1 Kings 20:26-30 is a good read, even better if you read it first.
God is the god of the mountains.
God is the god of the valleys.
Riding high and all is swell.
Wearing righteousness like a ringing and dinging neck bell.
God is the god of the mountains.
Uh, oh! Look how far the oak fell.
Oh, no! The wind is gone from the sail.
God is the god of the valleys.
Wow, look at all the good deeds on this trail!
Watering the seeds like a farmer with a good water well!
God is the god of the mountains.
Pulling up weeds in the fields of the farmer in the dell.
So much work left to be finished in what feels like a personal hell.
God is the god of the valleys.
Look at all the worshipers singing in unity!
Together forever is what we will always be.
God is the god of the mountains.
The sin rages within every male.
Their sin enrages every female.
The sin rages within every female.
Their sin enrages every male.
The sin rages in every male.
Their sin enrages every male.
The sin rages in every female.
Their sin enrages every female.
God is the god of the valleys.
"God's grace is sufficient for you and God's grace is sufficient for me" is a Gospel that's a hard sell when you feel like the Christian life is either won with a pass or a fail. Whether it flows from a Holy Grail or a nasty garbage pail, drink until you're out of the belly of the whale. When you've had your fill then drink until your neighbor is out the belly of his whale. Rinse. Repeat.
God is the god of the mountains.
​God is the god of the valleys.
His Grace will suffice the mountain highs and in the valley flails. The Blood of the Lamb truly does cleanse you from all of your mountain wins or valley sins.
God is the god of the mountains.
God is the god of the valleys.
1 Kings 20:26-30

Deep in the mountains of the Oregon Trail lies (lays? Sheesh..who knows? not me) an unmarked grave. The woman within? The one I want to thank. Sick and tired from the trials of life and a life lived hard on the Oregon trail, she died just short of the end of Barlow Road. She left behind a husband and two young children under five. Rumors have circulated that she may have been pregnant, at least as I have recalled hearing but can't be verified. One more mountain pass and she would have made it to her promise land. I can only imagine the excitement and dread of taking off from her parents' land with her husband to a promise of land. Who knows, maybe she was an orphan? Either way, this immigrant woman left one land for another with the promise that it would be GRAND. It appears she fell just short of it.
No joke, I sobbed for this unmarked grave. I'm sure I looked insane for mourning a stranger whose name I didn't even know with such intensity. I insisted on having my photo taken next to her pile of rocks and a government issued dedication plaque about her life's hard knocks. Give honor where honor is due.
Lady, I honor you. Had you known without the shadow of a doubt that the land you desired to be free in was over the ridge, I know you would not of fainted on your death bridge. You would have finished the course, I believe this with such force. I wish you could know how much your life has not been in vain and how much I think of you when the storms in my life bring down a torrential rain. You see, I've been tired and sickly too. I've been sick and tired too. Not only 2 kids under five but a son who is 20 who also came from my womb and a husband who would not have left me buried there but taken me to a family tomb, I mean no harm when I compare me to you. In fact, there have been times of doubt and uncertainty that I thanked God and felt I owed my very life to you. So what I'm saying here is with no disrespect. I will pay tribute to you when I reach my promise land with praise so loud you'll think I am a full brass band. For Jesus first and then to you, a woman I will be, entering my land while standing as tall as an heirloom oak tree. You see, I have named you. With the greatest respect and the greatest honor, your new name to me is "Does Not Have To Be You".

Your Grace is sufficing me.
Can you shine Your Light all through this seed?
Your Grace is sufficing me.
Can you pull away one more weed?
Wait, not one but three?
I may have heard a rooster crow.
Your Grace is sufficing me.
I stare at the Mercy Seat.
Do you think it could hold up someone like me?
Your Mercy in me will only grow.
Your Grace is my beat.
The Lamb paid the price.
I know Your Blood will suffice.
I need only a dab.
It is not my intention to be a friend to sin.
It is never my plan to stay in dark’s den.
I did not want to keep a tab.
Thank you, Lord, for pulling one more.
I know I have been chosen to show off Your Great Glory!
In Your Great Light, I am free!
Yes, Your Glory is what all will see!
Begrudgingly? No.
Willingly will be the only Way I will let it be.
Thank you, Lord, for Your Covering on my door.
Thank you, Lord, for Your Banner of Love over me.
Thank you, Lord, for Your Grace is the key!

It's not what goes into a person that defiles him. It's what comes out.
Do not think defilement takes a more obvious route.
The heart is where treasures come about.
What is hidden there will come out.
Is your treasure like gold refined? Or is your treasure something that always leaves you in a bind?
The Good News is treasure can be redefined.
Don't stay blind following the blind.
Open your eyes and see that defilement can have a rewind.
Love is patient and love is kind. It's not too late to tie love to your heart's bind.
Do this and what comes out will not leave you feeling defiled or beguiled.
You will see that love truly is worth your while.