This is the news and it's very sad to me. Very sad. No need to deny the sorrow and grieving that is taking place on the earth today.
http://louxfamilyblog.com/
Derek Loux was not a personal friend of mine though I knew him as many others knew him; as an inspirational forerunner that trumpeted the Father's heart for the fatherless and oppressed wherever his feet took him. I have heard him speak a number of times and I would say that his message is so raw that it is almost before his time; very much like both his life and death. His exhortations haunt me as I follow the LORD in my own journey concerning the fatherless and what justice would look like for them. Honestly, it looks like a family. This is justice for the orphan and the widow; to be set in families.
For whatever reason, this tragedy has touched me deeply in my soul. Perhaps in part it is the precious burden of intercession. I realize it's a gift to feel the heart of Jesus, not just know it. In saying yes to the emotions of God, not just the cerebral things, you partake in the fellowship of suffering as well as the glory. But perhaps the other part would be that it's devastating to lose, period. Loss is just plain painful. 10 priceless children and one beautiful bride lost something/someone very valuable today. And yet we say, 'Blessed be the name of the LORD! Who gives and takes away!' Surely, there is pain in this offering tonight.
Watching the IHOP web stream I have seen/felt the complexity of grieving intertwined with raw praise unto a good God who's always good though hard to fathom. I believe there are tears mingled with the wine tonight in Kansas City and for many who touch IHOP-KC. I feel we have lost a father today and yet I say I trust You, Father.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
The Power of Prayer
Not sure why this always seems to be the case but, I woke up yet again with a phrase in my mouth. In my dream I was preaching on a stage and this is what I said.
"It's no wonder people do not pray. If you are not convinced that prayer changes things in the heavens and earth, then you would have no motivation to engage in prayer."
Do you believe that your prayers CHANGE things? If not, that might be the resistance to engaging in it. Lord, release a revelation of the power of deep fellowship and friendship with the Living God!
"It's no wonder people do not pray. If you are not convinced that prayer changes things in the heavens and earth, then you would have no motivation to engage in prayer."
Do you believe that your prayers CHANGE things? If not, that might be the resistance to engaging in it. Lord, release a revelation of the power of deep fellowship and friendship with the Living God!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Apostolic Women
I am reading a book that was loaned to me by a dear friend of mine. The book is called, The Lost Apostle and you can find more on it/the author here: http://www.renapederson.com/
It's the story of Junia, an apostle named by Paul, the one whom also mentions that women should learn in quiet submission. The basis of the book is found in Romans 16:7.
"Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me."
Junia was a woman.
When I first started to read the book, something inside of me began to identify with the shame of being a female in general, let alone in ministry. My deep-rooted fear of man (not limited to women, by any means) began to reveal itself and I felt a deep sorrow in my heart. Not your typical response, I don't think, to discovering that there were indeed female apostles in the Bible. You would think that my heart would have initially been delighted but, I was confronted w/my own disbelief and ignorance over this issue. I've been in such a season of coming into my 'own' (or rather, 'his' own) that my eyes have been both gradually and instantly opened in a way that absolutely feels revelatory. I should not be surprised by such obvious insights and yet, it always seems like the first time I've heard it when it does come.
I believe a revelation of bridal partnership is coming in a deep, powerful way. I am reminded of the recent words of Shelley Hundley concerning this. And this revelation is most certainly for the bride, both men and women, but I see so many prophetic parallels in the way the women in the Bible governed w/authority, fearlessness and integrity of heart and how the Bride of Christ is to govern, as well. Women who feared the Lord and acknowledged his name were used mightily by Him to accomplish His purposes. There is no male/female in Christ in this sense. Galatians 3:28 'There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.'
I believe this is the time for me to finish this book. The Holy Spirit is calling me to journey with Him and to open up my heart to what the scriptures really say and really mean concerning women, and apostolic women, at that. I have no desire to rule over a man as I see my own shortcomings and vulnerabilities every day. However, I also see these same obstacles in the lives of men.
I believe the LORD is raising up a warring bride. There is no doubt of this in me. However, am I willing to believe that he really IS raising up Deborah's whom govern His children, and settle matters? I have prayed it, I have believed it in part but I feel the Lord wants to release faith in a greater measure to me that I could call forth the generals in the bride; the women, in specific. Those who do not fear because they know their God. Those who are not afraid of blood and war and burn with the justice of a Bridegroom King. Those who will carry out the strategies of heaven as they are allowed to be in the counsel of the war room. Lord, bring forth a warring bride, whomever will arise and shine! Especially the women and children; while unsuspecting warriors, the victory has been given to them.
