Seasons of Calm

Seasons of Calm

I am moved by the gathering of people coming together to stand in the gap for a fellow believer. When we decide to unite together for the good of one, we represent who we really are . It doesn't take a doctrine, or a creed or an order to stand for those in distress who are part of our body. We leave the lines of demarcation and crossover to reach out and help someone we call brother. It reminds me of the Christmas Eve story of the men who were standing guard during Christmas
eve and in their heart to remember the Christ child , the German and American soldiers came together that night. They left their rivalry, put their guns down to sing Christmas Carols . This story has always touched me..Paul Harvey used to tell it during the Christmas Season. I have seen something similar this week. People from every nation and tongue, from every belief and congregation have joined forces to free Saeed. Its been amazing...It shows me that mercy always triumphs, love never fails...

I have had several days lately to sit and ponder. Reaching deep into the heart of my being , listening, mulling , questioning, resolving, I have come to realize that in the stillness I  find answers. In quietness and confidence shall be your strength. This verse is the one I chose to add to the title of this blog. When my mind is racing and my self can't be still, I strive to find ways to fill the voids or escape the uncertainties. As I sit at His feet without a word, I find peace. He can quiet my anxiousness and I realize I didn't need answers as much as I needed His presence. This gave me the assurance I was trying to find. He leads me beside still waters and along  green pastures. I  quiet my soul and His peace that passes all understanding comes.  He restores me. Many times I  forget the questions I came to ask or the whys I needed to know. It has

 taken me a long time to come to this place. I find rest in the joy of His presence knowing, I don't have to know.

I love the Sandia Mountains. Every evening at dusk, a mixture of oranges and pinks began to cover them as the sun goes down in the west.

The color is breathtaking. The Spaniards called them the Sandias which means watermelon, an exact description of the color of these beautiful mountains this time of day. We hurry out especially this time of year to capture the gorgeous hues that not only drape the mountains but paint the wide open New Mexico skies. Every year in September a group of us from our congregation would gather on top of these mountains to worship, pray,  praise and declare His word. I sometimes wonder how we got here. There is nothing like the skies , landscapes, history and culture of this great state. We love the Native Americans of New Mexico many who have become great friends. Thank you Lord for the wonders of your handiwork that we get to enjoy from not only our front porch but when we drive through the highways, dirt roads, back roads and mountain roads of this beautiful country called New Mexico. 

Whirling! The only word I can describe what is going on around me..Chaos, tribulation, destruction, death.  But I hear the Sound rising up out of my mouth  with forceful words.The enemy's been defeated, death couldn't hold me down. Angelic hosts summoned, ministering angels swiftly coming to our aid, for we are the heirs of salvation.  Lightening flashes, swords clashing,  trumpets blowing, sounds blaring from the war in the heavenlies.  Authority with truth began to be declared by the saints. Suddenly!  Light shimmers!  Darkness  dispelled! The Triumphant one , the Crowned one speaks and declares  with the overcomers. "Do not fear or be dismayed or anxiously look around you, For I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. For I Lord thy God in the midst of you is mighty, I will rejoice over you with singing. I will  contend with those who contend with you. I Will, I Will! Stand still and see the salvation of your Lord. For the enemies that you have seen today , you will see no more!  Harmony and agreement with Him defeated every lie, every fear. Peace rules.

