A FEW WORDS ON COLOR...
God loves color! Colors have great significance spiritually as they do in the natural realm. Additionally, combinations of colors (used separately) may also have different meanings. When choosing a color of flag or streamer, I feel it's important for the dancer to keep in mind the symbolic meaning behind each color and choose according to what his or her spirit is feeling. The Lord has given me another revelation about color, thanks to my dealings as an artist- If you think about the individual color breakouts that it takes to make a color, the symbolization is awesome! For example, if you take white (which means purity, salvation, light - see reference below) and red (meaning Jesus' blood, atonement, sacrifice), you get pink which means right relationship, heart of flesh, or intimacy. This solidifies that God is a God of order - even individual colors broken out all work out and make sense. I just think this is SO cool. Try some for yourself!

Below are a few examples - this is only a basic list from personal study, and we always suggest digging into the Word yourself to see what the Spirit teaches you as an individual:
Red: Symbolizes blood atonement, sacrifice of Christs blood (Isa. 1:18, Heb. 9:14)
Gold: Symbolizes the glory of God, divine nature, holiness, precious (Rev. 3:18, Rev. 4:4, Mal. 3:3; 1 Peter 1:7)
Silver: Symbolizes paid price for redemption, price of a soul, Word of God (Matt. 27:3, 1 Pe. 1:18, Ps. 68:13; Heb. 4:12)
Blue: Symbolizes heaven & authority, spiritual or heavenly realm, Throne of God, authority/overcomer (Ex. 24:10, Ez. 1:26, 10:1; Rev. 12:11)
Green: Symbolizes new life, growth, prosperity, health, eternal life, restoration (Ps. 23:2, Gen. 1:30, Lk. 23:31; Rev. 22:2; Ps. 92:14)
Purple: Symbolizes Jesus' royalty, Believer's royalty, Majesty, wealth (Jdg. 8:26, John 19:2, Mk. 15:17-20, Lk. 16:19; 1 Peter 2:9; Esther 1:6)
Pink: Symbolizes right relationships, heart of flesh, intimacy, child-like faith (Romans 3:25, Rev. 19:8; Ez. 11:19; 1 Peter 5:5-6; Song. 1:2; Matt. 18:3-5)
Yellow: Symbolizes sunlight of Jesus, joyful, celebration, God revealed (Matt. 17:2, Rev. 1:16, Ps. 84:11; Ps. 46:4-5; Ez. 1:4; 8:2, Ps. 68:13; 1 Thes. 2:20; Romans 8:18)
Iridescent: Symbolizes overcoming power, fruit of the Spirit (Rev. 4:3)
Orange: Symbolizes praise, protection, harvest, fruitfulness, fire of God, works tested (Matt. 9:38; Col. 1:9-10; 1 Cor. 3:13; 2 Chron. 23:13, Zech. 2:5)
White: Symbolizes Creator, righteousness acquired thru blood of Christ, Bride's garments, Salvation (Rev. 4:4, 6:2 Rev. 19:8, Dan. 12:3)
Black: Symbolizes death, punishment, famine, sin, affliction, death, repentance, bondage (Lam. 4:8; Rev. 6:5; John 3:19-20;; Ps. 107:14)
Rainbow: Symbolizes God's promises (Rev. 4:3), Covenant (Gen 9:13 & 16)

"For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I bethrothed you to one husand, that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. But I am afraid, lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ."
2 Corinthians 11:2-3

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The Lord has been speaking to me about equipping Christians with the knowledge of the importance of building an intimate relationship with Him as a prerequisite for praise & worship. I believe it is so much more important than just providing the 'props' to do so. How are we to offer up our praise and worship with flags, streamers, or tambourines if we do not know the Person to whom it is being offerred? The word of God tells us that in order for our sacrifice to be pleasing in His sight, we are to have clean hands and a pure heart, and to do this we need to be washed in His word. We wash our faces every day, and we eat every day. As followers of Jesus, how much more important should our spiritual life and growth, which is eternal, be to us? His word tells us that in order to reap the blessings He has for us, we are to seek His face (see Psalm 24). I believe that people are missing out on so many blessings because they do not invest the time seek His direction and just sit at His feet and listen for that still, small voice (see 1 Kings 19:12). Are we more like Martha and attempt to do things through our own abilities and less like Mary who seeks her Lord and His Presence? What does the Word say about what our priorities should be? (see John 10:38-42) Out of the abundance of the heart, the worship will flow. We need to "abide" and 'be rooted' in Him and in His Word. These are two great words to begin your study!

I believe the Lord has placed this on my heart because those offering praise & worship need to put their relationship with the Lord FIRST, before preparing the routines, and props, and costumes. If what we are calling what we do "ministering" and not performing, I challenge you to examine the fruit of your ministry. Are we more worried about what people think rather than what God thinks? In order for the fruit to be 'sweet' and anointed, we need to be filled to the rim with God's Spirit. This is a daily filling, and comes from spending time with and intimately knowing the Person who created us. Without that relationship, our praise and worship will be fruitless. The closer we walk with Him, the more apparent our "fruit" will be to people, and, in turn, our offering will draw people to Him and we will become transparent. People will be able to see His beautiful heart in us.

