If our strength is not derived from a place of weakness, then it's probably not from Him.
Selah...
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Love Wins Because It Never Fails
The other day my little guy Teague was in a sour mood, which is hard to imagine because he's the most pleasant toddler I've had, by far. He was disgruntled about something (it escapes me now) and was shuffling over to the stove to tell me about his issue. (Something about something with Taryn sounds about right...) He said he was going to be a mean boy about it, though. (That means he's going to be stinky and get mad about something. He warns us :)) I said, "No, you shouldn't be a mean boy." He then told me that he was going to be a mean boy to me for saying that to him! Then he made the smallest, cutest fist with the sweetest, softest little boy hands and took at swing at my thigh. Normally, a parent (perhaps myself a few years ago) would take a rigid approach and say something along the lines of, "How dare you hit me!" and all that jazz. However, I felt the Holy Spirit speaking to my heart to just wait a moment and to teach him something about His ways.
So, I allowed my precious little boy to sock me in the thigh (I made sure not to laugh at how gentle it was) as I stood above him, fixing dinner over the stove top. He looked up at me and tried to read my expression as I stood over him. I smiled and said, "I love you, Teague."
He looked down at my thigh and repeated his clench, swing and hit but this time a bit harder. Looking up again he met my eyes and I smiled and said, "I love you, Teague. Even when you hit me, I still love you." Then he ran off real quick-like (I thought he had grown frustrated but...nope) and came back with an empty aluminum foil roll (his make-shift light saber) and began to whip the back of my knees with it. Whomp, whomp, whomp with all his might and then a look up into my face, yet again.
"Teague, no matter what you do to me, I win. I'm love."
He looked confused at first and so I expounded.
"Love is better than mean so, I win! Love always beats mean so I win!"
He slipped away from me as I continued to cook dinner and when I found him again he was the kind and gentle boy I know most days. I prayed that the Holy Spirit would do a work in his young heart. I was able to see a quick return on that prayer last night while lying in bed with my little brother bear.
We were talking about all sorts of things under the sun but of course some talk of soldiers came in, and about how Teague wears his armor and kills all the bad guys. (I love this valor in boys) He says to me with total conviction, "Mom, I kill all the bad guys. You know why? Because I'm love and love wins." My heart almost leaped out of my chest because that little guy's spirit heard the words of truth that day and received them as such. I said to him, "That's right, son! Love always wins and you are love because Jesus is love and He's inside of you!" And then we tweaked the killing part a little bit w/the concept being that the way you beat the bad guys is to turn them into good guys...no need to kill them :P He loved that idea even more!
So, thank you LORD for revealing the power of LOVE to a 3 year old! Would you do it in the hearts of your adult children, too?!
So, I allowed my precious little boy to sock me in the thigh (I made sure not to laugh at how gentle it was) as I stood above him, fixing dinner over the stove top. He looked up at me and tried to read my expression as I stood over him. I smiled and said, "I love you, Teague."
He looked down at my thigh and repeated his clench, swing and hit but this time a bit harder. Looking up again he met my eyes and I smiled and said, "I love you, Teague. Even when you hit me, I still love you." Then he ran off real quick-like (I thought he had grown frustrated but...nope) and came back with an empty aluminum foil roll (his make-shift light saber) and began to whip the back of my knees with it. Whomp, whomp, whomp with all his might and then a look up into my face, yet again.
"Teague, no matter what you do to me, I win. I'm love."
He looked confused at first and so I expounded.
"Love is better than mean so, I win! Love always beats mean so I win!"
He slipped away from me as I continued to cook dinner and when I found him again he was the kind and gentle boy I know most days. I prayed that the Holy Spirit would do a work in his young heart. I was able to see a quick return on that prayer last night while lying in bed with my little brother bear.
We were talking about all sorts of things under the sun but of course some talk of soldiers came in, and about how Teague wears his armor and kills all the bad guys. (I love this valor in boys) He says to me with total conviction, "Mom, I kill all the bad guys. You know why? Because I'm love and love wins." My heart almost leaped out of my chest because that little guy's spirit heard the words of truth that day and received them as such. I said to him, "That's right, son! Love always wins and you are love because Jesus is love and He's inside of you!" And then we tweaked the killing part a little bit w/the concept being that the way you beat the bad guys is to turn them into good guys...no need to kill them :P He loved that idea even more!
