A Psalm 23 Prayer for Groom Tonight

Father,
Thank you that you are the Good Shepherd in Groom tonight.  Thank you for loving your sheep, knowing them deeply and personally, and for guarding them.  Thank you that as we sleep tonight, you are laying across the threshold watching diligently and keeping the enemy away.  Thank you for providing for the needs of those you love...the food we need, the refreshment, the rest.  I'm trusting you to give sweet sleep to those who haven't been able to sleep because of tragedy in their lives.  I'm asking you to refresh and restore those who are mourning. Lead us right into the paths of righteousness for your glory, your honor, your good plan.  God, there are those who have walked into that deep cavernous valley of the shadow of death.  It's long, dark, overwhelming and frightening.  It's so easy to feel alone.  Please make your presence known and very real and dispel the darkness and the fear.  Remind us that it's just a shadow...that there's light and life on the other side!  And help us to see you standing there with your staff and your rod---ready to help pick us up or to fight off any enemy who would dare attack us.  Your very presence brings peace, life and light.  Thank you for that.  Thank you that you let our enemy know how loved and special we are.  You adore us and throw us a party--all while that enemy is watching!  And you laugh in your delight of us!  Thank you for your anointing--the holy oil flowing over our heads to bless us because you favor us.  Please fill our hearts as full.  Even (or because) of these hard things, let us know of your delight, your blessing, your nearness, your life.  I know you are with us each hard step.  Your goodness, your mercy follow us...you keep your hand of blessing on us.  Be our dwelling place.  Let us carry your presence everywhere we go.  Let us find our home in you.  Comfort us.  Bless us with peace tonight.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Prayer Warriors Wanted

I know prayer works.  I've seen God do amazing things.  I've seen a young girl healed of seizures.  I've seen God provide thousands of dollars.  I've seen a prodigal come home.  I've seen a man healed of drug addiction.  I've seen marriages restored.  I've seen God provide a pathway of healing.  I've seen all of these things...and so many more!

The needs seem to be growing, don't they?  And I'm not sure the number of prayer warriors is growing in proportion to the need or at the same rate.

About 23 years ago, a group of us were faced with needs and challenges and we wanted to get together and pray.  Actually, we had no clue what we were doing.  So we decided to get together and learn how to pray.  We came humbly before God and just admitted we didn't know how to pray.  We asked Him to teach us and we were open-minded and open-hearted.  Andy usually led us in a time of praise before we'd begin praying.  We'd pray..and we'd listen.  We desperately wanted to agree with God.  And we desperately wanted to see Him work in our lives.  And He did.

We saw a young girl healed of seizures during those days.  We saw God provide thousands of dollars...you get the picture.  We prayed and He moved.  And it's made me a believer that prayer works.  Did God ever tell us no?  Of course!  He's a good, protective parent and He knows better than we do what is best for us.

If you don't know how to pray, just start.  Hopefully, you can find someone with the same heart with whom you can pray. Read God's Word out loud to Him.  Praise Him!  Ask Him to do those things He's done before.  Believe.  And keep asking.  I'd also encourage you to journal or at least have a prayer journal.  Keep track of those things you ask of God...and how He answers.  Seek Him with all of your heart.  Come simply...and ask your Daddy to show Himself strong.

"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong in behalf of those whose hearts are blameless toward Him."
II Chronicles 16:9

"For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God), and His ears are attentive to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who practice evil [to oppose them, to frustrate, and defeat them]."
I Peter 3:12

Love Covers

Love Covering

It's interesting when God starts speaking to me about a subject...I just can't get off of it.  I've been meditating all week on the story that was brought to my mind about playing piano at Pampa's Spring Festival.  (Click here to read.)  I've just kept thinking about the church...WE, the Church.

Just like I was "covered" in my piano playing by those more experienced, why do we not cover those in the church who are less experienced?  I guess I'm thinking mostly about young pastors and those young adults who rise up as leaders.  Instead of encouraging them and covering them (especially their mistakes), we tend to shoot them down and discourage them--even to the point of getting rid of them.

How many young pastors or youth pastors and especially worship pastors (since this is still a huge battle in the church) get discouraged and leave the ministry?  One survey I read said 80% of seminary students who enter the ministry will not be in the ministry within five years.  WHAT???  (The rest of that survey is too disheartening to read, but read if you must!)

