In our religious upbringing, dancing was sinful. So whenever there was dancing as part of our Physical Education at school, we got Religious Exemption. Both Everette and I. Different environments (city gal and country boy), different schools, obviously different parents but same religious perspective.
Dancing was wrong. Along with a deck of cards. Bowling alleys. You get the picture.
Well, I've been wanting to learn how to dance for years now. I even borrowed some videos from the library, once. Some Country Line Dancing. And Layne, Rauchelle & I had a hoot laughing alongside Everette as he tried to follow the steps to something like The Watermelon Crawl with his dress shoes sliding along the shag carpet of a house we were housesitting. I think tears rolled down my cheeks.
Since then I've either had a growing belly sticking way out there, or a nursing baby I didn't want to drag to a dance class and worry the whole time about, or leave a nursing toddler at home with.....whom?? So we just never learned.
One night many moons ago when I had traveled to Minneapolis with my mom and sister for a cousin's wedding, one of my uncles made me get up and 'learn' to dance some waltz or something as he pushed aside some tables and chairs at the back of the empty restaurant we were having a late dinner at. He said it was to prepare me for the dancing at the wedding reception in a couple of days. His alcoholic breath didn't actually endear me to the experience, but I still knew that in the right situation dancing could be fun for me.
Well, the time has come, and tonight actually Everette and I took our very first dance class. "Social Ballroom".
And it was fun.
We suck. But we have a whole week to practice!
And did I say it was fun?!
Showing posts with label religious. Show all posts
Showing posts with label religious. Show all posts
Friday, January 21, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Regrets of the Dying
I look at this list as a guide as to how I might chose How to Better Live.
1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me. Disconnecting somewhat from my religious upbringing has helped in this area. Fear is another common issue.
2. I wish I didn't work so hard. I think I have a fairly good grasp on this one. And learning to live more minimalistic helps Everette not live with such pressure to produce.
3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings. Not so good at this. People-pleasing is an issue.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends. I have few friends, but some close friends. And my family truly are my friends. But sometimes I think I have bailed too often.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier. A real issue with me these days and has led to many discussions with Everette. I understand "that happiness is a choice."
"The so-called 'comfort' of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives."
Yup, I can identify.
1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me. Disconnecting somewhat from my religious upbringing has helped in this area. Fear is another common issue.
2. I wish I didn't work so hard. I think I have a fairly good grasp on this one. And learning to live more minimalistic helps Everette not live with such pressure to produce.
3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings. Not so good at this. People-pleasing is an issue.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends. I have few friends, but some close friends. And my family truly are my friends. But sometimes I think I have bailed too often.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier. A real issue with me these days and has led to many discussions with Everette. I understand "that happiness is a choice."
"The so-called 'comfort' of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives."
Yup, I can identify.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
He's Got You Covered
Everette & I took then-baby Laars down to The Lakeland Revival for a week in April 2008. You know, the one in Florida with the controversial Todd Bentley. Wow, did we have a great time there, and in some ways our lives will never be the same. Forever changed. Forever thankful.
That's were we met Todd White who's got lots of video's posted over at XP Media showing amples of healings on the streets. And we met and became good friends with Mark & Cathy Kuntz who are on staff with Extreme Prophetic. Laars was prophesized over (he was 10 mo at that time) and we excitedly await seeing that prophesy come alive and evident in his life.
Anyways, I believe it was the last day, last meeting we were at before returning to Canada. After the service I was sitting a few seats in from the aisle holding Laars while Everette stood near the aisle talking with another man. I was quiet and contemplative, some concerns circling through my mind.
I saw an unknown man walk up the aisle and glanced over at me as he walked past. A moment later he was at the end of our aisle and said to me, "He's got you covered."
I said, "Pardon me?"
"He's got you covered. What ever it is that you need, whatever it is that you are concerned about.....He's got you covered." And he walked away.
After Everette's conversation was finished and we packed up to leave for the airport, I shared with Everette what the stranger said to me. I had immediately thought it must be in reference to a big financial concern I had. I asked the Lord what it was about, and I wasn't aware of any response, just my concern about certain finances.
Over the year + since that time, I often think about that 'word', and wonder if it had another meaning. The financial concern turned out fine, but I wasn't confident that the 'word' was for just one particular concern.
Last night when I was listening to John Lynch, towards the end of his talk he mentioned that God has us covered, and my heart skipped a beat. The words seemed to come alive and penetrate my heart even before my mind was quite conscious of what it had heard. As if this was what was meant by that Lakeland 'word'.
He has me covered. On my worst day I am "clean, holy, alive, & forgiven, & new, & beautiful, & acceptable, & complete......." Listen for all that we are, from John Lynch speaking at about 21 mins into the video. (But listen to the whole video!)
I am covered by the righteousness of God thru Yeshua. I can never do enough to earn His love, nor can I do too little to stop His love for me. He just loves me, with an everlasting and fully unadulterated love. What Yeshua did on the cross was full and complete, needing absolutely nothing added to it. It is freely given to me. And I am only able to love Him now because He loved me first and made a way for me to get back to Abba's heart where I am safe.
He's Got Me Covered.
It's a reality. Now I need to learn to stay there, to live there. When I'm feeling distant from Abba, its only a feeling. For the Word says that nothing can separate me from His love. So I am never away from His love, even if I am not feeling Loved. But I stand in faith knowing that I am purely loved by Him. I am clothed in His righteousness. He covers me like a mother hen covers her chicks and protects them.
He loves me beyond my own comprehension, and......
He's Got Me Covered.
Question for You: Do you know how to live loved by the Father, or do you struggle (like me) with feelings of obligations & expectations (religion)?
That's were we met Todd White who's got lots of video's posted over at XP Media showing amples of healings on the streets. And we met and became good friends with Mark & Cathy Kuntz who are on staff with Extreme Prophetic. Laars was prophesized over (he was 10 mo at that time) and we excitedly await seeing that prophesy come alive and evident in his life.
Anyways, I believe it was the last day, last meeting we were at before returning to Canada. After the service I was sitting a few seats in from the aisle holding Laars while Everette stood near the aisle talking with another man. I was quiet and contemplative, some concerns circling through my mind.
I saw an unknown man walk up the aisle and glanced over at me as he walked past. A moment later he was at the end of our aisle and said to me, "He's got you covered."
I said, "Pardon me?"
"He's got you covered. What ever it is that you need, whatever it is that you are concerned about.....He's got you covered." And he walked away.
After Everette's conversation was finished and we packed up to leave for the airport, I shared with Everette what the stranger said to me. I had immediately thought it must be in reference to a big financial concern I had. I asked the Lord what it was about, and I wasn't aware of any response, just my concern about certain finances.
