But Love Said...

Written November 23, 2013

Evil said "I will steal the summer and bring cold winds whipping through. And pierce them with winters, icy blasts."

But Love said "But I will give them fire. And as they draw close to it, it warming them through, I will remind them that in me they will find warmth against the icy blasts of the world."

Evil said "I will strip the trees bare and leave their ugly skeletons." 

But Love said "But before they give up their green life I will turn them colors of the rainbow to cheer the hearts of earth. And it will remind them that there is beauty even in death. And to let Love show His colors in you to your last breath, is to live and to bless the lives of others."

Evil said "I will send ice and snow to stay their way and chill them to the bone."

But Love said "I will make the billion snowflakes each unique. As unique as every child I've fashioned that they may know their preciousness to me. And I will set a million diamonds sparkling across the frozen scape to dazzle their eyes. And it will show them that even when all seems cold and lifeless I will set diamonds in them that will shine with my beauty."

Evil said, "I will lengthen the shadows and drag the dark winter night on and on."

But Love said, "I will make the moon to shine with breathtaking beauty across the blanketed land. As they look up in the crisp air through silhouetted branches to stellar sky above and all the stars twinkling brighter, I will remind my children it is often in their darkest night when my beauty shines brightest. And there is no night so long that it is not broken with morning."

Evil said, "I will bring dark clouds, gray and gloom."

But Love said, "And if in the long night dark clouds block their view, I will remind them the stars still shine behind the clouds. And they will shine again. I will shine again. For I am Love. Stronger than death."

Love had the last word. 

"It depends whose hands it's in..."

An interesting poem I came across while looking for illustrations for my Bible study this evening...


IT DEPENDS WHOSE HANDS IT’S IN


A basketball in my hands is worth about $19
A basketball in Michael Jordan’s hands is
worth about $33 million
It depends whose hands it’s in


A baseball in my hands is worth about $6
A baseball in Mark McGuire’s hands is worth $19 million
It depends whose hands it’s in


A tennis racket is useless in my hands
A tennis racket in Pete Sampras’ hands
is a Wimbledon Championship
It depends whose hands it’s in


A rod in my hands will keep away a wild animal
A rod in Moses’ hands will part the mighty sea
It depends whose hands it’s in


A sling shot in my hands is a kid’s toy
A sling shot in David’s hand is a mighty weapon.
It depends whose hands it’s in


Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands
is a couple of fish sandwiches.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in God’s
hands will feed thousands It depends whose hands it’s in


Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse
Nails in Jesus Christ’s hands will produce
salvation for the entire world.
It depends whose hands it’s in


As you see now it depends whose hands it’s in.
So put your concerns, your worries, your fears,
your hopes, your dreams, your families and
your relationships in God’s hands because


It depends whose hands it’s in.


(Author Unknown)

Pleadings - part 2 {Mercy on a Mountain}

Can you feel the excitement of the throng? Can you imagine the thrill of the disciples who think that now, at long last, he is proclaiming himself king? And they will be honored at his side! Their human imaginations run wild...

And yet...

Can you know the solemness in the heart of Christ? Can you see through his eyes the same people in less than 5 days spitting in his face and asking for a murderer in his place? Can you feel the desperate longing in his heart for them to see and understand who he really is and what he has come for - to save them from an evil that binds them in a bondage more fearful than any earthly power could.

"While the Jews desired the advent of the Messiah, they had no true conception of His mission. They did not seek redemption from sin, but deliverance from the Romans. They looked for the Messiah to come as a conqueror, to break the oppressor’s power, and exalt Israel to universal dominion. Thus the way was prepared for them to reject the Saviour."1

Do I long for deliverance from the uncomfortable world and the circumstances I find myself (or get myself) into?

Or do I long for deliverance from sin itself?

Would I reject my Savior?

.....

They reach the brow of the hill and behold the beloved city. The sight is stunning. "From the crest of the hill where Jesus and His followers stood, it had the appearance of a massive structure of snow, set with golden pinnacles."2 The multitude is enraptured in the pride and glory of their nation. Turning to look at Christ they expect His face to reflect the awe and admiration felt by their own hearts. 

But instead they are shocked to see His eye brimmed with tears. He raises His hand as if trying to stop the wave of doom steadily approaching the self-assured nation with the now setting sun. His body sways with grief. A midst heart broken sobs the words escape His quivering lips, "'If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace!—' Here the Saviour paused, and left unsaid what might have been the condition of Jerusalem had she accepted the help that God desired to give her,—the gift of His beloved Son."3

His beloved Son. 