What if....

• We prayed for our pastors?
• We chose a young pastor we know to put on our daily prayer list?
• We encouraged those in the ministry?
• We covered them when they messed up?  
• We loved them in spite of their failures?
• We chose not to assert "being right" on non-essential issues in our church?
• We spoke the truth in love on essential issues in our church?
• We came alongside our pastors and helped them...instead of sitting in the pew judging them?
• We got a whole new vision of the struggles and burdens they carried?
• We sent notes regularly to our pastors?
• We didn't gossip about our pastors?
• We didn't sow discord in our church?
• We stood up for our pastors?
• We taught others to cover our pastors with love?
• We became a Barnabas--a constant encourager?

I don't want you to think I'm just talking about pastors.  I've seen many young adults step up to the plate to lead in the church and get shot down by other church members.  They become easy targets as they step up to lead.  Most get discouraged and quit.  Many leave the church altogether.  Ask yourself:  Am I loving and encouraging our leaders?  Or am I part of the problem?  And:  Do I need to ask forgiveness of anyone who's tried to lead?

Think about it.  Do we really need to be "right" all the time?  Are those issues more important than people's lives and their future in our churches?  Have we become Pharisees, trying to be the plumb line and measuring everything that's done?   In my experience, most church fights aren't over the truth of God's Word.  They're over preferences, tradition--"the way we've always done things," or church operation.  Which is worse?  Our leaders' failures...or our pride?

God's called us to something higher...something better.  And Jesus is our example.  We're to love.  We're to disciple.  When Jesus' disciples messed up (think of Peter denying Him), did he wash his hands of them?  Did he accuse them and toss them out?  Did he fire them?  No!  He lovingly brought them back.  He taught them truth.  He loved them.  He brought them along.   

I'm becoming very passionate about this...and I think it's because I'm seeing so many bleeding wounded all around me.  

"Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others]."  

I Peter 4:8

The Accident

Our move was going so smooth a week ago today.  It was the last thing on the truck...our king-sized mattress.  Matt & Andy were getting it off the truck and Andy was backing it down on the ramp.  The wind caught the mattress and Andy fell off the ramp, hitting his head on the fence, his knee and hands on the ground, twisting his ankle.  I'd been taking pictures and had my back to them but heard everyone yelling.  By the time I turned around, Andy was telling everyone he was ok and was standing up.

That evening, we were pretty tired and hadn't been to the grocery store yet, so we went to The Grill here in Groom to eat supper.  When we got home, it was dark...and Andy tripped over a 1-2 inch rise on the sidewalk and began hopping around on the foot he'd hurt earlier.  He came into the house wanting to bite nails.  We immediately got ice to put on his ankle and I began looking for some Advil.  He was moaning and sweating and trying to find some relief.  My stomach was in knots.  We both knew it was broken...and we had no insurance.

I went over and laid my hand on his leg and prayed, asking God to heal Andy's ankle.  I went to our bedroom (across the house) and got my phone and texted my kids, asking them to pray for healing.  I then texted some friends who are prayer warriors and asked them to do the same.  I went back to Andy and he was already worried about preaching the next Sunday--he didn't think he'd be able to stand.  I got more ice and kept praying.  Friends were offering to get an inflatable cast for his ankle and we were trying to figure out how to meet to pick it up.

Within an hour, the pain was gone.  Completely gone.  And Andy was walking without a limp.  It never did swell or turn colors...unlike his hand.  The next day, we went to Amarillo to do hospital visits and some Christmas shopping.  Andy walked all day on that ankle and it never hurt.  (Andy never shops all day without his feet hurting but they never did that day.)

Of course, we never had an X-ray so we can't prove it was broken.  We can only go by the intense pain.  But even if it wasn't broken, God healed Andy completely...no pain and no residual effects.  We were amazed and wanted to share what great things God did that night!

Prayer

Some day I hope to sit down and put thought to the blog about what I'm learning.  I feel as if God has put in His thumb drive and downloaded tabernacle truth into my heart and mind.  I'm almost on overload.  But oh it's been good...so good!

Last night, we heard about the altar of incense.  This is a picture of prayer.  Think about it.  Only the priests were allowed in the holy place and for most priests, this was as far as they could go--to the altar of incense.  This was the closest they could get to the presence of God.  Only the high priest could go into the holy of holies.

