Taste and See the Lord is good.

Thoughts, Prayers and Words of Encouragement: So as I reflect on the past month,,,I can hardly believe that I have not written for a month.....but looking back it has all been about "taste and see the Lord is good."

Over the past month we have been working diligently on Mel and Andrew Mitchells house...it is amazing....how God provides people a taste of Him....for instance....all the contractors and mechanical guys worked together on the house to finish the work needed in a week....usually a month process. Then we needed NO RAIN and the Lord held back and the showers for 26 days, and is holding it again since we have roofers to complete the roof....

I have often pondered over the taste and see...but today I get it....all the delightful appetizers He uses like rain and unity, then the entrees...of volunteers and donations of goods, then the desserts of more Love than your heart can hold and all at once WE SEE IT>>>>HE is GOOD.

So often when I am challenged with a situation with family, ministry or life...I have the tendency to forget the wonderful taste of the Lord...without that taste it is hard for me to see....lately as I still struggle after my eye surgery to read....I realize that the See part and the Taste part are working together...

Lord let my senses be always tuned to you...to be sharp, watchful and desiring to taste MORE AND MORE....love you di

Walking in Miracles

Thoughts, Prayers and Words of Encouragement: What a wonderful day the Lord has made.....it was such a cool day...we are in the process of building Mel and Andrew Mitchell's house.....the journey has been so eventful :)

I feel like I am on third base, trying to steal home...I take a few steps, run back to base then try again....it has been so wonderful to watch the power of prayer....when the week started we were a LONG way from a rough in inspection..needed to put 100 volunteers to work this weekend....everyone told me NO WAY...well I talked with the Lord, admittedly my mustard seed is somewhat hollow...but still asking Him to remove all the obstacles to that He could get some BIG glory from all fo this.

It was AMAZING as He moved all the obstacles...we kept gathering and praying....then within hours....BLING..JESUS shows us the direction and answers ....Andrew who has suffered from severe Post Traumatic Stress for over a year....has a big SMILE...and laughing...and saying he cant believe what is happening...the whole street is buzzing and people are driving by just to see what is happening...

Today Mels brother who will live in the house with them and her father, came to see...it was so cool..he got out of the car and said "I see the hand of the Lord over this house"....there are no words to capture all the excitement...the team is witnessing the hand of God..the neighbors, and today Mel said...I cant wait to have the womens luncheon in MY HOUSE>...

Truly transformation has captured another part of Bay St Louis...Dear Father...THANK YOU THANK YOU....I am so in AWE OF YOU....thanks for letting me be a part of Your great work..please continue to miraculously make Yourself KNOWN...that ALL men will know that YOU are GOD the ONLY GOD....my heart is so full of JOY and Laughter and AWE....YOU ARE SO GOOD>...I love you di

Green Leaves

Thoughts, Prayers and Words of Encouragement: Saturday afternoon, walking through the woods, birds singing, fish jumping and the leaves a dull shade of red and orange. I have never been a real lover of fall. Seems to be just to be a flash then the long dark winter comes. Sunday AM as I was reading and preparing to preach at Pastor Manyama's I read Isaiah 58 and Psalm 1......Well watered gardens and trees planted by streams whose leaves never wither....

WELL..it is hard to be a GREEN LEAF....think about it....never allowing circumstances, people, comments, rejections, abuse, abandonments, financial struggles, betrayal....to change who I am and who I represent. There have been many times in my life when I was the RED Rage of fall, or the BROWN complacency of fall, or the Orange of discontent....and yet over and over God continues to talk about the well watered, leaves not withering....

Then I think of how hard it really is to be a green leaf tree..pushing the roots of my relationship with Christ through all the rocks of life to get to the deep water...sometimes it is easier to change colors and fall off the tree.

Finally again it all comes back to choosing LIFE....the garden of LIFE always gives me two choices, knowledge of the situation and circumstances whether good or bad...or CHOOSING HIM>..LIFE....so today Lord, I ask forgiveness for all the times I have chosen to be a falling leaf instead of green.....please give me the grace, love and mercy to CHOOSE LIFE>>>CHOOSE YOU always and above ALL...love you di

Least of These

Thoughts, Prayers and Words of Encouragement: Yesterday the Women's Luncheon sponsored a food drive for the Hancock County Food Pantry. They had made all the arrangements and planned everything. Our role was to support them. However as we arrived at Walmart the women who were going to volunteer were not able to make it...so it became a CityTeam event. Along with Mel Mitchell and Mary Kay Deen we began passing out flyers and asking people going into WalMart to bring out a can for someone else.

The results were overwhelming...both emotionally and physically. During the five hours we collected over 2 1/2 pallets of food for the pantry. Well over 1000 cans, plus cases of paper products and cleaning supplies. For me personally, that was not near as impressive as the response of the people.

The outpouring of support and gratitude kept my eyes leaking all day. One young couple who had been married 1 month before the storm and lost everything....took the flyer, smiled and walked in the store. Thirty minutes later they came out with a cart full of groceries. They had come to Walmart for milk....as they came out of the store beaming they stopped beside me and said "when we were hungry you fed us, when we needed clothes you gave us clothes, when we needed ice and water you gave us ice and water"....now we are so happy to give back !!!

I am still not sure what to do with all the emotions....tears flood my face as I write this...when I worked the streets in NYC...it was easy for me to see "the least of these" according the world by di.....but with Katrina...I did not view them as the least...only as hurting and needy and wanting desperately to show them God's love in the midst of their pain!

Today I have a bit more revelation of His heart....we NEVER know who the least are....the big thing is "ordianary things with extra ordinary love"...'small things with Big love"...and all that love has to be FOR HIM....because each one is created in His image and when I find and reach out to HIM....the result is His pleasure....

