Celebrating Important People in My Life: Sarah Freeman

This is Sarah Freeman! A very important Sarah in my life! Oh yes! We met through a mutual friend who connected us on the possibility of going on a trip to India altogether back in 2006/2007. And we never met in person at that point, but we had SO MUCH in common--we continued to talk on the phone ALL YEAR! Ha! This was becoming one of the strangest phenonomons of the times--some people have cyber friendships--we were having a phone friendship! We ended up working together quite a bit by telephone bonding over our mutual passions, similar lifepaths, and friends in common and we ended up working together as Sarah was founding the very beginnings of Faceless International and I was coming as a strong partner through prayer and support! Sarah is a brave woman--quitting her job in Florida and moving to Nashville to start a non-profit that helps educate young people on issues of injustice, poverty, and in particular the human trafficking issue--which wasn't getting as much press back in that day! Faceless also organizes trips for young people and people in the music industry to take trips overseas to see the needs firsthand so that they can help "Be the Change" they want to see in the world! :-)

I was there for the discussion at the very beginning and offering my strong support and encouragent to Sarah along the way! She has been a faithful and courageous woman to risk everything and continue living day to day contending for the future of this organization believing that God placed the call in her heart for a reason. Through all the blood, sweat, and tears...she does not give up...but continues to encourage others in their call and to encourage us all--especially through the Word of God everyday!

I love this woman! The first time we met it was in partnership over sharing a vending booth for Faceless International and Zenia Clothing--all in support of the same issues. My friend Molly and I camped with the masses in Bushnell, IL as the parties went all day and all night and the next year I opted for the comfort of Sarah's hotel!

We have never lived in the same city (except once we overlapped in Los Angeles for several weeks and thought we'd died and gone to heaven!) :-) We have only seen each other in cities that were not our own! We have never seen each other in our hometowns or environments!

But we are quite great friends! This woman I know I can call for encouragent, wisdom, prayer, a slap in the face! :-) Anything...she understands both my heart and my decision making process which is quite a feat. She understands how to partner with friends from all places and somehow let the Body be the Body in terms of different parts working together, etc...

We have some mutual friends in common--and though our friend Stephen introduced us--our friendship has surpassed what anyone in that circumferance ever expected!!!

God is good! Sarah and I have had the same timeline and journey for starting our businesses, raising awareness on certain issues, impacting people in the industries, loving the children of the world, and providing opportunities for people to go overseas!! I am so proud of her for moving ahead--brave and sometimes feeling alone--fighting for the destiny that I know the Lord has called her to!

We have both been on the journey of being single woman called to a very strange lifestyle of faith--both longing for a place to settle in relationship--

I love this woman!! She is so faithful!!! She is one who is faithful and true!!! :-)

And she sharpens me!!

I stand in support of this woman in her heart, her faith, her decision making, and her desire to see the world changed through Christ in us! She is a beautiful example of a human being and I am honored and favored in my life to KNOW her!

God has blessed me and I am always smiling when I hear her voice on my telephone line!

Next stop Nashville! ;-)

Love you lady!!

God is FOR you!!! Romans 8.

Joshua 1:9

Lamentations 3:19-26

LUV!

Getting to Know You

GETTING TO KNOW YOU (Oscar Hammerstein)
Anna: It's a very ancient saying, But a true and honest thought,
That if you become a teacher, By your pupils you'll be taught.
As a teacher I've been learning (You'll forgive me if I boast)
And I've now become an expert, On the subject I like most. [

Spoken] Getting to know you.

[Children Giggle]

Getting to know you,
getting to know all about you.
Getting to like you,
getting to hope you like me.
Getting to know you, putting it my way,
But nicely,
You are precisely,
My cup of tea.

[Children Giggle]

All [Except children]:

Getting to know you, Getting to know all about you.
Getting to like you, Getting to hope you like me.
Getting to know you, putting it my way,
But nicely,
You are precisely,

Anna: My cup of tea.

All (including children):

Getting to know you,
Getting to feel free and easy.
When I am with you,
Getting to know what to say
Haven't you noticed
Suddenly I'm bright and breezy
Because of all the beautiful and new
Things I'm learning about you
Day by day.

Getting to know you,
Getting to feel free and easy.
When I am with you,
Getting to know what to say
Haven't you noticed
Suddenly I'm bright and breezy
Because of all the beautiful and new
Things I'm learning about you
Day by day.

This reminds me of my children in Myanmar--plus just the normal getting to know you's of life! :-) Aww! These children are so cute!!! These are my children! :-) Yes! And I will get to them eventually. They are so beautiful!!!

And on a side note!! I love my friend Sarah Freeman who shares this passion for the children of the world and orphanages and schools and is positively making a difference through Faceless International! I will never forget how she went to India and seeing all the brokenness--always chose to emphasize all the joy in the children's faces! God is with them! He is raising them up!!
I love this song and all the laughter of the children!!

And I love my friend Sarah Freeman!! Thank you Jesus for such a good and sharpening friend!

This Spinning Planet...

In case you are ever tempted to be worried about the details in life.... I take comfort sometimes in reminding myself that this planet is spinning and revolving by the wisdom of God and if He can take care of that...He can take care of THIS!

I read this article from the New York Times and loved it. Think about these things! Ponder the God of the Universe and Beyond who created a whole solar system and more to make sure that we are all set up here on Planet Earth. Also at any time something crazy could happen. His great power & wisdom are beyond our logic and intellect! It is just amazing that this is all in His hands and all created to move at the sound of His voice!

He is CRAZAY intense! Wow!

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/26/weekinreview/26overbye.html?_r=3

Settling In....Everything New.

Home again. Home again. Jiggity Jig. (as Mom and Grandma Robinson would often say upon returning home)

What is home? :-)

Luke 9

The Cost of Following Jesus
57As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."

58Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."

59He said to another man, "Follow me."
But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."

60Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God."

61 Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family."

62Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."

Well, I have thought of this topic so many times and for so long. As a young woman who owns a house in Michigan and yet has been called all over the country and the world, I have often thought about the concept of home.

I think we all have a longing for a resting place.

Psalm 84

1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
O LORD Almighty!

2 My soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.

3 Even the sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.

4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.
Selah

5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.

6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools. [b]

7 They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.

8 Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty;
listen to me, O God of Jacob.
Selah

9 Look upon our shield, [c] O God;
look with favor on your anointed one.

10 Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.

12 O LORD Almighty,
blessed is the man who trusts in you.

It has not actually bothered me that I haven't had a permanant place of residence b/c truly to me, home IS where the heart is and my heart almost always finds a spot to rest in relationship with God and others. On occasion I DO have a desire to UNPACK my bags!!! :-) and for SOMEONE to know what my life is really like in the unfolding of this journey in the earth! Every heart is longing for a home--for intimacy--to be known....

There is this concept of having community in the Body of Christ--a FAMILY--a group of people to "do life" with. I am totally into this concept--promoting and demonstrating this all through high school and college--in residence life and the Ontario house for the last 5 years--as well as the various groups and communities I have been a part of leading and planting.

This last year, I have traveled 3 months at at time--building family and friends in new communities and expanding my borders in terms of the Body of Christ as a whole.

