Jets fly overhead. The hum of my laptop is heard. I sit atop by bed looking into a pile of things. Just items I love, I wear, I look upon, all boxed up and neatly packaged in the middle of my room. I'm taking it all with me. This reality is still settling.
A flutter of emotion scours the house this bright morning. Be angry but don't sin. Love does not seek it's own. I have sought my own far too often than I will ever want to admit. But admit I shall. I have not deferred or preferred others above my self as the self-less Lover has said I should.
This Man, fully God, fully Man, was wrongly accused, oppressed, and afflicted and He didn't say a word (Isaiah 53). He didn't say a word. He kept silent. He forgave. He believed all things because He is Love.
So often, I retort and try to preserve myself and my intentions, over words I wasn't aware of, over emotion unseen in the other. Lord, give me Your love to take blame, to admit fault unseen, to love so selflessly that I see the person-not the words or actions.
I have two weeks left here at the Ewbank abode. My home. The safe, open place that will always be home. The place where family resides, where love abounds (let it abound still more and more!), and where I'll never feel like a guest. Family is what makes this place a home.
How I will miss the hugs, the laughter, and the one-on-one conversations with my family and friends! I'm thankful I love to write letters of which many of you will receive when I plant myself in the lovely hub of the burg only 2.5 hours away from the beach. Come visit! I'll have a nice little basement apartment abode for you to come stay and visit.
I will step out in faith embracing the new, fully reaching out for Love, and rooting myself as a tree.
The last few weeks in recap....
~I graduated from the Stand by Night internship December 15th. It was a wonderful 4 1/2 months, rich, and filled to the brill with the goodness of the Lord! I was able to share a brief testimony about what the Lord had taught me during the duration of the internship. I came home that day and took the next week getting fully well after being under the weather. Cat sitting and phone conversations with friends were other hightlights of the week. :) I also started reading Rees Howell's Intercessor. A book I've had on the shelf for about 5 years. It's excellent.
~Sunday, December 23rd, I returned to the burg to celebrate the dearly beloved Ronnette's birthday with a ball! I danced the night away and had a lovely time. :)
~I came back home Monday and spend the next several days packing my entire room. I was in my "cave" too many hours to count. I successfully managed to pack 3/4 of the way! I love being prepared ahead of time.
~Christmas was semi-low key (still spent packing some). I'll continue dreaming about snow. It was filled to the brim with good conversation with a good friend as we reveled in the goodness of a book called "Homemaking" by J.R Miller (a must read!).
~I celebrated 24 years yesterday. I can hardly believe I'm getting so old but I'm so thankful to the Lord. I am alive and a day closer to His return.
The next two weeks will be spent meeting with dear friends, raising support, spending time with family, and last minute packing. :)
Thank you all for your love and support. Your friendships mean so much to me.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Like a Stream
If you really look close, so much of the Word includes the word LIKE.
Our pictures and objects only scratch the surface in comparison with the Object to which we are comparing.
Our Maker, Creator, Lover, LOVES to speak to us in pictures with words and in pictures we can understand, and he uses weak vessels to declare His Word with boldness.
Prophecy: To encourage, exhort, and edify.
All of these realities bring clarity, vision, and confirmation.
My name, Ewbank, is basically Psalm 1. The yew trees planted by the banks.
So a friend prophesied over me last Tuesday as we were driving in the car. This wise one didn't know the meaning of my last name nor it's significance to me in this season. Basically, he saw a tree planted by a stream, the stream of living water. He said there was uncertainty about the next season that I would be in, but that a tree doesn't worry about the next season. In fact, it's so surrendered and nourished by the stream that it's leaves NEVER wither. In all seasons, it's leaves never die. Therefore, I must not worry about the next season but be fully surrendered to the Living Water, drink deep, and my fruit will be sustained.
The goodness continued. He got a picture of my family. Children (I saw this as the joyful, childlike love and spirit my family has). He said, they are really missing you and you are really missing them. They are feeling like you are on a long vacation and it's time to return home. You are feeling very settled where you are. There is going to be shift in the way they view what you are doing. They will see if as the work the Lord has called you to do. I started tearing up. This is so huge. The Lord knows me so intimately and knows that my family means so much to me. He also knew that this was one of the areas I needed confirmation in if I were to move to the burg where I currently reside. Wow.
Monday was great All staff meeting. The words proceeding from these beloved ones have been words I've longed to hear for so long. There is such a genuine spirit here, humility, Christ as center. They will be starting a church gathering on Sunday the first of the year. Exciting.
Thursday was very emotional but very healing. More confirmation of me being connected with this community. Jon read from a book called Fire and Fragrance and the chapter on Authentic Community. SO GOOD. I started crying. Earlier that day in class I had a deep crying out to deep cry. More healing from the loss of my dear friend Amy Hope. It was good. Another layer. And lots of love going around as we affirmed the life of each one here, giving each other hugs and words of encouragement.
Identity as priests and kings. It's what I'm called to do. Intercession is not need based it's out of love and submission to the Father. Agreement with the heart of Jesus. Who, by the way, is a MAN, seated right now at the right hand of God, inviting us to drink deep from the river of His pleasure and delight (yes, it's a real stream....). Lay aside all other things, friends. It's time to truly know the Man, truly partner with His heart, focus our mind on things above, and have an identity rooted in our daily ministry of being a priest before Him.
More to come soon.
Our pictures and objects only scratch the surface in comparison with the Object to which we are comparing.
Our Maker, Creator, Lover, LOVES to speak to us in pictures with words and in pictures we can understand, and he uses weak vessels to declare His Word with boldness.
Prophecy: To encourage, exhort, and edify.
All of these realities bring clarity, vision, and confirmation.
My name, Ewbank, is basically Psalm 1. The yew trees planted by the banks.
So a friend prophesied over me last Tuesday as we were driving in the car. This wise one didn't know the meaning of my last name nor it's significance to me in this season. Basically, he saw a tree planted by a stream, the stream of living water. He said there was uncertainty about the next season that I would be in, but that a tree doesn't worry about the next season. In fact, it's so surrendered and nourished by the stream that it's leaves NEVER wither. In all seasons, it's leaves never die. Therefore, I must not worry about the next season but be fully surrendered to the Living Water, drink deep, and my fruit will be sustained.
The goodness continued. He got a picture of my family. Children (I saw this as the joyful, childlike love and spirit my family has). He said, they are really missing you and you are really missing them. They are feeling like you are on a long vacation and it's time to return home. You are feeling very settled where you are. There is going to be shift in the way they view what you are doing. They will see if as the work the Lord has called you to do. I started tearing up. This is so huge. The Lord knows me so intimately and knows that my family means so much to me. He also knew that this was one of the areas I needed confirmation in if I were to move to the burg where I currently reside. Wow.
Monday was great All staff meeting. The words proceeding from these beloved ones have been words I've longed to hear for so long. There is such a genuine spirit here, humility, Christ as center. They will be starting a church gathering on Sunday the first of the year. Exciting.
