A Morning in the Prophetic

I woke up singing this morning.

Blow, mighty breath of God
Move upon this place
Blow, mighty breath of God
Come and move in power and grace.

It seems my spirit was communing with God before I even opened my eyes.

The last week and a half, though, has been challenging. There are things, spiritual things, contending for our future and the plans God has for us. We must be willing to fight back and overcome in the strength and power He has given us.

After my walk/jog this morning, I spent a very prophetic hour with my mom on her front porch. I am blessed she is such a woman of God. She read from her notes from a meeting last night a word that came forth from Chuck Pierce that spoke to my spirit and confirmed what I had already been feeling:

That which stopped you in the last season will be overcome with grace in this season. God is forming a new identity in you.

She then read some other words that she felt like were for me and I thought I would share in hopes that they encourage you as well.

There are things that you need to know before you can move forward, but don't push. Wait on Me, says the Lord, because everything needs to be in order and in perfect timing. Refuse to get frustrated when things aren't moving along as quickly as you would desire. Take a deep breath, rest in the assurance that I am in control, and trust Me. Everything will be all right. ~Marsha Burns (Isaiah 40:31 "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings as eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.")

You are somewhat discontented. There are just some unsettled feelings you're having. You aren't exactly sure why, but nevertheless the feelings are there and you are having a hard time shaking them off. You have been going at a pretty fast clip and one of the reasons for your discontentment is you haven't taken time to gather your thoughts. Take some time off, not time off to do other things. You don't necessarily need a change of scene, you need some quiet time, times of prayer and reflection on ways I am leading. You need to align yourself up with me, and not on the things going on around you. ~ Bev Robinson (Mark 1:35 "In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.)

Here you go again. You fell into the same old pit again. It makes you feel like a reprobate when you slip on the same banana peel again. You know better, right? The Lord says, "I love you. You are still my choice and delight. There is no condemnation and no punishment for those like you who are mine forever. Only a little discipline (not punishment) is necessary for you. Because you really want genuine repentance, I say unto you stop circling that same mountain again and again. Stop. Turn north instead to the good, the beautiful and the land for which you have longed, but thought you would never possess. Don't let the giants intimidate you. You will defeat them one by one. Only avoid the banana peels. You are mine and I am yours! My grace will always be sufficient for all that comes your way. ~Bev Robinson (Deuteronomy 2:3 "You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north.")

And one more...

I hear the Lord say, rise up My people. Weave for yourself new garments in this season, for the kingdom of God is at hand. The glory of that kingdwom shall become a covering to you and to those with whom you walk. So cast off the old, forgetting those things which are behind, run the race quickly to that which is ahead. Come into this newness of time and into this season with strength, joy and peace. Most of all come with a glorious expectation of My goodness, My presence and my power. For, surely, I am the Lord your God who forgives all of your iniquities, heals all your diseases, and provides all those things necessary for you. So arise to a new position of faith today and call those things which are not as though they were. Retain your joy and I will say again rejoice. For I have not left you, I have not forgotten you or forsaken you. And it is true that I will be with you always to lead and to guide you, to empower you and to teach you the things that pertain to the kingdom of God. For such is the time and such is the season. Come forth, My beloved, and be what you have been called to be, says the Lord. ~Bill Burns

I am reminded also of a couple of posts I wrote in January. I love how God continues to speak to me through past words written on this page.

• Time of Progression Part I
• Part II: Arise and Go Over

Be encouraged today to rise up! Accept God's grace to overcome and push through whatever obstacles are seeming to block your path. Arise and go over, and be what you have been called to be.

Blow, mighty breath of God
Move upon this place
Blow, mighty breath of God
Come and move in power and grace.

******************************
Linking with Jen and Shanda today



 

CHS 20th High School Reunion & My 39th Birthday

(Photo by James Howard Hefley)

Today is my 39th birthday. Tomorrow begins my journey to 40 and since I'm a writer, I decided to write about it. You can read about my 20th Reunion and see more pics on my other blog: BECOMING 40.

Please pray for me. I am working on a schedule and some sort of plan of action to help keep me on track and complete more assignments. Seriously, I need help. lol :)

Happy Monday, my friends!

xo

Shelly

Linking with sweet, amazing Jen, proud to be part of the Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood...and beautiful Shanda for On Your Heart Tuesdays.





