Chris Buchan's Blog; Reaching for a freedom in Life that will allow me to be more like my Lord Jesus

Tuesday, September 04, 2012

Au Revoir


“Au Revoir”

Ok I think a change in blogging is stirring. I have written this blog on and off for nearly 10 years and it started with me just wanting to share with “out there”, where I thought only those that were meant to read would find it. I never shared or advertised or even told anyone about it, it was just for me to vent, express my thoughts and as a result I learned so much about myself as I produced my deliberations while writing. I called it “Reaching for Freedom” because that’s what I felt I needed, freedom from fear of all that was occurring in my life. I realized from the beginning that God would be my companion on this journey that He would be the answer to every need and He was and is.

 However this journey of mine has begun a new season, the old has produced the new and I feel as though I need a new blog start as well. Maybe I’ll pop back and write once in a while as my ex still tries to shake the apple from the tree and rob my joy but on the whole, that part of my journey is over and a fresh new beginning of celebration and joy has begun.

The Lord showed me that I was like a dandelion and resembling a dandelion I had two parts to my life. The yellow flower of youth and beauty that grew bold and strong but in time withered and then the part that was reborn into the fluffy circular seed head of the dandelion, just as beautiful and with purpose as of the first but in an entirely altered way and dwelling.

So I’m ruminating on a new name and description, It will still be my thoughts and feelings, still a place to share, vent, and grow but about my new season in my life.

I’ve come up with “Defending the Dandelion”

The flower symbolism associated with the dandelion is: love me, affection returned; desire, sympathy, faithfulness, happiness and wishes come true. I think that describes me. My defenders are many. God told me to stop trying to justify myself that he was my defender, my protector, guard, supporter, advocate, and shield.  Another is Cliff, my husband, who also supports, loves and defends me. Therefore that’s why I’m naming my new blog “Defending the Dandelion”.

I hope you will follow me and check it out and enjoy my new home…

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

I got married



I got Married!!

If you have read my blog you'll know I never thought those words would come out of my mouth. When I started writing this blog I poured out my story, my fears and my hurts and today reaching for freedom has been recognized for what I believe it is. Freedom for me is lack of fear, in circumstances, in relationships, in life, in love, in everything. I can honestly say it was God that gave me freedom and gave it wings. He healed me, filled me with joy and gave me a life I loved. Then he gave me even more. He gave me love from a man again. 

I love being in love...

My wedding day was one of my best days, as I stood outside the sanctuary, I peeped through the door to see him, and the emotions came crashing in, I love this man, the possibility of loving anyone new again at points seemed so far away from the trust that I could find but God changed that when He healed me. I looked at the man who I was about to marry and I felt so excited, loved, and filled with joy. This was my best friend, who had always been there even when he wasn't there. Falling in love with Cliff was easy to do because I loved him already, I trusted him already and I know God knew me enough to know that's what I needed. I am so grateful and thankful, for what has happened in my life. God has blessed me beyond measure. 

My life was not written as a fairy-tale, its real, gritty and at times has not been what I wanted but I can say that God wrote the changes into a story I would not alter because it made me who I am. I know life isn’t perfect but I also know whatever happens and you trust God, He will make it good, and strong and what you need and what He wants for you. He takes the unwritten scary pieces and creates a new narrative that is more beautiful and lovely because He loves us so much.

As I looked through the door, I saw a man filled with love for me and I was filled to overflowing. We were going to live a life together that would be abundant in love, adventure and God. He looked so handsome and strong. My rugged bear of a man who filled me with so much delight. I never know what he’s going to do; he takes pleasure in finding new ways to keep me on my toes and I love that.

I am so excited to see what God will do in us as a couple. Kath wants us to do a DTS like her and work with YWAM, which would be wonderful, but I think that’s her story just now, I want to love this man in the way he deserves to be loved, celebrated for his curiosity, for his playfulness, his craziness and his sense of adventure. I want to learn from him about really caring about people in a way that I see Jesus’ hands and feet and heart being shown through him. He loves deeply, passionately and faithfully and I need him in my life.

I look at him and he is so much like me but different, we have lived very different lives, and yet he’s still so youthful and loving, as am I and I love that. I look in the mirror and say hey that woman is too old to be me and I think he thinks he is 16 too. Which makes me very excited about our lives together because I know adventures lie ahead for us.

