instrumentofgrace

40 Days of Discovery- Day 38

2012-02-08T17:08:00.000-08:00

Today my daughter asked me if I was excited that this time of fasting and seeking the Lord was almost over. I didn't answer, because today was so, so good. I just thought to myself, "Do I really want this to end?" I'll be honest, there have been moments when I've wanted to quit and give in to my physical cravings. Yet, I've persevered, because I know that joy awaits. I'm pressing forward for the blessing of being nearer to my Father.

I don't know if you know this, but I was adopted 31 years ago by the perfect Father. By the King of the Universe. I'm still learning how to receive His love. I'm still learning how to live as a child of the Most High King. I'm still learning how to trust Him completely.

But there are days like today when I know my Father loves me. He shows me in such tangible ways. It isn't simply a theory. I know!

My heart is just overflowing with His joy!

Oh how I love Jesus!
Because He first Loved me.

There is no sweeter name than the name of Jesus. If you have not tasted of His sweetness, I challenge you to call on His name today. Those who earnestly seek Him will be rewarded with His sweet, sweet presence.

40 Days of Discovery - Day 37

2012-02-08T16:54:00.000-08:00

I'd like to share a few quotes from "Come Away My Beloved" that blessed me today.

I am aware of your needs and will provide in abundance, but it is for my glory and honor and I will have praise. You will tread lightly and not allow your feet to be ensnared in the net of undue concern for the things about you. They are mine, just as all things are mine and you are mine and I am more interested in you than in things. Likewise, I want you occupied with Me rather than my gifts. You will be my mouthpiece in places where there are no other voices to be heard.

You will magnify my name in a dark corner.

You will not allow your foot to be bogged down in the mire of earthly cares and riches.

Thank you Lord for speaking so clearly to your people.

40 Days of Discovery- Day 36

2012-02-06T19:56:00.000-08:00

Honestly, I've lost track of the days.

Today was a difficult day. A day that I felt unmotivated, uninspired,and tired, tired, tired of the same old struggles. Tired of being tired. Tired of waiting.

But I keep pressing. I keep praying. I won't stop until I touch the hem of His garment.

And tonight I heard the voice of my Jesus. It wasn't anything new, really. It was his reassurance.

He loves me.
He has a plan for me--and it is GOOD!

He said that he's preparing me. He said I'm like an unwrapped gift under the christmas tree. Really? A gift? Sometimes I feel like I'm all wrapped up--but not in a good way. Sometimes I feel like I just want to break free. But from what? There's so much inside of me that wants to be free.

The Father says that feeling of not being content where I am is from Him. He doesn't want me settling. He doesn't want me comfortable being less than His best.

I thank you Father. I thought I was losing my mind today. Yes, I am hormonal and I'm sure that was part of the problem, but I thank you that there is more. I'm thankful for my family, for my children, for the opportunity to serve them, but I was made for more than cleaning, cooking and homeschooling. I was made for more.

And if I don't embrace ALL of me, then none of me will be effective.
I'm a better mom, wife, teacher, etc. when I'm walking in my full calling. I know that there is more. I just don't know what that looks like in this season of life. But the Father assures me, that I will have enough time, and energy to do ALL that He's called me to do. I believe I'll have more energy than I have now.

40 Days of Discovery- Day 30

2012-01-31T15:53:00.000-08:00

Only 10 days left... It's been quite a journey!

I've been seeking God about the matter of needs vs. wants. I've heard over and over that God meets our needs not necessarily our wants. As I wrote in a previous post, I'm asking the Holy Spirit to redefine "need". I haven't given myself permission to enjoy some things in life. I am very frugal, and simple. Yet, I love beauty--beautiful art, beautiful music, beautiful homes, beautiful hairstyles, beautiful clothes, etc.,etc. Somehow, because the world prostitutes beauty, I've not allowed myself to enjoy more beauty in my life. Because there are children starving and dying around the world, does that mean I can't enjoy life? I've started feeling a bit guilty about spending money on luxuries since I could give that money to help the poor. That's not God's way.

The Holy Spirit is revealing the truth. He's teaching me that I don't have to choose between feeding the poor and enjoying his gifts. He's El-Shaddai, the inexhaustible source of EVERY good and perfect gift. So He has enough to take care of ALL of His children and care for the poor. As I think of Israel, God told them continually to care for the poor, but He also promised that they would live in abundance. They were to enjoy the land of milk and honey. God prepared this place for them.

The problem is that we like to worship the gifts, instead of the Gift-giver. It doesn't matter if it's a spiritual gift, or a physical gift. We so quickly make life all about getting the gift, and keeping the gift. Our eyes become fixed on the gift or gifts, and our hearts become devoted to it. There's also this flesh to contend with. It continually rises up so that it may be pleased. Eating is a necessity. A desire created by God to nourish our bodies. It's good to eat. And God gave us taste buds, and He gave food flavor, and scents so that we can enjoy the process of nourishing our bodies. Yet, when our flesh masters us in the area of eating, we're unable to say "no" to food that we shouldn't eat or when we've had too much. This is a sin. We become a slave to anything that masters us. And anything that masters us, apart of God, will destroy us. God came to give us never-ending, abundant life.

1 corinthians 10

²³ “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. ²⁴ No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

1 Corinthians 6

¹² “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.

A person who has the right perspective can give all that He's been given freely and generously 1) He knows where the gifts came from, and there is plenty more that the Father willingly gives to His children. God's children will never do without anything that is needed. Again, need has to be defined. As one of God's children, I'm learning to defer my understanding to my Father who is perfect in His wisdom. Sometimes, I need manna. Sometimes, I need to enjoy some fried crawfish! 2) It is an offering back to our God. If we really understood the beauty and majesty of our God, we would willingly give back to Him every gift as an act of praise to Him. Oh, Lord, open my eyes that I might see.

I think this struggle of enjoying God's gift, and being a generous giver, may be a constant struggle for me. In some ways, I think that's good, because it means I'm paying attention. On the other hand, I really want to live this out in peace--resting in His grace. Actually, I can rest in His grace even as I strive to live this out. I will fail, erroring in one direction or the other. Yet, I desire to please Him. He knows this. And I am confident that His grace is fully sufficient for me. I thank you for that, my God.

I was reading today about Amy Carmichael. I was so encouraged to read that often she struggled in prayer, and she was a woman of GREAT PRAYER. She struggled that her motives may not be pure. (None are, really) She sometimes resisted asking the Father, feeling like the request was wrong to ask. And yet, in one instance the Holy Spirit rebuked her for desiring something and not asking. But she quickly learned the lessons that the Spirit taught. Once she knew that God was guiding her to ask for something, she persisted in asking until it was received. Often she asked that God would confirm if a desire was from Him, with a sign.

Perhaps I'm making this too complicated. I tend to do that. Perhaps it's as simple as going to our Father with our needs (real or perceived) and desires, and releasing it into His hands. Simply, trusting. Asking that He would confirm our asking so we know whether we should persist in asking. And then wait on Him to guide us to the answer. So easily said. So difficult at times to live out. help me Holy Spirit! Help me.

It is much simpler to live out as I live my life in a continual dialogue with Him. I know that He led me to ask for a dishwasher, for it really wasn't even something on my radar. And then after asking, He granted my request. And I give praise to my God who supplies ALL things for His children.!!!!

1 Timothy 6

¹⁷ Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. ¹⁸ Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.

40 Days of Discovery- Day 29

2012-01-31T14:54:00.000-08:00

Today the Holy Spirit gave me 2 questions to ask Him and myself, as I make decisions--great and small:

Is this needed so that I am able to do the work the Father has prepared for me?

Is this part of the work that the Father has prepared?

Then I'm asking the Holy Spirit to define "need". It is much more than the basic necessities of life: food, clothing, shelter and clean water, though I will be content with that. It is also ALL that is needed to do the work that God has called us to do. (Therefore what's needed for one, may not be needed for another.)

This week the Lord gave me such a gift. Our dishwasher has been broken from almost a year. I never saw this as a need, for we have 6 healthy people in this house that can wash dishes. So I never prayed about it. After we were unable to get it fixed(the cost of repair is the same as replacing the dishwasher), I accepted that we wouldn't have a dishwasher for a while. As the Holy Spirit has been teaching me to bring everything to Him--even the non-necessities, I decided to pray about a dishwasher. I just said "Lord, I'm so thankful for all of these hands that can wash and have washed dishes all of this time, but I really desire to have a working dishwasher again. It would help so much keeping the kitchen in better order and our dishes will actually get clean. But Father, you know my needs better than I, and I resign my will to yours, and I give thanks to you no matter what." Well, this Saturday, I decided to run a cycle in the dishwasher just to clean the inside of it. The motor still runs, but it was full of food that couldn't be cleaned out. After I ran the cycle, I decided to run a small test load of dishes. They came out clean! I was shouting hallelujah!!!!! The kids ran another larger load on sunday night. Again, the dishes came out clean!!!! I praise the Lord. Already, the dishwasher has been so helpful. So much time is regained, yet I'm thankful for the months we went without it. We are so appreciative, so appreciative for this convenience. I don't know what happened to the dishwasher. I just know, that the Father granted the request of His child. We need only to ask and leave it in His hands. Seek and find. (Search for the answer) Knock and the door will be opened. (Persist in searching for the answer)

I was thinking today that I don't even know where to seek unless the Holy Spirit guides me. So I must look to Him for all things, the asking, the seeking and the knocking.

40 Days of Discovery- Day 28

2012-01-31T14:36:00.001-08:00

So I wrote in an earlier post that I never read of Jesus being hungry unless he was intentionally not eating. Well, I read about him being hungry today. In Matthew 12, he an his disciples were hungry so they went into a grain field to pick and eat. It wasn't a grand feast, but it was still the Father's perfect provision!

Living as the King's daughter, means knowing that He could give me anything He wants, but He will only give that which is good. So I can rest in His provision. I can ask for my needs to met, and wait for the provision. I may have to pick it from a grain field. But no matter what method He chooses, I trust Him, and it is good!

So often when I ask for a need to be met, I ask for the need to be met, then I tell Him how to meet the need. I ask for healing, then I tell him how, and when to healing. It's always now, by the way. I'm learning how to trust my Father, who sees ALL--the beginning and the end, who knows ALL. When my babies were crying to have their needs met, I didn't need them to tell me how to get their diapers changed, or what to feed them. How could they know that? I, too, am that baby crying to have my needs met. I need to trust the one who cares perfectly for me. I need to trust the one, who loves me FAR MORE than I can comprehend. I can come to Him confidently knowing that He WILL meet my need perfectly.

Ask you and WILL receive. Receive what? The perfect remedy for the problem. Not necessarily my idea for meeting the need. Lord, help me to acknowledge you as the Master over all, and to gladly surrender my understanding, thoughts, and ideas to yours. I want your plans to be accomplished, for they are perfect and good. Not mine.

I was praying this morning for my children, and the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to some things. I love it when that happens! He told me this:

Instead of trying to change the outward behavior of your children, teach them how to sit at my feet listening to my voice, getting their mind reknewed, having their lives transformed to become like me, and experiencing life that overflows abundantly.

That is my greatest job as a mom. To teach them to go to Jesus, and to show them what that looks like practically. To teach them how to live as a child of the King. To learn how to serve Him faithfully. That is the "One thing" we should be striving for. Help us to stay focused on the "One thing" Holy Spirit.

That may mean making some changes. We already know of one change we'll be making for our oldest son. I'm praying for the Lord to give us His vision for the other kids. He knows what they need far better than I.

PHP 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. [13] Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

I'm so thankful that my Father knows He needs to talk to me simply. I need my life simple. I can focus on "One thing", by the power of the Holy Spirit. He knows how easily I can be distracted by shiny objects or the next exciting project, and the voices of the "experts" telling me what I MUST do. I need His Spirit guiding me back to the "One Thing". One Thing.... One Thing.... One Thing

40 Days of Discovery - Day 27

2012-01-28T07:41:00.000-08:00

No, you haven't missed any days. I just haven't posted in a while. There's been a lot going on.

I laid in bed this morning praying, and listening to the Holy Spirit. I thought about the fact that Jesus wasn't able to heal many people in his home town. BECAUSE OF UNBELIEF. How could they believe that a carpenter's son was the long awaited messiah? They would not believe. Perhaps that's why we don't see many miracles in America. We trust too many others things. Doctors, medicine, bank accounts, the gov't, jobs, our resources... What if we had no hope, no options but God. I have a feeling that we would cry out in desperation like many I read about in the Bible. And if we are struggling with unbelief, we would cry out, "Help my unbelief!" That is my prayer.

I also thought of the scripture that says don't be filled with much wine, but be filled with the Holy Spirit. Drunk people are controlled by the enemy. Scripture says drunkenness leads to debauchery--wreckless immorality or excessive indulgence of appetites. It is a tool the enemy uses to lower our inhibitions so that are are easier to control. Every time I've read about a group of people who are oppressed, alcohol and drugs are always involved. As I think of my own family's history, both of my grandfather's did horrible things when they were drunk. The enemy is a tyrant. He doesn't ask to rule. He just takes over and does what he wants, at the expense of the human. Satan HATES us (humans)! We're made in God's image, and just think, God gave us the opportunity to rule over him. Boy, he doesn't want us to know that!

The second half of that verse says we are to be filled with the Holy Spirit. We are to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. Unlike the enemy, the Holy Spirit is a gentleman, as my friend Tamatha always says. His control brings good to us and to others--the HIGHEST good. He makes Himself available to us. He desires to control us, but he will only control us if we permit Him. We must submit ourselves, saying, "Yes Lord have your way." Then let Him take control. It kinda reminds me of a game that my family plays called Family Fun Cranium. One of the challenges requires one team member to hold a pencil while the another teammate controls the first person's hand. Only the person doing the controlling knows the answer. Every one else in the group has to guess what is being drawn. I hope that makes sense. The pictures come out pretty funny looking. Person 1 (the one holding the pencil) must resist the urge to control the pencil. He has to trust the one who knows the answer, even if he thinks he knows. If they are able to do this, they have a better chance of winning the challenge.

I admit that I really don't know how to let the Holy Spirit control me. I'm learning though. I know it involves waiting. Waiting to hear from Him before doing anything, instead of me just doing what I think. Boy, I need some re-training in that area! It involves listening. Which means I must be quiet and still enough to His voice. It involves releasing. Releasing my own personal desires. Releasing my need to understand, first. Releasing sin. Releasing my desire to look good in front of others. (Sometimes the Holy Spirit will tell you to do something that will make you look like a fool!) It reminds me of a story I read recently about a man who died in a car accident and spent 90 minutes in Heaven. A pastor and His wife happened to be traveling on the same road of the accident. When he realized that there was an accident, he went to make his services available. He wanted to know if anyone needed prayer. Well, the injuries were only minor and another man was already dead. The Holy Spirit told this pastor to pray for the dead man. He was absolutely convinced that he was supposed to pray for the dead man. But the paramedics kept telling him, no, this man has been dead for over an hour. There was no need to pray for him. The pastor persisted. Finally, the paramedic gave in. I'm sure the paramedic thought this pastor was a complete idiot. Who wouldn't? So he crawled into the back of the vehicle, put his hand on the man's shoulder and began praying. The Holy Spirit even told him what to pray for. He prayed that the man would have no internal injuries. He prayed and sang, and before you know it, the dead man began singing with him. The man wasn't dead anymore! And later, the doctors were amazed that he had no internal injuries! This man, Don Piper, is alive today!

Releasing is hard, especially in this culture. The mantra of America tells us to be independent, self-sufficient, strong, and competent. Pull yourselves up by your boot straps. Be resilient. Work Hard. Don't be a loser. Don't be an idiot. Make yourself happy. You deserve it. No one wants to look like an idiot. No one wants to appear weak or incompetent. No one wants to take this Christianity thing too far! Let's be reasonable here. God gave us a brain, right? And yet, when I read scripture, God's people did take it too far! They were willing to obey, no matter the cost. All around the world, God's people are joyfully serving Him at GREAT cost. Their devotion encourages and convicts me. They have the same Holy Spirit as I. They are human like me, and yet they are able to withstand great opposition for the Name of Jesus. I have a hard time withstanding funny looks from people. Lord make me bold for you!

If the Holy Spirit is to control us, we must believe and trust. First believe that we have the Holy Spirit. Believe that through the Holy Spirit we have been given a power that cannot be compared with any other power--known and unknown. We must believe that this power is like the working of His mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised Him from the dead. 2nd we must trust the Holy Spirit. Trust that He knows all and sees all. Trust that He speaks. Trust Him enough to obey His leading. Trust that He will provide and protect. He will protect us from deception. He will provide ALL we need. Trust His timing. It's often inconvenient, or longer than we expect. Trust His methods. It's often unconventional. Trust that I have more than enough to give freely of His gifts. Trust that He is completely good. We can only give ourselves to someone we completely trust. And even He will teach us how to do this. Oh, God thank you for that. Help me to trust you more. Teach me more about yourself, and help me to believe. Teach me how to give myself completely to you. Show me modern day examples.

