The True Grit is InteGRITy

Integrity

Who of you thought I was simply going to ask the question:  Why is integrity important? Then follow up with:  Because we are blessed by a life lived with integrity. ??

I would feel as if I left you stranded on the side of the road if that was all the fuel I gave you.  (If you did not know my favorite reads are things like the exhaustive concordance of the bible, dictionary of etymology and when I have some down time Wikipedia, which I use like a game show challenge.  These always are second to whatever translation of the bible I am currently studying – comparing)

Let’s start with Encarta Dictionary’s definition of integrity:

1.       Possession of firm principles

a.       The quality of possessing and steadfastly adhering to high moral principles or professional standards

2.       Completeness

a.       The state of being complete or undivided

                                                               i.      The territorial integrity of the nation

3.       Wholeness

a.       The state of being sound or undamaged

                                                               i.      Public confidence in the integrity of the voting process

Knowing that everything is governed by leadership from top to bottom life, we must think about Kingdoms, governing rules, regulations.  The constitution or integrity of something is what holds it up, brings it together or breaks it apart.  It is where we get the saying “fabric of society”.  

Integrity itself is used in science for comparison, observation, expansion of thoughts.  You must have a highest possible integer to align your thoughts with.  (We are simply talking apples and oranges here).

Let’s say you have a basket of apples and you think your apples are pretty amazing, but something starts to bother you about your apples and you don’t have any other knowledge than what you already know, all you are left with is an uneasy, unexplainable, make you squirm when you should have peace feeling messing up your road trip.  Meaning: your steadfast, high moral principle or best professional opinion isn’t steadfast any longer.  You are divided from that complete love of your apples so that sound peace is damaged.  But then you see an orange on a road sign and you wonder……..so you take a turn, stop at a stand, open the door, walk over to the orange stand, view their bright orange color, feel that they are a bit softer than your shiny red apples, lift it to your nose as you press it and smell the difference.  So you decide to take it with you and see how it relates to your apples.

Let’s tie a pretty bow around our fruit basket now:

Integrity is important because it is the core, the plumb line, the undergirding upholding all else.  Like a constitution it is the core or “what shall stand or die trying”.  This is why God had to have the commandments – His law, His integrity….His constitution written.  Without it we would have no roadway set in stone.  Everyone else’s self made road of integrity would run smack into our roadways.  We would be fighting about who had the right-of-way with no way to come to an amicable resolve.

Remember our topics on how He gave us emotions as road signs to tell us when to stop, turn etc. Our feelings are to feed us information which will keep us safe AND to bring us to an ability to empathize, celebrate, worship, thing and create. 

But mostly in order (His Kingdom is one of order) to LOVE.  God first loved us, He met all our needs.  He planned for our future and He got excited about it.  He also God was angered by deception.  He grieved when His son suffered for our sake but don’t turn before you see the joy He experienced when His son claimed the final victory due to integrity to His constitution.

Hebrews 13:8 states: Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Matthew 5:17 states: Do not think that I came to abolish “the law” or “the prophets” I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.

Hebrews 1:3 states: And He IS the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature and upholds ALL things by the word of His power.

And the final fluff of our pretty purple bow is this:

God always tells us things then confirms His truth.  He does things in  pairs:  Adam ALONG WITH Eve,   sending us out two by two,  a stand of two is not easily broke and (drum roll please for today’s big finish) All the law and the prophets depend on these two commandments

If your integrity, your constitution, what holds you up is your love for the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind.  Then your character, your image, your actions will be His love through you upon all other people. 

Abraham started this journey and knew when God said the integrity of the land was compromised – therefore it could no longer undergird the weight upon it and God directed Him to put it in drive, He did not hesitate; because of his personal constitution (faith, belief). 

God said allow Lot to choose first.  A worldly person would think, “What?? You are not even going to fight me for it – Sucker”  Not that they would dare speak it for fear you might catch on.  But God and those of us in His mindset understand that whatever they leave with or drive to is the end of their best.  As for you, it is the lowest of what God is pouring into and onto you.

