You Don’t Find Your Passion

You don’t find your passion ~ your passion finds YOU! ~CH
For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. For not knowing about God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God ~ Romans 10:2,3
And Isaiah is very bold and says, “I was found by those who sought ME not, I became manifest to those who did not ask for ME” ~ Romans 10:20

The things we find in life are physical: people, places and things.  Passion is not physical it is emotional.  Pure passion is not stimulated from our emotions – it propels righteousness, rest, peace, joy, love, goodness.
We persevere to find passion but TRUE passion cannot be manufactured.  It is simply ignited like spontaneous combustion. Where as the passion we build will run out of propellant, it will dwindle, turn cold and fade if we do not keep stirring the emotional fires.
However, when we simply sit at the feet of Christ with no intent other than His presence, with no expectation only true love which also comes from Him, His passion fills us up.  In an overflow within His boundaries we are effective for His purposes.  We are unaware of what He is doing because we are so enamored with His presence.  All else is just happening.  We do not revel in it, take credit for it, worry about if it is happening or not, or even remember the details about it necessarily.  Why? Simple; our focus was on our King!
Do you remember what it was like when you were first enamored with someone.  It was probably someone you had a crush on and they finally asked you out / or accepted an invite.  Maybe it was the beautiful child you finally gave birth to or adopted.  The point is this, all time, responsibility and worry  went out the window when you were in their presence didn’t it?  You still had life going on and were functioning within it.  You interacted with others (hopefully) but you had so much joy – you were giddy and life was grand!
Can you remember that problems still happened, but they seemed trite.  All things were possible because you were so filled with passion for your beloved. This is what I am speaking of.  Hold these thoughts and look at the references to scriptures below.  I pray you glean new thoughts to ignite your relationship and understanding today.
God says to seek first Him, His Kingdom and all else will come.  What comes doesn’t bring sorrow, although we may be pressed on all sides at times we will not be crushed. Christ said to have hope in all things we face or endure because He overcame the trappings  / schemes of this world; He didn’t leave us but sent us the Holy Spirit which is what got Him through.  God promises that His arm is not too short and He is not slow in fulfilling His commitments as some say.
Remember God calls you His Delight.  He is for you and Christ has gone to prepare a place for you.  He is coming soon and there is a band of mighty angels all around us taking charge of all these truths.  So allow the spirit to prosper this day ~ all day ~
Seek for Christ because He is seeking you ~ with the power of the Sprit propelling the search while God is calling your name ~ Believe you will be found right where you are.  Then allow them to embrace you, reveal your inner most parts that have been hidden away.  Let them show you who you were Divinely created to be and LIVE in their LOVE.
Now THAT’s what I’m talking about!!
In Christ, BE passionately propelled….today.
Kisses,
Candace

©Candace Huffmaster, update 2012, original 2007 All Rights Reserved

Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc™

Extending, Taking, Receiving or Theft

Our conversations were wonderful yesterday - I thank each of you for freely speaking from your hearts.  It is always amazing to converse with each of you; collectively or one on one.  When KB was still a thought in progress I knew our purpose was this (from original scribble mind you):

We go through life and hardly even consider our purpose or the reasoning behind why a God so powerful would have even desired to create us.   He has things to tell us, teach us, reasons for us to survive and thrive. He desires for us to grow, share, experience, love, laugh, cry and realize we are but a community to help, love, encourage and teach, not condemn and judge setting our own expectations, accountability, guilt, shame and burden.  This is why I and my fellow sojourners are striving to achieve a beautiful community with higher levels of thinking, supporting each other with higher understanding of what it looks like to care beyond yourself and be part of something bigger than your "self".

 

That, my dear friends is what we consider……true beauty. We believe this is something for us all to feel truly passionate about.

We have spoken about receiving the peace God offers us through Christ, receiving salvation, extending peace and giving into the lives of others.  We have also spoken about how others give with ulterior motives, and satan comes to kill steal and destroy.  We have also examined what God states about "asking".  Now we are entering into some conversations and studies on "Taking".  What are we supposed to take? 

For today, read the information below.  The art was a piece for an exhibit last Thanksgiving.  The prose I pray will help your heart, mind, soul and spirit prepare for some of the topics we will discuss Honestly.

My prayers are for your peace, wisdom, discernment and walk to witness for His name sake and glory.

With Love,

Candace

 

Perfected in Unity

   Mixed Media

Candace Huffmaster

 

When thinking about “the gift” it was extremely difficult for me to perfectly exemplify the topic.  There are so many things both real and intangible that drew my focus.  But over the course of a month while studying scriptures there became only one thing that was “the perfect gift” in my opinion and that is the perfect love of God.

Christ died for this love, we are received back because of this love and 1 John 4:12 states that if we love one another, God abides in us and His love is perfected in us.  When I think of every good and perfect gift, I have to know that it begins and ends with the hand of God; or as James 1:17 states “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

I pray we all receive His love, His gift and be all that He desired us to be.

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

Take up your Cross

Here sitting, I’m uneasy; but where on earth do I go?

