Tag: Transformation
The Tree
A tree stood outside of the village.
Few noticed the tree as they went about the business of their days and nights.
But of those few who saw the tree, and stepped aside from the road to look closer, none would remain as they once were.
All who came to the tree saw their names carved into the timber.
All who kneeled before the tree and reached out to touch and own that they recognized their own name on this tree, grateful that they were named there, found they were washed by the tree’s life-blood, till they were clothed anew, white like light.
By this light were these few of the few given to see their gifts beneath the tree – once again, named with their own name.
Of these few clothed in white light, some would never open their gifts, some would open, but never use that contained within.
But a few of these few would receive, open, and use their own named gifts. They would provide for each other by use of these gifts. They would provide for those whose gifts remained unopened or unused. They would even provide for the passers-by, on the road and in the village.
As these few, of the few, of the few accessed and used their gifts, their gifts increased in depth and beauty and strength – and the few grew themselves, in strength, beauty, joy, insight and peace – their light shone brighter with every use of their gifts.
And those who came to the tree, saw their name engraved there, but would not acknowledge it as their own, nor embrace the tree and its gifts with gratefulness, wandered endlessly.
Unsettled in the village, unsettled on the road, and resentful of the tree…
…The tree stood outside of the village, off the oft-travelled road, but high and lifted up on the hill…
the bestower of life, gifts, restoration and purpose.
22/5/2015
A World of Difference
A world of difference
Unknown
Clawing against design
Unseen
Cry and fight, rebel
Unsatisfied
Searching, peering, looking
Unfound
How to search for the unknown?
How to recognize the unseen?
How to rest and be satisfied?
How to find?
Blinkers off!
Accept what is!
Embrace truth!
Release familiarity!
Emancipation.
14/1/2015
Growth Group Highlights – 14/8/2014
James 4:13-17
God is forgotten about, but he is not absent.
Urgency doesn’t equate to rush. Jesus didn’t rush.
My expectations can inhibit my willingness for change.
Most important thing for all eternity is Christ.
Death/physical absence of the other doesn’t discount all that went before in the relationship.
Hard for us to depend on the Lord’s will because we have to put ourselves in God’s way, to go deeper into him.
I need an accurate/truthful picture of God to trust him and be willing for his will over mine.
Why I boast – no appreciation of God’s sovereignty, will, provision. It helps to see each other at eye level, equality.
Do I replace God with myself? Up and down – sometimes yes, sometimes no. Therefore I need accountability – going to church, Bible study, intimate relationships etc.
The Word of God is the yardstick.
Happiness is a by-product, not a goal.
“The thing is, as Christians we know we struggle with sin and we often forget about God. Sin is a big deal before God, yet we don’t often see our sin as that big of a deal. We profess and believe in God, we know God is supreme, we know what his will is and yet we often go and disobey him. The desire to do the will of God is the mark of a transformed life.“
Impressions during a difficult week.
Thanks to Leslie, Tom, Neil, Alison and Lecia.
AFTER THE DUST
The Son shines through the dark,
I see the dust and dirt
The Spirit Wind blows,
The fog of dust is gone
With the light of the Son
And the power of the Spirit Wind
I clean away the marks
Left by the dust and dirt
19/11/2009
Grace
I see the struggle in your face, it shows
You’re mad and cross at grace, I know
To calm your fear, you try control
But fear’s driven out by love, that’s all
When other’s fail, you have no time
Acceptance comes when they toe, your line
But as God measures you by what Christ has done
So your measure of others will to Christ succumb
When the pride of your praise and abstinence fails
And you see your weakness is akin to ours
May the grace God bestows on you because He chooses
Flow to those you have judged and heal all bruises
22/11/2009 Gina Marie
Perfect Love, Casting Fear
Perfect love, casts out fear.
All your plans for me are good.
You will all my boundaries keep.
I will step where you have stood.
Help my unbelief, while trusting.
Even others, in your will decide.
You will still meet my provision.
See you working from the other side.
It’s hard! It’s hard! You know I want to.
You know I know you’re making sweet.
Everything works accordingly to,
Your purpose, pleasure; all complete.
I’ll never understand how coming
To your perfect good must be
So painful, cloudy, all-confusing.
Exhausted, lonely, messy me.
I know that faith is like a muscle;
Work it, stretch it, push, increase.
But adding onto faith and virtue’s
Not all that it’s cracked up to be.
And even Christ in humanness
Requested, if there ever be
A way to vict’ry over darkness
Other than what he could see.
But in his asking, full submission.
Never did he seek escape.
From end and goal, stayed fully focused,
On my release from my death state.
You’ve never said you like to punish!
Or see us with pain, inflicted on.
But when there is no other passage,
To life and light, then struggle comes.
I want to have an end-goal focus.
I cannot see those in between.
Lead me to the painful, joyful.
As all is goodness, unforeseen.
Gina Marie 17/7/2014