Be Joyful in the Uprooting

September 7th, 2008 –

As I was getting ready for church I asked the Lord what He wanted to say that day. "Mercy" was what I heard. I heard it again during worship at church.

Then she saw a yellow daisy. God's big and gentle hands came and dug it up and put it in a pot. He did this, not only to protect it from the change of seasons and harsher weather, but because He wanted to transplant it to a place on a higher mountain. Until He took it there, He kept the pot close to Him - arms wrapped around it and close to His chest - His heart!

Then He said, "Today is the last day in your comfort zone - the ground you have been planted in and comfortable living in. Don't be afraid of the uprooting. And don't think you will stay in the pot forever. It is a temporary housing to keep you close to me; to keep you indoors out of the way of bad weather; to protect you. When spring comes, I will transplant you to a beautiful field on a mountain surrounded by other flowers (lots of yellow daisies) and grass.

Trust me in this uprooting. Trust me to replant you to better ground - to a better environment. Enjoy the time alone with me while you can. I am looking forward to spending time with you, to seeing you in my house, making it more beautiful just by your presence.

You will not wither in the pot. I have good soil in the pot, soil that has added nutrients that you didn't have in the ground you were in. You will enjoy it. It will taste good. You will be amazed at how it nourishes your body and makes your color brighter and healthier and how much better you feel. Enjoy the time in the pot. I've got you close to my heart! The time will come to be replanted, but enjoy the indoors for now."

The meanings of the following words are interesting:
Daisy: Innocence, Loyal love, purity, a classic symbol of beauty
Yellow: Joy, happiness, intellect, energy
Gerbera Daisies: Cheerfulness

So what was God saying with all this?

In looking back on the past couple months, it becomes clearer to me. At the time I could not even imagine why God was talking about Mercy and what He was saying when He said “Today is the last day in your comfort zone”. Sept 7th the US Gov’t (FHFA) took over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac – of which, Henry Paulson (US Treasury Secretary) and Ben Bernanke (Federal Reserve Bank Chairman) both supported the decision. You can read more about the ensuing drama within our economy all over the web – but here is one site – Global Financial Crisis of 2008 (Wikipedia). This was just the beginning. Suffice it to say . . . our “comfort zone” was quickly disappearing!

We are God’s “classic symbol of beauty”, the love of His life. He desires to see us joyful, cheerful and happy. . . . . even when we are not in our “normal” surroundings and are out of our comfort zone.

Have you been taken out of your comfort zone this fall? Are you experiencing an “uprooting” of some sort . . . financial, relational, emotional, spiritual? If so . . . trust what God is saying to you today. Trust in HIM! He knows what He is doing!! It is for our good! I don’t know how many times I’ve heard this recently (from God and from others who are listening to God) – but He is REALLY wanting to get it through to His children . . . . TRUST IN HIM during this time of uprooting and transition!! Trust Him to take you to better ground, higher ground! Stay close to Him and drink in the nourishing water and satisfying soil He has placed you in – even if your “space” feels a bit confined for now.

TRUST HIM!!

Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Give thanks and be joyful today! CHOOSE to be joyful . . . despite your circumstances! Lean into God and let Him hold you close to His heart!!

Dig deeper today - even when you feel like your pot is shallow!

"We've never seen anything like this in our lifetime!"

I heard it out of Oprah's mouth today on CNN as she was interviewed after Obama's victory speech. Instantly I was reminded of the scripture God had led me to when I was praying on Wall Street almost a month ago:

Joel 1:2 - "Hear this, you elders; listen all who live in the land. Has anything like this ever happened in your days or in the days of your forefathers?"
(This was said about "the invasion of locusts". Read my post about Wall Street to see more scriptures.)

I wanted to cry last night.

I've had a knot in my stomach ever since 11pm last night.

I get nauseous just thinking about what the next 4 years will entail.

My heart aches . . . no . . . it grieves . . . for all the unborn that will lose their voice even more so these next 4 years.

However . . . I realize that this fear, worry and dread - is not where the Lord wants me to be. He has already told us, time and time again, to trust HIM . . . to let HIM take care of things (financially, politically, etc), and that in the end - we will be amazed!! :)

So - my next respose last night was "Lord - thank you that putting a black man in the presidential office may actually help to bring racial reconciliation to this land to a greater degree". I am also going to be on a mission to pray for Mr. Obama's salvation . . . and if he really is saved . . . to pray that the Holy Spirit falls upon him and convicts him to follow God's will, plan and desires for ALL of mankind - including the unborn! But above all - I am going to pray that GOD's Will will be done these next 4 years!

I tried to watch Kim Clement's live show (about what God had been showing him about the elections) on the night before the election, but they were having trouble with their webcast (too many people trying to watch!). I was watching it today, and was was encouraged and reminded of what God has been saying. That even though the outcome of the election wasn't what I selfishly wanted (though I wasn't surprised at all) . . . God's plans and ways are higher than my own. His thoughts are not my thoughts. I KNOW that God can and will use the next 4 years to uncover the things He needs to expose and to prepare the soil for a greater and better "crop". And I do believe that with Obama as President, many more people will be praying harder, longer and more often than they would have before . . . especially for the unborn (and the possible nomination(s) to the Supreme Court in the next 4 years, etc)! I'm all for more prayer!! :)

I really don't like or get into politics very often . . . and hadn't planned on posting about this . . . but ultimately I know that GOD is in control . . . no matter who thinks they are in control down here. :) My mandate (and yours) now is to pray for my leaders - to pray blessings upon them and that God's will will be done!

