Is He Your Everything?

As I was on my way to church I was singing this song with the praise and worship on the radio. It makes me think, do I really want God to be this kind of first in my life? And, as I sang out to Him in church I knew it was true... I want Him to be my everything... As this song ended and another began... I saw a cloud that looked like a handprint in the sky. A few minutes later it was completely gone. I dont' know how to explain it, but I have had many occasions to be in an attitude of total surrender and experience something in nature to remind me that God is with me.

Even in our losses and our most difficult moments, we must be crying out to Him to be our everything... anything less is just an idol... a god we use to replace Him in our life!

Is He your everything?

Worship Him as Healer...

Part of our grief journey is acknowledging that God alone has the power to save, to give life and ultimately bring life to an end, He is both sovereign and just and He alone has the power to heal us from everything that we suffer through. He died to set us free - will we live there? Will we?

Worship the Healer and know that nothing is impossible for God, who save, redeems, reconciles and blesses! He alone is God and He alone is good.

This song sends me to my knees when I begin to worship and acknowledge the healing power of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. By His stripes we are healed.

A Few Videos and A Story

I didn't make my regular post last week. I've been consumed. I hope if you are reading, that you are still reading.

I would like to direct you to Life Today on Tuesday, July 22nd at 7:30 AM (CDT) on Daystar and at 1:30 PM (CDT) on TBN for the story of Christina and Steven Barnard. Their story will not only touch your heart, but it will remind you that God's goodness and glory are revealed even in the midst of great tragedy. If you don't catch it on Television - watch it by clicking this LINK. (Click on the video link for July 22nd's Show!)

I am going to be speaking at a Memorial Service held by the support group I have attended these last couple of years now. I have asked that these three videos be played at the service as a time of worship.

Three of the songs, "With HOPE," "His Strength is Perfect," and "I Will Be Here" are sung by Stephen Curtis Chapman whose daughter, Maria died in May after an automobile accident at the families home. The other song, is by Mark Schultz. We played it at Justin's funeral.

Have you ever...

Have you ever been overwhelmed by the presence of God so strong upon you that your heart began to worship with words you'd never sang before?

It happened to me...

I started shaking the bookshelves and dislodging a few old faithful study partners from their places today. The covers were cracked open, and splayed across my bed. I sat there in that comfy spot and weighed the rhema and logos of His Word once again. I was scribbling references and greek notations as fast as my pen would move.

The feeling was familiar.

The moment palpable.

I felt His heart open wide before me.

I was in His presence.

Then, just a few minutes ago I sat down at this laptop and blew the dust off the keys with my heart rejoicing over a fire ignited in my Spirit to dig into God's Word as I once did before life just seemed to take over last year around this time.

I was about to begin an in-depth study of some Scriptures shared at our Freedom Team training this morning when I began to just sing from the depths of my soul. The following was what resonated in my heart:

come Lord Jesus, come and ransom
come and pardon this sinner’s plea

come Lord Jesus, come and rescue
come and set this captive free

come Lord Jesus, come and heal me,
come and open my eyes to see

come Lord Jesus, take my burden
come and set Your yoke on me

come Lord Jesus, Glory Rising
call Your people, set them free

come Lord Jesus, we are waiting
beckon us to sit with thee

yes, my burden is heavy…
yes, my heart is weary…
but, come Lord Jesus, sit beside me
my soul rejoices in thee

come Lord Jesus, I am waiting
to spend more time with thee
come Lord Jesus, I receive thee
send Your Spirit to live in me
(C) Michelle Newsom Bentham, January 17, 2010

Have you ever?

