Winter Olympics 2006

Turin, Italy Closing Ceremonies Dove

made by 398 “brides”

The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." Let each one who hears them say, "Come." Let the thirsty ones come – anyone who wants to. Let them come and drink the water of life without charge.

~Revelation 22:17 March 4, 2006 Journal entry “Satan wants to sift you like wheat.” O Lord, free me from my enemies! Psalm 18:48 “ He delivers me from my enemies, You also lift me up above those who rise up against me. You have delivered me from the violent man.” I went for a walk and headed toward a friend’s (Donna Logan) house hoping she would be home so we could visit for a while. Since she was not at home, I sensed the Lord saying to go into the Goodwill Store near her house. I had been previously seeking to find a pair of red pants for work. And guess what?...I found a pair that was “just my size”(not mentioned here!), even in the correct length! I did not bring any money and I could not put them on hold, so I put them back on the rack, hoping they would still be there when I came back another time. Earlier, when I went to try on the pants, I passed a section with bridal gowns. They were just beautiful! I found one that looked very similar to my own wedding dress. I noticed it was about the same size as mine; immediately thinking “I don’t think I could fit into that!” However, on the opposite end was a gorgeous gown, similar in style, but in a wee bit larger size. It was sparkly satin with sequins, pearls, and a long train, almost like my dress. This thought came into my head, “try it on.” So I did! I must say I looked beautiful in it…not my face or body, necessarily, but the dress on me. I felt as if the Lord was saying to me that I am His beautiful bride, and it is what I have on that makes me even more beautiful. I wondered what the price was and when I looked at the tag, I saw $100 — AS IS. I really sensed the Lord speaking to me: “I accept you and love you, AS IS, just as you are. You are My beautiful bride; dance with Me! I want to dance with you! I want to be intimate with you. You are my precious child.” Thank You that You have made me Your bride! Wow-You take me "AS IS"! As I am; I am flawed, there are stains, spots, and defects all over me, but You don’t see them. You see me as a spotless bride, (because of Your Son Jesus’ blood poured out for me) waiting for her Groom to sweep her off her feet and dance forever with her and have that intimacy that only a husband and wife should have. Thank You for healing the scars and continuing to heal me. The closing ceremonies of the Olympics – with all the “brides” with candles (Jesus…the Light of the world) were so cool! And then they formed a “dove” – the Spirit! “The Spirit and the bride say come!” I would recommend that all women who can, (who dare!) try on a wedding gown and dance before the Lord! It was fun and funny!—especially when I put my tennis shoes back on! And if my family sees this – oh well! I believe it was what I needed and I believe it was from You ,to show me how much You love me – “just as I am.” And You love them just as they are - help me do the same. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. Added on March 25, 2009: What I wear is HIS righteousness - not my own…which are filthy rags. I went back later and bought the red pants! Donna went home to be with the Lord December 2008 /\/\----------------------------------------------------------------- \ / TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT -- March 16, 2006 \/------------------------------------------------------------------ Verse: As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. -- Colossians 3:12 Thought: "Wonder what I'll need to wear to that meeting?" Paul reminds us that there is a set of clothing that is always in style. We wear this clothing because we are special. This clothing is from the Ultimate Designer's collection that is called character and is best worn when with other people. These qualities are hard to wear, but always a blessing to those who meet us when we're decked out in this wardrobe. Prayer: Abba Father, thank you for bringing me into your family. May I never disappoint you in the way I treat others. May they see in me the qualities of character that can be attributed only to your presence in my life. To you be the glory and the honor, forever and ever, in the name of Jesus my Lord. Amen. http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Colossians+3:12

Bible Gateway's Verse of the Day

Bible Gateway's Verse of the Day

too much facebook... i think i'll stick to YICA, LP Bible in a year, and IBG!

Feb. 13, 09 Exodus 34:29,30 When Moses came down the mountain carrying the stone tablets with the covenant(Testimony), he wasn't aware that his face glowed because he had spoken to the LORD face to face. And when Aaron and the people saw the radiance of Moses' face, they were afraid to come near him. He wore a veil over his face, but removed the veil when he spoke with the LORD. The people would see his face aglow. I meet face to face with God every day. What a privilege! Do others see any glow? Do others see Jesus in me? His glory? Lord, show Your glory in me. Shine!

