Showing posts with label Encountering Him. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Encountering Him. Show all posts

Crushed

Oswald Chambers said, "...but it takes a heart broken by conviction of sin, baptized by the Holy Spirit, and crushed into submission to God's purpose to make a person's life a holy example of God's message."

I keep saying to Cory lately that I feel like we have been in survival mode for the last 3 or so years. We are doing all that we can, just to keep our heads above the water.

When I read Chambers thoughts this morning, I realized that survival mode can also feel like being "crushed into submission to God's purpose."

Surprisingly, I was encouraged by this. No matter how hard things are, no matter how exhausted I am, or how badly I just want things to be easier, I am stubbornly in love with our God. And I refuse to move or change without knowing His perfect will for me.

I want my life to be a holy example of God's message.... even if that means I need to be crushed again and again.

Posted in: , , on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at at 11:57 AM 1 comments  

Just Out of My Mouth

"We can't be swayed away from God just because of our circumstances. We must continue to follow Him, despite what we see."

Now...I just have to follow those words in action.

YIKES!

Posted in: , on Tuesday, August 05, 2008 at at 6:49 PM 2 comments  

Peacefully Quiet

Last night, I was standing in church, during worship time and I found myself peacefully quiet. Everyone around me was jumping up and down, people were being touched by the Lord, and much was going on. I, on the other hand, just stood there. For a bit, I fought God, internally with the issues that are weighing on my mind. I even began to push myself into worship time, trying to not be passed by, as He was in the room.

And then this feeling of, "its okay," to be quiet came over me. I continued on standing there quietly, with my lips resting together.

That is how I feel about much of my life right now. I'm in a season of being really quiet.

My mind is churning these days. I've identified that God is completely re doing my foundation in Him right now. Who do I worship... the church? The people I live life with? Or Jesus? What does revival really look like? Where does it start? How set apart am I really from this world? Who is He in me, anymore? Am I compromising anything in my life? What if we really are in the end days? Why can't I give up the control of my own life to Him? And so on...

When I was standing in worship last night, quietly, I realized that this is why I am so quiet in the blog world too. I've been surprised at myself because I haven't missed writing that much.

But being quiet is good and healthy. And letting God rearrange me, change me, and restore me is what is needed more then anything else.

So friends, I'm still on break right now. I haven't forgotten you.. I'm just peacefully quiet.

Posted in: , , on Friday, May 16, 2008 at at 9:33 AM 7 comments  

I Challenge YOU...

To go and listen to this. Then come back and tell me how this applies to your life. I'm 100% serious. Don't neglect this. Go and listen to A Burning Heart. And then talk to me.... talk to me.

Posted in: , , on Thursday, March 13, 2008 at at 10:08 AM 4 comments  

My Answer to Monday's Musings

The Campbell Corner is giving us the opportunity to dig deep and think things through, with her Monday Musings, editions. Today she offered the following as a backdrop for going deeper.

"Miracles are not to be interpreted as divine acts against the laws of nature (for those laws are themselves expressions of God's will) but as more profound revelations of the character of the divine relationship to creation. To be credible, miracles must convey a deeper understanding than could have been observed without them." ~ John Polkinghorne

I've been chewing on the supernatural for some years now. I remember one specific time standing at a conference in my home church and praying with everything in me that a little girls leg would grow. When I left that night, she was the same as when she walked in. I was so frustrated, because I had believed that my faith and all those around me had the faith in God, to see that little girls leg grow.

I've pushed God on all of the supernatural. Show me angels, Lord. I didn't have a choice on demons, I saw them very quickly. Show me healings. She me Glory clouds. Give me visions, give me prophetic words. Give me dreams.... I want more of You. And so on and on...

In the beginning, I desired all of those abilities because I personally wanted more of Him, for myself. I was searching for what Polkinghorne is talking about "but as more profound revelations of the character of the divine relationship to creation." As I was seeing it, I was His creation and I wanted a deeper more profound revelation of who it was that I was worshipping, this one I called Jesus. The bible is full of miracles, of supernatural happenings. If this is the God I am going to follow, shouldn't we be seeing this today too?

As my faith has grown deeper and I have begun to witness miracles and truthfully not always witness them too, slowly I've been grasping part of what He is doing on this earth. If in my heart, I desperately want to see people come to know my loving God. If, I as a simple human being on this vast earth, desire people to know real Hope, real Love, real Comfort. Then what must He be feeling? His love is beyond words. I will never be able to love and care as much as He, on this side of Heaven.

