SUMites,

We need to chat. I realize that we don’t often take on social issues here at SUM as we are trying to focus on our marriages. However, I know that so much of my marriage discord would rise to the surface because of the social climate, politics, and religion.

So, today, I am compelled to talk about what’s happening in America this week. After a long discussion with Caitie, my daughter who is 25, I’ve had to reflect on the tragedy that was the death of George Floyd. I’m grieved over all of it. I’m grieved over his death, the racism, the riots and the looting.

I’ve had to take a look at my heart again in the midst of this mess and ask some difficult questions. My friend, Kathi Lipp, directed me to a great read. I want to share it with you today. Although I don’t have all the answers, this article addresses questions that white people often ask:

• Why did he/she do to cause the cops/another person to shoot or kill them?
• Why do black people insist on “Black Lives Matter”? Don’t all lives matter?
• Why do “they” try to make white people like me feel guilty? I haven’t done anything.
• I have black friends so why are black people calling people like me racist?

The Article: From a Black Friend to My White Friends.

Barb Roose, a Christian, offers some great responses and a good video that will help move all of us forward. Take a minute to visit her blog and read through the article and watch the video. Ask yourself, what does Jesus want me to pray, to do, to feel and to respond to this week’s events and the at the center racism that continues to create division in our country.

Also, ask Jesus how to have conversations with your spouse and your children about this week’s events and the news. Let’s be the change our world needs. Isn’t that what Jesus calls us to do?

I realize that this topic is highly charged on every side. Please share your thoughts in the comments but please be respectfully, use words of love and consideration and always look to Jesus for the truth.

Blessings, Lynn

Image courtesy of arztsamui at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What a year 2020 has been so far! Ian from wintry Sydney here. Be assured that those of us who don’t live in America are weeping for the people of that great nation and we continue to cry out to God believing for a wave of peace to sweep across that great land.

As Ann shared on Monday, it was Pentecost Sunday this past weekend. For a few months now many millions from all around the globe have been believing for a shaking, a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit and increased boldness amongst believers to share the good news of Jesus. What we do know is that more people have been praying, more people have been attending online church services and more people have been declaring Jesus as their Savior. Hallelujah.

Hope in the Waiting

“The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.” 

Lamentations 3:25-26 (NKJV)

We are waiters, we Sumites, aren’t we? Most of us have been waiting for our spouses to come to know Jesus for many years. And we’ve seen some wonderful stories amongst the group in recent times of our hope bearing fruit.

For many of us, our families and our friends these past few months and perhaps even in the past few days, dreams have been dashed. I know of friends who’s special (first holiday in a decade) anniversary trips have had to be postponed, another friend told me the other day their hubby lost their job, while the scenes around the world have increased the burden on so many younger people who have real concerns about what the future looks like for them.

Deep Roots

We can draw comfort knowing that Jesus waits with us. He stands alongside us. Yes, we wonder why He doesn’t just fix it, even a little thing, but God has made a world that is self-operating and often it breaks down.

The Bible is full of nature analogies. And they’re important for us to understand. Jesus loved to consider vines, trees, roots, seeds and fruit. God made us to go deep like trees, with our roots continuously reaching through the soil for nutrients that the Spirit gives us and in persisting in faith, hope and love the fruit will naturally come.

“For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its tender shoots will not cease. Though its root may grow old in the earth, and its stump may die in the ground, yet at the scent of water it will bud and bring forth branches like a plant.” (Job 14:7-9 NKJV)

If we continue in faith, hope and love as 1 Corinthians 13 exhorts us to, a touch of the Holy Spirit (nee ‘scent of water’) will produce the fruit and bring refreshment in this difficult season. The examples in the Bible are too numerous to mention and we ourselves can see evidence of fruit and refreshment when we look back at our own lives through other difficult seasons.

But the greatest of these Is Love.

Jesus isn’t simply one who loves, He is love. As Thomas Goodwin says, “Christ is love covered over in flesh.” Incredibly, in having the Holy Spirit within us we too are love covered in flesh. (Say that to yourself: ‘I am love covered in flesh’ Say it again and again and again until you believe it).

