Do I need a "reason" to write?

I've only been doing this blog for a couple of months but it has been so life-giving for me.  Its funny how putting thoughts and words and prayers down in a blog feel like fulfilling my destiny.  I never thought of myself as a writer.  It would not have been something I imagined doing.  In fact, I really didn't like having to write when I was in school.  I much preferred reading over writing.  Back in 1988 when Jesus  became real to me, I started journaling.  I have boxes and boxes of spiral notebooks to show for the last 25 years.  I am so grateful that, early on in my learning and growing spiritual life, someone suggested that I try writing down my prayers.  But I never imagined writing with the purpose of someone else reading my thoughts, feelings and emotions.  And I couldn't comprehend writing down and sharing things that Jesus was saying to me.  Gradually, I sort of got used to the idea of sharing through writing.  But I certainly did not feel "qualified" to write anything really important.
Looking back, I can see that I ran away from writing when there were many times that Jesus was calling me to do exactly that.  Almost 20 years ago, Jesus gave me ideas for an extremely unconventional and powerful "out of the box" education program for children.  I did act on those ideas.  I actually created and executed a unique program for kids.  But very little of it was written down and much of it is contained in scraps of paper and folded copies.  I had a pastor at the time who was encouraging me to get the material in "publishable format".  But I didn't think I had the time and/or the resources to do that.  I wasn't qualified.  Eventually, some ideas did make it into print. (I have previously mentioned the materials on www.cyrusministries.com under Kids Rock).  However, not much more has been happening with my writing................until now. 

In April of 2012 I had a powerful visitation from an angel.  I woke one night from a dream and saw an angel standing by the end of my bed.  He was holding a silver tray.  On the silver tray was a very ornate gold pen. There was a powerful word from the Lord, encouraging me to write down and share the things I was receiving.  To fulfill my destiny.  I knew that I was supposed to write.  I started sort of gathering together some thoughts and ideas and trying to imagine who might even want to read what I was going to write. But that was as far as it went.

Then in February, I read a book that shook up my world.  You see, the author wrote words that I felt and heard in my own head.  I sobbed my way through the book.  The last chapter contained words that were so similar to things I had written in my little booklet "God's Plan and Purpose for Children", that it took my breath away.  I contacted the author of this book and she replied to me almost immediately.  Her response was that "it sounds like there is a book or more in you that is waiting to get out".  She encouraged me to write what I knew I needed to write.

So, here I am.  A new blogger.  I've been encouraged to do this blog by my daughter who always reminds me that "unqualified" is not an acceptable excuse.  Since the Bible is full of unqualified people who God used in amazing ways.  And I am continuing to gather my thoughts and ideas for some bigger project.  But for now, this blog has been amazing for me.   I want to encourage everyone who might be reading this post to follow your destiny.  Don't let being "unqualified" or "uneducated" stop you from following Yahweh's path for you. 

Thank you Yahweh for your patience with me.  Thank you for drawing me to a place where I can share all the wonderful things that you are doing in me and through me.  Yahweh please encourage and give hope to anyone who feels purposeless and hopeless.  You are the Creator and you have amazing ideas to share with us.  Jesus, I receive all that you have for me today.  Thank you for the people who have encouraged me to step out and write.  Yahweh, you are the reason that I write! 

HOPE! and Moving on up.....in the kingdom

One of my favorite things about vacations on the ocean is waking up before the sunrises.  I love to sit and watch the clouds and the waves change as the sun rises.  This morning I was sitting quietly, worshipping and praying, and I heard the word "hope".  As I was contemplating all that might be in this simple word I saw H.O.P.E!   And then heard "His Original Promises are Eternal"   How awesome is that?  Yahweh's covenant promises were for Old Testament Times, New Testament Times, our present time and ALL time.  They are eternal.  

Now if you know me, you would know that Jesus often speaks to me in television or movie references.  (Isn't it great that He knows us so personally that He will use things that really speak to us when he has something important to say).  This morning, as I was contemplating all of the amazing promises of Yahweh that are eternal, I suddenly was hearing the theme song from the 1970's situation comedy "The Jefferson's".  The point of the theme song was that the main characters had made it big in the dry cleaning business and were able to move out of their "neighborhood" and move UP to the "east side" to a deluxe apartment in the sky.   But these were the words I heard this morning....

Moving on up, to the best place.
To that amazing place of contentment and peace.
Moving on up to the right place
The place of our true destiny.

Moving on up, to the best place
To shine with His light and glory.
To dispel the dark and tell His story
Moving on up!

As I was hearing these words, I saw an amazing castle in the clouds.  There was a long approach leading up to the castle.  The draw bridge was down and there were beautiful flowers lining the path.  There was a large sign that said "Now entering a new realm of the Kingdom"! 

