Monday, September 29, 2014

Exodus 14.14

God wins. 




Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,
that He may exalt you at the proper time,
casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:6-7 NASB


Do the demands of this day threaten to overwhelm you?

Yes Lord...today overwhelmed her.  However, it would appear that You have been preparing her for this present 'stike' from the enemy .....so...I will  remind her to be thankful...

 If so, you must rely not only upon your own resources but also upon the promises of your Father in heaven. 

Your promises ARE exactly WHAT I relied upon several years ago when it seemed that ALL hope was lost.   Your promises are STILL what I call upon -- Your intention for me is Good...not evil.   So, therefore, I will remind her over and over within the next few days....  that... Suffering because of the actions of another ....is just that....the actions of another ...NOT YOU God...  YOU are fighting for her...and me too!   -   

God is a never-ending source of support and courage for those of us who call upon Him.

 You are a never ending source...You placed the stars, I know that I know - You have not allowed this present situation to just appear and fall upon her... YOU allowed it to come...as Your Glory will be given because of it. 
 You won't be mocked. 
 You will win.  
 Justice will come...redemption.  A soul is so very hurt, wounded, and confused -- I will try and help her to   see 'it' through Your eyes this eve... and  I pray she will allow YOUR  courage  to strengthen her ...and the courage of another, I believe is YOUR duty God to fight for her.  I am reminded of that for myself too --  

When we are weary, He gives us strength.

I am not so weary as just TIRED of off of this.... 
I believe she is just so tired of this too.  
She needs to see closure. 
 I need to see some closure. 
 Oh Lord,  I want Your glory to be revealed.  I want to see Your glory revealed with her life too.  
 There are too many young Christians and ones being destroyed by this 'so called' Christian behavior ......remove the enemy from this situation, I pray....

 When we see no hope, God reminds us of His promises.

I won't be discouraged.  I see HOPE.  The attack is just another way to try and stop YOUR workShe won't be defeated.  She will win. 


When we grieve, God wipes away our tears. God will hold your hand and walk with you every day of your life if you let Him.

I grieved for some time, I have laid it on the alter...I have gone to You Lord over and over to make sure that I have forgiven...and walking in that forgiveness takes time.  I know.  This is not the first time that I have had to forgive someone that I held dear to my heart.  This is not the first time I have had to remind myself over and over.... that the person I am seeing right now....is not the one I knew before.  The enemy is a liar.... 

Lord, I pray for her...I pray she will see and understand that THIS life is temporary and that, this is just something that will pass, and that as long as she forgives...God will honor that and the Holy Spirit will help her walk in that forgiveness. 

Personally, Lord,  I am tired of the references to_______________ and that _________________.   I am tired of the constant barrage of pity....  in Jesus name...I place all that I do and say before You Lord, and IN Jesus name...as my Pastor stated yesterday, I forgive...and won't fight back... as Jesus did it already!

  God won.   God,   You won't be mocked ...and You are big enough to fight the battles.  I believe that this evening, Lord, I pray she will.  I pray she will believe that - YOU are fighting for her.  I pray she will be reminded that  - in this time of war -  it only took one stone to take down the giant...one.   God wins.   I pray she will begin to trust in each and every moment that You are indeed in control Lord, I pray she will lay it at Your feet. 

 So even if your circumstances are difficult, trust the Father.

I trust You God.   I am standing in the gap for her.  She will trust You. 

His love is eternal, and His goodness endures forever.

Believing in You Lord, thank you for the Daily New Life Devotional today Lord,  I pray It spoke volumes to   anonymous  - it did to me.  Amen

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Friendships - Mom's night out Recap!

  This blog post is directed to the Women that came to HIS Church last night - and enjoyed a Mom's night out. 

One - a BIG thank you to ALL the cooks, helpers, and the men who watched the little ones so some women could have some laughs and fellowship!  Thank you.

Two - next time I will make sure the micro -phone works so that we can have that music for that game.  ( So if your hearing aides are not in...you will hear each tidbit and morsel of funny and good!)

Three -  please expect an even FUNNIER ice breaker for next time.

Four - there will be a next time.  To the women that brought what you brought -- mm mm good! 

Five - I pray you enjoyed your self and had a time of prayer if you needed too.

Six - I pray you also met some new sisters in Christ!

Seven - My notes on Friendship came from a blog that Mary Southernland posted some 3 years ago, I read it often and gain much insight into it.   I am posting her 9 points about Friendship but adding in my take from the book of Ruth so that, you can return to this and allow it to minister to your soul. 

And Eight - Nine and - Ten...  Allow others to get close to you.   Be a good friend.  And Celebrate! 


Ruth1: 16-18
But Ruth replied, "don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you.  Where  you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.  Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried.  May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me."  When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. 


Friendships are a catalyst for every other love and the foundation of every healthy relationship.  Having a friend and a close one can be risky business, but it is worth the risk.  WE have friends that are extremely close and others for only seasons.  And there are some that become our soul -mates...our spouses.  There is a place for ALL of those within our lives because we all need friends.  Jesus showed us as he built relationships with a few  ..friends...rather than the crowds. And His teachings are filled with practical suggestions on how to be a friend and how to have a healthy relationship.  The Book of Ruth gives us some pointers...

