Accepting

This was my prayer the other night. Just thought I would share it with you all!

Hope you have had a very merry Christmas today and remember Jesus in all you do & are.
-e

Accepting love
Accepting freedom
Realizing both how much I need him
And how he has pushed me forward
To go and do
The things that he will guide me through
But what good is it to wait
When all time festers is hate
But to pursue
And follow
Rather than sit and wallow
Now that's what's up
No half empty cup
Just love to the brim
Jump in the water
Let's do this
Let's swim
I'm everyday, all the way, in.

Psalms fill my heart with hope
When all around me says
Nope
You can't
It won't be
He says yes
And here
And it will be
God is love and love will be
Filling the empty
And no more will I inward fall
Or try to bare this all
But rather stand and give
My heart to my savior who helps me live
I might not always know what to do
Am overwhelmed by the things I feel
A ship about to keel
Over after a little shove
But fortified in love
My heart to build
In a way that will not wield
For any not of you or in your way
Who lovingly say
That all is yours today
It is but with open hands we willingly give
And in grace and abundance live.

Pull Me Through

Something in me just wants to write and write
until everything is right
until I am able to believe
all that you have placed inside of me

because now I cannot fully see
but just like Joshua
I will go and do
and see things through
without question or a moments glance
I will give each of these things a chance

in every moment be
so that you might use all of me
that my purpose be fulfilled
just as you have all along willed
and planned

I sit safely in your hand
though the world around me tumbles
and at times it seems you mumble
I know I haven't left that place

your hands cup my face
and say
"you will make it through this day"

so whether alive I wake
and ready to face what might come
or its that sad and weary some
there you will be
ready to help me

knowing that this is just a time and a season
with a perfect and specific reason
and in times when I forget
you teach me something new yet

I still don't know fully
all you are churning
or what is in my heart that is burning
but bring on the pain
if it will one day bring the refreshing rain
of you because that is enough to pull me through.

Karen Sessions makes my heart happy.

I was sitting in Caribou working on a post for here and she walked through the door and said hi. Just had so much joy in talking to her. If you see her or know her, give her a hug today because she is just one of the most wonderful people I know.

Praise God, for moments like that.

Bleeding Orange!

One of the things I remember that struck me as something good and beautiful is the Orange Initiative where Elevation Church has teamed up to help reach the city with the Mayor. Another great Elevation led initiative is to honor the great men and women of our city.

As I stood behind a police man in Dunkin Donuts I was just overcome by this want to bless him- not a feeling of, I have to do this, but a wanting to honor someone. I let him order and them chimed in asking if I could pay for his meal. He opposed at first but at my insistence relented. It resulted in meeting a police officer who was a nice man and getting to share a few moments with him. God blesses us with constant opportunities to share our lives with others and I'm thankful that he gave me so many today. Whether it was getting to see my roommate or meet a new person, it was a blessing to me all the same.

God is good and he has blessed me with a great roommate and a great life. I hope that tonight you get the chance to do the same and share/give someone a blessing whether its with your time or your money.

Love you all!

Liz

Today's Realization: Every time I freak out about something in life, I just remember- God is going to provide.

"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act."
    Proverbs 3:27

Can you not see yourself?

Everyone has insecurities- some formed on their own and others that came about by friends or people of influence in their life. Unfortunately, I have been filled with both.

Sitting and watching the people that come in and out of the coffee shop, I am aware of the things I am self conscious about. When I was caught up in one of those moments, either God or my heart reminded me of this question- "Can you not see yourself?"

So I ask you that today, as you sit and compare yourself to those around you, Can you not see yourself? because YOU are the most beautiful/handsome person in the world.

I love you,

Liz

"Instead, [your beauty] should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful".
    1 Peter 3:4-5

Drawing a picture

It's funny how God equips us in different ways. The way he speaks to our heart and all he does in our lives. Rarely does it occur in a way we understand, at least for me. But, I doubt I'm the only one.

Today, sitting at a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner with good friends and new friends, guess who is the one I connect to the most?

Addie, a 5 year old. Yup.

I don't know why it is that God has made me in such a way that I just understand and I love the way they think. Unadulterated, not hindered, and creative thoughts. She and I drew the most amazing story. First about her friend Laura and her birthday. A few of the things she had there? A cake, a blueberry muffin, a bouncy ball, a kangaroo, and a few other necessary great birthday items. Oh, but we didn't stop there. Then we covered Thanksgiving and Christmas. The first drawing we gave to Marc and the second she gave to me.

