HIS Hands, HIS Feet

This entry is dedicated to the many who prayed and sent texts of encouragement while ministering on 6th street, downtown Austin. Reaching the lost is a corporate experience. When believers are working together with the gifts God has given them, the Holy Spirit moves and amazing things happen. So, Amy, Bob, Cheryl, Cindy, Gina, Larry, "Deborah" Layne, Roxanne and Seana thank you for covering us in prayer while we were out.

My husband and I, along with Glenda and John from our church, were led by the Spirit of God to pray for several people. It was an awesome time in the Lord as we watched Him minister to a believer, heal a single father's knee and bring another into His Kingdom. Watch this video documenting the prayer and response from those who received it.



After the prayer, Casey received Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior. I pray this short video encourages you to look for divine appointments in your life and to become His hands and feet. God bless you.

My Personal GHOST

Last night my husband and I stayed at the Menger Hotel in San Antonio. It's supposed to be haunted by ghosts. Being in the hotel and seeing all the people dressed up downtown made me think of a Ghost I don't mind having around, the Holy Ghost. My reflection of His presence in my life inspired me to write this poem. I hope it blesses you.

My Personal Ghost

Because of Love,

I am haunted.

Because of love,

I see and feel Him,

Leading me, teaching me,

Putting me in the know.

Helping and Comforting;

A shelter from the cold.

Because of Love,

Each day I am haunted.

Because of love,

Each day I receive it.

Gently, kindly

Descends like a Dove.

A constant nudging;

It's never enough.

"Watch out," "Don't touch,"

"Be careful," "Come this way,"

"Look here," Go there,"

"Step out," "Don't be afraid."

Because of Love,

Each day I am haunted.

Because of love,

Each day, I strive...

.........to obey Him.

The Walking Dead

"...and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were rasied; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appreared to many."

-Matthew 27:37

My translation: The graves opened up and dead people came out of them after the resurrection of Christ. These dead were children of God and they went into Jerusalem appearing to many.

Only these were not the walking dead so many will be dressed like this weekend. These were fully restored to life and sharing the truth of life after death. I often think of what mayhem was going on when the Roman guard had fleed the scene, Christ's body was gone and now all these supposed dead people are walking around including the Lord. The Word tells us that our Savior walked through a wall to enter a room. I wonder if the others resurrected had the same capability. What would you do if a person whose funeral you attended came strollin' up the way? Or walkin' through your wall? How would you respond to what they may have said? One thing I believe is for sure. The only fear that was being spread around the town was the fear of Almighty God.

All people know that life will come to an end. Death is a certainty. I am so thankful that I serve a God who has conquered the grave and by that, the enemy of our souls. Baptism is such a great picture of what happens for those who believe, we become dead to the old man and then risen to walk in newness of life through Christ. But it is also a prophetic picture of what literally happened with Christ and will happen with us who are sealed by God. If the Lord tarries we will meet the grave; and like Him, we will come out. Romans 6 proclaims that death no longer has dominion over us. We are alive to God.

If you are a believer reading this blog, you are a walking dead person. Inside you is the resurrection power of Christ. We are dead to sin, this world and it's waves of the society we live in. Here's a dare. Whatever party you may be going to that requires a costume, dress normal. If someone inquires about your dress, tell him/her/them with all seriousness, "This is it. I'm a dead person," and watch what happens. They may look with a serious face or laugh and respond with something like, "Come on be serious." But, if you grab the Holy Spirit and seriously explain what that means for you, the fear of the Living God will come onto their countenance. I have done this before and it is amazing!!

I tell you. Death is everywhere; on TV, movies and video games. Fear roams our nation with all the things happening in the world. But, Praise the Lord!! We can shout, "Whom shall I fear and death where is your sting?!?! With Christ I am alive. I am alive!"

Caught by a Current

When I was around 12 years old, I found myself in a life or death situation. LITERALLY! I mean even when I look back on it, I think that my dad must have been out... of his mind. We had gone on a family road trip and stopped by a beautiful river for lunch. It was so pretty. The reflection of the sun on the water looked like shimmering diamonds. I was just looking at the water mesmorized.  I was looking and looking and then... jumped in. I just lept in the water. Well, before I knew it, there I went; down stream. FAST!! I had no thoughts, I was just screamin, "AHHHHHH!!!"