God is never finished writing your story, if you allow Him He will create in you a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within you, He will not caste you from His presence, or take His Spirit from you. He will restore to you the joy of your salvation, and He will give you a renewing spirit within you and sustain you. Listen, a renewing spirit within you is so important it’s what gives you hope that you can do this, that tomorrow will be better, that your life can and will begin again. That’s what made me who I am, that renewing spirit. God is faithful at all times and I am so grateful.  

Monday, July 16, 2012

Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer





Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer

I just came back from an amazing weekend at the beach, where my love tank was well and truly filled. It began with rain but later the sun broke through and the clouds rolled off and my mind and body began to relax. I love, love, love, the beach, for so many reasons, I don't feel guilty that I have something more important to do, I get a pedicure for free, I have water all around me which is my favorite thing and I get to think, play, and be...

I was brought up in a town on the beach in Scotland. It may not have had the best of weather but to me it was where I could be me, I could rant and rave to the crashing waves and no one could hear me when I was upset, I could sit and spend time with the Lord all cuddled up in a sand dune, I could swim and body surf my energy away, I could just lay and breath, no matter the weather I would just dress appropriately. I love the smell, the noise and the feel of the beach. I love being covered in sand and not caring, my hair all tousled and salty, my body refreshed with whatever type of beach day it was. I can, dream, plan, contemplate or just enjoy being me... I want to stay the longest, and swim the hardest, and stretch ever ounce of time out of my time there, it's me, and it wraps all my senses up in memories, hope, love and just what can I call it… God’s beauty.

I remember long times past. When I was a wee toot and my dad would give us a blow up bed and we would float lazily down the river towards the beach, or when I would awake early, run round to the small corner shop, buy some chips and a bottle of soda and grab a towel and no shoes and my friends and spend the day and well into the night just having fun. As well as my own kids first time to the beach, when they were scared to put their feet down on this wet cold powdery stuff, or them building castles and jumping the waves, we would sometimes stay while the mist rolled in and later rolled back out and cuddle under blankets with a mug of coffee to keep us warm, hoping the sun would peak through just one more time. I went searching for all different beaches around my home, and I loved them all.

Upon moving to America I loved how my body was toasty warm and how so much more relaxed I could get. I would swim past the waves and barely make it back collapsing on my rubbery legs from all the effort trying to make it back to shore. Now we have, umbrella and shade awnings, deck chairs, BBQ’s, sandwiches, hamburgers and what ever else we can carry to make the comforts of home appear at the beach.

It’s probably not just the beach I love but water in general. I am  like a water baby, I have always loved it. Rivers, swimming pools, puddles, rain, snow, in whatever form it takes I love it.

This weekend started out rainy, I must admit I began feeling a wee bit forgetful of good times on the beach in the rain and really wanted sun, sun sun. However I took a wee bit of time to remember why I love the beach and I just knew I would have a good time, building relationships and memories, as this was the first time going with my new family. We were driving to Biloxi Mississippi and taking a boat ride out to Ship Island. Another favorite of mine is boat rides any size, shape, or power it doesn’t matter I just love them. So we reached the island and there was rain and dark clouds as far as the eye could see. It was warmer in the water than out so I stayed out.


It’s such a wonderful feeling being in love on the beach and being with that love. I felt like a teenager again as I frolicked and played with Cliff. We probably looked like basket cases but I really didn’t care … I’m in LOVE, I’m getting married in about 20 days, it’s our time. Then the clouds opened up to a wee bit of blue, we grabbed lunch and the rain stopped and the sun broke through and it was time to sleep. Cliff would call my name as I was snoring and fall back to sleep and continue his snoring and again we probably looked a sight but oh how perfect it was.

Then it was time to go, I would have sold all I had to stay longer but we had to catch the boat so off we set on our travels home and to me the ending to a perfect day.

We dined on shrimp and biscuits with the most delicious coleslaw and finished the evening with a stroll along the pier watching the fishermen bate their hooks and cast their lines with the most perfect breeze blowing to keep us cool.



