Marrow

A few weeks ago I was fixing the bed listening to a radio program and the word "marrow" was mentioned. Perhaps having the "marrow" drilled out of my left tibia and being replaced with a titanium rod for a year intrigued my interest in the word. I really can't even remember the content of what the speaker was talking about on the radio. I just know the word marrow just stuck in my heart. I shot up a prayer and said, "God, Help me not forget this word marrow, and what you want me to seek in it, or not." I felt led to do a topical study on the word marrow. Here goes:

Marrow by definition in the dictionary - The soft, fatty vascular tissue that fills most bone cavities and is the source of red blood cells and many white blood cells.

Marrow in a thesaurus gave these describing words: substance, core, center, essence, content

I went to biblegateway.com and looked up the word Marrow and what verses came up. There were two.

Job 21:24 (23-25)
One man dies in full vigor, completely secure and at ease,
his body well nourished his bones rich with marrow.
Another man dies in bitterness of soul, never having enjoyed anything good.

Hebrews 4:12
For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul & spirit, joints & marrow, it judges the thoughts & attitudes of the heart.
(NIV version)

God means what he says, "What he says goes. His powerful word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God's Word. We can't get away from it - no matter what."
(The Message version)

This is what I journaled, that He stirred in my being, and felt led to share with you as a message to all of us through the study of marrow. May it encourage you, and spur you on, as it did for me.

Daughter Joanne ~

Allow My marrow to cut through your flesh to truth - My truth. Pure truth. Allow My marrow to wash over you... your mind, heart, body & soul. Keep in step with Me and My ways. Allow Me to lead, so you do not stumble. Live in the core of me - Jesus. I AM your marrow, the Holy Spirit. Live in Me, and I will live in you.

Marrow is the substance of life. I re-generate Myself in you every time you trust, and obey Me, just as red & white blood cells re-generate themselves in the marrow of the body.

Be still and know - I AM in you working out my perfect plan & purpose for your life. Submit to My will, obey and live.

When you live out the Word of God (marrow) in your life Joanne - marrow wins....

Once my prayer journal session ended, and I read the last words of my journal marrow wins tears filled my eyes. I am adopted and my birthmom, Maryann named me - Merewyn (marrow - win)

When we live our lives in Christ and follow His will, and keep the Word alive and active in our hearts MARROW WINS!! How wild is that?! He gave that to me at the end of the prayer....

Here I thought it was the marrow drilled out of my leg, yet He had a whole other meaning that hit me in the core of my heart with His presence through the word marrow. Had to share because His word is living and active and will reveal it's perfect truth for you, and your life. Seek and you will find. I pray this study has encouraged you to seek, so your life is changed for the better through the renewing/re-generating of your mind, heart & soul - today & everyday.

I also think of Malachi, a little 3 year old boy, that has leukimia. His older brother goes to our son Nicholas' school. Malachi had a bone marrow transplant, and the cancer came back. The prognosis in not good and the parents may only have 2 weeks to 2 months to enjoy the life of Malachi. Wes & Rachel, the parents, have the most amazing faith during this time of trial. They are standing in the "marrow" of God's promises and His word. Please do keep them in prayer. Here is their website to be part of the prayer chain http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/malachismith

May the Word of God (marrow) speak to you today and leave you open to His will in your life on earth as it is in heaven. May you be re-generated with new found hope, love and joy in your mind, heart & soul.

Wonderful Counselor

It seems in this day & age our society will do almost anything to self-medicate, contemplate, and then commiserate with the result of feeling empty, lost and unfulfilled. Why is this? In this microwave, quick-fix, pulse it is no wonder we all do not have a whip lash by how fast this axis is moving in our planet. The axis of our own life - how much faster can we spin it? Yet deep inside there is this overwhelming desire to: Stop and smell the rose, look into the eye's of a child to see life through their eyes, listen to a stream of running water in the mountains, be still and know... I am God. Moments, precious moments fleeting by in the blink of an eye. What is the true antidote to stop the world from spinning out of control? The answer - the Wonderful Counselor.

