MannaWord

2012-02-11T16:10:00.003-05:00

Here is a beautiful song. Enjoy!

Important Encouragements

2012-01-02T11:54:00.001-05:00

It is a new year, and most of us are working with looking at the year ahead. The Lord does tell us to "forget those things which are behind, and reach for those things which are ahead." (Phil. 3:13) So, let's encourage each other to be doers of the Word.
Let us seek to know our Lord through the revelation He has given to us. It is a treasure chest of the "riches of Christ" the Father has given to us.
Faith is a word which presumes a cooperative, corresponding action. It empowers and ignites. To trust God is to actively participate in seeking His will and His presence. The Word, as His known will, is extremely important in this process.
Just reading and knowing the facts, stories and details of the book are not what He is really after. However, they are important to know, so we can find the other dimensions hidden within those facts, stories and details. It is a book of revelation. It holds dimensions and mysteries that can only be seen when one begins to read, think, study and meditate on the passages. The Lord has much to show us - that we have no idea about.
This is the key to being a "spiritual" person. To know Him personally in our inner being through the Word in the Spirit breathed revelations of His nature. This anchors our heart in Him, His Word and in flowing in His Spirit. It is awesome just to think about it.
So let me encourage you to read, think, study and meditate in the Word this year. Do more reading and talking with Him than TV or computer games or whatever. May our Bibles be more open than shut.
In grace, He will reveal Himself in ways we have not imagined.
I pray blessings on your New Year and the goodness of our Lord on all you do.

2011-12-24T13:27:00.002-05:00

Blessed Christmas to all.

Christmas Thoughts

2011-12-10T11:51:00.000-05:00

It is the Christmas season and our thoughts go to gifts, celebrations, carols, food and the sharing with loved ones. This is all right and appropriate. However, as all of you know, this season is really not about any of that. Christmas is about Jesus coming and loving and receiving us. This is a fantastic thing to celebrate!

I know many conservative Christians choose not to be a part of such celebrations, preferring to celebrate Him each day alike. While we must leave all in their freedom, it is hard to celebrate Him each day alike. I do celebrate Him each day and talk with Him and read His word. However, during this season of our calendar year, it is just really a blessed thing to give Him a bit more of “center stage.” He is the point of our lives and our breath. So it is good to have a period of time and a day to really go overboard a bit. The problem is, we usually go overboard in “us” and our loved ones, instead of overboard in Him. We could instead take extra time in reading His Word; extra time in listening to Him and journaling what He will say to us; extra time to sing His praise and the wonders of His grace. I think such would really be a true celebration of Him.
Who knows, maybe, just maybe, we could draw others into such a celebration and have a wonderful time in His presence together. I know many gatherings are planned to do just that - Psalm 19 Christmas Celebration is just one of them. But can we hear the precious invitation to spend extra time with Him and His Word? Oh how He would love that.
May we and our time be His gift and may He be ours.

2011-11-06T18:44:00.000-05:00

What an absolutely marvelous Conference! Dr. Carolyn Tennant shared our Lord's heart with us in teaching, instruction and prophetic authority! The clip above is from Saturday evening's session as she shared with the need to have a cooperative partnership with the Lord Jesus that is like the partnership needed in ballroom dancing. It was a very instructive teaching, including photographic illustrations of ballrooms. Some of them were cluttered with furniture which did not lend to dancing at all. Others had furniture, but properly placed for freedom of movement, still others had no furniture at all. In order to allow freedom of movement in our lives with the Holy Spirit, we need interior rooms that are not cluttered with items that cause cautious or no movement. Then she did some brainstorming with us as a group about what the furniture represented. It was a marvelous session.

Today's Sunday service included wonderful worship, Dr. Carolyn speaking on the tradition of the Celtic monks in prayer. Giving us a wonderful lesson on our heritage and the prayer undergirding of the great revivals. The overall lesson was one of the need for personal dedication to prayer. The text was 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. We all heard the call to devote ourselves to prayer. I then, served the Lord's supper. It was a special time of belonging to our Lord Jesus and to one another. Thank you Lord.

The Lord's Delight

2011-10-17T10:03:00.000-04:00

You - you are the Lord's delight! Our scriptures tell us that He loved us before the foundations of the world. Now, whatever that really means, we can know for certain that He loved you (me too - but I will direct this to you so it can anchor well within) before the creation occurred.

His delight is not what you will do for Him in your calling. His delight is not in how much you know, nor in how much you love Him. His delight is just you. He called you, blessed you, has made a way of life for you, and has made provision for you. Now He just wants you to enjoy your breathing with Him.

These facts are so simple, but we tend to forget them in the business of our living. Today, on this Monday, may we just receive the fact of His love and His delight. That is what the Book says. Let's choose to believe these truths instead of our own interior dispositions. His word is higher and all truth. Our perceptions are faulty at best. So as you hear His voice through the Book, or individually in your interior, enjoy Him as He delights in you and your fellowship.

Refreshing Word!

2011-10-03T09:40:00.000-04:00

Here is the latest addition to our video teachings. It is Rev. Lauren Godfrey (my daughter) teaching Romans during a 2010 Friday Fellowship time in Psalm 19 Ministries. It is also available on our video page at the ministry site.

Focus - Where is Ours?

2011-09-23T12:46:00.000-04:00

Perry Noble, a senior pastor in S.C. has a nice item on his blog that he wrote on September 22. I thought my readers would appreciate it. So I will just refer you to his blog to read.

When I send you to read on a blog, that does not mean I am in totally agreement with everything they are saying - just that this item is very good to read. That should go without saying, but just in case you wondered.

All believers, regardless of their "brand," have some good things to share. Interdenominationalism means we do not allow even "agreement" barriers to keep us from loving and appreciating one another.

So go read. You will be blessed. http://www.perrynoble.com/

Another Voice!

2011-09-14T12:31:00.000-04:00

I urge all my readers to read the blog "Vertical Church" by James MacDonald. He says very clearly the need of every Christian (especially leaders) to be solidly attached in their personal life to the Scriptures. It is excellent.

Enjoy and begin if you are not already active in daily reading and interacting with the Word. May our Lord be praised!

Riches of Assured Understanding

2011-09-10T12:07:00.000-04:00

We had an awesome time in the Lord's presence together last evening at Psalm 19's Friday Fellowship! The study was from Colossians 2:1-15 and the bullet-point highlights of my lesson are below. The entire message is available by CD or DVD.

Take your Bible and follow along with the bullet-points. It will encourage you deeply! What an awesome Savior we have!

Bullet-Points for Colossians 2:1-15

1. "...riches of assured understanding - in Him (Christ Jesus) all treasures of wisdom and knowledge exist.

2. Man's logic and reason (persuasive arguments) do not give us God's understanding and many times are deceitful. Deceit's nature is to grow - add more and more understandings that are not of God.

3. "As you have received Christ Jesus, walk in Him!" The secret of a victorious life is to live in Christ the same way we received Him in the first place - just take Him to ourselves - an open willingness to receive. All the Christian life is to be lived in rest and out of rest - not effort, but trusting in the completed work in Christ - at rest. As we purposefully settle ourselves in Him and His love (on a daily basis) an abounding thankful heart is developed and prayers change from "Oh God, do this or that," our dialogue becomes, "O Lord, thank you for this or that." We begin to overflow in thankfulness.

4. God's entire nature dwells in Christ. He is the head over all rulers and authorities and we have been filled with Him. Therefore all rulers and authorities (our enemies in spiritual places) are under our dominion. In Christ the victory is already ours.

5. We were circumcised by Christ which stripped off the body of sin of the flesh (old man). He did not wait for us to do it, but did it in the action of the circumcision of our hearts at salvation.

6. We were buried with Him in baptism; raised with Him through faith in the energy of God. Most of our Bibles say "power" of God and that is good. The word here in Greek is the word from which we get our English word "energy."

7. He made us alive with Him and forgave all our sins; erased the debt and its obligations against us because He nailed it to the cross.

8. He disarmed (or divested) all the rulers and authorities publicly and triumphed over them through the Cross.

Tongue Thoughts

2011-08-30T09:33:00.000-04:00

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." Proverbs 18:21
This chapter in Proverbs has much to say about the use of the tongue. In the New Testament we have Ephesians 4:29, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." There are many, many scriptures which speak of the need to use our tongue wisely.

"Casting down imagination, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;..." 2 Corinthians 10:5. This scripture we are all familiar with in our understandings of spiritual warfare.

As we live our lives in Jesus, 'the imaginations' and "high things" usually come out of our mouths; things like need, lack, illness, gossip, anger, worry, poverty, unfulfilled desires, blame, anxiety, despair, hopelessness, criticalness and negatives of every kind. Precious Ones in Jesus, these are "imaginations" and "high things" that we exalt over the knowledge of God and His total provision for us in all areas of life through Jesus Christ our Lord. True spiritual warfare is to agree with God and let that agreement be the stuff of our speech - to allow the creation to hear of His goodness and sufficiency in our lives.

The Lord would encourage us today to set ourselves in Him to be a "life giver," and not a distributor of death through the thoughts that get released through our temples. In the lavished grace that He constantly pours over our lives, we have the power to become life-givers and those who bless and allow Him to bless through us in every encounter.

Our Lord God is faithful! He will fulfill His abundant promises. As we live our moments today - let's let Him interlace our thoughts with His own and the speech of our tongue with His goodness. None of us are exempt from needing this reminder, and there is no condemnation in it at all - simply an alert - to be active in His goodness as we breath His grace today.

Come - Come - Come!

2011-08-22T10:42:00.000-04:00

Our Psalm 19 web site has the details for our Friday Fellowship Meeting. Rev. Lauren Godfrey is preaching and Rev. Tina Hook is leading the worship ensemble. I am unable to access my domain, as the new operating system in my iMac has caused a blackout - literally - screen went black. So it is in the shop. I also have a MacBook, so will blog and put items on Facebook.

We look forward to Friday Evening and will have a wonderful time together in worship and Word. Do come if you are in our area.

Unscatter Your Thoughts

2011-08-13T12:53:00.000-04:00

Prayer is often a problem for us. We begin with all good intentions, but before long, especially if we are not using a list of some sort, our minds wander off into whatever is occurring in our own lives and we simply do not seem to “connect” well with the Lord. We rise from our knees (figuratively speaking for some of us) and sense no release nor progress in what we have just done. As a result, we have many, many Christians with only a dialogue with the Lord as they move. Their time in quiet frustrates, or else puts to them sleep. So around and around we go - seemingly with no way to break the ineffective cycle.

Our Lord is gracious and loving - always, so there is no condemnation in the above action, nor is there any progress really. For those who really want to move forward in their lives in Jesus and His word, this is a real frustration. A new book on prayer might help, for a short period of time. But nothing seems to conquer this dilemma for very long. What are we to do?

I am not a big one for “how-to’s” for they all seem to how-to for a short period of time, fading away into another how-to that works for a short period - on and on it goes. So how do I relate what is inside me this morning without just producing another such “hot-to?” Well, maybe I can’t, but I will try. Last night in our Psalm 19 Friday Fellowship teaching, we worked with Colossians 1:1-14 in an understanding of “Increasing in the Knowledge of God.” The passage had a progression in it that we worked with in depth.

“6 The One being at hand into you as also in all the world, and is bearing fruit,

as also in you from the day you heard and fully knew the grace of God in

truth; . . .

9 Because of this, from the day we heard, cease not praying for you and asking

that you should be filled with the full knowledge of his will in all wisdom and

spiritual understanding;

10 for you to walk worthily of the Lord, into all pleasing, in every good work,

bearing fruit and growing into the full knowledge of God;...”

You will not recognize the translation, because it is my own. I am sorry for it’s sometimes stilted language - I am just attempting to allow us to see some things contained within the text that we sometimes miss in our easy English. The portion underlined is all the same work root in the Greek and carries the idea of a knowledge of items and persons that is based not on what has been read or related to us, but on our own experience with the person. Please notice the progression. 1. We relax into the full knowledge (the total receiving and trusting) of His grace in and through our lives; 2. We have in that rest of grace the potential of becoming filled with the full knowledge of His will (in all wisdom and understanding). That is just another way of saying His heart. For the word means will, bent, inclination etc... So it is not at static word, but a personal one. We can in this grace become so acquainted with Him that His will is known instantly within us at all times. Amazing! Then, 3. the potential is there for us to know Him deeply and “fully” as we grow in this personal, experiential knowledge of Him.

What an amazing progression! Notice that it begins with the “full knowledge of His grace.” As we trust Him and rest in Him, these matters begin to unfold in us. What a satisfying prayer-life: to know He has heard and is answering, long before anything is ever seen. To grow deeper and deeper in Him in every portion of our lives - what a marvelous invitation.

As we purposely enter this rest of grace, we can “unscatter” our thoughts as we work in Him. I use journaling. Oh not the typical type of journal, but a prayer journal, where I write our my thanksgivings, and adoration and requests. But I don’t just write them out, I use this to share them with Him, and then He begins to share with me, and wonder of wonders, my (our) time becomes one of deep peace, rest, acceptance and revelation. Journaling might not be what you would choose, as it is just one way to concentrate with Him in quality time. Also I purposely hear Him and interact in that space. I am finding it wonderful. In the rare time my mind does wonder, He is always gracious to wait for me to return my attention to Him. Sometimes, even in that “dreaming” of scattered thinking, He will share and intersect. He is so very gracious.

So how long does such a time take each day? Well that just depends on what else is assigned for my day. I am learning to make space for my time with Him in this way as it is so fruitful between us. This type of interaction does not happen without studying the Word. For me the Word is a platform upon which to concentrate for a few minutes before “we” begin to talk. However, just the study of the Word will not produce the progression the passage reveals. It involves the Word very much, because He is revealed there - first and always. As the scriptures begin to be unfolded - we find our Lord Jesus, in a way we may not have seen before.

Anyway, this was on His heart as well as mine this morning. Enjoy the Lord today. He is delighting in you. “God so loved the world ...”

Rest, cont...

2011-08-06T14:52:00.000-04:00

"Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him:

fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way,

because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath:

fret not thyself in any wise to do evil."

Psalm 35:7-9 KJV

The concept of "rest" is still upon us this week. As I wrote in my journal with the Lord Jesus this morning, I felt Him instructing me about the above scripture (for those who follow my reading plan - it is today's Psalm). The rest and peace that He gives are not based on our activity or lack of it. There are times when we need to just be still before Him and receive refreshment from the flowing river of His grace, mercy and love, but the rest above is not that kind. Instead it is a rest that has great energy and forward motion. It is a rest that abides, no matter what the activity of the day, and it is a rest that refreshes in the Spirit in the middle of turmoil. When we enter this rest, we have great movement and creative ability in the Holy Spirit, and anything that He calls for us to do will refresh us inwardly. This is not activity born in effort, although much effort may be expended in its process. It is a placement of deep rest in the Lord and His Word. Such effort will tire the body as the movement is made, but will not injure. It will be an effort of power and energy.

The movement may be as simple as cleaning house or the garage, or as deeply spiritual as teaching a class, moving in the prophetic or another spiritual gift. The movement is not the point - the rest is. Another word for "rest" like this is faith. Faith's interior action is rest - regardless. Anxiousness and fear are never faith induced - but distressed generated.

So how do we enter such rest? Purposefully. Just do it - really believe in the love His has for you and that He will be true to His word for you and yours. In Him, this is an activity that is Spirit empowered and available to every believer. He will do it - we can trust Him!

Taught of God

2011-07-29T18:40:00.000-04:00

"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye." Psalm 32:8 KJV

These are the words of the Lord to the Psalmist. Our Lord makes it very clear in both the Old and New Covenants that He is the primary teacher of His people. There are many references scattered throughout the Old but for our purposes, I just want us to look at the ones in the New. (All references are King James - simply because I have it near by).

"It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me." John 6:45

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you in all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26 KJV

"But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another." 1 Thessalonians 4:9 KJV

"But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him." 1 John 2:27 KJV

There are, of course, more but this is sufficient for us to see that the Lord expects to be our primary teacher. How does He do this? Is it just through a knowledge of the Scriptures? What role do people teaching people have in this scheme?

First of all, in our walk in Jesus, we must always be open to other people, what the Lord is teaching them and having them share. This definitely is important, but in our world today we have made it "the" way of being taught. Someone, operating in the five-fold gifts (Ephesians 4:11) studies, prepares a lesson and then gives that lesson - or some situation similar. Yes, as a teacher, this is important and we learn from God like that. But that should not be the primary way.

The role of the Scriptures is primary in understanding how God teaches us. Without the Scriptures, we are left to man's wisdom and ingenuity, neither of which have any inherent value. So we have the Scriptures. Is the only way the Lord teaches us through the Scriptures our studying out what others have said? Well, once again that is important. It is important to work with the language (many helps are available here) and to search out what others think it means, but the Scriptures written above point to another way entirely.

The Lord wants to be our primary teacher. As we study the Scriptures and have our time with Him, He speaks. As we hear Him, He will show us what He is talking about in the Scriptures and lead us into understandings, insights and revelations out of the text that we have never imagined. He teaches us of Himself.

"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 KJV

This is out of the Scriptures, through the Scriptures, and into the Scriptures. He unfolds, reveals and allows “knowings” that teach us incredible things about Him.

"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." John 14:21 KJV

Our Lord is very personal. He is our teacher. In order to receive that teaching, we are to become open to Him and be His friend. Our prayers need to rise from being about our needs into a searching of His heart for the matters at hand that he knows. This calls for us to allow Him to be the focus of our time, and we will discover that He, in turn (like a good friend). will make us His focus. His teaching ability far exceeds what we can conceive on our own. He is able in the Spirit to launch us into realms of "being in Him" that thrill and rest us, all at the same time. He is able to take our minds and delight them and show them His great salvation while He enriches and ministers to the pressing needs of our moment.

