Mosaic Me

Mosaics are beautiful because they are simply stunning yet heartbreakingly complex. They incorporate the good, and the needs improvement. Success and failures. Highs and lows. Victories and losses. Anomalous Darlings over the past year has evolved into a mosaic of its own and mine. All content found on AD, has origins in one of the many pieces of my life’s mosaic. And who pieces this intricate artwork together? No one other, than God, himself…The Ultimate Mosaic Maker.

This is the first time I’ve ever put a picture of myself on anything AD related and for good reason. A year ago, I was still learning myself (and for the rest of my life, I will) and would not have had the courage to embark on this new path that is calling me to. For so long a “needs improvement” piece of my life was the obligation to please people. “What will people think of me?” “How will that make them feel?” “What will they say about me?” These are all questions that impeded the beckoning of God’s will in my life.

My writing and my spirituality go hand in hand. The best way I can describe is that when God is holding my left hand, I can freely write with the right hand. If I am out of contact with Him, I am also out of contact with myself too. You see, there is no I, without the I AM.

This past year had been a tremendous learning experience on all levels of my life. And simultaneously, as I am maturing in myself, so is Jesus and His work in me. A new wave of thoughts is being ushered in my life and will subsequently spill over onto AD. These words that God is speaking are coming like waves, just as fierce and fearless as Jesus’ blood was shed for my salvation. No longer can I stalemate on these tides with my name on them.
Thank you for 1 amazing year and to many, many more! I pray that you will grab whatever mosaic boat you have whether it be a raft or yacht and continue on this journey with me, as I go deeper with God. His goodness is not ending, it’s just beginning…

Until Sunday,

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Grace’s Rhythm

October is historically a challenging month for me, as there is so much going on in a such a small length of time. And don’t even get me started about all the heartbreaking things that have happened since October 1^st flew in.

Friday, God laid Matthew 11:28-30 on my heart. I was feeling extremely burden, burnt out and highly fatigued. Sometimes, there seems to be hardships everywhere you look. Externally, there are assignments to finish, applications to fulfill, deadlines to meet and qualifications to exceed. Internally, there are goals to finish, dreams to fulfill, milestones to meet, and progress to exceed. No matter where you look, outwardly and inwardly, there is likely something lacking!

^28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”- Matthew 11:28-30 MSG

Now, the initiative is on us. Jesus says, “come to me.”, not “I will come to you.” We have to take the first step of surrender and then Jesus will meet us halfway. Another key phrase, that I saw, was “learn the unforced rhythms of grace”. When we go to Jesus and lay down our burdens at His feet, He gives us eternal rest by singing songs of grace over us. His songs bring peace as they melodically remind us that we are empowered to prosper…entitled to mercy…entrusted to God. His rhythms usher in a faith’s lens, marching fear’s out. As long as we are willing to listen, Jesus is more than willing to strum his guitar strings and belt out a tune.

If you are worn out from the world, feet barely up from the ground, take a minute to hear Jesus’s sweet supernatural song of mercy singing over you…

…

Faith: “Shush Fear…!”

Fear: “Oh please, I could care less.”

Faith: “…Grace is singing!”

Fear:

When Grace speaks, Fear falls silent.

 

Until Thursday,

SAFE

I am a history fanatic! My favorite books (apart from spiritual, life enhancement books) are when the past is intertwined with the present. Keeping up with multiple story lines running parallel to each other is a great mental workout 🙂 

 
What I love the most about history is that it evokes so much reflection and emotion. Would you have risked it all for love, during WWII? Would you have the courage to speak out against discrimination and evil? Would you go against the Church and say that the world is round and not flat? We would all agree that saying yes, to any of the above questions is aligning one within the direct path of danger. For people in history that took the plunge and said yes, they possessed an immense amount of bravery. 

 
This week I had a conversation with someone about why we as humans, tend to underestimate ourselves. Neglecting to believe that we can rise beyond our potential, acts a safeguard from the disappointment of when (really, if) the former happens. We don’t want to get our hopes up, so we often just don’t hope for anything at all. 

