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Thw Bible says that there are seasons for mourning. September 11 marks the most significant time of national mourning since my birth. It was so sudden and jarring, and for my family, very close to home. There are times, and this was one of them, that comfort cannot be found. There were no words to make us feel better, we simply had to mourn.
We had to feel the shock, and pain and vulnerability. We had to cry. We had to get angry at injustice. We had to hold onto each other and be held by God. I remember that part so well; holding on. In times like those, everything that we know is sort of up in the air, there is nothing we can do and our only recourse is to be. We just have to be in pain and be together and as we cry out to God we find that He is not expecting anything more of us and is perfectly willing to just be with us too.
When we can just be with Him, something changes. The circumstances don’t, but somehow, eventually, the edges are softened, our hearts are calmed and at some point we start to hear that still, small, voice once again and we gain strength for the next moment. Mourning is a slow and tedious process but if we give in to the process, we find that the process works. It is the vehicle we have been given to bring us from shock and despair to celebrating life again.
Today we remember what happened and the people we lost but we are not mourning in the same way. Other times of mourning will come. They always do. In the mean time, we need to enjoy the seasons we are in and always spend time just being with God so that we know instictively where to go when we are blinded by pain.
Psalm 56:8:
8 You keep track of all my sorrows.[a]
You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
You have recorded each one in your book.
Today I am really thankful to be home with nothing pressing to do at the moment except to press into God and the moment. I love to go and do but in my heart of hearts I am more of a “be-er” than a “do-er” and there is no place I’d rather be than in the presence of the Lord. Besides, it is in these quiet moments that I finally get to engage in my other passion; writing.
I love having this time to reflect and share what God has been doing. Most of you know that my healing is coming at a more rapid pace now. Once I got to the gym and saw how much healing had taken place since the last time I’d worked out, I really almost couldn’t believe it myself! I knew this was the time to focus on my healing like never before because it was no longer something to pray would manifest. It was already happening in a visible way and time to pray into what we were seeing.
I know from experience how effective healing prayer is, especially in a situation like mine so I tried to gather some people to “soak” me in prayer. It just was not coming together, but I kept trying and kept going to the gym and watching the healing progress.
On Tuesday I went to the gym and was blown away again at the rapid progress. Tuesday night I did an interview for the In My Pajamas Show (you can listen to that interview at www.Blogtalkradio.com/inmypajamasshow) and shared what has happened and what is happening. It’s always fun to give God glory for what He is doing! He’s hard to keep up with, though, because He is always doing something new and it seems that the more we praise Him the more He gives us something to praise about!
I got home after the interview and got into bed when I got an unexpected phone call from a neighbor who I haven’t heard from in about a year. She seemed really excited and was a little hard to follow but she mentioned that she was with Dennis Brown. He runs the Healing Rooms in Charlotte and I am very familiar with him and I love the work he does, so I was starting to clue in. Ten my neighbor asked if she could come pray for me. I was thrilled! This is exactly what I’d been needing and God had it all set up! So I told her to come on over, thinking it was she and her husband.
Well, it was she an her husband and about eight other people plus Dennis! Apparently, Dennis was teaching a class on healing prayer and praying for the sick and the entire class came and I became the object lesson. How cool is that? I had been asking for soaking prayer and there was a whole class meeting in my neighborhood just itching to lay hands on the sick and the Holy Spirit put me on their hearts at just the right time. Of course God honored their prayers with His presence and I am certain we will get to see the results when I get back to the gym.
This is happening so rapidly that I bought a little video recorder to take to the gym so I can start posting the results on YouTube. Stay tuned…
Matthew 4:24 (Whole Chapter)
So the report of Him spread throughout all Syria, and they brought Him all who were sick, those afflicted with various diseases and torments, those under the power of demons, and epileptics, and paralyzed people, and He healed them.
Paralyzed woman hopes her story will inspire others
She plans to run the New York City Marathon one day — she just needs to walk first.
Though Kelly Tyler has been confined to a wheelchair nearly 14 years ago, she refuses to stay there forever. Together with her doting family, Tyler fights daily to spread hope and encouragement to anyone who needs it.
She recently shared her story — every high and every low — in her first book, “Walk it Out.”
“I always knew I would write a book, but I didn’t know what it was going to be about,” she said. “I just knew when it was time to start writing.”
Tyler lived in Wichita Falls until she turned 18 when she left to attend Baylor University.
