Insecure Leadership

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman

"When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi" (Matt 2:16-17).

Any leader who is not secure in God will be insecure in their leadership actions. King Herod was such a leader. He feared the loss of power and had to control every aspect of the people he was ruling. When Herod heard about Jesus' coming birth, his insecurity became out of control and led to making life-threatening decisions for those in Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

Such a leader has deep-seated control issues rooted in the fear of loss of power, money and prestige. This also led to lying to protect his kingdom. When the wise men told Herod about the coming Messiah, Herod told them he wanted to know when He was born in order to worship him. He had no such plans. He wanted to kill him.

Herod told the wise men to report back to him when the child was born. The wise men were divinely warned not to return to Jerusalem and report back to Herod. When Herod discovered this, he became furious and issued the edict to kill every child under two years old in Bethlehem and the surrounding districts.

Whenever a leader has deep-seated control issues rooted in fear, their actions surface repeatedly when placed under stress. Arguments, manipulation of others, and confrontation with subordinates usually follows.

However, a leader who has yielded his life and his work to God can relinquish outcomes to the Lord and let God change things that may go astray. A secure leader realizes God is the source of His power and leadership and he does not need to fear others who may demonstrate leadership qualities. Instead, they are able to affirm them for the sake of the organization.

Pray that God makes you a leader who is secure in your position given by God.

Obedience-Based Decisions

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman



"We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him." - Acts 5:32

So often we as a society equate numbers with success. The larger the conference, the more successful we deem it. The larger a church, the more we believe that God is blessing. And so on. I recall planning a conference one time. Registrations were not where I felt they needed to be a few weeks before the date of the event. It wasn't long before I began to get "under the pile" about the level of attendance. My friend, who was organizing this conference with me, called and asked how I was doing. I had to confess where I was. He immediately reminded me of my own teaching in this area. We are all called to be led by the Spirit, not by outcomes. "If God called us to put on this conference, then the outcome is up to Him if we have done our part." He went on to explain how he learned this lesson in a similar way a few years earlier.

He and a friend were led to host a Bible study group. His friend was to speak. It was nine o'clock and they were the only two people there. His friend was discouraged and was ready to leave.


"No," said my friend. "We have done what the Holy Spirit directed." He then stood up and began to welcome people as though there were many in the room. (No one was in the room.) He introduced his friend and they began the meeting. A few minutes later, people began to straggle in. By the time the meeting was over, ten had shown up, and one man in particular was impacted by the meeting.

Being led by the Spirit often means we must not use the world's standard for success as our measuring stick. You never know what an act of obedience will yield at the time. We must leave results to God. Our role is to obey. His role is to bring results from our obedience.

Do you make decisions based on the potential outcome or by the direction of the Holy Spirit in your life? Do you overly evaluate the pros and cons without consideration to what the Holy Spirit might be saying deep inside? We are all prone to make decisions based on reasoning alone. Ask God to give you a willingness and ability to hear the Holy Spirit and to obey His promptings.

On our main page www.kaleidoscopebutterfly.org there is a tab for TGIF daily devotions.  You can go to that and get the link to Os Hillmans site.  It is wonderful encouragement for christians in the work place.

My prayers cover each of you today as you live by faith and not by sight and lean on His understanding.  I thank God that His ways are not our ways.

Love,
Candace

Poetry and Praise

Silent Whispers

Silent whispers fill the air

a listening ear will always hear

the voice is clear,

it speaks with intent

to lift their eyes,

to see his ways,

to meet their need

at the appropriate time

 

Answers they seek

for hours…. days

for months they speak,

their years slip away

their hope cast down,

their heart begins to freeze

their lives become cold ….

empty isolation… seems real

yet they are never alone…

no matter how it feels

 

He hears them ask

He sees them seek

for hours, day..

they listen and speak

they turn their ways,

to follow the voice

to see this wisdom,

to seek this truth

 

They struggle and cry

they demand and denounce

their months become years,

their passions ignite

their voices they lift

their eyes start to glare

their hands once raised in praise

are now contorted in fear

 

A stranger walks past

with no agenda or need

Just the person of Christ

Walking throughout  His days

He would never disturb

this lonely troubled soul

Yet He is pulled by a pain

to stop silently and ask

Why does he cry?

He seems writhed in toil.

I remember that life

How I plead for release

You came to my rescue

You delivered my soul

You love this man

as much as you love me

Please have your hearts desire

I will stand for his cause

I know your cause is love….

for true beauty to reign

For zoe life to be given

and for the gift to be received

 

Prepare my heart in your presence

prepare the course and way

He is the child of your creation

wield your power and might

You created his freedom

respectfully help him to yield

You know all of these moments

you have seen throughout the years

You knew we both would be here

and I know your choices are divine

So have all that you hope for

live here in my stead

Use my feet to go to him

reach him in his need

Use your heart within me

to obtain your righteous intent

My trust is in your mercy

My strength held firmly within your grace

My courage from the peace you offer

My freedom through what I believe

 

In stillness I wait to hear you

in faith I listen to receive

Quietly..whispers enter our chamber

truth and justice fill the air

The tone is loving and caring

the voice convicting and sure

My voice now clearly speaking..

I lift my eye to see!

In view is this great cloud of witnesses

charging to be at his side

Singing: My God your words are righteous

holy, lovely and pure

They are a lamp unto them

a blanket to cover their chill

We ask today that he hear you

to see you as we also see

To be broken free from deception

To live lifted above all and freed

For all things there is a season

Let his season finally thaw

Let him walk into your presence

receiving his room with a view

Never again to be lonely

and to have rest for his weary soul.

By Candace Huffmaster

2010 © all rights reserved

Starting Over - by Os Hillman

TGIF (http://www.marketplaceleaders.org/tgif/)

The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. – James 1:9

Do you find yourself in humble circumstances? If so, James tells us that we are to take pride in this “high” position. These two things would seem to be an oxymoron. Most of us would not consider humble circumstances a high position. Successful business tells us that being on top means being wealthy, attaining favor and status, or having power to influence. However, Jesus influenced not from power, but from weakness.

J.C. Penney is a name synonymous with department store. He first launched his chain of “The Golden Rule” stores in 1907. In 1910 his first wife died. Three years later, he incorporated as the J.C. Penney company. In 1923 his second wife died giving birth to his son. In 1929 the stock market crashed and he lost $40 million.

By 1932, he had to sell out to satisfy…creditors. This left [Penney] virtually broke. …Crushed in spirit from his loss and his health suddenly failing, Penney wound up in a Battle Creek, Michigan sanitarium. One morning he heard the distant singing of employees who gathered to start the day with God: Be not dismayed, whate’er betide, God will take care of you…. Penney followed the music to its source and slipped into a back row. He left a short time later a changed man, his health and spirit renewed, and ready to start the long climb back at age fifty-six.
By 1951 there was a J.C. Penney store in every state, and for the first time sales surpassed $1 billion a year. [John Woodbridge, ed., More Than Conquerors (Chicago, Illinois: Moody Press, 1992), 340-343.]

The success of J.C. Penney can be traced to God’s mercy in his life to bring him out of his humble circumstance. Do you find yourself in a humble circumstance? God is the only one who can help you see your humble circumstance from His viewpoint-a high position. It is a high position because of what God is going to teach you in this place. He does not intend you to stay there; it is merely a stopping place to learn some important things you would not learn otherwise. Press into God and trust Him for the outcome to your circumstances.

