I Am Thinking Of You- Guest Post Brenda Craig

I Am Thinking Of You

Posted By Brenda On March 24, 2008 @ 12:00 am In Love Letters from God | 1 Comment

How precious and weighty also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I could count them, they would be more in number than the sand. When I awoke, [could I count to the end] I would still be with You” (Psalms 139:17-18 ^[1] Amplified)

Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered. (Psalms 40:5 ^[2] Amplified)

More Than The Grains Of Sand

I am thinking of you this very moment. As you go about your business and activities, not really thinking about much, I am watching you and joy comes to My heart. I hear your conversations of love to your family. I hear you softly speaking My name as you move through your day. I hear your frustrations and see your struggles. My gaze is riveted on you. I can’t take My eyes off you. My thoughts for you outnumber the grains of sand. They are just waiting to be captured by you. I whisper your name. I call to you.

I can’t help but think of all the things I have planned for our life together. No plan or accusation of the enemy has power to rob or steal what I have given you when you hide yourself in Me. Come My beloved and let the embrace of My thoughts toward you encircle you, surround you like a cloak on winter’s day. My gaze, My heart and all that is within Me is fixed on you. Whisper My name. The beauty of My name cascading from your lips captures Me, motivates Me even more, if that is possible. Yes, it makes Me whisper your name.

Therefore, take time as often as you can even if it is just a minute here and there. They all add up. Lay every care at My feet and look up. Lay every frustration at My feet and behold Me. Let yourself be lost in My gaze. Listen very closely today. I am whispering to you. My still small voice is whispering your name, whispering I love you.

I Look On The Motive Of Your Heart

Beloved, when I behold you it’s like when you look at your child and their sweetness—their beauty captures your heart, causing tears of joy to fill your eyes. Your heart swells with love, leaving you awestruck by the moment. It is your pleasure to watch their attempts as they try to be like you, that puts a smile on your face and moves you to help them accomplish the task. I am no different. I love watching you grow in Me. Your failures are more of a concern to you than Me. My concern is the motive of your heart (1 Samuel 16:7 ^[3]). You are such a wonder to Me as I gaze on your beauty.

I know sometimes you don’t feel like a wonder or comprehend My delight in you. No matter, I am still in awe of you My child and I intend to show you how much. I was so in love with you and wanted to be with you that I sent My Son. I knew when He found you; you would love Him and be drawn near to Me. I waited with great anticipation for you. You are definitely worth it all. You are worth all the times and years I waited for you. The greatest desire I have is for you to know how much I love you and always have.

I never grow tired or weary. I do not faint in the heat of the day and I never leave when the going gets tough. I am faithful when you are faithless and I endure to the end. So, I am here Beloved, to impart strength, faith, hope and love. I am here to encourage you to never give up because I don’t. You must remember it is not by might or power that you accomplish anything. It is by My spirit. I am delighted how you are growing in this truth.

Take comfort, courage and hope in knowing that no matter what, you’re a wonderful treasure to Me. My heart swells with pride like a father on Graduation Day when I watch you advance and mature. What may seem like little bits of progress to you looks very different to Me. It is time you took on My perspective in a whole new way. I am touching the eyes of your spirit and enabling new sight and vision according to the way I see. Look up, I am beholding you.

A Time Of Increase

Beloved, a time of increase is at the door of your life. You are even this moment increasing in your understanding of My love and devotion as well as your love for Me. I know I could tell you a lot of other things today, but My heart is so full about who you are to Me I have to express it.

Drown yourself in My presence, in My abiding love. Other concerns will wait for the moment. In fact, they will better resolve themselves in this type of atmosphere. Let Me lavish you with My devoted heart. You are the one I love. Abide in Me and I will abide in you (John 15). Can you imagine a vine without branches? Me either. You are indeed a beautiful and fruitful branch so stay close and cling to Me. Do not let go no matter what. Branches receive all they need from the vine and you likewise receive all you need from Me. If you need peace I am it. If you need hope I am it. If you need healing I am it.

See what I mean. You can do nothing outside of being in Me. Never depend on your good works for even those are as filthy rags outside of Me. If good works would have got the job done and imputed righteousness I would not have had to give My life.

Beloved, My life is yours and I give it freely. My heart is yours and I give it freely also. It is so much so that when I hear My name on your lips My heart is moved and life flows from the vine. Heaven and earth can’t even stand between us. Hell has no power when you speak My name. When you whisper My name your voice penetrates all the noise and activity of heaven, opening My ear to your cry.

So, listen carefully as My voice, in response, rings through the heavens, “Here am I!” It is all I can say for My eyes and heart of love are respondent to your voice. If only you knew how you affect Me when you open your mouth in praise, you would never doubt again. A time of increase is surely at hand for you if you will only respond with yes and amen. Take Me at My Word and abide for new life is flowing to you from the vine of My heart.

Be Anxious For Nothing

Beloved, I do not want you to be anxious, worry or fret over anything. You do this when you forget how much I care—when you forget the great lengths I went to in order to set you free from such things. You worry and fret when you forget how much I love you. I know I have been saying it over and over but no matter. I feel it is necessary and besides, like I have told you before, I love to tell you and I love to demonstrate all that abides in My heart. It is what I do. It is who I am.

Yes, My heart melts at the mention of your name, ravishing Me with love for you. This love is not just for a moment as you sometimes experience in your earthly relationships. The moments of life pass and frustrations can arise. However, My thoughts toward you never change no matter what you do or may be experiencing. As a matter of fact, My deepest desire is for you to capture My thoughts in the midst of your frustrations and concerns. Doing this will eliminate so much suffering and dismay on your part. I am very present and near; therefore be anxious for nothing and roll every care over on Me (cf. Philippians 4:5 ^[4] NKJV). I have blessed you with every heavenly blessing (cf. Ephesians 1:1-7 ^[5]).