It's amazing how God blessed me in that time, but also how lonely I felt. I was doing what I was supposed to do and reaching this little girl and enjoying her creativity. I know it meant a lot to her because she hugged me 15 million times, asked and made me promise that I would come back and play, and gave me my name card that she had made for me for dinner so that I had to come back to give it to her.

As beautiful as it was, it still bothered me that I had that disconnect, where I didn't have that connection with everyone. Especially people closer to my age. But that's how God has blessed me and I feel like God is doing something in this time that he couldn't do if I could just jump into any situation and "fit in". God is bigger than that and he is bigger than my comfort. But he is blessing me all the same.

The proof is in this Christmas drawing where she helped me draw a cake (the perfect present of course!) that I had taught her how to draw earlier. A kid learning how to draw and realizing that she could draw like me (or better) because all it takes is practice- now that's amazing.

So no matter what you're dealing with, how uncomfortable you feel, or how unfair life seems, it's okay to cry out to God but after you're done try to look at the little things and trust that God's plan is way bigger than you could ever know, even time spent drawing with a little girl.

Love,

Liz

God is with you, he will not leave you or forsake you. It might not be easy but trust that it's the truth.

"Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will raise you in my victorious right hand."
      Isaiah 41:10

Alive

Here and now with every breath
live like there is nothing left
and this will be my last
gasp of
air

life is not fair
nor is it for me
myself the center of everything
be

but rather God has shown me how
my life can be changed
and turned around
if I just give him the reigns
for a day and more
he'll show me what life is really for

the beauty before escaped
caught strongly by the nape
held back from all it could be
because before I refused to see

that God could
and would provide
but now I am alive.

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'"
     Isaiah 30:21

He Is

One of my beautiful friends, Freddie, while talking about Christian community perfectly said," At the end of the day, love comes first." I just thought that was the most beautiful and amazing thing- to truly throw away judgement and condemnation and embrace the lifestyle Jesus had of loving everyone despite their sins and shortcomings and situation.

How amazing is it that we have a God who loves us not matter what and even when we don't feel him or know how he is working, he is. Why? Because he loves us and has great plans for us. And just like David, I believe that "I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living*." I might not always feel like God is doing something great, but he is.

Embrace God in your community when it feels like you are all alone [because you aren't alone at all].

Love,

Liz ( :

*(Psalm 27:13-14)

Prosperity?

Twisting walk
stumbling steps
I hit my knees
collapsed
and wept

but God grabbed my hand
and picked me up
"hugs, please," I ask.
And he's right to the task

filling me with warmth
when the cold
surrounds
and tries to drown all of me
God picks up my chin
and helps me see

never letting me go
helping me always to grow
in who he is
and what he wants

I might not understand
but I have to know
that he does and he loves
and all will be well
I just have to push through this spell
and season
knowing that on the other side
there is a beautiful reason
could be the one I want
or something not even close

but thank you, God, for this healthy dose
of you and me
as hard as it is
its where I'm supposed to be.

Check out "Ocean wide" by The Afters or "Healing begins" by Tenth Avenue North for today's inspiration!

"May my cry come before you, Lord; give me understanding according to your word."
     Psalm 119:169

A Note

Sometimes we just need to change our soundtrack.

Our day is dictated in part by what happens but also by what we surround ourselves. Surround yourself with beautiful things today!

Love to you all!

Liz


"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
                        His love endures forever."
     Psalm 136:1

Caribou Characters

This mans voicecould calm a child
and leave him sitting
waiting
fidgeting
for the great story to abound
it could be about the little bird
that flits about around on the ground
and yet tales of Africa
roll off his lips
with wonderful sounding tips
and a perfect pace of diction
is this moment is it...
fact or fiction?

Such delight to be brought from this place
with couples of different size shape and race
of people alone and in mass
no stranger to pass
or bird to be missed
a sweet goodbye and a gentle kiss
by the sun before the cold and rain
surely a beautiful day
is God's cure for any pain.

"Blessed are those who listen to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway."
    Proverbs 8:34 (on wisdom)

What God can do!