I awoke early next morning and grabbed breakfast and headed for a wee bit to the pool. Then a leisurely bubble bath followed with a photo shoot on the sand, lunch, a wee bit of shopping and a cuddle in the car. Where we were promptly scolded and told there was a hotel across the road and we were behaving inappropriately as families were close by. Boy I was so angry and ranted to Cliff about how dare the jumped up little security guard with no love left in his life could talk to me like that and wasn’t this the land of the free where you could do anything but smooch with my love. It took a wee while and a few texts to Shelley to make me laugh but I finally calmed down and asked Cliff for one last walk on the beach as he snored in the car.



Yes it did its miracle and the small-minded man who took his job far too seriously was dumped in the dust and the winds blew him from my mind. The sun was shinning, the wind was blowing, the water had it’s sparkle of jewels covering it, the birds were flying, and my feet were digging in the sand and splashing in the waves and I breathed in the salty air and filled my lungs with perfect goodness.



Alas it was time to dust off my tootsies and take a last look at perfection and head home. On our ride home we spotted this small German Italian restaurant at the edge of the road and ate the most delicious Cannelloni and
Jägerchnotzel followed by the best cannoli I have ever tasted along with the best espresso 
coffee and the most impeccable ending was had to the most wonderful weekend. Yes my love tank was well and truly over flowing as we drove and talked and shared memories of times long gone and times not yet shared. Thank you Lord for these wholesome times of blessings and memories made and shared…


Wednesday, July 11, 2012

So many Thoughts...






So Many Thoughts…

It’s funny I started to write this blog and opened up my email to check something and a friend with a need showed up. I was thinking about justification and how what we do for good sometimes isn’t appreciated and how sometimes even lies are spoken and you feel your pride rushing in and God just says stop, instead of justifying just love. He told me a long time ago that I’ve got to stop trying to let everyone see what’s inside and what I believe of myself and just let Him show but I find that hard to do so I take the reigns and start to take control. Even though I know that He knows better.

So tonight I leave it to Him coz He knows better and He knows bigger. For the past 10 plus years I have been on my own and He has been my husband, my friend, my comforter, my provider, my encourager, my support and so much more. I’ve never had a need that He hasn’t met, be it financial, emotional, or relational. Money has been provided, feelings and hurts have been felt and healed and I have had many people speak into my life and also be there in practical ways too. I have come from a place of complete brokenness to complete healing.

If you have followed my story, you’ll know that I have had friends who have been there for seasons and friends who have been there the whole time. Each is very dear to my heart. From the beginning till now there was Bobby and Shannon, Cliff and Pam, Margaret and Alex, Willie and Isabelle, Cheri, Jenny, Helen, Ramsey, Joyce and Walt, The divorce care couple, Mona, and Jim, Joyce and Callum, John and Rachelle, Lori, Lisa, Lee and Robyn, Len and Tita, Rosemary and Pat, Sam and Susanna, Stephanie, John, Paul, Sarai and Kathryn and many more supported me in prayer for which I am so grateful. Each of them loved and spent time and was needed in my life to bring me to where I am today.

I believe the Lord doesn’t ever want us to go this journey alone. We all need support, encouragement and love. There were days when I didn’t want to get up and my phone would ring and I was encouraged to get up. I have cried and laughed, argued and fought but they still loved me. I am truly blessed.

Now comes a new day and I’m only days from my wedding and I have many people who want to and are celebrating along side Cliff and I. I wanted a very simple wedding and when you have many friends who want to help I know it will all come together perfectly. Again I am extremely thankful and truly blessed.

Tonight I went to leadership and they were talking about the future of the church and I know I am moving away and leaving my cell group and family and it comes with bittersweet thoughts and emotions. I’ve done this before, fallen in love with my church family and had to leave them, but each time God has a plan and works it all out so I have to believe He has this time too. I call this the wrap up my emotions and close down time because you are neither in the future or in the past and are trying to cope with all the emotions you are feeling. Visions are still being set but you are no longer a part of them. It’s tough when you love, to let go. Pastor Sam spoke about change in that of renewing. In away that’s what I’m doing, maybe I’m getting a second chance to work in a church that I thought of as my baby. It’s been along time, it’s grown and changed so much and most people don’t know me but I get to go back and be a part of them. I don’t know what will happen. It’s the next part of my journey.