Practice being with Me when all is well and it will be easier in times of trouble and travail. My thoughts are for a lifetime and beyond. They were present before you were ever conceived and will continue for all of eternity as they expand and grow. All relationships grow in one way or another and I intend, no matter the cost or time, for ours to grow in beauty and intimacy.

Therefore, let My all-consuming love and the fixing of My gaze on you free you from any doubt. My perfect love cast out all fear. You need not be afraid of what I am seeing or thinking. I am the same yesterday, today and forever. Every good and perfect gift comes from Me and there is no shadow of turning in Me (cf. James 1:7 ^[6]). I cannot change (cf. Malachi 3:6 ^[7]). Run into Me and be glad, for I know the plans I have for you and they are for good and not evil (cf. Jeremiah 29:11 ^[8]).

Righteous In Christ Jesus

When I see you, I see the completed picture born out of My Son’s righteousness. You are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (1Corinthians 1:30). When you rest in the completed work of the Cross you have confidence in My unfailing love and faithfulness. The understanding of your identity is transformed.

Understanding your identity, in agreement with My Word, takes all the pressure off, leaving you free to have an intimate relationship with Me. I no longer call you a servant, but a friend (cf. John 15:13-17 ^[9]). Friendship always accomplishes more than servant hood. Let your heart be compelled by love not duty.

Remember, love never fails to motivate (cf. 1 Corinthians 13:8 ^[10]). If you ever find yourself doing things for Me or for others without the perspective of love, you have missed the point of who I am and what I have done. I don’t want slaves of duty, but works born of a lover’s heart, pure and undefiled by fear or obligation, consumed by a mutual passion.

Awareness of My gaze will motivate you and will permeate your days. Resting in the provision of My promises and protection leaves you free to worship, opening up the streams of revelation and creating a perceptive and understanding heart.

Yes, I am thinking about you and My heart is skipping a beat even now as I whisper your name. Pull aside! Come and sit awhile with Me. Join Me and we will have a mutual time of admiration, resulting in a freedom unknown to you before. Let all I have said hold weight in your own heart.

Beloved, I know you love Me and love My Word. I know your every attempt at walking in My commands. I see the motive of your heart and I am pleased. Reject all contrary thoughts and put on My thoughts, letting them cloak you like fresh morning dew. Close your eyes and imagine My eyes gazing upon you. Behold Me and ponder My Goodness.

As you do this, I will meet you and manifest Myself to you in a very real way (cf. John 14:21 ^[11]). It is in these moments and times transformation happens, taking you from precept to precept, from glory to glory (Isaiah 28:10 ^[12]). Even a small cup of time with Me will surely overflow into the rest of your days. Come, the banqueting table is prepared with fresh bread and new wine. I am thinking on You.

1. In what ways do you serve Him out of duty and not love? This puts you in bondage and clogs up revelation because you are always worried about not doing enough.

2. Receive His invitation of deep intimacy, letting Him wipe away any bondage mentality, for you are His friend. What does it mean to you personally to be a friend of God?

3. He has declared you worthy and righteous by the blood of the Lamb. He loves the motive of your heart and wishes to manifest Himself to you. The table is prepared with fresh bread and new wine. He is here to meet you, so what thoughts do you struggle with most that keeps you from entering into an abiding relationship with Abba Father? Give them to Him in exchange for fresh manna. You won’t get a better offer anywhere else. He is thinking on you.

Prayer of Supplication and Declaration

Lord, Your thoughts toward me are too numerous to ever count. Sometimes it is hard to imagine You gazing at me in the midst of my frustrations—in the midst of my struggles with unbelief. You are so gracious, and Your mercy has triumphed over judgment in my life. I receive Your affections today and relinquish any self-chastisement and appropriate Your grace in my life and heart. I hide myself in You; I hide myself under the shadow or Your wings. I exercise my faith and choose to believer all You have spoken to me today. Dig deep into the recesses of My being and stir my spirit. Set me free from anything that keeps me from abiding at Your feet among the whispers of Your heart.

Your goodness toward me is beyond measure. Every time I think I know how much You love me, I find I don’t have a clue. Even when I fail, You look on the motive of my heart as I endeavor to walk according to Your ways. Often I am harder on myself than You would ever be. Teach me to give myself the same grace You give me. Teach me to forgive myself as You have forgiven me. I pray that the depth of Your great love and the beauty of Your Word will settle down and abide in my heart to such a great extent that I will never despair. I pray I will be like You and endure until the end. I surrender to Your Spirit and forsake my own might and power. I lay it all down and I behold You.

Lord, I abide in You and You abide in me. It is much simpler than I make it. Teach me to listen carefully moment by moment, day by day and I will not be put to shame. I revel in the overflowing of love You are giving to me today and anticipate with great excitement all to come in the days ahead. Help me to never depend on my good works for this is self-righteousness and without You I have no righteousness of my own. I cling to You. I abide in You and peace, faith, hope and love are my portion—my fruit—and I stay hidden in You.

Forgive my anxious and fretful thoughts for they have robbed me of intimacy with You. They have been little foxes, robbing my peace and security. Not only do they rob me of peace and security, they rob me of time I could have with You. They rob me of faith. I submit all my worries, frustrations and anxious thoughts into the palm of Your capable hand. I rest in the beauty of our relationship and the forgiveness You purchased for me and for those I live and interact with. Help me to extend the same grace and mercy to them You have given to me.

