Category: relational

Rain On Me

“I will make them and the places around My hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season-showers of blessing.” (Ezekiel 34:26)

I was at a prayer meeting for revival. As much as I tried entering in to prayer asking for the Spirit of God to pour down on us as a city, a nation, the world in whole I found myself drawn to repentance. Repentance for not loving others like Jesus, for the times I felt selfish or conceited, how much more I needed to look at others with a greater significance. I became very humbled in my spirit asking instead that I could have a mind more like Christ Jesus. When he was here on earth in human form, being he was born in the likeness of men through the Virgin Mary, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death on the cross. Of course I know I will never be able to compare to the One whose name is above all names, but I’m always going to try and when I fall short which is most days, I’ll seek His face in forgiveness. After that I was able to pray for revival again, first in me. I asked the Holy Spirit to shower me with abundance, a refreshing and divine favor that would bring forth more productivity in the things God had already called me to. To reach more souls in the streets, the stores, the churches, everywhere I am, including those of you reading this. I wanted new growth in me. I wanted to have everything I needed to do more good works for His glory. I wanted Him to pour down blessings on me like the rain, like spring showers, which as I’m writing this right now the rain outside is pouring down and I have had to restart my computer 3 times already due to the power flickering off and on. Maybe God and I got our wires crossed in what kind of rain I was asking for …haha, just kidding, but it really is raining outside I just thought that was rather interesting being I was writing in regards to rain. So my prayer for revival ended something like this; asking for an abundance of grace, mercy, and prosperity that would exceed what I had already been given, allowing me to be a blessing to others in new ways. Of course I did pray for others to receive those same things. Once we left the church I began sharing with my husband in the car what I had experienced in our prayer time being we were all praying individually, when I began to cry because I was still in that humble spirit state of mind and heart. The tears made it hard for me to speak, so I stopped talking and just rested in His presence the rest of the way home. I would have to say, my prayers were answered tonight, He poured down the rain like spring showers both in the spiritual realm as well as the natural.

Com’n In A Shout’n

Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre! (Psalm 149:3)

Sunday morning worship is the BEST. I’m not a good singer nor do I have instrumental talent, that’s why I love Sunday morning worship, these people on stage do. They are prayed up and anointed to bring the congregation into His presence. I’m not shy when it comes to worshipping my Lord and Savior. I throw up hands, I will jump, sway, stomp a foot all the while thanking God that no one else can hear me, but Him. Now at home or in my car it’s a whole different story, I let it rip. I’m all in. I love that no matter what I sound like, to God it is beautiful and He delights that my heart is focused on Him and He thinks this is the sweetest sound ever. Isn’t that just like a father? Always seeing the best in his child even when no one else can. Sometimes I just can’t help myself, I get this beating in my heart and overwhelmed sense of gratitude, for how much He loves me. I become so humbled before Him for all the goodness He has done for me, I mean geez …He saved my life! He set my feet upon a rock, He turned my life around, broke the chains that once had me bound, brought joy in the morning after nights of darkness, delivered me from SOooo many things, healed the deep wounds within me, gave me a reason to live, He set me FREE! It makes me want to SHOUT! I feel new strength and hope once I have been in His presence through worship. That is my best description of “JOY.” Nobody can love me like that and I’m gonna let Him know! You know God doesn’t just love to hear us sing praises to Him, it is a declaration of our trust in Him. It shows Him our surrender when we will humble ourselves and worship Him. He actually views it as an act of obedience, adoration, and a pleasant offering. God “inhabits” or dwells within the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3), affirming His presence. It shows Him that Jesus Christ really does dwell within us. So if you ever see me shouting praises to God, just know God is rejoicing over it.

Bread and Water

“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst'” (John 6:35)

