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When you’re thirsty, where do you drink?


re-new-al
[noun]
     1. The conversion of wasteland into land suitable for use of habitation or cultivation
     2. filling again by supplying what has been used up
     3. the act of restoring something or someone to a satisfactory state

I need a refill.
I come here to fill up.

Step through this door... 
step_out_of_the_elevator

...into this world.

               His world. cocoa beach

Unpainted toenails dig deep into sand. Not white, powdered-sugar Gulf sand, but 100% whole-grain, speckled Atlantic sand. I press in hard.

The Lord booms so loudly, I can’t remember the words I planned to say. My agenda becomes lost in His.

He speaks,
“I am Strength. I am Beauty. I am Grace.
I AM who I AM.”

               I AM IN AWE.

Like every kid on the beach—each of us—I see the shells.
And I see the feathers.

He sustains them all. Every one of us.seabirds

I smell the salt in His breath.
His fresh gale is so powerful I needn’t inhale—He breathes through me.

We walk.
How far?
How long?

I don’t number my steps.
He knows.
               Just enough. Always enough.

God_loves_me_i_love_GodI thank Him for the old—it was blessed.
I cry with Him for the new—it has come.

I see Him. I delight in Him. I let Him love.

I am full. 
Renewal has come.


Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.

Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert
...to give drink to my chosen people,

the people whom I formed for myself that
they might declare my praise.

Isaiah 43:18-21

* * *

More on renewal at the one word at a time blog carnival.

I am always renewed at the beach.  What special place renews you?

14 comments:

Glynn said...

He takes us to that beach, or that mountain, sometimes that valley, and he works on us, stubborning loving us as he renews us.

I like this, Lisa.

Janet Oberholtzer said...

Oh Lisa ... we have more in common than using the same verse today ... I love the beach! Great pictures and words in this post. Love it!
Look forward to exploring more of your site.

Julie said...

Inspiring...just reading your words.. here...I LOVE your verse at the end. THAT verse was written on a colorful piece of construction and taped to one of my kitchen cabinets for months in 07 and 08 as the verse to look at and believe as God brought us out of 10 months of unemployment and sent my hubby away to Ohio with a new job. God literally was shaking up our external world and family and circumstances to bring about internal change, and boy did HE!!
Behold, I am doing a NEW thing....indeed! And still ...still now with the Iowa situation,,....God continues to bring about NEW things...my question is - Am I handing God a soft and pliable heart??? Thanks for the inspiration Lisa!!! HUGS!

Dianna said...

Your post is beautifully done, Lisa.

The place that renews me is in my flower gardens...even in winter. I may not be able to get out and work in them, but even as I do the dishes and view some of them from my window I contemplate how fun it is going to be in a few short months to once again see fresh green coming up.

Thanks so much for sharing.

a joyful noise said...

The beach, sand, shells and feathers, and you describe it beautifully. Finding God in the still of night, works for me. He is always there renewing and refreshing my spirit.

Lisa notes... said...

Beach...mountains...flower gardens...the still of the night...

All great places to find our renewal in God. And all are places of hope for beauty in the present or beauty around the corner. I love how God works.

Julie,
It's exciting to read of the "new thing" that God may be doing in your potential move to Iowa, even though it's probably a scary thing too (new things often are). I'll be praying for your plans and preparations for whatever is the next step. And for your husband's patience. :-)

Ancoti said...

Nice! A very nice thought to walk through with you.Thanks for stopping by my site and leading me back here!

katdish said...

No matter how far away I find myself from God, I can always find him at the beach. Beautiful post.

Rebecca Marchbanks said...

Beautiful post. There is something about standing at the edge of the water that reminds me of how vast and deep He is... Ten Shekel Shirt has a song that I listen to every trip to the beach. It's called "Ocean". You should check it out.

Andrealynn said...

Thank you for the breath of fresh air. I needed this today. Blessings and Love

Lisa notes... said...

Thanks, Rebecca.
I did check it out and it’s perfect. Love it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLMZx_ddFpQ&feature=related

LYRICS:
Lately, I've been thinking about You
And lately, I've been dreaming of You
And lately, I can't get You out of my head
Get You out of my head

Chorus:
Something about the ocean
Makes me rise up and praise
Something about the heavens
Makes me stand in awe again
Something about the sunrise
Reminds me of Your faithfulness
Something about the ocean

And I'm lost in love again
I'll sing until I sense a smile
Upon Your great and lovely face
And till I know Your glory's in this place
Your glory's in this place

Candy said...

Oh to be at your beach instead of frozen tundra! This is beautiful, Lisa. Always enough.

Mari-Anna Frangén Stålnacke said...

Ahhh, Lisa! Such a wonderful post! That's exactly how the renewal process happens....our agenda gets lost...and we find ourselves in his agenda: love, peace, blessings, abundant joy...
Thank you very much sharing this with us. May God continue to bless you richly!

richd said...

I'm renewed by people like you who are willing to look deeper and help me do likewise.

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