Hello SUMite Family,

I’ve been so moved by your comments, your efforts and the experiences you are sharing in the comments. Every comment yesterday was read by those in the heavenly realms! Wow!

And a note: I am so bummed out I haven’t had the time to respond to the comments. Please forgive me. I have read each and every one of them. I appreciate how many of you have responded and prayed for someone else. Well done… This is what family looks like! 😊

Today, I want to share a verse that was written for us, for this very hour, for our unique marriages.

“I have food to eat of which you do not know.” Appropriate on day four of our fast.

Recall with me the story that leads up to this statement made by Jesus. (Read the story in John 4)

The Woman At The Well. She was outcast from her society, came for water at midday because she wasn’t welcome to join the “other women” of the town in the morning when it was cool, as she was unmarried, living with a man and had shacked up with a few others before this latest guy.

She messed up. She was a sinner. She wasn’t perfect, like the others.

I want you to know that I have felt the sting of rejection from the church, as an outcast. I would bet a million dollars that most of you have as well. The very place where we should be welcomed, included, loved on, we are often left out, skipped over and out right rejected because in our past…. We married an unbeliever.

BUT JESUS!

He saw her. Her failings, struggles, the “religious deceptions (Can only worship in Jerusalem), her pain. Yet within this broken woman was a heart that truly wanted to know and worship the real God.

This salvation experience is what our unbelieving family members are looking for. They need an encounter with the God of love, power, forgiveness and wisdom. All of these aspects of Christ are demonstrated in this story.

It’s supernatural. It’s full of love and lacks judgment. This one woman’s encounter brought such fulfilment to Jesus, he no longer hungered in his physical body. Wow!

HE HAD THE FOOD OF HEAVEN.

Would you like the food of heaven as well? Your fast is leading to a supernatural encounter. I believe it with all of my being. Press in today toward the goal. Ask God to meet you. Pray and then just wait and listen with your journal and pen ready. Let Him talk to you. Then pray for your spouse to have the “Well Experience.”

The historical tradition about this story is that this woman wasn’t merely instrumental to bring her  village to salvation, verse 39, but she spent the rest of her life traveling about the towns (10 towns) in the area and brought many to faith in Jesus.

Jesus said in the very next sentence in response to the disciple’s confusion:

“My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.”

Gang, your food this day is to do the will of God and finish His work! What is that work? Jesus said, “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.”

Let’s get on with it. So many are perishing. So many lost, broken, hurt. Let’s be healed and set free by Jesus first, then help as many as possible to find healing and freedom.

THAT is food that will fill us, change us, lift us up and heal every infirmity, bitterness and lost dream!

HALLELUJAH!

In the comments, pray a prayer for the salvation of your spouse. Let the Great Cloud of Witnesses hear your heart as we will bring our loved ones before the Throne of Grace.

I LOVE YOU. You are strong! You are faithful! You are powerful! You are a son or daughter of the Living God! LIVE IN BOLD FAITH TODAY!

Blessings, Lynn

Tomorrow we are going to encounter Communion. It’s going to blow your mind. Stop in here and read before your quiet time. Also, find some bread and juice because you are going to partake in the "experience" of communion and be changed. You will never think the same about a communion service again!

GOD IS SOOOOOOO GOOD! Hallelujah! Praise you Jesus!!!

Mid-Week

Gang, our fasting continues. I want to give grace.

I haven’t had a perfect fast. I’ve needed to supplement the fluids with a few ounces of protein, chicken, once a day. Fasting isn’t easy. And as I contemplate the meaning of fasting and prayer, I’m almost glad that it’s a bit difficult to seek out God. What I mean by that is there are times, such as our initial salvation experience, it's easy. Then there are seasons or life circumstances where seeking God takes effort. What I love about that is that when we make the effort, we experience an intimacy and revelation that is uncommon.

We are the few, the privileged to walk where Jesus walks, to talk to the King and hear His revelation. Wow! 

I’m right in there with you. It’s hard. I’m bummed out I can’t do it perfectly. I’m still waiting for many answers and help that will lead to my understand, my future, to work out my disappointments with God and others. Just being real here. So, I’m fasting and praying. Seeking, pounding on the door of God’s heart.

I want so much more than a boring faith life. I want to hear God, every day, in every way. I want to know Him. What was He when He was. (The God who was, is, and is to come.) What He thinks about. What He sees in me. I want to behold Him and tell Him He is my life and hope. I want HIM.

Press in. This is the most difficult day. PRAY and ask for sustaining faith and for breakthrough!

Pray today for an encounter and revelation for yourself. Tomorrow we will pray for our spouses.

I am so proud of you. Reading your comments and your honest efforts fills my heart. Do you know that all of heaven is reading the comments. They are watching. The Great Cloud of Witnesses, Jesus and the Spirit, and the angelic are cheering us on. In the quiet you can almost hear them saying, “Go Lynn…. Go Lynn… Go Lynn. You can do it. You can do it. You are amazing. The Father loves your efforts. Go Lynn…. Go Lynn…. GO!”

(Insert your name into that chant!)

I adore you. Lynn

Prayer Prompt: 

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High

    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

This I declare about the Lord:

He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;

    he is my God, and I trust him.

For he will rescue you from every trap

    and protect you from deadly disease.

He will cover you with his feathers.

    He will shelter you with his wings.

    His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,

    nor the arrow that flies in the day.

Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,

    nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

Though a thousand fall at your side,

    though ten thousand are dying around you,

    these evils will not touch you.

Just open your eyes,

    and see how the wicked are punished.

If you make the Lord your refuge,

    if you make the Most High your shelter,

no evil will conquer you;

    no plague will come near your home.

For he will order his angels

    to protect you wherever you go.

They will hold you up with their hands

    so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.

You will trample upon lions and cobras;

    you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.

    I will protect those who trust in my name.

When they call on me, I will answer;

    I will be with them in trouble.

    I will rescue and honor them.

I will reward them with a long life

    and give them my salvation.” —Psalm 91

HALLELUJAH!

SUMites,

Well how was your first day? Don’t relent now because the next two days are the most difficult. But when you arrive on day four……

Something happens.

Breakthrough. God’s voice. Provision. LOVE

Stay strong. Today work on any unforgiveness in your heart. Cleansing of bitterness is a GIANT step toward powerful intimacy with the Father.

Scripture Prayer Prompt:

For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure. ─Philippians 2:13

So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. ─ Colossians 1:9-10

In the comments:

How did you do on day one? What is God sharing with you? Share and give encouragement to our family on the web.

I love you. Lynn

Fast Day One:

My friends, a corporate fast is an amazing petition to our Lord. And right now there are thousands of God’s people fasting all over the world. The honor and delight that this must bring to our Father is glorious.

I want to be brief today. And offer a word of advice/encouragement and a prayer prompt for the day.

Be encouraged: Give yourself grace if your goals for fasting aren’t strictly met. I’ve been fasting for a week now and I’ve needed to eat something once a day. I feel disappointed, but I get right back up and ask the Lord to strengthen me for tomorrow. So, I’m hoping that beginning today, I can sustain and fast fully from solid foods. If you fail, just pick up and keep going.

I want to share my fast so that it might be helpful to you: Fasting all solid foods. I still have coffee (God’s gift to mankind) and I will drink a protein shake a couple times a day and orange juice when I feel lethargic. I have a ton going on this week and need to be working with a clear mind.

Prayer Prompt:

Search me, O God, and know my heart;

    test me and know my anxious thoughts.

Point out anything in me that offends you,

    and lead me along the path of everlasting life.— Psalms 139:23-24

 

So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 14 So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. 15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 16 For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” — 1 Peter 1:13-16

In the comments, leave a quick prayer for day one of your fast. Let us bring glory to our King with our prayer and fasting. I love you, Lynn

SUMite Church Without Walls,

Beginning tomorrow we are walking into the Holy of Holies. A place of intimacy and deeper friendship with our Father, God. Holy ground that is accessed through the gate called, Sacrifice. Sacrifice is a Biblical offering to our Lord and it’s is depicted throughout scripture.

My dear family, do you know what happens when we sacrifice a core part of our life, our sustenance?

FIRE!!!

The fire of glory falls upon the sacrifice. A holy fire, a purifying fire. A fire that destroys the demons and cleanses us from sin. Fire that heals as it burns off the oppressor. Fire that burns but does not destroy. We are headed for a burning bush experience and I’m already expecting miracles.

