Way Maker

As you know, last month I went to the Bethel conference called Heaven Come in Grand Prairie, Texas, ... and I haven’t been the same! 🤔The worship was incredible and a few of the songs became an anthem in my heart. 

This past weekend, I took a last minute QUICK trip to Minnesota for a family wedding and time with my husband’s elderly parents. Saturday, after the wedding, we went to one of the area attractions, Minnehaha Falls. As I was walking down the stairs to the falls I heard a “trumpet” (I later saw it was a shofar). I was intrigued and had to investigate what was going on. Then I also heard drums and thought maybe there was some Native American Indian gathering going on.

When I got to the bottom of the stairs, and walked toward the bridge over the creek, there was a small group of Nigerian believers releasing a "new song" at the base of the falls. The words they were singing were that of a worship and declaration of the God I love!  Of course, I had to encounter what God was up to!❤

I walked over the them and then we began to exchange our stories, testimonies, and our hearts on fire for Him. We were immediately connected as one, in Him!  I just love how a total stranger becomes a co-laborer in a "happenstance" 😉 connection!

All this to say, that in our sharing I mentioned how I have been to Nigeria and I left a part of my heart there.  I then started sharing about this new song I have been hearing that was written by another Nigerian, Way Maker. They immediately said yes, as they not only knew the song but they knew the writer, Sinach!

Right there a suddenly erupted as we all spontaneously began singing the song - declaring the truth of who our God is over Minneapolis! Don’t you just love when the Lord encounters us like that?

So now this morning, I “stumbled” 😂 across this song. (We never “stumble anywhere – right?” God is so intentional!  As we enter this new Hebraic year of 5780 (as we are on the doorstep of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) let’s take a minute to remember who our God is and what He can do! 

To hear the news on secular airwaves, you would think the world has gone crazy and then we are invaded by heaven... right here on earth! The Lord sweetly and kindly drops sweet kisses from heaven into your lap. 

Take a minute and listen to this version of Way Maker.  It is my most favorite rendition (that I can find recorded), although Michael Bethany of Gateway church in Southlake has an anointed version as well – just not shareable – you have to hear him live. 

Remember, He is YOUR way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper, light in the darkness... that is who He is!! Have a fabulous day IN Him!  He wants to encounter earth WITH you.  Make room for Him!

Never Forget - A day of remembering....

Never Forget!

But have we forgotten?  Our country came together in the days after this horrible tragedy.  People prayed openly together. We saw grown men, strangers, hugging one another. Stores sold out of American Flags!  Black, white, republican, democrat, rich, poor - didn't matter; we were as one!  We were ALL Americans and we were united as a country.

Now we have some taking a knee in protest over that very same flag.  We speak harshly against others who are not our race, our color, our ethnicity.  What has happened to our nation? We are divided and divisive and many are even farther from God.  Father forgive us for only pressing into you when calamity comes.  I have not forgotten and I am forever thankful those who ran INTO Trouble to save strangers they new nothing about.  Love does that.  Love gives!

On this day of reflection, let us also not forget to remember WHO our God is and what He does ... He is the Way Maker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper and the Light in the Darkness — That is WHO HE IS!

When I went to the Heaven Come event (in Grand Prairie, Texas, two week-ends ago) they sang this song: Way Maker.  This link is the closest version I have found online to what we heard at the event as Bethel hasn't recorded their version yet. Let this song get in your spirit and heal all that ails you because there sure is a lot of darkness around us.

I have been ministering to many broken situations in Godly people's lives almost daily for months now. I am sure you know of many people hurting too, suffering, struggling BUT "even when we don't feel it, He's working! Even when we don't see it, He's working. He never stops, He never stops working!" Praise His Holy Name!

Currently, a funeral is going on for a 32-year-old young man who was in our home (and lives) for 3 years while two of my children went to a ministry school. He was a room-mate to one son and then boss to another. He spent many weekends at our home. He loved God and served him full-on since I have known him. He married (8 years ago) and leaves behind his wife, a 4-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter. My daughter was 2 when we met him and now he has a 2-year-old. He chose to "wait" for his wife. He kissed her (for the first time) at the altar on their wedding day in the presence of their families. He valued family; both from where he came and what he was going. He would even call me "mom". His wife shared this week-end how he would kneel at her side by the bed, every night to pray over her before she went to sleep. He has finished his race and she is left clinging to Jesus! But we know, Jesus IS the Way Maker - even in the darkness. Right? Her faith is grounded in the Lord yet her knees are knocking as she looks ahead. Jesus come!

