No Limits to knowing HIM

By now you can imagine that the life of a designer creates space for change.   Many walls limit where we store our stuff.  You can see by the glimpses inside and up close that  grey days became opportunities to fill my space with more of Jesus.  This is the back story...

“ In fact, after completing  a Discipleship Training School with Youth With a Mission as a young single mom, the mandate of the mission “to know God and make Him known” was revealed.  This uncovered a wonderful life of learning to lean on God’s character, not mine.  New wonders of my amazing God gave me strength and a better knowledge of how to get to know Him. My shattered life with two small children and a husband in prison could not compare.   His suffering shaped my character. Transformation. To know Him .  Power came as I let go of my past and I pressed into Him.”

“Wonderful and exciting has been the journey. We have gone to places others do not dare venture. Prayer has been the vehicle that has carried me faster than a moving train to get close enough to know Him.  Jesus. He is my everything.  We have had moments in other countries learning and leaning together. We prayer walk. We jog. We sing.”

  “Here’s another way I’ve come to enjoy ‘hanging out’ with Jesus, just him and me. Usually it is very early morning or late night, when there are only sounds of slumber around me.”

“It’s a time when I experience the ‘intimacy with God’ so many people have spoken about. When thoughts and ideas form, it’s as if He talks. I listen.”

“Then, I either pray for revelation from the Holy Spirit on the subject, or I am compelled to dissect the  Word. His words to me, found in Bible passages, are so precious.  It is like we are thumbing his picture album.”

“I like to savor each page, reflecting on events, like when He walked on water or neared the darkest hour of his life in the garden--alone. He faced His present to take care of my future. My heart cries with Him. he is so beautiful in times like these. He lets me know that it’s like I am giving Him another cup of chamomile tea to soothe His aching heart. I really love these times because I get to work from the cross instead of striving to it. Somehow, my life struggles vanish.”

“Faith. Hope. Love. These triplets seem, to shout as the pages of Scripture reveal His heart.”

“The greatest thrill for me is that I have not exhausted all there is to know about Jesus. The more I know Him, the more there is to know, and I get thirstier for ‘tea time’. I encourage others to savor time, to spend time, to adjust schedules with friends to schedule time with Jesus.”

“I’ve found that He is waiting for each of us to get to know Him and His ways. His love waits for each of us!”

Walls that limit

It was now the connecting air terminal in  Houston, the last leg home to Phoenix. Here is a praise of someone’s prayers.  I met a lovely young lady and asked directions for seafood  and told her how much I enjoyed her state.   Let me recap our walk in the terminal.  We walked and talked about the late flight.   Suddenly, she let me see inside her heart. 

Time elapsed, or did it stand still?  Thoughts of what happened became a surreal film.  After sharing the “gospel” with a stranger who was struggling with TRUTH, she had found no Mercy within the church walls.  Incidentally, her uncle was inside the walls of Angola.  She was outside the walls but was she free?  She was judged.  Her story could be your story.   Years ago, she was with another friend from her youth group and they frivolously shoplifted a dress they wanted to wear to Sunday church.  Crime does not pay.   The shame they felt in the jail did not compare with the alienation this young girl felt as the supposed friend “set her up” to keep her dad from “blaming” her.  This was a “frame up”.

  I wonder how many inside Angola were judged unfairly?  Shame always crowds out hope.  She was alone in this walk as her parents did not attend church.  She was asked to leave the church and youth group “to not cause anymore of the kids to stray”. Wow. 

 She hardened her heart towards God, choosing to call herself an “atheist”.  She wanted to belong to something. This group rehashed the “why nots” and lessened the blame.  I thought to myself where had I not extended mercy  and truth to my own family or a friend? My heart pounded as I walked with her to find a place to sit away from the crowd. I asked her a question as I put my hand on her shoulder and quietly said “ would you please forgive me for expressing  judgement for the wrong  you did?  I am the church, as an ordained minister.  I am so sorry. This is not the GOOD NEWS and not my God?”  Tears, rolled down her eyes, we hugged as I shared the Truth of who HE was again.   She was suddenly free.

