Rain...

I love the rain. I love it more than any other kind of weather.

There is nothing more beautiful than a sky, hanging heavy with dark gray clouds and the promise of them spilling forth. I should definitely live in England...or Ireland.

And the ocean. Oh, the ocean with water below and above...indescribable.

Just standing in the water that falls from above, as if your soul is being washed clean and refreshed.

My soul soars to the thrown of my God when I pray in His healing rain.

"May he come down like rain upon the mowngrass, Like showers that water the earth." Psalm 72:6

May I never know a place that does not rain, for it would be unbearable. Unbearable to never feel the cool drops on my face and hands, to never have a reason to hold an umbrella, to never know that gray came in so many shades, to never hear the deep rumblings of my God's voice across the sky.

Yes, I love and adore the rain and the thunder and lightning that often come with it...

"When He utters His voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, And He causes the clouds to ascend from the end of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain, And brings out the wind from His storehouses." -Jeremiah 10:13

Who are you feeding?

"Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."

-Philippians 4:8

True, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellence, worthy of praise, what do these things look like in our culture...in our lives? We are forever as a society bombarded by the exact opposite of the definitions of these words. Billboard signs, commercials, magazin

es, books, movies, T.V., music, internet, most of these are aimed not to promote the eight things listed above, but words far below them. False, debasing, deplorable, adulterated, mediocrity, criticize, ugly/hateful, are some, just to name a few. What are you dwelling on? For there is no middle ground. We either dwell on one set of words or the other. There is no gray area and nothing we put into our minds "doesn't really make a difference". Every image, every word we hear or speak is harming or helping us. I was told a story by a friend about a very wise father. The father had

a young son, who he was trying to teach to put only good things into his mind. The father explained it this way. "There is a wolf and a dog living inside of you my son and both are fight

ing for your soul." "Which will win, Father?!" asked the son with concern in his young voice. "The one you feed..." replied his father.

Every choice we make, every step we take, every turn we come to in our road, it all makes a difference. It all hinders or helps. For this is a war, a war for your soul and one side will win you. Which will it be? Ask yourself now, which voice are you lis

tening to? For one will shout at you from every direction, trying to draw your attention away from the still small voice of He who loves you so much, He died rather than to live with out you. So, who are you feeding, the dog or the wolf?

GO!! - Jackie Pullinger

Just Me...With Him...

I love being around people. I love to be one on one with someone, especially when they share the same passions I do (i.e. Jesus, orphans, prayer, being poured out for His kingdom, cottages, chai tea, life) however, I have discovered that I REQUIRE time alone. I've learned that I am definitely an introvert who will be an extrovert when needed. There is nothing sweeter than being alone with some wonderful music, a fascinating book, or just stillness. There is nothing I adore more than time with He who satisfies every desire of my heart and life. I am not interested in filling my days and weeks to the extent that there is no time left for Him. I have discovered that the sweetest refreshment I find is after spending hours alone just talking or walking with my God. It's as if this upside down world, all the doubts that creep in, the hurt and pain, the discombobulated, topsy-turvy existence that for a moment tries to become reality is all put in it's place. For none of it is real. This is not reality when I am in His presence. Reality with Him is peace, joy, happiness, and a clear vision of who I'm living with and for. Though there are times that are harder than others, I never loose His peace and joy when I'm making Him the priority of my day.

This is the secret to a life that is full to overflowing, though it should not be a secret to anyone. Try it and see. Make time with Him the priority of your day and watch your life miraculously change! It's amazing and beautiful and wonderful!! He is far more beautiful and amazing than you could ever dream and if you give Him the best hours of your day He will reveal plans for your life like you've never imagined. He is so faithful to fulfill every desire of our hearts if we are seeking His face first above all else. For, it is then that we are feeling the desires He has placed in our hearts and if He has placed them there, He is faithful to fulfill them.