I have never been one who belonged to just one group, organization, or culture. I have been interested in other cultures and crossed denominational borders and social statuses all throughout childhood and into my early adult life. I see no red tape. I acknowledge no cultural or traditional barriers that others may say might hold me back.

If Christ is the Head of a Body of believers that are fulfilling HIS assignments and partnering with Him in His purposes in the earth--it makes sense to me that I would have both a local role in whatever location I am currently in and also an overall purpose as He is working out His plans THROUGHOUT THE EARTH!!! and He is joining us together as a net--in relationship--for our ENJOYMENT and for HIS PURPOSES!! And we are like a net woven together to strengthen each other and to contain and hold more together than we ever could as one strand that is isolated from the whole and dangling purposely all alone! :-)

Jesus is coming and the NATIONS of the earth will give Him PRAISE and GLORY! He is working out an overall plan to bring redemption and restoration in the earth. There is a plan purposed in the heart of the GOD going out over all the world for Christ to come and receive His Bride in the earth--His colorful and beautiful Bride of many nations, many colors, languages, traditions, dances, foods, and peoples! I am so excited for that day! The nations will praise the King of Kings! The Lord of ALL the earth! There is ONE GOD and ONE WAY TO GOD through JESUS CHRIST our LORD.

I have a heart to see the nations of the earth worshipping and healthy families, societies, and cultures living in the fullness of what God intended for them since the beginning of time before sin entered the world and the brokenness and fallenness of man and creation brought such an effect on the nations of the world. Sin leads to death and brings destruction.

We see so much brokenness, longing, destruction, and pain in the nations of the world and in the lives of ourselves and those around us! God is longing to bring restoration and He is preparing a people who will KNOW HIM and bring HIM praise! And HE is receiving a BRIDE of many colors and many nations with multifaceted beauties and parts! This Bride will partner with Him when the time for TRUE RESTORATION IN ITS FULLNESS comes!

We all need a place to belong. A role--an assignment. A piece of connection with the ground on which we walk that tells us we are part of a larger whole. Culture provides us with that sense of identity. It is both our sameness and our otherness that makes us a celebrated smaller part of an even more spectacular whole.

There is a church without walls. There is a Bride that is being prepared by non-traditional means to be united in the earth with the Man Jesus. God became man and dwelt among us once...and HE WILL COME AGAIN. Will the whole church be ready?

Will we fulfill our role as individuals in believing communities that make up the Greater Body of Christ as a whole throughout the earth.

There is a sense of largeness and a sense of smallness. I am ready to connect again with a body of believers in which my life can take root and be intertwined for a while. Probably (as with all my other relationships) for life. It is hard to do that in some ways starting over completely in a totally new land with a totally different culture and value system. Perhaps I haven't felt fully prepared. But we are prepared. We are always prepared for what and where the Lord really calls us.
I have felt overwhelmed at evidence of the goodness of the Lord and yet wide eyed at all that is new to me in this season.

I love you O Lord my strength! :-) Thank you for giving me a home in your arms of love. THANK YOU for the DIVINE CONNECTIONS along THE WAY!

I pray for peace and joy in the journey for other fellow travelors--as I have been blessed with peace, joy, and love!

I am looking for good friends along the way. I am thanking God for good, new friends in Southern California and for divine connections and friends along the way. I pray my heart can plant here in relationships whether my body stays long in this soil or just uses this as a home base for the time of the Lord's leading!

God, give me the ground on which I walk and relationships here that are ROOTED along the way. I need my feet on the ground in this season in some way! Whatever that looks like, I pray that it be established for me quickly!

I love you O Lord my strength!

Home is being KNOWN!!!

~Sarah A. Weichhand

We choose to go to the Moon!!!

I think this video speaks for itself! :-) I have had a series of dreams about going in a rocketship into space. Some good dreams. Some dreams of warning. I believe God is calling people to walk in wisdom and faith and to go with Him to places that many have never ever dared to go before. When God calls and God equips, God is in control of the outcome as well! We partner with God in faith and in our obedience. We get on the vessel that He has prepared to take us on a wild ride and we trust Him that if He has called us to go, it is going to be exhilarating, peaceful, joyful, and every minute worth the ride!!!

It does take faith to get on and stay on the ride!!!

It is amazing to me the things the Lord has been speaking to me about faith and outer space! I saw this clip today as it just popped up when i googled something else! Actually I saw an MNBC clip and youtubed for this one! (so I could post!)

Well, anyway, be encouraged! When God calls us to do something crazy like go to the moon and back, He has got it all prepared, pre-planned, and in the realm of His control--even if its out of ours! :-) And so we and others can see his glory!!

And those who are willing to go can come back and tell and encourage others!! :-)

In the dream I had, there were all these spaceships (small pod shaped ships) that were meant for space travel and were pre-programmed with a button on the ceiling. In the dream, God was offering trips into outer space for those who would dare to step into the extreme adventure with Him. It was risky feeling and in the natural the adventurer's knew that there was a 1% chance that those little spaceships could be magnetically attracted to one of the stars on the journey and burned up in the star forever-a 1% risk that they would never come back-- but in the spaceships, the journey was preprogrammed--and b/c God was inviting people on the ride--it was up to them to take the journey and adventure knowing that God was in control and that it was a wild trip of HIS ADVENTURE. It was proven to be a peaceful and quiet and joy-filled journey once one was up in outer space looking at the stars out the windows of this pod. But only those with the courage to take God up on His offer for the ride were ever going to be able to encounter this experience! :-)

There were many others who were willing to stay on the ground forever and never see the wonders, but there was an invitation and a opportunity--and those who were willing to step in at that place of faith were about to go on a wild, exhilaratingly wonderful, peaceful, and joy-filled ride.

Several of my friends were in this dream also and I believe that God is encouraging a lot of people right now to be wise in living, but ready to be wild in adventurous living with the God of the universe! When God is calling you KNOW it is going to be a joyful and peaceful, but wild ride! When its God who is inviting you to GO, you can know that it is in the realm of His control-even if it is out of the realm of ours!

Yeah!! He made the earth and the stars. He made creation. He made us!

Get ready for the ride of your life!!!!

xoxo!
Sarah

Theme Songs: How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?! :-)

She climbs a tree and scrapes her knee--
Her dress has got a tear.
She waltzes on her way to mass
And whistles on the stair...
And underneath her wimper
She's got curlers in her hair!
I've even heard her singing in the Abbey!

She's always late for chapel
But her penitence is real.
She's always late for everything!
Except for every meal!
I hate to have to say it..
But I very firmly feel--
Maria's not an asset to the Abbey!

I'd like to say a word on her behalf!
Maria--makes me--laugh!!!!

Many a thing you know you'd like to tell her.
Many a thing she ought to understand!
But how do you make her stay?
And listen to all you say?
How do you catch a wave upon the sand?

How do you solve a problem like Maria?!!
;-)

Ponder:
How do you hold a moonbeam in your hands?!!

Lord, Let Your Glory Fall...

Lord, let Your glory fall
as on that ancient day,
songs of enduring love
and then Your glory came.
And as a sign to You
that we would love the same,
our hearts will sing that song:
God, let Your glory come.

You are good, You are good,
and Your love endures.
You are good, You are good,
and Your love endures.
You are good, You are good,
and Your love endures today.

