Dinner with The King - My Beloved

Our Ever Present Help in Trouble!

2012-01-15T08:24:00.000-05:00

It was May of 2010. My husband, Steve, and I just sat facing one another in a type of shocked stillness. We'd just received the report that his PSA was elevated - again! And I was only days away from surgery to correct a severe spinal cord compression in my neck; the description from one of my physicians was that my spinal cord looked like "a twisted garden hose". So when we received his news, we just sat staring at one another. What now? The potential of what we were facing at that immediate time seemed overwhelming....surgery for both of us....now?
I can't tell you that we calmly looked at each other; joining hands for a time of prayerful eloquence.  No, instead it was a Jesus "Help!" moment. And in the twinkling of an eye, as the Holy Spirit gave it to me in an instant, I asked Steve to grab his Bible which sat next to his chair and turn to Psalm 57. We had absolutely no idea what this Psalm said, but God did!
Psalm 57:1 "Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by."
This was most certainly a prayer of desperation! The very exclamation marks themselves accentuated the intense need expressed in this prayer!
Our hearts rejoiced at the compassion expressed to us by the Lord in such a suddenly. Oh God! Your goodness and your mercies fail not! They are new every morning! Our hearts were comforted in a nanosecond by God's goodness. God renewed our confidence for the days ahead.....
And then it hit me - alone - in the stillness of the night...the time when our most pressing fears come upon us.......about three - five days before my spinal cord surgery....I became overcome with fear in the middle of the night. Steve lay asleep by my side.  The seriousness of my approaching surgery put me into full panic mode.  My thoughts raced and swirled into a collage of scenes, and I just lie there rehearsing my funeral; seeing my husband and sons....I didn't even pray. I was just plain scared spitless!
But all of a sudden, with absolutely no conscious intent on my part, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart: "Psalm 118!"
The Holy Spirit spoke with such a command in His voice to get up and read the Word He'd given me.  I had no conscious remembrance of Psalm 118 and wondered what this might be. I felt my heart jump with anticipation.....Padding out to the living room and opening my Bible, I read the Lord's reassurance that His mercies endure forever and further encouragement not to fear. I just felt in my heart...."yes..yes...yes" as I read along.

But then, there it was, verse 17! "I shall not die, but live and declare the works of the Lord." Praise God! Praise God! Praise God! There is was! The reason the Lord got me up! He knew my anxieties and calmed all my fears! He answered a prayer....but it was not I who did the praying. He did! Jesus was praying for me when I was just an emotional wreck! He ever lives to make intercession for the saints before the throne of God!
Dear Reader, This is Jesus. His mercies and compassions they fail not; for they are new every morning. He doesn't run out of mercy and compassion like we do....His are endless. He is no respecter of persons. He does not leave us, nor forsake us....even when we have nothing to offer Him, but this lump of clay in which we live.
Ps. 103:14 says, "For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust."
And aren't we thankful for that?! He remembers that He made us out of dust. Jesus came to the earth and lived in a human body and He knows what it is like to face the things we face and to walk through the things we do.
Ps. 46:1 states, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
O Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Praise God from Whom ALL blessings flow!
Life just hits us and many are dealing with all sorts of troubles. And truth be known, there are those times when we just feel helpless to pray. But the Lord would say to you this day to, "Take heart, dear one, because there is One Who knows all your needs and His Name is Jesus Christ.   Look up, for Your Deliverer draws nigh!"
But before we go, let's pray, "Lord, I come before Your Throne of grace and mercy; before Your mercy seat, to find help in time of trouble. You know my thoughts. You know my anxieties and my fears. Right now, I choose to cast them upon You for You care for me. Thank You that You are with me always and You never leave me nor forsake me. Thank You that You remember You made me out of dust. Thank You that Your Holy Spirit resides within me through Jesus Christ, My Lord and Savior, and that even now, You are interceding before the Throne of God the Father on my behalf. Thank You that when I don't see the solution, You do. Thank You for Your mercy, grace and compassion upon me in my time of need to relieve all my fears. And may the peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Thank You, Jesus....Thank You. Amen."
Love and blessings always,
Crista

Pure Worship and Christopher Duffley

2011-12-09T09:06:00.001-05:00

There is so much these days that is posted on Facebook that one can really be overwhelmed by it all. There just is no time to look at everything and of course, it's not necessary.....

But there are those times that the Holy Spirit of God whispers, "Stop and look." So I did...and what I experienced was a heart of worship so pure that God and Jesus must have had front row seats and their angels must have filled the room!

It made me pause - take time out - to have a "selah" moment - to reflect on what is true worship....I'm not sure I can truly define it, but only to say that it is not what one does, but the very spirit of God rising out of a pure and holy vessel....a broken or weak vessel. It is the Holy Spirit in a person communing with God Himself in Heaven....It is Heaven coming to earth....the Spirit of God reaching to Heaven...and the two meet on the earth. Oh my! THAT IS THE BLESSEDNESS OF HIS GLORY!

Christopher Duffley is both blind and autistic....yet when he sings, "Open the eyes of my heart, Lord; Open the eyes of my heart. I want to see You....."....Heaven, itself, comes down to meet earth.

For it really does not matter how man may judge our "talent"....because what really matters is our heart before Him. God wrote in His Word that He uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise...The Amplified version writes it this way: "[This is] because the foolish thing [that has its source in] God is wiser than men, and the weak thing [that springs] from God is stronger than men....[No] for God selected (deliberately chose) what in the world is foolish to put the wise to shame, and what the world calls weak to put the strong to shame." (I Cor. 1: 25, 27)

Oh be blessed....and enter into worship which is pure and holy....unadulterated, uncluttered....weak in the flesh/in the eyes of man, but strong and mighty in God.

Sing Christopher! Sing! For we are in such need of vessels such as you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPTMA7HIIyk&feature=share

Thanksgiving Ponderings - Beauty for the Ashes

2011-11-23T10:19:00.001-05:00

A couple of divine appointments last week gave me pause to stop and consider how God has taken our family from the ashes of nothingness to now reflecting His beauty and glory....We haven't always been who we are today....There was a point in time when all looked hopeless for my two sons, Brandon and Trevor, and myself....But God.....~ Let me share.....~
Last week my oldest son, Brandon, who is a pastor...brought a group of 90 to "The Call" in Detroit. My husband and I were blessed with the opportunity to join him for dinner; however with his responsibility for that size group of adults and youth, I was a bit dubious as to how much time we'd get to spend with him. God saw to it that we had the time.....(Brandon, now 33/blue check and Trevor, now 30 and grey shirt, live 800 miles away so we only get the opportunity to visit face to face about one time per year, which makes our times together even more precious.)

One table over, not wanting to miss an opportunity to gab, I took the chance of introducing myself to one young man, "Hi. I'm Brandon's mom."

"I'm honored, " he immediately replied. "I'm Paul." (My mother's heart thumped. This young man was honored to meet me! God's restorative work through Brandon was the reason for his comment.) We shared a brief discussion and I returned to join my husband and son.

And then an adult who is an instructor in the ministries school stopped by our table to chat. Brandon introduced us, "Ruth, this is my mother."

Ruth sweetly offered, "We just love Brandon. When he speaks, the presence of God comes into the room. We are so blessed to have him."

At this point, I could not hold back my tears....."Thank you", I choked. "What a blessing to hear this, because God restored our family. We were just trashed; just trashed as a family...but God restored us." Memories of the past overwhelmed me....where we were then....where we are now. Who would have thought?.....Only God!

TRASHED....ASHES...BOTTOM OF THE BARREL....BOTTOM OF THE HEAP....You name it, we were there.

Brandon and Trevor were both in the mid/later teens, yet still in high school when their father and I divorced. They chose to live with their father....which collapsed my heart to shreds. I felt as if they'd both died in a car accident. My depression turned suicidal and I entered a local psychiatric unit for a week.
During this time, I had also become sexually involved with a former boyfriend. The emotional emptiness in my 21 year marriage and my own issues made me vulnerable to Satan's pit into which I had willingly walked. I submitted myself to the comfort of a married man's arms.
I knew that I was wrong before the Lord and with His conviction, forgiveness, grace, mercy and strength later on, I stopped the sexual involvement, but the emotional attachment still existed. We were planning to one day be married. However, after discovering four years later that I'd been believing a lie, it was revealed that he'd never filed for divorce. The ring and the dress which waited in my closet would one day belong to someone else....and my house of 22 years would belong to someone else, too.
It was during this mess in my life that Brandon, in Feb. '99 - 18 years old and 8 mos. post graduation, showed up on my doorstep at 7:30 AM coming down from an LSD trip. "Mom, do you believe in Jesus?" he asked.
"Of course I do, Brandon. He's the only way."
Brandon continued, "I was in a battle for my soul for the past six hours, and it was only my faith that saved me. I saw demons. I saw angels. I saw the Kingdom of Heaven."
Two weeks later, I had the opportunity to ask Brandon if he'd had a type of out of body experience....He replied, "Mom, Satan showed up that night and said, 'You're going to die tonight and I'm taking you with me.' I even saw the demons attached to the posters that I had in my room!"
He immediately moved back into my home. Sleeping on the floor in the hallway next to my bedroom he shared, "Mom, when I sleep downstairs the demons come after me, but when I sleep up here next to you, I'm at peace."

Brandon turned his back 180 degrees on the lifestyle he'd been living, but I'd had no idea of the drug and pornography world that had taken hold of him. It was while living with their father that Brandon, while in high school, began dealing marijuana out of their home. Trevor got involved in this hell hole, too, even though their father was a lieutenant of road patrol in our regional sheriff's department.
But God performed a miracle in Brandon as he came back to Him with his whole heart and gradually grew spiritually and emotionally stronger.
The fight at times was intense...and I got a crash course in spiritual warfare! Yet, one more great battle had yet to be fought....Fast forward six months. I was now living in a temporary place. I'd brought Brandon home with me after he'd been at his father's. The Lord had told me there was going to be a battle, and I prayed in tongues the entire 30 minute drive to pick him up.

Not more than a half hour after returning to my place did the battle begin and continued for the next three hours. I cannot remember it all, but what I do remember is this: There came a point at about three o'clock in the morning when standing directly above my son, who lie spewing vile and vulgar obscenities in a voice I did not know, I called upon Jesus and His angels to intercede and help with a passion and a fervor never before known to me. I could feel Him at my right side. Brandon no longer looked to me, but to my right.....I cannot tell you what I said, I only knew that He was there....and my son was delivered that night.

Brandon will tell you the same thing. He saw Jesus standing to my right. Having gotten involved again with marijuana that evening at his father's, the demons had returned, seven times stronger than before....but Jesus delivered my son. Hallelujah! Praise God! That was 12 years ago.
While living with their father, my sons wanted little to do with me....I knew enough about their living conditions to be very concerned....There was nothing I could do legally. All I could do was pray. And pray I did!
Then in 2000, while I was 800 miles away in Michigan having just returned from a 5 week visit to Germany, Brandon experienced a car crash in which the oncoming car T-boned his car on the passenger side. He was airlifted to a larger hospital, because there was so much blood. His car looked as if God, Himself had wrapped His hands around the driver's seat where Brandon had sat. Brandon was discharged from ER that evening with a mild concusion and a cracked rib. Someone from the flight staff visited him in ER before his discharge, "Dude, you shouldn't even be alive!!!!"

Then on a visit to Brandon's, gasping, I stared at his car photos for the first time. It looked as if God, Himself, had wrapped His hands around the driver's seat where Brandon had sat. Stuttering through my tears, "Brandon, this is the type of wrecks that only drunks walk away from!"

"Mom," he replied, "It was as if an angel knocked me out just prior to the impact."
.....But God.....

Then last year, while camping in the northern wilderness of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Steve and I made our way into a local village to secure more staples. My cell phone indicated I had some voice mails.

Trevor's voice...weak, but there....."Mom, I'm in the hospital. Remember the dream you told me about where you saw me in the hospital and I was calling out to God, well...it's happening now...."......and his voice trailed off......My heart stopped and I burst into tears....
I could barely get the words out to my husband....Just holding my phone up in the air to his face, I choked, "That was Trevor. I don't know if he's dead or alive....."

And because there was no cell phone coverage where we were camping, this voice mail was 24 hours old!!!!! OH GOD!!!!!

Frantically I called Trevor....no answer......then Brandon....no answer.....All I could do was wait and pray....Within a half hour, Brandon called....Trevor had made some bad choices the night before....Knowing that he was medically crashing, Trevor had called 911 for himself....He was admitted to ER at about midnight. All I know is that his condition was not good. Brandon arrived and prayed for Trevor....Trevor vomited into the wastebasket....He was released to go home at approximately 5:30 AM. The doctor stated, "You should not have gotten better this quickly. This just doesn't happen." Trevor made it into work that morning....from one foot in the grave to fully restored.
There had been a time when in the midst of losing my 3500 sq. ft. home on a spacious, country 10 acres and everything I owned with the exception of 10 plastic storage bins containing my "savings" that I cried out to God. "Lord, please, I beg of You, may I never have to bury either of my sons!" I had nothing....but I had my salvation and my sons were alive. I vowed that I could weather whatever further came my way....

God has blessed me with a wonderful husband ...and my sons have bought a house together in the Carolinas. Trevor manages a successful restaurant deli (and is a fantastic, creative chef when left to his own devices) and Brandon (also a fantastic culinary artist) continues in ministry.

Thanksgiving....Yes, thank You, Lord for restoring our family and giving us Your beauty for the ashes. Isaiah 61:3.

Thank You that in the Valley of Achor...that place of death....You ARE Our Door of Hope. (Hosea 2:14 and You became My Husband...Hosea 2:16)

Lord, I pray that this testimony of how You have worked in our lives will encourage someone else today who needs to know You ARE with them and You ARE mighty in battle and Your arm is not too short that it cannot save. (Isaiah 59:1)

"Lord God, I come before You in the mighty Name of Your Son, Jesus Christ and I pray that since You know exactly how You want to reveal Yourself to the person reading this testimony of Your Goodness, Glory and Strength that You show Yourself strong on their behalf. Lord, when we are weak, then are You strong and You've told us that Your Grace is sufficient for us. Father, I pray Your Grace be revealed for Your Glory in each and every person who reads this today....for Lord, we need You. I pray Your Peace which surpasses understanding to cover the heart and mind of every person who reads this testimony....knowing that we overcome the evil one by the word of our testimony and the Blood of the Lamb. Glory to Your Name! Amen and amen."

Be blessed and Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Ever yours in Christ,
Crista

CMSimmons52@aol.com

God's Purpose in a Sporting Goods Store....Nonna Bannister

2011-11-19T07:17:00.001-05:00

There are those times in life when we search out a particular book, and then there are the times when it is as if God puts the book into our hands, Himself. The second method is how I came to purchase "The Secret Holocaust Diaries - The untold story of Nonna Bannister" by Nonna Bannister, Denise George and Carolyn Tomlin; available through Amazon.com via the link provided. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_28?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=the+secret+holocaust+diaries+the+untold+story+of+nonna+bannister&sprefix=The+Secret+Holocaust+Diaries

My husband and I live in Michigan and we love to fish in the lush Upper Peninsula. Our summer trek is an annual event the end of August as the U.P. has usually "warmed up" by then!  And so it is that we have begun to include a stop at "Jay's Sporting Goods" shop; just a short hop from the Mackinac Bridge.

What is the likelihood of finding a Christian book in a sporting goods store? But that is exactly what happened. "Jay's" in Gaylord, Michigan offers a wide variety of hunting, fishing, clothing and home items; devoting one very minor section to a rack of Christian books. We've been there so often that its not unusual for us to make a beeline for our favorite sections. He enjoys checking out guns and fish lures, and I tend toward sniffing various candle scents, checking out the Woolrich brand sales rack and "testing" hand creams.

Window shopping in my corner of the store, I made my way to the Christian book rack....My eyes fell upon Nonna's book....a brownish black and grey cover....Nonna's photo of her girlish face...haunting eyes staring out over a lined linen cloth....hair parted....pigtails decorated with bows...The title: "the secret HOLOCAUST DIARIES - The untold story of Nonna Bannister".....

.....I picked it up...looked it over...read the description on the back cover....flipped through some of the pages...and set it back neatly in the rack....Slowly twirling the rack around and perusing the other selections, I came back to Nonna's book....I felt drawn to this book....I read further....
Nonna had written an account of her life through the Holocaust and never revealed her story to her husband or family until much, much later in life. And now after her passing, her story has been revealed for us.

The back cover reads: "The Secret Holocaust Diaries is a haunting eyewitness account of Nonna Lisowskaja Bannister, a remarkable Russian American woman who saw and survived unspeakable evils as a young girl. For half a century she kept her story secret while living a normal American life. She locked all her photos, documents, diaries, and dark memories from World War II in a trunk. Late in life she unlocked the trunk, first for herself, then for her husband, and now for the rest of the world.
     Nonna's story is one of suffering, torture, and death - but also of incredible acts of kindness that show the ultimate triumph of faith and love over despair and evil. The Secret Holocaust Diaries is in part a tragedy, yet it's also an unforgettable true story about forgiveness, courage, and hope."

I was hooked. A story of another over comer! I wanted to know more.......

And then "more" happened; more than I had ever anticipated.....Throughout the past 20 years of my life, multiple people have encouraged me to write my story of adoption from Germany...finding my birth mother...and siblings...and the abuse which existed in my adoptive home and how the Lord healed me.

This Fall was no exception....Having connected with other writers through the internet, women who had never met me personally were now encouraging me to write. And God was letting me know that now is the time. "Lord, I will need Your grace and mercy and strength"; for multiple times before I'd sat to write and gotten stuck in the thick sludge of memories and feelings.....How to write and not be overwhelmed?

And then I read Nonna's book....Her courage blazes across each page....Raw courage of survival....God triumphing with His goodness over all the evil which had happened in her life. God's restoration for a past which had been ripped from her tender hands.....She hadn't signed up for this tragedy in her life. Nobody signs up for a tragedy; for it is the result of something which is totally out of your control!

However, God showed Himself strong on her behalf. He gave her His beauty for the ashes. Nonna's past did not determine her future.

I purposed anew that if Nonna Bannister could write her book.....so could I!

Thank you, Nonna Bannister; Thank you to your family for the countless hours you spent organizing, etc; Thank you Denise and Carol; but most of all, Thank You, Lord~

Tenderly yours,
Crista~

Forgiving the Unforgivable

2011-11-16T07:47:00.001-05:00

I've been reading Denise George's blog: "Encouragement for Wounded Women" (http://encouragementforwoundedwomen.blogspot.com) and her latest posting deals with a new book she's written re: forgiveness.

That touched a deep cord with my heart. You see, my adoptive mother had been one of the sexual offenders in my past. Nobody knew about it. This secret I buried so deeply in my unconsciousness that I had forgotten about it until my mid-30's, in 1986, when I'd been in counseling for major depression. About eight months into my counseling I sat in my room, alone, praying and writing as I had for so many countless days during the black shroud which had descended upon my mind and heart after a major downsizing at my place of employment. I had to step down from a nursing administrative position...back to a supervisory position. I knew it was inevitable, but when it happened, my house of cards disintegrated....everything crashed.

This was not just depression, I was also suicidal at the time. Dreams had turned into nightmares of fires from which I could not escape....Daytime became no less comforting as voices in my head...hearing my father's voice...constantly telling me that I'd failed...over and over and over again.....relentless....I felt robotic. Even driving became and exercise in "who would win"....Satan or God? If I arrived at my destination unhurt, then God won...and if I didn't, then Satan won. I felt in control of nothing. I felt nothing...only as if a walking dead woman. My new supervisor told me that I had to pull it together for my staff....Taking a long, sucking draw on her cigarette across the conference room table from me' squinting her eyes, she warned (meaning my staff), "They'll get you, you know. They'll get you." My paranoia jumped to a new level.

It was during this time that I began to journal....It was my lifeline to sanity. Somehow, I felt that if I could write, I might find something within myself to be able to remain sane. I desperately fought to "find me" by writing tirelessly in the middle of the night...seeking God....seeking myself.....I had two little boys and held a nursing management position in one of our local hospitals. I wanted to remain in touch with what little reality I had left for my sons. I didn't care about my husband.....His support remained non-existent; even though he worked in law enforcement and dealt with family issues in his daily routine.

My mental state was fragile at best and the psychiatrist who I was seeing at the time (her specialty being children) had given me her cell phone number in case I needed to speak to her. She had decided not to use any medical treatment for me stating that the "side effects were worse than the depression". (Anti-depressives were just not as safe in the 80's as they are today.)

And so it was that during one of my alone times of journaling that I began to remember.....Seeing myself on the floor in our bathroom when I was about 3 or 4. My mother seemed obsessed with my private area. Somehow at that age, I knew that I had "three holes down there".....Memories of my mother with me in indoor tents we'd constructed...age 4-5....Her graphic description to me of how babies were made....Other things I witnessed that I will not write publicly.....

Being trapped in the bathroom with her and my brother while she gave us both enemas and ordered us to "hold it". I remember my brother and I screaming...and the consequences for my brother when he needed to relieve himself.....And then....her icy voice....commanding...."Cristy. Come get in bed with me....." I could feel her arm clamping down around my neck...ever tightening as she barked, "Lay still! Lay still!".....My breathing felt as if I must have stopped....and my memory blacked out. These times continued until I was in my early teens....There was just no saying no to my mother. I remember telling her no once when I was 13 or 14...and she replied as a commanding officer, "I said, 'Get in bed with me'."......Still to this day I do not have total memory of those times. I believe it is God's way of protecting me.

As these memories flooded back, I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I prayed for God to kill me, because my pain and grief was so overwhelming. Writhing on the floor in my room, I begged God to kill me....but He didn't....and years later, I actively planned to take my own life....Will write that at another time of how God turned that around.....

Meeting with my psychiatrist, she stated, "Crista, I have no doubt that your mother sexually abused you. There is just no way that people make up the kinds of things you are telling me....."

Years of counseling followed.....By 1990, I began to actively plan taking my own life. My husband locked his gun in a safe in the wall. I knew the combination.... Our marriage had deteriorated to ashes....I felt worthless as a mother....and became convinced that everyone would be better off without me. Of course this was a lie of Satan, but it made perfect sense at the time.

A local Christian radio station aired "The Minirth-Meyer Clinic" early in the afternoon. They always included their help line number, and I had heard the voice of Dr. Verle Bell, MD many times over.
I decided to make the call. They accepted me as an inpatient, and praise God, Dr. Bell was the director of the unit in Naperville, IL where I spent a month in a locked facility in July 1990. Intense psychiatric evaluation and therapy ensued. My psychiatric evaluation stated: "Crista's self-esteem is so non-existent that she will probably be successful in terminating her own life within the next 10 years." There was no hope in my prognosis. None. Only Jesus.

It was during this time that the Lord led me to II Timothy 2:13 "For when we are faithless, He is faithful, for He cannot deny Himself." ....You know the old saying, "When you want to let go, tie a knot and hang on." Well, I had no strength left to hang on to anything.....I was free falling...."God, You're either there...or You're not.".....So when He led me to this verse, there was a flicker in my spirit that let me know that even though I didn't have the strength, He did. My black hole was so deep that I didn't know if I'd ever emerge...and I didn't even know if I wanted to. So if I did get out of this endless chasm of total blackness, it would be because of Jesus and nothing else!

It was while at Minirth-Meier that Dr. Bell asked, "So why would God allow all of this to happen?"....He asked the same question I had pondered so many time. This hurdle seemed impossible to jump. Adoption....Abuse.....I didn't get it.

So he answered for me. "Crista, God never desired this to happen to you. But God gives everyone their free will. He wanted your parents to follow Him, but they chose not to. It was not His desire that you be hurt, but it is His desire now to heal you." I could handle that.

The end of July, I went home....to a pitifully empty marriage...and my wonderful sons...ages 11 and 8.
After my discharge, God led me to a new psychologist....a Spirit-filled woman who knew how to pray. Joan would spend a half hour discussing issues with me and then we'd go to prayer.

I do not remember the exact moment that I forgave my mother....because it was a process and a choice; having to deal with the betrayal and anger...but the Lord's healing and forgiveness came as a result of His healing inside my soul.

By this time in the mid 90's, my mother had gone through a mastectomy for breast cancer, and I was now in my early 40's. The cancer had spread into her bones. (In 1972 at age 53, she spent the following 18 mos. in a rehab hospital as a result of a major head injury following a head on collision which left her with right sided paralysis and an inability to speak appropriately. Her memory of past events escaped her now...only wispy glimpses of days gone by remained.)

She had fallen as a result of the bone cancer and had broken her shoulder. Walking had become more difficult for her. She needed a hospital bed and someone to care for her 24/7. Dad, who had just been diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer and faced his own surgery, secured the services of a home healthcare professionals. One of mom's RNs, Nancy, was a Christian and had been praying for my mother's salvation. And one evening, with Nancy in the kitchen praying....I met with my mother while she lay in her hospital bed in the dining room of their home.

At this point, I need to tell you that my mother was a tough old bird. She'd grown up on a farm during the depression. Nobody was going to tell her what to do. She was as determined as Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone with the Wind" that, "As God is my witness, I shall never go hungry again!"

Her family had gone through prohibition times...extremely tough times of dire poverty. They bootlegged beer and whiskey; selling to the elites of their town. Living on a high hill with no water pump close by, my mother and her sisters hauled water up the hill for laundry, dishes, weekly baths and for their distillery.

Mom and her sisters not only served as the barmaids, but as the entertainment, dancing on table tops for the men to enjoy. One of their regulars was the mayor of Lowell; my mother's future father-in-law.