May you be abundantly blessed as you seek His face and are obedient to His call to "Seek me first"!

THE BATTLE FOR INTIMACY



There are many spiritual battles we engage in throughout our Christian life but I believe the greatest one is the battle for intimacy with the Lord . A fruitful life in the Kingdom flows out of intimacy. The character and nature of Jesus is formed in us through intimacy with Him. It is no wonder that this is the area so often assaulted with distractions, insecurities and disappointments.
Have you been disillusioned and disappointed?How often have you, the reader, cried out for deeper engagement in the Lord only to find emptiness and silence? How many times have you attempted to seek His face with all your heart and were pulled on by distraction from every direction? How often have you left your devotional time disappointed with hope deferred? This, my friend describes the battle for intimacy. The enemy will attempt to pull us from the posture that is the most critical to our life in God – the posture of abiding; the posture of intimacy.
Intimacy – this is the battle field. This is what the enemy desires to steal more than anything! If he can steal our intimacy with the Lord, he gets everything. Intimacy is the most important factor of all in our Christian experience and when you understand the importance of something, you are willing to fight for it.
By FaithWhat does intimacy look like? What does it feel like? I remember a number of years ago when I felt so desperate to connect to the Lord in intimacy. I set a month apart to seek His face…and I did! The first 10 days were grueling. I cried out to God with deep longings for intimacy. I so wanted to connect with Him. Hour by hour I would cry out to Him. I had felt so distanced and distracted and now was my time to really connect. Although I cried out by the hour, confessed any sin that might be in the way, engaged in warfare, fasted, stayed up many nights, I still could not sense the Lord's presence and I definitely didn't feel intimate. I was so disappointed. I had never been so desperate and yet so empty and unfulfilled in my longings. On the 10 th day of faithfully seeking Him, I finally heard Him speak to my heart. I had been crying out in tears, “Lord, where are You?!!!???. I was on my knees pounding the floor as I cried out in desperation. His still, small voice finally spoke, “I am right here. I have been here all the time. Why did you doubt?”
I realized at that point that I had been in an “anxious hoping mode” rather than a “believing mode”. I was hoping to be intimate but not believing to be. I was longing for His presence and so wanting Him close to me but hadn't determined that He was right there. Hebrews 11:6 was highlighted in my heart at that time: “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must first believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
I had to BELIEVE that He was right there and that He was meeting my hearts desire. Faith is different from hope. Hope is an expectation but faith is the substance of what we hope for. It is the evidence of what we do not see. (see Hebrews 11:1)
Over the next number of months He taught me more about the faith required to walk in intimacy. I remember once, crying out in worship. “Oh Lord, I want to be intimate with You.” I was worshipping but felt empty and emotionless. In this state, I felt condemned. I have always known the importance of intimacy but seldom felt it .I found myself striving in that worship session. In the midst of my desperation, The Lord whispered, “You can not be any more intimate with Me than you are right now.” That took me by surprise. I didn't feel intimate, only emptiness. What did this mean? He further revealed that His finished work on the cross was the deepest embrace that God could ever express to mankind. He said, “You are in Me and I am in you. We are one for eternity. You can't get any more intimate than that.”
Immediately I began to worship from a different perspective. Instead of hoping to be intimate, I believed I was. This was not based on what I felt. It was based on what was true. The enemy tried to throw all his usual lies at me, “You are not loved by God and you are failing in your love for Him. He is disappointed with you because you are falling short of intimacy." This time, the accusations didn't stick. My intimacy with the Lord was not based on what I felt but what was true. I pressed in and won the battle.
The battle for intimacy is not a one time fight. It is constant and we need to know how to stand. The enemy will use many measures to distract us. Condemnation, busyness, lack of focus, distractions with time priorities, and insecurities are a few. We need to learn to fight through all of these things. This is the battle for intimacy.
The following are some practical things that can assist you in the battle:
• Believe that you are loved and cherished by God and that He deeply longs for intimacy with you.
• Believe that you have been drawn into intimacy through the finished work of the cross. Let all striving go and believe that you are already intimate. Rest in the truth.
• Set time aside each day to worship Him…to love Him…and to pursue Him in faith. Write this time on your daily calendar as a priority and do not let anything distract.
• If distractions come as you are worshipping Him and engaging in intimacy, fight them off and do not get discouraged. The enemy loves to discourage. Press through with a rest of faith. The Lord will honor your fight. Even if you spent a whole hour battling off mental distractions, it would be better than not spending time with the Lord. He will reward you. Continue to battle. You will get a breakthrough. Keep focused on Jesus.
• Journaling helps you to keep focused. You might like to write down what He reveals to you and also write love letters to Him. You can meditate on these precious things weeks, months and even years later.
• Abide in the Word. Spend time in the scriptures each day and allow the Lord to speak His heart to you.
• War in the heavenlies. We can battle against the enemy's strategies through prayer and declaration of the Word. This wins the battle in the heavenlies before it hits the earth. Contend for intimacy for yourself and the rest of the Body. What you sow into others you will also reap.
• Throughout the day look for opportunities to express love to the Lord. Keep this as your priority in life. He loves your love. It is a gift to Him. Express you love verbally and through prayer throughout your day.
• Make intimacy a lifestyle. This is not something that you engage in for an hour a day, this is something that you live in.
Declare WarThe scripture says in 2 Corinthians 2:14, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.” You are guaranteed a win! The battle for intimacy has been won for you in Christ. Take the victory by faith and don't let go. Declare war against every distraction that has been thrown at you. The devil will be sorry he ever tried. Put the pursuit of intimacy high on your list of priorities. It is your inheritance in Christ.
Prayer Directives
• Pray for the Body of Christ to be protected from the enemy's assault in the area of intimacy with the Lord.
• Pray for grace (God's divine influence upon the heart) to be poured out on His people in the area of intimacy.
• Pray for your personal breakthrough.
• Believe for increased faith to be released in the area of intimacy.
• Pray for a spirit of worship to fill the people of God.
• Pray against distractions.
• Ask the Lord for breakthrough for His Body in the area of intimacy and worship.
• Pray for children to be drawn into intimacy with the Lord at an early age (even from infancy).
• Pray for ministries and leaders in the Body of Christ to establish intimacy as a priority.
• Pray for powerful, tangible,l visitations of the Lord's presence for those who are seeking Him.
Bless each and every one of you. I am praying for breakthrough for all who read this. The Battle for Intimacy is won and the victory is yours to enjoy!

I am back from vacation and am bone tired! We traveled 2500 miles in 7 days...went through 7 states and ended up on the east coast looking at the Atlantic ocean! Cape May, New Jersey is a beautiful place. On the way to Cape May we stopped in Hershey PA and went to the amusement park, took in a few sights, stood under a shelter twice due to storms. I have got to tell you that those old wooden roller coasters are the best! When you get off those babies you know you have had a ride! We rode every one of them. I couldn't get enough! The newer coasters are fun, but, there is just something about the sound and feel of those older ones. We visited the Amish country and I was pleasantly surprised to see them working in the community, waitress, laborers, police, firemen etc. . I guess I thought that they pretty much stayed to themselves. There were several children that I visited with and played with. So precious...anyway...I am not going to bore everyone with details of Gettysburg, Strasburg Train Museum, Golden Palace ( the place outside of Bethlehem PA where the Hari Krishna's temple/village is....this will be another blog entry at another time!)., Wheaton village (glass blowing, stained glass, pottery, wood carving), many lighthouse tours, and Philadelphia ....the Liberty Bell etc..

Soooooo now ... I am getting ready to return to work, get the laundry caught up, yard work done, buy groceries and we have Johnson's blacktopping in our driveway even as I write, laying a new blacktop drive for us. Man, does that stuff stink! But, it will be nice when it all gets done.

I gleaned much while on this trip....and will be writing about my "discoveries"
in upcoming blogs. I was absolutely amazed at the different climates, both in the natural and the spiritual. I am amazed at the beauty, splendor and diversity of God's creation. HE is amazing!

Got to go for now. I will be speaking at a women's conference June 23rd and 24th in Clinton IA at Presbyterian Church, 400 5th Avenue South, Clinton, IA., need to finalize some things.

In, through and to HIM!
Deborha

Frustration.....frustration .....frustration.....

I don't exactly know how to express what I am feeling in words. I am soooooo frustrated with people right now. I am sooooo disappointed in people right now. I am sooooo disappointed in myself right now for feeling like I do!

When on God's green earth will we learn that God has HIS timing, HIS purpose, HIS people, HIS word, HIS work to do and accomplish, and get our stinkin' minds off from around it and stop trying to figure it out and dictate what we think?! When will we allow God to move in HIS sovereignty in this city without "trying to make it happen"? If we, as the Body of Christ would just be the true worshippers that God wants us to be .... and step out in faith believing....then GOD .... not "my church" or "my pastor" or "this prophet (ess)" or "this program" or "this persons tape series"....it is about RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD PEOPLE! Having clean hands and a pure heart!

Worship the ONE TRUE GOD IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH!

OOOOOOHHHHHHH....uuuuuuggggh!

Did I mention that I was frustrated and disappointed? hmmm?

Help me Lord....I love YOU Lord...I can't imagine how you feel sometimes. My heart is breaking....no matter what I will worship YOU...just because of who YOU are....simply...because of who YOU are.

Good morning.

Another weekend in the Emergency Room and it literally has been a blood-spilled weekend. . . a young girl who was dragged beneath a car for two city blocks...a drunk who was brought in by the police and while in our X-ray dept. decided he would "head-butt" our x-ray equipment causing a HUGE gash across his already bleeding skull! ... and...it went on and on....! I spent most of the weekend in protective gear, avoiding "the blood" of others. Perhaps there is a message here? Then while trying to help these people they are yelling obscenities at me and spitting in my face. Hmmm? You see I am a "whitey" and I don't understand. "You don't walk where I walk." They said, " You don't have the issues that we have. Just fix her. Can't you fix her? Oh, God. Can't you fix her face? Where her face!?" Not an easy thing... You see, people do need the Lord. How are we going to reach them. When will we walk where they walk, without fear, in the power of a Holy, Righteous, Victorious God? HERE I AM LORD! SEND ME! Thank you for the opportunity to serve YOU Lord in the workplace....please extend my tent pegs...I want to see YOU in the streets of this city!

