We've moved!

Hello there! I've been meaning to let you know . . .

This blog has finally moved to it's own website!

drinkfromthedeep.org

I have yet to customize it to how I want it (I've been working on my other blog first - mothering-matters.com). But I'll get to it hopefully soon! (I can only do a little at a time with 5 kiddos here to take care of here!)

Hope to see you over at the "new place"! Let me know that you have joined me - as I love hearing from you!

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Thanks!

Abundant Blessings!

Lori :)

Intimacy - Walking in God's love and light

Wow! Your Daddy loves you so much! Jesus does too (and don't forget our awesome Holy Spirit!)! I just had to share what was on God's heart for you guys today! It's long - but worth it!

Be blessed today as you go deeper in God's love for you!!

L :)

L - So – what is on your heart today? What do you want me to get across to your kids? I’d love some insight! ;)

G – Insight – yes . . . IN SIGHT . . . looking IN . . . Looking in my eyes – in my sight . . . Look into my eyes and let my love capture you! Let my love overwhelm you and show you just what I see. I want to give you “insight” – MY sight . . . That’s what I want to give you.

L – I want that! :) I’m looking . . . . :)

I see oceans in your eyes . . . rolling oceans and a blue sky. Vast, beautiful, never-ending . . . no shore in sight . . . just rolling waves along the top of the ocean. Then it’s like I go down – the view goes down below the surface. The sky is not visible anymore – but we are going down, down, down – like I’m looking out a small window in a submarine or something. :) We are going down and the light is going away. It is getting darker and darker the deeper we go. But not totally. I can still see some. I can still see the water and some life swimming around – but not as easily. As we go down – it’s like there is a light way below. It’s like people go down – and they expect it to get dark – kind of dark and scary . . .but if they keep going – if they go past a certain depth – then it starts to get lighter and lighter again – because there is a bright white light shining up from below. It’s not like it’s on the bottom – but it’s like the water turns into a big bright white light below. You can descend down to it – and then into it – being overwhelmed and overcome by the bright white light. There’s nothing around you but white light – purity – pure white . . . I don’t think we are in water anymore. It’s more like going through a cloud – but different. It’s light and airy – it’s pure white – no shadows – just white light. Beautiful!

It seems like we get to the bottom – or at least an area where there seems to be ground. You are there Jesus – you are there and you invite me to come and sit with you. There are 2 comfy chairs – plush and inviting. You’ve been sitting in yours and waiting – with an empty chair right beside you – waiting for me to come down and hang out with you – to sit with you. :) I love that! You’ve been waiting just for me. You had nothing else to do but wait for me! Thank you!

I go over to the chair and sit down with you (after taking your hand . . . like I was coming out of the submarine – or in through your eyes Daddy). We sit down – and Jesus doesn’t stop holding my hand. We’re like an old married couple (or young) – just sitting in our chairs holding hands. His right hand is in my left. We sit and look out in front of us. At first it’s just all white still – but as we sit and look – it’s like I can see through it some – to a scene – kind of like watching a tv screen – but not – more like real life . . . or a vision of real life. I see trees. I see people. I see a husband and wife. The husband is not happy. He is upset with his wife. He is angry and I get the sense that he is abusive. The wife is sad, scared, but full of God. In her room at night, she prays, she rests in God’s love, she sits on His lap, in His arms – and is renewed and rejuvenated in His love. It is His love that sustains her. It is his love that keeps her going. It is His love that heals her wounds – miraculously – inside and out. It is God’s love that allows her to love her husband – to love her kids – to love everyone around her. Many people have told her she should leave – get out of there – but she knows – she knows the truth about her husband and who God designed him to be . . . and she is contending for that to be revealed and come to full fruition. Her prayers are moving the heavenlies – they are sending more angels to fight the battle over her husband’s life. Her prayers are powerful and mighty – and they ARE doing a great work in this man’s life – even though he doesn’t know it.

I then see the husband in his room – alone – crying. . . . but not wanting to let his wife know or see. He doesn’t let anyone know or see his tears. He’s a tough man. He can’t be weak. But he’s crying – because he never intended to be this way to his wife. He never wanted to. He swore he never would. He would not be like his father. He was not going to repeat those mistakes. But he can’t seem to help it. He gets angry – and something comes over him. He can’t seem to help it. But he doesn’t want to continue this way anymore. He can’t. It’s destroying him and is destroying his relationship with his wife – or so he thinks.

He cries out to God – not knowing that God has already put angels and other things in place to instantly respond to his cry! Instantly! He doesn’t have to wait long – and God is right there – ready to respond to his cry! He’s been waiting with baited breath for this son of his to say His name – to cry out “Daddy – help me!” He rushes to his son’s side and puts His big loving arm around this precious man who is weeping at the side of his bed. God puts his arm around him and loves on him as he says, “It’s ok son. I’m here. I’m with you. I love you. You will never be the same again. I’m going to take this from you now. You are released. You no longer have to carry this burden around anymore. I release you and I take it on me. It’s mine to take. Thank you for giving it to me. I release you.”