The Christian walk is not "normal"...or maybe I have finally found NORMAL CHRISTIANITY...Father I am again awed and overwhelmed...I heard those verses in my soul all day yesterday and saw scripture leap from the page with each testimony of the people bringing their sacrifices to YOU.....Help me Jesus to never miss YOU no matter what disguise you are wearing....I love you so much...di

Driven by FAITH

Thoughts, Prayers and Words of Encouragement: What kind of spiritual fuel makes you run??? Today Fr. Sebastian reflected on being driven by faith and how St Rose de Lima has made it these last 25 1/2 months. His primary focus was on Faith or Fear....We looked at the first verses of Habakkuk....the prophet is crying out to the Lord...HOW LONG...(di translation coming)...Why do you make me look at all this wrong doing...and what's up with permitting oppression, strife discord...the Word not being followed...the Wicked have the righteous all tied up....justice is perverted....WOW been there cried out like that....BUT

SO here comes the kicker...Gods response....IT is not GETTING BETTER...the evil guys are coming to kick your butts!! (di translation) They are BIG BAD EVIL...YEAH...been there too,...just when the going gets tough....the tough come at ya harder!!! Then Habakkuk is mystified by the whole deal...Adonai You are to pure to see evil...So WHY do you let these evil people SWALLOW UP>>( basically SLIMED) by them???...AND to top it off...they live in luxury with plenty of food to eat. Man this is one of my favorite books of the Bible because it is so REAL about how life with Christ really is!!....

Now here comes the Lords answer...write all this down....FOR THE VISION IS MEANT FOR ITS APPOINTED TIME, IT SPEAKS OF THE END, AND IT DOES NOT LIE...IT MAY TAKE AWHILE BUT WAIT FOR IT; IT WILL SURELY COME, IT WILL NOT DELAY!! This scripture is one of the most hysterical....it may take awhile....it will not delay...WHAT...that is like virtual reality...it is reality that is not real....this is gonna take awhile...it wont delay...I have been caught so many times in my walk with the Lord in this time warp....it is all UCK around me...and gets even UCKIER...and the mean get meaner...and I am waiting for awhile and I think for sure HE is delayed...then the PROMISE...IT WILL SURELY COME.

The solution is in Chapter 2:4b But the righteous will attain LIFE through trusting faithfulness....then God goes on to really outline how HE is taking care of it all...even when I think He is late...the solution is ..."He may not come when you want Him, but He will be there right on time" After all these years....still have trouble getting my clock set with His!!

Now my favorite part of the book...THE END....Habakkuk gets the Whole God picture which is basically this YOU ARE THE HOLY ONE...IT IS YOUR SPLENDOR THAT COVERS THE SKY>>>>YOUR BRIGHTNESS>>>>no matter how UCKY it is.....I WILL TAKE JOY IN THE GOD OF MY SALVATION. ADONAI IS MY STRENGTH..HE MAKES ME SWIFT AND SURE FOOTED AS A DEER AND ENABLES ME TO STRIDE OVER MY HIGH PLACES.

When driven by faith...I can stride...notice not rock climb....it is saying to the mountain to the sea...or saying to those deep rooted trees in my life of how it should be...uprooted and to the sea...a mustard seed of faith is HYBRID.....a whole lot more to the gallon...verses fear, or acceptance, or complacency which is like a HUMMER...sucking out all the JOY, GOODNESS<>>ASKING JESUS FILL ME UP WITH FAITH and TOP IT OFF WITH BELIEF.....

Father today again I submit to your plans...help me wear blinders to I keep looking straight ahead at you...and keep my eyes off everybody and everything else....remind me Holy Spirit to always take JOY in my salvation.....You are my Strength O GOD and I DELIGHT IN YOU....love ya di

REFUSE HIM NOTHING

Thoughts, Prayers and Words of Encouragement: Today I am reading chapter two of Come be My Light..the private writings of Mother Teresa. Mother Teresa's writings have greatly shaped my Christian walk. Often as I read her writings the depth of my being cries out in acceptance of the truths God inspired within her, followed by petitions to Christ to help me live out those truths each day.

So today, as I reflect on "refusing Christ nothing" and asking HIM to keep me to that vow...first I have not made the vow, although my deepest longing is to rush in and say the words...before God the seriousness of the vow is not a cheap McDonalds drive through decision...this is Fine Dining...the kind where lovers gaze into for hours, without needing to speak arriving at the decision that truly there is nothing that they will deny each other. Jesus has already made that vow to me....over and over in His word...Ask the Father in My Name....I have given you ALL authority....etc.

Deny Him nothing....Oh Jesus, that my hands will always be Your hands, my feet Your feet, my heart Your heart, my mind Your mind, my time Your time, my emotions Your emotions, my thoughts Your thoughts, my will Your will, my being Your Being....Jesus help me to surrender completely and totally that ALL LOVE is YOUR LOVE and that I will seek to deny you nothing...today I crawl up on the altar as a living sacrifice to be consumed by YOU and be Yours in EVERYTHING....love ya

RELEASE

Thoughts, Prayers and Words of Encouragement: So today is a WONDER_FULL day....it began this morning with JoLynnes amazing testimony of how God is moving and changing her life...she shared how she is learning to say "Daddy"...we talked about how as babies we just keep babbling until it becomes a WORD...how cool it must be to God as we seek to say His name...I remember so fondly when my children began to say mama.,...I am sure it is the thrill of His heart....

TODAY WAS THE DAY!! I finished training JoLynne on all the petty cash and admin stuff...GAVE UP MY KEYS....it is a wonderful freeing feeling....also a point of great awareness...as I reflect to the past couple of years, I am acutely aware of how "tied" I have been to all the needs outside the people part.....it is with great excitement and anticipation that I look to the next couple of months. As I now watch the NEW TEAM..take FLIGHT....their excitement and joy are reminisce of my first 18 months here...and now I sit back in my chair and watch with pleasure as they begin to build the next phase of God's great rescue in Bay St Louis.

I am not sure all the future holds...I know for sure that getting Mel Mitchell in her home is #1 in the next couple of months..Also time to reflect and REST...also hoping to really get to see more of beautiful Mississippi and spend quality time with friends....entering a season of respite after such utter consuming activity brings JOY and the reality that I have to let the top slow down...that could be a bit difficult for couple of weeks...but I know that it is essential to refill the storehouse and prepare for the next leg of this wonderful journey.

Revival is breaking out at St Rose...Fr. Sebastian is preaching "hard" calling us to a new level of intimacy and servant hood...sacrifice in ALL areas....people are reaching out in worship...kneeling, standing...just wanting more...it is SO exciting....

Father that this whole nation would become ablaze for You again...that we would desire to More of YOU in every area...I am so thankful for this wonderful time in Bay St Louis..as I prepare to transition....keep my heart and mind focused on You...to know that where ever You take me...I will see You in everyday moments....Help me to continue to embrace ALL that lies ahead and to keep the fire on the altar burning....love you di

Is this fasting???

