Rhythms of Grace

Arise!

10 My lover spoke and said to me,
      "Arise, my darling,
      my beautiful one, and come with me.

 11 See! The winter is past;
      the rains are over and gone.
(Song of Solomon 2:10-11)

After brokeness and betrayal, a winter of the soul, the Lover, the Risen one gives birth to a new season.

A season of HOPE, HEALING and RESTORATION.

HE IS the Sharon rose, the valley lily, an apple tree with fruit sweet to the taste. He calls you to the banquet hall and his banner over you is LOVE.

Daughters of Jerusalem, sistahs of faith, winter is past. The rains are over and gone. Be resurrected today with the same power that rose Jesus from the dead.

Rejoice, a season of singing has come, a sweet savour of Mary's precious perfume. She was mocked and mistaken, bruised but not broken. Wash His feet today with tears of joy. Put a flower in your hair...

For He is risen.

Father,
You are my Beloved and I am yours. Though there has been cold in my soul, I receive your flowers and inhale the scent of your sacrifice. I will be a healer, a helper, a restorer of the breach. I am my sistah's keeper. I am yours.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Pack Light

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

(Luke 2:6-8, KJV)

You're probably wondering why I'm still talking about baby Jesus when Christmas is over, right? Well, after having seven kids, one thing I know for sure is that it's not just about the birth. The recovery, the haze of joy and pain after the labor, that's what can mess you up.

There wasn't anybody to bring a teddy bear for Jesus.

There wasn't any room.

God used the clean and available--a barn and bunch of shepherds--to celebrate the birth of the king of the universe. It didn't stop there though, after the funky strangers came and proclaimed him Christ, there was still a purification, still a sacrifice. Jesus still needed room.

As I look back over 2008, I see me pushing through narrow spaces with too much stuff. Bags of expectation, both of myself and others, sparkly and big. Then there are the pouches, little pockets full of things that make me look better to people, more acceptable: gloss for my big African lips that say things people (including me) don't want to hear, elastic to pull back the hopes hanging over my shoulders, perfume to cover the scent of desperation. There are other things too, bright and full to distraction, slung across me this way and that as I try to navigate the tightness of our minds, the constriction of my heart.

There are good things in some of those bags too: forgotten words, growing in spite of themselves; photos with smiling faces, waiting faces; love preparing for triumph and one thing, the one thing that we all have, the answer to the one question in the world that we were created to answer, the thing that makes us and others confused... In 2009, I'm going to put down some of my bags and pack light enough to get the good stuff in one bag (with room for a book, of course).

What about you? Are you a bag lady? What are you going to put down in 2009 to get to your one thing, your good stuff? Let me know in the comments and be thinking on your word for next year. As you can see, I'm thinking about mine.

Today's Rhythm: Bag Lady, Erykah Badu

Today's Grace: Father God, I thank you for Jesus. Help me to clear some room for Him to grow in me this year, for maturity and understanding to bloom. Forgive me for crowding your space. Fill my bag with You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Complete Joy

"...Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:2-4, NIV)

Paul knew the secret to joy--being driven by God's love instead of selfish ambition. Even in the Christian realm, it is so easy to become driven by sales numbers and best sellers lists, media attention and acclaim. Much like the children of Israel wanted a king over them, we desire, even crave celebrity and even create it when it suits us.

And yet, often when its achieved, there is loss, strife and pain. Paul, however, sat in a prison room and wrote about joy. Complete joy. Why? Because instead of focusing on his small cell, he went beyond it, into every church he'd ever been too, every heart he'd ever touched. Though his body was confined, his heart remained full of passion and compassion. He continued to be driven by love.

Of the five categories I'll be blogging on this year, this one (driven by His Love) is the middle one, the center of everything. The Bible says that without love, we have nothing. As I've spent the past year working on the Sistahfaith project, I know that is true. Every time I edited a piece, I found myself in tears, in prayer, in praise. I found myself overwhelmed that God had brought so many people to one mind and one heart after the enemy had tried so hard to separate us, not only from one another, but from God Himself.

I thank God for the editors who work on my books, who, for little pay and lots of work, are driven by love to spread the love of Christ through literature. I can see places in the past few years where I wasn't driven by the love of God, but by my own selfish ambition and lust for approval. I can't say that won't happen sometimes as this flesh is a trip to be sure, but more and more I pray to be motivated through love and for love. For it is then that my joy will be complete.

Father God,

I thank you for all the works you've given us to do and all the people you've sent to help us do them. Help us to be driven by your love, knowing that without it, everything is just a clanging symbol. Help us to see beyond our circumstances into the life of others. Lead us to complete joy, for you are glorious!

In Jesus' name,

Amen

Today's Rhythms: Glorious, Martha Munizzi

Directed by the Word

"For the commandment [is] a lamp; and the law [is] light; and reproofs of instruction [are] the way of life:..." (Proverbs 6:23, KJV)

This past Saturday, we had our annual leadership dinner for our church. We've been in a new building for a year and as one of our pastors predicted, our attendance has doubled bringing us to about a thousand people. Yet, as I looked around the room, the workers, the servants hadn't increased. In fact, I knew just about everyone in the room. My pastor confirmed it when it was his turn to speak and laid out five areas that we're going to focus on this year.

