I started to pray differently. 

My friends, in the past two weeks I’ve experienced a shaking. A shaking in my prayer life, my husband has been shaken, our marriage too. God is shaking things that have been entwined in our marriage for nearly two decades. 

Two weeks ago I prayed for my husband and since then things have been different. I want to tell you about what happened but I want to first say, thank you for praying for me. 

Prayer matters.
Prayer is powerful.
Prayer connects us to the heart of the Father.
Prayer activates the angelic.
Prayer defeats the demonic.
Prayer changes circumstances that were unchangeable.
Prayer is our weaponry in battles big and small.
Prayer is our worship in thanksgiving.
Prayer is….. our lifeline of hope, blessing, deliverance, healing and victorious living. 

Okay, is that enough reasons to sit down in the morning with our Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit? 

I want to tell you that my personal breakthrough came because months leading up to this shift in our marriage, I was writing out scriptures specific to answered prayer. Man, there are such promises from God. I take a small sheet of paper, write the date on top, then the scripture and claim it as God’s faithful promise to me and then write down my prayer. I have slips of paper stuck in my morning Bible all over the place with these promises and these scriptures and my requests. 

I challenge you to do the same for the next 30 days. 

I’m convinced that my claiming of scriptures helped to bring a change to the way I’ve been praying for my husband’s salvation. For years I’ve prayed, “Father, save my husband. Bring him to salvation and faith in Jesus.” 

I’ve prayed every variation of this prayer for years and years. How about you???? 

About a month ago the Holy Spirit said stop praying that old way. You haven’t seen any results after more than 20 years of marriage anyway. Ouch! And instantly I knew I was to pray differently for my husband. (Thank you Holy Spirit) 

I began petitioning heaven with passion and with belief and scripture promises this prayer. “Lord, let me lay hands on my husband and pray over him. Let me BLAST him with the Holy Spirit.” 

Yep, indeedy…. That’s a different way to pray!!! But I prayed on. “Papa, just open an opportunity to pray aloud with my husband and let me lay hands on him and blast him with the power of the Holy Spirit.” 

Two weeks ago the Lord opened up that very opportunity. It was so unexpected and it came with a massive spiritual battle beforehand. And a few days prior to that, a shaking started in our marriage. And with that shaking an understanding and revelation about our relationship came to my spirit. My wine drinking was directly tied to our marriage. As soon as I prayed and broke that tie in the spiritual realm, I haven’t had a glass of wine at night since. I also was able for the first time to see (discern) some darkness lurking in his heart, fear, deception and a few others. I could see them for the first time looking into his eyes one day while he was speaking to me in the kitchen. 

And after the battle was over and I still stood in the power of Jesus. Then Mike and I talked things out for a long while. Finally I asked him if I could pray. He agreed my friends and he didn’t agree to placate me. He wanted me to pray. 

And because our God is so strong, amazing and can do all things, I gently laid both hands upon my husband and prayed with power and blasted him with the Holy Spirit. 

It’s been two weeks. And I recognize a clear shift in our marriage. He’s more attentive, kind, he’s taken me out for a date twice in two weeks. I’m not sure what is going on in him with regard to faith. And honestly, I’m not sure I’m ready to ask. But I’m a relentless pray-er and my Dad is all powerful and His promises are assured to me as His kid. 

I will never stop praying. My prayers may change through the different seasons but I remain steadfast and declaring that my man WILL come to faith one day and say to the SUMite Nation that he loves Jesus. 

I will ALWAYS have hope. I have the entire Kingdom of God at hand to walk with me. I have abundance, mercy, grace, goodness and a love from my Father that overwhelms me every day. 

I have a supernatural weapon of great power. It’s prayer.
I have an intimate relationship with the living God of the Universe. It’s through prayer.
I have watched people receive healing. Through my prayers. 

So, I have a question for you today. Could the Lord be asking you to pray differently? 

I love you so much my SUM family. It’s been a wild two weeks. In addition to many breakthroughs yesterday for the first time in months and months the Lord is now downloading words for my new book. Oh and my friends, it’s even better than I thought. I can’t wait to read it myself because when the Lord writes, things happen. Have an amazing day in His Presence. And if you want to pray in the comments, I will pray along with you. 

Quote your scripture and then pray away. Every Sumite that reads it, prays in agreement with you and it gains power in the Supernatural realm. Woo Hoo!!! 

My Precious Daughter, Caitie. 

You are becoming an amazing young woman right before my eyes. As you work through your second year of college, I see your heart grow for people and God. You’ve had your first boyfriend, discovered living on your own, set your own schedule and have achieved exceptional grades from your Professors. I am proud and humbled. 

As I watch you mature, I recognize that you are stepping into this crazy world with the hope and anticipation that every college-aged woman holds. I look at you and can see some of myself, some of my past, I catch a glimpse of my young self, now however through the eyes of an aged and maturing woman. And this week, in particular, with the release of the movie, Fifty Shades of Grey, I’m moved with love and hope to write to you from that perspective, a wiser and more mature wife and woman. 

The themes of this particular movie have stirred up a lot of my emotions and memories. What has been hidden in my soul has been brought to the surface and has fueled my prayers and hopes for your future marriage. This letter may be difficult to read as I will share things that sometimes moms don’t talk about with their daughters. What I have to say may be uncomfortable, you may be slightly embarrassed. However, I know you well. I know you are strong and mature and that you trust me to share what will help you and that I always pass insight to you with love and gentleness. 

Caitie, as my only daughter I want many things for your life. And in particular I want you to have a happy and fulfilled marriage. So today I want to share with you some thoughts that I pray you will consider and take deeply into your heart. 

Caitie, you know I have a past. I lived for years in the Prodigal Nation and was very far from God. It was during those dark years when I was only a handful of years older than you are now that I found myself in situations where I compromised myself, my body, my heart and soul through sex that I knew was wrong for me. Although I didn’t participate in anything even close to what the movie, Fifty Shades of Grey depict, I did just enough. And here is what I want you to hear; Today even after 23 years of marriage, I’m still affected by my experiences. 

What I want you to know and what I wish I had known all those years ago is how pornography, along with compromises in your personal limits in the bedroom will affect you at the core of your being as well as have a negative impact on your own marriage. It may not seem like a big deal right now but it’s ten years from now when you have been married for several years that you will experience deep regret and insecurity because you let images and sexual practices such that are in this movie into your soul. 

You know that I love your Dad very deeply and you know we have a strong marriage, yet even today the Lord is still revealing lies I believe that have power in my own intimacy in our marriage. I didn’t fully realize the insecurity that lingered in my heart just because I went a little past my comfort zone in my crazy and young years. 

So, today I want to tell you a few truths that I pray you will cling to in the years directly ahead of you. 1) You can’t un-see that. Explicit sexual images remain in your mind forever. They create a skewed and unholy viewpoint of intimacy in marriage. This movie creates a new acceptance of abusive sexual practices in a relationship. Caitie, it’s not normal. It’s not good. It’s harmful. And it’s ten years down the road in your own marriage, when you are pressing deeper into your faith, that these images and practices will torment you. 

2) Mr. Grey is a myth. Men like this aren’t interested in your heart and your long-term well-being. They won’t marry you and it’s likely they want more and more explicit and deviant sex. 

3) Talk in depth with your future potential husband and come to a mutual place where you can feel absolutely safe with him to be honest, naked and free from condemnation with regard to the bedroom. 

4) Don’t believe our corrupt society that this behavior in the bedroom is normal. Don’t believe the lie that all young couples are practicing these things behind Mr. Grey’s locked door. AND absolutely don’t think that if you do compromise that it won’t have a lasting impact on your self-esteem, self-respect, on your respect for your spouse and the overall health of your marriage. 

You hold a precious gift in your hand right now. Your self-respect and honor. Don’t trade it for the lies of satan. Entering into the marriage bed without all those ugly images and suggestions of bizarre sex will give you an amazing gift. A life-time of fantastic sex and intimacy with one man. That gift is more precious than all the gold in the world. 

I adore you. And I know your personal moral center would not, and has not, entertained any of this kind of cultural darkness and I pray that you always remain in that center. Thanks for reading my letter. In some ways this letter is not only for you but for a young woman of many years ago who wishes someone would have share the truth with her. 

You have my heart. And know this, I have been praying for you future spouse since you were born. I can’t wait to meet him one day. Love, Mom 

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To read my other post about Fifty Shades of Grey, click here: Shades of Grey and a Hound from Hell 

And here is one more article that I found true and timely: I Thought Watching Porn With My Partner Would Save Our Relationship 

Hi Everyone, 

I want to share a special story today. Remember that on Monday I shared God is speaking the word expectant over me. And my spirit has been filled with an extra measure of hope. Great hope. Fantastic, miraculous hope. 

This Christmas season the Lord has revealed some unexpected nearly impossible realities. My son and his wife and their hope for reconciliation and then on New Year’s Eve, another miracle. Let me explain. 

A couple of days ago my daughter who is 19 years old, she and I were talking about the unusually cold weather we are having here in Southern California. She said to me, “Mom, I’ve seen snow and played in snow but I’ve never been in a snow storm. I’ve never experienced snowflakes falling around me.” 

I didn’t realize that for all of her life she hasn’t experienced the wonder, beauty and fun of falling snow. My heart clinched in a bit of mommy guilt. Anyhoo, we then went on to talk about other stuff. Yet in that moment a hope, an expectant hope was spoken into the spiritual realm and the voice of a young daughter of the King of Kings was heard in heaven. 

The next morning, I woke and whispered to the Lord as I pulled the covers back, “Lord, it would be really neat if it was snowing this morning.” I passed the bathroom window and looked to my right and low and behold, gentle, large, pristine white flakes were floating down and settling on the fence. Looking at the fence, there rested more than four inches of fresh powder. 

I almost freaked out right there in my PJ’s. I grabbed my robe, slippers and ran to Caitie’s room. “Get up. The Lord answered your heart’s desire. IT’S SNOWING RIGHT NOW.” 

She sprang from bed. Flung on a coat and boots and we charged into the front yard where neighbors were also standing in wonder taking in the beauty. 