It is very difficult at times to pass through our own vision of something to achieve God's perfect will.  There have been MANY moments when my head and hopes dropped during the past 5 years of getting this organization off and running.  I pray that each time I get through that moment I am better prepared to hit the next disillusion with out giving up my hope and peace.  I am positive that is the pivotal transformation that places us in "Battle Creek" verses "Every State".  It is after all our "state of mind" that allows us to truly see God's perfect will.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God—what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.

I thank God that his word is truth and trustworthy, that we can ask, know and be healed - today...believe!
In Christ,
Candace

What Should I do?

I really liked Os Hillmans devotional this morning on Worldly Planning.
If you would like to share some of your growth in this process please do.  We can all gain insight from each other.

With Love,
Candace

Can Halloween be Hallow?

I was thinking about this celebration called Halloween today. Most people do not see it as religious or sacrilegious they simply see it as “Costumes and Candy”. I know many churches that have a fall festival to gather everyone into the church however once there it is still “Costumes and Candy”. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but what if……

What if we thought about a deeper meaning, like a parable? Isn’t that what Jesus would do on Halloween? He would be right in the middle of our streets walking around looking for who was ready to receive a timely word. He would be planting seeds. I can hear him now walking up to a house watching all the beautiful children. He might even ask one of them something like did you and your family carves a pumpkin tonight? Did you notice all the seeds inside? Did you know if you plant a seed it grows? First comes the sprout, then the vine then a flower which turns into fruit. Did you put a candle in yours? Did you know that God created light? He created it to shine into darkness just like your candle did. I hope you have a wonderful night run and knock on that door I bet they will answer; you will receive a delightful gift that will bring you joy. Be sure you receive it with thanksgiving.

Christ might see another child who is scared or lost from their parent. He would surely take the time to comfort them and help them find their parent. Shouldn’t we be among the people that are lost and help them find their Father? Shouldn’t we be telling them of our hope and showing our light on such a dark night. Shouldn’t we be giving them at least a piece of what we have abundantly received?

When children want to dress up, they can dress up as a holy ghost and when they knock on a door they could exemplify bringing the gift of peace and a blessing. After all the candy would be fulfilling the scripture when it says to receive whatever those receiving you offer as your wage.

Hallowed be God’s name on Halloween. There is no fear in love, perfect love casts out all fear.

We are to be salt and light – He that is in us is greater than he that is in the world.

I praise God for that.

I am listing some verses below to think over.

I love each of you, be sure to speak of this with your children after all Proverbs says:

8My son, listen to your father’s discipline, and do not neglect your mother’s teachings,

9because discipline and teachings are a graceful garland on your head

and a golden chain around your neck.

God our father says not to despise His discipline because he disciplines those he loves.

Kisses,

Candace

Isaiah 9:2/ John 15: 5 , 17:15-19 / Isaiah 9:2 / Mathew 10 / Matthew 5:32-48, 7:1-5, chapter 10 / 1 Corinthians 15: 10 thru end of chapter

Would love to hear your comments, post here or on http://www.kaleidoscopebutterfly.com/

If He Shrinks Back.....I Will Not Be Pleased

Many times those we lead, support or care for do not understand that simply because we are in a position to be able to so this (only through the grace of God) does not mean we ourselves do not have a plethora of struggles we ourselves are trying to balance.  This is when we have to seek out "daily" encouragement to stay focused on Christ above all else.  He is our strength and rock.  He is OUR ever present help in our time of trouble.  Without Him we all fall.....that includes us leaders.  We must never step out on our own or it would be better that we tie a millstone around our neck - says God. 

This is why He painstakenly trains us to be above reproach. He has reminded us that we have been given much....but much is expected.  What type of love would allow us to go out unequiped - Not a God kind of love.  So consider it joy when you face hardship...this is your training ground.  Realize that God sees your efforts and is saying, "Go ahead test this warrior of mine if you think you are up for it; I know his/her heart and he/she will not shrink back to the destruction of his/her soul!".

I don't know about you...but I sure did need Os's wise words to lift me up today.  Let's go take some territory for His Kingdom today gang - Let's set some captives free. Hooah!

God's Recruitment Strategy for Leaders

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman

"Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing." Acts 9:8a

When God calls one of His servants into service, there is often much travail. There are many examples where God makes His presence known through circumstances that tax the individual to his very soul.

Consider Paul, who was stricken blind on the Damascus road.

Consider Peter; when he denied Jesus after the crucifixion, he was in total despair.
Consider Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who were thrown into the fiery furnace.

Consider Daniel, who was thrown into the lions' den.

Consider David, who was forced to flee his former employer for many years and lived as a fugitive.

It may seem strange to us that God uses such incredible adversity to prepare His servants for greater service, but this is God's way. God knows that the human heart is incapable of voluntarily stepping into situations that take us beyond our comfort zone. He intentionally brings us into hard places to prove us and to drive us deeper into the soil of His grace.

In arid regions of the world, trees cannot survive unless their roots grow deeper to where the water table can be found. Once they reach the water, these trees become stronger than any tree that can be found in tropical climates. Their root systems ensure that they can withstand any storm. In the same way, God brings us into extremely difficult situations in order to prove His power and drive our spiritual roots deeper.

Friend, God may take you through times when you will question His love for you. In such times, you must cling to His coattail so that you see His purposes in it. Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised. For in just a very little while, 'He who is coming will come and will not delay. But My righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him'" (Hebrews 10:36-38).

Another Type of Messenger For God

We are asking if there is anyone that would be able to run gift card, food, clothing, forms, information to a woman in crisis. We have so many women to reach each day, but so few of us to take what we have been given for their needs to be met in a timely fashion. We are daily running across the metro area and outer areas to meet all the overwhelming lack of these families that are displaced. If you have the time, we will give you the gas to take what God desires to give.

Please Call Us if you feel God would like to use you in this capacity.
With the appreciation and Love of Christ,
Candace
404-432-0589







Luke 11:8-10 (GOD’S WORD Translation)

8I can guarantee that although he doesn’t want to get up to give you anything, he will get up and give you whatever you need because he is your friend and because you were so bold.
9“So I tell you to ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. 10Everyone who asks will receive. The one who searches will find, and for the person who knocks, the door will be opened.

Mark 11:23-25
23"Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him.

24"Therefore I say to you,all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.

25"Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.

We are asking in Faith and know He is faithful to provide!

When You Don't Know...

These are a few priceless nuggets by Dr's Henry Cloud and John Townsend.

Courage: You cannot journey God's way without encourntering risk and fear.  Sometimes the task looks too daunting to face.  There is safety in numbers, so just having a support team close by will build your courage.  But you also need people nearby who will tell you what Paul told his friends who wer in great danger.  "So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that is will happen just as he told me." (Acts 27:25)  

Accountability: Cars and airplanes have gauges which constantly report the status of the engine and warn of malfunctions.  Companies are periodically audited to inform their directors of needed corrections.  In the same way, you need to be held accountable by others who will monitor your progress and keep you on track.  You need people on your team who are interested enough to ask the touch quesitons:  How is your faith doing?  Where are you failing?  What kind of help do you need?

www.kaleidoscopebutterfly.org send those you support to this link to help the build the stong cord which is not easily broken.

