One day late, but this doesn't have much to do with Valentine's Day anyway :)
The year 2010 and so far 2011 I have been absolutely BLASTED by the Lord. What do I mean by blasted?? Have a listen here......
I mean my heart has been broken, mended, broken again, shattered, mended, expanded, expanded again, expanded to the point of bursting and is currently a HUGE, ENORMOUS mess that I really don't know what to do with.
I never thought that I could look at a person and feel what they are feeling by one look. (It sounds scary, It's not, it's called intercession)
Let me tell you, I seriously know the dreams of His heart for certain people, places, and even things, I know their potential, I LONG for their fullness, and all of this has been given to me as a gift. My Father has chosen to give me His heart. Why? Because I asked for it.
Love changes things. I am ONE person, in my early twenties, a GIRL, with no college education and no degree, not very qualified in the eyes of the world to make a huge difference in this earth. But you know what? I know who my God is. And I know His heart. And I'm starting to get His heart. And let me tell you something.....there is no telling the things that can happen when one single person who has been wrecked and forever changed by God's heart steps out with that love in their heart and lets God lead them places. With God, all things are possible. There is nothing He cannot do.
NO ONE IS TOO FAR GONE. His arm is not too short to save..... There is no one too deep in depression, no one too lost in an endless cycle of drugs, no one too hard-hearted and cruel, no one too taken captive by demonic philosophies, no one too broken by oppression or abuse, no child too abandoned, no man too far in bondage, no woman too deep in darkness, NO ONE TOO LOST FOR MY JESUS TO SAVE.
"Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them." Hebrews 7:25
He is able to save TO THE UTTERMOST.
Why?
Because HE WENT to the uttermost.
The cross took Him to the farthest, deepest depth of darkness, and He overcame it. He already went there before us. He traveled the darkest road. He had to, because that's where some people go. And He did it, and now He sits at the right hand of His Father making intercession for us.
So back to love. If you let Him wreck you to the point of you just don't care anymore, IT WILL CHANGE EVERYTHING. Do you want to know love for real? Do you want your heart to be forever changed and not just changed, but RADICALLY turned UPSIDE-DOWN FOREVER,????? And then do you want to feel what God feels? Do you want Him to put His own heart in You? Do you want a heart-transplant?!!?!?!? If you say yes, then you can change the world whether or not you have money, or power, or influence, or authority, or a college-degree, or this or that certification, or ANY of that.!!!!
Sound fun? IT TOTALLY IS :)
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Justice
Is there hope for the 8 year old girl who has been sold into slavery and is kept locked in a brothel and forced to have sex with strangers every single day and night, because she will be beaten if she doesn't?
Is there hope for the middle-aged business man who works countless hours week after week, exhausted, pouring himself into his job, leaving no time left for his family as they slip away? This man who has been haunted lately by the question, "Where is this going?"
Is there hope for the young man ensnared at his computer screen for hours, who feels so dirty and can never escape the guilt of what he does, who longs to stop, but isn't strong enough?
Is there hope for the young woman who finds herself every night kneeling over the toilet because she is caught in a cycle of constant striving to be perfect, to look perfect, to be skinny?
Is there hope for the homeless man who begs for money so that he can get stoned or high just so he won't have to think about his hurt for a little while?
Is there hope for the mother who has longed to have a child but just miscarried for the 5th time?
Is there hope for the little boy who always hears his parents fighting, his daddy screaming, and is terrified to do or say the wrong thing for fear he might get hurt?
Is there hope for the woman that has longed for love all her life but only found pain in every relationship she has been in, whose heart can hardly feel anymore because of all the times it has been broken?
Is there hope for the young 20-something who longs to be a good husband and father to his wife a baby but is struggling to get by and barely making enough to afford rent?
Is there hope for the girl who has been lied to and sucked into a swarm of untruth by her college professors, who has been deceived by false philosiphies and doesn't know what to believe anymore?
Is there hope for the lonely 85-year old woman who lives in a nursing home all alone, whose husband, kids, friends and relatives have all already gone?
Is there hope for the 3 siblings living on the streets of India with no parents, no shoes and no money, who have to beg every day just to have something to keep them from starving to death?
