Posted in The Beauty Of Gods Provision

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time for every purpose, under Heaven

A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time for every purpose, under Heaven

A time to build up,a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time for every purpose, under Heaven

A time of love, a time of hate
A time of war, a time of peace
A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time for every purpose, under Heaven

A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time to love, a time to hate
A time for peace, I swear it's not too late

I remember that song by the Byrds, and also the passage in Ecclesiastes 3 so well (the above is a bit of a mix). It really is true that there are different seasons in each person's life, and we must be willing to accept those changes, to move on to the next stages of our journey in Christ and life.   Sometimes transitions are smooth, and sometimes they are gut-wrenchingly hard.  

My Mom uses the phrase " When the grace umbrella moves we better move with it or we'll get pummeled by the downfall."  In Exodus 13:21 The Lord went ahead of the Israelites as a "cloud of pillar by day and a pillar of fire by night, to give them light so they could travel."  One day they were moving forward and the next they were told to go back and camp near Pi Hahirath.  It may have seemed that they were taking two steps forward and one step back, but as long as the Lord was leading them they were safe.  Sometimes we have to trust God even when we can't see ahead.  We don't always know the season's we are about to embark upon, but one thing is for sure . . . as long as our hearts and spirits are fixated on Christ, as our solid foundation, there will be no shifting sand.

There are lots of changes going on in our life right now - some pleasant, and some not.  We've just come out of a very hard, but incredibly fruitful season, and have entered a new one.  The seasons must change, and we must be ready to embrace all that God has for us to learn in each one.  He is our ROCK, our fortress, our deliverer and in Him we will trust. I love that oldie, but goodie hymn . . .

Refrain:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

  ~ Edward Mote (1797-1874) ~

It is a great reminder that the world will change, and doubts, struggles and the cares of this world will try to invade, but as long as our faith is in Christ, our anchor is strong. He will never leave us or forsake us, and He is always the light that makes our path straight.  Thank you Lord for your grace, mercy and love towards us.  We don't ever want to step outside of your will or the covering which you have placed over our lives.  It is in YOU we trust during this season of change.

<>< Kelly

Posted in The Beauty Of Gods Provision

I woke up today very weepy for some reason.  I couldn't shake it, so I went downstairs and put on some worship music.  Usually when I get this way the Lord is pressing on my heart to intercede for someone.  I needed to find out who that person was, so I spent some good quality time with the Lord, albeit short, but quality none-the-less, yet I still didn't know who I was weeping for .  Weepy, weepy why I am so weepy?  Deep well of tears flowing! I decide to make a doctor appointment because I had a problem that popped up with my shoulder, which was causing quite a bit of pain.

So I went about my day as normal and then headed for my doctor's appointment at 3:30 p.m. I couldn't shake this weepiness, and it got stronger as I headed to the doc's office.  Then as soon as my doctor walked in the office I knew why . . . it all became so clear . . .

I was weeping for him! 

His head was shaven, eyes sunken in, cheek bones protruding and he looked thinner than I have ever seen him.  He is about my age, and this once strong, healthy, man - an avid runner, was now a lifeless shell.  He wouldn't tell me what was going on and avoided eye-contact and any potential for conversation altogether, so I patiently kept quiet and listened carefully for God's leading - being ever so careful, as I shared why I was in his office that day.  At the end of my appointment, when I was able to fully capture his gaze, I looked him in the eye and said, "It's Cancer isn't it?"  He said yes and bowed his head slightly, eyes down.  He allowed me to ask questions, and then slowly began to open up and share his story with me.  As an avid runner he was very "in-tune" to his body and when his hip started hurting he went to get it checked.  After some lengthy lab photos he found out he had a few tumors that were in his hip. It is an aggressive Lymphoma Cancer which has had him on Chemotherapy since the summer. I shared a few words with him and let him know we were praying for him and that he is to expect victory. There was so much more on my heart to share with him, but not enough time. He was very grateful for our conversation and thanked me. 