As our teacher, He is able to implant within our hearts and minds the wonder of Himself through His word in such a way that obedience is a flow from the river of His love.

Why do we run from Him? Why isn't His teaching the most important item in our day? Why do we think the pressing matters in our day, outweigh the delight He longs to give us in their process?

We Need to Think!

2011-07-02T17:17:00.001-04:00

We, as believers in Christ, need to begin thinking Biblically. In today's world, that is "outside the box" of what is usually thought in reference to our conservative Christianity. Now, I am conservative and I believe the Scriptures -- but what I see is a church world ready to right all wrongs, especially on the politically "right" side -- but non-Biblical thinking processes dominate. I am speaking in reference to our attitude toward those who differ with us, even on key issues; abortion, gay marriage, removing the Ten Commandments from public places, public school prayer, and on and on the list goes. Now while I do not like the path our nation is presently taking on these issues, there is something far more important to the Christian than these issues getting solved politically.

The way we respond and behave toward those who differ with us is a key. The following quote is from a fellow blogger, Peter Kirk on Gentle Wisdom. While I never agree wholly with any other blogger, his thoughts, especially in these two paragraphs, speak what we need to hear.

It is right for us to be sad when we see such things, and for them to drive us to prayer. And sometimes it is right to speak out for truth and righteousness. But when instead we take offence and start complaining in a judgmental way, in fact we harm the cause of Christ, in the same way that Calvin did when he presided over a legalistic state in Geneva. This is true whether our offence is over the Pledge of Allegiance, over bad things we see in society, or over what some blogger has written.

How is this harmful? We give outsiders the false idea that Christianity is all about keeping rules and saying the right words. We make them feel condemned rather than loved by God. Instead of attracting them with the true gospel message, we repel them and cause them to reject any Christian faith that they might have. In short, we do great damage to the Kingdom of God.

Our hearts and our expressions of that heart must be in line with the love of the Holy Spirit expressed in and through the Word. This is also true when we begin to criticize our government officials. What the word says is clear, "...The only thing that matters is faith working through love." (Gal. 5:6b) NIV

Beautiful Day

2011-07-02T12:27:00.000-04:00

I wanted to share with you some of the beauty of my flower garden. This particular plant was given to me for Mother's Day by one of my daughters-in-Spirit. She has blessed me deeply, for I am really delighting in them.

A new prayer letter is up on Psalm 19's web site and we also have all the data up for our Summer Event (with worship by One Voice). You can sign up on line if you would like. We will have an awesome time in His presence in Worship and Word. Lauren and I are both speaking and the Lord is already working our lessons in our hearts. It will be a good time to come together for the summer meeting.

For our regulars, we do have Friday Fellowships beginning on August 12, so I pray you are looking forward to them.

The following is from my prayer letter that I sent earlier in the day to our Intercessors. (If you wish to be a part of that group, go to the prayer section of the web site and sign up. It will be done automatically and kept private, for that purpose only).

"I encourage you to drink deeply in the well of our Lord's love this week. Do not short-cut your appointment to just be with Him. Take that one-on-one time with Him, and also remember that He interprets time with us in that "us" word. He is a part of all we do, think and feel. So "we" have this appointment all the time. It is not burdensome, but joy filled. He is the power, the mind that we lean into, and the sweetness of "being" that only He can be with us. Enjoy His love and allow that sweet fragrance to prevail through-out your day. It is such love."

New Prayer Letter

2011-06-27T12:33:00.000-04:00

I am listing my Prayer Letter link above, so any can read if you wish. This is a weekly letter (usually out on Saturday morning early) which can be sent directly to your email inbox if you would like. Just fill out the form on the web site. That email address goes only to the mail service and is not used for anything further unless you specifically let us know you want our general email mailings. That notification must come directly to us at psalm19ministries@gmail.com. This one on the web site is only for the Prayer Letter.

Please visit the total web site. There will be a registration form so you can sign up for our Summer Event on July 23 in Syracuse. One Voice from Auburn will be leading our worship and Lauren and I will both be teaching. It will be a wonderful retreat day. Come. You will be glad you did.

The registration data will be there later today. I will send a new notice out that it is ready.

New Slide-show + New Teaching Video

2011-06-16T16:02:00.001-04:00

The New Slide-show of our ministry time at Stella Maris Retreat Center, on June 8 is here:
www.psalm19ministries.org/Psalm_19_Ministries.org/Slide-Shows.html

The New Video of Good Friday 2010 is here:
http://www.psalm19ministries.org/Psalm_19_Ministries.org/Videos.html

I pray you enjoy both of them. Bless you for checking in here.

Good Friday Service 2011

2011-06-13T13:40:00.003-04:00

Psalm 19 Ministries & Church of the Resurrection Good Friday Service - 2011. Photo's by Diane Hernandez and music "O Sacred Head" sung by the Psalm 19 Singers under the direction of Rev. Kreg Godfrey - all used by permission.

It was a well attended event at the Church of the Resurrection building. Pastor Lou Giordano spoke on the Seven Words of Christ from the Cross, and Rev. Iris Godfrey brought a lesson on the purpose of the sacrifice in purchasing a people and releasing them into true life. Warm fellowship shared marked the final part of our time. Many people, from many different denominations were present to worship together. It was a wonderful evening in our Lord's presence. You may also view this video on the Psalm 19 Ministries web site.

Back to Blogger

2011-06-12T17:26:00.000-04:00

Back to Blogger

I am choosing, after several years away at Wordpress, to return my blog to Blogger. The reason is quite simple. There are times I wish to add video etc... to my posts, and I would have to pay to do so in Wordpress. I also am liking what I see in the template section. I will be working during this next week to adjust somethings more to what I would like, but for the time being, this is good.

I will probably leave the past few years' post in Wordpress for the present time, but will advise all who go there to come here instead.

Thanks for reading.

Altogether New Blog

2009-07-25T16:13:00.003-04:00

I am currently developing a new blog on Wordpress. Future posts will be there. Please join me at www.mannaword.wordpress.com.

Interior Design of Prayer

2009-07-24T12:13:00.005-04:00

"And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written: 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations' ? (Matt. 12:40a TNIV)

We are all familiar with this passage and the ones similar to it in each synoptic gospel. We usually work with it in reference to our church buildings or meeting house where Christian's gather. While I do not believe that is the primary meaning at this point in human history, it is still valid, I believe to work with the place we gather as a "house of prayer" is proper and right. Most of us are exposed to and learn the elements of prayer within our church bodies."

However, the primary meaning of this passage for all believers is seeing this scripture in the light of truth revealed in the New Covenant. "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;..." (1 Cor. 6:19 TNIV) We are the temple or house of God. It is in our interior selves that prayer is to be primary.

Our conversation with the Lord (prayer) is to be a constant intertwining of ourselves with Him and our spirits with His Spirit. This house (body) is the one we control; we have dominion over; we have authority over; we have choice with. The personal discipline of form is often substituted for the reality of presence in moment-by-moment life. One speaker I heard recently said something like this, "When we no longer find joy in our relationship with the Lord, we substitute the joy of discipline in its place." (Hence if we do not like discipline, we do not pray - sound familiar)? When we no longer are working with joy in sharing then we make do with the development of discipline. It reminds me of the housewife who, although she no longer enjoys nor allows intimacy with her husband, continues to clean house and make his favorite meals. She takes care of the discipline of married life, while disregarding the desires of her husband. (It could be the other way around -- not to pick on us wives). We all know this is not the true intimacy the Lord had in mind within a marriage relationship.

Probably the intimacy most of us have in prayer is not as full as the Lord designed us to contain and that He longs for the moment-by-moment sharing of persons and Spirit that He offers to all. "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you" is the normal translation of James 4:8, but I found this one in a translation out of Africa that was done by an individual scholar: "Snuggle up to the warm embrace of God, experience His closeness to you (in Christ He canceled every definition of distance.)" Although not a literal translation, that is the essence of what is said in the passage.

May I suggest that if our personal temples are truly "houses of prayer," then the other structures we inhabit will reflect that likeness. However, when we try to "house" this within a certain building structure, we end up in frustration. I believe it is a matter of cart before the horse. A church (or para-organization) will reflect the prayer levels of its individual leaders and participants.

So be encouraged on the personal level. "Snuggle up" and know He is with you -- ever so near. Longing to share His heart with us and we begin to long to share with Him. As we individually develop the "Interior Design of Prayer" and begin to participate personally, the corporate participation will follow.

2009-07-20T11:02:00.003-04:00

Last evening I experienced one of the tremendous joys of blogging! This dear couple (www.much2ponder.blogspot.com) were in my area and because we have been blogging friends for about a year, they contacted me and we were able to meet, laugh, share our Jesus, and just enjoy His presence together. It was so precious! Thank you dear ones for coming and for sharing with me even through your tiredness of travel.

It is so true that in the Body of Christ, there are no real strangers. To never have meet before except through the blog and facebook, then to really meet and share the sounds of voice and laughter, was a special privilege. In Jesus there is a unity of Spirit the world cannot touch. It just is. My heart is blessed and my spirit is soaring in the privilege of meeting and enjoying them. The Lord delights in giving us such special gifts! I think it is called grace.

Transferred

2009-07-15T20:25:00.001-04:00

Below you will find the last few blog entries from my Type Pad blog. I am officially here now. Bless you for reading.

From the Typepad blog

2009-07-15T20:23:00.000-04:00

A Little Known Fact

"Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me." (2 Corinthians 12:15-16 - NKJB)

This passage is usually overlooked. It is in the dialogue Paul is having with the Corinthians in regard to the vast amount of revelations he had received and his thorn in his flesh. We concentrate on the "thorn question" and miss this part.

Paul was working with an attitude that is troublesome to Christians who live and walk in and by the Spirit. He was explaining that even though he could brag on himself and all the Lord had done through him, he would purpose to brag about nothing except what was wrong with him. This definitely is not "putting ones best foot forward." Even in our testimonies, there is the "spirit" of self-elevation -- "Look what the Lord has done for me." Now there are sincere folk who genuinely are very humble in this and it is refreshing when that occurs. However, most of the time we think that our self-elevation is good and the way to get noticed in the Body of Christ.

We might be noticed by folk in the Body that way, however, it will not do the work of the Kingdom that the Spirit desires. Paul was not trying to be noticed, even in his defense of his apostleship. He was trying to get these folk to see that self-promotion does not do the work of the Lord. There were those in Corinth who were not only promoting themselves, but also were putting Paul down in their eyes. It really does go together. It is almost impossible for me to elevate myself without putting someone else down. That is why it would be altogether inappropriate to give you an example of this truth.

I am challenged by this. I think most of us are. Our normal understandings of humility may in fact be just a veneer covering for self-elevation. So what is our guard against self-elevation? Well the first line of defense is a genuine prayer life that is constantly open before the Father. The second defense that I see right now is to know this caution and to recognize its validity. The third defense is to never put another person down.

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May 30, 2009
Thursday Night - Elim - May 28, 2009

Thursday Night – May 28, 2009 – Elim Conference – Bill Johnson

Thursday night I just wrote my notes. As a result I do not have as many of them. I was able to type so much faster than I wrote, but at least I was able to capture some of the material.

Anytime any pressure on me is heavier or larger than the pressure of the Holy Spirit, I need to shift. I must learn to always respond to the Holy Spirit. There are three leavens we are capable of responding to:

1. The leaven of Herod = political spirit
2. The leaven of the Pharisees = religious spirit
3. The leaven of the Kingdom = the Holy Spirit

The political spirit will put distance between me and the message as I weigh and work out compromises.
The religious spirit will want to bring judgment (John 8 – woman caught in adultery). The law that would have brought judgment, was overcome by the law of grace. Faith is consistent in grace; grace = the enabling presence of the Lord.

What do we do with the righteous fallen? How we handle them will determine much in our ability to live in Kingdom principles instead of those of earth. How many of you know that it is really a bad day when even the devil rejects you?! (He spent some time working with the grace of restoration. I listened intently but did not write much here).

When the impossible looks reasonable and logical then your mind has been renewed. With the Holy Spirit in us there is an expectation from God according to our increased capacity in the Holy Spirit for work in His Kingdom. The Pharisees and Sadducees of Matthew 16:1-4 were hypocrites because even though they had the capacity to read the “signs of the times,” they only read the “signs of the natural world.” He considered them “two-faced,” because even though the capacity to read was there they chose ignorance. We can be the same way. We must choose to begin to “see” the Kingdom and the spiritual “signs,” that are there.

He did a quick survey all through the gospel of John showing us that Jesus was countering religion at every turn. Leaning on anything other than Him is religion. The U.S. and most of the western world leans on its intellect. Jesus is wanting us to be people of encounters with Him (He never says anything that is not in harmony with what He has already said and written). We must be people of presence – not people of “religion.” Much of what the Lord speaks to us is not to our minds but to and in our hearts and we often do not understand. It is not for our understanding. It is for our hearts. The Lord will offend the mind to reach the heart. Mystery is as important to you as what you know.

In the life-style of the Spirit Kingdom we are in the position to increase the revelation; words become spirit. It is a new-wine way of living – an elastic way of life. If we become rigid in the old (things done in past by revelation) He will let us, and bless us there. But the flow of revelation will not be ours. Faith must be hearing Him in-the-moment. Always be listening for a shift; a change of season to do and hear differently.

We, as disciples, are required to be able to discern the spirit of the one speaking – not just weigh the content of what is spoken. This is higher. The content must be good and accurate, but must also be from one of His – not just anyone. The way I receive a person determines what I can receive from them. (Matthew 10:40)

Stop focusing on what a person is not, but celebrate who people are. Let grace flow.

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Elim Notes - Wednesday - May 27

Remember these are just my "jot down notes." He said much. It seemed there were nuggets in every sentence, and even though I am a very trained typist, there was no way I could capture it all. So I think after reading these you will be able to be blessed. Enjoy!

May 27, 2009 - Elim Fellowship Leadership Conference -- Bill Johnson

God’s still in a good mood! We give God an opportunity to show up. He loves to show up. We are bored with prayer because we continue to ask for what He has already done. Those who pray in true faith are filled with joy -- they have no problem with joy -- it is always in them. Answered prayer is supposed to create that in us. Those who have no answers in their prayer, because they are asking for what is already accomplished, have a tendency to substitute the joy of the discipline of prayer instead of the joy of encounter. Lives are transformed through the release of the kingdom. When we believe, then we already have (in our spirits) the reality, therefore we are full of joy. Those who have to see do not have such joy.

We have got to be the generation that truly believe that God is truly good and does all for the good. We have been put on the planet to make a difference -- this co-laboring with Him produces the change. We pray “rend the heavens and come down.” At Jesus’ baptism the Father tore open the heavens. Now the heavens are open - they were closed when Isaiah prayed that prayer. Jesus was given all authority and received it as our older brother. He becomes empowered through agreement. It is possible to empower the enemy through the prayers we pray. We are not working for the victory of Christ, we are working out of it -- it is finished. Jesus Christ is perfect theology. What about Job? I am not Job’s disciple. I am a disciple of Jesus. The entire OT is to reveal the severity of sin. You touch the leper and you become unclean. In the NT you touch the leper -- the leper becomes healed.

We were not empowered by grace, so we could live the law better. Luke 16:16 “The law and the prophets were until John, since that time the gospel of the Kingdom has been preached and everyone is pressing into it.” (recalled the incident of the sons of thunder). They were wanting to pattern their ministry after Elijah. The Law and the prophets served us well, but they were anointing and mantels of a previous covenant. They were all to reveal the messiah. The destructive kind of anointing is not a part of the Spirit of Jesus~! All that was preparatory for the real message. Once you have what it was pointing to you never go back to the type.

We need to know what needs to happen in our lifetime. We do not know the future and are not told about the future for that kind of knowledge. But what is given is given so that when it happens that we would know He had spoken it before.

God is waiting for the dream of His people. Will we read and ask permission to activate?. Every family on earth will bow before me (Psalm 42?) Putting all these promises in the future is putting them in a place we have no way to effect -- no edge. Those who think their intellect is keeping them from deception are already deceived. It is a relationship based on an encounter that makes the difference.

Is it possible the size of the message determines the size of the harvest? It is possible to co-exist with the true spiritual reality and never know it exists. Jesus has all answers. You and I have been raised up for such a time as this so we could draw from there to here so the “draw of God” could get to the people.

He is so extremely good! If I did what most of the church accuses Him of, I’d be arrested for child abuse. He did not do the miraculous out of His God-hood. He did only what He saw the Father doing - it was impossible for Him otherwise. Heal the sick, raise the dead, all this is God’s will. Once the Spirit of God took residence in us, He immediately had things for us to accomplish. He is in us but He wants to be released out.

If there is no sin and you are completely empowered by the Holy Spirit then we can do as He did. He took care of our sin problem and He gave us the Holy Spirit, so we could do as He did.. Jesus did what He did as a model. Not everyone I pray with gets healed. How come? I am not there yet. I will not change the words of scripture to match my experience. He told us to heal the sick. Welcome to the life of the impossible. Our high point must not be what we can do, but the doing of the impossible.

When you have victory, you have authority to bring someone else into that victory. Jesus is longing to be seen for who He really is. He set the bar pretty high for us. He put us in such an awesome position. I pray differently when I am overwhelmed. The Lord is not intimated by that at all. There is a Christian-type culture that surrounds us that gives us a false impression but is not real in the heavenly. We must allow transformation (a changed mind) so we can take from heaven and bring it here. “Arise and shine, for your light has come.” He does not say “Arise and reflect“ We come to the light and then we become light -- and then we are to give that to others. We are to arise and shine!