Over the year + since that time, I often think about that 'word', and wonder if it had another meaning. The financial concern turned out fine, but I wasn't confident that the 'word' was for just one particular concern.
Last night when I was listening to John Lynch, towards the end of his talk he mentioned that God has us covered, and my heart skipped a beat. The words seemed to come alive and penetrate my heart even before my mind was quite conscious of what it had heard. As if this was what was meant by that Lakeland 'word'.
He has me covered. On my worst day I am "clean, holy, alive, & forgiven, & new, & beautiful, & acceptable, & complete......." Listen for all that we are, from John Lynch speaking at about 21 mins into the video. (But listen to the whole video!)
I am covered by the righteousness of God thru Yeshua. I can never do enough to earn His love, nor can I do too little to stop His love for me. He just loves me, with an everlasting and fully unadulterated love. What Yeshua did on the cross was full and complete, needing absolutely nothing added to it. It is freely given to me. And I am only able to love Him now because He loved me first and made a way for me to get back to Abba's heart where I am safe.
He's Got Me Covered.
It's a reality. Now I need to learn to stay there, to live there. When I'm feeling distant from Abba, its only a feeling. For the Word says that nothing can separate me from His love. So I am never away from His love, even if I am not feeling Loved. But I stand in faith knowing that I am purely loved by Him. I am clothed in His righteousness. He covers me like a mother hen covers her chicks and protects them.
He loves me beyond my own comprehension, and......
He's Got Me Covered.
Question for You: Do you know how to live loved by the Father, or do you struggle (like me) with feelings of obligations & expectations (religion)?
Monday, December 21, 2009
Are We Bluffing? Or Living Loved?
What can I say but "TRUE!" Listen to John Lynch here:
Question for You: Do you feel that God loves you unconditionally, really unconditionally, or do you feel that you still need to please Him?
Question for You: Do you feel that God loves you unconditionally, really unconditionally, or do you feel that you still need to please Him?
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Theatre or Community?
I was back visiting at The God Journey last night and was listening to 'Pastor Crap' and 'How Organized Does The Church Have To Be?' podcasts. I may not always agree, but I find their conversation stimulating, and often convicting. I need more of Jesus and less religion in my life, that's for sure.
This morning I went over and read 'The Flabby Body of Christ' article.
Man, that article was such a right-on explanation of how we have felt for years. But this author has credentials (unlike Everette and I!)....he's Stephen W. Simpson, a psychologist, writer and professor at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.
Question for You: Do you have a favorite podcast to listen to?
This morning I went over and read 'The Flabby Body of Christ' article.
Man, that article was such a right-on explanation of how we have felt for years. But this author has credentials (unlike Everette and I!)....he's Stephen W. Simpson, a psychologist, writer and professor at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.
Question for You: Do you have a favorite podcast to listen to?
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
The Birthday Party
The Birthday Party
By John & Marlys Hardcastle
WIFE TO HUSBAND: Darling! I have decided to have a big birthday party for you!
HUSBAND: Wonderful!
WIFE: On December 25th.
HUSBAND: That's not my birthday.
WIFE: I know, I know, but we'll just SAY it's your birthday.
HUSBAND: That's your ex-boy friend's birthday!
WIFE: That's okay, I have decided to call it your birthday.
HUSBAND: No, its not okay. Why don't you just pick any day that is NOT your ex-boy friend's birthday? Aren't you interested in what is true? In what is pleasing to me? Even enough to find out my real birth date?
WIFE: Now, now, don't get upset. I have decided that we'll just SAY it is your birthday. I've sent out the invitations and everybody is doing it so that makes it okay.
HUSBAND: It does?
WIFE: Yes, and you wouldn't want me to change the date and inconvenience anyone. I have decided it is okay.
HUSBAND: You've decided. I would be pleased if you would just take my hand and follow me and spend a few moments with me.
WIFE: Later, later. No time now. I have invited ALL the family. My Father and Mother and Uncle Bill and Cousin Betty and Ernie and all the kids and grandkids and, Oh, the children will love it! We'll do it for the children! They deserve it!
HUSBAND: For the children. I see, a day to exalt family...and you call it my birthday. Makes me think you love family more than me.
WIFE: Oh, you'll love it, too, I have decided. And we'll all give gifts to each other.
HUSBAND: This is supposed to be MY birthday? Yet you give gifts to others? Why?
WIFE: And I'll decorate the house...red ribbons and bows and...
HUSBAND: Red? Red is your ex-boyfriend'
WIFE: Oh, I'm putting up a green tree decorated with gold and silver balls and we'll put gifts under it!
HUSBAND: Like the idolators throughout history....every green tree... That is idolatry.
WIFE: And I'll have to buy gifts and do lots of shopping and...
HUSBAND: ...so the God of Mammon will get his.
WIFE: It will be worth it! I'll decorate and bake cookies and fruitcake and...
HUSBAND: Sounds like you'll be really busy. Come away my beloved and spend a little time with me...a walk by the river, a...
WIFE: Later, darling. I'll be busy, but you'll love it...I've decided. The hustle, the bustle...oh, yes, and I've decided to have a nice baked ham...
HUSBAND: Charred swine's flesh! On what you SAY is my birthday and is not! Who is in charge here? Why do you just do YOUR THING and assume that I will put my stamp of approval on it? If you love me, why do you not DO the things that I say? Why do you not do things MY WAY? You don't even KNOW me! I suppose the next thing you'll do is dress your ex-boyfriend in a red suit and have him drop down the chimney!
WIFE: Uhhhh...
Christmas is celebrated on the same day the pagan Romans celebrated their satanic high day.
Question for You: Does it matter to you that Christmas is celebrated on a pagan holiday and most of its symbols are based in paganism?
Saturday, October 24, 2009
The God Journey
I became aware of the podcasts of The God Journey through Emerging Mummy and so I am starting to work my way thru the archives. I'm pleased with what I've listened to so far, and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of these 2 men chatting back and forth. Be forwarned, the first 5 mins or so are just chatter, about random stuff. But then, that's alot of how my girlfriend Lisa and I start a conversation....a little of this and a little of that, and then we are onto some deeper topic sharing our heart and whatever else fits.
Today I was listening to Get Off the Dock and it jived with stuff they talked about on the previous show A Family Without Fences. And I can so identify with what they are saying. Not because I've ever been in a pastoral position (officially, never). But because I've been on the receiving end, the place where a pastor has blatantly told me that I was being deceived and walking down the wrong path, because I wasn't understanding scripture the same way that he was. And I really think it irked him big time because I had actually believed or agreed with somebody else who I had actually just met and who wasn't my shepherd like he was.
