Hope Against Hope; Abraham Believed.

Memory making. Walks I'm taking. My Jesus and me.

New Hampshire visit, early summer. Lakes, trees, family.

Sights, smells, colors, PRAISE. Thought, breath, fellowship, PRAYER.

Have you have ever noticed that the challenge of running is not necessarily the physical exertion, but rather the mental concentration, and boredom? About two years ago, I began to see new outlets of expression and worship born into my life. One surprising discovery; I love to run! Who knew? But the challenge was to be at peace with my own thoughts. To spend these extended moments: PRESENT. Found in that very moment, undistracted; focused. Loving myself enough to challenge myself, and then to maybe overcome.

Lately, I find myself on many walk and runs. Even DANCES, wherever my feet will take me. Urban parks, rural lakes. The sense of adventure is rekindled and the fragrance of the Bridegroom, ISHI, marking the moments of my days.

I feel timeless. Like, so childlike at times. Skipping along, laughing uncontrollably, songs escaping, beauty STICKING to my soul. Yet, the pervasive wisdom imparted through, "learning the hard way," and the increasing acknowledgment of the times and seasons, seemingly transporting me to deeper age, Ancient gaze. But the serenity is to see this life's ambitions as vanity and haze. The serenity is the Lamb who is worthy and the leaving behind of foolish things. The setting towards the Matthew 6:33 place. Losing my life, I find it. At His feet, for all days.

I am in a season stepping out onto the water. And TRUST IS AMPLIFIED, for it is here that I will sink or swim. As I step out onto the water, I hear the sweeter Voice beyond the accusation. Beyond the shame. Beyond the fear. Beyond the clamor. Beyond the past. Beyond the present. Beyond the future. I hear the sweeter Voice call my name.

I have been reading in Romans. Praise God for Abraham's testimony! That, under the Law, sin rules in death, but under the Cross, grace rules and reigns through faith. So, here is Abraham... 100 years, taking an invisible God upon the word of His promise. Promised that trough him (Abraham,) countless descendants coming through a son of promise, and his lineage, would become blessing to all nations. Foretaste of glory divine. Atonement. And Abraham was counted righteous, not under the law, but as in exercise the faith of his soul: HE BELIEVED.

• "For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, (as it is written, "A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS HAVE I MADE YOU") in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist. In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, "SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE." -Romans 4:16-19

I see my Lord would take my faith to a place superseding the mere fulfillment of the contractual obligation. Surely, God is a GOOD Daddy. Surely, His Word is true. Surely, His ways; Higher! Surely, His promises come true. Surely, He is the Author and Finisher of my faith. Taking me from glory to glory until the moment I see His face. That He would give my heart wings to fly upon the wind of His Spirit and to fill me with the wonder of the Power of His Love. That, I, too, like Abraham, might IN HOPE AGAINST HOPE: Believe.

I whisper to the Lover of My Soul, the "Yes," that is louder than any longing. I whisper worship to His Name.

Selah. So shall it be.