since I have posted. Honestly? Even though my walk with God has been getting better and better, the last 6 months or so have felt like I was being squeezed with only enough strength left to draw breath, and to walk one step at a time to get through my day. Anyone else feel that way?
I am here again with renewed hope for 2012. I am hearing it everywhere. THIS IS THE YEAR IT ALL BEGINS! (sorry, I didn't mean to yell, but I needed to hear it again.) We have reason to hope. God is faithful and God is good, despite how hard things have been. And I will believe this until my last day on this earth. And then I will KNOW it in eternity.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
It's Time to Believe Again
I'm feeling a nudge. Prompting me. Even daring me. Can you believe again? Not just believe in general. Believe again for the things that you were hoping for in the last season- you know, the ones that never came to pass- the ones you gave up on.
For some reason, I am sensing it is important that we have specific faith. What is in your heart that outlasted the trials and pressure from the last year or so? That if you searched, really dared to look deep in your heart, what is still there? You know, the thing you don't want to talk about. To anyone out loud. You don't want to be foolish, right?
You know that ember? There's barely a glow. Or maybe it just looks dead. Offer it up to God. Ask Him. Is this something You want for me? If it is, blow upon it. Breathe life into it. Cause I don't have anything left. If it is of you, God, give me a supernatural gift of hope. And the ability to believe again.
And then watch what happens......
For some reason, I am sensing it is important that we have specific faith. What is in your heart that outlasted the trials and pressure from the last year or so? That if you searched, really dared to look deep in your heart, what is still there? You know, the thing you don't want to talk about. To anyone out loud. You don't want to be foolish, right?
You know that ember? There's barely a glow. Or maybe it just looks dead. Offer it up to God. Ask Him. Is this something You want for me? If it is, blow upon it. Breathe life into it. Cause I don't have anything left. If it is of you, God, give me a supernatural gift of hope. And the ability to believe again.
And then watch what happens......
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Guard Your Heart
Proverbs 4:23 says, "guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it flows the issues of life." What does that mean? Why is it important?
This is a pivotal time. Do you realize we are making choices right now that will determine our future? What are you agreeing with? Have you cut those ties from the past- the trauma, the failures? Then the next step is this- what has God put in your heart for your future? Yes, I know it seems impossible, and you can hardly speak of it out loud for fear that you will be ridiculed, because it is so opposite your present circumstances! Well, of course it is! It wouldn't be God if it wasn't nearly impossible!
So, you have this vision. This little flicker of a thought. A secret interest. The smallest of sparks. What do you do with this?
Begin to ask God to increase the vision. Seek out scriptures to stand on. Pray, pray, pray!
And back to the scripture about guarding your heart. It is important not to share your vision with everyone. Do not set yourself up to be discouraged. Pick only those that walk by faith, and those who you can trust will not speak carelessly. Make sure you make wise choices about what you listen to, what you read, and what you watch. And most importantly, take care to feed yourself things that will feed your faith.
Your vision and destiny depend on it.
This is a pivotal time. Do you realize we are making choices right now that will determine our future? What are you agreeing with? Have you cut those ties from the past- the trauma, the failures? Then the next step is this- what has God put in your heart for your future? Yes, I know it seems impossible, and you can hardly speak of it out loud for fear that you will be ridiculed, because it is so opposite your present circumstances! Well, of course it is! It wouldn't be God if it wasn't nearly impossible!
So, you have this vision. This little flicker of a thought. A secret interest. The smallest of sparks. What do you do with this?
Begin to ask God to increase the vision. Seek out scriptures to stand on. Pray, pray, pray!
And back to the scripture about guarding your heart. It is important not to share your vision with everyone. Do not set yourself up to be discouraged. Pick only those that walk by faith, and those who you can trust will not speak carelessly. Make sure you make wise choices about what you listen to, what you read, and what you watch. And most importantly, take care to feed yourself things that will feed your faith.
