Making Lent Linger - contemplating the next preparation...

Our lenten season was full of pressing in closer to the Lord, and what He desired for us to receive...

I was determined to speak only kind words to sweet tweener, even in the midst of any "tweener storms", and I think she was really trying to give up "arguing" or "talking back" (tho' she believes she is simply sharing her heart when it happens - smiling) - she didn't tell me so, but I heard and saw her check herself on more than one occasion, and she alluded to something "she was giving up" for lent...

one of those things a mother ponders in her heart!

I didn't want to pry; I wanted her to enjoy her personal interaction with the Lord - so I still don't know...but there weren't any tweener storms, just little spurts of being irritated at what the other said or done - no doubt bouts of carnality in each of our hearts;

the very reason we each desperately need the Lord  -

we counted the days with a stalk of wheat around the Lenten calendar that we ordered and Caleb Voskamp made -


...but I'm not quite ready to let go of this marking of time;

I'm not quite ready to even examine if the Lord accomplished a work in my heart;

I just want to still be in this contemplative place...

And so we are still counting...

We started with the day that First Fruits was celebrated - we know that day by the name of "Easter" -

Yes, Easter is the celebration of the Lord's Resurrection, but it is also First Fruits - a separate feast from Passover yet connected intimately to it, appointed by the LORD, and celebrated faithfully by observant Jews - and I didn't even know about it for so many years...

Another time of joy that points to Jesus as our Messiah...and the beginning of another count - one of 50 days.  Perhaps an invitation to practice Resurrection into new life?  Not just to celebrate His, but to begin the journey of making it our own; that every day of our life in Him is a little resurrection in and of itself? 

We are into day 4 of the count...would you like to join us?  And contemplate along with us?

This is what we are doing:

1) We have made a "count down" calendar...

Click here to download the plain "Word" version...

Click here to download a jpg image of the calendar...

2) Each day there is a reading from the Scripture

3) When we have finished the reading, we mark the calendar and place another stalk of wheat in a vase...we began with the stalk of wheat that traveled around the Lenten Calendar with us...

Our vase today...

The first readings are from Psalm 119 - one letter of the alphabet each day -

There's plenty of time to...

         Join us!?

Sharing with Walk with Him Wednesdays                                 And Imperfect Prose here                      

The Shelter of Sanctuary...

 
sanc·tu·ar·y

The word has flitted around my heart since last November...

when my word for this year, 

contemplate, 

was forming/growing/crystallizing 

in place...

like the many facets of a well-cut gem,

or the ever changing designs from the way light reflects through the glass shards of kaleidoscopes,

the idea continues to sparkle and glitter.  

"The Lord gathering them to my heart joined with His...

the thoughts migrating towards His voice..."

What is sanctuary?  What does it mean to you?

More information will be coming, an exploration of this idea, this one of "sanctuary" ...

Joining with Emily and other imperfects at Imperfect Prose

Sparrow practice...

 

All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word:
freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope.

-Sir Winston Churchill

My single words:
fullness.  simplicity.  stretching.  joy.  stillness.  sanctuary.  shelter.  peace.  contentment.

Working on painting birds without sketching first,

enjoying my 36 days with the Lord,

Him calling together the thoughts taking wing,

them migrating to His voice...

Linking with Emily at :




Joining with Jennifer and other creatives...

Autumn lingering

Finally, pouring cold rain after the long hot draught - and the colors so rich, having remained day after day, unusual for a Texas fall, (which is normally perhaps 1 week long).  I raced out during a break in the sheeting rain, the sky still sprinkling, because I feared the color would be gone after the sure freeze of the night...

A canopy of reds and greens - autumn nodding its head towards Christmas?

Autumn's arms beckoned, loaded with color...

unwilling to release her treasures,

a rich surprise after the ravages of the scorching summer...

Entering the circle drive - plus photoshopped with "Fresco"...love the painting type look!