Today I ask you, who or what is in the way of really knowing God?  It will cost you everything.  My personal story is just what the cost has been to me.  Don’t be incarcerated by “others” judgement.

 This day inside Angola changed everything and made me reexamine  the scripture about being willing to loose my life  unto death. 

Inside the walls, these men’s lives were altered by “doing time”. The power of the Word and the love expressed through people of  faith changed them.  You could tell the ones that “got to know Him”.  My story, outside the walls, is no different.  I just had to “make time”.

The visit to Louisiana  reminded me of my own personal quest. Here is an article written by a reporter from the Washington Times about our visit. His perspective will enhance and highlight even more details. http://www.washingtontimes.com/multimedia/collection/the-prison-that-dared-to-pray-angola-used-faith-

Hopefully this will unmask truth and you will see mercy as it appeared in an excerpt from Lindsey Clifford’s workbook to complement her book “Just Jesus”.  (www.justjesuschrist.com) This was from the topic “knowing Jesus”.   One day in Angola connected me to people who know HiM!  Lindsey begins Mary Ann’s story: “When Mary Ann recently reflected on her life, she realized that she had been on a quest that led to the prize of knowing Jesus. She suddenly understood the difference between acquiring knowledge and getting to know him.”

“The verse etched in my heart is Philippians 3;10-14, that I man know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if by any means, I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

“

Up close continued

This day we witnessed hope and dignity arise as one man, Warden Cain, who chose to  establish Mercy and Truth.   He constantly used kindness to establish truth.  The children ran out on the field as their dad’s name was called. The hearts of the children really did turn to their fathers!

 Reflecting on my personal journey, I was reminded of the “Tikvah”, or “red cord” that Rehab the harlot had used to rescue many.  This is the HOPE for families and nations.  Her past did not frame her story.  She extended help that became her future.    She knew her God. 

This is my “take” on the story inside Angola.  I see this as Hope for our future, in every sphere of society.  Apply the principles that Warden Cain used allowing the Word of God to transform his sphere. 

The scripture below from an article by Paul Keith Davis waiting in my computer when I returned from  Angola truly spoke to me.       

Ps 89:14-15 Your throne is founded on two strong pillars‑‑ the one is Justice and the other Righteousness. Mercy and Truth walk before you as your attendants. Blessed are those who hear the joyful blast of the trumpet, for they shall walk in the light of your presence.   His words  pierced me.  Was I really welcoming these two pillars in every area of my own life?  It brought to mind a teaching I did for a women’s bible study and the teacher  asked some of us to share a “.topic” for her soon to be published workbook.   I chose  KNOWING GOD. 

Inside and Up Close

      This will be another angle  and interior view, with a slant towards beauty from the inside out. If you love surprises then get ready for what I saw as I stepped off the bus and entered a massive place, 18,000 acres, with lots of buildings. This was not a typical day for a designer. It was a day for stark contrasts. So often I have  prejudged a space before entering. Reactions create a response. We can either go oh wow, or oh yuck! We immediately are tempted to form a judgement.  I will give you little snippets. Let's go inside...

      Instead of styles of furniture, we will glance inside and up close for a personal look of one designer on a mission.  She will put herself in this space. 

On the move

On the move we were having the adventure of our life. MIMI had arrived to have fun exploring. We skyped London and Paris and we never even left Marin. Two little boys almost 3 and 1 and a half keep you moving, constantly climbing and unpacking treasures.  Kudos to mom and dad for just moving in and 3 days later boarding a plane to New Orleans. They did manage to unpack the kitchen and boys rooms.  We would scout out the new neighborhood. 

We grabbed our balls and hit the yard. Boys love ball. All I could think of was where had the time gone between now and the time his dad was playing. He was doing a great job raising his boys to love football. It would be a challenge to train them to be KC Chiefs fans in the thick of SF  NINERS.    Where had the time gone? They were with Payton Manning's dad who had quarterbacked when Hoppa was at Tulane. 

