the narrow path.// of seeds, and olive trees, and the Son of Man who paved the way.

these days. this journey.

“what is this life we live?”

“short”.
a friend responded.


[[temporary]].
brief, and but for a moment.

yet full of opportunity to bear fruit,, and fruit that REMAINS. [[for eternity]].


[you are walking the narrow path. keep your eyes on Me].

hard. and rugged. often untraveled by most. Winding and twisting, through unknown terrain. Footing often unsure. Usually just enough light for the next step you must take. Fully exposed to the elements of life.
rain. and wind. and heat. Storms and valleys.
distractions and discouragement pressing in.
with the mocking of those trotting down the path, wide and easy,
and yet leading somewhere they don’t even realize. [there is a way that seems right unto man, but its end is death].

and so we choose to lose this life now, for His sake, so that we may find it.
life and life abundant. that which He came to give.
the way of the narrow path.
not the easy one.
but the one we can walk, with the Lord set always before us.
not the popular, common, socially acceptable and politically correct one.
but the one where we can lay eyes on the face of the Son of Man.
because there is no where else we'd rather look.
and no other face we'd rather be set on.
knowing fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore.
even as we walk the way pioneered before us,
by the Man who was despised and rejected.
a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
seeing true beauty,
following the Man who had no beauty that we should desire Him.
experiencing full freedom,
walking in the steps of the Man who was oppressed and afflicted,
the One who suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow in His steps.

in the steps of the One who grew up like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground…
 a shoot from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch from his roots that bears fruit.


and we are born again, not of perishable seed,
but of imperishable                                 (1 Peter 1:23)

[[the seed of Christ.]]


“seed [the chief means of plants reproducing themselves].
the fruit that is produced by the plant contains the same seed that the plant originally was started by.
this is what guarantees the same identity within the species.

[no seed can produce a lesser plant than the plant it came from. As is the seed, so is the plant and so is the fruit.]”
                                                                                        (such a great salvation, Mike Petzer)

and we know our identity is in Him.
Christ in us, the hope of glory.


the only hope of walking this narrow path.
the only hope of keeping our eyes fixed on Him.
the only hope of glory, both now and then.


because with fear we know,
that for the man who walks the wide, easy way,
 “who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches and sought refuge in his own destruction”,,
God will snatch and tear and uproot him.
                                                                  {psalm 52:5-7}

but with David our hearts sing,

“But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God.”
                                                                                  {psalm 52:8}

and just as He came up like a root out of dry ground,
and just as the olive tree is known for it's durability and constancy, despite conditions,
we will grow and thrive in any circumstance.
no matter the storms or the heat,
we will continue to bear fruit.
no matter how dry the ground,
we live from the streams of living water within.

and just as the olive tree is a symbol of faithfulness and steadfastness,
we will walk this narrow way of life,
faithful.
steadfast to the end.
useful and set apart.
a source of substance, light and healing to those around us.

bearing fruit,  
and planting seeds in the wide, and easy path.
to see life spring up.
and man’s true identity restored.


because Jesus knew,
that “unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone…”

and He knew what He had to do,
 “…but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (john 12:24)


and He set His face to Jerusalem,,
for the joy set before Him.

in order to reproduce Himself within us.


and so we die to ourselves.
we lose our lives, for His sake.
for what we sow, we shall reap.
and we sow the Seed within us.
to reap a harvest for His glory.

because He is the Seed that fell into the ground
and died.
and He is the Plant that sprang up and produced much fruit—us.




  what is this life we live?

-short-.

but the life laid down,,
and born again.

and the fruit bore,,
on the narrow path.

remains.
imperishable.

kitchen life [[sweet potato toddler (&mom) muffins]].