I know several people who recently have buried their mates in just the last few months. Men who are upside-down in grief and wives too, pressing into Him. Jesus come!

Another friend's husband lost his job of 20 years and they are facing change and uncertainty. They know God is faithful but they are clinging to Him to find the next place. Jesus come!

I have been ministering to a woman who has been battling darkness over her life, like a cloud for over 3 years. She loves God greatly and is struggling to get free. Her head knows the answers but her heart fails her. Jesus come!

As you may have read, another Christian minister committed suicide yesterday, and again, a friend of my son's, (from the ministry school) knew this pastor personally. People around the nation are left wondering. Questioning. Hurting. He too left behind a wife and children.

Sickness and disease pressing into families/friends... battles for health, strength. Jesus come!
I ministered to another woman (and husband) who are dealing with grown (Christian) children who have broken fellowship with them. Their family is hurting. Unforgiveness is chained to hearts. Jesus come.

Another Christian family has a 20-something child who has decided to "live on the streets" (in a vehicle) with her boyfriend. She suddenly walked away from a great job with living arrangements; bitter, broken, angry, and doing their own thing. Jesus come.

I have had several calls, texts, messages from people dealing with "marriages" - some married less than a year, others married decades. Christian, God-fearing couples breaking-up. Husband's have "secret" affairs (real and online) and wives left shocked, devastated, broken. Wives hanging on to unforgiveness and not choosing to forgive. Money wars. Hate. Anger. Jesus come.

Who do you know that is walking through "a storm"? I think we all know someone that is being "pressed" to their very core. Hanging on tightly to Jesus and praying they will come through. Maybe it is you. Jesus come!

The days we are living in are quite intense BUT...

...what I know is that I HAVE TO STAND on what I know (not what I feel, not what I think, not what people say, not even what church people tell me).

WHAT I KNOW IS that JESUS IS THE ANSWER! He is the Way Maker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper, Light in the Darkness. My God - THAT IS WHO YOU ARE!

All Hail King Jesus! - How to have a conversation with the King.

This morning I felt the Lord press me to share.  I have loved social media and thanked the Lord for its ability for me to be connected to friends/family who have moved away and also to be fed (I have allowed only edifying posts to come through my screen - blocking the vial images, mindless games and such) allowing uplifting posts but, as with anything, we need to find the lanes to operate in. Social media, for all the good (which I believe there has been some good) has become a horrible venue for thoughtful, nuanced, respectful dialogue as people have become so free with their "speech" as they declare their "rights"...trampling over others.  I am intrigued by the people (some I know, some I read about) who declare boldly to others that they are "nice, merciful, meek, dare I say, even kind" (inferring others aren't) and it's up to them to champion for the "weak, forgotten, wounded, lonely, rejected", (... you pick your adjective) slaying people on the path as "Champions" (many of these "champions" call themselves Christians and think they are battling for Christ). They see no problem "trampling over" all those that disagree with them; shouting out their views, calling names, maybe even using obscenities, marching, protesting (even some wearing vulgar hats).  True, in Christ, all things are permissible (you CAN do this as a Christian) but not all things are beneficial. (I Corinthians 10:23). This behavior has been "justified" by many as I have seen utter rudeness displayed on topics ranging from illegal immigration, to gay rights, and anti-establishment issues - even speaking disrespectfully defaming offices of highest esteem to those in authority (Romans 13:1) and MANY of these voices call themselves by the name of "Christ".  I agree that hard topics need to be discussed; in fact, I totally believe that we, the church, have not done this well BUT hate-filled, attacking, defamation speech and words being spewed among the "brethren" at the brethren, the name-calling, angry actions manifesting, and all this happening being fully justified in our behavior is NOT the way of the gospel.  I know you have seen this too. Christians, in anger, confronting other Christians saying, "you were wrong (for not being kind, like me) because you did this or that" as they do the very thing they are accusing others of having done against them to their brother.  How does that work?

