31 Reasons to Fall for Autumn (Day 7)

After a super busy, jam packed long weekend...

I am tapped out.

I already 'cheated' for one day

by reposting an old piece from 2008

so I didn't want to do that again

(especially already!)

The weekend was filled to the brim

with family celebrations

(my parents' 50th Anniversary

 that brought extended family in to town...

lots of food and laughter and sitting around visiting...

not to mention photo op's galore!

GALORE I say!

Today I was asked to go take pictures

of an Adventure Race

(Pirate-themed, mud fun race...

so I have been playing

with pictures all afternoon!)

I have been trying to think of a

Day Reason for this,

Day 7, of 31 Days

that would tie in to what

my weekend consisted of,

& the one thing that kept

coming back to me is this:

Golden Amber Rays of the Warm Autumn Sun,

Shining through the Crisp Cooler Air!

Aaaah - yes... that is definitely a reason to Fall for Autumn!

That sunshine that cuts through the colder temps

& helps to warm you up

& gives that little glow to every vista!

Isn't His Love like that?

It warms your soul & gives you a healthy glow

from the inside out!

It is subtle... not overpowering or hot like Summer...

the Autumn Sun is gentler somehow...

less intense & not in a hurry... 

I hope you were able to experience

a touch of it yourself this weekend

& to sit back & bask in it for even just a little bit!

It - & He - make all the difference! 

Here are a few of my favorite shots from the weekend events

that show what I am talking about:

 

Glow on!

~Karrilee~

31 Reasons to Fall for Autumn... (Day 6)

OK... I know... but honestly, a big part of WHY I love Fall
is wrapped around all the coziness of layers & warmth
& (finally) actually wanting to bundle up & stay warm

vs. trying to stay cool & who doesn't LOVE
a new pair of boots, anyway?

I actually thought of Fall & Boots
& my love of them together yesterday,

while out on a photo shoot - where I got chilled

& found myself wishing for a jacket & some socks!

"Socks would be GREAT right about now!" I thought.
"Socks, and a  cozy sturdy pair of boots!"

I made the poor decision to just slip on the shoes

that were closest to the door on my way out

& paid for it by cold toes & slipping around

as I positioned myself for the photo's.

Boots help to keep you warm...

they cover & protect & support!

Shoes are a vital piece of our Full Armor:

"...having shod your feet with the

preparation of the gospel of peace..."

(Ephesians 6:15)

Does this not sound like a

nice pair of boots to you?  

Yesterday as I was carefully maneuvering

around rocks & gravel & dirt...

I realized Boots would have been the way to go!

How much bolder are we,
when we know that we are covered?

How much more confident is our walk

when we remember that He protects us?

When we walk in the way &
 direction that He opens up for us,

we DO walk in Peace...

we walk in & we give it away!

Sometimes, boots take a bit more
time & effort to put on,

but once in place,
it frees us to follow His lead
- wherever it takes us!

So the next time your feet get chilled,

or you are pulling on a pair of boots,

think of how He calls us to walk boldly...

knowing that He is our covering
& our Comforter...

He is our Guide...

all things are in His hands...

so walk in Peace,

& follow His lead!

~Karrilee~

Day 5... (Repost)

So... this is my parents' 50th Anniversary and even this early life is busy today so I thought I would look through my archives and 'cheat' just a little... repost an old entry that has something to do with Fall... well - God is pretty creative and this is what I found... I very easily COULD have written this today - this year... and not in 2008!

Be Blessed!
~Karrilee~

NOVEMBER 4, 2008

Changing Atmospheres, the Kingdom at hand, and other powerful Realities!

Isn't this GORGEOUS?!

I LOVE it!

I just love Fall... and this is one of my favorite photo's I have taken this year so far,

however my most favorite 'snapshot' was stumbled upon without a camera.

As I was driving out of town to visit friends last week,

I turned the corner on the highway and was blessed with

a breathtaking view of the Yakima River, early morning -

Mist rising on the surface of the water,

with all the colors of Fall in the trees all around!

It was majestic.

How could I not praise Him as I drank that in!

I began to regret not having my camera with me!

I so wanted to capture the beauty of the season!

At that very moment, I heard the Lord whisper to me,

"This is just for you and Me!"

Nice!!! He is especially fond of me, you know?!

(Oh yes - and you too! I promise! He is especially fond of you, too!)

He went on to show me (because I am so visual)

that He desires that we be so equipped

to change the atmosphere around us

due to the Kingdom of God within us,

that we will be like the scene He placed before me!

The air and the water temperatures were creating

a mist that was visible on the surface - right in between them.

We should so affect the world around us,

that we literally bring heaven to earth

& change the atmostphere around us!

When we feel a change in the air,

when we percieve something shifting

- we should be well aware that it is the Kingdom of God within us

changing the dynamics of our physical world, in the spiritual.