How about you? What are you expecting?

Fast begins tomorrow, January 8 at Sunrise. Stop in tomorrow morning for a scripture prayer prompt. Then share during the day in the comments how God is leading you in prayer and fasting.

I adore you. I’m praying with you and for you. I love you deeply, Lynn

Immediately the fire of the LORD flashed down from heaven and burned up the young bull, the wood, the stones, and the dust. It even licked up all the water in the trench! — 1 Kings 18:38

PRE Fast Day FIVE

Below are a few fasting tips I’ve scribbled down. Please share your tips and experiences in the comments. We need all the help and great ideas we can get. Hugs, Lynn

*For newbies: Begin with a sunrise to sunset fast.

*If fasting doesn’t mean anything to you, it won’t mean anything to God.

*Avoid television watching, the food commercial are of the devil, *grin.*

*Drink a gallon of purified water daily.

*Expect push-back.

*Fight through headaches and lethargy. You are detoxing your body, mind, and spirit.

*Prepare by informing your family. Set expectations and encourage them to support you and to refrain from placing temptation before you.

*Fasting can break the power of our uncontrolled appetite, nicotine cravings and alcohol and drug addictions.

*Fasting amplifies God’s voice.

*Fasting makes our Spirit sensitive to God’s heart.

*Fasting leads to greater intimacy with the Trinity.

*Fasting prepares us for new Kingdom assignments.

*Fasting is Biblical.

*Believers are called to fasting. It’s not an option.

*Jesus fasted for 40 days.

*Daniel fasted 21 days, following, he had the craziest visitation.

*Angels respond to the hyper-awareness fasting creates.

*Fasting crucifies the god - gluttony.

*Fasting means that when it’s over, you are different.

*Fasting also means when it’s over, you get a hamburger and fries 😊.

*But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. — Matthew 6:18

*And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.

    Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”   

    So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you     will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21     However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting. —Matthew 17: 18-21 NKJV

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. —Matthew 5:6

PRE Fast Day FOUR 

Fast Begins January 8 at Sunrise. Ends Sundown, January 12, 2018

My friends,

This past fall, I fasted often. Sometimes for two days in a row and sometimes for only a day in a week. Amazing thing can happen during a fast. I want to share with you what happened one Friday not long ago.

I was fasting seeking a breakthrough for a project I was working on. What is interesting is that when you fast, I’ve discovered you become extraordinarily sensitive to the voice of God.

It was about noon on this particular day and I was feeling the effects of fasting. Tremendously dizzy, no energy, lacking motivation. But I promised God I wouldn’t break the fast. I went into my prayer room and just sat.

Within minutes God arrived with power. He began showing me pictures in my mind of those who were suffering right now on planet earth.

Say what? Why is this happening?

I saw a burn victim laying in a hospital bed with third degree burns over half of her body. I squirmed in my seat as I beheld a vision of her treatment. The doctor was removing the dead skin. It was excruciating. I gulped at the perceived pain.

Geeze… Ya, this is what I want from my fasting…. NOT!

But, the Lord went on. He showed me children who were victimized in Thailand at the pedophile brothels. Ugh, now I’m really messed up. Then I saw many young women who were kidnapped and forced into prostitution, lost to their families, drugged and abused.

Why in the world was this happening when I was praying for a silly project? Because God has a heart. His heart breaks for these innocents who are in pain, who are suffering horrifically. God began to break my heart for them. I ALL OUT BAWLED! Right there in my prayer room. I was messed up most of the day. I will never forget this experience.

THEN I PRAYED!!!!!

God was breaking my heart because I am aware, and so is God, that I walk in tremendous power to bring relief and freedom to others through my prayers into the spiritual realm. And gang, I did pray. I wept, and I prayed. God broke my heart for these people and He reminded me that the luxury and comfort I live in, is only by His grace.

I pledged that Friday that all proceeds from this project I will pour into a ministry that serves the orphans and young girls who are vulnerable to sex trafficking.

I promised. And I mean it. (I think I’ve found a place to support in Uganda.)

Okay, now don’t freak out. I don’t want you to think God is going to throw something like this onto your shoulders during prayer. But, I want you to be aware that my fasting opened up a realm where God took me to see suffering. I “felt” His broken heart. I “felt” His tears, His pain. I felt His hope that believers would help those who are in these prisons of pain and fear.

I experienced God, intimately and profoundly. It changed me! Wow!

During this fasting period, I didn’t receive the breakthrough I was seeking. Currently, it’s postponed but something utterly amazing happened instead. God showed me the path to the fulfillment of a LIFE-LONG dream I’ve held in my heart for more than three decades.

I’m not kidding… A…. LIFE….. LONG…. DREAM!

This is so huge that I’m about to freak out. I’ve held this dream secretly and prayed about it often. Something like this, “God, I know it would take Your hand and multiple miracles and the changing of hearts of others to make this happen, but it’s a dream within that you gave me, and it will not die. So, I ask its fulfilment.” I have to tell you I didn’t posses the faith for this one, truly, because I thought it was impossible.

My friends, it’s about to happen. It’s so wildly unexpected and fantastic I couldn’t, wouldn’t have expected this in a million years. This dream is rapidly coming together and when I arrive at the finish, you will be the first to know. I continue to pray and follow His leading. I can’t wait to fast this month because of all of this.

So, you may be praying for one thing. But GOD!

But God, may show you something different. He may show you a new dream. An area of healing. He may begin to speak to you in fantastic and miraculous ways. He may break your heart or fill and heal your heart or ALL OF THE ABOVE!

No matter what, if you truly fast and honestly sacrifice something that is really hard to give, YOU WILL HAVE AN ENCOUNTER. He loves us that much.

Some of you may need to fast longer than five days. If God calls you to do so, do it and He will help you. Because the astonishing awaits at the end of the journey.

My friends, what are you praying for this next week? Allow me to pray with you. Share in the comments because I’m walking close with our Papa and I’m bringing your life before him.

I love you….. I love Jesus…. I praise our Father, God!

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. —Matthew 5:6

PRE Fast Day THREE

On Monday (January 8) as you reach mid-afternoon most of us will begin to experience hunger pangs. Grrrr, the drive of our physical body is powerful. And it’s often our weak responses to the physical that cancel what is about to triumph in the spiritual. I’ve determined that a LARGE part of our journey through life on planet earth is all about growing our spirit (soul) to the point that it takes captive the desires of our physical body.

When we begin to mature in faith, we take captive our thoughts to Christ. Often, we find freedoms from addictions and harmful thought processes and more. But eating is something we will participate in for the duration of our earth-life. Taking captive the god called -stomach- is a HUGE issue for so many of us. It is for me.

But this fast, which I started yesterday and plan to continue for 40 days, I intend to finally kill that god called appetite and offer my hunger as a living sacrifice. It is my offering to take captive my eating and then receive the reward that our Father gives to those who seek Him with all of their heart.

So, when the hunger pangs strike, they will be my prompting to go to prayer. No matter where I am I will whisper a prayer to sustain me, take captive the pangs and tell my Father…. I am hungering and thirsting for righteousness and Father, fill me with YOU. I WANT YOU!

SUMites, let the pangs hit you. Pray upon those prompting pangs and seek this amazing mystery of hungering for righteousness because right behind the pangs, the GLORY ARRIVES! HALLELUJAH!

2018 is the year! It’s about intimacy. It’s about learning to walk in purity and that leads to walking in power. Power to defeat depression, anxiety, the spirit of anger, to walk in confidence and leadership. It is our year. SUMites, we’ve walked the long road of struggle and persecution within our own home. God knows our pain and has brought us to a place of holy access.

Step in and BEHOLD!

Love you, Lynn

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. —Matthew 5:6

PRE Fast Day TWO

Question: Do you know what to do while you fast?

What am I supposed to do? Do I pray normally, pray more? Do I just sit in silence? Do I just starve myself and hope something happens?

Perhaps some of you are scratching your head just like I did a few years ago.

Anyone?

I want to share some insights that make your fast powerful and effective.

Make time every morning to rise before the house wakes, go into your prayer place with your Bible, journal and any other book that you are reading to grow in your faith. Open up your spirt by inviting the Lord to come in. Give God your heart and ask Him to speak to you. Start your prayer time with worship,  or/and prayer language, or/and surrender.

