Treasures from the Land of Promise

Last night I got to see my dear friend Laura for the first time since her return from the Holy Land. She said she had some things for me, and then started to pour out her gifts.

Being a lover of creation, my friend knows me well by bringing me back "pieces" of earth from the land where the Lord walked while He was here as the God-man. She brought me back sea shells from the beach at Joppa, and stones from the sea of Galilee. A small keepsake box made from stone in Jerusalem and a necklace charm carved from the wood of olive trees. Being a lover of history, geography and ancient truths, this was astonishing to me. To feel more connected to Yehweh and Yeshua of the past, and seeing how they are Lord and Savior to me today was captivating.

One stone she gave me from the sea of Galilee was bedrock, old enough to have been there when Jesus walked the shore after His resurrection and was speaking to His disciples as they were fishing. It was so profound to me. It was like it wasn't just faith anymore, it was reality. This stone was sitting on the beach when Jesus was there!

Before I went to bed last night, I was looking at the shells and their beauty, and found myself talking to the Lord about them. I shared with Him how special they were because they were from such a special Land. Then it was like He said to me, "they are special because I made them. Just like I made the seashells that you would find on a beach at home. Yes, they are from the Land where I walked when I was on this earth, but I walk with you EVERY DAY!".

My dear friend blessed me with very special gifts that I will treasure because I know they came from her heart and much thought was put into them. And she will be blessed to hear about the JOY that filled my heart because of the glorious truth that was given to me through them!

Oh, Israel! How blessed you are among the nations! To be chosen to fulfill the will of the Lord, to have the Savior come through this promised seed of Abraham!

And how Blessed am I! A Gentile! To have the Creator of seashells and bedrock live in my very soul and penetrate my very being....EVERY DAY.

Obsession

It's been a tough week....Or at least it should have been.

I found out some heartbreaking news on Sunday, something that affected me deeply. And at first, I wasn't sure I would emotionally make it through that night. I didn't sleep much, and just begged the Lord to get me through work the next day.

I asked a simple request of the Lord: That I trust Him. That I believe Him when it says that He will NEVER fail me.

Two friends of mine started praying for me that day, and I know that they're been praying for me all week. I've had unexplained strength, joy and confidence and I know that it's because of faithful children of God placing my needs at the feet of our Lord.

These words for Steven Curtis Chapman have also spoken to my very soul:

"Lord, you know how much, I want to know so much
In the way of answers and explainations
I have cried and prayed, but still I seem to stay
In the middle of life's complications
All this pursuing leaves me feeling like I'm chasing down the wind
But now it's brought me back to You
And I can SEE AGAIN

This is everything I want, this is everything I need
I want this to be my one consuming passion
Everything my heart desires
Lord, I want it all to be for you, Jesus
Be my Magnificant OBSESSION

So capture my heart again, take me to depths I've never been
Into the riches of your grace and your mercy
Return me to the cross, and let me be completely lost
In the wonder of the love that you've shown me
Cut through these chains that tie me down to SO many lesser things
Let all my dreams fall to the ground until this ONE remains

You are everything I want, You are everything I need
Lord, You are all my heart desires, You are EVERYTHING to me!

YOU are everything I want, YOU are everything I need
I want YOU to be my one consuming passion
Everything my heart desires, Lord I want it all to be for YOU, Jesus
Be my Magnificant OBSESSION"




Jesus is Life. I want Him to be EVERYTHING.


Things happen. But trusting and believing in Him turns mourning into dancing!


Thank You Lord, for who You are. And not just getting us through, but making us THRIVE.

And thank You for little things like Earl Gray tea, and March Madness.(: