Invitation

Invited inside this Holy Place, I walk about in freedom. To the left is the lampstand made of pure gold and emitting light for the room. Rays of light are spilling on me.

“Your Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105 “When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

The lamp, filled with oil, is kept burning before the Lord. Holy Spirit, burns within me, spilling His light on me, filling me.

To the right is the table for the Bread of the Presence. The very nature of bread is to provide physical sustenance. When I eat bread it becomes a part of me.

“Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believe in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35

“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Matthew 26:26

The Priest breaks the bread in the Holy Place and eats it there. In communion, fellowship with God. The invitation is always open since there is continually bread on the table. Take and eat, the Priest encourages, I will sustain you.

Directly in front of the curtain that leads to the Most Holy Place is the alter of incense. Morning and evening the priest was to burn incense on the alter. He would take coals in a censer from the brazen alter and place them in the alter of incense and then burn the pure, fragrant incense.

“May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.” Psalm 141:2

This incense is a delightful aroma before God. It is the offering of worship, prayers of thanksgiving, for sins blotted out by the blood, receiving a cleansed heart, being covered through Christ atonement, the invitation to fellowship with a Holy God.

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being save and those who are perishing.” 2 Corinthians 2:14-15

Still this radiant High Priest entices me. Encouraging me to come closer and be more intimate with Him.

Scripture Only Sunday

“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,

but a body you prepared for me;

with burnt offerings and sin offerings

you were not pleased.

Then I said, “Here I am – it is written

about me in the scroll –

I have come to do your will,

O God.” Hebrews 10:5-7 (Psalm 40:6-8)

“And by that will,

we have been made holy

through the sacrifice

of the body of Jesus Christ

once for all.” Hebrews 10:10

Rain…

Feeling insulated with all this rain. Day in, day out, rain. My mind considers rain and a short poem arises…

Rain falls gently on guarded heart
Watering wounded
Torrent tears at timid soul
Washing wallflower
Deluge fills doubting disposition
Willing worshiper

---Nancy Kourmoulis (9/21/09)

The birds have plenty of puddles for washing. The ground is soaking it up. In some cases, not so well, flooding has become a problem. Since I am reading Hebrews…

“Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.” Hebrews 6:7-8

I want the Lord to rain on me…His life-giving presence. I also want to be like the land that produce a crop useful for His kingdom. Wondering- am I soaking up the nourishing His rain gives? Is it possible for there to be a flood in God’s kingdom? Is there ever too much rain in God’s economy? These are questions I am pondering today. Questions I really have no answers to.

I want a flood from His kingdom. For righteousness and peace to rise up. For Christ’s rule and reign to be on earth as it is in heaven.

(Photo by Mindy Cost; used with permission)

Thankful Thursday

276.  Playing at the park… spinning until your dizzy…

277.  Making up games…

278.  Climbing on rocks…

279.  Twirling on swings…

230.  Picnics…

 

 

 

“Praise be to God,

who has not rejected my prayer

or withheld His love from me!”  Psalm 66:20

“As the moments slip down the hour glass of time, I am scratching down the gifts---just as they happen, as they arrive, as they are unwrapped---that He has given that make my life grace, the daily graces that He gives in an infinite number of ways, that stir me.”  Ann @ Holy Experience

Even though I post my gratitude list on Thursdays, consider joining Ann on Mondays to give thanks for all the graces of our loving God.  Because everyday is a fitting day to give praise to God.

Covered

After sin has been settled and I’ve been washed clean, the Great High Priest leads me to the Holy Place. I am astonished that He has invited me here. In love He beckons me further.

The outer coverings are hides that are not attractive but serve their purpose to protect the inside from the weather.

"Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him." Isaiah 53:1-2

To the natural man’s eyes there is nothing about this High Priest, this gift of salvation, that seems lovely. To my spiritual eyes His beauty is dazzling, humbling. “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.” Hebrews 2:9 Jesus is more to be desired that anything else in my life.

