Hopelessly in Love with You

Hopelessly in Love with You
Jan 22, 2005 2:20 am
Via Priscilla Van Sutphin
www.upstreamca.org

from Ruach Elohim…

“Every minute of the day, I am interceding for you. Every hour of the day My thoughts turn towards you. Every time even a sparrow falls to the ground, I know it and feel it. How much more than a sparrow are you worth to Me? There is NOTHING that escapes My eyes My beloveds. There is nothing you feel, that I don’t feel !
Yes, I said, I feel your pain. I feel your disappointments. I feel your loneliness. We are intimately connected through your spirit man. My Spirit lives in YOU. So I feel what YOU FEEL! That deposit gives you the ability to come in touch with MY POWER, when you feel left out, or left behind, or hurt, or abused and rejected. I know every tear you cry and they are collected in a bottle. Imagine for a moment that you are ME, and you felt all that! Imagine how My heart aches knowing the daily things you must bear for My sake ? Nothing escapes My view. I AM El Rohi – the God Who Sees.
I saw and heard Hagar’s cries in the desert when she ran away. I felt her loneliness and rejection…and I went to her to comfort and give her instructions and HOPE. I want you to be My prisoners of hope. I AM YOUR HOPE. So when you stop in that pain, and focus on ME, then you can be comforted by Me.
In that moment of anguish and pain, I AM YOUR HOPE. I AM YOUR COMFORTER. I AM El Rachum – The Compassionate One. I send the Comforter to all who weep and all who are in distress, when they belong to ME, or when they cry out to Me.
When David was in distress, he learned to cry out to ME, and I gave him strength through his praises to overcome the bear, the lion, the giant in the land. I will do the same for you. I am not partial. I don’t only do it for some. I answer the desperate pleas of the faithful.
Daniel cried out, but it took time for the archangel to get through to him, with all the battle over his area. But then he was blessed beyond his imagination. I am about to bring much comfort to My prisoners of hope, who have held on and held on through the trials and testings for the hope they have had for promises I’ve given them.
I am not a man that I should lie, nor a son of man that I should change My mind. There are some, as I’ve said, who have been deceived by their own hearts which have not been fully healed. There have been some things they thought would happen which have NOT happened, partly because it was their desire, but not the best I have for them. I am a Father Who wants to give the BEST for His children. I look for that special gift like you do for someone’s birthday to bless them with. I give gifts just because I love you, not because of your performance or the things you do.
I do reward diligent seeking. I do reward prayerfulness and communion. I do reward obedience. Some rewards come now, some come later, some come in eternity. But I see ahead all that is before you. I always do what is best for your CHARACTER development. Because if I gave you the gifts BEFORE your character was ready for them, you would be ruined by the gift. Just like when you indulge children too much, and they become spoiled and ungrateful. So I develop character through the things you go through, so that when you do get what I have for you, you will be faithful, and grateful.
I AM Wisdom. I AM understanding. So when you need these, you can call on Me, and I will give to you what you need to know….what is good for you. Some things need to be surprises. But soon, there will be such a communion, that so many things you thought you may never receive, will come to you in a moment. And your vision and perceptions of things will change. Your heart will be connected MORE fully to My heart as I come and destroy every stronghold that hinders you. I love you and cherish you as something sought after with great diligence and tenderness. YOU ARE MY OWN, MY LOVED ONES. I never will let you go or be unavailable. I am always here for you.
I always listen. I am ever seeking after you. So come, and learn more of ME, for I am in love with you My beloveds and I will increase that grace which helps you seek after ME, if you will ask for it ! I am ready to give you good things. So anticipate good things. Anticipate greater intimacy with ME, as you come in worship to ME ! The Bridegroom is knocking…unlatch the key of your hearts…”

Be Ready for My Surprise

Beloveds, I'm sharing two posts today, because they are both so apropos for many of us going through difficult things right now. I pray that in and through all your heart may be encouraged and prosper! ~First, to share what the Lord told me yesterday morning and then His word through Olivia, as they confirm each other.
Also, please be sure to read "Does God Dance on Your Potato Chips?"....another separate posting for today.

