June 30, 2011
Morning Devotion w Theresa
Romans 12:9-21
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil, cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. SHARE with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
Honor one another
KEEP your spiritual fervor
Share with Gods people who are in need.
PK “Our strength is not measured by how we do on the mountains, its how we persevere in the valleys!”!!!!!!!
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The Cross:
3 things Jesus accomplished on the cross. This is good stuff ppl…pay attention! ;)
1. He redeemed us-- he bought us back from the enemy
2. He reconciled us--brought us back into fellowship and favor of the father.
3. He RESTORED US--fully.
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Bfast and devotion was such a sweet time this morning. Kellie is better today.
We arrived back at the church this morning, and there was a lady changing clothes outside… I wonder….where did she sleep?
2 days till we begin our journey home. I thought I would be happy and don’t get me wrong I can’t WAIT to squeeze my family. It just doesn’t feel …finished yet. He’s not finished using us here yet. It doesn’t feel complete.
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At the Encounter
Almost time for the video. Man, I get this sick feeling in my tummy when I watch it. But I love how it moves your people.
Father, soften and stir your people. I pray they surrender completely to you. As Jesus said his “heart is ready”, Father prepare the hearts of your people. May they receive every ounce of goodness and FREEDOM you have for them. In Jesus name.
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“The grace you brought upon my life will return to you in PRAISE.
Redeemer---redeem my heart again
Savior---come and shelter me from sin.
Your familiar with my weakness, devoted till the END.
Redeemer, Savior, Friend.
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The Encounter was great. Praying these church leaders take what they have learned and they FREEDOM they have received and PASS it on down. In Jesus name!!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
June 29, 2011 continued. Observations in Africa
June 29, 2011 part 2
Jehovah Shalom The Lord IS Peace
At the Encounter…feeling much better. Im sitting in the back, watching 2 ladies outside. One is dressed in a pretty pink skirt, and white top. She is busy busy picking up, her home… I guess. It is a structure about 8 feet tall, no walls, tin roof, 6 pieces of wood holsing it up. She has a little pink brush…with the mirror on the back. She has no hair. Shaved to her scalp…and yet she combs and combs and combs. Diligently. Then, she turns the brush over and examines herself in the small mirror. She sees something not right with her teeth… she bends over and scrubs her teeth on the hem of her skirt.
Near Ms pretty in pink are 3 small children playing. The smallest is strapped…with a scarf or something like it …to the back of the bike. The oldest child is riding the bike from one side. Foot thru to reach the other pedal…but only on one side of the bike. Then the little girl is pushing the bike from the back…for good measure. Around and around they go.
There is a large mound of dirt right outside the church building. Several other children are just playing on the pile of dirt. Perfectly content.
What appears to me to be a mom, just picked her daughter up and hugged her tightly. The daughter may be 2 or 3. I see tons and tons of mothers caring for their children here. Nursing them, giving out letters to try and get just one American to help with finances. They carry them everywhere they go. On their backs. I LOVE that. I’d like to have another baby JUST to be able to do that!! ;) But, I honestly haven’t seen very much interaction…. Like one on one…. Emotional, love giving, kissing, hugging, playing with, type of thing. This mom has warmed my heart. It is a different culture. No better, o worse. Just different.
I dare my children to tell be they are bored… I will gather all games systems, ipods, phones, computers, even basketballs, footballs…. And give them a mound of dirt and a bicycle. I think that is really a perfect plan. J
Jehovah Shalom The Lord IS Peace
At the Encounter…feeling much better. Im sitting in the back, watching 2 ladies outside. One is dressed in a pretty pink skirt, and white top. She is busy busy picking up, her home… I guess. It is a structure about 8 feet tall, no walls, tin roof, 6 pieces of wood holsing it up. She has a little pink brush…with the mirror on the back. She has no hair. Shaved to her scalp…and yet she combs and combs and combs. Diligently. Then, she turns the brush over and examines herself in the small mirror. She sees something not right with her teeth… she bends over and scrubs her teeth on the hem of her skirt.
Near Ms pretty in pink are 3 small children playing. The smallest is strapped…with a scarf or something like it …to the back of the bike. The oldest child is riding the bike from one side. Foot thru to reach the other pedal…but only on one side of the bike. Then the little girl is pushing the bike from the back…for good measure. Around and around they go.
There is a large mound of dirt right outside the church building. Several other children are just playing on the pile of dirt. Perfectly content.
What appears to me to be a mom, just picked her daughter up and hugged her tightly. The daughter may be 2 or 3. I see tons and tons of mothers caring for their children here. Nursing them, giving out letters to try and get just one American to help with finances. They carry them everywhere they go. On their backs. I LOVE that. I’d like to have another baby JUST to be able to do that!! ;) But, I honestly haven’t seen very much interaction…. Like one on one…. Emotional, love giving, kissing, hugging, playing with, type of thing. This mom has warmed my heart. It is a different culture. No better, o worse. Just different.
I dare my children to tell be they are bored… I will gather all games systems, ipods, phones, computers, even basketballs, footballs…. And give them a mound of dirt and a bicycle. I think that is really a perfect plan. J
June 29, 2011
June 29, 2011
FIRST day of the 2nd Encounter and I am stuck in this hotel room sick!! I cannot believe this. I have been battling nausea for several days now. It’s so frustrating. I was in my room this morning…watching the team, minus Kellie & I (Kellie is also sick) outside my window. I could see them across the yard, they were under tents doing morning devotion. They began praying. I saw the girls huddled in a circle. I was praying here in this little bitty room, and my spirit was literally being drawn to them. I mean, I could not stand there any longer. I don’t remember putting my shoes on, or even walking to them… I just remember Theresa and Janice wrapping me up in the circle and the comfort I felt once smushed in the circle.
Honestly, I do not understand why God would burden my heart so deeply for these people and bring me all the way here and then let me be stuck in a room sick for the Encounter!! BUT, what I DO know is that HE didn’t cause the sickness… the devil is scared of something. He just keeps attacking. SO, I gotta press thru. The vision of doing an Encounter is what set my spirit blazing to come here.
Now, sweet, faithful Father in Heaven…come alongside me and USE this alone time to speak to me through your LIFE giving, BODY HEALING word.
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Wow… God, your fast…. (here’s what He gave me folks…. Like within a minute of praying)
Out of the book of Acts.
Pauls missionary adventures shows us the progress of Christianity. The gospel could not be confined to ONE corner of the world. THIS was a faith that offered HOPE to ALL humanity. We, too, should venture forth and share this heroic task to witness for CHRIST in ALL the world!!!
Acts 13:1-12 look it up. Heres some of the commentary and what I got from these verses:::
What variety there is in the churches. The common thread among these 5 men was their deep faith in Christ. We must never exclude anyone whom Christ has called to follow Him. Like the early church, if believers today do their part to reach out to ALL who are LOST, church congregations will eventually be comprised of people from different racial AND cultural backgrounds. We are most comfortable with those who are just like us. Clearly, at the root of these tendencies is the ugly sin of prejudice. The more we understand the gospel and embrace God’s version of the body of Christ, however, the more the more we will begin to transcend those differences!!! MORE than merely getting along, we will be able to honestly and authentically say from our hearts that we LOVE each other.
Father, Grow us. Help us to accept us, and point them to you. In Jesus name. Amen.
FIRST day of the 2nd Encounter and I am stuck in this hotel room sick!! I cannot believe this. I have been battling nausea for several days now. It’s so frustrating. I was in my room this morning…watching the team, minus Kellie & I (Kellie is also sick) outside my window. I could see them across the yard, they were under tents doing morning devotion. They began praying. I saw the girls huddled in a circle. I was praying here in this little bitty room, and my spirit was literally being drawn to them. I mean, I could not stand there any longer. I don’t remember putting my shoes on, or even walking to them… I just remember Theresa and Janice wrapping me up in the circle and the comfort I felt once smushed in the circle.
Honestly, I do not understand why God would burden my heart so deeply for these people and bring me all the way here and then let me be stuck in a room sick for the Encounter!! BUT, what I DO know is that HE didn’t cause the sickness… the devil is scared of something. He just keeps attacking. SO, I gotta press thru. The vision of doing an Encounter is what set my spirit blazing to come here.
Now, sweet, faithful Father in Heaven…come alongside me and USE this alone time to speak to me through your LIFE giving, BODY HEALING word.
__________________________________________________________
Wow… God, your fast…. (here’s what He gave me folks…. Like within a minute of praying)
Out of the book of Acts.
Pauls missionary adventures shows us the progress of Christianity. The gospel could not be confined to ONE corner of the world. THIS was a faith that offered HOPE to ALL humanity. We, too, should venture forth and share this heroic task to witness for CHRIST in ALL the world!!!
Acts 13:1-12 look it up. Heres some of the commentary and what I got from these verses:::
What variety there is in the churches. The common thread among these 5 men was their deep faith in Christ. We must never exclude anyone whom Christ has called to follow Him. Like the early church, if believers today do their part to reach out to ALL who are LOST, church congregations will eventually be comprised of people from different racial AND cultural backgrounds. We are most comfortable with those who are just like us. Clearly, at the root of these tendencies is the ugly sin of prejudice. The more we understand the gospel and embrace God’s version of the body of Christ, however, the more the more we will begin to transcend those differences!!! MORE than merely getting along, we will be able to honestly and authentically say from our hearts that we LOVE each other.
Father, Grow us. Help us to accept us, and point them to you. In Jesus name. Amen.
June 28, 2011 What if??
June 28, 2011
Morning Devotion w Bobby
Acts 5:13
Are you a believer?
Are you a believer AND a shaker for the kingdom of God?
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THEN, we visited Pastor James’ home and then Shaloms. We saw lots of children. The wa o flife here is just so completely opposite of anything I have experienced in Mashall County, ALABAMA!!! And again, so much need. Got some amazing shots…cant wait to get home so I can share my pictures!!
One thing I struggle with is the needs vs. the culture here. For example, we have seen so many children playing or sitting in the dirt with no clothes on. When we went to the market there was a great abundance of clothes. If, in America, well…lets just take it a little closer to home. When the tornadoes came through, we came together as a community to help meet one anothers needs. Now, I understand the need here is far greater than I can phathom…even, AFTER having seen it. But, there were literally people working in the marketplace and children, who looked like they belonged to the person running the little stands/shops with no clothes on. So, I reason, this is just not something they see as a necessity?? For the first week, after seeing barely clothed or naked children, I was kicking myself at not bringing more of my kids clothes with us to give. I guess now, Im just not sure how to feel. When I talk to mom’s here, the greatest need, their prayer requests are always the same.. And they have nothing to do with clothing or any material needs… They are 1. Physical healing 2. Finances for school fees and 3. For their child to increase in knowledge, to have a teachable spirit. Uhhhh, a little backwards to our culture… I am ashamed to say. But, maybe.. A little dead on??? Perhaps, a little more where our hearts and heads should be?? Don’t get me wrong… I’m not saying you’ll see Max & Kylee playing outside in the buff anytime soon…BUT, PARENTS:::: what if…we took just ONE of the days before schools starts back this year, and instead of spending the entire day going from store to store shopping for back to school clothes… what if… we spent that time covering.. I mean bathing our children in prayer FOR their health, provision, protection, for SOUND minds---the MIND OF CHRIST!! Just a thought.
Thru all the frustration and struggles of this trip…the high points, for me… have been like soaring thru the clouds. Revelation. Truth. Light. Conviction. Forgiveness. Grace. Love. Compassion. PASSION. And I have mentioned how much I absolutely adore my husband & children? From running water to the very ones we hold closest to our hearts… I, for one… take way too much for granted. And I am thankful for this time to re-evaluate my life, my priorities…my loves. Be Blessed friends. Yesu mari!!!!!! Jesus LOVE YOU! in African.
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Everyone is back today. Theresa says she is 100%! Meredith is struggling a little. I got to talk to Phillip for a few minutes this morning. Today is our day of rest. We are headed to shop!
Morning Devotion w Bobby
Acts 5:13
“Noone else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded people. Nevertheless, more and moremen and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. As a result ppl brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and matsso that at least Peters shadow might fall ono some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed.
Are you a believer?
Are you a believer AND a shaker for the kingdom of God?
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We went to the markets today today… the marketplace was a bust. We were looking for authentically made in Africa type things…and what we saw was an awray of backpacks and purses (ALL things we could have bought at Wal Mart) and items that were made in the USA or china!! It was kinda like a giant flea market…except no custom type items…think yard sale items…. Just when I was about to get discouraged Shalom took us to this little restaurant right down the road that also had a gift shop…all the items were made by widows and children from local orphanges. Jackpot. SO many beautiful pieces. We are scored!
Theresa, Don, Meredith, Nathan, Rod, Diana & I all went to an american cuisine restaurant for lunch. Yep, I was odd man out--Phillip Brooks, you will always come with me from now on--I miss yoU!!!!! It was fun though. Something I ate is not settling well… my tummy is in an uproar!
THEN, we visited Pastor James’ home and then Shaloms. We saw lots of children. The wa o flife here is just so completely opposite of anything I have experienced in Mashall County, ALABAMA!!! And again, so much need. Got some amazing shots…cant wait to get home so I can share my pictures!!
We came back to the hotel and some of the others went to visit the technical school.
One thing I struggle with is the needs vs. the culture here. For example, we have seen so many children playing or sitting in the dirt with no clothes on. When we went to the market there was a great abundance of clothes. If, in America, well…lets just take it a little closer to home. When the tornadoes came through, we came together as a community to help meet one anothers needs. Now, I understand the need here is far greater than I can phathom…even, AFTER having seen it. But, there were literally people working in the marketplace and children, who looked like they belonged to the person running the little stands/shops with no clothes on. So, I reason, this is just not something they see as a necessity?? For the first week, after seeing barely clothed or naked children, I was kicking myself at not bringing more of my kids clothes with us to give. I guess now, Im just not sure how to feel. When I talk to mom’s here, the greatest need, their prayer requests are always the same.. And they have nothing to do with clothing or any material needs… They are 1. Physical healing 2. Finances for school fees and 3. For their child to increase in knowledge, to have a teachable spirit. Uhhhh, a little backwards to our culture… I am ashamed to say. But, maybe.. A little dead on??? Perhaps, a little more where our hearts and heads should be?? Don’t get me wrong… I’m not saying you’ll see Max & Kylee playing outside in the buff anytime soon…BUT, PARENTS:::: what if…we took just ONE of the days before schools starts back this year, and instead of spending the entire day going from store to store shopping for back to school clothes… what if… we spent that time covering.. I mean bathing our children in prayer FOR their health, provision, protection, for SOUND minds---the MIND OF CHRIST!! Just a thought.
Thru all the frustration and struggles of this trip…the high points, for me… have been like soaring thru the clouds. Revelation. Truth. Light. Conviction. Forgiveness. Grace. Love. Compassion. PASSION. And I have mentioned how much I absolutely adore my husband & children? From running water to the very ones we hold closest to our hearts… I, for one… take way too much for granted. And I am thankful for this time to re-evaluate my life, my priorities…my loves. Be Blessed friends. Yesu mari!!!!!! Jesus LOVE YOU! in African.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
June 27, 2011
Fun things Ugandans say:
"surely"
Morning Devotion with Ramona.
Empowering emotions of Joy
Your attitude determines how effective you are.
