IMAGINE—for just a second you are this horse, running through the dew kissed pasture in the mid morning sun. Careless to the world around you, you gallop hard, fast, and with sheer passion. You pant and your muscles tense as you run; however, you continue galloping. The pain you feel is minute compared to the joy and satisfaction you receive from running full-force. You run with a purpose in mind—to make you strong and more powerful. You know excellence cannot be achieved without arduous work and effort—so you run.  You train your body to excel in the midst of the harsh environment. This running is not a shallow, mindless action. It involves all you comprise. Your mind, will, and emotions are zealously involved in this freedom quest. The wind laps through your jet black hair as you run, pushing back any distraction you might face in the process. You can see clearly. Though the scenery around you may feel like a whirlwind, you are aware of the richness of the mountains and the pale complacent sky. The grass meets your feet and pushes you onward to run—run with all your might. Finish the course and train to be all that you can be! You could stop running and calmly trot instead of gallop, but something beats inside your chest…it is the call to rise above the ordinary standard! You were created to be extraordinary! As sweat trickles down your legs, you feel a sense of joy that you never felt before. You have discovered what you were born to do—what you were created for. How can you turn back or stop now? You know, this is what makes your heart sing! So you gallop and continue galloping. Through the pain, effort, and discipline you discover running enables your heart to throb in joy and purpose. It is your identity! You were fashioned to run. Run sweet dreamer—toward purpose in grace! Train with the true vision in mind!

Psalm 119:32:

“I RUN in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.”

Psalm 19: 1-6

    The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.

Kinsman Redeemer

In the glow of her lantern, her body came near.

Patches of wheat, at his feet, now made clear.

She swallowed her fear and gently blew out the flame.

Would this act of her love defame her sweet name?

Salty, wet tears rolled down her face.

She lay prostrate at his feet. She felt redeemed in this place.

Lying in stillness, she uttered tender prayers,

As the thick, humid wind blew through her hair.

Suddenly, she felt movement. Her lover stirred.

He gently sat up and fixed his gaze upon her.

His gentle smile set her heart in motion.

No words did he speak, yet she felt his devotion.

His hands caressed her cheek in the calm midnight.

Her eyes, no longer weary, gained passionate sight.

In a voice like honey, his love he proclaimed.

All darkness in the field faded—only pure light remained.

She knew, he, her Kinsmen Redeemer, would never part.

For everlasting love lived in his heart.

Kimi Willingham

Ruth 3: 8-11

In the middle of the night something startled the man, and he turned and discovered a woman lying at his feet.

"Who are you?" he asked.

"I am your servant Ruth," she said. "Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman redeemer."

 "The LORD bless you, my daughter," he replied. "This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor.

And now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character.

You Exceed All.

You are Glorious! You are beauty. You are truth.

Seize me God. Take hold of my life.

Grasp me by the hand. Hold me tight.

My feet are shackled—aching to dance.

Free me Father. You are my romance.

I leap with passion flowing through my veins.

Songs of praise hover round your flame.

Glory, I shout. Glory to the King!

He is the melody that I sing.

His words engulf me.

They are food which sustains me.

A candlelit dinner is what he prepares.

I sit at a feast with the Father and stare.

He is the perfect portrait—all colors in tact— His beauty, beyond measure.

His face is not vague. Each feature of the King is a treasure.

Precious, my Lord, so precious are You!

As I drink your Holy water…my life is renewed.

You are the well, the aquifer, the source—

Cool streams of your grace clean me with force.

I flow in the wind which surrounds me in peace.

More of you, I cry. I must decrease!

Never again will I deface,

The name of my Lord—my resting place!

Your power flashes, yet in the light I see a lamb.

You speak with might, “I am the great I AM.”

Feet quivering on this holy ground, I fall.

You, my God, exceed overall.

By: Kimi Willingham

Psalm 108:5:

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let your glory be over all the earth.

 May my life be like a Dancer...

It seems as if each day passes by like a hurricane. Life swirls around me in a constant fury, yet I remain still. Should I join the ferocity—chase the air down? Or should I dance in the wind and let the cool breeze seize my soul and manage my life?