Thoughts, Prayers and Words of Encouragement: What a wonderful AM. today the new Bay St Louis team met to pray and seek the Lord for direction. As the Lord directs they are committing themselves to 40 days of fasting. The passage the Lord has challenged them with is Isaiah 58. A passage so dear to my heart as my own personal ministry seems rooted in those words.

However today we took it to a new level. Decisions were made to abstain and to add things to our lives...to truly deny self to dedicate ourselves to God. No Cable, right eating, daily time in the word...getting up early to spend time with Him...so many of those distractions that seem minimal until you really get down to the nitty gritty. As we pondered the scriptures I was so impressed by this from the Message, God has clearly been speaking to them about real fasting...devoting ourselves to the needs of others, watching our tongues, being generous...then this "Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness, your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight. I will always show you where to go. I'll give you a full life in the emptiest of places-"

A full life in the emptiest of places....so often over the past couple of years emptiness is something I have dealt with....the loss of marriage, home etc...and sometimes I have felt so full in these places it hasn't made sense...then at other times....I have not had the full life....so today I am reminded again and again....all about others...not about me!!

Lord I pray to seek you,, to be working with You, serving others, being totally generous with my time, talent and treasures....Father I am so thankful that YOU will ALWAYS SHOW ME WHERE TO GO and that You give me a FULL LIFE...no matter where the place is...thanks for this wonderful transition and this new season in Bay St Louis...love ya di

Dew on Roses

Thoughts, Prayers and Words of Encouragement: Well today I went to see the Eye Dr. again...this has been a very long haul from blind to see :) I have not been able to read my Bible now since August 21st.....It has been a challenging, frustrating and growing experience.

So today I find out that my eyes are not MOIST enough...which is affecting my vision....so as I sit before the Lord, I hear my grandmother singing...while the dew is still on the roses...He walks with me and talks with me....that has been the last month....I am so conditioned to my routine of reading, journaling, praying etc etc....with great revelation today that all my routine can dry me out...making it more difficult to see.

I have been so dependent on HIM to speak to me this month, through music, others, solitude...I have an acute awareness of how life will be when we face severe persecution...our dependence on Him to guide and lead us...to recall to our hearts and mind the word of God that has been placed there...His very presence is the DEW of LIFE...back to the life thing again.....

Lord I just want to be like Enoch, walking with you daily, strolling through the gardens of life, hearing your heart and knowing you more.....thanks for spending time with me and bringing your DEW to my life. love di

Real Community

While in the hospital I was privileged to receive a copy of "Eight Habits of the Heart" by Clifton Taulbert. Mr. Taulbert grew up in the segregated South and in this handbook lays out eight basic principles he learned from his elders. As I read the book, I began to contemplate the need for real community in today's church. During a time when the tyranny of the urgent strangles out vested interest in another or their family, this book brings me back to the reality of how important our heart habits are to healthy community.

Our Celebration Group has grown in their sense of God and community over the past 9 months. They have tackled difficult situations with members of the community without resulting in a separation of community. Their care and concern for one another is truly the reflection of Christ among them. I am challenged as I witness Christ moving among them. Although they may not have achieved all the Bible knowledge, memorization or skills exalted by many churches, they have embraced the concepts of loving unconditionally, serving, and encouraging one another.

Their deep sense of connectedness (for lack of a better word) has brought them to trust and care for each other. As Mr. Taulbert shares these basic principles :
a nuturing attitude, dependability, responsibility, friendship, brotherhood, high expectations, courage and hope...I can see how essential they are to real community. I also realize how absent many of these principles are from todays church. I am reminded of my desperate need for community a few years ago...I had surgery and needed to make an emergency trip to the Dr. After calling a few members of my church, each one said, "If you can't find anyone else, let me know". I wrestled with how many people did I need to call before I could call someone back.

Today I am so thankful for these past 2 years in Bay St Louis. I have had the EXTREME privilege to experience community with residents and volunteers. Being part of a nuturing and caring community has imbedded in my soul the desire to share with others how precious this gift is. Jesus was the great community builder...He took people from different walks of life, occupations and backgrounds and brought them all together....I believe that is what the future of the church looks like...as we face persecution and difficulties it will be essential to have a deep sense of community with one another so that Christ LOVE will be shared with all.

Jesus thank you for teaching us about Love and community. You are such a wonderful example of one who is nuturing, dependable, responsible, a friend, a brother, having high expectations for us, your courage and the hope that is in You alone.....teach me dear Lord, direct my path, open my lips to give you praise and share life giving community with all I meet...love ya d

The LIFE in the PIT

Thoughts, Prayers and Words of Encouragement: The past month has been so interesting. My reading time is very limited since my eye surgery...hahaha which was to help me see...that is another blog!! Anyhow this theme of choosing life, where is life, what is life..appears to be a theme that God is deepening in the roots of my life. Although not a new concept....the roots seem to be digging down to new waters....

So yesterday I cut a peach for lunch. Now first of all that is unusual because I do not like or normally eat peaches. When I was in the store, this beautiful peach caught my eye..as I picked it up, the woman beside me said, "These peaches are no good, they are so hard they will never ripen." So not being "peach educated" I picked it up and brought it home....Kinda like what Jesus did with me!

So I placed the peach in the sun to make it soft...kinda like what Jesus did with me....some real HOT weather to soften me up....after a couple of days, it appeared to be ready to cut...just like JESUS did with me!! Opened my heart at just the right time :)

SO I cut the peach in half...and there it was the PIT...so here is where my lesson really began...the flesh of the peach was so appealing....very brilliant color, juicy but not mushy, firm yet not hard, smelling sweet yet not sickening, and I thought wow this is a wonderful peach...then God started the lesson....You see the flesh of the peach, no matter how wonderful could not create life...it would be satisfying but then the end of life...no procreation in the flesh...but the PIT, grooved with the pains of growth, protected and hard to crack had died to give life to the fruit, yet when buried would grow again and be a tree yeilding lots of new peaches and fruit that would multiply again and again.

There have been so many PITS in my life...events, circumstances, relationships...(I could go on and on) that I would have much rather had a beautiful sweet fleshy peach as the result...and yet it was a PIT, remained a PIT and will be a PIT....but God has used those PITS to bring life, not only to me but so many others...kinda like the tree that yeilds all the peaches...each time I share my PIT, someone else gets life and mine deepens....