There are serious revelations when God gets your attention with the supernatural. He provokes you to stop looking at the rest of the world or daily life and look upward, to Him. He gets your attention and says, "Hey, its Me. I'm real. And I love you and I want to be part of your life. I can give you rest. I can give you hope. Please let Me into your life."

Let me end with this testimony from Mexico. There was this sweet older woman who came into one of our services during the week. Towards the end of the evening an altar call was made and specifically a call to those who were sick or with ailments to come forward. This 4 foot woman came forward. I stood behind her as one of the other missionaries prayed with her. Her right eye was blind because her husband had beaten her. As she was prayed over, the Lord restored her sight and she was healed.

She was so calm about it. I, on the other hand, was jumping up and down for joy, shouting Jesus! Jesus! She looked over at me and smiled, simply.

The very next night, she came back to the service, this time she brought her entire family. They filled two entire rows of chairs. Again, the evening was ending with a salvation call. She stood up and looked at her family and motioned for them to come forward. Every. single. one. of them went forward and received Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Was there a deeper understanding in that healing? A revelation of our Creator? Absolutely!

Posted in: , , on Monday, March 10, 2008 at at 7:46 PM 2 comments  

I'm Inspired

"I set myself on fire and the people come to see me burn." John Wesley

"The greatness of man's power is the measure of his surrender." William
Booth

"I long for the love without any coldness, light without any darkness, and
purity without spot or wrinkle." Robert Murry M'Cheyne

"Holiness is the losing of self and being clothed with the spirit and
likeness of Jesus." Andrew Murray

Posted in: , on Friday, March 07, 2008 at at 9:33 AM 3 comments  

Encountering God Night


Last night we had our mid week service. I was so excited to go, because I just knew that God was going to show up. I could feel it in my bones.

Worship was good, but I felt the fight during it. It was clear that if we wanted more of Him, then we were going to have to push through. And push through is what we did.

Soon after worship, our team from Mexico gave some testimonies of what we saw while down in Guadalajara. Give me a mike and watch out, I purposefully had to control myself from not going over my 3-5 minutes! Seriously, who can give testimony of all that we saw in 3 minutes??!!!

Dr. P (our team leader and the leader of our missions sending agency) then showed a 10 minute video of our time down there. He captured me declaring to the congregation that "tonight would be a night of miracles." I had to laugh at myself! Anyways, Dr. P then went on to give a quick exhortation on "encountering God."

The best part was literally as he was speaking pockets of our church began to get touched. It actually became funny as he tried to continue on with what he had prepared. But God.... He had a whole different plan.

Dr. P, wrapped up quickly and then had our team came forward to pray for people. It didn't require much from us at all, as God was in the house!!! Just about everyone I came in contact with got seriously touched by God!

The night ended with a healing. One of the girls, we so love, was having problems with her ear pain, full of fluid, causing sinus headaches, etc. I prayed over her and asked the Lord to heal her, she shook and shook. Twenty minutes later she came over to me, smiling, saying, "the pain is gone!"

Gotta love an "encountering God night!"

Posted in: , , on Friday, February 29, 2008 at at 2:09 PM 2 comments  

It's About that Time...


Well tomorrow is the big day! I leave for Guadlajara, Mexico, for an 8 day trip. I, along with many others, will be ministering in the "Crusade of Miracles." This seven day tent meeting was designed to meet the direct needs of a specific village, ending with a church plant on Sunday. The hope is to teach these precious people about who Jesus Christ really is! The missionaries down there believe that thousands of people will come each night.


It's a different thing in Mexico, then in America, to hold a "tent meeting." Americans, tend to snub that sort of thing off. While the other countries, thrive on something like this. I find that interesting to understand.

These people are hungry for God. They expect that God will heal many! They know that hundreds and hundreds will get saved and give their lives fully to Christ. The exciting part to me, is knowing that there are teams and nationals set up to begin discipling them immediately.



So, if I come to mind over the next 8 days or so, I ask you to pray! Pray for me, that I will be safe and healthy. Pray for my family as I am away from them. But PRAY for these beautiful people, that they will truly see God, that the crusade, named the Crusade of Miracles, will be just that, full of miracles.