Thursday was very emotional but very healing. More confirmation of me being connected with this community. Jon read from a book called Fire and Fragrance and the chapter on Authentic Community. SO GOOD. I started crying. Earlier that day in class I had a deep crying out to deep cry. More healing from the loss of my dear friend Amy Hope. It was good. Another layer. And lots of love going around as we affirmed the life of each one here, giving each other hugs and words of encouragement.
Identity as priests and kings. It's what I'm called to do. Intercession is not need based it's out of love and submission to the Father. Agreement with the heart of Jesus. Who, by the way, is a MAN, seated right now at the right hand of God, inviting us to drink deep from the river of His pleasure and delight (yes, it's a real stream....). Lay aside all other things, friends. It's time to truly know the Man, truly partner with His heart, focus our mind on things above, and have an identity rooted in our daily ministry of being a priest before Him.
More to come soon.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Confirmation
Water began to stream down my face in an instant as confirmation hit my heart.
If you don't quit, you win. Stay steady, constant. Don't be so introspective, but press for several years. Being a forerunner isn't something you do for a season. It's a lifelong calling. "Many go hard after fasting and prayer for a season but loose vision and grow weary in the well doing and give up." The reality of this truth hit my heart today.
The Lord has called me to the ministry of day and night prayer and he called me 5 years ago. I've been doing this for 3 years but haven't put my entire being into it. I've had one foot in the water but have waffled back and forth thinking that their was more to it (and more will come from it but I must give fully to it). I've viewed it as a season , a time of life, rather than a calling. Wow. This brings such clarity and hope to my heart. If the Lord has brought me to this place, to this house, the question shouldn't be should I stay, it should be should I go?
And so, I'm ready to dive in fully, whatever that looks like, here or there.
The consecration of a Nazirite:
Laying down legitimate pleasure unto encountering real fulfillment.
Having an outward sign of consecration (such as long hair).
Living for the eternal, not holding on to this world.
If you don't quit, you win. Stay steady, constant. Don't be so introspective, but press for several years. Being a forerunner isn't something you do for a season. It's a lifelong calling. "Many go hard after fasting and prayer for a season but loose vision and grow weary in the well doing and give up." The reality of this truth hit my heart today.
The Lord has called me to the ministry of day and night prayer and he called me 5 years ago. I've been doing this for 3 years but haven't put my entire being into it. I've had one foot in the water but have waffled back and forth thinking that their was more to it (and more will come from it but I must give fully to it). I've viewed it as a season , a time of life, rather than a calling. Wow. This brings such clarity and hope to my heart. If the Lord has brought me to this place, to this house, the question shouldn't be should I stay, it should be should I go?
And so, I'm ready to dive in fully, whatever that looks like, here or there.
The consecration of a Nazirite:
Laying down legitimate pleasure unto encountering real fulfillment.
Having an outward sign of consecration (such as long hair).
Living for the eternal, not holding on to this world.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Humility and Boldness.
I'm going to take this post to brag on one of my favorite teachers thus far in the internship.
Randy Martinez.
This man is so humble and yet so bold in declaring the truth. His passion is to raise ones up in this generation, preparing them for the end of the age. We have him this whole week and are focusing on the forerunner ministry.
This approach produces such a stirring in my heart. A witness that this is where I need to be. He reminded us at the end of class that we shouldn't be asking if we should stay here but if we should go. We are so use to just moving on to the next thing rather than firmly planting ourselves, giving ourselves wholly to one thing. "One thing have I desired of the Lord that one thing will I seek."
We won't see immediate fruit from our labor but we are sowing into something that will be relevant in the fullness of time.
Noah was the first transitional generation. He trusted in the word of the Lord so much he spend 120 years building an ark in his front yard. He wasn't relevant till the end as they watched the boat floating. Did you know that up till that point it had never rained from the sky? They thought he was crazy. So will the ones in this age think we are crazy for staring in the face of the Creator and Lover of our souls, Jesus, day and night.
More to come soon.....
Randy Martinez.
This man is so humble and yet so bold in declaring the truth. His passion is to raise ones up in this generation, preparing them for the end of the age. We have him this whole week and are focusing on the forerunner ministry.
This approach produces such a stirring in my heart. A witness that this is where I need to be. He reminded us at the end of class that we shouldn't be asking if we should stay here but if we should go. We are so use to just moving on to the next thing rather than firmly planting ourselves, giving ourselves wholly to one thing. "One thing have I desired of the Lord that one thing will I seek."
We won't see immediate fruit from our labor but we are sowing into something that will be relevant in the fullness of time.
Noah was the first transitional generation. He trusted in the word of the Lord so much he spend 120 years building an ark in his front yard. He wasn't relevant till the end as they watched the boat floating. Did you know that up till that point it had never rained from the sky? They thought he was crazy. So will the ones in this age think we are crazy for staring in the face of the Creator and Lover of our souls, Jesus, day and night.
More to come soon.....
Monday, October 1, 2012
Long time coming
I just realized that it's been almost 2 weeks since I've blogged anything about this day to day journey.
I'm finally adjusted to my new schedule of staying up when people are sleeping and going to sleep when people are waking up.
This is a typical week for me:
Monday-Class 3:30-5:30, All Staff meeting and Set from 5:30-8pm, Free time 8-10, Family briefing 10:30-11:30, Prayer Room 12-6am
Tuesday- Class, Dinner, Family Time, Core Groups 10pm, Free time, Prayer room 12-6am
Wednesday- Class, Dinner, Thrift Store 6:30-10pm, Free time, Prayer Room 12-6am
Thursday- Class, Dinner, 7 Loaves Food Ministry, Family briefing, Prayer Room 12-6am
Friday- Class/Chapel (1x a month), Dinner, Burn Service, Free time, Prayer Room 12-6am
Saturday- Sozo (Supernatural) ministry between 5 and 8pm, free time, Prayer room 12-6am
Sunday- Sabbath
I'm learning that I'll never be able to grasp eternity. And it's okay. The One I love, the Creator, He who sustains and holds all, is outside of time. Expectation is a good thing. Not knowing everything or not being able to order or understand everything, is okay. Be content in all things. Its for our excitement and enjoyment. We will never be bored, ever, we will never fully comprehend the Beauty, the depth.
My core identity is Christ and in Him I find my purpose, my occupation. I am a priest and a king before Him RIGHT now. This isn't talking about something to come it's something that I can walk in right now. This changes EVERYTHING. My highest calling in life and reason for existence is to be before Him. Choosing the better part of sitting at His feet.
This past Saturday, our Night Watch crew went to the Shenandoah Mountains for a hike. It was beautiful. We saw 3 waterfalls, beautiful streams, and trees. :) I commented to one of the guys as I took in the streams that the Lord's voice is over the waters. That night in our prayer room time I read Psalm 29. "The voice of the Lord is over many waters." I love how the Lord speaks truth confirming specific things to my heart.
