God cares even about the "little" things!

How are you feeling today?
Are you feeling loved? Cared about?

Do you know that God cares about you . . . about EVERYTHING in your life? Even the "little" things? It's true! He does!

Don't believe me? I have proof - that He really does care about what we/you care about! Let me share a few of my favorite stories with you!


Several years ago I was on my way to work after attending an event at my child's school. I had to get back to work quickly and relieve my friend who had stayed late on her shift to cover part of mine. I had not had dinner yet, so I thought I would stop by Wendy's and pick up something to eat on the way. I looked in my wallet and realized that I only had $1 and some change (this was before they started taking credit cards). I knew I could only order a Jr. Cheeseburger. But as I pulled up to order, I started craving a bacon cheeseburger and fries!! Yum! I wished so bad that I had more money to get what I was craving - but I just ordered my $1 menu burger and pulled to the window. I sat at the window contemplating "I wonder if I asked for free fries if the man behind the counter would give me some?" I was gearing myself up to be brave and ask, but then I saw a sign on the window that said something about conversations being video-taped, etc. I didn't want to get the man in trouble, so I kept my mouth shut. I politely said thank-you as he handed me my bag with my $1 menu burger.
I started to pull away, but decided to look in the bag, just to make sure he had my order correct (how could he mess it up?!). As I opened it - I soon realized he didn't give me what I had asked for! Instead, he had given me what I wanted . . . A bacon cheeseburger and fries! I quickly looked back to see if maybe he gave me someone else's order. There was no one in line behind me, and there was no one even inside waiting in line (or eating). It was empty! The man was still at the window, looking out, smiling a funny smile at me - like he knew I had just found out about the fries and burger.

I was stunned. I was happy. I wondered if that man was an angel, or if God had just used that man to bless me?? Either way - I was late. I drove off to work, smiling and thanking God for blessing me with what my heart desired (as silly as it seemed)! Wow! God really did care about me and the little things in my life!


Another time, about 6 or 7 years ago, my oldest son had been playing on a playground near the baseball field where his brother had practice. As any good Star Wars fan would, he faithfully brought his favorite Star Wars figure with him to play with on the playground. It was Luke Skywalker in a Storm trooper outfit - complete with removable helmet. Towards the end of practice, my son told me he couldn't find the helmet. He had lost it in all the mulch on the playground. Ugh. Like a good mom - I helped him look and look, but couldn't find it. Finally, we had to leave, but he was sad and afraid that his helmet was lost forever. I told him that there was something we could do. We could pray. God knew where the helmet was, and if He wanted us to find it - then it would be there next week when we went to practice. So we prayed, and my son seemed happy and content with that.

The following week we went to practice. I have to admit that I didn't have a lot of faith that we would find that helmet in all that mulch a full week later (and a full week of hundreds of school kids playing on that playground). I went to sit down on the bench (near where my son said he had lost it) as I usually did to watch him play and my other son practice. As I sat down, I looked down - and there between my feet . . . was the helmet! It was as if someone had placed it there just for me to find! Thank you God! My precious little boy learned that day that God really does care about him and even the little things in his life!


Last fall, my daughter decided to play basketball. The night before her first practice, we realized that she didn't have any sweatpants to wear. I told her I would take her to get a pair. She told me she wanted Justice sweatpants (like her friend had). I told her - there was no way I was going to pay $25 for a pair of sweatpants to wear at basketball practice (we have 5 kids to feed and dress, and 1 income) - but that we were going to go to the thrift store and look instead.

There are a couple thrift stores that I frequent more often than others, but this night I felt an urge to go to one I rarely go to. I had quickly thrown up a prayer to God before leaving - "God, it sure would be awesome if we could find a pair of Justice sweatpants at the thrift store - in my daughter's size." Off we went to find something that fits . . . hopefully.

As we were perusing the pants rack . . . my daughter had pulled out a couple things, but got sidetracked by the dress and shirt sections. So I continued to look. I pulled out a pair of royal blue sweatpants that looked like they would be her size. I checked the tag . . . yep - size 10. Then I saw the back of the pants . . . JUSTICE. :) God is good! Practically brand-new looking Justice sweatpants, in her size . . . and "just like my friend's!" she said. AND 50% off! :) I sure do love my Daddy and how He takes care of us - and how He cares about the little things we care about!


Ok - this is the last story that I wanted to tell you about (and the one that spurred me on to writing all the other ones down too).

This past week, my 2nd oldest son, who is in 7th grade, was having a school dance. It's nothing fancy - the kids all come in their jeans and favorite shirts, eat pizza, soda, and usually stand around while the music blares. Last year he wanted to leave half-way through the dance as it was crowded, loud and very hot in the cafeteria where they were having the dance. I didn't think he would want to go this year. But he did.