"My Dear Child, How I love you with an everlasting love. How proud I am of you when you do not abandon Me through the trials of life; for I AM refining you. I AM bringing you forth as pure gold. As you look to Me, the Author and Finisher of your faith, I will do in you what you are unable to do for yourself. Do not despise the trials which have come upon you, for I have designed this momentary affliction to bring Glory to My Name; for I tell you the Truth, when you walk through the fire, I AM with you. I AM in the fire with you. Allow My fire to refine you, My love, for the fire shall reveal My Glory, and produce what you could have never imagined - I shall give you the treasures of darkness, and you shall see the harvest! You shall see the lame walk, the blind see and the deaf hear...and all shall give Glory to My Name!

Isaiah 43:2b "...When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you." v. 4 "Because you are precious in My sight and honored, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for your life."

1 Peter 4:12-13 "Beloved, do not be amazed and bewildered at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test your quality, as though something strange (unusual and alien to you and your position were befalling you. But insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, rejoice, so that when His glory [full of radiance and splendor] is revealed, you may also rejoice with triumph [exultantly]."

Olivia Reitz Long has been an Internet Sister and friend for many years. I have always been encouraged by the prophetic words the Lord gives her, and the Lord sends it at just the right time. Be blessed~

BE READY FOR MY SURPRISE!
~Olivia Reitz Long ~February 28, 2009

"Even though I walk 'through' the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me..." Psalm 23:4

So many of My own are going and have been going through painful trials - you are suffering and you awake the next day, concerned of what that day might bring. You are concerned about your here and now, concerned about your future and the future of your country as well as the world. A future that appears to you to be crumbling and falling apart, but I say REJOICE, REJOICE in your sufferings looking forward to the outcome that is to follow, not only with you but in all aspects of what I AM doing.

Sufferings, Jesus suffered but He beat suffering, and how did he end up .... with Glory! Are you not connected with Him? Others say "You are a Christian, look at the sufferings and pain you are going through!" They see what is on the surface, but what they don't see is the word "through". I said you would walk "through" the shadow of death, not remain in it and when you get to the other side, you will come out as metal that was purified by the red hot fire... So when they speak these things to you, when they insult and ridicule you for your beliefs - friends, co-workers, the man on the street, even family members; it's for one reason and one reason only, it's because you live for Christ and believe in His standards and they cannot fathom even the most simplest part of your walk with Me.

Yes, hard times are upon you and much is happening in America and all over the world, but just when you believe you have it all figured out, just when you believe you have all the answers, your one and only true living God has a Surprise for you, one that no-one sees or comprehends is going to happen, will happen at just the right timing, My timing!

I spoke the universe into existence with a word and I hold that same universe in My hand even now and the God of the Universe can surprise even My own. Be ready, for shortly - perhaps not today, perhaps not tomorrow and perhaps not even a month from now, but shortly... in My timing! Just as a loved one can surprise you with the most beautiful of gifts, given in love - how much more is your Beloved able to give you a surprise gift that will rival anything you could ever think or imagine... given in My abound less Love for you!

Remain in Hope, Remain in Faith, Remain in Joy, Remain Strong - even in the most difficult of moments - Remain in all of these and Pray always - for others and yourself, to stay the course ... and ...

REJOICE, again I say REJOICE, Look Up ... and BE READY FOR MY SURPRISE!

Does God Dance on Your Potato Chips?

I just received this story from a friend of mine and thought you'd enjoy it, too! Blessings, Crista

Have we all not had this kind of a day!?!? This is an inspiring little story that is sure to change the outlook of your day ~
Author Unknown

