BEYOND aka THE 3RD OF NOVEMBER aka HE ROSE

beyond 

passing each thorn

beyond 

reaching past the immaculate scars

beyond 

climbing every sharpened edge and painful rung

beyond 

passing these thick and darkened welts

beyond 

reaching far atop the glassy sky, most cloudy peak and all this our time and shattered space

beyond 

climbing deep hemispheres, deep and deeper stratospheres, even what deepest exosphere

beyond 

passing all mortality

beyond 

climbing this sordid and morbid morbidity, every chaotic climatic wave and utter finality

i'll be chasing you,
beyond

https://youtu.be/joHsJLouGXE

THE STARS WILL COLLAPSE aka COURTESY OF HEAVEN

in pain, in agony

the whole world groaned

and earth's cry was so very great

thick black clouds, all dust, no rain

stretched on like the stars

no spark nor hope for sparkle

what blinding and painful shame

yet bent and bowed in toil and sweat

came silent cries 

inmost whispers through the night

from rips and tears to gut wrenching tears that covered damp face's only twilight

with furrowed brow, mouth clenched

teeth piercing even tighter fist

at heart pounding wildly 

wide open cut tearing at

more of what sorrow rent

but bowed back slams down

heavy chest heaves up and
trodden head throws itself back

a different pleading with 

writhing rhythmic louder groan 

suddenly a faint cow bell chimes 

to a more heavenly moan

where lungs inhaled this

pungent flesh and dank air's song

kings and angels were peeking into her womb when heaven came down, earth bowed and all the stars collapsed

Signed,

SimonaGrace

Now let the weak say I am strong!

BE STILL: IN THIS FIRE AND BEYOND

When I was a little girl my mom told me the story of how my godsister Yulanda became trapped in a fire in their home. Even more frightful, she was trapped upstairs while her mom was apart from her downstairs. Yulanda was just a little girl herself. So, I could imagine how afraid she was on that dreadful day.

My mom told me how Yulanda cried and cried as I'm sure any child would waking up to a house engulfed in flames.  The fire would rage on as Yulanda stood there rooted in so much fear.  She stood above the stairs apart from her mom who was desperately reaching for her downstairs. I'm sure Yulanda's mom was just as hysterical as she was being separated by such a horrific situation.

But, my mom said Yulanda's mom spoke to her daughter these words.

"Listen to my voice. . ."

A tear drops my eye here because I can't remember why my mom told me the story then. There are no words I could ever write to describe how it felt when she shared it with me. But, I will always remember how it felt when she shared it.

Although I'm not asleep under a rock, I don't watch the news and I barely watch TV.  I prefer LOLs over all my tears. I laugh now because I don't watch TV anymore, but I have just bought a TV stand that I'm about to paint! Oy vey Jocelyn!  So, I guess that's why I tuned in for what seems like the 2nd time now in this time of COVID. Oh my!  After only a few minutes, I had to turn off the TV and pray for my sanity and the sanity of the world.

I understand how people are so scared and worried now and I know first-hand anxiety's "middle name, birthday, address and social security number," I just can't believe that people are protesting Doctors!  I can't believe murder hornets exist and that they are ripping the heads off of honey bees! But moreso, I can't believe that it is 2020 and still these "honey bees," Ahmaud Aubrey and Breonna Taylor, whose blood is more precious than honey, have lost their lives so senselessly (please insert all our other "honey bees" and say all their names here, even now and forever #GeorgeFloyd's).

I'll admit I had become desensitized to much of the news, numbed out, just sad, but even more sad for the world which is waxing colder. So yeah, I can't watch the news like that anymore.  At first I thought, oh no I'll be out of touch, ill informed and most definitely a whimp, etc., etc. But, I just CAN'T digest it all anymore.

So this is why I am glad to remember how Yulanda made it out of the fire that dreadful day not "digesting" or listening to her own screams and fears nor the awful flames and fires raging all around her nor focusing on the flames separating her from her mother.  But, listening to this still, small word,

"Listen to my voice. . ."

