Letting go

You know there are some things that are so precious in life you have to hold onto them very tightly. Right? That's true if it's your skirt on a windy day, or maybe an umbrella when it's pouring rain.

But what about something really dear, say a family member, or the hopes and dreams you've been praying over for years. I have found out that the best place for all that is not in our hands at all. When we grip "our stuff" with all we have, there's no way to receive all the things that need to come our way. You know.. like the answer to our prayers.

I guess the first time I really learned that was was back when, standing on our front porch around two a.m. To anyone passing by or peeping out their window, I probably looked more like a lunatic howling at the moon. But what else is there to do when you don't know what else to do? So that morning I was trying to figure out just what direction to face to sing my praise to the face of God. That was back before the days of the ipod. So it was just me and my voice singing "Shout to the Lord" from a broken and weary heart. As I turned to go back inside, it was like God whispered to my heart, "give him to me completely, and live from this time forth like I have answered your prayer."

Wow! If you have never tried it, let me strongly suggest it. You have no idea how great it feels to be out from under the load. That was probably nine years ago. I am still living like it's been done. And let me tell you - the day it is you will know it! I may even rent a bill board on 85! The one thing that has made it easy not to pick it back up is quite simply... the WORD of God.
I bet if counted the many words of confirmation He has given me, it would amaze even me.

Recently, you have heard me talk about my trips to the Cove with me kicking and screaming. Mainly, because I had a prayer group and I wasn't in the market for a new one. But this past Saturday, the Cove Sista's were going to get together to surprise Martha with a few goodies for her upcoming mission trip to Africa. As the week progressed, it seemed as though many of the group were under attack. So we gave up breakfast at the Cracker Barrel for a lengthy prayer time instead. Our time together was a joyous time. As I sat in this circle, I was so glad I had let go of the notion that my heart was only big enough for one group. When God whispered the name "Susan" to Martha, she went to another friend first, but the other friend said God didn't mean her. During a conversation that Martha and I had, God whispered "this Susan". Oh Praise His Name! I let go of a few and now I have a whole bunch! God multiplied, made it immeasurably more!

Just last week, I let go of another dream. THE HOUSE. Not the whole idea of Wellspring, but I let go of Dr. J's house. I know there is another ministry looking at the home. It would be a home for African orphans. So there, I released that into the Lord's hands too. If I can trust him with my precious son, my prayer group, I know I can more than trust Him with this. Whatever He allows to occupy Dr. J's home will be awesome.

So, are your knuckles white because of what you're holding on to? Maybe, it's time for you to think about letting go, and trusting God with all your stuff!

Mine eyes have seen the glory!

This past week our family joined together to share our memories and console one another as we said goodbye to one great lady. We knew her as Grandma Margaret around our house. Once upon a time I was married to her oldest son, Phillip. He died at the age of 34, in 1984. I always admired the way she handled his death. I know her heart was more broken than mine. After all, she was his mom. But you know, she never showed her grief to me. The only thing I remember seeing was that she carried on for her grand kids who had lost their dad. Jenn was only 6 and PJ was not yet 3. It was a hard time for sure.

Then in 1986, I married Ray. In 1988, Sarah was born. Margaret and the rest of the family accepted Ray and Sarah as if they had been born into their family. Isn't that so like God? In the past few years I came to realize that it may have been easy for Margaret to turn a hard heart toward Sarah. After all, look at what had been taken that allowed her to be here.
But, Margaret loved her, and held nothing back.
I never told her, but I was so thankful that she loved Sarah with her whole heart. Who knows, maybe Sarah helped piece her own heart together a little bit more than it had been.

It was right before Margaret's funeral began that I got a glimpse of the Glory of the Lord.

This is how it came about~

My little grandson Sam was in my arms. He had folded his little program into a cylinder that he referred to as his trumpet. We walked over toward PJ and Sam began to say these words...

"The LORD
your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."
Zephaniah 3:17

To an untrained soul, that might just appear as a little kid rambling on and being silly. But to someone who believes God is at work in all things, it was music to my ears and my heart.

1 Corinthians 2:9
However, as it is written:
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him."

Now it doesn't say that we won't see, hear or understand some things until we get to heaven. I think we need to be on the lookout at all times. Because we serve a God who can make it thunder and lightening during a snow storm! Who knew?
He can do anything.

He can use anyone. Even a little 3 year old to proclaim His word.

I believe that His Word did not return back to Him on Sunday afternoon until it accomplished His purpose. From the foundation of the world God had a purpose for Zephaniah 3:17 on Sunday, March 1, 2009.

I am just glad that God allowed me to witness it.

So be on guard, look for Him in all situations, in all places, from all people!

And by the way... happy birthday Phillip.

