the most intimate part of your life

Have you felt the presence of the Holy Spirit? I hope you have. If not, I pray you will open your heart and mind to God and allow Him to be near you, even in and through and on and over and around you. When you feel this, I promise it will be an addictive High you'll pursue again and again for the rest of your life. God sent His Son Jesus to be born a human, live a difficult and painful life, die a tortured death, and be raised again to open the possibility for us to house a perfect Spirit in our redeemed bodies through His precious blood. For His saved children, this Spirit is always present, but I find myself getting much too caught up in and pulled down by life to feel Who I know is there. Can you relate?

"Don't grieve God. Don't break His heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for Himself. Don't take such a gift for granted." - Ephesians 4:30 (Msg.)

Alright, Spirit - I'm Yours. Come through me today. Breathe light in me again. I'm surrendered to You, reaching for You, moved by nothing and no one but Your presence. The most intimate part of my life.

Thankful list continued . . .

Because His grace just keeps coming . . .

- for the Blood and the Body - spilled and broken for me. And for the cup and the bread of remembrance. It is my Portion and it is Enough.


- for rain, as painful as it is. I choose to rejoice in this day the Lord has made. Yes, even this one.


- for windows. Let in the light and the view, keep out the painful chill. What a perfect barrier. Would that they made windows for my heart.


- for food tomorrow. Not everyone has it to put on the table.


- for freedom, so costly, so precious. To come and go, to work and earn, to live and love - all without fear for my life or my safety. Thank you, Jesus, Noah (my Navy-boy brother), and all of our service men and women.


- for light-hearted notes passed between my two small people under their bedroom doors last night. I love the way they love each other.


- for you. It's nice to be heard and read by friends. Thank you for seeing me.


More tomorrow . . . (unless I get too swamped in the kitchen to turn on the computer - *wink*)

I'd like to slow down

This time of year, I can't help but step on my imaginary time brakes and try to halt everything.

You know what? Imaginary brakes don't slow down a thing!

So, here's my rebellion against the rush. I'm going to post a list of stuff I'm thankful for. No Christmas lists. For me or others. Not because I won't give or receive or have a good time doing both in celebration of the Birth of my King. No, not that. It's because being thankful should take as long as it takes. Here goes:

- for songs like this one that draw my heart higher to Him, no matter how low it has sunk

- for the opportunity to write with two friends this morning, and be unexpectedly refreshed in that redeeming chance

- for the way He loves me even when I feel unlovable

- for a husband who offers me comfort, even in his own pain

- for friends who give me time to be quiet, a mentor who understands when I double-book myself and have to reschedule, and other friends who answer a desperate text in the middle of the night

- for courage to do what needs to be done

- for a daughter who cares about excellence in all she does, and a son who just wants to give others joy

- for generous people who spoil me often, not just on December 25th

- for technology - a beloved chain, I know; I'm thankful nonetheless

- for a furnace in my home and my workplace to warm me in this weather and temperature that stabs me in the back every year, no matter how hard I try to embrace it head-on

- for a little bit of energy left to give; just enough for each day

- for this song too, which brought needed tears to the surface today

Won't you be thankful with me this week?

I love you, friends. I'm especially thankful for you.