Prayer Log: Redding or Bust!

Hello Prayer Warriors! 

I'm coming online with a prayer request of my own. My prayer request is all about the new season of my life I am entering into. Woudl you please agree withme in prayer that I would be able to pay for a trip to Redding, California and Bethel Church within th next year. I want to pay for my husband or a friend to go with me to Redding to experience the supernaturally creative atmosphere that has been cultivated there. 

I have partaken of their ministries including their Supernatural School of Creativity Seminar from 2011, and have been so inspired and blessed. Still, I also know there is an impartation that takes place within the atmosphere one experience when you attend in person verses when you partake by video. 

Pray for Provision, God's Timing and His perfect will to be accomplished in every way! 

Blessings, M

Think PINK!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX6TaA6IRkk

With Pink Impact | A Christian Women's Conference upon us, I thought I would lament on All Things PINK!

As Gateway Women, we are PINK! Pink at Gateway Church is not a color. IT is a realm of influence for women to step into. Think about the following words that Pastor Debbie and her team have brought to us to describe the Pink woman:

First of all the WORD "PINK" can be defined: the very embodiment (to give a body to (a spirit) : highest degree possible : height — in the pink : in the best of health or condition

Pink Women are also...

PASSIONATE. capable of, affected by, or expressing intense feeling; enthusiastic, ardent

POSITIONED.   an act of placing or arranging:  an arranging in order; place, situation, or standing: a situation that confers advantage or preference

PURPOSEFUL. meaningful, intentional; full of determination

POWERFUL. having great ability to act or produce an effect, prestige, or influence

POISED. having been put into readiness;  to have already been drawn up into readiness 

(Definitions taken from Merriam-Webster Online)

To be PINK is a call to a higher position or level of influence in your life as a woman whether it is in the marketplace, your church, the PTA at your child's school or in your very own neighborhood. To be PINK is to be shaped, fashioned and positioned by God's excellent nature for the powerful purpose of His greater calling on your life!

A PINK Woman is the very embodiment of God's Spirit. She is a woman of the highest degree, she seeks to be in the best health and condition emotionally, spiritually and physically! She is enthusiastic and ardent, passionate in her pursuit of God and her God-given identity that draws her to her purpose. Because she knows her identity, she is meaningful and intentional, she is full of determination in the purpose for which she finds herself uniquely designed and fit to accomplish.

She is specifically placed and arranged in order - this makes her very effective. Not only this, she values her position and takes her place in the body. She seizes the moment with great effect. She is a woman of influence and is confident. Her feet are shod in readiness. She is well equipped and prepared to face not only the daily challenges of balancing her family, work and spiritual life, but also to stand in the face of the most difficult circumstance taking responsibility, holding herself in dignity and acting on behalf of herself or others in ways that reflect the Spirit and nature of God at work within her.

You see... You don't have to be a member of Gateway Church to THINK PINK! The only qualification is God's Spirit at work in YOU as a WOMAN. Rise up Women of God and THINK! PINK! Make a positive difference in the world around you for the Kingdom of God!

I. AM. PINK. 

For more information on PINK! Gateway Church's Ministry for women visit pink.gatewaypeople.com 

Come Away to A Quiet Place...

There is a picture that hangs in my creative space of our home.



I purchased it last Spring because it reminds me of the "safe place" I got when I meet with God. My "safe place" is a farm house set in a valley harvest field of wheat. The house is old and being restored, it has a large wrap around front porch with clapboard siding.

Rocking chairs grace the front porch and I am not allowed to go inside yet because God has been restoring my house. I love that picture. I love the warmth - the sun always shines there and the breeze always blows. On my second or third visit God the Father planted a host of flowers all around the house for me, and Jesus showed me around behind the house. A garden oasis waited with refreshing water and a cool, inviting atmosphere. I've seen the inside of the house when Jesus opened the door and gave me a peek inside. I felt joy in my heart knowing He is doing a special work in my life through this place. I often think... I honestly believe when I get to Heaven this will be my "room" in the Mansion Kingdom.