 

Choose Joy

This morning at 5:30 A.M. I lay in my bed anxious to check the topic for today's 5 Minute Friday post. As I scanned the page my heart sank. The topic... JOY, but the inspiration for its choosing left me already struggling to find such. 

Sometimes it's hard to choose joy.

But that's exactly what Sarah has done. Found at the top of her blog, the words, CHOOSE JOY, courageously encourage all who visit to do so.

Choose joy.

In the midst of pain, in the midst of sorrow, in the face of death.

Choose joy.

Sarah chooses joy, because she knows it is not found in her circumstances. She has been sick for a very long time and received information this week that her body is shutting down. Hospice has arrived and a friend is updating her blog as she rests. I am continuing to pray, my friend, Gitzen Girl. :) You can read her story here.

I first linked up with Sara in July 2010. What a fun idea of bringing everyone together to create. A gracious host, an encourager of gifts.

Not to be confused with temporary happiness, joy is found deep inside, wrapped in the knowing of our Savior, the everlasting love of God, hope in the One Who never changes.

Our source of joy never empties...never runs out...never changes.

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11

I pray that joy continues to fill and overflow Sara, whether God chooses to heal her on earth or in heaven.  I am sad to think of her leaving, of not being able to read her words or see her pictures, but I find joy in knowing God has made known to her the path of life, and at the end of her life, her joy will be made complete.

I pray also for each of you. That you might know joy as Sara knows joy. That you might choose as she chooses...keeping before you the truth that this world is not our home but a temporary place on our way to a land too wonderful to imagine...a place where tears are wiped away and love is consuming and we are whole.

A place in His presence.

A place where our joy is complete.

In honor of Sara, I am linking with The Gypsy Mama and The Mom Creative.









.

After the Fire

This morning around 9:30 A.M. our daughter left for a babysitting job. By 11:30, there was news of a fire and mandatory evacuations in the area she was located. Needless to say, I kicked into mama-mode. I updated my facebook status with a prayer request, called my husband and started praying. As I prayed, I found myself asking why. Why the outbreak of so many fires recently?

Over the last several weeks, Texas has had major fires and loss of land, property and lives. With the current drought and weather conditions favorable for acceleration, even a small spark could mean widespread devastation very quickly.

Please, God, no more fires. And not here.

News of containment brought relief to my anxious mama heart, but I knew God was speaking to me of another fire...

I am guest posting today for Jen at Finding Heaven. Please click here to read this post in its entirety.

Linking with Emily at Imperfect Prose.

 

Choosing To Be Filled Again....and Again

Did you read my post yesterday? We had a powerful, emotional, hope-filled, proud to be an American service at church and I wrote about it here.

**********************************

Recently I committed to posting scriptures and encouragement every morning on my facebook ministry page. Today was the first day to do so. I also had a few other things on my plate for this manic Monday. I literally hit the floor running from the time the alarm clock sounded. I was at the track by 7:35 for my second day of training for my first 5K (yes, you heard me correctly). I decided to run my first 5K in preparation for my journey to 40 on my new blog (also launched today) Becoming 40. - you can read more about my adventures in running (aka... walking fast) as well as some other light, funny tidbits on aging gracefully. Aaaand the last major thing on my list for today was to clean my closet. This was, of course, in addition to all the normal WAHM stuff like breakfast, clean-up, laundry, running the kids to school, more laundry, picking one kids u from school, picking another kid up from football practice, dinner and more clean-up.

That was a busy introductory paragraph. But I said all that to say this.

In encouraging, entertaining and taking care of everyone else, I forgot to encourage myself. Yes, I read a few scriptures, said a small prayer with my kids before school and sang along with tunes on our local Christian radio station, but it was not enough.

I empty myself out every day. By the time I get in the bed (which is usually very late), I am completely drained. If I do not pull away from everything first thing in the morning and spend some alone time with God, time to praise, time to refill and time to get empowered for the tasks ahead, my day goes downhill quickly. It's not possible to run on empty, so about mid-day today I was wanting to pull the covers over my head and not do or think about anything.

Outside pressures and circumstances that have been present for some time seemed bigger today and attempted to overwhelm. Financial pressures, decisions that need to be made, deadlines, concerns for friends and family, the search for a part time job, the need of a new, faster, more efficient computer, teenager stuff...just to name a few.

The difference between yesterday and today is that today I put my eyes on the tasks before me and looked to my own ability to complete them. When I take my eyes off of Him, my faith begins to shrink and my feet begin to sink. I know this from experience...time and time again.