It is in these difficult seasons we can choose to grumble or be grateful, be fearful or hopeful, be angry or peaceful, and hate or love. Choose love, even if it’s through gritted teeth. Remember God is mostly interested in what’s in our heart so actions that are not initiated by love kinda don’t really count for a great deal in God’s economy.

The more we choose love, the more it becomes a habit. And the more it will become the way we act, speak and think. Jesus could only act the way He did because of what was in His heart. A heart of love. Just love. So He acted always out of love.

Besides the arrival of the Holy Spirit, Acts 2 shares with us the beginnings of the modern church. Our church. It was a church that was multi-cultural, made up of people from different socio-economic levels, men and women, who were united in declaring Jesus as Lord. In love, they wanted to share the news and so they reached out to other groups, not just those they were familiar with, and with faith and hope in their hearts they boldly declared Jesus is alive.

Dear friends, please share in the comments if there are particular needs and/or dreams that you’ve had dashed in these recent times so we as a SUMITE family can gather around you in faith, hope and love interceding for you to the Lord. We are a family spread around the globe united in our waiting and hope for each other’s spouses to come to personally know Jesus.

Keep praying, keep believing, dear friends.

Hi friends, Ann here.

We’ve just had Pentecost, a day when the Holy Spirit came with power upon the early church. What a moment! I can only imagine what those disciples felt when they saw fire on each other. They must have surely been scared but excited.

One time I had an experience in a church that left me scared-but-excited. It was a memorable moment. Here's what happened:

It was an evening in Auckland and I'd gone to hear a visiting missionary speak at a little-known church. I arrived alone and settled into the worship. So far, so good. The gentle presence of God was lovely and the worship went late. Eventually, the host stood up to close the meeting.

“Most of you will want to go home now to your families, and we say goodbye. I hope you’ve enjoyed this evening --”

“It is late,” I thought to myself. “I’d better get home to Bryce --”

But the host continued –

“And there are some here who will want to stay. Because you’re hungry. And if that’s you, you can come to the front and we’ll continue …”

Now, I fully intended to walk out the door but for some strange reason I found myself instead drifting to the front with the ‘hungry ones’. There they gathered to continue worshipping. I stood about ten rows back, watching. I was no longer worshipping but something held me there.

Well blow me down, I was not ready for what happened next. My friends, what I describe may or may not be new to you, but it was to me. Like a mighty rush, the power of the Holy Spirit hit the room and the row of people at the front fell to the ground in one swoop as if they’d been hit by volts of power.

SMASH! The power hit the second row. People began to fall to their knees like dominoes: crying, worshipping, utterly wrecked by his love.

WHAM! The Spirit of God hit the third row. Wave upon wave of love, crashing down.

At this point my face took on a deer-in-the-headlights look. Never had I seen this before.

The fourth row, the fifth row, it was nearing me. It was like a tidal wave heading straight for me. An internal whimper bubbled up.

I looked left and right as those beside me began to fall, and I took a step back. I looked again and took another as people were moving chairs to make way for the power. Soon my feet were stepping back very quickly. Then I paused: Should I? before I turned and ran. Here's what was top of my mind:

“I don't want to do this without Bryce.”

And so I left. I ran to my car, flung myself into the driver's seat, then sat in the dark with a beating heart and shaking hands. After a while I started the ignition and decided that if ever there was a time to gorge myself on a McDonald's super-sized meal this was it. So I pulled into a drive-through, bought up large and sat in the carpark shoving handfuls of salty fries into my mouth while digesting what I'd just seen. 

Glug glug went the sucking of my straw as I gulped down the sugary coke. Glug glug. 

Oh God, it was You.

Oh God, I wish I’d stayed.

I’ve since come to understand what happens to people when they are the ones getting hit by the power. It is beautiful, life-changing, and it's something to which I now say a huge yes. Further, this is the very thing that happened very personally to our leader, Lynn, in October 2012. She has written honestly about it in the book Marching Around Jericho, and it was a turning-point for this ministry. 

So today I celebrate those disciples and that radical Pentecost.

