Breath of Heaven

I became a new Mom last October! This season, it would be impossible for me to not think of the nativity story and the birth of our Lord Jesus in a new light! (Luke 2) 
To think that Mary the Mother of Jesus as she was due to give birth, had to walk all that way from Nazareth to Bethlehem! This is one thing that I am really pondering this season. They had something like a donkey or a mule to help her, but honestly, I am not sure what's worse walking a long way or riding a donkey while pregnant. One time, we walked 1 mile from our home when I was about 6 months pregnant and was nearly panting and out of breath to where my husband had to nearly carry me! The Braxton-Hicks contractions are no joke!

I wonder what was she thinking? How did she pray for strength in that season of her life? Was she neurotically worried about accidentally killing the Son of God before His time as most new moms are? Was she overly worried about such things as getting him onto a god sleeping schedule? Did she and Joseph stay up into the wee hours of the night feeding and changing diapers? Mary was in such an amazing season and faced with so many challenges and changes for her young heart: a new marriage, her growing belly filled with a promise to change the world, the visits from the angelic beings, a near-divorce before her marriage. She then went on a long journey with Joseph her husband to be counted in the census at Bethlehem. She traveled with him by walking and by riding on a donkey as pregnant as she was! There was most likely the realization that she was "hidden" and well-protected as the mother of the King of kings when she and Joseph found themselves without any place to stay on the night she gave birth to this beautiful King of kings. No one recognized that the baby inside of her was the Son of God, the savior of the world! If thy had, inn keepers would have paid them to stay there so that they could be a part of the historical event.

Mary was forced to go low in humility and give birth to her baby, the Son of God in the equivalent of a parking garage. She then swaddled him and placed him in the feeding trough for the animals.

The Lord placed this song in my heart-- "Breath of Heaven", arranged and performed by Amy Grant and originally composed by Chris Eaton.

A simple prayer, and perhaps similar to a prayer that Mary prayed in her heart as she pondered all that God was doing in and through her:

'Breath of Heaven
Hold me together
Be now forever near to me,
Breath of Heaven.
Breath of Heaven,
Lighten my darkness,
Pour over me your holiness,
For you are holy,
Breath of Heaven.'

What do you need strength for today or tonight?
I encourage you to reach out to the One, who gives and sustains life: God our heavenly Father.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, I ask for grace and strength over each reader of this blog. I pray that you will overcome them with Your peace, Your LOVE, and the fulness of who they are in You, Lord God.
May Your name ever be glorified on earth, as it is in heaven.
Amen 

Breath of Heaven, Amy Grant singing, photos from the movie "The Nativity"

Just Be

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48

Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of Lights. James 1:17

The coming end of the year holiday season is upon us with Thanksgiving coming up next week and Christmas just about 1 month beyond that and the New Year 2015 a week after that! It always surprises me how time seems to just zoom past us. And then I hear His voice...

Just be.
Can you see?
He says to me softly.

So much noise all around,
My eyes cannot see.

Look into the Great Light,
He says.
My Father is Light.

Where are You, my Lord?
I reach out in the darkness for His face.
I want to touch it.
I want His hand to guide me to the Light.

Do you hear me?
Are you listening with your heart?
He says even softer.

I close my eyes to hear...
My heart knows Him,
The One I love and adore.

Then my eyes feel the light
And are opened to see clearly.
I am warmed by the presence of my Lord.
His LOVE overwhelms me as I turn towards
The Light...

Revelation comes
As I look into His eyes.

My Child, you are BeLoved of mine.
Rest in me.
Just be
Here in my arms.
Stop your striving.
It hurts me to see you trying to earn
My LOVE
When I have freely given it to you.
My beautiful Child,
Just be.

Big Daddy Weave worships with  their new hit single "Overwhelmed" 

Meeting Places

I am longing to meet with You my Lord,

And getting anxious in the waiting.

Where are You?

Come back to me, my Lord.

Do not leave me here longing for You.

BeLoved, the Son of I Am is waiting here, and here,

And here

For you.

Meet me in the garden...

Where my, Lord?

Where in the garden?

In our usual place under the apple tree,

Next to the fountain.

I will wait there for you.

