Flowers in Green Fields and Ocean Waves

You know God is a pretty busy guy. Have you ever thought about that?

Very busy; he has an enormous amount of work to do every day. You might say he has a lot on his plate and his plate is quite large.

Stop and think about all he is doing; not done but what he faces in our generational era.

He has to be everywhere all the time. That in itself is exhausting to me.

God feeds the hungry, gives clothes to the poor, fights wars even though he hates war, saves marriages, rescues us from ourselves and fills the sky at night with stars.

God reforms his church, protects the missionaries, redeems the strayed, thwarts natural disasters, gives aid to those affected by natural disasters and composes ocean waves.

God sends foreign aid, guards our schools, beats crime, ransoms the lost, blocks violence, sends Angels to fight the enemy of the dark and lights the sky with a crescent moon.

God speaks for those who can’t speak for themselves, he cares for the widow and orphans, provides research for medicines, educates and trains his followers, scatters his flowers in green fields.

God heals through medicine (although I am sure he would prefer to heal the easy way) supports the homeless, provides needed earthly resources and wakes us up to a beautiful sunrise.

God topples evil nations, changes the guards of politics, ends the reign of dictators, confirms the constitution, weeds out corrupt politicians and ends the day with a sunset.

Shall I go on? The list is infinite. God is in control. God knows what he is doing.

God is busy, yet his first and foremost desire is to form a lasting personal relationship with every human being.

The concept that the Almighty God, Jehovah Yahweh even considers us as his most cherished creation is difficult to grasp.

The idea the King of Kings desires to teach, guide, protect, and provide our every need is nothing but overwhelming.

The realization the Chief Shepherd of the Universe chooses to speak to us, hear our prayers, listen to our gripes and complaints, forgive us, and deals with us at all is beyond my comprehension.

He must be God. Embracing his love for us is over the top, astounding, mind-blowing and bewildering. Thinking about it brings tears to my eyes.

If the Creator of the Universe takes time out of his busy life to speak to us, shouldn’t we do the same for him?

Photo by Randy Harrison
http://www.pbase.com/jrandyh

http://justmyfaithtalking.wordpress.com/2012/05/24/one-step-closer-to-home-casual-or-cause/

http://jesusmyjoy.wordpress.com/2012/05/24/look-at-the-beauty/

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/the-loveliness-of-christ/

http://butchdean.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/a-matter-of-perspective/

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

Dire Straits

Reading the news makes me want to throw up. Watching the mass lies, mudslinging and vile hate spewed at Christians brings me to my knees.

Folks, we are in dire straits in America.

The blame game, false advertising and accusations run rampant.

Slander is prominent and people disappearing. When will it stop?

Strong gay marriage support now exceeds strong opposition

Author says GOP broke Washington

State may vote on licenses for illegal immigrants

SC Gov Haley using piñata video to raise money

Dad says son beaten at bus stop as others watched

Secret Service boss: ‘I apologize’

$100 Billion Tax Question

Polls show US presidential battle tightening

Witnesses change stories in Trayvon case

I was hard pressed to find any good news. At least this one is;

Pro-Choice’ Americans At Record Low, Poll Finds

This is just America, not the world. The evidence is clear the media is more interested in promoting civil unrest, murder and anything disgusting.

The tone is negative rhetoric. Big talkers acting. Feuds are fought with demeaning gabfest. It is embarrassing.

What is worse is people fall for the lies….because they don’t know the truth. If they did the news would be opposite.

In the last 30 years I have witnessed this country decline in roller coaster fashion.

Issues we never discussed have become mainstream. Issues we never heard of are FrontPage news. Issues once thought to be ill-advised, hush-hush or deviant are accepted as normal by those who wish to promote such shameful aversions.

Explaining that to a 23-year-old is deafening. They can’t relate. Sadly, the younger generation has no idea what Ozzie and Harriet represented.

God is speaking and speaking loudly. Actually he is yelling. If you are blinded or don’t know the word, you won’t hear him. But this is what he is saying.

2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Who does this sound like? Weren’t the Israelites a difficult bunch?