This "Moving on Up" is to a new depth of kingdom understanding.  And there will be new ways of seeing our place and understanding our destiny.  There will be new things in general.  Most importantly, it is a place of promises fulfilled.  Things prophesied long ago will be revealed as we move on up into this new understanding.   This is a time of action. 

I believe that it is important that these words came in this order.  I need to focus on HOPE!  To be grounded in Yahweh's covenant promises.  THEN I can move on up into this new and exciting place of a deeper understanding of the Kingdom.  I'm glad to be moving up to this place that is one of peace and contentment. And I am so glad that it is a place of my true destiny. 

Yahweh, thank you for bringing me hope after a time of feeling so stuck.  Thank you for knowing me so personally that you reach me in old TV programs.  Yahweh, I want to move up into that new depth of Kingdom understanding.  I want to go higher and deeper.  Jesus, I pray you will bring everyone who reads these words into a new and renewed sense of hope in you.  Thank you that the draw bridge is DOWN on your Kingdom's castle.  Thank you for welcoming everyone that chooses to come. 

What an awesome Creator God!

 I am always so in awe of the Creator when I spend time in creation.  Yesterday and today were no exceptions.  WOW!  I love being at the beach!  Yesterday's sunset across the Gulf of Mexico was just breathtaking.  The clouds, the waves, the birds...... everything.  Simply amazing.  As I sat there and watched the waves, the pelicans and other wading birds, and the clouds and the sun, I was hearing in my head...."In the beginning...... "  I am so thankful that Yahweh has revealed parts of himself in all of creation around us.  I think of the power and movement of the water.  What a picture of His power.  Each of these birds has been created exactly for their enviornments.  The pelicans that can scoop their food out of the waves.  The wading birds that pluck the sand fleas with their long, scooped beaks.  Then the sun.  The heat and light and the reminder of the SON who brings us into the LIGHT. 

Last night I was thinking about how I might reflect the Creator.   Yahweh, I am thankful that you have given me the ability to hear your voice and speak your words.   Thank you that I can affect my enviornment, just by Your presence within me.  How powerful is that?  To be able to bring a measure of peace to places of stress.  To be able to speak truth into places of doubt or discouragement.  To bring love and kindness when others bring hate and grief.  To receive everything that Yahweh is and has and then to just reflect those gifts. 

Yep, I am grateful to be a reflection of the Creator.  He is awesome and I don't have to do anything myself.  That is a wonderful blessing.   I can relax and just soak up the Creator.  He has such a wonderful plan.  All we have to do is just receive it.  I am going to just keep on receiving all that I can.   And then I plan on letting all of that awesome stuff, just be reflected out.   What a great way to spend a vacation.

 



 

 

 

 



Mean what you say and say what you mean!

Little Ellie, my 4 year old granddaughter,  announced yesterday that she was very scared of potatoes!  Of course she is not really afraid of a food item.  It was storming very badly and what she meant to say was that she was scared of tornados!  Today I have been thinking about the times when I may have said something that wasn't at all what I intended to say.  And I also have been meditating on the many messages I have heard that seem to have a hard time communicating what the speaker actually wants to say. 

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could keep our communications to short, simple, ideas?  I remember once hearing that every speaker should keep the content of messages at a 3rd grade level since that is all most people can absorb.  I suppose some people might say that this is "talking down" to a crowd.  But, then again, I can often remember the children's message given during a church service and totally forget what the main sermon was about.  

I am very thankful that Yahweh doesn't speak to me in complex and confusing ways.  When I have received something, I know exactly what Yahweh is saying.  Sometimes I am unsure of the intended recipient or the timing.  But I know that I need to pay attention to what has been given to me.  So, here is today's short, simple message.....   "In the shaking and storms, I AM with you.  I will hold you and rain my peace and presence down over you, and in you.  Because I love you."

Thank you Jesus for being with me and in me.  Thank you that your peace is more than enough, even in the storm.   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. 

 

 

Thank heavens for Grandchildren

So my work ended and then I got to spend a wonderful day with my grandkids.  Oh my, how I love those kids!  Seriously, there is nothing better than being a grandparent.  Although we just spent the day "doing nothing", it was so enjoyable.  

Over the last 7 years I have collected some insightful and heartwarming thoughts that I call "Lia-isms" or "Ellie-isms".(Quotes from Lia - now age 7 and Ellie, now age 4)  These choice nuggets represent some of the best application of Biblical ideas and prophetic truths. 

Here is this weeks "Ellie-ism".   Ellie asked me to have a "sleep-over" at her house. She is very anxious to have a real sleepover. Lia (the older sister) has already experienced this and Ellie can't wait.  Ellie told me that there was  plenty of room in her "other bed" for both Jesus and me!   If you ask Ellie, she will tell you in great detail about Jesus being in her room with her at night.  (He sleeps in her other bed.)   Now some might say that she just has a good imagination, but this is much more than that.  These nighttime visits started when Ellie was between 2 and 3 years old.  She can tell you exactly what Jesus looks like - He has a "mush-tache"! Which for Ellie, means a beard.  And he has "all the colors" around him and also "has a fire".  I asked Ellie if Jesus talked to her.  She told me that he called her "Ellie".  And held her hand.