1.  Time.  You must invest time.  This is hard for me.  I would rather just be  by myself.  Most of my closer friends are my work buddies -- cause I work with them day after day.  And you know what?   When June comes, many times I hug them good -bye and then we  don't speak again until  August.  We sort of get a break from each other.  This always puzzles me and yet, gives me peace.  Weird?  And yet not.   As with  my work, I invest time and emotion and as with the students - the time off gives me perspective!  I think it strengthens those bonds too.  Many of my sweet friends all have family and vacations and so forth!    But..in order to have friends, we must invest time.  It takes time.  We do live in a quick fix world and want stuff right away...a tried and true friendship just does not develop in the drive through line!

BTW, that reminds me - one of those pals has a birthday this coming week.  WE postponded dinner last year at this time cause she was too busy--and it has been ONE year no--.oh my - it is time to have that birthday dinner! 

2.  Risk.  Friendships are risky.  Every friendship must contain the element of risk if it is to grow.  WE all change and mature and as we grow we must allow our friendships to grow and mature and reach its full potential.  I have many friends that I don't 'hang' with anymore but when God places them in my path again, it seems like we just were together the week before.  I LOVE it when God does that. 

3.  Transparency.  Being transparent and real is important.  Jesus was transparent.  Being transparent is being authentic.  Jesus was authentic.  What you see is what He was.  WE need to be like HIm.

4.  Touch.  Physical touch is important.  It is a love language that Jesus used.  He just did not say, 'heal'..He touched the hurt and healed them.  A hug is so important.  A touch is so important.  There is MUCH research about why physical touch is needed.  Hug a friend.  This especially goes with our husbands....  they are our friends too.  Most likely their love language is physical touch -- it is important.  I can just picture Ruth and Naomi giving each other hugs all over the book of Ruth!

5.  Correction.  Ruth confronted Naomi.  Godly friendships have the element of correction.  Correction brings authenticity and health to every relationship. Proverbs 27.6 says "faithful are the wounds of a friend".  The wound is the correction or the confrontation for the good of a friend.  Silence is agreement and just as dangerous as holding a friend's hand as she walks toward the deadly edge of a steep, deadly cliff.  When a warning bell goes off in your mind, when you have a check in your spirit about any part of a friend's life ..you are called to confront in LOVE.  Failure to do so may very well result in their destruction.

key note -- in LOVE.  There has to be authentic love, invested time and touch...to be able to speak correction in LOVE.  And...sometimes you lose a friendship because of this.  There are seasons of friendships - as long as you are seeking HIS will and speaking what the Holy Spirit has given you voice about....  then there is peace! 

6.  Forgiveness.  Period.  There must always be forgiveness.  Often we make the mistake of thinking forgiveness depends upon feeling, rights, and justification .....  forgiveness is a deliberate choice, a chosen attitude and a discipline of the heart and will. 

7.  Freedom.  There is freedom in friendships.  There should not be possessing - love is not possessing.  ( 1 Cor 13.4) Without freedom in a friendship - jealousy can settle in.  True friends give each other freedom. 

8.  Loyalty.  You must be a loyal friend.  If you are on the listening end of a pal venting...it stays there - do not share.  If you hear another person speaking about your friend...stand up in love and remind them that you won't receive 'ill' about your friends.  If that person is speaking ill of your friend -- that is between your friend and that person. Be careful who you allow to speak into your life.   Don't criticize  your  friends to others.
Cheer on their successes and encourage the strengths of your friends.  never use a friend's weaknesses to your advantage.  And then overlook cracks in the armor and tilted halos of friends -- show mercy.

And, 9. Action.  Be active...make a dinner date, buy a card, send words or gifts, celebrate with them. DO something.  Jesus stated that He was giving a new commandment - to love one another - just as much as we love Him....our friendships are a perfect way to share Christ with others - they are watching us! 

There is a song on XM Christian radio -- "I am a friend of God ...He calls me friend"...Love it - find it and listen. 

Lord, I pray we are good friends and I thank you for my sister in Christ...as they are truly becoming more special and close to me....I thank you for that sorority of Faithful ones.....I go to for prayer and for venting...God, may we all be better friends from this point on - amen. 



Monday, September 22, 2014

weekend = indifference, but tonight = peace!


I am being blunt and honest -- this weekend was ......I don't want to say the word hellish, nor bad...but it was indifferent for many reasons.  

The enemy will continue to attack and  on the one hand -- that means I must be doing something right that the enemy would continue to frustrate me.  

On the other hand, some of my frustrations were because of choices I had made and not because of the enemy.   

And some of the 'stuff' was because there was a stand to be taken and many times, when we stand up for truth -- it is not met with acceptance.    But God knows.  

 So, when the enemy attacks, the consequences of choices rise up, and the enemy uses others to stir strife up,  AND...the weather is yucky...
 .................well, it all adds up to an indifferent weekend.  