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The village welcomed us warmly. Music intros and prayers. Rodney gave a little message, the music was beautiful. The instruments were amazing. handmade. They had cooked a big meal, but most were recovering or still sick. So the men folk ate and that was it. I met a deaf girl...she was so sweet. Theresa, Don, Ramona and Bobby were at the hotel sick. We were able to look inside a church... it was really cool...looked like a hut on the outside. We also got to see where they cook the meals. And again, so much need. I took a few pics of the children...its the funniest thing...they are stone faced when you are snappin the picture and then laughing hysterically when you show it to them!! they love it. As we left the village, there was an elderly lady sitting on the ground begging for food. :( Kellie asked Shalom to take her some crackers.
Its almost time for the net Encounter, the pastor at the village today had attended the first Encounter and told the village it was "life changing"... so glad he "got it"!!!!
The ride back was a little better ..they went a different way. we made it back in an hour and a half. I sat with Humphry on the way hom and in front of Kellie and Mere, made the ride go by faster. Humphry is a local school teacher...so i asked him 100 questions. Hearing about education in Uganda was interesting and passed the time. When we got back to the hotel, all our sick patients were up and moving around. Praise the Lord!!
The internet is not working again. :/ Well, it was when we got in, but its down again. I tried to call Phillip. no answer and now its down.
I went to sleep last night while we were skyping. He was grilling burgers .. i could hear the kids laughing and playing basketball. I just couldnt hang up. I didnt feel alone. it was great. I cannot wait to touch them!!! BUT... I haven't cried at all today!!! so, thats progress!!
I am sitting in my room writing and hoping the internet will come back up. Phillip has a picture of him and his dad as his screen saver. And again... it all comes rushing back...and i even said out loud to myself..."is he really gone???!!" It just doesn't feel possible or real that he will not be here for anymore bday parties---Max turns 4 Sunday.... or 4th of july's, christmas's, ball games, Easter egg hunts, vacations, he wont see them graduate, or marry, or have babies. He wont see Phillip fullfill the call God has on His life, or hold his first grandchild. He wont see Kim and Andrew have their first child.
"When pain surround us, the pain reminds this heart..that this is not our home." HEALING DOES come thru tears. I hope.
Peter, is a young man we met here from Bridge of Hope church. He is sweet, and funny. He sings in the choir, and loves to dance and paint. lol..he dances bigger when he knows ppl are watching...he's a ham!!He shared tonight that he was in school for a medical labratorist--what they call it here... He doesn't have the money for this semeaster, so he had to drop out. He is trusting God to proved the 300.00 he needs for the next one. I am believing with him.
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"surely"
"are you serious?"
"yes, please"praise the living God"
"sure"-- sounds like... "shuuuure"
you'd really just have to hear them say it. LOVE their accents. beautiful!!
Morning Devotion with Ramona.
Empowering emotions of Joy
Your attitude determines how effective you are.
_______________________________________________________________________________
We are back at the hotel. We had a good day. Morning was rough. Nathan preached today. He did great. After that we headed to Aduku ?.. a viallage... that we were told was 30 mins away...but took almost 2 hours to get there. It was the roughest ride ever. Kellie and Mere had to move to the front of the bus... i got sick, but stayed still and Pastor Keith looked like he was gonna pass out when we got off the bus--he was NOT the right color!! Even for a white man. ;)
The village welcomed us warmly. Music intros and prayers. Rodney gave a little message, the music was beautiful. The instruments were amazing. handmade. They had cooked a big meal, but most were recovering or still sick. So the men folk ate and that was it. I met a deaf girl...she was so sweet. Theresa, Don, Ramona and Bobby were at the hotel sick. We were able to look inside a church... it was really cool...looked like a hut on the outside. We also got to see where they cook the meals. And again, so much need. I took a few pics of the children...its the funniest thing...they are stone faced when you are snappin the picture and then laughing hysterically when you show it to them!! they love it. As we left the village, there was an elderly lady sitting on the ground begging for food. :( Kellie asked Shalom to take her some crackers.
Its almost time for the net Encounter, the pastor at the village today had attended the first Encounter and told the village it was "life changing"... so glad he "got it"!!!!
The ride back was a little better ..they went a different way. we made it back in an hour and a half. I sat with Humphry on the way hom and in front of Kellie and Mere, made the ride go by faster. Humphry is a local school teacher...so i asked him 100 questions. Hearing about education in Uganda was interesting and passed the time. When we got back to the hotel, all our sick patients were up and moving around. Praise the Lord!!
The internet is not working again. :/ Well, it was when we got in, but its down again. I tried to call Phillip. no answer and now its down.
I went to sleep last night while we were skyping. He was grilling burgers .. i could hear the kids laughing and playing basketball. I just couldnt hang up. I didnt feel alone. it was great. I cannot wait to touch them!!! BUT... I haven't cried at all today!!! so, thats progress!!
I am sitting in my room writing and hoping the internet will come back up. Phillip has a picture of him and his dad as his screen saver. And again... it all comes rushing back...and i even said out loud to myself..."is he really gone???!!" It just doesn't feel possible or real that he will not be here for anymore bday parties---Max turns 4 Sunday.... or 4th of july's, christmas's, ball games, Easter egg hunts, vacations, he wont see them graduate, or marry, or have babies. He wont see Phillip fullfill the call God has on His life, or hold his first grandchild. He wont see Kim and Andrew have their first child.
"When pain surround us, the pain reminds this heart..that this is not our home." HEALING DOES come thru tears. I hope.
Peter, is a young man we met here from Bridge of Hope church. He is sweet, and funny. He sings in the choir, and loves to dance and paint. lol..he dances bigger when he knows ppl are watching...he's a ham!!He shared tonight that he was in school for a medical labratorist--what they call it here... He doesn't have the money for this semeaster, so he had to drop out. He is trusting God to proved the 300.00 he needs for the next one. I am believing with him.
I also had a sweet friend ask...with such a humble heart for a english version Bible. She loved the one we gave her. Wish I could do more for them.
June 26, 2011
Today was the best day!!! I started out feeling sick, so I missed Nathans devotion. :/.... my fan wouldn't work.Theresa is sicker. Its Sunday and I couldn't go to church. I slept for a little while, the it got so hot in here. THEN I left Phillip a message on skype..cause we got internet BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and just a few minutes later.... he skyped me!!! We talked for almost 2 hours!!!!! It was SO much better than any medicine!!! Well, i cried and cried.. he was so sweet...he said it felt like we were dating again. he kept telling me he missed me. I told him every story I could think of!! Oh man, it was so good! Everyonecame back from church and then went to eat. Meredith came back sick, so I stayed with her. We talked for a long time. Then it was time to go back to the church to minister to the children. Diana delivered the message and then we took all the kids outside and played soccer with them, and then gave out lollipops and treats. I had the 3-4 yr olds. Must have been 50 or more just in my group.I have never seen kids be so good for so long...especially in those numbers. There were around 600-700 i heard them say!!! I wasn't feeling well, but this was one of the days I was looking most forward to. It was fun! They begged for more. Followed us to the bus and begged to have their pictures taken.
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Got b ack to the hotel and skyped with Lauren...she was at church and before we knew it she had most of our families on so we could say hi. It was so much FUN! Then kellie, mere and I talked to Jackie for a while...oh my... i laughed and laughed... its so good for your soul. fun times.
June 25, 2011 continued---it was a BIG day!! FIRST Encounter in Uganda!!
**reminder, this is me back trackin the days we have been here out of my journal. Due to storms and no internet. This is from the 25th...not today. :)
Finished the cross session & it was powerful! All my ladies seemed to have break thru. 2 described it as a feeling of "relief". It was so great to see Lilly smile...really smile, and feel the peace flowing from Florence.
For lunch... ya ready for this?? I ate....goat!!! It was tasty... i took one bite, looked outside and saw all the little gots romaing around and couldn't eat anymore. :/ oh well, i can say i tried it!!
I called Phillip from Shalom's phone, we talked for literally, a few seconds... but it was SO amazing to hear his voice!!! Happieness from the inside OUT!! I took the phone to Agnes and Humphrey and let him say hi...then I lost him...BUT, thats ok...it totally refreshed me.
Then we headed back to the motel for a short rest...25 mins. Kellie, Don, Janice, Diana & I walked back from church. It was fun. We got to talk with some children at the school. I recorded them saying Hi to my kids, and Phillip and Sam , Jess and Levi and momma J. It was so sweet and I cant wait for them to hear it!
Right now, PK is preaching on Deliverence. I am praying for, huggin on, lovin on people in AFRICA...and Encounter is taking place right now in AFRICA!!! This is AMAZING!!!
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Longest day EVER! Happy, exciting, overjoyed and then frustraing, sad, hurt, a little mad, and totally exhausted.
The cross was amazing, amazing, amazing. Holy Spirit stuff not so much. I couldn't tell if it ws me, or them, or what. I just didn't feel peace. If it isn't from God, I don't want to be a part of it. On the way back, I heard a cpl of other ppl expressing similar concerns. I just didn't even want to talk about it though. I wanted to process what had happened. Got back to the hotel, we still didnt get our bags. They were expected by 4pm. It was my breaking point. I closed the door and pitched me a good ole 2 yr old tantrum. If I have to go back to Logan without the special item he sent with me I will be so broken... i dont even care about my camera stuff anymore. I didn't want to put mosquito spray on, or mess with the bug net, or wash my feet, wear dirty pj's. :/ I want to go home. I want to go home. I want to go home.
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I cried out.... and then there was a knock on the door... Pastor Keith and Pastor James with my suitcase..and EVERYTHING was there!! Praise GOD!! As I hugged up Logans special gift to me... I could feel his cheeks. I mean.. like he was right there!! Conviction and correction fell on me... I should hug them more... i mean, i do... i always have....my kids KNOW i love them. But, lately.... Logan has been wanting to hug me alot...like I'll be cooking and he comes in the kitchen and wraps his arms around me. I give him a quick hug.. and, it hurts me to admit it now....but, a quick hug and push him on. Same thing with Phillip.And,, oh... Phillip and his arms. So strong and warm. I hate not having him here at night...so lonely. God is my strength...thank you for bringing my suitcase safely to me...and thank you for wrapping me in your arms tonight. in jesus name.
Finished the cross session & it was powerful! All my ladies seemed to have break thru. 2 described it as a feeling of "relief". It was so great to see Lilly smile...really smile, and feel the peace flowing from Florence.
For lunch... ya ready for this?? I ate....goat!!! It was tasty... i took one bite, looked outside and saw all the little gots romaing around and couldn't eat anymore. :/ oh well, i can say i tried it!!
I called Phillip from Shalom's phone, we talked for literally, a few seconds... but it was SO amazing to hear his voice!!! Happieness from the inside OUT!! I took the phone to Agnes and Humphrey and let him say hi...then I lost him...BUT, thats ok...it totally refreshed me.
Then we headed back to the motel for a short rest...25 mins. Kellie, Don, Janice, Diana & I walked back from church. It was fun. We got to talk with some children at the school. I recorded them saying Hi to my kids, and Phillip and Sam , Jess and Levi and momma J. It was so sweet and I cant wait for them to hear it!
Right now, PK is preaching on Deliverence. I am praying for, huggin on, lovin on people in AFRICA...and Encounter is taking place right now in AFRICA!!! This is AMAZING!!!
_________________________________________________
Longest day EVER! Happy, exciting, overjoyed and then frustraing, sad, hurt, a little mad, and totally exhausted.
The cross was amazing, amazing, amazing. Holy Spirit stuff not so much. I couldn't tell if it ws me, or them, or what. I just didn't feel peace. If it isn't from God, I don't want to be a part of it. On the way back, I heard a cpl of other ppl expressing similar concerns. I just didn't even want to talk about it though. I wanted to process what had happened. Got back to the hotel, we still didnt get our bags. They were expected by 4pm. It was my breaking point. I closed the door and pitched me a good ole 2 yr old tantrum. If I have to go back to Logan without the special item he sent with me I will be so broken... i dont even care about my camera stuff anymore. I didn't want to put mosquito spray on, or mess with the bug net, or wash my feet, wear dirty pj's. :/ I want to go home. I want to go home. I want to go home.
__________________________________________________
I cried out.... and then there was a knock on the door... Pastor Keith and Pastor James with my suitcase..and EVERYTHING was there!! Praise GOD!! As I hugged up Logans special gift to me... I could feel his cheeks. I mean.. like he was right there!! Conviction and correction fell on me... I should hug them more... i mean, i do... i always have....my kids KNOW i love them. But, lately.... Logan has been wanting to hug me alot...like I'll be cooking and he comes in the kitchen and wraps his arms around me. I give him a quick hug.. and, it hurts me to admit it now....but, a quick hug and push him on. Same thing with Phillip.And,, oh... Phillip and his arms. So strong and warm. I hate not having him here at night...so lonely. God is my strength...thank you for bringing my suitcase safely to me...and thank you for wrapping me in your arms tonight. in jesus name.
June 25, 2011 Encounter recap... its a long one..but God is worthy!!
June 25, 2011
Morning devotion with Meredith
Unity
John 17: 20-25
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those whi will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be ONE, Father, just as you oare one in ME and I am in you. May they also be in us, so that the world---Lira, Uganda AFRICA--- may believe that you have sent me. I have given them in glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one. I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world---AFRICA---know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Righteous Father, though the world--AFRICA--- does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
Jesus prayed for unity, protection, and sanctity-holiness. That should give me confidence as I work for His kingdom.
Jesus’ great desire for his disciples was that they would become ONE. He wanted them unified as a powerful witness to the reality of God’s love.
Ephesians 4:1-5
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep unity of the spirit through His bond of peace.
______________________________________________________________
I learned to say “I love you”--- Amari--pronounced “a-maree” and yesumari, “Jesus loves you” yesterday. Florence taught me.
The ladies in my group really seemed to grasp generation sin. Which is one of my favorites, as a mom…so important to really get it!!
Kellie said she struggled delivering her message on sexual purity, but she did amazing and you couldn’t tell. One of the women I prayed with confided that she and her son are HIV+. Her story is heartbreaking. She is precious and has many decisions to make. Praying for strength, wisdom and guidance..also provision for her sons education. So, my head is focused on sexual purity when my the next lady comes up from prayer. I am ready to pray for purity…when she explains, thru an interpretor, that she is “bewitched”. After getting more details, I learn that… she was married to a man, who was also married to another woman, common practice for non- believers in Africa. The 2nd wife put a curse on the first wife and now her body was filled with pain all the time. Honestly, I was soooo not prepared for this. Physically & emotionally… I was struggling with fatigue and missing my family something awful, but even spiritually, not prepared for this. Well, I took a deep breathe and cried out to God to fill my heart and mouth..to fill me up and HIM to minister FREEDOM to this lady thru me. And then…the Holy Spirit began to do just that. Praise GOD, that demon of bewitchment and any curse the enemy had plagued her with was addressed, bound in the name of Jesus and CAST into the PIT of HELL where it belongs!!!!!!!! Father, YOU are so GOOD and FAITHFUL!!!! THANK YOU for hearing me cry out, and for setting this woman free even though I was completely inadequate for the task. Your word IS true----in OUR weakness.. We are made strong THROUGH YOU--and YOU DO receive ALL the glory. We CAN do ALL--- I mean..casting demons kindof “ALL” things THROUGH CHRIST--- when we put our complete trust in YOU!!!!!! As soon as I started praying for “Ms. T”, your Holy Spirit fell, as she raised her arms…they began to tremble… lol, I was thinking… “holy smokes…new ground is about to BREAK in Ms. T’s life, and in mine!!” Father, I pray she WALK out her FREEDOM, she IS FREE of curses, pain and bewitchment. Satan has NO ground here anymore in the name of Jesus!!! THANK YOU for the POWER of the cross!!!
