Within the Garden of my Heart

Thursday, December 31, 2020

Two Golden Hooks...

Luke 19:1-10

Good morning Abba, Good morning Jesus, Good morning Holy Spirit...

It is the eve before 2021 begins. Such a year of turmoil, and yet in the midst of this year there were so many mercies and witnessing of Your continued hand at work. Thank you my Lord for all the ways You confirmed Your presence!

Have you heard about the Golden Hooks? I've just learned that there is a saving thought about history, which is a confirming thought in today's culture of cancellation and re-writing of our Nation's perspective.
"There are two Golden Hooks on which all of History (His Story) hangs!"
Jeanne Wilkerson
Food for you to ponder:
All history hangs on these two Golden Hooks (events): 1st coming of our Lord and His 2nd coming.
How are you positioning your self for His Return?

Jesus has no requirement for us before he comes to visit us... 
  • He already knows who we are (for Abba is our creator) 
  • He already knows what shape our house is in (what is spoken/unspoken in our hearts, spirit and soul)
  • He already has promised to guide us in making our ways right (with Abba) for a fuller life with Him
Consider and pray about what the message is in Luke 19:1-10. In this historical truth, we are introduced to Zacchaeus (Za-Key-us). A small man who wanted to see Jesus (first golden hook). He had to climb a Sycamore tree just to see over the crowd. He was known as a tax collector and not well liked in his community. The truth that Zacchaeus knew, that so few were unwilling to acknowledge, was that he had to position himself away from the crowd if he wanted to "see" Jesus! It was in that "boldness" that Jesus called him down from the tree. Jesus met Zacchaeus right where he was... no good deed... no expensive seat of honor... no grand attempt to be like anyone else... just a simple desire to "see" Jesus as he passed by the crowd. It's in the positioning to "see" Jesus that brought Jesus home to Zacchaeus. 

Now consider, ponder, and pray about what the message is in Malachi 4:5-6“See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.” 

Many have preached about the return of Elijah in the days before Jesus' return (2nd golden hook) and some have spoken the truth about John the Baptist (1st golden hook) in Luke 1:5-79. Zechariah (Zack-a-ri-us) was a priest of Aaron. Both Zechariah and Elizabeth were elderly (and childless) when they were told that they would have a son. The truth of his birth positioned them for the way of our Lord. Can you imagine that truth of lives created and chosen because they knew God and chose to live in accordance to His Truths? Now ponder the moment they presented their new born for his circumcision. As was the custom, they proclaimed his name as John (not a family name) and a proclamation (prophecy) was said over their child... that their child, John, would make ready the way of the Lord (1st golden hook). This is the same baby that "leapt" in his mother's womb when Mary came to visit Elizabeth. The very same baby that knew the truth of Mary's Immaculate conception and recognized Jesus in her womb. The same baby that knew Jesus as his Lord. The same man who baptized our Lord in the Jordan. Positioning... making ready the the way of the Lord.

Finally, consider, ponder, and pray... To live... To move... to continue John's ministry... It's the positioning of our selves, in the place we should, be for our Lord's return (2nd golden hook). Will we stay in the crowd or will we be bold in our calling? Courageous? Encouraging? We need to simply follow our Lord's voice, His lead... He takes care of the rest.

Blessings for a year of remarkable blessings,
IS 43:8-12; Nehemiah 11:17-18; always PS 91

Sunday, December 6, 2020

Mary Did You Know... Lk2:19 Do we know?

"But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart."

Good morning Abba, Good morning Jesus, Good morning Holy Spirit,

Tis' the season to remember, to ponder, to let our hearts feel... to love. So many "joyous" sounds of Christmas fill our homes, cars, work spaces... our hearts. In the early hours are moments when being quiet allows our hearts time to listen, feel, and go beyond the world into what we "glimmer" as truth.

2020 has not been a year of kindness. I wonder... did Mama Mary feel peace when she heard what was done to the children by Herod and those he commanded (Matt 2:16-18)? Or, did her heart feel peace when she held Heaven as her child gently snuggled close to her heart?

Just for today... take time to ponder... to seek...
  • What is love? How do we recognize the purity of love?
  • When you look into a mirror... do you see love in your eyes? Do you see love in other's eyes?
  • God's word gives us an entire book of truth... have you read it (Proverbs)?
  • Is our truth real or an illusion? How do we discern the truth? At a time such as this, should we be celebrating what the "news" considers truth? Pain comes from the thorns that wound us... yet those thorns also have the blooms of a rose. 
  • Hope... what does it mean? What does hope uncover within a heart that beats the very life we live?
  • If the first gift of Christmas was a baby... why do we spend so much on "things" and so little on the value of each other?
  • If we can "feel" the beauty of the song, "Mary Did You Know?," why can we not recognize that which steals, kills, and destroys the hope of our nation... the love of each other... or the joy of our creation?
  • What are we doing with this, our, gift of life? Are we seeking our own entertainment and that which the world offers? Or, is there one small way we could celebrate the life we are given by using our strength and talents to offer a touch of kindness or forgiveness as we were created to do?
  • What, oh, what will we say when... we come face to face with God's only begotten son? Will we fall to our knees? Or run into His arms?
This isn't a season to enjoy and go back to daily "stuff," this is a season to celebrate just how Great love is. To celebrate the Joy of each other. To embrace the magnitude of Hope in our Lord's promises...