I've recognized the importance of prayer throughout my life...but in hindsight I see how desperately the evil one hates it.  Years ago, a group of us wanted to learn how to pray.  We were seeking God.  We wanted more of Him.  Now I realize He wanted more of me.  But our hearts were after Him.  We began meeting once a week in our homes to pray together.  It was incredible.  We saw a child healed of seizures.  We saw God provide.  We became an intimate group of believers.  We heard God.  But it was something as little as "do we serve a meal?" which stopped our meeting together.  We tried coporate prayer at the church. And we saw God move in.  But it was something as simple as a few people who could never move beyond praying for Aunt Pearl's ingrown toenail which stopped us from meeting together. It's always the little foxes which spoil the vine.  And I'm realizing satan wants to stop us at each station of the tabernacle--in our relationship with God.  In fact, he never wants us to enter.

I don't know where God is moving me now in my prayer life.  But my insight into it is so different.  I'm so grateful for people like Gary Miller who focus their whole ministry on prayer.  We need to understand prayer--it's one of the most intimate steps into relationship with God.  I hope to grasp the intimate nature of prayer and how the incense of my prayers waft into the presence of God.

5 Million Dollar Gift Card

The other day, Addie gave me a $5 million gift card!!  I was overwhelmed.  We played all afternoon, making grandiose purchases.  In fact, my gift card never lost value--even though I bought lots of things.  I wasn't the only person with whom she was so generous--her mom and dad got one, too.  We had lots of fun until Ryan looked at us at dinner and said, "You know they're not real..."

And then today, Jodina showed me this video about some property for sale in New Mexico with 360 acres, 6 houses, a barn, 25 springs, etc., etc.  It's being auctioned today and the beginning bid is $250,000.  I showed it to David & Lindsey and tried to get them to use their gift card to buy it!

It's so much fun imagining what I'd do if I had lots of money.  As Jodina & I walked this morning, we imagined, too.  In fact, we decided if we were ever blessed with millions, we'd need to hold one another accountable to not love money.  She also told me a story about how important it is to pray BIG!  She'd helped a young couple get into a house--when they'd given up hope.  (She's a realtor.)  They later brought her a sign for her home that says, "Pray BIG!"

Thinking on all of these things, I came home and started praying BIG.  At least I thought it was big.  But then I changed my prayer.  This is what I prayed:  "God, please fulfill the desire of Your heart for the purpose for which You created me."

I don't think it gets much bigger than that...even though a $5 million gift card is pretty extravagant!

Psalm 136 according to Becky

If Psalm 136 had been written about my life:

 O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever.

O give thanks to the God of gods, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever.

O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever—

To Him Who alone does great wonders, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

To Him Who by wisdom and understanding made the heavens, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

To Him Who gave Becky life, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

To Him Who heard a 7-year-old's prayer and gave her a sister, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

To Him Who gave these girls the best brothers a girl could have, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

To Him Who brought Andy into her life, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

To Him Who led Becky into a wilderness while her husband traveled and she had two babies to care for, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

To Him Who gave them four beautiful children, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

To Him Who blessed with them with a ministry where they made deep friendships, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

To Him Who led this family into the wilderness and into a very hard situation with many enemies, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

To Him Who opened doors into a broad place, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

To Him Who allowed this family to be planted in a fruitful place for 25 years, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

To Him Who who spent years killing enemies in Becky's own heart, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

To Him Who continues to lead Becky out, not allowing her to be comfortable, but creating a passion for more fruitful ministry, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

O give thanks to the God of heaven, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!

Abandoning Deception at the Cross

God met with us this morning at prayer time.  He's always there...but I love when He moves in with Truth and power!  

It started out with us talking about deception.  Where are we deceived?  II Timothy 3:13-14 says, 
"But wicked men and imposters will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and leading astray others and being deceived and led astray themselves.  But as for you, continue to hold to the things that you have learned and of which you are convinced, knowing from whom you learned [them]..."  Because we've been seekers of Truth, we're cautious about being deceived.  We know it can/does happen to any of us!!  We even talked about how when people age, many are deceived.  They make up their minds that they are "right" and close their minds to Truth.  Instead of being humble, teachable, pliable, changeable and adaptable, they become deceived because their minds are no longer open.  