LISTEN TO HIM! 

God is so amazing and I tearfully realize this more and more as I write then pause to answer the phone. My sister and young nephews are on their way to the park by my house for bike rides and a picnic. Even in this time of COVID-19, He is still doing great things, has not failed to blow my mind and still exceeds all my expectancy!

So yeah, Yulanda heeded the voice of her mother. She made it out of the fire safely that day and her namesake Jocelyn YOLANDA which means Joyful Lighthearted VIOLET FLOWER will make it out of these fires of life, too!

Prayer: LORD, thank You for how You've kept us and for how You keep us everyday. Thank You for our family and loved ones, especially, my sister Kimberly Diane and my nephews, Michael and Justin. Thank You for my best friend Tiffany and our little angel Jenessa! Keep Your Hand upon us and let nothing by any means harm us. 

The BLOOD all over our lives and those reading here. In Your Name JESUS we pray, Amen

Ink His with pen in hand,

Jocelyn

https://youtu.be/U-Ooxpz0Eqk

HIS GRACE

HIS GRACE
Will keep you
His grace
Will mold you
His grace
Will carry you
His grace
Will hold you
His grace
Will teach you
His grace
Will scold you
His grace
Will lift you
His grace
Will load you
His grace
Will find you
His grace
Will coax you
His grace
Will love you
His grace
Will show you
His grace will
His grace will
HIS GRACE


Receiving the End of My Faith
Even His Grace to Win This Race,
Jocelyn

https://youtu.be/hwZNL7QVJjE

THICK BLACK LIKE NIGHT: SPLIT THE SKY

LORD, You split the void and gave to us light
Split open nostrils and men breathed life
You split the mud and gave man sight
You split the sea and nations crossed over
Split the rock and water overflowed us
You split a virgin's womb and all
the world blessed one man's wife
Split on your back, thirty nine lashes,
healed all of life, then went down
into a tomb, and up out of a grave
rose the Light


And by this I know that if the world is ending
and dark covers thick black like night. . .

You will split the sky

Shine,
Jocelyn

Psalm 18

Prayer: Deliver us from the perils of this world. In Your name JESUS we pray, Amen and Amen

SPIN

LORD You spun the heavens and
they still testify and sing to You today.
Beyond the glow of every sun, the glitz
and glamour of each single star, the
candescent canopy of our own moon,
You are so beautiful God,
You are so beautiful God,
You are so beautiful God

Spinning in the Palm of Your Hand,
Jocelyn

Psalm 30:11-12

SONATA aka RHYTHM

https://youtu.be/IaGsdnKORcA

Who tells every stormy billow exactly where to wave its hand
Then takes every threatening breaker and shows it just where to land
And with each rise and swell of mighty most fearsome sway
Who lassos every angry tide
Stills it to gentlest ripple
And tells it when to subside. . .

Caught Up In the Galleries of His Heart,
Jocelyn

Proverbs 15:1 & Isaiah 40:1-11

TIDES

If you ever feel like giving up or think that "it" is not worth it, consider this. Some things are like waves in the ocean. We have breakers, crashing waves that come to topple our pretty little sandcastles, yet some waves are as calm and soothing as when walking along the most serene beach. The most amazing thing is, waves all come and go. Yes, the joy is that all of life's crashing breakers eventually go away, yet all the serene, calming and soothing waves come back again like a heartbeat. So, don't ever wonder if "it" was not a good idea. "It" could very well be God's heartbeat. "Let patience have her perfect work. . . (James 1:4-8)." I do believe that God breathes inspiration. If you felt inspired to start it then let God be the Author and Finisher of what faith you had in it from the beginning. Learn to ride the waves doll, even enjoy the breakers because while they come wild and fierce, they have to dissipate just as mightily, too (ref. Matthew 7:25). Realize the power you possess, take courage and go surfing on those turbulent breakers that threaten to drown you. But most of all, relax and release all the turbulence as the tides calm, and they do. Then stick your toes in and enjoy what granules of sand are watered because of the ocean's rhythm. Inhale, God is good all the time, now exhale, and all the time God is good. Even more, His Heartbeat is Sovereign and is always in control. Listen to the waves doll and receive this great, rolling and swelling peace which surpasses all understanding.  What seems a whale of a wave,  in God's eyes, is just this, peace and even a walk of faith with Him. Collect your newfound pearls, take heart and dive into the glorious sunrise that now bursts along the horizon.