She met and married her husband, Ryan, during her sophomore year; their first child followed soon after. One more child and a literature degree later and her life was running smoothly, going according to plan.
A few years later, her plans changed.
Tyler wasn’t feeling well in November 1995 and made an appointment with the doctor. Despite her resistance, he encouraged her to accept a tetanus booster. After a lengthy argument, she relented and took the shot.
Ten short days later, she was paralyzed from the neck down.
“It was definitely the shot that set everything off,” Tyler said. “That is the only thing they could come up with.”
Tyler was thrown by the unexpected loss. She had a husband and two young children at home to take care of.
Doctors told her any recovery should take place within the first year; nearly a decade later her health was the same. She was able to move her right arm and hand, but everything else was frozen in place.
“It has changed my life in basically every way,” she said. “Parenting has been difficult. I have to ration my energy. We just kind of help each other.”
Tyler never gave up hope she would walk again. Her faith in God and love for her family kept her going day to day. She and her husband were able to have a third child. She kept him strapped to her chest as a baby, caring for him any way she could.
“It really got interesting when we had a baby,” she said. “I have a very incredible husband, who is very protective. There is just this rock of love.”
After about 10 years, she became able to move her left arm and hand.
“They were completely paralyzed,” she said. “I have a lot more use of my trunk, too, where before I had none. They said that I would not get anything back after the first year. Eventually, I did anyway.”
She was finally able to drive again, to be a little more active. She used the renewed strength to write her first book.
“I thought it was going to give people hope,” she said. “There is life after the whatever. As long as there is life, it needs to be good.”
Since it’s release in December, Tyler has had multiple book signings and speaking engagements near her North Carolina home to as far away as the Ukraine — always encouraging others to give.
“There is no going back,” she said. “Always find a way to give to others. When you’re giving, you’re not thinking about your own situation.”
In the past few years, Tyler has been looking for her own ways to give back. On a trip with her husband to Jamaica, she visited The Blossom Garden Children’s Home in Montego Bay. She asked the staff what they needed.
“The babies’ diapers were only changed once every other day,” she said. “They needed more diapers.”
After purchasing several herself, she took the cause to her husband’s boss at a business dinner that night.
“We told him what we did,” she said. “He gave a speech and asked that if anyone else wanted to give to the orphanage, there would be baskets at the door.”
About $1,700 was raised that night, and the bank matched every penny.
“That’s how life happens,” she said. “Just when you least expect it. Now, we’re just trying to do whatever we can.”
Tyler and her husband founded The Neighborhood Connection, a nonprofit organization that helps orphans.
She stands by her advice: Helping others is the best way to help yourself. As she continues to fight for a complete recovery, Tyler remembers her purpose — to comfort others in similar situations.
“I just always want to encourage people,” she said. “I think anything is possible.”
For more information on Tyler’s story, visit her Web site at www.livingthecall.com.
I read a story this morning that gripped my heart. Conjoined twins who were born to a teenager in England had to be separated on Christmas day. The twins were named Faith and Hope. Tragically, only one of the babies survived. Hope died. Hope’s lungs were not strong enough to support her. The doctor put it like this, “The lungs of Faith were somehow supporting Hope.”
Tears came to my eyes as I realized the message in the lives of these precious babies. We live in days and times that are causing people to search for hope. People look in all kinds of places for it. The fact is, though, that faith and hope are conjoined twins. There is no hope outside faith in Jesus Christ. It just can’t survive the traumas of this world. It is faith that breathes life into hope.
I am struck by God’s amazing ways. He sent a beautiful baby at Christmas that was destined to die in order to bring a message of hope. I pray that the family of Hope truly know what a miraculous little messenger they were blessed to behold.
My first book is now available for purchase! Its official release date is not unitl December 16, but it can be purchased directly from the publisher at:
I am excited and scared all at the same time. My prayer is simply that my readers encounter God in a profound way as they read this book. I want them to experience Him as their hope, courage, strength, and most of all, friend. If any of you want to let me know your response to the book, please comment on this blog, or check my website www.livingthecall.com for other ways to reach me. I’ve spent a long time trying to say what I thought the Lord would have me say and now I’m really ready to hear from you! Thank you so much for your faithfulness in praying for me and the book.
When I was a kid a loved reading His Mysterious Ways, a monthly article in a magazine that came to our house each month. I loved hearing about real life stories of people who had experienced for themselves the supernatural power and presence of God. I think it was, and is, comforting to know that God really is bigger than us and not bound by this realm that we see.