It's our call and joy to pull it in to this realm

- to call forth His will on earth,

'as it is in Heaven'!

The Kingdom truly IS at hand...

It is alive and living within us!

Let's take up our Authority and pray in faith

for the Father's will ...

Thy Kingdom come,

on earth, as it is in Heaven!

On Sunday morning the Lord woke me up at 3:33 am...

Seriously, Lord?! 3:33am?!

To be honest I just laid there reluctantly...

I tried to rationalize not getting out of bed for what seemed like 5 minutes,

yet when I glanced back at the clock, it was still reading 3:33am

Now, I have had a few seasons of 3:33s so I have studied it out before.

The Number 3 represents the Kingdom of God.

Also - many major huge important things in the Bible happened 'on the third day'.

So - I did the math & realized that the third day from Sunday

- was in fact, Election Day here in America!

I looked up several '333' Scriptures and prayed through them...

(Psalms 33:3; Proverbs 3:33)

However, the verse that came to me immediately was a life verse that has been spoken over me many times and has become one of my favorites! It is found in Jeremiah 33:3 and it reads:

"Call to Me, and I will answer you,

and show you great and mighty things,

which you do not know."

Again... nice!!!

So I went on to pray the entire chapter,

which - by the way - is entitled "The Restored Nation" in my Bible!

I'm up for that!

A few other verses that stood out to me (yet again) are:

"Behold, I will bring it health and healing;

I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance

of peace and truth.

And I will cause the captives of Judah

and the captives of Israel to return,

and will rebuild those places as at the first.

I will cleanse them from all their iniquity

by which they have sinned against Me,

and I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned

and by which they have transgressed against Me.

Then it shall be to Me a name of joy, a praise,

and an honor before all nations of the earth,

who shall hear all the good that I do to them;

they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness

and all the prosperity that I provide for it.’ " (vs 6-9)

Don't you want that for our nation as well?!

I am praying and believing that for America...

Today - our Election day...

no matter what the results,

I have faith in knowing that my God

works all things together for good and

He has a plan and a purpose for this nation.

He is the One (ultimately) that raises kings and rulers,

and that causes them to fall.

I listened to Kim Clement talk last night about prophesies

he has been given about this election

and it was so interesting to hear...

but even more amazing to feel the sense of purpose and peace

that went along with knowing that no matter who you vote for...

no matter who 'wins' -

our God is in charge & is

well able and willing to

Bless America!!!

Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done,

On earth as it is in Heaven!

~Karrilee~

A little Glory for all to see... (Day 4 of 31)

I boldly and proudly admit... in some ways, I have gloriously 'ruined' my daughter!  She, much like me, gets nearly giddy at the thought of decorating for a new season.  I make myself actually WAIT until October (or at least really really CLOSE to October) before I pull out my Fall decorations... For me - as I've mentioned nearly daily - it's my favorite!  For my daughter, however - it is simply the decorations that go up BEFORE all the Christmas fun!  So - the other day, when she spotted my box (OK - boxES) of Autumn decor, she got super excited!  I had hoped she would outgrow this and come to embrace Autumn in and of itself!  

With all the glory and warmth and color and scents that come with Fall... I fear for her to rush through it only lessens the effect it can have on her!  How often do we do this ourselves, in our own lives? Rush through something - a season, a task, an item on our Bossy lists of things to do, just to get to the NEXT thing!  We tend to try to rush through the changing to get to the new... but it takes time!  

I know it appears that suddenly - the trees are dripping in glory and leaves are falling to the ground... but there is a process that is going on underneath the scene preparing nature for the changes ahead!  If the changes happen gradually... naturally... the result may look like death for a moment - but fruitfulness will arise out of it!  If we rush through the changes... pushing and hurrying and not allowing the process to completely unfold within us... we take the risk that, on the other end of the change, the fruitfulness will not be as abundant!

So as I unpack the candles and the pumpkins and our Counting Blessings Box... we slow down... discuss the changes outside - and the changes inside.  We unpack tradition and thankfulness and memories of the where-we-came-from and how-far-we've-come, and that helps to prepare us for the what-comes-next unexpected that is just around the bend!

We light the scented candles, and hang the leaf garlands, and we take a moment and breathe... we catch a glimpse of a little bit of Glory for all to see - on the outside, and on the inside!

~Karrilee~

31 Reasons to Fall for Autumn... Day 3

Aaahhh.... nothing says Fall like this little treasure!

One of my favorite things about Fall

is the return of Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte!

It's a gorgeous little cup of Glorious Autumn goodness!

I have noticed, however, that it seems he is making

his appearance earlier & earlier!

I am have not quite moved on from Summer

when Mr. PS Latte is trying to get all Flirty with me!
But I won't have it!

I am spoken for

& spend my days with Summer for as long as possible.