Friday we had a speaker from Israel come and share the Word of the Lord at the Burn Service. It was EXACTLY what I needed to hear. Genesis 16. It's the story of Hagar and the encounter she had with the Lord. I've read this before but I've never viewed it in this way before. Hagar was met by the Lord somewhere between Kadesh and Bered. Kadesh means holiness and Bered means heaviness. Wow. At this place, she was encountered. At the well of grace. And the Lord asked this one, "Where have you come from and where are you going?" (vs. 8) What a powerful question! We know where we've come from but we don't know where we are going most of the time. BUT, we KNOW WHO we are going with, and in Him the path will be made clear. Remember the promises of the Lord. The words that have been spoken to you. SAY YES. You don't have to figure everything out. He is faithful to His promise and plans and will fulfill them in the FULLNESS of HIS time. His grace is enough. And then she ended with my favorite blessing from Scripture, "May the Lord bless you and keep you, may the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the light of His countenance shine upon you and give you peace.".
Behold and bless the Lord all you servants of the Lord who stand by night in the house of the Lord. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary. Bless the Lord! Psalm 134
The act of lifting up my hands is actually giving Him my ability to sustain and provide for myself. A full surrender of everything within me for ministry to the Lord. Wow.
"Set your mind on things above, not on things of the earth." This has been rolling in my mind this past week. We have access to the throne of grace. To the throne room. We can stand, right now, on the sea of glass, before the Man who give it all. Before our Lover, our Father. Knowing that Jesus is a man, that I am living for a Man, and that I have access to His presence at all times, gives me such purpose. Understanding is a beautiful thing. Once you understand you can walk more fully in the calling to which He has called you. What are those things about? The throne room. The Man. Fix your eyes upon Him.
More to share but I waited to long that there is too much to share.
I'm finally adjusted to my new schedule of staying up when people are sleeping and going to sleep when people are waking up.
This is a typical week for me:
Monday-Class 3:30-5:30, All Staff meeting and Set from 5:30-8pm, Free time 8-10, Family briefing 10:30-11:30, Prayer Room 12-6am
Tuesday- Class, Dinner, Family Time, Core Groups 10pm, Free time, Prayer room 12-6am
Wednesday- Class, Dinner, Thrift Store 6:30-10pm, Free time, Prayer Room 12-6am
Thursday- Class, Dinner, 7 Loaves Food Ministry, Family briefing, Prayer Room 12-6am
Friday- Class/Chapel (1x a month), Dinner, Burn Service, Free time, Prayer Room 12-6am
Saturday- Sozo (Supernatural) ministry between 5 and 8pm, free time, Prayer room 12-6am
Sunday- Sabbath
I'm learning that I'll never be able to grasp eternity. And it's okay. The One I love, the Creator, He who sustains and holds all, is outside of time. Expectation is a good thing. Not knowing everything or not being able to order or understand everything, is okay. Be content in all things. Its for our excitement and enjoyment. We will never be bored, ever, we will never fully comprehend the Beauty, the depth.
My core identity is Christ and in Him I find my purpose, my occupation. I am a priest and a king before Him RIGHT now. This isn't talking about something to come it's something that I can walk in right now. This changes EVERYTHING. My highest calling in life and reason for existence is to be before Him. Choosing the better part of sitting at His feet.
This past Saturday, our Night Watch crew went to the Shenandoah Mountains for a hike. It was beautiful. We saw 3 waterfalls, beautiful streams, and trees. :) I commented to one of the guys as I took in the streams that the Lord's voice is over the waters. That night in our prayer room time I read Psalm 29. "The voice of the Lord is over many waters." I love how the Lord speaks truth confirming specific things to my heart.
Friday we had a speaker from Israel come and share the Word of the Lord at the Burn Service. It was EXACTLY what I needed to hear. Genesis 16. It's the story of Hagar and the encounter she had with the Lord. I've read this before but I've never viewed it in this way before. Hagar was met by the Lord somewhere between Kadesh and Bered. Kadesh means holiness and Bered means heaviness. Wow. At this place, she was encountered. At the well of grace. And the Lord asked this one, "Where have you come from and where are you going?" (vs. 8) What a powerful question! We know where we've come from but we don't know where we are going most of the time. BUT, we KNOW WHO we are going with, and in Him the path will be made clear. Remember the promises of the Lord. The words that have been spoken to you. SAY YES. You don't have to figure everything out. He is faithful to His promise and plans and will fulfill them in the FULLNESS of HIS time. His grace is enough. And then she ended with my favorite blessing from Scripture, "May the Lord bless you and keep you, may the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the light of His countenance shine upon you and give you peace.".
Behold and bless the Lord all you servants of the Lord who stand by night in the house of the Lord. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary. Bless the Lord! Psalm 134
The act of lifting up my hands is actually giving Him my ability to sustain and provide for myself. A full surrender of everything within me for ministry to the Lord. Wow.
"Set your mind on things above, not on things of the earth." This has been rolling in my mind this past week. We have access to the throne of grace. To the throne room. We can stand, right now, on the sea of glass, before the Man who give it all. Before our Lover, our Father. Knowing that Jesus is a man, that I am living for a Man, and that I have access to His presence at all times, gives me such purpose. Understanding is a beautiful thing. Once you understand you can walk more fully in the calling to which He has called you. What are those things about? The throne room. The Man. Fix your eyes upon Him.
More to share but I waited to long that there is too much to share.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
More and More and More
A quick update from the lovely burg in the fred. :-)
A random fact:
EWBANK- planted by the banks of the ewe trees.
"I want to be like a tree, planted by the streams of living water....." Psalm 1
A few
Today was gorgeous. So beautiful. 70's. Sunny. A light breeze. Sun. A much needed time in the sun. My heart was glad.
Our class time was spent taking a tour of the various sites here in Fredericksburg that are monumental to the history of the prayer furnace. This entire week, David Bradshaw has been sharing with us the Word of the Lord and the prophetic history of the Prayer Furnace. It's amazingly incredible how the Lord has moved, and spoke to these faithful ones. We visited the Rappohannok River, the monumental Rock where Mary Washington prayed, and Mars Hill (the location where the Prayer Furnace's first prayer meetings began with hundreds of young people).
Wednesdays are our thrift store days where we volunteer 4 hours to sorting, organizing, pricing, and cleaning. I tagged and hung up clothes today. One of my favorite jobs thus far second to organizing the front of the store. We aren't able to be there during the time that people are there but I'm so thankful we get to serve. It's kingdom building work.
Last week, we talked about the end of the age as I mentioned in my last post. Beloved, this is incredible stuff. The last day we discussed Israel and getting a heart for Israel. Understanding their role in God's Grand plan and how everything ties together with us. I was able to encourage my Dad in the passage that has been on his heart for a while "How will they know without a preacher?" This verse is in direct relation with the people of Israel. And in Matthew 10:6-7 it explains what you preach. "But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, and as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand".....
Love is patient, it's doesn't parade itself, it doesn't seek it's own....1 Corinthians 13
We watched October baby yesterday. So good. Made me cry.