It satisfies something deep inside to know that God really is the same yesterday, today and forever and that although some of His most magnificent work is done on a macro scale for all of humanity, many of His miracles were and are reserved for individuals and reflect His love of intimacy. These stories build faith and the only thing better than reading them is living them. I lived one yesterday.
My seven year old was in day camp, my daughter and I had an appointment and so I asked my son to pick his brother up from camp. Alexa and I had just left the appointment and were driving when I heard my cell phone ring. The ring tone was the one I have set for members of the family. I told Alexa to find the phone. She couldn’t find it in any of the obvious places. ”I can’t find it, Mom. I didn’t even hear it ring. Are you sure you brought it?”
“I’m certain because it just rang. It’s Josh. I probably need to go get Josiah. Look under the seat. I really need to call Josh and let him know not to worry about Josiah.” Alexa proceeded to climb all over the car and I headed toward the day camp. Meanwhile, Josh had had a minor fender bender and was desparately trying to reach me and tell me to get Josiah.
I got to the camp and asked Alexa to go in and ask if Josiah had been picked up yet. Just as she started to protest on grounds of my questionable sanity since she had never found a phone that could have rung, Josiah came bouncing out. We headed home and on our way passed Josh who then met us in the driveway.
Josh and I were busy exchanging stories of what had happened. I was just explaining how I heard the phone ring and knew it was him and knew that I needed to get Josiah when Alexa came out of the house with my cell phone. It had been in my bedroom the whole time!
I had a wonderful trip to California. I had one God connection after another, enjoyed beyond blessed times with my sisters and brothers, and partnered with God as He poured out on His people.
I am remindeed that there is always a blessing in the “going”. It seems that we need to get away from what is familiar sometimes so that we can step into the things God has for us. The going away helps us get out of ourselves and and our focus is shiffted from “us” to “them”.
If we stay in what is familiar we tend to become egocentric (selfish). This is especially true in the church. Sometimes even when we do get away we hold on so tightly to what is familiar that we can’t recieve what God has for us in different places and from different people. It is so refreshing to get out of our comfort zone and give and recieve.
I particularly like airports. It’s a great place to just open up and see what God does. I had three “God appointments” going out and three coming in. God was so good!
I met two women, one on each end of the trip. These were older, wiser moms who had loads of love and encouragement to share. One of the reasons I went on the tip was to get a break and refuel in the “mothering department”. I feel like He sandwiched this trip with these two beautiful women as a Mother’s Day gift to me!
One man who pushed me through the airport spoke The Word to me the whole time! I sat next to a Ukrainian believer on one flight and another man just overheard part of my testimony and he came over to get more information about my book so he could pass it on to his clients!
God was so good and now that I’m back home in the familiar struggles of every day life, I have fresh testimonies and encounters with which to encourage myself and others. So, whether you go across the country or to the grocery store, go with an openness to give and receive and watch what God does!
Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. (Romans 11:5)
13And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
I was driving with my six-year-old in the car yesterday. He talks non-stop and at times it’s all I can do to stay focused. Just as I was enjoying a rare moment of silence he , “God has a collection.”
He had my attention now. “Really,” I asked knowing He had more to say.
“Yeah,” He continued, “He has a collection of people on the earth who worship Him.” He paused and added, “We are that people.”
I waited quietly. I knew He was speaking from the Spirit. I knew he was speaking about the remnant that has always remained on the earth worshipping God. Then he said, ”That’s why God doesn’t like killing. It takes away from His collection and He gets angry.”
In both of the scriptures above, remnant is referring to the believers left after prophets were killed. Somehow before, that fact had escaped me. I wondered why God was speaking to me about this now, especially through a little child.
I opened my e-mail this morning and there was a letter from Voice of the Martyrs. I read about our persecuted brothers and sisters, and thought about the many who give their lives for Jesus all over the world. Josiah’s words reverberated in my spirit. “We are that people.” We are the only beings on this planet called to worship Jesus and and share His love with a hopeless generation. We are the only ones who can bring Him glory on the earth. The only way to be a part of the remnant is to lay down our lives- even unto death.
There is no other way and no other people. We are God’s collection. We are that people.
2 Chronicles 29:36
And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the people: for the thing was done suddenly.