Nobody talked about the "secret" events which took place in their home as a child.....I only heard whispers alluding to things that happened with her cousins in the barn. My aunt took her secrets with her to her grave; only stating that she'd "never tell". Mom's "secrets" manifested in her abusive behavior towards me, explosive rage and her binge eating and purging. Nobody ever talked about the demons inside of them.....All we ever did was sweep our "stuff" under the rug and keep buying bigger rugs....and pretending that everything was "normal".

My mother's primary goal in life was to be a millionaire. I'm not sure, but I think their long career in Tupperware put them pretty close to achieving this goal....However, by this time in 1995, she'd spent 23 years of her life as permanently handicapped...mentally and physically.

I can't tell you the exact point when I forgave my mother, because I spent much time in a depressive fog. But I can tell you that there was a day when I was able to say to the Lord, "I choose to forgive my mother through and by the Blood of Christ. What I am unable to do, You are able, Lord." I realized the enemy had come to destroy her own life as well. She had been victimized in her childhood, too.

So here it was: September 1995. I was 42 years old and my mother was 74. Her body still paralyzed on her right side and now her shoulder broken. She lay in her hospital bed....completely spent. No longer would her bones heal - the cancer had stolen this capacity from her body. The was in pain. My mother who could always do what she wanted....couldn't.

"Mom....Do you know that by accepting Jesus into your heart that one day, you will be able to go Home to Him in Heaven and you will be perfectly healed and be able to walk just fine and not have any pain? Do you know that right now, without Jesus, you will go to hell when you die....and your pain will be worse than it is now....and it will go on forever.....Mom, Jesus wants you to ask Him into your heart.
If He were to walk into this room right now, would you take His hand."

"Yes", she softly replied.

Then mom, "All you have to do is ask Him into your heart. He will be there for you."

It was at this time a miracle occurred. My mother who never needed anyone her entire life, bent her heart and asked, "Jesus, please come into my heart. I need You."

My mother went Home when the Lord came to get her seven months later. That's another testimony for another time.

It was two years ago that I met with a precious woman of God and a friend who led me in more deep, healing prayer....asking Jesus to take me back to the times He wanted to show me and heal me even further....The question: "Crista, where is Jesus?"....I will tell you that in my spirit, I saw Jesus. He was right there with me when each event occurred....And I will tell you that it is true when scripture says, "Whatever you do unto the least of these...You've done it unto Me," (Matt. 25:40)....He literally meant it. Everything done to us to hurt us by the enemy, is done unto Him. And I knew in my spirit that what my mother had done to me had been done to her. My forgiveness for my mother had turned to sorrow for her past....and my forgiveness went even deeper than before.

Forgiveness.....What we are unable to do....He will.
Hope has a Name....and His Name is Jesus Christ.
Be blessed.~

Ever yours in Christ,
Crista
CMSimmons52@aol.com

Blog site for Wounded Women~

2011-11-14T07:50:00.001-05:00

Author and speaker, Denise George, is writing a new blog site: "Encouragement for Wounded Women". It is outstanding! We are in such need as women for a ministry such as this.
http://encouragementforwoundedwomen.blogspot.com

I encourage you to check it out and to share it with others.
Also, Denise's book is available via amazon.com for only $0.99.
Blessings always,
Crista

The Reverential Fear of the Lord

2011-10-24T08:50:00.000-04:00

Dear Blog Readers~

So great to be with you again after a long lapse! For about a month now, the Lord has been speaking to me about "The Reverential Fear of the Lord" and the necessity of the Church to understand the absolute wisdom of God contained within Proverbs 1:7. It is vital to our walk with the Lord to understand that there is a holy, reverential and healthy fear of the Lord which is foundational to our Christian lives.

While watching "The Last Samurai" last night (and I like war movies and how they relate to our Christian commitment), one line stood out...in that, Capt. Algren remarked how the Samurai village contained a separateness and a spiritual quality about it that was unequaled to anything he'd ever previously encountered...He wanted to know more about them.

And so, we must come back to some foundational truths in Christ in that a reverential fear of the Lord is a priority for living a righteous and holy life. Our Christian walk is to be more than punching a button on Facebook or forwarding an email that says, "If you're not ashamed of Me, you will send this on." Really? Is that what our Christianity has now been reduced to? Pushing "Like" buttons and forwarding emails? Because if this is all it takes, anyone can do that.....Church, we are called to mature in Christ.

The following are my notes from the Sunday School class I led this week. Feel free to copy & paste into a format that works better for you. You are invited to partake of the meal He has provided and we examine our own lives and hearts before Him.

Of course, this is not an exhaustive study, but as we purpose in our hearts to live rightly and holy before the Lord, He will show us The Way; for He is the way, the truth and the life.

I look forward to meeting with you on a more regular basis.

Blessings always~ Crista

Righteous Living Begins with The Reverential Fear of the Lord

Second only to our salvation is the understanding that our righteous living….walking it out in our day to day life, begins with the reverential fear of the Lord. Our behavior, both privately and publicly, always reveals what we have truly internalized re: God’s Word and how we are to live our lives before Him. Heb. 4:13 “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

God’s Word says that His People are destroyed for lack of knowledge….Hosea 4:6

Knowledge:
Strong’s #1847 - Knowing, Understanding, Intelligence, Wisdom, Discernment, Skill
Prov. 1:7 NKJV : “For the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and knowledge.”
Amplified: “The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; but fools despise skillful and godly Wisdom, instruction, and discipline.” (Amp. Version)

The Fear of God:Strong’s Concordance #4172, morah as: “Fear, reverence, terror, awe; an object of fear, respect, or reverence. Morah is derived from yare’, “to be afraid of, to fear, to reverence.” (Reverence, semnos: Strong’s #4586: Behavior that is dignified, honorable, decent, august, worthy of respect.)

Our trust in Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior is more than a “collect $200/pass Go/get out of jail free” card as the lives of too many professing Christians today demonstrate little difference from unbelievers in word, deed and action; showing little/if any regard for the consequences of our behavior or the realization that God holds us accountable for every thought, word, deed and motive.
There are those in Christian leadership today who are not preaching holiness and making it sound as if we are all friends of God through professing Christ as our Savior. This is called apostasy. Jesus says that we are His friends IF we do whatever He commands us. (John 14:15) This is a conditional statement which demands our attention.
Beware of teachings which put emphasis upon relationship with the Lord without accountability/responsibility on our part.

Scriptural Truths: 1. We will all have to give an account before God. 2 Cor. 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”
2. We are all naked before God. Heb. 4:13 “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give and account.“ What we do, say in private is just as open to God as what we do in public. A good question to ask ourselves: “If Jesus were standing/sitting next to me right now, would I do what I am doing?” Well, He is anyway.
3. We will all be judged.
4. We are to live sanctified, holy lives - To be holy as the Lord, Himself is holy; to come out and be separate. To be sanctified (separated from the world) in thought, deed, action, motive, character, speech and habits.Scriptures:

1) Examine our fruit: Matt. 7:15-21, Gal. 5:22-25
2) Realize that what comes out of a mouth/heart defiles a person. Matt. 15:11, Eph. 4:29-32
3) Our lips may say, “Yes, Lord.”…but our heart is far from Him. (Matt. 15:8)
4) We all have choices in how we shall live; this day/today. Joshua 24:15
5) We are only His friend, IF we do His will. John 14:15
6) Avoid those who preach that it is not necessary to live holy and righteously! Eph. 5:7, Ephesians 5:1-7, 8-14, 15-21, Jude 3-4, 16-25

Reverential Fear of the Lord --->Leads to Holy and Right Living which is pleasing to the Lord
Where do I go from here?
1) Ask the Lord to examine my heart that we may live a holy, sanctified life out of our reverence, love and awe for Him. (Ps. 139:23-24)
2) Love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and body. (Deut. 6:5)
3) Love our neighbor as ourselves. (Lev. 19:18)
4) Be obedient to His Will and Word
*Obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Sam. 15:22b)

*Rebellion is as witchcraft (1 Sam. 15:23a)

*To him who knows to do good, but doesn’t do it, to him it is sin. (James 4:17)

5) Purpose in my heart to be Holy as He is Holy (1 Pet. 1:16)

6) Determine/purpose to live a sanctified life - as Jesus prayed for us in the Garden of Gethsemane. (John 17)

7) Minister and serve unto the least of these (Matt. 25:40)

8) Live at peace with all men. (Rom. 12:18)

9) Guard my mouth. (Eph. 4:29-32)

10) Do not grieve the Holy Spirit, but be filled with the Spirit. Be baptized in the Holy Ghost Who empowers us from on high with His Strength and Power to live holy and righteous on this earth to the Glory of God! Hallelujah! (Eph. 4:1-3, Gal. 5:16-25)

11) Imitate God. (Eph. 5:1)

12)Develop the fruit of the Spirit. (Gal. 5:22-24)

Life Application:All of us could make a list of things to change…..We look into the mirror of God’s Word so that we know what He desires of us….and we purpose/commit to living a holy, righteous life out of our reverence/fear/awe/respect/worship for Him Who Is The Only Wise God.

Prayer:“Lord, I commit this day, right now, to walk in righteousness before You. Forgive me for the way in which I have strayed from You and Your Word. I ask You to search me and know me and see if there be any wicked or hurtful way in me and lead me in the way everlasting…on Your path of righteousness for Your Name sake. God, I ask that You put such reverence and love in my heart for You, that I purpose in my heart to live holy before You. Show me. Lead me. Send Your Holy Spirit to do what I am unable to do for myself…for I know that I can’t, but You can. Therefore I move my pieces. I choose this day to live in obedience to Your Word that Your Glory may be known among the nations. Amen and Hallelujah!”

Be blessed,
Crista
(CMSimmons52@aol.com)

Easter Praises to Jesus~

2011-04-24T08:55:00.002-04:00

Jesus Christ....only a swear word in my house growing up. Trusting Him did not come easy....So many people had hurt me in my life....Those who were supposed to protect me had caused and allowed severe trauma.

But one day, 22 yrs. ago, I knew I needed a Savior...and I asked Him to be Lord of my life. He said, "I will be with you always." I didn't understand then what I do now....

He's the Only One Who gave me beauty for the ashes in my life....The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness....The Valley of Achor became my Door of Hope....The Valley of the Shadow of Death became His life everlasting....He is the Only One Who drew me out of the miry pit....and a pit too deep, too wide that I never thought I'd ever get out of it again...or even wanted to.

Because of Him, I am alive today ~ literally. They say when you're at the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on...I couldn't even find the rope; let alone have enough strength to hang on. So I let go into a free fall....He was either there or He wasn't...I found out there is no depth too low that He is not there.

On the Cross, He held out His hand to me that I might take it and find my way to His heart and to God's.

Jesus Christ - Who because of the Cross is with me always, has conquered my enemies, loves me unconditionally, is the Glory and Lifter of my head, fights for and prays for me when I am too weak and worn to do otherwise, makes a way where there seems to be not way, takes me in His arms as only a loving Mother and Father would do and has my Home waiting in Heaven...with God the Father.

Praise His Holy Name! Thank You, Jesus for Your willingness to die for me so that I may live and share You with others.

He is risen! HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Have a Blessed Easter everyone.

Tenderly and lovingly,

Crista~

CMSimmons52@aol.com

I Have Inscribed You on the Palms of My Hands

2011-03-07T08:45:00.003-05:00

This is for those of us who sometimes wonder where God is when it hurts~ Life hurts - whether it be in body, mind, emotions or spirit….There are those time in life when the storms “overtake” our ability to see beyond them…because all we see is the blackness of the boiling sea below and the pitch of clouds above.

We look out onto the horizon….straining to see a glimpse of land ahead…but we can’t even see land let alone concoct a glimmer of sunlight along our path…Weariness overtakes us…

A couple months ago, I decided it was time to deal with pain management for my arthritis…I simply could not take it anymore. Chronic pain was sucking the life out of me by day and by night…It was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain patience for simple bumps in the road…I sought help from my doctor for the pain and depression.

“Are you suicidal?”, she inquired….

“Oh no….I still enjoy getting together with friends…”

But after my appointment, I began to reflect…suicidal?….No….Wanting God to take me Home and say that I had completed what He’d called me to do…Yes. I just wanted to be out of the constant grind of pain. I was exhausted; wanting to be out of pain; wanting to have a "good" night's sleep.

Exhaustion…Yesterday writing to my dear friend, Clo. “Please pray for me…..” Her words…God’s words of comfort in return…bolstering my spirit - just to know she was there and praying - taking the burden off my shoulders. (Yes, my hubby is a support - for those of you who might wonder…but sometimes, it’s too close…and he needs his own support person….and this is why friends are so vital.)

Personal struggles make it difficult to “find” God in the darkness as we grope our way along…as a blind man reaching out to touch the next stable point in life…the next step….tentative…and then at times, stopping altogether…resting…catching our breath…or just plain too weary….

Where’s God?….”Lord, I enjoyed your presence so much in the land of plenty…but in the desert, I’m not sure anymore where You are?…Have I disappointed you in my weariness of body and You have given up on me and walked away?…Did my pain give way to You turning Your back on me in my time of need, because I did not meet Your expectations?”

And it is in these types of times that I find myself wrestling with God….like this morning….I had read something yesterday that someone else wrote about the Lord’s Presence being so close…and agony hit…”Lord, we enjoyed such communion…but it is as if I can’t find You right now….”

Yesterday at the nursing home, sharing a testimony of my friend, Becky…recovering from shoulder surgery…How the Lord’s Presence enveloped her - encouraging her heart - for one reason only - His loving kindness, compassion and mercy.

Then the Lord gave me an image of a mother sitting on the side of her young child’s bed - feverish - delirious at times - a cool cloth on her head - bending over her child - stroking her face - praying - loving - touching…never letting go….sitting through the night watch…at times taking her unconscious child from the bed to cradle her in her arms…rocking…singing…praying…stroking back sweat soaked hair…Her child at times seeing her only through fluttering eyelids…then drifting off into feverish sleep…until her child finally awakens…eyes wide open…”Hi Mommy…Can I have something to eat?…I’m hungry.”

Her child has “come back”…

“Mommy?…”
“Yes, my love…“
“I didn’t know where you were…I was so afraid…I couldn’t find you…”
“My darling child…I know. You were so sick…but I was right here all the time…Holding you, loving you. You are my precious one…”

And that’s how it is at times in life, isn’t it? Sometimes we are that little child…and sometimes, He gives us the privilege of sitting beside someone else’s bed to get them through the night…to be Jesus to them in the darkness of soul….

This morning…watching the little finches outside our living room window…reflecting…turning on the music I so enjoy during my times of reading scripture or writing…soft and soothing…comforting…non-invasive…

“Lord, where it is so easy for me to encourage others…please encourage my own heart…It’s been so long since I have really “felt” You close….We enjoyed such communion in the land of plenty…Reveal Yourself to my heart in the desert…”

And I had no more finished this prayer, than He broke into my thoughts…”Can a nursing mother forget her baby at her breast? Though she may forget, I will never forget you, for I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands…”

Isaiah 49:13-16 says it this way….”…For the Lord has comforted His people, and will have mercy on His afflicted. But Zion said, ‘The Lord has forsaken me, and my Lord has forgotten me.’ ‘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.”

In closing, I pray your heart be encouraged this day…If you are the child in this image…He is with you….

And if you are being used as a “mother” to someone else right now…praise God…Continue to be there in the night watch…God is using you to encourage the heart of another weary traveler until “the fever breaks”.

(P.S. If you suffer from chronic pain and have not yet done so, I encourage you to seek assistance from your physician. It may take some trial and error as you work together to find the combination that is right for your body, mind, emotions, and also approved by your insurance company. Eat heathly...and tell someone you trust what you're going through....We all need someone to hold up our arms when we get weary.)

God bless you all~

Ever in His love and mine,

Crista

CMSimmons52@aol.com

http://dinnerwiththeking.blogspot.com

In a Spirit of Gentleness~

2011-02-26T09:32:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, I had the blessed opportunity to officiate a funeral…and I say “blessed”…because the Lord opened the door to share His love and His Word….We never know the condition of the hearts that are listening to the funeral service, but He does…And one thing I believe with all my heart is that His love reaches down to the worst of us sinners to bring us to the saving knowledge of His salvation through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior….

And yes, I say “worst of us”, because I know who I was before Christ, and I also know what it is to backslide and to be given a second chance to be redeemed from the clutch of hell. And I can honestly tell you that I truly don’t know how I “got back”, other than His grace, mercy, love and compassion which drew me out of the pit of hell. But there was a “turning point”….My pastor (in 1999) had preached a sermon which convicted my heart - deeply…and I had to talk with him afterwards and confess my sin. I was living two lives…one in the Praise Team and presenting myself as a “good Christian woman”….the other - a fornicator….the ravages of an emotionally painful marriage that ended in divorce…my own wounds and vulnerabilities…and I had succumbed to the temptation of the world…But on that day, the Lord gave me an opportunity to repent and turn….

Blind, beaten, dirty and broken….That is our condition before Christ….and that is our condition when we fall back into the world….How do we approach the one who is blind, beaten, dirty and broken….How do we approach the backslidden? With a stick…or with gentleness and compassion; knowing that we too, are also subject to temptation….(Gal. 6:1)…Please understand that at this point, I am not condoning sin. When we are sinning…we are to stop. And I do not support using scripture to justify sinning. The Gospel is never to be used to justify sinning. (Romans 6:15)

What do we see when we as Believers now look to those who are steeped in the things of the world? ~My friend, Clo Lent DiPilato posted this scripture on Facebook this morning from Luke 18...of which I will quote verses 10-14 from the Amplified version:

“Two men went up into the temple [enclosure] to pray, the one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee took his stand ostentatiously and began to pray thus before and with himself: God, I thank You that I am not like the rest of men - extortioners (robbers), swindlers [unrighteous in heart and life], adulterers - or even like this tax collector here. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I gain. But the tax collector, [merely] standing at a distance, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but kept striking his breast, saying, O God, be favorable (be gracious, be merciful) to me, the especially wicked sinner that I am! I tell you, this man went down to his home justified (forgiven and made upright with God), rather than the other man; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

The Lord through the Apostle Paul , Colossians 3:12-15 from the Amplified Bible wrote:

v. 12 “Clothe yourselves therefore, as God’s own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper].

v. 13 Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive].

v. 14 And above all these [put on] love and enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness [which binds everything together in ideal harmony].

v. 15 And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].”

And from Chapter 4: 5-6 “Behave yourselves wisely [living prudently and with discretion] in your relations with those of the outside world (the non-Christians), making the very most of the time and seizing (buying up) the opportunity. Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you].”

I love the word winsome! For it means charming, in a child-like way. Oh…how a child will respond to the loving accepting arms of the one who says, “Come to me…and you will find rest and comfort….love and acceptance…”

Jesus left the ninety-nine to go find the one….Will we do the same?….He gave His life to bring us into His fold….

He came not to be served, but to serve….What will we do with the life He’s given us?

“Lord Jesus, make me an instrument of Your mercy and grace this day…to those who are in need of You….Amen and Amen….”

Be Blessed of the Lord~

Ever yours in Christ Jesus~

Crista Simmons (CMSimmons52@aol.com)

http://dinnerwiththeking.blogspot.com

LifeCare Ministries http://www.LifeCareMin.org

His Everlasting Arms in the Nothingness~

2011-02-06T08:21:00.004-05:00

When I was in nurse’s training (a very long time ago….), we had an instructor who had served in the military. Miss Mary Mason. And every time we needed to clear the hall for an oncoming patient, she’d sharply call out, “Flatten agin the wall. Flatten agin the wall!” Simply stated, “Make way! Clear the way! Don’t be in the way!”

In reflecting this morning, that’s how we feel sometimes in life….like we’re the ones who’ve been flattened…run over…and left for dead in whatever it is that mowed us over…and we don’t feel like we’ve got the energy or “want to“, to lift our head, let alone get up and try it again. We are down for the count, and we see no way out…every direction looks impossible.

May I share with you an experience and then some scripture? You know, maybe you’re not that person…but you know someone who is….Whoever it is needs Hope that only the Lord can provide.

The reason I want to share a personal experience is because it is easy to look at the writer and think, “What do you know? You’ve never been in my situation.”

One of my primary purposes in this blog is to be transparent in my writing…and in so doing…that the Glory of God would be evident….And I pray the love of Jesus and His Hope to transform your heart and mind this day.

It was the summer of 1990, and I was inpatient at the Minirth-Meier Psych. Unit in Naperville, IL…It was a locked unit…One evening, something happened that I cannot explain…but another resident had shared something…and it was as if my emotions stepped onto an elevator and I went to the bottom floor…As I did, everything else began to fade…I could not distinguish anything that was more than about 2 feet in front of my face…My nurse led me into the padded room…I think I was sobbing…into a blackness that had no end…a black hole…no end in sight…just the overwhelming sense of loss in my life that would not go away…the losses that I’d been running from my whole life…I looked up once..and could only make out the feet of our unit director, Dr. Verle Bell, and our head nurse…They spoke…I couldn’t comprehend what they said…At some point, my nurse led me back to my room…I can only tell you that if I were to put an age to my feelings, I’d would’ve been 2 or under…no words…My nurse tucked me into bed and kissed me on the forehead.

Morning came…the black hole was still there…There seemed no way out…and I wasn’t sure anymore if I wanted to try…

They say, “When you’re at the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.”….Well, I couldn’t find the rope; much less tie a knot in it; much less have the strength to hang on….I had let go and was free-falling into nowhere…

What I didn’t know at the time is that nowhere has a bottom…and it is called His Everlasting Arms and that Hope Has a Name - Jesus Christ….He didn’t come to me to scold me and ask, “Where’s your faith?”….No, He came to me and held out His hand…”Crista, take My hand…and I will lead you out….”

Now, I’m here to tell you that that’s faith…Just taking His hand IS faith! He says to us today, “I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life.” (John 14:6)…When we don’t know the way out of the black pit, He does.

For there is no God like Jehovah. “For when we are faithless, He is faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” (2 Tim. 2:13)

And underneath are the everlasting arms~ “There is none like God, O Jeshurun [Israel], Who rides through the heavens to your help and in His majestic glory through the skies. The eternal God is your refuge and dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms; He drove the enemy before you and thrust them out, saying, Destroy!”

Maybe you’re too worn out to take His hand…then just know, that He’s kneeling down to take yours…

His love is from everlasting to everlasting….and nothing shall separate you from His love….He is not a man that He should lie, and He is no respecter of persons.

Let’s close with these words from the Lord through the Apostle Paul: “Who shall ever separate us from Christ’s love?…”…”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.” (Romans 8:35, 37-38)

“Lord Jesus…today, I will let you take my hand…because I can’t do this by myself. I don’t know my way out of this blackness…But I will let You lead me, because You’re the Only One Who knows the way out.

Thank You.”

And in the words of our unit director, Dr. Bell….”I can’t. He can. Therefore, I move my pieces.”

“…but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

“…to give them beauty for the ashes…” Isaiah 61:3

….To make the Valley of Achor (Trouble) a door of Hope…. Hosea 2:15

Hope has a Name, and His Name is Jesus Christ…and underneath are His everlasting arms.~

God bless you, dear hearts.

Ever yours in Christ,

Crista (CMSimmons52@aol.com)

http://dinnerwiththeking.blogspot.com　

Rock and Roll - Be Still and Know

2011-01-28T08:50:00.001-05:00

This morning while reading Psalm 46, the Lord gave me an image of an Ocean Wave/Tilt-a-Whirl…those dastardly mechanical mechanisms of gastronomical torture placed strategically on our playgrounds in the 50’s and 60’s…Go have lunch…then go “play” on the puke machines! Now THAT makes sense! NOT!

Oh…I digress…But isn’t that how our lives “feel” at times?????

Ps. 46:1-3.…”God is our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present and well-proved help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains be shaken into the midst of the seas. Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling and tumult. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that!].”….

….Selah…Breathe in…pause…breathe out….

Back to the Ocean Waves of our lives….Up and over…over and up…pulsating to the thrusts of its riders…low to high…high to low…swirling and sashaying…up and around….the higher the rise, the faster the rush to the bottom…centrifugal force casting us once again up and over and around and plunging…spinning ever faster and more furiously….until it was time to head back into school….For some, it was total ecstasy…for others, we were as green as grass within five seconds flat!

Isn’t that how life feels sometimes? There are the time’s in life that give us that rush of ecstasy…but there are others that leave us with little more than an overwhelming, nauseous condition which only stopping will cure….and then when we dismount, we’re still not sure if we’re going to stand…tottering…faltering…flopping on the ground….staggering…But we’re not left alone….He is with us. The Lord, Our God, never changes. He is our Rock…Our firm foundation….Our Strong Tower….

Let’s continue to read….v. 4-7 “There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God will help her right early [at the dawn of the morning]. The nations raged, the kingdoms tottered and were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our Refuge (our Fortress and High Tower). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!”

….Selah…Breathe in…pause….breathe out….

v. 8-9 “Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has wrought desolations and wonders in the earth. He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow into pieces and snaps the spear in two; He burns the chariots in the fire.”

v. 10-11 “Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our Refuge (our High Tower and Stronghold), Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!”

….Ahhhhh….deep breath….

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest, [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good - not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Selah…pause and calmly think of that….”Come, Lord Jesus, Come….”

May your load be lifted today by the Only One Who is able to carry our burdens….

Ever yours in Christ,

Crista

http://dinnerwiththeking.blogspot.com

Knock! Knock! Knock!!!

2011-01-26T08:00:00.002-05:00

Yesterday on Facebook, I shared what the Lord had told me at the end of my time of pouring out my heart to Him....But I want to share what ensued prior to His word to me...and many of us...because sometimes it is very easy to think that we are alone in our struggles...and the one writing does not struggle or does not share in the agony of heart like we do. So, for those of you who feel alone in your struggle...let me encourage your heart....The Lord walks with you and me...and He's not left you nor forsaken you.