I just want to share a little about my Blog. When I began this, I really had no idea where it was going or who would read it and I was okay with that. I needed to write more than I needed people to read, what I did know was God was speaking to me. He first spoke the words Bread and Water to me. I knew right then that was the domain name for my Blog. I also knew I was a sinner saved by grace which in turn gave me a tagline; “Personal experiences and revelations of a sinner saved by grace.” A slogan; “Overflowing in grace” my life story. Lastly, my logo; a photo of a wall plaque a man from our church over 25 years ago had made for a housewarming gift for us; “Jesus Living Water.” All that I am writing about are things He is currently or has in the past spoken to me directly, whether through the written Word of God, or a knowing in my spirit, or by word or a sentence of words that suddenly come to mind, which usually becomes a title to a blog at some point. I love to take pictures, picture of all kinds and sometimes I look at a photo that I’ve taken and suddenly there’s a Blog. My Blog is an example of my life with Him, what it looks like in recorded form. Blogging is also a way for me to unleash some things that bring discomfort or uncertainty in my life. It allows me to focus on Him verses the chaos that is going on around me or even just in my mind. I have always been a person given to journaling; it is great therapy. It allows my mind time to sit in the silence, it brings a calm in my storm, and I hear the whisper of the Holy Spirit giving me that feeling of inner guidance. I am able to reflect on life circumstances and writing down my thoughts help me recognize spiritual insights. I feel a real heart-to-heart connection with God in these moments. A lot of the writings are personal, yet sincere conversations between me and the Lord and I feel that others can glean from them as I do, at least that is my prayer. This picture aside from what the woman looks like, is truly a picture of me, what I look like when preparing for writing a blog. I have my Bible, my 13 little notes scattered all around me, and I am sitting ever so intently listening. I also have days when I do not hear anything and it’s just a time of silence and waiting, reflecting or ruminating on a word, or a moment. This is my time. I don’t believe life allows for a lot of “MY TIME,” you just have to make it happen and cherish it like a newborn baby. Originally writing a Blog was my husband’s idea simply because he was aware of how much writing does for me. I thought, why not? I’d just like to say, thanks to him for knowing me so well, and knowing what I needed more than I did. I pray any and all who read my Blog will be blessed in some way and a big thank you for taking your precious time to read it.

Am I Producing?

Knowing the testing of your faith produces patience. Let patience do its perfect work, that we may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (Ja. 1:3-4)

Let’s turn our adversities into opportunities. Let’s become complete and whole. Let’s produce “FAITH.” Faith produces patience, endurance, and perseverance, which leads us to completeness, I want everything God has for me. Faith produces the ability to withstand hardships which in turn should mature us as believers. Eventually it will lead to good works and obedience in God, which I am steadily maturing in with each circumstance presented before me. Faith is our weapon to war against the enemy. If we have the faith to believe God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31). Battles seem to be never-ending, but with God we are more than a conqueror. It also produces peace, joy and love for others, that’s where we see the adversity turning into an opportunity. An opportunity to show the love of Christ in any given circumstance; I am still working out the kinks in that area just FYI. Faith is the foundational assurance of things hoped for, confidence to trust God’s promises. I have hope, and I trust, that’s the only reason I am still here. It is an anchor, a grounding for all future hope today, tomorrow, days and years to come. While hope is looking forward with an expectation, our faith is relying on God’s character that He is who He says He is. Faith is the inward certainty that generates the outward expectation of hope. This is where I know that I know comes in. If we will get this seeded deep inside of us, it makes it possible for us to move forward with confidence. Life allows us so many opportunities, yet I have found most require faith to do them. I don’t always feel that kind of faith. I have to stir up faith inside of me, it’s there, but I have to remind myself. Without it I am an “Udder FAILURE,” I have to pray for direction and guidance and be ready and willing to receive. God simply wants me to trust in Him, have “FAITH.” By doing it that way it is perfect, I lack nothing. That trouble situation, self-doubt, rejection, lost loved one, struggle to succeed in what I am trying to accomplish; adversity overcome. DONE! Once you have faith, the test is finished. (Hebrews 12:2), Jesus is described as the “author and finisher” (or perfecter) of our faith. Doubt and faith do not co-exit.

After “It Is Finished”

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations …” (Matt. 28:19)

Jesus gave the command after his resurrection and shortly before his ascension into heaven. Immediately after rising: He appeared to his disciples behind locked doors in Jerusalem and told them, “As the father has sent me, I am sending you”. Shortly before ascending: He gave further instructions near Bethany on the Mount of Olives, telling them they would be his witnesses “to the ends of the earth” after receiving the Holy Spirit. According to Scripture in (Matthew 28:18-20) [And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”] This applies to all Christians as a mandate to share our faith. We just spent an entire week in preparation for the celebration of our Risen Savior, now it’s time to GO! If you gave your life to Jesus at anytime during or before the celebration you have now been commanded to Go …share the good news, be fishers of men, make disciples. This is the mission of the Church to spread the gospel message of salvation, we are the Church, don’t just sit around and wait for the world to come to you, we need to GO to them. If you need a place to start, start with letting others see the change in you. What the cross did for you, your freedom from the sins you were carrying, the hurts, habits and hang-ups the Lord just freed you from, the new love you have for people, even the unlovely. Go … looks different for everyone, just like our fingerprint is different from everyone else’s, so is the way we bring others into a personal relationship with the Lord. For others it may look like evangelism in the streets to the homeless or a co- worker the Lord put on your heart, a schoolmate or a random person at the grocery store. Acts of kindness are a very good tool for everyone to start with. Let me also remind you, that you are not the one doing the calling, the Holy Spirit calls them, you are the tool in which He uses to accomplish His good work, lest anyone boast of his good work (Eph.2:8-10). The purpose of good works is not causing salvation, instead we believers are created to do the good works to show the fruit or evidence of our faith. Remember is was entirely by the grace of God that you were saved and it is by grace that others will be too. Just GO! that is the command, put your individual fingerprint on another soul for the kingdom of heaven.

