Love, Daddy

~ I must admit there are times when past wounds gut punch me and I still bleed a bit...not as much as I used to...but still there staring me in the face and wanting to know what I'm going to do with them.
~For many of us, that can mean continuing to struggle with issues involving our parents - or other close family members. We find that we've done all we can in respecting them and not wounding back - as sometimes is the temptation, but the wound is still there. We get ourselves patched up, and then wham!...there we go again.
~For me, it involves my father. My adopted father has been my dad since I was four mos. old....If anyone is going to pick up the phone to call the other...it's me. For many years, he's signed his Christmas card with his first name...and this last year began using his army title of "Colonel"; not "Love, Dad"...but Colonel ______. I can rationalize in my head, but my heart just doesn't get it.
~Expressing my hurt to my husband the other day, I remarked, "Maybe I just need to call dad and ask him why...get things cleared up a bit." (But, I really don't think it would help....)
~Beloved, God knows our deepest wounds and how to fix them. He surprised me, when later that same day, He gently, tenderly and lovingly entered my thoughts....
"Crista, I always sign my cards, Love, Daddy."
So for all of us out there who need a reminder....just know that the card God sent you today is signed...."Love, Daddy".
~Some days, we really need God with skin on...don't we. We know in our heads, but our hearts are hurting. ~The following web site is really soothing when you just need a reminder that God is really there for you. Be blessed! ~And be sure to TURN UP THE VOLUME~ :>)
http://www.bittybitznpieces.com/FathersLoveLetter~.htm

Ephesians 3:19a "[That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience];...."

An Open Vision/Olivia Reitz Long

A couple days ago, I received the following word from the Lord through Olivia. I have followed what the Lord has given her for years, and many times over, without her knowing what I was going through (but only the Lord and a few select others), the rhema word the Lord has given her has been just so timely for my life, and I pray will be for you, too. ~Sometimes it seems as if we're shlepping through snow up to our armpits, and the blizzard will not end, but we tuck our head down, hunker down into our coat, and press on in Jesus' Name.
~Press on! He does NOT waste any of the experiences through which He takes us! Eagle's wings! Eagles wings!
Be encouraged! ~Isaiah 40:31....And remember, Jesus said, "It is finished."....He didn't say, "To be -tinued."

AN OPEN VISION

Olivia Reitz Long
March 24, 2009

Today, as I was walking around the living room, (it's how I seem to do, just can't sit still anymore) and praying for people....He gave me an open vision, it filled my living room. In this vision, there stood a Giant, as huge a giant as I have ever seen. He stood there with legs apart and his feet were firmly planted. In one hand he held a large version of a checkbook and around it was a chain wrapped very tightly and secured with a padlock and he had the key, indicating the key was in his pocket and there was no way the key could be retrieved.

In his other hand, he held the promises that God had given to His Faithful Ones, of the upcoming move of His Glory,and all of the promises He had made to His own and he laughed as the pages had been torn in two. On top of the halves of paper, laid a closed Bible with a large Red X marked across it. In like a panoramic movie, he showed the failings, discouragements, illnesses that still lingered amongst His Glorious Beloved, every weakness and presumed falling from the faith. At his feet stood a lady with a set of scales, she was blindfolded with the scales tipped in his favor, his side of that scale was in black.

Behind this giant were a set of doors, like French Doors. As the giant stood there, he was laughing at the futility of His Beloved to have their finances taken care of, let alone in abundance; of knowing they have faltered and faith has waned at times, of sickness and despair and tiredness being the rule of the day, that they were believing a lie and certainly they would not attain their day of promise and to Give up, all is in ruins!