However, the shift is bound to happen

the early air gets crisp, my cheeks turn rosy on my morning walk,

& Fall begins to beckon me once again!

The mere angle of light through out my day shifts,

& I feel the pull toward Autumn

... toward Change

... toward the possibility of New!

I wait.

Early September comes & goes

& I wait.

You see, sipping that first cup of Pumpkin Spice Latte

must be SAVORED & sipped & enjoyed

as I welcome in this Season of Change.

I realize of course - it is 'just' a cup of coffee...

but it is a tangible ritual that signifies both

Reflection of Summer

& Anticipation of Fall.

It's an intentional marker that calls me to

Be Open to the opportunities for Change

Within me, & All Around me!

As I drink it in, I drink Him in...

& I allow His Spirit to

nourish me, comfort me, & remind me:

Autumn is FULL of Hope & Glory

& Thankfulness & Change!

Embrace it!  Embrace Him!

"Bless the Lord, O my soul;

And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

² 

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And forget not all His benefits:

³ 

Who forgives all your iniquities,

Who heals all your diseases,

⁴ 

Who redeems your life from destruction,

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

⁵ 

Who satisfies your mouth with good things,

So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

~Psalm 103:1-5

"Who satisfies your mouth with good things"

...

What "Fall" treat do YOU look forward to most

& what, in this season, nourishes your soul?

~Karrilee~

31 Reasons... Day 2

Welcome to Day Two of my 31 Days Reasons to Fall for Autumn! This is one of literally over 1000 blogs participating in this October "31 Days" writing project.  You can check out the other Bloggers/Topics by clicking here.

So - Day Two... In Autumn, one of my very favorite things to do is to go on a drive with My Honey... up to the mountains where we can see the trees changing almost right before our very eyes!

(Reason #2:) A nice long, winding road...

...not too curvy but just enough to be fun to drive on and where you can't quite see around the bend, but you KNOW that the view is going to be gorgeous! There is something calming and at the same time exciting about a long winding road... you know that the destination will be worth the effort... and isn't this true in life as well! Embrace Change... Fall for Autumn... Venture out onto a long and winding road and just see where He will take you!

The other day, I was reading in the book of Jeremiah in the Old Testament.  This particular passage so stood out to me... maybe because of my love of a good long winding road... maybe because He is trying to remind me of some things. (Probably both!)

"Stand in the ways and see,
And ask for the old paths
 where the good way is,
And walk in it,
then you will find rest for your souls..." (Jer 6:16)

The cross reference in the Amplified Bible led me to Matthew 11:29 where the same word for 'rest' is used as Jesus talks about taking His yoke.  The word rest means: relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet.

Nice... and yes, please!!!

"STAND in the ways and see" ~ That means stop moving!  Be Still... Just Breathe! Look around you and within you.

"And ASK for the old paths" ~ That means talk to Him!  Be Bold... and then wait expectantly for Him to answer!  After all, He WANTS you to know and travel on the old paths where the Good Way is!

"And WALK in it" ~ That means once He speaks, you DO!  Once He gives direction and shows you the path - even if it's just a glimpse of the curve in the bend - He invites you to once again embrace movement and walk towards what He has shown you.

"THEN..." ~ That means you need to do the other steps FIRST... and THEN you will find rest (relief, ease, refreshment, reCreation, and blessed quiet) for you souls.

The last part of the verse states that they (God's people) responded and said, "We will not." ~ That means we have a choice!

Choose Wisely, my friends!
Choose Wisely!

~Karrilee~

31 Reasons to Fall for Autumn

31 Days Reasons to Fall for Autumn

31 Days - 2012

Now - don't let the titles fool you... there are treasures in each of these posts!

Day One - Autumn Mornings

Day Two - A Nice Long, Winding Road

Day Three - Pumpkin Spice Lattes

Day Four - Glory - On The Outside And On The Inside

Day Five - Changing Atmospheres (A repost)

Day Six - Boots... yes, for the love of Boots, ya'll!

Day Seven - Golden Rays of Warm Autumn Sunshine

Day Eight - Scented Candles

Day Nine - Embracing Change

Day Ten - The Rhythm of Routine

Day Eleven - Scarves... c'mon - you know you love 'em too!

Day Twelve - Falling Leaves... the Death of a Dream... the Letting Go...

the Hard Eucharisteo

Day Thirteen - Warm & Cozy Sweaters

Day Fourteen - The Smell of Burning...

Day Fifteen - A Cup of Tea and a Good Read!

Day Sixteen - Brisk Walks

Day Seventeen - Keep the Home Fires Burning

Day Eighteen - Passing Away of the Old

Day Nineteen - Friday Night Lights

Day Twenty - Orchards

Day Twenty One - Fall Recipes

Day Twenty Two - Rainy Days

Day Twenty Three - Fashionable Ponderings - Peacoats!