He Has Risen

He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. (Matthew 28:6)

This is not the tomb where Jesus arose from, it is a picture I took of a enormous rock while riding 4-wheelers through the mountains. Easter is just a few days away and this picture started me thinking about the tomb they had placed Jesus in. We, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion as told in the Bible (Matthew 28:6). It signifies victory over death, sin, and the promise of eternal life, it is a celebration of the new covenant, sins are forgiven and in turn we are offered eternal life. This is our hope, hope in Jesus. Easter is celebrated on Sunday; that’s the day the Bible says Jesus rose from the dead. Easter/Resurrection Sunday is celebrated as a unique, world changing event that occurred on the first day of the week, validating the Scriptures and as tradition would have it it also marks the end of Lent. Revelation 1:18 (NIV): “I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades”. I also was dead in my sins until I gave my life over to Jesus. He took the keys and opened the prison doors of my heart and set me free. John 11:25-26 (NIV) “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die'”. Because of the resurrection I have hope and assurance of my future and eternal life, and you can too. Even though this physical body, this shell will one day pass away, my spirit will live forever and ever with my Lord and Savior, for I have been redeemed. “He is risen indeed!”

Root of Bitterness

“See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” (Hebrews 12:15)

Do you have some unchecked resentment, anger, or toxic attitudes that are growing beneath the surface? If so, these roots eventually will cause you emotional, spiritual, or relational damage, usually stemming from offenses, disappointments, unresolved feelings of being wronged, betrayed or unforgiveness. I assure you this force will spoil your joy and ruin your peace. In the scripture above we are warned about the trouble it will cause, a deep-seated animosity toward others around you. Like this tree the roots were under ground, you weren’t able to see them until one day they grew outward. Our bitterness is like the roots of the tree, it isn’t always seen until it produces “fruit”-outward actions like sarcasm, hostility, negativity, resentment, or bad behaviors caused from pain, jealousy, or lack of forgiveness, the list goes on and on. The consequences if left unchecked, can lead to severe anger, broken relationships, isolation, faith being challenged, even physical/emotional sickness. By addressing it, bringing it to light, forgiving our offender, practicing intentional joy, and relying on grace we can overcome and rid this root once and for all. This is not just a personal feeling, it spreads and it affects others. As I sit here ruminating on this root I realize how many times I have dealt with this in my life and as easy as it is to write what I know to be true, it sometimes is hard to follow, that’s why I need grace. I need the Holy Spirit, my Paraclete, my Helper. Jesus promises me an “Advocate,” “Helper,” “Counselor” in John’s Gospel to be present with me forever. He is the One who comes alongside, indwelling in me offering guidance into truth, comfort, and strength, never leaving me alone instead making it possible for me to overcome. This is where I find myself being honest with God and myself admitting my anger and forgiving the offender. This is where I stop the ruminating on the offense and move past. This is where I replace negative thoughts with gratitude for the positive aspects of my life. This is where the good fruit grows.

Joy Unspeakable

You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Ps. 16:11)

Yesterday was such a refreshing in my soul. My husband and I spent the entire day enjoying being in the elements of this beautiful nature God created for us. We get so busy just doing life that we don’t take enough time to simply bask in His presence, allowing our souls to be filled with joy, “unspeakable joy.” The trees are in bloom, the waterfalls and streams are flowing from the spring rains, flowers are budding. The forecast was: God reigns and the Son shines, it was a beautiful day. A day to be taken in with every breath, exhaling with all thanks and gratitude. There is none like You Lord. As much as I enjoyed the day, spending it with my husband riding the trails on our ATV’s, I couldn’t help but see God everywhere. I would be rolling right along and suddenly come to an almost stop in awe of His wonderful creation before me. The cliffs of the rocks and how flowers were blooming out of them. A trunk of a tree that some animal had managed to create a home for himself. The ripples in the water and the rocks how they had changed over so many years and the sound of the water flowing was so soothing to my ears, so peaceful. True joy and fulfilment can only be found in God’s presence, and I was certainly there in His presence. I knew our time of joy out there was going to end soon, but my intimacy with God is a lasting satisfaction and joy. This day was temporary, like many things we do in life, but God offers us everlasting, eternal blessings and happiness, rather than just temporary, earthly pleasure. My destination yesterday was Mill Creek Trails, my destination with God is a place of security, peace, and eternal reward, “Joy Unspeakable.”