However it didn't end there . . . as soon as I got home Hubby was there and I shared with him what happened.  He led me to the living room and we went right into intercession for this man who the Lord wanted to reach in a mighty way.  When we were done the weepiness ended and joy returned.  Although we are going to continue to pray for our dear doc, we know God is already working on his behalf.  When God calls the intercessors it isn't always with an alarm and loud shout . . . sometimes it comes through weeping. That sweet, precious oil that flows from the throne room of God into the depths of our spirits, trickling ever so gently until it flows freely.  I am humbled and so honored to be able to pray for this man that God has brought into our lives.  We are believing for his complete healing, restoration and ultimate salvation and testimony of faith within the medical community.  To God Be The Glory.

The next time you feel weepy, maybe God is pulling you to pray for someone . . .ask Him and He will show you. We forget that sometimes when we go through suffering or pain it can be for a higher purpose, and in this case I believe the Lord allowed me to have a need to go to the doc so I could reach him and let him know there is hope in the midst of his horrible trial with cancer. 

There is a precious and very wise woman at our church who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, and she asked the Lord, "Why?  Why at this time in my life when things are so wonderful, and I am serving you so faithfully?" He said to her . . . "You said Lord do whatever it  takes to bring my son back to YOU." 

We forget that our bodies are the Lord's, and sometimes, yes sometimes He will allow sickness or disease, and even suffering so that in the end he can bring beauty, healing and restoration of all things.  ;-)

 ". . . for he saith, At an acceptable time I hearkened unto thee, And in a day of salvation did I succor thee: behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation: giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our ministration be not blamed; but in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings; in pureness, in knowledge, in long suffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned, in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left . . . " 2 Corinthians 6:2-7

Are you willing to do whatever it takes?  Whew . . . sobering, pure, hard reality, yet in pain and suffering we also see God's amazing grace, through faith. He is with us through it all, never leaving us alone and showing forth His amazing comfort through the Holy Spirit, holding us close . . . ever close, until the day of complete restoration.

God is so faithful, true and good and He LOVES each one! After all . . . He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ so we could have everlasting life.  The ultimate sacrifice!

<>< Kelly

Posted in The Beauty Of Gods Provision

Posted in The Beauty Of Gods Provision

POWERFUL! This is worth the few minutes to view.
Music: "Listen," by Michelle Tumes (one of my favorite artists)
Video Footage: "Passion of the Christ" movie
You Tube Artist: stormynight219

Posted in The Beauty Of Gods Provision

There is so much to report on all that God has been doing in our family life.  As you know my husband was layed-off from work about three weeks ago with only two weeks severence pay.  We took about a week and really sought the Lord and what direction Hugh was to go in next.  We also updated his resume, and did all the necessary marketing, along with cold calls and hot ones too :-) (lol).  We decided not to tell too many family members so they wouldn't be concerned.  We went through something similar back in 2003 that moved us from Connecticut to Minnesota (huge move!), so we really wanted to keep it low profile this time around.  I think . . . once you go through something that traumatic and life-changing, you know how to respond the second time around.  This time we knew there had to be as little distraction as possible, and our minds completely focused on  the Lord and His plan for our lives.

During this time the mind likes to play tricks on you.  The enemy starts whispering fear into your ear.  Things like "You are going to lose everything," or "you just can't keep a job," and similar death quotes.  So with each attack we had to stand firm on God's word.  Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not yet seen (Hebrews 11:1).  We didn't yet see the manifestation of work or a job, but we had to stand on the hope that God does what He says in His word, and one of the things he says in Philippians 4:19 is this, "And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."  He also says in Luke 12:28-30,"But if God doth so clothe the grass in the field, which to-day is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more (shall he clothe) you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, and what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: but your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things."

Going through a job loss can shake the very foundation as a family, especially when you live on one income, but God promises to meet our every need as we place our faith in Him.