Pour your fresh wine upon me,

And I will feed you apples and raisins.

I will impart my joy to you as I promised.

For I endured my cross 

For the joy set before me!

I will meet You there, my Lord, 

The Lover of my soul.

I will pour my pink wine on Your wounds.

I am captivated by the scars on Your arms--

For that, I am set as a seal upon You...
My sins upon Your body,
My Lord, the Lover and healer of my soul.
Forgive me,
I will pour myself out upon You
Like a fine wine.
I do not deserve Your apples and raisins,
Yet my heart longs to
Be with You--

My soul yearns for the strength
Your LOVE gives me,
And beauty, such beauty
To BeHold You...
BeHeld in Your strong arms!

I never left You,
You turned away.
I will never leave You.
I await for your return to our meeting place.

I will meet You there, my Lord...

The Angel and Our Baby Boy

Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of things [we]  hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. For by [faith- trust and holy fervor born of faith] the men of old had divine testimony borne to them and obtained a good report.

Hebrews 11:1-1 The Amplified Bible

The angel held the baby boy so that I could see him.
My angel baby and his heavenly guardian.
The angel was so big 
That his wingspan went through the ceiling,
And the nearby wall.
My heart received its instructions.
And in the following months
I became pregnant with a son
And gave birth a year later.

Steady my heart, God.
For I am pregnant with Your purpose!
You have strengthened my body 
To conceive and bear this child.
Stay me on the beaten course.
Grant us Divine wisdom 
To train this child up in the way that he should go.

The angel holds his post.
Our baby boy thrives each day so peacefully
In the shadows of His holy wings,
Numerous guardians are camped around us,
Swords drawn,
Ever ready for battle.

Steady my heart God
With Your LOVE
Here in the secret place.

Steffany Gretzinger singing Steady Heart from her new album "Undone"

How Deep Is Your LOVE?

My husband, the theologian and I just celebrated our very first wedding anniversary on Saturday, June 14, 2014! 
Our wedding was themed after the passage in Song of Solomon 2-3 with lots of wildflowers. 
This particular blog entry is in praise to the Great Lover of the Church, Jesus Christ. 
All glory and honor be to Him for all that He is and for all that He has done!

I am Lover poured out like pink wine for my Lord.

There is no other who can bring to Him 

The kind of Love that I bring.

I am unique to Him,

Yet I am humbled...

For He gave His life for me!

JESUS!

My Savior who saved me from myself,

From the world, 
From sadness, 

From despair, 

From depression, 

From doubt.... 

From many horrible things.

And in the face of naysayers freely gave to me HOPE

For a future and an expected end.

You know the plans You have for me and they are good.

Your thoughts towards me are countless in number.

I could never repay You for the love You have shown.

Yet I hear You say:

"How deep is Your LOVE for me, my Lover? 

Will you not come away with me? 

Meet me under the apple tree 
Over by the fountain.

Look! How I have laid the table out for you!

Come and dine with me.

Let us eat apples and raisins

Together.

For I have many things to tell you."

"My Beloved," my heart replies, 

"Would You baptize me again in Your LOVE?

I am sick with Your LOVE, longing for more...

Refresh me with Your raisins!

Let me sit in Your shade and rest my head 

Upon your strong chest.

With Your left hand on my head,

Pull me closer with Your right hand...

"In Your arms the seasons change from Winter to Spring! 

Lightness! Breath! Hope! Joy!

Strength for the journey- endurance.

I have a song for You, my Lord, my Beloved, my King!

My soul sings the song my heart has written."

NOTE: The song below is not a worship song, but it's definitely a God song! In Zephaniah 3:17-20 the prophet tells us that our God sings and dances over us! Did you know that He sings and dances over you with joy? The theme of the song below is unconditional love. Unconditional LOVE can only come from and through God. Imagine Him singing this over you as you listen. 
Do you know how much He loves you? I dare you to ask Him to show you now even if He seems far away. Ask God to reveal Himself to you as the One who gave His life for the entire world in a singular act of selfless love...just for you!

The Bee Gees in performance of their hit single "How Deep Is Your Love?"

The Lord Your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [who saves]!

