Contentment?

Oh guys it was brutal today in a weird sort of brutal. . . Not deep pain and sorrow sort of brutal, but the 'church' going sort of brutal. We all went today (we never really do), but felt that for some reason we should. . . Went. Not a big group of people (we live in a small town). Most of the people we either knew or are friends with. But man! The set up. So not natural! These are people we normally laugh and joke and share with, but this setting sure does not allow for such things as that. i have to say that the longer i have been not 'attending church' the more odd it appears to me when I go. Nevertheless, it was sooooooooooooooo boring! I mean no offense to those who were trying so hard, but gee, talk about causing oneself misery. . . I went home and was so drained that I snapped at everyone and then went to bed. I couldn't fall into a deep sleep though. It was like it was just my mental state that was drained and my body couldn't follow suit and sleep.

I am so ready to blow this joint. Yep, living here in the small prairie town has lost its luster (alright it never had luster, but you know. . .). So, no, I am not particularly content. I am rather inclined toward self pity guys. Woe is me who has so much and yet likes to complain. I have to say that I absolutely love travelling. I love driving out on the highway. I love meeting with dear friends of like mind and hanging out with my family (who are all on Van Island). We have been here over a year and we don't have good enough friends we can even just show up at their place and hang out. We were all alone at Christmas. My dear girls got all dressed up in their little outfits and had nowhere to go. They didn't seem to notice the irony, much to my relief. It's easier when you don't know what you don't have (or don't care). We live in a culture here that we don't belong in. It is like permanent culture shock. The closest friends we do have here are actually from BC as well - ha ha.

Well, there you have it. I guess I am a little sad. And maybe going and working at the nursing home this weekend will give me some purpose here. I must confess that living out here has made me see clearly what I truly have had in the ways of friends and family. It is hard to muster up something that you don't have though. I don't have a desire to be here and either does D. And we know where we head next (most likely), but are not sure how that will happen? Ah, one step at a time. I have enjoyed the dialogue over at Joels facebook page recently. That was fun. I like being woken up like that. That was my Christmas consolation. I love to think and talk and share and encourage and be encouraged and provoke and be provoked. I love adventure (as long as I am not sick while it happens ha ha). I love the feel of the wind in my hair and the motion of the car on a highway with a far away desination. I love the life in living, the vitality in motion and the unique people I meet along the way. I need a place where I can entertain guests, yet not somewhere that keeps me in one place all the time (gypsy in my blood). I love to be hospitable and share from the core of my being the One who is my core. I need some visitors and I need to visit. I feel about to burst. I HAVE SO MUCH and I must needs share what I have!




Have I gone on enough? I guess I will leave it at that. Good night all. I will go read some Father Brown mysteries now. . . If interested here is a link to free online Father Brown short stories: http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/c/chesterton/gk/

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

As this time of year causes us to think of new starts I will move off of that premise and say that I have great hopes for this year ahead. . . to be one where we come into a clearer and more intimate understanding of Jesus. A year where we know how free we are to abandon all our fears and temptations and relax into His works in us. A year where we are so totally compelled by His love and consumed with His love. This is what I ask for each one of us - to enter into agreement with and experience of. What more could I really ask for?!

SO BE IT!

I love you all!

Bittersweet Memories

We had to put our large, gentle, giant dog(half wolf and husky, shepherd, malamute) of 10 years down yesterday. What we orginally thought to be a simple shoulder problem, was quite a lot more serious than that. Bone cancer. Of course we had prayed for him to be healed, before we ever received such a prognosis, but he just didn't get better. The thing is, I didn't realize it would be this hard. I am not such as dog person as I was when I was a child. And this fellow gradually got ousted to the great outdoors after the arrival of children. And I must confess I was not the greatest or kindest owner of the old fellow. I was terrible at walking him and I let Dan do most of the caretaking of him. So, I thought that it would just be a natural progression from him lying around in the dog room area most of the time, to the time when he passed over. But no, it seems so much of our decisions have revolved around him. And so, now that he is no longer with us, we don't have to make decisions (such as traveling or house buying) based on him. Even though he was an independent dog - ran away a million times and didn't like too much cuddling, his presence was always there, always a factor in most of what we did. And it gets me, we lived in some super busy places and he ran away so much, but he ALWAYS came back and he NEVER was harmed. And then we find out he has been suffering from bone cancer. Guys, there were times he ran away and we were so frustrated and irritated that we didn't even care if he came back.

So, why is this so brutal right now? Seriously, last night was an onslaught. The constant tempation of guilt for putting him down. The deceivers whispers were very loud to both of us last night. I haven't experience 'guilt' in a long time. It was horrid. Not surprising though.

The word HE (aka God) spoke to Dan earlier this month was, 'Prepare for Change'. We didn't realize it would include this. Tonight I looked at real estate online that we had been looking at for a while now and it all seemed so pointless. And I know I am tired and worn out and grieving and I have seen Jesus just there stroking my hair. I know this will pass. I know this. I think I am just a little battle worn. . . And naturally grieving of course. It just seems that there is more to this than the obvious. I guess I feel let down or disappointed or disallusioned. Like Toad (our dog's name - ha ha)was more wrapped up in our hopes of what God was going to do in the future. I don't know. I could use a good dose of Joy and Vision right about now :) I would like to experience the reality of Jesus being all that right now. . .


Our last trip with him (last summer)

Today

Today, my 7 year old girl came to me after we'd put her to bed with tears in her eyes. She told me how sorry she was for saying mean things that she did whenever she got angry. As this came out of left field, I asked her why she was so sad and why she wanted to apologize tonight. She said I just was thinking about it and thought about 'how I must hurt your feelings when I am so crabby and mean.'

Of course I told her I never held it against her and that I understand how it feels to be angry and upset. . . But the amazing thing to me is that this girl can lash quite easily with her tongue. She just says what she thinks, which has been awkward at times. Quite a few times. . . She has been forthright and just plain umm not so kind. Then out of the blue, this girl comes to me with such grief cause she had a revelation that when she gets angry and says mean things to people around her that it actually hurts them. And it hurt her that it hurt them.

It made me teary eyed seeing such beautiful transparency from my little girl who had such a big revelation of the other person. She came to apologize because she saw the effects her word can have on others. She saw clearly and wanted to make it right. I wasn't angry at her or holding anything against her. She just had to do it cause she SAW. No obligation, just revelation. Such a softness manifested! So wonderful to see!

Trees and Laws

So, I picked up a book I'd not read in quite a time. Title: There were Two Trees in the Garden - Rick Joyner (I believe one of his first books from a long long time ago).

It was like I had never read it before.

The cool thing was that is was the early morning of my 35th birthday and it was so reveletory power packed that I knew it was my birthday gift from Fader God. Can't outdo His gifts! Even an ipod touch and bike trainer can't outdo his gifts :)

So, a few sentences in I read how The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and the Law have the same ministry. Think about that a sec. It's a doozy! Satan tempted Eve, 'You will be like God, knowing both good and evil.' They ate, their eyes were opened, and they saw themselves - naked. Hmm. And the law does what? Reveals things as they are. The law makes you look at yourself. Before they ate of that fruit looking at themselves was a non issue.

So the seed of death and condemnation was planted via Adam and Eve partaking of that fruit. That FRUIT spread it's seed through mans seed. God sends his seed via Jesus. The seed of the tree of life that man no longer had the privelege to eat of - cast out of the garden, tree guarded by some groovy angels. So Holy Spirit seed impregnates virgin. This girl birthes Jesus into the world BORN OF A DIFFERENT SEED. Did you hear that? Jesus was born of the Spirit. First born of many. That seed had to die in order for the seed to spread. We are partakers of His divine nature. We have been born again. Born of the Spirit of God. New creations in an old body. Isn't that so absolutely amazing??!!

So, the old seed's power is cancelled out. We are no longer subject to the ill effects of fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. We no longer have to be SELF concious- we are no longer naked ,cause Jesus is our clothing. So, we are hidden in Jesus. No longer hiding under leaves, or sacrificing animals for our covering. We are back in the garden again. We have been transferred from the Kingdom of Darkness into the Kingdom of Light. Pheeenomenalll. This my dear friends is fact. We are what we are and what we are is totally perfect new clean pure holy creations. Of Holy Spirit seed. This is what you are if you accept Jesus's covering, His Life, His Power. . . Much of 'christendom' still operates as though we were still of the Kingdom of darkness. Still subject to the tree of knowledge of good and evil. And much that appears good to the undiscerning eye, is actually empowered by Self rather than God, powered by Law, by the tree of knowing good and evil. 'I will ascend the heights' I will I will. Stop man. It is taken care of. If you don't receive the FINISHED work of Jesus you are essentially are saying that you are better than God. You are putting yourself above God. Who are you? Either receive the finished work or go try to accomplish in your own strength what has already been accomlished. What arrogance for us to even contemplate taking the place of God. Sheer lunacy really. Why take the place of God (pride) when He has already taken our place (humility). Insanity and arrogance go hand in hand.