[[sweet potato toddler (and mom) muffins]]



1 cup rolled oats
1 cup wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon nutmeg
¾ teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup mashed sweet potato
½ cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons canola oil (or applesauce)
¼ cup milk
1 egg

preheat to 375.
mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl.
in a separate bowl mix the mashed sweet potatoes with the brown sugar, oil (applesauce), milk and egg.
combine the sweet potato mixture with the dry ingredients.
put into greased muffin tin, or use muffin liners.

bake for 15-20 minutes.

[the mixture is always pretty thick, so i found adding a little bit more applesauce at the end helps make them not so dense, if that’s what you prefer & mine are always done at 15 minutes].

kitchen life [[hummus]].

[[Hummus]].

two 15-ounce cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling
juice of 1 lemon
2 garlic cloves
1.5 teaspoons kosher salt
1 Tablespoon tahini (recipe posted below)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon sweet hungarian paprika

(jazz it up with any other spices/seasoning, more garlic, etc).

in a blender, combine all the ingredients except the paprika and pulse on high speed for 30 seconds.
Scrape down the sides of the bowl and puree until smooth.
adjust the consistency and thickness to the desired level by adding the oil a little at a time.

sprinkle with paprika.
just before serving drizzle a little oil on top if desired. :)


and viola! healthy snack with pita chips, veggies, etc..
or put it on sandwiches/pitas :)


[[Tahini]]

1 cup sesame seeds
1/3 cup olive oil

heat a saute pan over medium-high heat.
add the sesame seeds and toast lightly, about 2 minutes, shaking the pan to prevent burning.
remove from heat and let cool.
add the toasted sesame seeds to a food processor or blender, pour in the olive oil, and pulse on high for 2-4 minutes, until the tahini is somewhat smooth.
scrape into a airtight container, and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Side note: i actually use sunflower seeds instead of sesame seeds.
i did it on accident once, and actually like the taste better. who knew? :)

kitchen life[[homemade bread]].

[[whole wheat honey bread.]]

2 packages regular active dry yeast

1/4 cup warm water (105°F to 115°F)

1/2 cup honey

1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened

3 teaspoons salt

2 1/2 cups very warm water (120°F to 130°F)

4 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

2 3/4 to 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

in large bowl, dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup warm water. Add honey, butter, salt, 2 1/2 cups very warm water and 3 cups of the whole wheat flour. Beat with electric mixer on low speed 1 minute, scraping bowl frequently. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl frequently. Beat in remaining 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour.

With spoon, stir in 2 1/4 to 2 3/4 cups of the all-purpose flour until dough pulls cleanly away from side of bowl.

On lightly floured surface, knead in remaining 1/2 to 1 cup all-purpose flour; continue kneading 5 to 10 minutes or until dough is smooth and springy. Grease large bowl with shortening or cooking spray; place dough in bowl, turning dough to grease all sides. Cover; let rise in warm place 30 to 45 minutes or until doubled in size.

Generously grease 2 (8x4- or 9x5-inch) loaf pans with shortening or cooking spray. Gently push fist into dough to deflate; divide in half. Shape dough into loaves; place in pans. Cover; let rise in warm place 30 to 45 minutes or until doubled in size.

  Heat oven to 375°F. Uncover dough; bake 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F; bake 10 to 15 minutes longer or until loaves sound hollow when lightly tapped. Immediately remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

[side note: i bake for 25 minutes and then rotate loaves when i lower the temperature, and then bake for only about 7-8 minutes more. i also wrap them in damp towels to keep them moist].

kitchen life[[baked oatmeal]].

i've never done this before.
and it may be very short lived..
but regardless, what else do you do the morning after a snow storm, except cook and bake and then blog photos of it? ;)

                                      [[baked oatmeal.]]

1/2 cup vegetable oil (or applesauce if you prefer)
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs beaten
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup milk
3 cups oats
(i added blueberries:) )

preheat oven to 350 degrees.
mix oil(applesauce), brown sugar and eggs.
add the rest of the ingredients- oats last.
mix and pour into a greased 8x10 baking pan.
bake for 30 minutes.

serve with a little greek yogurt, honey/fresh fruit.
and yum.

how easily can the [Visible Image of the invisible God] be seen in you?