The Lord has given us an assignment. Matthew 28 -- Go and disciple nations. The power to cast out demons won‘t do you any good in heaven, unless God takes you on a field trip. The inheritance is as big as the assignment. Bring nations to the king. He is the only one with the right to expect a harvest out of season. The time has come to use what God has given us. Shift the seasons, now the Kingdom of God is being preached and everyone is running to it. The Lord establishes the foundation of truth - the nature of sin, so He can build upon it the truth of righteousness.

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May 26, 2009
Tuesday Night Session - Elim Conference

I am just pasting in a copy of my notes. I just typed as I heard Bill Johnson speak. Some of the statements may sound a bit disjointed. That is because he was saying so much, one statement on top of another that it was impossible for me to keep up with him as I typed, and I type really fast. So read and you will at least get some of the message. I enjoyed it very much.

Leadership Conference: May 26 - PM - Bill Johnson

If you don’t run into the devil every now and then, you may be going the same direction.

God let me preach so anyone would know they could do it. “I love to be where the people burn in Jesus.” He wants someone to believe in Him extraordinary -- a testimony of what He has done. He assigned us to disciple nations -- access to everything we need to embrace the assignment. When the high point in Christian accomplishment is what it can do in the natural, we are no longer the church of Jesus.; We are called to do the impossible.

At the end of the day, only His will --will satisfy.

John 3:2-12 We will always reflect the world we are most aware of. We are people who have been assigned to broker Heaven into this world. Jesus did not draw a line between the two worlds. Stop trying the build the church and start releasing the Kingdom we are told to release.

The truths of the kingdom are dimensional. There are things that are true and things that are more true. Sowing and reaping is truth, but elementary - Law of blessing is you get, not what you sow, but what He has sown. But you can’t go there first. Advancing in revelation we discover the law of blessing and we choose not to stay in the elementary. We have a great need to understand how His world works in order to implement it in this world.

The transformation of the mind is far more than memorizing scripture. Apart from the presence, it is impossible to experience transformation. We are getting a greater anointing until we encounter the one who is the anointed one.

Teachers are supposed to teach the word in a way that presents opportunities for the miraculous. “We speak what we know. And testify to what we have seen and you do not receive our witness.” Jesus wanted to tell them the “family” story. “If I tell you earthly and you do not understand, how can I tell you about the heavenly? He trying to draw us away from the earthly illustration so we can hear the family stories.

We can not bind what is bound here if we do not have heavenly revelation about what is bound there. We are accustomed to doctrines without experience. Doctrine is supposed to be an invitation to relationship. Revelation is not to fill our head, but to fill our heart with experiences to help those around me. It is imperative that we put demands on what we believe. Do not sit and await. He said “Arise and shine.” The secret place is where we have secret encounters so we can have the public ones. Without the private ones, we can have no public ones.

John 4:35 “lift up your eyes.” The question is never about the harvest, but the laborers -- are they ready? All of heaven waits to back up the encounter. The whole field is harvestable now. The greater the revelation that God gives us as individuals, we must in secret seek the greater anointing to accomplish the revelation, so it is not a matter of theory, but of experience.

The most difficult (sinful) people can’t outdo this woman at the well -- yet He worked with her experience and brought her through her many questions and “insights” to His heart. She then brough her town.

Deviled ham -- the pigs than rena into the sea.

If 2,000 demons can’t keep one man from worshipping Jesus, what excuse can the church. So Jesus brings Him into His one -- The anointing we carry is the anointing we actually live by. (Jesus one step program -- out of darkness into light). It really bad when the Spirit has been gone from the church so long, when He finally shows up folks think it is the devil.

Jesus sent his out to tell his story. (Disciples probably thought he needed a few years of mentoring). How many sermons does this guy have? One. The next time Jesus went into that area every one came out to visit and to see Him.

Jesus didn’t do what He did so we could have church. Powerlessness is inexcusable. The Holy Spirit is in you and He wants out -- in us as a river -- not a lake. We are indebted to Him to release what He has so graciously given. It is not the end of the world is near, it is instead the kingdom of God is here! The gospel of the kingdom is to bring the values of the kingdom here. Top bring the reality of His rule and His reign here. The gospel is my home, the gospel of the Kingdom is my assignment.

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May 25, 2009
Away

My daughter and I will be traveling tomorrow to Lima, NY where we are to attend the Elim Fellowship's annual Leadership Conference. I am planning to blog though-out the conference, so those of you who would love to have gone can receive some of the richness that I know will flow from the Throne of our God to those of us attending. I do not know how this will all work, but I read several bloggers who do this type of thing, so I thought I would try it too. Stay tuned - - - .

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May 19, 2009
Prayer: The Always Open Invitation

Our Gracious Lord Jesus always hears our prayers! He always urges us to dialogue with Him and to listen as well as to “pour out our hearts.” (Psalm 62:8b) So as we study our Word, we learn that He always hears all people and that our sin or our lack of relationship with Him does not get in the way of Him hearing our prayers.

I realize this flies in the face of some programs and teachings that tell us otherwise, but the Scripture is clear. Our Lord dialogued with Cain when he was an unrepentant murder. He always heard you when you called to Him – otherwise you could not have received Him in salvation. He called out to Samuel, even though Samuel did not know Him personally at first. Over and over again – our Lord has heard the prayers of sinners and saints – He always wants to visit with us.

“We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will.” (John 9:31 TNIV) Many have quoted this passage as a premise for denying the fact that the Lord hears us all. Actually, this is spoken by a man that Jesus healed and it is spoken to the leaders of the synagogue who were questioning him about Jesus. The man used their own teaching back at them. This was not a teaching of the Law, nor of Jesus.

“If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer. Praise be to God who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!” (Psalm 66:18-19 TNIV) The first verse, when used by itself, seems to say that God does not hear if we have sin. Yet the remaining part and verse 19 is a praise to God for hearing. Now it goes without saying that as we draw near to God and He draws near to us, which is His promise to us (James 4:8), that if we are cherishing sin in our hearts, He will address that. But the fact remains, if we do not have His love and His power, we can do nothing except have sin and cherish it – for it will be what we know. With His love and His power, then we learn to live by the Holy Spirit and therefore we do not satisfy the desires of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16)

So, join me in a celebration of His love, forgiveness and grace, as we always turn to Him, knowing He always hears and chooses to dialogue with us. What great confidence this knowledge of grace gives us!

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May 04, 2009
Choosing A Local Church

I hear many people talk about choosing a local body as their own and hear others speak of why they are changing local bodies. Comments like, "I do not get fed here (or there) any more," are very common among us. What we need to see is that such comments identify us as infants in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jude 20-21, "But you, dear friends, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, expecting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life." (HCSB) Even though the Pastor and church leadership have a responsibility to teach and lead the flock under their care, none of them can possibly do what the Holy Spirit through the Word is to do personally in our lives. Our primary "feeding" must come directly from the Lord and not through another human. I am responsible for my own feeding and for getting enough of the spiritual food of the word to become strong and grow into maturity.

This does not take the responsibility off the Pastoral staff and leadership to supply good food (and not junk food passing itself off as something of value) from the Word to the congregation, but it does make it clear that it is the individual's personal responsibility to primarily feed themselves. Then what each one receives in the corporal setting is of added benefit.

Choosing a church for us is the Lord's responsibility. There are many who choose on the basis of what they like. This can be very dangerous. Also trying to find the "right one" is wrought with pot holes right and left. There simply is no "right one." The Lord in His gracious knowing will place us where we can be of the greatest service, where we can receive and become a part. Our background, our family culture, our family status (children or no), all these make a difference in where the Lord would have us go. However, the choice must be His and not ours.

All these matters point to a need for us to be walking with Him very closely on a daily basis. Hearing His voice in the Word, then hearing that same voice relating moment by moment are both essential if we are to mature in the nature of the matters of Word and Spirit.

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April 11, 2009
Resurrection Week-end

Last evening in at Psalm 19 we had our annual Good Friday service. It was a modified Tenebrae with a lesson and worship included. Our facility was packed with over 80 dear ones present to remember the awesome price of our Lord's sacrifice so we could be in relationship with our God. It was a powerful time in His presence and ended with warm and precious fellowship in that presence together. There were people from many, many different denominations -- such a rich blend of His people. I was (am) deeply blessed by Him and by His body.

Now we head for Sunday and the richness of the celebration of the Resurrection! I always love this Sunday's celebrations.

I have just finished reading through the blogs that I frequent, and want to recommend a post to you. El Shaddai Edwards at heissufficient.com has an excellent book review of Eugene Peterson's Eat This Book. I have read the book and amen all El Shaddai says about it. I highly recommend you read this post and if you have not read the book -- get it for your library -- it s well worth its cost.

Now to my work toward Sunday - church - fellowship with family at my brother's home - and rest before the busy week. Grace, grace to you and peace from our Lord Jesus Chist!

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April 08, 2009
Video Cast

I have put my most recent video cast here: www.unfoldedword.podcastpeople.com I am having trouble trying to add it to my sidebar. Sometimes these things work for me -- sometimes not. This is one of those not times. Anyway -- this video cast has been on my web site (and you can access it on the home page) for some time, but I have now put it back at this site. It runs much nicer here. If you haven't listened, give it a go and let me know what you think. I like doing them -- just takes a bit of time. I will do a new one before long.

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April 03, 2009
The Inheritance of Royalty - #3
Hearts Blazing with the Supernatural

(This is a summary of the third lesson taught in this series).

The church of our Lord Jesus Christ longs to live in the dimension of the supernatural. We identify times of supernatural activity with the early church, with the revivals of the past and with the rare individual who has managed to tap into the reality of spiritual matters and works in spiritual gifts with freedom.

This is so foreign to what is displayed for us in the New Covenant! It seems it was the expectation that we as the body of Christ would grow in our ability to not just "perform" in the supernatural, but to live there -- to view all that comes our way through the eyes of the supernatural -- always expecting the intersection of the Lord in our lives in healing, hope, freedom and joy. Yet what we find are sincere people, begging God to do something He has already done. I call such "beggar prayers." We ask for revival, for a move of the Holy Sprit, for Him to save sinners, etc.... on and on the list goes.

Beloved in God, the Lord loves everyone so much He sent His precious Son to die so all could come to Him. What more can He do? He poured out His Holy Spirit with gifts and the entire package of a victorious Christianity, so what more can He do? He lives in power inside each individual who receives Him. What more can He do? I am really not a heretic -- but we are such Biblically illiterate people when it comes to what He has done for us and how to live in its glory. When we trust in what He has given, we walk in it, not beg for it.

God does move supernaturally, but He does so by faith. He does give revival -- by a move in faith. He does give an individual or a group a move of His Holy Spirit, by faith. He does save people (He loves them more than we can every know), by faith. Other words for faith are: trust, confidence, rest, reliance, etc... This trust or rest comes out of the Word. It comes from learning what the Word says about what has been done for us and trusting that indeed He has done that very thing. When we begin to live in trust (a struggle in all periods of time), then we begin to realize the Lord has given us a heart that blazes with the supernatural. The supernatural is our expectation in our day, our night, and every moment. We find we do not live in the news or the financial good news or lack of it. Instead, we as informed, in the Word, people relate to our circumstances in trust in Him.

When we begin to know what He has done and rest in it, we find the fire and love of God blazing in our hearts to accomplish whatever our day has for us. What an awesome gift -- a Heard blazing with the Supernatural!

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Returning

2009-07-14T14:51:00.002-04:00

I am planning to return to this blog site. I have been with Typepad for almost a year, and have found it much more frustrating that blogger. I had gone there initially to get rid of the same said frustration. So not accomplishing that at all, instead adding to it. So I am returning here in the next few days. The bog at Typepad will continue through August, but after that will disappear.

I will shortly be bringing my items to the right up-to-date. Thanks for reading and for continuing on with me.

MannaWord

2008-08-02T13:01:00.001-04:00

I am moving my blog to www.MannaWord.typepad.com. Please reset your links to that address. I have found blogger more and more difficult so am choosing to move.

BibleDude.Net Excellence Award

2008-08-02T10:55:00.003-04:00

I have been awarded the BibleDude.Net Excellence Award by Jeff at Scripture Zealot. It is a privilege to be considered as one who loves the Creator (I do because He first loved me and poured - better translation = "gushed," His love into my heart - Romans 5:3- and one who loves the creation. I do and enjoy taking pictures of His beauty revealed to us through the glory of the creation.

Thank you Jeff for passing it to me. I pass it on to Singing Owl who also loves our Creator very much and loves to put beautiful photo's on her blog.

I have been unable to embed the logo here or on my side bar. However, if you will go to the box under the award statement on the side bar it will take you to the original post about the award.

Learning To Rest

2008-07-31T14:45:00.006-04:00

There is much activity in my personal life right now. My daughter will shortly be closing on a two family dwelling and my husband and I will be moving into the lower flat of the home. My daughter will move into the one upstairs. This is wonderful! It will put her near us as we get older and it will put her in a home of her own -- yet not alone. Her Dad always knows how to do things (we have not found things he cannot figure out how to work or make work) so he will be near to help her. All in all it is awesome of the Lord to allow and make provision for this.

Yet, because so much seems up in the air (so to speak) I find my body not wanting to relax. I see so much to do and so much to think through that I have a tendency to stay tense. This was pointed out to me in a big way this morning as I went to see my chiropractor. Her office always puts us in a room for 10 - 15 minutes before she comes in, and that is good, because we are instructed to lie on the table and wait. Well, I got there and did as instructed and my body began to tell me "No!," Nothing in it wanted to relax. This relaxing is essential so she can adjust the body appropriately. She is excellent and I always feel so much better after a visit, but my body did not want to let go and just rest. Well, before she came into the treatment room, my body did relax and she was able to work her miracle.

I know we are all very much alike. We get tense when life gets busy, or excited, or even difficult. Relaxing or resting is one of the most difficult things to do when we first try. But, as with my body this morning, when we choose to rest and allow ourselves to do so, then matters find their priorities and we are able to rest in the middle of whatever.

Our Lord has called us to "rest" in Himself. It is a call purposely out of tenseness and work. It is a call to trust -- to rest and let Him exercise His role as Lord of all. That "all" means me and my body and my life. It is a call out of trial and past. It is a call out of stress and worry. It is a clear call to trust Him and to allow Him to order our lives. It is a call to Sabbath (Jesus is that Sabbath as the day in the Old Testament was a prophetic statement of the role of the Christ in our lives).

He loves us so very much. He knew from the beginning that being tense and stressed would work against health and well-being, so He provided Himself for that peace and that rest. "Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry." Matt.11:28-30 Net Bible

(Photo of some of my flowers on my balcony. Taken yesterday).

Prayer as Foundational

2008-07-25T15:41:00.004-04:00

Prayer is not an option for a person who follows Jesus Christ. My students know that I even hesitate to use the word "prayer" because so many do not know what it means. It is not a form, it is not a set of words (though it involves words some of the time), it is not a formula. Many, many books have been written on prayer and I have a lot of them in my library. However, everyone of them fall far short of the truth of prayer.

It is impossible to describe and it is impossible to live in the Holy Spirit without it. However, it is the easiest so called "discipline" of the Christian life. It is the easiest, because all one does is just turn the mind and the heart and say "Jesus." Amazingly it can be said out loud, silent, or simply an impetus of the heart -- and He's immediately alert to us. Now He is is always with us so we do not have to summon Him. He is always listening, so we do not have to get his attention. Just a turning of the attention and He is very present.

Verbal prayer is needful at times, but not always. Sometimes the sweetest time with Him (which is what I call prayer) is simply becoming quiet and listening to what He will share with me. His Word is always His springboard and the main source of His sharing, yet He is exceedingly personal (since He knows the number of the hairs of our heads) and brings deep contentment in our moments.

I would just encourage you to let Him love you and include you. He will and much more than that! His word just makes it very simply "Draw near." His throne is called "the throne of grace" in Hebrews. Now what could be better than that?!

Use a form, or a formula, or whatever you choose, or none at all. Just be with Him and share yourself. That is all He wants from you in any moment.

His Sufficiency

2008-07-21T13:58:00.004-04:00

(These "bleeding hearts" are from a friend's garden. I think they are (were) beautiful).

Our Lord has done all that is needed for the entirety of the human race! That sounds a bit like heresy, but it isn't -- it is good theology. Our Bibles tell us that He entered into the Most Holy Place of the eternal sanctuary "once for all" just like His sacrifice was "once for all." Sometimes we protestants have fought the catholic people over their words in their liturgy without realizing we do the same thing when we do not understand that all sins have been forgiven. It is true that everyone must accept our Lord and what has been done for each and every one of us, but our sins were taken away over 2,000 years ago!

No one will be eternally separated from God because of their actions. We, however, will be separated from Him if we do not receive Him and move into relationship with Jesus Christ. The lesson of Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews (I do not believe Hebrews was a Pauline book -- due to internal textual evidence) sin was paid for on the cross and mankind is now free to relate to God freely and very personally.

When we try to impose "law" upon one another, we undercut the work of Jesus. I think Paul makes that very clearly. We cannot live by law and by grace. Titus 2:12 tells us that "grace teaches us to say 'no' to ungodliness." So we do not even need the law to teach us right and wrong. Grace does that.

Just how grace does that, I am studying and working to find out its pieces parts. It is exciting so far and oh so life giving. I am hearing the Good News all over again in newness and freshness. You are welcome to come on the journey with me.

"Jesus loves me this I know, For the Bible tells me so" -- He is not mad at me or at you. Isn't that wonderful?!

Wordle

2008-07-17T16:22:00.001-04:00

I just had www.wordle.net create a "wordle" for MannaWord. I am sorry it came in so small, but it is really quite nice . I think I'll keep it.

Sweetness!

2008-06-30T11:03:00.003-04:00

Sweetness!

The sweetness of fellowship with our Lord is so very precious. It is awesome, majestic, healing, renewing etc... all of those things and more, but the remembrance of the Friday Fellowship of Psalm 19 this past Friday -- is just Sweet!

The worship was precious, then then Spirit began to teach us that we have been given the righteousness of Christ Jesus. The title of the message was "Wake up to Righteousness" from 1 Corinthians 15:34 KJV. I used the KJV simply because it said what the Greek says here. The context is that by waking up to righteousness (becoming aware of it, receiving it and its power in our lives) we will be empowered to live lives that are full of peace, love and goodness! The righteousness He gives is not something we work for in any way, but simply a gift that He is more than pleased to give to all who receive Him. Our lives are empowered by His righteous nature to reflect the love and goodness of Himself.

Passages highlighted were: 1 Corinthians 1:30; Romans 4:25; Romans 5:13-19; and the main scripture was 2 Corinthians 5:11-21. A CD is available. Just go to www.psalm19ministries.org and call the office (10-4 M-F) for instructions. (We will soon have the ability to order on-line, but for now we need you to call - sorry for any inconvenience, but I think you would really enjoy the CD).

After the service, there was such richness in the fellowship together that our facility was not closed until near 11:30 pm. We had such sweetness in our hearts about the Lord's gift to us and it was clearly empowering us to fellowship together much more deeply. Nothing here was shallow. Awesome -- truly awesome!

He is so good to do for us all needed for "life and godliness." (2 Peter 1:3) "...their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness." (Titus 1:1 TNIV)

A Bride Yearning

2008-06-23T11:48:00.004-04:00

The following prose was written by one of my very bright and insightful students, Tina Hook. She and her husband are part of the Psalm 19 Staff and she regularly shares prose with me the Lord has inspired through her. I wanted to share this with you -- with her permission, of course. (The photo is from the collection Diane Hernandez took during a recent retreat's quiet time, again used by permission).

A bride yearning

Dressed in white

Hair gleaming down back

Unfettered, glistening

Curling down around

Feet upon the ground

Upon her head the bridegroom

Has set a circlet of pure gold

Above her heart sapphires gleam

Upon her feet sandals of silver

Her face shines

showing the glory

Of the love within her

Raised in yearning

Chin tipped

Focus above

Upon the bridegroom

Who has come

To fetch her to His heart

His hands pierced

Raised to embrace her face

In loving caress

Eyes of fire looking

Burning with intensity

Upon the face of His beloved

She decked in white

Drenched in oil

Running off the hem of her gown

To be ignited by His love

Always burning

Never consumed

In refining

Not destruction

Love shines

From burning eyes

Upon the head of His bride

Waiting, ready, prepared

And preparing for the return

Of the King.

A Day Away

2008-06-13T11:24:00.003-04:00

What an absolute wonderful day in our Lord's presence we had last Wednesday at Stella Maris Retreat Center in Skaneateles, NY. The house is a house of prayer, so very suited to embrace us and allow us very special time with our Lord Jesus Christ.

The photo is of my daughter leading us in worship with a small portion of the crowd showing. Lauren is a very special young woman with a heart very sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. (She is in full-time ministry in her church). If one looks closely, my husband is also seen to the left in front of the window on the keyboard. What blessings the Lord gives to me to work with my family in the ministry. It is a total joy to me.

These retreat days are rich in worship, Word, and fellowship. There were prayers for healing and we had the delightful presence of Dr. Margaret Nikol and her anointing through her violin. She graciously played with our ensemble during the worship and then later for our offering. How very precious.

We allowed the Lord Jesus to unfold Himself out of the Song of Songs 4-5 + some other parts of that beautiful book. It was a delightful time in Him.

This past week-end I was in Nazareth, PA with Living Waters Fellowship for a special teaching Conference. The Lord gave me three words for the three times I would speak: Cleansed; Empowered; Released. He was ever so faithful -- always is.

I am now busy getting the text-book ready for the coming Institute course on the Book of Hebrews. I will be teaching that this fall.

Prayers are always appreciated.

Amazing!

2008-05-29T14:11:00.005-04:00

This is just one of the many, many blooms from my Azeliea plant my daughter gave me for Mother's Day. It is a beautiful plant. What is so amazing is the detail in design and color in each one of the little blooms. How great is our God! He has created such absolutely beautiful things both in tiny expressions and in large expressions. I am constantly amazed, and the older I grow it just continues to impress me over and over again of His great love for each one of us. He lets us live in such a beautifully created world. It is absolutely amazing to me that He, being the great God He is, has such love for me.

I have the great joy of being quite busy in ministry during this next week and week-end so if I do not post again for a bit -- that is why. Just a bit overwhelmed right now. I so appreciate your comments. Some of you write them; those of you who know me personally usually just let me know when you see me. Thank you for reading and come back soon.

Glory

2008-05-20T14:55:00.006-04:00

The Sunday Morning Session of our Spring Conference was spent in the understanding of "Glory." We have been working with the theme, "I have come to bring life..." and as we worked with the various themes it was a discovery of the kind or type of life the Lord Jesus Christ has brought to us.

We are very familiar with Isaiah 42:8 where the Lord states, "I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another." (TNIV) We have heard sermon after sermon on how we must not steal the Lord's glory and that always makes us "feel" really good (or bad -- depending). However, there is a scripture that is in a very famous chapter that either is overlooked or not believed or both.

John 17:20-23 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me that they may be one as we are one -- I in them and you in me-- so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." (TNIV)

In our Lord's High Priestly prayer He clearly stated that He has given His glory (the glory the Father had given Him) to those who follow Him. We have been given the glory of God. We have become through His action in us -- His glory! 2 Corinthians 3:18 states that as we behold the image of the Lord we are transformed from glory to glory. How have we missed this aspect of His gifting? In the passage above it also states that this is part of the unity of being one with the Lord and with the Father. The glory was given so we would be one in Him as He is in us.

When we receive the Lord, we become one with Him and with one another. The Father answered Jesus' prayer for unity when He poured out the Holy Spirit on the church on the day of Pentecost. How have we missed it? The life He came to bring is a life of the glory of God, the empowering of God, the breath of God and the love of God. We are one in His glory. It is accomplished in the new birth. Our God is an awesome God!

Revelation

2008-05-09T13:15:00.004-04:00

This is another picture taken in my neighbor's back yard. I have done enough gardening to know this is a lot of very hard work. I know you will enjoy the photo as much as I do. The reality is even richer.

The Second session in our recent conference was taught by my daughter, Lauren. Lauren is a very fine Bible teacher and continues to amaze me as she grows in our Lord Jesus. She is in full-time ministry and working on credentials through her denomination. Our theme (as state below) was "I Have Come to Bring Life..."and we spent our time discovering what kind of life the Lord Jesus has brought to us. She worked the theme: He has brought us a life of Zeal. It was wonderfully done, and I have asked her to write a summary for us. When I get that, I will share it with you. In the meantime, below is another summary of my 2nd session.

REVELATION

There are (were) two primary scriptures worked. The first is Matthew 6:17 where Jesus tells Peter, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven." As I have studied this passage the ramifications of its truth have been astounding to me. Even though Peter had walked with the Lord for almost 3 years, yet he had not understood that Jesus was the Messiah of God until the Father supernaturally revealed that fact to him. This is awesome. It means we believe because of a supernatural insight that Jesus is who He says He is. All the preaching and teaching in the world by me or anyone else will not reveal what needs to be revealed in the heart unless the Holy Spirit uses that preaching/teaching to illuminate another heart. We walk in a supernatural way. To teach the Word is to enter the realm of the supernatural and to interrelate with the Holy Spirit in such a way that the truths of God can be perceived through the Holy Spirit in the heart and mind of another person.

We have argued in the church over what is the "rock" that Jesus builds His church upon. Most of us in a Protestant expression believe that "rock" is the confession that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God! I believe this is true. However, I believe we have missed a part of that confession. If the confession is not the result of a Holy Spirit revelation in the heart of an individual, then we do not have a Christian. Oh we may well have someone who doesn't want hell to be eternity, or some other reason, but if the conversion is a matter of reason and logic, we probably have someone who will quickly fall away from the central issues. To truly have a believer, we must have the revelation of the Holy Spirit.

Along with this, in Ephesians 1:17, Paul begins a pray for the people asking "... that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better." After enumerating many spiritual blessings that we have automatically in the Lord Jesus, he then prays for them to have a special relationship with the Holy Spirit so they can receive wisdom and revelation (beyond what he has written), so they can know the Father better. I am stunned. It is the Holy Spirit through the Word who will instruct our hearts in the nature and focus of the Father. It is really a supernatural occurrence to know Him and then to know Him better.

We have been birthed (again) supernaturally, and the only way we grow in Him is supernaturally -- all through the agency and work of the Holy Spirit. Lord help us allow you to illuminate your own Word so we may truly see and know you more and more!

Eternal

2008-04-27T15:48:00.005-04:00

I thought I would begin this discussion with one of my spring pictures that I took yesterday. One of my neighbors has absolutely lovely flower gardens. I was taking some pictures from edge of his yard when he invited me into the yard, and then into the back yard where the myriad of color continued. I thought this most unusual daffodil was strikingly beautiful. So as we begin to work with some of the topics the Lord led last week-end at Conference, I thought I would share with you this lovely creation.

Conference Lessons Summary: Friday Evening Session

Most conference sessions (that I taught) began with a reading of John 17 either by the congregation or by my daughter (who also taught a session). I had given them a copy of the text, so all of us could read together. Normally I teach "word by word" through a given text. This time the Holy Spirit led me to topics within the text. One of those words was "Eternal". I listed all the words that "popped" in my study in a post below. I found that even though I touched on all of them a bit, I took three main ones and let the others mold themselves around that one.

The first word was "Eternal." We observed that our God is eternal in His very nature. He does not think in beginnings and ends, because He has neither. So His thoughts about us are eternal also. (Ephesians 1:4; Rev. 13:8) When we "create" something, it comes out of our person and will reveal our person in its structure. Years ago I did creative needlework, and if you look at my work closely, it will tell you quite a bit about me. Now when God created the visible, He was revealed in that creation. (Psalm 19 and Romans 1) So the created world and mankind was eternal in its origin -- for that is what He is.

We know sin entered the scene and due to the willing exchange of that which was eternal for that which was passing, the entire creation fell into corruption (Romans 1). But of course we know our God was working all for His eternal plan. Jump forward many, many years and we have a "new Adam." (Romans 5) The New Covenant is full of this understanding.

John 1:3-4 reads, "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men." We know that our Lord Jesus was the creative agent of all that is seen. (John 1:1-3) Here also we are told of two creations: 1-in the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth through Jesus Christ -- the one that was corrupted and finds its end in death; 2-the new life in Jesus Christ.

We brainstormed together in describing (with me writing it all down on the white-board) our Lord Jesus Christ. Then we work with the fact of the New Covenant and that we are in Him and therefore these items are about us in Him. (1 John 4:17b)

Our conclusions for this lesson was really the runway for the sessions to come. The grasping of the eternal fact of life in Jesus Christ and all its ramifications. I find we spend a lot of time in Christian circles, (writing, talking, teaching, preaching) trying to get our flesh to obey. In reality, I believe if we begin to absorb the truth of in Him, our flesh is no match for our Spirit. I believe that is what the Bible says. (Galatians 5:6)

There was much, much more to this lesson, including the understanding of the "new birth" makes us "bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh," and the true meaning of the "adopted" passage in Ephesians. But this is just a summary for now. The total teaching was app. 1 hr. and 15 minutes.

Trying Something --

2008-04-25T14:52:00.003-04:00

I am experimenting with a video program for my MacBook. I would love to be able to video a short teaching for the blog. That would take the place of the podcast -- would be a webcast instead and nicer and easier to do. Let's see what we have.

Vacation Days

2008-04-24T13:38:00.003-04:00

After our time at Conference (summary posts to come soon) my daughter (Lauren) and I took several days away in the mountains (Adirondack) and thoroughly enjoyed our time of rest, relaxation and discovery. I have put a small video in of one of the creeks, just so you can enjoy a bit with us. The waterways were overflowing most places as the snow was melting in gallons with the warm weather.

We napped, ate, enjoyed the Lord's beauty in our state, and just rested and rested. It was good for both of us. Tomorrow I hope to blog on some of our work at conference. I enjoyed the time thoroughly but it is good to be home and even good to be back in the office.

Truly Focused

2008-04-17T12:24:00.004-04:00

I am preparing for teaching three sessions at Psalm 19 Ministries' Spring Conference this coming week-end, so my mind is totally focused that direction. Our theme is from John 10:10 where our Lord makes this statement, "I have come that they may have life and life abundantly." The Lord has led me to John 17 for the time of our discoveries. As I pondered this section of Scripture I wrote down the concepts that came "at me" as I read. These are the words I wrote in answer to this question: "Just what are the characteristics of the life Jesus has given us?"

Eternal
Word/Name
Protection
Revelation
Presence
Inter-connectivity - Unity
Full of Glory
Sacred
Sent
Witness

In only three sessions???? Well, the Lord is able, so we will work with them and allow Him. I am having a wonderful time with Him as these are developed. What an unfolding of this section of Scripture. I have never looked at it just this way before.

He truly leads us in wonderful pastures. I pray you have a blessed week-end. I know I am going to enjoy myself in our Lord. Wonderful Spirit-filled worship, allowing the unfolding of His Word, sweet remembrance communion time, and deep, precious fellowship (People from at least 8 different denominations will be present -- wonderful)--don't know of anything better. I will try to post some of the discoveries after the conference is completed. I will be on vacation with my daughter the first three days of the week, but after that I will try to post some of His leadings.

What is my focus?

2008-04-05T11:11:00.005-04:00

I am changing the title to "What is My Focus" simply because I think the other phrase does too much pointing of the finger at others and therefore basically dishonest. Whatever the Lord's item of conviction in me probably is also in others, but one should not apply the thoughts to others, but to one's own self.

My focus in my life makes all the difference. As I live and work and listen I am easily distracted from the single focus of the Lord Jesus Christ. I know the events in my life lately have tended to distract me. Even the joy (absolute joy) of my ministry going into our own meeting place has the potential to distract me from my primary call. Every good matter, and ever matter of circumstance that has little to do with anyone but me, still is potentially distracting from my call and purpose in Jesus.

Even my call and purpose can distract me. That seems like an odd thing, but it is true. I can get caught up in what "I" am to be doing and saying etc... so that my time with our Lord is consumed in talking about "me," and ends up with no time for Him.

Health concerns, family concerns, ministry concerns, church concerns and on and on it goes. Now in my time with my Lord Jesus, He, of course, is very interested in all of this that is going on in my heart, but where is my focus. Is it in me, or are my prayers directed at finding out about Him and His heart? That is why the Word must always play a vital part in our prayer time. How can I spend time with Him and never concern myself with Him. Somehow I seem to manage -- I bet you do to.

I know this is a lot of rambling, but I just wanted to write it out for myself and whoever might be reading. The Lord is to be our focus and gives us every power to allow that. I once again choose Him to be that focus of my moments and days. Everything else will fall into place when that is done.

Every Need. . .

2008-03-27T14:59:00.003-04:00

I noticed something this morning in my reading that fits with some insights the Lord has been giving me in regard to our need. Go along with me and see if this does not ring true in your spirit.

"Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing and afterward when they had ended, He was hungry. And the devil said to Him...."(Luke 4:1-3a NKJV) You know the rest. What I want to look at is the role of "need" in opportunity for temptation. Now it is not exclusively linked to need, but I see here that when Jesus was hungry the enemy used the "need" to give an easy out. It was first of all the temptation to prove who He was (if you are...), and the secondary point of it was to satisfy Himself -- since He could. Isn't that the way the enemy still works? Think about it. He waits until I begin to think I have a need and then he presents to me a way to take care of it.

Now the answer to the opportunity is not what it would seem to be. Needs just are and we all have a record before the Lord of them. However, there is a way in Scripture to work here and to eliminate opportunity for temptation through a need.

In Philippians 4:11 in the process of thanking the church at Philippi for their assistance in sending Paul help, he makes the bold statement, "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:..." and then he goes on to site several circumstances which are extremes from one another. We spend endless time and energy on trying to likewise "learn to be content," forever missing the point that contentment is a by-product of having no need. Now just how is this possible?

I believe the text reveals the secret. Because Paul trusts the Lord with his life, and abides continually in the awesome care of the Almighty, he could not possible have a need. Each and every circumstance is just an opportunity to magnify Christ in his life, so it really does not matter what that circumstance turns out to be. This is the secret he had "learned." The Lord really is Lord and really does love us and really does care for us. So there can not possibly be a "need," just an opportunity for Christ to be glorified.

What an awesome lesson to allow the emotions to learn! Just think about it. That means all the "needs" that present themselves are really not needs at all for me -- but just opportunities to live out the reality of His care. Now this causes me to begin to re-evaluate the way I perceive my circumstances and I have long way to go. If I persist in holding on to my need and His need to answer, then the enemy has the opportunity to cause me to doubt the care of my Lord and to offer various opportunities to take care of matters myself . I have learned enough to know that doesn't work.

So here goes. I will try to let you know as I learn. How about joining me.