Day Twenty Four - The Pumpkin Patch

Day Twenty Five - Extra Cozy Blankets

Day Twenty Six - The calmness that comes before the chaos of the holidays

Day Twenty Seven - New School Supplies

Day Twenty Eight - Tradition!

Day Twenty Nine - Pumpkin EVERYTHING

Day Thirty - Candy, of course!

Day Thirty One - Costumes

31 Reasons to Fall for Autumn

Here we are... October 1st.

Summer is officially over.

Fall has begun.

As much as I love the

freedom & unplanned days of summer,

the sunshine & flip flops, the iced tea

& the stays-light-'til-late nights,

Fall is my favorite!

The return of routine & day planners,

the crisp mornings & glory in trees,

the boots & scarves needed.

I love the return of burning candles

& sipping (hot) caffeinated goodness.

I have come to realize my

long rooted love for Autumn

was a tricky way that the Lord has brought

to an awareness & shifting to really love Change.

After all - that is what I really love about Fall!

Fall is chocked FULL of changes!

So that is the underlying overall theme...

embrace Change.

Run towards it... don't be afraid!

When Jesus said He came to give us life,
& life more abundantly

- I think He meant what He said!

We are to be living a great adventure!

Yes - one that comes with daily lives,

laundry, & heavy responsibilities...

but LIFE nonetheless! 

On this - Day One - of 31 Reasons

to Fall for Autumn...

look to the cooler crisp mornings...

a refreshing that awakens & energizes.

I love the Autumn mornings...

not cold enough to see your breath,

but chilly enough for rosy cheeks

& maybe an extra layer!

  Breathe in His goodness in the Autumn morning...

embrace what He's doing on the inside of you,

as you see what He's doing on the outside - all around you!

~Karrilee~

31 Days...

Aaah yes! It comes as no surprise to those who know me 'in real life'! 

Fall (or Autumn) is my Favorite!

I am expecting that as I count out 31 Days sharing how I love Fall,

the Lord will stir up deeper truths 

& reveal some unexpected reasons!

Tomorrow starts the fun...

Come back with a cup of coffee, and let's Fall for Autumn together!

~Karrilee~

Pondering a topic for 31 Days...

I am in prayer and feeling up for the challenge of blogging every day for 31 days in the month of October!  The challenge at first is intimidating because, well - first off - EVERY day? Secondly... I have a lot of words... so that feels like a big commitment!  However, I am finding I want to learn to write saying more while using less.  So  I embrace this challenge with the freedom of knowing less will be more (and less will be - theoretically anyway - easier to stay on track!)

There are a LOT of topics I could write about forever... but I am listening for Him and His direction because as much as I love to write just to write... I hope to write to make a difference.  I have two 'themes' in mind... and conveniently have two blogs (although one is more geared to fellow creative scrapbookers than it is to creatives who are thirsty)... check back to see what is coming... small(ish) thoughts on the topic chosen for each day in October.  I am looking forward to learning and growing and allowing a shift within me as I write as He leads.  I hope you will join me!

~Karrilee~

Spreading the Love... brace yourself...

So - I am little late with this discovery - but she was worth the wait!

This woman - who writes so powerfully, raw, and authentic writes as if she knows my inner most thoughts... she uses words like weapons that cut straight to the heart - but not like a knife, more like a scalpel that brings healing and restores!

I am just starting (I know, I know... I KNOW I am late on the bandwagon!) to read her book One Thousand Gifts! I am trying to pace myself... but I can't seem to keep away from her blog, A Holy Experience.  Every post (no - really - E-V-E-R-Y post!) is powerful and you feel something(s) shifting deep inside... so I am sharing the wealth...

Click here to experience Ann (with no 'e') and feel the love!

~Karrilee~

Dear Me... a letter to my teenage self

Dear Me... a letter to my teenage self:

The first thing I want to tell you is... to just breathe!  In the future... as in right now - present day now, as a 40something year old woman - you are content and happy!  Happy - in your own skin, even - and it had nothing to do with all the worrying and wondering you do at 15 and 17 (and 20!)  You always were a thinker... a poet and a ponderer... those tendencies never leave you.  They are a part of who you are and you do learn to embrace them - while allowing your natural bent that goes to worry and fear to be reshaped and reformed!  I can assure you that years from now - Worry and Fear are not so close to you.  You all aren't such good friends anymore - and you are healthier for it! As an adult - your new bent is positive... full of Faith and Hope, and they make MUCH better friends!

Speaking of friends... it really is true that you will reduce to the lowest common denominator and you have been blessed with some great circles of friends.  As much as it seems impossible now - in just a few years - you will have an entirely difference circle... life moves on, college happens, jobs come and go, and these friends who you have literally grown up with, as well as some of the circles just around the corner, will not be a part of your daily life.  Years from now you will hear of places like MySpace and Facebook and Twitter.  You will try out all three... but it is Facebook that will help you reconnect with many of these great friends from childhood!  One thing will be in your favor... by the time Facebook comes around - you have come to know and actually love who you are and those high school temptations to try to fit in are long (long) gone! Be yourself sooner... no apologies... live out loud!