Then I saw my dad running down the bank. For a moment I was relieved because my dad at the time (he is retired now) was a Los Angeles County Lifeguard. You know; like Baywatch. And, I thought, "He's gonna save me. He's gonna save me." At that moment, I was coming to some rocks and somehow managed to grab on to a gigantic rock that I could hold onto. I was like, okay now all I have to do is wait here until my dad comes and gets me. Wrong. Instead he starts talking to me and telling me to come to him. I yelled back, "No! I'm gonna drown, daddy! Come get me!"

He tells me to swim to him. What do I do? I pushed off the rock and tried to swim up stream. Of course I just ended up back on the rock. This happened several times. Finally, holding onto the rock, I look straight into my dad's eyes with fire and brimstone radiating toward him. I was tired, cold and now thinking my dad didn't love me. He knelt down on the bank and said, "Listen to me. You have to trust me. Swim to me and no matter what you feel stay in that direction. Just swim to me."

I did. I swam toward the bank, even though I could feel the tow of the water pulling me down stream. I ended up about 50 more feet down stream but made it to the bank where my dad was waiting for me with his arms open. Ooooo I was mad, Mad, MAD... and hurt! We walked back to our picnic area and he gave me a sandwich. Then he sat next to me and explained that I was carried away by an under water current that I couldn't see. Then he gave me a big hug and said, "In my presence, I will never let you drown."

This same scenario has played out many times in my life. I have been deceived by the appearances of things with no idea of the ugly current present to take me to death. Then I would grab onto the Rock and cry out to God, "Save me! Save me!" Hallellujah!  Everytime I was back in his arms and He never.. ever... has let me drown.

There are lots of under currents in the streams of life that take us away with intent to kill. Two things puts us in harms way. The art of deception and being removed from the Lord's presence. Christ warns regarding the signs of His coming to see that no one deceives us. We need to be vigilant at keeping our eyes wide open; making sure we do not fall prey to the wimbs of the world. Proverbs advises that we surround ourselves with wise counsel. The Psalms are filled with scriptures about the protection of the Lord's presence. These things are important because of the times we live in. An earthquake, a suname and a volcano on the same nation, in one day. I am not an eschotologist (studier of end time events.) However, I think we are pretty close. If we help each other from jumping into dangerous currents and stay in God's presence, we will be safe. Our oil lamps will stay full. But, if somehow an under water current has captured you. Cry out and run back to the Lord. And, before you know it you will be dining with Him at His table and hearing Him say, "In my Presence, I will never let you drown."

HE is There

Not too long ago, the Lord opened a door for me to serve Him by ministering to the youth in Israel. I was with many people from different parts of the world sharing the gospel on the Mediterranean Sea at a New Age Festival. This festival was a 24/7 party for two weeks. This is a side note, but paganism is still practiced today and growing. I can't even write some of the things that I witnessed there. It was heart breaking. Anyway, one of the strategies we used to attract people was the use of Israeli dance to Messianic Praise and Worship music.

We were able to talk to people and worship the Lord declaring who He is in the midst of the work of the enemy. It was a wonderful time ministering and sharing the good news of the Gospel of peace. There were times I thought, "Lord, this place is filled with everything you tell us not to practice in Your word. How can they, Your chosen people, do this? Are you even here?"

After a day, I really wanted to go to the water and worship on the sand at sunset. On the last day, three people came with me. I was really disappointed because it was overcast and I wanted the sun to be shining and it wasn't. But, we went down anyway to worship the Lord. As we danced, an onlooker took some pictures and when we were done she showed me this stunning photo.

The Lord spoke to me through this photo. He said, "I'm here."

 It was a powerful lesson for me. God called us to be salt and light to a lost and dark world. In the different places He has put us (a job, school, relationships or missions trip) we are called to proclaim His name and worship Him. That is all we have to do and He will be there. The exciting thing is that when we are obedient to the call of Matthew 28:19, He does all the work. He is the One seen and receives all the Glory. We become the backdrop for His brilliancy. 

