Hi everyone -- Ann here, and a happy Advent season to you all!

In the spirit of Christmas, I'd wanted to pick one of the stories from the Gospels to talk about today, but which one to choose? These stories are all so full of wonder. After some thought, I finally landed on a favorite of mine: The story where God gives Mary a friend. Elizabeth.

I just find that detail really sweet: God gave her a friend.

And he will do the same for us; when we need it.

Like Mary, many of us SUMites battle a strange kind of loneliness. We have an unusual circumstance to live with; and, like Mary, we don’t ‘tick the boxes’. She was made pregnant out of wedlock but in a Holy way. There's nothing conventional about that. And not much is conventional about us, either.

“Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS.’ " (Luke 1:30-31, NKJV)

Then Mary said to the angel, How can this be, since I do not know a man? And the angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy one who is to be born will be called the Son of God. (v. 34-35)

I've been thinking about this passage, and I suspect that Mary's first concern would have been her sanity. She must, surely, have asked herself whether she was crazy! If we ever encounter the supernatural, that’s the obvious question. Did I really experience that?! Well, she really did -- So somehow God had to help her believe it.

In a similar way, when we are the only Christians in our marriage, we face big reasons to doubt this supernatural belief of ours. Can I really believe Jesus was resurrected? Can I really? Or am I nuts?

And so ... God sends us friends to help us face those doubts.

I love the fact that the angel Gabriel gives Mary an instant way of verifying the seemingly crazy thing she was hearing. He says this:

"Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren." (v. 36)

Then, of course, Mary made haste to visit and find out if Elizabeth really was pregnant. But most importantly, when she tumbled through Elizabeth's door she found herself face-to-face with one sweet friend who was able to say 'YES' to her. 'Yes, it is ok for you to believe this -- You are not crazy!' And that would have made Mary feel a whole lot less alone.

I often think that’s what happens here even with this community. We ‘get’ each other. We are each other's flesh-and-blood helpers. But even beyond that, I know that God sends us help in the form of other Christian friends here and there: Friends who simply help us believe.

There's one noticeable element in this story, and it’s this: Mary wasn’t given a crowd. She was only given one lady. And that’s how it often is for us. I look back on my Christian journey so far and realize that God has given me some quality people to help me carry my cross. Each of these people, for me, have been like Simon of Cyrene who carried the cross for Jesus a little way, just to help him keep going (Mark 15:21). But they have been small in number. And sometimes they've only stayed for a season.

I guess our job is to recognize who those people are. To recognize who it is that we CAN safely share the contents of our heart with; just like Mary shared her heart with Elizabeth. 

If you are feeling lonely right now because of your SUM, a great prayer would be to ask the Lord for an Elizabeth. Wouldn't that be wonderful! Or, if you are feeling like you have energy to give to another, an equally good prayer would be: 'Send me to someone who needs my friendship, Lord.'

As for you, how are you finding the situation with Christian friendships at the moment? Perhaps we can share a little in the comments.

With love,

Ann

Hello SUM family, welcome to our summer study!

It’s Ann here, and this whole month we’re going to be looking at different couples in the Bible who had a faith difference. Today, I have the pleasure of kicking it off, and so let’s turn to Luke 1 to meet our first couple: Mr and Mrs Zacharias – That is, Elizabeth and Zacharias. We know the story well, but is there a SUM twist to it?

We find them living a settled life with friends and neighbors. Having each grown up in tradition they were always on the same page (Luke 1:6), but one day – Oh SHOCK– the power of the Kingdom broke in and divided them. Aggh!

That 'breaking in' involved the barren and elderly Elizabeth receiving a miracle pregnancy. The Lord put a seed of faith inside her, she conceived and, SUMites, we all know what happens next. A seed of faith comes into a marriage and it does interesting things – One spouse can respond quite differently to the other, which then has different consequences for each.

Now, Elizabeth and Zechariah were each given the opportunity to believe this miracle, but faith is belief in things unseen (Hebrews 11:1) and for Zacharias it was just such a stretch. His go-to response was to say a ‘logical’ “Yeah? ... er....  Nah.” An angel was right in front of him telling him the GOOD NEWS, and yet he questioned it. Not even the visible presence of the supernatural could crack him. I'm smiling a little at that because I know what that looks like.  

He says: “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” And he receives a response:

“I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring these glad tidings. But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.” (Luke 1:19-20; NKJV)

Now, here's the SUM part: In the same passage, Elizabeth’s response is pointedly different. She says, “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” (v. 25), choosing to hide herself -- go deep with God -- for five months in wonder. Although it is unclear what then happened with Zacharias, the contrast between the two of them is a symbolic part of the story.

Elizabeth and Zacharias are then catapulted into strange things, and who knows how much is seen by the relatives and neighbors. Often a SUM situation is kept quietly in a home, a deeply private thing between man and wife. It’s something you often can’t explain to others. All the while, Elizabeth endures a spiritually intense time: Five months of believing something with no physical evidence is probably very difficult but does something profound to her. Emerging from her secret place (Psalm 91:1), she eventually begins to pour out the Holy Spirit:

“ ... and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice –" (Luke 1:41-42)

She speaks. He stays mute. My friends, how much is this like our life? But then the effortless way in which the Holy Spirit pours out of her is her visible reward for time spent believing.

The words Elizabeth spoke, in turn, were a banquet for the lonely teenage Mary, who had herself been divinely connected to Elizabeth for Kingdom purposes (Luke 1:26-36). Elizabeth’s faith propelled Mary into being able to understand her own difficult walk and to say: “My soul magnifies the Lord!” or, "Oh, Praise God!"

It occurs to me that God took Elizabeth on this lonely path so that she could support another. And so I ask, today, “Who am I here for, Lord, during this SUM time?” It doesn’t matter that my beloved Zacharias is on his own path; God has stuff for him ahead, but he also has stuff me to do so I will roll up my sleeves and get on with it.

I love this story and hope you enjoyed this first post in our study. Now over to you -- It would be great to chat in the comments. What thoughts would you like to share?

Hey SUMites, Tiffany here!

I asked Lynn if I could do an additional post this month because I wanted to share a really cool story with you. I pray it activates and strengthens your faith to use your God given authority like it has me.

 In my spare time, I love to upcycle things. Especially using license plates and 100+ year old barn wood from my grandpa's family farm. This year I really  ramped up my exposure going from doing the typical 2 -3 shows a year to 9-10 this year. On Friday afternoon, June 8th, the back power hatch when out in our suburban. It refused to open! I had to open the half window and reach through to try and get my groceries. We have a pickup truck but I can't use it for shows because we don't have a topper and I take a LOT of stuff whenever I go. I was a little worried because I was going to load the stuff up that night so that way I could just leave in the morning. My grandparents always come from Kansas City and help me with the shows. This time it was only my grandma and I.

During dinner, I told him that the hatch is broken and I was worried about it. I wanted to load the car that night so we could just leave in the morning. He said that he would take a look. Turns out the part for the hatch is a self-sustaining piece. There was no backup switch, lever, etc. to use in case of malfunction. He was frustrated as he had to figure something out and he was losing daylight. If I could brag on my husband for a second, Jason is kind of like MacGyver. He can see things and put things together in such a way that I am always mind blown. I know a lot of it is the Holy Spirit guiding and directing him because he truly is gifted in this way...oh the day he realizes this!

After a few hours of work he concocted a mechanism that would allow me to open the hatch if it refused to open when I needed it to the next day. He gave a clear warning that NOTHING is to touch or lean against this lever. If it gets accidentally bumped, it could open the hatch, even if we are driving on the road. It was too late to load up the car that night so it would have to wait until morning. That morning, I made a point to hit the floor with my knees and pray. I refused to begin my day without His presence and making myself right before Him - mending our relationship. Praise God I did!