Reading and art always creates imagination.  For me, remembering when their dad was drawing and then chasing a ball became alive as we decided to paint dad a birthday present of his Chiefs. How could I forget that Thanksgiving meal nearly 34 years ago when after turkey and mashed potatoes 

indigestion set in suddenly I found myself delivering my little butterball the next day on Nov29!  We continued to muse, read and scribble. The project nearing completion and baby wanted to climb up on the space and read.  Clear the deck, it is time for a new project time does fly when you are on the move.

Our first run around the new block we decided to look for lions and tigers. We had made pretend pizzas in the backyard and we were ready to stretch. We were on the lookout. Suddenly all eyes went straight ahead. What was strolling across the path some wild bird.  We got closer just in time to see the fanning of his feathers.  Thoughts turned to yesterday at the preschool Thanksgiving feast where i had proudly sampled  a meal with my little guy. WE talked about the turkey and dressing. The creature strutted off to the brush out of view...could it be TOM?

We were still having fun when we returned unlocking the treasure chest of imagination and decided to bake. Oh those cookies and muffins were yummy.  We were going to read stories, take a bath and bed. Tonight maybe Cole would put Mimi to sleep.

We  awakened after 6.  We slept in today but wanted to go to the park and maybe take a new path and discover if we could find Tom again.    What a park to slide and splash through the puddles and chase for ducks. We were discovering how fun it was to roll down grassy hills after the move from the cement of the city. Time was getting closer to dusk  so we loaded up the stroller boys and gear in tow. When we crossed the pedestrian bridge over the marsh we were looking for the short cut. We turned the corner and looked in the distance, Cole shouted," oh my look ".  What or who is in the intersection straight ahead?  We ditched the short cut and sauntered to the light.  Yes, we had found our wild bird he was walking across the road.  Where will Tom end up this Thanksgiving?

The journey

We were in the Galilee, where Jesus crossed to the other side. We took a day to stay back from the tour and regroup from jet lag. This day our devotional was in full view. Denise and I were crossing that day  our spiritual sea.  We were amid flowers up to our waists on the other shore where we sailed. Leaving yesterday's  fears and surrendering expectations we faced hope. We believed.We had touched Jesus . We felt his warm embrace as we said yes to who he said he was. Could we imagine a diagnosis when we returned of cancer free? Our special surprise trip to Israel was more than we expected. It was here that we learned to daily trust. Our daily bread became our healing grace. 

How could we doubt the love the Father had for his son when we felt his certain grasp of our feeble hands pulling us on THE JOURNEY. Under the city of David, in the exact spot that Jesus life and cloak was gambled for we saw in the rocks a reflection of his face when water was poured on the rocks. Looking down at his face I heard him say, "you always say yes, but". My heart exploded as tears gushed. I could not leave. Suddenly the place was filled with a silent surrender. I slowly made my way to the light above ground. This was the very spot in the via Dela Rosa that Jesus humbly said YES. In his humiliation, justice was denied so that I could stand today without shame. On this tour called THE JOURNEY we were exploring with other political activists from America what liberty and freedom really meant. Who in this generation would stand up for the rights of the unborn? How had this man named Jesus given up his own rights so I could be free? How could I stand in the gap for America? Where is my assignment  to protect liberty and the pursuit of justice? These thoughts went through me the remaining week. 

Here was my dearest friend with a diagnosis of malignant, much like my nation.  I was walking these steps Jesus walked in the pursuit of her healing. This is freedom. We had a choice.  Grace showed up when our faith was weak. It was not what we did but merely our response to his voice for freedom. Jesus says everything in the natural is subject to change. We were constantly reminded of the cost. 

At the place where David faced his fear meeting Goliath thoughts within me shifted. We too picked up our  five smooth stones.  I walked down the path alone searching for my stones. One of the stones was fear of the future and regret for having not stood strong in the face of popular opinion. The fear of man instead of the fear of God will always cause personal and national erosion. I found a smooth rounded stone to tell the story of faith in the face of danger to my small grandsons.  Today, Mimi walked where David had used his sling shot. I was mentally etching a picture to tell the story. Teaching children early about compromise in the face of danger so they too, like David will stand up and be counted.  We must not compromise anymore in our stance for what is right in the face of grave danger. This battle is the Lord's and we only fight in his strength. We fight from grace for healing. We are called for such a time as this to maintain CHRISTIAN principles. We must not loose focus. Remembering the devotional, we must keep our eyes on Jesus . He is our hope.  We will see our Goliath's defeated. The best is yet to come. This is Gods land. Ezekiel 36:22  He will have His way. They will know He is Adonai!