Nature had clung to life - had her fingers forgotten how to let go?

No! She was pausing, asking the Creator...

"May I stay here just a bit longer? 

I don't want to rush towards the time to come...

Let me linger here,

with You,

longer?"

The other side of the driveway - the county road is below

Just this - her wish -

whispered in my spirit...

"Stop."

"Look."

"Listen."

and I wanted to...

beyond the fairy garden

"Stop" - Be present in this moment

Right outside the front door

"Look" - Be aware. See what is right around you

Over the ridge and down the street

"Listen" - What do you hear?  Sounds without - thoughts within?

Beyond the garden - deer rest just below that hill, and come up to snack on my garden if I am not careful to put the "liquid fence" around it periodically!

"Stop."

"Look."

"Listen."

Linger long with the Lord...

Not holly, but the oaks are trying their best!

 No matter what the season...

Joining with Emily and other imperfects at Imperfect Prose

A Psalm of Cinquains - X, Y, Z

Today marks the end of the journey through our English alphabet...and now that we are here, I have been inspired to gather these together in a booklet!  Still working on that, hopefully it will be ready to unveil after Thanksgiving...

"X"
Χριστός...
the Messiah...
Anointed One...anoint
me, bless me, cover me...please dwell
with me.

"Y"
Your Name
is the embrace
of who You are - and as
my soul considers, Your glory
fills me.

"Z"
Zion
God's Holy Hill
Here we gather to sing;
For Mount Horeb has been fulfilled
by Grace!

Just a note for your understanding this more fully....Mt. Horeb is another name for Mt. Sinai, where the law was given...
Mount Zion refers to the dwelling place of God, even tho' is is also part of the city of Jerusalem, especially when thinking of ancient Jerusalem and the part of Jerusalem called "The City of David".  Mount Zion is therefore associated with grace, and not the law...
Also, at one time I learned an acronym for grace: God's Riches At Christ's Expense...so perhaps now you know the fullness of where I went with this poem!


 I recently got inspired by David's work in writing Psalm 119...and at the same time had come across this instruction (from an old homeschool English book) for writing cinquains...I am sure it wasn't just a serendipitous coincidence!  So here I am, taking the 26 letters of the English alphabet and creating my own Psalm of Cinquain for my Lord...(one a week for imperfect prose, now upped to 2- or more!)

Joining with Emily and other imperfects at imperfect prose...

Here is the pattern for writing a cinquain: 
Line 1 - states the title.........................2 syllables
Line 2 - describes the title....................4 syllables
Line 3 - expresses an action ................6 syllables
Line 4 - expresses a feeling..................8 syllables
Line 5 - another word for the title.........2 syllables

Would you like to join me in writing your own?

A Psalm of Cinquains - U, V, and W

"U"
Under
the shadow of
His Wing we pause, finding
a place to rest, sanctuary,
His Peace.

"V"
You are
the Vine, I am
just a branch - grafted in,
nourished by pure Love, flowing with
true Life.

"W"
Worship
Him in Spirit
and in Truth - reality
meets belief - and we offer all
to Him.

I recently got inspired by David's work in writing Psalm 119...and at the same time had come across this instruction (from an old homeschool English book) for writing cinquains...I am sure it wasn't just a serendipitous coincidence!  So here I am, taking the 26 letters of the English alphabet and creating my own Psalm of Cinquain for my Lord...(one a week for imperfect prose, now upped to 2- or more!)

Joining with Emily and other imperfects at imperfect prose...

Here is the pattern for writing a cinquain: 
Line 1 - states the title.........................2 syllables
Line 2 - describes the title....................4 syllables
Line 3 - expresses an action ................6 syllables
Line 4 - expresses a feeling..................8 syllables
Line 5 - another word for the title.........2 syllables

Would you like to join me in writing your own?

A Psalm of Cinquains - R, S, and T

"R"
Return
and rest in Him...
then quietness and trust
become your strength - when you press in
to Him.