Your vision and destiny depend on it.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
I Hear the Sound of An Abundance of Rain
Anyone feeling "the squeeze?" The pressure? Like birthing pains? It's downright uncomfortable, to say the least. We know good things are on the horizon, don't we? I mean, we all feel it. We know it's coming. But what about now. Right now. Right this minute. Discomfort, right? How do we get through THIS moment? And the next? Until we have what has been promised?
In my spirit I keep hearing, "I hear the sound of the abundance of rain." I know we've all been waiting. And waiting. And waiting. But this is not the time to give up. Not now. For I believe there is a cloud, the size of a man's hand. It may not look like much. But it is there. This is not the time to give up. Call to it. Speak to it. See it. Expect it.
For even though the cloud looks small, with it brings an abundance of rain. I King 18:45- Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain came on and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. The power of the Lord came upon Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel. Do you hear this? The power of God came upon Elijah. He ran. Beat Ahab. All that way. That's what we can expect- if we don't give up.
Stir up your faith right now. Yep. Even if you don't feel like it. Declare the cloud coming, and bringing with it an abundance of rain. Right into your midst. No one can do it for you. Don't depend on anyone else's cloud. Or faith. Participate in your future. Expect the Rain. And then run with the power of God.
In my spirit I keep hearing, "I hear the sound of the abundance of rain." I know we've all been waiting. And waiting. And waiting. But this is not the time to give up. Not now. For I believe there is a cloud, the size of a man's hand. It may not look like much. But it is there. This is not the time to give up. Call to it. Speak to it. See it. Expect it.
For even though the cloud looks small, with it brings an abundance of rain. I King 18:45- Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain came on and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. The power of the Lord came upon Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel. Do you hear this? The power of God came upon Elijah. He ran. Beat Ahab. All that way. That's what we can expect- if we don't give up.
Stir up your faith right now. Yep. Even if you don't feel like it. Declare the cloud coming, and bringing with it an abundance of rain. Right into your midst. No one can do it for you. Don't depend on anyone else's cloud. Or faith. Participate in your future. Expect the Rain. And then run with the power of God.
Friday, January 7, 2011
It's Time for Gideon to Arise
Who was Gideon? Wasn't he just a biblical character? What about Gideon is significant now?
Well, Gideon was just an average guy. In fact, in the natural, he was below average. He says about himself "My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family." Why in the world would the Lord say to him, "Go in the strength that you have and save Israel?" How ridiculous, right? It doesn't make sense. Aha. Yeah. God's ways don't always (or usually) make sense to us, do they?
In talking with several friends over the last several days, I am hearing a similar cry. I don't know what I'm supposed to be doing. I don't know what's coming. I am nothing great. Just average. Just okay. I don't have any great talents, skills.
But for those of us who know our God, there is a whisper in our hearts: It's gonna be okay. I'm here. Take it one step at a time. Do what's in your hand to do. You may not think you have anything great to offer, but that's where I step in. I multiply. I take the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. It is in your weakness that I am made strong. You can trust me. I will never leave you nor forsake you.
So, back to Gideon. What did God say to him? "The Lord is with you, Mighty Warrior." What does that mean to us? God sees us differently than we have seen ourselves. But this is a new season. In this season, God + me = mighty warrior. I challenge you. See things differently today. Determine that you will walk in the "strength" that he has given you, and go forth.
Well, Gideon was just an average guy. In fact, in the natural, he was below average. He says about himself "My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family." Why in the world would the Lord say to him, "Go in the strength that you have and save Israel?" How ridiculous, right? It doesn't make sense. Aha. Yeah. God's ways don't always (or usually) make sense to us, do they?
In talking with several friends over the last several days, I am hearing a similar cry. I don't know what I'm supposed to be doing. I don't know what's coming. I am nothing great. Just average. Just okay. I don't have any great talents, skills.