My dad used to say, "You have the right to swing your arms, ... until you hit someone else in the nose."  Think about it. 😳 What is happening to us, the church?  Where is love?  For that matter, what is love?  If you haven't ever talked with me, you will find I love to ask questions and I have learned to take my questions to the Lord.

I minister to many people in various situations from all over North America. I read about this or hear about that; Christians reaching out with broken lives, broken stories, broken relationships, broken finances, broken health, did I say broken,... broken!  Sometimes people are dealing with another people's current sin choices and sometimes they are just dealing with someone's past offenses. They could be dealing with their own failures and their own unforgiveness; toward themselves and/or toward others but we don't get to stay in a place of broken, again, not as believers. Let me say, it again, God let's us choose whatever we want to do, but AS BELIEVERS, who believe, we are required to live GOD'S way, not our own! We choose to lay down our lives, our way, our rights. (I John 3:14-16).  I truly am seeing we are so far from God and His way in our society. Christians awake!  We have become the very churches that John wrote warnings to in Revelation - far from God. Think about this, John is talking to the CHURCHES, not the world! Let.that.sink.in. and read it again: Revelation gave warnings to CHURCHES — Christian people; the YOU's AND ME!  Father, I repent!  I want YOUR way, not my own way! (Isaiah 53:6).

We are living in a time where more than ever, God is reminding us that He requires immediate obedience from His people. This requires us HEARING Him. Many Christians I have encountered say they pray (talk to God), maybe that is you, but when it comes to them telling me they "hear" Him, that is a different discussion.  Many tell me they read their bible or they go to church and they are fairly confident when they say they know God because they think knowing Him is talking to Him or talking ABOUT Him or going to church or reading their bible - right? Some feel they know Him because they are working FOR Him, but does "working for someone" mean that you truly LET them (your boss [God in this instance]) into your personal life?  Even the demons say they know of and believe in Jesus. (James 2:19). A question we really need to be asking is not just do we "know" Him but have we made Him King and do we follow Him? Are we bondservants?  That is what Paul called following after the Lord? Do we HEAR HIM? Do we dialog WITH Him and does He speak to us?  See relationship is not just one person doing all the talking (us praying) but true intimacy requires TWO; both sharing, giving, building, responding.  The question really gets down to, does He know me? (Matthew 7:21-23).

Let me dig this out... people say they "pray" (talk to God) but then what? What is He saying TO you after you talked to Him?  I ask people, how did He "answer" you (your prayer)?  Crickets. 😳  Many times I hear nothing from them because they say He didn't answer.  I have heard them say God doesn't respond. What?  How is this amazing God we serve not responding? He says, My sheep hear MY voice (John 10:27)...so He HAS to talk to us, otherwise He would be a liar because we (as sheep) hear His voice!  Maybe we are just not asking the right questions.

Again, I believe the question is do WE know HOW to talk to Him so He can respond and then do we wait to hear from Him and what He is saying to us? Over and over in Revelation is says, "to Him who has an ear let Him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches". I am truly convinced we don't let Him speak because deep down, many times, we just don't know how to hear Him, to listen to Him; to respond.  And, if we are honest, there are also those who really don't WANT to hear Him at all because that could quite possibly require them to "change"... and who loves to "change" and is willing to "change"?  We really don't like doing anything we don't like doing.

So, my question to you is, do you ask Him to speak to you?  Do you ask Him questions?  Acts 2 teaches us two great questions to ask to begin a conversation with the Lord.  It teaches us WHAT to ask.  In verse 13 they ask, "What does this mean?" Then in verse 37 they ask, "What are we to do?"  This is such a great place to start with the Lord.  When you pray (and if you are like most people, you get into the list of things you want God to fix - pray) you tell Him all kinds of things.  But next time you pray, take that list of things and stop.  Let's say you have issues in your job.  You have been praying about all the broken thing going on with the boss and such.  Take that situation to the Lord and use Act 2 as your guide.  Like this: Lord, what is this "issue" I am having at work? What does this mean?  Then let the Lord respond.  He may say, "Well, you have unforgiveness toward your boss because you didn't the raise you thought you should get and now you are bitter about it.