Evolution

From Keds to Keds and then some.

Who says I don't believe in evolution?

It just depends, evolution of what!

Way back when, probably in 1999, during one of the hardest times of my life, I pulled out an old pair of Keds that Jenn had given me for Mother's Day. I'm guessing that she gave them to me before 1996. So they were well worn by 1999. I deemed these Keds as my "dancing shoes". I told the Lord that on days when my heart was too heavy and my spirits too low, I would wear these shoes as an acknowledgement that He was worthy of my praise. They were in essence, my fighting shoes. It was a way to let my enemy know that I might feel defeated, but my God would never be defeated.

I enjoyed these dancing shoes from 1999 until the summer of 2007. I had actually worn these to a planning and prayer service to pave the way for the Broken to Beautiful Women's Conference that Wellspring Living SC was hosting in October. When I opened my closet that morning I asked the Lord... "What would you have me wear today?" His response immediately flickered through my heart... "Well, your Jubilee Skirt and your dancing shoes of course!" As I left home, Ray commented that I looked like a clown. Maybe I did, but who cared, because I had been dressed by my Lord and that was what was important.

Little did I know that He had a surprise in store for me.

My friend Christine made a presentation to me at the proper time...

A new pair of shoes for a new season in my life. Can life get any better than LIME GREEN dancing shoes? You would think not. For two years these have adorned my feet, and even on the days when I don't have on my dancing shoes, my toenails are usually always lime green to praise the Lord because He is worthy. To me, it is a perpetual statement of praise.

So now, on to the fun part of the story....

Do you remember a few posts back when I shared about a recent trip to The Cove?

Not only was I invited to come to the Mountain and dance... part of the assignment was to bring a pair of... you guessed it ~ DANCING SHOES!

Since it was virtually a last minute decision to go, I wasn't sure about needing new dancing shoes. Having two pair already, did I really need another pair?"

I decided to take just one trip to see what was out there. Knowing in my heart, that if new shoes were on the agenda, I would recognize them as soon as I saw them. For some reason, a picture of this really pretty pair of lime green dress shoes with cute little heels and thin strappy straps filled my thoughts. I went to store after store with not one glimpse of anything that seemed even a remote possibility. Only two store left to visit - TJ Maxx and Burlington.
As I entered TJ Maxx and found the rack holding my shoe size, I saw them. It was all I could do not to cause a commotion. I grabbed up the shoes and hoped no one was watching as I slid my foot into the first shoe. Why did I even have to try it on? I knew, without a doubt that it was a match made in heaven.

I may not have doubted, but it wasn't what I had in mind. So I went on over to Burlington to give God just one more chance. All I can say is, it was a wasted trip. Upon entering the store, I asked myself, "who are you fooling?" "Go get the shoes!"

How could I have ever thought there would be anything better for me than these?

I will say, I have moved up from Keds...

All the way to Lime Green and Turquoise Blue SATIN CONVERSE ALL STARS!

Have you ever seen such? Who knew they made anything like this? Certainly not me!
If you ever thought God didn't have a sense of humor, think again!

Here are the other girls shoes too...

And just in case you weren't aware of this...

The official colors of Wellspring Living SC just happen to be lime green and turquoise blue.

Thing about these shoes, they were first worn as dancing shoes, but I knew in my heart all along they would become my running shoes.

This is a portion of the property we are believing will be the home of Wellspring Living SC.

Last week, I went to the property and prayed, and praised and prayer walked. Now, can you imagine me trying to do that in the shoes I had pictured in my heart? I would have mired up ankle deep!

And here are the shoes at the front door! Now that's a reason to dance!

Question?

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Have you ever danced?

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No, not at a party, not with your beau, but with your Lord.

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You may have noticed a few sweet songs playing in the background. They are a few of my favorite dance tunes.

Nothing would suit Him more than to have this dance with you!

Go ahead, you don't have to be dressed up, no make up...

you see, He loves you just as you are.

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You are His prize.

.

The apple of His eye.

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Go ahead, let yourself fall into His strong, caring arms. Those cares and worries you've been carting around for too long... will melt away as He leads you in the dance of your life.

Before you know it, you too will have your favorite songs that are just between you and Him.

.

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Gotta go ~ they are playing our song!

An over inflated ego and/or the squeaky wheel

Sorry to start out the same way again this week, but God continues to use Beth Moore over and over. I promise I don't limit myself to just her studies!
In a recent lesson this is what she wrote...

"God always trumps Satan.

Never picture the two of them

as equal but opposite authorities."*

Now when I read that it caused quite a ruckus in my heart.
How about yours?

Satan with his oh-so big picture of who he is may have distorted your view of how big your God is. It is true that the squeaking wheel always gets the oil. There have been times in my life when he really did get the oil. Once a whole bottle of it! Anointing oil that is. Probably not what he had in mind.