Pray into the prophecies that have been spoken over you. I was reminded in our briefing discussion Monday night that the Lord has given me a heart for the African American and Hispanic people and the ending of abortion.
We get to sit on Jesus's throne, friends. Even the angels aren't sitting on His throne right now. Heaven is coming to earth. Aw, this reality is astounding. :-)
More, more, so much more. And for another time.
A random fact:
EWBANK- planted by the banks of the ewe trees.
"I want to be like a tree, planted by the streams of living water....." Psalm 1
A few
Today was gorgeous. So beautiful. 70's. Sunny. A light breeze. Sun. A much needed time in the sun. My heart was glad.
Our class time was spent taking a tour of the various sites here in Fredericksburg that are monumental to the history of the prayer furnace. This entire week, David Bradshaw has been sharing with us the Word of the Lord and the prophetic history of the Prayer Furnace. It's amazingly incredible how the Lord has moved, and spoke to these faithful ones. We visited the Rappohannok River, the monumental Rock where Mary Washington prayed, and Mars Hill (the location where the Prayer Furnace's first prayer meetings began with hundreds of young people).
Wednesdays are our thrift store days where we volunteer 4 hours to sorting, organizing, pricing, and cleaning. I tagged and hung up clothes today. One of my favorite jobs thus far second to organizing the front of the store. We aren't able to be there during the time that people are there but I'm so thankful we get to serve. It's kingdom building work.
Last week, we talked about the end of the age as I mentioned in my last post. Beloved, this is incredible stuff. The last day we discussed Israel and getting a heart for Israel. Understanding their role in God's Grand plan and how everything ties together with us. I was able to encourage my Dad in the passage that has been on his heart for a while "How will they know without a preacher?" This verse is in direct relation with the people of Israel. And in Matthew 10:6-7 it explains what you preach. "But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, and as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand".....
Love is patient, it's doesn't parade itself, it doesn't seek it's own....1 Corinthians 13
We watched October baby yesterday. So good. Made me cry.
Pray into the prophecies that have been spoken over you. I was reminded in our briefing discussion Monday night that the Lord has given me a heart for the African American and Hispanic people and the ending of abortion.
We get to sit on Jesus's throne, friends. Even the angels aren't sitting on His throne right now. Heaven is coming to earth. Aw, this reality is astounding. :-)
More, more, so much more. And for another time.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Meat from the Word
My eyes, ears, and heart are receiving so much from these teachers of the Scroll. Dear ones who are humble, tender yet bold, and declaring with boldness the meat of the Word.
I love it. I absolutely LOVE it. Every single book in Scripture has a meaning a divine purpose. They aren't just random books put together for us to somehow piece together the puzzle. They are all made up of one grand story. God's Grand plan for redemption. We are invited to join this amazing story. Actually, we are an active part, an essential part, in the story.
The end of the age is not a topic that should be placed in a category all of it's own. It's not something we aren't able to understand. It's actually the central focus of the entirety of Scripture, friends.
Oh, and the House of Prayer. Guess what! It's not a crazy movement that Mike Bickle started 12 years ago that now everyone is jumping on the bandwagon with----it's outlined clearly in Scripture. It's in the plan and purpose of God to establish day and night prayer on the earth. It's the means by which He will unify the church in order that they will all be on the same page with the Spirit, that's why at the end of the Bible, in revelation, it says The Spirit AND the BRIDE say Come! We will be in a place of intimacy with the Lord, with His Spirit, where we are longing for Him!
Luke 18:1-8
I love it. I absolutely LOVE it. Every single book in Scripture has a meaning a divine purpose. They aren't just random books put together for us to somehow piece together the puzzle. They are all made up of one grand story. God's Grand plan for redemption. We are invited to join this amazing story. Actually, we are an active part, an essential part, in the story.
The end of the age is not a topic that should be placed in a category all of it's own. It's not something we aren't able to understand. It's actually the central focus of the entirety of Scripture, friends.
Oh, and the House of Prayer. Guess what! It's not a crazy movement that Mike Bickle started 12 years ago that now everyone is jumping on the bandwagon with----it's outlined clearly in Scripture. It's in the plan and purpose of God to establish day and night prayer on the earth. It's the means by which He will unify the church in order that they will all be on the same page with the Spirit, that's why at the end of the Bible, in revelation, it says The Spirit AND the BRIDE say Come! We will be in a place of intimacy with the Lord, with His Spirit, where we are longing for Him!
Luke 18:1-8
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’”
Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
Isaiah 56: 6-7
Also the sons of the foreigner (this would be us)
Who join themselves to the Lord, to serve Him,
And to love the name of the Lord, to be His servants—
Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath,
And holds fast My covenant—
7 Even them I will bring to My holy mountain,
And make them joyful in My house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices
Will be accepted on My altar;
For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.”
Who join themselves to the Lord, to serve Him,
And to love the name of the Lord, to be His servants—
Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath,
And holds fast My covenant—
7 Even them I will bring to My holy mountain,
And make them joyful in My house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices
Will be accepted on My altar;
For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.”
He didn't say my house will be called a house of evangelism, or a house or missions, or a house of ministry, He said it would be called a house of prayer. Every form of ministry comes out of the place of prayer!! This is so amazing.
Oh, and friends, in case you didn't know another astoundingly wonderful thing that's happening: Jesus is coming back to earth as a MAN. Just as He ascended into Heaven as a Man so also He will descend. AND, HEAVEN is coming to EARTH. God chose this place as a dwelling place for Jesus. We won't go up to Heaven and be floating without life and purpose, oh, we will have a purpose, just as we have a purpose here, we will also have a purpose in this new glorious city. Full partnership with Jesus in rebuilding the earth to it's original purpose (intimate relationship with God and Man) as it was in the garden of Eden. We will rule and reign WITH Jesus for 1000 years and will ready earth for the Father's coming!!!
What hope this gives my soul. There is purpose here. There is purpose in the age to come.
Much more to say about all of these things. I encourage you friends, just as the one presenting these things to me encouraged. EAT THE SCROLL. Feast on the Word of God. Let it know you deep on the inside. View it as one big story that you have an active part and purpose in. It's amazing.
Monday, September 10, 2012
A time
As I write, my hands are cold with the dawning of fall on the horizon. The midnight or mid morning air delights my being. I sit with crickets behind an ancient gas pump with young men in the room behind being swept away by the Holy Spirit. A party that never ends. A joy that is indescribable.
Last night concluded our first week going 24/6 in the House of Prayer. My emotions have been running ever so high. At random times, I'll just start to cry. Over little things. Sometimes over big things. I'm realizing I can only love rightly through the one who IS Love. I've realized how judgmental I can be, how I want things done my way, how I have difficulty submitting to authority, how I must understand things.
Let go, Spirit. Press in deep.
We did SOZO ministry on Saturday. We split up into teams at the local hospital and sought out people to minister the Love of Jesus to through prayer. Jon felt a pain in his stomach as we past by one woman and sensed the Lord was indicating that the woman had pain in her stomach. We asked her if she did and it was true! We asked if we could pray with her and she was very receptive. Praise the Lord!