Yesterday, as I sat w/ coffee in hand....I mentally pictured the Lord on the other side of my living room...kind of a Gestalt...And my position was just open and honest...even though it was a "You stay on Your side, and I'll stay on mine, and we'll get along just fine." (I hadn't healed from the salt in my wounds yet....) So...I just sat and talked...You see, I'd been feeling personally threatened by a certain situation about which I cannot publicly write. (Hubby and I are fine!)

And this is what I wrote as He responded...

"I've been waiting for this time (together), Crista. SLOW DOWN!!! SLOW DOWN!!!! Be still and know that I AM God. In the face of adversity, you run, but I tell you to stop and stand. I know you have conflict that you didn't create (or are not responsible for the creation of it), but do you honestly think I will allow that? NO!! You are under the shadow of My wing - and I say that there, no evil shall befall you. (Psalm 91)

STAND STILL AND SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD! (Exodus 14:13) For the Lord is Mighty in Battle! It is I Who Do The WORK, so that the Only One in Whom you may boast is Me. I delight to give good gifts to My children and bring victory to your situation; for My Glory is one of those good gifts. You ARE more than a conqueror through Christ, or I would not have told you so. O ye of little faith, lift up a shout, for your day of victory is about to come about."

And by the end of our time together....He was sitting next to me on the couch....

Rev. 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me."

Thank You, Lord for Your long-suffering and patience and compassion and love....Please reveal Yourself even more to our hearts today...as we invite You in....

Love to all,

Crista

http://dinnerwiththeking.blogspot.com

CMSimmons52@aol.com

TIME'S UP!

2011-01-23T08:19:00.001-05:00

Dear Blog Readers,

This is a long entry today. It is so serious, and you may want to print it out. It has to do with how the Lord has been warning His Church about His impending judgment and being right with Him. Please know that this message is not written to one person(s) or group, but to The Body of Christ; for we all have a responsibility and an accountability to walk rightly and holy before the Lord. We will stand, individually, before the Judgment Seat of Christ. We are all called to work out our salvation with fear and trembling - not trusting in our flesh to do the work, but walking in His Truth and His Spirit.

Before we go on however, let me say this, I truly believe that for those who are truly in Christ, this is the Church’s finest hour…for the Lord promises in Isaiah 60 that when great darkness increases, then shall His light also increase. Also, be encouraged by Ps. 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid.”

Many in the Body of Christ have either gone through the fire, been going through it or will go through it.

Why? It is preparation for what is to come. It is purging us of what is not of Him so that we will walk in the fullness of Christ. But with that comes also the tearing down of the Towers of Babel…places built by men to serve their own selfish purposes while all the time purporting to be from God. God has much to say about leaders who should be feeding the flock and instead feed themselves. We continue to see and hear this lust for earthly goods perpetrated in the “prosperity doctrine“. The prosperity doctrine in all of it’s various interpretations is the modern day Pied Piper of deceit leading God‘s people to the abyss. (See Ezek. 34) (We heard a pastor once say, “Wouldn’t you love to have so much money in the bank that you had to transfer it from one bank to the other?”….And I ask you, “Is this what God says our Christianity is all about?????!!!!!” GOD HAVE MERCY!….BUT HE’S SAYING: “Time’s Up!”

It was on Monday, Jan. 3, that I awoke at 5 AM to the following dream:

I “heard” my husband violently shaking the front door...because it was locked…

RATTLE! RATTLE! RATTLE!!!!...And then I "heard" Steve shout to me, "Crista! Crista! Crista!"

When I awoke, I really thought he was in the room with me and hadn't gone to work....It took me a little while to get oriented to the fact that he was not home....

Then, three days later on Jan. 6, ...I had another dream:

Steve and I were together and it was told to us that in 5 weeks (Feb. 10th) my retirement benefits would expire....I panicked...and Steve said, "We will have to trust in the Lord to provide."

Both of these dreams indicate His grace (5 AM and 5 wks)...and He's been earnestly trying to get His wife's attention, but she's been asleep. At first, the door was locked so He had to violently shake it open to get our attention...and then once in, He will be shouting to wake up His Bride....

The “5 wks and your retirement benefits are over” have to do, I believe, with the fact that He's saying His time of grace (number 5) is done....He's given The Church time to acknowledge her sins, repent and turn from their wicked ways (2 Chron. 7:14-16)...but now He's saying, "TIME‘S UP!".…

And in the following dream the Lord through my friend, Connie, He is speaking directly to leaders in the Church, because He holds leaders more accountable. See posting:

http://dinnerwiththeking.blogspot.com/2010/12/warning-dream-and-interpretation.html

We have seen and will continue to see the Lord’s exposure of dirt and filth within leadership.

It is His Word which states that that which is done in darkness will be brought to light. (John 3:20-21)

We know that God is merciful. He gives us time and time and time again to repent and walk rightly before Him. But when His mercy is continuously met with a rebellious heart, then there comes a time for His firm line in the sand to be drawn…And His firm line is termed “Judgment”….

2 Peter 4:17-18 “For the time [has arrived] for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will [be] the end of those who do not respect or believe or obey the good news (the Gospel) of God? And if the righteous are barely saved, what will become of the godless and wicked? [Prov. 11:31]

Now where is our Hope in all of this? It is in His righteousness…His holiness….allowing His Spirit to live and move and having His fullness in and through us; His vessels. Do we stand before Him in confidence; that our hearts do not condemn us? Or do we stand before Him knowing that we have been walking in rebellion? Are we seeking to justify our sin? Or are we asking Him to purge us of our sin? Do we want to be seen as holy and righteous before Him….or do we want to go out and partake of the filth and seek my own justification? Do we want to walk in the fruit of the Spirit….or the lusts of the flesh? Do we pray, “Lord, THY will be done, no matter what!”….Or do we pray, “Lord, this is what’s right for me…I know what’s best…Now, You do it.”

Beloved, hear the Word of the Lord:

Romans 13:11-14 “Besides this you know what [a critical] hour this is, how it is high time now for you to wake up out of your sleep (rouse to reality). For salvation (final deliverance) is nearer to us now than when we first believed (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Christ, the Messiah). The night is far gone and the day is almost here. Let us then drop (fling away) the works and deeds of darkness and put on the (full) armor of light. Let us live and conduct ourselves honorably and becomingly as in the [open light of] day, not in reveling (carousing) and drunkenness, not in immorality and debauchery (sensuality and licentiousness), not in quarreling and jealousy, but clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and make no provision for [indulging] the flesh [put a stop to thinking about the evil cravings of your physical nature] to [gratify its] desires (lusts).”

Determine this day….As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord! (Joshua 24:15)….For we are the house/the temple of the Living God.

I’ve included another dream and word received from the Lord from 2007 and 2008 that are appropriate to this message.

12/6/07
DREAM: House About to Be Brought Down:
Walking through this huge house which had the appearance of being very expensive, but in looking at the high ceiling I noticed that it appeared almost like a hard jell (one would think initially that it was glass), because it began to sag. Through the "jell" one could see all this crud crushing down upon the ceiling. Over to the left, one area gave way and a black trash bag emptied its contents of filthy clothes (rags) onto the floor. I watched as the high ceiling began to bulge even more from the weight of the junk piled high between the roof and the ceiling (that which was not visible to the eye). ~I was thankful that I was not in the market to purchase this home...but just going through it and looking....and I saw all that was about to "fall". ~Then I was in the basement of this same house (I think).....and I saw this older man (60-ish) doing something like working w/ tools....and then he made a comment about eating these white, fat snake-like things; kind of like "well, they're not to bad once you get used to them"....and not realizing that they were gross and NOT to eat them! And the basement was dark and slimy with bugs and snake things running around.

This is the condition of many churches today, and a soon coming "cave in" to the present "system"; people eating things that they have been programmed to believe are "good" for them when in reality they're harmful. The condition of this "house" was that the whole structure was about to collapse upon itself, because of what it had laid upon itself. It was its own "stuff" that was about to create the collapse. All the "stuff" is man's creation and the yokes put upon the sheep. They are the "programs" created by man in the name of the Lord to give the appearance of elegance and that all is right with the church, but in the end, they are responsible for its demise.

1/2/08 "Great Change Is Coming"
"Life as you know it is going to change. You are very comfortable right now, but I tell you the truth, Great Change Is Coming. I AM shaking all that can be shook. I AM shaking men's hearts. Who will trust Me to carry them through? Have I not said that judgment shall begin in the House of God first? Do not be surprised by what you shall see before you. I AM God! And men shall once again revere and fear My Name! Men shall fall on their faces before me. Yes, I am full of grace, mercy and compassion. BUT I AM ALSO THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE! My wrath have I reserved for those whom I have warned and yet have not heeded My warning! My wrath have I reserved for those shepherds who've abused My flock for their own gain; for greed in My Church is an abomination before Me. My compassion do I pour out on the unbeliever. Have I not said it is better to have a millstone hung around your neck and be thrown into the sea than to cause one of these little ones to stumble? When those who are called by My Name cause the unbeliever, the little ones, the one whose faith is miniscule, to stumble because of their selfish greed, then My wrath is stirred!!
Then, I must take action where there is no repentance. I AM long-suffering, but enough is enough. I have seen the suffering of My People and the greed of the shepherds - the very ones who've been called to lay down their lives for My Sheep, and it causes Me to vomit! It is an abomination before Me! Think not that I do not see for My eyes roam to and fro throughout the earth to see if there is one righteous man/woman. Oh yes, there are many in My sight who are righteous, but it is not the ones who've been flaunted and do now flaunt themselves across the TV screen. Have I not said that I exalt the humble, but bring low the proud?
The proud are about to be brought low - in one sweep of My Mighty Right Hand. (In my spirit, I see God's hand sweep from left to right over America - from the southernmost tip of CA to the southernmost tip of FL.)
There are those who commit adultery with the world. My Church leaders have committed fornication with the political systems of the world! Take heed lest you fall! The time of My warnings have ended. Now, I shall bring vengeance upon those who have raped My Sheep for their own selfish gain and called it of Me."
(Ezek. 34:1-22, 1 Peter 3:12, 4:17-18, 5:2-3, 5-6, 2 Chron. 16:9, Matt. 18:6, Ps. 33:18, 34:15, Is. 65:11-15.

Over the month of December (2008) I have been receiving multiples of 7's in groups of 3's (Gifts of 21 candles total in Dec., Dinner bill of $17.77 and car odometer 166,777) I continue to seek the Lord for His message to me about this.

Be blessed in all ways as our hearts turn to Him.

Ever yours in Christ,

Crista

http://dinnerwiththeking.blogspot.com

Walking in the Light of His Glory

2011-01-22T07:22:00.001-05:00

As the world grows increasingly darker, may we ever walk in the fullness of the Light of Christ. The greater the darkness, the brighter even a little spark will shine. Yes, darkness shall increase on the earth before the coming of the Lord. But Beloved, take heart, when we are in Christ, we are His and His Light shall shine forth as the sun. His Glory! For "In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it]." John 1:4-5

It truly matters not what is going on around us...even though we are faced with issues...that is part of living on this earth...but we do not need to allow the issues to consume us. May we allow Christ, through His Holy Spirit, to consume us, for He is an all consuming fire. And when He removes something/someone out of our life, it is for His Glory. He will fill that place with more of Himself when we allow Him to do His work in and through us.

May we ever live in humble servitude before Our King. "Thy will, O Lord...Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Not my will, because I have no comprehension of what is the best for this situation....Only You do...and I yield to Thy Will; whatever the outcome. For I know that whatever the enemy intends for evil, You will use for good. May You and You Alone be praised, glorified and magnified through this yielded vessel."

Our prayer for today is so appropriate in the Apostle Paul's letter to the Colossians: Col. 1:10-11 "That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition]. [We pray] that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy, Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made us fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints of God (God's holy people) in the Light."

Blessings always in Christ,

Crista

http://dinnerwiththeking.blogspot.com

Standing the Test

2011-01-19T15:31:00.005-05:00

I hope this photo brings a smile to your face...Been there done that...again...and will probably go through it again....(I'm talking about the cat....)...Don't know about you...but this is what testing looks like at times to me....Not real happy about the whole thing....In fact, we'd prefer watching paint dry!

Yet here we are about to see what the Apostle Paul has to say about His Brother and friend, Timothy, who is like a son to him...."But Timothy's tested worth you know...." Phil. 2:22

~Wow! What does that say about Timothy? He's been through "the stuff"...time and time again...and through all of his testing...there is now a worthiness about him that is evident to others. God has been glorified through his testing...and there is a quality about Timothy that has stood the test.

~I suspect that we would use the following adjectives to describe Timothy: Trustworthy. Faithful. Righteous and holy. A true man of God.

~This reminds me of the chemistry lab experiments in high school...The flame test...What does it smell like? What does it look like when the flame is applied? For certain elements have specific qualities that identify them only when the hot, blue flame burns deep to the core.

~So when the flame is applied to our lives...Who is seen? Self or Christ? Flesh or Christ? Yet not that I live, but Christ who lives in me. Gal. 2:20

“And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature)…” Gal. 5:24

“Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4

For those of us going through testing right now….REJOICE! LIFE UP YOUR HEADS AND REJOICE!

For Christ is being formed in and through us….The greater the darkness…the brighter the light shines….

Take heart, Beloved….take heart.

Blessings always,

Crista Simmons - http://dinnerwiththeking.blogspot.com

~In Quietness and Confidence~

2011-01-12T06:45:00.016-05:00

Actually, this is a photo from a postcard that my friend in Germany sent me...It's a birthday card!
But as I was writing today, isn't this what we feel like we've been handed in life at times...Something that was supposed to be all good and wonderful, and instead, we get a mouthful of gravel...or a surprise plate of glop straight from the pit of hell itself. As we can tell, this poor little woman isn't too happy about her "Happy Birthday" cake....Life went terribly wrong!

And that's what happens to us. There are just those times in life that we're just plain knocked sideways into the next dimension or slam dunked in our now; whether it be a circumstance in which we find ourselves (an accident, death of a loved one, job situation)....or in dealing with people (misunderstandings or an all out frontal assault by the enemy of our soul). It happened then....It happens now....It will happen again....for we know that when the enemy came against Jesus, he left Him (Matt. 4:11), but then we know that the enemy returned at later times - especially when he thought he'd won by crucifying the Lord.

We know from Job 1:6 that Satan came before the Lord to present himself among the sons of God. And we read that the Lord asked Satan, v. 7 "From where do you come?" Then reading further in v. 8 the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?"

It is from then on that Satan takes Job's property and his children, but we also know that God told him (Satan) that he could not take Job's life. (v. 12)

Trouble....It's a reality of living on this earth. It is a reality of our lives as Christians. One such event for me personally, was the receipt of an item that was totally unexpected. A slew of accusations fired hailstones into my heart...WHAM!...And momentarily I found myself spinning sideways...feeling off balance...threatened....Where to go from here?

These are the times we've all experienced...but what do we do with them?

The Lord gives us His Word for these times of trouble which pursue us, but do not overtake us.

Let me share with you what He's shown me so often, that your heart will be encouraged as well. He knows that we need His tender reminders. He knows our situation....He understands....He sees it all....and He will take care of it. And all we need to do is our part...to nestle under the shadow of His wing. (Ps. 91:1)

Be Comforted Beloved with His Word:

Isaiah 30:15 "For thus said the Lord God...In returning [to Me] and resting [in Me] you shall be saved; in quietness and in [trusting] confidence shall be your strength.."

Psalm 46:10-11 "Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our Refuge (our High Tower and Stronghold). Selah [pause and calmly think of that].

Psalm 58:11 "Men will say, Surely there is a reward for the [uncompromisingly] righteous; surely there is a God Who judges on the earth."

Psalm 27:1 "The Lord is my Light and my Salvation - whom shall I fear or dread? The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?"

John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration, but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted!] For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]

Romans 8:37 "Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us."

In closing, precious ones....if you've been going through a trial....rest in Him right now....He has you covered....He will take care of your situation. Rest...Abide...Snuggle in....Be at peace....

God wastes none of our experiences in life or our trials~ And as Job, may we be able to say that our spiritual eye sees Him through this even more than we did before. (Job 42:5 "I had heard of You [only] by the hering of the ear, but now my [spiritual] eye sees You.") The Apostle Paul wrote it this way in Ephesians 1:17 "[For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him."

Love always - in Him Who gave His life as a ransom for our salvation and our peace~

Crista
http://dinnerwiththeking.blogspot.com/

Of Gnats and Camels or His Love?

2011-01-08T08:23:00.013-05:00

Happy New Year and snowy greetings from our corner of the world in Michigan! We received a lovely, blanketing of Lake Michigan precipitation over the past two days....known as "lake effect snow" ~Well, Christmas break is over and I'm "back in the saddle" again....teaching piano and desiring to write more.

For those of you who'd like to keep in touch via Facebook, I now have a Dinner with the King FB page. Just look it up and send me a Friend Request.

During this break, it has given me time to ponder and seek the Lord about some issues...one of which seems to be the "heated" discussions that often happen between Christians regarding interpretation of scripture, various prophecies...who said what...what they meant....Letting the hairs on the back of our neck rise over this issue or that issue...and then taking the sword - either directly or indirectly to wound another member of The Body of Christ. It happens locally...it happens globally.

As I've come before Him to sit...and be quiet...and inquire....He helped me to understand even more the essence of His love...and that being the foundation of His commandments....to love the Lord, Our God, with all our heart, mind, soul and body and to love our neighbor as our self...for the law has been fulfilled in Christ and we have only one law now to fulfill and that is the law of Love. (James 2:8)

It was during this time of "pondering" that the words of the Apostle Paul resounded deep within....and I could hear him saying, "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways and have put them aside." (1 Cor. 13:11)....and then I heard him write: "And if I have prophetic powers (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God's love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody)." (1 Cor. 13:2)

It's as if I hear the Apostle Paul saying, (my interpretation): "You know, there was a time that I had to be right...at the expense of the other person...but even though I knew I was right...that was not the core issue. The core issue was how I loved that person. I'm getting older, and I realize that being right isn't as important as loving...for that is the more excellent way...not on my insistence that I'm right. I'm older, and my body is wearing out. I don't have the energy I once had. Now I want to use my energy to do what is important before the Lord...and that is to love others....and I encourage you all to do the same. Don't sweat the small stuff....Let it go and let God."

And to emphasize His point, the Holy Spirit brought up the following scripture - repeatedly, from Matthew 23:24 "You blind guides, filtering out a gnat and gulping down a camel!" And isn't that what can so easily happen? We get so caught up in what so and so said, or this thing or that thing, that we forget that we are called to love each other.

I'm getting older...and feeling it....arthritis pain is my constant companion...
Pain does things to us that other things don't...It causes us to evaluate what is important in life and what isn't...It causes us prioritize and "downsize" the unnecessary issues of life....It causes us to think "How do I want to be remembered when I am gone?"...."What will be the most important when I'm standing face to face with the Lord, Himself on Judgment Day?" Next to my salvation in Christ...what is truly THE MOST important issue? Will it be that I was right about the interpretation of a certain scripture or issue....
or will it be that insofar as it was possible, I sought to live in peace with all men...that I sought to minister unto the least of these...Will men see my good works before them so that they would thank the Lord - even when they don't understand yet Who He is?

Please understand that I am not advocating checking our brains at the curb and promoting sin. God forbid! But there is a way to deal with issues that leave a person's heart intact. For it is a kind word of honey that will be received more than one of pure vinegar.

Many years ago, a Sister in the Lord sent me what she believed to be the word of the Lord to me. It came at a time when we were going through much personal grief in the death of a dear family member. I was crushed deeply and could not understand why the Lord would send me such a hurtful word. What the Lord helped me to understand is that a bruised reed, He will not break; whose word do I value more?...His or man's?...and He says in Psalm 138:8 "The Lord will perfect that which concerns me."

I have often said that persecution comes more from within the church than from without...because so often, those who are doing the persecuting think that they are doing the Lord a service to speak harshly against another Brother or Sister. But we know this should not be so.~ (1 John 2)

The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Tim. 2:24-25 "And the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome (fighting and contending). Instead, he must be kindly to everyone and mild-tempered [preserving the bond of peace]; he must be a skilled and suitable teacher, patient and forbearing and willing to suffer wrong. He must correct his opponents with courtesy and gentleness, in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and come to know the Truth [that they will perceive and recognize and become accurately acquainted with and acknowledge it]."

My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ....may we all determine in our hearts to allow His love to live and reign in our hearts this year in greater measure.
When there is an "issue"...take it to Him....and leave it with Him knowing that in quietness and confidence, He is our strength. (Isaiah 30:15) We will never agree in all matters with all the Brethren...that is just life...and that is just people.

But when we are in Christ, Beloved let us love one another, for love covers a multitude of sins; that we may have boldness in the day of judgment...

In closing...
"If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates (detests, abominates) his brother [in Christ], he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment (charge, injunction) we have from Him; that he who loves God must love his brother [believer] also." (1 John 4:20-21)

Ephesians 1:10 (Amplified) "[He planned] for the maturity of the times and the climax of the ages to unify all things and head them up and comsummate them in Christ, [both] things in heaven and things on the earth." v. 12 "So that we who first hoped in Christ [who put our confidence in Him have been destined and appointed to] live for the praise of His glory!"

Much love always, in Christ,
Crista
http://dinnerwiththeking.blogspot.com

A Warning: Dream and Interpretation

2010-12-27T08:52:00.013-05:00

A couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine (Connie Arney) shared the following dream that she'd had six years ago and asked if perhaps the Lord would give the interpretation as she'd been pondering this dream and had never received the interpretation. (The number six is significant, because it is the number of man/the flesh and reveals the prophetic nature of the Lord's message.)

I asked her for a copy of the dream, but by this time, Connie wasn't even sure if she'd written it down, much less find it in her journal....She told me that when she looked for it, the dream just "fell open in her lap". Praise God!

I'd written down her dream and was considering sending it on to another prophetically gifted friend..and went to bed; leaving my prayer before Him. In the morning when I sat down to have my time with Him, unexpectedly, He said, "Crista, I will give you the interpretation."

Connie wrote: I looked in my journal [skimpy as it is] and low and behold the dream was there. . . . .

We once owned a black lab [Katie] who loved to swim, jump off the dock with the kids, and retrieve to the shoreline anything thrown out into the lake for her [she would never bring anything to us--she had her own ideas].

The dream -

Katie was out in the water, not as far as to the end of the dock, when I threw a tennis ball for her to retrieve. She was fairly near shoreline--just far enough that she couldn't touch bottom. Katie was out a little further than where the ball landed and she took a couple strokes and grabbed for the ball when it suddenly sank [tennis balls don't sink]. I think she had the ball in her mouth for a second but then she grabbed for it again. She dove for the ball and never came up. I was in shock because she never came up for air or struggled and that she and the ball disappeared so fast. We searched the shoreline of the lake and asked neighbors if Katie washed up on their shoreline and there never was any sign of her ever again.

In the dream the way the ball sank seemed to be significant. It bobbed for just a second when it first hit the water but then sank so fast as Katie grabbed for it. I remember thinking in the dream, it was odd that I had a tennis ball and where did a tennis ball come from--maybe that was the wrong kind of ball to throw in the lake. And then Katie never coming up again as she was but a short distance out in the water when in reality labs are known for being water dogs, great swimmers--how could this be.

Interpretation received from the Lord 12/20/10 at 7:00 AM, EST.

"Crista, I will give you the interpretation....

Katie, her beloved - in this case represents My Beloved....All seemed safe - not too deep in the water....representing those who are in Christ, but not too deep...the dock nearby for safety...but docks are made out of wood. She was playing and running on the sand.

This represents those of My Beloved who think they are able to run on the doctrines of men (sand) and experience no consequences. All seems safe - a dock - but it is wooden - and I tell you the Truth, wood, hay and stubble shall be burned.

A tennis ball is not supposed to sink - but it represents those doctrines of men which are devised to be "played with" by My Church, but I tell you the Truth they shall return back to the pit of hell from which they came; for they come from the father of lies in the abyss.

As a dog returns to its own vomit, so does My Church who profess to be Mine return to their sins; thinking that I do not see - thinking that I Am not a jealous God; thinking that I condone promiscuity, homosexuality, gossip, slander, back-biting and the like; playing with My Word to promote their own selfish, perverted agendas.

But I tell you the Truth, they are lost and their lives spent on foolish pleasures shall be to their demise. It is not that I desire them to be lost - but it is that they prefer their play toy, their foolish idols to Me. They have been given over to a reprobate mind and are now lost dogs. There was a time they walked in the Light, but their hearts preferred the doctrines of men to The Truth of My Word and Who I Am.

I have said that he who is not for Me is against Me. Pastors today want to play with My Word and portray Me as Only Someone to make you feel good - Someone to bounce you up and down on My knee.

Yes, I love you with an everlasting love, but it is My desire that You present Me in the fullness of Who I AM.

I AM HOLY!

For I tell you the Truth, the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; but fools despise skillful and godly Wisdom, instruction and discipline. (Prov. 1:7, Amplified)

I tell you Truth, the role of the Holy Spirit is to convict the world of sin, and of righteousness and judgment (John 16:8) But I tell you the Truth, man has made Me into His image and it will bring many to ruin for only that which is built upon Christ shall last.

For Beware, the towers of Babel shall fall. Did I not tell say that judgment shall begin first in the house of God? (1 Peter 4:17-18 "For the time [has arrived] for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will [be] the end of those who do not respect or believe or obey the good news (the Gospel) of God? And if the righteous are barely saved, what will become of the godless and wicked?)

For I tell you the Truth, the time is NOW!

For I Am bringing My judgment upon the whore mongers. Pray that their souls will be saved."