You are indeed my righteousness, my savior and my friend. May all my works be born out of love and relationship—out of friendship. I owe You a debt of love. I am not a slave, but a friend. Therefore, I reject all contrary thoughts about who I am and I embrace Your righteousness for I am righteous in You.

I exchange beauty for ashes and the oil of gladness instead of mourning. Your love does not fail and will never fail me. I put my trust in You, my Strong Tower. I come into the Secret Place of the most High and dwell with You. I whisper Your name. I shout Your name and give My life in a sacrifice of worship and praise. I meet You at the table of fresh bread and new wine. I come to the banqueting table of intimate communion and abide in Your love. I whisper Your name for I am thinking about You Jesus, for You are my great Love. Amen

Reflect and Journal

1. Reflect on the Lord and His thoughts which abound to you. Slow down and listen. Let His Word surround you for just a moment. What is He saying?

2. How have you allowed frustrations with circumstances or other people to interfere with your intimate relationship with the Lord?

3. When we have aught against others or even frustration in dealing with others day to day it can seem to shout so loud that we miss His still small voice. The enemy shouts and God whispers, at least most of the time. What shouts of the enemy have you been listening to? What has His still small voice been trying to say over the shouts of the enemy?

4. Who or what do you need to forgive in order to hear His whispers?

5. Reflect about His response to you when you speak His name.

6. What failures have you allowed to get between you and the Lover of your soul?

7. The Father waited with anticipation for you and He delights in you always. How can you begin to return this expression of love in your own life in a practical way?

8. Reflect on His ability to be faithful when you are faithless. How can you practically appropriate the faithfulness He offers?

9. Have you devalued your progress in any area be it job, home, family, spouse, friendships or relationship with Him? In other words, are you being introspective about yourself to the point that all you see are your failures because somehow you haven’t measured up to your own expectations?

10. Spend some time beholding Him and receive all He has said. Let the words of your mouth confess all He has spoken in agreement regardless of what you think or feel. In agreeing with Him you deal a deadly blow to the enemy. Even if you feel you have a close relationship with the Lord there is always room to get closer. Therefore, no matter where you are take some time right now to enjoy His presence and receive His love.

11. What do you as a branch that abides in Him need to receive from the vine today? Is it healing, forgiveness, hope, faith, love, etc.?

12. In what ways have you depended on “good works” to take the place of abiding in Him?

13. Heaven is a very noisy place full of angelic singing and worshipping. There are thunderings and lightening around the throne. It is a very, very noisy place. Now, imagine you simply whispering the Lord’s name or crying out, “Abba Father” and it penetrates all the noise, all the activity of Heaven and goes straight into the Lord’s heart, straight to the Father’s heart. Reflect on this and journal what it means to you and how it can or should change your prayer life.

14. He has declared to you, “Here am I!” Believe He is standing very near, nigh unto your heart with words to say, love to confess. What specifically is He saying to you?

15. Where do you need to see increase in your life the most? Is it in your family, your marriage, your job, your health or in abiding relationship with Him? No matter where it is, He is able, willing and near to give it. Spend some prayer time with Him and remember, He hears your slightest whisper and responds.

16. What concerns and or frustrations have caused you to be anxious? When we are anxious we tend to take things into our own hands. Let His unchanging nature wrap you in a secure place and enable you to do it His way.

17. His heart melts at the mention of your name. What personal failures or struggle with sin, attitudes, actions, thoughts or relational issues interfere with you believing this truth?

18. Have you held God responsible in any way for anything and put distance between you and He? When you blame God it is hard to receive His love and near impossible to give it in return.

19. When you fault someone and feel negative toward them it is very difficult to trust. If you do not trust, you cannot have faith in their good or kind intentions toward you. If you have blamed God for anything take time to ask for forgiveness and release Him of your judgment.

20. How can you adjust your lifestyle and personally practice being with Him in practical ways?

21. In what ways do you serve Him out of duty and not love? This puts you in bondage and clogs up revelation because you are always worried about not doing enough.

22. Receive His invitation of deep intimacy, letting Him wipe away any bondage mentality, for you are His friend. What does it mean to you personally to be a friend of God?

23. He has declared you worthy and righteous by the blood of the Lamb. He loves the motive of your heart and wishes to manifest Himself to you. The table is prepared with fresh bread and new wine. He is here to meet you, so what thoughts do you struggle with most that keeps you from entering into an abiding relationship with Abba Father? Give them to Him in exchange for fresh manna. You won’t get a better offer anywhere else. He is thinking on you.

Article printed from Journals of the Heart: http://www.journalsoftheheart.com

URL to article: http://www.journalsoftheheart.com/2008/03/i-am-thinking-of-you-love-letter/

URLs in this post:

[1] Psalms 139:17-18: http://net.bible.org/verse.php?book=psa&chapter=139&verse=17

[2] Psalms 40:5: http://net.bible.org/verse.php?book=psa&chapter=40&verse=5

[3] 1 Samuel 16:7: http://net.bible.org/verse.php?book=1sa&chapter=16&verse=7

[4] Philippians 4:5: http://net.bible.org/verse.php?book=phi&chapter=4&verse=5

[5] Ephesians 1:1-7: http://net.bible.org/verse.php?book=eph&chapter=1&verse=1

[6] James 1:7: http://net.bible.org/verse.php?book=jam&chapter=1&verse=7

[7] Malachi 3:6: http://net.bible.org/verse.php?book=mal&chapter=3&verse=6

[8] Jeremiah 29:11: http://net.bible.org/verse.php?book=jer&chapter=29&verse=11

[9] John 15:13-17: http://net.bible.org/verse.php?book=joh&chapter=15&verse=13

[10] 1 Corinthians 13:8: http://net.bible.org/verse.php?book=1co&chapter=13&verse=8

[11] John 14:21: http://net.bible.org/verse.php?book=joh&chapter=14&verse=21

[12] Isaiah 28:10: http://net.bible.org/verse.php?book=isa&chapter=28&verse=10

[13] Image: http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=210craig

Duplication and sharing of this writing is welcomed provided that complete source and website information for Brenda Craig and Journals of the Heart is included.

©2008 Spirit Food for Life Ministries. All rights reserved.

Merry Christmas 2010

From a manger lit with love





To the stars shining above

And mountains white with snow...

I sent My Word in Flesh So the world would know




I LOVE THEM SO!





JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!

Merry Christmas and God Bless You.

Love,

Nancy


~~~~~~Credits~~~~~

Scripture Graphics from Sandy Warner @ Quickened Word: http://www.thequickenedwordcommunity.com/cgi-bin/members/photogallery.cgi?categoryid=9990239559027

Merry Christmas graphic from: http://freeorkutscrapsimages.blogspot.com/2008/12/orkut-christmas-glitter-graphics.html

Oh Christmas Tree graphic from Word Powerpoint Microsoft office

Manger scene From my girlfriend's front window!

The Lord's Standard and Standard Bearer

Isa 59:19 So [as the result of the Messiah's intervention] they shall [reverently] fear the

name of the Lord from the west, and His glory

from the rising of the sun. When the enemy

shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord

will lift up a standard against him and put him

to flight [for He will come like a rushing stream which the breath of the Lord drives]. [Matthew 8:11; Luke 13:29]

When the enemy comes in like a flood… threatening to wash you off your feet, threatening to drown you in circumstances seemingly beyond your control… when the enemy comes in, like water seeping through the foundation… creating mess, and extra work and turmoil…

Do not fear, be of good cheer! The Lord also comes in to comfort, to strengthen, to make firm and establish you through HIS Standard.

A standard in Military terms is a flag or banner or pennant with decoration or emblems on it, representing the people, land or nation that carried it.

The twelve tribes of Israel each had their own flag or standard as revealed in Numbers 2:2.

(CEV) how the Israelites should arrange their camp: Each tribe must set up camp under its own banner and under the flags of its ancestral families. These camps will be arranged around the sacred tent, but not close to it.

(KJV) Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of their father's house: far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch.

Flags or Standards were used for Identification, Distinction, Loyalty, Honor, and Pride. They created points for gathering around. They reminded you of the past and brought hope of a future. Wrapped up in each flag was a personal tribal history, along with any promises that G-d had made to them of their future.

In military maneuvers, Standards would locate your troop. It would show what ground had been gained (or lost) and it brought courage, for as long as you could see the Standard, you knew all was not lost.

Even so, if you look at our
own National Anthem and
read the words, you will see that this held true
for Francis Scott Key:

“Oh, say can you see by the dawn's
early light

What so proudly we hailed at the
twilight's last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars
thru the perilous fight,

O'er the ramparts we watched
were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket's red glare,
the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof through the night
that our flag was still there.

Oh, say does that star-spangled
banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free and the
home of the brave?”

So what is the significance of the Lord
raising up a Standard?

The Lord’s Standard represents Heaven and its citizens! It represents the approved and lawful way of doing and being right. (Righteousness) It represents all the attributes of the One Who Rules Heaven. And it represents the blessings of living under His Rule!

So what is the Standard of Heaven? During Israel’s time in the Old Testament, it could best be said it was represented by the Veil in the Temple that separated the Holy of Holies. It kept a clear separation and also shrouded the mercy seat with mystery and fear.

But that was only a temporary standard. For when the Standard Bearer came, HE tore the veil in two! So what is the New Standard? It is the Blood Stained Cross upon which the flesh of Christ waved in the winds of all He had created, to secure the Victory for them once and for all.

The Lord raised up a standard, one made of flesh and blood, but incarnate with His own Spirit. First in a manger, then on a cross, then Risen from a tomb that held all mankind captive!

That Standard decrees

Victory! Deliverance! Protection!

That Standard bought

Wholeness, Restoration, Pardon!

That Standard brings

Fellowship, Family, and Intimacy with God!

That Standard affords us

Healing, Provision, and Peace!

That Standard says,

“This far and No further enemy! You are a defeated foe, who must bow in subjection to My People who are called by My Name…”

In the Hebrew “to raise up a standard”

means to :

chase, impel, make to flee (away,)

put to flight,

to fly (to the attack) on horseback, to drive hastily

to cause to disappear, hide

Truly, the Lord will, and does fight for us! He comes to our aid, and he sends the enemy packing. Even when things happen to us that are “bad,” we can look and see how much worse they could have been.

When the enemy is howling mad, screaming at us how ‘we are done for” and ‘we will never make it,’ we must remember the Standard of Heaven which has already been lifted up for us, and Who tells us that He has overcome the World.

Yes, sweet people, we are living in perilous times. But they who KNOW ( have intimate and personal knowledge and relationship with) their God, shall do exploits.

The veil has been torn into two. The way has been. The way of escape. The way of mercy. The way of help and hope. We are told to come boldly to the Throne of Grace. By a new and living Way. The Way of Covenant found only in and through our Standard Bearer, who flew His Colors high upon a Cross. The colors of the skin of man and the Blood of the Lamb.

Whereby, every Tribe, Tongue and Nation now can find their way home to the One who Loves them all and Died to set them free.

We must rally round the Standard and Lift High the Name of the Standard Bearer who gives us Life Eternal- Jesus Christ Our Lord!

Ye Shall Be Witnesses, Martyrs For ME

"We carry this treasure in earthen vessels,

hidden to man's mere mortal eye!

I am dead in Christ, it is He

who lives, no longer I."

Truly our brethren have embraced this Truth

and live its reality day to day.

Let us pray that they might live to see

yet another day and

glorify Christ as living sacrifices,

as lights in this dark world,

as those who dance through