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Acts 2:1-4, NIV)

Lord, we ask for more. Give us the ability to receive your love, your power, your character, your heart, your wisdom, your majesty, your signs and your wonders. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

SUM NATION:

Julie Nelson

Lynn here. I received the most astonishing email that past week. Julie Nelson wrote to me to share here testimony. I prayed for her in the comments.

Also, I prayed with her in a Healing Prayer Session. And God released her voice. Recently she shared her story about infertility and walking through that struggle with an unbelieving husband. Take a listen and give Jesus glory. The SUMite nation is making a way for so many to experience the love of Jesus. Hallelujah!

Thank you Julie for your faithfulness. Hugs, Lynn

The Journey I Chose and the Journey I Didn't (Julie Nelson)

Hi SUMite NATION:

Lynn here. Last week I was honored to be interviewed on the the Debbie Chavez show. The show is now available on a podcast. It's the testimony and recap of the seven years I marched around my Jericho. 

Hope you have time to listen in. Also, I hope you will visit Debbie. She has a powerful ministry for women in faith. Have a blessed day and let's get summer rolling. Hallelujah.

Click here → Praying For Your Unsaved Husband - Debbie Chavez Show

DebbieChavez.com

Squadronofsisters.com

Also, if you want to catch up on my teaching about the Kingdom, visit  →Lynndonovan.com. Hugs, Lynn

Hey SUM Family, Tiffany here!

A few months ago I had a powerful encounter with the Lord. It began January when I attended a prayer summit at my church. I was interested in getting into their prayer team. The pastor who was set to speak was truly amazing. After the teaching, she prophesied and prayed over every one of us. Listening to the words that she was speaking over the other people had me all the more excited to hear what she had for me. The time came and I opened my hands toward heaven in order to receive. As she opened her mouth to speak, I heard these words:

You have been asking how the Lord could use you. This time right now is for healing. You have some healing to do first. Get healed up. God will most definitely use you. Your healing has to do with unforgiveness.

My heart sunk. Really God? I have done so much healing. I have done so much work in the forgiveness classroom. Now I find out, that I am rid of this junk?

A month or so went by and I sat in the living room. I hadn't been very faithful in setting aside quiet time. Those words kept ringing in my mind. Your healing has to do with unforgiveness - what did that really mean?

I asked the questions that were on my mind. God who do I need to forgive? What were the situations involved? I've already done so many healing sessions with you. I have cut ties and soul ties. What is going on here? I didn't really sense any response so I figured...well...I would ask for forgiveness for ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. I went through anything that came to my heart and mind and then I waited.

After a short time I could see some of the same memories - trauma from my childhood replaying through my mind. I forgave those people again and in that moment, the Lord met me. I believe what He told me is not just a helpful word for me but for you as well.

Holy Spirit spoke very gently to my heart. "You are right that you have done much work in the area of forgiving. You have forgiven and you have asked for forgiveness. Even today as you pour out your heart to Me, more freedom was given. You have been forgiven and you have forgiven others and released them to Me. These things are gone now. Any time you are reminded of these memories, know that they are counterfeit. These are not the original memories."

I am a visual person so the Lord showed me a heavy duty office copy machine. You know those really big ones that have can spit out copies faster than you can blink? As I see this copy machine, I instantly know that the papers spitting out of the machine are memories. These papers are replicas of the original memory.

I don't know that I have words to describe the rest of this revelation but I will try my best to explain. Before time began, Lucifer was an angel. He was in Heaven.

You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. - Psalm 139:16 (NLT)

Could it be that as God sat down and recorded our days in our very own books, that Lucifer was there? Could it be that he had access to these things? Could it be that as God speaks our destinies over us that Satan has been making replicas of our memories. Our traumas. Our mistakes. Our down right failings. Our insecurities.

When we lay these things down at the feet of Jesus and go about our days, sometimes we can get distracted or forget the healing that we received. In my minds eye, Satan puts down one of those copies, the counterfeits, at our feet. When we choose to pick it up, we begin to think - I guess I HAVEN'T dealt with this. I guess I am NOT really changed. I guess it didn't really WORK after all...we believe that we are dealing with the original. BUT God. He says...what original? Where did this come from?

I could go on and on about this but I've already gone a little long. Let me just encourage you with this.