I feel the choice is obvious. I desire to dance in the wind—to soar on the heights!

I want to lace my soft, pink shoes and twirl in the integrity of the Magnificent Maker of All—to twirl ribbons in the gust of his goodness! The streams ripple with the wonder of his awesome name. The mountains shake in awe of his mighty hands. He gives power to the weak and sight to the blind. I cannot help but raise my hands in gratitude for all He is and all He has done. He has assured me that my feet are planted on solid ground in the foundation of His name! He is the Rock…He sustains me! I dance in assurance of perfection and praise. May my dance be one of honor and adoration!

God has cascaded unending grace on his children—how beautiful—to display our lives as an elegant dance for the King of kings!

2 Samuel 6:14:
And David danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a priestly garment.

Jeremiah 31:13:
 The young women will dance for joy, and the men—old and young—will join in the celebration. I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing.

Psalm 22:23:
Praise the Lord, all you who fear him! Honor him, all you descendants of Jacob! Show him reverence, all you descendants of Israel!

1 Corinthians 9:26&27:
So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

Joel 3: 9-17 (New Amplified Version)

Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare war, stir up the mighty men. Let all the men of war draw near, let them come up. Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weak say, "I am a warrior." Hasten and come, all you nations round about, gather yourselves there. Bring down thy warriors, O LORD.

Let the nations bestir themselves, and come up to the valley of Jehosh'aphat; for there I will sit to judge all the nations round about. Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Go in, tread, for the wine press is full. The vats overflow, for their wickedness is great.

Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining. And the LORD roars from Zion, and utters his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth shake. But the LORD is a refuge to his people, a stronghold to the people of Israel.

"So you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who dwell in Zion, my holy mountain. And Jerusalem shall be holy and strangers shall never again pass through it.

                                                   Buckled Feet

Our feet are buckled with the confidence of faith,

Our helmets are burnished with the radiance of grace.

Equip us Dear Lord, call out our names…

In the fire we are changed in the shadow of your fame.

Breathe on our bodies goodness divine,

Focus our thoughts and precedence realign.

We echo out praises which surround this globe,

Marching in armies toward the flicker of your robe.

Oh, God our defender the King we fight for…

The palpitates of our hearts are faithfully sure.

Branches of love you extend from your hands.

Waves of assurance sweep over us as planned.

No longer weak, feeble men of the world,

We are warriors of strength, encased by your word.

May our lives simply be a glimpse of your power!

To display to the earth—you are a mighty, strong tower!  

We drape you in robes of purple royalty!

Plant our brazen feet on the solidity of your loyalty.

Kimberly Willingham 

Standing In His Steps

I want to blossom, I want to bloom in the hand,
Of my Savior, He makes my feet stand
On the solid shield of steel faith.
He protects me and keeps my heart safe.
Beauty encircles my God on high,
New life, in his presence, I cannot deny.
He shines on my weakness and empowers my mind.
He makes me think forward-- to leave my past behind.
Forgiving and blessings fall from his tears.
Redemption comes softly, removing my fears.
Sound mind and strong feet, he cements me in grace.
Flashes of kindness light up his face.
Shaking body, he holds me and confesses his plans.
He rewrites my life story in the blood from his hands.
My heart is crucified, my old desires will not do.
I follow his footsteps. Lord, I live in you!

Kimberly Willingham

So I heard this morning on the radio…45 days until Christmas!?! How Exciting. Wow, it seems as if this semester has only just begun; however, pretty soon I will be packing my bags to go home for Christmas break…

Times flies by like the speed of light. I somehow trick myself into believing I have all the time in the world, but that is not true. Time is limited on earth. It excites me yet discourages me at the same time. It excited me because I can look back and see the beautiful, undeserved blessings the Lord has bestowed upon me over these last lightning pace years. Consequently, I can look back also upon the many times I did not rejoice in the simple moments and use the precious opportunities the Lord thrust in my face. They were as flashing lighting, yet my human mind could not grasp the concept of what he was doing. We are shallow without Christ—not a mastermind conclusion from my part but imperative.

