White-hot Metal

Innocence is precious. We think of it as soft and pure—little lambs and babies. But there is a purity that is like white-hot metal, that burns into our souls, that purges all the dross. It is my Beloved One that grants me such a touch as this, a burning touch that cleanses my soul and restores my innocence.

Christ, the sinless One, the daringly loving One, the One whose heart is ever longing for the lost ones He died for. It is His touch that restores, refreshes and makes clean. Such a feeling to be clean! Soaking for a thousand days in water would not let me feel as clean as one touch from His Holy Spirit.

Who would not want the feeling of a clean soul? . . . if only they knew. Burning can be a very good thing.

Artwork: Innocence by Bougoureau 

Are We Not Gods?

God is so creative! From out of His mind sprang the entire order of the universe - such an astounding thing that mere mortals find it difficult to grasp. We are boxed in by our little minds, refusing to believe in feats to which we ourselves cannot attain. We sit before our Creator with our chests puffed out and insist with presumed intelligence, “God did not do that! There is no god, in fact!” 

We sit, determined to not heed anything that might say we are wrong. Wrong? Us? Are we not the smartest of all creatures? Are we not gods ourselves? Do we not have the power of the divine hidden down within only waiting to come out? What tragic, silly beings we’ve become. 

And God looks down upon those He made and sees the rebellious little children that we are. 

Artwork: Infant Jupiter by Sir Joshua Reynolds

I Will Never Make You Carry That

It is simple. If it were not, my back would have broken long ago beneath the weight. I simply followed Him. Regulations were not heaped upon my back by Him who is the kindest of them all. Men have tried to do that - but never Him! He has always gently removed those nefarious back-breaking religious burdens that men have tried to lay on me and said, “No, my child, that is not for you. I will never make you carry that.” And suddenly I feel light on my feet again. Suddenly I walk with a lilt in my step, as I realize the only thing I need to do is love Him. 

It is that simple. Too simple some would say. But, no, that is how it is. He did all the work and by faith in Him we reap all the life . . . simple! 

Artwork: He That is Without Sin © 2008 Liz Lemon Swindle

http://www.greenwichworkshop.com/swindle/

When All Shaking is Done

Tearing down mountains creates quite a shaking - did you not know this? Did you think it would be instant or easy, or that all would agree to it?

Oh, no . . . When a mountain's removed there's a frightening noise, a terrible shaking throughout all the land. In DC there is a mountain of evil that God is removing. Stand strong! Don't be afraid! God is restoring our destiny and rebuilding a nation.

It is quite a mess.

God holds President Trump in His hands. And God loves this nation. All is not over . . . hold onto God's words and keep praying. God decides rulers and dominions and times, not politicians, and not the swamp creatures who are now in plain sight. The lines have been drawn. Who'll stand with God? Who will have faith? Who are the Joshuas and Calebs? . . . When all shaking is done, we shall see.

Artwork: Third Eruption of the Revolutionary Volcano by Auguste Desperret

Glory Warms My Limbs

He delights in me! I have a God in heaven whose thoughts toward me are too numerous to count. He says I’m the apple of His eye. He loves my company and only wishes I would spend more time with Him. Even when I sin, a sometimes faithless one, He loves me. The Beloved One, my truest friend, my advocate, my steadfast ally, looks down upon me and His Glory warms my limbs as the midday sun and makes me smile. 

And this brash love, this outrageous passion that He has for me, He extends to all. I wish the world to know that the only life worth living is found in Christ . . . can you imagine being loved like this? It is beyond imagination. 

Artwork: Ecstasy by Maxfield Parrish