Go To Our Main Site and Join in the Journey

We are one body.
Click on the comments and share yours.  Let's be proactive in supporting each other. If you desire to have people directed your way as well, let us know and we will open this up for your forums too.

One Body - One Head - Unity in All Ways...

Let's make it happen; while it is still called TODAY!

With Love,
Candace

He Made You...He Calls you His Delight!

Last night was amazing to me. God woos me along this journey in such mighty ways. I appreciate each of you. This morning I was starting my day as much like every other morning of what I have come to understand as “my life”, opening myself up to discuss yesterdays and seek God’s direction.

To My Fellow Sojourner,

As I sit here looking back at where I started, not so much the very beginning but the day I first looked at myself in that rear view mirror, trying so desperately to see my way clearly. I’ve walked across the miles: seen the smiles, the turned backs, the arms that would not embrace as well as the ones that opened wide telling me to trust them and give as they themselves were hiding behind a facade. I’ve felt and remembered the pain; pain I had never imagined and bondage no one can escape on their own.
I have read many travelers’ experiences and opinions on “how to” however the same thread runs through each of our tales. Today is only a point in time and all time has been closed. It is now about fulfillment of the days.

Everyone’s journey is as unique as they are. No one can tell you “how to” journey your path except the creator of your path. Many times we are looking to the creature, instead of the creator. The creature is to aid, not to answer. As I heard Him whisper one day, “the answer is the sojourning, the question an endless plight; be still and know that I am God and I love you, deeply, honestly, passionately so that you will know freedom and can love freely just as I would …..for me; always… in all ways.

These are precious moments I’ve lived, the good, the bad, and the ugly, (Clint Eastwood days), some turbulent times, some peaceful times and some exuberant times. I am not a writer as I have previously said; I am just another sojourner on a quest. I am putting all this out here, because He asks us to be real and to share. I know He will find the success He desires to reach whoever wants to know Him. If it is only one person, I am happy to know He has reached you, and that we share this experience together throughout eternity.

Whoever you are talk, sing, share and love… not because you’re perfect at it but because you can—for Him.

With love and kisses,
Candace

Today, I praise Him, I give Him thanks. There are just around 100 of us now. This does not include the wonderful people involved in the intercessory area, between 15 and 20. There are now individuals set to train as well as be trained for outreach. Some days it is very overwhelming for me to grasp the ways God has propelled and orchestrated his love for each of us to know He is Real.

This is what He wants us to understand:
My arm is what reaches through the chaos to show them the truly beautiful pathways to life. When they stand at the wayside and wait, I WILL be there, I AM always there, they simply lean on their own understanding (knowledge, sight, emotions and theories) to struggle their way along. I know not to lead them onto that path, the evil is waiting, crouching around every corner to head them back to his pit. I want them to be in peace so that they will change their mind and get away from what is waging war with fullness of life. I AM.. tell them that. I AM here, I AM an ever ready help in their time of trouble. All they have to do is believe it. I Will do the rest. I Will supply the vision, I Will supply the strength, I Will cover them with My Glory and They Will succeed.

I pray that the sacrifices that are made are glorifying to Him. This is what He has desired a relationship, a body to call His own. this is a fragrant aroma in His sight.

Look in the archives to go further. Topic: moments, journey, sight

Enjoy THIS day that the Lord "has made" - Just as He has Made YOU....and He calls you "beautiful".

What could be MORE beautiful than that?
Kisses,
C

Conversations With My Dad - Poetry

Don't Dance With Your Demons

I love you so deeply…..
Speak to my heart..........
Be food for my soul.......
Your gentle voice encourages me, washes the world away;
Lifts the weight of debris, softens the earth of my flesh
Use your hands now to mold me, into your perfect fit.
Don’t dance with your demons, just take my hand
We’ll circle to the music, your body, my lead
Our gaze will lock; you’ll see only my face
As the music infuses, they rhythm soothes
We’ll glide on the dance floor in harmony perfectly timed
All on-lookers will be silent watching such a bond.


When learning it is awkward, hard to move smooth
Your muscles won’t flex or bend as they should
Patience and time train and build skill
Suddenly the dancer is beauty unveiled.
The music, is my voice, melodious as a bird
The instruments of harmony, the woodwinds of my words
My hand is the conductor, my children the notes
The audience is prepared and waiting with baited breath
Our curtain is split, rolling back like the tide
So let us work our magic while they are ready to ride.


There is so much to say, and time is at hand
Remember my instructions, wait for my prompt
Then all things come together, no note will sound flat
The notes are like drops of water which comprise the sea
The movements are like a compulsion bursting forth directed by me
The impact controlled for cause and outcome
To arouse the emotions of the anticipant crowd
They have come for a reason, let’s not let them down
Their passion will rise and their hearts will be moved
Their souls will be softened; my blood can roll in
Then return into our family held tightly in my hand.


Think of a farmer, one seed in his palm
He looks for a spot best suited for that life:
Perfect soil, sun or shade with nourishment it needs
He keeps watch to protect its growth
He loves it, supports it when its weight is too much
Till strength in its trunk help handle the size.

My hand is sufficient to meet all the needs
The plants have no worries; they grow as they’re willed
Predestined in all ways, for He know what they will be
A rose won’t grow coconuts and grass won’t become a tree
But each is perfection for its purpose and need
Beauty and function….now all is complete.
By Candace Huffmaster©

Trust in the Lord's Help

God stated that all things are common to man.  KB's scripture of faith for what we do is Isaiah 50: 4-5.  It is difficult at best to put our selves out there day in and day out.  Knowing what the world thinks, whether they ever say it directly to us or not.  We are all human and at times it does hurt.  We know that Christ too had to face this, and at the end of His days He requested that God forgive them.  Why?  Because He knew that they didn't know what they were doing.  That my friends is LOVE.

We are to love because He first loved us.  We are to turn our cheeks and show love, no matter how angry we get.  We are supposed to be angry and NOT sin.  God promises that He is just.  Do we believe that?  I sure do.  I do not always do what I know to be right, but I know that God walks me through my mistakes and rectifies them.  This is of course depends on my alignment with Him, and the free will of others to do the same.  Sometimes it all works out and sometimes there is heartbreak involved.  But all the while, we must look to Him for our acceptance.  Otherwise we won't make it. 

The fullness of Isaiah 50 is what I am about to type.  These are God's words and honestly they help me believe that He is just, however my prayer is for everyone to believe that His way is the best and to Love him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.  I pray that you chase after him in all ways..after all He is the lover of your soul...Above all else.

With Love,
Candace

Isaiah 50: 4-11 (GWT)

The Almighty Lord will teach me what to say, so I will know how to encourage weary people.  Morning after morning he will wake me to listen like a student.  The almighty Lord will open my ears.  I will not rebel, nor will I turn away from him.  I will offer my back to those who whip me and my cheeks to those who pluck hairs out of my beard.  I will not turn my face away from those who humiliate me and spit on me.  The Almighty Lord helps me.  That is why I will not be ashamed.  I have set my face like a flint.  I know that I will not be put to shame.  The one who pronounces me innocent is near.  Who will bring a case against me?  Let us confront each other!  Who accuses me?  Let hin confront me!  The Allmighty Lord helps me.  Who will find me guilty?  They will all wear out like a garment.  Moths will eat them.  Who among you fears the Lord and obeys his servant?  Let those who walk in darkness and have no light trust the name of the Lord and depend upon their God.  But all of you light fires and arm yourselves with flaming torches.  So walk in yoru own light and among the torches you have lit. This is what you will recieve from me:  You wil be tormented.