Fires produce new growth

The mountains have been a refuge for me in times of needed refreshment, in times of despair, in times of uncertainty, in times of waiting.  Today I listen to the quietness, the stillness of the life of this small mountain village. No hurry, just peace. We are surrounded by fires popping up all over the region north of us. We pray for angels to encircle our neighbors. We ask for comfort for them during this time of loss. They too have had  a refuge and its in danger of being destroyed. High winds, fires raging out of control was what we could see over the mountain ridge. Great puffs of smoke reaching so high the heavens were hidden. Prayers were being lifted up all over the 3 county area. The animals were coming down out of the mountains, parched and looking for water to drink and to bathe their wounds. God is so amazing! The winds shifted, our neighboring town although still not out of the woods, is holding on to dear life and we are praying and standing with them. A sense of unity is created when one of us is looking death and destruction in the face. The beauty that God  painted for us and created for us to love has been swallowed up by fires caused by drought and pestilence. Some say it's God judgement on the land. I believe someone else is behind it. Someone who wants to destroy all that is beautiful, all that is good. I know that the land cries out when sin abounds and blood is shed. But where sin abounds, grace much more abounds. God's way is to overcome evil with good no matter where it originates. We have seen so much of God's amazing grace through this week. Love has spread, servant hood had been shown in every way, appreciation for God's goodness and his beauty of nature has been expressed, neighbors have come together, prayer meetings have sprung up. We once again have been reminded of what is really important and what we really cherish. New growth is always the result of fire, whether it is in the land or in our lives. For these light and momentary troubles are causing for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

    Today I sat outside with my coffee and shut my eyes. After a few minutes I could hear different birds chirping in the neighbors large cottonwood trees. I heard the whirring of hummingbirds as they darted in and out of the yard. The mourning doves were sending out their familiar coos to one another. I heard bees as they surrounded the desert willow hanging over the fence. The gentle clang of our chimes was a welcomed sound. The neighbors little dogs were barking over the fence and I could hear an airplane flying by overhead. I opened my eyes and felt the Spirit say this is how you train your ears to hear. Those who are blind have sharpened this sense as if their ears are their eyes. Many can't hear me because they haven't learned to be still, to block out all distractions so they can  recognize my voice in nature and the voice of the Spirit. Father sometimes I am so used to the entertainment of the world  and  I know that I need to get away to hear you and see the wondrous things you have to teach me through. I need to settle my soul and renew my mind with the simple beauty you have provided for me. I ministered to a lady this week and Father had me slowly quote the 23rd Psalm to her. Tears came to her eyes and she said she could see the green pastures and she longed for the still waters of restoration in her soul. We need you Father , we need so much the healing of your gentle sounds of nature, and to see your wondrous landscape of trees, flowers, mountains and oceans .They are restoration and refreshment which bring the deep healing we all need.

I have watched our hummingbird feeder and wondered why are they passing us by and going next door. So this morning I said Lord as a favor to me, would you bring some hummingbirds my way. In about 2-3 minutes here came a beautiful purple headed hummingbird who drank from every opening all around the feeder.  I felt like the Lord sent a very special species this morning. He took time to drink and enjoy every little flower on my feeder. The yellow finches came and fed on the sack of thistle and sunflower seeds. Beautiful monarch butterflies along with some white ones began to circle the yard. We love God's array of beauty in His creation. I look everyday at the different types of flowers and think how He must have taken great thought into every detail for every plant and animal. And then the detail for us as  human beings! There are no words to describe  our creative Father. But one thing I know is that as his masterpiece, I am one of many, one of billions and to think each is so absolutely exquisite in His site. It still is fathomless to me that before we were created, He made a way for us to stay continually connected to Him even at the expense of His only Son. I am so blown away again at His awesomeness, His love, His provision for every need we have..but then I think why wouldn't He? We were His finest piece of art and His love for us is indescribable.  His desire to please us, shower us with blessings , answer our smallest prayers or our most desperate prayers is natural to  Him. That's His nature.

    When the Lord speaks, I listen. He has spoken to me in various ways. This past week He spoke through dreams, two very significant dreams. Two weddings, two different meanings. One of warning, the other confirming. Father spoke to me this past week through my granddaughter. I love when He does this! When I hear someone say, God doesn't speak to me, I want to say,"Oh yes He does, you just haven't learned His language." We know He speaks through the written word but He speaks in many other ways too.

