whispered treasures
blog.amyharvison.com
Whispered Treasures
The Zone
Sometimes the zones of life get too focused and I don't have time for things I really enjoy - like blogging. Lately my blog zone has been filled with remodelling projects, writing projects, friends, family, Texas heat, and work, leaving no time for blogging. So sad about the lack of blogging but so glad about all the other great things Father is placing in my life. But here I am in the blog zone, driving free and fast without much to say except my God is huge and amazing and so worthy of praise and devotion. Nuff said.
John 4:23-24 "It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of ...<< MORE >>
John 4:23-24 "It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of ...<< MORE >>
So What's The Story?
A couple of weeks ago I journaled about how God's Word is His story written for us to know Him in every way. I reflected on a recent conversation with my son about how the Bible is full of stories of people that God used but who were people that were totally messed up. And I pondered how sometimes when I'm reading the Bible it seems there are stories about people that seem insignificant, bizarre, out of place, even random. But I know God purposed each story to be written in a precise way and placed in that position for a reason that reveals Him and His character and His plans. No part of His story is insignificant, too bizarre for His explanation, out ...<< MORE >>
Soaring on His Pinions
Several weeks ago I noticed some hawks soaring around outside my office window and I stopped working to watch them for a while. I noticed that some small birds were up there soaring with them and that every now and then the small birds would literally dive down and bounce off of the larger hawks. After watching for a while I realized the small birds were fledgling hawks learning to soar. I'm not sure of the real reason why they were bouncing off the adults but I think it was probably part of their learning process. They might do it because they are getting tired and need some lift without having to land and start over. Or maybe it is part of how they learn to ...
<< MORE >>Mosaic Mud Pie Warrior
Surrender requires humility and repentance and submission. It is an acknowledgement of power and authority with a conscious choice to turn from one thing and submit to
another. In faith, it is choosing God and His ways over our own and the world's. Surrender is not waving a white flag and giving up to submit to capture and torture and separation
from all we love. Instead it is looking around at the sickly, dying stuff of the flesh in the foxhole where we hide and choosing to stand strong and whole in battle next to the King of all
kings who rules and reigns forever. And it is trusting that He is loving and faithful in all His ways as we become His warrior children in ...<< MORE >>
The Birds
My grandmother gave me a pet parakeet when I was young. He was very pretty and lived in a great cage with all the amenities a pet parakeet might need - food,
water, a perch, something to peck on, and cover for sleeping. He was domesticated but he still had wings to fly and knew he was a bird and that birds were made to fly. Whenever his
cage door was opened there was a chance he would try to get out. Sometimes he escaped and mayhem broke loose! He would fly into walls and get tangled in curtains and we would run around
trying to catch him and get him back to his cage where he would be safe. He was a captive wanting only to be ...<< MORE >>
Silent Worship
Psalm 65:1-8 Silence is praise to you, Zion-dwelling God, and also obedience. You hear the prayer in it all. We all arrive at your doorstep
sooner or later, loaded with guilt, our sins too much for us— but you get rid of them once and for all. Blessed are the chosen! Blessed the guest at home in your
place! We expect our fill of good things in your house, your heavenly manse. All your salvation wonders are on display in your trophy
room. Earth-Tamer, Ocean-Pourer, Mountain-Maker, Hill-Dresser, Muzzler of sea storm and wave crash, of mobs in noisy riot— Far and wide they'll come to a
stop, they'll stare in awe, in wonder. Dawn and dusk take turns calling, "Come and worship." (The Message)
Not long ago I was journaling about how much I love silence. I love the quiet morning hours before the world is ...<< MORE >>
Not long ago I was journaling about how much I love silence. I love the quiet morning hours before the world is ...<< MORE >>
Sharing A Secret
Today when I woke up, I smiled in the dark at my Jesus standing there smiling at me - a resurrected, living and loving Lord! I thanked Him for the grace of the life He now
lives in me. I thanked Him for this day that celebrates and highlights the life we can all have in Him. And I felt anticipation for the day - for the life He would be living in
it!
Then my thoughts went to Mary Magdalene. She began this day with sorrow in her heart, longing to see His smile just once more. She didn't know it was the first Resurrection Day. Her waking thoughts were clouded with fear and loss and questions. I'm certain she hoped that the things He'd said about Himself were ...<< MORE >>
Then my thoughts went to Mary Magdalene. She began this day with sorrow in her heart, longing to see His smile just once more. She didn't know it was the first Resurrection Day. Her waking thoughts were clouded with fear and loss and questions. I'm certain she hoped that the things He'd said about Himself were ...<< MORE >>
Hosanna! Hosanna!
Today is Palm Sunday and this morning I was reading the gospels where Matthew, Mark, Luke and John tell of this day in the life of Jesus. Jesus had made a long
journey through Israel from Capernaeum, on the north shore of the Sea of Gallilee, south toward Jerusalem where He would be crucified, buried and raised from the dead. This journey included
teaching and miracles and the Transfiguration. As the journey came to a close, He and His disciples passed through the ancient city of Jericho and headed for Jerusalem, stopping in Bethany
- about 2 miles outside of the city.
Bethany was the town where Jesus' dear friends, Lazarus, Mary, and Martha lived. It was in Bethany that Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead.And when He ...<< MORE >>
Bethany was the town where Jesus' dear friends, Lazarus, Mary, and Martha lived. It was in Bethany that Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead.And when He ...<< MORE >>
Just Breathe
I was reminded this week that the Holy Spirit is my breath - the life of God in me. My life in Christ is certainly about being forgiven and belonging to the family of God but it is also about life and living. Spirit is the very presence of God in me and in this world. I breathe in Spirit and I breathe out Spirit and this breath is my life. And this breath gives me focus and strength and fuels me in His kingdom work. Job 33:4 - The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life. John 6:63 - The Spirit gives life - the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are ...