Hearts of Worship

I've been on an amazing journey that started last fall, but has really taken off as I have met with an amazing group of women who are becoming known as "The Pillar Intercessors" we are "WATCHMEN" for a coming conference, praying through and preparing the way.
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We met early yesterday for prayer. Seriously, as these precious women and I lifted our voices and hearts to heaven standing in the gap for thousands of women who will converge on the D/FW metroplex for Pink Impact at the end of the month... I thought I would just leap out of my skin and ascend to heaven. I really felt as if we called down heaven.
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God assembled this group of women through one facilitator. Her heart is to see women liberated at this conference and she believes it starts with a heart of worship. Oh yes, we all believe this to be true.
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As we met last week we discovered that each of us represents a different pillar - a different post that stands watch for the Presence of the Lord. These are the pillars: 1.) The Fear of the Lord, 2.) Love, 3.) Mercy, 4.) Freedom (mine), and 5.) Empowerment.
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Oh the Glory of the progression of our pillars. God is doing such a new thing. In the last week TRUTH has been on the hearts of each of us as we have prayed. GLORY.
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As I joined this journey in October, God had given me the word "WORSHIP" and I then learned our leader's heart was to see women opened to freedom through worship. Then God gave me these four "benefits" of worship: (Kari asked for more information... So I have included what God showed me in my study over the weekend about these Four BENEFITS (Formerly Types) of worship.)
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1. Revelatory Worship - a benefit of worshipping the Lord from our heart that results in our receiving revelation about our circumstances, the Future, and/or about the nature and the character of God. John received the REVELATION (of Christ's Diety) at the age of 90 on the aisle of Patmos one Sunday morning as he stood worshipping the Lord in his prison cell. As Stephen declared the glory of the Lord, in an attitude of worship and humility, even in his stoning he was given a revelation of heaven and such grace for the moment. Isaiah's prophetic call came in a posture of worship before the throne of God. And even Paul, when he was taken up to the third heaven. Worship was the attitude of all these men's hearts. As David wrote the psalms, songs and hymns of praise to the Lord, he received prophetic and divine revelation about God and His plans. Revelatory Worship - The first benefit of worship is revelation.
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2. Interecessory Worship - Jesus worshipped God the Father as He intercedes for Lazarus, the nation of Israel, His disciples and future Christians, as well as for His own coming trial and crucifixion. Daniel prayed and worshipped making intercession for the nation he loved, his fellow countrymen who were being held in captivity and for God's deliverence. His heart worshipped the Lord and God delivered many miracles on behalf of Daniel's prayers. Jeremiah worshipped the Lord even in the midst of great tragedy. (Jeremiah 32) His acts of worship were an intercession before the Lord on behalf of Jerusalem and the Southern Kingdom.Moses intercession for the people came from a heart filled with faith and devotion to God. He would intercede boldly and with confidence from a heart that worshipped and believed God would answer his prayers.Paul consistently wrote in his epistles prayers of worshipful intercession for the churches and people under his spiritual guidance and care. Intercessory Worship - the second benefit of worship is a heart that intercedes.
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3. Warfare Worship - I think of Joshua face down before the Commander of the armies of the Lord. His worship led to great victory because in worship our hearts are humble before God and our minds clearly focused on the who of our purpose not the what we have to do. I picture Jehoshaphat and the Judean countrymen sending out the chior and the band against the enemy. Oh how the Lord showed up, showed off and showed true the benefit of worship in warfare. Worship is one of the vital ways we put on the full armor of God. It protects our minds and hearts from the assaults of the enemy because we are declaring the goodness and the glory of God through salvation, righteousness, the Gospel of peace, truth, and faith --- and we are protected by His Spirit and His Word in this benefit. It drives us deeper and longer into His presence and His will. Warfare Worship - the third benefit of worship is victory in warfare.
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4. Relational Worship - In the worship series Pastor Robert taught he defined worship as love expressed. I think of the way David and the apostle John loved God with their whole hearts, sold out and devoted to Him in every way. To lean back into the breast of our Lord and feel the safety of His presence all around you - - - to know God as a friend the way Moses did, to walk with Him in the cool of the day in relationship and trust. It is from these times of pure worship and devotion that our love for God grows because we so deeply experience and realize His love for us. The fourth benefit of worship is a heart that fully loves and trusts God in any and every circumstance.
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That's what I got --- I have pages of Scripture and had trouble nailing it down to just a few so I have chosen to encourage to study up and see for yourself what God would say to you about these four benefits of worship by studying them out in His Word.
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So... now, I have a question for all of you. How have you experienced or seen the fruit the Lord in any or all of these four "types" of worship?
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AND... Have you ever been a part of something so GOD that you just felt like you were going to shed your skin and move right on up to your heavenly home... Tell us about it.

As we prayed yesterday I saw this vision:
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Jesus hovering over a throng of women who are walking the road to the conference. He is ushering them. Then I saw the intercessors kneeling on either side of the path just ahead of the throng of walkers... the intercessors were steadily working to fill in the gaps, the potholes (pits), and remove the stones and obstacles for those journeying to Pink.
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He gave me a couple of key Scriptures: Isaiah 58:8, 12; Isaiah 35:8-10; and the Scripture that so beautifully frames us is Isaiah 62:6-8, 10-11.
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So the floor is open. Chime on in and share your worship story... Share your God glory moments. Just share so we can all learn and know and be amazed at the way our Lord moves among us.
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Glory. That's all I can say. Glory. Fall. On. Us. Today!

I'm Drinking from a Saucer....