Turning out of my neighborhood onto the first main street (see below for a screenshot of Google Maps), I accelerated a little to quickly to get out the way of the oncoming traffic. This caused the stuff in the back to shift, a bump of the lever, and an opening of the hatch...as I am driving down the street! I quickly pulled to the side of the road, and my grandma and I got out of the car and scrambled to pick up the debris spread across the 4 lanes of the road. A white truck immediately pulled to the side of the road behind us and a man sent by God helped us move things to the side of the road. Another car stopped in the far left lane right behind some grid and a heavy tote and both men brought it to the side of the road. Trying to hold it together I thought, I don't even want to go anymore! Let's go home. I was overwhelmed...BUT God! He quickly swept the fear away and I was able to see with spiritual eyes the hand of God and the dispatch of angels. Grandma and I loaded the car back up as a cop car pulled up behind us down the street...making sure we were safe as we finished up. Getting in the car, I replayed that scary incident back in my mind. How is it that absolutely NOTHING got broken? How is it that there was NO traffic behind me as my car spewed out projectiles across all 4 lanes of traffic? How is it that I saw a car run over my plastic table but there was absolutely no damage to it? How is it that this cop who pulled up shortly after didn't cite me a ticket for my rigged hatch? How except for God? How except for angels on assignment?

Beginning to cry, I held grandma's hand, gently shaking from adrenaline. Yes God did something so miraculous in that moment but now it was time to work. I prayed praised God for all that He had done. I then specifically called upon my angels and dispatched them to protect our vehicle. I said, "don't let that door open. Close the door like what was done for Daniel with the lions mouths. Keep that door closed until it is time. Don't let anything move or shift in the vehicle. Put a hedge of protection around our vehicle and get us there safely. You know what? They did! The rest of the 13.7 miles to our destination everything was smooth sailing. On our way home, same thing. With each second as I carefully drove, my faith increased as I saw with spiritual eyes the power of prayer.

  Taken just after we arrived at the craft show at Chandler Acres Church.

Share in the comments a moment that angels were dispatched on assignment for you. This is not to praise the angels but to praise the One who created them - having you in mind when He sent them for your benefit and care.

February 9, 2017

SUMites, Lynn here. I’m deeply moved with compassion for every child who is experiencing night terrors.

The LORD has been talking to me about this situation and He is greatly troubled that so many small children are terrorized in the nighttime hours. It is God’s intention to bring awareness to this issue and alleviate the fears that are troubling our children’s sleep. God wants to communicate with love and tenderness, adventure and more to our children in the nighttime hours but the demonic realm is in a very real battle for their little hearts and minds. With that said, I hope you will allow me to share some research, truths and some practices that as a believing parent you can employ to put a stop to the night terrors and release your children into the Kingdom of God without fear when they sleep.

Let’s chat about the brain. Adults operate in their waking life in Beta brain waves. This is our conscious thought processes that observe and conduct our life and situations. Beta is a fast-paced, analytical processing of our daily world and all that we experience. Adults transition out of Beta and into an Alpha state of mind just before the enter into sleep and as you become awake. That Alpha state of mind is defined by Phycology Today: Alpha waves (8 to 12 Hz) are present when your brain is in an idling default-state typically created when you're daydreaming or consciously practicing mindfulness or meditation.

Alpha brain waves lend to creativity, reduce depressive feelings, and are a meditative and reflective state of mind. As adults we are not really sure if we are asleep or awake when we are in Alpha when we are going to sleep or waking in the morning.

What is fascinating to me is that children, up until the age of seven, live in a constant state of Alpha. Their inner world is just as real as their outer world. They haven’t developed the analytical and fast brain wave state. So, everything that they are exposed to, goes right into their hearts, mind and memory. A child perceives everything as “real.” They aren’t equipped to differentiate what is fiction to the real life surrounding them. Wow. How many of you knew this? I didn’t.

Because of this fact, we must take great care about what our children are exposed to. What the see, hear, all things of the senses and the imagination.

For example, children are unable to determine if the ghost on the television is real or not real. Yikes!

Everything impacts our children and this is just one of the reasons so many kids are frightened at night and experience terror in their sleeping hours. So often as parents, we can dismiss their very real fears, “Johnny, that’s just TV. Grow up.” But little Johnny is absolutely terrified of that ghost. And now on top of his fears, mom or dad have just dismissed his fear and haven’t honored the little guy’s need for reassurance. Then on top of that mom and dad left him alone to navigate the reality of his fear. AND to add more to this equation, we send little Johnny off to bed without honoring him, without help and with the ghost in his mind and reality!

Ya, pretty much how I was raised.

However, every mama and daddy reading this, God is sending your help. First, let’s discuss what and how we need to help our children to process fear. Let’s choose right now to honor our children’s fear and not dismiss it. Let’s choose to bring help and love to their little hearts. Can you imagine what kind of functional and powerful adult they will become if we train them to process fear with the help of God?

Wow just Wow!

Let’s start with the first and logical parenting tip to curtail night terrors.

Take full control over what is allow into their little eyes, ears and life. Make a commitment today that you will ferociously guard their hearts and take an active roll in what is allowed to interface with your child. This means your inner mama bear must arise. I know that currently there are occult centered cartoons that seem harmless but are blaring on the television and YouTube, etc., before our unsuspecting children. They communicate ideas and enticement into the demonic realm of the occult. Television programs and movies should be monitored as well as video games. Can you think of a few more?

There other day my granddaughter was watching something on my son’s iPhone. It was some kind of video with a grown woman playing with dolls and mimicking a child’s voice. It seems harmless and is great fun for my five-year-old granddaughter. I asked my son about it. He said that he checks out what she watches but he continued, “Mom, there are some really bad things that go on that people do with dolls on YouTube and it’s deceptive because you think they are videos made for small kids but they are really, really bad.”

Sheesh!

You MUST be on alert because one wrong click, your child could be view pornography, violence, horror and more.

I realize that this many not be a popular message for many of you who are overwhelmed by the sheer work and exhaustion of raising a family. But, I implore you as a mother, it’s imperative for their future, their success in life and for their spirit that we honor our children and guard their hearts, eyes, ears, mind, etc.

I will explain what this looked like when my daughter, Caitie, was small. She saw things at night in her room. Do you know what most parents do? They turn on the lights and say, “See, nothing here. Go back to sleep.”

Not this mama. We had an entirely different conversation. I will share more with you next week. Today, I want you to come into agreement with me. We are going to pray this prayer together and stand for our children’s hearts and emotional health. I want you to pray this and then in the comments, share your child’s name and say AMEN. I want you to also share in the comments some of your experiences. Have you witnessed a direct correlation of fears at night to stuff that happened in the day? How did you handle it?

Pray:

Lord, today I declare my fierce protection for my child(ren). Today, I cross the line and will always honor their fears and work with all that I have to train them to seek God to process their fears and to live in faith not fear. I will not discount their fear. Nor will I ignore it. I promise today to learn what I need to know and practice it myself so that I can deal with my fears as well as theirs. I commit today to raise emotionally healthy and strong children who walk in faith in You. In Jesus name. AMEN

Hi SUM Nation,

Our annual fast was one of the most powerful experiences in our community to date. The emails and comments that arrived bear proof that our God is moving upon our prayers. Be assured that our sacrifice of fasting pulled on heaven.

I know many of us had some significant experiences. Many received revelation, and many discovered a growing depth in your relationship with the Lord. Hallelujah.