In fact, James 3:13-14 says this:  "Who is there among you who is wise and intelligent? Then let him by his noble living show forth his [good] works with the [unobtrusive] humility [which is the proper attribute] of true wisdom.  But if you have bitter jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry, selfish ambition) in your hearts, do not pride yourselves on it and thus be in defiance of and false to the Truth."  Truth and wisdom come through humility.  Pride leads to deception.  Wow.  Wisdom is NOT being "right!"  In fact, don't pride yourself on Truth--that is superficial wisdom.  

We talked this morning at length about how this life is not about us.  It's all about God and His plan.  Why do we have expectations, opinions and assumptions?  Because we want to be in control!!  And even beyond that...we fear.  We fear we won't get our way.  So we then drive our opinions and expectations to the point of getting our way and being in control of every stinking situation that touches our lives.  We fear; therefore, we control and manipulate.

But God is wanting us to get to the place of pure trust.  He wants us to humble ourselves and trust Him...and to trust His plan.  Instead of having expectations, opinions or assumptions, He just wants us to ask Him.  "What leads to strife (discord and feuds) and how do conflicts (quarrels and fightings) originate among you? Do they not arise from your sensual desires that are ever warring in your bodily members?  You are jealous and covet [what others have] and your desires go unfulfilled; [so] you become murderers. [To hate is to murder as far as your hearts are concerned.] You burn with envy and anger and are not able to obtain [the gratification, the contentment, and the happiness that you seek], so you fight and war. You do not have, because you do not ask."  James 4:1-2  We just don't ASK!  Don't assume.  ASK!  Don't have an opinion.  ASK!  Don't have expectations.  ASK!  Don't try to control every situation.  ASK!  Don't walk in pride, thinking you know more than God.  ASK.  

The plan is all about God.  We need to recklessly abandon ourselves to the King.  Remember the story of Abigail?  She was in a life and death situation because of a foolish husband who made a foolish decision.  She didn't have to manipulate and control out of fear.  She recklessly abandoned herself to God and acted in faith and saved the lives of many people that day.  God doesn't just have a plan for our husbands, He has a good plan for us, too.   What does God ask us to do?  Submit to Him.  Trust Him.  Ask Him.  And let Him fulfill His good plan.

That sounds so easy...but it's a little hard for this control freak!  So the three of us went to the cross this morning (See above photo--Jodina's husband, Michael, got a cross on his land for his birthday and it was installed this past week!) and laid our fear, pride, deception, and control at the foot of the cross...and asked for His resurrection power in our lives.  We drew a line in the sand and have chosen to humble ourselves and TRUST GOD.  (We love making visual displays of what's going on in our hearts.)  No more controlling out of fear.  No more deception.  We abandoned deception at the cross and recklessly abandoned ourselves to the King.

That's powerful.

Self & Money

I woke up at 3:20 this morning and couldn't go back to sleep.  Usually when that happens, I know God is wanting to spend time with me--to either pray for others or to reveal something to my own heart.

One of the first things that came to me as I awakened was my family.  As I lay there, I prayed for them.  More things began to come to my mind and I knew I wasn't going back to sleep and I also knew I was about to start reading Nehemiah (which excites me!), so I got up to pray and read.  I began praying for our nation and the election.  I began praying for those who've been affected by Hurricane Sandy.  And then it came to me--there are so many disasters going on around me!  Things are out of control.

And then I stopped and asked, "What am I missing God?  What am I not seeing?"  And I looked for the common denominator in all these things and you know what I saw?  Self and money.

Begin listening.  As you listen to the final days of the presidential election, notice how often you hear references to how the candidates are thinking about your best interests (self) and will help you prosper (money) in the days ahead.  We've experienced a terrible disaster on the east coast.  Unfortunately, it will be reduced to ugliness over who does or doesn't get help (self)...financially (money).  (We've seen that one before!)  Many churches are in conflict over who is in control (self) especially in the area of finances (money).  And I'm often reduced to the same.  I want control (self).  I want what I want financially and materially (money).

It hit me.  There's no sacrifice left.  There's no serving God and others.  How did we get so off focus?  It's created a disaster in our nation, in our churches, and in our homes.  It all boils down to the two greatest commandments:  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.  Love others as yourself.  Everything is hinged on these 2 commandments.  Everything.

