The PriNcE of PeAcE

The Baby born as The Prince of Peace

would prove to be the

King of kings

What's the sToRy?

 Hang tight - it's coming this week! 

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. . .the FeAr and the DrEaD

Oh the stories our tiny family could profess, from time spent in the woods. Each of us love being in the woodlands and forest and we spend many days together there. This particular fall day, we were walking in the Virginian woods, with a certain mission. We were looking for hopeful sign that deer were in this part of the forest, and preparing a place for my husband (Keith) and son (Keebryn) to hunt that night. As we tromped around, I noticed my son do something that struck me. I turned to see Keebryn in a bow hunter's posture, yet without a bow. His right arm was bent beside his ear, and his left outstretched as far as could be. His eyes were set on his target ahead, which I'm almost certain was a large buck. One has to understand that when a boy imagines anything in hunting, it isn't small. It was likely, not a doe. It was not even a spike. What Keebryn had in his mind's eye, was a buck with the rack that reached the sky. And then came the piercing release. The image in his mind, was being rehearsed for what he truly aspired for. To kill a deer. I watched him do this and my heart smiles to think of it. At the very moment, six words struck my mind like thunder.

". . . and the fear 
and the dread."

Words that, in recent days God had brought to my discovery in Scripture. The phrase was first heard in the ears of Noah, from God himself. I'm guessing Noah's revelation experience was twice as awesome to hear, as was mine.

I'll set Noah's scene quickly:
    God puts Noah in ark.
    Earth floods.
    Ark floats.
    Utter destruction occurs.
    Earth absorbs.
    Ark rests.
    Noah and all in the ark live.
    All exit the ark.

Short enough I hope! The gist is that Noah has just departed the ark after the flood and built a burnt-offering, (Genesis 8:20) when God does something interesting. When one reads God's response, it can leave a soul almost heartbroken. Creator Himself, makes a silent lament over the destruction and He says in his heart:

" . . . I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; . . . neither will I again strike any more every living thing as I have done" (Genesis 8: 21 KJV, modified). 

The destruction of all living on earth, struck the heart of its Creator. God just had a moment of compassion for all things He created, and had struck with a deadly blow "for man's sake." But what occurs next, is a bit puzzling. He turns to Noah and his sons to BLeSS and GiVe them something. A GiFt you might say. Although God loves all His creation (animals, plants, humans), He had just sacrificed all through destruction, for those made in His image - humans. A simple prelude to His greatest sacrifice still to come. Then and now, humans are at the deepest heart of God and He gives good things to those He loves. God is about to open His hand, and give a gift that will bless all generations.

Humans were already given dominion over all things on earth in Genesis 1:28. We were also given our vEgeTaRiAn rights. Personally, I'm thrilled the story didn't end there! But this is to change following the flood. Here, (Genesis 9) God begins His commission to Noah in the same verbiage as that given earlier, however His words take a different turn.

He says ". . . Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. 

And the fear of you and the dread of you will be upon every beast 
of the earth, and on every fowl of the air, on all that moves on the earth, 
and on all the fishes of the sea; into your hand they are delivered. 
Every moving thing that lives will be meat for you; even as the green 
herb I have given you all things." 

(Genesis 9: 1-3 KJV modified)

So it sounded clearly in my mind as Keebryn pre-played the taking of a deer. . .
"the FeAr of you and the DrEaD of you". To FeAr is to have a heightened sense of caution. To dReAd is to know that one is in the shadow of something with more power. Here's the powerful point : at this moment in Scripture, God sPoKe fear and dread into the nature of animals. Animals would have the instinct to be cautious of the hunter, for now they had become the hUnTeD. Along with God's words to place fear and dread into creatures, he placed desire in the predator, to conquer that which had become prey! He placed the HeArT for HuNtiNg in the hunter. Joy to strike with the bow, what God refused to strike (on mass scale) with His hand. The closing of this verse was the imputation of a "great permission": which made HuNtiNg a PoSSiBiLiTy.

