Tornado of The Soul

essence riveting 
depth of depths
so immense
aesthetically pleasing
expansile breath
dropped to my knees 
intoxicating

only known with thee
seen not seemingly
your presence enticing 
silence, softly spoken
alone, comfortably accompanied 

keyed to the lock
prayerfully 
lovingly tucked in 
abiding within the tender eye...

dust engulfed
onlookers, passersby
profess: 
head in the clouds
foolishness
loss of reality...

     tornado of the soul

BuilD UP; words

If you ever wondered, I do have one of those creepy memories. (words to images, very precise, triggered by key things sending me rifling through what I call the file cabinet in my head for the pic which tells the 'story')
I also, have a tendency okay more automatic habit of jotting during worship. It's part of worship for me.
I also have a habit of saving & logging things, though not at all to a pack-rat degree or style. For future draw-upon; "oh wait, I know, hold on!" So, yawn--enough about me!

Perhaps it is the Pope's arrival and how I admire much of what he says and how he is trying best a Pope can, I suppose, to be as common as the most common of folk. Also taking a lot of flack for not wearing red shoes, (and who would, that is so been to Oz done that), and not being carted about in the pimp mobile, oops, Pope mobile wink emoticon That brought my thoughts to 08/09/15. I saw outside the Strathallen that morning a Dalai Lama look a like and a few of his peeps and shared a warm hello kinda hoping he would cross the street and join us, then thinking should I have asked?

The second pic was jotted as John preached, "Power of Words."
I admit my handwriting is much to be admired though should be legible. (and yes, I pride myself in admitting, I am a piss-poor speller!) I have taken a few hits this Summer and was feeling a bit angry but that turned around during this service:

Use words that BUILD UP
That IS a job we have regardless of the outcome...

Unite In Love

A conversation with a friend-

"What can we, people like you and me, do to help all the violence going on right now?"
Of course, like most people feeling helpless and yes some frustration.

(I personally take offense to being lumped into some privileged category. I also tire of it being forgotten there is but ONE RACE and I feel we should stop the labels and tags and moving forward be ONE RACE. Stop the blame unite in love)

My reply;  "well, I guess the best thing we can, you and me, do is to not be part of the problem."

My reply to the churches are being said not to be doing enough;
"All church doors are open. All are welcome. No fee is required to enter."

My reply to a few other varied things;

"Change yes, begins with oneself - no one can change another. Best we can do is set a good example and pray."

"Christ has to be met where one themselves meets Him to know Him."

In our convo a how would a million dollars help and where would it best be utilized...

My reply; "throwing dollar upon dollar at problems is a bandaid on a broken arm. One of our shootings was at a boys and girls club, so money is not the number one need. Always a first thought though if you think about it." 

Peace cannot be $paid.00 for - Christ already did that!

Presumably So

Does anyone ever wonder what toll is taken on one to be so resilient?

Does anyone ever wonder does one so resilient cry themselves to sleep?

Does anyone ever wonder what one so resilient wonders?

Does anyone ever wonder how far is too far before one so resilient can no longer recoil?

Does anyone ever wonder 

or 

just presume?

Spiritual Obesity

Obesity has made all kinds of headlines whether they are public or private.  However, the obesity I am talking about is--Spiritual Obesity.


Weighed down, hard to move about without some discomfort - struggles only the one actually living Spiritually obese truly feels.


I had been feeling so Spiritually obese recently that I just kept in prayer...contemplative prayer:

Among the things I realised is it was my 'diet'!  My tastes have continued to change, more and more toward healthier choices.  Those whom walk unsavory paths leave a long after bitter taste.  Those I take with a grain of salt are well, too salty and 'water weight.'  
I guess I am seeing where a lot of my 'empty calories' come from.

I continued changing my 'diet' and praying.  Among the questions that came to me was:

"Which bread shall you eat of?"
There are a lot more pages filled and post-it notes than I have shared here though, when I take my place at the table of life here everyday, I will silently chew on the bread of Life as I ponder the 'menu' options...

I will share, I am 'exercising' in addition to thinking about what I ingest!
(Let me not forget the 'intolerance's and allergies' that don't set well)





"Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit..."

CHRISTmas Everyday

Christmas Everyday                              

                   

People fear love,
people don't fear sex as much,
people fear, love.
Especially God's Love
manifested humanly.