Want to know what I encouraged my readers to do this morning? Exactly what I didn't do.

Today, put your confidence not in your own ability, but in God's.

Hmmm.

And the scripture I provided?

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me. The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever....Psalm 138:7-8.

I am thankful His mercy endures forever. I am thankful tomorrow I can start over.

Tomorrow, the same circumstances and pressures will most likely still be there, but even in the midst of trouble, He revives me. He fills me, empowers me, and offers grace.

So, tonight, I am off to encourage myself in the Lord. Putting my eyes back on Him, I choose to believe His promises and accept His grace.

I choose to be filled once again.

And again.

And again.

And again.

******************************
Linking with my sweet friends, Jen @ Finding Heaven and Shanda for On Your Heart Tuesday. If you have time to browse, be sure to hop over and read some other great blogs. And don't forget to check out my new blog and see my big, frizzy hair from my Senior Year Prom, 1991. :)




 

Hear It On Sunday, Use It On Monday & A Tribute

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. We will not fear. Psalm 4:1-2

At the beginning of service this morning, the congregation rose, hand over heart, eyes fixed on our American flag displayed proudly at the front of the stage. In unison, voices pledged allegiance to the red, white and blue and sang of the land of the free and the home of the brave.

A Tribute to lives lost ten years ago, on the day that forever changed America and left hearts aching

In the middle of crisis, the fierceness of the storm, the heat of the battle, it is easy to give in and give up. But the victory comes with digging in heels and drawing strength from the inner depths of your being, strength you never knew you had, strength that overcomes the greatest evil...His strength in our weakness. We continue to rise above this tragedy and pray for America to remember who she is, to take her rightful place, to once again stand for truths upon which she was founded ...and to trust in God.

A Tribute to Fallen Soldiers, a moment of silence and prayer for hurting families

A Tribute to active/retired soldiers abroad and in our own congregation

Below is Retired Sgt. Brian Fleming - our guest speaker.

http://www.blownupguy.com/

He gives a powerful testimony of one soldier's journey from being blown up twice in Afghanistan to using his story to bring hope to others and his voice to tell of the love of Christ all across the world.

We are the United States of America. We are the land of the free, the home of the brave.

God Bless America!

Linking today with Michelle at Nebraska Graceful

and counting gifts with Ann at A Holy Experience

76 freedom to worship

77 men and women who risk their lives for our freedom

78 the ability to forgive

79 courage to press on

80 hope to become better

81 love that covers and heals

82 His strength in my weakness

83 gentle reminders that keep things in perspective

84 grace for this journey

85 mercies new in the morning

(More Than) 5 Minute Friday, in real life, & an On-Line (un)Conference

(Please continue praying for Texas and all those affected by the wildfires and working to put them out. Send Your rain, God.)

I popped over to The Gypsy Mama for the normal 5 Minute Friday post and was surprised to discover this. It sounds really amazing and I can stay in my pajamas…bonus! Maybe you can come, too? I'm thinking...pajama party?

In keeping with their theme, in real life, I decided to share a few of the first thoughts that come to mind (this could be dangerous…). You can read more of the same here., and link up, if you'd like.

The phrase in real life implies that maybe some things in life… aren’t…real? This got me t’ thinkin’ (sorry, sometimes the Texas in me sneaks out)…and to brainstorming (like writers sometimes do). Here’s what I came up with:

In fake life?, get real, for real, uncover, lies, cover-up, pretend, in plain sight, taking off the mask, not always perfect, too good to be true, put on a happy face, behind closed doors, hiding, fear of, out in the open, the real me, the real you, what you see is what you get, closed, open up, share

Boy, did that open up a can of worms.

Aren’t we all in this real life together? Why the temptation to hide behind masks of perfection or cover up hurts or put up walls or be someone we’re not?

In this life…this real life…there are hurts. There is happy and sad. There is beautiful and there is ugly. There is abuse, failure, success, lies, mistakes, regrets, victories, anger, sin, love, hate, tempers lost, divorce, jealousy, expectations, affairs, rebellion, cliques, impure motives, joy, disappointments, accomplishments, and on and on and on.

You get the idea.

Let’s talk about the real. Let’s be real. And let’s help each other.

It’s all good (except when it’s not).

And that reminds me of one of my favorite books, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, by Dr. Seuss.