on the Feet of Faith.

Let our prayers lift them up, strengthen and

under gird them for His Service, where e'er that might lead.

Oh for your protection and mercy Lord we plead!

For our brothers and sisters in far away lands

that they continue to stand and

declare Your Lordship for all to see.

Let your Glory shine forth and

bring many captive souls out

of bondage and set them free.

Grace them and us for the race we run.

Let all in Truth and Love be done.

Make a way, show Your face.

Give a song of faith

even as death some will embrace.

Lord for us who know

not such pain, help us our idols cast

that Christ we gain.

You prayed O Lord to make us one...

even as Father and Son!

So, we link our hearts and hands

in prayer across the globe,

for those who wear the

martyrs' crown and robe.

NEM
11/2/2010
Written in Honor of our Brethren for Day of Prayer

for the Persecuted Church

Nov, 14, 2010

The Difference You Make!

I just read a wonderful devotion from James Robison's ministry. It is an excerpt taken from a book, that given what I've just read is now on my "list" of "gotta reads!"

As I minister to various ones, I am always amazed at the lies of the enemy to try to discourage, dissuade and dishearten those who are seeking God and seeking to make a difference for the Kingdom! I pray that if you have felt down in anyway, and "less than" in comparison to someone else, that this day you will receive this devotional and see the intrinsic value that God has placed in and on YOU! And the unfathomable ways in which you and your life matters. Come-on Butterfly or Eagle- keep flapping those wings!

Keep reaching up to HIM and out to others and let His Goodness and Grace flow through you!

Love, Nancy

The Butterfly Effect
by Andy Andrews

In 1963, Edward Lorenz presented a hypothesis to the New York Academy of Science. His theory, stated simply, was that:

A butterfly could flap its wings and set molecules of air in motion, which would move other molecules of air, in turn moving more molecules of air – eventually capable of starting a hurricane on the other side of the planet.

Lorenz and his ideas were literally laughed out of the conference. What he had proposed was ridiculous. It was preposterous. But it was fascinating!

Therefore, because of the ideas charm and intrigue, the so-called “butterfly effect” became a staple of science fiction, remaining for decades a combination of myth and legend spread only by comic books and bad movies.

So imagine the scientific community’s shock and surprise when, more than 30 years after the possibility was introduced, physics professors working from colleges and universities worldwide came to the conclusion that the butterfly effect was authentic, accurate and viable.

Soon after, it was accorded the status of a “law.” Now known as The Law of Sensitive Dependence Upon Initial Conditions, this principle has proven to be a force encompassing more than mere butterfly wings. Science has shown the butterfly effect to engage with the first movement of any form of matter – including people.

On Friday, April 2, 2004, ABC News honored a man who, at that time, was 91 years old. The news program was running a regular segment called “Person of the Week.” Usually the honoree’s accomplishments are listed in advance and by the time the name is announced, most folks have already guessed the identity of that week’s recipient. In this instance, however, the pronouncement left many viewers puzzled.

“And so…our Person of the Week is…” the anchorman finally said, “Norman Borlaug!”

One can only imagine the frowns. Who? Who did he say? Norman…what was the last name?

Yet, despite our unfamiliarity, Norman Borlaug is a man who is personally responsible for drastically and dramatically changing the world in which we live. You see, in the early 1940s, Norman Borlaug hybridized high-yield, disease-resistant corn and wheat for arid climates. From the dust bowl of Western Africa to our own desert Southwest, from South and Central America to the plains of Siberia, across Europe and Asia, Borlaug’s specific seed product flourished and regenerated where no seed had ever thrived before. Through the years, it has now been calculated that Norman Borlaug’s work saved more than two billion lives from famine.

Actually, it was never reported, but the anchorman was misinformed. It was not Norman Borlaug who saved the two billion people, though very few caught the mistake. It was Henry Wallace.

Henry Wallace was the Vice President of the United States under Franklin Roosevelt. Over his four terms, Roosevelt had three different Vice Presidents and the second man to serve was Henry Wallace.

Wallace was the former Secretary of Agriculture who, after his one term as Vice President, was dumped from the ticket in favor of Truman. While Wallace was Vice President, however, he used the power of that office to create a station in Mexico whose sole purpose was to hybridize corn and wheat for arid climates. He hired a young man named Norman Borlaug to run it.

So Norman Borlaug won the Nobel Prize. And Norman Borlaug was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. But considering the connection, it was really Henry Wallace that saved two billion people!

Or was it George Washington Carver? You remember Carver, don’t you? The peanut?
But here’s something that very few people know: When Carver was 19 years old and a student at Iowa State University, he had a Dairy Sciences professor who, on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, would allow his six-year-old boy to go on “botanical expeditions” with the brilliant student.

It was George Washington Carver who took that boy and instilled in him a love for plants and a vision for what they could do for humanity. It was George Washington Carver who pointed six-year-old Henry Wallace’s life in a specific direction – long before he ever became Vice President of the United States.

It’s amazing to contemplate, isn’t it?

George Washington Carver flapping his butterfly wings with the peanut. There are currently 266 things he developed from the peanut that we still use today. He flapped his wings with the sweet potato. There are 88 things Carver originated from the sweet potato that we still use today. And while no one was even looking, George Washington Carver flapped his wings a couple of times with a six-year-old boy. And just happened to save the lives of more than two billion people…and counting.

So maybe it should have been George Washington Carver – Person of the Week! Or the farmer from Diamond, Missouri?