     Christ the Flow

Moving us into communities of God's Love;

stirs up heart and soulful things
not groin and loin--
tingling from head to feet
in this place
filled with You.

It is about Love:

Human
Transient
Temporary

     Christ the Bridge                                                          

Spiritual
Everlasting
Permanent


     Christ the Messiah

Keeping us close;

sharing on another level,
quiet and service and gratitude--
purest of pure, truest of true,
love,

God's Love, Christmas everyday.

#TechDownTuesday

I don't know if any pay mind to my, most often in Advent and Lent, "Try something new."
I am going to try something old--no, I am not trying to bring my hair color back hahahha

I am implementing a ‪#‎TechDownTuesday‬ for myself.
Old school. Nothing outside of phone usage, technology wise, old school phone usage; Dial and Talk! (leave it home)

Use of paper and pen, use of books vs internet, limiting the TV and go outside and "play." I feel as I get older I am realising (yes, always the UK 's' it isn't a misspell) that I allowed mainstream society to side track me.

As a child, and not having anything remotely close to a "Cleaver" household, I still was able to focus above and connect so deeply with God and God's creations--including myself!! I had a flash this morning of many actual instances, hence my; HEY! I have free will! smile emoticon

I am starting with Tuesday being I partake in the 9:15 am 30 minute'ish morning prayer at church--I can say for me, that is so elemental.‪#‎asheepsruleofthumb‬ if you will wink emoticon

MY CALL

Discomfort
Unnerve
Rattle


Shame?


Jump back
Ten feet for every square inch
shared
Pointing fingers
Deer in the headlights
Projecting blame


Scared?


Pure as can be
Want of nothing
Tangible
On earth as it is in Heaven


Misconstrued
Misconceptions
Conceptual Overload--


Busting at the seams, overflowing
Consuming
God's love
manifesting--


Abnormality!

Not Really All That Prophetic

Until I realised what seems meant by the words I heard; (see "Won't You Join Me")

"You are not here for you. You are here for Me." 

I still struggled with the state(S) of transient. (and will again!)

* I am not claiming to fully understand!
Though, I am here for God's purpose--Christ's work.

* I am deeply Spiritual and look forward to all that is and is to come from there.

* I am not a sexual being. 

* I am using/maintaining the "vehicle" given to me as Christ's hands and feet and everything in between in the best ways I know how.

* I am provided for and guided in ways that are far from just material.

* I am a believer. 

Christ came.  Christ died.  Christ rose.

* I am here to absorb what Christ needs me to. I am here to witness and share and testify. 
Not to fix, get side tracked or judge.

* I am here for You--
My life is healthy, happy and rich.  

 * I am HIS!!!  — feeling connected. 

Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation.

New Life is ours, even beginning in the 'here' just allow it.

"Just settle in"

Amen.

Keeping It Real

There will be times in our life,

Someone we knows life,

Or someone of someone we knows life-

Where people who are supposed to:

Serve,
Protect,
Guide,
Nurture,
Love..
Fail greatly, rather,

Harm, exploit, act maliciously, even selfishly...

As disheartening, disappointing or downright devastating as it may feel;

Hands tied...

"You must decide which ties to make and which to break" -David Reagan

— feeling Keeping It Real.

God's Greatest Gift

One of God's greatest gifts--

FRIENDSHIP.

Plain and simple, pure and true.


All types of friendships;

Colleagues, associates, neighbors and peeps...

Acquaintances, confidants, reflective and sweet...


New friendships and age old friendships--

Sometimes overlooked, taken for granted...


Plain and simple, pure and true.

FRIENDSHIP--

One of God's greatest gifts.


Thanks and Praise...

                                                                    Perfectly Imperfect

Waste Management

Hypocritical nonsense, we're all exposed to it
predominantly seen around election times
let us not down play the day-to-day
shake your head
can't even believe people missed that!

One thing I will pimp with five stars
with regard to those I grew up with
my life subjected to:

Narcissistic reality.
Blatant lies.
Twist it this way and that.
Two-step around every question.
Smoke and mirror
illusive distractions.

The break the glass
in case of a
close to being exposed
emergency pull--

bore two little scapegoats...

you know the saying; "You can't bullshit a bullshitter"


A better saying would be;

"You can't bullshit those who've waded in and trained in waste management!"

                                          *This is not my image, it is a downloaded image*

Untitled

So much in the world, our own lives, each others lives...

Who could possibly be left unscathed? At least to some degree??