Read a chapter or verses in your daily reading. If you don’t have a reading plan, read chapters from the book of Matthew, specifically the chapters where Jesus is teaching. Listen to the promises that jump out at you and WRITE THEM DOWN. Write that date and write a prayer that you claim this promise for your life. For example, I’m always move by this passage:

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. —Matthew 16:19

This promise ROCKS my world. I’ve used this passage to bind my heart to God’s heart. I’ve used it to loose angels to dispatch the demonic to the pit of hell. I speak this passage in faith and I ask Jesus to give me more keys and teach me how to use them to unlock the Kingdom of God.

This is just one example. There are so many that I just get excited to speak them out and watch what happens.

Pray prayers that others have written. For example, during last year’s fast we read through the book, Winning Them With Prayer. It was powerful and praying aloud the prayers written in the book brought about change for many of you. Get it out and read it again. Or if you are new with us and want powerful prayers to pray during the fast, order it from Amazon.

Tomorrow I’ll share with you how to respond to our growing hunger throughout the day.

Pray now for the resolve of the Holy Spirit to walk with you through this fast because right now the veil is very thin between earth and heaven. It’s NOW that our petitions with prayer and fasting are bringing us before the Throne. In Jesus name. AMEN

Love you, Lynn

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. —Matthew 5:6

SUMite Nation

Next week, January 8-12, 2018… We will fast together in a Corporate expression of sacrifice and prayer. Seeking a greater intimacy with the Lord and seeking revelation for the year ahead.

Begin to think about what and how you are going to fast. Prepare your family and let them know you will be fasting. Pre-prepare meals for them and let them know that you need their support to fast.

My challenge is for you to fast an entire five days from solid foods. And for some of you who truly need a miracle, a water only fast for five days. If you can’t fast all five days, consider a sunrise to sunset fast, with dinner in the evening.

I also challenge you to fast from television and devote that time to reading the Bible or another book that will strengthen your faith.

Let me ask you this. Do you want 2018 to be better, different, to walk closer to the Lord? Then plan to fast. I’ve discovered through my personal fasting that I did in the fall of 2017, how and what happens in the spiritual realm when we fast.

It’s worth it.

I’ll share more in the days ahead.

Begin praying now for the Lord to call you into a fasting period. Ask Him to supernaturally help you to refrain from eating and to develop a hunger for more of Him.

If you continue to do what you’ve always done, you will receive what you always receive.

WE WANT CHANGE! Let’s fast and bring the power of the Spirit of God into a place of prominence in our lives. Hallelujah!!!

Love you my brothers and sisters. It's gong to be a GREAT year! Lynn

Meet Finn.

His mama was found wandering about Los Angeles and birthed a litter right around Christmas day. We adopted this little buddy from a Chiwawa pet rescue. We also adopted his sister, Gracie, nearly two years ago.

Finn, I’ve come to decide, is a special needs doggie. Something happened to him before our ownership that has left him with permanent pain in his back-hind quarters. He often yips and yelps and scurries along the floor like someone is chasing him because of the moments of pain he experiences. We have taken this poor mutt to the Vet several times, x-rays and exams to figure out what is causing this pain.

Nothing.

We can’t figure it out and he continues to be in pain. This causes the little pooch to be very fearful. He’s also obsessively devoted to my husband Mike. Follows him everywhere.

It breaks my heart to look upon the pup and his suffering. So much so, that I often will sit next to him and gently pet his back and pray over him saying, “I love you Finney. I bless you with peace, in Jesus name. I bless you to be healed, in Jesus name. I bless you to be free from fear, in Jesus name. I bless you with peace in Jesus name.”

I seriously have seen progress and his pain appears to be less than last year. But alas, there are good days for this little doggie and not so good days.

I suppose you are wondering why I’m sharing this story. Well, recently I was in the kitchen and I heard the dog yelp as he jumped up on the couch next to my husband. The yelping bothers Mike as well. To my astonishment, Mike pet the dog and said to him, “I bless you with peace in Jesus name.”

I stared.

Mike smiled back.

My instinct checked in and I said, “You need to bless him again because it’s persistence that is the key to heaven.”

SERIOUSLY. This was happening under our roof.

Mike, “I bless you with peace in Jesus name,” as he looked at Finn.

Gang,….. In Jesus name.

This man spoke it. The name to which every knee will bow….. He spoke it. (Romans 14:11)

I grinned at him. And Mike grinned back.

We went on with our day and I believe that all of my 25 years of praying, living out my faith, loving and forgiving is producing the results of every promise in the Word for me as a child of God.

The LORD recently has caused me to realize that it’s been my pain, discouragement, disappointment and unmet expectations that have been the springboard into the most amazing faith adventure.

ALL OF IT has led me into the brilliant experiences of this verse:

Christ in me, the hope of glory. —Colossians 1:27

This promise is for all of us.

Everything worthy in God’s realm is won by hard work, persistence and pounding on the doors of heaven. Every single thing. This faith walk is not for the faint of heart, nor those who will give up easily. But when you put in the years, the hard work of healing, prayer and faithfully living of God’s Word, you will see the glory.

How do I know? Never in a million years would I have thought my husband would bless anyone or anything and never ever, ever in the name of Jesus Christ.

It’s the season of miracles. Press toward the goal my friends. (Philippians 3:14) It’s worth the price.

I love you my SUMite family. I bless you today with the peace of heaven. In Jesus name. AMEN

Stay tuned as the first week of January will be our prep-week for our annual community fast. We will fast together, with new insights that I have learned about fasting, the week of January 8-12, 2018.

I’m listening to the LORD for our promises for the year. It’s going to be the best year ever.

Hugs, Lynn

Photo sourced from St Clare of Assisi Catholic Church

I was intrigued to read a post Christianity Today published last week based on some research conducted by Lifeway Research. It revealed 24% of Americans observe Lent, the greater majority Catholics. Interestingly, 82% of Catholics who regularly attend Church are likely to observe it while only 30% of Protestants who regularly attend church will.

The stats didn’t surprise me. I’d love to see comparable ones for Australia as I expect they’d been even lower. I’m the only person in my circle that observes it and it’s not mentioned in my church community.

So why bother with it?

I only adopted the practice in recent years having lacked understanding of what it was about. I grew up believing it was something Catholics observed and as I wasn’t Catholic it didn’t apply to me.

As I’ve come to better understand the practice I now eagerly look forward to it. Before I explain why let’s start with a recap of the basics.

What is Lent?

Lent derives its structure and themes from Christ’s forty days’ in the wilderness, where He fasted and prayed and faced Satan’s temptations. As most of us know this period occurred before His public ministry began. It commences with Ash Wednesday, which this year happens to be a Wednesday, March 1^st. It’s typically six weeks in duration (some denominations calculate it differently) and ends with Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday.

I particularly love Ann Voskamp’s description in a post that I read a few years ago. Ann’s chatting to her brother on the phone answering his question:

“Okay … Lent. It’s the preparing the heart for Easter. Like going with Jesus into the wilderness for forty days, that we come face to ugly face with our enemy. Our sacrificing that we might become more like Christ in His sacrifice.”

So it’s the letting go of our stuff, whatever that may be, so we can seek God with greater intensity.

“’And yet even now,’ says the Lord, ‘return to me with all your heart …’” (Joel 2:12)

“The purpose of Lent is not to force on us a few formal obligations, but to ‘soften’ our heart so that it may open itself to the realities of the spirit, to experience the hidden ‘ thirst and hunger’ for communion with God.”¹

This is my desire: to experience that communion with God.

Longing for God

We observe Lent so we would become more aware of our longing for God in order to see Him with all of our hearts. We adopt certain disciplines, eg, fasting, to help us see more clearly the patterns of sin and/or distraction that have weakened our passion for Him or created some distance from God.

Season of Hope

As we journey through the six weeks and draw closer to Holy Week and the Jesus at the Cross and His subsequent resurrection we can sometimes feel burdened by these Lenten disciplines. But the journey is full of such hope as we are reminded of God’s great and everlasting love for us. “In the shadow of Christ’s cross and impending resurrection we are assured that there is forgiveness and cleansing for all who turn to Him.”² Our relationship with the Father has been restored.

Hallelujah!

What am I doing for Lent?

I usually do a few things and this year I’ll be doing:

1. Giving up: chocolate, FB and Instagram. And fast one day each week.
2. Bible study: He/She Reads Truth Lenten study on Isaiah. Very excited about this one.
3. Reading: Walk in Her Sandals  and Liz Curtis Higgs The Women of Easter.