Hope this makes up for me not posting for a few days.

May the Holy Spirit display His power to you today, and through you for the rest of your days!

Ephesians 5:18-20

¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 corinthians 4:7

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

40 Days of Discovery- Day 22

2012-01-23T14:35:00.000-08:00

I read two different books, totally unrelated, that talked about learning to reign with Christ. I believe God's people have FAR more power than we realize. We were intended to do more than we realize. I'm convinced of that! We were meant to do GREAT--even impossible things. (Things that are humanly impossible.) We must not take God's mission, and diminish it to something manageable for us to accomplish with out Divine intervention. Instead of us doing things that require us to depend on God, we tend to set our aims lower. I know I do.

God's people, like Israel, are meant to advance the Kingdom of God in every segment of society. We must defeat the enemy that is already there. We overcome him by the blood of the lamb, and the word of our testimony of Jesus Christ. We must not make alliances with him. We must not compromise. If we do, the enemy will take back the land that we have taken. And before you know it, we'll be worshipping him, and living under his oppressive reign. God's people are to rescue people from his evil grips. We rule in righteousness.

We are meant to rule. NOW!

We cannot do this great work of God if we are weighted down with sin, insecurity about who we are, distracted, or pursuing lesser things. I must go into battle with no worries! This battle is too serious to be distracted by financial worries. It 's too important for us to be distracted by accumulating "stuff". He wants us focused on the work.

God's word to me: "Get busy doing the work of the Kingdom. I'll take care of all of your needs. I know your needs. Get rid of EVERYTHING that hinders you from doing the work of the kingdom. EVERYTHING. I'd rather you lose an arm, than miss the Kingdom. This is serious business! I want you to live in this glorious Kingdom, enjoying all of the benefits of it, but I also want this Kingdom continually expanding. I care about those poor harassed sheep that aren't in the Kingdom yet. I have compassion for them. I want none to perish apart from me."

So the question is:
What is our allotment? Where has God placed us? Honestly, we're primarily around other Christians. Yes, we have our community. Lord, show us how we can expand your kingdom in this community. Show us how to join with others in our community to make your Name known. We also have passions. We love to create. Ed wants to write and perform his music. He loves connecting with other musicians. I love being around creative people. I'm looking into some possibilities for advancing the Kingdom in Austin's music scene.

Teach us how to live as royalty. Teach us how to rule. May your kingdom advance, and may your plans be accomplished on earth as it done in Heaven. Amen.

40 Days of Discovery - Day 21

2012-01-23T13:49:00.000-08:00

Did lots of creative writing this morning. I'll post some of it in another posting.

This morning my pastor said something that simply spoke to my heart:

It is God's desire that we would live in the present world like we will live in the world to come.

You might have to ponder and pray over that for a while.

I was confronted again with my "poverty mentality". Oh how I want to live like a daughter of the King. Because I AM the daughter of THE KING! Holy Spirit, teach me how to live in this truth. Help me to believe.

40 Days of Discover- Day 20

2012-01-23T13:42:00.000-08:00

Praying that my family members would each experience deeper depths of God's love. That God would manifest his love to each of us in an undeniable way. In a way that communicates, "God loves me".

How do you know that God loves you? ( That would be a great book to write. ) Yes, I know what you'll say: "Because the Bible tells you so." I mean, outside of the Bible telling you. Has God shown you that He loves you. He shows me all of the time. I call the incidences: "God kisses". I just love it!

I woke up this morning thinking: "when we speak words of affirmation and encouragement, inspired by the Holy Spirit, to someone, they are so lifted up. I pray that I might speak the very words of God, His words of life, so others may be encouraged to live out the plans and purposes that God has ordained for them.

40 Days of Discovery- Day 19

2012-01-20T21:38:00.000-08:00

Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, [21] to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

If God is able to do immeasurable more than I ask (exceedingly, abundantly more!), why do I ask so little of Him? My sights are too often too low.

Father help me to ask you for greater things--higher things--those things which fulfill your immense plans and purposes for our lives. Help me to trust you more. More than I ever have. Let me rest soundly in your loving care. Help me to have full confidence that YOU WILL TAKE care of us--of every need. Help me Lord. Help me.

Just recently, the Holy Spirit has given me a special gift. His gifts are amazing, and often surprising. They are given when we least expect them, and I've decided to receive every gift He wants to give me. I know I cannot manipulate Him into giving me gifts. I am absolutely in awe, that my Lord loves me so much as to give me another gift. He's blessed me so lavishly already. I have so, so much, and here He comes with arm full of gifts again. Let me tell you, I'm like a kid on Christmas morning. I'm so enjoying His gifts to me. Each one is so perfect for me, so special, so beautiful... Jesus, thank you for making it possible for me to be in the family of God. Thank you for sending me your Spirit, and thank you for ALL of the gifts. Amen. and Amen.

Oh by the way, just in case your wondering...

I've been given the gift of a greater sense of God's presence and power. I can literally feel His presence--physically. I've also been given the gift of tongues. I feel like a two year old trying to talk, and I guess I am. This is all so new and unexpected. So unexpected.

40 Days of Discovery - Day 18

2012-01-20T21:13:00.000-08:00

Today in my prayer group we meditated on the scripture:

1John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

As we pondered this beautiful scripture, one of the ladies talked about His love for us being in excess. I love that! He goes over the top in loving us. Beyond good. Beyond simply meeting our needs. How I desire to know this love, the deeper depths of it, the height, the width, the length of it. This love that far surpasses all human understanding. It is a completely different quality of love than any human love. There is NO LOVE like HIS LOVE.

I am a child of the Supreme Creator of the Universe. A co-heir with Christ Jesus. A co-heir?

Galatians 4:4-7 [4] But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, [5] to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. [6] Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." [7] So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.

The Father has a GREAT inheritance for His children. We can't fathom how great it is. We do know this:

Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, [14] who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.

The Holy Spirit we have now is just a foretaste of what is to come. Sorta like tasting a pinch of a dish when there is a great feast to come. Wow! The Holy Spirit has done such a work in my life, with the promise of even far more to experience in this life. I cannot imagine what the full feast will be like.

"No eye has seen,
    no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
    what God has prepared for those who love him" --

        1CO 2:10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.

40 Days of Discovery - Day 17

2012-01-19T10:58:00.000-08:00

We enter the promise land(our place of destiny) by faith--by believing God's word and responding in obedience to His commands.

Our actions tell what we really believe, not our words.

40 Days of Discovery- Day 16

2012-01-19T10:56:00.000-08:00

Just a couple of things to share today:

I was praying with my friend Sue Cleaver recently. She said something that was so profound, and it made me smile Big Time! She said that if God dumped everything he had on a person, God would turn around and find that He still has EVERYTHING. I love that! God can give extravagantly, abundantly, lavishly and His supply is never diminished one bit! And He is my Father.

I truly want to live knowing that I'm the beloved child of the King of the Universe, of El Shaddai-- the one who is the inexhaustible supply of every good and perfect gift. He says that he withholds no good thing from us. NO GOOD THING! He also promises to provide ALL of our need from HIS GLORIOUS RICHES in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:19), not my assets. Praise God for that!

Romans 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

So when there is a need, there's no need to worry, to get frustrated, or to try to figure out how we're going to take care of our own need. We can live like Jesus lived. He never worried about how he would eat, where he would sleep, or even how to pay His taxes. He was confident that His Father knew His needs and would take care of every single need. The only time I ever read of Jesus being hungry was when he was fasting--intentionally. And scripture never says that Jesus had a job! We always read him eating at someone's house, or staying at someone's house. He even commissioned his followers to do the same.

Luke 10: 4- 7 ] Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. LK 10:5 "When you enter a house, first say, `Peace to this house.' [6] If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. [7] Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

Later Jesus gives them permission to save, and carry what they needed. By that time, His disciples understood the lesson that Jesus was teaching them. Our Heavenly Father will take perfect care of you, and meet EVERY SINGLE NEED from His supply, not ours.

LK 22:35 Then Jesus asked them, "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?"
"Nothing," they answered.
LK 22:36 He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.

He supplies our through jobs, savings, friends, families, strangers--through a myriad of means. God is creative and He often surprises us with His means of provision.

My oldest daughter needs braces. After a consultation yesterday, I realized that braces are about $4000--and that's with insurance. That's definitely NOT in our budget! Our income can't support the monthly payments either. So what do we do? Well, I'll tell you my normal response. Frustration. Hopelessness. Or dismiss this need as a luxury and go without. God is teaching me how to respond as His child. We're bringing this need to the Father who has amply resources to take care of this need. Does that mean that I'm not being a good steward of what He's given us? No. But we're not perfect either. It means that we ask, and wait for His provision. I'm looking for His answer, and trying not to be closed minded about His ways of providing. But I'm NOT taking matters into my own hands. I'm not using credit or putting our family in some financial bind, because I'm trying to meet a need with the resources we can SEE. And I'm not trying to make His provision come at MY TIME. He is all-wise, and He knows when the time is right.

I'll just wait for Him.

40 Days of Discovery - Day 15

2012-01-16T21:58:00.000-08:00

Today was a day of letting go. Letting go of control. Of even trying to understand. I really like to understand. Often it hinders me receiving what God has for me.

God's ways infinitely higher than ours. He can and will do things that astound me, that I won't understand. Yet, I can still receive. I don't have to understand the cross to receive His forgiveness. Neither should I wait to understand His gifts in order to receive them. I receive them because they are good, and from the hands of my trustworthy, and loving Father. I can also trust Him to protect me from any and all deception. That is a constant prayer. I ONLY want His gifts, not the enemy's counterfeits.

His gifts are astounding, and mind blowing!

EPH 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, [21] to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

40 Days of Discovery- Day 14

2012-01-16T21:32:00.000-08:00

Today was a day of confirmation. As I listened to the sermon at church today, I received confirmation of the things God has already put on my heart.

The greatest achievement in this life is to know God intimately. He assures me that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. He promises to come near to those who earnestly seek Him.

Thank you Jesus!

40 Days of Discovery - Day 13

2012-01-14T11:40:00.000-08:00

God speaks in the present tense since He is outside time. He is always in the present tense since He's ever-present.

I must be so busy following Jesus that I don't have time to worry about all the voices around me telling me how to live. There are so many gospels being preached--in and out of churches. These gospels tell me how to live and how to receive a full and satisfying life. But any other gospel outside of Jesus is a FALSE GOSPEL.

John 4:13 "...whoever drinks the water I (Jesus) give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

Only Jesus can satisfies the deepest needs of the human heart. Only Jesus.

Revelation 22:17 says "The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

40 Days of Discover- Day 12

2012-01-14T11:19:00.000-08:00

When we are born, we are born into the world to be a man or a woman. We don't look like, nor do we act like a man or woman when we are babbling babies, pooping, sucking, sleeping and eating. Yet we inside of us is all the raw materials to become what we are intended to be. But we must grow into who we are. And if, along the way we refuse to believe that we are men and women with a purpose, we stay immature and childish. That should never be.

When I am born into my new identity, a child of God, I too, must grow into who God says I am. He's given me everything I need in order to be who He intends for me to be. Though today I'm sinning like crazy, and not believing God's promises, I am more than what you or I see today. I need the Holy Spirit to nurture, and teach me so that I become mature. So that I become the person God destined me to be. Only if I choose to believe what God says about me, will I grow up. Else, I stay an immature baby, with little power, no self-control, and I won't see the fruits of God in my life. Nor will I walk in the destiny that He prepared for me. That would be a travesty!

Heavenly Father, tell me who I am again and again, and help me to believe.

40 Days of Discovery- Day 11

2012-01-14T11:07:00.000-08:00

God has spoken powerfully through His word to me today. I read from Romans 3 and 4 today, and man was I lifted up!

Here's a snippet of what I gleamed:

Against all hope, Abraham believed (God's promise to him), and became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him.

Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was good as dead--since he was about 100 years old--and that Sarah's was also dead. Yet...
He did not waver through unbelief regarding the promises of God. This amazes me!

but he was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God being fully pursuaded that God had the power to do what he had promised.

That is why...

Because of his unwavering belief in the Promise-keeper, God assigned righteousness to him. Simply put, He was made righteous. These words are for us as well. We aren't righteous because we do good things, think good things, because we're moral, hard-working, or anything. God offers us his righteousness. If we believe God's promise to us: For God loved the world so much that he gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him would not live apart from the source of life (God Himself) and as a result experience death, but instead have life the bubbles up and overflows bringing life that has no end. Thank you Jesus!!!!!

Help me to believe all your promises. Help me to be FULLY PERSUADED that you can fulfill your promises in me and you will do it. Help me to believe.

So these are the questions that I ask the Holy Spirit.
What are the realities of life that I need to face and not allow these things to weaken my faith?
limited finances, limited time, health problems, not having all the answers, not able to do everything perfectly like my type B+ personality wants. (I'm not as type A as I used to be.)

What promises have you given me that I need to trust you to bring to pass in my life?
That you will lift me up with no striving on my part
That anything I ask under the authority and power of King Jesus, you will give
That I will be a truth revealer
That my prayers are powerful, and effective!
That my prayers, offered in faith (believing in the One who is able to heal), will make the sick well; The Lord will raise him up. (not me)

In the Storm

2012-01-14T09:32:00.000-08:00

This morning I was reading Matthew 7:18-27. While reading and thinking about friends who are in the midst of some difficult circumstances, I was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write these words. I pray that you are comforted, and encouraged as you read.

Jesus got in the boat, and is disciples followed Him

Into a furious storm

How often does that happen? We follow Jesus into the storm, and not away from it.

And Jesus slept in perfect peace. He knew he was in the perfect care of His Father.
That's how he wants us to be in a furious storm. When our lives are falling apart. When there is one thing, then another. It's like a hurricane, and like the disciples, we become Frantic!
saying...

"Lord SAVE us!"
"I think I'm going to drown!"
"Help!"
"Where are you?"
"Do you even care?"

And He responds.

Oh you of little faith. Why are you so afraid? Why, my child? Why do you not believe my promises? Why do you not trust me? Why?

Then He causes the storm to cease. Everything becomes calm again. And we are again amazed by the God who controls the very storms of lives.
He brings us into the storm, and at His word, He brings us out.

Oh Lord, help me to trust you and to rest in you in the midst of the storm. In the midst... You are there beside me, in the midst of the storm. Every wind and wave is under your complete control and I will not drown. I trust you. I trust your every word. Oh God help my unbelief. Make me lie down in your green pastures. May your rod and staff comfort me. As I walk through this difficult place, may your perfect peace cast out ALL FEAR and ALL ANXIETIES.
So I lie down beside you in this boat, on the stormy sea. As the winds and waves threaten to destroy me, I snuggle up next to you. As people all around me scream, in a panic telling me what I ought to do, I look to you alone. Embrace me that I might rest. That I may know your perfect protection. And the storms will become strangely dim as I listen to your loving voice lulling me to sleep. Amen.

40 Days of Discovery- Day 10

2012-01-11T14:09:00.000-08:00

Wow! I'm a quarter of the way through my 40 Days. It's been so good! I feel like I'm being deluged with so much. I'm having to take a step back to take it in a little slower. The question I'm asking God is, "What do you want me to do with this information?" I'm just a mama. Nobody special. Why is He showing me so much? It's BIG picture things. I have gotten one clear answer, "Pray". He's even given me someone who is committed to pray with me. That is a gift and I thank Him wholeheartedly for it.

I'm experiencing more of God's power in my life than ever. It's humbling, and I'm not sure what to do with it. I feel like a 2 year old learning to walk, talk and feed my self. I feel like, more than ever, I'm saying, "Holy Spirit, teach me." I'm currently reading the book of Matthew, and as I read, trying to gleam everything I can from the life of Jesus. I want to understand how He lived, because I want to emulate His life. By the power of the Spirit! Apart from His Spirit--forget it!!!

I'm encouraged that there are many others who seeking to do the same. Oh, Majestic, Supreme Ruler, be glorified through your people. Awaken us to Higher things. Give us your thoughts. Give us your mind. Teach us how to walk confidently in your power. Teach us.

Today I was reminded how it important it is to communicate clearly. When I was in college I interned at Los Alamos National Laboratory, and IBM. I remember feeling like an idiot when I first started. I'd hear all of this jargon: P-14 and such. I'd hear all of these acronyms flying around. Everyone seemed to understand perfectly what was being said, and I didn't have a clue. It was like I was hearing a foreign language. But everyone acted as if I should understand, so I couldn't let on that I was clueless. I just had to keep listening, until I was able to decipher the code. I'm wise enough now, to just ask questions. Who cares if others think I'm stupid. If you don't know, you don't know. Anyway, I wonder if much of our christian jargon is the same with people. Words like salvation, repentance, resurrection, born-again, etc. fly from our lips as if it's common knowledge in our culture. I think many are familiar with the words, but the bigger question is, do they understand what we mean? I can ask, "Do you believe in Jesus?" and many will say yes. Yet scripture says demons believe as well. So what do we mean when we say believe? Living in a culture where Christian words are pretty common, and people think they know what they mean, we need to step back a define our words. I'm asking Jesus to help me to speak in language that the general culture can understand. God certainly knows how to speak to each of us in a way that we can understand and respond to.

