The Grace of a Gazelle

My Spirit is a Gazelle.

My eyes look up;

I breathe the Breath of God;

Leaping, I know no stumbling.

My eyes see launching pads;

My feet refuse to stick;

Because I’m following the scent

of freedom.

When I am dry, I pant

for the Waters of Life;

Drinking I watch

for I am not alone:

I am one with my leaping kind;

We dance in the wind.

My spirit is like God:

We move,

We rejoice,

We are sure,

We have left Enemies in the dust.

The horizon is our home.

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I felt sad meeting a pleasant, helpful young man recently, who called our city full of art and music “boring.” Where are his dreams, his plans and aspirations? Are they frustrated and dead?

Is it the city that’s boring, or is he boring? And you, are you bored? Could you be dead boring? Let me stoke the fires of your human spirit. Listen as I help you reconnect with Infinite Love.

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In The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (coming to the movie screens as well) C. S. Lewis describes the visit to a land of invisible people. They had come to the conclusion that the Ruler of the land had “uglified” them, so they decided they were better off being invisible. Has this happened to you?

Have you been unappreciated, even made fun of for your looks, your personality? Horrified, shamed and angry, did you decide to hide or to present a front, pretending to be someone who might get some love and approval?

You don’t deserve to be uglified. You don’t have to be ashamed. There is something better than invisibility and pretend. Let me bless your spirit to be as loved and beautiful as God created you to be. Listen with the inner person who shines through the outer appearance.

Just listen quietly. Maybe listen more than once. Say “yes” to God’s Words that Touch. Let them touch your heart with His love.

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We humans have so many deep things in common

Stars and sunsets capture the eye, intrigue the mind and uplift the heart. We humans have much in common on our way from conception, birth to age and death. Deep within our human spirits yearn for the eternal, the substantial, the satisfying. Some how we can connect with each other when we share the deep things of the spirit inside of us. The hope and pain, the love and fear, desire and frustration link us if we let them. In many ways we reflect the God who created us.

When God created His creatures He did not just let them loose to do their thing; He also blessed them with growth and purpose. Genesis 1:22: God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” Genesis 1:28: God blessed them. God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

We can be like our Heavenly Father in our words

We ought also to be blessers. Matthew 5:44 But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.

Where do the blessings originate that come out of our mouths or keyboards? First we draw upon God’s own good intentions revealed in His Word and His actions. Then our mind tries to think of things to say to a person we care about so they can increase and be glad. But how do we match the mind of God with the spirit of a person so they receive everything God wants to give them, especially despite their negative circumstances? We can ask God for help, for His revelation in our spirits.

How about asking our own human spirit what I/my spirit would say? My human spirit is I. My own amazement started when I asked the Lord what He thought of my thinking and He answered instantly. Then I started asking the seven portions of my spirit what I think, and again I started getting answers. This does not always happened right away, but often it does. Now I want to bless people with the blessings my own human spirit wants to give.

My spirit can connect with other people’s spirits to express God’s blessing

Finally I recognize why some Bible passages excite me. It’s because my spirit really resonates with what God is saying. All I have to do is ask 7 times what is so exciting. My mind and my spirit take this input and turn it into spoken/written blessings. I believe I am doing what Paul said in I Corinthians 2:10 But to us, God revealed them through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For who among men knows the things of a man, except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so, no one knows the things of God, except God’s Spirit. 12 But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might know the things that were freely given to us by God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things.

We take the input of God’s Spirit and put it into spiritual words that human spirits then respond to. Here is alignment and synchronization: God’s written Word, God’s today revelation, the Holy Spirit, my human spirit and my mind/soul all expressing God’s heart to bless and transform. Halleluia! This is joy.

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When we have lost something we grieve.

Many people I meet reveal an underlying sadness over their relationships. If the truth were known, we would see them grieving over lost parents by divorce, over lost hope by addiction, over lost dreams by disease or crime or poverty.

Grief is powerful but not popular. We want to “get over it.” Life goes on, but we carry a burden in our spirit and in our body anyway. This leads to depression, anger or sickness.

Pain where we looked for love and injustice where we expected “what’s right” lodge deep in our human spirits and we need relief. God is a Spirit and He knows us and He has comfort and strength to replace our grief.

I am not preaching and I’m not asking you to try harder. You’ve already tried thinking positive thoughts. What I am offering goes deeper, into your human spirit. God’s Spirit wants to come into your human spirit and give you divine life. The Heavenly Father sent His Son on a rescue mission to reach into our pain and injustice to give us His hope and power.

