Revelation from Dutch Sheets (from my small group today!)

What an amazing day I had today!  Wednesdays are always great because it is my "small group" day!  Oh how I love those wonderful ladies who set aside a couple of hours each week, to come together and hold each other up.  We laugh, we cry, we pray, we worship, we learn..... and so much more.  Today we listened to a Dutch Sheets CD from a recent conference in our area. (I missed the chance to attend this conference) I have read many of Dutch Sheet's books and heard him speak several times.  So a chance to hear a current message from him is a real treat.  We only listened to about 30 minutes but let me tell you, it was a power packed 30 minutes.

I want to just focus on one of the many thoughts from this short half hour teaching.....it is about the word "TESTIMONY".  Dutch said that a man approached him at the end of a conference and told him how much he enjoyed his teaching.  He was a Jewish believer in Jesus and a pastor.  Dutch went on to say that, from this man, he learned exactly what testimony means in Hebrew and more than that, what it means for us.  When we think about testimony, we think it is a remembrance.  We are remembering something that happened in the past.  But to the Jewish people it is much more than that.  There is an action - a doing - in the word testimony.  When there is a testimony - a remembering of something that God has done - than there is a present day DOING.  In the Old Testament the people were always recounting what God had done.  The reason they were doing this was so that God would do the same thing for them now!  When they needed a miracle, they recounted all the times that God had done miracles.  And then as they spoke that testimony, the power of God was released again for that miracle.  WOW!  I know that, at first reading, this may sound sort of......mundane.  But think about this!   I know that I had missed this.  I knew that testimony was important.  I knew that I have been encouraged and seen my faith grow through hearing the testimony of others.  But I also know that I had never imagined that part of the process of testimony was God actually doing that exact thing, NOW.    Think about all the prayers for healing that are prayed.  How much more powerful it is to give a testimony about a time that God healed.  As that testimony is spoken out, the power - the action - is released.  Dutch Sheets gave several examples of times when a speaker just told "stories" (testimonies) of the amazing things that God has done and then people responded as the power of God was poured out.

Think about Communion.  Think about the words that are spoken over every Communion meal.  It is a testimony.....a remembering...and speaking of the events of that meal.  And each time that we take part in the sharing of this testimony, we release the power of Jesus.  Those words that Jesus shared with His disciples become NOW words spoken to us and for us.  This just gives a further confirmation of the importance of the celebration of Communion and the words that are a part of that celebration.

There was even more in that 1/2 hour teaching.  But I know that I need more time to just meditate on this one point.  What an amazing blessing it is to learn something like this.  We seem to have lost so much when we do not understand the whole of the Bible from a Jewish perspective. Tonight I am so thankful for this teaching and for Dutch Sheets.  And I am thankful, again, for my small group.

Jesus, thank you for continuing to bring revelation to us, when we are missing an important truth.  Help us to change our thinking about testimonies.  Holy Spirit, give us courage and boldness to speak out all that Jesus has done.  Bless Dutch Sheets and the messages that he shares.  Continue to give him wisdom and expand his platform.  And Jesus, thank you for Communion!  Amen

Changing seasons.......Jesus Reigns!

Yesterday when I was helping (really all I was doing was watching and listening) Lia doing her home school work, she needed to journal what she liked about Fall.  Zeke was also "helping" and we each came up with some things for our own lists.  Top on Zeke's list was the leaves changing colors.  And I was remembering this picture....

We had taken the kids to the Forest Preserve and as you see, they were collecting leaves in a ziplock bag!  It was one of those warm, blue sky days and we had a wonderful time.  I believe that Doug was 4 years old in this picture....exactly Zeke's age.  There must be something about little boys and leaves.  Lia's list started off with "hot cocoa".  And it also included "wearing sweatshirts".  Today was certainly a hot cocoa and sweatshirt day.  It was COLD and WINDY and I don't believe the temperature went above 55 degrees.  And it was rainy and gloomy.  Yes, the season is changing.  The calendar says that it is October, but for some reason, I was hoping that our warm, sunny weather would continue for a bit longer.  I am determined that I will change my attitude about winter's approach.  No gloom and doom, just thankfulness and joy - no matter what the weather!

And here's the thing....I do love the wonderful colors in the fall!  And just for a further reminder, today I was reading Psalm 104:1 (from The Passion Translation)

"Everything I am will praise and bless the Lord!

O Lord, my God, Your greatness takes my breath away,

overwhelming me by your majesty, beauty and splendor"  

And then I saw verse 19...

"You made the moon to tell us the months

and the sun to measure the days."