The man feels different. He feels something inside – and he feels lighter on the outside. He doesn’t feel angry. He doesn’t feel sad. He doesn’t feel resentment or bitterness . . . but he feels something new . . . is it love? What is this feeling? He thought he knew what love was – but he now realizes that he didn’t. What is this feeling? It is wonderful! It is satisfying and yet causing him to want more and more and more. He doesn’t want his heavenly daddy to ever leave his side – to leave his presence. He wants to know more, to feel more, to be filled, to be overwhelmed with this love again and again and again! “Stay with me Daddy! Don’t ever leave me!” He cries out to God. “I won’t. Never son – never . . . I will always be with you!” The man smiles and laughs as tears stream down his face. He looks up to the ceiling – to heaven – and says “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much!”

I see the man get up and go into another room where his wife had fallen asleep. He looks at her with new eyes. She seems radiant. She is beautiful. It’s as if this is the first time he has really ever seen her . . . so beautiful, radiant and pure. She is lovely . . . and he is overcome with emotions that this is HIS wife – and that she has stayed with him for so long – through all the abuse, torture, yelling, screaming, hatred, anger and bitterness. He is overcome and kneels down beside her in tears. He leans over to kiss her on the cheek – and she wakes up – seeing his face . . . seeing a new man . . .a radiant man . . .a pure man . . . a man of love. THIS is what she had been waiting for. THIS is what her husband was made and called to be – a man of LOVE – a man of HONOR – a man of INTEGRITY and PATIENCE . . . this is what he was designed to be . . . and she can see it in his eyes now. She sees the transformation. She is thrilled and gently cups his cheek in her hand as she says “I love you hon. I always have and I always will.” Her husband is overcome – weeping, humbled, ashamed, yet filled with hope and joy. “I love you too. I thought I did before – but I know realize I couldn’t love you . . . I didn’t know how. I didn’t have it in me. I didn’t know what true love was. Now I do. And I really DO love you – with all my heart! I will never hurt you again – as much as it depends on me – I will never hurt you again! You are precious to me - and more beautiful than ever!” She smiles and the two of them hug in a beautiful and loving embrace. God has done a miracle. God has healed two hearts and mended a marriage. God has brought the impossible into the possible – and all with His love!

Jesus and I sit there and ponder the scene we just saw (well – I ponder it – Jesus just sits and holds my hand – smiling, happy, content, loving . . . ). Wow God. Can you really do that? I mean – I know you can – but wow! I’d love to see that in real life! To see so many of my friends who are going through difficult marriages – to be restored – that you really will touch the hearts of their husbands – to call them into who they really are through your love! I so want everyone to know who they really are – to fully know your unconditional love that you have for them – to be passionately in love with you –and to not only be healed, but to see through a new set of eyes – to have your vision! I always want to have your vision God. Give me your vision – your promises – your plans and purposes – for my life, my kids, my husband, etc.

G – Listen to my Son. Listen to what He has to say Lori. He has a lot to share with you –a lot of wisdom and insight – because he ONLY did what He “saw” me doing . . . he looked “in” to my eyes, my heart, my world – and saw what I was doing – and then just did that. You will too. So listen to Him!

L – I will! Jesus – what do you want to say to me? What’s on your heart? I need and want your insight and wisdom – definitely! (I see Jesus turning to me – taking my hand in both of his now.)

J – Look at me Lori. Look into my eyes as well. What do you see?

L – I see red – I see love – I see a heart. It’s all red . . . . that’s it . . . all red . . . like the blood you shed, like the love you gave . . . all red. What does that mean?

J – Keep looking. Look INTO that red. There is something there. Come closer and look deep.

L – (I put my eyes up to his eyes . . . I’m just going for it – getting as close as I can!! :)...) It’s as if I can see through the red somewhat – like looking through water . . . and there’s white on the other side – the white, pure light. I see a shadow, a figure coming closer – walking towards the red – towards me. He’s silhouetted right now – but he’s coming closer – then holding out his hand – to invite me to come to him – on the other side of the red – in the white light. I get it . . . through your blood – through YOU Jesus – we are able to meet the Father – to come to the Father . . . to see what you see – to see what our Father is doing. It is through your blood, your love, your eyes even . . . You see the Father – and you show us what you see . . . so in essence it is through your eyes that we are meeting the Father. I want to jump through your eyes and go meet with Him there! I want to take His hand and go with Him – wherever He wants me to go!

J – Then go! What’s stopping you? :)

L – Nothing I guess – except that I am holding your hands. :)

J – You will be holding my hands when you hold the Father’s and you will be holding the Father’s when you hold my hands.

L - :) Awesome! Then here I go – straight into your eyes – through the red – and into the pure light with my – OUR – Daddy! :) Here I come Daddy! I want to walk closer with you – in the purity that surrounds you. I want to walk with you, talk with you, be near you, and be in the center of your love!! I don’t want anything else! Just you!! All of you! Jesus, Holy Spirit and Father! ALL of you!! :)

L – So – what do you want me to tell your kids?

