The Alignment of the Kingdom of God Friday, Dec 11 2009 

The Kingdom is aligning, the King is calling in everyone who will serve Him with honor and purity, everyone who will worship only Him.  These ones will be distinguished among the millions who throng around His throne on that great day.

The rocks and fault lines beneath us are all crying out for the manifestation of the Sons of God.  On the way out here we drove through an area in SE AZ on I-10 where the upheaval of great boulders just amazed us.  We stopped at the rest stop and took pics.

It was if God was saying – “See these great boulders balanced upon nothing?  That is the way my distinguished ones will appear soon.  Supported by My unseen hand they will manifest My ability to provide and keep beyond human reason or ability.  Nothing will shake the ones I plant from their place and purpose.  This is my plan – revealed now before you – only that which can be shaken will be shaken – and that which is securely planted in me will remain as My testimony.”

Set upon the Rock?

WOW – I became even yet more aware of the critical importance of being aligned in the Kingdom – not “then” but NOW.

Now is the time to put away petty insecurities, mistrust, feelings and incidents of betrayal,  failure and jealousy.  NOW is the time to seek and find those with whom you are to be in alignment, agreement, and accountability.  This may cross denominational, racial or gender barriers.  God is calling kingdom builders, not empire builders.  God has many hidden in caves that He is calling to come out and face down their jezebels and fear of jezebel.

NOW is the day of salvation – now is the hour when all who hear the voice of the Lord must begin to cling to one another and to support one another.  Gone is the day when we support only our own church, only our own ministry.  The Body of Christ has never been interdependent as a true body is and God is about to bring judgment upon those who have heard His voice on this matter and chosen to do their own thing.

NOW is the day when we must “put up” (signs and wonders – Mark 16:15-18) or shut up.  We have got to realize it is one thing to say you’re Christian, and another thing to be a Christian – securely planted on the Rock Christ Jesus – demonstrating to all who pass by the storms of life may form you but it is HE who holds you secure.


Additional info:

Texas Canyon seems like a prehistoric amusement park for early man. Located along Interstate 10 in Southeastern Arizona, visitors can tell they’ve entered the canyon when they see enormous, rounded boulders piled on top of one another in gigantic drifts. At some points, it seems possible that the slightest tremor could cause the mountain to crumble, though these formations have been essentially sedentary for thousands of years.

The rocks are comprised of many different minerals, some softer than others, and the crazy formations were created by the process of weathering. Wind and rain eroded these softer minerals faster, leaving behind fantastic shapes, especially “balancing rocks”—huge stones that appear to have been placed upon rock “pedestals” by a giant’s hand.

Scriptural references:

Matthew 7:21-27

I Corinthians 12:3-27

Worry is paying interest on a debt that doesn’t exist! Sunday, Jan 31 2010 

My long time friend, Jamie Hansen, sent the following email out.  It resonated, made me think and check my own life. I thought perhaps you’d like to see it also – I’ve done the underlining and bolding for emphasis.  My comments will continue at the end.

We have been talking about simplicity in Christ, and what the enemies to that simplicity are. We have looked at the “noise” of our society, the demand to be constantly engaged with audible or at least technological noise. When was the last time you experienced extended silence? When were you last caught up on, and declared a sabbath from the intrusion of email? Do you feel a compulsion to turn on the radio even before the car starts? There is conversation, there is music, there is car, truck, plane, and machinery noise. There are dogs, TV, sports, work demands. There is Face-book, email, Twitter, YouTube, etc. etc. These are just the outward noises.

We also have the continual tapes that play in our brain. Our own inward “dialogues”. Our personal one way brain speeches about who, why, what, and where we are at. As if we have a continual psychological GPS system that has to constantly tell us where we are at in regards to life, family, goals, longings, fears, politics, economics, etc. Much of that conversation is less than edifying. It is at times utterly brutal and complex and draining. Psychologists tell us that eighty percent (80%) of our thinking relates to ourselves. How ARE WE? This is a major enemy of simplicity, of needed energy, and of peace. Hence, the command of God; “In everything give thanks”.

Jesus commanded us not to anxiously ponder about tomorrow. He said we could not change our outcomes by anxious worry. Worry is paying interest on a debt that does not exist! I am forcibly impacted when I read Paul’s words in Galatians as he says; I am experiencing fear, I have deep concern that you are going to be moved away from the simplicity, the focused purity of a single eye, the uncluttered sense of the gospel. I am concerned about the competitors of Christ in your life. Are you going to opt out and seek human validation?

Will you succumb to the fear of man, the strong draw of overwhelming shame that pushes you to seek worth and validation in human effort and business. Will you trade in the available divine washing to instead scrub with the dirty rags of self, repetitive prayers, groveling or performance. If we hold unforgivness toward ourselves, due to unresolved issues, it leads to steep prices in shopping for peace. Many are truly blind to how complicated their processes of coping really are. Notice I said coping, not real living.