One would think
the impossible to be
of all the things in front of me
and yet when brought
into the light
the things that I did not do right
the things that I had failed to do

and so I stood and thought it through
God what do you want me to do
am I meant for this
is my time well spent
in investing and working so hard
when my heart is still remnants and shards
that you are taking apart and strengthening
stretching and lengthening

and here and now
what is this thing
what will this meeting bring

a choice was made
between chopping and slicing
the vegetables
a feast I was dicing
for animals and reptiles and such
my mind was up to too much

I need medicine I thought
a cure for this feeling
that has my mind lost
overwhelmed and reeling
but move forward God said
and watch what I do
I can lift this feeling from inside of you

and so I prayed that he would
and moved forward and tried
and a strength overwhelmed all of my insides

every prayer was answered
every hope fulfilled
as if this job was exactly as he willed
I did my best
and thought naught about the rest
and it became a time God has blessed.

"He raises the poor from the dust
   and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes
   and has them inherit a throne of honor."
      1 Samuel 2:8

Looking UP

I was sitting in Freedom Park with my friend, Alena, and she said the most amazing thing. She said," People should look up more often at the trees!"

If you think about it, we spent our whole childhood looking up at the world in amazement. Now? We hardly see it. We are so caught up in our mind that we are busy thinking about or moving towards the "next" thing and ignoring everything around us. You can forget our taking a moment or two to look up!

You could take the idea of looking up in two ways. Literally as in looking up at the trees and the clouds in the sky or figuratively as we look to God for comfort, understanding and most of all to give him praise.

So often we get caught in the midst of going that we never really exist in that moment. It's not bad to look forward but it is bad to look completely past where you are and negate all that you are doing. 

When was the last time you looked up? When was the last time you just sat and took in your surroundings? Rather than calling someone after every great or bad thing that happens, spend that moment taking it in.

Feel that moment and love your life. It's the only one you have and it's a blessing!

Let's look up:

"Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word."
   Psalm 119: 37

Bouncing somewhere

Such a weird and crazy concept this God who is so big, being here for me. Dealing with something that to me has seemingly wrecked my life or at least my heart but in reality is so small compared to people who are starving and being killed every day. But that's how much God loves us. He cares about what hurts us and loves us through it. It might not always seem easy and it isn't but he provides a way if we look. I'm still praying and looking but I find some peace in the midst of everything knowing that God is here.

Finding my beauty in a new way with God right now.

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."
    1 Peter 3:3-4

It's going to be okay because God never leaves us, not even for a season. He hears us when we call.

"'You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,' declares the Lord, 'and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,' declares the Lord, 'and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.'"
    Jeremiah 29:13-14

The choice

In each moment and each situation we are faced with two choices- light or dark, God or the world, truth or lies. Every moment we get to choose and today was a great example of that.

In a job that allows so much time to think, it's hard to not get consumed in thought and that usually leads to over analyzing but today God showed me a door out. He showed me a way to interact with a guest or increase the atmosphere and warmth of a room or just to talk to someone who always blesses my day.

It was a good day, but it didn't have to be. I'm thankful that overall I chose the good and that I let God's blessing pour into my life.

So good. Hope you choose the same too!

"That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe."
     1 Timothy 4:10

Blessings & Beer

The heart expands
when things don't go as planned
but we just go and do
something old and new

blessed to see
in the other
what God made us to be
and as we sit
and drink a beer
God only draws us near

to him and
to the other
and away we walk
all smiles and full of wonder

thankful for the day
and how God blessed it in every way!

"Not to us, Lord, not to us
but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness."
    Psalm 115:1

Poetry is Thoughts in Motion...

Green tea
schmean tea!
How happy I would be

if it was blue
or purple or gray
my mood reflected
my tea to say

but if it were
to show today
it would be a bright
and beautiful
blue ocean grey.

"Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein."
     Psalm 98:7

Transitive Thoughts

In the mood for something beautiful? Check out Pink singing joyful joyful!

Also, a beautiful verse for the day:

"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"
    Esther 4:15

God has placed us and equipped us in this time and place for exactly what he has called us to do right now. Trying to spend time today to just be and to embrace life's beauty... at a coffee shop. Happy Fall, everyone!

To you be the glory!