We can either love and serve God and others.  Or we can serve self and money.  And I think we're seeing the disastrous results when we choose self and money over God and others.

The exciting news?  The book of Nehemiah is all about rebuilding the walls which had fallen down in Jerusalem.  We can do some rebuilding of our own by confessing our sin and turning our focus back to loving God and others.  We still have time.

The November Fast

Once again, God showed up at our prayer time this morning...and showed us He wants to change us. As we talked, we realized there was a reoccurring theme in our conversation--offenses.  This led us to examine Matthew 24 where it talks about offenses in the last days.  It actually says (Amplified Bible),

"And then many will be offended and repelled and will begin to distrust and desert [Him Whom they ought to trust and obey] and will stumble and fall away and betray one another and pursue one another with hatred. And many false prophets will rise up and deceive and lead many into error. And the love of the great body of people will grow cold because of the multiplied lawlessness and iniquity, But he who endures to the end will be saved."

We were kind of stunned after we read it.  We just looked at one another.  This is happening...all around us.  People in the church are being offended in record number and have just quit going to church.  The love is growing cold--including ours.  But we agreed that we want to "endure to the end."  

So....we agreed to fast for 30 days in November from Fear, Anger & Offenses.  We'd like to invite you to join us.  We believe these things start out of fear.  Fear we won't get our way, fear people won't like us, fear others won't see we're "right," fear of losing our position, fear of self not being served.  Fear leads to anger which leads to offenses.  So we decided to start at the root and fast from all of it.

Isaiah 30:15 says, "For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning [to Me] and resting [in Me] you shall be saved; in quietness and in [trusting] confidence shall be your strength." God is going to have to do this through us.  I know I can't do it on my own.  I don't even realize when I start getting angry sometimes--or what I'm fearing!  But I'm trusting the Holy Spirit to quicken my spirit--quickly!  It's only through His power I can fast these things.   God wants to rid me of fear, anger and offenses.  Fear is such an opposite of Who God is!  And He desires more than anything for us to live in unity--not divided over offenses.  Isaiah 30:18 says this, "And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]!"  He wants us to have victory in these areas of our lives.

I don't know about you, but I'm weary of offenses--both in taking them up and in offering them.  It's kind of like what the serpent said to Eve, "Has God really said...?"  He offered her fear before he ever offered her fruit.  And he's still doing the same today.  Don't accept the fruit of offense--and don't offer it, either.  Remember:  Eve was drawn away by her emotions and was deceived.

James (1:19) says it best, "Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry."  We three prayer partners tried it out today and we've already found it to be a hard thing.  It's not going to be easy.  But I know a fast from these three things which are tripping us up will only be beneficial.  So we've committed to fasting for 30 days.  And we invite you to join us.  The November Fast--For 30 Days.  We want to start a movement of Endurers!  Spread the word.

What's NORMAL??

My friends and I have been talking again.  We've longed for things to get back to normal...but then we have to stop and ask, "What's normal now?"
I think the thing that most concerns us is navigating the mine fields Satan has planted all around us.  I've never seen as many traps for "offense" as I've seen lately!  It's like Satan and his demons have gone crazy putting traps filled with bait at every place you turn.  There are so many opportunities to take up an offense.  Parents being offended by children.  Children offended by parents.  People offended by church leadership.  Church leadership offended by people.  Employees offended by employers.  I even heard a patient accusing her doctor this week over an offense.  (And you know how often I go to the doctor!)  It's craziness!!
I think back to when I was growing up and my parents' lives seemed so stable, even, and...normal.  I have to believe Satan has a new tactic.  He's trying to destroy unity.  Unity of families.  Unity of churches.  Unity of friendships.  Just unity.  And it can be over the least incident that becomes so divisive that members of families or friends don't speak for years.
I don't know that things will ever be normal again. But my advice is to stay alert...and watch out for those traps.

I Peter 4:8
"Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others]."

Grieving the Spirit

Ephesians 4:30
"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or vex or sadden Him], by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as God's own, secured) for the day of redemption (of final deliverance through Christ from evil and the consequences of sin)."

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God.  We've all heard that verse and talked about it or heard a sermon preached about it.  What grieves the Spirit of God?  You might want to read the whole chapter to figure it all out, but in part, the answer is in verse 31, "Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind)."

