SURRENDER THAT...

I went to an incredible retreat this weekend. 25 women from Celebration Northwest gathered in Burnet. God intentionally brought each woman to this place to encourage her, give her vision, strength and fill her up as she took just 24 hours to stop and listen. The Lord brought beautiful Sharon Patterson to share her heart and her life. Sharon has an incredible gift of story telling. She paints a vivid picture of her experience with the healing process over several decades and invites you into process. The key to retreat is taking the time to be silent with God. The key to retreat is listening so that you can receive REVELATION: the revelation I had this weekend was I needed to forgive myself and that I believe that the blood of Jesus covered my sin past, present and future. The TRUTH is I am under grace all of me. The LIE: the blood does not cover my choices. The next step is FORGIVENESS. For us to be able to actively receive revelation from God and have it be power in our live...

Last night the women of Celebration church BROUGHT it. God is so amazing how he shows up. I have AGAIN been bogged down in fear. Frozen in mire, unable to step out of my situation and let Jesus step in. FEAR of the things I do not have control of...marriage, finances, children. Prisicilla's words Sunday morning lifted me up. God has gone before and set the velocity of my life. Life is coming my way and I am afraid, relationships, mistakes, illness, being alone, I am treading water and so tired, but the truth is God is not going to give me more than I can handle. I know the truth an it has and will continue to set me free.  I am filled with the spirit, the very authority that Jesus has handed me through the Holy Spirit, but I am too weary, too weary to command the enemy to back off. What is wrong with me...this does not feel like me. Sunday morning the LOVER of my soul wooed me with words of truth/encouragement. Listening to Priscilla's annointed message...are you the one in...

I am looking at Philippians Chapter one and thinking about Paul. When I get stuck in frustration, when I find myself in a place that was not on my plan, I have two choices. The first choice is of the flesh...frustration, trying to get out, self pity of where I am, envying my neighbor and where they are. The second is of God and is illustrated to a tee with Paul's experience of prison. The second choice it to see your situation from God's perspective. How does God see you and what is the big picture. Paul situation was dire. The Lord Jesus brought Paul to Rome to complete the mission strategy that Jesus gave to his disciples just before his ascension into heaven. Paul was put under house arrest and imprisoned for two years. Paul might have been "in prison" but not "imprisoned". Although in captivity, Paul was able to continue the ministry. He was able to receive visitors, minister to those who came to him and care for the needs of the church by means of le...

Today is an meditation on sanctification. Being sanctified in Christ is when we are purified, made clean. The river if healing water wants to rush over us, cleansing us in the torrent of His majesty. This river is held up when we have sin. The healing is blocked with fear, shame, guilt worry. The fruit of fear and guilt and shame, anger frustration need for control. As we are purified in Christ we let down the need to control. We die to ourselves and hope to live in Christ's love. We hold onto fear guilt and shame with tightly clenched fists. Why do we cling to our obstacles, why do we cling to what prevents us from getting close to our purpose? Lent is the season of repentance and discipline. Repentance is turning 180° away from sin and the first step is recognizing what my sin is. God's commandments are set in place to protect us, keep us close to God by releasing the burden of sin. God is waiting to take theses, he wants to carry my burdens. I'm so happy to be clos...

Lent is the season of Repentance a change of thought to correct a wrong, gain forgiveness from a person who is wronged, confession to God, ceasing sin against God, and resolving to live according to His will. It involved admitting and promising not to repeat the action, turning 180 degrees and walking in the opposite direction in order to reverse the harmful effects of the wrong. "Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth" (2 Timothy 2:25) Lent is also the season of Discipline , systematic instruction given to to train students to follow a particular code of conduct. "Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness" (1Tm 4:7-8) . Stepping into the season of Lent we have confession, forgiveness and change on our mind. We are preparing our body, mind and spirit for the celebration of Easter. Before we get let go in the freedom of the ascension, we must get close to the Son of Go...

He did this for me yesterday. Speak to us through the art of creation. Are you listening? Photograph: Edison Jackson Photograph: Kenny Connelly Photograph: Edison Jackson Photograph: Karen Harper

This is a hard. I have so much to give to you Lord. It is hard to let go of my boys, my business, my life. This is what I want to do. Why is it so hard. The fear wells up in me and shows its face through anger, frustration, and control. Why do I have to surrender my treasures to someone I do not trust. I trust you Lord to take care of them. Cover them with your healing. Fill in the spots that are rough and weathered. Restore them to wholeness. Build their confidence in you. Break the will to be in control, in charge. Let them open their ears to hear and see authority and give them the wisdom and courage to follow direction. Break the avoidance. Help them press into their fears with you and not avoid them with defiance. Wrap them up with your peace while they are away, protect them and bring them back filled with your joy.