2008-03-25T15:46:00.003-04:00

Tonight is pure fun!!! Our Institute of Biblical Studies meets and I am teaching on Philippians 1. Can you imagine my joy on getting to teach for 2 1/2 hours on this absolutely marvelous chapter. I love this book and will enjoy this delightful class of 15 or so students loving to inter-relate with our Lord through His Word. What more could a Bible teacher want?!

RESURRECTION

2008-03-21T14:12:00.003-04:00

On Sunday we will celebrate Resurrection Day! It is my favorite day of the year and I enjoy it totally. Leading up to that wonderful celebration, we mark Good Friday in Psalm 19 with a Good Friday Service tonight. We will spend time in Worship, both singing and listening to our Choir (The Singers). Then we will experience the Word as it is read and received. We will soak in our Lord's presence and remember.

Then we will turn to what this means in our lives and explore the dynamic truth of living in the Spirit according to the Word.

I pray you enjoy Him during this special season.

A Grand St. Pat's Day!

2008-03-18T16:04:00.005-04:00

My husband and I were gifted with tickets to hear The Three Irish Tenors yesterday and how very much we enjoyed the entire concert. My husband is a musician and an Irish Tenor, so we enjoyed in many ways.

The evening breeze was brisk but not too cold, so even the walk to the beautiful Landmark Theatre was refreshing. I always forget what a grand and ornate place that theatre is. I am so glad it has been saved and restored. Anyway -- just thought I would share a really good, good time.

Looking Toward

2008-03-07T12:31:00.004-05:00

I know it is a strange title for an blog entry. I wanted it to be that way. I am finding as I live my life in Christ that what I am looking toward (at) will determine my focus for that day. What I am looking toward will determine how I view my circumstances, the people around me, the world's events, and the most dangerous item -- my view of Christ.

It is dangerous because if I view Him well everything changes. If I am looking toward Him and His nature of beauty and love; if I am impressed with His glory and ability to interrelate with me in my moments; if I am caught up in awe of the preciousness of His love that purchased me (and all of mankind); if I am aware of His breath on me and through me in each conversation; if I am looking to see Him at every turn and in each unfolding event; then my moments and days are full of brightness and hope. (I think He has called that grace). If, however, I take my circumstances as my cue and daily live bouncing emotionally on and off of them and the folk that create them, then I will reflect that in my fear, confusion, and hopelessness. That will create discouragement and a feeling of being unloved and uncared for.

So, what am I looking toward? I am coming to believe that my ability to become obedient in my moments is determined not by my will power, nor by how much I know or comprehend (understand), but by my image of Him as I "see" with the eyes of my heart. If He is indeed bigger and better and more glorious than anything, then I am empowered in His nature lived in me (by my birth in Him through the Holy Spirit) to communion with Him in His glorious nature and become as He is, (1 John 4:17) seeing with His eyes and able to live a life of abundance -- having nothing to do with my circumstances or the people around me.

Oh it will affect my circumstances -- but my circumstances will not effect my communion. This is true emotional stability.

Now just how "cool" is that!

One More Time

2008-03-06T13:57:00.002-05:00

I wanted to post one more picture of our moving and getting settled in the new facility before I move on (in writing) into posts that hopefully have eternal value. In this photo Bjorg is behind me kneeling on the floor working. And I am sitting in my new "mercy seat." The room was full of ladies working diligent to get my books in my bookcases. (My, my lots of books). They are all really good books -- you know what I mean.

We are functioning very well in the facility. It is sweet and our Lord's presence prevails everywhere. I am so very grateful for it all.

Celebration!!!!!

2008-02-23T16:05:00.002-05:00

The faithfulness of our Lord is awesome! We met on February 8 for our Friday Fellowship in our new facility. It was so blessed by our Lord in presence, praise, worship, word and fellowship between and among believers. Our Lord's love and grace to us is beyond our ability to comprehend. How we praise Him! The facility is light, warm and inviting. The volunteers have done it all in love and have served their Lord faithfully. May He hear their every prayer and bless them beyond blessing. May those the Lord brought to professionally do plumbing, carpet, and code inspections also be blessed with the warmth of our love in Jesus.

2008-02-14T15:52:00.002-05:00

My schedule is intensely busy right now, so no real time to think through a post. I am teaching and have much to say -- need to do some condensing and put it down here. Will do that in a day or so. The office (picture tomorrow -- hopefully) is getting organized and I am really enjoying having a space dedicated to study. I have used a spot in my home for many, many years and so this is really neat. The platform and pulpit above is so nice to teach and preach from. I enjoy the space very much. For those who do not know me personally, I am quite vertically challenged, so even in small spaces need a bit of a platform to be seen and heard, so this is just perfect! The pulpit was built for me several years ago by a craftsman in my church. I so treasure the little item. It now has a home and doesn't go back and forth from storage to be used.

Must get home for supper and then ready for class tonight at church's mid-week. I am teaching "Walking In the Spirit -- a study in Galatians." Overall having much, much fun. Our Lord so so very good to me!

The Bible Learning Center

2008-02-08T09:54:00.001-05:00

Welcome to Bible Class! A warm, loving and beautiful classroom awaits you as you enter to enjoy our Lord. Our Friday Fellowship meetings begin tonight, so the tables will be put aside and chairs arranged so many of us can worship and study together as we gather from many denominations to enjoy our Lord and given Him praise and thanksgiving for all He has done and is doing. Absolutely awesome! Join us if you are in the Syracuse, NY area, otherwise, pray as we begin that our Lord will be praised and magnified in all we do in this miracle of a facility.

Certificate of Occupancy Given!

2008-02-03T09:49:00.000-05:00

On Friday, February 8 at 7 pm, Psalm 19 Ministries will have its first Friday Fellowship of the Spring Season at 6138 S. Salina Street at the newly renovated site of The Bible Learning Center! I will have interior pictures here for you in the next few days, but just wanted to share this good news with you. I am away in ministry this week-end, but praise God for the internet so I can keep in touch and update the blog as well.

Thank you for praying for us as we have been working so hard to get the space ready. When you are in the Syracuse, NY area, be certain to drop in or if you can be with us on Friday night, please do so. Our Lord is so very good toward us! How I praise Him.

Making Awesome Progress

2008-01-29T10:18:00.001-05:00

I am posting a picture I took some time ago of an office in our new facility. Much, much progress continues to be made but a lot of it (most of it) has been "hidden" work. It is much like our Christian lives, most of the work doesn't show at first. We pray and study the Word and the Lord begins to change the outward things in us after the adjustment has been made inside. So it has been with the facility. At first there was a lot of visual change. Then came the time that things underneath had to be done like the electricity, the plumbing, the tile laid, bathroom re-done into a handicap accessible one, and on and on. I will have some really good pictures up soon, because soon, and very soon, most will be finished and the inspections completed. We still plan to have our Friday Fellowship here on February 8. Stay tuned for our progress reports.

It has been a joy to see the outpouring of love, support (both financial and personal) we have received as we have progressed. Many, many have come and helped. Many, many have supplied expertise and wisdom from the Lord. The facility has been covered in prayer, love and Holy Spirit presence. When those working, work in love for their Lord Jesus, instilling His love in every coat of paint, every floor tile, every ceiling tile, the hanging behind the platform created by gifted hands in love for Him -- more and more and more -- all in love for the Savior, so much that my soul is literally engulfed with His love and care. I know you join us in praise and thanksgiving for such generosity of God's people. He continues to pour and we are so grateful.

More is needed, more will come. It is just His way. When the Lord told Abram to leave Ur and go to a land that He would show him, Abram was not told where the land was or what to take for his journey. The Lord wanted to show Himself strong so He led Abram in a new way.

So He has with all of us in Psalm 19. We have not been this way before, and we are watching as our Lord unfolds what is next in this journey of renting our office and meeting place. It may sound like a small matter, and we may have thought it was, but it has unfolded as an awesome journey of much love and labor. The facility is developing into a thing of comfort and beauty for our meetings and classes. If you live in our area, we pray you will come soon and be a part of a function -- and enjoy with us.

Plenty of Faith

2008-01-18T15:39:00.001-05:00

"The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith.'
'If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, the Lord said, you can say to this mulberry tree, "Be uprooted and planted in the sea," and it will obey you.'"
Luke 7: 5-6 HCSB

It seems to me we continue to make the same mistake when it comes to understanding "faith." I think in the Scripture above we have an instance where the Lord actually rebuked the apostles for not recognizing that it was not the size of their faith that counted, it was instead its life.

The mustard seed is very small, yet because its life is in its seed, it will when planted, respond to the elements and produce more mustard seeds. Its nature is life. It's size is determined by the seed's DNA. Its effectiveness has nothing to do with how big it is.

"For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one." Romans 12:3 HCSB

Since Greek does not have an indefinite article the "a" measure of faith probably should be "the" measure of faith. When we accepted our Lord as our Savior the Father place the "seed" of His life in us -- He calls it faith. It is His life and His DNA. It is the ability to trust Him in all aspects of our lives and to follow His leading as He instructions. It contains all the "God Life" one needs to be obedient to and in all that is asked. Our faith is not lacking.

However, we do not know this, so instead of reading the Word, we read everything else. Instead of trusting our Lord, we trust our family,friends, etc.... Instead of spending time with Him in communication, we watch TV or surf the net, or.... you fill in the blank. Then we think our "faith" is weak. No there is nothing weak about the life in the seed. However, we must trust the seed and choose to be the good soil for that seed.

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." Hosea 4:6 HCSB

There is so little done in faith -- that is because we choose another life source. That other source always disappoints. Yet we keep at it and pray for an increase in faith. How our Father must weep and feel helpless to help us. He has already told us. Yet we do not hear and we do not know.

Rest in God Alone!

2008-01-12T09:46:00.001-05:00

Let me introduce you to "Peanut." She officially belongs to Patty, the administrative assistant in Psalm 19. However, most of us who know her claim her as our own in one way or another. She is a very sweet 5 year old puppy and weighs 9 pounds. As you can see, she enjoys sleeping. In this picture I caught her napping on the shoulder of Patty's husband, Tim.

Rest in God alone, my soul
for my hope comes from Him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation my stronghold;
I will not be shaken.
Trust in Him at all times, ou people;
Pour out your heart before Him.
God is our refuge.
Psalm 62:5-8 HCSB

I used this text to encourage our on-line Intercessors this morning, and thought I would write about the passage a bit here. As Peanut is perfect content to "rest" on Tim's shoulder, so our lives are supposed to be spent, not in stress, not in anxiousness, not in busy rush-rush, but in rest.

The fact that Jesus is resident within us seals this fact. He said, "Come unto Me and I will give you rest." The act of coming to Him is in itself rest. However, if in His presence all we do is act like "beggar children," very fearful He will not do what we deem is necessary, then in our very pouring out we reveal we do not trust Him. There is no rest in that.

To rest in Jesus is to keep or observe "Sabbath." In Genesis 2 where we read that Elohim rested on the seventh day, it was a prophetic statement of what the Messiah would be when He came -- total rest for His own.

I believe (and have found that for my body it is essential) a day of rest is necessary for our bodies to work at optimum. However, I find when we observe our weeks, our modern life does not help us with this concept. In revealing the Sabbath to us, the Scriptures are very clear that the day set aside was intended for rest. Many of us have turned that into a day of corporate worship. I do not have a problem with that, unless our corporate worship + family meal + teaching children + preaching etc... ends up being more work than any other day. We really need to return to a day of rest. I do not think our New Covenant Lord cares which one, but the principle of rest is still a part of the creation.

A true Sabbath is described in Matthew 6 -- the entire chapter. Read it and list the ways of "being" described there and you will find what and how rest is described. This is in line with the Law and the prophets. Jesus is the Sabbath -- our Sabbath. This is trusting in God alone.

This photo of peanut was made in the middle of a loud and fun filled Christmas party. But all the excitement and food was just set aside in her little heart as she "rested" on Daddy and just let the party happen. If we would only rest on Daddy's shoulder and let our world go on in its swirl, we could really rest. Oh, how we need that heart.

Love Works Like Paint

2008-01-04T14:01:00.000-05:00

1 Peter 4:8 "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."
(NIV)

Paint, paint, paint! I have been covered in paint! Those who have been working to get this facility ready have all looked the same -- all our clothes smeared with paint. As I have worked and painted and worked and painted, it occurred to me that paint works like love. It covers "stuff."

You see the outside interior walls of this place are old. I mean old. They have been gnashed, pounded, filled, and scraped. They had been painted, but the paint, like the wall board, was old and looked it. Before we painted those walls, we filled the places that needed it and wall board was patched when the holes were large. This was done several times to make certain it was filled. Then the sanding, then more filling, then more sanding, and more filling, eventually all the wall was even with itself (or almost), and then the walls were wiped down so no dust remained. Then it was time for paint.

Now those of you who regularly re-decorate somewhere know the process better than I do. I was following instructions. As we began to put the primer on, an amazing thing happened. All the walls (new and old) took on a new look. It was hard to tell them apart. Then when we put the paint on top of the prime -- they are beautiful -- they are spotless -- they are level -- they are even -- they are covered and they are absolutely beautiful in their clean new look.

Now our Lord Jesus does all this to us and for us in one fell swoop -- His blood -- His love. (Of course He makes the inside of us new too -- but that is another post sometime). BAM! It is a completed work. Then He tells us to treat others as He has treated us. That means we use love like paint. We fill in the holes others have (make up for their lack--hummm its called "grace" I believe) and then cover them with the love the Lord has given us for them.

WOW! I just think that is wonderful. So I encourage you to do some painting in the lives of others. Our love covers a multitude of wrongs, if we will paint with it.

2007-12-31T12:47:00.001-05:00

This picture was taken on Saturday afternoon late, as we prepared to close down for a couple of days. John Hernandez is doing some finishing touches on the door facings in readiness for paint to follow tomorrow and through-out the rest of the week. All the priming is completed and we have almost eliminated the blue trim that was everywhere. So it is coming along nicely.

We have ordered the carpet, and await the plummer. There is much ahead, but the basic readiness has been completed. John H., his wife Diane, and myself (+Joe when he has been able to be with us) have done much this past week. Now for the new year we are praying it is completed in record time, so we can move in and be ready for the 8th of February.

Oh yes, I am now posting from my MacBook. What a difference! It is so easy to post pictures, and work with text -- much easier than my PC and much faster. It is a joy to work with the blog now instead of always a hassle of some sort from the programs. Also, my last podcast was done on the MacBook with GarageBand. It too is wonderfully easy to use. I am so delighted. I plan to be much more productive with all this in 2008. The MacBook was definitely a good idea.

We have most of Psalm 19 Ministry now beginning to work with iMac. It will take some time for the total conversion to take place, but our new machines are Mac's. To our supporters, the last flyer you received as a Thank You was developed on my MacBack. Again, I did it with such ease that it was a total joy to do!

Stay tuned.

2007-12-28T20:59:00.000-05:00

This was taken a week or so ago. Sorry, I did not take any pictures today. I will take one of this same area tomorrow so you can see the difference. The picture is of the back office (Joe's and CD copy area etc...) with the storage area in front. It is to the back left of the Center as one will look at our platform. This now has folding doors (very nice ones) and all the wall board is primed. Oh how different it looks.

The Center is taking shape and every time I enter the building, my spirit gets very excited. Our Lord is going to do some great things with us here. Stay tuned -- more tomorrow evening -- at least I will try.

The walls only go so far up as you can see in the picture. This keeps us from running into enormous problems with lighting, heating, and sprinkling systems. This solved many possible problems for us.

When you think of us -- we appreciate prayer that we get everything done and pass all the needed code elements. Bless you for reading.

2007-12-24T12:49:00.000-05:00

First Love

2007-12-16T18:23:00.002-05:00

First Love -- New podcast up

Please click link on right and give a listen. I have a few more production issues to work out before I am completely pleased, but have much more control on my imac. I think the volume is good this time too. Give a listen and let me know what you think. Bless you.

Making Great Progress...

2007-12-16T13:14:00.000-05:00

As you can clearly see, we are making great progress. I say "we" but it is really the crew of wonderful volunteers that is getting it all done. John and Diane Hernandez, my husband-Joe, Faye DeJohn as well as several others -- all giving tirelessly of their time and their energies to get this accomplished. I get to do little stuff, and I was away for 5 days on a "time away" period, so I really have not done much of the building etc. So much was accomplished while I was away. I am so blessed.

Stay tuned -- more to come. I will probably have quite a bit of time to blog during the next week or so, if that is true, then I will have several entries.

Bless you for reading.

Keep praying as there is still much, much to do.

Not Forgottten . . .

2007-11-27T16:31:00.001-05:00

I have not forgotten about blogging and podcasting. However, I have too much, way too much to try to get done in these holidays months to be able to concentrate this direction. Please keep checking. I will be back soon.

Above is one of the "busy" reasons. It is our Psalm 19 Ministries' Bible Learning Center "before" pictures. Actually we had accomplished a lot when this photo was taken. Now we have that wall down and others up, carpet removed, and we are ready to put wall board up. All this in the middle of a busy ministry season. I have such an appreciation for our volunteers who work endless hours to make things work for me and all at Psalm 19.

I drive (with several other ladies) to Canada this coming Friday for ministry both Saturday and Sunday. (Lauren is leading worship and I am teaching), then we return home on Sun. Evening. We appreciate your prayers as we travel and minister -- as you think of us. We will be at the Joshua Center in Hamilton, Ont. Ca.

Thank you for reading and for caring -- I have not forgotten and will be back -- soon!

Emotionalism #2

2007-10-30T12:27:00.001-04:00

"He has blinded their eyes and He hardened their heart, so that they would not see with their eyes and perceive with their heart, and be converted and I heal them." John 12:40 NASB

I have been doing a lot of thinking and searching in my mind about my last post on Emotionalism. What is happening in me is a real revelation of what the Bible actually says and how we seem to believe something it doesn't say.