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I went into a great search the other night looking for the song whose chorus begins with that line.

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Why?
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'Cause someone gave me a gift and a word of exhortation related to that song once and I had never heard it. I've told many people the story of the teacup, but I had not heard the song. I'll share the song with you at the end of this post, but for now I want to talk to you about the OVERFLOW of Grace that I learned about from this little gift.

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"... You anoint my head with oil;

my [brimming] cup runs over."
Psalms 23:5b (AMP)

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In the Amplified version of Psalm 23:5, it says my [brimming] cup runs over. That word translated "runs over" in the Hebrew is rewāyāh. The Complete Words Study Old Testament Dictionary defines rewāyāh as a feminine noun referring to abundance; a state of overflowing. It refers to an overabundance of something. It is used figuratively of the cup of life and blessing from the Lord (Ps. 23:5). It refers to the richness, safety, and blessing of God's deliverance from enemies (Ps. 66:12).

From Vine's there is a Hebrew word translated "to fill" which also indicates this state of overflow: "Mālēʾ (also mālâ) can also mean "to fill up" in an exhaustive sense: "…And the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle" (Exod. 40:34). In this sense an appetite can be "filled up," "satiated," or "satisfied." Male is sometimes used in the sense "coming to an end" or "to be filled up," to the full extent of what is expected.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary gives us this for Psalm 23:5:

23:5. In this verse the scene changes to a banquet hall where a gracious host provides lavish hospitality. Under this imagery the psalmist rejoiced in the Lord’s provision. What was comforting to David was that this was in the presence of his enemies. Despite impending danger, the Lord spread out a table for him, that is, God provided for him.

The image of anointing the head with oil, which was refreshing and soothing, harmonizes with the concept of a gracious host welcoming someone into his home. In view of the table and the oil David knew that his lot in life (his cup) was abundant blessing from the Lord. (emphasis added)

In the Greek, this word found in Vine's dictionary gives me insight into this idea of superabundance.

Strong's Number: Original Word: περισσεία, perisseia
Usage Notes: is translated "overflowing" in Jas. 1:21, RV. See ABUNDANCE, A, No. 2. (Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words)

Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. ~ James 1:21 (NKJV)

**In this instance it is indicative of the overflow - exceedingly great nature - of wickedness and man's amoral condition rendering him in need of salvation.

Strong's Number: Original Word: ὑπερπερισσεύω, hyperperisseuō
Usage Notes: "to abound more exceedingly," Rom. 5:20, is used in the Middle Voice in 2 Cor. 7:4, RV, "I overflow (with joy)," AV, "I am exceeding (joyful)." See ABUNDANCE, B, No. 2. (Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words)

Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, ~ Romans 5:20 (NKJV)

** Now I want you to see this. In this passage of Scripture - the word translated abound or abounded three times is two different Greek words. The highlighted word abounded, "But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more," is the Greek Strong's 5248, hyperperisseuō. But the other two words rendered "abound, abounded" are Greek Strong's 4121, pleonazō: defined in Strong's as "from (pleion); to do, make or be more, i.e. increase (transitive or intransitive); by extension to superabound :- abound, abundant, make to increase, have over."

So we can read this Romans 5:20 to say: "Moreover the law entered that the offense might increase, to be made or done more, to superabound or have over (it's way). But where sin increased, was made to be or done more, superabounded or had it's way, grace [increased, was made to be or done more, superabounded or had its way] exceedingly more." (Bold lettering indicates translation taken from definitions provided, emphasis added is mine).

I just have to sit here a minute and take that in!

And if I got back to the Bible Knowledge Commentary to reconcile what I have just stated:

5:20-21. A remaining question in this discussion is, Where does the Mosaic Law fit into all this and why? Paul explained, The Law was added so that the trespass (paraptōma, cf. vv. 15-19) might increase (“abound”). The word “added” should be rendered “came in beside,” for it translates the verb pareisēlthen. Two similar verbs, eisēlthen and diēlthen, were used in verse 12. Galatians 2:4 is the only other place in the New Testament that uses the Greek verb for “came in beside.”

Is the statement in Romans 5:20a a purpose or a result clause? The coming of the Mosaic Law (clearly meant here in light of vv. 13-14) did result in the abounding of “the trespass” (the consequence of any law), but (also in the light of vv. 13-14 and 4:15) the Mosaic Law came in “so that” (purpose) abounding sin might be recognized as abounding trespass.