He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins,or even recall them]; 

He will exult over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17 Amplified Bible

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The Quiet Place

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [whose power no foe can withstand]. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my Fortress, my God on Him I lean and rely and in Him I [confidently] trust!

Psalm 91:1-2

I have found the quiet place of rest in the Lord.

This is a place high up inside of a mighty mountain where the Lord has me well hidden in Him.

He is my refuge, my fortress, my stronghold.

I am quietly hidden away from the enemy, the accusers and those who seek my life.

I feel like a spoiled child who never should have been spoiled.

God, my Father has taken me under His holy wings.

In this new season, I am securely nested in His presence.

All of His glory will pass over me and I will be enveloped by His amazing LOVE!

Even now, I see His holy hands and I am comforted in knowing that He is near.

For I have lain myself upon His holy altar and I have given my all to Him.

He sent His Son to shed His blood for my sins...

It should have been me on that cross at Golgotha, but all of my sins were paid for there.

And now, His LOVE is freely given to me and I am filled to overflowing 

With His joy and peace and righteousness!

Holy Father, keep me safely here.

Let me not run away from your presence.

Teach me to number my days, to live wisely, to meditate upon your holy Word.

Make me to know your Divine wisdom.

Keep me hungry for more of your presence.

Yet, teach me how to rest

And to place all of my confidence in you.

For thus said the LORD God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning [to Me] and resting [in Me] you shall be saved; in quietness and in [trusting] confidence shall be your strength...

Isaiah 30:15

Misty Edwards, Fling Wide Album, "Take My Heart"


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Hope!

Let hope arise in me!
Oh, my soul
Take heart in the One!
The One whom you have called:
My Joy, my God, my Strength.

Do not grow weary, my heart
In doing good things.
For He is ever near!
Find your rest in Him and live there!

Let hope arise in me!
Be filled again with the presence
And the life-giving Spirit of God!

Never strive or stress
Only cast your cares
At His lovely feet
And His ever-loving Peace
Will wash over you.

Let hope arise, oh my weary soul!
Take heart
For His mercies are new
Every morning.

Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] HOPE for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. Hebrews 11:1

Casting the [whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. 1 Peter 5:7

Will Matthews and worship team "Hope Anthem", Bethel Church, Redding, CA

Our Love Story

Matthew and I were unofficially engaged last year this time, but we had not announced it because he had not yet asked my Dad and my Grandma for my hand in marriage. 

I knew that he was the one because God had given me four intensely prophetic dreams in a row one day as I was fasting and praying over our relationship. After that I just knew. God gave me grace. My heart was set upon the Lord's promise.

In many small ways and a few very large ways, the Lord confirmed to me  that Matthew was the one. The first large sign happened a year ago when we had to spend our very first Valentine’s Day traveling to a funeral for my dearly beloved spiritual Mom Rhonda Montgomery. She had been the first lady at my home church. That was one of the hardest funerals for me because of the way that she died was very similar to the way that my own Mom had died on March 3, 1999. This whole season from February 3- March 8, tends to be very painful and sad for me every year. I revisit my grief over lost loved ones and I am distracted by sorrow.

Matthew helped me drive the 434 miles north to attend Rhonda’s funeral. He was by my side the entire time and let me cry on his shoulder.  This was the saddest and hardest way for him to meet my family and church family. I knew that he was the one for me because he was so gentle and loving and caring.

I remembered at her funeral, Rhonda saved my life one day when she told me back in 2010:

"Never settle for less!" I needed to hear it. At the time I was confused and dating a young man who had tried to rape me. Rhonda gave me the strength to move forward and disconnect my self from that young man. I took her advice and God saved my life and protected me. I did some soul-searching, I prayed, I repented, and I waited. And one day, just as I had asked God, my husband and I met under the trees at seminary. I now know what LOVE looks like because I learned to love myself through the eyes of God. And I am learning to allow myself to be loved by others who see me in the same light. LOVE never fails.

The next morning after the funeral my Dad took us out to breakfast. Matthew and I had to drive home on February 15^th because we had to be in class (and work) at Fuller the following Monday.

Matthew didn’t have the chance to ask my Dad because my Dad was so excited!

“So, you want to marry my daughter?!” Dad said smiling really big.

