Search The Rivers of Life

Rev. Lainie Dowell
(Received Friday, July 29, 2011 9:24 A.M.


Search the Rivers of Life,
And ~
The ripples will lead you through the streams of time

The rocks will be the pathway that undergird your footsteps
lest they should slip and throw you off course

The fish will swim close to the shoreline, greet you,
and befriend you on your journey

The tents along the edge of the rivers will be a comforting,
and oh so inviting sight of rest to your soul

The trees will be planted there
and deep will grow the roots to tell the tales of
all those who passed by on their way to
search the rivers of the ages

The sun will shine bright by day
and illuminate
grasses
swaying in the breeze

The moon will shout to the stars,
Come out! It is night -- dark -- black --
And, yet, this is that one who walks
in The Light
which is far brighter
than any light we could ever generate

The heart can tell and,
if you listen,
you shall hear sounds of welcome
emerge
from within and without the shadows
which have remained,
'til now,
unseen by seeing eyes
unheard by human ears
unknown by human scholars

Come~

Search the Rivers of Life
And ~
your spirit shall find sweet peace

Am I Where I Was Going?

I smelled the depths of travel along many
Dusty highways, Faire.
Set out a long time ago to get somewhere.
Am I there?

If so -- I do not much like it!

Seasons watched and waited
As my halting footsteps plotted
The course all along the way.
Now here I sit to contemplate.
Am I there today?

Yesterday,
When I was just a little child,
I emerged from inside to go outside to play
Along the streets of cobblestone.
Reflecting on days past in this clay.

Now in my own home,
While I sat there all alone.
Struggles refused to go away.
Yet, never once agreed to stray.

Followed me.
And 'til this very day
Reached out to touch
Me as I knelt down low to pray.

Sweetest memories of the trip?
Trials did win a prize.
Made me strong in my resolve
To arrive safe in my God's eyes.

Am I where I was going?

Only time will tell.
Blessed am I in all this world.
God saved me from this Hell.

Copyright (c) 2007 By Rev. Lainie Dowell.
All rights reserved worldwide.

I Am Desert Walking

Rev. Lainie Dowell

Let us go out to the desert.
We can get some rest.
But, before we do that,
we have to prepare.

Because ~
- The air is hot and dry in the desert
- The desert is barren and friendless
- The shade is nowhere to be found
- The water is hidden from view,
if there is any around anywhere
- The night is colder than the daytime
is hot

There. . .
What you have is an overview.
Somewhat of a scaled down look at
what awaits your trek to the desert.

And, if you should take your family
and friends along for the sake of
companionship when you arise from
your rest ~ well, then, do not expect
to have much of a rest?

And, you can forget about the thanks
for allowing others to accompany you
to the desert. Grumbling, mumbling . .
Scripture calls it murmuring and complaining.

Ask the Israelites.

Bowlegged time is at hand.
Cross-eyed time is here.
Run-you-ragged-and-silly time.

Rest?

Forget it.

Did you not know there is no rest for the weary?
That is an old adage to be sure, but it is also
a truism nevertheless.

If cool, calm, and collected time is what
you are after,

If reflection time is your aim,

If need-to-be-alone time is your heart's desire,

Then~
Clothe yourself in God's righteousness.
Wrap up in His mighty presence.
Dress down in your appearance.
It is filthy rags, anyway, and all of your
garments are covered with sin
instead of stained by Jesus's blood.

And~
If you have not believed and received
Jesus as your personal Savior and as
the Lord of your life,

Then ~
You will forever remain parched in a
desert land crawling all around on
sinking sand.

It is just so good to get away and to know
you are not alone in the desert.



Silent Whisperings . . .
Wearer of the Iron Robe
Copyright (c) 2004. Rev. Lainie Dowell.
The Mountainside Ministries. Columbia, MD.
All rights reserved worldwide.
Rec'd Tuesday, August 10, 2004, 7:13 a.m. EST.
A Shepherd Woman's Heart