When I was a pastor, I counseled several women who wanted marriage counseling. Four of them were frustrated, weary, and their husbands were also emotionally threadbare and confused. Most of these wives felt their husbands were their problem. (I’m sure they were to some degree…) All of the issues they wanted to talk about involved marriage problems, but in probing, they also confessed their struggle with forgiveness and performance in their lives.

As I talked with the first couple, out of the blue I asked the wife if she had ever had an abortion. It came into my mind from nowhere, and I struggled with asking. She looked truly confused, a bit startled, and then she gave a vague smile and said, “well, I have actually had four abortions, but that has nothing to do with this. I just need help with these other things.” After that experience, very similar conversations took place with three other couples. All had had abortions. None of them equated ANY of the issues of unforgivness of self, their drive toward performance Christianity, and struggles with intimacy in their marriage as having anything to do with that “other” thing. They had been moved away from simplicity, their lives were immensely complicated, but the source of that complexity had completely eluded them.

Most of us have not had an abortion procedure but most of us have “stuff” that can be profoundly able to complicate our priceless simplicity in Christ. Peace is priceless. A mind that has freedom and power to choose the right and enjoy it is without equal in things of value. We must not underestimate the need for visiting the old paths, the springs of simple faith, trust, and a view that heaven is real and eternity is shining on our minds. This is what gave Paul the ability to endure and process the unfathomable suffering he endured and calmly say the entire thing was “light” on his scale. Only an accurate and living eternal perspective can translate that lifestyle into a shrug and a joy and an ever alive purpose throughout.

God grant us a new desire for true simplicity and razor sharp comprehension of the main things.

At Peace - With God

My comments:

While most have not had a physical abortion – most have aborted the plans and purposes of God in their lives to some extent. Either because we did not believe God’s love for us or did not know His plans and purposes, we have done our own thing.  The cares of this life have led us step-by-step  away from God.  The only One who loves us enough to heal and deliver us from any trying ordeal – with abundant life in HIS hands.

As you read the following  scriptures – reach out to the LORD who formed you in your mother’s womb with gifts, talents and abilities – the One who has prepared a path before you and will keep you on it in peace if you will allow Him to do so.  That peace is amazing and cannot be understood in the face of distress – but is more real than the problem itself.

Submit to God and His plan for your life and you’re on your way to LIFE!  Fun, free, exciting, love and peace.

Psalm 139
O LORD, You have searched me and known me.  You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down,And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O LORD, You know it all. You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such  knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it.
Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will lay hold of me. If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me,And the light around me will be night,” even the darkness is not dark to You, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You.
For You formed my inward parts;You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;  Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!How vast is the sum of them!  If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.When I awake, I am still with You. Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.

Jeremiah 29:11-14 For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.’

NEED A MIRACLE? Tuesday, Mar 23 2010 

NEED A MIRACLE??

You don’t need a miracle; you don’t need the hand of an almighty God – that is unless you are in terribly straightened circumstances.  You don’t need faith to believe the impossible or cry out for His supernatural help – that is unless you have exhausted everything you have, everyone you have and you’re so worn out with dealing with it you are considering ending your life too.

Ever been dead?

Ever been repeatedly beaten and left for dead?

Ever been in an accident without insurance or money?

Ever been left with 20# of potatoes to last a month?

Ever stared a gun in the face, been poisoned or set up by friends?

Ever been lied about, accused and betrayed by people you considered closer than family?

Ever been addicted so badly you’d steal from people you love?

Ever been so bored to death you wondered why do you even exist?

Ever lost your job and been without one for over a year?

Ever encountered supernatural beings that abhor your very existence?

Ever been in a place where there was no one you could ask for help or trust?

Ever given up on hope of being married, having children or grandchildren?

I have.

That’s why I know Jesus lives.  That’s how I know Jesus saves!  That’s how I know Jesus heals.  That’s how I know Jesus provides. That’s why I live – because I have found everything I ever lacked in the presence of Jesus.  The overwhelming love that sustains me, and provides for me and comforts me – it’s all in Jesus.

I’d be a fool to trust the government to provide any of that for me.

So I can tell you honestly I have been raised from the dead, healed from physical, emotional and spiritual abuses, and I lived 26 years without any insurance whatsoever. I had my body fixed by the Lord

I can tell you honestly there are still things wrong with me – but I am full of hope because I’ve seen 40 years of faithful love and provision given to me by my supernatural amazing loving God.  I can tell you honestly I’ve been out of food and had it show up on my doorstep.

I’ve stared death in the face and been rescued in a moment by the Lord.  My testimony has been impeached by people I trusted – and then in awhile they came back and apologized for their foolishness. Imagine my joy to be able to tell them they were already forgiven.  I can tell you honestly I know forgiveness.  That’s why I cannot withhold it from others.

I can tell you honestly that every addiction has been replaced by the overwhelming love and presence of the Lord.  I have survived nearly 54 years after I was declared dead.

I am never bored for more time it takes me to look out my window and away from myself.  I always have something to do!  I love to entertain angels and to be astounded by the presence of the Lord.  I love seeing how my futile and finite words become life and bread to someone who is starving for real love and needs the Savior’s touch.