I had a profound experience on Wednesday: I was at church and the meeting I was attending was concluded. I stood in the building, chatting with two other ladies about our current experiences with God. We were discussing the astonishing things God is doing and how our minds are being blown up right now. It’s one of my favorite things to do, compare notes with other believers who are hungry for God. Anyhoo, our excitement was obvious to anyone who may have been left in the room watching…..In a sudden moment, we felt a swhoosh pass by our huddled little group. It felt as though a large person was passing by us in a rush. (The thing is, no one was near us at the time.) Then out of nowhere a tiny little feather floated down among us. I tried catching it and we stared in wonder. In silence and then we all started talking at once, “Did you feel that? Do you see that? I felt something pass by.”

What do you suppose??????

My friends, the realm of God is very active. The angelic have been dispatched on missions in response to our sacrifice and prayers. I’m convinced we are going to see the Veil thin even more in 2018 and behold miracles. We, the SUMites, through our sacrifice, our dying to self and our married love, will be the first to be welcomed to participate in the missions of the Kingdom…

GLORY… I tell you…. IT’S GLORY!

I realize that many of us will now wait with anticipation for what may come from our week of concert prayer. I can’t wait to hear about it all. Email me with your stories.

Also, today, I am led to thank a beautiful woman, Rosheeda Lee, who wrote me years ago and asked if she could lead our community in a January fast. We began fasting because of her. Most of you missed Rosheeda’s voice here at SUM, she was remarkable. A voice of utter love, forgiveness and mercy. I learned so much from her writing. And she was young but held the wisdom of an eighty-year-old. Rosheeda went to be with the Lord in 2013 when her car rolled as she was on her way to meet myself and Dineen at a conference in Texas. I miss her so much.

But, don’t be sad. Because in this fast, I could see her robed in glorious white. Smiling the biggest smile as part of the Great Cloud of Witnesses as she watched us all fast and pray. The Lord is rewarding her greatly because she was the one who started our annual corporate fast!

Never doubt the power of small beginnings. What you do every day matters so very much in the Kingdom of God. TRULY!

My friends, your commitment to fast, no matter how small or imperfect was a gift to our King! I encourage you to fast again with us in the fall. For me, I am continuing to fast until February 12, 2018. So, if you hear grumbling off in the distance, it’s merely my tummy and my SPIRIT hungering for more of our God!

On Friday I received an email from Karen of Clovis, CA. She emailed me a prayer that concluded one of our annual fasts, circa 2016. I want to pray it now.

 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.” — John 6:44

I believe this with all my heart, soul, mind and spirit! Will you pray with me?

We praise You, Mighty Lord Jesus, for You are the bread and wine to our lives, our souls and our spirits. Thank You for giving this provision to our spouses too! Lord, send the workers needed for this Great Harvest. Send people into our midst to reveal Your presence and love to our pre-believers. Reveal and show that love to them through us, for we are Your workers too, Lord!

Lord Jesus, there is Resurrection Life in all You do. We ask for this resurrection life to be released over our pre-believers, our lives, our marriages, our children and every place in our lives where dry bones need to be called back to life. Breathe Your breath of life over all of us. We call these dry places to life, in the Saving and Life-Resurrecting Name of Jesus.

Lord Jesus, we ask for vengeance against the enemy and the demonic for all they have stolen from us, the SUMites, from our pre-believers, from our children and even from our ancestors. We ask for full recompense and restoration of what has been lost and stolen (Isa. 35).

Lord, call in the harvest of our pre-believers and prodigals. Bring them to You, Lord, every single one of them. Lord Jesus, when You walked this earth, every person who came to You was healed. We present our prodigals and pre-believers to You like the man lowered through the roof and ask that every single one be saved and healed.

In the Mighty Name of Jesus, amen!

What are your thoughts, experiences and hopes from our 2018 fast? Share in the comments. I love you my family on the web. Hugs, Lynn

SUMites, did you read some of the comments from last Monday’s post about friendships? Man, o man…. Good stuff. And you know what I loved most about the thread of conversations?

The LOVE. The love, compassion and caring in those words to one another. Thank you. Bless you!!!

So, I want to do this again today:

I often receive emails from men and women who are contemplating a relationship or marriage to an unbelieving partner. Answering these emails is not as easy as you might think.

Firstly, the writer has been in the relationship for a significant period of time. Translation: She is already in love. She feels a commitment and her heart and life is fully engaged with this man.

Secondly: Most who write me were raised in faith and they already know what the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 6:14.

Third, they are seeking hope that their marriage will make it.

Let me share with you that I never write back condemningly. I was there once. I married my unbelieving spouse when I knew it was wrong. I knew what the Bible said.

But, I also think that if they could see what marriage and day-to-day living is really like when the “Honey Moon” phase ends and children arrive, they might be surprised.

So, today, would you share, with a loving and compassionate heart, your (prayer or observation) of the struggle you have faced in your mismatched marriage. Would you also share how God met you there and helped you through it or how He is helping you through it now?

Make time to do this in the comments. It may change a life or marriage, even another SUM reader because you share how to walk through the challenge in victory.

I will start:

To my dear Sister in Christ. I know your heart and I also believe that love can overcome much and change the hearts of many. God has changed my heart. I also believed before marriage, that once my fiancé and I were married, it would be less than a year that he would discover Jesus and come to faith. My dearest sister that was more than 25 years ago.

I can’t tell you that you should or shouldn’t marry someone. You must take that question to the Lord, Jesus. But I can tell you that there are two common issues that become quite large and painful that you are likely to walk through in the years of a mismatched union.

Loneliness. You will do many things alone. You will feel alone often because of your different world views. Loneliness in marriage is a difficult path to walk out. It can be done with the love of Christ alive in you. But it is not the ideal of marriage and God wants for His children.

Children: I found that so much of my angst, fear and discord in marriage arrived when we had children. You will face the reality that their salvation and church experience will rest completely upon you. Can you stand up under that full responsibility? This will be a difficult road to navigate in your marriage and with your children who need spiritual guidance.

Today, I bless you to be filled with the love of God and that you seek His face for the destiny He has prepared for you. I believe that God chose a perfect spouse for each person who wants one. I pray you seek His face first and the right person will come to you. In Jesus name. AMEN

SUMites, share your wisdom. Share it kindly and share your life experience with difference to a young heart who needs love and honesty. Love, Lynn

Hello SUMite Nation, 

Again!!!!!! 

You did it again! This amazing family on the web emailed and left comments for Heidi that will fill her blossom tree. THANK YOU. You wrote words of faith, hope and love. 

THAT is what the family of God looks like. THAT is unity in Christ. You loved on this woman that you didn’t know. She will be forever touched by your kind words of love, prayers and scripture verses of encouragement. 

I adore you! 

As I’m typing I hear the Holy spirit whisper into my heart, “I’m so proud of the SUMite family. This nation, each person, is stronger than they think. They are mighty in deed and power. And their love reaches far past the darkness. THEY are the unlikely world changers. I love them with a fierce love.” —The Lord Almighty 

My friends, Easter is next Sunday. Today, what I want to do is chat about Jesus. Today let’s give a love offering to Jesus. The Son of God. The redeemer of our lives. Who frees us from the demonic, heals our hearts, souls and illnesses. Jesus who gave us the keys to the Kingdom. 

So, today on Palm Sunday. Share your favorite scripture passage, share your heart, testimony about how Jesus has change your life with faith, hope and love. I CAN’T wait to read the comments this week. 

