Yet another update.....

Greetings from sunny Florida! I must say I am enjoying the weather, although I do miss the snow! Doesn't quite seem like Christmas time when it's 75 degrees out and sunny!

Yesterday was the annual Christmas Tea at Baylife Church. It was a formal tea and there were finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam (sounds gross, but was actually quite yummy), and many varieties of tea. There was a play presented by the Baylife drama troupe -- it was very funny, but made me miss Randy and his creative genius! There were door prizes galore and it was just an old fashioned good time. Here are some pictures:




The first picture are of my two friends, Jill and Joy. They were table hostesses and decorated our table. The next two are pictures of the table itself. They did a beautiful job! Much of the decorations were from our antique excursions. Jill and Joy were two of the first ladies that I met at Baylife. We are all great friends and I am so thankful for them! Their families are my family here :)

I was asked to lead the Prayer Ministry at Baylife Riverview. The Lord has been preparing me for this for some time, and when my pastor asked me to do this I knew that this was the time. I am excited about this and am very thankful for the way the Lord prepared me and confirmed it. It's humbling and exciting at the same time.

I have an interview tomorrow with a Bank...we'll see what happens. I want to be where the Lord wants me. Would you mind praying for me? Tuesday, it's off the airforce base to pick up a Christmas tree for my friend, Ro. Another one of my friends, Michelle, is an Army wife whose husband just got deployed to the middle east. The military is giving military families free live trees, and Michelle already had one, so she is giving her tree to Ro. It will be fun to get out of the house and go on an adventure of sorts! And I LOVE being on a military base....weird, I know, but it's in my blood I guess as a veteran!

Steve is doing well, just getting over a cold. He has exams next week, but only has to take a couple because of his GPA and attendance, quite a change from last year. He auditioned for the worship band at church and made it, and will begin practising this week! He also leads worship for my wednesday night lifegroup. Pretty proud of that kid, I must say!

Oh, last but not least, Angie is coming to stay for a week after Christmas! I can hardly wait to see her and introduce her to everyone here and just visit! And just to go sit on the beach somewhere! I can see her dancing on the beach, but don't tell her that! haha It's a set-up!

Florida, lately.....

It's been awhile since I have shared an update...here it goes....

Had a great Thanksgiving weekend; we were invited to spend Thanksgiving dinner with my friends Jill and Jeff Aubin. Their family of six and my two made for an interesting and fun time. It included Steve jumping into their pool! In Florida that isn't such a big deal, but it has been barely over 70 degrees over the past several weeks and the pool isn't heated....I am so surprised that the police didn't show up after Steve screamed....just like a little girl! It was SO funny!

They live in a gated, golf course community - right on the thirteenth hole and there is a pond in the back. It is complete with fish, numerous water fowl, fish and an alligator. Oh, and can't forget the otter! I pray every time we go there that Steve will not end up in that pond! He and their kids end up around it and in the woods everytime we go. Fun times :)

Steve and I had a gift card to Chipotle (thank you, Ticknor family!) and since there are no Chipotle's around the Riverview/Brandon area, we took a day trip to Clearwater for dinner and to see the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico. I took a bunch of pictures, and will post them soon. It was absolutely beautiful! The sand was pure white, and the waves were two feet or so...we kicked off the flip-flops and ran to the water....boy was it chilly! We had such a good time, and I am thankful that the Lord allowed us to move so close to such beautiful places!

Yesterday, on our way home from church, we saw another of our animal friends down here in Florida..........

Yep...an armadillo! It scurried across the road in front of us...we had seen several as road-kill, so it was a welcome site to see one...alive!

Steve is going to Minneapolis for Christmas and New Year's to visit with his Dad and Julie. He is really excited! I know, I will be here alone...but it's okay! Angie is coming to visit after Christmas and my friends will keep me busy! OK, OK....if you are having pity on me and you want to donate to my Bahama's fund, that's great! HAHA! I know, I'm dreaming...the Bahama's over Christmas, alone, suffering on the beach...sounds like torture..haha Lord???

You

Are You there?
Do You hear?
Can You feel what's going on inside?

Unanswered questions rage inside
Trying to defy an illogical foundation of faith
Doubt tiptoes around what I thought was a fortress
Checking for cracks

While shaken by winds of uncertainty
From my hands come the one thing
The only thing that can hold everything together
To bring peace in the middle of this place
A place of Your choosing
Caulking to bind up the weak places
A sword

The truth remains
While the tempter illuminates the weaknesses
The light radiates places in need of healing
While I am shaken, I am pruned

This place is best
This is where I become more like You

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen, you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith---the salvation of your soul. 1 Peter 1:6-9

On the heels of this great country's election.....

Romans 13:1-4

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.

AND....

1 Peter 2:11-17

Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

"Submission to Government"

Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

Here's another song, my declaration of late.......

Shadowfeet
by Brooke Fraser

Walking,stumbling on these shadowfeet
toward home,a land that i've never seen
I am changing: less and less asleep
made of different stuff than when i began
and i have sensed it all along
fast approaching is the day

when the world has fallen out from under me
I'll be found in you, still standing
when the sky rolls up and mountains fall on their knees
when time and space are through
I'll be found in you

Theres distraction buzzing in my head
saying in the shadows it's easier to stay
but I've heard rumours of true reality
whispers of a well-lit way

You make all things new

When the world has fallen out from under me
I'll be found in you, still standing
Every fear and accusation under my feet
when time and space are through
I'll be found in you

Albertine

Albertine
by Brooke Fraser

I am sitting still
I think of Angeline
Her mother's voice over me
And the bullets and the war
Where it fell silent

And on a thousandth hill [?]
I think of Albertine
There in her eyes
What i don't see
with my eye oh

Rwanda
Now that I have seen
I am responsible
Faith without deeds is dead
Now that I have held you
In my own arms
I cannot let go till you are...

And I am on a plane
Across a distant sea
But I carry you in me
In the dust on... the dust on... the dust on... the dust on.... ???
My feet

Rwanda
Now that I have seen
I am responsible
Faith without deeds is dead
Now that I have held you
In my own arms
I cannot let go till you are...

I will tell the world
I will tell them where I've been
I will keep my word
I will tell them, Albertine

Rwanda
Now that I have seen
I am responsible
Faith without deeds is dead
Now that I have held you
In my own arms
I cannot let go till you are...

And I am on a stage
A thousand eyes on me
I will tell them, Albertine
I will tell them, Albertine

Give me Your eyes......

This song has messed me up completely....This is what I want.....



"Give me Your eyes"
Brandon Heath

Looked down from a broken sky
Traced out by the city lights
My world from a mile high
Best seat in the house tonight
Touched down on the cold black tile
Hold on for the sudden stop
Breath in the familiar shock
Of confusion and chaos
All those people going somewhere?
Why have I never cared?

Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the once forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see
Yeah

Step out on a busy street
See a girl and our eyes meet
Does her best to smile at me
To hide whats underneath
Theres a man just to her right
Black suit and a bright red tie
Too ashamed to tell his wife
Hes out of work
Hes buying time
all those people going somewhere?
Why have I never cared?

Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the once forgotten

Ive Been there a million times
A couple of million eyes
just move and pass me by
I swear I never thought that I was wrong
Well I want a second glance
So give me a second chance
To see the way you see the people all alone

Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the once forgotten

Give me your eyes, Lord....please give me a second chance and a second glance...please

Faith like a little child.......

Faith like a little child releases creativity
by Janice VanCronkhite

God is so creative and He loves to create fresh daily. His desire is for us to create with Him and by doing this, He imparts the gifts of His spirit which enable us to thrive. In Matthew 18:3, Jesus answers the question of the disciples, "who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Jesus responded, "I tell you the truth,unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." All children are artists and by the age of five, 90 percent of the population is operating in high creativity. They have great imaginations, no thoughts of inferiority or concerns of comparing themselves to others. They speak, write and draw what they want with no reservations. Unfortunately, by the age of seven, this has diminished to a mere 10 percent! Only about two percent of the adult population operates in high creativity.

The destruction of our creativity may be caused by criticism, negative thoughts caused by comparisons to others, and simply believing the lie that says, "I'd like to paint, dance, write.....but I can't do it." We forget that we are more than we know...that with Him all things are possible. We MUST become like a little child again...free to go for it regardless of the end result. Often, when I paint during worship conferences, all I have are my paints and a blank canvas. I am dependent on God to show me something, anything that expresses His heart for that moment of time. If only God is pleased then the experience was a success. But if one or more people are encouraged or activated in some way then it's icing on the cake. Often, at least one or more will let me know that they had the same vision or dream of what I just painted. Like the living word, the paintings become a living message. Art is a universal language and though words may be forgotten, a picture will forever capture the mind. We must unlearn alot of what the world has taught us to raise our level of creativity again. Creativity opens us to revelation and when that is lowered to two percent, we lose our ability to walk on water like Peter and to see angels.

For years I asked God to give me a passion for something that would not only please Him but be relevant in advancing His kingdom. My husband, David, and I had founded Blood n Fire, a ministry focused on rebuilding broken lives of the poor. Though this was God's heart, I knew there was something more the Lord had for me. I had no clue that it would be prophetic art until He did a "suddenly." I was flooded with dreams, visions, colors, and messages to portray on canvas which seemed incomplete unless they displayed a vortex or portal into the heavenlies . Revelation poured in that these paintings would bring healing, life, deliverance, and encouragement to those who gazed upon them. I began painting in my new studio, formerly the garage, which overlooks a beautiful lake. Artists normally like to do their thing alone with no spectators but He proceeded to extract me from a self imposed comfort zone to paint in our Creative Combustion gatherings. It proved to be a wonderful new experience to paint in the midst of fierce raging worship.

Early one morning while visiting in Florida, I was dancing and worshiping barefoot like a child along the shore. Suddenly , out of the depths an apple rolled to my feet and He said that I was the apple of His eye! I guess He knew that was exactly what I needed to hear. I grabbed the prize and took it to my first experience painting at a conference other than our own church. He continually uses Apple Of His Eye to encourage me as well as others with His unconditional love for us. By the way.....I still have that apple in my freezer with a note that reads Janice's supernatural apple...DO NOT EAT!!!!

The same freedom that we experience in dreams can take place during a creative act. We are not bound by time or space and this freedom can occur only, like in a dream, when we don't attempt to control or dictate it. When creating in this childlike state we operate out of the box and the possibilities are limitless. Colors are brighter, sounds are more clear, and somehow we feel His very presence all the more.

Michelle's notes: this is what will empower me to paint...I'm stepping into the faith of a little child....go Holy Spirit!

OK...here's an update!

Life in Florida is going great! Steve and I are doing really well. He is settled into his school routine and has been thinking about colleges. I am still looking for a job. Have had several interviews. Sometimes I get a bit discouraged that I haven't found work yet, but I always go back to the word. Our Lord is faithful.

Here's a story about His faithfulness: My truck broke down again a couple of weeks ago and I had called my friend, Jill, who leads the life group I am in to tell her that I wouldn't be there that evening. She said that the group would pray for me and she'd see me on Sunday.

That evening, another one of my friend's husband called me to find out what was going on and to encourage me that they were going to take care of it, no matter what it was and I was to take the truck to a mechanic friend of his the next morning. I got the truck there and then went to hang out with Jill until they called to give me the prognosis. The news about the truck wasn't good, I had a blown head gasket, and even with the discounted labor, it was gonna cost $1,400.00 to fix. That is more than what I get per month from unemployment! Needless to say, I was overwhelmed and broken over the news. Then, I get a call from Kevin's wife, Joy...she was crying about the news and because most of Kevin's tools had just been stolen and they were not going to be able to shoulder all the repair costs like they wanted to because they needed to replace the tools.

It was like all hell broke loose in all of those who were wanting to help me to get my truck running. We all got together and prayed and committed to the Lord and each other that we would do what it took, and we wouldn't be distracted. I wanted to badly to work this out on my own, but each time I would try, the Lord would correct me and tell me to be still. After a week and a half, the Lord provided every penny of the $1,400.00 needed! Some gave $20, several gave several hundred, and one gentleman gave over $700. I didn't have to ask for it, my church family pulled together and took care of the need! Just like the body is supposed to do. That is a great dynamic of my church. They all gave sacrifically. They pull together and are the church to one another. Each day, I had to die out to my self and trust that the Lord was gonna work this out! Now, those blessings are coming back - Kevin's tools were recovered by the police, Jill was provided an extra income by working for the church part time from her home-so she doesn't have to be away from her 3 year old son, and on and on....it never stops!

The Lord continues to put me in situations where I have to trust Him completely. Makes me wonder what's ahead....I know this, I love the Lord and He loves me completely and will continue to provide for me in all ways.

Please continue to pray for us, got several things I am asking the Lord about and need to hear clearly His will and way. There's no time for anything else! I love you all and miss you. Today was like a typical early fall day in Ohio and made me a bit homesick. Thanks for reading this blog faithfully and for praying for us! P.S. I am not sure Jeri Bryan reads this, so whomever reads this, would you give her a big hug for me whenever you see her? Boy I miss her! Thanks! Love, Michelle

GOD is the Solution!

Solution by Hillsong United

It is not a human right
To stare not fight
While broken nations dream
Open up our eyes, so blind
That we might find
The Mercy for the need

Singing, Hey now
Fill our hearts with your compassion
Hey now
As we hold to our confession
Yeah

It is not too far a cry
To much to try
To help the least of these
Politics will not decide
If we should rise
And be your hands and feet

Singing, Hey now
Fill our hearts with your compassion
Hey Now
As we hold to our confession

Woah-oh-oh,
God be the solution
Woah-oh-oh
We will be Your hands and be Your feet.
Yeah, yeah

Higher than a circumstance
Your promise stands
Your love for all to see
Higher than protest line and dollar signs
Your love is all we need

Only You can mend the broken heart
And cause the blind to see
Erase complete the sinners past
And set the captives free
Only You can take the widows cry
And cause her heart to sing
Be a Father to the fatherless
Our Savior and our King
We will be Your hands, we will be Your feet
We will run this race
On the darkest place, we will be Your light
We will be Your light

We will be Your hands , we will be Your feet
We will run this race for the least of these
In the darkest place, we will be your light

Warfare Dance.....

