Be Still and Listen

It's hard to be still and listen. So often all I hear are the noises around me. The air-conditioner. My stomach growling. It's amazing how noisy my body is.  But You know my heart, Lord.  My greatest desire is that You be my greatest desire!

How would my life be different if you were?  You want me to be an insider.  You want me to have a fullness that is the complete opposite of loneliness; a confidence in Whose I am, and who I am in You; a holy boldness.  You want me to be so loved that I am love.  Love conquers fear, covers sin and never fails!  Love bestows beauty and grace. Love envelopes and indwells.  Love never stops giving because it has no end.  Love sees the treasure in another.

You want me to raise the dead.  There are so many levels of understanding.  Literally, I want to pray for babies and children and see them made  alive.  I want those things that You have created in me to not be aborted; to not be brought forth through pain and sorrow, but birthed in joy!

What is the opposite of lethargy, stress, and depletion?  Energy, enthusiasm and abundance.  These are You desires for me and for Your family!

Thank You Father that You are creating in me a perfect reflection of Your Son, Jesus.

This or That?

This or That?

Pressure, stress, anxiety;
Feelings of inadequacy assault my soul at every turn;
Waking every day in dread.

"Be still my soul, the Lord is on your side."

"Capture, bless, be found in Me;
You can do all things through Christ, stand firm, stand firm.
Don't let fear inside your head!"

"Be still my soul, the Lord is on your side."

Proverbs 12:25:  "Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad."

Election Day Blues

Waiting.
     Pages rustle
     Doors slam
     Carts squeak
     Toilets flush
No one comes.

Waiting.
     Shoes scuffle
     Teachers teach
     Students stare
     Stomach grumbles
No one comes.

Waiting.
     Air conditioner hums
     Chairs scoot
     Lunch room smells
     Truck backfires
No one comes.

Waiting.
     Door opens
     Old man enters
     Wants to vote
     We assist
Only one.

Waiting
     Need to stretch
     Day is ending
     School's so quiet
     Feeling sleepy
No one comes.

Waiting
     Constitution shredding
     Freedom's going
     Taxes growing
     where were you?
No one came; don't complain.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Good Friday.  I was a little embarrassed before the Lord this morning as I looked at my first journal entry, and realized my first thought about this most Holy Day was that I was born on Good Friday.  I was remembering my brother and mom joking about me having two birthdays every year.  My brother always wanted me to get a birthday cake on Good Friday as well as April 16th.  (Miss you, Hal)

As I returned to my purpose for journaling, which is to talk to the Lord and to hear His voice, I began to apologize to Him for my self-centered thoughts.  He is so kind.  He simply said, "It was a prophetic birth."
I was startled. "What do You mean, Lord?"  Silence.

Feeling the need for coffee, (Starbucks, each cup freshly ground, real whipping cream and sweet... mmmmm,)
I left the journal moment behind and headed to my kitchen.  As the water poured into my Melitta coffee filter (And no, I am not getting any $$ from these companies.)  I got it!  I get my best revelations from the Lord as I get busy. Must be the ADD!

Good Friday is my birthday!  It was in Jesus' death, that I received my birth.  Hal was prophesying over me. I really do have two birthdays.  April 16th I was born of water.  Good Friday I was born of the Spirit.  I chose to follow Him.  The candles on my cakes shine more light every year.   I rejoice in that: more revelation, more glory, more joy!

The Good News is you can have two birthdays every year, as well!  If you are His, you do already. If you haven't made that choice, just do it!

You may say, "I don't believe in an afterlife."  "I don't believe in Jesus."  But you can choose to give Him a try.  Just ask Him, "If it's true, if you are real, if you love me, if you died for me, if there is a heaven, I want to know.  Come into my heart and reveal Yourself to me, that I may know You and the power of your resurrection.  I really want to see.  In Jesus' name I ask this."  It is a worthy experiment.

Trust me. That is how I found Him.  There were no candles that night, no fireworks.  But I asked Him in.
The following morning, I told some friends what I had done.  The power of heaven filled my entire being and I have never been the same.

May I wish you a Happy Birthday?

Blessings and hugs, Anna Marie