The Lord is moving with our Haiti group. Yesterday they were up in the mountain regions of tent city where they met and served food to the pastors and missionaries working there. J shared with me some things he learned that even now I cry about. I’ll let them share details. Braden and Sara went to a neighboring house and helped some ladies with their chores, and played some games with the children there. They also went to the orphanage later in the day and loved on those precious children. I’ll be surprised if Braden doesn’t come home with one in her bag!

Today, they go out teaching in homes and the communities, and praying. I know from experience this is a mighty day. Not only does the work they’ve been doing and continue doing help the people in practical ways, teach them teamwork (major lesson they need), and please the Lord, but it also builds favor to God’s glory. Pray with me for them. Don’t just pray….. BELIEVE with me for them, pausing and doing so every time the Lord brings them to your mind and hearts:

Now in him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to his power that is at work within us. TO HIM BE THE GLORY in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen
Ephesians 3:20-21 (emphasis mine)

They go with a message on their lips and big hearts to share with all.

Prayer requests….pray believing:

>Water..water in the mountain region…BIG TIME (I’ll let them share details)
>For people to receive and understand the Word and comprehend what they are saying
>hydration for the whole missionary team.
>strength and energy for the whole missionary team.
>Water pump went out and needs fixing.

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Yesterday was full and busy for our little gang. I talked to them at separate times, so I’ll give you what they each gave me. This picture is from Sunday.
The girls worked hard and got tons done at the clinic by organizing A LOT. They also worked a lot with the kids by doing skits and object lessons about germs, teaching and giving shots. Braden loved laying hands and praying for a woman that came in. Sara was taking a shower when we talked so I didn’t get to talk to her much but got from Braden that Sara is fantastic. As I said yesterday, this is of absolutely no surprise. Sara is always fantastic (LOVE that girl!).

Here’s a pic from yesterday. In the first picture, Sara is to the left of the Haitian woman, Braden is kneeling in front of Sara with her hands on her praying. The last picture is of the children at the Shiloh school where they worked (picture courtesy of Brent Gambrell Ministries).

