Soaring on wings like eagles.......

I couldn't help but think about  this photo after reading this post from Lana Vawser Insight, Wisdom, and Hindsight on March 12, 2015.  If you click on the link it will take you to her page and you just have to page down to this post on March 12, 2015.  I would love to meet this lady!  Every single post that she has resonates with my spirit.  Most of the time there is some part of the post that mirrors something in my journals for that day or impacts me because of something happening in my life.  And just after I read that post, this post showed up on Elijah List from James Maloney.  Both of these posts deal with hope and holding on to hope.  This has been a constant theme in my spirit since my grandson Lucas died in November.  I have felt hope being poured into me and also been reminded that even when I can't hold on to hope, Jesus provides heavenly messengers to hold the banner of hope over me and my family.  And then there is the appearance of the Eagle verse (which is the focus of Lana Vawser's post)

“But those who hope in the Lord, will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.” - Isaiah 40:31

This is a familiar verse for many of us.  As a matter of fact, I have a picture of an eagle with this verse in my scrapbook room.  I have to say that this has never been a "favorite" verse for me.  I know it, but I have never really felt anything about this verse.  That is until January 18, 2015.  I was at a conference with Bobby Conner as one of the speakers.  (I blogged about this on January 20, 2015 if you want to read about it).  I bought one of his books and stood in a very long line to have him sign the book.  One of the things that he does is to give each person a "prophetic verse" along with the signature.  He took one look at me, commented on my name, and then wrote Isaiah 40:31.  As he handed me the book he said, "You need to keep on hoping in the Lord!".  WOW!  That was so amazing.  I have to admit that I never really saw the word HOPE in that verse before that day.  Yes, it was another reminder that Jesus has been with me and is giving me every opportunity to know that there is HOPE.  

I had a great impromptu lunch meeting with some of the gals from my small group.  It was a wonderful time of sharing and laughing together.  Because of some circumstances, we have not been able to meet for a couple of weeks.  Yesterday there was a flurry of text messages between us, and each of us felt a bit of a struggle.  We discussed today just how important this group is for each of us. There is power and strength and covering when we meet together and stand with each other in prayer. These wonderful women represent a very real provision of Jesus for me.  I know that these last months would have been so much more difficult without their support.  I am just so thankful for them.  And when I got home this afternoon, I realized that I did feel my strength growing and I did feel less weary.  Yes, it is amazing what a good dose of hope does for your spirit.  

If you haven't already done so, take a few minutes and read more of Lana Vawser's posts on her web site.  And by now you most likely know that I read the Elijah list every day.  This just reminds me of another amazing benefit of the internet.  These wonderful words of encouragement are right there at the touch of a keyboard.  

Jesus, thank you for your provision in all areas of our life.  Thank you for friends and time of sharing, thank you for amazing words on the internet and for revelation from Your WORD!  Holy Spirit, remind all of  us to see your provision through emails and internet sites. Jesus, what a wonderful, caring, ever present friend you are.  Amen

What happens when you make an "Oops" on your calendar......

I really can't tell you what happened, but I had written down in my "paper" calendar that I had an appointment for my yearly physical today.  So I drove to the clinic, and when I went to check in, they couldn't find my appointment.  When she looked a little further, she discovered that my appointment is NEXT Monday...... not today.  Apparently I wrote it on the wrong day.  OOPS!!!  They offered that I could wait around and they might be able to fit me in....but it might be an hour or so.  Well, I had plenty to do today, so I just chalked this up as a diversion due to my own crazy date keeping and said I'd be back next week. But as I was walking back to my car, I came upon a lady, down on the ground!  There was no one else around and I'm not exactly sure how long she had been there.  I helped her up and she told me that she had hurt her ankle badly - possibly broken in a fall at home yesterday.  She lived alone and had no one to help her get to the doctor. She had managed to drive to the clinic, but had fallen trying to walk in.   I was able to get her up and help her into the clinic.  She was extremely grateful for my help.  So, I know why I made that mistake on my calendar!  To be in the right place at the right time to help Helen into the clinic!  This sure made the start of my day seem a lot better.  Instead of being angry and upset about the date misstep, I was filled with the wonder of God's working that got me to that spot this morning.  Isn't he just an amazing God! I had a really good day and I just had to smile every time I thought about this.  Yes, there are never coincidences, there are only God-incidents!

I just had to share this post from the Elijah List today.

