Where do you spend time with Jesus?
Do you have a special spot where you go to pray?
You all know I love being in nature & talking to Jesus. This beautiful Redwood Regional Park is about 30-35 minutes away from where I live. It’s a gorgeous oasis in the middle of a big city. It’s tucked in & you feel like you miles away from city life.
I hope you find time today to get to your special place & spend time with Him. Peace be with you.
It’s a beautiful late summer night. The bright, cold moon shines down like a beacon; the pin prick stars glow.
Lying on the well-worn hammock strung up between two old oaks, Eric lets the quiet wrap around him. The country air blankets him as he looks up at the night sky; deep and black like velvet. Vestiges of warmth seep up through the sunbaked grass in the little meadow behind the barn. He can hear the animals shifting and snuffling as they settle in. It’s restful here and Eric needs some rest.
He remembers the excitement he once felt looking up at the night sky, pointing out planets, and learning the constellations in the bright, winking stars. His Dad and Grandpa Bo bringing out the trusty telescope to search the sky is a cherished memory. He’s forgotten the peace he once found in the mystery of the night sky.
Life is hard right now. The struggle to make ends meet and keep the legacy of his little farm going is such a heavy weight to carry. Generations of Simpsons worked this land providing for their families and those in the little towns just down the road. He’s so afraid he will be the one to let it go under, let people down, and not be enough.
Looking up at the star strewn sky, Eric begins to pray.
“Lord, it’s been a while and I’m sorry for that. I’m out of options and I see no way out. I remember Grandpa telling me that You always make a way and always provide. Will You please make a way now? Please, Jesus. I need You.”
Pouring out his heart to the Father releases tension that’s been pent up and stewing in his body and spirit. He feels softer inside; he feels seen. Safe.
A cool breeze picks up and ruffles the meadow grasses, shushing and sweet. Is that a whisper he hears? “Way maker…”
Under the same stars, Sophie walks her faithful chocolate Lab, Pete, through the neighborhood as it quiets for the night. These late-night walks always calm and soothe her spirit. As she breathes in the fragrant night air, Pete’s nails clip along the concrete in a steady and soothing rhythm. The measured sound gives Sophie’s scattered mind something to focus on. There are too many decisions to be made and too much piled on her shoulders! She desperately needs a respite; something to settle and silence the clamor.
What if she makes the wrong choice? What if they reject her? What if she ruins everything and they laugh behind her back?
If she can just sort out it out, prioritize, be decisive, be enough…
Around the corner and down Vista View Lane is a small neighborhood park with a little pond. This pond is her happy place. Tucked in and cozy, there’s a gravel path leading around the pond, winding through the willows and aspens. The wooden bench sits nestled under the drooping willow branches.
As she and Pete stop to sit for a few minutes, Sophie notices the cold, white moonlight tracing a path across the dark pond. Its edges are smudged and feathery, but the light is sure, steady, and bright. A clear path. A lamp for her feet.
It’s lovely and so peaceful.
As Sophie gazes up at the inky, star-filled sky, she gently runs her hands over the silky fur on Pete’s soft neck and back. The soothing moonlight and shimmery constellations make her feel safe. For how many thousands of years have other humans who felt lost, insignificant, and alone, looked up for guidance and direction, for peace and answers? That thought brings her comfort. She’s not alone.
Listening to the cricket song and chorus of frogs, her mind is quiet and her thoughts no longer seem so jumbled and frantic. Clarity, like moonlight, illuminates the choices she needs to make, as answers and a plan take shape.
“Thank you for seeing me, Lord. Thank you for Your wisdom. You are my shelter and my shepherd, my help in time of need,” she breathes.
As Sophie and Pete make their way around the pond heading for home, a gentle breath of air shushes in the aspens behind her; is that a whisper she hears? “Way maker…”
Under the same stars, the Spirit of the Lord hovers. Wisdom and truth, protection and healing are in His wings. Grace and mercy, love and acceptance flow from His mouth. New life and abundant joy, victory and peace swirl around Him, cascading down and over His beloved. He sees each one and answers the cry of their hearts.
Under the same stars, prayers are answered, lives are redeemed, bodies are healed, souls are refreshed, and supernatural battles are won.