If the Lord asked you to dance like this, would you? I believe that there are times when the Lord asks us to dance on our circumstances....if we could only see what happens in the spirit-realm when we are obedient to worship any way He calls us to!

Help us, Lord, to be free to dance before You and ON our enemies!

An answered prayer....

Today, as my friend Ana and I were coming back from running errands, we saw a Bald Eagle! It was flying straight towards us with some kind of rodent in it's talons. It was huge! When it was around twenty or so feet from us it flew away. I had been asking the Lord to show me one in the wild because I think they are such majestic birds! Thank You, Lord!

Time to pray, homies!

Hi friends! You know, every time I see the number of hits to this blog, I am blown away! I am hopeful that by my trials, blunders, successes and just everyday life you are blessed, stretched, comforted, encouraged, and just down-right BLESSED! I want you to know that I miss you all and think about you often.

That said; how's life been for you lately? I would love to hear about it - please leave me a comment! Things here are picking up. I am pretty involved in church and have a great core group of friends the Lord brought to me. They are all very different, but I think we challenge and encourage one another in a great way! I have had some great ministry opportunities out in the community. These each deserve a post all to their own! Someday....

I have a job interview tomorrow (10/14) for an accounts receiveable analyst position. It's for a local company about 6 miles from where I live...that would be great since my truck is a gas-hog. Please be praying for me!

Steve is doing great in school and is making a lot of friends. He spent the day yesterday over at one of my new friends house - she has a son who is a freshman - doing great guy things like swimming, 4-wheeling, riding dirt bikes and the like. He came home with a bag of star fruit - fresh picked off the tree!!! Amazing!

Overall we are being stretched; conformed into the likeness of Jesus more everyday! Have had a lot of opportunities to give up, but we have chosen to trust the Lord; to take Him at His word. I haven't been disappointed yet...

Good night, and I love and miss you all!

Girlfriends.......

Today I was reflecting on how the Lord has been good to bring some really great people into my life!

I am a part of a life group that meets once a week to study the bible and fellowship. Pastor Chris is really big on making sure we are plugged in so we can all "do life together". Anyway, it turns out that all the gals in my group love to go junking (or antiquing)!!! Is that not a gift from the Lord to me???? I mean, that's my therapy! Looking at JUNK!!!! So tomorrow morning we are all going junking! The cool thing is that you don't have to buy anything and still it's a blast.

Then on Sunday we are throwing a baby shower for a girl who has no family here and very little friends. She's a pre-believer :) We are gonna shower her with the love of Jesus...can't wait! On Thursday night we are gonna go to a bar (I know!), not to drink, but to learn how to line dance!!! Please, compose yourself after having a visually induced bout of deep belly laughter! Did I mention I HATE country music? But hey, if I can do this in my flip flops, and my new chinese friend Rhonda can do it, so can I!!! It is sure to be a...well...a HOOT!

Everything About You.....

Heard this song tonight, after receiving the news that it will cost $1000.00 to fix my truck. I was tempted to fold; to get lost in the emotions of it all. But instead, this is what I intend to do - I will choose to command my flesh to shut up and bow down and let my spirit rise up and will react accordingly. My Lord is a God of increase; His Name is Jehovah Jireh which means His very NATURE is that He is our Provider; and the blessing is just waiting to be appropriated according to the Lord's will. So stand back devil, I'm pressing through to the glorious will of my Father.

Be my light in this darkened room
I'm on my face and I'm calling you
I can't fathom all you've done for me
Everytime it finds me on my knees
Like sunlight in the winter cold

Everything about you, it takes my breath away...
Hallelujah
I tried this once without you and it was my great mistake...
Hallelujah

Questions fade when you invade
You chase all my fears away
With your love in my atmosphere
All confusion disappears

And nothing but your truth remains

Questions fade, you remain
You are color on a page of white, bright
Like eyes beneath black lights
Like a glowing city on the plains, you call my name

HallelujahEverything About You, Sanctus Real

Dreaming with God.....

Today, as I was praying, I asked the Lord what I was at home for. What did He want to say to me today? Just after these questions left my lips, I began to prophesy over myself! Never did that before! It was amazing, and I found myself weeping and asking the Lord for what He just poured through me and into me.

While the prophesy is personal, what I asked from the Lord was that He and I would become so close that every need I had would be taken care of by Him. That is relationally, physically, emotionally, all of it! That way, if He did bring someone into my life (a husband) I would not expect a mortal man to fulfill the things that only the Lord could provide. No unrealistic expectations to trip up our relationship, because all my needs were going to be met by the Lord! I would then be free to love him the way the Lord wanted me to, and would be a blessing to him! Coming from someone who has been single for a long time, this was a revelation to me! The Lord then spoke to my heart that not only had He heard my prayer, but was going to give me what I asked! Does this mean He's bringing someone to me? I don't know. What I do know is that I am going to go deeper with my Lord, and that is more than I could ever want! That, my friends, makes my heart beat a little faster!

Yes, the Lord is awesome, and I am thankful I have this time with Him!

Happy Rosh Hashanah!

It's interesting to wish every one a "happy" Rosh Hashanah when in reality, it begins the ten days of introspection - people would think about how they have lived their lives over the past year; asking for forgiveness, giving forgiveness, and pledging to do better this year. It culminates with the Day of Atonement.

But it is also a time for remembering that the Lord is good always; that He is the King and righteous Judge. So along with the repentance, there is the confidence that the Lord is merciful and good!

I am going to observe this High Holy Day by fasting, reflecting on the past year, and choosing to let God mold my character more into His likeness. What better way to show Him how much I love Him? More of Him, less of me, always.

With the world raging right now, we need to be as close to the Lord as we can possibly be. His whispers of peace and reassurance are all I need. His economy is what I am interested in.

Dear readers, I love you all and pray that this new year will be one of blessings and tremendous growth in the ways of our Lord - for you and all of your families. Shana Tova!!! (Good Year!!!)

How He Loves Us....

During a wonderful conversation tonight I was reminded of a song in one of my previous posts. While looking it up on YouTube, I found this. I was there that day in Nashville, on 7/07/07. We had had my Dad's funeral just three days before and I had run to the Lord on a bus bound for the Call Nashville.

Hearing that this song was birthed out of the agony of losing a loved one blesses me still today. Thank You Lord for not letting me forget...and please minister to those reading and listening to this who are in the middle of their own agony......remind them how You love them! Watch and be blessed! I love you.....


He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realise just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us so

Yeah, He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.

We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
So Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss,
And the heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…

He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.


Well, I thought about You the day Stephen died,
And You met me between my breaking.
I know that I still love You, God, despite the agony.
...They want to tell me You're cruel,
But if Stephen could sing, he'd say it's not true, cause...

