Sweet Essence

  It's been 3 years since my world was turned upside down. It's been 3 years since I lost my community. It's been 3 years since I questioned my belief. It's been 3 years since I left a church that I spent 18 years a part of. During these 18 years, I didn't see the control they had on me and my children's lives.  It's been over a year since I wrote anything. I'm not sure why I stopped writing maybe because I was so passionate about my faith and about God that  I couldn't take the grief for the loss of both.  Well, I wouldn't say I have lost the belief in God altogether but I question religion more regularly. I do find grace more in this loss of religion. I think at the end; my heart was screaming GRACE it was prevalent in my writings and journal entries. I was also screaming out for PEACE, JUSTICE, and FELLOWSHIP.

I started listening to The Cult Nextdoor with Mattie Lasiter and Ashleigh Teeter and I realized I wasn't the only one screaming silently in my heart for this. My Past Religion or Past Church has harmed so many people in silence. My faith started changing before I left this small congregation. I was pushing back at the end somewhat regularly.   I think of the turning points and realize that there were many at the end. I also question why I couldn't see this earlier.  I'm past that after a year of therapy though.  It's not just black and white or good and evil in my life now it's grey. If you were part of my congregation this statement was poison You were moving away from God if you lived in the grey area and sometimes this was even worse than leaving God altogether.  This isn't the case in my life now many decisions are made in the grey area. I want to say I'm more open-minded but I find myself still struggling with certain things or the old religion creeps up in my head and makes me fall hard sometimes.  

 The environment at church was to line up with our standard or you weren't acknowledged. Do you know how lonely it is to be surrounded by a congregation and not be acknowledged?  This was done regularly to correct your sin and it was used with many people for correction. Nowadays when I visit a congregation I prefer the view from the outer pews not becoming connected because of the fear of manipulation, of being controlled or just the fear of loss. 

Sweet Essence

It's been a little bit since I have shared my thoughts on Smalltowns.  The last time I wrote, I was in a congregation and growing insecure in my faith more and more.  As of right now I find myself in a hallway as CS Lewis so eloquently states in "Mere Christianity".  I started this book for the fourth time but in quite a different season in my life. I believe this is the first book I read which is quite peculiar because I thought I gave it to someone else to read.  Not sure why it came back in my possession but I'm grateful. I get to glance at my thoughts as a baby christian and compare it to my thoughts now and see if I still agree.  One of my favorite quotes is just in the Preface at the beginning.  I wrote on the side of this quote, "that God can move such words inspires me."  

"I hope no reader will suppose that "Mere Christianity"  is here put forward as an alternative to the creeds of the existing communions -- as if a man could adopt it in preference to Congregationalism or Greek Orthodoxy or anything else. It is more like a hall out of which doors open into several rooms. If I can bring anyone into that hall I shall have done what I attempted.  But it is in the rooms, not in the hall, that there are fires and chairs and meals."  (Mere Christianity; CS Lewis)

This last statement was hard for me to dwell on because I remembered the last two years of my so called room and realized that my room was empty for me and I was starving because of the lack of care. I find that the  hallway is a good place for me at this time because I can wonder in and out of different rooms and the Lord gives me fellowship with people that are like minded and sometimes in the sweetness I get fed and get comfy in a chair close to the warm fire. My heart rejoices in these moments sometimes it's just a sweet fellowship among friends dwelling on the Greatness of the Lord.

My prayer today; Heal hearts today let the broken reside in You, fix our sharp edges and help us to bring forth a clear image of you Lord. 

Sweet Essence

Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Go ahead, praise the Lord, all you loving servants of God! Keep it up! Praise him some more! For the glorious name of the Lord is blessed forever and ever. From sunrise brilliance to sunset beauty, lift up his praise from dawn to DUSK! 

For he rules on high over the nations with a glory that outshines even the heavens.  No one can be compared to God, enthroned on high!  He stoops down to look upon the sky and the earth. He promotes the poor, picking them up from the dirt, and rescues the needy from the garbage dump.  

He turns paupers into princes and seats them on their royal thrones of honor. God's grace provides for the barren ones a joyful home with children so that even childless couples find a family. He makes them happy parents surrounded by their pride and joy. That' the God we praise, so give it all to Him!