His name was Moses and he lived in a slave state, but he didn’t believe in slavery. This made him a target for psychopaths like Quantrill’s Raiders who terrorized the area by destroying property by burning and killing. And sure enough, one cold January night, Quantrill’s Raiders rode through Moses’ farm. The outlaws burned the barn, shot several people, and dragged off a woman named Mary Washington who refused to let go of her infant son, George.

Now, Mary Washington was a friend of Moses’ wife, Susan. Though distraught, Susan promptly set to work writing messages and contacting nearby farms. She got word through neighbors and towns and two days later managed to secure a meeting for Moses with the bandits.

Susan looked on anxiously as her husband rode off on a black horse. His destination was a crossroad in Kansas several hours to the north. There, at the appointed time, in the middle of the night, Moses met up with four of Quantrill’s Raiders. They were on horseback, carrying torches, and had flour sacks tied over their heads with holes cut out for their eyes. There, the farmer traded the only horse they had left on their farm for what the outlaws threw him in a dirty burlap bag.

As the bandits thundered off on their horses, Moses fell to his knees and there, alone on that dark winter night, the farmer pulled from the bag a cold, naked, almost-dead baby boy. Quickly he jerked open his own coat and his shirt and placed the child next to his skin. Covering him with his own clothes and relying on the warmth from his own body, the man turned and walked that baby home.

Moses walked through the night and into the next morning to get the child to Susan. There, they committed to that tiny human being – and to each other – that they would care for him. They promised the boy an education to honor his mother, Mary, who they knew was already dead. That night, they gave the baby their own name…and that is how Moses and Susan Carver came to raise that little baby, George Washington.

So when you think about it, maybe it was the farmer from Diamond, Missouri, who saved the two billion people. Or was it his wife who was responsible? Certainly it was Susan who organized the effort – it was she who demanded immediate action.

Unless…

Is there an ending to this story? Exactly who was it that saved the two billion lives? Is there a specific person to whom we could point? How many lives would we need to examine in order to determine whose action saved two billion people – a number that continues to increase every minute?

And how far forward would we need to go in your life to show the difference you make?

There are generations yet unborn whose very lives will be shifted and shaped by the moves you make and the actions you take today. And tomorrow. And the next day. And the next.

Every single thing you do matters.

You have been created as one of a kind. On the planet Earth, there has never been one like you and there never will be again. Your spirit, your thoughts and feelings, your ability to reason and act all exist in no one else. The rarities that make you special are no mere accident or quirk of fate. You have been created in order that you might make a difference.

You have within you the power to change the world.

Know that your actions cannot be hoarded, saved for later, or used selectively. By your hand, millions – billions – of lives will be altered, caught up in a chain of events begun by you this day. The very beating of your heart has meaning and purpose. Your actions have value far greater than silver or gold.

Your life and what you do with it today matters forever.

Adapted from The Butterfly Effect: How Your Life Matters by Andy Andrews, © 2009 Simple Truths LLC

And Counting!

Monday was my birthday. It was a lovely day with texts, phone calls and cards from friends and family. I am indeed blessed. My husband sent me an ornery text in the morning. It made me laugh, but it also made me stop and thank God. And it has stuck with me all week.

What did he text? He sent me birthday congratulations that said; "Happy Birthday! You are now 19,723 days old!"

I had two thoughts almost simultaneously. 1. Yikes! That sounds "fossilized!" ( Of which I am not!) 2. Praise and thanksgiving rose up in my heart to God. "Thank you Father for all these wonderful days You've given to me!"

Psa 139:16
(AMP) Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days [of my life] were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them.

(MSG) Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day.

Psa 90:12
(KJV) So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

To number: A primitive root; properly to weigh out; by implication to allot or constitute officially; also to enumerate or enroll: - appoint, count, number, prepare, set, tell.

Dan 5:25 And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.
Dan 5:26 This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.
Dan 5:27 TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.
Dan 5:28 PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.

Oh Lord, even as You have numbered my days, and given me richly all things to enjoy, let not your daughter and servant be found wanting of the the things that please Your heart. Help me to rightly discern and not defile your Holy Vessels. Of whom I am one of. Let me not take for granted the Gifts that You have so lovingly bestowed upon me in the form of those You bring into my life! Thank you that you have numbered and finished me! Finished my Faith, and the kingdom that I walk in being only a shadow of the one You hold out to me. Oh Lord, weigh me, find any hidden weights and remove them! See if I be too light in matters of Your heart and correct me! You have promised that I would lack no good thing to live this life for you and before you in joy and Holy service. I thank You for that and I look eagerly for Your provision for every vision that many lives be touched and changed as we walk hand in hand through this life together, my Sweet Jesus and I! My Your kingdom rule without end, may I never be of a divided heart, creating a divided kingdom with in. Thank you for this time of celebration of 19,723 days of living! May I have that many again, plus more to serve You, to Love you more, to share the wonder of You with all I meet. May my life be a tsunami of Your Love, crashing in on people's lives and changing them forever!
Thank you Abba for all these things I pray.
In Jesus Name. Amen.

Hungry For You

40 day fast- How hungry were you Jesus?
More hungry to pursue Father than flesh.
More hungry for His Kingdom, than your own.

What choices did you make as a