This week we focused on Genesis 1-3. "In the beginning GOD." What a powerful statement. We also talked about us. The image bearers. How God didn't need creatures, especially image bearers, but He desired the love He knew in Himself to be experienced by those He made in His image.
We delved deeper into God's Grand plan for redemption and our role in this exciting plan!
I learned this week that it's okay to freak out. The Night Watch is freak out worthy. So glad I'm not the only one freaking out.
If you love Me, you will keep My commandments, says the Lord. He wants voluntary lovers.
We had a loving chastisement this week that encouraged my heart. The question that the discussion started with was "What's the difference between a child of God and a bratty kid?" So good.
I chill and must go back inside.
Last night concluded our first week going 24/6 in the House of Prayer. My emotions have been running ever so high. At random times, I'll just start to cry. Over little things. Sometimes over big things. I'm realizing I can only love rightly through the one who IS Love. I've realized how judgmental I can be, how I want things done my way, how I have difficulty submitting to authority, how I must understand things.
Let go, Spirit. Press in deep.
We did SOZO ministry on Saturday. We split up into teams at the local hospital and sought out people to minister the Love of Jesus to through prayer. Jon felt a pain in his stomach as we past by one woman and sensed the Lord was indicating that the woman had pain in her stomach. We asked her if she did and it was true! We asked if we could pray with her and she was very receptive. Praise the Lord!
This week we focused on Genesis 1-3. "In the beginning GOD." What a powerful statement. We also talked about us. The image bearers. How God didn't need creatures, especially image bearers, but He desired the love He knew in Himself to be experienced by those He made in His image.
We delved deeper into God's Grand plan for redemption and our role in this exciting plan!
I learned this week that it's okay to freak out. The Night Watch is freak out worthy. So glad I'm not the only one freaking out.
If you love Me, you will keep My commandments, says the Lord. He wants voluntary lovers.
We had a loving chastisement this week that encouraged my heart. The question that the discussion started with was "What's the difference between a child of God and a bratty kid?" So good.
I chill and must go back inside.
Monday, September 3, 2012
........
It's so interesting how the Lord will begin to show you your true character being in a different environment. Today, I'm a bit irritable. I think it's the lack of down time/alone time and the fact that I've been going to bed at 6:30am the last two nights. Hoping the presence of the Lord will improve my mood greatly. We will be officially launching the Night Watch prayer meeting tonight--the fire that will continue to burn 6 days a week. Expecting powerful things to happen tonight as we sit before the presence of the Lord from midnight-6am.
We had a "love feast" tonight where the body gathered together for a time of fellowship and eating. I came back to the base, wrote a partnership letter, had a briefing meeting with our group, and then helped put the Prayer Room back in order from the morning crews intensive cleaning.
Since I last blogged, we had a class on Sexual Immorality and how our tolerance has destroyed our voice for the nations. We must fight and use the Scripture as motivation. Judge yourself before God judges you.
On Thursday, we went out to a few local motels and inns to hand out food and offer prayer to those who wanted it. We encountered various different people with lots of different stories. I was able to pray with a few Hispanic women for provision. Since I last posted, I've moved to a house about 30 minutes from our base, on a farm. It's been an adjustment but the Lord obviously has a plan.
We had a "love feast" tonight where the body gathered together for a time of fellowship and eating. I came back to the base, wrote a partnership letter, had a briefing meeting with our group, and then helped put the Prayer Room back in order from the morning crews intensive cleaning.
Since I last blogged, we had a class on Sexual Immorality and how our tolerance has destroyed our voice for the nations. We must fight and use the Scripture as motivation. Judge yourself before God judges you.
On Thursday, we went out to a few local motels and inns to hand out food and offer prayer to those who wanted it. We encountered various different people with lots of different stories. I was able to pray with a few Hispanic women for provision. Since I last posted, I've moved to a house about 30 minutes from our base, on a farm. It's been an adjustment but the Lord obviously has a plan.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
More Goodness from the Lord
8/26/12
Today is Sunday. Our corporate day of rest.
I’m sitting in our freezing basement with our
sunlight lamp streaming in so my body thinks it’s afternoon. Earlier, the house above was abuzz with a
late night cleaning escapade.
Morning breakfast: 12noon. Delicious bowl of
oatmeal with a cup of coffee. Encouraging conversation with some daytime ladies
about friendships. Jonathan and David. God caused Jonathan to love David. God
puts people in our lives for a reason and He’s the author of friendships. He’s
the greatest Friend. He’s got our story written out in it’s fullness. We don’t
have to strive to maintain friendships and we don’t have to fear loosing
friends. It brought tears to my eyes.
Our first core group meeting today. It’s just the
three of us (me, Ashley and Leah-who’s our leader). Wegmans. The best grocery
store/cafe ever. This community is so
real. Quick to repent, quick to love.
My roommate Megan and I went strolling down the
lovely streets of downtown Fredericksburg and stopped into an adorable coffee
shop bookstore and a antique shoppes. We
were on the quest to find The Space Trilogy by C.S Lewis. Our search came up
empty but we came home with tea.
A dear friend from home called me and we talked
for over an hour. Our conversation was interrupted several times by our
connection, but we pressed on, and encouragement was given, the overflow of the
affection of the Father was poured out, and heartstrings were knit.
Let’s see…since I last blogged on Thursday…we had
an amazing Burn Service on Friday night. David Bradshaw brought the Word.
Obedience. God desires His inheritance-us-and wants all of us. He wants 100%
obedience. It’s good to receive from the Lord but we must think of the “I am my
beloved” part of the equation. We must say yes. It’s not us doing it, it’s Him.
Read Deuteronomy 30. Powerful stuff. I
cleaned toilets that were in desparate need of cleaning. Love to serve the body
in practical ways.
….8/29/12
Yeah, I haven’t been very good about journaling every
day. The Lord continues to move powerfully. Week 2 is going very well. They
call it deliverance week though every day we are being delivered from
something. I’m so thankful for the previous Inner Healing classes I took the
last two semesters. They prepared me to receive the same information in a new
outlook and setting. Monday we talked
about Father and Mother wounds. Our view of we God stems so strongely from our
relationship with our parents. We were in the prayer room for 8 hours! . I know
by the time we are done with this season, we will want to spend even more time
in this sweet place of encounter. Powerful all staff set where the Lord was
breaking off chains of bondage, romancing our hearts with His love (I’ve been
asking the Lord to show me Himself as LOVER), and breaking off the orphan
spirit. We also corporately interceeded for Israel-the beloved people close to
God’s heart. A sweet memory of me and my siblings dancing in our basement
rushed through my head as we began singing “Everything that, everything that,
everything that has breath praise the Lord!”.
I also, in that moment, realized that I’ve just been viewing Jesus as
Lord. He hasn’t reached that place in my
heart yet as the true Lover of my soul.
“We must live out of the overflow of the affection of the Father’s
love”.