G – Tell them this . . You are beloved and chosen! There is no one like you (each person)! I am waiting for you. I have my hand out – and I am waiting. There is so much more for me to show you, to tell you, to share with you and experience with you – but I need you to come through the blood of Jesus – to be cleansed – and to come walk with me . . . daily . . . all the time.

Deeper intimacy has a cost. It is leaving behind those things that are on the other side of my love – on the other side of Jesus’ blood. There are things that do not pass through his blood –but are washed off and left behind when you walk through it. Walk through and see what happens – and be ok with leaving those things behind. They are not worth the separation between us. They are not worth missing out on the intimacy that I have for you. They are not worth it. They are junk in comparison. They are useless and worthless compared to my love for you and all I have for you. So stop holding onto “junk” in your life – and come closer to me – come through Jesus’ cleansing blood – and meet with me . . . hold my hand . . . let me take you to where I want you to go. I have amazing plans and amazing places to take you to. I have A LOT to tell you – secrets, stories, visions and dreams. I have a lot to say to you – but you can’t hear it if you are not spending time with me.

It’s difficult to hear with a lot of “junk” in the way – clouding your hearing – dampening it and making it difficult to hear clearly. Clear out the junk in your life – in many areas. Ask me what needs to go –and I can help you – show you. You will be amazed at how much easier it is to hear me when you have cleared out things that were in the path and in the way. Just like when a room is filled with stuff – it dampens the sounds someone makes in the room. When the room is empty – you can whisper and it seems really loud. That is what I want Lori – for you – for my kids . . . that they will clear out so much stuff in their lives, in their hearts, in their minds, before their eyes and ears, etc – that they will then be able to easily hear my still small voice! It will be so much easier!

They get frustrated – wondering why they can’t hear me so well. It’s not that I’m not talking. It’s not that I don’t want to talk to them, or that their ears are not working . . . it’s all the things in the way – dampening the sound - physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually – in the way of being able to clearly and easily hear me. I have so much to say to them – for them – for others – for this church – this nation – for my kids and my Bride . . . but they can’t hear it because of the junk in the way.

Challenge them to clear it out. To seek to simplify. To seek to walk through Jesus’ cleansing blood daily. To walk towards purity. Purity is not something they attain – but is someplace they end up being . . . I am pure. I am light. I am holy. Purity is hanging out with me – in my realm – in my atmosphere – with me. It is knowing me, walking with me, letting me lead and guide, and not trying to drag things from this world into my world. My world cannot be cluttered by the things of this world –but my world can totally invade their world and transform it. I need it to.

When my kids walk with me, talk with me, listen to me and are surrounded by my pure white light – it transforms them, gets all over them, permeates them and becomes a part of them. They are becoming holy only because they are hanging out with me – the one who is holy and pure. They can then bring that holiness and purity back to earth – into the lives of others – and transform the atmosphere around them. That is the only way! They can’t sit on their couch, in their chair, lying on their bed and try to drag their world into mine – or try to pull my world into theirs while staying in their “comfortable” place amidst their junk and stuff. They need to leave it behind and come into my world – come be with me. Then they will not just hear what I have to say – but it will become part of them – it will be planted deep – rooted and grounded – and no one can take it away – because it’s part of them. It’s now not just like a piece of clothing they put on (holy clothing) – but it is in them – it is in their skin, their organs, their mind, their heart, their breath, their lungs, their speech – and more. Every neuron and synapse is full of me – full of my holiness – full of my love. They cannot NOT be full of love and walking in love – because I am love – and I am IN them and permeating all through out them!

Call my kids to come to me – to come down deep – to come and meet with my Son – to walk through his blood – to walk towards me and a pure walk with me – to walk in purity.

There is so much in this deep and pure realm – so much that they have never even dreamed of – so much they don’t understand. They are trying to understand it from looking through the water up top – but it just looks dark – dark and scary and unknown. It is dark – at first – but lovely – lovely below. There is a whole world down here – a whole world and kingdom beyond the eyes and blood of my son. I have a whole kingdom to show my kids – and I long for them to come!

I’ve been waiting . . . waiting for so many of them. Some have come. Many are on their way. It’s not a struggle as much as it is a choice – a decision – and then to follow through with it. Encourage them to come – to choose to let go of things – earthly things that cannot fully satisfy. Yes – there are some great things on earth – and I love my kids so much that I want them to enjoy the earth I created for them. But there is soooooooooo much more that I have for them down here with me – down deep. It’s different. It doesn’t even compare to what you see and have on earth. It’s impossible to describe and have someone understand when they are standing at the top of this water. It’s like trying to describe the depths of the ocean and the fantastic creatures that are down there if they have never seen it. They may be able to envision it a little – but not fully. It’s like trying to describe a dream or vision that you see in your mind to someone else. They will see it in their mind in their own way and will not really be able to see it exactly as you see it. You can do your best to describe it – but unless they experience it themselves – they will not fully understand. They think they do – they think they “get it” - that they’ve seen it . . . but they haven’t. They’ve seen their interpretation of it – filtered through their own emotions, experiences, vision, creativity, and more. They will not have experienced the real thing and do not fully understand.