That entire Psalm just reminded me that the Father created this world and sustains it from season to season.  Everything about this world, no matter what the season, is a gift from the Lord.  Those sunny, warm summer days, the beautiful colors of the fall, the crisp, blue sky over fields of snow, and the flowers pushing up through the soil welcoming spring are all planned and purposed by God.  

So, in thankfulness, here is my list of what I love about Fall.......

*The colors of the trees against the blue sky

*Long sleeved shirts that feel great under those sweatshirts

*Chili cooking in the crock pot

*Leaves that crunch under your feet 

*Squirrels collecting nuts and running about

*Pine cones covering the ground under tall trees

As I was writing that list, I began to sing "This is my Father's World"!  I love that hymn!  We so need to remember the truth contained in that third verse.  Even when the wrongs in the world seem so big and so strong, God IS the ruler!  Jesus reigns!  We need to remind ourselves - and others - of that fact!  So I will leave you with the lyrics and a challenge to write your own list of thankful things about Fall!

1. This is my Father's world, 

and to my listening ears 

all nature sings, and round me rings 

the music of the spheres. 

This is my Father's world: 

I rest me in the thought 

of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; 

his hand the wonders wrought. 

2. This is my Father's world, 

the birds their carols raise, 

the morning light, the lily white, 

declare their maker's praise. 

This is my Father's world: 

he shines in all that's fair; 

in the rustling grass I hear him pass; 

he speaks to me everywhere. 

3. This is my Father's world. 

O let me ne'er forget 

that though the wrong seems oft so strong, 

God is the ruler yet. 

This is my Father's world: 

why should my heart be sad? 

The Lord is King; let the heavens ring! 

God reigns; let the earth be glad! 

Thinking about the Feast of Tabernacles.....

This picture from 2005 is the first time I ever saw a "booth" constructed for the Feast of Tabernacles.  What a blessing it was to have a couple who had actually lived in Israel and had really done serious study on the Feasts of the Old Testament build this booth and then teach us about this celebration.  During that year, we were learning more about the Jewish feasts and how they pointed the way to Jesus and "fit" with our Christian beliefs.  When you actually see and DO these different feasts and celebrations, there is so much more reality to those verses in the Bible that reference these feasts.  My life verse (John 7:37 - "Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them") actually happened during the Feast of Tabernacles - on the "last and greatest day of the Feast".   The couple who brought this booth to life for me, brought pictures from Israel of all of the booths near the homes in Jerusalem.  It was really something.  The purpose for these booths was to remind all of Israel of the time when they were wandering in the desert.  God wanted them to remember His faithfulness to bring them to the promised land.  The booths had natural materials for the roof so that the stars were visible at night.  Another way for them to remember God's promises.   Additionally, this fall festival was to celebrate the bringing in of another harvest.  There were sacrifices and also eating and drinking that are a part of the celebrations.  During the time that this booth was set up, a small group of us sat and worshiped in that booth.  We sang and prayed and then we celebrated Communion.  It was one of those times when the presence of Jesus just overwhelmed us.  Each year when this festival comes around, I remember this day.

It is really a shame that we don't have a week long festival every year for us to stop and take a break from our regular life.  How wonderful it would be to be able to spend a week with friends and family, remembering all of the wonderful things the Jesus has done for us.  Can you imagine the wonderful buffet dinners that could happen from "booth to booth"?

Yes, this is my (not so wonderful) cell phone picture of the Blood Moon from Sunday night.  As I was sitting out on our patio watching that amazing eclipse happen, I was thinking about those booths.  Our new neighbors were also out in their backyard.  Those 10 year old boys were really amazed at what they were seeing.   I loved looking up at the stars and enjoying the wonderfully cool night air.
I was wishing for that week long time to just stop and reflect.  

I am so incredibly thankful for the different people who have intersected my life in different seasons. The couple who shared this booth with me have moved to Florida.  While I was writing this post I realized that I have never told them just how important this teaching was to me.  I will need to send them an email as soon as I post this blog!  Even though we don't celebrate this festival, we can still stop during this season, and reflect on the goodness and blessings of Jesus.  It is a great time to share our testimony with others.  It's a harvest time, so we can also eat some great things, and share them with others.  And we can remember, also, to be grateful for all of the people who have enriched our life.