My greatest joy is my adorable, darling husband for whom I waited 24 years.  The boys he brought to our union are incredibly brilliant and amazing men with precious and inspired wives.  And our granddaughter is the most wonderful small person in the world – her inner and outer beauty makes me weep with joy.

I know the source of my blessings!

It is not the government.

It is and always has been the Lord Jesus Christ.

May I humbly suggest you get to know Him?

What Kids Wish Their Dads Knew Saturday, Dec 31 2011 

Do you know the cries of your sons heart? Do you know what your daughter needs from you?

Here’s things I know they need from you. I know they think these things. Although I’ve directed it at Dad’s – it is for everyone.  We must be those who change lives, present answers, and live in faith and victory in this changing world.

1.  Tell me you love me in words.

2.  Hug me.

3. Notice me (my inner character – not just outward achievements.)

4. Listen to me without judgment as I speak. Listen fully before speaking.

5. Talk to me with kindness and understanding, not just advice.

6. Ask my forgiveness.

7. Lead me spiritually in actions – not just words.

8.  Love Mom.  Respect her for being my mother.

9. Understand I don’t live in your generation, I like different things than you.

Here’s why doing those things is so critical.

Malachi 4:5-6 “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD. He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse.”

Luke 12:49-53 “I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled!  But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!  Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division;  for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three.  They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”  

The Word of God is true.  What God says WILL come to pass.  He has given us opportunity to change our lives.

Is it too late?  Never!

How do you break the cycle of poor fathering? 

1.  Go see the movie “Courageous”

2.  Submit your life to the only true and great Father for wisdom, guidance, forgiveness and peace.

3. Communicate your desire and changed attitudes to your children in ways they understand.

How do you honor a father who was a failure?

1. Forgive, forgive, forgive.

2. Understand all people go thru the same tests and trials – but if you judge him – you will both be judged and given the same opportunities to fail.

3.  Believe God can give you wisdom to honor someone who failed you. 

4. Understand trust = knowing all men fail you.  There is only one perfect Father – one everlasting Father.

5.  Begin now to break the cycle and speak honor and respect to the father who failed you.

HAPPY NEW YEAR – make 2012 an incredible year for your kids!  It’s up to you.
Be the parent, the in-law, the child God will use as a world changer!

Keep your loved ones CLOSE.


Happy 2012 – Delve in Twelve Friday, Dec 30 2011 

DELVE IN TWELVE!

Every year I seek the Lord for His focus for the coming year.  Most often there is a rhyme to the focus and the number of the year.  I don’t try to “get something” but I open my heart to hear.

This year – Delve in Twelve – puzzled me a bit.  First it seemed so simple and secondly because I’ve always been a seeker.  So I waited from when I first received it in late October until now to write it and make it public.

Now I understand why.

Delve means “to carry on intensive and thorough research for data, information, or the like; investigate: to delve into the issue of prison reform.” I got that definition from one of my favorite websites – dictionary.com. People who’ve known me a long time will understand that  my spirit perked up at “prison reform.”

Twelve means completeness, fullness, or get this – perfection of government.  Examples – The twelve patriarchs, the twelve apostles, the twelve foundations of the Holy City, and twelve thousand sealed from each tribe.  All you have to do to see this is use your concordance (literal or computer) and search twelve, especially in the book of Revelation.

What I believe the Lord is saying to me is 2012 is the year to really dig into the Word of God in order to put the government of God in the place of the failing government we have currently. 

I believe God is saying get involved in government – every one of us – some how, some way. 

First in prayer and supplication for our current leadership – in our home, our church or fellowship, and in civil government.  Become not only aware of the issues, voting on the issues according to God’s heart – but being one who will sound a trumpet in Zion where there is abuse and lack.

I am certainly not suggesting we all become “fear-mongers” bringing to light the problems without answers – but rather that we become answers ourselves!  Those who scream wolf, wolf are rarely taken seriously, even when they are right – we all remember that story.

What we can do is present facts with hope, facts with answers, facts with the truth that “there is no authority except from God” (Romans 13:1) and every kind of authority other than that of God Himself is derived and therefore secondary to God’s power (John 19:11). God’s authority is absolute and unconditional (Psalm 29:10; Isaiah 40:1). He has authority over nature (Job 38), governments (Daniel 4:17, 34-35), and history (Acts 1:7; 17:24-31.) These scriptures are taken from Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers.

The problem lies in that few actually believe these incredible promise-filled words. 

Few believe enough to be in obedience to God’s government, God’s laws and God’s Word.  What to do?

Secondly I believe that in order to delve in twelve – we must become keepers of the laws of the land we live in.  We want God’s blessing on our land but speed, fudge on our taxes, and live like we have no one to answer to.  I’m sure some will accuse me of legalism – but  I stand on the Word of God.

Romans 13:1-7 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

Delve in Twelve also refers to digging into the Word of God, memorizing, studying, reading, quoting and loving it.  We are people of much talk – but the world is dying anyway.  Unsaved people need and want to hear God’s Word.  They need to hear His answers, His ways, His truths, and be given His life!  The abundant life that is in God comes through His Word – and frankly rare is the church that emphasizes Bible study as a personal responsibility and joy.

