Tag Archives: HolySpirit

Laid Bare

The Gypsy Mama

1. Write for 5 minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Go buck wild with encouragement for the five minuter who linked up before you.

Won’t you give me your best five minutes for the prompt:

Bare….

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The first thought that came to my mind is bare naked. Hey, it’s 8:30 in the morning and my mind isn’t quite “with it” yet. I think since I’ve only got 5 minutes to type….I might just go with that.

Bare naked. That makes me think of Adam and Eve in the garden. They were perfectly content living there. They were obviously not clothed…..until after their sin and then they realized, “Hey, we need to cover this up!” Isn’t that true still? I don’t mean the part about us walking around naked, because  don’t know about you, but

I am well past that stage. The 40’s haven’t been as kind to this body as I had hoped. Sigh.

Anyway, I digress. Isn’t it true that when we sin we still try to cover it up? It’s our nature. It’s who we are. Sinners.

All of it, the good, the bad, and the ugly is laid bare before the eyes of God. He sees it.

But, I’m so grateful that I asked for forgiveness and He has forgiven me.

What was once dirty and broken is now beautiful through the cleansing blood of Christ.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

Adam and Eve by Rembrandt

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Being Extreme

Today, at A Holy Experience, we continue to write about--The Practice of Radical….living in Christ and with Christ.

Jesus

The dictionary calls radical: Departing markedly from the usual or customary; extreme

How does a wife become radical? How does a mother, move the world? Can a special education teacher change lives? A daughter, delight? A friend, be a motivator?

How does radical work in the here and now? Is it possible to live radically for Christ in the dirty and broken of today? Can I truly live this extreme for the One who loves extremely?

As a follower of Christ, I’m called to be radical. Unusual. Different from the world around me.

Make no mistake about it, Jesus was no pushover. He was considered a radical during his life time. He loved where others hated. He showed mercy, when others showed disdain. He did not back down from the leaders of His day, and was not afraid to call them out. He answered questions, taught through parables, loved the unlovable, changed the hard-hearted, prayed continually to His Father, and shepherded the weary. He was a light in a dark place and He led the way, even unto His death.

And I am supposed to conform myself to be just like my Jesus! Now, my friends, that is a radical thought.

How can I ever live up to that standard?  Simply put, I can’t. Not by myself, anyway.

 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus … Philippians 2:1-11 ESV

Radical living is about sacrifice.

Putting others before myself.

That is where truth meets reality….

and that is where radical begins.






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Words That Describe God

Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;102_2364
  you are the one Israel praises.  Psalm 22:3 NIV

The words of scripture let us know that, God indeed, inhabits the praises of His people…..

The words that describe Him, leave the heart full.

* Faithful * Forgiving * Glorious * A Refuge * Ever Present Help * Father * God * Love * Peace* Just * Avenger * Mighty * Powerful * Helper of the fatherless * Judge * Jealous * King * Maker * Provider * Advocate * Most High * Comforter * Mighty Rock * Wise * Adonai * Jehovah * Eternal * Compassionate * Glory * Only True God * Righteous *

And…

Jesus, name above all names.

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.  Philippians 2: 9-11  NLT

* Alpha and Omega * Ancient of Days * Chief Cornerstone * Bread of Life * Christ * Lord * Faithful and True * God’s Son * Great High Priest * Shepherd * He who searches hearts and minds * Light * Holy and Righteous One * Jesus * King of Kings * Lamb of God * Savior * Rabboni * Messiah * Passover Lamb * The Word * The Great Physician * The First and the Last * Wonderful Counselor * Word of Life * Salvation

And, the Holy Spirit…

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. Acts 2: 1-3 NIV

* Holy Spirit * Holy Fire * Spirit of the Living God * The Gift * Voice of the Almighty * Holy One * Spirit of Truth

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This day…..Thanking the Great I AM, for all He IS.






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Into His Image

This day, at A Holy Experience, we are writing on: The Practice of Joy…. What does it mean to choose Crazy Joy? How do we authentically walk through hard times? How do we practice the “gigantic secret” of Christians?

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Present

How do we choose joy?  Is true joy a choice, something we make for ourselves? Or does it just happen to us? A whim? A destiny? How can we choose to be joyful on a daily basis? And can real joy change our lives?  I’m not talking about happiness which is circumstance driven. Happiness is a fleeting emotion…it can’t be depended on. I’m talking about a joy that comes from knowing.

I was startled when I first read Ann Voskamp’s book, One Thousand Gifts. Her written words so closely echoed my own thoughts. I could relate, when she said, “When I realize that it is not God who is in my debt but I who am in His great debt, then doesn’t all become a gift? For He might not have.” (p.94)

Doesn’t it all become a gift? It isn’t difficult to find joy. It is there in the every day. Often times I am too rushed, too busy, too self absorbed, too afraid, and much too cavalier to see the joy.

There is something that happens when thanksgiving is being lifted up. Being thankful to the Giver of all Gifts, changes the heart. Each good thing becomes even more precious. Each hard and difficult time shapes me. As a follower of Christ, both of these things conform me into the image of Christ. As a follower of Christ I know that the greatest gift I’ve ever received is the gift of salvation. If I never was given another gift, He alone would be enough.

Jesus is the gift. He is joy…and it is through Him that all the other things make sense.

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Little White Church

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve taken pictures of this country church several times before. It is very picturesque, and captures my love of simple beauty.

While looking at this church I think of all the people that have worshiped there. How many people have sang hymns to the Heavenly Father in this holy place? How many prayers were uttered to The One who always hears? How many marriages were celebrated? How many tears shed for the ones that have gone on?

I think a lot about history. I wonder about these things through the eye of my camera.

Oh, the stories to tell…..

 

 

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