While you were right to stick to your guns about NOT wanting to meet and fall in love at 14... of wanting to grow up and be independent and know who you are first... you DID in actuality technically meet your husband at 14 - but you won't remember that until after you are dating... and while he is not what you think you want at 16, he is exactly what you need and an amazing man... he is worth the wait (and you won't have to wait much longer really!)

The things you value now at 16 - the things you are striving for and find vital to happiness will turn out to fade quickly and are not vital or important in the big picture of things - which, by the way, you begin to discover that Big Picture at 21.  What you think of as success (a perfect body, lots of money, and to get out of this little town - just to name a few) and the goals you have set right now will not come to pass... but don't worry - your life means something and you are successful in many of those hidden, undervalued ways that often seem to go unnoticed.  Trust me - they are not unnoticed - or unappreciated!

There are soon coming a few split-second moments that can (and will) alter the way you live your life... don't hesitate - go with your gutt... your first instinct is right!

Your love of words lives on and I would encourage you to keep at it! You will be a life-long journaler, note taker, list maker, day planner follower... but there is more to your writing than that! Stick with it.. and don't shy away from things when they seem hard.  Life (I have discovered in my 'old age') is to be an adventure - and risk is needed... don't be so afraid of trying... so afraid of change and failure... without risk of failure - you will find little success... Success will come in ways you cannot plan for - and yet in ways you would never trade in a million years!  I encourage you to step in to who you really are... don't be so shy, so reserved... people love you for who you are - your love, your tenderness, your dry sarcastic sense of humor... use it to reach out - not to tear down... it reveals the inner strength and resolve that many are surprised to find in quiet little you.

I remember how unsettled you were at the thought of being a Mom... you would worry about shortcomings and not doing it right... let me tell you - you DO have shortcomings, and some days, you DON'T do it 'right'... but you are an amazing Mom and together with your husband, and God, you are madly in love with this creature that looks like the best of you and the best of him.... this woman (yes - she is nearly a woman now!) amazes you every day... to have your heart out and about and walking around is risky... and sometimes it gets broken, but she is the best thing you have ever done! She is your biggest success, greatest risk, and deepest joy.

Remember how Mom would tell you all the time of the miracle surrounding your birth and how God had a plan and a purpose for you... that He used you to share love.  Well - as cheesy as it sounded back then, it turns out it is true!  You have always valued friendships and family and even when it seemed like you were the only one - you made relationships a priority.  You still do that... and God still desires to flow through you and love on those around you!  Let Him... it requires being vulnerable and honest and it is risky... but do it anyway!

Be Love,
from your future self,
~Karrilee~

(Oh - yes... eventually - you decide to grow into your FULL name!  Turns out it's meaning is "a cool restful place beside still waters" and you really liked that!)

For more Letters... check out Emily's blog, Chatting at the Sky .

Standing (... in my own way!)

...not as in 'I did it my way' but more as in a "breaking your own heart" sort of way!

It's in the midst of the discovery that you (well... me, anyway!) have been the obstacle on your own path that has been blocking you from moving forward that He shines His light gently through the trees and you begin to see the sun rising up to light the way once again!  Aren't you just so thankful that He is not an "I told you so" kind of God?  I am so humbled by just how patient and kind and long suffering He is with me! He is - first and foremost... always and eternally - LOVE!  That has become my mantra over the past few months... to (re)learn and to remember and to actively walk out the call to BE Love!

So when the light hit just right, and I had inched forward just a enough to glance back and see where I had been parked for way too long - all the reminders and gentle words began to flood my memory and I saw clearly... it's been me! I am the one who has been in the way!  I have been standing still waiting... when I had been given the next step years ago! No coincidence whatsoever, my 'Word' for the year is Releasing and so with this revelation, comes the on purpose releasing of regret and disappointment in myself!  And with that letting go - I once again find forward motion and a renewed focus!

As I mentioned in my last post, I recently stumbled upon Michelle Perry and her blog series (The Inspired Life) One of the Session activities was to draw/sketch/paint what it looks or feels like to be Blocked (creatively speaking - in context anyway!)

 and then you were told to destroy that... bring it to Jesus and give it to Him.  Next - create a painting showing what it feels like to be UNblocked, using some of the pieces from your previous artwork. 

 Then... write about a "heaven spot" and create something from your journaling.

It was towards the end of playing with this session that it hit me... God told me to do this years ago and I put Him off.  I assumed I either misunderstood Him, or He surely meant something else, or it would require years of training and to be honest - I just really didn't WANT to do it!  And yet here I am, years later, playing - literally PLAYING - with what He told me to do that I was too intimidated to even try in the beginning!

