THANKS MOM!!!

I've been so blessed already with cards and gifts that have come in the mail. Their words and thoughtfulness have filled my heart to overflowing. It does a heart good to know that your life has affected others with good things.My Mom graduated this earth 3 years ago on Mothers Day to be with the Father. He must have had some banquet prepared as I know of three moms who He brought to His table to honor that day!

I still miss her terribly but I am so thankful for all the wonderful years I had with her. She loved God with all her heart, soul and mind. In fact, she ended most of her prayers, "and I love you Lord with all my heart". She said it outloud for everyone to hear without regard for her reputation.And on that Mothers Day when she went "home", she preached a message that I think was her life's legacy, "Love and Honor your mother". It was a message she lived. Not because her mom was so easy to love and honor. In fact, just the opposite. She was placed in an orphanage as a small child and was in and out of 7 foster homes. In one of those homes she was locked in the closet everyday when the father went to work because the mom really didn't want her. Abandoned and rejected many times, she still chose to love.

Eventually she was taken in by a family who walked in Fathers love. They loved her and taught her how to love and forgive. I am so grateful to the Lord and to that family for all they did in my moms life! For giving her what she didn't have: a place to belong, unconditional love and acceptance! What a difference someone with Fathers' heart can make!I was one of the recepients of that love. I am so grateful for my mothers choices. She could have held on to pain, she could have been angry, she could have done what was done to her but she didn't. She chose a different way.

Mom, I love you with all my heart! You are the best! I know you are having a grand time with the One you love. And I also know that you are persistent with the Father in getting all your petitions answered. Thanks for the legacy, I promise to pass it on.

Movin' on....

It's been a week since Fred's "retirement". The best part is he's not tired all the time. He use to come home every day after work and NEED a power nap! Not so anymore. It's amazing how a days stress zaps your energy!

And he's reading books. Yes, he finished one and has almost finished another. He's reading more than me and I love to read! I'm turning out the light before he does!! Another great plus!

He's also enjoyed helping others. He loves mowing, edging, grooming a lawn not just mowing it! There is a difference. Just walk around and you can see the difference between a mowed yard and a groomed lawn. He's great at it if I must say so myself!!

The last 2 days we got to go out and run errands together and not rush. He actually went to the store with me. Anyone who really knows him knows he's no shopper! And we enjoyed the time together!

We are so blessed for this time in our lives. Although we don't know what we will be doing in the future, we are determined to enjoy the journey, the scenery along the way!

Papa has given us such a gift, each other! And I'm grateful that we can enjoy this time together with Him.

I pray that where ever you are today and whatever you are doing, that you enjoy the journey with Him!

A new journey

Life has it's twists and turns. We traveled that road for so many years! It reminds me of the days when Fred was in the military and we would drive across the U.S.. Leaving PA and going west we couldn't see the road 1/2 mile ahead of us but when we got to the midwest and west, we could see for miles and miles!!!

We have just made a new life decision. No longer are we going to travel the same road. We are leaving the land of "normal". The land of knowing day to day. The land of routine. And since we are no "spring chickens", we have been traveling this way a lonnnnnnng time.

What is life like outside of "normal"? To us it is a foreign land. It's like flying to a new country, coming in at the airport and now what? I'm not even sure we speak the same language.

But here is what I do know! We am not alone! My God has brought us out and my God will bring us in! I also know that He knows what we need. If He takes care of the birds of the air and the lily's of the field, He knows us! He will watch over us and guide us. Where? I don't know but He knows. And perhaps where isn't really important. Perhaps the journey is the important thing and who we meet and what we do when we meet them.

It might be nice to consider this a never ending vacation from normal. But vacations have a tendency to be all about getting away to rest and play. I do know that rest is a great aspect of leaving the land of normal and the normal busyness of each day. I really don't think we are leaving normal to go to vacation. I know we aren't leaving normal to go to retirement. I am not a fan of that word. It reminds me of old people in Florida standing in buffet lines. I'm not going there!!! It seems boring and selfish if you ask me.