Psalm 113 

No wonder God considered David a man near to his heart, you can hear his love for God in these words.  Beautiful so beautiful, my heart has been here the last couple of months.  Something that has been somewhat dormant in me is coming outward in praise; by singing loudly, dancing, jumping, and joy that is overwhelming at times. This started about a month when a spontaneous worship service sprang up between a few people in our church. This was a moment when I knelt down before the Lord in praise. Don't get me wrong I kneel before him in my secret place praying my heart desires and thankfulness towards Him but kneeling before him in praise has been very few times. This moment wouldn't have happened without my brothers in Christ kneeling down in humbling love for their creator.  Once, I knelt down I felt such joy and His goodness pouring from in front of me and feeling His presence to the side of me and even pouring out of myself.  God's love was surrounding us with such joy and the power of unification it was painful at times.  I love when God comes in and just surrounds you and provides healing.  Healing was provided and our praise hasn't stopped.  I even groan for it like this Psalm screams out Praise Him and give it all we are made for it.  Love Him, for He deserves all of you!

Sweet Essence

A Blessing From You

"The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok.  He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had. And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day.  When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him.  Then he said, "Let me go, for the day has broken." But Jacob said, " I will not let you go unless you bless me." And he said to him. " What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob." Then he said, " Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and prevailed." Then Jacob asked him, "Please tell me your name." But he said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, " For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered."

Genesis 32: 22-30



Sometimes a song will bring to your heart a scripture that speaks to your very innermost being.   This happened last night when God blessed me with a song.  The song is, "My Hands Are Lifted Up/ Make Me Over " by Bri ( Briana Babineaux).  I never thought of worship as a way that we wrestle with God like Jacob did in Genesis but this song makes me see that or at least that we wrestle with ourselves to obtain that blessing.  Even if that blessing is just to be near Him.  Beautiful, He is so beautiful why wouldn't we try to strive for it even it brought forth pain.  
Slush 

Sweet Essence

You never can be surprised when God does a mighty work but I'm always placed with this emotion.  The love that He has filled my heart with this last couple of weeks is beautiful and it's not alone but trust has come upon my spirit also. This trust is without fear.  I know what you are thinking fear shouldn't be where trust is, you are right.   Fear so dwelled in me that my trust was less than a mustard seed.  The mustard seed is quite an extraordinary glimpse into God's mind or heart. 

"He gave them another parable [ to consider], saying, " The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; and of all the seeds [planted in the region] it is the smallest, but when it has grown it is the largest of the garden herbs and becomes a tree, so that THE BIRDS OF THE AIR FIND SHELTER IN ITS BRANCHES."  Matthew13:31-32

So in this small scripture, I learn the weakness that was formed in me because of hurts, betrayals, and disloyalty from this world will one day produce a MARVELOUS TREE.  That the smallest of seeds of faith will grow in the majestic loveliness of God that my image will change and grow in the likeness of Him that loves me.  This love is immeasurable and is so trustworthy that I can sit and marvel at His work and not FEAR. 
Slush

"I am reminded from where You have brought me
And where You have placed me for today
And I won't forget that Your hand will hold me
Your love sustains me through the wait
I will wait on You, Lord
I will wait on You, Lord"

Sweet Essence

It's been a beautiful week in the Lord.  I haven't said this statement in a while now.  Sometimes in the midst of your journey, you lose focus of the love you have for the Lord.  The extremely grateful heart that resounds in you is lost in the exhaustion of this world.  This week, in particular, has been extremely exhausting I have been working double shifts but when I thought my flesh would fail me I reached out to my brethren for prayer.  The strength that was given extended until rest could come.   I read John 12 tonight and felt the Lord's weakness.  You know those moments when you know that pain is coming, something excruciating is going to be in your future. That moment was coming for Jesus but he turned that weakness into a strength by thinking of us. How humbling a statement it is to know that our Savior had such a love for us that just the thought of us gave Him strength.  I never quite understood the scripture in John 12:20-26 and to know the thoughts of the Apostles during this time I would love.  I was reading Chapter 12 in John and the people were laying out palms before Him and praising "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" This was a moment for Jesus, He knew what was to come.  The pain was coming to His flesh, this thought was upon Him.  Then we come to the Greeks wanting to see him and the apostles are looking for Jesus, well they find him to tell him some Greeks are looking for Him. Jesus answer always was weird to me, I just never connected this with anything except a random thought but when I read it tonight it was different.  Jesus wasn't talking to the apostle at all He was talking to Himself.  A weak moment had come within His flesh and He was talking it out, "Truly Truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains ALONE; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. "  When I read this I heard, "My Strength."  