Conversations With My Dad - Poetry

My Shadow


Let me write something pretty for you, Lord,
Let me raise my voice high.
Stir my spirit to praise you, glorifying my King.
The valley I did travel, the journey many years long,
At times I had no vision, the walls too close to see,
No feeling of compassion along my dusty road.
Hear this, my lonely traveler, My words shall persevere!
They are pounding on the pavement as feet running to be at your side.
Patience… please stop running; you are abandoning all your help!
My plan was set in motion when your first tear hit my hand.
I am your way, my sojourner; your road is up ahead.
Make plans after you’ve listened; not while you are trying to understand.
Willful dispositions, glide on the surface like glass,
The reflections are all around us; the image of each man.
My image is why you were created as my father said it was to be,
Mighty men with wasted power ‘til my reflection is what is seen.
Trials and tribulations focus the eyes to see,
Whose reflection is in the mirror?
Judging what is to be…
Focus placed on the superficial, mirrors life gone by,
In the valley of destruction, shadows still reflect
Until challenge breaks the mirror, casting fragments out of reach.
Moving forward now takes decisions,
The eye and mind unite within,
The heart discerns the image…
Showing a reflection of the true man.
Look past the day you’re traveling,
To the hands holding back the storm,
No valley will overtake you,
No journey will be too long.
I am the Man, and you, my shadow,
I walk through the valley first,
I rose and now you’re with me,
No matter what we’re passing through.
I cast my shadow with purpose,
Made from blocking harsh light,
Harm can only come to the person,
I am that person, your Christ.
The reflection is not tangible, nor the shadow that has been set,
This is just as the spirit, transcendent of the flesh,
Reality is a lesson, the mind a tool to tame.
The learned are My inspiration… My leaders among all men.

By Candace Huffmaster ©

Good Work or God Work?

That You May Marvel

from Experiencing God Day by Day devotional



"The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel." (John 5:19-20)




Jesus, realizing that His role was that of a servant, never sought to initiate activity for the Father (Matt. 20:28). The servant never sets the agenda—the master does. The servant must be so alert to what the master is doing that whenever the master begins to move in a direction the servant quickly joins him. Even the Son of God did not assume He knew the best thing to do in a situation. Instead, He looked to see the Father’s activity and then joined Him. Jesus knew His Father so well that He was keenly sensitive to divine activity around Him, immediately recognizing His Father at work.



It is possible for us to be so busy trying to bring God into our activity that we don’t even notice Him at work around us. He seeks to redirect our attention so that we might join Him, but we tend to be self-centered, evaluating everything by how it affects us. We must learn to view events around us from God’s perspective. Then we will see our world very differently. When God brings someone across our path, we will look to see if God is convicting that person of his need for salvation. Perhaps God is comforting someone in her sorrow. God might be encouraging your friend as she faces a challenge. We will then adjust our lives to join God as He works in that person’s life. We ought to live each day with tremendous anticipation as we look to see where God is working around us. As our eyes are opened to His activity, we will marvel at His great works. -By Blackaby

When I read this the first thing I think is "So when things are not flowing I must have stepped out of God's work and into MY work". I wish it were as simple as that. It is as if we are in a thick rain forest of distraction trying desperately to discern where God is and God is not. Our world is so filled with people who know how to walk the walk and hide the agenda. Yet if we stick close enough, for long enough their true intentions will finally be revealed. Isn't that what God promised? Light will shine into darkness and show it for what it is. But how dark is that darkness? We desire to put it on a scale from 1 to 10. That is why we are in the rain forest isn't it? We see how lush it is. We are drawn to its color, sound it is very surreal from the exterior. We know that there is a high possibility that IT has to offer the experience we have been looking for. So let us ponder, what if...we ARE looking for God in the rain forest and not simply a vain experience to grow "our person". What if..we think the reason it is so surreal is due to the supernatural outpour of God's essence? Wouldn't that be the most wooing of all? Isn't that what we desire to experience? And there it is again...that is a self experience. If you have ever listened to more than 5 of Joyce Meyer's segments you will hear her drone "What about me, What about me, What about me!" The reason we have to laugh is because it is real...some times it is a nervous laugh =D. Okay, let's try this one more time..What if, we see it think it surreal so surely we will find God there? Well, maybe what we should have been asking is why am I not with God before I get there? God is everywhere...He is not in an experience..he is the experience.

Further down in John 5:22-25 which I will close with and pick up here tomorrow it states:

"The Father doesn't judge anyone. He has entrusted judgment entirely to the Son so that everyone will honor the Son as they honor the Father. Whoever doesn't honor the Son doesn't honor the Father who sent him. I can guarantee this truth: Those who listen to what I say and believe in the one who sent me will have eternal life. They won't be judged because they have already passed from death to life. "I can guarantee this truth: A time is coming (and is now here) when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who respond to it will live. The Father is the source of life, and he has enabled the Son to be the source of life too. "He has also given the Son authority to pass judgment because he is the Son of Man. Don't be surprised at what I've just said. A time is coming when all the dead will hear his voice, and they will come out of their tombs. Those who have done good will come back to life and live. But those who have done evil will come back to life and will be judged.

I thank God that He doesn't judge anyone and that the Son has promised we are saved from what we do not understand. I thank God he has mercy on us and give us the grace to stick in every time we miss it. I pray for us all to extend this Kindness in God's love to everyone, knowing all things are common to us. And this was even the work of God so that none of us could boast.

With the Love of our Christ covering each of you,
Candace

We Cannot Posses Something Unless We See It as a Possibility

I have been thinking alot about what it takes to grab hold of what we know God is showing us.  If I am going to learn the best place to start is conversing with God.  He will use His word to open my mind.  Looking back at Abraham, Noah, David, Josepeh, Paul, Peter and many others, we cannot mistake that they saw something and they heard something from God. 

Do we believe that God wants to show us things?  Do we believe that God desires to tell us things?  If we do not, then it is not a possibility.  We would discount anything as coming from another source.  We cannot posses if it is not possible.  God promises us that all the things He said were possible  - ARE POSSIBLE.

I pray that we be healed where there be any unbelief.  I pray that God is glorified by all our efforts even the weakest of them.