The result was that where sin increased (lit., “abounded”; cf. 5:20) grace increased all the more (“overflowed superlatively”; cf. “overflow” in v. 15). What a contrast! No matter how great human sin becomes, God’s grace overflows beyond it and abundantly exceeds it. No wonder Paul wrote that God’s grace “is sufficient” (2 Cor. 12:9). God’s goal (hina, so, introduces a purpose clause) is that His grace might reign through righteousness (the righteousness of Christ provided for people) to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Once again Paul spoke of reigning in connection with life. In verse 17 those who received God’s gift “reign in life” through Christ. Here God’s grace is personified as reigning and bringing eternal life.

By the time the Apostle Paul had reached this point he had not only described how God’s provided righteousness is revealed in justification but he also was anticipating how it is to be revealed through regeneration and sanctification.

DID YOU GET THAT? The Law came not just as a set of rules to live by, but to exemplify the overflow of sinfulness in the HUMAN condition. Thus, making us realize our need for God's OVERFLOWING, SUPERABUNDANT and EXCEEDINGLY MORE Grace! Whereever sin has increased or is increasing in the World, God's Grace always increases more!

OH MY THAT IS A REVELATION to build our lives on.

I'm overwhelmed. I mean... Really. I need to get on my knees and type this from the floor because it is so what I have been living out of for the last two or three years, but unable to fully explain until just now.

You see, God's grace is all we need. We don't have to work and earn it. His Word tells us so much about this - David realized that God was all He needed, not just the provider but the Provision Himself. Just as I wrote in the study of the Hebrew name Jehovah Jireh. Living every day totally dependent on God and the power and guidance of His Holy Spirit we have all we need to do all He requires of us through Christ who paid it all. Not some, not on time, but all was paid by grace and receive it by faith.

Living in superabundance is so beautifully expressed in the song from which the title of this post comes... I've included it at the end of this post.

Where sin abounds in my life, grace has the opportunity to abound even more. That is why Jesus said of the woman who anointed His feet with oil that those who have been forgiven much love much - because we give back out of the overflow of the grace that we have received.

"I'm drinkin' from a saucer, 'cause my cup has overflowed." ~ From "Drinking from a Saucer" written by Jimmy Dean

Much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving, may God's blessings truly abound in your life this Holiday Season as you sip from your saucer and may your cup always run over.

Hear Us From Heaven

This past weekend there was a huge "PRESENCE" meeting in Colorado Springs, Co. (To learn more about it you may want to check out Dutch Sheets' website.) Our church hosted a mini one on Friday and Saturday. All over our country, people are seeking the presence of the Lord - His movement among His people. We stand on the cusp of history in our faith... Will we step out, stay where we are or move on back to a place that feels safer but really is just hiding out?

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In essence these events are about coming before the Lord corporately just seeking His presence among us. Soaking in it, and soaking it up. Our church had worship that would facilitate the movement of the Spirit in the presence of God's people. Those attending were encouraged to just soak in His presence, bring Bibles, comfy clothing and a journal and allow the Lord to move and speak as He will.

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I think of the way the Israelites in Captivity did this very thing, as Esther prepared herself to defy the king and go before him unsummoned to save the lives of the remnant of Israel... Her fellow Jews were face down before God, fasting and praying and crying out to Him for favor, for His blessing and His presence among them. Think of it - After not just decades, but centuries of exile and silence, these people were so hungry to hear from the Lord that they would do anything to see Him move, to Hear His voice and experience His favor. Desperate for Him. Then after the return as noted in Ezra - they assembled in the temple courts and listened to the reading of the Scriptures for the first time in centuries - most of them did not even speak Hebrew - yet they stood all day as Ezra read and the Levites ministered in explaining the readings. ALL DAY - they stood before the Lord, hungry to receive His Word and His blessing in their return.

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We must be this hungry - We must seek Him and His presence... Open the Blind Eyes Lord, Unlock the Deaf Ears Lord... Hear us from Heaven and Touch our Generation - Restore us Lord... Restore us to Your favor as a nation, as a people, as a body of Believers... Restore us, Lord. We are the redeemed of the Lord, We say we desire You! Above all else, We desire You!

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As I prepared this post, the following song resonated and reverberated through my heart and soul. Sing out the words as you listen to the precious song which is the heart cry of a nation desperate to see a move of the Lord. Hunger for Him, Thirst for Him... "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled." (Matthew 5, Paraphrase).

