a Heart's Ramblings.

"It is during such trough periods, much more than during the peak periods, that it is growing into the sort of creature He wants it to be.  Hence the prayers offered in the state of dryness are those which please Him best...  He wants them to learn to walk and must therefore take away His hand; and if only the will to walk is really there He is pleased even with their stumbles.  Do not be deceived, Wormwood.  Our cause is never more in danger than when a human, no longer desiring, but still intending, to do our Enemy's (God) will, looks round upon a universe from which every trace of Him seems to be vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys ." ( The Screwtape Letters , C.S. Lewis)

"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."  2 Corinthians 3:18

Thank you.  For letting me know today that I don't have to come to you in strength.   That's why I need you, isn't it?  Because YOU are God... and I am not.  What need would I have for your strength if I could supply my own?  What need would I have for "acknowledging you in all my ways and not leaning on my own understanding" - if I could provide my own faith?  It all comes from you. If there's any part of my shaking heart to see this journey through...                                                                                                                                      ...it must be you. Not...

I need to dance in the kitchen more.  Do a jig with the yamaha piano demo in the living room.  Sing opera with the girls when (shh!) mom's not home.  Play pickaboo around the dining room table, and have a race around the kitchen island.  Do sock wars in the basement and dress up, complete with funny makeup and a cape.  Make smiley face pizzas and bagels.  Draw.  Write.  Read.  Just because the little ones aren't so little anymore doesn't mean much.  You usually just miss out on a liiiiittle more sunggle time, and get a few more tears from the newly-hormonal kiddos than any of the others. Life's just got a different name: it's called  different .  Different is always different, and it brings me to my knees.  It leads me to that place I need to be to rest in the hollow of God's hand and know that He is never different.  He is never-changing, and always-constant.  Thanks to different, I get to see Jesus in light of ...

Christianity is more than a private belief, more than personal salvation.  We must show it as a comprehensive life system that answers all humanity's age-old questions: where did I come from?  Why am I here?  Does life have any meaning and purpose?

Jesus, have mercy on America... and teach how to love, amidst it all. 1 Cor 13 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains,  but have not love, I am nothing.   If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,  but have not love,  I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.   It is not rude , it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs (it forgives ).   Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.   Love never fails... prophecies, will cease... tongues, they will be stilled... knowledge, it will pass away... and now these three re...