I want them to FULLY understand and experience it all – to experience my love with their whole being . . . not just their mind based on someone else’s experience. That is not the same. It’s like reading a romance novel. It’s not the same. I want them to LIVE the romance . . . with me! I’m waiting. I’m in love and will wait for as long as it takes for them to come to me!

Come my kids! Come my bride! Come to me and experience my true love that I have for you! It’s like nothing you have ever seen, felt, smelled, tasted or touched before! It will encompass all your senses and more! You will be amazed and over whelmed – and transformed before you know it! It (my love) will transform you like no other . . . without you even having to try. My love it just like that.

Do you have to try and get wet when you get in a bathtub full of water? Do you have to struggle to get the water to touch your skin and permeate into your cells? Do you even have to think about it? No. All you have to do is get in the tub with water in it. The water does the rest. It comes around you – close – very close – permeating every cell in your skin. It does it so quickly it seems instantaneous. But to get it soaked in deep – you have to remain in the tub for a while. You can’t just jump in and get out quickly. You have to stay in – to soak. The longer you soak – the more it gets in – the more my love can seep in and start to do it’s job – to transform you. Don’t struggle –but let it come in. Don’t struggle – but let it come in. Your job is to just soak – to choose to get in the water – and then stay there.

Some people get out right away. It feels “weird” . . . maybe too hot, too cold, or too wet. They liked being dry. They liked being comfortable. They don’t want to have to deal with this new environment. It’s strange. It’s different. It’s a little uncomfortable. But kids . . . . it is soooo worth it! Enjoy it! Be like a little kid in the water. Little kids LOVE water – they are drawn to it. If there is a puddle anywhere – they want to jump in it! If there is a bath – they will get in and splash and have fun! It’s ok to have fun while you soak. It’s ok to have fun in the water. You will get just as wet splashing around and having fun as you would sitting still and waiting.

Have fun in my water – in my presence. Feel free to laugh! Feel free to have fun with me! Be a kid – be my son or daughter! It’s ok to be young around me. You don’t have to be “all grown up” and “take a proper bath” with me. Just get wet! Get wet with my love! Let it flow all over you – around you – in you! Stand under a waterfall of my love. Drink from a hose of my love. Take a bath or jump in a pool or ocean of my love. My love comes in a variety of ways – and it’s all good! It’s all me! I know what you need – when you need it . . . and the way you get “wet” might not be the same as your sister or brother or kid down the street! It’s ok. I know what you need, and when you need it. Sometimes you need a soothing bubble bath – to ease the stress of the day. Sometimes you need the laughter and excitement of playing in a waterspout from a hose or fire hydrant! It’s ok. It’s all my love! Take it – enjoy it – get wet – and let it soak right into you! Get wet in my love and soak it up – anyway you can! Where I am – my love is as well! I am everywhere – and I am always waiting to fill you up with more!

So come spend time with me today . . . tomorrow . . .and all the days after that. Leave your cares, worries, and “junk’ behind. Seek after me – after a pure walk with me. It’s not a struggle – but it’s easy. Walking with me is easy – if you stay on my side of Jesus’ blood – his cleansing work. You don’t have to go back to the other side. You don’t live there anymore. You shouldn’t. The enemy and world wants you to believe that THAT is your home. It is not! It is no longer your home. Your home is in my kingdom – my magnificent and glorious kingdom! It is beautiful, vast, never-ending, expansive, marvelous, bright, lovely, happy, full of joy and pure. Come live here with me. THIS is your home. This is where you belong! Not on the other side. You don’t have to believe that lie. You don’t have to be enticed to go back through – to go back to your old “home” and old “life”.

You have been bought with a price – this new home and “world” was bought with a price for you. Your freedom from the old world was bought with a price – with my son’s life. His LIFE! He gave it up so that you could have THIS! He gave up His life so you could have a new one – a clean one – a pure one . . . so we could walk and talk and live together every day! Why not take advantage of that and come on over – come on into my kingdom. Leave your world behind – and come into mine. THEN you can bring mine down to earth to change it. It doesn’t work the other way around. It just doesn’t work. I should know. I designed it this way. :) Come to mine – and you can change yours. Leave yours – so you can come to mine. Bring your friends. Bring your spouses. Bring your kids. Tell them about me. Tell them about my kingdom. Tell them about the glorious things I will show you. They won’t fully understand – but they will be enticed . . . just like when you tell them about something you have seen, or even read online, etc . . . it peaks their curiosity and they want to go find out for themselves. So tell them. It’s not your responsibility to make them go see for themselves. Some will not come. Some will not be interested . . . and some will be interested later. They will hear about it from someone else, then another person, and another – and finally they will be so curious that they will come to find out themselves. Keep telling them about my kingdom – my world – and inviting them to come.