The Holy Spirit spoke and reminded me of something. I could not  slack off in my prayer time for my husband and my family......  Stuff seems to get better and our lives are running pretty smoothly and wham... it hits.  As a wife and mother, I am suppose to cover my man and my kids in prayer.  All the time -- in good times and in times of need.  


IN  God's word  I read about remembering ALL the good that HAS transpired and that God wins....and therefore -- this current 'thing' that has crept into our lives and our peace -- will soon pass.  

IN fact, I have such a peace today --  that the "in-differentness"....from the weekend -- seems months ago!    ( Is that even a word? )  


So, I have a blog in the works... as  the HS spoke and taught me something very vital today ...but I have to bathe it in prayer and ask if THAT is for this blog and others. 

 So, I decided to go back....to February of 2011 when I went to my  God Encounter Weekend with my  church  and -- my life changed. 

 I reread this tonight and it blessed me so.  

Other women that have been to a God Encounter Weekend can relate.....but, I believe that there is a woman reading this tonight that WANTS....something more.  

She wants more peace.  
She wants to understand how to STAND OUT for God.  
So, maybe with this REPOST.... the Holy Spirit will speak to her heart and tonight will be a night where her relationship with Christ changes.  

Tonight, one person is still trying to control their life...when they need to totally release it to HIM.    I am praying right for the one reading this -- God bless, Amen.  




February 28, 2011I had a tremendous weekend. Thank you Lord. It was perfectly orchestrated, and prayed over, and then executed so that I could have a face to face ENCOUNTER with my Lord.

Thank you!

In the course of the weekend, a very sweet counselor advised me ....."michelle, this weekend God wants you to forget about everything and everyone else and concentrate on Michelle and God and seek HIM only and really allow HIM to minister and heal what needs to be healed and to deal with what needs to be dealt with."

....So that is what I did.

I am a 'good student'. I listen.

Saturday I opened  my  Jesus is Calling Devotional for February 26th -- my day to really have a meet and greet with my Lord.

And I did . .too too too too so much to share .. and I can and will . .slowly, but for now -- I just want to share the devotional that started my day as Jesus called me out.

HE reminded me of what I thought I wanted and then HE showed me how in control HE really is, and by Sunday morn -- I hugged HIM, I saw HIS face in others, and I was healed of many many many things, feelings, and just the STUFF.

But -- I wanted that, I sought it out. Some people want to stay in their sin. Some wish to stay in self-pity, and others just don't want to be set free. If you want to be set free -- ask me. I know a secret and it is one I will share.

In the meantime, be blessed by this message from Jesus:

I am leading YOU, step by step, through your life. Hold My hand in trusting dependence, letting Me guide you through this day. Your future looks uncertain and feels flimsy -- even precarious. That is how it should be. Secret things belong to the Lord, and future things are secret things. When you try to figure out the future, you are grasping at things that are Mine. This, like all forms of worry, is an act of rebellion: doubting My promises to care for you. Whenever you find yourself worrying about the future, repent and return to Me. I will show you the next step forward, and the one after that, and the one after that. Relax and enjoy the journey in My Presence, trusting Me to open up the way before you as you go. - Jesus

Deut 29.29 Psalm 32.8

Does that just not make you want to hug HIM too?

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Hitting the SNOOZE button --

Today is a rainy day.  The Holy Spirit gave me something to write about a few days ago and this morning,  He spoke clearly -- it was time to write. 

It is Saturday and my alarm went off and I hit the snooze button.

  Today, being that it was Saturday, I could afford to hit that snooze button 2 or 3 times.  I hit it 5 times to be exact.  I actually got less  sleep in that hour, than if I would of just reset the alarm for another 30 minutes.  Instead, I suffered and would nod off and then the alarm would hit again. 

I bet YOU know exactly what I am talking about.  I bet YOU have done the same. 

What the Holy Spirit reminded me of a few days ago--- is how easily I can 'hit that snooze' and put  something off. 

And yet...when I am in prayer over a situation, interceding for another, or fasting for a decision  that I want His guidance for...  it seems like I WANT my ANSWER NOW!  And I am not willing at times to let God ..hit that snooze ....and let it simmer  for just a little while longer. 

Did that make sense to you? 

It seems... that waiting on God is hard.
 We want that answer now.
 Yesterday, or at least by tomorrow by noon. 

And when we have something that we are to be doing ....we just hit that snooze button and prolong it or we avoid something.   Many times, we tell ourselves..."Oh, I will do that later". 


There, I will let that sink in. 

God spoke right to my  head and I had to capture my thoughts.  I have been in a situation where I had to wait on God, and I did wait.   And if I am not careful, pride can sneak in there and I will hear my flesh say, "well, I waited...she can wait too".  I get anxious as I am wanting one to wait on God and get frustrated when she wants to give up.  Or, I am overanxious and over zealous and try to PLACE on her the need to wait when...God is the one that does that convincing.   I repent Lord. 

And there are times, when my flesh will 'evaluate' and almost belittle the one's pain...when I have learned the hard way and say it over and over ..pain in pain...and WHEN a person is in pain, it does not matter the cause -- the point is there is pain. 

Most often we don't need someone to fix it - we just need someone to listen and HOLD us while we walk it out. 