<< MORE >>Abram
Genesis 11:26-31 After Terah had lived 70 years, he became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran. This is the account of Terah. Terah became the father of
Abram, Nahor and Haran. And Haran became the father of Lot. While his father Terah was still alive, Haran died in Ur of the Chaldeans, in the land of his birth. Abram and Nahor both
married. The name of Abram's wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor's wife was Milcah; she was the daughter of Haran, the father of both Milcah and Iscah. Now Sarai was barren; she had no
children. Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and together they set out from Ur ...<< MORE >>
The Ride
As she walked toward the clearing ahead
With a sense of anticipation,
Sunlight streamed in rays of hope
Between the tall trees of green.
Her heart said something great was waiting.
She smelled the clean morning air.
Dew had fallen on the field and flowers.
Her warm breath was a tangible vapor.
As the edge of the forest came into view
A man stood by two horses of white.
A look of love was on his face
And it seemed he gave the day its light.
Her feet could not stop moving
As if floating on the essence of dreams.
Her heart nearly stopped beating
But she was captivated and drawn to him.
She stepped into the bright sun of the day.
He reached out his hand for hers.
Smiling gently he lifted her up
And placed her on one of the horses.
Her ...
EnJOY the Day
Yesterday I read a very short little devotional from a book called Prayers of a Loyal Friend by Dr. Criswell Freeman. It was entitled "Help Me, Lord, To Be A Worthy
Friend" and the point of the message was to be a friend who encourages, loves, blesses, and helps others that Father has placed in their lives. Each devotional in the book contains one
paragraph of message, a few quotes from various sources, and a prayer. One of the quotes was from C.H. Spurgeon: "Friendship is one of the sweetest joys of life. Many might have
failed beneath the bitterness of their trial had they not found a friend." And part of the prayer said this: "Lord, You seek abundance and joy for me and ...<< MORE >>
Let Go of the Moss
When it turned cold this fall I brought some hanging baskets in the garage to attempt to keep the plants in them alive through the winter. The baskets are wire and lined with thick moss that holds the soil and plants. On warm sunny days my husband puts them out in the yard and waters them. One day he and I were in the yard talking to a neighbor when a little brown squirrel went running by with something large and unusual in its mouth. A couple of days later when moving the baskets back inside before a cold night I noticed one of them had absolutely no moss left. And I realized that the little brown squirrel had probably stolen it to line ...
<< MORE >>Light Fixtures
Hi, I miss you. Nothing to say about light fixtures just tired of the same old thing. How are you dear? Are you listening to your music loud? Are you bored like me? It's my fault. Sometimes I just want to dye my hair blue, live in a loft, and ride a bike or walk everywhere. You know- carry home fresh bread from the bakery, and buy fresh produce from the market every night. Oh, and flowers cleverly perched in the bag with the fresh bread. Forget the blue hair. I want regular hair and a flowy sundress, or jeans and a white t-shirt. Not spending as much time with God as I should. He is exciting ...<< MORE >>
Replenish
Some journal thoughts...
Yesterday my baby turned 23. Where did all those years go?
Like a stream of trickling water - dancing over the rocks - facing moments of near extinction during dry seasons - rushing like a river in spring's thaw - picking up trash along the way from careless companions - fording new territory when obstacles appeared - feeding the occasional hungry beast - providing a home for the zealous who nearly stopped its flow with their building - crying for rain to fill it at times - joyfully singing while silent deer drew near to drink - moving - flowing - always progressing. The salmon who swim in it go back to remember - to recall ...<< MORE >>
Connecting the Dots
Last January I blogged about how New Year's Day usually sets the theme for the new year. Last year's theme was "Peace at the End of the Day" and Father has been faithful to show me His peace at the end of each day and even at the end of the year. I closed 2007 with Psalm 27 as my psalm of the month. The last two verses of that psalm bring me His blessed peace. Verses 13 and 14 say, "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." Resting there ...<< MORE >>
The Territory Ahead
For about a month I've been getting advertisement emails with the subject line "The Territory Ahead" telling me all about the products offered and sales events and free shipping and specials and I have never ordered anything or even inquired about these products to my knowledge or recollection. And yet, almost every day since Thanksgiving, I've seen "The Territory Ahead" in my inbox. So a couple of weeks ago I wrote it down on a note pad on my desk at work and I've pondered it and prayed about it wondering what Father wants me to know or see about the territory ahead. During this time of pondering and praying I've heard many things about how ...<< MORE >>
Light Has Come
Genesis 1:1-4 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface
of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw that the light was
good, and He separated the light from the darkness.
Isaiah 60:1 "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you."
Numbers 24:17 "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel."
Isaiah 60:1 "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you."
Psalm 36:9 For with you is the fountain ...<< MORE >>
Isaiah 60:1 "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you."
Numbers 24:17 "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel."
Isaiah 60:1 "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you."
Psalm 36:9 For with you is the fountain ...<< MORE >>
Herod
This morning Gary Hutchison, pastor of Grace Community Church, preached a wonderful sermon on worship from the story of the
Magi in Matthew 2. As he was sharing what Spirit had spoken to his heart I kept thinking of this poem from Whispered Treasures.
