Reflecting upon Pesach

Passover. My favorite holiday of the year. It is the time we remember how we were pulled from slavery; how will are eternally rescued from the curse of sin and death. And oh! How we need to remember; that there is a Law greater than the curse. That there is a Love greater than sin. That there is a Hope greater than the vaporous shadows and dim dimensions of this life. How easy it can be for our minds to be set on that which is directly before us; to forget eternity. 

The Almighty knew this; our frail human nature. And so he prescribed annual remembrance. The “Feasts of the Lord” are encoded within the pages of Life. Evident cycles of redemption throughout every story; every Feast from Shabbat, to Pesach, to Sukkot. Each ready for our participation; our consumption – our slow and thoughtful chewing upon and digestion of. That Word which is a lamp to our feet, and the same Word; Who was, is, and forever shall be. His provision of reminders later provided even more avenues to recall Truth. “As often as you eat of this [unleavened] bread, and drink of this [third Passover Cup of Redemption], do this in remembrance of me…” Remember I am the Chosen One (from before the foundations of the world were spoken into being) and in my love and mercy, I planned to come to buy back your life from the law of sin and death.To cover your blood guilt with my abundant life which extends past the edges of this “time realm.” “The LORD appeared to him long ago, saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you out with kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3

Pesach, is the time we remember how Blood is our only safe passage into life. But not just any blood; the blood of the only pure One. The Way, the Truth, and the Life. 

Our lives are a doorway; a passage of time within eternity. Our distracted and unfocused minds can quickly forget our place within a great universe of space and time – easily smudged from memory is our fitting. Our cares are significant yet they don’t exist in the same pressing way within heavenly realms – and so we must take time to remember. To cast our cares, and in that lighter space, to remember. Only in applying the life and way of Messiah to the lintel of our minds and the doorposts of our deeds, can we be rescued from the curse of death. Do you remember the story? How the death angel roamed through Goshen? There was only one way to live despite the curse.

We are made in the image of God; we are imbued with his character attributes. Did you know that your left side represents judgment and justice? Your right side represents the Love and Mercy of God. The strength of our arms reminds us of our daily deeds; whether from a place of kind intention, or selfish gain. The path to life requires regular application of Jesus’s practices to our deeds. In our desire for justice, the greater deeds of mercy & love must be enacted by His principles. Yes, He gave clear instructions and these are actions, not solely emotions. 

Our continual struggle, is to let our emotions align with the deeds of love and mercy we display. This is true intention. In Hebrew, the word is Kavanah, and it is our highest form of worship. To align our being in deed and heart. To “love the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.” 

This Pesach, I am remembering that the Lamb of God, was silent before accusation, was forgiving in the face of betrayal, and was willing in the space of deep pain. The Great High Priest subjected Himself to this shadowland in order to become one of His created beings; to feel as we feel. Isaiah 53 explains His method and His motives. 

“He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth... Because He poured out Himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet He Himself bore the sin of many, and interceded for the transgressors.”

There is more in that passage. Take some time to chew on it this weekend if you haven’t already. You’ll find deep beauty there within the thorns. The thorns He wore. 

Passover has become one of our favorite family traditions. We have our favorite foods and our favorite ways to remember the plagues. But the diamond of meaning, is in the golden thread of redemption that wove its way from Goshen, through the sands of Arabia, and into the etching of words on stone. It has lit up every story of our faith with its glimmer, and is transcendent beyond the measure of time. Wound its way around a skull mounted cross in threads of flowing crimson and it culminated in tongues of fire; illuminating and teaching each one who follows the way. 

By the leaving of our Messiah, we have been given a great counselor, to teach us what it means to enact good deeds of mercy and love; to let them triumph over our need for justice (John 16:5-15). To apply Beatitudes to our thinking, and wash our minds in the water of the Word. That Word is the One who became flesh and dwelt among us; who was begotten before the foundations of time. To let Him wash our thinking and redeem the very processes by which we understand the world and life around us. To learn the meaning of abundant life and forego the slavery of this fallen realm. 

Passover for me, is the thread of His great Love which reaches beyond all space and time into my now. Passover is exactly what Job said: “‘He has redeemed my soul from going to the pit, and my life shall see the light.’ (Job 33:28)”

Wishing you and yours the remembrance of being Passed Over yet again. 

© Jena Rutan 2022. 

All rights reserved. 