So….Don’t worry; Be Happy! Woo...oo...oo...o.o.o.o.o.o.o.  Get in your car, strap yourself safely in, put the pedal to the metal and DRIVE BABY!

With Love and Kisses Candace

© 2011, Candace Huffmaster, All Rights Reserved

In His Image We Were Made

This is the day that the Lord has made, so let’s rejoice in it!!

He is such a Good God…Great really.  What could possibly bring us to any other destination than rejoicing?  Consider, think on, hold in your heart these thoughts:

• If the Lord our God, who is all mighty, be for us then what could possibly come against us with any success to the point of harming us? 
• Also: Just as close as you hold this thought in your mind and heart, God, who loved you before you existed in the flesh, knew of you.  He knew the number of your days and what you would be facing each and every moment of them. And he has been holding you in His heart, remembering YOU…..

So what in this world, in the heavens, or below is there which you should fear?

Can you ever come to a place of understanding God by taking the Fear bypass?

His word tell us to know and believe his truth.  His own words gave some direction for our travels: the one who fears is not (or cannot be) perfected in Love.  Therefore doesn’t it make sense that the Fear bypass will only take us “around the perimeter” of Love, but not into the heart of it?

To fear the Lord is not what we perceive it to be (I know this is a gross generalization).  What this speaks of is an understanding of how mighty and victorious He is; how all consuming of Righteousness, purity and holiness He is.

To understand this is so overwhelming to our finite minds we dummy it down to create Him in ways we can comprehend.  This is the sin of idolatry – creating Him into an image of man (or something we can fit nicely into our apple basket).

When His word tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our mind, it means thinking new, different thoughts.  This would take His mind to achieve, otherwise, we are still comparing man’s thoughts to man’s thoughts – which will not obtain an original God thought (the needed orange in our basket). 
This is why it is so important for us to “believe” that the bible is God’s word through humans.  It is also why He demands that we not add to it or take away from it.  Again, this would be idolatry.

When He tells us not to conform to this world but to be transformed – we are to understand that piece by piece we are to put down our man made ways and replace them one by one with a God made way.  God made us in His image, through His understanding.  So we cannot be everything He designed us to be by making God in our image – kinda’ stupid simple when the rubber hits the road don’t ya think?

To think of the end destination comparatively to where we are now and the distance we must travel will make even the most challenge loving, self persistent individual shrink back in fear of this daunting adventure.  This is why God tells us up front that the one who shrinks back, He takes no pleasure in.

But do not make God human in His statement.  He did NOT say, “If you do  not do it my way, I won’t like you nor will I have anything to do with you because you are an idiot for not doing what I said.”

What He DID say was this, “It will not bring me to a point of celebration and joy, because my hearts desire is to slather you with ALL my good pleasure, to the point it is chasing you down to overtake you.  And you are funning away from all the help I have in store for you – DON”T Do THAT!  I want GOOD things for you and not things which will harm you!!

Instead of allowing all the false imaginations to hijack you before you even pull onto the road, remember God never expected you to be on the road by your sheer grit –or to have to figure it out all by your smart self.  This would have never given Him what He wanted….relationships.  After all, He is the one who originated the thought, it is not good for man to be alone. He created us not for sacrifice but for a body to call His own.  Just like He created Eve for Adam – something to call His very own, and she him.  I bet what God was thinking as He said, “That’s Good” is, Now that’s good – they would have never known how good, wonderful and perfect life can be without a relationship – and I want them to know only an awesome, loving, take your breath away good life – so they will have something to rejoice about each and every new day I bring them to and through!

That is why I know, understand and believe that He is a Great God….Really! =D

So today, knowing all this, I leave you with a pray of love; which I request to cover each of you as you seek to understand, by way of knowing, the great true love he has for you.  And a question for you to answer to the best of your ability:

Why is integrity so important?

By way of the one who is faithful and the true witness – with Love in my heart and mind as I hold each of you near and dear:
Kisses,
Candace

© 2007 by Candace Huffmaster, All Rights Reserved

Wow, for a Minute There I Thought You Were a Friend

God tells us things in advance.  He withholds no good thing from us.  But we have to make the request for advancement.  I believe it is possible that the reason we are supposed to be content in all situations with what we know and where we are, might be that when we ask for things if we do not have enough knowledge or experience we end up in a less than desired situation which brings pain.

Job was called a man of integrity and character by God.  We know that God calls us by who we are in Him, what He is raising us up to be – as in our study of David.  God called him or reserved his place when he called him a King.  Many experiences by the merciful hand of God brought his called King into being.   Non the less, God knew who David was to be – so he accepted him at his current state granting him his future status.  Could it be that this is the same thing He was stating of Job?

Let’s keep this in the back of our minds as we continue on this journey with Job.

Friday in conversations we discussed how Eliphaz had already made up his mind the reason for Job’s predicament.  He was coming to Job, not so much as a friend but as a prophet.  After knowing that the vision, or words forming the vision, in his mind were opposed to the character or God, we can discern which side of the battle line that this spirit came from.

For a moment I would like to stand in Eliphaz place and look around as if it were me rolling in upon Job. However, I want to base my stance on the facts so that I can correctly see myself or hold myself accountable.  Since Friday I have hashed and rehashed the dialogue and environment leading up to where we are.

We have no idea of Eliphaz’s relationship with the Lord.  We do know that he believes he is a wise and discerning prophet.  As Eliphaz, did I take what I believe to be a vision as well as my understanding into the counsel of the Almighty before running off to enlighten Job of the cause for this curse upon him?  If not how in God’s name could I discern the spirit working amidst another individuals life?

Since I can find no reference anywhere of me taking the matter before the God that I am representing touting my knowledge of, I can only assume that I leaned on my own understanding.  If I were to hold myself up to the standards of God and look myself square in the mirror what would I see?

  Though I spoke truth, was it the whole truth?  Did I come to Job as a judge or a sympathetic companion?  Did I speak with great wisdom in a manner that would encourage hope to be healed? Did I serve this conversation of truth administered through love? Did I intercede as a servant desiring my God to have this wayward child back into his fold?  Would he have felt that light, life and companionship were brought to him by the grace of God’s mighty protective arm or that a scourging authority was extending his arm to administer a merciless flog?

As I look upon the situation, I have no doubt that I, Eliphaz have heard from a supernatural source.  Believing there is insight of a situation I am compelled to go.  As Eliphaz, I believe myself to be wise, discerning and someone superior in which others should take heed.  However, I do not believe that I am compassionate, gentle or generous with anything other than my own intellect.  I also sense that I am inciting a grieving person in crisis while withholding proper Godly insight.

I can only imagine how crushing this was to Job.  If I put myself in his place as he set there in the ashes, scraping his boils after his wife said curse God and die, seeing my three friends coming down the road I would have been so relieved.  I think I might have been tempted to angle the shard of clay a bit differently as was suggested by my “help mate”.  I thank God that He had total control and only good in store for Job.  This all reminded me of what God said through Jeremiah to His people:

Jeremiah 29:7-14

Today's New International Version (TNIV)

⁷ Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” ⁸ Yes, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. ⁹ They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the LORD.

¹⁰ This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. ¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

So today, think about the goodness of the Lord, believe that it is his plans to give you hope and a future as you seek peace prayerfully interceding for the prosperity of the community you are currently journeying through.  Because of this you too will prosper.

I pray for those who are deceived and request that they see the truth so that they, through Christ CAN cast down false imaginations.