Kid friendly space!

Christmas angels, toys a tumbling, bobbles and bottles everywhere. We were creating memories. The room was filled to the brim with laughter, the Chestnut tea was steeping, the snowball cookies were baked and some of the presents were wrapped. We had anticipated to have the family more at our home. Plans changed. We learned that our home was "not baby proofed". How were our homes designed to safely grow the parents? As a designer I have never been asked to make an entire residence a "kid friendly place". We just had the presence of mind to keep the kids under toe in our space instead of re-designing it to be "their space". As a designer I have never been asked to make an entire residence a "kid friendly place". My clients had play areas and we had fun creating wonderful rooms for the children. In fact, this weekend a long time client's daughter was getting married. The youngest child at home was a crawling toddler. We had safe places set up in their respective rooms.
Times have changed, but love has not. We still were able to play and laugh and chase at our daughters "kid friendly space". We just had to travel to get there and missed out on the games late at night when children were safely tucked into their "safe space". It captivated my heart and took my breath away looking into the eyes of my innocent grandchildren. The two new babies Clay born August 17 and Maya Oct10 kept Rich and I occupied while the mommies and aunties would chase Max and Cole who ran faster and often got lower than Hoppa and Mimi could bend. How did we get so out of shape? Did we really keep up with our kids or did they always out run us ?
Discovering a "safe place" this Christmas came when I let go. Plans, like expectations come and go. Lasting dreams are made when "I was not always on my mind". I was thinking of an old Willie Nelson song and rejoined it. I soon realized the drama of revolving the room around "me" just creates a catastrophe.
Today sipping Chestnut tea, rehearsing the "should haves and could have beens" caused me to really see the real room. It was filled with precious smiles and hugs and new baby cries and soft caresses as we said "good by". The room took on a different twist when I got out of the way. I was not the center of attention. As I opened my moms prayer journal these welcome words came true. "Commit your way unto The Lord; trust also in Him;and He shall bring it to pass"ps37:5 I realized the beauty in trusting the DESIGNER. If you leave the decisions to Him he always give you a safe spot.
Hey,incidentally, we saw a great movie the night after Christmas,Parental Guidance...great for our generation!! We decided to give all the children their own space. The siblings bonded, the grandparents retired early but we all knew the "locks on the doors" could not prevent the love between us from blossoming. Thanks kids for a wonder filled time.