Yesterday,
was really ministering to my heart. We talked about inner vows, open doors we
have open to the enemy, and generational curses and blessings. We also discussed forgiveness, the occult,
and sexual sins. Each HUGE topics but make my heart glad that we are getting
rid of them. One of the huge takeaways was the following point: “A word about
FEAR is usally a sign that there is an entry way in your life that produced
fear. It may have been an open door of trauma. Ask the Lord, where did this
fear come into my life?”
Time in the prayer room yesterday was also sweet.
Right now, we don’t have a set format (we will next week), so most of our time
in the prayer room has been spent before the Lord in personal devotion. 1 Corinthians
2:6-16. The entirety of this passage is amazing but verse 16 is especially
amazing to me: For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct
Him? BUT WE HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST. Dear ones, this is so powerful if we would
just wrap our heads around this truth. We have HIS mind. It’s not us living
inside us, it’s not our mind, it’s His.
Today we will be working the Thrift store! I can’t
wait!
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Alive and well
Hello dear Friends and family,
Today is the first day I've been able to access the internet since my arrival at the Fredericksburg Prayer Furnace. I am indeed alive and doing very well. Below are a few entries I've written that cover the last few days.
8/19/12
8/20/12
8/23/12
My time thus far has been AMAZING. The Lord has been moving in mighty ways. My schedule hasn't fully switched over to a night schedule yet. We will be in the prayer room till 3am all of this week and next and then will fully transition to the 6am schedule. Today is really the first day I'm really feeling the groggyness of going to bed at 3:30am. BUT, I didn't wake up at 7-7:30am like I've been doing since I arrived. :)
Tuesday, my roomate Ashley moved in. She's bunking on the top and has to climb into her bed WITHOUT a ladder. We had a POWERFUL teaching with Randy Martinez from Joel 2. We began our class crying out to the Lord for help. That He would give to us the spirit of wisdom, revelation, and the knowledge of Him, we asked for His help to understand, to focus. Which turned into a powerful time of prayer. Randy asked if anyone had a difficult birth. I had heard most of the teaching that he gave, but it was great hearing it again. At the end of class another outpouring of the spirit came, and we began to travail on behalf of the babies. I cried a deep cry from within, as deep crying out to deep. Just the weight of His heart and desire to partner fully with it.
Yesterday, we had orientation at the Thrift store. Kingdom building work. All the money that is earned goes directly into the house of prayer. The thrift store is located at the Event Center where the house of prayer holds all their events and seminars. Once we get into our 6am schedule, we will be working the thrift store once a week in the evening. I LOVE thrift stores and am so glad we are going to be able to serve in this way.
Today, here in a few minutes, I'll be meeting with my Stand by Night family. There are 8 of us total with leaders. We'll have just a short time of debriefing and then class at 3 with the Burn Internship family. :) The girls are all amazing! Dinner at 5:30 (which is my lunch but we call it dinner), and then a lunch at around 11:30pm,
Expecting great things from the Father today. Love you all!
Today is the first day I've been able to access the internet since my arrival at the Fredericksburg Prayer Furnace. I am indeed alive and doing very well. Below are a few entries I've written that cover the last few days.
8/19/12
Yesterday was the beginning of something new.
I woke up relaxed but sore. The previous day’s
wedding engagement involved cutting grilled chicken with dull knives. A great
workout for the shoulders and back.. yeah, not the best after my morning
massage, but wonderful bonding time, through serving, with my friend Krystina.
;)
After my morning brew of coffee, I turned on the
Spanish version of “You’ve Got A friend in me” from Toy Story 3. It made my morning even happier.
I left my room to rest for 4 ½ months. All things
in order.
My friend Dyland was so kind and gracious to offer
his families vacuum for me to use to thoroughly clean out my car before the trip.
Detail attachments and everything. A blessing. More order.
A run to the bank was my last stop before
departure to the beautiful wooded land of Fredericksburg. All my finances
deposited. Three one hundred dollar bills tucked nicely in a floral envelope.
Provision from the Lord. Completion.
Barefoot, I loaded every piece of luggage and tote
into my steamy blue car. The air held a slight breeze and the sky spoke of
rain.
Sunny and slightly breezy as I drive down I-64. My
eyes brim with tears as a dear friend texts “I love you” and wants to talk
soon. My morning had been filled with other fair well texts and blessings for
this new season.
The words, divinely spoken God Words, I sensed
going into this new season:
Expectation, Newness , Fullness.
These same words were spoken to the group during
our wonderful worship time together on this beautiful Sunday morning. Yes,
confirmation that this is where I need to be.
I’m staying in the same intern house I visited
when I came up for the Awaken the Dawn Conference. God is so good to place me
in a familiar place. I’m staying in the basement and room with 2 other lovely
ladies and a leader in another room. Our basement is fully furnished with
kitchen and two bathrooms. He also knows
that I didn’t want to be in a room with lots of girls.
I’m doing the Night Watch (prayer between the
hours of 12 midnight and 6am) but our schedule hasn’t switched to Night Watch
quite yet (though as I write this it’s passed over to the midnight hour as I’m
trying to slowly adjust). We are all a
family. The Night Watch ladies and daytime Burn ladies all stay in the same
house and we’ve all been doing a lot of things together thus far. I absolutely
love this.
To develop
our family and build relationships, we played LOTS of games today. Freeze was HILARIOUS. I laughed a lot. It’s an acting game where you use props and
develop a story, someone in the crowd yells freeze and jumps into one of the
actors place. They could continue the story or change it completely.
After our game time we
broke bread together (dinner) and watched the film titled “The Father of
Lights”. This was the second time I had seen this movie and oh how it makes my
heart glad! My faith for signs and miracles increases so much! Oh the Love of
Jesus! And, my name, Elaine, means One of Light so anything having to do with spreading
HIS Light really touches me to the core.
And knowing the Father. His deep, deep love for us. So powerful. Loving
others out of the love you’ve received, the love that you know. I’d highly
recommend it.8/20/12
As my roommate Megan warned me my first
night---All that you receive will be like a fire hose. A washing of water by
the WORD.
Well, she was right.
Our first class with David Bradshaw today was
powerful. Yes and Amen on every point.
These gatherings in a classroom aren’t to attain information. Oh no! Our
desire isn’t to just get more good information our desire is for encounter.
Encounter with the Living One and Only God.
One of the things that make me SO glad about all
of this is the fact that they are giving us the raw truth. They desire a people
to run hard after God, they desire a fascinated Bride, one who is captivated by
her Beloved. And they know fully that
with this knowledge, with understanding and revelation, a generation will be
rocked to the core. Lives will be completely changed. I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am
for what’s coming. Guys, this is only
day 2!
I must tell my heart to not overanalyze, but yield
to God.
I remembered the binder cover I had personalized
when I began college back in 2007. It clearly depicted my heart at 18. Psalm 27. “One Thing have I desired of the
Lord, that One thing will I seek, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to
meditate in His temple.”
I was struck by the reason why we engage in sin.
Why we settle for a pleasure far less than what is attainable in Christ
(fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore!).