Later this week you can log on to the church website and listen to the sermon yourself - but until it is posted you can ponder these thoughts of mine. I pray they will turn your heart to
worship the baby born in Bethlehem, who was honored by the Magi, and who rules and reigns today as King of all kings. He is worthy of all worship.
Insecurity raised its destructive head
In the heart and mind of a king ...
Christmas Lights
During this season of the celebration of Christ's birth and all the wonder and joy and family and friends and sights and sounds, there are some beautiful lights.
There are twinkling lights on trees and houses, displays of great proportion with thousands of lights to delight and entertain, and there is warm firelight and soft candllelight and there is the
light from the star of Bethlehem in every church and nativity display. But this week I have also encountered some darkness in the season. It is the darkness of religion.
Last weekend I overheard a conversation about politics where the people talking were saying they were switching political parties because one party had become "so overtly religious that it was nauseating." They both said that politicians and political parties ...<< MORE >>
Last weekend I overheard a conversation about politics where the people talking were saying they were switching political parties because one party had become "so overtly religious that it was nauseating." They both said that politicians and political parties ...<< MORE >>
Show Me Your Heart
Father, show me Your heart.
So often I take Your presence, Your love, Your generosity, Your beauty, Your friendship, Your grace, Your provision, Your invitations, Your words, Your revelations, Your whispers, Your songs, Your gifts, Your call, Your kindness, Your invitations, Your beloved ones, Your kingdom for granted. Sometimes I do it because I haven't got a clue You are even there with all of those things in Your hands holding them out to me. Sometimes it happens because I am just too self-absorbed and too busy looking at myself and my stuff and my needs. Sometimes I just don't bother to to look Your way. Sometimes I bargain with myself and put You aside because I know You are always there. You won't reject me ...
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So often I take Your presence, Your love, Your generosity, Your beauty, Your friendship, Your grace, Your provision, Your invitations, Your words, Your revelations, Your whispers, Your songs, Your gifts, Your call, Your kindness, Your invitations, Your beloved ones, Your kingdom for granted. Sometimes I do it because I haven't got a clue You are even there with all of those things in Your hands holding them out to me. Sometimes it happens because I am just too self-absorbed and too busy looking at myself and my stuff and my needs. Sometimes I just don't bother to to look Your way. Sometimes I bargain with myself and put You aside because I know You are always there. You won't reject me ...
Revival
Psalm 138:1 I will give You thanks with all my heart; I will sing praises to You before the gods. 2 I will bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name
for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; for You have magnified Your word according to all Your name. 3 On the day I called, You answered me;
You made me bold with strength in my soul. 4 All the kings of the earth will give thanks to You, O LORD, when they have heard the words of Your mouth. 5 And they will sing of the ways of the
LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD. 6 For though the LORD is exalted, yet He regards the lowly, ...
Thanksgiving Day Parade
Psalm 44:11 All day we parade God's praise— we
thank you by name over and over. (The Message)
All week
long I've been reading messages and words from people talking about giving
thanks and praising - reminders during this holiday season to thank and praise
the One who is the giver of all good things. He is worthy of our
praise. And we all need reminding.
I woke up at 4:44 this
morning with a song in my head: All my delight is in You, Lord - all of my hope,
all of my strength..." and I looked at the clock and smiled at Him. He was
reminding me that He is good and worthy of my praise. And I ...<< MORE >>
thank you by name over and over. (The Message)
All week
long I've been reading messages and words from people talking about giving
thanks and praising - reminders during this holiday season to thank and praise
the One who is the giver of all good things. He is worthy of our
praise. And we all need reminding.
I woke up at 4:44 this
morning with a song in my head: All my delight is in You, Lord - all of my hope,
all of my strength..." and I looked at the clock and smiled at Him. He was
reminding me that He is good and worthy of my praise. And I ...<< MORE >>
Worth Remembering
Fanny Crosby, one of the greatest hymn writers of all time, once said, "Live in the moment and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering." The holiday season has arrived - somehow suddenly and without warning but also with expectations and preparations already in place. Each year I go from stress over the season to sadness over expectations not met to joy in the blessings to exhaustion to wishing there were more opportunities to celebrate to wondering where the season has gone! This year I'd like to take Fanny's advice and live in each moment, making each one so beautiful that it will be worth remembering.
I will make ...<< MORE >>
Walk or Run?
Last week I asked a question openly to all who happen to see it. The question was: Walk or run? The answers will be based on personal interpretation of why I asked and on personal context of the person answering at the time. Most people who see the question won't even answer. But for those who do, each answer will be reflective of the personality and position of the person answering. I'm usually one who would choose to walk because it allows for time to look around and reflect, enjoying the walk. And yet I like to run but running wears me out. But I do both from time to time. How about you? Walk or run?
Each day Father asks us questions whether we know it or ...<< MORE >>
Give and Take
One of my bosses is a funny guy who is always quick to respond to a thank you with these words: "Now Amy, it is my pleasure. You know I'm a giver, not a
taker." That always makes me smile and think of the fact that our Father is the same way - even more so because He doesn't just say that in jest. He means it because He truly IS a
giver and not a taker, a rewarder and not a withholder. Hebrews 11:6 says: And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists
and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. I believe in His existence and I believe He ...
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Invitations
I've been getting invitations lately - to join things, to attend things, to purchase things, to learn things - and it has reminded me of the invitations we have in our lives in
regard to God. And, as usual, He has spoken to me about a slight shift in my thinking when considering these invitations. And, as usual, my thinking is typically based on me first.
And His shift puts Him first. Imagine that! Want to xplore some of the invitations with me?