We have become seeker friendly and lowered Biblical standards to meet the unsaved, the complacent and compromising public on their levels.

Delve in Twelve means raising the Bible standards high – so high, so narrow, so straight – so fulfilling that those very people are first to the altar every time.  By being full of abundant life because of obedience by faith will attract the lost. It is only by obedience that we become mature and can rescue and save.

Hebrews 5:7-14 In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

So dear readers – Delve in Twelve.  I pray 2012 is the year you find that reading and studying the Word of God prospers your life as never before.

I pray that you enjoy the Living Word – for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

Happy New Year!


Are YOU ready for whatever comes? Tuesday, Apr 12 2011 

ARE YOU READY? OR ARE YOU ASLEEP?

Do you remember 911?  Do you remember the shock, the horror, the awful timeless ages in front of the TV wondering what happened?  Did you feel helpless?  Did you wonder what if it had occurred in your city?

Do you remember Hurricane Katrina August 28, 2005?  Even with 5 days notice – it was not enough for the City of New Orleans, or for thousands of her residents.  And while many have enough to take care of them for a couple days – there are some there who are still waiting for help to meet their most basic needs.

Do you remember Greensburg, Kansas in May 7, 2007?  In a brief moment – a town all but wiped off the face of the map with only 20 minutes warning.

Do you remember the evacuations of Hurricane Ike and Rita?  Do you remember the horror of the earthquakes in Japan?

Do you remember the tsunami that followed those earthquakes?

Tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, mudslides, volcano eruptions, forest and plains fires.  Blizzards that bind people helpless in their homes trapped by fallen trees, alone without help able to reach them because of those very trees.



What makes you think this could not happen to you?

What makes you so desperate you don’t even want to think about it?

How can you be so asleep you won’t even prepare for your own family and neighbors?

You say you want the Kingdom of God to come.  How is it you won’t believe the context of Matthew 24 that lists all the things that must happen before Jesus comes back for a glorious church without spot or wrinkle?  Before Jesus comes back for a victorious warrior Bride – she must make herself ready.  She must bid those on the highways and byways to come in.  Have you ever thought perhaps they are there because they are evacuating disasters?

How can you call yourself a Christian?

Even if you and yours are spared any of the multitudes of possible natural disasters and acts of terrorism or wars – how can you call yourself a Christian if you are unwilling to be prepared to succor others?

Do you know CPR?  Do you know 1st Aid?  Do you know how to be prepared for loss of utilities, water, or housing?  What if the disasters come in a harsh winter or blazing summer?

Do you have cash set aside for essentials and to bless others?  How about food?  Do you have a generator?

Do you have the essential skills, tools, and tactics to not only survive but be a beacon of life and hope to those who need it?

Or are you content to be a “church” Christian only?

Have you considered the Good Samaritan?  He had enough money on him to move the man, secure housing and food, and pay for medical bills.  Furthermore, he arranged for the man to be housed and cared for until he was fully recovered.

How would Jesus speak to you, would He say, “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.” Matthew 25:45

Luke 10:30-37 Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead.  And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.  But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him.  On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.’  Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?”  And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.”

2 Peter 3:4 “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.”

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

Revelation 3:14-22 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this:  I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot.  So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.  Because you say, ” I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that  the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.  Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.  Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.  He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

Romans 12:3-4 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

Matthew 24:1-14 Jesus came out from the temple and was going away when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him. And He said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.”  As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you.  For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.  You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.  For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.  But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.  Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.  At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.  Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.  Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.  But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.  This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

If you want to prepare yourselves and do not know how to begin – start by calling your local emergency management, FEMA, or your local fire department.  If that does not help – email me and I’ll try to get something posted asap.

Lest you think I’m being too hard, this message was for me first,
and I found I preferred the comfortable, the convenient and have repented
to do the works befitting an Ambassador of The King.

Wanting more of God? I’d like to help. Wednesday, Mar 16 2011 

I was just rejoicing with a dear friend whose daughter  just came back to the Lord after years being way out there, doing all manner of shameful things.  C has come back and it’s because of God intervening in her life with dreams!

Her Mom and I were crying, shouting and so so thankful.  I’ve loved C for a long time  and have joined with S over the years praying.  And now we’re rejoicing!

God has you right where He wants you – and is indeed wooing you back.  This is one of the main reasons I share my story, share my faith in God.  I want to keep on being the voice of the Bridegroom!  I want people to know they are loved, supremely loved! Here’s a scripture for you to look at and ask God if it’s for you.  Put your name in where appropriate.

Psalm 37:23-24 The steps of a man are established by the LORD, and He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.

God is leading you beloved – and I’ve no doubt your spouse is being led also.  Knowing the hurt you went through at the hands of the church – they are bound to be cautious.  My love would be too.