My daughter in law Stephanie was talking about a plant that grows at my front door (they are going to rent my house while I am gone) and she was asking if she could she it out. I had told them to treat the house as their own to make it theirs and so I said it’s yours to do with what you want but asked her why? She said that it looked more dead than alive. I know she wasn't being negative just realistic and honest. I love how we have such a close relationship that she can speak from her heart like that! When I bought the house one of the things that I loved was the archway of flowers at my front door. When I look at that archway I see potential. There is still growth even though it has to make its way over the dead. I realized I really am a person who sees the glass half full. Yes maybe I see the past as well as the present but I see the future too. I asked her if I could dig it up and take it with me and immediately I started to plan what I would do with it, and how I would look after it much more tenderly than I had done. Will that happen I hope so but I don’t really know but I have to try. I remember when I sold my first home,there was honeysuckle and I loved it and I didn’t take it with me and when I came back to visit it had been ripped out and cemented over. Not everyone sees as you do, I always regretted not taking it with me but had to let it go. There is always change, new people with new vision, and you can either stew about what you’re letting go or move forward and see the adventure that lays ahead. I choose adventure.  

I know that I no longer go this adventure alone but I have Cliff, I have love and I have my best friend, my love, God who knows all things and who has even bigger dreams and plans than I could ever imagine or hope for so I don’t have to have fear but I can have passion, and excitement about what is about to happen. 


Wednesday, June 06, 2012

Blunt, I need to heart think before I speak



Blunt



Me and my big mouth…



As you guys know who read my blog I speak before I heart think sometimes.


I have a lot of changes happening and if I take them in bite size pieces I know I’ll be okay. But my reactions sometimes just lands me in trouble.

Today I woke, made myself some coffee and began to drink, wait let me back up, I’m in my future home which isn’t mine, in a new but old city, which will be mine again but hasn’t been for 12 years. (I’m getting married, woohoo can you believe it, yes I’m in love! excited, and raring to go), but along with that comes big changes, even deeper thoughts and a new future!!!

So back to the coffee, Cliff had gone out for milk and come back baring gifts, chocolate no less, which you would think “awe what a sweetie, so thoughtful, massive brownie points”, yes all of the above ran through my heart, but then he mentions what kind... Hershey, oops, As you know I’m Scottish, I only eat Hershey Symphony, I’m not a snob, it’s just how I’ve been brought up, we like it sweeter and more milky and melty, (Cadbury’s in other words). Now the proper response would have been, darling that is so thoughtful of you, Thanks so much, you are wonderful to think of me so early in the morning. But no, I say and remember those thoughts were in my heart but I hadn’t spoken them, instead this is what I said  “Hershey!! I don’t like that kind; it’s the only chocolate I’ve ever thrown in the trash…” Yes I know blunt, cruel, deflating. Shoot me dead!!! I hurt him!!! And he replied with some kind of retort that sent me into a tailspin!!!

And I started to cry, granted I’m hormonal but I went to deep thought land…, I thought he loved that I was Scottish, well this is Scottish, and he is struggling with accepting my culture, will I ever be able to wave my flag high and strong and be proud of my British heritage in this foreign land. Yes a bit on the dramatic I know. But again let me back up, It’s been the Royal Diamond Jubilee all weekend, my daughter is in Scotland with most of my family having picnics and garden parties, all without me, it’s the first year I haven’t been home in the summer for years and I am missing all the pomp and ceremony and fun and bonding and I’m the only Brit about and I want to cheer, sing and stand with my hand on my heart and shout God save the queen, and get all gushy about my country. Now this is coming from a Scot, who stands every morning in respect to the American and Texas flag (I’m a teacher) and live in this wonderful country with citizens that love being Texan and American and yes I sometimes want to scream, “hey you may be good and I love being here and no I don’t want to go back to where I come from if I don’t like it, but I love Scotland!” I’m passionate about my homeland, probably even more so coz I don’t live there. I love the 4th of July and Thanksgiving and all the American holidays and celebrate them with vigor, but sometimes I want to stand loud and proud and cheer on the Brits!!!

So back to this morning or last night, I was watching Britain, celebrate 60 years of the reign of her majesty the Queen and Cliff makes a comment about how I am always cutting down America and I wanted to retort and I think I did a wee bit but obviously not enough as I went into this dark place for a moment. I think it probably goes even deeper than that. I’m in someone else’s home that will soon be mine; I have chosen to leave my family and my soon to be born grand daughter, a church that I love and friends that I hold dear to my heart. I love living in Katy. I love my life there.