Jesus and I play on the porch - we play jacks and dance, oh how we dance. Sometimes He comes in a prince's royal uniform and other times he comes in a t-shirt and jeans. He always come as Jesus though. He meets me near the edge of the field each time and walks with me.

Today I'm going to share a journal entry from one of my "safe place" visits:



January 29, 2012

I stepped off the gravel path into Daddy's wheat field. The tall golden stalks of wheat brushed against my thighs as I met my King among the harvest. 

He stood a few paces ahead of me as the ripening grain swayed lazily in the breeze. The breeze invited me toward Him by gently caressing my skin and blowing the chestnut tendrils of hair away from my neck. I could hear Him whispering, "Come away, Beloved. Come away with Me." 

As I stepped closer, the dark curls on the back of His head swung away to reveal His fire filled eyes and welcoming smile. My heart fluttered a bit as I smiled back and lifted my hand to wave hello! 

He smiled and nodded pointing eastward toward the horizon where a safe barrier of mountains hemmed us in. His large, scarred hand reached for me just as I came to His side. 

In that moment the sun grew brighter and the breeze blew stronger nudging us out into the harvest field. 

"How are you, Michelle?" 

"I'm tired and a bit confused." 

We continued walking east toward the white farm house set in the midst of the harvest, still a good distance away. Even though I had come here many times, Jesus always met me and led me to our secret place. 

"Tell me about that sweet girl." 

"Well, there is a restlessness in my heart, Lord. I feel like what I am doing now is wearing me down. I guess I don't understand why I am still here. Can You help me with that?"

He smiled and warmth filled every inch of my being. The wheat stalks bent to make room for our gait drawing us ever closer to our special place. He squeezed my hand and pulled me close to His side. "You're here because I'm preparing you for the harvest, Michelle." 

"Am I safe?" I asked. "It doesn't feel safe and well it drains all my energy to stay here." 

"So why do you stay?" He asked. 

"Because You haven't told me I could go." 

He squeezed my hand again and peace overwhelmed my heart. "You're right, I haven't." 

I looked toward the ground and the white linen skirt that hid my bare feet as I took each step. 

"Will it be soon?" 

"IT IS TIME." 

"Time?" My heart picked up a beat or two at the sound of His Words.

"Yes. The birth pains are about to begin, but remember when your children were born?"

"Oh, Yes!" The memory of those three sweet days brought a giggle up into my throat. "Those days were three of my best days." 

"I know. You were frightened the first time, though. You didn't know what to expect and , well, Justin was overdue." 

"I remember. He was stubborn even then."

"So were you." The words hung there in the air between us for a moment, but the usual shame and guilt I would have felt over them in my past did not follow. He squeezed my hand again. 

"I know. I was rebellious, too." 

"Obviously!" He smiled once more and shook His head. "I'm glad that is behind you now." 

"Thank You." I saw the house growing nearer but wanted to know more. "What about that? "

"The labor was easy for you. This season will be an easy labor and it's time for this season to begin." 

I pulled at His hand and stopped. Tears began to cloud my view as I let His words settle in my heart. He turned toward me, His eyes beckoning me. "My heart is divided, Lord. I cannot have my heart set on two things." 

He stepped back, pulled me up under His strong, protective arm and whispered as He kissed my forehead. "I know."


I shuffled the last few steps there nestled beneath His arm. We took our time through the yard around the house. He smelled of Heaven, all soft and warm, like the wind and sunshine that beckoned us in. I could feel His heart beating against my arm. Safe. 

My bare toes tapped quickly up the wooden steps and paused at the top. Something felt different. I looked down at the usually rough, weathered floor boards. They were painted a crisp, clean white. 

I squealed in delight. Each time I visit the secret place, Daddy always surprises me with the work He has completed. 

Jesus laughed with me. "Do you love it?"

"Yes! Yes! Yes! It's beautiful." 

