Visions from God

During the 9:20am Prayer this morning I had a vision that I believe was from God. It was right after Nick Todd had spoken about how strong we can be as individuals, but how much stronger we are when we unite together (or something along those lines). Nick asked us to join our hands together, and then he started praying. During the prayer I had a vision of an electric current flowing around the group. This current could only be broken by someone letting go, and hence breaking the circuit.

I was really inspired by this vision, because it reminded me how important it is for everyone to be really 'plugged' into the church and have 'connections' within the church; through attending church regularly, participation in small groups, serving on a roster, etc. And then by being plugged in and connected within the church...we can join together to truly see the awesome power of God (the ultimate higher power) unfold through our personal lives, our church, and into our community.

How CONNECTED are You? Is Your circuit broken?

And then during worship I had another vision:

As I was singing out the front, I looked out into the congregation and had a vision of trees; all different shapes and sizes. I then saw that some of these trees were really swaying in the wind, while others only had a few branches or just a few leaves moving.

Again I was really inspired and encouraged by this vision. I realised that what God was showing me was that the wind is His presence, it was blowing through the people like wind blows through the trees. Some trees are so flexible that they sway freely in the wind, while others are too heavy and only their leaves are ruffled by the wind. I thought about it and wondered what kind of tree I was. How flexible was I? How receptive am I to God's presence?

What kind of TREE are You?

How awesome is our God that He speaks to us in so many ways; I thank Him for opening my eyes! Have a God blessed week everyone!

Are you too busy?

It's so easy to say, "Lord I'm too busy right now...maybe later, maybe tomorrow I'll have more time for you"...so He waits...then we question "Lord where are you, where were you?", when something goes wrong. All it takes is just finding some time in that secret place...check out this clip by Henry Seeley (PlanetShakers) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yaw_RpQaxgQ

At church last night we were challenged to pick our top 5 songs that bring us into God's love...I couldn't pick 5...so I picked 10! These songs have ministered to my heart, and remind me just how much my God loves me...these songs bring me into the very real presence of God (I've included a link for each song, so that you can let them minister to your heart too)! How awesome is our God!

1. Rain Down - PlanetShakers http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1p2lh_raindown-planetshaker_music

2. More Than Life - Hillsong http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbeIEpr4kGg

3. Hosanna - Paradise Live http://www.imeem.com/people/T9yCz-/music/Nmx0qQVY/paradise-live-hosanna/

4. Saviour King - Hillsong http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7BQzic-zLs

5. Beautiful Saviour - PlanetShakers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8e9lCxn_IY

6. Falling In Love With Jesus - Jonathan Butler http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMbNitc3DrQ

7. How I Love You - PlanetShakers http://www.imeem.com/people/vzJnPm/music/XcXwjAWs/planet-shakers-how-i-love-you/

8. How Great Is Our God - Chris Tomlin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OsyiGgSlqY

9. Assuredly Yours - Paradise Live http://www.imeem.com/smile-patience18/music/YQK0QYUM/paradise-live-assuredly-yours/

10. Hosanna - Hillsong http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1764I6JOmLI

The Real Me

It is so easy to pretend to be ok, to pretend to be something that we're not. But what's the point of pretending when God sees the real you any way? We can fool each other, but there's no way to fool God. He doesn't care what you've done, where you've come from, or who you are pretending to be...no, He loves us ALL just as we are!

We need to be able to just open up our hearts and let Him in; to let Him heal our brokeness. He knows what we're going through, He knows that life isn't always going to be easy...but then He never said it would be. God has a HUGE heart and His love can soothe the hardest heart! We need to realise that unless we can be true to ourselves, God can't use us...He has a significant plan for each of our lives, but He can only use us if we let Him...we need to stop hiding ourselves and let God into EVERY part of our lives...otherwise we're just pretending...we're fake, and most of all...we're missing out on all that God has promised us!

I love the song by Natalie Grant called "The Real Me". I've posted the lyrics here, and you can listen to the song through my music player at the bottom of this page.

THE REAL ME

Foolish heart looks like we're here again

Same old game of plastic smile

Don't let anybody in

Hiding my heartache, will this glass house break

How much will they take before I'm empty

Do I let it show, does anybody know?

But you see the real me

Hiding in my skin, broken from within

Unveil me completely

I'm loosening my grasp

There's no need to mask my frailty

Cause you see the real me

Painted on, life is behind a mask

Self-inflicted circus clown

I'm tired of the song and dance

Living a Charade, always on parade

What a mess I've made of my existence

But you love me even now

And still I see somehow

That you see the real me
Hiding in my skin, broken from within
Unveil me completely
I'm loosening my grasp
There's no need to mask my frailty
Cause you see the real me

Wonderful, beautiful is what you see

When you look at me

You're turning the tattered fabric of my life into

A perfect tapestry

I just wanna be me

Cause you see the real me
Hiding in my skin, broken from within
Unveil me completely
I'm loosening my grasp
There's no need to mask my frailty
Cause you see the real me

And you love me just as I am

Wonderful, Beautiful is what you see

When you look at me

Don't Limit Yourself!