Cause He loves us,
Oh how He loves us.
Oh how He loves us.
Oh how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.*

Everything....(turn your volume all the way up)

Find me here
And speak to me
I want to feel you
I need to hear you
You are the light
That's leading me to the place
Where I find peace again

You are the strength
That keeps me walking
You are the hope
That keeps me trusting
You are the light to my soul
You are my purpose
You're everything

And how can I stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me how could it be
Any better than this

You calm the storms
And you give me rest
You hold me in your hands
You won't let me fall
You steal my heart
When you take my breath away
Would you take me in take me deeper now

And how can I stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me how could it be
Any better than this

And how can I stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me how could it be
Any better than this

Cause you're all I want
You're all I need
You're everything, everything
You're all I want
You're all I need
You're everything, everything
You're all I want
You're all I need
You're everything, everything
You're all I want
You're all I need
Everything, everything

And how can I stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me how could it be
Any better than this
And how can I stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me how could it be
Any better any better than this
And how can I stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me how could it be
Any better than this
Would you tell me how could it be
Any better than this
"Everything by Lifehouse"
Drama by Baylife Church

Wrestling....

I am wrestling with something...a word....this word taunts me, stretches me, pushes me. Sometimes I can hardly bear it.

I need Your help with this Lord.

Only You.

Update on my Mom....

My Mom's surgery was a tremendous success! For those who didn't know, she had hip replacement surgery today. She called me (YES! she did) this evening from her hospital bed; said she was sitting on the edge of her bed! She had just taken some wonderful pain killers, and was feeling fine! Please be praying for her, the nurses told her she will be up walking tomorrow! That's amazing! Maybe she will be able to come down for a balmy Christmas after all???

She is in Mt Carmel West, 8W, room 75. If you go see her, give her a big hug for me.

Other news, the Lord has placed on my heart a wonderful ministry opportunity, I shared it with my Pastor, and he is going to help me pull it off! No details can be shared right now, but it's gonna be awesome. I cry every time I think of it :)

Well, good night all, I love you and miss you more than I can say!

A Miracle.....

This has never, ever happened before
It's a miracle, a supernatural miracle!

I will do what has never, ever happened before.

Living while waiting......

It was a hot one today. Steve and I got up early this morning to do yard work before it got really hot. He mowed and I edged. It has been a while since it was edged so it was quite a job. But now the yard looks nice and if we keep up the weekly trims it will stay looking that way.

Life here has been pretty quiet. I am enjoying being home and have somewhat of a routine. I have a lead on a job working from home, hopefully it will work out. I also have been painting and writing. Nothing for public consumption, but whatever transpires from my time in worship. I simply turn on some Jason Upton, or some of the worship Cd's made for me by Jason and/or Mike; lay on the floor and soak in the presence of the Lord. I do have a general theme to what I have painted, it will be interesting to see where that leads.

Not sure if I am gonna be able to go to the writing conference the end of this month. I just don't have the $150.00 to go. I am pretty disappointed, but that is the way it goes I guess.

So, while I am waiting for whatever the Lord has for me, I will continue living here, hopefully being a blessing to whomever I come into contact. Please continue to pray for Steve and I! Thanks, it means more than you could ever know!

A little Under the Weather....

Had a tough day today, must have had a 24 hour stomach bug. I am feeling better now, was able to eat something this evening without feeling "seasick"!

So tomorrow I will have to do everything that was on my list to do today. No new news to report here, just status quo. Have had some amazing ministry moments of late, and the Lord is continuing to establish me in this region. There is no question the favor of the Lord that is on us here. For which I am thankful, couldn't do without it.

Have some heavy burdens on my heart; am asking which I need to continue to bear in intercession, and which to let go. I hate the enemy, he's such a LIAR! My heart breaks for the ones who think it is all finished, I wish I could gather them all together and speak the truth into and over them. The same truths that were spoken over me at one time. The Lord knows them, and He knows right where they are. If they would only turn to Him, lay down the pride, and allow Him to heal their wounds. Not superficially; not band aids; but honest-to-goodness-scrub-out-the-pus-so-it-can-really-get-better kinda healing!

My GOD can heal all their wounds, can deliver them from every affliction, NOTHING IS TOO BIG! But if they have given up (and this is the easier path by far), there isn't much He can do. SO until He stops me, I am gonna pray for them to have TRUTH, DELIVERANCE, HUMILITY, and for COURAGE to stand and fight again.

Hope I don't upset anyone by this post, it's what's on my heart. Good night and I love you.

Bulldog

Take the limits OFF!

NO limits
NO boundaries
I see increase all around me

Stretch forth
Break forth
Release me
Enlarge my territory

Take the limits off, release Me
Take the limits off, release Me

Is there anything too hard for the Lord? No.

Lord I take the limits off You, and choose to stretch forth, to break forth, and I release You to do what You will in and through me! I'm yours.

(partial lyrics by Israel & New Breed)

Being surrounded by that Great Cloud of Witnesses....

Hebrews 12 talks about the great cloud of witnesses that surround us; witnesses with names like Moses, Abraham, David, etc. We are encouraged to lay aside the sin that so easily entangles us; to look to Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith.

In my gut there is a longing to do something that has never been done before. Not a prideful longing, just a burning desire to see GOD move in a completely different way through me. On a recent morning, I woke myself up asking the Lord to consider me. Nothing more or less, just to consider me. What was that all about? Other than sensing feelings of utter terror, I haven't a clue. Ever since however, the desire for the Lord to do something different through me has increased.

When I think about the Halls of Faith and the people who are mentioned within them, I am sure it began with the Lord considering them. This may sound arrogant to some reading this, but when the scriptures say that we will do "greater things than these", I believe it. I long for it.

So, I am going to fast and pray. I am gonna watch for the Lord. I will do something that has never been done before....

Another awesome video....A wonder

Hmmmm.........

As I was coming home from running an errand this morning, something went through my mind that has taken me aback somewhat. I have been really concerned about my employment situation, not really understanding why I haven't found a job yet. In my heart deep down, I know that the Lord is in control, and He can speak one word and my job will be provided.

But I still wrestle with it, especially when a bill is due, or when my cell phone got cut off cause I had to fix my truck instead. It's an every day, almost moment by moment thing to keep my focus where it needs to be.

Anyway, the thought went through my mind that my not working is actually a blessing from my Lord. He told me this morning that I needed to thank and praise Him for allowing me to be home...for Steve in his final year at home. I was speechless when I realized what the Lord was showing me. In this season, however long it is, I will thank my King for giving me this. For the first time in a long time, I have a real peace. A job is out there, just waiting for me....the Lord is holding my place, and in the proper time it will be. So, I am gonna enjoy being a "mom"; and will enjoy the time with my Lord in this, the Harbor of HIS choosing.

Cardboard Testimonies -- Awesome Video!

Breathless.....

Over the past 10 years or so, the Lord has whispered secrets to me and into me. Things that I only dreamed about; things that terrified me; things that shook me to be a better person...the one the Lord not only dreams of but actually knows in the future!

Now, some of those things are being laid before me and I find myself breathless...not sure how to even process them, or to even pray about them. And in these moments I hope that my silent wonder and awe can come close to a "thank you" to my Lord and King!

JESUS....You are the Life to my heart and my soul
You are the Light to the darkness around me
You are the Hope to the hopeless and broken
You are the only Truth and the Way!