He still sees and hears as He has for thousands of years, and as He will continue to do for thousands more. There is nowhere you can go that He will not find you.
Under the bright moonglow and scattered stars of any given night, each of our souls are seen, known, and deeply loved by the Lord of Heaven.
Psalm 116:1-2 NLT “I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!”
Photo credit: Andrei Nigrin
Photo credit: Tijana Drndarski
Olivia wakes to the sound of rain pattering against the windows and sluicing off the eaves. It’s one of her favorite sounds. Soothing, repetitive, calming.
Slowly stretching her sleepy muscles, she pulls the warm quilt up under her chin. It feels chilly in her room. The weight of the quilt feels like a comfy cocoon wrapping her up in warmth and safety.
The clock on the bedside table reads 3:33 am.
Her cats, Goose and Mr. White, raise fluffy, sleep-mussed heads from the end of her bed, wondering what is disturbing the nightly routine.
Lying quietly, listening to the autumn rain, Olivia notices the wind picking up. The bamboo wind chimes hanging on the patio cover sing out their woody song as they are buffeted by the random gusts.
No longer sleepy, she decides a nice cup of herbal tea will be just right on this stormy night.
Cats in tow, Olivia slips on the soft, worn slippers she keeps next to the bed, grabs her robe, and heads to the kitchen.
The woodstove in the corner of the family room gives off a faint, warm glow, as the embers continue to spark and snap. The kettle sings! Hot tea in hand, Olivia settles onto the comfy loveseat next to the stove and nestles in listening to Mother Nature’s autumn storm.
Sleepy cats find their soft blanket tucked into an old Amazon box near the stove. They begin bathing and jostling each other for the best spot in that old box.
As she sits with her tea and listens to the rain stinging against the windows, Olivia’s mind wanders to the difficult conversations and puzzling circumstances that have been hounding her of late. Unfair accusations, misunderstandings, and self-righteous pride have clouded and tainted a long-time friendship. The situation leaves her unsure, wounded, and lonely. Her efforts at reconciliation, having the hard conversations, and trying to understand what went wrong, leave her feeling betrayed and so very tired.
“Father, I need you to take this. It hurts and I don’t understand. Can this be fixed? Will you reveal the next steps?”, she prays.
Watching the glow of the dying fire, the tendrils and flickers of orange and blue-yellow flames dart and snicker around bits of the burned logs.
A strong gust of wind rattles the windows and the front door as the lights flicker, then go out.
Dark envelopes her cozy spot, except for the glowing embers in the woodstove.
Remembering the Redwood Forest scented candle she purchased from the new boutique downtown, Olivia fumbles around in the drawer of the table on the other side of the loveseat and finds the matches.
Lighting the candle, the new flame struggles and sputters a bit, then gets its footing. The flame strengthens and burns softly.
Its warm light is like a halo pushing back the darkness, reaching into the shadows, and exposing what is hidden – highlighting those mindsets and wounds that secrets and hidden agendas seek to keep obscure and under cover. Revelation, healing, and new life are murky and hard to see under the veil of shadows.
Sitting in the glow of the wavering light, Olivia feels the tiny hairs on the back of her neck stand up and goosebumps raise along her arms. She’s not alone. She’s not afraid. She feels His divine presence in the air – love, safety, and ancient wisdom flowing around her. He will see to it. He will give her revelation and wisdom. He will bring healing.
“Rest now, I am here”, He says. “All is well. I see what’s in the secret, hidden places. All will be made right. Everything hidden will be revealed.”
In the flickering candlelight and warmth from the cozy woodstove, Olivia feels her mind settle and her eyes flutter. Sleep is waiting. Peace calls to her as her breathing slows. The Holy One sings to her spirit in languages of love, healing, and ancient things. All is well…
“For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light.” Mark 4:22 NLT
I’m so excited to be able to offer my books on another platform – audiobooks! You can find them on Audible and Amazon!
It would be amazing if you’d share this blog post to help me get the word out about this new way to check out The Divine Series!
I appreciate you all!
Photo credit: Zeynep Karaman
If you are worn down and it’s hard to express what’s on your heart, be encouraged! The Father, Son, & Holy Spirit are speaking about you in heavenly languages–whispering love, singing healing, prophesying mercy, & infusing you with hope.