‘He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.’ Luke 19:3-5

Here we see a man who was so desperate to see Jesus that despite his own limitation he still went out of his way to make it possible. Often we can let limitations in our life prevent us from spending time with Jesus. We can let our busy lives dictate to us how much time we get with Jesus. Also, when Zacchaeus made a decision to push through the limitations before him, it results in a unique opportunity where Jesus came to his house for dinner. This was an opportunity that no other person in the crowd had. When we choose to go after God with everything we have, God will honour our efforts.

Prayer
Today God I want to go after you and not let anything hold me back.. I make a decision now to push past anything that will try to limit me and stop me from experiencing all of you.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As I read through this devotion today, I realised that I need to be more like Zacchaeus and push through the things that I am allowing to limit me.

I've been struggling to get through the past few weeks, and worrying about how I'd get through the next 15 weeks. I've allowed myself to be convinced that it's just all too hard, and I began to question my competence and purpose. I mean, I've never worked in mental health before, and I really don't know anything about it. But it's not only that...I've allowed myself to get anxious about all the reading, all the assessment, and all the learning that I need to complete over this time, and how I'd never be able to understand any of it. Then, I went and let it seep into other areas of my life...I began to question my place in this world, my true purpose, where do I fit in, why am I here?

I found myself becoming more and more obsessed with the fact that I had nothing to offer, that I wouldn't ever get through, that I was useless. I reflected on the fact that I wasn't able to conceive a child, so therefore I had nothing to offer my husband; I was always getting sick, so therefore I'd never be able to work full time and would be a burden on my family, etc, etc, etc...noticing a pattern? Yeah...I was convincing myself that I was completely useless...I was speaking these words over my life and declaring them as truth, when in fact it is all lies. Lies that I've been telling myself. Lies that I've allowed to dictate my thoughts, my actions, my emotions...me!

But then after the 9:20 prayer session, the sermon at church today, and this devotion...I realised the truth. I am a child of the most high God. I am wonderfully and fearfully made! I have been placed on this earth and in this prac placement because it's exactly where God wants me to be. He has chosen me for such a time as this. He loves me for who I am, and what I have to offer. He is calling me to His side, asking me to draw near to Him, so that He can be my comforter, my counsellor, and my best friend!

The following one of the most inspiring, encouraging, uplifting verses that I know, and it has made me realise that God is definitely for me; He's in control and looking out for me, always:

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you." Psalm 139:13-18

I've also found these scripture to help me get through this time of pushing through my limitations; and, to remind me of God's great love, and of His purpose for my life:

• For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13
• "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 4:6-7
• "Come near to God and he will come near to you." James 4:8
• "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Phillipians 4:13
• "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5

92 Year Old Pastor

I received this email from a good friend of mine and I thought it was great, so I'd love to share it with you, and let it minister to you!

While watching a little TV on Sunday, I watched a church in Atlanta honoring one of its senior pastors who had been retired many years. He was 92 at that time and I wondered why the church even bothered to ask the old gentleman to preach at that age. After a warm welcome, introduction of this speaker, and as the applause quieted down, he rose from his high back chair and walked slowly, with great effort and a sliding gate to the podium.

Without a note or written paper of any kind he placed both hands on the pulpit to steady himself and then quietly and slowly he began to speak...."When I was asked to come here today and talk to you, your pastor asked me to tell you what was the greatest lesson ever learned in my 50-odd years of preaching. I thought about it for a few days and boiled it down to just one thing that made the most difference in my life and sustained me through all my trials. The one thing that I could always rely on when tears and heartbreak and pain and fear and sorrow paralyzed me... the only thing that would comfort was this verse...

"Jesus loves me this I know. For the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong, we are weak but He is strong...Yes, Jesus loves me...The Bible tells me so."

When he finished, the church was quiet. You actually could hear his footsteps as he shuffled back to his chair. I don't believe I will ever forget it. A pastor once stated, "I always noticed that it was the adults who chose the children's hymn 'Jesus Loves Me' (for the children of course) during a hymn sing, and it was the adults who sang the loudest because I could see they knew it the best."

"Senior version of Jesus Loves Me"
Here is a new version just for us who have white hair or no hair at all. For us over middle age (or even those almost there) and all you others, check out this newest version of 'Jesus Loves Me'.

Jesus loves me, this I know, Though my hair is white as snow
Though my sight is growing dim, Still He bids me trust in Him.
(CHORUS)
YES, JESUS LOVES ME. YES, JESUS LOVES ME.
YES, JESUS LOVES ME, FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.

