People, Circumstances, Logic and Peace

When we truly believe and have faith in the promise of our eternity being clutched in the strong, righteous, loving, just and faithful Lord God Almighty will we really live in peace, no matter what is imploring us to release it? 

 Obviously, we would like there to be an easy yes or no answer.  However, there is a tremendous journey, across treacherous terrine, to discover our individual final answer. Do you think the answer is more fluid than constant?  We desire our peace to be this steady, however peace is only as stable as whatever secures it.  If we have peace of this world, it is dependent upon us, and all various people and circumstances. If it is the peace of God, He secures us.  Our ability to trust and stand firm is secured to what we know, believe and trust. And yet we're told to live by faith not by sight. If all I have securing my peace is what I see, hear, feel around me, I would be overwhelmed when feeling pressures, difficulties, hardships, or pain. In these same type moments, when I begin with God's truth and my faith, my viewpoint begins with hope and connectivity.  

 What about when things are begging you to let go of peace and God feels as though He's left the building, or planet?  That feeling of having no space, yet too much space between me and God. n times such as these, I think about how long ago in the distant past God created life. And from where I am, in that moment, eternity with Him seems like a fairy tale.  Yet here I am!  And I know He is real, as real as what I am feeling in the present. Then I picture a bridge coming up to me from creation and one out from me leading toward tomorrow. It is here where I feel so small and God feels so BIG! 

 If I think about the words of Christ, He promised that His kingdom was at hand.  God's word tells us Christ left the world in order that we could have His eternal Spirit present within us, right here.  2 Corinthians 5:5 Now He who prepared us for this very purpose gave to us the Spirit as a pledge".  So, we believe He is not far away out there somewhere. For the beliefs, we have to become faith, we need to have experiences. And when we experience that His truth is real it becomes trust. It is this trust we’re building that bridges us to Him and other believers. 

 Maybe rather than seeking black and white answers, we view these matters as our preparation. It is my hope that we enter each experience believing the Spirit is within us as God pledged and trust in His purposes for whatever is happening. 

 Another creative thought I have, which probably isn't theological, which gives me peace, is thinking of God outside of linear time. Then picturing Him gazing upon all our fluid pieces as if watching the shifting shapes within a kaleidoscope. I instantly become more relaxed and less focused on the troubles. When He is in my thoughts, His peace is allowed to secure me.  

Moving With the Spirit within us takes His power, not ours.  And knowing, or believing, that truth is not the same as abiding in the Spirit.  Yet, God see's us, understands our struggles and loves us in all the same.  

 I am so grateful for His mercy and grace to continue homeward.

 Read 2 Corinthians chapters 4 and 5. Share your thoughts with us all, please.

In Christ,

Candace 

To Love or Not To Love.....Is that the question????

We have had so many fabulous discussions surrounding LOVE.

I can't image that this is going to be an epiphony for any of us but I am being Mrs Obvious today.  I am asking that in the journals today we all be "Mrs Obsious" isn't that what being honest is all about?  As I always say - that truth is simply the truth, and it does not have to be defended......

So let's not get defensive with ourselves, after all no one else is even around. (if you were not with us for this thought proder, go to archives: Don't dance with your demons)  

Here are your thoughts for the day:

Is there ever a choice if you are going to love someone or not?

If we are to love because God requests that this be our hightest calling, then does it make sense that we should be in love with everyone just as He is in love with us?

If He calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves and that only loving those that are lovable is not the call, then do we truly believe that there is only one person we could be able to love as a life mate?

Do you think it is possible, based on this premis, that the need for committment and unconditional love toward on individual to sustain a marriage was proposed in order to keep us from flitting from love to- love to- love relationships due to our constant evolution( immaturity to full maturity) so that the erronious illusion of "I'm not IN love anymore" has no power to deceive us?

I truly love you all but there is one love I am supposed to purposefully set apart ( speaking of mankind) and that is the love for my husband Chuck.  I ask each of us to think about that today, be honest with yourselves as I am being with myself:  How ya doing with the whole love thing?

Love is not love when it is received - it is love when it is given.  This is how we know God first loved us.  It isn't love when we receive it, it is love when He gives it - as we discussed yesterday in group.  Love cannot be there if it is not being delved out, right.  Are we expecting to be loved yet withholding love in wait for it?  All I can say is "Stop It"  That just doen't make any sense.  We are supposed to be loving everyone and since God has already given us more than enough love, for us to be "needy" in this area is being a bit stingy and "self" centered.  I know, I hear the but.......   BUT, that has nothing to do with it. 

The point is....are YOU going to love ergo being lovely.  It is a state, a way of living and it IS Truly Beauty.