Looking in, to look out; beyond myself I must see

Don’t dare stop, or give up pace; step by step, you must move 

Search my will, by taking risks; discern, the word is with you.

Crossing over, takes strength; from above, you will succeed

 Moving mountains, is not your chore; simply ask, and then receive.

 

When your muscles, feel rest is needed, downhill, I give you speed

Trust, in my ability; let go, move like the wind

Without effort, buildings tumble, and ruble is blown from view

Yet in that wind, flowers are tickled; their sweet laughter, a song in the breeze.

 

Through obedience, my love rises

Lifting my children, through every hard time. 

I love you all, so dearly; please share of my grace

Then mountains become ocean, of pleasure not pain

What is life, if not sharing; and breath, if not blown

With love, go ye gently; help me rescue, their weary soul

I teach all, who will listen; to partake, of my grace

So that when all is over, together we will claim

 “My God, you are amazing!” not “How, did I not see?”

All sin, can be forgotten; in peace, we must all be

My Jesus, sweet Jesus, I thank you for all

Cross carried, pain taken; so we would not fall

 “Walk swiftly”, you beseech me; oh please, let me run

Toward you, till I reach you, no burden is too strong

This world will not weight me, if I give all away

Riches, to the earthly; so they, might see gain 

My troubles, I gladly, lay at your feet

Replaced with, your abundance, so all may be fed

Please show me, where the need is, so all may have life

Not of things, which will perish, but of walls without bounds

Not separation, but protection; to loved ones in need

Encouragement and mercy, a hand up to breath

You saved me; I see that, and the road which lies ahead

Your face, is so lovely; I see you so clear 

Your eyes are like rivers, flowing waters, with no end

You rest now; I will paddle and accomplish your work

Your job now, is finished; in agreement I am

Spreading the mission, to others, just as you said

Not my voice, but yours, in the ear of the world

Your sweet words, just melts them; I stand in awe

Pride in your accomplishment, no matter the job

You knew how you would use me, which still makes me laugh,

 all that kicking and fighting, like I knew what’s best.

All days are so peaceful, when I rest in your will,

how fulfilling is my purpose, serving you does not fail.

How far, was the question, must I go on this road?

 How long will it take me, quickest route I must know?

Now realizing the journey is about travel; not speed

and the stranded you are passing, or the hiker in need.

Moving in your provision, even here as I sit

 through this world I travel, with all my needs met.

©2007 Candace Huffmaster

Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc™

With gratitude for our editor’s  excellent efforts, Jimmy Crain.

Sometimes you must Be the beauty in chaos!

Making His Mark With Beauty
KB, Inc’s world-wide motto is alive


Hip, Hip Hooray! Now our organization is seeing beauty emerge all around the world. When we changed our "slogan" from Loving Who You Were Divinely Created To BE to Reaching Through Chaos, Seeing True Beauty Emerge we did not quiet understand why - because we knew the first one was correct. However, we had to believe in what God saw beneath the chaos in order to find the faith which enabled our perseverance to help others not only see what we saw, but believe in it.

As we began telling women and children that they were desired, loved and had a reason to not be afraid, we saw them embrace the " idea" of hope.  But as we stuck by them~ encouraging them to believe that even as God forsaken as life can feel at times, there are always lovely moments too; we noticed they were actually reaching out to grab onto that hope and tucking it away to protect it. But the day we understood with His understanding was when we saw His "beauty mark".  It was the day that all the pieces collided to perfectly mesh.  For the first time I know I saw the elusive Kaleidoscope Butterfly.  Although it was one moment it was also many and there will be many more.  Because as we are walking and relating to these lovely individuals God is revealing precious details which are transforming their minds to see that they, themselves, need to BE BEAUTY in this world of chaos.

We are witness to the fact that there is not a more beautiful sight than His hand reaching through their chaos to share in very real ways.

Our work is simple but true:
We believe True Beauty is as a seed planted within you, tenderly tucked into a deep, dark space. Alone with such dreams of grandeur, restlessly squirming, simply dying to be released! It truly believes there is something much larger and unique it is to be. It feels it could bestow beauty and goodness upon an unaesthetic world. “Just as the butterfly is always within the caterpillar – so too your beauty is fighting to take flight and ride the breeze. You are a kaleidoscope butterfly, a vision foreseen in the mind of the Great Divine. He delights in what you have to offer. He created you to rise above and be seen. So flutter your jagged, shattered pieces in His sunlight. His hand merges all our shapes in His time. To Him we are not missing or broken we are His Delight and perfect in His sight.

We make our request known and know it is His will:
Do not look with your eyes to perceive reality. Do not allow this world to diminish what He sees. Push through the weight trying to hold and bury you. Stand tall in His continence, mercy and grace. Reach up and out with your arms wide. Turn your face to be set on the sun. Allow your bud to blossom. Be open for all to see and embrace. Release the joy in your heart for their pleasure. Allow it to pour out, free. Keep it flowing till the scent of it rises - as a fragrant offering of what you believe all heaven can now see.