 
Although I admire history, I do have a greater appreciation for the present. As this current moment is the time that I have write my own life’s story. The past’s stories are interesting to read, but their script is ended; mine is not. Would you risk it all for a love that fills your deepest voids? Would you have the courage to stand up for what you believe, even if it is not trending? Would you go against the religion of the Church and speak about what Jesus really encompasses? 

 
And the ultimate question: Do you want to be a safe-taker, who is comfortable or a risk-taker, who is fulfilled in life? 

 
Romans 12:2. The world says, “Keep your options open and stay safe in the gray.” The Word says, “I am the only option, there is no other way.” 
Until Sunday, 

 

As Is

“As Is: All Sales Final!” Seeing that sign always put me on the edge, as I don’t like the prospect of me getting home with something that might be defective or broken (by no fault of my own) and have no recourse. Although, 9 times out of 10, we are satisfied with our purchases, I believe most of us like the luxury of returning an item, if needed.

Since Satan and our minds love to play the “what if” game, we might as well, go along with it!

What if God knew all of our mistakes before we even made them?

What if God saw the flawed piece of clay that we were?

What if God planned something great to happen on every day of our 
lives?

What if Jesus had full knowledge of the imperfect people He was 
dying for?

These “what ifs” are true facts! God knew exactly what type of car he was buying. Knew all the pros and need improvements. All the future issues and current joys. He saw the risks, but couldn’t pass up the final reward. Still, He wanted to be our Potter and send His Son as a sacrifice for our lives.

Neither God nor Jesus was jinxed into joining our team. As The Creator of Knowledge, He knew all there was and will ever be about us and yet, with full disclosure, he made His choice. I can imagine God saying something like this: “I still want [insert your name], their edges are a little rough but I can bevel those edges. Their paths are slightly crooked, but I can straighten them. Their heart a mess, but I can purify it. Their lives a train wreck, but I can restore all things. Yep, I still want [insert your name] and nothing and nobody can sway my decision!” He counted up all the costs and reasoned that the benefit outweighed the expenses. He saw the work needed and concluded that the finished product was worth much, much more.

God knew what your issues and flaws were before you even did! You’re like a classic car, with a few dents and dings. You need a new paint job and some fresh tires. An oil change and alignment wouldn’t hurt either. There’s a rattling of some sorts under the hood, that likely needs to be fixed soon. And to top it all off, you have no idea where you are going in life. But God has already scheduled an appointment with the best body and paint repair shop in town. He’s thinking of royal purple or peaceful teal for the paint and spotless white for the trim. He’s elated that next door to the body and paint repair shop is another business that specializes in oil changes, alignments and diagnosis of unknown auto problems. The destination? It’s a surprise! And God sometimes even stands in awe of His own works!

Until Thursday,

The Unlovable

Some people are just hard to please, tolerate and above all...love. Luke 6:31-34

"No, that's not right. Go the left."

Rower rows to the left.

"No, that's not right either. Only go to the left after every 5 rows.

Rower rows to the left after every 5 rows.

"I'm getting dizzy, only row to the left after every 15 rows."

Rower rows to the left after every 15 rows

"No, please row to the right. I'm getting seasick."


Upon disembarkment from the boat, one of the passengers said to the 
rower, "How did you deal with her?"

To which the rower responded, "I didn't, Christ did."

There’s a punchline to this story, I promise. Here it is: God is not a difficult or indecisive God. He’s unchanging, simple and patient. Which is why and how we are given grace to deal with people that aren’t. 

Sometimes, God has a good sense of humor and other times…not so much. In a way it is comical and practical that I am having to develop the abilities to love the unlovable and forgive others all in same year! Things that I have never had to deal with before. That is probably one of the coolest, craziest and sometimes chaotic part of life, although you know trouble is coming, you don’t always know how, when and even why?

Difficult people will come and go, but they will always remember how you treated them. I believe that everyone is conscious of how they treat people and how others react to them. Even the Grinch had a heart!

Everybody has their own boat to row. Their own shopping cart to push. Their own path to chart. From the outside looking in, their boat may look pristine, their shopping cart full and their paths enviable. But what lies under all the luxurious rafters, pretty packaging and bright blooms is an entirely different story.