I want to climb the mountain of the Lord, I want to soar great heights with Him. I want to discover Kingdom living, and do mighty exploits, slay giants and see what I've never seen before. I want to live in a place that is never normal! In this world but not of it!

So, from today, I will "Trust in the Lord with all my heart, lean not on my own understanding, in all my ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct my path". (Proverbs 3:5-6) Let the adventure begin!!

Dreams do come true!

Just this week, I had a dream. We were with family traveling across the country and everywhere we went people came to Jesus. It was so exciting and so easy. My heart was thrilled with all we were seeing the Lord do.

This weekend, we had our oldest granddaughter, Gretchen, to celebrate Easter and her birthday. She will be 10 this week, 1 day before her Pappy's birthday. When we were traveling in the car Friday, we began to have a conversation about Jesus. I asked her if she ever invited Jesus into her heart. She said, "no, we don't do that at my church". We talked more about it and I explained to her in 10 year old terms what happens when you invite Jesus into your heart. She said she would like to do that but I didn't want to do it in the car driving and wanted us, Fred and I, to do that together with her.

We stopped at the christian book store to buy some cards and she found a little ring she liked. I thought that would be a great "token" for her to wear remembering when she invited Jesus into her heart.

On Saturday, Fred and I sat down with her and talked a little more and then she invited Jesus into her heart! What a great time to come into the Kingdom, Easter weekend. And we were thrilled to be the ones who was leading her to the Lord. We have always believed that we were given this special child for just that reason.

I later remembered the dream. It was so easy. And this was too. At the right time, when the Lord had prepared her heart, He allowed us to have this wonderful experience of leading our granddaughter to Christ. "Papa", You are so good! Thank you for granddaughters, and thank you for preparing her heart, and especially thank you that we can always remember that prior to her 10th birthday, in our living room, we lead her into the Kingdom. To thine be the glory!!!

the one who Jesus loves

Have you ever prayed and wondered, "does God really hear me"? I am becoming more aware that He hears every prayer. This past weekend we were out of town and we had a chance to attend another church. The worship was incredible and I so enjoyed worshiping Him, throwing myself before Him, waving the palm branches of my heart, as those along the road did when He entered Jerusalem on a donkey before the passover feast. The song of my heart was all for Him, my love being poured out for the One who loves me.

After the service, a woman came to me and asked if she could share something with me. She had a beautiful glow and I knew she was a woman who loved Him too. She had watched me worship and said the Lord was so pleased with my worship, my heart of love toward Him that He found delight and pleasure in my worship. And then I remembered my prayer, "oh Lord, let me satisfy Your heart". It was a simple prayer but a heartfelt prayer. A weeping prayer of my heart. A prayer of one who knew she was loved and was only atempting to love this the One who loved her in return.

I love the gospel of John. John knew he was loved. Not just in his heart but knew in his heart. It is the same knew that describes Adams knowing Eve, intimately. So intimately that he called himself, the One who Jesus loves. Some might say this is prideful. I believe it is confidence. There are 5 different places John says that about himself. If you read them, you will see that Jesus told him things He didn't tell anyone else. That he gave him things he didn't give anyone else, that he was able to outrun others and became the first to be with Him. He knew Him when others did not and followed when others had not.

Oh to know that I am the one that He loves! I do know that! I have learned it by "leaning against Him". I have heard His heart, His gentle voice and experienced His embrace. It is enough to know that He loves me. That alone satisfies my heart. However, because of that deep love, I know He lets me know more. John gives us a look at what is received when you know you are loved. Father reveals secrets to him, He gives Him a further glimpse. Revelation comes to those who know they are loved.

I, like John, will declare that I am the One that He loves. If you do not know that beyond a fact in you head, I pray that you will pray a simple pray, "let me know you love me". He will hear you, He will show you!!

Spring!!!

I'm so happy!! I love spring. I love that life is peeking out from under the drab of winter. I love the hope that spring brings. It's automatic for me! I love life as a whole but there is something that happens deep within when it begins to get warmer and I start to see green bursting forth and birds singing.