“Wherever you fly, you’ll be the best of the best. Wherever you go, you will top all the rest…Except when you don’t. Because, sometimes, you won’t. I’m sorry to say so but, sadly, it’s true that bang-ups and hang-ups can happen to you…”

But do we stop or give up because real life happens? No.

“…on you will go though the weather be foul. On you will go though your enemies prowl. On you will go though the Hakken-Kraks howl. Onward up many a frightening creek, though your arms may get sore and your sneakers may leak.”

I hope you know as I write these words on my blog, God is speaking to me, healing me, correcting me, exposing me, re-directing me… loving me. I invite you to come along and pray that you find some of the same through what you read. Sometimes my arms get sore and my sneakers leak, but God never changes. I am happy to be sharing my journey with all of you.

Isn’t that part of our job description anyway?

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing (I Thes. 5:11).

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Heb. 10:23-25).

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace (1 Peter 4:8-10).

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2).

Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God (Col. 3:16).

Happy Friday, friends! :)

My Top 5 from the "Yes to God" Webcast

First and foremost, friends, please remember to pray for my home state, Texas, and all those affected by the wildfires as well as those risking their lives to fight the fires. We need rain and we need a miracle.  I know that even in the midst of this, God is bigger and He is still good. 

***********************************
Last night the webcast offered by Lysa Terkeurst and Ann Voskamp was about saying "Yes to God." God has been speaking this for some time to me. In fact, I just wrote a guest post about it yesterday before the webcast that will be published soon.  More specifically to me, it has been about saying yes to Him while saying no to those things that might distract me from His purposes or keep me from His presence.

I loved getting together with my girlfriends all across the world. It was like having one big chat session, especially with the twitter feed - although my (undiagnosed) ADD contributed to missing several statements spoken on the left while trying to keep up with the written conversation on the right. I should probably take advantage of the opportunity to review the webcast. If you missed it (or need to see it again), it is available on demand on Lysa's blog.

I decided to list my top 5 favorite nuggets from last night:

1. Before we say yes to God's work in the world, we need to say yes to who He says we are in His word. ~Ann
2. Keeping company with God is what's most important, not how much we accomplish. ~Ann
3. Christ is always our first yes to God...there is no yield in our lives until there is a yes to the Lord. ~Ann
4. The name of God - YHWH - is the sound of breathing itself...Make every breath a yes to God. ~Ann
5. Peace isn't the absence of dark, it's the assurance of God's presence in the dark. ~Ann

And since I usually have a hard time limiting words (except when I'm trying to meet my word count goal for the day, of course)...it is no surprise that I have one more to my list...technically making this my Top 6 (but we'll leave the number out so I don't have to change my title LOL):

Lysa talked about intentionally pausing in the moment and acknowledging God throughout our day. This has been my quest in pursuing God. This was a great reminder for me as it has been key in learning to "Hear His voice above all the noise," as my tagline states. I pray that I will not forget this. That I will remember when life is busy and frustrations are high and stress is squeezing and things are harder...that I will pause and acknowledge God...that I will remember He is good and He never changes.

"He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" Romans 8:32

Were you able to join in on the webcast last night? If yes, what were you favorite take-aways? And if not, please feel free to comment on my faves :)

Also, remember there is still time to watch the webcast on demand today and tomorrow at LysaTerkeurst.com.


Although not my usual Imperfect Prose Post, I am still joining today with Emily at Canvas Child and Ann for Walk With Him Wednesdays.


 

It is Good to Draw Near

For some time now I have felt God's invitation to come closer...an invitation to know Him more...to fellowship and worship all throughout the day. At times I have to just stop and kneel beside my bed, even if only for a few minutes. And some nights, like tonight, sleep is no rival for time in His presence. My body is tired but my spirit is doing cartwheels.

This morning our Pastor finished up his most recent series with a message titled Seeking God's Face in Prayer and Worship. He spoke about how the church as a whole has become quite efficient in seeking the hands of God when in need or want of something, but are neglecting the Giver Himself.

God is urging us to get to know Him. He desires that we wade out a little deeper.

James 4:8 assures us that if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us.

In Matthew 7:7, Jesus promises that if we seek, we will find and if we knock, it will be opened to us.

Again Jesus speaks in John 7:37 and invites those who are thirsty to come to Him and drink.

The psalmist in Psalm 73:28 proclaims that it is good to draw near to God.