As I am writing this, God has decided that He wanted to steal the show, so I am going to let Him go…

I’m not saying that how they treat you is okay. I’m not saying that their own personal issues justify their ways. I’m just saying that my grace gives you the ability to love them anyway.

Loving people is your life’s mission. Will it be accomplished?

Until Sunday,

 

With You

Since we had story time Thursday, I suppose God thought it would only seem appropriate to have poetry time Sunday. The backstory to this poem is not important as what it means to me, will probably not mean the same to you. I hope you enjoy it…

…

With You

 

Like two people reading from opposites ends of a book

Like two people rowing in counteracting directions

Neither willing to sacrifice

So am I

When I am control of my life

 

As the author of my own story

I fail miserably at writing

Nothing makes sense.

 

As the captain of my own ship

I come up short constantly in navigating life

Nothing makes sense.

 

I am not the editor of my life’s novel

I am not the planner of my life’s voyage

And when I act as if I am

Nothing make sense

Words are incoherent

And nothing moves

Destinations are indecipherable

 

Nothing makes sense and nothing moves.

God, You are the mental lubricant that makes words flow

 

Jesus, You are the physical lubricant that allow boats to go

 

With You, everything makes sense

And everything moves

 

Without You, there is nothing…

…

 

Until Thursday,

 

P.S. One of the scripture references used by my Pastor this morning was Acts 12:1-16 when Peter was delivered from death by the prayers of some devoted prayer warriors. Verse 11 in the King James Version, says, “…when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a SURETY, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.” What a confirmation from God!

Surety

Now, as a disclaimer, my heart goes out to those affected by the hurricanes. I am extremely sensitive and by no means am I poking fun or degrading the devastation of the floods that have happened and the lives that have been lost. I am referring to God’s promise, that He would never flood the entire earth again and swipe out all living things by water, Genesis 9:11.

…

DNT Weather Report:

“The earth is officially flooding!”, Lee False, a trusted meteorologist reports for DNT, (Definitely Not True)’s daily weather report.

“A little bit each day. By next week, we’ll all be fish!” Lee False jokes.

….

3 Days Later

“Did you hear about the news?” Flaky Fiona says as she enter the lounge for church volunteers.

“Yeah, maybe God isn’t all that trustworthy after all.” Maybe Max responds, grabbing the coffee pot to pour him a cup.

“My thoughts exactly! I mean, I didn’t think it was true after rereading Genesis 9:11, but then when I started seeing water, that changed things.” Flaky Fiona says in exasperation.

“Changed things”? You’re sounding like the children of Israel. Every time something contrary to God comes up, you go running!” Confident Connor says, entering the lounge to make copies for the upcoming event.

“Oh Connor give us a break! Maybe we need to reconsider all this stuff we’re preaching. Maybe it’s all “Hallucinogenic Hallelujahs.” Maybe Max responds, as he plops nine cubes of sugar into his coffee and 11 creamers.

“Yeah, for you probably. I’d be hallucinogenic too, if I ingested that much sugar!” Confident Connor counters.

“Hallucinogenic? You all know that is a serious condition that many people suffer from. It shouldn’t be the focal point of jokes, guys. Not cool.” Surely Shirley says, as she comes in looking for pens and markers for the kids.

“You’re right. But we were originally talking about the flood. That’s how hallucinations came up. Max and I wonder if The Bible is just that.” Flaky Fiona says.

“What flood?” Surely Shirley asks.

“Uh, the flood going outside this building! The water you had to wade through to get in here!” Maybe Max says.

“I saw water and I felt it too, but I don’t believe it.” Surely Shirley says to which Flaky Fiona and Maybe Max’s eyes go triple in size.

“Someone with some sense is here!” Confident Connor exclaims.

“You two are crazy!” Flaky Fiona says.

“No, what is crazy is God sending his only son to die for you and then you turning around is questioning Him. That’s insanity.” Surely Shirley counters.

“2 Corinthians 5:7, walk by faith and not by sight, was not put in the bible as filler of space. You two-” Connor adds before he is interrupted by DNT.

…

DNT Weather Report (Goof):

“The earth is NOT officially flooding!”, Lee False reports.