Listen to these short Words that Touch. I speak to your hidden grief God’s words of comfort and strength. I give you hope and relief by divine life-giving blessings.

Just listen quietly. Maybe listen more than once. Say “yes” to God’s Words that Touch.

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Yesterday at a friend’s funeral the pastor read Psalm 23 and my spirit jumped to attention. Suddenly I realized all seven expressions of my spirit were nurtured and encouraged by some expression in David’s experience. So today I read through the psalm and asked my spirit what appealed to each of the seven portions. Many of us believe God has built our human spirits with seven aspects as His Spirit (Isaiah 11; Revelation 4) corresponding to the seven Redemptive Gifts in Romans 12:6-8.

Overall I realized the story describes a circle where the Shepherd leads David/me from where I am (the sheepfold is not mentioned) outward to provision then back to His Home.

1. My Shepherd leads out (from wherever I was)
2. He leads to (green pastures, quiet waters, restoration)
3. He leads on (paths of righteousness)
4. He leads through (valleys, evil, enemies)
5. He walks beside (protecting and comforting)
6. We feast (surrounded by enemies)
7. He refreshes (my head, my cup)
8. He surrounds (with good and grace)
9. He leads me home (Yahweh’s House)

My spirit prophet rejoices in being in motion according to a plan.

My spirit servant is excited to join with Father in meeting needs (not alone but together, all taken care of in His plan).

My spirit teacher is satisfied by structure. There are paths to follow. There are walls to keep out evil, with light inside and darkness outside. Structure provides life and protects it. Father’s structure is not preoccupied by evil or fear (how to prevent or avoid, how to heal or counteract, how to analyze it and describe it), but rather occupied with good and grace.

My spirit exhorter enjoys never being alone, being in the company of The Strong One. I am fascinated with Him.

My spirit giver is relaxed in Father’s grand plan and all-encompassing provision. I rest in watching The Master at work.

My spirit ruler enjoys the flow of everyone and everything working together perfectly. I enjoy the teamwork. Ruler is confidently walking through every situation. I have the impression that my small confidence and willingness to fight/resist is totally synchronized with the huge confidence and weapons of Him who rules.

Spirit mercy admires watching The Master at work and is thrilled to have goodness and mercy for company everywhere I go. I can’t wait to arrive Home (Yahweh’s House) and experience all He has in store for us all.

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The God of the Bible, Jehovah, Yahweh, Adonai, has personality, likes and dislikes, plans and power, feelings and serenity. He sings (Zeph 3:17), He laughs (Ps 2:4), He likes surprises (Matt 24:36), He gets mad (Deut 6:15), and so on.

What kind of face do you imagine when you think of God? The stern-eyed, rock-jawed Pantokrator, Almighty Jesus Christ, Judge of the living and the dead on the mosaic walls of ancient Ravenna, Italy, scared people into the arms of Mother Mary, the woman who could wheedle her son to fulfill her requests. Is your image of God stern? angry? soft? smiling? vacant?

Ravenna mosaic Christ Pantokrator

Many people in the world are in search of a god who makes them feel good.

Some religions offer bliss, Nirvana, love as undifferentiated happiness, like syrup. I once wandered the magnificent spaces of the Baha’i Temple in Illinois, reading the hundreds of quotations on the walls. Amazingly they all said positive things about god and mankind, love and understanding, toleration and peace. I found only one statement in the whole white and light gray or blue decor that even intimated evil exists and creates a problem to be condemned. Other mystics today carry on the traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism, talking only of peace and love, as though our minds and bodies only need to be relieved of a few cramps and misconceptions so we can flow with the spirit of the Universe.

The Holy Spirit is not syrup love.

The Holy Spirit of God is a person, not a uniform syrup. He wrestles (Gen 6:3, 32:28), He grieves (Eph 4:30), He burns (Acts 2:3-4), He administers (I. Cor 12:11), He rejoices (Luke 10:21). The Holy Spirit of God gives us personality: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control (Gal 5:22-23). He gives us power and love (II. Tim 1:7).

Even Heaven is not syrupy. Christ Jesus Pantokrator, the King of kings and Lord of lords, will wipe away all tears from our eyes (Rev 21:4), will proclaim our royal identity as children of God (Matt 10:32), will lead the saints into battle (Jude 1:14-15), will rule the world with us (Rev 20:6). He has plans for us that have been delayed by the sin of Adam and Eve and each one of us. Christ Jesus will not rule alone. He will rule with us, His saints and brothers and sisters, on a renewed planet in a renewed Universe.