Unfortunately the Israelites don’t have anything on America. We are the most grumbling, complaining, and selfish, backbiting people on earth.

But God put us here for a reason. America was founded on Godly principles. America is God’s alternative to freedom for others. He has used our people to give generously, back Israel and seek peace in other areas of the world. He built this nation on Capitalism; free market and enterprise and a constitution based on his word.

America is a blessed nation or was.

We have to get back on our knees. Now.

http://singularspectrum.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/spectrum-perspectives-social-media/

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/elective-despotism/

http://thewayeverlasting.com/2012/05/23/quote-shudder/

http://butchdean.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/a-matter-of-perspective/

http://justmyfaithtalking.wordpress.com/2012/05/19/a-simple-request-go-and-sin-no-more/

churchgraphics.wordpress.com

Praise Report!

My dad is home and doing fine! Thanks be to God his surgery went very well. He is bruised with some soreness, but that is to be expected. Doctor told him only Tylenol for pain and a cool compress which he is using to reduce any swelling.

Once home he sat down at the dinner table and gobbled down a delicious hamburger my daughter had made! He was starving and there is nothing wrong with his appetite!  Remarkably, with all he has endured the last 2 years his appetite has been excellent.

I am overwhelmed with my blogger friends and how you have risen to the occasion to pray for my dad. God truly answered your prayers and I am so grateful to each one of you for your blessings upon him and my family.

God knew when he created this technology the benefits it would bring.  The support for each other is needed and such a great blessing.

Thank you all for your friendship, and your prayers. My dad is a result of how important prayer is and that it really works!

God bless you all!

Cavalier Days and the Champion Advocate

So you want to do this or that. What is that or this?

We wouldn’t do it if it wasn’t important….or would we?

Repenting of my useless, wasted energies, God assured me he uses everything.

Lavish fun, destructive music and movies, and squandering God’s money on the junk food of life are a total distraction. And to think in our youthfulness we knew it all…..yeah right.

Our cavalier and reckless days add up to empty hearts, no satisfaction and debt. The order may be reversed depending on how much you spent on life’s ill-fated pleasures or the extent you went to in revenge for Don Juan who broke your precious heart.

As you whine, “I will never date again!”  Or “You just wait you little eaves dropping adulterer, your days are numbered!”

Oh, give me a break.

How often do we tangle our own webs? How often do we muddle our gluttony by jumping into the fire ourselves? If we aren’t careful the enlistment will backfire.

The enemy uses whatever is available to distract us. And we are so easily allured into his devilish antics we forget or lose our way. He is a cunning, deranged creature who needs to be thrown under a few buses, but it won’t happen if we don’t push him. Or yank his so-called wickedness with real authority.

Wrong people and activities waste our time.

Yes, you know the fun people, all-about-me people or the hedonistic, miserly gourmets of popularity. These are the lost souls of propriety. Run away.

Destructive circumstances aren’t always lost in our foolish captivity. God is the source of freedom but only if asked.

Once you run away, seek God before the excess baggage of your blissful pleasures drop on your head. He is the beneficiary of our expensive and often painful negligence.

Psalm 50:20 “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

No matter what we have done if we seek God he can take our egotistical, self-seeking greed and use it for his purposes.

How? By allowing us to reap what we sow until the veil is removed. Days of amusing revelry get old fast often resulting in dreadful circumstances.

Yep. All the misbehaving, rule breaking attitudes can be used as examples for the kingdom of God in the hopes others will wise up before gratifying their unholy aspirations.

The recommendation is to avoid at all costs the feasts of poisonous entertainment to start with. If you have joined in the foolery of many, turn it over to God and get out.

Allow God to turn the pampering of your sinful nature into a new creature in Christ. He uses evil for good showering us with a fresh start.

God wastes nothing. His clever techniques of deliverance far outweigh our mistakes.

He is a master vindicator working behind the scenes justifying the innocent.

The world is in enough disarray as it is without our own disregard for authority.

Use your God given common sense and guidance in how you spend your time.

After all, we are only passing through.