The “suddenlies” of God are fascinating. They are not to be confused with anything happening fast. It’s not like McDonald’s, where quality is exchanged for expedience. No. There is nothing fast about suddenlies. Take a look at these suddenlies that were a long time in coming.
Luke 2:13
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Acts 1:2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting
Both of these “suddenlies” were fulfillment of ancient prophecies that took centuries of preparation. Sometimes the years of preparation and waiting seem like delay, or even denial of God’s promise, but that is not the case. God is patient to get us ready and everyone around us ready, because if He doesn’t we will not have the maturity to hear, obey, and move into the flow of His sudden actions.
We are in a season of suddenlies. We must prepare ourselves to hear His still, small voice amongst the clamour. We need to be sensitive to His touch while everything is pressing in on us. Most importantly, we must be ready to move quickly when He does. This is a season of suddenlies. These are days of rapid change, and those who have waited before Him will be thankful that God has prepared them.
2 Peter 3:8
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
I am in awe of our God! What He did in one day while we were in Jamaica, I couldn’t have accomplished in a thousand days on my own. That is what makes Him God. He is able to do anything! I think I’ll be writing about this trip to Jamaica for a long time, but for now I have to give you the overview of what He did on Sunday.
God has put the care of orphans on my heart for years, and I’ve just been waiting for the opportunity to step out. So, when I learned that Ryan won this trip to Jamaica I searched the Internet for orphanages in the Montego Bay area and found that Blossom Garden children’s home is just minutes from the resort we would be staying in.
When we realized that it would cost $100.00 per hour to get a car to take us, we weren’t so sure we would be going. Then God providentially connected us to a godly man, Ron Lawrence. He was our driver to dinner on Friday night. We talked to him, and he offered to drive us free of charge (we would only have to pay for the use of the car)! So for $150.00 we could use the car all day! We were thrilled!
To make it even better, Ron picked us up and took us to his church. It was incredible! These people had enormous faith and it was such a blessing to be able to worship with them. They allowed us to give our testimony as well, so by the time we left, we had many new friends!
Next we went to Blossom Garden. It is a small, one story building nestled in the hills above Montego Bay. Inside it was brightly painted, though poorly lit. The first room we saw had ten cribs and eleven sleeping newborns. One woke up, so we asked to hold him. His name is Christopher, and he has got to be one of the happiest newborns I’ve ever seen! As soon as he saw us he broke out into an enormous smile! I’m beginning to think Jamaicans have a happy gene! Christopher was quite congested and we were told that he suffers from asthma, but it has not affected this baby’s joy at all!!
Next we went to the toddlers. I think there were twenty-two and most of them were sleeping. Most of them are quite small, since they have very little protein (if any) in their diet. There was one unusually big baby. We were told that he had been found two days after his birth under a bush, and so they call him Moses. Several of the children in that room were paralyzed. We prayed for as many as we could reach before we went onto the porch.
There were three baby girls playing on rocking toys and an older autistic boy. I was told to be careful because he can be rough, and has been known to bite. He came to me and put his head in my lap. He stayed there as I stroked his head, talking to him and praying over him. I hated to leave him, but we had to move on.
We went out to the play yard. The one thing Ryan kept saying was that he felt so much better knowing the children were getting lots of sunshine and good air. They all wanted to be held and talked to. We had a good time just loving on them before we went to see the oldest children, up to age seven. They were all watching a video in their room. They all wanted to be held, too, and seemed especially excited to have a man to play with.
We were told that the greatest need at Blossom Garden is for diapers, but it wasn’t until well into the visit that I really understood how great the need is. The babies do not have enough diapers to get changed every day. They get one diaper about every other day. They also have need of formula and food.
I left determined that these babies would have diapers. I was getting too tired to stay out any longer, so we bought 300 diapers and asked Ron to deliver them. Later that night, there was an awards dinner that we attended at the hotel. During the cocktail hour, the CEO of Royal Bank of Canada invited Ryan and myself to join him at his table for dinner. Ryan sat next to the CEO’s wife, and she asked what we done that afternoon. So, he told her and she told her husband. He then asked me to tell the table about it, and he promised that he would help the orphans. Meanwhile a man from the next table talked to a lady I told about the babies and he came over and promised to help.
Then Scott, the CEO, stood up and welcomed everyone and then proceeded to tell about our trip to the orphanage. He said that there would be baskets at the doors for anyone who wanted to give! Suddenly, a man stood up and said, “Scott, can’t the bank match whatever is given?” Scott agreed!