Sweet Essence

It has been a while since I posted in Smalltowns, sometimes this life will drag you through the river per se.  I'm not the one to just drift with the current by any means.  When things get out of my control I'm grasping to get a stronghold, swimming against the current you might say, to reach the balance I once had before. I forget who I am in the spirit most days, whose daughter I truly am.  This is the approach that the devil whats us to take because pride and selfishness are involved when you find yourself fighting and not rejoicing in all circumstances.  That is why Paul says to rejoice in all things, I'm sure.  It's a humbling state to rejoice in a bad situation to know who you are held by. 

"Rejoice always and delight in your faith; be unceasing and persistent in prayer; in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench [subdue, or be unresponsive to the working and guidance of] the [Holy] Spirit."

1Thessalonians 5:16-19

I have my fingers in many books lately, some are repeats but all have intrigued me:  " CS Lewis; The Four Loves, CS Lewis;  Till We Have Faces, Curt Thompson; Anatomy of the Soul,  Francis Chan;  Crazy Love and Brene Brown; The Power of Vulnerability.   Sometimes in the midst of so many words, I still lose focus of God, even though He is found in most of my literature. Maybe that's why the Bible is called the sword of the spirit because it brings forth life that would not be given any other place.  I do have to say one book was a reminder of this topic and made me pray for forgiveness this morning it is  Francis Chan's book, " Crazy Love" 

"To be brutally honest, it doesn't really matter what place you find yourself in right now. Your part is to bring Him glory--whether eating a sandwich on a lunch break, drinking coffee at 12:04 am so you can stay awake to study, or watching your four-month-old take a nap. 

The point of your life is to point to Him. Whatever you are doing, God wants to be glorified, because this whole thing is His. It is His movie, His world, His gift."

I'm notorious to forget this, He's making my story.  His story for me is complete and perfect why does my flesh fight so hard against it?  We need to ask this continually, what am I fighting against the principalities of this world of darkness or the gracious Creator that is trying to bestow something beautiful to me.  My voice today is stating what so clearly is emphasized in  Ephesians 6, we must put on full the armor and it must be complete and this is only found one way His word, and His Spirit (Praying, Praising, and Reading His word) Fight the battle brethren do all things for Glory of God.  If it's in a blessing, praise Him or if it's in sorrow, praise Him or if it's the dire circumstance, praise Him. 

Smalltowns

Sweet Essence

"He had never been slow of speech when he could bless the sons of men, but he would not say a single word for himself.  "Never man spake like this man," and never man was silent like him.  Was this singular silence the index of his perfect self-sacrifice?  Did it show that he would not utter a word to stay the slaughter of his sacred person, which he had dedicated as an offering for us? Had he so entirely surrendered himself that he would not interfere in his behalf even in the minutest degree, but be bound and slain an unstruggling, uncomplaining victim? Was this silence a type of the defencelessness of sin?  Nothing can be said in palliation or excuse of human guilt; and, therefore, he who bore its whole weight stood speechless before his judge.  Is not patient silence the best reply to a gainsaying world? Calm endurance answers some questions infinitely more conclusively than the loftiest eloquence.  The best apologists for bearing their blows.  Did not the silent Lamb of God furnish us with a grand example of wisdom? Where every word was occasion for new blasphemy, it was the line of duty to afford no fuel for the flame of sin. The ambiguous and the false, the unworthy and mean, will ere long overthrow and confute themselves, and therefore the true can afford to be quiet, and finds silence to be its wisdom. Evidently our Lord, by his silence, furnished a remarkable fulfillment of prophecy.  A long defence of himself would have been contrary to Isaiah's prediction: "He is led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth." By his quiet he conclusively proved himself to be the true lamb of God.  As such we salute him this morning.  Be with us, Jesus, and in the silence of our heart, let us hear the voice of thy love. "