“He must increase, I must decrease.” (John 3:30)

John the Baptist spoke those words acknowledging that it was time for people to focus on Jesus rather than himself. He had played his part and fulfilled the prophecy. It was now time for Jesus. I’ve found it’s a great verse to head into Lent with. Letting go of ourselves to allow more room for Jesus.

I’ll be posting each week over the next few weeks reflecting on some of the Lenten disciplines as well as my journey. I hope you’ll join me. 

I read lots of different things and I expect will come across many good items on Lent so I will endeavour to share some of these to add to our understanding and open our eyes to more of Jesus. Ruth Haley Barton is a favourite of mine and I just read her introductory post on the season. I encourage you to give it a read you have a few spare moments.

What are your thoughts on Lent and do you have any plans for this season?

Notes: 1. Great Lent, Alexander Schmemann, Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1974. Page 31. 2. Lent: A Season of Returning, Ruth Haley Barton, Transforming Center, 2013, Ash Wednesday.

We arrived. Hallelujah!

My fast went fairly decent. Wasn’t perfect but fasted mostly for five days, (I still have today to go). I lost four pounds and gained new awe in my heart for our Father.

I feel almost melancholy that our fast is ending. This week has brought tears to my eyes, laughter to my heart to read what happened in your lives through the book and the fast. I’m humbled and in awe that our Lord is so powerful on the move to bring breakthrough to our SUM House of believers.

Today, is a special day because chapter 13 is a gift. I wrote it following a powerful prayer session. And what I received, God says is for everyone who contends for an unsaved spouse. So I pass it along to you.

Pray and release.

Don’t carry the burdens you are not to carry. Jesus died to bring us into a life of peace. And peace is His gift. Release your spouse and your worry to the King of Kings.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. —John 14:27

Read chapter thirteen and the conclusion on page 139. Also, there are more prayers in this book than I was able to connect to the chapters. READ ALL OF THEM.

Today, I ask that if you are a SUMite that you take five minutes to stop in and leave a prayer of peace in the comments. Pray peace over yourself, your family, your marriage, whatever the Spirit leads.

I will start. Jesus you said that you came to leave us peace. I know peace is only something that comes from You. I receive it. I receive peace into my home, my marriage. I speak peace over my son, Brad, daughter, Caitie, and grandchildren. I speak a new peace over my husband, Michael. I will not be troubled or afraid. You have proven your faithfulness to me year after year. Thank you for peace that surpasses all understanding. I am utterly grateful for everything you lavishly provide year after year. I love you with all of my heart, mind, soul and strength. I am yours forever. I pray now for peace to reign, love to win, hate to fail, and for Your Kingdom to be made known to a lost and desperate world. In Your Powerful Name, Jesus. AMEN

You can add your prayer and include the names of those who you are praying for. I will pray along with you. Or copy my prayer, add name and then type: AMEN

Pray in the comments. Share what has happened this week in the comments. Did you struggle? Was there breakthrough? Let me know if you experienced something new in your time with God and let’s celebrate this fact: God is good!

I love you. Lynn

*THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart to those who contributed to Winning Them With Prayer. Your love of our Savior shines bright in these pages. Well done good and faithful servants!

Ian, Tara, Heather, Martha, Christi, Lynette, Jim, Dorothy, Ramona, Flavia, Joanne, Heather, Dee, Taylor, Patty, Barb, Evie, Maira, Gillian. I heart you! And Dineen, I adore you. Your design and layout efforts made this book a reality. One a saw a long time ago in my mind. You made it come alive!!

Stay tuned as we start our next series on January 23^rd: Emotional Healing: How Jesus heals shame, guilt, wounding and pain.

I’m completely overcome by what is happening in our community this week. Gang, reading the comments and the emails that I’m receiving… It’s just wild and awesome!

I’m undone by how God is moving in the pages of the book, Winning Them With Prayer. Some of you are experiencing breakthroughs at home, with husbands and even feeling the spiritual bondage break off….. THIS IS THE REASON I WROTE THIS BOOK. God has purposed THIS book with power from on High to break the chains of Satan.

This is what Anja from Switzerland wrote at the end of her astonishing comments on the Day Three post: Needless to say…I’m without words. I’m humbled, amazed and feel as if years of burdens have been lifted off my shoulders. It is the answer to so many of my heart’s cries. I got a long way to go but now I am certain I am not alone!

Anja, heard the Voice of God and what she shared was miraculous.

I told you…. I was certain that God was ready to bring breakthroughs. And there are more ahead… For all of us whether you are fasting or not. I’m certain of it.

Today on Day Four, I am compelled to help our community to step into a new season. So many people don’t have any idea how to discover their purpose or ministry on this earth. Well, today let’s take a few questions with us into our prayer time and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal His calling and purpose for your life.

And can I state clearly here, everyone has a purpose and everyone who is a believer has a ministry.

So what is your assignment from God?

I want you to ask yourself these questions:

What makes you cry?

What makes you angry?

And, why doesn’t someone do something about it?

SpirituallyUnequalMarriage.com was born one day when I realized that there were very little resources to grow my faith and to walk in victory in my marriage. In 2006 there were three books on the market and I personally only liked one of them and there was nothing online to help support me.

Thus, our blog was born.

You may not be called to write or serve in full time ministry even. But you may have an assignment to start something at your workplace, after work, or participate in a missions trip. You may be gifted to paint, to dance, or to have empathy and compassion for people, or children, animals. You may be gifted in business (God loves to promote a business with a leader that is a believer). God has a calling on all of us. And you specifically have a unique was of doing what He has made you to do.

When you serve in your calling it makes you come alive. When you are working in your assignment your creativity is release to fulfill your heart, your soul, mind and your assignment.

And it is possible to serve God’s purposes even when you are married to a pre-believer. Dineen and I are living proof.

Go into your quiet time and ask God if you are serving in the right place. If you are serving at church but it isn’t fulfilling, I would think hard about what you are doing and pray about making a change.

It’s been 10 years that I have served the SUM community and I STILL LOVE TO GET UP EVERY DAY AND BE PART OF IT ALL. And that’s saying something because I usually lose interest in things after about three years.

I’m speaking now in faith that a breakthrough in your creativity and purpose would be released today. That you are filled with dreams on how to use your creativity to serve the Kingdom. That God will open doors for you that were previously shut that you may walk into your holy and divine calling this year. In Jesus name. AMEN

Today read chapters nine through twelve. Work through the assignment. Also, take time to discover the amazing life God has for you in 2017.

In the comments share what you are hearing. Share how the Lord is speaking to you as you work through the chapters. Share anything that you feel would encourage another.

Stay strong as you fast. Forgive yourself if you couldn’t make it. And just pick right up and keep going. The breakthroughs are happening. I will share some of mine later in the month when we tackle the next series, Emotional Healing.

I love you….. I love Jesus. It’s a great time to be alive and I have so much HOPE for all of us that I’m giving it away to you now. In Jesus name. Hugs, Lynn

This verse has been pinned to my prayer board for weeks.

My friends, we are already on day three of our prayer and fasting. Please share what God is showing and/or telling you. Your testimony may be the very piece another SUMite needs to help her or him connect the dots of what God is revealing. I’m finding myself in that place again where God is connecting dots again and revealing answers to prayers. I’m so very encouraged especially for my children and hope to share more soon on what’s happening. 

Plus, our first night of fasting from television turned out to be such a precious time for my hubby and I. We played games and didn’t miss watching it at all. I am amazed by that, my friends. I know the Holy Spirit gave me grace for that. Plus I had time to spend in His presence later in the evening too. So so good…

And I will say I’m finally seeing breakthrough in a place I’ve been praying over for more than two years now. This and answers to prayers I received on Sunday are like cool, fresh water to my thirsty spirit. Boy howdie, my spirit was thirstier than I realized. How about you?

My friends, let’s continue to press in and contend for what God is giving us this week. Even if you aren’t seeing anything shift yet, don’t despair and don’t compare. Every breakthrough and promise from God is unique and comes in His packaging, not our expectations. Remember chapters two and three…pray, believe…

Read chapters seven through nine in Winning Them With Prayer. Lynn’s prayer using 1 Cor. 7:14 is so powerful! Our power-passage! This is our place of authority and brings power to our prayers. Remember that your prayers for your spouse sanctify them, which according to the Greek translation of that word means that God has laid a claim upon them to be set apart for Him. That is what your prayers do for spouse and loved ones, SUMites!

