0 muddy hands: October 2005

Wednesday, October 19

chisel

becoming the likeness of Christ.
the process is not always painless, but the completed work is stunning.
Imagine with me the description of the sculptor at work--
"He attacked the stone with such fiery energy that one expected to see the block shattered to pieces. With one blow he sent chips three to four fingers thick flying into the air, and penetrated to a point indicated by a drilling with such precision that he might have destroyed the whole stone, had he cut slightly deeper into it." --Blaise de Vigenre
There have been and will be times in our lives when the master sculptor will chip away with intensity the layers that must be removed in order to create his masterpiece. He knows exactly where to start, how hard to hammer, and what his completed work should look like. He is precise and never makes mistakes. He allows brokeness to take place, but never destruction. He is a incomparable craftsman. Praise Him my brothers & sisters in Christ.
The late Michelangelo would sometimes polish his statues to look smooth and shiny while others where left with chisel marks. The chisel marks gave shape and a feeling of being alive when viewed from a distance. Does Christ do the same in us? Just asking. What chisel marks do I have to be seen? What about you? What does the world see in me when they are close up? What do they see when I'm viewed from a distance? The end result should be a life gleaming and vibrant.
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Thank You Father that you love us so much that we are a continued work in progress. Thank you for the chisel marks that you leave in our lives. Thank You that you never tire of your work. I praise you Master that even when the process takes months or years to complete, you remain faithful to finish what you started. May you look upon me and be pleased with what you have created. I love you.
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And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:38-39

posted by muddy hands at 10:54 PM | 0 comments

Tuesday, October 18

whereabouts



true are your promises.
gracious and kind.
I'm grateful that you never change. Thankful we should be that he remains consistent when we do not. Thankful I am that we start over with him right where we are. A woman of my word I desire to be. Consistent, unchanging, solid, upright, righteous -- even when the world around me seems to be ever-changing.
Pray without ceasing for this is the will of God. Possible this is. When we seek him, we find him. I love when I wake up with a song in my heart and the Lord on my mind. This morning has been such a blessing to me. I'm thankful today that we made the choice to homeschool this year. Yes, it can be quite overwhelming for me at times, but the learning that takes place even in our craziness far out ways the stress. When we snuggle up in the morning and have deep conversations at an unhurried breakfast , I thank God for these importantes momentos juntos -special moments together. Encountering Jesus in the everyday stuff is not always easy, because we are usually too busy to find him in our midst. However, he is always right with us, no matter where we are or what we are doing. How kind he is to go with us each step of the way. He is there when we travel the dimmest, rockiest path or when we are wide open on the highway of holiness. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. His word says he never ( which means never) leaves us. We must choose to engage him and/or accept his invitation to spend our day with him. Finding him at the foot of the bed, at the kitchen table, or in the backyard is life of joy! Look, look, look --- I see Jesus!!! Is that the response of your heart with great elation? Join with me as we seek to find the one who is always revealing his whereabout!!
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Thank you that when we seek you we find you! I praise you Lord for all that you have blessed us with. You always supply our needs according to your riches in glory. You have never given us more than we can bear. You have always reminded us that you are with us through all things. I can do all things that you have called me to do because of your strength that empowers me. Thank you that your mercies are new every morning. Thank you that your mercy is sweeter each day as we realize how you are in control in the midst of every day life. Oh how I do love you Lord.
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It is by Jehovah's kindnesses that we are not destroyed, because His mercies never fail.
They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

posted by muddy hands at 10:50 AM | 0 comments

Saturday, October 15

vivid

seek and you will find.
gaze and become mesmerized.
a trail of thoughts pipes through my mind trying to siphon into my very soul. one word causing a chain reaction of many words turning into a paragragh of thoughts and phrases. I have to admit that they are not always good, pure, noble and praiseworthy. My spirit screams at me to take captive those thoughts and cast them back to the depths of Sheoul from whence they came. I must allow my mind to be filled with the vivid truth of your brilliant love- resounding hope and smothering joy that is offered to me as an heir to Christ's kingdom. Power, love, and a sound mind has been given to those who lay their life before him. How much space am I willing to allow you to occupy in my mind? You require it all -- but for some reason I have not allowed an eviction of some space. Is there anything more beautiful than your love? -- Is there anything more captivating than your touch? -- I know the answer. I think you have made it real loud,vivid and clear.

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Oh Father how I desire things of you? May I be found praising you in the most tumultous of times, as well as, the most exuberant. Teach me to take captive those thoughts that are not of you. Conform my mind. May other people be encouraged by the vivid life they see in me as a result of you transforming me into your likeness. Praise you. You are so much larger than life.
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I hate half-hearted thoughts; but Your Law do I love.
You are my hiding-place and my shield; I hope in Your Word. Psalm 119:113-114

posted by muddy hands at 11:46 AM | 0 comments

Monday, October 3

triumph

knight in shining armor.
the castle of splendor.
amazing gowns glistening with brilliant jewels. As a child, I guess I imagined that all my dreams would come true. As an adult I have realized that they have, but not as I had dreamed them before. You see, my knight did come to get me, but he actually came as a king-- the King of Kings. My beautiful castle is the name of the Lord which is a strong tower. I am given full access into the throne room to sit at his feet. He invites me to feast with Him at his banquet table. He is a fortress from the enemy. And as for my amazing gowns -- he clothes me in righteousness which is more brilliant than any stone. I am the King's and He is mine!
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Jesus, lover of my soul, how I long to be forever in your presence. Your love captivates me and brings rest to my soul. Time alone with you is what I ask humbly for. Your words are like honey to my lips. Fill me with resounding praise and overwhelming joy. Refine me. Set me before kings or peasants and I will glorify your name. I will not be moved. You are my fortress, my ever-present help in times of need. Praise you for your sovereignty. Thank you for leading me gallantly!
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But thanks be to God! He always leads us triumphantly in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of knowing him. 2 Cor 2:14

posted by muddy hands at 12:12 AM | 0 comments