To Him be ALL the glory,

Kisses,

Candace

Mr. Fools Wild Ride

The Collateral Damage of Mr. Fool

We have been talking about the character of Crisis and how we need to not get onto the path with him, especially if we are crossing his path. We know that when crisis enters our lives it takes wisdom to minimize the collateral damage. We also know that wisdom comes from God, that our understanding is paled in comparison. For most of deeply we were looking at wisdom and pondering what where our beliefs align and where we thought differently. Now, in the Honestly Series we will be looking at the opposite of wisdom – the fool.


For our purposes we will call him Mr. Fool. Mr. Fool has many character traits. So, fasten your seat belts and hang on tight. We are taking a whirl on “Mr. Fools Wild Ride”. The bad news is that it has jumped off the track and headed straight toward Crisis. Hopefully, he will listen to Wisdom who is seated next to him…….at least for now.

For two weeks we will be on this roller coaster so take your Dramamine!

One of the first things we notice when jumping on board beside Fool is how contentious he is. Instead of giving you a simple definition of this trait we are going to look at Proverbs 18, please take time to read these passages. I believe a picture is worth a thousand words. This way hopefully we can wisely avoid years of conflicting relationships through this wisdom – Here is his story:

Fool was heartache to his father and bitter grief to his mother. His mouth was his ruin, as it was a ruin to his father. If it had not been for the Lord the bitterness and grief would have worked in his mother to goad her into a quarreling woman. But she was not she was sensible, she still grieved as she delve out knowledge endlessly asking Fool to control his words, consider what she was saying to help him be even-tempered, even to simply close his mouth so others would think he was wise and intelligent, but he always knew better than everyone else so he would cut them off and express his own opinions. He never found joy in understanding so he would move away from them and others who tried to open his eyes, mind and heart to the truth. Always out to get what he wanted for himself above all else, he became a loner.

Any time Fool saw that someone was not on board with him he had to quickly eradicate them. He would open his mouth expressing his own opinion knowing it would start an argument….actually provoking a beating. Every wise person would see how deep the waters of his ruin were and that if they did not leave they would drown in the storm he was calling in. As they would leave him their compassion would call out to him, “Fool your mouth is your ruin, and your lips are a trap to your soul. We pray that you will hear truth, turn from your ways and be saved from the destruction you are headed towards”.

While it is a normal part of growing, maturing and living to be foolish at times, hence Christ prayed for us before His death “Father forgive them for what they do not understand”, it is when this habit becomes your character and the foolish becomes the Fool that leads to the man who is an island. I pray that today you do not harden your heart as the Mr. Fools did in the past, but that you hear, turn from your own opinions and understanding to listen to God and then run to him …..to never again leave him or forsake him.

It is Gods’ will and good pleasure to deliver you eternally, starting in this life. Give Him the gift of your will and good pleasure to allow Him, His will.

Today write about some foolish moments in your life – go ahead, make it personal…you can because I do not think any of you are Mr. or Mrs. Fool, and all things are common among us – so you don’t have to hang your head in shame, okay?

With the Love of our Christ,
Kisses,

Candace

© Candace Huffmaster 2007, All Rights Reserved. 
 Right of Use donated to Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc for the purpose of web content and group materials

To use any portion of the "Deeply, Honestly, Passionately, Freely" Series contact us. We allow anyone to use the information with with permission and appropriate notations of copy right.

We Can't Make a Solid Plan When We Do Not Understand

I am glad to say that at the moment (knowing it could happen at any time) the chaos that we are dealing with in crisis situations is not from our learning curve.  I do not say that to boast mind you.  This year already is proving to be an epiphany fireworks display. 

For instance, how many times have we referred to the writing  "My Shadow" whether in the Creativity Speaks groups, women's groups etc, it has been many.  The process of coming into relationships, hearing our Sheppard's voice and maturing so that we are not deceived is explained in this creative writing. 

Click on the TGIF tab to read what Os Hillman has to add to our understanding.  You can also go to our search tab (top left) type in shadow and refresh your thoughts from past information.  Sit with God today, let His spirit disclose anything hidden for you to see, follow Christ's examples and rise to apply what you have seen.