So, thank you LORD for revealing the power of LOVE to a 3 year old! Would you do it in the hearts of your adult children, too?!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Rise & Shine
Isaiah 60:1 "Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you."
Woke up this morning around 6:45am to Tim crawling back into bed. He had gone to the JBU prayer vigil at about 4:30am this morning and was now returning to his warm haven. As I was waking up I was torn from a dream.
In the dream I was a news reporter and I was sitting at my computer, fingers on the keyboard. I was waiting for the headline from 'heaven' as I sat there, listening, waiting with expectation. I was waiting on the word of the LORD to fall so that I could type it, print it and deliver it to the people. Then suddenly the headline came from heaven. I heard a voice saying, "RISE AND SHINE! RISE AND SHINE! RISE AND SHINE!" I started to type it instantly, again and again, on my keyboard. I started to say it, again and again, out loud. Then I literally was awakened from the dream. And now I'm literally typing it on my computer for you to read :) LORD, let your light shine through us and your glory, upon us!
I am preparing to head to the JBU prayer vigil to help lead a set concerning sexual purity and women. I asked Jesus to give me a dream concerning this and to burden my heart for what burdens his heart. I indeed had a dream and it confirmed something the LORD showed me yesterday as I was making my bed. (rare occurrence, the bed-making part)
In my dream I saw a young, beautiful girl dressed in a very sensual way; super high heels and clothing that hung from her body. Then I saw a film strip of snapshots where she was disrobing and capturing every bit on camera. She was then posting these photos on the Internet. This would seem quite random and odd for some however, I had asked God to highlight areas for prayer concerning purity and holiness in women (college women, in specific) and believe he has done so. Also, the LORD shared a snippet of his heart with me yesterday while I was making my bed, concerning women who long to be desired and find that 'wanted' feeling through online live streams and digital uploads of themselves in a sexual manner, on the Internet. I paused to pray with him because my heart was grieved. Thinking of girls in high school, as well, as they give themselves away; casting pearls before swine. I can so identify with this burden. The LORD has done a deep, deep work in me concerning purity and it's been painful/wonderful. The journey continues as He woos my heart to give every part for the sake of holiness. Holiness is looking much different as I get older. I see it's more than right and wrong/good and bad; it's about purity in every part, righteousness in every choice, and holiness as a lifestyle. For me, it's really come down to this dialogue and mindset, 'God, you dwell in unapproachable light and the splendor of holiness. I want to be near you and you want to be near me...but I am unclean. Come closer and make me holy as you are holy.' And He has absolutely answered this prayer and continues to answer it. He will not allow sin and darkness to separate us so why should I?
I hope to have an update of God's goodness and healing power this morning. Such a beautiful Redeemer I serve!
Woke up this morning around 6:45am to Tim crawling back into bed. He had gone to the JBU prayer vigil at about 4:30am this morning and was now returning to his warm haven. As I was waking up I was torn from a dream.
In the dream I was a news reporter and I was sitting at my computer, fingers on the keyboard. I was waiting for the headline from 'heaven' as I sat there, listening, waiting with expectation. I was waiting on the word of the LORD to fall so that I could type it, print it and deliver it to the people. Then suddenly the headline came from heaven. I heard a voice saying, "RISE AND SHINE! RISE AND SHINE! RISE AND SHINE!" I started to type it instantly, again and again, on my keyboard. I started to say it, again and again, out loud. Then I literally was awakened from the dream. And now I'm literally typing it on my computer for you to read :) LORD, let your light shine through us and your glory, upon us!
