Wednesday, April 22, 2015

FRESH WIND


There's a song by Keith Staten titled "Such Joy", and there's a line in the song that goes like this:  "There's a joy no bounds can hold when the Spirit blows a fresh wind through my soul."  I love that.
Lord, blow a fresh wind through my soul.  
Open the windows, all the entry points to my soul:
the senses--the sight, smell, taste, hearing, and touch, and the thoughts.
Lord, open and clear them by Your Spirit of all the debris.
Clear the dust of compromise, the secret corners that are dark,
the webs of self-interest and self-obsession,
the entanglements that steal my time,
the stale air of my own perspective.
I give Your Spirit free reign over mine, today, right now.
It is a choice I must make every moment.


My Spirit answers like a rushing wind, unleashing prayer with power according to My will.  Pray.  Love.  Pray.  Each moment that you choose My Spirit's rule over yours will have the potential to change you and the world around you.  Pray My word over this world and be a participant in My sovereign kingdom.  Today, right now, moment by moment.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

WIND OF THE SPIRIT



We've had rain; now we have wind,
an amazing and powerful force.
We hear it.
We feel it.
We see its effects.
The wind blows, but we cannot know
where it blows from or where it blows to...


...So is everyone who is born of Me, the Holy Spirit.  My presence in the life of My child is a mystery.  How did I come?  Where do I go?  How do I lead?  When do I speak?  Yet when I move in power it is like the wind which, though itself unseen, is unmistakable in its effects.  Do not hide yourself from My work by trying to remain sheltered in your religion and your safe ideas about who I am and how I do things.

It is My desire to not simply take up residence in your life and give you holy little nudges and warm fuzzy feelings.  I am the HOLY Spirit, and I would make you holy, as well.  It is My desire to burn away the chaff and useless trappings that collect in your heart and life.  I would have you full of My word and dressed in My armor to be a warrior in prayer, unafraid to ask, seeking for My will, and knocking until I answer.

I am your only source of love and compassion for the world around you.  I see every need, know every thought, and catch every tear in the lives you encounter day by day.  Do not jump to your own conclusions, but look to Me and know My heart for that person.  What you discern from Me is shown to you so that you may pray, never so that you may judge.  If you fall into a spirit of judging, you will no longer hear from Me with regard to that situation, and you will be deceived, having given Satan a foothold.  He is a clever and scheming enemy, and your only place of refuge is Me.  Let your heart constantly behold My face, and you will be able to test every thought and know whether it comes from Me, from yourself, from the world, or from the very pit of hell.  Any thought that does not come from Me is to be tossed aside and replaced with the truth of My word.

As your Comforter and Teacher, I will guide you in every area of your life, whether big or small.  There will be those holy little nudges, and you must never ignore them.  They are the key to your future usefulness in My kingdom, for if you are faithful in little I will entrust you with much.  Do not turn away from a path I lay before your feet because you are afraid you are unable to make the journey.  You are never intended to do anything in your own strength, and I will be faithful to do through your life all that My will intends.  It will be My work, My strength, My resurrection power working through a broken, but surrendered, vessel.

Let us go now into the unknown together.  Each day is an adventure and full of opportunities to see My hand at work.  Live with a present awareness of Me and be filled with thanksgiving.


John 3:6-8; 1 Peter 1:14-16; Ephesians 6:10-18; Matthew 7:7-8; Ephesians 4:20-32;
2 Corinthians 2:6-11; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6; Matthew 25:21; John 15:5;
2 Corinthians 4:7-18; Colossians 2:6-7



Monday, April 20, 2015

It's Done!

Our kitchen remodel project is done!  This is our kitchen "before".





We started tearing out the cabinets on February 4.



And a few days later it looked like this:



Next came the new ceiling.



Then things changed quickly!



New lights and face frames were installed.



Staining was done and under-cabinet lighting made the room start to feel beautiful!




We painted the walls a gray-brown color and added a lit china cupboard.




Doors and drawer fronts were next.  What a huge difference!




Countertop and then tile...we're getting close!






Sometimes it's the little things...something old....



Something new.



And finally the floor!



A few more after shots!










We can't say enough good things about our contractor, Mike Martin!  He was awesome!  Thanks to Brad (again)...what would our house be like without his help??  I want to especially thank Jon for all his hard work and careful attention to make sure everything worked out the way we wanted!  Love you so much!  Of course our biggest thanks to God for His many blessings...especially the ones we can't see...His presence, His love, His provision of Himself to meet every need and face every challenge!  To Him be all the glory!