God is relational. That is why we were created . He wanted someone like Himself to love. That's why He sent Jesus so we could see in the flesh what He was like. He was the ultimate sacrifice that reconciled us to the Father. I heard a story once told by Tommy Tenney. A very large minister who had a thyroid problem which caused  extreme obesity, went to a home to visit a couple and when he got into the foyer, he stood against the wall and looked into the living area to see if there was a place large enough for him to sit. He wondered if there was a place that had been provided for him beforehand. Tommy Tenney said that God looks around to see if we have provided a mercy seat big enough for Him. Often times we have filled it up with so many of our ideas, our agendas, our traditions

 that their is no room for Him. Be aware this week of God's language..maybe through a bird, a flower, a song, a dream. Make room for Him. He has some things He wants to tell you. You will be blessed. and it will bring Him great joy

The sun comes up. There's a new day dawning! Words of a song I listened to this morning. Thankful that His mercies are new every morning. I get a do over every

day. Amazing! I have been attempting at prophetic art and its always nice to have a clean slate , a new canvas each time. I am seeing a new painting this morning with new birds in the yard, new buds on the trees, new plants coming up. Each day is always a display of His newness,a reminder that old things have passed away, Behold all things have become new. I painted last Saturday night during worship. I am a novice believe me but when the music started I began to hear a rumbling and a thunder and I could hear what might have been the sound of a shaking ground and an exploding tomb. I began  to dip into that crimson color and a flow began to emerge from the cross and it flowed through layers of colors, our layers of generations, the layers of our souls. The golden sun behind it began to rise. Our   DNA changes at the cross as we receive His blood line at salvation. We get the Father's DNA just like Jesus did, who had no earthly father. A sinless, spotless DNA. No flaws, no bondages, no sickness. A new clean slate. His bloods that flows is our sanctification, our righteousness. When sinners plunge beneath that flood lose all their guilty stain.Old things have passed away, Behold! all things have become new! Amen! Grateful this morning, its a new day dawning. We will walk in newness of life!

Heart

I heard the leaves rustling, I looked around but didn't see anything so laid back down with my eyes reaching up toward the sky and the tops of the huge cottonwoods that hovered over the hammock I was swinging in . God knew I was seeking Him as I had known that there was something He wanted to reveal to me on this trip. I heard him whisper inside "Do you want to see Me?" And I said," Yes, Lord". I got up and looked around as if He or a large angel would appear to me but I saw nothing. I headed toward the small clear stream a few feet away.
Along the edge, the water was so clear, so I dipped my hands in it and without thinking put the water on my heart. I waited and watched and started back up the trail to the casita..and I remembered Dick saying look for a heart rock. I walked a few steps and looked down and there was an almost perfect heart-shaped rock! I knew this was Him. Father had left it there for me to find. Years before a friend who was having heart problems found a heart shaped rock on top of a mountain pass as a sign that God was healing his heart. I am still processing what this all means, but knew He had revealed Himself in the rock. I had rested in the hammock singing praises and quoting Psalm 103 and Psalm 1. It was an encounter with the Lord. He usually speaks to me in this way,not audibly but in nature or gifts He brings out of nowhere. I know He is revealing more of his love to me as I desire to love Him more. Father gave me a word recently that I was a stirrer upper and I often just by conversation could invade a person's locked up heart, but lately He had been working on my heart and changing things in me as I was learning a deeper part of His love. Lord, I give you my heart, I give you my soul , Lord have your way in me, every breath that I take every moment I'm awake Lord have your way in me. There has been something new conceived in me and a new birth is about to take place...I am anticipating. I thank and praise Him from the bottom of my heart!

There are certain dates for me that are bittersweet..Today is one of those days. March 8. My beautiful daughter Megan was born 35 years ago today and I can remember it like it was yesterday. On a warm,beautiful  sunshiny day she arrived. I had thought she was coming Valentines Day which was snowy and cold in the Texas Panhandle. My mom got in her Jeep Cherokee and made the trek across the windy plains trying to make it in time. When she got there my labor stopped . Megan had decided to wait to arrive on this day which I had prayed for because March 8 was my mother's birthday. Megan came full force with a short labor and we celebrated  with my Mom over the phone as I didn't even have time to call her before I arrived at the hospital. Megan has been an inspiration in our family and we always tried to celebrate her birthday and my Mom's together. My girls loved to go to Colorado and spend time with "Mimi" as they called her. She loved giving them antiques from her store and taking them on jeep rides to the lake and up in the mountains for picnics. When my mother got sick and was diagnosed with dementia, the girls would come to see her and she always knew who they were. Mother passed away on Feb 26, 2008 and we took her back home to the West Texas plains where she had grown up and my Dad had just been buried there. We had her service on March 8 , her and Megan's birthday and buried her by our Dad. We have fond memories of her life and her love. But today we celebrate Megan, our beautiful daughter, who loves the Lord with all of her heart and her family. And today Mimi is celebrating with us. Happy Birthday Megan...and "Mimi" who is in heaven!