We are so thankful for everything the Lord has provided for us, and for those around us.  We are watching Him move in such unique ways.  My husband's vision has been made clear and we are thankful for the path he is on, even though it is hard right now.  So far we haven't had to file for unemployment benefits and Hugh is working with his brother to help his company along while he finds a permanent position.  We are thankful even though it is long hours and little family time together (temporarily).  Hugh has been ministering to a few of the gentleman at his workplace, and he is watching God move in amazing ways.  Isn't that what it is all about?  It is not so much about position and title, but about being where God wants us at the time He wants us there, even for one life to be saved from the pits of hell.  As we go about doing the Lord's work, then He takes care of everything else. :-)

The Lord says in James 1:2-4 to "Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into various trials; Knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience. And let patience have (its) perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.

Thank you Lord for the great work you are doing in our family life.  I can't wait to see what else you have in store for us, and the journey you take us on next.  We await with great expectation.

<>< Kelly

Posted in The Beauty Of Gods Provision

So much has gone on that it it hard to know where to begin, so while the kiddos are out on the trampoline I will try and summarize the last month or so.  My nieces stayed with us for six weeks this summer and we enjoyed every minute.  To celebrate their last week we ended up going to the Wisconsin Dells. and stayed at the Chula Vista Resort.  Wow, was that a vacation to remember! The natural beauty there is breathtaking. My mom flew up from Texas to go with us.

When our Dells vacation ended Mom and the girls flew home and we were left with just the three of us again.  It took about a week for us to adjust to the empty house again.  At this time I also found out that one of my best friends hubby was laid off from work.  I called to console her and encourage her to keep trusting in the Lord, only to find out the very next day that I would have to live my words.  My hubby came home from work and let me know he was laid off.  Surprisingly we are doing well and believing God for his mighty hand of provision.  We went through a lay-off when we lived in Connecticut, away from any family, friends and networks and saw hos God provided for our every need.  We are expecting the same this time around, and know a big blessing is coming.  The world says when you lose your job, you are gonna lose everything, but when God says it is time to lose a job, it is usually so that He can bless with more.  His ways are not our ways that is for sure.

I love how my friend Jessie worded what is happening to us:

"Praising God with YOU!!  God's doing a new thing in Hugh's life.  HALLELUJAH.  The Lord will provide and you have life in abundance, to the full, until it overflows.  Praying the Peace of God will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  (((((Many Hugs))))  but also excitement over seeing what new things start to happen!!"       Jessie

Amen Jess, we shouldn't be looking at what we could lose, but rather what new things God is going to be doing in our lives.  Christ comes to bring life, not death, so as we live in Him we shall see fruitfulness even when a door closes.

For all of you have ever gone through a job lay-off, transfer or demotion I dedicate this post to you.  May the Lord always show himself faithful to you and your family and may you see that He is the God of more than enough, not the God who takes away.

Jehovah Jireh is Our Provider,

<>< Kelly

Posted in The Beauty Of Gods Provision

My nieces (college girl & bubbly) have been visiting us from Dallas for the summer, and we have taken them all around the Twin Cities area, including college hunting for my older niece.  I cannot believe the oldest Grandchild in our family is now 17 - wow!  I can still remember when I was in college, back in Dallas and my Mom called me from New York to tell me that college girl was born.  The first Grandchild in the family had made its entrance, and the family was enamored.  Since then we have had 7 more phone calls of children being born, but there seems to be something special about the first.

On Wednesday we visited a local christian university, and college girl fell in love with the campus.  God has done such a beautiful work in her since she has been here, and I am rejoicing at the direction He is giving her, and the peace.  When college girl first arrived she was completely closed to looking at christian universities because she thought that she would be too sheltered and taught "narrow-minded" ways. (Ikes!)  Now mind you this is a girl who was raised in a christian family, so it caught me off guard to hear her say this.  I can only attribute these statements to the huge influence public education has had on her life, that has tainted her views on christian education. I began to share with her how important it is to get an education that is based on a christian worldview, rather than a secular worldview, so that everything learned is seen from a biblical perspective (wisdom).  All other learning is just knowledge, but knowledge without wisdom is vanity. I am reminded of the scripture in Proverbs 3:13-14 that says, "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, And the man that getteth understanding. For the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver, And the profit thereof than fine gold."