Making Room for Praise........

Psalm 67

May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine upon us, Selah

that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation among all nations.

May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you.

May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you rule the peoples justly
and guide the nations of the earth.
Selah

May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you.

Then the land will yield its harvest,
and God, our God, will bless us.

God will bless us,
and all the ends of the earth will fear him.

Tuesday and Wednesday were hard days; full of worry, and finding myself unable to rise above my seemingly rotten circumstances. I kept asking - well, if I am to be completely honest here - demanding - that the Lord answer me and tell me how He was going to work out my circumstances. For the parents out there, visualize a four year old stomping her feet and demanding that she wants it NOW! That was me.

Very gently, the Holy Spirit directed me to a scripture that instructs us to praise the Lord, to PRAISE Him! To be filled with JOY and to SING His PRAISE, this for ALL peoples! One little word in the midst of this scripture stood out like a banner waving; a banner high above the clouds and noise of our circumstances! This one word gave me the direction I so desperately needed. In verse 6, it begins with the word "then". The Holy Spirit prompted me that I needed to Praise Him, then the answers would come! I had no idea what was about to happen.

I got up on Thursday morning, fully energized and began to tackle the rest of the boxes that took up my family room. This room had become a "dump-all" of sorts. I turned on some praise music, cranked up the volume and went to it. Before I knew it, I had not only cleaned the whole room, but sensing the overwhelming presence of the Lord, I began to dance freely and in complete worship to my Lord. Once the music stopped the Lord began to give me direction. He asked me to do something, to lay down my pride and to ask for help. I struggled with this, but in humility I did. In a matter of an hour, my new church family had me in contact with someone to fix my truck, and also reached out to get me into a life group to help me with finding people to connect with and befriend. They wrapped a loving blanket around my shoulders; a spiritual blanket with the warmth and comfort of the Lord, one of belonging and unity. I didn't realize how much I needed this. Still the best was yet to come.

Today, the Lord put together a chance meeting that has begun what I believe to be the relentless pursuit of the prodigal son. I cannot add anymore than that for the privacy of those involved. But I can say that this meeting will yield its harvest, a soul named John - saved and delivered; completely set free to serve and worship his King!

A miracle happened today, and it is only a start to the great things our great King is going to do in this city!

Now, tonight I realized that as I was cleaning, I was actually making room for praise; clearing out the clutter to make way for it. It came, and has begun to yield it's harvest!

After the storm.......

By popular demand (OK, Julie wanted to know), here is an accounting of how Steve and I survived our first Tropical Storm:

Just fine. No rain, no tornadoes, no horrible wind with debris flying through the cement blocks of our home, no sleeping and cooking in my closet.

Seriously, the storm went completely around us! We were expecting a direct hit (I live close to water), but as time went on, Fay decided to go northeast, then north and now she is supposed to hit Florida again to the northwest! It's like there was a big shield around the Tampa Bay area! Very cool, I might add!

I feel terrible for the ones it did hit though, lots of flooding and power outages. I for one can not fathom living down here without air conditioning!!!! I know, prissy michelle.

Still pretty much stranded at home due to no vehicle. I am asking for a miracle, would you pray for us in this? We live kinda far out so getting groceries, etc., will be a challenge. My Lord provides according to His riches and glory, not according to my need! Amen :)

A word in due season..........

Start With What You Have
Tuesday, August 19, 2008

That is where you are! Go ahead and start with what you have - you surely cannot start with what you do not have. Plant your feet, steady your thoughts, make the decision. It is time to begin.

You have actually come to a time of the Lord’s favor and He has called for your strength! The Lord has called for an end to the past season in which something other than His best for you has worked, usurping the reality He intended. Obediently, you have pressed with your faith—praying and believing His Word to be final authority in the situation.

Start with what you have and stand firmly in that which you know God has spoken to your heart. Write all that He has said, and is saying, then start with the outline you’ve written. The Lord has come onto the scene. The predicted end of the challenge, including the sting of it, is at hand… the Lord’s hand is stretched out on your behalf!

“The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly. The right hand of the lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!" (Psalm 118:15, 16 NKJV)

Amen.

Kay's a'comin......

This morning I was awakened by an email from my brother, Mike, regarding the tropical storm (at present)Kay. He gave lots of good advice and instructions on preparing the house.

I must confess that after going over our family "hurricane survival plan" last night with Steve I was feeling somewhat anxious. So I did what any normal warm blooded person would do; I called my mother!! HAHA It was good to hear her quiet reassurances. I confessed my concern over being stuck here as my car is no longer running, my lack of emergency supplies, etc, etc. Once I had that all out of my system, not only did I feel better, but I realized (ok for the 100th time!) that the Lord didn't bring us down here to abandon us and let us die pitifully in a hurricane! We are called, blessed and highly favored! AND I have a terrific walk in closet that we can bunk down in quite comfortably if need be! Yep, the boy, the 2 dogs and myself. Steve is insisting that his XBox 360 comes too. We'll see about that.

Anyway, all the details will be taken care of by my Lord. I am reminded of a dream I had about a horrible storm that I was in the middle of. I was on an assignment for Him when I got caught outside in a horrible storm. I was in it, didn't have time for shelter as the storm came upon me, so I huddled up to a white pillar and looked up into the middle of a cyclone and realized that even though the storm was raging all around me, there was perfect peace right there next to the pillar. The pillar represented the Lord, and you better believe that He and I are tight! So, we will ride this one out in the presence of our Lord, in a walk in closet!!!

Peace.

The Land Rover Chronicles....

I have a heavy heart today. Cannot find a mechanic nearby who can work on my Land Rover. The car is driveable, as long as I put power steering fluid in it everytime the engine is cool, but I don't think it is wise to do so until I get the power steering fixed. Found a part online for $250.00, better than over $600.00 that I have seen around...trick is, I have no idea how to do this. Gonna look online tonight to find a book with directions and a list of tools.

Truth is, I don't have a choice in the matter. I don't like it, but what else am I gonna do? In a perfect world, cars would work, gas prices would be lower, I would have a job, abortion would be illegal, New Orleans would have been helped much sooner, no one would go hungry, waa, waa waa....but alas, it's not.

So, I am gonna quit whining and crying and get on with it. Please pray that I don't do more harm than good....or that the Lord leads me to someone who is mechanically inclined. Peace.

Walking the course set before me.....

Today was another awesome day in Riverview, Florida. It was a hot one for sure, but we are getting used to it more each day. Steve has been home for a week now, and he got to go to our new church this morning. He loved the worship, it was awesome today! He has an audition with the worship leader on Thursday evening to be a part of the worship team! How exciting is that??? We also had a meeting with the Youth Pastor, and he and Steve hit it off right away.

I also met the leaders of the prayer ministry, and I will be talking with them this week about being a part of the prayer team. Seems we are settling in quite nicely. It's amazing that I will have a question, or a doubt in my mind, and the Lord will wake me up in the middle of the night to talk to Him about it, and He sends the answer the very next day. I love my Lord so much....words cannot express how thankful I am.