"Shall we?" He struck a formal pose and extended His arm to me. Soft music lilted off the breeze as I folded myself into His arms and we danced across the gleaming white boards. We twirled and danced all around. Our feet beating out a rhythm of unconditional love. 

My heart felt such joy, it felt like light and energy running through my veins. The more we danced, the more joy came up. We danced and danced until I crumpled in a giggling heap upon the porch. 

Overwhelmed. 

            By Love. 

Overwhelmed. 

             By Joy. 

Overwhelmed. 

             And Giddy. 

In the Presence of My Lord and King. 

I lay out on the porch and felt my breathing begin to ease as I rested there. Then I heard Daddy's voice. "Baby girl, come here." 

I pulled myself up off the floor and walked to Daddy's rocking chair. His large, canvas covered arms welcomed me into His lap. I nestled myself up against His chest and felt peace flood my soul as I rested there in Daddy's arms close to His heart. 

"My child, you are My daughter, My beautiful blessed child. I created you and am positioning you for greatness and vast influence. Your artwork is not your identity - your artwork expresses your identity. I made you creative - beautifully engaged with color and splendid things. I've given you words and humor and connectedness. 

"BE. THAT. GIRL. Beloved, and you will never be disappointed."

I sat with Daddy as He rocked me there on the whitewashed porch of our farm house until I fell asleep.

 

Wrapping my mind around things...

Got my thinking cap on and mulling over some things to write about today.... Can't wait to see what the Lord would have me say about these rolling thoughts of mine! 

Today: I choose...

Today, I choose to believe in MIRACLES!

Mark 16:14-18 (NKJV)  Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.  And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." (emphasis mine.)

May I ask a number of questions? It is my blog... So I'll ask the question. 

What did Peter believe that saved 3,000 people in one sitting? (Acts 2:4)

What did Paul believe that raised Eutychus from the dead? (Acts 20:1)

What did the people see and believe about Paul that they would seek to touch only the apron that had been in his presence and receive healing? (Acts 19:20)

In her study, Beloved Disciple, Beth Moore writes that early church history recounts that John was reportedly boiled and oil and miraculously lived. Grant R. Jeffrey also writes about the martyrdom of the Apostles that after being "boiled in oil" John was sentenced to prison on the isle of Patmos where he received the visions recorded in the book of Revelation. He was later released from prison, returning to served at the church of Edessa (modern day Turkey) and is the only apostle who died peacefully an old man. (Martyrdom of the Apostles) What did John believe that allowed him to receive  vision of Heaven and the diety of Christ in his last days while imprisoned under tormenting conditions AND. BEING. BOILED. IN. OIL. Wait... OIL. Oil in Scripture represents anointing and the Holy Spirit.... HMMM. That is a whole other blog post. 

What did Paul believe that delivered him from beatings, shipwrecks, stoning and caused demons to run after him shouting at him to do miracles? See 1 Corinthians 11:25 and Acts 16:16)

John 14:12-14 (NKJV)  "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. (emphasis mine)

Jesus HEALED the sick, the maimed, the brokenhearted, the blind, the deaf, the demon-possessed, the lepers, and He raised the dead.

Some of the last words He spoke to His disciples before the cross: "...he who believes in me, the works I do, he will do also; and even greater works will he do..." IN. RED. LETTERS. Jesus said this. ANYONE who believes in Jesus has the same power that raised Him from the dead working and bringing life bodily within us and according to John 14 - through us. (Ephesians 1:19-20; Romans 8:11)

MY. JESUS. LIVES.

HIS. WORKS. NEVER. CEASE.

HE. STILL. HEALS.

HE. STILL. RAISES. THE. DEAD. TO. LIFE.

I. WILL. DO. THE. SAME. WORKS. JESUS. DID. HE. SAYS. I. WILL. DO. GREATER.

TODAY. I Choose To Believe!

Weeds and Roots

There is a yard I pass by on a regular basis that is full of weeds. They are often edged and mowed weeds, but nevertheless after the rains and the sun come on them a few days - the scraggly patches of dandelions and spiky leaved weed patches come right back. 

