Beauty Arise

Once again this Hidden One silently makes her way to her favorite place of Refuge. The shadows of night and the threat of the coming storm no longer hinder this small one.

She has heard the whisper of her Beloved as He once again beckons her to draw near. Her steps quicken in anticipation of the reality that He has come again.

Heart beating wildly she smiles , joyfully remembering their last encounter. My Beloved has come again ! He has called me to Come Away.

His Presence is so Near the very air itself takes on His Fragrance.

Carefully, trembling, this child of destiny makes her way through the briers and thorns. The Way is very narrow and she can sense the threatening of the enemy nearby.

Do not be afraid ! His Word to her heart gives her strength and courage to press on. It seems much darker tonight, the path seems to be even more narrow than she remembers.

She feels as if time were running out. Shadows are deepening. Thunder rumbles, lightening flashes illuminating for a moment her Destination.

Tonight feels different. A seriousness permeates the atmosphere. I have come my Lord she whispers.

Suddenly she is swept up into the swirl of the passionate embrace of her joyful King.
Dancing Light, Dazzling Nearness. Kisses softly bestowed. Longings quieted.

Marveling that One so Beautiful and Mighty , this King of Life, loves her and calls her His Own Delight. Her heart surrenders in adoration and worship in His embrace.

His Face ! Light radiates from His Face and fills this place. The Light of the Glory of the Father. Tonight she can see the resemblance with great clarity.

Smiling affectionately, He lifts her gaze and their eyes meet in tender promise. Time ceases when they are together. Delight loves that !

Love like liquid myrrh flows between then as Sweet Communion is shared. The Bread of Life, the Cup of Betrothal. The Cost Remembered.

Tonight is not like other nights He whispers. Love has something new for you.Her King and Confidant kisses her eyes and ears. Revelation explodes !

The Heavens Opened. Visions of God . A Windstorm coming out of the north.
An Immense Cloud with Flashing Lightening , surrounded by Brilliant Light. Living Creatures, Burning Coals of Fire, Expanse like Sparkling Ice Ablaze.

The Sapphire Throne. The River of fire flowing out like a raging torrent. Destination, the lowest place.

High above the throne was a Figure like that of a Man. Brilliant Light surrounded Him. The appearance of a rainbow radiated around Him. The Fragrance of Glory everywhere.

Recognition flashed. I fell face down.

The Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet. Do not be afraid Daughter, eat what is before you . Then I looked and saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll. So I opened my mouth and He gave me the scroll to eat. I ate it and it tasted sweet as honey in my mouth.

Pack your belongings.

When the Glory lifted Delight sat with her Beloved and they talked far into the night.

I will go Lord.

A soft towel. A wooden bowl. A lamp filled with oil.
An extra container of Oil. A new wick and Fresh Fire.

Bread of Life for the hungry. Living water for those who thirst. Hope for those living in the shadow of death. New wine to drink deeply.

A heart of Compassionate Mercy and the Garment of The Servant to cover her raiment of Light. The Armour of God. Marked on her forehead, Belonging to the Lord.

The Light of Life to take into the dark places ahead and the enabling to go to the lowest place. I will go with you He whispers. Do not be afraid of death. There will be no sting. I PROMISE YOU THIS!

Passionate impartation saturates them and tender kisses linger on tingling lips. Eyes of Love drinking in the other until the next encounter.

I AM with you always ! His words resound in her heart. Delight embraces this new journey with her Beloved in joyful confidence of all He will accomplish.

I Knew You

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.

I first beheld you little one in ages past, long before I spoke the galaxies into being. Long before I declared Light Be ! Before the foundations of the earth were established.

I decided on you.

I have been thinking about you, enjoying you.
Loving you, waiting for you.

Waiting for the time when I would come to you and we would begin our journey together.
I knew the path ahead would be very difficult, so I named you Grace, and set the Angel of My Presence over you.

Yes. I know. There were those terrible moments and our enemy accused Me of having forsaken you.
I was there. Your frame was not hidden from Me. I set My seal upon you.

I called you Image Bearer.

Sorrow ravaged My heart and I wept with you when Trust was betrayed and destroyed in your tender heart that dark day. You have walked a lonely path and I have carried you though you were unaware of My Embrace.

