Glass? . . . FAIL! Me? . . . PASS!

"You cannot always help what happens TO you, but you can help what happens IN you."

"The kingdom WITHIN you will become the kingdom AROUND you."

"You are not a product OF your environment, but you are a product of the WAY YOU RESPOND to your environment."

- Kris Vallotton

These were the words that I starred and underlined in my notes last night as we listened to Kris Vallotton speak about "The Process of Developing People". He had so many good things to say - about making mistakes/failing (not morally), understanding that when we work with people - it will be messy, how to develop the structures (prepare the "soil") within us so that our spirit will accept the teaching ("seed") God places in our life, and so much more.

In fact - he even said that in order to pass this class - we will have to FAIL 3 times! :) Yes - you heard me right. If I don't fail 3 times - then I fail the class. :) Why? Because if I fail 3 times (or more . . . and we're not talking moral failures here) - then I am taking risks . . . I am stepping out of my comfort zone to do what I've never done before - to reach for the impossible (or just the difficult) - to create an opportunity for God to show up with miracles, power, glory and love! :) Pretty cool, eh?

So - today - I give you permission to FAIL! :) Try it . . . it's not so bad. I'm still alive! And what's the worst thing that could happen . . . you might actually succeed! So you pray for a woman in a wheelchair and ask her to get up out of it . . . what's the worst that could happen? She might not be able to get up. That didn't change anything. She couldn't do that before. But what MIGHT happen . . . she just might get up and be healed!! :) Why aren't we risking that?!

So -if you see me fail along the way . . . be happy for me . . . and don't judge me for my mistakes. I'm willing to take risks to see what I've never seen before, to do what I've never done before, to go where I've never been before! Are you?

I heard another familiar saying this week - "If you want what you've never had, you will have to do what you've never done."

Are you willing to do that?

What do you want? (in life? to do? etc)

My son recently told me - "Edison didn't fail 1001 times when inventing the light bulb. His invention of the light bulb had 1001 steps!" :)

I started off this blog post with the quotes by Kris Vallotton. I didn't know they would be tested in my life so soon! After our meeting last night (and thankfully - after a good time of soaking in God's presence!) I went outside to get in my car. I was watching my surroundings instead of my car, and when I opened my door I was surprised to hear something falling out of my car - like chunks of ice . . . . . . But it was glass. My driver's side window had been smashed - pried into along the side of the window and busted - I'm assuming, to get in and steal things without making too much noise while cracking my window. I wasn't the only one. The Pastor's car had the same damage. The strange thing is, though . . . nothing was taken (not that I had anything to take . . . a couple car seats, Psalty's Family Chirstmas tape . . yes . . TAPE . . I don't even have a CD player let alone a GPS or anything worth value. I even have a VCR (yes - those are still around) in my van! Who would want that?! Had they fully looked at my van without 2 hubcaps, a scary spray paint job on the front hood, etc - I don' t think they would have bothered. I guess it all looks better at night!). It didn't even look like they had opened the door as a good amount of the glass had still been in the window. So, either they were scared off (good chance - because the fire dept sirens went off during our meeting), or they were just vandalizing our 2 cars (out of at least 10 cars) - but doing it quietly?? - and only doing the one window?? Who knows?? Who cares? Really. What's done is done.

The thing that amazed me though - was the peace in my spirit and the joy actually. We stood out side (for a looong time) waiting for the cops to come and fill out a report - and we laughed and joked about the situation - especially in light of what we just learned! ACTIVATION/ APPLICATION TIME! :) I think I passed this time!

I don't attribute the peace or joy to anything I could muster up . . . it was truly the "kingdom of God within" becoming the "kingdom of God around me". I had been resting in His peace and presence - accepting His peace and joy - and letting Him fill me up.