After reading the words penned by Beth, I started thinking how big is our God and how small is the devil. I just started thinking and wondering...

If all the carpet in my house represented the vastness of God, would Satan even be one strand?
If God was the Grand Canyon, would Satan be as big as the smallest pebble?
If God was the Andes Mountains, would Satan even be a leaf off of one tree?

We could go on and on... but you get the point. We have no earthly idea how big our GOD IS!

Satan is always tootin' his own horn and because he has such a big mouth (Be sober! Be on the alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. I Peter 5:8). He knows if he can distract us and turn our focus to him, we'll forget who we are in Christ, we'll forget the power that we have through Christ, we'll forget that God is for us and not against us.

So, if the Devil has you in a tailspin over something going on in your life...

S T O P

Be reminded of all the times God has been there for you in the past. Henry Blackaby refers to them as spiritual markers (Experiencing God). Remember when you trusted Him for your salvation. Go back into His Word and remember all the times you have had with Him. Let His love wash over you fresh and new.

Here is a little something I learned from another one of my favorite Bible teachers (see, I told you there were others), Andrew Womack...

"don't tell your God about your problem -

tell your problem about your God!"

I like that!
Our God is more than we can imagine.
He is EVERYTHING!

It's a good thing we get new stuff when we get to heaven. Because I am convinced that our brains won't be able to contain the vastness of His glory and majesty when we get our first glimpse.

Oh how I hope that if when you started reading this today and were a little or a lot overwhelmed by the circumstances of your life, that as this post draws to a close... God has lifted your spirits, your hopes. That you have sensed Him speaking a truth over you. A truth that says HE IS ABLE.

In addition to BEth, Henry and Andrew, I have also discovered Louie Giglio. Be reminded of the Great God we serve...

* Esther, It's Tough Being A Woman . p73

Mean girls and the like

If you've never had the pure pleasure that comes hand-in-hand with a Beth Moore Bible study, here is one to get you sarted... Esther - It's hard being a woman. If you are familiar with Beth - get ready because she is absolutely hilarious in this one.

It's been a while since I've done a study with any of my close friends. So it was a treat this past Tuesday morning to sit side by side with my friend Madonna. This weeks topic was "mean girls". I know that this will probably come as a shock to at least one person reading this... but I have been "the mean girl" MORE THAN ONCE in my lifetime.
As Beth talked about reasons that people were mean, I started thinking about the mean people that I knew since I was over my mean season. One of the questions she asked was "who is your rival?" Well, as far as I know - I don't have one. Then she started talking about those insecurities that lie at the heart of most meanness. Insecurities?

Oh, that hurt. I was reminded of a time when there was this woman in my Sunday School class. She thought she was something. All pretty and thin and blond. Perfect husband, perfect children... and on and on it went. You know the type. I would call her to try and enlist her help with GA's, and without even praying about it she told me "no". Not once, but twice! Well who did she think she was anyway?
Who knew God had told her to pray for me? The woman with the attitude. And pray she did. Then one day she came to me and handed me this scarlet cord. She had felt led to go to a conference, and while she was there, she knew without a doubt that she was there to stand in the gap for me. The cord was for my son PJ. That was back at the height of our discovering an out of control drug problem. As you can imagine, my heart began to melt. As I got to know more about her, I realized that God had called her into a season of prayer and not a time of activity (like GA's). As the days and weeks passed, our friendship grew.
Sitting there this week and listening to Beth talk about insecurities and rivals... I just about laughed out loud at the irony of it all. Yes, once upon a time I had a rival. I was insecure. That was then... now I'm blessed to be sitting by her during the Bible study and being glad that God told her to pray and she did ... like it or not! ! !
Moral of the story... who is your rival? Watch out she may become one of the best friends you've ever had!

Just when you think you have it all together...

someone changes the rules of the game. Or, better yet, did I really know and understand them to start with? Last weekend I had the wonderful privilege of traveling to The Cove in Black Mountain, NC. This was my second year to travel with this particular group. I will have to confess... I went kicking and screaming, protesting for the last few months. I had decided that when I went last year, I did as God told me to and that was an assignment checked off the list. They could go and have fun, but not me, not this year. Right Lord??? Wrong Dummy (me)!

As I sat in line at the county tax office to pay my car taxes, I decided it was past time to clean out all the little nooks and cranny's that seem to fill up so fast with bits and pieces of my life.
There was mail from the week still laying in the floorboard that had never made it into the house. There was this little Christmas card and as I opened it, these are the words that grabbed my heart...