Scripture references are from the NASB. 

—

For continued study and personal reflection

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.”

Leviticus 17:11

“Say, therefore, to the sons of Israel, ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage. I will also redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.” 

Exodus 6:6 

“The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. ‘Now this day will be a memorial to you, and you shall celebrate it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations you are to celebrate it as a permanent ordinance.” 

Exodus 12:13-14

“The next day [John] saw Jesus coming to him and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’”

John 1:29

“…For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.”

1 Corinthians 5:7

“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” 

1 Corinthians 11:26

“He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.” 

Ephesians 1:5-8

“[Messiah entered] not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. … how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” 

Hebrews 9:12-14

“you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.” 

1 Peter 1:18-19

Heaven’s Oath

My dear friends, how many are wrestling? With hardship, loss, or disappointment? In these dark days of winter when our frantic feet fumble across earth's crumbling crunchy crust – Let us encourage each other and together remember…

I’ve written this for you. For me. For all of us.

— • —

Heaven’s Oath
© 2018, Jena Rutan, all rights reserved.

In   b r o k e n   earth, 
dormant cold seed waits.

In   d a r k   velvet skies 
gleam celestial lights.

When cries thirsty land,

from  t e m p e s t  wave,

Heaven’s arms draw their rain.

Our Father in heaven brings life from what’s dead.

“Quiet down, O my soul,” Ancient wise kings once said.

Know He still hears – understands each hearts plight.

In winter’s silence dive deep,

Come with me, lift your eyes.

He is Solace for wanderers, a Shield to the weak.

The bright morning Star who guides weary feet.

Rejected ones friend, and despairing heart’s hope.

The branch from love’s root.

True Life we can know.

When each day feels uncertain

When hopelessness calls,

Let faith stir inside.

Let hope not fall.

Memory stones of bright past

recall goodness. His vast

ways aren’t our ways.

His thoughts far beyond.

His redemption, His plan

never fails, never wrong.

Know this my dear friends, He will do it again.

His faithfulness always endures past the end.

When weakness and cold

by fear grips and pulls –

This isn’t the time for regret and defeat,

but a season of strength, a renewal of peace.

His lamp illuminates truth through black days.

When sight becomes blind, trust goodness, see grace.

Let’s not become weary by walking in light

For harvest will come at the end of this night.

So let roots grow down deep.

Be nourished, come eat –

in knowledge of him.

His bread. His wine.

We together can learn

the depth, width, and height.

— • —

Jesus’s love never fails me.

My companion beside,

My peace and my all,

He covers my life

His feathers surround,

His Word is my guide

Protecting and healing,

sharing peace in the night.

— • —

His whisper we hear,

“Take up courage, persevere!”

“Together my children

run this race,

come be near.

Lay your head on My heart,

Know My warm embrace,

I’ve collected each prayer

Heard you face to face.“

When your heart cries out for direction and meaning

When your marriage is fumbling

your children careening

When you don’t have answers

When purpose is lame

He is there. Yes He’s here

Let Him kindle the flame.

As the Northern star shines

Once more we recall

The Father of lights

Authors good for us all

His love endures

He never will change

In His book are recorded

Each one's joy and each pain

And when beaming sun rises,

morning by morning,

How expansive His kindness

So immense His outpouring.

Giving bread to His children,

Softly sending the snow.

In loyal endurance,

Eternal His oath.

Loyal Friend

Dear friend we've walked this road

Step by step He's lit our paths

His swinging lantern guiding our feet

Shepherds voice calling, "Follow Me"

Dear friend our songs resonate

Heart strings plucked by the same Mistral

Each dissonant past brought into peace 

Tuned by the author and sustainer of faith

We love because He first loved us

Loving my neighbor like I love my own soul

Two is better than one 

'Cause when I'm down you prod me on

Loyal friend with your faithful heart

Knit with the melody in my soul

Dear friend — my sister in faith

Don't you know you've pulled me through

Pointing me to His high road with your face full of grace

Wiping my tears with understanding

We love because He first loved us

Loving my neighbor like I love my own soul

Two is better than one 

'Cause when I'm down you prod me on

Loyal friend with your faithful heart

Knit with the melody in my soul

No we haven't reached our goal

But you're there alongside for as long as He gives

Forging on together each toward our high calling

This journey of a thousand miles 

We're charting step by step

© Jena Rutan 2015. All rights reserved. 