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Hear Us From Heaven (Jared Anderson)

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Lord, hear our cry

Come heal our land

Breath life into these dry and thirsty souls

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Lord, hear our prayer

Forgive our sin

And as we call on your name

Would you make this a place

For your glory to dwell

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Chorus:

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Open the blind eyes

Unlock the deaf ears

Come to your people

As we draw near

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Hear us from heaven

Touch our generation

We are your people

Crying out in desperation

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Bridge:

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Hear us from heaven,

Hear us from heaven,

Hear us from heaven (4x)

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Deeper Still - Joyful 2 from on Vimeo. Okay I "borrowed" this from the All Access blog... well just cause it made me smile and remember that God enjoys us when we are enjoying Him! GLORY! Go Beth! Go Beth! And WHOO Priscilla be gettin' down!

Love IT!

Blog Friends, Cyber Sisters, Build-a-Bear Comfort, Healing Worship, God's Word

I'm finally getting around to writing this special post paying tribute to my personal experience in San Antonio at the Living Proof Live Siesta Fiesta! Are you ready for my story in words and pictures? Here we Go!

On Friday while we were waiting to enter, Amanda came out and visited with us and posed for a few (more than a few) pictures with the Siestas. Rich Kalonick who is pictured above with Amanda took the following fabulous photos and has graciously given us permission to download, print and share these. You can view more on Rich's fabulous photography HERE.

Before the Siesta "Meet-up" after the conference, the Lifeway/Living Proof team organized us in large groups for photos with Beth, Amanda and Melissa. I in brown and white just to the left of Beth and the woman in the yellow jacket in this photo. The young lady in green immediately to my left is RHONDA. She is an incredibly friendly and funny woman who I met at breakfast that morning.

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She, her mother (SUE) and sister (REBECCA) were up early and eating at the Cactus Flower restaurant in the hotel Saturday morning. I struck up a conversation with her mother while standing in line for the buffet. We happened to be sitting in the same section of the restaurant when we returned to our tables. I alone and they at a large round table with extra chairs. A quick, sincere invitation allowed me to join them for the meal. I was so very blessed by our conversation, their welcoming spirit and when we left Rhonda's mom offered to purchase my breakfast. It blessed me so much. I will not forget them ever... Hello Friends from Hallsville! I am so grateful to have met you.

Beth is so funny, ya'll! She totally asked for a picture of this moose posed with a dead armadillo (you may have seen it at the Siesta Blog) to put on her website. Okay, so Moose Mama (Melana from Wyoming) tossed Mr. Miesta Moose, the official Siesta Mascot, for Beth to hold in our picture. Rich took these close-up shots of our Mama Siesta and Mr. Miesta Moose! I'm the one in the brown and white to the left. It was fun and funny!

This is Melana (AKA Moose Mama) and Veronica, along with Tiffany (AKA For His Glory) - who graciously extended the offer for me to ride with her to San Antonio, and Adrienne (AKA as Fuzzytop). They are a sampling of the most genuine, beautiful, caring and special women I have met on this crazy blog journey. Melana and I shared tears as we talked about my son that day waiting for the event to begin. It was so precious to me. Tiffany and I became fast friends - it really seems as if we are long lost sisters - after our ten hours in the car together. We talked our way to San Antonio and all the way back - though we both were worn out and immersed deeply in our experiences from the weekend. SUCH Blessings to be sure!

Jennifer (AKA Jenmom) has been my internet friend since near the first of the year. She and I are regular IM chatters and so meeting her was a highlight of my weekend. I mean, a real highlight. I so looked forward to finally putting her face with her name. She walked with us and sat with us through the entire event and I loved every minute spent with her. She is a joy filled, beautiful woman of God. Love You, Jen! I did not have the opportunity to meet all the women in this photo, but I did meet Stephanie (AKA Ocean Mommy) at lunch earlier that day. She is in the middle, fourth from the left.

Valerie and her daughter, Kristen. Valerie and I have a friend, Teri, in common. And, Valerie and I have frequently emailed and written to one another through our blogs since Spring. I was really hoping to connect with her. As soon as I arrived in San Antonio my roommates told me they had met Valerie and she was asking about me.

Lora - caught in the act of worship. Read below about Lora, she is one of my roommates and she is a sister I will treasure forever and ever.

This is Tiffany again - she, too, was caught in the act of worship.

This, for me was the best part of the weekend. I am fairly certain I recognize these women, but I will honor them and their privacy in this moment. What I will tell you about this type of connection in San Antonio is this: Our hotel room held church each time we were in it especially from 10 PM - well after midnight that we were there. We prayed, cried, laughed, read Scripture and bonded in ways that defy the amount of time we had together.

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Hearts knit together even before we met.