Inner healing was also amazing. I was able to sit and take pictures and take IN all the freedom, love and compassion my fellow team members were dishing out. 2 young boys, came in for prayer---nbot sure how they wound up there… BUT, they did… one of them had a deep father wound and the other received Christ!!!!! PTL!!!
I think I mentioned it was a different kind of Encounter!! ;) This was all the first day of the Encounter…oh, did I mention there were children at the Encounter…little ones… You Liberty folks will know how…”out of the box” that is for an Encounter, cellphones EVERYWHERE, people in and out constantly, and momma’s nursing their babies…right there while PK preached it UP!!! Lol. Curtis would be fired UP!!! Lol. We really had to adapt, be flexible and understand…this is their culture. While, at the same time, brainstorm on how to bring more order to the 2nd Encounter that is next week.
Oh, oh oh…AD Eric fell asleep at the wheel!!! Lol… we all got a good laugh out of that! And maybe a few pictures!!! ;)
Next was supper at a restaurant. Shalom sat with me. We talked about the children in her village. She asked me if I would like to help her, to help her with the finances to support her younger sisters school supplies. I was kind of surprised she asked. I don’t know…just being real. I had felt the burden to help her in some way from the first night we met. I just expected the Holy Spirit to give me direction. Maybe this was it?? Haha. The needs are so great everywhere…some people go around the world to get to the point they need money, some ask for prayer then it comes out they want money, and then some just flat out tell you. It is again, so overwhelming. They really see us as white people with great financial means. The truth is, yes….we all…even the ones of you living on government support, sleeping in a broke down house…with no cars, and no cash in your pocket… even YOU have more than they do. As best I can tell, there is no government feeding their children or providing any type of assistance when they cannot. But, my reality is, even though I KNOW that, and I see it with my eyes… I cannot support all the people who have approached me in the past few days. And it feels …sad, and frustrating, and like you really cant help them at all. Yes, they see us as “HOPE”…. I really wanted that to means…hope, because we can point them to Jesus…not because they think we can give them money. So, I have struggled with that in a big way. I mean, me being REAL with you is that, I struggle, Phillip and I struggle since I am not working anymore. God is faithful, He DOES provide, but it is hard. I don’t have money to just hand out for their school fees like I would really like to do. It takes every penny we have to support our own family right now. And there are times, when, even well meaning ppl make you feel, just because we do live in the USA, we have the means to pay, the 300.00 ( I think) per year for their schooling…which really is, so inexpensive… I know. But when you don’t have it… you just don’t. What this has done, is plant a seed in my heart for eternity. And I will pray for God to show me how to help them. I have tons of friends who CAN send 300.00 per year to pay for a childs education here… and it IS a real need. And I will absolutely assist the moment that God provides for that. But, there is a …pressure to help now. And that saddens me…and makes me feel like I can’t make a difference.. it’s a good thing, I KNOW….that whatever I try to do in my flesh, is no good anyways. Trust God.
Ok…on with the DAY---
We went back to the hotel and, I confess, shut in my room…all alone by myself, sadness took over again. I miss my husband. I miss my children. Still no way to contact them. It feels so helpless. I don’t want them to worry…or my babies to want to talk to me and not be able to. I had not anticipated this. It was the “one thing” I thought I couldn’t make it thru…. If I was not able to talk to or see them the entire time. Phillip and I even had our first bigger argument in a lonnng time, over that. I cant believe its really happening, that I cant talk to them. Truthfully, if from day ONE of this mission trip to Africa, I had known this was a REAL possibility, I would have never signed up. I know God knows better than me…and that He can see a bigger picture, he works ALL things out for my good…and that even this, He is going to use for His glory. I can envision---see, me using this as a testimony someday… so, even thru my tears, I do know He is at work… in the moment…though… it just hurts. Deeply.
___________________________________________________________
On a extremely positive note, I have not taken a Lunesta since last Sunday night. The night before we left!!! Am I gonna be set FREE from this?? I believe so!! ;)
Theresa is sick again today. It is just not the same without her here. We came to Bridge of Hope’s new building for the final day of the Encounter. We were almost 2 hours LATE starting!!! Curtis would NOT be happy ;) It was a good thing though. We were able to visit with the community. I met some boys who were playing soccer. We recorded a video message of them telling each of my kids “hi” by name. It was sweet and I can’t wait for them to hear it!!!
A lady grabbed me when we got to the church today and said her daughter wanted her to give me a letter. The letter explained how she (the daughter) was drawn to me the previous day and would like to stay in contact with me. They were “excited when I smile. She wants to be my “pen friend”. There was a photo included. It was sweet…but I had a … leary feeling in my spirit.
Oh, and I was standing in the church this morning, and a little girl… maybe 4, slid her hand into mine. It was the sweetest moment since I have been here. And made me long for my little shadow---Kylee.
______________________________________________________________
PK is preaching on the cross---RIGHT NOW and he is BRINGING IT!!! AWESOME!!! Wish our Liberty family could see him in ACTION!!!
Oh, they are handing out the nails!!!!
Holy Spirit, right now…saturate this place with your presence!!! RAIN in this place!!! Soften the hearts of your people and draw them to YOUR side. Help them completely SURRENDER everything to YOU in Jesus Name.
And--I AM laying down sleep aides and my struggle with the attack on my voice. Satan, I rebuke you in the name of JESUS! I bind you spirit of anxiety and insomnia in the name of Jesus and cast you to the pit of HELL!! And I RECEIVE YOUR PERFECT PEACE and comfort and SLEEP. I bind every attack of the enemy on my voice and body and I cast it OUT in the name of Jesus!! You are NOT welcome in my body and you WILL NOT steal the voice God gave me..I WILL LIVE to declare the works of the Lord and HE WILL receive the glory and praise!!!I receive complete healing, in the name of Jesus!! THANK YOU FATHER, that by the stripes you endured on the cross I can ask and receive healing In Jesus name.
Its video time… It always hurts me to watch….and I try to close my eyes…but, feel like I must keep them open. Its what you suffered..for me.
I just looked over at my friend Florence, and she too…has her eyes shut tightly, with tears flowing down her face. I hear weeping behind me… Father, move in your people.
_____________________________________________________________
Morning devotion with Meredith
Unity
John 17: 20-25
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those whi will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be ONE, Father, just as you oare one in ME and I am in you. May they also be in us, so that the world---Lira, Uganda AFRICA--- may believe that you have sent me. I have given them in glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one. I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world---AFRICA---know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Righteous Father, though the world--AFRICA--- does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
Jesus prayed for unity, protection, and sanctity-holiness. That should give me confidence as I work for His kingdom.
Jesus’ great desire for his disciples was that they would become ONE. He wanted them unified as a powerful witness to the reality of God’s love.
Ephesians 4:1-5
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep unity of the spirit through His bond of peace.
______________________________________________________________
I learned to say “I love you”--- Amari--pronounced “a-maree” and yesumari, “Jesus loves you” yesterday. Florence taught me.
The ladies in my group really seemed to grasp generation sin. Which is one of my favorites, as a mom…so important to really get it!!
Kellie said she struggled delivering her message on sexual purity, but she did amazing and you couldn’t tell. One of the women I prayed with confided that she and her son are HIV+. Her story is heartbreaking. She is precious and has many decisions to make. Praying for strength, wisdom and guidance..also provision for her sons education. So, my head is focused on sexual purity when my the next lady comes up from prayer. I am ready to pray for purity…when she explains, thru an interpretor, that she is “bewitched”. After getting more details, I learn that… she was married to a man, who was also married to another woman, common practice for non- believers in Africa. The 2nd wife put a curse on the first wife and now her body was filled with pain all the time. Honestly, I was soooo not prepared for this. Physically & emotionally… I was struggling with fatigue and missing my family something awful, but even spiritually, not prepared for this. Well, I took a deep breathe and cried out to God to fill my heart and mouth..to fill me up and HIM to minister FREEDOM to this lady thru me. And then…the Holy Spirit began to do just that. Praise GOD, that demon of bewitchment and any curse the enemy had plagued her with was addressed, bound in the name of Jesus and CAST into the PIT of HELL where it belongs!!!!!!!! Father, YOU are so GOOD and FAITHFUL!!!! THANK YOU for hearing me cry out, and for setting this woman free even though I was completely inadequate for the task. Your word IS true----in OUR weakness.. We are made strong THROUGH YOU--and YOU DO receive ALL the glory. We CAN do ALL--- I mean..casting demons kindof “ALL” things THROUGH CHRIST--- when we put our complete trust in YOU!!!!!! As soon as I started praying for “Ms. T”, your Holy Spirit fell, as she raised her arms…they began to tremble… lol, I was thinking… “holy smokes…new ground is about to BREAK in Ms. T’s life, and in mine!!” Father, I pray she WALK out her FREEDOM, she IS FREE of curses, pain and bewitchment. Satan has NO ground here anymore in the name of Jesus!!! THANK YOU for the POWER of the cross!!!
Inner healing was also amazing. I was able to sit and take pictures and take IN all the freedom, love and compassion my fellow team members were dishing out. 2 young boys, came in for prayer---nbot sure how they wound up there… BUT, they did… one of them had a deep father wound and the other received Christ!!!!! PTL!!!
I think I mentioned it was a different kind of Encounter!! ;) This was all the first day of the Encounter…oh, did I mention there were children at the Encounter…little ones… You Liberty folks will know how…”out of the box” that is for an Encounter, cellphones EVERYWHERE, people in and out constantly, and momma’s nursing their babies…right there while PK preached it UP!!! Lol. Curtis would be fired UP!!! Lol. We really had to adapt, be flexible and understand…this is their culture. While, at the same time, brainstorm on how to bring more order to the 2nd Encounter that is next week.
Oh, oh oh…AD Eric fell asleep at the wheel!!! Lol… we all got a good laugh out of that! And maybe a few pictures!!! ;)
Next was supper at a restaurant. Shalom sat with me. We talked about the children in her village. She asked me if I would like to help her, to help her with the finances to support her younger sisters school supplies. I was kind of surprised she asked. I don’t know…just being real. I had felt the burden to help her in some way from the first night we met. I just expected the Holy Spirit to give me direction. Maybe this was it?? Haha. The needs are so great everywhere…some people go around the world to get to the point they need money, some ask for prayer then it comes out they want money, and then some just flat out tell you. It is again, so overwhelming. They really see us as white people with great financial means. The truth is, yes….we all…even the ones of you living on government support, sleeping in a broke down house…with no cars, and no cash in your pocket… even YOU have more than they do. As best I can tell, there is no government feeding their children or providing any type of assistance when they cannot. But, my reality is, even though I KNOW that, and I see it with my eyes… I cannot support all the people who have approached me in the past few days. And it feels …sad, and frustrating, and like you really cant help them at all. Yes, they see us as “HOPE”…. I really wanted that to means…hope, because we can point them to Jesus…not because they think we can give them money. So, I have struggled with that in a big way. I mean, me being REAL with you is that, I struggle, Phillip and I struggle since I am not working anymore. God is faithful, He DOES provide, but it is hard. I don’t have money to just hand out for their school fees like I would really like to do. It takes every penny we have to support our own family right now. And there are times, when, even well meaning ppl make you feel, just because we do live in the USA, we have the means to pay, the 300.00 ( I think) per year for their schooling…which really is, so inexpensive… I know. But when you don’t have it… you just don’t. What this has done, is plant a seed in my heart for eternity. And I will pray for God to show me how to help them. I have tons of friends who CAN send 300.00 per year to pay for a childs education here… and it IS a real need. And I will absolutely assist the moment that God provides for that. But, there is a …pressure to help now. And that saddens me…and makes me feel like I can’t make a difference.. it’s a good thing, I KNOW….that whatever I try to do in my flesh, is no good anyways. Trust God.
Ok…on with the DAY---
We went back to the hotel and, I confess, shut in my room…all alone by myself, sadness took over again. I miss my husband. I miss my children. Still no way to contact them. It feels so helpless. I don’t want them to worry…or my babies to want to talk to me and not be able to. I had not anticipated this. It was the “one thing” I thought I couldn’t make it thru…. If I was not able to talk to or see them the entire time. Phillip and I even had our first bigger argument in a lonnng time, over that. I cant believe its really happening, that I cant talk to them. Truthfully, if from day ONE of this mission trip to Africa, I had known this was a REAL possibility, I would have never signed up. I know God knows better than me…and that He can see a bigger picture, he works ALL things out for my good…and that even this, He is going to use for His glory. I can envision---see, me using this as a testimony someday… so, even thru my tears, I do know He is at work… in the moment…though… it just hurts. Deeply.
___________________________________________________________
On a extremely positive note, I have not taken a Lunesta since last Sunday night. The night before we left!!! Am I gonna be set FREE from this?? I believe so!! ;)
Theresa is sick again today. It is just not the same without her here. We came to Bridge of Hope’s new building for the final day of the Encounter. We were almost 2 hours LATE starting!!! Curtis would NOT be happy ;) It was a good thing though. We were able to visit with the community. I met some boys who were playing soccer. We recorded a video message of them telling each of my kids “hi” by name. It was sweet and I can’t wait for them to hear it!!!
A lady grabbed me when we got to the church today and said her daughter wanted her to give me a letter. The letter explained how she (the daughter) was drawn to me the previous day and would like to stay in contact with me. They were “excited when I smile. She wants to be my “pen friend”. There was a photo included. It was sweet…but I had a … leary feeling in my spirit.
Oh, and I was standing in the church this morning, and a little girl… maybe 4, slid her hand into mine. It was the sweetest moment since I have been here. And made me long for my little shadow---Kylee.
______________________________________________________________
PK is preaching on the cross---RIGHT NOW and he is BRINGING IT!!! AWESOME!!! Wish our Liberty family could see him in ACTION!!!
Oh, they are handing out the nails!!!!
Holy Spirit, right now…saturate this place with your presence!!! RAIN in this place!!! Soften the hearts of your people and draw them to YOUR side. Help them completely SURRENDER everything to YOU in Jesus Name.
And--I AM laying down sleep aides and my struggle with the attack on my voice. Satan, I rebuke you in the name of JESUS! I bind you spirit of anxiety and insomnia in the name of Jesus and cast you to the pit of HELL!! And I RECEIVE YOUR PERFECT PEACE and comfort and SLEEP. I bind every attack of the enemy on my voice and body and I cast it OUT in the name of Jesus!! You are NOT welcome in my body and you WILL NOT steal the voice God gave me..I WILL LIVE to declare the works of the Lord and HE WILL receive the glory and praise!!!I receive complete healing, in the name of Jesus!! THANK YOU FATHER, that by the stripes you endured on the cross I can ask and receive healing In Jesus name.
Its video time… It always hurts me to watch….and I try to close my eyes…but, feel like I must keep them open. Its what you suffered..for me.
I just looked over at my friend Florence, and she too…has her eyes shut tightly, with tears flowing down her face. I hear weeping behind me… Father, move in your people.
_____________________________________________________________
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
June 24, 2011 stil catchin up!!