Is there hope for the man with no legs and only one arm, who has lost his eyesight and is forced to beg on the streets, and will be doing that for the rest of his life?
Is there hope for the movie star in hollywood california who is sitting alone in a million-dollar home, drowning in her own riches, has everything she could possibly want yet feels so entirely and utterly lost, hopeless and desperate?
Is there hope for the family whose father was shot and killed by someone who was just simply angry at the world?
Is there hope for the young woman who had an abortion, who feels the pain and effect of it every day and feels she can never forgive herself?
Is there hope for the 18 year old who doesn't want to drink like his friends but feels he doesn't have any other options in order to survive in college?
Is God good? Is He loving? Does He care?
YES.
“For a long time I have kept silent,
I have been quiet and held myself back.
But now, like a woman in childbirth,
I cry out, I gasp and pant.
I will lay waste the mountains and hills
and dry up all their vegetation;
I will turn rivers into islands
and dry up the pools.
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them
and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do;
I will not forsake them.
But those who trust in idols,
who say to images, ‘You are our gods,’
will be turned back in utter shame.
I am bringing my righteousness near,
it is not far away;
and my salvation will not be delayed.
I will grant salvation to Zion,
my splendor to Israel.
People of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you.
"Arise, LORD, in your anger;
rise up against the rage of my enemies.
Awake, my God; decree justice!"
And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:7-8
Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you;
therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.
For the LORD IS A GOD OF JUSTICE.
Blessed are all who wait for him!
Is there hope for the middle-aged business man who works countless hours week after week, exhausted, pouring himself into his job, leaving no time left for his family as they slip away? This man who has been haunted lately by the question, "Where is this going?"
Is there hope for the young man ensnared at his computer screen for hours, who feels so dirty and can never escape the guilt of what he does, who longs to stop, but isn't strong enough?
Is there hope for the young woman who finds herself every night kneeling over the toilet because she is caught in a cycle of constant striving to be perfect, to look perfect, to be skinny?
Is there hope for the homeless man who begs for money so that he can get stoned or high just so he won't have to think about his hurt for a little while?
Is there hope for the mother who has longed to have a child but just miscarried for the 5th time?
Is there hope for the little boy who always hears his parents fighting, his daddy screaming, and is terrified to do or say the wrong thing for fear he might get hurt?
Is there hope for the woman that has longed for love all her life but only found pain in every relationship she has been in, whose heart can hardly feel anymore because of all the times it has been broken?
Is there hope for the young 20-something who longs to be a good husband and father to his wife a baby but is struggling to get by and barely making enough to afford rent?
Is there hope for the girl who has been lied to and sucked into a swarm of untruth by her college professors, who has been deceived by false philosiphies and doesn't know what to believe anymore?
Is there hope for the lonely 85-year old woman who lives in a nursing home all alone, whose husband, kids, friends and relatives have all already gone?
Is there hope for the 3 siblings living on the streets of India with no parents, no shoes and no money, who have to beg every day just to have something to keep them from starving to death?
Is there hope for the man with no legs and only one arm, who has lost his eyesight and is forced to beg on the streets, and will be doing that for the rest of his life?
Is there hope for the movie star in hollywood california who is sitting alone in a million-dollar home, drowning in her own riches, has everything she could possibly want yet feels so entirely and utterly lost, hopeless and desperate?
Is there hope for the family whose father was shot and killed by someone who was just simply angry at the world?
Is there hope for the young woman who had an abortion, who feels the pain and effect of it every day and feels she can never forgive herself?
Is there hope for the 18 year old who doesn't want to drink like his friends but feels he doesn't have any other options in order to survive in college?
Is God good? Is He loving? Does He care?
YES.
“For a long time I have kept silent,
I have been quiet and held myself back.
But now, like a woman in childbirth,
I cry out, I gasp and pant.
I will lay waste the mountains and hills
and dry up all their vegetation;
I will turn rivers into islands
and dry up the pools.
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them
and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do;
I will not forsake them.
But those who trust in idols,
who say to images, ‘You are our gods,’
will be turned back in utter shame.
