My "Active Senior Lifestyle"......

I really hate when people say they are "so busy"!  As a matter of fact, Gwen and I were recently talking about a sermon from a very long time ago that we both remembered.  Pastor Del said that "busy" was "Being Under Satan's Yolk".  It has always stuck with me.  So I will not say that I have been so busy.  But I will say that our family has had many activities in the last few months that have left me feeling sort of behind on tasks that normally get done. 

Beginning in late September when my family participated in our extended family reunion.  I love this photo from the event that Susie captured of just our family.  This was certainly an out of the ordinary event that was added to our calendar this year.  

October included several things that I have previously blogged - my weekend with Gwen and Tim's kids while they were on retreat.   A trip to both Brookfield zoo and Cosley Zoo.  And there was Halloween.  

I loved watching all of our grand kids hit the streets to Trick or Treat on a beautiful, warm fall Sunday, the day that Gwen's neighborhood celebrates.  Accompanied by MANY friends, no coats were necessary and there were many happy children, full of candy.  

And then winter came to Illinois.  On Halloween (October 31) we woke to plenty of snow.  And it snowed all day.  There were many unhappy kids around who did not get to trick or treat in the warm fall weather.  We only had about 1/4 the number of kids as normal at our house.  During that snowstorm, I was happily helping set up for a conference at a nearby hotel.  Chicago HUB is a ministry that I have supported for many years.  I volunteered to help with registration for their yearly conference so I (thankfully) missed most of the snow.  In spite of the snow, more than 750 people came to worship together and hear some incredible speakers.  

I missed the second morning of the conference, to be with our family to celebrate Lucas' fifth birthday together.  I made this plaque for Doug and Susie and Grace.  I love that we know that Lucas is with Jesus and we will see him again, and we will always have him in our hearts.  

I returned to the conference and spent three more wonderful days getting filled up with great worship and wonderful teaching.  Because I spent time at the registration table, I got to meet so many new friends and also connect with people I haven't seen for many years.  I was surprised to learn that over 400 of the people who came to this event were new to HUB.  There were so many young people and so much energy.  Even though I was pretty tired by the end of this conference, it was so worth it.  

Last week was just a "normal" week for me.  I spent time with Gwen and the kids.  Participated in my Bible Study group.  Watched Grace on Tuesday and Thursday.  Went with Ken to a doctor appointment on Wednesday and had work done on my car on Friday. (I was so glad to finally have the correct part installed so that my check engine light will no longer be shining at me!)  I have been putting the finishing touches on my Operation Christmas Child boxes that need to be dropped off in about a week.  My boxes are always done in honor of Lucas.  Each box contains items that will help six little boys learn about God's love and just who Jesus is.  

The weather has stayed unseasonably cold.  On Thursday, Grace and I made banana bread using my mom's recipe.  It is so fun to watch her experience new things.  She loved to stir and mash the bananas. I love that I can share this part of my mom with Grace and I know that my mom would be so pleased.   It just seemed like good weather to have the oven on!  Yes, winter is upon us.

This weekend has been a wonderful time for me to catch up on so many things.  I spent some time cleaning up my scrap room after packing my boxes for Operation Christmas Child.  I ordered some photos printed for my upcoming scrap weekend, and I prepared my album with paper.  I got food shopping done, laundry completed and have actually managed to cook several meals.  Right now I am relaxing to the wafting aroma of chili, simmering in the crock pot. So all is right in my world.  

November is thankfulness time.  And I am so thankful today.   For family that keeps me active and involved in so many ways.  For friends that surround me with prayers, with care and with laughs.

I am thankful for ministry opportunities - for Chicago HUB Ministries.  For united worship with people of all races, denominations, countries and backgrounds.  And I am so thankful for all of you reading this blog.  I never, ever imagined that I could chat with you about my everyday life, even though I have never met you!  I love that I can share about Jesus and how much my life has changed because of my relationship with Him.  It is my prayer that you can "read between the lines" of this blog and know the great grace and love and blessing my family has experienced through Jesus.  I would love to know your story and to hear about your day to day life.  Please know that I love to read your comments and I am thinking about you and praying for you with each blog that is posted. 

Jesus, thank you for showering me with your love and kindness.  Holy Spirit, help us all to know that you are just waiting for us to call out to you.  Give us courage and boldness to share about you Jesus.  Thank you for all the new ways that we can reach the world with your Gospel Message.  Amen

What a week....leading up to Christmas.