A New Year’s Eve delight just for my girl. 

Snow in our area like this does not happen. The last time this much snow amassed was 1964. 

BUT… Today the Lord heard the heart of His girl and sent the impossible. Now many of you may think that God doesn’t work this way. He doesn’t send a giant snow storm for one 19 year-old-girl. But, I BELIEVE. And I know our Papa and He is extreme, extravagant, specific and in every detail. He delights to delight our hearts. 

I’m expectant my friends. 

I’m convinced the fast next week will bring even more breakthroughs, reconciliations, financial independence, intimacy with God, walking in miracles. I’M EXPECTANT. Are you? 

Let’s fast and believe God will send you your heart’s desire. Here is how the fast will work. Beginning Monday at daybreak we will fast through the entire day from all food (medically able). Liquids only. After sundown, you can break your fast with a Daniel meal with your family. Or you can continue to fast all food through the entire five days through sundown on Friday, January 9, 2015. 

Another option is to fast all week and then move into a Daniel Fast for the next 40 days. That is what I will be doing and I will explain more about that in a later post. 

I’m convinced that a food fast is what brings us to a complete place of dependence and humility. Jesus fasted from meals, often praying all night long. Jesus modeled for us food fasting. He understood the power it brings in the spiritual realm. Remember the story of Jesus’ disciples trying, unsuccessfully, to cast out a demon from a boy. Read Mark 9: 26-29 

Then the spirit screamed and threw the boy into another violent convulsion and left him. The boy appeared to be dead. A murmur ran through the crowd as people said, “He’s dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up. 

Afterward, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, “Why couldn’t we cast out that evil spirit?” 

And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. 

Pray now and ask the Lord for grace to participate in a five-day, daytime fast. And even more grace for some of you to fast the entire five days, completely abstaining from solid food. Then we will move into a 40 day Daniel fast. This fast was given to me in September by the Lord who woke me in the middle of the night and told me to do this. Again, more about this later.

If you want to read more about fasting, here are some great links: 

 Fasting Does It Work. There are links at the bottom of this post.

SUM Family, let’s be expectant, outrageously, wild, courageous in what we are asking of the Lord. Let’s ask the impossible. Let our hearts be filled with expectant love. Love for our King and for people. Then let’s share as the miracles unfold. 

And now, I want to share a few of the photos from our miracle on Wednesday. I love you my friend. I truly, with all of my heart, love you, Lynn

 And one more miraculous thing, the large snow fall primarily fell in only in the mountains and for some crazy reason, mainly in this valley where we live. Ahhhhhh, the miraculous love of our Father. Thank you Lord!

Hello SUM Nation: 

I just wonder…… 

Can you perhaps come to understand the unique and special blessings of the unequally yoked? 

I bet someone just read this and rolled their eyes? Anybody??? 

As a woman who has walked this journey now for more than two decades, I truly understand how very difficult it can be. I have lived through the pain, rejection, fear and confusion. I know that some days it can take everything we have to hold on to hope. Yet as a veteran, I have come to realize the unique and beautiful blessings of this journey of faith. 

If you scroll through the comments from Friday’s post, you too will understand. The intercessors who prayed for this community are amazing. (Thank you Teresa, Merlene and Joanne). 

Family here on the web, you have been brought before the King of Kings by many of us here. We love you and we truly care about your life, family and your faith. Jesus stood with all of us as we brought you individually along with your pre-believer spouse, your children, family members and friends before the Mercy Seat. God listened as we petitioned for you and your loved ones. 

We SUMites have learned to pray. We have gained great faith as well. And our hope in Jesus soars above so many others who are of faith. During this season of miracles, take a minute to reflect on what gifts and goodness have been born out of your difficult marriage. 

I know that I would not have the kind of faith nor the amazing experiences I have with God if I had married a believing spouse. I just know. In fact, it is likely that most of my life I could have leaned on my believing spouse for faith and missed the hard work, perseverance and prayer that are required to move in the gifts of the Spirit that God has honored me with today. 

As I have reflected on this community and the love we have, a story that deeply touched my heart came forward and flooded my soul. So, I want to share it with you again today.

This is worth the time to read. 

November, 2013: (Lynn) Today I have a question for you. How many times have you set down in church and looked around the sanctuary at the couples seated together, husband and wife, and felt defeated, disappointed, and pain? 

I know this place of pain existed in my life for many years. And I really didn’t understand why God was ignoring my prayers and my pleas for the salvation of my husband. And why He didn’t see my pain and longing for a “normal” Christian home. 

That was until about two years ago and I heard a woman share her personal story and as I listened it changed everything. Today, I’m sharing this story with you so that you might understand a little more, about the heart of our Father, and His love for us, the unequally yoked. 

Two years ago I was part of the leadership team for our church’s annual women’s retreat. Prior to the retreat, the leadership team would meet once a week for eight weeks on a Wednesday evening and have Bible study together. Every other week, the team welcomed a guest speaker, an ordinary woman from our congregation. 

Well on this particular night, we welcomed Carol Mahaney. And Carol proceeded to tell her story. And it’s likely the rest of the women in the room were moved a bit by her story, but I was leveled to the ground, in my spirit. 

You see, Carol married her high school sweetheart. He was a believer. She was a believer. They attended church together every Sunday. They tithed, they studied the Bible, they prayed together, they were everything I dreamed and hoped and wanted for my own life. They raised two girls to adulthood as Christians. Carol said she had a wonderful life and she leaned on her husband for everything and she utterly adored him. She said she loved her church family she felt absolutely blessed by God. 

But in 2008, Carol’s husband unexpectedly died. She was devastated. Additionally this was the year that the economy crashed and as Carol had never managed her finances before, she was overwhelmed as her finances were in chaos. Devastated by grief and lost in a maze of paperwork, banking decisions and taxes, she hit bottom and there was no longer a husband to save her. 

Carol looked up and said, “That’s when I met Jesus.” 

I looked at Carol astonished. And I sat in my chair as my head reeled. Carol was 63 years old and she admits in front of all of us that she lived the Christian life with a believing husband for 63 years but at age 63 for the first time she met Jesus. 

What is so compelling about Carol story for me is that she had the life I thought I always wanted. She attended church with her husband, raising her kids in church, tithing, all things Christianeese but she really didn’t meet the King of Kings until she turned 63 years of age. She merely “played” church and her husband’s faith was enough for her…….. 

For 63 years….. 

Instantly, God moved my spirit. He made me realize that I could have lived a Christian life with a very shallow faith thinking I was doing all the right things but never truly “knowing” Christ. 

I know walking this unequally yoked journey is very difficult. I still have very difficult days. I struggle with my husband’s media choices, I still miss him by my side at church, etc. BUT I would choose this journey again over the life Carol had until age 63 because I truly know Jesus. 

I grieved for Carol because for 63 years she “lived” the Christian life or so it seemed. But it wasn’t until the death of her spouse and a personal crisis that brought her into of living vibrant relationship with Jesus. 

My friends, our difficulties are what God has given us to push us, pull us, help us to surrender and to seek Him out for rescue, and then to live in His Presence. As I think about Carol’s life and marriage, it isn’t worth it to have a marriage that is easy if it means that I live most of my life without truly knowing Jesus. 

I would sign up again for this unequally yoked thing, over 63 years of playing “church.” 

I’m convinced we will truly see that our challenging marriage is singularly, a divine assignment with generational ramifications, for us and our entire family and more people than we realize. 

1 John 3:1  See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 

I love you so much my friends. Today, don't doubt God loves you and that He has your life in His hands. Ask Him where you need to surrender and ask Him how to love Him more. 

God is good and His ways are always best for His children. Hugs, Lynn

Hello SUMite Nation, 

My friends, it’s the season of miracles. And I have a story for you. 

Most of you know that I have been really ill. I have prayed a lot about these weird and frequent illnesses that have plagued myself and my family since August. Remember my daughter had the flu, then pneumonia and then a cold. Little Elise has been ill. My entire house was ill over thanksgiving including my poor mother who came for a visit. She saw the doctor today as well. Bronchitis…  Sheesh and good grief!!!! 

This assignment from the enemy to keep me from ministry and writing ends today. And I have received some amazing prayer support in the last couple of weeks (thank you). I’m praying from this day forward that I will never be ill again. 

And today just to affirm this prayer, God surprised me with something I’d never have expected in a million years. He’s kinda cool that way! 

I have been dealing with an eye infection and it’s been pretty bad. After a couple of weeks it still hasn’t cleared, so it’s off to the doctor’s office again this morning. My regular physician is booked so I see a new doctor. 

He greets me with a smile and a handshake. I start to tell him about this crazy thing going on in my eye. And somehow in that conversation I say, “I’ve been praying for my healing but this ornery thing is persisting. I thought a doctor should have another look at it.” 

“Oh, what church to you attend? He asks and then we launch into the most amazing conversation about faith. He asks about my writing and I tell him about my pre-believer and our book Winning Him Without Words. 

He tells me that it was the same for him and his wife. She came to faith and he remained and unbeliever. But because she prayed for him, he came to faith. Amen. Praise Jesus. Hallelujah! 

As we finish up our visit and he looks at my eye, then types a prescription into the computer. Then he says, “I want to pray for you now.” 

“Oh yes, Doctor, please do.” 

Dr. Casten stands, walks over to me, places his hand on my shoulder and prays with Holy Spirit power for my physical healing. Then you know what he does? 

He prays for my husband, by name, asking for his salvation! 

Hallelujah and amen! Yes, Lord Jesus. AMEN 

It’s a season for miracles. Never in a million years would I have expected my physician to pray for my healing and also for the salvation of my man. BUT I serve such a fantastic God. He delights me in fantastic and unexpected ways. 

Every day is an adventure with the King! 

And now I feel fantastic. It’s almost like I can feel the curse of sickness has broken and I’m fired up to pray like never before. 

In this season of miracles, Lord Jesus, I’m asking for every single person who leaves a name and names of unsaved loved ones in the comments, I’m asking for not only their complete salvation but that also they receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit which ignites a fire and passion in their heart. 

In the powerful and mighty name above all names. Jesus of Nazareth! AMEN! 