Scripture references are from the NASB.

Infinity's Thread

This thread of infinity, always present like ribbons of wind

A jet stream that swirls and leaves

I'll surf on the crest as long as I breathe

Please Holy Spirit lead

It's Your gift 

Moving my lungs and pumping each beat

Of my life...

The same one who raised life from death

Opens my nostrils at the start of each new day

You pull back that starry curtain to showcase Your loving embrace

And time never changes to You

Outside of our sunsets and new moons you stand

Always unchanging, forever unwavering, never relenting

In pursuit of my heart

Eternal reminders wrapped up in your fringes

The shadow of those wings is where I find rest

These days beat on by, like the blink of my eye

Rhythm and speed want to overtake me

Yet I look to the blue and remember what's true

The devoted One who is Father and Son

The Spirit I breathe, yes He understands

My Author, Sustainer, Ally, and Father

I bless You Lord heart, life, my strength 

And time never changes to You

Outside of our sunsets and new moons you stand

Always unchanging, forever unwavering, never relenting

In pursuit of my heart

My lips utter honor, my face transfixed

Without You nothing was made

Your hand hovered before time started to crawl

In that moment 

You already knew me

You already loved me

This extravagant love is outside my box

A brilliant rendering Oh Great Architect

Who reached down into time to give life to my simple soul 

This immense love, this intentional care, this greatest desire and love

I'm enamored by You

I'm drawn to Your kindness

I'm falling in love all over again

And time never changes to You

Outside of our sunsets and new moons you stand

Always unchanging, forever unwavering, never relenting

In pursuit of my heart

So is time really there? Is it one layered unfolding picture?

Your devotion and passion have always been there, after me

In the blink of Your eye all of time came and went

Our days are like flowers gleaming under your love

So Lord please honor this simple prayer

Teach me to number my days

Let me present to you a heart of wisdom

And time never changes to You

Outside of our sunsets and new moons you stand

Always unchanging, forever unwavering, never relenting

In pursuit of my heart

© Jena Rutan 2015. All rights reserved. 

Scripture references are from the NASB.

Patchwork Tapestry

It's been on my mind for several days

The way you knit hearts of healing

I'm seeing pieces of your quilt

Fragments of my life, parts of this small story

Lord you know me

When I arise and when I need sleep

You provide companions moment by moment

Your love pours out in friendship's twinkling eyes

Your love restores my soul

Squares of redemption covered in golden leaves

My bruised heart sewn beside, reflects a purple gown; treasures in heaven

Your tapestry is more than lovely 

Glimpse this heavenly art sketch and hope surges again

You love to take these broken patches

I've cried for what's lost and what'll never be

I've walked through weeks harboring melancholy 

But You oh Lord, knew me before I was knit

You fashioned my spirit, body, and heart

These broken squares, an unfinished masterpiece

You take rough edges and undone potential

You surge my frayed edges

Create beauty from sorrow

Your gold cord

Oh great weaver, bind me together

This three strand cord

After tattered edges are bound by Your balm

What's left?

I brought you brokenness and you've transformed it. 

A tapestry

Your love is what heals me

This is not the ending

The glory of God is commencing 

You restore, You renew

These broken patches are Your beginning

Your banner over me is love

An easy yoke

A patchwork cloak

© Jena Rutan 2015. All rights reserved. 

Scripture references are from the NASB.

All Eyes

Psalm 145:15 says, "The eyes of all look to You in hope; You give them their food as they need it."

The eyes of all look to You

Wildflowers and sparrows

Your goodness surpasses my imagination

When I ask for bread, you don't hand me stones

You give me beauty for ashes

You satisfy my heart with overwhelming joy,

Peace that explodes my finite mind,

Love that heals the broken places hidden deep inside my past. 

The eyes of all look to You

Kings and queens, the homeless child

You provide through each season of my soul

God you danced with joy when you knit me in the dark place, her womb

Each triumph and loss

With each small step

Your love hovered, surrounding me. 

When alone in the darkness of winter

Your smile still kept me warm

Your devotion is unwavering

Your acceptance surrounds me completely. 

I've felt that absence of love lost

Like dead leaves swirling on the ground

Rustling in circles of autumn wind

I've known emptiness and absence. 

