#2 - EEYORE

STOP HERE IF YOU LOVE EEYORE - READ NO FURTHER

If you know me well, you know that I have complete and total disdain for Eeyore. He is so negative, gloomy and defeated; my friend and I call it the "spirit of Eeyore". This picture goes perfectly with his attitude! I can feel it I am getting fired up already and that is how I get everytime I talk about him, think about him or see him. We all have our issues and Eeyore is one of mine.

One day while watching Pooh's Heffalump Movie, with my daughter, I lost it. Througout the movie he was carrying all this stuff on his back including, but not limited to a grandfather clock. He was uncharacteristically annoying and gloomy, even for Eeyore, in this movie. I looked at my daughter and asked her, "Do you know what is wrong with Eeyore?" Then immediately answered my own question with, "I'll tell ya what's wrong with Eeyore, he doesn't know Jesus."

Many people walk around everyday just like Eeyore and you know them, you may even live with them. The sad truth is many of them are Christians. The bible says we are more than conquerors through him who loved us, does that come across in our attitudes? Or do we resemble Eeyore in more ways than we care to admit?

I found this book on-line, so I guess I am not the only one who has issues with Eeyore:Living with Eeyore: How to Positively Love the Negative People in Your Life

#3 - THEY CALL ME MOMMY

My niece is here for a visit this week and we have been reminiscing about all the fun things we have done over the years. We took spontaneous dips in the ocean, shaved my Yorkie because I gave her a bad haircut and had many other fun adventures. It got me thinking about being a mom and how different it is from being an aunt.

I became an aunt when I was 12 and by the time I was 16 I had approximately 13 nieces and nephews. I also had a little brother and sister, eight and twelve years younger than me. I had a lot of experience with kids, so I thought motherhood would be a walk in the park. No one can convey to you how drastically different it is.

When my nieces and I went for an impromptu dip in the ocean one night after eating dinner out, I did not worry about them getting water all over my car, not having towels to dry off or that they would get sick. I was not solely responsible for their well-being nor did I have to discipline them. We could just have fun!

Six years ago when Isabella was born I was ready, or so I thought, because of all my “experience”. It was going to be great, but it was far from great and I wonder how much of the un-greatness was due to my expectations of an aunt type relationship that is not possible with your own children. They are solely your responsibility, you are on call 24/7 and all of that is added to the responsibilities you had before they entered the world. You cannot spend a few days getting things ready for their visit and take a week to recover when they leave. You think about their character, you think about your character and a host of other things that are really important as a parent that just do not cross your mind with nieces and nephews.

It has been a relief of sorts to realize my distorted view of motherhood in relationship to aunthood. Now I can rest in that revelation. My little ones, they call me mommy, not Aunt Mari and that was by God’s design. I wish it had not taken me six years to figure that out, but something tells me this revelation is going to be very helpful in my mothering.

#4 - SPIRITUAL SIGHT

Christmas Eve-Eve as I dressed for church I felt the need to confess. What could be so pressing that I would wake up during one of the best times of the year burdened with the need to confess? Judgment! I heard the Lord clearly say to me that morning as I woke up, “Do not judge what I am doing by what you see!” Wow, that’s a loaded statement, one that I am guilty of. So, on my knees at the altar I prayed and asked the Lord for forgiveness not only for myself, but for the body of Christ as a whole.

Let’s enhance our spiritual sight this year by NOT judging what He is doing by what we see and seeking to gain His perspective before coming up with one of our own. After all we are no longer blinded by the god of this world. May He open the eyes of our understanding in 2008 – the Year of New Beginnings!

Read more about 2008 – Year of New Beginnings

#5 - HE WILL CHANGE YOUR NAME AND YOUR CHARACTER TOO

Have you ever wished you had a different name? I did, all throughout my childhood. My name meant “bitter”. Name meanings were always important to me and I did not like the fact that the only meaning I could ever find was negative. Three years ago the Lord began to deal with me about bitterness towards my husband and it was a wonderful time of forgiveness and reconciliation. I was involved in a discipleship program and in our study we had to look up the meaning of the word “Lord”. I couldn’t find my dictionary, so I waited to use my friends when we went over the study. She had a bible dictionary and we looked up “Lord”. She began to read and this is what it said, “Jesus was also addressed with the Aramaic mari (“lord”). That is from the Holman Bible Dictionary, page 890.