Then ask the Lord the second question: "What do you want me to do about that?"  I promise you, God will talk to you! He desires communication WITH us.  He wants us to dialog WITH Him.  This is just a great place to start.  Before you know it, you will be hearing the Lord with great ease - even in your dreams!

I ponder/dialog many things with the Lord as this area of broken Christianity is just one arena I have seen such wounding in the body of believers.  Even this morning I woke up to a dream regarding distention in some outside relationships (of believers, not having to do with me) and I was pressed back into Him to find out what it means.  Follow up questions with the Lord!

Have we lost our way in the body of Christ? People have become so "me" centered. They "rise up" to "speak out" (all the while thinking they think they are the champions for the weak (they even quote scriptures justifying their stance) but are they truly seeing how their actions are hurting others?  As believers do we get to stand on one scripture and deny the others?

In my conversations with these type of Christians, they feel "justified" because their way seems right (to them).  Hmmm, God even addresses this in His word: there is a way that seems right to man.... (Proverbs 14:12). When did humanity become the face of JUSTICE?  Even Jesus said He didn't come to judge* (John 12:47).  *[Judge (v): (to) form an opinion or conclusion about.] These Christians have expressed to me that they feel the ends (how they are acting) justify the means (the cause they are fighting for) but that isn't Christlikeness.

They state things like, "You [whatever our topic is] acted like a jerk [whatever they disagree about] so I get to treat you poorly too!" Really?  Two wrongs make a right now? Suddenly, we have Christians feeling justified to being rude, hateful, condescending, and dare I say, even anti-Christlike to each other?  But that isn't the only tactic. No!  Some Christians see this rude behavior is clearly "not Christlike" so they don't go there, they have another avenue to vent their aught; they just block people out of their life and won't talk to them. They choose to ignore those they have "conflict" with.  If they have to be in the same spaces (like family gatherings, they don't acknowledge them), or they avoid them (like at work, walking a different way to the lunchroom), or they cut them off (like deleting them from facebook or unfollow them on Instagram).  (Matthew 5:23-24). What has happened to, "Come let us reason together?" (Isaiah 1:18). I have seen this over and over again in what we call Christianity and we wonder why many people today want nothing to do with our Jesus?  Father forgive us!

As believers, we don't "get" to (although the Lord always let's us choose so we can do this) crush all others in our paths while we are on the road for what we think is justice.  The Kingdom of God has no place for our self-righteousness. When WE think WE are "building a better place and helping Holy Spirit" - that is a clear indicator that WE have pride in our lives.  Seems we all think "our way" is the "right" way...but what does Jesus say?  What does Jesus think? People talk and say they are "believers" but what do they do?  Our actions are telling the story.

This past Thursday, a 32 year-old young man (that was in ministry with two of my grown sons years ago) went to sleep and didn't wake up.  He left behind a wife of 8 years with two small children; a son who is 4 and a daughter who is 2.  We met him when my daughter was 2, she is now 16. We had him in our home many times during the three years he was in ministry with our boys. He has now finished his race — strong; serving and loving God, his family, and his friends.  He is in the presence of the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8) as he lived his faith, sharing with all he knew his love and need for Christ. Everyday I find myself pressing into the Lord with my questions, my concerns, my needs, my desires, and this event was no different. His passing caused me to encounter the Lord too.  We don't know when we will be called home.  Life is fleeting. I encourage you to encounter the Lord while He is still able to be found. (Isaiah 55:6-13).  We, the church need to start being the Bride - ready for her coming groom! (Revelation 19:7).

The Lord led me to worship this morning, after I awoke from the dream and began to encounter Him.  Worship is a great place to start our conversations with the Lord.  Jesus said so, saying this is how you should pray, "Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,..." (Matthew 6:9-13) - there it is, hallowed; it means "holy, consecrated".  Take some time to worship Him - His holiness; consecrate yourself to be like Him — Holy! (I Peter 1:15-17).

I started with this song, by Jeremy Riddle, All Hail King Jesus. But what about you?  Are you willing to let Him be King and rule over all — even over you?  Jesus come!