But for those of us who know our God, there is a whisper in our hearts: It's gonna be okay. I'm here. Take it one step at a time. Do what's in your hand to do. You may not think you have anything great to offer, but that's where I step in. I multiply. I take the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. It is in your weakness that I am made strong. You can trust me. I will never leave you nor forsake you.
So, back to Gideon. What did God say to him? "The Lord is with you, Mighty Warrior." What does that mean to us? God sees us differently than we have seen ourselves. But this is a new season. In this season, God + me = mighty warrior. I challenge you. See things differently today. Determine that you will walk in the "strength" that he has given you, and go forth.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Relationships Are Important
I got off the phone a little while ago with a friend- my cousin really, but my friend also. It was so good to hear her voice, as it's been awhile since we talked. We shared "life stories," and encouraged each other to keep pressing in, moving forward, promising to pray for each other.
After I got off the phone, I realized how refreshed I felt. And I was grateful to know that I wasn't "in it alone" so to speak. I was also struck by something: God doesn't want us to "go it alone." We were built for relationships. We were meant to interact with each other, encourage each other, refresh each other. But more than that, I sensed how important it is to be not only in covenant with God, but with each other. It is important for our- not only survival - but our success in life.
Covenant relationships give you the ability to be real in a secure environment. It feeds our need for intimacy. It offers an opportunity to exchange truth, in order to grow and be challenged; to become a better us.
It is important to choose wisely. Do not develop an intimate relationship to a member of the opposite gender if you are married to someone else! Do not choose someone who does not know how to walk in love. Do not choose someone who would not put you above themselves if needed.
Give each other permission to speak openly, but respectfully. Protect that relationship. Treat each other with honor. And most importantly, always put God at the helm of your relationship.
After I got off the phone, I realized how refreshed I felt. And I was grateful to know that I wasn't "in it alone" so to speak. I was also struck by something: God doesn't want us to "go it alone." We were built for relationships. We were meant to interact with each other, encourage each other, refresh each other. But more than that, I sensed how important it is to be not only in covenant with God, but with each other. It is important for our- not only survival - but our success in life.
Covenant relationships give you the ability to be real in a secure environment. It feeds our need for intimacy. It offers an opportunity to exchange truth, in order to grow and be challenged; to become a better us.
It is important to choose wisely. Do not develop an intimate relationship to a member of the opposite gender if you are married to someone else! Do not choose someone who does not know how to walk in love. Do not choose someone who would not put you above themselves if needed.
Give each other permission to speak openly, but respectfully. Protect that relationship. Treat each other with honor. And most importantly, always put God at the helm of your relationship.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
It's A New Season
Can you feel it? The air feels different. The sun feels different already. Our schedules are different. What does it all mean?
It is a new time, a new season. A season with a fresh start. Let's face it. The last season was difficult for many of us. The squeeze was on. We had to persevere....did you? Do you feel like you barely made it? I know I did.
I have a renewed determination to enter this season with fresh hope. I am determined to draw closer to the Lord this season. To abide there. It's His presence that refreshes me. It's His voice that leads me. It's His power that keeps me.
I'm grateful for a new season. I am shaking off the dust of the old season- may there be no remnant of the "old" on me as I enter this new season. No disappointments will accompany me there. No weariness is allowed to go with me.
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See? I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up- do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland....to give drink to my people..." Is 43:18-20
Let's drink and be refreshed!
It is a new time, a new season. A season with a fresh start. Let's face it. The last season was difficult for many of us. The squeeze was on. We had to persevere....did you? Do you feel like you barely made it? I know I did.
I have a renewed determination to enter this season with fresh hope. I am determined to draw closer to the Lord this season. To abide there. It's His presence that refreshes me. It's His voice that leads me. It's His power that keeps me.
I'm grateful for a new season. I am shaking off the dust of the old season- may there be no remnant of the "old" on me as I enter this new season. No disappointments will accompany me there. No weariness is allowed to go with me.
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See? I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up- do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland....to give drink to my people..." Is 43:18-20
Let's drink and be refreshed!
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