That healing, that break through, that ground you made, that pressing forward in your walk. Those are the things you need to hold on to. God is not one to keep you stuck in the past. He propels you forward. His desire for you is that you keep moving into victory, freedom and abundant life.

Anything other than your healing is a counterfeit. The next time you have a memory come up, weigh it with what the Lord has done in your heart and mind. If it does not fall into line with God's word over you - rip it up and throw it in the trash.

Let's talk in the comments. As you reflect on your healing and progress with the Lord, what are some reminders or encouragement that He has given you to keep moving you forward? Someone will greatly benefit from your experience. Be blessed today.

Hey SUM family, Tiffany here!

I wanted to talk to you today about a fear that has resurfaced in my life. I wonder if I am not the only one who has struggled with this.

Recently I was given some words over my life. They were absolutely powerful. Isn't it amazing that God knows what we really need to hear? Isn't His time so perfect? These words opened up my heart to dare to dream again. I was fueled with excitement at the purpose and destiny that the Lord has for me. What could it look like to press in?

Then it hit me. Silly ol' fear crept in. "Aren't you afraid that your husband won't approve? Aren't you afraid that he won't know you anymore? Aren't you afraid that this will tear you apart?"

I know that I cannot be alone in this struggle. We find ourselves believing the Word of the Lord. We begin to hope and dream. And then...just like that we begin to feel like we cannot pursue the abundant life that God desires for us.

Let me tell you right now friends, the enemy wants us to believe that we have blown it. The enemy wants us to believe because of the "special circumstance" that we find ourselves in that we are somehow disqualified for the calling on our lives.

I cannot tell you how many times I've believed this lie. When I first came to the SUM community in 2014 I was the enemy's biggest spokesperson for this. I may not have said it audibly but I would repeat these lines in my head.

Now imagine for yourself. What would it look like to fully press into the calling the Lord has for you? Can you imagine the potential growth in Christ? Can you imagine the impact that it could have on your spouse? Your children? Your family? Your city? Your world?

The amazing thing we have to look forward to is our fearless leader Lynn who has trudged on before us. We know now that her husband has now been baptized. Can you imagine what it would have looked like if she gave up on her calling to be a writer? Can you imagine your life without this amazing community that began with one woman choosing to be obedient to God? I sure can't!

Rest assured that there is no better place to be than in the will of the Lord. We serve one amazing God. He is not only for us but He is also for our households.

Let's talk in the comments.

What are some words the Lord has given you about your destiny? What scripture and words of encouragement do you have for fellow SUMites walking through this struggle? How can we pray for you and spur you on?

By Martha Bush

Today, I would like for us to talk about an excerpt from Lynn’s book, Marching Around Jericho. I will be referring to Chapter 9---My Authority in Christ, page 91.

To refresh your memory of that chapter, Lynn expands on three common held beliefs and deceptions we fall into about the demonic realm that keeps us from exercising our authority that Christ has given us to destroy the works of the enemy.

1. Demons aren’t real.

2. It’s impossible for a believer to experience demonic oppression or harassment.

3. Our lack of knowledge (Luke 10:19)

She pointed out that “God can and often will intervene supernaturally in our lives. But, his greatest desire is to have his children established in our kingdom identity, exercise our Christ given authority to influence our world.”

As I read this chapter, my memory took me back to a time God showed me a picture of my true self. What He showed me was preventing me from exercising the authority He had given me to destroy the works of the devil. I refer to it as The Weakness of My Flesh.

Let me explain.

Let me begin my saying that my character and faith are settled on God's word that I know there is a demonic realm that tries to destroy us—it is for real. I also know that He gives me the authority for pulling down strongholds, and destroying the works of the enemy. But, the weaknesses of my flesh often times work against me, or at least I allow them to. I struggle with such things as: procrastinator, hard to stay focused, slow to get moving, and downright slothfulness. 

Actually, slothfulness was also a problem of the Israelites. As you know, they went into Jericho all fired up to possess allllll the land that God had given them in Canaan, less it become pricks in their eyes, thorns in their sides, and would vex them in the land where they dwelled. (Numbers 33:55) But, as time went on, things sort of slowed down, and God spoke to Joshua and had him admonish the Israelites about their slothfulness.

