The Rhythms of His Heart

I recently listened to some teaching on what Scripture says about God’s view on justice. I have been letting these thoughts roll over my soul and realize in me the groaning for true, Godly justice is so real! Most  often I respond compassionately in the middle of the world's injustices even as I wrestle with anger and thoughts of “It’s just NOT supposed to be this way!” Whether the injustices are up close and personal or you see the grossness of injustice systemically...all of it is sinful, ugly and has a schemer behind it that has been out to destroy from the beginning. And to realize that some of the barriers and injustices are things that we as humans cannot remove in our own clever thinking or strength. *Deep breaths* I however am a receiver of mercy and am on the side of the One who sets all things right and came and walked His own journey of being mistreated to save, heal and set the captives free. He is King and invites me into partnership to pray, act and speak His Justic...

It was the morning of my Grandad’s Funeral.   We had an hour and a half drive to get to the city where his funeral was held.   My parent’s house was full of all the siblings, spouses and their kids.   The grief and tension was thick in the air and I had got myself dressed and ready around all the extra bodies in the house!   My big brother and his wife showed up to join our travelling convoy of family and I was dressed in my funeral attire when they arrived!    I was sitting drinking my coffee all ready to take my place in a vehicle when the time came.   I was TIRED!   Grief as well as unexpected travel had taken its toll on me and I was not really looking forward to the hours ahead, but as I sat sipping my coffee I was pretty relaxed!   I raised the mug to take a sip and just when I got close my big brother snuck up behind me grabbed my shoulder and yelled “DEAAAANNA!” really loud!   I wasn’t expecting it and just like in our childhoo...

L ife on this Saturday is different than before. The winds of change have blown again and the sounds of Fats Domino and homemade banana muffins fill the air.   I have moved into a rental house for a little while just a few blocks from my old apartment!   It is different and awesome.   My housemate   loves music (anything new, old , jazzy or the kind that makes you want to dance nostalgically across the floor) .   She likes cooking and I have enjoyed the eating of flavorful food, the late night conversations and even the moments of learning how to let go of “the way I always do things” and live out a longing I have had for a while to live communally in a small way.   There is something really beautiful to me about creating a home where people of differences come together and learn how to live and love each other through frustrations, honest confessions, and awkward laughter.   It is a challenging kind of fun to learn to live in an unhidden, “This ...

Dad's Pulpit Built by my Brother with all of his kid's names and verse etched in it.  December 31st, 2017. A date that  holds so much meaning and healing for me.  It was a concert of prayer!  I sat there taking it all in. With my Bible and journal open, I sat in quiet contemplation of what was and what new things the Lord might be leading me into. From the front row I listened, worshiped and was lead in thankfulness & intercessory prayer by my Dad for the community he ministers in. We'll come back to this scene in  December in a minute, but first let me tell you some things . . .  My Dad is a beautiful man of Jesus with a heart of love and courage like the Good Shepherd.  Over the years I looked to him as my provider, protector, taxi driver, financial adviser and spiritual leader as  well as my pastor.  I honor him in writing this and affirm the call and heart of his life. I appreciate his heart to teach Biblical foundation ...

Heaven gave my friend and the leader of the worship team I minister with  a beautiful, candlelit way to offer our worship this past Sunday.  A few of us testified to the Voice of Peace in our personal journeys.   On this day after Christmas and reflecting on how I am being led and where I am at in life...I am grateful for this Voice of Peace who knows me so intimately. Here was my part: "I am the Voice of Peace in the Waiting The words of the carol say, “He knows our need.   To our weakness is no stranger.”   My  response to that … “Be still, and know that I am God.      I will be exalted among the nations,      I will be exalted in the earth!”     The  Lord  of hosts is with us;   the God of Jacob is our fortress.  (Psalm 46:10-11) To be still is to stop striving, to stop trying to figure things out and to let go of  control. I often need this...

As I sit here on a Sunday and write I'm not even sure I have entered in fully to what I am going to express, but please find in me a broken vessel, chosen, sinful, redeemed yet always in need of more growth, grace, mercy,  understanding & love.  I am not where I was and neither am I where I want to be.  In a previous post , I gave you freedom to cry!  I am still a believer in a God who is a God of emotion and feels things so deeply!  Tears are a holy, good thing!  The language of the prophets, psalmists even our Savior was often tears over sin , rejection and injustice.  It is not my intent to be a heavy, melancholic person, but as I have been diving deep into a vulnerable journey in Jesus there is more to discover as we cry out our tears.  THE "I AM WRONG!" TEARS My heart wilts a little every time I hear the words, "You are wrong!" Yep, I hate to be called out! I work so hard in my pride to do everything right that I literally can have ...

I was hosting a few friends in my home on a Friday and caught a ride with a friend to the grocery store to pick up some things. My menu for the evening was pretty simple. I had been given a huge bag of fries for free so I thought we would go real healthy and easy and just have poutine 😉 Fries, gravy, drinks and cookies for dessert were on my mental list as we went in the store.  Real classy I know, but it's what I could offer and kept reminding myself that it would all be ok and was enough.  I grabbed all my stuff, put it in my friend's cart and she walked ahead of me as I hobbled along on my crutches.  I was pretty focused on getting to the cashier and was looking straight ahead.  I was walking...walking...walking and then BAAAAM! I was on the floor!  I had failed to see a "Wet Floor" sign and slipped on a section of freshly mopped floor!!!  The sign went flying and I just sat there in a moment of shock, laughter and embarrassment!   It happened...