It’s an exhilaration that is unmatched when you experience the Presence, the Love, Our God. You never want to come down and just want to keep climbing higher to bask just a little bit longer. Then it comes crashing down in a heartbeat. Reality, troubles, discouragement, pain, and heartache war for your attention and concern.
I am so tired of holding it all together and pretending that everything is all right in my world. I can’t lie to God (He knows my every thought), so why do I continue to lie to myself?
This psalm comes from a deep place of pain, one of abject loneliness. The day prior, I experienced wonderful success in the Presence of the One. Following that, I was attacked with discouragement, vicious words and lies being spoken that He has forsaken me. Threatening to drown, I cried out in the only way I could. I sang. I sang of pain. I sang of Love. That is where He met me. Crying in the skeletons that the enemy created. He picked me up and told me the most loving things. I soaked in the sweetness of His Love for me.
I was reading the book of Ezekiel during this time. Within the book of Ezekiel is the Valley of Dry Bones vision. The valley I found myself in was not one where the dried bones of the Army of God are settled but a macabre graveyard. I encourage you to read Ezekiel 37 to visualize the difference.
LITTERED VALLEY
Why Lord do you have me in this place?
Why I am having such feelings of failure?
Day in and day out I am being beaten down.
These words and expressions
Hurt like hurled rocks.
Being buried below mountains of inadequacy.
Come to my rescue, oh Lord,
In this time of need.
My chest hurts and the struggle is hard.
Uphill I crawl with more weight on my back.
Family, Faith, I FEEL forsaken.
I have tasted of your presence, the sweetness of life.
But I want to drink deeply.
Why am I here, Lord? What is this place?
I’m left to walk alone in the desert of my mind.
My call for you seems to echo with no answered reply.
Can you hear me from this low to your place on high?
I want to do good, I want Your heart.
I realize how it must be to crucify me daily.
Work is work with no gratification.
The bread and meat are just bland.
I want to be in the field sowing your seed.
Toiling under the Holy Son.
My sweat will water the ground.
Your Life will bring forth life.
Emotions run so high to fall right among the bones
They litter my valley floor and beckon me to join.
“Lay your head down, rest among us”
They whisper their stories of my failures and flaws.
Through my tears and my shame, I stumble and fall.
Why bothering getting up and try to go on.
The dirt seems to beckon and call me by name.
“Lay your head down, come and rest”
In this valley of my failures under this veil of tears
Cries and sobs have muffled the Lord’s approach.
All I can see are His feet for I dare not look up.
Who am I? What is my worth that the King would seek me out?
His feet are dusty and dirty. How can this be?
He kneels to the dirt. What is He doing?
I cry out, “I’m unworthy! For Holy is the Lamb”
His tenderness to me as He holds out His hand
“Come with me”
His hand is rough but strong as I’m raised to my feet.
We start to walk, hand in hand.
The ground that was littered with bones is now clear.
All of it brushed aside.
“Come, my Son, this valley is no place for you”
My heart begins to beat again and the tears flow anew
Damn the valley and damn my fears.
He smiles back at me.
I realize I am stronger than I was before.
He has brought me to a higher height
That the depths of my low cannot compare.
So, I praise His Name and worship the Lord.
For He alone is Worthy!
By: Tyler Robertson
TSH June Newsletter
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6/20/2024
What Cultural Mountain is Yours?
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6/1/2024
Good News for all creation
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5/18/2024
Iron Rod
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1/13/2024
Betrayed
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1/8/2024
War Paused
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12/23/2023
A Song of Hope
Hannah Hunter
12/16/2023
Home
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12/2/2023
Touchstone
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11/25/2023
earthquake and gentle breezes
Hannah Hunter
11/18/2023
Bulwark and Fortresses
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11/11/2023
Thanksgiving of November
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11/4/2023
Angels in Africa
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10/31/2023
Northern Gate of Africa
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10/31/2023
Fires of Revival
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10/31/2023
The Scepter and the Rod
Hannah Hunter
2/6/2023
The Secret Place
Zachary Hunter
2/2/2023
Labeling People as False Prophets
Hannah Hunter
1/24/2023
Healing Rifts
Hannah Hunter
1/16/2023
Expect Angel Visitations
Hannah Hunter
1/9/2023
January 2023 Newsletter
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1/5/2023
Human Perfected
Zachary J. Hunter
9/27/2021
Something Different
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8/28/2021
God's Movement Week 4
Zachary J. Hunter
8/10/2021
God's Movement Week 3
Zachary J. Hunter
7/31/2021
God's Movement Week 2
Zachary J. Hunter
7/24/2021
God's Movement Week 1
Zachary J. Hunter and Hannah S. Hunter
7/14/2021
Be the Change
Zachary J. Hunter
5/27/2021
Our Pledge and Declaration
Zachary J. Hunter
1/28/2021
The Cup of Iniquity
Zachary J. Hunter
1/15/2021
The Father's Heart
Zachary J. Hunter
1/6/2021
Joshua and Caleb
Zachary J. Hunter
12/31/2020
Elijah
Zachary J. Hunter
12/18/2020
How Important is Worship
Zachary J. Hunter
12/11/2020
Believe
Zachary J. Hunter
12/2/2020
Our Focus
Zachary J. Hunter
11/24/2020
Taking a Beating
Zachary J. Hunter
11/11/2020
2020: American Presidential Election and Aftermath
Zachary J. Hunter
11/4/2020
Daniel 10
Zachary J. Hunter
10/28/2020
Daniel 9 and What it Means.