SUMites I will write more about the spirit of confusion and more about our season of miracles in the days ahead. The posts may be sporadic and unscheduled but my heart is filled with love for you and a great passion to help many find healing and deliverance. AND I’m especially moved to pray for our pre-believers and all of our family who need Jesus. So just travel along with me. It’s a blast living the believer’s life! 

I love you so much. SO MUCH. Have an amazing day in His Presence. 

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.

Leaving 5,774 behind. Rosh Hashanah 2014. Part Deux

 Part I 

I’ve learned a lot about the power of prayer this past year. My friends, this little word prayer becomes mundane in its over use in our culture. 

Prayer: entreaty, appeal, plea, request, desire, hope, wish, supplication, imploration, petition, invocation, meditation, contemplation, chant, petition… It’s all of these. Truly. Mostly, for me, it’s a little girl who talks with her Dad. 

There are days when I’m sitting in the pain of words spoken to me which should have never been birthed, that I’m a little girl, sitting on the lap of my Papa, tears dripping on His sleeve. There are other days I’m a warrior Princess, clothed in righteousness, authority, and power when I literally command the devils out of people and cast them into the Abyss. 

There are seasons I have prayed for employment for my husband, my son, my friends, and many SUMites and spouses. There are decades that I have approached the throne room pleading for the full salvation of my husband. 

And there are moments when in a second, I’m merely just pondering an idea, and BAAM, what I just pondered unfolds in the natural right before my eyes. 

My friends, it’s out of my brokenness that I have come to know a prayer life of power. I have been broken, broken, broken this year. But without brokenness I cannot take people into the depths of God. Remember, He is near to the brokenhearted. (Ps 34:18) 

So today, this is what I’m hearing the Lord whisper this to His kids: 

But out of brokenness rises a faith so unshakable, a confidence so powerful that when my humble servant rises and speaks they are praying into an already open heaven. The angels sprint into action upon your words. Commands are given in the realms. Love is released. Power is granted. The heavens shake and the hearts of men are changed. —The LORD God Almighty. 

Many of you know that my son has been actively looking for work. And earlier this spring I prayed and prayed for a potential job for which he interviewed. He didn’t get that job. My confidence in my prayer life was jumbled. Later that month my son was hired for an entry level job here in town doing something he did 10 years ago. It appeared to be a giant step backward and the move to California was by all means, a disaster. 

But God…… 

And but ……. The prayers of a righteous and broken mama availith much. (James 5:16)  What should have never happened… happened. In my prayer time I heard… Promotion, promotion, promotion.  And the first two I head in quick succession. The third followed but after some time. 

My son was told he would not be qualified to apply for any other position at the property where he worked for a minimum of six months. However, an internal management position arose and he was able to apply. More than 20 applicants interviewed. My son was one of two applicants to be interviewed and then interviewed again by the President of the large property. 

(Fervent Mama prayers ensued) 

My son will start his new position in management in the next couple of weeks. We have been suit shopping this week. (Thank you Jesus) 

Last spring I couldn’t understand why he didn’t get that job. But God…. He has something so much better. And God also wanted me to pray several more months about his employment. 

The key is you can’t look at the person or the circumstance. Your prayer of faith must be with your eyes fully and completely locked upon Jesus. Our prayer time in brokenness brings us face-to-face with our Lord, His Son and the Holy Spirit is moved. When we see Jesus and the power and love He has for our children, our pain, our financial needs. When we focus completely on Him, we step into supernatural faith. 

It’s a faith that I know, that I know, that I know, nothing is impossible with Christ (Phil 4:13). 

Oh Beloved, may God help us this afternoon to get our eyes off the conditions and symptoms, no matter how bad they may be, and get them fastened upon Him, and then we shall be able to pray the prayer of faith. —Smith Wigglesworth (1914)

And now I wait expectantly for the unfolding of the next two promotions. It's a blast to live the believers life. Stay tuned..... I love you, Lynn

Hi SUMers!  So, ahem, yep..... Authentic post and a challenge for the New Year. Yes, you read that right...The New Year. 

I PRAY you are set on a new path in the next few weeks…. Join me on Mondays and Fridays until Yom Kippur for we are on the edge of our seat, waiting for the King to set things in motion… 

Let’s get started, 

Many of you participated in our annual week of fasting as we kicked off 2014. If you are new to our community, you are in for a profound experience in January as we fast together and listen to the Lord’s voice. You will be amazed. 

Anyhoo, I know at the beginning of the year many of you, ask God for a word, a single word, for the year during this time of prayer and fasting (Dineen always receives a word for her year).

Well, I will be upfront about this asking for a “word” business. I usually don’t ask. 

My thinking; why limit what God has to say for my life to one word?? However, this past January I kinda asked God during my prayer time for a word. I just wanted to see if I would get one… Is that wrong to share? Sounds funny…. But…. 

I prayed, “God if you have a word for my year ahead, what is it?” 

Well guess what? Yep, indeedy, He answered, “Refinement.” 

Can I just say as I sit here in September….. “Man, what a bummer word!” 

And I will tell you this. Indeed it has been a year full of refinement. And this refinement of my character, thoughts, pre-conceived ideas, judgments, friendships, expectations, and pride…. Actually began last fall…. And it’s been a grueling, LONG, year. 

I experienced life-changing grief, nearly lost one of my closest friends, my son divorced while living in my home, and there were a number of other enormous mountains I faced. I haven’t cried this much in a single year since I can't remember. Sheesh! And what is interesting is that I've discovered that I'm not alone in this year of suffering. Many believers, including most of our SUM community have experienced one of the most difficult years in their faith walk as well. Makes me ponder, What is going on in the spiritual realm? 

I assure you that I will not be asking for a word again at the beginning of the year. I would rather not know. 

You are probably wondering why I’m talking about the New Year in September, right? 

Well next Friday at sundown, September 25, 2014 is Rosh Hashanah. It’s the New Year according to God’s calendar (Jewish New Year). And I’ve been particularly interested to learn that many Jewish people and some evangelicals consider this a time when every person appears before God. 

From Wikipedia: In Jewish liturgy, Rosh Hashanah leads to Yom Kippur, which is described as "the day of judgment" (Yom ha-Din) and "the day of remembrance" (Yom ha-Zikkaron). Some midrashic descriptions depict God as sitting upon a throne, while books containing the deeds of all humanity are opened for review, and each person passes in front of Him for evaluation of his or her deeds. 

Okay, now I don’t know about all of this because it isn’t in His Word. But I am intrigued to think that God looks upon His children at the beginning of the year and perhaps He decrees new adventures, more depth in our relationship with Him and others, growth, discovering our destiny and ministries. So, I’m praying with passion at this time in my life that Rosh Hashanah 2014 is the close of a year of refinement. I’m praying that every hardship, trial, struggle and the many tears will be redeemed in the year ahead. 

I’ve learned so much from this year of wrestling. I’ve learned to let go of offense. I know, that I know, that I know —God will be my Holy Justice. In valleys of loneliness, He is all that I need. I’ve let go of judgment and comparison. When I’m accused falsely, He will be my fortress. And that no matter how messed up relationships can get; God is in the business of restoration. 

I’ve watched God undo me and humble me, turn me around and then restore relationships that have been badly broken for years and years. He has healed hurts I have born my entire adult life and restored me to many. He has grieved my heart over broken relationships, then commanded me to see restoration and reconciliation and furthermore to pray for people who hurt me or whom I’ve hurt. Gulp! It’s been tough. But, I’m truly thankful for walking this valley. 

I will likely share some of these stories in the few posts ahead as we come closer to the “New Year.” You will be astounded. I am! 

So as the year 5,774 draws to a close, I’m trusting God that His year of refinement is accomplished and that my heart was refined through the fire.

So as we approach Yom Kippur, The Day of Atonement, I want to share what I believe He is whispering to His children about our future. Stay tuned...

We, the Body of Christ, are living in the best time in the history of the world.  

It's great to be alive!

My friends, are you ready for this year to be over? Do you want a peek at what I hear God telling me is ahead for those who love Him? Stay tuned and remove your shoes for we are about to tread on Holy Ground.

Hello My Friends, 

Well, last week was quite the adventure. The conference did not disappoint. I learned a lot about fear. And my friends I think I have a lot to say about that four letter word. ahem…. 

My son was able to attend two of the four days. Hey, I will take what I can get. On the first day I was worried that it might be too much and that he’d tuned out. I glanced his direction and he was furiously typing on his phone. At the next break I casually asked, “So who were you chatting to on your phone?” 

“No one.” 

“Well what was with all the typing?” 

“I was taking notes.” 

Gulp. 

He pulls out his phone and there are pages of notes from the past session. 

Can I just get an….. “AMEN”

Who knew. 

Never, ever, never, stop praying for the prodigals, and the unsaved. Because this is another living proof story that God never stops His pursuit of men. 

I think my most favorite part of the conference was the one hour drive home on the first day. My son and I talked the whole way about his faith and about many aspects of God. These are the kind of conversations believing Moms wait for all of their lives. It was divine. 

I’m so thankful. Grateful to our God. Every day, in every way, I will shout to anyone and everyone who listens…… ‘God is good and He is faithful. Even in the dark night of the soul. Even in absolute evil circumstances our God remains good.” 

And today I declare. satan you are a looser. You have no hold on me, nor my family. I will fight bloodied, bruised, but standing fearless with Jesus and legions of angels for my family and for every SUMite and their family. In Jesus name. Amen 

I have so much to share. I could write posts every day for the next four months but I won’t freak you out and overwhelm you. 

But this Friday. God has finally shared our next community miracle project. When God told me what to do, I was at first scared. But NO MORE. I can’t wait to do it. I can’t wait for you to be part of it. And you can be part of every stage if you want. More on Friday. 

Finally, it was my great honor to meet a SUMite at the conference. This is me and Carmen Mata.

I love you so much my friends. I am praying for a breakthrough for you… And I’m EXPECTING one. Just because our God is THAT good. Hugs, Lynn

My Friends, 

I don’t even know where to start. So much has happened in the last seven days that I feel like every morning I wake, God has another “Holy Mind-Blow” in store for this ordinary, 5’4”, blonde girl. 

