"It's time to move."
I heard You whisper in my spirit.
The seasons are changing. It's everywhere. In everything I hear and see and do.
Reminders on memes, shirts, ads and billboards.
It couldn't be clearer.
It's a truth that has burrowed itself into my mind and spirit.
These days, ever-present.
What it means, exactly? I don't know.
No details were given, shared, conveyed, downloaded.
No pictures, no sense of KNOWING what we are to do.
No knowledge of WHEN, or HOW, or WHICH...
But THIS I know: I know WHAT You told me and I TRUST WHOLLY IN YOU.
You will tell us to take. that. first. step.
And when You do, that's PRECISELY what we will do.
(More to come later...I'm certain of it.)
Monday, October 14, 2019
Monday, January 28, 2019
The Verse That's Been on My Mind for Months Now
What has been rolling over and over in my spirit, since October/November of last year, is the verse in Hebrews 12:2 that tells us to "fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith." I can't get away from it.
The Message Bible puts it this way:
"Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever."
This.
Yes.
Keeping my eyes on HIM.
No distraction. No substitutes. No confusion or chaos.
Never losing sight of Him.
Just Jesus. Only Jesus.
Only Him.
The Message Bible puts it this way:
"Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever."
This.
Yes.
Keeping my eyes on HIM.
No distraction. No substitutes. No confusion or chaos.
Never losing sight of Him.
Just Jesus. Only Jesus.
Only Him.
Going or Not Going? Abujah, Nigeria
After Stephen and I received an invitation to join Bishop Jakes on his tour and outreach in Nigeria, I prayed very hard for direction. I would LOVE to join Bishop and the Project Gideon alumni on an international outreach in Africa!
Stephen told me he couldn't go but that he would support me completely in my efforts to go.
He knows MY HEARTBEAT is for the Global Church. (But more on that, later...)
I spent several days calculating what was necessary on my part--organized my thoughts, made a list of budgets, vaccination needs, visa requests, even constructed Facebook posts to assist in fundraising. I got as READY as I could and waited on God to give me the go-ahead.
COVERINGS: Both my husband and my pastor were on board and encouraged me to go. My daughter, Psalm, gave me her blessing to go days later.
FINANCES: Although I did NOT have the money, I felt God giving me creative ways to raise the funds. I had a very clear idea how to get started and what to do. I reached out to friends and family who assured me they would support me and spread the word--because the funds would have to be raised quickly. (I have learned that when God calls, He provides a way. I have been witness to FINANCIAL MIRACLES in my life. I don't just "believe" He works the miraculous--I KNOW IT BY EXPERIENCE.)
RESEARCH: Once I got specific details about the bookings, I felt like it was time to research the destination itself. I found that there were warnings about travelling to this destination, that they strongly encouraged people not to travel alone (which I would be doing), not to attend large Christian gatherings (which I would be doing), not to use any card currency (which I would be doing). After looking at the agenda, I realized I would be on my own MOST of the three days there. So, ultimately, I'd be in the hotel room by myself, waiting on the group gatherings.
Honestly, after doing this research, I felt my presence there would be, at best, a distraction and, at worst, potentially put my brothers and sisters in Christ in danger. That is a risk I am not willing to take.
DECISION: The decision was made after much thought, meditation, prayer, and research. Ultimately, I decided that it wasn't WISE for me to go.
LESSONS LEARNED: It seemed like "a thing" I was going to get to do. I reaaaaally thought I would go on this trip, but I take away these lessons, these truths:
1. COVERING: My husband is truly supportive of my heart for ministry and the global Church. He didn't hesitate to give his stamp of approval. Even though this trip hasn't panned out, I feel certain he is precisely the covering God selected for me. He trusts my heart and honors me in supporting my Call.
2. COVERING: My senior pastor, too, was supportive. In the past couple of years, God has been showing me how important my coverings are. I am not a Lone Ranger. He has me right where I am, with the coverings I've been given, for a REASON.
3. FINANCES: God can give me crystal-clear clarity on creative ways to fundraise when I need to fundraise!
4. FINANCES: Truly, I BELIEVE and TRUST GOD for all things. If He wants me to do something, He WILL MAKE A WAY.
5. FINANCES: I know that He is showing me that He can do MUCH with my future, that anything truly IS possible when He is in it.