The Magical KINGDOM

Truth was uncovered one late night walking home to our London flat. We had tired feet and warm hearts from a full day of ministry. The day was spent loving on folks and helping serve a local church through outreaches in nearby parks.Prayer worked as we saw faces change and bodies healed.
I have learned over the years to lay feelings aside and keep moving,when we feel "spent". When my mind is over stimulated it gets worn out. It was one of those days. Every designer has those "ah ha"moments, satisfied and full as the room is bursting with promise. We forget about the tired feet and aching backs when we see the space transformed.
That particular late July night the air was softly echoing thru the large buildings in the financial district close to our London flat .We were just approaching Goldman Sachs when something caught my eye. Designer's are good at always being on the hunt. We never miss the unexpected that will perhaps be our next purchase. I glanced and turned to cross the street. This is a twist for an American looking left instead of right, a necessary challenge as the cabbies twirl by to pick up traders. Was it a baby pram approaching us?
My grandmother glands were starting to rise. It had been nearly 6 weeks since the thought of my little boys had whirled through my brain. Our new grandson was soon to arrive in August.
This "Mimi" was running across the dark street to greet the young couple.
"Is this your precious baby I shouted?
"Yes," came the response from the petite girl. "May I see your darling?"
She was so excited to remove the blanket covering. My adrenalin was pumping wanting to have a closer look. I leaped backwards on the curb just as she brought out an albino constrictor. She then said, "do you want to hold her?"
At this time the strange juices were jumping as I leaped back 3 more feet. "No, that's okay I don't need to hold her tonight".
I asked Rich and Judy to continue the conversation. This was definitely one "ah ha moment" for this designer.The terrific part of my career always has an element of surprise...usually for the client when they walk into their "new space" for the first time in months. Love the words, "you have done magic",wow! This was not the "wow" I expected!
As I looked on and was listening from afar, the true nature of this encounter of a "too close" kind happened. Her heart was cramped in fear of the future because of a distorted view about her present. This is so typical of a room re design. We are trapped in the confusion of dark surroundings. We know change is necessary but we do not know where to begin.
It became obvious that she needed a mother's love and the awareness that there was a God who loved. The snake was now quietly contained and covered in a silver cage. Now my creative eye was looking for entry into her tattered heart. I approached her and so gently touched her cheek to move her locks from her sculpted lashes. Tender words came from within as I whispered to her that her life was special. I was able to share the Good News of why Jesus came. He is the supreme Designer. The greatest treasure in my life is the knowledge that God so loved me and this chaotic world that He came to fix it! Broken people like rooms in need of a lift need someone to listen to where they envision their "look" to go.
This night she allowed entrance into her private space. Shame slithered away. Her cage was now unlocked and she was free.
They were part of a circus act and this became a magical moment for this precious lady. Like Cinderella, she was changed into a wonderful princess as she met her prince for the first time.
We danced across the street,our feet were light as feathers.I was twirling with my King! Jesus had filled not only her's but my dance card.
This storybook continued as her friend opened up to the the Kingdom of love too. They met us at a wonderful church in Mayfair the following Sunday.
All I can say is"wow". It was like my elated client's on their recent October arrival home saying,"thank you so much"! Their dull and darkened home is fresh as spring.
It is in those moments that weary thoughts leave and all the unsure feelings of "how will I fix it" vanish.It is complete. This last client we just installed illustrates the story.(see the photos) Everything was put back in order. We transformed a dull muddy brown home into a delightful dancing crisp white space with color splashes of peonies. It sprang to life like our new friends"Twink" and "D"...

Thank you Jesus for loving me so I can LOVE.You are MAGIC!

Pearls of a great price

We were on a search for significance. Significance found us. This was the last month of our ministry time in Europe. In London and the south coast our eyes were widened to God's treasures. Our assignment was within the one square mile of the center of london. We visited or did outreaches in at least 20 churches.
The last two months, my husband and I, literally put our lives in Az on hold to be a part of these outreaches (Ywam). We saw provision come at the last minute to encourage us that nothing is too costly or extravagant. This reminds me of the parable in Matthew of the pearl of great price. The merchant went out in search of pearls and he found one pearl to be very expensive.
Being a designer, I chuckled at this truth.This is so typical of a design project, we are in search of that perfect item and find one that blows our whole budget. We then make sacrifices.
We knew this mission would lead to something of far greater value than the cost. What we did know was how valuable it would be to teach us the high cost of our faith. Inquiry always leads to discovery. We knew we were searching for something but when revealed we understood. For the first time we were able to appreciate our Christian worldview in a city as diverse as you can imagine. Our flat was located where 300,000 people commuted into work everyday in the most affluent world market center.This same city is where Richard Dawkins unraveled atheistic thought.
We discovered how many people are searching for truth. Truth comes when love is alive.The love deficit in the streets can overwhelm you unless you uncover it for yourself. The truth is we are all starved for love and searching for significance.
We were so excited to open our hearts with others and share the extravagance of what had already been paid for by Jesus. His love and the free gift of grace that the bible tells about in Romans opens ones eyes.