I usually hear that we invite Jesus to come into our hearts when we receive His gift of salvation. And Revelation 3:20 says: Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat ...
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I usually hear that we invite Jesus to come into our hearts when we receive His gift of salvation. And Revelation 3:20 says: Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat ...
Living the Abundant Life
Today I was reading in Zechariah 10 and noticed the second part of verse 2 said that the people in that day were wandering around like sheep - like sheep oppressed for lack of a
shepherd. And Spirit reminded me of John 10 where Jesus says He is the shepherd. I am thankful that He is my shepherd - but I wonder why I still wander around sometimes like I am
shepherdless. I kept reading in Zechariah 10 and got to verse 10 which says "I will bring them back from Egypt and gather them from Assyria. I will bring them to Gilead and
Lebanon and there will not be room enough for them." I saw a picture in my mind of a shepherd calling ...
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Mystical Majesty
Earlier this week on two different days I saw the numbers 2-6-9 and knew that Father was showing them to me. But I didn't search them out...until Thursday morning after
a discussion on Wednesday night with friends about how wonderful it is that He is in everything everywhere and makes His presence known to us in everything everywhere. We enjoyed resting in the
fact that He is so kind and gracious and that He wants to be known by us.
Why would anyone who loves God and wants to spend their life pursuing Him fail to appreciate the myriad of ways He expresses Himself in their lives? Psalm 24:1 says: The earth is the Lord's and everything in it; the world and all who live ...
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Why would anyone who loves God and wants to spend their life pursuing Him fail to appreciate the myriad of ways He expresses Himself in their lives? Psalm 24:1 says: The earth is the Lord's and everything in it; the world and all who live ...
All My Fountains
Last Sunday during a corporate worship time I was singing You Are My King/Amazing Love by Billy Foote (©1997 worshiptogether.com songs) and when we got to the end I
had a momentary debate with myself about whether or not I could sing the last line. The line says "in all I do, I honor You." Confusion always hits at this point
because I know that I don't honor my King in all I do. And He knows it. So how can I sing it? And I recalled an email conversation I had a couple of weeks earlier with my
friend, Bill, that straightened it all out for me.
Bill and I were discussing another song, written by one of our friends that is going to be part of a cd currently in production. The song is All My ...
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Bill and I were discussing another song, written by one of our friends that is going to be part of a cd currently in production. The song is All My ...
New Day
Revelation 21: 1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, ...
How to Live
Sometimes understanding what is going on around us is beyond us, isn't it? And when we can't understand what's going on we get confused and we find ourselves caught in
fear, frustration, distress and even despair. And we end up wandering around the same mountains like the Israelites did in the wilderness - moaning and groaning while waiting for
God's next big event. That's not a pleasant way to live, is it?
Today is the first day of the new month - but what is different in my life besides the date on the calendar? Do I have new understanding? New goals? New plans? A new
mountain? A new big event? Nope. But I have new prayers.
I am not praying for things to be different or for a new path that ...
Road-Test
Psalm 66:8-12 Bless our God, O
peoples! Give him a thunderous welcome! Didn't he
set us on the road to life? Didn't he keep us out
of the ditch? He trained us
first, passed us like silver through refining
fires, Brought us into hardscrabble
country, pushed us to our very
limit, Road-tested us inside and
out, took us to hell and back; Finally
he brought us to this well-watered place. (The
Message)
I have read Psalm 66 many times and considered the ditches and the refining fires and the hardscrabble country and the pushing and the testing and it has left me defeated and weary. But this week Spirit shifted my thinking a bit as He talked to my heart about road-testing.
Every vehicle must be road-tested by the manufacturer to prove that it is all that ...
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I have read Psalm 66 many times and considered the ditches and the refining fires and the hardscrabble country and the pushing and the testing and it has left me defeated and weary. But this week Spirit shifted my thinking a bit as He talked to my heart about road-testing.
Every vehicle must be road-tested by the manufacturer to prove that it is all that ...
Culturally Relevant
Since Adam and Eve mankind has been trying to be
culturally relevant to God whether they knew it or not.
That's what Adam and Eve were doing when they chose to commit the
first sin. They wanted to relate to God - to be on His
level - by eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and
evil. And that's what those guys were doing in Genesis 11
when they built the Tower of Babel - trying to get on God's
level by reaching the heavens and making a name for
themselves. And the Pharisees were doing it in their
rules and regulations that were an attempt to mimic and build on
and be better than the law God had written with His own hand on
...
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It's Really All So Easy
I've noticed that most of the people I know, including myself, that are on this beautiful spiritual journey with our Lord, seem to be seeking the place of their calling or the fulfillment of their calling. We are all looking for that place where we are using our gifts and talents and exploding with the joy found in doing what we were made to do. And there is nothing wrong with that - is there? Especially if you are young and beginning your career and adult life or looking for a spouse. Or if you are older and simply know that there is more and that you have gifts and talents that aren't being used. Right? And people who aren't making plans for their future or have no goals ...
In Him
(a/k/a How Many Different Sources Can I Quote or Reference in One Blog)
"I am utterly alone." Winona Ryder's character says that in the movie Beetlejuice. She is despondent because no one understands or appreciates her and she has no friends. Earlier in the movie, when moving into the family's new home, she describes herself like this: "I, myself, am strange and unusual." Perhaps that explains why she is utterly alone...
Remember the sitcom Cheers? It is the one where the same strange and unusual group of people went to the same bar every day. It was the place they went to keep from being utterly alone. It was where they could feel accepted, appreciated, and welcomed. It was the place where they could see that people are all the same. It was where everybody was glad they came. And everybody knew their name.