Since there are five days of the week and my word for the year is prayer, I'm going to take those five areas and (prayerfully) pray them through here daily, with a some of the usual stuff mixed in. (I found the jelly by the way! Go Mom!) Anyway, here are the five D's for 2008:

Directed by the Word
Developing Others
Driven by Love
Do unto Others
Desire to Leave a Legacy

One question that he posed to all of us was, if you stopped doing what you're doing today, who would replace you? Have you transferred yourself into other people so that that good work God began in you can continue, with you or without you? I'm still really thinking on this as I think one thing that is missing from our current time is the principle of true apprenticeship and mentoring. I am thankful for the women and men who have seeded into my life. I think that's one reason I love writers conferences so much as there is a chance to develop these kinds of relationships. (You out there Sandy Cove Word Warriors? Woo hah!)

Anyway, I pray this year that my writing, speaking, living and loving would be directed by God's Word and His will. I'm officially putting all my grand plans on notice: turn on the lamp, click on the light, check out the WORD. I taught at a church yesterday and one thing that someone said to me there stuck with me: "You know we really want the Word." I smiled then and I'm smiling now. Me too. Me too.

Father God,
Thank you for the guidance you give us through your Word. Open our eyes and our hearts today to hear what Your Spirit is saying. Light the path ahead with Your Word and draw us to Your light. Forgive us if we have followed after our own ways or the ways of men. May we serve You with clean hands and pure hearts. Give us the right words, show us the right ways. Praise and honor to You, O God, for You are great and mighty and there is none like You. None.

In Christ's name,
Amen

Listening to: Fred Hammond, This is the Day

Happy Through Year!

But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob,
      And He who formed you, O Israel: 

      “ Fear not, for I have redeemed you; 
      I have called you by your name; 
      You are Mine.

    When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;   
      And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. 
      When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, 
      Nor shall the flame scorch you. (Isaiah 43:1.2)

Through.

Sometimes God delivers us out, other times He takes us around, but every now and then, He takes us THROUGH. And it is in these times, when the water is up to your nose but you don't drown, when the fire is close enough to make you sweat, but you're not burned, that you know that you that you know God is real.

Whatever happened last year, He brought you through. Whatever comes this year, He'll bring you through that too. (And not just the bad things either. Sometimes the blessing will try you harder than the trial!)

As I come to the end of another book, I must pause and stretch my hands toward heaven, for great and marvelous are the works of God. There is none like Him. That He would blow life into this dirt that is us and call it precious, call it priceless... To walk with us through fire and storm, to bring us through, even when sometimes we're not sure if we care anymore... It's amazing.

So rejoice as God gets ready to do something new, to take us somewhere...through.

Father God,

Thank you for this fresh new year ahead of us. Shape and form it for us. Show us where to walk and who to link elbows with. Give us a hear to commune with You and be in community with others. Shake us, O God, but don't break us. Help us to hear Your still, small voice and obey it. Bring us good health, clarity of mind and an overflow of your Spirit. May we have the mind of Christ and do business until You come.

In Jesus' name,
amen

PS. Please pray for all the artists and staff of New Year's Rockin' Eve who received HAPPILY EVEN AFTER in their gift bags. May they enjoy the story and be both encouraged and compelled by the Spirit of God.

A Woman of Strength

She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong. (Proverbs 31:17, NASB)

Today my daughters and I went to the first annual mother-daughter tea at our church. We've had the tea for Christmas before, but this was very special. Several new ministries for women have emerged at our church and it was great hearing about them. How surprised I was when God spoke something to my heart as I listened to them. Pray for me that God will lead me in obedience to whatever He might call me to do. I'll pray the same for you. Have fun with the "mothers" in your life this weekend (biological, spiritual or otherwise). I leave you with the wonderful poem that was read at the tea today. I'd never heard it and it struck me deep in my heart, not to mention really helping me with something in the book I'm working on. Enjoy!

A Woman of Strength

A strong woman works out every day to keep her body in shape...
A woman of strength kneels in prayer to keep her soul in shape.

A strong woman isn't afraid of anything...
A woman of strength shows courage in the midst of fear.

A strong woman won't let anyone get the best of her...
A woman of strength gives her best to everyone.

A strong woman walks sure footedly...
A woman of strength knows God will catch her when she falls.

A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face...
A woman of strength wears grace from head to toe.

A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey...
A woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey she will become strong.

- Author Unknown

May each of us become women of strength!

:::Joy:::

Mary

Joyful in Hope

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12, NIV)

I got the above scripture by email the other day and it's been stuck in my head (and my heart) all week. So simple yet so strong. In 2005, my word for the year was hope and I learned a lot then about what faith really means. This year, my word is wisdom and somehow it's bringing me back to hope again. I find myself hoping that I will be wise in how I live and how I love. Many times though, I am not wise and I have is hope that I will do better next time.

May we all be faithful to pray, both for those who bless us and those who afflict us. May we be patient when things don't go as we might want and hopeful that next time things will be better.