~Does God dance on your potato chips?
~Not too long ago I had "one of those days". I was feeling pressure from a writing deadline. I had company arriving in a couple days and the toilet was clogged. I went to the bank, and the trainee tellerp rocessing my deposit had to start over three times. I swung by the supermarket to pick up a few things and the lines were serpentine. By the time I got home, I was frazzled and sweaty and in a hurry to get something on the table for dinner.
~Deciding on Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup, I grabbed a can opener, cranked open the can, then remembered I had forgotten to buy milk at the store. Nix the soup idea. Setting the can aside, I went to plan B, which was leftover baked beans.I grabbed a Tupperware from the fridge, popped the seal, took a look and groaned.
~My husband isn't a picky eater, but even HE won't eat baked beans that look like caterpillars. Really frustrated, now, I decided on a menu that promised to be as foolproof as it is nutrition-free: hot dogs and potato chips. Retrieving a brand new bag of chips from the cupboard, I grabbed the cellophane and gave a hearty pull. The bag didn't open. I tried again.
~Nothing happened. I took a breath, doubled my muscle, and gave the bag a hearty wrestle. With a loud pop, the cellophanes uddenly gave way, ripping wide from top to bottom. Chips flew sky high. I was left holding the bag, and it was empty.
~It was the final straw. I let out a blood curdling scream. "I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!"
My husband heard my unorthodox cry for help. Within minutes he was standing at the doorway to the kitchen, where he surveyed the damage:
~An opened can of soup, melting groceries, moldy baked beans, and one quivering wife standing ankle deep in potato chips. Myh usband did the most helpful thing he could think of at the moment. He took a flying leap, landing flat-footed in the pile of chips. And then he began tos tomp and dance and twirl, grinding those chips into my linoleum in the process! I stared. I fumed. Pretty soon I was working to stifle a smile. Eventually I had to laugh. And finally I decided to join him. I, too, took a leap onto the chips. And then I danced.
~Now I'll be the first to admit that my husband's response wasn't the one I was looking for. But the truth is, it was exactly what I needed. I didn't need a cleanup crew as much as I needed an attitude adjustment, and the laughter from that rather funky moment provided just that.
~So now I have a question for you, and it's simply this: Has God ever stomped on your chips? I know that, in my life, there have been plenty of times when I've gotten myself into frustrating situations and I've cried out for help, all the while hoping God would show up with a celestial broom and clean up the mess I've made of things.
~What often happens instead is that God dances on my chips, answering my prayer in a completely different manner than I hade xpected, but in the manner that is best for me after all. Sometimes I can see right away that God's response was the best one after all. Sometimes I have to wait weeks or months before I begin to understand how and why God answered a particular prayer the way he did. There are even some situations that, years later, I'm still trying to understand. I figure God will fill me in sooner or later, either this side of Heaven or beyond.
~Do I trust Him? Even when He's answering myp rayers in a way that is completely different from my expectations? Even when He's dancing and stomping instead of sweeping and mopping? Can I embrace what He's offering? Can I let His joy adjust my attitude? Am I going to stand on the sidelines and sulk, or am I willing to learn the steps of the dance He's dancin' with my needs in mind?
I'll be honest with you: Sometimes I sulk. Sometimes I dance. I'm working on doing more of the latter than the former. I guess the older I get the more I realize that He really does know what He's doing. He loves me and I can trust Him. Even when the chips are down.
Author Unknown