Why even attempt the impossible when the impossible has already been done for us?!!

fasting

Decided it was time for me to post something, even if it not really much. I must, at least, say hi. Hi. Got a question for you fine feathered friends: What's your experience and opinion and understanding on fasting? Eh?

God is so neat

So, we deliberated over spending money and popping down to the nearest city (2 hours away) for a night at a fun hotel and a visit to the science centre and golf course etc. Casting our frugal inclinations to the wind we decided it would be a great weekend to go and off we went. I had made reservations for a restaurant at the golf course for Sat night and after our visit to the Science centre that afternoon we headed off to the restaurant with google maps in my head. . . Lo and behold we could not find the place for the life of us. I had the intructions vaguely in my head and I could not find my bunch of maps I'd printed off. So, finally we give up and try some restaurants on the periphial of the city. All of the ones we stopped at had long wait times. An hour later starving and considering resorting to fast food we decided to go to the downtown core where our hotel was and where there were a bunch of neat restaurants that we assumed would be just as busy. But no, they weren't. In fact the restaurant we were in had only one other couple in the room with us.

Dan and I decided to share a greek platter, but had to agree whether we would have rice, potatoes, or pasta. I declared to the waiter that we would have the pasta as i don't care for rice or potatoes much. Dan rolled his eyes and made some snide comment about me making the "mutual" decision. The waiter laughed and made a comment about his wife doing the same thing. I just shook my head in mock dismay, for I really am not that controlling of a person (just sometimes :))

Anyway, it was a quiet meal. Didn't really talk to the waiter too much, but Dan suggested that we leave him a large tip to take his wife out. There was no 'logical' reason for that. Just something he had the urge to do. I thought that was a great idea. After supper I took the kids ahead and walked back to the hotel while Dan payed the bill and drove the car back to the hotel. When Dan finally arrived he told me that he gave the waiter a large tip and asked him if he had any kids. The waiter told him that he had one and it was the reason he and his wife were still together. He went on and told them that he and his wife were in couselling trying to work on their marriage. . . Dan then told him that the reason why he gave him a large tip was so that he could take his wife out. The guy looked at Dan strangely and told him that tonight was the first time they have had a chance to to go out alone in a long long time and that he was taking her out that very night. Dan's response was a laugh and then,'It looks like God's got you covered then.' And then he went on his way. . .

God is so complicatedly amazing!!! In other words, hard to comprehend His ways. The timing, the placement, the strategy of His love!

Deep Thoughts

"Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way, you'll be a mile from them, and you'll have their shoes."

by Jack Handy

I am free to love without condition

So guys, I am really excited right now. Just had to get up out of bed, cause my mind was spinning with delight. You should have seen it. . . Anyway, I've been reading Steve McVey's 'The Divine Invitation' and finally got to the last chapter tonight. I have to say the last 2 chapters of the extended version are the ones that hit me most profoundly. He saved the best for last (in my humble opinion - hardy har har). So, I get to the last chapter and all he is speaking about is loving unconditionally. And I start to see that 'Yes! This is what I want to do!' For some reason I have been under some illusion that I had to practice restraint and discernment with whom I would actually love. Now, I am naturally a reserved person, so I am not saying I am going to go up hugging every person I see and pouring out lavish words of affirmation. But something is different. I wish I could explain what i am feeling better. Let me just say that I feel that I have been hindered, in some way bound from being permitted to love the unlovely. There are various reasons I am sure, but part of it must have felt like a work and part of it felt that it was unwise. What utter nonsense. Just cause a person is going down stupid road doesn't mean that I shouldn't lavish love upon them. And any person i am free to love. Can you believe it?! Can you believe that I haven't felt free to love unconditionally?! I don't really understand it myself. All I know now is that this is my hearts longing. I desire to pour out His love (the way He loves me) upon any and everyone! This is my desire. I want Him to just pour through me. That is it. What an utter privelege. By all means, feel free to ask Him to keep me in the light of this love of His. This is good stuff. I don't feel obligated anymore. I don't know why I felt obligated before, but suffice it to say that I sure like this freedom I am experiencing!

There you go.

To Love and Feed People

I get such a kick out of the name of this cookbook. . . You can see the point is: If you love someone why would you feed them garbage? Well, at least that is what I get from it. There is much food out there, being prepared by massive corporations, that is being consumed by the vast majority of North America, much to their physical demise. Much to their demise because the foods are filled with toxins and shortcuts and sucked dry of almost any natural nutrient. It looks good, but appearances can be quite deceptive. . . Much of what a person eats nowadays is artificial or tainted. And you can see the results walking around us and in the hospitals around us everyday. Gee, I sound like a health freak. But I say this because I see the parallels in the spirit. The core reason why we are receiving and eating this substandard food is greed. Not necessarily personal greed, but greed of a large entity that is unable to function out of love and therefore produces fruit worthy of it's tree. It is so large and the benefits of producing cheap filler is so much more enticing than the thought of benefitting the one to whom it goes.

We have a friend who loves to quote the phrase,'What happens is the natural happens in the spirit.'

How true it is. How many people are fed toxic belief, which they tend to assume is adaquate nourishment? But if they were to see the actual effect it has on a body they would be much more likely to turn to truly nutritious food. Garbage in garbage out. . . It is the ones who have seen the negative consequences of consuming toxic food who "radically" call the devil's bluff for the sake of letting the consumers know that there is a greater way. Feed on Jesus. Drink of Him. Stop imbibing these in TOXIC ating poisons. . .

It is the reason for these blogs. HE is the reason for these blogs. To be a voice in the wilderness. To call out to those who have been travelling the road of false beginnings and feeding off the lies of the destroyer. To speak truth where there has been lies. To speak life where there has been death. To speak freedom where there has been condemnation. To speak joy where there has been sorrow. This is our call, our natural inclination which stems from tasting and seeing the Lord is good. We are no longer compelled by obligation. We are compelled by love. And therefore, we walk as our firstborn brother walks, with the simple desire to love and feed as we ourselves have been. We can't not. He is in us.

A Time To Rest

How Then Shall I Live?

So, here's the issue. I dislike rejection. I don't like disunity with those to whom I am close and I fear I move out of people pleasing far too much. I don't know any other way really. Hence it appears I am under some bizarre sort of people pleasing law in order to garner approval and ultimately have my own way. I have these momentary revelations of freedom from having to live up to a standard that I am unable to meet, but it seems I have great difficulty living that revelation out. Meaning the revelation fades and here I am, once again, attempting to gain the approval and desire of, say, the one I am married to. My dear friend and cohort. Honestly, I have known that I will never measure up to his perfect artist's eyes standards. And he has never expected me to. But there is something in me that so badly wants to be that perfect mate in all ways and I know that I fail miserably. And then I know that is stupid, that I am trying to be something I am not, and not only that, something that there is no need for me to be. And I wonder why I am trying to be something that I am not able to be and what is driving me to try to do something I am not able to do. Why am I living like this?!!

And then I go to the "should" arena. There I berate myself for not deriving my satisfaction from God's perspective of me. That I am totally beautiful and desirable to Him (if nobody else). And I say to myself, 'That should be enough'. But, quite frankly I don't believe I have had a strong enough revelation of His love for me and I am still looking for approval in other places, from other persons. I have this idea of this wonderful romance (I got it from hearing about God's love for us) and I so badly want to have that sort of romance on this planet with my spouse. There-in lies the rub. My earthly love has no such aspirations and wouldn't understand why I might have such desires - ha. And I wonder to myself. What can I do to receive all my acceptance from my saviour, so that I stop looking for it here on this earth. I have heard stories of people who have been like me. Who have people pleased and peace made in order to live a comfortable life, in order to be liked and loved, in order to have this specatular earthly romance. And i am helpless. Helpless to move from truth that has yet to be manifested in really bright colours. I am still desring to be desirable to this one on earth. I can't do anything about that. All I can do is ask Him to delive me from this quandry.

It's not that I feel this way all the time. But I do know that I move from the need to be loved in a way that is not always going to happen. And I really really want to move from my identity in Jesus. I really really really want to be emptied of all these self serving desires that war within me to live for the approval of man. But I know the only way I can live free of that is to know (experience) the reality and complete fulfilment of my father's love for me. Is that possible on this earth. Do I ask too much to be overcome with His life, His love whilst traversing this planet. Or must I stay in this place of contention until I die and fully enter glory? It has been too long (in my opinion of course)! I am tired of living my life trying to seek another man's approval. I am tired of trying so hard. And yet it seems like I don't know anything different.

I just had to be brutally honest tonight because I got frustrated tonight and had to vent. And because I want to be totally transparent. I don't want to that deceptive place where I only speak of good things and then silence in my struggles. Here I am. Naked and exposed before you. Nothing hidden. I rather like that. . . I don't have it all together. I cannot glory it my efforts. My efforts, they are futile. I just need to know how to rest and recieve my papa's complete acceptance. I just want to move in this place candidly. I kinda am insecure sometimes. I am kinda needy sometimes - though I am aware that comes from my lack of awareness of His extravagant love for me. So, I am pestering Him to let me sojourn this place with an indelible comprehension of His love that blasts through any nasty insecure lies which attempt to flood my mind.