Voices in unison
giving You thanks and praise,
joined by the instruments
and then Your glory came.
Your presence like a cloud
upon that ancient day,
the priests were overwhelmed
because Your glory came.

Oh, Your anger lasts a moment,
but your favor lasts a lifetime.
Yeah, yeah.

A sacrifice was made,
and then Your fire came;
they knelt upon the ground,
and with one voice they praised.
They sang, “Come, Lord.
Lord, let Your glory fall,
let You glory fall. Come, Lord Jesus.”

Letter to My Friends...

Hello my dear friends and family.

I am just writing this note to let you know that I am safely landed (Purple PT Cruiser and all) in Los Angeles, CA where I believe God has directed me to plant for a season. As far as I can tell, I will use this as a home base if I do any traveling in the future season and I am going to plant a life and relationships in Los Angeles that the Lord is divinely encouraging me to plant.

A while back the Lord gave me the scriptures Psalm 92:12-13

12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;

13 planted in the house of the LORD,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.

I loved these verses. The Lord gave them to me on a trip to LA in 2008. I had been pointed in this direction for several years--hearing from the Lord that He wanted to bring an unprecedented move of His Spirit to this land of Southern California. I had visited several times and had even tried moving here once before, but the doors were closed. It was not the timing of the Lord. He had other things for me to do.

Now, in July of 2009, the Lord has once again almost URGENTLY reminded me of His heart for the city of LA and the many unique groups of people that represent the culture here. This is a culture creating city and it has a unique culture of its own.

God has sent me here for such a time as this.

Right now, I have an overall sense that God is calling me to strengthen and equip the church in LA for what is about to come. The way that God is planning to move is going to hit many by surprise, but the church in LA is being prepared!

I have met many great people here even in the last few days and am connecting with the Body of Christ as a whole in these parts. I am looking forward to more of what the Lord has for this city.

I will not be working hard striving and trying to create a life here. The Lord has called me away with Him to a quiet place. I have been instructed clearly to come with Him away for a while.... I have been promised downloads of revelation and songs of healing and I believe that God is going to be finishing some healing in me as I spend this time away with Him.

So, I am making connetions and looking for a place to stay. (I am currently staying temporarily with friends.) If you know of anyone who would like to help support me while I am out here investing in this land, just let them know that they are welcome!

The soil is rich and the the harvest is going to be a BIG one!

GOD is going to do it.

People have often misunderstood my calling and my personality. It appears to some that I am not being responsible as I am living this life by faith.
But God knows that I am trustworthy and I find great solace in His own kind words to me. I am trustworthy, integretous, and fair.

My calling is not to any one group of people only. I have never fit into a group, a church structure, or body of people exclusively. I belong to the Body of Christ and I am obedient to the One True Head--Jesus Christ. He is my perfect leader and I am called not just to one group in Los Angleles, but to this city as a whole.
In fact, I belong to many cities.

It is time to take cities in preparation for nations! Christ is coming and He wants His Bride to be ready. He is coming for the nations of the earth.

I am not going to get bogged down with assignments that don't belong to me. I belong to Jesus and God is preparing a Bride for the Son. And I am READY!!!

I am called to train, equip, and intercede. Most of all, I am called to BE in relationship with Christ as He is training, equipping, and interceding for His Church.

Lord, let your glory fall!

We stand with You.

Our Partnership With God

II Corinthians 1:19-21

For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by me and Silas and Timothy, was not "Yes" and "No," but in him it has always been "Yes." For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

A Call to Anguish... David Wilkerson

There is a longng in this that is not expressed in words. Let it go deep. Let it cause pain. Let God birth true passion that comes from His love. Let God cause death of self that causes life of Christ to spring up through us. Let us go with God into the depths of His heart that birth true passion and love. He rescues from the one who steals, kills, and destroys. Jesus came that we might have life. Are we willing to go with Him into the true passion, the true suffering, the truest purest love. There is an invitation here that cannot be expressed in words. Hear the groans of the Spirit and enter in....

The Climb by Alexander, J; Mabe, J. ...... Sung by Miley Cyrus

2 Chronicles 31:21

In everything that he undertook in the service of God's temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.

Christ loved the church.

Ephesians 5:25-26 “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word."

Daddy Dave's Integrity Lessons

I just found this email in a binder that was getting sold in the garage sale. One of the customers brought it to me. It was printed off my Dad's email and it said,

"Dave, in pastor's sermon Sunday morning he quoted a statement that made me think of you. It went something like this:

Consistent faithfulness acted out results in integrity.
Integrity often results in influence.
And influence is a divine gift.

Dave, you have lived your life before those of us that work with you in a consistent faithful manner and have earned a high level of integrity. Your integrity has resulted in a great deal of influence as well."



I'm glad she found that. That was so nice and so true. I have had good role models in life to look up to and in whose tangible footsteps of integrity, in my own way, I can also follow.

Thanks Daddy Dave for the integrity lessons! ;-)

Love,
Your daughter.

.......Brilliant light shining from within!

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness,

that frightens us most.

We ask ourselves,

'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,
talented, and famous?'

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.

There is nothing
enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It's not just in some of us;

it's in all of us.

And when we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear,

our presence automatically liberates others."

often credited to Nelson Mandela for parts of this quote that showed up in his 1994 inauguration speech, this quote was actually penned by Marianne Williamson in her book A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course In Miracles.

The Holocaust: How it really was.

"All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." -- Edmund Burke

Little Wonders--Rob Thomas

let it go,
let it roll right off your shoulder
don't you know
the hardest part is over
let it in,
let your clarity define you
in the end
we will only just remember how it feels

our lives are made
in these small hours
these little wonders,
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away,
but these small hours,
these small hours still remain

let it slide,
let your troubles fall behind you
let it shine
until you feel it all around you
and i don't mind
if it's me you need to turn to
we?ll get by,
it's the heart that really matters in the end

our lives are made
in these small hours
these little wonders,
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away,
but these small hours,
these small hours still remain

all of my regret
will wash away some how
but i can not forget
the way i feel right now

in these small hours
these little wonders
these twists & turns of fate
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away but these small hours
these small hours, still remain,
still remain
these little wonders
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away
but these small hours
these little wonders still remain

Theme Songs: Love is All Around

("Love is All Around" by Paul Williams) - Mary Tyler Moore Show Lyrics

Who can turn the world on with her smile?

Who can take a nothing day, and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile?

Well it's you girl, and you should know it.

With each glance and every little movement you show it.

Love is all around, no need to waste it.

You can have a town, why don't you take it.

You're gonna make it after all.

You're gonna make it after all.

How will you make it on your own?

This world is awfully big, girl this time you're all alone.

But it's time you started living.

It's time you let someone else do some giving.

Love is all around, no need to waste it.

You can have a town, why don't you take it.

You're gonna make it after all .

You're gonna make it after all.

Truth

Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers, pray for powers equal to your task. --Phillips

Top 20 for local culture:

Okay, so here is my top twenty list for local culture in Grand Rapids.
I am going to TRULY miss it when I am away!!!!