And now I want to leave you with a verse that has become HUGE in my life. Several weeks ago one of our directors at the healing rooms I work at gave me this verse with the instructions, “God wants you to meditate on it.”

It’s a powerful verse, my friends. That same day God told me what He wanted me to know regarding it and just yesterday, He confirmed it in a very unexpected way. Now I would like you to meditate upon it, SUMites.

It shall come to pass in that day
That his burden will be taken away from your shoulder,
And his yoke from your neck,
And the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil. — Isaiah 10:27

I love you, SUMites! I pray your week is filled with new revelations and promises from the Lord. I pray your fasting becomes joyful and a delight as you press closer to God. I pray that this week sets the stage for an entire year of breakthroughs for you, your family and this entire community. 

And Lord, I pray that very SUMite would be freshly anointed in Your holy oil. In the mighty and powerful name of Jesus, amen!

Love and hugs!
Dineen

My friends, we are on day two of our fast. I’ve chosen to fast from sun-up to sun-down each day. I also sought the Holy Spirit’s guidance on anything else I should fast from, to honor the Lord. He’s impressed upon my heart to fast from television. Not that I watch that much, but it is a routine thing for hubby and I in the evenings to relax and watch old reruns. I find this time very cathartic.

But God told me He wants to do something different so maybe this is part of it. The unexpected part of it is when I told my husband I was “considering” doing this, I asked him what he thought and if he’d like to join me.

He said yes! So, Mike is joining me in a fast from television this week. I’m fascinated to see what God does with that, my friends. Really and truly, the Lord is so surprising! 

Our assignment yesterday was to read the first three chapters in Winning Them With Prayer and write down our prayers. Also to read and personalize the SUMite prayer listed at the end of each chapter. I hope you are greatly encouraged, my friends, to see and know we are all pressing in together for God’s heart and Words for our lives. I find that so comforting too.

Chapters two and three speak of belief and praying God’s Word. These are vital keys to our faith walk! I know at times we battle doubt and fear—I know I do—but I continually find the answer in God’s Word and the power His spoken Word holds. I will never tire of Jeremiah 1:12:

The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.” — Jer. 1:12

To know our Lord watches over His Word to perform it is so powerfully reassuring in my life, SUMites. I pray that’s true for you too. Believe it! Believe Him!

I shared some words the Lord spoke to me last Friday and mentioned there was more. What God shared with me just after the New Year is that 2017 will be A Year of Promises. And it’s two fold:

1. The revelation of promises already given.
2. New promises to be given and released

My friends, I am especially excited about this because I received some prophetic words from my church family on Sunday that confirmed and answered three cries of my heart and this word God gave me about A Year of Promises. Amazingly, they were given to me by four different people at different moments who had no knowledge of any my prayers or what God had been showing me.

That is how wonderful our Lord is, and how much He loves us. So I encourage you to keep pressing deeper into His presence and love. Be like the widow who goes before the judge and continually asks (Luke 18). I have been doing this for weeks to counter some heavy spiritual warfare and finally the answers came. I am a bit weary from it, but very relieved to know God’s heart, my friends. It was the confirmation and affirmation I desperately needed. Our Father God cares so much for us and though we don’t understand His ways, He is very present and active in answering our prayers.

Let’s continue our prayer and fasting today with chapters four through six in Winning Them With Prayer. As I said, God wants to do something different in 2017. With an open heart ask Him what that means for you and your family. I do so hope you’ll share too. I’ve no doubt God will speak to and through each of us astonishing ways!

I love you, SUMites! Your heart for God and love for each other are two of the most beautiful things I have witnessed in this lifetime. And if that’s how I feel, can you imagine how our Lord Jesus feels to behold this amazing family?

Yes, I am in awe. Of Him…and you.
Dineen

SUMITE Fast 2017: Monday, January 9: Day one.

SUMites…. Who wants a new beginning? A fresh start? A year of new possibilities, promises fulfilled and a deeper walk with our Lord?

We are a people who are endowed with new starts. Believers have been given a gift of new starts and new beginnings. It’s in our nature. We experienced our first new beginning when we came to faith in Jesus. I’m convinced that the Lord gives us new beginnings, new starts over and over again throughout our life. And this fast is going to be the start of significant changes and fulfilments in our lives in 2017.

I am CONVINCED that this year is a breakthrough year. I have enough faith in this statement for all of us, even for those of you who aren’t feeling it yet. I’m convinced that God is leading us toward significant person healing. I’m convinced that there are even more prayer strategies that He is anxious to teach us in the months ahead.

So, buckle in. Set your mind on the prize (Philippians 3:14) and BELIEVE for your new beginning to become reality because Jesus loves you that much.

I’m in for the long haul. The Lord has commissioned me to fast from food the entire five days. I write that sentence in faith that God will see me through. But I’m convinced that on day three spectacular answers, breakthrough, provision will result. It’s usually on day three that a shift will happen because of our faithfulness.

Join me and fast in accord with how the Lord has called you!

Sometimes we can start a fast and say to ourselves that yes, I will pray. Then what happens is we go into our room and sit down and then think, It’s hard to pray. I don’t know what to say. What to ask. I’m bored, distracted, etc.

Anyone?

That is why we are using the prayer strategies book. You can read the prayers aloud. Ask the Holy Spirit to come and rest upon you before you start. Ask God to rest His glory upon you.

Record notes in this book. Like Sarah, she wrote notes and prayers in the margins. There is a place to write prayers in the book and I urge you to get a prayer journal.

This small book scares the devil. This small book is filled with prayers that change hearts, lives, marriages and our faith.

Today, read chapters one, two and three. Read the prayers suggested at the end of each chapter. Write your prayers in the book. Put the date next to the prayer. This is a permanent record of our petitions to the King. And one day we will look at this book again and SEE THE FAITHFULNESS OF OUR GOOD FATHER.

If you don't have a book, write in your prayer journal. NO ONE in our House of SUM is left out. Pray and write your prayers, hopes, and the words God gives you in a journal.

The Holy Spirit is with us. Jesus adores us and our Father IS GOOD, EVERY DAY, IN EVERY WAY GOOD!!! On Thursday, we will ask the Lord to reveal our divine purpose/calling. It will be a powerful day of shifting in the Spiritual realm of your life. That’s why I decided to wait until after day three.

Today in the comments, let’s encourage one another to grow in our belief (chapter three). Let’s post our thoughts. Share your struggles if you are needing prayer support. When you’re hungry, stop in and share and let someone cover you in prayer. Then pray for another SUMite. 

The devil trembles when the SUMite Nation prays!!!!

And God rejoices when we pray and He sends answers (Chapter seven.)

Woo Hoo. My excitement is electric. I will be praying for you this week. I love you so very much. Hugs, Lynn

Hello, SUMites! My dear friends, I've missed you. I hope your Christmas was filled with joy and wonder, and that your new year is off to a great start, full of hope and expectation.

My time with my family over Christmas and New Years was very sweet and precious. I am so grateful for it as we only get to spend Christmas together every other year now. So thank you, my SUM family, for your prayers and blessings over my time with my daughters and son-in-love. As you can imagine, I miss them greatly. Our Papa God has comforted my melancholy heart every time I’ve run to Him. He’s so good. 

But I am ready to walk into 2017 with new expectations and new clarity for direction. And I'm "expecting" next week's prayer and fasting will be key to that. I believe many of you are too. I've loved reading your comments and praying with you about your hopes and expectations. You guys write some awesome stuff! 

Many of you shared a word God has given you for the new year. I too have been seeking God for what He has for me and my family, and what He wants to be for us in 2017. He's not only given me a word for 2017, He's challenged me. 

This word pushes me way out of my comfort zone, my friends. Why? Because it challenges me to step out further in faith and trust Him more. It's risky. I will be honest and share that I've grappled with some disappointments this last year that I'm coming to realize are more to do with my impatience than anything else. God's timing is, well, God's timing.

But this pushes me to think and dream even further out than I ever have before. This year my word is "Envision." And with it have come some pretty big possibilities—ones I can't even begin to figure out how God will accomplish them. But He is the God of possibilities, and I've learned that His ways are absolutely astonishing and so very unexpected. 

So, yes, I am challenged this year to leave the comfortable places of my thinking and allow Him to take me places I can't even imagine. I am excited and a bit anxious all at once!

