Seriously, why is the "First Commandment" first? Did God just place them in random order? When Jesus was asked what is the greatest commandment, was He just pulling our leg?
So, what is the greatest thing that I can do as a human being? What is the one thing that I can know without a doubt I have been called to do above all else, above what I was raised to believe and above what the world tells me is great?
To love the Lord my God with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind, and with all my strength.
Everything else will flow from this. In fact, the second greatest commandment even flows from this first one... so, I will love my neighbor as myself.
If I give my all to loving God, if I give my heart, soul, mind, and strength to this one thing... then I will be a better wife, mother, friend, and neighbor.
I will be poor in spirit, I will mourn, I will be meek, I will hunger and thirst for righteousness, I will be merciful, I will be pure in heart, I will be a peacemaker, and will be persecuted for righteouseness' sake.
Lord, let us chose the one thing, the greatest thing. Awaken love inside of us. Stir our love for you. You said that this was the greatest. Let us stop and sit at Your feet. Let it be in our lives, let our lives be a fragrant, costly oil poured out for You.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
Where am I anyway?
Sometimes there are times and whole days like today that I just ask God, "where am I, what is this place that You have brought me to?" ....'cause its just so amazing!
I must say how proud I am of our housemate, Nate. He has begun to lead the Jr. High ministry here at IHOP. He gave his first message tonight and I thought that the Lord really spoke through him. We feel privileged to support him and our nephew Stephen. They are blessings from the Lord.
So, Garrett and Raven went to their first Jr. High service. I think that having Nate and Stephen as housemates and Jr. High ministry staff is such a blessing to the boys. It has already helped the boys feel as though they belong. Praise be to the Lord Jesus!
I must say how proud I am of our housemate, Nate. He has begun to lead the Jr. High ministry here at IHOP. He gave his first message tonight and I thought that the Lord really spoke through him. We feel privileged to support him and our nephew Stephen. They are blessings from the Lord.
So, Garrett and Raven went to their first Jr. High service. I think that having Nate and Stephen as housemates and Jr. High ministry staff is such a blessing to the boys. It has already helped the boys feel as though they belong. Praise be to the Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Sermon on the Mount
"If God is not with us, we do not want to continue. If the Sermon on the Mount is simply impractical, our mission work is hopeless. We have no backup plan. We have nothing but Him." --Heidi Baker
Amen, sister! Here at IHOP, we are specifically, radically called to live a Sermon on the Mount lifestyle. We love Jesus, we pray, we serve. I, myself, have a ways to go still.
A quote from Mother Teresa:
"The world today is hungry not only for the bread but hungry for love; hungry to be wanted, to be loved. They're hungry to feel that presence of Christ. In many countries, people have everything except that presence, that understanding. That's why the life of prayer and sacrifice comes to give that love. By being contemplative, you are to be that presence, that bread of God to break."
Lord, let me be that presence, that bread of God to break.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Amen, sister! Here at IHOP, we are specifically, radically called to live a Sermon on the Mount lifestyle. We love Jesus, we pray, we serve. I, myself, have a ways to go still.
A quote from Mother Teresa:
"The world today is hungry not only for the bread but hungry for love; hungry to be wanted, to be loved. They're hungry to feel that presence of Christ. In many countries, people have everything except that presence, that understanding. That's why the life of prayer and sacrifice comes to give that love. By being contemplative, you are to be that presence, that bread of God to break."
Lord, let me be that presence, that bread of God to break.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
What day is it today anyway?
The last intense 21 days of the 40-day fast followed by driving 8 hours with 4 kids to Gainesville, TX, followed by 2 days of bridesmaid dress, hair and makeup, followed by driving 4.5 hours with 4 kids to Houston, followed by driving back 4.5 hours with 4 kids to Gainesville, followed by driving back 8 hours to Kansas City, and then summed up with another day of fasting and prayer watching TheCall DC.....
..... I have no idea what day today is.