My week began at my favorite place to be - Chicago HUB on Sunday evening. The worship at HUB was wonderful - led by one of my favorite worship leaders, Steve Mitchell.  It was a free flowing time of worship, truly led by the Holy Spirit.  The interesting thing for me was,  I felt as if the particular songs and the direction of the worship were just for me.  I imagine that I am not the only person who felt that way, but there was a very personal message as one song flowed into the next.  I had walked in the doors that night feeling distant from Jesus, distracted by all the stuff of the season and alone.   I left that night feeling a close, intimate hug from Jesus, focused on the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and knowing that I was connected to a very large "family".  What an amazing Christmas blessing.

On Wednesday there was another Christmas treat!  I got to watch Anna perform in her first ever Christmas Program.. 

There is nothing better than seeing these preschoolers up on the stage, singing and sharing about the baby Jesus.  Anna is only 3 years old, but her personality showed through in her performance. Anna was the line leader for her class and she knew just where to go on the stage.   She was singing and dancing and knew all of the words and motions to the songs.  She was not one bit afraid - even though the church was packed with family members.  I stopped and picked up Lia, Ellie and Zeke so they could see the program.  Because Gwen is a teacher at this preschool, she was already there - directing the program!  

Most of the kids in Anna's class did more standing and staring rather than singing and motioning.  Anna told me that she was especially excited because she got to be on the "stage". She is a determined little girl who makes very clear decisions.   I am sure we will be seeing much more of her, front and center, and leading the way for her peers.   I have no doubt that she will be a "mover and shaker" later in life.  I truly believe that everyone would have a much calmer and sweeter Christmas if they attended a children's Christmas program.  You can't help but feel wonderful after watching these sweet little faces share the Christmas message.  

So, here on this Friday, December 22, our family is anticipating our Christmas gathering tomorrow.  

Our time together is never about the gifts that we exchange.  It is about the fun and the laughing.  We always share memories and stories from past years.  There is always food and time for silly games.  As I was talking with Lia, Ellie and Zeke in the car on the way to Anna's program, I was shocked to realize that Zeke never knew my mom.  Lia and Ellie always talk about her, but Great Grandma Nona died a month before Zeke was born.  It was one of those times when I really was missing my mom! Somehow the time just gets away from you and suddenly, years have passed without your loved ones.  Our Lucas would be three years old now and he is missed every day.    I loved that Zeke's final thought about Great Grandma Nona and Lucas was simply, "I know I'll get to meet her in heaven!  And baby Lucas also!"  

Yes, heaven is possible for us all because of that little baby, wrapped in strips of cloth and sleeping in a feeding box.  Jesus started life among us as a child and the message of his coming is simple enough to be shared by children.  The Father knew that the message of love and joy and peace on earth would be best carried to the world by the voices of sweet, innocent children.  

Anna's program ended with the children singing "Joy to the World".  Which is a fitting end to this blog.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King!

Let every heart prepare Him room.

And heaven and nature sing!

And heaven and nature sing!

And heaven and heaven and nature sing!

Jesus, thank you so much for the voices and the smiles of little children.  Holy Spirit, help us all to slow down, relax and remember the best gift that was ever given - Jesus.  Holy Spirit, show us how to prepare our hearts to be open to the joy and peace that Jesus brings.  Give us ears to hear the voices of the angels saying "Peace to the people of earth".  Thank you for this amazing season.  Amen

Weekend in the sun......and time with the Son....

I got to spend lots of time with the grandkids this past "busy" week, and that included getting to play with Anna and Zeke. I mentioned in a previous blog that Anna was determined to get on her riding toy.  Well she was just as determined to sit in this plastic kids chair.  And it was not easy.  But, just as with the riding toy, she was determined.  And in this case it wasn't enough just to sit in the chair, she needed to have her sunglasses and her phone (I guess 1 is old enough to need that phone!!) and her bear.  Now this was a several hour adventure.  In and out of that chair (with a little help from grandma, I admit).  Drop the phone, drop the sunglasses, drop the bear, cry, struggle to get down (cue grandma's help), pick up the phone, pick up the sunglasses, pick up the bear and start the process all over again.  But she did not give up.  She continued to attempt this over and over and over.  

When she finally got a bit tired of the process, she would look to me for help.  She needed that phone opened up (it's an older style flip phone), or she needed her sunglasses on (which always required a bit of help from grandma), or she dropped the bear and needed it back on her lap.  

And when I looked at this picture, I was thinking about Anna and who she will become in the years ahead.  She will be a mover and shaker who will not be stopped.  A lot like her older brother and sisters!

