Alignment

 “If I throw out a boathook from the boat and catch hold of the shore and pull, do I pull the shore to me, or do I pull myself to the shore? Prayer is not pulling God to my will, but the aligning of my will to the will of God.” ― E. Stanley Jones

Break our jars

When we lift our hands in praise and worship, we break spiritual jars of perfume over Jesus. The fragrance of our praise fills the whole earth and touches the heart of God.

Dennis Ignatius

Easy yoke

Let me take an easy yoke, not looking but seeing the beauty of green herbs on the window seal,

Leaning where the morning light paints the counter gold, scooping flour and water with starter, powdering hands to knead, a perfect round globe of dough,

Waiting for rising by dispersing the red jewels from their casing, the gleaming pomegranate seeds resting in the small bowl, white porcelain with blue birds,

The ease of not rushing through the morning, through the moments of preparing, feeding, cleaning, shopping. Life is more than food and the body more than clothing, and this ordinary every day life more full when engaging the Spirit with each moment of beauty in the ordinary, mundane bits, 

It’s always extraordinary when love is encountered in the midst. 

How you live

Prayer is not something you do, 

But how you live 

In communion with the Father.

 -R. Thomas Ashbrook in Mansions of the Heart 

Psalm of Disorientation

Oh, Lord, my desires are disordered.
I've made an idol and fallen into worshiping my plans over your good ways.
Send out Your light and Your truth, and lead me.
Wake me with remembrance of your goodness.
You have not failed, Your power has not waned, but I feel cast off and forsaken by You.
Years of waiting have left me feeling bitter as Naomi; call me Mara.
Oh, Lord, how do I remember Your promises when I am in captivity and the walls are still destroyed?
Your city is in ruins, but You say it will be fruitful and filled with abundance. This is so far from happening it seems impossible. You say to me "I have taken care of Your needs and I know Your desires."
(It's in the bag).
Yet now all I hear is silence when I cry, "How long O Lord."
Why the echo chamber?
What is precious about these decades and these tears?
Have I forsaken the vows of my youth? Have I not followed you above my own desires (as best as I can)? Have I not left houses and family and friends and familiar lands?
I lay all my longing before you.
I believe you are still capable.
Your arm is not shortened, it can save, in Your way and Your time.
I surrender again.
I repent and renounce my vows and plans.
Your will and Your way, O God of the breakthrough. God of angel armies. God of deliverance.
May I see your deliverance and answers. And may my sisters rejoice with me too as You bring their fulfillment.
Oh, Lord, where I have felt judgment and labels, I receive that You give me a good name. You give me Your good name.
Oh, Lord, where I have given up hope, I receive Your beautiful inheritance of hope that does not disappoint and Your love that does not fail.
Your love does not falter, wilt, diminish, or fade.
In the deep ache of long carried desire, I reground myself in Your long-suffering, that You are still waiting for Your bride. I join You in the treasure of waiting. Thank you for knowing my ache.
From a heart that has grown sick and bitter from a desire unfulfilled, bring Your tree of life.
Meet me in the waiting.
Shower me with rains in the desert. May I bloom with joy and gladness at your appearing.
Weeping may last for the night but joy comes in the morning.
My mourning will end. My sackcloth will be replaced with robes of gladness. My mourning will turn to dancing.
I have sown in tears and I will reap in joy, carrying my sons with me.
The loneliness that leads me to You and none besides.
None but You will satisfy.

Changes

"Prayer not only changes people,

 situations, 

and even the course of history,

 but also 

those who pray." 

-Patrick Johnstone

Holiness

A glass sea stretching 

A throne,

Beckoning

This is the gaze you were made for 

To see and be seen by 

Rippling light
Like water
An interplay 

Of movement 

Across existence; space and time 

Atoms undulating in unceasing thrums

Lightening 
Motion, energy connecting 
Yet separate, 

Part yet apart 

Who can understand the Holy

An overwhelming otherness

A gut punching awesomeness

Awe-struck 

Glory

The most captivating sunset, 

The sprawl of the Milky Way

Aurora Borealis- dancing northern lights 

Or an Eclipse, 

Full moon rise 

Each scene radiating
Reaching 

Beyond beauty to a deep knowing 

Inflecting wonder 

Reflecting Creator

I’m blind 
Until your Light 

Gives sight,

Revealing to me 

Your majesty 

Your promise: the pure in heart

Shall see God 

“Let there be light” spoken to our hearts

Revelation of the knowledge of glory

In the face of God