15 years ago a dream seed was planted in the soil of my heart. Long before that Abraham looked up  into a night sky and dared to believe a distant promise. (Genesis 15) Later, 10-20 years later, he had his Isaac. This year I get to have my Baghdad. I get to go somewhere my heart has dreamed of for quite some time.

God’s word to Abraham rings, like a loud top spinning into silence on a hardwood floor. Its frenzy and its stillness enthrall one’s ears and one’s being. All my cells love his voice. They hush to listen. They lean against my skin as a child to a door, and they intently listen. What they hear electrifies them into ecstasy. He has a way with words.

“Do not be afraid, Abram.

I am your shield,

your very great reward.”

(Genesis 15:1)

That’s it. Those are His words.

I love God. He is not only our protection, he is our promise. His Presence is both shield and reward.

In honor of my Father, the Creator, and the one who LOVES cities: here are some illustrations of sweet, beautiful Baghdad, Iraq – by a man who was born there in 1964. Nuzzle your heart’s ears against the door, listen for heaven’s words, heaven’s secrets, heaven’s dreams for this priceless city and its people. Shhhh…. listen. Papa God is speaking. . .

He has dreams for Baghdad and He wants to let His sons and daughters in on them.

“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
to search out a matter is the glory of kings.”

(Proverbs 25:2)