I've seen this man walking the little green Scott's spreader along his property lines and across the yard in recent weeks. The sprinklers are running not long after soaking in the nutritious fertilizer to feed the grass and kill the weeds. Just the other day I saw him out front spraying his yard down with some sort of "weed killer," and still, the rain, the wind and the sun comes and without delay the weeds pop up from the earth, choke out the grass and litter his lawn with their bristly leaves and undesired flowers.

The problem is not that the man has not attempted to take care of his lawn. He is just missing the most important step. It doesn't matter how many times you kill a weed, if you never dig up its roots... The weed will eventually poke it's scraggly little head up out of the ground and deface your lawn once again. 

I remember as a young girl, my father buying an undeveloped lot upon which he planned to build our family home. That summer, my family and I got out into that lot and worked one end to the other pulling small "sticker" weeds out of ground. My father gave us instruction and a stern warning: "Be sure not to drop any of the stickers on the ground because they will just come back." So, off we went across the yard with buckets, gloves and bags pulling weeds to make a yard safe for our feet to play. 

Just like the weeds... various sins and their influences return again and again until we cut it off at the root and extract it. The soul of man that is drawn to sin must be completely submitted to the Spirit of God and God must be allowed to do heart surgery to remove the weed-like spiritual cancers that come to us by generational inheritance, core lies, inner vows and judgments, hurts and traumas, as well as willful sin and demonic oppression.

In the Parable of the Sower Jesus compares those who hear the Gospel to fields where seed is sown.

Matthew 13:3-23 (NKJV)
Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: "Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?"

He answered and said to them, "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: 'Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive; For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.'

"But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

"Therefore hear the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." (Emphasis mine.)

So in the same vein of thought, I wanted to write about what we find in Scripture about weeds.

1. From the parable of the sower we come to understand two things that will keep us from reaching our potential and God-given destiny.

• Shallow Roots - Those seed that were planted on the rocky places received the word with joy, but then fell away. Why? Because they had not roots - the first strong storm that came along, the first wind that blew their way knocked them right out of the ground.


• The Cares of the World or "Weeds" - Think about the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches.. Where do these things take root in our lives. Comparison, Lack, Competition, Expectation... Generational Herigtage? These are the things of life which come to distract us, deter us and dissuade us from following the heart of God into our destiny.

2. Shallow Root Systems create instability. Our yard has a beautiful young Live Oak tree set in the middle of the downward slope of our front lawn. Last Spring we noticed that when the storms and wind came - the tree rocked and swayed from its roots in the wind. It looked as if at any moment a strong wind would come along and uproot our tree. 

The tree was not stable at all. It moved and swayed with the wind and the leaves and branches looked dull and on the verge of death. My husband got three stakes - three - and he tied the tree to each stake by a cord. He left a little slack in each line to keep the tree from being hurt, but the stakes planted firmly in the ground stabilized the tree and allowed it time to develop roots.

Where I came from we constantly reminded ourselves when our zeal for God threatened to compel us into territory that we were not prepared for that we wanted to both deep and wide into the things of the Lord.  The truth is you can be soaring high in your passion for God (5 miles high) but so unstable that you rock and sway each time a strong wind comes and blows your way, in other words, your roots only go about a half an inch deep.

We must be tied to our Father God, His Son, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in order for our root system to go deep and for stability and balance to come to both our relationship with them and the way we relate to others both personally, professionally and in ministry. When the winds and storms come - they serve to reinforce our relationship with God rather than unearth our roots and destroy our foundation.

3. Deal with the Weeds! Weeds can honestly be anything from soul wounds and core lies carried through painful experiences or belief systems we've developed in our lives. They may include demonic oppression or just the sinful bent in our flesh man. The problem with weeds is they can look evil or they can look good. They can have thistles and thorns or they can have beautiful flowers that look harmless, but given the run of our life --- they take over and destroy us. A few things you may not consider weeds: People pleasing or peace keeping, ambition or an inordinate drive for wealth or success, insecurity or pride, shame or guilt, worry or anxiety, fear, deception, or dare I type it... Religion or legalism - being given to or controlled by anything that at it's source is not rooted in Grace or producing Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control.  Really - anything or person that would keep you from rightly relating to others and God.