To be near our Savior. To sit at the feet of Jesus. To rest in the lap of our God. To bask in the presence of the Holy Spirit.

No petitions.

No requests.

No pleas.

Just be near Him.

(A very abbreviated summary of my notes):

I. We must first seek God's face in prayer.

• Relationship is dependent on fellowship. Jesus' relationship to His heavenly Father was directly related to his prayer life.

• The disciples knew that prayer was key. In Luke 11:1, they did not ask Jesus to show them how to heal or how to do miracles or how to teach but how to pray. "...Lord, teach us to pray..."

II. We must seek God's face in worship.

• As Esther prepared for her time with the King (Esther 2:12), she used oils and perfumes not of her own preference, but those that were pleasing to him. We, too, must prepare and worship in ways that are pleasing to the King, however we feel the Holy Spirit leading. It is not about our preference, but His.

• In Matthew 26:8, Mary brings an alabaster flask of very expensive oil and pours it on Jesus as He sits at the table. Pastor James painted a picture of Mary breaking open the flask and emptying the entire bottle without hesitation. She was extravagant in her worship no matter the cost. Today, the majority of the church measures out a little here a little there, deciding how much we give God in worship. He wants us to come in our brokenness (break open the flask) and pour out everything we have on Him, no matter the cost.

It is good for me to draw near to God...Ps. 73:28

More posts on drawing near to God:
i am His
An Invitation, A Call to Intimacy
Unworthy but Invited to Come
My Soul Longs For You
Complete in His Presence

Today I am linking with Jen at Finding Heaven, Michelle at Nebraska Graceful and counting my gifts with Ann.

#66-75 of graces embraced and gifts undeserved but given anyway

66 lifting holy hands
67 knees bent
68 arms open
69 the weight of His glory
70 spiritual cartwheels
71 an invitation to come closer
72 the sound of sleeping beauties
73 staying up late and sleeping in on holidays
74 corporately reading through Matthew 1-4 on a Friday night in a little church in the middle of nowhere
75 overwhelmed in His presence and tears that flow freely

Finding REST in a Narrow Place

Joining today with Gypsy Mama and a community of others to offer a spill about REST.

Losing our football game last night prompted me to consider times of loss, adversity, disappointments, etc. Although defeat comes with a sting, it is temporary and can be a vehicle to victory. It is easy for me to jump on the encouragement train and speak words of wisdom to my fifteen year old, but what happens when I face similar circumstances or trials in my own life? We leave the football uniform hanging in the dressing room but the struggle to keep faith and stay strong catches a ride home with us.

Psalm 31:7 says "I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy, for You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities, and have not shut me up into the hand of my enemy; You have set my feet in a wide place."

God knows each stop we make on our journey and the things we face there. He knows us, even in adversity and remains unchanging. It is our faith that wavers and our belief that sways.

In Ecclesiastes 7:14 we are advised to consider that God has appointed times prosperity as well as times of adversity. "In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other..."

We often do not know even our own heart, the stability of our faith, the depth of our beliefs or strength of our character until we are squeezed, tried and put to a test.

The end of Ps. 31:7 says He sets our feet in a wide place. I believe as we go through these adverse times, these times that feel narrow and constricted, we are being formed, molded and refined. At the end of this uncomfortable place opens wide the enlarged territory for which God is now preparing us.

It has been a struggle not to resist this part of my journey. The last several years have felt like a long, narrow hallway, but I am catching a glimpse of an opening ahead. I am resting in His truth and trusting that He knows me, He loves me and He never changes.

In this resting, I have found a quiet place. A place of restoring. A place of refreshing. A place of hearing. A place of knowing. A place of communing. A place of growing and becoming and being.

I pray that you find this place of rest today, this quiet place, this place created that you might know Him more. And I pray that you realize the fullness of His joy, feel the breath of His Spirit and accept His love that never fails.

Can I pray for you today?

Please feel free to leave a comment or send me an email (contact info).

