Poems

Getting to that Place of Rest – a Place Called “Trust”

~ kathrynspen ~ Leave a comment

There is a place in God – where storms will calm and winds be still …..                    That place is in Jesus ….. It is the place called “Trust”- where we can rest from the problems that assail us.  We are not denying that the “problem(s)” exist – rather we are looking beyond all our reason – looking for His help….. asking for His answers.  I’ve been “there” – any number of times – and it’s quite likely that you who read this have been there too…… So, even though this that I am now writing may be a little “poetic” in wording, I hope to share here with you what I have learned over the years to do.

In everything we see or face we will find our Answer in that place – where storms are calmed and winds are stilled – because that’s where He IS – and we do not want to be found where He is not!….. He is not in strife, in turmoil, in reasonings.  Still,  He is available to us, but He does not walk in those things – they are not a part of who He is – (Recall that He was not in the earthquake, wind, or fire – but His voice was heard…..when Elijah got still!!  –  I Kings 19).

So to walk closely with Him in the midst of our need or the problems that we face – we must learn to “separate” ourselves from the turmoil, the strife, and the unrest that comes with the problem – even though those things may be waging a war in us and all around us….. and find our rest in Him….. For He IS our resting place….

But yet again – the winds (of adversity) and the turmoil, strife and unbelief come  against me, to take me out of that resting place….. Do they succeed?  In all honesty – Yes! – but their success is only temporary – because I see quickly that I do not like that place they take me to!!  So, like Jonah – remember? – I will tell you…..

So like Jonah – he was in the belly of that whale……. a circumstance more desperate and seeming impossible than anything I’ve seen in a long long while (and then some!)   But it says (Jonah 2:5-10 paraphrased)  “when my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord….”  and my prayer went up to Him – even with the voice of thanksgiving – (to Him who hears and answers prayers).  Salvation is of the Lord I said…..  And the Lord heard me and spoke to the fish” –  and thus He delivered me – out of the midst of a deep sea and on to the dry land – where I could breathe again – out of the belly of that whale!

It is God’s heart that we remember Him when trouble shows up in some form in our life – even if we had a part in bringing it…… He cares for us -. and wants us to learn to cast our care on Him – and ask/seek  to know His solution.  We can turn to Him in all kinds of trouble….. It’s a choice – our choice – to turn to Him  – best of course to do before we stir up and muddy the waters….. But even so, He can “fix our messes” – but the time can be made a lot shorter – and for us much easier – to ask Him into the situation in the first place.

There is a place of rest in Him – some call it “the secret place”…..  another name could just be “Trust”.….   “trust in the Lord with all your heart – and lean not to your own understanding….. call on Him and He will direct your paths” – (aka He will give you the answers and direction that you need)!

There is a place in God where storms will calm and the winds be still – a place of safety and rest….. That place is in Jesus.   Turn to Him, call on Him – and He will be there – there as your place of safety and rest.

 

The Heavens Declare the Existence and the Glory – of a Mighty God

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As we look up into the heavens – taking in the order and the grandeur of the morning and evening skies – we are given to understand that there is indeed “a mighty God”…… a God big enough to put together all of this that we see above us in the sky….. Indeed He IS talking to us – and making Himself known to all who will observe and truly consider – that the constellations we see in the evening sky –  and the faithful rising of the sun each morning – are far too complex and well ordered –  to be simply the product of a “Big Bang” or some other “cosmic accident.”

And I do not scorn that line of thinking – for it is not a bad thing to seek to find a reason – but apart from understanding that God’s ways and thinking are higher than yours and mine – you and I can never comprehend His power and operations…..Thus He set “a vision” for us to see in the morning and evening sky…

So I watched the sun rise this morning – with the splendor of its warm colors spreading across the sky…… It is glorious to be sure –  the soft fresh colors of the morning – and the darker hues we see in the evening – magnificent colors that melt away as the stars and their constellations begin to fill the night time sky.   What we see is a picture painted by the Great Creator – the grandeur of which  even the best of artists cannot quite capture….

But it is more than just a thing of beauty – because there is also the wonder-        For you can see the majesty and the love of its Creator…….                                 Indeed, He put it together perfectly – the hallmark of a new day and the setting to rest at evening of the same….. Then the multitude of stars – and the moon as they appear – beckoning to us to ponder how anyone could put such a masterpiece of incredible design and purpose there…..