There are no admonitions about "following" our emotions or the dangers of "being led by our feelings." There just simply are none. The heart is often mentioned and mentioned in connection with the mind or with results that come from the mind, as in the above quote. When we begin to discover the understanding in both the Old and New Testament regarding the word "heart," it is always the mind and the emotions involved. I have not found one place where it means only the emotions. It is both. The heart thinks, stores data, and is the motivation for speaking. Maybe I am missing something here, but I am not finding any indication that our emotions are not to be 100 percent involved in what we are doing.

We are to have hearts that are aflame with God, not hard ones (both in picture). But for some reason we, in the US anyway, have come to believe that emotional interaction in church or anywhere regarding the Lord is a lack of education or maturity. How very far from the truth this is!

We need to truly be Biblical. Let us work with Word terminology and not what we "see" or even with modern psychological understanding. Emotional expressions are a part of our release of the love of Jesus, and should not be shut out. Those expressions do not have to be loud, or pentecostal, or anything else, but they must be released or else our religion will be blinded by intellectual information instead of the reality of love released into life.

We are not "cookie-cutter" Christians. We are different from one another, and our expressions of the release of His love will be different. But we must allow freedom here, and we must warn those who choose to be "non-emotional" of the dangers of that, and its non-Biblical premise.

Emotionalism...

2007-10-20T14:26:00.001-04:00

"The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit." John 3:8

It seems strange to me that many times those of us who are charismatic in our theology are accused of riding on emotionalism. I am sure some do, however, by far I find most of us are working in an area of misunderstood truth.

The scripture above is a statement by the Lord Jesus and is descriptive of His people. It is not trying to say we are unreliable, or unstable in our lives and responsibilities. However, it does speak of producing something that is seen and felt. In fact, if one begins to study the Holy Spirit in the New Testament we find that almost all of the descriptive terms about Him are emotions expressed. Let's see, comforter, encourager, wind, breath, life, hope, then there are the nine characteristics of the fruit of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22. They are all emotional expressions of reality: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

There is almost no way to know the Holy Spirit or His ways in the Church, if we do not freely "feel" Him. I realize that some of us (a long journey for my English/Irish bones) are more reserved in our interior than others, but none-the-less, in order to flow (oh what a wonderful descriptive term) in the Spirit in His Word and ways, one must "feel" and "know." Not just "know."

Faith also has a "feeling" to if, if you will. When it rises inside, there is a "knowing" and our feet go down in its fact. Not a seen fact, but a fact of Scripture and of truth. When that happens, it occurs as a feeling.

We may not all agree on what are proper responses, and what are "over-the-edge" responses, but we do need to see that if we work at all in the area of truth in the Holy Spirit, it is emotional in its response.

This being true, then I think the Body of Christ needs a big dose of "emotionalism," uh...I mean Him!

Just some thoughts.

Known in Friendship

2007-09-29T17:30:00.001-04:00

"The secret counsel of the LORD is for those who fear Him, and He reveals His covenant to them." Psalm 25:14 HCSB

We know that as we dwell in friendships, especially close ones, we get to know one another deeply as time is spent together. In a Christian friendship much is shared and treasured as two hearts in friendship open and receive from one another's heart. We all know this. There are reasons for our sharing deeply with only those we trust. Those are usually the ones who take the time to be with us and know us. Casual friendships are also treasured, but they do not hold the the same depth of personal sharing.

We are made like our Lord. This passage in Psalm 25 tells us (what Mark 4 and other passages also share with us), that our Lord loves to share with people who love to have Him share. He has secrets in His Word about Himself that He longs to share, but they can only be shared in-depth and therefore it takes time to listen and learn to know Him in those ways. He says those secrets are reserved for those who choose to take the time to allow Him to be Himself with them and show Himself to them. He loves to share and loves to listen to our sharing. I fear that all too often I am prone to do my part of the sharing, but do not take the time needed to allow Him to share Himself -- not just for me to share with others, but for me to treasure in the depth of my friendship in Him. I am thankful for His forgiveness and grace. I know you are too.

I find myself wanting more of Him. Well, here is the answer to that. Lord I hear. I know you will help me when I want to run off and "do" instead of listen and treasure. I choose the later. Help me remember that is my choice.

2007-09-13T16:31:00.000-04:00

New Podcast - Link on Right

The Cloud and The Sea

2007-09-13T13:03:00.000-04:00

For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. The all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.

There are several things in these verses that are interesting and often overlooked as we look at this passage (1 Corinthians 10:1-4 NIV) There was a dual baptism, or a one-two punch baptism, or a one-in-one baptism for the Israelites as they followed YHWH. There was the cloud and there was the Sea. Many times we overlook the "cloud," and concentrate on the "sea" part. It all occurred at the same time but there are two separate elements involved. He provided for them as they did the impossible (walked through the sea) and He was visibly present to them in the cloud that overshadowed and/or enveloped them. What a wonderful demonstration of His love and His care!

The Holy Spirit's usage of this event in Corinthians has to do with the following verses:

Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert. Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. (V5-6)

The children of Israel complained about their food, their safety, and each of their provisions. They perceived God as not meeting their needs, yet He provided everything. In the crossing of the sea, there was the obvious walking through on dry land. With the Egyptian army at their backs, our Lord opened a way when there had been none. This is true provision. Then of course, He drowned their enemies. More provision. They complained about Manna. The food He sent. They grew weary of it, yet they were not ill because of it but well and strong. They complained of thirst so the Lord brought water from a rock, yet they complained over and over again.

What they ate and what they drank was God's provision for them -- verse 4 tells us that Christ was the Rock of water (and the manna by implication). In other words, God's present provision is always some way of expressing Jesus Christ to us. Of course, this incident is many, many years prior to the incarnation. Yet, Christ in God was and is the provision for the people of God. To reject the provision or to complain about the provision, is to misunderstand and disregard the nature of the provision. The provision is always Jesus Christ. We can be bold to say that Jesus Christ is the only provision of God. That encompasses everything.

I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 21:6NIV

I am carefully examining my heart and my speech. I want more of the Lord revealed in my life, therefore I must begin to trust that my circumstances are of His design and I am to receive Him in the events. Even when I may not like them, or even if they cause me pain and discomfort.

Lord, You say in Ephesians 1:18 that the eyes of our heart either are opened or can be opened. Please do that for me today, and I open my mind and emotions to perceive and receive a demonstration of Your love for me in my today's moments.

Talk About Fruit!!!

2007-09-02T18:01:00.001-04:00

A little bit different post today. Talk about fruit! WOW! I took this picture a couple of days ago in a friend's garden. Tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes -- many, many of them hanging and ripening and looking luscious (and of course, they are sooooo... good).

My mind goes to the way our Lord set our world up to function. In Genesis 1:11 he placed seed in the plant. Then later when man was created, he was created with seed in him. In Genesis 3:15 our God says Eve has seed (prophecy of our Lord Jesus). So the entire creation was made to reproduce itself over and over again.

In Mark 4 Jesus tells us that the Word is the seed, and people are the ground. Later in 2 Corinthians 9: 6 the Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul tells us that if we only sow a little (implying the sowing of seed) we will only reap a little. In this passage it is referring to the money of the Corinthian people.

This is true in all things. If a farmer only plants a little bit of seed, his harvest is in proportion to his planting. This is just plain ole' common sense. So we need to come back to the truth of this Scriptural principle. My harvest will be in proportion to my planting, whether it is teaching, loving, my words, sharing, encouraging others, giving money, investing in others ... whatever. The Biblical principle holds. What we sow is what we will reap.

Seed is abundant. If it is not, then begin sowing what you have. It will become abundant. Let's plant some seed. I want a harvest like these beautiful, delicious tomatoes, full, rich, abundant, able to feed and bless many.

Have a blessed day!

To See...

2007-08-30T11:36:00.001-04:00

"...the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes." Psalm 19: 8b

In this section of Psalm 19, we are discovering what the Word will do. I am amazed at us. We think we can live out the relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ, on our own, so to speak. Oh we would not say that, and we would give lip service to the Word, but so many do not realize that their "level" (for lack of a better word) of understanding within this relationship depends on the attitude toward and intake of Scripture.

Our Lord's words are pure. They are clean, pure, safe, refreshing, and how we see them determines everything in our walk as believers.

Here we are told that our Lord's commandment "enlightens" the eyes. The word here means to illuminate, and also is used as a fountain, or the source of what is received. In Ephesians 1:18, in Paul's Holy Spirit breathed prayer for the recipients of his letter, He writes, "the eyes of your understanding being enlightened;...." In order to understand the Word, we must "see" it with the enlightenment that comes only from the Lord through the Scripture itself. If we choose not to explore His writings, we choose to be limited in our seeing.

Wanting to know, needing to become wise, desiring more of my Lord expressed in my life -- all these "wants" are wonderful. We use many ways to try to answer them and to allow within what will cause change. In reality all we need is more "seeing" of the Word. I hesitate to say "more Word" because many do the "Word thing" who never "see." So it is not just reading, studying, praying the Word, it is interacting with the Holy Spirit in it and letting His Spirit knowings penetrate the fiber of me as I learn to "see" what He is saying. The Word is the way, but not just in the form it comes to us. We must become its fiber as it becomes ours. This is supernatural and exciting. Then we learn the truth of "more Word" and we "see."

Podcast#2

2007-08-18T15:28:00.000-04:00

I have recorded and uploaded another podcast. Please click the link on the side bar to connect with the recording (or click the mic picture to the right). The recording level is much better this time (some up and down with it, but finally got the right level) and I will get a mic that has a breath shield so the "pops" of breath will not be heard. However, please forgive them on this one.

Thank you so much for listening. I am enjoying the process of recording. It has been along time since I have done radio work, and this reminds me of that. However, it is a bit more relaxed because I can make the teachings as short or long as I feel I need to instead of having to produce a certain number of minutes and seconds worth of talk. This is much more relaxed. I am having fun. Thanks for sharing in it with me.

2007-08-14T14:14:00.001-04:00

"The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart:..." Psalm 19:8a

Just think of it. The word of the Lord, in all its "rightness," makes our hearts fill with joy. Isn't that what the Scripture says? I find that amazingly interesting. We hear so much of the nature of our flesh finding joy and satisfaction (though none of it real and lasting) in the things of the world, that this Scripture just flies in the face of our "humble" doctrines.

Just think about it. The very rightness of the Word creates a joy bubble in our heart. To read and to laugh; to read and to delight; to read and to embrace with and in great joy; these are not what we hear. Much is made of the difficulty of living in Christ, but the balance is seldom heard.

Oh yes, there are times of difficulty, but beloved one reading this, let us also allow a new attitude of mind to arise in us. An attitude that is in line with this Scripture. As we read, may we get a daily dose of joy. Then we begin to know the reality that the "joy of the Lord is our strength." We become renewed in the attitude of our minds that this is a joy-filled life. Not a life anchored in sadness, but a life released in joy. The very word of God is the book I need to read to allow joy to rise in my heart and life. What a wonderful built-in surprise.

Read and laugh. Hear and rejoice. Embrace the Word and be blessed!

Good News! Good News!

2007-08-05T17:43:00.001-04:00

It is truly Good News!

Psalm 19 Ministries Institute of Biblical Studies has been granted full academic fellowship with the International Educational Fellowship of Biblical Life College and Seminary.

This means that any of our students who choose to enroll in Biblical Life College and Seminary are able to transfer completed on-site courses with us that can be converted into semester hours with Biblical Life. This is such a huge development! Several Bible Institutes have been receiving our courses, and we are ever so grateful for the courtesies they continue to extend to us. This however, is an official affiliation that grants our students further educational opportunities if they choose them on the college level.

My heart overflows with thankfulness to our King who continues to work His wonders among us.! This is a bouquet of roses (or iris') in my heart.

The official statement of academic fellowship along with the accreditation Biblical Life holds will be posted shortly on our web site.

Thank you for rejoicing with me. The Institute of Biblical Studies is a special part of me, and I am elated in every way with this certificate I have in my hands (soon to be on my office wall).

To God be the glory; great things He continually does!

Podcasting!!!

2007-08-02T15:52:00.000-04:00

I have begun podcasting! There will be a link on the side bar when I can figure out how to make it work.

In the meantime, follow the following link and you will be able to listen. I plan on doing several more soon.

Enjoy and thank you for reading and listening.

http://unfoldedword.podcastpeople.com

Making the Simple Wise

2007-07-12T21:03:00.001-04:00

"The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simply; (Psalm 19:7b)"

This is an absolutely wonderful fact! As I study the Word of God, my simple mind that has such limited understanding of life and circumstances, actually becomes wise from the spiritual point of view. There is a transformation that occurs in the mind of a person who chooses the Word of God over the delights that the world offers.

I find this wonderful. As I choose the written Word, the Word who Himself is God, gently unfolds Himself out of book form into life form into my heart, and empowers me to see from His point of view. I become wise in the wisdom of Almighty God.

1 Corinthians 2:16 says, "But we have the mind of Christ." Many have questioned about this verse, "How can that be." The secret is hidden in the printed page Word. The mind of Almighty God has been stored for whosoever will choose it. If I continue thinking in my own circles, then all I have is whatever I have been able to accumulate in my mind. However, if I will choose to read, study, and meditate on the written Word, I will come into a wisdom that is far superior to that of the world around me, and certainly far superior to my own circles of thought.

This is far to simple, for one to grasp. We want it all to be so complicated. We want ourselves to somehow come out looking smart, wise, and really cool. However, the Word will not do that. It (He) instead gently unfolds Himself and becomes the center of attention in all that surrounds. My very dependence upon Him and His thoughts empowers me to receive what He sees.

The wisdom that He brings is His wisdom, and a wisdom that empowers a life that is free in Him. It is not the wisdom of the world, but will give us wisdom as we live and move in the world. It, like us, is in the world, but not of it.

I confess, I often "bump" into my own inability to see what I need to see, or understand what I need to understand. Lord help me remember, that the secret is your written Word, translated into life in You.

The Torah of YHWH

2007-07-04T09:28:00.001-04:00

"The Torah of YHWH is perfect, bringing back the being;...."
(Psalm 19:7 The Scriptures)

Psalm 19:7 in a very literal version says volumes. Most of our translations read a bit differently. Something like, "The Word of the Lord is perfect, reviving (or restoring) the soul." Even though our translations say a possible rendering, some of the emphasis is diluted.

The Scriptures is a translation from Africa, and a bit different than what we normally have. In this instance, it is quite literal and opens the eyes of our hearts to a fuller meaning.

The word "Torah" means that which is entire, truth, complete, full, perfect, sound, without spot, upright, whole. So even though we might be tempted to say it is simply the first five books of the Old Testament (in a Jewish understanding), because of the full meaning of the word, I believe our English translations do well to translate it to cover the entire instruction in the Word of God.

The word usually translated revive or restore has a multitude of meanings but the on that keeps cropping up in Strong's is to turn back or to bring home again. So the Scriptures have translated it well. It means to bring back, or turn back. If we ponder this for a few minutes, it means to bring something back to a wholeness -- back home, with all the comfort, protection and health that word implies.

What it brings back is the being. What a wonderful way to say it. The word used here is the Hebrew word for life, soul, being -- the totality of a person (spirit, soul and body).

Now when we put that all together in our hearts, the Word of the YHWH brings the entire person back to a place of wholeness and wellness. Just think of it. Our Lord has stored in His Word the Spirit's ability to literally make us spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically at peace, in comfort, and in health. My heart explodes with the possibility.

Now, that being so, what are we as His people to do about the Word? I think we need to have much more emphasis on the Spirit's ability through the Word to empower in our lives. Our "dosage" of the Word needs to be high. It is through the Word we are trained into obedience that comes from a submitted spirit. That will empower us to be obedient to the truth our Lord shows us. As He leads and guides, we will be able to be obedient to our Dr.'s instructions, the training the Lord does in us regarding nutrition, and rest. (There is that Sabbath concept again).

Walking in relationship means I listen to Him. He has spoken in His Word (and He daily speaks in our hearts according to the Word). His Word carries in it the ability to preform what He has spoken. May we choose to listen, receive and be at home in Him.

(May all of believers in our Lord Jesus living in the United States on this July 4, celebrate the freedom of our spirit in Christ Jesus through His salvation, as we thank Him for the freedoms He has protected in our dear USA).

He Provides

2007-06-23T09:55:00.000-04:00

Photo by iris godfrey -- Oregon Sunset over the ocean 1992

"...In the heavens he has pitched a tent for

the sun,

which is like a bridegroom coming forth

from his pavilion,

like a champion rejoicing to run his

course.

It rises at one end of the heavens

and makes its circuit to the other;

nothing is hidden from its heat."

Psalm 19:4b-6 NIV

What does the creation of the sun and the strength of the sun have to do with the Word of God, and just how does it display His glory and deity? For a number of years after the establishment of Psalm 19 Ministries, these few verses were a mystery to me. Oh, I understood how the sun is awesome...etc., but I knew there must be more. Indeed...!

When our God creates or establishes something, then He has already provided for its life. The sun is the avenue of the continuance of our physical life. Without the sun, no matter how good and right the creation of our earth, life could not be sustained. So before man was created and placed in His garden, the sun, moon and stars were in place (4th day). Provision for us was in place before we were in place. That understanding is called faith. He says it in another way in 2 Peter 1:3 (NIV),

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."