It is time to remember Trust.

Yes. I know. You think you are unable, but I am beside you. Tell me what you are thinking. What does this child of Grace recall ? Will you allow her to open this place to us ? Will you let us heal ?

'This is the child hidden within me. I am old now and have not known trust the way Grace did. One dreadful moment it died and so did I or so I thought .

Until now.'

'Child ? Who are you gazing at in this moment? I look at your face and suddenly I see there was a time when Trust lived there. I see loving , innocent eyes responding to Someone .
What did it feel like to trust ? What do you remember from the time before the darkness ?'

I will listen. Do not run away any longer Dearheart. I will give you back your voice.

'Trust is warm. Soft and quiet. Like a soft quiet in my heart. Warm milk, warm blankets, tender hands touching softly, touching safely, gentle whispers, loving kisses from smiling lips.'

Resting safely . In Jesus Loving Embrace.
(Blog Journey May 20, 2004)

Who Is This ?

I have been musing lately on the Song of Solomon . Who was that girl ? Who was that little shepherd girl who just happened to catch the attention of the King ?

Who was the woman at the well ? The one who was offered the Living Water. Did she know that God sent Jesus there specifically to encounter her ?

Women who in their own eyes probably considered themselves 'less than'. I too am one of these women. In many ways I can relate to each.

To the little shepherd girl, off by herself most of the time, just doing what she knew was her life. Did she ever imagine in her wildest dreams there was another Life just around the corner?

The woman at the well. I have always identified with this lady. I wonder what she felt like that day ? The story says she had had five husbands, and the man she was living with was not her husband. How had these men treated her ?

What was going on in her heart that day ? How was her home life? Was she loved and cherished ? What did she have to do to have a roof over her head and food on her table ?

Was she soul sick ? Did she have any friends to share her life with ?
Did she pray ? Did she weep in the darkness for deliverance ? Did she dream of a safe place to lay her head ? Did she long for someone to hold her close and do her no violence ? Did she even hope for a different life ? Probably not I think.

Yet He came to the well just to find her !

The beloved shepherd girl knew she was dark. The woman at the well knew she was also dark I think .

I too know that feeling sometimes. Still He draws near . He comes , and He keeps on coming. He chooses the weak things. I'm glad about that . Even in my weakness He considers me lovely.

He sees us with different eyes than the way we see ourselves. That's one of the many things He is trying to get through to me. I need to believe that what His opinion is concerning me is the truth, and agree with Him.

I love that He is so patient with me.Gently whispering profound truth and encouraging me to believe Him. He pierces my heart with the sweet kisses of His Words of loving acceptance and devotion.

I know that I am totally devoted to Him, but do I really know that He is much more absolutely madly devoted to me ? Do I believe this King of Heaven is wooing me and paid the most outrageous price for a bride that has ever been paid ..... ever ?

Do I believe that I am that Bride ? Do You believe that you are also that Bride ?

These are the days of our preparation. Holy Spirit takes us and knows exactly what needs to be accomplished in us. The day is fast approaching and all things are being made ready.

Who is this ? Why it's me and I am lovesick Jesus !
So here I am coming up from the wilderness leaning on my Beloved.

(Blog journey July 26, 2004)

Refuge

My ravaged heart is searching tonight. Searching for the One who has promised to never leave me or forsake me.
The promise is true, though the darkness of abandonment threatens.

So I will look for Him, though the shadows wrap around my mind.
Searching for the One Unseen. Mockery taunts from nearby.

Wandering out to a barren place, Small Breeze stirs my lovesick soul.
In the distance the shadow of The Tree draws me, though not fearfully.

Welcoming Peace envelopes me and leads beneath sheltering boughs.
He is waiting , sorrow, blinding me to His nearness.

Tenderly embracing my trembling frame, Life enfolds . Everlasting Arms lifting.
The Fragrance of His garments overwhelms my senses and I am undone.

My weakness does not offend this Tender Lover.
With a smile of gentle understanding and devotion He wipes my tears.