May the Lord bless you and keep you;
May He make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
May He lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

See you in the comments. Let’s make this praise-a-thon stir the heavenly host so that they join in. Watch for angels this week!!! Love you so much, Lynn

This week something supernatural happened that made national news. I will say that I'm not surprised as I have expected that the world is going to see more and more of God's supernatural intervention in our world. What so great about this story is that four men corroborate the story.

A mother and baby were in a car that careened out of control and cashed upside down in a river. The mother was killed on impact and the baby survived for 15 hours strapped upside down in her car seat. That is a miracle in itself but what I'm interested in is what happened when the fire and police arrived to initiate the rescue. 

Rescuers Heard A Voice

Then, suddenly, they started hearing the distinct sound of a woman’s voice, calling to them to help.

“We replied back ‘hang in there, we’re trying what we can.’ ”

The voice motivated them to push harder because they believed there may be someone inside who was still alive. With their adrenaline pumping they pulled the heavy, water-filled car onto its side and discovered the driver was dead.

The officers had no explanation for the mysterious voice that appeared to come from inside the car. Beddoes said he said he wouldn’t believe it really happened had not the other officers heard it, as well.

“I don’t know what I thought I heard,” he said. “I’m not a typically religious guy. It’s hard to explain — it was definitely something. Where and why it came from, I’m not sure.”

Listen to this video and share your thoughts in the comments. Hugs, Lynn

PS. You know I'm just seeing the title of this video and NO I don't think the voice is the mothers. Just sayin'.

Yesterday we approached the Alter. We surrendered our shame, guilt, our failures, our inadequacies, pain, disappointment, devastation ….. Our brokenness. 

Listening to our Father today, I hear Him say to me, “Lynn, you have stood upon my promises and have remained faithful. I cannot deny my own Word.” 

There have been many years in my past that all I had to grasp were God’s distant promises. But I held on to them. Sometimes shakily. Praying and willing myself to trust God’s promise, I would wake up at night and speak them out loud. I would repeat them over and over to myself. I remember a long season in my past where all I could do was to repeat, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I can do all things… (Phil 4:13) This promise alone push me through many tough hours. 

His promises sustained me in the years of disappointment and disillusionment. What I’ve come to realize is that God wasn’t telling me “no” when it came to fulfilling His promises, He was preparing me to bear the weight of the glory when the promises were fulfilled. God used my struggles and my unequally yoked marriage specifically to mature my faith and develop my character. Why? So that I’m able to walk into more gifts and abundance and yet not steal His glory nor morally fail because of the treasures He has provided and is yet to provide. 

Clearly I heard the Lord say to our community, remind yourselves of who you are. And stand firm against the enemy and firmly on My promises. 

Here are a few promises that have been life-lines to me: 

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. — 2 Timothy 1:7 

I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. — Hebrews 13:5b 

Psalms 91 continues to be powerful for me. 

My friends, the Lord is preparing us for greatness. His Kingdom is rising on earth right now in a manner not seen since the time Jesus walked here. He is growing us, maturing us, loving us into a place where we can walk in wholeness, power and authority so that we can receive more and more of His glory. So that we can be people of God who bring His Kingdom to earth. 

I wonder, what promises from His Word are your life-lines in this season. And what promises are you speaking over yourself for your future? Share them in the comments and when the Lord reads these, it will move His heart. 

We are at the breakthrough part of our fast. Now, more than ever, it’s crucial to speak truth and promises over our lives and into our lives. Let’s let God’s Holy Word spring forth and change us, our homes, our communities and our world. 

My Holy and Blessed Child, 

You have labored hard under a mean and ruthless taskmaster. He has stolen much from you. But today, I am listening still as you claim my promises. I have told you that my Word does not return void. Your faithfulness will be My faithfulness and you will be vindicated, healed, restored and elevated. I am already moving.

Today, my Son Jesus, stands with the Keys to the Kingdom and He is releasing my angels to battle for you as your faithfulness has reached my ears. And I will now exact payment from our enemy and restore what the locus have stolen. There will be a great out-pouring and you, my child, you have faithfully walked with me and are now ready to receive all the grandeur I have prepared for you in advance. 

I will not leave you. I will not forsake you. I will cover you with My wings. Your faithful obedience compels me. I love you. I adore you. I am for you and not against you. I am the Ancient of Days and your vindicator. —The Lord God Almighty

From Monday’s post…….However, before we leave I want to go and give a hug and thank you to each of the trio of the prayer team. I start looking all over. I can’t find them. 

Ahhhhhhh, now that is an interesting story in itself. I haven’t been able to stop considering the trio of pray-ers since I arrived home a week ago…………… 

Let me pick up the story from Monday. The girls and I has sufficiently wiped our faces and we are still all smiles from ear-to-ear and remain pretty-much in shock by what has just transpired. However, we must make our way to the airport shortly. We stand and start toward the exit of the main room where there are still tons of people. 

And as I stand I’m compelled to want to say thank you one more time to the praying trio before we leave. After all, it’s not every day three people pray with you and miracles break out. So, I start looking. And looking. Head turning left to right. I turn around. I look all throughout the crowded room as I expect they are now praying with another person. 

“Where did they go? I want to say thank you again?” I ask Caitie and Gina. “I don’t see them anywhere. Do you?

“No,” Gina replies. 

“Mom, they just left.” 

“What, all three of them?” 

“Yes, I saw them go out the side door into the hallway.” 

“What? That can’t be.” 

“Why?” 

I’m in shock and puzzled. I proceed to explain to the girls, “It doesn’t make sense. I’ve worked in healing rooms myself. You volunteer. It’s only for an hour and a half. You pray and move on to the next group.” 

“Well, they probably needed to go to the bathroom.” 

“All three of them at the same time?” I respond as the preposterousness of the thought rises in me. Remember, two young men and an older, pristine white-haired woman. Would they go to the potty together???? Seriously????? 

“Well, maybe they took a break.” 

“Well, maybe but when you volunteer in the Healing Rooms with this many people waiting for prayer, you don’t break, especially since the Rooms just opened. You pray.” 

My puzzlement begins to turn to something else in my heart as if the dawn of the sunrise is happening in that moment. 

We emerge into the hallway to head to class and they aren’t there. They’re gone. 

Just like that. We never saw them again. 

Now I’m convinced that this amazing trio might be something more than three ordinary people. My daughter remains skeptical. 

But even now, I hold the possibility, the astonishing possibility, in my heart. And like Mary, the mother of Jesus, this is another treasure I will store and ponder in my heart for the rest of my life.

Gang, on Monday on want to visit the reasons why God does not heal. And my suprise will have to wait another week as I'm not quite ready. Hugs.

Related articles

Jesus Heals! In Front of My Eyes!

If you missed Friday’s post, go back and read it now. Here is the link. Now let’s pick up the story. 

Okay, remember my daughter who is 19 just received word that Jesus launched her into a new journey. And my friends, already so much has happened to her as she returned to her college campus. But, let’s not get sidetracked. Oh and I should mention, Dineen was not with us as she had to return to San Jose early that morning for a family get together. Bummer! 

Onward. 

The trio of pray-ers move on to Gina as Caitie is sitting next to me telling me about what she just experienced. We are both teary-eyed and overwhelmed. If you stop for a minute and think about what we are experiencing, it’s a Holy Mind-blow. I mean really. Angels are in the room. Jesus is launching teens into His Kingdom, people are being healed. My head still wants to explode today just writing about it all. 

Well as my daughter and I are talking, all of a sudden Gina starts shouting, “It’s loud in here. It’s loud in here.” The two young men have even broader smiles, if that is possible. They are laughing and jumping. Gina is practically dancing. I shoot out of my chair again screaming, “You’re healed. You’re healed.” 