I know I have family in Lafayette, my best friend in the entire world, a church that I used to think of as my baby as I helped plant and grow it, a Cajun culture that is so similar to my own that I hold dear to my heart and not forgetting a future husband that is number one, who I love with my whole being, and who I am so excited about starting this new adventure with, but I am a processor, I mull through, I sound off, I journal, talk to my son and process some more. I feel a little like a fish out of water…

I have to tread very carefully, or feelings will be hurt and feathers will be ruffled and remember I’m blunt, a bull in a china shop! So get a wee bit flustered and stressed when I have to continually be on my best behavior. Usually I'm in my own home with my own Scottish family in the privacy of my secure surrounding I'm able to sound off. Ok I sometimes do it in front of my American daughter in law, which is disrespectful, but I do try to be good. I want to get all excited and express myself but I have to cool my jets and be respectful in this delicate balance of my future blended family, and yes I question myself!

Will I?

I don’t want to even give these thoughts a voice coz I know I will be better than ok I’ll be great!!! God is always great. He has always given me the best, a life abundant even in the struggles. However those thoughts are still in there, being shut down and stifled instead of being let out a wee bit at a time…

How can I do this, How can I be the only Scot in an American home, or can we really blend and become American Scots? You would think I would have dealt with this long before now, I’ve been here for 16 years but I’ve had my own wee bonny Scotland when I close my door, a Scotsman’s home is his castle, his kingdom, and his safe house!!! This is different!!!

Let’s see how this will unfold? I’ll keep you posted, I’m off out to have lunch with my adopted sister and pastor, yes I know I’m blessed and a wee bit of a winger, HEY I’m processing, Be blessed and remember God is Great all the time!!!!

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

I'm God's Favorite



God's Favorite 

I do think I'm special to God. I am God's favorite, I really am. (Yes you are too) But I really am!!! In fact He makes me feel that way so many times. I'm sometimes shocked when others don't feel the same way. Yes I know. I have gone through years of emotional struggle, at one time I would have called it abuse, looking back I may just describe it as life. My old one not my new blessed one. I believed the lie that I wasn't loved, wasn't beautiful, wasn't good enough, thin enough, smart enough, deep enough, I just wasn't enough...  But God took those lies and told me I created you so I could love you. You were created for my pleasure, and I started to let that sink in deep inside. I really do believe I am special, it makes me smile, even chuckle, I see God's eyes fill with joy and love as He looks at me with that wonder. I'm the apple of His eye, His daughter, His princess His love... I relax and feel the freedom more and more that I am becoming who He created me to be. 


Wednesday, March 07, 2012

What do you do when your dreams have to change?


What do you do when your dreams have to change?




A short background on my life:

·   I gave my life to God when I was 6, and never rebelled against my calling. I am a testimony that your kids never have to rebel against what you are praying over them. I have asked God every step of the way to lead me into His will for my life.

·    Being brought up by Godly parents taught me that spiritual heritage is so important, generation after generation following God showed me His power to keep and live in victory and joy.

·      Being baptized in the spirit and in water at the age of 12 gave me the thirst and power to share whom my best friend was.

·      I lived an idyllic life. I prayed about my future, my relationships and career.  I started dating my best friend, fell in love, was accepted for university and married, graduated and started a family. I worked in church went on mission trips, traveled, helped in church growth and grew in God. I emigrated to America found a wonderful church and was invited into leadership, Where I did the whole spectrum, as it was a brand new church so I stacked chairs, cleaned toilets, even cut trees and beside my husband co-led a cell group, a prayer group, I was on the leadership team of the church and loved every minute Sounds great eh!

·      We always knew we would eventually move to Houston so when the opportunity of a huge promotion came, as always we prayed about it and felt God’s prodding to move.

·      That’s when my life crashed… Over the last week I have gone over my journals and seen God’s hand all over my life. At my darkest time and my brightest time, He has been there.

·      After possibly the worst year of my life I found out my husband was having an affair, but I was eager to see God heal, restore, and bring forgiveness. I married for life; no one in my lineage had ever divorced.  It wasn’t in my understanding of who a Christian is. I believed in God!!!