Insensitive,  Very insensitive.  

I say all that to remind myself, but also to remind ......maybe You...maybe you are standing in the gap for another and you needed a reminder that we must wait on God. 

Or maybe you are the one that wants the "McDonald answer -- to add fries with that - - instantly" and you don't want to wait. 


I am reminded of God's Word: 

NLT  Hebrews 10:35-36
So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it bring you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. 


Isaiah 38:15 -
But what can I say?
    He has spoken to me, and he himself has done this.
I will walk humbly all my years
    because of this anguish of my soul.
16 Lord, by such things people live;
    and my spirit finds life in them too.
You restored me to health
    and let me live.
17 Surely it was for my benefit
    that I suffered such anguish.
In your love you kept me
    from the pit of destruction;
you have put all my sins
    behind your back.



Isaiah 40:31

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
 
Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.
 
 
I do understand what it feels like to lay down on my pillow and clutch my bible and just want the pain to end. 
 
I do understand God's timing is not my time.
 
I do understand that each person  and every person hurting can be comforted by Him - if they will let it happen. 
 
And I do understand that we can't DEMAND God to hurry up.  Now, Our heads and heart can scream for that - it is all right to ask God to hurry...but add the words, "in Your will be done".  We must yield to our Sovereign Lord and trust Him. 
 
 
I shared this with a sweet woman yesterday --  God waited on me for 30 some years before I really felt I needed Him or that I could Trust Him.  And then God waited another 5-9 years before I actually could say I loved Him...and then it took another few years to understand the fact that no matter what ...GOD was going to meet every need, provide for me, and love me unconditionally.  When I truly accepted that and realized I could LOSE everything and still be Ok...in HIM...THEN, I could begin to heal and then I could begin to live in Him with such a peace. 
 
Unfortunately, we still have to live on this Earth and deal with the consequences of our actions...which is hard...but that is when we grab the hand of a sister in Christ or our Pastor and seek a body of believers to remind us.....HE is able and HE is going to win. 
 
 
I am praying  RIGHT now for some women I know who are waiting on God and it hurts...it hurts cause they have been rejected by people and/or husbands that are choosing sin rather than choosing a life with them. 
 
I  am praying RIGHT now for a young woman that needs to completely surrender her life to Him and allow Him to make her paths straight but she seems to think the world's way is better. 
 
I am praying..... 
 
I bet  - you -- who is reading this right now can relate and add to this blog...because You are praying for another. 
 
Don't hit the snooze and miss an opportunity to speak life into another or to just be there to comfort one as they hurt...But also...don't expect a quick fix...be willing to lovingly share with that one...that the obedience in waiting will bring a reward. 
 
God answers.  God wins.   Don't limit your prayers.  Believe. 
 
God bless. 
 
 
 


Friday, September 19, 2014

Healing a wounded heart - REPOST


  I have a sweet sister in Christ that is hurting so badly right now.  I cried with her on the phone last night.  She knows her place and the 'timing' right now with her life is that -- she must draw close to God ...and let GOD be her everything.  I do know what it is like.....to hurt THAT bad and really....just want to crawl into bed....and wake up in heaven.    

I don't want to make like of this.....I did not want to 'commit suicide'....but I wanted the pain to stop.  I don't want to belittle anyone's pain -- but as believers in Christ in this hurting world - we must keep our eyes open to the fact that others around us ....ARE hurting THAT much.  

So, with limited time today -- I went back to a post I wrote to encourage another  - back to March 2, 2014..... and I will RESHARE...what I wrote on that day and I pray that the time lapse won't make this any less real....cause as I reread it today -- I knew that if God used it back then to speak life to another....HE will USE it again today to speak life and give encouragement.  

I am going to just say --  to my sweet niece........  GOD wins and hang in there --  HE is fighting for you. AND HE won't let this pain last much longer ....see Isaiah 41.10 and believe that HE is holding you -- with his RIGHT hand.....amen.  


March 2, 2014

 Today is Sunday.  I had a tremendous blessing at church today.  I don't wish to brag -- but I WANT to make God famous.....

I want others to experience the JOY only HE can bring.
I want others to believe in something that CAN happen with HIS help.
I want people to have growing faith - that WHEN they get beyond their own hurt and crisis...they will then PRAY it forward and speak life into another.


That is what happened with me.
I really thought I 'knew it all'.  But I did not.
God loves me enough to allow something to 'hurt'...so my attention was refocused.

And then HE healed me.

And then He restored me and restored my family.  Simple?  No.  But yet...yes.

However -- it takes God's time.

Psalm 34.18 says:  "the LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit".  

I have a sort of 'running' debate with a sister in Christ.  She says 'her pain'  was more  devestating.  More crushing.
I say, 'pain is pain'.  I know that when I was rejected and broken hearted -- there were days, MANY days when ALL I wanted to do was GO to heaven --  check out -- don't pass 'go...don't collect my $200'...( that is a reference from the game of Monopoly).