"He answered him not a word"
Matthew 27:12
Charles Spurgeon 

Sweet Essence

Isaiah 62: 1,2

" I will not keep silent because of Zion, and I will not keep still because of Jerusalem, until her righteousness shines like a bright light and her salvation, like a flaming torch. Nations will see your righteousness and all kings, your glory.  You will be called by a new name that the Lord's mouth will announce. "

Have you ever been in a place where you are in the midst of worshiping and just a word draws you back to a moment when God spoke?   That happened this morning with "Ever Be," By Kalley Heiligenthal. I was in my kitchen cooking breakfast and worshiping the Lord while water boiled and sausage cooked.  It brought me back to a time when many things were happening, such beautiful and confusing things.  I am sad to say that sometimes I miss those times when I was new and so on fire for God that I felt Him ever near me.  I am still trying to find that place again.  I want to be who this scripture is talking about- righteousness that shines so brightly that people can see Jesus's flaming torch burning brightly from within me.   You see, I know He has given me a new name I have heard it audibly.  During this time a lady started coming to our congregation and she kept calling me "Rachel".  I kept correcting her but every time she talked to me, and said my name, she called me "Rachel".  It didn't stop there every time I opened up my bible Rachel was in the scriptures my eyes fell to.  One day I was so confused in all this I started praying about it and fell asleep during this prayer.  I woke with hearing softly, Rachel three times.  I knew that it had to do with my name.   It was confirmed when the lady from church called me "Rachel" again and I reminded her of my name.  She said, "It must be your heavenly name."  She called me that off and on.   So when all these things happened of course being who I am, I looked up the meaning of Rachel and it means "ewe; a female lamb." God gave me something that I hold close to my heart no matter what I go through;  I hold this close because it reminds me that I am His.  How can I ever let go when I am given such a name as this; one set forth from His. I do pray often that He ever draws me back if I stray to far and that I would hear my Good Shepherd's voice.   It is such a beautiful thing to be loved by the Lord, only He can give what your heart truly desires.  

Smalltowns

Sweet Essence

 A Troubled Heart Made Whole In Christ 

And now remained only the hinder part of the tempest, for the thunder was gone beyond me, only some drops did still remain, that now and then would fall upon me; but because my former frights and anguish were very sore and deep, therefore it did often befall me still, as it befalleth those that have been scared with fire, I thought every voice was Fire, fire; every little touch would hurt my tender conscience.
But one day, as I was passing in the field, and that too with some dashes on my conscience, fearing lest yet all was not right, suddenly this sentence fell upon my soul, Thy righteousness is in heaven; and methought withal, I saw, with the eyes of my soul, Jesus Christ at God's right hand; there, I say, as my righteousness; so that wherever I was, or whatever I was adoing, God could not say of me, He wants my righteousness, for that was just before him. I also saw, moreover, that it was not my good frame of heart that made my righteousness better, nor yet my bad frame that made my righteousness worse; for my righteousness was Jesus Christ himself, the same yesterday, and today, and forever. ( Hebrews 13:8)
Now did my chains fall off my legs indeed, I was loosed from my affliction and irons, my temptations also fled away; so that, from that time, those dreadful scriptures of God left off to trouble me; now went I also home rejoicing, for the grace and love of God. So when I came home, I looked to see if I could find that sentence, Thy righteousness is in heaven; but could not find such a saying,  wherefore my heart began to sink again, only that was brought to my remembrance, he "of  God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption"; by this word I saw the other sentence true (1 Cor 1:30)
For by this scripture, I saw that the man Christ Jesus, as he is distinct from us, as touching his bodily presence, so he is our righteousness and sanctification before God. Here, therefore, I lived for some time, very sweetly at peace with God through Christ; Oh methought, Christ! Christ! there was nothing but Christ that was before my eyes, I was not now only for looking upon this and the other benefits of Christ apart, as of his blood, burial, or resurrection, but considered him as a whole Christ! As he in whom all these, and all other his virtues, relations, offices, and operations met together, and that 'as he sat' on the right hand of God in heaven.
It was glorious to me to see his exaltation, and the worth and prevalency of all his benefits, and that because of this: now I could look from myself to him, and should reckon that all graces of God that now were green in me, were yet like those cracked groats and fourpence-halfpennies that rich men carry in their purses, when their gold is in their trunks at home! Oh, I saw my gold was in my trunk at home! In Christ, my Lord and Savior! Now Christ was all; all my wisdom, all my righteousness, all my sanctification, and all my redemption.
Further, the Lord did also lead me into the mystery of union with the Son of God, that I was joined to him, that I was flesh of his flesh, and bone of his bone, and now was that a sweet word to me in Ephesians 5;30.  By this also was my faith in him, as my righteousness, the confirmed to me; for if he and I were one, then his righteousness was mine, his merits mine, his victory also mine.  Now could I see myself in heaven and earth at once; in heaven by my Christ, by my head, by my righteousness and life, though on earth by my body or person.

