Friday, September 17, 2010

Imago Dei and Paris


This might be one of the things writers should never do: blog while having serious jet-lag. But, somehow I know if I don't take the time to write this now my words and thoughts might completely slip away into the dark Paris night.

This post might be full of errors, completely ADD and random. But, hopefully it won't bore you to tears. While most of you are trying to figure out what to cook for dinner, it's midnight here in beautiful Paris and I should be sleeping...

Today I was allowed the privilege of seeing many things I have always wanted to see. Being the romantic that I am, I find myself drawn to Europe and places that I have never been. Images captured in a photograph eluded to me, taking me on a journey as I tried to imagine the real thing. But, a picture can only tell you so much.

Seeing the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and other buildings designed by man that began with a vision and dreamers who wanted to display some sort of splendor inspires me on so many levels. When everyone else thought they were crazy, they were motivated by an image in their head that they couldn't let go of.

What if they had never dreamed or were too afraid that their dream was bigger than them?

It was like the voice of God saying look around you, drink it all in, the beauty, the splendor, and then look at the woman seated by herself on the Metro. Look at the floods of people hurried as they go from one destination to the next, they are the true display of my splendor.

Created in the very image of God, Imago Dei. The Eiffel Tower has nothing on them.

They are God's dream and His heartbeat. He fashioned us and formed us with great purpose, a display of His splendor and I want my life to be a reflection of God's glory. But, just like the dreamers in Paris long ago, it takes time to build up greatness and this is something that I can not do apart from God. This dreamer has to pay the price for greatness.

Today as I marked another thing off of my bucket list walking down from the Eiffel Tower a light rain began to fall softly around us. The sun was smiling upon us and just as we turned for one more glance upwards into the heavens we saw one more display of God's splendor, a rainbow.

He is a covenant God,faithful, gracious, and with me now in Paris.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

The Shadow Lands



There are moments in our lives when we feel like we are in the shadows. Maybe it’s the shadows of a family member, or a God-given role that consumes your time. Most of the time we become comfortable there with nothing enticing us to come out. It’s safe there; no one is looking at us or to us. We just remain hidden.

Most of the time the shadow land is just a season of becoming. A season to sharpen ourselves and ready ourselves to what is ahead of us. Consumed by an overwhelming need for God to continue to be my healer, I run to His strong arms.

Right now this is my season of abiding in the shadow of the Lord. Waiting for inspiration to strike and for my words to be empowered by God. The important thing to realize is that when we abide in His shadows and find ourselves strengthened by His presence, the Lord will then send us out as a powerful tool to be used by Him.

Last night God lead me to Psalm 91 and I knew exactly what God was saying to me.

Run to me.

Rest in me.

Dwell in my shadows.

And then go forth empowered from on high.

Don’t fear the things thrown at you by the enemy; I will be your shield.

Set your love on me and know I will deliver you!

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.” (Ps 91:1-2)

Take the time to read all of Psalm 91 and continue to set your love on the Most High.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Faith that Moves Mountains



“I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:23-24)

Sometimes the mountains seem larger than life, so we put on our hiking boots and determine to climb the rocky terrain. We look up at the mountain that is about to swallow us and something whispers in the wind, “You don’t have to climb this.”

We press on with the harsh wind in our face and brace ourselves for the climb of our lives. Feeling like a horrible episode of Man vs. Wild you imagine the worst and push yourself harder hoping to not end up as lunch for some hungry bear.

You hear the gentle voice again, “You weren’t meant to climb this.”

It’s time to set our gaze on the Mountain Mover and not the mountain.

He is bigger than our obstacles.

He is bigger than our fears and doubts.

And He longs to be big in you.

Right now you are facing something that is bigger than you, but it is not bigger than God. Instead of strapping on those ugly boots…find a place alone with God.