Everything I saw on tv, the commercials with the pics of children and poverty... I am seeing inreal life. It was heart breaking and overwhelming. Their clothes...or lack there of, no shoes... sleeping on the dirt...flies on their faces... children roaming around everywhere..by themseleves..in the road ...alone. Cars, buses, motorcycles, bycicles, all headed straight atg each other...No traffic signs or lights...or yellow lines. Its the craziest thing Ive ever seen! And the goats and cows everywhere.
When we got back from the villages ... Diana asked us to sing at the womens meeting that night. We practices a cpl of songs. I am struggling so bad..satan really doesn't want me to use my voice. It is sooo frustrating!!Pressed thru and we did great. BUT... ya wouldn't know it by the reaction from the crowd. lol...the women of Uganda were not moved. Our girls were praising though. So then, Diana preached and it was great. She was on fire!! THEN, we washed ALL the Ugandan womens feet. Like Jesus did the disciples... get it?? ;) Around 100 women!!!!!!!!!!!! It was crazy!!! It was humbling.
WHEN WE GOT back to the hotel we still did not have runing water. Some of us had not had a shower since leaving the states. :/ Soooo, we packed up and left the hotel. BUT not without incidence. The hotel ppl were not happy. And the hotel is where the Bridge of Hope church holds their services. The hotel personnel told Pastor James if we left then everyone has to leave and not come back...meaning they could not have church there anymore...and the encounter was to start the next day!!!They wouldn't help with our bags...and we had only had 52 bags!!!!!!!!!!!! Pastor James took it all in stridfe...he said "God works ALL things out for my good."
Pastor James had taken us earlier that day to see a building and land nearby, they are hoping that building will be the future church home. We walked around the building praying. We prayed for favor with the owner last night and TODAY he agreed to let Pastor James rent it!!!
We got to our new hotel and it was nice. We ate an amazing meal. Rice, chipatas and pineapple.
I just wanted to get back to the room and talk to Phillip. I did and NOTHING worked. I couldnt facetime or skype. and my heart was broken. I couldnt sleep. I just wanted to talk to them. My cell phone...even though I am PAYING for an international calling plan...will NOT work! :( I started reading and then the electricity went out. There was a bad thunderstorm.
I woke up and tried to call Phillip again and nothing. I was so disheartened. And it was encounter day!! Devotion by Don was great!!!! Then Encounter was absolute chaos!!! Almost none of the women spoke english. People kept coming in late. I mean we started at 9am and ppl were still trying to come in at lunch time!!!We had to turn people away. We had 53 people go thru and it went well overall. . We did use interpretors. It was hard to tell if they were receiving anything Keith said.
Small group time seemed to bring break thru for everyone!!! My group was Helen a widow and womens leader in Uganda.
Lilly, a pastors wife. Joy Beatrice, a widow. Grace, a widow and Florence, who was also my interpretor. She goes to BOH and is in the choir.
They are all great women. But also, greatly opressed and in bondage.They are all so hungry for the things of God. To grow and learn. But, none of them even have a Bible. its so sad. In America...we have Bibles readily available...and lots of people dont ever pick one up. I am praying for BREAK THRU and FREEDOM!!!!
_________________________________________________________________________________
Well, I fell asleep writing last night. Which, I guess was really a good thing. Kept my mind off the fact that I couldn't talk to my family. :( Everyone else was talking to theirs but me. I was waiting until Phillip got off work to talk to him and then skype lost my password and then the whole computer crashed...then I tried to get on Theresa's....and nothing. I tried to get a message to Phillip with theresa laptop but the a storm came thru and we lost power for the night. and now we have power but NO interneet :(. So, no communication with home. My hearts hurts so bad. I'm distracted. I can't even think about anything but them. AND we have an Encounter in a cpl of hours! I just want to go home. :( Please Lord, give me peace and comfort. And let me family know how very much i love them. Please comfort Phillip and give him peace that I am safe. I can't stand to think of him worrying. In Jesus name. amen.
______________________________________________________________________________
morning devotion with Don:
Mathew 28:18-20
"Surely, I am with you always, even to the end."
1 John 3
"Show in action the love you have in Jesus"
God is greater than our feelings.
Love one another, those who obey God's commands remain in fellowship with him.
The Nile River starts and flows thru Africa. So shall the word of God start in Africa and flow OUT.
_______________________________________________________________________________
When we got back from the villages ... Diana asked us to sing at the womens meeting that night. We practices a cpl of songs. I am struggling so bad..satan really doesn't want me to use my voice. It is sooo frustrating!!Pressed thru and we did great. BUT... ya wouldn't know it by the reaction from the crowd. lol...the women of Uganda were not moved. Our girls were praising though. So then, Diana preached and it was great. She was on fire!! THEN, we washed ALL the Ugandan womens feet. Like Jesus did the disciples... get it?? ;) Around 100 women!!!!!!!!!!!! It was crazy!!! It was humbling.
WHEN WE GOT back to the hotel we still did not have runing water. Some of us had not had a shower since leaving the states. :/ Soooo, we packed up and left the hotel. BUT not without incidence. The hotel ppl were not happy. And the hotel is where the Bridge of Hope church holds their services. The hotel personnel told Pastor James if we left then everyone has to leave and not come back...meaning they could not have church there anymore...and the encounter was to start the next day!!!They wouldn't help with our bags...and we had only had 52 bags!!!!!!!!!!!! Pastor James took it all in stridfe...he said "God works ALL things out for my good."
Pastor James had taken us earlier that day to see a building and land nearby, they are hoping that building will be the future church home. We walked around the building praying. We prayed for favor with the owner last night and TODAY he agreed to let Pastor James rent it!!!
We got to our new hotel and it was nice. We ate an amazing meal. Rice, chipatas and pineapple.
I just wanted to get back to the room and talk to Phillip. I did and NOTHING worked. I couldnt facetime or skype. and my heart was broken. I couldnt sleep. I just wanted to talk to them. My cell phone...even though I am PAYING for an international calling plan...will NOT work! :( I started reading and then the electricity went out. There was a bad thunderstorm.
I woke up and tried to call Phillip again and nothing. I was so disheartened. And it was encounter day!! Devotion by Don was great!!!! Then Encounter was absolute chaos!!! Almost none of the women spoke english. People kept coming in late. I mean we started at 9am and ppl were still trying to come in at lunch time!!!We had to turn people away. We had 53 people go thru and it went well overall. . We did use interpretors. It was hard to tell if they were receiving anything Keith said.
Small group time seemed to bring break thru for everyone!!! My group was Helen a widow and womens leader in Uganda.
Lilly, a pastors wife. Joy Beatrice, a widow. Grace, a widow and Florence, who was also my interpretor. She goes to BOH and is in the choir.
They are all great women. But also, greatly opressed and in bondage.They are all so hungry for the things of God. To grow and learn. But, none of them even have a Bible. its so sad. In America...we have Bibles readily available...and lots of people dont ever pick one up. I am praying for BREAK THRU and FREEDOM!!!!
_________________________________________________________________________________
Well, I fell asleep writing last night. Which, I guess was really a good thing. Kept my mind off the fact that I couldn't talk to my family. :( Everyone else was talking to theirs but me. I was waiting until Phillip got off work to talk to him and then skype lost my password and then the whole computer crashed...then I tried to get on Theresa's....and nothing. I tried to get a message to Phillip with theresa laptop but the a storm came thru and we lost power for the night. and now we have power but NO interneet :(. So, no communication with home. My hearts hurts so bad. I'm distracted. I can't even think about anything but them. AND we have an Encounter in a cpl of hours! I just want to go home. :( Please Lord, give me peace and comfort. And let me family know how very much i love them. Please comfort Phillip and give him peace that I am safe. I can't stand to think of him worrying. In Jesus name. amen.
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morning devotion with Don:
Mathew 28:18-20
"Surely, I am with you always, even to the end."
1 John 3
"Show in action the love you have in Jesus"
God is greater than our feelings.
Love one another, those who obey God's commands remain in fellowship with him.
The Nile River starts and flows thru Africa. So shall the word of God start in Africa and flow OUT.
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June 23, 2011 catch up..
June 23, 2011
We had such a busy, long, exhausting day today. Breakfast at the Grand Pacific hotel, devotion with Diana, then off to meet ALL the local government officials. The Chairman, Speaker, Assistant to the chariman..or maybe mayor?? Lol.. And then the Mayor and police chief.
THEN, we were OFF to our very first village. And, we were again greeted by women and children running beside the bus dancing and singing and hoopin and hollerin ;) We took our seats. Talked, prayed and introduced ourselves. The women sang and danced. THEN, they cut us lose. Meaning…we were swarmed with people. Shalom asked me to minister to the children. It was good… I was a little scared. I had never used an interpretor before. And I wasn’t prepared… or was I?? lol.. I’m always preaching to my kids!! And Diana had just sent me a scripture the previous week, about being ready at all times. So, I spoke on the power of prayer and how we can pray and expect to receive.
I met so many people and children. There was a little girl, I first saw when we were driving into the villge, she was wearing a yellow dress…and the sweetest smile. She came and sat in my lap almost the entire ‘program’. She layed her head on my shoulder…and my heart swelled. Kellie, Ramona and Meredith too, had kids on their laps. Ramona’s peed on her!! Ha. She took it all in stride. The kids loved her.
There were so many children …staring RIGHT into your eyes. At the first village it was as if they could wait for you to speak to them or touch them. They ALL wanted a “photo” taken of them. One lady pulled me to the side and asked me to pray for God to bring her a husband. She said God told her to ask me to pray for her. I prayed for her and then she asked for my pone number. Pastor James had warned us that people would ask. And told us not to give it out. That they would write to us asking for money. So, I did not give it to her…but I felt so bad. She kept saying that she just wanted to keep in touch with me so that she could let me know when God sent her a husband. I assured her I would continue to pray for her and left. L That’s all I could do.
One little girl had something wrong with her arm,. It looked like, open..drying blisters or something and her elbow down was purple. We met so many people. With such great needs. They were hungry for love and attention. For prayer and healing.
In the 2nd village the moment the introductions, prayers, songs and dance were over and we were released we were mobbed with people. I mean, I could move. I couldn’t turn around. I couldn’t see Meredith or anyone from my team. Just people grabbing me to hug me and talk. One lady handed me her baby. Her infant baby..and said “you take her”… I laughed..and hugged the baby up… I thought she was kidding… I turned and she was walking away. ?? I grabbed her and laughed it off and handed her baby back to her… but, what was she doing?
We had such a busy, long, exhausting day today. Breakfast at the Grand Pacific hotel, devotion with Diana, then off to meet ALL the local government officials. The Chairman, Speaker, Assistant to the chariman..or maybe mayor?? Lol.. And then the Mayor and police chief.
THEN, we were OFF to our very first village. And, we were again greeted by women and children running beside the bus dancing and singing and hoopin and hollerin ;) We took our seats. Talked, prayed and introduced ourselves. The women sang and danced. THEN, they cut us lose. Meaning…we were swarmed with people. Shalom asked me to minister to the children. It was good… I was a little scared. I had never used an interpretor before. And I wasn’t prepared… or was I?? lol.. I’m always preaching to my kids!! And Diana had just sent me a scripture the previous week, about being ready at all times. So, I spoke on the power of prayer and how we can pray and expect to receive.
I met so many people and children. There was a little girl, I first saw when we were driving into the villge, she was wearing a yellow dress…and the sweetest smile. She came and sat in my lap almost the entire ‘program’. She layed her head on my shoulder…and my heart swelled. Kellie, Ramona and Meredith too, had kids on their laps. Ramona’s peed on her!! Ha. She took it all in stride. The kids loved her.
There were so many children …staring RIGHT into your eyes. At the first village it was as if they could wait for you to speak to them or touch them. They ALL wanted a “photo” taken of them. One lady pulled me to the side and asked me to pray for God to bring her a husband. She said God told her to ask me to pray for her. I prayed for her and then she asked for my pone number. Pastor James had warned us that people would ask. And told us not to give it out. That they would write to us asking for money. So, I did not give it to her…but I felt so bad. She kept saying that she just wanted to keep in touch with me so that she could let me know when God sent her a husband. I assured her I would continue to pray for her and left. L That’s all I could do.
One little girl had something wrong with her arm,. It looked like, open..drying blisters or something and her elbow down was purple. We met so many people. With such great needs. They were hungry for love and attention. For prayer and healing.
In the 2nd village the moment the introductions, prayers, songs and dance were over and we were released we were mobbed with people. I mean, I could move. I couldn’t turn around. I couldn’t see Meredith or anyone from my team. Just people grabbing me to hug me and talk. One lady handed me her baby. Her infant baby..and said “you take her”… I laughed..and hugged the baby up… I thought she was kidding… I turned and she was walking away. ?? I grabbed her and laughed it off and handed her baby back to her… but, what was she doing?
June 22, 2011
Dear Lord, we made it to Lira, safely..THANK YOU! We dont have running water, thank y ou that YOU are our provider. I got to talk to Phillip and the kids last night, It was so overwhelming to see them and hear their voices. THANK YOU for internet connection!!!
So...we arrived in Entebbe Tuesday night. A mosquito bit me right as we walked out of the airport!!! The airline left one of mine and Kellies bags in Brussells!!! Thats frustrating. It has my camera batteries and cards..AND a special item Logan sent with me from him. It was such a sacrifice for him to send it... Plese Lord bring it back to me.
We left Entebbe in a big bus. The ride to Kambala was nice. Pastor James and Shalom met us at the airport. Diana was so excited. Grinning for ear to ear. I guess the ride was no more than an hour. We stayed in a hotel in Kambala. I struggled for peace. I couldnt tell though...if it was a Holy Spirit thing, or the fact that I was in a new country, and struggling with fatigue. I was staying, be choice, in a room by myself. And, I confess... i was scared. Shalom...my new African sister stayed with me. I was a little uneasy at first...but, women truely are the same all around the world...we stayed up till 3am talking and sharing our lives with one another. It was such a sweet time that I will never forget.
Morning came, and Shalom knelt beside the bed and prayed for us. She named almost everyone of the Liberty team members by name (whom she had JUST met) and prayed... I mean...calling down the heavens kinda prayer at 7am!!It was an amazing way to start the day!!! She is my Africa sister---LOVE her!!
Breakfast was outside near the busy street of Kambala. People were everywhere. Walking, riding bicycles, motorcycles (no helmets!!!) On the bicycles there would be up to THREE people smushed on!!! Including babies and kids! Its like a taxi system. So are motorcycles... and the women sit on the back sideways...againg with no helmets. I would SO fall right off---and really need a helmet!!! ha. Breakfast was boiled eggs, loaf bread--but sweet, bananas..served with hot milk and tea. It was all really good.
After stopppig to exchange our American money into shillings...we left off for our long ride to Lira. We stopped at a market...where I made my bery first African purchase::: a dt coke, cough drops AND some hillbilly gummy teeth for Max & Kylee.
The drive to Lira was over 5 hours. nice though. The scenery was captiving. I usually sleep on long drives.. I could not take my eyes off of the people, buildings, huts, cows ---literally...on the side of, and IN the road. There was so much to take in. Children everywhere. In the roadPeople do not have the ride of way here. You move or get hit. I wondered where all there parents are? We saw a BEAUTIFUL ummm, lake... or river...maybe?? There was a water fall. THEN, we saw monkeys!!! They were right beside our bus on both sides..everywhere.