Identity.

I even look for admiration in the way I write. Must dress myself carefully. Must present my words carefully. Must care about the impression I make on someone else. Ugh. Somebody help me. . .

So, there you go. Had to blurt all this pent-up stuff out tonight.

Freedom from the sneakiest chains

So, last night was interesting and very encouraging and refreshing. We have some friends here (okay they are our only good friends here) who moved out here at the same time (a year ago) and now Dan works for them. . . God has been doing some very cool things in their thinking in this last year. And last night while we were over at their house for supper we found ourselves in the midst of a truly meaningful conversation. It started when P shared how he has been trying so hard to get out of debt and yet he still managed to spend money on unnecessary luxuries and it was really getting him down. He would look at the tv he just spent a decent amount of money on and berate himself for buying it. We also discussed healthy eating and how hard it was to eat healthy and get fit. . . So, I start seeing quite clearly that yes, I do the same things (think the same things sometimes too) and basically it is so easy to feel like failures due to a lack of "self discipline"

Basically, he started bemoaning the fact that he felt so bound by this inability to get out of debt. It began to occur to me that he was under a law, an expectation (I know, I know, I am brilliant - ha ha). Dan went over and laid hands on him and silently prayed for him. After which I thought I would dare to bring up the fact that Jesus didn't say the same things that he was saying to himself ( such as, 'I am a failure' 'What an idiot. . ') So if Jesus wasn't saying that, why was he saying that to himself. In fact Jesus took the blame for all our selfish and vain and just plain dumb moves. Jesus wasn't berating him for not getting out of debt. In fact, Jesus was saying the opposite. He was telling him,'You are free. You are not a slave to debt. You are not a slave to tempting foods. . .' 'That is a lie!' It is so easy to focus our eyes on the cares and riches of this world who shout out in opposition to the freedom found in Jesus' FINISHED work. And that is what had been happening to P. He was being pounded down by looking at his inability to live "smartly and wisely as a christian should".

And it was so much fun to see a glimmer of revelation spark from his eyes. And to see the load that he had been carrying for so long to start to fall from his shoulders. And it was so fun for me to be reminded of this truth. That we didn't need to get all caught up in our actions again. That we are free and we do not have to live in this world according to the standards of most everyone else. That we are not bound by debt. Even if we presently owe money we don't have to take on the burden. We are free. We don't have to worry about money. He knows better than us what we have need of on this strange planet. He is not limited by our financial "woes". Neither then do we have to be. It is so much fun when we truly know who's hand we are really in!!! What a relief!

Vacating the premises

So, we just got back from a trip to the Kootenays. It's a beautiful mostly rainforested mountian region in the lower mid-eastern part of British Columbia. We felt we needed to go check out some land there. I have to say it was quite refreshing! It is a rather hippy / european - outdoorsy / yuppie sort of place. People tend to be a lot more laid-back - toddlers at work with their parents. Friendly, easy-going attitudes, very much searching and dabbling with the the spiritual realm. So, it's a unique and stunning place, where you don't have to brush your hair or teeth everyday. . .

Just thought I would inform you all as to my whereabouts lately:)

Now contending with a bit of a cold - must sleep. .

Strawberry Ice-cream

Something Dan wrote a few years back:

I am convinced that when a person "TASTES" Jesus, “Things” will happen.

When a person touches an open electrical wire...they get shocked. Did you have to tell the person to jump when they got shocked?

When a small child touches a hot stove they get burned. Did you have to tell the child to remove their hand from the stove?

When the soccer team scored a goal the crowd went wild. Did the announcer have to tell the crowd to go wild?

The Only time you would need to tell anyone to do those “things“ would be if their nervous system was ruined and had no functioning sensory perception whatsoever…or... if the individual was dead.

Telling people to get their hand off the stove because it’s hot? What? They don’t know its Hot? They can’t feel it? They can’t perceive it? Is there a need to tell someone who has just touched a "live" electrical wire that contains 220 volts of electricity to Jump?

Maybe some of us have never really “TASTED” the reality of the forgiveness and love of God. If this is the case. Then why are we doing what we are “doing”. Why would someone jump if they hadn’t touched the electrical wires? Why would the crowd cheer if there was no goal scored? And Why would the child take back their hand from the stove if it wasn't hot? Perhaps they are listening to other people tell them what to do…but have never themselves “TASTED” the strawberry ice cream for themselves.

We try to do all these "things": Witness, Evangelize, study scripture, evangelize, preach etc…The truth is that when we "TASTE" and "BELIEVE" of Jesus we find our selves "RESPONDING" and "REACTING".

WE look at those who are head over heels for Jesus and who would walk through fire simply because He asked them to and we whisper to one another, “Gee…that guy is something else…look at him go…man…the dedication and devotion…”.

We understand why people like strawberry ice cream...but we can't seem to understand why people are so captivated and lovestruck with Jesus.

They "TASTED" Jesus and fell…and fell hard for Him." They "TASTED" the strawberry ice cream and found it irresistable. They "BELIEVED" Jesus and sucked upon the sweetness of His love and grace...the sweetness dripping down...the ice cream flowing....the smoothness of the strawberries on the tongue...the sweetness of the cream....and they could not help the emotions overwhleming them...A voice whispers, "What is this?" "WHAT IS THIS?"

This is strawberry ice cream my friend...this is strawberry ice cream.

THEY HAVE HEARD ENOUGH "ABOUT" THE ICE CREAM. IT IS TIME TO "EAT".

BELIEVE! TASTE!

We rarely say, “Give me what that guys got…I want it too! Can I "TASTE" Can I "TASTE"? I want to know Him…Jesus…Jesus…I want to "TASTE you”. Often we're stuck staring at the individual…and miss what he or she is speaking from the depths of their being. It’s happened many times.

YOU "TASTE" WHEN YOU BELIEVE! YOU "RESPOND" WHEN YOU TASTE. IT DOES NO GOOD TO TALK ABOUT THE ICE CREAM. YOU MUST EAT IT TO KNOW WHAT ITS REALLY ABOUT. YOU MUST EAT IT TO KNOW IT. YOU MUST SAVOR IT WITHIN YOUR MOUTH. YOU MUST TASTE IT. YOU MUST BELIEVE.

It is not about becoming a “great” speaker, a “great’ leader, a “great” youth group, A “great” social club, a “great” warrior for God, a “great” church, a “great” evangelist, a “Great” Pastor …no… this is not what He is looking for. He is not looking for “great” people….no….He is not looking for “great” people…

You can "preach" about Him...you can cast out demons in His name...

You can talk about strawberry ice cream...you can talk all about how they make strawberry ice cream...

But you will never truly "KNOW" what Strawberry Ice cream is until you "TASTE" it...

...and you will never "TASTE" Him until you "BELIEVE" Him...for it is impossible to "KNOW" Him unless you "BELIEVE" Him...

What good does it do if you do not "BELIEVE" what He says?

What good does it do if you never "TASTE" the ice cream?

Once you "TASTE" Him...once you "BELIEVE" Him...you will never find another to replace Him...

You will not have a genuine "RESPONSE" if you have not genuinely "TASTED" and "BELIEVED". You will find no Joy without "BELIEVING". You will find no freedom without "BELIEVING". You will find no peace without "BELIEVING". You will find no rest without "BELIEVING". You may know what is being said...and even understand it...but if you do not "BELIEVE" it...you will never "TASTE" it. You will never "KNOW" Him.

He draws near to the humble and honest.

It’s as though we are trying to be like Paul. Yet what happened to Paul must also happen to us. It must. We too, in order to have the same zeal, fervency and love for Him must also have the same measure…the same Revelation of Jesus Christ. We too must "TASTE". He got a "TASTE" of the strawberry ice cream. Thus, we now have a “new” man with Saul. The old man was a striving,clawing and dedicated person trying to "make himself" righteous. Yet, he had never "TASTED" or "BELIEVED" what Jesus had said...Therefore he never "KNEW" the reality...He had heard all about it...but He didn't "KNOW" what strawberry ice cream was all about...He never "KNEW" what the ice cream causes a man to become....He never knew...until He "BELIEVED"....and then He "KNEW" that what He had just "TASTED" was sooo good...that others must have an opportunty to "TASTE" it as well...

Dreams

So, I had a most peculiar dream this morning. . . Thought I would share some of it with you, as it was quite interesting. The main part concerning some of you special people in grace blogland is this:

I appear to be in this large dormitory sort of place. A nice one - more like a retreat center. And my room is the at the end of the hall facing out to the other end. And I go to my room, which was quite spacious. And all of a sudden people (I don't know them) start entering my room with snacks and I find myself in the midst of a little gathering (maybe 25 people?). And people are sharing whatever God is putting on their heart. Well actually it appeared to be one person in particular sharing what Jesus has done with much authority and conviction. That was Matthew Campbell. Well on he went and then there was Joel Brueske in the background backing up Matthew and verbally agreeing with him.