1. great local hangouts--I could give anyone the coffeehouse tour
2. the Grand River
3. the local parks (including our backyard!)
4. the local people (treasures and jewels, folk--they don't come better than this.)
5. East town.
6. East Grand Rapids and Rose's restaurant
7. the Ontario House and women!
8. the amazing fathers and mothers and families at the churches just down the street
9. my neighbors
10. the local restaurant culture
11. the farmer's market
12. my favorite hairstylist (who just moved back, thank God, I've been without her for the year!)
13. my family and friends for years
14. the underground
15. college town
16. book clubs
17. locally owned businesses
18. Lake Michigan (though techically this is a Michigan gem--not just Grand Rapids)
19. downtown
20. did I mention the restaurants here are amazing! (more amazing than anywhere else--though midtown in KC does have a pretty nice local restaurant culture.... but in LA I have found nothing like this!)
21. Heartside
22. the anointing for healing and training in this city is incredible!
23.

My top 10 just doubled to 20 and counting. Feel free to add your own! :-)

Put your hands to the plow!

Yesterday as I was praying I saw a picture of wings with feet on them.
Putting feet on my dreams. Yes, yes, yes.


It is time soon to get the move on! Blessings, blessings! My time in Michigan is almost done now!

God bless Michigan! God, thank you for the Ontario House! God bless these women! Bless Grand Rapids. I love this local culture.

God bless Los Angeles, Kansas City, and Myanmar. God bless this humble home. Thank you for the simple joys of being here. Yesterday I was reminded that this time is supposed to be fun! I actually didn't intend on staying this long! But praise God I am steeping in my local culture. I will surely miss it when I am away.

Earlier in the year friends of mine told me that while praying they saw pictures of my coming down the stairs and descending a staircase and then not being able to turn around and go back up. It was only meant for going down. Similarly another picture of putting my feet on the ground. But... I like this picture the best because it had angel wings with feet. And I get it. :-)

Time to move on from here. Oh Lord. You are so good. In your mercy You make a way.

Conversations with Love (Ruth Senter)

So, then, enter my presence--not to pay the mortgage but to savor My love. Come to me as though the slate is clear. It is. Come and enjoy My love. Leave your sense of indebtedness at the door.

As you come to Me released from the bondage of debt, hold your head high. Look Me in the eyes. Sit quietly, without lengthly explanations, without apologies, without promises to try harder or be more punctual with the payments. you do not have to hurry off to get back to work. you have nothing to pay. You are debt-free.

When it gets right down to it, My child, you can do nothing for Me; I've done it all for you. I do not need your service. My work will get done with or without you. I am before all things, and in Me all things hold together. Everything held together before you came on the scene, and everything will hold together when you leave the scene. You need not work so hard at control.

I also know how hard you work to make Me look good, how conscientious your efforts before the watching world. True, they do watch. Your reproduction of Me is important. But I am not tarnished because what you do may blur My image sometimes.

Yours is not the only picture others have of Me. I paint Myself in the sunsets, write Myself on the ocean floor, print My footsteps in the clouds, plant My name among the redwoods. I imprint Myself on people near and far. I am beyond your meager picture frame that houses My image. If you fail in your PR efforts, I am not without witness. Even the rocks cry out.

...Come spend time with Me, and others will notice. "Here is one who is loved. She has nothing to prove. See how relaxed, how unpretentious. No tooting horn, waving banners, proclaimed accomplishments. She's comfortable to be around. Love is written all over her face." People who don't need to prove anything are My best representatives.

You want to know how to motivate others to do love? It isn't by doing more love so you can be their model. It's by coming close to Me, letting My love soak into you like water saturating a sponge. Others will know when you are full. When their lives touch yours, love will seep out. Then it will be My love that motivates them, not your deeds.

Choose one thing: to come near.

Philippians 4:6-8

6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brothers, whatever is 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.

Above All Else

Jesus, my passion in life is to know You
May all other goals bow down to
This journey of loving You more

Jesus, You’ve showered Your goodness on me
Given Your gifts so freely
But there’s one thing I’m longing for

Hear my heart’s cry
And my prayer for this life--

Above all else
Above all else
Above all else
Give me Yourself

Savior, the more that I see Your beauty
The more that I glimpse Your glory
My heart is captured by You

Jesus, You are my greatest treasure
Nothing this world can offer
Could ever compare to You

So, hear my heart’s cry
And my prayer for this life

Above all else
Above all else
Above all else
Give me yourself.

~Vicki Beeching

Romans 5:7-8

7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Palm Trees

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree.
They will grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God.
The will still bear fruit in old age.
They will stay fresh and green
Proclaiming, "The Lord is upright; He is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in Him."

Psalm 92:12-15

Healing for the Nations

Hope, deliverance, and peace...


I see a healing leaf falling from a tree of life, planted by the river--its waters never fade....

“And the LEAVES OF THE TREE WERE FOR THE HEALING

and RESTORATION OF THE NATIONS.”

Revelation 22:2b

Revelation 22

The River of Life

¹Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb ²down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. ³No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. ⁴They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. ⁵There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. ⁶The angel said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place."

Jesus Is Coming

⁷"Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book."

⁸I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. ⁹But he said to me, "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all who keep the words of this book. Worship God!"

¹⁰Then he told me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near. ¹¹Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy."

¹²"Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. ¹³I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

¹⁴"Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. ¹⁵Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

¹⁶"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you^a]">[a] this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star."

¹⁷The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

¹⁸I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. ¹⁹And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

²⁰He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon."
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

²¹The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen.

Hope for the Nations

Jesus, hope of the nations.
Jesus, comfort for all who mourn.
You are the source of heaven's hope on earth.

Jesus, light in the darkness.
Jesus, truth in each circumstance.
You are the source of heaven's light on earth!

In history, You lived and died,
You broke the chains, You rose to life!

You are the hope, living in us!
You are the Rock, in whom we trust.
You are the light
shining for all the world to see.

You rose from the dead, conquering fear--
Our Prince of Peace, drawing us near.
Jesus our hope
Living for all who will receive--
Lord we believe!!

In Danger or Dangerous?

Risk that God respects is fueled by a passion for His purpose and a willingness to subjugate our lives to His mission. Prayer moves from "God, what is Your will for my life?" to "God, what is your will and how can I give my life to fulfill it?"

I want to reiterate the fact that the center of God’s will is not a safe place, but the most dangerous place in the world. God fears nothing and no one. God moves with intentionality and power. To live outside God’s will puts us in danger, but to live in His will makes us dangerous.
--Erwin McManus

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."1 Timothy 2:1-4

Deposits of Salt for the Nations of the Earth

B flat, G minor, E flat, F

You are the water and I am the sea
Come and fill me Lord.
As deep cries out to deep.
Come and fill me, Lord
As the waters cover the sea.

Empty out this earthen vessel
Vessel of honor, made for your glory
Vessel of honor
Holy, Holy
Filled with your glory

I wanna be deeper, Lord.
Purify me.
Remove anything that would get in the way from being totally filled with You only.
Fill me with the deepness of your presence
Saturate me
And fill my heart
As the waters cover the sea.

I see holy love
burning white and bringing healing
It is hope! I see a deposit of hope
I see white fire swirling around and it leaving a deposit of hope that looks like salt!
It is leaving behind a deposit of salt
which is hope for the nations.

God says, I am making a deposit in you
It is healing love
It is a white hot fire
And its leaving a pile of salt behind
For you to dance freely
Sprinkling hope to the nations.
And healing.