We arrived to an amazing welcome by the women and children of Bridge of Hope Church. They line both sides of the road and followed alongside our bus singing, dancing and making this noise..umm, not a scream...not a yoddle.... but something in between. They make this noise as a way to show excitement. It was all beautiful... powerful and I think all 13 of us were weeping. Who are we.. to deserve such a welcome?? They were smiling so big!! We stepped off the bus to sooo many hugs and smiles. I cant wait for Phillip to see the video and pictures. It was amazing and overwhelming.
We were taken to our rooms and then immediately to the church. Diana introduced us, more hoopin and hollerin and yoddeling ;). Mommas nursing their babies right there in the middle of worship and message and prayers!! Now, THATS my kind of mommas!!!
Then we went outside to a big table ...where our team was seated as well as the leaders of Bridge of Hope Church. They had prepared a song for us in English and then they also performed an African song and dance.Beautiful.
Next we ate. Dinner was rice, chicken and pork, a veggie soup mixture, and the bread was like tortillas...only thicker...called Chipata's...sooooo good!! And the most amazing pineapple I have ever tasted. Logan would have LOVED it!!!
We went back to our rooms ..no running water for a shower. But, we did have power now. I got settled in and skuped my family. I layed down in the bed with my laptop and my husbands face and went to sleep. It was good.
Father, renew our strength this morning. In Jesus name. Amen.
So...we arrived in Entebbe Tuesday night. A mosquito bit me right as we walked out of the airport!!! The airline left one of mine and Kellies bags in Brussells!!! Thats frustrating. It has my camera batteries and cards..AND a special item Logan sent with me from him. It was such a sacrifice for him to send it... Plese Lord bring it back to me.
We left Entebbe in a big bus. The ride to Kambala was nice. Pastor James and Shalom met us at the airport. Diana was so excited. Grinning for ear to ear. I guess the ride was no more than an hour. We stayed in a hotel in Kambala. I struggled for peace. I couldnt tell though...if it was a Holy Spirit thing, or the fact that I was in a new country, and struggling with fatigue. I was staying, be choice, in a room by myself. And, I confess... i was scared. Shalom...my new African sister stayed with me. I was a little uneasy at first...but, women truely are the same all around the world...we stayed up till 3am talking and sharing our lives with one another. It was such a sweet time that I will never forget.
Morning came, and Shalom knelt beside the bed and prayed for us. She named almost everyone of the Liberty team members by name (whom she had JUST met) and prayed... I mean...calling down the heavens kinda prayer at 7am!!It was an amazing way to start the day!!! She is my Africa sister---LOVE her!!
Breakfast was outside near the busy street of Kambala. People were everywhere. Walking, riding bicycles, motorcycles (no helmets!!!) On the bicycles there would be up to THREE people smushed on!!! Including babies and kids! Its like a taxi system. So are motorcycles... and the women sit on the back sideways...againg with no helmets. I would SO fall right off---and really need a helmet!!! ha. Breakfast was boiled eggs, loaf bread--but sweet, bananas..served with hot milk and tea. It was all really good.
After stopppig to exchange our American money into shillings...we left off for our long ride to Lira. We stopped at a market...where I made my bery first African purchase::: a dt coke, cough drops AND some hillbilly gummy teeth for Max & Kylee.
The drive to Lira was over 5 hours. nice though. The scenery was captiving. I usually sleep on long drives.. I could not take my eyes off of the people, buildings, huts, cows ---literally...on the side of, and IN the road. There was so much to take in. Children everywhere. In the roadPeople do not have the ride of way here. You move or get hit. I wondered where all there parents are? We saw a BEAUTIFUL ummm, lake... or river...maybe?? There was a water fall. THEN, we saw monkeys!!! They were right beside our bus on both sides..everywhere.
We arrived to an amazing welcome by the women and children of Bridge of Hope Church. They line both sides of the road and followed alongside our bus singing, dancing and making this noise..umm, not a scream...not a yoddle.... but something in between. They make this noise as a way to show excitement. It was all beautiful... powerful and I think all 13 of us were weeping. Who are we.. to deserve such a welcome?? They were smiling so big!! We stepped off the bus to sooo many hugs and smiles. I cant wait for Phillip to see the video and pictures. It was amazing and overwhelming.
We were taken to our rooms and then immediately to the church. Diana introduced us, more hoopin and hollerin and yoddeling ;). Mommas nursing their babies right there in the middle of worship and message and prayers!! Now, THATS my kind of mommas!!!
Then we went outside to a big table ...where our team was seated as well as the leaders of Bridge of Hope Church. They had prepared a song for us in English and then they also performed an African song and dance.Beautiful.
Next we ate. Dinner was rice, chicken and pork, a veggie soup mixture, and the bread was like tortillas...only thicker...called Chipata's...sooooo good!! And the most amazing pineapple I have ever tasted. Logan would have LOVED it!!!
We went back to our rooms ..no running water for a shower. But, we did have power now. I got settled in and skuped my family. I layed down in the bed with my laptop and my husbands face and went to sleep. It was good.
Father, renew our strength this morning. In Jesus name. Amen.
Monday, June 27, 2011
June 21, 2011
Lira, Uganda continued….
June 21, 2011
Waiting to leave Belgium. Missing Phillip but have peace now. Thank you Lord for PEACE!! Flight from Chicago to Belgium was 8 hours! I sat with Meredith, so that helped. Seats uncomfortable and I could not sleep. This flight to Entebbe< Africa we are waiting to board is 8 ½ - 9 hours. It is 415 Bama time… 11:15 Belgium time. I am so ready to sleep. I sure wish Phillip was here so I could lay my head on his shoulder.There is comfort even resting on his shoulder. I never even realized it…until I don’t have it, looking at Meredith snoozing on Nathan and Kellie all cuddled up next to Keith. Makes my heart ache.
There have been other missionaries on every flight we have been on. That’s cool…all headed to different parts of Africa.
I wonder what my babies are doing… Last time I talked to Max he said “ What time you coming home mom?” He doesn’t understand, I don’t think….that I will be gone….for days. I didn’t get to talk to maw maw L before I left, so sad over that. Give me rest sweet Lord, renew my strength and sing over me while I sleep. Protect & comfort my family and thank you for keeping me & my friends safe on this journey. In Jesus Name, AMEN.
June 21, 2011
Waiting to leave Belgium. Missing Phillip but have peace now. Thank you Lord for PEACE!! Flight from Chicago to Belgium was 8 hours! I sat with Meredith, so that helped. Seats uncomfortable and I could not sleep. This flight to Entebbe< Africa we are waiting to board is 8 ½ - 9 hours. It is 415 Bama time… 11:15 Belgium time. I am so ready to sleep. I sure wish Phillip was here so I could lay my head on his shoulder.There is comfort even resting on his shoulder. I never even realized it…until I don’t have it, looking at Meredith snoozing on Nathan and Kellie all cuddled up next to Keith. Makes my heart ache.
There have been other missionaries on every flight we have been on. That’s cool…all headed to different parts of Africa.
I wonder what my babies are doing… Last time I talked to Max he said “ What time you coming home mom?” He doesn’t understand, I don’t think….that I will be gone….for days. I didn’t get to talk to maw maw L before I left, so sad over that. Give me rest sweet Lord, renew my strength and sing over me while I sleep. Protect & comfort my family and thank you for keeping me & my friends safe on this journey. In Jesus Name, AMEN.
Time to play catch up.
Well, the lack of information and details on our trip is due to no internet. We have also had some time without power and running and water.
I have been journaling, as always.... so, I think I will do a recap of the days we have spent here so far directly from my journal. Hope you are inspired to GO make a difference.
love, j.
I have been journaling, as always.... so, I think I will do a recap of the days we have spent here so far directly from my journal. Hope you are inspired to GO make a difference.
love, j.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Our Uganda Journey has BEGUN!
Good Morning from Lira, Uganda AFRICA!!! Our journey here was long. And Im gonna tell ya all about it...but let me say.... Im gonna give it to ya straight... I am a US citizen and all that that implies. I will be real...so dont judge me till you live it.
Leaving my family Monday morning was the one of the hardest things I have ever done. Making the decision to GO in Feb., was easy.. I knew God told me to GO...HE answered and SOLVED every SINGLE concern I had about going before I could even give Him to full complaint...example... "God, the kids are in school...there is NO way I have chldcare for 2 weeks!" answer...trip in the summer. example... "God, I dont have 3500.00...what are you thinking?... God "4,000.00 is nothing to me". example " God, I dont have anyone I could ask to take care of my kids for 2 weeks.." GOd "Trust me"...then HE told me exactly who would keep them...and old friend, i had not seen in a while and who would be WELL into her 3rd trimester when we would leave in June. ...how would I even ask her? Hadnt talked to her much or seen her in months and months. That day....walking into Wal Mart---who do you think God caused me to walk RIGHT into as soon as we walked into the doors. My friend, Celeste....who HE appointed to care of my kids while i was away. It was confirmation. and it was easy. The biggest need...i thought at the time...was the financial need. And GOD provided that...in the form of 29 very special people...in 9 days. NINE days. again, confirmation. I struggled with so much over the next couple of months.... sickness, crying over not hearing my kids voices for 2 weeks, not touching my husband.... cars breaking down, the Tornado's ripping thru our communities...and then, my father in law died on June 3. 2 weeks before we were to leave. It was truely devestating. I was broken thinking of leaving my kids and husband and mother in law alone with their grief. I'm a mom... i fix them. or, I try. I couldn't fix this. I had to let it go and trust that God...our true comforter and only REAL "fixer" would comfort them and mend their broken hearts. I did not want to GO to Africa. I was torn...and only wanted to be with my family. In my Spirit...the CALL from God, on my life to "GO" had not changed. Walking the instruction OUT, being obedient...DYING to my flesh...that was hurt and screaming at God, was the hardest thing. Recommiting. I have NO doubt why God answered those initial concerns so quickly...so I would be able to look back and KNOW...that I know...that I know...that this WAS my time to GO. But, honestly....it didn't help the hurt.
OK....I have ran out of time and i didnt even get to the GREAT stuff!!!! :/. time for breakfast... pretty Kellei & Mere have come. to be continued.... love, j.
Leaving my family Monday morning was the one of the hardest things I have ever done. Making the decision to GO in Feb., was easy.. I knew God told me to GO...HE answered and SOLVED every SINGLE concern I had about going before I could even give Him to full complaint...example... "God, the kids are in school...there is NO way I have chldcare for 2 weeks!" answer...trip in the summer. example... "God, I dont have 3500.00...what are you thinking?... God "4,000.00 is nothing to me". example " God, I dont have anyone I could ask to take care of my kids for 2 weeks.." GOd "Trust me"...then HE told me exactly who would keep them...and old friend, i had not seen in a while and who would be WELL into her 3rd trimester when we would leave in June. ...how would I even ask her? Hadnt talked to her much or seen her in months and months. That day....walking into Wal Mart---who do you think God caused me to walk RIGHT into as soon as we walked into the doors. My friend, Celeste....who HE appointed to care of my kids while i was away. It was confirmation. and it was easy. The biggest need...i thought at the time...was the financial need. And GOD provided that...in the form of 29 very special people...in 9 days. NINE days. again, confirmation. I struggled with so much over the next couple of months.... sickness, crying over not hearing my kids voices for 2 weeks, not touching my husband.... cars breaking down, the Tornado's ripping thru our communities...and then, my father in law died on June 3. 2 weeks before we were to leave. It was truely devestating. I was broken thinking of leaving my kids and husband and mother in law alone with their grief. I'm a mom... i fix them. or, I try. I couldn't fix this. I had to let it go and trust that God...our true comforter and only REAL "fixer" would comfort them and mend their broken hearts. I did not want to GO to Africa. I was torn...and only wanted to be with my family. In my Spirit...the CALL from God, on my life to "GO" had not changed. Walking the instruction OUT, being obedient...DYING to my flesh...that was hurt and screaming at God, was the hardest thing. Recommiting. I have NO doubt why God answered those initial concerns so quickly...so I would be able to look back and KNOW...that I know...that I know...that this WAS my time to GO. But, honestly....it didn't help the hurt.
OK....I have ran out of time and i didnt even get to the GREAT stuff!!!! :/. time for breakfast... pretty Kellei & Mere have come. to be continued.... love, j.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Love... on PURPOSE.
Mom's, today would have been Bronner Burgess's 6th birthday. I don't know them personally, but grieved w the entire Rick & Bubba family when they lost their little boy. As I think about all that family has gained & lost as a result of the loss of their baby.. I am headed to hug my 4 babies a little tighter and take a moment to look them each in the eye and make sure they hear me say ...ON PURPOSE how very much i love them. Thinking of mom, Sherri Burgess & what bitter sweet emotions must come with today, makes me STOP, even if its only for an hour... our busy schedules of school parties, and sports, and church, and tv and video games(!!!!!) and purposefully take time to love on them, to listen to them, and to share with each of my babies from (almost) 4yrs to 12... how important they are to me and to the Kingdom of God. They are loved by their Heavenly Father more than I could ever love them. They were created by God...to be USED FOR HIS glory and purposes. However many days that may take. Their lives are intended to be used by GOd. I want them to hear that. To feel a sense of purpose that doesnt come from me--- their worth is not found in what mom wants. Or the dreams of NFL glory dad may have ;) I pray their worth be found in Jesus. All their hopes and dreams be wrapped so tightly in what Father GOD wants for them, that they be BLINDED by faith from a young age. Most of my close friends know how passionately I feel about praying, and praying SCRIPTURE (for scripture is truth and life and the WORD of God, and God cannot lie, therefore, by praying scripture--the very word of God into our families lives--we are speaking truth and LIFE over them)--so I encourage you to PRAY for your children today--ON PURPOSE. MAKE TIME. STOP. Whatever busy plans your day may be filled with...hug up your children..place your hands on them..and pray. Let your children HEAR their momma (or daddy) lifting them up to daddy God today. We aren't promised another day. You, momma aren't promised another day with that baby you would throw yourself in front of a train for. The, single most important thing you can do for them is not, getting them to the baseball field, or buying them the "I WANT".. or " I NEED" of the day.... the most important thing you can do for your children is to... share the love of Jesus with them. Do it. now.
My prayer today for Logan, Brady Cole, Max and my sweet Kylee--- based from Pslam 63.. Oh you are my God, earnestly, I seek you. My soul thirsts for you. May my children thirst for you as well. May their bodies long for you in a dry and weary land where there is no water. May they see you high and lifted up in the sancturary and behold your power and glory. Because YOUR LOVE IS BETTER THAN LIFE, Logan, Brady, Max & Kylees lips WILL GLORIFY YOU. THEY WILL praise you as long as they live, and in YOUR name they WILL lift their hands. Their souls will be satisfied, with singing lips their mouths will praise you! Because YOU, GOD, are their very present HELP in times of need.. they will SING in the shadow of your wings. Their souls find REST in YOU ALONE....no substance or person, or material possession....only YOU, their salvation comes from YOU alone... YOU ALONE, are their ROCK and SALVATION. YOU, GOD...are their FORTRESS, and as they place their hope in YOU...they WILL NEVER be SHAKEN, IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS I pray!!! and once again today... I commit my loves... Strong, determined, warrior Logan.................... Passionate, loving, big hearted servant Brady Cole.................. mighty Prophet with healing in his hands Max....................... and strong willed-- WARRIOR for the kingdom of God, Pastor Kylee Ruth into your MORE than caplable hands... for I, as much as i love them cannot do anything, including parent them, without YOU. Amen.