Those of you who know me personally, know that primarily the Lord gives me words of encouragement. But there are times the Lord issues warnings and we do well to be wise and heed His warnings. This is not a game as some might assume it to be (indicated by the dog playing with the ball).

I heard someone say that a professing Christian that he knew was still justified before God even though this man was involved in fornication with prostitutes.

Church, God has never given us a license to sin in His Word! There is a penalty for sin and that penalty is death.

I commit to you that The Church today - especially in America is need of The Fire of God to purge the false doctrines of hell out of her!

Oh...that The Church would return to the holiness of God...Oh that we would be jealous for His Holiness and His Righteousness to abound!

Anyone can wear a T-shirt and a cap and a cross and paste a bumper sticker on their car...and sing, dance, raise their arms during worship...but it is what we do in our day to day lives that reveals the fullness of who we are in Christ and our relationship to Him...

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ writes the following in Chapter 1:27 "External religious worship [religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world."

Abba Father, I come before You in the Name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. My heart is open before You. I stand naked before You in all things...heart, word, deed and motive. Lord, search me and know me, and see if there be any wicked way in me. Cleanse me of all unrighteousness. Forgive me, Father. Empower me, I pray, with Your Holy Spirit to live a life which is holy and pleasing to You.

Ever yours in Christ,

Serving Him by serving others~

Crista Simmons

http://dinnerwiththeking.blogspot.com/

Sticks and Stones....And God's Loving Faithfulness to Heal

2010-10-20T19:42:00.018-04:00

Today's post is extra long...You may want to copy & paste...or just sit with your cup of coffee...because this has to do with something we all face from time to time...The agony of words or actions of someone else which has caused us great pain....for ultimately we have to decide what we will do with it...As Christians, we are to be obedient to God's Word to bless our enemies and to forgive our debtors as we ask Him to forgive us. And by the power of His Blood, we do this in faith and obedience to His Word and out of our love for Him. Yet there are those times that we feel so shattered, that there seems to be no way to heal from it all. We're left reeling and feel like an egg which someone threw against the wall...just a blob at the bottom....Let me encourage you, that His healing is available and He will console those of us who mourn from the pain, and give us His beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness (Is. 61:3)...for He knows our frame and that He made us from dust. (Ps. 103:14)...For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb. 4:15-16) These ARE His promises and He is not a man that He should lie.

I have been seeking the Lord earnestly for the past month about these heart hurdles that just were not healing within...and wrote in my journal yesterday morning: "The greatest battles in life come not from without, but from within. My greatest battles are personal. they come from the self-doubt and anxiety over personal issues. They are those experiences that feel like rusty nails driven into my heart...grinding, twisting themselves into gnawing, festering sores that just don't go away. My issue is that I accept them as the truth about who I am; allowing the words and behavior of others to define who I am before God and myself....ultimately, I allow the enemy full reign in defining who I am, rather than trusting and believing who I am in Christ.

And then a few hours later, my niece had posted the following on Facebook: "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words....well, words will hurt me deeply, causing great emotional, mental, and psychological damage leading to a lowered self-esteem and a severe decrease in overall efficiency."....Proverbs 12:18 says it this way: "There is one who speaks like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health."....And I am going to say that it is not only words, but actions...or lack thereof...which also cause a piercing of the heart....We're left with a pile of ashes...dust caked in our mouth...and emotional blood spurting out of every orifice.

I tried as best I could to cope...telling myself that I was OK...continuing to push; much like the Little Engine that Could..."I think I can. I think I can. I think I can."....Until just this past week, the Lord revealed to me the house of cards that I'd constructed to keep myself going...how I'd really turned away from Him...and He lovingly and gently blew my "house down"...whoosh....
For unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. (Ps. 127:1)...and I was laboring in vain. I had discussed it in confidence with a couple friends...but my agony continued.
I had resorted to familiar coping mechanisms which were "comfortable" in time of anguish of soul.

It's easier now to look at this and to understand how I got so far down this road. It's easier now to identify the lies of the enemy, but at the time, the blur seemed to be the reality....For in my heart of hearts, which God just revealed to me a couple of days ago, I had thought that God had passed me by and that I just wasn't good enough for Him....WHAM! Satan whispered in my ear. "See, you're not even good enough for God....".....The piercings from this situation led to my internalizing that even God had rejected me, and that I'd never be emotionally healed enough to minister to others. I had unconsciously determined that God Himself wanted to hurt me and I pulled away from Him - which is a natural, neurological response to pain, but it was not the truth of Who He Is and what was happening.

It is not unusual for traumatic events in the present to still crash headlong into events which happened in our past...thus "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder" (PTSD)....It's easier now, today, to identify the lies of the enemy, but at the time, the blur seemed to be the reality. It is much like mixing paint in a gallon sized can...At first we are able to recognize two separate colors, but the more the paint is stirred and mixed, the less we can differentiate the two...until finally, the two become one. This is the desired result for a can of paint, but not for us!....It occurs when our trauma triggers a neurological response for our body, mind and emotions to come back into balance after it receives the "tilt" signal...and it is an unconscious response to regain a sense of safety and balance, and we do that by reverting to our old ways of coping. The problem is that these "coping" mechanisms oftentimes keep us in bondage and vulnerable to the lies of the enemy, and then they become strongholds in our life.

Many years ago while still in counseling and the Lord revealing deep wounds from my past and then healing them, He helped me to understand that the emotional wounding of our past is in many ways like having been in a severe car accident. We go to the hospital for repair to the body for the damage done to it. The major, visible repairs are done. But it is not uncommon for particles of glass to come to the surface after being embedded for many years due their depth, location and size. Some of the remnants just had to "work themselves out"....And this is what happens over time in our emotional recovery from the past...bit by bit the Lord reveals and heals. So it is that at times...past and present smoosh into one. And even when the don't, current events can just leave us tottering at best to hang onto some semblance of emotional stability.

But as we return to the Lord in faith, He will reveal the pain and strongholds within our hearts which hold us captive - to be set free...for he whom the Son sets free is free indeed. His Word says that we shall know the Truth and the Truth (Jesus) shall set us free; for Jesus is the way, THE TRUTH, and the life. For it is only when we allow the Holy Spirit to help us face the truth about what is really in our heart, and the pigpen of the enemy's lies and where we've been feasting...are we then able to come out and come back to the Father; allowing His Love to heal us and make us whole. (Luke 15:16-24) In essence, we return to feast at His table; to dine and sup with Him (Rev. 3:20), instead of returning as a dog returns to its own vomit. (Prov. 26:11)

For it is Satan's goal to have us doubt God and to turn from Him. The enemy comes to pound us deeper into despair with lies from the pit of hell..."You know, you're never going to be able to minister...You're a loser...You know the scriptures, but you're not applying them...God doesn't love you...He loves (-----) more than you, because see what they're doing and you're not? They are a better Christian than you...In fact, you're so stupid, you're believing my lies about you."...We could go on and on with the fears and doubts that Satan hurls at us to stop us at the door of His greatest plans for us....And I truly believe this is why....Satan knows the Lord's plans to defeat him through us! So, when he comes against us...he's actually showing us God's plans for our life...plans for good and not for evil - plans to give us a future and a hope....plans to defeat the enemy who fights against the Kingdom of God.

We are able to walk with Jesus...on His path of righteousness...on His path of emotional well-being...toward the brighter tomorrow that He has for us. (Ps. 23:3b, Jer. 29:11-14) He will bring to light that which is in darkness to lift us out of the miry clay, because he who promised is faithful and true. A bruised reed He will not break. His mercies are new every morning. His compassions, they fail not. And there is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Rom. 8:1) We are more than conquerors through Christ and nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. God is love and there is no fear in love....for if God be for us, who can be against us. (These are all scriptures that I trust you are able to find...if not, please contact me.)

Let me share a personal experience with you from my piano studio....As a piano instructor, it is my responsibility to lovingly correct and disciple my students....There is a great vulnerability in playing piano...What will others think of me?...What does my teacher think about me?...What do I think about me?...I don't play as good as so and so....And one little girl sadly lamented about two years ago, "I'm not very good."....By the way, you should hear her now!
What do they really want? Loving acceptance...even when they need correction...They want to hear "Well done! Bravo!...just like we want to hear "Well done good and faithful servant", when we go Home. We want to know from our Heavenly Father, that no matter what, He loves us and we are special in His sight...and that He's there for us...even when we stumble and fall.....So, I decided to "take a break" from teaching so to speak...to just sit back and listen. I've asked my students to play their favorite piece of the week for me...and then I've said, "You know, I so enjoyed listening to you play this piece. Would you please play it for me once more...just so I can enjoy hearing you play it again...because you did such an outstanding job!"....Their faces beam with pride.

So come with me now, to the place where we hear Jesus speak lovingly and tenderly to our hearts with all compassion, mercy, long-suffering and gentleness of heart...."My precious little lamb, I've been looking for you...for you were lost for a little while in your wanderings. But know this for sure, I have not passed you by. I have wonderful things in store for you that you cannot see at this moment. I am calling you back to My heart...I know you've been deeply wounded. But I want you to know that everything you experience on this earth, I've felt and experienced, too. They pierced my head with thorns; they spit on Me; they ripped My beard off My face; they left Me in the Garden of Gethsemane alone to pray while they slept and I asked them to watch with me for only an hour. Was that too much to ask? They called me crazy and said I had a demon; My own fleshly family was ashamed of Me; they gave me a kiss and sent Me to My death...I understand. In this, I was wounded for your healing. I understand. My child, I love you with an everlasting love. I have never left you nor forsaken you; even in your darkest hour. I am by your side always; more than you realize. I promised to never leave you as an orphan, but to comfort you in your affliction and deliver you. Come to Me, My child, with your heart's heavy burden and I will give you rest for you soul." (Matt. 11:28-30)

In closing, may I pray with you as we come before Him together...."Oh Lord, I am so very sorry that I turned from You all this time during my pain and anguish. Forgive me, Lord, for how I ultimately blamed Your for my hurt. Forgive me for how I turned my back on You. Lord, by Your Blood, by faith, I forgive those who have hurt me, and I ask You to bless them, Lord. Help me, Lord. I can't get over this heart hurdle by myself, but You can get me there. I lay my heart at the foot of Your Cross for Your healing. I am willing to give You my bitterness and my pain. I ask You to reveal and heal those areas of my heart that await Your healing as only You can do. I look to You, Jesus, the Glory and Lifter of my head...My Redeemer...My Friend...the Lover of my soul. And Lord, I thank You that You will bring Your Glory to this situation. Amen."

~Back with Him....He will do the rest....

Tenderly and lovingly yours,
Crista
CMSimmons52@aol.com
http://dinnerwiththeking.blogspot.com/

His Grace and Beyond Our Beyond

2010-10-05T07:26:00.009-04:00

In seeking the Lord about His direction for some issues that have surfaced over that past couple weeks, I have been drawn to this verse from Psalm 123:2 "Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, and as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, until He has mercy and loving-kindness for us." (Amplified Version)

So it was that this morning while entering the date in my journal, I began to ponder 10/5/10....Well, 5 is the number of grace...and 10 is a double of 5....So I wrote: Double Grace/Grace/Double Grace....

Then the Lord began to speak with all tenderness and gentleness.....

"My Child, have I not said that My Garce is sufficient for thee? In that what is impossible for you to accomplish on your own, I will do in My Time, My Way, My Power. Just look to Me, My Love; The Author and Finisher of your faith; the Glory and Lifter of your head; the Bright and Morningstar; The Way, The Truth, The Life. I AM.

For I tell you the truth, what you do not yet see, I do. And I will take you there as you continue steadfastly...to persevere and trust Me.

O how I love you with an everlasting love. You are Mine and I AM yours. You have Me with you at all times; for I never leave you nor forsake you. You have nothing to fear. I care for My own - yes, even when the winds blow.

Have I not said that I shelter thee under the shadow of My wing? My wing is full of My love, tenderness, mercy and grace.

Come to Me all ye who labor and are heavy burdened and I will give you rest for your soul for My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

For trust Me in this: I see beyond your beyond. When you look out - you see an end point, but there is no end point with Me....only eternity; for I see beyond your beyond.

May your heart and soul be encouraged. This is the day which the Lord has made; I shall rejoice and be glad in it.
Ever yours in His love, mercy and grace~
Crista Simmons
http://www.dinnerwiththeking.blogspot.com/

I AM SHAKING ALL THAT CAN BE SHOOK

2010-08-12T11:26:00.000-04:00

This prophetic word from the Lord came to me in February, which I originally posted on Open Heaven....It is now being posted here for others to be able to reference it. Many in the Body of Christ are experiencing this process in some way, shape of form....
No matter what we're experiencing, He Who Promised IS Faithful and True....and He uses all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

2/28/2010
I AM SHAKING ALL THAT CAN BE SHOOK
Crista Simmons
I AM shaking all the can be shook. The earthquakes, the events occurring in My Body -
I AM shaking all that can be shook.

Did I not tell you this would happen? (Heb. 12:26-29, 1 Peter 4:17-19) And yet you think that you are exempt; that this is some strange thing happening to you. I tell you the truth, my true prophets have already gone through this time of testing and you esteemed them not; but I have. I saw their suffering in the wilderness. I was there with my prophets in their gardens of Gethsemane…many times over they have been to My Garden of Suffering. Yet, in My Garden is My stream in the desert; for I Who Promised AM Faithful and True. (Is. 58:11) I never leave you nor forsake you. (Heb. 13:5)

I Am telling you, the earthquakes in the natural are a manifestation of My shaking in the spirit realm. I told you that it would first begin in My House. Unless you go through the shaking yourself, how will you lead the unbeliever through their time of shaking?

How will you teach them to trust Me in the shaking yet to come if you, yourself, do not learn to trust Me even deeper in your own shaking? For I tell you the truth, I Am shaking you to your own nakedness in that you let go of all that is not of Me, and you will have a clearer, deeper knowledge of Me. (For My People perish for lack of knowledge.)

Remember when Peter and Silas were in prison? I brought the earthquake to open the jail cells, and I set them free. (Acts 16:25-26) That is what I Am doing, My Beloved. I Am Is Shaking you loose! I Am exposing and uprooting the foundations upon which you stood that were not of Me, so that when you get through all this, you’ll proclaim, There is Only One on Whom I stand - JESUS CHRIST - MY ROCK!”

Beloved, you cannot stand on your positions in life. You cannot stand on your rank or bank account or the things I’ve allowed you to have over the years. No Beloved. I Am stripping you bare that you stand on Me and Me, Alone.

Why do I allow the fire? To purge away the chaff and the dross. To purify and cleanse you even more than you are now. Remember that I Am in the fire with you as I was with the three Hebrew young men. (Daniel 3:19-28) Remember also that I allowed the fire to be intensified seven times hotter, but it did not singe a hair upon their heads…and there was one who appeared as the Son of Man in there with them. I have not left you nor forsaken you, Beloved. All of this is for your own good and for My glory. For have I not said that all thing work together for good to those who love Me and are called according to My purpose?

I shall never leave you nor forsake you; for I love you with an everlasting love - with a love that goes deeper than your deepest trial. Try Me in this and see if I Am not deeper still. Deeper than your deepest perceived need. I Am deeper still. I AM YOUR DEEPEST NEED.

Beloved, I AM the plumb line by which everything else is measured. (Zech. 4:8-10)
It is I who established the very foundations of the earth. It is I Who said, “Upon this Rock shall I build My Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

Unless the Lord builds the House, they that labor, labor in vain. (Psalm 127:1) So in your desire to build My House, I Am shaking loose everything which is not of Me so that what is left is pure Rock. I have said that My House shall be a House of Prayer. I AM THE LORD, and I change not. My Word is from everlasting to everlasting.

Do not be surprised at the fiery trial which you are now experiencing, but rejoice in
My Glory which shall be revealed and rejoice that you are partaking of My sufferings.
(1 Peter 4:12-13, Romans 8:17-18)

As I allowed Satan to try Job (Job 1:6-12), so do I allow the trials to draw you deeper into Me. I Am the cleft in the Rock. Hide in Me, Beloved. (Song of Solomon 2:14)

Come to Me all who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matt. 11:28-30)
Come, My Love. Come and find Me Deeper Still. (Job 42:5, Rom.8:18-39, Eph. 3:16-21)

~Crista Simmons: CMSimmons52@aol.com
http://dinnerwiththeking.blogspot.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. 　
　

The Power of His Word

2010-08-05T08:41:00.009-04:00

The early morning air hangs still and heavy with perceptible humidity like Spanish moss dripping from Carolina trees. Sure, I could have the A/C running, but just needed a break so as to open a few windows and listen to God's birdies and the accompanying summer sounds of the Cicadas rustling their wings in August's symphonic phrasing of Michigan bug life.

Nestling into my "spot" on the couch and positioning my coffee onto the combination book and lamp stand next to me, my mind wandered back to this past Sunday's service at the nursing home. The dining room where we meet was awash with various expressions....as usual. The Lord had given me two special scriptures about the Holy Spirit for the service this day. And I preached and spoke as He led me to speak.....but yet.....it seemed to my natural mind that it did absolutely nothing to produce any type of visual change in the expressions of the residents with us that day. And I will tell you, the enemy is right there to hiss in my ear that I may as well give up and stay home....(The enemy always reveals God's plans whenever he does this.)

So...I'm sitting here pondering...wanting with all my heart to see the manifestations of physical healing in the nursing home residents....It's been 7 years now since He gave me the vision for the nursing home residents....physically healed and ministering to others for spiritual, emotional and physical healing....The vision, as yet, unfulfilled in the natural....But for His promise that nothing is impossible with Him and at the appointed time, at the time of life, that which looks dead in the natural (as dead as Sarah's womb) will come alive with His life....And this is where the proverbial rubber meets the road, because we all have a hope, a dream, that ONLY GOD is able to fulfill...in His Time...for His Glory and Praise....to work all things together for good toward those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

How well we know the agony of sifting through the shards of brokenness to see if there is any hope left at all to what we thought would be....I tell you that underneath all our broken dreams and broken hearts is Jesus...broken and poured out for us....underneath is all is Jesus...for underneath are His everlasting arms....and He knows our frailties.

Speaking to Jesus, I sit before Him and ache this question forth from my heart of hearts, "Lord, Your Word says that by Your stripes we are healed. I just don't understand....I don't understand.....".....and my heart drifted off into tears as I continued to reflect upon those precious faces....The tortuous, serpentine churning of multiple "whys" began to froth and foam....

And then, as softly and gently as a golden orange and black Monarch landing upon a wild iris, the Lord spoke, "Crista, Stay true to My Word and I will do the work. It is My Word - alive and active which does the work - Yes, indeed, it is a mystery -
But it is My Word - both logos (written) and rhema (spoken) which perform My work as I purpose. It is I Who send forth My Word to do the work."

And I realize how easy it is to wander into the land of flesh....thinking...believing that it's about me...us, when it is about Him and what He's doing and has promised He WILL do....

Perhaps you are in need of these scriptures as much as I am today. Let your heart be encouraged in His Word, His power, His strength, His purpose, His promises....totally in Him.

Isaiah 55:10-11 "For as the rain and snow come down from the heavens, and return not there again, but water the earth and make it bring forth and sprout, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth; it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."

Hebrews 4:12 "For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart."

Hebrews 6:10 "For God is not unrighteous to forget or overlook your labor and the love which you have shown for His name's sake in ministering to the needs of the saints (His own consecrated people), as you still do."

Mark 4:26-28 "And He said, 'The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed upon the ground, and then continues sleeping and rising night and day while the seed sprouts and grows and increases - he knows not how. The earth produces [acting] by itself - first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.' "

God bless you, dear heart~ God bless you~
"Lord, I ask You to encourage someones heart today who reads Your Word. May Your Spirit quicken and bring life to their weary heart as only You are able....for Your Word says, "Not by might nor power, but by My Spirit." Lord, You are the Glory and Lifter of our heads....And thank You, Lord for how You will answer this prayer for Your People this day....for no matter what, Hope HAS A NAME....and HIS NAME IS JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD AND SAVIOR....and You Who promised IS Faithful and True...our very present help in time of trouble....Amen and Amen."

Tenderly and ever your Sister in Christ,
Crista

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/

He IS Our Help in Time of Trouble~

2010-07-16T08:55:00.004-04:00

Tuesday morning hit with a solid thud in my heart. No joy...no purpose...no desire for nothing...just the awareness of the black pit of blackness....I picked up my journal to write my thoughts after shuffling around to make coffee and settling into my spot on the couch with some semblance of being awake. But, who cared?.......My eyes drifted to the fog hanging over the field in back of our house; stuck like muck on bare feet....going nowhere....just still and heavy....like my heart.

I've been through multiple trials over many a year....But this one from the enemy had hit like a blitzkrieg....and I was just so exhausted from surgery and recovery and other battles. I wrote in my journal, "Lord, it's been almost 2 months since surgery and You feel so far away...everyone seems so far away...."....and my mind drifted....looking up...."God, Help!", was all I could choke out.
"Crista, I never leave you nor forsake you....Even in your darkest hours. I AM STILL here with you."
I continued to journal...talking to God on paper...."I'm crying out to You for help in the midst of the choking sea billows of things which I do not understand. I cry to You for help! ~Today is a black day and even the clouds cover the sun."
Scriptures began to surface from the deepest parts of my soul.....Isaiah 50:10 "Who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely upon his God."
Hebrews 13:5b 'For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." And I turned to Heb. 13:5 and began reading.....

But it was Heb. 13:6 that really caught my attention...."The Lord is my helper; I will not fear...." (Hang with me here...because these are exactly the kinds of situations where we know in our heads, and have heard it before....but now becomes a deeper reality/revelation in our heart....and you have these times just like I do...because we're all made out of dust!)

I read further...the definition of Helper in my Bible's Word Wealth:
helper: boethos (bah-ay-thoss); Strong's #998 From boe, "a cry for help." and theo, "to run." Boethos is one who comes running when we cry for help. The word describes the Lord as poised and ready to rush to the relief of His oppressed children when they shout for His assistance."....Hope began to rise through the dense, oppresive fog of my soul like a lone, smoldering campfire on a bitter cold, cloudless, starry night....a thin, wispy thread weaving it's way heavenward....barely discernable...but yet there....seeming to carry His Name to His Throne..."Jesus"....not of my own strength...but His...ascending boldly to His Throne of Grace in time of my need....."Not by might, nor power, but by My Spirit," says the Lord of hosts. (Zech 4:6b)

I cannot sit here and tell you the fog lifted....No....I sat and cried....poured out my soul as a drink offering to Him who knew the failure and hopelessness I was experiencing....My tears were my food that morning.....

And then...within the hour....my phone rang....Caller ID....my precious Sister in Christ...but I didn't want to answer it....I didn't want to talk...to anyone. It wasn't personal....It was the blackness of my heart...."Lord, what do I do?" "Call her back."

One ring...."Hello? Oh, it's you!...Praise You, Jesus!"....She pressed gently, "Are you feeling like nothing's worth it and you just want to give up?" ....I could only by a whimper and blubber out my confirmation to what the Holy Spirit had already told her....but this was enough confirmation for the Holy Spirit to launch her into all out spiritual battle on my behalf. It was His Spirit interceding for me...through her....Time stood still....as He revealed one thing after another that was attacking...and He led her to take His Word and slash the enemy's plan and purpose.
And then, He spoke as My Father...loving...tenderly....affirming....

Dear and precious child of The Most High God...He Who never slumbers nor sleeps, watches over us, to care for us...and Jesus sits at the right hand of God The Father, ever to make intercession for His saints....for He Who is in us IS greater than he who is in the world. If God be for me, who can be against me.

It is truly when we can do nothing, but look up to the hills from whence cometh our strength...that we truly know it is nothing of our own doing, but His...because He loves us...and it is His Promise to never, ever, no not ever, leave us nor forsake us....and as He tells us in the parable of the Good Samaritan....He is there...to care and tend to our needs when we are unable to care for ourself. He does this without condemnation, for there is now therefore, no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

I will leave you with this list of scriptures to encourage your heart today and I pray His Holy Spirit reach you and touch you and comfort you in the way that only He can do. The battle is truly the Lord's and He IS mighty in battle...for He and He Alone gets all the glory, honor and praise. To Him be the Glory, great things He hath done....and continues to do....for Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Praise be to God!

Hebrews 13:5-6, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 121:1-2, Isaiah 50:10, I John 4:4, Hebrews 4:15-16,
I Timothy 2:13, Isaiah 42:3, John 14:18

Be blessed in Christ Jesus~
Love always,
Crista

All comments to these blog postings are moderated before being allowed to be posted.
(This entry may be shared as long as it is shared in it's entirety.
Freely have I received...freely do I give. http://dinnerwiththeking.blogspot.com/)

Off the Back Burner

2010-07-08T09:26:00.003-04:00

Dear Blog Friends,
Forgive me for not writing over these past couple months, but there was a serious physical situation for which I needed fairly emergent surgery. I am doing well now in my recuperation and (I think) not feeling quite so fuzzy brained from anesthesia and pain meds.

God is stirring my heart to begin writing again and through a very precious Sister in Christ, He's confirmed some other things to me....one of which is continuing to press on with this blog.
I don't know about you, but "going through stuff" often takes me to a point of re-evaluation...
And at the point He was stirring my heart to write....and I was praying about even continuing....
He sent His encouraging word through a dear Sister.

I don't know about you...but for me....I get to the point of asking, "Is this really worth it?"...whether I'm deciding how often to dust and mop the floors (cough, cough....)...or taking that extra trip to the grocery store...or writing....Whatever it may be. Evaluation is a really good thing when done rightly before the Lord. He understands when we ask Him, "Lord, do You want me to continue with ________(fill in the blank)?" For He IS Faithful, merciful, kind and compassionate....and He WILL give us His answer as we wait upon Him.