God, gives full reign to all humanity with these words :

" . . . InTo YoUr HaNd they are DeLiVeReD. . ."
" . . . Every moving thing that lives WiLl be MeAt for you;"

What gift did God give to Noah, his sons, and all humans to come? The permission to HuNt! Handing all living into the HaNd of the hunter was accompanied by a drive, thrill, and joy in taking that which was given as a gift. Now that's a good Creator who knows how to give a GooD GiFt! The Great Commission would come later through Christ, but this could be called The Great Permission! Yes, funny, but ask any man in camo and He would surely agree.

In a sense, I can imagine God turning to Noah and placing a bow and arrow in his hand.  The ultimate hand of God had come to rest, and He does the unthinkable. He sets the hunter's hand, with his bow. God withheld the power from His own, and gave the power to hands of stewards. What He promised to never destroy on mass scale again, He gives to man to subdue. After a moment of remorse, why would He hand the striking to humans? Could it be, because the Ultimate Hand, was GiFtiNg the hunter with the ThRiLL of the HuNt? God initiated the thrill of subduing creatures that God alone created and God alone could give. That's a powerful GiFt!

Need proof that God's great permission was ultimately a GiFt. I think I may have some evidence. In the woods that day, Keebryn was iMagiNinG out of desire within his heart. . . to have dominion over a buck (a big buck, I'm certain). DeSiRe BiG or gO HoMe, right?! God honored his desire. The first night and day proved unfruitful. But then came Saturday evening. Keebryn and his father walked into the woods with hearts set to take that which God had made to fear and to dread. To subdue a living creature from their same Creator. Their hearts were set, as God intended ages earlier. Keebryn's hope became a certainty when he claimed his first deer with a crossbow, moments before dark. His, is a story for him to tell. And if you ask, you will be blessed with a gift he is ready and willing to share. But his story, crossed lines with God's story that night. I have to share one portion.

Keebryn's takedown of a six-pointer buck, turned into full elation. He releases his weapon, stands to his feet and rejoices to the utmost of his being. His entire being professed, with his every movement and outcry, an inner joy that could not be contained. ThriLL poured from this little hunter. . . the thrill that he had powerfully subdued and conquered that which he had been given permission to conquer! It's as if he was made to do this. A big high five from dad, and a whole bunch of rejoicing for as long as his body and soul could pour. But something was sandwiched between his out pours of conquer and elation.

            Tears.

This little hunter, was moved from utter display of thrill, to tears. Almost unexplainable. But when we reason what had just happened, it makes sweet sense. Keebryn desired and he FuLLy received. He had claimed the ultimate fulfillment of the GiFt of the great permission. Keebryn's tears proclaimed a heart with overwhelming desire (placed by his Creator), had become fully consummated by his Creator! Given a heart to desire and seek, then rewarded the thrill. . . to SuBdUe and take as meat, God's own creatures! Not sure anyone could deny . . . tHaT's a GiFt.

The ultimate hand of power honored this hunter's desire and He honors those He places in your heart.

You [God] open your hand and satisfy 
the desire of  every living thing. 

{ Psalms 145: 16  KJV modified}

Let's just say, God opened His hand that night and satisfied the desire of a little hunter with hope. The Hand that withdrew from destruction, was the One who graced  a gift. The Hand that gifted the thrill to hunt, is the One who fulfills the desire. Our Creator gives good GifTs. He graces us with pure desires. ThEn, He opens His hand.

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HaShTaG ReHaShEs
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#ThE-GrEaT-PerMiSSiOn
#HeArT-For-HuNtiNg
#DeSiRe-BiG-oR-gO-HoMe
#WhAt'S-YoUr-DeSiRe
#He-OpEnS-HiS-HaNd

Have-Ta Ask: 
* What gifts from the Creator, are hiding behind what looks like destruction in your life? In the aftermath of mass destruction of earth, God gave a gift! If He can have a heartbreaking moment after destroying His creation, then give to those in whom He destroyed it for. . .  He can take AnyThiNg and make it a GiFt.     Anything.
    - hEarTbReaK into HeALiNg.
              - DeStrUcTioN into PeRfEcTiOn.
    -  LoSS into BLeSSiNg.
              - DeSiRe into FrUiTiOn
Keep the strength to pursue God and His blessings and hold on tight. . . He may be almost ready to grant your GiFt, straight out of His hand.

