But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” 

Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat.

-

God does not simply fill emptiness, but He takes it away. in the same power that life became life not because it filled a vacancy, but it emerged from nothing. in the same display of glory that resurrection did not layer over death, but conquered it. 

my prayer God is Lord let there not simply be renewal, but a transformation. to increase in capacity to love, for I know that love will spill into every crevice of my heart and fill every weakness, Lord do not delay in Your righteousness 

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest. 

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me,

for I am gentle and lowly in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls. 

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
-
all glory, power, honor to You and You alone,

the Almighty who sustains me in His love and

who lifts burdens for the sake of His children.

victory belongs to the one who fights, and our God is a fierce warrior

justice and righteousness flows from Your river

and You save the undeserving because of Your mercy.

praise and bless Him,

holy holy holy is the Lord God Almighty,

who Was and Is and Is To Come

suds

today was really tough, for a lot of reasons and at the same time not a lot of reasons.

I just want to

clean my room.

and curl up and just wait.

3/19

faith never knows where it is being led, but it knows and loves the One Who is leading.

to be dwelled on

“ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” 

Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe;

help me overcome my unbelief!”

giving

Jesus never took. He only gave.

Even the things that were given to him, like a loaf of bread or a fish; it was multiplied and then,

given.

to feed the poor, to heal the sick, to make miracles, to express a love that God had been trying to express amidst rebellion.

He was given a life, and ultimately, gave it up, and gave eternal life to all.

even to abraham, who gave up his devotion and at one point, almost his only son to the Lord, was told

I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you.

giving giving giving.

-

i have received things abundantly, and sometimes taken things, but not for the purposes of giving it away.

i have received friendship, to hide my loneliness. i have received community, to fill in the gaps. i have received life to do nothing with it. i have received love to devour it

this is my emptiness; because what was given was not sent out. because what was filled has not been poured out, but it has dried up in its vessel. it is my desert, not just because of the lack of rain, but because the water has been spent without growing.

what tree bears a single fruit? what crop bears nothing?

-

i am not called to be a fig tree, one that is cursed to wither.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
    he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
    and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor,
    and the day of vengeance of our God;
    to comfort all who mourn;
to grant to those who mourn in Zion—
    to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
    the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called

oaks of righteousness,

    the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.

wake up.

a flame thrower

every great gain is preceded by great loss.

all the questions and noise buzzing in my head

the doubts and the fears

the hurtful words and the things of like.

when you keep your pain hidden for fear of rebuke or ridicule

to feel unsafe and vulnerable in weakness

to again, believe in the lies you can't shake

when this fire starter clicks, and it's ember ignites,

all things are consumed by it's flame

and the Lord will call me beloved and wipe away every tear and ash and I'm in that place once again

seek not righteousness, holiness, compassion, but pursue God for he all is, and see everything else fall into place.

I did not like today, but I like this time. sprawled with a blanket too thin and dropping eyes

I am