So how are we doing here? Are you noticing any instability in your root system or any weeds that might need tending? 

The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.  -Isaiah 58:11 (NKJV) 

Allowing God to tend our Garden and identify the areas where weeding and staking the ground need to happen will make us more like Him - a reflection of His glory and image upon the earth!



 

Table Talk | Out of Context

Today at lunch we sat, in our usual fashion, around the conference table that doubles as our lunch table, and talked about life. You know how it goes when you eat with friends chatting like hens in the hen house... A subject comes up.

Today we were giving commentary on the move of God in the lives of women of a particular denomination when the name Stormy O'Martian came up.

DISCLAIMER: I have her books. I love her story and her writing. I believe she is a powerful witness to women in every denomination. BUT, what I shared must be heard in context. This is a cautionary tale that is not true in every circumstance, but sadly is not isolated to Stormie's books. It also happens with the Bible, preachers, and well it is the primary run of rumors... Taking things out of context.

The world stands full of hurting and wounded people. It remains one of the most heartbreaking facts I encounter every day in the service of ministry. They long desperately to be free, see change in their own lives and the lives of their families, but often don't know where to start the journey of becoming free.

A number of years ago I observed the journey of a woman, we'll call her Janet, who struggled in her relationships with her children and husband. She and another woman began to read and pray according to the principles of "The Power of a Praying Parent" as she understood them.

She spent hours on the phone talking and praying. She often raved about how wonderful it was to pray these things over her husband because she knew God was going to change HIM for her. At times it felt like she was saying God would avenge her pain through changing her husband and children.

Legally, in a purely biblical sense, the words she prayed were right. After all, there is sound doctrine and biblical principle behind the writing of Stormie O'Martian.

Still, somehow in all of that - her heart was not right. You see - no matter what the book, the process, the plan or the idea you pursue - if you do not have a humble heart, praying the very best of God for those around you... There is a chance you could miss the mark.

She convinced herself that she should not only pray this over her children, but also over her husband who did not have parents praying over him. His parents, though living, could be found to blame for the ill she suffered from her husband.

Did you get that?

She prayed "The Power of a Praying Parent" over her husband as well as her children.

Can you see a train wreck coming? 

The results were devastating. She became more and more resigned to her position of victim and martyr. She determined in her heart that God would not let her down because she was praying "in agreement with Him" all the good things in Stormie's book. She was certain he would vindicate her against them. She wanted them to come to an awareness of how bad they hurt her and feel her pain with her.

She continually spoke negatives things over and about her husband and children... And, often attributed the worst things to demonic activity. She preached and harped on her children (who were either near or living in adulthood) about the wickedness of their ways. In short, she sucked all the life out of her home with negative attitudes, negative speech and selfish motives.

Does this sound harsh?  Remember... I said this is a cautionary tale! 

A year after she began to pray this book over her family and her household, she was shocked by her family coming to her and saying, "You are toxic. You are hurting us and we want you to move out." 

Not just her husband, but her children as well.

She is now divorced after more than 25 years of marriage and estranged from her children by their choice. She remains wounded, but resolved that God will change her family's heart toward her. And, in a lot of ways, the entire experience has changed her.

She speaks less negatives and has cut out things in her life that she did to escape the pain of her reality. But, in a lot of ways, she is still convinced all those months she spent praying she did what God wanted her to do. Only God knows if that is true.

So what went wrong? 

She failed to realize the point of "The Power of  a  Praying Parent" is meant to be prayed over your children, not your husband. Because of her wounded perspective, she failed to realize that the book was not just about praying change into the lives of those around her, but the intention of the book was meant to change the heart of the mother toward her children and out of that heart the change would overflow into the lives of her kids.