How many times in my life these past 100+ days I have had the precious opportunity to be "still and know" He is God. Asking ceaselessly for His council when I need to take that next step, in pain, pushing through it. Believing I can do all things through Him that strengthens me. I have had no choice being laid up for the most part with this broken leg, on the mend, in these circumstances I am in right now. What a treasured time it has been.

Who is this Wonderful Counselor some of you may ask? How do I receive access? What is the truth? What do I do?

Some of you may know.

Some of you may know and forgot.

Some of you may know, believe, and need to re-visit.

Some of you may not want to know, but need to know anyway.

Some may be intrigued, and want to quench your thirst in this parched world.

Some of you may have a deep cry for help, but don't know where to turn, or who to ask.

Some of you are down and out, confused, heavy burdened, need to have the answer, and have no clue.

Whatever the circumstances here is what the "Life Instruction Manual -The Bible" states in the Old and New Testament who this "Wonderful Counselor" is. Guess what... there is hope.. you are loved, and the access is all yours and mine to take... if we listen, obey and simply ask....

Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Psalm 119:24
Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.

John 14:26
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 15:26
"When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.

John 16:7
But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

So there is a Wonderful Counselor waiting to be born, re-born, re-visited in the heart of YOU every moment of every day to listen, comfort, love on, and encourage you!

Yes, He is there waiting around in the comfy, cozy coach of your heart. It is a room in your heart that YOU are the designer of. What does this room look like for you? Mine is a plush purple coach with lots of tapestry warm colored pillows (golds, burgandy, rust, liquid amber & deep greens). There is a table next to the coach where I have a cup of my flavorite "Cindy Chai Tea", a candle is lit, and there is a window behind the coach, open just a crack, where you can smell the rain drops that just started, it is just around dusk." Sitting on the coach waiting for me is "My Wonderful Counselor" Jesus. Sometimes I go visit Him and imagine Him just giving me a big warm hug. Sometimes I share with Him burdens on my heart and he just listens. The most important conversations are the ones where "I ask Him specific questions about steps in my life regarding "the raising of our son, repentance of sins I may or may not know exist in my life, where He wants me to spend my time and talent to give Him praise and glory." He speaks in a still, small voice when I quiet my mind and heart and seek to hear and listen to Him. He is there, and very real. Sometimes He speaks through an overwhelming sense of peace.

Sometimes I spend time too much time in the room of my "head..... over-thinking, analyzing trying to figure it out my way, on my own terms, holding on to things. Sometimes I am in the room of my hands and feet.... so busy. I forget to ask Him if He wants me to be doing what I am doing, and "what are my motives here?" Are they glorifying you? Pure of heart? Self-centered? Am I being selfless here, putting other people's needs before my own? Then I remember...... OH I BLEW IT!!! I turn around and go back to my heart and notice a crack in the door of my heart.... I look to my comfy coach and there my Wonderful Counselor sits .... waiting... just waiting.... for me to come back for a visit. His face is loving, kind, patient, long-suffering, gentle, kind, and full of joy when He sees me come through the door to plop down on the coach for a visit with Him. Some of my best visits are when I just imagine His loving arms around me saying, I have got you. I will provide for you all things. I have you and He gently runs His fingers through my hair and says, " I love you, I made you, and I want you to be the best you can be for me!" Trust in me, and have faith without being double-minded and I will establish your steps, and your path. The truth has set you free. Go, now in peace and live life fully in Me. This is my Wonderful Counselor, that is my #1 advocate, FAN, believer in me, wanting what is best for me.

What about you? Where are you at today? Where is your heart? Who is your counselor? The good news is that my Counselor is your's too if you just choose to ask Him into the comfy coach of your heart to live, and lead you. All you have to do is ask Him into your heart, tell Him you believe, and He will enter into your being, and you will start living a life under the authority of the Wonderful Counselor. "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World" by Joanna Weaver is one of my favorite books. Chapter 5 "Living Room Intimacy" covers alot about making your heart a home for this "Wonderful Counselor - Jesus" It is a fabulous book and especially this chapter.