* What desire do you have, that God intends to honor?  Don's let it go because it doesn't look hopeful. He knows your heart and if your desires are pure, He has placed it in your heart. Make sure your desires are of Him and for Him. Then ask, seek, and receive.

Praisin' God Today:
* God, thank you for creating all things and for the "great permission" to be a steward of living creatures. We praise you for being the One with power, to honor our desires. Thank you for giving good gifts to us and generations to come.

Askin' God Today:
* God, clarify and purify our desires. Give us strength to seek them, so that You can honor them, because desires are to be sought and found. Sometimes seeking requires patience.
Help us be good stewards of that which has been entrusted to us.

Soakin' Up Scripture: 

{ Colossians 1:16 } For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

{ Psalms 145:16 modified }
You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

FaLL HaRvEsT

Harvest is a blessing for sure. I read in Scripture today that harvest is actually a PrOmiSe! I did not know that after the curse of the flood, God promised not only that He would not destroy earth and all living things again, but He proclaimed that as long as earth existed, there would be ". . .seedtime and harvest. . .".

Genesis 8: 22 states "While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, 

and summer and winter, and day and night 

will not cease." 

This makes me view harvest in a different light. Harvest should be a celebration because when harvest comes, we know God keeps His promises! This is my harvest scene this year. This scene was the first I've completed for fall in a while. Two years ago all I had was a set of mums in a basket with a bow. But this year, I had more time on my hands! I'm not much for scarecrows in a fall scene and I wanted this to be old fashioned and cheap. The first item I gathered was the corn stalks. I helped my father in law chop and stack them. Then I worked on the mini wheel barrel. This old barrel was one my step son and son had both played with. The handles were in need of replacement so my husband cut old stakes for me. Then I spent some sweat in drilling the holes and fitting it to the barrel. Well worth it I do believe! Those two areas were the two that required the most physical labor. 

What Ya Need :

-1 Stack of corn stalks
-2 Mums
-1 wheel Bartell or old tin bucket
-1 old wooden stump
-1 bag small pumpkins
-1 medium pumpkin
- An old window pane
- A hanging decoration
- A flower swag
- 1 small bale of decorators hay

What Ya Do: 

- Gather your corn stalks into a stack and wrap with string or burlap.
- Place the old wooden stump in front of the corn stack.
- Use string or hot glue to secure the flower swag on top of the window pane.
- Make a hanger on the old window pane and hang your decoration.
- Set the old window pane on the wooden stump.
- Plant one mum in a container and place in front of the window, just under the hanging decoration.
- Plant the other mum in old barrel or old tin bucket.
- Cover the dirt with hay and place mini pumpkins.
- Place and secure the barrel / tin bucket beside the old wooden stump.
- Place the medium pumpkin to the right, front of the stump.

Celebrate HarVeSt,  because it reminds us that God keeps His WoRd!

ThiS is My SoNg

It is quite funny to recall that Sunday morning service. A couple years ago as I was singing during worship, I watched a man in the pew before me, do something peculiar. He and his wife were singing along, as I was, when it became evident he wished they were a couple more pews ahead. He reached up toward to his hearing aid and turned the knob. My guess is, he was turning it down. He was tuning me down. On this day, my singing was a bit too much for the elderly man and his wife. I smiled about it then and laugh about it now. It's true, I can sometimes get loud. I get it honest - being raised on a softball field with the loudest mother on the bleachers.

What if, instead of laughing, I decided to never sing in worship again? That would be me, sEEkiNg to PLeAsE someone less than God. I would be worshiping, suppressed by the reality that not everyone (probably not most) desires to hear me sing at the crest of my lungs. But what of God? How would He respond if I laid aside my loud worship to Him, because it wasn't pleasing to OthErS? That would be service and worship to something less than the only God deserving of it. 

