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 :)

Resting imparts a melody like no other!

God has been trying to teach me how to just "rest" in Him for this season.

I've been in a season of transition for awhile - feeling like I have been stuck in a "lock" - you know - the kind where a boat goes into, in order to transition from one body of water to another higher (or lower) body of water. I have felt stuck here for awhile . . . waiting . . . waiting . . . not doing much . . . waiting . . . all the while - knowing that there is a huge body of water that I was designed to sail in - to be a part of - to take dominion over and live in . . . my promised land. But for now - I'm stuck . . . in nothingness . . . or so it seems.

However, a lock is not nothingness. It is something. It has a purpose - a very important purpose. The boat needs the lock to get safely to the higher body of water in a quicker way than having to go the long way around to it (or not getting to it at all).

I know that in my head . . . but actually living it out - just "resting" in God's love and not "doing" something . . . it's hard. He's been on my case about just "be"ing instead of always wanting to be "do"ing something for him.

BE with Him . . . instead of striving to DO for Him.

That's hard for me. I've always been a "do"er - a planner . . . but now - I'm supposed to just be a human "be"ing like He created me to be - instead of trying to be a human "do"ing. How do I do that?

So I've been contending for God to reveal more to me about REST. How do I do it? What does that look like - especially when you have 5 kids to take care of and your hand in a bunch of other projects? How long will I have to rest for? When will I get to the big body of water/my promised land? Don't I need to be moving forward towards it - instead of just "resting" . . . whatever that means. . . .

Well - today I asked God what was on His heart. He told me "Write what you see". So I did. Here is what I saw. WOW! Boy did it encourage me and help me to see the importance of resting in/against his love! As a nurse, I do know about rest and how it helps the body and would encourage all my patients to rest to let their bodies heal . . . but sometimes I don't always take my own advice. :) I would also think about how we would get patients up fairly quickly after surgery - to get their blood flowing and moving - to also help them heal (and prevent problems). So -where's the balance?? I'm ready to jump up now God . . . to go . . but you are telling me to just rest??

Well - here you go . . .

- - - - - - - -

I see your (God's) heart . . . huge – pulsating . . . red, but still multicolored – kind of swirly multi-colored – it’s hard to describe. It’s red – but it’s also all the other colors at the same time . . . kind of like it’s alive and moving. So hard to describe.

I see your heart pulsating . . .slow and strong. It’s a good heartbeat. Nothing stops it. Nothing makes it skip a beat. It’s steady and continuous. It doesn’t stop. It can’t and it won’t. It is huge, strong and immovable.

I see someone, really tiny compared to your heart (your heart is just sitting on the ground or something – but upright) – and they are coming up to your heart and touching it – putting both hands on it and trying to push it over. They are amazed that your heart can just stand there on it’s own – with no support – no connections – nothing to hold it up – but yet it does stay up – beating away. This person tries with all their might to push over the heart – to topple it down. . . but they can’t. It doesn’t even budge! They try harder. They put all their weight into it – pushing, pushing, pushing . . . but nothing happens. They get tired and exhausted and sit down in front of it with their back to the heart – leaning up against it. They don’t know

what to do anymore. They realize that they are never going to budge this heart from it’s spot.

As they lean back and rest –catch their breath – they feel something. They hear something. They notice something that they didn’t notice before. As the heart beats against them and vibrates against their body – a song is being played – being transferred straight into their heart. They can almost feel it – and hear it – but not with their ears. . . .they hear it with their heart. It is not audible to anyone standing around the heart or from a distance – it is only noticeable when you are resting up against the heart. The music transfers directly to this person’s heart.

It’s a beautiful tune – a beautiful melody – full of calm, rest, peace, joy, and lots of love. It fills up this person’s heart and they can actually feel their heart getting full – growing – becoming un-shriveled and filling up. Their heart had become dehydrated – shriveled like a raisin. But this melody – it fills up their heart like a liquid – filling in all the dry areas – filling it up completely full . . . so much so – it starts flowing through their veins. Now this melody is flowing through their veins and into their whole body. As it flows – it brings new life and strength into them. The person feels rejuvenated – alive – new. They hop up and are able to run around – full of strength and energy and joy!

They go back to the heart – and as they barely touch it – they are able to push the heart over. But it’s not in a mean or angry way, and it doesn’t do any damage to the heart – but the heart has become as light as a feather – able to be moved easily and definitely able to be carried around (even though it looks silly and crazy to be able to carry around a heart that is so huge!). It is still beating – still strong – but it is movable now – easy to transport and carry to other places. I see this person carrying the heart to new areas, new lands. He sets the heart down and it stands up like it did before – strong, unmovable . . . well – unmovable to other people. He is able to move it – he is able to carry it – but others come up and try and try to push against it with all their might and nothing happens. It doesn’t budge. But this man is able to carry it and move it. Easily – as light as a feather.

The music flows through his veins even when he is not touching the heart. It is still flowing through his body via his heart. He loves that music. It makes him dance. It makes him sing. It makes him joyful and happy. Others see him and are curious. They don’t hear the music – so they don’t understand what he is singing – why he is singing – what he is dancing to. They think he is a bit strange . . . but he shows them.

“Here, sit by this heart. Lean up against it. Just rest. Don’t do anything. In fact – don’t even look towards it – but lean your back up against it. Just lean back and rest against it. You will hear it – you will see what I’m talking about – why I’m dancing and singing and full of joy!”