At 33 years of age I finally found a positive meaning for my name, but it wasn’t without a willingness on my part to be changed. The Lord brought the bitterness to my attention, but I had to be willing to surrender it to Him and allow Him to change my heart. My reward was a changed name (meaning) something I had deeply desired my whole life. He rewards obedience.

Like me, Jabez (1 Chron 4:9b) had a name that had a negative meaning. His name meant “he will cause pain”. He did not want that to be his destiny, so asked God that he not do what his name implied - Oh, that you would bless me indeed, And enlarge my territory, That your hand would be with me, And that You would keep me from evil, That I may not cause pain! (1 Chron 4:10, TNKJ)"

In the Bible, a name and the nature of the one who carries the name are linked to the destiny God intends for them. For Jabez the change he desired meant a transfusion of the will of God to supersede his mother's careless action when she named him at birth. In effect, God changed his name by changing his nature. From that point, the name Jabez was changed spiritually to mean--blessed! enlarged! and kept by God from evil and from causing pain!" - Shirley Weaver Ministries, A Clear Trumpet, Inc., Post Office Box 2720 . Mt. Pleasant, SC 29465.Copyright (C) 2000-2006 All rights reserved.

Click here to get Shirley Weaver’s daily devotional emailed directly to you.

#6 - MYTH BUSTER #2 - BEHIND EVERY GOOD MAN THERE IS A GOOD WOMAN

Pride, control and shame are just a few pieces of baggage I carried along with the phrase, “Behind every good man there is a good woman.” Again, I didn’t know this was “just a saying” or a “myth” – I bought it lock, stock and barrel. In my mind God not only wanted me to help myself, He wanted me to help my husband too. I hauled around a lot of false responsibilities as a young woman that He never designed me to carry.

When God created marriage He never intended for us to be responsible for each other’s actions. He was creating a picture of His Son’s love for the church (Ephesians 5). A canvas colored with love, patience and forgiveness. The lie I believed left mine covered with anger, resentment and criticism - not a good way to start a marriage.

At 18 I got married and had been told numerous times, “Behind every good man there is a good woman.” It then became my purpose to make my husband “good” even though I had no clue what that meant and I did not actually see myself as good either. How could I considering the lies I was living by? My thought process went like this, my husband is not ambitious, therefore, he is bad and if he is bad I must be bad and everyone will know it. Ouch! It was a lose lose situation.

I was trying to be a “good woman”, so he could be a “good man” not realizing I was putting myself in a position of control. In reality I was making myself a roadblock to what God wanted to do in him. Not only did I buy this lie, but I was sucked into believing that I had control in some way. Control in itself is a lie because we don’t have it – we NEVER have it. If you think you have control, you’ve just bought a lie.

Needless to say, that marriage did not work out. Not only did I live and die by false beliefs, neither of us had a relationship with the Lord. In all our striving and attempts to fix ourselves, each other and our marriage we failed miserably because we were working toward the worldly façade of a “happy” marriage. That was half a lifetime ago for me and in that time I have been transformed by the renewing of my mind (Romans 12:2). The renewing of my mind was the only thing that was going to clear up the lies, confusion and crazy thoughts in my head.

This myth could be truthful if stated this way, “Behind every good man there is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.” It would also alleviate a lot of false guilt and responsibility that wives carry around.

#7 - MYTH BUSTER #1 - GOD HELPS THOSE THAT HELP THEMSELVES

Myths have been around a long time. Now there is even a website (snopes.com) that is “The definitive Internet reference source for urban legends, folklore, myths, rumors, and misinformation.” Some people know a myth when they hear it, I wasn’t so fortunate.