Power of the Blood

~Dear and Precious Child of God,
~May we all receive greater revelation of His love and our how we overcome the enemy/the accuser of the the Brethren, by the Blood of the Lamb. Have I laid hold of all this? Certainly not by any means! But I do declare to you this day the mercy, grace and compassion of our loving Heavenly Father and a glimpse into His Blood which sets us free in Jesus' Name!
~Do I say this as a license to knowingly and rebelliously live in sin and contrary to the Word of God? Not at all! For I believe we have an accountability before Our Father to allow the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit to regenerate us and to walk in righteousness before Him. But what I am saying, is that when we have come to a point in our lives to lay that sin down before the Cross, ask His forgiveness and plead the Blood of Jesus over that sin, that God does indeed forgive us and has washed us white as snow.
~It is the desire of God's heart that we repent and receive His salvation; that no man should perish, but have everlasting life! The Apostle Paul told us what a wretch he considered himself, and who is there to save, but Jesus! (my paraphrase).
~It was somewhere back in the early part of this decade. By His grace and mercy, the Lord had brought me out of a sinful relationship. The summer of 2000 was a time of "wandering" and "wondering". It was an extremely pitch black time in my life.
~I had fallen into the trap of letting whatever came into my mouth just spill forth, and it wasn't pretty. It wasn't edifying. It wasn't glorifying to God. It was pure garbage. I'd just let it slide, because after all, "God knew my heart and loved me for who I was - imperfect though I may be."
~Well, that is a true statement! I'm not perfect, and He still loves me. However, it is the desire of God's heart to bring us to the point where we allow the Holy Spirit to do the work that we are unable to do ourselves. It is His desire to sanctify us - to set us apart. (See John 17) His desire is that we be in the world, but not of the world; that we crucify the flesh; that we walk not in the power of the flesh, but the power of the Spirit.
~The Lord took me to Ephesians 4:29 "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." Ouch! He was dealing with me on this one, and it was time for me to lay it down. I couldn't do it by myself. Was I really willing to give Him my mouth?
~O, wretch that I was...Who would save me? For I had also fallen into a trap of eavesdropping on internet chat rooms where I had no business! O, wretch that I was!....Who would save me? Those things which I knew were not fitting for me as a Christian...I was right there - partaking with my eyes.
~God was dealing with me. It was time to lay some things down at The Cross. Asking His forgiveness and the power of the Holy Spirit to do what I was unable to do for myself, I repented.
~It was one evening in prayer that the Lord gave me this vision:
~I saw myself before God. (Now, I don't mean to be disrespectful, but the Lord showed me an image of my "Uncle Al"...Uncle Al always held the stub of a cigar between his teeth, and sometimes spit tobacco juice on our toes, but one thing we knew, Uncle Al loved us! He'd take us to Christiansen's Drugstore for a 3 cent orange sherbert ice cream cone...nibbling the cone off around the top - just to make sure it tasted good enough for us to eat. He always brought us liversausage from Sagninaw, packed in the salmon colored meat wrapping and tucked under his arm. ~I didn't see Uncle Al too often, but my memories are very fond. I can still picture him facing us, baseball bat in his thick, meaty hands, swinging from right to left across his broad stomach, so that he could hit a pitch from any direction out of our little 5 year old mitts.)
~God was helping me to understand the loving side of Him in greater depth. As I was standing before God, Satan showed up. And he was literally spitting mad before God.."DO YOU KNOW WHAT SHE'S DONE!!??!!! DO YOU KNOW THE THINGS SHE'S SAID???!!!! And then God looked him square in the face and said, "She's covered by the Blood of the Lamb. She's Mine." And that's all He had to say. Satan left in a huge huff...stomping and spitting mad that he couldn't have me anymore.
~Satan is livid when our hearts repent which brings forgiveness, but more so for the Blood which washes away our sin and keeps the Believer in right relationship before God. When we involve ourselves in sin, we hand the keys of our house/our heart over to the enemy to place us into bondage. But when we repent and plead the Blood, we overcome our accuser. Praise God! And it is by the power of the Holy Spirit that we are set free!
Revelation 12:11 "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony..."
...more later....

Call and I WILL Answer

~Friends, this has been a physically challenging 18 mos., to say the least. Last week, I received news of another assault against my body, which is causing much pain and another specialist to consult.
~Dear Child of God, when the storms of life surround us, we look up for Our Redeemer draws nigh! HE IS THE GLORY AND LIFTER OF OUR HEAD!
~It is very tempting when the tempests hit to throw in the proverbial towel. Those times when we barely catch our breath and here comes another wave to knock us off our raft in the ocean of life....coughing, choking, sputtering and spitting, we no sooner crawl back on, and WHAM!...another wave comes and throws us clean off!
~Think of the raft as Jesus, Our Rock. He is Our Anchor! He holds firm when the situations of life buffet us, and He holds us to Himself.
~Have you ever had those times when you think of the poster which reads, "When you're at the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on"? I have...and I've also said, "Lord, I pray You ARE there, because I don't have any strength left to tie a knot, much less hold on. So I'm letting go, and I'm free falling...and I'm trusting Your arms to be there for me.
~Last night I received these words from a precious Sister...."I had a feeling that your feelings were in regard to your back. I’m so sorry that you’ve received such disheartening news. I’m starting to pray already that the creative miracle you need happens and SOON! If God chooses to allow you to go down this path, I know it will be to serve His purposes in a calling higher than we’re aware of right now. I’m also praying for your patience as you find out which path will be yours."
~HIS PATH...HIS PURPOSE....ARE MY DEEPEST DESIRES.
~For the past week, I've been praying for the Lord to reveal what He's trying to tell me from all these 3's that keep popping up....Time: 3:33, Temp: 33 degrees, Cost: $3.33 ~Can I tell you what a joy it was to my heart this morning to hear the Lord whisper, "Jeremiah 33:3"...AND THERE IT WAS!!!! HIS ANSWER!!!!!~
Jeremiah 33:3 (Amplified) "Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand).
Now, I don't know about you, but THAT'S A PROMISE!!!!! ~Call to Him, and HE WILL ANSWER!! It will probably involve waiting, asking, seeking, knocking, quieting, listening....BUT HE WILL ANSWER!!! That is His Promise, and He is not a man that He should lie....for His promises are Yea and Amen!