No one could help but worship God and feel His presence –                                     Should they take the time to ponder……                                                                              Indeed – they would begin  to understand His way! …….                                               For the heavens declare the glory of God  –                                                                        There is no speech or language  where their “voice” is not heard!

* “The heavens – where the celestial bodies revolve –                                                          do declare the existence – and the glory of a mighty God!                                       Indeed the sky that is visible to our eyes – day unto day and night unto night –       if one will observe…do show forth His handiwork – even the operations of a mighty God!  There is no speech nor language where their “voice” is not heard…..They make their proclamation  –  that there is  a living God!!                                                  The heavens indeed ….. declare the glory of God.”

* Paraphrase Psalm 19:1-3

About Time and Choices

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Ever noticed a quiet “tug of war” going on when part of you wants to take some time to spend with God?

He gives the invitation – and we “hear” it…..  we feel the pull in our spirit             Then it is up to us – ie. the “ball” is in our court we know                                                And we can “say yes” or we can in effect “say no”!                                                          “No” …. there are other things to do and places to go.

Over the years – if we haven’t gotten to know Him very well by then – we can remember a time – (and it was some time ago!) when our heart was captured at the first thought of spending time with Him  …. We’d run eagerly to be with Him – to taste those moments of delight in that fellowship with Him.  But time passes and other things slip in – “lesser things” that we struggle to fit in….                   And in our heart we did not intend – to let all those other things –         lesser things of course – fill our time that we had once purposed to be for Him.

But we have an enemy in the spirit realm (I Peter 5:8 & Ephesians 6:10-12) …… who subtley plots how he can get in- to convince us that all those lesser things must be taken care of  NOW – certainly before we have any time left to spend ….  in those delightful times with Jesus – our best Friend!

For us who are born again, it is a CHOICE – one that we each have set before us……  a choice that we will indeed make……..                                                                       While for us to choose Him first – Jesus does wait!                                                          He waits …….  and the wonderful Holy Spirit will draw us –                                     But it is still our choice to make! …….  and the struggle is there –                         And the admonition of scripture “to seek God’s Kingdom first”!                            And if we choose that blessed way – the thing that our heart wants most –      To set at Jesus’ feet and be taught by Him … letting His wonderful presence permeate within ……

We all have certain responsibilities – and to “lay on the couch” instead of fulfilling them – is NOT  what this is about !  But when He calls to us – and       we feel that “pull” in our spirit – that is time that should belong to Him –         and when we embrace that time as His – we will find ourselves  – our time,   our hearts – blessed and refreshed – and ready to go forward…..                           into those things that belong to us as “our job” – our “responsibility”…… and     we take His peace with us – all because we chose to yield to that “call,” that “pull” in our spirit.  I’ve done it both ways – ie. I’ve “said Yes” and I’ve said “No” but  I KNOW  which way is better – and ……

It is the choice I never regret – and the incredible thing is – that then He walks with me – even goes out ahead of me – to help me and set up the day!!   Then everything that truly  needs doing seems to get done faster – even to just fall into place!  And I take His peace with me – all because I chose to yield   to that “pull” in my spirit.  That’s my definition of a glorious day!

It’s about  “TIME and CHOICES”! …..  and we each get to choose…

WHO MADE THE SUNRISE?

~ kathrynspen ~ 14 Comments

WHO MADE THE SUNRISE?

As I watch the sunrise, I begin to ponder

that what I see is the dawning of a new day …. .. And

I soon feel the “perfume of His presence” enveloping the way.

I cannot gaze at the sun rising in the morning sky

Without being aware ……

That God’s story of creation is not a myth – it’s not a lie!

For as I gaze at this marvel that we call “nature”……

In the sweetness of His presence, the God of all this creation

Joins me there – “Do you see My handiwork?

I made it to share …..

And when you take the time to gaze upon the beauty in My sunrise,

It isn’t hard to see – and feel –  My presence is alive!

It’s gentle beauty is not always so impressive as the sunset to your eye,

But it holds the promise of a new day,

And I want everyone to realize that I made it that way! 

  It was created for function. The beauty and the awe I added……              with you in mind –

So that you can look and know there is a Creator…

You can tell that these things did not just randomly fall into place –

Not in the order that you see that they are made!

So, who made the sunrise?

“I AM” the Painter of these beautiful skies !  ….. and

When you look at the sunrise, it’s not hard to realize

That someone put all these things together for you to see

And that someone,  Beloved, was Me.”