“A malfunction in the city’s water supplies caused the flooding. By next week, we should see dry land.”

…

“Now, my God just parted the Red Sea for me!” Surely Shirley says.

“No, my God parted the Rea Sea for me, you’re just blessed to be near me.” Confident Connor says.

“Do you have the copies we need?” Surely Shirley asks.

“Do you have the markers we need?” Confident Connor counters as he and Surely exit with laughs as they return to their tasks.

“Maybe, God-” Maybe Max starts before Flaky Fiona raises her hands and cuts him.

“Don’t start. Maybe you need to read your bible more!” Flaky Fiona says.

“Hey, and you don’t?! You were agreeing with me!”

“Yes, I was. Shirley and Connor really made me think. They were so sure and confident of what God said. We should definitely listen.” Flaky Fiona says.

“Yeah, maybe.” Max says launching his empty coffee cup into the trashcan, before leaving.

 

END.

 

Surety, The Play

Starring

Surely Shirley 

Confident Connor

Flaky Fiona

Maybe Max

 

Hopefully, you got a laugh (and a lesson) out of that! Couple things I want to mention…

• This week, God bluntly asked me this: “Would you believe that the earth was flooding, if you saw it your own two eyes and felt it with all 20 of your fingers and toes?” Yeah, I’m still a little speechless. But, that is the best place to be in Christ. Completely in awe and always reaching for higher heights in your faith.
• Make note that Connor and Shirley came in the lounge to do things. Connor, copying papers. Shirley, looking for markers. Fiona and Max, weren’t doing anything but socializing. As soon as Fiona came in with doubt, Max should have “checked” her with God’s Word, not validate her doubt. If you want to live a great and prosperous life, across all areas (spiritually, emotionally, physically, mentally, financially etc.), you must watch your associations. Proverbs 13:20, as Connor would say is not in the bible a “filler of space”.

 

Shirley is a sure believer because she is secure in God’s promises.

Connor is a confident believer because he has seen God work in his life.

Fiona is a flaky believer, because she will believe God’s word until the next contradiction comes.

Max is a skeptical believer because he needs lives by proof.

 

Now, what kind of believer are you?

 

Until Sunday,

The High Road

Sometimes I get tired of taking the high road. Why do I have to be the one to sacrifice and forgive like Christ? Why do I have to be one to turn the other cheek and surrender to love’s feat?

Because Jesus did it for me. That is why.

It is easy to stay right where we are in our minds. Allowing them to run our lives straight into ruin. It is convenient to hold fast to scapegoats, as oppose to taking charge of our own boats. It is comfortable to defer change to another day, instead of grasping the concept that we make our own way.

The High Road (Matthew 7:14). It is neither easy, nor convenient or comfortable. It forces us to look at the eyes that look back at us in the mirror and say, “No more.” It forces us to get honest and stop all the excuses and good lies that we tell ourselves as tools of appeasement.

To be honest, for the last month I’ve probably been somewhere in the middle of the road, stumbling at the promises that I already have in my hands. Living like a deer in headlights, when I was created to be an eagle in the sky’s heights. Nevertheless, I do not have to stay where I have been, I can change. And so can you!

Thanks for allowing me to bounce some of my eclecticism around today! Hopefully, out of all that you found something that will inspire you to walk confidently on The High Road, leading to The High Life.

The High Road…The High Life

• Selfless
• Faith
• Secure
• Loving
• Peaceful

The Low Road…The Low Life

• Selfish
• Fear
• Insecure
• Loveless
• Peaceless

Which road are traveling on?

Until Thursday,

Butterfly

“Why doesn’t she release us?” Freedom, a bright blue butterfly says to her prison companion, Forgiveness.

Freedom and Forgiveness are butterflies that have been imprisoned for more years than they can count. They long for the smell of outside air and the scent of fresh sprouting flower blooms.

“I don’t know?” Forgiveness replies, who also happens to be an equally beautiful and bright butterfly in his own right, except white in hue.

“It is the most asinine thing I have ever experienced.” Freedom remarks.

“It really is. She has the key to free us but she refuses to put it to good use!” Forgiveness adds.