When you soak a sponge in lemon juice - what will you get if you squeeze it? Lemon juice. If you soak it in water . . . you will get water. Sometimes we have been soaking in lemon juice (the world), but have been trying to replace it with water (God's kingdom) - and it's coming out a watery lemon juice mix instead. That's ok! It's better than just the lemon! Keep soaking in the water, and eventually - it will be mostly or all water that comes out!! But sometimes we have been soaking in lemon juice but expecting water to come out. The sad thing that I see in the church and in so many people's lives (who say they are Christians) is that when times get tough (ie - squeezed) - it's not CHRIST who is being squeezed out of them. It looks more like the sour lemon juice! We are known by the "fruit" people see in our lives - not just in the good times - but in the bad as well (especially). We can't put on airs and pretend that "it is well with my soul" . . . it has to come from within. If you are not soaking in God's presence, the kingdom of God, etc - you can't expect it to come out of you in those hard times.

So . . . my challenge for you today is this:
1. FAIL! - Take risks in your relationship with God, in living out your Christianity, etc!
2. Soak in more of God today! Drink DEEP! Take in God's word - meditate on it - put on some praise music and sing (it's helps get rid of depression, anger, and more! "Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness"! You have to PUT IT ON . . . that's an action . . it doesn't just "happen". It's a choice!), spend some time in prayer - just letting God/Daddy love on you. Listen to Him. Talk to Him. Love on Him. Accept His love. Stand on the TRUTH in God's word instead of the FACTS of your situation. Truth ALWAYS trumps facts!!

Drink Deep and let that water flow out of you in the hard times!

L :)
ps - Update - I just had to share this with you . . .
Ok . . . I just finished thoroughly cleaning out my van (glass, dirt and cookies crumbs!) - and I found out that something WAS stolen (unless the guy from church removed it when cleaning my car out).

I had to laugh out loud! Under my front seat I always keep my bright blue and black reusable Walmart bags. I have them all inside one of the bags. I had just gone to the store that morning, and had stuffed them back under the seat that afternoon.

So - some thief got a disappointing surprise when he grabbed that bag and ran - thinking he probably had my GPS or something good . . . only to find that all he really had was 6 more Walmart bags! Well - now he has something to put his loot in that he steals! :)

Just had to share!
Lori :)

Set up for a Miracle?

"The first step in a miracle is difficulty . . . for a GREAT miracle . . . it's IMPOSSIBILITY!"

Are you set up for a miracle? For a GREAT miracle?! . . . then give thanks! (I know that seems to go against all you've been taught, been shown, or ever known . . . but it's biblical!)

James 1:2 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

Phillipains 4:6&7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Don't you want that? Peace . . . . that surpasses anything you could understand? A miracle?

Keep trusting God . . . put your faith in God . . . and leave it there!

May 2010 be a year of miracles for you (not that I'm wishing difficulties on you! :) . . . not at all!)!! Let God take care of you! Get to know Him . . . His amazing love for you!! He loves taking care of His kids - better than we could even imagine!!

Ephesians 3:20 - Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. . .

Drink deeper still!

L :)
ps - that quote was from the movie "Faith like Potatoes" - based on the real life of Angus Buchan (a farmer from S. Africa). If you haven't seen the movie - go rent it today! (and watch the special features with the real Angus Buchan!)

Shame - Read my lips. . . .NO Condemnation!

Ok - here's my first attempt at putting an audio file on my blog! You will probably want to go down and hit "pause" on the music player so that you can listen to this. I will also see if I am able to post it so you can download the file - and then put it on your ipod or mp3 player to listen to on the go! Here I go - diving a bit deeper into the world of technology! :)

This teaching was one that the Lord recently allowed me to do at our church's Women's Immersion Weekend - all about our Identity in Christ. I was one of 4 speakers. In preparing for this topic, the Lord showed and taught me alot - and has really opened my eyes to why so many of us struggle with our identity in Christ . . . our identity in general!

I hope you are able to take the time and listen to what God wants to say to each and every one of you! He loves you sooooo much! :) Don't doubt it! If you do . . . please listen to this teaching!! Listen to it with an open heart and mind to what God would want to say to YOU. If you do - I know you will feel the love of God . . . for you!



To download the file and put it on your ipod or mp3 player - go here.

