July.
It's July, and I haven't posted my annual Spiritual Bucket List.
So, here it is, what I'm asking God for, what I'd like to see happen in my life this year:
1. Start the nonprofit organization God put on my heart.
2. Begin working projects for the nonprofit organization.
3. Begin planning my next Mission Trip--perhaps in conjunction with the nonprofit.
4. Begin planning a trip to Israel.
5. Get my finances in order.
These are the basics for the rest of the year. I'm sure these will keep me fully occupied--though I reserve the right to make additions at any time!
God's will be done in my life, in all things.
Thursday, July 14, 2016
"Do Not Delay": A Prophetic Word
Three Sundays ago, on June 26, we had a guest speaker come to our church. He has been there before many times (2 or 3 times a year). He is older and drives in from Tulsa, OK. He comes mostly when our senior pastor has to be out of town.
We all love him.
He is a perfect guest speaker. He is bold without being too bold, speaks the Word of God without apology, always gives a Word of encouragement AND challenge. But what makes him exemplary is that he does not lead with "ego," nor is he secretly vying for the emotional loyalty of the congregants. He comes to share God's Word. He is happy, congenial, friendly, totally appropriate.
He also has the spiritual gift of prophecy.
When he comes to our church, he will speak over 3 or 4 people's lives, generally. He has spoken over mine a handful of times--and what he says is always SPOT ON. In fact, one year he came, he spoke over a situation at my job--not knowing ANYTHING about it--and what he said happened within a couple of months' time.
May I reiterate that he had no idea of this issue--neither did anyone at church, really. That part of my life is rarely discussed at church and with my church family.
Three visits ago, he prophesied over me, the work I was to do. He had everyone stretch a hand toward me and pray with me over my calling. He didn't know what that call was. I did--and a handful of people did, too.
I went to work on this calling--I've blogged about the frustrations I've had with it--and found I was up against a seemingly insurmountable legal monstrosity. I resigned myself to the fact that I simply couldn't do it without miraculous assistance from "somewhere...".
But it's nearly been two years since God birthed the vision into me.
Honestly? I was afraid I'd lost the vision entirely. And here's the thing: I've felt it affect my spiritual life. I've hit a plateau. I've known it. And I'd beg God and sing with all my heart, "More of You, Looord..."
Yeah.
He wasn't impressed.
Two visits ago, this visiting preacher looked straight at me and--I could tell something flashed in his mind--but he said nothing.
That was interesting. (And I fully realize that I probably DON'T EVER want to know what God had to say about me at that moment.)
Three Sundays ago, he didn't specifically speak over me, but he looked straight at me and said to anyone and everyone, "If God has told you to do something, DON'T DELAY!"
"DON'T DELAY!" He said it loudly, firmly, with a fatherly corrective tone in his voice.
Yep.
I knew who he was talking to.
But it didn't stop with that. He kept saying it, over and over, reiterating that we must obey God.
It got so bad that I wanted to just stand up and yell, "Okay, okay! I get it! Please! Stop saying it!" But I didn't. Thank God.
Yet...
It has changed me, that word given.
Because I knew it was for me, I started asking God to affirm and reaffirm the Call. "God, if you want me to start this nonprofit, then please rekindle my fire and renew my vision for it!"
He is doing that.
I can "see" it again.
Two days ago, I got an email address for my nonprofit. You can email us already, though we are not official yet.
Today, I am ordering a book which will assist me with the legal procedure for starting my non-profit. I want to make sure I'm doing everything correctly--to the best of my ability.
I have composed my first letter, asking for two of my friends to consider being an incorporator, a Founder, of this nonprofit with me.
It has begun.
I can't wait to tell you all more about it as details happen.
It's all in GOD'S hands.
(Please pray for me, if you're reading this. I need His divine guidance and protection in all that lies ahead.)
Ciao!
We all love him.