Anyways, I think Wayne and Brad have so many valid points they make about us not learning how to hear for ourselves the voice of God, our own lover of our soul, and how we don't trust ourselves to hear from Him but are always looking for somebody else to be the mediator or the translater or the go-between.
This is a walk I've been on for years now, especially since I left organized religion/the church about 7 years ago now. I am a slow learner, I suppose. And I have admittedly fallen for the "give me a John" as I easily fall prey to listening/relying on yet another preacher/author/prophet instead of pressing in to my personal relationship with God Himself, listening to Ruach breathe life and truth into my spirit.
He is my Good Shepherd, and I am His lamb(I don't belong to any other shepherd), and I am always learning more and more how to hear His voice. But I can and do hear it. For myself.
He is ALL I need.
Question for You: In what ways do you 'hear' God speaking to you?
Today I was listening to Get Off the Dock and it jived with stuff they talked about on the previous show A Family Without Fences. And I can so identify with what they are saying. Not because I've ever been in a pastoral position (officially, never). But because I've been on the receiving end, the place where a pastor has blatantly told me that I was being deceived and walking down the wrong path, because I wasn't understanding scripture the same way that he was. And I really think it irked him big time because I had actually believed or agreed with somebody else who I had actually just met and who wasn't my shepherd like he was.
Anyways, I think Wayne and Brad have so many valid points they make about us not learning how to hear for ourselves the voice of God, our own lover of our soul, and how we don't trust ourselves to hear from Him but are always looking for somebody else to be the mediator or the translater or the go-between.
This is a walk I've been on for years now, especially since I left organized religion/the church about 7 years ago now. I am a slow learner, I suppose. And I have admittedly fallen for the "give me a John" as I easily fall prey to listening/relying on yet another preacher/author/prophet instead of pressing in to my personal relationship with God Himself, listening to Ruach breathe life and truth into my spirit.
He is my Good Shepherd, and I am His lamb(I don't belong to any other shepherd), and I am always learning more and more how to hear His voice. But I can and do hear it. For myself.
He is ALL I need.
Question for You: In what ways do you 'hear' God speaking to you?
Thursday, October 22, 2009
What's Your Label
Everette had some paperwork to fill out at a hospital a couple weeks ago, and was asked
'What faith/religion are you?'
Hmmmm, that stumped him for a moment. In the past he would likely have said "Christian" like a natural reflex-response. But that night, he was more aware that he wasn't living a life on auto-pilot, doing as he'd been taught and what was expected. He was more purposefully aware of the life he was living and the road he was walking on.
If he said he was 'Christian', he was thinking that around here it has definite Roman Catholic connotations to it....and we aren't Catholic. And if people took 'Christian' as being Protestant, which of the many denominations of Protestantism would we be? We both grew up in a Pentecostal church, but we raised our oldest 2 daughters mainly in a Fellowship Baptist church, but now our youngest 7 have really grown up outside of organized church. Are we still even Protestant? (And if we are, what are we protesting?)
I know that 'Christian' means 'follower of Christ', but honestly its had a bad name for years. I mean, what does the general public think about 'Christians'? Do people really see the average 'Christian' as somebody who is living the way that Jesus would if He was walking the streets today and running a business in our country today? The crowds flocked after him, wanting to hear what He had to say. He was relative to their lives, and gave them a hope. Does the public today want to hang out with 'Christians', interested in what they have to say or offer? Would they actually aspire to do like 'Christians' do? To have a life like they live?
Since we've stopped going to church, it almost seems that people cannot compute in their own minds that we could possibly love and follow Christ and yet not attend a church. Cuz, doesn't 'Christian' mean 'church attender'? Don't good 'Christians' teach Sunday School and VBS, and go to prayer meetings? I admit, I used to judge people who no longer went to church as 'backsliders'. I couldn't understand that they could ever grow deeper in the Lord if they weren't regularly sitting in a pew swallowing whatever the guy behind the pulpit spooned out to them.
Labels categorize. Yes, they are a generalization. Everybody within that label or category is painted with the same paintbrush. For the good or the bad.
And that is precisely one reason why I am uncomfortable with using the label 'Christian'. I don't want to be lumped in with the rest of those who claim they are 'Christian' and yet don't even really know the Christ they supposedly are following. They might go to church and warm a pew or even tithe and teach a Sunday School class, but do they have a relationship with Christ? I believe this to be a common (if not the majority) scenario with 'Christians' in the western world. We don't love like He did, and the signs and wonders that Jesus performed don't seem normal in the lives of 'Christians' today like scripture says it should (Matt 16:15-20) Many are concerned about the do's and don'ts of religion(Matt 23:25-28), but Christ was concerned about our inner-man, the issues of the heart. It wasn't about keeping a list of rules, but it was about loving God with all that is within a person, and then showing that love by how they interacted with society and the world around them.(Matt 22:36-40)
A verse I've been pondering recently is from Malachi 3:18
"Then you will return and see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him."
We ought to be noticeably different than the world, but not 'religious'. Mark 16:15-20 gives indications as to some things that ought to be different about us, what signs might signify that we truly are followers of Jesus Christ in action, not just in word.
"And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues;they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed."
So, I have to ask myself, does the world know that I am really a follower of Christ Jesus by the way I live my life? Do I have these signs and wonders following me? Am I known by my love, something different than the world offers? (see 1 John 4)
I want these things to be evident in my life, and I'm working on that manifestation.
If you are a follower of Jesus the Messiah/Yeshua, do you call yourself a Christian, or do you phrase it some other way? Do you have a succinct label you would apply to yourself concerning your faith?
Question for You: What words do you use to explain what 'religion' you are?
'What faith/religion are you?'
Hmmmm, that stumped him for a moment. In the past he would likely have said "Christian" like a natural reflex-response. But that night, he was more aware that he wasn't living a life on auto-pilot, doing as he'd been taught and what was expected. He was more purposefully aware of the life he was living and the road he was walking on.
If he said he was 'Christian', he was thinking that around here it has definite Roman Catholic connotations to it....and we aren't Catholic. And if people took 'Christian' as being Protestant, which of the many denominations of Protestantism would we be? We both grew up in a Pentecostal church, but we raised our oldest 2 daughters mainly in a Fellowship Baptist church, but now our youngest 7 have really grown up outside of organized church. Are we still even Protestant? (And if we are, what are we protesting?)
I know that 'Christian' means 'follower of Christ', but honestly its had a bad name for years. I mean, what does the general public think about 'Christians'? Do people really see the average 'Christian' as somebody who is living the way that Jesus would if He was walking the streets today and running a business in our country today? The crowds flocked after him, wanting to hear what He had to say. He was relative to their lives, and gave them a hope. Does the public today want to hang out with 'Christians', interested in what they have to say or offer? Would they actually aspire to do like 'Christians' do? To have a life like they live?