“Exactly and if her sanity wasn’t enough, then the price her Savior paid for the key should be.” Freedom adds.

“Yeah, a hefty price! Talk about some unconditional love and mercy.” Forgiveness says.

“You see my wings? Their sparkling white and created to withstand the troughs of tribulations.”

“Freedom you and I were meant to fly, high into sky. You, near the clouds, light and free. Me, in the skies, full of blithe.”

“Couldn’t have said it better, Forgiveness. Although, you did forget your scintillating blue wings, strong enough to cut through the harrowing winds of hate.”

“Freedom, you are-Wait, do you hear that?” Forgiveness whispers.

Dear Savior in Heaven,

Thank you for waking me up this morning and blessing me to see another day! Without You on my side, I could never find the way. You sacrificed Your life and paid the ultimate sacrifice for my freedom and well-being. Help me to forgive others just as You did on the cross. Help me to release the desire to be in control of my life. Show me how to walk, live and revel in love all the days of my life. It is time for me to let go of these heavy weights that have been holding me down and grab tight to the promise of new life. I leave the past, present and future where they rightfully belong…in Your Almighty Hands…

In You Great Name, alone. Amen.

“I can’t believe it. We’re finally going to be free!” Freedom screeches.

“After all these years of being held in captivity and oppressed. I’m so elated that she decided to roll the weight of hurt and worry onto Jesus’ mighty shoulders. And I’m even more ecstatic to feel the wind through my wings again!” Forgiveness says

“Me too! Although, I am really going to miss you, Forgiveness!”

“Same here, we have had a lot of great times together.” Forgiveness responds.

“Well goodbye then, be blessed!”

“You too, but it is not goodbye, it is till next time…”

Butterfly, The Play

Starring:

Freedom
Forgiveness

…

Personification brings the Bible to life for me and allows me to not only retain God’s Word, but also understand it. What I would give to have Calculus and Chemistry textbooks in story form!

Unlike “Roll Call”, this one (Butterfly) is a little more abstract, so I am going to do a quick summary just in case you got lost in story! The butterflies are mental visuals of what goes on in our hearts. Past hurts and strongholds often hold us back from fully surrendering to God’s goodness. We have the keys to The Good Life, thanks to Jesus dying for us, yet we hesitate to use the precious gift that He sacrificed so much for! Your trapped butterflies might be different, maybe it is Peace or Joy. Kindness or Compassion. Temperament or Patience. Whatever they might be it is time to set them free…

At the start of this year, AD declared that 2017 was A Year To Fly, and although there are only 112 days left in 2017, that is still plenty to stretch our wings!

Until Thursday,

 

 

Settled.

Sometimes my life looks like the picture above. Everything is blurry. Running together. Spiraling somewhere. And like a strong force of gravity the chaos of my life tries pull my mind into it. Blurring my focus. Running faith and doubt together. Spiraling nowhere.

Tries, is they key word here. Satan tried to stop Jesus as a baby, when King Herod authorized the order to kill all baby boys in Bethlehem. Satan tried to discourage David, by making his death, Saul’s personal mission. Satan tried to discredit Noah’s resolve in God, by speaking words of doubt through the townspeople. Satan a trying god…I’ll give him that! He has a fairly decent persistence rate and an equally mediocre creativity rate. He neither stops afflicting God’s children nor cease thinking of devious way to do it.

Try as the big bad wolf did, but he could not blow the third little piggy’s house down. That little piggy was settled. Satan will huff, puff and tell us that he is going to blow our houses down, destroy our careers, rip apart our families and do us completely in, but like a good villain, he never spills the bullseye of his demise. The bullseye: He can’t move settled people. Confident and resolute Christians will withstand all of his fiery trials and fierce floods.

I have made the decision to finally settle some things in my life. Things that were like measly sticks and straws in my heart, shifting around every time life’s gravity pulled on them. No longer am I am double minded. Triple minded. And unsettled. Today, I choose to change and be single minded and settled.

My thoughts and prayers are with the world today as I hope that a settling peace will overcome this world, in the midst of Satan’s last days of destruction…

WE WILL NOT BE SHAKEN, PSALM 55:22.

Until Sunday,