Braden went on and on about the food. She loves it and is eating things she never eats at home. She told me she didn’t know what she was going to do when she gets back to America after eating their food. I said the same things when I was in South America. Of course, you guys know that something funny always happens with the girls. Yesterday as they were walking the path, a little girl comes to them. This isn’t unusual as they are fascinated by them. Braden learned a little of the language and greets them. This particular little girl came up and started talking to them and saying words in her language they didn’t understand. This little girl looks at them like they are insane! When their interpreter came up, the girls asked him what a certain word meant. The interpreter looks at them like they’re insane and has no idea so he went to the little girl and asked in Creole what she wanted to say to the girls. Immediately the interpreter and everyone around starts laughing as they find out she was speaking ENGLISH to the girls the WHOLE time and they didn’t understand her! Haha! Of course Braden and Sara crack up in themselves too.
Braden sang for worship last night. When I asked what the favorite thing of the day was, it took a few minutes because they loved everything. Finally, it was when they were walking back from the morning work to eat lunch (which is about like walking from my house to Springfield in rough terrain) a group of kids came by and they all started giving them high fives and giggling. This was so special because they knew they were connecting with the locals. Remember, no one has served this area yet besides nurse Jenny! The kids go to school in two shifts. This means the teachers are there teaching from 7am-7pm. It was a new shift of children that was coming by.
Today they go back to the clinic to work and then on to the orphanage. They are excited to go there! They are doing a craft where they are taking pictures of each child, helping them frame them to take them home. To understand the significance of this, read my previous post titled “Mirror Mirror” written by Brandon about an encounter J had yesterday.
When I talked to J, he was full of things to tell me too. He also went on and on about watching his daughter Braden jump in on things. He called her “on fire” and loved watching her work and embrace the kids, the adults, the other missionaries. He loves how she doesn’t even think about how she impacts people and just jumps in. He took pictures of her giving the kids shots. She has never been squeamish about needles and the like, but this fascinated him because he hates them. He went on and on about her singing last night and her volunteering to do tonight’s devotion with the missionaries. He said Sara is jumping right in too and is doing extremely well. He is so proud of both of the girls.
He loves the food as well. He loves working with Nurse Jenny and mentioned she reminded him of a sweet missionary woman named Gladys Farmer that we both new as children. Any of you reading this remember her? AWESOME woman of God! She touched so many people everywhere she went. Nurse Jenny was a nurse in New York City that came down to Haiti with Brent two years ago, heard God’s call and moved there. She is doing so many good things there.
After spending the morning at the clinic, he stayed at the compound after lunch (by then, the Haitian guys were back from that 6 hour trek to the market getting the supplies that he told them to get!) and started working there. Not without first giving the men going with the girls STRICT instructions on watching his girls…where to walk so he can see them at all times, etc….even made him promise! Ha! And this was an american missionary! Ha!
He and his team are building decks, doing plumbing, fixing faucets, putting locks on the dorms, etc. There are two Haitian women doing the cooking for them all. He said right after one meal, they start preparing for the next one because it’s all from scratch. They have a spot under a tree they like to go to sit and start meal prep. He was busy working when these women came screaming and yelling because 5 snakes were after them. J and his men took care of them but it made him laugh so hard! His laugh makes me laugh. Oh how I love that man!
He mentioned a conversation he had with the locals about the local “law”. He learned that all they need is three witnesses saying you did a certain thing, and the law enforcement would come shoot you. Especially over stealing. Interesting. Wow.
His favorite part of the day was building the deck, watching all the kids at the clinic and the encounter he had on the path with the lady and the camera. Read my post titled “Mirror Mirror” about that.
Today, he finishes the decks, plumbing for the bungalows, builds sink supports. They have a generator for about two hours a night so he is going to do some plugs for them.
Prayer requests:
All of them mentioned rehydration. They are drinking, but it’s easy to get busy and forget….and they are sweating more than usual so they’re losing more than usual. I sent them with some rehydrating powder to put in water and drink. Pray for their health and rehydration. This can be dangerous for anyone but especially for a man with a stint. Also pray for opportunities to share His love and message. Pray continuously as you think of them.
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It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. But have you ever thought about how much a reflection is worth?
My Dad is in Haiti on a mission trip. He was walking down a path when two children came running out of the bush. Their mother followed, running after them. They were excited and asked my dad to take their picture. Some people there like for you to take their picture and show it to them because they don’t have mirrors and wonder what they look like. She was so joyous to be able to see what she looked like!
So the question is, “How much is a reflection worth?” To Americans it may seem simple, but to a Haitian it is worth a lot. We get up every day and look in the mirror. To a Haitian that is a luxury that is far from reach.
Imagine never being able to know what you look like until you meet a total stranger and ask him to take your picture. Imagine how much a reflection is worth to them.
This reminds me of what the Bible says, “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever‑increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
(2 Corinthians 3:18)
My friends, Christ equals freedom, life, and liberty. Everyone is looking for these in some way.
Remember that when we look at people we are looking at someone who is searching for a reflection that means more….that means life. Let’s show the world what, or rather Who, we are made of. Lets show them our Love, Savior, and Redeemer. Let’s reflect Christ. Let’s be His mirror. Let’s be love.
If a picture is worth a thousand words, how much is a reflection worth? Eternity.
My friends… live life reflecting Christ. It really is a life and death matter. Some people don’t know what they are missing until they’ve seen it.
Remember that true freedom is found through the cross. When He said it is finished he meant it! We are not made of this world! We are made in God’s image
This post is written by my son, Brandon.
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On Saturday, (R to L) my husband J, daughter Braden, and friend Sara, left for Haiti to serve with a ministry called A Door To Hope with Brent Gambrell. This is a picture of them at the airport just before we left them at the gate.

