My first trip to "the box"

I go to the mailbox at the end of our block in December, eager to send and receive Christmas cards from so many loved ones. But that's about it. The rest of the year Matt is the one who sends and retrieves our mail. Thankfully. It's mostly bills after all. But today I made my first prayerful walk to the box with a handful of envelopes containing information about the talks and monologues I share with churches and women's groups.

As I pushed the fistful of packets into the hungry mail slot, and thought of the Women's Ministry Directors who would receive them in a short number of days, I smiled. A curious smile. I don't feel anxious, but I am curious. If curious could be as physical a sensation as anxiety tends to be... that would best describe how I feel. Curious, down to the bone, about what God is up to; Curious what God has planned for me.

Following God through the Valleys, where much of our faith is found and perfected can be excruciating, but I am enjoying a season of Joy in His Presence that I haven't experienced in many years. I am expectant, expectant that He will be near me tomorrow, expecting more joy in His company, sure that when I eagerly seek Him I will find Him, and that He will continue to give me the words to express what He is doing in me for the edification of others.

Yes, that last expectation I wait for most eagerly; to see Him work together for good my Valley times as well as these lovely mountaintop days, for the benefit of the body.

Walk to "the box" with me in prayer, my friend, that God will open doors and bring my words of hope and faith to the right groups at the right times. And please lift me up during this season of joy and expectancy, that I might drink deeply from His Presence. May you know His nearness as well, where ever you find yourself today... in the Valley or on top of the Mountain.

He Intended My Frame

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus

for good works, which God prepared beforehand that

we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10)

I have stood in the spot God made me to stand,

Said the words that He bade me to speak,

Touched the wounds of the world, needing sweet healing balm,

Shod the Gospel upon my two feet.

I have looked within, upon my own heart,

And found my purpose so real;

He intended my frame, my mind and my hands

To specifically go, teach, feed, heal…

Play Skillfully with a Shout of Joy

Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy. (Psalm 33:3)

A week ago I went to see the Ballet Company, Magnificant, on tour with their production Ruth. True to their name, they were... magnificent! Skillfully using their craft to tell God's redemptive story; it was electric, exhilarating, encouraging, and challenging. And I left the evening's production with the words of Psalm 33:3 stirring in my heart.

The following days I prayed that God would continue to work in me the skillful art of story telling, both orally as well as with the written word. Inspired, I joyfully wrote and continued to reach out to find venues to share these stories.

Then suddenly a darkness fell. A deep sense of not being good enough engulfed me. Not wise enough, not sincere enough, not called.... I found myself believing lies. It amazes me, how our adversary can take our shouts of praise and twist them them into self-centered whimpers of fear and inadequacy.

Today I proclaim the truth. More importantly, today I claim the truth. The truth is that we have all been called to God's Work... to good works for His Glory. And He makes us able as we seek to do His will. I choose this morning anew, to trust that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and that He will bring to fruition the good work He began in me. As I write I will seek His Spirit as my key editor in all things. I will continue to shout for joy as He hones my skill for His Glory. And I will rebuke the lies of our enemy. I will not indulge my self-centered nature with negative self-talk, but glorify Him with Praise and Thanksgiving. The truth is that He doesn't make trash. Me makes Masterpieces. This Poema chooses today to sing to Him a new song; to Play Skillfully (by His Grace and Design at work in me) and to do so with Shouts of Joy.

What will you do with me?

You who fashioned and designed,

Purposed from the start

Good works with me in mind.

You hung the moon and strung the stars;

Scattered seeds deliberately.

You created everything with breath

And calmed the raging seas.

O, Powerful and purposeful One...

What will you do with me?

He is able, more than able, to accomplish what concerns me today.
He is able, more than able, to handle anything that comes my way.
He is able, more than able, to do much more than I could dare to dream.
He is able, more than able, to make me what He wants me to be.

I'm absolutely overwhelmed by the unique gifts he's given His people. The way He has brought talented individuals into my life just now, to help me craft promotional pieces, revamp the website, compress video clips, and edit writing projects has been evidence of His Purpose and Plan.

A friend of mine recently taught a lesson on Nehemiah's call to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. She had many wonderful, applicable points but the one that has been echoing in my heart this week is, "If it's God's Plan, you'll see His Hand."

I'm praising God for His handiwork, manifested through friends and colleagues today. Their giftings and willingness to help me get the Gospel message out has been encouraging evidence of His Purpose and Plan for me right now.

Thank you Liv for your creative contributions. Jeff, thank you for your contacts. And thank you all, for your powerful prayers.