Some people are so overloaded with stuff – carrying it all around, weighing them down, that they will not know how to come into my world. They don’t know how to let it go – put it down – as it’s almost become part of them – grown into them. You have the ability to help them – to help them remove some of the stuff – but also to pour my love onto them that will melt the connections that have been made between their “stuff” and and their skin/body. My love, poured onto these areas – these bondages and connections – will melt the connection. It will separate them from their “stuff”. THEN people can help them unload all their junk. Once they feel lighter, and can see past and over their stuff – they get excited to put some down on their own – to drop it and run – to run into the eyes and arms of Jesus – to let his love and blood cleanse them from all that has weighed them down and dirtied them. Even though they’ve put down their addictions and bondages, they are still dirty from them – seeing the residue on their bodies and feeling bad about it. They don’t need to. Jesus’ blood will wash all that off. It’s not permanent. Neither are the scars that are there from the separation of their “stuff”. His blood cleanses those wounds – heals them up – and when they get in my presence – my light, my purity does the rest. They won’t see them or feel them. Others might know they were there – but they will be amazed that the scars are not there anymore. It will baffle them. :) That’s a good thing. It will spring up curiosity – and draw them to me. :)

God's wound of love for His Bride!

I love sitting down and talking with my heavenly Daddy. He is my support - my rock - my fortress. But what I really love is snuggling up to his chest - his heart - and hearing it beat - hearing it call out to me . . . "Lori . . . I love you . . . Lori . . . I love you . . . Lori . . . I love you . . . " it beats on and on and on - never ending.

I love that!

I can step away and know that it's still beating that same rhythm - that same song - that same phrase - "Lori . . . I love you . . ."

Did you know that God is saying the same thing to you?

When you get close to His heart - you won't hear "Lori . . . I love you . . . " but you will hear "Tina, Bob, Susan, Joe, Everyone . . . I love you". Whatever your name is - God knows it! He knows it and He loves you! His heart is beating your name - over and over and over again . . . . and it will never stop. "Lori - I love you . . . Lori - I love you . . . .Lori . . ."

Today I got close to my Daddy's heart - and I asked him what was on His heart today.

I love knowing! And you know what?

He loves sharing with me what's on His heart! He loves sharing with YOU what's on His heart.

Many people just don't take the time to listen. They share what's on theirs - on and on with their wish-list of provisions needed, healings desired, etc - but they end it without taking the time to ask God "What's on your heart today?".

I dare you to ask Him!

You will be surprised at what He wants to share with you - what He LONGS to share with you!

I am not "special" in my ability to hear God. All of God's kids can hear Him. The Bible proves that point - John 10:27 says "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me". If you are a Christian, following God and allowing Him to be Lord of your life - then you ARE His "sheep" - and you DO hear His voice. You just need to take the time to listen to what He is saying. :)

Anyways . . . I wanted to share with you what I saw and heard today. Man - God sure does love you guys!! It never ceases to amaze me!

As I snuggled up close to God today and put my hands on His heart - I saw something on it - like a blanket, shroud or cape. It was attached at the top - almost more like a cape. I could push back the sides and touch his heart and see more of it - but I asked him about the covering? Why was it there?

It was covering a wound - a large, ugly tear/gash that was oozing some fresh blood - not much but some. I asked God "how can it be healed? What's it from?"

God - It is healing. It is healed. But it is leaking, weeping, and I can’t let it seep out on others yet. It is a good wound . . . it’s not bad. It is good. It is an open fissure – into my heart – from my heart. There will come a time when this shroud – this blanket or cape that you see - will be removed. You are able to push back the front of it – and you see my whole heart – you see the whole front of my heart – and it looks whole – huge – bright red – lovely – inviting. The back side is different. You can see it Lori. You can reach around and touch the wound – touch the fissure. It’s not a pretty sight. It looks ugly, torn, leaking and not something people would want to come close to. But it is still part of my heart – part of my love. People are scared of it – they would be if they saw it – but it’s not bad. It’s good. It really is. It IS beautiful – because of what it does – because of what it represents.

L – What does it do? What does it represent? I can reach back and feel the warmth of the blood trickling out ever so slow. There isn’t a big puddle of blood or anything – in fact – the blanket/shroud kind of soaks up the little bit that is oozing out. But you can’t tell that from the front. You wouldn’t even know. I think people see this shroud more like a cape or a royal robe. It is a royal robe – attached up high – around your heart – so it doesn’t come off – but it is moveable – at times to cover your heart and other times to pull it back and reveal what’s underneath. You do this as you please – and you allow others to take a peek and pull back the robe as they please. All they have to do is come close. Come close and push it back. See more of your heart. So many people cry out for more of your love – more of your heart – but they don’t come close. They are expecting you to just shove your heart in their face – to pull back your robe and show it – declare it. Sometimes you do – but what you really desire – is for them to come close – like a little girl would to her daddy – to pull back his coat to see what good surprise he has hidden in his jacket – fully comfortable hugging on, hanging on and touching her daddy in a loving way. This is what you desire. To be loved like this – as children with their Father. But I also know that you have another side – a desire for your Bride to come – to touch your heart in another way.