Above all, I pray for us joy today, a joy that has no basis in circumstances or happiness.  May the joy of our salvation rise to the top of our hearts and tickle the back of our throats. May we face the hard things without forgetting how to laugh.

:::Joy:::

Mary

Robed in Righteousness

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—

to bestow on them a crown of beauty
       instead of ashes,
       the oil of gladness
       instead of mourning,
       and a garment of praise
       instead of a spirit of despair... (Isaiah 61:1-3, NIV)

I know what some of y'all are thinking.

"She said she wasn't going to trip when she sold those books, but where she at?"

It's not like that. I've been bending low, bringing the water to my mouth, the Word into my heart, drinking the quiet, letting God change my clothes, change my heart.

The books are out. I'm thrilled...and scared. There's so many wonderful things coming my way and yet there is Jesus, wiping off my lipstick, pulling off my pretty shoes, seeing through all my sunshine smiles. Seeing the rain in me. Hearing my thunder. Holding my lightning in His hands. Jesus, who knows that despite what's in my closet, despair seeks to clothe me, to swallow me up in a thin film of phony self delusion.

And He's not having that.

So that's what's up. Me, trying to be still while he measures and cuts, drapes me with His robes of righteousness, creating for me a new wardrobe, a new walk. Making for me the garments of praise.

Bonefire is coming up next weekend and because of my lack of discipline last year in diet and exercise, I couldn't fit my usual conference suit. I had an idea of what I wanted to wear, something simple. Quiet like I'm feeling. But my God had something else in mind. He brought it to me slowly, let it sink in. It's a new time. A new season. And whether I'm ready or not, He's going to escort me where I need to go like a only a good Daddy can.

I told Him that I don't know anything about those Father-Daughter dances. Never got invited. He told me to hush and hold out my arms, lift them over my head, so that He could see me better.

All of me. The fat that I push into my jeans, forgetting that it's cushioned eight babies and carried thousands of miles, supported my bones when they burned with words I didn't know how to say. The scars, some I'd forgotten, others I'd denied. My big, beautiful feet, full lips, nappy hair. Breasts that have fed my babies and made them strong, even if they seem to have forgotten what gravity means. Eyes that cry to much and can stand too little. A mouth that speaks too loud for some, too quiet for others...

He looked at all of it...and smiled. Touched all the broken, barren places in me and blessed them, one by one.

And I cried.

I'm still crying. Still praising. Still letting him sew me back together, clothing me with himself, Christ the Lord.

So if you're wondering where I've been, I've been on the stone. He came, but this time there was no breaking, only the these new clothes. Know that you have been designed by God, patterned in righteousness, cut to His specifications and clothes in kindness.

You are not a mistake. Every inch of you, every molecule and cell is indwelt with destiny, patterned with promise.

Do.

Not.

Give.

Up.

I look forward to seeing some of you next week at the Bonefire Conference in Durham, North Carolina. I'll be blogging some about that in the next few days, but I'll just say that if you're even considering coming, move what you have to move to get there. I believe God is going to pour out mightily in that place and that some folks who come in burnt out and used up are going to leave Durham as FLAMETHROWERS and FIRESTARTERS. If you know that's you...get there!

What's the Word?

Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. (Proverbs 4:7, KJV)

If you've been around here any amount of time, you know that I don't do New Year's resolutions. It's more like an ongoing revolution, one aspect of me at a time. Since I'm a word person, I pray about a word for the coming year instead. Last year's word was hope (and oh how I needed it!). So what's the word for 2006?

WISDOM.

A few other words came to mind, but this one stuck around. Pray for me as I try to take my feeble knowledge of God and apply it successfully through wisdom. I'm very excited about reading the Bible in 90 days starting tomorrow although I fear the hour or so it will take is about the time it takes to think about (yes, I do think about my nonsense, thank you), type and post my meandering blog entries will end up being exchanged for my Bible time. (Probably a much better use of all our time).

What about you? What's your word for the year? Robin Leet Hatcher over at Write Thinking chose VICTORY! You know I'm loving that. Angie Poole over at Fish Tales chose STEWARDSHIP. Over at Camy's Loft, the word is PERSEVERANCE. Over at Kimber's Korner, there's another wonderful word--ACCEPTED.

Post yours in the comments and have a Happy New Year!

Blessings,

MG

PS. If you're starting the Bible in 90 Days Challenge and want to know what to read tomorrow, it's Genesis 1:1-Genesis 15:4 if you have the 90 Days Bible or 12 chapters a day however you want to slice it. Here's a link to the journals. Check the drop down menu for each days readings.

Your Hand Upon Me...

You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?

If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.  (Psalm 139:5-8, NIV)

This time of the year, there seems to be so much to do, so many places to go. Some many questions. (How many? How much? When can we get it?). There are thoughts of plans for the new year and failures and successes in the last. Ups and downs. Twists and turns.

And through it all, Christ is there. Waiting. Loving me. There is no where too far for the reach of His hands. No pit too deep for His salvation.

For this, for your Hand upon me, I am thankful.

NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE TODAY, JESUS IS JUST A PRAYER AWAY. TREASURE THE MOST PRECIOUS GIFT TODAY--SALVATION.