Do you remember back several months ago that I promised breakthrough. Well, boy howdy, I’ve had one. Probably SEVERAL. And likely the biggest thing that has yet to happen to me in the Kingdom is still coming. Woo Hoo!! I will be sharing this new adventure with you, step by step, as I move forward. 

But today, I have a word for all of you who worry about your kids. 

I worry about my kids. I pray, A LOT, for my kids. Today’s story has been more than a decade in the making. 

I’ve written before about my years of praying for my son who lived in Las Vegas. Since 1999 I’ve prayed years and years for God to move him to California that I may lavish God’s love upon him and help him to grow in his faith. And in February he, my daughter-in-law and my granddaughter moved here. They have lived with us since then. Well as they have stayed with us, God has revealed the areas in their lives that He is desperate to bring healing. What an astonishing answer to my mama’s prayers. But God’s not done. 

I also have been praying like a mad woman for them to find new jobs with a livable wage, jobs that they will love and have opportunity for growth. 

Now to set the scene, my son had an interview for an awesome job several weeks ago. For more than a week following that interview, I prayed with every fiber of my being, soul, heart and mind for my son to be the candidate that the company wanted. I prayed, scriptures, I prayed in faith. I prayed with conviction, belief and prayed for hours. 

My son didn’t get the job. 

I was saddened, of course, and my son was affected. However, for me, I was baffled and I will admit confused and disappointed with God. “Why, God, didn’t he get this job? Please grant me understanding as I prayed in alignment with your word and as Jesus taught.” 

Well this week the kindness of the Lord and in His tenderness, He explained the reason. 

This week I will be attending a conference in San Diego. And while out walking, God said to me, “Ask your son to go with you.” 

“But God, the likelihood he would say yes and attend is ridiculous. He would never go to a conference like this with his mother. And Lord, what about child-care. Someone needs to watch the little one. And then Lord, on top of that, my son’s wife needs to be on board with all of this because she is affected and will also need to watch the baby when she gets home from work.” 

The list of reasons why this was impossible surged in my head. But I prayed and said, “God I will ask and I trusting you to make all of the details fall into line.” 

I came home from my walk-n-pray. Sat down in the playroom with my son and with my granddaughter on my lap, I simply asked him to go to this conference with me. 

“Sure, Mom, I would like to go.” 

SAY WHAT??????? SAY WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!!!!! 

Every detail fell into line and this Wednesday my son, Brad and I are off to a conference that God has promised will be the beginning of his healing.

As I sat in my office later that morning, the Holy Spirit whispered to me, “Lynn, this is the reason your son didn’t get that job. He would have been working and unable to attend this conference.” 

God is SO MUCH MORE interested in this young man’s heart, his soul, his healing and the rest of his life. 

I cried. 

Tears of love and thankfulness. 

God has good gifts for His kids. Many, many good gifts. And God is so much more concerned for our heart, our soul our emotional health and our healing than any old job. God has a million of jobs and when the time is right, my son will receive the perfect job. 

I know this because I know the tender love and faithfulness of our Lord. 

What have you been praying for that wasn’t answered how you wanted or expected. Ask the Lord to help you have understanding. Then wait. It may take a while to get the answer to you but I absolutely believe God wants us to understand He is good. He has good for His children and He wants us to have wisdom and understanding. 

Okay, gang, Brad and I are off on Wednesday. I’m expecting miracles, healing and more. Pray for this boy. I will keep you posted. 

I love you. 

And I promise, I still have so much more about Joshua and the Walls, so keep walking with me. The journey is exciting and breakthrough is ahead for all of us. I love you. I really love you, Lynn

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The Chronicles of the Donovan Clan began as a continuing story line of my husband’s faith journey as well as my children. As I think back upon some of the outrageous events God has orchestrated in my pre-believer’s life, I giggle and I ponder them in my heart as Mary pondered thoughts of Jesus in her heart. 

It’s been a while since I gave an update but something curious happened yesterday that I believe is a worthy story that will encourage you as you wait for your unsaved family to find faith. 

For those of you who are new to our community, let me bring you quickly up to speed. My son, daughter-in-law and one-year-old granddaughter recently moved in with us. They are relocating to California from another state. So our house has been crazed with one year old antics, crowded living and the stresses of two married couples trying to figure out boundaries. Actually I think the transition has gone way better than expected. And this little girl… Oh my heavens, she is hilarious and a blast. But atlas those are stories for another day. 

So with this in mind, let me set the stage. Many of you know that I go on a walk-n-pray every morning for about an hour. I walk in the wine country among vineyards and open spaces, by homes and pastures. It’s divine and I meet my Papa out there and we chat, I worship, I talk with Him and He with me. It’s the best part of my life. 

Also to set the stage my husband received a new work assignment that begins Monday. He will be traveling every week until the end of the year. Out on a Monday, home on Friday. This assignment has been described to my husband as very difficult, the work environment is hostile, and the project is off course. Oh yea! (sarcasm intentional) So of course, I have been praying for my husband and this new assignment. And as I was praying yesterday I clearly heard the Spirit impress on my mind this thought. Yes, this assignment will be difficult, especially in the beginning, but your husband will make friends there and it will work out. 

Wow! 

Later that morning I found myself sitting at the kitchen table with my husband and my daughter-in-law. The chit-chat was casual as we sipped coffee. But all of a sudden the Holy Spirit reminded me about my husband’s work assignment. 

I gathered myself and I said this, “Mike, I wanted to tell you that God said to me this morning that Yes, this assignment will be difficult, especially in the beginning, but your will make friends there and it will work out.” 

NOW… This may not be a big deal to some of you. But for many who are married to unbeliever’s even mentioning God can open a door to conflict. But in our house this kind of conversation has now become common place. 

I often share with my husband what God speaks to me. Or share what happens when I go to pray at the healing rooms. I also turn on worship music in the kitchen and it plays all day while I’m in my home office and he’s in his. 

Say what??? 

I mean even ten years ago I would never do this. I was afraid of the fights. Afraid of the conflict over our music choices. Fearful and weary of battling for my faith. I wonder if any of you can relate? 

Part of my fear and hesitancy to stand in my faith at home stemmed from my own doubts. I wasn’t certain about a lot of things. And it is likely that if we are honest, many of us live in this place right now. And that’s okay. Faith is a journey. But there are two central questions of faith that when you settle them firmly in your mind and heart your mismatched journey will begin to change. 

Do you believe who God says He is?
Do you believe who God says you are? 

After may years I feel confident that I’m firmly rooted in the truth of the Word of God and I know that I know what it says about God and about me. When I settled this matter in my soul, my fear of condemnation by my spouse, by anyone fled. I’m not worried about an eye-roll from my spouse or a cruel word he might speak when I mention my faith. 

I’m sharing this change in the Donovan Clan house because if God brings about a softening in my husband’s heart, He can and will do it in your home. This process is long and patience and prayer is your ally. But I promise you that when you are consistent and filled with the love and power of the Holy Spirit, you too will sit at your kitchen table one day and share the miraculous with your spouse. 

So, you might ask how do I settle these two questions in my heart? It’s relationship. Spend time with God. Come to Him like a child and chat with Him. Carve out time and read His Word. Allow the Word to challenge your doubts and silence the voice of the enemy. Replace those old doubts with God’s love and truths. Pray and ask God to settle these questions in your soul. 

Our struggle is Identity. And today our Lord God says, “I want you to believe who I say your that you are.” 

My friends, your identity is key to thriving in your mismatched marriage. And God’s Word is full of confirmations of who you are in Christ. Visit our Resource page on Mismatched and Thriving (click here). Print this out and when you feel weak in faith, or facing conflict with your spouse, when you have doubts, or just need to feel the love of our Father wash over you, go into your room, shut the door, and read this card out loud. I’m betting you will feel a change in the atmosphere. 

As I conclude this Chronicles update, I will tell you that I don’t know what my husband does with all of the things I share with him. Does he believe I’m wacked? Does he file the miracles I share with him away in a mental file to deal with them later? Does he listen but not hear? I’m not really sure. God doesn’t allow me to see into his faith journey. But for me……. 

If I don’t share the astonishing God encounters I have with my best friend on earth, the very rocks would cry out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

"I tell you," he (Jesus) replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." ~Luke 19:40 

And I believe that as I grow in my confidence to share my faith, God is moving in my pre-believers life. 

CONVERSATION:           

Can you share with me a time you gathered your courage and shared your faith with your pre-believer? What happened. See you in the comments. 

I love you my friends. Have an amazing week in His Presence. Hugs, Lynn

Hello My Friends, 

Well there is a lot happening around here. On Monday, my son and his family, his wife and daughter, Elise, who is 10 months old will be moving in with us. They are relocating from Las Vegas, NV to start a new life here in California. 

This is great news for a grammy’s heart. But what is even better news is how this came about. 

I prayed. 

I prayed for years and years asking the Lord to bring my son near. There were seasons, years, where that hope seemed impossible. It was inconceivable that my son would move… ever… So when this all came about, quite quickly, I can only shout to the faithfulness of our God. And if you have been a reader for any amount of time here at SUM, you will know that in the past 12 months I have FINALLY received the answers to prayers prayed for years and years. 

My daughter’s school choice… And now my son is moving near. 

I’m sharing this good news for two reasons. I’m giving public thanks to my Father for answering this momma's heartfelt prayers for her kids. And I want to encourage you to continue to press forward and believe for the things you pray that are within God’s will. AMEN. 

Now on to other things. Next week, Dineen are sharing a few things about what is happening in our book writing. And then following that, we will launch into the Spiritual Warfare series and tackle the Orphan Spirit, and the Religious Spirit and more.. Way cool stuff that will truly help you battle for your family. We will stay on this topic until God moves me out. 

But HERE IS THE REALLY COOL NEWS. Dineen and I received an email from one of the speakers we heard during our conference at Bethel. This man has a prophetic voice and he shares the following about 2014. As I read it, it greatly encouraged me about the coming year. I pray it also encourages you. 

Great things await this community. I really mean this. GREAT THINGS.. 