I see your Bride coming up to you – to touch your heart – but she is not just interested in the front – in the “surprise” in what’s in it for her – but she is interested in You – in what’s hiding – in what’s on the other side of your heart. She is interested in putting her hands all the way around your heart and grasping hold – deeply from behind. She is not put off by the blood oozing from the wound. Her desire is to be close – as close as she can be – and to be in the midst of all of your heart – no matter what other people think – no matter what others think your heart looks or feels like. She knows the truth – she knows the joy – she knows the love. She reaches around and feels the back – feels the wound - and she cries – not out of sadness – but out of love – out of the realization that this wound was taken, was caused by love – by your love for her – your willingness to protect her – to fight for her – to champion for her – to do anything for her. You have taken this wound – for her – and yet you have hidden it from her. Why?

G – I have hidden it – but not permanently. It’s always been there. Anyone who would dare to come closer – who was willing to come as close as you are Lori, can reach around and feel it – they will find it. I am not hiding it on purpose to keep it from them – but to allow them to discover it. It’s only for those that are willing to come closer – to reach around –to dig deep – to be encompassed by my love and to encompass my love. It is for the ones closest to me. That is why it is hidden. It’s not for everyone to just see in the open – because they wouldn’t understand – they might even be turned off from it. But those that come close – that learn to completely trust me – that are able to fully embrace all that is Me – that my heart has to offer – then they will be able to feel and see and experience that wound in my heart – that wound of love. It doesn’t hurt me. And it’s not something that I ever want to go away. It is there – as a reminder of what I did for my bride – so that she will always know just how much I love her! I really do! I love her soooo much!!

L – I know you do! But why is the wound leaking/oozing? What is that all about?

G – It’s fresh. This wound is not old and dried up and scabbed over. It’s not an old wound – it’s a fresh one. I want it to always be fresh. It will always be fresh. Yes – my love began a long time ago – but it will continue on for eternity. It is always fresh. I am at war every day fighting for my Bride. She thinks she has to fight for me – but I am fighting for her. I will win – but I am still fighting for her. I have a battle plan like no other! Some people do not understand – some people ask “well why not just go get your Bride right now? Why not end this war today and go get her? Save her now? End this war?” I know it seems like I should – but she is not ready. What bride would want to be whisked away to the altar before she has had enough time to fully get herself presentable – to do her hair, put on her dress, etc. The wedding is such a special time for the bride – and it is for me. There is a GRAND wedding feast and party that will follow as well – and I am preparing it all!
I am giving my bride time to fully get ready – to fully get prepared. But she’s dilly-dallying some. She’s getting distracted by other things – talking on the phone – chatting with friends – even discussing if the hairdo and accessories that she picked out are the right ones. Tell her to stop that. She is focusing on trivial things – that have nothing to do with me and our relationship. Tell her to think about me – to focus on me – to think about what I would like to see her coming down the aisle in. THEN she will instantly know! It won’t be a struggle. It won’t be difficult – because she knows me! She really does know me! And when she does things to please me – and not to please her friends or do what “society” thinks she should do – then it all becomes easier – and then the wedding can begin sooner. Yes – I am waiting for the wedding to start – but I know there is work to still be done. It is being done – it will be done. Keep doing what you are doing to get my bride ready Lori. This is more than just helping my kids and my bride know who they are so that they can enjoy life – it’s about knowing who they are so that they can walk confidently down the aisle towards me – KNOWING that they are pleasing to my eyes – and that I am PASSIONATELY in love with them . . . ALL of them (who they are)– accessories or not! I love them as they are! I need my kids and my bride to be who they are so that they can walk confidently down the aisle – not tripping on things along the way – but to walk confidently! If they trip, yes I would catch them – but they won’t! It will be glorious – beautiful! Just you wait and see! You will love it! It will make you cry Lori! It will make me cry! I can’t wait!

Your heavenly Daddy and future groom loves you soooo much! He really does!

Know that! With everything that is in you!

Believe it! If you don't - take a step of faith and CHOOSE to believe it - because it's true! You were and are worth being wounded for!

Did you hear me?

You ARE WORTH being wounded for!!

Draw close to God today . . . . reach out and touch His heart . . . pull back the shroud that has kept you from fulling seeing and experiencing His heart and love for you. "Draw near to Him and He WILL draw near to you!" (James 4:8a)

Acts 17:24-28 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’"

Proverbs 25:2 - "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings."

Search out the matters of God's heart. He's waiting to show you!!

Come a little closer and deeper today!

L :)

2011 - Love-Laugh-Live

Wow – the start of a new year!

I love the start of a new year. It’s sad in a way to see the last year go (and go by so fast) –but usually, by November/December – I am looking forward to the new year – to a new chapter – a turning of the page – a new leaf and season.

Of course – today didn’t turn out as I had thought it would.

I had plans to sit down and play with my kids, pray over them, strategize with my hubby (and on my own) and just start the year off right – on the right foot – with a clear head – knowing where I was going and what I was going to do this year. Instead – I spent the day lying around reading a book – not feeling well. My intestines were rumbling and were bloated most of the day (I had been sick with a 24 hour stomach bug a couple days ago – but was feeling much better yesterday). At one point this evening I even complained that I looked pregnant because I was so bloated. My Sweet 6 year old daughter said – “Mom – your belly doesn’t look pregnant.” Oh – thank you sweetie. “It looks . . .” I thought she was going to say “normal” or “skinny” . . . but instead she continued “. . . it looks like a snowman’s belly!” :) Lovely. Thanks sweetie. :) At least I do like snowmen!