“Remind me that my days are numbered.” Psalm 39:4

http://birdmartin.wordpress.com/2012/05/19/birds-spiritual-learning-disability-god-grades-bird-on-a-curve/

http://longingsend.com/2012/05/19/saturday-psalm-psalm-18/

http://godspeaks-i-listen.com/2012/05/19/time-has-come-today/

http://jesuscarriesme.com/2012/05/19/my-struggle-with-the-story-of-the-canaanite-woman/

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

The Stuff Between Your Ears

Switch if off. Turn it off. Shut it down. And listen to God.

Our brains are overloaded. Our minds are being infiltrated with every possible thought imaginable. It is impossible in a society so technologically advanced to absorb the daily news, Wisteria Lane and government politics without losing some very important brain cells. And if that isn’t enough to enlist you to the local institution nothing will.

The enemy loves our busy minds. He uses them to his advantage. Unfortunately he knows more than we would like him to know. He knows what we like or dislike, our weaknesses and our fears. Worst of all is he is patient….his strategy is to take his time filling our loaded brains with lines like,

“You can’t do that. You aren’t skilled enough,” or “Go ahead. Jump in the fire. It won’t burn you.”

Hopefully jumping into a fire is an activity most of us would rather not do…but how often has he used other language to persuade us to believe him?

About 12 years ago I was a single parent, working and sick. The enemy is a coward. He used some of my sickest moments to fill my mind with deception, lies and vile falsehoods.

One night, lying in bed I heard the words, “You are going to die. Just give up. You will die and you ex-husband will get custody of your daughter.”

The devil was stupid. He should have known the one area that would keep me alive was my daughter.

At that moment I made up my mind I was going to get well and stay well because there was no way on God’s green earth I would let my ex-husband get custody of her. The devil’s words backfired on him reminding me of the one incentive to change my thinking.

God’s words are the opposite of the devil filled with love, hope and positive overtones. Positive thoughts give life, success and health.

The devil feeds us fabrications of fear, doubt, hate, and evil; anything to bring us down in despair, depression and even suicidal thoughts.

The key to determining the difference is God’s word. Learning his word expels evil. Using it, speaking it out loud will chase the enemy away. Avoid his negative, blurry, misrepresentations by not giving him a moment’s notice. Ignore him. Instead focus on God.

Have you noticed your thought patterns when you are tired? Have you sensed a shift from the positive to the negative? Have you thought certain thoughts and wondered, “Where did that come from?”

Be aware of what drops in your head. If it is distracting, dishonest or negative, don’t stay there. Renew your mind with God’s word; practice his positive outlook and believe it.

Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

This process takes time, effort and study, but well worth it. It is crucial to keep your focus on God allowing him to change your thinking.

Why? Our thinking affects everything we say, do, and how we act. Understand this is not learned over night. Don’t allow self-condemnation to set in which gives the enemy a foothold. Keep trying and trust God to teach you.

God reveals his character as we filter the evil out of our thinking leaving our minds free and clear to hear him. The importance of simplifying our lives increases the time we have to spend alone with God.

The devil hates it.

And God loves it.

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/05/17/does-nature-reveal-god/

http://highlyfavored74.wordpress.com/2012/05/17/2430/

http://refusingtotiptoe.com/2012/05/17/the-four-minutes-that-renovated-my-walk-last-year/

http://thewayeverlasting.com/2012/05/17/question-why-shouldnt-i-worry/

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

God Rescued me. He sent an Angel. He really did. No joke.

I dedicate this to a real woman of God; a blogger friend who wakes up my laptop with a perky good morning faith I wish I had. Her heart warms me with her joyful laughter as I read her posts. She has blessed me more than she knows and I am deeply honored to call her friend.  God speaks to us in various ways; especially through Godly people as he has used her to do so with me. Please give yourself a treat and visit her blog. If you are like me and a very bad morning person, get a cup of coffee first. SHE IS ON FIRE EARLY!  Here is her link: http://strader612.wordpress.com

This is a true story. I have no witnesses. No pictures; nothing to establish the credibility of it except the truth. For me this event was a major turning point in my life; you could call it “one of my Damascus Road trips.”  Yes, I said it was one of my Damascus Road trips.