Though my steps are oh, so slow, With my hand in His I'll go
On through life, let come what may, He'll be there to lead the way.
(CHORUS)

When the nights are dark and long, In my heart He puts a song,
Telling me in words so clear, "Have no fear, for I am near."
(CHORUS)

When my work on earth is done, And life's victories have been won.
He will take me home above, Then I'll understand His love.
(CHORUS)

I love Jesus, does He know? Have I ever told Him so?
Jesus loves to hear me say, That I love Him every day.
(CHORUS)

Take a look at the words of this 'new' version; it's so true...God loves us sooo very much! We couldn't possibly ever know the extent of His great love; but if we let His Holy Spirit lead us and guide us each day, we can go on through all the ups and downs of life and look back knowing that God loves us, and that He's ALWAYS there for us!

The Cross

Well, it's been about 2 weeks since I last left a Blog, so I thought I better post another entry.

I received this email from a friend the other day, and even though I've seen it before, it reminded me of just how awesome our God is. It reminded me that even though we go through challenges, and question God...He's always in control! He knows what our future holds; so we (I) need to always trust in Him and follow His directions.

Awesome! We complain about the cross we bear but don't realise it is preparing us for the dip in the road that God can see and we cannot! This email will be a reminder to me, over the next 4.5 months while I'm on Prac and not working, to carry the weight of the cross, to trust God, and to always know that todays challenges are preparing us for tomorrows successes! God won't give us more than we can handle!

Whatever your cross, whatever your pain,
There will always be sunshine, after the rain;
Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall,
But God's always ready, to answer your call.

He knows every heartache, sees every tear,
A word from His lips, can calm every fear;
Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night,
But suddenly vanish, by dawn's early light.

The Saviour is waiting, somewhere above,
to give you His grace, and send you His love.

May God fill your day with blessings!

What's in a song?

On my way home tonight, from a great night out with the young adults from church, Zeke and I were listening to a CD in the car, and singing along, when I stopped and started to think about the lyrics that I was singing. I thought to myself, how did these words get put together and end up as a song? What made the author of this song, write these words?
Did they experience something that they wrote out and wanted to share? Did they see a need for others to hear it and relate to it? Was it their feelings; their thoughts and ideas; their understanding of it, or perhaps a misunderstanding of it? I don't know...but what I do know is that the lyrics of a song can change a persons life, their perspectives, their feelings.

Now I'm not just talking about christian songs (which Zeke & I did happen to be listening to), I'm talking about secular songs too. We hear songs about men being cheaters & liers, and women are spoken of as objects, the world is seen as corrupt, there's hatred, misinterpretation, under valuing of relationships, etc...how does this make us feel? Do these songs change our thinking about each other, about our value in society? I'm sure they do for some people. And yet we still are happy to sing along to the radio...half the time, not even realising what we're singing.

Mark 4:24 (MSG) – “Listen carefully to what I {Jesus} am saying, and be wary of the shrewd advice that tells you how to get ahead in the world on your own”

Turning it back around to the positives, we can stop and listen to a song and it can completely change our world for the better. The lyrics of a song may be soothing to our souls, they may be the answer we've been looking for. Sometimes we can relate to what the artist is singing about, and we feel like we're no longer alone...sometimes the lyrics are the exact expression of what we haven't ourselves been able to express. Songs can comfort us through a difficult time.

"I have come to this ocean, and the waves of fear are starting to grow. The doubts and questions are rising with the tide So I'm clinging to the one sure thing I know … I will hold on to the hand of my Savior. I will hold on with all my might." from Steven Curtis Chapman's song "Hold Onto Jesus" from his Signs of Life album.

"I'm hurting Lord, this world can hit me so hard. Heal me with Your grace. … You are my strength at all times. There is nothing I will fear 'cause You are here. You are my refuge and hope. Quench my thirsty soul. Be alive in my heart, Father I'm praying You are." from "You Are" on The Katinas' album Destiny.

Have you ever really stopped and thought about the kinds of songs you listen to when you're happy? What about when you're sad? Angry? Tired? Stressed? They're not always the same. We try to find songs that match up with how we're feeling, or songs that will make us feel better. But do they? We really need to take more notice of the songs that we allow to minister into our lives, especially when we're feeling vulnerable. What are we singing when we turn on the radio? Do I believe what the artist is singing, or am I just singing it cause it's catchy? No, I don't want to just sing any song...I want the songs that I sing, and the songs that I listen to, to give me strength, to give me guidance, comfort, assurance. They need to align with my beliefs, my values. They shouldn't be down-grading or negative...I don't want to allow negativity to minister into my heart!