College girl and I talked for quite awhile.  At the end she was still closed to a christian university education.  So I waited and prayed.  I figured that for 11 years this young one has only listened to secular teaching, except for a small amount of time on Sunday when she was at church.  It was going to take some time for God to illuminate and shed light on the dark areas of the soul, that had been blanketed by liberal talk, relative analysis, hedonistic philosophy and knowledge without faith. What she needed was a true, authentic and personal experience with God. One on one. 

That is exactly what happened!  One night during our house church meeting, we prayed for college girl, as she agreed.  In biblical fasion one person had a word, another an interpretation, another a prayer, and the body of Christ began to minister to this sweet young lady.  She broke as the years of pain came bubbling up, and the Lord touched each area of disbelief within her mind - tearing down the strongholds of secularism that had kept her in bondage to fear, stress and anxiety.  The Lord touched college girl and she is not the same.  In fact . . . as she was sharing with our house church family last night about her week, her eyes were just glowing with the light of the Lord.  She had such a peace, clarity, and vision for her future.  I am giving God the glory for that!  Only HE could have done such a quick work. 

Surprisingly . . . college girl wanted to go to the christian bookstore and get a new study bible.  So off we went to look at Bibles.  While there, a few other college girls came up and started talking with us.  They began sharing about their experience in christian college, and how wonderful it was.  In fact, my college girl was so impressed that she asked to look at the campus of the particular school addressed.  We immediately made an appointment and toured the campus.  At the end she felt so much peace, and placed it top on her list of schools to attend.  WOW!

This wasn't just about her being open to attending a christian university, it was about following God's destiny for her life, and not the world's destiny.  God says in Habakkuk 2:2-3, "Write the vision, and make it plain upon tablets, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for the appointed time, and it hasteth toward the end, and shall not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not delay." 

 Having God's vision for our children's future is imperative. We must be patient and wait for this vision to be made known not only to us, but to the ones in which it is to be given.  With vision comes hope.  With hope, comes faith, with faith comes power to overcome, and see that vision manifest in the physical realm.  Placing God first, even in education, will do this. Matthew 6:33 says "But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

God you are amazing, and I just want to thank and praise you for the testimony you are giving to our sweet college girl, and the peace and direction for her life.

<>< Kelly

Posted in The Beauty Of Gods Provision

"My Beloved"
--Michal Ann Goll

Encounters Network
www.encountersnetwork.com

I want to share a short but very significant experience I had with the Lord about a year ago. About this time last year, I was diagnosed with colon cancer. When I heard this diagnosis and was faced with my limited options, I so wanted to be healed supernaturally!

Now, I've known times of divine healing, like when I was healed from barrenness in 1982 (we now have four children!). I've also known amazing times of angelic visitation, like the weeks in the fall of 1992. I know this stuff does happen--and can happen-–to me!

Believe me, every night when I went to bed, I cried out to the Lord for Him to release His healing presence to me. "Send Your healing angels to deliver me from this awful curse!" I cried. It would've been a great time to be released to be healed. I called out to Him night after night; every following morning left me a day closer to having to go through surgery to remove my colon. But I continued to pray, believe, and expect.

I Am My Beloved's, And He Is Mine

During this time, I did not sense angels coming to touch me, although I'm not saying that they didn't come. I did not sense a healing grace from the Lord touching me, although I must say I don't know everything the Lord gave to me as I slept. Here is what I do know:

Every night as I went to bed, I heard the quiet voice of God come to me in my heart and remind me, "I am my Beloved's, and He is mine." In the morning, I would say back to Him, "Yes, I know, but I need to be healed! Please, Papa, send your healing angels to me!" Night after night, He would repeat these words to me. I was having a hard time receiving what He was saying. I was panicking; time was running out! I didn't want to go through this valley! I wanted to escape! I was desperate!

