The Spring

Friday morning I awoke with a random old song on my mind...I knew the Lord was speaking.
"I'll be with you in apple blossom time ~  I'll be waiting to change your name to mine"


As I shared this with a friend later in the day she reminded me of a vision that a mutual friend had had months ago.  It was of a harvest SO PLENTIFUL that the apples were just falling off of the trees and the "gatherers" where having to hold out their shirts  to catch them before they hit the ground!


Again it would seem that the Lord is saying :


IT'S TIME!
The time is approaching when the  His Spirit is going to be falling upon all flesh and many are going to respond to His calling.


Are you ready for the harvest?  Do you know what your part is going to be?  
Friend, if you believe, as I do, that Jesus is "on the move"  take all the more time to come before Him and listen for His instruction and wisdom.


May is apple blossom time and the harvest is in August and September .  Let's be prepared for the harvest!


Blessings


I am leaving for VA to visit children and attend a conference.  I covet your prayers as I'm praying that my going will have a purpose and that my words will have life.   Thanks  
I'm not sure that I will be able to find a computer to do my musings ..am continuing to pray for something portable.

The Antidote to Poison

Talking and praying with a young mom the other evening I saw a picture of her and her husband praying over the children.   They were praying dedication, life, purpose and direction over their family.   This family, like many, have felt the destructive power of the enemy.


Our society is inundated with visual temptation and sin.   Many are lied to, talked about and suffer abuse on a daily basis.  Don't be fooled into thinking that this "poison" is reserved for teens and above.  Our smallest babies and young people are being attacked daily by an enemy that wants to simply annihilate them.


I truly believe that one of the most powerful ways we can overcome and reduce the damage caused by this frontal attack is to dilute it with the Word and Prayer.   We need to gather one another, our children and families, on a daily basis, and pray  the Will of God over their and our lives.  We need to stand on the promises.  We need to declare what the Word says.


Father, in the powerful Name of Jesus, we come.  We pray for Your Presence and Your Word to dilute the power of poison that  may have attached itself to us today.  We come against worthless words and accusations, within and without, and cast them down , keeping the Word of God exalted.  
We speak life, freedom and plenty over our children, our church bodies and  ourselves.  We dedicate ourselves  to You and Your services again today.  
Use us as You will Lord and grace us with the ability to stay close to You and help us to remember that we are covered by the Blood of the Lamb..   
You are worthy of all praise and we trust that You who began a good work in us will be faithful to bring it to completion in Jesus' Name!


Blessings!

Sounds Like a Loop Hole To Me!

I have a friend (at least one) who, in serious conversations, often says; "Well, no body's perfect"


You know I think that that goes with out saying.


BUT ~ It also sounds like a loop hole to me as well.
In other words.....in case I fail (which I expect), I have a hole to crawl through that appeases my sense of guilt.


Christ died so that we could have Freedom!   
We HAVE BEEN SET FREE!


If you do not walk in freedom you need to do some business with the Lord. 
 Galatians 5:1
"Christ has freed us so that we may enjoy the benefits of freedom.  Therefore be firm in this freedom and  do not let yourself be enslaved again."


The Word promises that His strength is enough.  That it will be made perfect in our weakness.    It says that He will always  make a way of escape for us and that if we resist the enemy he will flee.


So beloved,  if you struggle, find a mentor, friend or pastor and do some work in prayer and resolve.  Then go get the thread and sew the "hole" up with a patch that says "It is Finished!"


Blessings!

We Cannot Direct the Wind

But we can set our sails.


I really like this statement!


Life will take its course.  Situations will happen.  Crisis will come and go.  The Scripture says that life is full of trouble ( Job 14:1)   


We have been forewarned that the wind Will blow!


So how do you set your sails?  Do you even put them up?  Do you pull into a harbor?  Do you try to sleep it out?  Do you jump overboard?


STOP!!!   We have a SAVIOR!   He says He will NEVER leave us or forsake us.  We need never to be afraid or discouraged.   We must quiet ourselves and direct our thought and hearts toward the One that we can trust.  This is a choice that we make.  We must have enough faith to give HIM a minute! 


HE IS TRUE TO HIS WORD!
His promises are YES AND AMEN


SHHHHH Set your sails beloved and rest in His ability to carry you!