Only use what you understand clearly.  Where you are lacking fullness you are not supposed to take action, you are supposed to be seeking clarity, provision and confidence that you CAN do it - through Him.

With Love,
Candace

My Shadow




Let me write something pretty for you, Lord,

Let me raise my voice high.

Stir my spirit to praise you, glorifying my King.

The valley I did travel, the journey many years long,

At times I had no vision, the walls too close to see,

No feeling of compassion along my dusty road.

Hear this, my lonely traveler, My words shall persevere!

They are pounding on the pavement as feet running to be at your side.

Patience… please stop running; you are abandoning all your help!

My plan was set in motion when your first tear hit my hand.

I am your way, my sojourner; your road is up ahead.

Make plans after you’ve listened; not while you are trying to understand.

Willful dispositions, glide on the surface like glass,

The reflections are all around us; the image of each man.

My image is why you were created as my father said it was to be,

Mighty men with wasted power ‘til my reflection is what is seen.

Trials and tribulations focus the eyes to see,

Whose reflection is in the mirror?

Judging what is to be…

Focus placed on the superficial, mirrors life gone by,

In the valley of destruction, shadows still reflect

Until challenge breaks the mirror, casting fragments out of reach.

Moving forward now takes decisions,

The eye and mind unite within ,

The heart discerns the image…

Showing a reflection of the true man.

Look past the day you’re traveling,

To the hands holding back the storm,

No valley will overtake you,

No journey will be too long.

I am the Man, and you, my shadow,

I walk through the valley first,

I rose and now you’re with me,

No matter what we’re passing through.

I cast my shadow with purpose,

Made from blocking harsh light,

Harm can only come to the person,

I am that person, your Christ.

The reflection is not tangible, nor the shadow that has been set,

This is just as the spirit, transcendent of the flesh,

Reality is a lesson, the mind a tool to tame.

The learned are My inspiration… My leaders among all men.



By Candace Huffmaster © 2007 all rights reserved

Ministry in Word

Congratulations to Tom and Tehwan Tso they now have their Ministry in Word blogger site going for their devotions.  If you look at the top of our site there is a tab you can click for their weekly devotions to the right is the link to their site as well.

We lift them up to encourage their perseverance in the work of building up the unity of our body in Christ.

Today we are focusing on conversing with God to find out what He is up to today - the post is on our Emerge site www.kbemerge.com.  The segment of our organization which directly supports care givers of those in crisis.

With Love,
Candace

How God Makes Fishermen -By Os Hillman

"'Come, follow Me,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.'" Matthew 4:19

Our calling has three distinct stages, which we can see in the lives of many called before us, to become mature fishers of men who greatly impact God's Kingdom. First, there is the gestation period. This is the development stage of our lives. It may involve years of normal work experiences. You may be a Christian during this time, or you may be following after worldly success as a non-Christian. Paul spent years in religious and political training, persecuting believers most of his early life. Moses spent years in the court of Pharaoh and 40 years tending flocks in the desert. Jesus spent 30 years living at home and working in His father's carpentry business. However, all these years were part of their preparation.

Next is the crisis stage. Sooner or later, God calls you into relationship with Him. For many, like Paul, it comes through dramatic encounters like being knocked off a horse, blinded and spoken to personally by God. Some people are more difficult than others to reach and so require this level of crisis. This is a time when God requires major changes so that you follow Him fully. It can be a time in which God harnesses years of experience for a new life purpose. Paul's earthly experiences would be used in his calling to the religious and political leaders of his day. For Moses, the burning bush experience would begin his journey in which he would discover his ultimate calling after years of preparation. For Peter, it was his denial of Jesus three times that allowed him to face his shallow commitment to Christ. For Jesus, it was the garden of Gethsemane. These were the benchmark turning points for men who made an impact on their world.