So today Father, I thank you for the PITS...so often I wanted them changed into appealing fleshy peaches. I ask Your forgiveness and give you praise that You know where real life is and how to bring it forth...You are so amazing and wonderful. Life is not always where I think it is but always where You bring it forth....love you di

Got the Cat by the Tail

Thoughts, Prayers and Words of Encouragement: The past few days have been so incredible. When Bonnie left again a couple of weeks ago, we had decided it would be best for Prince (the dog) and Marshmallow (the cat) to remain together...they run, swat, hide and sleep curled up with each other all the time....so we did not want to break their great friendship. So it was decided the best choice was they stay with me in the Bay.

In addition to that, I moved from the house to the Ballfield...a wonderful transition actually with one BIG exception. Marshmallow hates the trailer...the limited space has disrupted "the boys" daily romping and exercise program of tearing up the house...hahahaha.... Most of Marshmallows opposition to the trailer would occur during the night while I was trying to sleep...You may be getting the picture.

After 2 long sleepless weeks, I was irritable, tired and exhausted....the worst I have felt in 2 years of Disaster Relief...so I called Bonnie and said the cat has got to come to you...or I will be in the SPCA asking for a kennel for ME :) So we progressed to make all the arrangements to send Marshmallow flying to Bonnie.....(hang in there the end is coming :)

As I prayed throughout the day, the Lord dropped in my spirit that the whole cat thing was spiritual warfare....the enemy was tormenting the cat in order to reach me.....and WOW had he....so I began to pray and PRAISE....now the end of this long short story...

Marshmallow has curled up in a ball and slept peacefully the past 2 nights....it has opened my eyes again to the fact that the enemy will stoop so low to try and torment and distract us from all the wonderful things that God wants for us....I think that the steal, kill and destroy thing is applicable to JOY, PEACE, LOVE, PATIENCE, GOODNESS, and the list goes on and on...if he can distract us from the all the GOD within us....then he seems greater...UCK...just like taking the cat by the tail...

Thank you Father that you are so good, so loving, so kind that You continue to teach and make me more aware of how much You are the commander and chief and You know what the enemy is up to ...help me to always be asking YOU WHAT'S UP...so I do not waste so much time on the cures that do not bring life....love you di

Following Jesus

Thoughts, Prayers and Words of Encouragement: Today was so wonderful. I had planned on a long Jammie Day with Jesus. I sure love those....however our new team wanted to go to New Orleans, long story short I cut a deal with Mel, you come to church with me, I go to New Orleans with y'all. We were both blessed!!

So Father today is preaching about following Jesus....the pick up your cross, hating mother, father, spouse childrent etc....so he talked about the hating being choosing Christ as the most important in EVERY relationship and situation. OUCH...I thought of how often I choose others then fit Him in the mix. Then Father went on about picking up your cross...not allowing the devil to form you into a complaining, whining, disgruntled cross bearer. So many times it is the picking up my cross and the details of how hard it is to carry it that overwhelmes the realization that I am squandering my suffering by not entering into Christ and His suffering in the carrying. For the JOY set before Him Christ endured the cross.

So today Lord Jesus help me to realize that it is the JOY set before YOU and that if I am truly walking as Your earth suit and carrying Your presence...help me to SEE the JOY set before all those cross situations...that I will pick them up each day, place them upon Your back where the healing occurs...(by His stripes we are healed) and carry the cross each day...with JOY set before me...You have endured so much to the point of death...let me again choose JOY and Life with EVERYTHING in my life then truly it will be More of YOU and less of me!!

Thanks for this wonderful day, so much laughter and JOY...may all the world soon KNOW YOU>>>> love di

The Great Rescue Continues

Thoughts, Prayers and Words of Encouragement: Wow what a remarkable day....the 2nd Anniversary of Katrina. I remember with great clarity lying on the floor praying for those who would be affected...not knowing then that their names would be Mel, Susie, Jay, Nola, Ms. Margaret, Shirley, Deb, Yancy, Carter, Ms Mike, Mary Kay...well I can't list everyone in Bay St. Louis...but all their names should be here. Today was a day of Hope and Promise. Despite the repeated dismal reports from the media....Ms. Margaret summed it all up last night..."We are a chosen people here in Hancock County, God chose us to be a part of the greatest movement of faith in this nation." ANY QUESTIONS????

Last night we had a wonderful Community Dinner....almost 100 people gathered, brought a dish to pass...and can they cook :):) We celebrated life, promise...a gospel choir from Seattle brought the house down with their music ministry and their love. It truly is the manifestation of God's love and compassion to His people and those becoming His people.

The new team has arrived in Bay St Louis....so wonderfully full of energy, excitement and passion for the great rescue....what a wonderful God we serve. Me personally, I am overwhelmed that my God has given me the privilege to be a part of His great work here in Mississippi....I am awed that this is the life He has called me to....I am filled with Joy that my God has brought Hope and Healing.

Today also we celebrated as Mel's piers are in, the cement will be poured tomorrow and the framing will be ready to start by September 14th......We are praying that God would make the workers like bread and fishes, and that we could celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday in her new house...what a treasure 3 years later....

So tonite I am thankful, God has been so merciful, so kind and so GOOD!! Thank you Jesus such a time as this....please complete all You have begun. Love di

Choose Life

Thoughts, Prayers and Words of Encouragement: Well I sure fell off the blog...however tonite (rather this AM) as I sit and ponder the events of the day, to read, pray and inquire of the Lord...I am here again...Deut. 30:19 "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today; I place before you Life and Death, Blessing and Curse. Choose life so that you and your children will live. And love God, your God, listening obediently to Him, firmly embracing Him."

So God was calling them back to Him again....giving opportunity to choose LIFE...He is so awesome, faithful and His love ENDURES forever....man just ponder the ENDURING PART awhile.........

Years ago I read the three volumes of the Spiritual Man by Watchman Nee, actually I read
them three times. Interestingly before reading the books the third time, I had this epiphany about the opportunity Adam and Eve had to eat as much as they wanted from Life, it was knowledge of good and evil they were not to touch. I was so impressed by the choice for life....each day I woke choosing LIFE, in my mind, actions, emotions, heart...every fiber of my being crying out to God for His LIFE to fill me. Then I read the book and found the concept in the first chapter, volume ONE!! Thank GOD for His subliminal teaching!!