So allow us to encourage you "BE the Beauty in chaos no one can stop you – honest!"

With the Love of our Christ,
Kisses,
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

And On It Goes.....Life That Is

Life has many qualities, segments and layers.
Each of us have the option of what we do with our “Life Time”

God gave us life: In Genesis he placed the man he had created within the Garden of Eden and breathed life into his nostrils. So Adam became a “living” human being. There is also an intrinsic life upholding the mere shell. This “life” stems from our thoughts. In the moments of the day we thing, we choose……

What are the sources of reference you are choosing from?
Be purposeful with allowing your mind to linger or NOT. It is YOUR choice and yours alone.

Think about THAT today =D  And write what you take away from this poem - there are a few more questions following it.

I love you all - Be the beauty in the midst of Chaos ......You ARE beautiful!!

Kisses,
Candace


Life in full bloom

Pick each moment like a flower
Selected with intent
Appreciate its fragrance
The design of the elegant stem
Feel the texture of each petal
The essence of the oil within
The life upon its stamens
The beauty the eyes behold

So delicate is this flower
Withstanding all life’s storms
In season it pushes through the darkness
Gently curves as it reaches new heights
Rising up to open in splendor
Embracing the beauty of Gods design
Fragrantly sharing of all its essence
Allowing others the experience of her gifts
The beauty and fragrance encourage the weary
Knowing when picked its one life will soon fade

Although it is alive no more than mere moments
The memories are larger than its own precious life
The people touched by one simple flower
The seeds scattered to bring forth a new life
Though for a time under earth seed are buried
The dirt knows not what it is holding onto
God’s sends nourishment to ensure strength for deliverance
He knows the time, season and need
He plants his seeds to prosper each place
He revels while watching the journey into true beauty
Releasing gentle winds which carry essence when released

God willing her seeds will greatly scatter
In peace her roots grow down deep
With joy she sways, face uplifted
Toward the beams of the bright morning star
In warmth she stands till her time is finished
To return to that, from which she came.

~Candace Huffmaster

Think on this and choosing your moments with intent.

• One life
• Seasons and storms

And the TRUTH Shall Set You Free - But First........

We know that God promises that the truth shall set us free.....but in order to get to that freedom we must shatter the false images we call truth;  this is a process not a decision.  The decision comes first and most of us falsely believe that this is the end of the story.  We believe therefore our job is done.  But as we have studied God's word tells us that a thief is no longer a thief not when he realizes he is a their but when he believes he is a thief, doesn't desire to be a thief any longer, is sorry for the grief and pain he has caused others (notice I didn't type sorry for the pain it caused HIM) seeks what a giver looks like because this is what he desires to be and then does it as he is growing.

Greed is the most selfish thing around.  Selfishness in any form is greed, putting yourself first is stealing from God and others.  When you are afraid someone is going to get what you want or keep you from having what you want you get greedy.  You take, you push, you belittle, you minimize and you don't care about what you cause  - because you don't mean to hurt anyone else.

Can you handle that truth.  Look at yourself in the mirror today.  Ask God where am I greedy? Ask Him to show you the truth and when He does - I pray that you will be sorry for what you have done to others without holding them accountable for what you have done.....simply to see the truth and the truth to show you the way out of the lies you have believed.  I ask that you receive His forgiveness for what you have done it is available when you forgive those that have trespassed on your "stuff". 

I ask that you lean not on your own understanding, but believe that Love covers a multitude of sins.  I ask that you look at your self in that mirror and believe that in Him there is no condemnation, guilt or shame.  I ask that today you hear what the spirit of the Lord says and start to be transformed by the renewing of your minds.

Write about your greed, if you prefer selfishness to be called that. Write about what you perceive God has taken from you - because the fact is people don't give or take away - only God gives good and perfect gifts.  Maybe he is trying desperately to keep you from harming your very life.  He does love you, you know.  But he will allow you to glutton yours "self" to death.......if that is your free will.

"BE .....transformed by the renewing of your mind...pixel by pixel.

With the love of Christ,
Kisses,
Candace

We Choose Our Yokes

I know what I am about to type is rather basic, and we discussed it Friday in group.  But I want us to think about it again, so humor me =D.

We cannot understand what we do not know.  We think we know much, but in fact we know little.  Then we close those files and mark them complete - when in reality we only have fragments of the complete picture. 

Now to break this down to a specific topic "God's love for us independently"

I believe the things I am going to list to be true - I ask that you think about them, then write about them a bit for the next few days or so.  We will be discussing them Friday.

• God sees you as lovely - He created you with the best of all abilities, nothing lacking and nothing missing.
• God is so in love with you - test Him see if you can out give Him
• What we see as shattered pieces, God sees as a complete picture (again nothing lacking / nothing missing)
• God does not need you to be complete, He just loves you with this love you can't understand if you have never experiences such an lavish, insane love (yes, perfectly defined - he keeps doing the same thing over and over and over again till he gets a different result)
• He has never lost you - You just could see Him watching over you.
• God knows how scary things can get and He does not "hold any bad thoughts or feelings against you". God has no thoughts or feelings that are not holy, lovely and pure - which is what he "holds against you / wraps around you.
• Look for God: search everywhere as if you are looking for your most precious item that is near and dear to you.  He will show himself all the way.  He will expose himself - remember He desires to be with you.
• Don't be scared - Remember the point before, I said God exposes himself, not you.  True love covers up the others nakedness, remember we are clothes in Christ's glory.