SUMites, God has given me some words for us here too that I look forward to sharing during our prayer and fasting next week. They are full of hope and promise, my friends. God has so much in store for us. Yes, we will be challenged in new ways, but let's remember that God has prepared us for this time and season. We are fully equipped and complete in Him. Amen!

Here are some links to help you with types of fasts and how to fast. If fasting from food isn't an option, please don't discount yourself from participating. There are other avenues you can take and other ways to fast. Such as fasting from sweets, or one particular food item you tend to gravitate toward. Or fasting from television or social media.

Why Should You Fast

How to Fast Safely

How Long and What Type of Fast is Right for You

The best course here is to ask the Holy Spirit to impress upon your heart what kind of fast is best for this time and will honor and please God. Just as faith as small as a mustard seed delights our Papa God, He views even our smallest efforts with pleasure when the intent in our heart is great. He is always more interested in our hearts than results.

And now, SUM family, I want to share the words He gave me in November. They are so encouraging and uplifting. I for one am longing to go deeper with the Lord this year than ever before. I'm still learning to hear and listen to Him in this new way He's teaching me. I'm still learning to focus on Him and the journey instead of the end result. I have so much to learn!

I am establishing My kingdom as never before in the believer's heart. And it is a kingdom about My love. A Kingdom of Love.

The enemy's scare tactics are desperate—like a toddler pitching a fit over not getting his way—a last ditch attempt to wreak havoc. But he won't succeed as long as you don't acknowledge him. He is harmless.

My intentions are clear. My heart is known and true. Listen for My pulse. Listen to My heart. I am true and I am truth. With Me you will not fail. In Me you are a true victor. A true champion, for My cause.

And My cause is you, every one of My children! I am raising you up higher than ever before, My dread champions, and I am calling you forth. You carry the weapons of love, joy and peace. Wield them freely. Walk in love, walk in peace, be strengthened in My abundant joy. I am with You all the way!

Thank You, Father God! Thank You, Lord Jesus! Thank You, Holy Spirit! We are so grateful for Your great love and good intentions for us. Lord, I pray for every one of us in this SUM family, that the eyes of our hearts will be enlightened next week in order that we may know more fully the hope to which You have called us, the riches of Your glorious inheritance in the saints, and Your incomparably great power for us who believe (Eph. 1:18-19). 

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I bless this church without walls with the oil of joy. I bless every SUMite with greater peace than she or he has ever known. And I bless every one of us with a greater capacity to love than we have ever imagined. Lord, let us walk in the love You pour out upon us and share it with everyone we encounter. Make each of us a reflection and representation of Your Kingdom of Love. Amen!

I love you, SUMites! See you next week!

Dineen

Photo courtesy of khunaspix/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Last year my Word for the year was “DELIGHT”. I so enjoyed delighting and figured there was so much more for me to experience that I was expecting I would stick with the same word for 2017.

As I prayed and meditated on it last week I stumbled across a line in a prayer I read:

“If I’m going to be in a hurry about one thing this year, may it be to linger longer in Your Presence. Everything else will fall into place.”¹

I stopped. Re-read this line a few more times as I prayed and then I had a new Word for 2017. Can you guess what it is?

Linger!

It’s a great word. How much do we enjoy lingering on a great cup of coffee or fabulous dessert or a piece of music? But how much time do we spend simply lingering in the Lord’s Presence to savor Him? Not what He can give us but Him, His face, His person.

Those who lingered

As I reflected more on that line above, people in the Bible who spent time lingering in His Presence came to mind.

Joshua

“And it came to pass, when Moses entered the tabernacle, that the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses. All the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the tabernacle door, and all the people rose and worshiped, each man in his tent door. So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle.” (Exodus 33:9-11 NKJV)

Joshua lingered in the tabernacle (nee: tent). Even when Moses, his mentor, left it. It changed him. So much so it was Joshua, and not Moses, who received the honour of leading the Israelites into the Promised Land.

Anna

“Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years,[a] who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:36-38 NKJV)

These are the only three verses in the Bible about Anna. She was a woman who lingered in the temple. And served God with fasting and praying. The Lord honoured her by allowing her to see Jesus, the infant.

Mary of Bethany

“Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.” (Luke 10: 38-39 NKJV)

Mary lingered at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.

How can we linger in His Presence?

As we come to next week’s annual New Year prayer and fast what can we do to linger a little longer in His Presence next week and beyond? No doubt you have some ideas but here are a couple:

• When the hunger pangs strike, pray. Even if it’s as simple as saying “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.” Allow His name to change the atmosphere around you so you “forget” your hunger.
• Turn up every morning (or lunchtime or evening) – come often as your mind enjoys the habit of consistency.
• Be silent – I know this can be extremely hard for those of you with kiddies and busy households. But I hope you’re able to find a spot where you can escape for a few moments and simply be quiet. Might be in the car after the school drop-off. Take one or two deep breaths and then quietly say “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus” or similar and allow yourself to linger with your Creator. The one who loves you more than anyone.
• Start small. If this is new to you a few minutes of lingering is good. Don’t feel you need to speak. Simply ask Jesus what’s on His heart. And listen.

Stay in the tent. And enjoy Him.

Let me pray for us all.

Dear Jesus, we love you, we adore you. We consecrate this new year of 2017 to you. We consecrate ourselves, our partners, our marriages and families to you. We consecrate this week of fasting and prayer to You. Let Your kingdom come in our marriages and in our homes – let Your will be done, Lord Jesus. Help us to linger longer in Your Presence and to enjoy the fruits of Your tenderness. We pray this year will be the year our partners come to know you. We love you and love being your sons and daughters. In Your Mighty Name we pray. Amen.

Grace and peace, dear friends. I so look forward to sharing next week with you all and savouring our Lord together. I love reading of other people's Word's of the year and/or verses if you adopt such a practice. Share them in the comments so we can encourage you in your endeavours for 2017.

Notes: 1. “Everyday Prayers”, Scotty Smith, Baker Books, 2011. Pg377.

My friends, The New Year fast is going to be different than in years past. I am compelled by the Holy Spirit to walk all of us through a season of healing. One of the ways believers encounter healing is upon our discovery of our divine purpose and calling.

DISCOVER YOUR DIVINE CALLING - FAST 2017

Day one you can expect a few questions that you will take with you into your prayer time. And as your hunger grows throughout the day, I’m convinced that the answers will flow from the Throne of Grace and Mercy.

We will also be using the prayer book as a prompt and it will also become a record of our fast and so much more. It’s not too late to order you copy. However, we are sold out. Every book that Dineen and I order has been purchased and shipped. We have more on the way and hope to offer them again through our SUM Shop.

1/5/2017 You can now order through The Sum Shop.

I can see so many of you holding this book in your hand alongside your Bible. I see the Lord speaking to you and teaching you new strategies of prayer that are powerful to intercede for your family and marriage. This book will become a blessed heirloom to your family, to one day look at your notes in the book, the prayers you wrote and the dates and finally…. How the Lord moved upon your utterances. Neat.

Today, I want you to pray and pray every day leading up to January 9th for supernatural faith, discipline, self-control and desire to walk through this fast faithfully. Pray that the plans the Lord has for you in 2017 are revealed. Ask Jesus to teach you to walk in these prayer strategies and that the prayers will manifest the Kingdom in your life. In Jesus name. AMEN

In the comments, tell me what is something you are hoping will come from your time of prayer and fasting. See you there. Hugs, Lynn

IF YOU CAN’T FAST WITH US. THAT’S OKAY. BUT PLAN TO PRAY ALONG WITH US BECAUSE OUR GOD IS IN A GOOD MOOD AND YOU WILL RECEIVE SOMETHING FROM THIS TIME OF PRAYER AS WELL!

Hello SUMite Nation,

Wow, I have missed all of you!

I feel like I could burst because I’m keeping inside all of this amazing stuff that has happened in the past several weeks. A-MAZ-ING stuff that I can’t wait to share with you…. I can’t wait to start teaching about emotional healing. (And other surprises.)

I PROMISE YOU THIS, you WILL experience freedom and healing if you work through the series of posts that we will tackle beginning January 23^rd.

Before we get to that we need to focus on our prayer life for 2017. Our emotional healing happens through prayer, so I find it perfect timing that we will focus on prayer during our annual fast week. We will fast as a community the week of January 9^th through January 13^th. Dineen will be providing some links to how to fast, January 6th.