Since we've stopped going to church, it almost seems that people cannot compute in their own minds that we could possibly love and follow Christ and yet not attend a church. Cuz, doesn't 'Christian' mean 'church attender'? Don't good 'Christians' teach Sunday School and VBS, and go to prayer meetings? I admit, I used to judge people who no longer went to church as 'backsliders'. I couldn't understand that they could ever grow deeper in the Lord if they weren't regularly sitting in a pew swallowing whatever the guy behind the pulpit spooned out to them.
Labels categorize. Yes, they are a generalization. Everybody within that label or category is painted with the same paintbrush. For the good or the bad.
And that is precisely one reason why I am uncomfortable with using the label 'Christian'. I don't want to be lumped in with the rest of those who claim they are 'Christian' and yet don't even really know the Christ they supposedly are following. They might go to church and warm a pew or even tithe and teach a Sunday School class, but do they have a relationship with Christ? I believe this to be a common (if not the majority) scenario with 'Christians' in the western world. We don't love like He did, and the signs and wonders that Jesus performed don't seem normal in the lives of 'Christians' today like scripture says it should (Matt 16:15-20) Many are concerned about the do's and don'ts of religion(Matt 23:25-28), but Christ was concerned about our inner-man, the issues of the heart. It wasn't about keeping a list of rules, but it was about loving God with all that is within a person, and then showing that love by how they interacted with society and the world around them.(Matt 22:36-40)
A verse I've been pondering recently is from Malachi 3:18
"Then you will return and see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him."
We ought to be noticeably different than the world, but not 'religious'. Mark 16:15-20 gives indications as to some things that ought to be different about us, what signs might signify that we truly are followers of Jesus Christ in action, not just in word.
"And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues;they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed."
So, I have to ask myself, does the world know that I am really a follower of Christ Jesus by the way I live my life? Do I have these signs and wonders following me? Am I known by my love, something different than the world offers? (see 1 John 4)
I want these things to be evident in my life, and I'm working on that manifestation.
If you are a follower of Jesus the Messiah/Yeshua, do you call yourself a Christian, or do you phrase it some other way? Do you have a succinct label you would apply to yourself concerning your faith?
Question for You: What words do you use to explain what 'religion' you are?
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Not Cut Out For Religion
I ask you, what’s the answer, and you just ask me questions,
and I’m like, “hello, I thought you were God?”
Can’t I just download you, pay-as-I-go to decode you -
a quick fix listen on my i-pod?
I ask you, what’s the answer, and you say, “where does the wind blow?”
Well, if Dylan couldn’t find it, then I won’t get too far.
What’s with all this mystery? How can you say, “follow me”
when I don’t even know where you are?
Your religion needs a makeover, you’ve got to de-clutter.
Make it softer, gooier and spreadable like butter.
I need a faith I can talk about and not sound like a nutter.
You ought to be easy to follow.
Like, a hop-on-and-off open-top bus ride,
a manual with A to Z tabs down the side,
I want a sat-nav path to heaven, not a Lonely Planet guide.
I wish you were easy to follow.
I want a Roman road map to instant glory
a happy-ending-ever-after chick lit story
and you just tell me another foggy allegory
featuring corn and sheep and wine and clay pots.
What are you like? Do you want followers or not?
Far be it from me to tell you what’s what,
but if you did make it easier I’m sure you’d get a lot
more believers, Jesus.
Give me bite-sized thoughts in a faith shape sorter,
No more spilt blood or living water,
just a pint-sized god who’s a straight talker.
Make it easy to follow.
I want fruit-flavoured shots of the Holy Spirit,
bite-sized, trite truths in Boyband lyrics
“love” and “above” – yeah, that should fill it.
Make it easy to follow.
I want facts on a plate - don’t want to have to question any,
artificial roses every 14th of February.
I want simple faith – blind if necessary.
Why aren’t you easy to follow?
You say, “you are not my servant, now you are my friend”.
You say, “I will be with you until the bitter end”.
And I’m like, “why bitter? – I wanted happiness on prescription.
Isn’t that the whole point of getting religion?
And besides, friendship’s harder – can’t I just buy the subscription?”
Can’t you be easy to follow?
Give me a clear-cut structure, not a friendship’s fragilities,
favourable rights with few responsibilities.
I could follow that plan – yeah – religiously.
That would be easy to follow.
I want three steps to beauty from a teenage advice mag;
Ben and Jerry’s Triple chocolate straight of the ice bag;
ethically traded but with a Primark price-tag -
I could say Amen to those.
I want box-up beliefs wrapped in tissue-paper
presented by Fearne Cotton, and voiced by Tom Baker,
with a hands-free contract to contact the Maker
available from Tesco’s.
I want Quicktime cut-price broadband access.
Simple principles, easily practiced.
Directly transactional prayers - the fact is,
my time is precious, so why should I work?
Why should treasure always require a search?
I want a message that’s acceptable without having to plead it,
that’ll make people instantly realise they need it.
Yeah, thanks for the Bible – but have you tried to read it?
You need to be easy to follow.
I want all the answers set out in a paperback
of less than fifty pages, in the buy-now-read-it-later rack
I’ll skim it on the train down to visit Auntie Kate and back -
nice and easy to follow.
Everyone will warm to its convenient slimness.
It’ll be easily digestible and provoke a certain tingliness,
and every answer will be one sentence long, universally applicable, and in English.
That would be easy to follow.
You see, I think you need to focus and refine your vision,
if you want to market the brand they call “Christian”.
I say, “give me clarity”, you say, “will you marry me?”
With all due respect, Jesus, I don’t think you were cut out for religion.
by Jude Simpson
You can find out more about Jude and her writings over here.
Question for You: Do you write poetry? What kind of things do you write about the most?
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Taste and See
Have you heard: Taste and see that the Lord is good!
When we taste something, and find that it tastes really really good, then we want more and more of it. That's what we'll find with the Lord. If we've tasted religion, we won't like it. But if we've truly tasted of the goodness of God, we'll desire more and more of Him.
Lord, make me thirsty for You. And You'll be the Living Water and the pure Wine that I drink.
Lord, make me hungry for You. And you be that Bread of Life that feeds me. Mmmmmm!
Question for You: What does "Taste and See that the Lord is good" mean to you?
Monday, June 22, 2009
Freedom
A few weeks after I had heard 'Life' spoken to me from the Lord, I was putting laundry into the washing machine when I clearly heard the word 'Freedom'. Nobody else was in the room with me, except the Holy Spirit. I know it was The Spirit talking to me.