On Friday evening I went to the Chicago HUB meetings that are still continuing on (after the "end" of the conference 2 weeks ago).  It was a time of again being in the presence of Jesus.  There has been a shift in the atmosphere over these weeks.  There is a new sound that is the melding together of the intimate presence of Jesus with the strong desire to share this with others.  Certainly Jesus is up to something in the Chicago area.  It is time for everyone to be ready to share the Gospel message.  And we were all encouraged to think about and write down a brief statement of our own testimony that we could share with others.

Now with total honesty (and I am remembering that I promised honesty on this blog), over the last 20 years, I would have said that I am not an Evangelist and I don't feel called in any way to share the Gospel.  On Friday night I realized just how FALSE that statement was!  In fact, my testimony begins with the dream I had about Jesus when I was four.  In that dream, Jesus told me exactly who he was and then he told me that I was to TELL EVERYONE ABOUT HIM!  I was really brought to a stop when I was ever so gently reminded by the Holy Spirit of that fact!  HELLO!  That is a call to Evangelism!  So yes, I will need to be writing down that brief statement and learning more about what is happening through the Holy Spirit.

Saturday was a glorious day of sunshine and warm temperatures.  Ken and I actually bought a patio set and enjoyed time sitting outside.  Today started off sunny and warm but around noon, it clouded up and rain began.  But as I was reflecting on these past few days, I remembered Anna and that determination to accomplish a very big (for her) task.  I know that moving ahead. as the Holy Spirit leads will not be something that I can do in my own strength. But I also know that it is easy to just give up and feel that you are not able to make a difference.  Isn't it interesting that satan kept me from talking about Jesus for years and years, yet it was exactly what I was supposed to be doing?  Just like Anna, I am determined to grow and change and learn new things.  Yes, there is a new sound and a new atmosphere around here.  I can't wait to see what is ahead!

Jesus, thank you for your presence that calls us each to draw up close to you.  Holy Spirit thank you for showing me how deceived I have been about the call and destiny that Jesus has for me.  Please give grace to all who are reading this to be willing to see and hear the truth.  Thank you Jesus for Anna and all that she is learning and experiencing.  Thank you for sunshine and warm weather and rain that brings forth flowers.  Thank you for the new sound and the shift in the atmosphere!  Amen

Missing my mom......still.....

I found this picture from 2002 of me and my mom.  I love how wonderful my mom looks in this picture.  She seems so vibrant and so "her"!  She has a cup of coffee in her hand and is sitting on a deck enjoying the outside air.  She looks happy and healthy.  This was 9 years before she died.  Yesterday marked four years since she died.  I have missed her all of those 4 years.  As I watch my own grandchildren grow and change, I think of how much she would have enjoyed them.  In a couple of weeks we will attend the wedding of the first of her great-grandchildren to get married.   Just a month ago there was a great-great grandchild born. (It's quite hard for me to imagine my sister has a great-grandchild!) I still have those moments when I think "I'll call mom" which just seems so silly.

I know last year I blogged about my less than wonderful April memories.  My mom died on April 12.  My mother-in-law died on April 15.  My dad died on April 19.  My grandmother died on April 21. My sister died on April 23.   Ken and I were talking about this yesterday, as I was remembering that it was the day that my mom had died.  And then, last night, we got a call from Ken's sister.  It seems that Ken's dad (who is 94) is not doing very well.  As a matter of fact, it seems that his time is most likely very short.  The first thought on my mind was "Not another APRIL death!"  But the truth is, he is more than ready to be out of this life.  And thanks to an amazing conversation I was able to have with him a few years ago, I am assured that he will be with Jesus when the time comes.  So, if it is April, it will be okay.

Over the last week I have been dreaming almost every night.  And I know that Jesus is trying to get my attention.  Several of the dreams had to do with mission trips.  More than one of the dreams were "repeat dreams".  A dream that I have had many times in the past.  In fact, one dream was so very vivid and clear that when I woke up, it took me a couple of minutes to realize that this had not really happened!

There has been so much "buzz" about this upcoming conference.  Just look at the line up of big name speakers.  I registered to attend this event on the first day that registration opened.  So, yes, I am going to be there.  I am slightly afraid of just how crowded it is going to be since everyone wants to be there!  I am sure that some of my dreams are related to this event.  For so long I have been feeling as if I have been in a holding pattern.  That there is something out there....right around the corner.  I am so ready for a change.  To be SURE and to KNOW that I am exactly where Jesus wants me to be.  It feels like I am stepping into a "new thing".  But after those dreams, it actually may be that I am just seeing the things that I have seen in my dreams, come into being.  So not really a NEW thing, but an expected and anticipated thing.  Please join me in praying for this conference.  Not just for the speakers, but for each person who attends.  Pray that each of us will have an encounter with Jesus and hear His voice.  