We choose this lesser thing because we deceive ourselves into thinking
that we are missing out on some form of pleasure.
The desire for fascination and pleasure is to be
fulfilled by CHRIST. We shouldn’t be apologizing or repenting from the desire
for pleasure. And our desire for
pleasure is way too weak as we settle for lesser things.
Obedience, coming into agreement of His nature, is
the highway to pleasure.
The beauty found in this realm on earth is just a
picture of the beauty in His realm.
A religious spirit. It’s basically lack of the
knowledge of God and it’s demonic. We claim to KNOW this Man, when we really
don’t know Him.
Do we
desire to be undone before Him? Undone. Fully surrendered. Fully exposed.
Don’t despise the mundane moments in seeking the
Lord. Ah, this really spoke to me. How often I don’t press in long enough? We
are living in a generation where we like to microwave everything. We want quick
results, quick solutions. We don’t know how to wait, how to be still, how to
silent all other voices.
What He’s asking is simple. Give yourself FULLY to
the knowledge of God and don’t look at your progress right away. Stare. Gaze. Look. Meditate. Behold. We see
in a mirror DIMELY.
8/23/12
My time thus far has been AMAZING. The Lord has been moving in mighty ways. My schedule hasn't fully switched over to a night schedule yet. We will be in the prayer room till 3am all of this week and next and then will fully transition to the 6am schedule. Today is really the first day I'm really feeling the groggyness of going to bed at 3:30am. BUT, I didn't wake up at 7-7:30am like I've been doing since I arrived. :)
Tuesday, my roomate Ashley moved in. She's bunking on the top and has to climb into her bed WITHOUT a ladder. We had a POWERFUL teaching with Randy Martinez from Joel 2. We began our class crying out to the Lord for help. That He would give to us the spirit of wisdom, revelation, and the knowledge of Him, we asked for His help to understand, to focus. Which turned into a powerful time of prayer. Randy asked if anyone had a difficult birth. I had heard most of the teaching that he gave, but it was great hearing it again. At the end of class another outpouring of the spirit came, and we began to travail on behalf of the babies. I cried a deep cry from within, as deep crying out to deep. Just the weight of His heart and desire to partner fully with it.
Yesterday, we had orientation at the Thrift store. Kingdom building work. All the money that is earned goes directly into the house of prayer. The thrift store is located at the Event Center where the house of prayer holds all their events and seminars. Once we get into our 6am schedule, we will be working the thrift store once a week in the evening. I LOVE thrift stores and am so glad we are going to be able to serve in this way.
Today, here in a few minutes, I'll be meeting with my Stand by Night family. There are 8 of us total with leaders. We'll have just a short time of debriefing and then class at 3 with the Burn Internship family. :) The girls are all amazing! Dinner at 5:30 (which is my lunch but we call it dinner), and then a lunch at around 11:30pm,
Expecting great things from the Father today. Love you all!
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Meditate
MED'ITATE, v.i. [L. meditor.]"The Law of Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold, sweeter than honey...Open up my eyes that I may see wonderful things from Your law" This familiar (to some) tune (from Chris Carter) is taken from Psalm 119. I love songs that are set to Scripture. |
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
10 days
I like today's date. 8/8/12. Even numbers. Restful. The end of something good to start something new. Today marks 10 days till I embark, surrender, open wide the gates, fully plunge into the river of Living Water, drink deep, maybe lack sleep but certainly find full rest in Christ.
Yes, I'll be leaving for the beautiful hills of Northern Virginia to immerse myself in the Word, to sit before my Maker, the One who holds all of my life and plans in His hands, to partner with others towards One thing, the only thing in life that matters---seeking Christ's purpose, Jesus' heart for this broken world, and loving Him with ALL.
I'm so expectant.
New things.
Good things.
Spirit falling afresh and anew.
He's already showed me how He can provide. He's teaching me patience. He's showing me that direction is coming. Trust Me, He says.
I'll try my best to post updates here with all the Lord is doing while I'm away.
Your prayers and friendship mean so much to me.
Yes, I'll be leaving for the beautiful hills of Northern Virginia to immerse myself in the Word, to sit before my Maker, the One who holds all of my life and plans in His hands, to partner with others towards One thing, the only thing in life that matters---seeking Christ's purpose, Jesus' heart for this broken world, and loving Him with ALL.
I'm so expectant.
New things.
Good things.
Spirit falling afresh and anew.
He's already showed me how He can provide. He's teaching me patience. He's showing me that direction is coming. Trust Me, He says.
I'll try my best to post updates here with all the Lord is doing while I'm away.
Your prayers and friendship mean so much to me.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
a few spare moments
Well, I totally didn't plan to blog exactly 1 month after I blogged last time. I just had a few spare moments to myself. It's just me and the house. I love these nights. Quiet and still. The fan spinning. The computer humming. Alone time with me. The house smells of waffles. I've been too busy. Again. The cycle. Too many late nights and early mornings.
So since my last post, I've decided to go to the Stand by Night Internship at the Prayer Furnace in Fredricksburg. The time is now. If I were to wait any longer, it just wouldn't be right. I feel like this internship will be the catalyst, the launching point, to point me in the exact place the Lord want's me. And I thought that was more fully in the House of Prayer. But, I'm beginning to think it's something different. My heart will be with the house of prayer and I will be involved to some degree, but I know there is something more. Something much more that hasn't been shown to me yet. I'm really in a place where I must fully trust the Lord in a time where there is no specifics given and money needed. He is my Provider so I won't worry. I'll remember His faithfulness to me. And as a Beloved sister in Jesus reminded me yesterday, it's His heart that I must have, not just my heart, because in the end, doing things in my own strength will result in weariness, discouragement, lack of focus, and zeal. I MUST have His heart and walk in HIS ways (for they aren't my ways, nor are they my thoughts). But, I have the mind of Christ. Yes, dear ones, we have the mind of Christ.
God is speaking. And it's really cool. A wedding/ Discernment for the one/ A bold voice/one who is a leader in the ending of abortion/the weight of His glory/mothering and loving the broken
I'm excited about what the Lord is going to do in this next season. And the season to come.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Takeaways from Groundhog Day
I've had quite a lot of downtime the last few days as I've been resting. In all my resting I've watched several episodes of Monk (much could be said about this show as well) and watched the film Groundhog Day.
Well, there are several, yes, several, takeaways and thoughts I have from this film.
We must remember:
"Whatever things are true, noble, pure, right, lovely, admirable, of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, THINK on these things." Philipians 4
Weather men. How much trust we place in them! We (the church) are more concerned with the weather than preparing ourselves for THE hour. When instead we should be waking up to realize the season we are living in, the season that will come, walking in hope rather than in fear.
