November 28, 2012

We Think, We Review, We Stress

Who of us does not think about our life an enormous amount of our moments?  I am assuming not to many of you said "Not me!".   The truth is, we think, we talk, we think, we review our thoughts, we speak without thinking, we think about what just happened, we stress, we think, we review........

In all this chaos why don't we just breathe?  It takes an orange in the apple bin to stop the madness remember? 

As we have been thinking about dark vapor, pieces of our lives, and the BIG picture I took a few moments to reflect "outside the box".  I laid all my best idea's aside, along with the little frame which fit them and sat with God and a blank page. 

These are the oranges in my apple bin.

And here is what I see.

I am going to read back through just breathe and the orange among our apples.  Let's see what is created from all that.

I pray that each of you see things unimaginable, hear the calmness of His voice, smell the sweet victory of our saviour and raise up your hearts to clutch hope....

In Love,
Candace

©Candace Huffmaster 2012, All Copy Rights Reserved
Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc®

November 26, 2012

And One More Thing.....

We have been putting many pieces together lately, and there are many more to go.  That is why we are given a full life time and promised that it will not be cut short.  Thank God, right =D

With the topics we have been speaking of I want to roll in another deep subject.  We will only be wading in these waters today.  Matthew 18 is about the "How To's" on becoming Greatest.  We are focused lately on things which are peace: balance, rest, restoration, reconciliation and other such topics.  How to be the greatest is "anti" peace and it throws rest, restoration, reconciliation and other peaceable matters out the door.

In addition to the scripture below there is a the link to Bound in Safety, Free to Love

Select Scriptures:
Matthew 18:4-7  Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child, is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven, and any of you who welcomes a little child like this because you are mine, is welcoming me and caring for me.
Woe upon the world for all its evils.  Temptation to do wrong is inevitable, but woe to the man who does the tempting.

18:18-20 And I tell you this....whatever you bind on earth is bound in heaven, and whatever you free on earth will be freed in heaven.  I also tell you this....if two of you agree down here on earth concdening anything you ask for, my Father in heaven will do it for you.  For where two or three gather together because they are mine, I will be right there among them.


I pray that we bind all evil and loose all love today - in His name for His glory forever!
Kisses,
Candace



©Candace Huffmaster 2012, All Copy Rights Reserved
Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc. ®

November 23, 2012

Help Me Escape!


Think of how often our emotions drive us to escape discomfort in any way possible.  We numb ourselves, over stimulate and distract our focus on pondering the real reason for our lack of comfort.  Why do we seek comfort so much??? Who wants to be stressed, anxious, accountable, responsible for the pain we cause ourselves and others?  The list goes on but I will stop there.

Comfort is a state of being comforted.  It is a space in which your body feels physically relaxed, where we may have relief from pain or anxiety.  Comfort comes from an outside source, whether you go to a person or place or the person comes to you.  I will even go as far to say that if the environment has a person of encouragement then there could be a higher form of physical and possibly mental comfort as well.

Now think about peace:
 
Peace is a state as well. The state is calm and serene.  You can define when you are residing in this state due to the freedom from conflict.  Even in comfort you can have a vibe which is not tranquil and calm.  Peace is a quiet state, free from disturbances or noise.  It is a mental serenity where anxiety does not exist.  There is harmony among environment and individuals. 

We know God tells us to keep our peace, to hold our peace, to extend our peace.  He tells us to refrain from violence, avoid senseless arguments, to forgive when someone harms us, but not to allow those who do not repent and strive to be peaceable to enter or stay in our intimate space.

We are told to protect our heart because out of it flows the issues of life.  Peace resides in our heart.  God searches the depths of our heart or our intent.  He tells us to be mindful of all we do and not to grieve His holy spirit, which resides within our depths.  He also tells us we can prevent conflict ~ to be at peace with others as far as it depends on us.  But others “bother” our peace……..speaking for myself at least.  I am sure no one else has this problem.

In fact, as I am typing this, my peace is being bothered due to people who seem to be oblivious to others in their midst……..

What I have had to come to the realization of is that keeping my peace is up to me.  Leaving, when others do not desire to be considerate, is up to me as well.  If others care enough about me and desire to have me around, they must return the peace I extend.  God expects us to speak up, in humility and love, so that others may realize the gravity of their actions.  What they do with that information is between them and God.  We do not speak up to be unkind or cause them discomfort – actually it is just the opposite.  If you love them, you will encourage them to move beyond their desire for comfort and reach the higher state: PEACE, Shalom.  But remember they were given the right to free will.  Leave them in their state and you travel on to yours. 

The problem seems to be that people do not desire to leave the comfort of their discomfort to move on.  Realize this also though, look back at the definition; they do not want to be alone in their discomfort either – they need some outside source or place to ease their pain.  God is their ever present help in their time of discomfort.  He does not want you to hang around and comfort them when they are causing their own discomfort, as well as the discomfort to others.  So move on and hopefully they will find the strength to come into the state of Peace.