So, it's time....Time to get off the back burner and back to the front lines....
He's stirring my heart....and I await His further direction.....These past couple months have been a deeper revelation of His abiding love and mercies - which are new every morning...from everlasting to everlasting.
Much love and blessings always,
Crista

Strait Paths on the Piano Bench

2010-05-03T08:29:00.007-04:00

Many in the Body of Christ are going through trials and hot fires right now....What we can trust is His Word which says that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. And one of His purposes is to kill the King Uzziahs in our lives; to remove the Baals from our mouths; to take us down the narrowing path (strait and compressed); to shake us loose from the things of this world, so that we will see Him high and lifted up....we will repent and cry out..."Lord, I am a wo/man of unclean lips! Forgive me!"..."Lord, not my will be done, but Thy will be done." And then we will go...not for man's glory, but for His Glory...and we shall go unto the least of these....stripped naked of our own glory...to go to the naked - for His Glory....That we pant for Him as the deer pants for water...to go to the thirsty and give them a cup of cold water in His name....to the One Who hung on the Cross...in His final moments....uttering in languished agony.....

~"I thirst."

Do we see Him now?....Do we hear Him now?

(Isaiah 6:1-8, Is. 58:6-10, Hosea 2:14-17, 2 Chron. 7:14-16, Matt. 7:14, Job 42:5-6, Matt. 25:40, Is. 53:2-3, Is. 64:6, John 15:1)

“My Piano Bench Lesson”

By Crista Simmons
Revised: May 7, 2008

Prayers of desperation ripped from my soul. Tears flooded my living room carpet by day and my pillow by night. It was the summer of 2002; one of the most difficult trial times of my life. I had just emerged from and emotionally ripping trial with my oldest son. The Lord had showed me that I had to totally let go. Now it was time to totally let go again in another arena and to learn something new. Like Job, I wasn’t sure I had recovered from my last “experience” to face yet another trial so quickly. I could still feel myself choking and vomiting on the sea water from my last thrust into the ocean of life, and my fingers had just barely taken hold of the raft.

By nature, I am self-directed and a “doing” oriented person. My hobby is gardening and my career is teaching piano. I was still single at the time. And in this trial the Lord used my love of gardening and vocation to teach me in greater depth about His desire for my relationship with Him. I’d been reading “Secrets of the Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson. In this super packed little book, Bruce describes the stages through which the Lord takes us in His work to produce more fruit in our lives. On page 71, he writes, “Did you know that growers prune their vineyards more intensively as the vines age?” He quotes a horticultural bulletin which stated that the vine’s ability to produce growth increases each year, but without intensive pruning, the plant weakens and its crop diminishes. Mature branches must be pruned hard to achieve maximum results. I began to reflect on my own gardening tools and their uses.

Pruning. There are different levels and tools. Scissors for the little stalks; nothing too tough or woody, but soft and pliable. Hand pruners for trimming thicker, more woody stalks and stems like rose bushes. And there are the Loppers. It takes two hands and upper arm strength to utilize these.

Pruning. The Lord had been snipping away at my twigs for years, but now He no longer used the scissors or hand pruner. He’d gotten out the BIG loppers for this one! I could now hear and feel the CRUNCH of my branches. I felt like my stretch marks were about to rupture.
Yes, my flesh was rupturing. Not a pretty sight, but necessary to advance in the Kingdom, because God loves us too much to leave us where we are. I’d finished reading Bruce’s book. Now it was time to take stock. Sin can cause pain. Walking in obedience can cause pain. Not too encouraging at the time. Yet that is a fact in our walk with the Lord. To go higher in the Spirit, He calls us deeper. And going deeper involves more cutting of the flesh. We have to be cut, gutted out, boiled and fired in the kiln. It is our choice. To whom will be bow? Flesh or Spirit?
I knew from reading and prayer that my pain was a result of walking in obedience. And now, the Lord was allowing this situation to grow me more fully in Him. I remember standing at my kitchen counter and literally begging Him to tie my flesh to the horns of the altar. I knew that if I didn’t get through this test, I would face the same test, and I didn’t want to go around this mountain again!

I was now at the Red Sea financially. I had six weeks to go until I started full-time work again. All my resources were gone. I’d been in similar places before this, but there always seemed to
be a light shining from somewhere within the tunnel. But now, dark turned to pitch. I had remained faithful in my tithes and offering over the years, however not always my first fruits. The Lord had been dealing with me about his issue. It seemed every time I turned around, there was I Kings 17 again!!! I knew what he was asking me to do. Let go! But did I really trust Him?
Trust…always the bottom line issue with me in my relationship with Him. I knew His love, grace, mercy and strength had carried me through many major trials in my life: adoption, sexual abuse, job loss, suicidal depressions, divorce, a sinful relationship and selling my home. But now, single, self-employed and less than $50 to my name, a late car payment, and many more bills that I did not even have money to consider paying. On July 24th, I wrote in my journal, “I am in a season of mature pruning; about values and identity. God is good, and God will work this out for my good. God is good, and He is good all the time.”
　
Then the Lord interrupted my thoughts. “Crista. Do you really believe this? Not yet. Not yet in your heart. This is the point I want to bring you to know that you know that you know for your own life. You encourage others; now encourage your own spirit in My goodness for you. See how I want to have you believe this for yourself - in your own spirit. There’s been a hole in your spirit that I want to heal. I want to pour out My mercy and grace upon you. I don’t just wish you well, drive by your house and wave as man does. I come to your door, and I want you to ask Me in with you. Invite Me in, and I will come in and be with you. I want you to know more than you do that My goodness is for you, but I had to deal with your unbelief first so you’d be ready to listen. Listen to Me.

It’s like this: As you give pictures and phrases to your students, so do I to you. Sometimes your students cry when you lovingly correct them. So do you when I correct you. But what happens when your student lets you sit on the bench with them? WOW! A solo becomes a duet! An OK becomes a Breakthrough! That’s what I so desire with you. Invite Me to sit on your bench with you, and we’ll have a “WOW!! It’s one thing to stand beside your student instructing them; it’s quite another to sit on the bench with them. There’s chemistry in sharing the bench! Think about the enjoyment when the chemistry is right for playing a duet. That’s what I’m talking about - ONLY GREATER! GREATER MEASURE! GREATER ABUNDANCE!"

Then I saw myself sitting on a piano bench. Jesus came over to me. As He stood beside me, I was crying. I didn’t understand. I was scared and hurting. Then I looked at Him. He asked me if He could sit beside me. I nodded. I felt Him slide onto the bench next to me. His love surround me in a freshness and fullness that lifted me above my circumstances. And then I knew. This whole financial pruning issue was about my relationship with Him. It was about an opportunity for even greater intimacy than we’d had previously.

It was no longer about “doing”, because there wasn’t anything left “to do”. Now it was about being. Resting. Abiding. Just being together, because we love each other and enjoy each other’s company. It was about turning a super solo into an incredible duet. A WOW! Duet for both participants and listeners. He wanted me to choose Him in deeper measure than I had done previously. He wanted me to see His hand in the process.

“Secrets of the Vine” became transformed by the “Secrets of the Bench”. Abide. Rest. Wait.
Intimacy. Join together. Harmony. Synchrony. A love song played out by The Master Composer, Himself, and His Bride.

“Deep calls unto deep…and in the night, His song shall be with me.” (Psalm 42:7-8)
Dear Jesus,
Please come sit with me
On the piano bench today;
So we can be close
And play a fabulous duet -
Together.”
Love always,
Crista

All comments to these blog postings are moderated before being allowed to be posted.

(This entry may be shared as long as it is shared in it's entirety. Freely have I received...freely do I give. Blessings always, Crista Simmons http://dinnerwiththeking.blogspot.com/)

Of Barren Deserts, Red Seas, Sarah's Wombs, Lazarus Tombs and His Resurrection Power

2010-04-18T07:20:00.010-04:00

Isaiah 54:1 (Amplified) "Sing, O barren one, you who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who did not travail with child! For the [spiritual] children of the desolate one will be more than the children of the married wife," says the Lord."

How many times have we stood and faced the barren deserts, Red Seas, Lazarus tomb or empty wombs of our lives? Lost dreams....lost children....lost health...lost relationships....wondering if our unfulfilled visions were from God, Himself, which seem as elusive as trying to catch dry dust swirling over desert sands....miles and miles of sand....miles and miles of dust....and we persevere....one foot...then the other...."Lord, Thy will be done, on earth, in my life, through me, as it is in Heaven,"....and all the while, spitting the grit out of our dry mouth which eventually makes it way up our nose and down our windpipe...coating our mouth....and sticking to the roof of our mouth.

It seems almost incomprehensible in today's charismatic, electronic fast lane that God would leave us in a desert, wasteland situation for more than a minute, much less orchestrate the whole thing for His Purpose! Who dares to preach such a sermon today? Take him/her outside the camp and stone them! What a heretic! What a shameful blight upon the pentecostal/charismatic world to which we've become accustomed on TV and in our own communities.

It has become inconceivable that Our very God Who gave us His vision will allow the very death of it; seemingly to rub our faces in its death along the way. Isn't this what He did with the news of Lazarus? John 11:6 "So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.".....TWO MORE DAYS! Lazarus lay dying, and Jesus stayed two more days! How absurd! And Martha in so many words, told Him so....v. 21 "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died."

What emotions do you think surged through Martha? If it were me, I'd be thinking, "Why did You allow this to happen? What is wrong with us/me that You healed everyone else, but when I sent word to You that Lazarus, Whom You love is dying, You don't come running, or command the sickness to leave him, but You waited....And now Lazarus is dead! TOTALLY STONE DEAD! In fact, he's now so dead, he stinks! His flesh has rotted off his body by now.

And so God allows it to happen...the death and humiliation of the very vision God gave us. Jesus hung bare naked and barren on the Cross, and in His barrenness and humiliation and total separation from God, hung the Hope of all time....the Hope for all eternity for the forgiveness of sins, reconciliation and restoration to God, Himself for all lost humanity who would accept Him and believe upon Him.

Miles of desert sand in our lives....heaped up along the road....symbolic of desert and death; yet it is in the desert where we truly find Him as we walk through the Valley of the Shadow of death. It is here where the Valley of Achor becomes The Door of Hope...and through it all, He takes the Baals from our mouth. (Hosea 2:14-17)

God took Esther through 12 months of preparation before He ultimately escorted her before the throne of the king...the inner chamber of his presence. For there is something about the desert and the stripping which removes the Baals from our mouths. Who do we quote most? Scripture or someone else? Who's name do we hear coming out of our own mouths? God's or someone else? God will allow the stripping.....God will do the stripping....And if we don't see Him allowing the work to be done...then we have not stopped to turn and see why the bush is burning and not being consumed....The potter's wheel....Tying our flesh to the horns of the altar so it won't crawl away....

What we need to comprehend is that it is God, Himself, in all His Glory and Splendor and Love, Who allows the total death and humiliation of a thing before He brings His resurrection power to it where He will get the total glory. For unless this thing can be verified as dead...no breath...no life...no movement...and the flesh rotting off of it....and now it stinks....there can be no resurrection power.

For if there is no death, man/flesh will ultimately take the glory that he did something very spiritual to make this thing happen...."I fasted"...."I prayed three hours a day"....."I laid my hands on so and so and they got better."....."I went to this conference where so and so preached...and oh man!"....."I did this....I did that....and isn't it wonderful what I did?"......And we may or may not throw a morsel of praise in God's direction.

Yes, we're able to maneuver God in there someplace, but when that thing is put into Sarah's womb or the tomb of Lazarus, and it is so barren that there is no hope of life, or so dead that it stinks, then He will come and speak, "Lazarus, Come forth!" For then and only then is there Only One Reason; God Himself. It had nothing to do with the flesh of man - all our best intentions and formulas and best efforts to pray and fast fall flat on a gritty desert floor in the barrenness of Sarah's womb. And when that happens, we have a choice. We will either choose as Job's wife suggested that we curse God and die...or like Job, we'll profess that "Though He slay me; yet will I trust Him; yet will I praise Him; yet will I look unto Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of my faith." As for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord.

We see Martha, standing outside her brother's tomb, grieving....Jesus instructs them to remove the stone. Martha, in essence, questions Jesus' instructions and politely reminds Him that He's nuts..."Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days!" And Jesus turns to her, gently asking, "Did I not tell you that if you would believe, you would see the glory of God?"

Oh, it is difficult to accept that God allows death and humiliation to a thing, purpose or plan before he can bring His resurrection power to it. For resurrection power to be visible to raise that thing, there must be total, complete, irreversible death by any other means...other than His Spirit. Dead is D-E-A-D....Dead. No hope in anything, but God. Jesus, Who walks with us through the Valley of the Shadow of Death....showing us that He is The Way....He is The Door of Hope.

He Who hung on the Cross for us in abject totally, naked humiliation before all humanity, spirits and creation....allowed humiliation to nail Him to the Cross. As a result, it is His resurrection power, the power which raised Jesus from the dead, that He sends today by His Spirit to bring His Glory to our own personal barren wombs and the Lazarus tombs of society.

Jesus never told Lazarus that he had to have faith. No. He told Martha that if she would believe, she would see the Glory of God....and Lazarus walked out of that tomb...a whole man!

Do we truly have the stomach for that kind of move of God? Do we have the spiritual stomach to watch Him allow death to that thing and then stand there as Martha and hear Him encourage us that if we believe that we'll see His Glory? Do we have the intestinal fortitude to persevere through the desert? Can we look upon Him who had absolutely no comeliness in His lifeless, naked humiliation and see His resurrection power?

For I tell you the truth, it is far easier to get people to co-labor with a program than an impossibility of God, because impossibilities have death and failure written all over them and there are not too many who have the spiritual or emotional stomach for that kind of thing anymore despite our well-meaning intentions and filthy self-righteous rags.

Do we have the stomach to look unto the societal vagrants and misfits and see Jesus, Himself? Can we look at the demented, with slimy drool pooling on their stained sweatshirts and see Jesus? (For whatever we do unto those least esteemed by society we have done unto Him.) Can we understand that that which is uncomely and uninviting and putrid and humiliating is the very place to which He calls us to find Him?

For this is the exact place where we shall see His Glory and resurrection power....It is His promise...that out of the barrenness shall flow His multiplication....His Glory....

O that our hearts would cry out as the Apostle Paul as recorded in Philippians 2:8-10 (Amplified)

v. 8 "Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly'. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One).

v. 9 And that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law's demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that {genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith.

v. 10 [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of Hies Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death...."

1. "Have Thine own way, Lord!

Have Thine own way!

Thou art the Potter;

I am the clay

Mould me and make me

After Thy will,

While I am waiting,

Yielded and still."

4. "Have Thine own way, Lord!

Have Thine own way!

Hold o'er my being

Absolute sway!

Fill with Thy Spirit

Till all shall see

Christ only, always,

Living in me!"

Geo. C. Stebbins

Crista M. Simmons

http://dinnerwiththeking.blogspot.com

The Spirit of Travail - video by Leonard Ravenhill

2010-03-02T07:46:00.006-05:00

“The Spirit of Travail” is a sermon by Leonard Ravenhill. It is an hour in length.

Turn everything off…and listen. It has stopped me in my tracks this morning.

What is it that we truly desire in our heart of hearts with God? Do we really want Him to transform us into the image of Christ? Oh that we mature in Christ.

Romans 8:17 “and if children, then heirs -heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.“

Galatians 3:10 “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.”

Oh, that we would repent in sackcloth and ashes....God, Have Your Way in me that this vessel would glorify You and Your Kingdom Glory and Purpose shine through me this day....Lord, Do whatever it takes to take me wherever you want to take me. Take me to The Cross of Christ that I might arise to thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.

I pray you are blessed.
Love always,
Crista
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn1c0OUQots&feature=fvw

Crista Simmons (cmsimmons52@aol.com)
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/l/LifeCareMin/
http://dinnerwiththeking.blogspot.com
http://restingbesidestillwaters.com
http://www.openheaven.com
May be reprinted only in it's exactness. Freely have we received. Freely do we give.

Will You Go After the One?

2010-03-01T22:16:00.009-05:00

The other morning as I sat with the Lord, He expressed His burden and His heart for the lost.
O, that we may have ears to hear and hearts and feet and mouths that will be obedient to His bidding~

Will You Go After the One?
Luke 15:3-7 "So He spoke this parable to them, saying: What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost! I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentence."

I tell you the truth, I gave you this parable so you would know My heart for that one little sheep who is lost. A sheep that is lost will lie down helplessly and refuse to budge. This is why I put it on My shoulders. I lift it up out of the miry pit. I lift it up out of briars which have it so ensnared. I lift it out of the realms of darkness.

Did I not say that whatsoever you do unto the least of these, those least esteemed by society, that you have done it unto Me? (Matthew 25:40)

Did I not say that pure and undefiled religion before God is visiting orphans and widows in their trouble and to keep oneself unspotted from the world? (James 1:27) Beloved, who are the orphans? Those without mother or father; those who do not know Me as Abba Daddy; those who've been cast out by society and even by My Church. For verily I say unto you that I, Myself, will receive those who have been forsaken by mother and father. (Psalms 27;10)

Beloved, if you are truly Mine, you will love as I have loved you and do love you now. For I love you with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3) Love the lost, Beloved. Love the lost. Seek them with My whole heart.

For while you were yet dead in sin, I loved you and died for you that you may live. Pursue the lost, Beloved. With My love, pursue the lost.

In the same manner in which you judge another shall it be measured back to you.
For I tell you the truth, freely have you received...freely give.

Beloved, love as I Am love, and in so doing you shall have boldness in the day of judgement. (1 John 4:17)

Crista Simmons (cmsimmons52@aol.com)
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/l/LifeCareMin/
http://dinnerwiththeking.blogspot.com
http://restingbesidestillwaters.com
http://www.openheaven.com
May be reprinted only in it's exactness. Freely have we received. Freely do we give.

THERE IS A CHANGING OF THE GUARD

2010-02-23T10:49:00.004-05:00

THERE IS A CHANGING OF THE GUARD!
This past Sunday while changing my clothes after church, the Lord spoke and said, “There is a changing of the guard! The old is gone, the new is come.” (Is. 43:18-19)

“I’m changing leadership and bringing forth the new guard - not because the old guard did a bad job, but now it is time to bring forth the new with renewed and fresh anointing for all I have in store. This new guard; birthed of The Spirit - not by might nor power, but by My Spirit. Birthed for such a time as this.

Let me say that everyone has their place in My Body. All are precious in My sight. But I Am speaking specifically to leadership - those whom I’ve called and anointed to lead - clothed in My robes of righteousness to lead in this final hour. These leaders shall be clothed in meekness and humility; gentleness and love. They will have My Shepherd’s heart; yet be bold as a lion. Out of their meekness, mercy, gentleness, love, compassion, humility and kindness they extend to others; especially to the lost and the least esteemed of society, they shall be ministering unto Me - for My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

What is holiness and righteousness? It is loving as I Am Love. Yes, I call you to be set apart; to be set apart from the world - to love your enemies, to bless those who curse you, to love the lost - for how will they know unless you show them My love?

Remember those to whom I said were white-washed tombs were also the very ones over whom I wept - O Jerusalem, Jerusalem.

On the Cross I asked The Father to forgive them for they knew not what they did. I said this to show you the Way of perfect love which casts out all fear. I spoke this out loud so you would hear and know The Way of Love; My Way.

You know that I was as a Lamb led to slaughter and opened not My mouth. But on the Cross, I cried out. I cried out, “Father! Father! Why have You forsaken Me?” I know what it is like to feel forsaken, and I tell you the Truth, I shall never ever, no not ever, leave you or forsake you. There is no pit too deep that I am not deeper still.

I cried out, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” And I cried out, “It is finished.” I had shown you THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. For My Way is the Way of the Cross. Lay it all down for the sake of your enemies. Love and forgive as you have seen Me do. Bless your enemies, I say. Bless them - for by so doing, you do not know who shall be compelled to come to Me and be saved from the pit of hell. My Children, love not only in word and tongue, but in deed and in truth.

These are the leaders I am raising up today - The ones who’ve been the least esteemed, because they know My love for the lost. They have been forgiven much, and they extend My love, mercy, forgiveness and redemption to a lost and dieing world. They have My Shepherd’s heart to go out and find the one who is lost, so that which is lost shall be found. And Beloved, I tell you the truth, there are so many who are Mine who are lost right now. Wandering aimlessly….hurt and wounded. It is My love, My compassion and My mercy which shall bind up their wounds as The Balm of Gilead.

Yes, I AM changing the guard to those who walk in My Love. Beloved, I love you with an everlasting love, and I desire no man be lost, but all come to repentance and restoration to Me. But how will they know unless they hear and experience Me through My Body? I tell you, My People perish for lack of true knowledge of Me as Redeemer and the Lover of their soul.

O Beloved, I AM changing the guard to those who love out of a pure heart for:
Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God;
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God;
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth;
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy;
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Amen.

Crista Simmons (cmsimmons52@aol.com)
LifeCare Ministries and Healing Centers
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/l/LifeCareMin/
http://dinnerwiththeking.blogspot.com
http://restingbesidestillwaters.blogspot.com
http://www.openheaven.com
Richland, Michigan, USA
May be reprinted only in it's exactness. Freely have we received. Freely do we give.

I Shall Fill Your Cup to Overflowing

2010-02-21T06:07:00.009-05:00

This morning as I sat with the Lord sipping my almond flavored coffee containing the chocolate sweetener that I enjoy so much, the Lord said simply: "I SHALL FILL YOUR CUP TO OVERFLOWING".

For over the past two mornings as I've sat with Him, savoring my morning cup of java with my eyes closed, He's given me the same vision and accompanying sensation....As I held my cup in my hands and lifted it to my lips, I could see His silver cup that He held to my lips...Jesus held His cup and lifted it to my mouth...containing His wine....and oh, the soothing, life-giving, renewing sensation that accompanied this vision...from the time my lips touched the rip of my cup...His cup....to the warm, oily flow of His wine through my mouth, down my espophagus and into my stomach...and into my veins...flowing...like the oil which flowed down over the beard of Aaron in Psalm 133. It looked like deep, burgandy/red wine, but felt like warm oil; bringing His soothing refreshment.

And as I sit to write this morning....the words from the following hymn fill my heart~

Fill My Cup, Lord
Words and Music by Richard Blanshard
John 4:14"But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst;but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."

Like the woman at the well I was seeking
For things that could not satisfy:
And then I heard my Savior speaking:
"Draw from my well that never shall run dry".
Chorus ;
Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord!
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul;
Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!
There are millions in this world who are craving
The pleasures earthly things afford;
But none can match the wondrous treasure
That I find in Jesus Christ my Lord.
Chorus:
Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord!
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul;
Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!

May you be blessed, dear one, by the following scriptures:
Psalm 23:5b "...You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over."
Psalm 133 "Behold, how good and how pleaseant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment poured on the head, that ran down on the beard, even the beard of Aaron [the first high priest], that came down upon the collar and skirts of his garments [consecrating the whole body]. It is like the dew that comes on the hills of Zion; for there the Lord has commanded the blessings, even life forevermore [upon the high and the lowly].
Psalm 119:57 "You are my portion, O Lord; I have promised to keep Your words."

Isaiah 40:31 "But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him], shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired."
Isaiah 55:1 "Wait and listen, everyone who is thirsty! Come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Yes, come, buy [priceless, spiritual] wine and milk without money and without price [simply for the self-surrender that accepts the blessings]."
Isaiah 58:10-11 "And if you pour out that with which you sustain your own life for the hungry and satisfy the need of the afflicted, then shall yur light rise in darkness, and your obscurity and gloom become like the noonday. And the Lord shall guide you continually and satisfy you in drought and in dry places and make strong your bones. And you shall become like a spring of water whose waters fail not."

Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good - not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne."
Matthew 13:12 "For whoever has [spiritual knowledge], to him will more be given and he will be furnished richly so that he will have abundance...."

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."

John 7:38 "He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water.

Crista Simmons mailto:CMSimmons52@aol.com)
LifeCare Ministries and Healing Centers
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/l/LifeCareMin/
http://dinnerwiththeking.blogspot.com
Richland, Michigan, USA
May be reprinted only in it's exactness. Freely have we received. Freely do we give.

His Encouragement - His Promises

2010-02-14T21:43:00.018-05:00

Sometimes we all just need encouragement don't we? Me, too~

My heart was so blessed by what the Lord shared with my friend Becky,

that I pray you are equally blessed.

Only the Lord knows what each one of us faces...day to day...and all the dry, dusty deserts we've crossed by His Spirit...and the tempests He's taken us through...

I don't know what you're dealing with in your life,

but I know the things I've been through in mine lately...

and the Lord's word and encouragement through Becky made me cry....

There are two postings...so please be sure to read through to the end.

From His heart to yours~

Love always,

Crista

Psalm 30:5 "...Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

Galatians 6:9 "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."

I AM About To Give You Your Portion
By Becky Porter

As you align with My will, you will begin to see My blessings unfold in your life.

Rejoice, for your deliverance is at hand. I have some mountain peaks for you to climb, and I will be waiting for you at the top, with flag in hand, proclaiming your victory and rejoicing with you for all that you have accomplished and overcome.

You have had much sadness and sorrow in your life, but I am about to give you beauty for ashes and joy instead of mourning and praise instead of heaviness. The mountains in your life will become as plains – I will level all that stands in your way. Rejoice, for your heart’s desires are about to unfold – ALL of them! Begin again, anew and afresh – a new page in life. Turn the page and don’t look back - old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new.