With the Love of Christ,
Candace

Building of Today

If it is my word,
   it is to be today through all known time.
No doubt shall change what is,
   what is known is what shall be.
Faith is believing all,
   knowing what shall come will pass.
Those who are my own,
   are standing sure on what is firming under feet.
Reality is tomorrow,
   not moments fading away.
Yesterday built today,
   the tomorrow which fades away.
In what do you know of this reality,
   you so claim to understand?
A mind that I created,
   with limits of a man.
The known is not among those:
   who lavish on themselves,
   to squander and belittle,
   the majesty of His will.
By Candace Huffmaster©

Conversations With My Dad - Poetry

This Psalm speaks of the What If’s of Agape Love, I entitled the pros simply “IF” I pray each of you realize your peace that surpasses all understanding today….and know that you are loved by the One and Only God of the Universe.
In Christ,
Candace

IF

If I had not been called
I would not know how to answer
If I had not opened the door
He would not have entered
IF I had not welcomed him in
He would not have stayed
If I had not asked the question
He would not have answered
IF he had not been patient
I would not be able to share of his love
If I had not needed his encouragement
He would not have made it available
If I had not experienced hardship
I would not have know that I needed him
If he had not allowed me the pain of my choices
I would not have gained humility
If he had set no boundaries
I would not have grown
If I had not turned to Him
I would not know true peace
IF I had not desired TRUE peace
I would never have seen my Lord

My Lord loves through teaching,
He embraces and encourages while giving us more
He gives a wealth of strength and peace
We gain courage through facing the task
We employ peace to mentally stay true
There are so many facets of his love
We tend to only consider a few
We strive to accomplish in our own strength
Without Him, we have no lasting means
Conversing with Him grants us His visions
It is then that we understand
He desires to give us increase
because He still has much to do
We must be willing to empty our self;
To be filled with Him to the full
By this He dwells right here among us
In any form that will give Him room
He is not one….. He is many
He is abundant, everyone desiring to love
He is patient, kind and understanding
He is rich, poor, every race and language known
He is every size, every age and generation
His hope is for us all to know…..
We are to love deeply and tenderly,
Be open, honest and true,
To seek eagerly with passion;
To be genuine in all that we do
But mostly - to do all in freedom
With wings that will carry, cover and lift
Bringing others into His presence
A sacrifice He too chose to make
Together we are One…Complete…In Christ
By Candace Huffmaster ©

Conversations With My Dad

Poetry - The Essence of Beauty

The essence of beauty is as wide as it is deep,
Multiplicity of color, radiance beyond belief,
Simple to our vision, explosive to the mind,
Alive when implanted into the tenderness inside.
Fingers touch and capture a memory shared between,
Smells engulf the soul and rise up within our air,
The full body of all emotions, encapsulated, mystically, in a tear,
Pure essence of the senses rush through our being like a birth,
Truth that is unstoppable, a manifestation of all that is unseen,
Whirling winds of majestic moments giving life by the lover’s heart,
Silence is all that is able because mere words cannot relate.


By Candace Huffmaster ©

Conversations With My Dad

Poetry - The Mark

Press onward and move ahead,
Speed not important, no falter in step,
Make your mark (with my right hand),
Engrave your presence with truth in your touch,
The skill of your craft, beauty becomes their mark.




No force will oppose you and all evil must flee,
The thirsty will remain with you, all on bended knee.
My words will heal, and my presence will make them whole,
Then they will learn and ground will be gained,
The seeds will now sprout; their life may now begin.
Light the path as you are leaving, so they too may come,
There is more living to nurture all along the way.




Each person has a task, a plan, and a team,
We move where we are needed, focused on our task.
No job finds completion ’til the end of our days.
Rise up refreshed tomorrow to start again,
Grow with each experience, embracing the love you’ve touched.
Be happy in the knowledge that, truly, we are one,
And the one seed you planted maybe enjoyed by someone else.
You, too, will reap from the work of our Lord,
His love, although taken, will never return void.


If today you are lonely, whom do you seek?
Whose face are you after? Whose hope do you chase?


Our Lord is abundant and stands in your path,
To love you and heal you if you will simply call on his name,
Make request that he help you to understand your disgrace.
He speaks to your dilemmas and strips their power away,
So now you can withstand the length of your day.
He marks you for protection no matter what you face,
So firm you can stand and denounce all other fates.
One crippled, now walking; one mute, can finally speak,
The blind one now has vision; may there be nothing to stumble your gait.


Your ear now listening for the cries of your sheep,
You are there to Shepherd my precious little lambs.
Keep watch with my provision, it’s an all important task,
We will not lose one… No, not one will be harmed,
Because I love my father and his love dwells in me,
And you, through our Spirit, are obedient to me.


By Candace Huffmaster ©

Seeking Serenity

If we ever forget what we are to be seeking, there is a very simple and straightforward way to bring it back to the plumb line. Look at the spelling of the work seeking. If you really look at the spelling you will never have to ask again. S E E K I N G....SEE KING. All we have to do is keep our eyes on the KING.

God has said to people throughout history if you have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying we should listen while it is still called today. I don't know about you, but I think this shows how much He cares. He gives us the free will to choose if we want to hear, listen, look and see.

Revelation 1:7(GWTN) states Look! He is coming in the clouds. Every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. Every tribe on earth will mourn because of him. This is true. Amen

Christ told his disciples this in Matthew 13 :13-17 (GWTN)
"Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 "In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, `YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE; FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES, OTHERWISE THEY WOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES, HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.' "But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. "For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

Today I am leaving you with this poem. It states what my prayer is in the closing lines. If you agree let's lift this up to Him in one unified voice "While it is Still Called Today!"

Be well my friends and family, in Christ,
Candace


Seeking Serenity


I blank my mind to peer into yours,
Seeking serenity, believing in truth.
My faith is boundless, only through you
My mere words will perish; yours will stand true.

Through patience and stillness, calmness will flow.
Seeking so feverishly, desiring you as my strength,
In search of a purpose, but who is ever pleased?
Perfection they ask; perfect for whom?
This world is unpleased, damning and lost.
Feeling not good enough, I’m broken to my knees.

Crying, I whisper, “What’s it all for?”
Questions keep flooding, ‘til I hear myself scream,
“God, please, if you’re out there,
Please listen, I’m on my knees!”
Answers, I need answers,
I don’t know where to go…
To people who are ignorant of things they claimed to know?

What will I do? I feel hopeless… unloved.
I am so sick and lonely, weighed down with despair,
In silence, I’m sobbing, there are no words left.
My heart is still pumping,
How? I do not know.
It’s hurting and empty, shouldn’t it quit?
Sheer exhaustion and no power, I murmur, God take me now.
I know I’ve never said it, but I realize you are here.
No one else is with me… you’re the only thing left.
I remember your son Jesus; when his life was at stake,
So I know you can help me, quickly take me away.

My breath is now shallow and I’m half expecting my last.
Would he answer? I was waiting,
In fear holding onto what air was left,
Releasing simultaneously moaning… Jesus, listen to me!
If you’re out there then speak for me.
They will surely listen to the words you have to say,
It is my voice that has no volume,
Isn’t that reason they can’t hear?
Child, I am here with you; just as you knew and believed,
Waiting for you to ask me to care for all your life,
This was your final lesson you believed but mostly your thoughts
Now, all is forgotten so your mind has been transformed
You can now release the burdens, live your life refreshed and free.
When you speak you now have volume, our prayer is for them to receive.

By Candace Huffmaster ©

Poetry from Conversations with My Dad

Conversations With My Dad

Poetry - Time and Seasons

Open your eyes and see as I see,
Look where I turn, be one with my world,
Your breath is my wind: the seeds scattered, job done.
My presence in your faith will water their ground,
Be all I am… trust, do not stop,
Keep watch in the distance and know all is done,
Today has a future but was done in the past,
So time doesn’t matter… for all matter will pass.
Remember those passing and always be in prayer,
My spirit is with them, with you, and the air.
What once seemed impossible is now known through light,
So travel, my angel, come home, it’s your flight.
By Candace Huffmaster ©


Today, don't look at what your best moment has been....that is in the past. Don't look at what mistakes you made....they are only stepping stones to getting it right. Remember, all striving is chasing after the wind unless your sights are set as flint on the Kingdom of God. When that is what we are chasing after, He is faithful to add all else to that: in abundance, to the full....till it overflows in Glory for His name sake.