[[i have set the Lord always before me]]

the phrase that finally, truly, accurately put into words,
the intention and desire and fruit of this past month.

and its been consistently flowing through my mind.

and as i set my face to seek Him one morning,
eyes peeled, ears tuned,
hands wide open,
Expectant.
saying, "Daddy, speak"

i opened the pages
containing those strewn together letters
that are spirit,
that are life, ,
and there it was..

"i bless the LORD who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
i have set the LORD always before me;
because He is at my right hand, i shall not be shaken."
                                             {psalm 16:7-8}

and He started to bring meaning.
having such a way with words as He does.

[before]- "neged"
what is conspicuous, what is in front of; straight forward, in sight of; before your face;
in your view or purpose.

and it comes from the root word "nagad"- to be conspicuous, tell, make known, announce, declare, confess; [messenger].

[conspicuous]- standing out as to be clearly seen; readily visible; attracting special attention.

i have set Jehovah right before my face,
in my sight,
in my view,
in my purpose,,
continually,
perpetually,
morning and night daily,
for all eternity.
nothing hindering or distracting my sight of Him. He is clearly seen,, readily visible,, what i can't take my eyes off.
and naturally,
because that is where i have positioned Him in my heart, my mind, my soul,,

He is what will stand out in my life.
He is the One who will be seen.
the attention will be drawn to Him.
my words, my thoughts, my actions, my motives, my desires, my lifestyle,
they will declare, announce, make known who HE is.

and i have decided, by His power, by His grace, by His Spirit,
to let nothing crowd Him out.
but walk with tunnel vision.
to not turn to the right or to the left,,
but keep Him straight in front of my face, always in view, always in my purpose.

and to live this pilgrimage as a [[messenger]],
in every way,
shouting and declaring who He is,
until i physically behold His face right in front of mine.

because,
sadly,, the reality
is that Christ is all too inconspicuous in us.

[inconspicuous]- not very easy to see or notice; something that doesn't stand out or attract attention; discreet, hidden, concealed; unspectacular.


and i look to the Author and the Finisher of my faith,, because He set the Lord before Himself, always, perfectly.
constantly in the intimate presence of His Father,,
persevering,, walking always in His will..
[by maintaining a constant and actual sense of the presence of Jehovah].
and i know,
when He is at my right hand,,
the place of authority, honor, dignity and rulership,,
i have His promise,  that i won't be shaken.
i won't be moved.
i won't waiver.
in any situation. in any trial. in any circumstance.
because He will be what i see.
and it's in His presence that i'll be.

untouched by the world.
on a pilgrimage.
to see His face. " i have set the LORD always before me;
because He is at my right hand, i shall not be shaken."
                                             {psalm 16:7-8}

knowing the present-tense God.

there is always fresh bread.

it's just easier on the flesh to live off the old stuff.

and we eat it,
thinking it will sustain and satisfy the spirit man.

when we're really just feeding the flesh.

and what we think is bringing life,
is actually starving the Spirit.
quenching the hunger.
hiding the need to partake of Him daily.

and we eat the lie that there's really not fresh bread anyways.
that what we experienced and tasted before, will be enough for right now.

and we become content with our discontentment.
when God is saying,  Come.
Come and see.
Come and see My provision daily.
Come and encounter Me daily.
Come and rely on Me daily.
Come and receive from Me daily.
and we're just like the Israelites,
trying to live off of yesterday's manna, instead of intentionally going to receive today's.

even though He [freely] gave it [daily].

and what originally bred life,
bred worms and stank when kept for tomorrow.
                                                        (exodus 16:20)

because it was never just about getting,
it was really about coming to a place of intimate knowing and trusting and depending on the One who gives.
and it was never just about surviving in the wilderness,
it was about growing and maturing spiritually to a place in knowing Him,
where the soul thrives in any situation, trial and circumstance, whether blessing or testing.

it's all about a present-tense knowing.
it's all about a present-tense hearing.
it's all about a present-tense encountering. [because He is the I AM],
not the I WAS, or I WILL BE.

because relying off of what was received yesterday,
and hoping to store up enough for tomorrow,
is never what He has intended for today.