John Bunyan
Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners 

Sweet Essence

I'll Be Ready

_Armor of God 

Sweet  Lord, our magnificent provider I thank you for the promises that are set before me today and the victories you have already spoken over my life.  

First, I put on the belt of truth, I choose to live today by what is true, not by what I feel.  My emotions are fickle but truth never changes.  And the truth about me is that I am chosen, loved, and forgiven, even if I don't feel it. The truth is that I have a purpose and a calling. The truth is there's someone for me to love and encourage today. 

Next, I put on the breastplate of righteousness.  My righteousness does not come from me; it comes from you. I choose to live how you see me, which is holy and blameless. No matter what happened this past week, I am white as snow because your mercies are new every single morning. Today I walk with a holy swagger dressed in the perfection you purchased for me. Not in arrogance, but in confidence that you are my Father and I am your child. And if you don't condemn me; nobody can, and that includes myself. 

Now I put on the sandals of the gospel of peace. You desire for me to live in peace as I walk in my calling. My schedule is now in your hands, and I will not be hurried or rushed today, regardless of what happens. I will be a calming, stable, and steady presence everywhere I go. 

Then I put on the helmet of salvation. I know that my thought-life is crazy, and today I choose to take every disobedient thought captive in the name of Jesus Christ. I know there are lies heading my way even as I pray, and so I protect my mind with the helmet, for  those thoughts are nothing but a waste of my time. Your love surrounds me when my thoughts wage war, and so I will dwell on nothing but what is good, right, pleasing and pure. 

I pick up the shield of faith, ready to take ground for the Kingdom. Temptations, criticism and storms are on the horizon, but with this shield I claim victory out loud and ahead of time, knowing You are going before me. I know that faith pleases you, and heaven will touch earth in my life through the delivery system of my faith. And so today, I believe there's nothing you can't do in my life and through my life. 

Finally, I take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Bible. Your Word is a double-edged sword that will teach me, guide me, discipline me, comfort me, and prevail against the enemy.  Your Word says that He that is in me is greater than he that is in the world. Your Word reminds me that when I comment my life to your glory, you will commit your resources to my story. 

Father, I go now about my day and invite you along for every step of the way.  Thank you for choosing me as a representative of your love to a world that so desperately needs that love.  Let the people in my life see Jesus in me, as your power is made perfect in my weakness. Today, make me ready 

In Jesus' name I pray,  Amen

Hold fast to want is good because in Him all things are fulfilled.  

Sweet Essence

We as humans have  a great flaw when it comes to our hearts, we only give it in pieces.  We only let people to see what we don't fear for them to see.  This is a protection measure because it does not feel good when you lay yourself bare and you are hurt.   This brings about a fear that will overcome you, and your true self is lost behind the mask.  But in Jesus when you let go and realize that He can see all of you.  You come in contact in want you truly are in Him, something beautifully made that can do nothing but show His glory.  Lord help us to let go of our fear and put down the brokenness of our hearts.  

A Completed Thought   

Sweet Essence

"You're my cave to hide in, my cliff to climb. Be my safe leader, be my true mountain guide. 

Free me from hidden traps; I want to hide in you.  I've put my life in your hands. 