Zachary J. Hunter
10/22/2020
Respect for God's Authority
Zachary J. Hunter
10/15/2020
What It is to be a Seeker?
Zach J Hunter
10/8/2020
Non-Debate
Hannah S. Hunter
9/30/2020
Odyssey Observations
Hannah S. Hunter
9/11/2020
Miracles in Motion
Hannah S. Hunter
8/27/2020
Unplug and Reset
Hannah S. Hunter
8/20/2020
Set Apart Not Aside
Hannah S. Hunter
8/12/2020
Did I Really Say That?
Hannah S. Hunter
8/6/2020
Silence, Stillness, Solitude, the Secret Place, and the Supernatural
Hannah S. Hunter
7/30/2020
Supernatural Season
Hannah S. Hunter
7/21/2020
tachycardia
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7/16/2020
Peaceful Protest
Hannah S. Hunter
7/6/2020
Piercings
Hannah S. Hunter
7/2/2020
Unshareable Glory
Hannah S. Hunter
6/24/2020
Ancient Roots
Hannah S. Hunter
6/16/2020
Perfect Love
Hannah S. Hunter
6/9/2020
Mountains Tossed into the Sea
Hannah S. Hunter
6/1/2020
Genesis of Nations
Hannah S. Hunter
5/26/2020
Torchbearers
Hannah S. Hunter
5/18/2020
Trilling and Aflutter
Hannah S. Hunter
5/12/2020
Mchungaji
Hannah S. Hunter
5/5/2020
Mountain Top to Mountain Top in Lockdown
Hannah S. Hunter
4/29/2020
Observations from the Shadows
Hannah S. Hunter
4/21/2020
He Called It! His Fast!
Hannah S.Hunter
4/13/2020
When Being Passed Over is Good
Hannah S. Hunter
4/7/2020
Alternate New Normal
Hannah S. Hunter
4/2/2020
Nor'easter Wheels Within Wheels
Hannah S. Hunter
3/24/2020
Stillness- the posture of Reshaping and Remolding
Hannah S. Hunter
3/17/2020
Dwelling in the Everlasting Flow
Hannah S. Hunter
3/10/2020
Godly Reprimand, Removal of Shame, and Redemptive Restoration
hannah hunter
3/3/2020
Essential Oil is Love
hannah hunter
2/25/2020
Going Into the Deeper....
hannah hunter
2/17/2020
Feet of Your Soul
Hannah Hunter
2/11/2020
Activating Our Children
hannah hunter
2/3/2020
Vigilant Observations
Hannah Hunter
1/28/2020
Commander in Chief
hannah hunter
1/21/2020
Heights of Hope
Hannah Hunter
1/16/2020
Shepherds Shielding in Storms
Hannah Hunter
12/12/2019
Shepherds Shielding in Storms
Hannah Hunter
12/12/2019
How did Jesus Celebrate His Birthday on Earth?
Hannah Hunter
11/27/2019
Paul and Pauline in this Season
Hannah Hunter
11/19/2019
A Day in the life of an Expat in Kenya
Hannah Hunter
11/11/2019
Conquerors in the Nest
Hannah Hunter
10/30/2019
A Look at Fear
Zach Hunter
2/22/2019
The Beauty of the Cross
Zach Hunter
2/15/2019
Turning Disgust into Grace
Zach Hunter
2/8/2019
Take My Faith
Tyler Robertson
1/12/2019
Love is really REALLY hard (but totally worth it)
Zach Hunter
1/5/2019
Is He Lost or Am I?