Comfort is actually the enemy of peace – Think about it…….please, think about it.  I know I am!
 
Kisses,
Candace
©Candace Huffmaster 2012, All Copy Rights Reserved

Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc.®

And Yet.....I Drive

We have been discussing stories in group.  Formulating our thoughts and revisiting past realities along with the view we have up ahead.  It has brought up some very interesting topics.  Today, as we were reading Uproriaous Delirium we focused on driving ourself crazy.  It truly is a rediculous statement when you think about it.

For those of you not in a group, this is the segment from the storyline:

How can I sit in this seat, night after night, with these tired, worn-out chick flicks?  I can't help myself though.  They are like a dear old friend; I would miss them if they were to go away.  It is like a bad habit you desire to stop, but cannot seem to allow your foot to move off the gas pedal and onto the break.  So you simply sit behind the wheel, going at your own speed, almost hoping at times that you will run out of gas.  You want to stop, but yet don't at the same time. 

If I were to be honest, I would really have to quesiton my own thought, because if I were to run out of gas, I am fairly certain, I would get out of my vehicle, dash for more gasoline, sit back down, turn the key and then place my foot on the escellerator and rolled along.  You know what that means, right?  I'm actually driving "myself" crazy.  Isn't that insane? And yet......I DRIVE!

No one can drive us crazy in reality.  We have to get in our car and follow their directions.  Over time, we simply decide we are not going to turn around and go a different way. 

Think about it, don't drive anywhere you don't want to go.  You really are in control of your own automobile.
What state are driving into? If you don't want to go on that trip, turn your vehicle around!

Love,
Candace

November 21, 2012

Can't See the Road.....Don't Worry It's There!

And God in His mighty power, will make sure that you get there safely to receive it, because you are trusting Him. It will be yours in that coming last day for all to see. So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though the going is rough for a while down here. 1 Peter 1:5,6 
These trials, scripture states are only to test our faith; to see whether or not it is strong and pure.  It would be unloving of God to allow us to run out in zeal without showing us harms ahead.  We might pause to ponder our options right in the middle of an onslaught of traffic and be squashed!

We have been discussing the opening of Genesis for several weeks.  I have been going deeper in preparation of our studies.  Today, my thoughts, prayers and questions are posted on our Selah page.
Click here to read more.

 


 
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November 13, 2012

I Wish You Didn't Exist



The verse in Genesis we have been meditating on for over a week is unfolding in magnificent ways as we continue our search for God’s story to us.  

When God began creating the heavens and the earth, the earth was a shapeless, chaotic mass, with the Spirit of God brooding over the dark vapors.  Genesis 1:1, 2 (The Book)

We all tend to get a bit broody over the way a good day can turn shapeless and chaotic in the blind of an eye.  But think about this – God’s spirit was hovering over a world of chaos; we only have our little mass to hold back.  What I find overwhelmingly inspirational is that God did not fuss about the darkness; he simply said “Let there be Light.”  Did you notice, not even an exclamation point was used.  He simply stated what “should be” to create peace, harmony and well-being and then expected it to manifest.  WOW – you could stop day one right there for me because THAT alone would make the perfect day!

When we read on we notice how God repeatedly created balance where there was imbalance – and so it was.  Then they created man………..

It only took a brief time for shalom, Eden to head south.  God expelled Adam and Eve from the Garden as quickly as He had breathed life into their being.  Years later God expelled Cain from the fields which he had been given.  All this kept going until one day when God said: 

“My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be one hundred and twenty years………….And the Lord was sorry that He had made man o n the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.  And the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.”
And yet even in blotting them out, they are recorded; not forgotten.  God is EVER mindful of us, do not ever doubt Him. We cannot wipe out our past; although many things we wish, hope and pray that they never resurface.  The truth is we can banish things from our presence, but no matter how hard we try they will not completely vanish.  They all exist and loom about taunting us as if scary shadows outside our window or in the corners of our rooms when we were children.

We were created in His image, perfect for a relationship with Him.  But soon we were defiled, dejected and expelled.  This did not happen overnight, it was a journey and we will be on a sojourn to discover the events between.

Below is a list of words we will be using in groups, think about them:

  • Expel: To push out something with force, to compel somebody to leave or give up membership in an institution, to dismiss
  • Defile: To corrupt or ruin something; damage a reputation or good name; destroy the sanctity of something holy or sacred; to pollute; to deprive a woman of their virginity Deject: feeling or showing sadness, lack of hope, especially because of disappointment
  • Banish: to exile or send someone away; to put someone out of your mind
  • Vanish: to pass out of sight; especially quickly; disappear; to pass completely from existence  

 I pray that we think about balance, goodness, righteousness....the very BEST day and then ask God how to help Him keep the peace.

