High Heeled Beauty

"We do not merely want to see beauty, though, God knows, even that is bounty enough. We want something else which can hardly be put into words—to be united with the beauty we see, to pass into it, to receive it into ourselves, to bathe in it, to become part of it." C.S. Lewis

John reminded me of a scripture last evening where the Bible says "He has set eternity in our hearts." We long for something on a heart level that is not of this world.

God has set a compass inside Creation. The Canadian geese fly into Alaska in the spring and back out in the fall. Salmon leave and return to the stream where they were born. I find myself star gazing and rejoicing over Hubble pictures of exploding gases in nebula nurseries aware that I am really looking for the face of the Creator. I am like Moses, "God, can I see you?"

But something more than sight is my goal. I remember the feeling I had walking down the aisle in my white gown and veil. John was waiting at the altar with his face drawing me to him. When I walked back I would be changed forever and I knew it. Taking those slow, dignified steps was almost painful. I wanted to pull away from my Dad's arm and rush forward as fast as my high-heeled feet would allow. John and I had a destiny. We were coming home to one another.

As the year ends I feel I am taking another walk. A walk shared by another bride. Our future is there smiling, drawing, beaming a great reassuring smile. Christ. Home is calling and He is a stunner. (His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns..Revelation 19) Powerful beauty for real and forever. Beauty through and through. My soul's satisfaction. I can "...hear his heart beat for a thousand miles."

I cannot say how long this aisle is. How much time we or the world have but beauty and home are at the end of it. Whatever we pass along the journey, the destination is the same. Don't remove your heels. Keep your white dress on. The invitations said formal. If the world asks where you bought the dress do not hesitate to tell them.

May 2011 be for us all a year of beautification. Like Esther of old we have a date with the King. I bless you to be ready and radiant.

Happy are they whom you choose and draw to your courts to dwell there!... they will be satisfied by the beauty of your house, by the holiness of your temple.
Psalm 65

Let them praise the Name of the LORD... for His Name only is exalted, His splendor is over Earth and Heaven.
Psalm 148

****************************************************************************
Dedicated to John as his birthday on 1/2/2011 approaches. I will love you forever and a mile beyond. kl

The Burning Ones

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures...Day and night they never stop saying: Holy, holy, holy is the LORD God Almighty...(Revelations 4)

Meet the Seraphim. The ones who burn and kindle praise fire.

In Isaiah 6 they cry out: Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty, the whole earth is full of His Glory. Isaiah observed that at the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

The response to their utterance is high-praise. Personal thrones are abandoned and hard won crowns are cast at His feet. Everything is surrendered to Christ the All Deserving One. This praise is so powerful it vibrates what is foundational.

Looking forward to a new year in 2011 I have focused in on this. I want a praise that abandons all my personal agendas. A worship that throws it all at the feet of Jesus the Worthy One. A call to Glory that shakes my foundations and vibrates throughout the next year. A "Holy, holy, holy," that informs all my waking moments, all my decisions, all my finances, all my plans and personal relationships. I want to be a "Burning One."

Surrender is a powerful incendiary.

"All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Now I feel the sacred flame.
Oh, the joy of full salvation!
Glory, glory to His name!"

Let us completely and unconditionally surrender the year ahead to Christ. Let that altar fire burn in our hearts and upon our lips. Let us have a Holy, Holy, Holy 2011. May we be consumed as never before. May we each become one of His "Burning Ones" losing ourselves in His Glory.

May the Bride said "Yes!"

Manger-Heart

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6

I know that this prophecy has been fulfilled. If I did not know it for any other reason, I know its the truth because I myself have called Him "Wonderful." I've called Him that more than once and He has demonstrated His "Wonderfulness" as my friend Kim calls it, every day.

God is wonderful and faithful and not so fussy as some of us. Good thing too. He called a manger full of straw home. How is that even possible? Does the President stay at the Motel 6? When did you last hear of the Pope sleeping in a barn?

Straw is sharp and dry and brittle. Certainly not welcoming. How clean might it have been? Not clean enough for my friend Pris. Not even clean enough for me and my friends will tell you I am not Martha Stewart. Do you suppose the animals drooled in it? I bet they did.

Our hearts are sometimes like that manger. Rough, sharp, dry and brittle and maybe a little untidy. Isn't it amazing that Jesus still wants to make His bed there? He doesn't care if He has to muck out the stall, He wants us to make room for Him. He will do the rest. His is a cleansing love.

Come, Lord Jesus. Turn aside here. Make your bed in my manger-heart.

"Be near me, Lord Jesus,
I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever
And love me I pray"

He is truly Wonderful.

************************************************************************
Our friend Jane says Merry really should be translated "Mighty"...so John and I wish all of you a Mighty Christmas! Many Blessings. How He loves us.