Come away with Me, my beloved
Come and enjoy a candlelight dance on the Mountain with me

Now, if you know me at all... you know He had me at "dance"!
And had me He did. As the time to go up to this Mountain of God drew closer, my heart grew more ready to be there. All I can say is "what a fool I was". I told the "Cove Sistas" that Susan had been crazy not to want to be there, but look out next year because Mable was already counting down the days until we go again.

I won't tell all we did, because after all it was a date, and nice girls don't tell all! But I will tell this one eye-opener, because I do believe it will end up changing my life in ways I never dreamed of.
Late Friday night after we had all had our dance, we gathered in one of the rooms to pray. We started about 10:30 and went until about 2:15. Martha, our fearless leader, had instructed us to share our requests. Our scribe, Dana, read the ones from last year. And for the most part... they were the same requests. But I'll go ahead and say.... next year, I don't think that will be the case at all. Nope, I think they'll all be checked off and we'll be moving on to a new list!
Martha shared what it means to intercede. I always thought it meant that we just prayed for other people and their needs.

Miriam Webster has this to say...
the act of interceding 2 :
prayer, petition, or entreaty in favor of another

But when Martha shared what she believes is the true definition, it went more like this...To stand in the gap for, to pray as if you were that person.

And hearing that, many of us in the little group gave it our best shot. But then, oh, but then, Martha prayed. It was the most amazing prayer I had ever heard. It brought me to my feet... and then some. (Some things are better left to the imagination!)

Martha took on the heart for the one whom she prayed.

Before I went to the Mountain, I gathered things of significance that belonged to my mom and dad, my husband, my children, their significant others, my grand babies, and a few close friends and their families. It was sweet to pray over them on that Mountain of the Lord. But I knew I wasn't finished. So today, before I started to return the items, I laid them all out and began to intercede over each person as I held their item. The best thing to say is I now have a headache because I have cried so much today. No doubt, the sweetest headache I have ever had.

And on Day One of President Obama's first day in office, it was really neat, not to just pray for him, but to intercede for him.

Remember this one...

Hebrews 7:25 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Therefore He is always able to save those who come to God through Him,
since He always lives to intercede for them.

Today I have a fresh and new perspective of just how Christ intercedes for us. Maybe you already had an understanding that I just received. If you did... why didn't somebody tell me before now? And if it's a new way of thinking for you too... oh - go and give it a whirl. You'll be ever so glad that you did!

A new year, a new day, and oh - how about a new name too?

It's been a while, too long. But it is so good to be back! I had planned to devote the last few weeks of November and all my December work time to District Five Family Ministries' Christmas Project. And what a project it was this year. The number of children we served jumped from 720 to 1044. It about did us all in but Glory to His NAME... HE DID IT!


So I have some Wellspring days banked and the plan is to CHARGE into the New Year full steam ahead! Way back in the day when I came home from that eventful Beth Moore Conference in 2003, I attended the staff meeting at WBC and shared my heart with the staff. A few days after that, Cory Singleton gave me a book by Andy Stanley ... Visioneering. I read through the first few chapters and decided it was TMI for me at the time. Last night I picked it up and thought now is the time to finish reading. As I re-read the chapters that talked about going public, I knew I had passed through those stages. Then came the chapter on the power of the vision. It spoke of the vision given to Abraham, the call given to he and Sarah, the way that Christ spoke to the vision He had for Peter and Paul. He had given them each a new name as part of their calling. I cried as I prayed... Lord... IF Wellspring Living SC is your vision and not some grand idea that seemed like a good thing for me to do... will you give me a new name? I had thoughts that He would awaken me during the night and whisper the name. I was prepared to record His words with pencil and paper by my bedside. When the alarm went off this morning, I was a little disappointed that there had been no revelation. But you know what His word says in


Habakkuk 2:3... For the vision is yet for the appointed time;It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail Though it tarries, wait for it;For it will certainly come, it will not delay.


As I opened Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, turned to January 6 and there it was. It was created with my little piece of paper that was my scripture promise from the Broken to Beautiful Conference that I read every day. So without further adieu... see if you can see it too...

M ABLE... I just started reading and I almost missed it. Then it was like those first five letters caught my attention. Mable? I thought Mabel wasn't the kind of name I had in mind. Something more elegant, with a little more sass to it. I ran to the computer to see what it meant. The Latin meaning is "lovable". That was nice, but then I saw the English meaning, and am glad to be called Mabel - "My beautiful one".

As I picked the book up again and moved the paper I read these words ... I AM Able to do far beyond all you ask or imagine. Words found in Ephesians 3:20... my very own life verse for the past 24 years!

So.... on this new day in this new year, I pray that this girl. Mable's life will be everything that God intends for it to be each and every new day for the rest of my life! I praise you Lord for the assurance that this is Your vision and your calling for such a time as this.