And it is nostalgic for me too. I had a spring baby. He was due the first day of spring but he seemed to like the safety within so he waited one more day. And then, suddenly, I do mean suddenly, 54 minutes of labor, he burst forth!!! Thank God I was in the hospital or he would have spilled out who knows where! Again, new life, and what a wonderful life it is!!

I am grateful for God and His great wisdom of the seasons. It is one of the Creator's masterpieces. They roll over and over, no two alike, however constant in their coming. Each has it's own wonder and treasures within. I wonder.....what all does this spring bring? I love the bluebirds that already have appeared in our backyard. What a treat Lord! I love the many bulbs that are already springing up all around the front of my house. I love the warm air, all the people I see outdoors now. Longer days, planting pansies and planning projects.

Perhaps, it is all a result of the Resurrection. That great event that gave us real life. Perhaps creation celebrates His resurrection with spring. Sounds like a great idea to me. So Father, if there is anything dead inside of me that needs resurrected, I pray that it will come alive with all of creation this spring. I love that you are alive within me and you bring forth life. With all of my effort I cannot do it, it springs forth from You!! Again, I say thank you, Father, for giving a gift so wonderful it makes my heart sing and my feet dance. I praise You, for spring, for resurrection of all that was dead and lifeless to be brought back to life, and to every treasure that will burst forth in the days ahead. My soul does magnify the Lord!!!!

Thoughts concerning transition....

My great friend "livin life" inspired me this morning. She posted her thoughts concerning transition on her blog, you have to check it out! She's great and I love her lots!!! I got to thinkin....

I have found that life really is one transition after another, kind of like the seasons. Ohhh, I love certain ones better than the others, like the breaking forth of Spring and the warmth of summer and the beautiy of fall and the reminder with every fresh snow that my sins have been washed just that clean.

But there are things in each season that are work, not fun. Like getting the ground ready for new plantings, pruning back what died over the winter, the unbearable heat, raking of leaves and cold north winds.

I know that I will find things I can enjoy in each season and things that are hard, disappointing. And I know that "this too shall pass".

I am grateful for everything the Lord reveals to me, some in the good, and some in the hard and difficult places, knowing that each of the revelations, whether in the good times or the hard ones, brings me closer, makes me wiser and matures me in Him. I think they call it "seasoned".
So, I cherish what I am taking from the season I am leaving and I look forward to finding Him in the new season I am about to step into. For He is good, and His mercy endures forever!

My story

I have a story, I was lost, looking for love and acceptance...I have found I am totally loved and accepted by Father God!

Please take the time to watch this and then share your story: http://www.rhchurch.org/pages/cardboard-testimonies/

Finding myself in Him

I've been so enjoying "Papa" lately. I find my heart just wanting to be with Him. He is so inviting!! It wasn't always this way. I was a maidservant for so many years and grateful for the position but there is nothing like being a daughter. And the great thing is that even when I didn't see myself as a daughter, He treated me that way.

I so love to be with Him. We don't have to be doing a thing, in fact, I like it when we are just hanging out. I can just crawl up and be with Him. No conversation is necessary either. I love just hearing the constant beat of His heart. I am comfortable with Him, at peace and find such rest.

And like Moses, when it comes to leaving, I reply, "if you aren't going with me, I'm not going". I want Him a part of everything I do and everywhere I go. And you know what the best part is? He WANTS to be a part of everything I do and everywhere I go. We're BFF!! Only more, He loves me more than any of my best friends, He protects me better than any best friend, and He is always with me 24/7, closer than any best friend can be.

I hope you are enjoying His Presence too. If not, why don't you stop, sit a spell, and invite Him to sit with you. I promise, you won't be sorry.

I am filled with His grace

Last night was our last class on the "Gifts of Grace" (Romans 12:6-9). (for those who don't know, my husband and I are students in the School of Ministry at Christ Community Church) It has been so eye opening to me. I found myself! And you know what else I found, it was Him all along, His grace in me!