As one version puts it...His cherished Son.

Not just a temple, the pride and glory of a nation...

The glory and majesty of heaven itself. This gift...come to die for her.

.....

"He takes up the broken thread of His lamentation: 'But now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.'"4

His child. Like a father morning for his son. He weeps, heart pulsating with pain. " How can I give thee up? How can I see thee devoted to destruction? Must I let thee go to fill up the cup of thine iniquity?"5

Must I let thee go?

"One soul is of such value that, in comparison with it, worlds sink into insignificance; 

"but here was a whole nation to be lost. 

"When the fast westering sun should pass from sight in the heavens, Jerusalem’s day of grace would be ended. While the procession was halting on the brow of Olivet, it was not yet too late for Jerusalem to repent. The angel of mercy was then folding her wings to step down from the golden throne to give place to justice and swift-coming judgment. But Christ’s great heart of love still pleaded for Jerusalem, that had scorned His mercies, despised His warnings, and was about to imbrue her hands in His blood. If Jerusalem would but repent, it was not yet too late. While the last rays of the setting sun were lingering on temple, tower, and pinnacle, would not some good angel lead her to the Saviour’s love, and avert her doom? 

"Beautiful and unholy city, that had stoned the prophets, that had rejected the Son of God, that was locking herself by her impenitence in fetters of bondage,—her day of mercy was almost spent!"6

He pleads. Mercy pleads. For you. For me. His hand stretches out still.

Am I letting the last rays of sun set on my day of grace?

Will I let His desperate pleas be in vain?

1) DA 29.4

2) DA 575.2

3) DA 576.3

4) DA 577.1

5) DA 577.3

6) Ibid.

Pleadings - part 1 {Perceptions of a Procession}

It is the last week of his life. Up until this time he has sought to be somewhat in the shadows though often unsuccessful. Now yet again they fan the flame of hope that he will be their king and rescuer from the oppressive power they find themselves under. And unlike all the other times he now seems to accept it.

Leaving Bethany with the multitude that had gathered about Him there, He turns His face for the last time steadfastly towards the beloved city.  Excitement reigns. Seated on a borrowed colt the King of the universe is led in a growing processional prophesied five hundred years before as the promised heir to David's throne. The people know exactly what the picture before them symbolizes. It has been repeated by many kings of Israel. They are sure their hour of deliverance has at long last come and hail him as their Messiah and king.

Or so they think...

He seems to be acting in such contrast from the rest of His life and mission. "Never before in His earthly life had Jesus permitted such a demonstration. He clearly foresaw the result.

"It would bring Him to the cross."1

His actions were not, as it seemed, a consent to the will and wish of the throng about Him. The action was calculated to center their attention on Him for the final act of His mission. "It would be needful for His church in all succeeding ages to make His death for the sins of the world a subject of deep thought and study. ...the events which preceded His great sacrifice must be such as to call attention to the sacrifice itself.

"After such a demonstration as that attending His entry into Jerusalem, all eyes would follow His rapid progress to the final scene."2

Hear Him pleading...

Look at me...


Watch me die...


for you.

"The events connected with this triumphal ride would be the talk of every tongue, and would bring Jesus before every mind. After His crucifixion, many would recall these events in their connection with His trial and death. They would be led to search the prophecies, and would be convinced that Jesus was the Messiah; and in all lands converts to the faith would be multiplied."3

Do I by my life, be it a humble lot or exalted station, calculate my every action to point their eyes to His superlative sacrifice?

Would I do what He bids me even if I knew the results will be my demise?

Would I...

The events which preceded His great sacrifice must be such as to call attention to the sacrifice itself.  


He clearly foresaw the result. 

"It would bring Him to the cross."

1) DA 571.2
2) Ibid.
3) DA 571.3

Rain dancing

When I began my experience at the age of 16 my Prince took me on his wings and flew me over His mountains. I was in awe, captivated, and impressed. I was thrilled that this was what I was to call home.  But then two years later He landed in the valley and let me off, telling me that the journey home was to begin there. I don't think I was listening close enough to hear that. Journey? What journey? I was too excited by what I'd seen that when my feet hit the ground I gleefully started running towards the slopes. I quickly found myself on the ground in a heap and realized they were far away now. For the next few years I struggled and wandered. Attempting at times to get back to where I thought I'd been on the mountain. But flying over the mountains is much different than climbing them. I thought for a while maybe I had fallen off track somewhere. I'd missed a turn. Now slowly I'm beginning to understand. The heights are not reached in a day.