Nothing Can Separate You from My Love

Soliloquy: "1) A dramatic discourse in which a character reveals his or her thoughts when alone and unaware of the presence of other characters. 2) The act of speaking to oneself." (The American Heritage Dictionary)

~And so I ask, is this not really true prayer? Is this not where the rubber meets the proverbial road? When we're all alone with our thoughts and the rawness of life. When circumstances have torn every bit of shred of "want to" out of us....When we are at those points in life when we're not even sure if God is listening...and we spill our guts....just pure, raw pain....and then, God reveals to us that He'd been listening all the time....for He gently enters our situation, our heart to let us know He's there....even when the circumstance does not change, He changes our hearts by reassuring us that He has not left us nor forsaken us.
~Without being maudlin, it is just reality that there are those times in our lives which leave us feeling totally alone, useless, raw, bleeding from whatever circumstance has intruded upon our life....often leaving us feeling empty handed....and in the process, at times, even wondering if God is truly there. We see Him there for others and wonder if we've been abandoned....Does He still love me?
~The child inside of us crying out for Our Daddy....I don't know about you, but there are times when my heart has sobbed before the Lord, "Father, I know in my head that You are here with me, because Your Word tells me, but I sure do need someone with skin on right now. I sure would appreciate sensing Your Presence with me through all of this. I am asking You, God, for Your encouragement and reassurance through all of this mess, because I simply don't see the light at the end of the tunnel...and the one I do see right now, is the train coming at me."
~Last week I received some news that knocked my feet out from underneath me. I'm weary from warring, and emotionally fell flat on my back...slamming the breath out of me.
~My dear friend and Sister from far away called me the other night. The death of her mother has left her so shell-shocked that putting one foot in front of the other seems to be a monumental task right now. We shared our guts and our tears with each other. We prayed for one another. We loved one another.
~I knew that I'd ministered to my friend in the midst of my own doubts and lack of vision right now.
~And then God.....I received an email from another dear friend who lives on the west coast. She'd not heard from me....Was I OK?....I emailed back in the late afternoon. About an hour later she called, because she felt such concern. She related that she'd had a dream about me the very night when I'd received my "news", and had been pouring out my own soliloquy before the Lord....Her dream was so appropriate for everything going on in my life right now.
~And then, God gave her a prayer....I sobbed through the entire prayer....God had not left me nor forsaken me....In my own darkness of soul, He had heard my soliloquy, and answered by not only giving Joan a dream, but having her call and pray.
~Dear and precious child of the Most High God....His promises are yea and amen. Are my circumstances changed? No. Is my heart changed by His reassurance? Yes. Can I look the future square in the face and go through whatever it is that He's taking me through? Yes...because He's with me all the way. (See "Into His Image")
~For another very descriptive soliloquy, please refer to 1 Samuel 1:1-18, where Hannah just lets herself all hang out before God and Eli, the priest. God heard and answered her "soliloquious" prayer by giving her a son: Samuel.

Romans 8:35-39 "Who shall ever separate us from Christ's love? Shall suffering and affliction and tribulation? Or calamity and distress? Or persecution or hunger or destitution or peril or sword? Even as it is written, For Thy sake we are put to death all the day long; we are regarded and counted as sheep for the slaughter. Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us. For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Isaiah 49:15-16 "Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before me."

John 14:16, 18 "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper that He may abide with you forever - ..." "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you."