We have become a public spectacle in the giant room packed with people but who cares? Gina’s hearing has been restored because Jesus loves her. AMEN! 

I run to her and practically break her neck hugging her so hard. Caitie runs at the same time. She’s almost tackled right there in the prayer room. The young men are clapping. I’m clapping, Caitie and Gina are teary and all smiles at the same time. 

Wait!     Did you hear me? She can hear!!!  I can’t hardly even now grasp what I experienced. She is healed and her ears were opened!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Joyce is somewhere writing on a paper. 

“Gina, what happened?” I ask. 

“They began to pray and ask Jesus for healing. After a few minutes I felt heat and then heard pop, pop, pop. My sinuses drained and then everything got very loud.” 

Andrew grabs Gina and takes her to the stage and places her up next to give a testimony on the microphone to the room. Right before her is a woman also giving a testimony. And get this. She also just had her hearing restored. Whoa! 

Gina approaches the mic. Gives her testimony. I’m still a blathering woman in search of Kleenex as we watch. All I can mutter over and over is, “Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus.” 

She finishes her testimony and returns to us. I see Andrew once again and hug his poor skinny neck. I practically want to throw myself on him in giant hugs of gratitude for his faith and prayers. He then goes to hug the girls. 

The three of us sit back down to wipe our faces and talk some more. If you have seen deer in headlights, but happy dear, that would be us three *grin*. We sat there for a few moments in the atmosphere. Finally, I say, “We should head over to the after class as we need to get to the airport soon.” So off we went. 

However, before we leave I want to go and give a hug and thank you to each of the trio of the prayer team. I start looking all over. I can’t find them. 

Ahhhhhhh, now that is an interesting story in itself. I haven’t been able to stop considering the trio of pray-ers since I arrived home a week ago. I will tell you about that on Friday my friends.

Woo Hoo!!!  It’s a blast living the believer’s life!  Pray BIG. Dream BIG. Our God is all about answering faith-filled prayers. 

Oh and on Friday, I have something special to share with you. Have an amazing week in His Presence. Hugs, Lynn

SUMites, 

Where to begin. Let me ask you a question. Do you believe God still heals? Can He cure cancer, heal the blind restore hearing in the deaf? 

If you are a SUMite, I know you said yes. I know you said that because we MUST believe in great miracles of God’s love and kindness. If we had little faith, we could not walk this unique walk of the unequally yoked. 

Today, I’m going to step out and share with you what transpired on Saturday. I may stumble through the story as I’m still processing it all. Get a cup of coffee or tea. Pull up a chair and I pray, I pray with all that I am, that you feel chills run all over your body as the Holy Spirit confirms His power and love for God’s people. 

You met Gina, right? We prayed for her several years ago when she was facing a melanoma diagnosis. And since that time she has recovered as is in remission. Hallelujah! Can I get a hallelujah? 

And I believe on Friday night she was further delivered from that nasty cancer right before my very eyes. That’s a story for another day. OHHHHHHHH, and it’s a good one. Stay tuned. 

Back to Saturday. Myself, my daughter, Caitie and her best friend, Gina, went to the church to receive prayer for healing. For myself, healing of my injury to my right wrist. I injured it rototilling the garden in March. Caitie wanted prayer for more of God. And as for Gina, she was complaining in the car on our way there that she couldn’t hear as my daughter was talking. She said, “Caitie, you know I can’t hear very well so talk louder.” 

I chime in from the back seat, “You know Gina, you should ask for healing of your hearing while we are here.” I didn’t think another thing about it. 

Yep, I bet you know where this is going. But let me share how this happened. 

We arrived in the sanctuary and there are people all over the place. People praying and being prayed for and those waiting for prayer. For some reason, I didn’t follow the crowd into the seating area but took myself and the two teens down toward the front of the room. We waited for only a short time and then a prayer team moved over to talk with me. I was seated, Caitie was next to me and Gina next to her. 

The prayer team approached and I stood. Before me were two young men who I think were in their mid-twenties, Andrew and Chris. With them was an older, round woman with pure white hair, Joyce. The young men made introductions. Joyce said nothing. (Remind me later to share my thoughts about their names) I explained I wanted prayer for my wrist. Christ began to share a story of a man healed of a broken arm right in front of him. I grow completely excited and shove my hand, writs, arm out to Chris and practically scream, “Oh, please pray for me.” Poor guy couldn’t even finish his story because I’m already on board and can’t wait for a touch from God. 

Chris places a hand over my wrist and a hand under. The three pray. I FEEL HEAT. At that moment, I feel a fire come over my whole body and I burst into a sweat and right behind that I burst into tears like a blathering baby girl. I’m so overwhelmed. Crying and sweating all over the boys who are now likely uncomfortable because I’m practically sobbing a river on their sleeves. Sheesh! They hand me off to Joyce. Then Chris asks me, “How does it feel?” 

Gang, I begin to move my wrist in full motion and with—out—pain. A first since March of this year. 

I start screaming. People are watching. The young men have a face full of gleeful smiles. Joyce is writing on a paper. I don’t think I ever heard her say a word. Hmmmmmm 

“No pain. No pain. Look I can move it and no pain.” More snot sobs. Andrew asks if I would give a testimony over at the testimony table. So my snot nose, healed wrist and I cross the crowed room and speak with a sweet girl who records my testimony. 

The trio leaves me and moves on to my daughter, Caitie. She is holding out her hands in front of her like you do when you want to receive something when I return from the testimony table. She is teary. I’m still freaked out and watching. Thankfully the snot subsided. I see them praying “more” for Caitie and then the four of them break. 

All smiles. Hugs all around and Caitie walks over to me. 

“What happened?” 

The trio moved to Gina and are praying with her. 

“Mom, I felt heat on my hands when Chris touched me. And as they prayed, Chris asked me again what I felt on my hands, as my eyes were closed. I told him more heat from his hands. He said to me, “I’m not touching your hands now.” 

“What? Oh my goodness, you had an angel touching your hands. Caitie, this is so amazing.” More tears now from the both of us. Where’s the Kleenex? 

“Mom, Chris said that as he prayed for me he saw Jesus. And Jesus was holding a bottle of wine and christening a ship. He was christening a ship because I was being launched onto a journey.” I looked into her eyes and she into mine. After what happened to her the night before we had a knowing that this was in fact — true. More on that story later. 

Oh good grief. I’m already way long on this story and I haven’t gotten to the good part yet. So, tune in on Monday as I tell you what happens next. 

My friends, I know Jesus. He is the healer and it is His purpose in our lives to give us healing in every area, health, soul, body. I give Jesus all the honor, glory and worship because He still heals His people today. 

So I have a question for you today? Do you believe? 

See you in the comments. I love you SUMites. I really love you and am praying for your full healing.

Wow Oh Wow… The heavens opened this morning. 

On my walk n pray this morning God just started talking. And talking. And talking…. I was so overwhelmed by all He was sharing that I had to call Dineen while I was on the trail. 

What was He saying? I’m so glad you asked because it was all about you, Sumites. 

I’m going to write out what I heard. 

First I kept hearing over and over, humble and contrite. Humble and contrite. Humble and contrite. 

Then He explained. 

Lynn, I know you have talked to me a lot about these letters and lists. You have brought the people who wrote them before me. But I want to tell you how I feel about these men and women. 

My heart is moved with joy and great pleasure for these, my children. 

“Why Lord?” 

Because they have given me a sacrifice of great significance. 

“How did we do this, Lord?” 

In your culture today the devil has created a frenzied pace in life. The demands on people’s time and energy are beyond what I ever intended. Culture dictates, a do, do, do mentality and shouts that you are not valuable if not busy and productive every minute of your life. I hate it. 