younger man that helped you crucify
your flesh, LONG before you ever
hung on that cross?

When was your defining moment?
At what point in your "human"
existence did you know?
Or did you always know?
You were God, but became flesh- just a baby-
but not "just." So when DID you know?

Our first peek at you "beyond babyhood" was age 12.
At the yearly pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Feast. While
everyone else left, you stayed in the temple, asking, seeking, knocking...

We know you were a man of prayer...

And you've made the way for us to come into
God's Presence with you.
But what did you do (or not do)in those times of prayer?
How did YOU pray? What did you pray?

You gave us a model when the disciples asked,
"teach us to pray."

You taught:

Relationship ---Our Father
Position ---Who art in Heaven
Respect ---Hallowed be Thy Name
Expectation ---Thy Kingdom come
Consecration ---Thy Will be done
Outreach --- on Earth
Authority --- as it is in Heaven
Dependence --- Give us this day
Provision --- our daily bread
Repentance --- Forgive us our trespasses(debts)
Forgiveness ---even as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Preservation ---And lead us not into temptation
Sanctification --- but deliver us from evil
Worship --- For thine is the Kingdom, and the Glory, and the Power
Kingdom ---for ever and ever, world without end. Amen.

And all of this flowed out of your quiet time of fellowship
with your Father- no! OUR Father.

Oh Lord! Teach us relationship!
Teach us Fellowship with You!
Amen.

Holding Patterns

Yes, No, Wait. The three answers God gives us to any given
prayer we pray. We LOVE those YES answers!
We are not so fond of the "NO" answers. But most of us really
do NOT like the "WAIT" answer!

I know two different people who have had "trusting" situations arise. One friend went from a 2 income to 1 income household. The other person went from a 1 income to no income household! Both are positions of having to totally trust and rely on God. Both have wonderful testimonies of God's Faithfulness in meeting their needs while they waited (and are waiting) for the job to manifest. The one income is working again. The other one is still in the position of holding on to Daddy's hand and trusting Him as He walks them through this situation.

We all have places where it seems we need a little more faith than usual, a LOT more patience and an endowment of Grace. The good news is God says "MY Grace IS sufficient for you!"

2Co 12:9 (AMP) But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!

I am reminded of a message given by Apostle Bobbie Jean Merck, entitled Holding Pattern. She talked of being in the airport and getting ready to land. The Captain had already come on the loud speaker announcing that they would be landing soon... so she was in anticipation of being on the ground and met by her party and taken to the hotel where she could freshen up before the meeting that night.

But then the plane began to turn and she looked out the window and saw it moving AWAY from the city! At first she thought, oh perhaps he needs to re-position for landing. Sometimes that is true and so something that appears to be carrying you away from the target is actually repositioning you to hit the target.

But in this case the plane swung out wide and circled back around and then circled again. The loudspeaker crackled to life and the voice said, "This is your Captain speaking, it seems there will be a bit of delay because they are not ready for us on the ground."

Dear Ones, do you not know that I AM ordering your footsteps and though you plan your way it is I who direct your path? (Prov. 16:9) I have a path chosen that will bring harmonious blessings, for I do not add sorrow to the gifts that I give to you. (Prov. 10:22) Be patient and relax as I prepare the way for you. My Favor is going before you. Even as some of you sit on the runway awaiting lift off, while others are circling anxiously awaiting to touchdown at a certain destination, I AM still in control and have not forgotten you, nor lost sight of My promises to you. My Plans remain the same... to bring you good, do you no harm, to bless you and strengthen and deliver you. (Jer. 29:11)

Even as I am at work in the background on details, I am also at work IN you, both doing and willing of My good pleasure for your life. (Phil. 2:13) Trust me! For I have seen the finished product (the one you yet do not see) and I have pronounced it good! (Gen. 1:31) I AM filling in the picture, stroke by stroke upon the canvas of your life, just as you are growing in Me line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little. (Isa. 28:10)

Even as the ant is very small, and lily petals very fragile, yet I have used both to draw a picture of My oversight and care. Yes, even the birds of the air and beasts of the field have provision from My hand and watchful gaze. (Psa. 145:16) How much more is My affection and love for you my son and daughter whom I have created in My own image and likeness and given My Spirit to? (Luke 12:24,27)

Know this, that I uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness, (Isa. 41:10) even as I hold together the whole of all existence. (Col. 1:17) You sang as a child, "He's got the whole world in His hands," why did you stop believing it? It is still true today!

Smile my child and give me your cares. Count your blessings one by one, and see the many things I have already done. Before the counting is through, I'll have more blessings piled up for you! Your child like trust, and a heart of obedience are of far more worth to Me than you can imagine. (1Sam.15:22) They melt My heart with pride and joy and open wide the floodgates of Heaven's doors. You've only dabbled on the shores of My Love. Come and experience so much more!

Response;
Yes Lord, I fling open the door to my heart. Come and examine each and every room. See what has been left severely alone. See the gouges and nicks upon the table of my heart, and how the edges have been worn by rough handling and storms... Come with the oil of restoration and apply it liberally. Renew and refresh me with Your love. Wipe away the fret lines where worry has etched itself deep. You have promised that I can lay down in safety and peacefully sleep. Forgive my childish fears, and sometimes incessant questioning. Teach me how to trust again, that I rely totally on You. Keep me and guard my ways. Help my thoughts not to stray fretting about tomorrow, but Trust You through out this day. Thank you for holding me in Your hand and never letting go! I love you so. Amen.