I pray that He will give me that gift of communication. I have ideas for stories I'd like to write that could do that. My art can do that. I just pray that it will. Supernaturally, enable me to communicate with such clarity, love, and grace, that people are compelled to respond. Compelled. May the words you give me never be ignored. I have no ability to do this. I am just a woman. Yet I am the servant of the one is fully capable of doing this through me. I am willing, Master.

40 Days of Discovery - Day 9

2012-01-11T13:36:00.000-08:00

I'd like to share some excerpts from a book called, "Come Away My Beloved" Fabulous book! I HIGHLY recommend!

You cannot risk giving your thoughts free reign.

Whatever you sow in your secret thought life, that you will reap.

One of the most common ways hidden sin is revealed is through maladies of the body.

There was no illness in the body of Jesus because there was no sin in his soul.

Do not condemn others for jeopardizing their health by harmful habits and wasting their energies on vain pursuits while you undermine your health by unworthy emotions.

You really have to sit with these, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to you.

40 Days of Discovery- Day 8

2012-01-09T20:23:00.000-08:00

I was doing some research today on freegans. I love the idea of people using the excess food that stores and restaurants throw away and living off of it. It breaks my heart when I consider that we throw away of 50% of the food we produce. That is maddening! How could we be so frivilous, when so much of the world is dying of hunger. A child dies every 5 seconds from hunger. 5 seconds. And we're throwing food, good food in the trash. Yes, I throw food away too. And it sickens me. Lord forgive us for living so selfishly, and carelessly, for thinking that we are entitled to live so lavishly. How many times have I complained because I don't like what I'm eating? Too many. Praise God I have food. My mom told me stories about her actually not having food to eat. One time she said they licked salt for dinner, because they had nothing else. Another time they ate garlic. There was even a time when there was no water in the well. So my grandmother, (We call her Madea), sat on the porch and prayed, and God sent rain. They ran inside to get buckets to catch their water.

Americans don't seem to need God like that anymore.

Ok, so I was doing some research on freegans and came across an interesting site: www.thestoryofstuff.com My daughter and I watch the movie they produced called, "The Story of Stuff". It is quite enlightening. Much of it I already knew from reading"Confessions of an Eco-sinner". Something like that. But I did discover an interesting quote that I'd like to share. It was an excerpt of an article written in 1955 by Victor Lebow, a Marketing Consultant, for the Spring 1955 issue of the Journal of Retailing. I found the entire article online at: http://hundredgoals.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/journal-of-retailing.pdf

The article

Here's an excerpt of the article. It's quite eyeopening! Remember this was written in a journal for retailers.

"The Real Meaning of Consumer Demand
Our enormously productive economy demands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying and use of goods into rituals, that we seek our spiritual satisfactions, our ego satisfactions, in consumption. The measure of social status, of social acceptance, of prestige, is now to be found in our consumptive patterns. The very meaning and significance of our lives today expressed in consumptive terms. The greater the pressures upon the individual to conform to safe and accepted social standards, the more does he tend to express his aspirations and his individuality in terms of what he wears, drives, eats- his home, his car, his pattern of food serving, his hobbies.
These commodities and services must be offered to the consumer with a special urgency. We require not only “forced draft” consumption, but “expensive” consumption as well. We need things consumed, burned up, worn out, replaced, and discarded at an ever increasing pace. We need to have people eat,drink, dress, ride, live, with ever more complicated and, therefore, constantly more expensive consumption. The home power tools and the whole “do-it-yourself” movement are excellent examples of “expensive” consumption.
What becomes clear is that from the larger viewpoint of our economy, the total effect of all the advertising and promotion and selling is to create and maintain the multiplicity and intensity of wants that are the spur to the standard of living in the United States..."

"Strong Influence of Television
Probably the most powerful weapon of the dominant producers lies in their use of television. To a greater degree than ever before a relative handful of products will share a monopoly of most of the leisure time of the American family. We will have over 30 million television households next year. And television achieves three results to an extent no other advertising medium has ever approached. First, it creates a captive audience. Second, it submits that audience to the most intensive indoctrination. Third, it operates on the entire family."

What do you think? Have we been duped?

God help us! We're enslaved and we don't even know it.

40 Days of Discovery- Day 7

2012-01-08T17:15:00.000-08:00

Today's been a good day. I had the privilege of praying for someone who is struggling to forgive himself for past failures. What good news I had for him. I was able to share from my own experience. I was able to speak truth from God's word. It's amazing how many of God's people still can't believe that God's grace is truly sufficient for our failures. It's amazing that the enemy continues to hold God's people hostage with regret, unforgiveness, and guilt. And Jesus set us free! What a liar the enemy is! And I'm not believing his lies anymore! And I'm praying that God's people would no longer believe his lies. We are free! We been bought with the precious, and perfect blood and body of Jesus Christ. There is no other sacrifice needed. We don't need to punish ourselves. That's been taken care of by Jesus.

You're free! I say it again. You're free!

That is, if you've received His gift of freedom through Jesus. God doesn't force His good gifts on you. He only offers. You must receive. It's that simple.

I was thinking today that if I were to have a conversation with Jesus, and I came to Him asking Him to forgive me for my sins, mistakes, failures, rebellions.... How would He respond? First, I know He wouldn't be shocked. He knows my failures, and weaknesses far better than I. Second, He wouldn't rebuke me. I'm reminded of how he responded to sinners when He walked on this earth. Those who came to him in humility with repentance received forgiveness. His response was so simple, "Go and sin no more." or "Your sins are forgiven." I love Jesus' simplicity. I believe He would say the same thing to me. I imagine Him lifting my chin up and looking me straight in the eyes. He would look at me as if looking into the very depths of my soul. He would not let me look away as He lovingly pronounced "You're forgiven. Go and sin no more." Then He would embrace me as His daughter, His dearly beloved daughter. I believe I would leave His presence lighter than air. My heart would be at rest. I would know that His love for me hasn't diminished one bit. And then I would make it my life's aim to serve Him-- the Great King.

Indeed, this conversation has happened, and continues to happen. And that is why I love Him!

Another thought I pondered today:

Focusing on ourselves does nothing good. When we focus on our strengths, and successes we become prideful. When we focus on our failures, mistakes, and weaknesses , we sink into despair. When we focus on Jesus, we will have the right perspective of ourselves. We are free to receive His power in our weakness, and His redemption for our failures. We can rejoice for the marvelous gifts we've been given. We can offer Him praise for His lavish grace. And we can live our lives as servants of this All-powerful, and benevolent King! Amen!

40 Days of Discovery- Day 6

2012-01-07T14:54:00.000-08:00

God is extremely generous!He gives willingly, but He only gives good and perfect gifts.

He's the perfect Father! The Father gives good gifts to all who ask him. He will NEVER give us something bad. NEVER!

Let us do the same to others by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Intoxicate me with your Spirit so that I may move, speak, and think under His influence.

40 Days of Discovery- Day 5

2012-01-07T14:46:00.000-08:00

Today's journal excerpt (Jan 6):

Part of the reason I have had the compulsion to "rule keep" is to avoid suffering. Somehow I think that if I do everything "right", I can avoid all pain. Clearly, I have issues!

How do I put no confidence in my efforts, yet work hard as unto the Lord--pouring out my full effort?

Resting in His grace isn't an excuse to be lazy.

Teach me Holy Spirit how to do the work you've called me to do, FULLY trusting you to cause my work to be productive and effective. Knowing full well that my works will be flawed.

Oh how the Holy Spirit taught me this as I directed for Classical Conversations. I was aware on so many occasions of my flaws. So many occasions! I failed miserably in many areas. I hurt people. I was often back peddling and readjusting, learning, undoing and not being nearly as organized as I needed to be. I didn't trust others to help me as I should. I messed up my finances over and over. And yet I experienced great success overall! God allowed me to lead flourishing communities. From the community I directed, 5 new communities were formed, including 6 directors, a state manager, and many tutors whom I was blessed to influence. Some may say that I was in the right place at the right time. And I would agree. I was right where the Father placed me. I was continually on my knees listening to His voice, that I might obey His every word.

I certainly didn't obey perfectly, yet my heart's desire was to please Him and He honored that. I was also blessed by the families I served. Seeing how God accomplished His great and mighty work in and through me is encouraging.

So we can be free to do ALL that God calls us to do, knowing that He is FULLY responsible for the results. Our job is to fully devote our hearts to Him, and seek to obey Him to the best of our ability

That's the GREAT God I serve. He takes all that is wicked, evil, depraved, and somehow transforms it so that it produces something beautiful, good and inspiring.

He did that with the cross.

He does that with His people who are being persecuted.

He's doing it, with me.

40 Days of Discovery- Day 4

2012-01-05T21:41:00.000-08:00

From my journal:

Today I rejoice in failures and mistakes. When we do our best, and we still fail. When we strive and still no results. When we are searching for answers. The answer is ALWAYS Jesus.

It is our failures that reveal the truth about us. We are weak, powerless, and needy--apart from God. We need help. There is no amount of "try this" or "try that", "read this" or "take this class" that will make us adequate. It is God Himself that makes us complete.

His grace is sufficient. His righteousness is perfect. His wisdom is complete. He is fully able to implement all that He knows is good.

And he calls us to rest in His sufficiency. REST.

Stop working, striving, performing.... and rest.

Come all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke and learn of me, for I am gentle, and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-29

The yoke that I put on myself isn't easy and, the burden that I carry isn't light. The yoke that others put on me isn't easy. It's burdensome. The yoke I put on my children isn't easy. The yoke that the culture puts on me isn't easy. It's seems more spiritual to carry a difficult yoke and a heavy burden. But it isn't. We can't run a race with a heavy burden. We need to be light. I can't run my race with the guilt of not living up to unrealistic standards. I can't run with the burden a cart full of "do's and don'ts" that I must live up to or... I'm a bad person. I must perform perfectly or I won't happy. I must work so hard not to mess up my kids. I must work hard to be healthy. I must work hard keep my home clean and beautiful. Being a good steward honors God. I mustn't overspend. I must wash my girls hair twice a week so that their hair is its healthiest. I must prune my roses. I must ... I must.... I must... Every talk show, magazine article, suggestion from a friend adds to this burden. The weight of all these things often presses in on me so heavily, that I can barely breathe.

So I thank you Jesus, that you simply tell me to receive your perfection. You've already done what I can't do. I'm free to love, and to be loved. Your grace is more than enough to cover my failings. Your grace fills in all my gaps. Your love redeems my failures. Seems too simple.

When I come to you with sincere repentance, you forgive. Everytime. I don't have to beat myself up. I don't have to do penance. I don't have to beg and hope for forgiveness. I simply ask. You are faithful and just and you forgive ALL our sins and purify us of all unrighteousness. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That means I can forgive myself. I don't have to let the weight of these burdens weigh me down anymore.

HEB 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. [2] Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

You endured our burdens on the cross. You carried them, so that we would never have to carry these burdens again.

COL 2:20 Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: [21] "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? [22] These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. [23] Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

I'm not putting those burdens back on me again. Help me Holy Spirit. I don't want to go back.

Continue to expose "the rules" that I still submit to, thinking that somehow if I'm able to follow them, I'll be alright.

40 Days of Discovery- Day 3

2012-01-04T21:04:00.000-08:00

Today was a day of discovering something old. The Holy Spirit brought me back to the basics of my life's mission: sharing the gospel. Everything should come back to the gospel, right? If the gospel really is good news, why would I not want to share it? God has chosen the church, his followers, to be the means by which the mystery of the gospel is revealed. What an awesome privilege! God certainly doesn't have to use us. He's God! He could have a donkey to proclaim it. He could write it on a wall. He could have the birds to sing it. But He chose people like me. And I've neglected this great privilege. Oh, Lord I repent. Forgive me.

There are people around the world dying because they're sharing the gospel. They're just that passionate. They're just that committed. And I don't want to offend. Poor excuse. I was reading an article a month or so ago about a woman and her husband in Iran who prayed EVERYDAY that God would show them who they are supposed to share the gospel with. Everyday! And this is in a country that is hostile to Christianity! What's wrong with me?

So I asked the Spirit this question: How can I share the gospel in a relevant way? with creativity, boldly, wisely, lovingly The gospel message isn't foreign here. Many have heard it, and tune it out. I'm asking for fresh creative ways to share the ancient message of truth. I'm asking for passion, and power to do this great work. Creativity means nothing if there is no power. God's power changes people's lives, not my convincing words.

I echo the prayer of the early church when they were under persecution, "Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." and the response "After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." (from Acts 4:29-31)

Here are a few other scriptures that the Spirit gave me as I asked the question:

Colossians 4 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. [4] Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. [5] Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. [6] Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Give me an awareness of the opportunities that you provide me--those doors that you open for the message. Enable me to proclaim the message clearly and allow my actions confirm my beliefs and bring you honor.

Matt10: [16] I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Holy Spirit, give me practical ideas, a great sense of discernment of people and situations, and intelligence beyond my physical capability so that I am able to speak with sincerity, boldness, and simplicity. Do this for my children, my husband, and all of your people. Awaken your people to great boldness in proclaiming the gospel.

I do need to give myself some grace, for God has lavished His grace on me. I tend to be hard on myself. I have shared the gospel. I'm just not nearly as committed as I should be. Thank you Holy Spirit for revealing the truth.

40 Days of Discovery- Day 2

2012-01-03T19:10:00.000-08:00

Recently, I've been reading two very different books. One book is a collection of essays and articles written on the "inner spiritual life" or meditative prayer. I thought the book looked interesting. I'll be honest, you almost have to have a PhD to read it. It is a book written by intellectuals to intellectuals--though it continually encourages the reader to engage the heart in prayer rather than the mind. It takes the most simple concepts and describes them in such complexity that they become unrecognizable. I am gaining insight into other sides of Christianity-- Eastern Orthodox, and Catholic faith. It's good to hear other perspectives and see what nuggets of wisdom can be gleamed. But there is MUCH sifting to be done. MUCH! I am honestly most disappointed with the lack of devotion to Jesus. It's Jesus and... It's "the Christ" or "the Christ in us" or "the divine is us". One article even proposed that Jesus came so that we could become God. There is no gospel message spoken. If meditation doesn't compel us to "Go and Make disciples..", then Christianity simply becomes one of many paths that one can take to somehow achieve the "divine is us"--as some say.

On the other hand, I just finished reading Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand(www.persecution.com). What a powerful and passionate book!. It talks about the author's experiences in Communist Romania working in the Underground Church and his 14 years in prison being tortured, as well as giving lots of stories of others who have been persecuted for the name Jesus. What a stark contrast to the other book I've been reading. This book isn't some theological discussion about higher plans, and such, but a book written about people who have fallen deeply in love with Jesus. It's plain and simple. People are going to prison, refusing to renounce their faith, refusing to hate their enemies, and refusing to STOP preaching the gospel. And the Church continued to grow in spite of the intense persecution they are under. This book inspires you to support our brothers and sister who are being persecuted around the world through prayer, and financial support. It's also convicting! People around the world are excitedly sharing the gospel and publicly declaring their love for Jesus amidst intense opposition! What excuse do I have?

Oh Jesus give me such intense love for you that I long to live in your presence, allowing you to fill me to overflowing that I may be a fountain for a world that is thirsty for your redeeming grace. Amen.

40 Days of Discovery- Day 1

2012-01-02T17:59:00.001-08:00

Today I began a 40 day journey of discovery. As I walk on this journey I'd to invite you to join in. On each day of my journey I'd like to share something that may encourage, uplift, or perhaps even make you say, "ouch!" or "hmm". So what is the destination of this journey? Closer intimacy with The Lover of My Soul.

An excerpt from my journal entry today:

Fill my mouth with your rich and filling goodness.
Fill my hands with your everlasting presence
Fill my ears with melodies from Heaven
Fill my eyes with beautiful, glorious Heavenly treasures and make all earthly things pale in comparison

You must do these things, else earth's pull on me is too strong to overcome. The trinkets it offers will shine too brightly in my eyes. And I will cling too tightly to those I love, demanding that they give me happiness, and satisfaction. I've tried it so many times, and it's left me frustrated and discouraged. And its worn them out!

Read a quote today from Paul J. Tillich. He wrote an article called: "To Whom Much was Forgiven" Here's the quote: "...forgiveness makes love possible. We cannot love unless we have accepted forgiveness, and the deeper our experience of forgiveness is, the greater our love." He was speaking in the context of the woman who poured out the alabaster jar on Jesus, anointing His body for burial. I thought it was a thought provoking quote. I'm still pondering its meaning.