The next morning we left with our driver, Ron, and seventeen hundred dollars in cash to go shopping for diapers! More money was still coming in, and the bank hadn’t even matched it yet! We went to a big store that was a little like a Sam’s, and we bought tons and tons of diapers, four cases of formula, bibs, washcloths, disposable wipes, more diapers, shirts, onesies, notebooks for school, play-dough, jump ropes, more diapers, balls, balloons, baby bottles, ointment, baby wash, and more and more diapers!
We were very short on time, but managed to get everything and deliver it to Blossom Garden, hug the children, get some photos (coming soon) and make it to the airport by 11:00 a.m.! Praise God and thanks to the big hearted people at RBC we accomplished what would have been impossible for us to do on our own!
I am writing you from the beautiful island of Jamaica. It is home to what has to be the happiest people on Earth! Where else in the world do you go through customs and the walls are painted pink, green, yellow and blue?
The most common phrase here is, “No problem, mon.” The thing is, they really mean it! There just isn’t much that gets these people upset. And did I mention that it is beautiful?
Many of you know we are here as the guests of RBC Bank, but that I was praying for time and opprtunity to visit an orphanage. God always answers bigger than we ask! The bank hired a driver for Ryan and I since it is difficult to get me on a bus. Well, wouldn’t you know the driver is an awesome brother in the Lord, and not only offered to drive us to the orphanage on a Sunday, but also wants us to speak at his church and go pray for the children at the hospital where his wife works! Please pray with us tomorrow as we join God on this adventure!
We just got back from rafting down a river, but the best part was praying there and back with our driver! Isn’t God just too cool?
Well, I’m off to the beach now, but will let you know as soon as possible what God does tomorrow!
So here we are right on the edge between this year and the next. I love this time every year, but then again, I love living on the edge. I love the hope of the unknown and the sense of adventure that comes with the new year.
Someone once said that there are two things we can be certain of, death and taxes. That guy was a real pessimist, but he sort of has a point. We do know, in this world, the things we know for certain aren’t many and they aren’t always good. It’s the things of the spirit realm that are certain, and the hope of them entering our world that’s exciting.
The edge of the new year has a great view. From here, we can look back over the past year, and whether it’s been a particularly good one or a difficult one, we can see God’s hand in it, and if we look really hard, we can see His outline and direction for the year to come.
So, join me on the edge. Don’t be afraid to look. God is the God of the past and He is the God of the future. He has great adventures for us!
- Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
These are difficult times we live in. Individuals, families, churches and entire communities are experiencing testings and trials and are suffering in various ways. As someone who is no stranger to trials, I empathize with those who are going through difficulties. I’ve noticed that when things get tough, it is human nature to judge and point fingers. I’ve watched over and over in my own life and in the lives of others that people who are suffering are easy targets for judgers and fixers.
The judgers want to tell you why you are in the situation you find yourself in and the fixers want to tell you exactly how to get out. Both are operating in pride, and most of us have been guilty on both counts. When you are on the receiving end of this it brings everything from condemnation to anger, and leaves you with even more to deal with than before!
So with the times we are in becoming more difficult, I thought it was worth re-posting this.
1 Chronicles 21:13
“I am in deep distress. Let me fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is very great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men.”
The deeper our distress, the more we long to be in the hands of God. Jesus is just so kind. He understands our plight. He is the incarnation of the mercy seat; that place covered by His blood and filled with the presence of God. Oh, to be in that place when we are hurting!
Unfortunately, we have all had times of distress when we have fallen into the hands of men. Sometimes even well meaning humans create even more distress because they unwittingly operate from the position of the judgement seat rather than the mercy seat. This is the difference between having compassion and “feeling sorry”.
True compassion is born out of suffering that has given birth to empathy. Jesus had (and has) compassion for people because He chose to identify with us in humanness and suffering. Those who merely feel sorry for others have distanced themselves from the suffering of others and say with the pharisees, “Thank God I’m not like that!” Sometimes they even take a kind of perverted comfort in the sufferings of others. Other times they are the types who know just what the problem is and have the simple solution that will change your situation. The ten commandments were the simple solution. If everyone just followed them, things would go well. The only problem is, the law was never meant to be the solution.
Jesus came to be the solution. He didn’t come to point out the pain and suffering and sin and sickness. He came to become the pain and suffering and sin and sickness. He became it, to conquer it, so that we could find our life in Him and operate from the mercy seat.
