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God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns. (Psalm 46:1-5)

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Winter’s scrape and ache has left a bounty of blooms in it’s wake seeming even more bountiful after the harsh weather in previous months.

Participating in the 40-day Lent challenge has been doing the same sort of scraping work in me as well.

It’s been a greater awakening than I’d first thought it could be. I didn’t expect to be completely untouched by the process but I stand amazed at how deeply into my soul and awareness the Light is now shining.

New understandings I never imagined are greening, budding and blossoming in me and pushing out fresh areas of growth in my ever-expanding soul. It’s a lovely place. Terrifying and lovely.

It’s the exponential promise of God’s word..it’s very nature is to NOT return void. AND Even that;  it WILL return and it’s going to bring it’s reader along too. Carried through the hum and vibration of each “Let there BE” sound and syllable singing and bringing life to dead places in the heart and mind.  What a ride!

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Four times I’ve watched His story unfold: birth, ministry, miracles, testimony, death and resurrection. Four times to various depths and degrees, I’ve winced as those around Jesus fumbled the ball while embracing the call. I’ve read the parables, the prophesies and pronouncements and have witnessed the passionate love of God for us enfolded and enfleshed for 33 years through the life of his son, Jesus.

Twelve times the rooster has crowed. Twelve times, Peter has denied his Lord. Four times he has run away into the darkness of his own soul, tasting only the bitterness of his own betrayal.

 It’s a moment never to be forgotten--almost as important as the crucifixion and resurrection because…as a wise preacher once said:

it’s Friday…but SUNDAY’S COMING!

Never before has the beauty of Peter’s FULL Gospel restoration resounded so sweetly in my ears. His testimony given before the crowd on Pentecost, fearless and bold screams of the determination my own soul knows and understands: REDEEMED.

Redeemed and restored so miraculously that nothing could shake that rock again. How do we know? Because we have the testimony in our midst. God’s word, the Bible.

We know those 12 (including Matthias) continued to bloom into and beyond their Spring even facing the threat and actuality of being “cut down” through winters to come.

We know because…..here we are: Believers 2000-plus years later.

Keep blooming.

Sabbath Linking with Deidra and Sandy,  Shelley and Barbie and Janice