Since Jesus is all the gifts of Grace, (prophesy, serving, teaching, exhortation, giving, administration and mercy) He is actually demonstrating Himself through us! How cool is that? And I also see for me personally, the Grace's I most function in, He was that for me first. That is how I discovered it in the first place and that is why I understand somewhat what it looks like and how it functions. And I found that the gift of Grace flow out of the heart of the Father for us and for others.

You know what else I discovered? That when all the gifts of Grace are functioning, not all in me but others functioning in their gifts of Grace along with me, a full expression of Christ is seen! I have learned to embrace the gifts of grace carried in my brothers and sisters. It is fun to bless Christ in others and how much a blessing it is to have them display Him by functioning in their gifts of Grace. It is so freeing not to have to be all things to all people. It is a joy to defer to others that they may display His Grace.

I thank God that He has expressed His Grace to me, that He expresses His Grace through me and that His Grace resides in every believer to give a full expression or picture of Christ to the world!

So I ask you, what gift(s)of His Grace in Romans 12:6-9 has Christ expressed in you that He wants to display through you to others? If you have Christ in you, you have all these gifts because He is all of them but He has given you one or two primary ways for to express Him. Ask Him to show you today and do it with the heart of the Father from which it was poured into you!!

I had a blip

I'm soooooo sorry for how long it has been since my last blog. I actually changed my email and then it messed with me logging into my blog. Changes really gives me a "blip". I don't know what to do in the "tech" world with blips. But I have a few close friends who give me advise and after some trial and error, I figure most of it out.

How about you? Ever have a "blip"? Like when the lights suddenly go out, and as quickly turn back on. But the point is, they eventually come back on. I'm so glad that "blips" don't last. They are just that, "blips". I've had many. They come, they go, some last longer than others but not one of them have lasted forever.

So I hope you'll excuse my "blip" and give me grace. Oh, I love Grace!!! Grace is a person you know. Grace really is grace. He not only IS it but He gives it, and displays it. I know what it looks like 'cause I've seen Him. And I know what it feels like 'cause He's given it to me and I know in part how to display it because of seeing Him and receiving it.

January has passed me by and now it's February but I think that I've just had a blip and that now I'm on a roll again. So to all you from Pennsylvania, Happy Ground Hog's day! Why do we do that? Oh, short answer, the weatherman said last night that it's the middle of winter and we check the critters to see what they are doing to try and determine how long winter will continue. All of us from PA know that "Phil" is no accurate prophet so we will actually watch the flowers and trees and see what they know. One thing for sure, "all creation will praise Him", whatever the season!

...and there was no room for him in the inn

I've watched "The Nativity Story" several times in the last two weeks. I've been struck by a line in the movie where Mary is in labor on the donkey and Joseph is trying to find a place for her to bring forth the child. She simply prays, "Lord, will thou not provide a place for us? At that moment, the innkeeper gives the only place he has, the stable, to them.

I've pondered this. In the stable, they were alone, to behold the wonder of the birth of the Messiah. There was no interruption, no babling, no advice, no arguing, no fingerpointing, no world. It was Mary and Joseph, and perhaps a choir of angels and the Father beholding, beholding Himself as a babe! Oh the quiet wonder of the moment, of the night, because there was no room in the inn. Perhaps even before His first breath, He was saving, saving the moment for those who would bear the greatest sacrifice of all!

So in my heart I am feeling that Mary's prayer was perfectly answered. He kept the moment for them alone. No hustle in the inn, no celebration. A silent night, a holy night......

If it seems like the Lord has forgotten you and hasn't heard your prayer, perhaps you should look again. He may have chosen to still everything else to be with you alone. I urge you to behold Him, wonder silently, alone.....

"I desire mercy...."

Amazing! Yes, my God is amazing. I see new things in His word all the time. He is so alive and so filled with new awe and wonder. I think it's funny how we try to figure Him out yet He wants to fill us with wonder. I think I'll be childlike and choose wonder!

I've been reading Matthew lately. I was heartstruck by a You Tube video concerning a group from JHOP who went into a homosexual district and began to worship God. They got noticed alright, and attacked. They escaped with their lives only because of the police who escorted them out! One thing struck me, they kept chanting "shame on you, shame on you". I heard what their hearts heard, "shame on you homosexuals, you sinners". I wanted to see how Jesus responded to those in deep sin.