This is the area they are living for the week. I have talked with them several times. God is doing amazing things. They sound different every time they call. I love it!
They are pioneering a new work in the clinic, school and orphanage in the Grand Goave area for this ministry. There’s a whole other aspect to this trip that I will publish next week as I don’t want to freak people out while they’re gone. You’ll understand better when you read next week 🙂

They are staying in bungalows near the ocean that a group from Canada built for the area a while back. They are there to help a nurse named Jenny who came there to serve some time back, and has since moved there. They have two guards there.

Today, Braden and Sara will be working at the clinic helping nurse Jenny and then at the orphanage where she will teach. Braden is having the time of her life. She is embracing all the hardships like a trooper and has a joyfulness in her voice that says she is soaking up every minute with a smile on her face. She is eager to get to work and explains every minute of her time. I love it! She says Sara is doing GREAT which is no surprise at all because she is always great!

J has been placed in charge of the men there. He is directing projects with the Haitians and other missionaries there. Today, he goes for the morning with the girls and assesses and works on the school and will help at the orphanage. The school, the church, the clinic and the orphanage are near each other but about a 30-45 min (rough!) walk from where they are sleeping. After lunch, the girls will go with a team back to the orphanage and J will stay on the compound with some Haitian men and direct the rebuilding of the walls, securing the bungalows, etc. he spent yesterday afternoon talking with the Haitian men about what they need to gather on their THREE HOUR…(ONE WAY…THAT MEANS 6 HOURS)….trek to the market area. (I will remember this next time I complain about my terrible 10 minute DRIVE to Walmart! Ugh! We are so spoiled!). J is so moved by the people and the conditions there. He tells me every minute of his day too as he is so touched by them. The people are curious about them. He is a strong leader with a huge heart. I know he and Braden are going to fall in love with those children today!

Prayer:
Pray for safety today as they work. Pray for supernatural protection, strength, wisdom, and love to and through them today. I know and pray as He says in Isaiah 52 and 58, He will go before them and be their rear guard. It looks like the humidity is at 91% today so pray for their supernatural comfort as they serve. Pray for the opportunities I know God has for them to share His Gospel as they serve. I know God is going before them and preparing hearts for the message. Thank God for each person that came before my family and friend got there and built those bungalows, the clinic, that school, that orphanage and that church. Thank Him for nurse Jenny and her work there and for Brent and A Door To Hope as their work there. God’s glory forever. Pray for the people there.

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My heart is so full as I write today. I start my husband and daughter on malaria meds today in preparation for their first overseas mission trip. I’m so excited in an extraordinary way. The intricate things God did in this sends me soaring to the moon with excitement! Our family has done a lot of mission work here in the USA but this is their first time overseas.

In the beginning stages of planning, I was to go on this trip with our daughter. I’ve been a missionary to South America and wouldn’t hesitate to go. In fact, my hubby originally said that in order for our daughter to go, I must go. In my heart, I knew this was his trip. I had major neck surgery earlier this year and right at the time of confirming flights, etc I had a big set back. I knew this was a God thing to move things around. I prayed and my hubby said he would go. BAM! There are some things I can’t share right now about my daughter specifically that I see God doing (I want her to hear from God with no influence from me first), and have been praying about it. We were soon after notified that their assignment changed completely for this trip and they are now pioneering a new area for future missionaries. This correlates so much with those things I’ve prayed about. BAM! God gave her a job that helped prepare her for this. BAM! My husband had God speak to him in a mighty way while on a retreat two weeks ago. BAM! Their financing for this trip came in faster than I’ve EVER seen on a team I was on, or a team I have led. BAM! God began calling our family in a special way to orphans. BAM! BAM! BAM!