6. RESEARCH: I am thankful for the blessing God has given me of common sense--I can feel Him leading me, even when I'm looking through pages on a website.
7. DECISION: Could I go? Sure. But should I go? That's the question. And I felt the answer was a decided NO. Not with so many risks--to myself and all of the people travelling there. My presence at home IN PRAYER (I wrote it in my notebook) will suffice. It has to. I'm praying daily for the release of Leah Sharibu. DAILY. And I'm believing my prayers are powerful. And that God is going to move heaven and earth in my sister's life.
8. MY CALLING: I am certain of the Call of God on my life. It's still there, even though I haven't had the chance to exercise it like I would like, in missions trips lately. As I talked to my sisters and mother about the fact that I wasn't going on the trip, I found myself crying, not because I wasn't going, but because it's my DREAM, since a little girl, to go across this globe and meet my brothers and sisters in Christ and encourage them and assist them (or network them to get the assistance they need)! I remember standing on tippy-toes on my bed growing up, stretching as high as I could to read maps from around the globe, to envision the people who lived there, the towns they lived in. And as I got older, that all became part of knowing Jesus and the global Christian community. I wanted to minister to the Christians who lived there--love on them and let them know that they're not alone, that there is a global community of us, all of us--FAMILY, Jesus LOVERS, GOD CHASERS!!! That we are connected through the Blood of Jesus and our FAITH!!!
My heartbeat really is for us all.
One of the things I wanted to do in Nigeria? Kneel down and touch the earth and PRAY for her release. I am passionate about my sister.
PRAYER: Lord, hear the cry of my heart and move upon heaven and earth and the hearts of men to see her FREEDOM.
Trusting YOU in all things, Lord.
--me
Stephen told me he couldn't go but that he would support me completely in my efforts to go.
He knows MY HEARTBEAT is for the Global Church. (But more on that, later...)
I spent several days calculating what was necessary on my part--organized my thoughts, made a list of budgets, vaccination needs, visa requests, even constructed Facebook posts to assist in fundraising. I got as READY as I could and waited on God to give me the go-ahead.
COVERINGS: Both my husband and my pastor were on board and encouraged me to go. My daughter, Psalm, gave me her blessing to go days later.
FINANCES: Although I did NOT have the money, I felt God giving me creative ways to raise the funds. I had a very clear idea how to get started and what to do. I reached out to friends and family who assured me they would support me and spread the word--because the funds would have to be raised quickly. (I have learned that when God calls, He provides a way. I have been witness to FINANCIAL MIRACLES in my life. I don't just "believe" He works the miraculous--I KNOW IT BY EXPERIENCE.)
RESEARCH: Once I got specific details about the bookings, I felt like it was time to research the destination itself. I found that there were warnings about travelling to this destination, that they strongly encouraged people not to travel alone (which I would be doing), not to attend large Christian gatherings (which I would be doing), not to use any card currency (which I would be doing). After looking at the agenda, I realized I would be on my own MOST of the three days there. So, ultimately, I'd be in the hotel room by myself, waiting on the group gatherings.
Honestly, after doing this research, I felt my presence there would be, at best, a distraction and, at worst, potentially put my brothers and sisters in Christ in danger. That is a risk I am not willing to take.
DECISION: The decision was made after much thought, meditation, prayer, and research. Ultimately, I decided that it wasn't WISE for me to go.
LESSONS LEARNED: It seemed like "a thing" I was going to get to do. I reaaaaally thought I would go on this trip, but I take away these lessons, these truths:
1. COVERING: My husband is truly supportive of my heart for ministry and the global Church. He didn't hesitate to give his stamp of approval. Even though this trip hasn't panned out, I feel certain he is precisely the covering God selected for me. He trusts my heart and honors me in supporting my Call.
2. COVERING: My senior pastor, too, was supportive. In the past couple of years, God has been showing me how important my coverings are. I am not a Lone Ranger. He has me right where I am, with the coverings I've been given, for a REASON.