One thing we did was read the entire book of Romans out loud in the city of London. Truth lept from the pages and landed in our hearts causing conversations leading to conversions in the streets. Truth triumphed. Love vanished fears. So many treasures were found, these precious pearls are still being strung on the necklace of our hearts. We discovered how many people like in the parable of the pearl of great price that when they finally behold love for the first time perspective changes. You will do anything to purchase it.
Funny thing is, the Olympics was going on and many were purchasing expensive tickets. We chose to walk with the history makers, like Oliver Cromwell, John Wesley and William Carey who shaped Christian thought. They certainly weighed the cost of the Kingdom to burn at the stake for what they believed. There is price tag attached to everything. What are you searching for?
The Kingdom came to us. We are so grateful to those who have gone before us. We were thrilled to meet so many who are walking with us.

Germany,In whom the Father delights!

Germany was a land of splendor despite the devastation of Hitler. I am going to leave you with a few highlights thru my photos. Pictures tell the story better than I. In everything there is a season, suffering often produces beauty. I know in my own life when I do not get my own way I am miserable in the moment but when the breaking comes....
Germany was a journey much like working on a project, not real pleasant to begin with but the end result satisfies the soul. I knew my heart was going to be tenderized because every time I tried to give the book I brought by M.Schlink "In whom the Father delights" I could not find it. I have reread it at least 3 times thus far on the trip. It is about growing closer thru suffering, sound familiar? Often in a room there are pieces of furniture that compete for attention or one dominates and causes confusion in the space . Well I think you get the picture. Like "irritability " in us we often show ourself like the wrong colors, and textures in a room. I love it when we learn to see God's hand,even in our own irritability .
We had Castle top moments. Our hearts knit to the new Ywam leaders while they showed us places that caused jagged emotions to arise. It is hard to imagine such pain and suffering in a place where noble Kings walked. We bowed low before our heavenly King declaring restoration for this land! Our thanks to our great King for the many we prayed for and saw healed and delivered. Our fondest times were with our German family remembering the wedding and sharing grandchildren pictures.
In such beauty, pain is still evident in the death camps while life is reappearing in the remaining synagogues. History came alive as we uncovered our own sins identifying with a nation and at the same time asking to be reignited for Missions like the Moravians. We were saddened to learn from Sisters of Mary of the Moravians compromising stands now. Another lesson gained.We must be true to the commandments stated in the Bible. It does matter. Just like design, there are certain principles that change not.
I know history teaches us and the
Bible warns us about departing from
God's heart. He aches like I do when things clash. May we embrace truth.

Miam-Miam! Yummy!

France has been filled with wonderful delights;scrumptious fromage and yummy flan. We had wonderful times relaxing in the countryside around a meal with our new family. The ice cream is like non other but the warm conversation goes into the night.
Ever so exhausted from the move from the farmhouse to the 4 story town home we were always welcomed to a soothing meal. This relaxed our bodies while the laughter quenched our soul. Songs of deliverance arise as we shout Viva la France! This move has been a testing teaching us all to savor each bite.
Our greatest memory of this Ywam base is a meal they served that keeps on giving. They told of when they moved to the old farm house in Ales and how they bought food for a team coming into their home for 8 days.
To their surprise the team cancelled. What to do with this abundance? They found a band of wanderers and passed on not only the food but let them taste Jesus too. Yesterday, this same group gave back and extended a hand in the move. That was yummy!

Quel est plus important dans la vie?

Today, as we are leaving France I learned a valuable axiom. Life is precious and to value what really counts can only be measured by connecting hearts. On the bus ride from Ywam Bridges we met Luc. His name would be Luke. His heart met ours as we shared our journey from Az to look into hearts and share ours. Jesus is all we have. His love leaped from our heart. Tears of joy ran down his face as he met our best friend on that bus ride.
He is going on to Munich too. We believe he will have unlimited favor at the show for his idea for handicapped children. They will ride on a donkey with his special seat. I said a donkey carried Jesus. Luke1:37 came to mind for him and us, we will see the fulfillment of our dreams. I also am praying luke2:52 for him and us, we will increase in wisdom and favor with God and man.
Today we learned what is really important in life. Jesus gave his life that we might give His love away. Luke went on a separate train. He now has what is most important in life. He
will now give this love away.
I am going to write more of meeting Luke.