I know this is a lot - so I might not post again tomorrow.  I am leaving you with a poem to read and read again.  By the way - I always invite you to make improvements to any prose or collaborate on new ones. 

I pray that we all love with out thought of harm.  Trust that He will never lead us into temptation and always deliver us from the evil ones and believe that we do not know best how to love so that we request his guidance in all ways.

Always in Love - With Christ
Kisses,
Candace
_____________________________________________________

Give, Love, Heal

The days are alive as they pass way
Dancing between sunrise and sunsets embrace
Kept in motion by the gentle winds of our breath
Timed within the movements of our hearts tune
Many years continually pass before us
We observe the trail, of the tales of old, as they flow
Our lives engulfed by the momentum of their wake
As we hear the whisper “in full time your tale will be told”

Beyond the commotion, within the stillness a voice is speaking:

I am God; I create all things with care
You are My love and My delight with purpose I cast all things
I know all the pain that you’ve suffered
I see each tear that stains your sweet face
My spirit grieves as my love suffers
I am the Lord crying out for bondage to break
I died bound to a cross under the weight of burdens
But I emerged from beneath deaths defeat
What comes from earth covers the living spirit
I chose to contend for a brief time
In order to speak truth you could follow
So the spirit could be seen by your eyes
Where Christ is there is always liberty
You choose each moment in time
My spirit is empowered to embrace you
So sit here in stillness to find rest
Trust in the things you hearing
Request to see truth through your faith
Relax, you are home ….. Peace I offer
Believe all your boundaries are secured,
Nothing shall in anyway harm you
Vengeance is mine - but I am just
By my name our body is protected
As winds of truth blow, brokenness is set free
In dependence we unite supporting each other
Independent the fragments have no weight and are swept away
Remain in love with me; do not bind again to bondage
You are adored not created to adorn the pride of men

In gentle, kind ways you are loving
Cherished gifts of my heart to touch and heal them
Only a true man will receive such a present
And only a true man will protect what I hold dear.



By Candace Huffmaster
2007©All Rights Reserved

In His Presence



 



by Candace Huffmaster © 2011 Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc. 



Jump on over to http://www.seecreativityspeaks.blogspot.com/ for your "to do" list for today on Deeply. 

Visit http://www.kbtrue.blogspot.com/ to see what True Beauty looks like.

The blend of all these site are to help us all understand what True Beauty thinks, acts and looks like isn't that a beautiful thing? Won't you join us!

Kisses,

Candace



Beautiful Creation

Psalms 33:14-16 From the place where he sits enthroned,he looks down upon all who live on earth.The one who formed their hearts understands everything they do. No king achieves a victory with a large army. No warrior rescues himself by his own great strength.

The prophet Isaiah states theses things about God's perspective of us, as well as our relationship with Him:

• The Lord made you, formed you in the womb
• He will help us
• He will not forget us
• He is the one and only Lord, there is no other
• He formed the earth and made it
• He formed the earth to be inhabited
• He formed the earth to be enjoyed
• He set up the world
• Don't be afraid
• We will praise Him

Knowing all this is the truth - let's apply this to a deeper level.  God created the world.  He formed it to be inhabited.  At the beginning of creation we are told there was chaos.  God reached into the chaos and created order. He stated it was good - and we know this is "True Beauty"

God created us.  He formed us to be inhabited with life.  There is chaos all around and in us.  He reaches into the chaos and  creates order.  This order is there just as it was when He believed, accepted and received it.  When we agree that his ways are good, believe and have faith - this too is "True Beauty"

All through the bible you see when there is chaos a mob mentality forms in individuals and communities.  This is where the battle ground or spiritual warfare is ensuing.  Keep these things in your mind as we continue journeying down the Deeply road.

Today continue pondering "Who Am I?" Think about this:

You are the beautiful creation God intended you to be!

Individual beauty does not have to be "re" created, it already exists within you.  "True Beauty" is intangible, intrinsic - it is a quality which delights the senses.  It is perceived in the mind.  Until we can embrace our individual uniqueness with the understanding and appreciation of God's love, for us "True Beauty" is unattainable.

I pray that the eyes of your heart be enlightened so that you will know the depths, the width and the heights of His love this day.

With the love of Christ,
Candace

2005© Candace Huffmaster All Rights Reserved

Are You Going To Leave Me Too? Where Would You Go?

