I am a follower of Jesus deeply passionate about ushering in the Presence of God through worship and prayer. I'm on a mission to follow Jesus to serve the undeserved in intercession and outreach.
what are the trees trying to tell us?
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a thought (or two) on trees My journals, sketchbooks, and anyone who has spent enough time with me know of my love for trees. I still find just as much joy in climbing a tree as I did when I was a little girl- still nothing like sitting up high surrounded by branches swinging from limb to limb. Recently, someone asked me why trees, what draws me to them? I found myself at a loss of words. But after pondering for a while, I realized that most of my fascination would have to do with knowing that there is so much I don't know. Trees have so much to say- they're just waiting for someone to listen. The trees and I have this common knowledge that I won't stop looking until they tell me all their secrets- each time I pause my day to admire a tree with awestruck curiosity, it's like I'm saying, "I know you have so much to say- and I'm not giving up until you tell me." Trees sing (Psalm 96:12), they clap their hands (Isaiah 55:12), their branches dance while their leaves whisper in the wind. They hold us, shelter us, and are always pouring forth speech and revelation- if only we have the ears to hear, eyes to see, and hands to feel. Here's some more tree contemplations to mull over: Did Jesus know the tree he hung upon before it was cut down? Did He ever go and visit it, touch it? The tree He breathed into existence He knew He would one day hang upon between heaven and earth- did He ever go and look at it? Was it with delight and joy, fear and disdain, or perhaps both? Why did God choose trees to be the center of the beginning, middle, and end of the story? The tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the beginning, Jesus hanging on the tree- forever tearing the veil between God and man- to the tree of life that will be the healing of the nations when Jesus finally returns to forever dwell with us? Why. Trees. I present you with no answers, only questions. May they stagger and stun your mind in the most wonderful way as they have mine. Christmas in Richmond It has been a sweet time as we prepare for Christmas here at MAPS. The campus is decked out in all manner of lights, trees, and ornaments, the advent candle is daily burning, and every morning prayer we have Scripture readings to get our hearts in line with remembering and rejoicing in the birth of Jesus. I am absolutely loving every day here. I have truly found a second home and family with these people- even if one day goes by that I don't go into MAPS, I am thrilled to be back the next day because of how much I miss it. The beautiful people, joyous worship, and revelatory classes are hard to go a day without.
Fundraising Update Thank you, from the bottom of my heart for praying for me and for partnering with me. My heart is filled with joy at what you and I get to do together- we are making Jesus' name great in the nations and planting dwelling places of His presence across the earth. We get to do this! My upcoming goal is $8,000 by the end of this month, and I have about $1,700 left to meet that goal. If you feel the stirring of the Lord in your heart to join in this beautiful mission in the Middle East, you can give here: If you would like to read more about what I'll be doing in the Middle East next year, you find it here. I am praying for you, that the Lord would fill your heart with joy as you meditate on Jesus the God-Man being born in a stable that we might be reborn in Him, never to be separated. Happy Advent and Merry Christmas. —Maddie P.S. If you have any thoughts, reflections, questions, or musings about trees, I would love to hear them:) |
Hi! I'm Maddie
I am a follower of Jesus deeply passionate about ushering in the Presence of God through worship and prayer. I'm on a mission to follow Jesus to serve the undeserved in intercession and outreach.
Hi Reader, I hope this letter finds you well, and that you are staying warm and enjoying the unescapable stillness winter provides. I want to share a sweet dream I had a couple of weeks ago with you. In the dream, I sat at a table across from my sister Avila. I said to her, “Jesus spent most of His life in the normalcy of what it means to be human- living day to day as we do. So our day-to-day, our mundane, that is what He wants to talk about. That is where He wants to meet us.” As I told her...
Hello Reader, I hope you had a sweet Thanksgiving! I have been enjoying a slow week here in Richmond filled with lots of books, beverages, and walks as the weather gets cooler here. I have been listening to Poor Bishop Hooper's new album, As Foretold this Advent- it's beautiful, go listen to it!! As Foretold: Part 1 • Poor B... Prologue • Poor Bishop Hoope... PREVIEW Fundraising Update: Thanks to those like you who have given, I have reached my end-of-November goal! Currently, I need about...
Happy Thanksgiving Reader! I listen to the song "Snow" by Sleeping at Last as I write... "Like the petals in our pockets may we remember who we are, unconditionally cared for by those who share our broken hearts." Give it a listen. Snow Sleeping At Last PREVIEW With each passing day, I see more and more how pressures and pains produce the strongest boughs and the deepest wells for the Lord to fill. Truly He does turn mourning into dancing and ashes into beauty. Trees need testing wind to...