Sacrifice

Yesterday I had a what I would call my first day of really missing home. Some very close friends of my family's were having their last Sunday and are moving this Thursday. I was able to speak with them on the phone to share what God had told me, but it was the first time I realized how much I feel that I am missing. I had my first few tears fall because I miss those whom I love. But, I was reminding myself why I am here and that is because I made a promise to the Lord at the ripe old age of four.

So let me tell you the story for all those who don't know. I was saved at the age of four and I was sitting in 'big peoples' church when the pastor was speaking on giving our tithes and offerings. Well, as a four year old I looked up at the offering basket as they were beginning to pass it around and I told the Lord, "But Lord, I'm too big to fit into the offering basket." Now the Lord has called upon me to do what I promised to do from when I was a child. Some of you may be wondering why the Lord would require this of me now over twenty-five years later. The answer to that thought is that God is outside of our time and He can recall everything we have asked of Him and all the promises we have made.

Needless to say He moved me back to the place of this commitment so that I can be stretched and walk into all that He has for me. So I reminded myself of this yesterday and this was the result.

Sacrifice

To lay down your place of comfort

To return your gifts and talents

To place others needs above your own

To give your heart to the One above

To hold nothing back, giving all.

I know that God has much more for me to do and though I miss my family and friends He will guide me and comfort me each step of the way. Therefore, I hope that my life will be an example for others, to see His beauty that surrounds us in all life's trials.

Challenges

Reading some of my friends blogs has left me today thinking about the challenges we face in life. Obstacles we must face head on without backing down or trying to ignore. I am thinking about the challenges that I see on a daily basis. How do you speak with those who are trapped in their minds and are losing their short term memory? Being a caregiver is a rewarding and a hard job. I find myself walking the hallways and using the laundry room as places to pray and seek His face. In scripture we are taught many things, but I find right now that I must pray for healing and restoration for those who are unable.

I believe in the Creator and I know He will use this time for His glory. I am not going to stop praying until there is no longer a need, which wont be in my lifetime, but that's not the point. I will pursue my Creator and continue to challenge myself to read the words in red and have faith to see Him move the mountains in my life and those whom I have contact with on a daily basis. That includes all of my blog friends too! So my challenge to all of you would be to spend time watching people and praying for them that they too would have an encounter with the Creator as their healer and protector. Don't give up ever! Even when you begin to see the miracles pursue Him even more and also for all those who are trapped in their own minds without the ability at this time to escape.

On the Hunt

The completion of one whole month here is within reach and I can't believe it. It feels just like yesterday I packed up a few of my things and my wonderful Preacher and headed to the Grays Harbor, which I now affectionately call "Grace Harbor." I have been seeking the Lord to find the direction He would have me go and what is the mission. I find that He has sent me on little missions to bless waitresses on their birthdays, those having a hard day at work, and much more. I have also been writing a lot, dancing up a storm in my quiet times, and enjoying reading four books at one time.

The only area I'm still search and exploring for is finding a place to live. Right now I'm still living with my awesome friends, but I don't want to over stay my welcome either. So I am going to just keep my eyes focused on Him and let Him lead me to the answer to this predicament. Hunting for a place is similar to hunting for the divine encounters with those whom He loves, exciting and you must be ready to proceed at any time.

The spiritual climate over this weekend wasn't the greatest because of a celebration of a man's life who became famous and then took his own life. The negative spirits were having a good time playing with the minds of some here, but I know that this tide is changing and the move of true worship of the King is coming. We will see lives full of grace and peace come to this place that will be a beacon of light for the entire harbor! Thank all of you for your continued love and support.

The Mountain

My ascent up the mountain was exciting and the steepness grueling, but it was worth the effort. Preacher and I were given the opportunity yesterday to ascend the hill that is on our friends 14 acre property. It was breath taking at parts (literally) because of such a steep climb, but when we reached the pipeline that goes into Aberdeen it was not so steep anymore. The pipeline is a great place to pray from to cover the entire city and to rejoice in what the Lord is doing. I found myself and Preacher turning around a little earlier than planned, but that was alright we stopped and worshiped the Creator in the middle of a tree alcove. I couldn't help myself but to sing. Depending on if the weather holds up today, I may try to climb again.