Choose the true and living God as your trust and love. You will become a personality too, and an attractive, enduring one at that!

Learn Air Guitar, it's a good start

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Dave has shared some dreams from his journal. This one was especially instructive about our individual and collective spiritual conflict. Christ Jesus is the victor and He lets us share the struggle so we can share the victory. Be encouraged!

Vision of War: A Dream

I am standing in one of the front lines of a formation marching down a hill towards our enemy.  The enemy is moving in formation down the hill opposite us.  There is no plant life on the battleground, only the two barren hills converging at a small valley in the middle.  This is not a modern battle.  We stop our march and I look to my left.  The hill was higher to my left. Over there, above and in front of my unit of soldiers, we see our Commander riding his horse in front of the army.  While all the colors in my vision are muted, I can clearly see His crown and sword.  He stops and surveys the enemy. I know that we are getting ready for battle.  I turn my focus back to the enemy.

The leader of my unit of soldiers turns and begins a battle cry.  I see myself both in our commanding officer and in formation.  Our armor shows signs of many battles.  The armor at one time was bright and shown brilliantly in the light.  Now, it is covered with dirt and blood, but nothing can cover the light that comes from it.  Under my armor, on the inside of my left bicep is an image of an almond branch.  I don’t know if it is on my sleeve or a tattoo.  This must be the symbol of my unit.  You can’t really see the branch until my arms are raised in victory.  The branch is really the only color I see in the vision.  I see the brown gnarly branch, pink buds and white blooms with green in the middle.

My unit appears to be heavy infantry.  We are wearing heavier armor and carrying heavier weapons.  All the soldiers in my unit are experienced.  I know they have been fighting for a long time.  Their armor is just as worn as mine.  We have not all been fighting the same battles, but we have all been fighting the same war.  They have a fierce intensity.  They are focused and prepared.  There is no doubt that we will win this fight.  This is our time to inflict retribution on our enemy.  All those with me are mighty men.  They are all on the same level as King David’s mighty men.

The enemy on the other hand, is dark.  They do not look physically intimidating or spectacular.  They all look the same, dressed in black with ornate head-gear.  There is no enemy cavalry, only foot soldiers on this side of the field.

We hear the sound to charge and the whole front line of the army rushes into battle.  We are on the far right side of the enemy (the enemy’s left).  We know that it is our job to collapse this side of the line so that the cavalry can come in behind us and turn the flank of the enemy formation.  The enemy formations stop just above the small valley between us.  I assume that they do not want to give up higher ground.  All their strategy will mean nothing in the end.  As I look again to my left, my unit is moving faster than the center of the line, we are going to be the first to engage the enemy.  Our Commander is still on his horse at the precipice of the hill.  He will be in the battle soon, but now is our time.  A few steps away from the enemy lines, I see that their front line is organized, but nothing else is.  I charge into their shield wall, bowling over a few enemy soldiers that stood in the way.  My fighting is intense.  I did not know I could fight this way.  I look around and see that the rest of my unit is fiercely putting down the enemy.  There is a brief pause after our initial serge.  The enemy is in disarray.  They are not organized.  There is no clear leader for them on this side of the field.  We catch our breath for a moment, but we know that there is more fighting to come.

This is where the vision ends.  I note that nowhere in the entire vision were any words spoken.

Interpretation

This is a recurring vision that I have.  All of the events and details in this vision did not come to me all at the same time.  Every time that I give this vision intentional focus and study, I begin to see more details.  For example, the first installment of this vision was simply soldiers in formation preparing to charge.  I am not a soldier, so I began to think; “Why would I be fighting?”  I recalled in Revelation where Christ is the commander of an army of the saints and angels.  “Ok,” I said to myself.

I thought it odd to have a vision of war, because I did not really perceive myself at odds with anything outside myself.  I later realized, while I might not recognize or define struggles in my life, faith and spirit as battles, I most definitely need victory.  The sum total of all of my life distractions, sins and short-fallings left me feeling defeated and illegitimate on the inside.  This vision of Victory and retribution immediately lifted my spirit in a way that I can not describe.

The details of the armor came to me after this revelation.  It became apparent I have taken several severe blows along the way, but managed to stay on my feet.  Furthermore, it’s not that I have stood on my own, but God has repeatedly picked me up out of the dirt and mud.  He brushed me off and set me in a direction to fight some more.  As I take ground in areas of my life and turn them over to Him I gain peace.  It is odd to think that the more I fight, the more peace I gain, but this seems to be the case.