For I know the plans I have for you declares the LORD plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Trust. We say, trust God. How can anyone ever doubt God after the ways he sees to our needs IN SUCH DETAIL?? God has you. HE has declared that HE has you…a promise that will not be broken. You are HIS beloved. Ask HIM anything…tell HIM anything….bring HIM anything. HE loves you deeply…..grasp how wide, and long, and high, and deep is the love of Christ (Ephesians 2:18)….for YOU

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I’ve just returned from a four day retreat. Ahhhh! Feel my smile? I had such a powerful experience that my soul is resting so peacefully in! I’ll say it again…..ahhhh! I am so glad it happened when it did because October is an extremely busy month. God told me back in late summer that October was going to be an increase and a speeding up in things for my family…..and He wasn’t kidding! Our home is usually hustling and moving. All of us here work hard and serve hard in several areas of ministry. So far, my husband, son and I have each been on one trip separately at different times to different areas, two members of my family will be leaving the country on a mission trip, then three members are leaving for two different trips out, I have two conferences I’m serving at, and one I’m speaking at….all this in addition to our usual things we do, like working regular jobs….all in October!! People are at my house throughout and the security cameras and alarm systems stay on.

It is so important to stay grounded and close to the Lord at all times. In busy times it’s tempting to skip out on our quiet time (I like to call it cuddle time) and studying of the Word with Daddy. It’s tempting to sleep in juuuust a little longer. Don’t fall for it! We have to be on guard at all times, especially in busy work…even if that work is for the Lord. I began telling my family several weeks ago that October was going to be extremely intense with activity so stay close to His Word and communication with Him. Along with the busyness we need to draw near to God and He will draw near to us. James 4:8

I’m sitting here in the Pittsburgh airport anxiously awaiting a couple flights which will land me in Mexico. Me and 12 other young adults are on our way to do some missions work in San Luis.

Why is it that missions trips create a spiritual urgency in us? We pray harder. We prepare. We go with expectation believing for miracles and transformed lives.

But when it comes to the every day, we coast. We’re comfortable. We have our ministry down to a science. We don’t even have to pray that much. We just do it.

Consider this verse from the Acts 20:22-23:

“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.”

You know what stands out to me here? In the face of pain and difficulty, Paul was compelled to go. He wasn’t concerned for his own well-being – he was sold out to the cause.

Every day was a new adventure because He was following the Holy Spirit.

What about you?

When you’re following the Holy Spirit, you feel compelled. There’s a burning in your heart to do what He calls you to do – go where He calls you to go – and be who He’s called you to be.

What if you approached your worship leading this Sunday like you would a missions trip? What if you were “on your toes” – prayed up, expectant, focused, and believing for the miraculous?

Because God is always up to miraculous work – saving the lost, healing the sick, awakening lifeless hearts. And He wants to do that through you.

Are you ready?

Praying for you and your ministry, Christy.

David
davidsantistevan.com.

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David Santistevan
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Copyright (C) 2012 David Santistevan All rights reserved.

David wholeheartedly gave me permission to use this email that he sent out. I wanted to share this because I too have felt this way about our mission field being wherever we are right now….and not saving that urgency for when we get on that plane. I’ve done missionary work here in the U.S. and in South America….as well as everyday serving where I am. There shouldn’t be a difference in our “spiritual urgency”. There is a battle going on all over this planet, and people needing the Savior everywhere. Stand up soldier, and rise to your call. Let’s be on our faces praying for our fellow brothers and sisters who are serving all over this world, and in our own churches and neighborhoods. If you’ve ever asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, you are a missionary right now and have received the call, see Matthew 28:19-20.

The following is a tag I use with my email signature:
We are free-ist when we obey…..tallest when we’re kneeling…..most alive when we die

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I recently had the privilege to preview an eBook written by Tony Morgan called Take The Lid Off Your Church: 6 Steps To Building A Healthier Senior Leadership Team. Below is the review on Amazon and also a link to purchase it. Believe me brothers and sisters….go read some of the other leader’s reviews and grab it too…you won’t be sorry! I truly wish I had this book YEARS ago! So glad it’s here NOW! It’s a very easy and pleasant read.