Blessings!

Ignorance

"Ignorance is NOT bliss"


I heard of a very intelligent man who died because of an ingrown toenail that got infected.
I have seen people convince themselves that "out of sight is out of mind"


Ignorance:  The condition of being uneducated, unaware of uninformed.


Apathy: lack of interest or concern, indifference


Passive:  lacking in energy or will


These 3 words seem to go together.



I was having a conversation with a young man today and we were speaking as to how these words seem to be a description of the average young male growing up today.  I wonder why?


What is happening that we can so easily overlook the need to work, pay attention or even care?  Could it be  M.A?  (media addiction)
Hand held whatevers have taken over our world and we are finding it harder and harder to put them down and do anything else.


How about trying a day of Media/Technology fasting? Put your phone down, turn the tv off and don't pick up a game.  Shut off the radio and dont read the newspapers.   Look around you, stand up and take notice.  Are there things around you that need to be tended to?  Better yet are there people who need your undivided attention?


I would like to hear some feed back from any daring souls who will try to sensitize themselves once more to the ways of the Lord in the "life" happening around them.


Blessings!

Read Between the Lines

 Titus 2:3-5

Likewise, older women are to show their reverence for God by their behavior. They are not to be gossips or addicted to alcohol, but to be examples of goodness.  They should encourage the younger women to love their husbands, to love their children,  to be sensible and pure, to manage their households, to be kind, and to submit themselves to their husbands. Otherwise, the word of God may be discredited.

I'm not sure how "older" women are viewed in the church ~ and who are the older women anyway???  It certainly can't be me....

After listening to a conversation the other day and asking the approximate age of a person, I was told "Oh they were elderly ...like 60 or something!!"     

Well now that I have a COMPLETE COMPLEX I have to take this seriously.  

Do I have something to say?

Hey maybe I do!   Maybe my almost 60 years of experience on earth can help someone.

So to the elderly (My peers)  brush up on your teaching skills.  Begin to pray for situations, conversations and favor with women younger than yourself.  Think about what good advise you might have to pass along.   Is your life one that should be looked at and perhaps even copied?

People are watching from what I hear.

And to you "babes" ~ YES we do have something to say!   We can help... We know short cuts and good recipes and ways to go about  "doing stuff" that would be helpful to you.  We have funny stories and tales of God's faithfulness along the way.  Many of our "old ways" are still the best ways and we did not have to have a kazillion things to raise a child!!!  Many times a draw was a bassinette and a thread spool on a piece of yarn was a good enough toy !  (Man I sound right out of Little House on the Prairie!)

Well enough chuckling for the evening....now that I have figured out Im old I better get to bed!

Love you all

Blessings

Ps.  the living translation says "They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good."   

This is a lesson in not reading out of context.....

 So!   we can drink just not heavily ~ right?  and I guess this means we are to fill you in on the "good brands" of wine to buy ?? ( SMILE)

( and when I say "read between the lines" I mean at the corners of our eyes!!")   

love you gals!

Repentance~

You can NEVER go wrong repenting.   NEVER!


Even if you feel slighted or wronged..... we can say we are sorry for something.


Repentance opens a door.   
"I'm sorry you feel that way."   "I'm sorry that what I said made you upset."  "I'm sorry that you have made this choice." 

"I'm sorry". (PERIOD)  this is a FULL sentence all on its own!


Repentance also will often open a seemingly closed door to the Throne Room.  When we stand in our stubbornness and selfish rights often we are just deaf to what He may be saying.  When we are able to repent God is able to speak and work His ways.


What situations do you find yourself in?   Can you repent?  
If you cannot be moved to say "I'm sorry" you have to ask why....be aware of the emotions and "rights" that may arise to the surface.   
We who have reared children know that these 2 words are some of the HARDEST WORDS to say!   
ummmmm wonder why???


Blessings

It's Time!

Over the past few weeks it would seem that every time I looked at a digital clock it was always an interesting sequence of numbers;  1:23   2:22   3:33 etc etc.  Enough so that I actually asked a few friends what they thought the Lord might be saying.  (My kids often look up Scripture when a set of numbers are appearing over and over again).   The difference is that my numbers were always different but in some sort of noticeable sequence,  enough to get my attention.  