THE LION OF JUDAH ROARED....AND SOWED SEEDS OF LIGHT by Lana Vawser
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lana-Vawser/212479638795197

"For He sows seeds of light within His lovers, releasing a harvest in the souls of the righteous. Seeds of joy burst forth for the lovers of God!" - Psalm 97:11 - The Passion Translation

Again, I was taken back to an encounter with the Lion of Judah. He roared upon His people who were tired, weak and feeling dismayed in what else to do to be positioned for long awaited breakthrough.
I saw Him roar again and out of His mouth flew seeds of light that were like balls of fire. These balls entered the hearts of His people and there was a great explosion. I saw within the hearts of people a HARVEST. The unraveling manifestation of His promises. This harvest is bringing much needed healing of the weariness and battle wounds of this season. The "tipping point" of all moments of sowing and believing, the harvest had come. Souls were coming into wholeness.
Peace, and strength, hope, healing and life again. I then saw a second bursting and JOY exploded.
The Lion of Judah has roared and the opposition has been turned and now the harvest is being TURNED TO YOU. Your soul will explode with the harvest of heaven and the Glory of God which will result in unimaginable joy despite circumstances.
What the enemy attempted to take from you, He is returning to you in great harvest, healing and joy.
No longer will His people be bowed down in weariness, hopelessness and despair as they are positioned before Him. He is fighting for them and they will STAND TALL in Him again.
Get ready to spontaneously combust with joy in His Glory!

I just loved this final line....combust with JOY IN  HIS GLORY!  Wow,  Isn't that something to look forward to?  I love all of the "Fire" words that are in this post...explode, burst, roar, combust.  I am going to take lots of time meditating on this post.  And I will be listening to that roar of the Lion of Judah!

So, take a couple of minutes and think about the "God-incidents" that you have experienced.  Celebrate those times!  Then stop and listen for the roar of the Lion of Judah.   And wait for all of those fire words to bring that JOY IN HIS GLORY!

Jesus, thank you for reminding me to quickly this morning, that YOU are ordering my steps.  Thank you for getting me to that parking lot at exactly the right time to help Helen.  And Jesus, please bring rapid healing to her ankle.  Thank you for this post from Elijah List today.  Holy Spirit, help all of us to not only read this word, but to enter into the power of these descriptive words. Thank you for joy!  Amen

Day 17 - Thankful for a praying mom!

This picture was taken when Lia was just a couple months old!  I love this picture so much!  I am so thankful that we made the effort to have these taken. I got to thinking about this picture today because of an article I read yesterday on the Elijah List. You can read the article here  Doug Addison Article.  Near the end of this article Doug talks about babies that are not yet born.  All I could think about was my new expected granddaughter!  When Lia was born, she was my mom's 20th great-grandchild!  I suspect that some of my mom's 11 grandchildren and (now) 23 great-grandchildren would be surprised to know that she had real insight into the plans and purposes that Jesus had for each of them!  What a blessing it was that she really got to know each child.  After Lia was born we talked a lot about who she might become! I am so blessed to know that she prayed for me, for my children, and for my grandchildren.  How many times have you heard the story of a life changed because of a praying grandma? Well, I believe that is true for our family. 

I believe that this is an important part of parenting and grand parenting.  Once you get a vision for the direction that Jesus might have for your children and grandchildren, you can pray into them. I am so thankful that I saw my mom model this aspect of parenting.  She prayed for all of us.  She listened and cared about what was important to each of us.  She treated each child as an individual and saw the wonder and delight of the direction that each one went.  When some walked off a clear and straight path, she prayed that they would be protected and guided back.  She never judged or lost faith in any one of us.  She truly trusted us all to Jesus.  I believe that she understood the important fact that our children are only loaned to us -  really they belong to Jesus.

So, yes, today I am thankful for a mom that prayed!  And I am so thankful that I can carry on this amazing practice, as I pray for my own children and grandchildren.

Jesus, thank you so much for reminding me, of the many, many prayers of my mother.  Holy Spirit, help me to hold my children and grandchildren in prayer every day.  Jesus, speak to all that are reading this today, to see the importance of covering the children that they know, in prayer.  Thank you for the amazing plans and purposes you have for Lia, Ellie, Zeke and Anna!  Amen

A Different Anniversary.......and feeling thankful

In a couple of days, on the 25th, it would have been my parent's 77th Wedding Anniversary.  Their Wedding Certificate above was in that amazing surprise package from my brother-in-law Roy.  And the picture is their wedding picture.  I have always loved this picture of my mom and dad.  They look so young and so happy.  Today is actually a 48th wedding anniversary of some of my good friends.  And as you know from my last couple of posts, this past weekend was a 50th anniversary of a church.  To top it all off, with my job change, Ken and I have been talking about what to do to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary that is coming up next spring. And today, looking at my mom and dad, 40 years seems kind of short!