“Uh, YES!” Matthew exclaimed as he had been caught off guard. He gathered his strength and poured out his heart, but Dad was already convinced. We were then officially engaged. But we didn’t tell anyone until Julie and Don, my in-laws, were on board with the news and excitement.

We enjoyed one of the best breakfast I have ever tasted. The waffles were fluffy and fresh, the coffee was amazing, the orange juice sang…Every bird, every tree leaned in and blessed us with whispers from heaven. We were in LOVE!

It had been a very sad and heart-wrenching Valentine’s Day and weekend, but I have such fond memories of Rhonda my spiritual Mom and that amazing breakfast where my husband and my Dad became the two most important men in my life, connected forever by the love they both have for me. I imagined my Mom and Rhonda celebrating together in heaven over our engagement.

The next month, on March 28^th just a few hours before Good Friday, Matthew proposed and took me horseback riding in the SoCal mountains. Even our horses were lovers. My horse Bailey followed Matthew’s horse Ozzy very closely. She did not want Ozzy to be out of her line of sight.

 I cannot help but to ponder the LOVE of God over us. How He fights for us so passionately! He is a zealous God and one of His names is Jealous Jealous! God looks upon you and is in awe of His own creation, He ponders you (Psalm 139) and His thoughts towards you are numerous and more in number than the sands of the sea. He dances and rejoices over you, He sings, He makes mad circles around you in exuberant joy! (Zephaniah 3:17-20). I remember Rhonda leading me to this verse one day and I have pondered it ever since. God loves us so much!

Misty Edwards sang a song asking the question: what does LOVE look like?

I pray that as you listen, the Lord inspires and comforts you in His amazing LOVE.

Misty Edwards & worship team, IHOP-KC, "Arms Wide Open" 

The definition of LOVE

LOVE endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.

It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) anddoes not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights orits own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].

It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.

Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].

Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth].

I Corinthians 13:4-8 

The Lord Is Close to the Brokenhearted

How does one find a place of fullness?
I know a lot of Christians who are brokenhearted, or shattered.
So many women have been hurt by men and men hurt by women. Parents have hurt their children, children have hurt their parents, and so on and so forth...
One cannot move forward without healing and wholeness flowing into these deep places of the heart. But how? How can one be free of hurt and bitterness?
Do you know that God cares?
Sometimes it is a matter of perspective and that we cannot see beyond our problems to notice that God is a caring Father.
A few key questions that you can ask God:
Do I have any open doors to fear or hatred in my life?
How can I close them God? Would you show me how to be free?
This may require taking time to wait on God, to go into deep contemplative prayer.

It hurts me to see so many people wanting to get close to God, but there are walls of protection rooted in bitterness that they have built around themselves. Generic protection from being hurt too much. Where was God? Why did He let that happen?
The hard questions come. You have to ask God these questions. His answers may surprise you and give you a fresh perspective. You may find that He was there experiencing the pain alongside you, or that He was protecting you from a pain far worse than what you feel now.
You are stronger than you know.
God is as near to you as your next breath.
Allow Him to take down the walls you have built.
Let Him show you how to forgive and let go so that you might find wholeness.
I wonder what joy you might find on the other side of that wall?
I know that He has something to put in place of that wall you built.

I pray increase over your life in the realm of the supernatural. I pray that everyone who reads this will fully understand the words written here.

Psalm 34:18
The Lord is close to those who are brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 147:3
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Jesus quoted the prophet Isaiah when he stood up in the temple and read a portion of this passage to astonished onlookers:

Isaiah 61 and Luke 4:18
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim the good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all those who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- 
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the day of His splendor.

This short video below really moved me because God showed John how to get healing from his broken heart. Please watch and be blessed in superabundance, in Jesus' name, Amen

Sid Roth Show, Interview With John McTernan (28 mins)

The LOVER and His Beloved Bride

~Inspired by the book Song of Solomon.~

He, the Lord and LOVER
My Beloved, I have missed you.
We used to meet beneath the apple tree.
Ohhh! Ahh!
I have enjoyed our chats over grapes and succulent apples...
Breads and cheeses.

She, the Beloved Bride
How my pink wine is collected for you, my LOVE!
May I pour it on your wounds? 
Would it soothe your pain from the cross?