"S"
Jesus,
our Covenant
Maker; a blood treaty
with the power of eternity...
Savior!

"S"
Saved from
sin: the problem,
the penalty, the prac-
tice, and in the end, sin's presence...
by Him!
 
"T"
Teacher,
teach me to be:
salt and light, merciful,
humble, holy, moldable, true...
like You...


I recently got inspired by David's work in writing Psalm 119...and at the same time had come across this instruction (from an old homeschool English book) for writing cinquains...I am sure it wasn't just a serendipitous coincidence!  So here I am, taking the 26 letters of the English alphabet and creating my own Psalm of Cinquain for my Lord...(one a week for imperfect prose, now upped to 2- or more!)

Joining with Emily and other imperfects at imperfect prose...

Here is the pattern for writing a cinquain: 
Line 1 - states the title.........................2 syllables
Line 2 - describes the title....................4 syllables
Line 3 - expresses an action ................6 syllables
Line 4 - expresses a feeling..................8 syllables
Line 5 - another word for the title.........2 syllables

Would you like to join me in writing your own?

A Psalm of Cinquains - O and P and Q

"O"
Only
You, Lord, are True;
only You are the same
yesterday, today, forever...
for me!

"P"
Your peace
surpasses all
understanding, and my
understanding of You must be
by faith.

"Q"
Quail rained
down each evening,
sweet manna with the dew...
each pointing to this Truth: He will
provide.

(Did you wonder what "Q" would bring to mind? I know I did - smiles - ..."X" promises to be intriguing, as well as "Z" - oh, just as I typed that, the word "Zion" popped in...I think I do have "Z" now!)

I recently got inspired by David's work in writing Psalm 119...and at the same time had come across this instruction (from an old homeschool English book) for writing cinquains...I am sure it wasn't just a serendipitous coincidence!  So here I am, taking the 26 letters of the English alphabet and creating my own Psalm of Cinquain for my Lord...(one a week for imperfect prose, now upped to 2- or more!)

Joining with Emily and other imperfects at imperfect prose...

Here is the pattern for writing a cinquain: 
Line 1 - states the title.........................2 syllables
Line 2 - describes the title....................4 syllables
Line 3 - expresses an action ................6 syllables
Line 4 - expresses a feeling..................8 syllables
Line 5 - another word for the title.........2 syllables

Would you like to join me in writing your own?

A Psalm of Cinquains - L , M and N

"L"
Jesus,
God's Light Who gives
Light to the world...be my
Light for this moment, this day, this...
my life

"M"
Mercy
and truth have met
together; righteousness
and peace have kissed each other at
the cross.

"M"
Many
are the deep cares
found in the heart, but the
Lord, from rubbled remains, draws forth
blessings.

"N"
New life,
new beginnings,
the old exchanged for new...
now clean, now holy, set apart,
set free!

"N"
Sparrows'
nests find shelter -
and I follow, Your altars
close, peace and safety to try out
new wings.

I recently got inspired by David's work in writing Psalm 119...and at the same time had come across this instruction (from an old homeschool English book) for writing cinquains...I am sure it wasn't just a serendipitous coincidence!  So here I am, taking the 26 letters of the English alphabet and creating my own Psalm of Cinquain for my Lord...(one a week for imperfect prose, now upped to 2- or more!)

Joining with Emily and other imperfects at imperfect prose...

Here is the pattern for writing a cinquain:Line 1 - states the title.........................2 syllables
Line 2 - describes the title....................4 syllables
Line 3 - expresses an action ................6 syllables
Line 4 - expresses a feeling..................8 syllables
Line 5 - another word for the title.........2 syllables

Would you like to join me in writing your own?

A Psalm of Cinquains - h and I; j and k

"H"

Heaven...
radiant the
spectrum beams transparent...
a spectacular display of
Worship

"I"
I will
lay down my life,
take up my cross - that my
heart might be conformed; bearing His
image.