All I am going to say for now is ... Thank YOU LORD for your protection. Thank YOU LORD that YOU have me covered. Thank YOU LORD that because of YOU I can comfort those who need comfort by YOUR HOLY SPIRIT. Thank YOU for YOUR peace and YOUR rest. Father heal that young girl not just physically but spiritually as well. Show her she has an Everpresent Help in time of need. Teach her that at what time she is afraid she can trust in YOU. I ask that no bitter root grow from this. Father, I ask that her brother, who is a pastor, would receive revelation and wisdom directly from your throne room. Be Jehovah Nissi, Jehovah Shalom, Jehovah Sabbioth...Be the I am that I am....God...just be...in me...I love You, Elohim, my beloved!

In, through and to HIM....
Deborha

Come and sit a while beneath my tree or upon its billowy branches and rest a while with me....

WANTED: UNITY

For the last 10 years I have been leading an intercessory prayer group. We have been praying for unity in the body of Christ for at least that long. Many times God will annoint a leader to be a Joshua for the city. This Joshua will have unusual favor with God to gather pastors and leaders together. Other leaders appointed by God will join in a covenant relationship of prayer for unity.

Cindy Jacobs writes:
Humility has a particularly devastating effect on the power of religious disunity. As pastors and leaders in an area bless each other, instead of putting up more walls, as they realize that they are often paranoid and protective of "their" sheep,
God's unity will come and ideological strongholds will be broken. Sometimes these strongholds are broken when a church takes up an offering for another church. Wouldn't it surprise you if a pastor from a neighboring church offered to help with a day of yardwork, church maintenance or provided a potluck for another congregation, after service, on a Sunday?

The pastors must first believe that God can tear down the ideological strongholds among Christians-between denominations and groups of believers. They must see that they are all one Body and that their city will never be won with just part of the Body working. Every joint must supply effort to win a city for Christ. Just as it took all the tribes of Israel to conquer the Promised Land of Canaan, it takes all of the parts of the Body of Christ to inherit our promised land in a city.
(Cindy Jacobs, Possessing the Gates of the Enemy)

The intercessory team has sensed that a Joshua is in the city. We have been praying for unity to come. We have been asking God to bring together the "true" intercessors of Galesburg and the surrounding areas, to come into agreement with the plans and purposes of God for this city.

We are not a team of intercessors from one congregation. We represent anywhere from 4-6 congregations depending on attendence. God has his watchmen on the wall, we know that there are more. We are asking God to bring our Pastors together to pray with us. We have had one pastor show up so far, but are believing for more. He has opened up his church for us to gather together...2 Thursday nights a month. Interesting enough, this church is outside the city gates!

I have encouraged the other team members to speak to their pastors about this.
We need to "know those who labor among us". My heart is crying out for the unity of the Body of Christ. For prayer to go up in this city like it never has before...in the unity of the leadership, hand in hand with the Aaron's, Hurs, Jonathans, Deborahs and the Levites (worshippers).

I am convinced that God is in this...what part do you play?

IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO ANSWER GOD'S CALL!

I am amazed at the beauty of lacy-winged, brilliantly-colored butterflys! I enjoy watching them flutter from flower to flower. My garden has many plants that attract these colorful insects.

THIS IS NOT A SCIENCE LESSON...I'M GOING SOMEWHERE HERE!
Caterpillars go through stages of change, first as caterpillars (worms!), who eat with voracious appetites, then cocoon themselves away, and are in time transformed into the lovely creatures that emerge to fly thousands of miles, cross-pollinate plants, and fulfill their destinies.

For many years women have been relegated to the worm stage and have been oppressed and suppressed by cultures, wrong attitudes, mores, and religious systems. In this season, the Lord is feeding HIS handmaidens with the truth of the Word of God. He is cocooning them in HIS love and beginning to transform them, to heal them of old wounds, and to redeem them to the full purpose for which He designed them.

Butterflies look very fragile, yet they are extremely strong- able to traverse continents and overcome many obstacles. In this season, the Lord is bringing forth women of all colors and nationalities, infused with HIS Spirit-called to reflect HIS beauty, to demonstrate His love, to proclaim His message, and to release HIS power in all the nations of the world.

Satan's desire is to keep women bound in a cocoon of intimidation, trapped in oppression, hiding under the bruises of abuse, shrouded with apathy and misunderstanding, unaware of God's call upon them. In this season of restoration God has begun to strip away the cocoon and is bringing liberation! Like Lazarus, many have been wrapped in garments of death and kept from the destiny God intended.

This is a time when God is crying out, "Women, come forth!" Many around the world are shaking off the old and being renewed. In past times, some women, like Aimee Semple McPherson and Maria Woodworth Etter, broke out of their cocoon and were successful in fulfilling their destinies. In this season of restoration, I believe multitudes of women will answer God's call and pursue their destinies.