As my prayer partners and I prayed this morning, I was asked a question about how I felt about a situation in which we were all involved where there was lots of verse 31 going on.  At first, I said I was just tired.  I didn't have an opinion because it just made me tired.  Then as I examined that thought, I realized it wasn't just tiredness...I was grieving.  Taking that thought even further, I realized I was grieving because the Spirit of God was grieving.

We had an interesting conversation with God after that.  We asked Him if we could come alongside Him and grieve with Him--to carry His burden.  We told Him that if we could come fill his freezer with casseroles (what we good Baptist women do when someone is grieving!), we would.  We just sat quietly with Him.

If the Holy Spirit of God is grieving, won't we grieve?  I mean...His Spirit lives within us.  I guess I'd just never given it consideration before...or had just chosen to let Him grieve alone.

Things Just Aren't Right...

There are so many things in this world that just aren't right.  This world is groaning for the return of Jesus.  And I'm starting to groan with it.

• I know of 4 suicides that happened this past week.  I groan.
• There are so many babies (orphans) who need to be united with their forever families.  I groan.
• There are so many marriages in trouble.  I groan.
• There are brothers and sisters in Christ with broken relationships.  I groan.
• I know godly people who need restoration.  I groan.
• I know churches who need restoration.  I groan.
• I see broken lives every.single.day.  I groan.
• I know people unwilling to submit.  I groan.

God, please heal lives.  Bring restoration.  Bring redemption.  Bring hope.  And please bring those precious children home.  We groan for You.  We desperately need You.  And Jesus?  Please come quickly.

"Now will I arise, says the Lord, because the poor are oppressed, because of the groans of the needy; I will set him in safety and in the salvation for which he pants."  Psalm 12:5

1st God-Sized Answer!

Just Sunday, I posted a blog about asking God for some God-Sized answers to prayer.  The third thing I listed was "I have a friend who needs to see God move in her husband's heart and mind."  And I'm here to tell you that she has.  She has seen God move on her husband's heart and mind....like we've never seen before.

And I'm so proud of her.  It was amazing.  There was no control, no manipulation, no pressuring...just simply sitting back and waiting in confidence that if it was meant to be, God would work.  He would assure her husband of the direction to go. 

And He did.  It was totally unlike him, totally out of the ordinary, totally God.  And it was amazing!!

I can't wait to see what God does next!

God-Sized Prayer

I've decided to pray God-Sized prayers. 

• I have kids who need to sell a house in Florida and who need their adopted daughter to come home from Ethiopia.
• I have a friend whose husband was killed in an accident and needs to see God move in her circumstances.
• I have a friend who needs to see God move in her husband's heart and mind.
• I know several marriages which need redemption and restoration.
• I know a family who just lost their 4-year-old son to a disease.
• I know a man who needs encouragement and help from God.
• I have friends who have a lot of money at stake in a God-venture and need Him.

"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong in behalf of those whose hearts are blameless toward Him..."  II Chronicles 16:9

I want to see God-Sized answers!

Witchcraft in the Church

There is witchcraft in the church.  Does that freak you out?  Have you seen anyone doing seances in the auditorium?  Are there Ouiji boards spread across your altar?  Are people drinking blood or cutting themselves?  Are they casting spells or putting pins in voo-doo dolls?  Are there statues of idols on pillars spread around your sanctuary?

They might as well be---if people in your church are in rebellion.  I Samuel 15:23 says, "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim (household good luck images)..."

I was praying with Andy and some friends last night and God gave me this visual.  People rebelling in the church are no different than someone desecrating the house of God in those ways.

If we've rebelled or if our hearts are stubborn, we've committed spiritual adultery.  Have you ever walked with someone who's discovered their spouse has been unfaithful?  It's horrible.  They go through a grieving process because they've lost the most precious thing of their marriage--the intimacy of their oneness.  And we're commanded in Ephesians 4:30, "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."

As we prayed last night, I saw the spiritual adultery in the church (in my own life) in a new way.  We've broken our oneness with God...and His Spirit is grieved.  God is urging us to cast off our rebellion, our stubbornness, our hard hearts and come back to Him.  He loves us and longs for restoration of our relationship.  He wants us for Himself.  He aches for us to be His alone.  He's willing to forgive us and receive us in His arms.  He yearns for intimacy with us again.

Let's cleanse our churches of the witchcraft.

Praise!