I would never tell her that my pain equaled her pain -- I did not experience what she did.
But now that God has healed and restored the earthquake that fell upon me -- I realize that when another sister in Christ is in pain -- her pain and hurt is real and that she may just want to check out too -- -- it is THOSE women, I want to say -- GOD WILL and CAN heal.



In my most darkest and broken hearted days -I did NOT want to get out of bed.
I did not want someone to tell me it was going to be 'ok'...I WANTED it fixed and yesterday!
I was TIRED of praying and waiting.
I WANTED answers and I wanted to know - that all would be well.
And on many of those days - I wanted GOD to come from heaven and SMACK some people around - I did -- I wanted JUSTICE...what the hell did I do to deserve this hurt?

This world is broken.  This is not our home.  I never did anything to 'deserve' this...but I was/am a sinner and  mercy is for the just and the unjust.... God showed me mercy.  I needed HIS mercy.

Unfortunately -- the only one that could really help me  was God Himself and He was at work - I just could not SEE it.  So then comes the TRUST factor.

I was 44...almost 45.  I would of argued with you - I 'knew' Christ and trusted Him.
But I had NO CLUE.  After God allowed a revelation - it took 9  more months before I finally  -- really  -- allowed God to be MY EVERYTHING...NO MATTER what.  It was THEN...that God could begin a 'new' work within another.  I say 'new' work, cause I knew God was working all that time on him as well -- but, it was different now.  When we truly TAKE our hands OUT of the situation and TRUST God - and WALK in that trust...God will let us 'see' a bit into WHAT HE is doing.

Again, I have said this before - it takes time.  In the middle of my crisis of faith - I HATED God's timing...NOW....not so much.  In fact, I LOVE HIS perfect timing - so I say with a little experience -- wait for it - and trust.  Just TRUST.



So, today -- I got to pray with an older gentleman.  He accepted Christ for the first time.  He was well over 70.  The childlike FAITH in his eyes - is a look I will never forgot.  Last Sunday, I got to watch a 'younger' man accept Christ and the look in his eyes today as he was baptized - powerful.

So as I thought about these two events, the Holy Spirit reminded me of another rebirth....

It was about two years ago this month...that God allowed me to see a change in another person's life.   That other person was my husband.  He was beginning to believe that maybe...just maybe.... our family could be restored. He was beginning to believe that God could change a heart.

  It was 2 years ago this weekend  that we moved into our 'healing house'.  It was a home where God allowed me to see a man be reborn and God's 'slow' timing in this healing -- was HIS perfect blessing. And I was a recipient of that rebirth as a new love was formed.  

I say that as a reminder to myself...and to a woman I met today --

No matter what -- GOD can heal and restore.  God can and HE will.  HIS perfect will IS to restore a marriage.  It is.   We must be obedient.

No matter what the 'world' may say -- GOD hates divorce.  HE does.  As I told this woman, if there is physical abuse or a cause of fear for one's safety .....then GET OUT...but, God's will is to restore and to heal and redeem.

I could insert here MANY MANY MANY different %'s and statistics of marriages and what works and what does not -- but I could also copy/cut and paste at least 4 different testimonies right here of other couples that had IMPOSSIBLE situations  ( situations that make mine seem like a 'picnic') and God healed...GOD restored...and GOD redeemed and blessed.

They were obedient.  In some cases the wife waiting on the man.  In other's the man waiting on the women.  And even in one, they divorced and remarried 6 years later....amen.  God is creative.   God wins!

  God's will is to restore.  It just is.  THAT is HIS will.  HIS will is to have a man and a woman as ONE FLESH -- working together to be a union....to show the world HIS love for His church.   People just don't fall out of love.   Love is a verb - it is an action.

When they say 'I never loved you'...they are lying. When they say, 'they love another' - they are lying- that is not love  -- that is EGO and LUST.

 Hurting people hurt others and lie...they have to JUSTIFY what they are doing -- to make it seem 'ok'.  

 The Enemy is a liar and the enemy will make a person 'believe' that one never loved another....
        the enemy will make a person 'believe' that another will NEVER change....
   the enemy will make another believe that 'now they finally deserve someone better'........
     the enemy will continue to steal, kill and destroy -- cause he knows....WHAT God can do!

So with that, and with ALL assurance that GOD is CLOSE to the brokenhearted and HE will bind your wounds...I will say to you -- hang in there.....


But FIRST.....I had to get right with God.  I did know that Christ had died for my sins and I knew of HIS word...but I did not have a one to one relationship with God - where God /Jesus was my husband...my best friend....and the ONE I trusted.

Trusting is the first step.  Believing  in something that is unseen - is faith.


Lord, I pray for the beautiful woman that I had the pleasure to pray with today.  Lord, that she gets a GOOD night's rest but that she will awake with a supernatural peace surrounding her.  Lord, I pray for her husband - may all sin be revealed - may he come to realize that he too is a sinner and that he needs a saving touch - that he needs Jesus. Lord, there are children involved - hearts that are hurt that need comfort - interject Lord - I know you are RIGHT there  -- that they would see something within their mom -- YOUR Light and HOPE...  Lord, protect her thoughts - as the enemy is working HARD to discourage her and I pray that she will believe that our meeting today is by NO accident - that she will dig deep into your word, refresh her relationship with You and allow YOU to be the husband for the moment -- and that she would believe YOU are working on him as well.  In Jesus name, amen.