[Receive fresh bread].

He freely lays out the substance of heaven for you every.single.morning.
so that you may know Him.

"...in the morning you shall be filled with bread.
then you shall know that I am the Lord your God."
(exodus 16:11).

[burning heat].

i love that God loves words.
and that He knows the exact definition of them.
and that He chooses to speak to us so specifically through them.

with each new year,
I pray for a new word from Him.
to cling to, to expect, and to prophetically speak over the upcoming year.

in the middle of December,
feeling "bleh" from the hum drum of how the world, and even we, Christians, celebrate Christmas... and just wanting more of His presence and heart in that season, and less of the shopping and planning and busyness,
i randomly text a friend.
                                                   
                         
   
i immediately looked up the word "fervence." it simply said [[heat]]; fervency.


[Fervency].
>> great warmth of feeling; fervor; passion; ardor
"she spoke persuasively and with ardor" <<
>>intense devotion; eagerness or enthusiasm; zeal<<
>>burning heat<<

and i knew this was my word for the year.
i wrote it down.
and began to pray and seek His heart on it.

on December 31st,,
while praying with some friends.
He spoke so clearly [[radiant]].

a word i've heard many a time, and prayed many a time.

and so i looked it up.

>>emitting heat or light<<
>>filled with light; bright<<
>>characterized by intense joy<<

heat.
He just kept speaking heat.

the entire first week of January,
left and right,,
all I've been hearing is Revelation 3:1-6.

“‘I know your works.
You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die,
for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.  Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.  Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.  The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’"

 
and the fear of the Lord is heavy.
He sees.
He knows my works.
He sees past the reputation.
what i think of my pursuit of God, what others infer about my pursuit of God, how i compare with other Christians,,
means nothing.
because it's His opinion that matters.
and He sees not only the fruit.
but the roots.

and what may look lively to others, and even myself, cannot manipulate Him.

He knows the entirety of my prayer life.
He knows when I'm just singing to sing.
He knows when my motives are not pure.
He sees the areas of halfheartedness.
He knows when true hunger fades.
He sees when genuine passion and love becomes routine.
He knows when even walking in the Spirit becomes religious.

and He's not impressed even if others are.
because let's be honest.
we all know how to "look alive".

"because only God and the honest, see the heart bare."

and in His mercy,
He says [wake up].


"I know what's inside you. the desire for Me.
strengthen what remains.
stir up the giftings and the callings.
repent.
allow Me to breathe Spirit on the embers barely burning,, barely hot...
lukewarm. "

[[lukewarm]].
a word i've always applied to others.
to those who clearly just go to church on Sunday, and that's all.. if even that.

a word no born-again Christian wants to relate to themselves.
or admit applies.

it means
>> only moderately warm; tepid.<<
antonyms: hot, cold.
>>(of a person, attitude or action): unenthusiastic; indifferent, cool, halfhearted, apathetic.<<
>>lacking conviction<<
>>having or showing little ardor, zeal or enthusiasm<<


the same degeneration,, showing evidence of decline, in Isaiah (2:21).
what once was a choice vine, wholly of pure seed,, becoming a degenerate plant of an alien vine.
what once was fiery hot,, passionate and genuine,, being affected by the surrounding atmosphere and temperature,, slowing losing heat and fervor over time.

and because it's not drastic. its subtle and over time.
its a scary reality,,
that our reputation,, our former heat,,
can deceive us into thinking we still are what we were.
when He knows,
we're not.