Be Well My Friends,
Kisses,
C
©Candace Huffmaster 2012, All Copy Rights Reserved
Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc®

November 12, 2012

When Will I See It?

Another new group is underway for "There is a Story Being Told".  We have read "The Wind and a Stone" and are now working in the study of Peter, and several other books.  In order to keep the posts interesting for those of you in other groups and the many of you who only participate through the web site, which I am so grateful to have you (but WOULD love to meet you one day), I will continue to add new material to the segments. 

What fascinates ME is how God enlightens me in another level of His character each time I start up another group.  Sometimes I wonder if I will ever really know the fullness of our God, He is so very awesome!  Like a good movie, or book I almost hope I don't.  It makes each day so exciting to think about what new thing I am going to learn about Him :)

In addition to the materials and verses last week, read the information from What Do You See

I want each of you to think about this:

God knows our experiences.  He understands the limits of our knowledge.  He not only gave us permission to not lean on our own understanding, but He implores us to lean on His because He has literally "Seen It All".  He tells us that there is nothing new under the sun, so we might as well stop thinking we have a real stumper for Him.

He says for those of us who have ears to hear, and those of us who have eyes to see.  What do you hear?  What do you see?  Are you listening for Him?  Are you looking for Him?  Or are you maybe just a little afraid you will hear or see Him and hiding a bit?

Just think about it today.  If you feel like it send me some responses - that would be really cool ;)  I would love to get some conversation going with you guys prior to group.

My prayer for each of you is that you literally relax in the thought of Him.....and then hear Him.....

Rest well my dears,
Kisses,
Candace

Don't You Remember By Adele -


©Candace Huffmaster 2012, All Copy Rights Reserved
Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc®

November 4, 2012

Order of Chaos


Given Your Perfect Form
Order of Chaos

 

Daddy, you are not random; you’re at the helm of ALL things.

What we see as chaos, only your eye truly perceives.

Fit all the pieces together; give them your perfect form.

Only you can make order of chaos; only your wisdom can claim to be wise.

 

Show me “The Way” everlasting; lead me upon the sure way not sand.

Claim in my stead, your words victorious; now teach me of the things I don’t understand.

The ways of the wise are inscribed and protected; hedged inside the power of who’s I am.

Known that in nothing I’m overtaken; I believe so that fear can’t creep in.

His ways are higher than the mountain; my thoughts soar to beyond what is seen.

My peace runs deeper, never ending; the moment I trust in whom I believe.

Be one with my mind, dear Lord Jesus; show me the things of today.

Speak in my stead, you’re their Savior; speak truth, usher light, BE their King!

 

Kisses

C~

 

Today, I want us to reflect on “God’s Choice or Selection”.  Review The Wind and a Stone page 6. 


 

 

©Candace Huffmaster 2012, All Copy Rights Reserved

Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc®

November 2, 2012

Segment 2: The Wind and a Stone


As we read The Wind and a Stone, we found more than a good read with fascinatingly read characters.  We found our own characters and recognized some of our very real fears.  Today we are going to read another snippet from Erwin McManus’ book Stand Against the Wind while we again merge with the Old Testament and New Testament scriptures.  When we speak of the ebb and flow of God’s word this is what we mean.  We must dive deeply into these holy waters, reaching through to the other side.  We must join our hands with the others and now merge in with our very own life.

It always amazes me when God shares something so many years prior, which we store away, nourish and wait with excitement for Him to bring to a full harvest.  Before I ever began women’s group studies, He told me we would be doing this.  I thought it was just a poem:

 

Walk across the scripture

Reach his hand on the other side

Journey with him and the others

Merge in now with your life

Repair your broken mirror

To reflect his perfect peace

Bring transparency and your color

Into the picture of eternity

 

God created a space, we’ve discussed, where He could enter with power.  He could be born as man, our Christ and suffer just one time for all suffering.  What He did was secure Zoe life for us, but we must recognize how we “Give up the Ghost” as the old saying goes.  But it is true:

When we sin we shatter our oneness with God, which is Shalom.  While we are sitting amidst our broken pieces too exhausted to move is actually the perfect time to pick up the one thing in our life that cannot be shattered… God’s word.  Don’t worry about the shattered pieces around you, just sit with Him and read. Let Him take you on a journey, His journey, Your journey, Our journey… it’s all the same.

Like I always say…..we’re nothing but a bunch of characters anyway.  So, lighten up, God’s got your storyline covered – literally! You are bound between the pages of His cover front to back your story has been entwined within His.

For the next few months we will be on a sojourn in search of our characters lines; because There IS a Story Being Told.  Won’t you join us?

Happy Trails to YOU……

Kisses,
Candace
Read Psalms 31; Luke 24; Matthew 28

We will be starting a new study of Peter in group by Stephen J Binz

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