Go be beauty in the midst of Chaos.....and watch all the liberty, love and peace emerge....Come on ...You CAN do it.  I know you!

Kisses,
Candace

Their Road is Wide Open - Why Isn't Mine?

2 Peter 1:3-11


3He gives us everything we need for life and for holy living. He gives it through His great power. As we come to know Him better, we learn that He called us to share His own shining-greatness and perfect life. 4Through His shining-greatness and perfect life, He has given us promises. These promises are of great worth and no amount of money can buy them. Through these promises you can have God's own life in you now that you have gotten away from the sinful things of the world which came from wrong desires of the flesh.


5Do your best to add holy living to your faith. Then add to this a better understanding. 6As you have a better understanding be able to say no when you need to. Do not give up. And as you wait and do not give up, live God-like. 7As you live God-like, be kind to Christian brothers and love them. 8If you have all these things and keep growing in them, they will keep you from being of no use and from having no fruit when it comes to knowing our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But if you do not have these things, you are blind and cannot see far. You forget God saved you from your old life of sin. 10Christian brothers, make sure you are among those He has chosen and called out for His own. As long as you do these things, you will never trip and fall. 11In this way, the road will be made wide open for you. And you will go into the holy nation that lasts forever of our Lord Jesus Christ, the One Who saves.

We have been speaking about road blocks, casting down false imaginations, truth, trust and transformation. I have said this before, and will probably state it again –“I do not believe anyone chooses to have a difficult life, I think they don’t understand how to do life differently – they need help not condescending scrutiny from pious people. But then again – those people I believe are doing the best they can as well. So let’s give each other a break –Okay?" Let’s try to give a hand up when a brother or sister is down – we all fail at this so let’s stop pointing fingers so much (somebody might sprain a wrist )

Adding to what we have been reflecting on, let’s look at what might cause us to “trip”. * Go back and read information on The Stones You Are Holding. If you do not have that – let me know and I will forward it to you. I can say from experience of my life and those we work with it's usually FEAR.  Pop psychology will talk about our emotions beneath a seemingly placid surface then the ice cap above, which is labeled anger. While this is valid, if we were ever willing to look at what we fear, why we give up our peace, then before too long there would be no propellant inciting combustion.  Peace is the only thing we can cling to, while we look through these emotional puzzle pieces, which will extinguish the sparks.  But it has to be REAL peace, not something we manufactured to psych ourselves out.  When we put the squeeze on those things they will crumble - Only God's promises can be clung to without crumbling.

When we do not have something to ground us – we as humans get confused. We have no idea where to turn. Then we gather too many ideas and become panicked. God is loving and kind. He does not want us to worry. He wants us to “pray”, “trust”, “prepare” – but in peace. He tells us everything we need to know in advance – the good, the bad and the ugly! Why? So that we are not caught off guard – He even explained this to us.

We are going to start looking at what He promised us and asked us to believe in faith that He is faithful. So plan yourselves and get ready to grow. Then we will start our engines and GO about our days with peace and joy.

So Today, continue writing about what you believe.  It will make for fascinating reading one day; I promise!

My love to you all – may His peace permeate you in all ways…..ALWAYS,

Kisses,
Candace

Pieces of Peace

My peace I leave you - Not as this world has but the peace of my Father.  If you knew my Father you would know me - You have seen me, you have seen my Father.  God first loved the world and gave His only begotten Son ~ God is Love. Love is the highest calling...............

If we believe all the above pieces of scripture - how does Fear even have opportunity to enter into our thoughts???  Satan and his angels fell, they now spend their whole existence trying to make us believe we too are going to fall.  Those angels made a choice,  their choice was to enter into this spiritual battle with God. 

God created us to be pieces of His peace - right here on this plane.  He told us His story, who's we are to be "if we choose to accept Him".  Today as we are thinking deeply about the roads we have traveled and the thoughts we were thinking along the way, won't you take a step outside?  Go outside the walls of your home or work even if just for one moment.  Go outside the walls of your own thoughts if just for one moment.  Look up into this magnificent space above us.  Realize if just for this one moment that you are connected to all life.  All that you see - you are a piece of it and it of you because it is part of the God of the universe and you are a piece of all that is. 

No matter how we might try we cannot disconnect from life.  Even in death God says we still exist.  Today, think life, think love, think bigger than any problem you have had, will have or face during your waking hours today.  They are but passing moments and you have made it through so much - that alone should prove to you that you CAN make it - Just don't quit, give up or lay down.  Take a rest - sure! But praise God in your rest and He will raise you up with more courage, power and vision of victory through Love.

I also added a devotional by Os Hillman - addressing forgiveness - I know you will understand the reasoning. 