Oh, to live each day to the fullest—to look to the right and the left and beam Christ in every glance of our smiles! This is the high calling of God. We are the lighthouses he has planted for the display of his splendor. Yes, we have read this—we are a city on a hill, which cannot be hidden…but just to think on this picture is indescribable. Earlier this week I was reading a poem by Poe called the “Haunted Palace.” This poem described a man descending into a state of insanity. Poe, ingenuously, crafted a poem where each stanza portrayed the image of the human body. He began with the hair, mind, eyes, and mouth. I cannot help but think that we are Living Palaces created to shine Jesus. We are not fated to spiral downward into an insane condition, but an enlightened existence; because we have experienced the face of Christ. We are enabled to eat the meat of his spiritual goodness, to soar on the heights of the horizon, and stand with the rushing wind upon our backs! I pray to seize every moment from now on. Impact cannot make a difference through self-interest. Humility must burnish forth from this broken life! May the crevices of imperfections light our souls to run into the fire screaming your name! As we daily thirst for water, I pray we thirst for your wisdom in the same way.

Brilliant Lord…May we hold our candles high with surrendered hands!

John 3:21:
But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.

Surrendering

[suh-ren-der]

To give oneself up to some influence, course, emotion, etc.

To give up abandon or relinquish

I Surrender All

Father, Master, Never-ending story,

Residing as the King of Glory,

Bathe me in the holy presence of you.

Drench me with your mercies new.

I stumble, Christ, and collapse at your feet,

Cradle me Jesus, and subdue my heart beat.

I stagger my Lord, to your throne made of grace,

I can’t stand in your beauty, I fall on my face.

Your eyes are piercing, yet peacefully kind,

As I gaze in your eyes, sweet praises fill my mind.

Lying prostrate, I elevate my hands,

I give all to you, I surrender my plans.

I lay myself bare, and answer your call.

Father to you, I surrender all.

Surrendering is such a hard and humble thing to do. It is admitting we are weak and the Lord is strong. It is a physical setting aside of the fleshly desires of our hearts to run after what the Lord has in mind. He calls us to surrender or give up our lives for Him and His purpose. How beautiful-- the Lord is calling us to stop focusing on the fake jewels of the world and truly seek for the precious, genuine gems in His heart. However, we must give up our whole self to Him—He will not settle for half of the whole! He is an intimate God and desires our full attention. When our full attention is on Him…blessings flow continually, joy seizes our attitude, and Christ radiates freely to others in a selfless love!

Matthew 4:19:
Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."

Matthew 8:19:
  Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go."

Matthew 10:39:

Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Matthew 16:24:

  Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

----Prayer--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Holy Father, I follow you. I deny myself and walk in your righteous direction. For you alone are wise. Erase the thoughts of inadequacy my heart feels and replace it with your power and strength. In you, I am beckoned to be a warrior—armed in truth and protected with the strongest sword, your word! In your light beauty lines my eyes. I want to be forever found in your glow. I love you Father. Wash over me.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

    “As God’s standard of everything is HIGH, let us endeavor to live for Him with the highest intention in mind.”

--Hannah More

   “It is easier to gaze into the sun, than into the face of the mystery of God. Such is its beauty and its radiance.”

--Hildegard of Bingen

   “Often I have made a request of God with earnest pleadings even backed up with scripture, only to hear Him say “No” because He had something better in store!”

--Ruth Bell Graham

MAY THE LORD OF PEACE HIMSELF GIVE YOU PEACE AT ALL TIMES AND IN EVERY WAY. THE LORD BE WITH ALL OF YOU!

2 THESILONIANS 3:16

 Isaiah 60:1

Arise, shine; for your light has come,
  And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.

Lord, let the light of your beautiful face shine upon us! May we   always be captured in the glow of your presence. You make all dark places bright. Darkness cannot exist in the glimmer of your glory!     

May we carry your light forever in our hearts and upon our faces! I pray we radiate your goodness to all. Our lives are forever changed because we have gazed upon your glow! We cannot return. I pray you continually intensify the light about our eyes--so that we can lead many to righteousness!

All for your Glory King!