Return.

I went to Tehillah tonight, for the first time in a long time.

I'd been feeling "odd" lately, and I was hoping that perhaps God would help me make some sense of things if I went.

Besides, there's no such thing as too much church.

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Worship.

Existing in the presence of God.

Feeling his presence, knowing he is in this place.

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"It is finished."

and the veil is torn

from top to bottom.

The Father smiles

through his pained tears

"It has only begun."

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A girl's face, upturned, eyes closed, cheeks wet with tears, smiling, arms raised. She is Spanish.

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STUCK IN THE MIDDLE
The Israelites leaving Egypt (Exodus)

1. a story of captivity & pain.
2. a story of prayer.
   this is our story as well: whenever we are in captivity or pain, if we cry out to God, he will hear us.
3. a story of deliverance.
4. a story of promise.
   God wants to do more than just deliver you FROM something, he wants to bring you TO something.

Satan tries to pull you back to what it was you left behind.

• the Israelites left Egypt like a marching army.

Believe that a good God is leading you. Exodus 13.17-18

• stuck in the middle - no way forward, no way back... except God led the Israelites into the place they found themselves.
  • This isn't the shortcut; the shortcut brings us into conflict that might cause us to change our minds.
  • God brings us to this point ON PURPOSE.

A good God is leading you. Even if the mess you're in is your own fault, remember that GOD IS GOOD, and HE IS LEADING YOU. Don't panic. Be patient - eventually you will get to where you are going. You will come into your promise.

Move forward. Exodus 14.5-15

Be still - be calm inside.
Move on - move forwards outside.

• You are crippled by your past and paralyzed by your future.

Use what you have. Exodus 14.16-31

It happens with what you already have in your hand.

• Your miracle is already in your hand.

God has already given you what you need.

It doesn't matter what it is, if it is in the hands of God, it can become deliverance or healing or sustenance or... whatever is necessary.

What I have, I give you, Lord.

A simple act of obedience.

past failure != future failure