Come.

Hear the Bridegroom say:

Come, you sinners, weak and broken.
Come, when you have fallen again and you wonder if you will ever be free.
Come, come now, and just be with Me.

I am not mad at you.
I don't look upon you with disappointment or anger,
as if that's even possible.

No, look into My eyes.
Don't be afraid to lift your gaze up to Me
because there is no condemnation for you
because I took it all.

So look up.
I Am smiling.
Out of love for you.
Out of the sheer pleasure and delight I take in you.

Come, weary ones,
let Me scoop you up.
Bury your head in my chest
and let Me hold you now.

You don't have to be afraid,
I won't send you away.

Instead, beloved children,
I invite you in.

Dirty or clean
Broken or healed
Nothing you could ever do or say would ever turn Me away from you.

So, come.
Come here with Me.
And rest.

Forever, you are Mine.
Forever, you are loved.
Forever, you are cared for.

And the King continues His Song of Redemption.

Broken

Jesus, I’m broken.

Oh, so broken.

I keep running to the things I hate.

Yet You never despise me,

You always find me,

You never leave me to my fate.

Jesus, I’m broken.

Oh, so broken.

Your redemption is on its way.

I feel You linger,

I hear Your whisper,

You love me anyway.

Jesus, You were broken.

Oh, so broken.

You have paid my way.

Now, You're right beside me.

You always guide me,

Nothing could ever separate.

Winds of Change & Joyfully Learning to Dance

Hi Friends,

What an adventure this summer has been...Jesus is so faithful. The window of free time, days at the pool, and sleeping in is quickly coming to an end. But, you know what? Jesus is going to be faithful on busy work days filled with sunrise drives to school and homework just like He is right now. Isn't that encouraging?

Selah.

So much is changing. This year feels really weird right now because of the change. I'm living off campus this year, which is something I never thought I'd do (Not that I'm bashing it...I just didn't see myself doing it). But Jesus had other plans. Next month, this body that Jesus gave me is gonna turn 20. For some reason, this is causing a miniature identity crisis. I've really had to go to Lord with this a lot. There's a new desire (perhaps not new...just stronger) to have a mate...a spouse eventually. It's weird. Really it is.

The winds of change are blowing....
The Spirit of God is blowing...
and He beckons you and me...
Can you hear Him?
"May I have this dance?"
He holds out His hand..
I stop with some apprehension and what ifs...
I hear myself say: "What if He sees me for what I really am? What if the dirt from my clothes gets on His brillant, white robe?"
I step back...
He comes toward me..
Hand still extended...
It's when I see the scar that He reminds me...
He took on my dirt..
So I could dance with Him.
And I reach out...
and we begin to spin and swirl.
He's takes me deeper...
as we dance, He teaches me trust...
He shows me love...
He removes the fear...
He washes me with grace...
The wind blows.
And we dance.

There is no one like Jesus. No one.
The adventure continues.
Dance on.

1:54 AM & Jesus.

It's late. Or is it early? I'm not sure. But it doesn't matter...cause Jesus is here. And He's outside of time.

Tonight I find myself absolutely floored by the sheer amount and intensity of the grace the He so freely lavishes on me and ragamuffins like me. For crying out loud, HE is the KING of the UNIVERSE. Tonight I wrote to Him and said that His ocean was full of so much grace that He could fill like a thousand planets. That's about as big as my brain can comprehend...who am I kidding, it doesn't even comprehend that. Oh, His grace. His grace. His grace. His grace. It never gets old. It never runs out. It never stops gently tearing apart these things in me that don't belong. It never stops ferociously drowning me with a hope and boldness and tenacity I don't understand. He (Jesus and grace are synonymous...He IS Grace!!!) never quits the pursuit of this wandering heart. He never stops conforming me into His image.

This King. He holds all things together. You and me. The smallest cells. The biggest galaxy. He's got it in the palm of His hand. THE PALM!!! And our names are written there too. :)

This King. The King of glory. Came to be mutilated on the cross for our redemption. But, it was impossible for death to keep it's hold on Him. So now He lives. Forever exalted. Forever praised.

Oh, He is good. He is glorious. He is worthy. He is holy.

Let's surrender to Him....

let's dance with Him...

let's get lost in Him...

Oh, for grace to trust You more.

Draw me in.

Jesus, today I'm so grateful that You remain so steadfastly faithful. You never let me go. In the midst of my weariness and sickness, it still pleases You to come to my side and scoop me up into Your arms. Despite my sin and lack of energy (only because I've been leaning on my own), You come with an invitation. "Come! It doesn't matter that you don't have money...come, buy and eat! Listen, listen to Me, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare." Oh Jesus, how I long for my delight to be in You again. The truth is, I need You more than I need water or air. I need Your grace to so saturate me that all I can do is spread it all over the place because of Your tendency to be abundant in Your grace giving. Hallelujah for that! Come, Jesus. Heal my heart. I am forever Yours. In Your very powerful Name,...amen.