This is the other photographer featured in this post. Nesha is a quiet wife and mother from Virginia who went ahead of us early on Saturday to ensure we had great seats for the morning session. She took wonderful pictures and shared them with us! Can I be honest? Nesha was snapping away with her camera on Friday night, and I was weary of using mine so I just said, "I think I will let you take pictures for me, Nesha." I was half kidding, but she delivered and I love the photos. I will be sharing my favorite weekend shots of Beth and her girls in a future post but for now, suffice it to say - Nesha has an eye for beauty and captures it well with her lens. Thank you, Nesha. I miss our hugs and talks, too.

Okay, so this picture hosts the members of the First Church of room 1009 - Riverwalk Marriott, San Antonio, Texas. Our story is somewhat incredible so I will share it with you after introductions. First of all, meet (from left) Lora, Nesha, Me, and Alexia. We hail from Tennessee, Virginia, Texas and Illinois. Now, we decided that this represented the four points of the map - South, East, West and North... (in that order because of where we are in the photo).
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What is incredible about our journey to San Antonio is the details planning of our God in putting us together - because only He could have gathered this motley crew of women with hearts so tender toward one another. You see, I had planned to come to San Antonio with at least one local friend who was to drive me down and share a room with me. A room that I booked through Kim (AKA Siesta Party Planner Partner to Patty). We had another friend who decided to join us in June and so I needed to fill one more spot with two months to spare - or so I thought. At the end of June, one of the local friends bailed out. Then the other friend, who I was riding with, she and her husband had some important family business to tend to which left her without the money to make the trip down. I was back to square one! Which didn't hurt my feelings, but I was beginning to think I was going to have a very expensive visit to San Antonio - but that big hotel room all to myself was not an all together bad idea. My husband, he didn't quite agree so I put the word out that I needed roommates.

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By mid-July I had been contacted by three more women. Two from the deep South and another, Alexia, from the great state of Illinois. I was excited. I spoke to them both by phone. About a week later, I got yet another discouraging email. The two from the South were having some personal issues that might leave them without the money to make the trip. I told her that I wished I could offer her the room knowing she might have to cancell last minute, but I really needed to be sure I had those spots filled. She was gracious and agreed that maybe the timing was not right for her to make the trip.

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I had turned away one other person who had contacted me about the room, Nesha. So I wrote to her and let her know the spot was still available. A few days, maybe a week later I got a call from her letting me know she was interested in the spot in my room.

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And just about the end of July I got yet another email inquiry about a possible spot in a room for Thursday since my reservation was for Friday-Saturday. Lora wrote to me about that opportunity. I responded that I would be interested in one spot on Thursday night if it were still available after she had tried to fill the spots with three full weekend Siestas. She responded by asking if she might share our room on Friday-Saturday. I got excited, sent out an email announcing we had secured our fourth roommate and then learned that Lora had not yet decided what her options were.

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I spoke with her by phone, we prayed about it and I released her to do what was best for her. A few days later she called and said that she had another room offer but felt the Lord wanted her to room with us. So - we set about trying to combine our two reservations to one. By the end of the first week of August we learned we had reservations in two separate hotels. She at Rivercenter and I at Riverwalk. I contacted Kim about the problems with the reservation and she suggested I extend my reservation to Thursday and cancel the Rivercenter reservation. I thought - that's a great idea, except I had called the week before to do just that very thing and was told there were no rooms for Thursday available.

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After talking it over with Lora, we decided we should add her to the reservation since she would be arriving first to the hotel. I called back and inquired about adding Thursday to our reservation and adding Lora as well. I got the Thursday - Sunday reservation we were hoping for but the price went up $20 but that was okay. I called Lora back and we agreed it was our best plan. She had also learned of a special promotion for those with a Visa card on the reservation and she and her husband had just gotten one - so we got an additional discount.

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I realized I had not gotten the total cost for the weekend since changing the reservation so I called back. This time the agent told me that if we had four people in our room that the cost would be $219 per night. I almost had a heart attack. With taxes and all it would come to over $800 for the three nights. He offered to cancel my reservation for me when I baulked at the price, but I told him I guess if the price was $219 plus tax we would have to pay it. He said, "Okay, well right now you have two on the reservation for $179/night, but it will go up if you add people to the reservation."

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I called Lora and began to debrief her on the craziness of that phone call and the fact that if we got the good rate we'd have to effectively lie and hide the fact that we had four people in the room. We prayed about it, resigned ourselves to the higher price and I set about delivering the more expensive knews to our little group. That is when I realized that I still did not have the total and the new higher rate. I called back again (Okay... this is the third call within like an hour and a half). The new agent, Gilbert, assured me the highest rate we would pay with two to four people was $179/night. I could have hugged him through the phone. Lora would call a few days later and we ended up with the room for $150 and change per person for the three nights! WOO HOO! A Deal, a real life bonafide deal. Had we not agreed to the higher price in our hearts, or tried to get around it - I am sure we would have lost our luggage, been robbed or some other horrible twist of fate that would have left us completely miserable that weekend. We won the battle by trusting God over what we had heard and believed to be true.