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Fig Preserves
I like figs. I have a fig tree. And there aren't too many things that are better than some of my mom's fig preserves with melted butter on a warm-from-the-oven homemade biscuit. Mmmmmm... There are several places in the Bible where figs are discussed and I have pondered those many times. And this week I have been reading in Jeremiah and I rediscovered that he wrote about figs, too. Chapter 24 says that God showed him two baskets of figs - one full of beautiful ripe figs and one full of rotten figs. The ripe figs represented the Israelites carried off to Babylonian captivity and the rotten figs were the Israelites who had rejected God and were left in Judah or who had run to Egypt.
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These Hands
Today I woke to the song "Open the Eyes of My Heart" and thought of this passage from Ephesians 1:18-21 "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come."
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Stay in the Game
I went a friend's t-ball game earlier this week. I think it was my first t-ball game ever and it was entertaining! My friend is four years old and it was his team's second game of the season. Carson and his team-mates were not real clear on all the rules and strategies of the game but they had fun. They all seemed to know they would get a turn at bat, that sometimes they stood in varying places in the field, that running and finding bases was as important as retrieving the ball, and home plate was the ultimate goal.
I watched and cheered and laughed at the precious sight of preschoolers learning a new game and learning the team concept. At one point I looked out and Carson was in the outfield, laying on the ground, bored, hot, tired, glove off, hat off, with his dad trying to get him back in the game. I heard Father say to me, "Stay in the game." << MORE >>
The Rest of the Story
By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. Genesis 2:2-3
Last week I rested on the seventh day of the seventh month of the seventh year of this century. It wasn't a physical rest because I was in four different states - from Texas to Tennessee to Alabama to Georgia and back to Texas in 3-1/2 days. But it was a spiritual rest as Father revealed sweet truth about who I am in Him and about how my youth was such a vital part of who I am in His completed work of the creation of Amy. On 7-7-7 I attended my 30th high school reunion and the next day celebrated my grandon's third birthday. If that, by itself, is not truth revealed, I don't know what is!!<< MORE >>
Content to Remain
Philippians 4:12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
This summer I have been praying for several young people (and adults) who are giving away their time to minister in places foreign to them. One young man is a college student named Daniel, spending his summer in the jungles of Indonesia translating the Bible into the dialects of remote tribes, teaching and helping pastors, and sharing the love of Christ. I had not heard from him for several weeks but knew he was in a region without any type of internet or cellular connection. The email I received this week was mixed with exhaustion, homesickness, excitement, wonder, and increased depth of spiritual maturity — much like the Daniel we know from the Bible might have felt after spending time in Babylon.<< MORE >>
Remain
For the past few weeks Father has been talking to me about remaining. He began the diaologue with a song from John 15 and questions in my heart and mind about what it means to remain in Him and what His commands are and how to follow them and how to resolve old feelings of having to do something to be a good fruit bearer in order to remain and get Him to remain while knowing He is always remaining in me and all I have to do is rest there and the fruit just happens but I couldn't make sense of it. My heart knows it understands but my mind needed help.<< MORE >>
Aloha
I have some dear friends who are moving away to explore a new adventure with Father. Over the past weeks as I've prayed for them and been sad about their leaving I have meditated on some 'leavings' in the Bible. I thought of and read about Jacob's leaving when his sons gathered around his death bed and Jacob told them, "Gather around so I can tell you what will happen to you in days to come." (Genesis 49:1) And I read about Moses' leaving and how he blessed the Israelites and told them what was going to happen to them: "Blessed are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD? He is your shield and helper and your glorious sword. Your enemies will cower before you, and you will trample down their high places." (Deuteronomy 33:29) And I pondered Elijah's passing as Elisha asked him for an inheritance of a double portion of his spirit. (II Kings 2:9) And I thought about Paul's leaving the elders of Ephesus and how he gave them information about what was to come and about their inheritance. He said, "Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified." (Acts 20:32) << MORE >>
Sidewalks Closed Part Two
Last fall I blogged about construction in the downtown area and mentioned two sites that had the sign "Sidewalk Closed". (www.blog.amyharvison.com/2006/10/17/sidewalk-closed.aspx ) I've been noticing those areas again as I've realized how long their sidewalks have been closed. One of those sites was where the contractor was "Building the Future" and the future is almost here. It looks as if the beautiful luxury homes are nearly ready for new owners. Soon the "Sidewalk Closed" signs will be gone and new signs of life will fill the block.<< MORE >>
Father's Day
Ephesians 1:2-6 I greet you with the grace and peace poured into our lives by God our Father and our Master, Jesus Christ. How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.
Celebrate the fathers in your life today by including a celebration of your glorious Father who has blessed you beyond anything you can understand. Hug a father for me, too, okay?<< MORE >>
Is Life an Adventure?
I was just sweeping and dusting and kept shaking my head at the spider webs. We have been invaded this spring by tiny little brown spiders that create webbing at rapid speeds. I can literally wipe off a lamp shade, go to the kitchen for a cup of coffee, and return to find a new strand of web from the top of the same lampshade to the window. It is almost as if the spider is in some type of challenge course and I am his number one competitor.
The worst place for these spider webs is on my husband's drums. He has a full set of drums with cymbals and various accessories and they string their webbing from every possible part. No matter how often I sweep and dust, there is always some little spider busy webbing. And even when I know the drums have been played recently I still find the spiders. Are they deaf? It seems as if the spiders have decided that the drums are their personal theme park.