I lived in bondage to intimidation. I thought, I could never do anything as well as so-and-so. I don't have anything to say. I can't because....I can't ....I can't...!

That cocoon of fear, inferiority, and intimidation held me for a long time. YOU CAN'T...You'll never amount to anything, rang in my ears for many years. You see, God has a timetable for our lives, but many times we think we have missed it or we can't do it. Fear, intimidation, discouragement, and the words, "you can't, " hold us captive and immobile. God is saying: "You can, and you will!" He is removing the cocoons that have held us captive. His word is working in us to produce faith.

We are being set free to be who we are in HIM. We are humble, yet bold, having a heart of submission, yet are not afraid to let our gifts make room for us. We refuse to usurp authority, yet boldly move in the authority of God's word. We know our God and His calling and move out to do exploits.

You see, now is the time to emerge from the cocoon. When a butterfly emerges, it sits in the sunlight, not moving for several hours. This allows the heat to dry its wings and give the heart time to pump blood into the wings to expand them to their full size. What a beautiful analogy of what God is doing for women. As we sit in the Son's presence, He is forming our wings so we can fly. His heart is pumping HIS love, HIS Word, and HIS life into us to mature us, sot that we will reach our full stature in HIM and fulfill HIS destiny for our lives. It doesn't matter what age we are. It only matters who we are in the Kingdom and what God's specific call and destiny is for our life.

IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO ANSWER GOD'S CALL!

In, through and to HIM!...
Deborha

Hello...this is a picture of my mother when she was 17. I have been scanning our family's old pictures and then I plan to make videos of them for each family member. Mom is in her 70's now and has been extremely ill recently. She is in the hospital even as we speak. She has been there for three days...had an MRI and Bone Scan yesterday (full body) and the doctors are telling us that they don't have the results yet ! Hmmm? It is difficult for me to keep my cool as I am in the medical profession and know that things can take a while. But, she has been in for 3 days now and hasn't improved much...it's a mystery, I guess. Her name is Watha Juanita. She is 2/3 cherokee indian. She goes by Juanita. Please pray for her.

Thanx and God bless...

Deborha

I woke up at 3am ...can't seem to sleep! Bing cherries are not working. So I got up and began to pray. There is a vision that keeps coming during my prayer time. I shared it with my Pastor's wife. It is of the youth of many different congregations, coming together in dance, flags, banners, etc...anyway, they form a processional and are marching in the streets. The song that is being played is God Bless America. When these young people pass by the onlookers, some of the onlookers begin to weep and others cheer. There are young and old alike in this processional, however, the youth are going before them ... it is so powerful!

I keep hearing the words Independence Day....

Diane, my pastor's wife, and myself are going to begin to organize this. We will be contacting many churches and requesting participants. We are contacting a dance team from Davenport to help us choreograph the dancers. Diane and I will be working with those who desire to use the flags. We have many large banners to be carried as well. We don't want anybody left out. Please be in prayer with us concerning this. We believe that we should plan this for the 4th of July.

Thank-you...

In, through and to HIM,
Deborha

Something is shifting in this season. Everywhere I go, I see so many in their late teens and twenties wanting to connect with my generation. I have never seen anything like it. They are not ordinary. They are the Deborahs, Esthers, Nehemiahs, Davids, who will change the world. This group is not like Gehazi. They have the spirit of Elisha. They want to serve the older generation, so they can glean everything essential to fulfill God's plan for their life. They want to hang out to talk and talk and talk so they can glean wisdom, counsel and experience to move into the next place. They are searching for God and spiritual reality. They are looking for relationship that touches their depths. What would happen if my generation would actively recognize and embrace them?

They are not thinking small. I have met young men and women who are preparing now to do what is in their heart.

The upcoming generation is not religiously correct. They are like a young girl who I spoke with recently and I asked who she was. She boldly replied, " I am a missionary to Africa". She is 14 years old! No hesitation, no awkward shyness, just bold words blurting out answers to questions. She never thought to be careful, thinking someone might disagree or think she was presumptuous. She knows who she is and what God wants her to do.

Our youth don't want to wait until they are older to do what God has set before them. So it is with many of her generation. They are looking for those of us who will reach out and grab their hand and pull them into everything we have and know. They want to grab hold of us so that they can grab hold of their future.

Let us rise up and grab the hands of these young people. Let's become mentors, mothers and fathers who will give them everything we have learned and take them into the river of a Mighty God who will carry them to the shores He desires to set them upon. Let us teach them to pray, intercede....let them wail and weep between the porch and the altar... teach them the word... .

Last Thursday night there were two young girls at the intercessory prayer meeting. We prayed for them and the Holy Spirit showed up mightily on their behalf. Then, I was lead by the Spirit to ask them to forgive us, for many things ( I won't list them). They forgave us. Then they prayed for us. They told God what they needed from us as leaders and mentors and asked us and God to forgive them for many things. I believe that this is the beginning of an awesome move of God with our youth in this city! I believe that the youth from different congregations are going to come together in unity of God's purposes and we are going to see Jesus lifted up !

Please pray that God will continue to lead, guide and direct by His Spirit concerning this emerging generation.

