Tag Archives: rest for the weary

May 3 2013

Working Cursed Ground

there!
a pen
a blank page
waits

quick strokes!
a brush
a colored fabric
don a camera ’round the neck

INTERLUDE

why
madness?

get
our
self
sealed
onto
eternity?

idols?

produce
care
less
work
hard
fall
down

Silence can tell us much if we listen well.
Watch and see goodness abound.
From dirt comes food.
Nestled beneath our hurried hearts lays a seed of hope.

Can it be found, here, in these words and pictures?
I do not want to be seen.
I do not want to be heard.
Let God’s glory shine!

Genesis 8:21 The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.

©jeannelizabeth

Apr 30 2013

abide in me

two weeks
until
I hear

waiting
to know
my fate

Helpless to change my destiny.
It is written.
It is.

Menopause
was suppose
to free me

Jesus says*
“Abide in me…
let my words abide in you,”

This valley
is familiar, Lord
the trees have grown

See
the climb
ahead

How
will I spend
each bright morning star?

Show me
Lord!
Teach me to count my days…

*John 15:7

When you face sickness, it takes over the mind. Every sunny day seems ten times sunnier. Every rainy day seems gloomier than usual. How will this change me? What am I to learn?

I almost welcome the pain. My heart has become as grand and spacious as the heavens opened up. Again, I cry out to God to help me through. I don’t feel alone. I feel helpless.

Update: Just an hour after blogging this, a dear friend sent me this verse, having no idea of what I was searching for. Again, there it is…PEACE, that no man can afford to give, except for the King of kings and Lord of lords. Again, I am in awe of His Majesty!

“4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.” Ps. 46:4-5

This help cannot be seen outwardly.

This help cannot be taken away.

This help will keep me in perfect peace.

This help will I meditate on day and night.

Let this be my prayer Lord…Psalm 43:3 Send me your light and your faithful care,
let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.

Apr 29 2013

Is anything right in this upside down, turned around world?

Opening Act:

Are you as confused as me? Can anyone watch the news today and say, glad they sorted out that mess?

Are these days, finally, the end of days? Many have speculated and announced dates, only to see their prophecy vaporize into clouds that hang over their heads.

My daily soapbox: Proverbs 17:15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent– the LORD detests them both.

Sound familiar? Yes, the truth has become evil and evil has become truth. Look no further than the evening news. You choose, your pick. Which story comes to mind?

 Second Act:

Will anyone be found a believer in the end of days? 2 Corinthians 11:3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

Closing Curtain:

One day, the JUDGE will speak, and no one can utter a word! Matthew 25:41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  I have seen this in a dream…even in the church, many will burn, searching for relief, and not even the town fountain will put out the flames that torture.

Until then, the show must go on. Christians are asked to forgive those who trespass against them, be disciplined, pray continually, be grateful regardless of surrounding circumstances and continue to let our light shine in joy!

Apr 25 2013

sacred space (H is for Heaven)

the solitude of the moment
the  quietness in the air
words are harnessed and written down
knowing i am almost there
amongst the trees and water
where  birds and crickets share
the rainbow hangs above the clouds
the sacred is here

H is for heaven. No I have not been there. Many claim to have been present and seen a glimpse. We are told to bring heaven on earth. What would that look like for you?

Apr 25 2013

Crack in the Sidewalk

Do you suppose
we have found
a way that super cedes
all other ways?

Do you suppose
the crack
in the sidewalk
will keep cracking?

I suppose
I will need to think
about that
before I can answer!

©jeannelizabeth

I googled Crack in the Sidewalk and found many poems and a book with the same title. How are we any different than those before us? Solomon, the wise man in the Bible, from ages ago, said it well ”What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 1:9. We can repackage the same story, with new words, but the meaning stays the same. What are we trying to figure out? Who created the world? Who created man? Did we just come together in some cosmic explosion, slowly evolve over millions of years, and end up the same as our ancestors? Even they dealt with cracks in the sidewalks. Can you imagine riding a chariot and have a wheel in a crack in the sidewalk?

Apr 24 2013

Intermission

Chapter One
What does this all mean?
What does it?
Really?
Mean?