If you can't get outside -or the day is not as pretty where you are - watch this video from U2 - Magnificent.  I hope it encourages you to find your voice and raise it to our Lord God Almighty ~and go ahead sing out with that original voice God gave you for him to enjoy (don't worry if no one else enjoys it =D)

My love to you all today and forever,

Candace

Learning the Art of Forgiveness
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman
Tuesday, March 01 2011



"Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us" (Luke 11:4).

"I'm sorry for speaking to you harshly last night," I said. Then the Holy Spirit reminded me to add the second and most important part of my admission. "Will you forgive me?" Without this request we have only partially repented of our sin. It is important to humble ourselves before those we sin against. This is repentance. If we only say we are sorry we are only stating remorse for our actions.

Jesus modeled this in the Lords Prayer: "Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us" (Luke 11:4). When I owned my advertising agency I once filed a lawsuit against a client who refused to pay a $140,000 bill. However, the Lord instructed me that because I had also sinned in the situation, I was to drop the suit. My next move was to talk to my former client. I tried phoning him, but he wouldn't return my calls. Finally, I reached his secretary and said, "I want you to take this message down and give it to your boss, word for word - no changes: 'I have sinned against you. I know that I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I ask your forgiveness for filing the lawsuit against you. You are no longer obligated to pay the balance you owe me if you don't feel you owe it.'"

I could hear the secretary begin to cry on the other end of the line. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. About an hour later, my former client called. We hadn't spoken for six months. We reconciled the relationship.

The next few years were incredibly difficult because of the financial setback I suffered, but God provided for my needs. Looking back, I realize that this was my Judas Test. I passed the test when I let go of my resentment and asked to be forgiven, and God was glorified in the situation.

Tested not Tempted

I thank God that He is who sets my day, His body's day in place.  I thank Him for those that come to speak strength, encouragement into our lives even though they do not know who will be receiving what is written.  Today, as for me, that person was Os Hillman.  God knows what I have been facing for many years, just as He knows what you have been facing.  He also knew what would be hitting you square in the face attempting to break you.  Thank God He is testing us not tempting us.  Personally I give all this into the wonderful, loving, generous, kind hands of Christ my prince of peace, the lover of my soul.  I thank God that He chose to give me mercy and grace, extend peace so that I might recieve that which surpasses all understanding of my simple mind.  In Him I have all things.  In Him I can do all things.  In Him that which I do for His glory is victorious always.  In Him I am a transformed creature that cannot be held down, held back, broken or taken from.  I thank God that, that which Satan comes to steal, kill or destroy is promised to be paid back to the point that I can do nothing but give praise as I honor the one and only I AM.

So how can I do anything but sing praise?  How can my contenance be down cast even for a moment? It can not unless I choose something lesser, a power lesser.....and that will never be. Amen.

 I pray that whatever you are facing to day, that you see the giant is God and He is for you not against you.  All else WILL flee from your presence.  You my dear brothers and sisters remain in faith and STAND!!

With love,

Candace



Tested for Abundance

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman

"We went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance." Psalm 66:12b

It is nice to hear that God desires to bring us into abundance. In fact, many a preacher has promoted the goodness of the Lord and His ability to prosper His children. Alas, my experience is that this gospel of material abundance has little to do with the gospel of the Kingdom as our Lord works in the realm of the sanctified soul. The passage above tells us that God does in fact bring us into places of abundance. However, upon further study of the entire passage, we learn the route to this abundance.



For you, O God, tested us; You refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but You brought us to a place of abundance (Psalm 66:10-12). God's economy of abundance often has little to do with material blessing. In God's economy, abundance is often measured in wisdom and knowledge of Himself. It is then that we are truly blessed. Wisdom cannot be gained through intellectual pursuits. Wisdom comes only through experience. Real wisdom comes from the kinds of experiences that come only through the deepest tests. Lessons of refinement, including prison accompanied by burdens, lead us through the fire and water. This is the territory that must be traveled to reach that place of abundance. It would seem strange that a loving God would use such means with His children. What we often fail to realize is that God's measuring stick is the character and likeness of Jesus Christ Himself in each of us. This cannot be gained through a life of ease and pleasure. Ease and pleasure fail to refine.

Is God using your workplace to refine you today? Has He placed you in a prison or laid burdens on your back? Take heart if this is the place you find yourself, and realize that if you are faithful through the tests, you will enter a place of abundance that few will ever attain. The darkest hour is just before daybreak.

 

Conversations with my Dad

Today I thought I was going to get us back on track with our study of Genesis and God’s story being told. Maybe this is on track and I simply do not realize it at this point.