So – as I didn’t have a ton of energy, and my belly was keeping me from feeling like running around, I decided to do as my heavenly Daddy has been urging me to do lately . . . rest. I pulled out a book I had wanted to read for probably almost a year, and just read it all day long (with a few breaks to watch a movie with my kids and chat with them and love on them).

Roland and Heidi Baker’s book – “Always Enough” had intrigued me a while ago – and I had heard great things about the book. Well – as I told my 15 year old son tonight (as he moaned about feeling like he was “poor”, about his “horrible” life of no video/computer games (he's been grounded), etc) – after reading this book – you will never think you are poor or that you have a miserable life! Wow – what some of these kids/orphans have gone through – what the people of Mozambique have gone through – what the Bakers have gone through. Yet – the continuing theme of the book is – that there is ALWAYS ENOUGH with God. Yes there is.

He is trying to teach me that. He is also trying to teach me more about LOVE – about pressing into it – about living from it – about being a conduit of His love and more. Anytime I ask Him what I should be doing – he says to focus on “love”. I asked Him the other day about my husband – what he should be focusing on (he had asked me to ask God for him) . . . and I got the same answer – “love”. Hmmm . . I’m sensing a theme here. :)

Well – I wanted to tell you about a part of the book that struck me tonight. It’s a part that just completely describes where I am at right now – what God is trying to teach this stubborn girl. :)

In Chapter 7 Heidi is saying how people ask them how they can keep on doing the tiring work that they do – working with the poor, needy, sick, etc. She says “But we have nothing to gain by slowing down and trying to hold onto our lives. We give ourselves as a fragrant offering of love to Jesus, and in return He gives us His supernatural life.” She goes on to quote Romans 8:35-39. But what she says next is where I am:

“We have His love. We have Him! This is no time to be conservative. This is no time to let our hearts be captured by this world. We cannot improve on His will or His life. Let’s concentrate on what captures God’s attention and spend ourselves as He spends Himself. He knows what is worthwhile to do, so let’s learn from Him and not waste our lives. We will never run dry. We always have His resources, because He died for us. Let’s run the race to win and never stop bearing fruit.”

Wow! That is where I am definitely at right now - what God has been teaching me and saying to me! I've been struggling with what I'm supposed to "do" - but He just keeps telling me to "be" with Him - to rest in His love - to spend time with Him - to deepen my intimacy with Him. I've still struggled with just how all that works - if I spend so much time with Him in His presence - how do I get all the "other stuff" done? "He knows what is worthwhile to do . . ." Wow. . . . . He's also been talking to me about His resources - about there always being MORE than enough for what we need. I'm trying to let go. I'm trying to let go of it being dependent on ME. I'm very capable. God knows that. It's been tough for me to let go in many areas - but I'm getting there. :) . . . . I'll get there. :)

Back to Heidi . . . Two chapters later (Chapter 9), she talks about how “All fruitfulness flows from intimacy”. Wow. This is what God has been trying to teach me. I’m slowly getting it. The vision about resting against his heart (and letting His melody of Love fill me up) helped some the other day. This book has helped some too. I’m getting it – slowly – a little more each day.

In this chapter she says (bold and underlining is mine):

“Let Him love you. It’s so much simpler than we thought. It’s time to be transformed by His love so that there is no fear in you. Be wrecked for everything but His presence. Be so utterly abandoned in His love.

. . .

It’s time to lie down and let God be God. He is mighty, and nothing is impossible with Him. He wants to kiss His Church and transform you with His love.

We are called to be carriers of His glory. It’s not about standing up and being an eloquent speaker. It’s about being so close to the heart of God that you know what He’s thinking. Then you’re not afraid to go anywhere and say anything. The Lord Himself will do anything for radical lovers. He captivates us so that we can never go back. He wants to shatter your box. Often your God is still too small. . . .

Lie down so that He can trust you with everyone. Then when you get up there is revival – when whole nations come to Him, falling on their faces. He changes us with one glance of His eyes, so that we are not afraid to be completely abandoned in His arms. Many want lots of power and anointing, but when you just like down and let Him kill you, it’s a good thing. He wants to love you to death.

We are finally realizing that we have failed and that we cannot bring about the kind of revival this world needs. In the secret place of Your heart, Jesus, we will rest. We will lie down. We will listen, until You tell us to stand up. When you tell us to stand up, we know that nations will come to You.

He’s looking for union, not occasional worship, so that our natures are transformed. We must walk in His nature, and we must die daily.

Some people say, “Just get a grip. We’ve already done that.” But it’s a daily thing, a continual laying down. All fruitfulness flows from intimacy. There’s no other place to get it. To the degree that we are united with the heart of Jesus, God will bring fruit in our lives. To the degree that you are in love with Him, you will be fruitful.

