The Work of OUR Hands

This journey we are all on,"just living our life" as some say, is where the majority of our focus is spent.  Obviously, these conversations will be continuing long after each of us have moved beyond these days we are traveling; because we did not start them, we joined in with an ongoing conversation.  This life is no more than the jaunt within our eternal sojourn.  I truly, prayerfully wish that we could perceive the deep relief which should accompany such a mind set.

We have been pondering peace: God's peace, the peace Christ called "My peace".  When we do not choose to keep His peace; we choose to do the comforting our self....our way. We live in a society which takes pride in doing things "Our Way"; we give accolades as if people are incredibly original.  God reminds us that there is nothing new under the sun and that while He did create each of us uniquely and individually, all things are common to each of us corporately. 

Coming full circle with our conversations over the past few weeks, today we are speaking about denial.  This is not going deep, for obvious reasons.  I simply desire for each of us to have some information enabling us to discern our ways - with out condemnation.  Denial is a survival mechanism.  It is in place to help us bear up under perceived pain or threats to our psyche, in order to find comfort.  Some individuals have chosen this tool and become so proficient with their skills set, that they are no longer even aware when it is being employed.  The reason it can become a favored "go to" item is because it temporarily helps this person bear up under perceived pain and have a bit of comfort, even if it causes larger destruction down the road.  Usually it is chosen as a protector of the persons well being when anxiety, conflict or trauma producing situations are thought to be ensuing.

 As we have been studying the ways we slight God of His rightful place as protector over us, I was reminded of the women contrasted in Proverb 14:1:

The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish woman tears it down .....with her OWN hands.

 

 How often are we in denial that the wreckage of our moments is by others, God or "an act of God" tearing down our life.....it is by the strength of "Our own Hands!".  During our discussions about the House of Cards we touched on this same topic; remember this:

 A little golden nugget about emotions:  They build a house of cards around the one real piece of the puzzle which they are concealing.  We build these false images layer upon layer to protect the vulnerable piece; as well as our stage presence.  Often, we really do not realize we do this.  We might catch a glimpse of it, but it passes so quickly we believe it is the masquerade.  Then every once in awhile, God will gently allow the winds of change to blow toward your magnificent construction and hit …just one card……and quickly they all collapse into a one dimensional array.

 We will be building up from these thought, but today - If only for today, may we BE people of peace: extending peace, keeping peace, abiding in peace.

 And maybe.....just maybe, as far as it depends on us many people will get a glimpse of something so beyond our natural human form that they will HAVE to take pause and ponder about GOD.

At least, that is my hope; if only for this one day :)

 

Kisses,

Candace

©Candace 2013, All Copyrights Reserved

Kaleidoscope Butterfly, ™

My Fabulous House of Cards

We have been kicking around the pieces of our lives attempt to discovering the deep seated beliefs we have anchored in our soul. I do realize most of you were not aware of this fact.  Question; if by chance you had known would you have participated with such openness?

We all must make a decision that we are either going to believe God is fully, meaning all aspects, who He says He is or either He is not what He says He is at all;  these are our only two options.  The general problem we all have is this:  We do not really know who God says He is, not all aspects based on only who He says He is.  But God knew this would be our common problem due to “the knowledge of good and evil”. 

God’s solution was to give us mercy and grace through Christ Jesus.  Once we can accept this truth – just the one mind you, He’s got us covered throughout the journey of discovery. He also doesn’t want us to keep believing misconceptions, so He sticks right with us ready and willing to clarify all the ambiguity and what not.  But fear makes us close down and attempt to run away and hide just like Adam and Eve did. 

We discuss our pieces of understanding without guilt, shame, condemnation, pride or arrogance.  If we do not open up, speak and listen to others compassionately as we embarrassingly expose our fragments of doubts, fears, ambiguity, frustration and everything which seemingly opposes what we profess we believe, then fear trumps our faith every time!  May that never be!! 

For this reason we constantly bring up the Trip, Fall, Fly patterns within our sojourn.  Again, common stuff here – no big surprise at all.  Just as God powerfully relates to each of us to ground and anchor His body here on earth, we must stretch ourselves to allow His embrace to under gird and unite us – and thank God we are called to be one.  Think about these things and review the information from the past several weeks. 

Pick up just one dusty piece and be ready to polish it off…..just one.  You can do, I know you ….and I trust Him, honestly!

Don’t be embarrassed if you are afraid to pick up a piece, maybe you are hesitant to even look toward the pile of pieces.  If so, try not to quit; simply pause.  Now, take a deep breath for me and ask yourself, kindly mind you, “Has the vine of my emotions swung me out only to drop me center stage?” 

Usually, when we attempt to isolate something uncomfortable, we begin to feel separated from everyone else, as though no one else in the world has ever dealt with this hideous thing.   And worse yet, all those “other folks” we begin envisioning sitting below us in the audience starring at our bewildered state.  But we know how to handle that, we simply picture everyone of them in their underpants!  However, that vision keeps getting interrupted by everyone staring up at us, on stage, under the spot light in nothing but OUR underpants – and they are decked out in the attire which would make us feel like a million bucks.  OK, so I might have overshot the emotional swinging, but you will understand in a moment.

Let me tell you a little golden nugget about emotions:  They build a house of cards around the one real piece of the puzzle which they are concealing.  We build these false images layer upon layer to protect the vulnerable piece; as well as our stage presence.  Often, we really do not realize we do this.  We might catch a glimpse of it, but it passes so quickly we believe it is the masquerade.  Then every once in awhile, God will gently allow the winds of change to blow toward your magnificent construction and hit …just one card……and quickly they all collapse into a one dimensional array.

There you have it.  This is what you are really looking at, or avoiding looking at ;)  Remember, it’s okay; it was just a silly house of cards.  Somewhere in that pile, however, is one brilliant piece of truth……….Let’s find it, together, and let it shine!

Kisses,

Candace

p.s.  There are enough cross-links in this to keep your mind moving forward if I get behind due to research.  Each time I re-read information I dust off another piece.  Yes , even I find fabulous card houses all around me; but now I ask God to blow the winds of change toward them - as He sees "I'm fit to handle it".

©Candace Huffmaster 2012, All Copy Rights Reserved

Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc ®