Greetings all,
Here we are looking at wrapping up August....how did this happen? I must say I have always loved the sound of September 1st, as Autumn is my favorite season, but the weeks have really been rolling by the past few months! After transitioning out of the disaster relief efforts here in north Alabama, I turned my focus to my original purpose for returning to this region, which is developing my partners team for my return to the International House of Prayer in Kansas City. It as been such a blessing to have the time and opportunity to re-connect with so many folks from so many different seasons of my life from the past 28 years! There is just something to having longevity in history with people that is priceless and to have opportunity to see/hear the paths that have been taken over the years and to hear of the Lords faithfulness in the midst of the joys and tears/heartaches. For those of you I have had the chance to catch a little time with....thank you for sharing your lives and heart with me! It has been a precious time. For those I haven't seen yet....let's work on making that happen!
God has certainly had His own agenda with my time in Alabama. There have been opportunities and connections that I would not have thought up myself or could have made happen. During the past year I began hearing in my time before the Lord, "The burden of the word of the Lord.", and it would just slay my heart, though I had no revelation of why. While in my internship, this phrase began to be prophesied over me by our leadership. Again, it would hit me with such weightiness that I would just weep my face off. I became comfortable with the thought that I would carry His word and have opportunity to share it in the days ahead....like over a kitchen table, one on one or perhaps a few women at a time. What I was not comfortable with were the 3 pulpits I have stood behind or the youth camp I spoke at during my time here in Alabama! Didn't see this coming and not sure what God has in mind for the days ahead. What I have become keenly aware of is that I need more of Him, more of His word written on my heart and to take every opportunity for preparation seriously. I believe that is a word for all of us. The days are upon us when the darkness is rapidly going to grow darker and those of us that carry His light need to be strengthened and ready to give an answer for the hope that is within us. It will not just be the men and women we typically think of being in the pulpit that will be sought out for answers to what is happening in the earth. If you have His light within you, you are going to be sought out! Let's gear up.
I have been taken with the thought of 'desire' the past few months, specifically from John 17:24-26. I was reminded of these verses in a sermon again Friday night and it brought this to the forefront again. In this passage we have Jesus in the upper room with His disciples the night He was betrayed. After they had eaten, had communion and Jesus had spoken with His disciples, He then went into prayer with His Father. We have 26 verses of a glimpse into the relationship shared by the Father and the Son! It's pretty stunning actually. In verse 24, we hear the Son of the Living God tell the Father, "I desire....". What? The Son of God has a desire? What could He be wanting, longing for, looking toward that He already did not have? The desire Jesus expressed that night was that we would be with Him where He was, that we would see His glory and then in verse 26 He says He has made the Father's name known to us....in order for the love that the Father has loved Jesus with would be in us. Jesus' desire was that we would be loved by the Father in the same way that the Father loves the Son. Wow. WOW!! Just a little something to think on in the days ahead. Oh that He would grant us a spirit of wisdom and revelation to even being to grasp the true invitation we have been given. This whole Christianity thing goes so far beyond being forgiven of our sins and getting a free pass to heaven guys. We have been sought after, purchased by the blood of the Lamb in order to join in the relationship that is shared between the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Talk about 'hooked up'! May we all have the grace to press in....today. "You can't go deep on the run.", as stated by Mike Bickle. It takes time; hours and hours over years and years to go deep in the Word and into your relationship with God. This is my intent!
The most common question I am being asked these days is, "When are you going back to Kansas City?". That time frame is open-ended still. I am about half-way to my goal for monthly support and want to be fully funded before I return to KC in order to give God my time in a full time manner for the long haul. Though my soul is anxious to get this labor done and to return to IHOP-KC, I am finding my spirit man is peaceful with the knowledge that I am right on His time table. Almost weekly He has had divine appointments and opportunities to speak words of life into lives/situations that have been pretty unique for me to have been here to see/hear. In the midst of everything, He has been faithful to continue to add partners to my team, for which I have been so encouraged and blessed. I have a sharp partners team thus far!
It is Sunday morning...time to get ready to go to the house of the Lord! Blessings and grace to you all. Thank you for your friendship, love, encouragement, support and prayers. You all are true treasures in my life!
