One Word:: a necklace

Liz Eaton One Word necklace

Here's another token of One Word. This necklace is made by another talented Etsy artist, Liz Eaton. She also created a few others like this one.

I think they're wonderful. And I find myself so engaged in the One Word notion, that it became momentarily comical when I realized how enough was already bumping up against more. Well, what do you know?

For now, I'm not really doing anything about this. Just noticing. Noticing and being aware are good journey partners, don't you think? I can go deeper into what I've learned about this, but for now I'll just say, non-judgmental awareness is one of the best concepts I've encountered. And, I'll be happy to learn all there is just watching for now.

I will say that as I noted my wants jumping for joy I heard a voice in the back of my head, from my other favorite pastor in the world: Kenton Beshore, at Mariner's Church in Orange County. Kenton said, with such grace and boldness: "What's the one thing most people in Orange County don't have?" (sustained pause and the answer is?) 

"Enough."

And, isn't the necklace just lovely?

One Word

I'm very, very excited to be embarking on a new journey.

One Word.

My beautiful friend Krissy called me Saturday and suggested I look at the One Word 365 website. She wanted me to think about joining her on the journey this year. I was instantly intrigued and thought I had a word right away. Kris, being very wise, suggested I try on the word for a while. So I did.

That night I got into bed with a book I'd purchased online, rather randomly, during some after-Christmas shopping. The title truly intrigued me, especially the simplicity of the cover, so I bought it.

I started to read and within a page, I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that my word had found me.

enough.

Something I don't always know that I have.

Since the call, I've read a bit. Prayed a bit. Settled on the word. Joined a FB page, connected with an Etsy artist who shoots pics of words on the beach, ordered that picture of my word and through the miracle of God doing what He does, found the website of the pastor (that would be the photographer's pastor (I know...right...)) who started MyOneWord. Whew!

All I can say, is watch the video, listen to content, read, look around and think -- would you want to join a few of us who are holding a word with God, one word, for a whole year?

My 13 year old is in. Trust.

You?

Winter light

I was surprised this morning - in the dark and cold kitchen - how lighting one candle could change the room so completely. The light reached into corners and fell far from its position, its place. High and low. My vision changes, my sight and also my heart warms to light. Of course, I can and need to see the analogy to Christ, the Light in the darkness, and to love and lightness of spirit.
I can bring light.
And while light doesn't have the same effect in light conditions, it is still light and still, attractive -- warming as it shifts ambiance.
There is so much about light. The Light.
And the analogy to this new learning in the Messianic influences relates so clearly. As we learn of the Feasts of Israel, so much light is shed on what God is saying to His people. Especially at His ingrafting. These olive branches from another tree -- us.
He made all of this intimacy for His own created and chosen people and allows them to demonstrate how fickle and temporal we humans can be. How we see things. How we in our earthly lives have assurance from the pillar of cloud by day and still fear He won't give us what we really need. Or want.
I see it.
We have the same condition.
I have the same condition, my vision is dim when I don't focus on the light in the day, the light in the darkness. His sun rises. A given that He is here. The creation sings of His glory. Even in the barrenness of winter the Redbud tree grows. It doesn't display a leaf or a flower but His work, His design continues to grow and flourish.
And ah ha! It may not look the way we want it to - but it grows and we wait.
If we trust and enjoy/experience patience and its required exercise -- we have the great gifts of that pleasing show of spring buds and the green-to-yellow glow of covering leaves. We are blessed in season.
But we, the watchers of Israel's old behaviors, forget the folly of the ones we follow and we/I, don't appreciate the wintering for our growth.
Light in the darkness.
Illumination to His design and perhaps, even, His plan.

God and resoutions

God is showing me lots of new things.
He's calling me into more exploring and joy and purpose.

And then I read this great post from Lindsay McPhail.
What is God breathing into you?