In reading through Matthew, I was struck by a small statement he repeated twice. In Matthew 9 he invites Matthew, a tax collector, to follow Him and be one of His disciples. Then he goes and eats with him and other tax collectors. The Pharisees see this and comment, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and "sinner"? Then Jesus replys, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.

Again in Matthew 12, He and the disciples are walking through a grainfield on the Sabbath and some of them pull some wheat to eat because they are hungry. Again the Pharisees accuse Him and He begins by telling them of David and the priests, things they knew from the scriptures and then he says, I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. If you had known what these words mean, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice", you would not have condemned the innocent.

For days and several weeks now this has been resonating in my spirit, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I believe it has something to do with seeing with eyes of compassion those who are lost and in need. And not meeting them with condemnation, the law, or accusation, but with sincere heartfelt love for the person God created them to be, even while they are not yet walking in it.

It was mercy that He gave so freely to each of us, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us! Oh, that is love that I wrestle with understanding. Today, and for now, I choose to wonder in it and to continue to ask Him to help me "learn what this means". I'm after His heart of mercy.

From Within...

I'm walking in a new season of life. From within. In order for me to describe this I have to share a prophetic word that was spoken over my hubby & I this past April. It begins:

The picture I get is of the two of you standing on a bluff overlooking a wide expanse, open as far as you can look in every direction. It is beautiful, breathtaking. What is remarkable is there are no roads, no path. It is just this huge expanse. There is this sense, "ok, we are ready to move, where do we go"? Deep down inside, He has placed a desire in the two of you and that is the path, that is the way. It is what He has for you. Allow those dreams and desires to be stirred up again. I am seeing them arising out of you. It is time for what He has placed deep within you to come forth. It will not be defined from others, from the outside. So stop looking there. Trust what He has put in your hearts. As you learn to live in His presence, as you bask in His love and the joy of that, He will just overflow out of you.

We have spent months trying to "figure it out" and all the while knowing that is exactly what we were told not to do. So, we just "found" ourselves sitting back, taking in a deep breath, deciding to just do what was in front of us for the moment, pretty much laying it down and keep (as a friend of mine says) livin' life!

And we found it! What's inside is family. God's family. Dads and moms, sons and daughters! In the last several months, low and behold parenting has bubbled up. Now we still love being natural parents and grandparents but a new love and desire has grown for us to consciously parent in the faith and encourage, teach and release others to do the same.

So, we are pregnant again. Pregnant with expectation that when "fathers" are looking for their lost sons, they will come home. Pregnant for those that haven't found a home to have a home, with a "dad" and "mom" to greet them. Pregnant for increase in the family of God and that everyone there will be loved, cared for and would grow up and have Christ formed in them according to Galatians 4:19. And everyone knows, when you are pregnant, life will come forth. What is within, naturally comes forth and is held.

What are you pregnant with? Nurture it, look forward to it and wait on the Lord and when the "time has come", what is within, will come forth!!

And lastly, God's heart is for family and Godly offspring. Hopefully, you are walking in being a son or daughter of God. And while you will be forever His son or daughter, he calls you to bring forth Godly offspring, He calls you to become a father or mother, perhaps in the natural, but for sure in the faith. Along with the Father, we are calling forth fathers and mothers!!

Dad, Mom and Braylin Grace - 10/2/08

And now we are 5!!!

When you send your Spirit, new life is born.. Ps104

She's here!! Granddaughter #4! Her name is Braylin Grace, born 10/2 at 1:05am Central time. She weighs 6lbs, 14ozs, and is 19" long. She has lots of dark hair and a strong cry. I heard her crying her lungs out at 2:09am Eastern time. She sounded wonderful!! And she surprised everyone with her early arrival. Mommy was just told to get some sleep and the doc would see her in the morning. Braylin must have heard "morning" and her interpretation was 1:05am! Mom and Dad are doing fine by the way. Great job Ashley, no drugs! No time. When they realized what was going on, Braylin was making her grand entrance!