However, I know that the ground I take today is not necessarily safe tomorrow.  God has begun to show me how to defend myself and the ground I took.  One of the best defenses we can have is allies.  In the vision, it is significant to me that I am in a unit of men who have struggled just as much as I have.  It is comforting to know that I have not been fighting alone all this time.  It is comforting to be around people who know how to defend what you have claimed for God.  It is also significant to realize that the men in my unit were all knocked down and restored by God.

The next major revelation was that of the almond branch.  I first read about the almond branch in Jeremiah.  In the first chapter God gave Jeremiah a vision of an almond branch.  This was to show Jeremiah that God would follow through with all the things He told Jeremiah.  I did a little research and found some interesting facts about the almond tree.  It turns out that the almond tree is the first to bloom in the spring.  It blooms long before other trees are ready to come out of the dormancy of winter.  The blooming is a sign that winter is almost over and spring is not too far off.  Considering this, it makes perfect sense the unit I am with is at the front of the charge.

As far as the enemy is concerned, I think it is important that they seem insignificant.  To me, this means that there is no one of them greater than the other.  Also, it seems that it doesn’t matter which one is attacking, the attack will be the same.  If all the enemy soldiers are trained the same and look the same, is it reasonable to think that they will all fight in a very similar manner?  This might mean that whenever I find myself “under attack” I can defend against all manner of barrages in a similar manner.  Also, this probably means that I should not give one particular attack more attention than others.  There is no hierarchy of enemy attacks; they are all executed the same way.  This is not to say that I am not susceptible to one more than the other, just that all the attacks are similar in their deployment.

As far as the tactics are concerned, I’m not too sure the significance.  I know that in history, a General would either focus on dividing the enemy line in the center or flank one of the ends of the line.  In either case, his soldiers could be deployed behind the enemy, where there are no defenses.  Perhaps this means that victory is secured.  We know this to be the case. But perhaps this means I need to fight to win instead of fighting not to lose.

The last thing I have considered is the intensity of my fighting.  It seems to be fiercer than I could imagine.  Perhaps I am not currently “fighting” to the level at which I can.  Maybe I am like a professional baseball player who is playing tee-ball because I am the only one at the park who has not yet realized that I have the ability to do more.

I am sure that there is more to be revealed about this vision.  I know that I have had some awesome personal realizations thinking through what I’ve seen.  Perhaps someone else can add to my interpretation or otherwise benefit in a personal way.  Perhaps someone else has seen similar things and can add to the imagery.

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This thrilling vision of the spiritual power of mothers came through a homeschoolers’ email network. Sharon’s and my spirits rose up in joy as we read this woman’s mighty statement of who she is and of the greatness of every woman. I made copies to share with A Woman’s Resource Center here in Louisville, hoping to encourage other women.

By Christianna Reed Maas

My willingness to carry life is the revenge, the antidote, the great rebuttal of every murder, every abortion, and every genocide.   I sustain humanity. Deep inside of me, life grows. I am death’s opposition.

I have pushed back the hand of darkness today. I have caused there to be a weakening tremor among the ranks of those set on earth’s destruction. Today a vibration that calls angels to attention echoed throughout time. Our laughter threatened hell today.

I dined with the greats of God’s army. I made their meals, and tied their shoes. Today, I walked with greatness, and when they were tired I carried them. I have poured myself out for the cause today.

It is finally quiet, but life stirs inside of me. Gaining strength, the pulse of life sends a constant reminder to both good and evil that I have yielded myself to Heaven and now carry its dream. No angel has ever had such a privilege, nor any man. I am humbled by the honor. I am great with destiny.  I birth the freedom fighters. In the great war, I am a leader of underground resistance. I smile at the disguise of my troops, surrounded by a host of warriors, destiny swirling, invisible yet tangible, and the anointing to alter history. Our footsteps marking land for conquest, we move undetected through the common places.

Today I was the barrier between evil and innocence. I was the gate keeper, watching over the hope of mankind, and no intruder trespassed. There is not an hour of day or night when I turn from my post. The fierceness of my love is unmatched on earth.

And because I smiled instead of frowned the world will know the power of grace. Hope has feet, and it will run to the corners of earth, because I stood up against destruction.

I am a woman. I am a mother. I am the keeper and sustainer of life here on earth. Heaven stands in honor of my mission. No one else can carry my call. I am the daughter of Eve. Eve has been redeemed. I am the opposition of death. I am a woman.

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