Who Will Take Grandma?

This was one of my favorite poems growing up as a kid.  My mom, who worked for the Senior Citizen's of Minnesota found this poem and then shared it with me in the late 1970's.  I knew then I would always have room in my home for mom.  And I did.  💗

Here is the audio version as well.  ENJOY!


WHO WILL TAKE GRANDMA?

Who will take grandma? Who will it be?
All of us want her, - I'm sure you'll agree!
Let's call a meeting, - let's gather the clan.
Let's get it settled as soon as we can.

In such a big family, there's certainly one
Willing to giver her a place in the sun!
Strange how e thought that she'd never wear out,
But see how she walks, it's arthritis, no doubt.

Her eyesight is faded, her memory's dim,
She's apt to insist on the silliest whim.
When people get older they become such a care!
She must have a home, but the question is where?

Remember the days when she used to be spry?
Baked her own cookies and made her own pie?
Helped us with lessons and tended our seams,
Kissed away troubles and mended our dreams?

Wonderful grandma!  We all loved her so!
Isn't it dreadful she's no place to go?
One little corner is all she would need.
A shoulder to cry on, her Bible to read.

A chair by the window with sun coming through,
Some pretty spring flowers still covered with dew.
Who'll warm her with love so she won't mind the cold?
Oh, who will take Grandmother now that she's old?

What? Nobody wants her? Oh, yes, there is ONE
Willing to give her a place in the sun.
Where she won't have to worry or wonder or doubt,
And she won't be OUR problem to bother about.

Pretty soon now, God will give her a bed,
But who'll dry our tears when dear Grandma is dead?

by Clara Clark-Grantz [1910-1989]

The Pressing of New Wine

Good wonderful December 1st afternoon (or whatever your time zone says the time is)!

This song! Wow. Just so, so good!

I have SO many friends being pressed right now. I have many dear friends struggling. Some friends are battling sickness/disease. Some are battling marriage/children issues. Whatever the "battle" you find yourself in right now, just know GOD IS NEAR and He is FOR YOU! He is WITH us! In this season of Advent remember - EMMANUEL, God WITH us! HALLELUJAH!!!

If you find yourself in the "wine press" right now, this song will remind you what it really going on and what it really is all about. See, in the life of the Christian there is our part and then there is God's part. Our part is to surrender and this opens the way for Him to do His part, and He will do His part —  to bring about the good fruit in us! He is pressing His church (the bride, us!) to find Him in this season, to yield to HIS ways, to let Him "drive", if you will.

One way I do this (yield) is to quiet myself (sometimes I am right in the middle of life - like at Starbucks, or at a swim meet, or driving... you know - doing life) or maybe I have time to just be home and sit.  Either way, I start (I put on my headphones if in public place or I get in my office), and I turn on the music, melting into a chair and  then cranking up the sound. (Not too loud but loud enough that it is the ONLY thing I hear.)  I get still. I close my eyes (unless driving) and I listen. I let the words wash over me. Sometimes I raise my voice and I declare the words with the singer by singing along. Sometimes, with considerable volume (shouting) I declare the words over me — building me up in my  most holy faith.  And yet other times, I just weep and let the words permeate into me. I yield to His way. I let God cleanse me, purify me, fill me, saturate me, ENCOUNTER ME. I give permission to Him and HE begins to work Himself into those places of doubt and unbelief in my mind that I don't even realize have crept into my thinking. I decrease and He suddenly increases as changes me.

With all the busyness of this season, take time to rest and maybe even sit and listen. Be quiet before the Lord and just let Him love you. Be still and KNOW that He is God.

So, this song ministered to me recently and I think it will bless you ALL too — in all that you find yourself “pressed” about. Such a good reminder! Such a powerful declaration! HE LOVES YOU!!! HE IS FOR YOU! HE IS WITH YOU! HE WANTS TO REDEEM ALL THAT IS BROKEN. Did I say — He loves you!

Surrender ALL that concerns you to Him! He wants to handle what you can’t. He WILL make you into all that you need to be. He will finish what He has started.  (He started you by knitting you together in your mother's womb.)  Our perfection NEVER will compare to His perfection. He wants to make ALL THINGS new — redemption!