Lord, I am humbled- Hopeful...encouraged..and committed to believe YOU will do it again!  I will continue to pray for those  couples around us and believe that YOU are at work, YOU will open the eyes of the ones who are deceived, and YOU will restore the others...and give courage to the ones that MUST seek some professional and godly help -- I believe.  I believe,  YOU WANT for them -- WHAT I now have with my husband...new soul ties...new love... and revelations that there was LOVE all that time....the the wife of the youth...is HIS will...that the current wife is GOD's will.... that the two married -- should remain.   amen.   GOD....wash them all clean....God that the ones that are NOT in relationship with you - would be miserable...until they SEEK you and if You see fit to use Brendan or myself within this.....then do it and we promise to be faithful to the Holy Spirit as He speaks to us - in Jesus name..amen.michelle

Monday, September 15, 2014

Expecting #40 - Believing


Hello - my name is Michelle.  I am a blogger.  I love God, my family and God has given me this URGE to write.

Writing has been my therapy and it has allowed me to speak life -- when I could not speak face to face. Writing has also cost me a few friendships and I bet more people read this than I am aware of.   And through this - God has taught me much...that being transparent is important -- but being private is important too.

If you have been reading this blog over the past month - you know I am praying for several women and families and I pray for myself and my family too.  But I am more aware of the local church and a body of believers worldwide and my heart is changing..... and I pray for them too.   


 There are fellow sisters in  Christ that have a  desperate need to have  prayers answered, some  need some miracles, and I believe their  families   need their spiritual eyes to open up. 

 God  speaks all the time, but are we listening?  
God  moves, but will we allow Him full access into our lives to move what He needs to move?  

At the beginning of this 40 days of blog prayers, I challenged  one  sister in Christ and myself...to allow God to come in  -- would I trust HIM more?  Could she?

It is the 'end' of these 40 days.....  has what I asked of God come about?

Is 'stuff' better within her life?  In mine?  

I know she is a different person now...she is  TRUSTING  God like never before.

The beauty of this -- is that God DOES NOT waste anything, and I believe that  YOU... YES, YOU...who  has been reading this all this time too -- has a deeper understanding of God the Father and I believe YOU are trusting like never before?  Am I right?

I expect God does wonderful things and HE gives awesome revelations and answers prayer!  



A.W. Tozer says:  "True faith is never found alone: it is always accompanied by expectation. The man who believes the promises of God expects to see them fulfilled.  Where there is no expectation, there is not faith.  We need a fresh spirit of anticipation that springs out of the promises of God.  We must declare war on the mood of nonexpectation, and come together with childlike faith.  Only then can we know again the beauty and wonder of the Lord's presence among us." 

That is a powerful quote.  In therapy, the Life Coach and other counselors told me often...'lower you expectations...cause then you won't be disappointed'.  That made sense too.

If I don't 'expect' flowers on my anniversary -- then I won't be heartbroken when none come......
If I don't 'expect' the toilet seat to be down when I head into my son's bathroom -- then I won't get upset when I fall into the toilet cause I expected the seat to be down.  Make sense?

I think the 'low expections' advice  is  good for that time in therapy .....and I am sure, that I will share that again with a student or a woman in crisis....but TONIGHT....these past 40 days.....

I am going to EXPECT like A.W Tozer shared...and besides these expectations are TIED to GOD...HE never disappoints...HE never fails....and HE is God!


Lord, I am going to EXPECT that YOUR promises  will come true for the reader reading..... and her family.  You Lord, promised in Isaiah - that you have come to BIND the brokenhearted.....you  came Lord to proclaim FREEDOM for the captives and release from darkness the prisoners.   Lord, there is a husband that NEEDS to hear from you - smack him over the head...may he see that he needs you.  Lord,  there are children that  MUST call upon You.  Lord,  these children have been raised  - truth has been spoken into their lives - but it is NOT our  job to save them...that is YOURS.  

Lord, there are women that believed they  could 'pull' their children  into you -- God release that -- show my sister in Christ  that YOU have EACH of them...and that YOU can be trusted.

 Lord, there are women that are struggling with their jobs,   their business, their finances, their health and other situations.  We need a miracle.   We expect a miracle.  

 Lord, in Isaiah 36 the King of Assyria is taunting the captives....those under King Hezekiah.  Those  people were beyond....they were at the END of their rope.  Lord, it says  that those people that loved you --  they were eating their own excrement and drinking their urine...they had HAD enough ....and yet... they still believed in YOU.  King Hezekiah went to Isaiah and asked....as they were like in the day of 'birth' with no strength to deliver.  

God.... this is the  head and heart  of many women today !  But tonight - I have EXPECTATIONS that as we pray together and AS  we believe together....   it will be like vs. 6 -- "do no be afraid".  ....that as we - each day, seek you and walk this out...that YOU will bring clarity to life decisions.  

You Lord, will open spiritual eyes...and there will be a trust in You - that has NEVER been experienced.  In Jesus name...amen.  


