What Do I LOOK Like?

The last couple of days I have been drenched in the presence of a Holy and Loving God.  He has allowed me the privilege of praying for people I know, and even those I do not.  I have been reading a great book...it's been stepping on my toes, but that is good, too. I have been reading one of my favorite blogs.

In all these different avenues of my life...God is speaking to me. Showing me new things. Building a heart of compassion in me.  I am seeing differently. Feeling differently. Wanting to LOOK differently.

I have so many whispers in my heart from God.  So many seeds that want to grow, and are...little by little. I have come so far in my walk, yet I have so far to go. I fail. I get up. The Lord gingerly whispers again to my spirit.

I am pondering the holidays quickly approaching. Thanksgiving...Christmas...A New Year...What do I look like to those who spend time with me, even if for the minutest moment?  Do I look different from the masses?  Do I show God's splendor in my expressions? Does my Home point to the creator?  Do people See JESUS when they see me, or do they see hypocrisy?  Of course there is a little of that in everyone...we are after all, human and in being so...we are less than perfect.  Do I talk the talk and forget my walk? Do I live out my passions, convictions or just talk about them? 

The upcoming holidays have struck a chord in me.  I want them to look different.  I want them to be MORE than the shoe box we pack for a few children.  More than buying gifts for people who have everything they could possibly need or want.  More than just reading the birth of Christ from the Bible or saying our thanks to the All Powerful God of the Universe around the Thanksgiving meal.  More than empty Resolutions for the coming New Year.  I want to DO more.  I want to LOOK different. I don't know how to do that...people already think we're weird... No Santa...No Tree...No Stockings....but that is just the baby steps to what God is laying on my heart. I want to be INTENTIONAL.

Lord, use this vessel.  Pour into me what you would have me pour out to others.  Change my countenance like you changed Moses' when he radiated as he descended the mountain from being in Your presence. May I walk in your presence and look to you for ALL things.
 

Good Food...

 I love good food! By "good" I mean food made with quality ingredience; Food that someone has taken the time to prepare; Food that is as lovely to look at as it is to eat; Food that awakens all my senses. It can be simple, like fresh baked bread, or labor intensive like La Duni's Quatro Leche Cake.  A plate of delicious grapes, fresh mozorella and special crackers is a wonderful treat. Sounds picky doesn't it? The problem is...it takes time and effort to produce such a meal, or snack. Not only is the preparation a little more time consuming...the eating should be as well.  I love to enjoy what I'm eating.  First of all you taste all the flavors. Secondly, you actually stay satisfied longer.

The same applies to our relationship with the Lord.  The Bible says:

 "And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst."; "I am the vine, ye are the branches:"; "O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him." ( John 6:35, John 15:5a & Psalms 34:8)

It is not just a quick "Hey Lord, how's it going today? Guide me today and keep me safe." or "Father, you are Holy. Thank you for today...bless me and keep me from harm.  Help me to do your will."  You see, even though those prayers are BOTH great, without a relationship with the Lord of Lords that you are praying to...do they reach much further than the ceiling?  Taste...that takes time.  Have you ever REALLY tasted.  When you do, you will hunger and thirst no more.  He is our portion and he is the "quality ingredience" we need to make life enjoyable.