It is a lie, Lynn. 

But these. These precious children of mine, they have taken time to sit down with me. They talked with me and then handcrafted a letter, a list of their dreams. They made an effort. An effort to stop and think about Me and what we, together might do in this world. Do you know how that thrills my heart? 

As they sat writing out their dreams in their precious and unique handwriting style, they were with me. I was with them. I watched their faces as they wrote the words and formed the sentences. I felt the stirring in their hearts as they dared to bring me into their lives to help them accomplish and see their dreams come to life. 

Lynn, I see this very act of writing these dream lists as I saw the very first sacrifice that was given to me. You know who gave me that precious sacrifice? It was Able. His gift was a gift of love, his first fruits, a willing gift of love. 

These dream lists are so much more to me than words penned on paper; they are a gift of great love. They are a gift from children who love me. They are a message that I have priority. That I am their Lord. That I am loved by them. They are birthed of a humble and contrite heart of which I find great, great pleasure. 

Lynn, today the angels sing! They sing because I have watched this SUMite Nation and I approve. I thrill over all of you. I adore you. I am Your God and Your King. I am your Father who loves you. And Lynn, you know when a Daddy loves His children, do you know what He does? 

“Tell me Papa.” 

He moves heaven and earth to give them the Kingdom.

Good grief SUMites. I have a lump in my throat. 

SUMites, God went on to tell me some other amazing things. He told me that He has something for Dineen at the conference. —Can’t wait to see what that is. 

Then God showed me something. I saw a picture of a Bible open and there was a person reading it. I could only see the hands as the right hand reached up to turn the page. Now this next part astonished me. When the page was turned I saw gold shimmering dust, glory dust, float from the page and onto the person who was reading. 

Again God said to me, “See Lynn, when you spend time with me reading from the Bible, My glory comes upon you.” 

Say what? I was immediately impressed how God takes great pleasure when we simply sit down with a “paper” Bible. Literally gold dust fell on the hands and arms of the reader. 

HOW COOL IS THAT? 

Approaching The Most Holy Day in God’s calendar tomorrow, I hear a calling to understand what God sees as humble and contrite. So as we fast tomorrow, look up these scriptures in a paper Bible and let His glory dust upon you. Let His great pleasure flow and give the angels even more reasons to sing over the SUmite Nation. 

I love you all so much. I love our God, His Son, Jesus and the Spirit that empowers us and makes us one. 

Isaiah 66:2 Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the Lord. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word. 

My friends, God told me that it’s not too late. You can still sit down and handwrite your dream list. You can still mail it to me if you want to but it’s not about getting it to me. This is a sacrifice of love that is between you and our Papa. Make time to dream with Him. You won’t regret it.

Lynn & Heidi

Heidi Holmes has been a regular reader of SUM for about two and a half years. She made the five hour drive from Las Vegas, NV to Temecula last week to participate in our Walmart Prayer Day. Heidi told me that a year ago she was so riddled with fear and anxiety, she could have never made a trip like this alone. (I have her permission to share) 

God has brought so much healing into her life. 

Heidi left on Friday the day following the event and an astonishing thing occurred. Here is her story: By Heidi Holmes 

Ok here goes... Driving back to Nevada the following day still drunk on Gods presence and glory that showed up in Temecula, I could do nothing but smile and praise His name, singing with each song of praise on the radio with tear-filled eyes. I was so full of gratefulness and utterly in complete love with this King who does not disappoint! The song "I Can Only Imagine" came on, only the symphony version, (I had not heard this version before). I can't begin to tell you how divinely heavenly, the sound was! My body completely overwhelmed in love and the spirits chills. I wanted that feeling to last forever. 

As the song played I focused on a semi I truck in front of me, straining to see what was on the back. As I got close enough to see, I saw that it was a pair if angel wings, with the words "Angel Transportation”. I thought “Hmmm, must be the angel armies I prayed for on this trip escorting me home ;-) " . 

I passed the truck smiling a little thank you, not really knowing if it meant anything at the moment. I continued down the road in my drunken state of love for my Father smiling ear to ear and still tearful eyes, trying to wrap my mind around the past couple days. Three miles down the road from the truck, I see a sports car in the far left lane (3 lane freeway) hit the brakes, swerve to left side of road then over correct to right to get back on the road heading horizontally to the travel lanes. 

I think to myself, “Oh no! THIS isn't good he's going WRECK!!!” But he has two lanes of traffic to pass through. I’m probably safe." However, I still fear for the driver. 

Suddenly everything stopped, then started in slow motion. The car kept swerving ALL over horizontally making it between all the cars. I could even see their panicked faces. Even the all American phrase for panic "Ohhhh sh.....t" was readable from where I was. I have to admit that very phrase almost escaped my lips as the approached my lane far right of the freeway. 

As they spun around in front of me 360 degrees twice, I KNEW my fate was sure, there was NO way I'd be able to avoid them at the distance and speed of 80 miles per hour I was traveling. But time slowed even more, panic vanished, calmness took over, and my truck slowed as I maneuvered in a calm matter, SO unlike me. My truck avoided their car all together!! 

I had avoided the car and ended up stopped both vehicles side by side pointed down the freeway in the RIGHT direction!!!! 

Are you kidding me?!! 

I'm alive, they are alive, and not a scratch on either!!! I paused, made eye contact and waived a "are you ok?" wave. And then drove on because of all of the traffic behind us. I looked in my review mirror and saw the car with the two men in it had pulled of the road and parked. No doubt to give a prayer of thanks! I of course, was bawling and sobbing my thanks the rest of the way home. 

Indeed!! There was "Angel Transportation" !!!! :-) 

The symphony version of "I Can Only Imagine" listen loudly with eyes closed and be blessed :-) I Can Only Imagine ~ MercyMe w/ London Symphony Orchestra ...

Related articles

Walmart Prayer Day

The Miracles of Walmart Prayer Day

#SUM Nation, today would you join me in prayer: 

Lord, Holy Papa, Your children gather here in this unexpected house. The House of SUM where we come from all the nations to share our hearts with You and with each other. Thank you for this amazing place where we gather to unite “the church.” Thank you this is a place where we don’t judge one another by appearance. We see one another at the heart level — through words. It’s beautiful here Lord. Thank you for allowing us to see one another just as You see us. You look at the heart. 

Father, we love you. We adore our Betrothed, King Jesus and we are lost without the Dove that indwells and sits upon our shoulder. Thank you for your love, grace, provision, lavish gifts. Thank you that you wanted kids and chose us. 

Today, Father I’m moved to ask Your hand of covering over our Kingdom Miracle event that will happen on June 12, 2014. Lord, today prepare the legions of angels and release them to go before us to open the doors of heaven over this store. Make the morning go smoothly with all those who are volunteering, with the staff of Walmart and especially the shoppers. 

Lord, there are already several who need healing that will approach those doors on that specific Thursday. Oh Father, please, please give them courage to ask for our prayers. And then Lord, You move in power and love. Bring healing, hope, restoration and goodness to these lives. Bring Your Presences so powerfully that the demons flee in fear and that heaven opens over this store. 

Lord, we want to see Your glory and proclaim that God is alive and well and He works in the lives of ordinary people outside of churches and in the places where the broken gather. We, Your People, ask that You astound us with such unexpected surprises that we can’t wait to do this again. And that Your fame and glory spread out across the nations. 

Daddy, help us to pray with your power and authority. Pray with love. Place such a powerful love anointing upon us that when people look into our eyes, they immediately feel peace and joy. We pray that they see the reflection of Your Son, Jesus. 

