Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to the cross

Have you?

Its not a question with an open ended answer, nor does it need a complex one.

Its actually a simple answer... a yes or a no is all that is needed.

Yet, not so simple in living out, is it?

Or is it simply us who complicates it?

Could it be possible to live completely according to the Spirit, and not the nature that screams otherwise?

This nature that is dead. Crucified with Christ.

Death screaming for us to listen, and when we do, death wins.

Why choose death then? When life is right then gentle whispering in our ears, giving us choice, speaking life.

SO, I choose life, again today. And again tomorrow. And for the rest of my life, for this battle here, this clashing of Spirits, is not over yet. We war against the unseen, not the flesh, for the old man, this nature that was me, IS dead, it IS crucified, and I REFUSE to bring it back.

Today, again I nail my passions and desires to the cross.

I belong to Christ.

What about you?

Linking with Imperfect Prose

Faith

This is our house

its for sale.

Selling our house is the last thing that needs to happen before everything is ready for us to move.

We are 100% positive we are to do this life shift, but the lack of interest in our place is wearing on our faith, not to mention that our real-estate agent is already suggesting we lower our price for a quicker sale.

A potentially draining process for sure.

And yet I don't find it that at all

Rather, I feel inspired, challenged, stretched into this new kind of Faith I have never known before.

And it feels awesome

Yet this ground I have chosen to tread wrecks havoc in some peoples hearts and minds, for it goes against all human logic, all rational thinking, all common sense.

Logic says lower the price

Rational thinking says there is no way we will be moving mid may

Common sense says stop thinking it's going to work out that way

BUT

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see

So we continue to have Faith, even tho the odds seem so stacked against us, and we wait.

And I know our house will sell, and I eagerly wait to our new life to begin.

Linking with Imperfect Prose

Fruit

"The Fruit of the Spirit is....."

How many times have you ever prayed for Patience? Or more Love, or kindness, or Self Control? I know I have lots.

Patience seems to be my constant one some days when my kids are being difficult!

Or Self control. Thats a tough one.

I have been wondering though.

Does it work?

I mean praying for the fruits of the spirit.

How often do you actually suddenly have more patience, and how long is it before you find yourself asking again.

I am starting to think that perhaps we have this wrong.

It says that the Holy Spirit produces all kinds of fruit in our live: Love, Joy Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

The Holy Spirit produces...

My mind goes to a tree. A fruit tree. One that produces fruit.

The fruit of the tree comes from the tree. The tree produces fruit because it is invested in, paid attention to, taken care of. The fruit doesn't just appear, or all of a sudden develop to it's fullness. No, it takes time, nurturing, and a healthy attachment to the tree in order for it to grow.

Can the farmer say "I need apples today" and expect to have apples?

Can he avoid the tree and expect to have fruit?

If he ignores the tree, it can't produce healthy fruit.

Do you see what I'm saying?

The Holy Spirit produces all kinds of fruit...like a tree.

Why is it that we are praying for the fruits of the Spirit, when perhaps we should simply be asking for more of the Spirit?

If the Spirit produces the fruit then we can't get the fruit of the Spirit unless we have more of the spirit.

"If we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives."

If you find yourself lacking in the fruits, try asking for more of the Spirit. See what happens.

* I posted this earlier this week, and have been practicing asking for the Holy Spirit in times of needed fruits....it has done wonders to my walk, my heart, my soul. I have realized that when we asked God for more of the fruits, initially it seems to work, but only because we change our

mind-set for that moment. When we ask God for more of the Spirit, it becomes a change of "heart-set"

...something far more lasting.

Linking with Imperfect Prose

opposition and a wall

Today was a good day.

Well, it started that way anyway.

It was a snow day today, so the world woke with the whirrrr of snow blowers, one per drive.

Snuggles with my boys as daddy clears the way for us to get out for adventure. "Quiet" time with the Lord, cup of coffee in hand.

We ventured out mid morning to drive downtown and breath deep the fresh air our lungs longed for after being held captive by winter in my house.

We went and held little bunnies at the pet store, shared cookies at coffee culture, and bought cheap toys and craft things at the dollar store.

We coloured outside the lines in books with kid pictures, painted with our fingers, ignored dishes, and made messes.

We decorated pizza...mmmmmmm

And then it happened. One conversation that devastated my day. Nothing that should be a big deal, but for me...it was.

And I have sat here for hours. And have pondered why my heart is hurt and why tears sit ready to spill over.