So here is a portion of the 2014 message by Bob Hartley: 

God spoke from Psalm 67 that He is going to open up His face and His ways so that He will be seen and known, not only among His people, but also among whole cities, and even nations, that will open their gates to Him. I saw specific nations invite Him, with His gifts and building plan, into their cities. These cities will become radiant with joy and pulsate with the presence of God. They will receive and enjoy many breakthroughs in every area of life. Jesus has also shown me how thrilled He truly is that these people and places are welcoming Him to bless and lead them. 

There is so much more but 2014 is going to be a hopeful year. And we are the Hope-Restorers. So please read along with me Psalm 67 and let this passage become true here on earth as it is in heaven:

Psalm 67: NIV 

May God be gracious to us and bless us
    and make his face shine on us—
² so that your ways may be known on earth,
    your salvation among all nations.

³ May the peoples praise you, God;
    may all the peoples praise you.
⁴ May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
    for you rule the peoples with equity
    and guide the nations of the earth.
⁵ May the peoples praise you, God;
    may all the peoples praise you.

⁶ The land yields its harvest;
    God, our God, blesses us.
⁷ May God bless us still,
    so that all the ends of the earth will fear him. 

My friends, what does this verse mean to you? Love you. Lynn

Okay, are you tuning in today to find out what happened with my experiment? 

Let me pick up from where I left off on Friday. I returned home from my walk n pray and was very, very nervous. Talking about God, the Bible, or any faith issues for that matter can be an invitation to an explosion. It’s interesting, at least with my husband, sometimes he can be very angry and hostile and at other times open to discussions about God. I just don’t always know what I’m going to get. However, remember I just spent an entire hour praying for him, over him and about him. So I KNOW God prepared a way for this conversation. 

So I peeked around the corner and stepped into his office. There is a bold and brave smile on my face. I was bold because I had just spent an hour in God’s Presence. “Good morning Sweetie.” 

“Good Morning. How was your walk?” 

“Glorious, it’s a beautiful fall day out there and I’m feeling great. Hey, I’m on my way to make eggs for breakfast. Do you want some?” 

It’s at this point in our typical morning conversation that I started out of his office toward the kitchen. Then I stopped and popped my head around the door frame pretending I’d just had this random thought occur to me and I said, “Oh, and what about my experiment?” 

“What?” 

“My experiment. Did you know what book of the Bible that verse was in?” 

His reply, “It’s like John or something.” 

I’m sure at this point the sheer shock of his accurate reply was written across my face. I recovered quickly and said with a smile, “And how did you know that? 

“Well it’s got to be in the same place where John 3:16 is at.” 

Say what? Now I’m completely thrilled and intrigued and decide to move immediately to phase II of my experiment. Phase II -get my husband to actually speak powerful scripture verses. So I reply back to him, “What does John 3:16 say? I’m curious if you know?” 

He leans back in his chair a bit uncomfortable but in a humoring mood. He smiles and starts waving his arms above his head in a way where it looks like he’s trying to help himself remember and he starts saying, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only – something only or begotten – son. Something like that.”

I look at this man and wonder what happened to my husband. I smile and I say, “That whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” 

He smiles. I smile. 

All is right with the world. 

The experiment continues. O Lord, have your way with the plow. In King Jesus name. Amen.

So’ I’m conducting an experiment. 

And it’s one of the boldest experiments I’ve ever participate in. When I reach the conclusion, the result may WILL be so utterly life-altering that I can scarcely think about it now. 

Let me share how this experiment started. 

A few days ago I was listening to a recent podcast by Bill Johnson. Bill was explaining something very interesting to me. You see, I love to garden. I love to plant seeds, nurture them and watch them mature into enormous harvest. Just take a look at the giant pumpkins I grew in my suburban backyard. They started from seeds. 

 These pumpkins are really neat and if you want a few seeds, write me and I will mail you some. 

Anyhoo, I have an interest in gardening, seeds, planting and harvesting. Hmmmmm, must run in the family because my Jesus is interested in the same thing. He is the master planter and His entire purpose is the Harvest. 

Today’s modern farmer, of course, plows his field with machines in very neat rows that stretch for acres. After the plowing then the soil is ready for the seed. But, did you know in Biblical times the farmer first spread the field with seed and then the plow came after? 

My friends, in God’s economy, we plant the seed… AND THEN COMES THE PLOW.  Why is this significant? Because God’s Word will not return void. 

Isaiah 55:11 It is the same with my word.
    I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
    and it will prosper everywhere I send it. 

Do you understand that this is a fact. An absolute promise. When we speak to others, anyone about the truth of God’s Word, we have planted a seed. Even if the person is angry, upset, doesn’t believe what you shared…. You planted…

 And my friends…… THEN….. COMES THE PLOW! 

It’s a forgone conclusion; God’s Word will not come back void. It produces fruit. 

So, here is where my experiment comes in. I’m am absolutely convinced of the truth of this concept and the truth that God’s Word will not come back void that I decided to plant some new seeds in my husband. 

Yep, I knew I must give God the opportunity to bring the plow. So yesterday I contemplated, How do I get God’s Word planted into my husband. And this is what I felt the Spirit directing. I sent a text message. 

Here is the message: It started with a photo. See below.

Then I said: This is an experiment. Do you know what the book of the Bible this verse is in? Have you heard this verse before? I love you and thanks for putting up with my zany experiments and crazy. And thanks for putting up with my cold. I’m finally better. Hugging you.

Okay, I sent this text early in the morning before my husband was awake. I left on my walk n pray and I prayed up a storm over this man. I asked God to split the heavens open over Mike Donovan. That God would bring a plow to push this seed to open his heart. I prayed for an hour for this man and that God would bring him into a full encounter and relationship with Him and Jesus. In King Jesus name Amen. 

Returning home from my walk, I was quite nervous because as most of you know, sending our men scripture verses is often an invitation for conflict, hurt and pain. 

I walked in the door and my husband was sitting in his office. The moment was at hand. How had he received my text from earlier this morning? 

Ahhhhhh, now this is a good story. So tune in on Monday and I will tell you what happened and I will also let you know as my experiment moves on to stage II. 

I love you my friends. I believe every word God says and it makes all the difference in my life. BIG hugs, and know that I love you so very much, Lynn

Good Monday Morning my SUMites! 

It’s Sunday afternoon as I write this note to all of you. I just went back and re-read the comments that you left for me last Monday on my post, Devastating Disappointment. 

I’m undone. 

By your love. Undone by of our shared tears. Humbled to the core for your prayers, your private emails, and the notes through Facebook. I’m moved by the Heart of God because so many of you also live in moments of devastation. So many of you live desiring intimacy, born of faith, with your spouse just like me. Many of you are facing life-altering changes in your home. For some, your kids are broken. Some face a spouse who is dark and seemingly hopelessly lost in the clutches of evil’s addictions, lies and self-centeredness. 

My friends, I truly KNOW how you feel. Over the past week I’ve had time to seek and discover the answers to the questions I asked of God on Monday. The answers I received were not what I exactly wanted to hear but they were the answers I NEEDED to hear from my Daddy, Father and my God. 

So, may I humbly share them with you and perhaps the answers will give you what they gave to me, hope. 

I will always hope. It is impossible for me to know God in the way that I know Him and not be hopeful, even for the seemingly impossible, my husband’s salvation and a desire for shared Sunday morning church experience. It’s impossible not to hope when I spend so much time in His Presence and I absolutely believe with everything in my heart that God’s purposes for me is to prosper me, that He desires to lavish His love upon me and to take me on an adventure that my marriage could never do in itself.   

My friends, I know all of this to be true. And I know, without doubt, that Our Lord wants all of this for you too. So before we get to the answers to the questions, I feel that some of you might be encouraged if I share with you how I have walked with God over the past two weeks as I wrestled with the pain, the loss of a dream and lost hope. 

I prayed. Yes, you knew I would say this. But, what did that really look like? 

Well, over the years I’ve learned to actually pray without ceasing. What does that mean? I enjoy an ongoing and every day conversation with God. I whisper prayers walking around the house. I mumble prayers in the car, some days when driving I have to pray A LOT because I find it difficult to love people on the road when they behave like idiots behind the wheel *grin*. Ahem…. Onward. 

So, I whispered, “Daddy, it hurts. I’m angry. I’m so disappointed. Dad, why.” 

I didn’t hear any distinct reply right away but I felt His Presence just like any other day. I also found myself out in the garden with my Daily Bible and my journal. I don’t journal too much anymore because I walk and pray after I read, however, on this particular day overwhelmed in my pain, I sat down and the words flowed on paper. Words of a broken heart. It was weird. I felt like King David when he was troubled and would write words about his enemies, troubles and then would find in his heart words of praise and thanksgiving. My words were likely to be ugly and looking back, I’m sorry I let them go for as long as I did which allowed the enemy a chink in my armor where he prolonged my pain and he tortured me with lies for a time. But they were how I felt at the time and our BIG God was up to handling my anger and disappointment. 

Currently I’m fascinated by the book of Ephesians and a couple of passages have fascinated me and become very powerful. So, I began to pray these passages to affirm my belief in the words. I prayed them morning, noon and night. I would repeat them over and over. I would say them as I drifted off to sleep and they tumbled from my lips as I woke. I was desperate to bring them into reality in my life and they were words that affirmed me and brought hope and comfort as I processed through my disappointment. 

I prayed, I proclaimed, I prophesied, I spoke aloud, “I am seated in the heavenly realms with Christ. I have the power of God, the same power that resurrected Christ. Seated in the heavenly realms, I have wisdom and revelation to see my marriage, my purpose on earth from God’s perspective.” 

The short version: I’m seated in heavenly realms. I have the power of the resurrection. 

I must have whispered this affirmation of who God says I am and literally the power I have available to me (the power that raised Christ from the dead) hundreds of times. I'm still freaked out that God has given to us the power that raised Jesus. Say What??? Freaked, I tell you. But I believe it.

Oh my friends, how speaking scripture is like the heaving of a mighty sword in the spiritual realms. Things began to happen…….. 

Amazing and fantastical, Supernatural things. Around me and in me. I’m still processing it all. 