However, as I was spending time conversing with God this morning He moved me to lay down my plans and just listen for awhile. I think He has something to say to someone so I will put it out here without holding anything back.

My prayers are that it was not just one, it was all of us. I am praying for all our bodies needs to be met in a powerful way today. He is God and we believe that!

Hallelujah, with the love of our Christ Jesus,

Candace

Good Morning Dad,

Right now at this moment I spot to hear what you have to say. My heart has been softening because this morning I have been pouring out praise.

My ears have been perked to catch the calm of your tender voice. My knees have lowered my soul to raise my food and life in my humble hands – at the feet of my Lord and Savior , your son, my reason for hope and life.

Now I sit to enjoy perfect harmony with the one and only God of all: my dad, the lover of all of us, my Lord that has conquered all. I know that I am still speaking even though seeking you is my hearts desire. It is just that you overwhelm me – maybe there is still something I need to release? I give you all my anxiety because in you I should be in total peace.

This is your holiest of holies. This is where I am alone with you. This is where I am to enjoy life. This is where liberty meets me.

Today, I will be still in your presence, today I am turning to shut the door. Today, I release ALL bondage saying goodbye to my unloyal friends. Today, I receive all you offer, today I plant all your heart has desired. Today, I am missing nothing and now there in nothing incomplete.

My life is perfect for your harvest. My life is yours for the take. My life is Christ’s to live victorious….in Him I have everything!

Live my Lord, among your people: walk and let them see, speak the might that calms nations, breath your breath upon the winds, embrace all those held captive, comfort them till they find their way.

Tell them right now at this moment, your angels are charging their way. Tell them to wait in your presence. Tell them we are on our way. Tell them you do not send false prophets – to listen for YOUR voice to be heard. Whisper right now in their presence. Tell them this is the voice they will hear. Tell them we are but one body. Tell them this is the mystery to seek. Tell them they too are coming. ….coming home protected to our King.

Thank you Father – amen.

Here is a psalm, poem or conversation what ever you want to label it that I believe He shared with me years ago to complete this and I didn’t even know it till today – I thank God that He is God and I know that I am not =D Live, Love, Laugh today…claim your years and let Him live in your stead!

Riding the Wave

Dearest Father, I praise all that you are
Enlarge my simple space, to encompass even more
Your presence to share freely, is my deepest hearts desire
Your vision and compassion, directing my path to walk
Preserve all of your ways; speak your truth to light their dark.

As I bow at here at your feet, prostrate, I die to this world
Allowing my space for life; fill this container with truth
With your thoughts, visions and dreams: fulfillment of this world unseen.
You know I believe in you, yet what I know is not yet complete
Your promises are firm; it is that which holds tight my feet
Though some bridges I walk will shake, just as the mountains surely will fall
It is you repelling all foes, so my flight is successful and complete:
My height over the mountains entering straight through your glorious gate
You close tight your boundaries to always keep me safe
You so love all your children, we see this through your grace.

So This Day open up your heavens; receive in all my praise
Send down your righteous angels to cover this world’s pain
Thank you my sweet savior, your blood upon our cross
May your words now be heard as mighty
They still provide in the time for your lost.

My sweet precious angels, you are already in their midst
You love them with out ceasing,
You lay and listen at my feet
All days I am watching,
My eyes never cease to see
My tears rain down on your heads,
My mercy will ease all the pain.

You love me and do not worry, so your needs are known and met
Do not look to another; this is not your home
My hand is always your master and all keys lye within my grip
Your heart is my home in all ways; here you’re home within me.

Understand - this is the flow of the oceans tides,
This tide of love rolls into your life
What rises up within you will cover their weakened life
My words flow causing movement: the rise and to some the wake
I then roll into the body, which will never return to me void
You see, in this ocean people are diving
The battle is in the deep
Some are raised within my current;
Some drown or are tossed about
It is my love which lifts all higher,
Yet the tow is pulling others down.
When they trust and float within my will;
When they believe in “the way” of which I speak
No boat will ever be needed, my life will always sustain.

Keep riding throughout this world, from river into stream
Flow within my essence: my provision and my strength
Your journey is forever promised and my faithful father commands…..
All His life giving angels to continue circling while establishing peace.