 

I was thinking about my mom and dad's wedding.  They decided to get married - on the sly.  Both of them worked at Montgomery Wards and it was against the rules for married people to both work there.  They went on a Sunday afternoon to a nearby town where my dad had found a clergyman who agreed to do the wedding.  My mom's sister Bea and brother-in-law Jim were their witnesses.   My mom didn't even have a new dress for the event.  She wore one of Bea's dresses.  It really didn't matter to her.  She just wanted to be married.  They almost called off the wedding because there was a blizzard!  Not much different than the weather in South Dakota over the last couple of weeks.  But my dad was determined to get married.  My mom made the last entry in her "Five Year Diary" on her wedding day.  It reads "Well, dear diary, I am now married at Clearlake, Jim and Bea attendants.  I am now Mrs. Harry Johnson".  When they got home, Aunt Anna had a lovely cake for them and many came to celebrate.  The next weekend they drove to Ortonville, my dad's home to celebrate there.  Again, many gathered to congratulate them.  It wasn't long before they were discovered at Wards, and my mom willingly gave up her job.  The "Bride and Groom" on their wedding cake was on my cake 39 years ago, and on Gwen and Tim's wedding cake 12 years ago.  Such a very cool thing.

 

I am so thankful for that small, tattered and faded and crumbling, Bride and Groom.  It is a symbol of the importance of the marriage vows - of the covenant.  I felt it was so important to use that on my cake.  I remember my mom saying "why would you want to use this old thing?"  But I knew it was important.  So, when Gwen decided to use the same Bride and Groom, I felt the continuity. 

 

Today, I am feeling very thankful.  I am so thankful for a new job!  I am also thankful for a work physical today that gave me the "very healthy" stamp.  I am thankful for the  witness of my mom and dad's long marriage (that was not all fun and games - but was most certainly blessed).  And I am thankful for my own marriage.  I love that Jesus brings me to this point today, after the down and up day I had yesterday.  It is as if he is saying, REMEMBER!  I am so thankful that I have been looking back on family and gaining so much insight.  Today on the Elijah List I saw this from Chuck Pierce:  Godly Roots and Your Bloodline

This past week I have been praying for each of you to connect with your godly roots and to know the One who is your source of every good and perfect thing!

And this is exactly where I have been over the last few months. 

 

Jesus, I pray that you help each person reading this blog to connect to their own family roots.  Thank you Holy Spirit, that you are helping us to see the One that is the source of the good things in our families.  Thank you for anniversaries that remind us to stop and reflect on all that you have done Jesus.  So today, Jesus thank you for having me look back, even as I am on that up escalator!  Amen

Motivated to Pray

After a long weekend of scrapbooking fun, I got home yesterday somewhat tired, but feeling that I had accomplished what I set out to do.  I had completed 53 pages.  Quite a lot of paper cutting and tape and glue.  And also lots of Jesus moments, as I blogged yesterday.  Then, just as I was getting ready to go to bed last night, there was another...... well, Jesus moment! 

I flipped on the television to check on the weather for this week and accidentally hit an unknown button on the remote.  I'm sure that you know this frustration.  So, I promptly started to switch back to the weather channel, and just as hit the button, I saw what was coming on that other channel.  So, I just as quickly, switched back.  (Before I talk about that program on that other channel, I need to again, restate that I am in a total truth-telling business on this blog.  I will not write anything that isn't the truth.)  As soon as I saw that the movie that was just beginning on that channel was "The Hiding Place" - the story of Corrie Ten Boom's life, I knew that this was surely a "Jesus Moment". 
I have read the BOOK many times, over and over, but I have never seen the movie.  The movie was made in 1975 and got wonderful reviews at the time.  Over the years I have heard that this is a wonderful movie. With the video of Corrie Ten Boom that I saw last week, I knew that there must be something that Yahweh was speaking to me. So, I sat back, intending to watch, knowing that Jesus must have some reason for me to see this at this time. 

I know the story.  I even know how it ends.  I know the history of the movie.  But as I started watching, it was just too much.  I can't quite explain how I felt.  But my heart was racing and my palms were sweating.  And it was BECAUSE I knew what was going to happen.  Because I know it is a FACTUAL movie.  After about 40 minutes, I knew that I could not watch anymore.  I turned off the movie.  So, today I have been trying to figure out what was going on!  Why was I so upset by this movie - a story I know well. 

As I was praying and asking for revelation about this event, I was remembering being at the National Holocaust Museum in Washington DC.  And remembering seeing Corrie Ten Boom's name on the wall of people who assisted the Jews during World War II.  And then I was flashing to some of the conversations that we had during the scrapbook time.  Somehow we were talking about my father and my father-in-law and the time that they spent in World War II.  My dad was drafted and served in the navy from 1943 to 1945.  My father-in-law also was in the navy, but didn't begin to serve until 1945.  Both of them served in the Pacific and were not in Europe at all.  My mom was left at home with two young children during those years.  My brother was just 18 months old and my sister was 5 when my dad left.