The year was 1981 and I was not living the way I was raised. Church on Sunday, choir practice, girl scouts, Wednesday night dinner and Bible Study and then of course Bible School in the summer. These were just some of the reasons I darkened the church doors outside of the fact my parents made me go as a child.   On this hot summer night I was far from any church door.

Driving home alone about midnight there wasn’t a car in sight. This sleepy town was usually in bed much earlier. I however was young and invincible; able to handle anything or at least my pride led me to believe such a lie.

Flat Tire

Flat tire. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Growing up in a family car business you would think I would have been taught how to change a tire. Why bother when I always had someone else to do it for me. This particular night I wish I had learned.

The back right tire had blown out and the car was veering off to the side. It could not have been darker as there were no street lights except for a few in the mall down the road. I managed to steer to the right into this empty parking lot before the tire completely gave out near the one mall light I could get to.

This particular mall was out in nowhere and way down in a ravine. Vision would be difficult in daylight to see the parking lot from the road, but almost impossible at night.

As I turned the car off, a fear set in I had never felt before. It was as if the devil had opened the passenger side door and sat down. It was tangible.  Horrific thoughts saturated my fragile mind.  Fears and torment of whom might come knocking on my windows swept over me like a storm.

I was shaking all over; the sweat poured down my face and I began to cry.  I really didn’t know what I was going to do. At least it was summer and I wouldn’t freeze to death.

Cell phones did not exist back in 1981. Looking back having one would have changed this “earthly hell” completely. I was terrified to get out of the car to look for a pay phone; from where I sat there was none in sight.

 Prayer

The fear by now had completely taken over my senses. Was I going to sit here all night alone and fearful to even look out of the windows of my car? Would it be morning before someone found me? How could I possibly sleep? Some stranger may attempt to open my non-electronic doors and grab me taking me into the unknown to do whatever they wanted. I cried more and slid down into the seat so no one could see me; not that anyone was around. It was then that a still, small voice I somewhat recognized told me to pray.

” Weeping” I said, “God, I haven’t talked to you in a very long time, but if you are listening, please help me.”

Drenched in my tears, thoughts of what to do clouded my mind. Terror-stricken to make a run for anything because there was nowhere to run to but being stranded, locked in my car was also just as frightening.  I cried out to God for him to do something. Anything.

About 10 minutes after I first prayed I peered slightly over the top of my steering wheel. There were two lights on the highway in the distance heading my way. A transfer truck signals revealed he would be turning into this large, empty dark parking lot because there was nowhere else to turn. I remember thinking, “why is he coming here?”

He parked the truck about 50 feet in front of me but to the left. My heart was racing; I could feel it beating out of my chest I was so scared.

The Cross

A small black guy around the age of 30 jumped down out of the truck and waved to me. Realizing my fear he stayed about 20 feet from the front of my car and told me I had a flat tire. He said “I am here to help you. Do not be afraid. If you will open the latch to your left, I will get the spare tire in your trunk out and change it.”

He made it clear I did not have to get out and he would keep his distance. I motioned him to go ahead and pulled the trunk latch open.  As he walked around to the trunk I noticed a rather large silver cross around his neck.

There was something very different about this young man. He was dressed in nice, khaki pants, with a short sleeved shirt. He had a baseball cap on his head and a beautiful smile.

It wasn’t his clothes or his smile that caught my attention.  He possessed a natural countenance of joy and charisma. A purity and innocent strength surrounded this stranger as he passed by me.

All of a sudden I felt the evil leave the front seat as if it physically moved.  Peace filled the inside of my car and covered me with protection.

He went to work as I sat there, waiting but not moving. Once finished, he walked in front of the car and spoke,

“You are ready to go. I put the spare tire on; just drive slowly and make sure tomorrow you buy a new tire.”

Holding a 20 dollar bill up to pay him, he shook his head and said “no thanks, the best thing you can do for me is go home, get some sleep and make sure from now on you don’t stay out so late.”

