What's Your Story?

If you have been involved in our conversations for any time at all, you know we lean on the story lines to learn.  Not too long ago we discussed that each of us are telling a story constantly.  This is what conversation and relationship is....storytelling.  We tell the moments of our days over and over and over again.  What tales are you spinning for the world to glean from?  Whether you expect it or not, someone IS leaning on your storyline.  Will it hold them up, or drop them flat on their face?  We know that only when our words align with God's will they truly be" an ever ready help in someones time of need". Let's not be telling an erroneous story line.  Know the story being told - we are accountable for each and every word which comes from our mouth, the thoughts of our mind and the intent of our heart.  That is the truth no matter what we tell ourselves or others.   It is so.....and so it is!

In Chapter 4 of Mark we see that Jesus is again teaching by the Sea of Galilee:

A very large crow gathered around him, so he got into a boat and sat in it.  The boat was in the water while the entire crowd lined the shore.  He used stories as illustrations to teach them many things.

While he was teaching them, he said, "LISTEN!" 

He added, "Let the person who has ears listen!"

When he was alone with his followers and the twelve apostles they asked him about the stories.  Jesus replied to them.  " The mystery about the kingdom of God has been given directly to you. To those on the outside, it is given in stories:

They see clearly but don't perceive.

They hear clearly but don't understand. 

They never return to me and are never forgiven."

Jesus asked them, "Don't you understand this story?"  How, then, will you understand ANY of the stories I use as illustrations?

Can you imagine His concern?  There is a difference between seeing clearly but not perceiving and not seeing clearly therefore you cannot perceive.

There is a difference between hearing clearly but not caring enough to think on the complexity beyond the obvious and listening with intent to wait until you understand the fullness of the one speaking to you.

There is a difference between never returning to God so that you are forgiven and not knowing God of that you need His forgiveness.

Do you understand?

God is the creator of ALL things, and He has planted His truth within all creation.  Some people who hear the word do not hear it clearly and Satan comes to be sure there is distortion.  The person does not understand the truth and therefore plants the distortion which leads them astray....

There is another person who received the truth but they do not understand.  Their heart is hardened.  They apply the word based on their understanding not on God's truth.  Then what they believe in, when put to the test fails them and they blame God.

Then another person hears the word, but there is static.  They believe they hear correctly, but when they have such success in the world and they listen tuned in to the channel of static and annoyance, they hear something contrary to their own mind set.  They decide that they didn't hear correctly because what they are doing is working, so they force the truth down. 

The last person hears clearly, understand what they hear because they patiently tune to the correct station.  They have no preconceived storyline, they are tuning their ears to every clear word spoken before surmising one detail.  They freely give into Gods will and the truth of God prospers at HIS will!

Why would we think that God would put truth in His creation and not raise it up to BE light?  He must have pure, incorruptible, iridescence though.  Otherwise it will not lead them or others the "correct way".  But, at the right time, which is when each person returns to Him and is forgiven, they will begin to grow: 30, 60 and then 100 fold as HE prospers them.  He grows them from glory to glory to glory because knowing and forgiveness increases understanding of His mysteries.

When you understand He will give you more.  But for those who don't return to Him after they know, He takes all that He gave away from them.  He transfers what is produced into the ground of His faithful fields. The glorious thing is that the person who was faithful with the 30, working Gods way, gleans understanding which prospers another 60 percent.  And when continuing to be faithful with this 60 percent, they rest in peace and awaken to see God's display of the 100 fold; which is a combination of their efforts plus the abundance of all else that God desires to grace them with for His good works. 

There are several key scriptures commonly employed on the subject of planting, harvest, faithfulness and stewardship to God.  In Malachi, He asks a nation to test Him on giving away their material gain.  The catch was it had to be giving a gift to God, not purchasing a gift FROM God.  He desired them to see that there was "in deed" a difference.  Matthew 19:29 states:

And everyone who gave up homes, brothers or sister, father or mother, children or fields because of My name will receive a hundred times more and will inherit eternal life. 