We all get caught up in “life” but the irony is that the life we live sucks us dry!

Chapter Two
The stage is empty
The chairs are
resting on wobbly legs

Do you dare
to
sit
down?

Chapter Three
How did I get
here?
I never
finished
yesterday!

©jeannelizabeth

Apr 16 2013

We are not alone

Sand footprints

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!

Psalm 139:17

If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.

Psalm 139:18

Jan 2 2013

To Life in 2013!

Is your life complicated? Do you have power over your circumstances?  Do you feel as if you are floating on the water, waiting for the crashing waves and the rains to begin to fall?  Or have you found a solution to the mounting despair, loneliness and despondancy.   

Isaiah 6:1-3To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory. NLT2007

What a promise! This is certainly what my blog is all about. Finding the promises of God, applying them to our personal lives, and finding true peace in our hearts and minds, regardless of the circumstances surrounding us.

Navigating the waters, whether they be rolling rivers, choppy lakes or vast bodies of open water with no sign of land for days, we have a Book to take with us, to give us counsel and guidance. Applying the Word from that Book will prove enormously fruitful. Be patient. Take heart. Have faith. ©Jeannelizabeth

Aug 13 2012

A Modern Day Petition to God

In distress, you may find yourself confused, uncertain, questioning and feeling lost. When your world is turned upside down, how do you begin to pick up the pieces, move forward and learn to focus on the positive?

In a rapid world, living simply is not simple. It takes great effort to do what our ancestors did out of habit. The burdens of everyday living can take a toll on our physical, mental and spirital health. Washing clothes and dishes has become simpler but it demands time most do not have so cleaning house is hired out. Cooking dinner is convenient but sheer exhaustion has us rushing to eat out. Exercising is a necessity when we are trapped at our desks all day and staying active puts a burden on our time.

How do you know when He has heard the prayer of our anguished souls and why might He not answer*?

Everyday we hear of viruses circulating that threatens our access to the internet. The virus that threatens even more lives is called Modern Living. We have become disconnected to the land, to each other and most of all to God. Perhaps just reaching out is the solution. Get off the computer, get outside, and reach out. It may just save your life!

(*Hint, in our rush we may not be able to hear God. Perhaps, by stopping long enough, the rushing wind and water will bring relief.)

May 2 2012

To be or not to be…

rebaptized? Now there is a heated debate, if there ever was one, of whether to baptize infants, children, or only those who can reasonably know what they are doing? So where did I land and how did I venture into this debate to begin with? Lord, help me…

Making a long story short, so I do not bore you, I was looking to change churches, denominations exactly, because of certain beliefs that I hold tried and true to my heart that were no longer part of the church I belonged. A friend invited me to her church, because she thought it was the best church ever. After much time, and searching, I agreed and trugged the family. There was one problem, they did not honor infant baptism, so if I wanted to become a part of the church, I would need to be rebaptized. I have a big problem with that! A major problem!

I am secure in my faith. I have no doubt in my mind that God loves me and that is why His Son, Jesus, died for me. The fact that I was baptized into the church as an infant (okay, so they sprinkled, and I wasn’t technically immersed as the word is taken to mean in the Greek) does that mean God cannot honor my baptism into God, the Son and the Holy Spirit as written in  Matthew 28:19 “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit . . ..” which is what the pastor said as they made a seal of oil on my head and sprinkled holy water over me?

I cannot give you a definite answer either way. I know, I am of no help here. Yet, I am not convinced either way, whether to be or not to be rebaptized. So, in the meantime, I will go on my merry way and look for a church that believes in infant baptism but does not step on my toes regarding certain issues that are creeping into the church today. We won’t mention those issues, because again, man makes isssues of everything!

Here is my very “personal” prayer that I will share with the world that stems from this dilemma. Thank you for listening and please feel free to leave comments. I would love to hear what you have to say about baptism!

Lord Jesus,
Hear my prayer. Give me peace regarding this baptism dilemma.
Lord Jesus,
I do not understand why it is so hard for me one way or the other.
The interpretation of your Word varies.
Does man manipulate your Word
or are these men well-meaning in securing a place
for the children to come to you?
You say to come as we are and then after we approach the alter
it becomes difficult to dot my i’s and cross my t’s.
I become so burdened with all these issues.