And finally, i remember my "quiet" time with the Lord, and the scripture I have felt need to read, and how I did read it, and now I know why.

Nehemiah.

A man called by God to go rebuild a wall.

And he does what seems impossible.

There is opposition that rises against him, and so he arms everyone and keeps pressing on.

He remains faithful to the call.

I feel like Nehemiah.

It's impossible

And there is opposition

except that i don't really feel like arming myself. or pressing on, for that matter.

But I will

I can't help it.

Linking with Imperfect Prose

Awake

My dear friends of Imperfect Prose

I have not blogged in a month. It feels so strange to not write, but quite honestly, I have not had much to write about.

Until now.

I feel so awake, so alive!

All the waiting is finished. No more land between. No more wondering, pondering what it is God has.

I have answers to my questions that have haunted my writing.

Many of you have read my posts, have followed the journey that God has taken me on over the last 6 months, and I am grateful for each of you, and the words of blessing and encouragement to keep pressing forward!

Now I want to share with you where this journey has taken me.

My family and I are being uprooted. God has shifted and we are willingly stepping out in what little Faith we have, much like Peter stepping out of the boat, to walk towards our Saviour.

We will be moving, tho we don't know when yet, to a little town 4 hours from here, away from all our family, our friends, our security.

Friends, God has done such a work in my life! I feel so new, so ready for this! There is so much that doesn't make any sense when I think about it with out God. But WITH him, all things are possible.

He has made it so very clear that I can't help but be excited for what's next!

And not only are we moving, but I am stepping back into the front lines of this ministry that my husband and I first started in when we were freshly married, something that is amazing on it;s own, for I was never again going to serve this way because of a bitter experience .

But our Lord does not leave us alone, does he. He saw the work that needed be done, and believe me, I am sure I was one of His biggest challenges :)

I ask for prayer as I continue to journey. There are many giants on the road a head and I know I will feel like letting some of them defeat me.

Bless you my writing family. You all mean more to me then I could ever express.

Linking with Imperfect Prose

The Land Between

This year we vacationed up north in a little town called Norland.

There is not a lot there.

I took a picture of this, their town sign because I found it humorous.

The Land Between. What a funny thing to put on a sign!

Funny then...not so funny now.

Like I said, we vacationed in The Land Between.

I never expected I would stay there this long.

The Land Between. You now, some days God is so very clear with what He is telling you. Some days He makes it very clear. And then there are those times that you miss completely.

And this has been one of those times.

See, this journey that God has me on was jump started during my time in Norland, and since then I have felt "in between". Not being able to go back to life as it was, yet not getting the green light to move forward. I have been in between for 4 months.

And I can almost taste the change, it's that close.

And I live in anticipation every day of the answer that is sure to come.

And it is breaking me beyond anything I have ever felt.

Yesterday I hit that point when tears come, and anger flows, and pain happens, and this tortured soul cried out into the silence, only to be met with peace.

Peace so real and tangible

Peace so undeserving.

And I am reminded by a dear friend to trust.

So I do. Because thats all I have left.

Be Strong and Courageous

I can just imagine it.

after a trip that only need take 11 days turned to forty years

food from heaven to sustain

old life dying off and making room for new

And the command comes.

be strong and courageous.

And new spies go to re-visit the land of the strong hold, and realize that its not so strong, and they know they can defeat that which held them captive for 40 years.

But there is one thing left in the way.

the Jordan River

Calm most of the year, but the season is Harvest, and the river is overflowing its own banks, fast flowing, and looks like death.

And Israel can only recall stories of the great Red Sea, for they themselves were not present to witness the miracle of water folding back on itself. And Moses is not with them to raise staff over head and command "Part!".

And God has been invisible for 40 years, only showing Himself through manna and quail and even then, consistent gifts from God loose majesty, don't they.

Be Strong and Courageous

Joshua prepares Israel for task a head by commanding purity, for God will do great things.

And to the Priests, the ones chosen to bare the Ark, the dwelling of God, he tells to step out into the river.

For this time around, the walk is by faith, not by sight. The way is not made easy, or so it seems.

there is no parting of water before stepping out, no proof of salvation

because God does not always do things the same way.

Deciding to let Israel walk the path unknown, He chooses to stay hidden even now.

So the Priests step out into the river, feet touching current, water easily able to take them

Be STRONG and COURAGEOUS

And by Faith water parts

And God is in the middle of it all, holding back death itself to make way clear for His kids.

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