Take a look at these scriptures and see what God is saying to them:

Joshua 13:1-6; 13: He first names the lands they have yet to conquer.

Joshua 17:17-18: Joshua reminds the Israelites that there is more than one lot to be possessed; even the mountain shall be yours.

Joshua 18:3: In this passage of scripture, it sort of sounded like Joshua was getting a little frustrated with the Israelites and says, “How long are you going to wait to possess it"?

I confess that sounds a like me at times. I tend to go around wondering why my prayers aren’t being answered, why signs and wonders that I desire and things God has promised me are passing me by. I even go so far to remind God that “I haven’t worshipped idols or bowed down to sin, so why is it taking You so long, Lord, to possess the territory that You have given me?”

The truth is I have procrastinated, got off focus, and have become downright slothful and refused to take the land away from the enemy that is sticking and pricking my sides.  In short--the weakness  of my flesh kept me from using my God-given authority.

*****
My Sumite Friends, let’s do a little self-judgment today to see where we stand about destroying the works of the enemy in our lives.

1. Do you now believe that demons are real after reading Chapter 9?

2. Do you now believe that we can experience demonic oppression or harassment from the demonic forces?

3. Do you need more knowledge on the subject?

4. Are there weaknesses in your flesh that needs to be demolished so you can proceed?

5. Other reasons?

God wants us to conquer things in our life before it conquers us!

Let’s get Moving! March Into Your Christ-Given Authority!

By Martha Bush        

It was March, 2020 when the world, as we knew it, was turned upside down. Coming to a screeching halt were: schools, restaurants, hair salons, churches, retail businesses. Many other businesses and scheduled events too numerous to name were also canceled. Why? The Government called it "Social Distancing" in order to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus that was claiming thousands upon thousands of lives around the world. Never in my lifetime have I seen the world come to a standstill with the exception of the health care providers who worded around the clock trying to save lives.

All of us were affected in some way. I was one of the blessed ones. First of all, I did not catch the virus, nor did anyone in my family. That alone merits a heartfelt praise to our Lord. 

In addition, I was retired, so I did not have to adjust my work schedule, and my income kept being deposited in the bank.

Third, I was already a stay-at-home type of person who could always find something productive to do at home.

So, you might say that on a personal level, I was not affected by the pandemic to the point that I couldn't make adjustments and allowances for it as need be.

But, about the third week of the quarantine, the big L hit me--loneliness snuck up on me. Let me clarify that by saying I have never been a lonely person, nor have I faced boredom.  I am thankful that I am basically a contented person, even when it is just me, myself, and I--I kind of like it that way. However, I do like to engage in activities with family and friends, and all of a sudden, all of that was taken from me. 

I couldn't see my grandchildren, have lunch with friends, attend my weekly Bible study meetings, couldn't meet with our local SUM group, and assembling together at church had gone by the wayside. I said to my husband one day, "Don't be offended, but I badly need to talk to a woman." Yes, for the first time in my life,  I was lonely.

Where has my feeling of contentment gone? Why is this happening to me?

And then a scripture began to dawn on me that I have read many times over the years that gave me  insight as to why I was having this lonely feeling.

"As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend."  (Proverbs 27:17 NLT).

It became clear to me that Social Distancing had robbed me of the one of the most important things God had created all of us for--RELATIONSHIP.

I knew I had to snap out of this, and pull myself up.  And so it was, by telephone, emails, facebook, and hand-written cards, I began to reconnect, not only with my local friends, but also with those people I had put on hold for when I had more time. Iron began sharpening iron once again.

I also started back walking in the early morning hours-something that I had taken a sabbatical from too long ago to mention. My fellow walkers from days gone by shouted at me from six feet away, "Hey, Martha, where have you been; we have missed you." 

"Oh, just a little leave of absence; and this walking is killing my legs this morning, and my heart is about to bounce out of my chest!"  They laughed, but hollowed back, "You can do this! You'll get back in the swing of things!"  Iron sharpening iron.