About 3 days before the dance, he informed me that we "needed" to go to Kohl's and buy him a pin-striped suit! :) Oh really?! Why? One of his best buds had one, and they both had the exact same type of pin-striped Fedora hat - and they wanted to match for the dance. I kind of dropped the subject and bascially told him that I wasn't going to be going to Kohl's to get him a pin-striped suit.

10pm then night before the dance (Thursday night) he comes up to me and says "Mom - we need to go to Kohl's! When are we going to go get my suit?" I again explained that, although I would LOVE to buy him one, I don't have the money for a suit right now (plus - I know he would be "bored" with it, or move onto the next fad very quickly). I told him I was sorry, but they would just have to wear their hats instead.

My heart grieved. I so wished I could bless him and see him all dressed up and having fun with his friend like this. I wished I had all the money in the world at my disposal to give my kids all their hearts desire. But I don't. BUT . . . my Daddy in heaven has an unlimited supply of resources . . . all kinds of resources! AND - he loves to bless his kids, surprise us, take care of us, and show us that He really does care about the "little" things in life.

So - the next day I prayed - "God, I know you helped us find those Justice pants for my daughter. Will you do the same for my son - and help me find a pin-striped jacket or suit at a thrift store? I know you can do it. Will you?" I had some errands to run that day, but I kept seeing in my mind's eye - this one thrift store that I rarely go to anymore (a different one than before), and kept seeing me finding a pin-striped jacket there. I was not in that area, so I tried a different thrift store. No luck. Just one that would fit me (way too big for him). I didn't have high hopes that I would find one his size (12) - and pin-striped. I wasn't even finding ANY boys suit jackets at all.

As the day went on, my errands brought me closer to the thrift store I saw in my mind, and I debated on whether or not to stop and look. I almost didn't. BUT, curiosity got the best of me . . . plus, I still had a little bit of time before the kids came home from school. I parked and went in.
As I headed back to the kid's section, I first stopped at the adult rack of suit jackets. Nothing. Not even a pin-striped jacket - just black, brown and blue ones. Man - there is no way I'll find a kid's one.

I headed to the boys racks - and was passing through the pants section to get to the shirts and jackets. I walked by a pair of jeans, but backed up and stopped to look at them. They looked like my son's size, and the type he likes to wear. They were. I pulled them out to buy them, and then saw a couple swim suits that were my youngest son's size. I decided to just look through the pants section for any other pants that might be on sale (the yellow tags were 50% off that day). As I was sliding the pants over one by one . . . lo and behold . . . in the middle of all the pants . . . was a black, pin-striped jacket! I got excited! But - what size was it? . . . . . I started to tear up as I looked at the tag . . . Size 12!! And on top of it all . . . it was a YELLOW TAG . . . 50% off (only $2.50!)!! I'm still getting teary-eyed as I write this!

God cares so much about my son (and me) - that He showed me exactly which store to go to (out of ALL the tons of thrift stores in our area) - to find a pin-striped jacket . . . in my son's size (and probably the only one in this whole area!) . . . just so he can go to a 7th grade, public school dance, and feel "cool" with his best friend!! :)

Isn't that AWESOME?!

Don't we have the best DAD in the WHOLE universe?! :)

God DOES care about you . . . . ALL of you . . . about EVERYTHING you care about . . . the BIG things and the LITTLE things! He really does care!

The other thing I want you to see here too is . . . God does have UNLIMITED resources to meet our needs - and even some of our crazy wants! But those resources don't always come like we think they will or should (ie - getting a raise, finding money in the mail, winning the lottery! etc). His resources are unlimited . . . His ways are unlimited! And He LOVES to surprise His kids!!

I could go on and on with the various ways God has shown me and my family just how much he loves us (through protecting us, providing for us . . . yes - even through winning a sweepstakes - etc - but that's another story!) - but . . .

WHAT ABOUT YOU?!

How has God taken care of you?

What are the stories you can tell of God's provision - of His protection - of His ways of showing just how much He cares for you? If you can't think of any - start paying attention . . . . not just to the big things . . . but the little things. You may find Him in so many surprising places and events that you would not have noticed before!

I could have chalked up all of these things as "coincidence" or "good luck" . . . but that's not what they were. They were heavenly kisses from my Daddy - just to say - "I love you . . . A LOT!"

He says the same about YOU!

Let God love you a little deeper today (and show you how He is)!

L :)

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!)

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 :)

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 :)

A Setup for the Miraculous - The next level!

Well folks . . . God is good! It is good to trust Him! :)

I can't go into details, but let's just say that God is providing for our needs!! :) He has provided some money towards our furnace issue (which still isn't resolved and we have been living on space heaters), and for our daily/monthly expenses! Did I tell you God is good?! :)

We are still seeking 2nd, 3rd and 4th opinions on our furnace and asking God for His FINAL opinion (of course). I trust Him to meet our needs completely to fix it!!

Praise the Lord!!

Keep trusting Him for your needs and go a little deeper with Him today! He loves you more than you know!!

L :)

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