Yet something else is stirring, like that wind

It's the rumble of your steadfast love

The whisper of your spirit like a falling flake of snow

You cover my scars with your blanket of love

Because —

Out of my ashes, out of my pain, out of my darkest days, you bring life!

Like a vibrant bulb shooting green through icy snow

Like the song of the robin heralding the sunrise

Like the firefly and cricket, singing lullabies

God you are there. 

Your love announces my new day

Your faithfulness escorts my limping step

You make me strong and you place my feet

You fill me with good things and I have no lack

You fill my spirit with the joy of your presence

You fill my soul with healing from your throne

And I overflow. 

Every need is fulfilled in your good time

I make it known. "I trust you."

When I was left, you stepped in and lifted me

You've  bound my brokenness and lavished me with unbound love

You have healed my sorrow

Now your goodness shines through. 

You are good

Your love never fails 

The eyes of all look to you

You satisfy my soul. 

© Jena Rutan 2015. All rights reserved. 

Scripture references are from the NASB.

Redemption's reminder

Processing today. 

"I am deeply loved, completely forgiven, fully pleasing, totally accepted, and complete in Christ." 
(The Search for Significance, by Robert S. McGee; p.61)

As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. Psalms 103:12 

 

[Yeshua said,] For this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:28

His blood was shed for many for the forgiveness of sins.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16

God's promise is that I will not perish but have eternal life.

[Yeshua said,] Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. John 5:24

God's promise to the person who knows and believes, is eternal life. This person will not come into judgement but has passed out of death and into life.

[Yeshua said,] My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. John 10:27-29

His sheep have eternal life and cannot be snatched out of Yeshua's hands. They will never perish.

All the prophets bear witness that through [Yeshua's] name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins. Acts 10:43

Through [Yeshua] everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. Acts 13:39

Faith liberates us from all things and we cannot achieve that freedom by our own efforts.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23-24

We are justified by the grace of God through Yeshua's redemption.

Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered. Romans 4:7

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Romans 5:10

We are reconciled to God through the death of His Son. 

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father !" The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. Romans 8:15-17

We have been adopted as God's own children.

Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies. Romans 8:33

No one can accuse us because God alone will judge us and find us acceptable through the blood sacrifice of Yeshua.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. He (God) made Him who knew no sin (Yeshua) to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:17,19,21

In Messiah, we are each a new creature who has been reconciled to God and made into the righteousness of God.

Nevertheless, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. Galatians 2:16

We are justified through faith in Messiah Yeshua and no person is (or will be) justified by works of the law or good deeds.

Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. Galatians 3:6

Abraham was made righteousness because he trusted God and lived in that trust.

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace. Ephesians 1:7

Through Yeshua's blood we have obtained forgiveness of our many sins.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

We may boast in God's grace by which we are saved through faith which is God's gift. 

And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Hebrews 9:22

If forgiveness could be obtained by my own merit, I would need to shed blood to have forgiveness for my sins.

Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin. Hebrews 10:18 

[Fix your] eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

Yeshua is the one who refines and strengthens our faith to perfection because it brings him joy; this was His entire goal and purpose for enduring the cross.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you. 1 Peter 1:3-4

According to Yeshua's great mercy and through His resurrection, we were reborn to a living hope, to obtain a heavenly inheritance which doesn't decay or age; it is being held and prepared for us.

"Because of Christ and His redemption, I am completely forgiven and fully pleasing to God. I am totally accepted by God." (Search for Significance p.100)

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1

And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach. Colossians 1:21-22

"I have great worth apart from my performance because Christ gave His life for me, and therefore imparted great value to me. I am deeply loved, completely forgiven, fully pleasing, totally accepted, and complete in Christ." (Search for Significance p.61)

"My Father is very patient and kind.
My Father is not envious, never boastful.
My Father is not arrogant.
My Father is never rude, nor is He self-seeking.
My Father is not quick to take offense.
My Father keeps no record of wrongs.
My Father does not gloat over my sins, but is always glad when truth prevails.
My Father knows no limit to His endurance, no end to His trust.
My Father is always hopeful and patient."
(Search for Significance p.82)

© Jena Rutan 2010. All rights reserved. 

Scripture references are from the NASB.

 

Heavenly Family

Yes, naps are so nice. I hope my little son continues with his for a while! This is one of my few chances to sit and think. I always do feel a bit of pressure during this time; pressure that nap time may be cut short for any number of reasons, thereby, ending my few moments of silence and tea. So, I better hurry up and think all the deep thoughts I've been wanting to mull over quietly, before he awakens!! :) Funny, how it just doesn't work that way.