Amazon review:
My son is in the very beginning stages of planting a church. When I received the notice that I was chosen to read and review this eBook I was ecstatic. If you are beginning a ministry, this is a must have for your library. Tony Morgan gives clear steps on how to choose the leaders right, right from the start. Consider this an important “how-to” for building from the ground up. Placing the right people on the right team can truly bless the health of the ministry. Healthy leadership=healthy ministry.

If your a church that has some issues or “something just isn’t right”….this is for you. Maybe you’ve noticed things aren’t moving in your ministry as you envisioned it, some gaps, or ill-placed people on your team….. this eBook is great for you too. This isn’t the first ministry our family has started/helped start and I guarantee you this will be brought to the table every time.

I advise this for all my friends and family in any ministry no matter where you are on your timeline!

Go NOW and purchase it here: Take The Lid Off

I am gifting this to some people I know personally! You should too!

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Since you have heard about Jesus and learned the truth that comes from Him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted through deceitful desires. Instead, let the spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:21-24

When this hard, rebellious man walked down the isle at his church and got saved it seemed we could feel all of heaven clap in praise….and so did the entire congregation. Tears flowed long and hard in rejoicing over this man. I know I cried a mess all over another mans suit that day! You see, this man was loved so much and prayed about by everyone for so long. He had been at death’s door several times. He had lived a hard, sinful life. He had hurt a lot of people in his lifetime. BUT….then he met Jesus! The day he met Jesus he was transformed radically. A modern day “Saul to Paul” transformation. He gained a ravenous appetite for God and His Word that was impressive. He shared Jesus everywhere he went. Because of his background, he was able to reach people that others couldn’t….all but one area….his family. He called one day hurt about this and said, “I know the Lord saved me and forgave me. They all know this. Why don’t they accept me now?”

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there at the altar and go, be reconciled to that person and then come offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24

You see….Jesus had indeed forgiven him of all he had done. However, he had burned some bridges with others in his family, and with friends. That wonderful man left that conversation with me and spent the next several weeks going to each person he had ever done wrong and apologized in detail to them and asked their forgiveness. He died a short while later, and while at his funeral, lines and lines of people told me how after years had passed between them, he showed up one day telling them he was sorry, and how Jesus had transformed his life…..friends, family, and even his ex-wife! What a blessed example of a man transformed at the cross and used for God’s glory!

This man was my father. A man radically and boldly changed; who now has all of his hunger satisfied, feasting at the table of His precious Jesus.

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As I walked by the window that day, I saw them. Over my front yard were birds. Lots of BIG birds….circling. I thought, “Awww, something is dead and they are circling before they feast”. As my eyes followed the line in the sky from the birds to where they’re circling over my front yard I see their target…..MY LITTLE SON is laying on the ground, arms and legs stretched out and very, very still! By that time, the birds were close enough to him that, had I been where he was, I could have thrown a rock and hit them! If you knew how far I can throw a rock and hit a target, you’d know this isn’t very far! Immediately, I open my front door and call out to him loudly…..ok, that’s a nice way of saying I opened my front door and screamed his name loud enough to not only shock those ravenous birds, but every tree around shook as birds fluttered away at the sudden high pitched shriek…as if they all collectively jumped and said, “WOAH….DUDE….let’s roll out of here!”

And so dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice–the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. Romans 12:1

In the Old Testament, when sacrificing an animal a priest would kill the animal, cut it into pieces, and place it on the altar. Sacrifice was very important, but even in the Old Testament God made it clear that obedience from the heart was far more important. God wants us to offer ourselves, not animals, as living sacrifices. It really is about the heart. Daily as we lay aside our own desires to follow Him—-putting all of our trust in Him to guide us–because He has pleasing and perfect plans for us….our minds will be BLOWN! As we lay ourselves outstretched for Him to have His way with us, He draws near…SKIN TO SKIN….and dazzles us. To be that close to the very definition of Love and Power takes my breath away! Out of all the magnificent things I’ve witnessed God doing…..the most miraculous thing is the way He changes and lifts me…ME….He has transformed my mind and heart so much, I scarcely recognize myself. You see, this is true worship….because He gave His Son to make our new life possible, we should joyfully give ourselves as living sacrifices for His service.