The interesting thing this morning was that as I was trying to get rid of the webs on the drums I kept smiling at the spiders. Have I lost my mind? Perhaps. But I'll save that for another blog.<< MORE >>
Abstract Art
I like abstract art. I have several original works on the walls in my house that are all very abstract. Many people have looked at them and asked questions like: "What is it?" or "What am I supposed to see in there?" or "Does that have a hidden meaning?" I'm sure some people have looked at them and wondered what was wrong with me for buying them and hanging them! However, I find abstract art intriguing because it is colorful and emotional and passionate and it expresses the artist's personality in a very unique way while causing my imagination to stir and energize.<< MORE >>
Have You Seen Him?
On Sunday I was a small part of a discussion about seeing and hearing God that stemmed from a sermon from I Samuel 3. The sermon was called "Voice of God" but the discussion started because I Samuel 3:10 says that the Lord came and stood there - near Samuel - as He called to him. The questions raised were basically about whether or not God was actually standing there and if so, how did Samuel know He was standing there - did He see Him standing there? Questions were asked about whether or not we can really see God and I John 4:12 was read. It says, "No one has ever seen God..." and John says the same thing in John 1:18. But we discussed that Moses saw God and Jacob wrestled with God. My friend Stephanie said that John seemed to contradict what was in the Old Testament but she knew that it must not be contradictory and she asked how I would go about figuring out what it all really meant.<< MORE >>
Creator's Glory Part Two
My last blog was a reminder to my heart that I was created for God's glory - created to worship - and it inspired me to worship more and more and more. I pray it did the same for you. Today my heart is worshiping as He reminds me that worship really hasn't a thing to do with me... Contrary to the way i normally behave and think - it really isn't about me. It is all about Him. Or at least it should be. Right? Why would I worship Him if He was not worthy? And how could I worship if He had not given me hands to raise and a voice that can speak and sing and eyes that can look to heaven and legs that can dance with joy before Him? And if I truly believe that, then why is it that I don't worship Him all of the time?<< MORE >>
Creator's Glory
I have been spending a lot of time looking at the beauty of creation as the days have gotten warmer and the birds have invaded my yard, as the flowers are blooming and the skies are filled with the majesty of spring storms. And I have watched as all of creation seems to applaud its Creator. And I was reminded of a journal entry from several years ago.
My journal entry went something like this: What must it be like to create something that does nothing but praise, glorify, worship and honor its creator? Did a painting ever stand and applaud Michelangelo or a symphony bow and weep at Beethoven's feet? No, but the creators were honored by the people who viewed and heard their work. What greater glory and honor does God deserve from me as the created of His hand? When people look at the painting of my life or hear the music of my legacy, will they look to God and give Him praise? And do I spend my days pointing to Him and in worship of Him?<< MORE >>
New School Shoes
Once upon a time there was a little girl who got new school shoes. One of the rules of her house was that school shoes went to school while play shoes went outside to play and Sunday shoes went to church. I am sure the little girl's mother felt this rule was a great way to keep things organized and in proper condition for appropriate wearing at appropriate times.
But the little girl loved her new school shoes and she didn't want to wait until Monday morning to wear them for the first time. She had a certain level of respect for the shoe rule on Sunday morning but on Sunday evening she made a decision to wear her new school shoes to church.<< MORE >>
May Day
Today is May 1 and as I was spending some time with Father this morning I asked Him to speak to my heart about May Day. I know May Day is an ancient holiday of celebration of summer and fertility and work and that it involves flowers and streamers and Maypole dances. As I was thinking about it I saw a vision of the captain of a ship calling out "Mayday - Mayday - Mayday!!" on his radio and got completely off track. So I decided to ponder my psalm of the month instead.
I have been meditating on and memorizing psalms for a few years using a technique I call 'dialoging' where I read and pray and discuss each phrase in order to paint a picture of what the psalm is really saying to me. I write out the verses and the prayers and discussions to help me remember and to help put it all together in my mind. The writing and the conversation plant the words of the psalm securely in my heart and mind and by the time I finish the dialogue, I have memorized the entire thing. This morning as I was dialoging Psalm 20, I began to understand the distress call of the captain on the ship.<< MORE >>
The Long and Winding Road
On Saturday my daughter and I walked in a March of Dimes WalkAmerica 7k that took us along the bike and walking trails next to the river that flows into the downtown area. As we walked along there were several times that she said "I see your building." One time we talked about how I've worked in the same building for about 19 years and in downtown for about 23 or 24 years. A long time for sure. And at one point she said "I hate downtown. Every time I'm driving downtown I can see it in the distance and then suddenly it disappears. And when it reappears it is on a different side of the road and not where I was expecting it all!" I agreed with her and then after a minute, I said, "But it's not downtown that moves around. It is the road."<< MORE >>
Tuning In
This week has been a week of tuning in for me - tuning in to the Spirit's call to prayer. I've been called to pray about national tragedy, epic weather conditions, life-threatening illnesses, and hearts breaking over personal loss. I've been called to pray for presidents and missionaries and pastors and friends and family and co-workers. And I have prayed. And prayed.