Let me gEt to the GriT. 
This post isn't really about my literal singing in church. It's about me siNgiNg my real sOnG. Here's what I mean. I heard a song recently, which I had heard dozens of times. This time was different. I caught a line of the tune I had never recognized before. Here is what the artist sang ". . . singing my heart is one of my dreams."* It was overwhelming - so much so that I text my husband in excitement. Those words left me realizing; what was in my heart, was a different kind of sOnG.  The artist's words brought to life, what I had been claiming for years."I just want to get all that's in my heart... OuT! The lyrics struck me into the realization that WoRdS are the song that I pour my heart into. WriTiNg is my sOnG.

I desire to wRiTe my HeArT. I've known this for a while, but never wanted to admit it to much of anyone. Afraid I guess, of many things internally, but also afraid of the critics and the skeptics. Catch the hypocrisy? I do. The reality of NoT writing because of disapproval, is the same as writing (or singing)  FoR approval.

So here is just a glimpse of the journey I've so far endured toward pouring out my heart. It's been at times, a struggle. Even warfare if you would believe. But has also filled my heart with peace and blessings. 

                      Successes and defeats.

              Blessing and not-so much blessings.

                                  Encouragements and discouragements. 

                           Approval and disapproval. 

The adventure toward my desire of wRiTiNg my HeArT has provoked glimpses of heaven, and the wrath of a portion of hell. But here is me, still. I just CaN't gEt aWaY FrOm iT. Bound, if you will, to the portion God allotted to me. Pleasing to critics or not-so much, it's my duty. Christ used the word "duty" to remind His servants of something I've just begun to realize was mine to claim . . . 

"when you have done all those things which are commanded you, say, 

'We are unprofitable servants; 

we have done that which was our duty to do'" 

(Luke 17:10).

That which is our duty. 

This which is mine. 

We are to worship and serve God, not according to the pleasure of others but according to His pleasure! Seeking the aPPrOvaL of CriTiCs is simply seeking against God. Against our duty.

Oliver Wendell Holmes once stated 

"Many people die with their music still in them. . ." 

He was also wise enough to realize why this is the reality of some. . . 

"too often it is because they are getting ready to live. . ."

Ever been stuck in "getting ready to live"? If you are like me, you have for tOO long. There's no better time than NoW to move beyond "I'm going to". So let's bring this home to you. I gotta ask, "wHaT is YoUr sOnG?" What is that thing you do, which you know for certain God created as your dUtY? What is it that you are sometimes skepticized and criticized for, but compelled to do anyway? 

In other words, "WhAt's StiLL iN YoU?" 

          Whatever it is, pour it out. 

                    Don't miss yOuR sOnG. 

If we aren't stewards of God's time, we will miss the chance to sing. And if we aren't careful, we will miss enjoying someone else's song because we were too busy being critics. I am too old to waste God's time, so I find the words of Solomon ringing true in my days.

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; 

for there is no work, or device, or knowledge, or wisdom, 

in the grave, where you go. 

(Ecclesiasties 9:10 modified) 

This journey is one toward the grave and I still have something to siNg before I get there!

       So, this is mE,

              siNgiNg My sOnG.

               
        Are you singing yours?

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# HaShTag ReHaSheS #

#WriTinG-my-HeArT

#CaN't-gEt-aWaY-fRoM-iT

#approval-OF-critics

#WhAt'S-sTiLL-iN-YoU

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 * Reflective Rehashes * 

Have-Ta Ask: If you haven't already asked yourself - "What is yOuR song?".

Praisin' God Today: God, thank you for fashioning me toward a particular dUtY! Thank you that you equipped me to complete something for your Kingdom and that I can enjoy the process of serving you through singing my own song! You are my Creator and Sustainer - thank you for the opportunity to serve and worship you.

Askin' God Today: God, give me the knowledge to know my song and the cOuRaGe to sin it. Help me to remember that through my duty, I glorify you and that is where I am validated. Give me strength to do as you have created me and to work hard for you.

Soakin' Up Scripture: Psalm 103:15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone; and the place where it was shall know it no more. (KJV modified).