[Fervency].
>> great warmth of feeling; fervor; passion; ardor
"she spoke persuasively and with ardor" <<
>>intense devotion; eagerness or enthusiasm; zeal<<
>>burning heat<<


fervency. the exact opposite of lukewarm.
His desire for me.
for us.

to burn for Him.
to truly be alive.

because its not about reputations. success. or impressions.
its about the God who sees.

and is an All-Consuming Fire. (hebrews 12:29).

^" Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.  Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.  Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."
   (Romans 12:10-12)



(a continuation from yesterday's post and walking in a tunnel)
 

degeneration.

"the Church as we know it today began with repentance. When Peter preached the cross at Pentecost, thousands came to Christ. This new Church was made up of one body, consisting of all races, filled with love for one another. Its corporate life was marked by evangelism, a spirit of sacrifice, even martyrdom.
   this wonderful beginning reflects God's word to Jeremiah: 'yet I had planted you a noble vine, a seed of highest quality" (jeremiah 2:21). The Lord's next words, however, describe what often happens to such works: 'How then have you turned before Me into the degenerate plant of an alien vine?" (same verse). God was saying, "I planted you right. You were Mine, bearing My name and nature. Now you have turned degenerate."
    what caused this degeneration in the Church? It always has been, and will continue to be, idolatry. God is speaking of idolatry when He says to Jeremiah, "But My people have changed their Glory for what does not profit" (verse 11).
  
[[the number-one idol among God's people is not adultery, pornography, or alcohol. It is much more powerful than lust. What is this idol?
It is a driving ambition for success.
And it even has a doctrine to justify it.

the idolatry of being successful describes many in God's house today. These people are upright, morally clean, full of good works-- but they have set up an idol of ambition in their hearts, and they cannot be shaken from it.
  God loves to bless His people. He wants His people to succeed in all they undertake honestly. But there is now a raging spirit in the land that is taking over multitudes.

It is a spirit of love for recognition and acquiring of things. ]]

a man of the world said, 'he who dies with the most toys wins.'
tragically, Christians, too, are caught up in this pursuit. How far we have strayed from the Gospel of dying to self, ego and worldly ambition!"
                                                                                                 (David Wilkerson)

I can't shake this. Wilkerson's words describing God's heart in Jeremiah 2:21 won't seem to let me go."I planted you right. You were Mine, bearing My name and nature. Now you have turned degenerate."

[degenerate]- >>lacking some property, order, or distinctness of structure previously or usually present. <<
>>showing evidence of decline<<;
synonyms: slip, slide, lapse, regress.

"I had planted you a noble vine, a seed of highest quality. How then have you turned before Me into the degenerate plant of an alien vine?" (jeremiah 2:21)

and i'm sobered before the Lord.
because if i lay my heart bare,
i see places where i've declined.
where what was once fiery and passionate, is now a mere ember.
barely breathing warmth.

is it every area? no. is it huge areas of sin and struggle? no.
it is subtle.
and it happens over time.
family starts to come before Him.
comfort seeps in.
growth in ministry overtakes desire for growth in our own Spirit man.
genuine thirst and hunger dwindles and our appetite for His Word, His bread, becomes more easily satisfied with less and less.
the need for man's recognition and definition of success, overtakes our identity and desire to please Him alone.
and the scariest of all for me,
looking back on when He first called me, I first heard Him, we first started walking together.. and feeling like my love for Him then was greater. was hotter. was more overwhelming and consuming.

because routine sets in.
and it dulls.
and the cares of this world come in.
and they dull.

and what was once unquenchable..
seems quenched.

and to be honest,
its terrifying.

because it's called [lukewarm].

[post to follow].
[a continuation of yesterday's post, Walking in a tunnel]

walking in a tunnel.