The way my son laid outstretched that day was very indicative of how he would grow and live his life with our Lord and Savior….just a giving of his life to follow Him with everything in him. God is not like those birds, circling and waiting to devour us. To the contrary…..He is came to give us new life!

If you’ve ever been in a city during rush hour traveling down 5 lanes of traffic, you know the busyness of it. Everyone in a hurry to get where they’re headed so they go…and they go FAST.

It was on a day like this, at just that time of day, that I was traveling home from work. Suddenly, right in the middle of that 5 lanes of busy, rush hour traffic, my vehicle just stops. Dead. In the middle of those 5 lanes. No puttering to stop. Just stops with no engine running. Stopped dead. As I look in my rearview mirror and see that 18 wheeler and all those vehicles headed right at me, I yell….”Jesus, no!”

“When they call on Me, I will answer; I will be with them in time of trouble. I will rescue and honor them” Psalm 91:15

It wasn’t a rhetorical using-of-His-name-in-a-sentence type usage (which I can’t, stand by the way). I was literally talking to my Savior, needing Him to save me in the physical realm this time. As if there was a bubble around me, the vehicles started parting. That 18 wheeler got close enough for me to see the panic on his face as he yanked hard and fast on his steering wheel to the left to pass by. My Lord saved me that day. My vehicle finally started and I went on my way, calling my hubby to praise the Lord with him.

There are days when we wake up and look around to say, “How in the world did I get HERE, and how did things get THIS way???” Call out that name: JESUS….the sweetest name I know. Don’t try to clean things up before you do, like some people do just before the housekeeper comes, or when company is coming. He says, come as you are, mess and all. You are tired of the mess, of the juggling, of the hiding, and the keeping of the secrets….

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28

Dear Lord, thank You for meeting me just where I am, mess and all. Thank You that You rescue us….over and over again. Your love never fails. Your love endures forever. There’s power in Your name. Lord, I call on your name right now. I need You. I thank You……

Photo credit: tomtom.com

I am a counselor. I do all sorts of counseling and life coaching. I’m also a teacher, speaker and former homeschool Mom (graduated both of my kids). I often get questions about what book I would recommend for encouragement….what core curriculum I couldn’t live without….what one resource is my go-to for advice….who I would recommend for referrals….if I could name one thing I would not leave behind….if I were on a desert island, what is one thing I would take with me (ok, not so much this last one, but it applies).

Applying what’s right to every situation requires discernment from the Holy Spirit and wisdom from God’s perfect curriculum — the Bible. Daily we face problems, issues, choices, and temptations that require divine knowledge in making the right decisions, or responses. How do we know when we are relying on our own smarts or actually following God’s wisdom?

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. James 3:17

Ok….so how does that apply? Is your decision being controlled by self-ambition, or jealousy? Does it manipulate? God’s wisdom will always take you in the right direction. Best of all His wisdom is available to anyone who will humble themselves and ask for it.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally…. James 1:5

God’s Word and prayer are always….ALWAYS where I go. Always and in everything. EVERYTHING.

Maybe you’ve realized things aren’t going right….things are spinning off in a direction you didn’t foresee and now you know why. Remember, if you keep doing what you’re doing, you’re going to keep getting what you’re getting….and…..insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results.
Break the cycle and make a change. Hang up that phone and quit calling your friends first (Seek the Kingdom of God ABOVE ALL ELSE….this means FIRST….and He will give you everything you need. Luke 12:31. Emphasis mine). Grab that Bible, bring along that notebook and pray, read, listen and write.

Maybe you’ve already discovered God’s true wisdom for making Godly choices. When your friends call you up, are you praying with them and directing them to God? Is God calling you to host a Bible study for you and your girlfriends (or guy friends). Answer Him and do it. Nothing better then digging into His Word together. Anything from Beth Moore would be great!

