Beautiful sunsetView from Oakwood Premiere Suites
Ortigas Center
April 19, 2010
Ortigas Center
April 19, 2010
In that day the Branch of the LORD shall be beautiful and glorious.
- Isaiah 4:2
Deep calls unto deep…
- Psalm 42:7
- Psalm 42:7
Even though we live in the midst of a fallen world, we can still see dim reflections of the glory and the beauty of God.
Everything beautiful we see around us today is but a shadow of things to come. As glorious as a sunset or a well watered garden or a majestic mountain may appear to be, these are still but tiny glimpses of the beauty that awaits our eyes in eternity, reflections as it were from a badly shattered mirror.
But what has also amazed me as I often think about these things is that we all have a memory of this eternal beauty deeply embedded in our hearts.
Mike Bickle has rightly said that one of the deep longings of the human heart is the longing to be fascinated, to be captivated by the beautiful.
One of the things that I am really looking forward to in heaven is the thought that I will be encountering the beauty of God, not just for a moment, but for eternity!
Wow, that thought is literally mind blowing, and mind boggling.
In this season of my life I am looking forward to digging deeper into the treasure chest of God's word, and to discovering more about the glory and the beauty realm of God.
And I know that God will not expose the beauty of His heart to anyone who will not appreciate it. It is hidden beauty because it is so precious, so valuable! He will not throw lovely pearls only to be trampled on, or minimized, or devalued! He will reveal His beauty only to those who long to dig deeper, discover it.
And so God is taking us His people deeper into His heart...and this explains why there is a greater global movement for worship -- because as the end draws near, God wants us to long for the beauty of His heart, creating in us a hunger, a thirst for the eternal beauty that is found in Him and in heaven, the final destination of those who have chosen Him to be their God and King!
I arrived back in Manila last Saturday, and the next two days after that were spent doing deep level ministry with friends. We were booked at a lovely hotel in Ortigas Center... something I never expected to happen.
But God has always had a way of bringing pleasant and unexpected surprises to my life time and time again.
One of the main themes of my spiritual journey is simple elegance. My heavenly Father knows that... I find so much beauty in simplicity. I love simple joys, uncomplicated relationships, transparency, humility.
There is so much beauty in a broken heart that is willing to be healed!
And this is the message that God has spoken clearly to me again and again...that He is sending me to be an agent of His healing to the brokenhearted.
And I believe that my journey the past two days was an introduction to what lies ahead of me!
Today, we start another seminar...and it will be at another beautiful place. With more beautiful people.
I just wanted to take this time to post some pictures of the beautiful photos I have taken these past days.
And this is the cry of my heart this morning:
You're beautiful to me, my Father.
You reveal Your beauty to me at many significant stops in my journey.
You captivate me, You take my breath away...
You have taken me to beautiful places...
Given me beautiful experiences...beautiful memories...
You have given me beautiful people in my life...
People with generous and kind hearts...
People with humble hearts that are breaking and longing to be healed.
But You help restore...You help us recover...
Your healing touch is beautiful... You're beautiful!
Donna and Tina ...posing with Rosemarie as she heats up a delicious meal of kare-kare
Dinner table was also set by RosemarieThe beautiful lamps made the place look so warm and inviting
Early Monday morningview of living room
Metro Manila waking up to a lovely Monday morningview from my bedroom window
view from living room
Donna, not yet fully awake...
My friend Rosemarie, God miraculously healed her from cancer
Look at what's on my breakfast plate!
Lovely painting on hallway, just outside our door
12 comments:
What beautiful pictures you are sharing today! I love the thought you shared of the perfect beauty that we will be immersed in when we are in heaven.
Heaven...we were just discussing what we thought heaven would be like/look like...I can not even fathom the beauty...I just can not wrap my head around it. I long for the day when I can sit at my Heavenly Fathers feet and praise HIM.
Blessings, hugs, and prayers,
andrea
I can't imagine it...but I know it's going to be fabulous. I love your comment about the beauty of simplicity--that's what I think heaven will be. The simple beauty of Christ alone, no need for a sun because of the beautiful light of God illluminating the place. I don't think we have any idea of what's waiting for us...
Dear Lidj,
You have an eye for beauty as well as for the brokenhearted.
I thank God who sent you in my life. Following you is a journey of unexpected blessings as well as trials.
Through all; God is there, every day.
As I read your post, this Keith Green song cam to mind. Do you remember it, Lidj?
(Btw---whenever I think of you, I think of the beauty of simple elegance)
Oh Lord, you're beautiful,
Your face is all I seek,
For when your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.
Oh Lord, you're beautiful,
Your face is all I seek,
For when your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.
I want to take your word and shine it all around.
But first help me to just, live it Lord.
And when I'm doing well, help me to never seek a crown.
For my reward is giving glory to you.
Oh Lord, please light the fire,
That once burned bright and clear.
Replace the lamp of my first love,
That burns with Holy fear.
I want to take your word and shine it all around.
But first help me to just, live it Lord.
And when I'm doing well, help me to never seek a crown.
For my reward is giving glory to you.
Oh Lord, you're beautiful,
Your face is all I seek,
For when your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.
Oh Lord, you're beautiful,
Your face is all I seek,
For when your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.
I find so much beauty in the simple things too! And uncomplicated relationships, transparency and humility are so beautiful!! My heart just felt like it was in complete agreement with every word of your post here today. I feel such a sense of peace and tranquility. Thank you Lidj for that ministry to my heart. :)
Your post has me homesick for heaven! I did enjoy the beauty of the photos you shared too.
You rightly said, "Even though we live in the midst of a fallen world, we can still see dim reflections of the glory and the beauty of God."
It was my birthday, this past Tuesday on April 20th. The day was quiet and I lived some simple elegance. I had a new widow (age 58) come to tea and my dear One brought me Star Gazer Lilies to grace the table and scent the room. While I did enjoy my day I was still an instrument of God's grace in sharing it with one who is grieving. Your post makes me think of what celebrations will be like without any kind of pain. I did have some shadows or glimpses of heaven but the reality of brokenness was also present. You are a piece of heaven in my life, dear Lidj.
Amy
P.S. I had to post something on Jennilee's blog about me. I'm very new to her blog and journey with pain. I hadn't introduced myself to her yet. I told her what I appreciated about you there. Blessings!
Lidj, you are one sold-out woman of God! Those are my thoughts each time we visit. You inspire me!!!
God's beauty is all around us, and He delights in our love of His creation, but, yes!!!!! How much more we will behold in Heaven! "We can only imagine," as the ever popular song tells us.
As I try to grasp the possibilites of eternal beauty, our forever life with God, I cry to find a deeper love for Him. Pray that I will do just that! Within my soul lies an unquenchable desire.
Love you, dear friend,
Andrea
"One thing have I asked of Jehovah, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of Jehovah all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of Jehovah, and to inquire of him in his temple", Psalm 27: 4. Soon we shall see the beauty of God in the face of Jesus Christ, but how glad we are to do that by faith now!
The beauty of simplicity bursts out of the pictures you've posted here! I am inspired and full of peace as I look at them!
As always Lidj, your blog is like coming into a quiet chapel and being ministered to. Oh how I know that God is going to continue using you to comfort and bless so many.
Your pictures are just wonderful! I have to tell you that I jotted down all the fruits and nuts that were on your breakfast plate. How delicious and healthy!
I'll be praying for you Lidj... there is a very special sense of His presence in your life.
Love,
Sonja
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