May You Discover the True and Living God in unexpected places today.

Shalom.

2012, It's Time!

2012-01-01T17:15:00.000-08:00

Can you hear the cries?

Cries for mercy
cries for deliverance
cries for healing
cries for hope...

Can you see the hopelessness in the eyes
                                                   of Mother who can't feed her children?
                                   of prisoners of abuse, addiction, fear...

Can you feel the beating heart of the forgotten?
                                        Those persecuted for their belief in Jesus?
Children whose parents have died of aids?
                                        Widows who've had their property taken away?
                                         Little girls in hidden places forced to do things
                                                                                  that a little girl should never know?

Can you hear their prayers for help?

What if you are the answer to their prayers? What if you are the one who a person or a people group is waiting for in order to hear the message of freedom? of healing? of hope?

Will you accept this mission?

What if you are the one God has chosen to heal the sick, feed the hungry, set the captives free...

What if...

All of your life you've been being prepared for this moment. Even as you were formed in the womb. Every incident, accident, and planned event was carefully orchestrated by Elohim to bring you to this place.

Will you forgo your own agenda for the rest of your life, laying it down at the feet of our Supreme Commander? He has a special mission for you!

Will you say yes?

Don't worry, He has thoroughly equipped you for EVERY good work and He promises to empower you and be near you every step of the way. As you work along side of the King of the Universe, you will be satisfied with His precious presence and be allowed to know Him intimately. How generous our God is to give us the honor and privilege of joining Him in His most sacred and beautiful work--rescuing and redeeming all mankind.

So what are you waiting for?

YOUR HEART LONGS FOR MORE.

YOU WERE MADE FOR MORE.

It's 2012! It's time!

May your year be full of the presence of Yahweh and may you live your life for His perfect purposes.

Some Things Take Time

2011-12-13T13:03:00.000-08:00

I originally wrote this the day before thanksgiving.

It's the day before thanksgiving and I have begun my cooking marathon. By the time we sit down to our meal tomorrow, I will have baked potatoes, a turkey, rolls and cornbread dressing. I will have slowly simmered a turkey back in order to release the flavors and nutrients, creating a full-bodied broth. I will have chilled my pie crust dough, homemade cranberry sauce, and a homemade dressing. Chilling helps everything to gel, and gives the various flavors time to marry. I will have soaked my turkey overnight in a brine (water filled with seasoning). The result will be a flavorful moist turkey. (It was quite yummy)

As I sit here listening to my pots bubble on the stove, I was thinking of how it takes time to create a great meal. A once a year meal! I can't do this regularly. But I was thinking that in order for us to have a great meal for our souls, it takes time. Often, I want my time with God to be quick, microwaved, or stir-fried and quickly consumed so that I can get back to life. So many needs are calling. Then I wonder why I'm not fully satisfied.

If I want to get past the surface level of understanding of scripture, I must be willing to pay a price. It takes time to go deep, to find treasures the lay hidden deep below the surface. I must be willing to think deeply, to ponder, taking my time, letting the Spirit of God take His word into my inner most parts. Letting it marinate. I'm learning the blessing of allowing God's word go down deep , to my very bones. I want His truth to be the air that I breathe. I want His thoughts to be my thoughts.

This takes time.

It takes early mornings or late nights so that I won't be interrupted. Sometimes it means sneaking away from the hustle and bustle of my household. It means chores go undone, e-mails go unanswered and phone calls don't get made. But, you see, I must sit at the feet of Jesus, allowing Him to fill me to the fullest measure with Himself. And that, my friend, takes time.

May you deeply ponder His majesty and grace in your life. And may your lips be filled with praises for His generous gifts to you.

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the season, don't miss out on God's greatest gift to us--His presence.

O come, O come Emmanuel into our hearts. Change us forever. Fill us with the life that is truly life. Loosen our hand's grip on earthly things so that we may grasp the hem of your garment, and be made whole. Amen.

Merry Christmas!

What's on Your Mind?

2011-12-13T12:09:00.000-08:00

We've been reading Ninety Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper. As we read today, the Holy Spirit gave us a very practical illustration of a truth that He continues to sear into the core of my being. We become what we continually think about. Don talks about a man who became blind. That blind man was bitter, and angry because of all the things he couldn't do anymore. But that man had a friend who challenged him to make a list of all the things he could do. So the man did it--reluctantly. It completely transformed the man! Suddenly, the man realized that there were thousands of things he could do, and he resolved to spend the rest of his life doing those things. He moved from bitterness, to thankfulness.

We, too, can transcend the problems and imperfections of this earth, by focusing our minds on Heavenly things, by choosing to dwell on the blessings which flow out of Heaven's gates to earth, by keeping our eyes gazing upward, seeing glimpses of Heavenly treasures, and enjoying the pleasure, beauty and rest that we find in God Himself. Out of Him flows every good thing. Praising this magnificent King and thanking Him for His lavish gifts brings us to His gates, allowing us to enter His courts.

Simply stated, praise God and thank Him for everything in your life, good, and bad, small and large. If we do not do this small thing, we cannot expect to enjoy the delights of His very presence.

There will always be a hundred million things that we don't have in this life. There will be pain, suffering, and disappointments, but we have the opportunity to choose how we will respond. Aren't you thankful that we can choose? I tell my children all of the time, "You choose your attitude." And aren't you glad that when we choose thankfulness and praise, that we are blessed with sweet heavenly treasures that transcend all human understanding?

I challenge you. Get out a sheet of paper. Make a list of everything that you are thankful for--small and large. Nothing is insignificant. Fill up the front. Turn over to the back and fill up the back side. List every positive quality in that person that gets on your last nerve. As you fill up the paper with your thanks, God will fill up the treasure chest of your heart with peace, contentment, joy and confidence in this God who loves you so dearly. As my youngest son said to me after completing this activity, "You feel rich!" It's a promise directly from the Heavenly Throne.

And when you realize how much you've been blessed, you'll want to bless others with the gifts you've received.

Phil 4: 6-9 [6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

PHP 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. [9] Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

2011-12-03T05:23:00.001-08:00

As our gift to our friends, and family, we're presenting "The 12 Days of Christmas". Instead Leaping Ladies, or turtle doves we're giving you songs from the Baptiste family. We're off to a great start and I'd like to invite all of my blog followers to join us.

Go to: http://www.youtube.com/user/aleciabaptiste?feature=mhee

I hope you enjoy the songs. Please feel free to invite friends, and family as you enjoy the festivities.

I pray that your Christmas season is saturated with the presence of Emmanuel.

Merry Christmas!

Day Retreat

2011-11-15T19:52:00.001-08:00

My husband and I have begun to make it a tradition to have a "day retreat" right before school starts in August in order to refresh ourselves and to have time alone with God. I cannot begin to describe the many blessings that we receive from this one day. God always has such wonderful gifts in store for us. He's such a personal God, and He loves special time alone with each of His children. Not only does He want us to hear His voice, he wants us to simply enjoy Him. He wants us to rest in His presence.

I'd like to share some of the sights that I was able to enjoy on my day retreat. These are photos I took at Mayfield park in Austin Texas. It's the perfect place for a day retreat.

Perhaps you'll inspired to have your own "Day Retreat".

The Little Pebble and the Majestic Waterfall Part 4

2011-11-09T10:52:00.000-08:00

After the Water Fall's grand and majestic entrance, it spoke to all who were gathered there to meet it. As it spoke, every creature stood in solemn silence each hanging on its every word and feeling a personal intimate connection with the Water Fall. This was because the Water Fall spoke to each creature tenderly in its own heart's language.

This is what the pebble heard.

"I am so glad that you are here. It has been my heart's desire to have you here with me forever. You will live with me enjoying my protection and the glorious riches of my gifts. All that you desire is yours. You have done well, Little Pebble. I am pleased with you. Now you will live in this glorious paradise with me forever along with all who have lived obediently before me. I will be your King and you will be my servants, ruling in my glorious kingdom forever. This is your reward."

Every creature bowed in humble adoration to the King, with hearts that were filled with thanksgiving. Then with one voice every creature began to sing a song to the Great Water Fall. It was a song sung with such earnestness, with such joy, with complete and utter abandonment. Each creature was compelled to give the best that it had to offer, singing with every available instrument, and in complete harmony and unity with one another. There was no competition among them. Each one willingly stepped aside in order to allow the other to express its own uniquely beautiful offering of love and devotion to the Water Fall. And the Water Fall was worthy of hearing each distinct expression of gratitude. Every single note. Oh what a glorious sound it was! This new song had a myriad of languages, melodies, styles, rhythms, parts, harmonies and melodies that human ears have yet to hear. There are no earthly comparisons, except to say that there was a small part of every song ever sung in that one song.

And there they lived forever, completely loved, completely satisfied and in perfect peace in the Glorious presence of the Majestic Water Fall.

The End.

The Pebble and the Majestic Water Fall part 3

2011-10-29T08:26:00.000-07:00

Finally, one day the pebble saw it. It was a most glorious sight. It was a grand and glorious palace. A palace fit for one of great majesty and power. A dwelling place for a Great King! There was only one problem. The palace wasn't complete.

The pebble wondered about this. How could a palace so grand as this be started and not completed? The pebble decided to ask the Great Water Fall about this.

"Oh Great Water Fall, who is this beautiful Palace for?"

"It is my Palace."

This disheartened the pebble very much, since the palace was not complete.

"Do not be downcast my little pebble. You will help me complete my palace. Remember I promised you that you would do something beautiful for me.?"

Of course, the pebble thought that was an impossible task, but this was the Great Water Fall speaking. It was this same Water Fall that had taken a rough, ugly, seemingly useless pebble and made it into a sight to behold. Actually, the pebble didn't really know how beautiful it had become.

While the pebble was giving itsself a headache trying to figure out how it could help complete the castle, one of the Great Water Fall's servants picked it up.

"This is just what we need over here." And with one quick and fluid movement, the pebble was placed along side of other brilliantly shimmering jewels in the palace itself.

"Oh, no!" The pebble thought. "I cannot be here. I am too ugly. This palace is for the Majestic Water Fall. He should only have the best."

His servant replied, "That is why you've been chosen. You are among the pure, radiant stones that have been made beautiful by the Great Water Fall Himself. He prepared you to be a living stone in His dwelling place. And because the Great Water Fall has crafted you Himself, you are a sight to behold, like these other living stones."

The pebble was confused and speechless--again. But then the pebble remembered the Great Water Fall's promise.

"I will make you a beautiful gift--a worthy offering that I may enjoy forever."

So the little pebble pondered this. It thought about all that it had endured, even remembering the day it discovered that it was beautiful. It looked all around itself at the other stones--jewels actually. Each one was glistening in the sun. Each one was a small part of the Great Water Fall's Marvelous palace. As the pebble, absorbed all of these sights, it began to wonder. Could I too be like these other jewels? Just as this thought had entered its mind, one of the Water Falls's servants approached it with a mirror. And it saw itself. Actually it did not recognize itself for it had never seen anything so uniquely brilliant. It was as if it saw a glimpse of the Great Water Fall itself. The pebble gasped.

This was far better than it could have ever imagined. Oh, what joy filled the little pebble! Oh, how proud it was to have a gift to give the Great Water Fall. Oh, how elated it was to do something beautiful for the One it loved!

It was about that time that something extra wonderful happened. The pebble began to hear every melodious harmony of what sounded like thousands of birds. It could see little water creatures gleefully dancing through the water towards the Palace. It could hear the echo throughout the Palace, "The King is arriving! The King is coming!"

The winds began to swirl all around the palace, with joyous laughter, "He's here! He's here! Behold the King!"

Then all at once, the water surged into that palace like a Great Tidal wave, terribly frightening but simultaneously more beautiful and glorious than anything the pebble had beheld. It was the Majestic Water Fall, but somehow the Water Fall was different. I mean... the pebble recognized the Water Fall, but it was as if it was seeing the Water Fall clearly for the first time. The little pebble, now a radiant jewel, never knew that it had only seen a faint reflection of the Majestic Water Fall before. Now it saw the Water Fall face to face in the FULLNESS of its glory!

This is where words fall miserably short, for there are no words to describe what the pebble saw. It was as if all that was good, glorious, brilliant, radiant, pure and marvelous had come to rest in one place, only with an intensity that was actually unbearable, yet at the same time completely satisfying. The pebble felt complete, whole, and in a perfect sate of contentment. It was as if it had waited for this moment its entire life. In fact, it had waited for this moment its entire life, yet it did not know it was waiting for this moment..

One more part left: The conclusion of the story coming soon!

The Little Pebble and the Majestic Water Fall Part 2

2011-10-23T16:04:00.000-07:00

Suddenly, a mighty wave lunged from the river, towards the little pebble. The first instinct of the pebble was to cringe with fear at this great wave, but then it remembered that the Water Fall loved it. So it took a deep breath and let the wave take it into the river. The pebble found the wave was surprisingly gentle.

That little pebble was filled with so many emotions. Fear, exhilaration, surprise... These experiences were all so new and unknown to the pebble that it really had no idea what to expect next. It didn't know what to do, and every time fear seized it and threatened to take it under, the little waves would tickle its cracks and crevices whispering, "Cooperate with me. Do not fight me. I will make you into something beautiful." And so the pebble would finally relax, letting the currents take it to all sorts of strange places. As it did, it enjoyed a myriad of delights.

Now I must not mislead you into thinking that all of the pebbles experiences were delightful. Oh no! There were many difficulties along the way. A few times the pebble was way-laid by little islands in the river, leaving it feeling impatient and disappointed at its lack of progress. Other times forceful rapids threw the pebble here and there, bruising and beating the little pebble senseless. It was during those times that the pebble thought it would never survive this adventure in the river. There was even a time when an evil bird tried to snatch that pebble right out of the river, but the Great Water Fall rescued it with its mighty waves, sending the bird away disgusted for not being able to pick up such a seemingly easy little prize.

I guess now seems like a good time to tell you that this pebble was changing. All of the plights that the pebble endured during the journey were changing the pebble. It's rugged edges were becoming smooth. It's dirt, of course, was washed away and it was being reshaped. It even gleamed in the sun, which was why the bird tried to snatch it from the river.

The pebble also experienced lazy, restful days when the water danced around it playfully. The pebble loved days like this. It enjoyed the view around it and even took time to look at the water creatures, marveling in their beauty. It was on one of these days that the pebble discovered its change. As the little riplets of water danced around it, they began to sing.

"Look into the water little pebble. See your reflection."

That seemed like a puzzling request, yet the pebble did as it was told. Lo and behold! What a surprising view met it! It did not recognize itsself. It was beautiful! The Great Water Fall had done what it had promised. It had made it into something beautiful. Yes, now it was becoming a worthy offering for the Water Fall.

There was still much more the pebble had to endure, for the Great WaterFall had not finished with the pebble, but now that the pebble had seen the Water Fall's work, it gladly submitted itsself to the Water Fall's power. (Most of the time) The Water Fall could be trusted. It loved the little pebble more than even the pebble realized.

Stay tuned for more. Please read the story to your kids, or grand kids. I'd love to get feedback. Does the story make sense? Is anything confusing? What do you or your children enjoy about the story?

The Little Pebble and the Majestic Waterfall part 1

2011-10-16T13:45:00.000-07:00

This is the first of several posts of a story I've written, inspired by the Holy Spirit, tentatively called The Little Pebble and the Majestic Waterfall. This may end up being my next book. Stay tuned.

There was once a little pebble, simple and ordinary and rough around the edges. It was a tiny pebble and actually quite ugly. This pebble lived beside a Great Majestic Waterfall. Oh what a beautiful, and magnificient waterfall it was. That waterfall thundered day and night singing its glorious song. Oh, how the pebble marveled in hearing that sublime melody. Oh how that pebble loved that glorious Water Fall. So one day that little pebble decided it wanted to do something beautiful for the waterfall to show its love and devotion. But what could it do?It could not sing and if it could, its tiny voice would never be heard over the thunderous voice of the Mighty WaterFall. This little pebble thought and thought and thought until it hurt all over. It couldn't come up with even idea on how it could show its love and devotion to the waterfall. So it began to weep pitifully. Suddenly through its sobbing cries it heard the Mighty Waterfall ask a question as it sang.

"Why are you crying?"

The pebble stopped immediately. Was the WaterFall talking to it--the little pebble? Couldn't be. So the pebble didn't reply. Again the Water Fall replied,

"Why are you crying?"

The pebble froze. Its heart began to race. It looked left, and then right. The waterfall had spoken to--it. "What do I do now?" the pebble thought. A wise and noble bird sitting in a nearby tree responded, "Answer Him. Answer to Great Water Fall, little pebble."

So it did.

"Oh, Great Water Fall, I am crying because I have nothing to give you. I want to show you my love and devotion, but what can I give one so great as you?" The Great Water Fall laughed thunderously with such joy and glee that it actually frightened and shamed the little pebble.   "I knew it," thought the pebble to itsself. I was foolish to think I could ever give the Great Water Fall anything worthy of Him.