Here are some final verses to muse on in your journey today to explore your Counselor in fresh news ways:

"I am the vine, you are the branches, If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit: apart from Me you can do nothing." John 15:5

"Remain in Me, and I will remain in you." John 15:4

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." Rev. 3:20

Walk on Water

Matthew 14:30 (The Message) 29-30
He said, "Come ahead." Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, "Master, save me!"

Swimming in the pool yesterday with my husband & son was an awesome feeling being able to "walk in the water." It made me reflect on the passage above about Peter walking on water to Jesus. The difference for me is that I am comfortable walking "in the water" with no crutches then trying to walk around with crutches "outside the water". What a sense of beauty, peace, stillness and comfort it was to be "held up" by water. Putting one foot in front of the other in the water being held up by God's creation of water. Swimming laps with our 6 year old, having FUN, and feeling "normal" without crutches. It was liberating, and such a sense of freedom in Christ's water of love. support and embrace.

John 21:7-9 (New International Version)
Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

Reading the above passage about Peter reminds me to "dive into" the water more deeply in faith to Jesus. At times when my flesh is "outside of the everlasting water of His council & love" trying to control my steps, choices and ways of accomplishing things - I struggle. This passage is such a great reminder to sync into the quiet waters of Christ in my mind & heart through still, silent time with Him in prayer & contemplation first thing in the mornings before starting and stepping into plans for the day.

Peter is such a great, impulsive, "all-in" obedient example of "diving into" faith in Him no matter what is going on in life. Out of all Jesus' disciples Peter was the one to jump in the water in such joy, and excitement to see the risen Lord, His Master, grilling fish & bread on the beach for them that morning. The other disciples rowed the boat on to the shore.

Peter jumped in... Peter.. the one who walked on water to Christ ... doubted at one point... began to sink... and then asked for Jesus to save him.... he was saved by Christ's hand pulling him up out of the water. What a beautiful reflection of Peter's belief in Christ and his journey... I identify with Peter... I am sure you do too in one way or another...

Peter may have had doubt "walking on water" at one point in his "walk" with Jesus. By the end of the story what an awesome example of selfless belief, jumping into the water to Jesus, swimming 100 yards or so to Jesus. The thoughts Peter must have had each stroke in the water... each moment... stroke after stroke... knowing in the treading of that water his arms would be embraced by His Master, the Holy of Holies.... on that beach, that morning...

In our lives this life is a journey.... a breast stroke away from life here and life eternal.... better to swim "in Christ' then swim it alone...

Dear Lord, "Help me, help whoever is reading this blog right now, to become more like Peter and just dive into who You are in any and all given circumstances. Hold us up in the waters of Your everlasting, love, grace and truth. Wash our eyes clean, so we can see how You want us to see my life/our lives for Your greater purpose. Keep us thirsty for You, and Your ways. Hold us up in your waters of wisdom, truth, joy, hope, love, and belief in You."

In Your Son's Holy name - Amen...

Humility - on our knees

"To learn humility is to learn contentment in all circumstances. Humility is not in what we own or achieve, but in maintaining a teachable attitude, a willingness to bend to the will of the Father." 

What better way to have a teachable attitude then to bend on our knees and submit to His will and purpose for our lives. Selling out, and giving up all "I think I need, want and desire" to what He wants, desires, and sees for me in this life on earth for His greater purpose. 

My husband Tim, and son Nicholas are at a father/son camp with a group of people at our church last night and coming back this afternoon. I had some awesome time with God this morning, and during that still quiet time I had a revelation that brought me to tears, and brings me to tears now musing in it.  I am not able to pray on my knees right now. This reality hit me like a ton of bricks praying. Since my broken leg I am not able to kneel. This reality left me with a broken, contrite, humble heart....  

This passed Christmas 2008 before bedtime Nicholas called Tim & I into his room. He said, "Mommy & Daddy, Let's get on our knees and pray in front of the cross I made at Sunday School before we go to bed." (the cross Nick made has the words obey & chores in the middle of it - two things he wants God to help him do) That night was an awesome beginning to many nights kneeling with Tim & Nick in his room before bed in prayer. We all would take turns and be thankful for our day, and give prayer requests to God together as family. Tim & I will never forget that Christmas night. 