Since our cross country move, I have been especially contemplative. Wait; is that true? I am usually contemplative. Well, however it works out, I suppose that now I have more time to realize I am craving uninterrupted thinking, because I don't have so much busy work to keep me focused like the chisel I was a few short months ago! 

Seriously though, (before time is up), I have really been processing brokenness, disjointedness, and all the other 'nesses that contribute to my daily life in such indirect ways. These sad places affect my mood, deep down in my soul, and as they churn like the whirlpool in an underground aqueduct, my husband feels occasional spurts of a "hot spring"! Too bad though, because he thinks he's just walking in a park and doesn't realize he is about to get hit by a geyser! I'm really trying to peel back these exterior shells and let God tend to my wounded places; I don't want to blast the people I love most. I've seen the damage that causes and it is devastating. 

One great thing, is that we are learning to communicate better — and love each other more effectively. This is such a huge bonus and I'm really grateful to God for helping me and bringing me together with such a strong and gracious man. He really loves me and wants the best for me, and that is such an asset when I feel on the verge of my own little tantrum — worse than a toddler to be certain, because it is louder!

Sometimes, I really miss certain places, times, experiences, and people that have been woven through the tapestry of my life. I mean, sometimes it hits me more than others. I've always been a pretty sentimental and sensitive person. It's difficult for me to always say or express how I feel, and that is why I write. For me, this is the easiest way to see all of my thoughts become more organized, and to really pour out my heart. I have such vivid memories of childhood, adolescence, early adulthood, and so on. Music really helps me tune in with those times, places, and people from which I am now removed. 

Mostly, I want to focus on enjoying each daily moment to it's maximum capacity. I know that it won't be long until these days will be the memories I will hold near and dear as well; listening to music just so that I can close my eyes and remember the feelings again. There has always been an awareness for me, that this life is actually much shorter than I can imagine. Therefore, it is of supreme importance that I maximize my time here especially in sharing my days, life, and heart with other people. Helping others is an important value which I am constantly trying to improve upon. Usually, this is much more practical than difficult but not always. 

Yeshua taught us to love God with all our hearts, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. It's actually funny, because after you move past the initial easy and practical level of "loving" someone (like giving a stranger food) the way some of my 'neighbors' feel love, isn't the same way I do (this goes for spouses too!). So even when I reach out, in a way that I see is the epitome of generosity, it may be perceived or misread in another way. As I have come to realize this with each developing friendship and the passing years, I am coming to also realize that it is the same for everyone else. All this to say, I want to be more gracious with others when I don't understand. 

Beyond my words can fully articulate here, I really appreciate the people and times that have become intrinsic parts of my being. I feel so overwhelmed with gratitude to God for bringing me into interaction with the wonderful people He has. I have felt His love because of His people and I would not be able to give so freely of myself or even dare to love God as much if it weren't for the many other people who have poured their hearts and experiences out into my life. I feel like part of a great mass of people; all lovers of our Divine Creator (and indeed, I AM part of the massive body of believers). I see it as a hugely dramatic undertaking, comparable to the carrying of the Olympic torch. There are some moments in my life, when I have felt the presence of something awesome; something of which I am merely a small part. 

We are all involved in something tremendous, and that is the ushering in of our Messiah. Yes, He is returning to this humble planet we are stewarding. With each moment of obedience to love our neighbors in both small and large ways, we prove our love for our Heavenly Father. These pieces of gold, are laid out as rose petals on a wedding day, and they prepare the way for the King of Heaven to once again walk these streets. As we display our humble submission, Yeshua is enthroned in our hearts and this, like a breath of relief from heaven, opens doors we cannot see, but can only feel in moments of quiet discernment. In loving selflessly, we rebuild people, and these people are the very living stones which build the Temple of God. 

All this to say a kind thank you to my dear family and friends who have loved me without expectation, other than the expectation that God's faithfulness would cause your seeds of love to grow. Your patience and generous outpouring, have enabled me in some ways, to be a part of the Kingdom of Heaven. I have felt the love of God through you, and have seen the eyes of tenderness because of you. What would a foot be without a toe? I am so grateful to be a part of the family of God.

© Jena Rutan 2010. All rights reserved. 

Scripture references are from the NASB.