When a car’s tires are out of alignment it affects many other parts of the car and causes it not to function at its best – things rattle and shake that are not supposed to, you may want to go one direction, but your car pulls in the opposite direction, so you are constantly battling to get it to stay in a straight line, your tires will wear unevenly, and your driving experience is just not as pleasant as it once was, but once things are brought back into alignment, everything flows and functions smoothly, just like it is supposed to, and once again it becomes a joyful experience to drive your car.

I am going to bring some things back into alignment in your life that have been misaligned. It is similar to when a person goes to a chiropractor for an adjustment when their neck and spine are out of alignment. The adjustment causes everything to once again function properly - nerves are no longer pinched and the pain ceases. When a chiropractic adjustment is first made there is often some temporary pain and discomfort for a day or two, and then you soon notice that all of the pain is gone and you feel wonderful again. Know that any temporary pain you may experience will be well worth it for the health and wholeness that await you on the other side of the adjustment and realignment.

I am about to take you on the adventure of your life. Enjoy the ride, for we will be traveling together and we are going to cover a lot of territory in a short amount of time. A year from now when you look back, you will be amazed at how far you have come in such a short time, for your life is going to look quite different than it does now.

I hear the Lord saying, “In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”

Isaiah 30:15 NKJV

For thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: “ In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength."

I am giving you revelation that you need. I am revealing things that you need to complete your journey and to help others complete theirs. There is much more to come, so buckle your seatbelt and enjoy the ride, for we are going to see many things on this journey – it will be like going on a safari – you will see all kinds of things you have never seen – it will be a very enlightening and enjoyable experience and you will learn MUCH along the way!

You are in a season of restoration and harvest. I am restoring all that the locusts and canker worm have eaten in your life, and I am going to open the windows of heaven and pour abundant blessings in, upon, and through your life. You will be as a never ending fountain of blessings for others to drink at – a well that will never run dry – for it is My Living Waters that sustain you and cause you to be a place where others can be nurtured and sustained. Keep loving them through Me, keep looking at them through My eyes and see the finished product, not where they are at right now. Love them to wholeness - don’t give up on them, no, never, never give up.

I will reveal the secret and hidden things to you – things that will astonish, mesmerize, and amaze you - nuggets of truth that I have hidden in My Word that you have never seen before – all will be laid bare as I make it known to you.

Your season of suffering has come to an end. It is time to rejoice for I am about to give you your portion – your long awaited portion that you have looked for and sought after and wondered if you would ever see – you will - you will! Even now I am clearing the path before you and moving rocks and boulders out of your way. Doors that have stood staunchly closed and frozen in place will suddenly swing wide for I have oiled them with My glory for this appointed time and season of your life. Countless lives will be touched, healed, delivered and set free as I do my work in, and through you. Get ready, for you are about to be launched into your destiny at full throttle.

Don’t look back – the past is the past - leave it there - it is dead and gone – you are entering into a new season of your life. The past is full of dead men’s bones, but the future I have for you is full of life and abundance - My Living Waters are full of life, liberty, health, wealth, and provision.

You will see things in your lifetime that you never dreamed would be possible, but you will be living it and experiencing it, and it will be YOUR life. Watch, as I unfold My Kingdom before you. Watch!

I have given you the keys of My Kingdom. Place the key in the lock before you and watch the door spring open – it has been waiting for you to place the key in the lock, and all of heaven will be rejoicing as you enter this next door I am about to open for you. One step at a time, one day at a time - let Me guide you every step of the way. Be in tune with Me and be in step with Me. Obey Me when I prompt you – don’t miss any opportunity I present before you. As you step into sync and timing with Me, you will be amazed at how everything falls into place so perfectly and smoothly, just like a syncopated clock or a beautifully choreographed and orchestrated Waltz. Let My music (the music of heaven), move you into new territories and domains, and take dominion, for I have given you all power and authority over the enemy. Use the keys of the Kingdom to walk in My power and authority. I have placed the enemy under your feet – walk in it and live it – it will serve you well - remember, you do not stand alone – I stand with you.

Isaiah 61:3 NKJV - To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

Luke 10:19 NKJV - Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Joel 2:25 NKJV - So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you.

2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Luke 3:5-6 NKJV - Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough ways smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

Becky Porter - lovetoencourage@yahoo.com

February 10, 2010

My Long Awaited Promises Are Coming
By Becky Porter

Do you hear the rumbling? Do you feel the shaking? Things are beginning to shift and unfold all around you. Soon you will catch a glimpse of My long awaited promises coming into view, just like the first signs of life that come forth when a newly sprouted seed pushes its fresh green sprouts through the hard ground. It can also be compared to a woman giving birth who has been in labor for many hours and has been pushing and pushing, when suddenly she feels a great sense of relief when her baby’s head finally comes forth because the most difficult part is over, and the rest of the birthing process is very quick and easy as the baby is born moments after this occurs.

You have pushed and pushed until you felt you had no strength left, but your pushing will soon be rewarded when the beautiful, healthy baby arrives. Your baby will be sure to let you know it has arrived as it takes it’s first breath on it’s own and it’s first cry can clearly be heard. As with any new baby, there is some clean up required before the full beauty can be seen, and then it’s beautiful, fresh, soft and new baby skin is revealed, and a person can see all of the intricate, delicate, and wondrous parts of that baby, knitted together and functioning in perfection as God created it to do! And as any new mother knows - when her baby arrives she is required to spend quite a bit of time tending to her new baby, nurturing it, watching over it and taking care of it, but also enjoying the process of watching it grow and mature. As time goes on the baby becomes more and more self-sufficient and is able to do more on it's own, and it does not require as much attention, and eventually that baby grows to full maturity and becomes a fully functioning adult that can take care of itself.

Know that I am well pleased with you, and I say “Job well done!” Thank you for your obedience and sacrifice, and for putting My needs and the needs of others before your own. Your obedience and sacrifice are going to pay off in ways that you cannot imagine, and ways that will far surpass your deepest heart’s desires. Many are coming to stand with you – you will not stand alone. I am bringing many like-minded warriors and servants to stand with you. You will have more helping hands than you know what to do with, just like the parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends of a new mother step in to help her with all of her newly acquired responsibilities. I will supply your needs even before you ask. You are entering into a “time warp.” Suddenly things are going to pick up speed, and what took months and years to complete in times past, will now take days and weeks, and what took days and weeks, will now take seconds and minutes. You will be surprised and amazed at how easy things are about to become, and at how much will be accomplished in a very short amount of time.

Rejoice, for your heart’s desires are about to unfold! Shout, for I have given you the city!
I hear these words: “God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Hebrews 11:6 NKJV
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Becky Porter - email: lovetoencourage@yahoo.com
More prophetic words by Becky may be accessed at:

http://www.openheaven.com/

Voice of Prophecy button

Crista Simmons
LifeCare Ministries and Healing Centers
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/l/LifeCareMin/
http://dinnerwiththeking.blogspot.com
Richland, Michigan, USA
May be reprinted only in it's exactness. Freely have we received. Freely do we give.

First Love

2010-02-13T11:18:00.007-05:00

The other day I awoke with the words from the song: "More" running through my head.

The Lord had given me this song for a reason.

Being a "boomer", I was familiar with the words, but couldn't quite put my finger (brain - actually!) on them.

And then with help from my friend, Sue Love....tracking down the words...

and then I was able to track down the recording I remember....

and yes, sister crooner swooners....it is Andy Williams who is doing the vocals.

I've included the link and the words here for you~

But more than anything else, know that this is The Father expressing His Love for us....

His children....

Jesus, The Bridegroom expressing His Love for His Bride.

Oh Beloved....Happy Day!

Jesus Loves Me This I Know~

~For the Bible tells me so!

Love always,

Crista

Jeremiah 31:3 "The Lord appeared from of old to me [Israel], saying,

Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;

therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you."

Love Song from the Lord to His Bride
Click to listen to Andy Williams sing the song entitled: “More”
http://sso.playme.com/sso/d/s.php?media_type=audio&community_id=18108181&content_id=396387&id=8144585&wapdld=391187&getmp3=1&id_leaf=0013&tms=1263918415

More than the greatest love the world has known

This is the love that I give to you alone

More than the simple words I try to say

I only live to love you more each day.

More than you'll ever know

My arms long to hold you so

My life will be in your keeping

Waking, sleeping, laughing, weeping.

Longer than always is a long, long time

But far beyond forever, you'll be mine

I know I never lived before

And my heart is very sure

No one else could love you more.

More than the greatest love the world has known

This is the love that I give to you alone

More than the simple words I try to say

I only live to love you more each day.

More than you'll ever know

My arms got to hold you so

My life will be in your keeping

Waking, sleeping, laughing, weeping.

Longer than always is a long, long, long time

But far beyond forever, you'll be mine

I know I never lived before

And my heart is very sure

No one else could love you more.

(Author not listed.)

Hand Holding

2010-02-10T08:33:00.005-05:00

This past Sunday, the Lord gave us a message at the nursing home about upholding one another. While Moses was in battle, the Israelites were winning as long as Moses' arms were lifted up. Aaron and Ur came alongside to lift up his arms...."So Joshua defeated Amelek and his people with the edge of the sword." (Read Exodus 17:8-13)
It's like me walking across an icy parking lot. I can do it - alone...but I prefer not to - because after having a total hip replacement (and even without one!), I really DON'T want to take unnecessary risks that I may fall. So, I wait for my husband, and he holds me while I make my way across the shiny, frozen sea. This way, if there happens to be "black" ice also....ice which is not visible...he's there to support me through this navigational arena, too.

Brothers and Sisters, we are to support, encourage and lift up one another. We are His Body and in so doing, we love God (Whom we can't see) by loving each other (whom we can see).

I hope you're encouraged in your heart to stretch and grow today by the following scriptures and the story that was sent to me today...written by an unknown author. Maybe the Lord wants you to hold someone else's hand....as He holds ours.

Blessings and love always,

Crista

Galatians 6:2 "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10a "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion....

Ecclesiastes 4:12 "Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

One Stone is enough to break a Glass...... One Sentence is enough to break a Heart...... One second is enough to Fall in Love...... and One Misunderstanding is Sufficient to Break Friendship. Friendship is the Rainbow between Hearts.

A little girl and her father were crossing a bridge. The father was kind of scared so he asked his little daughter,
"Sweetheart, please hold my hand so that you don't fall into the river."
The little girl said, "No, Dad. You hold my hand." "What's the difference?" Asked the puzzled father.
"There's a big difference," replied the little girl. "If I hold your hand and something happens to me,
chances are that I may let your hand go. But if you hold my hand, I know for sure that no matter what happens, you will never let my hand go."

"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand."~Jesus~John 1:28-29

In any relationship, the essence of trust is not in its bind, but in its bond.
So hold the hand of the person whom you love rather than expecting them to hold yours...

He IS Ever with Us THROUGH the Winter!

2010-01-31T08:32:00.004-05:00

Well, it is still winter here in Michigan...and some things which have happened of late caused my heart to stir and The Lord reminded me of His bird called the "Cardinal".

It is quite a tall bird (8.75 inches/22 cm. with a 12 inch wingspan) compared to the little ones who come to the feeders with him.

But the cardinal has a very, very gentle spirit....and he will yield - allowing the other little birds to feed first, while he patiently sits and waits for them to finish....or he will quietly feed beside the others.

Now, this photo was taken last winter during January of 2009 when we had very bitter, cold winds and snow here in Michigan.

The wind chill was -20F/-30C. THAT IS COLD!!!!!!

During the winter, many of our summer birds migrate south. But not the cardinal.

He stays all the time during the tough winters. He never leaves.

And he always gives us great joy whenever we see him, because he stands out so brilliantly - oftentimes against the faded sun of winter.

You see, the papa cardinal is symbolic of the Blood of Christ.

And as the cardinal never leaves us in the winter...neither does Jesus.

When we go through the winters of life's bitter, cold storms...

~or the fires which burn 7 times hotter....

~He is always there with us....

~And when the winter is done....

~He will bring the song of the turtle dove.

This is His Promise....

~For He Who Promised IS Faithful and True.
Be Blessed Today, Beloved of His Heart!

Hebrews 13:5b (Amplified) "...for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up, nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will not], [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]"

Song of Solomon 2:11-12 "For, behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing [of birds] has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land."

Harvest Time

2010-01-16T10:10:00.005-05:00

This year has begun with the gunshot at the starting line which marks our "off and running". The Lord continues to bring home His message to my heart that "It is Time". And He confirmed this by having my sons give me a new watch for Christmas....because He told my oldest son, "It is time."

My old watch is a "Relic"...and I like the interwoven silver/gold-plating on this watch. But it is symbolic in that a "relic" is out of the past...and definitely indicates the old, ancient things. The new watch is silver and is a "Caravelle" Bulova. What we didn't know was the meaning of "Caravelle" until Christmas morning when I opened my watch.

A "Caravelle" is a noun. Nautical Any of several types of small, light sailing ships, especially one with two or three masts and lateen (Latin) sails used by the Spanish and Portuguese in the 15th and 16th centuries. I cannot tell you all of the significance of this, but I can tell you that the ships represent ministry and movement on the seas which I believe are indicative of His ministry supported on the sea of His Holy Spirit. (Mid-December marked the submission to the IRS for our 501c3 ministry application.)

So, this morning during my time with the Lord, He answered a question of mine in this way. I know that it is not only for my husband and I personally, but how He is speaking to others who have been waiting and waiting for His Time.

May He bless your heart with His words.

"It is a new time for you. I have prepared you for this time. You have sown My Word into you and now it is harvest time, and I alone know where the harvest is ripe for harvest. Not every crop is harvested at the same moment/time. Everything in your life I am bringing together for such a time as this, and you shall be amazed, My love, for it is I Who do the work-not you.

I have orchestrated it all; for it is not by might nor power of your own, but all that I do in and through you.

Seek first My Kingdom, listen in ways which I will speak to you and obey as I tell you, and I shall bring the harvest.

Just as the farmer prepares the ground, plants the seed, waters the seed, removes the weeds and then waits for the fullness of the seed to mature, so do you and I do the same. You cannot make the seed grow. You can only provide the most conducive (best) conditions for its growth, but you cannot control the sun, temperature or rain. You do what I say and leave the rest to Me. And when the field is ripe for harvest, I will take you there for I know where the fields are ripe for the picking.

Some harvest will come as a result of My seed planted inside your own heart (that you've sown in your time with Me), and some of the harvest will be a result for see sown through your mouth and actions, and some seed will produce harvest from the work others have done. You shall Glory (rejoice) in My hand and heart.

Be of good cheer for I see every tear drop you have sown. I have heard your prayers. And I alone know THE TIME for what, all that I have ordained through you; My Precious Vessel; prepared by Me for such a time as this. I AM a REWARDER of those who diligently seek Me. It is not your words, but your heart that I desire. It is the integrity of your heart and life before Me; for I alone discern the motives of the heart; for what is impossible with man is possible with Me. Nothing is hidden from My sight. All is naked before Me. As Jesus hung naked on the Cross, so are you naked before Me. Every thought, word, deed and motive is naked before Me. I see the seeds inside of you and I see the fruit of that seed.

Bring your heart before Me, and I will root out all that which is contrary to My Spirit, My Word and My Will. And after I have removed it for you, then shall My love come and fill these places, too. All I do, I do for your good, because I love you with an everlasting love and My delight is in you.

The old is gone; the new is here. Rejoice and be glad in it. Your Redeemer draws nigh."

Matthew 5:5 "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."

Psalm 66:10, 12 "For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined."..."We went through fire and through water; but You brought us out to rich fulfillment."

Luke 12:2-3 "For these is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops."

Mark 4:26-29 "And He said, "The kindom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by the day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself, first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come."

Genesis 14:18 "Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son."

Isaiah 18-19 "Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

Crista Simmons - LifeCare Ministries and Healing CentersRichland, Michigan, USA http://www.tesjoeva.nl/niedgalah.html

http://www.ourchurch.com/member/l/LifeCareMin/

http://dinnerwiththeking.blogspot.com/

May be reprinted only in it's exactness. Freely have we received. Freely do we give.

Deep Darkness and Then His Glory

2009-12-20T06:09:00.006-05:00

The following is further revelation re: Dec. 13th dream posted on blog:

I was driving in my car and entered an area where there were no lights. I thought that it was just temporary, but soon realized that I was in a section of a neighborhood where there was absolutely NO electricity. The neighborhood was as black as pitch, and there were no headlights on my car. I was driving in utter blackness. I had no concept of knowing if I was on the right or wrong side of the road, and became afraid that I could be hit by an oncoming car; so I stayed as far to the right as possible...At times, I could see a faint hint of the outline of the road and almost a type of barrier between the edge of the road and the yards in front of the homes in the neighborhood. It seemed as if I drove for a very long time...and I was alone in the car. I slowed my car way down to a crawl, once I realized the blackness was continuing, but I continued to drive.
And then, as quickly as I'd driven into the black section, the scene changed to one of total light! It was a brilliant light...as if white Christmas lights sparkled from every house! White lights sparkled and even the sky was lit with the brilliance. End of dream.

In this dream there is a time of great, great darkness coming....and people will fear, because of the darkness and the great shaking. (Luke 21:25-28)
There are those who say they are Christians, yet they will shout in bitterness and anger at God, "HOW COULD YOU LET THIS HAPPEN? YOU ARE A LOVING GOD! WHERE ARE YOU?!

I HATE YOU! LET ME DIE!" There will be those, who take the suggestion of Job's wife, and will curse God and die.....And then there will be others, who will choose to look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith...and will say, "No matter how deep You allow me to go, You are deeper still."

After the period of great, great darkness, will come His Glory for those who stay the course to walk in Him, in His righteousness (by staying to the right side of the road)....

Jesus questioned in Luke 18:8, "....Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"

Faith in what/whom? Faith in faith?...or FAITH IN GOD THAT NO MATTER WHAT - HE WHO PROMISED IS FAITHFUL AND TRUE!

THAT NO MATTER WHAT - HE WILL NEVER EVER, NO, NOT EVER, LEAVE US OR FORSAKE US!

THAT IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US!

THAT NO MATTER HOW DEEP AND DARK THE SITUATION/CIRCUMSTANCES OF LIFE BECOME - THAT HE IS DEEPER STILL!!!
There is a sentence from Corrie's book, "The Hiding Place" that jumped off the page while reading it, "But...if the Gospels were truly the pattern of God's activity, then defeat was only the beginning. I would look around at the bare little cell and wonder what conceivable victory could come from a place like this."

There is a perverse teaching that we can control our circumstances and the devil just through faith, and for a Christian to experience suffering and trouble indicates a lack of faith.

Brother, Sister...this is simply not scriptural! If we are walking in the Light as He is in the Light, then we can have confidence before Him that whatever He allows us to experience in this life that He will take us through it. His Ways are higher than our ways...His thoughts higher than our thoughts. Who are we to think that we have God's purposes and ways all figured out?

As the Holy Spirit tells us through James 1, we are to count it all joy when we fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of our faith produces patience, and that through the trial we are to ask for His wisdom in how to get through it...asking in faith, knowing that God will give us His wisdom. I tell you the truth, without trials and suffering, there is absolutely no depth to the message...It is empty and superficial and hits the heart with hardly a discernable "tink".

But where there's been darkness and brokeness, oh my! An arrow from God pierces our heart! For out of the greatest brokeness and darkness comes the greatest of God's glory.

There is a time coming, where deep, deep darkness shall cover the whole earth...and it will seem as if God has removed Himself from our very person and fear will try to overtake us...but we must set our faces like flint...to walk in His Righteousness and choose every minute of every day, WHOM we shall serve....for when we do...and go through this earthly death....HIS GLORY SHALL ARISE WITH HEALING IN HIS WINGS! As we go through these end times, we are to seek Him first and foremost and to love Him and do what He commands us and to love as He is love. Faith and love work together.

Isaiah 40:5 "The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken."

Malachi 3:16-18

"Then those who feared theLord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them, so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name. They shall be Mine, says the Lord of hosts, on the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him. Then you shall discern between the righteous and the wicked, between the one who serves God and one who does not serve Him."

Malachi 4:2-3

"'But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings;

and you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves. You shall trample the wicked, for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day that I do this', says the Lord of hosts."

Looking unto Jesus, my Friend~

Crista

Crista SimmonsLifeCare Ministries and Healing CentersRichland, Michigan, USA http://www.tesjoeva.nl/niedgalah.html

http://www.ourchurch.com/member/l/LifeCareMin/

http://dinnerwiththeking.blogspot.com

May be reprinted only in it's exactness. Freely have we received. Freely do we give.

Blessings 2009!

2009-12-19T19:50:00.002-05:00

From Our Home to Yours~
Number 6:24-26
"May the Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;
The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you,
And be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you;
The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you,
And give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually)."

Thank-you so much for your love and prayers.
You bless our lives and hearts in so many ways.
We pray He open the windows of Heaven,
And pour out such blessing upon you
That there is not room enough to receive it;
Knowing that the greatest blessing of all
Is knowing Him.
As Job said in Chapter 42:5,
"I have heard of You [only] by the hearing of the ear,
But now my [spiritual] eye sees You."
3 John 3:2 "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers."
Love in Christ always,
Steve & Crista

RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HIS GLORY!

2009-12-15T07:10:00.013-05:00

RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HIS GLORY

Habakkuk 2:14 "But [the time is coming when] the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."
2:3b-4 "His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of His praise.
His brightness was like the light; he had rays flashing from His hand,
and there His power was hidden.
Isaiah 60:1-2 "Arise [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you--rise to a new life]!
Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord),
for your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the Lord will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.

Glory, chabod: Taken from The New King James Study Bible/Spirit-Filled Life Bible, c. 1991 by Thomas Nelson Publishing, c. 1991, p. 1041
Strong's #3519: Weightiness; that which is substantial or heavy; glory, honor,....."
"In the OT, 'heaviness' represented honor and substance,..."
Chabod is God's glory, not only His honor, renown, and majesty, but also His visible splendor, which filled Solomon's temple and will someday fill the Earth
(1 Kings 8:11; Numbers 14:21)."

Beloved, the Lord is speaking to His Bride about His Glory being visibly seen by all!
The following is further insight He's revealing about the dream (see Sunday's post: Jesus-The Light of the World) He gave me about the darkness and then suddenly coming into His brilliance and glory!
The other thought about that dream is that I stayed to the right - indicating His righteousness.
When we walk in righteousness, it keeps us in right relationship with The Father and keeps us from being run over/overtaken by sin, which leads to destruction.

Beloved, NEVER, EVER, EVER, NO NOT EVER, use the Gospel to assuage (comfort/justify) your sin!!!!!
That is a lie from the pit of hell, itself!
Some are using Romans 7 to soothe their flesh of sin! And THAT is NOT what the Lord intends! He said we are to be holy as HE IS HOLY!!!!
If you are operating in sin...GET OUT! Ask the Father's forgiveness and repent! Turn around and walk HIS path of righteousness;
purposing in your heart to put away the vileness which has kept you bound!
And if you need it, be accountable to a Godly person who will give you wise counsel and
speak His Truth to your ears!
A true friend in Christ will tell you the Truth and lead you to the Cross...not soothe you in your sin!
For the Lord is a Rewarder of those who DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM!
Dark and light cannot co-exist! If we say we are God's, but do not keep His commandments, then we are a liar and the truth is not in us. (1 John 2:4)
v. 5-6 "But whoever keeps His word truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked."

Now, return to Isaiah 60:1....We are to arise out of the garbage, the dung, which the enemy has used to keep us down....For when we do, HIS GLORY shall arise upon us.
But we have a choice....Do we prefer to be as a dog returning to his own vomit and eating it?
OR....
Do we want to make the choice to tie our flesh to the altar and have Him kill it out of us for His Glory to arise in us?
Do we want to remain in our sin and lukewarmness and one day have Him hurl, forcefully vomit us out of His mouth?
If we say that we cannot conquer our sin...this is true. We can't in our own strength. This is why we need THE HOLY SPIRIT...for He has put our enemies to public humiliation and shame....but when we are weak, HE IS STRONG!
HE HAS CONQUERED DEATH, HELL AND THE GRAVE!
To bring His purification! To bring His Holy fire! To bring His holiness!
For Nothing is impossible with God! Nothing!
Let us turn to The Father - pressing in hard!
We are to humble ourselves, pray, seek His face and TURN FROM OUR WICKED WAYS
which is rebellion against God, Himself!
We are to be holy as He IS HOLY!
Beloved, God is not mocked! We shall reap what we sow. That which is sown of the flesh reaps destruction, but that which is sown to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
ARISE BELOVED! ARISE!!!!
Choose this day Whom you will serve!
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Isaiah 35:5 "A highway shall be there, and a road, and it shall be called The Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for others.
RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HIS GLORY!

Crista Simmons
LifeCare Ministries and Healing Centers
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/l/LifeCareMin/
http://dinnerwiththeking.blogspot.com/
Richland, Michigan, USA
May be reprinted only in it's exactness. Freely have we received. Freely do we give.

JESUS - THE LIGHT of the World

2009-12-13T06:24:00.010-05:00

JESUS - THE LIGHT of the World

I had a dream last night....(I do not know all of the significance of this dream, but will share my understanding, so far.)

I was driving in my car and entered an area where there were no lights. I thought that it was just temporary, but soon realized that I was in a section of a neighborhood where there was absolutely NO electricity. The neighborhood was as black as pitch, and there were no headlights on my car. I was driving in utter blackness. I had no concept of knowing if I was on the right or wrong side of the road, and became afraid that I could be hit by an oncoming car; so I stayed as far to the right as possible...At times, I could see a faint hint of the outline of the road and almost a type of barrier between the edge of the road and the yards in front of the homes in the neighborhood. It seemed as if I drove for a very long time...and I was alone in the car. I slowed my car way down to a crawl, once I realized the blackness was continuing, but I continued to drive.