I am finding when I feel stuck - or hesitant... when my path feels dangerous, treacherous, or blocked... I simply need to step back into His perspective rather than my own! His is always truer than mine anyway!

I pray that if you are standing in your own way... these words will take root in your heart and you will feel Him gently pull you to His side, and cause you to see things from His perspective! He can make your path clear... sometimes it's our own shadows that we see and we assume there is something outside of us that needs to change when all the while it is a shifting on the Inside that is whispering for our attention!  Lean on Him... I love how the Amplified Bible reads...

"Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

 Lean in... open your eyes... see where He wants to take you!  Once you have His perspective... no obstacle can really stop you! 

It's blue skies... nothin' but blue skies...
 ~Karrilee~

What is YOUR Spiritual Geography?

A couple of months ago, I stumbled upon a great blog by Michele Perry...

she had just started this new series entitled The Inspired Life and I have been LOVING it!

(Click on the link and check it out... jump in and play with us!)

Seriously - check out the blog... the first blog with an 'assignment' if you will,

prompted us to buy a child's watercolor set and play around with color combo's

and come up with some creative color names!

I loved the suggestion to purchase a kids' set of watercolors

- it truly DID make it easier to just relax and play!

The second 'Assignment' was more of a writing project, which is more in my comfort zone!  The task was to find your voice... and Michele went on to talk about how to find your authentic voice you must find where 3 areas overlap... those areas are #1 - your intimacy with God; #2 - Your spiritual geography; #3 - your DNA (What you Do well & love, what is most importaNt to you, and what fuels your pAssion!)  The author has you ask Jesus to tell you 3 words or phrases that describes what He likes about you... (such a fun exercise!) Next she asks you to describe your everyday world.  She says that often, your natural geography will give way to a metaphor of your spiritual geography.

Now here was my chance to look around and paint a picture with words... 

Here is a portion of what I wrote in my journal:

"I live in a Valley.  I am reminded of this every day

as we are surrounded by 'purple mountains majesty'

I watch the snow capped tip of Mount Adams transform

from white to blue to pink and back again as the sun rises.

I am only minutes away from orchards & farms... fruitful, blessed lands.

While there is great beauty - (both in literal landscape, and in small town life of

family bonds, history/heritage and familiarity)

there is also great darkness (empty store fronts, gang graffiti, and drug houses.)

There is a battle raging... and yet I see the glory of the LORD

pouring out over the hills, filling the Valley! 

During my walk, the route I take starts out at a slight incline,

but soon there are three hills that must be conquered.

My body is sometimes reluctant, crying out for a break, or to turn around 

- but I know I can make it to the top... I have made it before...

so I now have experience that tells my body to just keep going...

I tend to keep my head down at the steepest parts,

but when I am tempted to stop I glance up to the skyline

to see I am almost cresting the top.

And what is at the top? A beautiful orchard... 

and beyond that, views of the entire Valley below!

These hills bring me to the top - to  a 'Scenic Drive' 

- an affluent, prosperous neighborhood with gorgeous views, emaculate landscaping,

and a nice straight flat portion of my route that stretches on for miles.

The climb down leads back into town.

I enter more traffic, more people. more distractions...

less rural and ritz, more urban & middle class."

So the Spiritual Metaphor for my life right now is that I am called to climb up higher... to spend time at the top, and to go back to daily life and share what I have seen and heard! I am declaring and decreeing that the Glory of the Lord will come and fill my Valley with His Presence, His Power, and His great (creative!) Purposes!

(Next... was to paint a picture with watercolors:)

I believe next up (before I move on to the next post) will be to capture some of these scenes with my beloved camera!

So... all of that to ask you this:

What is YOUR Spiritual geography?  Look around... I mean REALLY look around you.  What is surrounding you in the natural and how does this create a metaphor for your spiritual geography?  I invite you to go outside... open your eyes to see on a different level...  and ask the Lord to show you where He is taking you!

~Karrilee~

His Furious Love overwhelms every 'less than'!

I am blessed! I realize that it often seems rather unfair that I live such a charmed life! Now - don't get me wrong... my life is not perfect... things go wrong... there are things I would like to change... not everything is easy or successful or 'charmed' - however I have learned to keep a spirit of thankfulness and I have come in direct contact with God's Furious Love. This translates in my life to mean that any issue or circumstance or problem or 'less than' that I come in contact with - I know that my God's LOVE will sweep in and overwhelm it!

I have this amazing group of women who gather in my living room every Monday... we've been meeting for over a decade and while some have moved away, some have joined in later, and we have had a few seasons where we took a break - we have created an atmosphere where we join together and live life out loud with each other.

We have gone through ups and downs and all the while - pressed in to more of what God has for us. We started as an intercessory group, moved in to worship, have gone through various books, and are right now digging in to the gospel of John.

