Day 20: Lord, YOU are exquisite…
Day 20: 17 May 2018
Introduction: Thanksgiving, Praise and Worship exercise – usually I close my eyes to “feel” this song. I can feel the waves of life and the calm waters of Jesus through this song.
The exact words are also exquisite.
SONG: Hillsong United – No Other Name – Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)
“You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand
And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise, my soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine
Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You’ve never failed and You won’t start now
So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise, my soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
I will call upon Your name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine”
Songwriters: Joel Houston / Matt Crocker / Salomon Lighthelm – Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) lyrics © Capitol Christian Music Group, Songtrust Ave
Step 1: Gather
Lord, YOU are exquisite. There are no exact words to express my love for you, my gratitude not just for all you have done for me, but how deeply you make sure I know that I am truly loved by you. The English language has not created words to express that fully. Thank you for reaching your hand out to me and walking me through all of this.
Ascending aorta – the core of my being. Felt the death, literally. In that exact spot, I felt death, called it “death” out loud because I knew that death had a grip on that part of my body for the moment. Headed straight for life-giving help.
In my mind, I keep coming back to the ascending aorta. It was my ascending aorta that was completely blocked, cutting off oxygen and blood to EVERYTHING in my body. The ascending aorta is located at the core of our human bodies. There is nothing more “core” than that. It is located in the middle of the body, going every direction.
Readers = don’t go getting goofy on me, I am goofy enough for all of us and I know where some of your minds went. NO, measuring from the top of your head to the tips of your toes and will not be the exact halfway point at the ascending aorta.
The ascending aorta comes up and out of the heart itself. Then there is the descending aorta. Then it follows down through the core of your body. The aorta is kind of important for life.
My broken heart from life and from disease had to be fixed in this emergency.
So, my thinking goes something like this: My ascending aorta was the exact point that had to be immediately unblocked to get oxygen and blood flowing even a little, to save my life. I keep smiling at this fact.
Ultimate Gift & Ultimate Point To ALL Of This
Jesus gave us life through his ascension, not his death. He LIVES, he is not dead. For me to raise from a life filled with yuck and muck, I have to rise UP and out of it, ascend. What an ultimate miracle, one of creating a flow of life through the ascending aorta, at the core of my being. I have to feel the love of God the Father, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in my core, to the greatest depth of who I am. That is what I call exquisite.
Given this most ultimate gift, what am I going to do with it? I am going to get up, ascend, allow the blood of Christ to flow through me, and get the love of Christ to flow out of me for the Kingdom of God.
The physical healing from the two lifelong diseases will come in due time. It is now a side-note, not the focus. Not only have I received the physical blessings and miracles from this experience, I have received an education beyond belief. I understand my particular body and I have the education and knowledge to take care of it now.
I also have the wisdom to see that every moment is precious because we do not know our last day here on earth. I solely am responsible for every moment of my life and how I choose to spend it. The story does not end at the miracle, it is just one leg of the journey.
Jesus was the Son of God long before he came to earth. He gave us everything through his ultimate sacrifice. The miracle did not stop there. Life, living water, the blood of Christ, goes on forever more.
Sweet Sweet Jesus, thank you for the blessings and miracles, it will never be forgotten. Yet, I fully know this is not the end of the story, it is only one of many chapters. Just as the book of Revelation takes us full circle, back to the beginning and through your eyes of eternity. There IS no end to eternity, there WAS no beginning.
Time to put the miracle of 13 April 2018 in its proper place and rise. Keep my feet moving through the physical recovery but keep that a side-note. Accept others as your creations, with all of their faults and their own yuck and muck, just like me. Move through and past the abandonment issues and see your mighty works in the birds chirping every single morning, the sun rising on time every day, and the hope that I have in you. You will sort out all the issues your own way and in your own time.
Step 2: Focused Reflection
As I picture a “flow” in my physical body taking place through oxygen and blood getting through to my heart and every organ and system in my body, I feel it on a spiritual level.
For the love of Christ to “flow” through me, I have to picture that flow. That flow speeds my physical healing process. The mind is so much greater than the physical. And the spiritual is greater than everything.
Wire out the bad stuff out of my mind and wire in God’s Word. Let my blood and oxygen flow. Let the blood of Christ flow through me.
Step 3: Journal
The questions I am supposed to answer in this step were actually all answered in the Gather step as I just kept writing. Truly amazing how this 21-Day Brain Detox works. It just starts to happen naturally as I practice through each round of it. It all falls into place as it is meant to.
Step 4: Revisit
I get to choose a life with a renewed vision. Weathered the storms of life: Been beaten, battered, molested, raped, bruised, abused, abandoned, ostracized, oppressed, depressed, ridiculed, persecuted and certainly misunderstood. That is all the good news. It has taken me on a path of great experience and wisdom, kept me humble and always pointed me straight to you.
I can see beyond it all, far beyond. Clearly see hope in you, Lord. Certainly, know your purpose for my life. Might not know all the details, but secure in the knowing that I know your purpose and your assignment for my remaining days.
Step 5: Active Reach
Decision:
Feel God the Almighty’s love deeply, into the core, into the ascending aorta instead of the toxic thoughts and calcification. Rise above, ascend, out of the destruction of the actions of others and my toxic thoughts about it all. May I be humbled by this experience and empowered by it.
Action:
Think about ascension, rising above, at every turn when those toxic thoughts even try to sneak in. Every thought is a blessing or a curse. Do I want to think about life or death? Rise above…
“give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV
May ALL of you rise above,
Maribeth Baxter, MBNC (Certified Mind-Body Nourishment Coach)
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