If you will let Him . . .

You know, sometimes I wonder, especially after the class Pastor Susan taught last Thursday night, where I could be if I would have been cooperating more fully with the Holy Spirit. He will grow us up if we will let Him. But, you know, we can't do anything about before, we just have to go forward where we are and do it now!!! So, here's the lesson learned last night:

I sat up last night talking to my girls and one of my girls is having a little problem with someone in her life. Not a bad problem - just someone she is around really seems to have developed an irritation with her and she doesn't really understand it. This person is a lovely person and we love them very much. She knows that she needs to keep her mouth closed, and that is the wisdom of God operating in her life! And of course, speak the Word over the situation.

Well, in the course of talking to her a little, I started on a discourse of "well, maybe you should say this," or "maybe you should do that." Why would I do that if I knew she was operating in wisdom? I was being so noisy that I couldn't even hear fully what the Holy Spirit was saying on the inside of me! Well, I went on to bed at about 12:30 a.m. or so and when I laid down and got quiet, I heard Him! I got up out of bed, went back to my daughter's room and said, "just completely disregard my comments. I apologize for running at the mouth. You are doing the right thing. You know you are anointed to do what you are doing, and your gift will be seen if you continue to be diligent and faithful. It's really easy to be quiet until you know that your children are concerned in a situation." I know the Holy Spirit would tell her if she did need to DO something. So we sat and talked with each other, very aware of what the Holy Spirit was telling us, for almost an hour.

So, learning to fully follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. I'm getting it! I'm getting it! We are all getting it! I am overjoyed that God has set us in a place to be able to learn the things we are learning and to be in a local body that is also hooked into the Word and teachings! I know we are in the right place at the right time and we are DOING what we are learning!

Things that make you go hmmmmmmm . . .

Ok, a while back, Lauren and I were in the Van Buren Super Center and ran across an invention that left me speechless.

It is the amazing Slipper Genie!The package says, "slip them on and they will do the cleaning for you!" Wouldn't you feel a little silly scooting around house like a little 97 year old man? Think about it. Probably some guy invented them after sitting up all night watching old episodes of Carol Burnett. And the functionality! "Can you help me? My legs are stuck!" "Uh, honey, how did that happen?" "I was dusting under the bed." "Oh, of course! How foolish of me to ask!

Either I don't get it or this is simply the laziest cleaning product I have ever seen. And if it is the laziest cleaning product I have ever seen, I still don't get it. O_O

NOW HEAR THIS!

As some of you know, today is Lauren's birthday! You all knew this was coming, huh? So, wish her a happy one, give her a hard time, or whatever you feel appropriate!

I have to say, my heart swells when I see the woman of God you are becoming, Lauren! I love you, sweets! Happy birthday!

Would you really like that?

You know, Lauren and I were talking the other day. She had brought a scripture to me that was like a rhema word for her, and she was so excited! And as we talked about it, we started talking about being used of God. You know, how so many people say (either to others or to themselves), "oh, I would love to be used of God like THAT!" I've said it too and I heard "Well, BE used of God like that!"

Lauren and I talked about how God is no respecter of persons, and how he is not looking for a vessel of a certain make-up, as in silver or gold, but that He is looking for yielded vessels. Someone that will make themselves usable in the hands of God and their hearts pliable toward His Word.

An old pastor of mine used to say, "I can say, I would love to play the piano like the church pianist! I would love to play the guitar like Brother So-and-so!" But they don't really want to enough to take lessons and practice every day. I have thought about that many times over the last several years. And so, it is a checking point for me.

There is a price to pay - however that terminology seems so painful to me. Because as I yield, I find such a joy! Line upon line . . . .

A birthday

Well, if you don't already know, Saturday is Jordan's birthday! So in honor of the occasion, Lauren and I dug out some old photos.

Everyday with the Lord

You know, I have been meditating and pondering the class last Thursday that Marty Blackwelder taught on living in the presence of God. I don't know if that was the actual title, but those of you who were there know what I mean.

That was such a special message. Darlene and I sat in my kitchen the next day and talked about it. We talked about how personal the Lord is. She got so excited when she listened to the message at the prospect of living that way. For me, it was a very gentle and intimate thing. I know that the Lord wants to have such an intimate relationship with us, and when Brother Marty preached that message, (like I told Dar) my heart was so very overwhelmed, I just started to cry. I couldn't hold it back! I told her that if he had not closed when he did, I could feel audible sobbing coming! My heart was just so tender to this.

Anyway, it has stirred my heart to just be alone with the Lord. Just to love on Him and spend time in His presence for no reason except just to be with Him.

I guess that's all I have to say. Amazing huh? :)

Right action, wrong action . . .

Well, here I am, for those of you who wondered if I would ever post again! I do love writing, but sometimes life is so full in the living of it that writing about it does not take priority!

But I digress from the subject on my heart, which is, God is doing so much work in me, it is exciting to me! I love reading the Word, but I also love reading books about the Word that comes from the experience of others in the Body of Christ that I respect. I love to hear what God has revealed to them and sometimes I get such an explosive rhema word as I am reading! That has happened to me lately with a book by Mark Hankins.

When I first bought the book, I started reading it and it really didn't hit the spot at the time. But I picked it back up recently and wow! He goes into great detail about corresponding actions to faith (which is also what PK has been teaching about lately) and I got such a clear picture of something.

A couple of years ago, we were in one of the biggest battles of our life, during which time, my brother went to heaven, so it was tough. I was very careful at that time to not talk about the problem. I mean, I was standing firm, and even avoided people (especially at work) that tended to be negative. I firmly closed my mouth and was faithful to not say the wrong thing. However, the thing did not turn out the way I expected. You see, the part I missed was opening my mouth to say the right thing. I did not understand the part about the corresponding action to my faith. I burned up so much energy trying to keep my mouth closed!

So, God got us through it, and put us in a better spot! And He has taught us more, and praise God, we won't ever go through something like that again! I will not let intimidation have a foothold in my life! I am going forward and I am not looking back!