Come to me, my LORD, my LOVER.
Place your hands on my heart 
Here, here...
Set me on fire
Rapture my soul in your LOVE
I am...truly I am
Lovesick for your touch.
Embrace me in your strong arms
Captivate my spirit!

Breathe in me Holy GOD!
Leave no part of me untouched by your Holy Breath!
Let my soul vibrate with your life in me!

Ahh! I am overcome by JOY!

He, the Lord and LOVER
I dance over you, my Beloved
And wildly rejoice at our reunion!
Ahh! Let me baptize your heart again in my holy liquid LOVE!

She, the Beloved Bride
For it is ever all around me!
Hide me in the heart of your song, my LORD, my LOVER
Place me as a seal upon your heart
Immerse me in your river of life!

Ohh! JESUS!
Your name alone 
Pauses me
In quiet repose...

Brian & Jenn Johnson, Bethel Church, Redding, CA, "You Can Have It All Lord"

Warfare Angel

I was half asleep, or half awake in a rather dreamy place some where between earth and heaven. My husband slept peacefully next to me. I tend to sleep on my left side facing the wall. I'm not sure why, but it might have to do with some medical TV show that I watched a long time ago...

However, on this particular night I had fallen asleep on my right side facing my amazing husband. The world was different in that moment. I became more aware of the night in my waking. I turned over slowly to sleep on the proper left side, but was struck by an amazing vision:

The angel was standing on my favorite pink rug next to my bed. This is the rug where I often spend time in prayer. The angel loomed over us with a flaming sword drawn. This has happened before. He held the sword in his left hand and and it seemed to pierce into the ceiling. It never crossed my mind as to whether my neighbors upstairs could see the top of the sword piercing through their floor. I dare not ask whether they were awake or asleep since it was about 4 a.m., and the angel had quite a wingspan that expanded widely over the bed and up far above the sword. Honestly, I am unsure how they fit into our apartment!

My heart began to question the necessity of the angelic being and inquire into its duty. The Lord reminded me that I had asked Him for protection the day before.

Did you know that your spirit never sleeps? It communes, meditates, and sings with God in the night hours and even all through the day (Psalm 119). Truly, if my soul had not been knitted to my body it might float back up to heaven and never rest until it found the center of the heart of God! For He created me from a tiny piece of His heart. How we are curiously and wonderfully made (Psalm 139)!

My heart leapt ahead of me and began to ask the very large and terrifying being questions before my brain could catch up and tell myself to hush! There was a knowing that came. I heard the angelic being respond and was fully aware that it had been sent from the Lord to protect us as we slept. His face was very intensely serious and I felt that I should not argue with him or within myself. The angel with long flowing brownish gold hair, wore a long white tunic with a gold braided belt around his waist. He wore gold sandals and the glory of the Lord was all over the room!

I now rest in His presence at night. I am filled with God's glory! I am not afraid of the terror by night or the arrow that  may fall, or any sickness. God is my stronghold, my refuge, my hope, my strength! He cares enough to command His angels to watch over me and my family, just as He promised us in His Word. 

I should try to sketch this amazing being. One day, I suppose, I will do it. Did you know that Jesus never travels alone? He is surrounded by God's holy angels, it is the manifested glory of God all around Him! (2 Thessalonians 1:7). Until then, my eyes are set towards heaven on the one whom my soul loves: Jesus my Beloved King. I encourage you to read Psalm 91.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty...

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge...

He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 

they will lift you up in their hands, 

so that you will not strike your foot against a stone...

Psalm 91:1, 4, 11 NIV

Jason Upton is one of my most favorite prophetic singers and pentecostal mystics. My husband and I often play his music all night as a way of keeping our home filled with the presence of God as we sleep! Here he is performing live his song "Trusting the Angels".  He gives the back story for the song first. I pray that God speaks to you and delivers you of terror and fear as you read here and listen to this song, in Jesus' name, Amen.

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Beloved

Note: I am taking a class at Fuller Theological Seminary called SP500, Spiritual Traditions and Practices. I will be posting some of my journal entries for this class here (which are not much different from my previous posts). We are practicing different models of contemplative prayer.