As a child I struggled with depression which only got worse as I entered adolescence. For days I would isolate, cry and be riddled with negative thoughts. It was like being in a pit with no way out. During one of these dark times someone told me, “God (only) helps those that help themselves.” Something in my already distorted thoughts grabbed hold of this statement and I knew that I had to do more to help myself. That began years of spiritual self-reliance. I wanted so desperately to be well and tried so hard to be “happy”, was it not enough? How much did I have to help myself before He would help me? All this striving and God still wasn’t showing up.

This belief that became ingrained in my thinking and was fueled by many well meaning counselors telling me all the things I had to do to be well. For years it was behavior modification, medication and self-help books to no avail. That statement kept creeping into my thoughts and convincing me I still wasn’t doing enough to help myself. It had set me up to live in a perpetual cycle of failure because it was a lie and no matter how much I did to help myself it could never prove itself true. This convinced me that God was a rewarder of performance and mine just wasn’t up to par. Had I known the truth of the cross I would have recognized the lie and understood He is a God that helps the helpless and saves the sinner who can’t save himself.

Once I understood salvation I had a checklist in my head of all the I had to do to get “right” before I could be saved – back to the ‘ol “God (only) helps those that help themselves” drawing board. Now that lie was keeping me from the cross. Fed up, desperate and afraid I surrendered my life to Christ. I truly did not understand what I was doing at the time, but the Father did – He just wanted my total surrender. Knowing my distorted thoughts, I believe, He wanted to show me His unconditional love and His desire to “save” me because I had no ability to save myself (by His design). In His gentle way He said, “Now, I want you now, regardless.” It was as if a hand nudged me toward the altar because I had no intention of going down there myself.

In that sweet moment as I experienced the heart of the Father the lie I had believed for so long began to shatter. It took several years for all the layers of that to be chipped away but He is faithful. The very first verse He gave me that sank deep into my spirit was Ephesians 2, the complete and total contradiction to “God only helps those that help themselves”.

But God--so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us, Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation). Ephesians 2: 4-5 AMP

The key to dispelling a lie is Truth – Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8: 32, 36. NIV I had tried so hard to prove the lie that I was miles away from truth.

More truth to conquer the lie:

While we were yet in weakness [powerless to help ourselves], at the fitting time Christ died for (in behalf of) the ungodly. Romans 5:6 AMP

For You have been a defense for the helpless, A defense for the needy in his distress ,A refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; For the breath of the ruthless Is like a rain storm against a wall. Isaiah 25:4 NASB

For years I was enslaved to a lie that was nothing more than a quote from Ben Franklin in Poor Richard’s Almanac which had absolutely no basis in Truth. What lies do you believe? Seek Him and He will show you truth in your inner being!

Behold, You desire truth in the inner being; make me therefore to know wisdom in my inmost heart. Psalm 51:6 NIV

Come back tomorrow for MYTH BUSTER #2:BEHIND EVERY GOOD MAN THERE IS A GOOD WOMAN.

#8 - KISSED BY THE KING

According to rabbinical tradition a kiss from the King is when a passage of scripture jumps out at you and you sense God speaking directly to you. (adapted from Falling in Love with Jesus, by Dee Brestin and Kathy Triccoli)

Last year, the Saturday before Mother’s day, I was getting something out of the fridge in the garage and I heard the Lord say, “You are more precious than rubies.” A little while later I read the verse and the next day Todd gave me my Mother’s day card and before I opened it I began to cry because I knew what it said, yeah, you guessed it…”You are more precious than rubies.” It was one of those moments that take your breath away. I was kissed by the King.

This morning as I got ready, a wall hanging Todd gave me for Valentine’s Day caught my eye and the verse my eyes were drawn to was “You are more precious than rubies.” It was as if He leaned over, held my face in His hands and planted a kiss right on my forehead. His goodness and gentleness overwhelm me. He gave me a loving reminder of His heart for me after a pounding by the enemy. It does not matter what the enemy says, all that matters is I’m still Daddy’s little girl.

May you kissed by the King!

Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.
Proverbs 31:10

#9 - A FRIEND WHO WILL GO ANYWHERE WITH YOU

A couple of weeks ago my friend Malorie and I went out to dinner with our husbands. She lives in Delaware, so I only get to see her once a year…not nearly enough for two writers and talkers like us. After dinner we excused ourselves to the restroom and were deep in conversation. We kept right on talking all the way into the men’s restroom, yes that’s right we went in the men’s restroom and were greeted by a gentleman at the stand up potty (why do they always put those at the entrance?). He looked at us (made eye contact - weird) and said you’re in the wrong bathroom. We burst into hysterics! I laughed through my whole restroom visit.

It made me think how blessed I am to have a friend that I can make a mistake with and we can laugh about it together (we’re still laughing). She’s also the friend that will stand for me when I can’t. She has praised God for me, when I couldn’t utter the words. She has battled the enemy for me, when I didn’t see what he was doing. She has taught me truth and grace by example and action rather than preaching. I am BLESSED!

I’ve made visits to the men’s restroom by myself before, but it wasn’t nearly as much fun alone. Kind of like life…we can make mistakes and be isolated and try to hide them, but there is no value in that. Making mistakes surrounded by people who love the Lord and love us are opportunities for personal growth and strengthening of the friendship.

One great thing about Malorie is that if I told her the Lord said we should go into the men’s restroom she would have gone as easily as she did by mistake and that is PRICELESS. My pastor says to surround yourself with “crazy” people and by that he means people who are not afraid to appear crazy to the world to do as the Holy Spirit leads. Malorie is my CRAZY friend! If you have a friend like that I’m sure you already know how blessed you are and if you don’t pray, and ask the Lord to send you one and He will. Be open it may not be what you are expecting.

The picture in this post is an actual photo of the door of the men’s restroom we visited. In my blogging mind I knew there was a story in that.

Colossians 3:13-17 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

#10 - MISTER ROGERS AND THE HOLY SPIRIT

The next ten post will be some of my favorites since beginning last November in no particular order.

Judgmental? That’s not a word that we would typically use to describe our “neighbor” Mister (Fred) Rogers, but he described himself that way once and according to author Amy Hollingsworth, only once.

While in seminary Fred would visit different churches to see how different ministers preached. He and some friends decided to visit the church of a well-known and well-respected preacher. They soon discovered that he was away and there was a guest speaker. Fred, not impressed sat through the sermon making mental notes of all the rules the guest speaker was breaking. When the sermon was over he turned to his friend to commiserate and she was weeping. She told him that that man had said exactly what she needed to hear. It was then he realized that the Holy Spirit was able to transform that message into what his friend needed to hear – no matter how bad he thought the message was.

This experience shaped the rest of his life. It changed his Neighborhood as well. He said, “I’m so convinced that the space between the television set and the viewer is holy ground. And what we put on the television can, by the Holy Spirit, be translated into what this person needs to hear and see, and without that translation it’s all dross as far as I’m concerned.” Go Mister Rogers!

The lesson he learned from that guest speaker was: What is offered in faith by one person can be translated by the Holy Spirit into what the other person needs to hear and see. The space between them is holy ground, and the Holy Spirit uses that space in ways that not only translate, but transcend. (From The Simple Faith of MISTER ROGERS, by Amy Hollingsworth, page 35)

It made me think of blogging. What God prompts us to write from day to day, however spiritual or comical can be just what someone needs at that moment. The Holy Spirit can make just the right words or phrases minister to that person at their point of need. It also made me think of our critical nature. We are so quick to judge the things we see and hear, when we really have no clue how that very thing could be ministering to someone else.

During a team meeting for a retreat weekend the leader brought out a little chick, you know the kind that peep when you put your fingers on the contacts? Well, she brought this thing out and did an exercise with the group and I couldn't stop bawling. It ministered to me deeply and God spoke loudly “to me” through that exercise. I heard and saw just what I needed at that moment.

You just never know what is going to minister to someone. Be careful what you say about others, especially your pastors. If people are following the leading of the Holy Spirit they are ministering to someone, it just might not be you. Or it could be you, just not at that moment.