The cover below is ram’s skins dyed red. Red to represent the blood, for I know - “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Hebrews 9:22.

The third cover from the top was of black goats hair. Goats represent the sin offering in Scripture…

Leviticus 16:5 - And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.

To show me that, in Jesus, God provided the sin offering and covered my sin with His blood… For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh. Romans 8:3

The covering inside the Holy Place is majestic. Lavish and exquisite, created skillfully by those inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Moreover thou shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shall thou make them. Exodus 26:1

Fine linen speaks of purity. Jesus is the lamb without spot or blemish. The blue speaks of heaven. Jesus is the second Adam, sent from heaven. The purple tells of royalty. Jesus, who has a name above every name. The scarlet constantly reminds me of Jesus blood.

This High Priest draws me into the Holy Place, for He desires to have communion with me. Everything God has done has been with the goal in mind of fellowship with His children.

Inside I am covered, surrounded, dwelling in His presence.

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”…He will cover you with his feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge, His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” Psalm 91:1-2, 4

Scripture Only Sunday

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess his name.” 

Hebrews 13:15

Thankful Thursday

Declaring His splendor….

 

  

271.  Three waterfalls and one natural arch in two days…

272.  Those who were privileged to enjoy the splendor of God’s creation… 

273.  Safe traveling…

274.  Places of worship and the freedom to assemble and declare God’s amazing grace…

275.  A Bible…God’s Word’s to hold, open, take in, and receive nourishment…daily bread…

“My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.”  Psalm 15:8

Shifting…

Little by little, day by day, we are slowly driving down the path to learning. Math, English, Science, to name a few subjects, have our minds full and our hands working.

“For the Lord gives wisdom, from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6

I want this to be the flow of our days. Sadly it seems the subjects are what fill our minds. These are good things, important learning. Even learning based on Bible believing principles. However, they are not the best thing. God’s Word, His presence, is the best thing.

Since it is up to me how our days flow – I am privileged to choose what will be our focus - it is time for me to take responsibility and shift our day so that wisdom, knowledge, and understanding begin and end with the Lord.

Here I am Lord, shifting.

Washed Clean

From the bronze alter, where judgment for sin has been settled, the priest moves to the bronze basin. I walk along beside this gentle high priest.

As one said to Paul, the words are spoken to me, “And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on His name.” Acts 22:16

Tenderly He washes my hands and my feet.

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing of water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” Ephesians 5:25-27

I am clean, made holy. I look into the bronze basin and see His reflection gazing at me.

“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18

A transformation I cannot even explain begins to take place in me. Where once sin held me captive, I find that now I am free.

Scripture Only Sunday

 

“…let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscious and having our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”  Hebrews 10:22b-23

Thankful Thursday

“…they who seek the Lord will praise Him—“  Psalm 22:26b

The more I seek, the more I find the desire to praise God for all the amazing blessings He has placed in my life.  Opening my eyes to the beauty that surrounds, my heart cries out, Father, I am so grateful for the blessings of…

266.  Field trips

 

267.  All your creations –

big and small

268.  Boys, being boys…

269.  Girls enjoying the view and the shade…

 

 

 

 

 

270.  Reading, being inspired as we learn…

A Festival to Celebrate…The Butterbean

Okay, you might be a red-neck if…you live near a city where the annual big festival is to celebrate the butterbean.   This Labor Day weekend a town closeby held their annual Butterbean Festival.  A full day of carnival rides, arts & crafts, music, a car show, and yes, lots of butterbeans. 

Because it rained all day, we walked to the festival with umbrellas and ponchos.  We were greeted by…                                                                      more umbrellas and ponchos.

I was checking around for the story, why a butterbean festival.  I heard two different stories.   The festival cookbooks says…”The Alabama Butterbean Festival was born as an effort to unite the senior citizen population of Palmerdale with the present and younger generations throughout the area. It aides as an effort to fund renovations. The theme for the festival came from the original roots of the community, a laid back, friendly butterbean-eating neighborhood. Many memories spawn from the thoughts of eating butterbeans and cornbread while visiting with neighbors on the front porch.” 