Jesus, thank you for my wonderful mom and all the years I  had with her.  Bring comfort and peace to Ken's dad during his final days.  Thank you for this upcoming conference.  Holy Spirit, bring every person to the event that needs to be there.  Give traveling mercies to all of the speakers and every person attending.  Thank you for dreams and vision and speaking to each of us.  Amen

Letting it all sink in.....

I spent the last couple of days at a very intense conference at Chicago HUB with lots and lots of amazing speakers.  It was the most packed agenda I have ever seen at this kind of event.  The time just flew by.  There was hardly time to eat or sleep, let alone think about all that you had taken in during the last session.  As I was driving home last night (late, but not ridiculous since I had to be up at 5:00am this morning), I was trying to "sum up" what the conference on THE PRESENCE (of Jesus) had imparted to me.  The most interesting thing about all these really big name speakers...... every one spent time telling about their failings, their struggles, their "humanness".  Most also gave details of the very real lives they were leading before Jesus' presence changed the entire direction of their journey.  I was reminded over and over how powerful each persons testimony is.  The last speaker of the event was Heidi Baker of Iris Global .  I could not begin to tell you how many people crowded into that room to hear her speak.  There was not a spot anywhere....not just chairs but floor space as well.  Here are a few pictures.....

 This is Bobby Conner.  The most amazing thing is that he can quote Scripture - even less well known verses without opening the book.  He mentioned that he has the Bible memorized and I would believe it.  He is a powerful prophet in the body of Christ today.

 This is David Wagner praying for Nancy Magiera (the leader of the ministry that sponsored this conference).  This was his first time at any HUB event, and I am sure that he will be back.  He was amazing.

 And here is Heidi Baker and Nancy.  As you can see, I was blessed with front row seats at this sold out event.  

I didn't get pictures of Bruce Van Natta (I think he walked around so much that I never got a good shot!)  and also missed Steve Mitchell.   Steve led worship and really did bring the "PRESENCE" into the room.  There was an awesome intercessory team from Crusaders Church in Chicago.  This intercession drew me in, touched me and changed the atmosphere so quickly.  

I met and talked with so many nice people.  I ran into old friends that I hadn't seen for years.  And, interestingly I got a personal prophetic word from a young guy I had never met before.  The first thing he asked me was if I knew what my name means! Yes, that's right.  Just like my last blog.  So I have to assume that Jesus is really trying to say something to me about my name!  

I strongly encourage you to click on each of these names to learn about these ministries.  Heidi Baker shared that they are currently in a crisis with serious flooding.  Many of their bases are flooded and their home base in Pemba, Mozambique will be without electricity for a LONG TIME.  Like think months.(Just imagine no running water AND no electricity....)  Hundreds of thousands of people lost their homes and everything they own.  There is a great need for us all to respond to this urgent need.  Heidi's ministry feeds thousands of people EVERY DAY and this flood will complicate that process.  Would you please join me and pray for this ministry?  They need us all to stand with them at this time.  

Yes, it was a very full couple of days.  I have so much to chew on, digest, meditate on, think about, and take in.  I am very thankful for the pages and pages of notes and also the CD's of the sessions that a friend purchased.  I am so grateful for the many volunteers who helped carry out this BIG event, as well as Hank and Nancy Magiera, the founders of HUB.  I have been reminded that it is the presence of Jesus that has sustained me in the last very hard months. And it is the presence that brings me the hope and peace for the future.  

I'll blog tomorrow (or the next day) with more specifics about what the presence really is and how to experience that presence and what it means to me.  So wait for it!

Jesus, thank you for your body....your anointed leaders....my sisters and brothers.  Holy Spirit, what a joy and to be in the presence!  Jesus, bring forth an abundance for Rolland and Heidi Baker.  Bring a multiplication of resources to meet every need.  Thank you for connecting us all, even around the world!  Amen

New Growth.....and smiling!

Today Ken and I went to a really nice Botanic Garden quite close to our house. Yesterday we actually had snow flurries!  Yes, it is only October 4 but it was a cold, windy, rainy blustery day that felt like winter!  Today was a welcome return to autumn weather.  Sunny and in the 50's so it was a great day to be out in nature.  I took the photo above and the thought in my mind was "new growth".  And given it is not a usual time to see growth, I was surprised! You could see the very blueish green new growth on the ends of all the branches.  It was if this tree had a really big growth spurt! This really resonated with me, after my night last night!