Has something unusual ministered to you? I'd love to hear about it. If you don't want to comment here email me.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:29-32

100th POST BUZZ

The next ten posts leading up to my 100th will be some of my favorites since beginning last November. Be sure to check back frequently as I will post one a day!

My 100th* post will include:

• Out of Deep Waters blog carnival sneak peak and launch date
• PRIZES! PRIZES! PRIZES!
• A list of future post topics
• A new look

*My 100th post will not immediately follow the 99th because I will be taking a blog break for an undetermined amount of time. When I resume it will be with post 100!

Thanks for reading and I will miss this!

Come back tomorrow for #10 - Mister Rogers & the Holy Spirit

HAPPY, BLESSED AND FORTUNATE

The Lord has been ministering to me out of Psalm 127 for about two weeks now:

1Except the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; except the Lord keeps the city, the watchman wakes but in vain. 2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to take rest late, to eat the bread of [anxious] toil--for He gives [blessings] to His beloved in sleep.

My friend shared this verse with me when I told her about this.

3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.

The Lord has reminded me of this over and over again.

4 As arrows are in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth.

My friend shared this verse with me when I told her I was pregnant.

An arrow is a sharp stick that a bow can shoot. A soldier with many arrows is happy; so is a man with many children. They will give him help to fight his enemies.

5 HAPPY, BLESSED AND FORTUNATE is the man whose quiver is filled with them! They will not be put to shame when they speak with their adversaries [in gatherings] at the [city's] gate.

Two friends, separately, have given me this verse when I told them I was pregnant.

Obviously, the Lord has much to say to me right now in Psalm 127, so I think I will REST here a while.

I CAN DO ALL THINGS...

Baby number four is on the way and I am ecstatic, but my excitement has not been met with the same enthusiasm. The responses so far:

• Are you crazy?
• Another one?
• Ohhhhh
• Four?
• Your gonna have your hands full
• How old are you?

There have been positive responses too, that have far outweighed those mentioned above, but the negative ones really surprised me and led to this post. Thank you to those who have blessed us and this baby and have shared in our joy and excitement for the new life we are expecting.

The bible says, “Children are a gift and a blessing from the Lord” and I do not admit to having revelation of all that meant after my first child, but as my three have grown, wow…it is life-giving! So, if they are a gift and a blessing from the Lord, why would I not be thrilled? In nine months I get to unwrap a present from my Daddy - a Daddy who loves me with an everlasting love and gives perfect gifts!

My youngest daughter's name is Kaira, which means "God’s opportune time for something to happen" (from the Greek kairos). Maybe that is when it clicked for me, when I got pregnant with her, that it was God’s timing - not mine. It is the same now.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” is used by Christians everywhere for weight loss, recovery and a host of other issues, why don’t we use it for pregnancy and childrearing? I CAN do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me!

TO WORSHIP YOU JESUS

This weekend I have the opportunity to escape the daily hustle and bustle of my life and sit at the feet of Jesus. There will be time to spend and soak in His Word, worship without time restraints, listen without interruption and pray without ceasing. It has long been my desire to get away with Him and bask in His presence. Although He has been faithful to provide these times for me in the midst of my everyday life, I am looking forward to intentional, uninterrupted time with Him.

My intention and expectation this weekend is to PRAISE HIM! I heard this song Sunday at church and it made my spirit soar. It truly is the cry of my heart! I will leave you with this…

Lord of Lords by Hillsong

Come back Sunday for a big and exciting announcement!

Beholding Your beauty Is all that I long for
To worship You Jesus Is my sole desire
For this very heart You have shaped for Your pleasure
Purposed to lift Your Name higher

Here in surrender
In pure adoration
I enter Your courts With an offering of praise
I am Your servant Come to bring You glory
As is fit for the work of Your hands

[Chorus 1:]Now unto the Lamb
Who sits on the throne
Be glory and honour and praise
All of creation resounds with the song
Worship and praise Him
The Lord of lords

Spirit now living
And dwelling within me
Keep my eyes fixed
Ever on Jesus' face
Let not the things of this world
Ever sway me I'll run 'til I finish the race

[Chorus 2:]Now unto the Lamb
Who sits on the throne
Be glory and honour and praise
All of eternity echoes the song
Worship and praise Him
The Lord of lords

Holy Lord
You are holy
Jesus Christ Is the Lord

IT REALLY IS ALL ABOUT ME

Have you seen this shirt, or purse or notebook? It seems to be everywhere targeting our kids. I must admit I cringe a little every time I see it, wondering what are we teaching this generation? Well, that was until the Lord spoke to me and said, “It really is all about you!”