And then, as quickly as I'd driven into the black section, the scene changed to one of total light! It was a brilliant light...as if white Christmas lights sparkled from every house! White lights sparkled and even the sky was lit with the brilliance.

End of dream.

I'm sure there are more interpretations of this dream, but what I saw was this....A world lost without Jesus - Who IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. When we do not know Jesus, our souls are as black as black. There was absolutely no light! And this is the darkness to which we are called as Believers to dispel. To carry HIS Light to a lost and dying world.

The above photo is a lighthouse which is still in use at the pier in South Haven, Michigan. Even though we did not capture the light shining, it still sends out it's beacon to travelers on Lake Michigan. The black snow clouds of Michigan's frozen winters are deepened by the contrast of the sun breaking through the clouds to the south....again, not showing in the photo, but still present.

Beginning in the Gospel of John 1:4-15, we read:

"In Him was life, and the life was the light of men, and the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of the Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name; who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."

Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world, A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

"I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD~and wherever you are, I AM~

My Light is to shine in a dark world. You do not see My Light with your naked eye. That's why I've said that no one would take a lamp and hide it under a basket. Dark and light cannot co-exist~

There is either Light or Dark.

I AM THE TRUE LIGHT which has come into the world, but the darkness perceived it not. Yet men seek after light, for the darkness overtakes them. They long to escape the darkness, but they seek false lights - those which only lead to more darkness. But when they seek Me, they seek THE TRUE GIVER OF LIGHT - THE TRUE LIGHT who will never fail them, never leave them, never forsake them; never leave them in darkness and never lead them in darkness.

Beloved, as Blood bought Born-Again Believers in Jesus Christ, we carry HIS LIGHT into a lost and dying world. The world looks for false lights in those who proclaim that they can bring light, but it only leads to further darkness...for there is only ONE TRUE LIGHT and His Name is JESUS CHRIST...and as His Army, The Sons and Daughters of His Countenance, we are to go forth in Jesus Name to bring His Light.

Isaiah 60

v. 1 Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.

v. 2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth. And deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you.

v. 3 The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.

v. 4 Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons and your daughters shall be nursed at your side.

v. 5. Then you shall see and become radiant, and your heart shall swell with joy;

because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you. The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you."

His Word - His Blood - His Life - JESUS

2009-11-27T07:08:00.009-05:00

His Word - His Blood - His Life - JESUS

There are times when the Lord will give us deeper revelation,

because He wants us to know more about Him,

and what He wants us to understand,

because greater understanding brings greater awe, reverence and freedom.

Many of us are able to quote from The Gospel of John 1:

v. 1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God."...

v.4 "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men."

v. 5 "And the light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness did not comprehend it."

v. 14 "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have beheld His glory,

the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."

And this scripture just rolls off our tongue,

but do we really understand/comprehend it?

I tell you, as the Lord bears witness to His Word, that I feel His power surging through my muscles as I write...for He gave me a deeper revelation at Erica's funeral.

Rabbi Harvey Spivak led the funeral, because Erica had been studying Judaism

and he knew her and her family.

And as he read passages from Isaiah, Psalms and Numbers, there was such a holy peace of the Lord that descended and filled the room and the air at her grave -

that for me, it was His tangible Presence.

(Such a comfort to my heart that these very scriptures were the very same ones

He'd had me read in the week previous to Erica's Homegoing.)

I was pondering and reflecting upon all this when He spoke:

"....MY SPIRIT IS CONTAINED WITHIN MY WORD -

FOR I AM THE WORD!

WE ARE NOT TWO SEPARATE ENTITIES;

I AM THE WORD.

Think of your skin - You do not take it off and separate it from your body,

and inside your body is your blood. Your blood gives life to your body.

SO IT IS WITH MY WORD.

THE WORD BECAME FLESH,

BUT IT IS THE BLOOD WHICH GIVES LIFE TO THE BODY.

IT IS THE BLOOD OF THE SACRIFICIAL LAMB

WHICH GIVES LIFE TO THE WORD!

When the WORD IS SPOKEN, THE BLOOD GIVES LIFE TO THE WORD!

As the blood of Abel cried up from the ground to My ears,

so does The BLOOD OF CHRIST speak to the entire universe!

Demons scream in The Presence of the Voice of the Blood of My Son!

This is why I tell you, GREATER IS HE WHO IS IN YOU

than he who is in the world.

THE LIVING WORD, THE BLOOD OF CHRIST LIVES IN YOU

~for you ARE THE TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD.

The priests performed the blood sacrifice at the temple.

I tell you the TRUTH -

THE BLOOD SACRIFICE OF MY SON LIVES WITHIN YOU

as the temple of the Living God.

For I tell you the Truth -

YOU WERE BOUGHT WITH A PRICE -

THE BLOOD OF CHRIST!

THE BLOOD, HIS BLOOD, paid your way into My Kingdom.

Hebrews 4:12 "For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thought and purposes of the heart."

1 Corinthians 3:16 "Do you not discern and understand that you [the whole church at Corinth] are God's temple (His sanctuary), and the God's Spirit has His permanent dwelling in you [to be at home in you, collectively as a church and also individually]? v. 17 If anyone does hurt to God's temple or corrupts it [with false doctrines] or destroys it, God will do hurt to him and bring him to the corruption of death and destroy him. For the temple of God is holy (sacred to Him) and that [temple] you [the believing church and its individual believers] are."

Blog Gap...

2009-11-03T22:22:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends~
I'm just writing to let you know that I've been ill w/ the flu and respiratory infection over the past two weeks....Praise God that I'm finally feeling better. I look forward to getting back to this blog as the Lord leads.
God bless you all.
Ever yours in Yeshua Ha-Mashiach.
Crista

CHOICES!

2009-10-14T11:08:00.010-04:00

Beloved, It was this past Sunday morning (10/11/09) when The Lord spoke these words...

May we truly hear His heart's cry for His Church in this hour.

CHOICES!

There is a spirit of entertainment in America. This spirit has taken over My Church.

My desire continues to remain that My People who are called by My Name humble themselves and pray; to seek My face and turn from their wicked ways;

then shall I hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land.

But My People do not seek My face. No! They seek this speaker and that speaker,

but they do not seek Me ---- and oh how this grieves My Heart!

Oh how this grieves My heart.

I weep over My Church.

Oh, My People, if you only realized how much I love you....

how much I long for you, but you turn and you commit adultery with the world;

you fornicate with other lovers, and you think that through them you come to Me.

But I tell you the Truth,

I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE! No man can come to The FATHER except through Me.

Yet, you follow other lovers; thinking that you are coming to Me. No!

Do you not yet understand?

You can only come to Me when you are in communion with Me.

IDOLS! IDOLS! IDOLS in My Church!

Those who promote their name instead of My Name.

Those who promote a financial partnership with their ministry,

instead of a partnership with Me.

Tell My People to humble themselves and repent of all sin;

of all idol worship.

Seek first My Face, My Kingdom, My Righteousness,

and I will tell you where and what to give financially.

I ask you this: Do the poor receive the benefits or the rich?

Have I not told you not to store up for yourselves riches on earth which moth and rust decay?

Have I not told you I have a place stored up for you in Heaven that will far surpass any thing you could imagine?

Then why do you seek and run after things?

Why do you allow yourself to be in bondage to things of the earth which have no eternal, Kingdom value?

It is an abomination, I say. It is a weight around your neck. Have I not told you to lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares you and to run with endurance the race which is set before you; looking unto Jesus; the Author and Perfecter of your faith.

For I tell you the truth, what I call you to shed is the world, the flesh and the hold the enemy has on you.

You walk in bondage to the things of the world, My Precious Church, when I shed My Blood to set you free.

Come daily, My Love, daily, hourly, minute by minute to the heart of Your Father and I shall fill you with My Living Water - not what man thinks is My Living Water - but I, Myself, shall fill you. I, Myself shall refresh you.

As I fed Elijah in the wilderness, so shall I feed you.

Elijah prayed that I would take his life so he could die. After doing so, I fed him.

That's what I ask you to do, My Love. Die to self.

Die to the ways of the world.

Die to the desires of the flesh.

Die to the ways of man, and I shall feed you in the wilderness.

I shall feed you; for I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE!

For I have said, "Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His Blood,

you have no life in you."

Eat My Flesh and drink My Blood.

As you feast on My Word, you eat My Flesh - for in the beginning was The Word,

and The Word became flesh.

And as you drink My Blood, you drink the cup of suffering;

for My Blood was poured out....

The Apostle Paul, My Bondservant, allowed himself to be poured out as a drink offering. Are you willing?

Have I not told you that in Christ you ARE My children,

then heirs - heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ,

if indeed you suffer with Him, that you may be glorified together. (Rom. 8:17)

I tell you the truth, your present sufferings are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in My time, My Beloved. I tell you, creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. (Rom. 8:18-19)

When I cause you to suffer for a little while, I AM planting you even deeper in Me.

For vegetation to be sturdy, it must be planted deep or it will be tossed to and fro.

For I tell you the truth, a time is now coming, when I shall tear down the idol worship in My Church. And when I do, where will you be standing?

On the sand or on THE ROCK?

You have a choice.

Crista Simmons

LifeCare Ministries and Healing Centers

http://www.ourchurch.com/member/l/LifeCareMin

Richland, Michigan, USA
May be reprinted only in it's exactness.

This was written as The Father would have me to write for His Purpose and His Glory.

Deeper Is Higher

2009-10-05T07:17:00.004-04:00

Beloved, I pray you hear and feel Father's heart for you~ Do not despair. He sees all that you are going through right now...and He IS shaping you and conforming you to the image of His Son.
As Daddy gave me His Words this morning that "Deeper IS Higher"....I sat to type as He gave me the following. Ever yours in Christ, Crista

DEEPER IS HIGHER:

"Have you not seen? Have you not heard that the Lord, Our God, is One God?....Beloved, why do you run to and fro trying to find Me in others, when I AM right here? I AM with you for I have promised to never ever, no, not ever leave you or forsake you! Your God is FOR YOU!

I AM FOR YOU! I stand with My arms outstretched to you. Run, I say, RUN into My arms for I love you with an everlasting love. Know this, My Beloved, that everything through which I take you in your life on the earth, I shall use for My Glory...for My Ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts are higher than your thoughts.

Do you trust Me? Do you trust Me? Then allow Me to do the work; knowing always that I am even now working on your behalf, My Beloved. You do not need to see the end from the beginning...but I do. I just ask that you trust Me in this that I, WHO have promised you, am Faithful and True. I AM ABLE TO DO EXCEEDINGLY ABUNDANTLY BEYOND WHAT YOU COULD THINK, HOPE FOR, OR IMAGINE....FOR I AM GOD!

You do not know, Beloved, what it will take for Me to form you into the image of My Son...But I do...I do. Trust Me in this. I Alone, Your God, know what it will take to form you into the image of My Son...not the image of someone whom you idolize in what you think is of Me...and some of them are....but you are to look to Me and Me, Alone. I AM YOUR DADDY! I AM YOUR HEAVENLY PAPPA! I AM THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA! I AM THE BRIGHT AND MORNING STAR! I AM YOUR ALL IN ALL! I LONG TO BE YOUR ALL IN ALL!

Do not look to others in what I have done in them for your own life. For I have created you with a uniqueness that is all My own. I do not "rubber stamp" My children. Each of you have My own special plan and purpose for your life. But do you trust ME to perform it? Do you trust ME that I have your best interest at heart for the sake of My Kingdom Glory and your relationship with ME? That is what I desire, My Beloved, your relationship with Me as Your Daddy. But you look to the world....You look to others.....You look and you do not find...Your soul is not satisfied, because I have created you that only One will satisfy you...and that is ME, My Beloved...for I AM A JEALOUS GOD! O, how I long for you....O, how I long for you to cry out to Me.

Beloved, have I not promised you that deep calls unto deep? It is in the depths that I will take you that you will find new heights. A tree which is tall and sturdy has deep, deep roots. Can you imagine the depth to the roots of the giant Sequoias or the Redwoods? Beloved, I am an inverse God...but the god of this universe seeks to deceive you that higher is higher. But lo, I tell you the Truth, that deeper is higher. It is in going deeper with Me that I shall give you the treasures of darkness. It is in going deeper with Me that I shall carry you on the wings of eagles. It is in going deeper with Me that I shall carry you to the heavenlies.

Beloved, it is My deep desire that you and I are one....but you must leave the world behind....

You must leave behind all that you thought was...and come to THE ONE WHO IS! Come to Me, My Beloved, and I will show you great and wonderful truths which I long to reveal to you in greater depth....for I WILL REVEAL MYSELF TO YOU IN WAYS WHICH YOU COULD NOT POSSIBLY IMAGINE.

It is only in Me that you will find the fullness for which I have created you...that we live and move and have our being together as one....O Beloved, I desire to be one with you, more than you desire to be one with Me...for your mind does not comprehend the relationship in store for you...for this is something that will never be comprehended in the flesh, but only in the Spirit...in My Spirit.

My Love, I call you....I call you to the cleft of the Rock....I call you to the depths of My heart for you....

Hear My Spirit singing to you....

~O Come to Me...My Beautiful Dove...

How precious are you to Me....

I delight in your presence more than you will ever know....

O Come to Me....O Come to Me.

Crista Simmons, LifeCare Ministries and Healing Centers, Richland, Michigan, USA

May be reprinted only in it's exactness for we are not to add or take away to what God has given us...either in His written Word or His rhema Word.

A Must See!

2009-09-29T22:11:00.004-04:00

Rec'd this video today....It is truly a must see...A legislator from MI (Mike Rogers) hit the nail on the head re: healthcare bill proposal.
Please feel free to share...
Crista

A US Representative from Michigan that hasn't been sniffing the tailpipes of Detroit cars.

OK, this is worth every MINUTE to watch this! THIS HITS IT OUT OF THE BALL PARK! AND IT has had ONLY 24,048 views.
It was taken inside Congress with a Congressman. YOU HAVE TO WATCH THIS and YOU MUST PASS THIS ON!!!
THIS IS IMPERATIVE EVERYONE SEE THIS!! IT WAS TAKEN OFF THE VIDEO TAPES OF THE FLOOR OF OUR NATIONAL LEGISLATURE?
PLEASE GET THIS OUT TO EVERYONE!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=G44NCvNDLfc

Love Me Where You're At

2009-09-27T00:00:00.006-04:00

I pray that out of God's abundant love, mercy and grace that you hear what He's speaking to encourage you today. This is right where I was at...almost a year ago....recovering from a detached retina....looking straight down for a very, very long month....
Remember, it is to Whom we look during these times of trial....Jesus Christ, the Author and Perfector of our faith. Be blessed by His message through Francis Frangipane.
~Crista

Love Me Where You're At

Francis Frangipane

September 21, 2009

eword@frangipane.org

I have discovered that, as we seek the Lord, our most difficult periods can be transformed into wonderful breakthroughs into God's love.

For me, one such season occurred during the years 1979 to1981. The association of churches with which I was aligned had fallen under spiritual deception. Not only were its core doctrines increasingly seeded with New Age influences, but immorality crept in, and key leaders began leaving their wives for other women. I could no longer remain silent. As a result, in 1979 I left my congregation in Detroit, Michigan, where I had served as pastor, and traveled to the organization's regional headquarters in Iowa. I came to plead for repentance. However, after meeting with the senior leaders, I was asked to leave the group.

So here we were - we had left our church, we had no money, and we had four little children and couldn't afford even basic housing. Desperate for anything, we finally found an old farmhouse in rural Washington, Iowa. The home was over a hundred years old, but it actually looked much older. After negotiating with the landlord, we were given a year of free rent provided I did basic repairs to the house, such as cleaning and painting.

Even so, the house needed more than I could provide. The furnace did not work well, so we installed a wood burner stove in the kitchen. That first winter, it turned out, was one of the coldest in Iowa's history. Frost formed on the inside walls, spreading a foot or two around each window; wind chills dropped to 60 below, and even colder, on several occasions.

To keep warm each night, the whole family cuddled tightly on one large mattress on the dining room floor, about 18 feet from the wood burner in the kitchen. A fan behind the stove nudged warm air in our direction. My nightly project, of course, was to build enough heat in the stove to keep us warm until morning.

While I worked the fire, I also would pray and seek God. The wood burner became a kind of altar to me, for each night as I prayed, I offered to God my unfulfilled dreams and the pain of my spiritual isolation. Yes, I knew the Lord was aware of our situation. Though we had virtually nothing, He showed Himself to us in dozens of little ways. I just didn't know what He wanted of me.

As the seasons came and went, another child was born, and then we fostered a young girl from Viet Nam, giving us six children. Still, as the family grew, the little area around the wood burner became a hallowed place to me. Even in the summer, I would sit on the chair next to the stove and pray and worship.

I would like to say I found the joy of the Lord during this time, but in truth, though I gradually adjusted to my situation, I felt an abiding misery in my soul. Our deep poverty was an issue (I barely made $6,000 a year), but more than that, I felt like I had missed the Lord. My continual prayer was "Lord, what do You want of me?"

Three years of seeking God passed, and I still carried an emptiness inside. What was God's will for me? I had started a couple Bible studies and spoke a few times in churches, but I so identified with being a pastor that, until I was engaged again in full-time ministry, I feared I had lost touch with God's call on my life.

In spite of this inner emptiness concerning ministry, I actually was growing spiritually, especially in areas that were previously untilled. I went through the gospels hungry to study and obey the words of Christ. Previously, I had unconsciously defined a successful ministry as something born of my performance. During this time, however, the Lord reduced me to simply being a disciple of Jesus Christ. Indeed, a number of things I thought were biblical I discovered were really just religious traditions. The Lord desired that I take inventory of my heart and examine those few truths for which I would be willing to die. He said the truths for which I would die, for these I should live.

Frankly, things like the timing of the rapture or nuances about worship style or spiritual gifts dropped in their priority, though I still considered them important. Rising to the top of my focus was a passion to be a true follower of Jesus Christ - to obey His teachings and approach life not merely as a critic, but more as an encourager. I also found myself increasingly free to enjoy and learn from Christians from other streams and perspectives.

Yet, these changes, though deep and lasting, occurred slowly, almost imperceptibly. They were happening quietly in my heart, and only in hindsight did I see what the Lord had done. Throughout this time, I was preoccupied with feelings of detachment from God's will. My prayer to know the Lord's plan for me continued daily.

The Breakthrough
One day, as I stood in the kitchen pantry, I repeated again my abiding prayer: "Lord, what do you want of me?" In a sudden flash of illumination, the Lord answered. Speaking directly to my heart, He said, "Love Me where you're at."

In this time and season, remember, I was not a pastor or minister. I was a television repairman doing odd jobs on the side to provide for my family. I hated what I was doing. In my previous church I taught against TV and now I was "laying hands" on television sets and raising them from the dead! The Lord's answer cut straight to my heart. I was awed at its simplicity! I asked, "Love You where I am at? Lord, is that all you want of me?" To this He responded, "This is all I will ever require of you."

In that eternal moment peace flooded my soul, and I was released from the false expectation of ministry-driven service. God was not looking at what I did for Him, but who I became to Him in love. The issue in His heart was not whether I pastored, but whether I loved Him. To love the Lord in whatever station I found myself - even as a television repairman - this I could do!

A deep and remarkable transformation occurred in me. My identity was no longer in being a pastor, but rather on becoming a true lover of God. Having settled my priorities, amazingly, just a couple days later I was invited to pastor a church in Marion, Iowa. In spite of all my previous anxiety about returning to ministry, I did not jump at the opportunity. For I had found what the Lord truly desired of me. Though I eventually accepted this call, my focus was not merely on leading a church, but loving God.

What God Seeks
More than one's ministry, God seeks our love. His great commandment is that we love Him, ultimately, with all our mind, all our heart, and all our soul and strength. If we love Him, we will fulfill all He requires of us (see John 14:15). And it is as we love Him that He orchestrates all things to work together for our good (see Rom. 8:28).

Beloved, loving God is not hard. We can fulfill any assignment - auto mechanic or housewife, doctor or college student - and still give great pleasure to our heavenly Father. We do not need ministry titles to love the Lord. Indeed, God measures the value of our lives by the depth of our love. This is what He requires of every true God seeker: to love Him where we are at.

Lord Jesus, the revelation of Your love has swept me off my feet. Lord, You have drawn me and I run after You. Master, even in the mundane things of life, I shall express my love for You. Consume me in Your love.

source: http://www.etpv.org/2009/lmwya.html

Go to the LIGHT!!!!

2009-09-26T05:14:00.005-04:00

The following was sent to me today, and the author's name is Becky McClendon. What the Lord shared with her is a very precious and timely application of His Truth.
My friend, Brenda Davis sent the following re: Becky.
"She posted it on Facebook and I told her that I was going to share it. I'm sure that's what she wanted...a bit of info on her ..she's a retired teacher , grandmother, photographer, writer, musician (pianist)...very likable...lives in Houston TX."
I pray you are blessed today~
Crista

Go to the LIGHT!!!!

Yesterday as I was loading my car to take off to New Mexico I looked up and saw a humming bird frantically flying into the fluorescent lights trying to get out. I immediately turned OFF the lights to force the bird to get to the open garage door and be able to escape. I made several attempts by waving my hands and waving my sweater toward him, and all the while, I was saying, "Come on...go to the LIGHT..go to the LIGHT."

The Lord reminded me of something through this "lesson"...the hummingbird had become entrapped. He then became frantic and confused trying to find the way of escape. He was attracted to the artificial light and had I driven off without rescuing him he would have probably beaten himself to death against windows and lights trying to get to the LIGHT...the TRUE LIGHT. In this world, we battle entrapments from the enemy ...we are easily deceived...political deception, propaganda flying everywhere,...we fly into a place that looks like a neat place to explore, only to find we lose our bearings and cannot find the way out. We start running to ARTIFICIAL LIGHT through man made worship experiences, programs, agendas...man made philosophies and movements...not knowing that if we are left there we will hurt ourselves trying to "get to the light" that has appeared in front of us. Satan comes to us every day as an "Angel of light" causing us to place all hope and expectation in some vain philosophy.

The door is closing....God is saying GO TO THE LIGHT. GO TO THE LIGHT. Do we feel His fanning? trying to detract us from running to artificial light? Then he TURNS OFF those lights! and it gets DARK except for one small place. GO TO THE LIGHT...GO TO THE LIGHT...he beats his wings and waves His holy train...GO TO THE LIGHT. The door is closing. WHOM will you believe? Powerful politicians spreading truths which are NOT MY TRUTH? or will you believe ME? I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. It is either Life or Death. Light or Darkness...which will it BE. WHOM will you sing praise songs ME or MAN?
Amen and AMEN
Becky McLendon

I AM...In Your Mist...In Your Midst

2009-09-15T22:27:00.003-04:00

In my time w/ the Lord this AM, He spoke the following....
"Trust Me in this: For what you do not yet see, I AM."
So...I write to encourage your hearts in Christ in that what we do not yet see, in what He's given you in His vision...HE IS...AND HE WILL BRING IT TO PASS IN THE FULLNESS OF WHO HE IS...FOR EVEN NOW IN THE MIST AND OUR MIDST, HE IS WORKING TO BRING IT ALL INTO BEING FOR HIS KINGDOM PURPOSE AND GLORY! PRAISE BE TO GOD!
Be encouraged in the Lord.
Ever yours in Christ,
Crista

Jesus-The Lion of Judah Fights Against His Enemies!

2009-08-21T08:20:00.003-04:00

Beloved,

I rec'd the following from my friend, Pris. This is a message the Lord gave Dieter who lives in Germany. What is important to understand is that Mr. Obama is bringing God's judgment against the U.S., because of the choices he's making against Israel. God was serious when He said He would bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse her. Gen. 12:3

The Lion of Judah fights against His enemies!

Zech 12:3 And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it. NKJV

Loved brothers and sisters in Yeshua, Today I received several revelations from GOD, about which I may only publish however the latter. I saw Yeshua standing in the sky as a the Lion of Judah with the Scepter of His rule as the true King of Israel before me. HE roars against His enemies, particularly against those, which are against Israel & approach to suppress her and to make her bend to their dictates.

Joel 3:16 NKJV The Lord also will roar from Zion, And utter His voice from Jerusalem;

The heavens and earth will shake; But the Lord will be a shelter for His people, And the strength of the children of Israel.

Afterwards I saw clearly president Obama on a high wooden stilts with a Staff & saw, how the Lion of Judah with a blow of His right paw, which smashed Obama's right stilt, so that the stilt broke and president Obama broke away from being on the right page . Thereupon I saw a large and majestic white-headed eagle, which represents the coat of arms animal of the USA in the sky.

The eagle tried to fly as it used to, into the heights. On its flight I saw upward the fact that the wing of its right side was injured, and was carried like a brace. Thus it was weakened and did not achieve dominating strength and flight altitude, like it was used to doing. Where it went he could not control. With each new flight test, at a height to try to win, it stopped after a short time on the right side, in order to float in circling flights downward & again downward. Its strength was broken.

Ezek 30:6 NKJV 'Thus says the Lord: "Those who uphold Egypt shall fall, And the pride of her power shall come down. From Migdol to Syene those within her shall fall by the sword," Says the Lord God.

This revealing says: GOD does not support the USA any longer through

Obama's reign!

I heard a voice say: "In such a way it is issued that each nation against Israel and its true ruler rises!" And to the USA: "Also you, who were large and feared in the nations of the earth, will become strengthless now. Because of your constant pride and arrogance you are made small!"

He will no more support those, who strike holy Israel, only those who will rely in truth & on the Son of Man, "

Written, 31 July 2009

Isa 10:20 NKJV And it shall come to pass in that day that the remnant of Israel, And such as have escaped of the house of Jacob, Will never again depend on him who defeated them, But will depend on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.