I love that we flow from one focus to another and continue to press in and make room for others. I also love that every one of these ladies are leaders... they have read (and read and studied and read) the book of John several times and yet the excitement we all had to dig in to a book in the Bible and just see what God would show us was tangible.

It's been great... powerful... the call for the season we have found is "Come and See!" Jesus says this literally and figuratively often through out the gospel of John and He is still saying it today!

This week we went over Chapter 8... which begins with the woman caught 'in the very act' of adultery and handed (or shoved) over at Jesus' feet. I have always loved this passage for all the obvious reasons! Who doesn't love a Knight in shining armor; someone who has the ability to pass judgement but offers Mercy instead? To give just a little background on this passage - let's remember that in Ch 7, Jesus taught in the Temple that He is the Living Water. He said this quite possibly during the festivities where they pour out barrels of water that run out into the streets. Who can know if he is ankle deep, knee deep, ...and quite possibly - His listeners are picturing in their minds Ezekiel 47 as He is talking... powerful revelation unfolding there and the scripture says that many believed in Him that day. So - now - this is the next day... and He goes right back to the temple and is teaching in the area where the women gather. We don't know what He was talking with them about - but we do know that He is not surprised with the disruption. There is a commotion and all of the sudden in the midst of the women, is a crowd of Pharisees - angry, loud, threatening... and they toss this woman... (you can almost here their disdain here) she was caught 'in the very act' of adultery. They point out the obvious: according to Moses and the Law - this woman must be stoned. Now - in reality - they didn't want to stone her, they wanted to stone HIM! I love that he knew this... He knew the Law as well and knew that they were wanting to trap Him. But He is ALWAYS about bringing freedom. So He bends down and begins to write in the dirt... who can know for sure what he was doing... but Jeremiah 17:13 comes to mind! "O Lord, the hope of Israel, All who forsake You shall be ashamed. “Those who depart from Me shall be written in the earth, Because they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters.” (Remember - he JUST told them yesterday that He IS the fountain of living waters!) Maybe He was writing their names... or their sins that they thought no one else knew about... whatever He was doing - we know was not for nothing! He always had purpose and I believe that when He basically said, 'OK - whoever among you who is without sin, throw the first stone' He was writing out the very sins that they knew they had done... listen - God is gracious when He calls you out of sin... He was gracious to them in keeping it personal and quiet and not making a show of it, and He was gracious to her as well!

As we were discussing this in our small group - all of the sudden the Lord gave me this picture of the spiritual realm that was happening on that day! The Pharisees entered the arena full of anger, rage, blood-thirst... they were releasing into the atmosphere judgement, shame, & death. This woman KNEW she was being set up... she was well aware of the Law and that the man should be taken with her... injustice was rising in her and yet she knew... she deserved this. Whether the man got away or was part of the set up - it didn't matter. Either way she knew today was her end. I picture her on the ground... in the dirt... covered in judgement and shame... head down - eyes closed in self-protection, attempting with all her might to block out the world around her and trying to prepare to meet her Maker. Little did she know that as she looked up, He was peering directly into her eyes! While the spiritual realm charged the atmosphere with darkness... with shame and hate and injustice... Jesus - as always, in all that He did - is releasing Love, Mercy, Forgiveness, and a chance at New Life! All the while, the war in the heavenlies was charging the air and God's Furious passionate Love was overcoming and overwhelming every 'less than' thought or emotion... there was a chance being offered to everyone present... a chance at a new life - to have a new heart... a clean slate! I see a glorious covering over the woman, protecting her from the warring in the spirit and releasing into her the hope for More instead of Less.

The silence she felt all around her was real, the only sound she heard was that of shuffling feet moving off in a distance, and rocks gently falling to the ground. Even the women there were silent - waiting and watching to see what would happen. And when she dared to peer up through her tangled hair, I can see her dirt and tear stained face, expecting to find an angry mob, but it was His eyes of Love that she found herself falling into instead! "“Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.” (John 8:10-11)

He - being the only sinless one - had the authority to throw the first stone, and yet He is all about releasing Freedom and offering something INSTEAD... Instead of judgement, wounding, shame, and death - His grace reaches out and he pours out Mercy, Healing, Acceptance, and Life... He offers her, this adulterous woman, Love that she has never had. He offers the same to you! His Furious Love longs to overwhelm every 'less than' that you have settled for or have been thrown at the feet of. Dare to look up and see His pierced hands and feet - reaching out to you... taking your place so that you can stand tall, start over, and walk in the Love that He so freely pours out to you!

What do you want to trade in... what has the enemy of your soul told you is 'less than' that God desires His furious love to flood in and give you an Instead in place of? Reach out... His heart is FOR you!

