Sky Gaze Fam

He sought another counselor. He wasn't very wise. Pretending to look good. But he was in disguise. What promises were made? Were they written in a book? The damage has been done. Look at all he took. Did he forget what he once felt? The world has made him blind. How could he run away from home? He must have lost his mind. Is he safe? Its so unclear. How could he deny? What he once had and held so dear. All I can do is cry. A mother's prayer. The childrens' cry. Does he feel their pain?  Is he hiding in the dark? Running from his shame? I cannot help but wonder if he'll return unto the nest. I wish he'd call and let us know. 'Cause I could use the rest. Written by Denise Hernandez Rocafort July 1995

The Valley of the Dry Bones is one of those stories that leaves you speechless and then scratching your head. My first thought was whose bones were these? I couldn't find a quick answer, but from a quick review on what's out there, the big idea is the restoration of Israel. They had indeed died.  I can relate. At one point in my life so full of promise and potential. So poised for the life of my taking. And then I ate too much and ignored my wife. I let life happen to me. I died a second death. Am I in the valley of the dry bones waiting on a prophecy?  Thank you, Lord, that You are the One that makes promises, and that You keep them. I'm wrecked. Please resurrect me! In Jesus Name, Amen https://odb.org/US/2023/05/30/the-god-who-restores https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel%2037&version=NIV https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/23/arts/design/bringing-giorgio-vasaris-the-last-supper-back-to-life.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vision_of_the_Valley_of_Dry_Bo...

It's a privilege and great responsibility to lead, but it is also a reflection of my journey with God and the confidence I have in His purpose for me. I struggled for years with stage fright and being in leadership positions, but I remain in the struggle because I have a greater push inside of me to step out and use the gifts I've been given. I know they are for many reasons, but to share with the world and express my love for God is the greatest gift. Every time I sing, whether in front of people or not, it is some of the best experiences in my life. There's nothing like His presence and the relationship and connection we have with our Father. I have done a lot of soul searching to know why I do what I do. There was even a time where I considered leaving the worship ministry to pursue and grow in my teaching abilities, but both are part of me. Even though I am stronger in some areas than others, I am willing to be vulnerable and receptive to the path God guides me to. I wi...

It's not a new idea that the enemy doesn't present himself in his true form. It wouldn't be very hard to resist a the common illustration of a horned demon with red skin and obvious ill intent. The Bible says to resist the devil, which makes it clear that he reveals himself in cunning desirable ways. It also says resist him and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Unfortunately it is appealing to have our own desires met. When we are in the habit of seeking our own satisfaction the traps become much more alluring. But when we see his charm as as cheap as a grinning wall flower that wets two fingers to sleek down his eyes brows followed by an overly confident point accompanied by a wink, he loses all power when we laugh in his face and go about our fathers business. When our desires line up with that of the Lord's he satisfies us. When we satisfy ourselves with temporary glorification we remain unfulfilled. The devil is as emba...

I'll be the first one to admit. I'm a cryer. When I see something beautiful or get overwhelmed with compassion I turn into a leaky faucet and for me it can be just as annoying as the tormenting drip that has the ability to make itself known from across an entire house. I can turn my head just enough to avoid revealing my uncontrollable wimpiness or try to wipe away a rogue tear before I'm found out, but it is to no avail. I don't mean to be so sensitive, especially because in my own life and in dealing with the weight of my own circumstances I can certainly refrain from turning into a blubbering mess. What can I say? I'm a sucker for love. The times though that I have cried and even ugly cried have been for men and for loss. On one hand I can be provoked by the budding hope of a future and on the other am very affected by what seems to be the loss of it. The mature me looks and heartbreak as a learning experience that proves that hope can only be safe whe...

Missionaries are servants, not bosses. Dr. Frank Rosser (see the article:  The Greatest is Servant of All ) The last few months have been like a state of sleep. I closed my eyes mid-August and am now waking up again. There was a break somewhere in that time (October), but I'm not sure what happened in it. I think there was a camping trip. When you are asleep, you do not take stock of your circumstance for the day. You recuperate. That's what you do in sleep. Today, I feel somewhat awake, so I'll take stock: I'm about 210 pounds I'm having about as difficult time as I can remember at work. We are preparing our house for selling. I'm working on finishing SeedProjx: Backyard Botany (which I think has a lot to be desired) I'm in kind of an in-between churches state I find that somehow, though I have gentlemen that I can reach out to, I'm not in regular communion with anyone other than my wife. As I look for a common theme of the above bulle...

                                        These are some quotes I snatched: These 2 from Old Man and the Sea It is better to be lucky, but I would rather be exact. Then, when you are lucky you are ready. Exacting if less exact. This from Wendell Berry's Men and Women in Search of Common Ground The danger in the phrase "common ground" is that it is likely to be meant as no more than a metaphor... if we use the term only as a metaphor, then our thinking will not be robustly circumstantial and historical, as it needs to be, but only a weak, clear broth of ideas and feelings. https://www.sunstonemagazine.com/pdf/060-08-12.pdf