So, before Adam there was provision. This is an awesome understanding. Before we became Christians, there was the provision for all in our lives just waiting; before His call on our lives for full-time ministry, there was the provision for all He would call us to do waiting to be poured out; before we stepped up to receive, there is already the provision for that to come to completion. I could go on and on, but I believe you will put your own life struggles here to see that His call to faith has already provided for that faith in your life.

"...which is like a bridegroom coming forth from His pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat."

Not only is the provision there, but it is abundant. When it doesn't seem that way, then either we are perceiving matters from the flesh instead of the Spirit, or this is my idea and not His, or it is time to wait and see what He will do. That waiting is to be in peace and rest, not in hurry and scurry to accomplish what He has not. Somehow, we are always trying to make up for God's lack of action. This is so real in us. However, our efforts will not work the work of God. His own words confirm this in John 6:28-29 NIV.

"Then they asked him, 'What must we do to do the works God requires?' Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.'"

Our main work is that of resting or trusting. Read that passage in John in its context, and you will see he is talking to people who were following Him for what He was doing for them. They were anxious to know what they could "do," while He was intent on wanting them to trust in the Father.

The Lord's words to me through this passage in Psalm 19 is that we join in proclaiming His glory through His provision in His appointment resting. What a tall order! Yet, to believe it is to rest and watch. He will do what He has appointed in your life and in mine. It is all of Him. Praise His Holy Name!

The Heaven's Declare . . .

2007-06-02T10:20:00.000-04:00

The Heaven's declare the glory of God, and the sky above
proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.

This Psalm 19:1-2 in the ESV. It is very much the same in any translation. It states a very simple fact -- the heaven's tell us about the nature of God and the sky proclaims or shows to us His work. Each day and night reveal information (knowledge) about Him. In explaining that men are without excuse for their unbelief in Him, Paul in Romans 1:20 states:

For his invisible attributes, namely his eternal power and divine nature, have
been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

These simple verses tucked into His book, lets us know of His great love for all. He has granted us the privilege of displaying His nature in our flesh, and sharing with a lost world His saving message in love. However, He has not left it to anyone to display Himself! He has done that in the creation itself. The stars, the sky, the creation itself reveals much, much about Him. Everything that has been created shows us something about Him.

The creation/salvation story is written in the stars (see Bullinger's book The Witness of the Stars, available on line at: http://www.philologos.org/), and the very creation (including ourselves) display Him.

I love His Book (Bible), and I am appointed to it, (Ezra 7:10), however, I also am aware I need to open my eyes and perceive. Read some of the scientific information (Creationists sites good here) available and allow the Lord to teach me through what He has created. There is much, much to be known. I guess we all have tendencies to be narrow in our approaches to "beholding" Him. Let's open and let Him teach us much more -- much more!

Memorial Day -- USA

2007-05-28T10:33:00.000-04:00

It is our US holiday -- Memorial Day! I love this holiday. I love the waving of the flag and the overall sentiment of gratitude that rises as a result of remembering those who have fought so hard for our country and our present way of life. The US has many problems (as do all governments ordered by frail humanity), however, when we wave this flag, most hearts are filled with thanksgiving, and thanksgiving to our God.

Joe led the choir at a "Watch Fire" gathering last night. It is a gathering of the veterans and citizens in our area: a huge bonfire where all the worn and "used-up" flags are placed and burned as the bagpipes play and the choir sings our patriotic songs. He enjoys that very much.

Today we gather with my church family for a huge picnic at our park on the lake. My heart is thankful to our Lord for all who have gone before me. We do stand on the shoulders of many who have lived and died in and for this great land.

It is a grand ole' Flag!

Have a blessed and thankful day in our Jesus!

Grading Papers

2007-05-15T09:47:00.000-04:00

Well, push has come to shove. I must complete the grading of my spring institute course. My dear students have been exceeding patient with me and my travel schedule, but now I must complete the stack of lessons, papers, and finals. Those of you who read here, rejoice, I have completed half of them -- did that yesterday! So now I will try to finish today.

I always enjoy what the students write, and never know why I drag my feet in grading. I love to teach on the Institute level, and enjoy all who are my students. Their creative insight into the Scriptures always blesses and amazes me. Each one is so very different from the other.

In our Bible Institute we grade according to a students ability -- not on a curve in reference to others. Our students' background education has been from a high school diploma to a doctor's degree and all in between. So it would be totally unfair to grade the one with the high school education with the same expectations of those with higher degrees. It works well for all -- this watching of student progression. That is what I watch for, are they progressing in their knowledge of the subject, and in their relationship with their Lord. With out that second part, the Institute would not be doing its appointment in our Lord Jesus. I could hire someone to grade for me, but then I would not be able to see these two things easily.

We have completed 7 years of night school. I am so blessed by the Lord's faithfulness. This summer we are offering one course -- New Testament Survey -- for those who have begun to study with us. This fall we will offer (if all goes as expected) a course in Acts (I will be teaching that one) and a course in the first 100 years of church history based on the New Testament (Fr. Bob Hackendorf will be teaching that one).

Our courses are presently accepted for transfer by several other Institutes. If any of you have a question about which ones, just ask. It is on an informal basis, so I do not advertise the specifics. Our students are reflecting excellent scholarship. The Institute is primarily designed for lay people. We are inter-denominational, and not affiliated with any denomination. Our purpose is to teach what the Bible says -- not necessarily to insist on a specific interpretation of it. However, all teachers are charismatic, so there will, of course, be a slant that direction.

Our courses are available by extension, and you may read about all of them on our web site: www.psalm19ministries.org .

O.K. now I must stop talking about it and get to the work of grading these wonderful (truly) writings of my students.

When "FREE" isn't really...

2007-05-12T13:43:00.000-04:00

Well, I have spent a very frustrating few hours discovering that "Free" really doesn't mean "Free." On the side-bar of this blog, there is an Intercessors Sign up place. I began using a "free" newsletter service (under 50 contacts) to develop a scheduled Weekly Update. It is a dandy little program and since we are not "big potatoes" with a small number to send, it has been free. However, shortly they will begin charging a monthly fee, for all. The fee is not large, but I really did not want to be plugged in to paying for 30-40 emails. Later, when our numbers climb, well of course, and that is the way it was set up. But now they are changing the rules.

So I have spend the morning and part of the afternoon, chasing down "Free" programs offered on the net. Only to discover each and every one of them will give you a free trial, but then, you must pay -- and sometimes for some of them it is pretty big bucks. Now I ask the question. Is it Free or not. I say a loud NOT!

This just should not be allowed. If it is free, then say so. If not, then say so. I am much less likely to use any of them, and will probably just stay where they change the rules. (I will send them an objection). I do not appreciate that, but it is more honest, I think, than telling you it is free, and then making sure you have to buy to make it effective. (I'm sorry, 25 email limit is not an email campaign).

So, there you have it. I am a bit frustrated. Oh well, the sun is shinning, and I have an outing planned for most of the rest of the day, and then there is my Sunday School class to look forward to -- as well as all of church tomorrow. I do love where the Lord has me appointed.

It is the Time . . .

2007-05-09T15:36:00.000-04:00

It is Spring and the time for flowers! I took this picture this past week-end in the Nazareth, PA area. What a precious example of our Lord's attention to detail. When we have forgotten where we planted them, (sometimes, we just threw them off to the side of the road), yet, come spring there they are, flags and then these precious delicate flowers. Nothing special really.

Most of us would consider ourselves to be nothing special, really. We have ordinary (or less than) beginnings, not nearly enough of whatever, whenever, and our tendency is to count ourselves of little worth when it comes to doing something special for our Lord Jesus.

Yet, here the daffoldil stands as an example for us. Nothing special really -- just a daffodil, yet they bloom for all their worth, and add such value and beauty to the scene -- where ever. . . in their hour and in their time. We are like that. Just because we are His, we have value and add beauty where ever we have been "thrown," or were we instead planted? He never forgets where, and we bloom in season, always.

Lord, may we be ever so patient with time, and allow You Your season in us deep in the quiet dark before the time of sun blooming. It will come.

The Lord's Presence

2007-04-30T11:37:00.000-04:00

The picture is of a precious sister in the Lord, Lois. She is one of the people I have watched learn and use in her life the awesome Presence of the Lord. She has learned the secret. What you see in the picture is real.

We often love the "feeling" of the presence of the Lord, without realizing its deep and intrinsic value for our lives. As we gather to worship, His presence is felt, is known and is enjoyed. This is wonderful. However, the work that Presence wants to do can most generally not occur in a corporate worship service. We can "feel" Him there, and learn what that is like, but what our hearts must have in order to change and move into healing, forgiveness, hope and life above our circumstances will not be known in the few times a week we might be with others to "feel" that blessed Presence.

If we, however, are intent on Him, focused on Him, concentrated on Him and His word, we will find that same Presence meeting us daily in our time with Him, and it is there that over time wonders in our interior person occur.

Recently I was struggling with an emotional response that I needed deep release from. I needed to not respond as I was responding, and to move into peace with the circumstance that was creating the emotional reaction. I had prayed, I had worked, I had repented (we often need to repent of our emotional reactions to people and events -- must be another post -- not this one). But it all seemed to no avail. Then I just reached to my Lord, and trusted His Presence to descend in manifest form, for He was really all I needed. What happened then was absolutely awesome.

HE CAME! The Word says, "The one who has My commands and keeps them is the one who loves Me. And the one who loves Me will be loved by My Father. I also will love him and will reveal Myself to him." John 14:21 (HCSB) It was marvelous. I have never in my life felt such peace and the situation in my heart was settled. The circumstance did not change, but I was changed. An impossible (in flesh) thing occurred inside me. I actually felt the movement inside and it was done and has stayed done. No new information was given to me, no new anything -- just His awesome, marvelous Person in Presence form -- a feel-able, knowable Presence.

I want to encourage you to learn (as I am learning) to allow His Presence in that manifest form as promised in Scripture, to be a part of your daily time. Just think how He could and will change us in His glory. He so loves us.

Such Encouragement!

2007-04-29T18:43:00.000-04:00

Violet over at "Promptings" (www.vnesdoly.blogspot.com) has given me the "Thinking blogger Award." Thank you Violet. I am encouraged to keep writing. Your sweet responses to what I scratch out here are a deep, deep encouragement. Thank you. Now I am to give it to five more bloggers.

I send it to Better Bibles blog at www.englishbibles.blogspot.com, and although they may choose not to participate in the award, they really bless me with their daily insight into the language of the Scriptures.

Then to Rev Abi at www.vicarofwadley.blogspot.com for she always thinks through problems and issues with the heart of Jesus Christ and even though I might not always agree with her, she blesses me with her gentle spirit and her thinking.

To Candy at www.candyinsierra.blogspot.com, who like me is infrequent with her posts, but they are always worth reading and enjoying and then to Bonnie at www.macroments.blogspot.com. Her gentle musings and stunning photography are always soothing to me.

I know I could do 5, but most of the others I read already have been tagged with this at some point, so I will just do these four.

You all bless my life almost every day! You are from all over this continent, yet you reach into my life with goodness as you share your heart in Jesus with me. Bless you one and all.

To award winners:- Install the graphic somewhere on your own blog.- Now if you like you may pass the Thinking Blogger Award on to five more bloggers.

Yesterday's Sermon

2007-04-23T21:43:00.000-04:00

If you wish to listen to the sermon I preached April 22, 2007 at the Church of the Resurrection in East Syracuse, NY, go to www.churchoftherez.org and click on the link to This week's sermon. It is the 5th one listed and has my name and Matthew 6 beside it.

Hope it works for you and thanks for listening!

Today . .

2007-04-23T15:21:00.000-04:00

A week ago today. . .

Unbelievable -- such a change in one week. This is a scene off my balcony. A week ago we were covered in snow, but today it is 81 degrees. What a change in just a week. If you look carefully at the first photo, you will see some trees in beginning bloom. Also you can see some remaining snow in the parking lot.

I would really like to remember that when it comes to the "scenes" in my life. For some reason, we all have a great tendency to see today as if it will be here next week. Things can really change quickly when it is time to change.

I love the seasons in this part of the country -- but sometimes they seem a bit strange -- such is now and the past couple of weeks.

Lord, help us remember our circumstances will change when it is time -- until then, help us to lean onYou and know all is in Your hands. That way, we will not be disappointed, nor will we fall into despair for You are truly in charge of all.

2007-04-07T11:14:00.000-04:00

"He was despised and rejected by men,

a man of suffering who knew what sickness was.

He was like one people turned away from;

He was despised and we didn't value Him.

Yet He Himself bore our sicknesses,

and He carried our pains;

but we in turn regarded Him stricken,

struck down by God, and afflicted.

But He was pierced because of our transgressions,

crushed because of our iniquities;

punishment for our peace was on Him,

and we are healed by His wounds.

We all went astray like sheep;

we all have turned to our own way;

and the Lord has punished Him

for the iniquity of us all."

(Isaiah 53:3-6 Holman Christian Standard Version)

On the first day of the week Mary Magdaline came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb....

"Woman," Jesus said to her, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Supposing He was the gardener, she replied, "Sir, if you've removed Him, tell me where you've put Him, and I will take Him away."

Jesus said, "Mary."

(John 20:1 and 15-16 HCSV)

My heart overflows today with the awesome love our God has lavished upon us in and through Jesus Christ our Lord. Thank you Lord for all you have done for me -- especially for saving my soul and making me Your own!

He is risen!

My your resurrection morning celebration be rich in His beautiful, alive, presence!

Spring! Praise God!

2007-03-30T09:01:00.000-04:00

This is a little different from the last picture I posted. This past week-end I was ministering in Florida, and I took this picture in the yard of my host family. What beautiful flowers they had. Of course, just out of CNY, any flower would do, but I thought these were absolutely lovely.

Spring is always a lift to the heart. After moving to the North East many years ago and experiencing my first winter, I finally understood what spring is all about. When you live in a climate that has warm and hot as its temps, it is a bit difficult to understand what the big deal is about spring time. However, all it takes is one good winter in the North East, and then you know; I mean you really know. Spring is felt as much as seen. It is a lift to all the things inside a person, and allows the Lord to teach us that His spring time is the best of all and we can have that at any moment and at any time.

One truth that is often overlooked about the Holy Spirit, is that He is felt as well as seen. He is an intimate part of us and of our Lord, so He too is felt in order to truly know. When we read the Scriptures without the understanding that I will "feel" as well as understand, then it becomes something to grasp intellectually, but does not have the needed impact on our moods and therefore on our lives. This is often the objection of non-charismatics. The non-charismatics do not like the "emotional" expression that charismatics are so prone to express. Quite frankly, without the "feeling," the fruit of the Holy Spirit comes very slowly in a life.

I lived 37 years of my life as a "non-charismatic." I was riddled with periods of depression and many body illnesses. However, once I bowed to the Lord in my desperateness, than even though I could not grasp His doctrine with my intellect, in the bowing came the avenue of healing. It is hard to explain. But in my unwillingness to "feel," the gospel and my choosing to stay in my "English" reserved nature, I had chosen to have a life of up and downs and in and outs.

Mood consistency has come as I have allowed His mood to be mine. It is a grand exchange. It is truly a death to my nature, but I have been empowered to life in a Spring time atmosphere. What a joy He is. I would urge all who read, do not refuse Him in any dimension who is the empowerment of life at each and every level.

Really Winter

2007-03-20T15:05:00.000-04:00

Well, this is the way it looked in Albany this past week-end. It was an exciting time in the Spirit anyway. Our groups were small, much smaller than anticipated due to the storm, but very open to what the Lord would do among us.

Lauren's leading of our worship was sweet in His presence, and the reception of the scriptural understandings very warm. I am constantly amazed at the love our Lord shows us through His people. Each of the groups was interdenominational, and that made for a rich sweetness in belonging. Really a heart blessing.

Well, this Thursday, I fly to Florida for a church conference there on the Tabernacle of Moses and the multidimensional nature of our Lord's revelation there. I will post when I return -- just wanted to chime in and let those who read know I am well and so appreciate their prayers as I travel.

Blessings to all. (Photo by Diane H)

Forgot?

2007-03-03T10:41:00.000-05:00

My reading this morning was in Jeremiah and the end of 50:6 caught my heart. It says in the King James (unusual translation for me) "...they have forgotten their resting place." The entire context is about Israel prior to the Babylonian captivity, and the Lord through the prophet was describing them.

"...they have forgotten their resting place." Have we be come as they were? Are we so busy in the day-in and day-out exercises necessary for our lives, guilty of simply forgetting that He is the place of solace. He is the place of comfort, He is the abiding presence that dispells all lonliness. He is.

We have so very much available to us to distract us from Him; even the many books we buy, programs to watch, even teachings, or preparations to teach. Yet, have we forgotten that we need to take His book and be quiet with Him in stillness for a bit. He does long to speak and to dwell intimately with us.

Have we in all our efforts to please Him, forgotten our resting place? It is easy to do. Sometimes I get so caught up in my teaching schedule and the needs that that brings, that I forget to remember what is the most important part. To teach out of a stressed life will not do what the Lord wants me to be doing, no matter how "anointed" that teaching is.

Let us return and rest. Today is truly Sabbath. Let's let it be one, not in legalism of rules and law, but in relaxed, receptive relationship in our Lord Jesus!

Sabbath

2007-03-02T21:52:00.000-05:00

This is not the scene in Central NY on this date. It is below freezing and snow covers everything right now. However, I took this picture a number of years ago not far from where I live. When I think of "Sabbath" I think of a scene like this one. Wouldn't it be wonderful just to sit in the swing and enjoy the lake below on a warm summer's day. Wouldn't it be wonderful not to have appointments to make, lessons to develop, papers to grade, and writing to be done. Wouldn't it be wonderful not to have the cell phone ring with the office needing your attention. Wouldn't it..... I am certain most of you would say "yes," to some, if not all the above questions. However, Sabbath is what we try to make happen in the middle of all that.