We have to continually humble ourselves in order to receive mercy and give it to others, and we have to guard our hearts so that we do not become like the Pharisees. To identify with Christ means to be intimately aware of our own brokenness and need for Jesus and to identify with the suffering and brokenness of humanity. We can only give as much mercy as we realize we have received. As humans, we really want to have answers for people and their problems. We can’t always give answers, but we can always give mercy.
Hebrews 2 18For because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried), He is able [immediately] [c]to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering].
The end of the year is always packed for me. My daughter’s birthday is right around (some years on) Thanksgiving. Two weeks after Thanksgiving is my son’s birthday. Two weeks later is my anniversary. Five days later is Christmas, followed by the new year and my husband’s and my birthdays all in the same week!
This year has had even more events and stresses than usual, but one thing I’ve learned to do is to keep living, I mean really experiencing Zoe Life, in the midst of the stressors and busyness. (Even as I write my six year old is screaming for his sister because he decided to hang from the bannister and got scared!) I’ve learned that no matter what is going on around me, I’ve got to find and remain in the secret place with the Lord and just keep doing what He has called me to do.
The apostle Paul likened we as Christ followers to soldiers. He reminded us that soldiers do not entangle themselves in civilian activities. We are here for the purpose of The Kingdom. Everything else is secondary, at best.
This week Ryan and I celebrated our twentieth wedding anniversary. Selah.
We went out to eat. Alone. I didn’t want to think about anything else. We finished our meal and Ryan asked if I was ready to go. “No,” I said. “I think God is speaking to me.”
“Tell me,” he said enthusiastically. “It’s not for us. It’s for the man behind me,” I explained. “Oh,” he sounded as nervous as I felt.
I prayed quickly, half hoping the sense I was getting would go away, but it only got stronger. So, I did the only thing left to do. I wheeled over to the stratnger and his wife and proceeded to tell them what the Lord wanted them to hear. They were very gracious. I went back to my table. As Ryan and I left we passed the strangers. It was a little awkward. We got outside and I was really hoping I had done the right thing when the woman came out to thank me and tell me the story behind the word I had gotten for them.
Wow! God is so merciful! I didn’t have to wonder if I had acted out of obebience or on a whim! It was like God’s anniverary gift to us. Twenty years ago, all we asked was that God get glory out of our marriage. It’s all from Him and for Him and He honors our smallest efforts! We just have to remeber what it (life, marriage, everything) is all about, and He makes it happen. So, I’m thankful that God interrupts our lives, in big ways and in small ones, because it helps me remember why I’m here and who is in charge. So whatever your doing and however crazy it gets, expect, look for and welcome God’s interruptions.
I read this yesterday. I love it! I want to live it.
“LIFE ISN’T ABOUT WAITING FOR THE STORM TO END; IT’S ABOUT LEARNING TO DANCE IN THE RAIN.”
I know it has been a while since I checked in. It’s been even crazier than usual at my house. My six year old has had some problems that were keeping me really busy. He needs occupational and physical therapy, so I’ve dropped out for a while so that he can go. That turned out to be a really good move because right after Thanksgiving I started home schooling my fourteen year old again.
So, my life looks nothing like it did just a few weeks ago! Again, I’m being stretched and challenged in every way. Just when I thought I was at the breaking point, my friend called for prayer. Her friend is dying from complications of paralysis after twenty years. My heart sank. There are more people that we’ve prayed for that die than get well. I felt the little bit of wind that I had left in my sail, flow right out. Praise God for friends who intercede. My friends prayed, and the discouragement lifted and I was finally able to pray again.
Then I read the news about the shootings at YWAM and New Life in Colorado. It hit hard. Maybe it was the reality check that I needed. As followers of Christ, we only live and die to bring God glory. These other things, as difficult as they can be, are very short term.
My heart is broken and that’s OK. God is near to the broken hearted. The seeds of Life take root easily in ground that has been broken open, and they grow as they are watered by the tears of prayer that we pour out. We live in times of much warfare and many sorrows, but these are the kind of times that God can use to draw people to Himself and show Himself mighty.
It is more important than ever that we surround ourselves and each other with prayer and encouragement. It is time to take our places. This is the time we’ve been born for, and the hour to fulfill the destinies that God has given us both individually and corporately. Don’t look back and don’t give up!
Passage Isaiah 50:7:
7 Because the Sovereign LORD helps me,
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint,
and I know I will not be put to shame.