Come... let us adore Him... together we can lead each other and our future generation...
Mary did you know... that you would be the one chosen to be our Heavenly mother... our role model... our understanding of truth...?

Blessings...

Sunday, November 22, 2020

Sheltering under His Wings with Thankfulness PS91

 

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!”
Ps 91: 1-2

Good morning Abba, Good morning Jesus, Good morning Holy Spirit,

This year has been a year filled with struggles, disillusions, heart-ache, and extreme daily pressures. When I take time to "sit" with you, my Lord, your peace that surpasses my oppression always provides the very breath of Heaven to surround me, as if... a shawl is placed around me... and I can breathe in Your presence.

My Lord, my Shepherd, I know that when apart from You... I get distracted... I tend to bound in all directions... I get snared by others... I even get so close to the edge that You must come and scoop me up into Your protective arms. At those times, my Lord, I can do nothing of lasting value for You. This Thanksgiving... Lord Jesus, extend Your had of renewal upon me and mine, upon Your faithful, and upon our nation... our world. Open our eyes to see our reliance with thankfulness for Your great Passion. Guide us to the end of self and lead us into Your Will, take the reins of our lives for You alone created us. Amen---Amen---Hallelujah 

"The Lord is close to those whose hearts are breaking;
He rescues those who are humbly sorry for their sins."
Ps 34:18

Thursday, October 29, 2020

For a time such as this... 2 Tim 3

 
"...so that the person belonging to God may be capable, fully equipped for every good deed."

Good morning Abba, Good morning Jesus, Good morning Holy Spirit...

As we approach the outcome of our 2020 election, I encourage you to take a moment to come before our Lord and meet with Him. Review your thoughts, words, and deeds. Ask Him what is aligned with His word and will... What is aligned with the world's view of life? Read 2 Tim 3, talk with Him about what He wishes for your understanding. Realize His truth... that is where our hope is found. Receive His insights and loving hope for this season of life... (vs. 14-17).

Add into your daily prayer His peace (PS 91 and 2 Sam 24:25...
With the peace and love of our Lord... we walk together...
MrsK

Monday, June 1, 2020

"Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you" 
James 4:10

Good morning Abba, Good morning Jesus, Good morning Holy Spirit,
With the dawning of this new day, you have reminded me about Job (42:1-11). Given all the discourse within our nation, on our news stations, and our global pandemic... sometimes it feels overwhelming. Your word reminds us not to complain, close our eyes to your hand at work, or listen only to those voices that are void of inspiration about your promises.  "You instruct me, and as a result of Your instruction, I will willingly submit and accept it." 

Just for today, my Lord, let me:
  • Take a moment to be quiet with you
  • Humble myself before you, in Your presence
  • Place into Your loving hands all that is burdening my heart, cluttering my mind, and distracting me from Your daily portion of Grace, Mercy, and Peace
  • Help me to pull back, stop mulling around in the muck of the moment, and take refuge under Your wings
  • Place me into Your day, allow me contentment even though answers have not become clear
  • Strengthen me in the type of trust that, regardless of what the world is showing, You are my provider
  • Bless me with the Holy Spirit's comfort that worries fade away so that my day is filled with the works of my hands that will glorify Your name
My trust is with our Lord,
Walk today with assurance,

Sunday, May 31, 2020

You Were Chosen... Pentecost 2020

"You were chosen to tell about
the excellent qualities of God."
1 Peter 2:9

Good morning ABBA, Good morning Jesus, Good morning Holy Spirit,

Today is the glorious celebration of Your Holy gift of a comforter and spiritual guide. How do we put into words Your loving endowment? In what ways, Holy Spirit, could someone like me honor my Lord, my God? How could I be of use to God Almighty the greater of all... of Heaven and Earth... of everything living... of everything "good?" Oh my Lord, pour forth Your blessings in us...

"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come,
 they were all with one accord in one place.
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind,
and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire,
and it sat upon each of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, 
and began to speak with other tongues, 
as the Spirit gave them utterance."
Acts 2: 2-4

In You, my Lord... Through You, my Lord... For You, my Lord...
Strengthen us, O Lord... for the time such as this...
Help us walk in Your Truth, proclaiming Your Goodness...
For these times are filled with deceivers, destructive choices, and spiritual warfare...
Let us lift up our eyes and fill us with Your overflowing Love, Peace, and Joy...
That Your Truth is found in Your only begotten Son... Yeshua... our Lord Jesus Christ...

"And afterward will I pour [a]out my Spirit upon all flesh: 
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy: 
your old men shall dream [b]dreams, and your young men shall see visions.
And also upon the servants, 
and upon the maids in those days will I pour my Spirit.
And I will show [c]wonders in the heavens and in the earth: 
blood and fire, and pillars of smoke.
The [d]sun shall be turned into darkness, 
and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come.
But whosoever shall call [e]on the Name of the Lord, 
shall be saved: 
for in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance as the Lord hath said, 
and in the [f]remnant, whom the Lord shall call."
Joel 2: 28-32

Come Holy Spirit Come...
In our humility, let us walk forward as Yours!

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"Ask the Lord for rain in the Springtime; it iS the Lord Who SendS the thunderstorms.He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the fieLd to everyone." Zechariah 10:4