Jesus, thank you for speaking to me through the Feast of Tabernacles.  I am so thankful that you have "tabernacled" with us through the Holy Spirit.  What an amazing reminder this is for us to stop and remember all of our blessings.  Holy Spirit, bring to our minds the people that we may need to bless or thank.  Thank you Jesus for bringing the Bible to life through things we can see and touch.  Amen

Time to let go of some things....(and add some things)

Here are a couple of my favorite pictures of Ken and I in our well used kayaks.  We actually got these in 2005 and used them often.  That is, until a couple of years ago.  It was getting harder and harder to get in and out of these.  In the first years that we had them, we even took them with us when we flew to Florida.  These inflatable kayaks are in their own "airplane approved" luggage cases.  Each one weighs about 35 pounds.  We kayaked in Florida, Alabama, Kentucky, and lots of places in Illinois.  Ken has even taken them in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic ocean.  I was not quite as brave as he was.  However, I once was lifted up out of the water on the back of a Manatee while kayaking in the Inter-coastal waterway.  Well, as part of our closet clean out, we talked about the fact that we were not using these anymore and most likely would NOT use them anymore.  I suggested that we offer them to the kids.  Doug and Susie were quite happy to add these to their rather extensive collection of outdoor "stuff" (a boat, a canoe, a camper....and much more).  So tonight we passed the paddles.....and the kayaks....off to them.  It did make me smile to see the added space in the closet in the scrapbook room.  It feels good to be clearing out.

And then Ken decided that he needed to have an exercise bike.  Winter is coming (sigh) and he will not be able to continue his exercise program when the weather changes. (He has been biking most weekends)  So while it was "out with the kayaks" it was "in with the new piece of exercise equipment".  Seriously, I am quite happy that Ken is actually DOING something to stay fit and active.  So this is a good thing.  I confess that it was not exactly my idea of a great thing, but I have warmed up to the idea.  And, for now, the new "bike" is in the garage.  It will stay there until it is to cold to be comfortable.  At that point, we will have to decide exactly where Ken will be "biking" for the rest of the winter.  

This is certainly true in so many areas, isn't it?  Just when you get rid of one nagging little habit it seems like something different shows up to take its place.  The process of clearing out "stuff" and downsizing is great.   But it is also good to know when it is right to add some new things into the picture.  Sometimes we get so attached to our old stuff that we don't want to part with it.  I am sure that I am not only one with a closet or two left to clear out.  It is really freeing to purge all of those old clothes that you haven't worn in a year or two (or four) and seeing that space in the cupboard when you get rid of those plastic containers without lids or chipped up coffee mug, brings a smile to your face.  But it is also a great feeling to get some new clothes or a new dishes.  

Yes, sometimes it is all about "out with the old and in with the new".  I am especially glad that with the Holy Spirit, each day is a new day and there is always something new that Jesus is speaking to us.  This is a time to let go of all of the "stuff" from the past and bring in all of the new things that Jesus has in store for us in this next season.  It is time to celebrate, to hope, to love.  This is the beginning of the Feast of Tabernacles - a time of celebration of the harvest and of thanksgiving.  So this is exactly the right message!  

Jesus, thank you for knowing exactly what I need to hear from you.  Holy Spirit, you are always leading us into new things.  Thank you for helping us let go of the past and go boldly into the future.  Jesus, thank you for your love and care every day!  Amen

PS  Somehow this blog never posted last night!  So here is Saturday's post, on Sunday!  There must be a reason for the delay, so I will just say thank you for your perfect timing Jesus!

A year of Jubilee and fulfilled promises......

This has been an interesting month.  There have been so many, many out there in the body of Christ and in the Secular media who have been predicting terrible things for September and after.  It got so bad for me that over this summer, I simply stopped reading or looking at anything since it all seemed so negative!  I hated when people around me asked me what I thought about all this stuff (the expected market crash, the demise of the United States, the end of the world, the 4 blood moons, etc, etc, etc, etc).  The reason I hated the questions was that I did NOT FEEL ANY OF THOSE GLOOM AND DOOM THINGS!  As a matter of fact, I continued to feel hopeful and filled with a sense of wonder at all that Jesus was planning to do in the months ahead.  I just could not enter into the fear and darkness that was all around.

And then things seemed to break, in a way, out there in the Christian world.  More and more big name people started to say.... wait a minute... this is not a time for fear and all this talk of bad things. At Yom Kippur there was a shift.  This is a year of Jubilee!  God has lots of good things ahead for the body of Christ.  It was such a relief for me. All along I had been feeling that Jesus was encouraging me, giving me hope and a renewed faith that the words I heard for 2015 were correct.   This was a year of double blessings!  At a time when I was barely holding on to hope, the promises of the good that was ahead, made it seem possible.  Over and over, Jesus reminded me that with Him, all things are possible.