My heart is so full...I just have to give God praise!!  PRAISE YOU, ALMIGHTY GOD!  You are MIGHTY to save!  You are the FATHER Who draws, Who woos.  You are infinitely ABLE to do above ALL we could ask or think!  You are MAGNIFICENT.  Your arm has NOT been shortened.  NOTHING is too hard for You.  You are GOD---above ALL ELSE.  You are STRONG.  You are HOLY.  You are EVERLASTING.   You are the FAITHFUL ONE!

YOU ARE MINE.

And I love you.  I love you, Daddy.

Children, Crisis & Courage

Matt, Zach, Amy, David

Did anyone think when their kids were grown, left home and got married that their parenting job was over?  Tap..tap...tap!  Hello?  Anyone out there?  Well, for some strange reason, I did.  I think maybe it was because my parents made it look so easy.  When we married, that was it.  No more parental help--no advice, no money, but also no interference.  So I thought that when your kids flew the coop, that was it!

Well, I've learned differently.  We don't still actually parent...as in train or discipline...but our job is never done as far as loving, helping, and being concerned for the things which concern our children.  We hurt when they hurt.  We suffer when we see them struggle.  We hope with everything within our being that they get it right--by learning and growing through those hard and difficult circumstances.  We sit on our hands to keep from interfering or saying something that might send them in the wrong direction.  And we wish with all of our being that we could just jump in there and save them.  But we also know that would stunt the growth God is bringing into their lives.  What a hard thing it is to parent adult children.

Matt & Lisa and girls

Recently, all four of my adult children and their spouses have walked through difficult circumstances.  It's so hard to see your children suffer.  And if you didn't have the broader perspective that God, age, and your own set of difficult circumstances have brought into your life, you might despair...or get gray hair at the very least.  (Thank God for Revlon #31!)  But God told me when my firstborn left home and I was wondering if I'd taught him everything, "Becky, when did you really start growing spiritually?"  I replied, "34."  And I've held His wise words close to my heart ever since, "Then trust Me.  Your job of parenting is over and Mine is beginning.  I love them more than you do and I intend to teach them from here."  And He has.

Jay & Amy and kids

It's so amazing when you see your kids "get it!"  It's been a joy to watch each of them grow--from things I had no part in.  Years ago, the Burlesons had the Dietz Brothers come sing at their board meeting.  Their son, Wade, was speaking at it also.  Even back then, he was a powerful speaker.  I looked at Mary and asked her, "Are you just so proud?"  I've never forgotten her response, "You know, Becky, I look at him and I'm amazed.  I had no part in this.  This is all God's doing."  I understand that perfectly now.  I see my adult children making wise decisions in areas I struggled in for years.  I see them bravely going places I've never gone.  I see them admitting mistakes that I tried to keep covered.  I see their hearts after God and it brings tears to my eyes.  I see them moving forward when I wanted to retreat.  God is a good parent.

David & Lindsey

I remember my sister-in-law, Janis, sharing what God had shown her through this verse years ago:  "Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth."  (Psalm 127:4)  She said this, "When you shoot those arrows, they'll go further than you do."  So true. 

I couldn't be prouder of all four of my kids.  First of all, they all four married well!!  I couldn't have chosen better for them if I'd been given the opportunity.  And when I talk about my kids, those four are included.  I had no part in their upbringing...and still don't.  But they are amazing and bring rich flavor to our expanded family...some flavors I'd never experienced until they came.  It's broadened us as a family.  It's made us better.  I applaud their parents...and God!

Zach & Shanna

Yes, it's hard watching your adult children struggle.  But the reward is seeing them mature, grow and overcome.  I'm so glad God gave me a front row seat to watch.  I'm so proud of who my kids are becoming and the odds they've fought to overcome.  As Clarence would say, "Among women, I am blessed!"  Well...he says, "men," but you get the gist...

About You

Father,
I recognize this life, this world, mankind, and Satan are really only about You.  You are God, the Supreme Ruler.  The One to be glorified--the One who wins.  None other.  We are here for the opportunity of glorifying You--with our words, our submission and our actions.  Help me to be a reflection of You today.  Let others see Jesus in me.  Help me to love.