Last is the fruit-bearing stage. In it, God's power is manifested in your life like never before. God takes all your experiences and uses them to build His Kingdom in and through your life. Your obedience to this final call results in fruitfulness you could never imagine without the long preparation process. For Abraham, it resulted in becoming the father of many nations. For Paul, it resulted in bringing the gospel to the Gentiles. And for Peter, it meant becoming the leader of the Church. For Jesus, it was salvation for the entire world.

What does God want to achieve through your life? God has a plan that is so incredible you cannot comprehend it. It requires only that you love Him and follow Him. Then you will become fishers of men like the world has never known.

I thank God for this day, for the wisdom that is produced through Os Hillman's faithful witness and testimonies each and every day.  I can stand in agreement with each of these words and pray for those of you who do not yet see what He is speaking of here.  I pray that you search for ways ...encounters to prove it as truth...because you will not be disappointed my friends.
 
I ask this knowing it is the will of our father because Christ himself spoke it in advance for us to be watching out for it with hope in our heart.
 
Love,
Candace

Everything Is Alright vs Everything Is All Right

The Response of Faith

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman

..."Everything is all right".... 2 Kings 4:26
The prophet Elisha often would travel through the town of Shunem, and in that town was a well-to-do couple who extended hospitality to him. At first, they simply offered Elisha a meal when he came through town. Then, seeing that Elisha needed a place to stay and study, they built a room for him above their house so that each time he came through town, he had a place to stay. He was so appreciative of their kindness that one day he asked the wife what he could do for her. His servant Gehazi later informed Elisha that the woman was barren and her husband was old. " 'About this time next year,' Elisha said, 'you will hold a son in your arms' " (2 Kings 4:16). A year later the son arrived.

One day the father was working in the field, and the son became ill and died. The woman ran to meet Elisha to inform him. When Elisha asked what was wrong, she did not panic and react in fear. Her response to Elisha seemed almost unnatural. "Everything is all right," she said. Elisha went to the boy and raised him from the dead. It was a glorious miracle. (See Second Kings 4.)

Faith looks at situations through God's eyes, not the eyes of our limited understanding. This woman did not panic, for she knew something more than the current circumstance. Faith does not panic, but realizes that what looks like devastating circumstances may be God's plan to bring glory to Himself by demonstrating His power. When Jesus appeared on the water to the disciples in the middle of the night, they exclaimed, "It's a ghost!" (see Mt. 14:26) First appearances can bring great fear upon us even to the point of paralyzing us. Find the Lord in your circumstance today. Exercise your faith today and trust Him for His outcome in the situation.

When I read this I noticed the scripture did not have the woman saying in a down cast give up tone "alright" then a sigh. No, she stated in that crisis - "No worries it is ALL RIGHT, but we do have to take action" - so today: I pray that today we look at each moment and remember who is upholding all things, lean on His promises and allow His will to be done into our situations. He will make sure things turn our "all right".

With Love,
Candace

Fear of Bridges...isn't That a Mind Thing?

Gephyrophobia: An abnormal and persistent fear of crossing bridges. Sufferers of this phobia experience undue anxiety even though they realize their fear is irrational. Their fear may result partly from the fear of enclosure (claustrophobia) or the fear of heights (acrophobia). Phobic drivers may worry about being in an accident in busy traffic or losing control of their vehicles. High bridges over waterways and gorges can be especially intimidating, as can be very long or very narrow bridges.

Fear of bridges is a relatively common phobia although most people with it do not know they have something called "gephyrophobia." However, the derivation of the word "gephyrophobia" is perfectly straightforward (if you know Greek); it is derived from the Greek words "gephyra" (bridge) and "phobos" (fear). - definition property of WebMD, LLC.