Matthew 6:33 states:

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things shall be given to you as well.

We are not going to get into the scriptures on the faithless today, that is for later in Mark.

This is a great day for the Kingdom of God because the faithful insignificant servant (in the worlds eyes), the least of  the blessed (in their opinion), will grow up taller than all the rest.  They will provide shelter and shade which reaches a great span, height providing for others in a mighty way.  All because of God's love, purpose, provision, goodness, faithfulness, power and sovereignty.  Remember that this Good Friday and crawl up under His blanket of love.

Christ has covered a multitude of sins, once and for all - Let's give Him praise and were His glory with pride!

With Love, know He calls you His delight and believe!

Kisses,

Candace



©Candace Huffmaster 2012, All Copyrights Reserved

Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc™

Childs Play and a Watchful Eye

Thinking deeply, perfectly placing our thoughts is what we are striving to obtain through this journey of our minds. We are kicking the dust and debris methodically. Not only will it do us no good, but it will do much harm if we simply continue in our haphazard ways of navigating through the moments of our lives.

Our thoughts God tells us are like the words that created them – wonderful seeds. At least that was His intent. So what happened?? We know the answer to that – Satan! Perversion of truth, distortion of reality, however you want to classify it takes a marvelous helpful plan and slowly, methodically grows poisonous or weak plants that cannot be used and are even dangerous to our very life if not aware.

We also are looking at being still, closing the flood gates on the chaos trying to force us to panic, get up, run or hide. There is nothing to worry about unless we have gotten ourselves in a crisis situation. However crisis in an impact point when we have gotten off track and too many harmful elements are pressing in on us. Most of the moments we deal with are not “true” crisis. We often react as if they are – which is the reason why we have to be methodical, patient, faithful instead of impatiently reaching out to grab fear, panic and always trying to trash “all” things to just be Rid Of IT.

We must understand that if we are going to glean experiential knowledge of information, ideologies or biblical truths we have to “use” them. We must “trip, fall and fly a little” – Get down and dirty with it – roll around with it, sometimes even break things a bit because we are experimenting. It’s all “Good”!!

I had a great conversation with our Dad the other day he explained some things to me about this. He has everything monitored. It’s like an educational play zone for kids. We are padded from the sharp corners, baby gates at kitchen and stair, outlet covers, the works. However, sometimes we get a bit too smart for our britches and want to see what is behind those things and get hurt. And there you have it the crying starts baby gets a booboo.

I am not meaning to minimize the hurts and pains we go through – but that baby, even though we are alarmed and that bump may be hideous to look at we all make it okay – right?

God was also explaining to me that the things (material things etc) are kind of like the things we buy for babies. They are necessary as well as useful but mostly functional. They are not things we keep forever, they have a purpose. He was telling me that the things of this earth are like the items we sell at a garage sell. We still believe they have value and they are desirable but we let them go so that others may have what they need. We donate them at times when people need and we have more than enough.

This is why He tells us not to cling to our “stuff”. He wants us to remember, this is our baby stuff. Our adult and eternal things are waiting for us in our future, where we will be all grown up and can’t harm it due to our needing to trip, fall, fly and shattering it all.

So today, I desire for you to think and hopefully draw or write about one of your “play time” learning experiences. Look around at the children in your midst today and give your selves as much of a break as you give them when they are learning. I thank God that He see us, loves us, protects and provides for us all the while knowing that we are precious babies just learning – and one day we will hear Him say “My, my you have gotten so big sugar!” Let’s just pray He’s not a cheek pincher – not that there’s anything wrong with that =D.