And in the midst of that I find myself sharing how it is the people that are the hardest to love that need your love the most, and as I am saying that I am bawling and bawling cause I am seeing God's heart so clearly as I was saying it. It was just pure revelation, no pressure or obligation (if you know what I mean). And then Matthew continues speaking with great authority and Joel continues encouraging. And then the group dispersed slowly.

Neat hey. . .

My Story - continued

Part 1 is here

So, here I am at missions college. . . (12 years ago) Surrounded by people from many different denominational mindsets. I was one of those renegade west coast hippy people (really I wasn't - but for many midwesters I was). Anyway, I spend my first year getting good grades, reading all sorts of stories of 'faithful' Christians (aka missionaries). And I am part of a class of about 50 other students, many of whom are very passionate and gung-ho (a mixture of legalism and true desire to hang out with Jesus). Many decided to get together early in the morning to 'seek' God and ask for 'revival. I like the idea - though I was so not a morning person that it just didn't happen too much. We were required to attend church every Sunday - we had to sign a form - as though we weren't already. . . So, I start attending a small lively group called 'The Gathering'. I didn't really get to know anyone there other than a few people who made an effort, but it didn't matter. . . I just cried through the whole thing anyway. Holy Spirit was busy softening my heart.

We constantly heard stories of these great 'men and women of God' who would wake up early in the morning seeking God. Obviously, I figure I should try that out. . . During this year which included working on campus in the kitchen cooking - (which I loved as we were free to dance around and listen to happy music and work with fun people) we also were required to go out on 'Christian service' once a week to evangelise the pagans. . . I chose the "coffee shop ministry" - ha ha ha.

We then had to go on a three week umm missions trip. I chose Scotland. It stemmed from seeing firsthand the damage that had been done in the name of religion (the division of families - protestant and catholic). Really I had no clue what I was doing, but I'd always wanted to go there. No one else was interested in going there so I was happy to go alone. Nothing there worked out the way I expected. I felt so obligated to "do minisitry" and it never worked out - I ended up reading Merlin Carothers praise books every day instead. I got to visit with amazing people and there were some powerful healing "coincidences" relating to my messed up relationship when I was in England. . . And then I took my 2 weeks vacation time to meet up with some friends throughout England after visiting Scotland. Somehow, in London, I found myself at this small bible study with a few friends. It was very laid back and all I really remember is this couple from Germany who prayed for me and the girl had a picture of me sitting in a tree reading a book. And she said that the Lord was saying,'Stop worrying about the fruit. It will come. Just relax.'

A few weeks later I arrive back at College. I find myself yearning for something more. Something I can't put my finger on. The person who I was partially in a relationship in with recommended that I do more church stuff to satisfy that longing. I was totally repulsed by that idea. It was so opposite of what my heart was longing for. I just wanted Him. So, here is where everything started changing in my mind. . . I tended to go through months of melancholy and futility and I would go and ask for prayer, to no avail. Well, there was a missions conference at the beginning of the 2nd year. We were required to go. One fellow speaking there was weepy all the time. He had done some messed up things, causing great pain to his family and God had totally brought him to a place of utter humility. . . He said one thing that stuck me. 'You can know all about God, but do you know Him?'

I started trying so hard to have 'quiet times'. It generally didn't work. I got pretty bored. I tried getting up early to be a holy prayer warrier. That didn't work either. It was rather frustrating. I would also try asking Him for things if I did something for him. Thought that might get Him to do things for me. It started to occur to me that He didn't work that way. This first semester was interesting. I started wondering what Jesus really did for me. I started asking a few people I respected about the cross and what Jesus really accomplished. What it all really meant. I was also doing a self lead class that included reading C.S Lewis books and Francis Schaeffer's trilogy: The God Who is there; Escape from Reason; He is there and He is not silent. Reading Schaeffer reasonings did something to me. All of a sudden it all made sense to me. I was convinced that God was truly real in a way that I had always struggled with. At the same time I was in another class where I was supposed to learn how to evangelise on the 'mission field'. And I found myself feeling so inadequate. I started feeling paranoid of falling into grave error. Even to the point of wanting to quit college. My dad (who was a pastor) was not adverse to the idea and said he would enjoy having me work alongside him in the ministry. I felt honored at that. I had also been encourage by him and another teacher and others that I should go onto seminary and become a teacher etc. . . I was flattered, but the desire was waning.

So. . . Christmas time. I was supposed to write a massive essay for my self lead class. Being that I had little self discipline I had gotten an extension. I got sick. Very sick. Asked for another extension upon returning to school. I was not premitted another one and received an F. I was stunned - I had been getting top grades there. 15 minutes after receiving the news it suddenly occurred to me that it was all so foolish - this grade thing. . . And one verse started going around in my head, 'Lean not on your own understanding. . .' I was starting to see how I didn't think all that much of God, that I took Him for granted. So, early 2nd semester I found myself at another conference where everyone who was willing to lay down their lives for God in missionary work was told to go to the front. Ooh, I did not like that! Obviously all 100's of students rushed forward. I took the path least trodden and went in the opposite direction - out the building. I was very disturbed and upset. The next day during a rather monotonous 'chapel time' sermon I heard God distinctly impress upon me, 'Don't you think that I know better?!' It was quite a revelation for my ignorant little mind. I liked it.

One day, soon after those experiences I found myself with a good friend, admitting and seeing how much I lived for the attention of others. The way I dressed. The way I put make-up on. The way I acted. It was actually quite powerful, as I hadn't realized so clearly my motives. Three days later I was invited out by a newer acquaintance ( a fellow named Dan, who was a very strong, charismatic and opionated person) to go to Denny's. This invitation was VERY unlike him, as he was very much an adherent to the school rules and would never have gone out just minutes before the curfew. He invited myself and a mutual friend Ryan. How could I say no. It sounded like fun. So, we end up at a 24 hour restaurant called Ember's downtown. It was late and there were many unique people - prostitutes, cross dressers, post clubbers. . . The whole downtown gambit.

And it was there, sitting at that table with Dan and Ryan, that I finally saw my Saviour. Dan started drawing out on a napkin what he and 2 other friends were seeing the other night. That what Jesus had done for us was like a tunnel of light that has no end. And that when we believed in Jesus we were immediately transferred into that eternal tunnel of light. And that that tunnel consisted of everything Jesus had done. And that we, because we were "partakers of His divine nature" naturally partook of eveything that Jesus did. That Jesus was the 'author and finisher of out faith'. That we no longer had to try to be Holy because Jesus was Holy and we had everything Jesus has. That we didn't have to work at being good Christians cause we were by very merit of being IN the finished work of Jesus. We started speaking things that Paul and Jesus spoke without even realizing that we were saying verses. It was stemming entirely from the revelation that Jesus had done everything for us and we received our entire identity from everything Jesus did. I remember writing on the napkins there: Holy. Free. Pure. It was in those moments that the depression/melancholy I struggled with since I was 13 was GONE. My fear of death was GONE. I had tasted what Jesus had truly done and was FREE. I knew that I could go anywhere and be fine, for Jesus had already gone ahead and accomplished it all for me. And the funny thing was we were all saying, 'Why do we know this? We don't deserve this. We are some of the laziest people around' No longer did I have any fear of false doctrine. No longer did I need to strive.

And as the days passed the revelation of what Jesus did intensified. We were all in the same Roman's class. And we happened to be reading Romans 6,7 and 8 and we got together and read it out loud and could not get over what Paul was talking about. We would read it over and over and over. There were many times that we were actually physically bent over from the revelation of what Jesus had done and who we were. There was a mixed reaction there on the campus. Some people were so interested in why we were so different and excited and as we shared they could hear and receive. And there were others who were concerned that we were 'Cultish'. . . And it began to occur to us that 'Study to show thyself approved' had been totally misinterpreted. And we saw that we did not have to be at the college anymore to learn how to be good Christians and take tests on theology and bible verses. We knew that it all came down to Jesus.

It was then that I saw so clearly that the vast majority of "churches" aka gatherings were built upon faulty foundations of works and strivings instead of the finished work of Jesus. That most christians were trying to work from the outside in instead of the inside out. Like trying to dig their way to get to the finished work of Jesus. Which is virtually impossible as no one can do it! People need to know that Jesus has done it all for us! There is a deception. . . And this deception is a nasty virus that consumes people's lives when they should be revelling in the love of God. This is my hearts consuming passion. To see people come to the revelation that Jesus blood is ENOUGH. That IT IS FINISHED. That we NO LONGER have to STRIVE to be what we ALREADY ARE. That the intense overwhelming love of God is so manifested in the CROSS of JESUS CHRIST. Taken care of. Totally perfected. Totally free to enter the Holy of Holies. Based on the merit of Jesus OUR LIFE.