·      However that was when my journey with God really started. If I had struggled in my walk before I would always ask those closest to me for encouragement, help and strength. Now I knew that the only one I could really trust was God.

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? (Psalm 13:2)

·      Over the next 10 years I have been brought into revelation that God is more than a happy ending. He is in the journey, and I discovered this life really isn’t about you at all.

“When you get to the end of all the light you know and it's time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things shall happen: either you will be given something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly.” -Edward Teller

Psalm 121:1-2 I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.




·      We were created for His pleasure. We were saved because of His love. We haven’t a victorious life just because… We live to show His beauty, His heart, His Life lived in us and again not just because… But to give it away, to replicate the Christ in us in others.

·      To enable us to do this He has shown me that we grow in understanding, wisdom, and LOVE not just to be better equipped, but in doing so we become what He created us to be…His!!! His authority on earth, to break strongholds, to live out Him…


·      While reading my journals I realized that situations and people, I struggled with, worried about, thought were permanent, changed, over and over, what seemed so huge when viewed from a distance was no longer. Life changes, you change, nothing is permanent. In those times it was a meeting place where I came to the knowledge and understanding of the God and that my struggles could be an opportunity for God to show his power. 

Luke 8:5 A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown." V11 The seed is the word of God.




·      When this was all fresh there was one thing that I could focus on and trust and that was the word of God. It became very precious, it’s what kept me from feeling totally overwhelmed. I knew that what I read was true, the feelings I had when measured up to His word were pure and dependable.

·      I had been given good tools and during this time started to grow so close and loved by God. My relationship changed. When I breathed I knew He was the one that was blowing the air into my lungs. When I slept I knew He was the one that cradled me and caught and kept my tears. I was falling in love in a much purer way than ever before.

·      The seed is Love, Hope and Faith, which is sown and planted by the same. Love Hope and Faith, growing from what God has done, shown and grown in you. Then it’s again not about you but about God pouring His Spirit out upon the seed to produce growth and more seed.

·      I have all these swords. Different types in different places but all strong and sharp. Because that is what I used to become His warrior Bride with His authority and the understanding of what that meant being raised in me.

Like 17:21 The kingdom of heaven is within you.

2 Corinthians 10:4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

·      That’s where I learned to be the bride and the warrior and to put on my armor.




Ephesians 6:1-17 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

·      The bride is equipped, ready while the Holy Spirit is all around her, shown by the wind, and the water. This was a season of boldness of laying down, letting go and of more change in my life. The Lord was showing me that I was His bride. I entered into a time of dwelling His presence. Faith produces joy. Joy comes from having a confident trust (faith) in God. (Phil 1:25) Faith in God dispels attitudes that prevent joy from occurring, e.g. worry, doubt and fear. (Matt 6:25-30, 14: 27-31, Rom 15:13) God’s word produces joy (Rom 10:17, 15:13), Obedience produces joy



Isaiah 35:10 They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Throughout Scripture, Zion represents:

       Unity (Psalm 133:1-3).
       God's presence (Isaiah 8:6).
       The Spring of Living Water (Is.8:6; Ps.46:4).
       Righteousness (Isaiah 62:1-2; 33:5).
       Victory (Psalm 2:1-6; 125:2).
       Rest (Psalm 132:14).
       Praise (Psalm 9:14; 65:1).
       Perfection (Psalm 50:1-2).
•     •  Glory (Psalm 50:1-2).



The dancing girl represents this season of growth. One day I went out for prayer and He opened up my head and just poured in Joy, which produced such freedom. I sensed Him with all my being He was so close. He showed me how my weakness showed His power in me, how I had to become fully dependent on Him.

Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

·      It goes on to speak about enduring hardship as discipline and that it’s because He is our Father and in V11 it says however, it (discipline; enduring hardship) produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

       Very early one morning He gently spoke to me and gave me a calling to use my passion, and to take His picture. Through that calling I realized throughout this journey He has kept me in His Peace.



Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

       Even in the production of my photographs, the film, and the darkroom all works because of light. The earthiness the imperfections, the shades of black to white all talk to who I am in Him.

       Preparing for this message, the Lord gave me another gift. He showed me this plant. I’m going to describe it and you can guess what it is. It has 2 parts to its life cycle, each being very different but each being beautiful.