Every year I’m fascinated at the large number of us who fast together and something significant from the Lord always comes out of our focused time of prayer and fasting. So plan now to fast with us. Let your family know so you can set expectations with them. My practice is a daytime fast with a light and healthy meal after sunset with my family. But I may attempt a complete five day fast with a hamburger on Friday night. *grin*

Winning Them With Prayer

This year we are going to fast and use the prayer strategies book along with it. So much of my spiritual growth in my life in 2016 was the result of new prayer strategies that I used in my prayer time. This book has POWERFUL prayers written by SUMites. I tell you that I have prayed through them and would literally begin to shake under the power of the Holy Spirit.

These prayers can move mountains, save the lost, heal the sick and deliver us from the bondage of satan.

I will share more about how we will use the book on Friday. There is a place to write in it and these books will become a record of our prayers that we will look at to see how God moved at the end of 2017. And I promise you, HE WILL MOVE!

You can order your copy here (SUM Shop). Order it early because shipping will take at least a week.

This Fast will prepare you for the Emotional Healing Series that follows: Jesus Heal My Soul!!!!!

SUMites, do you want real freedom? Freedom from memories that sting? Freedom from trauma and hurts? Do you want to be healed from wounds to your heart? AND DO YOU WANT PHYSICAL HEALING?

I’m convinced that this is my assignment in 2017. I’m compelled and commissioned to teach the SUMite Nation these amazing prayer strategies that will truly change the course of a life and launch us into our destinies, divine assignments, ministry, freedom, healing and more.

WHAT SAY YOU?  Are you in?

Tell me in the comments what is on your heart at this very moment? It’s likely the Holy Spirit speaking. I want to hear and share your hopes for 2017. Then order your book so I can get it in the mail to you.

I LOVE you so much. Our Jesus is so near and He is telling me that it is NOW that the church is to receive EVERYTHING He died to give us. Don’t leave anything on the table that Jesus wants for your life.

Hallelujah and AMEN. See you in the comments. LOVE YOU SO MUCH, Lynn

My friends, I pray you are still discovering sweet revelations and blessings from last week's fasting and praying for Rosh Hashanah. Dawn did an amazing job leading us. Thank you, my friend! We love you so much! 

And my friends, your comments were moving and inspiring. If you didn't read Ann's comment about her revelation dream for us that she posted on Thursday, please go read it in the comments. It's very encouraging and confirmed many things for me. In fact, God used her comment and Dawn's story about her house to show me what I was to share with you next. 

Can I just say, I love our Father's heart for us and our spouses? He is so passionate about us, my friends! I'm overwhelmed by His love and heart for us.

Now about our house...we are just 16 days away from closing. We have watched our house transform from a cement slab and framed walls to a nearly completed home full of details—cabinets, counters, painted walls and landscaping. My husband and I are so excited that we go by our house about twice a day just to see what new things have been done that day.

Now something happened early on in this process that came full circle just a week ago and God has show me it's a word for us. But first, I need to tell you a story of how this all began.

Back in 2004...

My husband and I decided it was time to buy a house. We'd moved back to the U.S. (to California) from Switzerland two years prior and had rented a house so we could get acquainted with the area and figure out where we wanted to settle. However, as you may or may not know, the housing prices in California were/are quite high. And the houses that were in our budget sold fast, usually through bidding wars.

One Sunday I went to church full of despair. We'd not found a house and had decided we would continue renting. I asked my Sunday school group to pray for us. We planned to check one more area that afternoon, but if that didn't pan out, we'd call our landlord and negotiate another lease.

That afternoon we drove to the area a friend had suggested but didn't find it. We had a fairly small area to work in because of our oldest daughter's high school district. When we reached that outer street, we resigned ourselves to just go home.

Just a few blocks down, we saw an open house sign on a house that was just renovated and hadn't even been officially listed yet. We debated stopping and finally did. 

My friends, I kid you not, as I walked into that house and barely saw more than just the front living area, I said to my husband, "This is our house."

We contacted our realtor, who was (is) a believer and told her to make an offer. And then we went to war. Several offers came in for that house. We'd offered the full asking price but knew the chances were slim to get it. Mike and discussed offering more and decided we'd take the risk. Our budget would be stretched, and we weren't sure how we'd do it, but my ever-optimist husband said we'd figure out a way. 

I called our realtor and asked if we should offer more. She asked for a little time to pray about it. A half hour later she called and agreed it was a good plan. Then we waited. 

The next day my husband came home with a story of his own. He'd received an unexpected raise that day, and it was exactly what we would need to afford the higher price mortgage. 

We got the house. SUMites, every time I looked at our house after that, all I saw in my mind was this big red bow around it, because it was a gift from God. We walked through a lot in that house (including the miracles of my daughter’s cancer recovery) and God us blessed us richly, even in the sale of the home to a sweet family with a little boy.

Now, fast forward to our house we are building now. As I shared in my post in July, God showed me this new house is a also a gift from His hand and that I was to rejoice in it. 

On September 8th, God led me to the book of Haggai. 

"'The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts.’” — Haggai 2:9 ESV

As I read this, I began to tremble, my friends. That may sound crazy, but I knew that God had spoken something very deep to my spirit. And He reminded me of two other times this Word was spoken over me in the last year and half. Now He was affirming that the house He was giving us  ow and all that He has planned and purposed for it (which He's given me just a glimpse of His kingdom plans there and let me just say, "WOW!") will be greater than our former house.

SUMites, as I have shared in this past, this new house has become a monument of God's presence, provision and plans for this community. Our SUM family.

This word, that our latter "home" will be greater than our former one is for all of us. Ann's comment last week confirmed this for me. And showed me now was the time to share it as we near the completion of this home.

But God has given me another specific word, my friends. One that starts with an event that would require me to forgive someone connected to the completion of this home for lying and breaking our trust. It's a crazy story of God's unexpected justice and protection of His provision and plans. You will be utterly amazed.

Please be sure to come back for the rest of this story on Friday and to hear God's heart for us right now. This is a message you don’t want to miss, straight from the Father’s heart.

We are on the precipice, my friends. I know it's challenging to be on the mountain top with an assuredness and determination to pray into what God reveals to us, then to wait and pray, wait and pray, wait and pray and not see any visible change. But let me be the voice of truth to you and reassure you that our God is working diligently to bring forth His promise in reply to our prayers. 

Today I'm asking you to make a new declaration in the comments that you trust the Lord for all that He has promised you because He is your God.

But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” — Psalms 31:14

Declare what you are trusting Him for too, my friends. Let's speak out into the natural what God is setting into place in the heavens! (Heb. 11:3)

I love you, SUM family. Please know that I am faithfully praying Jer. 24:7 and the Scriptures you sent me over you and your spouse. God is faithful to His Word!
~ Dineen

“If I told you my story
You would hear Hope that wouldn't let go
And if I told you my story
You would hear Love that never gave up

If I should speak then let it be
Of the grace that is greater than all my sin
Of when justice was served and where mercy wins
Of the kindness of Jesus that draws me in
Oh to tell you my story is to tell of Him”

Lyrics from “My Story” Big Daddy Weave

The words to that song are the words to my song – my story.  And to tell you my story is to tell of Him.  My story of the last year is one filled with hope, love, victory and abundance.  It has been a jubilee year indeed and it all started with the Rosh Hashanah community fast here in our Sum Community. 

It was Monday, September 14^th.  I had not fasted in a quite a while and I was actually at a very stagnant, even stale, place in my prayer life.  I was disappointed with God for not moving in my timeline, I was stressed out from the contentious relationship with my ex-husband and I was doing this fast because I just needed to feel that closeness with the Lord that I had not felt in a very long time.  And the thought of a Jubilee year on the heels of one of the hardest 3 years of my life sounded very appealing too.  While it was not my driving force, a breakthrough would definitely have been welcome.

It would be very hard to fit an entire year of blessings into a blog post, so I will start with that day.  On that day, everything with my ex-husband (for whom I have been standing for over 4 years with no hope in sight) turned on a dime.  It started with him calling me about his sick grandfather (shocking in itself) and since that conversation we have become friends, gone on family outings, helped each other out and even attended church together on Easter Sunday– ALL a result of that one day of fasting when everything turned around. And I believe that every day since then has brought us closer to restoration – no minor miracle, my friends!