(Read John 6 if you are unfamiliar with the title statement)

2 Corinthians 6:1-18 (NAS) And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain for He says “At the acceptable time I listened to you, and on the day of salvation I helped you:” behold, now is the acceptable time, behold now is “The Day of Salvation” giving no cause for offense in anything, in order that the ministry be not discredited, but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in hunger, in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in the word of truth in the power of God’ by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true; as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death, as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things. Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is open wide. You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections. Now in a like exchange – I speak to you as children- open wide to us also. Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate, says the Lord. And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” says the Almighty

Sometimes, through my process of growing into the maturity of Christ, God’s understanding and liberating the Spirit of God whom I grieve when I control, I would miss the larger lesson before me.

I, in my lack of understanding, would focus on how others actions affected me. ,I in my arrogance, would align myself with the suffering of Christ and hold a private pity party - just Him and me. The pitiful thing is, He would always attend and sit there with me.  He would call me out either; simply comfort me.

I would talk to Him about how others would just leave, seeing something else that they wanted to obtain - maybe they would get bored. I would pray for their success but somewhere inside I would hold back a bit. I would serve with a little less joy and a little more weight. I would talk to Him about how I understood in a small way what He meant when He implored others to stay alert and pray for Him so that He would not have to endure alone. I did not ever think that it was only He and I though, nor did I compare myself in any way to what he must have endured – I think you get the picture.

But through Christ’s kindness, His gentleness and the holy spirit I finally was able to see that the times when I would think “God do you want me to quit and go back to what I was doing? Is that what you are trying to tell me?”, He was actually increasing my perspective, my understanding, my compassion and my discernment by taking me to and through another level of intimacy.

There comes a point in a relationship when once separate minds are now in perfect harmony (not that I am there yet); when you are saying the same thing at the same time, with the same inflection. When I was saying “Are you going to leave me too”, He was saying to me “Are you going to leave me too?

Leaving is not an option. We are forever His. We are His bride. He will never leave us nor forsake us and it is eternal because there is no death. He left His father beginning the process of being forever join with His bride. For a time we could not cleave to Him; but now we can.

So next time I feel like inviting Him to a “Pitiful Party” I think I will just sit and pray for Him, for His bride to be everything He anticipates, and for His bride to run with arms wide open to embrace Him.

In Christ with Love,

Candace

From Coversations With My Dad

TRUE LIFE IN ALL FORMS


Life constantly spinning all around;
unanswered questions still abound
Noise and commotion appear in my face
They cloud my world, so I unleash my faith.
Walk swiftly my sister, no longer my child;
The captives are waiting they’re not easily found
My arm stretches out; the good will be found
Darkness cannot cover me within them
The blessed are the innocent as time draws to an end
All peace at this time comes from within;
External pressures compress their will
True life, in all forms ,comes from above;
Separation, distinction, space and time
Are all are contenders in My grace divine
Be patient my angel, you are on your way home
I’m here before you, my face still not seen;
Right now in your mind as you imagine me to be
Just think of our Father and his divine plan;
Created you an image… right from His mind
You see how you stand here,
Do you know what you reflect?
It is His image so all will know that I exist.
Remember in the mirror and all that you saw?
Not your face but me, looking back into you
A vision not created by mere man;
But that of my Father made pure and complete.
Walk gently, walk slowly with deliberate steps
I’m here right beside you never dropping your hand
Life is for living not missing one thing;
Blessings of abundance are coming your way.
Your heart is still beating now with my blood;
Each pulse is life spirit of goodness from above.
Breathe deep my sweet angel and enjoy that fresh smell;
Release in assurance of a life bought by Me
A gift to my Father, one more soul I’ve saved;
There are many still searching,
There is more work still to do.
Just follow behind me, my God will not fail;
His purpose was written on the sun, moon and stars
The heavens contain it; such splendor unseen
One day, together, all answers we will know
Till then let us wander all corners of the earth,
Waving our banner to spread our concern
The days are not longer, no shorter indeed!
My father is watching; we are all on bended knee
Much mercy and compassion are here for the take
Don’t be disappointed when they do not reach
Keep going, keep hoping their names I know
By stopping time is wasted: let’s hurry up home
Too long I have been waiting; I miss you all
Let’s scream, jump and worship at the top of our lungs
“Jesus is coming; He’s calling us home!”
“Please don’t dare wander; His face is in view!”
“People will perish, He said it is so!”
“Come with us quickly; We see the way”
“My brothers and sisters we are all different age!”
“Each has a mission, a vision, a dream;
Planted and created for this time of need!”
“The workers are needed to come to the field;
The storms are around us but the crops will still yield!”
“ Trust in the Savior and do not look back!”
“ Keep planting and sowing, more seeds can still grow;
No torrents will touch you, you are under His wing!”
“Sunshine is promised and pride of the crops;
Together we will harvest and enjoy the spoils:
Life of abundance, eternally our home!”
By Candace Huffmaster
All rights Reserved 2007 ©

After you Let it Go is There Anything You Can Do?

I am beginning to see the reason that in 7 days God said it is done.  I will hold my rambling thoughts till the 7th day (....my way of saying I care =D )  Today we are adding Genesis 1:3 to our epic.  I am quoting from God's Word Translation Bible.

 "Then God said, “Let there be light!” So there was light."