Face to face
the perfect place
for God to move and be
Lord, thank you for providing
and always listening to me
the cry of one among many
and yet you give plenty
your love is oh so kind
Lord, thank you for the grace
and freedom that you provide

"And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"
     Esther 4:14b

Urban Ministries

"We are but a drop in the ocean
BUT
the ocean would be less
without that one
drop"

that one place
that sees our "problems"
as people to be loved
and cherished
to be saved
and equipped
rather to sit and perish

to give hope to and joy
not through hand outs
and toys
but through friendships
and fun
this place is the one

the one i've looked for
all of time
that sets my heart ready
without even trying
because every part
is perfect to me
God let this work out
please let it be!!!

"He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds."
Psalm 147:3

"Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed;
save me and I will be saved,
for you are the one I praise."
Jeremiah 17:14

*quote by Saint Mother Theresa

Follow2011- a move of God!

Check out a blog post with a video and recap of the amazing events of this weekend! God is so good!

http://www.stevenfurtick.com/elevation/were-just-getting-started/

Thankful for Breaking Free

Shaking hands
pounding heart
could this really be the start

the moment where it all was washed away
the moment so long that I have prayed
and hoped for every day
no way
and yet as every reason is swept aside
my heart no more may hide

but bursting with hope
with a word and a note
to go and to do this thing
a covenant to God to bring

myself and all of me
no longer to selfishly be
but every day try
to find the why
in what each day can hold
and how God my spirit can mold

and so I chose and on three I went
hands shaking, nerves spent
and as I stood and waited to see
the line in front of me
others giving their lives for God
in darkness no longer to trod
but to always go and be
a child, full and free

and now
empowered by the moment of newness
the moment of you and me
Lord I feel
the way you want me to see

thank you for helping me
to finally break free.

"But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—"
Galatians 4:9b

Related:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ng84LsKQ-SQ&feature=related

Crazy Mess Turned Crazy Blessed

Big smiles
all the way
going through each and every day

not knowing what will be
or what will come
not knowing how things will work out
but knowing that they do

and knowing that somehow and in some way
God will push us through

things fall into place
slowly at first
and then in a fast
and overwhelming burst
billowing over the sides
in one big splash
and a boom!

just when you thought your heart
had no more room
Jesus comes entering in
reminding you of the sin
that separates
the sin that God hates
but does not define you

when you do the best thing in your life and choose
your life to always lose
but his will and love to gain
you learn a certain beauty
even midst the pain

a guarantee and promise
to always stay afloat
even when you feel
like you are stuck inside a moat

swirling round and round
midst the muck from a beautiful place
God is helping and pushing
you to the perfect space

and even though I don't know that now
I pray sometime soon I do
until then and always, leaning into you!

"Trust in the lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding"
Proverbs 3:5

For all the Coffee News Competitions

Coffee sips
hair whips
as she sits and stares
at the boy she'd always dreamed
of and thought could never have
but here he is

laughing
and pointing
at the little man
we just found

in a hurried scramble
to compete and see
the winner usually me ( :

but sometimes he surprises
with a glorious find
and acts like he has lost his mind!

but every time is like something
out of a movie scene
with the most handsome man
you have ever seen

I love coffee with that man and the love of my life ( :

"We love because he first loved us."
1 John 4:19

An Unsung Psalm

Things fall
spirits lift
soul spreads
a sad wisp

is this what I am to be
a shell of what I once called me
lost in a state of definition
caught up in the complexity of cognition

no more thinking
no more drinking
no more of anything

God what will this day bring

I feel like everyone around is better
I feel like everyone around is more

God I know I've felt like this before
when I was down in the dumps
and you lifted me out

you held my hand
and heard my shout
God you lifted me up and made me free
God please help me to remember what I am to be

who I am
what I do
knowing how perfectly I am created in you

a perfect creation
not perfect by me
but all that you have laid out for me

God you are good
wonderful and great
you make perfect
everything that seems late

nothing is overlooked
nothing is not seen
but everything is perfect

even in the in between.

"Be strong and take heart,
all you who hope in the Lord."
Psalm 31:24

We Climbed a Mountain!