If you’re looking for someone to facilitate or host a study like this or another one, I’ll be glad to help. I love gathering friends old and new around Him and sitting at His feet a while!

Photo Credit: Braden Rawls @Created For More Photography (yep! That’s my girl!)

God has always amazed me. The things He does, the way He does them. Just astounding….mostly because He chooses me to do anything. That is most crazy part for me….that I ever get to have a part. Imperfect me. The following is one example of this radical life He has called me to:

I was on my way to run some errands and had my 4 year old daughter with me. All of a sudden, God told me to turn into the hospital. I parked my vehicle and when I got inside, He said, “Go to the elevator and get off on the second floor, there’s a woman there I want you to talk to”. While in the elevator, my daughter asked what we were doing. I told her the truth, that God wanted us to do something for Him, that He wanted me to talk to a lady that needed help. She simply said, “ok”. Simply said, ok….wow….what an example of simply following…no questions asked! “Go to the waiting room, she is there reading a Bible and doesn’t understand something. I want you to walk up to her and ask her if she understands what she’s reading and answer her questions”. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? Really?? A modern day reenactment of Acts Chapter 8:26-40?? If I get off of this elevator and see an Ethiopian lady reading from Isaiah, I’m going to pass out…..she is going to think I’m crazy, and I just might agree with her….maybe I am crazy……ok…..if I’m going to be crazy, I’ll be crazy for you, Lord.
There are a few waiting areas but when the elevator doors opened, He told me which one to go to….and there she was…..a little Ethiopian lady reading the Bible. Thinking I’m all in now and there’s no turning back, I walked up to her, rolling Isaiah over in my mind. I find she isn’t in Isaiah, but in the Gospels (whew!). I explained some things she didn’t understand and led her into my sweet Savior’s arms. She asked me to go back with her to her husband’s room and help her share what happened. Thinking, “honey, you don’t know the half of it”, I agreed. God moved, and I was able to lead him into my sweet Savior’s arms as well.
Taking my daughter’s hand, I walked away expecting to be “snatched away somewhere up North” (I wasn’t! Ha!….go read the story!)
Marveling at what had just happened, He said, last week you worshipped Me and sang, Have Thine Own Way Lord, from your heart and I was listening…..

When my daughter was born, there was great rejoicing. Her brother, convinced she solely belonged to him, was so happy to have “his” baby. The very minute she was born, she made us laugh. She truly amazed me from the womb, listening and following her brothers voice and touch, moving as I moved, still as I was still. Impressive from the beginning. She was just days old when my living room was full of women. We laughed and talked, talked and laughed. I went into the kitchen to wash dishes and clean up. Laugher and women’s voices were still happy and full in the other room. I returned and sat listening and smiling for a bit. As I started talking, Braden’s little face turned in my direction from across the room. That busy, loud room full of female voices. My mom turned her little face back towards her in amusement, only to find that once I started talking, her little face again would turn. This began to be a game as I began to talk very softly, and again that sweet little face turned in my direction….in all that noise. She knew my voice. Mixed with all those many voices, she immediately knew my voice even when I spoke softly.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. John 10:27

God is so available to us in the midst of all the noise of this world…..we will hear His voice….His voice will guide us….and He knows us. He really knows us. He’s not some huge being out there somewhere only directing the big traffic of life…..He’s in our hearts, touching us cheek to cheek. He’s personal, present and upfront in our lives. He gets us. He knows our name, how many hairs are on our heads and loves us so much and thinks we are to die for! You are not forgotten. He hears you….do you hear Him? Turn your sweet face in His direction and follow Him.

Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20

There’s just something about that name. The beauty that washes over when I slowly whisper Jesus out loud is magnificent. His name washes peace over the troubled heart. With His name, comes guidance and protection. With His name comes forgiveness, mercy and love. With His name comes power and courage. There’s power in that name. There’s healing in that name…..salvation comes in the name….Jesus.