I (Heidi) don’t know anything else. I’m so desperate to stay in this place of abandonment. From this place nothing is impossible. I only have on message – passion and compassion. We’re passionate lovers of God, so that we become absolutely nothing. His love fills us. When it’s time to stand up, God stands up with us. We focus on His face, never on our ministry, anointing or numbers.

All I want to do is love God and care for His people. I find them in the garbage, under trees, dying of AIDS. I’m just really simple. Jesus said, “Just look into My eyes," and every thing completely changed. His eyes are filled with love and passion and compassion. Jesus always stops for the dying man, the dying woman and the dying child. That’s all I know, passion and compassion. He calls me to love every single person I see every single day.

There are so many tired Christians and burned-out ministers. Go, go, work, work, rah, rah. Why? We don’t bear much fruit running around like that. But when you’re filled with His passion, fruit happens.

Just focus on His face. You will only make it to the end if you can focus on His face. Focus on His beautiful face. You can’t feed the poor, you can’t go to the street, you can’t see anything happen unless you see His face. One glance of His eyes, and we have all it takes to lie down. We’re not afraid to die.

We give our offerings, but our offering is going to have to be us. We have to say, “Go ahead. Take me. Take everything.” The deal is, you have to see His face. You have to be completely wrecked by His love so that you will hilariously give your life away. You start to love the people you didn’t think you could ever love, even the mean ones. But you have to see His face.

. . .

We need to be in that place. We’re prisoners of love. Some people say, “Oh, how noble. You’re a missionary.” I’m just a prisoner of love. I don’t have any choice. It is joy unspeakable and full of glory. The whole thing. Every part of it. . . . . One glance at His eyes and you’re wrecked forever.

His call is for all of our lives. He calls each of us to be an extravagant, hilarious love offering to Jesus. That’s the place where I believe the glory comes. This glory of His presence that we are so desperate for, that we so need, that we’re so crying out for, that we’re so longing for, that we sing about, comes as we hilariously, totally and completely give away our entire being before Him. We are the sacrifices He ignites with His love, and His presence just falls. He just comes. He is looking for people who will carry His glory. He really, really is.

But you have to be dead in order to carry it. And when you carry the glory, you will carry it out to the poor, the broken, the dying and the lost. You will. That’s the call. That’s the heartbeat of Jesus, that we carry Him out to the broken. But you can’t carry Him until you’ve seen His face. You have to know that holy place.

. . .

God wants to do signs and wonders like we’ve never seen, but we have to see His face. We have to see what He sees and feel what He feels. Otherwise, It’s dangerous and frightening. He can only release His power and anointing to those who will lie down, who will say “Only You” and stay that way every single day.

The only reason I even think of getting on more airplanes is that God spoke to me and said, “Tell the Church it’s time to wake up!” So wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up Church!

This new army doesn’t get tired. You know why? They know how to lie down in His presence. They know how to rest in His arms. They know how to lay their heads on His chest and listen to His huge heart. They weep with Him over the dying, the crying, the broken, the abused and the lost. Do you really think you can work hard and start a revival? Just run out there and get them? You can’t. But when Jesus shows His face and He breathes life into the dry, dry, bony Church, and that Church stands up full of His presence, carrying His glory, nobody can resist anymore!

. . .

(from a vision – about chariots of fire going across the whole world) The Lord said that His glory will cover the earth like the waters cover the sea, and that this revival that began in the late 1990’s will be known not for manifestations, but for intimacy unto harvest.. . . ."

I wasn’t going to type out this much – but I couldn’t help it (I didn't know where to stop!). :) It is sooooo much of what God has been speaking to me – teaching me lately - and over the last couple of years. I just couldn't have said it better!

But - after reading it - I would have to say I am not totally where Heidi is. That’s ok. I’m not Heidi.

I’m Lori – Victorious one – a Warrior Princess of LOVE – carrier and conduit of God’s love . . . and so much more. My life, my mission – is LOVE – in all that entails. LOVE – it’s all about love! That is my message. That is my “main thing” (as in “Keep the main thing – the main thing”).

LOVE!

It is what has transformed me. It is what will transform you – and everyone on this planet. God loves everyone. There is not one single person, alive or dead, that God did or does not love.

We are called to do the same. Can I do it? I am willing to try. I hope so. I know that I cannot on my own – but only through God’s love. It is through Him that I can love. It is really His love that is just flowing through me. That is how I can love. That is how I will love. That is how I will live my life - through His love.

So – my New Year’s resolution for this year is to live my life by this mantra – LOVE – LAUGH – LIVE (instead of Live-Laugh-Love because LOVE should come 1st! It's out of that Love that I can laugh, live and bring life to others!). I want to be a “hilarious love offering to God” as Heidi put it. Lori the lover . . .the Victorious Warrior Lover! :) That’s me!

Who are you? You are definitely not me - or Heidi. so - who are you? What will God have you do through/with His love?

What was your New Year's resolution this year?

Resolve to do DEEPer in God's love this year!

You won't regret it!

L :)