Tag Archives: God
A Simple Truth
He is Greater than any fear
He is closer than anyone else near
He delights in you and wants your best
He watches over you while you rest
He is strong yet sweet
He knows no defeat
He provides warmth and comfort from the cold
He provides a shield in battle for the bold
He is beyond your reach, yet within your soul
He’s the other half of you that makes you whole
He is what guides you in moments of unknown
He is always there, you’re never alone
He Whispers to Me
He whispers to me, “you’re not alone”
I’m here with you, in me you have a home
A dwelling that’s safe and always secure
A protection from weathering, that’ll always endure
You’ve always had the keys, just walk inside
Come back to me girl, my door is open wide
I’ve been waiting for you, I’ll never leave
I’m here for you, you can cry on my sleeve
There there my girl, your tears are safe with me
We’re together now, all that’s left is for you to just be
No need for words or explanation
I know you fully, I’ve always been your strong foundation
I gave you freedom to reach the edge
You’ve been walking so far out on the ledge
Is it worth it my child? What’s on the other side?
Do you like the world that awaits, or do you want to hide?
Your choice, it’s all yours you see
Do you want more and more, or do you just want me?
I’ve Been Watching Us Fray Away
We were entangled by our thoughts and cares
Together, united – you showed up without question, constantly there
You swept up my mess of pain and tears
That manifested from the darkness of the past two years
You allowed me to cry and heal every day
By just being you, like an angel sent my way
How do I repay this beautiful soul, this treasure of a friend?
Lately I’ve been aloof, each day from start to end
I’ve been watching us ravel away, slowly, thread by the thread
I feel helpless, and honestly, absolute dread
How can this be? Me? The one unthreading our strands?
Carelessly unwinding the tiny pieces woven together, with my own hands
Watching the clock tick away, I wish somehow you’ll stay
I feel so faded, tangled, alone, astray
I pray, I pray, some day the grace you’ve offered me
Will be sent back to you, more vast than any sea
Truly a sister, my friend, I miss you
The Tapatio and lime to my Mexican stew
This poem is dedicated to my best friend. Pretty sure she knows who she is. I love you.
~ Bethany
God Prunes to Yield More Fruit
John 15:1-2
I am the true vine and my father is the vine dresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, He takes away and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.
Day 4 Devotional: Light Shines in Darkness
Light Shines in Darkness
Day 4 Devotional: Thursday, Sept 22
Every morning when the sun shines
I know Lord, that you are mine
Even when darkness threatens to take
my sleep-filled night and keep me awake
I approach this day with a holy power
Knowing that you are with me every hour
In you, your light overcomes all fear
You shine bright and make things clear
No matter what lies ahead today
You will go before me and make the grey
Turn to light, bright with beauty
Because my God, you are with me
Day 3 Devotional: Don’t Quit
Well, I promised to write a devotion a day, no matter how I felt, starting in April 2015. It’s no surprise that my lofty idea quickly lost momentum, and I only posted two daily devotionals. Ah, shucks.
I am notorious for starting projects without ever finishing them. I joke that I have ADD, mostly because I’m serious. It’s really difficult for me to keep focused on anything in life.
So, instead of promising specific dates and times, I wanted to pick up where I left off. I’m not sure how many daily devotionals I’ll write up, but here’s Day 3 for you.
Day 3 Devotional: Don’t Quit
Wednesday, September 21st
Such a simple phrase, yet holds so much power.
Don’t Quit.
Whether you’re in a job that is hard to wake up for, you’re in losing a battle to a nasty illness, or you’re knee deep in an addiction, I pray that you don’t give up.
You may take twenty steps forward, just to take one huge, giant leap backwards. But please, don’t quit.
I pray now for encouragement.
Holy Spirit, you are light. You are newness. You are comfort and peace. I pray that our eyes would be opened wide to see MORE of you today, and less of our failure. May your presence and peace engulf us in a warm embrace. May we feel connected to your fruit of peace, patience, kindness and endurance. Help us to know, we are SAFE to endure this day. This season of life. Help us to stand firm in faith, and in the present moment. And give us courage to keep going, to just get through this day. With your power and your holy help.
Amen.
Random Tangents of a Broken Christ Follower
Sometimes I feel like redemption stories do more harm than good. Sure the Bible is all about redemption. The gospel is a story of how Jesus redeems his people from the pit and gives them new life and a new hope that is sealed. Yet, the Bible is also laden with stories that are difficult to stomach without that comforting theme of redemption woven in.
There are many stories in my own life that aren’t in a phase of redemption. Some chapters are barren and cold, and still in the dead of winter. I’d like to hear all kinds of stories from believers, not just the warm and fuzzies, much like I’d rather hear about the Bible in its entirety, not just a “verse of the day” to get my quick spiritual fix.
Testimonies might be warm and fuzzy, but likely it’s not that that person found Jesus and now their life is perfect. In fact, their life might be more difficult. But that’s WHY I think Jesus is so cool. He makes every moment worth it. The moments when we sing on hilltops and the scary, dark pits we fall into and wonder how we’ll climb out of.
Life is crazy and messy. It’s hard. And sometimes slapping a bible verse on complex questions just won’t do. I don’t really have a point to this random tangent. Just sharing some thoughts on a platform where I probably shouldn’t.
On a lighter note, I think most people will be excited to know that my new favorite acronym of the week is PTL (praise the Lord) which has quickly replaced my former one,”on fleek.” Thanks to my cute friend Kayleen for keeping me in the Christian acronym loop.
PTL,
I’m Free in Christ Alone
I took an impromptu trip to Santa Monica this morning. The beach was beautiful, and so were the people who peppered the boardwalk. The crashing waves lured me with their roar. Although I was surrounded by beauty of the present moment, the truth remains that this world is not quite whole. Just like a youthful face succumbing to older age, our earth has wrinkles and blemishes and imperfections. Which leads me to the comfort of the freedom I find in Christ. Not freedom in the ocean breeze. Not freedom in the sand between my toes or the circumstances I’ve been blessed with, but by Jesus alone. In Him, I AM FREE.
Healing in Christ Alone
We look to alcohol to fulfill us with fun.
We ask for our job to give us meaning.
We search within for answers unknown.
We desire the greenest grass beyond our reach.
It isn’t until…
We surrender our hearts to God.
We seek His ways above our own.
We need more of Him than our idols.
We want his path and forsake our own.
That we find continual rest, renewal and pure truth.
I wish I didn’t fight against you every day, my Lord.
I wish I accepted your plan and laid down my own.
For the glory of it all.
I pray for every brother and sister who takes breath in you today that you would renew our minds in Christ Jesus. It’s a new day. Amen.
God. Food. Love. Peace. 