Tag Archives: cedar tree

Deep Roots

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Deep roots to stand strong.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18 NIV

There is no shame that the love of God cannot remove.
There is no anger where God’s love cannot bring peace.
There is no hurt that the love of God cannot heal.
There is no dark place God’s love cannot reach.
There is no imperfection that will not yield to the love of God.

Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:17-19 NLT

Let your roots go deep into God’s love.

Dancing with God

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Cedar branches touching the stream

Dancing in the water

This scene only came to my attention when I stopped…and sat…and waited. Initially I was bored and saw nothing. Finally, I asked God to open my eyes and allow me to see. Slowly I began to sense the deeper rhythms of the stream. I heard the churning of the water against the rocks, then the call of birds overhead, followed by a chattering squirrel upset by my presence. Breathing in I noticed the fragrance of cedar boughs, and finally became entranced by the branches playing in the fast moving water perpetually dancing before the Lord. The joy in that moment returns even now, looking upon this scene I give thanks.

Prayer is like that. It is only when I stop and wait that I begin to perceive what God has for me. To read and meditate upon the Bible letting the Holy Spirit slowly direct my thoughts. It becomes wonderful dance of me with my creator. Unfortunately, as the day progresses my mind gets sidetracked, fretting about so many things. I must restart the process again, waiting on the Lord trying to catch His rhythm. Thankfully God never tires of waiting for me.

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
For evil men will be cut off,
but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. Psalm 37:7-9

So Much Given, Yet So Little Received

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So close to water, yet unable to drink it in.

So close to water, yet unable to drink it in.


Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” (Luke 7:47)

I have been forgiven much, but fail to comprehend the enormity of this forgiveness.
I have been forgiven much, but often take it for granted.
I have been forgiven much, but do not care much about the price Jesus paid.
I have been forgiven much, but shrug off those in need.
I have been forgiven much, but can’t forgive a neighbors slight.
I have been forgiven much, but resist utter brokenness before you.
I have been forgiven much, but I still want to look back.
I have been forgiven much, but can’t let go of my guilt.
I have been forgiven much, but the depth of my love does not match the depth of your forgiveness.

I need the Holy Spirit to bring forth in me true vision of all you have done.
I need the Holy Spirit to cut away the callousness about my heart.
I need the Holy Spirit to break the shackles of my guilt.
I need the Holy Spirit to break the pride that strives with you.
I need the Holy Spirit to heal the pain I have caused.
I need the Holy Spirit to unseat myself from the throne.
I need the Holy Spirit to create in me the gratitude for all you have forgiven.
I need the Holy Spirit to give me a steadfast heart to live for you.
I pray the Holy Spirit helps me to love you with wild abandon, and my neighbor as myself.
Lord, through the Holy Spirit, please orchestrate in me your love and life, for I am poor and needy.

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” (Luke 11:13)