"Nonsense!" the Water Fall bellowed. The pebble was startled. "I have been deeply desiring a gift from you little pebble. You have something beautiful to give."

"Me?" said the Pebble completely puzzled. "What do I have?"

"I want you little pebble. You are my prized possession."

The pebble was speechless. After thinking to ittself, for what seemed like hours (but it was actually only a few minutes), the little pebble replied. "So.... you want me?" the pebbled asked timidly.

"Yes."

"You want me?" the pebble asked again, this time feeling a bit more confident.

"Absolutely!"

"You want me!" the pebble shouted with joy and gladness of heart. He had something to give the Great Water Fall. Oh how the little pebble beamed with happiness. The Great Water Fall had seen it and even desired it.

Then unexpectedly the Great Water Fall quieted down to a faint whisper. "Little Pebble, would you give yourself to me, for you are a gift I greatly desire?" I love you, little pebble and I want to do great and wonderful things with you--things which you could never imagine."

In that moment of quietness, the pebble deeply connected with the Water Fall in a new way. It had experienced the love of the Water Fall. It had not known that it could be loved. It was only a pebble. It have never known love. It had seen what it thought was love, but it had never experienced it--until now. Well, I really cannot fully explain how the pebble felt at that moment, but I will try.   That pebble felt, whole, brand new and more alive. Yes, that pebble felt--ALIVE!

"Oh, yes, Great Water Fall! I want to give myself to you!"

"Jump in the river" whispered the Water Fall.

Well, you've never seen a pebble more determined to get to the river. That pebble had really never moved very much. I mean...it moved a bit here and there, but it was usually because the wind had blown it or some creature had dislodged it from its position. That poor pebble tried with all of its might to move itself to the river, which was only a few feet away. It struggled and strained, and managed to barely move. It persisted, trying and trying and trying until it was utterly exhausted.   The little pebble began to slip into utter despair. It felt completely helpless and hopeless.

"Little pebble," said the Water Fall tenderly, "will you give yourself completely to me..."

The pebbled interrupted, "I've already tried, and I can't!" Oh what sorrow the pebble felt.   To be so close to experiencing life's greatest joy, only to have it snatched from its grasp was more than the pebble could bear.

"Little pebble, I wasn't finished. If you will cease striving, I will help you. I, myself, will bring you to the water, and I will do something beautiful for you. I will make you a beautiful gift--a worthy offering that I may enjoy forever."

"Ok," the pebble replied unassuredly. " I don't understand what you ask of me, but I will give myself to you. It is obvious that I cannot do this without help."

Suddenly, the Water Fall rumbled, laughing a deep hearty laugh with such joy that it tickled the pebble.

"Be still and watch what I will do!"

Enjoying a Feast in the Midst of life's Difficulties

2011-10-11T14:16:00.000-07:00

The journey to the higher places (the place where we enjoy greater intimacy with the Father) often leads us face-to-face with our greatest fears. As we experience His protection in these difficult places we learn, that our shepherd doesn't need to remove our enemies (or problems) in order for us to be secure. We can enjoy perfect peace, security and abundance because the Good Shepherd is near. We can enjoy the feast prepared for us by our Great God, while our enemies look on with utter contempt. What sweet victory that is!

I've witnessed this with my own eyes. I've had the blessed opportunity to meet a new friend this past weekend--Linda Giebelhaus. She's experienced several devastating blows in her life: losing her wealth, colon cancer (and overcoming it) and now terminal cancer. According to the doctor, she has about 30 days to live, but you'd never know it if you're around her. You'd think they've given her 30 years! She is enjoying the magnificent feast that the Good Shepherd has prepared before her, relishing every choice morsel of her life. She speaks of the love of the Shepherd and how He daily satisfies her and provides abundantly for her needs. She is such a delight to be around! I just love her! She is one who dances before the Lord. She truly LOVES the Shepherd.

Please join me in praying that our Heavenly Father would completely heal her and give her many more years to proclaim His goodness here on earth. If you'd like to follow her journey, see:

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/Lindagiebelhaus

May each of us proclaim along with the Psalmist and Linda:

PS 46:1 God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.

PS 46:2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

PS 46:3 though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.
        Selah

Unless I see the Nail Marks...

2011-09-23T17:27:00.000-07:00

This week I want to share with you my husband's blog post. I hope that you are challenged and blessed.

http://loveisanoffering.blogspot.com/2011/09/unless-i-see-nail-marks.html

Searching through the Ashes

2011-09-15T11:45:00.000-07:00

Today as I prayed with a group ladies, God gave me a very powerful revelation that I'd like to share with you. One of the ladies was praying for the victims of the recent fires of Central Texas and recounting the miracle of a couple finding their wedding ring in the midst of the ashes. It was as though her words were spoken from the Heavenlies themselves. This couple needed to search among the ashes, the ruins of their lives in order to find that which they treasured and through supernatural intervention, they found their prized possession--a wedding ring.

Fires are raging everywhere. In our homes. On our jobs. In our churches. In our finances. In our families. In our bodies. And for many there is little left, except ashes. There seems to be no hope. Everything.... is....gone. Maybe you're ready to give up. All that's left is empty promises and unfulfilled dreams. But our God, our Great Redeemer has this word for you:

Search among the ashes, and find your treasure.

What have you lost? Intimacy in your martial relationship? Have you lost everything financially because of a recent layoff? Has your child walked away from God? Have you lost your joy? Seek, as one searching for a Great Hidden treasure. Persist. Get dirty--really dirty. Deal with painful memories. Dig past the rubble. Do the hard work. Search for the hidden treasure. And if you persist, you WILL FIND it. God promises that those who seek will find. I also want to encourage you to solicit friends who will seek with you. It is much easier to find a hidden treasure with help. Friends will encourage you when you want to give up, and keep you from getting sidetracked. Searching for treasure among the ashes isn't a work to be done alone. And don't forget to dress properly for the occasion. You don't search through ashes with flip flops and a tank top. Put on your armor--the FULL armor of God so you will be able to take your stand against the Enemy.

I believe that as you search you will discover that your treasure is God Himself, for He said that He is our inheritance. In Him you have ALL. God is a compassionate and generous God. He delights in giving His children good gifts. Expect that He will bless you in ways you cannot begin to imagine.

Don't give up. Don't walk away.

Keep looking. Keep searching.
Through the ashes

Psalms 119:57 You are my portion, O LORD;
I have promised to obey your words.

Luke 11:9 "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. [10] For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Collaboration

2011-09-05T11:55:00.000-07:00

I was recently blessed with the opportunity to collaborate with some wonderful artists on some art projects. I've never done anything like this before. When Kathy first asked me about being a part of the collaboration, I was excited and honored that she would ask me. But as the time approached for us to begin the collaboration, I began to get nervous. This was totally out of my comfort zone! I didn't know what to expect. There was no plan. And I had no control over what would happen. I had to trust that God had a plan.
The first day we met, I remember the anxiety I felt. I was like, "I'm here. Now what?" We prayed. And God did a marvelous work through us. We brought our scraps, and leftover pieces and over the course of a month, we're created 6 beautiful works of art. I'm amazed! Each piece is so different. We each contributed in some way, to each piece. And each person's contribution was absolutely vital to creating that final product.

Interestingly, we are each very different. We come from different ethinic and cultural backgrounds. We each work in different mediums. Our styles are very different. Even our methods of creating art are different. But you wouldn't believe how much harmony we've had. The Spirit of God has worked through each of us enabling us to work with oneness of mind. We committed ourselves to be servants, listening to the Spirit and being sensitive to the ways that He was moving.

     Did we agree at every moment? No. But we always came to an agreement in a peaceful manner. Sometimes it took time to hear what the Spirit was saying.

     I can honestly say that I could never have created anything like these pieces alone. Now it almost feels strange working alone in my studio on my personal pieces. I miss that interaction and feedback.

It's been fun! And I've learned so much and grown through the process.

I have been given a small glimpse of what God wants to do in His people on a larger scale. He wants us working together, each bringing our little bit to the table in order to create a Great Feast. We can't do it alone. We must be willing to give...and receive.   And in the process each of us will be changed. Paul says in Ephesians that we become more whole, for you supply what is lacking in me, and I in you.   The church becomes a fuller expression of the Magnificient Glorious Infiinite God. The knowledge of His glory becomes more complete and more fully displayed. How exciting!

We need each other. God wants to use us working together to do something beautiful for Him.

Let's collaborate.

the blessing of confessing

2011-08-29T17:46:00.000-07:00

Recently, the Holy Spirit led me to have a devotional with my kids on how to deal with sin. So we talked about what happens to us when we sin(or think we've sinned). We feel ashamed, afraid, guilty... When we choose to stay in the the dark, rather than coming out into the light and confessing, Satan keeps his finger on us. His power is strongest in the darkness. He tries to keep us hiding--with lies of course. We hide in so many ways. By making excuses. By blaming others. By ignoring our sin. By keeping our sin a secret. When we refuse to admit our sin, confessing it to God and each other, it hurts us. We can experience no peace or rest in our hearts. We live a life of guilt, shame and fear. We lose our intimacy with God. That sin creates distance in our relationship. Not only do we lose intimacy with God, but we lose intimacy with others. Unconfessed sin can even cause health problems. If sin continues on unconfessed, it leads to isolation. Because we're still trying to hide. It's a downward spiral. Does that sound like a life you'd like to live?

But there is a remedy. God has given us a gift. It is the gift of forgiveness. But we can only receive forgiveness if we are willing to confess. We must come out of the darkness, into the light of truth. We must call our sin by its name--sin. We must refuse to compromise, or making excuses for our sin. Just admit it. God already knows. It's amazing what happens when we confess our sins. The process of healing and restoration begins. Our hearts can again be filled with peace. Our intimacy with God is restored. Our intimacy with others can be restored. We can live again in community. Even our physical bodies can experience healing.

God's forgiveness is total and complete. He separates our sin as far as the east is from the west. We are washed completely. There is no need to continue punishing yourself. There's no need to continue meditating over that mistake thinking of all the things you could have done differently. Yes, there may be business that needs to be done. The Holy Spirit may give you instructions to work toward reconciliation. He may give you instructions to make restitution. You will need some accountability in place to help you in your area of weakness. But understand, that you're already forgiven. Receive it. Live like you're forgiven, because God says that you are. I admit that I really struggle with this. I have struggled with perfectionism my entire life, so when I fail, I can't let myself "off the hook". Even after I've gone to God for forgiveness, I continue to punish myself chasing down that sin like a pit bull refusing to let it go. I'm learning how to live in His grace more and more.

Paul said the more sin increased, the more His grace increases. That scripture gets under the skin of us rule-keepers, because we think that we're giving people a "license to sin". But even Paul talks about the foolishness of this line of thinking. Why would anyone want to sin saying grace will cover it? Why would I want to live in guilt, fear, and shame when I can live free? It was for freedom, that He set us free!

Lastly, I asked each of my kids if there was some person they trusted enough to confess their sins to. It's important to have those person's in place before we sin, because it's hard enough to confess without having to add looking for a person we trust. I now see the value in Catholics going to priests for confession. What a blessing to have a fairly easy way to go and confess to someone you trust. But confession must go past admitting our sins. We must also allow others to hold us accountable. That requires an intimate relationship.

So after having our devotional and praying together, I had the opportunity to experience the blessing of confessing. One of my children came to me asking if he could speak with me privately. Of course. So we went into my bedroom and he proceeded to confess a secret sin. His heart was so broken over his sin and he felt that he had disappointed me. This may sound crazy, but it what such a joyous moment for me. I was able to give him the gift of forgiveness and unconditional acceptance. We sat together and embraced, as he cried. I told him I loved him and that I totally forgave him. He prayed and asked God for forgiveness. Then I told him that he didn't need to think about that anymore. It was done and over. He was forgiven. Now, there was business that needed to be done. There were some things that I needed to do, so that he wasn't tempted to sin in that way again. But it wasn't to punish him. It was to help him. And amazingly, he gladly received my help. It actually seemed like a relief to him. Later that day, I asked him how he felt. He said he felt much better.

I pray that you may experience the blessing of confessing the next time you sin.

GAL 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

1JN 1:8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. [10] If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

2CH 7:13 "When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain (hmm... sounds like a drought), or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, [14] if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. [15] Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. [16] I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.

My Song

2011-08-15T07:07:00.000-07:00

There's a song that begins to stir in my heart,
that begins to surface as I think on the goodness of God.
As I meditate on His goodness,
His grace,
His love,
His Holiness,
His purity...
A poetic prose begins to rise from my soul
It's been hidden there waiting to be found
It's composed by the Holy Spirit and uniquely song by me.
It is a song that's being song in the heavenlies
by the angels
and by saints throughout the ages
This song is a song our hearts have been waiting to sing
Like a woman with child who eagerly awaits the moment of giving birth
She eagerly anticipates the joy of holding her sweet baby in her arms
But there is discomfort,
there is pain to endure
MUCH PAIN
But in the end, it's worth it
for in her arms is a baby
Oh the joy to hold that precious baby!
This song is our baby
Our heart anticipates giving birth to this melody
As we experience life this song grows within us
developing, gaining understanding, maturing
And often there is much pain that must be endured in order to give birth to this song
But Oh the joy that is felt
Oh the relief that the song has finally been freed.
for this song was meant to be song
An unsung song is a travesty.
We must sing our song.
I must sing my song.

Heavenly Father, enable us by your Spirit to sing beautifully, powerfully, truthfully, pouring ourselves out, holding nothing back, singing in this life until all that we know by faith becomes clearly known.

My Last Bath

2011-08-06T13:07:00.000-07:00

One day I decided to have a talk with God.
"Are you really there?"
"Is this Christianity thing real, or
is it something people made up to make weak and incompetent people
feel better about themselves?"
I heard no reply,
but a mirror appeared.
And I saw myself.
I almost threw up!
It was a most disturbing image.
I was FILTHY!
My clothes were full of muck and yuck.
My hair was matted, with dirt, dust and...moving creatures
My teeth...
I cannot describe,
Let's just say I looked like one of those zombies from the movies.
So I did what any self-respecting, intelligent person would do.
I went to clean myself up.
I took a long shower,
washed my hair--using the best products with LOTS of soap.
Put my clothes in the washing machine, then dried them.
And you won't believe this!
I went back to that mirror,
and I looked EXACTLY the same as before!
What the...!
I was puzzled, befuddled, confused, and disturbed.
How could that be?
Perhaps I need to wash multiple times before I would be clean.
Then one appeared before me,
One like a god,
He was overwhelmingly beautiful!
In fact, so beautiful and pure that I immediately felt as I looked,
putrid, ugly--a mess
His beauty took my breath away
and I fell at his feet as though dead.
He spoke.
"Get up"
In my mind, I said, "I can't." For I could not speak.
He responded as though he could hear my thoughts.
"Yes, you can. I will strengthen you."
So I stood before Him vulnerably, ashamed of my filth.
So ashamed...
So afraid...
So dishonored...
And yet he spoke to me with such gentleness and love,
with such compassion,
yet with power and GREAT authority.
His words pierced my soul
and went deeper than deep.
He said, "Do you want to be clean?"
"I tried to clean myself," I replied.
"Do you want to be clean?" He said again.
" I was about to take another bath, in fact several baths and wash my..."
He interrupted me and spoke with such power that the earth shook and my soul vibrated with His words.
"Do you want to be clean?!"
At that, I fell to my knees in anguish and managed to conjure up a feeble,
"Yes. I want to be clean."
He nodded His head and smiled.
He at once removed His glorious robe, leaving his under garments exposed.
He put His hands in a bowl of soapy water which I had not seen before,
grabbed a washcloth and stepped towards me with it.
At once, I stepped back.
"No, I cannot let you..."
He simply looked at me with those compassionate eyes.
"Ok." I said.
"When I clean you, you shall be clean."
And He began to clean me.
He washed my hair.
He removed my clothing and washed every part of me.
This glorious one knelt before me and cleaned my feet.
I had never felt so alive!
I had never felt so loved!
Every touch brought healing.
Every touch brought freedom.

When He had finished washing me, I saw myself in the mirror
and I was not ashamed.
I was cleaner than clean.
I was astonishingly beautiful!
Radiantly beautiful!
Amazingly pure--with no hint of the filth that was once there.
Then he brought me a robe.
It was a robe so pure,
so glorious,
so brilliant
so, so beautiful.
I reached out to take it and he shook His head.
"I must clothe you with my robe. It is not yours to take, only mine to give."
It was His robe! You know what I was thinking. I couldn't take His robe!
Again, reading my mind, He said,
"Receive this robe as my gift to you. I want you to have this gift."
So I bowed my head, letting Him clothe me with His robe.
Truly words cannot explain what my eyes saw when He clothed me in His robe.
My eyes were filled with tears.
I was overcome with joy.
I couldn't speak.
Yet in my gratitude, I knelt before Him and kissed His feet and His hands.
It was then that I saw the scars--
the horrid scars on his hands, His feet, His side.
It startled me for I hadn't seen them before.
Reading my mind, He said,
"Yes, I took these scars so that you can be clean."
"Who are you?"
He replied, " I AM the one who was, and is, and is to come.
I AM the beginning and the end.
I AM the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world.
I AM the King over all Kings.
I AM the All-powerful, Mighty conquering one who delivers.
I AM...
Jesus."