And off we went into the sunset. . . (or to be continued another day)

P.S. I did end up marrying Dan :)

You Are Everything

My soul is yearning for Your living stream

My heart is aching for You

All that I long for is found in Your heart

You are everything I need


You are the thirst

You are the stream

You are the hunger living deep inside of me

You are the food that satisfies

You are provision for the journey of our lives

You are everything You are



- Brian Doerksen

Funny things

Just had to mention. . . This morning I went to the hospital for blood work. Had to bring all the children with. Odd things happened there. Galena, my 7 year old, suddenly appeared wearing her ballet slippers. Unbeknownst to me, she had brought them along. So, she starts dancing around the waiting room. Then mr River, 24 months old, usually fairly reserved and thoughtful, goes up to a women most likely in her 70's and starts fiddling with her jacket and conversing with her in his own special language and expressions and then starts kissing her over and over on her cheek. He doesn't even do that with me, though he lets me do that to him. . . The lady was quite delighted.

Interesting eh. Some unique manifestions of God's love in that place of suffering.

Dance

Let me clarify the sort of dancing I would do out in the parking lot. . . It was improv, sort of modern ballet sort. Leaping in the air and silly things like that. Most people thought I was on some drug or another (which I really wasn't - that was the scary thing).

Life

A Journey to tasting Freedom aka Jesus

I don't know what to say. There is so much that I want to say! I don't know where to start!

A long long time ago. . . When I was a young teenager, I found myself writing in my journal, 'I want to peirce through the veils of deception that enshroud this world. and later in my teens I wrote,' I want to be used by God to tear down the walls of religion. In my early twenties, having just experience the baptism of His Spirit, I stated,'I just want to serve you forever. There is nothing else I want to do on this planet.'

Now these were cries from the depth of my being that I didn't even understand at all. EAnd even as I wrote and stated these things I was searching for His love. I would run my own direction of stubborn hurtness and silly teenageness, but underneath it all I was always searching. I was raised in a family who definitely were Spirit-filled, though Anglican. So, I knew tradition well, in all sorts of ways. When I was 9, we moved from Victoria, BC to Aliquippa, Pa and lived alongside a community by the name of 'Community of Celebration' who had just moved there from Scotland. My dad was there to attend an episcopalian seminary. So, there we lived with the 'Fisherfolk' - any of you remember their music? and there I had my first experience of living together with a bunch of believers in a poverty stricken town.

What a unique experience - as i reflect on it now. . . 3 years later up and back to Victoria where my dad's first placement was the Cathedral there. The place where Bishops and Queens and princesses hang out. . . I rather liked the prestige and hated the boringness of it all. I even was one of the first altar girls there - as though that was a privelege a ha ha ha. So, there I was, revelling in my dad's position among prestigious church goers and absolutely embarrassed of it among my friends. Especially that dog collar. 3 years later we move on to smaller "churches"
I have not one close friend who is a believer. Joined a Youth For Christ Choir that was full of evangelical Christian school students who for the most part I found fake. Rather irritating. I liked to be friends with all sorts of groups of people. The skaters, the intellects, the hippies, the goofs. i like to skip classes and drink coffee all day. Somehow I made it through High School. . Loved the social life (my school was a strangely laid back sort of school). Did messed up things. Got into messed up relationships - very short ones - I never could handle a guy liking me too much. But played the line pretty well. I played the role of pastors kid and churchgoer fairly well - in the sense that i did not rebel out and out. I cared for my parents too much and my own comfort too much to go to the trouble of full out rebellion.

I drank a little, went to clubs a fair amount, worked at a busy downtown bar and grill restaurant with my best friends. Learned all sorts of warped and crude humour and tried it out on people just for shock value. I was one of those obnoxious attention seekers who would dance in the parking lot of our coffee shop hang out just for attention and fun. I became friends with a fellow who called himself gay and found myself hanging out at the 'gay' hangouts just for fun. Then, because I so longed to go to England I ended up going to a place called Lee Abbey which is an Anglican based Christian Retreat and Conference Centre in Devon England. I joined the community there for a year a while after i finished High School. I was 19. Still attention seeking and fun loving as ever. Loved hanging out at the local pubs. Loved wandering around and going on adventures with friends. Loved leading morning prayer in a rather shocking manner (when it was my turn). Got into various shortlived relationships. My first summer ther I was put on a team for a conference which had Francis and Judith McNutt as the leaders. I was there to take the conference guests horseback riding, lead some morning bible study things, partake of the conference and help pray for people. I was horrified when I heard that Francis McNutt was seen as a healer, as I was freaked out by sick people. (SAD - I know!) So, was not looking forward to being part of this conference. Ha ha. There I experienced baptism on the Holy Spirit. There I was healed of some certain abandonment things that i had experienced as a child.

There I realized that all I ever wanted to do was serve the Lord. Nothing else. After that very powerful experience everything started going extra wrong in my world. I was treated unfairly. . . I was hurt. I lashed out in my own obscure ways. I rebelled more. I did even more stupid things than I ever did before. I deceived more. I stayed out all night and came crawling under the gate so that the gatekeeper did not see me. I even 'preached' a sermon on hypocrisy one morning after sneaking back in. I could twist the required scriptures to serve my interest. I got into a relationship with a hash addicted scottish fellow from the pub. I think it was his long rainbow striped tuque, aloof persona, and scottish accent that got me. I ended up doing more than just messing around with him. I had never crossed that line before. I couldn't get out. He nearly talked me into moving to Scotland with him. I was stuck like I had never been before. One day he was gone. Just up and left back to Scotland. Devastated and relieved. Yet still questioning the futility of life. Could not read Ecclesiastes as i identified with the hopeless aspect of it too much. Moved back to Victoria in a hopeless quandry. Felt like I didn't belong anywhere. . .

There, where my dad was pastoring a group (many people from my past) I found some much needed healing. I was able to talk out my stupidity with some trustworthy people. There I experienced release. Then I couldn't wait to 'go to church'. God was moving powerfully in that group. It was still Anglican, but while I was in England God was permitted to move powerfully in that group of people. The 'Church' was renamed church of the Holy Spirit. Part of this was due to the fact that my dad saw such a difference in me right after I was filled with Holy Spirit when I was in England that he stopped resisting this new thing that was happening in some of the charismatic churches in 94. Anway, neat things happened. People were healed, people were overcome, people were delivered. . . There was such a sweet time. And I just couldn't get enough. For a year I remained part of this group. . . Toward the end of the year I resistantly found my self applying for a missions college in the states. . . I was a little freaked out at the idea of going to a bible belt evangelical sort of rules oriented place. . . But God mad it clear that that was my next step. Though I really had a warped perception of missions and abhorred the idea of going to Africa or China.

A couple months before I left I went to a 'Wholeness Through Christ' conference week with my dad. There my heart cracked open this deep rooted anger at men. I left the prayer counseling conference thingy with this newfound anger at men. Yet I knew it wasn't a bad thing. It was just something that I had held inside for a very long time. I also became very weepy. At any little thing - it would just set me off. The thing is, I used to try to be so tough and hard that I would rarely cry in the previous years. So, all of a sudden I am crying all the time. My mother suggests antidepressents. I recoil at the thought. I had no problem with crying more than normal. I had His presence. And off I went to Missions College. A small missions college where we worked, schooled, ate and slept all on the same campus.

To Be Continued

7 Pounds

So, I watched this movie last night. If you haven't seen it I totally recommend it!
It is such a neat parallel in some respects, as it conveyed a very physical manifestation of what Jesus did in the Spirit. Of course there were aspects of it that were totally not relevant to what Jesus did. It got me though. Against my will my heart was broken over this greater love of laying down ones life. . . The only thing I personally did not like was that the ending wasn't more victorious and hopeful after such an intense story. It is a very reflective movie and very well done.

I really like it when I have such a strong taste of the intensity and love and power of what Jesus did for us. Sometimes it seems as though I am so unaware of His lovely reality and it takes someone spouting off nonsense to wake me up and get my blood flowing. Oh Father, wake me up. Pour over me with your tangible presence. Let me taste deeply and drink of your heart like never before. Take me places with you that I have only seen far off. Take me past my mind and body in awareness of you. I am tired. I am worn down. I need to taste you like never before. I 'know' all the right answers, but I want to experience the Right Answer. I am so tired of trying to smooth things over, figuring things out, trying to control what others around me do. I long for freedom from the constant friction between religion and life. I want your heart fully in my sight. I want to step into alignment with you. I am tired of my intellect barring the way. I 'Know' I have all things, but I want to KNOW you. I am weary of taking a post that you never intended for me. Show me Papa.

Lamb

So guys, I had the most unique dream last night (or rather this morning). My dreams are always somewhat convoluted, so I shan't (and can't) go into too much depth, but there were some unique bits that really stood out to me. I was with a friend who was of like mind (yet I have no idea who she is). I was in a town of a friend of D and I who used to be a pastor there who has now stepped back and is presently going through major 'religion' detox. I decided to go to his 'gathering' though I knew he was no longer part of it at this time. I thought it might be interesting to go. My friend came with me. However, in this large group setting I started to hear things being spoken out that were contrary to what Jesus has done. One thing in particular was some one 'prophesying' that people had to be ready for the judgement of God. I knew that I had to leave, cause if I didn't I would cause some problems. So, my friend and I left only to be greeted at the exit by three fraternity guys all wearing the same clothes. They were not in agreement with me and they were goading me into argument with them. However, somehow two of them stopped and left and the one left was not so admadantly opposed to what we believed. We were treading carefully with him and then it turned out that we were invited to have a meal with him when we were free (as we already had meal plans that day). And he was even ok with us bringing lamb to eat. That seemed to be some sort of victory. . . So, we leave and are in some other place foreign to me where my friend had this large cut of lamb that she was going to grill. And I wouldn't touch it and made her do all the cooking as I do not like lamb at all and I didn't want to have to touch it or smell it. And the interesting thing was that she cooked it over a bbq grill sort of thing. Not in the oven. That was essentially the end of the dream.