I always dreaded trials. I thought they were to be endured. I couldn't understand why Paul said he rejoiced in his sufferings. Jesus said to leap for joy. James said to count it all joy. I didn't. I thought I just had to figure something out and I would be back on the heights in no time. This journey, this stumbling along lost and lonely, the pain, the rain, the storms would end someday. But slowly, gradually something has been happening in me. I don't know how God did it. My view of trials blessings and rain has been changing. After a couple years I began making it across the valley. I started catching on to the purpose of trials. I was beginning to understand but I was only playing at the foothills. It's only been in the last 6 months especially that the picture has been coming together.

The pain, the loneliness, the rain...have been my biggest blessings. It has been trough those times that I have come to know my Prince. His strength, His beauty, His wisdom, His love, His depth, His sufficiency, His individuality..... And I've learned that rain is beautiful. Pain is so healing. And progress is often made crying and crawling on your hands and knees. Gripping the cold wet earth and fighting your way through the storm. It's nothing like the flight over the mountains. But it is so much deeper. I'm beginning to learn to embrace the flame and let it burn. Let it hurt. Don't run a way from it. And my Prince is confirming these lessons in so many ways.

Fall came to Weimar last week and brought the rain. I had been almost craving rain. It came at just the right time and just the wrong time. The cold was refreshing. But it triggered major homesickness. Christmas carols (no shame) started sneaking into my room and I was dreaming of an evening snuggled between my mom and dad reading a good book in front of the wood stove. When the rain came Wednesday night I was really having a hard time. My best friend came into the dorm all wet from the rain. She would understand exactly what I'm trying to explain here. Her companionship in the last several years of this journey has been one of the biggest gifts God has given me. With one knowing smile at each other we took off for a much needed "rain dance". There's really no dancing involved, just walking with no umbrella. Rain dancing in Nebraska is a rare treat since the rain is usually accompanied by lightening. So I hadn't gotten to do it in a long time. We walked a half a mile and just soaked it in, stopping in the dark to just listen.

When you learn to dance in the rain you can begin to rejoice when it comes. You don't run for cover. Your not afraid of it. You embrace it. You begin to crave it. Because there is a feeling like nothing else can bring.

I know there will be many more opportunities to embrace the "rain" in the weeks to come. My strength has long since been spent. But now I see this is where my Prince wanted me to be all along. Flying on His wings doesn't mean near as much when your own are itching to take the skies and you think you can do it. But when your strength is gone. When you've been trudging up the slope with your last ounce. When you realize you can't take another step. Then you feel the strength in His arms around you.

Perhaps fear is losing his grip on me. Love is casting him out.

His ear

This is something I wrote almost two years ago when nannnying two of my nieces...


“Mommy, I went down the slide! Look at me, Mommy, I went down the slide all by myself!” But Mommy didn’t hear. She was deep in conversation with her friend as they walked around the play ground. So the little girl ran off to a new adventure. A while later her mother was again passing by and the child called out, “Mommy, watch me.” Still her Mother did not recognize the voice of her child eager to display her new achievement. “Mommy!” she cried louder, but with no answer. Again and again she called without a response. I thought I saw a look of disappointment in her eyes, but as her mother was now too far away to hear she went back to her play.

As I sat there watching this scene unfold, the words of Isaiah 59:1 came to my mind. “Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear.” I heard my Prince gently say to me, “My ear is always tuned to your voice. Even above all the din of a universe, when you call I will hear. I can hear the silent pleas of your heart. I know my child’s call.” I went home and began to look up all the places in the Bible where God hears, and I found a load of promises.

“The everlasting portals will open wide to the trembling touch of a little child.” COL 404

“I love the LORD because he hears and answers my prayers. Because he bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I have breath!” Psalms 116:1, 2 NLT

“He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry reached his ears.” Psalms 18:6

“I cried out to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy mountain.” Psalms 3:4

He said, "I cried out to the LORD in my great trouble, and he answered me. I called to you from the world of the dead, and LORD, you heard me!” Jonah 2:2

Proudly introducing...

I am proud to introduce to you...

"Garden Loom"

...the blog of my dear mother, Diane Marie. It has already been graced with her insights and there is promise of many more gems to come. If you didn't know, God has made her a gifted poet. She has blessed and cheered many a heart with her tapestries of words, and now her blog will hold her collection of poems.

Come join me and watch her weave...

Get Service

So true.

Oh God, give me your eyes!

Isolation...