It was at that moment, the doors were flung open, as a 'suddenly.' Out of those doors came God's angels, they surrounded the giant. One stood by his hand holding the checkbook, one angel pointed to his pocket and the key 'flew' away. Another angel pointed to the chains and they were miraculously broken and the checkbook opened, showing a sizable deposit. On the other side of the giant, another angel pointed to the severed papers of promises, and each page miraculously became whole once again. Another angel had a stamp and page by page, each in order, was stamped DONE, FINISHED! Still another angel, pointed to the bible and the Red X disappeared and the bible opened. One more angel pointed to the scales, the blindfold fell from the lady's eyes and the scales tipped to the other side which was in 'gold.' Then the angels slew the giant and carried him off, singing as they went, and he was not to be seen again.

I asked the Lord to show me what this meant in it's entirety.

He said, when My angels broke the chains and touched the wallet, it signifies I have broken the bondages and declared finances to come forth for you even amidst a world filled with trouble and despair and no key can lock My storehouse of finances and provision, NO KEY. Finances and provisions to not only sustain you and others, but to bring My true ministries to the forefront before a dying people as a witness to Me.

When My angels pointed to the papers of promises and made them whole again, it signifies that each page of promise is not only fully in tact but now is being fulfilled. IT IS DONE, FINISHED! Sickness and infirmity that has lasted for years and is holding you back, wholeness and a healing ministry will turn this world upside down. Have you been so miserable that life has been a struggle, devoid of quality, then open wide your arms for an onslaught of abundance in 'every area.' For every relationship that has sought to bring you down, Favor and special people are coming into your lives, even now. And My promise for My Chosen Ones is as solid as the day I gave it to you - KNOW that it is coming to pass when the world 'will' see My Glory!

When My angels pointed to the bible and the Red X disappeared and the bible opened. I am showing you that even in your moments of thinking your faith has failed, KNOW that it's only your faith that has kept you still standing, yes, standing wobbly at times, but still standing, still having hope in your almighty God. You see, that even what you saw as your failures, I saw as Faith! For I knew your life was not constant victory and never stumbling or falling, but it has been a life of falling, getting up and going on, time and time again. Pressing ever on to the mark of the High Calling of Christ! My bible (Word) now lies open and it will never close again.

When My angel pointed to the scales and the blindfold fell off and the scales tipped from the black side (death) to the golden side (life). I am showing you MY TRUTH as never before and your eyes are now completely open to that truth and you are standing on solid ground as My Golden Ones! On the side of Glory!

When My angels slew the giant and carried him away, I am showing you, that finally he is being defeated in your life, the battle has already been won. Signs and Wonders are coming forth not only for - but also through My glorious Beloved. Resurrection life, healing, provisions and sufficiency for every aspect of your walk and ministry. I am unveiling complete truth to you in what is to occur and watch as I confirm that truth with unprecedented miracles!

You see, My Glorious Beloved, the best wine is truly reserved for last and the giant is taken care of and you will see even now an unparalleled move, not only before but after the Manifestation.

The doors have been suddenly thrown open and the day is arriving for you to take your rightful place in My plan. You have been cleansed, purged and filled...and you will now break forth. Breaking forth for I have put a new song in your heart and mouth and you shall break forth in praise and worship for all the I AM has done beginning this day. Sing forth as My angels did, as the giant was taken away. Break forth, O Barren People who are no longer barren but who will walk in signs and wonders and will be bringing many into the Kingdom.

ABOVE ALL MY BELOVED, EXPECT! AND DO NOT LET UP!

Morning Coffee

MORNING COFFEE

"This is the day which the Lord has made, we shall rejoice and be GLAD in it!" Psalm 118:24

~MERCY! Aren't you just SOOOOO thankful that the Lord looks on our inward being, and that He.s NOT the fashion police???!!!! I'd be toast, for sure!!!!

~Well, I don't know about you, but this cartoon just sums it all up for how I've felt physically over the past year - really more like I've just had the ever lovin' snot beat out of me. Physical issues beyond my control. Weariness of body, mind and spirit loomed relentlessly, and life has just seemed to be a battle over this past year, and I have been just plain pooped out! Some of you know exactly what I mean, because relentless trials are tiring.

