As promised, another blog post.  And this time it only took a month and not a year. I call that success! Haha!

For this post I feel a free write poem is the right choice.  The word "Rise" came to mind.  So here goes... a poem on the spot, from the perspective of God speaking. 

RISE
Rise and shine, my child,
for the Son is up,
up and on the move,
moving to bring the new day.

Rise and shake,
shake off the worries,
worries and weariness of the past,
the past that is behind you.

Rise and be clothed,
be clothed in my kingdom Spirit,
my kingdom Spirit of righteousness,
of righteousness, peace and joy.

Rise and feast,
feast on my Word,
my Word of truth,
truth that brings freedom and life.

Rise and speak,
speak my decrees,
my decrees and promises,
promises which I always fulfill.

Rise in my strength,
my strength and my victory,
my victory and my authority,
my authority which is absolute.

Rise in my identity,
my identity which is your identity,
your identity through the blood,
the blood of the Risen Son.

Wow, thank you Lord for a quick and powerfully loaded poem!

Scripture references this reminds me of:

Lamentations 3:22-24 
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Isaiah 43:18-19 
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit

Isaiah 61:10
I delight greatly in the Lord;
    my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
    and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness

John 8:31-32
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

 Psalm 119:57-58 
You are my portion, Lord;
    I have promised to obey your words.
I have sought your face with all my heart;
    be gracious to me according to your promise.

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Psalm 141:3 
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!

Isaiah 55:11 
So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Mark 11:23 
Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.

John 8:36
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 

John 14:12 
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

Romans 8:37
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 

2 Peter 1:3
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 

1 John 5:4-5
for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

And I could go on, but shall stop there for now. Be blessed!

A post at last, tada!  I have been meaning to get around to this multiple times... and I keep getting encouragement every so often from people to get into this again... so here is another post, finally finally FINALLY.  The season just changed... to the season that is associated with change... so I figure it's a good time to do this.

This post will be a free write style... later I will do a longer reflective post.  Really.  I will.  Really really REALLY.  

Side note... as a words and grammar geek... isn't the alliteration of this particular post title totally super splendid and phonetically fun? 
(I could not resist putting alliteration into the side note apparently... this is what happens when I  have had caffeine and it's late haha) ​

Lessons Learned:

• I love coffee (not black).  Espresso milkshakes are particularly delicious.
• I love the coffee shop atmosphere... and a couple of locally owned places in particular.
• Caffeinated coffee after 3 + me = no sleep until 3 a.m.
• Figs + Goat cheese + walnuts + rosemary on toast is a thing... a yummy thing. 

• It is possible to have the ability to truly trust people as old barriers come down and God brings healing. 
• Healthy relationships require effort... vulnerability, intentionality, humility, honesty... it's not easy but it can be done by the grace of God.  And it's worth it.
• I have come a long way, had lots of healing, but there is still more... there are layers...
• God is not bound by time, and He can bring about restoration in many ways.
• I can be healed to the point that I am comfortable in my own skin.
• I can push past old boundaries with new boldness and courage with what I call "Holy Spirit oomph" (the word "energy" or "vitality" could be substituted for oomph, but oomph is way more fun, right?)
• No matter my age, I am young... with wisdom and maturity... young at heart and youthful. 
• God can revive old hopes and dreams that have gone dormant, or even been forgotten.
• If God and His favor are on it, He can bring about a swift life direction change. 

And two things that I already knew, but I have rediscovered...

God has a sense of humor.
God likes to surprise.
Standing on God's Word and praising God are two POWERFUL tools and weapons that shift the focus and perspective back on the truth and bring hope and life. 
​
So there it is... a free write musing on lessons learned... 

Stay tuned for more rambling to come on these lessons learned.

Last thought... I have been holding tightly to this... 
​
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~ Jeremiah 29:11 

More than ever, prayer is needed.  I was inspired by the Holy Spirit while interceding to write this poem, which is more than just a poem, it's a prayer and a declaration in faith.  God is still on His throne, He is not surprised, He cannot be shaken, and nothing is impossible with Him.  As the church rises up in faith and prayer, we will see the atmosphere shift and things change as God moves on our behalf.  If His people seek Him.  

"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."  2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV

GOD IS ON HIS THRONE - A PRAYER AND DECLARATION

God is on His throne
His armies are on the move
His people are rising up
Just ahead is breakthrough

Heaven's angels are released
To fight for our country
They fight to bring Heaven
Into our reality

Let the cry ring out
Let the people sing
God has brought victory
God has brought healing

Let the people rejoice
Let the people dance
As goodness and mercy flow
Over all the land

Justice will prevail
Wickedness will be exposed
Wrong will be made right
As the truth is made known

God's will shall be done
His law will shine bright
Our country will find hope
And thrive in the light

Liberty and justice
Will go hand in hand
Freedom will reign
As righteousness stands

One nation indivisible
Is one nation under God
When the nation aligns with Heaven
The nation will not fall

Rise up oh people of God
Rise up and pray
That we as a nation
Would be in God's grace

Rise up and declare
Our nation will live its destiny
And answer the call
To display God's glory

Shout it out loud
That the land of the free
Shall be free indeed
Through Christ's victory

And let it be said
We're the home of the brave
Because we sought God
And rose up in faith

Oh say can you see
The light of dawn is near
Though perilous the fight is
Still God's salvation is here

Let our cause be just
Let us in God trust
And let us in triumph say
That our nation by God was saved

And let us proclaim
That our Heaven rescued land
Is blessed with victory and peace
And preserved by God's hand

God is on His throne
He will not be shaken
His kingdom will reign
As His people awaken

The Lord look upon us,
And bless us under His keep
The Lord's face shine upon us
And shower us with grace and peace 


I felt I should incorporate some things specific to the USA, as that is what this is for, so I have woven some things from the Pledge of Allegiance and the Star Spangled Banner in there.  The last lines are inspired by Numbers 6:24-26
"The Lord bless you, and keep you;
The Lord cause His face to shine on you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His face to you,
And give you peace."