The chimes are gently clanging outside my door. I hear the early chirping of birds on the last day, I would call winter even though we have several weeks left until the official date. The movement of spring is stirring. Father seems to always give us a preview before revealing the whole change. He loves to give us a taste  so we will anticipate and appreciate what He has made. I see that He loves in delighting His children like a parent who can't wait for the child to finally open their presents.They can hardly contain themselves to share in the oohs and aaahs and squeals and delights when they finally open what has been kept secretly hidden waiting until the Day. Do you see the Father like this?  Do you anticipate the spring times He has created with its beautiful landscapes of fragrant flowers, glorious colors, fresh gardens, light afternoon showers, singing birds? I  experience joy when I see the trees budding, the first daffodils and tulips coming up, the first robin carrying a worm to its nest. God has blessed us with 4 wonderful seasons and has arrayed each with all His creative love because He wanted  to enjoy our delight as we open to the wonders of His creation. I am excited for spring. My heart begins to feel joyful as the new season gently emerges. Thank you Lord. You were thinking of us when you created this masterpiece.

Today as I sit and soak in your presence and I feel the touch of your breath and hear the beat of your heart, I sense you drawing near to respond to the groaning of your creation, longing for your restoration and Your coming . I sense your desire to come and make all things new, to end this chaotic rhythm of the earth’s cry as she revolts and reacts to the disorder of your world that we have created. But I also feel your heart for those whose have yet to find you and your peace. Those who are groping in their own dark maze and looking for a way of escape. Those who haven’t found their true love and those who have lost their first love. But your love is stronger, your love is greater and it is the only thing that never fails and is the cure for all that is wrong in our world on earth. Thy Kingdom come, they will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. We carry the King who brings the Kingdom. Let us be about your business touching one at a time creating an atmosphere where love can come, love can be shared, where your Kingdom can be demonstrated, where there is the restoration of all things new. Selah

Divine connections

Inspiring visits on this last trip..Deep calls to Deep and I can tell when I have connected on that level with friends that were a divine setup, a divine link up. There is a quick moving into what matters when you are with them. No surface talk but the purpose is moved into quickly with What is God saying and where are you in this season? There is an urgency in our times together because they are usually short, but packed full of life, words from the Lord, prayers, worship and the Word. I love those who God has linked us with. They are scattered all over yet there is no distance between us in the Spirit and it seems we are always tracking together and hearing the same things. These times of breaking bread together encourage us and remind us there are true kindred spirits for us even if we don't see them in the physical very often. I understand when Paul would yearn for Timothy or other brothers who supplied him which support and encouragement. Thank you Lord for connecting us with such warriors, faith-filled pioneers, visionaries, and God chasers, We love them all. Our life has been richer because of them.

When I first started this blog, I said I kept waiting for what was round the corner but didn't see the corner in sight. I can tell I have turned it because I am seeing a new landscape, new scenery, new horizons and sense I am going in a new direction. It's been a long season of regrouping, , relocating , reviving, redirecting, and readying for the new thing ahead. I always have a deep sense inside my spirit when things are changing. Not sure how this will manifest but am anticipating what is next for us. With retirement, a whole new world has opened up for us. Dick has continued to meet with three men's groups and has been enjoying serving with a friend as they go about helping those on the reservations and others in town who need a helping hand.I have joined a prophetic art guild.. Just trying my wings on this one..I have been writing some, mainly on the blog but have been exploring the idea of a devotional book, but then I see so many already, do we really need another one? Dick is taking a master gardening course and getting his garden space ready to plant. I am looking forward to going to see friends and my sister in Denver this next week. Its been too long..I believe its a divine trip and I sense there is great purpose and timing in those we are to see. I am so grateful for the friends we have here in Albuquerque and those long time friends in other places that I have made along the way. Hopefully we can began to go visit these we miss fellow shipping with this next year..Exciting times are ahead.We plan to drive the country over the next few years. I want to see all of these United States and maybe a few countries!