~Karrilee~

(I am SO not an artist... but I am stepping out in creativity and when I 'saw' this Scripture acted out - I knew I wanted to paint it!)

Experiencing the Father's Embrace (Book Review... sort of)

It's been awhile again... we are loving attending Soar (BSSM satellite school)and all that the Lord is opening up to us. If I had to sum up in one word what we have learned so far - it would be Risk... but that is another post! I simply wanted to let you know that we are still alive and kicking... pressing in to the Kingdom. We had to read Jack Frosts' "Experiencing the Father's Embrace" and write up a book report. However, after our Firestorm weekend with Kevin Dedmon it seems there is a LOT of Creativity stirred up and we were encouraged to - well - be more creative in our reports. Paint a picture... write a poem... sing a song... (or write a book report! LOL!)

Well - because I truly do love to write I thought I would write out of a time of worship. So I logged on to Mike Bickel’s International House of Prayer for some live soaking music and sat back… just breathing... waiting… being loved on.

Within minutes – they were singing about the knowing the Beauty of His heart and all of the sudden, I could ‘see’ Jesus standing before me, smiling. His eyes of love intoxicating… His smile loving and inviting… the joy on His face contagious – and somehow while He looked at peace and focused on me – I noticed that His hands were busy. I looked down and could see Him reaching in to my heart – right through this shadow of flesh. He was digging around, looking at what was in there. I could feel no pain – just shifting… He would pull something out – look at it, laugh or nod, and put it back. Other things He would pull out and stretch out His hand behind Him and hand off to the Father. I never saw exactly what those things were… so after He was seemingly elbow deep in my heart and pulled something else out and was about to hand it off, I asked what it was. He showed me a simple ring. Nothing too fancy. He could see the confusion on my face and He said, “Sometimes, my love, you make covenant with things that are not worthy of you. You come into agreement with things that are not pleasing to Us.” Up until that moment I really was not concerned that He was digging around in my heart. I was simply overjoyed to have Him so close to me. But suddenly – I was self conscious and hesitant to see what He was pulling out. He just smiled and said, “It’s ok my dear… nothing is too difficult for Us. Our covenants are forever… Our promises are Yes and Amen! Anything short of what is best for you, I will simply remove! The more you come to Me, and allow My presence to fill you, and my Love to fill you up – the less you will be tempted to make covenant with something counterfeit or less than! The power of your agreement… the power of your words… the attitude of your heart – these are vital areas to keep aware of as you fill up to pour out! Think of this as a little check up! A Well check, if you will. We want you to be filled with Our best for you – so you will pour out the best that we have for others! This is the beauty of your heart to Us – and the beauty of Our heart to you!”

This is what I learned – or was reminded of – while reading “Experiencing the Father’s Embrace” by Jack Frost. When we keep a short account with Him… His love is much more available to flow through us. When we are willing to guard our tongues and attitudes of the heart, we are more likely to be His words and His heart to others around us. The choice is ours… sometimes we make it (or make ‘covenant’) unaware and other times it is defiantly on purpose! We must learn to give up our right to be right (even when we are!) and value relationship instead! Jesus is our example… and for us – He gave His all!

In the vision, I remembered letting Jesus continue reaching into my heart… the next thing He brought out, looked at and began to put back, I asked to see. It was a gorgeous signet ring… bright and shiny with a crown above the diamond setting. “This,” He said, “is a good Covenant!” and He placed it back where He had found it!

I am once again determined to meet with Him and allow Him full access to my heart! Only He can reach in, examine the true motives and intents, and decide what can stay – and remove what needs to go! I remember a few years ago, He showed me a sheep pen and the gate around it… there was a weak spot and He was building it up – He looked right at me and said – you MUST remember, to the enemy – Access is ALWAYS denied! I began to incorporate that into my prayers and saw power released. So I love that here, He has reminded me that I have the choice… I can also deny Him access to all that is in my heart – but that is not a wise choice! To the Lord – we give FULL ACCESS – and in doing that, we get to experience the Father’s embrace!

I want to look right at You...

This is the cry of my heart! To look right at Him... to sing right to Him!

I love that He is so intimate... all you must do is pause... breathe... just turn your focus and affection toward Him and He so graciously shows up! Sometimes softly - in a whisper or a breeze... sometimes with Power in thunder or rain... but always... He comes!

I must admit that I can get weary of talking about Him - and not giving Him room to show up and move. We all do it - whether in a church service, a coffee date, or our daily lives... but He has been reminding me ever so gently that all He needs is a second to break through the mundane and show up for you! He wants to meet with you... even if you have only 5 minutes... close your eyes and quiet your spirit... call for Him - and see how fast He comes to you!

Enjoy this song as you spend just a moment or two - soaking in His Presence!

Dove's Eyes by Misty Edwards:



Don't just talk ABOUT Him... turn your attention toward Him - look right at Him!
~Karrilee~