You won't drop me, you'll never let me down."  Psalm 31:2,4

Something sweet comes when you hide yourself in Him. Peace comes.  How can we need any other?Lord keep me hidden in you, for you are good for me. 

Sweet Essence

"His ways are everlasting."
Habakkuk 3:6

What he hath done at one time, he will do yet again. Man's ways are variable, but God's ways are everlasting. There are many reasons for this most comforting truth: among them are the following--the Lord's ways are the result of wise deliberation; he ordereth all things according to the counsel of his own will. Human action is frequently the hasty result of passion, or fear, and is followed by regret and alteration; but nothing can take the Almighty by surprise, or happen otherwise than he has foreseen. His ways are the outgrowth of an immutable character, and in them the fixed and settled attributes of God are clearly to be seen. Unless the Eternal One himself can undergo change, his ways, which are himself in action, must remain forever the same. Is he eternally just, gracious, faithful, wise, tender?--then his ways must ever be distinguished for the same excellences. Beings act according to their nature: when those natures change, their conduct varies also; but since God cannot know the shadow of a turning, his ways will abide everlastingly the same. Moreover there is no reason from without which could reverse the divine ways, since they are the embodiment of irresistible might. The earth is said, by the prophet, to be cleft with rivers, mountains tremble, the deep lifts up its hands, and sun and moon stand still, when Jehovah marches forth for the salvation of his people. Who can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? But it is not might alone which gives stability; God's ways are the manifestation of the eternal principles of right, and therefore can never pass away. Wrong breeds decay and involves ruin, but the true and the good have about them a vitality which ages cannot diminish.

This morning let us go to our heavenly Father with confidence, remembering that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him the Lord is ever gracious to his people."

Charles Spurgeon

Sweet Essence

"The love of Christ constraineth us."
2 Corinthians 5:14

How much owest thou unto my Lord? Has he ever done anything for thee? Has he forgiven thy sins? Has he covered thee with a robe of righteousness? Has he set thy feet upon a rock? Has he established thy goings? Has he prepared heaven for thee? Has he prepared thee for heaven? Has he written thy name in his book of life? Has he given thee countless blessings? Has he laid up for thee a store of mercies, which eye hath not seen nor ear heard? Then do something for Jesus worthy of his love. Give not a mere wordy offering to a dying Redeemer. How will you feel when your Master comes, if you have to confess that you did nothing for him, but kept your love shut up, like a stagnant pool, neither flowing forth to his poor or to his work. Out on such love as that! What do men think of a love which never shows itself in action? Why, they say, "Open rebuke is better than secret love." Who will accept a love so weak that it does not actuate you to a single deed of self-denial, of generosity, of heroism, or zeal! Think how he has loved you, and given himself for you! Do you know the power of that love? Then let it be like a rushing mighty wind to your soul to sweep out the clouds of your worldliness, and clear away the mists of sin. "For Christ's sake" be this the tongue of fire that shall sit upon you: "for Christ's sake" be this the divine rapture, the heavenly afflatus to bear you aloft from earth, the divine spirit that shall make you bold as lions and swift as eagles in your Lord's service. Love should give wings to the feet of service, and strength to the arms of labour. Fixed on God with a constancy that is not to be shaken, resolute to honour him with a determination that is not to be turned aside, and pressing on with an ardour never to be wearied, let us manifest the constraints of love to Jesus. May the divine loadstone draw us heavenward towards itself."