I planned menus and ordered groceries online to make special dishes that I had not taken the time to make in the past. When I went to pick the groceries up, with our mask snuggly in place and talking six feet apart, the delivery person and I chatted and cheered one another on during this trying season. Iron sharpening Iron.

Needless to say, my feelings of loneliness and mental health began to take a turn for the better. Just like a tree whose limbs cannot be unbent, no amount of Social Distancing can change the way God bent and shaped us, and that is fellowshipping and having a relationship with one another. 

******

My dear Sumite friends, my heart goes out to those of you who lost a loved one due to the virus.  May the Lord comfort you, as well as the memories you shared with your loved ones be of comfort.

But, perhaps you experienced another type of  loss. In the comments, tell how you were affected during quarantine in your corner of the world, how you dealt with it and what have you learned during this season of your life.

Let's use this time to sharpen iron with one another.

Ann here!

Today I thought I would chat a little about hearing God's voice as a whisper. Often the way God speaks is through the softest of moments, much like the everyday companionship of a good friend. 

Even the prophet Elijah heard God in the still small voice rather than a dramatic fanfare (1 Kings 19:12), and that's usually how it is. The hard thing is, we have to believe it's Him, and that takes a leap.

With this in mind, I thought I'd share a testimony. So settle in, grab a drink, and enjoy. Even writing it today has warmed my spirit, so I hope it does the same for you. Here goes ...

One Easter I was walking up the hill near my house. Suddenly it seemed that every purple flower I saw was grabbing my attention. Was it my imagination? I shook my head quickly, “Don’t be stupid, Ann.” 

That was that. But later I was lying in bed and found myself thinking about my faith difference: “I’m scared Bryce’ll go off me if I go further with God --” Suddenly, a purple rose flashed across my mind. It could have been my imagination. But was it God saying, "Do not fear"?

Weeks later, it happened again. I was swimming in a pool this time and a thought came: "People think I'm nuts believing in Jesus --” Swoosh, a purple clover came across my mind. Was it God? Was He once again saying “Do not fear”?

It happened more. Different purple flowers would land in my head, interrupting my thoughts (usually when I was thinking an anxious thought): Thistles, forget-me-nots, bushes of small dark purple things. I began to believe it was God.

One day, I was sprawled on my floor having cleared out a cupboard. A mysterious wooden box sat in front of me. I hadn’t seen this box for years, and as I lifted its lid I smiled to see piles of letters from childhood pen-pals. But there was something else tucked in there. I reached for it and pulled it out. It was a faded piece of paper from my last day of primary school in 1987, with names and addresses of friends; It was lovely to remember them but then I stopped in my tracks. Something was written in thick black crayon in the corner of that page. It was this:

"And little purple flowers were sprouting."

Oh God!! I sat back, stunned. It's You. What was He saying to me through this? Perhaps that He was always there.

Fast-forward a few years and we come to my kitchen renovation which I mentioned in my last post. There, God had the sweetest purple flower waiting. But first, let me backtrack:

It sounds strange, but as a child I would daydream about having a secret room. I loved the idea of having a space within a house that was hidden. Well, now I’m grown up but I’m still that same person.

After buying our house, Bryce and I realized that our house had a hidden pocket of space behind a wall. We knew because there was a stained-glass window on the outside that wasn't on the inside. Just before the renovation, then, we said to one another "Let’s get the wall knocked down and see what’s in there!" This was last July, just as I was leaving my job, something I’d felt God wanted me to do. The day we knocked the wall down was the day I waved goodbye to colleagues and closed a 10-year chapter in my life.

Honestly, friends, my heart pounds at this one. When we knocked down the wall, guess what we found: A little secret room! And what’s more, the stained-glass window was revealed: A purple flower. Here's a photo of it. That day it was as if God said, “I love you, Ann, and I’m here as you leave your job.” All day I couldn't concentrate; I just had to keep staring at that room and window, captivated.

That stained glass window was put there decades ago, as was the piece of paper in that wooden box. But God knew I’d be coming across it now. The moral of the story? God speaks in mysterious ways, and life with Him is ... well ... fun!

I would so love to hear anything you would like to share about hearing God, so please, go for it in the comments. And I say let's pray for more!

Ann