The thing that really stood out to me was this lamb that was being cooked. And the way it was being cooked. I genuinely do not like the taste of lamb. So, I never think about cooking or eating it. I know this is the time of passover where the Jews would eat lamb and the time of Easter where many 'gentiles' eat ham. I could write a rhyming poem. . . But I am not big into the easter thing as I find it too difficult to find a happy medium between chocolate bunnies and Jesus' resurrection. . . So, it really is an odd thing that I would dream about lamb!

So, there you have it. If any of you have some sort of insight into this dream, beyond the obvious, then feel free to share. . .

I just love the layers of green and haze in this pic I took from my parents place. so beautiful I just had to share it with anyone who comes this way. I have been very tired lately, with all the travel and usual winter to spring colds and flu's that have been around. My body's immune system has been lacking also - leading to mrsa sort of things and mysterious other things. . . However, I am grateful that I and the rest of my fam have been able to heal at home. I have asked Him to heal and thus far there has been no need to visit a dr. So, I am grateful.

But that explains my lack of presence on the blogosphere. . .

In the midst of the business and tiredness there have been some neat tidbits that I would love to have the time and energy to share very soon one day. But for tonight I must bid you good night. . .

Hi

I just had to write something even though I am wiped out at the mo. But that last post was a whole buncha frustration and I needed to leave something more positive on the blog you see. . . I am in Victoria, BC - my place of birth and where most of my family lives. I dragged my 3 little chickens (aka children) and our beagle on a couple connecting flights from Regina to Vic. A little tiring, but went well! So, I am in Vic and our first day here was so nice that the kids played outside all day, brushing the mini horses and playing with the dogs and their grampa, with 2 ducks following them all the while. It is so nice to see the green! What a nice break! D stayed home for the week to enjoy a time totally to himself. What priveleged people we are. The older I get the more I am amazed by the intricacy of creation! And Victoria is such a beautiful place and for most of my life I took it for granted. Quite like how I took my Father for granted and as I grow up and see how beautiful He really is. I am enjoying Him so much more.

Went to visit my sister who lives on a small 'farm' that boards horses. Saw this HUGE old lonely horse who let me cuddle with him. Like, what is that? This mammoth creature that craves the affection of people?!!

Oh the Heart of God. Too incredibly amazing for words!!!

Good night!

You know, I also wonder why it (life here on this planet) is so confusing, so convoluted that it is hard to know what I am to believe sometimes. That is my biggest frustration really. And the only thing that quells that particular frustration is if I refuse to think about it and I just worship Him. I would really like a clear cut answer to things, such as why some people get healed and why some don't. And whether I should ask Him for something or not. Sometimes I feel so spiritually clueless, so out of touch with His Spirit and I wonder why it has to be like this whilst I journey this strange land. Does it have to be that way?!!

Sometimes I feel so disorganized and out of control (which would be fine if it didn't seem to have such an adverse affect on the kids - such as me losing my temper with them etc). There are times when His presence is so obvious and there are times when His presence is so not. . . Why can't I float through this life so clear and in His presence and understanding and oh. . . Would that sort of sight cause me to lose sight of my need for Him? What happens when my corruption is swallowed up in incorruption? Why can't that happen now? Do I sound like a whining child. . . Ha ha Just questions that pop up late at night. I figured I would throw these musings out for people to help knock me back into alignment (in my thinking). I guess I just want clarity. I want to have His perspective on everything. I want to have clear and constant comunication. I don't want to be guessing so often. i just want to fly with Him and stay in the place of hindrance free communication. Why does it have to be so blooming difficult sometimes?!! Why am I not always yielded to Him?

A blog from David Wilkerson

I am posting a recent blog from David Wilkerson. I do not see eye to eye with him on everything, but I really appreciated this blog and I thought you guys might too.


"THE GREATEST TEST OF ALL

“And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided” (Exodus 14:21).

Before the Israelites was a path that would lead them to safety. In this crucial moment, God wanted his people to look at those walls and believe he would hold back the water until they arrived safely on the other side. Simply put, God wanted his people to have a faith that declared, “He who began this miracle for us will finish it. He has already proven to us he’s faithful.

“As we look back, we see that all our fears were wasted. We shouldn’t have been afraid when we saw the Egyptians coming. God put up a supernatural wall of darkness to protect us from them, and we shouldn’t have feared their threats through the night. The whole time, God provided us with an illuminating light, while our enemies were blinded by darkness. We also wasted our fears on those fierce winds, when all that time God was using them to make our way of escape.

“We see now that God desires only to do good to us. We’ve seen his power and glory on our behalf. And now we are determined to no longer live in fear. It doesn’t matter to us if those walls of water collapse. Live or die, we are the Lord’s.”

There was a reason God wanted this kind of faith for Israel at this point. They were about to face a journey through the wilderness. They would endure deprivation, danger and suffering. So He said, “I want my people to know I’ll do them only good. I don’t want them to be afraid they’re going to die every time they face danger. I want a people who aren’t afraid of death, because they know I am trustworthy in all things.”

A true worshipper isn’t someone who dances after the victory is won. It isn’t the person who sings God’s praises once the enemy has been vanquished. That’s what the Israelites did. When God parted the Red Sea and they arrived on the other side, they sang and danced, praised God and extolled his greatness. Yet, three days later, these same people murmured bitterly against God, at Marah. These weren’t worshippers—they were shallow shouters!

A true worshipper is one who has learned to trust God in the storm. This person’s worship isn’t just in his words, but in his way of life. His world is at rest at all times, because his trust in God’s faithfulness is unshakable. He isn’t afraid of the future, because he’s no longer afraid to die.

Gwen and I saw this kind of unshakable faith in our twelve-year-old granddaughter Tiffany. Sitting at her bedside in her final days, we beheld in her a peace that surpassed all our understanding. She told me, “Grandpa, I want to go home. I’ve seen Jesus, and he told me he wants me to be there. I just don’t want to be here anymore.” Tiffany had lost all fear of death and deprivation.

That is the rest God wants for his people. It’s a confidence that says like Paul, and like Tiffany, “Live or die, I am the Lord’s.” This is what makes a true worshipper.

I pray that all who read this message can say in the midst of their storm: “Yes, the economy may collapse. Yes, I may still be facing a dark, stormy night. But God has proven himself faithful to me. No matter what comes, I will rest in his love for me.”"

Question

Er, that question in the blog below wasn't a rhetorical question. . . Ha ha. I genuinely want to know what people think about that question. Will you tell me what you think?

Why?

Why is it so difficult to believe the Truth sometimes?????????

Becca needs

So, thanks Jamie. . . I decided to go with Becca as it is less common than Rebecca or Becky. Here goes:

Becca needs

1) some mom time (what is mom time?)

2) a boyfriend (no sirree, I sure do not!)

3) to learn to move on (I do?)

4) Needs Your Help! (sure, why not)

5) needs a loving home (wow)

6) needs some CCS support (if anyone knows where I can get some. . .)

7) needs to find the sum of 34 108 and 46 (it's been plaguing me for yearsssssss)

8) needs roomates (I'm game)

9) us to fight for her now (by all means. . .)

10) needs some pills..........DIET pills! (hey - no fair!)

Rest

"Do you recollect the delicious sense of rest with which you have sometimes gone to bed after a day of great exertion and weariness? How delightful was the sensation of relaxing every muscle, and letting your body go in perfect abandonment of ease and comfort. The strain of the day has eased, for a few hours at least, and the work of the day had been laid off. You no longer had to hold up an aching head or a weary back. You trusted yourself to the bed in absolute confidence, and it held you up, without effort or strain, or even thought on your part. You rested!

But suppose you had doubted the strength or stability of your bed, and had dreaded each moment to find it giving way below you and landing you on the floor; could you have rested then? Would not every muscle have strained in a fruitless effort to hold yourself up, and would not the weariness have been greater if you had not gone to bed at all?

Let this analogy teach you what it means to rest in the Lord. Let your souls lie down upon the couch of his sweet will, as your bodies lie down in their beds at night. Relax every strain and lay off every burden. Let yourself go in that perfect abandonment of ease and comfort, sure that, since He holds you up you are perfectly safe. Your part is simply to rest. His part is to sustain you; and He cannot fail."