May all that we do bring you glory. Fight with us against disease, oppression, and the lies of the enemy. We declare You have ordained great victories for this day and we will be obedient to bring people love, healing, and mostly Your heart into their lives. 

We pray with belief in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Hover over image and add to Pinterest! Pinning the Kingdom!

I love you my friends. Have a fantastic week. THRIVE in His Presence. Hgus, Lynn

Hey Gang, 

Let’s get back to Joshua, the Israelites, and those ever present and menacing Walls of Jericho. 

I find it interesting as I began to write this series, I was also reading this very story in my Daily Bible this past couple of weeks. There is such a depth and richness in these chapters that I could probably write a book about the parallels to our life today. 

But alas. I have too much to do right now. *grin* 

Today I want to specifically address something that I think most of us miss in this story. But before I go there I think we need to remember that in several places in this story, the beginning chapters of the Book of Joshua, God calls the people to consecrate themselves. Before crossing the Jordan River (Joshua 3:5) and on this particular day the people witnessed a miracle. Both Dineen and I have written about this very thing. The Priests stepped into the water (faith in action) and the water piled in a heap, up-stream. They crossed the Jordan, a million plus or so, to arrive near Jericho (witnessed the miracle). Which, by the way, completely freaked out their enemies behind the walls. The Bible says: And their hearts melted and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites (Joshua 5:1). 

Again in preparation and consecration, God commands Joshua to circumcise the entire male population (Joshua 5:2).  They are set apart as Holy unto the Lord. I often wonder if we also go through a season of circumcision. The cutting away of the worldly in order for God to bring us into His Holiness and  Promised Land? Makes a girl ponder, that is for sure. 

BUT today, let’s get to something very interesting that I bet most people don’t notice. 

Joshua 5: 13 –15 

Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” 

“Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord[e] have for his servant?” 

The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so. 

This is the commander of the Lord’s armies. AND this is the second time this angel came to lead the people into the Promised Land. 

The Second Time! 

Forty years earlier God said:

Exodus 23:21-23  “See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not rebel against him; he will not forgive your rebellion, since my Name is in him. If you listen carefully to what he says and do all that I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and will oppose those who oppose you. My angel will go ahead of you and bring you into the land of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites and Jebusites, and I will wipe them out.”

I have to stop and dwell on the implications. God prepared an angel at the beginning of the journey to fight for the people. To “go ahead of you” and bring the people into the Promised Land. 

The people rebelled. Fear held more power over the people than their faith in God. 

The angel waited 40 years to complete the assignment given by the Lord. And on the day that the people were finally ready, the angel and the armies of heaven were present and ready. 

We are not that different. 

I have to wonder if God sent angels years ago to help me discover my Promises. And because I wasn’t ready to believe those promises, the abundant life that was truly mine to have, the angels have been waiting, waiting, waiting. I wonder what promises were made to my relative of even a few generations ago that God made and He is still waiting to fulfil. 

Right now we are in this transition season. The 40 days between Passover and Pentecost. During this season of transition I think it’s our preparation period. Our consecration. Our season to ask God to return the angels that He prepared just for us that we may enter into the battles at hand with absolute assurety that victory is ours. The captives and prisoners will be freed and that the plunder is our reward. 

More than anything, I pray this post does what’s it’s designed to do. Mess up your mind and stir your soul. 

Have you ever thought about the angels that have been dispatched to fight with us in spiritual warfare? Do you think you have faced the Promised Land before but were too fearful to fight for it? And what do you think or even know are promises that were given to your relatives that they did not see fulfilled in their life time that God is hoping and cheering you on to receive the glory, reward and riches He has been waiting to pour out in abundance. 

Wow. This book Joshua is messing with me. I think there is so much God is desperately wanting us to pray and ask for in this season of transition. 

My question: Do you have the courage to ask God for the angel armies to storm the walls? 

Have a great weekend. I’m looking forward to your thoughts. I love you my friends, Lynn

PS. Thank for your patience during our website down time. My hosting service was hacked but seems to be doing great now. I hope you had a chance to read about Gina’s miracle on Monday.

So on Friday I left you with my story of my return home from Bethel. 

This is the culmination of a long week and very long and a supernatural experience more fantastic than I can describe with sufficiency. 

So here we go. Are you ready?

I’m lying in bed trying to fall asleep. But I can’t sleep. So I talk to God. I can’t even remember what I’m praying but it was words of love, peace, joy and seeking. Leaving the conference has stirred up inside of me a hunger for more. I want more of God’s desires for mankind. I know I’ve spent hours praying since the conference asking for God to give me His heart. I just want His heart for people. I want to love people and I refuse to judge them. I ask God to give me His heart and eyes to see people as He sees them. I want to see my husband, my daughter, son, my neighbors – all people- through His perception. Then I will have understanding as to why they are the way they are and I will also have clear vision to see their pain and to pray for them and with them. 

I just want God’s heart. To have more love poured into me so I can love Him more. 

I also remember praying that I want to see past the membrane (the veil) into His realm. I want to see angels and see heaven. I want to hear heaven and see the true reality. I’m praying these words over and over for about two hours. And I remember praying, “Lord, I want to see angels with my natural eyes.” Marcus from the conference instructed me to pray in this way. “Lord, may I see the angelic with my natural eyes.” 

I slowly opened my eyes and that’s when I looked across the room to a place where I’ve sensed an angel rests in the night. It is always there protecting me. 

I see with my natural eyes this angel. 

It’s a light. Resting on top of my husband’s Chest of Drawers near the celling. It doesn’t frighten me. I kinda already knew it was there. It’s a light of brilliant white and blue. Now I know this description will bug some of you because you have been given images of great winged creatchers but angels are of the spirit realm and this isn’t the first time I’ve seen an angel as light. It's not to say that they don't manifest with wings or in human forms because I believe they do, however, in this moment, I saw light.

I watched this light for a while. I would close my eyes and open them again to see it just resting there. Finally I opened my eyes again and it was no longer visible. But I knew it was there. 

And it was then that I heard God’s voice speak to me in my soul, “Lynn, what you are about to see (near future events) will be the balm to your pain. 

Now I have no idea what is planned that I’m going to be allowed to see but I’m pursing this promise with all the fervor and prayers I possess. I want to see God’s glory, the supernatural, I want to see past the veil and see the angelic. I want to hear the angels sing and nature worship the God of All. I want to increase in hearing God speak to me and to amplify this healing anointing given to me. 

I want to see it all. Experience all God has for His children. 

DO YOU????? 

Start with this verse.

John 11:40 (NIV) Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” 

Memorize it. And then begin to pray asking God to reveal all these things to you. Pray for an insatiable hunger for God’s heart and feast at His Table devouring His Word. 

God has said to me there is so much right now available for His children. Jump in. The journey is a continual surprising, surpassing love experience with God our Father, Prince Jesus and the Holy Spirit that makes us One. 

Okay, next post. I will tell you what happened with the Prince on Monday.

Revelations 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Have an amazing week and if you left a comment on Friday, I prayed for you and left a comment in reply. God gave me some powerful scriptures for many of you. 

I love you my SUMite family. You and I are forever family who will spend thousands upon thousands of years together discovering more and more of God’s love and facets of His person. Woo Hoo. Personally, I can’t wait. Have an amazing week in His Presence. Hugs, Lynn

My friends, Dineen here. Lynn let me hyjack the blog today because we agreed the messages I received from the Holy Spirit are so needed right now and time sensitive. Get ready to read and grab a tissue. God rocked my world and now He's about to rock yours.