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After we arrived in San Antonio, Lora learned the other woman she was considering staying with had not even come after all, so she would have been stranded had she followed the other plans.

And if that were the sum total of our ROOM story, it would be enough. But it is not...

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On August 1st - Lora attended the Simulcast Living Proof event and had been given a word to pray over me. Now let me just say she and I have never met or corresponded before we got connected on the hotel room opportunity. She held onto that word until the Lord released her to pray it over me that weekend. Which happened to be Sunday morning right before I left. The word corresponded with the chapter of Scripture God had been directing me to read in my quiet time (Isaiah 60) and agreed with a word I had been given in the Spring, a word I received that evening when a friend and I pressed in for confirmation from God (she had no idea what I had been told in San Antonio, but her word was confirmation of Lora's prayer and a word I had received last Summer when God showed me the key to healing in our family.) Needless to say I was a bit overwhelmed. I wrote about this experience on Friday in my Everday Doers post.

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Around the first of August I had also gotten an email from another blogger who alerted me to the fact that God was preparing a divine appointment between Alexia and I that weekend. This friend assured me that no matter what she wanted to make sure we kept that appointment. And, God delivered the opportunity on Friday night.

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By Saturday afternoon, we had all shared our deepest burdens and pains with one another and begun the knitting of our wounded hearts together through prayer and ministry. The only reasonable explanation is that God knew and had a plan for each one of us that involved being in that exact place at that exact time with one another for a healing work to begin in each of our lives. Such beautiful moments... Such beautiful memories. I am in awe of our God.

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You see, each of us have been/had been dealing with our particular brand of woundedness. Each of us in different places with our pain - and each of us bearing different gifts to help the others through. The overflow of grace in room 1009 was AMAZING! AMAZING! God came down and shared Himself with us in the quietness of that room.

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GLORY!

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Okay... now on with the story because this post is already a mile and a half long.
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A FEW BLOGGY FRIENDS - (I took these pictures.)

Tammy -(AKA Grateful in Georgia) - A kindred heart

Twinkle - MY GEORGIA friend. Twinkle and I "met" over at the Lifeway Forums some four or five years ago when I landed there through the online study of Believing God. She prayed with me through the difficult days of my son's last year and blessed with sweet words of comfort, encouragement and prayer in the aftermath of my loss. She is my Georgia friend who wore her hat, her boots and her wranglers because she was in TEXAS! I love you, Twinkle. I really am so glad we got to hug necks.

I captured this photo taken by Cindy off of her blog.

Cindy (AKA Still His Girl) and Gayle (AKA http://thewestiecrew.blogspot.com) are very special NEW blog friends - as in we did not meet until San Antonio. I met Gayle when she needed to find her way back to the hotel after lunch on Friday. We soon learned that she is precious, gentle and well a genuine blessing of God even if only for a moment of the day. She made her way back with us by bus and there we got to visit. I was surprised on Saturday morning when I saw her sitting behind us. I came up the row before the session began and sat down to talk with her a few minutes...

That is when Gayle noticed my little dog, Justin. I had already had the occasion to introduce him to Margaret Kennedy (http://www.margaretkennedy.org/) while looking for Nesha on the floor. This little dog is named Justin. Gayle asked about him and I told her the story of how he reminds me of my son. She wrote about our conversation and what followed HERE. Sharing Justin's story is one of the ways I know that his life continues to have meaning. And, so God blessed me that day with two occasions to tell his story through this little Build-A-Bear Dog.

Cindy also took this picture of me as they sat behind us during worship.

Travis led us in a soul stirring song called, "Before the Throne of God." He told us to "sit down" while he sang, but truthfully, I could not stay down. The worship that took place inside of me during this song just turned me inside out and allowed me to pour out all the painful things I've carried for three years out at the foot of the cross. I found myself standing before His throne, just He and I.

I was able to pour out my love as an offering, a sacrifice of praise. He in turn poured out His healing Spirit upon my soul. He began to mend fully my broken mother's heart.

I want to leave you with the words to Isaiah 60 and the soul stirring words of "Before the Throne of God." You can sing the precious words of this hymn of faith in the video included in this post.