Ordinary Days

There are days that are ordinary. In the moments in those days, I realize just how beautiful everyday, ordinary events are. Maybe I'll have a delicious cup of chai or eat a good lunch. Maybe I'll just have good chips and salsa. Maybe these kinds of days will reveal a new song that will turn into a favorite or a new verse that the Lord gives with all the sweetness of His personal love for me. Maybe I'll get an especially wonderful hug from my brother or find out that my best friend is having a little boy. Maybe I'll realize just how much an ordinary day can change my life forever or maybe I'll see no change at all. Maybe I'll try on a new black dress and find that it fits like a glove and will be perfect to wear in a certain wedding in the future. Maybe I'll jump on the trampoline with my little brother and remember what it was like to be a child with no worries. Maybe I'll try cinnamon gelato for the first time and find that it's my new favorite. Maybe I'll remember a certain someone and how much I wish they were still in my life. Maybe I'll be reminded that things happen for a reason and nothing happens by chance and in that thought I'll find comfort. Maybe I'll look forward to the future and all it may hold...but mostly look forward to tomorrow and homemade pie. Yes, I love beautiful, magical, ordinary days...like today.

Waiting

Is

Beautiful

"I'm on Aslan's side even if there isn't any Aslan to lead it. I'm going to live as like a Narnian as I can even if there isn't any Narnia."--The Silver Chair

"Welcome, Prince," said Aslan. "Do you feel yourself sufficient to take up the Kingship of Narnia?" "I-I don't think I do, Sir," said Caspian. "I'm only a kid." "Good," said Aslan. "If you had felt yourself sufficient, it would have been a proof that you were not..." --Prince Caspian

"There is a kind of happiness and wonder that makes you serious. It is too good to waste on jokes."--The Last Battle

"'You would not have called to me unless I had been calling to you,'" said the Lion."--The Silver Chair

"'Don't you mind him,' said Puddleglum. 'There are no accidents. Our guide is Aslan.'"--The Silver Chair

"'Safe?' said Mr. Beaver...'Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. but he's good. He's the King, I tell you.'"--The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

"'When a willing victim who had committed no treachery was killed in a traitor's stead, the table would crack and Death itself would start working backwards.'"--The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

thoughts..

Let's be random. Let's sit together in a coffee shop and just talk about all the randomness that pops into our heads. About how wonderful the peppermint tea is here. Why do they have a picture of monkeys that says "Costa Rica"? Have you ever tried the Asian LuLu Bistro across the street? Neither have I, but they have rooftop seating...pretty cool. I'm freezing in here and it's almost the middle of July!! What is going on with this Colorado weather anyway? The people walking by the window keep staring in...can they see us or are they seeing their own reflections? Did you know that my favorite flowers are daisies...most days:-) They are just the friendliest flower and yes, I stole that line from You've Got Mail. But tis' true. When I grow old, I want to walk down the sidewalk holding my husband's arm like the sweet older couple that just walked by. I love great danes. Yep, just like the beautiful black dog sitting right outside the window. I love to smile, the lady sitting over there should try it sometime, she looks like she just sucked on a lemon. Do you think there might be a chance we could find the door to Narnia around here somewhere? I mean, with a name like Starry Night Cafe, who knows what might happen to us here! I believe we may walk out onto the street and find ourselves on the Narnian coast and Aslan will be on the move. He's not a tame lion you know. Huh, the ceiling in here is cobalt blue...I've never noticed that before, have you? What would happen if the clouds that are hanging so heavy began raining golden rain? What if we stood in it and began to sparkle with its golden water? Oh, did I tell you that Lucy is officially in Windsor? Yep, she is and she'll be coming home as soon as I get her paid off, which hopefully won't take months and months. She's beautiful. Would you like to see her? Ok, I'll show you a picture below. I think I need a refill of peppermint tea...

Longing for Longing

"O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need of further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me They glory, I pray Thee, that so I may know Thee indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, ' Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.' Then give me the grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long. In Jesus' name, Amen."

-A.W. Tozer

I would have this be the cry of my heart always and forever. To long to be filled with longing for my God. There is no greater calling than this. And how He longs for us to want Him, to spend devoted time with Him each day, to find all our joy in Him alone, to talk with Him. How can I not yearn to spend time just talking with my precious Jesus? How can I have any kind of relationship with Him if I do not pour my heart out to Him? I desire to never "vent" to anyone, but to go to He who knows me better than I know myself, with all my troubles, frustrations, and joys. Never should there be a time in my life when anyone can take the place of talking to my Lord. He is sufficient for all my needs and for all of yours as well. His mercies never end and He is faithful to those who search after His sweet face. Isn't it glorious to know that we can go to Him, the king of the universe, with every little trouble and care? For He delights to be a listening ear to us, to offer His shoulder for us to lean on, and to hold us close in His arms. How precious, how matchless, how indescribable is His love!