Kisses,
Candace

Ministry in Word

The Essence and Benefits of Repentance

悔改的本质和好处

1 Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God. Your sins have been your downfall! 2 Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to him: "Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips. 3 Assyria cannot save us; we will not mount war-horses. We will never again say 'Our gods' to what our own hands have made, for in you the fatherless find compassion." 4 "I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them. 5 I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots; 6 his young shoots will grow. His splendor will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon. 7 Men will dwell again in his shade. He will flourish like the grain. He will blossom like a vine, and his fame will be like the wine from Lebanon. 8 O Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols? I will answer him and care for him. I am like a green pine tree; your fruitfulness comes from me." 9 Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.

1 以色列啊，你要归向耶和华─你的 神；你是因自己的罪孽跌倒了。2 当归向耶和华，用言语祷告他说：求你除净罪孽，悦纳善行；这样，我们就把嘴唇的祭代替牛犊献上。3 我们不向亚述求救，不骑埃及的马，也不再对我们手所造的说：你是我们的 神。因为孤儿在你─耶和华那里得蒙怜悯。4 我必医治他们背道的病，甘心爱他们；因为我的怒气向他们转消。5 我必向以色列如甘露；他必如百合花开放，如利巴嫩的树木扎根。6 他的枝条必延长；他的荣华如橄榄树；他的香气如利巴嫩的香柏树。7 曾住在他荫下的必归回，发旺如五谷，开花如葡萄树。他的香气如利巴嫩的酒。8 以法莲必说：我与偶像还有甚麽关涉呢？我─耶和华回答他，也必顾念他。我如青翠的松树；你的果子从我而得。9 谁是智慧人，可以明白这些事；谁是通达人，可以知道这一切。因为，耶和华的道是正直的；义人必在其中行走，罪人却在其上跌倒。

Hosea 14:1-9
何西阿書14:1-9

Introduction
引言

As the prophet Hosea earnestly called the people of Israel to return to Yahweh their God, he is also calling the peoples of the world to return to Yahweh, who is also our God. God is the Creator of everything and He gives rise to every nation. All peoples share a common origin and all nations are blessed by God through Abraham (Gen 12:2-3). We must let God deal with our sins so that we may return to Him. Hosea explains what this process of returning to the LORD is all about in chapter 14 of the Old Testament biblical book bearing his name.

当日先知何西阿热烈地呼唤以色列人归向耶和华他们的神，今天他也在呼唤世上的民族归向耶和华，他也是我们的神。神是万物的创造者，他又使每个国家兴起。所有民族都有一个共同的起源，所有国家都是神藉着亚伯拉罕赐福〔创12:2-3〕。我们必须让神处理我们的罪好让我们可以归向他。何西阿在以他为名的旧约圣经书卷第14章中解释归向耶和华这过程是怎麽一回事。

I. Repentance involves confession, returning to the Lord, asking for forgiveness, and having faith in God alone (14:1-3)

一、 悔改牵涉到认罪、归向耶和华、请求饶恕和单单信靠神〔14:1-3〕

Hosea says that the first step of repentance is to “take words with you and return to the LORD” (14:2). The repentance process starts with the conviction of our sins by the Holy Spirit. When we are made aware of our sins by such conviction, we must go to the LORD with words of confession, for that shows how our understaning of and agreement with His conviction.

何西阿说悔改的第一步就是「归向耶和华，用言语祷告他」〔14:2〕。圣灵指出我们的罪就开始了悔改的过程。当我们这样被提醒知罪的时候，我们必须到耶和华面前承认我们的罪，因为这样做显出我们了解并同意他所定我们的罪。

The next step of repentance is to ask the LORD for forgiveness of “all our sins”, that is the list of transgressions included in our words of confession in the last step. This is to prepare us for our petition for God “to receive us graciously”. Graciously is the only way God will receive us because our salvation is all of grace bestowed on us through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus and our faith in Him. It is “not from ourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Eph 2:8-9). Instead of boasting we will “offer the fruit of our lips”, our praises and thanksgiving to God for His mercy (14:2).