Wow!   She certainly hasn't heard passages from Revelation, but there is a rainbow of colors surrounding Jesus and fire!  And she also wouldn't know that Yahweh knows every one's name.   Jesus called Ellie by name.

Several years ago I wrote a small booklet called "Gods Plan and Purpose for Children". 
That booklet was born out of the idea that adults needed to have a better understanding of the destiny that Yahweh has for us that begins before we are born.  Yahweh intends to use children when they are children - not just after they have grown up.While there are many good concepts in that booklet, I had really only scratched the surface.  Now, thanks to Lia and Ellie, I am seeing first hand how much more is available through our kids.  Ellie and Lia know Jesus.  They don't just know stories about Jesus, they have encountered him, talked with him and even held his hand.

I love how much I am learning from these little ones.  

Here is the address to read my booklet -  God's Plan and Purpose for Children

  

Thunder, Lightning, and shofar blasts

Last night there was a dozy of a storm.  The entire building at the Cyrus Ministries Big Rock facility was shaking as the thunder roared (with the added vibration of a passing freight train!).  The lightning was just flashing all over the sky.  And during worship I heard the blast of a shofar.  Now, I confess, that I am more apt to SEE something unusual during worship, but last night I heard that shofar blast.  And that reminded me.......

One night last week I had my sleep interrupted three different times when I was sure that there was a shofar blast!  I have learned that when something like this happens, it is best to take time to stop and ask Yahweh for an explanation.  I was awake for quite some time, but did not have any clear answer.  Just after I got up early the next morning, I heard "the three shofar blasts were three walls broken and three gates opened" 

Okay - this is an exciting word!  I could imagine some walls that I have been facing just crumbling.  I was thinking about Joshua and the walls of Jericho.  But what were these opened gates?

Then several hours later, just going about my daily routine, and continuing to ponder those shofar blasts, I heard Yahweh's explanation.....

     Wall of hopelessness and despair broken and gate of joy and peace opened!
     Wall of disease and infirmity broken and gate of health and healing opened!
     Wall of disappointment & discouragement broken and gate of provision & opportunity opened!

Last night when that shofar sounded, Yahweh was sending forth His power and doing battle in the heavenly realm FOR US!   At those times when we are so tired, so hopeless and so beaten down, HE is sending forth his angels to break down those walls.  When we are sick and hurting, HE has opened the gate of restored health for us.  No matter what our current situation is - how bleak things may look, HE has not only provision but opportunities for us. 

What a comforting thought. I am so glad that I am not responsible for all the spiritual warfare.   It's great to be reminded that Yahweh wants to breakthrough even the nasty, tough areas of my life.  And His plan for me includes everything that is needed and the place to complete it. 

Tonight I am very thankful - thankful for safe travel home during that nasty storm last night.  And thankful for a deeper revelation of Yahweh.  I am also thankful that I am going deeper in "getting" who Jesus is!

Feeling stuffed..... and it's not Thanksgiving!

Last year around this time, I noticed that I was feeling "stuffed"!  You know that feeling, when you have eaten much more than you should have.  Yes, I was overweight.  Over the last few years my weight had just crept up and up.   And it wasn't just physically that I was feeling stuffed - it was Spiritually.   I was hearing and taking in lots of good teaching.  I was soaking in new revelations and excited about the things that were beginning to make sense to me.  But, there was also an increasing feeling that I could not hear ONE MORE THING! 

That was when I realized the connection between feeling full Spiritually and my weight!  One of the most amazing testimonies of Yahweh's unique plan for me is my name.  My first powerful encounter with Jesus included the Bible verse - John 7:38 -  "Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him".  That verse became my "life verse"!    Imagine my surprise and delight when years later, I discovered that my name means "streams of water" and the Bible verse associated with my name is that exact verse.

 I had been drinking from that river of living water, pouring down from the throne.  But there was a dam preventing that flow out of me.  And I believed that there was a connection between this and my weight! 

So I committed to Yahweh to be more aware of ways that I could allow the many good words I had heard to flow out of me.  I watched for opportunities to share and focused on some projects that had been sitting on the back burner for some time.  I even agreed to take on a project that I knew I was not "qualified" to do in the natural.  And I made a decision to make better choices about my food intake and exercise.  Over the next 6 months I lost 30 pounds.   So I have lost that "stuffed" feeling in my body. I still have a bit more to go, but I am on the way. 

 I am still feeling somewhat stuffed Spiritually.  So I am trusting that this blog will be part of breaking down that dam that may still be holding back the flow of living water that is in me. 

I am on the way to living in that MAY place.