"J"
Jesus,
Messiah King.
Riding forth in splendor,
Hoofbeats sounding the rally cry...
Battle!

"K"
King of
Glory, let my
eyes see You, Your Presence,
infusing the fabric of days...
my days.

I recently got inspired by David's work in writing Psalm 119...and at the same time had come across this instruction (from an old homeschool English book) for writing cinquains...I am sure it wasn't just a serendipitous coincidence!  So here I am, taking the 26 letters of the English alphabet and creating my own Psalm of Cinquain for my Lord...(one a week for imperfect prose, now upped to 2!)

Joining with Emily and other imperfects at imperfect prose...

Here is the pattern for writing a cinquain:Line 1 - states the title.........................2 syllables
Line 2 - describes the title....................4 syllables
Line 3 - expresses an action ................6 syllables
Line 4 - expresses a feeling..................8 syllables
Line 5 - another word for the title.........2 syllables

Would you like to join me in writing your own?

A Psalm of Cinquains - f and g

"F"
Fountain
of Life that gives
Life - bubbling over
with joyful abandon for all
to drink.

"G"
Gracious
God with holy
lovingkindness flowing...
hardened hearts gently open to
His love.

I recently got inspired by David's work in writing Psalm 119...and at the same time had come across this instruction (from an old homeschool English book) for writing cinquains...I am sure it wasn't just a serendipitous coincidence!  So here I am, taking the 26 letters of the English alphabet and creating my own Psalm of Cinquain for my Lord...(one a week for imperfect prose, now upped to 2!)

Joining with Emily and other imperfects at imperfect prose...

Here is the pattern for writing a cinquain:
Line 1 - states the title.........................2 syllables
Line 2 - describes the title....................4 syllables
Line 3 - expresses an action ................6 syllables
Line 4 - expresses a feeling..................8 syllables
Line 5 - another word for the title.........2 syllables

Would you like to join me in writing your own?

A Psalm of Cinquains - e

"E"

He is
Emmanuel...
God with us; Wonderful
Counselor; Redeemer; Friend. My
Jesus!


I recently got inspired by David's work in writing Psalm 119...and at the same time had come across this instruction (from an old homeschool English book) for writing cinquains...I am sure it wasn't just a serendipitous coincidence!  So here I am, taking the 26 letters of the English alphabet and creating my own Psalm of Cinquain for my Lord...(one a week for imperfect prose!)

Joining with Emily and other imperfects at imperfect prose...

Here is the pattern for writing a cinquain:
Line 1 - states the title.........................2 syllables
Line 2 - describes the title....................4 syllables
Line 3 - expresses an action ................6 syllables
Line 4 - expresses a feeling..................8 syllables
Line 5 - another word for the title.........2 syllables

Would you like to join me in writing your own?

A Psalm of Cinquains - d

"D"

Divine
power, beauty,
and wisdom and honor - 
layed aside humbly to become...
human

I recently got inspired by David's work in writing Psalm 119...and at the same time had come across this instruction (from an old homeschool English book) for writing cinquains...I am sure it wasn't just a serendipitous coincidence!  So here I am, taking the 26 letters of the English alphabet and creating my own Psalm of Cinquain for my Lord...(one a week for imperfect prose!)

Joining with Emily and other imperfects at imperfect prose...

Here is the pattern for writing a cinquain:
Line 1 - states the title.........................2 syllables
Line 2 - describes the title....................4 syllables
Line 3 - expresses an action ................6 syllables
Line 4 - expresses a feeling..................8 syllables
Line 5 - another word for the title.........2 syllables

Would you like to join me in writing your own?

A Psalm of Cinquains - c

"C"

A cross
stands distantly
calling to a people
lost...One turns; drawing close, he kneels...
Cleansing!