The rocks cry out
in a glorious sheen
a beautiful sound
but what does it mean

as we weave in and out
of each twisting crevasse
only to see a jumbled mess
of rocks piled
as if dropped from the sky
with no reason
or answer of why
and yet as we perch
to look all around
here at the top
there is a resounding sound

of goodness

of peace of still

well removed by the touch of man's will
to sit and be once more
the only thing worth climbing for

for the wholeness felt
at the cool air smelt

at the peak of the mount
the best healing place to be found

and as you walk again
down the steep terrain
and listen to the pattering
the dripping rain
somehow walking away
among the few
embracing
what you already knew.

"I love you, Lord, my strength."
Psalm 18:1

Your Words Within My Heart

Petals fade
scales made
a beautiful facade
emotions whirling
speculations twirling
forming a tight knit wad
till enters in a breath of air
fragrant sweet, its source so fair
a warmth unknown
the seed is sown

and the transformation starts
your words within my heart

I shed off the scales
of comparison and fear
cast it away
to draw you more near
and the beauty of the light
dispels the night
which once consumed
and compressed
my heart of a messy nest
messy and broken no more
freed from the dirty floor
it once was stomped on and trampled by
my heart is now free, its time to fly
and all because of you.

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and make captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
2 Corinthians 10:5

(verse and inspiration courtesy of the amazing Kelly Hubatka)

Love Poem for Yaweh

Sleepy silent
goodness still
dragging pushing
to find your will

who really knows
who really cares
till we find
that he is still there

that in our exhaustion
we find needed rest
in trials and troubles
he shines the best

no matter what happens
we do or we say
we know that he loves us
in every way

there is no day too far
or too bad
no moment too crazy
or too sad
to be picked up
and turned over again
we are never beyond
restoration from our sin

God has loved us
now and then
and forever more
just put on a perspective
worth living for

wear hope
tie it on tight
and you will always be ready
to each day fight
the norm of crazy
insane and good
to do, as YOU would.

"Praise be to the Lord,
for he showed me the wonders of his love
when I was in a city under siege."
Psalm 31:21

Limitations or Bliss? (what Down's Syndrome children gain or miss)

Squinted eyes
and a brilliant smile
who is this
beautiful child

the one who sees the world
for what it is
and not what its lacking
and spends their time not crying
but laughing
who never meets a stranger
and knows only friends
is this disease a blessing
or the end

the end of normal days
and ways to play
or the beginning of something new
a beauty
that we thought we knew

but when we see it from their eyes
the blueness of the sky
the bounce of each cloud
everything suddenly so bright and so loud

if we could only see
as they do
and knew what they knew
what would life be like?

"Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me."
Matthew 18:4-5

Be the Drop

Ripple
Trickle
Drop

When will
this madness stop

we wait for
one to go
and follow suit
in a
relentless pursuit
of what called us long ago

the answer
already known
the seeds sown
but for convenience rest

lets test
the waters

be the drop

that causes the wave
the movement
that each of us inwardly crave
so lets jump into the mix
do a daring twist
and break

what is stagnant and still.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
-Joshua 1:9

War Against the Aging

Wars
broken
peace spoken
all we are we are
and yet we are so far
from that we once were
when we ran and played and laughed
and life was good and not sad
and so i dare suggest
that we learn to once more jest
to play and notice something small
to once more catch a ball
and throw it with all of our might

growing up
together, lets fight
and forever young
our souls will be

that's it for me
but will you choose to be free?

"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does."
-2 Corinthians 10:3

Coffee Shop Music

My heart
beats
in- and- out
it wants to shout

but it sits
it is
waiting
but for what?
to move
to dance
to sing
to prance

the world is ours
and all that is in it

and as we sit
we are
our mind traveling
afar
to worlds yet traversed
conversations
well rehearsed

and in this moment
i hide
in the ebb and flow
of the beat
of a song i do not know
but sit and be
i beat

one day
to get off of my feet.

"The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it"
-Psalm 24:1

Beautiful Things Are Messy

Beautiful things are messy
beautiful things are true
beautiful things
are anything
that remind me of you

a bee buzzing by
a cloud perched
in the sky
a bird that sings
the chimes that ring
and bounce
as the wind swirls and whistles
or a cat waits to pounce

beauty is in the little things
that no one ever sees
beautiful are the hidden things
deep inside of me

beauty is
unknown by many
but experienced by all
as long as we see
under weight no more we fall
but in strength stand and be
beautiful, messy,
FREE

"In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and he answered by setting me free."
-Psalm 188.5 NIV84