Dirt was plowed, seeds were planted and we were blessed to see the fruit of salvation. So, now, whenever I find myself near those that many in the church would stay clear of, I practice the truth of an old Sunday School song. "This little gospel light of mine, I'm going to let it shine, let it shine, all the time." So, wherever you are, let your light shine. And know that He's there. Right there; plowing the dirt, planting seeds and reaping the Harvest He paid for on Calvary.

It's For You

I love working with and advocating for young children. It has been such a blessing to me. I recall a time when I had a young girl in my classroom who asked me permission to do everything. She would point to toys and activities on the shelf and ask, "Can I play with that?" I would have to constantly remind her that what I placed in front of her was for her to play with. I would pray to the Lord (well, complain,) "How many times do I have to explain that what I have given her to play with and use, is for her!?"

 Months later she was able to truly enjoy the toys and had fun in the classroom. Finally!! Thank you Jesus! She receives it. I still don't know why that little girl took so long to receive the toys and activities Ihad for her. But, one thing I do know. We do exactly that with gifts the Lord has for us sometimes.

There are some crazy things in the Word. I mean really! The Lord through the Holy Spirit has given us faith to believe that a man was swallowed by whale, lived in His belly for three days, was regurgetated and lived to talk about it. We tell the stories of the plagues, Noah's Ark and the resurrection of our Lord. Yet, some of us haven't fully received His forgiveness, the full extent of His love or the many other promises in His word. There are sooo many, many promises that we need to lay hold of and accept with the same conviction that we accepted Christ as our Savior.

The Lord says that we must be like children to see the Kingdom of God. One of the things I have learned about children is that they are literally minded. If you tell them something, they will believe it. There are no metaphors or symbolic language with them. So, like children, we should receive "no condemnation," "no weapon formed against you shall prosper," "vengeance is Mine, I will repay," "I have plans for you," "you are a royal priesthood," "you will have no lack of gain," and "what you put your hand to will prosper." If we lived and made decisions based on the truths in and Promises of God's word, the light of His Bride would be so bright. We would become His hands, His feet; His message.

So, believe. Receive. And walk with the knowledge that the blessings in His word are all for you

A Bottle of Clairol for the Soul

Like many women, I color my hair. Every time it is time to get my roots done, more gray hairs pop up. They stick out like a finger pointing at me through the mirror screaming while laughing, "Hey sister! You're gettin' old!" It's amazing to me how women "fight age to the death," as my friend Taylor puts it. When it comes to the looks of many women the signs of aging are the enemy. And the battle begins. We have so much available to us in order to remove wrinkles, cellulite, saggy skin and gray hairs. I have learned that the tenacity people use to fight age is the same tenacity needed to overcome the gray areas of our heart and the cracks in our souls.

Life is tough. For some, tougher than others. And the blows that come from various experiences can result in a wave of pain that leaves scars. If only there were a bottle of Clairol to cover that up and allow us to go on feeling brand new, like it was never there. The problem is that it is there. Clairol, plastic surgery and make-up only hide the truth. The truth is I am getting older. The age of 20 is loooongg gone. Like that truth, people have been hurt, some very badly. I am one of them. I have had a broken heart sooooo many times. I have been betrayed by friends, abandoned by boyfriends and even let down by people in the church. Yet, I am sustained. I am firm and have not been shaken.

I remember a time I gave my heart (I say "a time" because that wasn't the only time) to a complete jerk. Only at the time I thought he was Prince Charming. Anyway, long story short I was deceived and left wondering if I was a lovable person. Could anyone on this earth love me the way I wanted to be? I cried for nights and days before the Lord and struggled with the concept of being alone, forever.

Thank God! He is real and brought answers to my circumstance straight from his Word. I read about a woman who could not conceive a child, a man who was put in a pit and left for death due to jealousy; a woman who was betrayed by her own father and a man who had his birthright stolen from him by his brother. At the end of these stories, there was a happy ending. It birthed hope in me. Then I heard His voice and He said, "I love you. And, I will never leave you, nor forsake you."

The path to healing is honesty. We have to be honest and own what has happened to us. Covering it up and trying to fix it so it appears as though it is not there is not healing and can lead to bitterness. God loves you. He loves us more than we can possibly fathom. And if you bring your heart to Him, He will heal you with His love.