But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus *said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means, Teacher). — John 20:11-16

Mary stood by the tomb weeping and Jesus showed up. Not when Peter and John where there but after they left. He came in the midst of Mary's tears to bring her reassurance and comfort.

Dear friends, I sense many of us are standing by a tomb of disappointment right now weeping. We are only seeing the emptiness and not the promise. The tomb had to be emptied first in order for the full promise to manifest in Jesus' ascension and our reception of the Holy Spirit.

But do you see how Jesus appeared just for Mary? He saw her pain and need. Mary and Jesus have a history. They have a friendship and in her grief, Jesus stood right next to her, yet again. Just as he had when Lazarus died.

Loved ones, you too have a history and friendship with Jesus. He is standing right next to you and He wants you to know He's there. And He wants you to stop looking into that empty tomb and keep your eyes on Him.

This is a time of intense waiting that comes before the time of breakthrough. But it's crucial that we understand waiting doesn't mean that we do nothing. This is our time to pray and trust and believe and worship.

Isaiah 40:31 (NASB)
Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.

Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

I put two translations of this wonderful verse to remind you that wait and hope are interchangeable words in Hebrew. Waiting is hoping and hoping is waiting.

Whatever Jesus is asking you to do right now, do it. Don't scurry into action and do what you think you should be doing. Stop, be still and tell Jesus you are ready to hear whatever it is He wants to tell you and ask Him what He wants you to do right now.

Then listen. You may "hear" a short phrase or see just a word in your mind's eye. Whatever you sense, hold onto it. Trust that the Holy Spirit is speaking to you.

My dear SUMites, we have Jesus by our side all the way. That is our greatest promise and gift. As I came to the end of this post, this is the message that poured out from the Holy Spirit. This is Jesus' message to all of us:

Look for me, seek me. You look at me yet do not see that I am right there beside you. I hold your tears, everyone of them, in my hands and in my heart. I behold you with great affection and favor. Trust Me now as you have never trusted Me before. This is not an action but a choice. Make the choice and then trust Me to do this work in you. I am the perfecter of your faith and I stand in the gap between what you perceive to be reality and what I have ordained to be true. Let Me bring you to the side of truth.

Do not lose hope. The enemy wants to make you think you have but you haven't for I am your hope and you will never lose Me. Just look! See? I am there. I am right there.

Shortly after I wrote this I began praying for God to send an army of angels to surround the SUMites and stop the plans the enemy has set against us. Before I could even finish praying, God stopped me with an image. He showed me that we are already surrounded and not just surrounded but we, the SUMites, are part of this great army. We stand in a great circle, each of us, with an angel on each side of us and we are linked arm and arm with them! It is glorious! I was so overcome by the beauty of it I burst into tears. My friends, we stood as tall and proud as these giant angels! Our chins were held high and we glowed! Within the circle was all our loved ones. Our unbelievers/prebelievers stood in the middle and our children ran around them within the circle, full of joy and peaking through our legs but they were not afraid of the enemy's presence.

I was so overcome by this image. It was so incredibly beautiful. I told God this and He said, "This is sanctification." I also sensed that the joy in our children is a crucial part to our places right now. They are part of our strength.

Stand in His mighty presence, my friends! We are upheld and reinforced as never before!
Love you so much!
Dineen

SPOILER ALERT….. SPOILER ALERT….SPOILER ALERT 

I know that there are many of you reading and working through the questions of our book right now. There’s a story I share in the book that I have never told here on the blog. It’s the story of a glimpse into the miraculous and it happens in chapter eight. Well actually it happened on our front driveway. *grin* 

I won’t retell the story here but today I want to share with you that this particular encounter continues to fill my heart with hope. Like Mary, she treasured the small things of Jesus in her heart. I too, treasure this day and I ponder it often. 

The reason I speak of it is because this week, I opened my daily Bible to March 14th and written there in the margin at the top of the page it reads: 2008- Mike ….. (okay, I can’t tell you what it says or it will spoil the book). But just let me say that it all starts with a landscape contractor named Joe. 

What makes this date uniquely intriguing is that March 14th is our wedding anniversary. I had completely forgotten that this event occurred on the date we were married. Isn’t that just like God to go to the ridiculous degree of detail to surprise, astonish and love on us? It freaks me out sometimes. 

But this year, 2012, this March 14th is our 20th wedding anniversary. 

Wow…. Twenty years. My friends. I had my doubts at times. But I wouldn’t trade one minute of my mismatched marriage because it’s been the very frustrations and struggles that have brought me into this fantastic love relationship with Jesus and with my husband. 

So, celebrate with us. Twenty years and counting. 

And for all of you who are reading or have read our book, allow me to share some of my pondering about this particular day in 2008. I wonder what you might think about it all. 

I had no idea that Joe was a Christian when I hired him. When Joe sat in my kitchen he told me he couldn’t write English so I filled in the contract and signed it. I thought it odd at the time. I think it very odd now indeed. 

Joe was Italian. He spoke English and Italian. And Spanish now that I come to think of it. He had a tiny bit of an accent but not too heavy. I can't stress enough how odd it is that I came to hire an Itialian contractor in Southern California where the trade is predominately, Hispanic.

Now get this. Joe sported a modestly curly head of BLONDE hair and he had blue eyes. Not your typical Italian. He was filled with the spirit and in my mind; Joe was on assignment to the Donovan house. I’ve never heard from Joe since that time but every time I think of him, I smile. As I ponder all the things the occurred in that two weeks back in 2008, I wonder, maybe, just maybe, an angel???? 

I will never know for sure but in my heart, I treasure the thought. 

-----

March 14.

Two newly married young people.

One extraordinary God. 

I wonder, what God has planned for the next twenty years? Whatever it is, I KNOW it's going to be one awesome ride and I have a fantastic front row seat.

Be Blessed, Lynn

Let us give thanks. It is Thankful Thursday.

This month we are spending the HOT month of July here at Spiritually Unequal Marriage. Next month we will meet up with Laurie of Women Taking A Stand and in September we will share our thanks with Iris of Grace Alone. 

Several years ago, I found myself in what I would describe a very real spiritual battle. I had been praying for my unsaved husband and the spiritual warfare over him was intense.

At that time I began to pray for angels to be dispatched from the Lord's throne to my home. To stand guard at every window and door, with their swords drawn ready to fight for me, my husband and our family. 

God listened and Wow, what a battle it was. One day I will have to share what happened. Too much for now. I am utterly convinced God dispatched those angels and they have been standing over this home ever since. 

But, one of the amazing little miracle that came from that period of time were the doves.

DOVES

In God's Word we learn that after the flood the Lord sent a rainbow as a promise He would never again destroy the world by flood.

Genesis 9:13-15 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.

Ever since that time of battle, I have noticed that doves are all around. In the late afternoon two doves arrive to sit outside of my kitchen window on the fence. I see them on the back fence from time-to-time as well.

This morning on my jog and praise, I spotted a dove sitting on the light post above the path where I was jogging. And as I finished my jog and was walking toward my home during my cool-down, there it was.... A small dove just walking down the sidewalk in front of me about 20 feet.

If you could have seen me, I burst into the broadest smile and started praising God and thanking Him for the angels that He sent to protect and care for me and my family. (yep, the neighbors think I'm strange)

I can't help but praise the Lord .... out loud.... in the street because He is so very good to me.

Psalm 91:9 If you make the Most High your dwelling— even the LORD, who is my refuge- then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;  they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."

How amazing and awesome is that passage? It's true.

What promises has the Lord given you? Let's praise Him for He is a God of promises and promises kept. I can't wait to read your stories. Leave me a comment and link up, then visit at least one other blog. Honor Jesus through our words of praise. Be blessed, Lynn