3. FINANCES: God can give me crystal-clear clarity on creative ways to fundraise when I need to fundraise!
4. FINANCES: Truly, I BELIEVE and TRUST GOD for all things. If He wants me to do something, He WILL MAKE A WAY.
5. FINANCES: I know that He is showing me that He can do MUCH with my future, that anything truly IS possible when He is in it.
6. RESEARCH: I am thankful for the blessing God has given me of common sense--I can feel Him leading me, even when I'm looking through pages on a website.
7. DECISION: Could I go? Sure. But should I go? That's the question. And I felt the answer was a decided NO. Not with so many risks--to myself and all of the people travelling there. My presence at home IN PRAYER (I wrote it in my notebook) will suffice. It has to. I'm praying daily for the release of Leah Sharibu. DAILY. And I'm believing my prayers are powerful. And that God is going to move heaven and earth in my sister's life.
8. MY CALLING: I am certain of the Call of God on my life. It's still there, even though I haven't had the chance to exercise it like I would like, in missions trips lately. As I talked to my sisters and mother about the fact that I wasn't going on the trip, I found myself crying, not because I wasn't going, but because it's my DREAM, since a little girl, to go across this globe and meet my brothers and sisters in Christ and encourage them and assist them (or network them to get the assistance they need)! I remember standing on tippy-toes on my bed growing up, stretching as high as I could to read maps from around the globe, to envision the people who lived there, the towns they lived in. And as I got older, that all became part of knowing Jesus and the global Christian community. I wanted to minister to the Christians who lived there--love on them and let them know that they're not alone, that there is a global community of us, all of us--FAMILY, Jesus LOVERS, GOD CHASERS!!! That we are connected through the Blood of Jesus and our FAITH!!!
My heartbeat really is for us all.
One of the things I wanted to do in Nigeria? Kneel down and touch the earth and PRAY for her release. I am passionate about my sister.
PRAYER: Lord, hear the cry of my heart and move upon heaven and earth and the hearts of men to see her FREEDOM.
Trusting YOU in all things, Lord.
--me
Monday, April 16, 2018
It's Been a Long While
It's been a long while,
far too long, really,
since I've written here.
So much has happened...
pain and hardship,
apple cart upended.
I've been working things out,
and it's a long, hard process
forward to _________.
This is transition:
things are changing in me,
at the core of me.
There is a mantle I've been passed
that I don't fully understand;
it's in my small hands.
My heart is grieving
(I suspect now, forever)
for the loss of them.
But I must move forward,
though I can't see the way clearly--
"Carte blanche, carte blanche"
far too long, really,
since I've written here.
So much has happened...
pain and hardship,
apple cart upended.
I've been working things out,
and it's a long, hard process
forward to _________.
This is transition:
things are changing in me,
at the core of me.
There is a mantle I've been passed
that I don't fully understand;
it's in my small hands.
My heart is grieving
(I suspect now, forever)
for the loss of them.
But I must move forward,
though I can't see the way clearly--
"Carte blanche, carte blanche"
Monday, October 16, 2017
October Musing: A Poem
Mid-way through October.
God is stirring hearts in our home;
The lake, which has rested placidly,
Is now stirring with movement.
Yes, He is stirring the waters.
Timings are aligning,
There are new words of encouragement;
His Word is illuminating not just our steps
But, now, our paths.
Yes, we can see a trail ahead.
Prayers for this newness,
This leg of the journey;
Whether this be a new chapter
Or a season change.
Yes, He makes all things new.
Getting under His umbrella,
Making sure we are in alignment--
Prayers that intimate an unwillingness
To do any of this without His help.
Yes, He must walk with us.
This is the month of illumination,
Glimpsing what may lie ahead;
This is the month of divine appointment,
Knowing all has been for what awaits ahead.
Yes, we will follow You, Immanuel.
God is stirring hearts in our home;
The lake, which has rested placidly,
Is now stirring with movement.
Yes, He is stirring the waters.
Timings are aligning,
There are new words of encouragement;
His Word is illuminating not just our steps
But, now, our paths.
Yes, we can see a trail ahead.
