Morning Song

I get so excited every time I get to see an egret or heron around water. This gorgeous fellow was across the road from our hotel in Fountain Hills, Arizona. At the dawn of the new day he was out fishing and taking graceful flight as he lifted and spread his wings to glide across the surface of the lake. His profile in the morning shadows made me hold me breath to not frighten him away. But he was quite happy to stay close as he busied himself with breakfast. I heard the variety of birds at sunrise sing their individual songs and spread their wings at the beginning of the new day.

I pray that those weeping tonight, sowing in tears, will reap with songs of joy, spread their wings, with the knowledge that the Lord is their strength and song.

He is my God, and I will praise him. He sings over me. He gives me songs in the night, and joy comes in the morning.

The earth quaked...

Jerome, Arizona has gone through a transition since its founding in 1876 as a mining town into a cool tourist attraction. It has lots of artists and restaurants, as well as jewelry and clothing shops. But the thing that caught my attention more than anything was this wrought iron fence. It spoke to me of ancient truths. If you will look closely at the third picture, you will see a crack in the wall extending down from the cross. It gave me shivers.

When Jesus cried and gave up his Spirit on the cross, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks split. Something big happened. I know from the New Covenant many things:

If the Son has set you free, you will be free indeed.

Jesus has set before me an open door, and no man can shut it...

The Holy Spirit lives in me, and the inward woman is renewed day by day. (Proof tonight!!!)

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.

Each one should use whatever gift he/she has received to serve others.

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The Holy Spirit has ministered to me this evening after a tough couple of days. He has told me, and to remind you as well not believe lies that you are not good enough, that you are too old or two young or the wrong gender or (fill in the blank!) to go forth and accomplish anything in Christ Jesus that He had planned.
He has said he will pour out his Spirit on all people. Sons and daughters will prophesy, old men will dream dreams, young men will see visions. Even servants, both men and women, He will pour out his Spirit in those days. He will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth.
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Jesus is my liberty...the quaked earth was filled up with it. The veil was torn and it flooded out.

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Galations 5:1

Out on a Limb

I saw birds and nests in new places Arizona. My mind questioned what I was seeing because it was so different visually to see a birds nest in a cactus, or birds roosting in a palm tree. Then, to see a bird at the very top of a tree along the rim of the Grand Canyon, seemingly without a branch to stand on, made a crazy photo that seemed to look like a giant bird hiding behind the tree. Later I got a picture of a roadrunner quite happy to be still and very close. I have seen this bird before, but never slow or close enough to capture on camera.

I think my mind was stretched to see birds and nests in a new way. You can count on God to show you something in a new way, to get you out on a limb, just trusting and seeing things with a new pair of glasses.

Ten Thousand Years

These ancient rocks in the Sedona area brought to mind some lyrics from one of my favorite songs:

When we've been there
ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less ways
to sing God's praise
Than when we'd first begun.

Amazing Grace/John Newton
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The ancient rocks symbolize an unfathomable time of existence in contrast to the season of a human life. Yet, the Ancient of Days, God himself, formed us in our mothers' wombs just as he formed the rocks that cry out his existence as well.

'Grace will lead me home' to the maker of these rock cathedrals that draw out praise. Over and over again, coming upon yet another outcropping of rocks, I would hear myself say, "OH GOD!" The heart behind those spoken words is not taking the Lord's name in vane, but an appropriate expression of AWE to the Author of Creation. Like Christmas morning, opening a package from your parent, and exclaiming in glee, "OH PAPA, THANK YOU!"

His Works

SHOUT WITH JOY TO GOD, ALL THE EARTH! SEE WHAT GOD HAS DONE, HOW AWESOME HIS WORKS IN OUR BEHALF!
PSALM 66:1,5
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These were all taken from the little red helicopter. Pretty amazing that God measured these big guys in a scale!