Algebra: An exercise to tax the limits of the brain.

Integers have been spinning around my head of late. I struggle to see the necessity of mastering this skill, but I’m trusting that those older than me know why I must submit to this twisting of brain cells. I’ll admit, I do enjoy it sometimes. So far one of my favorite things to do is solving formulas for a variable. It’s like a puzzle. You have to move things around and get rid of things until you have isolated the variable and its value is shown on the other side of the equals sign. Take this equation for example: 1/5(10-15x)+5=3

In order to find the value of x we have to isolate it. To do that we have to strip it of all that surrounds it and is attached to it.

The other day I heard someone refer to our relationship to God in mathematical terms - God being the constant; us being the variable. Somewhere between peaceful sound sleep and sub-consciousness my mind (as it often does lately) started thinking about math. But this time into the equation swirled God. Suddenly it hit me. I am the variable. God is the number on the other side. Throughout my life there have been things, even good things, that have inexplicably been taken away from me. Recently it seems to be intensifying. I have felt...isolated. Is this what I need in order to finally find my value in Him? Stripped of all that surrounds me, pulls me, and that I desire? Even that which is in and of itself good? Must I be isolated?


But the beautiful part of the equation is that whatever is done to the x is also done to the number on the other side. "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are,...[And since] He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted." (Heb 4:15; 2:18 NKJV) Every time something has to be given up, stripped away, purged, He knows how it feels because it was done to Him as well. And at the end I will find my value in Him alone.


Do you know what the meaning of Algebra is? No, it is not the above meaning. :) It is derived from an Arabic word al-jabr which means...restoration.


Oh God, do al-jabr in my life. Even if it means isolation!

"Rescue"

Oh dear God, please rescue me,

From my sin and misery.

I am wretched, poor and blind. (Rev 3:17)

Righteousness, there's none of mine. (Is 64:6)

Come and take this stony heart, (Ez 36:26)

Remove it, God, break every part. (Mat 21:42, 44)

Please break down the high stone walls.

Please don't stop until they fall.

Pride and anger, lazy bones.

Please remove them from their thrones.

Make a change, oh God, within,

Till I'm free from every sin.(Is 1:18)

So tired, ready to give up.

But I must hold on, I cannot stop. (Gal 6:9)

My only hope, God, rests in Thee. (Ps 62:5)

You promised You'd come rescue me. (Ps 119:170)

Worn out, battered, week and bruised,

Behind me, the devil still pursues.

The world is cold, no place to hide,

No one in whom I can confide.

But then I see you run towards me (Ps 38:22)

I crumble helpless to my knees.

And just as he with hellish breath,

Closes in to bring me death, (1 Pet 5:8)

You step between and take the blow.

A standard raised o’re me does flow. (Is 59:19)

“Touch her not, for she is Mine.

Her name engraved on my hands you’ll find. (Is 49:16)

She may have many  faults of character,

A failure be in her endeavors.

But she with sorrow has repented,

I have forgiven and her accepted.” (John 6:37) {PK 589.1}

I run to You and there I'm safe.

A strong defense, a resting place. (Ps 59:16, 17)

A Rock where safely I can hide. (Ps 61:3)

A place no enemy can find. (Ps 31:2)

Your voice I hear, I know it's true.

"I love you, child, I've rescued you."

Oh what love! How wide, how deep?

With tears, a flood of praise I weep.

Safe within your arms, I’m free.

You are my Prince, You’ve rescued me.

{commenced 12/18/08 | completed 1/26/10} 

"Fly on My wings"

God Whose hand a galaxy sways,

Bend Your ear now as I pray.

Though in me no good is found,

I touch my face to holy ground.

Within this universe so big,

How did You hear the tiny twig,

That cracked beneath my plodding feet,

As my way I made to this retreat?

Now to my knees I trembling fall.

The sky engulfs my silent call.

Why Your attention's drawn to me,

I'll never know, I cannot conceive.

Though a host of demons try

With doubts and fears to mute my cry,

Somehow my heart believes You're there,

Though why, I see not, You want to care.

Oh God, why me, this wretched child?

For I Your plan now have defiled.

For one so wretched as I am,

You should have struck out of Your plan.

 Though You knew no one would care,

And they, Your justice, think was fair.

Yet still with love and gentle hand,

As though n'one else in line doth stand,

You shape and mold the broken heart

Into a yet more wondrous work of art.

As though the authentic score this is,

The song plays on, no beat is missed.

My selfish strokes, my discordant notes,

With unrivaled skill into chords You wrote.