Charles Spurgeon

Sweet Essence

"Encourage Him."
Deuteronomy 1:38

God employs his people to encourage one another. He did not say to an angel, "Gabriel, my servant Joshua is about to lead my people into Canaan--go, encourage him." God never works needless miracles; if his purposes can be accomplished by ordinary means, he will not use miraculous agency. Gabriel would not have been half so well fitted for the work as Moses. A brother's sympathy is more precious than an angel's embassy. The angel, swift of wing, had better known the Master's bidding than the people's temper. An angel had never experienced the hardness of the road, nor seen the fiery serpents, nor had he led the stiff-necked multitude in the wilderness as Moses had done. We should be glad that God usually works for man by man. It forms a bond of brotherhood, and being mutually dependent on one another, we are fused more completely into one family. Brethren, take the text as God's message to you. Labour to help others, and especially strive to encourage them. Talk cheerily to the young and anxious enquirer, lovingly try to remove stumblingblocks out of his way. When you find a spark of grace in the heart, kneel down and blow it into a flame. Leave the young believer to discover the roughness of the road by degrees, but tell him of the strength which dwells in God, of the sureness of the promise, and of the charms of communion with Christ. Aim to comfort the sorrowful, and to animate the desponding. Speak a word in season to him that is weary, and encourage those who are fearful to go on their way with gladness. God encourages you by his promises; Christ encourages you as he points to the heaven he has won for you, and the spirit encourages you as he works in you to will and to do of his own will and pleasure. Imitate divine wisdom, and encourage others, according to the word of this evening."

Charles Spurgeon

Sweet Essence

The evening of the meteor shower I woke up my children at 2:00 A.M. to watch the stars.  At this moment in time we were witnessing something that speaks millions to many, to the believer and non believer alike.  Quoting the great poet King David in Psalm 19, 

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.  

No doubt,  like many people around the world, we were searching for shooting stars. We were spread about looking and straining for just a glimpse of one.  We live in the suburbs, always showered by the haze of the city.  As we lay waiting for the glimpse our eyes become adjusted to the darkness.   While we lay their searching the skies, there are several different moods going on among us; exhaustion, amusement, and just the aw of it all.  Then within a moment it all changed as a bright light drove past and our neighbors beam of light shined upon us.  The sudden shock of  being thrust into the  light was hard to adjust to.  At the moment we were just wanting the lights to leave so the pain might stop.    Sometimes these moments catch us unaware physically and spiritually speaking.  We catch ourselves in the darkness of sin, and when we are brought into the light of  the word  of God it hurts.    That's why David says to the Lord , Your staff and rod comfort me.  We know physically if someone hit you with a rod  the blow would hurt but if it directs you to a safer path you would be as David thankful to be awakened.  Christianity as a whole is dimming it's lights more which allows people to be comfortable in their darkness, allowing them to think they see when they are actually blind.  I could put it no more plainly then this: we are to be those bright, bright painful lights in the world.  As Jesus perfectly says in Matthew 5:14,16
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
A glimpse into the heart of smalltown 

Sweet Essence

"Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn."
Ruth 2:2

"Downcast and troubled Christian, come and glean today in the broad field of promise. Here are abundance of precious promises, which exactly meet thy wants. Take this one: "He will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax." Doth not that suit thy case? A reed, helpless, insignificant, and weak, a bruised reed, out of which no music can come; weaker than weakness itself; a reed, and that reed bruised, yet, he will not break thee; but on the contrary, will restore and strengthen thee. Thou art like the smoking flax: no light, no warmth, can come from thee; but he will not quench thee; he will blow with his sweet breath of mercy till he fans thee to a flame. Wouldst thou glean another ear? "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." What soft words! Thy heart is tender, and the Master knows it, and therefore he speaketh so gently to thee. Wilt thou not obey him, and come to him even now? Take another ear of corn: "Fear not, thou worm Jacob, I will help thee, saith the Lord and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel." How canst thou fear with such a wonderful assurance as this? Thou mayest gather ten thousand such golden ears as these! "I have blotted out thy sins like a cloud, and like a thick cloud thy transgressions." Or this, "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Or this, "The Spirit and the Bride say, Come, and let him that is athirst come, and whosoever will let him take the water of life freely." Our Master's field is very rich; behold the handfuls. See, there they lie before thee, poor timid believer! Gather them up, make them thine own, for Jesus bids thee take them. Be not afraid, only believe! Grasp these sweet promises, thresh them out by meditation and feed on them with joy."