悔改的下一步就是求耶和华「除净罪孽」，就是包含在上一步我们所承认全部的过犯。这是为了准备我们求神「悦纳善行」。喜悦地接纳我们是神接纳我们的唯一方法，因为我们得救是本于他儿子耶稣的牺牲所赐给我们的恩典及我们对他的信心。这并「不是出於自己，乃是神所赐的；也不是出於行为，免得有人自夸。」〔弗2:8-9〕我们要献上「嘴唇的祭」来代替自夸，就是赞美和感谢他的怜悯〔14:2〕。

The final step of repentance is to trust in the LORD alone from now on. We declare our dependency and allegiance to our Lord, confessing that worldly power cannot save us, just like Assyria could not save Israel, and our own strength (represented by war horses) will not save us either. We also declare that we will no longer idolize man-made things, knowing that only in God will we find compassion for our needs (the orphans.) (14:3)

悔改的最後一步就是从今以後单单信靠耶和华。我们声明我们对主的依靠和效忠，承认世上的强权不能拯救我们就如亚述国不能救以色列一样，而我们凭己力〔以战马代表〕也不能自救。我们也声称我们不再以人造之物作偶像，知道我们只有在神那里才能获得对我们的需要〔孤儿〕的同情〔14:3〕。

Is your understanding of repentance including these elements from Hosea 14:1-3, that is,detailed confession to God, unmerited forgiveness from God, faith in God alone?

你对悔改的了解是否包括何西阿书14:1-3内的这些要素呢，就是对神详细的认罪、不配得的神的赦免和对神单一的信心？

II. Repentance brings God’s blessings as a result of a right relationship with God (14:4-7)

二、 悔改带来因着与神正确关系的祝福〔14:4-7〕

Having repented and justified by Christ’s blood, we are saved from God’s wrath (Ro 5:9). God has turned away His anger from us upon our repentance and has brought us two great blessings: healing of our waywardness and loving us freely (14:4).

悔改并因基督的血称义後我们藉着他免去神的忿怒〔罗5:9〕。在我们悔改时神的怒气向我们转消了并为我们带来两大福气：医治我们背道的病，甘心爱我们〔14:4〕。

Our sinful nature includes a tendency to backslide from our faith. We cannot resist the worldly temptation in our own strength. But God says that He will heal this spiritual sickness of ours so that we can fight the spiritual battle and win. How does God heal us? He does so by giving us “a new heart and put a new spirit” in us and He will remove  from us our heart of stone and give us a heart of flesh. And He will put His Spirit in us and move us to follow His decrees and be careful to keep His laws (Eze 36:26-27).

我们的罪性带有背道的倾向，我们靠自己的力量不能抵抗世间的试探。但是神说他要医治我们这个属灵的病让我们可以打属灵的仗而得胜。神如何医治我们呢？他医治的方法就是要赐给我们「一个新心，将新灵放在」我们里面，又从我们的肉体中除掉石心，赐给我们肉心。他必将他的灵放在我们里面，使我们顺从他的律例，谨守遵行他的典章〔结36:26-27〕。

The healing should cure our backsliding, and if it does not, God says He will love us freely. His love is given to all because God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but has eternal life (Jn 3:16). This love requires no personal merit because He loves us freely. It does not matter how we feel, the fact is God loves us freely. He loves us so much that He gave us his one and only Son, therefore He loves us enough to receive us as we are but also conforms us into his Son’s image by disciplining us. It is said that God disciplines those He loves (Heb 12:6).

这治疗应该会医好我们背道的病，如果仍未好神说他甘心爱我们。神赐他的爱给所有的人因为他爱世人，甚至将他的独生子赐给他们，叫一切信他的，不至灭亡，反得永生〔约3:16〕。这份爱不要求个人的功绩因为他甘心爱我们。不论我们感觉如何，事实上神甘心爱我们。他爱我们，甚至将他的独生子赐给我们，所以他也因为爱我们所以他照我们本相接纳我们，但同时以管教我们来使我们成为他儿子的形象。圣经有说神所爱的人他必管教〔来12:6〕。

Having the right relationship with God also leads to an abundant spiritual life because God’s love and righteousness nourish us as dew to the lily and as the mighty cedar of Lebanon sending down its roots we ground ourselves on His teaching. We spread God’s fragrance to the world while we stand firm on His Word.

