Holistic Budo by Robert Van Valkenburgh

I have lived this lifebeforefelt this temptationbeforebeen in this gardenbeforefelt this fear and shamebeforeguide me Lordaway from this serpentinto Your WayYour TruthYour Life INTO YOUR LIFE‘Meditations of a Gentle Warrior’ at http://www.holisticbudo.com To read my longer writing ‘Grappling With Divinity,’ visit http://www.robertvanvalkenburgh.com

False idolsof self and selfishnessas plentiful as the starsin the skydraw my attentionwith empty promisesthat lead onlyto unhappinessand disappointmentever reminding methere is no Godbut God NO GOD BUT GODBy Robert Van Valkenburgh‘Meditations of a Gentle Warrior’ at http://www.holisticbudo.com To read my longer writing, visit my blog ‘Grappling With Divinity’ at…

Lord save mefrom my pridefear and selfishnessthat I mayworship you alonewith faith and confidencein your love and truthsave me from the distractionsthat draw me awayfrom your quiet voicethat I may seekyou alonefor all my days YOU ALONEBy Robert Van Valkenburgh‘Meditations of a Gentle Warrior’ at http://www.holisticbudo.com To read my longer writing, visit my blog ‘Grappling With Divinity’ at…

I release youinto God’s handsyou are a burdenI can no longer carryif I want to followthe LordI forgive youI release youso that we may bothbe free RELEASE YOUBy Robert Van Valkenburgh‘Meditations of a Gentle Warrior’ at http://www.holisticbudo.com To read my longer writing, visit my blog ‘Grappling With Divinity’ at http://www.robertvanvalkenburgh.com

I trust thatif I am faithfulto the LordHe will reveal to methe truthof His wordif I remain humbleand prayerfulthe Spirit willguide mehome to Him SPIRIT GUIDE MEBy Robert Van Valkenburgh‘Meditations of a Gentle Warrior’ at http://www.holisticbudo.com To read my longer writing, visit my blog ‘Grappling With Divinity’ at http://www.robertvanvalkenburgh.com

May I keep the faithin the face of doubtand discouragementthat I might turn tothe Father of lightswith all of my heartmind and soulfor in himthere are no shadowsnor uncertaintyonly the lightnessof unwavering loveleading me into eternity INTO ETERNITYBy Robert Van Valkenburgh‘Meditations of a Gentle Warrior’ at http://www.holisticbudo.com To read my longer writing, visit my blog ‘Grappling With…

I submitin faithto the darknessgiving myselfin silenceto the mysteriouscloud of unknowingthat existsbetween myselfand Godwhen distractions arisethey are releasedwith a wordJesus RELEASED WITH A WORDBy Robert Van Valkenburgh‘Meditations of a Gentle Warrior’ at http://www.holisticbudo.com To read my longer writing, visit my blog ‘Grappling With Divinity’ at http://www.robertvanvalkenburgh.com

Your heartbreakyour sadnessand griefis a glimpseinto how God feelswhen you turn awayfrom himwhen you denyhis calland rejecthis loveturn to himhe is always nearnever farhe yearns for your returnlike you achefor his love ALWAYS NEARBy Robert Van Valkenburgh‘Meditations of a Gentle Warrior’ at http://www.holisticbudo.com To read my longer writing, visit my blog ‘Grappling With Divinity’ at…

The fallenautumn leavesturn to soilas the winter frostmelts awayfeeding the plantsof springwhose budssprout forthafter a heavy rainI repent O Lordpleaseforgive mefor allmy sinful waysfor in youdeathis turned to lifethroughout the seasonsof my days SEASONS OF MY DAYSBy Robert Van Valkenburgh‘Meditations of a Gentle Warrior’ at http://www.holisticbudo.com To read my longer writing, visit my blog…

The clouds washacross the skywith no beginningnor end in sightand yet the sunwill rise againhigh above the darknesslighting the worldbeneath its warm glowand so it iswith the darkest hourof my darkest daywhen hope is nowhere nearthe Son rose againabove this worldof sin and deathfor your sake and minethat his love may light our waywith joy and peace eternal RISE AGAINBy Robert Van…

If you cling too tightlyto someonewho clings to despairthe weight of it allwill drag you down alsorelease them to Godand if they chooseto reach up to heavenbe there to greet themas the hand of the Lordreaches downand pulls them upfrom hell’s fiery prison RELEASED TO GODBy Robert Van Valkenburgh‘Meditations of a Gentle Warrior’ at http://www.holisticbudo.com To read my longer writing, visit my…

The Lord is quietlyat workin the backgroundof your soultilling the soilin your heartsewing seedsof love and salvationwhich he watersthrough prayerand contemplationso that his good fruitmay be harvestedthrough youin the worldfor the sake of his people TILLING THE SOILBy Robert Van Valkenburgh‘Meditations of a Gentle Warrior’ at http://www.holisticbudo.com To read my longer writing, visit my blog…

Each and every oneof God’s childrenis worthy of salvationin the eyes of the Lordnot by worksnor by virtuebecause all havefallen shortof the glory of Godbut by loveand sacrificewe have been saved WORTHY OF SALVATIONBy Robert Van Valkenburgh‘Meditations of a Gentle Warrior’ at http://www.holisticbudo.com To read my longer writing, visit my blog ‘Grappling With Divinity’ at…

When I turn awayfrom Godwandering off intothe desert of sinand selfishnessI withdraw myselffrom his gracein my defianceI am no longerprotected from the worldbut he never stopssearching for mecalling me to repentto turn back toward himin his everlastinglove and mercy TURN BACKBy Robert Van Valkenburgh‘Meditations of a Gentle Warrior’ at http://www.holisticbudo.com To read my longer writing,…

In timesof spiritual drynesswhen Godfeels far awayand it seems as thoughyou have been forsakenthe good Lordis preparing youfor something deeperas long as youremain faithfulGod promisesto remain faithfulto you SPIRITUAL DRYNESSBy Robert Van Valkenburgh‘Meditations of a Gentle Warrior’ at http://www.holisticbudo.com To read my longer writing, visit my blog ‘Grappling With Divinity’ at…

Pride prevents mefrom hearing God’s voiceself convinces methat I do not need his helpas much as it pains himto see me sufferin separatenessfrom his blessingsfreely offeredhe allows itbecause it is my choicehis love merely an invitationa gift that must be acceptedfor it is never imposedLord help me to acceptyour love and mercy SUFFERING IN SEPARATENESSBy Robert Van Valkenburgh‘Meditations of a…

Give the Lord spaceto do his good worksin your heartlikewisegive him spaceto do his good worksin the hearts of othersyou cannot convertthe unwillinganymore than you couldhave repentedbefore you were readybefore you were brokenby your pridefuland sinful ways GIVE GOD SPACEBy Robert Van Valkenburgh‘Meditations of a Gentle Warrior’ at http://www.holisticbudo.com To read my longer writing, visit my…