With love in Christ,
Candace

Conversations With My Dad

Journal Entry: Vision of a Mountain

I desire to glorify you, Oh Lord, in all I say and do

Let my steps and words be confident, through you.

My heart I lay open, to rest in your palms,

       for healing and preparation, for guidance and repair.

When finished, you touch me, all protection in place

Obediently I go forward with trust and good will,

       knowing your presence is here with me still.

The provision will last me and when all is done,

My shelter is waiting with you at the door,

     to start the whole process of giving me more.

The days all go quickly, time is not the same

Moments are mountains to some that I see.

The miracle, you grant me, of showing your face

To those who know struggles or when life weakens their faith.

I speak to the mountain and start moving on,

“They say are you crazy?”, “I’m not going your way!”

I say, “What mountain?”, “I told it to move!”

They shake their head, “stupid!” ‘Just go your way!”.

I tell them “My Father is preparing my path”.

“When they travel foot hills my path is laid low”

Away, they start moving, I ask them to wait

     to consider an outcome which could be their fate.

We both have a highway; a path we are on

We neither have knowledge of what is on the road

Did we create the system; a design from start to end?

I know not what is beyond the turn on my way

Or who will be out there and what their intent is

I only know the creator and his love for me.

His provision is perfect - no matter the day.

In fact, he so loved you before you knew me.

He asked me to help you; he knew your name.

We all have our choices and he respects yours.

He wanted to tell you, there is danger ahead.

I want to be here, if you want to see …..

    the path of great beginnings, of faith, hope and love

To quiet your questions….. just walk out of faith

The mountain will vanish; till then just hold strong

     to the promise of provision, content in His love.

By Candace Huffmaster ©

Read 2 Corinthians 11 and 12

We Must Encourage Each Other to Wait for It.

In women's meeting for the past few months we have been speaking about what we see as far as our future is concerned. We spoke about how sometimes we are looking through the broken desires of our past. We remember when our aim or goal was in hope and we were striving toward reaching it. However, something came to pass that made us doubt and our hope became doubtful in stead of faithful.

God tells us in Proverbs that hope defered makes the heart sick. Defer simply means to submit to the opinion, wishes, or decision of another through respect or in recognition of it's authority, knowledge, judgment. It means to commit or entrust another!

I reminded them of our discussions on the intersecting point in the road where we have to choose between fear and faith? When we realize that the reason our heart gets sick is because in the deepest part of us, we saw something and believed it was good, from God and in line with His best for us.  Christ told us that the their comes to steal, kill and destroy.  He also promised that we needed to be aware that evil is crouching at our door and to be ready.  Isn't this that pivotal intersecting point where something crawled in beside us in our mind and told us that it was not going to happen, it was not coming to pass or it was snatched from us. Didn't we entrusted another and hand over what we were believing in and for?  We must be aware it was ourself that made the decision to respect or give authority to deception.

In Habakkuk, God promised that the vision is not a lie. He promised that it is hurrying toward it's goal and it will make it; wait for it! We believe that God is not able to lie. We believe that He is faithful and that He promised us His word will not return to Him void. The only way that the vision will not be realized in our lives is if we believe more in something else than we do in God. Our vision changes! What we now see as our vision is that it is difficulty, betrayal and brokenness. We have to remember that it will still happen, we simply did not have all the pieces of the picture filled in yet.

I emplored them to not erase what they had seen, heard and believed. They simply needed to add details into what they first saw!

I reminded them that they each are a work God is doing to bring life, peace, joy, provision in full form to many individuals. He affects the lives of others through us and visa versa.

May we never be troubled to remind others just as Paul did many times.  Keep fighting the good fight my friends!

With love and a Holy Kiss,
Candace

Habakkuk Chapter 2 vs 1-3 from the Message translation:

1 What's God going to say to my questions? I'm braced for the worst. I'll climb to the lookout tower and scan the horizon. I'll wait to see what God says, how he'll answer my complaint.

2-3And then God answered: "Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what's coming. It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait! And it doesn't lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait.
It's on its way. It will come right on time.

Conversations With My Dad

Poetry - The world is a Stage

The air under my wings; with no weight to pull me down

Gliding with immense freedom and joy;

I relax, drifting below cotton candy stretched clouds

The illumination is colorfully sheer,

As it veils the bluest of skies

The tree tops are waving “Good morning Lord”,

The buttercups turning up their precious face,

Blowing a tender kiss toward the heavens,

Their sweet breath is carried amidst the breeze

I see blankets of yellow and green beneath me,

Glistening from fresh morning dew

Like a carpet scattered with sparkling diamond;

"Oh how God must love this view!"

I pause my flight, perching above this symphony

No note seems to be misplaced

I hear the piccolo’s and flutes of His winged wood winds,

All perfect orchestrated by the composers’ right hand

No platform for Him is needed;

In this world He is center stage

The Maestro is Omnipotent,

Grandeur the scale to which musicians are tuned

My box seat here is panoramic; I bow my head thank him for this gift

Seeking His image through the lenses before me,

I catch a glimpse and focus till He is magnified;

Gazing with awe, throughout each movement; almost holding my breath

I acclaim Him through standing ovation…. hands waving,

Inspired, overwhelmed to the point of tears

I feel the breeze again lifting me, propelling me beyond my safe perch

My heart now filled with His melody;

I will share of His composition within me.

By Candace Huffmaster ©

Faith Is Our Tour Guide Today.

We have been sharing our trip through this life.  If it was a guided tour, and you will see that it should be, her name would be Faith.  I hope you enjoy your trip today....Faith knows what she is talking about.

(God's Word translation) 1Timothy 1:18 Timothy, my child, I’m giving you this order about the prophecies that are still coming to you: Use these prophecies in faith and with a clear conscience to fight this noble war. 19 Some have refused to let their faith guide their conscience and their faith has been destroyed like a wrecked ship.  20 Among these people are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan in order to teach them not to dishonor God.

There is much to consider in these verses.  Last week I asked us to consider what we see as we project our minds into the future.  In a very simplistic form that is all prophecies or revelation is.  It is a time when God speaks to us with harmonious clarity and we get it.  He has always stated that "there is nothing new under the sun" as well as the fact that "all things are common to man".  For instance Solomon, the wisest of all men stated in Ecclesiastes 3 the following:

                "Meaningless! Meaningless!” “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless!”

Could this be what Paul was warning Timothy about?  It sound like Solomon had not allowed his faith to guide his concsience, maybe?  Was he fighting the noble war..or amidst the trama of a shipwreck? 

There will always be times when we have it going on; we are in harmony with "The Almighty God of the Universe" together we know we are "fighting the good fight" and victorious.  However in the near future we find ourselves amidst the same storm we were fighting and rescuing other poor unfortunate souls only to be hanging on for dear life ourselves. 

I find comfort in these words from our wise and yet oh-so- human ancestor Solomon :

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:  a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace."

Paul finished this thought by telling Timothy he was warning him of the looming shipwrecks for him to be aware of what needs to take place - not to point a finger and say "look at them!"