Be brave ride the wave,

Jocelyn

Proverbs 3:5-6

ROCKS & CLAY: GOD MY MUSE AND WONDER

John 12:24

Take a look at the rocks and the clay.  One is moldable, pliable, able to bend, not break. When you poke it, the prick may be painful at first, but then all its soft clay pours out and offers to you all its tenderness. You'd handle it with kid gloves because it is most tender.  If I throw it at you, it would land and not bruise. When you squeeze it tight, it gushes, yet all your stress and pain is relieved.  What's inside it expands and does not break.  The other is stony and hard.  Try to handle it. You'd find that it is stiff and painful. When you hold it, there is friction. Grind it. Your ears would complain.  You can't mold it.  It would mold you to pieces! Try to break inside it.  Poked and torn, the tear would not only hurt it, but tear you apart and all its heavy stones would crumble to dust. Crash to the ground!  Total collapse!  Only the rain could bring it back to life, only the water could smooth out its rough edges, only the fire could melt it as wax.  Stand rough next to pliable, which one would always poke at the other?  If I threw it to you, could you catch it or would your hands come away scarred and bloody?  Now place the pliable next to the tough, its soft form would be rolled over like parchment left lying flat on the ground.  Could you raise it up again?  Most assuredly, it would spring back into tip top shape again. Why?  Because it is moldable, pliable, able to bend, not break. . .

Love is the Greatest,
Jocelyn

Proverbs: 4:23

https://youtu.be/BdFCOJgN3ek

ALL THE STARS: HE LEFT

Who turned down stars without number
A measure we could never name
Then declined polished silver lined moon's glow
reflecting every one of the sun's flames
Who told the sun to take a backseat and
chose Earth without even a second look
Grasping forever with His own hand
each star bought here, won forever and through Eternity He took

In His Right-Fist Grip,
Jocelyn

The Kingdom of Heaven is within you!
Enjoy the view!

Take a look. . .
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes+3%3A11&version=NIV

https://youtu.be/ocXiB6XETI0

https://youtu.be/QdIOaAvvOp8

IT! WAS! LOVE! aka FROM EVERLASTING TO EVERLASTING aka ANCIENT OF DAYS aka GOD OUR FATHER

Love exceeds all matter
Space and time
More than ethereal
It IS too perfect for this world
And this is Eternal


No Words,
With all my tears and worship here. . .

Transcend Reality: Selah aka In The Midst

She was dead
Period.
At least that's what they said
And what a grim reality
But, somewhere in the midst of it all
There was this
This vast
This great
This ellipses
This continuation of time and space
This space which encompasses
Yet surpasses finality
And this was faith
And it was faith in the Son of God
Who loved her so
It was her trust beyond what she could see
It was her only hope travailing
Travelling beyond all she could imagine
It was the far reaching expectancy that goes beyond what anyone could ask or think
and it was stretching far beyond her finite ability. . .