Taken from 'The Christian's secret of a Happy Life' by Hannah Whitall Smith

The battle

So, I have been reading some blogs and something that popped up was to do with battling and swords etc. And I decided to be lazy and search out old files on my puter for something D or I had written regarding this "battle". I found something suitable that D wrote. . . here goes:


prin-ci-pal-i-ty (prins-pali-te)n.pl. prin-ci-pal-i-ties. 1. A territory ruled by a prince or from which a prince derives his title. 2. The position, authority, or jurisdiction of a prince; sovereignty. 3.

Col 2:13-15
And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
(NKJ)


The Truth

He has removed, taken away, spoiled and stripped all princes of their territory, positions, control and authority. These princes are now harmless, have NO weapons, are naked, without power and have been deprived of the means to attack or defend themselves. We, on the other hand, have been given and have received all territories, authority and riches. We are True warriors, have all weapons, are clothed and have all Power. Nothing that comes against us will prosper.

Their armor is a deception and the sword of truth pierces through it.
They seek to mislead, ensnare, betray, delude and conceal or misrepresent the truth. They say that He is not what He says He is. They say that He has not removed, taken away, spoiled or stripped them of their power. They say that they have territories, control and authority. They say they have many weapons of great magnitude and power and that they can defend and attack. They are what they are. Deceivers and Liars. The Truth is not in them.

Jesus Christ is the Truth.

He is the Great One, the Mighty Deliverer, The Great Redeemer, The Regenerator. He has recovered ownership of all things by paying the price of "The Cross". He has put an end to the ruler of this age. He is the Restorer, Serpent Crusher, Slayer of all deception and Bondage Breaker. He is what He is. He cannot deny Himself. He is Truth. I have heard it said, "Walk ye in it". It is obvious, by our actions, how much we believe Him, the Truth. Must we continue to walk in a deception; defeat, Misery, bondage, corruption, lie. "Walk ye in it". Agree with what He has done and He will make your path straight. Walk in agreement and not against Him. Is it by what we do that we can walk in this? Have we removed Him, The Great Deliverer from our eyes and replaced Him with our "self". Self-Righteous, as though we could possibly be the One. It is NOT by what we do. It is by what He has done.. Accept it. Walk in it. Walk according to it. Don't try to earn it. It has already been paid. Do not walk any longer in the lie. Do not listen to the deceiver of the world. Do not base your belief on a deception. Do not try to see with these eyes. See with His eyes. Do not look around you at the snakes. Look at the Cross. It is Finished. Walk in it. He is what He is. Do not be afraid. There is no longer anything to be afraid of.

Disarm
1.render harmless.
1. To lay down arms. 2. To reduce or abolish armed forces.[Middle English disarmen, from Old French desarmer : des-, dis- + armer, to arm (from Latin armare, from arma, weapons. See ar-.).]--dis-arm'er n.1

To Strip, remove, take away - of a weapon or weapons.
To deprive of the means of attack or defense;

Principalities and Powers are:

-Harmless
-have no weapons
-naked, stripped of any power--Powerless

Isa 54:14-17
In righteousness(Abraham) you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you. Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me. Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake. "Behold, I have created the blacksmith who blows the coals in the fire, who brings forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the spoiler to destroy.
No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me," says the LORD.

Eph 3:8-12
To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.

Col 1:16-23
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,
and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight--if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.
(NKJ)

Wiped out

I am exhausted in all ways.
Went this morning to hear a "speaker" out of morbid curiousity. Left my d and son sleeping and took the girls.
Pleasantly surpised that he was speaking on the finished work of Jesus! Quite encouraged. He also spoke about a "run-in" he had with a homosexual. I won't share the story right now, but basically the Lord showed him the love and lack of judgement He has for that fellow. That he had already died for him so how could we treat the fellow any less? My oh my did I cry when I heard that story. Oh, the love He has for "sinners". And oh how we have judged.

It wrecked me for the rest of the day.

I tell you, the love of God is the end of me!

I seriously have not been able to function properly for the rest of the day. Totally absentminded. and exhausted. Like I have undergone some sort of surgery.

All I can say is there is NOTHING like the LOVE of GOD. Nothing. Oh, that He would continue to open my heart with His heart and open my eyes with His eyes. . . There is nothing I need to ask him for other than this. Really, I have a roof over my head. I have clothes. I have food. I have people to love and people who love me. What more can I ask for other than for His heart?! Really! Everything else just pales in comparison. Nothing has any value unless I am consumed with His love while I journey on this planet.

So be it.

Love

The most powerful weapon there is.

Something is happening.

Words do "it" no justice.

All I can say is that I am in the process of being woken up and it is awesome.

I am tasting His heart again and I am so desiring more.

Compelled By Love

Presently reading, "Compelled By Love" by Heidi Baker. Quote that stood out was something she was sharing with some "poor" Africans. Essentially it went like this: Would a mother feed one child and starve the rest?

Funny and wondrous things

So this last week or so has been interesting. . .
Yeah.
I won't go into too much detail, but I do have to say that God surely works in mysterious ways! Very neat, very unexpected.
I feel like I have been severely "pruned" (thanks for the picture Jamie!)the last few years and am starting to see the blossoms appear again. It hasn't been bad or full of suffering, but it has been a definite honing.
Anyway, homeschooling my 7 years old (eldest). Lately she has been especially trying and been begging to go to school (she is very social). I have been hemming and hawing. Not so sure about that. But wondering if she is miserable since she wants to be at school like other kids. Sometimes i think, yeah, that would be a relief. And then I think, no, i have this privelege to spend this much time with my child before she no longer is a child. . . And various other thoughts. So i am asking God about this, not sure what to do. Open for whatever. And all I really get is walk forward, do not go to the left or the right.

But I want a different answer. My daughter has such a bad attitude (flare-ups - not constant) and there is nothing I can do to stop it. I think maybe she would be happier at school. . . But is that the reason to send her? All I know is that I have a check in my spirit and there isn't necessarily a logical answer.

So, I talk to my Father and tell him that I really don't know what to do here. It isn't clear. Please do something with her. I am unable.

A few days later. . . We watch the movie 'The Ten Commandments' with Christian Slater's voice as the voice of Moses. God is after that guy. Anyway, the kids watch it, even River (who is just 21 months now). The girls capture me after I put River to bed (D puts the girls to bed) and question me about Moses and the power of God etc. i answer them rather quickly as I have to pee and want to go downstairs and relax. But "something" tells me to wait it out. And i realize that finally my daughter is genuinely interested in "receiving the power of God". Don't get me wrong. We have shared many things with her and she has seen and understood many things. But there has always been this uncercurrent of resistance from her when it actually came down to her having a conversation with God. She can't wait to go to heaven and has told people she can't wait to die. . . But there was this certain resistance to us praying for her unless she was sick. . .

It was different last night. She wanted to 'receive the power of the Holy Spirit'. So, I asked God to fill her and she was wholeheartedly with me for the first time. My firstborn child who just turned 7. . . And then she says to me, now pray from Adielle, i want to talk to God right now. She has never said that. And she was so eager for Adielle to experience what she was receiving. Adielle is 4 and much different in temperment (though very stubborn as well - who did they get that from?). So, I ask Adielle and she says yes. So, I ask God to fill her as well - with her in total agreement. And as I am leaving the room Galena tells me,'I just love God. He is the best in the world'. Now she has sung these things, made up lovely songs about God and all sorts of pictures for God etc, but this was different! It was a sort of a grown up receptivity done with her will. If that makes sense. . . and her attitude is different. No, she still lashes out at her sister and brother (of course I Never do such things as that. . . cough cough), but there isn't that wrangling and resistance there was before.

Who would have guessed that watching 'The Ten Commandments' would lead to such a wonderful thing. My one prayer for my children is that they would fall in love with their Father and Saviour! That is all I really want for them in this life. I don't care how well or how badly they do "in school" or dance or anything else, as long as they know the love of God and receive his love. What more could I ask for for anyone. It all STEMS from His love. . .

Snakes and Ladders

In case you picked up on some non-graceness in the quote from my last blog, let me explain that it was the love of Jesus that got me and broke my heart, not all the other stuff which can sometimes throw you for a loop.

Anyway, was reading He Loves Me, by Wayne Jacobson the other night, when something aka Holy Spirit really stuck me on a little passage on obedience. Wayne was saying that if God merely wanted obedience from us, then he would have been a lot more careful to relay to Adam and Even exactly what the repercussions of eating from the tree of Knowledge would have been. But He didn't. He only told them that they would die, and of course crafty serpent twisted His words to trick Eve. Wayne went on to say that if God had explained it all to them, then Adam and Eves motivation for not eating from that particular tree would have been totally self centred, rather than pure and simple trust in God.

So, I thought. Is not obedience one of the biggest idols in most Christian circles (in a whole variety of ways) today?! Really! It is huge! It is one HUGE reason why I couldn't bring myself to send my kids to a 'christian' school. I just didn't want to deal with my child being inundated with nonsense like 'God wants you to be good.' And all sorts of other stuff related to action oriented appeasing of God in order make Him happy (aka give Him Glory). It is all about 'How to be good' How to be a good wife. How to be a good Christian. How to be a good follower. How to be submissive.