Candace Huffmaster
September 2007© all rights reserved

Quiters and Cheaters Are Rather The Same - Neither Prosper

We can quit jobs, community, family and even God. However, we must understand that when we quit (cave in, lay down and give up) we are not cheating ourselves and others out of allowing God to step in, step up and empower us to transform us, situations and communities.  Let us all be part of His solution, not what grieves Him.  With this in mind we must seek Gods will for variables:

Within families we have relationships which lead to "titles". We have a job description even if it is not written out. Some of us would be fired because we are a total slackard. Maybe divorce is our way of firing people and trying to find a new person with better skills to handle the jobs at hand. However, just as in the work force we may move into another company or organization but unless we choose to be a useful, hard working entity the same dysfunction is going to build our reputation within that entity. Sometimes we stick with family when we should be moving on toward what God has created us for and planned our talents for His work. We must try to communicate first and not keep changing jobs - don't we think that person is a bad risk with no person skills. God designed us to learn and grow not quit and walk away.

On the other hand we would not stick with a job that takes us for granted. After repeated attempts to talk to our employer, if they did not seem to desire what we have to offer we would move to another business that desired to employ what we had to give with our best efforts. That is what the devotion was about yesterday. It also has to do with "standing in the wrong place" which is a past devotion in the archives.
I pray that we if we have not done so, we realize that our families are our first "order of business" to God. If we do not have that right God will not bless or increase us as we go out into the work force. Step by step we will see all crumble before us..unless we seek FIRST his ways so that all might be well with our soul.
With the Love of Christ,
Candace

New Things

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman

"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13b-14

Our past can be a hindrance or a help in moving toward God's purposes for each of us. For some, the past has meant pain and heartache, and grace is required so that we do not let our past dictate our responses to the future. If we allow our past to make us a victim, then we have not entered into the grace that God has for us. If we live on memories of past successes and fail to raise our vision for new things, we again are victims of our past.
"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland" (Is. 43:19). Our past should only be viewed for what we can learn from it. We must move forward and avoid viewing the negative or the positive for more than what we can learn. Many have allowed their past to dictate their future. God is always about doing new things in our lives. He gives fresh revelation of His purposes in our lives. Do not live in the past. Do not hold onto bitterness that may hinder God from doing new and exciting things in your life. He turns our wastelands into streams of water to give life, not death.

How have you viewed your past? Has it hindered you in some areas of your life? Have you relied on past successes to dictate what you will do in the future? Put aside such thoughts and allow God to do a new thing in your life. Ask Him to help you see the new things He wants to do in and through you today.

"When your memories are bigger than your dreams, you're headed for the grave" [Author unknown].

His Will vs Our Will

Pride That Leads To Argument

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman

August 19th

"Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned" (Titus 3:10-11).

Have you ever had to deal with a person that just wanted to argue with you, no matter which position they took? This person usually has a strong opinion and draws conclusions quickly, rarely giving credence to other's viewpoint.

The apostle Paul knew how to deal with such people. Once he saw this pattern, he confronted the person. If they continued, he cut off fellowship. However, if this person happens to be your boss, you will not be able to avoid the person.

The root stronghold of a person who is argumentative is pride and fear. This person is not secure in who they are as a person. They mask their inadequacies through a need to always be right.

I had a business partner once who was deeply hurt by lawyers in a corporate take-over. Ever since that time he was argumentative with every lawyer he had to deal with. One time, I had to confront him and tell him what was behind his behavior. Thankfully, he had the grace and humility to repent and renounce his stronghold of pride, insecurity and fear. We proceeded to finish our project.
When you run into this in the workplace, pray for understanding. Negative behavior is like the warning light on your car dashboard. It's telling you there is something going on under the hood. Realize this person is in a prison guarded by a root stronghold that has been a part of his/her life for along time. Unfortunately, it usually takes a significant crisis for that person to examine themselves and become free.

Pray that God gives you grace to work with such a person and pray that God will deliver them.

Oz Hillman said it all today, let us not enter into someone else's battles. We are supposed to walk away, not stay and drown in someone else's rebellion. When we walk away we are not giving up or being hateful, we are following God's advice.

Walk in Agape Love and believe that God loves them more than we ever could. We must not be so selfish of the discomfort of separation that it leads us to think about our comfort before another's salvation, reparation with God and unity of His body.

With Love,
Candace

What is Your Story?

I thougth we would take a breather today.  If you have not been working on the pieces of your story think about it today.

I've been working a bit on mine and I will share:

Tail Tale Story

The stories they change,
They twist and they turn
Like a river it flow and it swells
Around the deep bend the current picks up
And becomes as a snake slithering away.

