The deafening rush of words and phrases in my mind crash forcefully into the very concept of writer's block, and yet - the thoughts do not  transfer from my fingers, to the keyboard, and ultimately on the screen before my eyes. It has happened - that thing which in the past  I had so often mused about; questioning how this could happen to those whose opinions and ideas so easily come forth by way of written communication. Not easily at a loss for words, the pain of this void thrashes at the fiber and sinews of my literary being - leaving me exhausted and aching for  a reprieve from its clutches. In the midst of all other emotional and life-changing patterns, why this? It is vital that I clear from the recesses and folds of my brain, the myriad of thoughts and concepts which march like an endless troupe through the cold, gray matter that governs my ability to  artistically communicate. Running back and forth in the labyrinth of walls within, I cannot - will not rest - until I break forth through this barrier of restraint to the door and back into the light.

Sinking into a still pool of ebony, the orb of liquid fire deposits a glow of golden mist along the western horizon. Settling with quiet surety, sunset emerges with a promise of restoration and replenishment. Evening and morning - another day. 

Never tiring of the wonder of this display of power put to rest, my eyes scan the distant view - now resplendent with a soft halo of hues, delicately rubbed into the sky, leaving  primary traces of yellow and red and blue - mingled harmoniously as if to remind me of a slate soon to be wiped clean with new choice and opportunity. 

As shadows begin to take over and the senses shift from a visual kaleidoscope to a symphony of sounds, crickets declare their presence and the bullfrog retorts with a throaty greeting. Now, the gentle churning of the water plays at the shore’s edge, retreating only to bring another rushing crescendo -  like cymbals cued in concert. 

Closing my eyes, I breathe in the surrounding air - salty and pungent - animal and mineral - layers of smells, familiar and assuring.  Drinking it in deeply, the peppery strains of seaweed come to the forefront - filling my nostrils and taste buds with an intoxicating elixir available only  on the coastal water’s edge.  

Now heady with yet another beachfront evening, my fingers run along the railing of the dock. The worn and rough planks concealing at first, minuscule grains of sand and salt. A sea breeze blows through my hair and on my face and - its warmth and gentleness complete the perfectly formed backdrop of  the senses, igniting my soul with worship to the One who makes my heart dance with joy each time I consider the wonders and mysteries of His creation. 

“My soul does surely magnify the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!” - adaptation from Luke 1:46-47

Tender green shoots of summer have given way to the golden harvest of autumn - "And the floors shall be full of wheat and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil." - Joel 2:24  Filled with a thankful heart, I am drawn to the relationship between worship and the "threshing floor". Going beyond merely the place where the grain was threshed - a separation of grain from chaff. First is the cutting of the stalks and their spreading over the ground to beat the heads of the grain from them and then, the tossing of the stalks into the air to gather the separated fruit. It is clear that this analogy shows a place of judgement and testing for we, the believers. But, it is also a place of blessing to be given and received. (Numbers 18:30 - the increase of the threshing floor) It is out of this blessing received from the threshing floor that an offering to the Lord is made (Numbers15:20) and which connects the floor to worship. As we worship, we enter into a time of separation and purification. It becomes a time of meeting with our God. If we are wise, we will step onto the threshing floor in preparation and sanctification - "cleansed and washed" by the water of the Word" - Ephesians 5:26. Wearing clothes of mercy and kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, forgiveness, love, peace, and thankfulness   (I Peter 5:5 and Colossians 3:12-17)

I recognize this time of stripping and testing and praise Him with a  humble, and repentant heart through Jesus. I choose to surrender to the process of being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory (II Corinthinas 3:18) What a year this has been, and one for which I will forever give Him honor and praise and glory - following Him wherever He leads me (Revelation 14:1-5). 