I am preparing to head to the JBU prayer vigil to help lead a set concerning sexual purity and women. I asked Jesus to give me a dream concerning this and to burden my heart for what burdens his heart. I indeed had a dream and it confirmed something the LORD showed me yesterday as I was making my bed. (rare occurrence, the bed-making part)
In my dream I saw a young, beautiful girl dressed in a very sensual way; super high heels and clothing that hung from her body. Then I saw a film strip of snapshots where she was disrobing and capturing every bit on camera. She was then posting these photos on the Internet. This would seem quite random and odd for some however, I had asked God to highlight areas for prayer concerning purity and holiness in women (college women, in specific) and believe he has done so. Also, the LORD shared a snippet of his heart with me yesterday while I was making my bed, concerning women who long to be desired and find that 'wanted' feeling through online live streams and digital uploads of themselves in a sexual manner, on the Internet. I paused to pray with him because my heart was grieved. Thinking of girls in high school, as well, as they give themselves away; casting pearls before swine. I can so identify with this burden. The LORD has done a deep, deep work in me concerning purity and it's been painful/wonderful. The journey continues as He woos my heart to give every part for the sake of holiness. Holiness is looking much different as I get older. I see it's more than right and wrong/good and bad; it's about purity in every part, righteousness in every choice, and holiness as a lifestyle. For me, it's really come down to this dialogue and mindset, 'God, you dwell in unapproachable light and the splendor of holiness. I want to be near you and you want to be near me...but I am unclean. Come closer and make me holy as you are holy.' And He has absolutely answered this prayer and continues to answer it. He will not allow sin and darkness to separate us so why should I?
I hope to have an update of God's goodness and healing power this morning. Such a beautiful Redeemer I serve!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
How long, O LORD...
Something is happening to me. I'm not sure how to confine it in everyday life, at times. It feels as if I am being seasoned like a cast iron pot; in the fire before being put to good use. The fire before the fire, I suppose. At any rate, I feel my mind/will/emotions being changed and as I am occasionally exposed to and reintroduced back into moments of "normal" life I see that something very deep within has fundamentally changed. It's serves as a divine marking that is to set me on a course for the rest of my life, and for the generations to come as well. I understand this much and yet the pain is quite evident. I am confronted and confined by the context of the wilderness that I said yes to almost a year ago, with all that I had and with all that I am. Is this my first time in the wilderness? Not at all. Is this the first time I have gone even somewhat willingly? Perhaps. Am I leaning? More like crawling...
I woke up this morning with a phrase in my spirit, "How long, O LORD..." It rings through me again and again. It's a cry for justice as in the days of Habakkuk. How long, O LORD, before the wrong things are made right?! How long before your judgments are on the earth?!
Habakkuk 1:1-4
"How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, "Violence!" but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted."
That word 'violence' is such a trigger word for me. You see, I had a dream the night before last and it was violent and it imparted a violence in my spirit by simply sharing in it. The message swirled about me all day yesterday and it was this, "When you experience the violence of injustice (the oppressed), you become violent for the kingdom of heaven!"
Matthew 11:12 "...the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force."
The Lord is establishing a violence in me towards injustice and FOR the kingdom of heaven to come as JUSTICE to this unjust world! At times it feels that I can not bear the raw emotion of it. It seems that if I give myself to the zeal of justice, it will sweep me away into a place so far removed from where I am today. The justice heart of Jesus is imparting a cry that only He can answer. Habakkuk questions the LORD, "Why do you make me look at injustice?" It's almost unbearable to see and to know the injustices that occur in the land and yet I so believe this is something the LORD is doing in His bride, that she might burn as He burns. The LORD has spoken so many times to me through the story of Hannah, and through her season of provoking in her barrenness.
1 Samuel 1:6-7 And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the LORD had closed her womb. So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, that she provoked her; therefore she wept and did not eat.
We each have our own areas of barrenness. Mine are not greater than yours. However, it feels that in this season mine provoke me on every front as I am forced to watch, "the wicked hem in the righteous" and those who provoke, prosper. This is divine, I understand, but it's almost torture as it cultivates a zeal that I have yet to taste.