Therefore, I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and ball who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying— a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

I pray that we all give thanks for all people, for leaders and authority figures.  I pray that we lift up the struggles that all men have and be pray for them before they enter into battles with the supplications that they not be tossed about as a ship on the sea.  Let us pray for that we lead lives that are not argumentative, quarlelsom or nitpicky, but peaceable as much as it depends on us.  I pray that we set our minds on things that are Holy, Lovely and Pure..becasue He is holy and righteous. 
May He be glorified in all we say, do and desire,
With Love,
Candace

Pressure in Life is Victory thru Christ post is on www.kaleidoscopebutterfly.blogspot.com

I pray for the peace of God to chase you down and overtake you today; that you live, love and laugh with exuberant joy all to gloryify our King.
With the love of our Christ,
Candace

Taking a Bath

Today I took a bath in the waters of life
     and the water rose up to cover me
I was humbled by their flow, drenched in their truth
    and peace washed away all my shame
We take and we own;
we posses and we pride;
we crack our own whips to tame all
At the end of our days we lay down to what is ours
    and it devours because it was His.

by Candace Huffmaster

Always, in All Ways

When I read this devotion several situations from God's Word came to mind. Remember when the Israelites were in the desert and they were not focused on where they were going...but what they left behind. They were not focused on what God WAS providing but what they did not have. We are very creative in our thoughts and imagination. We picture moments of our day going blissfully, everyone enjoying us and thinking all our desires are best for everyone...and so everyone is on board. We see ourselves having all the whims before us fulfilled and enough left that there is no possible way we could be left with a want. Okay, maybe I am overshooting this a bit; but subconsciously I think there might be some truth to these statements.


If we were left to our own devices with no consequences, no imploring from wise counsel, don't you think we might be immature, selfish and lazy? I thank God that when we look through His history we see how good His ways are. We can see, because he had the wisdom to have people record the good, the bad, the ugly and the transformed. He was gracious enough to give us the beginning and the end, so what do we have to complain about....we should be focusing on all He is providing, which is MUCH, to make sure we arrive at the appointed destination.  We should focus and accept His joy and peace through it all.

I pray that we cast down false imaginations and simultaneously replace it with His reality. I pray that we begin to see clearly, believe hopefully and trust faithfully in Him who loves us enough to defend, liberate and care for us always, in all ways.

With the Love of our Christ,
Candace

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me . . . —Matthew 11:29

devotion from Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

Whom the Lord loves He chastens . . .” ( Hebrews 12:6 ). How petty our complaining is! Our Lord begins to bring us to the point where we can have fellowship with Him, only to hear us moan and groan, saying, “Oh Lord, just let me be like other people!” Jesus is asking us to get beside Him and take one end of the yoke, so that we can pull together. That’s why Jesus says to us, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light” ( Matthew 11:30 ). Are you closely identified with the Lord Jesus like that? If so, you will thank God when you feel the pressure of His hand upon you.
“. . . to those who have no might He increases strength” (Isaiah 40:29 ). God comes and takes us out of our emotionalism, and then our complaining turns into a hymn of praise. The only way to know the strength of God is to take the yoke of Jesus upon us and to learn from Him.

“. . . the joy of the Lord is your strength” ( Nehemiah 8:10 ). Where do the saints get their joy? If we did not know some Christians well, we might think from just observing them that they have no burdens at all to bear. But we must lift the veil from our eyes. The fact that the peace, light, and joy of God is in them is proof that a burden is there as well. The burden that God places on us squeezes the grapes in our lives and produces the wine, but most of us see only the wine and not the burden. No power on earth or in hell can conquer the Spirit of God living within the human spirit; it creates an inner invincibility.

If your life is producing only a whine, instead of the wine, then ruthlessly kick it out. It is definitely a crime for a Christian to be weak in God’s strength.

His Agony, Our Hope

Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples . . . . ’Stay here and watch with Me’ —Matthew 26:36, 38

We can never fully comprehend Christ’s agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, but at least we don’t have to misunderstand it. It is the agony of God and man in one Person, coming face to face with sin. We cannot learn about Gethsemane through personal experience. Gethsemane and Calvary represent something totally unique— they are the gateway into life for us.

 

It was not death on the cross that Jesus agonized over in Gethsemane. In fact, He stated very emphatically that He came with the purpose of dying. His concern here was that He might not get through this struggle as the Son of Man. He was confident of getting through it as the Son of God— Satan could not touch Him there. But Satan’s assault was that our Lord would come through for us on His own solely as the Son of Man. If Jesus had done that, He could not have been our Savior (see Hebrews 9:11-15 ). Read the record of His agony in Gethsemane in light of His earlier wilderness temptation— “. . . the devil . . . departed from Him until an opportune time” ( Luke 4:13 ). In Gethsemane, Satan came back and was overthrown again. Satan’s final assault against our Lord as the Son of Man was in Gethsemane.

The agony in Gethsemane was the agony of the Son of God in fulfilling His destiny as the Savior of the world. The veil is pulled back here to reveal all that it cost Him to make it possible for us to become sons of God. His agony was the basis for the simplicity of our salvation. The Cross of Christ was a triumph for the Son of Man. It was not only a sign that our Lord had triumphed, but that He had triumphed to save the human race. Because of what the Son of Man went through, every human being has been provided with a way of access into the very presence of God.- By Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

Be Ready; He is Risen!

Today, I am taking pause in Christ to reflect on His Focus.  I remember the verses about being thankful and this one in 1 Thessalonians came to mind. "Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this."  When I went back to read this full chapter I knew it had to be the posting of encouragement for us all today.
With love, in Christ for you all,
Candace

Be Ready for the Day of the Lord

1 Thessalonians Chapter 5 from God's Word Translation

 Brothers and sisters, you don’t need anyone to write to you about times and dates.  You know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.  When people say, “Everything is safe and sound!” destruction will suddenly strike them. It will be as sudden as labor pains come to a pregnant woman. They won’t be able to escape.  But, brothers and sisters, you don’t live in the dark. That day won’t take you by surprise as a thief would.  You belong to the day and the light not to the night and the dark.  Therefore, we must not fall asleep like other people, but we must stay awake and be sober. People who sleep, sleep at night; people who get drunk, get drunk at night. Since we belong to the day, we must be sober. We must put on faith and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet. It was not God’s intention that we experience his anger but that we obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake in this life or asleep in death, we will live together with him. Therefore, encourage each other and strengthen one another as you are doing.

Brothers and sisters, we ask you to show your appreciation for those leaders who work among you and instruct you. We ask you to love them and think very highly of them because of the work they are doing. Live in peace with each other. We encourage you, brothers and sisters, to instruct those who are not living right, cheer up those who are discouraged, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. Make sure that no one ever pays back one wrong with another wrong. Instead, always try to do what is good for each other and everyone else.
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this. Don’t put out the Spirit’s fire.  Don’t despise what God has revealed.  Instead, test everything. Hold on to what is good.  Keep away from every kind of evil.

May the God who gives peace make you holy in every way. May he keep your whole being—spirit, soul, and body—blameless when our Lord Jesus Christ comes. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.Brothers and sisters, pray for us.

Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss.In the Lord’s name, I order you to read this letter to all the brothers and sisters.

The good will of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Do you See the Joy?