Continuing on, in case you are unaware, we are reading the "About the Author" section of God's Epic.

Let's put it together so far:

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. Then God said, “Let there be light!” So there was light.

We know that God was and has always been.  We now know that He is beginning something new with just the first sentence.  Do you ever just sit and ask Him about what was before the beginning?   What have you got to loose?  Do you think it would be a waste of time?  Do you think He doesn't exist?  Do you think He doesn't talk or converse with each one of us?  Why don't you write about it....maybe within the personal lines on your pages you might go back at some point and find out....He was talking with you.  Just a thought!

Anyway....This new thing He made ...He created, from nothing and formed it into something was Heaven and Earth.  Boom (or Bang as some would say) there it was.  How does He do that?  The earth that He made was formless...empty, AND darkness covered the deep water.  That sounds pretty spooky to me.  I do not think I would want to go there.  If I was there I would be hiding very deep and under a cover too.  But then just like a loving parent...who showed up?  That's right...God showed up!  He stood over that blanket and was probably saying don't be afraid...I'll flip the light on and show you there is nothing here to be afraid of.

God said "Let there be Light".  And There was Light.  However, just because He made it available and it is there does not mean that we are going to let our covers down, see that there is nothing there and rest in His protection.

I think I will leave us with this image of God today.  Our daddy, big, strong, loving and always there to chase out the boogie man, bad dream or whatever else we need.

Today, ask Him to shed some light on your fears.  Trust that His spirit is hovering over your dark areas.  Willing us to open our eyes, cast down false imaginations and be free from the darkness that is suppressing our whimsical lives.

Believe..Be Alive and Be Beautiful...BeCause you already Are.  He already made you that way (He has let it be there and it is)  You simply have to accept it as so.
With Love,
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©

Because, Because, Because, Because, BECAUSE……….

Yesterday we had wonderful discussions about what we see up ahead. I thank you all for sharing the pieces of your lives so that we can have broader understanding of what we all saw. Don’t forget to keep your eyes set ahead. Remember the rear view mirror is only for glancing!

Because of the wonderful things He does…………

To continue on down our yellow brick road, “what if” Dorothy had not met the Tin Man? What if they had not met Scarecrow? Most importantly, what if Lion had not met them? Each of them knew the wonderful things the wizard had done; they believed he possessed a magical ability to transform them, why had they not traveled down this road of golden opportunity before?

Our primary verses we were discussing yesterday opened our discussion on thought life. So today I want you to think about this:

Do you equate God to the Wizard of Oz? Do you seek Him out because…because… because…because…because… because of the wonderful things he does? If that is the case, we do not love and desire a relationship with God we are using Him for what He can do for us. I don’t know about you but it really is disappointing, and rather hurtful, when I trust that someone desires friendship / relationship only to find out they wanted to use me for their gain. Relationships are supposed to be a “give” as well as a “take”. I also know we all have treated another like this; I hope it was inadvertent. Only God knows, so let us be quick to forgive…but always discern safety when allowing others back in. Sometimes we must do what is best for someone and not what they would like for us to do. That is Agape Love.

This Psalm speaks of the What If’s of Agape Love, I entitled the pros simply “IF” I pray each of you realize your peace that surpasses all understanding today….and know that you are loved by the One and Only God of the Universe.

In Christ,
Candace


IF

If I had not been called
I would not know how to answer
If I had not opened the door
He would not have entered
IF I had not welcomed him in
He would not have stayed
If I had not asked the question
He would not have answered
IF he had not been patient
I would not be able to share of his love
If I had not needed his encouragement
He would not have made it available
If I had not experienced hardship
I would not have know that I needed him
If he had not allowed me the pain of my choices
I would not have gained humility
If he had set no boundaries
I would not have grown
If I had not turned to Him
I would not know true peace
IF I had not desired TRUE peace
I would never have seen my Lord

My Lord loves through teaching,
He embraces and encourages while giving us more
He gives a wealth of strength and peace
We gain courage through facing the task
We employ peace to mentally stay true
There are so many facets of his love
We tend to only consider a few
We strive to accomplish in our own strength
Without Him, we have no lasting means
Conversing with Him grants us His visions
It is then that we understand
He desires to give us increase
because He still has much to do
We must be willing to empty our self;
To be filled with Him to the full
By this He dwells right here among us
In any form that will give Him room
He is not one….. He is many
He is abundant, everyone desiring to love
He is patient, kind and understanding
He is rich, poor, every race and language known
He is every size, every age and generation
His hope is for us all to know…..
We are to love deeply and tenderly,
Be open, honest and true,
To seek eagerly with passion;
To be genuine in all that we do
But mostly - to do all in freedom
With wings that will carry, cover and lift
Bringing others into His presence
A sacrifice He too chose to make
Together we are One…Complete…In Christ
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

