy comes in to find his little girl sitting on her bed with tears rolling down her cheeks. "What's wrong Honey?" She opens her hand and holds out her pearl necklace. "Here Daddy. It's yours." As she holds out the necklace to him, the daddy reaches into his pocket and pulls out a real pearl necklace he had picked up from the jewelry store. He places it on the little girl's neck and said, "Daddy loves you."

As a young girl, I remember my daddy sharing this illustration in his sermons as he would relate this story to how God is waiting for us to trust Him with every detail of our lives for 'He delights in every detail!' "Wait a minute," you may say. You don't know what I have been through?! The pain and heartache I have felt for so long. Why should I trust someone I can't even see?! That's crazy! The Bible implies it's crazy not to. "But those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing."  You take a leap of faith and put your trust in Him and you have everything you could ever need! To lack nothing is to have everything!

For just about all of my life I have had struggles with trust and when I say struggles I mean I had hardly zero trust at all. There have been situations and instances in my life that shattered my faith in trust, but each time I step out seeking to trust Him I am amazed at all He accomplished through that tiny mustard seed. Tiny meaning you need a microscope to even see it! Last Sunday, I was running late for church. My sister and I stopped at Starbucks and I happened to make eye contact with a lady that I had never seen before. The instant I saw her I knew she needed a word of encouragement but I was scared to approach her. She and her husband sat down and as I was passing by I said, "Okay Lord. Your will not mine." I looked at her and said, "This may seem odd but do you have anything I can pray for?" She replied, "Honey, I got a whole list you can just go ahead and sit down." At that Starbucks, God brought me to church! One small step, One Big God!

What happens when the coin is flipped and I don't trust Him? What if I know He won't be there to catch me when I jump? How will you know if you don't ever jump to begin with! I had a friend who looked me dead in the eye and said, "just jump." My human nature told me you have jumped and look where it got you?! But it was a lie! I had never fully jumped because I would get close to the edge see the looming darkness before me and shrink back in fear. The fear of my life has been I will end up alone and be an old maid for all of my days! I laugh at that now because I am married to Jesus and have been since seven but never understood what that meant, but it's not funny the sin and torment it brought into my life through lack of trust. I have learned before a woman can enter a marriage covenant with a man she must first understand her marriage to Christ. In learning this, I no longer desire marriage in the way I use to to fulfill my own needs! I have everything I need in my marriage to Christ and I mean everything! You may be thinking "What?! Jesus can't give you everything. You don't go to bed with Him every night." Oh but I do! But not in the perverted ways the world has twisted sexuality. You ask Him to fulfill you in all the ways He was meant to and He will!

Think of Eve in the Garden of Eden. That woman had everything her little heart could desire! She was secure in God's love and her husband's! She was fed spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. She didn't need clothes because she had no shame and lived in God's presence every day! She had every reason to trust Him until that sneaky snake convinced her otherwise. Satan does not come up with new tricks. If he can get us to believe God is holding out on us then our trust will be weakened and that vicious deceiver will pounce. That lack of trust in God brought down all of humanity!

Trust is a precious tool in a relationship and one that has been used against God's people with a damaging ferocity. God has a treasure for those who can jump. He will catch you, take away the old, cheap junk and hand you life abundantly!!! Who wouldn't want that kind of life? So long life of fear and doubt! Hello to peace, mercy, love, blessings, all things good and righteous! "The Lord leads us on the best pathway for our life." He knows what is best for us and is just waiting for us to realize it and to JUMP!

It is not something that will happen overnight but in gradual procession just like any human relationship. He takes the days as they come one by one and a little at a time the more you trust Him the more you will realize He treasures your trust and will never fail you! I have trusted Him with the major pains in my life and He has taken them and used them for good not harm! Try it. One small step at a time and see how different your life becomes!

"So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to God who created you, for He will never fail you." ~1 Peter 5:19 (NLT)

Under the Stars So Bright, In the Presence of the Light

Under the stars I lie with You as we discuss the day

You handled everything that came my way

I began the day searching for Your face

You welcomed me into Your Holy dwelling place

So the adventure we embarked upon

Purposefully forgetting the journeys long

Many we encountered as time went by

You revealed each soul's cry

At moments my feet would stray

In an instant You carried me anyway

Now here we are as the day is done

You call me Your holy one

We glance at the sky full of wonder

The mystery of God's creation we ponder

You open my eyes to all things new

In Your Presence, my heartaches seem few

You point and name each bright light

I am fascinated by the awe of night

You are pleased with my grin

Another day, You defeated sin

I close my eyes completely at rest

Today's path has been Your best

As we lie under God's watchful eye

Strength abounds and on wings I fly

Hoping for a new tomorrow

Where you lead me through joy and sorrow

We rise to say goodnight and embrace

My heart yearning to once again see Your face

The ULTIMATE Marriage Proposal

Dear Daughter-To-Be,

I am searching for a bride for My Son. I do not desire human effort from you in the steps of preparation for the special day for even the most you have to offer at the altar will be inadequate. No  my dear one, you must come just as you are. I only ask you to lay your most prized possession at His feet. Your heart must be given to Him in order for the marriage to be consummated. This step of ultimate trust will terrify you but let Me reveal the beauty of your soon to be Bridegroom. I sent Him as the one and only sacrifice, for you cannot become My beautiful daughter unless you first marry My Son. His character will not disappoint you like so many you have put your trust in. Your name was on His heart as He took searing slashes to His flesh. As the blood spilled, the only cry from His lips was your name. Before you were born, I knew you would be Mine! He won't have a large, flashy diamond to win your heart, but instead His life was given up to the point of death on a cross just so He could marry you! Give Him your heart and He will overflow your cup with love! What are His intentions you may want to know?! He wants to give you a rich and satisfying life and with Him you and I are made one! I will dress you in my splendor and perfect your beauty! All you have to do is say YES! Do not take too long to decide for your Bridegroom is anxious to hold you and behold here He comes riding on a cloud! Shalom daughter-to-be!

Love,

God of Heaven's Armies

*I believe this to be inspired by the Spirit but I do not claim to be THE voice of God! My interpretation of the most precious gift we could ever receive!*

Mighty Hand

I rise and I am radiant 
The glory is etched throughout my entire being
Righteousness flows from my inner parts
A river of life for all to see

Where oh where does this come from?
My yesterdays tell a different story
Shame has been my covering
Disgrace my robe

I have walked a different path
Stumbling over rocks and mire
My clothes tattered and torn
My heart shattered and worn

Were you to count the sins of my youth
Not even the stars would properly amount
I staggered one last time
Into the hole of despair

I teetered over the edge
A hand grasped my back
I was yanked to solid ground
Stripped down to the core

My dirty garments removed
My filth washed away
I glanced down at the hands so tender
To see nail scars in the name of surrender

A cloak wrapped around
The color so white
My eyes went wide
At the purity so bright

A crown topped my head
A name written in red
I glanced at the One before me
To see a face so meek

His clothes were tattered and torn
His body weary and worn
He wore only humility
As a perfect being took on my form

Knowing I was saved
I opened my lips to ask why
He opened His arms and whispered
"You Are Mine"

"Yet now He has reconciled you to Himself through the death of Christ in His physical body. As a result, He has brought you into His own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before Him without a single fault. But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it." (NLT Colossians 1:22-23)