*Although I took longer than the normal 5 minutes to write, I pray that this 5 minute read refreshes your soul.

imperfect prose: i am His

finding joy in the still

learning rest in the not-to-do

listening in the quiet

encountering Him.

i feel His pursuit

i hear the sound of His breath

this breath of life

blowing like a great wind over me.

i will not be found hiding

afraid in sin and shame

but turned and running

to meet my Pursuer.

loved and forgiven i receive this gift

empowered and filled i break free

called and commissioned i advance

consumed and overtaken it is no longer i who live.

giving thanks in all, i am embraced by the One whose heart holds complete

undone and unable to speak, my words fail me

overwhelmed by this God who loves me full

i spill out and He cradles messy, imperfect brokenness.

i sit on this potter's wheel surrendered

i enter this furnace open

molding, refining, repairing, re-making

becoming.

i am His.

what is this life if not to be lived for the One who first breathed life

if not to be given back to the one Who first gave

lived for the One who breathes life still, today

given to the One who gives life still, today

i am His.

****

linking with beautiful emily for imperfect prose.

 and beautiful ann for walk with Him wednesdays 

God's Holy Pursuit Part 2

(Part 2 of the message I heard Sunday is further proof that my Pastor is sneaking a peek at my notes.)

As my Pastor stated Sunday morning, there is a diminished presence of God's Spirit in the church today.

"And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved." ~Matthew 24:12-13 NKJ

The Spirit of lawlessness has invaded the last day church. The King James uses the word iniquity. The transliterated word for iniquity in the Greek is anomia which means the condition of without law; because ignorant of it; because of violating it; contempt and violation of law, iniquity, wickedness (source). The sin that separates us from the presence of God is anything in violation or contradiction to God's Word. There are a multitude of things that have become common and acceptable in the world that are completely contradictory to the Word of God and they have found their way into the church, a blending of values.

Jesus is speaking not to unbelievers, but to the church in Revelation when He says, "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth" Revelation 3:15-16.

A blending of cold and hot...make lukewarm. A blending of the world's normal with bits and pieces of the truth of God's Word ....makes one lukewarm. Jesus said He would rather we be cold. Halfheartedness is not pleasing to God but rather like a cheating spouse, an extramarital affair, a breaking of covenant, a betrayal.

The church as a whole is operating at minimal capacity. Although some would appear to be thriving, they are void of the Spirit of God. Building earthly kingdoms that will not stand, bound by legalism, religion and the traditions of man and operating in criticism, judgment and condemnation. I have been there and this is not God.

Blended Christianity, accepting of popular opinion while rejecting Truth. This is not God.

God is love.

And He is calling His children back to Himself. Everything He does in relationship to us is done in love. Even in chastisement and correction, He loves. We must turn from our sin, be bold in our faith, immerse ourselves in His presence and begin to walk in the authority that has been given to us. We must seek Him, not man or man's opinions or ideas or approval. We must seek Him and hear His voice. 

The Israelites wanted to go back to Egypt because they didn't have a vision for their future. Sunday evening, our guest speaker, Bob Griffin, explained it so well.  Because of sin, their vision was clouded. They could not perceive what God was wanting to do. They were in a place of non-perception. Sin and religion cut us off from seeing God's plan, from hearing His voice and will cause us to shrink back from the great things He is wanting to do in and through us.

In John 20:22 after Jesus was raised from the dead, He came and stood in the midst of His disciples and breathed on them to receive the Holy Spirit... the same breath that breathed life into man in Genesis 2:7. It is the Holy Spirit in us that empowers us to live... empowers us to live the life we were created to live, to walk in the authority we've been given, to accept the task before us with confidence.

God is in pursuit of His children. He is calling us to a higher place of obedience, faithfulness and love. Let us see and hear. Let us not shrink back, but advance in the power of the Holy Spirit, ready to conquer ground yet to be conquered.

When the call seems too great, allow God to breathe into you the breath of life and empower you with the Holy Spirit. There are big assignments waiting to be completed. There is a path waiting to be chosen. There is a door waiting to be opened.

I refuse to go back.

(If you missed Part One: God's Holy Pursuit, click here to read)

Today I am linking with Jen at Finding Heaven for Soli Deo Gloria.

Hear it On Sunday, Use it On Monday: God's Holy Pursuit

I'm not sure if my Pastor ever reads my blog, but I am certain he stole my private notes for his sermon this morning. 

Either that, or we are listening to the same voice.

Remember my Hebrew study of Genesis 1:1-2 for a section in one of the chapters of the book I'm writing?

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Genesis 1:1-2

Before man was even created, the Spirit of God was hovering (brooding, fluttering) over the very thought of Adam and Eve.  He was in pursuit of man before man was even here.

In Deuteronomy 32:11, the same word is used by Moses to compare God's hovering over the children of Israel in the wilderness to an eagle hovering over its young. The side notes in my Bible call it a divine overshadowing.