Thank You, Jesus, for the snow! Hey, I'm from Wisconsin :)

Isaiah 55:9-11 (New International Version)

⁹ "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

¹⁰ As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Sometimes He spits mud in our eyes!

Written by Christine Esser Thursday, September 18, 2008 My Jesus is faithful This I know; He leads me through valleys – He’ll never let me go. Confusion, questions, Doubts arrive; If they’re not there, Am I alive? He’s by my side Through pain and sorrow. No gladness today? – There’s hope for tomorrow! I hope it stays longer When gladness comes – Sometimes it seems so foreign to me – For too long I’ve been so numb. He gives me courage To face the pain – To deny it is a lie; Facing it might get me sane!? I sometimes wonder Why I’m such a mess? The pain is deep – No more, no less. He leads me step by step – Not all at once. It’d be a bit overwhelming, I have a hunch! He’s gentle and kind This Savior of mine; Forgiving my sin With love divine. I must forgive, too – Those who’ve hurt me so badly They may not accept it – That seems so sad to me. I can’t do this myself: Obeying His word; To forgive is divine – Seems even absurd! But freedom and peace And joy are rewards Of following Jesus And opening frightening doors. Don’t be afraid to let Jesus in; To let Him heal, Face the pain within. It’s a process, you know – I’m certainly not “there”! One day at a time I’m forever in His care. “I will give you comfort and joy instead of sorrow”….Jeremiah 31:13

Now go make lasagna!

I fell on my knees before the Lord, regarding my situation. "Your promised land is heaven...I did not promise that your son would walk in his father's footsteps, or your footsteps...he walks in My footsteps! MY plan for his life...not yours or what you thought he would do or not do. Or how you thought he would "turn out"! I am not finished "turning him out"...Nor am I finished with "turning you out". Know that I will never turn you away. I will never never leave you nor forsake you. Now go make lasagna!!!" God is so faithful, even n my faithlessness!

Tuesday...ooops! Wednesday! Transformation

Tuesday,...ooops! Wednesday! February 18, 2009

Waiting for Bible Study to start at Harvest Church of God in Owings Mills

“Why is it you think you haven’t changed, or made a difference?

Are you saying I haven’t changed you- or are you admitting your helplessness, powerlessness, hopelessness without Me? Or are you trusting in your own self to change & be like Me, or your own ability to change and be like Me?

You know you can’t!

You know & believe you can do nothing without Me. ₁

Why do you continue to believe the lies of the enemy ₂ & yourself & your past “tapes” told to you by others?

Do you not realize again that you are a new creation ₃ – already made in My image ₄

– but since accepting Me – being constantly transformed by Me, -My Holy Spirit?

Why do you (humans) continually think that “it takes so long to be transformed?” Yes, it is a process, but long? You do not think eternally!

How long is this mere vapor of a life ₅ compared to eternity with Me!?

I LOVE YOU – just as you are.

My LOVE for you is not based upon how you change, how much you change, or how QUICKLY you change. (me - have I been basing my love for my children on this???)

My timing is My timing – not yours.

Repent of your lack of waiting for Me & My timing.

I work immediately in all of My children!

Sometimes I work quickly to bring about changes - seemingly instantly in some. In others, it is a slower process, a lifetime of “little by little” changes. All are being transformed into My Son’s image – in My timeframe.

My LOVE for you is eternal ₆ – not based on conditions or even the condition of your heart. I know your heart better than you do.

And I change hearts, I can change hearts, and I AM changing hearts – even yours!! (smile) Even if you think there has been little change! I am transforming you.

Wait.

Take courage! ₇ & trust in My perfect timing! …for you, for your family, for all things!

REST

₁ John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

₂ John 8:44 “the devil…when he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

Genesis 1:27

₃ 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

₄ Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Psalm 31:21 “Praise the Lord, for He has shown me His unfailing love.”

₅ James 4:14 …whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

₆ Psalm 31:21 Praise the Lord,

for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love.

₇ Psalm 31:24 “ …so be strong and take courage, all you who put your hope in the LORD.”

₈ Matthew 11:28

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

₉ Proverbs 3:5,6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.