I recently got inspired by David's work in writing Psalm 119...and at the same time had come across this instruction (from an old homeschool English book) for writing cinquains...I am sure it wasn't just a serendipitous coincidence!  So here I am, taking the 26 letters of the English alphabet and creating my own Psalm of Cinquain for my Lord...(one a week for imperfect prose!)

and linking this week with Jennifer and other creatives at Studio JRU



Joining with Emily and other imperfects at imperfect prose...

Here is the pattern for writing a cinquain:
Line 1 - states the title.........................2 syllables
Line 2 - describes the title....................4 syllables
Line 3 - expresses an action ................6 syllables
Line 4 - expresses a feeling..................8 syllables
Line 5 - another word for the title.........2 syllables

Would you like to join me in writing your own?

A Psalm of Cinquains - b

"B"

Bridegroom
Majesty donned
In passioned quest His bride,
Watching o'er her preparation
with joy..


I recently got inspired by David's work in writing Psalm 119...and at the same time had come across this instruction (from an old homeschool English book) for writing cinquains...I am sure it wasn't just a serendipitous coincidence!  So here I am, taking the 26 letters of the English alphabet and creating my own Psalm of Cinquain for my Lord...(one a week for imperfect prose!)

Joining with Emily and other imperfects at imperfect prose...

Here is the pattern for writing a cinquain:
Line 1 - states the title.........................2 syllables
Line 2 - describes the title....................4 syllables
Line 3 - expresses an action ................6 syllables
Line 4 - expresses a feeling..................8 syllables
Line 5 - another word for the title.........2 syllables

Would you like to join me in writing your own?

A Psalm of Cinquains - a

"A"
Abba
You are awesome
in this place, Holy God.
You receive me in Your Grace, my
Father.

I recently got inspired by David's work in writing Psalm 119...and at the same time had come across this instruction (from an old homeschool English book) for writing cinquains...I am sure it wasn't just a serendipitous coincidence!  So here I am, taking the 26 letters of the English alphabet and creating my own Psalm of Cinquain for my Lord...(one a week for imperfect prose!)

Joining with Emily and other imperfects at imperfect prose...

Here is the pattern for writing a cinquain:
Line 1 - states the title.........................2 syllables
Line 2 - describes the title....................4 syllables
Line 3 - expresses an action ................6 syllables
Line 4 - expresses a feeling..................8 syllables
Line 5 - another word for the title.........2 syllables

Would you like to join me in writing your own?

Trauma Prayers + Kisses from the Savior

by rhymz4jesus at photobucket

  Her face carried the wear of the previous four days; her lips speaking the fullness of her heart overflowing at having been on the receiving end of miracles this week.  The couple did what any shell-shocked family would do...they kept the rhythm of the life before, walking the pattern in an attempt to return the family to "normal", they joined with the body of believers on the first day of the week, as was their custom.   She said that his words were, "We have to; how can we not?" She consented, emotionally stunned and astounded and worn all at once, thankful for his determined leading.  She held in her arms the gift they had been given again...following the rhythm, the pattern...following the familiar path to the church nursery.  They clung to each other - her arms encircling comfort and protection which she had provided for close to two years; her gift sunk deep into her chest, as if the wee one would have crawled through her heart and down into the safety of the womb once again if it were only possible. 

The little gift smiled at the nursery workers who had prayed for her and with her during the first hours after breath had been forced out of lungs so severely that Careflight was called...her mother sharing that they had returned from the journey of facing off with death just Saturday evening - and now it was Sunday morning and the numb of being in the center of death and the blessing of being in the center of the miracle was all mixed together as she shared the story.  And there in the fellowship of women, she shared concern still deep, that the horse stepping on the gift wasn't the only trauma...needles and procedures and the strangeness of the hospital was now lodged in a toddler's heart and mind and the little one was clinging tight to maternal stability...