It's the story of Junia, an apostle named by Paul, the one whom also mentions that women should learn in quiet submission. The basis of the book is found in Romans 16:7.
"Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me."
Junia was a woman.
When I first started to read the book, something inside of me began to identify with the shame of being a female in general, let alone in ministry. My deep-rooted fear of man (not limited to women, by any means) began to reveal itself and I felt a deep sorrow in my heart. Not your typical response, I don't think, to discovering that there were indeed female apostles in the Bible. You would think that my heart would have initially been delighted but, I was confronted w/my own disbelief and ignorance over this issue. I've been in such a season of coming into my 'own' (or rather, 'his' own) that my eyes have been both gradually and instantly opened in a way that absolutely feels revelatory. I should not be surprised by such obvious insights and yet, it always seems like the first time I've heard it when it does come.
I believe a revelation of bridal partnership is coming in a deep, powerful way. I am reminded of the recent words of Shelley Hundley concerning this. And this revelation is most certainly for the bride, both men and women, but I see so many prophetic parallels in the way the women in the Bible governed w/authority, fearlessness and integrity of heart and how the Bride of Christ is to govern, as well. Women who feared the Lord and acknowledged his name were used mightily by Him to accomplish His purposes. There is no male/female in Christ in this sense. Galatians 3:28 'There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.'
I believe this is the time for me to finish this book. The Holy Spirit is calling me to journey with Him and to open up my heart to what the scriptures really say and really mean concerning women, and apostolic women, at that. I have no desire to rule over a man as I see my own shortcomings and vulnerabilities every day. However, I also see these same obstacles in the lives of men.
I believe the LORD is raising up a warring bride. There is no doubt of this in me. However, am I willing to believe that he really IS raising up Deborah's whom govern His children, and settle matters? I have prayed it, I have believed it in part but I feel the Lord wants to release faith in a greater measure to me that I could call forth the generals in the bride; the women, in specific. Those who do not fear because they know their God. Those who are not afraid of blood and war and burn with the justice of a Bridegroom King. Those who will carry out the strategies of heaven as they are allowed to be in the counsel of the war room. Lord, bring forth a warring bride, whomever will arise and shine! Especially the women and children; while unsuspecting warriors, the victory has been given to them.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
The Friend and the Bride of the Bridegroom
I woke up this morning with this phrase in my head.
"Because I'm his friend he tells me his secrets. Because I am his bride he lets me govern those secrets."
Wow. God...in friendship you share your heart with me; your burdens, your longings, your insights and truths. But in bridal partnership you share your authority with me to govern those things and bring forth the fruit of that love relationship on the earth. What joy is mine!!!!
John 3:29
"The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete."
"Because I'm his friend he tells me his secrets. Because I am his bride he lets me govern those secrets."
Wow. God...in friendship you share your heart with me; your burdens, your longings, your insights and truths. But in bridal partnership you share your authority with me to govern those things and bring forth the fruit of that love relationship on the earth. What joy is mine!!!!
John 3:29
"The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete."
Monday, December 14, 2009
Revealed with Fire
Had a dream about fire Saturday night. Thought I would share it.
In my dream I was running alongside a field that had been burnt up by fire. I understood that it had been subject to controlled burning as many land owners will do in times of drought. As I was running I noticed a woman and her husband (actual people I know) in the field. She was standing above him as he was sitting on the ground, covered in flames. He was not responding to the flames as a man on fire would be. I was alarmed and yet, the flames were not consuming him as natural fire would. It made me think of the burning bush in the Old Testament. As I came near to this woman I began to pray with her for her husband and then we each took a hand and pulled him up from the place he was sitting, as if we were pulling him from the fire. As he was pulled up he turned into another friend of mine and then her mother was revealed, standing next to her. So, I had the married couple on one side and the mother/daughter on the other side. I then began to speak to them, "The Lord is saying that He has qualified you with fire. With fire you have been qualified." And right then their hearts were set to rest because of the word of encouragement and they were affirmed in Jesus, despite this time of fiery testing. (in the natural both of the situations have been devastating) The dream continues from there but I will not publish the rest. I feel it's for a later time.
As I was praying into this dream the Lord took me to 1 Corinthians 3 where Jesus is speaking of ministries, actually, and the testing/revealing of them with fire.
1 Corinthians 3: 12- 15
If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
There is personal revelation here for the Bride, not just in the context of contrasting ministries. This idea of fire that does not consume the person but rather what the person has built is a mystery that begs to be made known in this hour. I have a general understanding of this parable and what it means to have the Day or light showing the works of man for what it is. However, I feel there is a fire before the fire that is coming. This type of fire I believe it actually testing the hearts of men that they would suffer loss in this day rather than on that Day.