And I will share that with you on Friday!

And I promise we will get to God’s answers to my questions. For today, please KNOW that I took every one of you with me before the throne this past week. Often and with passion, pleading for you individually and for your, life, your marriage, your spouse, your kids, whatever you asked of me. I brought you to our God seeking His favor and action in your life. I hope to reply to all of you if I have enough time this week. 

My friends, I leave you with a challenge. Read Ephesians, chapter one through chapter two, verse 10. This is a letter to the church that has overcome. This is a letter to the SUMites. We are living in the trenches and WE ARE OVERCOMERS! Let it empower you and I pray by Friday, you find you are seated in the heavenly realms and operating from heaven toward earth and not the other way around. That is our birthright as Kingdom children. 

And everyone said….. AMEN!! 

See you on our Facebook page and back here again on Friday. I love you. I truly love you with a full heart. Hugs, Lynn

Good Monday Morning My Sumites!!

I arrived home this weekend after a few days of fishing in the California mountains. Yep, my daughter and I went fishing. We had a great time minus an almost visit to the ER when my daughter was ill. I prayed for her and so did many of you who are on our 1P3 loop. Thank you. God showed up. She felt better almost immediately... All was right with the world.

Below find photos from our adventure. I offer you a glimpse into an ordinary woman's life. An ordinary gal who is in love with an extraordinary God. Being in the mountains was like looking into the face of God at every turn. I glimpsed unmatched beauty in His creation. I inhaled deeply the gentle aroma of dawn (like the aroma of heaven) as I sat on a rock and read my Bible every morning. It was beautiful, peaceful and restful.

Now I'm home and I'm fired up wanting to stir up the Holy Spirit among our community, our homes and our world. So get ready because on Friday I'm going to talk about something deeply sensitive and we need to work through this particular issue together.

The following photos were from the Kern River and from the Sequoia Nation Forrest where we visited the 100 redwood giants. These trees are approximately 1500 years old and were simply astonishing. Thank you for allowing me time away. Thank you for loving me. Hugs, Lynn

Such Beauty. This photo is my screen saver.

The deer who came up behind me while I sat on a rock and read my Bible on Tuesday morning.

Crazy Kayakers... They were a hoot!!

Giant sequoias are slightly shorter than the coastal redwoods, more massive, and considered to be the largest tree in the world in terms of volume. The largest sequoia and the biggest living organism on earth is the General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park, which stretches 275 feet high and 36.5 feet in diameter.

You could throw a small party inside the trunks of some of these living trees. Astonishing!

On Friday, September 30, 2011, two giant sequoia trees fell side by side across several portions of the Trail. The two sequoias, joined together at the base, were approximately 280 feet tall and have a combined diameter of approximately 17 feet near the root ball. Caitie and I climbed up and walked the length. (Don't tell the Forrest Service *grin*) This is Caitie on the top of one of the fallen trees. Give you perspective.

We had a blast!

Some other interesting sights:

Yep, It's Caitie looking out from inside this living tree.

I love finding the unexpected.

I can't even begin to explain what this is or how it was formed in nature?????

Dinner!!! Sorry if I grossed you out!

Mountain Bluebells

I truly appreciate and give thanks to God that I was allowed to see His majesty and experience His Presence in such unsurpassed beauty of His creation. 

Have an amazing week. And I will see you all on our Facebook Page and here again on Friday. Hugs, Lynn 

Hi My Friends, 

I feel like I’ve been away on a long trip. So much has transpired since my last post where I told you I was about to wash my husband’s feet. My daughter’s graduation was amazing and the kid just makes me smile. She graduated with honors, 444 hours of community service, two scholarships and with her sanity and more than that -with her faith still intact. I feel like I graduated as well. 

What a rich blessing this thing….. “Motherhood.” 

Caitie and my son, Brad

I prayed so much for my children throughout their lives and today, this very week, God has allowed me to witness the fruition of my humble motherly prayers. And I’m watching God fulfill them in both my son and my daughter. And they are bearing fruit after years and years in the very same week. I will tell you more about these developments at a later time. 

But today, let me tell you what happened when I went to wash my husband’s feet. If you need to read the precursor to the story, click here, Chronicles of a Humbled Donovan. 

My husband arrived home tired as I expected and after unpacking, dinner and dawning of our PJ’s, we sat down on the couches in our usual places to watch the evening news. As I’m sitting there pretending to watch the news, I’m growing more and more uncomfortable thinking about actually washing his feet and even more fearful to talk with him about his feelings. 

I almost changed my mind. 

However, I gathered my courage and God whispered to me, “Lynn, just make this light-hearted.” So I stood up and moved to sit on the other couch next to my husband. I decided as I sat next him and cuddled into his shoulder that the actual washing of feet might be too much. After all, my husband knows a lot about the Bible and how Christ washed the disciple’s feet and more than anything I didn’t want my man to think I'm manipulating him or was practicing some ritual or that I am disingenuous. 

I simply picked up one of his feet and said, “I’m just going to rub your feet.” So as we watched the news I removed his socks, rubbed his feet, applied lotion and finally returned him to his socks. Then I became completely uncomfortable. How do I start this conversation? Actually what transpired next was my fumbling about with a few words but I started the sentence. 

I paused the news broadcast and then….. 

I remember saying something about how I may have withheld a portion of myself out of stupidity and selfishness because of our early years of pain. And that I’m truly sorry. And I asked him, “Do you feel that I haven’t loved you or that you haven’t felt loved in the way you need?” 

Let me tell you that asking a question like this takes a ton of courage but I’m in a place with my Lord to receive whatever answer comes because I honestly want to love this man better. 

He replied, “No honey, I really feel loved by you.” 

Wow, so much better than I expected…….

 ----- 

My friends, I wonder if you are like me? Perhaps we are doing a better job at this marriage thing than we give ourselves credit. After all, we have the Master of the Universe walking every minute with us. Loving us. Teaching us. Loving through us. If God is in our house, then love is lavished upon all that reside there. (1 Corinthians 7:12-14 – read this today and let it fill you up.) 

I love you. Now I leave you with a question. Is it time to wash your spouse’s feet? 

Have an amazing day living in The Presence. Hugs, Lynn

Hi My Friends, 

It’s been a long, long time since we have had a Donovan Clan update. And that is likely because I haven’t anything remarkable to report on my husband’s faith journey. But yesterday, the Holy Spirit came near and flooded my mind with a thousand memories of God’s faithfulness to this 5 foot 4, blond-brained, messed up but utterly thankful woman. It was as if I had a moment where a lifetime flashed before my eyes.

It wasn’t my lifetime but my daughters. You see on Saturday night my daughter participated in a Rite of Passage.

Senior Prom.

This is exceptional for me for several reasons. And it was for my daughter as well. Let me explain. My daughter hasn’t been one to attend school dances. But after much convincing by me and her friends, she agreed to attend this last dance of her high school years.

We spent the day along with her BFF doing the thing that girls around here do the day of prom. Hair. Makeup. Dress, shoes. We went all out. My husband is convinced we will need to take a second mortgage to afford this "Princess Experience." Yikes!  *grin*

Thanks Shawna for the personal touch.

Fun at the makeup counter - Macy's

In an instant I knew the Holy Spirit was revealing to me the truth  of living out my faith in front of my child for all of her 18 years. She has grown up to be an amazing kid. She’s far from perfect and she will tell you that she doesn’t have this faith thing figured out for herself yet. But, she is a good kid who made it through the struggles of a large Southern California High School with integrity and hope.

She is so much like me in many ways. And vastly different in many more. She has a sarcastic wit I can’t begin to understand. She is a self-starter and highly organized (She organized the prom activities, from early in the day, through the parents photos all the way to the transportation to and from). I think she got that from me *wink.*

So, I’m at a place now where my many, many years of parenting a child under my roof are nearing an end. In four short months she will begin her orientation at the college she selected. And my friends, this is where I just cry and thank God for all of His faithfulness. For the years of my prayers for this child are answered. For the times He walked with her in the halls of her school when she was sad or scared. He held her hand. Listened to my words of pleading for her and HE WAS ALWAYS FAITHFUL.

So today this Donovan Clan update is to share my love for God. To encourage you that God hears the prayers of a mother’s (and a father's) heart and to renew your hope that the years, tears and prayers you are pouring into your children are WORTH IT!

It’s one of my proudest days to share with my SUMite family that in the fall, my daughter Caitie will be attending a Christian College. She came to this choice after much discussion, college visits, debate between her parents (typical) and prayer. She will be a student of the Torrey Honors Institute at BIOLA University (Bible Institute of Los Angeles).

The Faithfulness of my God continues to astound me.

I will tell you that this decision was a point of great contention in the Donovan home. As you might guess my husband wanted my daughter to attend his alma mater, UC Berkeley. Typical in our home, these universities are polar opposites in perspectives and ideals.  I write a lot more about this in our new book that releases in October. That book is filled with stories of God’s faithfulness to ordinary mothers. I can’t wait to share it with all of you.

Anyhoo, in a few weeks Caitie will graduate from High School. Dineen’s eldest daughter will marry her prince charming. And us two women, -- we are just ordinary wives and moms who stand in the lavish grace and love of a God who takes our breath away….. every….. single….. day……

Please press through your disappointments, your struggles and surrender to the God who adores you. Living on the other side of surrender is where the miracles lie. And it’s so very, very worth it.

I love you. Thank you for sharing this time in my life with me. And thank you for allowing me to share my daughter with you as well.

Here are a few of my photos from the day. Have a great week my friend. I love you. Lynn

Classic Mike Donovan says to this young man, "Hey, if you take that hat off will a rabbit pop out?"

He cackled up a storm. I whacked my husband on the arm and gave him "the look."

Poor kid, he may never visit the Donovan home again. Sheesh! Personally, I LOVED the hat. So did Caitie.

My favorite photo of the evening

Hi Everyone, 

So, it’s kinda weird for me to listen to myself talk on radio. 

But it’s even weirder to listen to myself talk on the radio with my husband standing right next to me. Sheesh! But, my guy did listen to the portion of the broadcast where Dennis spoke to him over the airwaves. 