Ps 104:30 says, "When you send your Spirit, new life is born to replenish all the living of the earth". (NLT) Another translation says, "when you send forth your Spirit and give them breath, they are created and you replenish the face of the ground. This I know, she is made in His image, He has been forming, fearfully and wonderfully making our beautiful granddaughter, Braylin Grace, for such a time as this.

Shortly after Ashley realized she was pregnant, I was asking the Lord about her. He told me that she was a gift, given to prove God's fruitfulness. It was at a desert time in Mom and Dad's lives and God says "even in times of drought and wilderness" I will bring forth fruitfulness. And here she is, a fulfillment of His promise.

Life, what a precious gift! Grandchildren, the grandest of His gifts!! What a wonderful Father we have and I bet the buttons are popping off His robe right now!! She is His masterpiece, a piece of the Master Himself. And when I get to hold her in my arms in a few short days, I'm sure I'll see Him.

He makes me....

Psalms 23 says, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me..... Hmmmmm, ever feel like you're being made to do something you don't want to do? Yeah, me too. There are things that are not comfortable, convenient or even pleasant and, therefore, I don't want to. But He makes me. He has his reasons. Just like when my sons were young, I made them do things they didn't want to. Such as go to bed, take a shower, do their homework, be kind to one another. Why did I do it? Because they needed it or others needed it. And just like I had my reasons, He has His reason for "making me".

In School of Ministry class this week we learned about authority. Pastor Herb was describing a portion of scripture and likened it as "putting iron into us". It brings strength and straightening. Discussion ensued and I began to see how we are on a journey of life. And on that journey, there are some tests, and by the way, they are all open book! But mainly, our Maker is making us. He puts things in and he removes things. At times the putting in is pleasant and satisfying, at times it's like trying to put a dress shirt and tie on a young boy with mom trying to still that wiggling boy from running away! He takes things out and often it feels much like a real loose tooth or splinter, we want it out but getting it out brings discomfort and sometimes downright pain!

I really don't want to remain the same. I choose the "making" of my Maker. I want Him to put things into me and take things out of me to straighten and strength me. And He is wanting to do it because I NEED it. I need for Him to show me where I am "twisted and messed up" because He is my Truth mirror. I want to reflect Him because I am made to reflect Him. When I "saw" Him and gave my life to Him, I ask Him to make me like Him and He is doing just that, He is making me. For that, I am grateful. It is best for me AND best for others. Then I can "let my light so shine before men that they will see my good works and glorify my "Maker" in heaven.

So, what do you think, what is He wanting to "make" in you? What "loose tooth or splinter is He wanting to remove from you? And what does He want to put in to you to strengthen and straighten you?

Impartation

During worship on the second day of the gathering, I was thinking of those at home. In the advertising of this 24/7 worship gathering, they invited people to come and receive an impartation to take back to where you came from. I began to think about that....

How does one impart this? How does one bring someone else to or give them a heart of love and worship? No human can, only He who is Love Himself can. The Person of Love. Love is a person. Love came, Love demonstrated Himself and Love calls. Again, we love Him because He first loved us.

You must want this person. You must want him more than a clean house, you must want Him more than straight A's, you must want Him more than a promotion, a career. You must want, want so deeply that you'll step aside from all others, all things and search. Search through the night, search through the day, search in places where He is found. He is in the crowd, but He's not in the crowd. He is in the noise but He's not in the noise. He's in the ordinary, but He's not in the ordinary. When you search for Him you will find Him IF you seach with all your heart (Jer 29:13). You can't do the same things and find Him. You must come away, you must pursue Him. You must want Him more than food, more than friends, more than anything you could buy or obtain. You must be willing to lay down all othes and all things. You must desperately want Him. Willing to search and if you haven't wanted and haven't searched before today you can right now! And if you lack the desire to search, ask Him, He'll give it to you.