~But I'm realizing that it is time for me to redirect my focus. My physical issues are still there....but Lord, show me the joy in today. I will choose Your joy over my pain. I will choose Your delight, Your Word, Your love, Your path and Your plans for my life - no matter my present circumstances. And Lord, that I truly rejoice over the stump in my field! And thank-You, Lord, for everything You have brought my way, to bring me to the stump!....(See yesterday's post.)

AND A HUGE THANK-YOU TO MY GOD, MY HUBBY AND FRIENDS WHO'VE HUNG IN THERE WITH ME AND DIDN'T LEAVE ME, NOR FORSAKE ME IN MY DOWN TIMES! PRAISE GOD!!!!

A Stump in Your Field

Dear Friends,

~I simply cannot tell you how timely this word is from the Lord in my own life right now! Perhaps the Lord will use this to speak to you, too. ~This past couple months there have been more than one issue/situation that I've needed to place at the foot of the Cross. I had done all I could do...and the rest was up to the Lord. Because if God wanted the item to go forth that I placed before Him, it would have to be because He blew His Spirit into it with His resurrection power to carry it on the wings of eagles, because I was simply done/spent in all I knew to do....and this included LifeCare Ministries among other issues.

~He's tells us in His Word, "Not by might nor power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord." Zech. 4:6.

~Before I close, I must tell you what the Lord just impressed upon my heart to tell you, "As he did through Peter, the enemy will go to any length/employ any means to keep you from the Cross!!! In the process, he will try to convince you that you are not being a faith-filled Christian. Peter in effect told Jesus that He did not need to go the way of the Cross. But Jesus replied, "Get behind me Satan." You can expect the enemy to come at you through those whom you most love and trust. Keep your face like flint; look to Me and I WILL see you through!"

~So when you're going through a difficult time, a firey trial, and you know that you know that you know that you know it, then go through it with faith...looking unto Jesus; for the Lord at your side; knowing that He Who Promised IS Faithful and True!

Love always,

Crista

A STUMP IN YOUR FIELD

WILLIAM C. YOUNT

Hagerstown, MD

http://www.billyount.com/

March 23, 2009
I saw the Body of Christ plowing with great difficulty in the field of labor. Finally our plow seemed to hit a stump in the field and we couldn't go any further. With all our efforts and praying this stump remained unmovable and steadfast. Our hearts were broken for we knew God had placed us here to plow in this great field of Harvest. But this "stump" in the field was stopping us.
I then heard the Lord say, "You have hit treasure! This is no ordinary stump of an ordinary tree. You have just hit the base of the tree of Calvary. It's the cross growing in your field! You must not, I repeat, you must not remove it. It is growing in your field to remove you out of the way from hindering My Harvest. Your will have to embrace this cross and die before I can release resurrection power into your field of labor.
As we beheld the cross growing in our field, we began to experience a "Severe Pruning" in our spiritual giftings, especially in the area of the prophetic. He was cutting and pruning us back to bring forth a more sure word. He was adjusting our gifts, callings, and ministries to bring forth the fruit of "Servant Hood" in our lives. I felt the Lord say, "Your giftings are showing more than your fruit. You are embarrassing Me!"
I then remembered right before the cross-- they beat on Jesus and cried out to Him - Prophesy to us!. But He didn't.... there are times you don't prophesy, dance or sing - you just show others how to die - to self, giftings and plans.
As we embrace the cross, death and surrender will bring forth fruit that will remain to bring in the Harvest. In fact fruit is the Harvest - it will bring it in. In Italy they have discovered that grape vines produce more fruit when grown on cross like poles. They get more sunshine and fresh air.
Many are spiritually "stumped" in their lives, families and ministries this hour. They feel they are at a cross-roads and are looking for a fresh word from heaven to tell them what to do. Many are asking, "Lord should I go this way or that way?" But I sense the Lord saying,
"Go this way == spread out your arms.
You are NOT at a cross -roads, you ARE at the cross!" Have you been betrayed? You are nearing your cross. Have you been rejected? You are getting closer. Don't run now.
If you miss your crucifixion - you will miss your resurrection!