He is a perfect guest speaker. He is bold without being too bold, speaks the Word of God without apology, always gives a Word of encouragement AND challenge. But what makes him exemplary is that he does not lead with "ego," nor is he secretly vying for the emotional loyalty of the congregants. He comes to share God's Word. He is happy, congenial, friendly, totally appropriate.
He also has the spiritual gift of prophecy.
When he comes to our church, he will speak over 3 or 4 people's lives, generally. He has spoken over mine a handful of times--and what he says is always SPOT ON. In fact, one year he came, he spoke over a situation at my job--not knowing ANYTHING about it--and what he said happened within a couple of months' time.
May I reiterate that he had no idea of this issue--neither did anyone at church, really. That part of my life is rarely discussed at church and with my church family.
Three visits ago, he prophesied over me, the work I was to do. He had everyone stretch a hand toward me and pray with me over my calling. He didn't know what that call was. I did--and a handful of people did, too.
I went to work on this calling--I've blogged about the frustrations I've had with it--and found I was up against a seemingly insurmountable legal monstrosity. I resigned myself to the fact that I simply couldn't do it without miraculous assistance from "somewhere...".
But it's nearly been two years since God birthed the vision into me.
Honestly? I was afraid I'd lost the vision entirely. And here's the thing: I've felt it affect my spiritual life. I've hit a plateau. I've known it. And I'd beg God and sing with all my heart, "More of You, Looord..."
Yeah.
He wasn't impressed.
Two visits ago, this visiting preacher looked straight at me and--I could tell something flashed in his mind--but he said nothing.
That was interesting. (And I fully realize that I probably DON'T EVER want to know what God had to say about me at that moment.)
Three Sundays ago, he didn't specifically speak over me, but he looked straight at me and said to anyone and everyone, "If God has told you to do something, DON'T DELAY!"
"DON'T DELAY!" He said it loudly, firmly, with a fatherly corrective tone in his voice.
Yep.
I knew who he was talking to.
But it didn't stop with that. He kept saying it, over and over, reiterating that we must obey God.
It got so bad that I wanted to just stand up and yell, "Okay, okay! I get it! Please! Stop saying it!" But I didn't. Thank God.
Yet...
It has changed me, that word given.
Because I knew it was for me, I started asking God to affirm and reaffirm the Call. "God, if you want me to start this nonprofit, then please rekindle my fire and renew my vision for it!"
He is doing that.
I can "see" it again.
Two days ago, I got an email address for my nonprofit. You can email us already, though we are not official yet.
Today, I am ordering a book which will assist me with the legal procedure for starting my non-profit. I want to make sure I'm doing everything correctly--to the best of my ability.
I have composed my first letter, asking for two of my friends to consider being an incorporator, a Founder, of this nonprofit with me.
It has begun.
I can't wait to tell you all more about it as details happen.
It's all in GOD'S hands.
(Please pray for me, if you're reading this. I need His divine guidance and protection in all that lies ahead.)
Ciao!
Monday, April 18, 2016
Lackadaisical & Other Sins
Let's be honest.
Because it's time for honesty, right?
It's time to "put it all out there,"
Because then I have to be accountable.
I've told the world I recognize it,
(The metaphorical Vague Pronouns of my life)
and I've got to do something about it now,
Before I stiffen and die--Right. Where. I. Am.
"Without interest, vigor or determination;
Listless, lethargic," the dictionary says.
(How long am I going to blame this on allergies?!)
Dare I list the number of days I've succumbed to this?
So, I have decided to make some changes,
Because I cannot spend another 12 months like this:
These are not the words that will define me,
They most certainly will not be my legacy.
I will fight it. Bought some vitamins.
I WILL find time to exercise.
I will not let the dream die--NO.
I WILL begin to live again.
Because it's time for honesty, right?
It's time to "put it all out there,"
Because then I have to be accountable.
I've told the world I recognize it,
(The metaphorical Vague Pronouns of my life)
and I've got to do something about it now,
Before I stiffen and die--Right. Where. I. Am.