For our first day of fasting, I will tell you of one other amazing story to bookend this past Jubilee year.  It ended as grand (grand as only God can do) as it started.  As you are reading this, I am moving into a house I purchased for me and my girls.  I had been renting a house for the last 4 years, but my daughter was starting high school and wanted to attend a particular school in a different area.  I decided I needed to go ahead and buy a house in that district.  So we started praying back in March for a ranch style house (just a personal preference), within our budget and with a school bus for both girls. 

The housing market in Denver is just crazy, so after getting outbid on every house we liked, I decided a new build was the only way to go.  Upon inquiring about new builds, I found out ranch style houses are VERY popular and there were none of those models available.  Apparently they were the first to sell.  So I settled on a 2 story house, significantly out of my comfortable price point and decided this was just the way it was meant to be.  At least both girls would have a bus to and from school. 

Fast forward to Sunday June 19^th… I got a call from the sales office saying that our house completion had been pushed back to next year instead of the original Oct/Nov date I had been told.  Oh – and did I mention my lease was up in July and we had moved into my sister’s basement for what we assumed would be a short amount of time?  This news was devastating, BUT GOD!  As I am in tears with the poor sales lady, she says “We do have a ranch that is available and finished.  The family who originally intended to buy it was transferred out of state. If you’d like to come see it, we’d be willing to work with you on the price and transfer your earnest money.”

The girls and I went to see it that day.  It was everything we wanted and we fell in love with it immediately. It even had the same finishes (white cabinets, gray quartz countertops) that we had picked out for the other house.  We closed on September 30 and best of all; the price they gave us was well within the budget I had prayed for.  Wow – don’t you just LOVE how God rolls!?!

The kind of fast I am choosing to do this week is solid food from sun up to sun down Monday – Friday.  The breakthrough(s) I am particularly praying for are the usual ones I’ve been praying for years – that J will come to know the love of Christ first hand and know true unconditional love for the first time in his life and that my marriage and our family would be restored.  I would love to hear the breakthroughs you are all fasting for so we can pray for each other during this special time.  What mountains do you want to see moved as a result of your fast this week?

I am absolutely thrilled and honored to be leading this fast and doing it with all of you. Tomorrow I’ll be talking about obstacles to fasting and how we can stand strong against them.  “See” you then!

Hello, SUMites! I’m excited to tell you about what will be happening next week and who will be leading it. 

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins at sunset on Sunday, October 2nd and ends at nightfall on October 4th and means “head of the year” in Hebrew. The biblical name for this holiday is Yom Teruah, which in Hebrew means day of shouting and blasting and is sometimes translated as the Feast of Trumpets. Thus why the Shofar is a symbol of the holiday (as well as the eating of symbolic foods such as apples dipped in honey to evoke a "sweet new year”) and is blown as part of the celebration.

The significance of this horn is very symbolic as well. Remember the story of Jericho and how the seven priests bore seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord? They were to blow the horns as they marched around the city. Have you heard the sound of a Shofar?

Rosh Hashanah is then followed by Yom Kippur, which is a time reflection, repentance and fasting. So, my friends, next week our very own, Dawn Billesbach, will be leading us each day in community fasting and praying with stories and encouragement of how God has moved in her life through the observance of this Jewish holiday and its traditions.

Lynn and I are so very grateful to have her leadership for this. We’ve already read the first installment, and we both wound up in tears. It is a stunning and ongoing story of God’s goodness and faithfulness to a woman’s prayers and intercession for her for her marriage, her family and even herself. 

So, dear SUMites, be prepared to be blessed and encouraged greatly by this wonderful woman of God who’s heart for Jesus is steadfast and faithful. Lynn and I have had the honor and pleasure of standing with her for years in prayer and have witnessed her grow in her faith walk in ways we never imagined. God is so good!

Here’s a little about Dawn:

I live in Broomfield, Co with my 2 girls.  I have a teen and a tween and needless to say, lots of gray hair. We enjoy camping and all things outdoors. If I can’t be outside, my 2^nd favorite place is in the kitchen. I love feeding people. Food is definitely my love language. I have many accomplishments that I am very proud of, but one my greatest (besides raising 2 amazing kiddos) is learning to back up my pop-up camper. Funny, but true!

I am divorced, but standing in faith for a restoration of my marriage and family. I am in AWE every single day of the faithfulness of God and His promises to work ALL things for our good.   As I watch His plans unfold, I can’t help but be absolutely blown away. In recent years, I have learned the difference in knowing God and knowing God. HE has met me on every step of this journey whether I was face down on the floor, immobile from grief or learning to back up a camper so I could take my kids camping. For this, I wouldn’t trade a single tear or heartache.  

I joined the SUM community about 4 years ago when my husband and I were first separated. The encouragement has been a lifeline to me since.  

Dear friends, here are some links to help you determine how and what kind of fast is best for you. Please consider this next week prayerfully and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you.

Why Should You Fast

How to Fast Safely

How Long and What Type of Fast is Right for You

SUMites, I’m excited about and expectant of what God is going to do next week. A verse I have prayed for years showed up yesterday, and I knew in my spirit right away this is for us right now.

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. — Jeremiah 33:3

Lord, we call out to You and wait expectantly for You to answer. Tell us great and hidden things about this next year, Lord, as we ask to know Your heart for ourselves, our spouses and our family. We commit this next week to You and rejoice in knowing that You are always working for our good (Rom. 8:28) and have a future and a hope set in place for us all (Jer. 29:11). We rejoice, Lord! We rejoice in You! For You are our inheritance and we are Yours. In the blessed name of Jesus, amen!

Love you, SUMites!
Dineen

Hello SUMers, can you believe its September?

Say What?

It’s back to school. Back to church. Does your church start a whole ton of stuff this month? There are tremendous opportunities in the fall in which to participate. Just remember to find balance and not over commit yourself and leave your husband/wife feeling left out. Choose wisely!

In the last few weeks I’ve shared six prayer strategies. I absolutely believe that our prayers are magnified and moved upon by the Lord. And as I was considering wrapping up this series, the Lord reminded me about a tactic of prayer that I’ve yet to discuss: Fasting

There are times when we have prayed and prayed. Employed our will, the Word, etc., etc. And…. Nothing.

This brings me to the wild story in the book of Daniel. Chapter 10, let’s listen in to this conversation:

Daniel speaking: Then I heard the man speak, and when I heard the sound of his voice, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground.

Just then a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees. And the man said to me, (Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision): “Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling.

Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven.”

There are so many things about this exchange that blow my mind but I want to point out something that most of us miss when reading this passage. Notice that it says since the first day you began to pray. What is amazing, beautiful and loving is that God heard Daniel on the very first day… And even better, God sent an answer immediately.

My friends, I’m fully convinced that this is true today for us. God listens and wants to give us our answers. But here is where it gets really interesting.

Answers are delayed, thwarted by our own words remember, and can be amended if we change our prayer or God has another plan in motion. But in my heart I’m convinced that His love and goodness moves Him to reply with immediate answers to our heart-felt prayers.

Let’s listen into the rest of this astonishing conversation with Daniel and the angel Gabriel.

Gabriel: I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia. Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.”

WHOA!

God replied to Daniel immediately but there was an epic battle in the spiritual realm for 21 days! SUMites, this passage is in the Word so we can understand that this is how prayer and answers to prayer unfolds. We must know that contending in relentless prayer is often needed. Prayer when combined with fasting is needed to break a block in the spiritual realm.

We could spend months on the study of prayer with fasting. But we won’t as we cover fasting every January during our powerful community fast. We will be fasting again as a community, next month and it’s going to be amazing, stay tuned. More to come on that.

When you fast to gain access to the Father’s heart and to hear His voice, can facilitate an answer so commanding that it can breakthrough powerful principalities of the dark realm.

Wow and Wow!!!

I wonder if any of you have sensed that you were battling in prayer on the spiritual plane, against a strong darkness, right before a breakthrough? Things that make you go, hmmmmm.

I would love to hear any fasting stories from you, SUMites. I know this can be a confusing area for those who have never fasted. So, if you have a testimony about prayer and fasting and how you saw God move, please, PLEASE share it in the comments. Someone may need to read it. And that someone could be me.

I love you deeply my friends. I’m praying for our community and I’m expecting breakthrough!!!  BIG HUGS, Lynn

Essential components of effective prayer:

1. Create a time and space devoted to Bible reading and prayer.
2. Use the Word of God in your prayers.
3. Believe – Hebrews 11:6
4. Confidence
5. Engage you Will.
6. Courage
7. Fasting