I am perfect in your sight.
I am perfect and righteous and holy and white
Perfect and righteous and holy and white.
There is healing...
There is perfect love
There is perfect love
There is freedom here...
You are smiling at me...
I can't mess up...
I am perfect in your sight
And whatever I do is honoring to you
You enjoy me perfectly
And you can't love me more than you do right now.

So I come into your chambers
And I dance at your feet, Lord.
You are smiling at me, Lord.

I come into your chambers
And you are smiling at me.
You love me perfectly, Lord.

No perfectionism in this place.
No room for condemnation or shame.
There is perfect freedom in this place
B/c perfect love casts out fear.
Love will bring the healing, Lord!
Love will bring the healing!

Love covers everything!!!
And you are smiling at me!!!!

You are holding me near.
Calling me dear.
Wiping my tears.
Casting off fear.

There is freedom!!!
You love me.
Perfectly.

i see a dance move,
drawing me near, holding me near
then releasing me
freeing me to dance in his freedom, his perfect liberty
in perfect confidence and freedom
b/c His love covers me!!

Hallelujah!

Release a new sound to the nations of the earth! Release a new sound into the earth!
Alleluia!!!!

(cannot hide my love!!!)

Salt for the nations of the earth.
I saw Love coming as white hot fire bringing hope and healing to the nations.
Leaving deposits of salt to be sprinkled on the nations of the earth.
The Lord is bringing His white hot love--swirling in to bring hope and healing to those who have been hurt or oppressed.
The white hot healing fire was coming and purifying and when it was done would leave behind a deposit of salt which was meant to be sprinkled on the nations of the earth.

It was hope for the nations.

Theme Songs: Anberlin: Burn Out Brighter

Live, I wanna live inspired
Die, I wanna die for something

Facing towards the heavens
I fell into a pitch black
I'm moments from landing and I'm shaking like a heart attack

Is the time, can I turn back
I've made mistakes in the past
Need a chance, can't take it back
Wish I could set things right tonight

Live, I wanna live inspired
Die, I wanna die for something higher than myself
Live and die for anyone else
The more I live I see this life's not about me

All I know spins out of control
Wonder what's next for heart and soul
Nothing I earned can save me now
Hearing one day be my final hour

Is the time, can I turn back
I've made mistakes in the past
Need a chance, can't take it back
Wish I could set things right tonight

Live, I wanna live inspired
Die, I wanna die for something higher than myself
Live and die for anyone else
The more I live I see this life's not about me

Don't wanna leave this world knowing I preach in vain
Looked out for myself, so sorry so ashamed
Don't wanna leave this life knowing I barely tried
Chased all my dreams that I can't weigh on the inside

Live, I wanna live on fire
Die, I wanna burn out brighter
Brighter than the Northern lights
Wanna live to feel the daylight
The more I live I see that this life's not about me

Robert Frost "The Road Not Taken"

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth; 5

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same, 10

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back. 15

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Psalm 16:5-7

5 LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;
you have made my lot secure.

6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.


7 I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.

Alabaster Oil / Ruth's Song

What more can I say?
I've given you my soul
And my heart's affections....

What more can I give?
I've given you my all
And my heart's affections....

But take this jar of oil
I break it at your feet
Alabaster oil of intimacy.

Take this jar of oil
I break it at your feet
Alabaster oil of intimacy.

You are my desire
The very flame of fire
Of my heart's affections.

You are my delight
Lover in the night
And my heart's affections.

Lord, here am I
I'm laying at your feet.
Pull your blanket over me.

Lord, here am I
Cover over me
With your blanket of intimacy.

I lift my eyes to heaven.
Where does my help come from
It comes from the Lord
Maker of heaven and earth....

Hope and Humility: Chrysler Closes-- Job Crisis in Michigan

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today made the following statement regarding the President's announcement concerning Chrysler:

"Like families and workers across Michigan, I am disheartened by today's news. It's outrageous that after workers, management, and a majority of bondholders came to the table and negotiated in good faith, a small number of hedge funds and creditors refused to compromise and now Chrysler is forced to declare Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

"I am confident that Chrysler will emerge from bankruptcy, with its strategic partner Fiat, as a revitalized, viable company. Also, I am gratified that the deal announced today will protect the health care and pension benefits of our auto workers and retirees. Yet, we understand that there will be more pain to come for people in Michigan. The White House has committed to helping workers who lose their jobs and the communities that are affected. I am focused on working with the President to bring tangible assistance that those families and communities need to survive this turmoil. And I will fight to keep as many jobs in Michigan as possible and preserve our communities.

"For those on Capitol Hill and Wall Street who don't seem to understand what this crisis is all about, I'm here to tell them that it's about people. It's about families. It's about communities and jobs. This is about saving our manufacturing base. I understand that we're fighting to preserve our way of life in Michigan, advance the middle-class in America, and rebuild the backbone of our economy.

"The global economic crisis has demonstrated that we must build things in America. I will work every day to make that happen and create jobs here at home." - U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow

The Lord gave them REST.

Joshua 21:44,45


44 The LORD gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their forefathers. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the LORD handed all their enemies over to them. 45 Not one of all the LORD's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.

Liberty

"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding what to have for dinner. Liberty is a well armed lamb." --Ben Franklin

In the woods...

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.... (Robert Frost "Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening")

U ni ty

u⋅ni⋅ty
   /ˈyunɪti/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [yoo-ni-tee] Show IPA
–noun, plural -ties.
1. the state of being one; oneness.
2. a whole or totality as combining all its parts into one.
3. the state or fact of being united or combined into one, as of the parts of a whole; unification.

Unity and Integrity

in⋅teg⋅ri⋅ty

   /ɪnˈtɛgrɪti/ in-teg-ri-tee]
–noun
1. adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.
2. the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished: to preserve the integrity of the empire.

Being wholly who you are. undivided. one.

Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

Psalm 86:11

Miss California Contestant May Have Forfeited Crown to Say What She Truly Believes:

This woman has an amazing message on the value of being true to who you are and what you really believe! In a day when the pressure is high to say what is considered right by some, there are still those who have the strength to say what they really believe. Everybody has a voice and an influence. Either you are influenced by your culture or you are influencing the culture through the weight and impact of who you are. I love the idea that culture can be created. This is how whole cultures are formed. This is a part of how influence is weighed.

Everyone can make a difference. It is easy to say what you think others want to hear. It takes much more strength to say what you believe from your core when you know that there is going to be a price to pay. Real courage is being authentic to who you really are and what you really believe. I honor and applaud this young woman for her honesty, her integrity in being true to herself and her faith, and her willingness to take the criticism with joy in knowing that what she did may have come with a price, but she can hold her head high that she did not compromise her values or her true self in order to win or get ahead. When you influence from who you really are--your authenticity speaks for itself. People recognize a fake from a mile away. Be who you are! People will love you or hate you, but at least you know at the end of the day that who you are is who people are really responding to!

Ontario Women (Priceless in My Life!)