"Without interest, vigor or determination;
Listless, lethargic," the dictionary says.
(How long am I going to blame this on allergies?!)
Dare I list the number of days I've succumbed to this?
So, I have decided to make some changes,
Because I cannot spend another 12 months like this:
These are not the words that will define me,
They most certainly will not be my legacy.
I will fight it. Bought some vitamins.
I WILL find time to exercise.
I will not let the dream die--NO.
I WILL begin to live again.
Saturday, March 12, 2016
"You Move, We Want More"
There's a song we sing at church
That says, "You move, we want more";
And that's a sentiment I hold right now:
I want more.
So much of life right now is a struggle--
If it's not one area of my life
It's another coming totally unhinged.
I want more.
I know I don't have to live like this--
This has GOT to be temporary.
No one should have to question it all.
I want more.
I believe in my heart that I have yet
To tap into all God has for me.
It will be more than enough.
I want more.
More, not less. Above and beyond
All I can ask or imagine--
Because His Word says so.
I want more.
Saturday, February 27, 2016
Another Project Gideon At Home
I saw the Twitter feed.
They're there--they're all there--
And I can almost imagine
The excitement, the energy,
The soul expanding experience.
All weekend, I can picture it all
In my mind's eye:
The worship, the lectures,
The preaching, the networking.
Even the late night movie-viewing.
We've missed three years now.
And each year I pray for the financial
Blessings we need to return again.
(God knows I need it badly--
My soul is thirsty fo rejuvenation.)
I wish to "glean behind the reapers,"
It is my dream, and I speak it now,
To all of cyberLand: It is my prayer
That we may afford to return again.
Let it be, Lord. Let it be (please).
I've Temporarily Lost My Destiny
The book.
I'm talking about the book.
Destiny.
It's gone and I can't find it.
Anywhere, everywhere--
I looked a dozen places;
Now I'm wondering if this
Is some Cosmic Sign.
"Misplaced Destiny" or
"Lost Forever Destiny"?
Some days, it's hard to tell
Which it is.
I'm still looking for it.
My Destiny.
I refuse to give up.
(It's got to be somewhere, right?)
I WILL find it.
Right?
I'm just not so sure how much longer
I can go without it.
Praying (again):
Lord, please please please:
Help me find my Destiny--
The book, and so much more!
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
He Who Beckons Me
He who beckons me
Beckons me onward,
"Pull up stakes and move,"
He says.
He who beckons me
Urges me to let go of the past,
My fears and my doubts,
"Go forward, my child."
I will have to leave the familiar,
Much I've become accustomed to,
But in my spirit, I am quite certain:
It is time to follow Him.
"Get your boots on," He says,
"It's time to travel.
This road will not be an easy one:
Move, one step at a time."
Please don't ask me where I'm going,
I haven't the slightest idea,
But as long as I'm with Him,
I'll be precisely where I need to be.
He who beckons me is calling me
To live the life I've read about,
To trust in Him as my Source,
To follow in Faith.
He who beckons me is able to keep me,
To keep us all, on this journey
That is to come...A Faith Walk.
And I will go where He beckons me.
Beckons me onward,
"Pull up stakes and move,"
He says.
He who beckons me
Urges me to let go of the past,
My fears and my doubts,
"Go forward, my child."
I will have to leave the familiar,
Much I've become accustomed to,
But in my spirit, I am quite certain:
It is time to follow Him.
"Get your boots on," He says,
"It's time to travel.
This road will not be an easy one:
Move, one step at a time."
Please don't ask me where I'm going,
I haven't the slightest idea,
But as long as I'm with Him,
I'll be precisely where I need to be.
He who beckons me is calling me
To live the life I've read about,
To trust in Him as my Source,
To follow in Faith.
He who beckons me is able to keep me,
To keep us all, on this journey
That is to come...A Faith Walk.
And I will go where He beckons me.
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