So, as we are coming to the end of September, I am so thankful for the wisdom that Jesus has been speaking to me.  I am so blessed by the brightness and the glory that have filled me during the past months.  I believe that we are transitioning into an amazing time for the body of Christ.  We will all be amazed at how the Holy Spirit uses US to be the vessel of the miracles and power of Jesus to the world.  This is time for all of us to walk out boldly....not in fear and trembling.  If you do not have stored up promises from Jesus (you know, those things that you have heard in the past but not yet seen accomplished) ask him now!  He wants to share with you that secret wisdom.  He wants to give you the power to go out and BE who He has always planned for you to be.

Join me and step into that brightness.  Let's all be aware of His glory as we go into each day.   Make a difference by just letting that glory change the atmosphere around you.  Smile.  Replace fear with hope and trust.  Celebrate all that we are and have in Jesus!

Jesus, thank you for speaking to us.  What a gift it is that you want to share your wisdom with us.  Thank you for all those who are speaking hope and blessing and life with the brightness of your glory.  Jesus help us all to stay out of fear and give us encouragement to act boldly.  Thank you for this year of Jubilee.  Amen

Walking in the quiet of the woods.

I spent the day with those sweet 9 month old babies on my nanny job.  I was a bit of a long day since, for some unknown reason, they suddenly don't want to sleep.  Even at night (the mom and dad are pretty exhausted).  So after a long morning, I finally took them on a walk around their neighborhood in the late morning, trying to hold off lunch. Now this is not your typical suburban area.  It is an unincorporated wooded area that is surrounded by a Forest Preserve.

This was my view during that walk.  Lots of trees.....and bugs!  It was actually very warm today and sunny.  I walked for around an hour and I was sweating by the time we returned home.  The kids never slept in the stroller - which they usually do.  So I expected that they would sleep well for their afternoon nap.  Boy was I wrong.  After a LONG few hours, when neither baby would sleep, I finally decided that another walk was in order.  

Thankfully, both babies fell asleep within 5 minutes of setting out.  So I walked for ANOTHER hour!  I told Ken that at least it was a "full body workout" since I spent most of the walk waving my arms to swat away the bugs!  So, this was a very long day.  I am tired!

There is something to be said for walking in nature, on a warm, blue-sky day.  Although the calendar says that it is fall, today felt like summer.  The birds were chirping, the squirrels were running around, and the flowers were blooming.  And I had lots of time to just worship and pray as I walked.  It was really quiet on those tree lined streets.  I hardly saw any cars pass at all.  It gave me plenty of time to remember all that I am thankful for.  It was a long list.  And it gave me time to just be grateful for who Jesus is and all that he has done for us.  

Today Yom Kippur begins at sundown - the Day of Atonement.  Yom Kippur, also known as Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year in Judaism. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jewish people traditionally observe this holy day with an approximate 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue services.  At the end of this all, they can't really be sure that they have done enough to be free of their sin.  I am so thankful for my Savior and knowing that because of His sacrifice, I am forgiven.  I spent some of my walk today, praying that during this day of reflection and seeking God, that many Jewish people would have an encounter with Jesus.  

I just loved this "I hear His whisper today" from The Passion Translation....

"Rest in Me, O carrier of My glory. I have longed to pour out upon you even more of My love and power. Can't you see that I have designed you as a carrier of My glory? Come before Me this day and empty out your heart; pour it out at My feet, and I will fill you with such delight and joy you will not be able to contain it. For I am building My church through the glory of My presence. Stand in My presence until you know that I am your Strength. Even ...as the powers of darkness are around you on every side, you can be strong, for I have wrapped My Glory-Robe upon your soul and nothing will be able to harm you. Gates of darkness will not prevail when I am near you. The days of heaven on earth are at hand. The days of the mighty moving of My Spirit will soon be seen by all. My powerful wind will blow away the clouds of doubt that have been over your mind and your heart. My Glory-Wind will make your enemies scatter and you will stand complete and secure. You will not be overcome by the fear that has overwhelmed many in this day, for I have made you an overcomer, a carrier of My glory. Trust Me and watch Me fight for you. Lean into My heart and watch My love win every battle. Don't be disturbed by those who stumble, for they stumble in the darkness. I have become your Light and your Salvation and you will have no fear and My love will keep you from stumbling. I have gone before you and made sure that your way is clear and your pathway secure, for I am your Father. My plans for your life extend beyond your view, beyond your understanding of My ways. You see only what is in front of you today, but I have gone into your future and I know the good things that will unfold before you. Never doubt that your days are in My hands; rest in Me, O carrier of My glory, and watch Me fill you, protect you, and make you strong."