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) – “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life”

So my challenge to you is that you stop and listen to the lyrics of the songs that you're singing along to. Hear the words and question whether or not you should be singing them. And if not...perhaps adjust your radio dial!

Heart Of Worship

I was thinking about my previous post, and about worship being more than just a song, and I was led to this beautiful worship song. The words line up with what I wrote, and what I've read so far in 'Extravagant Worship' by Darlene Zchech, so I thought I would share it with you! You can view the song at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeAwBmb_x28, if you haven't heard it before, it's definitely worth a listen!

The Heart Of Worship

Verse 1
When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless your heart

Bridge
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart

Chorus
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You
It's all about You, Jesus

Verse 2
King of endless worth
No one could express
How much you deserve
Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is yours
Every single breath

Bridge
Chorus x2

Extravagant Worship!

Wayne shared an awesome devotion at music last night, about making sacrifices for God, & how today's sacrifices, will align with tomorrows promises. He shared about sacrifices that he made when he was a child and how, without knowing at the time, they were all in sync with the calling that God has for Him today! AWESOME!
I was absolutely blessed by this and had to question my life (once again). Am I doing all I can to be who God has called me to be? Am I making sacrifices? I could say yes, I go to music practice every Thursday night, that's a sacrifice of my time. I could say yes, I go to church every Sunday, I sing on a roster...but who am I kidding? Certainly not God!

I know that there is so much more of me to give, so much more I could sacrifice. So today, I started reading 'Extravagant Worship' by Darlene Zschech, again. I know that God has called me to be a worship leader, there's no doubt there. But how can I truly lead people into the throne room of God as a worship leader, without first learning how to become an extravagant worshiper in my personal life?

I have to first acknowledge that it's not something that will just happen overnight. Darlene says in her book that there was a time that God gently whispered to her, while in prayer, "Daughter, you're not an extravagant worshiper yet". She realised, through this, that to call yourself an extravagant worshiper, we have to understand that we have a long way to go!

So, what is worship?
'True worship is not about the songs being sung; it is not about the size of the band...Although music is a wonderful expression of worship, it is not in itself the essence of it. The core of worship is when one's heart and soul, and all that is within, adores and connects with the Spirit of God.'
Worship:

• involves the giving of ourselves totally to the Lord;
• should be a way of life, with many facets of expression;
• must cost us something!

We can see through Bible stories, that 'whenever someone demonstrated extravagant worship, God reacted with extravagant blessing.' So really, why would we, or should I say why would I want to give anything less? Here are some examples of extravagant worshipers:

• 'Noah lived through extreme circumstances, but he still praised God in the midst of it' (Genesis 8:20-22);
• 'Abraham was prepared to give it all. He was overgenerous, excessive in his act of worship' (Genesis 22:2; 11-12);
• 'David wanted to offer a sacrifice to the Lord to stop a plague on the Lord's people'. But he wouldn't give 'a burnt offering that cost him nothing'. (1 Chronicles 21:24).
• 'When Paul and Silas where in jail, they worshiped God.' (Acts 16:23-35).

Extravagant worship grabs God's attention!

So, in 2009, I want to grow more in God and move closer towards being an 'Extravagant Worshiper'. Not just so that I can be more sensitive to hear God's voice while I'm leading worship at church, but so that I can be EVERYTHING that God has called me to be!

Being Unleashed Together!

So at church last night we were all encouraged to create our own "Unleashed" pictures, so I've been busy creating one for me, one for Zeke, but also one of both of us > > >

I chose to do one together, because when we were prayed for last night, we got a word from God about being 'unleashed' into a ministry 'together'. It's all very exciting, and so in 2009 we're not only stepping up individually to be unleashed into our callings, but also as husband & wife, we're preparing to be unleashed together, for God's perfect plan!

We were so blessed by the words that were prayed over us...infact we actually got a double whammy...2 people prayed for us, each blessing us with a word from God, and the wisdom they have gained by being open and 'available' to God! AWESOME!

Well...I've done it!

Ok, so I didn't think I'd ever become a blogger, but for some reason I decided today that I'd give it a shot. I may not leave a post everyday, perhaps not even every week, but I do want to share my journey with others. The ups, the downs, and the in-betweens!

I've struggled with things in the past that I think have caught up with me, finally, so I've decided that in 2009, I'm gonna allow change to take place in my heart, my mind, my life! Part of this change is being accountable to people. Part of this change includes having this blog. But most of all, the greatest change is allowing God to have complete control of my life! Allowing Him to speak to me through Godly people, through worship, songs, readings, whatever will get my attention; and I will share it on here!

At the end of 2009, I want to read back over my blog entries and know that God used me, that God transformed me, and that I have been UNLEASHED into new ministries, new responsibilities, new relationships...and demonstrate a greater love for our Master!