My prayer today for Logan, Brady Cole, Max and my sweet Kylee--- based from Pslam 63.. Oh you are my God, earnestly, I seek you. My soul thirsts for you. May my children thirst for you as well. May their bodies long for you in a dry and weary land where there is no water. May they see you high and lifted up in the sancturary and behold your power and glory. Because YOUR LOVE IS BETTER THAN LIFE, Logan, Brady, Max & Kylees lips WILL GLORIFY YOU. THEY WILL praise you as long as they live, and in YOUR name they WILL lift their hands. Their souls will be satisfied, with singing lips their mouths will praise you! Because YOU, GOD, are their very present HELP in times of need.. they will SING in the shadow of your wings. Their souls find REST in YOU ALONE....no substance or person, or material possession....only YOU, their salvation comes from YOU alone... YOU ALONE, are their ROCK and SALVATION. YOU, GOD...are their FORTRESS, and as they place their hope in YOU...they WILL NEVER be SHAKEN, IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS I pray!!! and once again today... I commit my loves... Strong, determined, warrior Logan.................... Passionate, loving, big hearted servant Brady Cole.................. mighty Prophet with healing in his hands Max....................... and strong willed-- WARRIOR for the kingdom of God, Pastor Kylee Ruth into your MORE than caplable hands... for I, as much as i love them cannot do anything, including parent them, without YOU. Amen.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
AFRICA--those of you with concerns...turn them into PRAYERS!!
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. Mathew 28:18-20
How many times have you heard someone speak of a loved ones dying words? Or words someone spoke as left? Can you imagine.. had we lived in the days when Jesus was walking, teaching, preaching, and he was about to leave our presence...I would be hanging on His every word. So why don't we do that now? He GIVES us an instruction book full of LIFE and TRUTH, direction and wisdom.
JESUS LEFT the disciples with specific words of instruction. No grey area...HE TOLD them what they were to do:: ya ready?
1. GO and make disciples of ALL the NATIONS
2. Baptize them (ALL the Nations) in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
3. Teach them to observe ALL things I have commanded.
Then...Jesus gives us a promise... " I AM WITH YOU, to the END of the age" FOREVER. He is with me FOREVER.
God spoke to Phillip & I almost 8 years ago and called us to work in the ministy. With our hands to the plow. We have been dragging our feet, no doubt. But our hearts cry is to be used by Him ...whenever...WHEREVER, WHATEVER!! Around that same time, our pastor at the time, intorduced us to the people of Uganda, Africa. He traveled there often and his love and passion for the people of Africa was CONTAGIOUS! Phillip and I knew someday we would go. 2 weeks ago as this most recent ministry opportunity in Uganda presented itself I was really.. I mean really shocked...when God started PRESSING into my spirit..that NOW was the time. I mean I even told him "God...someday... i will go... not now" (HAHA---dont tell God NO!!) THat...pounding in my chest and throat would not go away... i was being DRAWN. Then Pastor Keith began to tell us what the team would be doing. He said Encounter weekened (something our church does in order to the works of the devil, and SET people FREE from the chains that have them bound)... Phillip & I had just helped lead one of these weekends, and I am passionate about this area of ministry. I knew.. right then, I was suppose to go. I didnt say it out loud though!! As Phillip and I drove home... I kept praying that God would speak to Phillip and give him peace with me going NOW..."someday" had come!! As we talked, he just did have peace. and every single time I told God a reason I couldnt "GO" NOW....GOD provided the solution...i mean immediately. The biggest obstacle I could see was the financial obligation. And i KNEW in my Spirit HE would handle that...that HE even WANTED TO SHOW Me--to stretch me... in my faith... HE wanted to FUND this journey HIMSELF...with HIS people. wow. THEN I told Phillip.. "what is frightening to me right now, is I can see it.. i have a VISION of me..there..right now I can SEE it"... about 15 seconds later, I got a text from Theresa from church..she said "How did Rod & Diana do? Do you think anyone caught the VISION?"!!!!!!!!!! CONFIRMATION. In the next weeks i had several other CONFIRMING signs. I'll include a pic of one below... I was BLOWN away walking up to this LITERAL SIGN!! I still needed a confirming word thru scripture though before I would commit. Monday I was feeling especially overwhelmed at the thought of leaving my children for 2 weeks...and heaping all that extra responsibility onto my husband. I even felt ..selfish. It was a sad day. THEN a friend called...Linda Johnson is her sweet name...she said she had a WORD for ME!!! THAT got my attention:: Deu 3:18 ""Then I commanded you at that time, saying: 'The LORD your God has given you this land to possess. All you men of valor shall cross over armed before your brethren, the children of Israel. 'But your wives, your little ones, and your livestock (I know that you have much livestock) shall stay in your cities which I have given you, 'until the LORD has given rest to your brethren as to you, and they also possess the land which the LORD your God is giving them beyond the Jordan. Then each of you may return to his possession which I have given you.' THE LAND for me is Africa, my family, for now...shall stay here, HE WILL take care of them and then I WILL return to them. THE next day...I struggled with fear.. so I went back to this word... i mean... i wasnt just struggling...it was almost a crippling fear..and this was THE day I had to give Diana--team leader--my answer... I got this word back out..and just stared at it. Then I kept reading...."'Your eyes have seen all that the LORD your God has done....; so will the LORD do to all the kingdoms through which you pass. (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!), DO NOT BE AFRAID of them; the LORD your GOD HIMSELF WILL FIGHT FOR YOU." WOW WOW WOW!!!!! WHat better promise do I need??????
For me, I GO June 22, 2011!!! I am excited. I want you, my friends & family to catch my passion!! I have recieved several emails of concern, however. So I want to make a couple of things clear. I GO---because HE TOLD me to. He spoke right to my spirit that day in church... you know the feeling..like when you got saved...did you ever feel that and...just let it pass by WITHOUT going to the alter...or crying out ... I have... and when I realized that that ...thumping...pounding was the HS trying to get my attention.. I NEVER NEVER WaNT TO IGNORE that prompting again. BUT ALSO...its right there...in HIS word....JESUS HIMSELF said to "GO" to the NATIONS...JESUS is LORD of the EARTH and HE died for the sins of people from ALL NATIONS. WE--YOU are to GO whether it is to your next door neighbor, the lady sitting in the pue at church...there...but lost and broken, the drug addict, the prisoner, the orphan, OR to another country---and MAKE DISCIPLES. Its not an option people..ITS A COMMAND. STRAIGHT from Jesus..before His death. We are not ALL evangelist in the formal sense, but we HAVE ALL recieved gifts from GOD, that we CAN USE to fullfill the Great COmmision. SO if HE tells you to DO something...TO GO, TO GIVE, TO LOVE, TO FORGIVE... JUST DO IT. NO FEAR. As we OBEY, we can find comfort knowing that JESUS IS ALWAYS with us.
SO to my friends that are worried about me leaving my family for 2 weeks... please understand... there is a much bigger picture here. HE died for me. and His final words were for ME (and YOU)... I am obeying HIM. HE has every hair on my head counted...he bottles everyone of my tears....and HE loves Phillip, Logan, Brady COle, Max and Kylee.....MORE than I ever could. hear me............ I T R U S T HIM. I trust Him because He loves me. I trust Him because HE has proven Himself trustworthy and I trust Him because HE SAYS to. When I leave this world... I WILL LEAVE BOLDY...having LOVED MUCH, having GIVEN MUCH, and having recieved more ---even if today were my final day---than I could have ever possibly have imagined. My hearts cry...is to BE HIS hands and FEET...to GO wherever HE sends me...to a WORLD...that is LOST. I pray YOU catch that vision. HE is ALL I need. and that is the BEST, nost important thing I can teach my children... I want JESUS to be ALL they need. THEY are watching us.... I dont want them to see mom was too afraid to be obedient. GOD is my protector...my sheild. I TRUST HIM.
and I love you all very much!!
Fundraiser UPDATE:: another 200.00 donation brings my total raised to:::: 1510.00
total left to raise for my plane ticket is 290.00 !!!!!!!!!!
THEN we will be onto raise the additional 1700.00 needed for the trip expenses.
ALSO, my ministry bag will be filled with pens, pencils, erasers and crayons. I have recieved some pencils and a coupl of boxes of crayons. PLEASE GIVE.
and LASTLY, PLEASE cover this entire journey and everyone involved and their families in prayer. From the 9 of us who already have our tickets and our families...to the ones who are still praying for a WAY... to the people in the villages of Lira, Uganda. PREPARE THE WAY LORD....
joellebrooks@hotmail.com 256-558-6625 paypal accepted.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
When we GIVE, We Recieve. Im goin to AFRICA!!!! Want to SOW some seeds with me?
Hi friends,
Our family has had so many changes in the last several years. Growing is not always easy... but, Im learning, always worth it---whether its growing in numbers OR growing spiritually!! Most of you know that about 8 years ago while attending Brindlee Mt Baptist Church with the amazing Pastor Ken Galyean as our fearless leader, Phillip and I accepted the call of ministry on our lives. We weren't sure what that meant or where that would take us, but with our whole hearts we cried out "We WILL be your hands and you feet.. SEND US". It has been a common thing to hear us reference movin our family to Africa. We have just known that some day our paths would cross with the hungry people of people outside of the USA.
In June, I AM going to Lira, Uganda for 2 weeks with a mission team from our church, Liberty Church in Arab, Al. I am super excited. Sad, that my sweet husband will not be on this journey with me, but at complete peace knowing he will be here with our children on his very own journey ;).
In Lira, Uganda there is no welfare, unemployment, social security, free public schools, nursing homes, WIC, retirement plans, Medicare, government housing, or food stamps. There is little to no employment opportunities. The basic necessities of life such as food, water, clothing, shelter, education, and medical treatment are almost non existent.
Liberty Church has connected to Bridge of Hope Church, Lira, Uganda for an ongoing relatioinship to win the lost, make disciples, and DESTROY the works of the devil!! Pastor James has been a pastor in Uganda for 21 years, but has recently started the Bridge of Hope Church In Lira. He and his church leaders have a heart for hurting people of Lira and there is presently NO American support reaching out to Lira and the surrounding villages. Together, we will be working in the starting of ongoing educations, employment, child sponsorship, and medical opportunities, as well as life instructional classes, such as marriage, parenting, and financial management though the Bridge of Hope church.
So.. how can YOU help? How can you GO to the hurting people in Lira Uganda? There are a couple of things I need... I have 48 hours to raise the money for my plane ticket, 1800.00. After that I will have till mid April to fund the additional 1700.00. I am not great at asking for help. BUT, I need your help. I will also be taking a 50lb bag of ministry items to be distributed to church members or village people. The items I have chosen are pens, pencils and suckers :) MOST of all, my family also need your prayers. Prayers of preparation, provision and PEACE for my children while I am away. Please pray for the Ministry team from Liberty and for the people of Lira. I am confident that GOd is preparing the way as I type this. I am excited to share the LOVE of Jesus with the WORLD...literally now!!! To hug on those babies and share the mercy and forgiveness of our Savior with the hurting ppl of Lira. God is GOOD and HE IS faithful to us in the midst of our pain and sin. HIS LOVE knows NO BOUNDARIES. I pray you and I learn to LIVE passionately NOW... to LEAVE this world BOLDY.. having given ALL we can to share the love of Jesus with our neighbors and THE NATIONS.
You can paypal your financial donation to joellebrooks@hotmail.com Choose gift or donation so no fees are incurred.
TO MAIL your donation please email me at joellebrooks@hotmail.com.
If you would like to donate pens, pencils, erasers or rulers...OR suckers.. email or call me and I will pick them up or you can mail to me or drop by my house.
I feel led to tell you that the amount you give... is not whats important here. My hope is that if when reading the inital email you felt that nudging in your spirit to get on board and BE a part of this, that you will PRAY and ask GOD "how?". LET HIM show you. It may be by covering us in prayer, or the Holy Spirit may say "give 10.00", he may say "give 1000.00", you may buy a pack of suckers when your at Wal Mart. No dontation is too small to make a difference here. If there were to be surplus monetarily as far as my goal is concerned, I will be giving that to the ministry to use for other team member or needs in Lira.
God blesses us so that we CAN BE a blessing to others! We are blessed in MANY different ways, I am POSITIVE God will use something He has give you to make a difference.
1800.00 in 48 hours may seem BIG to us...but its NOTHING to God!! Thank you for taking the time to read this and listen. Prayerfully consider how YOU can go and MAKE a difference in Lira. I am SO excited to BE USED by HIM in a COMPLETELY different way...AND I am excited to SEE how God uses YOU to make it happen! Thank you so much for your prayers and consideration! My cell is 256-558-6625 if you have any questions.
Love you all!
Joelle
"If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving—large or small—it will be used to measure what is given back to you." Luke 6:38 ... there it is.. in HIS word..and He cannot LIE, HE WILL return what you give... COMPLETELY to MAKE ROOM FOR MORE!!! Give of your time in prayer or of your resources, but God is gonna USE this seed!!! Cant wait to see you reap a HARVEST!!!
AND I PROMISE to bring back a picture or 10,000 to show you!! woo hoo!
Our family has had so many changes in the last several years. Growing is not always easy... but, Im learning, always worth it---whether its growing in numbers OR growing spiritually!! Most of you know that about 8 years ago while attending Brindlee Mt Baptist Church with the amazing Pastor Ken Galyean as our fearless leader, Phillip and I accepted the call of ministry on our lives. We weren't sure what that meant or where that would take us, but with our whole hearts we cried out "We WILL be your hands and you feet.. SEND US". It has been a common thing to hear us reference movin our family to Africa. We have just known that some day our paths would cross with the hungry people of people outside of the USA.
In June, I AM going to Lira, Uganda for 2 weeks with a mission team from our church, Liberty Church in Arab, Al. I am super excited. Sad, that my sweet husband will not be on this journey with me, but at complete peace knowing he will be here with our children on his very own journey ;).
In Lira, Uganda there is no welfare, unemployment, social security, free public schools, nursing homes, WIC, retirement plans, Medicare, government housing, or food stamps. There is little to no employment opportunities. The basic necessities of life such as food, water, clothing, shelter, education, and medical treatment are almost non existent.
Liberty Church has connected to Bridge of Hope Church, Lira, Uganda for an ongoing relatioinship to win the lost, make disciples, and DESTROY the works of the devil!! Pastor James has been a pastor in Uganda for 21 years, but has recently started the Bridge of Hope Church In Lira. He and his church leaders have a heart for hurting people of Lira and there is presently NO American support reaching out to Lira and the surrounding villages. Together, we will be working in the starting of ongoing educations, employment, child sponsorship, and medical opportunities, as well as life instructional classes, such as marriage, parenting, and financial management though the Bridge of Hope church.
So.. how can YOU help? How can you GO to the hurting people in Lira Uganda? There are a couple of things I need... I have 48 hours to raise the money for my plane ticket, 1800.00. After that I will have till mid April to fund the additional 1700.00. I am not great at asking for help. BUT, I need your help. I will also be taking a 50lb bag of ministry items to be distributed to church members or village people. The items I have chosen are pens, pencils and suckers :) MOST of all, my family also need your prayers. Prayers of preparation, provision and PEACE for my children while I am away. Please pray for the Ministry team from Liberty and for the people of Lira. I am confident that GOd is preparing the way as I type this. I am excited to share the LOVE of Jesus with the WORLD...literally now!!! To hug on those babies and share the mercy and forgiveness of our Savior with the hurting ppl of Lira. God is GOOD and HE IS faithful to us in the midst of our pain and sin. HIS LOVE knows NO BOUNDARIES. I pray you and I learn to LIVE passionately NOW... to LEAVE this world BOLDY.. having given ALL we can to share the love of Jesus with our neighbors and THE NATIONS.