Prayers for this newness,
This leg of the journey;
Whether this be a new chapter
Or a season change.
Yes, He makes all things new.
Getting under His umbrella,
Making sure we are in alignment--
Prayers that intimate an unwillingness
To do any of this without His help.
Yes, He must walk with us.
This is the month of illumination,
Glimpsing what may lie ahead;
This is the month of divine appointment,
Knowing all has been for what awaits ahead.
Yes, we will follow You, Immanuel.
Friday, August 25, 2017
"Ten Years with This Man": Thoughts and an Exciting Announcement!
So...in just a matter of days, Stephen and I celebrate TEN YEARS together, as a married couple, on September 1st.
It's insane to me, when I stop to think about it, how quickly these ten years have gone by!
We have a nine-year-old together; we've bought a house together. We've been in ministry together this entire time. We've gone on mission trips and had many adventures! There have been times, too, rough times, when the relationship was "rough the road," as they say. But we've made it! With God's help and faith and favor, we have made it!
I am so thankful to God for my marriage--and all of the other life blessings He has gifted us with!
And...I've been wanting to give God praise about something in particular that is on the calendar for this fall...and I had a moment to spare and thought I would share it with you all!
Something rather miraculous happened in our finances, and Stephen and I have booked a trip to ROME, ITALY, in November, to celebrate our 10th ANNIVERSARY!!!
We are going for three and a half days, and we couldn't be more excited! (Though I'm actually the WAY MORE EXCITED one! Ha!)
It's just us, and we are getting to go on a tour of the Sistine Chapel and the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountains! Then, we get to run around together and just take a VACAY in one of our Dream Destinations!
I can't express how excited I am about this God-given opportunity!
I never want to forget this. Ever.
GOD DID THIS. He smiled on us, opened the doors, made all of this possible.
(And I mean this with all of my heart! This wouldn't be happening without HIM!)
It's insane to me, when I stop to think about it, how quickly these ten years have gone by!
We have a nine-year-old together; we've bought a house together. We've been in ministry together this entire time. We've gone on mission trips and had many adventures! There have been times, too, rough times, when the relationship was "rough the road," as they say. But we've made it! With God's help and faith and favor, we have made it!
I am so thankful to God for my marriage--and all of the other life blessings He has gifted us with!
And...I've been wanting to give God praise about something in particular that is on the calendar for this fall...and I had a moment to spare and thought I would share it with you all!
Something rather miraculous happened in our finances, and Stephen and I have booked a trip to ROME, ITALY, in November, to celebrate our 10th ANNIVERSARY!!!
We are going for three and a half days, and we couldn't be more excited! (Though I'm actually the WAY MORE EXCITED one! Ha!)
It's just us, and we are getting to go on a tour of the Sistine Chapel and the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountains! Then, we get to run around together and just take a VACAY in one of our Dream Destinations!
I can't express how excited I am about this God-given opportunity!
I never want to forget this. Ever.
GOD DID THIS. He smiled on us, opened the doors, made all of this possible.
(And I mean this with all of my heart! This wouldn't be happening without HIM!)
My Power Verse for the Moment
So...
There are Bible verses that come at JUST THE RIGHT TIME, and they seem to encapsulate the human experience, mine in particular! Ha! THIS IS THE VERSE I have been reminded of, that I can't stop thinking about, because I know I NEED THIS, and I KNOW ITS TRUTH!
It's Deuteronomy 31:8, and in the NIV, it says it this way:
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
And...I know I can make it another day, week, year.
Because He is with me. He will not leave me or forsake me. HE GOES BEFORE ME!!! I will not be afraid or discouraged!!!
There are Bible verses that come at JUST THE RIGHT TIME, and they seem to encapsulate the human experience, mine in particular! Ha! THIS IS THE VERSE I have been reminded of, that I can't stop thinking about, because I know I NEED THIS, and I KNOW ITS TRUTH!
It's Deuteronomy 31:8, and in the NIV, it says it this way:
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
And...I know I can make it another day, week, year.
Because He is with me. He will not leave me or forsake me. HE GOES BEFORE ME!!! I will not be afraid or discouraged!!!
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