Blessings on Your Life

2011-07-29T06:20:00.000-07:00

All these blessings will be upon you and be your constant companion IF YOU OBEY Yahweh (the unchanging, ever-present, self-existing one; the one who reveals Himself to His people) :

You will be blessed wherever you are, whether in the city or in the country.

You will be blessed to bear many children.

And all of your work will produce MUCH fruit. Your business will flourish, and your ministry will be effective.

You will always have plenty of food to eat. Every need will be met with abundance.

It matters not if you are coming or going, blessing will always be near.

Those who rise up against you in order to harm you will be defeated before your very eyes. Yes, they will come to you in confidence and strength, but they will run from you like roaches scattering when the light turns on!

Your investment and savings will be blessed. Every venture, and business idea will be successful.

The Lord will set you apart from others as special. You have a special purpose—a holy calling. But you must:

Obey ALL of the Lord’s commands. You must walk in His ways. His ways are not the ways of man.

Then all people on the earth will see that you are a child of the Most Holy. They will be afraid to do you harm. YET you will find favor with them because they think so highly of you.

You will have ABUNDANT PROSPERITY! You will overflow with every good thing. The Lord will open the gates of Heaven and pour out so much blessing that you don’t have the capacity to hold it all. Everyone you encounter will benefit from your overflow. You will be a channel of blessing to your extended family, your community, the nation and even the world!

He will send EVERY needed resource in order for your work to prosper. He will provide the right environment for you to succeed. All of your efforts will be productive and effective. (The curse of sin has no power over your work. Hallelujah!)

You will have so much that you can give freely to many who are in need, and never have need yourself to borrow from others. You will provided exactly what you need AT THE RIGHT TIME! No Loans! No Credit cards! No Debt! Ever!

You will be a leader, not a follower. You will set the trend for others to follow.

But you must focus your thoughts on giving your full and complete devotion to none other than God—carefully listening to His voice and following all His instructions exactly. (Don’t worry about whether it makes sense.)

If you do, You will always be at the top and never at the bottom!

Pay attention. Focus. Don’t get off track. Don’t be distracted by the world’s promises of pleasure, immediate gratification, or its promise of popularity or quick success. Don’t follow any of their methods of using debt, deception, using people for their own selfish gain, devaluing the work of others in order to make the largest profit margin, or abusing the environment. Don’t use their marketing schemes that appeal to man’s sinful cravings, stirring up desires in people in order to get more sales. Don’t do it! Resist greed, wastefulness, and overspending.

Pursue God. Not the blessings. For God, Himself is the blessing, the treasure, the inheritance. In Him we have ALL that we desire and need.

WAIT ON HIS BLESSINGS, for His blessings always come without regret. They always come at the proper time. His blessings, truly satisfy.

A modern day paraphrase of Deut 28: 1-14 (with a few other scriptures added)

An Oasis in the Desert

2011-07-18T06:56:00.000-07:00

Isaiah 58:11 The LORD will guide you always;
    he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
    and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
    like a spring whose waters never fail.
With the recent drought in Texas, I've found myself blessed to enjoy more flowers this year than I ever have. God has given me an "Oasis in the Desert". Don't get me wrong, all my grass is brown, and my poor little veggie garden has struggled to survive, but my flowers are flourishing. I thought you might enjoy some of my photographic art featuring my flowers.

I pray that God Himself will satisfy your needs in this recession, and drought. May He make you an Oasis in the desert-- a place where many will be refreshed, and healed.

Serving the Least of These

2011-07-12T05:59:00.000-07:00

Here is another story shared by my friend, Tamatha Davis. I asked her permission to post this story in order to encourage and challenge each of us on how we look at "the Least" among us. This story will be included in her soon-to-be-published devotional book called: "Forty Days to Freedom". I hope this wets your appetite for the full meal. :)

My husband and I run a catering business called Holy Smokes BBQ & Catering. We have dedicated our business to the Lord, hence the name. One of the ways that we do that is giving any leftover food we have from our events to the homeless. Many times when our events end, it is late at night. Usually my husband and our oldest son are given the task of taking the food to the unseen and often overlooked people that live on the streets of every major US city. However, one night for some reason my younger children and I tagged along. This is simply a report of what I saw.

I saw a group of about seven or eight men all crowding around my husband as he delivered more than likely their first real meal for the day. Excitement was in the air as he announced the mouth-watering menu of chopped beef sandwiches, barbeque chicken, coleslaw, and barbeque beans. All of the men secured their plates in various areas of the old dilapidated abandoned strip center where they were sleeping. Then something unexpected happened.

They all gathered in a circle, held hands and my husband began to pray. He prayed for many by name petitioning our Father on their behalf, putting himself in their positions, and laying their requests at the feet of our Great God and King. When the prayer concluded the all hugged gripping each other tightly ignoring the dirty bodies, hair, and clothes that made each man. As grown men hardened by the experience of life on the streets began to walk away towards their food, some wiped away tears, a few lingered talking to my husband; I could hear laughter begin to ring out. These men were being filled - spiritually and physically. Joy flooded our minivan as I witnessed with my children a glimpse of the body of Christ functioning as God intends it to function. I wish I could put into words the expression on my children’s faces. My husband likes to say that he is only doing what God calls us all to do. No one applauds when you flip the switch and the light comes on. It is simply designed to give light. Guess what? So are we. God has called each one of us to serve a lost and hurting generation. What are you doing to serve the least of these?

For I hungered, and ye gave Me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took Me in; naked, and ye clothed Me; I was sick, and ye visited Me; I was in prison, and ye came unto Me.' Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, `Lord, when saw we Thee hungering and fed Thee, or thirsty and gave Thee drink? When saw we Thee a stranger and took Thee in, or naked and clothed Thee? Or when saw we Thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee?' And the King shall answer and say unto them, `Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.' Mathew 25:35-40

I still have a heart

2011-07-04T16:31:00.000-07:00

This is a story written by a friend of mine. She recently sent me this e-mail about an encounter she had with a homeless lady in downtown Austin. She gave me permission to post her story.

I met a lady at the store down the road. We ran for paper plates, etc. She is homeless & filthy; literally covered in dirt. She appeared fearful to speak to anyone but couldn't resist saying "hi" to [my son], who ran up to her & tried to grab her hand. She told me I was "blessed to have him". I could tell by her tone that she had had children at one time. She told me she was hungry & asked if I had $1. I told her I don't normally carry cash but I had some drinks in my car. I told her I'd look to see what I had. By the time we were buckled in, she had walked away. I looked around & saw her getting yelled at by a mom (with the mom's daughter) on the other side of the parking lot. I drove up to the homeless woman as she walked away & I could see urine on her shorts & more dirt. She flinched when I drove up. I told her "it's ok" & showed her the $4 I had found in my wallet. She hesitantly came to my window. I asked her for her name. She was truly surprised. She whispered, "Sandy". Then in a tearful voice she said, "I am homeless but I still have a heart." I introduced myself & asked permission to pray for her. She started crying. I handed her the money & said, "I wish I could do more...Jesus loves you." Through tears she looked quickly skyward & said "I know". She said, "I know now that all I need is food in my stomach, some shade & to be able to pray." She looked at me with genuine gratitude, still crying. She said, "You have no idea how far this will go. I can get some food to eat." Then she became embarrassed about crying in front of a stranger. She quickly turned & walked away. Her voice was hoarse from dehydration. I could tell her body was overcome with the blazing Texas heat. But she walked off thanking Jesus for my piddly gift & because someone cared enough to ask her name. It was so hard not to run after her & beg her to go to an emergency room. I know she probably won't be alive much longer. I may have just paid for her last meal. What amazes me is that this woman is a mother, a daughter, a sister-in-Christ. And no one even wanted to know her name.

What have we done to "the least" ? part 3

2011-06-29T07:01:00.000-07:00

In my own meager attempts to serve "the least", I've been so quick to "fix" their problems, or what I thought was their problem, that I have unknowingly undervalued them. I've communicated in my actions and attitude that my education, experience, money and even my country, made me an "expert" on solving their problem. I am thankful for God's grace in these situations, for he knows I was acting out of ignorance. Yet, now that I know, I repent of my foolish pride.

I pray that I will embrace this truth in my inner most parts--to depths of my being: Everyone has some ability, and skill that we can learn from. Everyone. We often have to help "the least" to see their value and worth. We have to help them to see that they have gifts, abilities and skills that the world needs--that our church body needs. We value others when we recognize what they have to give to us and others, when we consider their ideas, and their analysis of a situation. They have something unique and wonderful to bring to the discussion. We are able to see a fuller picture of what's really going on, and how to solve a problem. It's not that we have nothing to give them. It's just that we rarely give "the least" the opportunity to give to us.

We begin by listening, and asking lots of questions. Questions enable us to understand the challenges that "the least" face. It enables us to discover their skills and abilities. It enables us to know them. Don't be afraid of questions.

We must use every opportunity to build up "the least". We must give them positions of significance that allow them to use the skills they have. Provide lots of encouragement and support. Walk beside them every step of the way, reassuring them that they can do it! They need to know we believe in them. They need patience and lots of grace. If they fail, they need our reassurance that it's ok. We all fail. This is how Jesus recruited His followers. He didn't choose the qualified. He qualified those whom He chose. They didn't choose Jesus. He chose them. He walked beside them every step of the way, preparing them for a great mission. He trusted them to fulfill this mission by the power of the Holy Spirit. We too can trust "the least" with great responsibilities. They too can fulfill these great things by the power of the Holy Spirit.

And we can't wait for "the least" to come to us. Like Jesus, we must go to "the least". We must tell them, "I see something wonderful in you." "I believe in you." "Now come and lead this ministry". "Come and teach class." "Come and join me on this mission." "You can do this."

We must be intentional about affirming their God-given worth, value and purpose. We must ask God to give us eyes to see them as He sees them. Then we must help them to see the truth about who they really are. Remember, "the least" are constantly being bombarded with messages that tell them all the reasons they can't do anything of significance.

Allow "the least" to serve you. It's puts you in a position of humility. When I receive from someone, I am communicating that I have a need that must be met. The person who gives is always in a position of power. Receiving puts us in a place of weakness. In order to receive, I must admit that I am deficient in some way. Remember, the God of the Universe, who lacks nothing, receives from us. He delights in receiving from us, though He needs nothing. Receiving is a way of blessing another. It acknowledges that they have something of worth to give.

When we lift up others, we too are lifted to greater heights.

What have we done to "the least"? part 2

2011-06-27T07:09:00.000-07:00

God made each of us unique. Each unique difference gives us a glimpse of the infinitely diverse God of the Universe. When God's people, who were meant to display His beauty to the world, decide to ignore certain people in our midst because they are different from us, we miss out on God's revelation of Himself. Every person He places in our midst is valuable because God placed His image in each of us. They aren't people to be changed to fit into our culture. We shouldn't expect them to conform so that we are more comfortable. They shouldn't be avoided because we're afraid of offending them. We need to make an effort to acknowledge "the least" among us. "The least" need to be noticed--not a polite, uncomfortable "hello", but a welcoming "We're so glad you're here!"

Have you ever been "the least" in a culture? I have. Being a black woman, puts me among "the least" in most places in America. I have friends that are in "the least" category in other ways. Some are poor. Some are disabled. Some are single moms. Some are from other countries. One thing is sure. People get really uncomfortable around "the least". And "the least" try really hard to fit in with the majority. They try to hide their disabilities. They try change their appearances in order to fit "the norm" of the majority culture. They try to disguise their poverty with nice clothes. Poor people don't like looking poor when they're among the "non-poor". Very few people enjoy being "the least". So if you can't blend in, you try to find other people like you.   Birds of a feather flock together because everyone wants to feel "normal" and accepted. ( Or you try to elevate yourself--making someone else "the least".)

So how should the body of Christ respond to "the least"?

Paul tells us in his letter to the Philippians to elevate the needs and desires of others above ourselves.

Phil 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

If we take that seriously, following Jesus' pattern,we will lay aside our on preferences, desires and even our rights in order to lift others up. In Paul's letter to the Corinthians, he tells us that God purposefully arranged the parts of His body just as he wanted them. God brought every person to your local community. Your church body is being designed by God. Are you paying attention? Are you cooperating with His work?

1 corinthians 12:22 says "...those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable..." People who seem to have nothing of value to contribute are the most necessary for a healthy thriving community. 1 corinthians 12:23 "... and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor..." Some among us have been treated with such disrespect and dishonor. Some have been treated as though they are invisible. Some have been ignored. Some have been oppressed by the culture. We must elevate them. We must show them special honor. When we do this, we recognize their worth.

Let us be people who look for opportunities to elevate "the least".

God gave His best to "the least". (In God's economy, we're all "the least".)

Do we give our best to "the least"?

As I consider Jesus' example, he often elevated "the least". He gave them special privileges, respect and opportunities. He taught them by example that they were valuable in the eyes of their Maker. Here are a few examples:   He took time to talk to women, giving them special attention and privileges. This was a culture where women had little value, so it was pretty revolutionary. He touched the outcasts: prostitutes, foreigners, lepers, the blind, the cripple,the "half-breeds", tax collectors, "the crazies"--the unclean. He took time to listen to them, to heal them, to free them from their bondage, and ultimately gave them a face-to-face encounter with God Himself. He lifted them out of the depths of degradation, humiliation, and dehumanization. The God of Heaven humbled Himself to lift them up.   And so He says to us, "Go and do the same."

John 13:13-17 "You call me `Teacher' and `Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. [14] Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. [15] I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. [16] I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. [17] Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

God delights in using "the least".

1CO 1:26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. [27] But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. [28] He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, [29] so that no one may boast before him.

Are we following His example?

What Have we done to "the least"? Part 1

2011-06-24T08:28:00.000-07:00

James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

The true test of the church is how we serve "the least" among us. "The Least" is defined as the poor, minorities, disabled, children without fathers(or mothers), the widow (including the divorced), mentally-ill, refugees, homeless--anyone that doesn't fit the majority profile. Anyone who finds him or herself among the disadvantaged in a culture. These people struggle to survive in communities. They are often invisible to the majority. They are invisible in part because "the least" try to blend in with the majority. They are invisible in part because the majority can choose not to interact with them. Honestly, "the least" in a society make us uncomfortable. It's much easier to encourage or even force those who are different from us to conform. "Become one of us, then we can love you." It's hard to love people who are "different".

How can we as the church serve "the least" in our communities, in our cities and the world, when we don't serve" the least" in our on church body--those sitting beside us on the pews? How can we convince the world that God loves them and that we genuinely care for them, when we can't love and accept those whom we call brother or sister? I'm thinking that this isn't a new issue in the body of Christ for James talks about this issue in his letter.

JAS 2:1 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. [2] Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. [3] If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," [4] have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

james 2:8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. [9] But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.

I know what you're thinking. "I would NEVER do that!" Well--we do it in our churches ALL of the time. We're just unaware of what we're doing. When we choose the style of music that we worship to based on the majority of our member's preferences, we choose to show favoritism toward the majority culture. The preferences of "the least" in our church are ignored. "The least" is forced to conform, or leave. No wonder churches are so segregated. (When I say majority culture, I refer here to the majority culture of the particular local church and its surrounding community.) When we focus all of our efforts on reaching the majority, "the least" among us are devalued. Take note that even James recognizes that the poor man is welcomed into the meeting, but he is pointing out how the poor man is treated when he gets there.

How do we treat "the least" in our worship services?

Aiming the bulk of our resources towards the majority works great in a business, but not in God's economy. God is a God who leaves the 99 (the majority) to rescue one (the least). God Himself rejoices over one who receives the gift of salvation. This is because every person is valuable to God.

MT 25:40 "The King will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Interesting that Jesus calls "the least" His brothers. It's also interesting that he didn't say, whatever you did for "some" of the least, or "most" of the least, but "one" of the least. Jesus seems to be emphasizing that every single person matters to God. Overlooking one person grieves the heart of God.

MT 25:45 "He will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

How are we treating Jesus in our churches?

Asking Questions

2011-06-21T07:48:00.000-07:00

Lately, I've been asking myself questions. Why do I do what I do? I've been asking God questions. I've been wrestling with things that I've accepted about life without ever really analyzing them. So much of christianity is cultural. I'm realizing that more than ever. The way we express our love and devotion to God, the way we live out our faith. Much of it is expressed in a cultural context.