Ministry in Word

Love Is a Beautiful Thing – Part 3

爱是一件美事 – 第三篇

Mark 14:6-9
马可 14:6-9

“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached through-out the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
耶稣说：由他罢！为甚麽难为他呢？他在我身上作的是一件美事。因为常有穷人和你们同在，要向他们行善随时都可以；只是你们不常有我。他所作的，是尽他所能的；他是为我安葬的事把香膏预先浇在我身上。我实在告诉你们，普天之下，无论在甚麽地方传这福音，也要述说这女人所作的，以为记念。

Continued from Part 2
上接第二篇

Let’s look at another Old Testament hero, King David’s son King Solomon. He loved God. He also loved God’s people that he asked for God’s wisdom for him so that he could govern his people properly. Out of this love for God he led his people to build the beautiful temple and dedicated it to the Lord. Out of this love Solomon acted extravagantly at the dedication ceremony of the temple, offering to God a sacrifice of twenty-two thousand cattle and one hundred-twenty thousand sheep and goats. Talk about a grand gesture of one’s love! Just imagine how many days it must have taken to just process these many animal sacrifices!

让我们看一下另外一位旧约英雄，大卫王的儿子所罗门王。他爱神。他也爱神的子民，因此他求神赐给他神的智慧让他可以好好地统治他的子民。因为他对神的爱他领导他的子民去建造华丽的圣殿来献给神。因为所罗门对神的爱他奢侈地举行献殿礼，献上二万二千条牛和十二万绵羊与山羊的祭。这是表达一个人的爱多伟大的恣态啊！单是屠宰这麽多的祭物就要好几天了！

Our willingness to sacrifice shows our love for God. The extent of our sacrifice tells much about our love for God. Today we don’t offer animal sacrifice because Jesus Christ was the perfect and complete sacrifice for our sin. Instead today the sacrifices expected of us are FIRSTLY our total commitment for Christ as we are called to deny ourselves and take up our crosses and follow Christ (Mt 16:24-25), SECONDLY our lives of service to God because we are to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God (Ro 12:1), THIRDLY our sacrifice of praise which is the fruit of lips that confess His name (Heb 13:15), FOURTHLY good deeds and sharing with others of God’s blessings (Heb 13:16), and FIFTHLY the offering of money for use in God’s work (Php 4:18). Today we can offer sacrifices of these kinds to God extravagantly!

我们愿意牺牲就显出我们对神的爱，我们牺牲的程度很就很清楚显露我们对神的爱。今日我们不再献牲畜的祭因为耶稣基督是我们罪的完美的祭。今天神要求我们的祭首先是我们对基督的完全委身，因为我们受召来舍己背起我们的十字架来跟随基督〔太16:245〕，其次是我们对神服事的生命，因为我们要献上我们的身体作为活祭，是圣洁和讨神喜悦的〔罗12:1〕，第三是我们颂赞的祭，就是那承认主名之人嘴唇的果子〔来13:15〕，第四是行善和与人分享神的祝福〔来13:16〕，和第五是奉献金钱用在神的事工上〔腓4:18〕。今天我们可以奢侈地献这些祭给神！

SHE ACTED APPROPRIATELY
她恰当地行了

This woman acted IMPULSIVELY and EXTRAVAGANTLY in her surprise pouring of an expensive jar of perfume on Jesus’ head. She did it naturally out of her love for Jesus. Although others viewed her act as irrational, Jesus considered that she acted APPROPRIATELY in this incident.

这个妇人冲动、奢侈地出其不意浇了一瓶昂贵的香膏在耶稣头上。出于她对耶稣的爱她自然地这样做。虽然别人认为她的行动缺乏理性，耶稣却认为她在这事上做得很恰当。

She did not know it at the time, but Jesus was to be betrayed, handed over to the Romans, and crucified in a matter of days. Had she known that He was about to give Himself for mankind for their redemption,  wouldn’t she give Him her best gift? Of course she did it unknowingly, yet Jesus said she did it appropriately.

当时她并不知道耶稣就要被出卖，交到罗马人手上，几天内就被钉死在十字架上。如果她知道他快要为人类的救赎舍己的话，难道她不会给他她的最好的礼物吗？当然她不自觉做了，但耶稣仍说她做得很恰当。

We know she acted appropriately because Jesus said so. In light of some people rebuking her for her deed Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached through-out the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

我们知道她做得很恰当因为耶稣说是如此。因为有些人为她所行的责备她，耶稣就说：「由她罢！为甚麽难为她呢？她在我身上作的是一件美事。因为常有穷人和你们同在，要向他们行善随时都可以；只是你们不常有我。她所作的，是尽她所能的；她是为我安葬的事把香膏预先浇在我身上。我实在告诉你们，普天之下，无论在甚麽地方传这福音，也要述说这女人所作的，以为记念。」

She acted appropriately because Jesus was far more precious than the most expensive perfume. Out of God’s love for her, He gave His only Son, His most precious. So it is appropriate that out of her love for Christ, she gave Him her most valuable gift. He gave himself also for you and me, won’t we give our utmost for Him? This woman’s most valuable gift, and our utmost, cannot compare with God’s gift of His Son to us. But they are acceptable to God. Jesus said the woman “did what she could.” That’s all God is
asking us to do. Just what we can!