And I was the one standing closest, petting a tender little head to communicate comfort and understanding - the Spirit strong in saying we don't need to wait for altar call to pray - so warrior mother and one who has been given the privilege of praying over trauma many times in the past laid our hands on the small bruised body, wounded heart, sensitive spirit and went to the throne on the gift's behalf, and as we prayed, that head lifted up, fear being replaced with confidence; trauma memory uprooted by the joy and peace from the Holy Spirit filling up the being and we watched the truth of beauty being given in the place of ashes become real for a toddler as that little gift opened up to life abundant again, climbing from the lap of safety and engaging in what had been her normal Sunday morning activity for almost two years, as if nothing unusual had happened over the past week and it all happened in the fellowship of women at the gathering of believers on the first day of the week...

And we all felt the kisses of the Lord as our hearts and hands praised His lovingkindness...

Joining with Emily and other imperfects at Imperfect Prose

Crossed Ways

Glory moments come knocking in disguises...

I can miss this friend dressed as stranger, my eyes blind to God's ways in the ordinary...

I must lift them up to the One who helps correct the vision, the perception - lenses adjusted to see into the spirit realm, to see the multitudes at the ready to come to my aid...

Photo Source

My sweet tweener and I had gotten cross-ways with each other…as I finished combing the snags out of her beautiful curls, the gentle whispers of the Holy Spirit started filling in “the rest of the story”…then, as we shared some art time shortly after, our conversation naturally turned towards the issue that had been at the root of our little conflict – and we had such a rich, full, insightful, deep into each other’s hearts sharing time! And  I was able to speak into her what God had been telling me about her purpose and calling at the same time!

Crossed ways redeemed by Cross Ways!

Joining with Emily and other imperfects at:

The Beauty of Holiness....part 10...final thoughts

 Yes, I believe this series is at its close...but I am sure insights will continue as the Lord teasingly brings His ideas of holiness and beauty across my mind (said with smiles).  But I love where He has brought these final thoughts...1 Thessalonians 5:23:

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete...

Image source

And what does this verse say about the beauty of holiness, the holiness that is full of the beauty of His love and His nature (through the fruit of the Spirit)?  First it is a promise that He will work it in us - by sanctifying us entirely.  You see, to be sanctified is to be made holy...the word in Greek is a form of hagios, meaning to be rendered holy, to be set apart and consecrated to God, and to be purified - both externally and internally be the renewing of the soul!  I love this, just reading the definition transforms me(!) as I - in my past broken thinking - used to think it meant I must be perfect which I knew all too well was an impossibility! 

Secondly, there was a word play going on in my mind (thanks to the playing of the Holy Spirit, I am sure) - of how holy and wholly sound alike...and of how wholeness is the opposite of brokenness...and how that seems to be the message of  "The Beauty of Holiness".  In 1 Thessalonians 5:23, it seems that holiness and wholeness are intrinsically linked.  We will be made whole as we are made holy!  And this action is initiated, powered, and completed by Him and NOT me...my cooperation is a must, but my effort will undoubtedly lead back to brokenness!  And I believe worship is the vehicle of my cooperation; worship is the one activity that keeps my flesh crucified while the work of the Lord in my heart is accomplished.

And since I like word studies, the truth of point 2 is seen in the original language - where the Holy Spirit's word-play is even more clearly seen!

The word translated "entirely" is  holotelḗs (an adjective, derived from hólos, "whole" and télos, "end-purpose") – properly, wholly (holistically), "fully-layered" (all levels present) – describing someone reaching the end-goal of "entire sanctification." 

The word translated "complete" in the next line is  holóklēros (from hólos, "whole" and klḗros, "a lot, cast to better discern God's preferred-will") – properly, "all that is included (apportioned) through divine lot."

Now, plugging those definitions in the appropriate places, the verse says:

"...may the God of peace Himself sanctify you - all the layers that comprise you and bring you totally to your end-purpose, leaving nothing undone or unfinished (holotelḗs); and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved completely - through all that is included or apportioned to you by His divine will (holóklēros), without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ"

Worship...