Letter to a Husband

This "Letter to a Husband" comes after counseling lots of young women.  I don't counsel men unless Andy & I are counseling a couple.  But this has been burning on my heart.  Marriages are in trouble everywhere--low income, high income.  Marriages with children, childless marriages.  Couples who have been married 40 years and even newlyweds.  Satan wants to destroy your marriage!  So from someone who could be your sister or your mom, I'm writing to you husbands....

Dear Husband of my Friend,
Can I just say first of all, that I'm so glad God put you together?  I can see that He has put you together to complete you both.  Your strengths are your wife's weaknesses and vice versa.  God had a good plan when He put you together.  He knew that you could learn from one another.

The only problem is...Satan has fed your minds with animosity for one another's weaknesses.  You've begun to resent her for that.  And you've quit focusing on and appreciating her strengths.  In fact, I daresay, you've both begun to work against one another instead of embracing one another and learning from the other.

What would I want you to understand about women...or your wife, in particular?

Every time you view pornography, you chip away at your marriage.  You are viewing something which will never leave your mind and which will only open doors to other things.  You are feeding a fantasy your wife will never be able to live up to.  And the path you're on leads to death.  Period.  You've destroyed your wife's confidence.  She knows she'll never live up to those expectations.  When you've opened the door to pornography, trust has been broken.  She doesn't trust who's calling you on your cell phone or who you've befriended on Facebook.  She's afraid you want someone else.  In fact, when you're late to dinner, she wonders if you are with someone else.  Pornography destroys.  But there is help and a way out!

When you get drunk, you demean yourself and your entire family.  You also put lives at jeopardy.  And once again, your drunkenness opens doors to other things.  You do things you'd never do if you were sober.  And most of the time, you never remember how mean, abusive, angry or stupid you were.  I know you never meant to hurt your wife or your children, but you did.  The words alone you threw around were bad enough...but it never stops there.  I only wish there was a video camera so you could see yourself.  You've scarred your wife and children with those words you screamed.  And once you touch your wife or children in an abusive manner, a new door has been opened.  But there is help and a way out!

When you spend money you don't have, you are telling your wife and children that what you want is much more important than the basic necessities of life that they have.  The fact that your wife now has to hide your bank card should tell you how fearful she is.  Others have had to feed your family, buy them clothes, pay for school lunches because you're not taking care of them.  You're creating a monster with your appetite.  And it's stripping your wife of dignity and making your children believe you don't love them.  But there is help and a way out!

Spending all of your extra time with the guys tells your wife that she's not important.  It could be golf, video games, drinking, hunting, sporting events or a hundred other things.  Your entire family becomes insecure by becoming 2nd, 3rd, or 4th....after these other things which are more important to you.  They don't just need a couple of minutes at dinner--they need quality time with you.  They crave time with you--and they want to know they've been heard by you.  It's called communication--and they need it with you!  But there is help and a way out!

When you don't lead your family spiritually, they feel helpless, lost and confused.  Oftentimes, your wife begins the job you were meant to do--and then you resent her for it.  Your family wants you to lead.  They want you to be a man of respect and honor, a leader, and someone they're proud of.  I know men who are leading their families and it's a beautiful thing to see.  A real leader loves his family and is more concerned about their well-being than his own. 

There are so many other things we could talk about:  Not taking your job seriously, stealing from your boss, causing a scene in a restaurant, disciplining in anger...all of these things demean your family.  They really, really want to be proud of you.  They want you to succeed.  They want you to lead them.

The way out?  The Word of God.  All it takes is to be in the Word.  The Word of God has the power to transform your mind and change your life.  Read it, study it, memorize it, meditate on it, talk to others about it.  I know that seems mighty simplistic---but I've actually seen lives transformed by it.  Of course, the most basic thing is to know Jesus as your savior.  And then, to repent of your sin and turn back to God.  But after repenting, you must fill your heart and mind with something else to replace those bad activities--the Word of God.  And if you can't do it on your own, there are so many good places to get help!

Your wife desires a soul mate.  She desires someone she can honor and respect.  She desires a best friend.  Now she may not act like it all the time (Keep in mind--I've been counseling her.  And we've been working on the areas of her life which need to change--I hope you've seen some of those changes!), but it's really what she wants.  She wants YOU!  She's been praying for you and hoping you'd choose her over these other things.  She wants to know that you desire her above everything and everyone else.  She needs you. 

I'm praying for you, too. We all need you.
Your sister in Christ,
Becky