Difficult night. Difficult because I can't talk about what happened...or what was seen...what was experienced.... . Difficult because my heart is aching for the youth of this city, even before last night. Difficult because one less heart is beating, no more breaths to breathe. Can't talk about IT... but, I will continue to pray.. I will continue to stand... and I will believe that God will use me to make a difference in the lives of the youth of this city! I can talk about HIM. I can believe in changed lives... and the power of a Mighty God. I am a hope-pusher .... nevertheless, this was a very difficult night.

Come and sit a while beneath my tree or upon its billowy branches and rest a while with me.....

Part 2

What is a stronghold of fear? Very simply put, it is something that has a STRONG HOLD on you! Vain imaginations, ungodly beliefs, fear of man, fear of failure, fear of success, fear of death, fear of the devil-and the list goes on and on. We must learn to identify our fears, confront our fears and destroy our fears in order to be all God has called us to be.

Apostle Paul recognized that the young man he was mentoring in ministry was not pressing in to the fulness of his potential. He knew that Timothy had many gifts that were imparted to him by God, nevertheless, they were lying dormant within him. Fear had paralyzed Timothy's giftings and caused him to be ineffective.

"Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. Fot God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." II Timothy 1:6-7

Scripture is clear that God is not the author of fear. There is an appropriate fear of God, born out of respect and awe for His sovereignty. But it is not this type of fear that controls and dominates men's and women's lives and keeps them from fulfilling destiny. This type of fear is from the devil and from our own minds coming into agreement with the powers of darkness. It will torment us, paralyze us and prevent us from receiving all the good things God has for us. It is a bondage that shows no mercy and keeps us from walking in the life of His great love towards us.

" There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment . He that feareth is not made perfect in love." I John 4:18

By the annointing of His Holy Spirit, God has given us the power to be free from tormenting spirits of fear. As we break our agreement with the power of fear, and receive instead the power of God to deliver us and make us free, God releases faith ... which is opposite of fear... to go in and possess our promise.

"And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. " Hebrews 2:15

I believe that God has a people of courage who are ready to venture into uncharted territory to explore and discover qualities of that area. They have to face a world of uncertain dangers in order to settle and establish their new land and make it fruitful. They are a people who have a spirit of adventure, who are willing to risk safety and security in order to obtain a better way of life. Much like the pioneers of old.

I believe these people will walk in courage and release an impartation of courage, both to those they directly effected, as well as throughout the land. Many settlements in America's far west were birthed with only a couple of families who forged ahead through many trials, oppositions, hardships and adversities to settle the land. Later, others followed in the path that had been laid down, and they shared in the blessings of the land.

I think we can agree that there is land here that needs "settled". There are things that the people of God need to take back and possess. There is a "settling of the land" that is about to happen. You see, courage, born out of faith and trust in God, can accomplish His purposes in this land.

God is looking for a people of courage. God is looking for those who are willing to pray as the prophet Isaiah prayed when he said:

"Here I am; send me." Isaiah 6:8

"Here am I, send me." Isaiah 6:8

Fear is contagious, but so is courage! God is looking for those who are willing to pray as the prophet Isaiah prayed.

Whenever God speaks to us regarding our call or destiny, it may seem that what He is saying will be too impossible to accomplish. We must always remember that God's perspective and our perspective are usually two different things. Words such as "impossible" and "can't" are simply not in God's vocabulary. Unfortunately, they are in ours.

By definition, courage is not the absence of fear but the "capacity to meet danger without giving way to fear." (Websters)

One should not feel condemned because fear is present; it is what you do in the face of fear that counts. Do you press through to freedom and victory, or do you give in, give up and retreat?

In order to embrace the fulness of our calling we must be willing to face our fears. The term "fear not" appears over one hundred times in scripture. Why? Because God knew, when He was writing to us that we would have cause and reason to be afraid.

In Joshua chapter one, God tells Joshua to go in to possess the land that He had already given to him. But he also told him four times in that chapter to "be strong and of good courage". Why did he say this so many times when He was clearly saying that the land was already theirs, and all they would have to do is go in and take it? Because God knew that there would be plenty of opportunities for Joshua and the people of Israel to look at the natural circumstances and become overwhelmed by the impossibility of the situation. After all, there were mighty giants in the land! Some of them even stood nine to ten feet tall!

God instructed Joshua to possess all that He had promised them and settle for second best on the other side of the Jordan. God was letting them know that he would have to face his fears and overcome them before he could overcome his enemies.

Many times God speaks something wonderful to us in the same manner that He spoke to Joshua. "I've given you your healing, your finances, your family, your ministry, etc... . Don't be afraid, go on and take it!! Oh, by the way, did I mention tht you'd have to face, and defeat, a few hundred giants along the way? But don't worry! Don't be afraid! I've already said you could do it!"

Most of us turn and run at the first sign of opposition. We then try to convince ourselves that the word we heard must not have been God after all. How many times have we sold ourselves short of reaping all the blessings and doing all the possessing that God has made available to us because of a stronghold of fear over our lives?

......to be continued......God Bless...

If you don't deal with your emotional pain, it will deal with you and your loved ones. Pretending it doesn't exist won't help you get emotionally fit.