For some 40 years I’ve taken to reading one Proverb a day.  There’s 31 of them and today is the 16th.  Look at what it says – especially verse 3,  9,  15-16, 20- 21, 24.  I’ve run them all together for you sweet friend – see if it ministers to you.  I love this book, there’s never been a day in 40 some years that I didn’t need wisdom.

Proverbs 16:3, 9, 15-16, 20-21, 24 Beloved -  Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be established. The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps. In the light of a king’s face is life, and his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain. How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver. He who gives attention to the word will find good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. The wise in heart will be called understanding, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. New American Standard Updated Version

God has always spoken to me – since the night I was saved.  It took some time to learn to obey, to discern good and evil, to fall down and keep getting up, and to be who I am in God regardless of who did or did not approve of me.

Thank God for my man!  He “knew” me in the Spirit – he came to church in 1980 and had watched me for years, admiring my walk with the Lord.  But he knew who he was getting before I got to know him, some 8 years later – so all the objections that most men had – well, Scott loved me anyway!

God has answered my prayer for a soul-mate – you just watch and see – God will answer yours – to the deepest core of your being.  Jesus said if “I be lifted up, I will draw all men to me.”  He treasures your every prayer, and every confidence.

As for the quieting of your soul.  It is not easy.  It requires work to “bring every thought into captivity” and to learn to listen.  BUT God says, “My sheep hear My voice.”  Your job is simply quieting yourself.  What I learned to do is do is listen 1st thing in the a.m. – before I’m out of bed even.  That meant getting up earlier than anyone who might need me, husband, sons, animals.  But beloved – small price to be with Jesus in the morning.

Remember that old song, “I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses, and the voice I hear falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses. He walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own, and the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.  He speaks and the sound of His voice, is so sweet the birds hush their singing, and the melody that He gave to me, within my heart is ringing. I’d stay in the garden with Him, though the night around me be falling, but He bids me go; through the voice of woe – His voice to me is calling.”

This is as close to sharing what it’s like as I can get.  And that’s been the same for 4 decades.  The other things I did was learn to ask Him what He has for me, what He wants, how I can please Him first.  Before I bring the dirty laundry!  And end my day the same way.  I’ve given Him permission to interrupt me at any time, and shared with my family He always comes 1st.

The other thing  is I prefer my cave (my office) quiet.  I prefer quiet although I love worship music and love to worship.  I just want to eliminate everything else whenever possible so I can hear the still small voice.  Of late, Scott has been listening to all our old Integrity Hosanna tapes and converting them so we can hear them again.  Oh, how sweet to hear worship – instead of “it’s all about me and my needs” type songs.  Those are good for evangelism but hard to keep your mind off you if you’re constantly singing about it/

I’m not religious, have no care to be, I sin and wish I wouldn’t – but learning to make time for Jesus has saved me every day since Jan. 4, 1970.

Do seek Him more and more beloved – while you’re out walking the dogs, while you’re sorting the laundry, on the drive to work  – whatever you’re doing – just know He’s standing beside you ready to share His heart of love with you.

And when you find Him – just know His heart is satisfied with you!  The goodness of God leads to repentance, repentance leads to sweet fellowship, and His forgiveness was given at the cross.  Enjoy Him!

VOTE or hush up! Talk is cheap. Wednesday, Oct 27 2010 

We must exercise our right and privilege to vote! We have no excuse, no right to whine and complain if we do not both vote and encourage others to do so.  Pray, research, and ask God to inspire you to see beyond the rhetoric.

We must pray and support the righteous men and women who serve us as leaders of our city, county, state and nations! We must let them know how we think if they violate the Word of God. More importantly we must communicate our favor when they are obedient to Biblical principles and work for good against the powers of evil. Our prayers will be heard by our righteous and holy God.  He longs to bless us.

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God’s mercy upon them, and give thanks. Pray this way for kings and all others who are in authority, so that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, for he wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1-5

Here’s God’s promise to those who will serve the Lord.

Isaiah 54:14-17
You will live under a government that is just and fair. Your enemies will stay far away; you will live in peace. Terror will not come near. If any nation comes to fight you, it will not be because I sent them to punish you. Your enemies will always be defeated because I am on your side. I have created the blacksmith who fans the coals beneath the forge and makes the weapons of destruction. And I have created the armies that destroy. But in that coming day, no weapon turned against you will succeed. And everyone who tells lies in court will be brought to justice. These benefits
are enjoyed by the servants of the LORD; their vindication will come from me.
I, the LORD, have spoken!

Ezekiel 36:27-28
“I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. “You will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers; so you will be My people, and I will be your God.”

When we vote on November 2 – we must get rid of unjust judges and vote in men and women of good moral character!

Deuteronomy 16:18-20
“You shall appoint for yourself judges and officers in all your towns which the LORD your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment. You shall not distort justice; you shall not be partial, and you shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and perverts the words of the righteous. Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, that you may live and possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you.

We all want change.  We all want our government to be an example to the world.  We all want our government to represent the people of the United States as loving, caring, fair, just, and generous.  We want to be known as a land and people others want to emulate.

It is not that way now.