As my Pastor spoke during the morning service, this word was confirmed in my spirit. God- the creator of the universe- is in continual pursuit of His children... of me, of you. He is not only watching over us, He is watching for us. Watching and waiting in anticipation for us to accept His invitation, reciprocate His love, and pursue Him Who is pursuing us.

In Genesis 3:8-9 the Spirit of God again pursues Adam and Eve for an evening stroll in the garden. Ready for a time of fellowship, an intimate conversation, a strengthening of their personal relationship, He enters the garden and searches for His children.

"Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?'" ~Genesis 3:9

Instead of meeting God as they had before, Adam and Eve were separated from His presence. A breach in their relationship occurred because sin had entered their lives.

How many times has God had to call out to us?

He desires to manifest His presence in our lives continuously, not just a moment here and a moment there. He wants to take up residence in our lives. In order to experience the continual manifest presence of God revealed in the Holy Spirit in our lives, we must reciprocate the love He lavishes upon us.

The evidence of our love is not found in what we say but in what we do.

"For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments..." ~1 John 5:3a

Do not misinterpret this as meaning we have to earn our salvation by works. But are our actions reflecting what we believe? (Click here to read a recent post on Believing, Speaking, Living).


God pursues us because He is madly, passionately and completely in love with us, His children.

As we walk throughout our day, the Spirit of God is hovering over our lives. Even now.

Can you hear the sound of God hovering? Can you feel the breath of His Spirit? Can you sense His Holy presence?

Is He searching, calling out to you...Where are you?

Or has He been met by your own pursuit of Him?

(Part two of this sermon and more evidence of my Pastor tampering with my notes...coming soon.)

Linking today with Michelle at Nebraska Graceful:

and counting my gifts with Ann V:

#56-65 of graces embraced and gifts undeserved by given anyway...

56 confirming words

57 words that empower

58 God revealed in us by the Holy Spirit

59 God's pursuit of me

60 Sunday evening service twice a month

61 days when I can't seem to tear myself away from the Word of God

62 three more logs on the fire burning in my soul

63 God's desire to manifest His presence in my life

64 an evening stroll in the garden

65 a Pastor who hears from God

imperfect prose - less air to breathe

(Linking a past post with Emily for Imperfect Prose)

Head on our pillow, our body rests but our mind cannot.


Unrest and worry attempt to grip our soul.

Tempted to give in, our mind wanders and begins to doubt.

Suddenly there seems less air to breathe...squeezed and emptied, our faith becomes small.

Uncertainty and fear take root.

Reeling from the events of the day - the month - we become servants to our circumstances and the thoughts they provoke.

In those times when we feel there is nothing else, no one else, no place to turn, our head hangs low, our feet stumble...fingers groping in the dark we long for something to grab on to.

But when we find the courage to look up - we see that there is a hand reaching out - arms open, waiting to pull us up...

...waiting to embrace us.

In our surrendering, we find Him.

In our brokenness, we are able to heal.

In our healing, we find that every suffering, every valley, every disappointment serves a greater purpose.

With all the uncertainty in this imperfect world - in our life - He is the one thing that remains constant. His love for us is certain. He is unchanging - the same yesterday, today and forever.

And in our weakness, His power is displayed and made perfect.

But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

I can't do it alone.

And I don't have to...

No matter my circumstances, His grace is sufficient for me. For you.

I hold on to Him.

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. Isaiah 58:11

I will trust in Him.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path. Proverbs 3:5-6

I know that He has a plan.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

(un)Disciplined Writing, Grateful & What I Heard Sunday

First Grade :)

I am on a journey. I am learning. I am growing. I am being confronted with self. I am changing.

"People change when the pain of remaining the same becomes greater than the pain of changing" (John Maxwell).

Although I have always had a love of words, it was not until recently (within the past year) I gave in to what I feel is part of my calling in ministry. It required releasing some of my plans and dreams and surrendering to God and His purposes for me by acknowledging and embracing what He has placed in the very core of my being. He pursues me still, and I am being overtaken.

For the next couple of weeks, I am cutting back on my social media outlets (fb, twitter, and even some blogging) to focus and finish an important writing project and a few smaller ones. I have found that the art of writing - no matter how much God is in it - requires one to be disciplined. I am naturally undisciplined. But I'm growing and changing, remember? ;) 

Now...about what I heard Sunday.