So tonite, with storms brewing in the Gulf, waves of uncertainty crashing the shores of my mind, and before me is set again the choice of LIFE! I realize how often I choose the easier path of Death. As I read my friend Lisa's blog, I realize how often I choose death in the way I treat myself. Whether in my diet, exercise or primarily plain old rest. The Lord over and over tries to get it in my head that I am to enter into the Sabbath rest....just like Him...I easily give way to choosing the death of activity. Tonite however, when Richard called about sending a team to investigate Hurricane Dean, wherever it lands, I declined the offer to go. I know there are many capable people to make that decision. And it would not be a LIFE decision for me!

For me, the Life would come in helping the people...I am realizing more and more that LIFE to me is LOVE and primarily loving people. I have also realized that if it is not about LOVE, then for me it is not a LIFE choice. That is a revolutionary discovery....I am finally getting it....so tonite Lord I rest in Your Life and Love. I know the other part of the discovery is that I was created to love and laugh....for years I have struggled to explain in a tangible way the ministry that God has called me to.....and tonite again I realize that it may never be measurable but always tangible...the touch of Your Love and Your Joy!!

Tonite Lord I want to embrace You and Life...help me Abba to make LIFE choices, to resist Death and Holy Spirit please give me great discernment in the choices I make...Lord fill me with Your great Love and Life that I may be a conduit in the world around me....Let me always walk in Your rest, no matter how far the walk, let it always be LIFE.

Forget and Forgive

Thoughts, Prayers and Words of Encouragement: This AM I am again challenged by my own prayers. Those I prayed a long time ago that the Lord has brought me to a place of answer...yet do I really want the answer. So my challenge from God Calling is forget and forgive. "Treat others as you would treat Me, with Love and consideration. Let nothing others do to you alter your treatment of them." OK so now come the answered prayer part....let me decrease that you may increase.

The Bible says that as far as the east is to the west He forgets our transgressions. So if I desire to allow Him to be BIGGER than me....am I willing to ask for Him to do the work necessary that I can not only forgive...but forget and then not allow ANY treatment of me affect my treatment of someone else?? So long I have justified and said well I forgive, but the forget part...no way then He comes in and says YAHWEH....ouch!!

So today I am in the BIG oversize WASHER....asking and allowing God to wash, cleanse, scrub and even SHOUT out all the memories, attitudes, thoughts, sins done to me and sins I have done to be taken OUT! This is such an amazing place to be, with all that extra space gained it is going to be like a REAL UPGRADE of my HARD DRIVE...hahahaha...that is the truth...I love it when God makes things so clear to me....as I allow Him to restore the core of my being...get rid of all the excess programs, files, virus..etc...all the stuff that takes up HIS SPACE, now He can increase as I decrease.

Father I pray that you would transform my mind and my being. That you would cleanse me completely and detonate Your Spirit to allow me to be as You....forget as far as the east is from the west....WOW this will be such an amazing work...I know there is much there to be forgotten but today MORE OF YOU, LESS OF ME.....love you

WONDER-FULL LIFE

Thoughts, Prayers and Words of Encouragement: Today as I read God Calling the words resonate with the Hope of the future. "I am Lord. Lord of your lives......Leave all plans to me. Only act as I bid.....you have entered the God guided life." Well it goes on to talk about being God taught and God guided...what a wonderful life. My reflections are filled with all I have experienced since leaving Bay St. Louis 2 weeks ago.

My senses and soul have been so challenged. Life in the Bay is simple and complicated. Life outside the Bay seems complicated screaming out for simplicity. Our goals there are to obtain the basics of life...food, shelter, clothing and sense of belonging. Very Simple...obtaining them has become very complicated. No grocery store, homes not rebuilt, no room in the FEMA trailer for clothing or possessions anyhow and the loss of sense of community still dominate daily focus. YET...these very simple basics are the desire. People are not rebuilding bigger homes, in fact many are downsizing, even though it would be great to have a real grocery store...people can survive without 10 flavors of Ranch dressing. As community is re-established through the opening of coffee shops, gathering meetings and churches people are forming new relationships and connecting to old friends as well. The whole process is complicated by insurance companies, lack of assistance, etc. yet people are so thankful for the people God has brought to them, the help they have received and the promise of hope for the future.

Traveling around the "unaffected" northeast brings an interesting perspective. Homes are getting bigger and bigger, grocery stores are getting bigger and bigger, the hours people work are getting longer and longer...rarely do you hear many exclamations of thanksgiving, haven't heard a God bless you as part of regular exchange (like in the grocery store etc.), lots of comments as I walk through stores of how people are wishing for MORE.....very complicated life.

All this brings me back circle to the thoughts of a wonder-full life. In the Bay each day we look for God Sightings....wow it makes life so simple when you see HIM in everything....He is so BIG that you really can't see anything BIGGER :) because it does not exist.....I pondered this AM how invisible God seems here and how visible He is in Mississippi. I am challenged to live this life as simply as possible so that God can always be the BIGGEST!!

Father let me see You daily and the Wonder-Full events as You lead and guide me. You have spoiled me so MUCH....air to breathe, sunshine to give me light and warmth, life itself, the ability to walk and run, to talk and listen.....You indeed are GOOD and BIG...fill me always with Your Spirit...let me always be filled with WONDER....the WONDER OF LOVE. Extravagant, exceptional, outrageous and WONDER-FULL LOVE.

ARISE

Thoughts, Prayers and Words of Encouragement: This AM as I woke with my granddaughter Julie beside me a myriad of thoughts and emotions flooded my soul. It had been a long night, she talked in her sleep most of the night, tormented by "hurry quick I must get out of here." Her little life only 8 years long has seen, heard and endured so much. I am quickly reminded of my prayer the day she was born as I held her and anointed her.."Lord, please get the most amount of glory possible from her life." The weight of His glory is sometimes so heavy!