I also heard a story that during the Depression their were farm subsidies given to those in Palmerdale.  The farmers raised butterbeans and those who needed food were allowed to come and pick the butterbeans.  Neighbors sharing and helping one another.

My memories of butterbeans are not very pleasant.  I do not like them.  I do have good memories of the front porch however.  I also remember evenings chasing fireflies in my grandparents back yard and watching my children in the same yard.   I remember swinging and see-sawing where they were having a greased pig competition for the festival.

Amidst the raindrops I saw folks from seniors to little ones riding in strollers.  I observed many sitting down together over  bowls of butterbeans.  Which would lead me to believe the festival originators accomplished their goal of bringing generations together.  I even bought a bowl of butterbeans with cornbread and onions for Precious husband, he enjoyed them. 

Settling with Sin

As I continue a journey through God’s tabernacle (I’ve been reading Hebrews), walk with me, with empty hands, through the gate. At approximately 7 1/2 feet on each side and 4 1/5 feet deep, the bronze alter looms directly in front of me. Yet as I approach the priest I look down, my garments are soiled and my hands are covered with my sin. My guilt and shame rises as I have not brought a sacrifice.

With tenderness the priest looks at me. He knows the sacrifice has already been made for me.

“So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people…” Hebrews 9:28

The demand of the law was satisfied for me.

“In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Hebrews 9:22

The gift of mercy and grace was given for me.

“But now He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” Hebrews 9:26b

“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24

The priest, with His nail scarred hand has taken my sin, upon Himself, and cast it as far as the east is from the west.

Scripture Only Sunday

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”  Psalm 103:11-12

 

Thankful Thursday

The habit grows stronger as the list grows longer…

                   Gratitude attitude…Father, I am so thankful for…

261. Fun days to hang with friends, listening to music, creating art

262. Just a day to walk around, camera in hand and snap shots of whatever catches my eye

263. Split rail fences

264. Sunsets while waiting to pickup Helpful son from work

265. When a Scripture focus for me becomes a worship focus for local body without anyone but God and I knowing He was speaking that verse to my heart

RAP: Seasons

I was teaching about building sentences and making them more interesting. Sensitive son took the two word sentences he was given and made this fun poem.

Seasons

The hard rain pours

Winter comes and the

Puddles freeze while

The trees grow

Then the snow melts

Winter passes and the

Spring comes while

The trees grow

The hard rain pours

Flower seeds burst and the

Green leaves sprout while

The trees grow

---Sensitive Son (9/1/09)

Can beauty be found at the landfill?

This past weekend fun son and I took a trip to our local landfill.   There among the discards of daily living I found God.  Okay, like my son I’m sure you are saying, “You are the weirdest person ever.”  Since he is 12 I would have thought he would have known that by now.   But I digress. 

The first place I found God was in looking up.  The sky was  periwinkle with puffy white clouds.  “Our Father, who art in heaven…hallowed by your name.”  God is found when we look up and recognize who He is.  He is longing to reveal Himself to us.

Next I noticed, well, the garbage mixed with that wonderful landfill odor.  In the midst of the garbage I found myself, “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”  Isaiah 64:6  NIV  No matter how hard I try to be good – my efforts are like garbage. 

Then past the garbage I noticed rolling green hills with trees and flowers.  Ah, but God in His mercy "made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”  2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV He rolls over my sin with His righteous blood and I become righteous as well.  What an amazing trade – one purchased with such a costly price.

Finally, God showed me another tender part of Himself.  He does not ask me to deal with the garbage alone.  “So let me say it again, this truth: It is better for you that I leave.  If I don’t leave, the Friend won’t come.  But if I go, I’ll send Him to you…when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, He will take you by the and and guide you into all the truth there is.”  John 16: 7 & 13 The Message 

 

My Father, my Righteousness, my Friend – found at the landfill.  Beautiful!