与神的正确关系也引至一个丰富的属灵生命，因为神的爱与义养育我们如甘露滋润百合花，又如壮大的利巴嫩香柏树扎根我们扎根在他的教导上。我们站稳在他的话语上向世界播放神的香气。

What kinds of blessings are resulted from your right relationship with God? How has He healed your waywardness, and how has He loved you freely? How has your “sending down roots” helped your spiritual life?

你与神的正确关系给你带来什麽样的福气呢？他如何医治你背道之病和他如何甘心地爱你呢？你的「扎根」如何帮助你的属灵生命呢？

III. Repentance leads to a fruitful life with wisdom and discernment (14:8-9)
三、 悔改引至一个有智慧又通达的结果子的生命〔14:8-9〕

In our sins we may fear man or demon. After our repentance we regard the LORD Almighty as holy and He is the one that we fear (Isa 8:13). “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Pr 9:10). Then through such reverence of God we gain wisdom and discernment, because we delight in the law of the LORD and meditate on His law day and night. As a result we are like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields it fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever we do prospers. (Ps 1:2-3) Remember that our fruitfulness comes from the LORD (14:8). This describes the sanctified life of a believer who lives in awe and love of God, full of wisdom and understanding, with continual spiritual growth.

我们在罪中可能会惧怕人或邪灵。我们悔改後就尊万军之耶和华为圣，以他为我们所当怕的，所当畏惧的〔赛8:13〕。「敬畏耶和华是智慧的开端；认识至圣者便是聪明。」〔箴9:10〕藉着对神这般的敬畏我们得着智慧和通达的心，因为我们喜爱耶和华的律法，昼夜思想。如此我们就像一棵树栽在溪水旁，按时候结果子，叶子也不枯乾。凡我们所做的尽都顺利。〔诗1:2-3〕这形容一个活在神的敬畏和爱中，满有智慧和聪明，有不断的属灵成长的成圣生活。

How has your repentance led to a life of wisdom and discernment?
你的悔改如何引至一个有智慧又通达的生命呢？

Conclusion
结语


A sincere repentance includes our confession of sins convicted by the Holy Spirit, asking for God’s forgiveness of our offenses against Him, returning to Him with a single-minded faith in Him.

真挚的悔改包括我们承认圣灵所定的罪，求神宽恕我们对他的冒犯，以专一对他的信心归向他。

After repentance we may backslide but we can take hold of God’s promise that He has healed us of our waywardness so we can depend on Him to live victoriously. We can come to the LORD for forgiveness just as we are for He will love us freely. With our continual cleansing by His forgiving mercy, we can live a fruitful spiritual life empowered by the LORD.

在悔改後我们可能背道，但是我们可以凭着神已经医治我们背道的病的应许来靠他过得胜的生活。我们可以以本相来求耶和华饶恕因为他甘心爱我们。凭着他宽恕的怜悯不断洁净我们，我们可以过一个以耶和华为动力的满有果子的属灵生活。

Repentance brings reverence of God into our heart. This sprouts a life of godly wisdom and understanding. With us in Christ and Christ in us, the LORD prospers the work of our hands.

悔改带对神的敬畏进我们心中，这样就萌生一个敬虔智慧和聪明的生命。我们在基督里和基督在我们里，耶和华使我们所做的尽都顺利。

Tom and Tehwan Tso
仲谋与德菀

“The outcome of your faith is the salvation of your souls.” 1Peter 1:9

“信心的果效， 就是灵魂的救恩” 彼得前书1：9

.....But God Has A Better Plan

John 10:10 (GWT) A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came so that my sheep will have life and so that they will have everything they need.

