Category: Blog Article

Looking out the window, I was fascinated by the raindrops creating perfect circles in the puddles on the sidewalk. Behind me I could hear quiet conversations and music playing. I’d come again to meet with others; giving ourselves over to praying for those who desired it; to share love, hope and faith.

Across town my husband was gathering with others too. He was in the poorest of neighborhoods, picking up trash in the children’s playground area of a small park. He picked up empty baggies stamped with gang identification for their drugs and small packets of rolled up foil. It was a good day to lay up our treasures in heaven.

Heb 10:24  Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

I could hear the thunder and I wondered at its sound upon the mountain where Moses walked. Its might and power which caused the hearts of warriors to melt inside of their chests. Their fear making them cower and say to Moses how they did not want to go any further, rather they wanted him to go for them.

Another round of thunder punctured the sky and I opened my front door, longing to see it with my own eyes. I desired to have the curiousness of Moses; to go forward and have face to face conversations in the cloud with my heavenly Father. I wanted the mountaintop experience.

Exo 20:18-19  When the people heard the thunder and the loud blast of the ram’s horn, and when they saw the flashes of lightning and the smoke billowing from the mountain, they stood at a distance, trembling with fear. And they said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen. But don’t let God speak directly to us, or we will die!”

And the princess came out of the forest wilderness. Following the path, she could see the meadow of flowers all around her. Not far in the distance she saw the hand of her Prince beckoning her to come away with Him. It was time to reign beside Him.

* Artwork by Naomi @ Bethel Church, Redding, CA

I have touched ever so briefly the love everlasting. My heart burns because of it. I sit in the place of fire and at times feel I will succumb to my longing to be done. A touch is not enough though. To taste of a love so beautiful as to surpass all my understanding only increases my desire for more. I cannot settle for less when I know there to be greater.

Psa 27:4 One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple.

A hurt entered my heart with just a question. It penetrated my thoughts unexpectedly. I was still in my skin but my heart was a train wreck. I pulled back again into myself, wondering what and why I was to visit this place. What more could I do? I was a mere mortal with all the limitations of my flesh to stop me from being the super being I longed to be.

The answer came quickly. There was nothing “I” in myself could do at all. I wrestled again with lack of control, but it was a futile battle. Laying myself down, I became still and asked once more for the desire to listen, to understand, to grow beyond my own nature. I stopped thinking about the question that brought me to this place. It was time to just seek the wisdom in the experience.

I stood in the room but I felt very outside of it. Looking around I could see many faces, I could even hear the conversations but none seemed to need my attention. I took note of each life I was watching and wondered what to pray about them. I begin hearing a song I know but I can’t remember it’s content. All I can recognize is one sentence…”I’m on the outside, I’m looking in.”

Later while still and quiet, I realize I am able to revisit the very room and again see every face. Now it makes sense for why I could mentally record the moment. I know I am to come here often and talk to my Father. I still am outside but looking in; I recognize the privilege to be here.

I awoke several times throughout the night due to the rainstorm. Trying not to wake my husband, I got out of bed and went to look out the kitchen window. All I could make out were shadows and raindrops silhouetted by distant streetlights. I stood there for a short bit wondering about the days we lived. So many storms were raging.

A few years ago I was sitting in the crowd. I listened to a man who was sharing from his heart. He was passionate, he was animated and all his words lit a fire in me I couldn’t explain. I kept going back week after week to hear what he shared and each week I believed more.

Joh 4:41-42  And many more believed because of His own word. Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”

The lights directed me down the highway. Darkness was to my right as I looked out at the sea. Turning off the highway into the lot, I was alone in the night. For the umpteenth time I could feel butterflies in my stomach without reason, it just didn’t matter. The sky was filled with stars, but in the late hour this parking area was empty. I’d turned off the engine to my car and reaching down I untied my shoes, taking off my socks.

I could hear waves crashing against the rocks as I locked up my car. It was time to feel the sand between my toes.

My car was being serviced for an oil change. Not being one for confined spaces I stepped outside and waited as traffic went by. Humming to myself I wondered about the time but the thought was too big. How much time was left? My eyes began to scan my surroundings. Signs posted of the increased gas prices, a liquor store, food places and so many others. No one was talking to each other, just business as usual.

Mar 13:31-33 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.”