Drink a little deeper today!

L :)

Tough times? Need a Sure Foundation - A Fortress?

<sup>I felt like the Lord wanted me to pass on some of His words to you today. Let Him reveal the deeper things to you - the deeper love to your heart - the deeper revelations to your mind. Sit with Him and ask Him about these words today. He has alot to say - and He loves sharing it with you!

Isaiah 33
2</sup> O LORD, be gracious to us;
we long for you.
Be our strength every morning,
our salvation in time of distress.

⁶ He will be the sure foundation for your times,
a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge;
the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.


¹⁵ He who walks righteously
and speaks what is right,
who rejects gain from extortion
and keeps his hand from accepting bribes,
who stops his ears against plots of murder
and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil-

¹⁶ this is the man who will dwell on the heights,
whose refuge will be the mountain fortress.
His bread will be supplied,
and water will not fail him.

¹⁷ Your eyes will see the king in his beauty and view a land that stretches afar.

Be encouraged in these challenging times (financially, relationally, spiritually, etc) - whether you are a mom with young kids struggling to just get through each day; a working man with mouths to feed at home and demands on you at work; a person who just lost their job and doesn't know how they are going to "make it"; etc. God wants to be your "sure foundation" in these times - and wants to take you to the heights - to live in the fortress He has designed just for you!

Be encouraged! Walk righteously. Fear the Lord. He will show you the way!

Dive deeper today!

Lori :)

Feel under attack?

Just a sip from the deep today.

Had to post this quote from a friend's Facebook page -

"The enemy wouldn't be attacking you if something very valuable wasn't inside of you. Thieves don't break in to empty houses."

YAY!!

So "consider it PURE JOY my brothers when you face trials of many kinds . . . " Obviously - the enemy and God think YOU are WORTH fighting over!!

Stick with GOD . . . He ALWAYS WINS! :)

Tell the enemy to TAKE A HIKE!

YOU are VALUABLE . . . because you are God's!

Believe it!

Lori :)

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

A Setup for the Miraculous!

Have you ever felt "set up" by God? :)

Have you ever felt tested?

I'm sure most of us have. I know I have.

But I am grateful for it.

Why am I grateful? How can I be grateful?

I am grateful for the increase in faith that has developed out of the testing. I am grateful for the increased peace and patience that has come from it. I am thankful for the increased sense of love, power, mercy, grace, support, provision and more. I am a better woman, mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend and lover of God today than I was before I was ever tested.

How can I be grateful . . . it's basically a choice. Like most things in life - it boils down to a choice. Will I choose to be grateful, or will I choose to grumble, complain, get angry at God (or others), worry, live in fear, be depressed, question God, and more? When I look at the benefits/consequences of either choice - I like the results I get from the first one better! So I CHOOSE to be grateful . . . to be full of JOY in the midst of trials and testing.

I love the book of James. It starts off with just this topic - "Trials and Temptations".

James 1:2-4 - "Consider it PURE JOY, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Doesn't that sound like the kind of results you want . . . the better "benefits (or consequences)"? I will lack NOTHING! That's the road I want to take!

What have you been tested with lately? Relationships? Finances? Parenting? Work issues? All of the above? Here at our house we have been set up for the miraculous to happen . . . for God's glory to shine! How?

We are in need of more finances to make our budget work. Our kids are getting bigger, hungrier, and despite all my commands to stop growing - they keep disobeying - either that or their clothes keep shrinking! :) My husband and I have been praying for God to show us how HE wants us to handle our finances and how to bring in more income to meet our needs.

I applied for a job recently but didn't hear anything for 2 weeks. I assumed the position was filled. In that time, God opened up some doors for me to be able to write more - to a larger audience than my blogs reach right now. We knew this was from God and felt His peace in pursuing it. It is not a paid "job" though. But there is still peace to pursue it. God has promised to meet our needs (and then some!)! I also had a dream (that's too long to explain) that I felt the Lord was saying I needed to focus on writing, mothering, etc, and that THAT was my "job". I told my mom and sister that I didn't think God wanted me to get this job I had applied for. But wouldn't you know it . . ..