I need to go back and relisten to Kim's webcast as he was saying some things about giving a grain offering to allow the water to come, and digging ditches to hold the water that comes (from a place that you least expect). Once again . . . . here is something about giving our grain offerings back to God and God providing in a way we won't expect Him to! Hmmm . . . sounds familiar! :)

To encourage you all, in this time of transition (to a new president and new ruling party within Congress and the oval office) - that you will continue to look to the Lord first and foremost. That you will continue (or start) to pray for our leaders - no matter if they are Republicans, Democrats or Independents. Pray for them. Pray a blessing on them. Pray for Godly wisdom in their lives, thoughts and actions. Pray for salvation for those that do not know the Lord. Pray for their families. Do I need to go on? Just pray. And don't pray "your" agenda . . . but the Lord's. Let HIS will be done and HIS kingdom come!

God is good . . . . all the time!
All the time . . . God is good!

Give thanks in all situations! Yes - even today! :)

Dig Deep!

L :)

22 Weeks

I saw this film last Tuesday (28th)! Watch the trailer below!

Movie synopsis:
A young woman is locked in the bathroom of an abortion clinic after her aborted baby was born alive.
A film about decisions, their effects and the echos they leave behind.Based on the shocking World Net Daily article by Ron Strom, on victim's testimonies, and real 911 calls about one of the most controversial subjects of our time, "22weeks" achieves to confront both sides of the spectrum and their perspective to the on going question: "what would you do?"

You can request a screening in your area at - http://www.22weeksthemovie.com/.

Here's the Facebook site for it.

Lori :)

Life Abundantly . . . . Come Home!

God wouldn't let me go to sleep a couple nights ago until I wrote this out. I thought it was for someone specific . . . but am not sure exactly who it is for. So I am posting it here. Maybe it's for many of you. Even if you don't think it's for you - ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate anything He might want to say to you through this. And then act on what He shows you!

Go Deep!! Live FREE!

L :)

**On Nov. 3rd - God showed me who it was for and I gave it to her. It still may be for someone else out there - so I will leave it posted for now. **


October 30th, 2008

“I have come – that you might have life and have it abundantly. So what are you doing with the life I died to give you? Why are you not living it abundantly? What will it take for you to realize the price I paid for your freedom – and the amount of freedom it provides?"

"Do not be anxious about anything! Trust me. I wish you would trust me more. Why don’t you? Stop listening to the lies of the enemy and trust me . . . for everything! Yes – for finances, health, well-being, family, relationships, jobs, ministries and more. I AM trustworthy. Why don’t you believe?"

"My heart yearns . . . it aches . . . to take care of you like I want to – but you don’t let me. You push my hand away and tell me you don’t need help – that you can do it on your own. But the truth is – I want to help because I LOVE to help you. I love to help and love on my children. Don’t be too independent child. Lean on me. Trust me. Let me help you. But you have to trust. I DO know what I am doing. I’ve been doing this for a long time. :) Will you trust me? Please?"

"I am not pushy and will not force you to accept my help – but I will gently offer. Don’t push me away. Let me show you the best way to do things – and then I’ll let you do it! Watch and learn!" :)

"Tomorrow will come. Don’t be too anxious for it though. Today is a full day on its own. Enjoy it. Learn from it. Relax. Be at peace. Look forward to tomorrow – but not with an anxious heart, but with a joyful expectation that when it comes you will enjoy it as much as you have enjoyed today. It’s not that tomorrow is better than today. They are both equally full of the opportunity to enjoy them. So do it! Enjoy today! Tomorrow may not come – so enjoy the day that you have today."

"I came to give you life – abundant life! Please enjoy it! That was my intent and purpose for coming and dying for you. Not to make you miserable – following rules and laws – but to live in freedom and joy. The boundaries I set are what give you that freedom – that sense of security. Just like a fenced in yard allows the kids to run around without the fear of getting hurt by accidentally running into the street, or having a big dog come and attack them. The fence is for your protection, security and freedom. So enjoy it! Your heavenly Father built it just for you because He loves you and wants to protect you and see you have fun on this earth. So run in your freedom!"

There is a little girl with brown hair running around. Her hair is about shoulder length or slightly shorter. She’s running – trying ot run away from her Father – but not in a bad way, but in a fun game of chase. He catches her, loves on her, wrestles with her, puts her back on her feet, holds her hand and walks back to the house with her. When she realizes where they are going she gets upset and tries to run away in the yard again. She acts as if its for fun like before, but it really is a rebellion – not wanting to go inside the house – wanting to still play outside and “have it her way” – do her own thing – not listen or obey her Father. He gently comes to get her – walking calmly – holding out his hand – calling her name and asking her to come inside with him. What she doesn’t realize, because she is so young (4 or 5) and not paying attention to the world around her – is that there is a big black storm cloud coming. A bad storm. Not just a rain shower – but one that can cause damage – especially dangerous if you are outside in it. A tornado could appear. The warning has sounded. Her daddy is only trying to protect her – keep her safe – love on her some more – so she can live another day and grow up to experience so many wonderful things. They will have fun in the house too. Don’t worry. Daddy has a lot of things planned for them to do together – especially during the storm. It will keep her mind off of what is happening outside.

So go inside little girl! Don’t make your Father chase you. Just go to Him – take His hand and go inside. You will have fun! He has your best interests at heart! There will be other days to play outside – but for now, it is time to go inside. Come on in and enjoy the warmth, the fun, the games, the love, the snuggles and good food. Enjoy it! Life isn’t about staying outside or inside the whole time. It is about following your Daddy and where He leads and when He leads. Watch Him, follow Him, take His hand and stay right by His side! You won’t regret it. Let go of the outside for now. It’s time to come home.