And the crazy thing is that as I have prayed I have heard lines from secular songs and lines from Shakespeare and lines from C.S. Lewis and lines from Emily Dickinson. But I have kept praying. It seems Spirit is using lines in my head to direct my prayers in odd ways but effective ways for sure.<< MORE >>
The Measure of Success
A couple of months ago I blogged on 'no regrets' - about how we tend to think that our failures somehow limit God's purposes. That is really presumptuous thinking, isn't it? We don't limit God in our failure because He knows our failures before they happen and has planned to use them for His purposes in our lives. This week I've been thinking about how I measure my success and realized that I am usually expecting more than I should in assuming that the successes I see and experience are the limit or expanse of my success. Like - if I teach and no one tells me how they learned something that changed their life... Or - if I write something and share it with others and no one says it spoke to their heart... Or - if every time I dive headfirst into something He leads me to do I end up banging my head on a rock... Am I a success?<< MORE >>
Outcast
A few weeks ago I was privileged to hear Bob Oliver at Grace Vineyard Christian Fellowship (www.gvcf.org) speak and, although it was not the main point of the message, something he said has been swimming around in my head and heart ever since. He said that grace - the REAL Jesus - can not remain where law presides.
As I have thought about this and considered times in my life when it seemed my fellow believers were behaving in a way that smelled of law and I have felt like an outcast because of it - or when I have been smelling like law and casting out others, I realized that this is yet another way that I have been living wrong-side-out. << MORE >>
Dark Night of the Soul
There is a poem by a 16th century Spanish monk named St. John of the Cross called "Dark Night of the Soul". St. John was a deep lover of his Lord and experienced a depth of relationship like few of us do in this life. It was a place of total abandonment to the love of God that caused him to draw from the passion of complete darkness to describe his love appropriately. This deep love could only be found in the dark of night, in secret, guided only by the internal drawing of Spirit. The dark night of St. John's soul was a death of himself to become one with God.
Today is called Good Friday yet it is a day when my soul ...<< MORE >>
Lower East Side
Driving downtown - too much traffic on the highway - detours - alternate routes - all roads lead through the lower East side. Who cares? Everything you need is on the lower East side. Rent-A-Tires and Fix-A-Flats - Used Cars and Cash Cars and Loans Guaranteed. Discount Caskets and Discount Liquor and Eastside Marble and Granite needs a 12 foot fence and Eastside Humane Society needs detergent. Put on your Red Slippers and Lounge around or Dance Nightly at Cliff's Place if you need fun.
Go deeper and the Salvation Army sings for the salvation of your soul while Gladys wants to fill your stomach with her Soul Food next door if you can bum some cash. Veteran's Assistance hands out army boots and camo jackets to keep you warm and dry. Thinking of moving into Tent City on the side of the hill? Someone will hook you up with tents and sleeping bags. You can survive. ; Police don't care - they look the other way. Just don't let your fire get out of control.
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Barefoot in the Park
Spring in Texas is a wonderful thing. First the days get warmer and longer. Then the Bradford pear trees bloom. Then all of the other fruit trees and redbuds and dogwoods blossom and paint the landscape with splashes of color. And the butterflies show up more often. And the birds sing more. And the yard is filled with red clover and dandelions for little boys to pick and bring inside for their mothers. It is a beautiful season.
And as all the trees and plants blossom and bud there is a thick green pollen dust that settles on everything. It is as if you are wearing lime green lenses in your sunglasses. It covers your driveway and sidewalk and back deck and car and brick and windows and ...<< MORE >>
Shadows
We stand between the light of the sun
And all of the people in our path.
The size of our stature doesn't decide
The length of the shadow we cast.
When the sun begins to warm her face,
A child stands praising at the dawn.
Behind her the mountains look very small
As the rising sun makes her shadow long.
In the heat of the noonday burning bright
A man stands tall with no shadow found.
But as he bends low to help a brother
The sun stretches his shadow to cover the ground.
At dusk when the colors of the day are fading
And the sun is ready to slip away,
A woman frail but upright in heart
Sees her shadow grow longer as she prays.
On our faces the sun rises at dawn.
In the noon it shines as ...<< MORE >>
To all the Spring Breakers
After all, the best part of a holiday is perhaps not so much to be resting yourself, as to see all the other fellows busy working. (Said by Mole from Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame)
While many of you have been out there spring breaking, I have been here working quietly. I hope you feel rested... I do.
Psalm 90:17 (The Message) And let the loveliness of our Lord, our God, rest on us, confirming the work that we do. Oh, yes. Affirm the work that we do!
Celebrating the lovelieness of His rest -
Amy<< MORE >>
Umptions and Uns
Do we make life harder than it has to be? Yes. Of this, I am certain. We complicate it with assumptions and consumptions and unforgiveness and unfulfilled longings and more. Oh, how free would we run without the weight and burdens of umptions and uns!
If we are in Christ, we should be free because He is the Way, the Truth and the Life and He has said that the Truth will make us free. So why are we still encumbered with umptions and uns? And why aren't we running free? I think it is because we embrace Him, grabbing on to the salvation He brings, then we say thanks, and turn right back around and continue in our self-absorbed, self-indulgent and self-defeating paths. So sad. We sentence ourselves to a life of drudgery when He has said that He came so that we might have life to the fullest!<< MORE >>
A Note From Amy
Yesterday I did some maintenance to the blog and it republished all of the entries, sending them out to subscribers again. So if you subscribe to the blog and got all of the previous blogs in your inbox yesterday morning, don't be alarmed and don't unsubscribe!!! It shouldn't happen again - well, not any time soon. And if you don't subscribe, don't be alarmed by this - go ahead and subscribe!Bless you! Be listening for His whispered treasures today.AmyI will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. Isaiah 45:3 ...<< MORE >>
Defenses Up
When I hear the words 'defenses up' I think of someone bracing themselves in a defensive, knee-jerk reaction against an attack. But I think Father wants us to have our defenses up in the confident pose of victorious warriors because we trust in Him.