You can paypal your financial donation to joellebrooks@hotmail.com Choose gift or donation so no fees are incurred.
TO MAIL your donation please email me at joellebrooks@hotmail.com.
If you would like to donate pens, pencils, erasers or rulers...OR suckers.. email or call me and I will pick them up or you can mail to me or drop by my house.
I feel led to tell you that the amount you give... is not whats important here. My hope is that if when reading the inital email you felt that nudging in your spirit to get on board and BE a part of this, that you will PRAY and ask GOD "how?". LET HIM show you. It may be by covering us in prayer, or the Holy Spirit may say "give 10.00", he may say "give 1000.00", you may buy a pack of suckers when your at Wal Mart. No dontation is too small to make a difference here. If there were to be surplus monetarily as far as my goal is concerned, I will be giving that to the ministry to use for other team member or needs in Lira.
God blesses us so that we CAN BE a blessing to others! We are blessed in MANY different ways, I am POSITIVE God will use something He has give you to make a difference.
1800.00 in 48 hours may seem BIG to us...but its NOTHING to God!! Thank you for taking the time to read this and listen. Prayerfully consider how YOU can go and MAKE a difference in Lira. I am SO excited to BE USED by HIM in a COMPLETELY different way...AND I am excited to SEE how God uses YOU to make it happen! Thank you so much for your prayers and consideration! My cell is 256-558-6625 if you have any questions.
Love you all!
Joelle
"If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving—large or small—it will be used to measure what is given back to you." Luke 6:38 ... there it is.. in HIS word..and He cannot LIE, HE WILL return what you give... COMPLETELY to MAKE ROOM FOR MORE!!! Give of your time in prayer or of your resources, but God is gonna USE this seed!!! Cant wait to see you reap a HARVEST!!!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
He Brings it all together
Im no different than anyone else. Some days are just rough. bad.
After my amazing time alone with my Father this morning & the excitement of our upcoming weekend of seeing SOULS & LIVES changed forever... I was of course, attacked. ALL d a y long. I tried to get back up. Its 9pm.. I am pickin myself up. better late than never, right? :) I share this to say.. that we all have bad days. When things just come at us from every angle. Even hard core Jesus lovers---cause thats what I AM!!! Thanks momma Jackie for a reminder that came right at the perfect moment. "If we realize that its ALL in his hands you'll Find the PEACE that sweet surrender brings. We may not understand the reason... but i know His promise will never change." He works ALL things out for our good. the pain, doubt, dispair, fear, uncertainity. ALL THINGS. devil.. you lose. "It IS written"..and "IT IS FINISHED" 2 sets of 3...good enough for me.
Surrender.
After my amazing time alone with my Father this morning & the excitement of our upcoming weekend of seeing SOULS & LIVES changed forever... I was of course, attacked. ALL d a y long. I tried to get back up. Its 9pm.. I am pickin myself up. better late than never, right? :) I share this to say.. that we all have bad days. When things just come at us from every angle. Even hard core Jesus lovers---cause thats what I AM!!! Thanks momma Jackie for a reminder that came right at the perfect moment. "If we realize that its ALL in his hands you'll Find the PEACE that sweet surrender brings. We may not understand the reason... but i know His promise will never change." He works ALL things out for our good. the pain, doubt, dispair, fear, uncertainity. ALL THINGS. devil.. you lose. "It IS written"..and "IT IS FINISHED" 2 sets of 3...good enough for me.
Surrender.
Read it, recieve it, sing it, Live it!
"Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth. I do not sit with decietful men, nor do I consort with hypocrites. I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked. I wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar, O Lord, proclaminh aloud your praise and telling of your wonderful deeds." Psalm 26:2-7
A couple of years ago a friend of mine had to speak to a group of young men regarding part of this scripture. She came to me perplexed about what she should share...especially with regards to the "abhoring what is evil" part. So i studied the scripture and we had a great time in the word at work that day!! This morning this scripture popped up in during mine & Phillips quiet time in the One year bible. So, i thought I'd share. :)
My bible has great commentary...so i'll be referring to that as well. When David asked God to declare him "blameless", he wasnt claiming to be sinless--thats impossible for any human to achieve. Instead, he was pleading with God to clear his name of the false charges made against him by his enemies. What I really see clearly in this is that we can ask God to examine our hearts, trusting Him to forigve our sins and clear the record according to his great mercy!!
Alright as far as unbelievers go... the word says we are in the world but not "of it". We are set apart. But does that mean that we should stay away from unbelievers? I hope you immediately say "no!". As Christians, there are places and situations we DO need to avoid. But, Jesus clearly demonstrated we are to go among the unblelievers to help them. To give them hope and show them love. There is a big difference between being with unbelievers and being one of them. Acting like unbelievers harms our witness for God.
I want people to see what Jesus has done in my life. And I want them to want HIM. If I am acting like the world....cussing or drinking or partying, gossiping, cheating, stealing, lying...what does that say about my walk with Jesus? If you go to a club are you headed to hell? If you have a drink out on a date... is that where you have crossed the line? If you cuss... if Jesus done with you? Absolutely not! When I was in high school... at one point I went to a Christian school... a major learning, growing, turning point in my life was being required to memorize this scripture from Phillipians 4:7 "Whatever things are true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." So i memorized it, then, somehow... in my 16 yr old mind...the Holy Spirit brought revelation...that to this day has stuck with me. My husband and I strongly enforce this in our home with regards to media. So...i think "what brings glory to God...what would HE find pleasing?" If I am using filthy language... does that bring glory to his precious name? If I am out to dinner and have a glass of wine... and a young girl from our youth group just happens to come in and see me... what sort of witness was I to her? Music... that was/is a biggie for me. I remember going home and ripping...(haha that was in the ancient days of tapes) ripping the tapes apart...Janet Jackson, Salt n Peppa, Vanilla Ice,...whatever... it was trash to me. It did not glorify God. Was it sending me to the pit of hell...nah, probably not. Does the type of music we listen to determine our salvation...no...does it completely set the tone for our day...or our mood..for some of us, YES! For me... music ministers to me deeply. Thats how I have always been. So if I was listening to Trisha Yearwoods "How do I live without you".... I really felt that.... I remember having a fight with Phillip..I had rededicated my life to Christ and was only been listening to christian music at that time. We were in the car together and that specific song came on..and within seconds...I found myself in the PIT of despair. "how could I possibly live without him?" But when we fill our minds with word...even thru music...its amazing how those desperate situations just turn right around!!
What we put into our minds determines what comes out in our words and actions. Paul tells us to program our minds with thoughts that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Do you have problems with negative thinking, ungodly thoughts? Examine what you are putting in that mind of yours through tv, internet, books, music, CONVERSATIONS. REPLACE that junk with godly stuff. Most of all Gods word. Read & Pray.... and worship ;) . ASK GOD to help you focus on what is good and pure.
Dont snub the sinner... love them. You were once them. The difference between you and them is Gods grace. He saved you. Dont wallow with them in their pit either though. Show them the HOPE of Jesus LIVING thru you...in action and in deed. "Every saint has a past and EVERY sinner HAS A FUTURE"!!
Ppl...mostly women seem to be encouraged by my facebook status alot of times. I get lots of messages regarding them. Most of the time my statuses are lyrics to a song I am listening to that day. I keep it on almost all day. It helps me, lifts me up. encourages me. it creates an atmosphere of worship in my home...at all times. I love that. It can make me dance & shout while Im cookin... or bring me to my knees to a place of praise or humbleness. About 2 weeks ago, I heard Kylee screaming in the dining room.. I walked in to find she had turned up the worship music that was on... she was sitting in a chair with her arms raised..as she shouted "Jesus...Jesus!!"" wow... took my breath away for a moment. Jesus IN--Jesus out. Garbage IN--garbage out!! Think about what you are feeding your mind..but dont forget to monitor what your young children are puttin in theirs.
Glory glory Hallelujah , He reigns...and all the POWER of darkness..CANT DRIVE OUT A SINGLE WORD!! ~~~ Rita Springer... what I am worshipping to right now. satan has NO power over the TRUTH THAT IS word of God. Read it, recieve it, SING IT.... LIVE IT!
Love, j.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
One Month to Live
Good morning! No, I havent been literally given one month to live. :) It is the name of a series by Kerry & Chris Cook we are beginning tonight in our Fusion Group. I read some in our guide yesterday. And it got my attention so I thought I would share.
Your time on earth is limited.
"No matter how much this idea makes you squirm, its a fact. No matter WHO you are, how young or old, what measure of success you've attained, or where you live, mortality remains the great equalizer. With each tick of the clock, a moment of your life is behind you. Even as you read this paragragh, seconds passes that you can never regain. Your days are numbered and each one that passes is gone forever.
If you're like us, you may be tempted to view this reality as harsh and unwelcome, to let it overwhelm and even paralyze you. But thats not our purpose in writing this study series-just the opposite. Rather than inhibiting us to play it safe, we're convinced that enbracing our time on eath as a limited resource has incredible power to liberate us. For most of us, if we knew we only had one month to live, we would live our lives differently. We would be more authentic about who we are and more deliberate about how we spend the time we have. But such contrast begs the question: What keeps us from living this way NOW? We invite you to take the One Month to Live Challenge."
Above quotation from Kerry & Chris Shook
My life is so full. It just is. I am trying to learn and grow in God's word, trying to be everything my husband needs... he is precious and deserves so much more than I seem to be able to mustar up each day... (that is actually true for my husband and my Father God), 4 kids... wow.. I mean homework, sports, dance, baths and food, and trying to teach them the things of God, while also teaching them the things of the world... "dont ever try drugs..and this is why...." or answering questions like "mom, what is a lesbian?" So far this year my 2 oldest sons have bombarded me with questions...bullying, racisim, sexuality, heaven , hell, puberty, politics, why people lie, what happens when we die, how mom's and dads can walk away from their children beause of drugs, if God is sitting in the clouds... you name it...we've just about been there in the last 12 month. They live in the world... they are not called to be OF IT. I want to lay their foundation TIGHT in Jesus. This takes TIME. and if I had 30 days to live...wow. I can just imagine me. haha.. it really just made me LOL... I would be making videos and writing to them ... my head spins now as I type this... thinking of all the things I would want to teach them and make sure they knew.. not my point of view, but how Jesus sees it. Parents have such a HUGE job. And I feel like 90 % of mine lately is just spending time listening to their questions and doing me very best to point them in the right direction. That is the part of my life that I do find fullfilling. Training them up in the word and the things of God...because Gods word promises me that if I do that... then they WILL NOT depart from those truths all the days of their lives. NOW, that says to me that whether I live 30 days or 50 years.... that my babies are covered. Perfect? no. will they stray? probably. will they sin? absolutely. Will they be tempted to give up or turn their backs on God because they are hurt or offended? I certainly hope not...but if they do.. they know where to come... when they are broken or confused, I am certain with Logan and Brady Cole, at this point they have a foundation of where to take their brokeness.
If I had 30 days to live... I think I would give more. My time, my posessions. I would sleep less. I would immerse myself in the word. and spend every possible moment making sure my husband and my children knew how very special they are to me...and to their Father God, and dearly they are loved. I would listen more and speak less. I would pray over each of them every night and listen...not rush thru the process. I would try one more time to share the love of Jesus with my dad & with my sister Kelly. I would wrap my arms around each of my sisters and just love on them. They are so precious and I am so excited about where God is going to take Cindy & Victoria and the women of God He is raising. I would hug my father in law more. I constantly find myself pulling away from him. Im quite sure this is b/c of my "daddy issues". But despite his faults, and we all have them... he loves my children... he is a present person in their lives. I would forgive my mom 70x7, for the past and for every future hurt I have lived in fear of.... and just leave it at the cross once and for all of eternity. I would give Phillip that wet, sloppy 5 second kiss every day, several times a day.. that he keeps harping on me about...that even as I type this... i just dont get why that has seemed like an imposition to me?? I would tell my friends.. and I am over the moon to say that list is more than I can count now, how very much they matter and what a difference they have made in my life. My "prayer warrior list" (...the people that I call on in time of need has gone from 2....to more than I can count in the last year!!! I have to stop before I ask for prayer now...and ask God "SHOW me which of my girls YOU desire to come along side me right now"!! wow!!)
Im sure theres more... but, thats what I would do. And as I typed a couple of those things.... well, all of them really but..if Im honest, a couple stung a little more than others........ I thought... WHY OH WHY...would I wait until I was given such a prognosis of 30 days?? What in the world am i thinking?? Forgive NOW, Love NOW, EMBRACE NOW. GIVE NOW. SERVE NOW. SHARE JESUS NOW. TODAY. What am I waiting on? Working in the medical field for more than 10 years, I know...we aren't all given a number...in fact very few of us are. One day we dont wake up. Its over. All those things..your list...goes undone. I have watched hundreds of people die. I wonder how many of them left this world with "what if I had done this? or "sure wish I had hugged that person one more time" I do think very few, probably none lay dying and wishing "sure woulda been nice to have worked one more day or made a little more money here". The things that last...are our relationships. And for some of us, those relationships are draining so we dont invest...our time or energy. We dont nurture those relationships at all, let alone deliberatley.
So Principle ONE of the One Month to Live series is to Live PASSIONATELY. How am I going to put that into action over the next week? To me Passion & surrrender go hand in hand. I am going to deliberatley SURRENDER myself to my Father every day and pray HE guide me in overcoming that big ole list.
So...here's praying my friend...that my life and YOURS is not only FULL of things to do and places to go... but that it is FULLFILLING. That the dash - between the year we were born and the year we go to be with Jesus represents love & surrender & JOY & sharing the love of Jesus with the world...starting with the people around you!. In the precious name of Jesus I Pray! Amen.
"Looks like tonight the sky is heavy ..feels like the winds are gonna change...
beneath my feet the earth is ready I know its time for Heavens rain..
Its gonna rain
Its LIVING WATER WE DESIRE
FLOOD OUR HEARTS WITH HOLY FIRE
RAIN DOWN
My heart is dry, but im still singing
My heart is heavy, feels like its time to DREAM AGAIN
I see the clouds outside and YES IM ready ..to dance upon this barren land."!
Its LIVING WATER I DESIRE
FATHER FLOOD MY HEART WITH HOLY FIRE."
What I worshipping to right now. and the cry of my heart. Jesus I need you.
Your time on earth is limited.
"No matter how much this idea makes you squirm, its a fact. No matter WHO you are, how young or old, what measure of success you've attained, or where you live, mortality remains the great equalizer. With each tick of the clock, a moment of your life is behind you. Even as you read this paragragh, seconds passes that you can never regain. Your days are numbered and each one that passes is gone forever.
If you're like us, you may be tempted to view this reality as harsh and unwelcome, to let it overwhelm and even paralyze you. But thats not our purpose in writing this study series-just the opposite. Rather than inhibiting us to play it safe, we're convinced that enbracing our time on eath as a limited resource has incredible power to liberate us. For most of us, if we knew we only had one month to live, we would live our lives differently. We would be more authentic about who we are and more deliberate about how we spend the time we have. But such contrast begs the question: What keeps us from living this way NOW? We invite you to take the One Month to Live Challenge."