I received a phone call several years ago and everything within my world came to a crashing halt.  And at THAT  moment, I felt that God could fix  my life  by the end of the week.
At THAT moment, my expectations were high.
They were also rather far fetched -- but I still believed.

However, within a few days -- I could clearly see that the expectations I had were a LONG way from being fulfilled.  And yet -- I knew that I knew -- that I wanted more and I wanted to do WHAT God asked me to do. ....Wait on Him.... 

 As I said earlier in this post,  the therapist reminded me very quickly to 'lower' my expectations  -- but I was dealing with another person and his  free will.

"man" will disappoint, hurt,  and fail us. 

 Humans are not perfect.  No matter if it is a best friend, a stranger, a pastor, or even our spouse -- he or she will fail us. 

 It is not their fault ...they are human too. ( Well, most times it is  their choices. )  
  As I know that I know - I will fail another.  ( In the 40 days of this blog -- I failed a few....seriously!)  

But to have a GODLY expectation....  to know that through HIM - all things are possible.  
To know that NO matter what, HE placed the stars in the heaven and HE can make ALL things new. 
To know that You know - HE is fighting for me...for you....  Expecting GOD.....Expecting the good for us...  that is something we can rely on, pray for,
and enjoy.

The KEY is knowing HIM that well....that we believe the promises instead of the lies or doubt.

These 40 days ended on a Sunday.  I was in Key West.  This is how I started my morning ...on a beautiful hammock, praying with my husband.

 Anytime someone tells me that God does not do  miracles anymore, I have a testimony.
When someone says that God is not alive, I can refute it.  When someone says that people don't change, I can also rebuttal.

I have seen God bring a spiritually dead person back to life.
I have witnessed a changed heart.
I have a changed heart.
I am different.

I am in LOVE with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit and know that I know - I can EXPECT a lot from them.  And I won't allow the enemy to defeat me.  

It is a matter of belief.
For so many, it is easier to believe that the sun will come up tomorrow .....than it is to believe in a God that LOVES me more than the sunrise.

As I was reading on Sunday - I came across this:


 Luke 8     While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”
When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that,
“‘though seeing, they may not see;
    though hearing, they may not understand.’[a]
11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.


I pray the soil that I 'have' is good.
I pray that I hear the word, retain it and persevere by producing a  crop.

But this is 'not' just for me to proclaim  and understand -- it is for anyone.
Every believer has the authority in Christ Jesus  -- every believer can expect GREAT answers and a life filled with joy abundantly with Christ Jesus.  ......  But will they?

Lord, I thank you for these past 40 days.
I have seen much, listened to much, witnessed much, and have been challenged and  I believe God has asked me to 'step it up'.

HE is expecting great things from me as well -- and I don't wish to disappoint HIM.  

- humbled -
In HIM, grateful and blessed -- michelle 


Saturday, September 13, 2014

Expecting #39 - FEAR

Celebrating our 27th Anniversary in the Keys! 
FEAR .....there may be a smile on my face, but this is AFTER I had a 'come to Jesus' meeting with my Heavenly Father....  Let me explain.

Fear -- the  Holy Spirit spoke quickly to me yesterday and I knew that today's post was to be about fear.  As I prayed and spoke to God this am....HE gave me many illustrations and memories of some very fearful times.

...like when I was in the hospital in Wisconsin, awaiting to see if my uncle would live - he had a heart attack outside the hall where my Grandparents were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary --
...like when I was in the barn and heard my mom scream - a blood curdling scream, as my 2 year old brother was caught under the manure spreader tires --
....like when I was holding down a 25x 18  foot metal door of a barn with my mom  as a tornado busted open and went through our farm -
...like when I was on the receiving end of a ti-raid by another and stuff went flying over my head --
....like when I awoke on the couch and remembered I had a baby ...that was crawling around our apartment and I had fallen asleep and 'forgot' about her --
...like when I sat in a waiting room as HP was being operated on to remove a lump in his throat --
...like when I was alone, in my room, in my bed,   and my entire 'world' as I saw it was destroyed and I knew that 'stuff' would never be the same -

more recently......like when I participated in an ACTIVE Shooter DRILL at my school and I was in the middle of the fire and even though it was a drill -- I felt and believed my life was going to end --

....and yesterday -- when my husband and I were in the kayak. and we had paddled out about 50 yards from  where we started,  and as we got closer to this area, he told me that he had to turn the kayak because he felt it was too tippy....as the waves of another boat were  heading for us and he was unsure how the kayak would handle it --
...  so we faced the waves coming in -- as we sat there for what seemed like HOURS....as we bobbled up and down and I prayed and prayed  and that FEAR grabbed me and I had to physically MAKE myself ...calm down.

 ---- It did not matter how I got there - I wanted to be SAFE on land within seconds.


I was fearful.  I was totally in the hands of my husband -- and his experience as a kid - growing up on the river and canoeing many times. I had been able to see the bottom of this water, but he reminded me that I may be seeing some 10-15  feet down, as he lowered his paddle into the water, he could not touch the bottom.
Mind you - I HAD mY life jacket on - but as I told him, it probably would not matter - I knew I was about to panic --  that FEAR had gripped me so.