Oh man oh man, I could just cry. WHAT IS THE FOCUS HERE boys and girls?! It is so often primarily focused on what 'I' can do for God. And the 'I' comes before God. Oh I should. . . Oh I can't. . . Oh I must. . . Oh how sadly deceived many people are. Thank God that there is a WAY out of all that muck and nonsense. Whenever i start I-ing I can tell there is something seriously wrong with my thinking. Look up to Him the lifter of our Heads. Them snakes swirling about our feet need no focus. As He told the people through Moses to look to the serpent on the stick lifted high, so He tells us today. Lift up your eyes to the One Who saves rather than the ones who destroy. You can't get yourself out of the cesspool of snakes. You can do nothing, but lift your head to see your Saviour. It is that simple and it is that difficult. Who do we trust? In what do we put our faith? I just want to know the one who saves me from all the striving so much more. I want to be undone by His love day after day, so that my sight is set on Him alone whilst traversing this "dangerous" terrain (dangerous only if you give it focus). . .

So obedience. . . Ah yes, a natural response from one who knows their Saviour. Nothing contrived when you are compelled by Love.

Clarification and tears

So, yeah, when i wrote that aforementioned poem (post before this one) I was having some severe difficulty with intense frustrations with someone in particular. i will be kind enough not to name my husband. . . yeah yeah yeah. . . It's amazing what God does in times like those. Just in case you were concerned and didn't understand the poem. The first line was relaying lies I was hearing about my heart. The rest was countering the lies and coming to rest. Just really a condensed version of my thought process during an onslaught.

So yeah, I came across this letter under the most recent blog from Heidi and Rolland Baker with Iris Mins. It got me. . . Just had to share with you.



"Madagascar (Submitted by Caroline Thomas)
At the end of last year, I really felt God leading me to Iris Ministries to do the mission school this past summer. I learned so much and really enjoyed spending time with the children. During the last two weeks of school, God began speaking to me about my future. Heidi challenged us one day in class, that if we were prepared to lay our lives down for Jesus, if we felt like we had to answer His call to missions, to come to the front and ask God to show us His plans. I went up and as I began to pray I had a vision of a room of abandoned babies, lying in rags in the darkness, still, cold and silent. I began to cry and ask God to give me these babies. One by one the babies started to die, first one, then another, until they had all died. He then showed me one more vision of a baby being left in a dumpster and abandoned at night in the dark. I cried and cried and begged God to let me have them, that wherever they were, please, could I go to them and please, could they live and know that they were loved.

When I opened my eyes with my face soaked with tears, sitting in front of me was one of the precious little Iris girls, only nine years old. She grabbed me and just held me. I heard God whisper then that she was sent right then as a prophetic sign. I would get to hold the children, that they would live and know love, and that just like I was holding her, I would hold them.

The next day in worship, God took me back into the room of dead babies. I didn't want to see it again. But He said to me "Caroline, look up!" I looked and above the room was a shimmering translucent heat haze. Jesus said, "the Holy Spirit is here, He's hovering above the room. Just sing over the babies".

I started singing over them. As I did, the Holy Spirit swirled throughout the room and totally transformed it! First, windows opened up in the dark room and sunlight flooded in. The room vibrated with bright color, the dirty rags disappeared from the children and they were dressed in beautiful clothes like princes and princesses. At the same time, they came back to life. The babies started moving and smiling. They became chubby and started waving their little arms in the air and laughing. It was a total transformation. I again had tears running down my face as I said "But Jesus, I didn't even touch them, I didn't do anything!" He said, "exactly, it's not just about holding them and feeding them. I want you to know that as you pray over them and sing over them, that it's me who is going to transform these babies back to life".

Heidi was teaching that day. At the end of class she said that she felt like the day before people had seen pictures of their future, of God's calling for them, but that they didn't know where, and if that was you, and you wanted a country and a city, to come up and pray and ask God where this place is. I was up at the front like a shot! I asked God where these babies were, and He said, "Madagascar!" I could hardly believe it since Madagascar is the country that I love, having previously spent six months there as a midwife! I felt like God was saying to start an Iris base there, as this was the DNA of Iris, to save abandoned babies and let God restore them back to life. I spoke with Heidi about it and she said that she'd been praying for someone to go to Madagascar for years! So after speaking with her and some of the long-term staff at Iris, we decided to start Iris Madagascar with a baby house in Madagascar!!

I had already booked a ticket to Madagascar on the way home from Mozambique to visit my friends there. So, I used this time to ask them all that I could about abandoned babies. They all told me that babies were abandoned in the capital, and that they had heard of babies being abandoned in dumpsters and being left to die. Many of the orphanages are currently full, which leaves no where for these babies to go, so there was a big need for a baby house there!

I am in the process of setting up this baby house, God's baby house where He can restore His precious babies back to life and they can know that they are loved. I am working on the paperwork to get Iris registered, praying in money and getting a team together. I would really appreciate prayers for these three things, especially on getting the right team, the team that God has chosen for this very special and exciting work!"

Rest

This callous thing i call my heart
some sort of pervasive illusion
the abllity to describe
a temptation to hide
within the smothering lies

not worth esteeming
sidetracking echoes of
lostness
an attempt again
made on
my vascillating
tendencies

Dream on
to the place
where dreams are true
and lies have no hold

sleeping
in your heart
nestled in your being
content

Hi!

So, yeah. . .

The day Obama is sworn in as the first 'black' president of the U.S. I got my first speeding ticket. Yep. The police man kindly pointed out that I could contest the ticket if I wanted to. I smiled at him and said, no need to do that, I am guilty. Nothing quite like condemnation free guilt. . . Of course, I do have to pay the ticket, but hey, God always provides, even for silly things such as going 26 km over the speed limit. Wanna hear my excuse (other than the fact that I like speed on roads i deem safe to speed on) Set my alarm clock wrong. Had to get the puppy to the vet for a spay. Late was I! So speed did I. Who knew that police had technology to catch one speeding in the opposite direction. . . hmmm

So, I got caught. Now, I will have to control my urge to speed out of fear of punishment. Bummer. No more rushing for me.

Simply dying

It's is funny how the most simply profound truth eludes our grasp (must be the result of unbelief).

Anyway, just saw so clearly. Love that! Much gratitude to the Holy Spirit speaking through Jamie's posts!

Revelation:

Death to Self is believing Jesus. All that He did for us. Trying to die to Self stems from unbelief. When we don't rest in faith, we strive in unbelief. Jesus blood is ENOUGH.

Isn't that SIMPLY wonderful!!!

Ukranians

So, moved we here to Saskatchewan. Of our own volition, but not of our own choosing. We had become accustomed to the lush beauty of Vancouver Island. The mild climate. The close proximity to my family members (D's being in the States. . .). The dear. like-minded friends we had stumbled across. But He, the one whom we have entrusted our lives to caused us to move East. To the fierce summer weather and the brutal winter snow. Being that we are somewhat adventurous (possibly I moreso) it wasn't a huge deal. The reason why? Not so clear. Other than what our Father imformed D of: 'I am going to bless you and protect you.'

Okay

So, neat things have happened. An amazing job with a wonderful person (whose family we have become close to) who also just moved out from the West Coast to this little prairie town. Very ukranian prairie town. But my heart hasn't been particularly attached to this town or people. Nice people, nice town, but I could easily move on.

However, a few nights ago i had a dream. As usual an odd convoluted dream full of all sorts of stuff I can't remember other than the feel of it. The one part I remember is this: I am looking through a magazine with D, pointing out these different dancers (can't remember why). We get to this page with a full page picture of a girl in complete Ukrananian traditional garb. For some reason D is slow to turn the page. I tell him that it is a Ukranian dancer. As I am staring at her page waiting for Dan to turn the page my heart begins to melt with nothing other than the heart of God and I begin to weep copiously. My heart was being broken for Ukranians. I was so tasting His heart and it was so beyond my understanding. I woke up about then. I have experienced this for particular very wounded individuals and when I have looked through the IRIS min website pic of people in Mozambique. It also happened when I was first married and was a cook at a Christian camp. Ended up at a nightime devotional thing where the a fellow we had just met and been part of seeing him come to Jesus was sharing his testimony (he is also the fellow who is a head pastor and going through brutal stuff which I referred to a couple of posts ago). My husband went up to share (totally out of the blue) and I fell on the floor just bawling (at the back in the hallway). People might call it interceeding. Whatever it is, I know that I am experiencing the heart of love of God for those people at that time. So, my husband shares with these mostly 12 and 13 year olds. They are just being blown away by the Spirit of God. I come up and just let them know what I am feeling God saying. That their pain they have been through is not in vain. That He loves them so much. D prays for them, asks God to have his way. Presence of God so powerful. Kids scatter. Some bawling. One girl weeping.'I am so sorry! I didn't know. I didn't know. . .' Some praying quietly. Some bent prostrate. And some angry camp team members, such as the camps priest (did I mention it was an Anglican camp). Neat time.

So yeah. just thought I would share that. . . Just came out. Mysterious ways. I so love it when He gives me a taste of His heart for others! The other night, for Ukranians. . . Hmm