You were born for this Love. You were born to be loved by Him. Come before Perfect Love and be perfectly loved!! And pray... "I want to find You and be found of
You. Find me Lord. Find me searching for You. Draw me with loving kindness, draw me with Your tender mercies. Draw me with cords of Love that cannot be broken!

Psalm 9:10 Lord, you have never forsaken those who seek you.

A taste...

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! I have tasted and He is good! This past week I traveled to Colorado Springs to be a part of Dutch Sheets 24/7 worship gathering. This began 90 days ago when during a meeting on Fathers Day, the Lord's Presence fell heavily upon them. Dutch felt that they were to only host the Lord's Presence for 90 days. No preaching, no teaching, only hosting his Presence. Do you remember the story of when David refused to continue moving the Ark to Jerusalem because of the death of Uzzah when he touched the ark to keep it from falling? He left it at the home of Obed Edom for 3 months. Scripture says that everything was blessed and increased for Obed Edom.

So, I joined this 90 day gathering on day 87. It was moved to the civic center and people from all over were invited to join in hosting the Lord's Presence. No preaching, no teaching. It was 24/7 ministering unto the Lord. At times we were on our faces, lying prostate in awe. At times, we were dancing and shouting in celebration & joy before Him. It was a taste, only a taste of saints from all walks of life gathering for one thing, to worship the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

We all had one thing in common, the One who loved us first. Before we knew Him, before we turned to Him, before we received His precious gift of love and redemption. We all turned our gaze toward Him. The heart of the Father of all Fathers' heart was turned toward us and His children turned toward Him. That was His plan from the very beginning, face to face fellowship. Beholding Him and seeing His eyes of love and acceptance for us and resting in the security of it. We could never earn this love, never in a million years. It was always there, eternal, without condition. Ahhhhhh, how wonderful, how inviting. And that's what we did. He invited us and we invited Him. He loved us and we loved Him. He drew us and we willingly came to Him. Oh, how He loves us. Our love is so small compared to His!!

And now I know I want more, not a visitation but a habitation. It isn't enough to visit Him now and then, I want to dwell with Him! He has ravished my heart! I will never be the same!!

In the fast lane...

I think I am in the fast lane on those 6 and 8 lane highways. You know, the ones that are designated for the car poolers. They get to go faster than everyone else alone in their cars.

I originally thought I would get to blog at least weekly. What happened to the weeks? It seems like only days and I'm flipping the calendar. And now we haven't just flipped to another month, we have flipped into the next season! Oh my!

There are positives to all of this. I don't have trouble sleeping, and I am fine with the early to bed thing. I'm not bored, there is always a "to do" pile, life is definately not dull. Life is exciting. New places, new things. Like the great visit we had with friends last week. We actually were experiencing a dream come true in their lives, building a new home! And next week, I'm off to Colorado Springs to spend a few days worshiping and hosting the Lord's Presence with Dutch Sheets and others from around the nation. Bored no, living an adventure, YES!

I've said over and over I don't want to be a senior citizen living in Florida waiting every day in the buffet lines. So I guess God took me up on it! No Florida, no waiting, no buffet lines (well, maybe one or two once and awhile). I'm fine with it really. Because I'm getting to see God. I'm getting to live in the Kingdom. Now. Today. Here. Life goes on in the Kingdom (remember, they don't sleep). Could that be why we are so busy our waking hours? My grandpa use to say, "you can rest when you die". There are a lot of things old people said when I was little that I don't think were right. I don't think they meant any harm. Like sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me. Oh, how wrong that is. I had names plastered into the walls of my life, layer upon layer. And they hurt. They hurt me, they hurt my kids, they hurt others.

I'm glad I've been given a new name. It has wiped away all other names. It has freed me and freed others too. I've learned the voice of Truth. His words are kind and gentle. They pick me up. They clear away the dust & grime and cleanse me. This name sets me on a path of destiny!

I pray today that in the fast lane of life, you will hear His name for you. That wherever you are headed, it will be purposeful and a great adventure. If you haven't heard your name from the voice of Truth, I pray that you will step aside for a little. Take a rest. Find a quiet place and listen.....