Matthew 10: 7-8 As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,[b]drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

Posted in: , , on Thursday, February 14, 2008 at at 1:00 PM 6 comments  

Cue in God...


Last week my landlord visited our home. He had a project that he was working on, so he brought one of his trusty friends along to help. His trusty friend brought his wife. And so, there I was with three people standing in my livingroom, working on new french doors.

I love my landlord. He talks and talks and we have the best conversations. He doesn't know it, but he has been used mightly by the Lord, in blessing us with this house. So, I'm usually in a great mood when he stops over. This day was no exception.

I began talking with his friends, Ed and Linda, getting to know them. I found out that they lived here all their lives, knew our landlord for 37 years, and had children around the same age as me. They found out that we had a heart for missions, that my husband was in bible school, and so on.

Then, in the middle of Ed working on the doors, he stood up and said something about his back and how much pain he had.

Cue in God....

The previous evening I had been at a "Mexico prayer meeting." One of the women on my team was sharing with us, how her back had just been healed of scoliosis. She stood before us and bent down, touching her toes, with NO pain!

I remembered that, as I stood in front of Ed. Casually, I told him about her and asked if I could pray for him. He said sure and then for the remainder of the time, he and his wife told me about their church and other churches around.

The opportunity for praying for him was fading quickly and I didn't want to force God's hand. So I enjoyed their company and allowed things to go as they were.

They stepped out the door, waving good bye, my chance to pray with them going out too. I said one more quick thing, "I'll be praying for your back."

And that is when God opened the door up. His wife looked right at him and said, "you get over there and get your back prayed for, now!!"

And so, I stood on the street, in front of my landlord, Ed, and his wife Linda, and I proclaimed healing over his back. I even said, "God there's no need for shouting or hoopla, I just calmly ask you to heal this mans back." And off Ed and Linda went.

Good news ... Ed just returned to my home, to tell me his back is feeling great! He is pain free!

I'm joining with angels, doing a happy dance for my God, the Great Healer!

Posted in: , , , on Tuesday, February 05, 2008 at at 2:43 PM 8 comments  

It's Going to Be A Good Day


I love this picture. It totally captures the essence of my family. It's my birthday today. And I know that my husband and kids have worked very hard to make it a special day. I am so thankful for them.


Yesterday, I was feeling rather grumpy. Okay, ask the my boys, husband, and the girls who live with me, not to mention the two guests who ate at our table. I was grumpy.... Thursday nights are our mid week services at church and I was seriously considering not going at all. But, we had a guest speaker in and really I knew I would regret not attending, because in truth Thursday night services are one of the highlights of my week. So, begrudgingly I went.

God is amazing!!! He refreshed me and gave me an early birthday present in the form of 4 prophetic words about my life all in one night! I'm so giddy with excitement that I could bust!

Funny thing is there is very little that I want on this earth, material things just don't do it. But some encouragement from my Father in Heaven?!!! Oh yea...



I just woke up a little bit ago, flipped on the computer and read Thrills blog. And now, I've just received another beautiful gift, in which I laughed and cried as I read it. More then ever, I have been thoroughly amazed at the friends that God has put into my life.

I am a blessed woman.

It's only 7:45 am, I have a feeling its going to be a good day!

Posted in: , , on Friday, January 25, 2008 at at 7:40 AM 12 comments  

Making Time to Talk and Listen


I miss my husband. It seems as though in the midst of two kids, 3 college girls, a full time job, full time school, homeschooling, ministry, we just don't see each other enough. Well, I mean, I see him. But I don't get to talk with him.

Last night, we put the kids in bed and asked the girls if we could just run out for an hour or two. They obliged willingly. CJ and I ran out to the local AppleBee's and ordered dessert. We talked and talked, mostly hard stuff. But it was good. We needed it.

On the same lines, I've noticed EJ has been a bit off lately. We call it stinky diaper attitude. He's had a major case of it over the last week.

This morning, CJ and I sat down with EJ and listened to him. We asked him questions, heard him, encouraged him, and most importantly prayed with him. Bless his heart, his eyes were full of tears and he needed some extra hugs. We had told him over the last day or two, that daddy and I were going to sit down and talk with him. He brought it back up to us three times, before we actually sat down and really talked with him.