她做得很恰当因为耶稣比最名贵的香膏还要宝贵。因为神爱她，神赐下他的独生子，他最宝贝的。所以出于妇人对基督的爱她献给他她的最宝贵的礼物是恰当的。基督赐他自己给你与我，难道我们能不竭力为他吗？这位妇人最宝贵的礼物和我们所有的力量都不能与他赐我们他的儿子相比，但神接纳我们这些所献的。耶稣说这妇人「所作的，是尽她所能的」，这就是神要求我们去做的，只是尽我们所能的！

To be continued next week.
下周待续。
May we express our love for God impulsively, extravagantly, and appropriately. May we love God offering our sacrifice with what we can do.
愿我们冲动地、奢侈地和恰当地表达我们对神的爱。愿我们献上尽我们所能的祭去爱神。

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

beauty is as beauty DOES

The only way we Can live out our lives as Oswald Chambers is speaking of below is directly related to how great our faith in the fact that Christ was one with His father while He walk about on this earth. Then our faith must develop to embrace the fact that Christ is in us and we are in Him so we too are one. When we believe that, we will allow Him to transform us so that He may continue His task as we continue His task ...so that our Father is continuing His task.


I pray for us all to gain understanding of what it looks like to live like this, if only for "today".

With love in Christ,
Candace

The Determination to Serve

The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve . . . —Matthew 20:28

Jesus also said, "Yet I am among you as the One who serves" (Luke 22:27). Paul’s idea of service was the same as our Lord’s— ". . . ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake" ( 2 Corinthians 4:5 ). We somehow have the idea that a person called to the ministry is called to be different and above other people. But according to Jesus Christ, he is called to be a "doormat" for others— called to be their spiritual leader, but never their superior. Paul said, "I know how to be abased . . ." (Philippians 4:12 ). Paul’s idea of service was to pour his life out to the last drop for others. And whether he received praise or blame made no difference. As long as there was one human being who did not know Jesus, Paul felt a debt of service to that person until he did come to know Him. But the chief motivation behind Paul’s service was not love for others but love for his Lord. If our devotion is to the cause of humanity, we will be quickly defeated and broken-hearted, since we will often be confronted with a great deal of ingratitude from other people. But if we are motivated by our love for God, no amount of ingratitude will be able to hinder us from serving one another.

Paul’s understanding of how Christ had dealt with him is the secret behind his determination to serve others. "I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man . . ." ( 1 Timothy 1:13 ). In other words, no matter how badly others may have treated Paul, they could never have treated him with the same degree of spite and hatred with which he had treated Jesus Christ. Once we realize that Jesus has served us even to the depths of our meagerness, our selfishness, and our sin, nothing we encounter from others will be able to exhaust our determination to serve others for His sake. - Oswald Chambers

What are YOU looking at!

Mason chose the devotional for  today it is from T.D. Jake's "Strength for Every Moment". I too love how T.D. is so incredibly straight forward. He does not say too many words so that we are confused and have to read between the lines. As I type that do not think I do not realize the irony coming from my fingers "the woman with so many words"


It is hard for us to look at ourselves . Understandably so, we are with ourselves all day long 24/7. I think that is one reason we look at everyone else. Our thought life is constantly convicting and if not wrangled will start to turn into self loathing - so we deflect our thoughts. We just don't get it....He continually tries to explain it to us.

I pray today that we take our eyes of others and even ourselves to put them onto our Lord. Let us focus on His love, not the brokennes this world causes in each of us. He is the healer and lover of our souls. That in all moments is where we should strive to live from.

With the Love of our Christ, may we touch someone in His love today so that He is see in as the very real God that He is.

Candace

Renew Your Strength

He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might he gives strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:29-31

When your pity party is over and you are ready for His help, God will say "Don't you know? Haven't you heard who I am - the everlasting God? I am the creator of the universe. I am not a child; I am not a school-boy- I am God. Who do you think you are fooling? I'm God. I held your breath in the palm of My hands. I created your body, I heat your blood just hot enough to keep you alive but not so hot that you die. Who else do you allow to control your life? If it is not Me, then who? I love you. I created you in My image. I am that I Am."

What more does the Lord have to do to show you He love you? Don't let satan continue to fool you into thinking that the God has forsaken you.

Stop doing things that you don't have any business doing. Repent and confess your sins instead of spending the time pointing out the sins of everyone else. Admit that you have fallen so that your healing may begin.

                                                 ____________________________________

The Essence of Beauty

The essence of beauty is as wide as it is deep,

Multiplicity of color, radiance beyond belief,

Simple to our vision, explosive to the mind,

Alive when implanted into the tenderness inside.

Fingers touch and capture a memory shared between,

Smells engulf the soul and rise up within our air,

The full body of all emotions, encapsulated, mystically, in a tear,

Pure essence of the senses rush through our being like a birth,

Truth that is unstoppable, a manifestation of all that is unseen,

Whirling winds of majestic moments giving life by the lover’s heart,

Silence is all that is able because mere words cannot relate.

By Candace Huffmaster