So I slipped out of bed into the prayer bathroom :) (no closets available) and began the most wonderful journey of hope and deliverance I have had in the past 2 years. As I opened my time with readings from Mother Teresa I am challenged again to minister and care for Jesus in His distressing disguise. I am made aware that for me it is SO easy for the poor, destitute, broken hearted etc....my challenge for today is crying out for God's love for those that have been close to me, hurt me and now am I able to care for for them???...at this point I need His outpouring to care about them in order to care for them!!!. It is a moment of reckoning...forgiveness is grand until you extend your hand and heart in love. So after many tears and cleansing I am ready to face this day and truly find and minister to Jesus in His distressing and very personal disguise.

I open my God Calling devotional (AJ Russell) and the part of the devotional reads as follows; "Abide in Me. The works that I do shall ye do also; and greater works than these shall ye do because I go to my Father....Greater Works..(I have always been challenged by this verse!!) Arise from the grave of sickness, poverty doubt, despondency, limitations Arise shine for thy light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.....A wonderful future is before you both....A future of unlimited power to bless others, just be channels. Be used. ASK ASK ASK...Ask what you will and it shall be done unto you and unto those form whom you pray."

Following this reading I am lead to open my Bible to Isaiah 61. At the top of the page it says Messiahs Jubilee....well I am celebrating my year of Jubilee this year. The scripture (one so familiar) The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor...." I am not going to write the whole thing...however when I launched out in ministry in 1997 the scripture that our work was based on was Isaiah 58.....and now the Lord directs me to this very similar but a scripture so much more defined and so much more along the lines of the ministry of the past couple years. (I hate slow fingers and a mind that is used to verbally processing....I just cant type fast enough to keep up with my mouth and mind hahaha)...anyhow the matter at hand is this.....THIS IS MESSIAHS JUBILEE..these are the things that make His heart beat so fast, these are His desires, it is all so cool.

In the early days of ministry I would tell people that I just wanted to go and bless people and love on them. This AM as I am reflecting and pondering all that the Lord is saying I have that FIRE rekindled....the scoffers asking me for a more tangible form of ministry...all my inability to clearly articulate the future of what ministry looked like.......today NO MORE....I realize it is OK for me to be nothing more than a channel of His blessing and love.....I AM FREE......

So Isaiah 60...ARISE SHINE FOR YOUR LIGHT HAS COME AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD HAS RISEN UPON YOU.

Dear Lord, how incredible and excellent is Your name. Your healing power, Your deliverance, Your WORD....this day fill me with Your great love, make me a channel of Your blessings and love to ALL those around me....both those close and those not known yet....THANK YOU for this wonderful beginning....love you

Delight

Thoughts, Prayers and Words of Encouragement: After a few days on the road, it is good to sit and ponder the events and the blessings of this journey. Today my scripture is from Zephaniah 3:17 "The Lord your God....will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."

The journey in my personal like of believing that the Lord takes GREAT DELIGHT in me has taken time. The more I allow Him to quiet me with His love, the more aware I am of His delight. I was able to see so much of it this week. Yesterday I had the privilege to speak at the Federal Bureau of Prisons Crisis Support Team training in McKean County PA. When I arrived, I was not sure what I had gotten myself (and Bonnie :) into. I did not know all that God had planned but believed that there was an assignment there....and it was SO cool!!

Just like in the book of Esther, where God's name is never mentioned but He is evident in the whole book...that was yesterday....we did not have to mention His name...but He was evident in all that was shared.....it was wonderful to watch God soften hearts, turn on light, salt poured freely from the shaker...and in the midst of it I saw His delight in me. He had called me and given me gift to speak and preach. The past couple of years that gift had fallen to the ground as a kernel of wheat to die so He could bring it back to life....now to yield more. It is so amazing...as I sit with tears streaming down my face with the JOY of HIS great mercy...I will never quite get my arms around His great love for me and every human being. SO MUCH LOVE....

So I sit this AM, listening to His singing, rejoicing in what a wonderful Daddy I have and pray that around the world the message of His great love will be poured out. I am thankful that He has called me to be a conduit of His love. Today also I was reading again one of my favorite JESUS stories of Forgiveness....she who has been forgiven much, loves much....AMEN

Climbing the Ladder

Thoughts, Prayers and Words of Encouragement: Today's challenge involved the realization that God will not place me on an insecure ladder. That even if I am unable to see the supports, hidden in the secret place of the Most High, as He has asked me to step on and up, He will have secured the ladder. How ironic that the world talks so much about climbing the ladder and yet for so many the supports of the ladder are virtual supports, money, power, fame, and each step bring more grandiose ideas of success.

I view climbing the ladder with Jesus, more like the action of the Gospel. When you combine His loving kindness (that leads to repentance) with His love; what other outcome is there then the Gospel in action. So the supports He gives me are His Spirit, His Love, His Mercy, His Goodness and basically HIM Holding the Ladder. WOW...I visualize the climb...small things like smiles, hugs, listening ears, being the conduit of love, acts of service and compassion....then there are the BIG steps, listening to Him, spending time with Him, praying with Him, sharing His heart and moving as He leads.....before you know it...lives changed...healing....restoration and reconciliation.....

Lord I want to keep climbing the ladder. May every step of every day be for Your glory, may the Kingdom of God grow, and may you continue to draw all men to Yourself. Help me to keep climbing trusting in the knowledge of Your secure hold on my life. Bless me with courage to climb and thanks because I know that the top of the ladder is a place with you for all eternity.
love ya

Anticipation of GOOD

Thoughts, Prayers and Words of Encouragement: A beautiful day, plenty of sunshine coming my way...Zipadeedodah...well anyhow....this AM I am so challenged by the Lord. These simple words again are changing my stinking thinking...."Can you get an expectant attitude of faith? Not waiting for the next evil to befall you but awaiting with a child's joyful trust the next good in store."

After time of reflection and repentance this AM I am asking the Holy Spirit to help me BIG on this one. Even though I am a very positive person, I realize in my core that I when there is anticipation of something...I often expect evil over good. Lots of excuses for that, but repentance and asking the Lord to keep me mindful that He is a GOOD GOD!! In order to put this in perspective the Lord gave me these words from Psalm 5:3-4 "In the morning O Lord. You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and wait EAGERLY, EXPECTANTLY for You. For Your are NOT a God who takes pleasure in wickedness. NO EVIL DWELLS WITH YOU."