Brendan quickly reminded me to stay calm and to trust him.  How could I do that?
I was calling on the name of Jesus.
Brendan waited for the waves to settle and then he turned the kayak around.
I continued to remind God I did not want to die.
Brendan then guided us  back and we paddled or kayak'd back towards 'home' and shallow water and I thanked God.

And I sat there -- it was for a brief moment where I had NO control.
The bottom line was just that -- I had NO control.
THAT was the fear.

I did some research on that famous FB photo or image about the fact that it says, "do no fear" 365 x in the bible  -- so once each day, we can be reminded that God says, do not fear.  However, that is NOT true.  It is only there 119x , some versions 80x.  If you add in a few other words like 'don't fear' and 'don't be afraid'...you can find it another 30x...  point being --

God said it once, "do not fear"...so that ONE time should be enough right?   Right.
Wrong.

No...Right!

Being fearful is NOT from God.  Fear comes from our lack of control...where we can't manipulate and fix stuff....so we become fearful and the enemy capitalizes on that.


Isaiah 41:10The Message (MSG)

8-10 “But you, Israel, are my servant.
    You’re Jacob, my first choice,
    descendants of my good friend Abraham.
I pulled you in from all over the world,
    called you in from every dark corner of the earth,
Telling you, ‘You’re my servant, serving on my side.
    I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you.’
Don’t panic. I’m with you.
    There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.
I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you.
    I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.

Being fearful is NOT from God.   I like the MSG version of this scripture - cause today, the DO NOT PANIC fits me perfectly.

But I did panic...for ...um....  30 seconds.
I had to rely on the man God gave me -- he reminded me that I would be Ok.  But his words did not bring me instant comfort.  I had to 'walk it out' myself.  I had to just stay focused on telling myself, I was going to be ok.


I don't mean to make light of this topic.  I am not.  I did not have control yesterday and I was fearful.
Today when I was asked if I wanted to go in the kayak again - I said, "no".  Today the water if very choppy and it is windy outside.....and I won't put myself in that spot again...I have control.


Today a mom is very fearful, she is worried that a man is going to do whatever he can to take away her son and prove that she is unfit.
Today a young woman is very fearful, she is far away from her family and has some tough decisions to make about her future and she wants answers - she does not want to be wrong.
Today a woman is struggling with the fact that she has the authority and power within her - because she is a daughter of the most high king...and yet..she has to rely on a pill to make her feel better.
Today another sister in Christ is wanting to be the best sister in Christ to others...but she needs to allow that control to be HIS control.  She won't give it up.
Today another sister in Christ is hurting so much, she does not believe she can make it one more day - the hurt from a loss is just too great and she just wants to head to heaven early.

Fear -- the verse says, that HE will hold you - with the firm grip of HIS right hand.
Walking out or LIVING with that head knowledge and not believing it...is the true test...is the 'walking on the water'....

Believing that no matter what - GOD's promises will not fail you -- that is living BEYOND the fear!
That is freedom.


I found this by Joyce Meyer:

Fear's Evil Scheme

“ God wants us to walk by faith, and Satan wants us to walk by fear. ”
Fear is a tool the devil uses against us to make us miserable and destroy our lives. It begins as a thought and then creates emotions that can rule us. It often becomes a strong, intense feeling that tries to move us to make a foolish action or tries to prevent us from doing something that would be good for us. Because it's such a common way that Satan attacks people's lives, I think of it as the master spirit he uses to manipulate people and keep them out of God's will.
Simply put, fear is the opposite of faith. God wants us to walk by faith, and Satan wants us to walk by fear. When we learn to live by faith and not let fear rule our life, we can live a fulfilling, satisfying, peaceful and joyful life in Christ.
Like I said before, fear begins with a thought. Proverbs 23:7 tells us that "as [a man] thinks in his heart, so is he" (NKJV). I like to say it like this: Where the mind goes, the man follows.
I had to have faith in my husband yesterday and I reminded my self over and over....he grew up on the water  -- I will trust him.   I also had to sit and wait on the waves to clear.  And then, I had to work with my husband and paddle back 'home'.  

The photo was taken as we were heading back in and close to 'home'.   When I got closer to the shallow water - my fear was totally calmed.  

Fear - my lack of control was real. 
Fear  - is also thoughts.... my thoughts as a child, my mom was fearful of the water and that transferred to me.   When she realized this, she got us swimming lessons to help with our fear - but it only intensified my fear,  as my instructor basically called me a baby and did not teach me -- I was 12. 
Thoughts....  When my kids were little, I placed them  with people that COULD swim, so that I knew the fear I had would not fall on them... they can swim. I can doggie paddle - in CLEAR, clean water. LOL.  My point is ....thoughts... fear begins with thoughts.  

We battle those thoughts with our SWORDS...HIS word.  



Isaiah 41:10New International Version (NIV)

10 So do not fear, for I am with you;    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you;    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

This graphic...is true -- it lists the 80 places where God does say -- do not fear!!   Amen.