Dandelion:
       There are fields and fields of blooming dandelion throughout British Columbia in the springtime. Although we have been conditioned to think of them as noxious weeds best dealt with chemical poisons, there are other uses for dandelions.

       Small birds are very fond of the seeds of the Dandelion and pigs devour the whole plant greedily. Goats will eat it, but sheep and cattle do not care for it, though it is said to increase the milk of cows when eaten by them. Horses refuse to touch this plant, not appreciating its bitter juice. It is valuable food for rabbits.

       The young leaves make an excellent salad, are delicious in sandwiches, Mixed with other flavors, as in a salad, dandelions improve the flavor.

       The flowers are used in the preparation of a beverage known as Dandelion Wine. This wine is suggestive of sherry slightly flat, and has the deserved reputation of being an excellent tonic, extremely good for the blood.

       The roasted roots are largely used to form Dandelion Coffee, and are a natural beverage without any of the harmful effects that ordinary tea and coffee have on the nerves and digestive organs. It exercises a stimulating influence over the whole system, helping the liver and kidneys to do their work and keeping the bowels in a healthy condition, so that it offers great advantages to dyspeptics and does not cause wakefulness.

       There are no poisonous look-alikes. Dandelions are especially well adapted to a modern world of "disturbed habitats," such as lawns and sunny, open places. They were even introduced into the Midwest from Europe to provide food for the imported honeybees in early spring. They now grow virtually worldwide. Dandelions spread further, are more difficult to exterminate, and grow under more under adverse circumstances than most competitors.

       Most gardeners detest them, but the more you try to weed them up, the faster they grow. Unless you remove it completely, it will regenerate. After a frost, their protective bitterness disappears. You can pass 20,000 volts of electricity through them and it won’t kill the plant.

       You can also eat dandelion flowers. You can also sauté them, dip them in batter and fry them into fritters, or steam them with other vegetables. They have a meaty texture that contrasts with other lighter vegetables in a stir-fry dish or a casserole.

       The taproot can be used as a cooked vegetable, especially in soups. Although not as tasty as many other wild root vegetables the leaves are more nutritious than anything you can buy.

       They're higher in beta-carotene than carrots. The iron and calcium content is phenomenal, greater than spinach. You also get vitamins B-1, B-2, B-5, B-6, B-12, C, E, P, and D, biotin, inositol, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc by using a tasty, free vegetable that grows on virtually every lawn. The root contains the sugar insulin, plus many medicinal substances.

       Dandelion root is one of the safest and most popular herbal remedies. It’s supposed to strengthen the entire body, especially the liver and gallbladder, where it promotes the flow of bile, reduces inflammation of the bile duct, and helps get rid of gall stones. This is due to its taraxacin. It’s good for chronic hepatitis, it reduces liver swelling and jaundice, and it helps indigestion caused by insufficient bile. The root and leaf tea act on the kidneys as a gentle diuretic, improving the way they cleanse the blood and recycle nutrients. Unlike pharmaceuticals diuretics, this doesn't leach potassium, a vital mineral, from the body. Improved general health and clear skin result from improved kidney function. Dandelions are also good for the bladder, spleen, pancreas, stomach and intestines. It’s recommended for stressed-out, internally sluggish, and sedentary people. Anyone who's a victim of excessive fat, white flour, and concentrated sweeteners could benefit from a daily cup of dandelion tea.

       Dandelion root is a sugar that doesn't elicit the rapid production of insulin, as refined sugars do. It helps mature-onset diabetes, and is used as part of a holistic regime for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

1.     Dandelion leaf’s bitter elements encourage the production of proper levels of hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes. All the digestive glands and organs respond to this herbs stimulation

2.     The leaf’s white, milky sap removes warts, moles, pimples, calluses, and sores, and soothes bee stings and blisters.

3.     Unlike most other seeds, dandelions’ can germinate without long periods of dormancy. The seeds can develop without cross-fertilization, so a flower can fertilize itself. This lets it foil the gardener by dispersing seeds as early as the day after the flower opens.

Questions:

1/ Did the Lord show you any dream that you may have to lay down or change in your own life?

2/ Did the dandelion‘s description shock you? Did you relate to it? Considering that it’s perceived in many different ways, good and bad, but that it still produces seeds under nearly all conditions!

3/ If you were going to pick a verse from the bible that describes your journey what would it be? Explain why.