Job chapter 1 Satan comes along with the sons of God to stand in from of the Lord. I noticed that God did not start in with his conversations with His sons until Satan was gone. He addressed Satan directly asking Him where He came from. Satan replied that he had come from wandering all over the earth. I remembered the verses in Luke 11:24-26 where it states:

 “When an evil spirit comes out of a person, it goes through dry places looking for a place to rest. But it doesn’t find any. Then it says, ‘I’ll go back to the home I left.’ When it comes, it finds the house swept clean and in order. Then the spirit goes and brings along seven other spirits more evil than itself. They enter and take up permanent residence there. In the end the condition of that person is worse than it was before.”

I went back and read Job this morning. It is no coincidence that 4 messengers brought the news of destruction to Job and 3 friends came to torment him through his suffering. That adds up to 7. God addressed Satans wandering and asked him if he had considered Job. Satan tried to tempt God to removed His hedge of protection. However God cannot be tempted and He replied to Satan that everything Job had was already within Satans power to take “if it was allowed”. So Satan set out with a vengeance to prove his power. God knew that Job was going to be going through his 7th refinement and come out better than he started.

All this ties back into the first doubt we are about to enter into in our walk through God’s story being told. What if, when we are faced with a doubt we stop and remember we already asked God for a hedge of protection. What if we “believe” that He is faithful to us. What if we choose to live by this faith in Him and not by the sights or words being flung toward us. What if we used our mouths to speak up and defend God’s honor, instead of Satans frail attempt to blaspheme Gods character?

So many questions, but remember as I heard God whisper one time...

“the sojourn is the answer….the question an endless plight”.

Today be still and remember He is God. I pray that we speak His peace and cause the chaos to be still. We have been given authority as the sons of God. What will you do with yours today.

With the love of Christ for all of you….my family in Him.

Candace

John 10:34-38


Jesus said to them, “Don’t your Scriptures say, ‘I said, “You are gods”’? 35 The Scriptures cannot be discredited. So if God calls people gods (and they are the people to whom he gave the Scriptures), 36 why do you say that I’m dishonoring God because I said, ‘I’m the Son of God’? God set me apart for this holy purpose and has sent me into the world. 37 If I’m not doing the things my Father does, don’t believe me. 38 But if I’m doing those things and you refuse to believe me, then at least believe the things that I’m doing. Then you will know and recognize that the Father is in me and that I am in the Father.”

The Master of Spinning the Tale

For those of you that are not part of our monthly meetings if you would like the information so that you can be part of our groups we would love to have you.  We have another forum we utilize so that you have the freedom to speak your honest thoughts.  We encourage you to share all of them without fear of being right or wrong.  We are committed to encouraging you to be all God has made you to be...always...in all ways.

Send me an E-mail for more details.
candyhuff@aol.com or call us 404-432-0589
With Love in Christ,
From all the lovely women and children that make up Kaleidoscope Butterfly organization...
Candace Huffmaster, Founder
Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc

Yesterday we looked at the first day or the intro to the storyline God has opened for us.   God imagined a day with light and darkness so He made it.  We do not make things come into being that we do not believe to be good.  God is no different.   
Today we are adding in another verse to the previous two.  It is from Psalm 23.

In the beginning God created heaven and earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep water. The spirit of God was hovering over the water.

A new day will dawn on us from above because our God is loving and merciful. He will give light to those who live in the dark and in death's shadow.

Even though I walk through the dark valley of death, because you are with me, I fear no harm. (full chapter below)

Go back and review the posts on shadows (you can use the search area or click on the tags to the right side).  Randomly list your thoughts for a brainstorming session.  Go ahead and share them with each other if you'd like. 

As you are out and about today, look at the shadow you are casting and practice the presence of God..converse with Him.  You will be amazed at what He'd like to talk with you about.