President Obama's cometful high-altitude flight is stopped first! Instead of "Yes we CAN" He must admit now "Yes we can't!" Whoever attacks the existence Israel, in the long run through GOD's intervention will be stopped. An important excerpt from revealing me GOD gave here again: His right paw, smashed the right stilt of Obama's so that the stilt broke and Obama broke away from being on the right page as president".

Read the cutout of an article of of FOCUS ON-LINE ONES from 17 August 2009 as its one which GOD confirmed to me on the 31. July 2009. The health reform was one of the stilts (the domestic large-scale project of Obama's) which now literally away-broke - As I was seeing , it was allowed.

FOCUS ONLINE vom 17.8.09: "Health reform: Obama nicks!"

"The health reform is the domestic large-scale project Obamas. But it becomes ever more questionable, how much of the noble plans remains. Now the US president under the pressure of his opponents had to bend ."

Von EIP (European Info press) On August - 5 - 2009

JERUSALEM - in Israel hangs a poster with the text: "Obama! Let My People Grow. "With this modified sentence from the Bible opposite the Egyptian Pharaoh "Let My People Go! " (Let my people pull) too "Let My People GROW! - let my people grow!" protests one in Israel against the demand of US president Obama to impose over the Jewish settlements a suspension of growth and building work. Netanjahu protests always again for wanting the American pressure to stop, for not giving way, and the building of apartments in the settlements. But the numbers of the Israelis, which will live in Judea and Samaria was reported, & the fact that Netanjahu introduced unofficially a suspension of building work because new building licenses are not being given, & this is why new projects remain unbuilt.

Dieter Beständig Bergstrasse 2 D-79771 Griessen GERMANY

E-Mail: D.Bestaendig@t-online.de

Psalm 91 - Experienced!

2009-08-20T06:53:00.005-04:00

You know there are those times that we read The Word, and we read The Word...and we read THE WORD. We hear The Word, hear The Word...and then HEAR THE WORD of the Living God....And we take in His Word....for how will they know unless they hear? How will we know unless we read and hear? And we grow...we take His Word into us...and we grow, because when we take in His Word, we are really taking Jesus in to us...because HE IS THE WORD! And the Word is LIVING!...And the Word grows inside of us, because it is alive, and God makes it grow just like He does a seed in the ground. We plant a seed, water (and talk to it), fertilize, spritz, spray and pray....and one day, POP!...a little shoot above ground.....But before it pops above ground, it must grow in the dark unseen places....But it grows (well, unless you planted a vegetable garden like I DON'T do anymore!)

And we go through life, taking in His Word, and Jesus, filling up with His Spirit...and then something happens that just smacks you in the face, or the gut, or the heart....and God will give us a literal experience to the reality of His Word, His Spirit, His Truth and Who HE IS IN OUR LIVES.

I can't tell you how many times I have quoted that God will never ever, no not ever, leave us nor forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5 from the Amplified Bible) And this past year, when my most profound prayer from my gut was "God help!", and my mind and heart just could not seem to wrap around very much scripture....God was still there....He IS deeper still....

So, I'd like to share with you how He's brought the reality and Truth of Psalm 91 to the forefront this past week in my life. Will you read with me please? (Amplified Bible)

Psalm 91

v. 9 Because you have made the Lord your refuge,

and the Most High your dwelling place, (Ps. 91: 1, 14)

v. 10 There shall no evil befall you,

nor any plague or calamity come near your tent,

v. 11 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].

v. 12 They shall bear you up on their hands,

lest you dash your foot against a stone.

[Luke 4:10, 11; Heb. 1, 14]

v. 14 BECAUSE HE HAS SET HIS LOVE UPON ME,

THEREFORE WILL I DELIVER HIM;

I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name ;

has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love and kindness - trusts

and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never].

v. 15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble.

I will deliver him and honor him.

v. 16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.

So here's been my week....

Last week Friday, I was driving the highway....70 mph, mindin' my own bidness', when all of a sudden I heard a sound as if I were driving on a rumble strip...which my mind quickly accessed that there was NO rumble strip as the sound increased in intensity....Pulling off I-96 about one mile before my exit, I walked around the end of my car to view a flatter than flat tire...and smoke from the heat! Cell phone in hand...I was going to call my husband (only an hour away! - What's a wife to do?!)....I hadn't even flipped open my pink link to the outside world, when my peripheral vision caught the glimpse of a white auto to my left....It took me a bit off guard....of course by this time, my mind was in a bit of disarray!....THANK-YOU, JESUS! It was a valiant/galient sheriff's deputy come to my aid! Jesus had driven to my aid in a white, sheriff's department car! WooHoo! I hadn't even had time to pray..."Dear God...." HE PROVIDED BEFORE I EVEN ASKED!!!

The deputy was on his way to the scene of a previous accident to do some more investigation....Sure, he'd change my tire. With both our heads inside the trunk, scrounging around for what I knew to be there...but how did they stuff it all in there?....I commented, "I don't know if you're a Christian or not, but I am...AND THIS IS GOD!"

He queried, "Have you been here long?"....And I'm thinking..."Buddy, I JUST pulled off the highway!"....We're talking a matter of seconds...not minutes...seconds!

This is when it gets really God....THERE WAS ABOUT AN 8" GASH IN THE REAR RIGHT TIRE! It had totally blown out! And, I was able to pull off the highway, smooth as glass....

OK...Now, fast forward to yesterday....We've had a "issue" with bees trying to build a nest and infest our enclosed porch....(Last Sunday it sounded like a beehive INSIDE our screened in porch!...Oh...No, no, no, no, NO!) ~Well, the little pests decided to make their way back...so, yesterday, after giving a piano lesson...and my hubby was at work...I thought, "No problem...I'll just climb the ladder and squirt them with our can of handy dandy Bee Be Gone and get them before they get me!....Going up the ladder and giving them a full blast was the easy part...It was coming back down....Looking down to make sure I could see where to put my foot...I THOUGHT I'd made it to the bottom rung and was soon to touch bottom - Cement....About midway down in mid-flight, I knew that I'd not perceived my situation correctly...and I hit the ground full force on my prosthetic, left hip and bee-hind....I just laid on the ground for about a minute or so....listening to the cars whizzzzz past our home...and probably someone (or at least I hope so!), wondering why I'd be lying on the sidewalk in front of my entry door...just gazing up at the sky!....No way was I just sun-bathing! You know what I mean?

This time...there was no cell phone at hand....no neighbor close enough to even remotely hear a cry for help....so I just lay still until I got my bearings and my courage to get up....Everything moved....My derriere hurt like the dickens, but I could move....Well, later, I called my orthopaedic surgeon's office...just to touch base...Yeah, come on in for x-rays....Well, PRAISE GOD...everything is just fine!

Now...if this isn't PROOF of God's protection....I don't know what is!

By the way...the Lord also took care of my dryer issue w/ Sears...Yes, I had to make the phone calls...but He directed me to the person who saw to it that the job would be done right! THANK-YOU, JESUS!!!!

My blogging will experience a brief two week intermission....See ya' later!

Be blessed everyone!

URGENT or ETERNAL: A Call for Empty Hands

2009-08-17T21:43:00.002-04:00

I thought this is excellent....and truly "meaty".....Chew slowly....I know so many in the Body of Christ who've been dealing with a lot of pressing issues lately, so this is very timely. Our God IS an on-time God! His mercies are new every morning....and in the evening, too! This is a Word in dues season.
God bless you, dear hearts!

Illuminations Newsletter

Kelly's Blog
FEATURED ARTICLE

I believe that because something heavenly is emerging and birthing the kingdom of darkness rouses situations and emergent circumstances to distract our attention and response away from it.

It is theft.

Let's call it what it is.

URGENT or ETERNAL: A Call for Empty Hands

August 17, 2009

Is It Urgent or Eternal?

Emptying Our Hands for the Lord

Recently a friend who feels tasked with writing a book asked me how I find time to write because life constantly presents so much urgent stuff. I was shocked by my own answer but relieved by it at the same time. Regarding all of the urgent stuff I said, "Ignore it." Shocking!

This is something that I have learned: The Urgent is the enemy of the Eternal.

Have you noticed that when God gives you a vision of an Eternal mission or purpose all of earth and all of hell begin to kick up a fuss? Statistically this is impossible to ignore and perhaps it is more revelatory than we know. Could it be that the intensity which you are bombarded with distraction and opposition is an indicator of the degree of Eternal Significance God has placed upon that which you are called to do or called to become? I am sure of it.

When God asks us to participate in His heavenly initiatives we must be free to give ourselves and all of our attention to Him. We must be free to respond to Him and to be responsible which in fact means "able to respond." We are so privileged to be invited and included in what He is doing.

Watchman Nee says it sublimely; he encourages us to empty ourselves of all that would put any restriction on our response to God. He instructs that we must not have "anything in hand" that would prevent us from using our hands to do the work of the Lord. He tells us that we must stand before the Lord with open and empty hands waiting to respond to His word, his call, His movement.

It follows that we have to watch what we react to and we must carefully consider things that we pick up. So often we are reactive to most anything that impacts us. This often is an emotional response and we have come to see it as loving and Christian. So, the enemy uses this to keep many totally preoccupied with reacting emotionally to needs, to crises, to news. It is a form of bondage. Are we the sons and daughters of God to be led by the urgent, the seemingly needful, the popular? Jesus said, "One thing is needful." Him.

In regard to urgent things we have to ask ourselves, "Who determines urgency?" Typically it is the person presenting the scenario, the one calling on the phone, the one displaying the most emotional reaction. The squeaky wheel gets the grease more often than not. How many squeaky wheels have we oiled with the anointing that God has poured upon our lives? We pour out and pour out in our emotional reactions and then we find we feel spent and burnt out.

For years I have asked the Lord about His late arrival at the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. I am not challenging Him; I just want to get the revelation if you know what I mean. One layer of revelation in the seemingly delayed response of Jesus is that He determines urgency. He sets the times and the seasons; our part is to discern them. He is the Christ, the anointed One, who is fully submitted to the Father. He only says what the Father is saying, He only speaks what He hears the Father speak, He only moves as the Father moves. Let it be on earth as it is in heaven.

I really believe, and by the way I have learned the hard way, that all of our responses are for Him.
Romans 6:13 instructs us to yield and submit all of our selves-every aspect of our beings-to Him for His use, and He will use us as His instruments of righteousness. And Lord, let us not incline our ears to another!

I believe that because something heavenly is emerging and birthing the kingdom of darkness rouses situations and emergent circumstances to distract our attention and response away from it. It is theft. Let's call it what it is.

I believe this need to discern the difference between the urgent and the eternal is what Jesus talked about when He said all that business about leaving your father and mother and such. He spoke in parables, I believe--since He led by example and He never left His precious mother unattended to. Think of Him calling out to John from the Cross, "John, My man, take care of My Mother!" I believe He means that to birth Eternal things and moves of God and Heavenly initiatives we must 'leave' the clambering, urgent, fussy, and sometimes even what others deem important.

The organizational strategist Steven Covey says, "Don't get caught up in the thick of thin things."

We, as Spirit-led sons and daughters of God must stop reacting! We must quiet our spirits in His Presence and ask "Lord, how are You RESPONDING to this situation?" Then when we allow His response to flow through us heaven comes to earth and His will is manifested.

Sometimes we over manage our own lives. We want to manage our time, our relationships, our careers, our children and their lives... I have been a miserable failure at this! So, I have turned it over to His responsibility. His care is perfect and He loves my children more than I do. He loves them perfectly.

Being free of feeling responsible for everything that goes on around me---and free from making certain people are happy and happy with me---well--it is freedom. I can attest that since He has brought me into this place all of my relationships are blessed and so is the work that I do.

I am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him---and that's everything.

So, having said all of that... You really need to be free to do all that He is calling you to do in this season of harvest. Take your liberty from all that He reveals to you is hindering you from the task. Sometimes we stay on the Path of Life that He has for us by way of what we are willing to ignore. Either He is the Master, or the urgent things are the master. It is a call to toughness in a way. Or discipline.

Press on!

Love and Jesus,

Kelly

Roots and Suffering

2009-08-16T16:34:00.004-04:00

I received the following from Priscilla Van Sutphin the other day....Now, if you read Friday's post, you will understand why I just get so thrilled with the Lord when He sends His confirmation - especially when I'm feeling a bit worn out from my own journey the Lord has me on! Please note that the italicized, bold and red type are my edits, because I cannot highlight them in this blog.
Are you suffering for Christ's sake...the Body of Christ?....Then I say to you, you've got roots, baby!
And when your breakthrough comes...He is THE ONLY ONE WHO GETS THE GLORY!
Be encouraged today!
Love and blessings always,
Crista

Rev 22:2-5 NKJV2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. 4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. 5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.

Understanding Suffering
Elvis Iverson
http://www.elvisiverson.com/

Many are saying why me Lord? Understanding suffering will help us see our own purpose in order to have endurance during those times. Most suffering is not from God. God does no evil. God is a father and a father cares and loves his children. At the same there are some who are not teaching Christians in how to deal with suffering. In this article I will try to help you understand suffering. Besides, there is more than one form of suffering that Christians will go through. You must say why do you go through this kind of suffering, then think about what you're doing for the Kingdom and this will tell you why.
The Word says; “Jesus Christ learned obedience by the things which He suffered.” –Heb.. 5:8. When we are going to live a life of obedience we will suffer at certain times. Suffering comes to see if we will stand in our obedience to the Lord. The Word say; “Yes, and all who desire to live in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” –2 Tim. 3:12. When you desire to follow the ways of the Lord and to be lead by the Holy Spirit there will be attacks of suffering that come against you.
Don’t listen to them and don’t be moved by them, and don’t count your life dear to yourself. The Word says; “There is a blessing upon those that are persecuted for righteousness sake.” –Matt. 5:10. God will bless those in this life and the next that willingly go through suffering for the Gospel sake. The Word says we suffer for righteousness sake. The Word says; “That we should 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 Pet. 4:13. We are to rejoice and believe God for exceeding joy to come from God. The Word says we are to partake in Christ’s suffering. There are rewards that come through partaking in His suffering.
In addition, we are to fellowship in his sufferings with the saints. What we suffer we gain with Christ. When we are conformed to His death we will partake with the power of His resurrection. We are to know Him in His sufferings and in His power. –Phil. 3:10-11. The Word says; “If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God will rest upon you.” –1 Pet. 4:14.
When we go through suffering we are blessed and the Spirit of glory and of God will rest upon you. Apart from that, the Word says; “about Apostle Paul that he rejoice in his suffering for the church of Colossians, he said he was fill up in his flesh what was lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the Church.” –Col. 1:24.
This shows us that apostles will go through suffering on the behalf of the churches that they care for, and if they suffer shall not other Christians suffer with them. Christians will suffer for the church to come forth in victory.
Nevertheless, the Word says; “about those who don’t have any root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the Word’s sake, immediately they stumble.” – Mk. 4:17. Not every one can go through such suffering for Christ. Some Christians don’t have good roots in Christ yet. The Word says that tribulation and persecution arise for the Word’s sake. Suffering comes For the Word sake. This is why Christians must be grounded in the Word and in Love before suffering comes.
Furthermore, the Word says; “ in Acts eight that great persecution arose against the church and what do we see when we read this that the Word spread everywhere. In Acts eleven that after persecution arose that church of Antioch was birthed. Wow! This tells us that no matter what happens, the Church will move forth.
It says that through many tribulations we enter into the Kingdom of God. –Acts 14:22.
Copyright © 2004 S.I.M. All Rights Reserved

Desolation and Desperation

2009-08-14T07:11:00.004-04:00

Beloved, have you been feeling desolate and desperate of late? Has the Lord brought you to the Valley of the Shadow of Death...that desert place of isolation and grief out of which only HE can deliver you? Are you not only in the fire, but it has been intensified to the nth degree? Then you will understand the following encouragement that the Lord gave me this morning....If not now, then someday.....

As some of you know this last year has been a haul....and how all that relates to the vision for LifeCare Ministries....Lately, the Lord has led me to Is. 54:1 and how barrenness/desolation in this scripture parallels the original promise He gave me for this ministry from Gen. 18:14. More are the children of the desolate than the married....Sarah was barren and beyond childbearing age, yet the Lord said at the appointed time, according to the time of LIFE, that Sarah would bear a son.

Here's what the Lord put on my heart this morning with Him:
1) Desolation stokes the fires of desperation.
Isaiah 54:1 In our desolation, the intensity of our desperation is multiplied exponentially to the nth degree. .....Can anyone say 3 Hebrew children and the fire being stoked 7 times hotter at this point?

2) Desperation fuels the intensity of our prayers.
It's not the words we use, but the depth of the heart...not what comes out of our heads, but what comes out of our gut/bellies/heart - Out of our bellies shall flow rivers of Living Water. Allowing the Holy Spirit to pray through us with groanings IS LIVING WATER! Rom. 8:18-26. On the Cross, Jesus cried out, "MY GOD! MY GOD! WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?!"
It is exactly this type of prayer/communication with God which pours out of us with the passion that is only birthed out of desperation and desolation.

3) Righteousness and obedience in the face of desolation reap the harvest.
Believe in God in the desert! In the desolate/Valley places, the choices we make determine the outcome. Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. Gal. 3:6 In Gal. 6:9, God promises that we shall reap a harvest if we do not weary in doing good. In other words, in the desert, in the Valley, we continue to be found faithful, conforming to the will of God, trusting in God - THROUGH THE VALLEY/THROUGH THE DESERT - and HE WILL BRING THE HARVEST FROM THE BARREN PLACES.

God bless you....Numbers 6:24-26
In His love always~
Crista

WARNING!

2009-08-13T01:00:00.002-04:00

Wake-up call! Watch this video from Glen Beck via FOX NEWS posted on YouTube.
DO NOT GO TO cars.gov! We are not to live in fear, but to live as wise for the days are evil.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAOBlqUqUZ8

Remember, the Lord admonishes us to be as gentle as "wise as serpents and harmelss as doves." Matt. 10:16

"See then that you walk circumstpectly, not as fools but as wise,

redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is."

Ephesians 5:15-17

Trust in God!

2009-08-12T14:44:00.006-04:00

I rec'd the following from my dear friend, Leigh Larson, who awoke to this email message from the Lord via Pastor Alex in the Philippines whom InTents Ministry supports. How timely!

This is what the Lord says ... your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:

"I am the Lord your God,Who teaches you what is best for you,

Who directs you in the way you should go."Isaiah 48:17†††

Many today, are waiting for and seeking direction.

Lives have changed, situations have changed, careers have changed ...

but our God in Heaven never changes!

He is ready to direct our pathways ..

but first, we must learn to let go of what has been,

and allow God to work and move, and give Him the reins.

He knows what we can do alone,

but He wishes us to allow Him to do for us,

in His own very special way.

Better things are in store, for those who will be faithful to trust.

We cannot allow fear to take over.

We cannot allow the enemy to steal our focus, or our joy.

God is our Stronghold, in all troubles, and we must never, ever forget that!

There are times when we need to trust in God, and in Him Alone,

and it is that time for many today!

His power is far above that of our situations and circumstances!

He has the perfect way out of troubles, if we will only remain focused upon Him!

The Lord via Pastor Alex

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 will direct your paths."

PRAY!

2009-08-06T08:03:00.003-04:00

Saints....We are just plain called to pray for the unity of the saints...the brotherhood of believers...for the Church....for our president....and for our country. There is much at stake right now.
II Chronicles 7:14-16
We are to look in one direction ----> UP! Look up, for Our Redeemer draws nigh...HE IS THE BRIGHT AND MORNING STAR, The Glory and Lifter of our heads. He IS THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA...HE IS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH.
Humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord....Repent....and get our hearts right before Him.
Be blessed this day.

I Will Not in Any Degree...Leave You!

2009-07-20T17:21:00.002-04:00

~I received this email today containing the following....I pray the Lord encourages your heart...
Don't know about you, but I sure needed His reminder today.
Blessings and love always,
Crista

Copy of Weekly Article, DALLAS NEW ERA
PRAISE GOD FOR HIS HOLY WORD

Charles Sims, Pastor
Away from home on a mission trip, very homesick--I'll never forget it. Then a card arrived from Charles, containing a Scripture notation (Heb. 13:5, Amplified Bible), reminding me again of the timeliness, comfort and power of God's Word.
"...for God Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake you! Assuredly not!"
I kept reading (v.6): "So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper: I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?"
Wonderful words of life, blessed assurance.--Betty Sims.

Just Let Me

2009-07-16T05:11:00.003-04:00

~With permission, I am posting a dream given to a family member and Brother in Christ, Dave Hiemstra. His wife, Kathy, sent it out yesterday. I pray your heart is encouraged in this. This really says it all....nothing to add.

I just wanted to share a dream that Dave had the other night. It was right after we had prayed and he was asking God to give us dreams and visions. Dave always said that he never dreamed at night but when he does dream, he has fantastic God-given dreams. (Me, I always dream but they usually have to do with what I saw or read before I fall asleep. Mostly they are just nonsense!)

In his dream, many of us were walking down a country road where the sky was huge above us and there were large hills on the landscape. He said gigantic figures began to form in the sky, one at a time and they were people. He said when the first one appeared, those on the road began to say “Look it’s John” or “No, it is Peter”. The figure would swoop over us a few times and we were fearful as it was so large and then it woould go down behind the hill and as we approached the hill, everyone was fearful, but the figure appeared up over the hill and had a loving and welcoming smile - Nothing to be fearful of.

Next Dave said a gigantic angel appeared in the sky and swooped over us and was so glittery and sparkly. It had gigantic wings. These figures would leave huge vapor trails and the whole world could see them. Next Jesus appeared in the sky in the same fashion. As He swooped by you could see two little girls in the trail of his vapor with their heads laid back and just enjoying riding in the wake of His passing. Dave said everyone started running after Jesus and wanting to join the little girls, everyone crying out to Jesus to carry them also.

Dave said he started to be lifted up in the wake but then began to doubt that it was real and felt himself hitting the ground. He said “Jesus, I want you to lift me like the others” and Jesus said, “Just let me!”, and then Dave was lifted and riding (floating) with the others behind Jesus. He said there was such joy and happiness and even a smell of what he described as mint all around. He said when he woke up he could still smell the fragrance and wanted to wake me up and ask me if I smelled it too. He said he just could not describe the beauty and splendor of it all.

I think what really stood out to Dave was that Jesus said “Just let me!” This spoke to us both about how we struggle and fight against all our thoughts and fears and Jesus is there just waiting for us to let go and let Him!

Storm Dreams, Earthquakes and Warfare!

2009-07-06T08:17:00.005-04:00

~For those of you following this blog, you know that the Lord gave me two dreams - only a month apart - about an approaching storm of unimaginable magnitude in the Spring of this year.
~I have just completed listening to the prophetic Word of the Lord preached through Pastor John Kilpatrick and what the Lord gave him to tell The Church for 2009 and beyond. I believe it to be straight from the Holy Spirit. Please contact me if you'd like a copy. The Lord gave Pastor John the Word: R-E-S-U-R-R-E-C-T-I-O-N and the meaning of each letter of the word: RESURRECTION. The thumbnail of God's Word is this:
R: Rescue - God's going to RESCUE us this year.
E: Extreme - God will use extreme measures to rescue us.
S: Signs - There will be signs in the heavens.
U: Usher - God will send His angels to usher in what He's promised.
R: Recover/Recovery - God will make sure that recover/regain and be restored to normal and better: mind, body, spirit. "They shall lay hands on the sick and they SHALL recover."
R: Russia - Keep a wary eye on Russia. There will be suddenly involving Russia. Pray for our President.
E: EARTHQUAKE - SEE LINK. This involves the New Madrid fault line which extends from Missouri northward to Chicago. http://www.elijahlist.com/words/display_word/6500
C: Candlestick - Churches. God is not going to tolerate anymore evil in His Church. We will see churches being brought down, but other churches/candlesticks being raised.
T: Time - Time is quickly running out. The Gentile age is coming to an end.
I: Israel/Jerusalem
O: Overthrow: "I AM about to overthrow cities and evil." God is about to overthrow cities on rulers.
N: Near - HIS COMING IS NEAR.

~Church, this is not a call for alarm, but of preparation. Remember, that if God be for us, who can be against us. I tell you by the Holy Spirit, that God IS a God of mercy, but He also brings correction and judgment, for He is a just God. He is a God of Justice. He gives all of us time to repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand! But there comes a time, if we continue in our rebellion and stiff-necked position, after God's multiple attempts to bring repentance and we repeatedly refuse, that He WILL bring His judgment upon that which is vile in His mouth and to His heart. Remember how Jesus turned over the tables of the money changers in the House of God? And what did He say, "My Father's House SHALL BE A HOUSE OF PRAYER, but you have made it a den of thieves." (Matt. 21:13)

~Church, as I was reading another "spiritual email" this morning...the Holy Spirit sternly stated, "THIS IS NOT A GAME!" This is not about forwarding emails about God and Jesus...It is about what we do and say. It is about living what we profess to believe! Anyone can punch a button and forward an email! Even the heathen do that!

~Church, there is an anguish in the heart of God for His People! (See post re: David Wilkerson - and if you can't find it, please email me.)

~Sorry if this seems a bit scattered today....but we need to know that we ARE in a spiritual battle...and God IS sovereign....and He WILL fulfill what He has said....and we do not rule God, but HE IS RULER OVER ALL! Are we truly serious and sincere about our walk with the Lord, or do we view our salvation as just an easy ride to heaven when it's over? Jesus came to destroy the works of the enemy...and that is the power in which He's called us to walk.

2 Chronicles 7:14-16 "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place. For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually."

May he who has ears to hear, hear what the Spirit is saying.