When a warning light comes on in a car, putting a piece of black tape over it won't fix the car. When a car is broken, it needs to be taken to someone who knows how the car works and understands how to fix it.

For a long time, I pretended that my pain didn't exist. I covered up my warning signs. My life did break down, and I was forced to face my feelings.

I walked away from God, telling HIM that I wanted no part of Him or His church. I made the statement to God that if and when His church became real, then I would come back. I was a divorced mother of one, no job, living on $120.00 a month, going from one bad relationship to another, hoping someone would rescue me. But not God! I was angry and hurt. I couldn't believe the infidelity I saw in the church. In the natural and spiritual! I didn't realize from what height I was about to fall.

I had to "get real" about who I was and who I was becoming. A few years later, I finally got real with God.

If we are not honest with Him about our emotions, we will die inwardly. God is the God of truth-and only the truth can set you free (see John 8:32).

If you are having trouble identifying what you are really feeling, and why it's affecting you, pray and ask God to show you any hidden hurts that need to be healed. Come out of the shadows into His light and be set free to fly!

Have you ever thought to yourself, I shouldn't be feeling this way? Why can't I be joyful about this?

It's time to get real with God. Voice to God your bitterness, your jealousy, your envy, your hatred, and your resentment.

The Scripture says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God" (Phil. 4-6, NKJ).

Many times we tell everybody, but God, how we feel, but we must never forget that He loves us despite any emotions that we are experiencing.

God sees behind the curtain that covers your heart. Don't give a performance for God; invite Him into the dark rooms where you hide your pain.

He promises to be your strength when you are weak. He will be a light in your darkness.

So get real with Him. Don't hide your emotions in your heart. Confess them to God, and ask Him to give you His strength to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh.

In closing, He has promised that when we "walk through the water, He will be with us and the river will not overflow us......."

Grace, grace, His marvelous Grace!

In, through and to HIM,
Deborha

Oiy! I'm not feeling well tonight! Took advantage of the weather the last couple of days and over-done-it....so ....35 bags of mulch and 10 of topsoil later...my back is killing me! Not to say the nausea that goes along with the pain. How does that old song go..."I haven't got time for the pain..."? Well, I don't ...have to start my work schedule tomorrow, need to get groceries, get laundry caught up, study for recertification in emergency nursing, take mom to the doctor.....it is definately time to delegate...!

Sunday morning my pastor shared something that I would like to relay to you ...

During the worship service his grandson came up to him and wanted to be held.
I was sitting behind them a couple of rows and could see the look on that little guys face! He just nestled into his grandpa's arms and nuzzled the back of his head into grandpa's neck. So sweet. Pastor related that he began to thank god for his grandchildren and his family. Then, he started to feel guilty about taking his thoughts off of God, (during some awesome worship!) and thinking about his family. He stated that God doesn't usually audibly speak to him; however, at that very moment the 'guilty' thought came in -- the Lord said, "That's okay Bob, I feel the same way when I'm holding you." Enough said.
When was the last time you let God hold you?

Grab a cup of coffee and come sit a while beneath my tree or upon its billowy branches and rest a while with me....

IT TAKES A CHURCH ...

During the last few generations we have watched the gradual deterioration of the "community" in our nation. With much grief we must agree that our communities are in great need of major renovation- physically, socially, economically and spiritually.

The deterioating conditions have resulted in further breaking down of the family and a general disrespect for life. Regrettably, the village has abandoned the children, leaving them unsupervised and hopelessly alone.

The community is no longer qualified or adequately prepared to raise a child because the community itself must be raised. But who will do it?

There can only be one answer: the church. This is our day, church, and we must rise up and take responsibility for the community. It is the church that must establish integrity and biblical standards. We must turn to our Lord for a new empowerment and a fresh filling of HIS love.

The community is filled with the oppressed and brokenhearted. A spirit of heaviness pervades the atmosphere, culturally, naturally, and spiritually.

Will we choose to focus on building our own impressive empires of religion, or will we turn our attention to building a new community, empowering those who sit at our very gates?

Now is the time to stand up and extend our hands to these victims, lifting them up into the loving arms of the Lord who can heal them and give them a living hope.

Acts 3:1-10 is the account of a man who was carried daily to the temple gate.
Religion offered him no other alternative but a beggar's lifestyle.

The story is set outside the gate "Beautiful," a very ornate and impressive doorway into the temple that was covered with gold and other precious metals. Throughout his years of begging thousands of people had passed him by oblivious to his desperate need. His misery provided an opportunity for devout Jews to display their generosity as they quickly entered the temple to get on with their religious exercises. He was the object of the righteous pity of a religious system but remained unhealed.

Then one day Peter and John passed by at the hour of sacrifice, the time when religious men perform their duties. As Peter was about to enter the temple, his heart was seized by this man's condition.

On his way to church, Peter shifted his attention away from the opulent beauty of the religious structure and locked his eyes on the lame man. Out of the deep compassion of his heart, Peter said, " I don't have any worldly thing to impress you with , but I do have something that will change your life and put you on your feet. Rise up in Jesus Christ!" (see v. 6).