I am bringing my righteousness near,
it is not far away;
and my salvation will not be delayed.
I will grant salvation to Zion,
my splendor to Israel.
People of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you.
"Arise, LORD, in your anger;
rise up against the rage of my enemies.
Awake, my God; decree justice!"
And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:7-8
Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you;
therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.
For the LORD IS A GOD OF JUSTICE.
Blessed are all who wait for him!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Testimony from my Harvest School Application
My family life has been a picture of the hand of God and I thank Him every day for this blessing. My relationship with my father has made me confident, secure and has helped me establish my identity as a child knowing I was dearly loved. I look to him as an example of the kind of man I want to marry. My mother and I are very close and I talk to her about anything. I respect her very much and she amazes me with the way she loves and tirelessly gives. I have 4 brothers whom I love dearly and are very fun to live with.
My childhood and teenage years speak of God's grace. I went to public school from kindergarten to 6th grade. Then my parents followed the Lord's leading and decided to home-school me from 7th grade through high school. This time in my life was so precious. God used it to grow me and keep me in the secret place, and show me who He is. I grew more in these 6 years than I had ever before. I was free to discover who He has made me to be as all my passions came alive and I sought His face.
At 16 I traveled to North Carolina with my youth group to attend a gathering called The Ramp. One night during this gathering is a night I will never forget. It was the night of my awakening. Jesus called my name and invited me on the adventure of the lifetime, and marked me with His purity. I remember being surrounded by people in worship and I closed my eyes. I don't remember how long I had them closed, but when I opened them, all the people that were around me had moved around and left me in sort of my own space. God said "I cleared a space for you to dance with me." After He said that, I began to dance and finally ended up on the floor overwhelmed. The session had long ended but I was glued to the floor drowning in His love. I responded to His invitation to come away and after this experience I have never been the same. I have pledged my entire life to serve Him faithfully as my Master and Husband.
After Jesus encountered me His word came alive to me and all I wanted to do was pray in my room or in small groups with people and read the Bible. I gained so much knowledge and wisdom. I joined a dance team and began singing and writing songs.
It has been 5 years and I love Jesus more than anything, He is my life, strength, and my very breath. I am entirely His as long as I live. I know I'm called to be a pilgrim. He told me I don't need college for what I'm called to do. I'm embracing a life of adventure and unknown to venture wherever His heart leads me. No blueprints, no maps, no long-term plans. It's daunting but I wouldn't have it any other way. As long as my heart stays tender and alive I will live anywhere and do anything.
My childhood and teenage years speak of God's grace. I went to public school from kindergarten to 6th grade. Then my parents followed the Lord's leading and decided to home-school me from 7th grade through high school. This time in my life was so precious. God used it to grow me and keep me in the secret place, and show me who He is. I grew more in these 6 years than I had ever before. I was free to discover who He has made me to be as all my passions came alive and I sought His face.
At 16 I traveled to North Carolina with my youth group to attend a gathering called The Ramp. One night during this gathering is a night I will never forget. It was the night of my awakening. Jesus called my name and invited me on the adventure of the lifetime, and marked me with His purity. I remember being surrounded by people in worship and I closed my eyes. I don't remember how long I had them closed, but when I opened them, all the people that were around me had moved around and left me in sort of my own space. God said "I cleared a space for you to dance with me." After He said that, I began to dance and finally ended up on the floor overwhelmed. The session had long ended but I was glued to the floor drowning in His love. I responded to His invitation to come away and after this experience I have never been the same. I have pledged my entire life to serve Him faithfully as my Master and Husband.
After Jesus encountered me His word came alive to me and all I wanted to do was pray in my room or in small groups with people and read the Bible. I gained so much knowledge and wisdom. I joined a dance team and began singing and writing songs.
It has been 5 years and I love Jesus more than anything, He is my life, strength, and my very breath. I am entirely His as long as I live. I know I'm called to be a pilgrim. He told me I don't need college for what I'm called to do. I'm embracing a life of adventure and unknown to venture wherever His heart leads me. No blueprints, no maps, no long-term plans. It's daunting but I wouldn't have it any other way. As long as my heart stays tender and alive I will live anywhere and do anything.
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