Overall, it was a very good day today. I am walking the course set before me. No turning back. That doesn't exist for me anymore. Thank You, Lord.

And yet another confirmation......

There we were, the new congregation at Baylife Riverview. Everything was set up, the crew was fed and happy; we settled into our seats and awaited the Pastor's message via video. He came on and brought us to these scriptures:

"I thank God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Phil 1:3-6

Pastor Mark was exhorting all of us, and wanted us to know that he had been praying for us for several years; from the moment the Lord laid it upon his heart to start Baylife Riverview. "You are the answer to my prayers" he specifically said to us that morning.

What Pastor Mark didn't know was that in March, a girl in Grove City, Ohio was crying her eyes out every time she came to her church. Nothing could stop the tears, and the response she got from the Lord was that she was grieving, that she needed to do it then, because there wouldn't be time to do it when she got to where He was taking her.

During a Wednesday night service this past March, the presence of the Lord was heavy, and someone had a word for us; he said, "the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field" When I heard that word, I began to sob uncontrollably because in that moment the Lord spoke to my heart, "Michelle, you are the answer to someone's prayer." I realized in that moment that this was much bigger than my just moving to just live in someone's house for 3 years.

To hear those words from my new pastor blew me away. Those words have given me the strength to face each new challenge. I am here; I have purpose; and I am a worker in the great harvest field of our Lord!

God of this City

The first practice service at the church plant was today....some minor glitches, but that should be worked out before the first official service on the 17th.

I have included in this post a video and the lyrics; the "theme song" if you will, representing the vision for Baylife Riverview....powerful stuff. I am thankful for the love that is in my heart already for this city, and am excited about the greater things to come to this city of our Lord!



"God Of This City - Chris Tomlin" Lyrics by Passion Worship Band | from the album Passon: God of This City

You're the God of this city
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation
You Are

For there is no one like our God
There is no one like our God

Greater things have yet to come
Great things are still to be done
In this city
Greater things are still to come
And greater things are still to be done here

You're the Lord of Creation
The Creator of all things
You're the King above all Kings
You Are

You're the strength in our weakness
You're the love to the broken
You're the joy in the sadness
You Are

Greater things have yet to come
Great things are still to be done
In this city
Where glory shines from hearts alive
With praise for you and love for you
In this city

Greater things have yet to come
Great things are still to be done
In this city
Greater things are still to come
And greater things are still to be done here

Overwhelmed.....the Lord's response

In response to my desperate plea's for the Lord's help; the Lord send an encouraging word through my new Pastor via email. Read on, and may it minister to you as it did to me!

Greetings Lifers,

So I’m getting ready to go the gym this past week, right around lunch time, when I realize something is missing. Shorts? Check. Socks? Check. Shoes? Got both of those, too. What’s missing? My IPod - without this little miracle of modern technology the drudgery of my already labored running becomes a virtual death march in the humidity of the noonday sun. Some people like the quiet, and I suppose at times it soothes my soul, but not so much when it comes to the monotony of running. My music keeps my legs pumping – I get syncopated with the rhythm of the songs, get lost in the poetry of the lyrics, and before I know it I’ve reached my destination. So crucial to my trek is this device that I drive home to retrieve it before I my run commences. With some fortuitous stoplight sequences, I make it back to work in time. Operation “Pound the Pavement” is a “go”.

So fast forward through some brief stretching and the early portion of my run – I’m now at a point in the journey where I am as far from the office as I am close to my destination. The halfway point. It’s a kind of “hump day” in my daily run, a point where I know that most of the run is behind me, and what lies before me is still arduous, but imminently more doable than it seemed after my first few steps. I think we can all relate – everybody likes to see the finish line at the end of a long race.

My breathing and steps are in time with my music, I’m nearing the end, and all is well. All except the sky, that is.

I hadn’t checked the latest Doppler reading before I began running, but if I had I could have saved myself a drenching. I’m now ¾ of my way to my destination, and the sky is growing dark. I dismiss it as just one cloud, and figure that my blazing speed will serve me well in missing any real precipitation (note sarcasm). No sooner has this thought crossed my mind that the one cloud is joined by many, the wind starts to gust, and I feel those first drops that come with any storm. A light drizzle floats down around me, and soon my glasses need wipers that I don’t have, and I am covering the exposed IPod strapped to my arm with a sweaty shirt sleeve. “Keep going”, I tell myself, “it’s going to hold off until you get done”.

Not so much.

Ever been outside when a real nasty storm cloud is bearing down on your area and you can actually see the line where the rain is? As I’m running down the street, I see the wall of rain awaiting me, drops the size of sinks exploding off the pavement. This is going to get wet – fast.

I run through my options – turn and run from the cloud (physically impossible), hide under a porch to avoid getting wet (stupid, since I’m already muchos sweaty and damp from the drizzle, and stopping would significantly diminish my desire for and the impact of continued exercise), call a cab (no phone), or just go for it. Sure I’ll get wet, and my subsequent workout at the gym will be equal parts humiliating (ever work out in the form fitting wonder of saturated clothes?) and uncomfortable (wet clothes and shoes + air conditioning – energy sapped form running in the rain = uncomfortable). But the rain isn’t going away – I need to go through. So I do, wind howling, rain pelting, puddles splashing. I run through the rain to get where I need to go.

So here’s my question – have you started a journey, gotten past the halfway point and eased into cruising speed on the backstretch only to run into unthinkable storms along the way? Have these storms caused you to question your journey and given you pause in your progress? Let me remind you that God uses the storms to deepen us, to strengthen us, to challenge us. Sure it’ll be difficult, but in the end, the destination matters more than the conditions of the journey. So may you and I run with perseverance this race marked out for us. (Hebrews 12) May we pursue what God has for us through all of life’s obstacles and find ourselves right where we are intended to be. God never guaranteed an easy road, but He promises to walk it with us.

Free,

Mark Saunders
Senior Pastor
Bay Life Church
1017 Kingsway Road
Brandon, FL, 33510

Overwhelmed.....

I am overwhelmed right now. I don't know what to do. Nothing I can do, really. Lord, I need Your help right now, I need Your peace. Nothing else will help me right now.

Take me to that place, Lord, to that secret place, where I can be with you, where You can make me like You. Wrap me in Your arms.......I need You desperately right now, Lord.

And the Church is........

I have chosen a church, or rather, it chose me! Baylife - Riverview. It is a church plant that begins August 17th. I will be a part of 200+ people going from the main church in Brandon, Florida. I am excited to see what the Lord is going to do in my new community! Please continue to pray for Steve and I! Here is the web site: www.baylifeweb.org

Where Joy and Sorrow Meet.......

There's a place of quiet stillness 'tween the light and shadows reach
Where the hurting and the hopeless seek everlasting peace
Words of men and songs of angels whisper comfort bittersweet
Mending grief and life eternal where joy and sorrow meet

There is a place where hope remains
In crowns of thorns and crimson stains
And tears that fall on Jesus' feet
Where joy and sorrow meet

There's a place the lost surrender and the weary will retreat
Full of grace and mercy tender in times of unbelief
For the wounded there is healing, strength is given to the weak
Broken hearts find love redeeming where joy and sorrow meet

There's a place of thirst and hunger where the roots of faith grow deep
And there is rain and rolling thunder when the road is rough and steep
There is hope in desperation there is victory in defeat
At the cross of restoration where joy and sorrow meet
Avalon

I love you, my precious friend. I hope somehow that the tears I have been shedding will somewhat ease your burden of tears for a time. As your heart is breaking, know He is in that place, the place where joy and sorrow meet....

