To the Moon.

All of creation is telling a story. [Forgive me, if I've worn out this concept all too much. It's something I can't run away from, this story continues to draw me in, again and again.]

These past few weeks I've been watching the moon. I'm always looking for the full moons, so fun. There's something in my heart that receives so much joy when I catch it, especially when it's rising. It bears much meaning to me. It signifies something more than a just a floating celestial body in the night sky, it's actually a picture story. Do you know it? Have you been listening to her tell her story? Let me tell you about it:

When I've watched for her, sometimes she's waning and other times she is waxing. She sometimes can't be seen. The Moon isn't always whole. She is crescent at one time, then a half of herself, and then almost full. And my eye catches her most beautiful state when she's fully herself, when she's Mrs. Full Moon. Yes, I've decided she's married, married to the Sun.

Do you get it? The Moon personified is humanity, and the Sun is both Father God and Bridegroom Jesus. We have first been invisible, dead, darkened. As soon as we enter into the place of encountering the Sun, or rather Son, we begin to reflect that. In the process of time, we are changed, and more and more we become whole-- changed from glory to glory till that day when we we see Our Creator face to face, and we are seen most fully ourselves. We return to our first image, our intended state of being: like God. Notice I said state of being (no longer becoming).

We are the Moon reflecting the Son. This is the glory of creation, to make known the beauty and splendor of the Father. And in the dark of night, we can too be a light to those groping in the shadows.

What's more, Abba is faithful to prepare the Bride for His Son, and she will mirror her Maker, the Master Craftsman. We shall walk in fullness. Oh Glory. Renew us, and make Your Bride, Your Church, look like You so that we could better love the Son as You love Him.

Jewish blessing of the Moon:

Praised are you, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who created the skies with his word, and all heaven’s host with the breath of his mouth. He gave them appointed times and roles, and they never miss their cues, doing their creator’s bidding with gladness and joy. He is the true creator who acts faithfully, and he has told the moon to renew itself. It is a beautiful crown for the people carried by God from birth (Israel), who will likewise be renewed in the future in order to proclaim the beauty of their creator for his glorious majesty. Praised are you, O Lord, who renews new moons.

And Quote

I hope and wait for the day that my study begins to translate itself into worship. I want to learn, not for learning's sake, but so that I can then more fully be able to worship.

I read an excerpt from a C.S. Lewis book that I thought to share. So good.

“When I attempted a few minutes ago, to describe our spiritual longings, I was omitting one of their most curious characteristics. We usually notice it just as the moment of vision dies away, as the music ends, or as the landscape loses the celestial light… For a few minutes we have had the illusion of belonging to that world. Now we wake to find that it is no such thing. We have been mere spectators. Beauty has smiled, but not to welcome us; her face turned in our direction, but not to see us. We have not been accepted, welcomed, or taken into the dance. We may go when we please, we may stay if we can, no one cares. Now, a scientist may reply that since most of the things we call beautiful are inanimate it is not very surprising that they take no notice of us. That, of course, is true. It is not the physical objects that I am speaking of, but that indescribable Something of which they become for a moment the messengers. And part of the bitterness which mixes with the sweetness of that message is due to the fact that it so seldom seems to be a message intended for us, but rather something we have overheard. By bitterness I mean pain, not resentment. We should hardly dare to ask that any notice be taken of ourselves. But we pine. The sense that in the universe we are treated as strangers, the longing to be acknowledged, to meet with some response, the bridge some chasm that yawns between us and reality, is part of our inconsolable secret.” (C.S. Lewis from The Weight of Glory)

standing still

[let me be in a country land where only beauty grows]

till then, I'll stand and watch You set this into motion,

bringing back beauty again

this is my prayer

King of Glory and all that is Good: Jesus. Father. Friend. I ask that You simply breathe in me today. I pray for the willingness of my own spirit and soul to let You in. Oh let me not suffocate Your Spirit breathing in me. Help me to love you better because You love me so well.

"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen." Jude 1: 25

Ah, I have such a good God, who is faithful to transform me into His image... He will shape me so that He will not find one spot, not one blemish in me. Such a good reminder: that He does this for me, and my meager efforts to discipline myself are actually counterproductive. Ok, so please, grow in me God.

Whew, now I can breathe better.

a moment of metropolis

New York is just one of those cities that is simply photogenic... there's so much to see there, so much detail that is missed if you're not paying attention. Me and my family went a couple weeks ago, and oh was it wonderful!

One of my favorite parts of our trip was when we were scurrying through the subway, and we heard these musicians playing some flute-like, wooded instruments. What struck us as we were passing through was that the melody that was building was reminiscent of a WORSHIP song! I believe it was, He is Holy. A couple feet ahead was a street preacher who was speaking on the reality of a Creator God who actually speaks to us. I got chills all over and even felt like I could have gotten saved again. haha The presence of Jesus was there no doubt! His talk was not marked by condemnation, but, in my mind, his talk was likened to John the Baptist who knew of a Kingdom that was coming...

It was such a short second in our trip, but still, of everything we'd seen and experienced, that moment was a comfort and an inspiration for us. I am thankful.

[the Empire State building! my sister & my mum]

[hello vested man]

[the train. they call it "the train" instead of "the subway" in nyc]

[taxi! in Time Square]

[let your light shine. this was actually taken back home,

in a thrift store, finishing off the rest of the summer]

[this is at Ten Top. he sat by the window

& I thought it was a picture perfect moment]