Groundhogs. Really? Yes, it's a funny thing most of us don't believe in, but there are those out there that really do. They BELIEVE in groundhogs. Do we want to be a people walking in reality or do we so often place ourselves in situations where we laugh at what is not reality? and thus put our approval on what is not reality
Immorality. So, Phil's day keeps playing over and over. Oh how so many people that can relate to the monotony of work, school, life. He chose to do whatever he pleased because there weren't going to be any consequences in the end. And we choose to watch the immorality right before our eyes as he makes love to someone who isn't his wife. We think it's funny, don't we? It satisfies our fleshly desires. When sin has conceived it brings forth death. Oh, and the gay guy
Little gods. The film is blatant about the fact of little gods. He viewed himself as immortal. Unable to die. Because he was the only one experiencing the same day over and over again, he took on the form of a god and used what was happening to his advantage (to get the girl, etc).
Good works. I found it interesting that after he had figured out the system, how he figured out the girl, he knew all the right words to say, but knew that he had to establish good re-pore with the town (which would def get him the girl). He did so by doing good deeds. So many people think we can attain life (eternal) through good works. But not without faith. Faith and works go hand and hand.
Faith Believing. One of the greatest takeaways from this film was the fact that Phil had faith (that he could get the girl) with good works. And the girl, Rita, believed in him.
Well, I think I have more to say about all of this but that's the rough of it.
Well, there are several, yes, several, takeaways and thoughts I have from this film.
We must remember:
"Whatever things are true, noble, pure, right, lovely, admirable, of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, THINK on these things." Philipians 4
Weather men. How much trust we place in them! We (the church) are more concerned with the weather than preparing ourselves for THE hour. When instead we should be waking up to realize the season we are living in, the season that will come, walking in hope rather than in fear.
Groundhogs. Really? Yes, it's a funny thing most of us don't believe in, but there are those out there that really do. They BELIEVE in groundhogs. Do we want to be a people walking in reality or do we so often place ourselves in situations where we laugh at what is not reality? and thus put our approval on what is not reality
Immorality. So, Phil's day keeps playing over and over. Oh how so many people that can relate to the monotony of work, school, life. He chose to do whatever he pleased because there weren't going to be any consequences in the end. And we choose to watch the immorality right before our eyes as he makes love to someone who isn't his wife. We think it's funny, don't we? It satisfies our fleshly desires. When sin has conceived it brings forth death. Oh, and the gay guy
Little gods. The film is blatant about the fact of little gods. He viewed himself as immortal. Unable to die. Because he was the only one experiencing the same day over and over again, he took on the form of a god and used what was happening to his advantage (to get the girl, etc).
Good works. I found it interesting that after he had figured out the system, how he figured out the girl, he knew all the right words to say, but knew that he had to establish good re-pore with the town (which would def get him the girl). He did so by doing good deeds. So many people think we can attain life (eternal) through good works. But not without faith. Faith and works go hand and hand.
Faith Believing. One of the greatest takeaways from this film was the fact that Phil had faith (that he could get the girl) with good works. And the girl, Rita, believed in him.
Well, I think I have more to say about all of this but that's the rough of it.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
And so I write as words come.
The Lord cherishes me. It's much deeper than caring. He deeply esteems me. He gave His life for ME. His thoughts are higher than my thoughts. His ways are not my ways. Full reliance upon Him is necessary. Not optional. If one desires to walk in His ways, one must be fully surrendered to Him. He knows the intentions of our heart. He doesn't look on the outward appearance as man does. He doesn't look at what we've achieved, where we work, though those things have little importance. What matters in His eyes are the intentions. The consistent working out of our salvation, with fear and trembling. The realization that it takes labor. The realization that we are in the world, not of it. The realization that His opinion of us matters far more than what other people think. He desires us to walk toward others with His eyes. Not how the world would view them. Thank you Mike Bickle for allowing the Lord to speak through you.
Everytime I listen to anything from IHOP I am always so encouraged. It all fits together so perfectly. One doesn't have to approach Scripture as if it's something they can't understand. God has a plan and it's all laid out. I am so thankful the Lord is calling forth a remnant. A people set apart. One's who allow the Lord to speak through them.
Psalm 15: 4 He who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
The importance of meditating on His Word. This verse really stuck out to me. The beginning of this Psalm asks the question, "Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle?" It then describes the character of those who may dwell and abide.
He who swears to his own hurt and does not change.
And does not change. So I must accept that I've been hurt but not allow it to change me. Not allow it to consumer me. To alter how I interact with others, what I do, what I say. This truth became clear with how I reacted to Amy's death.
Has this been that which has held me back?
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Much. Less is more.
How my blog has sat stagnant for the last several months. Waiting. Much has happened since I last wrote.
My mom discovered a book called One Thousand Gifts. Beauty in giving thanks is its essence. It inspires me to write. To see beauty in all things, especially the hard, the difficult, the ugly.
My journey to thankfulness has been a slow beginning. But it began. Emotion- a stream of tears-came when this book provoked a dear brother in Christ to share, to heal---it produced a deep healing of the wounds a sister and friend left on the world she left behind. Thankfulness brings healing. Thankfulness reminds you of the good, not the bad. It doesn't diminish the bad it brings the good to the surface, like a light shining through darkened clouds. His testimony of healing encouraged me to remember good.
My friend became a mother. She now holds a life. A soul. A beloved little child. I was reminded today that our faith must be as a child to enter the kingdom of God.
Rain pours outside my glass window. My room, decorated with lovely trinkets, books, vintage handmade cards, pressed flowers. I sit atop a cloud of white flowery petals and leaves, a blanket of warmth. The sound of popping is heard from the glass as the droplets of water hit my concrete yard. Heavy downpour. Stop. The sun doesn't have a chance to shine today, but it shines in my heart, He shines. His pleasure, filling, pouring. God above reminding me that as I pour out to Him, my heart, He is pouring into me. I was reminded of this on a beautiful, not dreary day, Monday at Bible study.
Romans 5:5- "Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been POURED out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
My mom discovered a book called One Thousand Gifts. Beauty in giving thanks is its essence. It inspires me to write. To see beauty in all things, especially the hard, the difficult, the ugly.
My journey to thankfulness has been a slow beginning. But it began. Emotion- a stream of tears-came when this book provoked a dear brother in Christ to share, to heal---it produced a deep healing of the wounds a sister and friend left on the world she left behind. Thankfulness brings healing. Thankfulness reminds you of the good, not the bad. It doesn't diminish the bad it brings the good to the surface, like a light shining through darkened clouds. His testimony of healing encouraged me to remember good.
My friend became a mother. She now holds a life. A soul. A beloved little child. I was reminded today that our faith must be as a child to enter the kingdom of God.
Rain pours outside my glass window. My room, decorated with lovely trinkets, books, vintage handmade cards, pressed flowers. I sit atop a cloud of white flowery petals and leaves, a blanket of warmth. The sound of popping is heard from the glass as the droplets of water hit my concrete yard. Heavy downpour. Stop. The sun doesn't have a chance to shine today, but it shines in my heart, He shines. His pleasure, filling, pouring. God above reminding me that as I pour out to Him, my heart, He is pouring into me. I was reminded of this on a beautiful, not dreary day, Monday at Bible study.
Romans 5:5- "Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been POURED out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
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