Lighted Ecstasy

 I am very much liking the magical aspect of things lighted up.  Everyone likes light and brightness.  We're drawn to light, like moths-- like hurting souls longing for relief-- like children aching for the  Light of the world-- We're desperate for a light within.  Last night a friend took me to the Four Seasons and as I sat in awe in the midst of a panoramic lighted paradise, I recognized why we're drawn to spectacle-- and how much we need spectacle.  Aristotle listed spectacle as one of the 6 aspects of drama.  I remember when I saw "Lion King" on Broadway in NYC-- how I literally staggered with delight at the spectacle.  I've had the same experience in the audience at "Mystere" in Las Vegas.   I could name more.  The spectacle within recognizes the spectacle without.  This is ectasy.  To miss out on the ecstacy of this dazzling season is a shame.  The Chanukah candles, the Christmas lights, the joy of Light.  This is something to experience with enthusiasm --Think of gasping with delight as you applaud the eruptions of fireworks in a night sky -- but here's the thing:  nothing less spectacular lives within us.   Within us is an extravaganza of light far outshining any tree, billboard,  building, theatre, home or park.  We are living lights on hills.  In the One born in a manger, that's who we are. 
My website is updated.  Please check it out.  And be sure to order your copy of "The Room of Wisdom."
http://www.mariechapian.com/  I always look forward to hearing from you.  A blessed lighted Christmas within to you, Beloved one.

FACING THE STORM

Have you ever noticed how people behave in storms?  Bad weather keeps us inside.  We want to stay out of a storm.  We're having some much-needed rains here in southern California now, and I notice fewer cars on the road-- and most conversations include something about rain--  and it's negative-- mud slides, flooding, destroyed property, hydro-planing on the highway--  storm talk.  Every once in a while I encounter some jolly soul who enjoys and thanks God for rain, someone who doesn't jump at the opportunity to complain.  Storms are a great opportunity to complain.  I'm from Minnesota and I know about storms.  Blizzards, tornados, raging winds and blinding snow in subzero weather-- but oddly enough I don't have a single childhood memory of complaining about the weather.  We just faced the storms.
I often joke with native Californians and tell them they don't know what Real Weather is like.  We Minnesotans know about Real Weather.  So do North and South Dakotans and all Midwesterners and Easterners.  How about Alaskans?  How do they handle their storms?  They face them.
There's simply no other way.  Avoiding a storm won't  make it go away.  Hiding from it won't give us what we long for. We meet with endless storms of life-- maybe you're going through one right now-- The Lord empowers you with the Word of His Spirit:  "Be strong and of good courage..."  I pray you
don't run from your storm, or hide under the covers, or complain about it-- be strong and of good courage-- Please check out my website for more.   http://www.mariechapian.com/

Storm's end

The storm ended.  I contended and it ended.  The winds rested, the rains stopped.  (Our little town looks like it's been ransacked by wild animals, however- trees, fences, refuge hurled about-in the storm's
aftermath.)  -- I believe more than ever that we simply must activate the prayer authority God has given us in  Christ Jesus.  Thank God, He answered last night , and the storm ended.  (For now.)   I think of the storm last night as a metaphor for the hundreds and hundreds of personal storms my Power Encounter Intercessors and I pray over and contend for.  We see many mircles each week and we are constantly amazed and constantly humbled and awed, praising and thanking Him. 
Do you need to know how to stop a storm?

This last weekend we recorded a new meditation, THE ROOM OF WISDOM.  It will be available by the end of the week on my website, http://www.mariechapian.com/.  I think it's my favorite meditation in the series. 

Broken Stuff

Big storm here in So. Cal.  Huge winds, rains, and the fence/wall  on my property just went down. 
I see trees down also.  So what happens when stuff gets broken?  Or destroyed?  I'm listening to the winds howling outside, the rains hammering down-- At my feet a dog lies snoozing away, happy and calm and without a care in the world.  If the house came down he'd be okay with sleeping under a tarp in the storm as long as he'd be with me.   If the dog can be without a care in the world while a screaming storm assails us breaking up the property, I can be at peace, too.  So it is with a tranquil heart I rail back at the storm and order it, as Jesus commanded His tempest, "Peace!  Be Still!"  

Be Brave, Be Strong

This is not the time to fall apart or get yourself tangled in frustration or worry.  You're concerned about money, about the holidays, about this and that, and the Lord is telling you the purpose for your trials is not so much to get rid of them, but to trust God through them.  He is telling you, "Let not your heart be troubled..."  He is right there with you.  In fact, He's singing to you.  Have you ever stopped to think He might like to have a little dance with you?  I say dance on your problems.  Dance on them with the Lord Jesus Who loves you and will never leave you.  People may leave you,  (heaven knows I know about rejection) but God never leaves you.  You're a person of triumph, and you are not a wimp for the world or the devil to kick around.  You are a person of power and goodness and strength.  Be brave.