For some reason in all the "shift & change & acclimating" to the new routine of this life style not being able to walk, and having to be laid up to heal from this broken leg it did not even dawn on me that I can not do what I love to do in prayer time alone, and with my family the most - humbly kneel before Father God. Kneel, face down, and just pray to God and thank Him for all He provides, ask Him to clean out my heart, and search me for any impurity so I can be used by Him for His greater good, repenting for sin I may or may not even realize I commit. 

There is something about getting flat out on my knees in submission to Him that is freeing, and surrendering.... if you have not done it, I encourage you to try it, if you do pray on your knees, which I know many of you do... you know what I am talking about . 

James 4:10 - Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He shall lift you up. 

Acts 20:19  - Serve the Lord with all humility

James 4:6 - God resists the proud , but gives grace to the humble

Is. 57:14 & 15-  Take the stumbling block out of the way of My people. For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high & holy place , With him who has a humble and contrite spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the spirit of the contrite ones."  

What does this verse mean above I ask myself? It was revealed to me that Jesus has the contrite and humble spirit of all time, and sits with "the High & Lofty God of Heaven & Earth in heaven." The only way you & I can experience true "heaven on earth" in our life is to humbly ask with a contrite spirit for Jesus to come into our hearts and make us more like Him. Inviting Him in and saying... "How can I become more humble like you? Contrite in spirit like you? What do I need to confess in humility to you? Tell me, show me, how do I pray to you?" Ask, Ask Ask... is all it takes on our knees, humbly asking & inviting with all our hearts, souls & minds. 

I miss praying on my knees, and it brings me sorrow not to be able to do so, yet I am joyful because I know I will be able to one day soon! I encourage you to take advantage of the awesome gift you have to humbly praise, pray and repent, serve, ask, listen, be still on your knees to your daddy God who loves you more then anything or anyone on this earth. 

Have a blessed day...

Here is one of my favorite songs to pray on my knees in the morning. Soak in the words, and be still in Him. Allow Him to wash over you in all humility... 

CLICK HERE uTube - Here with Me - MercyMe (turn it up!)

Untamable Tongue

Tim & I started a bible study last night called "Pursuing God" headed up by our awesome Pastor Mike. The first assignment is to carve out 15-30 minutes of "quiet time" in your life for just God. No distraction - and commit to it for at least 5 days this week. 

For the passed two years I spend mornings with God before Tim & Nick wake up, and I read through the bible & journaled last year. This year He lead me to journal in more of a dyadic personal way. Needless to say, I went on this pilgrimage this morning to "seek Him" more fully in our walk together. For some of you reading this blog you may, or may not have any quiet time with the Lord, yet alone, even believe in God, but let me share with you...when, and if,  you do "pursue God" you will be attacked by the enemy. The enemy, being Satan, the dark prince of this world who wants nothing more then to derail any plans for you or me to get closer with God in quiet time, prayer and deepening a relationship with God. Satan hates you & me and has an agenda of his own for our lives to do his sinister, cunning work of evil through us by not obeying God. It is that simple. In saying this.... I was royally attacked this morning... in the process of seeking the Lord. 

As many of you know I currently have a broken leg and with that comes a further frustration of not being able to get around as quickly as I am used to, and learning how to walk all over again. Even though God has blessed me with a peace & sense of contentment I still have off moments. I also have a low-to- no tolerance for disrespect from our son because it is not honoring mom... more importantly it is not honoring God to disobey, or disrespect parent's authority in the Lord. This morning Nicholas was disrespectful to me, I disciplined him,  and Tim disagreed with me on the discipline so there was dissension between us... not good. Once Nick was off to camp, my tongue became a sword.... I said things I regret, I fell short, I was angry, and frustrated. I sinned. The enemy was working havoc through my tongue, and it was not a good thing. Once Tim & I cooled off, we are in the process of picking up the pieces, and I am doing my part repenting to God for my untamable tongue that went out of control with frustration. 

Going back to the Word I need to go back into the bible study, and God led me straight to James 3. Here is what it says, and is so powerful I felt led to write it out for you to consider, and read through so before you lose your cool like I did this morning, perhaps it will help you think before you speak like I wish I did... 