Peace be with you. You are so loved.
Photo credit: Johannes Plenio
Hallowed
The word hallowed often evokes a mysterious and magical feeling. Supernatural. Visions of sacred, lovely light and silence swirl in my mind—a sense of something in the atmosphere crackling with divine prophesy. Holy ground—a place where angels and heavenly beings tread.
In my limited understanding of all things Divine, these images come from the knowledge that a place deemed hallowed has been consecrated and made holy by the divine presence of God.
Imagine a quiet neighborhood in the early morning hours, still sleepy from a night of peaceful rest. A man and his dog venture out for their morning constitutional. The beauty of the morning, the sleepy quiet of the houses, and the cool air on his skin bring a smile to his face and a lightness to his steps. Heavy things are weighing on him. This lovely morning soothes his spirit and invites conversation with the Creator. As he spills his fears and concerns to the Father, he is enveloped in such peace; peace that shouldn’t be here in light of his circumstances and worries, yet it is. The Father soothes and speaks provision and safety into his tired soul. Hallowed.
The woman on her bike follows the paved path through the city on her way to work. The busy street, impatient drivers, and slow-moving pedestrians blur as she frets over the presentation she will be giving in a few hours. Is she prepared? Did she remember to hit all the important points? Will what she says make sense? Her mind spins and panic tries to surface, so she lifts up a quick prayer asking for wisdom and courage. As she pedals, her thoughts come together more clearly. She remembers the hard work she put into this presentation and the success she’s had in the past. She is enough and deeply loved. Her worries dim and fade. Excitement replaces fear as her tense shoulders and churning insides relax. The Lord is with her; she can do this. Hallowed.
Night falls in the campground as the older couple settles into their camp chairs to relax and unwind before bed. The campfire dances and sparks, giving off a warm, happy glow as s’mores fixings are passed between them. The peace of the Redwoods falls around them, filling them with a sense of belonging. They find peace in nature. Listening to the forest slow down for the night, the feeling of being wrapped up and carefully tended to fill their souls. They know they are in the presence of the Holy One. Their campground in the Redwoods is hallowed ground. The Creator is everywhere. He whispers peace in the wind sighing through the trees, and sings provision as His creatures scout for food in the nooks and crannies of the forest floor. He speaks joy into this season of life as the campfire snaps and cracks. Hallowed ground.
Wherever life takes you today, myriad opportunities are waiting to usher you into the presence of the Divine. He is everywhere. Divine encounters and Divine appointments are waiting like hidden treasures to be found. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is peace, healing, hope, and freedom. Hallowed ground.
Go with what you know.
Every season of life tends to bring with it different situations, relationships, and challenges that we aren’t prepared for and are unsure how to navigate.
Those changes might come as blindsiding chaos, or slow shifts into different seasons of parenting, friendships, health issues, and managing our time.
Perhaps one key to getting through these seasons is to fall back on what you know about God. I mean back to the bare bones basics–He is sovereign, good, Savior, compassionate, and omnipotent.
What He promises in His word is true. He is closer than our next breath and has never left us alone. Never.
We are so deeply loved.
It’s good to remind ourselves of what He has already brought us through, given us His strength to handle, and the times He has simply carried us when we couldn’t go another step.
When I was battling an aggressive form of breast cancer there were days that I had nothing left to give and very little hope. Fear, pain, and the unknown were too overwhelming and that is when I KNOW He carried me and my family. He made a way where I couldn’t see one.
I had to go with what I knew about God even when it felt like I was walking down a dangerous, crooked path with no clear destination in the dark.
I knew He was good, kind, merciful, Healer, Warrior, Provider–Emmanuel and the God of the impossible. I knew He loved me and that is what I held on to.
When we focus on what we know about God and seek out moments of joy and blessings, I believe that the spirit of heaviness and sadness that the enemy desires to cover us with, can become a garment of praise and an oil of gladness that soothes and protects us, drawing us into the arms of Jesus.
I pray that whatever season you are in right now, you will take a minute to go with what you know about God. Breathe Him in. Ask Him for reminders, blessings, and precious bits of joy to sustain you, comfort you, and give you hope. He’s got you, my friend. You will be okay.
Photo credit: Luis Becerra Fotografo
Extravagant Hope 