Author Archives: Denise

“That Place”

For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.

Jeremiah 31:25 ESV

beach

The waves are crashing on the beach and their thunder echoes deep into this soul. This has always been for me a spot where I can catch my breath in a world full of hurried living.  Everyone has “that place” where the voice of God speaks in the softest of whispers and peace envelopes even the most unsettled parts.  The beach just so happens to be mine.

I don’t know why but when the sand meets the roaring waves and the sky falls away into deep waters – there my soul finds rest. This visit came at a time when much of me was spent.  The state of our hearts never goes unnoticed by the One who fashioned each one His hands.  He discerns the when’s and the why’s a soul becomes weary and languishing.

He knows.

He always knows.

Then, He provides.

He replenishes.

I have come far enough down this road of life to realize that seasons don’t just pertain to winter, spring, summer and fall. In the circle of life created by an omnipotent God, seasons are an integral part to all things living and breathing.  Seasons may define but should never confine a life and a soul.  As our God endlessly works – shaping and molding His creation – we must purpose in our hearts to allow change.  Better yet, to embrace it.

And for me, it is so much easier to do so at the beach.

A Soft Unfolding…

IMG_4329

Quietly and yet clearly, I could hear and see the sparkling dew falling from the leaves overhead – a gentle display of His hand shaking awake His slumbering creation.  I realized that what I was witness to in the cool of this early morning stirred awake even my own heart.

These words – His Words – began to softly unfolded within my soul.

“Don’t fall victim to the wiles of the world turn your heart toward Mine.  I fashioned this moment as a gift to unwrap – a moment chosen for you.  Now choose Me and give thanks.  Look for My hand all the while remembering what I have done.  Can I not do even more today?  Start to speak out loud the grace and mercy I have already given so you will not doubt what I can do even now.  Make the decision to be glad in this moment.  I have given it to you.  If nothing else, can you find joy in Me?  Find your words as songs of praise not dirges of gloom.  Life is beautiful.  I am beautiful and you I have made in my image.  Sing to that!  Death and gloom is not yours anymore – My Son overcame it all for you.”

Daily life is a choice.  Today the gentle reminder…

I will give things to you, Lord, with all my heart;

I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.

I will be glad and rejoice in you;

I will sing the praises of your name, O most High.

Psalm 9:1-2

Today may I hold fast to “I will” and choose You, my Lord.

A Night’s Surrender

moon

It is a moment of surrender when I leave the cocoon of my bed to wrestle with a wide awake mind in the shadows of the night.  To give up the comfort of sweet slumber and lean into the darkness.  I search for purpose and reason for this rustling of heart and soul but searching doesn’t mean finding.  Tonight was one of those answerless nights.

It is a night when words echo back like a slumbering breath – when darkness obscures vision and my heart begs to see.  Yet, in this hollow moment my soul feels strangely warmed.  For even now when I feel most alone, His Presence beckons me to come.

Come into the darkness and reach for the hand of God.

 I entrust my spirit into Your hands.  You have redeemed me, O Eternal, God of faithfulness and truth.

Psalm 31:5 The Voice

A Good and Gentle Morning

morning sun

Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.

Ecclesiastes 11:7

 

Oh gentle, morning sun you come bearing the gift of a new day.

Hope shimmers in the dew.

Rouse in me today what needs awaken – what has slumbered long and needs to stir.

In your gentle warmth may I feel my heart burning within.

Darkness is pushed aside and promise shoots forth.

I welcome this gift with arms open wide.

Longing to unwrap each moment that comes.

 

And hope will never fail to satisfy our deepest need because the Holy Spirit that was

 given to us has flooded our hearts with God’s love.

Romans 5:5 The Voice

A Prayer for Today

azaleas

Father some of us come wearied by the cares of this world

Our hearts are broken

Our minds confused

Our strength is gone

Others come holding firm to things that keep us from you

We grasp so tightly to our hurts, disappointments and fears…

We cannot even begin to reach out for help and relief

Father, I pray for fresh revelation of your love to overwhelm us

Revive us Lord

May we encounter you in such a way that we are compelled towards your heart and away from our own

May your Word – your Living Word – come alive in us in a way that we have never experienced

Like your breath upon the dry bones in the valley…breathe your Spirit upon us and in us!  Make us alive!

For You are God

Who forgives all our sins

Who heals all our diseases

Who redeems us from the pit

Who is faithful and true

You are God

Who loves from everlasting to everlasting

May your love drenched living breath bring a song to our lips…

“Praise The Lord all my soul – all that is within me praise his holy name!”

May we never stop singing!

Awaken in us a passion for your presence.

Open our eyes to see your Kingdom now and

May we be ready for the kingdom to come

Move mightily upon us,

Move mightily in us and

Move mightily through us