And in the long run, she became so legalistic in her opinions and her attitudes about what her family wasn't that she herself would "PRAY" them into... She lost sight of the power of God to grow them up in a heartbeat if she would simply move out of His way.

Cautionary tales always have a... 

Moral of the story:

Speak Life & Focus on What God is Doing in YOU! 

As I consider all of this, I think of something my daughter said to me around Valentine's Day. I had purchased two cards for my husband that day. This is a tradition in my life. He often will receive two cards because I find it hard to choose.

I brought them in and looked them over in her presence. Both of the sentiments were extremely complimentary and flattering. But, after reading them several times I realized that one of the cards rang very true to our relationship, and the other card spoke to some things I desired in our relationship but had not yet come to pass. I spoke aloud, but mostly to myself... "I'll just give him this one, which sounds most like him today and I will save the other one for next year. In the meantime, I will spend the next year praying these things over him so that when I give it to him they will be true."

My daughter ha-rumped in disgust. I showed her the cards and explained my thoughts. She said, "Momma, that's just mean."

I said, "Wait..."

She said, "You ARE NOT going to tell him that are you? "

"Oh, No!" I said, "I wouldn't tell him that."

THE. OLD. SELF. She would have lorded it over him like a legal document. But this girl, the one who writes about it today she would not dare tell him about it. She would only give him the card next year and pray that he knows she loves him with all her heart and prays God's best for him every single day.

What I realized today as I wrote these words has blessed me beyond measure. God doesn't just want me to pray these things over my husband. He wants me to "Call things that are not as though they were..." (Romans 4:17).  He wants me to call my husband a gift, a wonderful husband, a man who is thoughtful and kind, who gives humbly and reflects the gentle strength of the Lord... To tell him he is a friend who listens with his heart and understands the importance of just being there with a hug and a smile, a companion who leads with love, integrity and faith, making it a joy and an honor to stand beside him because he is my love, my friend, and my companion. And even now, as I wait - I thank God for him each and every day.

Some of these things are true of my husband already. And some of these things lie in wait for the moment when God awakens his heart to them. I am content to have the promise and the opportunity to call forth the greatness and love of God into my husband's life by being a wife who speaks life over him in my heart, in my words and in my prayers.

Lord, Open the eyes of my heart to see my husband as you see him. 

Visit my friend Bridgit and her post on a similar subject: Wearing Someone Else's Armor 

100 Page Views A Day | A Bloggy Give-Away

100-a-day pageviews - Give-A-Way!

I will be giving away a 4x6 original piece of artwork on paper of your favorite verse of Scripture each week.

Entering to win is S.I.M.P.L.E.:

1. SIMPLY visit any post or page on my blog.

2. Leave me a comment on any blog post on my blog.

3. Link back to the Welcome page of my blog on your Facebook, Twitter or blog.

[ Grab this LINK: http://michellebentham.org/2011/01/14/welcome-2/ ]

RESULTS: Each day that my blog reaches 100 page views I will  pull the names from comments and enter them into a weekly drawing. Weekly Give-aways will begin Good Friday, April 6, 2012, and I will post results each Friday morning by 8:00 am!

LET THE PAGE VIEWING BEGIN!

Sign up Today! 

He Calls Me Wildflower

I stepped out into the field white with harvest. My mind raced ahead of my feet to the front steps of the old farmhouse where my Best Friend, the Father, and my Comfort waited for me. I ran my hands along the ripened buds of grain as they brushed against the soft linen skirt covering my thighs.

I found myself giddy and little bursts of laughter began to bubble up from the inside of my heart. Just then, a hand slipped into mine and I looked to my right. My Best Friend came up beside me. The dark curls of his ebony hair glistened in the sun. His eyes captured me with tender affection and safety 

He smiled sweetly at me and I laughed all the more.

"I'm so glad I decided to come here today." 

He laughed, too. "Me, too. We have a surprise for you."

I squealed with excitement."Let's race."