Last night, I heard this women, Patricia King, at a gathering at HUB Ministries,  It was a wonderful meeting!  On my way home I was thinking about the amazing amount of "stuff" that had been downloaded into my spirit in just a couple of hours.  Yes, it was a time of new growth for me.  

The entire night was really based on this one point....."SMILE AT YOUR FUTURE"!  This is taken from Proverbs 31:25,,,,

"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come"

There was so much that Patricia shared.  After I got home, that phrase, smile at your future, just kept rolling around in my head.  Wow!  If you listen to the news, read the stuff on the internet, listen to almost anyone talking about our country, politics, the world news, it is easy for fear and doubt to begin to enter your mind.  And then the LAST thing you feel like doing is smiling at your future.  But with Jesus, we have everything we need and we CAN and SHOULD be smiling at all that is ahead for us.   Yesterday was the Jewish New Year and a time to celebrate the new beginning.  What a great time to remember that our future is one to smile about.  We have Jesus and what else do we need?  As Patricia said, even if we lost everything - had no money, no home, no possessions -  we would STILL have Jesus.  And He is our provision!  He is our brother.  He is our friend.  He is our power and our strength.  We have everything to smile about.  

I have pages and pages of notes from last night.  I know that this information will be speaking to me over the next few weeks.  I am so thankful for this meeting last night.  When I left there, I had a new sense of purpose and destiny that had been missing from my spirit.  It's funny how one meeting can bring so much revelation.  And can bring a smile to my face!  Yes, I am smiling at my future.

Jesus, thank you for Patricia King and HUB Ministries.  Continue to bless them greatly with revelation and wisdom.  Holy Spirit, remind all of us to live in the knowledge that we have so much to smile about.  Keep us from fear and anxiety and help us live in the celebration of all we have in Jesus.  Amen

More about Sunday night....and Charlie Shamp

I lifted this picture of Charlie Shamp and his wife from their web page.   I talked a bit about my Sunday night at HUB ministries and the way that I experienced some personal revelation during the worship time.  And it became a rather long post.  After looking at the post, I realized that I didn't say anything about the main speaker!  If you have gone to his web site off  from the link on yesterday's blog, you will see some amazing testimony about Sunday's meeting.  Among other things, a man's eye was healed, several people experienced healing of their backs, someone's elbow was healed, and several people experienced supernatural weight loss!   I sure wish I had been blessed with that weight loss, but alas, it was not a part of the plan for me. 

While trying to decide exactly what to write about the meeting, I decided that I would just do some bullet points that have really stuck with me.

1.  The first most important point is that this was not a "typical" healing service (if there is any healing service that is typical!).  I told someone today that Charlie said over and over that this whole thing was not about him.  That when the glory came into a room, that glory was God.  And God was the one performing the miracles.  I had never thought about glory in quite this way before.  Many of the healings just happened as people were sitting in their seat.  While Charlie did pray for some people, the feeling in the room was electric.  It was clear that anything could happen!

2.  There was one point when Charlie was talking about the atom.  And the smallest part of any atom was LIGHT.  He talked about creation.  First there was God and then he created.  And the waters covered the earth.  Charlie said, "think about this, the Spirit of God hovered over those waters and then he said "Let US make man in our IMAGE!"  Charlie said...imagine God saw his own reflection in that water, and then he created.  Isn't that a simply powerful message?  I know that I will be meditating on this for some time, and I am sure that there is much I will learn.

3.  Charlie spoke a great deal about the glory cloud (see number 1).  He spook about natural precipitation and the clouds being full of water.  yet it doesn't rain until there is pressure on the cloud. Charlie said that Jesus hovers just like those clouds, waiting for our action.  Charlie said that our praise and desire for the glory is the pressure that causes that glory to rain down on you when.  He also said that one person in the room can get that glory rain, or the entire room can be rained on.  Let me tell you that it was raining in that room on Sunday night!  Isn't it interesting to compare the natural rain to spiritual rain?  I loved this.  I know that every time I am in the rain, I will think about this.

4.  There was gold dust everywhere.   I have experienced this a couple of times before.   It was on my hands and arms and on my face.  People on the other side of the room seemed to be more covered than the side I was on.  But I felt the silky smoothness of that gold dust on my face, even when I was on my way home.   I don't have much more to say about this, except it was amazing.  And I can tell you, my skin still feels really soft.  

Okay............. enough for one blog.  There is still more.   So, once again, I encourage you to come back and hear some more about this wonderful time with Jesus! 