As he jumped into his truck, he waved goodbye and drove off.

The Realization

Safe and secure in my apartment I changed into my pajamas and began washing my face. Looking at myself in the mirror it suddenly hit me.

How could this person I had never seen before know my tire was flat?

How did he know I had a spare in the trunk?  It was the right back tire. It was impossible for him to see it.  For all he knew no one was in the car because I was hiding under the steering wheel.

Retracing his words he informed me I had a flat tire and a spare in the trunk. He also told me he had come to help me.  It was as if he knew this information long before he arrived. Deep in my heart it felt like he knew me, as if he had been coached on my life story. The light went off in my head and I heard that voice again telling me,

“I sent you an Angel.”

Unsure of the true existence of angels at that age in my life, 23, I crawled into bed and pondered this thought. Did God care enough about me to actually do something like this and if so why? I didn’t deserve anything from God.

Years later….

The years have come and gone since that frightful night, but one thing I know for sure. In my adult walk with the Lord, I know for certain Angels do exist because God sent one to rescue me. I have no doubt in my heart or mind this man was a very real Angel.

I have never seen him again.  Don’t know what his name was.  He appeared out of nowhere as if he was sent specifically to rescue me.

He knew me. I could feel that he knew me. The timing of his arrival; the cross around his neck; his transcendent presence. The immediate removal of the fear in my car left as he walked by it leaving a supernatural peace that passed all my understanding.

I remember it like it was yesterday. The details have been reminders of God’s shelter of guardianship over my life.

I felt completely cared for; safely wrapped in a love so pure I knew I had experienced a divine visitation.

How do I know this? God told me. And I lived it.

http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/2012/05/12/the-fantastic-voyage-of-our-lives/

http://lifeofafemalebiblewarrior.wordpress.com/2012/05/12/another-perfect-stranger/

http://thewayeverlasting.com/2012/05/09/quote-eyes/

http://href.li/?http://larrywho.wordpress.com

When did everything get so COMPLICATED?

Ok. I am beginning to dislike banks intensely. Protesting on the streets is not my idea of getting my way so I will pray. God can certainly do more than a loud mouth bunch of young people who have no idea what they are protesting.

Banking has become a farce. I would rather do like my ancestors and bury money in the yard. At least I would know where it was, what it was doing and who was not touching it.

A fee here, a fee there; they don’t care. Use to be if you needed to stop payment on a lost check it wouldn’t cost you your arm and now legs! Oh, and the paperwork. A pile of red tape cluttering someone’s desk they can’t find.

How do we survive the measure of expectations? What use to be simple is now an act of Congress: and we all know how that doesn’t work.

In other words, the world travels on money.
Simple is cheap. Complicated is expensive.

The air of complications is leaving many a soul weary.

Buying a house or a car these days reveals when you last relieved yourself.

Signing a legal document requires information from your long lost Aunt.

The Privacy Act forces us parents of college students to speak to at least 6 people in the school’s administration to find out if they got my check for the tuition!

Ordering a Credit card through your own bank requires both parties fill out an application longer than the SAT.

Itemizing your taxes requires an Organizer from your accountant. That excludes the accountant’s labor.

Forget insurance. They don’t pay for anything anyway. Why again do I have insurance? Oh, my husband says we need it. If they don’t pay for anything what am I paying them for? OH! Their trip to Hawaii. They must be meeting with the GSA.

I remember the days of old, easy and slow. Yes, I didn’t know how good I had it.

You know what people? God is still on the throne and his movements are the same. He is not making adjustments to his schedule according to ours.

He hasn’t changed his address, phone number or email. He’s always listening for our call or text. He wants it simple. We have muddled the disorder we already had.

American’s for sure don’t know the meaning of rest. We are supposed to work, but God says his rest in between each duty, praying to him will give us simplicity, peace, health and joy.

My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. (Exodus 33:14)

Our entertainment overload is not only costly financially, but adds to time spent away from God.

Maybe that explains why there is so much depression, anxiety, fear and ill-will.