A couple days later - I had a job offer. I rethought everything. Maybe this was God sending His provision? I accepted the job. It seemed like a good thing - a God thing. In all practicality, it made sense. However, neither my husband nor I could shake that "check" - that Holy Spirit check in our spirit - that pit or knot in our stomach whenever we thought about me working. I knew that I knew that I knew that this was not what God wanted. Was this a test?? (it reminded me of the story of how God told Ivan and Isabel Allum they were to marry each other and Isabel was offered the "perfect job" - but taking it would have meant that she wouldn't be able to marry Ivan. She turned it down and trusted in what God said. You can read the AWESOME story here.) At least we were not being tested like Abraham and being told to sacrifice one of our kids (though . . . that would cut down on our expenses here. :) hee,hee. Just teasing of course!).

I turned down the job. It felt good. I was at peace again. I was ready for God's blessings to be showered upon us because I obeyed! :) hee,hee. (though i was still thinking about whether to take back the few C-mas presents I bought when I thought I was going to have a paycheck coming in.) I did expect God to move mightily in our finances soon! . . . . but . . . .

One day went by . . . . nothing. Two days went by . . . .nothing. Three . . . .and then . . . Brrrr. . . . Our furnace isn't working right. We woke up freezing (again - it's been acting funny since this past winter)! We called a heating and a/c tech to come out right away. Bad news. . . . . . we are leaking carbon monoxide into the house and have to turn off our furnace right away and not turn it back on! It will be between $2000-$7000 to fix or get a new furnace! Yikes! This isn't the "financial blessing" I was expecting. :) Now we are still over our budget each month, our cars are in need of repair, we don't have extra money for C-mas (it's all on a credit card right now) . . . . and we need a new furnace! I think we have about $50 in savings too!

So God . . . . you like to up the ante, eh? It reminds me of the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal - both calling down fire from their god to see who's sacrifice would be burned up. Elijah didn't just call down the fire . . . he made sure the sacrifice, wood and ground were soaking wet first . . . to make it seem impossible for it to ever catch fire. But what did God do? He showed up the other "gods" and burnt Elijah's sacrifice to a crisp! Go God!!

I don't have a clue how we are going to pay for all this. I don't have a clue how we are going to live on the income we have coming in now. But I do know this . . . God has ALWAYS taken care of me! I will continue to listen and obey ALL He commands and asks of me - because I know that HIS way has ALWAYS been better! It doesn't mean it's always been easy . . . . but the end result is soooo much better!! And what great stories I have to tell - of His grace, His mercy, His love, His power, His salvation, His provision and more!

So - where are you in your current struggles? What has your response been so far? How will it change after reading this? Do you trust God enough to choose to "consider it PURE JOY" - despite what the circumstances look like? Even if you don't think you can trust God . . . try it! What's the worst that can happen by choosing to be HAPPY during hard times instead of being miserable? :) Think about it.

I pray a blessing on you today - a blessing of prosperity, of peace, of joy, and of God's incredible love in your life as you CHOOSE to obediently follow Him and decide to trust Him - in EVERY situation (good and bad) in your life. You won't regret it!!

Going a bit deeper . . . .that's for sure!

Lori :)
ps - I will let you know how it turns out . . . but you can bet that God has it all planned out already! I'll have to share some of my other stories of God's provision, power and more later!

My sister just sent this to me and I thought I would post it.

Recipe for Miracles

Ingredients:
1 part of knowing who you are
1 part of knowing who you aren't
1 part of knowing what you want
1 part of knowing who you wish to be
1 part of knowing what you already have
1 part of choosing wisely from what you have
1 part of loving and thanking for ALL you have

Instructions:
Combine ingredients together gently and carefully, using faith and vision. Mix together with strong belief of the outcome until finely blended.

Use thoughts, words and actions for best results.

Bake until Blessed.

Give thanks again

Yield:
Unlimited service