James 3: 1-18 

The Untamable Tongue

My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgement. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. 

See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. 

Heavenly Verses Demonic Wisdom

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy, and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. 

After reading James 3 and the iniquity God shares about the tongue, and that heavenly wisdom calls me to make peace, because He gives righteousness to those who make & seek peace. Through humility and a contrite spirit I will first ask God to forgive me, and then, eat crow, noooo kidding... go to my husband and ask for forgiveness with all my heart, all my soul and all my mind for my words that were not honoring or loving to God or to him. Thank God for His grace when we humbly go before Him and say, "I am sooo sorry I really blew it." What a relief to be forgiven by the highest Father God and let it go on to the cross. Thank you Jesus for Your gift. 

I also think about James, who was the younger half-brother of Jesus, son of Mary & Joseph,  who most likely wrote this book in the bible. I think about this whole passage and "how" James must have learned these tough lessons about the tongue from his "big brother Jesus" who never sinned??? Talk about an untamable tongue James must have had toward his big brother and the come backs Jesus would have to his little bro James! Whoa!  James did not come to believe Jesus was the son of God until after the resurrection... Growing up can't you hear James saying to Jesus, "Yeah right you are the Son of God!"  Imagine all the spiritual downloads James received once he came to the realization his big brother Jesus was indeed  - the Son of the God! I would love to be a fly on the wall at that moment the truth set into James' heart & soul. What a moment indeed. 

I think about my  own brother Michael  & I. We had many differences of opinion growing up, still do,  just as Jesus and James did. The difference is that James was a sinner like you and me, and Jesus was not - Jesus never sinned. James learned about the untamable tongue from  the one, almighty, all-powerful, most-high Father God that spoke to him as an "older brother" here on earth every day throughout his whole life! Now  THAT is an intense reality to wrap my head around. 

We are not to give blessings and curses with our tongue. The only way to attain wisdom from heaven is to pray for Jesus and His Holy Spirit to show us how to honor and love him in good conduct. We will always stumble. Thank goodness for His mercy to help pick us back up and show us how to try it again... and again... by humbly repenting, asking for forgiveness, and submitting our tongue back to Him and asking Him to speak through us... with His words of love & blessings. Only He can do it through us..

Off to make peace with my one true love, the one man I will love through the good & tough times, til death do us part. My one & only Timothy...    

Falling into You

Seems like longer then 4 weeks ago I took a fall at the roller rink and broke my leg. I can hear my mom's voice echoing in the back of my head when I realized I broke it, "Joanne slow down" She has been saying this to me for as long as I can remember. Her prayer was answered.

Being laid up on a couch fully reliant on others has been quite humbling to say the least. Being still has brought me closer to the Lord, and I hear Him quietly tell me, "I've got you, be content... there is nothing you can do to change these circumstances you are in. Time to listen to Me, seek Me, allow Me to lead You, and speak to you, and hear what I want to tell you....."

These are some of the things He has shared with me on the journey I felt led to share with you since it is changing my life for the better. By "falling" I fell more closely into Him during this down time.

My life verse is Galatians 5:25 "If we live in the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit."

The Holy Spirit gave me this verse as my life verse last July after getting re-dedicated at our church Rocky Peak in Chatsworth. Here I am today with a broken leg, on crutches... and every step I ask Him to keep me in step with His Spirit to get me where I need to go on my step-by-step journey to: the kitchen, living room, bed, bathroom, step-by-step. It is so interesting how this verse has taken on a whole new meaning in my "walk" these days.

I read the bible daily and ask the Holy Spirit to lead me where I should go to grow more into what He wants me to be for the day. Here are some verses that have been coming to me, and what the "life instruction manual" has to say about this brokenness I am in right now.

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in His way. Though He falls He shall not be utterly cast down for the Lord upholds him with His hand." Psalm 37: 23 & 24

I must say I have had some pain, discomfort, and sleepless nights, yet I sense God's hand holding me up right now while I am laid out. It is a comfort beyond words. I am actually excited because I can sense from Him a movement in my core of what He is trying to teach & show me during this time of being still, quiet, and immobile. He is working on me from the inside out for His greater plan & purpose so I can do what He wants me to do. I just keep asking Him to reveal what that looks like and I sense Him leading me through the Word. He's been downloading more wisdom and knowledge into my head & heart, at His pace, to His destination for me... step by step. It is a pleasant, invigorating journey He's walking alongside me.