Yesterday we entered a new addition to our topic of our journey; bridges.  We were speaking of the mental land we are living in and coming to the bridge which allows safe travel to another place.  If you remember a few weeks ago when we were discussing view points.  We looked at how our thoughts are "things" which propel us into action.  This catalyst is powered and sustained through our determination.  The length and duration of the charge is determined by the purity of our faith.  Just like any pertol when it has debris or is inappropriately mixed there are side effects.

If our beliefs are to be pure, in order for us to  travel the distance as well as not break down, we must look through our thoughts and intentions. Hebrews 4:12 states "God's word judges a person's thoughts and intentions and that no creature can hide from God.  Everything is uncovered and exposed for Him to see.  We must answer to Him".

We are the engineer of the landscapes of our mind.  Do we build islands?  Do we construct bridges? Do we protect our land from harm? Our Bridge, we added yesterday, stated "we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially sin that distracts us. We must run the race that lies ahead of us and never give up."

Christ said He did not come to judge, that we are to judge ourself.  This means that we are accountable for our own thoughts.  He opens the doors of opportunity through knowledge and experience, but He will not take away our right to choose for ourself.  He was very clear that is it our responsibility to get rid of what slows us down...especially sin the distracts us.  We have to make a decision and put some muscle to move in order to run the race and never give up!

There are times when we feel promted to speak truth which may go against the "grain of thought" of the masses, it tends to be a bit scarry for most of us. If I am going to be real honest with you, then I would have to admit that I have had many fearful thoughts which I allowed to stopped me in my tracks before I could even speak the truth. Does that mean I have gephyrophobia? I would like to say, "It's not so serious"; because, until now,  those thoughts had never reach beyond my own head.  The purpose of which is a think tank for creative collaboration, therefore not affecting me. However, in reality, those same things have held my physical body back from action before; isn't that the same outcome?

In one of the poems I wrote years ago God was trying to settle a few of my "bridges of fear".  He asked me some very pertinent questions which I lovingly ask you to write about for our next meeting.

 If today you are lonely, whom do you seek? Whose face are you after? Whose hope do you chase?

For anyone who is not yet part of one of our groups. I ask you to do this anyway. You can always e-mail, post a comment (anonymously if you feel better) or call us; we desire to welcome each of you right where you are!

I pray that we all know His love, because there is no fear in His love,
Kisses,
Candace

________________________________________________________________________________

The Mark

Press onward and move ahead,
Speed not important, no falter in step,
Make your mark (with my right hand),
Engrave your presence with truth in your touch,
The skill of your craft, beauty becomes their mark.

No force will oppose you and all evil must flee,
The thirsty will remain with you, all on bended knee.
My words will heal, and my presence will make them whole,
Then they will learn and ground will be gained,
The seeds will now sprout; their life may now begin.
Light the path as you are leaving, so they too may come,
There is more living to nurture all along the way.

Each person has a task, a plan, and a team,
We move where we are needed, focused on our task.
No job finds completion ’til the end of our days.
Rise up refreshed tomorrow to start again,
Grow with each experience, embracing the love you’ve touched.
Be happy in the knowledge that, truly, we are one,
And the one seed you planted maybe enjoyed by someone else.
You, too, will reap from the work of our Lord,
His love, although taken, will never return void.

If today you are lonely, whom do you seek?
Whose face are you after? Whose hope do you chase?

Our Lord is abundant and stands in your path,
To love you and heal you if you will simply call on his name,
Make request that he help you to understand your disgrace.
He speaks to your dilemmas and strips their power away,
So now you can withstand the length of your day.
He marks you for protection no matter what you face,
So firm you can stand and denounce all other fates.
One crippled, now walking; one mute, can finally speak,
The blind one now has vision; may there be nothing to stumble your gait.

Your ear now listening for the cries of your sheep,
You are there to Shepherd my precious little lambs.
Keep watch with my provision, it’s an all important task,
We will not lose one… No, not one will be harmed,
Because I love my father and his love dwells in me,
And you, through our Spirit, are obedient to me.

By Candace Huffmaster ©