Entrepreneurs and business people who have worked hard to build their businesses are being penalized!  People who work hard and have sacrificed to have what they dreamed of are now having to sacrifice even more for those who will not work.  The Bible says if you do not work, you shall not eat.

Young people are choosing to go to college because their college loans will be “forgiven” if they complete.  Hogwash!  No one goes to a restaurant without paying for what you eat.  If they take out a loan – they should pay it back.  I do not advise taking out a loan for school.  Better to work as you go, get scholarships, internships, and grants and graduate with pride and be debt free.  Who cares if it takes 5-7 years instead of 4.  The debt can take decades to pay off.

Why do these ridiculous things happen?  Because while we want change we are unwilling to pay the price it takes to get it.  We are lazy, undisciplined and ignorant of the political machines running our lives.  We put up with things and whine rather than research, get behind righteous candidates and vote.

The other thing we could do to change our nation is become a leader.  Leaders lead.  Followers follow.  If we begin to encourage those with strong moral convictions, a hatred of unrighteousness, and a governmental anointing to go into politics we would do well.

VOTE – Our nation depends on it.  VOTE – Your child’s future depends on it. VOTE – You are giving yourself the right to be proud of your own choices.

Let 2010 be a Kingdom building election rather than the cheap talk of politicians who want to be re-elected so they don’t have to put up with what regular working people do.

Women! Do you know………. Wednesday, Sep 8 2010 

A Woman of Excellence

Sometimes I just wonder where we get some of our ideas regarding the difference between the sexes and how we treat one another.  Today’s ponderings came from my friend, Felix.  He Facebooked the question, “Why are guys so afraid of commitment (i.e. responsibility)?”

I don’t know if he wanted sermon fodder or to check out his Facebook friend’s thinking – but it got me thinking about evidence.  I mean, evidence outside my sphere.

So I took just a quick break from work and looked up the following – thought you’d find it interesting.

WOMAN: Social Equality:

Additional evidence of woman’s social equality comes from the fact that men and women feasted together without restriction. Women shared in the sacred meals and great annual feasts (Deuteronomy 16:11,14); in wedding festivities (John 2:1-3); in the fellowship of the family meal (12:3). They could appear, as Sarah did in the court of Egypt, unveiled (Genesis 12:11,14). Rebekah (Genesis 24:16; compare verse 65), Rachel (Genesis 29:11), Hannah (1 Samuel 1:13) appeared in public and before suitors with uncovered faces.

The secluding veil was introduced into Mohammedan and other oriental lands through the influence of the Koran. The custom was non-Jewish in origin, and the monuments make it evident that it did not prevail, in early times, in Assyria and Egypt. (Date of Koran 610 A.D. my note.)

Even Greece and Rome, at the time of their supreme culture, fell-far below the Hebrew conception of woman’s preeminent worth. The greatest hellenic philosophers declared that it would radically disorganize the state for wives to claim equality with their husbands. Aristotle considered women inferior beings, intermediate between freemen and slaves. Socrates and Demosthenes held them in like depreciation. Plato advocated community of wives. Substantially the same views prevailed in Rome. Distinguished men, like Metullus and Care, advocated marriage only as a public duty. More honor was shown the courtesan than the wife.

Chastity and modesty, the choice inheritance of Hebrew womanhood, were foreign to the Greek conception of morality, and disappeared from Rome when Greek culture and frivolity entered. The Greeks made the shameless Phryne the model of the goddess Aphrodite, and lifted their hands to public prostitutes when they prayed in their temples.

Under pagan culture and heathen darkness woman was universally subject to inferior and degrading conditions. Every decline in her status in the Hebrew commonwealth was due to the incursion of foreign influence.

The lapses of Hebrew morality, especially in the court of Solomon and of subsequent kings, occurred through the borrowing of idolatrous and heathen customs from surrounding nations (1 Kings 11:1-8).
(from International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Electronic Database Copyright © 1996, 2003 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

One doesn’t have to study much history to understand our problems today.

There’s one solution – the love that never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8) and praying always (1 Thessalonians 5:17.)

By the way:  The photos of  the woman of excellence praying for another woman above is my friend Monica.

The Cure for the Lack of Honor and Respect Friday, Jul 30 2010 

One of the things that grieves me the most is the apparent loss of respect and honor.  Everywhere I look someone takes life (or a portion of it) into their own hands going against every appropriate action ever decreed.  Everywhere I look someone is grossly disrespecting someone or dishonoring delegated authority.

Why?  What has happened to “honor thy mother and thy father”?

Oh, of course, I know that parents have failed.  I have failed, you have failed.  But somehow I have never ever read “honor thy mother and thy father” IF (1) they deserve it (2) they never mess up (3) they are your biological parents, not step-parents or spiritual parents and (4) if you feel like honoring them.

Nope, I’ve never read that.  I am thankful to be loved, honored and respected by our sons, even though they are not my biological sons.  We have sought to instill in them the understanding that honoring your parents comes by loving unconditionally.  Only God has the right to set the conditions.