Charles Spurgeon

Sweet Essence

I am reading at the moment "Waking the Dead", by John Eldredge.  At the beginning of this book, it didn't grasp my attention, and kept distracting me with movie references, that I didn't know or remember.  Well, that moment changed, when something of goodness came to my heart.  God is quite amazing, in that, when He wants your heart changed he changes it through several people.  So let me explain; first the heart of the author needs to be opened to write what God has given.  Then a publisher needs to be moved by want is written.  Last a brethren's heart needs to be open to share their book with you so that you might be moved for the direction of God's Glory. It seems like a very complex process ,but God can make something of complexity change to a simple, precious moment that changes you.  So if you are looking for a book that will change you, look no farther, because John Eldredge has it with "Waking the Dead".  I would like to share with you an excerpt that moved me.  
In A Moment With Smalltown

Embracing The Glory

" Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?" Actually, who are you not to be?  You are a child of God.  Your playing small doesn't  serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.  We were born to manifest the glory of God that is within us.... And as we let own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, or presence automatically liberates others. "

Nelson Mandela

When I first read this quote, I thought, No that's not true. We don't fear our glory. We fear we are not glorious at all.  We fear that at the bottom, we are going to be revealed as disappointments. Mandela is just trying to make a nice speech, like a sermon, to buoy us up for a day or two.  But as I thought about it more, I realized we do fear our glory.  We fear even heading this direction because, for one thing, it seems prideful.  Now pride is a bad thing, to be sure, but it's not prideful to embrace the truth that you bear the image of God.  Paul says it brings glory to God.  We walk in humility because we know it is a glory bestowed.  It reflects something of the Lord's glory. 

The deeper reason we fear or own glory is that once we let others see it, they will have seen the truest us, and that is nakedness indeed.  We can repent of our sin.  We can work on our issues.  But there is nothing to be done about our glory.  It's so naked.  It's  just there-- the truest us.  It is awkward thing to shimmer when everyone else around you is not, to walk in your glory with an unveiled face when everyone else is veiling his.  For a woman to be truly feminine and beautiful is to invite suspicion, jealousy, misunderstanding.  A friend confided in me, "When you walk into a room, every woman looks at you to see-- are you prettier than they are?  Are you a threat!"

And that is why living from your glory is the only loving thing to do.  You cannot love another person from a false self.  You cannot love another while you are still hiding.  How can you help them to freedom while you remain captive? You cannot love another unless you offer her your heart.  It takes courage to live from your heart.  My friend Jenny said just the other day, " I desperately want to be who I am.  I don't want the glory that I marvel at in others anymore.  I want to be that glory which God set in me. "

Finally, our deepest fear of all.... we will need to live from it. To admit we do have a new heart and a glory from God, to begin to let it be unveiled and embrace it as true-- that means the next thing God will do is ask us to live from it.  Come out of the boat.  Take the throne.  Be what he meant us to be.  And that feels risky....  really risky.  But it is also exciting.  It is coming fully alive.  My friend Morgan declared, " It's a risk worth taking."

John Eldredge

"Waking the Dead"

Sweet Essence (This Is Not My Home)

I would call myself a person that is patriotic towards her country, but my view on my country now a days has grown dim and bleak, especially over last couple of years.  My feelings have increased within the last week, when our Capital was lit up in bright colors for the sake of Gay Marriage.  I saw my freedoms as a Christian disappearing before my eyes, and my heart grieved knowing that our fore fathers fought hard for the sake of freedom. I knew that soon that the very ones that are crying against a flag or  just the word Confederate, because it was a grievous time bound with chains would see the faint once again but not by the color tone of their skin, but for a time like no other gripped in a tyranny of sin.  The time that the Lord says which will fall on His elect in the end times. Last Sabbath as we sang hymns I was so saddened in heart about our Nation who once shined in Glory, but now one that is gripped in immorality with hearty approval from the many.  I continued to sing praise with sadness, and heard in my soul "This is not your home"  such hope swelled up in me.  I prayed tonight the very words that was quoted to me last Sabbath, and my tears fell knowing that He is preparing a place for us. I was thankful and overwhelmed, and the tears still fell I prayed more for the sake of freedom. I knew that though we loose the freedoms we have, we will gain freedom in Christ.  The freedom that sings out praise though you are bound in chains.  The freedom that shows joy which shines upon your face though you are being killed for the sake Him.  The freedom that speaks forth the truth, though it might gain you lashes across your back or stones upon your body.  I write so that we, His elect, do not loose heart for we are looking to a place that is not made by man, like Abraham did before us leaving his home in UR.   

Day in the Life of Smalltown