Life is really busy these days. All good things, really. But sometimes we just need to take a minute or two and really listen to each other. Somehow it puts us back on track....


It's the same with our Father.

Posted in: , , , on Monday, January 21, 2008 at at 1:41 PM 5 comments  

A Little Traveling, In Store for Me!!!


You read that right! I am actually going to be traveling next month, all the way down to sunny MEXICO, for a missions trip!! Just me and well, 6 other people from my church. But no kids or husband, or even students.

I can't believe it! It's amazing how things work out.

I've felt as though the Lord wanted me to go on this trip since the day I heard it announced. In my spirit, I knew that I was supposed to be there. And yet, daily circumstances weren't adding up to going.

Want to know a secret victory for me???

I. didn't. stress. about. it. at. all.

Not one little tiny bit. I laid it down (really I did!!) at His feet. I told Him, that I wanted to go and that I felt as though He wanted me there. I took the directions He told me, stored them up in my heart, pondering them. And then waited.

A couple of times, I thought that I was going. And then things would fall through. I would find myself a bit disappointed. But then I would shake it off, and think to myself, God will get me there if I am supposed to go.

Last Friday, I got word that I indeed was going!

To think, I have less then a month to pray, prepare, and organize!

But, hey!! I'm going to Mexico! I really am!!!


PS - Those of you who know me in real life, will get the exciting details sooner then later!

Posted in: , , , on Monday, January 14, 2008 at at 2:55 PM 3 comments  

Listen to the Words....

I added a new song to my playlist below. Sweep Me Away, by Kari Jobe. Listen to the words, soak them in, position your heart to Him, today.

No matter what is going on in life, good, bad, or ugly. He can sweep us away, in His love for us. And nothing, nothing else matters.

Posted in: on Thursday, January 03, 2008 at at 1:05 PM 0 comments  

Reminder to Myself


He is the Great Provider. He has taken care of ALL of our needs this year, this month, this day. I must declare that He is good. I can not and will not fear the unknown of tomorrow, next week, next month, or next year. He has already proven Himself faithful, giving, merciful, and loving. He is my Great Provider. He is.

Matthew 6:34 - The Message

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

Posted in: , , on Monday, August 20, 2007 at at 2:05 PM 4 comments  

Camp Fire Questions ..part 2

The major camp fire question that burned on my heart was, "When you die, what do you hope you will be remembered for the most?" Some of you responded with your desires at this post. Here is mine.

I pray with all my heart that when I die, that people will remember me for how I loved others. Since I can remember I have always desired to love people in some way. I remember a time in highschool when a student died in an awful accident. Many of the students around me were in pain. Sitting around the lunch table, I commented that I wished I could just take everyone of the hurting students and hug them.

I was horribly ridiculed for my statement. And frankly it took me quite a while to get over my fellow classmates jokes. But always inside I kept wanting to show people that it would be okay. I wanted to give them something to hold onto. I just didn't know how to do it the right way.

When Christ came into my life, there was finally an answer to my heart. For all the years that I had wanted to help, give, take care, and love others but struggled at doing so, I finally came across the "KEY." His love through me was how I would be able to really love others.

Now my heart burns with the desire to show all people the way to being loved. I pray that I will always be an open vessel for His love to come forth. The best part about loving others, is that you constantly learn how to do it. There's always a new way.

That is what I want to be remembered for.

Posted in: , on Monday, August 06, 2007 at at 2:10 PM 4 comments  

Running

Tonight we went to service. As I was drying my hair in the bathroom, before we left, I thought to myself, "I'm either going to come home really angry or I will be crying at church and feel a bit of a release."


Good news - I am not angry!

God is so good. Even though I am not out of the valley I do have hope. And that is so important in this journey of mine.

Tonight God reminded me of several things. First, He reminded me of when I was in track and field. Okay - now don't laugh, for those of you who actually know me in real life. I was a long distance runner and not good at it, but I did it. And honestly in my mind that was all I was trying to accomplish, actually getting across the finish line without giving up.

In track I knew that I wasn't the gold runner. I knew that I was usually always the last one or two coming in. I never placed. But track taught me endurance. Actually, it taught me that I had endurance in many areas of my life.

Fast forward (no pun intended, okay maybe a little) to now. God reminded me tonight that I have endurance with Him. He showed me that I was the type who will never fully give up. I may want to. I may be so tired and so fed up with my circumstances that I would seriously feel like throwing in the towel. But, when push came to shove, I would stay in the race.