So there I have it...a new growth opportunity. Finally, Mother Teresa's writing today helps me to put some traction on my new walking shoes. "To me, contemplation is not to be shut up in a dark place, but to allow Jesus to live His passion, love, and humility in us, praying with us, being with us, sanctifying through us." If indeed I am going to allow Christ to live in and through me, this will take a clear understanding of the term GOOD!! WOW What a great day...this is going to change my whole thinking :)

Father today I thank you that You seize every opportunity to challenge and change me. Thank you for this word today....Holy Spirit teach me, please pour out an extra dose of faith and anticipation of the goodness of the Father. Please loose me from my old stinking thinking and the experiences in the past that have woven their way into my mind. Please rewire my thinking today....I wait in Expectation, Eagerly watching for Your goodness today. love ya di

Courage to Love

Thoughts, Prayers and Words of Encouragement: "True love is love that causes us pain, that hurts, and yet brings us Joy. That is why we must pray and ask for the courage to love." Mother Teresa

How often I remind myself that this whole journey is about love. After all that is what Jesus said...Love the Lord your God with all you.....and love your neighbor as yourself. I guess He really knew the LOVE HURTS and the EXTREME JOY of Love. I must confess though it is so much easier to live in the Joy of love rather than the pain and hurt. I think today of my friend whose grandma when to be with Jesus...her family had the great joy of knowing she is spending eternity with Jesus and the great pain of goodbye. How many times I ask the Lord to help me love more...then wammy comes the pain and hurt....I am going to start praying for the courage to love...then the real love will be Christ's love.

As I travel to visit family and friends, I am praying for the courage to love, that contagious JOY will infect them all and that God will fill me up to overflowing. This time has already been so healing...time to reflect, cry, laugh and most of all LOVE and BELOVED...I guess that is the truth...when we BE LOVED we are BELOVED...:):)

Dear Lord, thank you for love. Thank you for the example of love and drawing us to the suffering with you in Love. Keep me mindful that when I suffer in love, you suffer...Please give me courage to face every situation and person with Your great love. Thanks also for a great day...love di

Let it RAIN

Thoughts, Prayers and Words of Encouragement: Today began with a wonderful reminder of how precious we are as His daughters...."You are Mine. I have set on you My stamp and seal of ownership all My Hosts throng to serve and protect you. Remember that you are a daughter of the King." These writings are from a devotional called God Calling. I had done it a few years ago and am revisiting it....What a wonderful visit:)

I jump in the truck and begin my journey today. The scriptures from Joel chapter 3 keep cycling in my head.....latter day rains....all the songs on the radio are about the rain....Mercy Me, Michael W. Smith....by the 3rd song I was getting the idea...then guess what...the rain started...as it poured down, so did my heart....Asking the Lord to rain down His presence,,,it was great..then all of a sudden a hole opened up in the clouds and the sun shown down as I drove for about 10 miles...yet all around me I could see the haze of rain. Then I traveled up over the hill and the rains came...so these are my rain lessons for today....

• I can not initiate the rain...it is divine
• It is refreshing, things get real green, it smells sweet and is cleansing.
• When you travel in the rain, the harder the rain the more difficult to see the path. NOW that is a BIG lesson today....cause a whole bunch of saints are praying for revival and we better remember that it is difficult to see the path....that is the story of Bay St Louis. As God has rained down on people, it has been difficult at times to see the path.
• There were lots of people pulled off on the side of the road waiting for the rain to pass. Although I had to travel slower....I want to keep moving ....I do not want this revival rain to pass me by why I sit on the sidelines.
• The rains come and go as the Lord pleases....so always be prepared for a shower :)

So as I traveled to my place of respite...this is another amazing thing....I get there and the house is full of "old" smells....and not pleasant ones. The kind of old smells that remind you of things you would rather not remember. Well with the raw emotions I have right now....the tears flowed...I told the lady at the bed and breakfast that I just can't stay.....so she says "You are here for someplace else" So she takes me to this beautiful prayer chapel...the prayers of the saints and the presence of God was so strong.....so for hours I stayed there,,,crying, praying, allowing the Lord to pour out His RAIN....in my soul.....it was totally wonderful....

The end of a perfect day....and for the whip cream topping....He led me to a place with a wonderful whirlpool, fireplace, less money and in a MALL parking lot. I love to decompress by walking through a mall....seeing all that is new, smelling stuff and just experiencing it all. NOW is that my Daddy taking care of His daughter or what.

What a great day....Thank you Father for your divine protection and guiding ...thank you for the experiential reality of how wonderful and involved you are in my life. I pray that You continue to pour out Your Spirit and bring forth the Latter Day Rains.....Love you

Expect Many Miracles

Thoughts, Prayers and Words of Encouragement: So I have traveled 12 hours today...and I arrive at the hotel to rest and my devotional for today says....EXPECT MANY MIRACLES..."My guardianship is so wonderful. Expect not one miracle but many. Each Day's happenings, if of My working, and under My control, are miracle works."

I sit here reflecting on the day, filled with one miracle after another...and challenged to think would I each night look back on the day and find the miracles if not challenged to do so???? Well going forward I am praying the Holy Spirit does not let me off the hook....the day today was filled with blue skies, sunshine, amazing mountain ranges reaching to heaven in praise. Then of course there was all the amazing interventions in my day to show me how much He is watching for me...and the ultimate....I say a fawn nursing from her mama....it was so tender and beautiful....aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh my time off has started and I am so thankful for those on the ground and God's miracles so that I can leave.

Another miracle...MEL GOT A GRANT>>..that means we have money to start...it may not be enough to finish...but that miracle will come when we need it....I cried and cried....God is so incredibly good......I am so thankful that He gave me this opportunity to share in the work here....

He also gave my son a miracle...spared him from jail again....please join me in prayer that Neill will see and know that He is God.

So today I am challenged to be always expecting many miracles....Oh Lord give me faith, increase the expectations of Your working and control in my life and in the lives of those around me. I WANT TO SEE YOU.....

INFECTED

Thoughts, Prayers and Words of Encouragement: S0 today my devotional said "Joy is infectious." Well wouldn't it be wonderful that Joy would overtake the world, that everyone would be infected instead of quarantined. Sometimes when looking around me, even in the church it is hard to see who is walking in the strength of the Lord. JOY

Today Mother Teresa reading is "A joyful heart is the NORMAL result of a heart burning with love. Joy is not simply a matter of temperament, it is always hard to remain joyful-all the more reason why we should try to acquire it and make it grow in our hearts. Joy is prayer. Joy is strength. She gives most who gives with joy" Now that is something to chew on all day long.