When I see businesses prosper, I crave it's profit for the poor of the earth. When I see rich and lavish foods, I desire it for the perishing. When I see excesses and surpluses, I covet it for the deficits of the oppressed. When I observe the man who does not acknowledge the Lord and yet goes about his days, I long to see his freedom and mobility granted to those who are bound to wheelchairs and hospital beds. When I see the senseless wealth of the wicked, and I claim it for the release of the captives and for the setting of the lonely into families. When I see justice perverted and the innocent sentenced to a violent death, I reel in my spirit for a just judge to RETURN!!!! Lord, will you allow this zeal to consume me? May it set me ablaze that I may burn before you in intercession. May it cause me to pour out my soul before you, as it did Hannah, as my 'womb' remains empty.
How long have I lived for myself, God? Since birth I have looked after my own interests. But now you mark me, bless me, with such an intimate partnership; such an extravagant offering of my soul. The invitation into deep fellowship; the justice heart of a just Bridegroom King. I will not send you away this time. I will not say, "Until the day breaks, and the shadows flee, turn..." because you have drawn me. I say, "I will rise now and go..." because the zeal of the Lord has called me out of my comfort. Great is the invitation, dangerous is the journey but VICTORIOUS is our JUST KING as he conquers injustice on the earth and releases his judgments unto righteousness.
I woke up this morning with a phrase in my spirit, "How long, O LORD..." It rings through me again and again. It's a cry for justice as in the days of Habakkuk. How long, O LORD, before the wrong things are made right?! How long before your judgments are on the earth?!
Habakkuk 1:1-4
"How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, "Violence!" but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted."
That word 'violence' is such a trigger word for me. You see, I had a dream the night before last and it was violent and it imparted a violence in my spirit by simply sharing in it. The message swirled about me all day yesterday and it was this, "When you experience the violence of injustice (the oppressed), you become violent for the kingdom of heaven!"
Matthew 11:12 "...the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force."
The Lord is establishing a violence in me towards injustice and FOR the kingdom of heaven to come as JUSTICE to this unjust world! At times it feels that I can not bear the raw emotion of it. It seems that if I give myself to the zeal of justice, it will sweep me away into a place so far removed from where I am today. The justice heart of Jesus is imparting a cry that only He can answer. Habakkuk questions the LORD, "Why do you make me look at injustice?" It's almost unbearable to see and to know the injustices that occur in the land and yet I so believe this is something the LORD is doing in His bride, that she might burn as He burns. The LORD has spoken so many times to me through the story of Hannah, and through her season of provoking in her barrenness.
1 Samuel 1:6-7 And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the LORD had closed her womb. So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, that she provoked her; therefore she wept and did not eat.
We each have our own areas of barrenness. Mine are not greater than yours. However, it feels that in this season mine provoke me on every front as I am forced to watch, "the wicked hem in the righteous" and those who provoke, prosper. This is divine, I understand, but it's almost torture as it cultivates a zeal that I have yet to taste.
When I see businesses prosper, I crave it's profit for the poor of the earth. When I see rich and lavish foods, I desire it for the perishing. When I see excesses and surpluses, I covet it for the deficits of the oppressed. When I observe the man who does not acknowledge the Lord and yet goes about his days, I long to see his freedom and mobility granted to those who are bound to wheelchairs and hospital beds. When I see the senseless wealth of the wicked, and I claim it for the release of the captives and for the setting of the lonely into families. When I see justice perverted and the innocent sentenced to a violent death, I reel in my spirit for a just judge to RETURN!!!! Lord, will you allow this zeal to consume me? May it set me ablaze that I may burn before you in intercession. May it cause me to pour out my soul before you, as it did Hannah, as my 'womb' remains empty.
How long have I lived for myself, God? Since birth I have looked after my own interests. But now you mark me, bless me, with such an intimate partnership; such an extravagant offering of my soul. The invitation into deep fellowship; the justice heart of a just Bridegroom King. I will not send you away this time. I will not say, "Until the day breaks, and the shadows flee, turn..." because you have drawn me. I say, "I will rise now and go..." because the zeal of the Lord has called me out of my comfort. Great is the invitation, dangerous is the journey but VICTORIOUS is our JUST KING as he conquers injustice on the earth and releases his judgments unto righteousness.
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