Blog Pictures

While the pictures down the right side of my blog were specifically chosen and placed in a particular order, I have never presented what each means to me. I will take some time to do so now.

Don't give up. There are days I need this reminder. There are still days of tears, days of frustration, days of confusion. I can't give up. Pari (God) never gives up on me, for (S)He believes in me. Yeshua / Jesus also believes in me. He went through this life too, with tears and frustrations... Pari helps me as (S)He helped Him, whispering, "Please don't give up; I'm still working in you..."

Call to the Bride: The Bridegroom casts His nets, calling for the Bride. Purple nets represent both royalty and passion of His love. The roses represent the beauty He sees in the Bride, even when she does not see it herself. Three roses, a reflection of the Trinity. But also the fact that the Bride is NOT one person, but many - all of us in fact, as one. Christ's hand seems to touch an invisible wall. There is a barrier between Him and the Bride right now. But because His Love extends past it, it is only a matter of time before the Bride and Bridegroom will be together.

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Faint Stirrings: At the beginning, the Bride can only hear faint stirrings. She does not know where it comes from, nor what it means. She can not understand at this point, but she has this feeling deep inside that someone is calling her name.

In Dreams: While I've had many inspirational moments in life, starting in 2006, I started to have many dreams with Yeshua in them. Since then, I have learned quite a bit and have grown much closer to Him. The two doves in the image is the Holy Spirit connecting us, teaching me. There are also several images of the sleeper; like the roses, the Bride is not one individual, but many as One.

Wait For Me: Those three words echoed in my soul when I first saw this picture. The timing of when the Bride and Bridegroom reunite is not up to me. Nor the Son. The Father chooses the timing. I need to be ready. I need to wait. Patience is important.

There are many things that draw me to this picture. It illustrates feeling safe in His arms. There is a shawl on the woman's head, a part of His Jewish culture of the time. There is also the look on Christ's face. Sometimes He appears to be at Peace, holding His Bride close. Other times He appears to be concentrating on something of which the Bride seems aware. A few times, He appears to scowl at her too...

Searching For Her Beloved: The Bride is aware of being drawn by the Bridegroom, and learns much through religion rather than relationship. She has decided to make a devoted attempt at being Bride, but her understanding of who and what the Bride is, is very limited. Christ seems so distant, high on a pedestal and all but unapproachable. Worthy of praise, prayers and songs, but not one would share a cup of coffee or join for a long walk to share a sunset.

The Bride Spirit: The Bride is shown who and what the Bride really is. It's not the Church, it's not just one person. There is something beyond what she was taught in this world. In this image, the Bride views the Spirit of the Bridegroom, or the Holy Spirit is teaching her. Or she is shown the beauty that exists within her... the beauty the Bridegroom sees when He looks upon her.

Beyond Images: The Bride finally accept who she is and sees the Bride in her own reflection and in the faces of all those around her. She will also starts to recognize that what she believed was reality may not be as real as it seems. That there is a larger existence beyond that which she knows.

The Spirit Within: The Bride begins to release her ego to let the Holy Spirit fill her. The Spirit will continue to teach her, to guide her and further open her heart and mind. With the Spirit's guidance, the Bride will be ready when the Bridegroom returns for her.

Getting Closer: The Bride is able to connect with the Bridegroom more easily. She will hear and see Him outside of dreams. She will see His work through others in her life. There is still a distance between them, but it's shorter than before. The reality of His approach dawns in her mind; her lamp is in hand. It's lit, but the flame is still small. It will grow in time.

Studies: The Bride continues to learn; the Bridegroom draws even closer. She sees His work all around her now. Not just in her life, but in all lives. Her light grows stronger. She is starting to grow in confidence of who she is.

Bride's Role: The Bride's role is not the image on the left, the image she was taught in religious education. She is not the proud Bride that stands aloof and holds herself apart when there is a cry for help. The one the Bridegroom seeks is the one on the right, that turns from her own climb to help those who need assistance to get to where she is. She refuses to let anyone go unaided where she can help, even if it delays her own journey. If she doesn't arrive with all, she would not arrive at all.

Bride Watch: The Bride is aware how close the Bridegroom is. She is aware of Him in her daily life, not just in prayers and praise. Her thoughts include Him several times a day. Like a woman in a new love relationship, she smiles every time she thinks of Him. Her love and their relationship grow stronger, day by day.

Heart's Touch: The Bride thinks about the Bridegroom and includes Him in every aspect of her life. Christ's Spirit is with her always, working through her as He draws her even closer. The Bride no longer thinks of her individual self but is always extended outward to and including others.

Awareness Extended: The Bride continues to reach out to others beyond her individual self. She tells eagerly shares Bridegroom's Love for others. There is a confidence that she has not had before.

Assistance: As the Bride learns and grows, the Bridegroom is ever at her side, always ready to sustain and help in any way she needs on the journey.

Bride Warrior: There is a point when the Bride believes she needs to fight for the Bridegroom. She believes she needs to use force, beguilement and violence to convert others to see the Bridegroom as she does. This is a dark period for the Bride as she is led astray even while she believes she is doing the right thing. She forgets that (s)he who lives by the sword, dies by the sword. Yet this is about life, not death.

So she gives up the sword, relinquishing all attack thoughts for the sake of her beloved Bridegroom. This period is also reflected in the Song of Songs; the Bridegroom will approach then draw away from the waiting Bride...

The Singing Bride: Forgoing the sword, the Bride turns to Song. Her heart sings of the Bridegroom's Love and she sings it to the world. As she sings, the world around her brightens.

Bride's Redemption: Because the world does not want to hear what she sings, the Bride will likewise experience some persecution. But that will not dim her Song, but cause her to embrace it jubilantly. It is then that the Bride receives full redemption. All of her past mistakes are forgiven in a blaze of God's Glory.

Freedom: The Bride experiences the reality beyond the reality she initially perceived. Her eyes are truly opening to what she only caught hints of before. The Holy Spirit within leads her to the next level and the glory of the universe expands in her mind..

Bridge of Destiny: The Bride finds the bridge between Heaven and Earth. Waiting for her is her beloved Bridegroom.

All and One: As the Bride arrives, she realizes she did not come alone. All of humanity is with her now; all become One. It is dark with the past at first, but grows brighter quickly...

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Preparations Done: While the Bridegroom was away, He prepared a place for her to live.

Return to Innocence: A simple loving touch returns the Bride to the state in which God created her, young, perfect: a child ready to learn and grow in God's Light and Love. The darkness of the past is forever gone. She becomes innocent.

The Wedding Feast: Bride and Bridegroom are joined. Brother and Sister are united. They become as One and Heaven rejoices!

Final Union: Just as the Bride is the union of all Humanity. The joining of the Bride and Bridegroom brings Humanity back to God. They are joined as One - for all time. The Bridegroom presents all He is and all He has to the Bride without restriction, without strings, without hesitation. The Bride realizes this is what He has been offering all along, and gives Him all that she is... running into His arms. Forever.