Time stops for no one.  It’s your choice how you spend it.  Make your choice count.  When you pursue the Lord, the enemy will do everything to STOP you.  When you choose to BREATHE and focus your thoughts on Jesus, you allow the Holy Spirit to guide you.  Let’s go on a virtual journey where we recognize time stopping for nothing, the enemy wants to make you ineffective, yet we are determined to stay the course in our pursuit to finish the race of the day with our mind renewed by our Lord.

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Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock…

The sun rises gracefully over the mountains in a warm embrace, patiently waiting to announce the arrival of the new day as the curtains of clouds are pulled back and the longing for hope calls out.

The nudge of something greater that is surprisingly never intrusive, invigorates and ignites a deeper calling that awakens with the sound of joyous melodies flowing, then the crescendo of the morning symphony erupts in triumphant celebration. A stirring from the call of the wild shaped by the beauty of what lies within, fitted perfectly to where the feet will travel for a calling to come out of the darkness and into the light to carry a message of hope that has been delivered. The day has begun.

Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick…

The war begins.  The battle is on.  The challenge to stay the course with every step is debilitating on a road not yet traveled where weeds tower and skew the path.

The bomb is defused.  The journey continues.  Breathe.  Rest.  Embrace.  Step forward.  No looking back.  Onward, soldier.

Set your compass toward True North.  Don’t look left.  Don’t look right.  Keep pressing forward.  Don’t retreat.  Upward, hinds’ feet were meant for these high places.  Breathe in.  Slowly release it back out.

Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick…

STOP!

Retreat, coward.  You have no knowledge of where you go. Failure is your real name.  

Brave, you are not.  Retreat.  No path can be seen. 

BREATHE. 

Trust the plan. Step carefully. 

STOP!

No need to continue.  Danger lurks. 

BREATHE.

Press on.  A diamond in the rough is far more valuable than a synthetic stone.  Step high.  Pick up your knees.  Your crown is your glory and your faith is your shield.  Your feet are fitted for this journey.  Take your next step.

STOP!

You will drop it.  

Lurking in the shadows; fear is your master.

BREATHE.

Approaching the end.  

The light closes in.  

Victory is within reach.  

The baton cannot slip. 

STOP!

Your worth is not your veil. 

Fault is your mask.

Don’t deny the pain you caused.

Shame is your brand.

BREATHE in love.

Look into the stream.  

A reflection of honor from His love portrays strength.

BREATHE in truth.

The aroma of a fragrant offering given in sacrifice, is now yours.  Step into the snowy pureness of your robe and rest.

BREATHE in hope.

Eat from the Father’s vine, for it shall not return void.  Anchor your heart and guard your mind.

BREATHE in mercy.

You have been delivered from misery.  

A refreshing breeze relaxes your soul.

The golden color of new life illuminates the dance floor in an elegant waltz of glowing fireflies.

BREATHE grace.

Freedom is yours from the chains of accusation, fear, failure, and so much more.  Taste the amazing honeycomb; the sweetness evokes the palate and a whisper of softness brushes your face with a smile.  The tree swing lifts you up to a place where you must soar and take flight.  Glee takes your breath away.

Tick tock…tick tock…tick tock…

The sun’s exploding power begins to fold behind the grays and blues of the mountain range.  The trees silhouette the skyline with a fence of grace and mercy. The moon soothes the weariness and the ballroom dance of the nighttime parallels the hues of violet in the sky.  The babbling brook blankets over the stones of a victory remembered and marked for such a time as this.

Tick tock…tick tock…

“May the Lord bless you and keep you.   May He shine his face upon you. May He give you peace, now and forever more.” Slumber navigates and soothes. The bones rejuvenate for another chapter of victory. The day has closed.

Tick tock…

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It is my prayer that you will take captive every moment of every day for Christ, and live “forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, pressing on toward the goal to win the prize for which you have been called heavenward in Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 3:14).

Joyfully Healing from the Inside Out,