There is so much that we do and say as christians. We do these things because someone says we must--usually a pastor. We do these things because that's what we've always done. We do these things because they've been passed down from our family. And many of the things we do, we're passionate about them. They're part of our "deep down" belief system. We've taken many of our own personal preferences and convictions and called them "biblical" or "right". God is so much bigger than one group's own personal preferences or convictions. Are you willing to consider that there are other ways to live out the christian faith that look very different from the way you live out your faith?

Asking questions can be unsettling. It can shake up your world. It can lead to more unanswered questions.

I believe that we can no longer ignore questions. People all around us want to know the relevancy of christianity and the church. Former "church-goers" want to know why they can't worship God at home. The early church met in homes. There are many people that are disheartened and dissappointed with church leaders. Is being a part of an organized church our only option? Can coming together for the purpose of worshiping God, encouraging one another, praying for another, and loving each look many different ways? What should a community of Christ-followers look like? Is church tradition wrong? Should we rediscover the old? Should true followers of Christ leave the church in mass exodus in order to start all over from the ground up, or should we seek to do what Martin Luther tried to do to the Catholic church--reform it? Should we meet in homes? Should we meet in large church buildings? Does it matter where we meet? Does it matter what day we meet?

When Jesus gave His followers the mission to go (leave that which is comfortable and familiar), and make more followers of Him, I wonder if the current American church is what He had in mind. We've made christianity, comfortable. It's a great way to live. It's a great way to raise your kids. It's just a great community to be a part of. The people are nice. It keeps us from coming in contact with those-- sinners. Sinners are bad. They're going to hell. They're messing up our nation. They're left winged liberals. They're destroying marriages. Sinners should be avoided and shunned. Shouldn't sinners be accepted as sinners? Shouldn't sinners be loved --while they are sinners? (I'll admit. I like them to get their acts together first before I love them.) But doesn't God love us while we are sinners? He gave his life while we were His enemies.

When God looks at the American church as a whole, is He pleased? There is so much division in the church. So much division in His body. Isn't there only one body with Christ as the head?

Is He pleased with me?

Questions, questions, questions...

I hope I stirred up a few questions in your mind today.

Lessons from My Plants

2011-06-02T05:30:00.000-07:00

Spring is my favorite season of the year. I love being outside enjoying the plants. I love breathing the fresh, cool air in the morning and evenings. I love feeling the cool breeze blow against my skin. I feel the breath of God in the wind, whispering His love to me. I call those breezes His kisses. So I often spend time out of doors, meditating, praying, listening, and studying His word. And I've found that God teaches me so much through His creation. I want to share a few lessons I've learned.

In the area where I live Crepe Myrtles are everywhere. Their flowers are in full bloom during the spring, creating a beautiful painting of little blossoms in various colors--mostly pink and white in my area. We have 4 crepe myrtles in our yard. So as I sat in my yard last spring, I realized that all the crepe myrtles in my neighborhood, and pretty much everywhere I went, were blooming. But mine weren't. That was so disappointing to me. You know if you've read my posts before that I LOVE flowers. So I wondered why my trees weren't blooming. Well, a couple of weeks later my trees started to bloom profusely like everyone else's. As I was pondering why our trees bloomed so late, I heard this whisper from God, "I bring forth blooms at my time." We are never to compare ourselves with others. Though my trees looked like they wouldn't have flowers, they bloomed right on schedule--God's schedule. God's timing for you to bloom is probably very different from others. But it's right on schedule.

I was also reminded by my plants that God often has to restore life in us before we can begin to grow. Last memorial day, I bought several plants that were dying from a home improvement store. I spent many weeks watering them, nursing them back to health. (For those of you who know me, you know that's a miracle. I love plants and want to grow them, I'm just not very good at it.) Those plants did survive and in fact flourished. God must often do this in our lives. When we are willing to die to our own desires, God can breathe new life in us.

Last summer I tried to grow a vegetable garden. I planted tomatoes, cucumbers, basil and water melon. It was a pitiful little garden with barely any harvest. I worked and worked, and had very little to show for it. It was quite disappointing. And yet, I had one little basil plant that grew like crazy. That plant just flourished while everything else struggled. I still have basil from that plant from a year ago. That's just how much that one plant grew. The lesson my garden taught me is that often we pour our energies into work, with very little results to show for it. But God may bring forth an abundant harvest in an unexpected place. Keep your eyes open to see where He is bringing forth an abundant harvest, and praise Him for it.

I'm growing a small vegetable garden again. This year I spent a bit more time preparing the soil for the plants. If the soil isn't ready to receive the plants, the plants won't grow. If the soil doesn't have the right nutrients, there won't be much of a harvest. I experienced that last year. So I added fertilizer to the soil, and added extra soil to the garden. I'm already seeing a huge difference! I'll let you know how well the garden produces in a couple of months. In spiritual matters, the same principles apply. Our hearts must be prepared to receive all that God wants us to have. If it isn't ready, there will be no harvest. I must be reminded of this as I seek to encourage and bless others. I often think that if I speak words of life and truth to someone that they should receive it, and immediately begin to grow. If frustrates me when I see a person going through the same struggles and yet refusing to make the needed changes. But the truth is, if a person isn't ready to receive God words, they won't change. God knows how to add fertilizer to our lives, in order to get us ready. By the way, it usually comes in the form of pain and suffering.

So I encourage you to go outside and enjoy your plants! While you're enjoying them, see what lessons God teaches you through the works of His hands.

Do you know Him?

2011-05-27T06:51:00.000-07:00

Do you know Him? I wanna know. Do you know Him?

I heard this song as a child growing up. I didn't understand the significance of the question then, but now I have a much better understanding. These are questions that people who call themselves followers of God should be asking themselves. Do I really know Him? I'm not speaking of an intellectual knowledge here. Yes, I know there is a sovereign creator of the universe who is omnipresent, omnipotent, all wise, perfect, holy, righteous... The question is: Do you know Him? I don't want to know what you know about Him. I don't want to know what you've read about Him or heard about Him. I don't want to have a theological discussion about his invisible qualities. What I really want to know is: Do you have an intimate relationship with the King of the Universe?

Do you know Him?

I love being a momma. I've been blessed with 4 children that I know very intimately. From the moment they were conceived, they've been near me. I've cared for almost every need. I heard just about every cry. I've celebrated the joys, and tried to kiss away their pain. I've watched them discover the world around them, and I've answered their questions, questions, questions. I know these children. I have intimately experienced their weaknesses and strengths. I've listened to their dreams. And we've simply spent time together simply enjoying life--looking at the clouds, laughing at something funny their dad has said, or ballroom dancing in the kitchen. I've taught them most of what they know. From the word "mama", to how to read, to the first law of thermodynamics, to the word of God. I know these kids, and they know me. It's taken time. It's taken commitment. It's taken love. It's taken perseverance. It's hard work! Intimacy doesn't come to the faint of heart. It doesn't come for free. We've had to walk through disappointment, discouragement, struggles, pain and lots and lots and lots of tears.

And I'll be honest, pain makes you want to close off your heart to others. You want to protect yourself from the pain. But when you protect your heart from pain, you also keep yourself from receiving love.

So what does any of this have to do with knowing Him? Well, everything--mostly. Have you taken time to know God's heart? Have you listened to His dreams, His vision, His purpose for you and all of mankind? Have you spent time with Him enjoying life--taking in this world He's made, laughing at His jokes (He made jokes, you know), or simply dancing with Him? Have you let Him teach you? He knows everything there is to know, and He says that He gives wisdom freely to those who ask. He's been near you from the moment you were conceived, and even planned every one of your days before you existed. He's heard your every cry and met your every need. He knows you--through and through, and He loves you--completely.

Do you know Him?

So you've chattered away, telling Him every thing you want. Telling Him what you want Him to do. Sometimes, telling Him what you think He wants you to say. You know. (clearing throat here) Noble prayers. Godly prayers. Beautiful prayers. Have you stopped your soliloquy long enough to listen to Him? It's hard to know someone you've never listened to. Listen. That means you may have to endure some silence. It'll feel awkward at first. You may not even be able to silence your own thoughts. You'll want to give up, but if you will persevere , you will be rewarded with a faint whisper.And as you continue to listen intently, that faint whisper will become louder and louder until you begin to hear a beautiful symphony. It's been playing since the beginning of time--and even before that.

The more you know Him, the more you'll know yourself. You'll discover treasures that He's placed inside of you. You'll discover that you've been given everything that you need to live life victoriously, purposefully, productively, and joyfully. You'll discover that you don't have to be held down by chains of fear, depression, past failures, guilt, shame or anything else. You've been given a tremendous gift. It's there. Actually, I should say, He's there. The gift is the Holy Spirit. (Of course you have this gift only if you've accepted the love of Jesus Christ.) It is through the Holy Spirit that we can know Him. And it is by knowing Him that we are able to be more like Him.

Do you know Him?

I pray that God would give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Amen.

Ephesians1:17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

COL 1:9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. [10] And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

Lady Wisdom

2011-05-24T13:24:00.000-07:00

Today I thought I'd share from my husband's blog. I hope you enjoy what he has to say. I love this man!

click the following link to read:
Lady Wisdom --the meaning behind the lyrics

Up Close and Personal

2011-05-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

Have you ever gotten up close and personal with yourself?

Looked in the mirror, with the intent to know yourself.

To really "see" yourself

To see God's image in you

To see His beauty shining through

face completely naked, hair unstraighten or uncurled...uncombed

Have you thanked Him for your eyes?

Your lips?

No really, thank Him for your lips.


And for the unreachable, unspeakable parts of you that you hope no one sees...

If you really look...Maybe your fingers will tell you the condition of your heart...

Maybe you'll stop hiding your flaws from everyone...

Delighting in revealing your flaws with others, so that your Creator may be exalted. His beauty shines more radiantly through our flaws--when we admit them.

He's just that Brilliant and Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!
                                   He LOVES revealing Himself through you.
                                                         Yes, you.
                                             The one with the flaws.

Get up Close and Personal with yourself.

I pray that you would today.

Are You Smarter than a Rock?

2011-05-13T14:03:00.000-07:00

Our God is so Great, so Majestic, so powerful, so beautiful, so Holy, so good, so righteous, so exalted, that if we stubbornly refuse to acknowledge Him, to praise Him and to speak of who He is, the most lifeless object will praise Him in our place. Rocks will rise up in their disgust and indignation of humanity. They will turn to one another saying,

"Do you not see the Ones the King made in His image, the ones He died for? Do you see how they carry on as if their own hands made themselves, as if they sustain this universe? Those foolish people! If they won't praise the King, then we shall! They were made with mouths to shout and sing praises. They were made with arms and hands to lift them up in adoration to the Most High God. They were made with feet to jump and dance with all of their might before the Creator. They were made with minds to create beautiful gifts, to meditate on Him and to learn of Him. But what are we? We are only rocks. Yet if they will not praise our King, we shall have to find a way to praise Him for our King MUST be praised!"

Are we dumber than rocks? Why are we so unaware that the King of the Universe is Greatly Exalted? Why do we not humble ourselves to Him. Why do we think our knowledge, our technology, our wealth, and our sophistication is greater than He? Why do we not have the sense of a rock? Think about it. A rock.

If rocks will shout the praises of the Mighty One, why not I?

^{Luke 19:37} When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

³⁸ “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”^[b]

“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

³⁹ Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”

⁴⁰ “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

Press Through

2011-05-09T06:03:00.000-07:00

I am amazed at the many lessons that can be learned from one story. God continually shows me that He has so many layers of truth. We'll spend an eternity discovering newer and newer layers.

Recently, the Holy Spirit brought to mind the story of the woman with the blood disease. I've written about her before in "More than a Hem". If you haven't read it, check out my sept. 2009 posting. Anyway, the Spirit showed me another dimension of this story. As you may or may not know, this woman with the blood disease approached Jesus in the midst of a crowd. In fact the crowd followed him and pressed him in. Luke says that the crowds almost crushed him. Sounds like a mob--huh? Everyone wanted to see what he was going to do for the ruler's daughter who was sick. He was on his way to the ruler's home.

While on his way, Jesus stopped. He questioned the crowd, "Who touched me?" The question seemed a bit absurd given the crushing crowd around him. Interestingly, everyone denied touching him. (Sort of like what happens in my house when I'm trying to find out who did something wrong. ) Even his disciples were a bit sarcastic in there response. "Um...Jesus, the crowd is pressing around you. Pretty much everyone is touching you." (my modern paraphrase) Jesus continued, "Someone touched me. I felt power leave my body." Well, as the story goes on, the woman with the bleeding problem reveals herself.

So here's the powerful revelation: Many people seemed to be followers of Jesus. Many seemed near him, but only one set out to intentionally touch him. Only one experienced his healing power in her life. Only one pressed through the crowd believing that Jesus would set her free. This lady pressed through. She risked everything to get to Jesus. And not only was she immediately healed, but she was blessed with an intimate, face-to-face conversation with Jesus. Jesus stopped everything, to talk with this woman. See many seemed near Jesus, but none of them experienced a personal interaction with him. Interestingly, the crowd that seemed to be followers of Jesus, were actually a hindrance to those who truly sought Jesus. Yet, the woman didn't let them stop her.

I've observed the same thing happening in our churches today. Many seem to be touching Jesus. Many seem near him. Many go to church. Many read and study their Bible--even memorize scripture. Many go to christian schools, listen to christian music, buy christian stuff, but few have actually touched Jesus. Few people have experienced His power in their lives. Most are content to see him work in other people's lives, to hear about him, or to study about him. Very few are willing to press through the christian culture, press through their preconceived notions about Jesus, press through what they've been taught about Jesus, press through their pain, press through their insecurities, press through their comfort, press through their fears ... press through to get to Jesus. Understand that pressing through isn't easy. It makes other people uncomfortable when you press through to get to Jesus. Imagine how many people were annoyed with the woman as she pressed through the crowd. I'm sure she was apologetic, but she was on a mission. Are you?

How desperate are you to experience His power? How desperate are you to experience freedom, and healing? How desperate are you to see His beauty? How desperate are you to experience abundant life?

Those who choose to press through walk a narrow, narrow path. Some think this path is reserved for the spiritually elite, the prayer warriors, pastors, or missionaries. No. It is the path that all who follow Jesus should be walking. It is the only way to life.

^{Matt 7:14} But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

On the flip side, are we hindrances to others getting to Jesus. Has our religiosity, our programs, our christian conservatism, our political beliefs, our judgementalism, our christian bubbles, or our limited views of God kept people from connecting with Jesus? Quite convicting, I must admit. We must be willing to ponder this question--especially when we seem to be swimming with the culture--the crowd. If we will ask the Holy Spirit the question, you can be sure that He is ready and willing to give you the answer.

I leave you with this encouragement: Press through to intimately connect with the King of the Universe. Press through with an expectation that He will heal, save, free, and give you life and power.

Do not stop until you touch Him.

From one pressing through the crowd.

It's too late! There's no hope for me.

2011-05-04T06:36:00.000-07:00

Waiting is hard.

I know God is taking me to a new place, but right now I'm waiting. And it seems to be God's way to keep us in the waiting room until it seems all hope is gone. The Holy Spirit took me to Lazarus's death this morning. Jesus waited until Lazarus had been dead 4 days before he arrived. Lazarus, Mary and Martha were his good friends. Why didn't he come right away when the messengers told him that Lazarus was sick? Mary and Martha expressed their disappointment to Jesus. "Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn't have died" Even bystanders made the same observation. "Couldn't this man who opened the eyes of the blind have kept Lazarus from dying?"

Do we not often feel the same way? Lord, why didn't you answer me when I ask for .....? Lord, why did you let ________ happen? Lord, why did you delay in coming to my aid? Where are you God? Why are you taking so long? We're not alone in feeling this way. David expressed the same frustrations.

PS 13:1 How long, O LORD?
Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?

So did Jeremiah.

LA 5:20 Why do you always forget us?
Why do you forsake us so long?

So, you understand how Mary and Martha felt. When Jesus commanded the stone to be removed from Lazarus' tomb, Martha expressed her hopelessness. It was too late now. His body was already decaying. There was nothing Jesus could do. At least, that's what she thought.

But then Jesus says, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"

And if you know the story, you know that Lazarus was brought back to life. It wasn't too late!

Do you find yourself in that place today? Is it too late for hope? Do you feel disappointed or abandoned by God? Is your situation too far gone to be turned around? Do you see NO LIGHT at the end of the tunnel?

Jesus says to you today, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" God still has amazing plans for your life. He hasn't forgotten you.

Expect Him to do something unexpected in your life. Expect Him to astound you. Expect Him to do the impossible. That's His specialty! In the meantime, keep your eyes on the Hope-giver. Keep seeking Him. Keep obeying Him. Keep yourself open to you, that you might receive His lavish blessings. They will come when you least expect it, and in ways that are beyond your imagination.

It's not too late. There is hope.