Where holes in the soul are transformed into wholeness.
Where my twisted effort is replaced by His provision.
Where my failures are brought to the success of His final end-purpose.
Where brokenness is transformed into beauty.  

Where I find my true self.

Worship. Holiness. Wholeness. Beauty.

I know now, the meaning of "Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness...Psalm 29:2"

linking up with emily and other imperfects at Imperfect Prose

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6 
Part 7 
Part 8 
Part 9 

The Beauty of Holiness....part 9...+ a little warfare...

Photo source

Today we will look a little further into the results of the "beautification" process...and to refresh our minds concerning the passage in Esther 2, I have it copied below:

12)...twelve months under the regulations for the women—for the days of their beautification were completed as follows: six months with oil of myrrh and six months with spices and the cosmetics for women...
15)...And Esther found favor in the eyes of all who saw her...
17)The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she found favor and kindness with him...

As I was studying these verses, the Holy Spirit put His spotlight on the numbers of verse 12.  In Biblical signs and types, even the numbers have significant meaning.  Now, I don't go into the numerology direction, trying to predict the future; understanding the symbolism of signs and types simply deepens our understanding of what God is already saying.

With this in mind, the number 12 carries the idea of divine government and apostolic fullness (there were 12 disciples/apostles, 12 stones in the breastplate of the High Priest, 12 loaves of showbread, etc.).  The number 6 has several associations, but for my purpose here, I believe the focus is on 6 as being the number of man; 6 is 1 less than 7, and 7 is the number of God, of perfection, completeness.  I am reminded as I write this of the verse that declares "...all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23).  There were two blocks of time, 6 months each...I believe each 6 month period correlates to one of the 3 forces a believer must overcome in their lives...

the first six month period - representing our carnal nature, the flesh, and dying to the flesh;
the second six month period - representing the world culture, and dying to its influence as the character and nature of Jesus is being fashioned and expressed within;

and the third force is Satan.  Esther does symbolically face and resist Satan later - Haman is a type of Satan.  Haman's name comes from a Persian word that means "magnificent"!  It is easy to see the comparison, and if you know the story, Haman has the same type of pride which brought Satan to his down fall!

In verse 15 we read that Esther found favor - or other ways this word chen חֵןhas been translated, she found grace, graciousness, preciousness, and pleasantness - in the eyes of all who saw her.  She allowed the "beautification" process to have its intended purpose, she submitted humbly to the rigors of the rubbing and scraping (the things God puts in our path to challenge and refine us), and soaked in the perfumes and oils (the nature and presence of Jesus) till what was expressed through her was what we would call....holiness.

The type of holiness that is gentle and reverent with all, even one's own self; a holiness that is not self-abasing or legalistic, but a holiness that is rich in love.  A holiness that is patient, kind, not boastful or proud or arrogant, not jealous; a holiness that is upright, respectful, acting in ways that invite people towards it, that puts others before one's own desires, that doesn't get offended, that seeks out and delights in the truth and rejects unrighteousness even in the guise of religion; a holiness that is full of hope, steadfastness in God's ways, embracing all that God allows to come into their lives; a holiness that dwells on that which is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellent, or worthy of praise...

And such holiness caused her king to find favor with her as well...the kind of favor that caused him to feel faithfulness and zeal towards her!

This is the kind of holiness I want to express...I want my King to be zealous towards me!  (See Zephaniah 3:17 for this zeal!) I want my nature to melt with the nature of Jesus, to the point that we are truly one.  And when this occurs, isn't that the point when I am most able to resist the devil?  And isn't this the point of the most serious warfare - when the enemy would seek to draw me away - when I am pressing closer to Him, living my life in worship to Him...worshiping Him in the beauty of holiness? And the weapon of my warfare?  More worship in the beauty of holiness!

Yes, Lord, let this be so of me!

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Part 7 
Part 8

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