One more Dominican photo....i like this one.

We've been having some really nice sunsets in Vancouver lately....this isn't one of them, but Tim has some on his blog.
Are you ever afraid to have a deep desire or dream because you believe that God will not fulfill it? Maybe it's because you have some dark sinful past....a cloud of shame that continues to kick you when you are about to think of the possibilities Jesus may have for you....or maybe you have been promised so much only to have the promises broken...or maybe you just have very little faith in the abilities God has given you to achieve any dream you've had in the past. Although the answer is always, "But God" or "God's timing is perfect", or "He knows the plans He has for you...to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11), I find myself being consistently wary of dreaming. I am a visionary....I can see things as though they ought or could be...I LIKE to dream, to believe the best and anticipate the adventure to come. However, at some point, when the dreams repeatedly do not become reality, I begin to question whether the desire or dream is a result of a life linked with the heart of God, or if it is a selfish pursuit of what I believe to be "God's best" for me.
The hardest part is when the dream or desire often becomes or looks so tangible and within arms reach and yet is snatched away leaving me with questions, a week of disappointment and confusion. Then the question becomes, "Is it worth it even to desire or dream about 'this' or 'that'?" I ask God to remove the pain, remove the desire if it isn't from Him, and then if it is, remove it anyway. I don't want Him to take away the desire just so the pain will subside, but also because I find it distracting and a nuisance to consistently have a dream that is unfulfilled. The frustration of wondering if the desire is from God or from flesh is also painful.....Yet, I still continue to dream. After many broken hearts and deep longings, the dreams still come without me entertaining them...."But God". He is good ALL the time. His plans are for good and not to disappoint or cause pain. It is to bring His joy and clarity to our dreams. With a heavy heart, that's what I am believing for.