I accepted that word from Him, and immediately recalled the verse in John 8:36 "So if the Son sets (or 'makes' NASB) you free, you will be free indeed." (NIV)
So, He was pointing out to me that I hadn't been living out my freedom, the freedom that Christ the Son had died to give me. I had taken on self- or man-inflicted bondage, often touted as 'holy' or 'righteous'. I was living a 'good Christian life', had a nice family, doing what many saw as Biblical, but yet my heart was not truly living in freedom. Those were only outward actions that were admired by many, and my intentions were to be pleasing to the Lord, but my heart wasn't living in freedom.
Galatians 2:19 in The Message kind of sums up much of where I had been.
"What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn't work. So I quit being a "law man" so that I could be God's man. Christ's life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that. Is it not clear to you that to go back to that old rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an abandonment of everything personal and free in my relationship with God? I refuse to do that, to repudiate God's grace. If a living relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily."
The way I see it is, if I choose to succumb to "rule-keeping, peer-pleasing", then basically what Jesus accomplished on the cross isn't effective as far as it pertains to me. Jesus gave up His precious life and blood for not only my sins, but to set me free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). If I don't live in that freedom, then I am basically rejecting what God's gift to me is. (I challenge you to read thru Romans 8, at least thru verses 1-6. But much of the rest of the chapter talks lots about Life & death, Freedom and bondage.)
Galatians 5:13(AMP) says, "For you, brethren, were [indeed] called to freedom; only [do not let your] freedom be an incentive to your flesh and an opportunity or excuse [for selfishness], but through love you should serve one another."
We were called to live in Freedom. Not lawlessness (see 1 John 3:4). "You say, “I am allowed to do anything”-—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial." (1 Cor 10:23)
When I talk about Freedom I am not at all saying, "Anything Goes!" because it doesn't. Scripture is clear about particular things that are sin. But past that, much of what the church sees as 'sinful' is simply religious-spirited opinion. Take drinking wine, for example. Hot topic in some circles, but I dare to bring it up. Scripture makes it clear to "Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit" (Eph 5:18) In 1 Tim 5:23 Paul admonished Timothy to use wine medicinally, and Jesus' very first public miracle was turning water not just into wine, but really really good wine....the BEST! (see John 2:1-12)
Nobody will convince me that drinking wine under all conditions for a Christian is a sin. That is just opinion. It often becomes bondage forced on others. But it is not supported by Scripture. Therefore, according to Scripture, drinking wine is permissable. It may not be beneficial, but that's a different issue. It is allowable. But many times we take our opinion that because it might not be beneficial in my situation, it therefore mustn't be beneficial in your situation, either.
I heard a story by Bill Johnson who was traveling with a fella, and Bill offered him a candy. He turned it down, saying that God had told Him that he wasn't supposed to eat candy. Turns out that a couple years previous God had asked this man to sacrifice or fast from eating candy. He hadn't imposed the 'no eating candy' on anybody else, but he had imposed that candy-fast on himself for years, without having asked God if he could now eat candy. He had actually put himself in a type of bondage because he had assumed that what God had once asked him to do, was still the 'law' for him. He hadn't thought to inquire of the Lord about the issue.
I urge you to honestly ask the Lord to reveal to you what bondage you may be under, and then ask Him to set you free from it. Inquire of the Lord in all matters, and don't accept man's ideas blindly. If the Son has set you free, then YOU ARE FREE! Live in that freedom. Make the cross applicable to your life.
Question for You: Do you feel under obligation alot, or do you feel free most of the time?
I accepted that word from Him, and immediately recalled the verse in John 8:36 "So if the Son sets (or 'makes' NASB) you free, you will be free indeed." (NIV)
So, He was pointing out to me that I hadn't been living out my freedom, the freedom that Christ the Son had died to give me. I had taken on self- or man-inflicted bondage, often touted as 'holy' or 'righteous'. I was living a 'good Christian life', had a nice family, doing what many saw as Biblical, but yet my heart was not truly living in freedom. Those were only outward actions that were admired by many, and my intentions were to be pleasing to the Lord, but my heart wasn't living in freedom.
Galatians 2:19 in The Message kind of sums up much of where I had been.
"What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn't work. So I quit being a "law man" so that I could be God's man. Christ's life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that. Is it not clear to you that to go back to that old rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an abandonment of everything personal and free in my relationship with God? I refuse to do that, to repudiate God's grace. If a living relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily."
The way I see it is, if I choose to succumb to "rule-keeping, peer-pleasing", then basically what Jesus accomplished on the cross isn't effective as far as it pertains to me. Jesus gave up His precious life and blood for not only my sins, but to set me free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). If I don't live in that freedom, then I am basically rejecting what God's gift to me is. (I challenge you to read thru Romans 8, at least thru verses 1-6. But much of the rest of the chapter talks lots about Life & death, Freedom and bondage.)
Galatians 5:13(AMP) says, "For you, brethren, were [indeed] called to freedom; only [do not let your] freedom be an incentive to your flesh and an opportunity or excuse [for selfishness], but through love you should serve one another."
We were called to live in Freedom. Not lawlessness (see 1 John 3:4). "You say, “I am allowed to do anything”-—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial." (1 Cor 10:23)
When I talk about Freedom I am not at all saying, "Anything Goes!" because it doesn't. Scripture is clear about particular things that are sin. But past that, much of what the church sees as 'sinful' is simply religious-spirited opinion. Take drinking wine, for example. Hot topic in some circles, but I dare to bring it up. Scripture makes it clear to "Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit" (Eph 5:18) In 1 Tim 5:23 Paul admonished Timothy to use wine medicinally, and Jesus' very first public miracle was turning water not just into wine, but really really good wine....the BEST! (see John 2:1-12)
Nobody will convince me that drinking wine under all conditions for a Christian is a sin. That is just opinion. It often becomes bondage forced on others. But it is not supported by Scripture. Therefore, according to Scripture, drinking wine is permissable. It may not be beneficial, but that's a different issue. It is allowable. But many times we take our opinion that because it might not be beneficial in my situation, it therefore mustn't be beneficial in your situation, either.
I heard a story by Bill Johnson who was traveling with a fella, and Bill offered him a candy. He turned it down, saying that God had told Him that he wasn't supposed to eat candy. Turns out that a couple years previous God had asked this man to sacrifice or fast from eating candy. He hadn't imposed the 'no eating candy' on anybody else, but he had imposed that candy-fast on himself for years, without having asked God if he could now eat candy. He had actually put himself in a type of bondage because he had assumed that what God had once asked him to do, was still the 'law' for him. He hadn't thought to inquire of the Lord about the issue.