Above quotation from Kerry & Chris Shook
My life is so full. It just is. I am trying to learn and grow in God's word, trying to be everything my husband needs... he is precious and deserves so much more than I seem to be able to mustar up each day... (that is actually true for my husband and my Father God), 4 kids... wow.. I mean homework, sports, dance, baths and food, and trying to teach them the things of God, while also teaching them the things of the world... "dont ever try drugs..and this is why...." or answering questions like "mom, what is a lesbian?" So far this year my 2 oldest sons have bombarded me with questions...bullying, racisim, sexuality, heaven , hell, puberty, politics, why people lie, what happens when we die, how mom's and dads can walk away from their children beause of drugs, if God is sitting in the clouds... you name it...we've just about been there in the last 12 month. They live in the world... they are not called to be OF IT. I want to lay their foundation TIGHT in Jesus. This takes TIME. and if I had 30 days to live...wow. I can just imagine me. haha.. it really just made me LOL... I would be making videos and writing to them ... my head spins now as I type this... thinking of all the things I would want to teach them and make sure they knew.. not my point of view, but how Jesus sees it. Parents have such a HUGE job. And I feel like 90 % of mine lately is just spending time listening to their questions and doing me very best to point them in the right direction. That is the part of my life that I do find fullfilling. Training them up in the word and the things of God...because Gods word promises me that if I do that... then they WILL NOT depart from those truths all the days of their lives. NOW, that says to me that whether I live 30 days or 50 years.... that my babies are covered. Perfect? no. will they stray? probably. will they sin? absolutely. Will they be tempted to give up or turn their backs on God because they are hurt or offended? I certainly hope not...but if they do.. they know where to come... when they are broken or confused, I am certain with Logan and Brady Cole, at this point they have a foundation of where to take their brokeness.
If I had 30 days to live... I think I would give more. My time, my posessions. I would sleep less. I would immerse myself in the word. and spend every possible moment making sure my husband and my children knew how very special they are to me...and to their Father God, and dearly they are loved. I would listen more and speak less. I would pray over each of them every night and listen...not rush thru the process. I would try one more time to share the love of Jesus with my dad & with my sister Kelly. I would wrap my arms around each of my sisters and just love on them. They are so precious and I am so excited about where God is going to take Cindy & Victoria and the women of God He is raising. I would hug my father in law more. I constantly find myself pulling away from him. Im quite sure this is b/c of my "daddy issues". But despite his faults, and we all have them... he loves my children... he is a present person in their lives. I would forgive my mom 70x7, for the past and for every future hurt I have lived in fear of.... and just leave it at the cross once and for all of eternity. I would give Phillip that wet, sloppy 5 second kiss every day, several times a day.. that he keeps harping on me about...that even as I type this... i just dont get why that has seemed like an imposition to me?? I would tell my friends.. and I am over the moon to say that list is more than I can count now, how very much they matter and what a difference they have made in my life. My "prayer warrior list" (...the people that I call on in time of need has gone from 2....to more than I can count in the last year!!! I have to stop before I ask for prayer now...and ask God "SHOW me which of my girls YOU desire to come along side me right now"!! wow!!)
Im sure theres more... but, thats what I would do. And as I typed a couple of those things.... well, all of them really but..if Im honest, a couple stung a little more than others........ I thought... WHY OH WHY...would I wait until I was given such a prognosis of 30 days?? What in the world am i thinking?? Forgive NOW, Love NOW, EMBRACE NOW. GIVE NOW. SERVE NOW. SHARE JESUS NOW. TODAY. What am I waiting on? Working in the medical field for more than 10 years, I know...we aren't all given a number...in fact very few of us are. One day we dont wake up. Its over. All those things..your list...goes undone. I have watched hundreds of people die. I wonder how many of them left this world with "what if I had done this? or "sure wish I had hugged that person one more time" I do think very few, probably none lay dying and wishing "sure woulda been nice to have worked one more day or made a little more money here". The things that last...are our relationships. And for some of us, those relationships are draining so we dont invest...our time or energy. We dont nurture those relationships at all, let alone deliberatley.
So Principle ONE of the One Month to Live series is to Live PASSIONATELY. How am I going to put that into action over the next week? To me Passion & surrrender go hand in hand. I am going to deliberatley SURRENDER myself to my Father every day and pray HE guide me in overcoming that big ole list.
So...here's praying my friend...that my life and YOURS is not only FULL of things to do and places to go... but that it is FULLFILLING. That the dash - between the year we were born and the year we go to be with Jesus represents love & surrender & JOY & sharing the love of Jesus with the world...starting with the people around you!. In the precious name of Jesus I Pray! Amen.
"Looks like tonight the sky is heavy ..feels like the winds are gonna change...
beneath my feet the earth is ready I know its time for Heavens rain..
Its gonna rain
Its LIVING WATER WE DESIRE
FLOOD OUR HEARTS WITH HOLY FIRE
RAIN DOWN
My heart is dry, but im still singing
My heart is heavy, feels like its time to DREAM AGAIN
I see the clouds outside and YES IM ready ..to dance upon this barren land."!
Its LIVING WATER I DESIRE
FATHER FLOOD MY HEART WITH HOLY FIRE."
What I worshipping to right now. and the cry of my heart. Jesus I need you.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Whats your gift? Do you know how to place yourself in a position to be USED?
I ran into an old friend last week. She asked about this silly blog. Said she had checked it several times and there wasn't anything new here. She thought it may have been her internet sevice at work blocking her from seeing. Well, theres no block.. just a dry spell for me. And not just a dry spell really, because God has done some mighty big things lately... i guess, i didn't feel like sharing.. or maybe I even thought noone cared or was listening. :/ I think we all feel that way sometimes. Insignificant. I sure hope I'm not alone anyways.
I know the truth though. satan. He wants me to FEEL insignificant, un-useable.... invisable. Do you ever feel thouse things? Like, HE..God of the Universe...can't possibly use you... need you.. or even want you? If satan can shut me up. He wins. God gave me a voice. He gave me boldness. He gave me passion. He allows me to hurt for ppl.. for things and situations that hurt Him. Oh...whenever I am hurting or crying or praying over someone... really it could be anyone... from my sister, Cindy who is growing leaps & bounds in her faith every day... to a person I saw at my sons football game.. I felt like GOd kinda showed me this family was going to be attacked a cpl of years ago. I pushed it away.. I confess, I did not pray. I felt like I should... I remember kinda 'seeing', if you will what the enemy was going to use to attack this family with, and thinking "oh, no..that can never happen.. why am I thinking that??!!" I see women go to the alter.. I only go if I feel led to pray for them ususally, I cant tell you how many times... that broken woman reaching out for prayer has a husband or other family member who is lost, a marriage falling apart, a sister who is lost to a world of drugs, a sick child, she herself struggling with lack of confidence, or decisions, being mentally attacked, depression.
God doesn't doesn't give us anything He doesnt intend for us to use for HIS glory. The gifts... the voice, boldness, the passion... OR the hurt... He does allow things into our lives. Not to hurt us, but to grow us. Every single bad or hurtful situation I have been thru in my life.. I can clearly see that HE desires to use to help the hurting. In the moment of our hurt, I think we all cry out "God, why me?" God uses the things that break us, to minister to others who are broken. To share with them, the hope and love and FREEDOM found at the cross..... At His feet when we surrender completley and just let Him...BE God.
A couple of years ago a friend of mine lost her daughter who was my sons age... I hurt, grieved over that loss.. I remember thinking..crying out to God " how can I hurt this bad???", it wasn't my child who was gone. and thinking" if i hurt this bad, how in the world must the momma who had lost her child feel?" No doubt, nearly unbareable, im sure. In those moments...when God burdens my heart for ppl, I'm reminded of a line to a song.. i can't even tell ya who sings it , but its "Break my heart for what breaks yours.."
ok..so i took a break to go find the song.. haha it is by Mathew West:
"Father break my heart for what breaks yours
Give me open hands and open doors
Put your light in my eyes and let me see
That my own little world is not about me"
Last Sunday morning at church the choir met to pray before service began. From the moment I walked in at 850am I felt the need to pray for my husband Phillip and his cousin Sherman who was expected to die at any moment. The family had asked Phillip to speak at the funeral and Phillip was .. unsure of what to share with them. And Sherman, I just felt the need to pray for peace for him and for His family. Well.. i didn't pray. I let everyone else pray and kept pushing it back.. I prayed in my head of course, but well... i dont know.. my throat was hurting, i knew time was ticking and we needed to get up to the sanctuary... whatever...they were excuses the devil was planting there to KEEP my mouth SHUT. Well, around 9 am I opened my mouth a spit out a little prayer for Sherman & Phillip. During service we got the text that Sherman had passed. At the funeral service, i was talking to Shermans sister as she was recounting the last day of Shermans life and her time with him...and she said Sherman passed at 9am Sunday morning. wow. The exact time we were praying. Maybe I spit it out a little after he passed....which only went to SHOW ME that God really was pressing him onto my heart for prayer for a REASON, and that I should LISTEN when HE speaks ..and JUST PRAY. Same thing with the family I mentioned above. Last year the parents seperated. I am not kidding the exact thing---vision that I had that day walking across the football field happened. I had never uttered a word of it to anyone. But, God really did show me exactly how to pray for that couple and their children. But I didn't do it. Now, could my measley prayers have saved that family from the heartbreak of seperation, well... probably not mine alone... but, I will tell you with confidence, if I HAD been praying for that family after that day on the football field.... more than a year later when she showed up on my doorstep for help and prayer... I would have been MORE THAN prepared.
See... God is good. HE is faithful and true to His word. He never says bad things wont happen to us. He promises he is there for us when they do happen. He never says stepping into our gifts will be easy... again...satan sure doesn't want it to be easy. BUT GOD says the HE gives us every gift and talent and ability...every GOOD thing is from God. TO be used for Him. Its all about Him!!!
Use what God has given you. Use what God has allowed you to go through. Place yourself in a position to be USED BY HIM and FOR Him...to help the hurting and to glorify our Almighty Father. And by the way---the ONLY way to do that... to purposefully PLACE yourself in a position to BE used by Him is to spend TIME with Him...every day. No magic formula... just an intimate one on one relationship with Jesus.
What gift or talent...ability.. has he blessed you with? are you walking in it? I really wanna know. I think I have a BIG ole 19 followers...but I want to hear from you.. if your not walking in your gift...thats ok. Tell me about it. Why arent you? Whats holding you back? Lets pray about it!!
Love & prayers from me!! and I really am gonna start trying to speak up when God lays something on my heart to share with you here. I know at least one of you really are watching...reading. ;)
I know the truth though. satan. He wants me to FEEL insignificant, un-useable.... invisable. Do you ever feel thouse things? Like, HE..God of the Universe...can't possibly use you... need you.. or even want you? If satan can shut me up. He wins. God gave me a voice. He gave me boldness. He gave me passion. He allows me to hurt for ppl.. for things and situations that hurt Him. Oh...whenever I am hurting or crying or praying over someone... really it could be anyone... from my sister, Cindy who is growing leaps & bounds in her faith every day... to a person I saw at my sons football game.. I felt like GOd kinda showed me this family was going to be attacked a cpl of years ago. I pushed it away.. I confess, I did not pray. I felt like I should... I remember kinda 'seeing', if you will what the enemy was going to use to attack this family with, and thinking "oh, no..that can never happen.. why am I thinking that??!!" I see women go to the alter.. I only go if I feel led to pray for them ususally, I cant tell you how many times... that broken woman reaching out for prayer has a husband or other family member who is lost, a marriage falling apart, a sister who is lost to a world of drugs, a sick child, she herself struggling with lack of confidence, or decisions, being mentally attacked, depression.
God doesn't doesn't give us anything He doesnt intend for us to use for HIS glory. The gifts... the voice, boldness, the passion... OR the hurt... He does allow things into our lives. Not to hurt us, but to grow us. Every single bad or hurtful situation I have been thru in my life.. I can clearly see that HE desires to use to help the hurting. In the moment of our hurt, I think we all cry out "God, why me?" God uses the things that break us, to minister to others who are broken. To share with them, the hope and love and FREEDOM found at the cross..... At His feet when we surrender completley and just let Him...BE God.
A couple of years ago a friend of mine lost her daughter who was my sons age... I hurt, grieved over that loss.. I remember thinking..crying out to God " how can I hurt this bad???", it wasn't my child who was gone. and thinking" if i hurt this bad, how in the world must the momma who had lost her child feel?" No doubt, nearly unbareable, im sure. In those moments...when God burdens my heart for ppl, I'm reminded of a line to a song.. i can't even tell ya who sings it , but its "Break my heart for what breaks yours.."
ok..so i took a break to go find the song.. haha it is by Mathew West:
"Father break my heart for what breaks yours
Give me open hands and open doors
Put your light in my eyes and let me see
That my own little world is not about me"
Last Sunday morning at church the choir met to pray before service began. From the moment I walked in at 850am I felt the need to pray for my husband Phillip and his cousin Sherman who was expected to die at any moment. The family had asked Phillip to speak at the funeral and Phillip was .. unsure of what to share with them. And Sherman, I just felt the need to pray for peace for him and for His family. Well.. i didn't pray. I let everyone else pray and kept pushing it back.. I prayed in my head of course, but well... i dont know.. my throat was hurting, i knew time was ticking and we needed to get up to the sanctuary... whatever...they were excuses the devil was planting there to KEEP my mouth SHUT. Well, around 9 am I opened my mouth a spit out a little prayer for Sherman & Phillip. During service we got the text that Sherman had passed. At the funeral service, i was talking to Shermans sister as she was recounting the last day of Shermans life and her time with him...and she said Sherman passed at 9am Sunday morning. wow. The exact time we were praying. Maybe I spit it out a little after he passed....which only went to SHOW ME that God really was pressing him onto my heart for prayer for a REASON, and that I should LISTEN when HE speaks ..and JUST PRAY. Same thing with the family I mentioned above. Last year the parents seperated. I am not kidding the exact thing---vision that I had that day walking across the football field happened. I had never uttered a word of it to anyone. But, God really did show me exactly how to pray for that couple and their children. But I didn't do it. Now, could my measley prayers have saved that family from the heartbreak of seperation, well... probably not mine alone... but, I will tell you with confidence, if I HAD been praying for that family after that day on the football field.... more than a year later when she showed up on my doorstep for help and prayer... I would have been MORE THAN prepared.
See... God is good. HE is faithful and true to His word. He never says bad things wont happen to us. He promises he is there for us when they do happen. He never says stepping into our gifts will be easy... again...satan sure doesn't want it to be easy. BUT GOD says the HE gives us every gift and talent and ability...every GOOD thing is from God. TO be used for Him. Its all about Him!!!
Use what God has given you. Use what God has allowed you to go through. Place yourself in a position to be USED BY HIM and FOR Him...to help the hurting and to glorify our Almighty Father. And by the way---the ONLY way to do that... to purposefully PLACE yourself in a position to BE used by Him is to spend TIME with Him...every day. No magic formula... just an intimate one on one relationship with Jesus.
What gift or talent...ability.. has he blessed you with? are you walking in it? I really wanna know. I think I have a BIG ole 19 followers...but I want to hear from you.. if your not walking in your gift...thats ok. Tell me about it. Why arent you? Whats holding you back? Lets pray about it!!
Love & prayers from me!! and I really am gonna start trying to speak up when God lays something on my heart to share with you here. I know at least one of you really are watching...reading. ;)
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