Lord, direct me throughout my journey, so I can experience your plans for my life. Reveal the life-paths that are pleasing to you. Escort me along the way, take me by the hand and teach me, for you are the God of my increasing salvation. I have wrapped my heart into yours. Psalm 25:4-5 TPT

I loved the line..."I have wrapped My Glory-Robe upon your soul...".  During my walk, I was thinking about that line.  What an amazing comfort we have when we believe in Jesus.  We are forgiven and so much more.  Including that amazing glory robe!  I loved thinking about the Father's plan for my life extending beyond my view, especially as I looked at the end of the road into those woods.  Yes, it was a great day for thankfulness, prayer and peace.   

I'm tired tonight, but it is a good tired.  I feel free and secure in the love of Jesus.  And filled with peace.  

Jesus, thank you for today and time with those sweet babies.   Give them (and their mom and dad) wonderful sleep tonight.  Holy Spirit, touch all of those Jewish people as they seek God in their Yom Kippur celebrations.  Draw them to Jesus.  Thank you for The Passion Translation and the words that touch our souls.  Thank you Jesus for trees, for sunshine and for peace.  Amen

Sometimes it is right in front of your face.....

Today Ken and I made what might be our last trip to his dad's house to cut the grass and make one final walk through of the house.  Yes, we do believe that it is sold (closing is expected sometime next week...so we are cautiously optimistic that it will actually BE sold).  It has not been a totally smooth process, but we are extremely thankful that we are inching closer to being done.  Just before we were getting in the car to leave, Ken remembered that he wanted a picture of this......

As long as I can remember this door knocker was on their front door.  We tried to remove it, but those bolts holding it on were just impossible to break free.  I really believe that the door will need to be replaced if the new owners don't want to keep this!  Saying goodbye to this door, this house, this yard was just another level of goodbye to dad.  

Tonight at dinner Ken remembered that the lawn mower he used today was actually dad's lawnmower that we inherited when dad moved to Florida in 2009.  We could not calculate how many times that mower traveled over that lawn, being pushed by dad.  

Yes it was a day of closure.  And it was really special that the day ended with that door knocker.  Exactly as it should....with our thoughts on M.T. Rowley.  

Sometimes it is right in front of your face....just like that door knocker.  But other times the reminders are much more subtle.  I am so thankful that the reminders from the Holy Spirit are never hidden.  They show up through every day events.  Today the reminder was to remember mom and dad and not to just see "the house".  It has been 5 months since dad died and almost 6 1/2 years since mom died.  The process of selling the house is just a necessary event.  It has been easy to distance my thoughts from mom and dad....that is until dad's name was right in front of my face.  That house was their "retirement downsizing" house.  They bought it brand new and decided exactly what it would look like.  They once had a fountain in their foyer! (I am not kidding!)  Later they had an organ in the foyer.  I remember them hanging "grass" wallpaper in the living room.  They turned the master bedroom into a "workshop"  where dad built many dulcimers and mom painted countless pictures.  At one time there was a large loom in the family room (and I still have some place mats that mom made on that loom).  Mom made a large needlepoint alphabet wall hanging that was in our nursery and I remember it being "blocked" on a table in the foyer.  The first December (1973) that mom and dad lived in this house, mom and I made Santa and Mrs. Santa dolls.  It was the first project of this kind that I had ever done.  My mom had those dolls displayed at Christmas for over 25 years.  Gwen and Doug met their great grandma's in that house.  Ken and my rehearsal dinner for our wedding took place in that house.  Mom and dad celebrated their 50th, 60th and 65th wedding anniversaries in that house.  Mom had always said that she would only leave that house, carried out feet first after she died.  And she got her wish.  It is amazing the memories- the events- that happened in that downsized house!  

Considering all of this "remembering", it doesn't sound so bad to downsize!  Although we are already living in a downsized house!  However (as Gwen has reminded me over and over) we need to consider a home with no stairs or at least a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor!  Fortunately we don't need to face this for several years.  So for today, I am just praying that the deal on the house closes and also feeling so thankful for the years that mom and dad spent in that house.  And I am especially grateful for that door knocker that brought me back to what is really important about that house!

Jesus, thank you so much for memories, for family and for houses that are so much more than buildings.  Holy Spirit I love that you remind me of what is really important.  Thank you for bringing the buyers of this house.  Bless them as they make their own memories in that place.   Amen