You Knit Me Together

~Have you ever wondered the whys and wherefores of your life? I have. ~Probably most of us have at one point or another.
~I just couldn't figure it out...my adoption....Why? I knew the circumstances behind my mother putting me in an orphanage, but in my heart of hearts, I just couldn't get a grasp on it.
~My blood father didn't own up that I was his. My birth mother gave me up for adoption. My adopted father has been emotionally absent most of my life and physically absent during his business years. My adopted mother had some severe issues - for which I was later able to forgive her - but it took time.
~I couldn't resolve having been given up for adoption. Was it like giving away a puppy?...Was my life a mistake - some quirk that took a wrong turn?
~I was sitting in my counselor's office, and she began to pray for the Lord to heal me. (I knew God was my Father, because Jesus was my Lord and Savior, but I just didn't have any answers....)...It was then that the Lord showed me a vision of myself as a fetus in my mother's womb...
"My dear Crista. I planned for you. I gave you your earthly parents so you would have certain physical characteristics and talents, but I planned for you. I AM your Father."
All those years I thought I had been a mistake....His reassurance reached into the recesses of my tortured heart...and He showed me a scripture I never knew existed...
Psalm 139:15 "My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. v. 16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed...."
~The photos were taken in 1970 when I was an exchange student in Germany for only 8 weeks ~ my birth mother and me. She was 60 and I was 17 1/2....In another post, I'll tell you how God became real to me that summer.

Blessings always,
Crista (CMSimmons52@aol.com)
Your comments are welcome and encouraged, however they are moderated before being posted. This blog entry may be shared as long as it is shared in it's entirety. Freely have I received...freely do I give. Crista Simmons http://dinnerwiththeking.blogspot.com/

Pressed Down, Shaken Together and Running Over

~Well...it has been one of those years. Just get over one thing and WHAM!...here comes another.
~I'm self-employed, so time off for surgery results in a loss of income. That's a fact. Last summer, we did all we could to plan for my hip replacement and time off in the summer when my income was normally lower, so we didn't take such a big hit. Thank the Lord, I recovered quickly and was back to teaching very part-time by the 4th of July. The Lord generously provided meals for us during this time through many piano studio families and church friends.
~By September, I was emotionally and physically ready to jump back into teaching. Constant pain is draining, and narcotics have their side-effects. So getting back to teaching and really feeling like I had my head in the game was too good for words!
Life had returned to a semblance of normal, and I was feeling great!
~Then...wave #2...totally unexpected...a detached retina. The ensuing recovery stage meant 5 weeks off of work. The anticipation of paying off my remaining medical bill debt quickly hit the dirt - flat faced in the gravel! No work - no pay.
~But then, God...One of my piano parents asked if she could send out an email to line up families to bring in dinners....Oh my! Here we were in the same situation less than five months after my hip surgery. This time during recovery, my movements were more restricted than from the hip replacement. Having to look straight down at the floor 24/7 meant that I couldn't rotate my eyes. They had to remain positionally stationary. Any attempt at cooking was not even possible. I gained a new appreciation for the partially blind.
~I was side-lined and so was my income. But this was the month that God poured out His faithfulness through others beyond what we could have hoped for or imagine!
Families brought in food...and others refused a credit to their account. All we had to do was purchase eggs, milk and bread. The rest was provided.
~My husband queried, "Why are we getting so MUCH food?!?!?!"
~God supplied His answer in scripture:
~Matt. 6:33-34 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,..."
~Luke 6:38 "Give, and [gifts] will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will they pour into [the pouch formed by] the bosom [of your robe and used as a bag]. For with the measure you deal out [with the measure you use when you confer benefits on others], it will be measured back to you."

Some Days I'm the Mouse, But He's Still There!