So, stop and cue up this song. Sit back and crank it up…then just let God pour over you, onto you and INTO you…. Let Him detox you. "Tis the season — Emmanuel, God WITH us! 

NEW WINE - Hillsong Worship

The Prophetic Gift and Prebytery

We have such an amazing God who gives His people such amazing gifts.  These gifts come from heaven to us in many ways; through the Spirit of the Lord, of course, through the Word (the written Bible), and even through the gift of His people!

Today I was a website of one of my areas largest churches who continually have great pieces of heaven for the body of Christ.  This week-end they are speaking into some of their leadership and congregational people in an event called a "presbytery".  The word presbytery comes from the Greek word: presbuterion, which means "body of elders". So when a body of believers has a presbytery, the leaders (elders) from their circles of believers begin to seek the Lord and then set a time where random or selected people are ministered to in the way of prophecy for a night, a week-end, a week - whatever their timeframe is.  It is a time to encourage, exhort, refresh, impart and release people into new areas of ministry, speak potential into them, show them new places in the Lord and just overall encourage.  It should NEVER be a time to embarrass or call people out for past sins.

As I read the first two lines (under #2), I felt the Lord so strong where it said: “So when He wants you to do something, He’s going to speak it, or in other words, He’s going to impart it to you.” That was SO good! The Lord speaks to us because He wants us TO DO SOMETHING. So many times, people just do not respond to what God is doing, we hear Him, but do nothing with that information.  Father, forgive us!

When you have prophetic words spoken to you or over you about your destiny, HE WANTS YOU TO DO SOMETHING - to receive and act on that word.  Activate it!

What does that look like?  Well, just like when we build a house, we frame it in first. Prophetic words are the “frames” we build on - we attach structure to.  Take some time to read over (I hope you have them recorded or written down) the prophetic words spoken over you.  Look as see if you are activating in them.  Are you seeking the Lord to use those words to do the kingdom for the Lord.

To read more on what a presbytery is, go to: http://gatewaypeople.com/.../ask-a-pastor-what-is-presbytery

The 2016 Election and Christianity

David Barton of WallBuilders

I have known David Barton personally for at least 15 years. He is a man of integrity and knowledge. Here is a short clip of him speaking at Sojourn Church in Dallas Texas on September 4, 2016.  INCREDIBLE, concise and to the point about what matters in this upcoming election cycle and the Christians living here in America. Please listen to what he has to say and ask the Lord about this election. You have until the 11th of October to register to vote here in Texas. If you are my friend reading this, I pray you will VOTE! Our children and their children's futures will be effected by the winner.  

Do you want to listen to the whole message that he gave at Sojourn Church?  Click here.  God help us if Christians again decide to stay home this election cycle!

Here is what he is talking about...follow these links and read for yourself what each party represents

Republican Party Platform

Democratic Party Platform

Click on WallBuilders  if you want more information about David Barton and his organization.

Katy Perry and her music...

So I guess I have been out-of-touch with trending music and "pop" culture as I didn't know much about Katy Perry before the Super Bowl last week-end. Interestingly enough, my children did, and they had a whole lot to say about it as I was getting up-to-date with her music, her style and her image.  They knew more than I had ever imagined and they had strong opinions of her life choices, her faith and how that was expressed through her spirituality.  I was surprised by their knowledge, so this caused me to dig deeper to find out what I didn't know.

One of my sons, who was the first to speak-out to me about her, was in a ministry school where she also attended; although she had long since gone from there when he arrived.  Her younger brother was there with my son, and my son knew of him. Katy's name was still relevant on the campus and there was a lot of discussion about her choices and her walking away from Christian music and even the Christian walk.  I was sadden to hear this.  Here is what I know, we may walk away from Jesus but He never walks away from us.

As Easy As Drinking Water...

Today, I stumbled across this incredible testimony from a Muslim converted to Christianity and I found it to be interesting to me on many levels.  Afshin Javid is an ex-Hezbollah Iranian Muslim and he saw Jesus and Jesus talked to him.  Being that I live near the country in Texas, I can go years with no interaction with Muslims and yet three times this week my path has intersected this topic, these people and I even found myself ministering to a Muslim just yesterday.