We are now in the most “fatherless” (or parent-less) generation ever.  What to do?

The other arena I see a huge lack of respect and honor is for employers and teachers.  Why??  The employers have the right to hire and fire who is best qualified, and if we somehow beat everyone else out and got the job – why display the lack of honor and respect just because………….. You can fill in that blank.  I hear it nearly every day as I deal with people.  There is always some reason to blame someone else for the problems – even the perceived problems, for most who demonstrate such disrespect and failure to honor – don’t even ask questions.  They major in the minors and show assumption to be their greatest attribute.

Teachers, people God has given great love and great gifts to risk their lives in some classrooms and schools for this very reason – they are not respected, nor given honor.  Parents may not even expect their children to treat them with honor.

It’s just as bad in the church.  It is now, but it has always been.  Take a look at King Saul in 1 Samuel 13.  The Prophet Samuel gave the King the Word of the Lord (wait 7 days for me to come and make proper sacrifices before going off to war with an army that outnumbers and out-weapons you hugely.)

You wouldn’t think King Saul would have any problem honoring the Word of the Lord through the Prophet.  Frankly, it made enormous sense to wait considering the circumstances.  Nope.  Saul’s soldiers lost heart and began to leave.  Saul did not have God’s heart or strategy for the war.  Saul was filled with fears and so were his advisers.

So King demonstrated his inane humanity and operated straight out his own reasoning and well, it wasn’t a smart decision.  You read 1 Samuel 13 and you’ll see.

Another classic example of a Prophet being disrespected is found in 2 Kings 2.  Oh, man – see if you don’t see this type of thing happening every day on the streets!  “Little children” mocked the Prophet for being bald.  Many people see no problem with their children calling people names, making fun of them, and mocking them because “they’re just children.”

But in this story what we translated as “little children” (Thank you King James Version 1611) is really “young lads.” Different spin now right?  No – people still excuse the lack of respect and dishonoring of God’s ministers – then and now.

These “young lads” received a stiff penalty for speaking so to a Prophet of God.  He cursed them in the name of God and two female bears came out of the woods and tore the 42 young lads up.  Different matter isn’t it?

Is it any less repulsive to God when we show such lack of respect and dishonor today?

Nope, don’t think so.  One of the 7 things which God abhors is a person who sows discord in the church.

What to do, what to do?  How can Christians who love and obey God’s commandments train their children in such a way that this type of behavior is never tolerated, much less fostered by example?

This is my best answer: we must live and breathe by this passage.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love is patient, love is kind and  is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,  does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;  bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

This love, this unconditional love first regards all individuals as worthy, so worthy that Jesus gave His life for them.

It also takes into account people can be deceived to an extent they literally do not know what they’re doing. Although “mentally retarded” is no longer a term that describes disabilities – it certainly fits.  Some poor souls have had their outlook on life, their habits and attitudes so warped and twisted, so steeped in unreality – you could describe them that way.  And even though they are still functioning – it is not God’s highest nor best for them and cannot be until they are miraculously healed from whatever hurt and harmed them so badly.

We cannot hold that against them.  Not because they are not accountable – for most are.  But because we are like them in some way of our thinking too, unless God has done the beautiful work of healing, restoration and given us empowerment over that sin and shortcoming.  We cannot judge anyone.  Identify the shortcoming yes – but God expects us to love them like He does anyway.

What’s my point?  How would love, that marvelous unconditional love restore honor and respect?

Think about it.

You do not dishonor one you would give your life for because you love them like Jesus does.

Watching the Gulf? Watching Tropical Storm Alex? Monday, Jun 28 2010 

Just thought I’d pass on a great website for watching the Gulf. http://www.tropicwx.com/

TS Alex

This is a NOAA image is off the Yucatan Peninsula yesterday
and may be subject to copyright.

Are you fearful?

I don’t know about you all, but I’m really tired of certain so-called news media pressing us with fearful and erroneous information.  Listening to them, you actually sometimes hear the disappointment in their voices when there is no disastrous weather. I have seen them actually film tornado damage time and time and time again (count 15 times in a 7 minute period) by showing one building that had damage as if the whole town was carried away.

At the same time, twice in the last 7 years we have seen tornadoes not reported by the media – apparently asleep at the helm.

I know, I know – fear sells.  Sex sells.  Crime sells.

I also know that in the end times mens hearts will fail them because of fear (Luke 21:26.)

But I think it’s high time the church stopped contributing to it.  Quit yourselves like men (an old old expression that basically means “Cowboy up!’

Speak up.  Stand for honesty in reporting.  Let them know they are bound by honor to report accurately and not just the worst case scenarios.  Call into your local stations and demand they be fair.

Think about the command to “be imitators of God” – certainly He demonstrated His authority over the wind and the waves.  Why fear until after you have done all in prayer?  Have you actually wrestled with heaven regarding the possible storms?  The oil spill?  Have you passed on truth or gossip?  Are you praying for BP?

C’mon church!  God has not given us a spirit of fear!