Under His Wings

~Have you ever wondered about being "under His wings"? I have....I wonder about a lot of things, and one of them is what it would have been like to have had an earthly father who was really there for me....loving and attentive...one who would call me on the phone, just to ask how his girl was doing. I watch fathers with their daughters...and wonder, "What would it have been like?"
~My birth father didn't acknowledge that I was his. My adoptive father did what he knew to do...but just didn't make it over the hurdles of his own past pains....I believe he did the best he knew how....but it left a "daddy void" in my heart.
~So when I come across scripture which tells me that "though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will take care of me" (Ps. 27:10)...well, that hits home. I hang onto Him and His Promise that He is, INDEED, my Daddy.
~And in my wondering and pondering, the Lord answered some of my questions about His being my Abba, Papa, Daddy, Da-Da, to me...for there came a day when He interrupted my thoughts and asked.....
"My Dear Daughter, Would you like to know what it is like to be under My wings? What do you see when you watch March of the Emperor Penquins? Watch the daddy penguin with his baby; for that is what I do with you."
~I watched in fascination how the daddy penguin took the egg and held it fast between his feet - under his belly - "UNDER HIS WINGS"....When he moved, the egg moved with him. After the baby penguin emerged from his shell, the daddy continued to hold his precious treasure between his feet...still under his belly...under his wing. Again, when he turned, the baby turned. Daddy penguin held his little one tight to his body for safekeeping from the extreme cold and predators.
~I began to get a deeper revelation of His love and His protection....
Psalm 91:1 (Amplified) "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]." v. 4 "He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler."
Thank-You, Daddy...Please continue to help me to grasp the awesomeness of Your love! (Ephesians 3:17-19) ~You are the Only One Who knows me completely and where the broken places are. Daddy, I give You my heart. You are My Healer....You are My Daddy.

I AM Close to the Broken Hearted

~Tonight, I'm weary and depressed and discouraged....chronic, searing physical pain has been a constant companion for the last 2 mos., and has tagged along as an uninvited, unwelcome, unpaying tenant for almost the past 18 mos. in one form or another. I don't understand it, but do know the Lord has given me visions, scripture and encouragement in the process.
~He showed me a golden tip of a spear, and said, "I AM refining you. Sharpening you; not because you did anything wrong, but because a tool which gets used becomes dull with use and needs to be resharpened." In my heart, I was fairly screaming, "BUT GOD, I HURT SO BADLY!" He is no stranger to pain. He knows. He experienced the reality of human, physical suffering....And then, I bowed my heart and reaffirmed my conviction that I have offered my body to Him as a living sacrifice for His glory - for the Body of Christ - no matter what.
~Then, He gave me a vision of seeing myself walk through a wall of fire....a refiner's fire.
~During group prayer, His Presence was so tangible that we all felt almost helpless to stand. It was as if He put me in His intensive care room to saturate me with His Presence.
~And tonight He has reminded me of a time when overwhelming emotional pain blocked my view of Him....
~My Dear and Precious Daughter....Do you remember when you got hit in the face with the softball and bled profusely? You did not realize who was standing next to you and around you, but you did know that others were with you. That is what happens in pain....The world as you know it becomes a shadow; a blur as the body seeks to protect itself. The body perceives pain and automatically does what it needs to do to protect itself. That is how I have designed you. The brain registers pain as pain...whether it be emotional, spiritual in nature or physical.
~If you had been in a severe accident requiring hospital care, you would be in ICU. You would not care for yourself, but others would care for you as directed by the physician. And whether you are aware of their presence or not, they are still caring for you.
~That is how it is at times with Me. I AM Your Great Physician. Not only am I standing with you, but I send others into your life along the way to minister to you. But sometimes through your pain, you do not see Me or realize that I am there with you. Knowing I AM there when you do not see Me is walking by faith.
~Take comfort, My Love, in knowing that no matter what, I AM by your side and I have a purpose through it all. Trust Me in this. For nothing, absolutely nothing, shall separate you from My love.
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him....Though He slay me, yet will I praise Him.
Father, no matter what, I will praise You with my whole heart!

"The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart...." Ps. 34:18

""Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing is happening to you, but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy." 1 Peter 4:12-13.