Yesterday it happened again when I woke up ~   I laughed aloud as I asked the Lord "Father what are you trying to say to me?"    
I heard Him distinctly say, "It's Time" 
   
WOW   That got my attention!   
I knew He was saying that He is about to do some major things.  He is going to "show Himself".   Prayers that have been prayed for years are going to be answered.   

I AM EXCITED!    

Friend ~   do you have eyes to see what He is about to do?  

Do you have ears that are attuned to His voice?    

I saw myself flattened up against a BIG wooden door, straining to hear what might be going on on the other side......the door opened and I fell right into the room.

That's how I want it to be!  I don't want to miss a thing! 

Lean in my friend~  Lean in~

The time is short...in fact....

IT'S TIME!

Blessings!

How Do You Spell Relief?

J E S U S!


The Christian School let worship in church Sunday morning.  They showed us the Jesus cheer which got me thinking.


How do you spell  peace.....JESUS
How do you spell  freedom....JESUS
How do you spell health.....JESUS
How do you spell  grace....JESUS


Jesus is the answer for the world today
Above Him there's no other,  Jesus is the WAY!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whjZTug_O-Y

Church

Was thinking how much I enjoy sitting at a meal or visiting with my children.  Laughter, good food, camaraderie and fellowship are all part of the time.


I bet that is just how God feels when His children come and sit at His feet.  Singing hymns, communion, fellowship and unity are beautiful to Him.


I hope that you do not stay away.  
I talked to a young woman the other day and asked where she was attending. She said after work, the gym, family etc Sunday was the only morning that they had to sleep in.   It made me sad as I thought about it later.   She is missing SO MUCH!   She has no idea how much and how it will affect her as time goes on.  
We need each other..... we need to be encouraged and share with each other.   The "world" has us all week long..can't the Lord have a little of our time?
I would hope that if one of my children stayed away that everyone would not follow suit but would encourage the brother or sister to rejoin the family.  Also I KNOW that the absence  would truly affect me!  God cares. 
We want, we pray, we ask for more and more....Can't we come and enjoy the Lord's family?   


Don't fool yourself ~   It DOES MATTER!


Hebrews 10:25   We should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to encourage each other even more as we see the day of the Lord coming.

Blessings

Going with the Flow

How easy is it for your day or schedule to get out of whack?
How do you respond/react when things do not go as planned?
Do you see yourself as a flexible or rigid person?


The Lord wants us to hold onto His peace.  Peace is only stolen when our eyes are off of God and on our circumstances etc.   Anxiety and worry simply show lack of trust and doubt that God is Who He says He is.
Peace is our "barometer"


If there is even a scrid of evidence that this may be you, take it up with Him today.  Ask Him to give you the Grace and ability to trust Him more, choosing to believe what He says.


I'm praying for you.
Blessings!

Training in the Raw

My daughter takes her 4 small children (ages2-9) for prayer walks around the neighborhood.  She preps them by saying that they are going to walk, pray and listen to see if the Lord gives any direction.  She tells them that if they have an impression that they will all stop and pray for it.


This is training in the raw.    Stepping out in faith and watching for the Lord to speak.  They have prayed for finances, healing,  a job, a sick pet etc.    I wonder how you feel about this.  There is no schooling, no training, no workshop attendance.....just walking it out,


If it is ALL God, then why should we get hung up on the way we "do" it.   It truly is a walk of faith and these children are sensitizing their spirits to the Holy Spirit.   This is good training I think.


How is your own personal training going? 
Are you listening, watching and seeing with Spiritual eyes?
The Lord is moving and He is looking for a warm body to use.   Why not sign up today!


Blessings!