But as the measures die away,

I hear the melody I played.

My faults are not without reward,

For He is pierced with my discord.

And when the justice blow is fallen, 

The universe is silent, solemn.

For it was Love You chose to give.

Sent Him to die and let me live.

So now upon the Rock I'm broken.

Naught of my love is left a token.

I long to rise above the flesh,

To breathe in deeply Love's air a fresh.

With my tears the ground is moist.

Your way now I want to be my choice.

But I have no strength, I'm scared to try.

You whisper, "On My wings you'll fly."


-Jenae Elizabeth 1/2010

YADAH...

I was researching Hebrew words for praise recently and came across this one...Yadah. It means to worship with the extended hand. The giving of oneself in worship and adoration. To lift your hands unto the Lord. It carries the meaning of absolute surrender as a young child does to a parent - "pick me up, I'm all yours".

That picture struck me. I have three little nieces, and I spent the last 4 months nannying the younger two (Rome 3.5yrs, and Eve 1.5yr). Eve came up to me many times with her hands stretched up asking me to hold her. I love holding her! most of the time. :) Sometimes I am busy and would rather they go play somewhere else other than under my feet. I am glad my God doesn't think this way. He always has time to hold me...to hear my praise. He desires that I become as a little child, reaching up my hands and saying, "Take me. I'm all yours." Often I have said this, but then, like little Eve, when the arms begin to feel restrictive, when I see something I'd rather be doing and I'm ready to go do my own thing, I wiggle and squirm and ask to be let go. God never keeps me where I choose not to be, but I am slow to learn that I am only safe when I am in His arms. Oh may I learn to rest quietly in His arms. May my praise be Yadah!

Havilah...

is the place of my dreams....


"And Jehovah Elohim planted a garden in Eden eastward, and there put Man whom he had formed. And a river went out of Eden, to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became four main streams. The name of the one is Pison: that is it which surrounds the whole land of Havilah, where the gold is. And the gold of that land is good; bdellium and the onyx stone are there." Genesis 2:8, 10-12 DBY


It takes me back to the time when sin had not yet marred Yahweh's glorious creation. When I picture Havilah, I envision my home in heaven....


Entering from the east side, a circular valley is surrounded by towering green mountains. A mansion sits atop the far crest, called Mount Shalom(1). My view is toward the east where I can see in the distance the streams of dazzling Shekinah glory emanating from Yahweh's throne. In the cool of the day He comes and leads me up the heights of Mount Hermon(2) where we share sweet communion. There is an awe and reverence in this place, hidden from view in the valley, a place known only to the King and His treasure. Through the midst of the luscious valley flows the prodigious river, Pishon(3), birthed from the waterfall cascading down Shalom mountain, its banks bathing with emerald blades. Beneath its crystal clear waters lay a multitude of precious stones...red carnelian, pale-green peridot, white moonstone, blue-green beryl, onyx, jasper, blue lapis lazuli, turquoise, sapphire, topaz, diamond, sardius...their colors making the surface of the water appear iridescent. Each morning at sunrise the mist, rising from the river, creates a rainbow of a million hues. Between the banks of the river and the foothills of the mountains spreads a blushing meadow bursting with blooms. Graceful willows rise above its flowing carpet, the hart and hind resting in their shade. The air is filled with the song of birds, blended with angel voices, and accompanied by a harpist nestled in the crags of Mount Tehillah(4). In the meadow white lambs scamper and play while their tender shepherd joins in the jubilant song with his flute. A gentle breeze wafts the perfume of myrrh* trees down from the mountains. All is peace, rest, and quietness of heart.


Welcome to my valley...the land of Havilah.






(1) peace, completeness, and welfare(reference: Wikipedia)
(2) a sanctuary(reference: Bible concordance)
(3) water poured forth, overflowing, increase (reference: Bible concordance)
(4) to sing, to laud; a spontaneous new song. Singing from a melody in your heart by adding words to it. This refers to a special kind of singing-it is singing unprepared, unrehearsed songs. Singing straight to God. Can move into tehilah anytime. Singing it the second time would be ZAMAR . It is the praise that God inhabits (sits enthroned on)(Psalm 22:3) God manifests Himself in the midst of exuberant singing. (reference:http://www.watchmanministries.org/worship/HebrewforPraise.htm)


*In April 2009, through a rather humorous event, I discovered my love of myrrh. It was unlike anything I had ever smelled. Interestingly, in Genesis 2 the bdellium mentioned is a resin similar to myrrh and is produced by a related plant.