The week prior to the skating accident I wrote in my journal these words, " I praise You Father God for challenges in life, and trust You will grow me more into who You want me to be through struggles. Please humble & break me so I may see things as You want me to. I pray this with a contrite spirit as Your servant who loves You deeply."

Ironically, I was "literally" broken. The beauty is that through this brokenness I have grown more compassionate, aware, humbled, gracious, loving, appreciative, and in awe of people around me that have become the face of Jesus is so many different forms in a myriad number of ways. Literally this brokenness has led to beauty. Between meals coming every other day from family, friends, and acquaintances. Encouraging calls, texts, facebook outreach. Flowers, candy, care packages... I am just overloaded with love that I feel like I have a mission for the rest of my life to pay it forward in as many ways as possible. God is so good, and I honor, praise and love Him so much for showing up in so many people around me. It is heaven on earth right now in my life.

The Lord's Prayer is a prayer I have said, like many of you, since I was little. This passed week it has become "alive" to me in a bold way. Through brokenness my prayers are growing more bold holding on to the "promises" God makes in His living Bible. That Word is alive and the only Truth there is out there in this unpredictable, insecure, uncertain, random world out there. It is such a secure, peaceful, comforting, loving place to live inside my heart knowing God "has got me" in His hand. It is powerful through His Holy Spirit to pray daily.... "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven".....in my life today God.... I INVITE YOU GOD to reign down HEAVEN on to my life... yes, my life, Joanne's life TODAY on EARTH as it is in HEAVEN!!!!! WHY settle for just what... the world provides??? I mean.. really? What does this world provide? Can any of these treasures compare to the treasures in heaven? Why not go "all out" and boldly ask Jesus to "bring it on!" Reign down... on earth as it is in YOUR HEAVEN God!!!!! Show me, show up, lead me, guide me, live in me, become alive inside me, so I can obey and lead the life YOU created me to live in??!!?!?! It is an AWESOME place to live, and be in life! Just awesome... I dare you to try it.... INVITE HEAVEN TO REIGN DOWN ON TO EARTH INTO YOUR LIFE... ask Jesus to bring Himself down into Your heart, and your life in fresh new ways to radically take over. What do you have to lose except.... your old self... the old ways of doing things you probably don't even want to do anymore. Life is so short....

One of the final verses that I have been musing lately is Matthew 16:19

"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

This verse I have been marinating in for a few weeks now. If I "hold on" to anything on earth too tight then God will hold His gifts in heaven from me.... WOW. What am I holding on to.... finances? pride? my spouse? my son? my life? my iPhone? 401k? house? my stuff? work? dreams? a certain routine? What do I need to loosen up on so God has the "freedom to fill me with more of His Kingdom in my life on earth?" What am I holding on to so tight and not letting go? Guilt? Perspectives? Judgements? Opinions? What is bound in me, that is also bound up in heaven because I refuse to... let go, and let God have it morph into His wisdom for me to understand in my life? It is a deep concept I have been dancing around with in my mind for a month, and working on shedding any unnecessary life-draining thoughts or ideas I need to let go.

Verse I'm standing in: Philippians 4:11-13 "I have learned in whatever state I am to be content. I know how to be abased , and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

It is pretty amazing how truly content I am learning to be in this state I am in right now thanks to Christ. I give thanks and praise and in that comes joy & contentment for all He provides.

Broken leads to beauty, and the outcome is surrender and obedience in Christ. That's where I am at, and growing more into as each day passes. It is interesting how I had to "fall to get closer to Jesus" through this broken leg. I also "fell on my tush at the gym and that is how I met my husband". Go figure. God is quite mysterious in His ways and means. I am just thankful for His ways even though I will not always understand Him. I will always trust Him, afterall He created me and knows what is best for me, and for us all.