We bolted out through the wheat field towards the top of the hill. As I pressed my legs upward to the top I came up short at the sight of my little farmhouse. The white wash scrubbed away by time and the weather. The floorboards of the wrap-around porch were a faint gray. I squinted my eyes and drew shade over them with my hand to make out what I thought I had seen.  The Father sat in His rocker on the porch awaiting my arrival. I could see the dark blue overalls in the shade of the wood-shingled awning covering the porch. 

Still... I could not put my finger on what might be different. I felt my Friend come up beside me as I continued to try to get my bearings and my breath. "What do you think?"

I paused. looked to my Friend and then back to the farmhouse. Suddenly, my eyes danced across row upon row of brightly colored flowers in varying shapes and sizes had been planted all along the porch on every side of the house. My heart skipped in delight! "I love them..."

He took my hand again and led me skipping down the hill to my Father's side. 

~~~~~

A few years ago my husband and I went through leadership presbytery at our church. Presbytery is a time when leaders who are gifted in the prophetic (encouragement, exhortation, edification and comfort) pray over your names and then come to give you words.

One of the words I received had to do with Wildflowers.

She shared:

Well, Michelle, this is what I feel like the Lord wants to say to you. I just, what I heard was that you were a wild flower, perfect and beautiful. You dance with delight and I am so pleased. Your heart of worship is pure, true and strong. I smell a sweet fragrance around you when you dance. I just heard, “Dance, dance, dance!” I don’t know if you dance, but maybe He wants you to dance. Worship Me like never before! I want to spend time with you and I want you to know Me.

 "A Wildflower is a flower that can be hidden on a hill only for My eyes or it can be for the pleasure of any man. That’s how I have made you. You minister to Me, but you also minister to others. You are soft and sweet and you draw people to you."

I remember my friend telling  a story about God telling her she is a Lily. She said she didn't like that because, "What do Lilies do? Lilies don't do anything - they just be." She, like many of us in this life, learns daily to be comfortable with who God says she is and to embrace the fact that He loves the she Just Is.

Just like my friend, when I received the word about being a wildflower, I do not think I fully appreciated what God was saying to me about how He sees me.

 That is until I read Bridgit's blog  over the weekend.

"God gives attention to Wildflowers" was the title of her post. As I read the Message version of Matthew 6:30-33 I was reminded that Matthew 6 also came up in my presbytery. CAN. YOU. SAY. DIVINE. APPOINTMENT?

Now read Matthew 6:30-33, "“Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.” (Matthew 6: 28 – 33 MSG.)

The presbyter shared:

Michelle, when I prayed for you the first two words that came so clearly were that you are gifted and that you’re treasured. And, the Scripture was in Matthew 6:21 where it says, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”(AMP) And I really feel like what the Lord said to me was You are…Because you have…You know where your treasure is. You know where your heart is. You have chosen to plant your heart in Him, and He sees you as a treasure. He sees you as just a very, very precious thing to be cherished, and He does cherish you.

This sent me on a headlong study of wildflowers in Scripture. As usual, the digging led me to treasure. Funny how God uses a string of seemingly unrelated events to connect me deeply to His heart for me by way of treasure map. Remember scavenger hunts when you were a kid... That is what it felt like as I perused the list of Scriptures in my Bible software that contained the word wildflower.

When God calls me Wildflower.  He reminds me that Wildflowers can be out on the side of a hill in plain view, anyone can see them. Or... They can be set in a vase in the HOUSE where they are enjoyed for a season. Or... They can be hidden in nature - a treasure waiting to be found or simply for the amusement of God.

He has also shown me that Wildflowers are fragile yet resilient. They grow out of rocks, and often in conditions where domesticated plants would not survive. Wildflowers welcome new seasons, they are colorful and inviting, clothed in splendor - they do not labor and spin needlessly for their provision because God takes care of all their needs.

But then, the other day I stumbled upon Psalm 30:11 (MSG):

"You did it: You changed my wild lament into whirling dancing, You ripped off my mourning bands and decked me in WILDFLOWERS." (emphasis mine)

OH. YES. HE. DID.

Now here is the sweet part. Remember my post about being my "Colorful Self?"

After my sessions with Dr. Mungadze Jesus came and gave me a garland of Wildflowers in all the colors of myself to wear around my head. He said, "The colors will always be with you right where they belong."