Dennis said something like, “Hi Mike. It’s pretty cool that you are not threatened by your wife’s faith.” 

Then Dennis followed up with a few more statements. As I watched my husband’s face while Dennis was speaking, I felt strange. So, I stopped the recording and asked, “So what do you think about what Dennis said that there is a book titled Winning Him Without Words and that “him” is you?” 

Well my low-key husband replies, “Well it certainly is much better than badgering me.” 

Vintage Mike Donovan, folks!!!! 

I just had to laugh. I then pressed a bit further and asked him about where he is on his faith journey. THAT is always scary and I rarely ask. And as you might imagine I received a non-committal shrug. 

Ugh!!!!! 

This journey of the unequally yoked is sure an emotional one. Some days I’m convinced it’s only a matter of hours and then some days, his salvation is way, way off in the distance. 

It’s a back and forth between convinced hopefulness and disappointment. 

And I’m finding I’m not alone in all this.… There are those who have emailed me recently who are so discouraged by the victories they read about in other’s marriages. Then there are those who have emailed me recently who are discouraged because they are not reading about many victories in other’s marriages. 

I understand both and I want to hug every one of you. I think at SUM we must be real enough about the real struggles and yet we MUST continue to focus on the victories. We need people who are finding power and authority in Christ to lead us forward. In this place we will always have some at both ends of the spectrum. 

For example, a few weeks ago Dineen shared a wonderful story about her family Thanksgiving. For her it was as if she was able to catch a glimpse, a reward, for all of the hard years of pouring into her children. She experienced a new level of peace and love with her husband. Well, honestly, that was difficult for me to read. And you know why, because after my son left on Wednesday, Thanksgiving Day dawned and my husband and I launched into a fight, complete with me screaming and lots of tears. Sheesh! 

I have to say that it’s been a long, long time since we have struggled in that kind of a conflict. It surprised me. It hurt. It was awful. Thankfully, we’ve moved forward. 

Anyhow, all this to say that there is a place here for all of us. Dineen and I are far from perfected. We still struggle with our marriages, with raising our kids to faith, even in our own faith journeys at times. But, it does get easier. The pain doesn’t last as long. Mistakes are forgiven more quickly and more than anything we learn to love better, deeper through the power of Jesus Christ. 

So, today I want you to receive this special encouragement. I want you to own it. To KNOW it. To let it live inside of you with such truth and passion that the fiery darts of the enemy just bounce off because of it. 

Say this with me now:

I am treasured by God.

I am beautiful to God.

I am loved by God, His son, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

God always has His best for me. I will lack nothing. I will rise above all things and soar on wings like eagles. I will taste of the good life just because I am His. I will live in victory, love, peace and will fulfill my purpose and His plans. I will be happy and will proclaim the gospel is the living hope of the world. 

My friends, we are so loved by our Lord. And I’m convinced that we must truly KNOW this in our bones. So, for the next few weeks we are going to be talking about love. It is a power that can conquer all things and we have it within us. 

Come back Monday because it’s time to talk about an area so many of us struggle with. How do we love ourselves? Ooooooh, it’s going to be good. Because when we figure this out, our husband’s unbelief loses all power and authority over us. 

And then stay tuned for January because we are going to be on the F.B.I. watch list…. *grin* More to come on that. You will love it. 

I love you my warrior friends. Choose love this day and tell someone you love them. Hugs, Lynn

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Part I

Part II

There’s a shift in the atmosphere. 

I can’t explain it. Well perhaps I can. Since returning home after my re-sign, the new gifts I received have been developing. It’s been a rocky and rough development. I’m tripped up with road blocks from the enemy and from my own doubts and unbelief. I’m stopped in my tracks through some of my old habits of sin. Yet, I manage through God’s unfathomable love and encouragement to get back up, brush myself off. I run to the wilderness and pray and I find myself able to walk further in The Presence. 

So if you are on a rocky road, welcome to the party! 

But, with all the uncertainty of the new gifts and struggling at times to keep my dove on my shoulder, I’m in a place of utter fascination. I’m noticing how I’m becoming more aware of the environments around me. The people, the situations. And how I perceive them with a new eye. 

What I’m learning is when you are hosting the Presence of the Living God you are affecting your environment. I almost feel like when I walk into a room, a store, church, my home, I’m walking with a power of righteousness. And this power of righteousness is so effective that when I enter a room, it’s impacted for the Kingdom. 

If you remember in my last post I shared when Jesus came, He forever changed how we see the contamination of sin. And further He became the one who brought cleansing and healing instead of contamination. It was a paradigm shift. And this shift is for all of us, His disciples. WE are to affect our environments through our touch, our hosting of God’s presence so that we bring cleansing, healing, truth and the power of God. 

This is where living in the Presence through the Holy Spirit becomes so powerful for those of us who are living with unbelievers. Now listen and receive this. 

This righteousness, the living presence of God is so powerful in the New Testament that Paul tells us that if there is a believing spouse in the household, she/he will sanctify every other member in the household. Righteousness, the living presence of God, is so contagious, so powerful that it creates an umbrella of safety around anyone that comes into that environment. 

My friends, we have been positioned to release the Presence into the atmosphere so that God might find places to rest. People upon whom to rest. 

I’m living proof of this. I’ve watched how my surrender has brought me into a profound love relationship with the Father, through Jesus and living in the Holy Spirit Presence. It’s through this relationship that I’ve battled evil and cast it out of my house. It’s through this power that I’ve become, not perfect by any means, but interesting, fascinating and impactful. Okay, well it’s not really me. It’s that people, even my spouse, kids, friends, strangers catch a glimpse of God in my eyes. 

It’s contagious. Why? Because it’s God’s love - come to earth. His Kingdom on earth. His power. His purposes. It’s Him. People are utterly attracted to our Lord. They are utterly changed. WE are utterly changed by His love. 

Now read this passage with me: 

1 Corinthians 7: 12-14 To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 

Why is it that we don’t believe this? 

Well I’m taking my unbelief to the woodshed and there it shall ever stay. I’m living proof that when you Host the Presence of the Most High God. The God who holds the universe in His hand, You will be so contagious that when you walk into a room, you can feel a shift. 

The enemy flees. Hearts become open. Lives are transformed. God’s Kingdom comes to earth. 

This is my story and so now I can hear some of you saying, “Well Lynn, that’s all well and good for you but I’m not there and I’m not seeing a shift. I’m not seeing anything and my husband certainly isn’t changed. So I don’t believe you.” 

I get it. And in my next post I want to talk about this as well. So, join me next time and let’s talk about the realities of Hosting the Presence and how you get from your place to the road of the Kingdom Come to Earth. 

But before I leave. I wonder what does 1 Corinthians 7:12-14 mean to you. Have you read these verses in the Message translation? Share with me your thoughts. Is this passage for every one of just some? Thoughts? Choose love my friends. Choose love. Hugs, Lynn

Can someone post the Message Translation in the comments? 

Okay, I left you last week with this astonishing story of a girl who was ordered by the God of the Universe to free my husband from the prison cell where “I” had placed him. 

Can I just say: OUCH! 

Well what I have to share today is not only my husband’s freedom but mine as well. And mostly my friends, YOUR FREEDOM IS AT HAND. 

He Breathed On Me, Part Deux 

Many profound things happened to the three of us in the span of three days. And today, I’m of the humble place to share with you the most important thing that happened. 

We stood in the very real and tangible presence of our Holy God. At one point during the third day I was so overcome by His presence that I was absolutely paralyzed and sorta like electrocuted (in a good way). I will explain in a future post. 

But out of this experience we took home with us a new reality of God’s personal presence in our life. It is the revealed purpose of the Holy Spirit. 

Now I’ve walked with God and Jesus and within the Holy Spirit for a long time. However, I was clueless about the Holy Spirit and His intricate leadership of the believer’s life. And it was at the conference God said in some fashion, “You are going to be indwelled, empowered and live in the anointing of my Holy Presence.” 

Can I just say: Whoa! 

And can I just say, “I’m not worthy but God loves me that much.” And He loves you that much. He wants all of us to live in The Presence. It’s in The Presence that lives are transformed. You begin to see everything and everyone differently. You discover things that were once enormously important, like writing a book or even your husband’s immediate salvation are insignificant and irrelevant. What matters is living sensitive to the flame of the dove that rests upon your shoulder. 

I recall being on the phone with Dineen a few days after we arrived home from our trip. At one point we said the same thing at the same time, “It just doesn’t matter anymore.” And what we mean by this is that living in the Presence is complete surrender. Complete belief and complete trust. 

• Thus, if we are to write another book, God will bring it to pass. If we don’t, it just doesn’t matter.
• Our spouse’s salvation. It’s a forgone conclusion and God will bring it about when He is ready.
• Funding for our daughter’s college. God has this covered. And not only covered. He has selected the school for my daughter, the man she will marry and even the financial blessing to pay for the wedding. Wow! 

And what if none of this happens? It just doesn’t matter because we live in a place with a God that loves us so much that He will take care of us. Now perhaps this sounds shallow or hallow. And what if God takes care of us and moves us to a shack in Nairobi. It is possible. God rarely does what we expect and often calls us to participate in the unexpected. But living in the thriving Presence makes ALL THINGS POSSIBLE (Matthew 19:26). Makes all things joyful and all things are unto His glory, purpose and for His worship.

Okay, sorry, bunny trail. I just get so excited. 

Let me share this scripture. I pray with everything in me that you read this and receive it as yours, personally from Jesus. John 20:21-22(NIV) 

Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit changes things, changes people. 

I heard Bill Johnson explain it this way. In the Old Testament God’s people were commanded to stay far away from sin. Why? Because sin contaminates, damages, and separates us from God. For example if you were to touch a Leper, you became unclean. 

Are you with me? Now really listen closely. 

Jesus came (N.T.), the human example of how to Host the Presence of God and to bring His Kingdom to earth. Now get this. When Jesus came He not only touched but he brought healing. The Leper becomes clean. The New Testament purpose is for us modern day believers is to touch others and bring healing and wholeness.

What a paradigm shift.

Following? 

