Spiritual Cavities

Instead of posting it here too - please go to my Mothering Matters and More blog to read this post.

How are your spiritual "teeth"??

Clean deep today!

L :)

Red Envelope Day

I learned about this from and event page on Facebook.

You can also find out more on their website - www.redenvelopeday.com

What:
Get red envelopes or postcards (http://www.zazzle. com/RedEnvelopeD ay) and mail them on March 31st to the White House

When:
March 31st, 2009

Get a red envelope. You can buy them at Kinkos, or at party supply stores. On the front, address it to

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington , D.C. 20500

On the back, write the following message.

This envelope represents one child who died because of an abortion.
It is empty because the life that was taken is now unable to be a part of our world.

We will mail the envelopes out March 31st, 2009.

Forward this event to every one of your friends who you think would send one too. I wish we could send 50 million red envelopes, one for every child who died [in the U.S. ] before having a chance to live.

It may seem that those who believe abortion is wrong are in a minority. It may seem like we have no voice and it's shameful to even bring it up. Let us show our President and the world that the voices of those of us who do not believe abortion is acceptable are not silent and must be heard.

Together we can change the heart of The President and save the lives of millions of children.

Barack Obama spoke at a Planned Parenthood Action Fund event, uttering the now infamous line, "Well, the first thing I'd do as president is, is sign the Freedom of Choice Act. [Applause.] That's the first thing that I'd do."

An empty red envelope will send a message to President Barack Obama that there is moral outrage in this country over this issue [The Freedom of Choice Act, which will essentially “undo” every law currently in place to limit abortion in the U.S. (i.e., parental consent laws, parental notification, waiting periods, prohibition of transporting a minor girl across state lines to obtain an abortion, etc.)]. It will be quiet, but clear.

Please read more about The Freedom of Choice Act here:

http://www.lifenews .com/nat4359. html

http://www.barackob ama.com/2008/ 01/22/obama_ statement_ on_35th_annive. php

http://www.jillstan ek.com/archives/ 2008/07/one_ year_annive. html

Catch the Fire!

I have thoroughly been enjoying the Catch the Fire conference at CBN this week (click the link to watch online). God has been touching so many lives - healing people from physical sickness and pain as well as emotional, mental and spiritual issues. God is AWESOME!!!

I know that many people are leary and unsure about all the "manifestations" - the shaking, falling down, laughing, etc that goes on at the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship and the Catch the Fire Ministries. I was too at first. However, I loved what Duncan Smith said tonight at the conference about it! He said "I'm a man that is just trying to cope with God on the inside of my skin!"

Just imagine . . . the God of the whole universe comes and touches you, comes and fills you up with His spirit . . . . . with His indescribable and overwhelming love . . . .

Do you really think that you could just sit there quietly, not moving?

If you have never experienced that kind of love, that kind of power, that kind of encounter with the creator of the whole universe - I can understand your point of view. I didn't get it either. I thought they were all a bit kooky . . . a bit nuts. But as Duncan also said - "I may be a nut . . . but at least I am screwed onto the right bolt! Jesus!"

There is fruit coming from this ministry! I don't judge by appearances - but by the fruit.

Matthew 7:15 - 20
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."

I know that I would be dead today (literally) had it not been for the Holy Spirit coming in and filling me up and touching me (19 years ago) in a way that I had never experienced before! I would be dead had I never learned - not just through books and knowledge - but experientially learned - about my Daddy's love for me (God the Father's heart for me as His daughter)! I needed to FEEL His love for me - FEEL His heart for me - FEEL His forgiveness - be delivered from some things spiritually and more. I couldn't get all that from just listening to a nice sermon or reading a devotional. As a pastor's kid I grew up knowing and hearing all the stories and knowing in my head,intellectually, about God. But I didn't "know" him experientially till I was 19.

I had to EXPERIENCE an encounter with God . . . my creator . . . my savior . . . my Daddy! It is that experience - that LOVE that will change you forever! It will ruin you for the normal. It sure did for me!! I don't want "normal" anymore . . . I want GOD!

Still think I'm crazy?

Have you ever been in love? . . . . . So in love - all you could do is just think about that person all day long. You wanted to be with them every waking moment. You wanted to hug them, kiss them, touch them, laugh and cry with them . . . You just couldn't get enough of them! When you thought about them a huge smile came to your face. And if you were ever apart for an extended period of time - when you saw them again - you couldn't contain yourself - but wanted to run right to them - screaming or laughing or crying and reaching out to hug and hold them tight.

I see some of the same emotions and expressions of love at the long-awaited homecoming of the navy crews on the carriers. I see alot of the same antics at rock concerts. Jumping, screaming, shaking, longing, crying, laughing, etc. People do get a bit "nuts" when they are in love with something or someone.

Well . . . I am in love with Jesus!!! So, yes . . . .I may act a little strange when I get around Him. But I really don't care - because I know how His presence has changed my life!!! I NEVER want to go back to my old life again!