We sit upon the warm earth, He tends my hidden wounds, Mercy cleansing.
Heart bows in adoration, yielding to Loving Touch of Wounded Hands.

Tender hands these. Hands that once formed galaxies. Healing hands.
Touching me ! Embracing the pain, knowing the sorrow, sharing the grief.

Communion. The Bread of Life broken for me . The cup of Suffering sharing with me.
A banquet of Love. Promises fulfilled. Kisses of Grace. Passions Fire rekindled.

Safe Refuge in a time of great darkness. Great Bush Blazes with Dazzling Light.
Resplendent. Rising. Swirling. Releasing. Exploding in Joyful Exaltation .

Suddenly , Silent Hush descends and Spirit Wings grow still.
Beloved Voice whispers sacred kisses to my trembling soul. Revelation Sings.
(Blog Journey May 18, 2004)

Faithful

The Lady sits alone....waiting....watching ....remembering.

Unseen forces press in upon her from every side, tearing at her fragile soul mocking her silent tears.

He's surely forgotten you! He promised He would come ! Where is this Great Love you so foolishly lament ? How can He love such a worthless speck of dust ? You have failed Him you know.

''Jesus ? She whispers, choking back a sob. Jesus , I love You. I don't understand Lord, but I trust You.
This pain is strangling my heart, please help me ! I have no where to run to now except to the memories of Your loving embrace.

The crucible of this dark night consumes me with threats of violence. My tears are my comfort, as I pour out my worship before Your Throne.

Come again Lord ! My life is my offering, my heart Your Throne. Like Myrrh the fragrance of my undoing I lay my kisses at your feet . Is this the fellowship of Your sufferings ?

You've ruined me you know for anything else. Capture this burning heart and engrave Your Eternal Image there.''

Suddenly, the fragrance of a thousand sunrises breaks forth around me ! Light, radiant living Light explodes upward . Joy unspeakable shouts , driving away every mocking voice of the night.

He is here ! Singing, laughing, spinning, dancing, exalting in His Boundless Love. He draws me upward and I am carried on Spirit Wings to realms of Promise and Freedom Unimaginable .

Gates . Doors. Trumpets and swords. Angels with keys.
Voices. Lightnings . Thunderings.

Open now. All open . I am Home .
(Blog Journey May 4, 2004)

The Hammock

This child has found a safe place for a while in her favorite 'friend' the Hammock. She has to share me with all the rest of the family, so her visits are few.

Today she is sad, though if asked she would not know why.

But I know. She is the lost child. She has chosen at this early age to become as small and invisible as possible.

Listen to her heart for a minute.

I'm so scared...scared of the anger and pain that is making mommy and daddy fight so much. I feel like it's because of me. I wish I could be good enough for them, and maybe then they would think I was terrific. I wish they would smile at me when they look at me.

What have I done ?

She lays down in me and I cuddle her close. Though my canvas is old, I'm soft. I rock her gently and whisper promises of comfort and rest. Overhead, the Old Trusty Tree, creaks softly with the rhythm of our swaying. A warm summer breeze caresses tender tear stained cheeks and the sun breaks through to kiss this innocent Sleeping Beauty.

Too soon this one has believed that she must keep these feelings of fear and loneliness to herself, and most of her other feelings as well.

She is trapped. Physically and emotionally.

She is a child who has lost her 'voice'.Where can she flee to? Where can she find a safe place to rest ?

So today , we will hold her close. There are Unseen Angels here, and together we will guard this little lost child. One day she will awaken from the nightmare and meet the One who has chosen her to be His Alone.

Sleeping Beauty has been set apart for Joy Unspeakable and Love will radiate from her countenance. She is an Image Bearer and a Trumpet ! Called to belong the the Great King of Heaven Himself.

Her journey will not be easy but she will know she is never alone. Learning to trust and daring to believe she is loved and cherished will be the biggest challenge. There is Great Grace and Mercy to accompany her through the Furnace of His Love in complete acceptance and abandonment to her Wonderful Jesus.

'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you .
I fashioned you ! You are mine ! My Pearl of Great Price'.

No longer Deserted, no longer Desolate, no longer Forsaken !

I have called you Hephzibah . (Blog Journey April 13/2004)