"Oh Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praises. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken and contrite spirit; a broken and humble heart, Oh God, you will not despise." - Psalm 51:15-17

Thirst Quenched

Mercury steadily climbing glass tubes, steamy temperatures evoke thirst nationwide. Thirst of another kind is also elevating within the atmosphere - that of a spiritual nature. Reading the pulse of America through the media, I perceive a thirsting for truth. As popularity of the "retro" and "classic" sweeps this land, it is evident that the country desires to revisit an era of safe and bygone times. Within are the boundaries of a moral fabric which define and guard our souls. Jesus said: "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." - John 7:37-38

Today, as the temperature rises, I pray for whoever wishes, that safe, refreshing time to become a reality within his life - taking the free gift of water - to know the gift of God, and to receive the drink that will quench his thirst for all time. (John 4:10-14)

His Eye Is On Me

Bending down, the kibbles began to shower gently into the kitties’ food dishes when a sickening thud hit the screen of the lanai. Turning toward the sound, my eyes were met with a small, helpless Sparrow lying in vulnerability on the bricks outside the side door. Shuddering and twisting in obvious pain, I carefully scooped the delicate fowl from the walkway. Now shivering with shock and injury, I brought the tiny creature close to my body as I began to pray: “Spirit of the Living God, I come to you in need...”

As I continued in prayer, I watched the helpless feathered creation turn a black bead-like eye toward my face and draw one final breath before it withdrew in limp lifelessness. Tears welling up in my eyes, I began to feel the tightening of my heaving chest as a lump formed in my throat. Waves of emotion and pain now began to fill me - and I stood as vulnerable as that tiny bird had lain on the brick walk before me. Softly and tenderly, I began to sense the prompting of my Lord - calling me to assess the situation in careful and timely thought. Regarding the frail and beautiful creature lying without life in my hand, I heard Jesus whispering to me in love: “not one sparrow shall fall to the ground without your Father in Heaven knowing it ... and do not forget that you are of more value than many sparrows to Him.” (Matthew 10: 29 and 31)

Now openly weeping in awe and worship to the One who had seen fit to use me to comfort one of His precious creatures during its last moments of pain in life - and simultaneously comforting and instructing me in a valuable spiritual lesson during a time in my own life that was raw, vulnerable, and painful. It was then that I knew that He hears my cries in the darkness of the night and attends to the smallest of my needs.

“Oh the mercies of God are new every morning - and great is His faithfulness. The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeks Him.” (Lamentations 3: 23-25 adapted)

Grace Loves A Challenge - And Is Waiting

The thing is - once in His hand - you cannot be let go. The Lord is always with you. Grace loves a challenge and is ever-waiting for loving opportunities to extend unmerited favor to us. Everything about this loving kindness of God our Savior demonstrates rich and noble blessings which ascend to a level of unreachable peaks. It is a term of magnanimity and diety. We receive its bounty without obligation and our Father expects nothing in return. Aristotle defined it as “something that is conferred freely, with no expectation of return, and finding its only motive in the bounty and free-heartedness of the giver.”

Grace is best defined in the singular event which was a total course-changer of human history - the Incarnation. Of this expression of grace, God sent His son to redeem His people - without human merit. “But not as the offense, so also is the free gift. For if through the offense of one, many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace - which is by one man - Jesus Christ, abounded unto many.” - Romans 5:15 In this wellspring of benefits, grace delivers the greatest of gifts - that of salvation. Once in His hand - Grace walks with us.

Moving more each day into purpose and purity of my Lord’s plan for my life - He is ever placing before me, words of encouragement and truth - the focus of which repeats itself with a ringing trinity: “mercy, grace, and love”.

The tenderness of these concepts bring me to my knees with magnified, tearful emotions welling within at the thoughts of His great sacrifice for me. It is then that I am reminded with surety of His careful plan for my life - leaving no room in my thoughts for doubt or question. All theology and religion crumbling around me, “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep which I have committed unto Him until that day.” - II Timothy 1:12

All anxious questioning dissolves as I approach the path before me with trust in His purpose for me. Though darkness shrouds my once-laid plans - the testing of my faith and the strengthening of my resolve moves me to the finish line. Decades of service and choice to follow Him now truly reveal that: “My thoughts are not your thoughts, and my ways are not your ways, declares the Lord” - Isaiah 55:8.

Now trembling with awe, I seek the ability to learn to “consider it pure joy...whenever I (you) face trials of many kinds.” - James 1:2 and to successfully move through hardship in order to enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22)