Slowly, I finally began to get it--at least a little bit. No matter what my circumstances were, He was telling me the most important thing I could ever hear. Angels could not give this most beautiful gift to me! Only my Father God could! Now, I kept asking for the healing to come, even the very moment before I went into surgery. I hung onto His words singing over me: "I am my Beloved's and He is mine!"

"Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life."

Those words were what held me steady and secure through that fiery trial! Those words hold me every day of my life, close to Papa's heart, and kept me out of the miry bog of fear, depression, hopelessness, and doubt. Those words filled me with life, with an ever deepening gift of healing that goes beyond my flesh and into every aspect of my being.

For most of us, the holidays are a wonderful time, but for some, the holidays are very difficult, even quite depressing because they remind us of what (or who) we don't have! Please hear Papa calling to you today! He is singing over each one of us that He loves us, that He is ours, and that we are His and His alone! May the enemies of depression, loneliness, rejection, and suicide be broken off each of our lives as we receive God's proclamation of eternal love over us!

Wow! Now that's good news! Receive His love for you in this new year and beyond! It will hold you steady and secure from this moment on! I am my Beloved's and He is mine!

"Love is the basic need of human nature, for without it, life is disrupted emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and physically." --Karl Menninger

Prayer:

Dear Papa!

"Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life."

Those words from a dear old hymn is the cry of our hearts. We need to hear Your words, singing over us. Dear Lord, we're so sorry that in times past, we have not valued Your words of love and comfort as we should have, and we have looked for something else to bring assurance, rest, and peace. At times, we've been like spoiled, little children on Christmas morning, looking for more presents, not valuing the gifts we've already received. Forgive us and wash us clean, we ask.

"Sing them over again to me--wonderful words of life!" We love Your words!

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Applications

God's love for us is unconditional! God's love is faithful! What He has promised, He will make come to pass. Each and every promise He has ever made to us, His children, He will fulfill. This is what His Bride, His body, needs to really hold on to.

This is a wonderful time to really make a point of getting this truth down deep into our hearts! Take time to meditate on what it means to be His Beloved! Meditate on His promises to you, and remember His acts of faithfulness to you and your family. This really helps cultivate a thankful, grateful heart that will serve you well the rest of your life.

Let this new year be a pivotal time when the roots of God's abiding love really go deep into your heart!

Be blessed and encouraged this day!
 

Michal Ann Goll
Encounters Network
www.encountersnetwork.com
 

Posted in The Beauty Of Gods Provision

Do you ever just sit and think about all the little miracles that happen everyday?  If I am not careful I tend to focus more on the burdens instead and miss all the beauty.  For instance . . . Hugh is working two jobs right now.  He leaves at 6:30 a.m. and doesn't get home till 10:30 p.m.  I am homeschooling Kaitlin full-time, watching our neighbor's child everyday, and have been diagnosed with a tumor and PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), along with struggling through CFS (Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction) on a daily basis.  The list goes on, and the burdens rack up and overwhelm, but somehow, someway . . . . in those still moments that happen at the strangest times . . . I see the Lord's hand of provision, and sense His gentle hand leading. That song which keeps resounding in my spirit (an oldie but a goodie), 

"It is well . . . . . with my soul . . . it is well . . it is well with my soul"  

I cannot imagine going through life's struggles without my Lord and Savior.  It must be hell on earth to have to endure such things, without ever knowing  there is a hope and a future.  The little things . . I resolve within myself to see the little miracles today.  My husband went to and from each job today with a full tank of gas and no accidents or tickets -- a miracle!  I had shampoo and conditioner to lather my hair with after I mowed the lawn in 90 degree weather -- a miracle!  The little boy I watch everyday went home with a smile on his face and peace in his heart -- a miracle!  The fact that I am here today, have a daughter who loves the Lord with all of her heart, soul and mind and a husband who does the same -- a miracle!  When we really look and see . . . really taste and see within our spirits how good God really is . . . and how everything else is just temporal. I enter His river of peace. 

I close my eyes . . for even a moment  . . . and believe. 

<>< Kelly