Over the summer the Lord spoke to my heart about fire that was coming for me in January of 2010. I felt the Holy Spirit speaking to me that I would be, "birthing fire by January." The imagery alone makes me hurt! Birthing anything is painful but FIRE?! So, I know the fire is coming; the controlled burn of the Spirit is coming as a preventative measure against the fire that WILL consume. The quality of each man's work will be revealed. The good news? If it stands approved of God, he will receive his reward. What is the reward? Only God knows the full measure of the reward but I do believe He shared with me that one of the immediate reward is the ability to move into the 'qualifying rounds' that we would be properly positioned to receive the newness of what He is going to bring. I believe He wants to add to what He's begun but the foundation must first be proven. New wine requires new wineskin lest it be destroyed. A new wineskin requires the forging and fire of God. I pray we are able to stand as approved workmanship in the day of fire.
1 Timothy 2:15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
I am feeling the deep shift and change in the plates of my soul, again. I have prayed for exponential grace and growth for this next year. I believe I am feeling the establishing of that in my spirit and it's causing my flesh to be very uncomfortable where I am. It's sometimes difficult to know what a normal 'day in the life of' a mother of four looks like while carrying/birthing holy burdens and burnings. And yet, I don't want to be able to recognize myself when this is all said and done. I want renewal and transformation in the deepest parts. Quick shifts and changes rattle cages yet I've willingly sung the song, "Come and turn my little world upside down!" Oh, He's doing it...from the inside out.
In my dream I was running alongside a field that had been burnt up by fire. I understood that it had been subject to controlled burning as many land owners will do in times of drought. As I was running I noticed a woman and her husband (actual people I know) in the field. She was standing above him as he was sitting on the ground, covered in flames. He was not responding to the flames as a man on fire would be. I was alarmed and yet, the flames were not consuming him as natural fire would. It made me think of the burning bush in the Old Testament. As I came near to this woman I began to pray with her for her husband and then we each took a hand and pulled him up from the place he was sitting, as if we were pulling him from the fire. As he was pulled up he turned into another friend of mine and then her mother was revealed, standing next to her. So, I had the married couple on one side and the mother/daughter on the other side. I then began to speak to them, "The Lord is saying that He has qualified you with fire. With fire you have been qualified." And right then their hearts were set to rest because of the word of encouragement and they were affirmed in Jesus, despite this time of fiery testing. (in the natural both of the situations have been devastating) The dream continues from there but I will not publish the rest. I feel it's for a later time.
As I was praying into this dream the Lord took me to 1 Corinthians 3 where Jesus is speaking of ministries, actually, and the testing/revealing of them with fire.
1 Corinthians 3: 12- 15
If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
There is personal revelation here for the Bride, not just in the context of contrasting ministries. This idea of fire that does not consume the person but rather what the person has built is a mystery that begs to be made known in this hour. I have a general understanding of this parable and what it means to have the Day or light showing the works of man for what it is. However, I feel there is a fire before the fire that is coming. This type of fire I believe it actually testing the hearts of men that they would suffer loss in this day rather than on that Day.
Over the summer the Lord spoke to my heart about fire that was coming for me in January of 2010. I felt the Holy Spirit speaking to me that I would be, "birthing fire by January." The imagery alone makes me hurt! Birthing anything is painful but FIRE?! So, I know the fire is coming; the controlled burn of the Spirit is coming as a preventative measure against the fire that WILL consume. The quality of each man's work will be revealed. The good news? If it stands approved of God, he will receive his reward. What is the reward? Only God knows the full measure of the reward but I do believe He shared with me that one of the immediate reward is the ability to move into the 'qualifying rounds' that we would be properly positioned to receive the newness of what He is going to bring. I believe He wants to add to what He's begun but the foundation must first be proven. New wine requires new wineskin lest it be destroyed. A new wineskin requires the forging and fire of God. I pray we are able to stand as approved workmanship in the day of fire.
1 Timothy 2:15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
I am feeling the deep shift and change in the plates of my soul, again. I have prayed for exponential grace and growth for this next year. I believe I am feeling the establishing of that in my spirit and it's causing my flesh to be very uncomfortable where I am. It's sometimes difficult to know what a normal 'day in the life of' a mother of four looks like while carrying/birthing holy burdens and burnings. And yet, I don't want to be able to recognize myself when this is all said and done. I want renewal and transformation in the deepest parts. Quick shifts and changes rattle cages yet I've willingly sung the song, "Come and turn my little world upside down!" Oh, He's doing it...from the inside out.
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