Jesus, thank you for revealing yourself in such amazing ways to us when we gather and seek your face.   How amazing it is to know that you love us so much that you bless us with these amazing evidences of your presence.  Continue to speak revelation to each of us.  Bless Charlie Shamp, his family and his ministry.  Pour out your provision and your favor on them.   Thank you again, for HUB and Nancy.  Amen

Bit about my Sunday.......... and a teaser for a couple of future blogs!

First of all, Happy Birthday (Yesterday) to my sweet Gwen!  I love the look on her face in this picture.  She was not so happy about that cake.  Another interesting thing is that the table and hutch shown in this picture, are now residing in Gwen's house!  Even after all these years....(Sorry Gwen, but you are 35 years old! Sigh...) As a mom you can't help but remember and think about the day your babies are born.  While I didn't get to spend the day with Gwen, we were together on Saturday and have lots of family time planned in the month of May. 

So, after a day of usual Sunday things like shopping and laundry, I decided to go to the HUB meeting.  I had seen an email about the guest speaker, but his name was not familiar to me.  I know from past experience that it simply doesn't matter!  These meetings are always so worth it!  First, the worship is always amazing.  It is a time and place to be in the presence of the Lord and rest.  It is also a place to receive.  The guest speaker was Charlie Shamp.  (Click on his name for information and to watch some incredible videos!)  On the Home page there is a note about last nights meeting.  Frankly, I have so much to share, I don't really know where to begin....

The worship was............heavenly.  The minute I walked in, I felt that there was a message that I would hear.  And I was not disappointed.  It started in the worship...

The first prophetic worship song included these words...........
I sit at your feet, I lean back and drink from your cup, I hear your heartbeat, I melt in your peace
Your love is so deep, more than I can stand, its overwhelming.

I will talk a bit more about this song in a later blog, but for now, lets just say I was transported to that place during this song.  Sitting at the feet of Jesus, leaning into him.  WOW!  And then the worship team moved on.

The next worship song began.... This is an "Upside Down Kingdom".  The world is moving fast and you are right on time.   And then in the middle of the set, the line that stopped me and I knew it was an answer to a question I had been asking.....  "You haven't missed your chance".    Yes, this sent an arrow right into my spirit.   The next line I heard (sometime later) was "Let your living waters flow"

At that exact moment I was hearing (in my right ear) "It's not too late" but in my left ear I was hearing "It's dead, it's too late.....just pull the plug".  Okay, I know that it sounds weird that I was hearing a different thing in each ear, but that is how I perceived this hearing.  And then very clearly I heard, YES - PULL THE PLUG!  RELEASE THOSE STREAMS OF LIVING WATER FROM WITHIN YOU!  LET THAT LIVING WATER FLOW!  And just as I was hearing that, Nancy (the leader of HUB) came to the microphone and talked about the living water flowing out. 

Isn't it interesting how you get a totally different message from the same three words?  Pull the plug!  On one hand it means a death and an ending.  But (thinking of the bathtub) pull the plug, just means let the water flow!   A very different perspective.   It really gave me a renewed sense of purpose and destiny..... it was a great affirmation for me.   I have been wondering if the last few years that have seemed as if I have been stagnant had caused me to miss my chance!  I don't know what exactly that means, but I have been feeling that way.  Like I've missed something.  That is, until last night.  It was a wonderful affirming message and it was not just for me! 

So I encourage you all to sit a moment and take in the message that you haven't missed your chance.  It is not too late.  Pull the plug and let the living water flow out of your belly.   Just meditate on these seemingly little things.  I believe that many of us will feel a new release as we meditate on this message.  

I realize that I haven't even begun to share about the meeting and Charlie Shamp.  I encourage you to come back over the next couple of days, as I share more about the rest of the night! 

Jesus, thank you for HUB and Nancy and all that are a part of that ministry.  Continue to pour out your favor and your blessing over them.   Thank you for Charlie Shamp and his heart for your glory and your presence.  Holy Spirit, remind us all to think about the simple message I heard and help us to take it in and process it.  Jesus, thank you for Gwen and all that she has brought to Ken and I.  Continue to bless her and her family.   Jesus, thank you for your living water that flows from your throne!   Amen

Another WOW day!

Well, here is another conference update.  Yesterday was a VERY LONG BUT VERY FULL DAY!  First of all, this worship team was amazing.  Most of the morning worship was centered around His amazing grace.

This is amazing grace, this is unfailing love

that you would take my place.