 (My mom and dad, sister Karen and brother Jerry in 1943)

(Below, is my dad, in 1943 shortly after he entered the navy)

 

My mom moved back to her home town so that she could be close to her family.  I simply can't imagine living during that time.  She had no idea even WHERE my dad was at.  And there was no real news to speak of.  The only thing she often talked about was that there were so many other women in the same position, that she never felt alone.  Yes, I began today to see once again, how Yahweh has been providing for my family.  And I thought about my 93 year old father-in-law.  Thank you Jesus for what you have been doing in his life. Then I thought about Corrie and remembered all those names on that wall in the Holocaust Museum.  The hundreds and hundreds of people who listened to the Lord and helped the persecuted - the Jews, the sick, the disabled, the mentally challenged.  And I knew that this is a reminder to me that I can not just shut off the TV when I hear of Christians that are being persecuted around the world.  I can not pretend not to see the turmoil in the middle east - in Jerusalem.  I know what I need to do. Last week there was a call to join with millions of others to pray for the peace of Jerusalem on October 6, 2013,  There is a website at www.daytopray.com.  You can read the post on this event at Elijah List.   I am convinced that Yahweh is encouraging me to get more involved in the what is happening around me.  So, be in prayer about your part in this call to stand for Jerusalem.  And look at the resources for this event. 

Thank you Jesus for speaking to me through my family and through television programs.  Help me to listen to your voice so that I know what part I am to play in events as they come to my attention.  Yahweh, your plan is to use each of us to fulfill your destiny in this world.  Thank you for showing me your provision and blessing on my family.  Holy Spirit, motivate others to hear your voice so that we can stand together for those around us who are persecuted or in need.  Thank you for the intercessors around me that already do this.  Yahweh, continue to raise up the five fold ministries in your body so that we can function as you have designed.  Bless all those who are planning and a part of the call to pray for Jerusalem.  Encourage them, give them creative ideas, and surround them with others to help.  Thank you Jesus.   Amen

Timing is everything....

How many times do we hear "timing is everything"?  Last week there was a post on The Elijah List website, by Dutch Sheets.   (See the entire post here Don't miss God's perfect timing)   I loved this paragraph....

Stay the course. Don't abort the process by letting weariness or frustration set in. Your harvest is being made ready. There is an appointed time for you to reap. Be faithful in the mundane. Don't despise the day of small beginnings. Don't lose heart in well doing. Never give up. Your shift may be closer than you think!

I think this spoke to me because I have been feeling weary and frustrated lately.  But in the last couple of weeks, I have also seen little glimpses of things starting to break and come together. (I know that sounds a little ridiculous - breaking AND coming together - a paradox.  But isn't the Bible filled with paradox?)

Early last week, I connected with a women from my daughter Gwen's church.  She has a passion for a ministry in the western area of Kenya near the town of Bungamo.  She has helped to bring the Heifer Project and also helped to build several wells around there.  Currently there are several ongoing projects in that area, with a Pastor and his church - including providing school uniforms for the children.  When I first heard about this ministry, I wondered if there was any way that my friend  Lucy Wa Ngunjiri might be of assistance.  I was somewhat skeptical that Lucy would be able to help because the majority of her work is in the Nairobi area - quite a distance from Bungamo.  I was able to provide a contact with a Kenyan man (actually Lucy's brother) in the United States who may be able to provide some guidance on these projects.   OKAY - HERE IS THE TIMING IS EVERYTHING CONNECTION. 

On Thursday, I was on Facebook and noticed that Lucy had posted some new pictures.  This picture is of a Prayer Rally that Lucy held, in May, IN BUNGAMO!  Apparently she had never posted any pictures of this rally and people had been asking for them.  If she had posted these pictures at any time BEFORE Tuesday of last week, I would never have noticed the name of the town.  She has held meetings all over Kenya and this town is not a place I knew.  Needless to say, this answered the question I had about Lucy being at all connected in that area.  You know when Yahweh has a plan and purpose for connecting people, He sees to all the details.  Even the posting of pictures on Facebook.  

So today I am feeling much less weary and frustrated.  When the words "Stay the Course"  make us shutter and we are so tired of "hanging on", we can take heart.  Yahweh has a great plan that includes his perfect timing. I just love how a small thing, like this picture on facebook, is really a very big thing in Yahweh's playbook.  It let me know that I am, somehow on the right path. 

Yahweh, thank you for your perfect timing. Thank you for the ministry connection you have made between Fellowship of Faith and Kenya.  Bless all that is being accomplished, in your time, through this connection. And especially thank you for weaving me into this connection.  Thank you Jesus for Lucy and her ministry.  I pray that you would continue to bless her and enlarge her tents.  Thank you for the little things that bring such encouragement to us.  Amen