Peter chose to set aside religious duty and righteous appearance so that he could change one man's life forever. He did not look upon this poverty-stricken man as an outsider but welcomed him into the community and that day gave him a purpose and an inheritance.

There are so many who sit at our gates - socially and spiritually lame from the womb, disenfranchised, generationally dysfunctional, educationally disadvantaged, and impoverished. What will we do?

Will we continue to pass them by as we make our way to our houses of worship?
Or will we reach out and take them by the hand, as Peter did, and raise them up in the of Jesus Christ? Will we seek to impress the community with our pious efforts or will we impact it eternally with our compassionate exploits?

How can we as a church continue to take up building fund offerings when our church attendance is the lowest it has ever been? Why not call it a "building up fund"? We can use these moneys to contribute to the needs of those in the community.

God is calling us out of the temple and into the community. If we want to make a difference, we will have to move away from impressing the community and ourselves with our religious structure to impacting it with the power of God through the tools that He has provided. The future of our community is in our hands.

We must get involved in the life of the community. We cannot restrict the body of Christ to ministering solely inside the church walls. We need to focus on the believer's effective involvement in the world around him. Jesus was concerned with reaching those on the outer fringes of society and lifting them out of their misery. As the body of Christ, His concern should be ours, too.

My prayer is that not only the spiritual gifts of His church will be used but the plumbers, electricians, carpenters, housewives, nurses, doctors, beauticians, seamstresses, etc.....will be used to improve our community. Each one of us has something we can offer someone in the community.

Karen, a dear intercessor had a vision of what this community would "look like"
in the future. She said the Lord showed her that if one congregation did not have someone gifted in marriage reconciliation then they would be referred to another that was. If one church didn't have a drug addiction program and another did, or one church had an unusual number of single mothers who need help with parenting skills and job training and another church in the community has a person or group established for this..send them to that group!

Lets empower one another, give God the Glory, give up "ownership" of the lambs. A team effort, churches united in the community, can bring awesome results.

To God be all the Glory....

In, through and to HIM...
Deborha

something to think about as you 'sit beneath my tree or upon its billowy branches and rest a while with me...

My name is God.

And I am lonely.

I walk within the Wind,
Whispering
For my Beloved without
Who cannot hear within
Except we breathe together.

I cannot speak a word
That is heard...unless I'm Lov'd

And so I live alone
In silence.
Mostly alone I wait
And watch for my Belov'd
Who is unlov'd ...without ME.

Lies supplant Words not heard.
Truth is heed and deed of Word.

Life without Love is death...!
My Word lives...
Oh dear Love! I whisper
to you. I speak softly
So only Love will hear me.

Oh! My Belov'd. My love!
Will you hear?...It is I... ...

My name is God
And I am lonely.
I cannot speak a word
That is heard...unless I am Lov'd.

Pastor Darrell requested prayer for a man , please pray with me....


I will extol You Lord! Your Love stands forever! Faithfulness...in Your Faithfulness You provide redemption Lord. How can I measure your Faithfulness? With all my heart I will extol YOU! Great are Your works Oh Lord, I ponder them and delight in them. You are Glorious and Majestic. You have caused my heart to know YOUR wonders. You have always provided for those who fear you. You remember Your covenants. You show Yourself Faithful
Lord. Everything You do Lord, In everything you do , You are totally trustworthy Lord. Your Love stands forever! Your love stands firm forever...
Holy, and awesome are YOU Lord. Holy, Awesome and True. You are so Holy...
I just want to say.....i Love You ....for you have caused my heart to sing. My heart sings praise unto You. Most Holy God. Father I thank You for our Pastors and Leaders...strengthen them, encourage them. Father give them fresh revelation of Your Word. Father I stand declaring that the visions and dreams that You have given our Pastors shall come forth in the name of Your Son , Jesus Christ....Praise You Father...Father as we approach the Resurrection Day in the natural, I ask that You would resurrect in the Spiritual,the things that we as the Body of Christ have allowed to die that are of You and are needed in this hour. Help us to see that we arose on that day with You. We are mighty people because of Your great Love. We have power because of Your Great LOVE. Father, we are seeking and knocking ...may we enter in to Your chamber ...we want to be closer to You. ...... we want more of You Lord....we simply got to have more of You...more of Your love and compassion Lord. Father I pray for the athlete that Pastor Garrett mentioned ...I lift him up to You. You are the author and Finisher of his faith. You are his Healer, Restorer and Deliverer. Father, we rebuke the devourer right now, in the name of Jesus, and spoil his goods. We ask that Your Holy Spirit will encamp about him and minister to him in those ways that only You can do. Father we ask that that which the palmer worm, canker worm and locust has taken that You would restore it back to him 10-100 fold, Father that is Your word. Father, we pray for the enemies of this man...we ask that You would bless them with every good thing from Your throne room. Father, bless those who are persecuting ....and bless this dear man. Father, use him for Your Glory and we give You all the Praise, Honor and Glory. For You, Oh God, are High and lifted up above that city and every city.
You rule and reign ...let Your Kingdom purposes come forth...In Your precious , Holy Name, Name above all names.....JESUS. Amen and Amen