Everything Jesus did for three years was a model for human kind how to Host God’s Presence and to bring His Kingdom to earth. Jesus prayed, Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. This prayer was not for a Kingdom in the future. IT IS FOR RIGHT NOW. His Kingdom is now. On earth! And we, His people are the chosen ones to bring it to the nations. 

How? By hosting His Presence through the Holy Spirit. 

So what happens to us when we become living hosts of the Holy Spirit? Ahhhhh, now we are getting somewhere. We will have to tackle that question in my next post. For today, I want you to really wrangle with what I’ve shared. I want you to beg, on your face, if necessary that Jesus would breathe a fresh Holy Spirit anointing upon you. Share with me your thoughts. Where you are in this life-long journey. What questions stir in your soul? 

I will see you again next post when I share the most profound point to all of us who are married to unbelievers.

I love you my friends. I really love you! Living in His Presence, Lynn

Sometimes are you overcome and overwhelmed with the sheer love and patience God bestows upon you? 

Ya? 

Glad it’s not just me. 

His relentless persistence to get through to my heart and more, my thick-head, is astounding. In the weeks since the conference, I feel like I’m reading scripture for the first time. I’m in love with the book of Luke right now and can’t get enough. I’m reading that book like it was personally written for me. Scripture verses have new meaning, depth and POWER in my life. 

And my friends I want to share a scripture passage that I hope utterly brings you to the floor with worship and prayer and then raises you up to the purpose and the power it is intended. And it is a scripture written just for us, spouses who live with pre-believers, doubters and even those hostile to Christ. 

So, get ready. I’m not sure how long this post will be but I’m writing until the entire story is out. Because it is HIS-story and all for His glory. 

He Breathed On Me 

I think I mentioned in the post about Maria that God was intentionally selective about the conferees that He placed around us during the three day event. Our God did not waste one minute of the conference. He sent Helen to us at lunch and Maria next to me in the audience and Laura prayed with us in the bathroom. That story still makes me chuckle (a tale for another day, I promise). 

But God also used Heidi, Dineen and me as we spoke truth and love into each other’s lives. A bond of love formed between the three of us that is impenetrable, powerful, perfect and sealed in eternal love. I hope all of you experience this kind of Kingdom friendship and love. 

Onward. It was the last day of the conference and all throughout the day, through people like Laura, Darlene, and Helen God was trying to talk to Dineen and I. He wanted to speak about something Dineen and I wear. You see we kinda promote this badge on our chest. I’m still struggling to figure out how it comes to rest on my chest and why. But the badge we wear says this: 

I’m unequally yoked. 

Truly we have move past wearing this badge as martyrs. It’s just easy to say, “I’m unequally yoked” because in Christian circles people always reply to our declaration with a serious nod of understanding accompanied by eyes full of concern or pity and they utter one word, “Oh.” As if to say, I see, I get it, poor you. 

Sheesh, just writing that makes my stomach turn. Onward. 

Well after three days of proudly wearing our invisible but very discernible badges around the place and after God sending people to us to speak gently about our malady of unequalness, God was sick of us. So He sent in Heidi. 

We were walking along the road to a nearby restaurant for dinner. Now I don’t recall the conversation specifics at the moment. I think we were talking about Laura and the words she prayed over us in the women’s restroom. And Heidi with trepidation in her voice says, “Did you hear what she was saying to you?” 

“Ya, I thought I did.” 

Heidi looked at me and Dineen with uncertainty in her eyes and then she ventured, “I really don’t know how to say this and I’m not saying this to be hurtful or anything but I don’t think you are hearing what God is saying to you.” 

I froze in my tracks on the side of the road with cars passing by. I stared at Heidi and Dineen was standing right there frozen as well. “I just hear God telling me to tell you this. ‘Your marriages are not mismatched or unequally yoked. Your marriages are mine. Your husbands are mine.’” 

Gulp! 

Instantly I felt chastised by our most loving and Holy God. 

Heidi rushed on, “Please don’t be mad but I hear God telling me to say to you, ‘They are mine.” 

That instant my heart broke wide open. I felt ashamed that I had not believed God about this and even more shame that for so, so long I’ve worn this stupid “spiritually mismatched” badge about my person. 

She said, “Your words have created a prison where you have held your husband in a cell.”

Pain. O, the pain. 

However the pain and shame instantly left me as I said to Heidi, “Oh Heidi, you are right. God is so right.” 

It was at the moment that I opened the doors of the prison. I tore off the badge and I surrendered it to God. I remember saying to Heidi and Dineen, “This changes everything. Even our ministry. Perhaps we are to even change our ministry name?” A million thoughts rushed into my head. And those thoughts Dineen and I are still wrangling with today. 

Out of this entire exchange what has remained profound and clear to me are three words that the Father spoke to me and Dineen, “They are mine.” 

My friends, deep calls to deep. Step into this deep with me and see if you can uncover the truth of those three words in your life. What are the implications? Why it is God would say this to Dineen and I, “They (our husbands) are mine.” 

Now I have to also be clear in this. Heidi spoke these words as they were placed upon her through the Holy Spirit and they were intended for Dineen and I. However, I also believe they are intended for our community. But there is a progression or a spiritual shift that happens within us that allows God to speak these words to those of us who live with an unsaved spouse. And it’s this development, this shift that changes everything. And I’m desperate to share this with you so that you don’t have to be hit upside the head from a close friend on the side of the road. 

But, this post is way too long for today. So join me on Friday as the BEST part of this story still awaits. 

Oh on Monday, I have another astonishing story to share and you play a distinct part in the telling. I can’t wait to tell you the story and see how you take us to the ending. 

I love you. I really love you… Choose love my friend. Living in the Presence, Lynn. 

I have contemplated and prayed, struggled and contemplated about writing about what I’m about to share with you. Why? Because I don’t really understand what to do with it. I don’t know what it means and the implications to this ministry. But, I’m compelled to share with you my tiny story of recent. 

There are many of you who are in deep spiritual battles fighting against the very darkness that lives in your own home. There are many of you, my sweet friends, who have waited and waited for your spouse to change but he/she remains distant from God. Many of you cry in the closet alone. 

I too, lived where many of you live right now. I spent years wandering around, stuck and unsure if God was even hearing my prayers. So today, I want you to know these years that you battle, feel stuck and unheard by God, they are precious. There is not a word spoken to God that He doesn’t hear. There is much that He is teaching you that you do not conceive right now. He is at work if you are sold out for Him. 

How do I know? Because I have lived it. The hard, brutal reality of all of it. I understand you and because of that I live with a burning Holy passion to encourage you to keep on walkin’ it out because nearing the end is beyond astonishing, beyond joyful, ……just beyond. (I’m lost for a descriptive here.) 

So I’m taking you with me back a few weeks. Listen in as my husband joins me in the kitchen after returning from work at the end of the day following a business meeting. 

“Hey, how’d it go?” I smile as I glance up from the cutting board where I’m chopping veggies for dinner. 

“Fine.” 

He walks around the kitchen island to the pile of mail on the end and begins shuffling through the envelopes. I continue to chop. The television is on and it’s a normal, everyday evening for the Donovan Clan. At least that’s what I think as I chop a giant red pepper form my garden. 

He looks up from the pile, “A guy I know from the company was at the meeting today. He grabbed me during a break and told me about a new position that could be potentially opening up and was very interested in my application.” 

I stop chopping. Look at him. He’s nonchalantly telling me about this enormous, great new job opportunity. My eyes light up in pride and I intently listen as he goes further to describe the position. I watch as I see the tiniest glint of excitement in his eyes. Understand this about my man, he is v-e-r-y low-key. 

“Wow, that’s really great honey. What happens now?” 

He explains. 

Now here is where my world spins crazy. 

He looks casually at me and says in his nonchalant style, “This would be a really great opportunity. So I closed my eyes in the meeting and prayed about it. I hope no one noticed my eyes were shut.” 

Gulp!

WHAT?????? 

I don’t even remember if I said anything back to that sentence because the implications sent my mind reeling. 

So my friends, here I am. On several occasions over the past year my husband has said to me that he prays. What does this mean? He must believe “someone” is up there listening? Is it Jesus or God? I’m too scared to ask him about it right now. I’m not ready for whatever the answer could or might be. I hope you understand this. It’s scary after years and years waiting to find out he believes or worse he really doesn’t. But he is praying on his own, without my prompting. And in my heart I absolutely believe if you ask him, he would say he talks with Jesus. 

The next day I described this exchange with Dineen. Her words to me were profound and I haven’t been able to remove them from my mind. She said in the sweetest voice, “Our men are coming to faith but it isn’t like what we imagined.” 

I was struck hard with this truth. My man IS coming to faith. It is not what I imagined nor at the pace I would have chosen but my friends, MY FRIENDS, it’s happening. 

So here is my dilemma. I told God that I would be willing to surrender this ministry any time He said and especially when my husband comes to faith. So I’m in this weird place. My husband believes in some way, he believes. I now claim this because of his consistency to tell me he prays. But he isn’t sold out about church. Doesn’t want to be baptized. Really he isn’t likely to ever fit the “typical man at church” mold. But does any of that matter to God?

I’m thinking perhaps not. 

I don’t know what God’s plan is for me if in fact my husband chooses not to be baptized nor to read his Bible. I don’t know what God has in store for my husband’s baby faith. But I do know I will always, always pray for him. 

Today I accept this truth: I will ALWAYS be spiritually mismatched in that my faith journey began so long ago. I’ve walked years with Jesus and have traveled the through the valleys of disappointment, struggle, loneliness to come out on the other side KNOWING that all I ever need is God’s presence. But my husband has his own journey ahead to learn what has taken me years to learn. Thus, we will always be spiritually mismatched. And today, I can say with complete honesty that I’m really okay with it. 

So my friends, you who are barely floating about the waves of struggle, be encouraged because God is using you in profound ways you cannot understand or see today. But, in the years ahead you will see with such clarity it will bring you to your knees in such adoration and praise that tears of joy will flow and the world will know that the God of the universe loves us beyond our wildest imagination. 

Thank you all of you in this amazing community for walking this road with me. You are my treasure. My heart. Love, Lynn