As if I were not there
His words pierce through my heart
His deception taunting me from friends lips
The truth is the truth, not versions from sides
The facts do not lie as He states
With no one else there
It is character that stands true
My story was told beforehand
At the end of the days
All truth will be known
So today, I will live without shame
My heart knows all truth
My prayers weep the loss
My God covers and comforts my pain

When all seemed to be lost
It is Him that I found
Standing near since the day I was born
He witnessed it all
He knows the sad tale
He smashes the head with his heel

Now at the rivers bank
I sit in peace with my past
Releasing the harms I held deep,
As they gently drift far away
I rest and I wade through the pieces of my past
There is a reflection of a bright faced little girl
She seems simple and sweet: free as a bird
Then their darkness closed in for the take
She fought long and hard, she never gave up
They tried desperately to lay her body down
They trampled, they screamed . they taunted and sneered
Yet her spirit they never could break
They too are alive in the corridors of her mind
But their grip has no power to pull

She stands at the door to the end of the hall
Looking back toward them as she leaves
Though there is grief in her heart she still speaks the truth
Stating “I lived and I loved”, “I cried and I tried”
“Not for me, but to bring you a gift”
“So I leave with my peace”
“But the gift you may keep”
“You see love never ends if it is received”.
By Candace Huffmaster ©

......And the Question Will Flee!

As I took my own advice yesterday journaling some of my questions, this is what He said to me. 
"My hands hold the answers to your questions in all. In all ways trust Me…..the questions will flee."

I know this is what "the sojourn is the answer; the question and endless plight" means.  Speaking of meanings we are moving on with "The Story Being Told" today.  Verse three of Genesis 1 states "Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.



God Said.....is where we are parking our cars today.  We are going to get out at this overlook and SEE the sights before us. Let me open the door for you....

God Said is EVERYTHING.  It provides in all ways.  This is all we ever need to know.  Therein lies the question.  It poses "itself" mighty and strong, in its self righteous stance.  It is taunting, as it asks the question......."do you even need to get out and look"?     Let me assure you that as this taunting shadow of darkness is standing over you, God is hovering over -  covering (which is why until we make the choice Satan is "crouching" at our doors.)      God is wooing us with his Love  simply asking ..."Do you?" "Do you feel propelled to get out and look or do you see a  wall or vast darkness where I see all the beauty of the mountains, valley's and horizon?"  

So today, I am opening this door. I am sitting here with you.  We are talking a bit before we broach the answer.  Remember there is a time to not speak as well.  Just because someone poses a question do not always feel propelled to justify it.  Think of  the times Christ just stood holding His words.  For now... let's just ponder some things.

The question posed "itself" Do you believe "God"?
Do you believe IN him, Of him, About him.? For you teachers out there - God is the great Preposition and we are the object (of His desire)
If we do not believe "God" then what ever He said is a mute point.
However, I am not going to let you off the hook that easily.
I am going to tell you what Said means in Hebrew.  This my friends IS the sojourn and why all questions are an endless plight.

"Amar" has a much more complete definition than simply "said".  It has forms such as to say, speak or utter.  However it also means to answer or to say in one's heart.  It compiles the essence of to think, promise, command as well as intend.  It means "to be told", to be said, to be called as well as to boast and to act proudly. It also means to avow. In case you are not sure what that means - It means to acknowledge openly, boldly, and unashamedly; confess as in guilt. There is a second meaning of stating positively. This is a derivative from the word advocate. Avouch means to declare the provable truth or validity of; affirm:

We will pick up here tomorrow..


Today I pray that we think of him as the Great Preposition and ourselves as the object of His desire: that  we see His face and  like a whimsical butterfly we fly to Him, around Him;  that we will be with Him and glean from His wisdom, counsel, patience, peace, joy and love; that we flutter out from His presence with a changed mind, whole, complete, restored, liberated and free and yet that we not seperate our self from His position or fly from His view.

With Love in Christ,
Candace

If Life is a Dance...Who are You Dancing With?

It is very picturesque to think of life being a dance. If that were true and others were watching me, most days I would look like the character Elaine dancing at her work party on the Seinfeld episode. 

So today...let's just rest and listen to the minuet God is serenading us with.  I pray peace over you and that it overtake you like a calm gentle current.

With Love..I leave you to read and relax...in Him.
Candace

Don't Dance With Your Demons

I love you so deeply…..
Speak to my heart..........
Be food for my soul.......
Your gentle voice encourages me, washes the world away;
Lifts the weight of debris, softens the earth of my flesh
Use your hands now to mold me, into your perfect fit.

Don’t dance with your demons, just take my hand
We’ll circle to the music, your body, my lead
Our gaze will lock; you’ll see only my face
As the music infuses, the rhythm soothes
We’ll glide on the dance floor in harmony perfectly timed
All on-lookers will be silent watching such a bond.
When learning it is awkward, hard to move smooth
Your muscles won’t flex or bend as they should
Patience and time train and build skill
Suddenly the dancer is beauty unveiled.

The music, is my voice, melodious as a bird
The instruments of harmony, the woodwinds of my words
My hand is the conductor, my children the notes
The audience is prepared and waiting with baited breath
Our curtain is split, rolling back like the tide
So let us work our magic while they are ready to ride.