I pray that we see beyond our ability as we thank God for imagining what "this day" would be like.  Seeing us all participating in it and believing that it was Good.
May each of you feel the warmth of His Son on you "while it is still called today"

Kisses,
C

Psalm 23 (GWT)

A psalm by David.


1The LORD is my shepherd. I am never in need. 2He makes me lie down in green pastures.He leads me beside peaceful waters.3He renews my soul.He guides me along the paths of righteousness for the sake of his name. 4Even though I walk through the dark valley of death, because you are with me, I fear no harm.

Your rod and your staff give me courage. 5You prepare a banquet for me while my enemies watch. You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows. 6Certainly, goodness and mercy will stay close to me all the days of my life, and I will remain in the LORD’s house for days without end.

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©

Give Me a Break....

We have been speaking a lot lately about how to not enter into arguments and how to handle situations through the power and posture of Christ. It is difficult to live in this world yet not be of this world...These verses help us understand about grieving the holy spirit / looking at situations with empathy for what we put God through by not walking in obedience and doing the work to mature.

I think part of the reason this is so difficult is due to our worldly training.  We try to do these things without entering into His rest. The Hebrews verses below will explain that a bit.

I think what we don't understand is that seeking Him / the relationship with Him at all times keeps us in His secret abode, His rest. Then out of that relationship / union He is able to flow through us and into those around us.

A friend of mine shared a Psalm yesterday that spoke of the stream flowing into the mountains and valleys. What I visualized when she was speaking the Psalm to me was us being overfilled with His spirit and flowing into the highs and lows of the world to bring His refreshment in all ways to all situations.

Oh how I pray we become the pathways for His refreshing, cool waters to permeate this world....which is  in such need.

My love to you all, in Christ's name I pray this.
Candace


Scriptures from God's Word Translation
Ephesians 4:29 Don't say anything that would hurt [another person]. Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed. That way, what you say will help those who hear you. 30 Don't give God's Holy Spirit any reason to be upset with you. He has put his seal on you for the day you will be set free [from the world of sin]. 31 Get rid of your bitterness, hot tempers, anger, loud quarreling, cursing, and hatred.

Hebrews 4:1 God's promise that we may enter his place of rest still stands. We are afraid that some of you think you won't enter his place of rest. 2 We have heard the same Good News that your ancestors heard. But the message didn't help those who heard it in the past because they didn't believe. 3 We who believe are entering that place of rest. As God said, "So I angrily took a solemn oath that they would never enter my place of rest." God said this even though he had finished his work when he created the world. 4 Somewhere in Scripture God has said this about the seventh day: "On the seventh day God rested from all his work." 5 God also said in the same passage, "They will never enter my place of rest." 6 However, some people enter that place of rest. Those who heard the Good News in the past did not enter God's place of rest because they did not obey God. 7 So God set another day. That day is today. Many years after [your ancestors failed to enter that place of rest] God spoke about it through David in the passage already quoted: "If you hear God speak today, don't be stubborn." 8 If Joshua had given the people rest, God would not have spoken about another day. 9 Therefore, a time of rest and worship exists for God's people. 10 Those who entered his place of rest also rested from their work as God did from his. 11 So we must make every effort to enter that place of rest. Then no one will be lost by following the example of those who refused to obey. 12 God's word is living and active. It is sharper than any two-edged sword and cuts as deep as the place where soul and spirit meet, the place where joints and marrow meet. God's word judges a person's thoughts and intentions. 13 No creature can hide from God. Everything is uncovered and exposed for him to see. We must answer to him. 14 We need to hold on to our declaration of faith: We have a superior chief priest who has gone through the heavens. That person is Jesus, the Son of God. 15 We have a chief priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. He was tempted in every way that we are, but he didn't sin. 16 So we can go confidently to the throne of God's kindness to receive mercy and find kindness, which will help us at the right time.