I urge you to honestly ask the Lord to reveal to you what bondage you may be under, and then ask Him to set you free from it. Inquire of the Lord in all matters, and don't accept man's ideas blindly. If the Son has set you free, then YOU ARE FREE! Live in that freedom. Make the cross applicable to your life.
Question for You: Do you feel under obligation alot, or do you feel free most of the time?
Sunday, June 21, 2009
More about Life
I can look back over previous years and see particular relationships from a different perspective now. I recall going into some new 'friends' houses, and almost feeling as if I was being squeezed and restricted at every visit. We could talk about the Lord, but it was as if I needed to do more to be more righteous & to measure up. It felt like the big burden on Christians back ('Pilgrim's Progress'), but instead of personal sin, it was more religious-spirited baggage. I had put myself into a relationship that brought a form of death. They had a form of godliness but didn't seem to really be walking in the grace of God, or the power of the gospel, nor the abundant life of Jesus.
I have received emails of reprimand towards myself or my friends because of somebody that we had received teaching through. People thought they could us the scriptures to prove their point, which was actually to defraud others. But usually within the first couple of sentences I could feel in my spirit-man that these words were giving death. It wasn't really whether they had any truth or not in what they had to say, but I could easily tell by what spirit realm it was written. Remember, satan knows scriptures and can certainly use them to his advantage, but that brings death. It robs us of joy, for he comes to steal, kill and destroy. But when those words bring Life to our soul, then we know that the source is God.
I recall hearing Heidi Baker of Iris Ministries talking about a time that she was all excited, pushing ahead on a project. But then she had a vision or a dream (I can't remember) in which she was running really really fast, and then she stumbled. God picked her up, twirled her around excitedly, and then said, "You Go Girl! Just slow down a little!"
I love that picture. To me, its such a gentle Daddy excited over the same things that His child is, but there to pick her up, play a bit, and encourage her on. Within all of that is a gentle reprimand or correction, cloaked in love and delight.
That's how I see the Love of God, bringing LIFE to me even when correction is needed. If it feels like death, then it likely is. And I know who authors that! No matter how holy or right it might appear, if the source is not from God, then in the end it will bring death.
Our family can honestly say, that in the 5 months we were hanging out with Extreme Prophetic, and we took in many many meetings (from small informal house meetings, to big conferences), there wasn't even one meeting where we didn't leave there feeling more life, more love for God, more desire for His Word. There was always Life, always encouragement, always support, always God.
Deuteronomy 30:19
" I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants."
John 10:10
"The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)."
Be Blessed and above all, be filled to overflowing with the Life of Jesus.
Question for You: Do you have a simple way to practice discernment?
I have received emails of reprimand towards myself or my friends because of somebody that we had received teaching through. People thought they could us the scriptures to prove their point, which was actually to defraud others. But usually within the first couple of sentences I could feel in my spirit-man that these words were giving death. It wasn't really whether they had any truth or not in what they had to say, but I could easily tell by what spirit realm it was written. Remember, satan knows scriptures and can certainly use them to his advantage, but that brings death. It robs us of joy, for he comes to steal, kill and destroy. But when those words bring Life to our soul, then we know that the source is God.
I recall hearing Heidi Baker of Iris Ministries talking about a time that she was all excited, pushing ahead on a project. But then she had a vision or a dream (I can't remember) in which she was running really really fast, and then she stumbled. God picked her up, twirled her around excitedly, and then said, "You Go Girl! Just slow down a little!"
I love that picture. To me, its such a gentle Daddy excited over the same things that His child is, but there to pick her up, play a bit, and encourage her on. Within all of that is a gentle reprimand or correction, cloaked in love and delight.
That's how I see the Love of God, bringing LIFE to me even when correction is needed. If it feels like death, then it likely is. And I know who authors that! No matter how holy or right it might appear, if the source is not from God, then in the end it will bring death.
Our family can honestly say, that in the 5 months we were hanging out with Extreme Prophetic, and we took in many many meetings (from small informal house meetings, to big conferences), there wasn't even one meeting where we didn't leave there feeling more life, more love for God, more desire for His Word. There was always Life, always encouragement, always support, always God.
Deuteronomy 30:19
" I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants."
John 10:10
"The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)."
Be Blessed and above all, be filled to overflowing with the Life of Jesus.
Question for You: Do you have a simple way to practice discernment?
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Choose Life
Shortly after we arrived on Cape Breton in the fall of 2007, it seemed like Everette and I entered into our own kind of Discipleship Training School with God. We had all of our previous support gone and we had begun a new journey. The process had started at some point before we left BC, but it was very clear and intense when we were here on Cape Breton and especially once the cold eastern winter set in. We were home much of the time, engrossed in the Word, online teachings thru podcasts or videos, and reading books. We each had our own journey, but they were overlapping quite often.
I was seeking to know God better, and to clear my mind and heart of all the religious things I'd grown up with. I had put God in a pretty small box, and had limited Him pretty much to my experience. I was wanting to serve a powerful BIG God. I was on the search to find Him.
I started to hear a voice. I don't know how to explain it, but it was clear and precise. I suppose it was in my head that I heard it, but it wasn't like the flurry of thoughts that seem to be constantly going around in this females head. It was loud, and everything else stopped. It got my total attention, although it was just one single word. It stood out like a beacon amidst a storm.
LIFE!!
How simple was that? Of course, I choose life. I wasn't considering suicide. I don't agree with abortion or euthanasia. Of course I choose life.
But then God brought me to Deuteronomy 30:19 "This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live."
As I pondered this verse and started looking into blessings and curses, it became more apparent to me that through ignorance and/or naivety I was living with a form of death and with curses in my life, considering it a normal part of living in a fallen world. But when I became aware of the life and the blessings that God has for His children, and I recognized that as a citizen of the Kingdom I don't live under the rulership of this world (unless I'd choose to), then I really started to LIVE!
I started to evaluate my thoughts, and wonder if they were bringing life to my soul and spirit. If they weren't, then I would "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Cor 10:3-5
I would reject lies for I recognized that "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I (Jesus) came that they may have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10
Jesus came and died for me, that I would not only have life, not only eternal life, but abundant here-&-now life. He sent His Spirit in fullness to live in me, that I can have a very different life than those that are without Him. But I must constantly be choosing life, not death and the ways of the thief.
I started to see things more simply. Life....or death. Blessings......or curses. No brainer, of course I wanted the Life and the Blessings. So, how did that look in my daily life? (You can check out Deut 28 for a list of blessings and curses)
I would choose to think thoughts of Life. This isn't the same as being a positive thinker. This is thinking thoughts or words that originate from God, and from Jesus, since He is the Truth and the Life. (John 14:6)
Bill Johnson says, "I can't afford to have a thought in my head about me that is not in His." Chew on that for awhile. That was a biggie for me. It was a turning point, actually.