These are the women of the Ontario House. They are beautiful and incredible and full of diverse beauty and personality! They make my world a better place and my life wouldn't be the same without them. This year has been an unusual year for these girls. Everyone experiences something unique here. This house has been dedicated to the Lord and His purposes. Over 40 different women have lived here in the last 5 years. They are incredible women and completely diverse. A powerhouse of love and living! The Lord has often brought women to this house for community in times of transition, discipleship, and healing. This house is a haven of rest and a place where God can have His way during a season of life. This house has been set apart for the Lord. These girls have been set apart for the Lord. And whatever storms in life may come their way, I know that they have a GOD who loves them and provides for them and longs to shelter them from the storm.

So I say to you women of God in this house: Fall into the arms of grace. Let Jesus hold you during the wind and the waves and the swirl of chaos. You are in His shelter. You are safe within His arms--like the disciples in the boat on the Sea of Galilee during the storm. Jesus is with you. You are safe in the shelter of His love.

I love you and am so glad to have you in my life.

Rebecca, you have been an incredible spark of life to me! You are a firecracker. Feisty. Ready to show the world what you're made of. God is building a great foundation in you. You know you inspire me. Its like you want to turn the world inside out and yourself inside out--so people can see the real you and love you for who you really are! I love this! I never have to wonder if you're telling me what you really think (for the most part)! I have saved your feisty messages and texts b/c I enjoy the way you live life with a punch everyday! Keep being who you are. Let God change you on the inside, but don't ever lose the edge and sword that you hold in your hands. Your words are powerful. You have the ability to cut with your sword beyond the crap and get to the real deal of whats going on! Do not stop! Your mouth is anointed. I saw the fire of God on you the FIRST time I met you and I knew you were set apart for God's purposes! He won't ever let you go! Keep going forward! Don't ever let Him go! ;-)

Hope, you are a beauty of the deep. You have more capacity for containing the deep than almost anyone I've ever met. God has created deep places in you. Draw from them. As He fills you, I know that songs of hope will be rising out of you. You have deeper places in you than almost anyone I've ever met. I bless your prayers, your honesty, your cries, and your tears. I bless them and pray that Jesus will multiply His honesty, healing, realness, and tears on your behalf. That you can be one with Him in this and experience what you are going through together. You are a gifted woman with some POWERFUL gifts. This may attract strategies against you, but GOD IS FOR YOU. You are more than a conqueror. And to you I am instilling this hope through the Holy Spirit! If God is for you, then who can be against you. You will rise to the top once again dear one. The cream ALWAYS rises to the top! I pray that hope arise within you!

Alexandra, you are a gem who has been cleaned and polished by God this year. He is never through, but I see His clearness and His brightness in you. You have blessed me so much. I can see that you are a different woman now than when I met you and your light continues to grow clearer and brighter. You have encouraged me so much this week and I am continually glowing to see what (and who) else we have in common! It is a fun story that is only starting to unfold! ;-)

And Julie, you are technically not a roommate--so how did you get involved in this little house of women anyway?!!! It was SOOOO GOD who brought you into our lives and into this little house! You are not an official roommate, but you are a roommate by the insistent hand of God. He knew we needed you in our lives! I am so glad you are around and so glad that this house is extra blessed because of your presence and love! We love you and I totally consider you a part--while extended! We know God has brought you into our lives for reasons beyond us and totally ALL about HIM! We are so much the richer for getting to experience the full you! The world is your stage! Dance, dance! We know you're a rock star!

Ladies, thank you for adding to my life and the lives of each other. Thank you for being real, being true to who you are. Thank you for being willing to be in each others' lives. Thank you for making my world a better place, for taking care of God's house on Ontario Ave., and for searching for hope in God when we know that this world can be a very dreary and difficult place.

Remember this: God is FOR you! And I am FOR you! I love you with all my heart! I fight for you in the place of prayer and I hope that we will continue to grow deeper in relationship for the rest of our lives!!

LOVE!!!

Promised Land

Prayer

Dear God, I pray that I will be able to control my anger in situations that cause me to become angry. Please help me to "be angry and not sin." I don't like being angry, but sometimes things happen that cause it to rise up inside of me. Help me to respond with wisdom and calmness or to keep quiet until my emotions are under better control. Please guide me and direct me in all things. Thank You for not taking out anger upon me when You are upset with me. Thank You for loving me in spite of my imperfections and shortcomings. Thank You for Your willingness to forgive. In Jesus name, amen.

What Is Your Promised Land?

"So I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build; and you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant" (Josh 24:13).

God called the people of Israel to leave Egypt and come out of slavery in order to enter their own Promised Land. It meant they had to change a way of life they had known their whole lives. Instead of being told what to do everyday by a taskmaster, they were now being led by the cloud of God that led them into the desert with the ultimate goal of entering their own Promised Land.

Every believer has a Promised Land in their lives. It is the place where you receive all God intended for you to receive. However, many of us are still living in Egypt where we sweat and toil in response to the taskmaster of production dictated by our workplaces and our lifestyles of busyness.

We will know when we are beginning to experience our Promised Land when we experience God's rest at the same time we are fulfilling our work life call. We will begin to give testimony to what Joshua says in the above verse. We will begin to receive things we never built or planted. We begin to experience a level of rest in our working lives that is not characterized by sweat and toil. Things become easier because we are receiving them as a fruit of our call instead of a goal.

I began to experience this new way of living as I began to be obedient to doing things based on His direction versus my perceived outcome. Provision began to follow obedience. Projects began to get done with little sweat. God brought the people to me to get things done. There was no longer a tendency to manipulate outcomes that I wanted to have happen. God was giving me my Promised Land as I yielded to Him.

Are you living in your Promised Land? If not, release the goals of your life to the Lord and simply be obedient to His voice. Ask Him for the steps you are to take to receive your Promised Land.

I will see you again for sure...

(12/22/08)

like Noah...

...building the ark...

why are you doing this?

no sign of change...

but a strong conviction to prepare anyway...

what a strange place to be

what a question mark for me.

hello goodbye

i will see you again i'm sure....

hello goodbye

i will see you again for sure

Isaiah 61: Part 1

Restoration
Invitation
Armies from heaven
A delegation

Transformation
To be restored
These are the called
In the armies of the Lord....

Transformation
Celebration
Restoring the former desolation.

(This is your open invitation.)

Justice springs forth from every nation.

(The earth is shaking
As they come this way
I can hear them shouting
I can hear them praising.)

This is the longing for restoration.
This is the groaning from all creation.

I see a ripple starting to form
As the Spirit goes forth
To the armies of the Lord

Deeper
deeper
deeper
still
and the ripple effect went through all the world

Calling, calling
An invitation
A trumpet blast
For restoration

Rain of the Spirit coming down from the sky.
Its the latter rains and the waters are rising

(I see an army coming this way....
Shouting and dancing
And playing in the rain...

(Joel chapter 2 is now in the making...)

This is a righteous generation.
This is a call to every nation.
Armies dancing in delegation
Joining together in one formation.

(This will be your occupation
Fullness of joy and celebration.)


"Come and let us go unto the mountain of the Lord
Unto the house of God.
And He will teach us His ways.
And we will walk in His paths.
The law will go forth from Zion.
And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem."