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* Brandon Heath's song: "Wait and See"  * Scripture is KJV, modified.

As the EaGLe FLiEs

We all know the saying. The old and common saying... "as the crow flies." It's an expression that pronounces the short distance a crow would have to fly, compared to the distance one usually travels on a road, to a destination. Crows are likely the least glorious of birds. They are simple in color and pesky in gardens. But have you ever watched an eagle in its glory? Their flight and their nests are in extremely high places. The highest nest I have ever seen was an eagle's nest that looked like it would almost reach the sky. It was glorious. Eagles live and fly with a stature that is recognized and respected. It's no wonder Jeremiah uses an eagles nest as a sobering illustration to those who had strayed in their hearts.

Your terribleness has deceived you, and the pride of your heart, 
O you that dwell in the clefts of the rock, that holds the height of the hill: 
although you should make your nest as high as the eagle, 
I will bring you down from there, says the LORD. 
Jeremiah 49:16  (KJV, my modification) 

Ouch. Surely these words could be taken harshly. But they are true and valid. Pride is something to be spoken against, with firm conviction. God uses an illustration of a high-flying and powerful bird to speak caution to his people. But why so harsh? Because pride is destructive. It is the element of evil which caused the angelic ruler Lucifer, to fall from his position. Lucifer inherited the name Satan as he fell like lightening from heaven (Luke 10:18). He fell from his high nest, because he desired to build his nest tOO high. Scripture says he intended to build his throne as high as the Most High God (Isaiah 14: 12-14) Satan's choice of naming God as the MoSt High, reveals that he instinctively knew the Highest thrown was already occupied.

A prideful heart is one that sEEks iTs OwN will and gLoRy. A prideful heart is one set against its Maker. God knows the results of pride in the hearts of His people, so through Jeremiah, God was reminding us of another saying we have likely heard : there is always "pride before the fall." When humans fly high, we are flying independently, to our own beat, and as high as we like. That is arrogance at its worst. But the higher we fly in our own hearts, the farther we fall to the reality of the Most High.

In other words. . .
            "As the EaGLe FLiEs . . . so he falls."

Pride is the opposite in stature to recognizing God's authority. Recognizing God's authority, is to fear Him. But don't turn away yet - I'm not speaking of a cowering fear or being afraid. What God intends by "fearing" Him, is not to be afraid of Him. My son once explained what it means to fear God. His words were something to the tone of ... respect His authority. To fear God is simply to respect Him and to be sUbjEcT to His leading. It is to do what Lucifer did not: to recognize our humanity in contrast to God's inhumanity. God desires that we turn our hearts from pride because a heart set toward Him produces fruit.

Proverbs 19:23  

"The fear of the LORD leads to life, 

and he who has it will live in satisfaction . . ."

Respecting His authority is simply recognizing, that the position of MoSt High is aLrEaDy TaKeN. Recognizing God's authority helps us remain in correct proximity to Him. * God above all. * Humans in subjection to that reality. And as humans, we have two options in being subject to the Most High.
       
            Be humble,
                     or be humbled.

A heart set with its Maker is one rEaDy to listen and WiLLiNg to obey. The God who LoVeS us as His own, DeSiRes the BeSt for His own. And humble hearts are His desire, because HuMbLe hearts cling to their Most High God.

# HaShTag ReHaShEs #

#PoSiTiOnALrEaDyTaKen
#BeHUMBLEorBeHUMBLED
#rEaDyandWiLLiNg

Have-ta ask: What does my heart look like to the Most High God? Is there pride hiding in the depths that keeps me out of surrender and appropriate proximity to God?

Praisin' God today: Thank you God for your magnitude, for you are above all things.

Askin' God today: God, (MoSt High) search my heart and bring to light, any glimpse of pride. Remind me daily of Your infallibility and my human position of "hum"ility. Keep my heart sUbjEcT to you today.

Soakin' up Scripture:  Ephesians 4:6 - One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

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* Thanks mom, for clarifying the old saying :) 
* A little crow research : www.thewayofthecrow.com