This morning I read II Chronicles 32 - one of the places in scripture where King Hezekiah is discussed. He was a good leader according to the last verses of chapter 31:20-21 - This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the LORD his God. In everything that he undertook in the service of God's temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.<< MORE >>
Eclipsed
Did anyone happen to see the lunar eclipse last night? In my part of the world it actually occurred before dark and was visible as the sun was setting. It was interesting to watch the full moon in the eastern sky be blocked out, knowing that it was a shadow of this earth as it moved between the sun and the moon. It made me think of how things of this earth sometimes eclipse our lives, as reflections of Him, from the light of His glory. And how we try to shine on our own and find ourselves not only sinking into the horizon but with no reflection, either. << MORE >>
Just Kill Me Now a/k/a Ada and the Golf Club
A few months ago I blogged about the fig poultice and praying with figs and my friend, Karla. In the past week Father has been reminding me that there was more to His thoughts and revelations in that prayer time. Last night I asked Karla to share with me again the three things we prayed about. And this morning Dave Crowder Band (www.davecrowderband.com) reminded me of Hezekiah (thanks to my friend, Bill, who gave me the cd "B Collision"). So I am pretty certain I need to explore this today...<< MORE >>
Sssssssshhhhhhh.....
Quiet... Can you hear anything? Me either. Sometimes it feels like I'm in a vacuum and I can't hear and I can't breathe and I can't escape the nothingness. When I get there I start wondering - where is the hope? And Father is always faithful to remind me of who He is, what He has done, what He is doing, and what He is going to do. And He always gives me direction. Yesterday He said to me: Be secure in the silence. Be strong in the storm. Be steadfast in the separation.
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Wisdom
Ecclesiastes 1:17-18 (The Message) What I've finally concluded is that so-called wisdom and knowledge are mindless and witless—nothing but spitting into the wind. Much learning earns you much trouble. The more you know, the more you hurt.
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No Regrets
Last week one of my wonderful friends emailed me a question. I responded pretty quickly but kept thinking about it all day. I woke up the next morning with words from a song (that I don't know or I would tell you what song/artist) that said something about how God made much of man so man could make much of God. My heart tied those words into my friend's question. I can't remember exactly how she asked it, but the question was something like this: If God can work good in any situation, did I mess up in my recent situation - could I have 'bucked up' and tried harder and done more on my own and had a better outcome? My friend was looking back, feeling like she had messed up or failed and like she could have done more and then God could have worked a lot of good. Somehow she felt that her falling short had limited His purposes.
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Confess the Beauty
There is a song by Tim Hughes that I've been listening to a lot the past few days and contemplating the words "confess the beauty of Your peace". How do we confess the beauty of His peace?
In the scriptures we confess our sins and we confess our faith but I can't seem to find where we confess the beauty of His peace. There is a lot of declaration - which is defined as an official and emphatic affirmation - of Him: In Psalm 19:1 the heavens declary His glory. In Psalm 22:22 His name is declared. In Psalm 51:15 we declare His praise and in Psalm 71:17 we declare His marvelous deeds. So how do we confess the beauty of His peace?
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The Tormentor
Not too long ago I blogged about Hannah and Elkanah and God's amazing love that is displayed in their story. I'm still pondering the whole story and the third character in the first part of it seems to be very important in my pondering. Her name is Penninah. (see I Samuel 1) I have started calling her by a different name: The Tormentor.
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I'm Needy
I'm needy. I need lots of things - water, food, shelter, friends, money, insurance, a car, clothes, shoes, family, books, rest, time, fun, sunshine, rain, warm days, cool breezes, vacations, kudos, peace and quiet, music, laughter, good conversation, great vacations. Those are a few of my needs. How about you? Need anything?
Paul says in Philippians 4:19 that "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." My first thought is a line from the movie Christmas Vacation - when Clark Griswold tells the children at Christmas Eve dinner that he had heard about a Santa spotting on the news. The children look at him with wide eyes and (adult) Cousin Eddie says, "You serious, Clark?" with all the conviction of a man wanting to believe in the fat man in a red suit who would deliver gifts to all the good little boys and girls... So, my thought is "Are you serious, Paul?"
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Just Pondering
Today seems like a day for pondering to me - pondering of all kinds of things. It has been an odd week with many ups and downs and events that don't normally all happen in one week's time. My friend Alex was in a terrible accident. A dear friend of my parents passed away after a long battle with cancer. Another friend got a new job with lots of anticipated promise. And another friend lost her job. It snowed. My car was broken into while it was sitting in a parking lot waiting for me. I'm sure there are other things that I'm forgetting...
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Fierce Love
All day long I have been praying for a young man named Alex Powell who was in a car accident very recently. He is in critical condition, receiving care in a hospital well-known for its trauma care facilities so I know he is getting good care. But I have been talking to Father and asking for comfort, healing, miraculous recovery and restoration, compassion, mercy, and love to pour over Alex and his family and friends.<< MORE >>
Seasons Change
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1
Many years ago I was going through a rough season as a mom when a dear friend sent me some good scripture-based information on parenting with a note on the top that had the verse above and: "This too shall pass - it is a season." That meant so much to me and gave me a new perspective. Teenagers do become adults, right? Just like when I recently realized I was overbooking myself and had 4 weeks of too many nights in a row away from home and my daughter said, "It's only 4 weeks - you can do it!" And now the first week of the 4 is half over and I'm surviving just fine. Or like when my husband, who sometimes suffers from SADS, asked me last week, "Are we ever going to see the sun again?" I assured him we would and that it was normal to have many cloudy days this time of year. And guess what? We had sunshine the next day.<<