I thought it would be a wonderful focus on this Good Friday if we were to try and SEE what Christ saw before Him. Let's start with defining this Greek word hupomeno, we use it as endure in Hebrews 12:2.

1. to tarry behind  
2. to remain i.e. abide, not recede or flee  
3. to preserve: under misfortunes and trials to hold fast to one's faith in Christ  
4. to endure, bear bravely and calmly: ill treatments  

Hebrews 12:2 (GW translation) We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith. He saw the joy ahead of him, so he endured death on the cross and ignored the disgrace it brought him. Then he received the highest position in heaven, the one next to the throne of God.

  

Another translation speaks or Christ "despising" the shame of the cross. Here it says Christ ignored the disgrace, however it is more than simply not paying attention to it. This Greek word Kataphroneo means to think little or nothing of something. 

So what God is trying to show us is that we must See what Jesus saw. He thought SO much of his destiny; being back in the throne room of God, having everything placed as a footstool under His feet and pulling all things back together for all eternity that the joy was too large for death to distract Him. Satan threw all the chaos, turmoil, deception and pain that He could at Him, but Christ knew, saw and believed in the things not seen. He trusted, He had faith and He was and is Faithful.

So....We must Focus on JESUS. He is the source, He IS the Goal of our Faith. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9 24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

  

This is my prayer for us all: That we see what Christ saw and that we learn as the great cloud of witnesses before us learned so that we can endure - making it to the joy that is set before us.

With Love, in Christ,
Candace

Sing From My Heart Your Great Wisdom

Psalm 50:15 "Call on me in times of trouble, I will rescue you, and you will honor me."

Good Morning Father!

I thank you for this day. For your mercy which starts it and your grace that gets me through.

I praise you, your design is complete. Each moment you saw beforehand, each opportunity in its place, the knowledge of your will extended, the opportunity available and within our reach.

I ask for your understanding, to wait till I feel your peace, to be lifted as I see the formation and the joy to propel your perfect speed.

Sing from my heart your great wisdom; dazzle us all with your will. Propel us into your timing, your pathway perfectly laid. Raise us up this morning, together to claim your ways; all of us with one motive, an offering to our King.

Today help us remember, as we focus on His calling and plea: Life is for the living, death only part of this life; it is not the final position...only the collision between earth bound and our heavenly flight.

I pray for the angels that are charging, to be felt when the pressure is on, for all the intercessions of your righteousness, to pour heavily and ease the strife. For at the right moment, you hear us, and at the perfect moment you came. We all are bound in your victory; Hallelujah to our risen Lord.

God is Almighty in the Highest; His kingdom reaches and fills all things. Not bound to just the heavens, but now released to set the captives free.  Selah

In Christ,
Candace

Psalm 50
A Psalm by Asaph

The Lord, the only true God, has spoken.
he has summoned the earth from where the sun rises to where it sets.
God shines from Zion, the perfection of beauty.
Our God will come and will not remain silent.
A devouring fire is in front of him and a raging storm around him.
He summons heaven and earth to judge his people;
"Gather around me, my godly people who have mane a pledge to me through sacrifices."
The heavens announce his righteousness because God is the judge.    Selah
"Listen, my people, and I will speak.
Listen, Israel, and I will testify against you:  I am God, your God!
I am not criticizing you for your sacrifices or burnt offerings, which are always in front of me.
[But] I will not accept [another] young bull from your household or a single male goat from your pens.
Every creature in the forest, [even] the cattle on a thousand hills, is mine.
If I were hungry, I would not tell you, because the world  and all that it contains are mine.
Do I eat the meat of bulls or drink the gloos of goats?
Bring [your] thanks to God as a sacrifice, and keep your vows to the Most High.
Call on me in times of trouble.
I will rescue you, and you will honor me."
But God says to wicked people,  "How dare you quote my decrees and mouth my promises!
You hate disicpline, you toss my words behind you.
When you see a thief you want to make friends with him.
You keep company with people who commit adultery.
You let your mouth say anything evil.
Your tongue plans deceit.
You sit and talk against your own brother.
You slander your own mother's son.
When you did these things, I remained silent.
[That}made you think I was like you.
I will argue my point with you and lay it all out for you to see.
Consider this, you people who forget God.
Otherwise, I will tear you to pieces, and there will be no one left to rescue you.
Who offers thanks as a sacrifice honors me.
I will let everyone who continues in my way see the salvation that comes from God."

He is the Craftsman and We are His Tool

Cooperation

I can remember several times when I have been trying to get a task completed and I have to use some "handy-dandy" tool. If I did not have the tool, such as this great laser alignment gizmo my brother in law got my husband one year, it would have taken me over an hour to hang pictures. Another time I had a flat and if I had not had the jack as well as the wrench / lug nut apparatus I would not have been able to change my tire. Someone with upper body strength as a passenger would have been an asset at the time, but non the less I had what I needed to be able to get the job done.

Today I was listening to a sermon and heard the minister say the word COOPERATE. It hit me...we are God's tool. Will we cooperate with him? God is in control, will we allow Him to perform a function : exert power or influence through us, or will we miss out? God is wielding a series of operations 24/7, will he be able to use us? God follows a course of conduct this is often irregular to our world. He told us His ways are higher than our ways. He said that they ways to a fool seem right. Let's not be a fool....let's be a tool!

I pray that Today, we all feel His hand, His strength, His skill around us, supporting us and enabling us to co-operate through our day working His projects and getting His results.

Praise be to God and all glory in the Highest, Christ is Risen Indeed,
With Love,
Candace

I hope you enjoy reflecting on this poem - it helped me understand how this all applies to me. I hope you find the same.

A Tool in His Shed

I did create you. You were perfectly planned,
With the mouth of a lion, protective and strong,
And the beauty of a butterfly with flight set on a path.
The experience of deliverance, and truth, held you tight,
It’s bound around your waist and written on your heart.
Your help is through me and now you can boast,
Compassion is felt due to turbulence known.
Though the weight of the journey could have crushed your frail wings
Not one hair was harmed so give thanks to my mighty hand.
Color enhanced and beauty increased,
Mercy and freedom is what your voice beams.
Courage of the lion, fierce protection of my truth,
So tender to the protected, gaining strength to move on.
To stand firm in their own rights, which is my kingdom and their home,
Move swiftly and gracefully and with precision and skill,
All who are before you will shrink to your force,
Of Godspeed and confidence, of my vision in your eye,
My voice in your ear deflects all other sounds,
Your mission is my will, my salvation to the lost,
With purpose and a plan made before you were even born.
You are in my hand, a tool I am to use,
Your strength from my arm…your place where I put,
I turn, when needed, with precise push and pull.
You are to stop when I do not move,
My hand is fitting… my touch you know.
No other were you made for, casting my part,
To others you are useless and to fit would be so obviously forced.
Relax in my presence, all pressure removed,
Simple and perfect… a job done with ease.
I am not worried, so why do you need?
Confidence, my lovely, for your place is with me.
I am your shield, your vision, your way,
Just listen and follow, all through your days.
By Candace Huffmaster

Seeing "True Beauty" Emerge

Most of the days we spend reaching through the chaos, till we fight the good fights long enough to see the true beauty emerge.

This part of Kaleidoscope Butterfly is dedicated to supporting those help others fight the good fight.