Today...

Today I had the opportunity to put into practice what I have counseled others to do.

Today I had the opportunity to let go of past sins and past choices that haunt my footsteps.

Today I had the opportunity to open my hands and receive the gracious forgiveness of my Savior.

Today I had the opportunity to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ.

Today I had the opportunity to turn away from fear and discouragement and the oppressive helplessness of those emotions.

Today I had the chance to revisit the Cross and revel in what Jesus Christ did for me there.

Today I had the opportunity to accept my righteous standing before God through Christ and Christ alone.

Today I had the opportunity to overcome through His resurrection power.

Worship

The shattering of my soul

continues,

bringing brokenness.

Death to the walls

of my perspective,

my experiences

my knowledge.

Life floods the broken walls,

flowing, filling, renewing.

Beauty rises,

stretches her hands in praise,

continues

forward in peace.

Steadfast

Empowered
by Your grace
we raise our heads
and face
the scavenger of death,
the hissing
of sin personified.
No longer lambs,
we stand
with the Lion of Judah -
You.
Your LIFE transfuses
this weary flesh,
these dry bones;
Your Spirit calls us
to raise the sword
and engage this war.
Covered in Your armor,
we tread forward
with confidence
in Your presence
to win back these souls
that are lost,
to see others rise
to the call,
to form the Body
You created us
to be.
Victory rings
with certainty
through our very beings
as You advance
Your army.
Nothing can stand
before the sovereignty
of Your crown,
our King,
our Lord,
our God.

Journey

I stand at the grave

of Hope
and I pause
battling myself
my desires
how did this come to be?
memories of the altar
the lowering blade -
where was the substitute sacrifice?
isn't that what You do?
isn't that Your way?
not this
not death
not defeat
surrender -
I chose surrender
and You gave me this?
Lord God, why?
I stand here
I pause -
and in that breath
You speak
You call me to leave
this grave
and to come away
to look up
as Holiness walks beside me
and leads me on
through the fire
that ravages my soul
in the distance
I see a new Hope
refined and purified
waiting for me
no defeat after all
only sovereign delay
no longer standing
I walk in confidence
leaving behind
the old Hope
and rejoicing
in what You have made new

Beloved

I stand before You
Naked
Yet unashamed
Trembling
Before Your piercing eye
Knowing You see
Every blemish
Every scar
Every imperfection
Every wound
Nothing covers me
Nothing shields me
From Your gaze
I hold nothing
In my hands now
All that I could bring
With me
Lies at Your feet
Unheeded
Worthless
And I am stripped
Vulnerable
Waiting
I know You
Have called me
I know You
Love me
I know You
Yet I die
Agonizingly expectant
And I come alive
Breathlessly hopeful
As You speak
My name
Beautiful
Captivating
Your robes cover me
You shield me
From the haunting eyes
Of others
You protect me
I stand in confidence
Before You
Complete in You
Whole
Redeemed
Yours

Yearning

Come out
from the shadows
stand in the Light
and see His face
there
before you -
His Bride
He has called you
did you not hear
His voice
speaking your name?
He has ransomed you
rescued you
from death itself
Still you cower
doubting His call
doubting His grace
doubting Him
Will you not step forward?
bask in His presence?
be His Bride?
O come!
You are His
and He would give Life
full
abundant
free
to you
living in you
He is yours
and in Him
you have all
you need
Come be
who He created you to be
Reveal your beauty
your holiness
your compassion and love
Cast away your lovers
your false husbands
and be His!
wholly, completely His!
Rouse yourself
from your complacent
sleep
and come
be the Bride
He has called you to be.

Glorious

My soul weighs heavy
with anguish
My spirit cowers
in grief
My pride
My thoughts
My words
My deeds
My sins
torment me
Nailed to the Cross?
Faith and hope -
fragile threads
to which I cling
are frayed by doubt
by guilt
I am adrift
my head bowed
low
my palms flat
to the floor
No more tears
none left
for this sorrow
yet I hear the plaintive pleas
of my own heart
Nailed to the Cross?
May it be reality
in me!
May Your life
bud in me
bloom in me
bear fruit in me
For there is
grace enough
to forgive
and redemption
for my soul
nailed to the Cross.