Isaiah

Chapter 60
The Glory of Zion

1 "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.

2 See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.

3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

4 "Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the arm.

5 Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come.

6 Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the Lord.

7 All Kedar's flocks will be gathered to you, the rams of Nebaioth will serve you; they will be accepted as offerings on my altar, and I will adorn my glorious temple. 8 "Who are these that fly along like clouds, like doves to their nests?

9 Surely the islands look to me; in the lead are the ships of Tarshish, bringing your sons from afar, with their silver and gold, to the honor of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.

10 "Foreigners will rebuild your walls, and their kings will serve you. Though in anger I struck you, in favor I will show you compassion.

11 Your gates will always stand open, they will never be shut, day or night, so that men may bring you the wealth of the nations-- their kings led in triumphal procession.

12 For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly ruined.

13 "The glory of Lebanon will come to you, the pine, the fir and the cypress together, to adorn the place of my sanctuary; and I will glorify the place of my feet.

14 The sons of your oppressors will come bowing before you; all who despise you will bow down at your feet and will call you the City of the Lord, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

15 "Although you have been forsaken and hated, with no one traveling through, I will make you the everlasting pride and the joy of all generations.

16 You will drink the milk of nations and be nursed at royal breasts. Then you will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.

17 Instead of bronze I will bring you gold, and silver in place of iron. Instead of wood I will bring you bronze, and iron in place of stones. I will make peace your governor and righteousness your ruler.

18 No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise.

19 The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.

20 Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end.

21 Then will all your people be righteous and they will possess the land forever. They are the shoot I have planted, the work of my hands, for the display of my splendor.

22 The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the Lord; in its time I will do this swiftly."
(New International Version)

"Before The Throne of God Above" (Words Charitie L. Bancroft, 1863)

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in Heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence to depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,

Upward I look and see Him there
Who made and end to all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To long Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace,
One in Himself I cannot die.
My sould is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high, With Christ my Savior and my God!

Pour Out Your Love On Him

Yesterday at church we sang this song during worship.

Worship Him with your whole heart as the words penetrate your heart and soul.

God's Girl

Last night I went to a special time of fellowship

and ministry with my Smal Group from Church.

God impressed upon many of us that He sees us as His little girl living in abandon before the Lord. He loves us, delights in us and approves of us. We are His children, he has chosen us as His treasured possession. Take some time to come before Him today and allow Him to minister to You as Daddy's Girl. He is our Daddy, our Abba, and He longs to draw us up into His lap and listen to us giggle and ramble about our day - He longs to hold us close and have us dance with abandon before Him as He offers us acceptance and approval. He says to us, "Come, My child, and spend some time with Me."

I've included some pictures to help you go to a place where He dotes on you - His Daddy's Girl!

And He wants you to know, You are His favorite.

Picture youself in His arms, Him playing with you and making you laugh!

He thinks you are precious, a delight to His heart and His eyes.

You are His girl. He delights to spend His time with you.

He delights to see us playing together, worshipping Him together and enjoying one another. Let's Twirl!

Be abandoned before Him...

Worship Him with your enthusiasm

and allow Him to love you in the jubilation of youth and life!

He longs to teach you to dance to the music of His heart...

To let you get your balance by dancing on His feet.

Life is meant to be enjoyed.

He wants to show You how beautiful He thinks you are.

Feel His arms around you as your loving Father celebrates your victories and soothes your aching heart.

He loves you so... We're swimming in His lavish love.

You are accepted in the Beloved, His child.

His Princess...

When you listen to this song, kick off your shoes,

put on your best dress and join Him in the ballroom of Heaven!

Your Father in Heaven says, "Dance with me, and know that I delight in you..."

Lead Me To The Cross...

In February, the worship team sang this song at a Women's Ministry night at our church. It brought me to my knees in brokenness and I had a true moment of worship and breakthrough with God that night. I knelt and wept at His feet praying, worshipping, crying out to Him in surrender.

I pray you are blessed!

BLOGGY GIVE-AWAY Winner

Hey - there were five women who entered to win the My Beloved CD by Gateway Worship!

Here are the results of the random.org drawing:

JULIE - You are my Bloggy Winner!

I'm so excited to send out this wonderful CD to you!

I will be giving away two books in July - so COME BACK AND CHECK IT OUT!

Worship With Me...

The New Doxology is on Gateway Worship's new release "Wake Up the World." Thomas Miller who is the primary Worship Pastor at Gateway Church, Southlake, TX shares in the following video the story behind the song. So, listen to how the song came to Thomas and then worship God with the music of Gateway Church with the second video...

Blessings.