Fixer Upper

Once again I am in a place where I have a great deal of time on my hands and the choice I face each day is whether or not to grumble and complain or to dig deep in the wellspring of Life.  I admit, the first few weeks I was grumbling and complaining; so much so, I didn't want to be around myself!  But Praise God, His Holy Spirit in me always trumps.

I am living among builders.  These are not only people who build houses and remodel homes, they are also builders of men and women, as the case may be!  Through the years I have seen them take people in to their home; some have grumbled and complained and left there unchanged, others have entered into the rest and shelter God provided and still others have truly gleaned from who they are inside. 

Recently, they have included me on a building project they are working on.  They are looking for my help from a design standpoint.  (Those of you who know me, know that it is one of my passions!)  As we have come together night after night, creating this beautiful plan for a home, I am awestruck at the orchestration of gifts and wisdom each person brings to the table.  More than that, I am captured by what the Holy Spirit is speaking to me about the building or remodelling of my own life.

A month or so ago I heard God whisper, "Take Me at My Word".  I believe it was God calling me to a deeper faith.  Like a house of cards that falls to the ground, I began to yield myself once more to the demolition process.  Strongholds and walls of negative thinking and doubt are being torn down.  Gaps in my foundation are being filled with Truth, and God is once again insulating my heart with His love.  The process is messy and exceedingly dusty.  Some of those walls have been up for a long time and they were disintegrating from the inside-out.  There are days when I am excited about the process. I have my eye on the prize, the finished product!  Then there are days when all I can see is the debris.  I feel hollow and wonder when it will end.  I want to get to the "good stuff", the finishes, the accessories and the pretty part of the process--the decorating, the crown!  And I hear God whisper, "not yet, trust me" and once again I yield to the painful view of some other unsightly part of my house that God wants to inhabit.

I don't know where you are on your journey, but I believe with all my heart that God desires to create in each one of us a "pure home" for himself.  Maybe you are like me, an old "fixer upper".  I encourage you today to allow God to do the work.  I'm not going to sugar-coat it;  it isn't always easy.  He is not obligated to let you know the how, what,  when and whys of what He is doing.  He is a master builder.  He is the Supreme Architect.  He knows exactly what He is doing.  He has no need of "measuring twice and cutting once".   He already knows the exact measure of your life, and His cuts come with a promise!  He loves this old house and from the dust on up to the mansion, He will be with us every step of the way.

Father, I thank you that you bring to completion every work you begin. Strengthen each of us while we wait.  Give to each of us the vision you have for our lives.  To you be the glory.  Amen

Your Presence is Heaven to Me

As I was praying the other night I heard the Spirit whisper, "Take Me at My Word".  I was encouraged to hear the command and the encouragement therein.  I know the Word of God and hearing the Spirit's reminder to take it to heart not just to mind,  was a blessing. 

As I turn to the Psalms today, I am quickened yet again to allow the Word of God to wash over my heart and mind.  To drink in the peace.  To allow the words to comfort my soul and eradicate the doubts. To simply lay down and be refreshed in the presence of God;  allowing the Holy Spirit to calm my fears.  Nothing and No One can settle me down like that.  Utter peace...perfection!
God promises pools of refreshment for His children.  His Presence is just that!  Psalm 34:4 AMP  I sought (inquired of) the Lord and required Him (of necessity and on the authority of His Word), and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears. 

There are times (earlier today)  when I have cried out to God for this or that; a job, or a family member's need, etc., and then there are times when I cry out FOR GOD, period.  I simply cannot go another minute without His Presence.  There is nothing else that I need more than the enveloping Presence of my Jesus.  I can't really explain it.  Its kind of like getting an extra long hug from someone, you know,  truly loves you. But even that doesn't come close!  It is an extraordinary thing! Each time I experience it (Him), I am humbled, most especially because I am  reminded that He is always available.  "Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest".  We used to sing a song, "...come to the Fountain, dip your heart in the streams of Life.  Let the pain and the sorrow be washed away, by the waves of His mercy..."  sorry, I can't remember the name of the song or the rest of the lyrics, but the message of it is exactly what happens when I cry out for Jesus--not for anything else, no requests, Just Jesus.  That's where I am satisfied.  That's where I find the Peace that surpasses all understanding.  That is the place where I find the love and forgiveness, the grace and the strength for another day.

Peter said it best, "Where else could I go, YOU have the Words of Life".  

I'll leave you with a song.  Your Presence is Heaven to Me.  A friend sent me the link the other day!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQAwpMFS_9o

Thank you Lord for Your Presence.  Thank you for taking this journey with me.  Thank you Emmanuel.  I love you Lord