Today I am reminded of those who have gone before us that prepared the way , so we could be sure of the road, the narrow road. Those who considered their lives belonging to the One. Those who demonstrated the verse in Revelation, not loving their lives even unto death. The thing is those we connected to in the Spirit don't even seem gone because they imparted so much and we are carrying not only that impartation but so much of what we received from them. My friend, our friend, Pauline Terry went to be with her Lord early this morning. I can imagine how free she must be. I believe she is more astonished than she expected, but she knows now that what He promised is true. We visited a couple of weeks ago and she assured me she was ready to go home and that she was not afraid but had an anticipation of her new home. Many of us were hoping to keep her longer and I do believe God let us have her as long as He could. Pauline was a general, a prayer warrior, and a wonderful mentor to many. I will be forever blessed to have had her as my friend..Love you Pauline

I sense life slowing down all around me, new fragrances from this season are subtly drifting through the cold air, white covered outcroppings are seen on the foothills, frost covered chamisas landscape the mountainside..Smoke curls from the chimneys, rabbits scurry under the rocks, looking for safety as the hawk flies low looking for something to eat. The Sandia mountains stand stately in their unusual pink glow from the sundown's irridescent mixture of colors . Winter is the time here in New Mexico where things slow down, and you have time to really SEE the magic of all of its glory in a different light. Its nice to sit by the fire on these cold early mornings and listen to the still, small voice. I love the winters in New Mexico, there is a stillness in the spirit..a quietness, a hibernation of the soul for restoring and renewing before the bounce of spring comes. It will come in with howling winds like a Lion, but will be announced by glorious yellow trumpets called daffodils. Nature is God's painting for us to continually enjoy his creation which too serves as a mirror of His attributes. Even in the animals,God's character is seen in the uniqueness of each one.So slow down during this season and seize the wonders of His world which reminds us again that HE IS and always will be....

So much emotion, so many feelings and so forever grateful for my life and history..so thankful for forever friends, childhood friends, new friends. So excited for the new year to emerge with new opportunities, new adventures, new vison. Ready to see what lies ahead, what God has in store for me. Lord thank you for another year, another chance to experience your Kingdom purposes and being able to co-labor with you. I am so aware with a new sense of purpose which gives me a reason to seek you in a much deeper way this year because I sense it is about you and me. Out of that will come an extension of your hand toward those who are bound, those who are lost, those who are confused. Father thank you for your hand upon my life, your commissioning, your anointing, your fire which has stirred in me again to ignite my heart which will raise me up to be a partner in your vision for this generation.

 You know there are times that  have the touch of God on them and today I feel I am in one of those times. I sense the smile of God as the world tosses and turns, churns, and boils because in Heavenly places it is far from this chaos. And I know He is telling me to come up higher, that the view is much nicer up here. It's  a view of triumphs and victories, joy and fulfilled promises. Did I not tell my disciples that they were not of this world but were part of a Kingdom that cannot be shaken? And that that Kingdom was near them and in them?  Abraham was looking for a city whose builder and maker was God. One not made with human hands but one who's architect was the creator himself. We should be looking for that, too. So today I hear Him saying,you were born into this world to be  ambassadors of my Kingdom. When you know you've already won, and I am on the throne and the Kingdoms of this world will become my Kingdoms, you can move forward from victory and confidence to change your sphere of influence and touch those I have arranged for you.  Psalms 2   He who sits in the heavens shall laugh !