If you are curious as to what I am even talking about here - ie. you've never heard of Duncan Smith with Catch the Fire Ministries, or John and Carol Arnott from the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship (ie - the Toronto blessing) - then watch some of the conference online at CBN.com. They will be streaming it live tomorrow (10am, 2pm and 7pm) and have archived the other sessions from this week. CBN also does a weekly Spiritual Gifts Seminar on Mon, Tues and Thursday nights (Thur is from TACF in Toronto, Canada).

Check it out!

You may just find the love of your life! I pray you do! You will never be the same again!

Christianity is not about religion. It's about a relationship. God doesn't want to be in your life (and you be in His life) because of how much work you will do for him and how loyal you will be. He is in it for LOVE! Just like a marriage. Would you be in a marriage if all your spouse had "contracted" to do was just work hard for you, stay loyal and clean your dirty underwear?! No - you want to be loved, to love them.

It's the same with God! Christianity is about a love relationship with God . . .not religion!

I challenge you to seek after that love! God is ready and waiting to shower it on you (no matter what your past or present situation or life looks like!!! Trust me!!)!

Be brave to go deeper!

L :)

Prayer Alert for America

Just wanted to pass on this prayer alert video from Cindy Jacobs at Generals International. She is sharing more about Obama's new policies and agendas. I briefly mentioned these in a previous post (Raise up and army).

Cindy has more to say on her website (and in an email I received). I won't paste it all here - but PLEASE go to their website here to read more! These are serious issues that should be of great concern for us as Christians! Please take the time to educate yourself and make a commitment to pray for our leaders and our nation!

America, President Obama and our leaders need all the prayers we can offer up!! If you have never prayed for our country or it's leaders before - now is the time to start!

Blessings!

L :)

Redesigning your shackles and chains

Are you tired of wearing shackles and chains . . . . of feeling bound up . . . unable to get free from things in your past, in the present, or even worries about the future?

What is it that is keeping you from living in freedom?

Current or past sins? Unforgiveness? Anger? Hurts? Abuse? Doubt? Fear?

Whatever it is . . . do you believe that God can help you break free? And not only that . . . that God can empower you to then use that which the enemy meant for evil - for good?!

Psalm 107:10-14

10 Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom, prisoners suffering in iron chains,

11 for they had rebelled against the words of God
and despised the counsel of the Most High.

12 So he subjected them to bitter labor;
they stumbled, and there was no one to help.

13 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.

14 He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom
and broke away their chains.

This past weekend our church had a Women's Immersion weekend . . . all about Freedom! God did some awesome things - freeing many ladies from various things - anger and unforgiveness towards parents, husbands, ex-husbands, ex-boyfriends, abusers, past sins . . . you name it! God was breaking off the chains and shackles that had kept so many of these ladies bound up and unable to fully enjoy the freedom that Christ paid for on the cross.

We sang a song on Saturday morning about the shackles and chains coming off . . . falling to the ground. God showed me this vision:

All these iron shackles and chains were falling off the women onto the floor. God came in and started sweeping them up with a big broom - right out of the room. He took them to a big pot and melted them down. Then he turned the old shackles and chains into swords. He placed a sword in each of the women's hands. However, it wasn't an old iron sword. He had infused some of Himself into it - some of His royalty - His power and authority as the King of kings . . . He had added gold to them! He was not handing back ugly grey iron swords - but ones made with gold!! God then took the tears of the women and turned them into precious gem stones. He adorned the handles of each sword with the women's tears.

Once you are free - the devil will try to remind you of the shackles and chains that he had you bound up in for so long. He will try to convince you that you are still bound up - or that you should be. It may seem strange to not have those chains there . . . as you have been used to feeling the weight of them on your legs and arms. But when the devil tries to remind you of them - tell him that you do still feel the weight of them . . . . but this time it is in the form of a SWORD!

You will no longer feel the weight as a burden, but as something that empowers you to take vengence on the enemy . . . to fight the spiritual battles that need to be fought . . . to bring freedom to other people in your life! God is allowing you to use what was meant to enslave you - to bring freedom to others!! Isn't that awesome?!!

How do you do that - turn your chains into a sword? Here are some examples from women in my own church . . .

Chains - Daughter struggled with a lifelong illness and died too early at age 14.
Sword - The mom is going back to school to become a nurse and help others in similar situations!!

Chains - Abused by her father, abandoned by her mother, became a prostitute, husband left her.
Sword - Preaching the word of God and started a ministry to reach out to prostitutes, abused women and more!!

Chains - Having marital issues after 25 years of marriage and ministry.
Sword - Working things out, seeking Godly counsel and support, and realizing that God can still use them even in/with their imperfections!!

Chains - Pregnant as a teenager and chose to end the baby's life via abortion.
Sword - Has a ministry for women who have had abortions - bringing freedom and forgiveness into their lives!!