Time Out

But He would withdraw to desolate places and pray (Luke 5:16)

Jesus frequently withdrew from crowds to pray, it was a continual practice of regularly withdrawing and praying, prioritizing his ministry over meeting every demand. I recently deactivated my Facebook for 7 days, I needed a time out. I have found that occasionally it is important for me to turn off social media to allow myself time to get closer to God. Sometimes I have things that just don’t make sense to me or my heart may be hurt or feeling like I need a little help getting through some issue, this time I was at a loss for words and didn’t know why. Proverbs 4:23 instructs us to protect our hearts, which means to set boundaries to protect our mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. So, in order for me to be the best I can be at the things God has called me too I sometimes, like Jesus need a time out to pray, to seek Him. Galatians 6:5; Each of us has to bear our own load. Our actions and choices allows us to set limits/boundaries on the things that are getting in the way of us spending that crucial “time out” with God, without feeling guilted. Setting boundaries is not unkind; it is a form of self-respect. Before crucial decisions or during high stress times, Jesus would withdraw to maintain his connection with God the Father and avoid the noise. I to have found that just deactivating social media is not enough, it sometimes requires not talking to anyone during that time too. A real sabbatical experience. You may find people that can’t understand that, but even the disciples in Mark 1:36-37 said to Jesus, “everyone is looking for you.” Peter and the others only see the needs so they don’t understand why Jesus went away to pray. Once Jesus has finished he is then able to go on and do what the Father has called him too and I too can do the same. Immediately after the time out I heard exactly what the Lord wanted me to say. My intentionality for writing had not left me, but I knew I could not write without His leading and now I was prepared once again. You see, being intentional about “EVERYTHING” in my life, means “EVERYTHING!” I matter, my health matters, my sanity matters, relationships that don’t question my actions and choices of what is best for me matters, my calling matters, most importantly what God says to me matters most. Jesus is my example, when I don’t know what to do; what would Jesus do? He took a time out and prayed, he set boundaries and I did the same. Just being Intentional.

Smoking

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness and into His marvelous light; ( 1 Peter 2:9)

HE CHOSE US and WE MATTER!

Yesterday was the second annual fundraiser for my dear friends Non-Profit organization, which I have had the opportunity to help host both years. I also, am given the opportunity to sit in on these amazing guest speakers Break-Outs throughout the day. This conference is an emotional health conference for professionals. To help equip them to better serve their employees, co-workers, patients whatever field of work that might be. And more importantly learning how to better care for themselves so that they can be the best version of themselves doing what they do without the feeling of they are not enough, they do not matter or all to often …burnout. I tell you that to also say, I’m NOT a professional of any kind, but I MATTER. And because I matter and so do all the volunteers that come to help out in the conference we are ALL given the opportunity to sit in on any topic we feel might help us to be the best version of ourself. This picture of the chimney was from one of the Guest Speakers and I am sure she would not mind if I shared her name and or even a little bit about her. Lynette Thrower; her topic was on “The Matters of Mattering” which is also the name of her book she authored. “The Matters of Mattering: I, You, We Matter,” regarding belonging, validation, and emotional authenticity. Her teaching challenges us to reflect on how we assign our value, especially in relation to our performance, productivity, and personal worth. If you look her up on Instagram you can see how she defines herself; Lover of YHWH. Prayer warrior. Peaceful poet. She realizes her life matters and so does ours. The chimney was an illustration from a Highlight magazine back in the day. I didn’t get a picture of the first clip, but it was a large chimney telling the small chimney that he was to small to smoke. This was suppose to be a riddle in the magazine, but there was so much more to be taken from that photo than a riddle. Here was this happy little chimney doing what he knew he was suppose to do and then being told, your to little to smoke. The little chimney became afraid of his purpose so then refuses to smoke. And as you may already know, a chimney must smoke in order to keep the house from backing up with smoke, and from the air becoming toxic and people getting harmed. So there is purpose in a smoking chimney. If the chimney/we allow what others say to us we can find ourself withdrawing from our purpose, preoccupied with the criticism, and then our vision of ourself becomes distorted. We begin to feel insignificant, invisible or unimportant to others. We are then no longer doing what God created us for or our God-given gift or talent. When that kind of fear takes hold of us, we begin to distort how we see ourselves and our place in this world. We begin having false beliefs about the role we were designed to fulfill. I recently felt all of that in my blog writing. I called it writers remorse when telling my husband about it. As Lynette says, “Our lives are meant to be a beautiful symphony of purpose and belonging, but fear introduces a dissonance that can overwhelm our sense of mattering.” I’m not going to go into the complete teaching on this, but I wanted to share from the beginning because we do have purpose and we do matter and that “WE” is EVERYBODY. God says we are: Chosen (John 15:16), Loved (Jeremiah 31:3), Forgiven (1 John 1:9), Precious (Is. 43:4), Strong (Is. 40:31), Unique (Ps. 39:13), Important (1 Peter 2:9), Protected (Ps. 121:3), Enough (2 Cor. 12:9). So we are able to say, I am____________, you fill in the blank. Be that little chimney and SMOKE with your calling, gift or talent.