Then, in the middle of worship there was this "Prophetic Song" that really stirred my heart.

Tell my enemy, if you want to find me (And you can't find me)

I'm under the grace, I'm under the grace

It's an amazing place.

The morning speaker was from Mozambique.  Jose Novela, a Senior Pastor for Iris Ministries, oversees the Iris churches in Mozambique.  We spent the entire morning laughing.  Yes, LAUGHING!  One of the best things he said was HA, HA, HA!
I guess you would have to have been there to really understand.  It was great.  (Anyone remember the Rodney Howard-Browne days? It was a lot like that!) Then, the best thing of all, my friend Matt, who has been in a wheel chair for 13 years, was dancing with Pastor Jose!  He was hanging on to his wheelchair, but he was standing and his feet were dancing!  It was amazing! And I have a video to prove it!

The afternoon speaker was Dr. Bonnie Chavda.  Bonnie Chavda along with her husband Mahesh Chavda are the co-founding Senior pastors of All Nations Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Mahesh Chavda was the speaker both Thursday and Friday evenings.

 

 

Here are a few of the short "one liners" that I took note of from this conference!  I think that they will bless you also, as you just stop and think about them.

 

*We need more wine (The Holy Spirit) in our churches.

*Don't be miserable.  Stop and wait for the wine. Without that, you can't go on.

*Do whatever He tells you to do!

*When there is fighting and anger in the church, it's because there is no wine!

 (Pr. Jose was preaching from John 2 and the Feast of Cana when Jesus turned water into wine.  I loved his insight into this story.) 

 

*We need personal encounters of the real kind that He is present right now.

*Stretch forth your arm!

*We don't "Put ON" the Holy Spirit.  Rather He puts us on like a glove!

*Everything we do is training for reigning.

*We need to "Steward our stories" and be faithful to testify.

*When God pushes the pause button, we need to PAUSE!

*Don't waste your sorrows.  There is redemption for someone else in our suffering.

*If you set out to raise the dead, bring a sandwich!

*We need to get excited about the little things that God does!

*Get into the vibrant harmony of the Spirit's activity around you.

*We need to understand our destiny.  The movie Kung Fu Panda is an example of getting in tune with our destiny that will defeat the enemy! (Guess I'll have to watch that movie!)

*We are not defined by what is outside of us.

*Guard and steward your atmosphere.

*Pressure brings you to Principal, Principal brings you to Presence, and Presence brings you to the Promise.  In Promise there is Provision.

 

I am still absorbing everything I have heard so far, and there is more to come! 

 

Jesus, thank you again for this conference.  Bless all those who are working to make this event happen.  Thank you for the faithful people at the registration tables, at the book tables, the ushers, the runners, the sound people, the go-to people.  Bless the musicians and all those recording and video streaming this event.  Holy Spirit, let all of these people, as well as the speakers, be filled and renewed themselves in this weekend.  Give them supernatural energy and grace.  Thank you for the intercessors who continue to pray for these ministries and all the events happening around the globe.  And Holy Spirit, would you please impart the truths that I have shared to anyone reading this blog?  Help them to taste the amazing wine that I have been experiencing.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  Amen

 

 



Awesome night..........around the world

I just drove home with the remains of a very bad thunderstorm ahead of me.  The lightning was just lighting up the sky.  Over and over the clouds were illuminated by streaks of lightning .  For me, it felt as if Jesus was just affirming everything that I had heard, seen and experienced tonight. 

I am so thankful for HUB Ministries.  HUB stands for His United Believers.  When you step into these meetings, you may not know a soul, but you are totally at home.  The worship is amazing and the diversity of speakers that come to these meetings makes every week an adventure.  Tonight's speaker was Pastor Sam Babu from India and the worship leader was Apostle Lisa Nelson from Eagle Rock Ministry.  However, the main speaker tonight was the Holy Spirit. 

The worship is well..........different.  It's not singing songs.  It is hearing the heart of Jesus poured out through the worship leader.  And this is in response to the cry of the worship leader.  Here is a bit of what we were hearing tonight.........