Most of the Christian's I know do not have any concept of Sabbath at all. We usually think that all went away with the Law, and therefore in grace we do not need to keep Sabbath. Well, I think the majority of us may be right in reference to a specific day (I think Paul thought so too in Colossians), however, I see the concept of Sabbath everywhere in the New Testament.

Jesus Christ is the Sabbath of God. "Come unto me all ye who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest..." describes Sabbath very well. Matthew 6 with all its "Do not be anxious..." commandments, was also describing what Sabbath is to mean. Sabbath must be kept. We keep it through obedience and faith. Faith that truly is faith -- the trust of the Lord that allows one to rest in the middle of everything flying everywhere. Jesus is rest for the weary soul.

However, I think we cut short the Sabbath understanding if this is how we think it is now. If we do not literally take time to rest a day, let everything wait, carve out not just small spaces, but a nice big "day" space, then we will miss what it really means to keep Sabbath. I am finding that if the body doesn't find its rest, then the soul can't rest. It is a whole; they are connected. So most of us, I think, need to re-think the ordering of our lives and find Him in rest, allow Him to renew us in rest, and learn to embrace Him and His Word through rest. Not a legalistic keeping of a day and its rules, but a purposeful time of resting in order to delight in Him.

Just some thoughts.

With. . .

2007-02-11T15:40:00.000-05:00

This picture will remind many of what it will truly be like when the Lord Jesus greets them in Heaven. That is a wonderful, peaceful sentiment to hold. However, for a few minutes will you consider with me that it is not just then...but is now. Now when the Lord awakens you in the morning; now when He shares with your devotional time; now when He goes to work with you; now when He enjoys meals with you; now when He shares your family, friends, co-workers, and the person who cut you off in traffic; now when He wraps Himself around you before you sleep. NOW!

He is sharing with you, if indeed you are His. He longs for us to wake up and know that this is happening. There is not one moment, day, month or year, not one incident, not one person in our lives but what He is sharing that moment, etc... with us. When we have chosen Him, He does not just disappear while the rest of our life is happening. Instead, He is sharing in it all. He is doing it "with" us. I believe that is his heart-cry today. "Let me share in this with you." If we can begin to envision this, then the comfort of the picture becomes an everyday comfort. The commission for my life today, becomes a act being shared with Him. Everything shared. There is no loneliness in that, no left-out in that, no lack of belonging in that.

He does not need us doing anything "for Him." Instead, He desires us to do "with..." whatever that may be. He empowers and He guides; He just wants you (me too) with Him as He works His will through our lives and the lives of others.

Friend, look again at the picture, and let the comfort permeate your life, and let His presence be the presence you are aware of, every moment. How He loves us.

"Don't you know you are the temple of the Holy Spirit?" "I will never leave you or forsake you...I am with you always." True words from the one who is truth.

But in Humility. . .

2007-01-19T14:24:00.000-05:00

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." Philippians 2:3 NIV
This simple little verse is rather non-descript at the beginning of this second chapter, and is easily overlooked as we anticipate the glorious truths of the humility of Christ in the next few verses. However, it gives rich and very important instructions for us as we live in this world, and especially as we live among other Christians. Look at those words gain -- "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit."
In other words, I must not do what I do in competition with others. This is also addressed in James 3:14-16 "But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such 'wisdom' does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice."
WOW! Selfish ambition, jealousy and envy are very evident in competition. The person who is competitive always must come out on top, they must continually be or do something "better" than another, they must know more, be right, and be the best. This kind of interior does not work the work of God, no matter how seemingly "good" it is. In fact, James says it is demonic. Now if I am trying to do as the Lord is leading me and I am doing it in a "competitive spirit," then it does not do what I intend, it instead furthers the wrong kingdom. I will find myself participating in the works of darkness.
The attitude of humility, requires the death of all competition. Every time we feel it rise, we need to get to our prayer closets and begin to humble ourselves before God. Competition can only be conquered by time with the Lord Jesus Christ, purposely humbling and emptying until our interior attitudes are sweet and loving and receiving.
Competing with others will have me putting others down anyway I can in order to be seen better than they appear. It will make it impossible for me to encourage those who need encouragement, because in the long run, my encouragement will not be able to sincerely build them up -- they might, just might, -- be getting better than I am at a particular task.
Competing with others will have me mocking others (politically as well as personally) for the convictions they have -- because I must appear superior.
I pray we begin to see this in the body of Christ. I see it all over the blogs I read (and I read some really good blogs). I also read some very delightful blogs where there is no competitive spirit and genuine differences are expressed and received. For that I am grateful, but quite frankly they are in the minority of those I come across. I see and read that people literally "vie" for the last word or the most authoritative word. Brethren, we can express all sorts of differences, and still loving receive one another.
I see this in local churches where I am allowed to minister. I see it in Bible teachers, in Sunday School teachers (I am sad to say there is a difference in those two jobs, but there really should not be). I see it expressed in the preaching, on and on it goes.
I believe the Bible speaks directly to the problem. We need to "see" it.
Lord, thank you for loving us and receiving us and for teaching us true humility. Help us as we individually work with you to submit our hearts and emotions for training in righteousness.

To More Than I Can Be

2006-12-27T21:46:00.000-05:00

I am listening to a very precious song by Selah, You Raise Me Up. The phrase that captures me is "You raise me up to more than I can be." I am not often so captivated by a phrase, but this one is profound. It is true. Our Lord raises us up, to more than we can be. The phrase speaks of spiritual vision. Such vision is not something we mature into, nor is it something we gain as we know more. When the Lord grants vision, it consumes us. Whatever that vision is, it becomes us.

Years ago, when I became responsible for "the vision" that Psalm 19 Ministries would follow, I was overwhelmed. I purchased and read all the current (at the time) books on spiritual vision. Surely these books would tell me how to get such a vision from God. I did not think I had a vision that would be called one. You know the kind that tells the leader how much to do what, and when and where. I prayed, read, sought the Lord. I fasted, prayed more, and listened with all of me. No vision seemed to come.

Then (there is that wonderful word), then I saw and knew! It was not the kind of vision I thought I needed. It was already in me and deeply a part of me -- never to let go. Something so deep that it had consumed me for years. "It" dawned on me when I was reading the verse of Scripture that has governed my life for most of my life. "For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel." Ezra 7:10 NASB That was the vision and that is the vision. I have known I was to study, live, and teach the Word throughout the church of my Lord Jesus. It is my mission, my commission, my passion, and my purpose. What I found out that day, is that it is also my vision.

How this has worked through the years through Psalm 19 Ministries is miracle upon miracle, open door upon open door. I have never asked to be invited anywhere, yet I am allowed to proclaim the truths of our Lord throughout the church. Even those places seemingly closed, have opened and without my effort. The vision is big and wide and endless -- it goes on and on. It is fulfilled each time one of our teachers teaches the Word. Just opens the Bible and lets it talk. It is fulfilled each time our Worship Ensemble leads a group in worship through the Words of Scripture and response. It is fulfilled each time our Singers minister anywhere -- the word in song is still the word.

Our Lord is so very faithful. The point that rises in me, is that He makes us all more than we can be. The vision He gives in each of His is always more than one can be. He makes us full of Himself and releases us on a dark and desperate world. He does all of it. He gives the vision (the books were of no help at all; I finally gave them away) and we just follow. The vision will always flow in faith. Faith is always required. The vision does not grow old with time, nor grow old with me. It just grows and grows me with it and in Him. He has stood me on His shoulders and made me more than I can be. Thank you Selah for such a beautiful and true phrase, and thank you Lord for doing what only You can do.

Alleluia!

2006-12-22T10:28:00.000-05:00

Lord to You we sing --

May all our alleluia's when spoken or heard

be heart felts thanks to you Dear Lord

And not just empty words.

And with each passing moment

till the ending of our days

be filled to overflowing

with our never ending praise.

Alleluia

by the Gatling Brothers

Merry Christmas !!!

I pray you enjoy our Lord in this beautiful season! All who know my family will recognize the above lyrics. My husband, Joe, son Kreg, daughter Lauren, and I began singing together as the children were born. When they both lived nearby, we sang together as an A Capella quartet. We have a precious gift in that "ensemble." When we get together, we must sing. So this season when we look forward in hope to what our Lord has in mind for the coming year, we celebrate Him as we lift our voices together (even when apart -- there is a togetherness in the voice for the "ensemble" never leaves) to praise Him and bring Him glory. Such is the delightful purpose in our lives.

Lord, as we celebrate Your coming to us and for us, we give ourselves to you once again. I pray our lives become the reality of the Alleluia -- in You, to You, and for You! Thank you!

For Me

2006-12-05T15:15:00.000-05:00

FOR ME!!! I realize this is an unusual picture to put on my blog at this season of the year. But I am so deeply grateful for my Lord Jesus Christ. I love to celebrate Christmas and all the arguments about His birth being a different time of the year do not really impress me, nor do they deter me. I know about all that stuff, but I am overwhelmingly thankful that He came and He came because He loved me. It is not a pagan holiday in my heart. It is the celebration of His coming and all the dimensions of that coming pile into me and out of me in praise and wonder.

As we gaze at the babe in the manger this season, let us remember that He will come again, and this time He will come as our Victorious King. For that is what He is. Read Revelation 1:9-20 and let that image fill your soul.

1. He is One like the a son of man -- One like me. I am included in Him -- He came like me, He is like me -- only better. So when I see those words, I know He has included me and is for me.

2. He was dressed in a robe extending down to his feet - He is wearing the linen robe of the High Priest. Glory! He is my Intercessor, never sleeping, day and night, keeping vigil for me and over me and mine. What absolute wonder! He is the One who takes care of my affairs. He doesn't make mistakes in those matters. I do, but He straightens the things I have made crooked and takes care of it all. He came for this.

3. He wore a wide golden belt around His chest - He is King, but not just any earthly king, He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. He rules in all the affairs of men. They may or may not be aware of His Lordship, but He nonetheless is ruling. In Psalm 2, the Holy Spirit tells us that even though the nations of the earth gather against Him, He laughs at them. How very pitiable our preparations for safety and for government must seem in the light of His all powerful nature.

4. His head and His hair are as white as wool, even as white as snow . All the knowledge and wisdom that exists are His. He knows. He just knows. Whatever it is, He knows and He knows what is best in each and every situation. "If any man lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives generously to all men..." What a wonderful gift you are Lord!

5. His eyes are like a fiery flame. He sees. That is probably enough to say -- He sees. Whatever, whenever, He sees. To be able to know, perceive, and see. Nothing hidden --everything out in the open. He sees.

6. His feet are like polished bronze refined in a furnace. In the Old Testament, bronze is always symbolic of judgment. So here we have the picture of our Lord Jesus with feet as polished bronze. Letting us know that whatever judgment was ours to reap, He has already stood in it, taken, it and pronounced it done. His feet are like bronze -- He stands in judgment for me.

7. His voice is like the roar of many waters. Like Niagara Falls. Oh what a sound. I love to get as close to the Falls as possible and just let the sound of the roar invade my being. That is what His voice is like. Many Christians make the mistake of thinking (and saying) that they do not hear God speak to them. Lie! That is a lie. At least according to the word of the Lord, it is a lie. You see, when this Son of Man speaks -- He sounds like roaring water -- Niagara Falls. In order to miss it you have to be deaf (spiritually deaf), if you are one of His. Now if you do not have the Lord as your Savior and do not have the Holy Spirit inside, then it will be quiet for you. You will not hear. But beloved Christian, you do hear at least according to John 10:27. If you are His, you hear.

8. A sharp double-edge sword extends out of His mouth. We know from Hebrews 4:12, that this two edge-sword is the Word of God. This is indeed the agent that is used to create, to bring life, to deliver, to restore, and to kill. John 3:16 is a double-edge sword. To all who receive -- eternal life; but to all who do not believe, the sword of His love brings the "perishing." He speaks and He has spoken. We have the privilege of reading the utterances of Almighty God, and of knowing His heart as He has written to us. So in voice, and in page. He is amazingly thorough.

9. His face shines like the sun shining at full strength. We do not look at our natural sun for it would literally blind us. Our Lord shines more brightly than any physical sun. Yet in His light we see and know light. If we get energy and life from the physical sun, then how much more from the One who created it all and shines more brightly than any of the creation. In His presence we become healed and restored through the light of that presence. It is better than any earthly day on the beach.

This is a brief summary of the One who describes Himself as "I am the First and the Last, and the One who was dead, but look, now I am alive -- forever and ever -- and I hold the keys of death and of Hades." This is Who we celebrate this season! Let us lift our eyes beyond the babe and greet our conquering King who lives forever more. Soon we will see Him as He is! Now that will really be Christmas!

2006-11-25T13:03:00.000-05:00

Grant me most sweet and loving Jesus

to rest in You above every other creature

above all health and beauty

above all glory and honor

above all power and dignity

above all fame and praise

above all sweetness snd consolation

above all hope and promise

above all merit and desire

above all gifts and favors You give and shower upon me

above all happiness and joy that the mind can understand and feel

and finally above all angels and archangels

above all the hosts of heaven

above all things visible and invisible

and above all that is not You my God.

(Thomas `a Kempis, The Imitation of Christ)

Faith Not Circumstance

2006-11-18T14:44:00.000-05:00

We are all aware of our circumstances. Much of what we do day in and day out is determined by our circumstances. That is because we are physical and live in a physical world.

We, as Christians, are called to live by faith. Faith is the seeing of things we expect and the knowing of what we cannot comprehend. (That is my own translation -- but I think you will agree it is the substance of Hebrews 11:1) Faith and circumstances seem disconnected most of the time. Most of the teaching we receive on faith is trying by hook or by crook to re-arrange our circumstances. Now it is true that the Word does teach us that does occur. However, I fear most of us get lost in "trying to get something from God" with our faith, instead of resting in what it really is for.

Faith is our "sight" into the realm of the unseen. Today I had the joy of presenting the Word to a group of women in a nearby church. They were having a Ladies Day and in addition to breakfast and the Word and Worship, they included a time of shopping as they had brought their crafts. It was a wonderful time to get some Christmas shopping done. Anyway, the lesson in the Word that the Lord had for us is that faith is the ability to see the finished project when all you have in front of you is the raw material. Regardless of the work of our hands, we all "see" a different arrangement of what we plan. Whether it be housecleaning or car repair, or whatever. We have inside an ability to "know" what we want to occur when we apply our creativity to the raw materials. This simple ability in the natural realm, gives us insight into our "faith ability" in the spirit realm. We do have, in Christ Jesus, the ability to "see" what He has spoken and then wonder of all wonders, He has empowered us with the ability to accomplish what is "seen" regardless of the circumstances in our lives.

He is truly awesome!!!

"For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Wisdom and the Word

2006-10-30T10:22:00.000-05:00

How very faithful our Lord is!!! After three week-ends of ministry away from home, I am delighted to be "at home" this morning and able to put some thoughts on my blog. I want to share just a bit of what I taught in our ministry's Fall Conference a couple of week-ends ago. The entire conference was on receiving the wisdom of God.

We must always keep in mind that wisdom is always available for the asking, for those who ask in faith. (James 1:5-6) That being understood, there is a wisdom that is developed and given as we spend time with our Lord in His Word. We generally think of wisdom as the ability to use our knowledge correctly and appropriately. (First image) However, when we go to Proverbs 2:1-5 we find it coming out differently. (Second image)

We find that wisdom is given as a gift for those who receive, treasure, listen, cry, shout, dig our Lord's Word, insight, discernment. As we receive His Word and intensify our search and "dig" through it, treasuring it and listening, wisdom is given as a gift. The fear of the Lord is also given. It is as if these are by-products of the treasuring of the Word. (I was first introduced to this concept through a very fine article by Michael Rodhouse at www.biblical-life.com. It is a good place to start looking at this concept).

To discover that wisdom is a gift for loving His word is a wonderful discovery. When I was 9 years old, my Dad told me to begin reading my New Testament through by reading one chapter each evening when I went to bed. He said, "You won't understand a lot of it, and many times the names will be too hard for you to say, but read it anyway. Then by the end of the year you will have read your New Testament completely through." My Dad was very precious to me, and his word was law in my heart. So I began my journey, and I am still on that journey with the Word. I have for most of my adult years read Bible through as my "daily manna." Dad knew something I am just discovering.

If we will diligently read, study, and mediate on the Word, we will have a precious fear of the Lord in our persons, and the wisdom of God has an opportunity to lead and to guide. The Scriptures do say that the Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth, that the Lord is our teacher, and on and on. This kind of "knowledge" does not lead to arrogrance (1 Cor. 8:1) but instead provides guidance for a life in Him. The knowledge that comes first through the brain, is a a part of the transformation process of that very vital and ever to be used tool of the mind. However, it is not the main part of our journey. No matter how "old" we become by His grace in Him, we must always be open to what others in the body have learned -- always be willing to expose the mind to good books and training. However, we have far too long made that the important part of our learning.

I am beginning to be convinced, that the preacher and teacher of the word are basically giving words to things the people should already "know" but not yet have words to express. This is a bit tough to explain in this expression, but I pray you will take Proverbs 2 and let the Lord show you the truth that I am trying to express. It is so encouraging!

I encourage you to read His word. We have for so long stumbled over what we do not understand. Receiving this understanding on the Word, means that we are given of Him on the basis of our choosing to treasure Him through His word. Now how awesome is that! Even when I do not "understand," still He ministers Himself and His wisdom to me.

Grace, grace, grace -- may we breathe it deeply as we read, study, meditate.