Canyons & Fireworks

Some blame Eve for the fall while others say it was really Adam who caused sin to enter the world. The easy answer is both are to blame. God created a wonderful system of protection and nourishment and the first male and female violated His system.  Proverbs 31 says a husband trusts the worthy woman. Eve was not operating from trustworthiness when she presented Adam with the forbidden fruit. The Proverbs goes on to describe how the worthy woman feeds her family and the needy.  God created, through the woman, a sublime system of nourishment. In marital intimacy the woman "allows in" as she does when providing food for her loved ones. It was this God given purpose that the snake attacked by tempting Eve to accept what was forbidden for nourishment.   Similarly, Adam was called to protect or be a shield.  A shield "keeps from coming in" what brings destruction. The other branch of the system of nourishment and protection was broken when Adam did not serve as a shie...

Wedding season is peaking! What better book to read than the Song of Solomon in a month full of marriage? The book of poems is rather sensual for biblical times and reflects God's intense desire for us, His bride; but there is more... Interestingly, the Song of Solomon is considered one of the five books of wisdom and, more specifically, one of the three books of Solomon's wisdom.   In chapter two the bride says, "My lover has arrived and he's speaking to me!" (MSG) What is he saying to His bride? He invites, "Arise and come to me." How can we do such a thing? How do we muster the strength to forgo self-protection and chase after deep eternal love?  The feeling of love might bring happiness but it does not lead to soul healing. Intimacy with a wisely chosen, worthy lover is what generates needed multi-level restoration. Value must be placed on intimacy and the one worthy of pursuit.  The key to recognize merit is wisdom. Simple concept but wh...

Where is your focus? On the past? Future?  Matthew 6 says, "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy your whole body will be filled with light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your body will be filled with darkness?" So what are you filling yourself up with through your eyes? Some believe in only looking ahead while others believe in focusing on healing past traumas. A significant part of my journey was about healing wounds from the past, but I did not stay focused on the former times of my life. Nowadays, I tilt toward being future minded. Possibly the most healthy analogy for us to follow is found in driving. One obviously must know where their destination is in order to drive in the correct direction. The rear view mirror is needed to glimpse behind in order to avoid any dangers charging ahead. The windshield is much larger than the rear view mirror, for good reason. One's center of attention should be on the prominent current view, the here and now. H...

     Mom has always been very talkative, fun-loving, and a cheerleader of all. Mom is musical and emulates both Maria Von Trapp and Mary Poppins. Morning consisted of Mom singing while she opened the blinds and encouraged, through song and light, to "rise and shine" and start the day full of energy and purpose. Mom could also be found jumping on the trampoline in our back yard encouraging us to bounce away the worries of the day.      Make no mistake Mom has a temper. When I was a child, I compared her to a can of Coke. Sweet and refreshing, often found at parties, but explosive if shaken.     The ideal pupil has always excelled in academia, sometimes to a fault; she can be too literal to understand an obvious concept. As her student, you must listen to her full lesson before asking well thought out and articulate questions. Summers and holidays were especially enjoyable because as a teacher Mom's alter ego of a 1950s house wife could emerge. She ...

In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve enjoyed perfect vulnerability with God and eachother. The dust and breath man, and his suitable helper were both naked and felt no shame. We know what happened next...a trick, a disobedience decision, and the inclination to hide from the presence of The Lord dominated perfect vulnerability.  We wear clothes now but our garments are transparent to the eyes of God. He knows and sees everything. The temptation to try and cover ourselves is strong and we are addicted to hiding.   The Luke 18 beating of the breast and cry, "God have mercy on me, a sinner" is the beginning of restoration. All of heaven rejoices when one soul's eyes are opened to the truth and the choice to accept the mercy of God is made. But this is still not the God intended vulnerability He created in Eden.  God makes available His righteousness (Matt 22) so that we may have unashamedly dependence and vulnerability with Him. From this place of Holy covering we can ent...

You know that box of old trophies, the one you shuffle to the side when getting your Christmas decorations out? Yeah, that one. Discarding the carton would feel thankless but displaying the trinkets would be trite. So a couple of times a year, you move the collection aside.  Well, I broke the cycle and threw the dusty awards away! There was nothing ungrateful or dramatic about my decision. I was just making room for what I actually still have use for in my life. Yet I did take a moment of reflection and saw a notable prize. The reward was for a pretty big accomplishment. This feat did not come easily. In fact, had I known just how challenging the journey would turn out to be, I might not have ever embarked on the expedition. Thankfully, I did not know and persevered on to the finish.  The trophy was not needed because the experience left an imprint on me. Some aspects of the voyage were educational, others regretful, but most of all this one exploit opened the door to other op...

I woke up in a funk. Nothing is wrong per se, in fact things are quite good. My hubby quickly completed his honey dues list, we did some deep spring cleaning as a family, work has been better than ever, and we are going out of town next week.  In fact, I feel pretty crappy for being anything but exceedingly grateful considering how blessed I am. I guess that is the point; as humans we can experience illigitimate feelings. Feelings aren't always logical.  The Bible warns not to judge and that applies to ourselves too. A mentor of mine always encourages me to, "With gentle curiosity inquire of the Lord about what you are feeling."  On our best and worst days we are God's, but also on the boring and off days.  Today, I don't have an explanation but I did go to my Father. He released me to move on with my day. So I turned my praise music on and I am already feeling better.  The key is to go to God. Had I just decided to rally myself, I might not have peace. How do y...