I was with my son at TxDOT and a Muslim woman came in with her daughter who was getting her driver's license. Honestly, the first thing I noticed was this "distain" that rose up in my heart as I saw her with her head covering and her "religion" and I really didn't "like" her.  You know, the picture that the news is painting and social media is fanning that "they" are here to hurt us - right?  This was troubling to me and I immediately began to dialog with God with what was in MY heart.

If you haven't heard, last week at Ft. Worth's biggest event of the year, (the Ft. Worth Stock Show Rodeo), a Muslim Imam was invited to open one of the sessions with a Islamic blessing. This stirred up a FIRESTORM of very public, direct, honest and sometimes harsh, hate-filled, fear-based and even rude speech against these people and their religion. This "Muslim prayer" had NEVER been done before at the Rodeo and honestly, at any such public event that I have heard of in Texas, because up until recently, this area (Texas) has been the "Bible Belt" a strictly "Christian" area. (I use "quotes" because some people living here in Texas say they are "Christian" but they have "loose" definitions" and even "looser" standards to what that means and sometimes it is just a reason to discriminate. We justify a lot in the name of religion - don't we. Even Jesus posed this question and addressed this topic in the Word and yet many of us still didn't "get it". These topics of "What is Christianity" or "Define Christianity" or "Who is a Christian" will indeed take a whole lifetime of discussions and years of debate to cover and is NOT the focus today. - lol.) I digress but yet there is an "awakening" going on "Deep in the Heart of Texas" as many have been "asleep" in their faith and they are finding a "new cowboy" is in town.

So back to the TxDOT, I immediately began to dialog with God about "what was in my heart for this woman" as this "distain" was certainly NOT from heaven, it was from hell. God LOVES us...ALL of His creation, yet while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8). The whole morning at the TxDOT was filled with things "bumping up in me" as the neighborhood I was in was rather reminiscent of downtown LA or Harlem rather than Ft. Worth, Texas. There was EVERY rainbow of person, style, age, class and flavor and I found myself all morning asking God what He wanted to "show me" and then in walks this Muslim mother and daughter.

Well, we processed through our paperwork and she was also processing through and now we find ourselves in line in our vehicles, them being behind us. I exit my vehicle as my son starts the process of his test and I walk to a nearby convenient store, the whole time talking to God about "things" going on there in the spirit, things going on in our nation, things going on in our society - I was deep in prayer, while "on my way" (Matthew 20:17, Luke 17:11) just doing life. I left the store and come back to see my son hasn't even left the parking lot (as they inspect the car, check this-and-that) and I see the Muslim women is also out of her car...waiting as well. 

Yep, then the Lord prompted me to talk to her. He told me to talk about "being a mother' - we had that in common. We exchanged greetings and then I entered into the discussion of our children and being there and she was shocked to meet an American (she was Jordanian) who had more children than she did (she had 5). We talked, smiled, laughed, shared and in parting I even "blessed" her and she to me. It was a "small" victory in the spirit, but I felt like I had slain Goliath all by myself. I had a great LOVE for her and felt the devil under my feet as I walked away. He can't intimidate me - I am free - No Longer Slaves (by Jonathan David & Melissa Helser)! Jesus loves the Muslim just like He loved and loves me, while in my sin, in my darkness, in my "lostness". He LOVES people - ALL His people!

Then today, I find this link and was undone while listening to this testimony of a Muslim, who found Christ - ALL BY HIMSELF! No witness. No one "preaching", just Holy Spirit going after him...and that is how I am praying now for this woman I met yesterday; Holy Spirit, find her, accost her, arrest her, SAVE her and her entire household.

When we (my son and I) were walking out of the building, rounding the corner, the daughter was now walking in having completed her test. She was VERY American in her dress, her style and all of 16 years old. I asked her how her test went, and she said she had passed. We briefly celebrated her accomplishment and I felt God smiling on her through us, the white "infidels" connecting on a human level - as people with a spirit, a soul and a body. There was a connection of "human-to-human" and her face showed it as did mine.  I am praying for the residue of heaven that leaks from His children will remain on her, draw her, change her, save her.