Then as if, that wasn't enough, we received prayer during worship tonight. And I did cry. Hard. But, oh, what a relief. It was bottled up and I was tired. We never told anyone who was praying over us what the circumstances were and why we were so desperate. Which is why it was even more exciting when one of the people leaned over and shared the vision God gave them of me.

I was sitting in a brand new red convertible (stay focused it isn't about the car *smile) and I had a huge smile on my face. I was completely surprised and thrilled because the Lord had provided for our needs.

That was the main gist of it all. My crying stopped when the encouraging word came. My God delivered me hope.

So, I am back to running again. I've picked up my pace and I am going to finish the race. I'm gonna do it.

Posted in: , on Thursday, August 02, 2007 at at 9:42 PM 5 comments  

Sharing Pics from Worship

CJ received permission to start capturing moments in worship, school, ministry time, fellowship, etc through the lense! He's been taking pics here and there, but now he will hand them into the church for use on their website.

This works perfectly for me, as I love to publish a few pics on my little unknown blog!!




Here's two from worship recently....



I love the fact that we can capture authentic worship on camera. It makes me love the Lord even more when I watch others seriously loving Him.

Posted in: on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at at 12:56 PM 0 comments  

Weekend Events

I am tellin ya, its never a dull moment in our lives. Never. Which makes life fun and somewhat exhausting.

Here are some pics from this past weekend. We had two big events at our house. On Friday night we had a ministry team dinner. CJ and I head up Ninos de Cristo, a hispanic childrens ministry. The end of the trimester is this week, so we had a sit down, family style dinner with the team. Only half the team could come. Still it was so much fun.

We are really blessed with an awesome team. I thank God all the time for what He is doing in us and through us!

Then on Sunday evening, we hosted an "engagement/good bye" party for a couple who will be moving back to the Faroe Islands to get married. We had about 45 students and faculty come and join the fun.

There was lots of food, discussion over the kitchen map, and prayer. LOTS of prayer over the couple who will be leaving this Sunday.

Times like these are so precious to CJ and I. Our home is filled with laughter and love, people who are desperately, wholeheartedly after the Lord. What an honor it is, that we get to be part of it all, that we get to be part of their lives.




Posted in: on Monday, July 16, 2007 at at 9:24 AM 2 comments  

Ninos de Cristo

CJ and I lead a small ministry called Ninos de Cristo. We go into a largely Hispanic area, where gangs and drugs are prevalent and bring out about 25-30 kids, ages 3-15. Every Tuesday afternoon, we bring the kids back to our church, feed them a healthy snack, teach them about Jesus, and build relationships with them.

This has definitely been one of the hardest "leadership" opportunities ever. CJ and I have no experience leading a childrens ministry AND we have to lead the team of students in ministering to these kids.

We have been doing this since last January and have grown tremendously.

Look at these children ... aren't they just so sweet?



















Posted in: , on Monday, July 09, 2007 at at 2:45 PM 2 comments  

The Throne


CJ approached Rock On about coming to church with us. He said, yes. The plan is to have him come with us Sunday morning.

After our impromptu dinner the other night, I turned to CJ and said, "everytime we are reminded to pray for the lost, you have a face to put with that charge."

And so last night, we were worshipping in church. Our times of worship have been so electric lately. One person got up and spoke and encouraged us to focus on one thing that was on our hearts, just one thing. Then he told us to go after it in prayer.

CJ was standing in the back of the sanctuary. I turned around and met his eyes and we both knew that this was an opportunity to cry out for Rock On.

It was such an emotional moment for me. I kept looking towards the heavens crying out, reminding Him, that He said, "None shall perish."

As I was praying I felt as though I was crawling, on my hands and knees, and I got to the tip of The Throne, it was golden. I saw the corner and went no further. Instead, I just stood there on my hands and knees praying and crying out that Rock On would be completely changed, that his wounds would be healed, and that his life would be dedicated to the Living God.

As my prayers ended, I knew that my God heard me. I knew that He heard my heart and my cry. I knew that I was before the Throne and that my request was made known.

Touch the Throne with your prayers today, He is there.

Posted in: on Friday, May 04, 2007 at at 12:07 PM 3 comments  

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