It transcended her reality,
Selah


P.S. 116. . .
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+116&version=KJV

P.P.S. . .
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+5%3A21-43&version=GNT

LORD You Transcend My Reality,
Jocelyn

IT'S ALREADY ON THE MENU: NOT JUST ANY HAPPY MEAL aka PART TWO: AND IT'S ALREADY IN THE BAG: WITH FRIES SPILLING OVER

Part 1: Michael aka Mikey aka Mike Cannon Boom 
aka Bookie Bear aka TT's Baby aka TT's Baby 1pointO 
aka TT's Baby No Matter the Fortnite

My then eight year old nephew Mikey loved 'him some' happy meals. Nine times out of ten, rather ten times out of ten, if you asked him what he wanted to eat, he would say, "chicken nuggets and french fries with a sprite & sweet and sour sauce please" (aka a McDonald's Happy Meal for a boy). It always made him very happy when he'd get one, yet, comically so, would send me and his mom to the poor house. But, it was his favorite meal. Today, it's, "hey TT, pick me up some wings from Mr. Z's." But, I, even being just his aunt, his best TT, would never have to ask what he wanted when we'd pull thru the line. I ALREADY KNEW! Even if he forgot to add that he'd like sweet & sour sauce, I already knew to add it and no ketchup thank you. If they ran out of sweet and sour sauce then I already knew that he would be ok with barbeque sauce, but only as a back up plan.

Oh little children of God our FATHER, God already knows. He ALREADY KNOWS everything about you. Just as He knows the number of hairs on your head, He surely knows what you need and all the desires of your heart. However many times you can count asking the Lord for something in particular is just as many times He has heard you. Now we know that HE knows the number of hairs on your head. So we know He's a good counter and can surely tally the number of times you've asked down to a tenth of a tenth of a tenth. He even knows the number of times you've asked better than you do, so most certainly He is able and can ANSWER you down to a tenth of a tenth and beyond.

I know you have asked so much that it just feels like it isn't coming or that God has forgotten about you, but I am so happy to say this, delay does not mean denial. No, perhaps Mikey didn't get to have a happy meal all the time or whenever he wanted. But, he would always get to have a blessed meal everyday. Yet, when his desire came, when we'd finally pull up and to those golden arches. . . oh my, was he one happy camper and he even got to have a toy with his order!

God is just this amazing and much more! Trust that God knows what's best for you. Patiently wait on Him to give you not only what you need, but even the "toy." Trust Him to give you the bonus prize with your order. Trust Him to give you what you didn't even know to ask and could never imagine. Trust HIM to GIVE you the desires of your heart because here is the thing I'm learning. . . He can SUPERSIZE that order!!! He can do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think. . . (Ephesians 3:20).

Looking back to when he wasn't this teenager locked up in the "prison of Fortnite" all day as if he's working a nine to five with overtime AND a second job, when I was ready to love on Mikey, he wouldn't just get a happy meal. He'd get the apple pie, movie time, Dave and Buster's capped off with Chuck E. Cheese's, the toy aisle any and everywhere, etc., etc., etc. and we'd celebrate like crazy because TT has worked hard to bless him like that and she loves him soooooooooooo much! Now if I could do all that, oh my, can't God do even more? But, if Mikey didn't wait for me to save up for our play dates then he may very well have gotten bologna and crackers with two sticks and a rock to play with in the backyard. But, while waiting patiently, like a good boy, doing his homework, cleaning his room, staying hopeful, trying his best and most of all keeping the faith (reference Hebrews 11:1). . . he set himself up to receive the BEST PRIZE. Again, I am just an auntie, BUTTTTT GOD. . . GOD IS GOD!!!  Receive Him!

"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him (1 John 5:14-15)."

Prayer:

Father, help us to trust that everything we need is in Your Word. It's on Your Menu, it's in Your Will to us. . . our prosperity in all things, our health and most of all Your everlasting love. In Your Name JESUS we pray, Amen. 


Place your order in God's hands and let Him SUPERSIZE it!!! 

Part 2: Justin aka Justin Odell aka JJ aka Grandaddy aka Grandaddy Long Legs 
aka TT's Baby aka TT's Baby Can I Come Over Your House aka TT's Baby TooPointO

aka TT's Little Buddy

"I waited patiently on the LORD and He turned to me and He heard my cry for help. (Psalm 40:1)."

In His Hand,
Jocelyn