The Same Yesterday, Today and Forever

~Today is of a slightly different track. What defines "normal" for you? My dear friend is flying back south tomorrow after being "home" for the past couple weeks upon the death of her mother.
~Today, in writing to her, I pondered the age old question, "What is normal?"....It's oftentimes defined by our routines, isn't it? One of my favorite books is entitled, "Normal Is Just a Setting on Your Dryer", by Patsy Clairmont. That just about sums up life, doesn't it!?!
"Normal" for some can mean moving every couple years; normal for others is defined by a life spent on the bleachers until the last one graduates; normal for others is diapers and tears and potty training and spilled milk, etc....not to mention the physical, emotional struggles that some contend with on a daily basis.
~In 2006, our "norm" had been burying our dead. In 2008, it was spent inbetween doctor visits, surgeries, physical therapy, work and home.
~The death of a loved one, the death of a dream, the death of a relationship, job, whatever it may be...however permanently shifts the sands of "normal" along our path of life. I remember thinking after my mother died, "I need to call mom. I haven't talked to her in a couple weeks."....Then, my "new" normal began to slam my heart to the floor...right there at the kitchen sink with a sinkful of dirty dishes....unannounced and uninvited....as the door of reality opened by itself and let itself in.

It is only as our "normal shifts" that I believe we truly learn to rejoice in the fact that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever", and that He who watches over Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. His promise is that when we call, He WILL answer, and that His plans for us are for good and not for evil.

No matter what our "normal" is right now....may we know that He is the same - He changes not.

Underneath Are The Everlasting Arms

~A very dear friend of mine came home this past week to bury her 90 year old mother. It brought back memories of my own mother's death and the 10 months of constant grief for my husband and I which occurred between Palm Sunday 2006 to February 2007. We buried four members of my husband's family and two very dear friends from the nursing home ministry; only three of which were anticipated...The other three were suddenlies. We got to a point where didn't even want to answer the phone. ....Steve's oldest brother, Kent, his father (who was like a father to me)...our friend, Myrna Jean. In August, after Myrna's death, sobbing, I asked God that not one more loved one die. Two weeks later, we buried Steve's close cousin, Judy. Two and a half months later, his brother, Johnny. Four months later, Myrna's husband, Jim.
~In the middle of all of this, a precious friend of Steve's father, and our "adopted mom", sent us the following scripture and quotes. Ida is now in the last days of cancer. She's going Home soon, too. Grief has come knocking once again.

~God, once again, hold us in Your Everlasting Arms.

Deuteronomy 33:27
“…The eternal God is your refuge and dwelling place,
and underneath are the everlasting arms;….”

Everlasting Arms

“God, the eternal God, is our support at all times,
especially when we are sinking into deep trouble.
There are seasons when we sink quite low....
Dear child of God,
even when you are at your lowest,
underneath are the everlasting arms.”
Charles Spurgeon

“However low the people of God
are at any time brought,
everlasting arms are underneath them
to keep the spirit
from fainting and the faith from failing,
even when they are pressed above measure....
everlasting arms with which believers
have been wonderfully sustained and
kept cheerful in the worst of times.
Divine grace is sufficient.”
Matthew Henry

Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You."

Isaiah 42:3 "A bruised reed He will not break and smoking flax He will not quench."

Who Will Stand?

Who will stand in the courts (that place of gathering)

where I tell you to gather and praise Me?

Who will stand and make My declarations known among the peoples?

Who will stand for Me in the exploits which I yearn to pour out

among the poor, the weak, the lame, the blind?

For I declare that I search to and fro looking for those

who will dare to take a stand for Me outside the safety

of the four walls which is called "the church".

I look for a People to boldly declare My Word in the highways and byways;

the unassuming places in the darkest corners of the earth

that I may reveal My Glory to the uttermost.

I yearn to be where it looks hopeless and blackest;

for that is where My Glory shines brightest.

For the desire of My heart is to reveal Myself to the lost;

-unto all who have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.

I long to reveal My Son to the broken-hearted and downcast;

to those who have no hope; for a bruised reed I will not break;

but shall reveal Myself strong in their day of trouble.

I AM searching for an Army who will march into the enemy's camp

and take him by storm to take back the land.

Who will stand?

Who will stand?

Who will be My Mouthpiece in the places of desolation and ruin?

Who will answer?....Here am I, Lord, send me.

Do you hear Me calling you, My Beloved?

O that you would have eyes to see into My Kingdom

all the Glory that I desire to pour out upon the earth.