Chains - Husband left her for another woman, had various medical issues, became addicted to pain killers to numb all the pain (physically and emotionally).
Sword - Still has some "less than ideal" situations in her life - but is "soaring like an eagle" above it all! Is full of the joy of the Lord DESPITE the circumstances! Is seeking out opportunities to minister to others - through prayer, intercession, etc!!

There are many other examples . . . as each of us has some sort of chains/shackles that we have had to deal with.

What is your testimony? What chains have you been set free from? And are you using the sword that God has put in your hand?

What chains do you need to be set free from?


God can set you free! He really can!

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 2 Cor. 3:17

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Gal. 5:1

Search His word (the Bible) today and find those verses that pertain to His promises to set you free - to help you live in freedom. - "I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts." Ps. 119:45

Seek out Godly counsel and support - "Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance." Proverbs 20:18 (this is war!)

Get some prayer and deliverance -"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Eph. 6:12.

And once you are free . . . keep reminding the devil that you are free by showing him your gold, jewel-encrusted, powerful sword!!

Live Free!

L :)

This song was on my mind this morning . . .

Trading My Sorrows (Yes Lord) Lyrics
Performed by- Darrell Evans
I'm trading my sorrow
I'm trading my shame
I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord

I'm trading my sickness
I'm trading my pain
I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord

Chorus:
And we say yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord Amen

I'm pressed but not crushed persecuted not abandoned
Struck down but not destroyed
I'm blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure
And his joy's gonna be my strength

Though the sorrow may last for the night
His joy comes with the morning

The Super Bowl and the Super-Natural

I've said it before . . . but this year I want my family to live in the supernatural!

I am tired of the ordinary.

I believe God is calling all of us to live more in His presence than ever before!

He WANTS to release His power to perform miracles (healings, provision and more). He wants to release His power to transform lives.

Time is crucial!

There is no more time to be sitting around on the sidelines just waiting for things to happen. We have to get out there and bring in the harvest. We need to minister to those around us. We need to get our eyes off of ourselves - our selfish desires, our needs and wants, our "future ministry" - and focus on the people around us that God has put in our path to minister to. . . . . your neighbor . . . your mom or dad . . . . your children . . . the woman at the grocery store . . . . the man fixing your car. . . . . your co-worker . . . even your boss.

THAT is where your ministry begins! THAT is where the supernatural begins! It all starts with having compassion on those around you!

Are you willing to go there?

Do you want more of God's power in your life?

Do you want to experience the supernatural in your own life instead of just hearing about it happening to someone else??

Then get up and get going! Get out there and do it!

All it takes is to simply ask someone "Can I pray for you right now?" When your neighbor's husband is leaving her, or your best friends just lost his job . . . instead of just having sympathy and saying "you poor thing" . . . or saying that you will keep them in your prayers. Simply ask them if you can pray with them right then and there! I can guarantee that very few people will ever turn you down on with that offer (whether they are christian or not)!!

Ask the Holy Spirit to come . . . to fill them with His presence in their lives and bring them peace. Ask the Holy Spirit to come . . . He loves to be invited places! :) And then watch what happens! And remember what happens . . . so that next time you will be empowered to do it again!

Sometimes the result might be dramatic and instantaneous . . . . and other times it may seem like nothing happens at all. But keep doing it. Keep "practicing". Keep trusting God with the results. Don't do it just because you want to see a miracle - do it because you have true compassion on the people you meet. Do it because you love the Lord and want to see other people's lives transformed when they experience His love too!

Several months ago in church, God showed me that He was holding a big wooden bowl FULL of His oil. He was waiting and wanting to pour it out on his people. They had been content to just reach up and dip their fingers in the bowl. But only a few people were doing that even - not too many. He wants to pour it all out on everyone! AND the best part is . . . the oil will NEVER run out!! :)

Do you want that oil? Do you want a fresh anointing and release of His presence in your life? Then ask Him to pour it out on you . . . and then go USE it to minister to others!! It's not just for us . . . it is to be used for others!!

The Lord had also showed me in October that He had a bottle of wine left to give to us. The last bottle in his wine room. It was labeled "Elijah". He is ready and waiting for us as Christians to be filled with this wine - to be able to live in the supernatural on a DAILY basis - to counteract and fight the spiritual battle that our friends, family, neighborhoods, cities, states and nation have going on all around them every day (the spirit of Jezebel that is trying to control our country!). See my October post about this wine.

Please read this ElijahList email that contains a word from Bill Yount. It is excellent!! It goes along with all God has been saying lately through his prophets and even what our pastor preached on this morning . . . . that living the supernatural life begins with compassion!

Bill Yount:

"It Takes Practice to Get into the Super Bowl AND the Super-Natural"

So - get out there and practice the supernatural! I want to hear your testimonies of what God is doing in and through you this year!!

Drink Deeply!

L :)