1. Make a list of Blessings
2 Make a list of concerns and date it.
3. Then find scripture promises for promised help and deliverance for each issue.
4. Write out a prayer of praise thanking Him in advance for the answers.
5. Go back and write what you learned while waiting for the answers and then the date the answers came and how He answered.

Awake Awake O Sleeper

As a friend and I prayed and spoke together tonight,

I kept hearing these words: Awake, awake O sleeper!

She and I prayed and decreed some things concerning

America and Jerusalem, concerning the Body of Christ and

spiritual hunger, and just shared some things of the Lord together.

It was wonderful fellowship, but I could not shake the words

ringing in my ears. My friend sensing that the Lord was ministering cut the conversation and I came to the keyboard to type out what I was seeing and hearing.

I saw a bedroom. It was small and paneled. There was a bed with an American Colonial wooden 4 post frame to it. Not as tall as a poster frame, the posts were maybe about 8-12 inches high- with a nicely curved head and footboard, of dark finish. There was an old timey quilt on the bed and some blankets.

I saw a young woman, she was not dressed for company, but was stripped down to something like a petticoat with a full skirt attached- something that would be worn under a dress. Her hair was shining as though great care had been taken in her grooming and was pulled back in a loose bun at the nape of her neck with a ribbon around it. Even in this state of attire there was grace and beauty upon her…

I glimpsed a dress that was in the atmosphere hovering near her. It appeared to be a scoop neck white shiny satiny gown with a filmy partial overlay to the skirt and filmy long sleeves w/ ruffles at the cuffs, attached to the bodice. I also noticed that there were other garments (some looking dingy) hanging on pegs on the wall. She seemed oblivious to the gown suspended in the air to her right.

This vision is two fold. It represents America but it also represents The Bride. (No I am not saying America is God’s Bride- He is just showing me two things at once.)

This bedroom represents the Birth of America and the place of intimacy that surrounded her birth as well as the Level of vision and call that she walked in during her early days. Yes great care WAS taken in grooming her, and shaping her for the Prophetic Mantle and destiny that she is to wear and execute. But in this picture she had stripped off those clothes and now eyed other garments hanging in the corners of the room. Indeed she had been just lounging somewhat but now had gotten off the bed and stood by the foot of the bed.

So too, for the Bride the bedroom represents a place of intimacy or a place of apathy and indulgence. The Bride of Christ has been groomed and prepared for past feats and is being groomed and prepared for future exploits. Yet she has dallied with other lovers and taken clothing not fit for her. Though she has not totally strayed, she has listened to seducing whispers and she has lost some of her innocence and become cynical and somewhat hardened. She has of late, stayed in a state of ease, pampering herself, and not taking her place in the outside world, even as a Princess would take up her functions as part of the Royal household and discharge orders with Royal Authority.

The fact that the gown was to her right represents, Authority, fellowship, and Intimacy where Prophetic Destiny is revealed and birthed… The gown was very simple but full-skirted and absolutely breathtaking. It seemed to glow! Likewise, sometimes things of the Spirit seem very “simple,” but they are indeed very “full” and when they are executed in obedience the results are breathtaking and brilliant.

These two things are parallel things. And both must be righted and put back on course. As the Bride of Christ once again puts on her mantle and takes the Place she was meant to fill, then other things will also come into alignment and take their place … Arise shine for Your Light has come!

Below is the Word that I received. Again it is a parallel word- partly for America, partly for the Bride…

Awake! Awake, o sleeper! Rise up and shake thyself awake.

Linger not in a state of drowsy slumber; linger not only half awake,

languishing on your bed of ease.

Take not the garments of carelessness, nor wear the robe of foolishness. Put on the garments I have created for you--Garments of purity and humility, garments of strength and wisdom, garments of preparation and grace.

I give a robe of Righteousness and a Mantle of Divine Destiny!

When you walk in the Robes of My Spirit and are clothed with Me,

you will walk in steps of Divine Order, Integrity and

uncompromised Authority.

Arise my Love and come away from all that distracts and

defiles and divides your love for Me.

Put away petty differences and walk in Kingdom Authority.

Transact Kingdom business as my legal representative;

for I give you my signet and you wear My ring

as my Chosen Bride to be.

Now stop being selfish and focus my love, on ME!

Too long you’ve been divided.

Too long captivated and enamored, but not by Me.

I am coming my Bride. I am coming my Love.

I am coming even now,

with many things to give to you,

but alas you’ve been sleeping,

oblivious to My seeking...

I am seeking you out. I am stirring you up!

I am raising you now to be

what I Myself have prophesied and

said You will be:

The City set on a hill not to be hidden.

That Candle burning brightly,

with no sign of quitting.

That radiant Bride, without Spot or Wrinkle-

for have I not made the sacrifice and

My Own Blood did sprinkle?

I will not be put off, I will not be denied.

I AM coming for you my Chosen One;

I am coming for MY BRIDE.

So now get busy with the preparations,

the guest list is quite too few.

I want a BIG Celebration

when I return in Love for you!

Too many things you’ve forgotten and

some you have let slip.

Guard your heart, keep your mind,

put a zip upon your lip!

Speak not as the world,

lamenting of the day,

No My Love, speak as the Oracle,

showing them the WAY.

Give your self over

to changing the present scene.

Your words and prayers spoken

have more power than they seem.

The Day of the Lord is as a thief,

and I am coming to steal you away.

Before I make My Appearing, let Me have full sway.

I AM still working miracles and

giving gifts to man,

I know the thoughts I have for you,

the details and the Plan.

Every one of them is good,

glorious and grand,

so take Your Place My Bride,

Keep Your Watch and STAND.

7/23/2010

NEM