Maybe that explains why the lethargic view of life is running rampant.

Maybe that explains the hopelessness, anger and defeated attitudes.

The decision to keep or get your sanity back may depend on your simplicity or the lack there of. My sanity is rather important to me…..and those around me.

His realm of peace is another atmosphere away from man’s activities. That realm is found in his presence through our day. The self-assured, self –efficient perfectionist knows no such place. Don’t allow yourself to get caught up in a circus of clogged up animation.

Productive, Godly work occurs during times of rest with him. The secret place of his presence is a miracle waiting to happen.

I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. (Psalm 16:8)

“My life is a simple thing that would interest no one. It is a known fact that I was born and that is all that is necessary.” Albert Einstein

Maybe old Albert knew a little more than just Physics.

http://highlyfavored74.wordpress.com/2012/05/08/romans1013-call-on-jesus-he-is-awake%e2%99%a5/

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/05/08/the-entitlements/

http://chasingtheperfectmoment.com/2012/05/06/gods-many-talents/

http://chasingtheperfectmoment.com/2012/05/06/gods-many-talents/

Craig Reunion Photos 2012

Please enjoy a few photos I took at our family reunion this weekend in Lancaster, SC.  The above Header is a picture of the Craig Farm. The back pavilion is where we always enjoy this annual event. Family totaled around 50.

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Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

Wake Up!

“Wake up! We’re going to church!”

Kids, “aw, mom do we have to? It is so boring and I just want to sleep in.”

Mom, “Yes! We are all going to church now get up!”

Kids, “Please mom….I stayed up late last night; need some more sleep.”

I remember those days of my youth.

We have 3 services at our church on Sunday morning. My husband is traditional and I am contemporary. He goes at 8:30 and I well, 11 am is good for me.

It is nice to be able to go to church relaxed and not have to dress up. Burned out from years of working and appealing to the Professional crowd, I am happy in my blue jeans.

A few Sundays ago, I had already taken a seat. A family arrives and crowded into a row diagonally across the aisle from me. The end seat closest to me was filled by what appeared to be a high school girl who looked like “mom” had to drag her out of bed to get there.

Being the mother of a college aged daughter is a lesson in many areas and especially that of dress code for their age. This young girl looked as if she had forgotten to put any pants on. Not sure what she was wearing but considering she slept through the entire service, I was not surprised.

Observing her few moments of waking up, she would turn and look up at the back screen to see what time it was. She repeatedly frowned as if she wished the Pastor would get it over with so she could leave upon which she returned to bobbing her head up and down while snoozing.

Now let me insert here our Lead Pastor is an excellent Bible teacher, quite comical and loud. Her nodding off is no reflection on his sermon. However with his strong vocal chords it would be difficult to sleep through his Sunday morning cascade of stories, jokes and Congregational inquiries. But she did.

I tried my best to keep a listening ear all the while concerned if or when she was going to fall out of her chair knocking herself out.  Oh but the heroine I could have been running over to catch her before she hit the ground! Lol…

I have to wonder why she was so tired; was she forced to go to church and if so how would it affect her 2 years from now?

She could either be thankful to her parents for the grounded foundation in Christ she received growing up or forget God and church and go the opposite direction.

As adults we face many decisions on a regular basis.

Following Jesus is a choice, not to be forced or litigated.  He wants us to want to be with him; to accept him as the Savior he is and love him as unconditionally as we are capable of doing.

His example reveals his options for us. He offered salvation to the rich man who couldn’t part with his earthly riches. Matthew 19:24 “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

He offered salvation to the woman at the well who wanted to drink of the water he gives us.

John 4: 13-15 “Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life. The woman said to him, Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”

He offered himself to Paul as he blinded him on the road to Damascus. As God prompted his decision to follow Jesus, he still could have said no.

Acts 9:5 “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting, he replied.  Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Excuses are invalid here. Cover-ups are fallacious. Substitutes are baseless.