"We’re in That Generation"

Created to Praise Here is a word for you from the Word Psalm 102:16-18 [When] the Lord shall build up Zion; He shall appear in His glory. He shall regard the prayer of the destitute, and shall not despise their prayer. This will be written for the generation to come, and the people yet to be created may praise the Lord. NKJV         One of the great signs that the Lord’s coming is near at hand is stated there, “When the Lord shall build up Zion; He shall appear in His glory.” He’s coming back in glory. What’s going to precede that? The rebuilding of Zion. And today we see that taking place. The Lord is building up Zion. He’s building up and restoring the people of Israel. He’s also building up and restoring the Church of Jesus Christ. This is one great evidence among many that the Lord is ready to appear in His glory.     It says then “He shall regard the prayer of the destitute.” There are so many prayers that have been offered and it seems they haven’t been answered. But there’s a day coming when millions and millions of prayers will be answered in a very short space of time by the personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ.     And then the psalmist says that people shall be created to praise the Lord. This is written for that generation. I believe we’re in that generation. I believe God’s people have been so slack to praise Him for so many centuries that God is actually creating a people today for one specific purpose: that they may praise Him. And as we praise Him we, too, are preparing the way for the return of the Lord in His glory. - Derek Prince

The Stone Rolled Away

I heard a story the other day.   A friend of mine was told that she needed to "stop" the job that she was doing.  Now this "job" had been her life for many years and it came as a shock to her.  But when she finally "laid it down", it seemed as I listened, that the "stone rolled away" allowing the blessings to flow afresh into her life.


Sometimes our short sightedness,  our "I've always done it this way" can stop up what the Lord is wanting to bring into our lives.  We just can't see it or imagine it.   But God in His infinite grace and mercy will continue to try to get our attention and when we finally see it and lay it down ~ HE begins to move.


Have you asked the Lord lately if He is trying to get your attention?  Do you feel stuck and that your prayers are hitting a solid ceiling?  Perhaps God is trying to direct you a different way.  Open yourself up to Him and see what He has to say.  Don't be afraid.  He will not let you fall.  He will not forsake you.  He will not give you a stone when you ask for bread.


Friend,  I bet that there is a corner up ahead that you simply can't see from where you are standing.  We serving a loving heavenly Father.  You do not need to be afraid.  Stop, look and listen to what He might have for you today!


Blessings!

Disappointment

All around New England tonite there are disappointed people.  They have had their hopes and wishes dashed.  There is no way to turn around  the outcome. It is over and done. 


 The Patriots lost.


I am not particularly a sports fan but I have been disappointed before.  Often on a small level and then times on a much larger level.  The loss of the Patriots will affect some people greater because they perhaps lost money by gambling or even potential sales of memorabilia,  others will be disappointed for the evening but by the end of the week it will be forgotten.


How does the Christian deal with disappointment?   I remember the scripture that David said to himself in Psalm 43:5     "Why so downcast oh my soul put your hope in God!"


Let this old old praise hymn cheer you up as you decide to give HIM praise!   He is the lifter of your countenance and your head!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vA-S_0LcRWs&feature=related

Blessings!

Such a Simple Thing

Years ago as a young mom of 2-3 little ones, we were getting ready for Sunday services, and I found myself in desperate need of a pin.  
Yes a pin!  
Seems so small today ~  but believe me when times are tighter than tight and you need a pin it can send you into a spin!
We looked high and low and found none.  We mentioned how we would pick some up the next time we went to the store (if we had an extra dollar (no joke)).   
But how about the present need?   
I honestly don't recall what I did about the situation but I do know that it did not hold us back from going to church.
As we parked our little truck full of too many people, I turned to open the door and there was a hand positioned  outside my window with a fist full of pins!  The pins were drooling down thru the fingers in long ropes and were piled high so that the hand could not close.  I rolled down the window and looked up and there stood our old friend John Dawson.    "Hey John,  what you doing?"    "Marnie,  Emma and I have been saving these pins for many years and this morning I sez to Emma,  "Emma,  I'm going to throw these pins away!"   She sez to me, "John! Don't throw them away,  I'm sure that there is someone who could use them!   How about Rich and Marnie"   " So what do you say? Can you use these pins?"


Guess you had to be there......
it was a miracle that has stayed with me for over 30 years.  The seemingly smallest of things has reminded me over and over that the Lord sees and knows all and that His timing is perfect!
Last winter, as I got my coats out of the closet, the Lord prompted me to make a chain of pins and hang them on the lapel of my jackets.   I have had many opportunities to tell of Jehovah Jireh.  My God Who supplies ALL my needs ACCORDING to His riches in glory.   
He started small in my life and held my hand over the years as He has taught me over and over  that there is NOTHING that is too difficult for Him!


Blessed Be His Holy Name!