Blind Bartimaeus

"Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging.

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, "Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you."

And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.

So Jesus answered and said to him, "What do you want Me to do for you?" The blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, that I may receive my sight." Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way, your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road. Mark 10:46-52

What I love about this story in the Bible is that it is SO relevant to us today! How many times when you have been crying out to the Lord for something, and the enemy convinces you that the Lord can't hear you; or perhaps you felt like jumping up in the middle of a church service where the Lord has shown up and you wanted to dance like David did because of what He has brought you out of that week, only to be stiffled by religion to sit back down and be afraid to step up and out?

Blind Bartimaeus heard that Jesus (his deliverer, his healer) was about to pass by. He KNEW Jesus could heal him, and he wasn't gonna let anything keep him from getting what Jesus had for him! They told him to be quiet, but he yelled out even louder! His desire for his healing was a lot stronger than his fear of what people thought! It also says that when Jesus called for him, he threw off his garment, a garment that all those who were disabled and begged as a means of survival, wore. That says to me that he KNEW that Jesus was gonna change his life, and he threw off that garment as a means of stepping out in faith, believing that when Jesus was done with him, he would never need that beggars garment again! He knew who Jesus was, what He could do, and believed that it was his time!

I am gonna continue to cry out, and to dance before my Lord because I KNOW WHO JESUS IS! I KNOW WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR ME AND WHAT HE CAN DO! And most importantly, I KNOW HE LOVES ME!

God is the same; yesterday, today, and forever!

Problems? Circumstances that seem too huge to possibly have a good result? Good news, my God is the same; yesterday, today, and forever! Read on and be blessed as I was!

"If He could do it for Moses, Noah, and David, He can do it for you! He knows your name, everything about you - your past, and your future.

From the day you were born, heaven began to form a sound - just for you!"

"From the day you took My breath, I began to form something that no one else could take."

Yet I am hearing those, those who are desperate to hear..."Lord where are You taking me now?"

I would say to you, " Have I ever, ever let you down? Have I ever walked away? Do you know me to walk away when darkness surrounds your life? Yet I'm hearing here tonight someone's fight that I gave up on you..."

"There is someone here tonight who needs some Holy light. But will you take it? Have I ever let you down? Have I ever walked away when you called My Holy Name? Have I ever turned away when you've come beyond the veil?"

"I've always been there; come if you want, if you're desperate enough, I'll meet you there when you come to Me in prayer!"

He never, ever changes; He's the same yesterday and forever! If He did it yesterday, He'll do it again.

Whatever your need, it's nothing to God. If He solved the problems yesterday, why not today's? If for Moses, if for Noah, if for David, why not for you?

Think of those in the Halls of Faith. He did something for them that never happened before - if He did it for them, WHY NOT YOU??

"Listen to us, Lord, we know You can do it for us. You can put us in the Hall of Faith like You did yesterday!

If You did it for David, You can do it for us!
If You did it for Moses, You can do it for us!
If You did it for Daniel, You can do it for us!
If You did it for Jeremiah, You can do it for us!
If You did it for Peter, You can do it for us!

You will never ever change, You are the same yesterday, today and forever!

The Lord wants to do something different for someone through you!

"The air, the atmosphere is filled with clean destiny!" Kim Clement

Three Weeks

I just got back from taking Steve to the Tampa International Airport. He will be spending about three weeks in Minneapolis with his Dad. They are going fishing, boating, camping, etc. He is also going to try to get his motorcycle license. All the things sons like to do with their fathers! I am so happy for Steve. And for Kris. Reconciliation is a great thing.

On the other hand, I have never spent this amount of time away from Steve. Longest time was a week when he went to Arizona. So....what to do, what to do????

We are in the middle of the rainy season, so may not be able to do any beach time. However, I may have to check out some places. Plus got the job hunt going on. Of course I am open to whatever the Lord has for me in this season.

First church visit

Steve and I visited a church today. It was very small and very different from where we come from. Not necessarily a bad thing. We sang out of hymnals. Steve loved it. They loved him! Met a real life squirrel lady. Yep, precious saint with about 5 teeth, who loves the Lord with her whole heart! She rescues squirrels and also has two owls. That has to be a sight. She promised to show them to me. Then there was Frank, the practical joker who got me several times with his jokes! The bad thing is that everyone (but me)knew the jokes and were watching me fall; hook, line and sinker for them all. Following the service there was a party for one of the church members, her 78th birthday. We stayed and had lunch and cake.

A new church home, not sure. I love the pastor though and have an awesome connection with him. Time will tell.

Home

I am home. Everyday gets easier, and I am sleeping again! The house is beautiful, as is the area. Went to Clearwater the other evening. Deb and I were all sweaty (yes, me more so than her!!!) so we decided to take a dip in the pool to cool off. Then we decided to put the top down on her rental car and take a drive to the ocean so our hair could dry! We walked on the beach, and had dinner at a restaurant that was right on the beach. Yep, a mighty fine evening!

Courtney and Jake just left. They drove down to bring Steve and the dog, Sophie. They spent alot of time at the various beaches, being that it was the first time Jake had ever seen the ocean.

Fighter jets just flew over the house! What an awesome thing! They are REALLY loud, but amazing none the less. They come from Mac dill Air force Base that is a mere 15 minutes away.

To some this all up; I am THANKFUL, BLESSED, and EXCITED to see what is next! Oh, I also have a new addition to my family, albeit and temporary one. My brother and sister-in-law's dog, Bebe. A miniature chiwawa (i know, i cant spell, so i will do it phonetically) I will have her until February. Good thing I have a king sized bed, HAHA!

Just a few more hours!

Here I am at 12:20 in the morning, can't sleep........

I am leaving one season, and entering another. Tempted to be scared, but the Word says that I am loved PERFECTLY. And that PERFECT love casts out ALL fear. So I choose not to be scared.

So I will fall asleep praying for all the people the Lord puts in my path; whether to minister to, to love, to serve, to comfort, to clothe, to feed, to shelter, to proclaim liberty to, to befriend, to encourage, to make introductions to my best friend, to marry perhaps; whatever the case may be, I'll be praying for them tonight!

A new season................

The Lord woke me up with these verses the other morning; He is steadily speaking to me about Florida and this new season I am entering:

"THE Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me,
Because the LORD has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified."

And they shall rebuild the old ruins,
They shall raise up the former desolations,
And they shall repair the ruined cities,
The desolations of many generations.
Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks,
And the sons of the foreigner
Shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.
But you shall be named the priests of the LORD,
They shall call you the servants of our God.
You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles,
And in their glory you shall boast.
Instead of your shame you shall have double honor,
And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion.
Therefore in their land they shall possess double;
Everlasting joy shall be theirs.