So, by choosing Life I was definitely choosing Jesus who is the Life, and I was choosing His thoughts about me. Thoughts like.....
I am a new creation in Christ; old things have passed away and all things have become new. (2 Cor 5:17)
I am united to the Lord and am one spirit with Him. (1 Cor 6:17)
I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. (2Cor 5:21)
I am righteous and holy. (Eph 4:24)
I am hidden with Christ in God. (Col 3:3)
I am more than a conqueror through Christ. (Rom 8:37)
I am a child of God who always triumphs in Christ and releases His fragrance in every place. (2 Cor 2:14)
I am a recipient of every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. (Eph 1:3)
If I sin and confess it, I now stand righteous before God. (1 John 1:9)
When I started to decree the truths God gave in the Bible, I was choosing words of LIFE over the lies of death that my spiritual enemy tried to feed me. I was working at doing what Bill Johnson said......not having thoughts about myself that God doesn't have. I find LIFE the more my thinking truly lines up with God's Word. There is really no other way to have LIFE than from the Life-Giver.
Question for You: Have you ever audibly heard the voice of God?
I was seeking to know God better, and to clear my mind and heart of all the religious things I'd grown up with. I had put God in a pretty small box, and had limited Him pretty much to my experience. I was wanting to serve a powerful BIG God. I was on the search to find Him.
I started to hear a voice. I don't know how to explain it, but it was clear and precise. I suppose it was in my head that I heard it, but it wasn't like the flurry of thoughts that seem to be constantly going around in this females head. It was loud, and everything else stopped. It got my total attention, although it was just one single word. It stood out like a beacon amidst a storm.
LIFE!!
How simple was that? Of course, I choose life. I wasn't considering suicide. I don't agree with abortion or euthanasia. Of course I choose life.
But then God brought me to Deuteronomy 30:19 "This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live."
As I pondered this verse and started looking into blessings and curses, it became more apparent to me that through ignorance and/or naivety I was living with a form of death and with curses in my life, considering it a normal part of living in a fallen world. But when I became aware of the life and the blessings that God has for His children, and I recognized that as a citizen of the Kingdom I don't live under the rulership of this world (unless I'd choose to), then I really started to LIVE!
I started to evaluate my thoughts, and wonder if they were bringing life to my soul and spirit. If they weren't, then I would "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Cor 10:3-5
I would reject lies for I recognized that "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I (Jesus) came that they may have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10
Jesus came and died for me, that I would not only have life, not only eternal life, but abundant here-&-now life. He sent His Spirit in fullness to live in me, that I can have a very different life than those that are without Him. But I must constantly be choosing life, not death and the ways of the thief.
I started to see things more simply. Life....or death. Blessings......or curses. No brainer, of course I wanted the Life and the Blessings. So, how did that look in my daily life? (You can check out Deut 28 for a list of blessings and curses)
I would choose to think thoughts of Life. This isn't the same as being a positive thinker. This is thinking thoughts or words that originate from God, and from Jesus, since He is the Truth and the Life. (John 14:6)
Bill Johnson says, "I can't afford to have a thought in my head about me that is not in His." Chew on that for awhile. That was a biggie for me. It was a turning point, actually.
So, by choosing Life I was definitely choosing Jesus who is the Life, and I was choosing His thoughts about me. Thoughts like.....
I am a new creation in Christ; old things have passed away and all things have become new. (2 Cor 5:17)
I am united to the Lord and am one spirit with Him. (1 Cor 6:17)
I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. (2Cor 5:21)
I am righteous and holy. (Eph 4:24)
I am hidden with Christ in God. (Col 3:3)
I am more than a conqueror through Christ. (Rom 8:37)
I am a child of God who always triumphs in Christ and releases His fragrance in every place. (2 Cor 2:14)
I am a recipient of every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. (Eph 1:3)
If I sin and confess it, I now stand righteous before God. (1 John 1:9)
When I started to decree the truths God gave in the Bible, I was choosing words of LIFE over the lies of death that my spiritual enemy tried to feed me. I was working at doing what Bill Johnson said......not having thoughts about myself that God doesn't have. I find LIFE the more my thinking truly lines up with God's Word. There is really no other way to have LIFE than from the Life-Giver.
Question for You: Have you ever audibly heard the voice of God?
Monday, June 15, 2009
Family Update...kinda long, cuz we're busy and there's alot of us
It's been brought to my attention that many of you don't actually know where we are, or what we are up to. So, I suppose I should give an update.
After all those years on Vancouver Island, Sept 2007 we 'temporarily' moved with the 7 youngest of our 9 dc (dear children) out to Cape Breton Island on the east coast where my sister's house had burned down. We rented a house in another town not too far away and thought we'd be here for about 4 months while we helped rebuild her house. Well, winter moved in before they got to dig for the foundation, so everything was behind schedule from get-go. All told we were here for 54 weeks. In January we were joined by our older girls. It was a great time of healing relationships, building new ones, and even getting a big house built.
God had moved in Everette's and my lives alot, brushing away alot of religiosity, and we had a desire to soak our dc in that powerful Christian lifestyle in a community of believers walking in the supernatural.
After the year was up we decided to head south to hang-out with Extreme Prophetic. We gave our old van away, and were trusting God to bring us the big white 15 passenger van Toveli had seen in a vision. I flew back to Vancouver with most of the dc (that was an experience. We saw the power of God and His peace working evidently in our lives and met so many people who witnessed it and told us about it. Incredible) Everette and Danaka drove from Nova Scotia all the way to Phoenix and located a place for us to rent. After a few weeks they met us in Vancouver where I had tracked down an excellent used van only a few miles away from my moms. Wow! We bought it the day after Everette arrived, and the next day our family was packed in the van and heading to the states.
The Lord got us across the border with stories to tell..... the keys were temporarily confiscated, the border-guard closed his bullet-proof wicket window, they shut down all the other lanes, and we were then escorted to a secure area where we were surrounded by armed guards and instructed to leave the van with slow motions and our hands visable at all times. It turned out to be 'mistaken identity' over my passport. Too many Karen Johnsons out there.
We spent 4.5 months in a community just south of Phoenix, AZ. What a time we had. At different times members of our family helped out at foodbanks, did street witnessing, volunteered at a women's shelter, took training on evangelism & healing, took in seminars on the supernatural. We had the opportunity to see the Grand Canyon (on a snowy windy day Brrr) and incredible Sedona.
We made friends with a colorful group of people for whom we will always be connected. They are woven into our hearts. They are a part of the deep work God is continuing to do in our lives. They are each a part of our wonderful time in AZ. We are forever changed.