Well, I just couldn't resist sharing this photo with you, because this truly depicts my week and the reason why I haven't posted any blogs for awhile. A friend just sent this to me. I have felt like the mouse...but underneath - which is the spoon (The Lord!) awaited my landing....He's My Rock, even though life throws me up in the air, He's still there! And I might add that I'm a cat lover...so I'm not sayin' nothin' 'bout the cat and why he's got his widdo puddy tat paw on the handle of the spoon!

I thought maybe we'd have some fun - in the midst of our trials...If you were to choose one experience which has happened in your life that threw you up in the air, what would it be? (I know, we all can just sit there numb at times, with the barage of challenges over the years through which the Lord's brought us! I mean, how do you choose just one???!!!!) But then, how did the Lord let you know that underneath were His everlasting arms, and that He's your Rock through it all?

Personally, I had a situation where I just plain needed a God sized answer, and preferably, sooner rather than later!!! You know how things go from bad to very bad to worse to worser? OK...then you've got the picture!

I want you to know that within 24 hours, the Lord TOTALLY turned the situation 180 degrees!! It was totally God. A friend called me, asked how I was doing and through tears, I blubbered "Rotten." She shared what the Lord had been doing to prepare her for our conversation and she prayed with me....and we waited. I'm telling you, I had no idea which way things might go...and that evening, HIS ANSWER!!!! Praise God!

Just want to encourage your heart that at the lowest (or in this case - highest) point of our "worser", God is there! He hears and it is His heart's desire to answer! ~And even though some days we go a flyin', He's still there! Love you!
~Trust Him!....And while you're waiting for His answer, I pray He sends someone to just love on you and hold you up in prayer.
"There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides the heavens to help you, and in His excellency on the clouds. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, and will say "Destroy!"" Deut. 33:26-27

The Angel of the Lord Encamps!

(Click on above photo for greater orb detail.)

~It was the summer of '07. Steve and I had made our annual summer trek to the west end of Michigan's gorgeous Upper Peninsula to Bond Falls. We love to camp there! So tranquil and serene; with loons beckoning to one another on a cool summer morning.

~We had just set up camp, and I was tired. Steve was just itching to go fishing at Agate Falls; about a half hour away. No problem. I'd just stay "home", and he could go by himself. I'd be just fine.

~Now, this isn't just any old place to camp. This is out in the middle of nowhere'sville and cell phone usage is few and far between at best! Potential bear sightings, pit toilets and hauling our own water are the rule of thumb for this part of the country.

~Sitting at the picnic table, scrunched over my crossword puzzle and bundled up in my flannel shirt jack, I suddenly became aware of a presence that was not of the Lord! Nobody was around me. The wind had picked up a bit; bringing with it the coolness of northern Michigan in the August evening. But the presence which came up behind me, brought nothing but icy shivers down my spine. This presence and spirit of fear which arrived totally unnanounced while I was all alone hit me square in my gut!

~Steve was gone, and I had no idea when he'd return; we were the only ones on our side of the lake; calling Steve on my cell phone would be useless. Certainly this spirit came to scare the tar out of me....and my heart was thumping quite rapidly by this time and my mind not far behind in the race.

~It was then that the Spirit of the Lord arose, and I began to rebuke this spirit in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. It had absolutely no right to be in our camp. We were the Lord's and it had to go. I can only tell you that I bound every spirit that came to mind in the Name of Jesus; pleading the Blood of the Lamb over us and our camp site! ~All of a sudden, Psalm 34:7 came to mind and through the Spirit of the Lord, I began to quote it out loud. ~The spirit left and peace returned to my soul and mind.

~It wasn't until later that evening after dinner, that Steve and I perched our digital camera on the tripod and shot some camp photos. To our extreme surprise, the Lord confirmed Ps. 34:7 by showing us His angel orbs which He'd placed about our camp! He literally demostrated to us the Truth of His Word in photo form!