As I look into God's word, the joy theme really is a big one...right up there with Love. So today, as I prepare to leave for a respite....I am reminded again how incredibly grateful I am for His Joy. Truly though these last 2 years it has been His Joy that has been my strength.

The cool thing is watching the Joy be released into the lives of those in Bay St Louis. The women's luncheon are filled with laughter, smiles and bright eyes. In the early days of the luncheon, mostly silence. A few women talked and shared. However lots of solemn faces. This week we had a couple of women who had been ill the past couple of months return. They came in the door saying "I need my happy fix" Now that is the kind of joy Christians should be known for......so today let's infect the world....

Lord open my heart for more of You...since I know that the only way this joy will grow is more burning love of You, Your presence. Father may my heart sing today of Your great love, mercy and hope. May the JOY of Christ be spread throughout the world today as Christians let contagious particles of smiles, sparkling eyes and love contaminate the world with the truth of Your incredible love and saving grace.

Winds of Revival

Thoughts, Prayers and Words of Encouragement: Well today I had the most AWESOME opportunity to witness the Winds of Revival gently and even with a brisk gust or two :) drawing men to Himself. A group of volunteers went to St Rose de Lima with me. Long story short...I don't do that often :) each member of the group came out of church smiling and sharing how they had encountered God today. I am realizing that my heart's cry, all the prayers and fasting for revival have joined with all the saints and I am blessed to be witness to this wonderful move of God. Even though post Katrina has been focused on the residents and their recovery the collateral effect throughout the volunteer community must be taking fire from coast to coast as volunteers "encounter God" through their service here in the Bay.

Todays message centered around Matthew 9:36-38 Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest."

Ok so here is what I heard the Spirit saying to me- First See the people- not with my eyes but with the eyes of Jesus. The next part of feeling compassion and seeing their distress and dispirit will always be clouded by my judgement of I am not looking though His eyes. Also, realizing that the cause of their whole distressing dispirited condition is no shepherd. NO JESUS ....So it is clear that we have the harvest plentiful and the workers few...how often I hear that but the key is this...BESEECH THE LORD OF THE HARVEST TO SEND OUT WORKERS INTO HIS HARVEST....man is that the part I skip over sometimes...this is not my miserable sad sorry self wanting help...this is Beseeching HIM...the harvest is HIS, it is HIS work.....what a wonderful reminder....would you join me today in Beseeching HIM...not only for Bay St Louis, but for this nation and the nations of the world to send out the laborers.

Father God, Sovereign Lord, Lord of the Harvest how we need and desire You. to see with Your eyes all those around us, to feel with your compassion to be rid of judgement and reach out with the the abundant life You alone can offer to others. Bring forth the workers let any resistant spirit be broken and humble men and women come forth to work with You in the fields. You are an awesome God...thanks for being God and for all that You are we praise you...Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God Almighty.

7-7-7

Thoughts, Prayers and Words of Encouragement: Beautiful AM...today as the world watches for luck I am thinking how cool it would be if JESUS came today...7 the number of completion and perfection....so that is what I should be watching for...and am I really ready...sure I say so...but if the trumpet sounds is my lamp burning and am I ready??? It will give me much to watch for and ponder this day.

I have had a wonderful education today from Prince (the dog) this AM....he sleeps with me, always watchful, listening and protective as I rest so peacefully. Then as I begin to stir awake, he is eager for me to hang out with him, to love him, pet him, tell him how wonderful he is...how much like God....watching over me and so excited for me to spend time with him. Then Prince teaches me how I should be with God....following Him everywhere...as soon as I get up from my chair, Prince stops what he is doing and walks with me, he eagerly jumps beside me when I sit, he just plain old enjoys my company. The simple truth of my relationship with God.....allow Him to watch over me and walk with Him. I am so thankful for the very simple way God speaks to me :)
I John 4:16 We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love and the one who abides in love abides in God and God abides in him.

Today two new Americorp volunteers begin their tour with us. They served as volunteers in the spring and are very excited to be here for 3 months. I am so blessed with Sara being here..she is really Jesus earthsuit for me....I pray the Lord blesses her BIG while she is here.

Susie has decided to get baptized...it has been so wonderful watching God heal and draw her to Himself. I wonder if this is the picture CityTeam had when they changed their mission statement....in radical obedience to Christ transforming individuals, families and communities throughout the world. When I think of that mission statement...it always has a face for me here in the Bay. God has been so faithful and good to me as I have served here to allow me to watch Him at work...and working with Him :):)

Also today I think and pray for my friend whose Grandmother has gone to be with Jesus. I get so excited to see generations of people that pray, seek the Lord, serve Him and the wonder of how that heritage strengthens those in the future. I pray today that the God of all comfort will minister to them as they prepare to celebrate this wonderful woman's life. Even though I never met her...I feel like I know her...I see all that she was in her granddaughter and great grand children ....What a wonderful legacy that will last for eternity....Lord raise up the generations in this nation, hungry to leave a legacy of YOU.

Today Lord I pray to see you, to walk with you, to let you know how totally wonderful I know you are...help me to abide in your love and to be the vessel of Your great love for others. Release your love thoughout the world that all will know you are God. Thanks for providing all that I need and desire...You are a GREAT GOD

Day One

Thoughts, Prayers and Words of Encouragement: As I read Mother Teresa's writings I am again challenged by the incredible need to LOVE so totally and absolutely that anything that comes my way travels through His love. AND most important anything that comes from me travels through His love. WOW I sure have a long way to go :)

I am preparing to take some time away from the Bay. So today I found a wonderful Bed and Breakfast on my way to visit friends and family where I will stay for 2 days to decompress and rest. I am excited about leaving on the 10th. God has faithfully provided help to cover my time away, I am so grateful.

The houses are nearing completion, and Mel's house will soon be started. Yesterday was women's luncheon, I dearly love these women. I was also interviewed for South Living Mississippi yesterday. I realized just how little I have processed these past 22 months. No time like the present to get started.

Father today let your love flow into my life and out of my life like Niagara Falls....may it rush, gush and carry me forward on this journey. You are love, let that be the testimony of You in my life. Thanks for this day, love you