We left Arizona the end of March. The family (minus Layne) drove across the USA, seeing the hand of God guiding us even as our route changed course unexpectedly. He is so awesome!!!
We drove thru El Paso, TX which I hadn't seen since my YWAM missions trip to Mexico back in the '80's. We got to see Dallas/Ft Worth from the highway, and I personally got to drive across the Mississippi. We spent a late night staying up talking with our friends outside of Atlanta, GA, (we miss you Daigles) then bee-lined it for Lancaster County to spend a couple of days amongst the Amish (one of my dreams come true! Thank you, Jesus!!) We went to the Liberty State National Park and got to see the Statue of Liberty (her backside, anyways) and then had a hassle getting thru NYC....but we made it!! We were about a week and a half in total, and all were thrilled to arrive safely at aunty's on Cape Breton.
This time we are staying in my sister's house. After all, its big and new!! We expect to be here for the summer and get some sailing done, then probably head back to BC for the fall. We have the older dc staying up on the 3rd floor where Everette and my sisters office is, and the family bathroom. Everette and I along with the youngest 2 girls and boys are down in the basement (its a nice
basement) which is mostly but not completely finished. There's 10+ acres to play on, plus the beach is across the street. There's a fishing wharf just across from us, and we can watch the lobster fishermen doing their thing every day.
Layne is living on the westcoast with my mom, and got a job (the first day she was looking PTL!) as a barista, which is basically what she was hoping for. She misses the family loads, but she presses on with the Lord and He sustains her.
Rauchelle is with us at least at this point, working around here and at the neighbours when she isn't away travelling or training for her air rifle. She had a great time & experience in Germany and Italy at World Cup and personally experienced the favor of God and man in her situation.
The other dc keep busy with learning to read, baking/cooking, building forts, gardening, etc.
Everette is doing ForEx, and I am the support for all that goes on around here.
We don't know how long we'll actually be here in Cape Breton. Although its a gorgeous place to visit and the lifestyle is slow the way we like, we aren't really planning to be here long-term. We have embarked on a different lifestyle since we gave up our house and most of our possessions in BC, and are living a life by faith. We can never 'go back', neither would we ever want to. But we are still 'based' out of BC.
So, that's where we are right now. A snapshot view of our family.
Question for You: Do you practice 'soaking' in the presence of the Lord?
After all those years on Vancouver Island, Sept 2007 we 'temporarily' moved with the 7 youngest of our 9 dc (dear children) out to Cape Breton Island on the east coast where my sister's house had burned down. We rented a house in another town not too far away and thought we'd be here for about 4 months while we helped rebuild her house. Well, winter moved in before they got to dig for the foundation, so everything was behind schedule from get-go. All told we were here for 54 weeks. In January we were joined by our older girls. It was a great time of healing relationships, building new ones, and even getting a big house built.
God had moved in Everette's and my lives alot, brushing away alot of religiosity, and we had a desire to soak our dc in that powerful Christian lifestyle in a community of believers walking in the supernatural.
After the year was up we decided to head south to hang-out with Extreme Prophetic. We gave our old van away, and were trusting God to bring us the big white 15 passenger van Toveli had seen in a vision. I flew back to Vancouver with most of the dc (that was an experience. We saw the power of God and His peace working evidently in our lives and met so many people who witnessed it and told us about it. Incredible) Everette and Danaka drove from Nova Scotia all the way to Phoenix and located a place for us to rent. After a few weeks they met us in Vancouver where I had tracked down an excellent used van only a few miles away from my moms. Wow! We bought it the day after Everette arrived, and the next day our family was packed in the van and heading to the states.
The Lord got us across the border with stories to tell..... the keys were temporarily confiscated, the border-guard closed his bullet-proof wicket window, they shut down all the other lanes, and we were then escorted to a secure area where we were surrounded by armed guards and instructed to leave the van with slow motions and our hands visable at all times. It turned out to be 'mistaken identity' over my passport. Too many Karen Johnsons out there.
We spent 4.5 months in a community just south of Phoenix, AZ. What a time we had. At different times members of our family helped out at foodbanks, did street witnessing, volunteered at a women's shelter, took training on evangelism & healing, took in seminars on the supernatural. We had the opportunity to see the Grand Canyon (on a snowy windy day Brrr) and incredible Sedona.
We made friends with a colorful group of people for whom we will always be connected. They are woven into our hearts. They are a part of the deep work God is continuing to do in our lives. They are each a part of our wonderful time in AZ. We are forever changed.
We left Arizona the end of March. The family (minus Layne) drove across the USA, seeing the hand of God guiding us even as our route changed course unexpectedly. He is so awesome!!!
We drove thru El Paso, TX which I hadn't seen since my YWAM missions trip to Mexico back in the '80's. We got to see Dallas/Ft Worth from the highway, and I personally got to drive across the Mississippi. We spent a late night staying up talking with our friends outside of Atlanta, GA, (we miss you Daigles) then bee-lined it for Lancaster County to spend a couple of days amongst the Amish (one of my dreams come true! Thank you, Jesus!!) We went to the Liberty State National Park and got to see the Statue of Liberty (her backside, anyways) and then had a hassle getting thru NYC....but we made it!! We were about a week and a half in total, and all were thrilled to arrive safely at aunty's on Cape Breton.
This time we are staying in my sister's house. After all, its big and new!! We expect to be here for the summer and get some sailing done, then probably head back to BC for the fall. We have the older dc staying up on the 3rd floor where Everette and my sisters office is, and the family bathroom. Everette and I along with the youngest 2 girls and boys are down in the basement (its a nice
basement) which is mostly but not completely finished. There's 10+ acres to play on, plus the beach is across the street. There's a fishing wharf just across from us, and we can watch the lobster fishermen doing their thing every day.
Layne is living on the westcoast with my mom, and got a job (the first day she was looking PTL!) as a barista, which is basically what she was hoping for. She misses the family loads, but she presses on with the Lord and He sustains her.
Rauchelle is with us at least at this point, working around here and at the neighbours when she isn't away travelling or training for her air rifle. She had a great time & experience in Germany and Italy at World Cup and personally experienced the favor of God and man in her situation.
The other dc keep busy with learning to read, baking/cooking, building forts, gardening, etc.
Everette is doing ForEx, and I am the support for all that goes on around here.
We don't know how long we'll actually be here in Cape Breton. Although its a gorgeous place to visit and the lifestyle is slow the way we like, we aren't really planning to be here long-term. We have embarked on a different lifestyle since we gave up our house and most of our possessions in BC, and are living a life by faith. We can never 'go back', neither would we ever want to. But we are still 'based' out of BC.
So, that's where we are right now. A snapshot view of our family.
Question for You: Do you practice 'soaking' in the presence of the Lord?
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