No matter what your facing. Whatever your heart cry is today….in everything, call out that beautiful name and thank Him for being your ______________

So, this amazing thing has been happening between God and me. For about a year now, He’s been waking me up at specific times that correlate to a scripture He wants me to read and make a meal of. Pretty cool huh? It’s such an amazing transformation when one moves from a real knowing of God’s presence and speaking with God about things, into also dancing cheek to cheek…..real skin to skin contact with Him. Such sweetness…such a fantastic thing I can’t find a word to describe, and all I keep saying is, YES LORD…I treasure and crave it! May it ever be so….

One thing I asked of the Lord, the thing I seek most: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in His temple. Psalm 27:4

Waking me to a scripture reference just tickles my hubby so. He truly delights in God’s workings. It recently began gaining some attention in that I was being asked about it. I got this twinge when it was talked about. Did you know that God also has a sense of humor? This morning I woke at 2:42…..got excited to know I was to go to Ephesians 2:42! I rushed into my robe and got to our “spot” only to find there is no Ephesians 2:42! I immediately laughed out loud as God said….girlfriend, don’t you dare get caught up in the formula and allow anyone to put anything about you into My workings. You just keep craving Me….keep looking forward to being in My presence….learn from Me and keep that as your desire…and besides….I’ve been trying to wake you for twenty minutes…it was Ephesians 2:22! Very funny God….and…..message received LOUD AND CLEAR!

Don’t allow the “gazing upon the beauty of the Lord” to be changed by taking any attention from Him. Center stage belongs to Him. May His dance continue all the days of my life….

So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God. There he came to a cave where he spent the night

Ever been exhausted? Just plain done? Elijah had just experienced being mightily used against the prophets of Baal, but most importantly to Glorify God as the one and only true God. He was in the depths of fatigue and discouragement and fleeing for his life. God strengthened him to not give up and to carry on his call. Elijah thought he was all alone. Ever felt like the last man standing? Like you had no one and the cards were stacked against you?

Yet I preserve 7,000 in Israel, all knees that have not bowed to Baal or kissed him (1 Kings 19:18)

Perception can seem like truth. Elijah was not alone. He was not the last man standing.

When we look too long at ourselves and our situation, our perspectives change. We begin believing our circumstances. Make a meal of His Word and let Him shine His light on the matter. He’s not finished with you yet.

Do not be anxious about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He’s done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ. (Phillipians 4:6-7)

Tattletale, tattletale…..hang your britches on a nail!

It was by far the worst day of my existence. The trauma of what was happening to my son as I watched him lay in that ICU Unit, wasting away to nothing was surreal. Wires and tubes. People came and went. Doctor upon doctor came and went. I stayed. Night and day, I stayed. Couldn’t leave. Didn’t want to miss one moment of opportunity to pray solidly, and in real time as things were happening so, so fast. Still, although its been more than 4 years since his collapse, I cry as I write this. Tears of remembrance. Tears of joy and thanksgiving of what God has done, and where He’s brought us. All I could do is run fast and hard to my Father and His Word. His “peace which exceeds anything we can understand” was so tangible to me. He won’t live….he can’t do missionary work…..he can’t serve people in missions and homeless shelters…..he can’t go to college…..we’ll send him home for a while so you can spend time with him for now. God met those words with….but you don’t know my Jesus! MY JESUS guarded my heart and mind against those words and I went to see what my Daddy had to say about that! He said….yes he will live….. yes he will go to college…..yes he will do missionary work….he will go where I send him and when I send him….He’s MY boy and I give him strength (Phil 4:13). I just became a tattletale and ran to Daddy, telling him all the lies they were trying to say about our boy.

Dear one, don’t you believe the world and what they tell you. You run tattle-telling to your Daddy about what’s going on. Tell Him your angst, your worries, your dread….let Him hang your worries on the nails of the cross! He’s big and mighty……He can handle it!

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