Your…

• Choices
• Actions
• Behaviors
• Attitudes
• Motives

Now that puts a whole different spin on “it’s all about me.” I have choices to make everyday and in every situation – bottom line – my choices reflect my heart.

The bible is clear, we have choices to make:

Joshua 24:15
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then CHOOSE for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.

Proverbs 8:10
CHOOSE my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold…

James 4:4
…Anyone who CHOOSES to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

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

GOD MADE HIS CHOICE:

John 15:16
You did not CHOOSE me, but I CHOSE you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

THEN SINGS MY SOUL SATURDAY

The LORD your God is with you,
He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with his love,
He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

At a particularly low point one night I asked the Lord what He was singing over me? It was powerful when He answered and He did quiet me with His love. Ask Him what He is singing over you?

The song starts at 10 seconds, it is He Will Rejoice from the Glory Revealed CD.

Be blessed, your King is singing over you right now!

Click here to read an excerpt from the book Glory Revealed: How the Invisible God Makes Himself Known it is from chapter one "Glory Revealed through Quietting Love". It is amazing!



For more Then Sings My Soul Saturday, visit Amy at Signs, Miracles, and Wonders

HOW DO THEY GET HERE?

I saw this on Life in the Parsonage and thought it was great, so here is my version.

From referrals on Sitemeter I can tell that most people get to my blog searching for the following (in the most to least requested order):

1. “Sleep number bed replacement parts” or “my sleep number is 25” and they get this. I have often thanked the Lord for bringing so many to my blog this way and pray they will read the story and hear of His faithfulness. The post has also been picked up by Sleep Conversations by Select Comfort makers of the Sleep Number Bed…interesting, huh? God has no limits!


2. “Your love is like water washing over me lyrics” and they get this. This is an awesome song, click on the link to listen if you have never heard it. You will feel His love flow like water washing over you.


3. “God only helps those that help themselves” and they get this. That was a lie I believed for longer than I would care to admit and I hope people find truth and freedom in my words.

The blogosphere - a mighty new weapon!

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4

For when the world with all its earthly wisdom failed to perceive and recognize and know God by means of its own philosophy, God in His wisdom was pleased through the foolishness of preaching [salvation, procured by Christ and to be had through Him], to save those who believed (who clung to and trusted in and relied on Him). 1 Corinthians 1:21

REVIVAL

Somewhere between here and here something happened. What? A deep and confident TRUST in God. My issues with trusting Him have been settled and my spirit has soared. He has not changed, He has always been trustworthy...something has changed in me.

Thank you for the calls, emails and prayers since my last post. Due to the response I am sensing I did not convey the Hope I was experiencing at the time in the midst of the situation. The circumstances are what they are, but God is SO much bigger! He has shown Himself strong.

There really is no way to describe what has been happening except to say “REVIVAL”. I have not been under a tent, gone to nightly meetings or even visited Lakeland, but I can tell you without a doubt I am experiencing REVIVAL. God has poured out His Spirit on me and I am changed. So, if the situation sounded hopeless, I apologize – I know (intimately) the source of my Hope. I do not want my inability to articulate the goodness and faithfulness of God to minimize it in any way.

The first definition of REVIVAL on dictionary.com is: restoration to life, consciousness, vigor, strength, etc. So, I would say "Yes, it is definitely REVIVAL!"

THEN SINGS MY SOUL SATURDAY

I've been "Sweetly Broken", hope you are too!

This sums up my week:

Chorus:
At the cross You beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees, and I am
Lost for words, so lost in love,
I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered



For more Then Sings My Soul Saturday, visit Amy at Signs, Miracles, and Wonders