You see, the colors represented seasons of trauma when my brain protected me from the pain I would have otherwise felt. They represent me - who I am and have been all along - at various ages when trauma and pain came in and my immature mind could not process it. Dr. Mungadze guided me through the journey to unlocking the colors of my brain and discovering that they all - in their unique way represent the beautiful and magnificent creation of God that is me.

HE. CALLS. ME. WILDFLOWER. and I love it. 

For more about my journey with Dr. Mungadze and the colors of my brain visit Self Awareness, Self Observation and Hearing God,  or It Ain't Easy Being Green.

Joy, Anointing and Provision

 

A few weeks ago I was reading Scriptures on trees when I came across this passage:

And wine that makes glad the heart of man, Oil to make his face shine, And bread which strengthens man's heart. ~Psalms 104:15 (NKJV) 

This Scripture reverberated straight through to my heart immediately. I kept thinking, wine, oil and bread were significant to Jesus before His crucifixion and were also prominent in the worship at the temple. HMMMM! I wrote it down and made a note to come back to it as soon as I finished the study on trees. Last night, I began to peruse different passages that include the three elements of wine, oil and bread.



Jesus experienced and imparted wine, oil and bread in his final days on earth.

At the Passover meal, wine, bread and oil are prominent in the presentation and observance of the meal. The same olive oil that was used to accent and prepare meals could also be used to produce light, anoint the priests of the temple for ministry, and  produce medicines and perfume when mixed with herbs and fragrant plants. It was even used in the preparation of the bodies of the dead for burial.

Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. Then one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who would betray Him, said,  "Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?"  This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it. But Jesus said, "Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always." ~John 12:1-8 (NKJV) 

When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. Then He said to them, "With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer;  for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God."  Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, "Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."  And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table. And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!" Then they began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing. ~Luke 22:14-23 (NKJV)

Anointed. Oil throughout Scripture represents anointing, and it also represents the presence of the Holy Spirit. In Isaiah 61, God promises to give, through the Messiah, the oil of gladness for those who mourn: An anointing of joy in exchange for a season of grief. 

Joy. In the Scripture that drew my heart to these three words, wine makes glad the hearts of men. In the story of Jesus' final hours before his arrest, wine became the representative of His blood that would be shed through beating, suffering and crucifixion. "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. " 

Our former pastor used to say that when someone received Salvation that the angels in heaven were rejoicing over the decision. A sacrifice that brings joy. Lord, restore to us the Joy of our salvation. 

Wine makes the heart glad, the new covenant wine means release, redemption and restoration. That makes my heart very glad.

Provision. Under the Old Testament laws, worship at the temple and access to God always began with sacrifice. Just like when Abraham went up to Mt. Moriah to sacrifice his son, Isaac, at God's command. There was a sacrifice required. Abraham believed God would provide the sacrifice and was willing to give up his precious son to be obedient to God. In the end, God provided the lamb for the sacrifice. And, Abraham called that day upon the name of the Lord, Jehovah Jireh - "The Lord will see to it" (Genesis 22). One Hebrew commentary I read on this name of God indicated that from a Jewish perspective. This name of God, Jehovah Jireh, does not simply mean that God will provide, but that He, in Himself, is all the provision we will ever need. He is all sufficient to us in every way.

In a more perfect way, Jesus went to the cross as our provision. He became a curse for us so that we would no longer endure the curse. Scripture tells us that His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 2:19). And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." 

 The wine brings the joy of salvation, the oil carries His presence, His anointing and His glory, and the bread makes provision that satisfies our every need. All of which are provided to us through Jesus - the mediator of our Covenant of grace.