Leaving

2011-05-02T07:24:00.000-07:00

I don't know where you find yourself at this time in your life, but for the past few months I've been in the process of leaving a position that I've loved for three years. When I first knew that I'd no longer be directing for Classical Conversations, my heart was filled with sorrow and disappointment. Then I was filled with excitement and anticipation: "What does God have for me now!" Now that the final reality is here, there is an emptiness that I feel. It's almost like losing a loved one. I'm struggling to find my identity and significance. I'm feeling restless. Don't get me wrong, there is MUCH to do in managing a home with 6 people, and homeschooling. But if I'm totally honest with myself, there not much excitement in sweeping floors, washing dishes, or giving handwriting lessons. Ok, I said it! Directing, encouraging, and being in a position of influence was exciting and I loved being used by God in that way. So now to go back to a life of quietness, behind the scenes seems so empty. I know it's not. But it feels that way, right now.
I pray that God will help me to be content with this place that He has put me. I pray that He will help me to rest in the quietness of this place. May I glorify and honor Him as I go about the mundane tasks of life, pouring out myself. May I cherish every opportunity to experience Him through His creation. May I take time to rest in His presence and listen.

Leaving is hard.

Yet it's necessary to leave a place in order to go some place new. But whether you're leaving or arriving, I encourage you to enjoy the journey. No matter where you are, God is with you, and that makes the journey a beautiful one. Losing someone or something you love is hard. But we can be sure that God will fill every empty place with Himself. He will satisfy us with His unending love and grace. It's good to be empty, for emptiness can be filled.

My year began with loss. Loss of 2 family members. Loss of our dog. Loss of some opportunities. I grieve those losses.

Father fill my cup. My mouth is opened wide that you may fill me. My cup is held out before your flowing fountain that it may be filled. Teach me how to take that cup to the thirsty that they may be filled as well. Oh, and teach me how to drink until I am first satisfied. Amen.

When Trouble Comes

2011-04-26T06:14:00.000-07:00

When jobs are loss
When good health is far from us
when children are in rebellion
when all we can see is everything we don't have
when it seems we'll never smile again
when the pain just won't cease
when our tears become a rushing river
when those we trusted, betray us
when everything we've built, crumbles to the ground
when the memories of the past haunt us
when our failures torment us
when there seems to be no hope
no light at the end of the tunnel
no "bright side" to look at
when giving up seems like a viable option
when fear has us by the throat--sucking away all life
when trouble comes...

We cry out to the One who is able to deliver
and
He
responds
in our favor
He rescues
He is close to the brokenhearted
He comforts
He strengthens
He provides
He protects

I will wait in eager expectation that my God will deliver
I will wait
For you CAN NOT disappoint
You CAN NOT fail
You CAN NOT be stopped
My Master
My God

Spring Cleaning

2011-04-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

Spring is such a great time for "spring cleaning". Honestly, I'm not sure why. It's just a great time to purge, and get our house in order. Personally, we clean because we're ending our school year, and the house is a complete mess by this time. We need to catch up on some much needed cleaning!

What about your life? Have you taken inventory lately, and done some spring cleaning? What things have you held on to that you need to let go of? Are there people in your life, who are harmful? Are there habits in your life that are hurting you? Are there activities sucking up your time that could be better spent developing intimate relationships? Are there material things that have captured your heart? This is a great time to purge. Holding on to the bad--even the mediocre--prevents us from receiving the good that God has for us. If your cup is already full, how can God fill it with His glorious blessings?

We are told in Hebrews 12:1 to throw off everything that keeps us from moving forward in God’s purposes for our lives, that includes the sin that would entangle us and keep us from running free and unhindered toward our destiny. We need to ask God for the courage and strength to help us let go of everything in our lives that is not good for us, so that we can receive the good that God has for us.

Let me know how I can be praying for you as you "Spring Clean".

Moving the Mountain of Fear--an excerpt from "Fear Lives Here No More!"

2011-04-13T06:20:00.000-07:00

Faith the size of a tiny mustard seed moves mountains. (Matthew 7:20 paraphrased) I’ve studied, prayed and pondered over this scripture. How can I move the seemingly unmovable? How do I know I have enough faith? I’ve often heard people tell others that they didn’t have enough faith. I’ve even read instances where Jesus rebukes his followers by saying, “O you of little faith.”

It helps to know what faith is. Hebrews 11:1 says faith is being sure of what we hope for and having a certainty of what we don’t see. 2 Corinthians 5:7(paraphrased) says we should live by faith and not by what we see. Hebrews 11:6 (paraphrased) says that we must have faith in order to please God. James 2:26 (paraphrased) says faith without actions is useless. So what is faith? Faith is living my life in light of what God says about me, the world and what He says about Himself. It’s living my life based on His promises. It doesn’t matter how I feel or what I see. I will operate my life based on the truth. My actions must line up with what I believe. If not, what’s the use in believing it? God wants followers who are ALL in or not at all. No more, “yes I believe your promises”, but living my life as though I don’t believe his promises.

Interestingly, all of us have faith in something. Is your check directly deposited into your checking account? Every month, you confidently expect that you will have your money deposited electronically—though you don’t see it. You don’t stay up worrying about it. You don’t try to understand how that happens. You don’t question whether or not your employer will forget, or decide not to pay you. You live with the confidence that your money will be in your account at the expected time. That is faith. Have you ever been to the doctor? Your doctor gives you a prescription, along with other instructions that he/she says will get you well. Most of us don’t doubt it. We take the advice without question. We trust that whatever he/she scribbled on that paper is good for us. We trust that the pharmacist is giving us the prescription that the doctor ordered, and we trust the pharmaceutical company that made the prescription. We live most of our lives trusting people and things, having no concrete proof that anyone will deliver what they promise.

So Jesus was saying that the size of our faith is irrelevant. What really matters is who we put our faith in. Anything or anyone we put our faith in will disappoint us eventually—except God. He’s the one who moves mountains.

When Jesus performed a miracle, there was usually some action required of the person which demonstrated his/her beliefs. Sometimes the action was simple, like when the servants filled the jugs full of water in order for the water to be turned to wine. (John 2:5-11) Sometimes the action was difficult, like when he told the blind man to go wash in the pool of Siloam. (John 9:1-38) Sometimes the action required the person to take a risk, like when he told the lepers to go show themselves to the priest. (Luke 17:12-19) Sometimes the act seemed impossible, like when he told the cripple man to pick up his mat and walk. (John 5:2-14) Sometimes the act required persistence, like the woman with the blood disorder. She pressed through the crowd so that she could touch the hem of his clothing. (Mark 5:24-34) Sometimes friends and family needed to get involved in order to intercede on behalf of the person, like the paralyzed man whose friends cut a hole in the roof in order to get him to Jesus. Jesus said the man was healed because of his friends’ faith. (Mark 2:1-12) Sometimes it was as simple as persistently calling on the name of Jesus, like the blind men who called out to Jesus in spite of the crowd’s rebukes. (Matthew 20:30-34)

In every situation, each person’s belief was displayed by their actions. That’s faith.

And I don’t mean rule-keeping. None of the rule-keeping religious leaders experienced any miracles.

So my challenge to you is this: Do you want this mountain of fear removed? Are you willing to do whatever the Holy Spirit tells you to do? I cannot tell you exactly what to do in order to be free, but I can tell you how to get to the One who can tell you.

Intimate Connection

2011-04-07T06:21:00.000-07:00

We all long for intimacy.
              We all want to be seen and heard, and fully accepted as we are.
    We all want to be loved.

God placed this desire in each of us.

And He wants to fill that desire.

But we must come to Him to be filled.

So He tells us to pray.

Pray for healing.
Pray for hope.
Pray for your physical needs.
Pray for others.
Pray for help.

Pray.

As we pray, something mysterious happens.

God
      moves
             on
                 our
                      behalf.

Circumstances change.
                  Hearts are transformed.
           Needs are met.
Eyes are opened.

We are intimately connected with the God of the Universe.

He satisfies the deepest desires of our hearts.

He fills us with hope.

We are filled with love.

Our emptiness is filled.

Ask, and you will receive

Seek and you will find

Knock and the door will be opened

Pray ALL the time

Prayers of the righteous are powerful

Prayers of the righteous produce results

Pray in the Spirit

With ALL kinds of prayers

Short prayers.

Long prayers.

Middle of the night, sweating and toiling kinda prayers

Brief "Help me Jesus" kinda prayers

Pray alone.

Pray with others.

Pray standing.

Pray with your face on the ground.

Pray while working.

Stop every thing else to focus and pray.

Pray with many words.

Pray with few.

God should be our constant companion

Dialoguing with Him continually should be as natural as breathing

Confess your sins

Be open and honest

about your sins

your doubts

your fears

your desires

your frustrations

He can handle it.

You'll be healed and restored.

Thank Him.

For every blessing

every good thing in your life

no matter how small

Your heart will be filled with joy

Praise Him.

Talk about all the good you see in Him.

Take time to meditate

on His goodness

His power

His righteousness

His wisdom

His redemption

His glory

His...

"God-ness"

Now, be quiet.

Listen.

to Him.

He Speaks.

Prayer is your intimate connection

You are More

2011-04-04T06:38:00.000-07:00

You are more
more than what you see
You are more
more than what you feel
You are more
more than what they say
You are more

You are more
more than your past
You are more
more than your guilt
You are more
more than your pain
You are more

You are more
more than your circumstances
You are more
more than your health
You are more
more than how much money you have
more than your mistakes
more than what you eat
more than your hair
more than what they did to you
more than your job
more than your degree
more than your disabilities
more than what you've done
more than your clothes
more than your car
more than where you live

You are forgiven
You are free
You are healed
You are loved
You have a hope and a future

Will you choose to believe, what God says about you?

Now, go and live like you are more.

Walk on Water

2011-03-31T06:11:00.000-07:00

You told me to come
to walk on the water
with you
That is so strange
Yet I will do what you say
The water's so cold
And I am so scared
But I keep my eyes on you
and I...

Walk on water
Taking one step at a time
Keeping my eyes on you
Keeping my eyes on you

Take my hands off the boat
Surprised that the water is so firm
How can something so unstable be so stable
This is impossible
But I'm doing it!
I can...

Walk on water
Taking on step at a time
Keeping my eyes on you
Keeping my eyes on you

But then I become distracted
by the wind and the waves
This is water for goodness sakes
What am I doing?
Oh my...

Jesus!!!!!

He reaches out His hand,
why could I not trust
that when he says to come
I can do anything,
It doesn't matter what others say,
It doesn't matter that I understand,
It doesn't matter what I see or feel,
All that matters is
that I keep my eyes on the One who says I can...

Walk on water
taking one step at a time
keeping my eyes on Him...

Reminders of the Father's love

2011-03-28T05:53:00.000-07:00

Every spring I am reminded of how much the Father loves me. Several years ago, we were blessed with our third child, Michael. Yet we never had the opportunity to see nor hold Michael for he entered the Presence of God when he was still in my womb. What a heart-wrenching loss that was! Soon after my miscarriage, the ladies in my bible study group gave me a magnolia tree to commemorate our little one. We called this little tree our "Michael tree". That tree was precious to me. Not only did it remind me of my precious little one, but it also reminded of my childhood. We had a huge magnolia tree in our yard which my sister and I loved to climb and play under. And I've always loved magnolia flowers. Well, for years I watered, fertilized and cared for this little tree. It grew and grew, but it never produced any flowers or fruit. That made me a bit sad because I LOVE flowers.

The last spring that we were in our previous home, God did something for me so beautiful and unexpected. It still overwhelms me with joy. For the first time, our Michael tree produced flowers. Lots of flowers. Beautiful flowers. What joy it brought to me! What a wonderful gift from the Father. It was God's reminder to me that He loves me and cares about the smallest desires of my heart.

The next year we moved into our current home. Before moving, I had the desire to plant rose bushes in our previous home. Because I knew we would be moving, I delayed planting any rose bushes, but I was planning to plant roses in our new home. You will never guess what God did for me? He had the previous owner of our current home to plant rose bushes in the front yard. So when we moved in this house, my rose bushes were already here. Another sweet reminder of the Father's love for me. So every spring, I walk out my front door and I'm greeted with a bouquet of beautiful roses straight from the hands of the Father. Now that's Love.

May our Father bless you with sweet reminders of His love. They often come in the smallest ways.

Painting of Magnolia flower from our Michael tree

Alecia

Waves of Texture

2011-03-24T06:22:00.000-07:00

Here is the first of a serious of pieces I'm working on which integrates lots of texture (papyrus and other handmade papers with natural fibers) on sculpted watercolor paper. I've been sculpting watercolor paper for about a year, as well as using watercolor paper to create interesting affects. Initially, I started trying to make paper look like metal. I came pretty darn close, I'd have to say. It's fun looking at people's reactions when they realize that it's not really metal, but paper. I'll have to post a couple of pieces in the future. I'm really enjoying all of the interesting affects I'm able to create with water color paper, and natural fibers. I'm thinking about adding some contrasting textures to future pieces like silk fabric. In the piece above, I used my background to provide a contrast to all of the texture in the sculpture. The background has some texture, but the texture is a lot smoother.

If you want to experiment, take some water color paper, wet it really good, then bend and shape it into interesting shapes. Let it dry and it stays that way. There's your paper sculpture. Experiment with the paper weight. The thicker the paper, the sturdier the sculpture. Have fun!

The Children Cry Hosanna

2011-03-17T18:50:00.000-07:00

I've been working on this song and I 'd love your feedback. I've recorded it acapella. Should I add music? This video was uploaded thanks to my oldest son, Brian. Teenagers are good for something! ;)

(The quality of the final song will sound much better than this)

My Declaration

2011-03-14T20:39:00.000-07:00

I'm in the middle of a fundraising campaign in order to acquire the funds to have my book published. See:

http://www.kickstarter.com/e/Z5YEF/projects/350625527/fear-lives-here-no-more-a-book

The last few days my fundraiser has been at a standstill. I've received less of a response than I was hoping. As I've been praying about the Lord's hand of provision for this project, the Lord has given me some words of instruction. I want to share them with you, in hopes that it would be encouraging for you as well.

The thing you desire will happen only as much as you trust me enough to obey my commands. You will only receive what you trust me to give you. You will receive the fulfillment of your desires only as much as you surrender your need for understanding and control. Every small act of surrender puts you in a position to receive tremendous blessings--beyond your imagination. When you trust me, you wait when I say wait. You go when I say go. You ask when I say ask. You give when I say give. You leave the results to me, and have an expectation that I will do what I said I would do.

So I choose to trust God no matter what. I will not give up . I will continue to press on. I won't let others lack of understanding, or lack of vision, discourage me. I must press on. I'll bring every doubt and fear to you. I'll bring to you my confusion, and I'll ask for your instructions and allow you to cast the vision again. I won't take matters into my own hands, trying to make it happen. I will obey you. I surrender my need to understand how, or when. Kickstarter was definitely an act of obedience, but if this isn't your method of providing, I still choose to trust you. How you provide is your business. I must persist in completing the work that you've set before me. Help me to do these things, by your Spirit. Amen.

Yahweh

2011-03-10T18:01:00.000-08:00

Boundless Exhibition
Transcends time
Transcends generations
Crosses continents
                          cultures
                    religions
         languages
and every known barrier

Is
      seen
      smelled
      touched
      tasted
and heard
                            by every creature

Our hearts rejoice when we recognize a glimpse of Him though our minds choose to renounce Him.

Always present.
Where?
Here.
Go Down. He's Here.
Go up, up. He's Here.
Try to Hide. He's Here.

In the quietest, most tranquil, and uninhabited place, the water droplets sing and dance to His melody
Climb the highest mountain where frigid air whips everything into submission, His voice echos there
Go
    Down
             to undiscovered places where strange creatures make their home and the atmosphere itsself threatens to crush us, His light pierces the darkest darkness
Propel yourself into outer space into places beyond the reach of human intelligence. He's already there.
There is no place , that his presence can't be apprehended.

He is.

He isn't a rock, but the rock speaks of Him.
He isn't the ocean, but the ocean sings of Him.
He isn't the sun, but the sun points to Him.
He is inexhaustible in His expressions--in His display
His canvas is the universe--which by the way scientists say is expanding.

Just how great is He? His canvas is too big for us to determine and it is a speck in comparison to Him.
It will take no less than an eternity to see the fullness of His display. And I'm not simply trying to be poetic. This is reality. Do you understand where I'm going here?

This God, my God, speaks.
He loves.
He whispers to my heart and yours.

The same God who knows no limits, no restrictions, no weakness..
finds His delight in you. And He wants you to know Him.

Take time to look at the minute details of His masterpiece. What is He showing you about Himself? Look at the diversity of our world. Marvel at it. Embrace it. Listen and look for Him.

Stand back and observe the vastness of the universe. Stop and notice the mundane. Look into your own eyes. Study history. He stamped a glimpse of himself in all these places.

Live life relishing every divine encounter,
and bow your knee to the One,
the only,
the Great,
supreme,
unchanging One.

YaHWeH.