My spiritual parents have arrived from Australia for some meetings in the US and I was able to attend one this weeked. I was challenged, encouraged and empowered by what God spoke through them.

Briefly...(because I'm on a mission...)

God has placed gifts - made deposits - within each of us. We must guard the deposits and stir up our gifts so that they are used for the purposes God intended.

"O Timothy! Guard what was commited to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge (false doctrine) - by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith..." I Timothy 6:20.

"Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of hands" II Timothy 1:6.

We must know and firmly believe what the Word of God says about us. Remove self-imposed ceilings and limits and dare to be who you were created to be.

Let us stir up our gifts. Let us guard our deposit so that we can give it away, influencing all who cross our path. (We cannot do this if we are sinning, walking in unforgiveness and not pursuing the presence of God.)

Don't let anyone define who you are outside of what the Word of God says about you.

Is there something I can pray with you about today?

Linking with Jen at Finding Heaven, Michelle at Graceful and Shanda at A Pause on the Path...

continuing to count my gifts with Ann V.

#46-55 of graces embraced and gifts undeserved but given anyway...

46 words that fill

47 gifts placed on the inside

48 deposits made by the Creater

49 growing, stretching...changing

50 strength to confront and overcome obstacles

51 first day of school jitters

52 waiting in car pick-up lines and seeing my first grader's eyes light up when he sees me

53 imperfect teenagers who love God

54 fluffy white comforters and air conditioning set on 69

55 a class full of third and fourth graders hungry for God's Word and ready for a challenge

thirsting to be filled

rivers run dry, lifting sand, exposing roots

ground cracks open, thirsting to be filled

the earth cries out for rain

as a soul pants for streams of God's holy presence

barren, exposed and unproducing

lives crack open, thirsting to be filled

awaken, all creation

listen for the sound of approaching thunder

prepare and wait in anticipation

watch and see what the Lord will do

linking with beautiful emily, for imperfect prose



Wordless Wednesday - Every Wall is a Door

Linking today with 5 Minutes for Mom - Wordless Wednesday

 

Every wall is a door. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Believing, Speaking, Living

Another challenge I received this weekend while reading beautiful posts from friends around the blogosphere was to consider this question from Kyndra Steinmann:

"Does what is in my heart defile what I offer, or am I living the Gospel clearly and fully?"

In other words, am I giving action to the words I write and speak, or are they just lip service? Do I truly believe what I say and live what I post?

Are my actions toward those around me a confirmation of the words that come out of my mouth (and off my page)?

I must constantly check my motives and my heart (which is deceitful above all things - Jer. 17:9). It is easier to hold resentment than to forgive. It is easier to be prideful than to remain humble. It is easier to think about my own needs and neglect the needs of those in front of me. It is easier to be selfish than to be self-less. It is easier to say it than to live it.

I have encountered many "Christians" who weren't so Christ-like. And truthfully (and sadly), I have fit into that category more than once.

I pray that I not only speak and write words of truth, words reflecting Christ, Christ who is the Word...but that I live those same words. That people see Jesus when they see me.

I am completely imperfect and adorned with faults. My righteousness is as filthy rags (Is. 64:6). If left alone, I would be swallowed up by self, indulging my flesh and not giving thought to my actions. But...He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (Jesus) (2 Cor. 5:21).

He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me n a robe of His righteousness...Isaiah 61:10.

I can live the words I write. We can live in this world, this temporary place, and be separate. We don't have to give in to selfish desires and lusts of the flesh.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...Romans 12:2a.

I pray that this life I live, this life that is quickly passing, would bring glory to my Father in heaven now, in this moment, whether in church, in the grocery store or in the privacy of my home. I pray that others would find Christ not only in the words He chooses to speak through me, but the life I live in Him.

Let us be mindful of our words and actions. Are what I say and how I live a reflection of the very nature of Christ in me?

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Soon of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me (Gal. 2:20).

***************


Continuing to count my gifts with Ann Voskamp

#46-55 of

46 an old aluminum boat and a homemade raft tied to a tree on the river bank at the back of our property

47 smooth, shiny river rocks colored with the fingertips of God

48 sweet ice tea

49 tangerine shower gel that smells good enough to eat

50 parents who live next door

51 my computer running slow, but running

52 an unexpected card in the mail

53 new school supplies

54 the sweet innocence of a certain six year old

55 triple word tiles in words with friends

and linking with...