For in the latter days, I shall pour out My Spirit upon ALL flesh.

Isaiah 40:3b-5

"Prepare the way of the Lord;

Make straight in the desert

A highway for our God.

Every valley shall be exalted

And every mountain and hill brought low;

The crooked places shall be made straight

And the rough places smooth;

The glory of the Lord shall be revealed,

And all flesh shall see it together;

For the mouth of the Lord has spoken."

It was as if I felt the Lord's heart aching in His desire to see His Body arise to be about Our Father's business...His will...not ours, be done....His desire to see His Body be actively involved in ministry, because of His heart for the lost and hurting.

The Essence of Worship Is Surrender

~My Love, the essence of your worship is to humbly bow your will, your life, before Me ~ To humble your heart before Me; to ask that My will be done in all situations; to walk before Me in the Way I have ordained for you in My Kingdom realm...not according to your own will and desires and plans, but according to My will for your life; in that I may accomplish My will through you from Heaven to the earth that My Father, Our Father may be glorified.
~This, My Love, is to seek first the Kingdom of God. (Matt. 6:33) When you seek Me, to request that My will be done, you are acknowledging that I have full knowledge of the situation and what I desire to be accomplished through it. ~For when you seek first My Kingdom, seek My will, My wisdom, My desire; for it is I Who see the end from the beginning and the way to get there.
~My Love, when I walked the earth, I sought The Father's will in all situations for I did not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. (John 5:30b)
~I tell you the truth, there are times when you have asked amiss so that you could spend it on your own pleasures. (James 4:3) Yet truly I say to you that "if anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." (Mark 8:34b)
~It is in losing your life, My dear one, that you will truly know what it is to live and move and have your being in Me. (Acts 17:28)
~To worship Me is to adore Me. To adore Me is to love Me. To love Me is to keep/obey My commandments. To obey is to hear with compliant submission.
~My Love, think not that I do not understand, for I was tempted in all ways as you, but yet was without sin. I shall give you My power through the Holy Spirit to go through all to which I've called you, as I was enabled to endure the Cross for your sake; for pleasing and glorifying the Father for your salvation was the joy set before Me. (Hebrews 12:2)

"O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me;

nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will." (Matt. 26:39)

I SURRENDER ALL

v. 1 "All to Jesus, I surrender, All to Him I freely give;

I will ever love and trust Him, In His Presence daily live.

v. 2 All to Jesus I surrender, Humbly at His feet I bow.

Worldy pleasures all forsaken, Take me Jesus, take me now.

v. 3 All to Jesus I surrender, Make me, Saviour, wholly Thine;

Let me feel the Holy Spirit, Truly know that Thou art mine.

v. 4 All to Jesus I surrender, Lord, I give myself to Thee;

Fill me with Thy love and power, Let Thy blessing fall on me.

I surrender all, I surrender all, All to Thee, my blessed Saviour, I surrender all."

Winfield S. Weeden

I'm not exactly sure when this revelation hit me, but when the Lord brought this "home", His revelation hit me between the running lights! ~It was during my divorce that I allowed myself to be involved with another man. I was living in sin, and I knew it. Had I died, I know I would've gone to hell. I was weak in my flesh, and the enemy took full advantage, and I entertained his enticement. On Sundays, I would be singing up front in church with the Praise Team. I was living a lie. But God's heart was to deliver me. After four years of walking in rebellion, on one particular Sunday, our pastor preached a message straight from the heart of God. I was overcome with conviction. I knew I had to make a change and not wait. I confessed my sin to my pastor. And then I needed to walk it out with the Lord. In the meantime, God brought to light that which had been hidden in darkness regarding this man. I was ashamed and broken beyond broken. The Lord gently assured me, "Crista, my grace is sufficient for you." In the process, I began a faith walk like I had never before allowed the Lord to lead me. ~What the Lord showed me was that as in Isaiah 29:13, I too, had honored and praised the Lord with my lips, but my heart was far from Him. That truly, to honor, praise and worship Him, involved my total heart and obedience (surrender) in all matters. I could not stand in church and praise Him, and then live a life of disobedience to Him and His Word. ~I surrendered all. "Lord, do whatever it takes, to take me wherever You want to take me." That was the summer, I was "homeless".....more on that later.....