You never asked this of me before…
to be rebaptized!
I have heard you speak to me!
You have asked me to be holy as You are holy!
You have asked me to forgive those who have hurt me!
You have given me gifts to heal, bring mercy, encouragement and hope to the lost and lonely!
I have never heard You tell me that I need to be rebaptized?

Would it help if I was rebaptized?
Would that become less of a stumbling block for me if I just did it?
I cherish infant baptism.
It is a beautiful dedication by parents to honor You!
It brings death to the old self and raises the child into new life!
It puts the heart of the parent in the right direction to raise the child as a child of God.
Is it possible for that child to turn away from You?
Absolutely.
Like the lost sheep, Jesus will go and look for those children who stray away.
What a balm to any parent’s heart to know that You care and we can pray that Jesus
could intercede on that child’s very life.
This reminds me of the story of Hannah and Samuel.

Is there harm in baptizing little ones?
Is there harm in praying for the lost?
Can you not keep watch over these little ones brought to You
in peace and security under your wings?
Yet, how can a little child understand
the darkness of this world?
They grow up in a sterile Christian environment
and then
WHAM!
The world is a scary place.
One minute the child is walking a well lit path
and soon the light grows dim,
the air grows cold,
and the sound of screams are heard.
As parents,
how should we prepare our children
to understand they will suffer?
Jesus suffered.

Christianity is about a relationship
we have with Jesus,
Your Son,
God,
who has pleased you in obedience.
We are found worthy because of His work on the cross.
Let us be found ready,
covered in the blood of Jesus,
washed clean as freshly fallen snow,
buried to our sinful nature,
and born into a new creature.

Is my heart and mind in the right place?
Are there sins I need to repent?
Am I lost or found?
I believe you Jesus.

I believe who You say You are.
You died for my sins.
You know I struggle with hurting you on the cross.
I had a difficult time knowing I am such a terrible person.
Yet, You still love me!
You talk to me!
You have hugged me in my darkest hour!
You prepare and equip me everyday!
You make me new everyday and you fill my heart with music!
You want me to fill up with your peace, joy, love, faith, hope and patience!
I accept your gifts.

Let me not tromple those gifts as a pig with pearls
but to gently hide them from the world.
Let me give my treasured gems
to those who will treasure these gifts as I do.

Make me new today.
Remind me who I am!

I am a child of God!
He is my Father!
He is my brother!
He is my friend and counselor!

I am forgiven
I am healed
I am renewed daily
I am holy because He is holy
I am worthy of love
I am sealed by the Holy Spirit

I am because He is the great I AM!

Can we do anything wrong if our hearts are in the right place?
If we sprinkle instead of immerse are you displeased?
I wait for an answer and only groans of my spirit are released.
What of those who sin and do not repent?
Would that not grieve you?
I believe you would be grieved, deeply.
Jesus wept!

Communion and baptism are two sacred connections and not one of us
should hinder anyone from coming to You.
You are present in both.
Forgive us for not seeing the heart of Your reason for both.
(Did not Hannah bring you Samuel to be yours?
Did not Jesus sit with the Rabbis and teach in the synogogue as a child?
Jesus welcomed the least of these to be part of His kindgom!)

Let me move on in peace.
Thank you God for hearing me in Jesus name…AMEN!

P.S. Daily I wash myself in Your presence, that no unclean may be found in me.
Lifting my needs to You.
Praising Your Holy name.
Thanking You for helping and loving me always (Oh, there have been days you could have left me!).
Reminding me that any step too far from You is a step
needing forgiveness.
I am sorry for my unforgivness and harsh thoughts toward
those who have hurt me.
I am sorry for the error of my ways.
You love all of us and dearly want us to be close to You.
None of us can run to a Father who is stern,
but You are slow to anger.
Thank You for the work of the cross.
Thank you for Your Spirit who counsels me and brings me gifts
to encourage others.
Let nothing be a stumbling block to me.
Nothing!

In Your precious name, Jesus, my Savior,

Jeanne Elizabeth©