Joel 2, Isaiah 61, Micah 4

Theme Songs: More Power To Ya

oldie but goodie!
Thank you Esther for picking out a card for me with this
song! This is one of my theme songs since I was a teenager!

music and lyrics by Petra:

You say you've been feeling weaker, weaker by the day
You say you can't make the joy of your salvation stay
But good things come to them that wait
Not to those who hesitate
So hurry up and wait upon the Lord

More power to ya
When you're standing on His word
When you're trusting with your whole heart in the message
you have heard
More power to ya
When we're all in one accord
They that wait upon the Lord,
they shall renew, they shall renew their strength

Jesus promised His disciples He'd give strength to them
Jesus told them all to tarry in Jerusalem
When they were all in one accord
The power of His Spirit poured
And they began to turn the world around

So be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might
Put on all His armor and fight the good fight
In all of our weakness, He becomes so strong
When He gives us the power and the strength to carry on

In the Garden

In the Garden

written by: C. Austin Miles

VERSE #1
I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses,
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses.
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

VERSE #2
He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me,
Within my heart is ringing.
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

VERSE #3
I'd stay in the garden with Him,
Tho' the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go, thro' the voice of woe,
His voice to me is calling.
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

Celebrating Important People in my Life (#2 in a long series): Jennie Marie Turton--Fellow dancer and REAL LIFE FRIEND!!!

This is my friend Jennie! She dances into a room and leaves a wake of grace with her presence. She is a lovely and gifted person. She amazes me with her ability to see, communicate, and act.... She currently lives in Phoenix, AZ where the sun always shines. She has been my friend, coworker, roommate, confidant, and faithful partner of friendship for years! This woman is my sister and my friend for life. I think the word that honestly describes our friendship is: FRIENDSHIP!
Everything that a friend should be is found in this woman!

First of all, how we met... Jennie and I were both hired as undergraduate students to be Resident Assistants in our campus residence halls! We were having an orientation and she couldn't eat the bread and I wouldn't eat the meat on our sandwiches. So..we switched our food. I ate her bread and she ate my meat! And that was the beginning of it all! Somehow we were bonded together over the course of that year. I'm not sure if either of us really know how it exactly happened. I think it may have started to occur when we were both chosen to be in a mock dance rendition of Brittany Spear's "Oops, I Did it Again" in the SNOC production the first week of orientation. I think that's where we probably bonded. Then throughout the year we must have run into each other a lot and I have only a few memories of seeing Jennie during the actual year. However, one thing that I KNOW we also bonded over that year was our common passion for campus revival and gathering students together to pray that God would have His way in our campus and our school and our lives....

The next year Jennie and I continued staying in relationship and commonly bonding over our passions for God and the arts! Jennie danced in the First Annual Dance Showcase ever to hit CU's campus and it was amazing to have her be a part. She was on the leadership team for the dance program at CU. She was an Admissions Counselor also that year. The next year I got hired as an Admissions Counselor for CU after graduation and Jennie and I and 2 other girls from the office all moved in together into the little yellow house on Ontario! Now Jennie and I were friends, coworkers, and roommates!

Needless to say there are too many memories to tell! Jennie and I have been together through the journeys of life! Through relationship trials, family traumas, my Dad's death, job and career decisions, health situations, and so much more--we have always been there through the daily ins and outs of it all! We have traveled to other countries separately and parts of the US in each other's company. We have visited and stayed with each other's families and gotten to know each other's worlds so well! This is a genuinely committed friendship for life!

Jennie is one of the MOST gifted people I have ever known! She was my life coach while she was gaining her certification and it was one of the most helpful and timely gifts God could have given me at that time. When Jennie came back from doing various work in the country of Bosnia she moved back in and I took her through the health counseling program that I was getting certified in. We have always had so much in common! Good memories! Good friends, good experiences, and good people in common!

We have been together in just about every contextual realm that I can possibly think of: work, play, family, fun stuff. Our most precious times have probably been in dance and worship and prayer together and our long talks about everything and just the daily life stuff--eating, hanging out, getting ready to go places, etc! Its just fun no matter what. Probably some of my best memories with Jennie are the times of just being together and talking.

I went to visit Jennie a few weeks ago in Phoenix and remembered that we have another passion in common--shopping! This woman is the best at finding deals of anyone I know! She shopped the clearance racks for me while I was there and ended up finding me a whole new wardrobe!
Girls just wanna have fun! We have a myriad of things in common that I cannot even name them all here! So many precious memories!

Here are a few though:
*staying the whole week with me the week that my father died and cleaning the whole house for my mom after all our guests!
*visiting her family in Blanchard, MI and Phoenix, AZ!
*praise and worship times with friends
*dance team and showcases at CU
*drinking tea and eating together
*going out together--anywhere
*Jennie: strategic lifecoach!
*working together in the office at CU, the dream team, and the canary suits!
*that big party we threw in 05 that got the city called on us for having over 100 people in the house!
*prayer times together at CU
*the faculty/staff prayer meetings with Dr. Hagerty
*playing the piano and singing (and soaking)
*our Vineyards churches
*you roomed with both my sister and me!
*Theta Chicka Zeta
*all our talks about health and healing houses
*international travel and mission
*relational drama in our lives
*there are millions of memories I am sure I have to leave off this list!

Thank you, Jennie, for everything! You are one who is constantly faithful and I know we will always know and love each other--in ways that are experienced UNcommonly to man! We can pick up from anywhere and be there (where? anywhere!!) at any time and know that being together in this life is GOOD! We know we need to be doing it more!
I love you so much and I know that you know it! But I hope you can REALLY know it! I know that being around you (for me) always means I can just be who I am and be*loved. We already know each other well and love each other deeply. You can have a great base in that to really sharpen one another and live your life! For the glory of God! We know each other well and yet we still surprise each other everyday!

We will always be friends for life-- location, men, and all other things aside. You and I will be friends for life! We know God's unfolding purposes for our lives and this friendship are for our joy and also for His greater good! You know it!!! And I love it!! Love, love, love you!

~Sarah

Thank you for ALWAYS speaking the truth to me!! You're one of the people in my life who I know ALWAYS will tell me the truth--to sharpen me and discern with me and walk with me. You don't ever hold back your thoughts and observations. You love me too much! And I can't thank you enough for that!!! Love, love, love you!! Sooooooo much!!

This posts falls glaringly short! But I love you friend! I will probably continue to add and change this! I wanted to post it now b/c I am too excited to get it on here! I love you and I will always love you! Thank you for being the most treasured and faithful friend!!!

All my love!
~Sarah

Here's another song that came to mind while I was writing and praying for you!

In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisified.
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from HIS hand!
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.

Hallelujah! Amen!

John 10: 17-18

¹⁷The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. ¹⁸No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

Celebrating Important People in my Life: (#1 in a LONG series!) Nancy Pants!

This bride is my sista for life. She is a kindred spirit and covenant sister. We met in a coffee shop. We saw each other from across the room and both thought..."Hm...that looks like a person that I need to talk to." I invited her to come sit at my table and talk and we didn't stop talking for a LONG TIME! In that time, we learned that we had SO MUCH in common it was definitely not by accident that the Lord was hooking us up. We had the same heart and passion for God and chemistry in the way He works in our lives. We knew something was up.