"For I, the LORD, love justice;
I hate robbery for burnt offering;
I will direct their work in truth,
And will make with them an everlasting covenant.
Their descendants shall be known among the Gentiles,
And their offspring among the people.
All who see them shall acknowledge them,
That they are the posterity whom the LORD has blessed."

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,
My soul shall be joyful in my God;
For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments,
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
For as the earth brings forth its bud,
As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth,
So the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.


His FAVOR is upon me, HIS will, yes it will be accomplished!

Micah 6:8

In this new season of my life, I am holding on to this verse. My life verse if you will.

"He has shown you, O man, what is good: And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."

Dreaming.............

Dreams are coming; quickly they are picking up their pace....

I am to let go of the old, it is rotten; just as the manna was when the children of Israel tried to store up what the hand of the LORD provided. Daily provision is all I need. The provision is Your word to me Lord, not man's.

I recently experienced a time of ministry where the Lord moved in such a powerful and different way than I have ever experienced. That night I dreamed about it; but saw it from a completely different perspective.....I saw what was going on in the Spirit....I saw the Lord open my mouth and a song came forth; one that cannot be stopped, silenced, or in any way hindered from what it is being sent forth to do.

Father, YOU have opened my mouth; let Your song (Your prophetic utterance) resound over all Your creation!

Caleb

Caleb was courageous! No matter how big and dangerous the giants in the land flowing with milk and honey.....he KNEW that his Lord would go before them and help them to take possession of this promised land!

The children of Israel forfeited their promise, their very inheritance; and for what??? FEAR. UNBELIEF. The Lord was gracious in that He didn't strike down the children of Israel like He did the spies, He pardoned them due to Mose's intercession. But they didn't get to enter into the promised land. How tragic.....

I've heard it said that most people give up ONE prayer away from their breakthrough. I'm not going to be one of them!! I'm gonna pray, I'm gonna believe; and with the boldness and faithful obedience of Caleb, I will walk in my inheritance! My Lord is leading me to this new place, even if I cannot see the how, the when, etc.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Thank You, Lord.

More.............

I want more. It's no secret.

Am I willing to pay the price for more??? Am I willing to trade my dignity, my reputation; to trade everything I ever dreamed of....for more of You????

Trembling, with a reverent fear, I whisper....

"yes."

A call to come away....

This time next week, I will be on a beach in Florida. He has called me to Himself, and I know He is going to speak to me there. Not that He can't speak to me here, He does, but there is a time that He calls us away. For a special time together.

I'm coming Lord, and I can't wait to meet You there. An anticipation is building in me as I chase after Him. Again, skipping and dancing to our meeting place. I can hear Him call, "Come away, My beloved...."

Marked Forever

I have a tattoo. Yep. I was thrilled when I found this picture because it represents what my tattoo means! Some time ago, the Lord called me to a higher place in worship, and as I stepped out in obedience, a friend had a vision of my dancing before my King in a field of daisies. She had no idea that my favorite flowers are daisies! But the Lord knew...and I knew His heart was pleased. My tattoo is around my right ankle. It has the Song of Solomon verse "My beloved is mine, and I am His" in hebrew with daisies intertwined.

I will dance before Him, because I know I am His and He is mine. Forever.

My Banner Is Clear...I Am A Disciple Of Jesus!

I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed.
I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made.
I'm a disciple of Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down,
back up, or be still. My past is redeemed; my future is secure.
I'm finished and done with low living, small planning, smooth knees,
colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living and
dwarfed goals.

I no longer need prosperity, position, promotions, praise or popularity.
I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognised, praised, regarded or rewarded.
I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer and labor by power.

My face is set, my walk is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my walk rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, and my mission is clear.
I cannot be bought, deluded, or delayed.
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up and preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Christ. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know and work till He stops me.

And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me.....My banner is clear!!

Author Unknown

"....This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward unto those things which are before, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 3:13-14

True Victory

Truly, I've been through the storm and rain.

I know every thing about heartache and pain.

But God carried me through it all,

without His protection I'll surely fall.

I've been broke without a dime to my name.

But all my bills got paid because I called on Jesus name.

You can't tell me that God isn't real

'cause I've got the victory and that why I'm still here.

I'm not worried about material things I don't have.

I'm just blessed cause I know that my Savior's there.

Because I know that my blessing is on the way,

I can't see it right now but I stand by faith.

I've fought many, many battles in His name.

I've held up the blood-stained banner and proclaimed.

That Jesus is the truth to the light.

Believe me when I say he will make it right.

I've got, got the victory

I've got the sweet sweet victory in Jesus.

Yes I do

He's our mighty conquerer.

In him I will trust, all my battles He'll fight.

I've got, got the victory

I've got the sweet sweet victory in Jesus.

For me He died, but He rose on the third day.

Thats why I have true victory everyday.

Victory, Yolanda Adams

Freedom

Several years ago, I had a vision of myself in a prison cell. I paced around in that confining room, despair nipping at my heels with every step.

Suddenly, I felt drawn to the door of the prison cell. I walked over to it; the dread and fear threatening to stop me in my tracks. Nevertheless I was compelled to that door. Mustering all the courage I could, I stepped up to the door and in amazement, saw that the door was unlocked. My whole life, I had been confined to this prison cell, when all along the door was unlocked and I could leave!

Again, that gentle nudging persisted as I opened the door and looked out at my freedom. Step by step, I made my way out the door, down some steps and onto the street. As I stepped unto the sidewalk, I saw Travis standing in the street. He was jumping up and down, waving his arms at me, encouraging me to keep going, to keep moving towards the freedom that was mine.

The Lord revealed that my freedom was there if I wanted it. It took great courage to see things as they really were, to leave the comfort of the familiar, in order to receive my freedom. I am so glad I did!

The Lord holds the keys, not the enemy! Jesus paid dearly for the rights to those keys. What have you been afraid to see? To experience? Throw off the comfort of the prison house and take up what the Lord has for you......freedom.

"Yes......"

I will dance with You

Longing.....

I'm longing, longing....
for a place I cannot find
a place no one has told me
a land of a fairer kind

You have kept Your promise to me
I have all a man could want
Yet I stare into the distance
I ache, and still I long....

I am surrounded by my Canaan
laughter echoes loud
I've loved and lived and followed,
built altars and I've bowed

Oh foolish man, oh dreamer
ungrateful in my lot
am I not here, is this not dear?
what else could yet be sought?

Where are You Lord, where are You?
Where is the home You keep?
You came and wakened longing,
then You hid within the deep.

I yearn to hear Your voice again
to feel Your presence near....
You've shown me there is so much more,
so much more!
Then left me longing here......

A place no one has told me
a land of fairer kind
somewhere beyond the stars
I count them one by one.....
a better country calls me
"Come home to Canaan soon......"

Longing by Travis Cottrell

I can only imagine what Abraham (Abram at that time) went through when the Lord called him out....my situation is not at all like his, but I do have a longing in me that is building....no faces or a place yet....just the longing, as I run (skipping and dancing) to catch up to my Lord as He walks ahead....motioning me to follow Him.

Gen 12:1
Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, from your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you