Our class went on a six hour silent retreat and I had a powerful encounter with the Lord and was inspired to write and publish this poem about Him.

Beloved

I will place my head against your head,

My shoulders next to yours

My hands will embrace you:

Butterfly kisses.

Let me remove the thorny crown

From your brow--

For it is I, who should have worn it.

Let me wipe the blood,

The sweat, and

The tears from your eyes.

Oh! How I should have worn the dirt

On your garments!

How I should have been pierced!

Not you, my Lord!

Let me pour healing balm in your wounds, my Lord

Truly, I am captured by

A single scar on your shoulder--

I wash it with my tears…

But they are never enough

“For your sins, my Beloved,”

I hear you say.

Ah! My Lord!

You have set me as a seal upon your arm!

Forgive…me…

I am unworthy!

I am unworthy!

How I am unworthy!

I weep.

Yet your blood cleanses

And electrifies me!

My heart is overcome!

I am undone in your arms, my Lord.

Baptize my soul in your glory!

Capture my whole life in your hands…

Oh, why did they pierce your hands,

your feet,

your side?

I will wash your feet, my Lord.

I will kiss them and pour out my tears like a salve.

Let me pour all of myself onto you my Lord!

Like a fine pink wine

It is all I have to give, my broken life…

For I desire your intimacy

With one glance of your eyes

I am captured into glory!

I am inebriated by you, my Lord!

Your holy presence overcomes me!

Intoxicate my body

Wash me with your love

Overflow

Into every part of me.

From the Bethel Loft Sessions 2012, Jeremy Riddle, "Draw Near"

BLOG readers may now also follow me on Instagram at "achristianmystic".

SP500 Journal Entries for Weeks One and Two

Note: I am taking a class at Fuller Theological Seminary called SP500, Spiritual Traditions and Practices. I will be posting some of my journal entries for this class here (which are not much different from my previous posts). We are practicing different models of contemplative prayer.

Week Two, Entry Three

Tuesday, January 14, 2014, 3-4 p.m.

I am listening to the CD Fling Wide by Misty Edwards, also “God is a Flame”. I am sitting at my desk enjoying the afternoon sun as it fills my living room.

My soul thirsts for more of God’s presence in my life.

My body hungers for more of His tangible presence to invade every part of my day and night.

Baptize me with Your LOVE

O, God, consume me

With Your holy refiners Fire!

For I have laid myself down once again

I am on Your holy altar.

Let all of Your Glory pass over and through me, God

Take me into the deepness of who You really are.

I am shrouded in Your holy wings,

Yet I long to see the One for whom my heart longs…

Come to me,  God

One touch and I will be healed

And I will pour myself out upon You

I will kiss Your holy wounds

I will embrace Your feet

Why did they hurt You that way?

Why did they beat You like that?

And they have now locked You out of Your own house

You have kept me O, God.

I am most grateful that You have put me

Here in the secret place.

I feel Your holy presence now

You are filling my home

With Your warmth and LOVE

My heart sings a new song

Your holy Fire will consume me!

Misty Edwards singing "God is a Flame"

~

Week Two, Entry Four

Thursday, January 16, 2014, 5:45 a.m. – 7 a.m.

I am sitting in bed listening to Misty Edwards and the 2012 Bethel Loft Sessions with Jeremy Riddle and Steffany Frizzell.

Thoughts

In normal circumstances, I choose to not talk much about how or when I fast as the LORD instructed us in Matthew 6, but my class requires me to fast. I chose to fast from Facebook, the news, Pinterest, and other social medias. I am also fasting from tasty and sugary foods. My current diet is not pleasant.

Kyrie Eleison!

Lord have mercy!

Kyrie Eleison!

I chose to pray this many times this week over myself and my husband and my family and even strangers I pass along the way.

Awake

Awake my soul, O, God

To LOVE You

To adore You

To be all that I can be for You

Enlarge my heart to LOVE You more, God!

Encounter me, O, God.

Rapture My Soul

Rapture my soul

That I might LOVE You more

Here

In this place

With all my heart

With all my soul

With all my mind

With all that I am…

From the Bethel Loft Sessions, Jeremy Riddle and the worship team, "Fall Afresh"

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