Thursday, Wade's parents arrive to stay three nights. Friday morning, I will serve at weekends at IHOP then I will help get ready and then pull off a "not-so surprise" surprise birthday party for our neighbor/friend Shawn. Saturday, I will serve lunch for weekends at IHOP. Sunday, Wade and I start a marriage class. And, in between everything, there is life and planning Gabi and Raven's birthday party.
But, I am trying my best to be a "Mary of Bethany". I long to sit at the feet of Jesus, to pour out my worship fragrance unto the Lord. I choose this one thing, this one important thing. I choose to love the Lord with all that I have and all that I am. I will choose every moment of every day to do this one thing. Lord, I say that I am sincere and that I am lovely to You. I am Yours. There is no turning around.
..... I have no idea what day today is.
Thursday, Wade's parents arrive to stay three nights. Friday morning, I will serve at weekends at IHOP then I will help get ready and then pull off a "not-so surprise" surprise birthday party for our neighbor/friend Shawn. Saturday, I will serve lunch for weekends at IHOP. Sunday, Wade and I start a marriage class. And, in between everything, there is life and planning Gabi and Raven's birthday party.
But, I am trying my best to be a "Mary of Bethany". I long to sit at the feet of Jesus, to pour out my worship fragrance unto the Lord. I choose this one thing, this one important thing. I choose to love the Lord with all that I have and all that I am. I will choose every moment of every day to do this one thing. Lord, I say that I am sincere and that I am lovely to You. I am Yours. There is no turning around.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
back in KC & bloggin'
Its good to be back in KC. The kids and I arrived back on Thursday night.
We are trying to get back into our routine. Today was TheCall DC. We all went into one of IHOP's auditoriums and watched via GodTV.
I hope to post some photos of our trip to Texas and some of our house here in KC too.
God is good. He brings restoration and makes all things new.
We are trying to get back into our routine. Today was TheCall DC. We all went into one of IHOP's auditoriums and watched via GodTV.
I hope to post some photos of our trip to Texas and some of our house here in KC too.
God is good. He brings restoration and makes all things new.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Day 19 of 21 last day in KC
I didn't blog on the 19th day, but I am now. We spent yesterday getting ready for the trip to Texas.
I was sad in the prayer room. It will be hard to be gone for a week. The presence of the Lord is so great in that place. The praise, worship, and prayer never stops. Everyone is pressing in during the last few days of the 40 day fast.
But, the Lord has called me back to my hometown. I will end the last of my time in the wilderness among those that I grew up with, among those that only knew me when I did not know the Lord. Then, I will break the fast with the wedding party at the rehearsal and then the wedding feast the next day.
Jesus, I pray:
..the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. And whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. (Rev. 22:17)
I was sad in the prayer room. It will be hard to be gone for a week. The presence of the Lord is so great in that place. The praise, worship, and prayer never stops. Everyone is pressing in during the last few days of the 40 day fast.
But, the Lord has called me back to my hometown. I will end the last of my time in the wilderness among those that I grew up with, among those that only knew me when I did not know the Lord. Then, I will break the fast with the wedding party at the rehearsal and then the wedding feast the next day.
Jesus, I pray:
..the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. And whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. (Rev. 22:17)
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Day 18 of 21 three days left
Three more days left. The kids and I leave for Texas on Thursday. I have a wedding rehearsal Friday night after I break the fast. Then, Saturday is the wedding.
Wade started back to work this afternoon. Thursday he will start his new schedule of 4pm-midnight.
The Lord is good and gracious. His ways are perfect and beyond our human wisdom. All that He does is done in order to cause us to love Him more. At times, He removes things that are hindering our love towards Him. I pray that we would all love Him with all that we are and will be throughout eternity.
Wade started back to work this afternoon. Thursday he will start his new schedule of 4pm-midnight.
The Lord is good and gracious. His ways are perfect and beyond our human wisdom. All that He does is done in order to cause us to love Him more. At times, He removes things that are hindering our love towards Him. I pray that we would all love Him with all that we are and will be throughout eternity.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Day 17 of 21 four more days
The end is in sight. Thank you Lord for Your amazing grace!
Wade got his job back. So, praise the Lord we will have regular income. We still plan to go through the Intro internship and join staff part time. I pray the Lord's will be done.
