GOING DEEPER - IMMERSION

 

IMMERSION

 

Soft Pastel by Rita Burton

"It is my own firm belief that the strength of the soul grows in proportion as you subdue the flesh.
---Mohandas Gandi"

 

 

 

TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE

Jetty Park, October, 2014

Soft Pastel Painting by Rita Burton

(Be sure to check out seven new postings on the left side of this page.  Paintings from Jetty Park.)

 CELEBRATING OUR ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND

Some of the favorite things: Hal and I love to go down by the sea. Often we walk marinas and think of buying our next live-a-board yacht. We imagine!

This weekend, we visited Jetty Park. We satisfied our soul by walking along the Ship Canal at Jetty Park; then walking across the fishing pier. It was a bustle with people fishing, picnicing, kayaking and hiding from the intense light of the sun. Then across the view, looking towards the south, we could see the many families enjoying the beach.

To make the day even more enjoyable, we took our chairs and a few cold drinks. Later, we found shade for ourselves and rested in our chairs.

It was our anniversary weekend celebration. Hal and I have been married 54 years. It was a good day.

October 12, 2014

AESOP ---ORACLE TO THE DISCERNING!

 

The Seer - painting by Rita Burton

 

THE LION AND THE EAGLE
An eagle stayed his flight, and entreated a Lion to make an alliance with him to their mutual advantage.  The Lion replied, "I have no objection, but you must excuse me for requiring you to find surety for your good faith, for how can I trust anyone as a friend, who is able to fly away from his bargain whenever he pleases?"

THE PRINCIPLE:  Try before you trust.

From: AESOP'S FABLES - Signiture Editions
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Rita's Thoughts:  Friendship does not happen because of the words we speak.  True friendship is bonded by staying power and faithfulness.  In the hard places, when others walk away, a true friend remains by your side and loves you anyway.  ...with little gain to himself outside of the relationship.

AESOP ---Oracle to the discerning! "The Falcon & The Goose"

 

 

The Falcon and the Goose

A goose who had strong reasons for thinking that the time of his sacrifice was near at hand carefully avoided coming into close quarters with any of the farm servants or domestics of the estate on which he lived.  A glimpse that he had once caught of the kitchen, with its blazing fire, and the cook, chopping off the heads of some of his companions, had been sufficient to keep him ever after in dread.  Hence, one day when he was wanted for roasting, all the calling, clucking, and coaxing of the cook's  assistans were in vain.  "How deaf and dull you must be," said a Falcon who noticed this, "not to hear when you are called , or to see when you are wanted!  You should take pattern by me.  I never let my master call me twice.'  "Ah," answered the Goose, "if Falcons were called, like Geese, to be run upon a spit and set before the kitchen fire, they would be just as slow to come, and just as hard of hearing as I am now."

THE MORAL:  The errand makes the difference

From:  AESOP'S FABLES - Signiture Editions

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Rita's Thoughts:  If we knew what the future held for us, would we continue to walk into it?  Think of the first Apostles.  Each of them suffered martyrdom, except John the beloved.  They were not able to kill John,  God kept him alive.   The Apostles knew what their end could be and still they went forward.  BOLDLY!  The difference for them wasn't the "errand."  It was Jesus.

"TRUTH & HONOR" ---A poem for Dr. D

They say truth is relative.

I say, truth is light.

It lives far above deception,

where darkness hides from sight.

 

Let me always walk in truth.

And, be still in its shadow side.

 

Honor embraces integrity,

and, lives!

Rather than die.

 

Poem by Rita Burton

GRACE IS A MANTLE!

 

"His Name is Jesus!"

 

 

How does one define "grace?"

               We are told that "grace" is unmerited favor from God.  It is a gift!  It cannot be earned.  It is given to us in the goodness of God.  Grace is invisible.  And, still, we can see "grace" as it operates through those who walk in purpose for the things of God.

                "Grace" is many things to many people demonstrated through testimony and witness from those who have been captivated by the love of God.

               I cannot remember ever being without "grace."  For a time, I fell away from my Christian roots.  Even then, I discovered "grace" in a conscience that haunted me.  My childhood upbringing gave me a strong foundation.  "Grace" was the life force that sustained me.  It did so even when I did not understand it.

               I returned to my first love, Jesus Christ, and searched with all my heart for meaning and for a life of purpose.  "Grace" in the form of sanctifying power cleaned me up. 

               Something was missing from my life.  I continued the search, until one day I attended a prayer meeting.  A small group of ladies stood to worship the Lord.  When the song began to play, the first notes of the CD ignited a flame in my heart.  I began to sing with the ladies:   "I came to worship you."  This music was different.  I recognized power, healing, love.  I recognized the Presence of the Lord.  Something inside me began to change.  I did not understand fully what it meant to me.  However, I recognized that I received "grace" to enter into God's Throne Room.  This "grace" laid over me, like a blanket of love.  Through one song, I found the entrance into a new kind of worship.  The "Grace of Worship" had become mine.

               This morning in my quiet time with the Lord, I took seriously a posting I read on Facebook the day before.  The Lord is calling us to "Write!"  He wants to speak mysteries to us.  He wants to tell us things that He doesn't tell others.  We are to record these treasures of "grace."  We can share some of the things He tells us.  Other words might be private, for our ears only.  Keeping a journal is our response to "grace."  It becomes "Faith." 

              I began to write in the journal and suddenly I knew the words I would write were important words.  I knew God wanted me to share these words with others.  ---Especially with those worshippers who love God with all their hearts.  These are the words I wrote:

              "The Grace of God is a mantle that we are called to wear.  It is a precious mantle. And, it is one that is fragile.  Even delicate.

 

             It is true that God does not take back the gifts He has given to us.  However, we are covered with a mantle of grace to do a specific work with those gifts and talents.  When we ignore the "Call" our gifts never mature.  We might even prosper in the eyes of men.  However, the vision becomes blurred, either by fear or unbelief.  It is as if the magnificient covering, the Mantle, is packed away.  One might think they do this to preserve the beauty.  Hidden as it is, it cannot be misrepresented.  These lies feed unbelief.

 

            Take out your Mantle!.  Allow Me to place it upon your shoulders correctly.  The majesty and the splendor are Mine.  The "Grace" is yours.

 

           I asked:  What is the name of my mantle, Lord/

 

                          What is the work You call me to achieve?

 

                          I hear one word:  Impart!

 

                        --- Teach others how to "See" by "Seeing."

 

                        --- Teach others to "Believe" by "Believing."

 

                        --- Teach others to "Do" by "Doing."

 

                     I asked:  How do I begin?

 

                     Wait and "See!"  Then, step in!

 

 

Written by Rita Burton

September 29, 2014

 

 

"Itsi too!"

 

   "GRACE" is a Mantle we are called to wear!

 

Images taken from the book:

The Oracles of Quack, Quack Duck

by Rita Burton

 

Available through LuLu Publishing or the Artist.

 

BLUE FIRE: Burning in the Fire of His Presence!

 

Deluge

 

Buring in the Fire of His Presence!

 

TO THE RIGHT Read about the Series entitled:  BLUE FIRE