There is so much to say, and time is at hand
Remember my instructions, wait for my prompt
Then all things come together, no note will sound flat
The notes are like drops of water which comprise the sea
The movements are like a compulsion bursting forth directed by me
The impact controlled for cause and outcome
To arouse the emotions of the anticipant crowd
They have come for a reason, let’s not let them down
Their passion will rise and their hearts will be moved
Their souls will be softened; my blood can roll in
Then return into our family held tightly in my hand.

Think of a farmer, one seed in his palm
He looks for a spot best suited for that life:
Perfect soil, sun or shade with nourishment it needs
He keeps watch to protect its growth
He loves it, supports it when its weight is too much
Till strength in its trunk help handle the size.

My hand is sufficient to meet all the needs
The plants have no worries; they grow as they’re willed
Predestined in all ways, for He know what they will be
A rose won’t grow coconuts and grass won’t become a tree
But each is perfection for its purpose and need
Beauty and function….now all is complete.

By Candace Huffmaster©

Pressed On All Sides....But Not Crushed

When we were in our meeting yesterday, I remembered a blog entry from last year.  I went back into the archives and found it.  One thing I was thinking about after I read it was this:  We know God's word describes us as clay vessels.  We know that He has told us that His light is to shine out of us into the darkness.  We know that we get shattered by things in life which bring us closer to God, which increases His life or light within us.  We also know that He uphold or hold together all things even our shattered pieces.  Think about how visible light shines through cracks in things.  If we had no cracks His light would be hidden inside of us, and He states in Luke that no one hides a light.

Thank you all for allowing me to come in and share your lives with you.  Thank you for always being so real and the trust you extend.  Enjoy your Saturday, it is as beautiful as each of you are to me.

With Love,
Candace

Have you ever had one of those days when you said "God I can not take this one more minute?" I have had one of those days..and it is today!

Here it is the end of the day and guess what.....I am still here! As I sit here hanging my head in shame, moaning, whinning and telling my self to just stop it. I am reminded of Christ and a conversation I had with my daughter one day. She was having one of her own "moments" when being the funny mom that I "think" I am; I was trying to coax her out of it by saying "At least you do not have to die on a cross". Needless to say, she did not like my comedic irony or timing.

All this brings to mind a scripture where Paul was talking to his church. I have knowledge of this passage, but now I am experiencing it. I will just hit the highlights from Chapter 4 of 2 Corinthians vs 8:

We are his servants because the same God who said that light should shine out of darkness has given us light. For that reason we bring to light the knowledge about God's glory which shines from Christ's face. Our bodies are made of clay, yet we have the treasure of the Good News in them. This shows that the superior power of this treasure belongs to God and doesn't come from us.

In every way we're troubled, but we aren't crushed by our troubles. We're frustrated, but we don't give up. We're persecuted, but we're not abandoned. We're captured, but we're not killed.

It goes on to state: The following is written, "I believed; therefore, I spoke, "we have that same spirit of faith. We also believe; therefore, we also speak. We know that the one who brought the Lord Jesus back to life will also bring us back to life through Jesus. Our suffering is light and temporary and is producing for us an eternal glory that is greater than anything we can imagine. We do not look for things that can be seen but for things that can't be seen. Things that can be seen are only temporary. But things that can't be seen last forever.

I can speak of this psalm and sing it from a glad heart:

Who will stand by my side against troublemakers? If the Lord had not come to help me my soul would have quicky fallen silent in death. When I said, " My feet are slipping, " your mercy, O Lord, continued to hold me up. When I worried about many things, your assuring words soothed my soul.

In Psalm 109 King David said, "They surround me with hateful words, they fight against me for no reason. In return for my love, they accuse me, but I pray for them. Help me, O Lord my God. Save me because of your mercy. Then they will know that this is your doing, that you, O Lord , are the one who saved me. With my mouth I will give thanks to the Lord, I will praise him among many people, because he stands beside needy people to save them from those who would condemn them to death."

May we run to God, settle in his wings, rest in his sweet slumber of protection to rise anew in His Mercy each day.
Kisses,
Candace

Not Today!

I do not want to leave you guys high and dry today, but I am in need of some alone time with God. When we have done all to stand ...that is when the rubber hits the road in testing us. Do we cave in and quit as all the forces of Hell seem to be pummeling us or do we pick up our armor and say "You will not win, Oh heavy spirit of burden; Not Today!

I wrote this a few years ago when I was going through some similar, yet far more strenuous battles. I thought it was a good time to remind myself....and a good time to share.