January.
the month with all the hype.
to [[re-evaluate]].
to [[reconsider]].
to [[recharge]] and stop hitting [rewind].

to make this new year,,
a really [successful] one.


and as i posture myself before Him,,
not desiring emotional hype to drive a man-made attempt of change and transformation,
I ask for His heart and a fresh word for this next season and year.
because apart from Him, there really is nothing new under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9)
and without Him removing a heart of stone, with a new one..
and the sprinkling of clean water to cleanse us..
and the impartation of His Spirit to fill us.. (ezekiel 36:24-27)

we're just white-washed tombs.
looking beautiful on the outside.
but just dead bones and unclean within. (matthew 23:27)

and we're really just deceiving ourselves.
because only God sees the heart bare. (1 Samuel 16:7)


and as He speaks and begins to reveal,,
my heart cries out within me

[i want Your definition of success for my life].
redefine it for me, God.

because everybody knows we only have one shot.
and nobody wants to mess it up.
Christian or not.
as the saying goes.. [you only live once].
and instead of the reality of that statement causing a shift in perspective from the here and now to what lies waiting for us eternally.
we scramble and stress to do it absolutely right,, thinking only of ourselves and our present happiness and reputation.
get the best job, marry the right person, stack the money high in the savings, get to the top.
or we throw it all away and destroy ourselves for a fleeting temporary high and pleasure because who cares.

but even in following Jesus,,
we have our own definition of success.
and it feels spiritual.
and it looks spiritual.
and it can even come with good intention.

and i can't help but feel like we all have it a bit upside down.

[and that success in life is a lot less about life,, and a lot more about death. ]

"Paul said, 'to die is gain' (philippians 1:21). That kind of talk is absolutely foreign to our modern spiritual vocabularies. we have very little desire to depart to be with the Lord.
Paul said, 'I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better' (verse 23). Yet, for the sake of edifying the converts, Paul thought it is best to 'remain in the flesh'.
Did Paul show lack of respect for the life God had given him? Absolutely not! to him, life was a gift, and he had used it to fight a good fight. He could say, 'It is better to die and be with the Lord than to stay in the flesh.'
Those who die in the Lord are the winners; we who remain are the losers. death is not the ultimate healing-- resurrection is! Death is the passage, and sometimes that passage can be painful-- but it is not even worth comparing to the unspeakable glory that awaits those who endure the passage.
Any message about death bothers us. we try to ignore even thinking about it. Occasionally, we discuss what heaven must be like, but most of the time the subject of death is taboo.
how different the first Christians were! Paul spoke much about death. in fact, our resurrection is referred to in the New Testament as our "blessed hope".
Nowadays, however, the world has trapped us with materialism: 'I dont want to leave my beautiful home, my cars, my gorgeous jewelry."

[[we are bombarded with messages on how to use our faith to acquire more things, even though our lives are already cluttered with possessions. ]]
Christ calls us to come and die-- without building memorials to ourselves or worrying about our legacy. Jesus left no autobiography, no headquarters complex, no university or Bible college. He left nothing to perpetuate His memory but the bread and the wine.

our "gain" is Christ Himself.
may we forsake all to cling to Him continually!"
                                                                                 (David Wilkerson, God is Faithful)


and so.
God has shown me to pray for
[tunnel vision].

http://500px.com/photo/43494182?from=popular

>>the loss of peripheral vision with the retention of central vision.<<
>>narrowness of viewpoint resulting from concentration on a single idea, opinion, etc. to the exclusion of others.<<

that as i journey through these pilgrim days,
my vision would be Him. and it would be central.
that everything else would fade black. peripheral. unnoticed.
my view of Him would be unhindered.

and so.
this year.and every year.
my goal.

to focus on growing to full maturity spiritually.
to not get distracted by the details of life.
to be fully grown in Spirit.
to not have such a physically-focused spirituality.

i want to look back when i'm dying and see how life contributed to my growth in faith,,
not how my faith contributed to my earthly life.


because we all live before the audience of One.
and if its not "success" in His eyes.
what is it anyways?