When we met, Nancy was going through a really hard time. I also was going through a really hard time. However, one of the things Nancy was experiencing centered around health concerns in which food had become an enemy and virtually everything she was eating was causing her pain. She wanted to be healed. I told her that I believed God wanted everyone to be able to eat the foods that He created. (Getting sick from processed foods is one thing...sugar, etc..., but getting sick from foods that God created for us to be able to eat and enjoy was a totally different story.) I told her I saw a picture of a banqueting table and it was full of beautiful foods and that God was going to heal her for sure. I knew that He would.

During that conversation, Nancy told me she had had a dream (previous to meeting me) about a friend named Sarah that God was bringing into her life who was feeding her strawberries and showing her all these different foods. She also had another dream that this girl was standing behind a table selling t-shirts that had trees of life on them. Little did she know at that time that she was about to meet a friend named Sarah who was a holistic health counselor and who had been through many of her exact same health problems previously and who could say with authority that God is able to heal her! Nor did she realize at that time this new friend named Sarah had also recently started a clothing line that was selling t-shirts that were meant to bring messages of hope and life to especially women and children in this culture.

It was chemistry at work! The Holy Spirit was our common bond and we started meeting for coffee in this same coffee shop regularly! We talked about everything! It was so fun! We were there for each other in different ways. We would laugh and be soooo joyful and cry our eyes out at different times. We would cast out demons together and minister to each other and the many others around us--on the street or in a ministry setting or anywhere!

Nancy and I cast demons out of my house that had been tormenting me and others for over a year once. We would go to random places and yell and scream that Jesus is Lord and jump and down and shout things into the heavenly realms! We called down the Kingdom and the fullness of it! We shouted out loud to all of creation and everyone within the sound of our voices!

We prayed for ourselves and our husbands (future) and our friends to be healed and to be filled with the Spirit and to have peace.

I remember when her husband (now) Paul started calling her before they were married. She didn't even know if she liked him yet, but I told her... "Hang on to this one. This man is a prayer warrior. I can tell. He's a good one. I definitely think you should keep him around." Shortly thereafter, Paul came to visit Nancy on our birthday weekend (Nancy-September 15, Sarah-September 16!) and when I saw them together I thought..."Wow! I don't even know what is going on here! I have never seen anything like this!" Every relationship has characteristics that make it unique and special and fun, but these two would just sit on the couch and look at each other and smile. I would walk in and think "What it in the world did I just walk into?" There was no talking....just perfect peace and joy! :-) I told Nancy that I really felt like they had something special!

We went our separate ways. I went on my adventures in traveling this year. Next thing I knew...the two of them were getting married!

The thing that characterizes Paul and Nancy's relationship is their peace and joy and their unity in the Spirit. They are ONE! And "what God has joined together let no man tear apart!" :-)

I got to be a part of their wedding this week and was honored to give the speech at their toast! I love these two and we are all cut of the same mold!

The wedding was awesome b/c being with Nancy reminds me of the freedom that we truly have to be crazy and be special and be loved! There has always been total freedom in our relationship no matter what! We have been through some crazy things together--really the worst of times!!! But we were always there...always with God...always on our knees together with and for each other!

I can't tell you how many times she has called this year right in my moment of absolute need and said, "Sarah! I was praying for you and the Holy Spirit told me...." And yes, it has always been exactly what I have needed. (Thank you Holy Spirit...you are so faithful to Your intercessors and your Bride!) This woman has gotten out of bed in the middle of the night to pray and intercede and hear things for me! (Thank you so much, lady! You know it means so much! Thank you!)

Nancy and I have so much in common--in personality and in spirit! We had this crazy thing happen when we were together visiting her parents in Canada. The Lord confirmed that we would be friends for life in that moment. It was amazing what God can do in the lives of friends! :-)

Being with Nancy is just fun. Its just nice to be when you don't have to try. You just relax being you and you just automatically fit. :-) We partied hard in the most relaxing of ways day and night all week. Ate meals together. Relaxed. Ran errands. Re-enacted funny stories. Entertained visitors. Prayed. Worshiped. Laughed. Cried. (Tears of joy this time!)

Freedom is such a sweet sweet song! I miss my Nancy when we are away (which is very often since we are coast to coast now!) But I am so happy to have gained a Paul in my life. Thank you both for coming to bat for me in the times that I needed you. Thanks for visiting and staying and having me into your new home this week and your new life together!

You know I love you and I am FILLED with JOY! OUTRAGEOUS JOY!!!!!! I LOVE BEING WITH YOU!!

I love you for life! :-) I can't wait to watch this grand story unfold! I know it is just the beginning of more amazing intersections of our lives! I love watching the unfolding of God's purposes and love in our lives! We know we are seeing greater and greater things! (Can't even handle it!!!) ;-) His Kingdom is here and COMING in FULL! (Yeah!!)

Nancy, my friend! You have been healed! Jesus has healed you and sent you this priceless man who loves Him first and loves you second! Hallelujah! You are blessed beyond measure! Alleluia! Alleluia!! Rejoice!!! Thank you, Lord, for your perfect love and your perfect healing and your perfect restoration to all things-including Nancy's body, soul, mind, spirit, and strength!

Perfect love cast out fear!

And we say... MORE LORD!!! MORE! MORE!! MORE!!!!! MORE!!!!! MORE!!!!!

Hallelujah!!!

I love you Nancy and Paul! I am so glad to call you friends for life!

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man."
Proverbs 3:3,4

"I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and gall. I well remember, the bitterness and gall. I well remember them and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therfore have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness."
Lamentations 3: 19-23

(Wow! Nance-you have been through a lot! Praise God for His faithfulness, mercy, and LOVE! His goodness and compassions are new every morning! He has blessed you forever anointed you with joy! Your cup runneth over! )

Here is a chapter I felt God gave me as I am writing this and praying over you.

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

¹ The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

² He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,

³ he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

⁴ Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, ^a]">[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

⁶ Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

Theme Songs: Dancing Queen

Dancing Queen (Abba)

You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene, dig in the dancing queen

Friday night and the lights are low
Looking out for the place to go
Where they play the right music, getting in the swing
You come in to look for a king
Anybody could be that guy
Night is young and the music�s high
With a bit of rock music, everything is fine
You�re in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance...

You are the dancing queen, young and sweet, only seventeen
Dancing queen, feel the beat from the tambourine
You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene, dig in the dancing queen

You�re a teaser, you turn �em on
Leave them burning and then you�re gone
Looking out for another, anyone will do
You�re in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance...

You are the dancing queen, young and sweet, only seventeen
Dancing queen, feel the beat from the tambourine
You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene, dig in the dancing queen

Deliverance/Infusion:

Light, light
All around light

Surrounding Infusion
Escape from confusion
Deliverance
From temptation
Surrounded by light.
Where darkness accuses
Seduction and muses
Are calling your name
In the darkest of night
I declare infusion
Escape from delusion
Escape from temptation
And pathway to flight
Weighted glory
Will win in this story
And darkness is snuffed out.
And I declare light!

Children of sorrow
Lift your heads
For each morrow
The grace is upon you
To walk in the light.
In a daze for a moment
It thought it could hold you
But your True God is for you
And He declares light.

Light, light, All around light!
Children of darkness
Now walk in the light.

Infusion upon you
Illusion had bound you.
Confusion had found you.
But I declare light.
The brightness of glory
Is grace in this story
Deliverance has found you
And I declare light.

Light, light.
All around light.
The grace is upon you
To walk in the light.