You will not win, oh heavy spirit of burden "Not Today!"
Today, I fight!
Today ,I fight the good fight,
Today ,I fight the righteous fight.
Today, I overcome,
Today, I lead in battle,
Today, my strongholds are broken,
Today, my spirit stands true
Today, I hear your voice,
        and today your victory is true
Today, I fight for YOU!


Isaiah 42
This is what the LORD God says: I, the LORD, have called you to do what is right.I will take hold of your hand.I will protect you.I will appoint you as my promise to the people, You will give sight to the blind,bring prisoners out of prisons,and bring those who live in darkness out of dungeons.  I am the LORD; that is my name.I will not give my glory to anyone else or the praise I deserve to idols.  What I said in the past has come true. I will reveal new things before they happen.

Mind Games

We all play tricks with ourselves as well as others in order to "help out" a situation. For me, I set my car clock 10 minutes fast. In my mind when I start to panic due to the inevitable traffic jams, I will be able to relax a bit with my buffer zone. Wouldn't you think that just knowing I am planning ahead and doing my best would sooth my anxiety on the front end? However I feel I need to warp reality. We do this with many things in life. God's word says we are to focus on the truth....I think I will try harder to stop playing with my own mind. Really seems odd when I think of it in His light. =D


I pray that we all spend time with God to see life through His truth and grace. Ever grateful for our mercy and grace which He promises is new each and every day.

With Love,
Candace

Grace and Truth

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

It’s a grandfather’s prerogative to tease his grandkids a little bit, right? So when one of my young grandkids is first learning math, I quiz him about his newfound knowledge. “Do you know about math yet?” I ask.
“Sure, Papa, I know math.”
“Well then, what’s two plus two?”
Beaming up at me, he quickly and proudly replies, “It’s four!”
“Oh, that’s where you’re wrong. Two plus two is 22. You take one two, put it next to the other two, and you have 22. And,” I continued, “one plus one equals eleven. Three plus three is 33. Don’t you know that? Who’s teaching you math?”
Invariably, eyes roll, and I hear, “Oh, Papa, you’re wrong—2+2 is four!”
“Are you sure?” I say.
“Yes, I’m sure!” is the confident reply.
Thankfully, my grandkids are getting a good handle on the fact that truth can’t be played with. Even though I’m older, an authority figure, and a loved one, they are ready to challenge me if I don’t have the facts straight. The truth stands, and they can quickly spot (and point out) the error of my “logic.”

As Christ’s followers, we need to get a better handle on that reality. You don’t play around with truth. In fact, as John is telling us about Jesus, he assures us that we know that Jesus is full of grace and truth (John 1:14).
People don’t have much trouble with the grace part. Of course God’s grace is amazing, unlimited, lavish, and actively demonstrated in the death of Jesus on the cross. He forgives sins, restores lives, and pours out countless blessings that are neither deserved nor expected. No arguments about His grace.

But when we hit the “truth” part, the world walks out in protest. Truth, in so many minds, is a pliable commodity, so flexible that you can have “your truth” and I can have “my truth,” even if they are completely contradictory. Illogically, in the world’s eyes, every claim can be equally valid and, in fact, we are quickly written off as intolerant if we point out the wrongheadedness and false thinking of a worldview that does not line up with God’s Word.

John reminds us that Jesus came not only to demonstrate God’s unlimited grace but also His absolute truth. Jesus claimed to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life—the only way, in fact, to the Father. He told the crowd gathered at the temple that He and the Father were one. His truth claims can be rejected or received, with eternal consequences, but they cannot be altered or spun to a more politically correct alternative. They do not sync with false worldviews and are not simply one option among many.

So, the question for you and for me is: “Are we playing around with truth?” We wouldn’t be among the first to bend the words of Jesus to fit our own dreams and misplaced desires. And, I should ask, are we able to spot false truth claims and erroneous thinking as quickly as my grandkids spotted my flawed mathematical theorems? And, just as importantly, are we willing to speak out for the truth, graciously yet firmly exposing error for what it is? We can and should be agents of the grace of Christ. But let’s remember the rest of the verse and be agents of His truth as well.

It would be really great if 2+2 could be 22 when I am balancing my checkbook, but it is still and always will be four. The truth is the truth and that never changes. Thank God that He has given us truth to keep the balance of the checkbook of our lives in good order. - by Joe Stowell, Daily Strength devotional for more from Joe visit rbc.org

Are Your Knuckles White Yet?

If we are not clinging to our faith with a stronger conviction than the grip we have clutching our fears......then fear wins!   Remember in those moments what Christ said to us "I'm leaving you peace. I'm giving you peace.  I don't give peace that the world gives so don't be troubled or cowardly."