So they do – they sit down and lean back against it . . . more out of curiosity than anything. There are some that don’t even want to try . . . they’ll just watch others. But they think it’s all a hoax. How can just leaning up against something like this really transfer music into your body. It’s impossible. Maybe they are just feeling the beating of the heart and that tricks their mind into thinking they have music in them. They really don’t – right?

These poor people. They will never get it – until they try it. They will explain it away, rationalize, intellectualize, have theories, research studies, and supposed “eyewitnesses” of people who have experienced it and can prove it’s a fraud. How sad. How terribly sad.

But the people who actually take the man up on his offer – to really rest against the heart – and I mean FULLY rest (not even trying to hear or feel anything – but just sitting there to rest) – they do start to hear it. It amazes them! They get up quickly – but it’s too soon. Their heart has not been filled yet. It was just a little that got in - a drop – and as soon as they got up, the excitement and music quickly faded. “Hey . . . how come it’s not working?”

“Sit back down and rest! Rest till you are completely FILLED and it is FLOWING through your veins! You are still dehydrated – still shriveled . . . there is a lot of filling that needs to happen. So REST! I’ll tell you when it’s time to get up!’ the man says to the people.

Some of them sit back down and fully rest – but others are “too busy”. “Well – I tried.” They say to themselves. “I guess it just doesn’t really work for me.” Some of them even convince themselves that maybe they were already full enough. It was nice music – but they have other music that they dance and sing to . . . so it’s ok. They have too much to do anyways. Maybe if they get some more time later on, then they will come back and rest some more.

How sad.

But those that go back to resting – get completely filled up!! The melody and music starts flowing through their veins as well. NOW they are able to get up and run around – with endless energy – AND – they now realize that they too can pick up and move this huge heart – just like the person that came and showed them! WOW! So cool!

The music is IN them now. It is NOT external. It is IN them . . . wherever they go. They have the melody of God’s heart flowing through them at all times. It gives them life. It gives them strength. It gives them purpose and energy. It directs them and makes them want to go to new territories – new lands. The old life seems dull and boring now. The old music is useless. It did nothing but tickled the ears . . . but THIS music – THIS music actually DOES something! It is ALIVE! It is LIFE! It is eternal and endless and amazing . . . it’s indescribable!

Soon there are a lot of people running around – fully rested, filled and capable of moving and carrying God’s heart around – to show other people – to help others become filled. But it all came when they rested . . . when they stopped PUSHING against God’s heart and love – and instead, chose to REST UP against it – to lean into it – in a place of total dependency. There was nothing they could do to make the music transfer to their heart . . . other than to just rest up against God’s heart.

And now – God’s melody of love will be carried around the world – by a bunch of heart carriers and conduits of God's love – all dancing and singing to the beat and melody of God’s heart! So cool!!

- - - - - -

What do you think? Does it make you want to go rest now?! I want to!

Later on today God showed me something else related to resting that encouraged me. Instead of having to walk and trek through the woods, up hills, down valleys, through the mud, etc - to get to my promised land . . . God told me to "wait . . . wait here."

Why? Don't I need to keep moving forward to get to where I need to be?

Nope . . . A plane was coming! It was going to take me to the next place I needed to be! It was ok to take the plane - and it was also ok to have fun and enjoy the people I am waiting with! Cool!

He said - at some point all the people waiting will all get on their own planes - but for now - wait, rest, have fun, laugh, stop striving (it won't make the plane come quicker), and enjoy where God has put us! :)

Ok . . . I can do that!

Anyone up for some FUN?! :)

Rest DEEP against (and in) God's heart and love today!

L :)

Ephesians 5:18-20 - "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Isaiah 40:28-31

Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the LORD,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
²⁹ He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
³⁰ Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
³¹ But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.

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 :)

Forecast - An Abundance of Sunshine!

(photo by Chad Johnson)

Yes -that was our forecast here yesterday - an "Abundance of Sunshine"! I love it! I have never heard that in a forecast before. I've heard "Mostly sunny, Partly sunny, Sunny" - but never an Abundance of Sunshine! It just made me smile!

No matter where you are in this world - you too had an Abundance of Sunshine yesterday (and today, and tomorrow . . . )! You did! I'm not lying! Maybe I should have written it - "SONshine".

God really is everywhere! He is the "Light of this world"

John 8:12 says - "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

See? You will NEVER have a dark day again! It is possible! It's possible to have an "Abundance of Sunshine" every day!

What do you have to do? . . . . Follow Jesus! That's it! It's not about a set of rules and regulations, a bunch of commandments and lists of things you are now not allowed to do. It's about a relationship - about walking and talking with Him (being real with Him) - about what you DO get to do - about just how close you can get to the creator of this world and the savior of our souls! How close can you get? . . . . VERY! As close to the Light as YOU want! He will NEVER push you away, or even run away from you. Deuteronomy 31:6 (and other places in the Bible) tells us this! "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

YAY! Isn't that great news?! Isn't that a great "forecast"?!

So - if you are worried about the "forecast" for your life today (or tomorrow, next week, next month, next year . . . ) . . . . Let me be the first to tell you - It is filled with an ABUNDANCE OF SUNSHINE!

Step a bit closer (and deeper in) to the Light today! You'll see!

L :)