Listening and doing what one can within arms reach is very beneficial, no doubt.

New life comes from each wound bandaged, scabs do not always leave scars--amusing tales to tell or ones we keep to ourselves...

Either way at the end of the day who could possible be left unscathed???

Someday

My bad; *you're*

Someday

hand held
hand to hold

individuality and togetherness

shared time and space
comfortable silence

genuine hug, shoulder to rest upon,
when head gets loud
and the world becomes overwhelming

without complication and suffocation

#thelastshallbefirst
A freehugbot will do.

May Is Mental Health Awareness Month

Shutter Release

Looking through the lens
Without a worry or care


Mesmerizing


Hypnotic


Caught timelessly

Beauties reality

Seemingly so transparent

Until

Looking through the lens
Shutter release...

Thursday's Chew-Bit

One of the most attractive things about living simply, modestly and minimally is being uncomplicated.

Anyone who has known me in past lives to knowing me presently I am confident could attest that minimal comfort is how I thrive and grow and think and behave at my best.  I am not just talking material minimal comfort either; Spiritually and mentally and physically.

My Achilles heel, over-thinking, complicating my being creating things.

So hyperaware to the viscous circle of complication seen nearly everywhere, self included, often out of my mouth or in my head; "I/some folks waste so much time trying to complicate things."  It is almost as if it is easier to create things anxiously than to be at peace rationally.

A world of want what we want when we want it--more and more, faster and faster...

Creating things = convenient
              vs.
Being things = inconvenient

Lacking Fancy

For all I craved, even unbeknownst

you, Lord, have fulfilled and continue to pour over me more than I deserve

gratefully and thankfully and humbly I receive joyfully

You, indeed, hear all spoken and unspoken;


Read my heart always and keep me from selfish ways...

I want nothing more than to live in You

and You in me, always!


Welcoming Your will on earth as it is in heaven

always and everlasting...


Keep watch as I sleep tight

over not only myself but those I love

and those whom are lost...

In Christ's name I pray, always!

Amen.

Continuing w/ Weekend Mantras

I have felt exhausted the last several days, yet still pondering a few things...



On Tuesday, the 24th, I felt moved to "try something":

Today I will be attempting to mindfully focus on the negatives...
Journaling my feelings, thoughts, etc and photos (where applicable).
I feel this may benefit my Lenten journey in many multilayered ways!

Wednesday, the 25th:

I will continue this practice [attempting to mindfully focus on the negatives] for a bit--I must confess it was an extremely positive day yesterday. From seeing a good friend, gathering some connecting info for another, text 'banter' with a few and being kindly noticed, greeted and updated by a prior RAIHN guest and their amazing happenings...never-the-less, one thing I did notice in trying to focus toward the not so goods was a feeling of unnatural for me. 
I found it easier to look to find fault with myself than anywhere or anyone else... interesting!

Later that evening attending the "Living Waters Wednesday" service and getting so lost in the lightness I felt.  So calm, peaceful; sax, guitar and piano singing hymns--gave me tingles up my spine and head.  So just one with the Holy Spirit that the trance type feelings I often experience were amplified to the point of it was just God and I there.  

It was/is very telling to me that I am beyond trying to focus unnaturally.  

Not to say I don't see or feel negatives ever, or am never negative, rather a noticing I did find a fault within myself...a positive fault...GROWTH!

The popping for me all week, from our Thursday noon group Lenten readings:

-After...disciples remembered...they believed...  taken from John 2:22
-...did not understand...at first...then they remembered...  taken from John 12:16

So, my brief "left with"

Twenty-twenty hindsight can be the most wonderful "Blessons"  Amen!

Gnawing and Flow Charting

Gnawing and Flow Charting

AKA:  Weekend Mantra...

Q.  "How can a [young] person stay on the path of purity?  By living according to your word."  Psalm 119:9

"Then a voice came from heaven, 'I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.'"  John 12:28 -->  "This voice has come for YOUR SAKE, not mine."  John 12:30 -->

"Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place."  Psalm 51:6  -->

"Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."  Psalm 51:12  --->

"I will put my law in their mind and write it on their hearts."  Jeremiah 31:33 --->



A.   "I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word."  Psalm 119:16

"Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him"  Hebrews 5:8-9


My personal "left with" is simply put:

Peace and love are pure or purity.
I prayed for restoration--wanting to live according to the word;
obedience is a "delight in!"