~"The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him [who revere and worship Him with awe] and each of them He delivers." Ps. 34:7

~"For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service]." Ps. 91:11

For further info. re: angel orbs, check out: http://www.maxgreinerart.com/AngelOrbs.html

I AM Setting You Free

~HOME SWEET HOME...(even in -20 degrees, Jan. '09) and how we got here.

~It was the fall of 2004. Steve and I had only been married a little more than a year. We had bought a house in Plainwell right after we'd gotten married; only to later discover it was too much of a financial burden and put it on the market in May of '04. I was crushed! Remember when I told you that I'd sold my home in 2000 and was "homeless"? After living in a sprawling 3500 sq. foot home for 21 years, then moving into a coccoon apartment where the Lord planted me for 3 years, I can tell you, unequivocably, that I desperately wanted to live in a real house again! So when my husband said it was time to put our home on the market, my lips said, "But, but, but....", progressing finally to "Yes dear", and then secretly, bawling my eyes out.
~Then October arrived. A friend had asked me to join her and her sister in a fast. YES! And one of the issues I really wanted to know from the Lord was if it was His will or not for us to move back to our former residence (a single-wide out near Richland). October became our month for showings...and I inwardly growled each time we had one, while my husband rejoiced! About three weeks into the fast, we had two repeat showings on the SAME DAY...and they both made offers! My husband declared, "THIS IS A MIRACLE OF GOD!!!!"....and I went upstairs the next morning and sobbed for all I was worth!
~And when I was finally done flinging snot all over the bedroom....the Lord just quietly asked me, "Are you done yet? Did you not ask Me where I wanted you to live when you began this fast? Did you want My answer or not?"......Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! That one hurt! You see, I still wanted a "miracle" so we could continue living there....even though it was costing us over a $1,000/month!
~My heart was convicted...."Yes, Lord...I will willingly move. I lay it down." (Actually, He WAS moving us whether I "wanted to or not"...but it sure made it a lot easier after He gave me an attitude adjustment!)
~Two weeks later we were moving back into our single-wide that the Lord had saved for us. We'd had it on the market, but it didn't budge! God saved it for us, because He knew we were going to need it!

~As we were getting settled into our "new home"....I was sitting on the living room floor - when the Spirit of God's peace swept over me, and I knew in an instant that we were supposed to live here. We downsized from 1750 sq. feet to 750 sq. feet....And then I felt embarrassed in front of the Lord, because I knew I had been acting like a spoiled brat - wanting my own way more than I wanted God's.
~"Lord, I will move into a cracker box if that's where You'd have us."
~His Purpose....His Peace.
In church the following Sunday, He spoke these words to me:
11/14/04 "My Child - Because of My great love for you, I am breaking you of those things which tie you to this world of flesh - for I desire to show you more of My Truth. But it requires a yielding - a sacrifice of the flesh. The flesh can never see what I desire you to see in the Spirit. To see in the Spirit requires a crucifixion of the flesh. That My People, who are called by My Name, would learn how to crucify the flesh.
I AM setting you free of the things which have bound you. I AM setting you free. The I AM is setting you free."
Galatians 5:24-25 "And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetities and desires. If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]"
Hebrews 12: 5b "...do not think lightly or scorn to submit to the correction and discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage and give up and faint when you are reproved or corrected by Him; v. 6 For the Lord corrects and disciplines everyone whom He loves, and He punishes, even scourges, every son whom He accepts and welcomes to His heart and cherishes. v. 7 You must submit to and endure [correction] for discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons. v. 10b "...but He disciplines us for our certain good, that we may become sharers in His own holiness. v. 11 For the time being no disciplining brings joy, but seems grievous and painful; but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it [a harvest of fruit which consists in righteousness - in conformity to God's will in purpose, thought and action, resulting in right living and right standing with God]." v. 14 Strive to live in peace with everybody and pursue that consecration and holiness without which no one will [ever] see the Lord."