Redemption

We watched Amazing Grace tonight. It is a movie based on the true account of William Wilberforce who fought for the abolition of slavery and was eventually successful. WOW! I am amazed that he never gave up! This movie was deeply moving. Sometimes I was overwhelmed by the sinfulness of man and a deep ache for the people whose lives were ruled by injustice- even more so for the people of today whose lives are ruled by injustice and for my children who are being raised up in this fallen world. When the movie was over and it was time to "resume life" I realized how easily all the pain of sin and injustice are washed away. So before I moved on I began to pray and write to captivate what was in my heart. Hear it is:


I am devastated and overwhelmed by the depravity of mans soul. We live and move through our white washed sepulchers. Where dead men’s bones move and carry on inside as if they were alive. They pour out death where ever they walk and impose the deeds of darkness upon those who are unaware of the devastation that lies on the other side of the walls. They are ushered in with their families and heritage to a darkness which steals the very breath of life and locks the door behind.
How Oh God will we ever survive- how will we make known the ways of the evil and crafty serpent who slithers through the cracks of our doorways and lures us away by our own evil desires? Evil desires that are lying in the depths of our soul alive and only awaiting the quickening of the aroma of the pleasures of this world. Yes an aroma that is a stench before the nostrils of God which cause Him to vomit hail and fire upon the unsuspecting heads of the evil doers. Truly unsuspecting? Innocently so? No, for their consciences and all of creation call out condemning them for their sins. Oh the ache, oh the depth of devastation that our sins cause upon all who step on its wide and alluring path.

And so who will cry out? Who will cry out in the streets? Who will feel the desperation of the souls locked in their prisons with the chains of sin which they sold their souls for? Who will hear their cries? Even more so, who will take captive the capture? Who will remove his voice and lying tongue that so subtly speaks these lies into their ears? Who will rage war on the enemy of our souls and the Most High King?
The battle has already been won. Yes the enemy has been defeated and with his power that remains he tries to scrap and scavenge for any souls he might devour before the edict comes down from the Most High and destroys kingdom of darkness from the whole of creation. No fear my child, if you are mine and your name is written in My glorious book of life, I am yours and You are mine. I have defended you with everything I have – I have defended you with My Self- with My Son – with My Blood that was poured out to cover over your sin like a scarlet blanket covers a naked and ravished body. Sin may steal and bind, but my Spirit brings life and freedom that rings from the mountain tops and tells of my Glory. So sing, sing your song, sing in the streets, sing it to the children, sing to all who can hear the song of My goodness, My redemption, My restoration, and My overcoming power to defeat the enemy of your soul and truly set the captive free.

The Goodness of the Lord

Here lately there’s been a struggle deep within my heart over issues of the past and circumstances of the present. I am terrible about mulling things over and over in my mind until finally I have to take it before the Lord. So the past several weeks have been series of stewing, journaling, praying and seeing the goodness of the Lord in His Word that sustains me thorough one more moment- one more hour- one more day – until the next set of circumstances strikes.

Needless to say my emotions have run wild on occasion and family has been riding the roller coaster with me. UNTIL… the Lord began, through several resources and His presence, to lead me back to the concept of leading my heart and emotions rather than letting them lead me. To choose to renew my mind and heart not only with scripture, but also with choosing the paths down which my mind will travel. It has been refreshing. :)

As the smoke of smoldering embers began clear from my heart, I began to understand more of what the Lord was doing in my midst: His purposeful hand holding me steady as we passed under the shadow of death so that He alone could restore my soul. And oh the sweet taste of restoration!

Now the restoration is not yet complete, however, last night I was afforded the opportunity to openly talk about some of these struggles. With grace and love I attempted to convey my heart of hearts- NOT the bitterness and malice that had previously been there. The results? Peace. Sweet peace that washes over my mind and heart.

The best part is that we took communion this morning at church and there was no hesitation needed, because I knew that my heart was clean before the Lord. A day or two before and this would have been a drastically different situation. So, Thank You Lord. Thank-you for Your peace and thank you for a purposeful Hand of Love that reminds me that You adopted me into Your family and that all of Your ways are purposeful and good.