I had a great night at home group and received great prayer. I feel really refreshed.
Right now no day has been easy. I constantly pray for grace. God has really been revealing how much He loves me and how pleased He is with me. He has told me that I am stronger and more mature than I think that I am. He has been reminding me of previous words of destiny that He has spoken over me. This encouragement is very precious and invaluable to me right now.
Wade got his job back. So, praise the Lord we will have regular income. We still plan to go through the Intro internship and join staff part time. I pray the Lord's will be done.
I had a great night at home group and received great prayer. I feel really refreshed.
Right now no day has been easy. I constantly pray for grace. God has really been revealing how much He loves me and how pleased He is with me. He has told me that I am stronger and more mature than I think that I am. He has been reminding me of previous words of destiny that He has spoken over me. This encouragement is very precious and invaluable to me right now.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Day 16 of 21 the home stretch
Today a peace has overcome me. Thank you Lord Jesus!
I had a good time of prayer in the prayer room last night. I just told Jesus that I needed Him to carry me the rest of the way if He would.
We spent a lovely evening with our neighbors/friends, Shawn and Angel. They are great to hang out with and just talk about God and business ideas.
We should find something out about Wade's job tomorrow.
Praise the Lord its only 5 more days!
I had a good time of prayer in the prayer room last night. I just told Jesus that I needed Him to carry me the rest of the way if He would.
We spent a lovely evening with our neighbors/friends, Shawn and Angel. They are great to hang out with and just talk about God and business ideas.
We should find something out about Wade's job tomorrow.
Praise the Lord its only 5 more days!
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Day 15 of 21 tough, tough day
Today was really tough. I felt attacked on all sides. Its like I stirred up a hornets nest. Everything was pretty tame and docile, but then BAM! Its like the darkness didn't mind my fasting much until day 15.
I heard a teaching here a couple of weeks ago that I think applies. Lou Engle said that the enemy doesn't mind holding on for a few days of fasting. On an extended fast, areas of darkness or things that need to be broken off can't hold on though. Also, to move into a new level of authority and anointing the enemy has a right to test our sincerity.
Overall, we are on a 40 day fast. I felt the Lord lead me to push in more during the last 21. So, while doing a Daniel fast like I have before, I did not encounter such opposition. While pushing in harder these last 15 days, the opposition has become like running into a brick wall.
I guess I'm doing something right though.
I heard a teaching here a couple of weeks ago that I think applies. Lou Engle said that the enemy doesn't mind holding on for a few days of fasting. On an extended fast, areas of darkness or things that need to be broken off can't hold on though. Also, to move into a new level of authority and anointing the enemy has a right to test our sincerity.
Overall, we are on a 40 day fast. I felt the Lord lead me to push in more during the last 21. So, while doing a Daniel fast like I have before, I did not encounter such opposition. While pushing in harder these last 15 days, the opposition has become like running into a brick wall.
I guess I'm doing something right though.
Day 14 of 21 losing track of time
I'm starting to lose track of time and whole days. So, yesterday was okay considering it being so many days now.
I helped check in visitors attending Weekends @ IHOP. We had a lot of people and a large amount from Texas actually. So, if you haven't visited yet and you are from Texas... well, obviously you are missing out.
Have you ever fasted? I highly recommend it. Here are some books that teach about the different aspects of fasting...
Rewards of Fasting by Mike Bickle
The Hidden Power of Prayer and Fasting by Mahesh Chavda
Fasting by Derek Prince
Shaping History Through Prayer and Fasting by Derek Prince
I helped check in visitors attending Weekends @ IHOP. We had a lot of people and a large amount from Texas actually. So, if you haven't visited yet and you are from Texas... well, obviously you are missing out.
Have you ever fasted? I highly recommend it. Here are some books that teach about the different aspects of fasting...
Rewards of Fasting by Mike Bickle
The Hidden Power of Prayer and Fasting by Mahesh Chavda
Fasting by Derek Prince
Shaping History Through Prayer and Fasting by Derek Prince
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