I was reminded last night as I was reading that those with clean hands and a pure heart may ascend the hill of the Lord. So I want to encourage others to make the trip and climb the hill of the Lord and worship and praise Him the entire way up! And remember it is okay to stop to catch your breath, but you must keep going or you could end up wanting to quit before you reach the top. The top is worth seeing and experiencing so keep pushing yourself and ask for help when you need it. I found Preacher to be a great asset on that steep climb. I held on to his leash and he would leap forward four or five steps (to the end of the leash) and then wait to for me. He had a lot of strength and that helped pull me a few steps forward at a time. God is more faithful than my dog, so when you need help up the mountain call on Him to help give you a hand by pulling you up a few steps at a time until you reach the top. Then give Him praise and listen to His heart for those He loves.

The Son is Shining

There has been some record breaking heat taking place here in the northwest, especially for this time of year. It just got me to thinking how amazing it has been that since I have been here in Aberdeen that I can count on one hand the days that it has rained. I find it a little interesting. I have been working now for quite a while and enjoying it, but I am fascinated in the idea of all this sun. So I believe that God is beginning to move here in a new way with more movement. I am trusting that His presence in permeating the atmosphere and is coming to rest on this beautiful land.

I have this image of Him breathing back life into the dry bones here and fully engulfing them in His refiners fire. All the while having them soak in the river of His Spirit. I find myself at times with a loss for words to say all that I sense. I will continue to dance and praise and see all that He will do for those that He loves. I will stand and I will do all that is required of me no matter the cost. This heat wave is going to ignite this area on fire for the presence of the King.

Playing Ball

Okay, so I got Preacher this new toy last week and he is absolutely obsessed with it. Basically it is an extra arm that holds a tennis ball and you can throw the ball twice as far with less effort. He gets so overly excited about it that he is jumping up to get the ball before I even throw it. He just cracks me up. So if you're reading this you may be wondering what the big deal is about this new toy and why I think it's an answer for me too. Let me explain it this way, you see when the Creator reveals something new to us, we get so excited that we are willing to run any distance to obtain the prize.

It reminds me of times in my life where I have been given a challenge and had to obtain new information to be able to accomplish all that was set before me. We must learn what it takes to get from one point to another the way He has intended for us. That means we have to watch closely to see were "the ball" is going so that we don't get to far ahead or behind. I know I personally want to be able to see where I am going and trust in the timing that is laid out for me. I don't want to be early and I don't want to be late, I want to live in the moment. If this little example helps to remind you that it is never to late to get excited about the gifts that you've been given by the Creator, then have fun learning more about those directions and visions. Don't allow these moments to pass without being fully engaged.

Driven to the Edge

What is it that drives each one of us to the edge of ourselves and into the embrace of the Creator? I find that I have been asking myself this question a lot lately. I want to fully loose myself in order that I might be found in Him. As I question myself I keep coming to the conclusion that I have yet to loose myself, because I have not let go of who I want to be. My identity should not be my own, but only found in Him. I made a promise to Him when I was just a young child that I would give Him all of me. I am learning slowly what it means to lay down all of me and engage into the realm of the unknown. To be free to follow Him no matter where He leads and to embrace the transitions. It is time that I be even more willing to sacrifice all of me with nothing holding me back. To no longer allow it to be about me, but to die to self and live for Him regardless of the circumstances that I may face. So for those of you who may read this I challenge you also to think about what it is that drives you to the edge of yourself and into the embrace of the Creator.

Late Night

Well, I'm up way past the time I had intended on going to bed. I was watching a movie and enjoying my day off which is now coming to an end. I was thinking about all that has been created in the film industry and I am excited to see what new wholesome movie will come out next. There are so many different kinds of movies and you never know which ones will be in your top favorites or if you'll never want to see them again. I'm just glad that the Creator doesn't judge us how we judge others and their work. I want to learn to enjoy life's little pleasures even more and spend time write my thoughts. It will be interesting to see what each new day brings. I want to learn to live as though each day were my last and hold nothing back. For me this is difficult because I like to please people, but I have come to realize that there is only One whom I must please and that is the One who created me. So, I leave myself in good hands! May He shine upon all of you and give you dreams and visions.

Release!

Movement...

Notes dancing across the page, released to change the atmosphere.

Hands dancing in the air, released to change the community.

Feet dancing out the rhythm, released to change a nation.

Sounds dancing and twirling, released from a people who want change.

...released freedom!