So today I pray. I pray for these two woman that they too would find Christ, or better yet, that Christ would find them! Father God, overtake them with who you are as they "pray". Make yourself known to them, Jesus. Father, give me a heart for ALL that YOU love! Break my heart for what breaks yours (by Hillsong). Change me to BE the hands and feet of Jesus - WHEREVER I go. I NEED YOU, Holy Spirit! Forgive me for allowing fear, my opinions, my flesh, my hurts to influence me away from YOUR WAYS!

Join me in praying today for Muslims to FIND CHRIST! If you have neighbors, co-workers, friends, acquaintances or even people you met in a line like I did, list them below and let's "target" them with the Love of Christ. Let's join together as a body, a church, a people who are known by our love...Christians! (John 13:35)

What Has Stripes?

A friend posted this picture taken from an area elementary school book where I live, which by the way is in the Bible-Belt and not some progressive big-city area.  Her son brought the book home as a reading assignment.

She sent an email to the principal yesterday and her husband went to talk to the principal today.  Do you see why?  They were told the book is an approved book for the District.  The matter was referred to the superintendent.

Look at the picture now if you haven't.  When I am asked about stripes, I immediately think of the "Stars and Stripes", or what we all affectionally call the American flag.  As a believer, when I hear the word "stripes" I think of Jesus and the price he paid for my sin and sickness on his back - by His stripes we are healed.  When I look at the picture above, I immediately see the zebra in plain view and of course, we all know that a zebra has stripes.  Then we quickly begin to scour the picture for more stripes.  They boys shirt, the road, the barbershop pole, the butcher's wall and the rainbow flag.  The rainbow flag?  Why not a rainbow?  If you want a flag, use an American flag.  Why a rainbow flag to bring the discussion of stripes to light?

I showed my children the image for discussion purposes and they said, "American flags have stripes".

I said, "But there is no American flag in the picture."

Then their eyes got HUGE as one said, "Oh, the rainbow flag is a symbol!"  Hmmm - even my children caught the underlying message here.

The parent was told by the principal that rainbows have stripes, but the father responded that there was no rainbow in the picture.  So why did they use the flag?  I think we all know the answer to that.

Please be praying for this situation as the superintendent is being notified of the concern brought by this parent even today.  Our children are being conditioned to embrace things that the Bible clearly calls sin.  This is a problem and it is not just about rainbows!

As Christians, the gay rights issue is becoming bigger and many Christians are backing down or away from it because they personally know many people who they love that are gay.  They see these people as "good people".  "Peaceable," just trying to live life.  I agree!  I too know many people who are gay and I love them!  I also know many people living together outside of marriage, yes, even Christians living together outside of marriage and you know what - I love them BUT whether I love them or not doesn't change what the Word of God says about sin.  WE ALL SIN and fall short of the glory of God but to give sin a pass because it is now politically correct is NOT righteousness!

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!  - Isaiah 5:20

We MUST hold to the truth of scriptures, even when we LOVE PEOPLE who choose to do life their own way.  Loving people doesn't necessarily mean agreeing with them.  Do you ALWAYS agree with your mate?  Your children?  Yet we still love them.  We love them and stand for Truth in the process.  We have to KNOW the Truth (Jesus said, I am the way, the Truth and the life - John 14:6) and the Truth will set us free. - John 8:32.

Our children are being "taught" what the world says is true.  WE MUST teach them the scriptures:

My son (that is you and me), keep my (this is God) Words
    and treasure up My commandments with you;
2 keep My commandments and live;
    keep My teaching as the apple of your eye;
3 bind them on your fingers (like tying a string to your finger so you don't forget something);
    write them on the tablet of your heart (KNOW them and OBEY them in your very heart-of-hearts).
4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
    and call insight your intimate friend,
5 to keep you from the forbidden woman,
    from the adulteress with her smooth words.  (Interesting that the word adultery (sexual issues) is what we are being warned to keep away from here.) - Proverbs 7:1-5

Father, may we NOT sin against you while gaining the approval of SOME men.  Teach us Your ways, God and let us walk in your Truth!  - Psalm 86:11.  Give us courage to stand-up; even when we feel like we are the only one.