August of NEW Beginnings

There are new beginnings happening all around us.  God is bringing new opportunities into our path and giving us surprises into the NEW thing is He about to do!

Get ready!  Here's a short poem – declaring the new season!

It’s a time of new beginnings, of choices and of chance. 

A time for love to blossom, for hope to rise and dance.

For the song in your heart, to finally find its voice.

No longer being plagued by the always-nagging choice. 

Where the bitter patter rain won’t silence your sound. 

And the rumble of thunder won’t keep you confound. 

A time of fresh anointing awaits at your door. 

A time of new beginnings is all that’s in store. 

So grab it and hold it and embrace all of it. 

Because you’re about to find the perfect, perfect fit! 

The Mastery of Being Content

It's a skill, an art, a talent for sure. 
To be content completely, without a care in the world. 

I haven't mastered this art (yet) but as the days go by and I get closer to another birthday, I realize it's a place I long to live from each and every day.

God popped this poem into my head as I was driving home one night, contemplating the mystery of God and the heart He's given us.  


Content with no worries, content without plans.

Content always knowing, you’re holding my hand.

Content, oh so happy, content, oh so free.

Content always knowing, all I need to be is me.

Content, oh so steady, content, oh so smooth.

Content always knowing, Holy Spirit’s groove.

Content with my Dad, content with His Son.

Content always knowing, we are all together one.

Content now and always, content help me be.

Content is the place in which I hold the key.   

Content is how I want to live, content is how I want to be.

Content is the place that this world longs to see. 

Is Your To Do List Holding You Back?

My to do list speaks of productivity. 

It says, “I have purpose, meaning, and a plan today.”

My to do list communicates an agenda. 

It sits before me, calling out to me to tick off another box.

My to do list means there are goals I want to achieve.

My to do list is an ongoing, growing set of activities. 

If accomplished in one day, it produces feelings of joy and satisfaction. 

My to do list can determine my worth but I try hard to not let it.

Now, who doesn’t love a good to do list?

I know I do but if I am not careful I can become a slave to my to do list.  Always craving the next box to check, and striving to complete the task.

My to do list isn’t wrong, bad, or evil.  In fact organization, productivity, and efficiency are my greatest strengths.

BUT…you knew there was a BUT coming.

There is a new season upon us, one where God’s voice is increasing and if we aren’t patient enough to stop, wait, and listen we will miss Him.  We will miss the wisdom and understanding He wants to drop into our spirits. 

His voice wants to direct us to the right or the left, and lead us to the places of deep refreshment.  His voice is our to do list.  To listen, lean in, and learn about who He is and how He directs, and where He really wants us spending our time.    

I am not throwing away my to do list altogether but sometimes that’s precisely what He’s asking me to do.  He’s asking me to not be a slave to the boxes but instead allow His voice to plan my agenda for the day.   

So today I am a little less anxious, a little less stressed, and a little more at peace because the to do list on my desk became a piece of paper with tasks, rather than a chain of duty at my finger tips.

So the question is NOT what’s on your to do list,

but rather is your to do list running you?

Why you need to know how to ride a horse!

At precisely high noon the horses are lined up, with the chariots in tow, and faces of fierce determination look intently on the open horizon.  The only sound is that of horses huffing and flags flapping through the air. 

No one moves a muscle before the gun sounds, knowing a quick death would be sure to follow. The life and livelihood of so many depend on these next minutes, some will lose their life and others will gain a long awaited place to call home. 

Many have traveled great distances, endured long winters, and lost loved ones in the pursuit of this very moment.  All in a matter of minutes their fate will be decided. Will they find victory or will more waiting, toil, and pain be their plight?  Without another thought the gun is fired and only a cloud of dust remains.   Men fly off their horses, chariots turn over, and the race is on. 

The battle for land has begun. 

The battle for new life. 

The battle for an actual home. 

The battle for a place to belong.

The battle for an opportunity to start a family. 

The battle for a place of security. 

The battle to thrive rather just survive. 

The battle of the land rush!

A few days ago God reminded me of the western land rush and I heard Him say, “The time is now for land to be taken, for the battle to begin.  To fight for what’s yours and stick your flag in the ground for victory.” 

It’s a time for battle.

Now is the time to ask the Lord what land is yours to take.  What land are you destined to conquer?  Which sphere of influence?  Government, education, media, arts, church, etc…?

Ask, Seek, Knock.  Ready your horse and listen for His gun to sound!

* When I got this picture I remembered the scene from Far and Away – watch the first minute and you’ll get a good idea of “The Land Rush of 1889”!