How Could Someone So Persecute Jesus!

Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? —Acts 26:14

Are you determined to have your own way in living for God? We will never be free from this trap until we are brought into the experience of the baptism of "the Holy Spirit and fire" (Matthew 3:11). Stubbornness and self-will will always stab Jesus Christ. It may hurt no one else, but it wounds His Spirit. Whenever we are obstinate and self-willed and set on our own ambitions, we are hurting Jesus. Every time we stand on our own rights and insist that this is what we intend to do, we are persecuting Him. Whenever we rely on self-respect, we systematically disturb and grieve His Spirit. And when we finally understand that it is Jesus we have been persecuting all this time, it is the most crushing revelation ever.


Is the Word of God tremendously penetrating and sharp in me as I hand it on to you, or does my life betray the things I profess to teach? I may teach sanctification and yet exhibit the spirit of Satan, the very spirit that persecutes Jesus Christ. The Spirit of Jesus is conscious of only one thing— a perfect oneness with the Father. And He tells us, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:29 ). All I do should be based on a perfect oneness with Him, not on a self-willed determination to be godly. This will mean that others may use me, go around me, or completely ignore me, but if I will submit to it for His sake, I will prevent Jesus Christ from being persecuted. By Oswald Chambers

How do you like a bandaid removed? Slowly....or one quick RIP!

Joe Stowell always writes like we talk. He is incredibly easy to relate to. When he talks about his simple understanding of Loving our Neighbor through this experience, I had to shake my head at myself. Guess I was making it a more difficult concept to understand than it really needed to be. Or maybe seeing it so clearly shows how much I still need to grow. It is easiest to walk past someone and smile, ask if they need help, do something from a check list and move on. But if I have to employ thought about how THEY would like me to do it.......now that takes some serious selflessness and kindness. Jesus didn't just say "the man who helped him". The verse in Luke say, the one that was "kind" enough to help him. As I read this verse this morning again through Joe's wisdom, the statement Jesus made rose up in different areas.  Yes we have to be willing to stop, listen and give the help, and God can use that.  However, maybe there is another level we should strive to mature into.  When we employ the fruit of the spirit within our ability to help, say kindness for instance, that brings a new dimension of aid to the situation.  This pivitol point is where the power of the Lord is indwelling within the situation "to bring complete rescue and restoration and deliverance"


I thank God for this day, His mercy and grace to make it through it, His power, strength and courage to miss it and get back up.....and these words of Joe Stowell.

May God be glorified even when we miss it.

With Love,
Candace

Neighborly Love

READ: Luke 10:29-37

You shall love the Lord your God . . . and your neighbor as yourself. —Luke 10:27

It would have been simpler just to buy a new hair dryer. But determined to save a buck, I decided to fix it myself. In order to loosen the screw that was buried deep in the handle, I took out the ultimate handyman’s helper—my pocket knife. As I put pressure on the knife to turn the screw, the blade folded back—on my finger.

I learned a lesson that day: I love myself. And I am urgent about meeting my needs. There was no thought of, “Well, I don’t really have time to stop the bleeding now. I’ll get to it later.” Also, there was a tenderness about how the need was met. I instructed my first-aid team (my wife and kids) to wash my finger gently and then to put the bandage on in a way that would avoid having the hairs on my finger pulled up when it was removed. My thoughts, words, and actions were driven by my love for myself.

To love “your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27) requires the same urgent kind of love. It’s a love that notices the need of another person and won’t rest until it’s been met. It’s a gentle, tender love that thinks and acts carefully. It’s the sacrificial and compassionate love that a nameless Samaritan had for a fallen traveler. It’s the kind of love God wants to share with your neighbors through you. — Joe Stowell

Lord, help me see the heartfelt needs

Of those within my care,

And grant that through my words and deeds

Your love with them I’ll share. —D. De Haan

You cannot touch your neighbor’s heart with anything less than your own.