The most awesome classy unique jewelry ever! Monday, Jun 14 2010 

If you love people, if you are a pace-setter, if you love art and beautiful jewelry and sun-catchers,
you will adore the pieces crafted by Deborah Rogers.

Check it out!

http://www.myfairladyonline.com/

Gorgeous, fun, inspiring - have to have it!

The Truth about the Oil Spill and BP Thursday, May 20 2010 

FYI for those who aren’t content to watch the fear-mongers on TV, let’s not make a bad situation worse by passing on hearsay and lies.
In the letter below
misrepresentations or media lies are in bold blue followed by the truth.

I am not a BP Employee, not now, never have been.  Simply truth hungry.

Sent: Thursday, May 20, 2010 8:38 AM

To all US BP employees:
Many of you have asked about assertions made by various commentators on cable television news and comment programs. Here are some responses to the allegations:
BP never had a clean-up plan
The rig explosion occurred on April 20th, and our incident response team was immediately activated. This included the activation of our oil spill response plan (OSRP) that had previously been agreed with the US Government. Two USCG cutters, four helicopters and one rescue plane was deployed. Within a matter of hours we began subsea activation of the BOP.
On April 21st, the administration began holding meetings and regular calls with BP leadership to discuss BP’s response effort, as well as federal oversight and support.
On April 25th, we started work on a relief well and reached out to potentially impacted Gulf States. By this date, we and the Joint Incident Command had:

  • More than 30 response vessels deployed;
  • 21,340 ft of boom deployed;
  • 500 personnel responding.
We continued to build up our response effort, which currently includes:

  • more than 20,000 people from government and industry;
  • over 11,000 volunteers;
  • over 900 vessels including 46 skimmer vessels;
  • over 1.8 million ft of boom deployed with;
  • 57 aircraft, 18 fixed wing delivering 216 dispersant flights.
The government has acknowledged our timely response. In testimony before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano said:
“I will say that British Petroleum leadership … were in Washington very quickly.  They were immediately assuming responsibility…They were in the command centers and in the staging areas.  They have been working in terms of cleanup and hiring, for example, local fisherman to deploy boom and the rest”
Interior Secretary Salazar said this about the response plan:
“… in terms of a worst-case — …[the plan] anticipated the resources available to cover a 250,000-barrel-per-day spill over a 30-day period, …. So in terms of spill response, there was and is a robust plan that is now being implemented.”
BP doesn’t want to educate the public
The Joint Incident Command (JIC) (BP, the US Coast Guard, Transocean and MMS), as called for in the response plan, has established a joint communications effort to be accessible to media, responsive to information requests and informative to the public.

  • The JIC issues press releases daily, holds near-daily press conferences, posts all information on the incident website, uses Twitter and Facebook to disseminate information, and employs press officers through the Gulf region to respond to media inquiries;
  • There have been more than 27 million hits on the UAC website;
  • BP supplements that effort, with its own press releases, dedicated web pages, twitter feeds, videos, and Facebook page;
  • We have community support teams in 21 counties across the region: 8 parishes in Louisiana, 8 counties in Florida, 3 counties in Mississippi, and 2 counties in Alabama;
  • Tony Hayward, Doug Suttles or Bob Dudley has appeared on every major media network, and other BP representatives are available for television, radio and print interviews across the region daily.
BP is not listening to ideas from outside the company on how to tackle the leak and the spill

  • We have asked the best and brightest from across the industry to join us in this unprecedented challenge. There are over 90 companies working just in the Houston office
    • Industry: Petrobras, ExxonMobil, Shell, Chevron, Conoco Phillips, Anadarko, Marathon, Hess, ENI & others
    • Service Providers: Oceaneering, Schlumberger, Cameron, Transocean, Wild Well Control, Boots & Coots, Cudd Well Control, Halliburton, GE
    • Academia: LSU and U Texas faculty
  • The Unified Command integrates BP, Transocean, US Coast Guard, Dept. of Interior, NOAA, EPA, DHS, MMS, DOD, US Fish & Wildlife, National Park Service, Dept. of State, USGS, CDC, and OSHA
  • We are receiving huge numbers of offers of support and help from the public (over 63,000).
Nobody from BP has voiced concern for the people and communities in Louisiana
In Louisiana alone, we have 1,800 people working to minimize the impact of the spill and protect the shoreline. We’ve deployed 450,660 ft boom, 399,790 ft sorbent boom, 426 vessels, and 19 skimmers. Our people are reaching out to local communities to put in place a claims process that is quick and effective so families can make their house payments and put food on the table.

  • Tony Hayward was in Louisiana on April 28, just days after the leak was discovered. He has been there more than 5 times since this incident began, speaking with those who are on the front lines of the response, meeting with the fishermen and others whose lives have been impacted, meeting with state and local officials to continuously improve our efforts to help affected individuals, and speaking to the people of Louisiana through television and radio interviews.
  • We have processed $8.3 million claims so far, and are welcoming  additional claims every day.
  • BP has issued a block grant of $25 million to Louisiana along with an $15 million to reinvigorate tourism.

US Employee Communications

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