Break down my defenses, awaken my senses.
Your love is relentless, pursue me, overtake me. (Us to Jesus)

My head on your chest, I feel every breath
Breathe your heart into me, till I see. Till I feel it.
I want to be like you Jesus.     (Us to Jesus)
 
Holy, Holy, Holy is the lamb. 
Your blood speaks of better things
at the mercy seat.        (Us to Jesus)
 
Bless the lamb, He reigns, we call out.   (Us to Jesus)

Awaken those things you thought had died.
Courage to rise out of the place you were in. 
Never out of my hand, never out of my plan
You are released to speak, get under the blood (Jesus to us)

draw us higher to a new thing. (Us to Jesus)

Take my hand. I will draw you to a new place.
In the new place you will find secrets.  Your eyes won't be blind. (Jesus to us)

Open my eyes so I can see your glory. (Us to Jesus)
 
New ability to breathe.  Can you breathe the signs of the times?
You are the light in the darkness.  Release my glory.
You have been saved for this time, for the world to see,
my sons and daughters in liberty.
Stretch out your hands. I am releasing faith for this time.
Arise in authority, expose the lies of the enemy.
You look like me.  You have captured my heart.
I will send you again and again.
You will be astounded by the awesome things you will see.
Healing and miracles and my restoration.
I am strengthening your knees to run with my vision.
I am strengthening your knees to run with heaven.  (Jesus to us)
 
There is honey soothing every part that is in pain
I am polishing your shield and raising your sword.
Raise it high and stand against the enemy.
Stand in me, Stand in my authority.
 
Speak, Release, Speak what you see.
Release what you hear from me.
 
Come away with me.  Fly on my wings.
Fly into your destiny.
I have chosen you and I give you my life.

Breathe in me.  I will set you free.    (Jesus to us)

I want to share about the words that I bolded above.  There was a "surprise" addition to tonight's meeting.  Apparently during dinner tonight, the HUB leader, Nancy Magiera, met a man from Sweden.  He is a worship leader. So he was invited to join the worship team.  His name was Fredrick, but I never heard a last name.  I don't think I have words to describe how seamlessly he fit in with the worship team.  You know you are in the presence of the Holy Spirit when things just flow.  And when Fredrick sang, my spirit soared.  I felt that new place and the going higher. 

Then Pastor Sam spoke about revival that is happening in his church in India.  And it is happening to the children.  He had a video of the children encountering Jesus.  I don't think I took a breath during the entire thing.  It was amazing.   And then he spoke about how the revival happened.  The short story - the Holy Spirit showed up and the children had individual encounters with Jesus.  And he talked about the river of living water that must flow from us. 

I do feel like this night was just for me.  But I bet most people who were there felt the same way. That is the most awesome part of this all.  Jesus has a way of reaching each of us, exactly where we are at.  Jesus knows that anytime I hear John 7:38 (the streams of living water verse) used in a meeting - I know that the Holy Spirit is speaking something to me.  The worship leader from Sweden, well that was just another special touch for me.  I have been thinking about my Swedish roots.  So, tonight was about a group of people in Chicago assembled together, worshipping with a man from Sweden, then hearing a message from a man from India.  It was a round the world trip.

Jesus - thank you.  Holy Spirit - Thank you.  Help me to reflect on everything that was spoken tonight.  Bless all who were in attendance.  Thank you for HUB, Jesus.  Bless all those who have a part in making these meetings happen.  Thank you for Pastor Sam, Apostle Lisa, Fredrick and Nancy.  Jesus, will you just give them even more of you?  Amen

More Banners!

Last night I attended a worship night sponsored by Chicago HUB Ministries.  In my experience, it is always worth it to press through and get to the HUB meetings.  You can be sure that you will be in an anointed place and hear from Yahweh.   Just before I left the house, I updated my blog.  So the Banner was flying over me as worship began.   Suddenly I saw a rainbow of banners over me and noticed right away that there was writing on each banner.  


The first was the gold banner!  It said.... WAIT  WEIGHT
Then I noticed the blue banner! It said..... RAINING  REIGN
Then the third was the red banner! It said.... PRESENT  PRESENCE
The fourth was the green banner!  It said ....... PIECE PEACE
And the white banner was also there! It said.......WHOLLY HOLY

*Isn't it neat the way that Yahweh uses the words of our English language to speak?

I heard Yahweh say.................

Wait for the weight of my glory to fall over you, on you and in you.  I will be raining down the power and anointing of my reign. Open your heart and receive the present of my presence. All that I am and all that is in me, is in you.  Bask in your piece of my peace.  For it is my glory, my power and anointing, and my peace that is the path to wholly holy. 

                                                            

And all I could say was WOW!!!!!

 

The worship was so great.  The Word was just amazing.  There was even more revelation as the night went on.  It was a simply fantastic night.  Expect some future blog posts as I digest all the wonderful nuggets from last night. 

 

Thank you  Yahweh for speaking to me.  Thank you Nancy Mageira and Chicago HUB Ministries for all that you do to make these opportunities possible.