You either follow Jesus, or sleep through your road to Damascus.

http://goldenbible.wordpress.com/2012/04/23/the-need-of-conviction/

http://thewayeverlasting.com/2012/04/23/quote-unless/

http://mrkstevenson.wordpress.com/2012/04/22/come-unto-mephoto-of-jesus-in-the-clouds/

http://thewayeverlasting.com/2012/04/23/yall-need-him/

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

churchgraphics.wordpress.com

God Gave me a Glimpse of the Future: An “Open Vision of Flowers”

Last fall we went on a short beach trip. Living about 2 hours from the coast is a dream come true for me. The trip is made on one main highway which navigates through small towns and in need of new construction. The old highway is a straight shot but with a number of speed traps. Decorated along the way are simple shops, a post office or two and country restaurants. If you are looking for a metropolis, you won’t find it here.

The back country trip is one I have made numerous times so the ride is now more familiar.  Due to this particular trip being a business conference for my husband we had to go in separate vehicles.

Friday morning around the middle of October 2011 driving on this lonesome trail alone I began to reflect on God’s creation and how unpretentious the livelihood remains.
All of a sudden I felt like I was having a dream while awake.  I realized I was experiencing an “Open Vision.”

The landscape is open wide for farming or raising cattle and even horses.

It was as if God highlighted certain dilapidated buildings, worn out homes or pieces of what use to be houses. Torn down fences with wood lying around, abandoned stores or wood sheds, and the brick fireplace where families most likely built a fire to keep warm.

As I slowed down the color around this loss of life had a yellowish hue. In the vision it smelled of death.

Evidences of fields where crops grew were empty and dead. It was evil. It was what was left of Satan’s destruction.

Words resounded in my ears saying “What you see here use to be a home where families worked to make a living and children playing outside. The abandoned stores and empty fields provided necessities while they attended the little church that no longer exists.”

Photo by Randy Harrison
http://www.pbase.com/jrandyh

Caught up in this vision God’s spirit was speaking to me, I noticed flowers. Beautiful, colorful flowers right in the middle of all of this ruined wreckage. The pattern continued as I crept down the road; flowers growing in the strangest spots but all surrounded by an undoing and extermination of what was life.

The vision became alive. Fathers were farming and planting their crops. Mother’s were hanging laundered clothes out to dry. Children were running and playing without a care in the world. Their faces smiled with joy and happiness. The flowers gave off scents of lilacs and roses. God’s love shed brilliance over everything in sight. It felt like love.

Photo By Randy Harrison
http://www.pbase.com/jrandyh

Watching this movie play out until the life faded away in the distance was once again replaced by the carnage of what use to be.

The inner voice of the Holy Spirit spoke to me.  “Destruction is not my Creation and will not remain. What I have revealed to you is what will be again.”

As quickly as the vision appeared it was gone just as fast. What seemed to be a long time was a few seconds. My car had barely moved.

At the time of this vision God gave me an instruction and a promise.

Instruction: God wants us to be like the flowers. Color our faith with his word so it grows high in the dense hatred of oppression, havoc and doom so much so the lost will see life instead of death. Good instead of evil; right instead of wrong. He wants us to stand out in the crowd of all that is bad and blossom for the kingdom of God.

Promise: For those who follow this instruction will reap abundance in every area of your life. Your futures will lack for nothing. Deuteronomy 28 will be your lifeline of blessings.

Since that day I have asked God to give me more insight into this vision. This is what I believe he has revealed to me.

He is shaking things up from the church to the government.

We are beginning a season of change for his people for good.

He is using that which appears to be evil for good even if it looks the opposite.

He is working behind the scenes in Middle Eastern countries bringing women and children to Christ in record numbers although you would never see it on the News.

God is getting ready for a political shocker. And then some.

You ask why now? Why speak of this now? Because God told me to.

Galatians 6:7-8: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”

Photo by Randy Harrison
http://www.pbase.com/jrandyh

http://proph101.wordpress.com/

http://media4lifeministries.com/2012/04/12/of-one-spirit-and-one-mind/

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/04/12/our-glorious-god/

http://longingsend.com/2012/03/25/white-gloved-beauty/

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