Tyler Robertson
12/29/2018
Pointing Fingers
Zach Hunter
12/22/2018
Sold Out Slaves
Tyler Robertson
12/15/2018
Stirring Deep Wells
Tyler Robertson
12/1/2018
Seasonal Suffering
Hannah Hunter
11/24/2018
God's Play Room
Hannah Hunter
11/17/2018
Voting Day
Hannah Hunter
11/10/2018
Homework
Tyler Robertson
11/3/2018
The Way
Tyler Robertson
10/21/2018
Battle Fronts
Tyler Robertson
10/6/2018
True Love
Tyler Robertson
9/22/2018
Mapacha "The Twins"
Hannah Hunter
9/15/2018
Venomous Snakes Thwarted
Hannah Hunter
9/10/2018
In His Arms
Hannah Hunter
9/1/2018
Follow Love’s Thread
Hannah Hunter
8/25/2018
Remanded Rest
Hannah Hunter
8/18/2018
Clueless Obedience
Hannah S. Hunter
8/11/2018
Same Old Days
Tyler Robertson
8/4/2018
A Child of Mine
Tyler Robertson
7/29/2018
He is I Am
Tyler Robertson
7/24/2018
Joy's Calm
Tyler Robertson
7/7/2018
The Dire Hour
Tyler Robertson
6/30/2018
Joyful Warriors for the Kingdom
Hannah Hunter
6/23/2018
Daughters of the Mountain
Tyler Robertson
6/16/2018
Daniel and Malicious Intent
Hannah Hunter
6/9/2018
Forge Me
Tyler Robertson
6/2/2018
Grieving Grace
Hannah Hunter
5/26/2018
His Revelation
Tyler Robertson
5/19/2018
Micaiah - I Stand With Him!
Hannah Hunter
5/12/2018
The Sense of God
Tyler Robertson
5/5/2018
Removing Junk from your Treasure Chest.
Hannah Hunter
4/28/2018
To know the pain.
Tyler Robertson
4/21/2018
Meeting my Maker
Tyler Robertson
4/14/2018
Stop! In the name of Love!
Tyler Robertson
4/7/2018
For Such a Time
Tyler Robertson
3/31/2018
Rejoice in the Fear!
Tyler Robertson
3/24/2018
In the Blood
Tyler Robertson
3/17/2018
Can't Fight the Need
Tyler Robertson
3/10/2018
In Everything
Tyler Robertson
3/3/2018
Let Freedom Ring
Tyler Robertson
2/24/2018
IT'S Coming.
Tyler Robertson
2/17/2018
Nailed It!
Tyler Robertson
2/10/2018
Complacency Kills
Tyler Robertson
2/3/2018
Measure of Faith
Tyler Robertson
1/27/2018
Darkest of Nights
Tyler Robertson
1/20/2018
Destination: Church Unknown
Hannah Hunter
1/13/2018
Peace 2018
Hannah Hunter
1/6/2018
Blessed Are the Servant Healers
Hannah Hunter
12/30/2017
Honoring HIS Wishes
Hannah S. Hunter
12/23/2017
How is Your Shine?
Lori Meed
12/16/2017
Beatrice-Bringer of Joy
Hannah S. Hunter
12/9/2017
Smooth Stones
Tyler Robertson
11/18/2017
Littered Valley
Tyler Robertson
11/11/2017
What Happened to the Church?
Tyler Robertson
11/4/2017
Antithesis of Rage
Hannah S. Hunter
10/28/2017
Truth Prevails
Hannah S. Hunter
10/21/2017
False Pretenses
Hannah S. Hunter
10/11/2017
Eye of the Needle
Hannah S. Hunter
10/11/2017
Wells Every Where
Hannah S. Hunter
9/11/2017
Underestimated Army
Hannah S. Hunter
9/11/2017
Third World Eyes
Hannah S. Hunter
9/11/2017
Songs of Joy in Drudgery
Hannah S. Hunter
9/11/2017
Spirit of Sanballat
Hannah S. Hunter
8/11/2017
Guardian in the Night
Hannah S. Hunter
8/11/2017
Sacredness from Kenya’s Wilderness
Hannah S. Hunter
7/11/2017
Pause
Hannah S. Hunter
11/7/2016
Perception, Prayers and Purpose
Hannah S. Hunter
11/7/2016
Tribes
Hannah S. Hunter
11/7/2016
Take Courage!
Hannah S. Hunter
10/21/2016
Kenya Elections 2017
Hannah S. Hunter
10/12/2016
Define Rest and Refuge
Hannah S. Hunter
10/11/2016
Soaring or Sailing
Hannah S. Hunter
10/11/2016
Life Threatening Worms
Hannah S. Hunter
10/11/2016
Mapacha, The Twins, and Micronutrients
Hannah S. Hunter
10/11/2016
Angel Awareness
Hannah S. Hunter
10/10/2016
When Seasons Come Too Early
Hannah S. Hunter
8/6/2016
RVP (Restoration Village Project) Kilgoris, Kenya
Hannah S. Hunter
6/15/2016
Kinsman Redeemer
Hannah S. Hunter
1/23/2016
Free Flow, Clarity, and Airlift
Hannah S. Hunter
1/16/2016
Synergy
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1/9/2016
Wilderness Base Camp
Hannah S. Hunter
1/2/2016
The General’s Tent – 2015 Posts
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12/29/2015
Control Held by None
Hannah S. Hunter
12/25/2015
Qualifications for Vessels of Honor
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12/19/2015